Seeing the fighting spirit reignite in Paradox’s eyes, even Mokuba in the audience was surprised.

This guy... even now, he’s going to keep fighting?

He hadn’t expected this.

Kira’s lock was complete—a formation Mokuba believed was inescapable. Paradox couldn’t do anything. Continuing to fight would only make him look foolish.

But looking through the image video at this man’s eyes, he realized: those were not the eyes of someone who had lost hope and was struggling in vain.

Those were the eyes of a determined warrior—someone who, even in utter darkness, could see the direction of the light.

But with spell and traps sealed, and unable to summon monsters, what could he possibly do?

"I cannot lose! No matter how desperate, I must not lose!" Paradox shouted. "I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders! A mere lock like this is nothing!"

He activated a Spell Card from his hand—

"—Special Hurricane!"

The Spell Card’s image appeared in Paradox’s backrow, unleashing a storm that reached up to the sky. White lightning swirled in the hurricane, roaring toward Kira’s field.

Paradox: "Special Hurricane—by discarding one card, destroy all Special Summoned monsters on the field!"

Under the storm, the angels seemed on the verge of collapse. In the swirling hurricane, lightning-eyed monsters glared hungrily at the angels. Kira said, "Archlord Kristya was Special Summoned via ’Court of Justice,’ and ’Splendid Venus’ as well.

If Special Hurricane succeeds, both key angels would be destroyed.

But..."

He glanced at his own backrow.

"With Imperial Order active, all Spell effects are negated."

Sure enough, before the hurricane could reach Kira’s field, it faded away. The thunder and storm were contained by an invisible barrier, like a caged beast roaring in frustration.

But surely Paradox knew this; he wouldn’t make pointless moves.

"I know!" Paradox shouted. "Special Hurricane’s effect will be negated, yes—but only the effect is negated. The ’discard one card’ is a cost, and activation costs cannot be negated!"

Kira understood. "So your real target is the discarded card?"

"Exactly!"

Paradox declared.

"The card I discard is—The Fabled Catsith!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

A small, catlike demon leapt onto Paradox’s field like a ghost.

"The Fabled Catsith—when this card is discarded to the Graveyard, destroy any card on the field!"

The research team: "!"

"He had this move as well!" Even Mokuba was shocked.

Right. Even if spell and traps are negated, costs must still be paid. By discarding a monster as a cost, you can trigger its destruction effect...

No summoning, no spell/trap activation—just by using a cost, he found a loophole in the lock.

This guy isn’t your average duelist...

"Impressive," Kira praised. "You still found a way to counterattack."

Well, pulling out a Fabled monster here seems like it was made up on the spot, but everyone’s a warrior of destiny here, so drawing the right card at the right time isn’t surprising. Plus, Catsith’s effect triggers on discard, and it’s also a tuner, so it’s plausible he actually had it.

"But this only gives you a chance to destroy one card," Kira said. "So, what will you destroy—Order or Decree?"

"No! The card I want to destroy is—Splendid Venus!"

At Paradox’s command, the spectral black cat lunged at Venus, causing it to explode in a brilliant burst, like a falling comet.

"With Venus destroyed, the protection for my Spells and Traps is gone," Kira said calmly. "Now, Royal Decree will negate my own Imperial Order."

Kira smiled. "So that was your plan."

"Exactly. And with Order negated, Spell Cards are usable again!"

Paradox raised another card.

"Spell Card—

—Card of Sanctity!

Both players draw cards until they have six in hand!"

Kira, drawing cards, smiled. "Looks like things are finally turning around."

Paradox grunted and drew cards silently.

"Quick-Play Spell—Twin Twisters!" Paradox declared. "Discard one card, target up to two Spells/Traps on the field. Destroy them!"

He pointed at Kira’s two big backrow traps.

"Imperial Order and Royal Decree—destroy them both!"

Two cyclones swept up, shredding Kira’s backrow in a storm. Watching the two royal locks destroyed, Paradox felt a huge weight lift from his chest—he could finally breathe again.

"With both Order and Decree destroyed, all locks on Spells and Traps are gone!" Paradox shouted. "And my Continuous Trap ’Skill Drain’ is active again! Therefore, Archlord Kristya’s monster effect is negated, and the lockdown on Special Summons is lifted!"

Mokuba: "Impressive—he really broke through all those layers of locks in a single turn..."

He felt even more puzzled.

Who exactly is this traveler, to be so skilled?

Paradox paused, sneering.

"I have to admit, you’ve given me plenty of trouble. As a special reward, let me show you a glimpse of the future dueling world..."

From his Extra Deck, a card automatically popped out. He took it and sent it to the Graveyard.

"I send ’Stardust Dragon’ from my Extra Deck to the Grave, and Special Summon this card from my hand! Come forth—

—Malefic Stardust Dragon!"

A beam of white light shot up, gathering the brilliance of the stars into a silvery stream. The light paved a road, and a silver dragon tainted by darkness descended, wings spread wide!

[Malefic Stardust Dragon, ATK 2500]

"And now, I Normal Summon ’Malefic Parallel Gear.’"

[Malefic Parallel Gear, ATK 0]

"Level 2 Tuner, ’Malefic Parallel Gear!’

Level 8, ’Malefic Stardust Dragon!’

Tune the two monsters!"

Paradox raised his hand and laughed.

"Synchro Summon!"

Everyone in the research lab, including Mokuba, was left dumbfounded.

Sync... what now?

...

...

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