"\"(Cocoon of Evolution) can be directly equipped to the (Petit Moth) on my Field, and then (Petit Moth)'s stats will also change to (Cocoon of Evolution)'s stats.\" Weevil, visibly excited, watched as the (Petit Moth) on his Field continuously spun silk to wrap itself. \"Then, after five Turns, my strongest ace monster will make its appearance!\""
(Petit Moth) [DEF 200 → 2000]
"\"A Duel Monster card that simulates insect metamorphosis? 2000 DEF. I wonder if Chumley can break through it,\" Yugi said, his expression somewhat serious. As for ATK that could exceed 2000, Yugi only knew that Chumley had one (Gaia The Fierce Knight) in his Hand, but the Summon of a Level 7 Gaia required two Tributes."
Although he didn't know what Weevil's Set card in his Back Row was, it was best to be cautious.
"\"I Set one card from my Hand, then I End Turn,\" Weevil declared. Even though there was only a wall with 2000 DEF on the Field, Weevil acted as arrogantly as if he had Summoned a super-powerful Monster. \"Now, (Cocoon of Evolution) has already passed one Turn. Countdown, 4!\""
Weevil: 2300 LP, Hand 0
(Petit Moth) ((Cocoon of Evolution)) [DEF 2000]
[Set card] [Set card]
"\"Anyone who didn't know would think you activated a (Destiny Board), for a mere 2000 DEF. My Turn, Draw!\" Chumley placed his hand on his Deck, feeling the top card respond to him. Understanding the monster he had drawn, he immediately played it without even looking after his declaration of drawing."
"\"I Tribute (Death Stalker) and (Celtic Guardian) on my Field! Ride the swift winds in the name of the Earth, and wield thunder like a raging fire! Stack 'em up, my Soul!\""
"\"Gaia———!!!\""
With 2300 ATK, but most of them belonging to his steed, (Gaia The Fierce Knight) appeared on the Field, riding his warhorse and holding a long spear. Before he could pull the reins of his warhorse and strike a cool pose, Weevil suddenly grinned sinisterly and activated his Set card: "\"You narrowly escaped when you Summoned (Celtic Guardian) last Turn, but this time you finally fell for it! Activate my Set card, (Bottomless Trap Hole)!\""
(Bottomless Trap Hole): You can Activate this card when your opponent Summons, Flip Summons, or Special Summons a monster with 1500 or more ATK. Destroy and Banish those monsters with 1500 or more ATK.
"\"Oh no, it's a Trap Card that responds to a Summon, and one with a powerful banishing effect!\" Yugi and the others instantly grew tense. In the current Duel Monsters environment, even monsters sent to the Graveyard could sometimes be revived, but if they were banished, in most cases, they truly couldn't return to the game."
Although Chumley had held every advantage before, if his Field were cleared, that Weevil guy could easily turn the tide of the duel. "\"To wait until Chumley Summons a powerful monster before activating such a card is truly despicable!\" Joey fumed, gaining agreement from Tristan and Téa."
But Mai Valentine, standing by, shook her head. "\"Using cards where they provide the greatest advantage is inherently part of the game. If it were me, I would make the same choice as Weevil Underwood.\""
Watching as Soul No. 3—(Gaia The Fierce Knight)—who had just appeared on the Field, was about to be swallowed by a deep, acid-filled pit that suddenly opened beneath his warhorse, Chumley unhappily activated a Set card. "\"Don't think you'll succeed! It's a bit regrettable, but I also have a Set card to activate. I Chain it to your Trap Card, (Earth Spirit Art - \"Iron\")!\""
Just as Gaia was about to plummet, a ring-shaped magic circle suddenly appeared above his head, swiftly scanning his body, even including the warhorse beneath him. Gaia was enveloped in light for an instant, turning into pure light.
As the light faded, a block of steel appeared on the Field, floating defying gravity above the now-inactive (Bottomless Trap Hole).
"\"(Earth Spirit Art - \"Iron\") requires one EARTH Attribute Monster on my Field as Tribute to activate,\" Chumley explained. He took (Celtic Guardian), which had just been sent to the Graveyard as the cost for its Tribute, and placed it back on the Field. \"I can Summon one EARTH Attribute Monster from my Graveyard, other than the Tribute, with Level 4 or lower, back to my Field.\""
"\"Although it doesn't quite fit the principle of equivalent exchange in alchemy, return, (Celtic Guardian)!\""
"Crack!"
The block of steel on the Field suddenly shattered, and (Celtic Guardian) leaped out from within, like a mythical Stone Monkey, returning to Chumley's Field.
(Celtic Guardian) [ATK 1400]
"\"Tch, he escaped again.\" Seeing that his activated (Bottomless Trap Hole) hadn't successfully swallowed even one monster and was starting to close, Weevil muttered unhappily."
Chumley wasn't exactly happy either, despite using (Earth Spirit Art - "Iron") to Tribute (Gaia The Fierce Knight) and send it to the Graveyard a step earlier, thus avoiding being banished. Although he had used a Normal Summon opportunity to bait out one of Weevil's traps, there was still another one he had to deal with.
What was even more troublesome was that he currently had no cards in hand to increase ATK. Although he had a slight disdain for (Cocoon of Evolution)'s 2000 DEF, (Celtic Guardian)'s 1400 ATK truly couldn't overcome it.
"\"I Activate the Spell Card, (Dark Factory of Mass Production)! This card's effect is to add to hand two Normal Monster cards from my Graveyard. I choose (Ojama Yellow) and (Gaia The Fierce Knight).\" Chumley activated the Set card he had previously Set on the Field to bluff, retrieving Gaia and (Ojama Yellow) from his Graveyard. \"My Turn ends here.\""
Chumley: 5000 LP, Hand 5
(Celtic Guardian) [ATK 1400]
[Set card] [Set card] [Set card]
Field: (Ojama Country)
Looking at Weevil's (Cocoon of Evolution) on the Field, Chumley pondered his strategy. Although his Hand was quite good so far, given his luck, he had to consider the possibility of not drawing an Equip Spell to boost ATK.
So, next Turn, he could try to Summon (Ojama Yellow) to trigger (Ojama Country)'s effect, which would reduce (Cocoon of Evolution)'s DEF to 0, allowing any of his monsters to destroy it.
"\"Every one of your moves is proceeding just as I predicted, Chumley! Whether it's avoiding (Bottomless Trap Hole) or adding monsters to hand. In that case, I won't hesitate to use you!\""
"\"The moment your Turn ends, I Activate this card! (Mind Crush)!\" Under Chumley's incredulous gaze, Weevil activated a Set card. \"This card's effect is: Declare one card name. If any cards with that name exist in your hand, you must discard all cards in your hand. If not, then I must discard one card.\""
"\"Although I currently have no cards in my hand, so even if I guess wrong I don't discard, there's no way I can guess wrong, because what I'm about to Declare is (Ojama Yellow), which you just added to hand!\""
Chumley turned his head to glance at Yugi in the audience. The (Mind Crush) card was a reference to Yugi's own \"Mind Crush\" against President Kaiba. With the original user right here, Weevil, you little cutie, are you really going to ape someone's signature move right to their face like some random guy?
(end of chapter)