Chapter 1200: Power of the Absolute King

As the turn passed to Jack, the former King hesitated without making a move. Kira smiled and said, "What's wrong? After losing the King's title, have you lost the courage to continue dueling as well?"

Jack glared back at him, then took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.

"Two years ago, I accepted your invitation and came here—to this new Domino City, Goodwin. I gave up everything, left behind my comrades-in-arms, and even buried my former self.

I came here for one thing alone—to reach the summit, to tread the path that leads to the highest King."

He spoke, closing his eyes briefly, letting out a cold, mirthless laugh—yet it was unclear if he was mocking Kira, or himself.

"How laughable that King dream feels now. I was just a clown, a fool who thought he'd been enthroned. I threw away my past and abandoned my comrades. What right did I ever have to talk about a King's path?"

Yusei: "Jack…"

Kira observed with a faint smile, saying nothing.

But Jack straightened his back, voice rising in a shout: "But now, I will never be lost again. I've found a new path! Not as a King, but as Jack Atlas himself!

And—what made me realize this, was the love of a woman!"

Kira: "Oh?"

Now that doesn't sound like anything a King would say.

Look at you, Jack! Does that sound anything like 'Women just get in the way, I want to be World Champion.JPG', the card-player idol Jack?

Jack's voice grew angry: "But now, she's gone. Because of the Earthbound Immortals, because of the Dark Signers, because of this so-called fate that's endured over five thousand years, because of the ambition of certain people!"

Jack raged.

"Goodwin, maybe you're stronger than me right now—but even so, I will never let this go! The innocent who were sacrificed, your ambition: I'll shatter both for them, even if I have to stake my soul, and everything I am!"

Even though the Earthbound Immortals had already been defeated, those souls who died as Dark Signers—Kessler, Carly, and others—had not yet returned. So for the main cast, those like Kessler and Carly were truly dead.

"Are you venting all your anger and resentment at me?" Kira murmured to himself, then chuckled.

"Well, if that'll push you to evolve faster, so be it."

Jack continued: "Then this is it—my all-or-nothing move! I activate the Spell Card, 'Card of Desperation'!" (Manga card)

Even among the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! series' famous "draw" cards, Card of Desperation stands out as a last resort, a move worthy of true 'despair.'

"Card of Desperation lets me draw three cards—but the price…"

Jack declared.

"After drawing, I must send every remaining card in my Deck to the Graveyard!"

Success or total ruin, just as the card's name suggests: a gambit for the truly desperate. Drawing three instantly is an overwhelming advantage. But it means the game will be decided this very turn—if Jack fails to win, there likely won't be another turn for him.

Crow's expression changed dramatically. "This guy Jack—he just threw his entire deck away…"

The moment the card resolved, an ominous darkness seemed to gather. Right then, all Signers' dragons marks began to blaze with red light—including the dragon-head mark on the arm that Kira brought.

All five Signer marks converged, and each mark started glowing. In half a second, they disappeared from their original owners—Yusei, Akiza, Luna, and the Dragon Head, all lost their marks, which then appeared, fully combined, on Jack's back—a complete crimson dragon totem.

Kira narrowed his eyes. "It's finally here."

At the same time, the top card of Jack's deck shone with a golden light.

The Crimson Dragon Mark Card Machine was activating!

"Now, per the effect of 'Card of Desperation,' I draw!"

Jack shouted, swiftly drawing three new cards.

Then, with the rest of his deck scattered like flowing water, every single card went to the Graveyard.

"I activate the Spell Card—'Monster Reborn'!"

An ancient resurrection symbol blazed as the spell took effect above Jack's head. The glowing seal ignited, flames roared, and a dark, rugged body took shape—a dragon's claws torn the air. Jack's soul—his proud, dark red dragon—roared as it appeared once more!

"Monster Reborn lets me Special Summon a monster from the Graveyard.

I revive—'Red Dragon Archfiend!'"

[Red Dragon Archfiend, ATK 3000]

"I also Special Summon—'Jester Confit'!"

Another monster card was slapped down. A clown, like one from a circus, hopping atop a ball, leapt onto Jack's field.

[Jester Confit, ATK 0]

"And last—this card! Majestic Dragon!!!"

[Majestic Dragon, ATK 0]

Just a basic Level-1 Tuner, with no powerful effect and only zero ATK—all things considered, there was nothing remarkable about it.

But the moment it appeared, everyone seemed to sense something strange from its presence.

Especially for the Signers, it was as if the illusion of the Crimson Dragon pulsed from this dreamy little dragon.

This card was produced by the Crimson Dragon Mark itself, tailor-made for Jack, empowering it with the Crimson Dragon's own strength!

"Level 1, Tuner monster 'Majestic Dragon'!

Level 1, 'Jester Confit!'

Level 8, 'Red Dragon Archfiend!'

Tuning—!"

[1 + 1 + 8 = 10]

"The lonely light sharpened to an extreme becomes the Radiance of a True Absolute King! Shine forth! Synchro Summon—The Grand Soul, Majestic Red Dragon!"

The air froze. Dark red light burst from Jack's Duel Disk. Even the astonishment of his team stuck in their throats, as violent energy rippled through the silent dimension.

Majestic Dragon's little body expanded many times over, sweeping up Red Dragon Archfiend in its glow. The Tuning halos burned as if set aflame, and torrents of dark red energy crashed down like stars bursting in a bloodred Milky Way.

First to materialize were dragon claws, tearing space itself—each slash leaving behind rifts. As the dragon's eyes opened, the stars in the night sky seemed to explode, becoming thousands of burning meteors, as the mighty crimson dragon descended.

Majestic Red Dragon—summoned!!!

[Majestic Red Dragon, ATK 4000]

Kira gazed up at the overwhelming dragon. With his own powers, he could faintly perceive the shadow of the Crimson Dragon within this kingly beast.

He saw clearly: the Crimson Dragon's own strength had combined with the Signer, transforming visibly in this dragon.

"Not bad, you really used all the Mark's moves."

Kira smiled.

"That's what makes this duel meaningful!"

"Goodwin!" Jack roared, "With the Absolute Power of a King, I'll end this Phantom Lord right now!"

….