Chapter 267: Peak of Cards, Pride in the World
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
[Hesiod: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
"I'll take the first turn," Hesiod declared, drawing a card. "I Summon (Marauding Captain) in Defense Position, and activate its effect to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from my hand."
"I Special Summon another (Marauding Captain)."
On Hesiod's field, two (Marauding Captain) appeared, identical in appearance, like twins carved from the same mold, striking the same pose.
[(Marauding Captain)][Level 3/Earth Attribute]
[Warrior-Type/Effect]
[1200/400]
"(Marauding Captain)'s effect states that while it is face-up on the field, you cannot attack other Warrior-Type monsters; you can only attack this card. And now, I have two (Marauding Captain) on my field, which means your monsters' attacks are sealed."
Hesiod proudly declared his monster's effect, but seemingly feeling it wasn't secure enough, he activated a card from his hand: "But just in case, I'll use this card. I activate the Continuous Spell Card, (Stumbling)."
"As long as this card is on the field, all monsters that are Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned are changed to Defense Position."
"This way, even if you find a way to break through the defense of my (Marauding Captain) on the field, you won't be able to directly attack with your monsters." Hesiod proudly set two cards from his hand to the Spell & Trap Zone. "I Set two cards. My turn ends."
[Hesiod: 4000 LP, Hand 1]
[(Marauding Captain)][DEF 400]
[(Marauding Captain)][DEF 400]
[(Stumbling)] (Continuous Spell)
[Set x2]
Hayato: "Then it's my turn, I Draw."
He looked down at his hand. Hmm, Perfect Hand.
For the first time in a while, Hayato was actually a little bit bricked, but it didn't matter; a True Duelist could perfectly utilize any cards they drew.
"I activate the effect of (Lava Golem) from my hand. It can be Special Summoned to your field by Tributing two monsters from your opponent's field." Hayato drew a Level 8 "big baby" and revealed it.
Hesiod, who seemed to have dueled against Marik often, actually recognized the card: "What?! It's Lord Marik's (Lava Golem)?!"
The (Marauding Captain) standing shoulder to shoulder were horrified to feel a terrifying heat suddenly emanate from the ground beneath their feet. Before they could move, scorching lava erupted from below, engulfing both monsters.
The towering body of (Lava Golem) appeared on Hesiod's field, its iron cage chest opening to imprison Hesiod himself within.
"Since you recognize this card, I won't go over its effect again. Although I gave you a powerful monster, you don't have to thank me too much." Hayato smiled, pointing at (Lava Golem). "Because of the effect of (Stumbling) you activated on your own field, the Special Summoned (Lava Golem) will be changed to Defense Position."
"Unfortunately, (Lava Golem)'s Special Summon uses up my Normal Summon, so this turn, I temporarily cannot Summon any monsters." Hayato said, drawing two cards. "I Set two cards. My turn ends."
"Before that, I activate my Set Quick-Play Spell Card!" Hearing Hayato's declaration to end his turn, Hesiod immediately said, "(Book of Moon) allows me to target one face-up monster and change it to face-down Defense Position. The monster I target, of course, is (Lava Golem)."
"I've been on the losing end because of this monster's effect more than once. If it's Flipped face-down, even (Lava Golem) cannot activate its effect to inflict damage to me."
"Tch, indeed, a one-trick pony isn't a viable strategy in Duel Monsters."
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 3]
[Set x2]
"Then it's my turn, I Draw!"
After Hesiod drew a card, he activated one on the field: "I activate the Continuous Spell Card, (Card Merchant)! During each of my subsequent Standby Phases, I can return one card from my hand to my Deck and then draw a new card."
On Hesiod's Backrow, a merchant appeared, dressed in black robes and a black hat, with half his face covered by a mask. He carried a large package, indicating he was quite wealthy. However, due to his hasty appearance, (Card Merchant) needed to organize his wares and was temporarily unable to trade with Hesiod.
"Then, since the Standby Phase has passed, I Flip Summon (Lava Golem), which is in face-down Defense Position on the field."
"The burn damage was avoided, but don't forget, because of your own (Stumbling) effect, (Lava Golem), even after being Flip Summoned back to face-up position, must still change to Defense Position. Even if it were to attack me, it would have to wait until the next turn." Hayato said calmly.
"Don't be so absolute beforehand, Duel King. I've already considered the situation where my monsters are affected by (Stumbling) and changed to Defense Position. Although (Lava Golem) was unexpected." Hesiod activated his set card from earlier on the field. "Quick-Play Spell Card, (Defense Draw)!"
"I activate this by targeting one monster on the field. If the targeted monster is changed to Defense Position this turn, I can draw one card from my Deck."
After drawing the card, Hesiod said with a smug look, "Don't forget I haven't performed a Normal Summon this turn yet, Duel King. I will tribute the (Lava Golem) on the field, which has no further use, to perform a Tribute Summon!"
"I Summon (Total Defense Shogun) in Defense Position!"
Without leaving a single point of damage, Hayato's "gift" of (Lava Golem) vanished from the field as starlight. In its place stood a formidable general, burdened with heavy armor and a greatsword, whose movements were slow despite his muscular build.
[(Total Defense Shogun)][Level 6/DARK Attribute]
[Warrior-Type/Effect]
[1550/2500]
"Because of its own effect, (Total Defense Shogun) is changed to Defense Position when it is successfully Summoned or Flip Summoned, so the effect of (Stumbling) becomes even more negligible. Not to mention, I directly Summoned it in Defense Position."
Hesiod tossed the (Lava Golem) card back to Hayato and said smugly, "And don't let (Total Defense Shogun)'s appearance make you think he has difficulty moving. That's merely to make him more effective in battle; he's very strong."
"I don't really think wearing that kind of turtle shell gives you much battle power." Hayato retorted, sending the (Lava Golem) card to his Graveyard. "Since you Tributed the gift I gave you, I'm getting a little angry now."
"Because you Normal Summoned (Total Defense Shogun) with 1550 Attack Points, I chain to its Summon! I activate the Trap Card from my Backrow, (Bottomless Trap Hole)! It destroys all monsters with 1500 or more Attack Points that were Special Summoned at that time, and banishes them from the game!"
"Speaking of which, I 'won' this (Bottomless Trap Hole) from that scumbag Weevil. I never expected him to join your Rare Hunters. But his demise was his own doing."
"I already said, I don't know anyone from the Rare Hunters, Duel King." Hesiod said, feigning ignorance.
"Heh heh, I'll pretend I believe you." Hayato glanced at Hesiod's calm expression, then raised a finger, pointing at (Total Defense Shogun) on his field, and sharply declared, "Fall into the bottomless abyss, (Total Defense Shogun)!"
On Hesiod's field, the ground beneath (Total Defense Shogun)'s feet began to collapse, revealing a bottomless pit. An invisible suction force coiled around (Total Defense Shogun), as if vowing not to rest until it dragged the monster into the pit.
"Not so fast! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, (Forbidden Dress), from my hand! Until the End Phase, it decreases (Total Defense Shogun)'s Attack Points by 600 on my field, making it immune to effect destruction!" Hesiod played the last card in his hand. "My monster is not yours to control! Even if it's to be sent to the Graveyard, it should be my decision!"
An ethereal white holy garment flew out from the card, gently draping itself over the resolute (Total Defense Shogun). Although the fabric appeared light and fragile, (Forbidden Dress) effectively activated, completely resisting the pulling force of (Bottomless Trap Hole). Until the pit closed, (Total Defense Shogun) remained standing on the field.
[(Total Defense Shogun)][1550/2500 → 950/2500]
"Enter my Battle Phase!"
Hesiod waved his hand, pointing at Hayato, who had nothing in his Monster Zone, no monster to act as a shield: "(Total Defense Shogun), even in Defense Position, can still declare an attack. During damage calculation, its Attack Points are applied."
"O lofty Duel King, take this blow of mine! Swallow's Return!"
The (Total Defense Shogun), seemingly burdened by heavy armor and weapons, received its controller's command. With a "swish," it drew one of the two greatswords from its back and, with nimble movements, attacked Hayato.
Its agility in movement actually rivaled that of a nimble swallow.
"Because of (Forbidden Dress), although the monster was saved, its Attack Points decreased. But even so, I don't want to take even 100 points of damage." Hayato said with a cold, arrogant expression. "Don't touch me!"
"The Way of Cards, Pride in the World; with me, Hayato, the world is mine to command!"
As he spoke, Hayato played a card from his hand:
"Take this, my invincible Aibo, you scumbag!"
(Rainbow Kuriboh) stepped onto a curtain of light, precisely blocking the heavy greatsword.
(end of chapter)