Chapter 59: Flipping the Table is an Art and a Technique
"Although it's just a Fodder Monster with only 900 ATK, you're trying to Tribute it to Summon a higher-Level Monster, aren't you? Don't think you'll succeed!" Weevil activated his Set Card, declaring triumphantly, "`(*Treacherous Trap Hole*)`! Although it cannot be activated if there are any Trap Cards in the Graveyard, I can destroy two Monsters on the Field at once!"
"Go to the Graveyard along with my Set Card!"
The lightning still hadn't fully dissipated from `(*Skull Stalker*)`'s body. The moment its foot touched its Card, a massive pit suddenly opened in the ground, swallowing both `(*Skull Stalker*)` and the Card Weevil had Set. Weevil's Monster also revealed its true form at that moment: a green locust.
`(*Pinch Hopper*)` [Level 4 / Earth Attribute] [Insect-Type / Effect] [1000 ATK / 1200 DEF]
"It's not over yet! The Card that was sent to the Graveyard was `(*Pinch Hopper*)`. When it's sent from my Field to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one Insect-Type Monster directly from my Hand." Weevil flashed a triumphant smile. "Witness my unbeatable Combo! Come forth, `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)`!"
With its horn glowing with sharp, dazzling lightning, a giant beetle burrowed out from where `(*Pinch Hopper*)` had been swallowed, glaring menacingly at Chumley's empty Field.
`(*Sword Horn Beetle*)` [Level 6 / Earth Attribute] [Insect-Type / Effect] [2400 ATK / 600 DEF]
"My insect army is endless! Let my adorable bugs devour you piece by piece, Chumley!" Weevil's face was distorted with ferocity, though limited by his age, "Face-Expression Master" Marik would rate it 0 points. To Chumley, it held no deterrent power, only making Weevil seem more repulsive.
The onlookers, all Duelists, were also awestruck by the Combo Weevil had just demonstrated:
"He actually used just one Card to deal with the Monster his Opponent Summoned, and even upgraded his own Monster on the Field once. Is this the power of a National Champion?"
"I've seen that `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)` before. Not only does it have a super high ATK of 2400, but it also has an Effect that inflicts piercing battle damage. Even Summoning a Monster in Defense Position won't buy any time."
Chumley paid no attention to the audience's thoughts. Seeing Weevil destroy his cannon fodder (`(*Skull Stalker*)`: Didn't we agree I was your Soul?!), and then Special Summon a Level 6 Monster, he raised an eyebrow. "So he adapted to the new Rules and came up with this Combo so quickly? Even if he's scum, he certainly has some skill."
"But my Combo surpasses yours! I activate the Spell Card `(*Last Will*)`!"
As Chumley played a Card from his Hand, a small mound of earth rose from beneath the spot where `(*Skull Stalker*)` had just been swallowed by `(*Treacherous Trap Hole*)`. `(*Skull Stalker*)`'s arm stretched out from the ground, clutching a note that read "Last Will".
"This turn, when a Monster on my Field is destroyed and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon one Monster from my Deck, but its ATK is limited to 1500 or less."
"Hahahaha, useless, useless! What good is a mere Monster with 1500 ATK or less? Before my invincible `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)`, it doesn't matter how many Fodder Monsters you bring out. They don't even have the right to block the way!"
Chumley smirked. "Not only that, I can tell you that the Monster I'm about to Summon actually has 0 ATK, not even 100."
"But this Monster with 0 ATK will destroy your `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)`!"
After flipping through his Deck for the desired Card and Shuffling it, Chumley slammed the Card, along with the Monster clinging to its palm, onto the Duel Stage. "The prank master with the world's most disgusting power, come forth, `(*Ojama Yellow*)`!"
"Eek! I'm here, nee~"
The yellow monster appeared on Chumley's Field, wiggling its backside. Despite its ATK being 0, it was in Attack Position.
`(*Ojama Yellow*)` [Level 2 / LIGHT Attribute] [Beast-Type / Normal Monster] [0 ATK / 1000 DEF]
"Ehehehe, I knew it! When Big Bro gets into trouble, I'm the one he thinks of in the end, huh? Can't help it, nee~" `(*Ojama Yellow*)`'s eyes bobbed up and down with its nodding head, seemingly quite satisfied with being the second Monster to appear.
But when it saw the `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)` on Weevil's Field, it immediately revealed its true cowardly nature, plunking down onto the ground in fright and scooting backward incessantly. `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)`'s gaze remained fixed on the retreating `(*Ojama Yellow*)`, seemingly eager to impale it with its grotesquely huge and sharp horn, like a siege weapon.
"He actually Summoned that Fodder Monster? Is it already too scared to move by my powerful `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)`?" Weevil laughed loudly. "What can a Fodder Monster like that possibly do?"
"`(*Ojama*)` Monsters are indeed Fodder Monsters, but even Fodder Monsters are much stronger than a despicable wretch like you. `(*Ojama Yellow*)` might be 0, but you're practically a negative number." Pausing, Chumley picked a Card from his Hand. "According to the Special Rules of Duelist Kingdom, Monsters have suitable Fields for themselves."
"The terrain `(*Forest*)` on your Field can enhance Insect-Type, Beast-Type, Plant-Type, and Beast-Warrior Type Monsters by 200 ATK and DEF."
`(*Sword Horn Beetle*)` [ATK 2400 → 2600]
"The environment on my Field is `(*Grassland*)`, which benefits Warrior-Type and Beast-Warrior Type Monsters."
Weevil had learned about the Rules of Duelist Kingdom from Pegasus earlier, so he wasn't surprised by the change in the ATK of the Monsters on the Field. He only felt a surge of unease. "Your Monster, `(*Ojama Yellow*)`, is a Beast-Type Monster; it won't be enhanced by the terrain. What are you trying to do by emphasizing the terrain Rule now?"
"Terrain Rules can increase or decrease the gap between Monsters, but since the current terrain doesn't benefit me, I'll just change it! I activate the Spell Card, `(*Terraforming*)`!" As Chumley played a Card from his Hand, a semi-circular shield appeared in the center of the Field, continuously expanding outwards.
As the shield expanded, `(*Forest*)` and `(*Grassland*)`, which had each occupied half the Field, vanished into nothingness. The ATK of `(*Sword Horn Beetle*)` on Weevil's Field returned to its original 2400.
"The Effect of `(*Terraforming*)` is to Search my Deck for one Field Spell Card and add it to my Hand. And now, I'm going to activate the Field Spell Card that was just added to my Hand." Searching his Deck for another Card, Chumley placed this Field Spell Card directly onto a newly added special zone on the Duel Stage.
"Heroes have their battle stages, and Fodder Monsters have their familiar streets. Field Spell, `(*Ojama Country*)`!"
(end of chapter)