## Chapter 471: Alright, This Time We're Playing an XYZ Deck
Pushing open the doors of the "Cyber Style Dojo" and stepping inside, Hayato was greeted by an extremely vast space.
Inside the Dojo, many people stood neatly in formation, each wearing a wooden model on their wrist that resembled a Duel Disk. Their movements were perfectly synchronized as they made a Draw motion.
"Draw!"
The synchronized shout, it must be said, gave Hayato, who had just entered, quite a fright.
Hayato's appearance also caught the attention of a white-haired old man standing at the head of the line. But after merely sizing Hayato up and down, he no longer looked at him, instead addressing the queue in front of him: "Alright, today's morning practice ends here. Everyone is free to practice now, but don't slack off on your lessons."
After saying this, the old man turned his head to look at Hayato again: "You, you're not here to join our Cyber Style, are you? Are you here to find that kid Sheppard?"
That kid Sheppard? I recall Sheppard being quite old, actually.
But looking at the old man's white hair, he truly had the right to call Sheppard "kid."
Hayato nodded, just about to say something, when he heard the old man suddenly snort coldly, looking at Hayato with an icy expression: "Hmph, as expected, as soon as you entered, I could feel that sharp Aura of a Duelist on you. But to deal with people like you who Challenge a Dojo, that kid Sheppard doesn't need to step forward!"
"Eh?" Hayato was startled. He was here as Sheppard's guest, not to Challenge a Dojo. What on earth did this old man misunderstand? He immediately began to explain, "No, I'm not—"
"You want to say you're not here for me, you think that only by defeating Sheppard, the current Master of Cyber Style, will you have conquered the Cyber Style, right? Hmph!"
The old man's hands, which had been clasped behind his back, finally moved to the front, revealing a Duel Disk that had apparently been worn on his back the entire time. "Standing before you is the Cyber Style Mastery License holder, the Former Master. Take out your Deck and prepare to face the complete suppression of the Cyber Style!"
Though his hair was white, the old man spoke with abundant vigor. The apprentices, who had just been dismissed for free practice, didn't actually disperse. Instead, they surrounded Hayato and the old man, both to support the old man and to slack off and watch the fun.
However, among the apprentices watching, a blue-haired boy of about ten years old looked at Hayato, who was utterly bewildered and trying to explain, yet was repeatedly interrupted by the old man. The boy felt that Hayato looked very familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
"I already said, I'm not—"
"Don't look down on people, kid!"
"I'm not, I'm just—"
"Then Duel!"
Repeatedly trying to explain, only to be interrupted time and again by this stubborn old man, even Hayato couldn't help but get a little angry.
Taking out his Deck and placing it into his Duel Disk, Hayato gritted his teeth and said, "There's a limit to playing the elder, old man. Since you want to Duel so much, then I won't hold back. Don't blame me if you get a slipped disc later!"
"Duel!"
The two Duel Disks were connected via KaibaCorp's mysterious Advanced Tech, but the two beacons for the Solid Vision were not deployed. Instead, several Projection Devices extended from the ceiling of the seemingly ancient Dojo.
After all, Sheppard had mentioned before that this was the newly established "Outer Faction" of Cyber Style. Although its appearance seemed ancient, it was not lacking in modern equipment, and Solid Vision was also configured.
Beside both of them, virtual Life Points Scoreboards lit up simultaneously.
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
[Former Master: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
With the Scoreboards displayed, the theoretical next step should have been for Hayato and the Cyber Style Former Master to contend for the First Turn with their respective hand speeds.
However, surrounded by a group of Cyber Style apprentices, Hayato and the Former Master, each holding five Cards in their Hand, made no move. They simply stared at each other, resulting in an awkward silence.
The atmosphere became incredibly uncomfortable.
"Um, you Draw first?"
"No, you Draw first."
"No, you first!"
"You Draw first!"
Just moments ago, they had been on the verge of drawing swords, ready to slap Duel Monster Cards on each other's faces, but when it came to the First Turn, both sides uncharacteristically deferred to each other.
It wasn't that Hayato suddenly developed a respect for the elderly and cared for the young. In Duels against others, having the First Turn to Draw one Card was a significant advantage. But if his Opponent was Cyber Style, Hayato would rather go Second Turn.
Although there was Sheppard, an atypical Cyber Style Duelist, the main characteristics of Cyber Style, no matter how one thought about it, should be a swift and fierce Aggressive Play.
In another World, there were two extremely vicious Curses regarding Duels with Cyber Style Decks.
If you play Cyber Style, may you always go First Turn.
If your Opponent plays Cyber Style, may you go First Turn.
Consider the classic strategy: using (Power Bond) with three (Cyber Dragon) to Summon the invincible 8000 ATK (Cyber End Dragon), which also has a Piercing Battle Damage Effect. If an opponent isn't prepared, and the Cyber Style Duelist then plays (Limiter Removal) to double its Attack Power again, even a top-tier Meta Deck can suffer a bitter defeat if it carelessly lacks a counter.
Of course, if the Cyber Style's Opponent was a Shadow Realm Deck filled with red and green Cards like (Magic Cylinder), that would be a different story. But Hayato didn't think his Deck was that Shadow Realm-ish, so he decided it was safer to let the Opponent go First Turn.
However, it was clear that his Opponent thought the same.
And he even spoke with righteous indignation: "Hmph, even for a rude guest who Challenges a Dojo, our Cyber Style Dojo maintains basic etiquette. Stop being so timid and Draw your Card quickly."
In the old man's words, Hayato had already become someone who dared not take the First Turn because he was timid. Since the old man had put it that way, Hayato could only place his finger on his Deck: "In that case, My Turn, Draw."
The Card Hayato drew was the Trap Card (Union Emergency Call), a Support Card for Union Monster Archetypes, but almost exclusively for the (XYZ) Deck.
For the first time in a while, Hayato brought out his pure (XYZ) Deck for the Duel, and his luck was quite good, drawing his main Cards on the First Turn.
"I Activate the Spell Card (Terraforming), to Add to Hand one Card from my Deck! Then I Activate the Field Spell Card I added to my Hand!"
Hayato held a Card between two fingers and, with an arrogant flick, sent it directly into the open Field Spell Zone on his Duel Disk. "Since my Opponent is the Machine-Type (Cyber Dragon), then to deal with you, using the equally Machine-Type (XYZ) would be better, wouldn't it?"
"Just as heroes have their stage for battle, mechanical constructs naturally have their maintenance workshops. Field Spell Card (Union Hangar) Activate!"
As Hayato's Field Spell Card Activated, a massive mechanical pillar rose from the open ground behind him. The pillar had multiple segments that seemed to rotate independently, and each segment was connected to a square pod housing something. There were a total of eight such pods, labeled with the letters "A," "B," "C," "V," "W," "X," "Y," and "Z."
The old man opposite Hayato looked at the pillar rising behind Hayato with some surprise: "What are these letters for? And where did D through U go?"
"Yes, why indeed, I'm also searching for the answer to that question," Hayato said dismissively, placing his hand by his Deck and catching the Card that automatically searched and popped out from it. "Due to the Effect of (Union Hangar) when it Activates, I can Add to Hand one Machine-Type, LIGHT Attribute Union Monster from my Deck."
"The Monster I add to my hand is, (A-Assault Core)."
"And I Normal Summon it to the Field in Attack Position!"
As Hayato's Monster Card was Summoned to the Field, the uppermost section of the towering mechanical pillar behind him began to rotate. The pod labeled "A" moved with the pillar's rotation, positioning itself above Hayato.
The pod's hatch opened, and a yellow combat vehicle emerged, descending steadily onto Hayato's Field using thrusters beneath its treads. Its beam emitter, shaped like a scorpion's stinger, aimed in the direction of the Cyber Style Former Master.
[(A-Assault Core)][Level 4/LIGHT Attribute]
[Machine-Type/Union/Effect]
[1900/200]
"A Level 4 Monster, yet its Attack Power is already 1900 points. And it's a Union Monster, is it the same Archetype as (XYZ)?"
The Cyber Style Former Master frowned, looking at (A-Assault Core). A Monster with 1900 Attack Power didn't particularly concern him, as Cyber Style rarely feared others when it came to Attack Surge. What truly made him serious was the additional purple winged Dragon that landed on Hayato's Field alongside (A-Assault Core).
The pod labeled "C" had opened at the same time as the pod labeled "A." This purple winged Dragon flew out of that pod, and as soon as it landed, the purple mechanical winged Dragon disassembled itself into several parts and equipped itself to (A-Assault Core).
Although both Hayato and Kaiba used the (XYZ) set of Union Monsters, this set wasn't actually uncommon. It wasn't so cheap as to be 50 yen a Card, but many Duelists whose systems were compatible with these Monsters would include them in their Decks for filler. Thus, the Cyber Style Former Master had seen this type of Union Monster before.
The connection between the purple winged Dragon and the yellow combat vehicle indeed looked like a Union Monster's equipped state, but even though the purple winged Dragon was equipped to (A-Assault Core), its Attack Power showed no change.
"The Effect of (Union Hangar) is, Once per Turn, when a Machine-Type, LIGHT Attribute Union Monster is Summoned or Special Summoned to my Field, I can choose one Machine-Type, LIGHT Attribute Union Monster from my Deck with a different name than that monster, and Equip it to that monster."
Hayato explained, "The Monster I chose, whose name is different from (A-Assault Core), is (C-Crush Wyvern). However, while (C-Crush Wyvern) normally has the ability to Special Summon itself by un-equipping from a monster, due to (Union Hangar)'s effect, (C-Crush Wyvern) equipped to (A-Assault Core) this turn cannot be Special Summoned by its own effect."
"Additionally, while it can't increase the equipped Monster's ATK/DEF like other Union Monsters, (C-Crush Wyvern) grants the equipped Monster immunity to the Effects of my Opponent's Trap Cards."
"Hmph, it's merely a Monster with 1900 Attack Power. If it can't be affected by Trap Effects, then I just need to Destroy it directly through Battle, don't I?" the Former Master said dismissively.
Hayato smiled, revealing a Card from his Hand: "I never said my Turn was over. On the contrary, my operations this Turn have just begun. Without fully preparing the complete set of machinery, they cannot unleash their full power."
"Continuous Spell Card (Frontline Base) Activate! And its Effect applies: Once per Turn, I can Special Summon one Union Monster directly from my Hand to the Field!"
Seeing the Card Hayato Activated, the Cyber Style Former Master's pupils contracted, as he now understood Hayato's next move.
"An (ABC) Archetype similar to (XYZ), then? It's only now I've realized this, my thoughts truly are a bit slow."
"(A-Assault Core), (C-Crush Wyvern), so next up will be (B)?"
Just as the Cyber Style Former Master thought, as Hayato Activated (Frontline Base), the pod labeled "B," nestled between "A" and "C" on the tall mechanical pillar behind him, began to move. A green velociraptor, carrying a pair of back cannons, leapt high and landed on Hayato's Field.
[(B-Buster Drake)][Level 4/LIGHT Attribute]
[Machine-Type/Union/Effect]
[1500/1800]
"At this moment, I have gathered (A-Assault Core), (B-Buster Drake), and (C-Crush Wyvern) on my Field! The party begins!" Hayato shouted, raising his arm. "(Polymerization) is completely unnecessary! Let my Opponent witness the ultimate machine!"
"I will Banish all (A), (B), and (C) from my Field from the Game, and Special Summon ABC-Dragon Buster!"
Similar to (C-Crush Wyvern) just now, (B-Buster Drake)'s body was also disassembled and entirely loaded onto (A-Assault Core) as a mobile platform. The (ABC) Archetype, which once sparked the controversial statement "Even my grandmother can play Yu-Gi-Oh" in another World, made its debut!
[ABC-Dragon Buster][Level 8/LIGHT Attribute]
[Machine-Type/Fusion/Effect]
[3000/2800]
As everyone knows, (ABC) is actually a reinforcement for (XYZ).
It's also well known that (XYZ) with (ABC) is very strong.
But it's also well known that (ABC) without (XYZ) is even stronger.
(end of chapter)
As is well known, as the protagonist and true heroine (?) of Yu-Gi-Oh! DM, Yugi Muto's Deck is primarily a Heavy Trap Deck.
Summon? Countered. Board development? Countered. Card drawing? Countered. Direct attack? So strong, too strong, I'll use Magic Cylinder.
However, although his Deck was stuffed with all sorts of red and green cards, Yugi Muto did have a few iconic ace monsters, including the Magnet Warrior Deck, which was somewhat similar to XYZ-Dragon Cannon and also a three-in-one combination.
The aces of the Magnet Warrior archetype, Valkyrion the Magna Warrior and Berserkion the Electromagna Warrior, had effects akin to an unkillable cockroach. Even when destroyed, they could revive by Special Summoning their own component monsters, and could even reassemble to revive on the next turn.
The ABC-Dragon Buster that Hayato had summoned possessed a similar ability, and was perhaps even more outrageous than the Magnet Warriors.
ABC-Dragon Buster
[Effect: ① Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card, then target 1 card on the field; banish it.
② During your opponent's turn (Quick Effect): You can Tribute this card, then target 3 of your banished LIGHT Machine Union monsters with different names; Special Summon them.]
Not only could it banish a key card on the field during the opponent's turn once per turn to hinder their board development, but if the opponent wanted to counterattack, ABC-Dragon Buster could also use its second effect to disassemble and escape to dodge skills—a classic "I can hit you, but you can't hit me" scenario.
After Special Summoning ABC-Dragon Buster, Hayato glanced at his hand. After a whole round of plays, he still had three cards remaining. Hayato kept one card in his hand to use as Cost for ABC-Dragon Buster's effect on the next turn, and Set the other two cards.
"I Set two cards from my hand and End my Turn."
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand: 1]
[ABC-Dragon Buster] [ATK 3000]
[Face-down] x2
Field Spell: Union Hangar
"A monster with 3000 Attack, and you've even Set two Trap Cards for defense," the Cyber Style Former Master said with a frown. "As someone here to challenge a dojo, your strength is quite formidable."
"I already told you, I'm not—"
"However, the Cyber Style is far more powerful than you can imagine. A mere 3000 Attack is something I can surpass with ease!"
Although Hayato tried to clarify himself again, the stubborn old man cut him off once more, speaking his own mind.
"My Turn, Draw!" Drawing a card from his Deck and seeing what it was, a corner of the Former Master's mouth curled up. He played the drawn card immediately.
"First, I activate the Spell Card Pot of Greed, to draw two cards from my Deck."
"Then I activate the Continuous Spell Card I just drew, Future Fusion. As the name implies, it's a card that fuses monsters in the future. I'll reveal my Fusion Monster, Cyber End Dragon, for you to confirm, and then I'll send the three copies of Cyber Dragon from my Deck that are its materials to the Graveyard!"
Because his Duel Disk wasn't equipped with the same advanced tech as Hayato's for auto-searching the Deck, the Former Master had to search for each Cyber Dragon in his Deck one by one and send them to the Graveyard.
As he searched, he looked at Hayato. "Since you have the courage to challenge the Cyber Style Dojo, you must know of the power of the Cyber Style's ultimate secret technique—Cyber End Dragon."
"Due to the effect of Future Fusion, Cyber End Dragon will appear on my field during the next turn. But if you think you can escape your fate because of that, you're gravely mistaken, because I'm going to Fusion Summon a monster using Cyber Dragons this very turn!"
The Former Master drew a card from his hand and inserted it into his Spell & Trap Zone. As the card was inserted, phantom images of the three Cyber Dragons that had just been sent to the Graveyard appeared behind him before dissipating into particles.
"This effect... could it be..."
Hayato also had a Cyber Dragon Deck, so naturally, he was very familiar with the "three main tools" commonly used for Cyber Dragon Fusion: Power Bond for Fusion from the hand, Cyberload Fusion for Fusion from the Banished Zone, and for Fusion from the Graveyard—
"I activate the Spell Card, Overload Fusion! This card allows me to banish the Fusion Materials required for a DARK Machine-Type Fusion Monster from my field or Graveyard to Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster!"
"The Fusion Materials are all three Cyber Dragons! I banish all of them to Special Summon Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!"
After the figures of the three Cyber Dragons vanished from the Former Master's side, ominous and dangerous red electricity began to flash between the silver light particles that filled the air. With a mechanical hum, a long, mechanical dragon with three forked heads and necks had coiled itself around the Former Master!
[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon] [Level 5/DARK]
[Machine/Fusion/Effect]
[2100/1600]
Looking at this Machine-Type Fusion Monster Special Summoned by the Former Master, which was similar to the usual Cyber Dragon yet vastly different, the spectating disciples couldn't help but exclaim, "Wh-what a cool monster!"
"It's a completely different style from Cyber End Dragon, but it's still so cool!"
"And it's a DARK Attribute! Three LIGHT Attribute Cyber Dragons fused into a DARK Attribute Fusion Monster. And its Attack, Defense, and even its Level are actually the same, huh?"
After Special Summoning Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, the Former Master saw how curious his apprentices were about this DARK Attribute "Cyber Style" monster, which was not part of the standard "Cyber Style" curriculum, and he took the opportunity to promote it.
"Many people know of the 'Cyber Style's' Cyber Dragon, and know that its Fusion form, Cyber End Dragon, is proof of the culmination of all 'Cyber Style' techniques. Obtaining Cyber End Dragon means one has mastered all the techniques of the 'Cyber Style'."
Pausing for a moment, the Former Master's tone shifted, "But!"
"Cyber End Dragon represents the perfection of 'Cyber Style', but not its limit. The evolution of 'Cyber Style' is infinite and without end!"
"With this Duel to defeat the dojo challenger, let me show you all a glimpse of that infinite peak!"
After speaking, the Former Master turned his head back to the field and pointed a finger at Hayato. "Before the 'Cyber Style', everything is straightforward! First, I will destroy those troublesome Spell and Trap cards of yours."
"When Chimeratech Rampage Dragon is successfully Fusion Summoned, I can target and destroy Spell and Trap cards on the field up to the number of Fusion Materials used for its summon." The Former Master held up three fingers. "I used three Cyber Dragons as Fusion Material, so I can destroy your two Set Cards in the backrow and your Field Spell Card!"
"Go, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon! Overload Charge Impact!"
As the Cyber Style Former Master designated the cards to be destroyed, each of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's three heads began to brew a bolt of orange lightning, which they all spat out in unison. Like a hot knife through butter, the three pillars of lightning sliced through Hayato's Set Cards and the pillars of the Union Hangar behind him, destroying them all.
"Boom!"
Amid the flames of the explosion, the Former Master heard Hayato's voice: "Instead of building up power, you chose to prioritize clearing my dangerous Set Cards. If Yami Yugi were as cautious as you, he wouldn't bluntly fall for Yugi Muto's traps every time."
"But, you know, having my Set Cards destroyed isn't necessarily a bad thing for me."
As Hayato's words fell, a red light suddenly shot out from the smoke of the explosion, bypassing the obstructing Chimeratech Rampage Dragon and striking the Former Master directly, knocking him back several steps as his Life Points dropped.
[Former Master: 4000 LP → 3000 LP]
Clutching his chest where the red light had struck, the Former Master couldn't understand why his Life Points had suddenly dropped by a whole 1000 LP when he had only destroyed two Set Cards.
And after the smoke quickly dissipated, the card held between Hayato's fingers gave him the answer.
"Mediocre Ghost's Self-Destruct Device. Inflict 1000 points of damage to the player who destroyed this card. It might not be very useful against a reckless duelist who duels entirely on instinct without looking at their opponent's Set Cards, but it's perfect for dealing with overly cautious guys who are good at overthinking things."
As he spoke, Hayato sent Mediocre Ghost's Self-Destruct Device, along with the other destroyed cards, Union Scramble and Union Hangar, to the Graveyard.
"Hmph, it's merely 1000 points. As long as I finish you this turn, it's just a minor loss," the Former Master said proudly. "The second effect of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon allows it to send up to two LIGHT Machine-Type monsters from my Deck to the Graveyard."
"Then, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon can make additional attacks on top of its normal attack, equal to the number of monsters sent to the Graveyard! I send two copies of Proto-Cyber Dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard, giving my Chimeratech Rampage Dragon the ability to attack three times this turn!"
As the Former Master sent the two searched Proto-Cyber Dragons to the Graveyard, the eyes of all three heads of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon on his field lit up with a dangerous red glow, seemingly ready to launch an attack on Hayato.
"Heh heh, pathetic, pathetic, pathetic! So what if it can attack three times? Even if a piece of tofu attacks three times, it can't break through a steel plate. Don't forget, your Chimeratech Rampage Dragon only has 2100 Attack. Do you dare defy me, who controls the 3000 ATK ABC-Dragon Buster?"
Hayato didn't think a triple attack from a 2100 ATK monster was anything to be afraid of. Now, if it were the fatal five-strike from a 4000 ATK Chimeratech Overdragon, that would be a bit more frightening.
Hearing Hayato's standard antagonist speech, the Former Master's lips curled into a smirk as he drew a card from his hand. "In that case, what if I add this card?"
Hayato only now noticed that despite completing a series of plays involving milling, Fusion, and a board wipe, the old man opposite him had actually only played two cards from his hand. He still had a full five cards left.
And now, he played a powerful staple card for any Attack Surge-style Cyber Dragon Deck.
"Quick-Play Spell, Limiter Removal activate!"
That's right. What the Cyber Style Former Master activated was the simple and brutal Limiter Removal, a card that could be activated without any prerequisites and doubled Attack Points right off the bat. 1000 becomes 2000, 2000 becomes 4000, 4000 becomes 8000, and 8000 can even become 16000.
"The effect of Limiter Removal doubles the Attack of all Machine-Type monsters on my field! In other words, the 2100 Attack of the 'pathetic' Chimeratech Rampage Dragon you mentioned will become 4200, surpassing the 4000 Attack of the legendary God Card, Obelisk the Tormentor."
The Former Master said smugly, "Can you still be as calm as you were before, kid?"
"4200 Attack and a triple attack, huh? Indeed, at this level, I can't call it pathetic. After all, Kaiba's Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon only has 4500 ATK and a triple attack."
Hayato nodded, then added, "But even so, powerful cards come with risks. The power output of Machine-Type monsters is already at an optimal level. If you release the limiters and overload it, the Chimeratech Rampage Dragon affected by Limiter Removal will be destroyed at the end of your turn."
"Hmph, no matter. As long as I finish you this turn, it'll be fine. In any case, I prefer a moment of brilliance over sustained mediocrity." The Former Master laughed wildly, not like an old man at all, but more like a hot-blooded young man.
"Is that so..." Hayato also smiled upon hearing this. "In that case, let me add some fuel to your 'brilliance'."
"Hmm?" Hayato's words were a bit hard to understand, but when he saw Hayato send a card from his hand to the Graveyard and the laser cannon barrels and rocket pods on ABC-Dragon Buster open up, the Cyber Style Former Master had an ominous premonition.
"Once per turn, by discarding one card from my hand, ABC-Dragon Buster can activate its effect to target one card on the field and banish it directly from the game. And this effect can be activated during the opponent's turn."
Hayato said in a sarcastic tone, "A triple attack with 4200 ATK, so strong, too strong. But rather than letting it be destroyed by the effect of Limiter Removal, I think I'll just use the effect of ABC-Dragon Buster to banish it!"
The Former Master understood Hayato's plan. This guy was waiting for him to commit enough resources to enhance Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, and then banish it right when its power reached its peak.
What kind of sick person plays cards like this? FFS, why?
"You... you bastard!"
"No need to thank me. You wiped my backrow, and I'll deal with your ace monster. It's what they call reciprocity." Hayato snapped his fingers. "Go, ABC-Dragon Buster! There's nothing left for Chimeratech Rampage Dragon to do here. Let it go guard a pond!"
"The final hour!"
(end of chapter)
Chapter 473: Dismantle and Emergency Evasion
On (ABC-Dragon Buster), the two heads of (B-Buster Drake) and (C-Crush Wyvern)—parts mounted on (A-Assault Core)—retracted. This cleared the way for the Laser Cannon Barrel and rocket pods underneath to freely target (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon).
As Hayato's hand was sent to the Graveyard, two scorching laser beams shot out from the Laser Cannon Barrel, instantly piercing the core of (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon). The monster had just dramatically increased its ATK due to (Limiter Removal), looking incredibly smug moments before.
On (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon)'s three heads, its previously crimson eye monitors instantly dimmed. The next moment, to ensure no lingering threat, a barrage of rockets enveloped the monster's entire body in their blast radius, completely pulverizing and Banishing it.
"The (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon) with 4200 ATK... it actually got!?"
"Who is this guy? So strong!"
"This is dangerous now..."
The apprentices watching had just been marveling at (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon)'s power, but they never expected that the Former Master had only just activated (Limiter Removal), doubling its ATK to a terrifying 4200, only for (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon) to be Banished by (ABC-Dragon Buster) the very next second. They couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
"Because of the card I just discarded and sent to the Graveyard, (Ojama Magic)'s effect allows me to add (Ojama Yellow), (Ojama Black), and (Ojama Green) from my Deck to my Hand when it is sent to the Graveyard from the field or hand."
The last card in Hayato's Hand was (Ojama Magic), which had the effect of letting him search three cards from his Deck after being sent to the Graveyard. Although the three cards he searched were all mere fodder monsters, they were perfect to use as a cost to activate (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s effect.
"(Ojama)? I remember that's the Deck which primarily uses tactics to interfere with the opponent's strategy, and all its members seem to have 0 ATK. However, to think of using such monsters with no Attack power to support your Deck—that's a clever idea."
Although (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon) was Banished, the Former Master, after a momentary shock upon hearing (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s effect, quickly regained his composure, even calmly commenting on Hayato's previous move.
Judging by his expression, it seemed he had other tricks up his sleeve.
Hayato couldn't help but look at his Hand. His opponent hadn't performed a Normal Summon this turn, and still had four cards in Hand. Theoretically, he indeed had the possibility to continue his combo or board development.
However, he had just adopted a stance as if he was staking everything on (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon) to decide the match. Did his opponent truly have any more cards in his Hand that could be used for battle?
Answering Hayato was the Cyber Style Former Master, who drew three cards from his Hand in one go: two Monster Cards and one green Spell Card, (Polymerization).
"I'll repeat myself: 'Cyber Style' has no limits. The path of Fusion's evolution leads to an infinite future." The Former Master inserted (Polymerization) into his Spell & Trap Zone, holding up the two Monster Cards in his Hand. "Boy, the Banishment of just one monster won't stop me from winning this Duel this turn!"
"Your (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s effect to Banish a monster can only be used once per turn, right? So how will you deal with this monster now!"
"I activate the (Polymerization) Spell Card! I'll fuse two (Cyber Ogre) from my Hand as Fusion Material to Fusion Summon (Cyber Ogre 2)!"
A Fusion Vortex appeared on the Former Master's Field, swallowing the two (Cyber Ogre) from his Hand. The black, steel-colored Machine Monsters merged and combined, Fusing into a gigantic monster standing on its two arms, trailing a long tail!
(Cyber Ogre 2) [Level 7/EARTH]
[Machine/Fusion/Effect]
[ATK 2600/DEF 1900]
(Cyber Ogre 2), with arms as thick as a man's body, stood before the Cyber Style Former Master. He proudly introduced, "Every 'Cyber Style' apprentice, upon reaching the 'Okuiri' stage, receives the symbolic 'Cyber Style' card, (Cyber Dragon), as a mark of their legacy."
"But don't think 'Cyber Style' is only about (Cyber Dragon)!"
"When (Cyber Ogre 2) engages in battle, its ATK will increase by an amount equal to half of the opponent's monster's ATK. Even against (Five-Headed Dragon) with 5000 ATK, (Cyber Ogre 2) can surpass it!"
The ranking system used in "Cyber Style" is the same as traditional kendo rankings. Kendo ranks are divided into "Nyūmon" (Entry), "Okuiri" (Inner Knowledge), "Kirigami" (Paper Cut), and "Mokuroku" (Catalogue), and "Cyber Style" uses similar "Nyūmon," "Okuiri," "Menkyo" (License), and "Kaiden" (Full Transmission).
Among these, a newly initiated apprentice is "Nyūmon." After a certain amount of training, receiving (Cyber Dragon) serves as proof of "Okuiri." The "Menkyo" rank signifies a basic mastery of all "Cyber Style" techniques, and (Cyber End Dragon) is the proof of the "Kaiden" rank, meaning one has thoroughly integrated "Cyber Style."
During the Duelist Kingdom era, Sheppard was at the "Menkyo" rank. Although he possessed "Cyber Style"-specific cards like (Cyber Dragon), he temporarily couldn't advance to "Kaiden" due to the Former Master's trial. It was only after the Duelist Kingdom match concluded that he was promoted to "Kaiden" and later succeeded as the current Master of "Cyber Style."
It's worth mentioning that Sheppard also seemed to use (Cyber Ogre) cards, just like the Cyber Style Former Master.
"What a troublesome effect; it increases ATK during battle, not just when attacking?" Hayato couldn't help but frown.
As is well known, the "K-language" (card text language) is profound, and often a single word or character change can lead to vast differences. "When Attacking," "When Attacked," and "When Battling" represent distinct meanings.
In the real card game, (Cyber Ogre 2)'s effect increases its ATK when attacking, meaning it only applies this effect when it actively declares an attack. It's not particularly powerful, only having some offensive capabilities.
However, the (Cyber Ogre 2) used by the Cyber Style Former Master clearly had the anime version effect: whether it's an attack or when attacked, as long as (Cyber Ogre 2) is involved in the battle, it can directly increase the ATK of the other monster by half of its ATK. Even when used defensively, it has considerable field presence.
The best way to deal with such a monster is clearly to Destroy or Banish (Cyber Ogre 2) directly with a card effect. But unfortunately, Hayato's (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s effect to Banish cards has a once-per-turn limitation, and it had just been used on (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon).
Watching Hayato, whose brows were tightly furrowed, the Former Master smiled: "Heh heh, to defeat 'Cyber Style,' you're still far from capable. Although it's my first time seeing that (ABC-Dragon Buster), its name is so similar to (XYZ-Dragon Cannon) that even without any proof, my intuition told me it must have a similar effect."
"And sure enough, its effect to Banish a card by discarding a card from your Hand, once per turn, while not as potent as (XYZ-Dragon Cannon)'s effect that can be activated as long as you have cards in your Hand, it possesses the ability to activate during the opponent's turn, which even surprised me."
"At first, I could have Summoned (Cyber Ogre 2) and then used more Fusion Material to Fusion Summon the more powerful (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon). However, out of caution, I Summoned (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon) first, then (Cyber Ogre 2). It seems I'm still in my prime."
Just as Hayato waited for the Cyber Style Former Master to commit some resources to (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon) before Banishing it, the Former Master was also patiently waiting for Hayato to reveal his next move before slowly unleashing (Cyber Ogre 2), his ultimate technique.
Although Hayato's (ABC-Dragon Buster) currently had 400 more ATK than (Cyber Ogre 2), in front of (Cyber Ogre 2), which could increase its own ATK, this slight difference would quickly be surpassed.
"Alright, now entering my Battle Phase! I'll use (Cyber Ogre 2) to attack your (ABC-Dragon Buster)!" The Former Master swung his arm. "Absorb your opponent's power and turn it into your divine might, (Cyber Ogre 2)!"
"Transcendent Electro-Shock!"
Although it only had two excessively thick arms for movement, (Cyber Ogre 2)'s attack speed was astonishing. As (Cyber Ogre 2) approached, (ABC-Dragon Buster) was just about to attack when it surprisingly found a portion of its ATK stolen!
(ABC-Dragon Buster) [ATK 3000]
(Cyber Ogre 2) [ATK 2600 → 4100]
An inverse turn of events!
Seeing (Cyber Ogre 2)'s thick arms about to seize (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s body, Hayato had no doubt of its power to Destroy (ABC-Dragon Buster). Unwilling to let his monster be Destroyed like this, Hayato immediately ordered: "You forced my hand. I hadn't intended to use this move."
"I activate (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s second effect—"
"A second effect!?" The Former Master was somewhat surprised, as he never imagined (ABC-Dragon Buster) would have any other abilities.
Its Summoning conditions were excessively simple. Despite being a Fusion Monster, it didn't even require the (Polymerization) Spell Card; it only needed three Fusion Material Monsters to be Banished from the Field or Graveyard to Summon. Furthermore, it boasted excellent stats of 3000 ATK and 2800 DEF, and even a powerful effect to Banish cards that could be used during the opponent's turn.
And now it has other effects too? Even broken cards aren't printed like this!
The Former Master glanced at the last card in his Hand, intending to first see what effect Hayato was about to use before deciding whether to activate his own card.
Would it increase ATK, or be another Banish card ability similar to the first effect? Even so, it wouldn't matter; the card in his Hand could save his monster, though it would be tough to last the next turn.
The Former Master recalled many powerful effects, and under his wary gaze, (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s body suddenly disassembled!?
"Second effect, "Dismantle and Emergency Evasion!""
Hayato stood with his hands on his hips, a smug expression on his face: "It would be such a waste if the (ABC-Dragon Buster) I painstakingly Summoned were to be Destroyed by you like this. Rather than that, I'd rather just disassemble them."
"During the opponent's turn, (ABC-Dragon Buster) can Release itself, then Special Summon my three Banished LIGHT Attribute, Machine-Type Union Monsters back to my Field." Hayato said, sending the (ABC-Dragon Buster) card to the Graveyard, then pulling three previously Banished cards from his pocket. "Come back, (A-Assault Core), (B-Buster Drake), and (C-Crush Wyvern)!"
(A-Assault Core) [DEF 200]
(B-Buster Drake) [DEF 1800]
(C-Crush Wyvern) [DEF 2000]
Looking at the three monsters in Defense Position before him, Hayato felt a bit of regret. If his Field Spell, (Union Hangar), were still on the Field, the Special Summon of the Union Monsters could trigger its effect, allowing him to gain another card.
Alas, it couldn't be helped.
The Former Master's current mood was hard to describe in words. He had just braced himself for some terrifying foe, only to suddenly be told that his opponent had chosen to flee?
"An ability to Release itself and return its Fusion Material to the Field? How troublesome and irritating! But because (ABC-Dragon Buster) disappeared from the Field, a Battle Replay is triggered. My (Cyber Ogre 2) can re-target."
The Former Master looked at (C-Crush Wyvern), the monster with the highest DEF on Hayato's Field, and waved his hand, commanding: "Attack again, (Cyber Ogre 2)! Attack (C-Crush Wyvern), Transcendent Electro-Shock!"
The (C-Crush Wyvern) in Defense Position had a high DEF of 2000, but it was utterly defenseless before (Cyber Ogre 2), which had 2600 ATK, boosted to 3200 ATK after absorbing (C-Crush Wyvern)'s Power. It was instantly Destroyed and Sent to the Graveyard, but since it was in Defense Position, Hayato took no Damage.
Although (C-Crush Wyvern) had an effect that could be activated when it was sent to the Graveyard from the Field—"Special Summon 1 Union Monster from your Hand"—regrettably, Hayato currently only had three fodder monsters in his Hand, and no Union Monsters that could be Special Summoned.
"I Set one card. My Turn ends." (Cyber Ogre 2), the only monster on the Field, had already attacked. The Former Master glanced at the (De-Fusion) in his Hand and chose not to activate it, instead Setting it on the Field.
Activating this card's effect now would merely Special Summon two (Cyber Ogre) from the Graveyard to the Field and Destroy two of his opponent's monsters in Defense Position, doing no Battle Damage to that guy whatsoever.
It would be better to keep it Set for now and activate it when the situation calls for it, letting (Cyber Ogre 2), which is essentially immune to being Destroyed by Battle, maintain Field presence. If his opponent activated an effect similar to (ABC-Dragon Buster)'s previous one, he could then use (De-Fusion) to circumvent it.
"You've escaped for this turn," the Former Master said, raising his head, "but the next turn will be your final struggle."
[Former Master: 3000 LP, Hand: 0]
(Cyber Ogre 2) [ATK 2600]
(Future Fusion) [Set Card: (De-Fusion)]
Although the (Cyber Dragon) that was Sent to the Graveyard earlier due to (Future Fusion) became Fusion Material for (Chimeratech Rampage Dragon), (Future Fusion) was already active after it was activated.
When the Standby Phase of the next turn arrives, the "Cyber Style"'s Ultimate Secret Technique, (Cyber End Dragon), will be Summoned to the Field. At that point, not even putting monsters in Defense Position will protect his opponent's Life Points!
(end of chapter)
Chapter 474: No Matter How Good a Card Is, It Has No Meaning If You Can't Play It on the Opponent's Turn—Nani?!
"My Turn, Draw."
Hayato glanced down to confirm the card he had drawn this turn. Without rushing to activate it, he looked over at the Cyber Ogre 2.
"As expected of the Cyber Style. Using Fusion three times in a single turn to establish such powerful board control. An ordinary Duelist probably wouldn't have survived the first turn."
Right now, aside from the card he had just drawn, Hayato's Hand consisted of three useless Ojama Monsters. Summoning them to the Field would be completely pointless. After all, his memory wasn't so bad that he'd forgotten his opponent had activated Future Fusion last turn.
Next Turn, his opponent was going to Summon a Cyber End Dragon with piercing damage. Summoning a few Fodder Monsters with only 1000 DEF would just be asking for trouble, wouldn't it?
Besides them, Hayato had A-Assault Core and B-Buster Drake on his Field.
In Hayato's previous life, ABC-Dragon Buster was so easy to bring out that it ended up on the Limited list, restricted to one copy per Deck. This greatly curtailed its performance, though it remained an excellent engine to splash into other Decks. However, this was the first time ABC-Dragon Buster had appeared in this World, during his Duel with the Cyber Style Former Master, so it was naturally not a Limited card.
Unfortunately, Hayato still hadn't put more than one copy of ABC-Dragon Buster in his Deck. The reason was simple: it was too damn expensive.
The A, B, and C Cards were pulled when Hayato was opening a Divine-Beast support pack for The Creator God of Light, Horakhty. The System's explanation was, "If The Creator God of Light can create light itself, how could the Divine-Beast Type be so inconvenient?" In short, it was using its supreme authority to improvise rules as it pleased.
And since he had accidentally pulled a full set of A, B, and C, Hayato wasn't about to let them sit idle in his Inventory. He had planned to go to the Shop and directly exchange for ABC-Dragon Buster and the potentially useful AtoZ-Dragon Buster Cannon.
'Even Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon and Eldlich the Golden Lord only cost 30,000 DP points. Although my current balance is exactly 30,000, and buying a Boss Monster would mean I couldn't afford the necessary Support Cards, getting two UR cards that aren't quite top-tier shouldn't be a problem.'
That's what Hayato had thought at the time as he searched for the target cards in the Shop. Three seconds later, his DP points balance had dropped to an awkward 500. For a moment, Hayato suspected the System had adjusted the card prices in real-time just to leave him with 500 points.
In any case, while Hayato did indeed have ABC-Dragon Buster, he unfortunately only had the one copy that had already been sent to the Graveyard via its own effect. So, even though all three Material monsters were present on his Field and in his Graveyard, he couldn't Summon it again until he recovered ABC-Dragon Buster from the Graveyard.
"Looks like Big Bro is in a tough spot, nya~"
In Hayato's Hand, Ojama Yellow crawled halfway out of its card, propping its arm on the frame and peeking its head out to speak smugly. "At a time like this, the only ones Big Bro can rely on are us."
"With Big Bro's skill, he must have just drawn a card that can use our power."
"See? We really are Big Bro's Ace Card."
"Who says only those who stand in the light can be heroes? Use us as you please, Big Bro!"
At the same time, Ojama Yellow tried to shift its eyeballs toward the card Hayato had just drawn, wanting to see what he got this turn.
Hearing the Ojama Monsters' words, the corner of Hayato's mouth twitched. He glanced at the card he'd just drawn. "Is that so? Then I'll make full use of you. This is the perfect card to put you all to work."
"Eh? What is it, what is it?"
"It must be Fusion! The three of us brothers will unite to stonewall that Cyber Ogre 2!"
Ojama Green and Ojama Black watched with anticipation as Hayato placed the newly drawn card into his Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone.
Ojama Black's idea wasn't half bad. The Ojama King, formed by fusing the three Ojama monsters, had a whopping 3000 DEF and 0 ATK, which was indeed capable of holding off Cyber Ogre 2.
However, against the 4000 ATK of Cyber End Dragon, it would be nothing but OTK fodder.
Ojama Yellow energetically clung to Hayato's Duel Disk, looking at the face-up Spell Card he had activated. At the same time, he heard Hayato's voice: "Since I have two or more cards in my Hand other than this one, I activate the Spell Card Left Arm Offering!"
"Huh?" Hearing the word "Cost" implied in the Spell Card's name, Ojama Yellow suddenly had a bad feeling. It quickly looked down and read the effect of Left Arm Offering aloud. "If you have 2 or more other cards in your hand: Banish your entire hand; Add 1 Spell Card from your Deck to your Hand?!"
"Banish... all of us?!"
"Noooo, Big Bro!!"
"Stop iiiit—"
Although the Ojama brothers tried to perform "My Struggle for Survival," Hayato was one step ahead. With a flick of his wrist, he slapped the card, forcing the nearly-escaped Ojama brothers back into their card forms. Then, ignoring Ojama Yellow's groan of "My back is about to break," he shoved them into his pocket, banishing them.
"An effect that lets you add a Spell Card directly from your Deck to your Hand? Is it because you can't rely on a simple draw to get the card you need? It seems you are still not worthy of being called a Duelist, boy."
With his arms crossed, the Cyber Style Former Master critiqued Hayato's activation of Left Arm Offering. But Hayato denied it, "You're wrong about that, you stubborn old man. As a Duelist, creating the draw you need is a fundamental skill."
"However, I banished the other three cards in my Hand for my own purpose. After all, sometimes, the dead are more useful than the living." Pausing for a moment, Hayato revealed the card he added to his Hand. "For example, when using this card!"
"Spell Card Card of Safe Return! As the best card-drawing card currently available, this Limited card has the ability to let both players replenish their Hand until they have six cards!"
As Hayato spoke, he drew six cards from his Deck in one go.
"Getting rid of the dead weight in your Hand to draw more cards, is it? But doing so also helps me replenish my Hand. Since my Hand was also at zero, I will draw six cards." The Former Master said this without even looking down, simply reaching out and drawing exactly six cards from the top of his Deck—no more, no less.
It was clear that the old man hadn't neglected his training, the same kind of draw practice Hayato had seen the apprentices doing when he first entered the Cyber Style Dojo.
After checking the cards he drew, a smile tugged at the corner of the Former Master's lips, as if Card of Safe Return had brought him something useful.
"Did you draw something good..." Hayato naturally noticed that the Cyber Style Former Master had drawn a good card, but he wasn't flustered, because his Hand wasn't bad either. "However, no matter how good a Hand is, it's meaningless if you can't play it on the Opponent's Turn."
"Watch me end this Duel this Turn!"
As he spoke, Hayato played a card from his Hand. "Let me show you the card of Bonds I received from a friend!"
"Spell Card Change of Heart! I gain control of your Cyber Ogre 2 until the end of this turn!"
"Wh-What?!"
The Former Master's eyes widened, clearly not expecting the "card of Bonds" Hayato mentioned to be Change of Heart. Using a card that NTRs people's monsters as a card of bonds... what kind of Shadow Realm bonds are these?
The half-angel, half-fiend priest from Change of Heart released a wave of pink light often seen in hypnosis doujins. Seeing his monster about to be stolen, the Cyber Style Former Master, a member of the "Pure Love" Faction, immediately activated his Set Card in the Back Row. "Don't even think about it! I won't let you!"
"I Chain to your Change of Heart! I'm also activating the card I Set last turn, the Quick-Play Spell Card De-Fusion!"
Before the pink hypnotic light could hit its mark, the effect of De-Fusion resolved first due to Chain Link Resolution, causing the Cyber Ogre 2 on the Former Master's Field to disassemble back into the two Cyber Ogres resting in his Graveyard.
Cyber Ogre [Level 5/Earth]
[Machine-Type/Effect]
[1900/1200]
"Tch, you dodged it with De-Fusion?" Hayato clicked his tongue in annoyance. Although he knew the opponent's Set Card wasn't just for show, he didn't expect it to be De-Fusion.
Not only could it defuse your own Fusion Monster back into its materials, but it could also be used, as Hayato had taught Joey, to return an opponent's Fusion Monster to the Deck.
If Change of Heart had resolved, the Cyber Style Former Master would have had no monsters left on his Field. With his mere 3000 Life Points, Hayato could have won with a Direct Attack from the captured Cyber Ogre 2 and any monster with 400 or more ATK.
But since the Change of Heart strategy failed, he would just switch to another one.
"Although I failed to gain control of your Cyber Ogre 2, compared to a monster that gains ATK just by battling, a regular Cyber Ogre is much easier to deal with, even if there are two of them now."
Hayato drew a card from his Hand and inserted it into his Duel Disk. "In this situation, the most suitable cards would be something like System Down or Lightning Vortex that can destroy your monsters with an effect. But unfortunately, I don't run those cards in my Deck."
"However, changing my style for once and defeating you with Aggressive Play is also part of the fun of Duel Monsters."
Hayato played a card from his Hand. "I switch both of my monsters on the Field from Defense Position to Attack Position! Then, I activate the effect of the Continuous Spell Card Frontline Base! Once per Turn, I can Special Summon one Union Monster from my Hand. I Special Summon Heavy Mech Support Platform from my Hand and Equip it to B-Buster Drake."
A mechanical contraption combining mechanical arms, wings, and rocket boosters appeared on Hayato's Field. It immediately disassembled and attached itself to B-Buster Drake.
B-Buster Drake (Equipped with Heavy Mech Support Platform) [ATK 1500 -> 2000]
"Heavy Mech Support Platform can be treated as an Equip Card for a Machine-Type monster I control, increasing its ATK by 500. Also, if B-Buster Drake would be destroyed by battle or a card effect, Heavy Mech Support Platform equipped to it can be destroyed instead."
"And now, I enter the Battle Phase!"
The Cyber Style Former Master compared the monsters on both sides of the Field—
Cyber Ogre [ATK 1900]
A-Assault Core [ATK 1900]
B-Buster Drake [ATK 2000]
"Are you planning to use the powered-up B-Buster Drake to destroy one Cyber Ogre, and have A-Assault Core crash into the other one for Mutual Destruction?"
"If so, you'll only inflict a meager 100 points of battle damage to me. But on my next turn, when Cyber End Dragon makes its descent, this Duel will be over."
Hearing this, Hayato smiled and drew a card. "No. Since I said I'll end this Duel this turn, I will absolutely do it. A mere overclock for an attack surge was never a patent held by Cyber Dragon alone."
Hayato slammed a card from his Hand onto his Duel Disk. It was also a Limiter Removal?!
Although Limiter Removal has the negative effect of destroying the monsters whose ATK it boosted at the End Phase, Hayato's ABC-Dragon Buster was exceptionally good at reviving itself. This negative effect could be completely avoided by disassembling on the Opponent's Turn. Naturally, Hayato had added this useful Quick-Play Spell to his Deck, and he activated it during the Battle Phase.
A-Assault Core [ATK 1900 -> 3800]
B-Buster Drake [ATK 2000 -> 4000]
"With their Attack doubled, the Damage goes from 100 to a whopping 2100. So grit your teeth and bear it, old man." Hayato raised his hand high. "I use B-Buster Drake to attack Cyber Ogre!"
"My hand glows with an awesome power! Its burning grip tells me to seize victory!"
"Erupting!"
"God Finger Heat End!"
Following Hayato's incredibly chuuni attack declaration, the entire body of B-Buster Drake, equipped with Heavy Mech Support Platform, grew intensely hot as its internal energy went into complete overload, even causing the surrounding air to shimmer and distort.
A massive amount of energy gathered in the cannons on its back, ready to be unleashed. With the roar of its rocket thrusters, B-Buster Drake instantly became a green phantom, streaking across the field and appearing before the defenseless Cyber Ogre as if it had teleported. It pressed both cannon barrels against the Cyber Ogre's abdomen!
The next second, a point-blank, overloaded cannon blast!
"BOOM!"
Hayato watched the smoke that completely enveloped both B-Buster Drake and Cyber Ogre, but his brows furrowed.
B-Buster Drake's attack had definitely gone through; it hadn't been stopped by a card that could Negate Battle. The Former Master had no Set cards in his Backrow, and the cards in his Graveyard were all face-up cards—there was no Electromagnetic Turtle or anything similar.
Logically, after completing its attack, B-Buster Drake should have withdrawn. And his opponent didn't seem to have taken any damage. What could have possibly gone wrong?
No, wait! Hayato suddenly remembered something. He looked at the other Cyber Ogre that hadn't been caught in the attack, standing tall on the Former Master's Field like an iron tower.
He suddenly recalled that, although it was not very conspicuous, Cyber Ogre was indeed an Effect Monster. Moreover, its card effect was different between the Anime and the Real Card versions!
Masaka!?
(end of chapter)
Chapter 475: The Duelist King and I Are Practically Evenly Matched
In the dissipating smoke and dust, the figure of Cyber Ogre was revealed, its large hands firmly restraining the body of B-Buster Drake and forcing it to maintain the posture it had when it just fired its cannon.
It was clearly a battle between two monsters, one with 1900 ATK and the other with a towering 4000 ATK. Yet, from the current situation on the Field, the one holding the advantage was surprisingly Cyber Ogre, the one with relatively weaker ATK!?
Not only did it suffer no damage from the previous attack, Cyber Ogre even managed to suppress B-Buster Drake.
The Former Master's voice reached Hayato's ears: "You were truly just a hair's breadth away from succeeding."
The Cyber Style Former Master revealed a card in his hand, his expression serious: "Although your efforts for victory were quite moving, I carry the honor of the Cyber Style and have an absolute reason not to lose!"
"Because of the effect of Card of Safe Return you just activated, I drew six cards from my Deck, and among them was this very Cyber Ogre!"
Saying this, the Former Master sent the Cyber Ogre card he had just revealed in his hand to the Graveyard: "By discarding Cyber Ogre from my hand to the Graveyard, I can then target 1 Cyber Ogre on my Field."
"During a battle involving this Cyber Ogre, neither player's monster can be destroyed by battle, and neither player takes battle damage. Furthermore, until the end of the next Battle Phase, that Cyber Ogre's ATK becomes equal to the ATK of the opponent's monster it battled!"
Cyber Ogre [ATK 1900 → 5900]
The arms of Cyber Ogre, whose ATK had skyrocketed, moved. With its newfound power, it gently swung, tossing the B-Buster Drake it held in its palm back onto Hayato's Field. It hit the ground with a "thud," clearly a hard fall.
"With this, victory is in my hands," the Former Master said calmly, but his words were full of confidence.
During the current Battle Phase, Cyber Ogre's effect was active, meaning this Cyber Ogre had become an unbreakable barrier on his Field, impervious to battle. Not even a monster with infinite ATK could inflict any damage to him; instead, it would cause Cyber Ogre's ATK to accumulate even further.
This ATK would also be maintained until the next turn.
At the End Phase of Hayato's turn, the two monsters on his Field that were affected by Limiter Removal's effect would be destroyed. However, B-Buster Drake would avoid destruction due to the effect of Heavy Armored Weapon, but would remain in Attack Position due to having already attacked, and its ATK would revert to only 1500.
If the Cyber Ogre with 5900 ATK attacked, the damage inflicted would be enough to wipe out Hayato's still-intact 4000 Life Points.
To avoid this certain defeat, Hayato had only two paths: either he would attack his own other Cyber Ogre on the Field that hadn't had its ATK increased, inflicting 3000 battle damage to himself and reducing his Life Points to zero, or use a monster-destroying card like Lightning Vortex in Main Phase 2 to destroy the 5900 ATK Cyber Ogre.
However, if Hayato had such a card, he would have used it in Main Phase 1 already.
And there was another point: the Left Arm Offering that Hayato activated earlier. While it had the powerful effect of adding a Spell Card directly from the Deck to the Hand, powerful cards often came with risks.
To get Card of Safe Return, Hayato not only banished all Ojama monsters from his hand, but also, due to the restriction of Left Arm Offering, he couldn't even Set Spell/Trap Cards this turn. Even if he had a powerful attack declaration Trap like Mirror Force in his hand, he couldn't Set or use it.
Under the calm gaze of the Cyber Style Former Master, Hayato, however, revealed a confident smile: "In that case, I'll attack the other Cyber Ogre with A-Assault Core."
"Crush that Cyber Ogre whose ATK wasn't increased, A-Assault Core, Distant Rampage Domination!"
Lightning surged through its body due to overload, releasing its power concentrated in the tail-mounted launcher. This attack from A-Assault Core was no longer hindered by the Former Master as before.
After all, only three cards with the same name could be placed in a Deck. The Former Master's third Cyber Ogre, besides the two on the Field, had just been sent to the Graveyard; it was impossible for it to return to his hand and be used again.
A strong wind, born from the battle damage, swept forth. The Former Master's wide robes flapped wildly in the strong wind, but his expression remained unwavering.
Former Master: [3000 → 1100 LP]
"A useless struggle. All it did was reduce my Life Points slightly," the Former Master said calmly. "But by destroying my Cyber Ogre, you have also completely sealed off the only weakness on my Field."
"You no longer have any chance of defeating me."
Hearing this, Hayato shook his head: "Is that so?"
"Its ATK increased to 5900, it gained resistance to being destroyed by battle, and even the ability to prevent you from taking battle damage from it. Such a Cyber Ogre is indeed troublesome." Hayato drew a card from his hand. "However, winning a Duel isn't just about battle!"
"This turn, I haven't performed a Normal Summon yet, so I will Tribute two monsters on my Field to perform a Tribute Summon!"
Hayato slammed the card in his hand onto his Duel Disk. The act of Summoning a monster after the Battle Phase had already ended left the Former Master somewhat confused.
"You're Summoning a monster after the Battle Phase has already ended, and with two Tributes, are you going to Summon a high-level monster of Level 7 or higher?"
"But it's useless. Even if you Summon the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it won't be a match for my Cyber Ogre. What's more, during the Standby Phase of my next turn, due to Future Fusion's effect, Cyber End Dragon will also appear!"
"Can you even clear my Life Points with the monster you Summon?"
Hearing the Former Master's words, Hayato nodded: "Ah, after all, this monster is, you could say, my most trusted monster. He has been with me since I started my very first Duel Monsters game in this world."
A-Assault Core and B-Buster Drake equipped with Heavy Armored Weapon dissipated into particles from the Field. As the two monsters were Tributed, offering their power, a strong wind surged on Hayato's Field, coiling spirally upwards into the sky, forming a mighty tornado of wind, as if supporting the heavens!
"Appear, path of Truth and Revelation! Ride the swift wind connecting unknown worlds!"
"Tribute Summon! Dark Knight ---"
"Gaia!!!"
A long spear wreathed in spiral power tore through the fierce wind. The raging currents ruffled the warhorse's mane. Beneath the cold steel armor was Dark Knight Gaia, not wearing another archetype/variant, but appearing in his original form after a long time!
Dark Knight Gaia [ATK 2300]
The Former Master naturally recognized Dark Knight Gaia. Because a certain Duelist who used this monster as an ace card was too famous, even the recently recruited apprentices of the Cyber Style, without having deeply studied the Cyber Style, many also liked to put a Dark Knight Gaia in their deck for some "soul."
More often, it was because their decks themselves lacked power, and a Dark Knight Gaia with 2300 ATK could barely be used to fill a spot.
However, the Deck of this challenger who had come to challenge a dojo clearly had enough power. The play where he summoned ABC-Dragon Buster in one turn, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say his Deck ran smoothly with a mature system.
Placing Ojama monsters in the Deck could somewhat be explained as "ammunition for ABC-Dragon Buster's effect." But what about this Dark Knight Gaia?
So this is your "Pure Machine-Type Deck"?
"Dark Knight Gaia with 2300 ATK, huh. Its ATK is higher than B-Buster Drake's, which would drop to 1500 ATK after the turn ends, but it's still no match for my Cyber Ogre."
"Of course. After all, while he is my ace card, he's an ace card that's fallen out of the meta. While I could use another archetype/variant to Duel you, there's no need. I believe Gaia in his original form is enough to defeat you."
Hayato revealed a card in his hand: "Just like the Change of Heart from before, this card is also a testament to the bonds I share with my 'friends'. I'll use this card to end this Duel."
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card, Soul Absorption!"
The Cyber Style Former Master hesitated for a moment after hearing the name of the card, Soul Absorption, as he couldn't immediately recall its specific effect.
After all, the total number of Duel Monsters cards currently, even excluding the numerous Normal Monsters, already numbered in the thousands. Among them, well-known cards like Pot of Greed or Card of Safe Return, which any Duelist with a basic understanding would max out in their Deck, were one thing, but for some obscure cards, forgetting their effects was quite normal.
However, the Former Master noticed that Dark Knight Gaia, who had just been vibrant, full of aura, and radiating power after its appearance, visibly trembled after hearing that Hayato activated the card Soul Absorption.
Seemingly noticing that the Former Master was unaware of Soul Absorption's effect, Hayato began to explain: "Soul Absorption is a Continuous Spell Card activated on my Field, but like a Field Spell Card, it's a card whose effects both players can use."
"During the End Phase of each player's turn, the turn player must choose 1 face-up monster on their Field and Tribute it, then inflict damage to the opponent equal to half of that monster's original ATK."
"What? How can there be a card that forces you to voluntarily Tribute your own monsters? Someone actually uses their own monsters as sacrifices!" The Former Master was very shocked. Hayato's current play style was completely different from the "Duel Ritual" styles he had experienced in the past.
Others would always say things like, "You destroyed my monster, how hateful!" or "I won't let you destroy my monster!" But this guy was completely the opposite; his style was to voluntarily send his own monsters to the Graveyard?
"You scoundrel!"
To call Hayato, whom he had just met for the first time, a "scoundrel"!?
Hayato pushed up imaginary glasses on his nose. Under the Cyber Style Former Master's incredulous expression and Dark Knight Gaia's horrified gaze, he declared, "This is a necessary sacrifice."
"Then, my turn ends here. Then, the effect of Soul Absorption mandatorily activates. I must Tribute the only face-up monster on my Field - Dark Knight Gaia - and inflict damage to the opponent equal to half of its ATK - 2300 ATK - which is 1150 damage!"
"Final Rider, G, G, Gaia!"
Providing a manual sound effect, Hayato waved his hand forward. Dark Knight Gaia's body shimmered with aura. It was as if it had been painted red and sprouted a horn, its speed tripling, transforming into a phantom that fiercely crashed into the Cyber Style Former Master.
Although Cyber Ogre tried to intercept it midway, the phantom of Dark Knight Gaia instantly passed through Cyber Ogre and crashed into the Former Master without any obstruction!
"Ugh-gaaahh!!"
Although it wasn't a Shadow Game, Dark Knight Gaia was, after all, a higher-level Card Spirit with Solid Vision capabilities. The shockwave released by Tributing Dark Knight Gaia actually sent the Former Master flying backward, causing him to fall to the ground and slide several meters along the wooden floor of the dojo.
However, it only looked like he took immense damage. Hayato had held back his power; the old man actually took less damage than a slap to the face. The main purpose of him flying so far was just to embarrass him a bit, and his outcry was more due to the old man being completely unprepared for being sent airborne and thus disoriented.
Former Master: [1100 LP → 0]
Having secured victory in the Duel and casually giving the stubborn old man a trivial lesson, Hayato took off his Duel Disk, holding it with his right hand on his shoulder, placing his left palm on his ribs, fingertips pointing down, striking a rather flamboyant "S" shaped pose.
"With this, you stubborn old man who wouldn't listen should finally listen to what I have to say, honestly." Hayato extended his thumb and pointed at himself, "I've been clarifying this whole time, I didn't come here to challenge a dojo—"
"Huh, Hayato-kun?"
Hayato's words were cut short. The dojo's door was pushed open, and the person who entered immediately spotted Hayato standing in the center, having just finished his Duel with the Cyber Style Former Master.
"Sheppard?" Hayato turned his head. He saw that the one who called his name was none other than Sheppard, the current Cyber Style Master, who had invited him to the Cyber Style dojo but was nowhere to be found in the dojo himself.
At first glance, Hayato noticed that Sheppard's hairline seemed to have receded.
"Ahahaha, my apologies, Hayato-kun. I was delayed outside, you must have been waiting for a while." Sheppard chuckled apologetically, and then noticed the Former Master still lying on the ground, not having sat up. "Huh, Master, is this... is this some new training method?"
The Former Master, still on the ground, watched Sheppard greet Hayato as if nothing was amiss. His eyebrow twitched: "Sheppard, you're not trying to tell me... that you know this brat, are you?"
"Uh, yeah, Hayato and I have known each other since Duelist Kingdom a few years ago." Sheppard scratched the back of his head. His gaze dropped, seeing the Duel Disk the Former Master was wearing, and he suddenly realized, "Oh, I get it. Master, you dueled Hayato, didn't you?"
Sheppard truly had a knack for bringing up uncomfortable topics. The Former Master, having just lost the duel and been sent flying so far in front of his apprentices, felt incredibly embarrassed. Sheppard bringing it up again greatly soured his mood.
He scoffed, the Former Master glanced at Hayato and replied to Sheppard: "This brat named Hayato and I are about evenly matched."
Hayato subtly glanced at the face-saving old man.
I One-Turn K.O.'d you without taking damage, and you still call it evenly matched. Before, I wondered how a straight-laced guy like you taught Sheppard, a guy who Duels like he's from the Shadow Realm. So, Sheppard's shamelessness and proficiency with Trap Cards is a secret teaching of your school, right?
By the way, many people are starting to play Old Exodia now. I encounter two or three in ten matches.
New book, please vote with recommendation tickets.
(end of chapter)