Chapter 1303: Infinite Machine

Kira placed four set cards in his backrow and declared the end of his turn.

Any opponent familiar with him would probably already be sweating bullets. Four set backrow cards, with one almost certainly being the face-up "Gravity Bind" that could seal the entire assault of the Timelord deck. The other three were unknown threats. A normal person would already be feeling the pressure.

But the fake Z-ONE remained perfectly calm.

Although the situation was somewhat unfavorable, he was confident that his Timelords would not be so easily restricted.

The first priority was to break through that troublesome Gravity Bind. As long as that Continuous Trap remained on the field, all Timelord attacks were sealed. The other traps posed some threat, but nothing too major. After all, Timelords possessed indestructible resistance, which was already enough to withstand most trap threats.

"My turn, draw!"

The fake Z-ONE declared.

"At this moment, I activate my set card, Continuous Trap 'Infinite Machine'!"

Kira remarked, "After Empty Machine comes Infinite Machine, and the final third card is 'Infinite Light.' As expected, this is the strongest deployment of the Timelords."

"Heh, you know quite a lot."

The fake Z-ONE chuckled softly.

"Correct. These three traps are the core of the Timelords and the necessary ritual to summon the strongest Timelord. But not everyone is qualified to witness the strongest Timelord!

'Infinite Machine' can only be activated by sending the 'Empty Machine' already on my field to the Graveyard. It is the evolved form of Empty Machine!"

The ring floating in the sky suddenly trembled. The void darkness within it began to surge. As the Continuous Trap activated, a second identical ring peeled out from the void. The two metal rings interlocked at geometrically impossible angles. The moment their edges touched, the entire space resounded with the roaring sound of gears meshing.

The two rings twisted and deformed before finally fusing into a Möbius strip glowing with blue light. This strange structure without front or back slowly rotated, perfectly embodying the concept of "infinity."

"Effect of Infinite Machine: While this card is face-up on my field, I can Special Summon any Level 10 or higher monster directly from my hand. However, as a cost, the ATK of all monsters on my field becomes 0!" (Anime effect)

Another terrifying effect with huge differences from the real card version.

The real-card Infinite Machine was restricted to Timelords only, while the original anime version allowed any Level 10 or higher monster—Hypers in theory included.

If a Hyper God was summoned, it would not be affected by Trap effects after appearing, so it wouldn't even suffer the "ATK becomes 0" drawback.

Moreover, the real card's Special Summon from hand was an ignition effect limited to once per turn and only one Timelord. The anime version was clearly a Continuous effect: as long as Infinite Machine remained on the field, any number of Level 10 monsters in hand could be Special Summoned with no limit.

It could also "negate the effect that prevents summoning other monsters while a Timelord is on the field." Normally, a duelist controlling a Timelord could only have one on the field. With this card, that restriction was lifted, allowing up to five Timelords at once.

The real card did have advantages: its Special Summon effect could be activated during the opponent's Main Phase, and it had once-per-turn destruction protection plus a search for the next Continuous Trap "Infinite Light"—features absent in the anime. However, in the anime these key cards were easily drawable anyway, making search effects redundant.

"While Infinite Machine is on the field, I can unconditionally Special Summon Level 10 monsters from my hand. Appear!

Lazion, the Timelord! Metaion, the Timelord!"

[Lazion, the Timelord, ATK 0]

[Metaion, the Timelord, ATK 0]

Nothing more to say—the two Timelords that had previously been bounced back to hand by Abyss Soldier.

Two pillars of holy light descended from the sky. Metaion, the Timelord appeared first. Its crimson mechanical arms tore open a rift, and the twisted human face inside the purple crystal on its chest seemed to roar silently. The shifting features within the swirling mist made it look ever-changing. Lazion's elderly face on its chest looked solemn and furious, with flames on its shoulders like materialized rage.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Demise'!" the fake Z-ONE continued. "Draw cards from the Deck until you have five cards in hand. During the Standby Phase five turns later, discard all cards in your hand." (Anime card)

Kira raised an eyebrow.

As expected of Z-ONE, the future king at the end of time. He truly possesses the strongest powers from every era.

However—

"Then I activate my set card, Trap Card 'Talisman of Reversal'," Kira said. "This can be activated when the opponent draws cards from the Deck via a card effect. I also draw from the Deck until I have the same number of cards in hand as the opponent!" (Anime card)

The fake Z-ONE frowned slightly.

"You drew up to five cards, so I will also draw until I have five cards in hand."

Kira drew his five cards and chuckled lightly.

"And I don't have to pay the huge cost of discarding my entire hand five turns later. Thanks."

The fake Z-ONE remained unfazed and said coldly, "Draw as much as you want while you still can."

A mechanical arm swept horizontally, whistling through the air.

"Because of the Continuous Trap 'Infinite Machine,' I can continue Special Summoning Timelords. Appear!

Kamion, the Timelord!"

The clouds shook violently as Kamion, the Timelord descended with a crashing posture. Its sturdy metal body was twice as wide as Metaion's. The flat crystal on its chest emitted a turbid orange glow, and the eyes faintly visible within suddenly lit up like a ruler watching the world through frosted glass.

[Kamion, the Timelord, ATK 0]

Three Timelords in one go!

The fake Z-ONE declared in a deep, majestic voice, "If you can withstand the attacks of these three Timelords, then by all means try.

First strike!"

A heavy silver mechanical arm swung high in the sky, and Z-ONE's turbid command echoed from the hovering device.

"Lazion, the Timelord, attack 'Abyss Soldier'!"

…