God of the Battlefield #4
(Photo of Ricardo blocking Maximilian's Lance Charge with Graymoor)
(Photo of Maximilian's knights flailing around)
Maximilian burning through his entire hand trying to attack, only to get stonewalled by one of Ricardo's cards
(Photo of Maximilian grimacing)
§
Having exhausted his hand, Maximilian had no choice but to end his turn.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Calling forth the workers. [K-2 Black Panther] and [Terraforming Drone] vanish into its pitch-black maw.
Factory Gauge: 7
"Then it's my turn."
In a plain tone, Ricardo drew a card from his deck. His blood-red eyes, like fresh-spilled crimson, quickly scanned his hand.
"I'll tribute the Terraforming Drone to summon Machinery's Scout Hornet - Apache."
The propeller hum of the [Terraforming Drone] cut off abruptly, soon replaced by a louder, fiercer roar.
Splitting open the top of the drone's rusted frame emerged a massive mechanical hornet. It menaced the knights below with its cannon-legs and tail-mounted missile, glaring down imperiously.
★3 / Wind / Machine, Insect
Stats: 2,500
"It's out, Apache!"
"Rank 3 with 2,500 stats?"
"That firepower is insane..."
Amid the students' gasps, Ricardo launched his counterattack.
"Apache attacks Iron Wall Knight - Wolf! Nitro Stinger!"
The [Apache] locked its tail missile onto [Wolf].
"Tch, then I'll activate Wolf's special ability. Once per turn, it can negate an opponent's attack!"
The [Wolf], thrashing in the ashen swamp, hoisted its massive tower shield despite its precarious stance.
-Hngh!
With a short grunt, the tower shield gleamed. The missile from [Apache] exploded harmlessly against the light barrier, vanishing in the blast.
-Kik.
Like a predator denied its prey, the mechanical hornet shook its head side to side with a curt chirp. But Ricardo's assault wasn't over.
"But now you can't activate that ability again."
"..."
"K-2 Black Panther attacks Iron Wall Knight - Wolf once more!"
-Kraaang!
The scorched mechanical beast roared thunderously and charged the earth. Its claws, flashing like black lightning, pounced on the [Iron Wall Knight] as it caught its breath after its desperate defense.
Clang!
Metal clashed violently against metal. At the end, [Wolf]'s tower shield flew off, deflected by the [K-2 Black Panther]'s claws.
Without its weapon, the knight's fate was sealed. Already pinned by [Graymoor], its body was fully exposed now, a perfect target for the [K-2 Black Panther]'s turret.
Boom!
Even the thick armor of [Wolf] crumbled before the barrage.
A massive hole torn through its chest, [Wolf]—its title of Iron Wall Knight ringing hollow—fluttered away like paper before disintegrating into the distance.
"Kuh..."
【Maximilian Spinola】
Soul Points: 3,200 → 1,700
Thanks to [Graymoor]'s effect lowering [Wolf]'s stats by 300, the Soul Point damage was mitigated somewhat. But Maximilian was clearly on the defensive now.
"And on top of that, I'll deploy a magic circle."
"What?"
As if to drive the wedge deeper, Ricardo pulled another card.
"Emergency Upgrade! This deploys by consuming two Factory Gauge."
"Two of them?"
Considering [Gray Mine - Graymoor] only cost one despite its potency, [Emergency Upgrade]'s effect had to be even stronger. The students gulped.
"This turn, I tribute one of my Machine creatures that failed to defeat an opponent's creature in battle. I'll use Apache."
The [Apache] vanished into the [Rusty Factory].
"Then, I can call forth a creature from my deck of the same type and attribute, but one rank higher."
"...!"
Maximilian's blue eyes widened. They were still in the battle phase. A newly summoned creature would get an attack opportunity.
"Machinery's Scout Hornet - Apache is Rank 3. Wind type..."
"Machine and Insect attributes."
Screeech—boom! Screeech—boom!
The thunderous clamor from the rusty factory district made the students flinch. What new monstrosity would emerge this time?
Their hearts pounded—fear of the unknown, or anticipation? They could hardly tell.
Ricardo provided the answer immediately.
"Come forth, Machinery's Bee Palace - Katyusha Grad!"
Screeeeech... Thud!
The [Rusty Factory] opened not its front gate, but a hatch on top.
Vrooooom—!!!!
A colossal vibration roared from within. Students instinctively covered their ears. It resembled the noise of the [Terraforming Drone] or [Machinery's Scout Hornet - Apache], but on another scale entirely—like it shook their skulls.
With that bone-rattling din, a gigantic mechanical bee emerged from the [Rusty Factory]'s depths.
Its core body mirrored the [Apache]'s intricate mechanisms and cannon-legs. But unlike the missile-tailed [Apache], [Katyusha Grad]'s elongated tail ended in a menacing laser beam cannon glow.
And the biggest difference: the towering missile pods it bore.
★4 / Wind / Machine, Insect
Stats: 2,900
"Battle! Katyusha Grad attacks Vanguard Knight - Lion Heart!"
The honeycomb-like missile pods irised open one by one, packed with the same warheads [Apache]'s Nitro Stinger had fired.
"Burst Stinger!"
Whoosh!
A salvo of missiles hurtled toward [Lion Heart]. It was a iron rain worthy of the term—a sight that etched the true meaning of 'God of the Battlefield' into their minds.
Kaboom!
"───!"
Maximilian's mouth gaped, but the explosion drowned out any words.
【Maximilian Spinola】
Soul Points: 1,700 → 300
Only the plummeting Soul Points whispered his dire straits.