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Chapter 427: Self-Confined?
The Attack of one Red-Eyes Black Dragon was blocked, but Joey Wheeler still had two other Monsters on his Field that hadn't Attacked yet.
"Seriously, I got tricked." After glancing at the Card in his Hand, Joey Wheeler waved his hand forward. "In that case, I'll use **Magical Knight Gilford** to Attack Puppet Castle!"
Because of Puppet Castle's own Effect, any Monster Joey Wheeler used to Attack would be redirected towards Puppet Castle. In other words, it was forcibly made the primary Attack Target.
Puppet Castle's Defense of 1800 Points was enough to easily block the Offensive of lower-level Monsters, but as luck would have it, the ATK of **Magical Knight Gilford**, which Joey Wheeler Summoned this Turn, was exactly 1850 Points. It was just enough to Break Through Puppet Castle.
Although Puppet Castle had the ability to Revive a Monster from the Graveyard when Attacked and Transfer the Attack, this Effect could only be used once per Turn, and it had just been used by Red-Eyes Black Dragon's Attack.
Therefore, facing **Magical Knight Gilford** charging forward with its long Sharp Blade, although Puppet Castle put up its full Defense, it was ultimately Destroyed and sent to the Graveyard.
However, because it was in Defense Position, Joey Wheeler couldn't Inflict Battle Damage to Northwood Reiko.
"Alright, that means only the final **Puppet King** is left." Joey Wheeler clenched his fist and looked at the final **Puppet King** standing in front of Northwood Reiko.
Northwood Reiko looked at the spirited Joey Wheeler and said nervously, "B-But, **Puppet King's** Defense is 2600 Points, which is higher than Red-Eyes Black Dragon's 2400 ATK."
"Ah, that's right. If Red-Eyes Black Dragon with 2400 ATK Attacks **Puppet King** with 2600 DEF, I'll only take Damage." He glanced at the last Card in his Hand. Although his words seemed troubled, Joey Wheeler 's face held a confident smile.
"However, if a single Monster's Battle Power isn't enough, let the Power of Fusion create a miracle!"
As Joey Wheeler spoke, he inserted the Card from his Hand into the Spell & Trap Zone, and a green vortex Manifested above his Field.
"Huh? Fusion during the Battle Phase?" As Northwood Reiko understood it, Fusion should only be a method of Summoning that can be performed during the Main Phase. How can it be done during the Battle Phase?
"Instant Fusion is a Quick-Play Spell Card, a Card that can be Activated during the Battle Phase. Its Effect is that I can choose the necessary Fusion Material for a Fusion Monster from my Field, and then perform a Fusion Summon."
"However, as a cost, the Fusion Monster Fusion Summoned by Instant Fusion's Effect will be Destroyed at the End Phase of this Turn."
Joey Wheeler knew that Northwood Reiko didn't understand Duel Monsters very well, so he patiently explained. Then, he extended his hand and pointed to the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and **Magical Knight Gilford** standing side-by-side on his Field.
"Although it's a bit of a disadvantage to be chosen as Fusion Material before even getting to Attack, I can't worry about that now. I'll use the Red-Eyes Black Dragon on my Field and the Warrior Type **Magical Knight Gilford** as Fusion Material to perform a Fusion Summon!"
"Manifest, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**!"
The green Fusion vortex sucked in the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and **Magical Knight Gilford**. What returned to the Field from the vortex afterwards was **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**, its entire body wrapped in Armor with sharp, blade-like spikes.
**Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** [ATK 2800]
"ATK 2800 Points is enough to Break Through **Puppet King**!" Joey Wheeler waved his hand and ordered, "Since it's still the Battle Phase, go, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**, Attack **Puppet King**!"
"Then, because of **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** own Effect, when a Red-Eyes Monster Declares an Attack, I can Equip a Warrior Type Monster from my Graveyard to **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** as an Equip Card that increases its ATK by 200 Points!"
After **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** let out a roar towards the sky, an illusion appeared beside it. It was none other than **Magical Knight Gilford**, the Fusion Material for **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** that had just been sent to the Graveyard by Instant Fusion.
Just as the illusion was about to merge into **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** Body, at that moment, Northwood Reiko finally Activated the Card she had kept Set on her Spell/Trap Zone.
"Anything but this, please no." Although Northwood Reiko was still nervous, compared to the tension of Activateing the Set Card, she was even more resistant to the Future where she would have to face the Monsters on Joey Wheeler 's Field directly after **Puppet King** was Destroyed. "A-Although I really don't want to, if a Card isn't used at the right time, it loses its meaning."
"I Activate my Set Card, Sakuretsu Armor!"
"I-I will use this Card's Effect to Chain to **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** Attack Declaration, and directly Destroy the **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** that Declared the Attack!"
"Nani?!"
Joey Wheeler truly hadn't expected the Set Card on Northwood Reiko's Field to be an Attack Declaration Trap like Sakuretsu Armor.
If Joey Wheeler remembered correctly, this Sakuretsu Armor Card wasn't Set by Northwood Reiko last Turn, but the Turn before that. Even though he had Attacked so many times during that period, she didn't use it even once, why choose this moment?
Because Northwood Reiko hadn't Activated her Set Card at all, Joey Wheeler even thought that Card might be something like Divine Wrath, Magic Jammer, or other Cards that could hinder plays. But why Sakuretsu Armor, and why now of all times?
This Attack by **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** wasn't significantly different from his other Attacks... No, could it be that?
Combining Northwood Reiko's behavior so far, a theory formed in the mind of the "Great Genius" Joey Wheeler .
From the very beginning of the Duel, Northwood Reiko had a scared and worried Expression, and she became even more tense after seeing Joey Wheeler Summon two Red-Eyes Black Dragons, only slightly relieved after she also Summoned Puppet Queen.
At that time, Joey Wheeler thought she was surprised that he could Summon two Powerful Monsters in one go.
Also, from the start until now, Northwood Reiko had Summoned quite a few Monsters one after another, but no matter what kind of Monster she Summoned, Northwood Reiko consistently chose to summon them in Defense Position.
Once might have been a strategic choice, but doing it every time... Could it be that Northwood Reiko is...?
Joey Wheeler temporarily put the theory in his mind aside to deal with later, because Northwood Reiko's Set Card, Sakuretsu Armor, had fully flipped open and been Activated. A laser shot towards the **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** flying above Joey Wheeler 's head, determined to Destroy it.
His Monster was about to be Destroyed, but at the last moment, Joey Wheeler showed a smile. "Reiko-san, I see you don't understand at all, do you?"
"U-Understand what?"
Joey Wheeler confidently extended his hand and pointed at the flipped Set Card in Northwood Reiko's Spell/Trap Zone. "Let me tell you something, Reiko-san. Although there's no concrete basis for it, the Sakuretsu Armor Card has a curse on it!"
"A curse that makes it unable to be successfully Activated, or even if it is Activated, it will be Negated!" Noticing the panic that appeared on Northwood Reiko's face after hearing "curse," Joey Wheeler , who didn't mean to scare her, quickly added.
"What you said does have some truth to it; a Card loses its meaning if it's not used at the right time. However, now that **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** has appeared is not the right time!"
As Joey Wheeler 's words fell, the Sakuretsu Armor laser was about to hit **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**. But at that moment, the Dark Dragon Claw that the Red-Eyes Black Dragon (which had already Attacked) had Equipped suddenly detached from its claw and flew into the air, blocking in front of **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** just before the laser hit!
"Snap!"
The Dark Dragon Claw shattered, but **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** successfully withstood Sakuretsu Armor's Effect, and the illusion of **Magical Knight Gilford** also successfully merged into its Body.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon [ATK 3000 → 2400]
**Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** (Magical Knight Gilford) [ATK 2800 → 3000]
"H-How could this be!?" Northwood Reiko couldn't understand what had just happened.
Joey Wheeler just chuckled proudly and said, "Heh heh, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** second Effect is that when a Card Effect that Targets a Card on my Field is Activated, I can Send one Equip Card from my Field to the Graveyard to Negate that Effect and Destroy it."
"Although **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** own Effect hadn't yet Equipped **Magical Knight Gilford** as an Equip Card, luckily I didn't choose the Red-Eyes Black Dragon Equipped with Dark Dragon Claw as Fusion Material just now. I chose to Send Dark Dragon Claw to the Graveyard."
"A mere Sakuretsu Armor! **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** isn't just for show! Watch me push it back!"
While saying confident words, Joey Wheeler couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief seeing **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** survive.
If he had chosen the Red-Eyes Black Dragon that had already Attacked as the Target for Instant Fusion, he could have maximized the Profit. If **Puppet King** had been Destroyed without interference, Joey Wheeler would have had one Red-Eyes Black Dragon that hadn't Attacked yet to launch a Direct Attack on Northwood Reiko.
However, it was also fortunate that Joey Wheeler wanted to guard against Northwood Reiko's Set Card and kept the Red-Eyes Black Dragon with the Equip Card Dark Dragon Claw, which came in handy now.
"Then, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** Attack continues!" Joey Wheeler waved his hand forward. "Attack **Puppet King**!"
"Black Flame Charge!"
Wrapped entirely in black flames, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** launched its Attack on **Puppet King**, instantly Destroying it and sending it to the Graveyard.
Although no Damage was Inflicted because it was in Defense Position, her last Monster on the Field was also Destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. Northwood Reiko's face involuntarily showed a look of fear.
Her hands trembling uncontrollably, at that moment, she suddenly heard Joey Wheeler 's voice from the opposite side:
The Attack of one Red-Eyes Black Dragon was blocked, but Joey Wheeler still had two other Monsters on his Field that hadn't Attacked yet.
"Seriously, I got tricked." After glancing at the Card in his Hand, Joey Wheeler waved his hand forward. "In that case, I'll use **Magical Knight Gilford** to Attack Puppet Castle!"
Because of Puppet Castle's own Effect, any Monster Joey Wheeler used to Attack would be redirected towards Puppet Castle. In other words, it was forcibly made the primary Attack Target.
Puppet Castle's Defense of 1800 Points was enough to easily block the Offensive of lower-level Monsters, but as luck would have it, the ATK of **Magical Knight Gilford**, which Joey Wheeler Summoned this Turn, was exactly 1850 Points. It was just enough to Break Through Puppet Castle.
Although Puppet Castle had the ability to Revive a Monster from the Graveyard when Attacked and Transfer the Attack, this Effect could only be used once per Turn, and it had just been used by Red-Eyes Black Dragon's Attack.
Therefore, facing **Magical Knight Gilford** charging forward with its long Sharp Blade, although Puppet Castle put up its full Defense, it was ultimately Destroyed and sent to the Graveyard.
However, because it was in Defense Position, Joey Wheeler couldn't Inflict Battle Damage to Northwood Reiko.
"Alright, that means only the final **Puppet King** is left." Joey Wheeler clenched his fist and looked at the final **Puppet King** standing in front of Northwood Reiko.
Northwood Reiko looked at the spirited Joey Wheeler and said nervously, "B-But, **Puppet King's** Defense is 2600 Points, which is higher than Red-Eyes Black Dragon's 2400 ATK."
"Ah, that's right. If Red-Eyes Black Dragon with 2400 ATK Attacks **Puppet King** with 2600 DEF, I'll only take Damage." He glanced at the last Card in his Hand. Although his words seemed troubled, Joey Wheeler 's face held a confident smile.
"However, if a single Monster's Battle Power isn't enough, let the Power of Fusion create a miracle!"
As Joey Wheeler spoke, he inserted the Card from his Hand into the Spell & Trap Zone, and a green vortex Manifested above his Field.
"Huh? Fusion during the Battle Phase?" As Northwood Reiko understood it, Fusion should only be a method of Summoning that can be performed during the Main Phase. How can it be done during the Battle Phase?
"Instant Fusion is a Quick-Play Spell Card, a Card that can be Activated during the Battle Phase. Its Effect is that I can choose the necessary Fusion Material for a Fusion Monster from my Field, and then perform a Fusion Summon."
"However, as a cost, the Fusion Monster Fusion Summoned by Instant Fusion's Effect will be Destroyed at the End Phase of this Turn."
Joey Wheeler knew that Northwood Reiko didn't understand Duel Monsters very well, so he patiently explained. Then, he extended his hand and pointed to the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and **Magical Knight Gilford** standing side-by-side on his Field.
"Although it's a bit of a disadvantage to be chosen as Fusion Material before even getting to Attack, I can't worry about that now. I'll use the Red-Eyes Black Dragon on my Field and the Warrior Type **Magical Knight Gilford** as Fusion Material to perform a Fusion Summon!"
"Manifest, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**!"
The green Fusion vortex sucked in the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and **Magical Knight Gilford**. What returned to the Field from the vortex afterwards was **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**, its entire body wrapped in Armor with sharp, blade-like spikes.
**Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** [ATK 2800]
"ATK 2800 Points is enough to Break Through **Puppet King**!" Joey Wheeler waved his hand and ordered, "Since it's still the Battle Phase, go, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**, Attack **Puppet King**!"
"Then, because of **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** own Effect, when a Red-Eyes Monster Declares an Attack, I can Equip a Warrior Type Monster from my Graveyard to **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** as an Equip Card that increases its ATK by 200 Points!"
After **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** let out a roar towards the sky, an illusion appeared beside it. It was none other than **Magical Knight Gilford**, the Fusion Material for **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** that had just been sent to the Graveyard by Instant Fusion.
Just as the illusion was about to merge into **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** Body, at that moment, Northwood Reiko finally Activated the Card she had kept Set on her Spell/Trap Zone.
"Anything but this, please no." Although Northwood Reiko was still nervous, compared to the tension of Activateing the Set Card, she was even more resistant to the Future where she would have to face the Monsters on Joey Wheeler 's Field directly after **Puppet King** was Destroyed. "A-Although I really don't want to, if a Card isn't used at the right time, it loses its meaning."
"I Activate my Set Card, Sakuretsu Armor!"
"I-I will use this Card's Effect to Chain to **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** Attack Declaration, and directly Destroy the **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** that Declared the Attack!"
"Nani?!"
Joey Wheeler truly hadn't expected the Set Card on Northwood Reiko's Field to be an Attack Declaration Trap like Sakuretsu Armor.
If Joey Wheeler remembered correctly, this Sakuretsu Armor Card wasn't Set by Northwood Reiko last Turn, but the Turn before that. Even though he had Attacked so many times during that period, she didn't use it even once, why choose this moment?
Because Northwood Reiko hadn't Activated her Set Card at all, Joey Wheeler even thought that Card might be something like Divine Wrath, Magic Jammer, or other Cards that could hinder plays. But why Sakuretsu Armor, and why now of all times?
This Attack by **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** wasn't significantly different from his other Attacks... No, could it be that?
Combining Northwood Reiko's behavior so far, a theory formed in the mind of the "Great Genius" Joey Wheeler .
From the very beginning of the Duel, Northwood Reiko had a scared and worried Expression, and she became even more tense after seeing Joey Wheeler Summon two Red-Eyes Black Dragons, only slightly relieved after she also Summoned Puppet Queen.
At that time, Joey Wheeler thought she was surprised that he could Summon two Powerful Monsters in one go.
Also, from the start until now, Northwood Reiko had Summoned quite a few Monsters one after another, but no matter what kind of Monster she Summoned, Northwood Reiko consistently chose to summon them in Defense Position.
Once might have been a strategic choice, but doing it every time... Could it be that Northwood Reiko is...?
Joey Wheeler temporarily put the theory in his mind aside to deal with later, because Northwood Reiko's Set Card, Sakuretsu Armor, had fully flipped open and been Activated. A laser shot towards the **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** flying above Joey Wheeler 's head, determined to Destroy it.
His Monster was about to be Destroyed, but at the last moment, Joey Wheeler showed a smile. "Reiko-san, I see you don't understand at all, do you?"
"U-Understand what?"
Joey Wheeler confidently extended his hand and pointed at the flipped Set Card in Northwood Reiko's Spell/Trap Zone. "Let me tell you something, Reiko-san. Although there's no concrete basis for it, the Sakuretsu Armor Card has a curse on it!"
"A curse that makes it unable to be successfully Activated, or even if it is Activated, it will be Negated!" Noticing the panic that appeared on Northwood Reiko's face after hearing "curse," Joey Wheeler , who didn't mean to scare her, quickly added.
"What you said does have some truth to it; a Card loses its meaning if it's not used at the right time. However, now that **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** has appeared is not the right time!"
As Joey Wheeler 's words fell, the Sakuretsu Armor laser was about to hit **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon**. But at that moment, the Dark Dragon Claw that the Red-Eyes Black Dragon (which had already Attacked) had Equipped suddenly detached from its claw and flew into the air, blocking in front of **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** just before the laser hit!
"Snap!"
The Dark Dragon Claw shattered, but **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** successfully withstood Sakuretsu Armor's Effect, and the illusion of **Magical Knight Gilford** also successfully merged into its Body.
Red-Eyes Black Dragon [ATK 3000 → 2400]
**Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** (Magical Knight Gilford) [ATK 2800 → 3000]
"H-How could this be!?" Northwood Reiko couldn't understand what had just happened.
Joey Wheeler just chuckled proudly and said, "Heh heh, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** second Effect is that when a Card Effect that Targets a Card on my Field is Activated, I can Send one Equip Card from my Field to the Graveyard to Negate that Effect and Destroy it."
"Although **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** own Effect hadn't yet Equipped **Magical Knight Gilford** as an Equip Card, luckily I didn't choose the Red-Eyes Black Dragon Equipped with Dark Dragon Claw as Fusion Material just now. I chose to Send Dark Dragon Claw to the Graveyard."
"A mere Sakuretsu Armor! **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** isn't just for show! Watch me push it back!"
While saying confident words, Joey Wheeler couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief seeing **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** survive.
If he had chosen the Red-Eyes Black Dragon that had already Attacked as the Target for Instant Fusion, he could have maximized the Profit. If **Puppet King** had been Destroyed without interference, Joey Wheeler would have had one Red-Eyes Black Dragon that hadn't Attacked yet to launch a Direct Attack on Northwood Reiko.
However, it was also fortunate that Joey Wheeler wanted to guard against Northwood Reiko's Set Card and kept the Red-Eyes Black Dragon with the Equip Card Dark Dragon Claw, which came in handy now.
"Then, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon's** Attack continues!" Joey Wheeler waved his hand forward. "Attack **Puppet King**!"
"Black Flame Charge!"
Wrapped entirely in black flames, **Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon** launched its Attack on **Puppet King**, instantly Destroying it and sending it to the Graveyard.
Although no Damage was Inflicted because it was in Defense Position, her last Monster on the Field was also Destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. Northwood Reiko's face involuntarily showed a look of fear.
Her hands trembling uncontrollably, at that moment, she suddenly heard Joey Wheeler 's voice from the opposite side:
