4800 vs. 4500.
A 300-point difference might not decide a match in other games. Skilled players often make up for it. But in a card game like this, a split-second ATK advantage is everything.
So, the outcome was inevitable.
BOOM!
In Keith's stunned gaze, the crimson war machine collapsed explosively. The blast stirred a gust that lifted the warrior's dark cloak—but the warrior stood unmoved:
Sharp as a blade, as immovable as a fortress.
Watching it all, You Ming suddenly understood.
This is the pure, electrifying thrill you only get from real-duel moments—or perhaps the rush of fighting side by side.
> "Thank you, Dark Blade."
He whispered to the warrior's towering silhouette.
For a moment, You Ming felt the warrior briefly look back.
Through the silver helm, eyes glowed with what felt like quiet kindness.
> "Now… let's end this."
After one shared glance, You Ming refocused ahead.
Beyond the glowing Swords of Revealing Light, smoke from the explosion curled in the air. And when it cleared, there was Keith—slumped forward, wounded:
> Keith's LP: 3000 → 2700
Sure, 300 LP wasn't enormous—but compared to the barrage from Cannon Soldier, it was noticeable. And Keith's pale, wavering condition said it all. The tide had turned.
> "You've run out of cards. Your back row, apart from the lock, is empty."
He spoke calmly, eyes steady.
> "With the Virus in effect, you can't play any further cards…"
> "Who cares?!"
Keith snarled like a reflex before You Ming finished.
> "You're locked behind Swords of Revealing Light too—so we're in the same boat!"
But were they really?
> "My turn—Draw."
At that draw, Keith's quick breathing stuttered.
In that eerie silence, just You Ming's voice broke through:
> "I set a card face-down. End Phase."
Another moment of silence. Keith's shaking hand moved to his deck.
> "My turn…"
And in that moment, he heard it—the chilling, sinister laugh.
Metal shrieked as the Virus seeped silently back across his field.
> "Draw."
Another thud. He never even saw the card.
Time Wizard (DEF 1400).
As its spectral image flickered, corrosive tendrils swooped and swallowed it.
Keith's head spun.
> "The Virus…"
Unlike You Ming's simple lock, the Virus spread without needing cards.
Worse—it would still last.
> "I set a card. End Phase."
Coming back to awareness, Keith was near exhaustion. Yet with that declaration, the Swords of Revealing Light shattered.
And Keith?
> "My… I…"
His trembling hand hovered over his deck; his voice was a hoarse whisper.
All eyes knew—this was his last draw.
> Maybe I've lost…?
As that thought flashed into his mind, his breaths grew sharp.
> No way—I can't lose!
Veins popped on his hand as he clutched the deck.
> I swore, the moment I fell into this hell—I would avenge that bastard Pegasus. I won't lose again—especially not to some unknown brat!
He flung his head up; behind the dark lenses, a spark of flame flared.
> "My turn! Draw—"
At that moment, You Ming sensed something shift in the air.
A change in… atmosphere?
His opponent's fingertip and the top card glowed faintly.
Please don't say you're about to summon your pride and joy just now…
> "I drew Pot of Greed—the Spell Card!"
> "Ha—hahaha! The goddess of victory is on my side!"
He laughed wildly, releasing all the tension.
> "Kid! You're still not enough to beat me!"
Keith had earned that confidence. The anime's Pot of Greed wasn't as trivial as the card's reputation. It read:
Draw two cards… then discard until your hand is back to five.
The "cost" of discarding wasn't remotely a drawback in early Duel Monsters.
Five extra cards in one turn? That's a powerful play.
Even across five rounds, Keith dismissed it.
> "It's a future debt card."
He said slowly, coolly.
> But a true champion has the nerve to bet the future on the table!
Keith placed his card-drawing hand onto the deck.
> "But a real champion—knows when to go all-in!"
You Ming covered his face to stifle a snort.
> You called it a future debt, but you'll still lose if I unite the Duel Disk?
> "Five turns…"
> Five turns? That's nothing.
> "Witness a champion's power, you brat! Draw—"
He slammed his hand down. The Virus-driven gaps vanished.
If this were the modern era, that violent draw would win the game instantly.
But…
> "Keith Howard."
> Seto Kaiba's legacy.
> "Champion…"
You Ming whispered under his breath.
> I can see how much that title means to you.
In both manga and anime, Keith openly loved being called "U.S. Champion."
He wore that title like armor—especially when facing Yugi or Pegasus.
> That's your pride. Your dignity.
You Ming's eyes sharpened.
> But it's also your weakness.
> "What—?!"
Keith hadn't grasped what came next.
> Not yet—but soon.
Then came the eerie laugh again.
> "What's…?"
The Virus surged again. This time, his hand cards were illuminated—revealed before he could even act.
> Even in your last turn, the Virus lets me confirm your hand.
Hand cards summoned:
Battle Cruiser (DEF 1000)
Rocket Spider Tank (DEF ?)
Mechanical Soldier (DEF 1200)
Cyber Jar (DEF 900)
Motor Minion (DEF 800)
> "All monsters?!
He stared, stunned by the spectral steel.
> "And almost all are low DEF."
> "No…"
Keith's hushed gasp was drowned by mechanical whirring and collapsing sounds.
> Battle Cruiser—1000 DEF.
Metal fragments fell.
> Mechanical Soldier—1200 DEF.
It disintegrated.
> Cyber Jar—900 DEF. Motor Minion—800 DEF.
Clang… clang…
> "No…"
Amid collapsing sounds, Keith looked around frantically.
The sinister laugh surrounded him—a voice from nowhere and everywhere.
> "This is impossible…"
At last, his gaze fixed on the source: the boy half-shadowed in darkness.
> "…Kid…"
The laugh faded as the boy slowly clenched his fist.
Clatter!
A pitch-black storm swept over, demonic wails echoing everywhere.
> "All those monsters—are destroyed."
BOOM!
The remaining virus dissolved his hand—along with any illusion of hope.
> "It's over, Keith."
> "No… It can't be…"
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