Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, summoned once more!
The powerful black-robed Tomb Guardian returned to the field again. His face was resolute, and his gaze was calm like a well. His sturdy and upright figure stood tall in the silent valley, resembling a stately pine bamboo.
[Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, Attack Power 2000]
"The 'Gravekeeper's Commandant' and 'Gravekeeper's Spiritualist' used as Fusion Material, both level four, have a combined level of eight, so the Supernaturalist's attack power increases by 800," Ishizu said. "Next is the effect of 'Necrovalley', increasing attack power by another 500!"
[Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, Attack Power 2000 → Attack Power 2800 → Attack Power 3300]
"Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, effect activates again."
The black-robed Tomb Guardian closed his eyes, with a devout expression, holding his Magic Staff horizontally and chanting softly.
"This effect can only be activated during the main phase," she said. "At the end of this turn, I will add one monster card with the name 'Gravekeeper' or 'Necrovalley' from the deck to my hand.
Now going into battle, it's my turn to counterattack. Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, attack 'Dark Magician'!"
The Supernaturalist chanted incantations, lifting the golden Magic Staff gradually. The silent valley seemed to awaken, invisible particles gathered from the surrounding air, resembling the swirling clouds of the sky, concentrated magical power condensed upon the Tomb Guardian's staff, transforming into a torrential golden stream rushing forth.
Dark Magician concurrently released his magic power, deploying a defensive magic this time. However, without corresponding magical support, his magic power alone was powerless to resist the Tomb Guardian empowered by the forces of the land of eternal rest.
Within just one round, his magic was shattered, and his staff was ejected by the oscillation of the incantation, his figure also dispersing.
[Youyu, LP 3700 → LP 2900]
"Set two cards, end turn." Ishizu drew from the deck on her Duel Disc, "Ending phase, Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist effect resolves, adding 'Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier' to my hand from the deck."
"Now it's my turn... Magic Card - Spellbook Inside the Pot, both players draw three cards from their decks."
Youyu drew cards, his gaze sweeping across Ishizu's field.
Necrovalley truly is a headache-inducing field card, unable to utilize graveyard effects means many tactics and counter-strategies cannot be employed.
Moreover, as long as Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist is present on the field, both the Tomb Guardian himself and the Necrovalley cannot be destroyed by card effects, it's a mutual protection mechanism, adding insurance to the field magic.
The Valley of Eternal Rest provides power to Tomb Guardians, and Tomb Guardians defend this sanctuary with their bodies.
...But it's merely "indestructible."
"Quick-Play Magic - Cosmic Cyclone!" Youyu's Magic Card manifested before him, "Paying 1000 Life Points, banishing one magic or trap card on the field from play!
I will banish... the field magic 'Necrovalley'!"
"Beautiful!" Marik praised silently in his heart, "Sis's deck revolves around 'Necrovalley,' losing this advantageous battleground will disrupt many tactics, and the destroy resistance of 'Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist' will dissipate, and its attack power will decrease!"
[Youyu, LP 2900 → LP 1900]
The golden cyclone swirling from above swiftly covered the entire field, impacting the entire valley of rest. The valley began to flicker like an illusion, its rocky sides and surroundings turning translucent and illusory until completely vanishing.
"With this, the graveyard seal disappears," Youyu smiled, "and the attack power of 'Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist' decreases."
[Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, Attack Power 3300 → Attack Power 2800]
But Ishizu's expression didn't change much: "Open the Set Card, Continuous Trap - Necrovalley Temple."
A heavy tremor erupted, and a majestic golden palace rose from the ground. Ancient sculptures stood like silent guardians before the palace, ten golden braziers burning with flickering flames, casting a veil of majesty and mystery over the temple.
"The effect of 'Necrovalley Temple,' once per turn, during either player's main phase, I can activate one 'Necrovalley' from my hand or graveyard."
She revealed a card from her hand.
"According to its effect, I activate from my hand - field magic 'Necrovalley'!!!"
Having just departed a few seconds ago, this headache-inducing field returned once more. The silent and solemn valley once again occupied the entire field, differently this time was the sacred golden palace centrally located in the valley.
"As per Necrovalley's effect, Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist's attack power rises again."
[Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, Attack Power 2800 → Attack Power 3300]
Ishizu paused, pointing to the sacred palace in the valley: "And another effect of the temple. When the temple and 'Necrovalley' coexist, all opposing monsters on the field have their attack and defense reduced by 500."
"The field magic effect grants Tomb Guardians an increase of 500 attack power while the temple reduces the opposition by 500... that's a difference of 1000 points," Marik murmured, "and the graveyard seal means we must rely solely on the limited resources at hand... Mr. Youyu is in a dangerous situation."
"Really a relentless troublesome field." Youyu shrugged, "Then I'll summon 'Berry Magician Girl'."
The pacifier-wielding magician girl shouted "Hey ya!" appearing on the field with her butterfly-like small wings endeavoring to flap.
[Berry Magician Girl, Attack Power 400]
"Due to the temple's effect, Magician Girl's attack power will decrease."
[Berry Magician Girl, Attack Power 400 → Attack Power 0]
Originally she had a meager 400 points of attack power, but with the reduction, the magical girl was stripped of her combat strength entirely. She feebly flapped her little wings, landing on the ground listlessly.
"But effects can still be used," Youyu said, "When Berry Magician Girl is successfully summoned, from the deck, I add another Magician Girl to my hand. I'll add 'Dark Magician Girl' to my hand."
The card of Dark Magician Girl seemed eager as if it automatically popped out from the deck, and once received by Youyu, the girl's spirit quickly floated beside him, encouraging him with her little fists raised.
"Set one more card, ending turn."
"Then it's my turn, drawing card."
Ishizu gazed at Youyu's field, where the pacifier-wielding, mentally drained magician girl stood, but she didn't underestimate her.
Leaving only such an attack power 0 monster on the field... implies great confidence in the defensive capability of this monster?
Nonetheless, she had to attack.
"Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist's effect activates," she said, "At the end phase of this turn, I can still choose one card carrying the name 'Gravekeeper,' or a card with 'Necrovalley' in its name to add to my hand.
Next, I summon 'Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier.'
The warrior brandishing a spear arrived on the field, face ferocious, his spear spinning fiercely like a storm.
[Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier, Attack Power 1500]
"As per 'Necrovalley's effect, attack power increases!"
[Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier, Attack Power 1500 → Attack Power 2000]
"Battle!" Ishizu commanded directly, "Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier, attack Berry Magician Girl!"
The spear-wielding warrior charged forward fiercely, showing no pity for beauty, his spear a piercing shooting star, locked onto the helpless Berry Girl.
"Berry Magician Girl's effect," Youyu said, "When chosen as an attack target, she turns to defense position, and I special summon another 'Magician Girl' from the deck."
I'll special summon 'Apple Magician Girl'!"
A red magic array, a beam of red light shot forth, transforming into the lively image of a charming girl, wings like pink feathers of an angel fluttering behind her.
[Berry Magician Girl, Attack Power 0 → Defense Power 0]
[Apple Magician Girl, Attack Power 1200 → Attack Power 700] (Reduced due to temple effect)
"Battle Recall, my attack target remains the same," Ishizu stated, "Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier, continue attacking Berry Magician Girl.
The Spear Soldier's effect. When attacking a monster in defense position, if his attack power exceeds the defensive power, piercing damage is inflicted!"
Marik's breath caught: "Bad situation. Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier's attack power is 2000, Berry Magician Girl's defense is 0. If the attack goes through, it's a direct 2000 battle damage!"
[Youyu, LP 1900]
Marik realized he had unintentionally grown nervous.
——Youyu is going to lose!