Cursed Vampire: "..."
He never expected to encounter someone on the road who would directly execute such a heavyweight maneuver.
Celestial Obedience, directly summoning him by name from his card deck, was already incredible. But what could be more astonishing than this was undoubtedly the combination of Celestial Obedience and Thunder King.
"Choose." Yugen tilted his head.
The Vampire glared at him silently for a moment, then gloomily spoke.
"I choose... to Special Summon myself on your field..."
"Ahaha, that's very gracious of you."
Yugen smiled, holding the golden light shooting from the opponent's card deck between his index and middle fingers.
"Then, I will reluctantly accept your allegiance.
Come forth, Cursed Vampire, Special Summon on my field!"
As the card was placed, the duplicate form of the Vampire flew over and stood before Yugen, transforming into another Cursed Vampire, facing its original self.
[Cursed Vampire, Attack Power 2000]
Witnessing their leader's betrayal, the Blood Race minions clicked their tongues in wonder while cautiously observing the leader's expression, now darkened as if a storm was imminent.
"Then let's battle." Yugen said, "Thunder King attacks 'Vampire Bat Swarm'."
Then, with a cold and hoarse voice, the Cursed Vampire declared, "Daring to covet the power of the Blood Race, you must see if you have what it takes.
Activate the cover card, Trap Card 'Great Calamity of the Evil God'!"
Hm?
Yugen raised an eyebrow.
This card seems to destroy all Magic Traps on the field during the opponent's attack declaration... Wait, no.
That was the Physical Card effect. This card was used by Malik in the animation; the effect seems to be...
"All monsters on the field are destroyed during the opponent's monster attack declaration!"
The Cursed Vampire spread his arms, shouting loudly.
"Therefore, destroy all monsters on the field... including myself!"
A purple-black vortex opened, and the wave of annihilation swept through. The monsters on both sides struggled in vain before being completely obliterated.
"Oh, even ruthless to yourself." Yugen smiled.
"All traitors to His Highness must die." The Vampire Nobility said proudly, "Even myself is no exception."
"His Highness?"
Yugen noticed the title.
"Moreover, the great Blood Race is immortal. Even against you inferior Overlord's henchmen!"
The Vampire declared loudly.
"The effect of 'Vampire Bat Swarm' on my field. If this card is destroyed, send a card with the same name from the card deck to the graveyard to nullify its destruction!" (Original Card)
The Cursed Vampire revealed another bat from the card deck and sent it to the graveyard.
"Thus, the destruction of Vampire Bat Swarm is nullified."
"Oh impressive." Judai praised, "So now only Yugen's monster is destroyed."
"Hehehe, and that's not all." The Cursed Vampire laughed, "I myself am also immortal. No matter how many times, as long as there's fresh, delicious blood, I will always resurrect from the coffin!"
As his words fell, the Vampire destroyed and sent to the owner's graveyard suddenly emerged from the duel disc's graveyard, biting fiercely on the neck of its controlling original—himself.
One Cursed Vampire bit another's neck, madly sucking, leaving two signature vampire punctures on the pale neck. The scene had an eerie feel to it.
As blood was sucked, the dead-like face quickly regained vitality. The cursed Blood Race, full of strength, jumped back to the field, crossing its arms before its original.
"Huh?" Judai was surprised, "Revived by sucking its own blood?"
Vampire: "Sending Cursed Vampire to the graveyard can Special Summon it back to the field by absorbing 500 points of the duelist's Life Points!" (Original effect)
[Vampire, LP 4000→LP 3500]
In fact, the original comic description was "absorb the player's blood for regeneration," but the effect processing practically meant paying 500 Life Points. The Physical Card effect was weakened to only allow regeneration through battle destruction, and instant revival was modified to process at the next preparation phase.
"Of course, because the original holder is me, when sent to the graveyard, it naturally goes to my graveyard. Thus, using the regeneration effect also requires me to pay 500 Life Points, Special Summoning on my field." The Cursed Vampire laughed and continued, "Moreover, whenever I'm regenerated through this effect, my Attack Power increases by 500 points!"
[Cursed Vampire, Attack Power 2000→Attack Power 2500]
Of course, while this effect was retained in the Physical Card, during effect processing, once the Cursed Vampire leaves the field, the resulting Attack Power increase is reset. Thus, in the case of a Physical Card, even if defeated and revived, it still has only its base Attack Power plus 500, totaling 2500 Attack Power.
However, the original ruling was different. The Professor Card who used this card explicitly told the game that the Cursed Vampire was immortal.
No matter what kind of monster is used to defeat it, it will return stronger in the next turn. Therefore, the original ruling should add an extra 500 Attack power on top of its previous strength whenever it leaves the field, meaning the more times it's defeated, the stronger it becomes.
An immortal, unlimited monster... as long as the duelist's life is enough to support it.
"Oh, not only was the Vampire Bat Swarm preserved, but its own revival was strengthened!"
Judai laughed cheerfully, casually chatting with the Blood Race minions nearby.
"Your leader seems quite capable, really impressive."
The Blood Race: "..."
Such an attitude left them momentarily bewildered.
They couldn't help but want to ask, whose side are you on exactly?
"Thunder King Formation was broken, indeed you seem different from the typical Elf here." Yugen smiled, expressing appreciation.
"Obviously."
The Cursed Vampire seemed proud upon saying this, holding his head high.
"I am His Highness's noble Vampire Knight, naturally not to be equated with those who bend the knee to Overlord's tyranny!"
"So, a Vampire Knight, impressive, impressive, admirable."
Yugen smiled, drawing two more cards from his hand.
"Then, set two more cards face-down, ending the turn."