Phantom Factor

[Navrin]

"While that is one impressive dragon, attacking us with it will still leave us with 600 ATK." Elena informed.

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I believe Elena means that they'd still have life points.

Well. I certainly find Elena and Nera vastly more respectable than canon!Shark at this time. They warned people away from challenging them rather than emotionally messing with them so they would, for instance, took their opponent seriously even if they underestimated him... They also had an arguably fair duel rather than one that truly rewarded them for outnumbering their opposition as is the norm for Arc-V. Also, it seems like they're Barians, so that's interesting.

Though, really, Yuto. Going to pick a fight with almost no information, no allies, or even anyone who knows where you've gone? That's reckless even by the standards of Yuma. I'm going to guess that his dragons were feeding him information subconsciously since he seemed to make some wild leaps of logic there about Numbers being involved. Still, fairly good dueling from the three of them.

 

[Quillion9000]

I believe Elena means that they'd still have life points.

Well. I certainly find Elena and Nera vastly more respectable than canon!Shark at this time. They warned people away from challenging them rather than emotionally messing with them so they would, for instance, took their opponent seriously even if they underestimated him... They also had an arguably fair duel rather than one that truly rewarded them for outnumbering their opposition as is the norm for Arc-V. Also, it seems like they're Barians, so that's interesting.

Though, really, Yuto. Going to pick a fight with almost no information, no allies, or even anyone who knows where you've gone? That's reckless even by the standards of Yuma. I'm going to guess that his dragons were feeding him information subconsciously since he seemed to make some wild leaps of logic there about Numbers being involved. Still, fairly good dueling from the three of them.

Click to shrink...

Fixed.

Something to think on. In theory, all Over 100 Numbers should feel roughly the same. There are certainly more powerful ones with likely a somewhat stronger aura, though in a general sense their feel should be somewhat the same. What was said only referenced Nera with her Over 100 monsters, nothing said about Kyoji or Elena.

As for Yuto's thought process here, Numbers in relation to this underground duel arena were actually brought up by the twins. Until that point, Yuto just assumed this was an arena which forced people to ante up their decks. He had a desire to stop that, and this version of him is looking for a challenge as a duelist. Granted, it is reckless. That said, his only real contact he's on good terms with would be Shark.

Given up until the point it was mentioned, Yuto didn't know Numbers were involved which are the main thing their current deal is based around. His only other potential allies would be Yuma and Tori. Things during duel period soured that potential ally in Yuma for the time being while comparatively Tori is the person he's spent the least amount of time with among these three.

 

[Navrin]

As for Yuto's thought process here, Numbers in relation to this underground duel arena were actually brought up by the twins. Until that point, Yuto just assumed this was an arena which forced people to ante up their decks. He had a desire to stop that, and this version of him is looking for a challenge as a duelist. Granted, it is reckless. That said, his only real contact he's on good terms with would be Shark.

Given up until the point it was mentioned, Yuto didn't know Numbers were involved which are the main thing their current deal is based around. His only other potential allies would be Yuma and Tori. Things during duel period soured that potential ally in Yuma for the time being while comparatively Tori is the person he's spent the least amount of time with among these three.

Click to shrink...

Ah, so they were the ones to bring it up first. I think I misread a line somewhere. Thank you.

And yeah, it makes sense that he doesn't have anyone he feels comfortable asking for help. Given his complete lack of backup he could have reasonably chosen to not charge in. Even if he wanted it addressed he could have asked more people questions, tried to find allies, etc. before going in. And maybe talked with the people there before challenging them to a duel. Luckily the operation was far, far more benign than it could have been and he was able to win. If he was up against, say, Academia he'd have probably gotten himself killed or kidnapped acting like that.

 

[Quillion9000]

Heartland Academy
"Oh, Yuma…" Tori sighed as she walked onto the academy grounds.

Her expression was saddened. After yelling at the onomat user and leaving him yesterday, everything that's happened recently kept playing through her mind. She didn't understand it, no one who'd been involved on any level seemed to. Still, things were more dangerous now.

If Yuma was meant to be at the center of it by being paired up with this Astral, then she knew it wouldn't be in his nature to avoid whatever came his way. While she'd never want Yuma to change who he was as a person, improving his dueling was a necessity.

"TORI!" Yuma cried out.

The fairy user blinked in surprise as she turned to see the very boy on her mind sprinting towards her. As the onomat user stopped across from her, various students glanced at the pair as they walked by or stopped to stare. Her expression morphed into one of frustration.

"What do you want, Yuma?" Tori asked.

Even if the fairy user wanted everything to be good between them, she refused to pretend he was in the right. Standing by him at a time like this might feel good in the moment, but she'd only regret it later if someone were to hurt him.

"Tori…" Yuma didn't fully understand his friend's feelings, he was no mind reader, though he had the general idea. "Even though I didn't know it at the time, I've been lying to myself. I let my pride and ego lead me to believe no one could ever help in achieving my dream.

I conflated standing atop the dueling world with a solo journey, one where no one could possibly know better than me in dueling with my deck. That led to me letting everything build up until I let it all out on the people who never deserved it." He bowed deep. "I'm sorry I snapped at you!"

This was unexpected, though Tori knew the onomat user was genuine in his words. Still, she held off from immediately accepting. As tempting as it was to forgive him, she had to know if he'd take the steps needed to improve.

"Does this mean you're not going to be stubborn when it comes to taking advice?" Tori asked.

"I am willing and plan to speak with Yuto about his offer of help after I apologize to him." Yuma voiced sincerely. "I still want to be at the top of the dueling world, but I realized that will never happen if I'm stuck in my ways."

At that moment, Yuto walked out of the crowd. "If you're serious…" The two first years looked at him in surprise. "…my first piece of advice is that you actually read every card in your deck and extra deck." He walked by them. "Once you know what all your cards do, come find me."

"Yuto!" Yuma called out.

"I heard what you said to Tori, no need to repeat yourself." Yuto waved back at him without stopping or turning back. "Rather than an apology, let your actions speak for you. Like I said, come find me once you know what your cards do."

Yuma put a determined smile on his face. "Alright, I'll find you once I've done just that!"

Tori smiled at this development as she walked up to Yuma's side. "Hey, Yuma, what do you say we get to class since you're actually on time for once?"

Yuma saw her smile, now knowing things were alright between them. "Yeah, let's go!" Suddenly, Astral appeared which drew the onomat user's attention, and he saw the blue being was looking after the phantom knights user. "Astral?"

Tori stopped upon hearing that and looked back, still unable to see him. "Astral's back?"

"Yuto has acquired at least one Number since last I saw him." Astral commented, stunning the onomat user. "He seems perfectly in control, just as you are with the Numbers you have. Even then, I need those Numbers."

"We'll talk with him at duel period." Yuma voiced, reasoning that the two of them were back on talking terms. "Right now, Tori and I got to get to class."

"What's happening?" Tori questioned.

"I'll explain in class." Yuma voiced.

Academy Roof: Just Before Duel Period…
"Though I follow how you came to such a conclusion, what you decided was uncharacteristically stupid." Shark voiced plainly, having heard what Yuto got up to yesterday coupled with seeing the twin Numbers he acquired. "That's even with things working out in the end."

"Yuma wouldn't have been in the mood to do me any favors yesterday." Yuto defended, knowing why the shark user said that. "I've also only known him and Tori a few days now, not like I could have asked them to back me up. That's even excluding what happened between Yuma and me.

As for you, the Numbers didn't come into the equation until I'd pretty much accepted the challenge. Despite that, I had contemplated contacting you. Ultimately, I didn't want you to think I was using you given we've only known each marginally longer than I've known Yuma."

"When you put it that way, it sounds slightly less stupid yet still wasn't smart." Shark crossed his arms. "Still, I get where your head was at. It's because of that I see you need someone who has your back in anything dangerous; otherwise, you're liable to get in over your head."

Yuto recognized going to that warehouse alone was the most dangerous thing he's done. Almost any other oddity he's been involved in presented no danger to him, with Flip going off the deep end being the only other time. Even then, Yuma had stopped him.

"What I'm trying to say is, we'll extend what you asked me to include any dangerous situations that might crop up." Shark continued, uncrossing his arms. "Since we're adding to something you asked for, something I've agreed to, I don't want to hear any further excuses.

The only times it would be acceptable for you not to call is if the danger popped up suddenly or I'm indisposed. What I'm saying is, it'd do to have someone who at minimum knows you're in a potentially dangerous situation. Are we clear?"

"Yeah, I hear you." Yuto nodded. "Thanks, Shark."

Dueling Period
Yuto managed to get in a couple of duels before taking a seat on a bench. There he was approached by Yuma and Tori, with Astral appearing as well.

"Yuma, I get your passion for the game yet highly doubt it led to you learning what your cards can do in mere hours." Yuto voiced. "If you've been spending all your time reading them during class, don't do that to your education."

"That's not what this is about." Yuma voiced.

"According to Yuma, Astral sensed you had at least one Number this morning." Tori added.

"Not only that." Astral voiced. "I can sense they are not in control of you, the difference stark compared to Frip and Mr. Kay."

"Hold on, Mr. Kay?" Yuto questioned. "Yuma, you dueled our math teacher, and he acted as unhinged as Flip?"

"It sounds like you both have something to tell the other." Tori voiced, having heard from Yuma what happened with Mr. Kay.

Both boys acknowledged she was right before going on to explain what happened to them after school. Either one would tell Tori what Astral had to say on any matter. The only thing Yuto omitted in the moment was that he had Shark backing him up.

"Given recent frictions, I think it's best I keep that close to my chest." Yuto thought. "Still though, to hear of another example like Flip…"

"How is Yuto capable of acquiring Numbers?" Astral muttered. "Furthermore, to think there'd be three others who aren't controlled by them."

"At this point, all I can do is theorize how it's possible I can take Numbers and not have them control me." Yuto shook his head. "I got even less to go off of when it comes to those twins I dueled."

Tori reasoned what Astral had said, given Yuto's response, before posing a question herself. "Why didn't you think to tell Yuma and Astral this yourself?"

"Yeah, that's a good point." Yuma realized.

"Did I really owe such an explanation?" Yuto question. "To my knowledge, Astral was still gone on top of the fact Yuma and I had friction after the events of yesterday's duel period. If I'm not mistaken, it's Astral who needs the Numbers."

Yuto had pretty much decided Astral was alright, even though he still didn't trust this mission the being had been sent on. Given the phantom knights user's ability to fight Numbers, he would feel alright giving what he had to Atral and simply preparing should he need to step in.

"If Astral needs the Numbers, coupled with the want for transparency given recent events, why not let Yuto help." Tori voiced.

"I wouldn't be opposed." Yuto noted, figuring this would keep him in the loop going forward. "Dark Rebellion can destroy them himself, every Number I collect would help in this endeavor, and I have the ability to acquire them from those I defeat."

"They raise a good point." Astral admitted. "Having help would be appreciated. Given what I've heard, Yuto far out paces you as a duelist Yuma."

"That's not cool, Astral!'' Yuma snapped.

Even if he's lost to Yuto, Astral didn't have to go saying that.

"Yuma's outburst withstanding, it seems we are in agreement." Yuto voiced. "From here on out, we'll keep each other updated any time we managed to collect Numbers or something happens in relation to that. In the spirit of transparency, you should know I've been confiding in Shark."

"You've been telling Shark everything!?" Yuma questioned.

"Yuma, you haven't strove for anonymity with Astral around." Yuto reminded. "Most people just write off what you say because they can't see him and conclude you got a screw lose. Even then, you confide in Tori, and you'll likely confide in anyone else you make friends with."

"Fair point…" Yuma relented.

"I would also like to say it should make sense why I would trust him more." Yuto shrugged. "Haven't been here a month, yet that doesn't change the fact I've known Shark longer than you three. He's rough around the edges but alright once you get to know him."

Yuto had overheard how people talked about the shark user prior to his arrival. His pal was a bully, someone who would force people to ante up their decks and seemingly had a worse rep than Flip. The phantom knights user didn't disbelieve it, but that wasn't who Shark was now.

Shark didn't own up to doing it, but people had received their decks back. Anything bad people had to say about him was old news or in relation to the fact they were salty he beat them in a duel. Just as with Yuto, those rumors were being shut down.

"Once you've read through all your cards, you should try challenging Shark to a duel." Yuto stood, putting his hands in his pockets as he walked off. "Dueling him will help you understand the shark user better than my words ever could."

"It's kind of strange to think Yuto is friends with Shark." Tori noted. "Even if the two of them are stoic, they just seem different in how they approach it."

"I think I get it." Yuma smiled, as Tori and Astral looked at him. "Remember, I dueled briefly with Yuto, and from that I can tell he's got the heart of a true duelist. Him speaking on Shark's behalf like this, I think it means he's got that same heart."

Heartland Central Park: After School…
Yuto was passing the park on his way home, only to stop on a dime as he overheard something of importance.

"Number 74: Master of Blades shall end this with a direct attack! Go, Psionic Blades!"

Yuto turned to see the conclusion of a duel. A duel monster wearing blue middle eastern styled garbs summoned forth blades with psychic energy and hurled them into a young child. He was knocked off his feet and sent skidding along the ground harshly.

"You're far too weak, kid." The kid's opponent voiced, dismissively. "Get lost."

The opponent was a third year male student at Heartland, wearing the appropriate uniform. His hair was purple while his eyes were brown. The child he defeated ran away with tears falling from his eyes.

This saw the third year scoff. "I swear, not a single decent challenge to be had."

"Did you ever think that's because you're going around picking on children?" Yuto questioned, as he sent a message to Shark.

"If it isn't our academy's new Number 1, Yuto Pharos." The third year noted before shrugging. "It's not my fault they're unskilled. If they were better duelists, it simply wouldn't turn out like that."

"As their seniors in this game, we should encourage them rather than turn future duelist away." Yuto retorted.

"If this turns the children I've beaten away from the game, they were never meant to be duelists to begin with." The third year retorted.

"This likely means he's been using that Number to beat down on more than just that one kid." Yuto shook his head. "You should step up to someone your own size rather than making yourself feel big by beating down on kids."

"Is that a challenge I hear?" The third year questioned, his tone hopeful for the affirmative. "Do you want to be my next victim?"

"You're overconfident for someone who's been beating down on children." Yuto voiced.

"No, this new card of mine gives me the right level of confidence." The guy voiced. "With it, the one who shall dethrone you is Theo!"

"Let's duel!"

(Yuto 4000/Theo 4000)

"I'll make the first move!" Yuto drew. "I summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 3/1000/500)." Light blue energy wearing worn gloves appeared. "Since I control a The Phantom Knights monster, I can summon The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots(LV 3/200/1200)."

Blue energy contained within brown attire appeared. "Since a The Phantom Knights monster was special summoned, I can summon The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves(LV 3/1200/600)." A suit of gray armor containing blue energy appeared.

"I now construct the overlay network with level 3 Ragged Gloves, Silent Boots, and Stained Greaves. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 3/2100/500)." A suit of black armor with purple accents appeared.

"Three materials, only for the monster to not even break 2500 ATK?" Theo questioned, unimpressed.

"It's the effect that matters, though the baseline of most monsters I Xyz summon can always be adjusted if they use the right material." Yuto retorted. "Since Ragged Gloves was one such material for this summon, Rusty Bardiche gains 1000 ATK upon his summon."

The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 3/3100/500 effect)

"As for his effect, I can detach one material to do one of two things." Yuto continued. "The only viable one now is to send any one The Phantom Knights card from my deck to the grave." The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 2/3100/500 effect). "I'll then set three cards."

"My turn!" Theo drew. "Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Beast of Talwar - The Sword Summit(LV 7/2400/2150)." A green winged monster wearing blue armor appeared. "Next, I'll normal summon Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast(LV 7/2800/2000)."

A red and white machine dragon on treads appeared. "Since I've normal summoned him without tribute, his ATK/DEF is halved." Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast(LV 7/1400/1000 effect). "That hardly matters as I construct the overlay network with my two level 7 monsters."

"The ease with which he got out two Level 7 monsters for presumedly his Number…Can't really recall hearing about this guy around school, meaning he must have changed his deck to facilitate the Number born from his desires." Yuto reasoned

Theo began to laugh as a blue Number 74 appeared on his right cheek and glowed. "I Xyz Summon Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 2/2700/2300)." The male figure wearing blue middle eastern styled garbs appeared.

"I'll be shutting your Number down for the time being with my first face-down, Phantom Knights' Fog Blade." Yuto interjected. "By targeting Number 74, I can no longer attack it while it can no longer attack, and its effects shall be negated."

"That trap of yours is worthless in the face of Number 74." Theo retorted. "Due to you targeting him with an effect, I can detach one material to negate it and destroy the card behind that effect. Then, I can destroy one card more. I select Rusty Bardiche.

Go, Psionic Double!" Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 1/2700/2300) summoned forth two of its blades with his psychic energy before sending them thrusting through Fog Blade and Rusty Bardiche. "With your field clear of monsters, I'll attack. Go, Psionic Blades!"

Master of Blades then summoned forth more blades, sending them at the phantom knights user.

"You destroyed Rusty Bardiche, but that was after I used his effect to put The Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil(LV 4/0/300) in my grave." Yuto declared. "This trap can special summon itself as a monster, since you've declared a direct attack, in face-up defense position."

A knight comprised of blue energy appeared atop a black steed, steeling itself as the blades pierced through and destroyed him. "The only caveat to this is that Shadow Veil is now banished due to having left the field."

"Alright, I set two cards to end my turn." Theo declared.

"My move!" Yuto drew. "I'll banish Phantom Knight's Fog Blade from my grave to revive The Phantom Knights of Stained Greaves(LV 3/1200/600) but it'll be banished upon leaving the field. I'll then activate The Phantom Knights of Tomb Shield(LV 3/0/0) to special summon it."

A black shield radiating blue energy appeared. "I now use my level 3 Stained Greaves and Tomb Shield to construct the overlay network once more. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 2/2000/1000)." A black suit of armor atop a black steed appeared.

"I now detach 1 material from The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R 3/O 1/2000/1000) to target 1 card you control and 1 card I control, both will be destroyed. I choose your face down on the left and my remaining face down."

"I'll chain the activation of my face down on the right, Xyz Block." Theo countered. "Since you've activated a monster effect, I can now detach Master of Blade's remaining overlay unit to negate your Break Sword and destroy him."

Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 0/2700/2300)

"I'll utilize the effect of the Tomb Shield I detached from Break Sword." Yuto countered. "By banishing this trap, I can negate the effects of one face-up trap you control."

Since Xyz Block wouldn't be sticking around, it sparked red before shattering. Yuto's face-down Copy Knight and Theo's face-down Xyz Reborn were revealed before being shattered.

"Time to finish my board." Yuto declared. "First, I'll banish The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots from my grave to add any one Phantom Knights spell or trap I want from my deck to my hand." As the card slotted out, he snagged it. "Now, I set one trap before activating it."

"You can't activate a trap after you've just set it!" Theo declared.

"You'll find I can activate The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine(LV 4/0/300) the turn I set it if I have no other traps in my grave. Given I've banished what was there, I hold true to that and can special summon this trap as a monster in defense position."

A chest piece containing blue energy appeared. "Throughout this whole turn, I haven't once normal summoned, so I'll correct that now. Come forth, The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor(LV 4/1000/2000)." Purple armor containing blue energy appeared.

Now, I use my level 4 Shade Brigandine and Fragile Armor to construct the overlay network. Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons. Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 2/2500/2000)."

A purple and black dragon appeared. "I now activate the effect of my dragon, detaching one overlay unit to cut the ATK of your Master of Blades in half." Dark Rebellion fired off purple lightning, which restricted Theo's monster. "Then, that lost ATK goes to my dragon."

"I don't think so." Theo retorted. "Since this is still your Main Phase, I discard Effect Veiler to target your Dark Rebellion and negate its effects until the End Phase."

"He couldn't have been clued in that Dark Rebellion can destroy Numbers, but that hardly matters when I'd have more than enough ATK between my two monsters to end it." Yuto nodded. "I end my turn."

"My draw!" Theo took the top card off his deck, only to laugh at what he got. "I'll take a mulligan on these two cards in my hand thanks to Magic Mallet. I now shuffle it and the other card in my hand back into my deck.

Then, I get to draw two new cards." Upon taking the top two cards from his shuffled deck, he grinned. "These are perfect. First, I'll activate the spell Raigeki to destroy all monsters you control."

Storm clouds gathered overhead before both of Yuto's monsters were struck by lightning, destroying them.

"None of the monsters I have within my grave share a level, so I can't use Break Swords' effect to special summon two monsters." Yuto noted to himself.

"That's not all." Theo declared. "This last card in my hand is Axe of Despair, which I'll gift to Master of Blades and grant him 1000 extra ATK." Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 0/3700/2300 effect). "All that is coming your way. Go, Psionic Axe!"

The Axe of Despair was coated in Master of Blades' energy before he let it go. The weapon then flew at Yuto, hitting him head on and knocking the phantom knights user clean off his feet (Yuto 300/Theo 4000).

"With that, my turn is over." Theo declared. "At this rate, you might as well give up because everything is against you. I got a monster that can't be destroyed by battle, his ATK is over 3000, and you got roughly a handful of life points left with no field to speak of."

Just then, Shark arrived. "Yuto, stand up."

Yuto rose to one knee and looked back. "Shark?"

"If it isn't the former Number 1." Theo laughed. "You might as well stick around because this won't last much longer. I'd just love to cement my status as the new Number 1 by beating you once I'm done with Yuto."

"You're not currently looking like the guy who managed to beat me." Shark paid the third year no mind as he looked at Yuto. "Don't let some nobody wash you like this. All that'll do is embarrass the both of us."

"Can't go having that, can I?" Yuto gave a small smile at that as he stood and turned to his opponent. "You have a great deal of advantage on your side, Theo; however, my deck isn't done. No where near it." He drew. "I'm about to prove it."

"By all means, try to overcome my Number." Theo laughed, unwilling to believe he could do a thing to beat him now.

"First, I'll banish The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves from my grave to send any Phantom Knights card I want from my deck to the grave." Yuto declared. "The card I sent was my The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, which I'll banish to use his effect.

I can now take any Phantom Knights card I want, except another Ancient Cloak, and add it to my hand." As the card slotted out, he took it to bring his current hand up to 2. "Now I banish The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor and discard one card to draw once more.

Since you control a monster while I control none, I can special summon The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 4/500/1500)." A suit of armor containing blue energy and wearing a crown appeared.

"I then summon a second The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 3/1000/500). "I'll now utilize Night Crown's second effect, declaring a level of two and making my two Phantom Knights on the field that level."

The Phantom Knights of Night Crown(LV 2/500/1500 effect)
The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves(LV 2/1000/500 effect)

"With my Level 2 Night Crown and Ragged Gloves, I construct the overlay network. Xyz summon The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/1600/0)." A skeletal warrior with a javelin appeared. "Since Ragged Gloves was used, this dark attributed Xyz gains 1000ATK."

The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin (R 2/O 2/2600/0 effect)

"All that banishment, drawing, and expending of your hand to bring out a monster 1100 ATK shy of my Number." Theo laughed. "Even if Master of Blades had 0 ATK, you couldn't end this duel with that sorry excuse of an Xyz monster."

"Cursed Javelin is why I'll win this, though first I banish the Phantom Knights' Wing I discarded earlier this turn. Like Fog Blade, I can now revive any The Phantom Knights monster I want from grave with the understanding it'll be banished if it leaves the field.

With all the ones I've banished prior, I really only have two options; however, either are more than enough. For this duel, I 'll select my The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche(R 3/O 0/2100/500)."

"I still fail to see how you could hope to overcome my Master of Blades, let alone have any hope of victory." Theo retorted.

Shark crossed his arms. "That's because you're one of the students who care more about Yuto's flashy monsters, to the point you've ignored what his seemingly less flashy ones can do."

"Allow me to educate you with the final piece of this turn's puzzle." Yuto declared. "By detaching one overlay unit from Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin(R 2/O 1/2600/0). I target your Master of Blades, negating its effects and zeroing out its ATK until the end of this turn."

Number 74: Master of Blades(R 7/O 0/0/2300 effect)

Theo was finally shocked. "It's over for me..."

"It is." Yuto declared. "Cursed Javelin, destroy Number 74. Then, end this duel with a direct attack Rusty Bardiche."

Javelin threw its namesake at Number 74, piercing him and seeing the residual damage sending Theo skidding back (Yuto 300/Theo 1400). Rusty Bardiche then surged forward, swinging his weapon into the opposing duelist's gut and knocking him off his feet (Yuto 300/Theo 0).

"That's better." Shark nodded. "If Yuto lost to him, we'd both be jokes." As Theo lay there, Number 74 left him and entered Yuto's pendant. "After seeing that, guess I truly got no room left to doubt him." He approached the phantom knights user. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home."

"I'd appreciate it." Yuto returned, following the shark user.

Both knew they didn't have to comment on what Shark had done for the phantom knights user. The two of them merely walked off together, leaving Theo behind. Though given what they knew, even if it was the Number's doing, they'd be keeping an ear out just in case.

---

I've turned the link monster, Rusty Bardiche, into an Xyz monster.

The Phantom Knights of Rusty Bardiche/Dark/Rank 3/Warrior/Xyz/ATK 2100/DEF 500

3 Level 3 monsters

You can detach 1 material from this card to activate one of the following effects:

• Send 1 "The Phantom Knights" card from your Deck to the GY.
• Target 1 card on the field and destroy it.

---

Numbers: 6/100

Yuma: 24, 34, 39

Yuto: 13, 31, 74