Malefic True Dragon [Level 12 / DARK Attribute]
[Dragon-Type / Special Summon / Effect]
[5000 ATK / 5000 DEF]
"A Level 12 Dragon-Type Monster with 5000 Attack Points? It's not just Five-Headed Dragon, after all?"
Yami Yugi murmured to himself, watching Paradox merge with Malefic True Dragon.
Yugi Muto, inside the Millennium Puzzle, sounded a little puzzled: "Aren't you surprised, Yami Yugi?"
"I can't help it, Aibo. Paradox gave me a strong sense of déjà vu before this," Yami Yugi complained in his mind. "First, there were the Malefic monsters that inherited everything from their original monsters, perfectly corresponding to Toons. Then came the Malefic Paradox Dragon, which corresponded to Relinquished. At that point, I was already wondering if there would be a monster corresponding to Thousand-Eyes Restrict."
"Now that you mention it, it really is Pegasus' template," Yugi Muto said, feeling a little embarrassed. "Could it be that Paradox wanted to kill Pegasus for reasons related to this?"
Although Yami Yugi was badmouthing Paradox to his Aibo in his mind, outwardly, he maintained a rather cold expression: "He used his own Life Points as a cost to Special Summon an Malefic True Dragon with 5000 Attack Points."
"Its Attack Points are almost equal to the Life Points he lost."
"Ah, that's right, because this is the truth of this world, isn't it?" Paradox's lower body merged with the top of Malefic True Dragon's head. "If you don't give up something, you can't save anything. This is the true path to salvation!"
"Try to overcome this final trial, Duelists!"
[Paradox: 5150 LP, Hand 1]
[Malefic True Dragon (5000 DEF)]
"Malefic True Dragon's attack does indeed have the right to be called the pinnacle in Duel Monsters, but Paradox, don't forget that the Attack Points of my Dark Paladin on the Field have increased to 6900 due to the increasing number of Dragon-Type monsters! I'm stronger now!"
[Dark Paladin (ATK 6400 → 6900)]
Yugi commanded, "Furthermore, due to Diffusion Wave-Motion's effect, Dark Paladin must attack each of your monsters once before the Battle Phase can end. The attack continues!"
"This is truly the final attack. Dark Paladin attacks Malefic True Dragon!"
"Dark Burning Attack, Five Consecutive Attacks!"
The magic swordsman once again swung his weapon, delivering a fatal fifth consecutive attack, as if to slay the Malefic True Dragon fused with Paradox, just as he had slain other demonic dragons before.
However, just as the crescent-shaped magical energy slash was about to strike Malefic True Dragon, a figure, unexpected even by Yugi, blocked the attack.
The Black Dragon in white armor was slowly torn apart and destroyed by the slash, its body gradually dissipating. Yugi cried out its name in surprise: "Red-Eyes Black Dragon? How can this be!?"
Standing in front of Dark Paladin was none other than the Red-Eyes Black Dragon that Paradox had sent to the Graveyard earlier with the effect of Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon!
"Humans bear 'Malefic' (sin), yet contradictorily bury 'Malefic' beneath the truth, unaware that 'Malefic' always exists, never disappears, and will one day surface along with the truth. This is Malefic True Dragon's effect."
Paradox took a Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon from his Duel Disk's Graveyard Zone. "If Malefic True Dragon would be destroyed by any means, I can banish one Malefic monster from my Graveyard as a substitute."
"Until this 'Malefic' is completely eradicated, I will exist alongside Malefic True Dragon and will not fall!"
The figure of Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon dissipated in front of Malefic True Dragon. At the same time, because one Dragon-Type monster in Paradox's Graveyard was gone, Dark Paladin's Attack also decreased.
[Dark Paladin (ATK 6900 → 6400)]
"Since it's in Defense Position, it won't take more battle damage," Yugi frowned, looking at the Malefic True Dragon that couldn't be destroyed. "In that case, I end the Battle Phase. Then, in Main Phase 2, I Set one card. End Turn."
[Yugi: 600 LP, Hand 0]
[Dark Magician Girl (1700 DEF)]
[Dark Paladin (6400 ATK)]
[1 Set Card]
To be honest, the fact that Malefic True Dragon could banish a monster from the Graveyard to prevent its own destruction wasn't entirely unexpected by Yugi.
After all, just as Relinquished could take control of other monsters on the Field, and Malefic Paradox Dragon could also take control of monsters from the Graveyard, Pegasus's Thousand-Eyes Restrict could use an Equip Monster as a substitute for destruction. So it was perfectly reasonable for Malefic True Dragon to use a Malefic monster from the Graveyard as a substitute for its destruction.
However, while somewhat anticipated, knowing about it and being prepared for it were two different things. At the moment, a depleted Yugi simply couldn't think of any perfect way to break through Malefic True Dragon.
After Banishing Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Paradox's Graveyard still contained Malefic Cyber End Dragon, Malefic Paradox Dragon, Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Malefic Parallel Gear, and Malefic Paradox Gear—a total of five Malefic monsters. This meant that Malefic True Dragon would need to be destroyed five more times through various means to defeat it.
During this process, Yugi and the others, with only 600 Life Points, had to be extremely careful, otherwise, one careless mistake would lead to defeat.
But Malefic True Dragon's Defense Points were as high as 5000. How could it be easy to destroy such a high-Defense monster five times?
Yugi could only be slightly relieved that Dark Paladin had such high Attack Points due to the large number of Dragon-Type monsters in Paradox's Graveyard. Moreover, in the previous Turn, when he Tributed Apprentice Magician to Special Summon Dark Magician Girl, he had chosen Defense Position for safety, rather than Attack Position for "aura" or "style points."
"You're not thinking, 'Luckily I Summoned Dark Magician Girl in Defense Position,' are you, Yugi?"
Paradox's voice broke Yugi's thoughts.
"My Turn! I use the effect of Malefic World to add a random Malefic card to my hand." After drawing a card from his Deck, Paradox looked at the card in his hand, a smirk playing on his lips, and said, "I told you, I won't hand the future over to you. No matter how much you defend, you cannot stop the coming of destruction!"
"I Activate the Spell Card Pot of Avarice! With this power of greed, I return five monsters from my Graveyard to my Deck, then draw two cards!" Paradox said, taking out five cards from his Graveyard and showing them. "The monsters I choose are these five Dragon-Type monsters!"
"Damn it!"
Yugi's pupils constricted as he watched Paradox shuffle the five cards back into his Deck and draw two more. At the same time, the surging magical energy surrounding Dark Paladin on Yugi's Field withered as the number of Dragon-Type monsters decreased!
The phantoms of Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Rainbow Dragon, Malefic Paradox Dragon, and Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon dissipated one by one behind Dark Paladin.
[Dark Paladin (ATK 6400 → 3900)]
"In that case, the advantage shifts to my side," Paradox said with a sigh, looking at the cards he drew. "Indeed, with Bonds, your passion and dreams can create temporary miracles. But under the influence of 'Malefic' like greed, human Bonds will gradually be severed, ultimately leading only to despair."
"Now, I will grant you liberation!"
Paradox said, playing a card from his Hand: "I change Malefic True Dragon to Attack Position! Then, I Activate the Spell Card Forbidden Lance! It reduces my Malefic True Dragon's Attack by 800, but grants it immunity to the effects of other Spell/Trap Cards!"
"Enter my Battle Phase! Malefic True Dragon attacks Dark Paladin!"
[Malefic True Dragon (ATK 5000 → 4200)]
Looking at Malefic True Dragon, whose Attack Points on Paradox's Field had dropped to 4200, Yugi felt a little confused. If Malefic True Dragon had attacked Dark Paladin with its full 5000 Attack Points against Dark Paladin's reduced 3900 Attack Points, it would have dealt a fatal 1100 Damage, wiping out Yugi's Life Points.
However, Paradox seemed to have chosen to safeguard against Yugi's Set cards, such as Dimensional Prison, Sakuretsu Armor, or Hanoi's Sublime Power. He sacrificed Malefic True Dragon's Attack Points to grant it resistance to Spell/Trap Card effects.
But because of this, the difference in Attack Points between Malefic True Dragon and Dark Paladin had narrowed to only 300 points, no longer enough for a fatal blow.
"Are you wondering why this attack isn't fatal? Hehe, then allow me to tell you another effect of Malefic True Dragon, Yugi," Paradox said triumphantly. "When a Malefic monster on my Field destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can Activate Malefic True Dragon's effect!"
"Destroy all monsters on the opponent's Field, and inflict damage to the opponent equal to the number of destroyed monsters x 800!"
Paradox pointed triumphantly at Yugi's Dark Magician Girl: "Didn't expect that, Yugi? The very Duel Monster you trust has become despair's final puzzle piece!"
"When Malefic True Dragon destroys Dark Paladin, your Dark Magician Girl will also be destroyed, harvesting your remaining Life Points!"
"Now, sink into oblivion! Malefic True Dragon's attack!!"
Paradox, who apparently didn't understand the rules of Duel Monsters very well, had no intention of shouting out attack names. Or perhaps Malefic True Dragon's attack name actually was "Malefic True Dragon's Attack." In any case, under Paradox's command, his literal "lower half"—Malefic True Dragon—generated a large amount of ominous dark mist in front of it.
The mist materialized from a phantom into substance. What appeared before Malefic True Dragon were steel spikes, like a rain shower. As soon as they solidified, they shot towards Dark Paladin!
"Hehe, at times like these, it's the hero's turn to appear! After all, the protagonist should always show up in moments of crisis!"
Chumley, who had been observing silently for a long time, stepped forward and stood beside Yugi, saying arrogantly, "Even if I have to single-handedly resist the universally evil Forbidden/Limited List, I, Hayato, am still invincible in this world!"
"Let me show you the darkest and most profound existence in Duel Monsters! Come forth, my invincible Soul!"
Chumley slammed a card from his Hand onto his Duel Disk: "Kuriboh, save me!"
Before the rain of steel spikes, a helpless Rainbow Kuriboh appeared, conjuring a curtain of light. Its expression seemed to say, "What a bother, I can't help but help you."
"When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I Equip the Rainbow Kuriboh from my Hand to the attacking monster. The monster equipped with Rainbow Kuriboh is stripped of its attack ability!" Chumley said proudly, folding his arms across his chest. "Even if Malefic True Dragon gained immunity to Spell/Trap Card effects, it cannot resist monster effects."
"Do you dare defy me, who possesses Rainbow Kuriboh!?"
"Ooh, well done, Mr. Chumley!" Jaden cheered from behind, then quietly grumbled, "But seriously, it's still the 'Kuriboh, save me!' move, huh?"
"Chumley, you really must have Rainbow Kuriboh stuck to your Hand, you always draw it during a crisis," Yugi said, smiling at Chumley from the side.
Chumley turned his head to look at Yugi: "Do you have the right to say that to me? Don't you always use Kuriboh to block attacks too?"
Yusei, listening to their conversation, remained silent.
Jaden's Winged Kuriboh, Yugi's Kuriboh, and Chumley's Rainbow Kuriboh... why are all of them using Kuriboh archetype cards? Although I also have Junk Kuriboh, everyone else has used theirs but I haven't. Should I just voluntarily withdraw from the team?
"Damn it, it's the invincible Rainbow Kuriboh! If that card is equipped, my Malefic True Dragon won't be able to attack, and then it'll be ba—"
The tension on Paradox's face suddenly vanished, replaced by an expression of disdain. "Just kidding!"
"Hayato, as a Duel King, you have left behind the most extensive card usage data in history, making it impossible to ascertain what Deck you truly use. However, there are a few cards that have consistently circulated within your many Decks."
"Soul Absorption, Change of Heart, Mysterious Chinese Pot, and Rainbow Kuriboh! Did you really think I wouldn't be prepared for you?!"
Paradox triumphantly played a card from his Hand: "In Chain to Rainbow Kuriboh's effect, which was Equipped to Malefic True Dragon, I Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, Shifting Seamstress! It transfers the Rainbow Kuriboh, treated as an Equip Card, to another correct target monster! I choose Dark Paladin!"
"In this way, Malefic True Dragon's attack continues!"
Under the effect of Shifting Seamstress, activated by Paradox, Rainbow Kuriboh was forcibly transferred to Dark Paladin. Stripped of the rainbow barrier's protection, the dense steel spikes rained down once more. Although Dark Paladin exerted itself to dodge and block with its agile movements, unfortunately, it was ultimately struck by several steel spikes that pierced its neck.
[Yugi → Chumley: 600 → 300 LP, Hand 0 → 5 → 4]
"And now, Malefic True Dragon's effect activates!"
Paradox extended his hand into the air, Malefic True Dragon's power converging into a sphere of darkness in his hand. He spoke arrogantly from above: "This Duel is destined to continue until one side disappears."
"Having witnessed human history and long seen through humans who have never changed over thousands of years, only stubbornly worsening, I do not believe in your dreams and Bonds, just as you do not believe in my methods!"
"You determine your own future! I will create a new future with my own hands! You all shall be crushed into dust right here!!"
Paradox hurled the sphere from his hand, sending it crashing towards Dark Magician Girl on Chumley's Field.
"Boom!!"
Thank you to "A Bucket of Soy Sauce 2333" for the 500 points. Thank you.
Thank you to "20200304082634915" for the 500 points. Thank you.
Thank you to "Jie Qing" for the 1000 points. Thank you.
There will be more later, but "later" depends on how long it takes me to finish writing :)
(end of chapter)
## Chapter 502: An Uncommonly Normal Attack Name
"Boom!!"
Watching the attack he personally launched detonate on Hayato and his companions' field, the powerful impact stirred up the dust on the ground, turning it into a cloud of smoke that enveloped the field. As time passed, Paradox confirmed from the dissipating smoke that Hayato and his companions' field was indeed empty.
It seemed that the effect of Malefic True Dragon had truly destroyed Dark Magician Girl from the field.
"Alright, it's finally over," Paradox looked down at the ground with a calm expression, showing no joy or sorrow.
He wasn't a selfish person seeking to destroy Duel Monsters out of personal desire. From beginning to end, his actions were driven by the greater good of saving the world.
Yugi, Jaden Yuki, Yusei Fudo, and Hayato — they were all legendary duelists who had left glorious deeds in history. Paradox actually held great admiration for their will to protect their world.
If not for the conflict of stances, Paradox would not have acted against them. Even now, killing Hayato and the others due to their opposing positions brought him no joy.
This was a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of saving the world.
Whether it was Hayato and his companions' lives, or his own...
Paradox lowered his head, looking at his body, which had merged with Malefic True Dragon.
As a Psychic Duelist in his previous life, Paradox, who was reconstituted with an artificial body, inherited this power. Therefore, in his duel, many things that were originally illusions became reality.
For example, the true damage dealt to Paradox's opponent, or Paradox's actual action of "tributing half of his body" just now.
To summon Malefic True Dragon, Paradox had truly lost half of his body.
"The legendary duelists have finally fallen to my Malefic True Dragon, and I, too, have become inhuman." Paradox clenched his fist, feeling the power within him.
"The Malefic monsters, the Ark Cradle that traverses time-space, and the power of Malefic True Dragon!"
"This proves that my salvation for the world is on an absolutely correct and true path!" Paradox looked at a nearby clock. There were less than ten minutes until 12:00, the scheduled arrival time for Pegasus.
"Z-One, Aporia, Antinomy, although the distance of time-space separates us, I standing here can feel your will with me." Paradox looked firmly into the sky, waiting for the helicopter carrying Pegasus to appear. "I will save the future of this world in your stead!"
Suddenly, a voice echoed, reaching Paradox's ears: "Yare yare daze."
"Nani?!" Paradox looked down again in surprise, staring into the dust. "That voice is!"
"That was a close call, huh? If it weren't for the set card Yugi had, we might have actually lost," Hayato's figure gradually emerged from the dust, a confident smile on his face. "Don't think you can defeat us so easily, Paradox."
"In chain to Malefic True Dragon's effect, I activate Yugi's set card, Interdimensional Matter Transporter, banishing my Dark Magician Girl from the field until the end of this turn."
"If there's no monster on the field that can be destroyed, then Malefic True Dragon's effect damage naturally won't be inflicted."
[Hayato: 300 LP]
"Tch, their vitality is surprisingly tenacious." Paradox gritted his teeth, visibly angered. "You've only survived for another turn, what more can you do?"
"My field has Malefic True Dragon with 5000 attack, and my Life Points are over 1000% of yours. Your efforts are nothing more than the futile struggle of fish caught on the shore, exhausting their oxygen!"
"I set one card, and my turn ends here. In the next turn, your doomed end will still not change!"
[Paradox: 5150 LP, Hand 0]
[Malefic True Dragon ATK 4200 → 5000]
[Malefic Territory (face-down)]
[Malefic World]
"Then, at the end of your turn, Dark Magician Girl, who was banished by the effect of Interdimensional Matter Transporter, is special summoned back to the field."
As Hayato's words fell, Dark Magician Girl reappeared on the field, patting her chest, looking shaken, seemingly terrified by her near-death experience.
Although Dark Magician Girl's actions were seductive and her figure excellent, unfortunately, all five people present were emotionless duelists, uninterested in women and only focused on dueling.
[Dark Magician Girl ATK 2000 → 2300]
It was Hayato's turn. He wasn't in a hurry to draw, but first glanced at the cards in his hand.
The spell card Magical Stone Excavation, the spell card Wonder Wand, the spell card Concentrating Current, and one other unknown spell card. Including the Rainbow Kuriboh used earlier, Hayato started with what could be called a "Perfect Hand." If it were a 1v1 solo duel, this kind of opening would suggest simply giving up, as there would be no way to develop a combo.
However, this duel was a 4 VS 1 multi-player rotation duel. An opening hand that would be terrible in other situations was, at this moment, a true "Perfect Hand." And with just one more card capable of sealing the victory, Hayato would have a guaranteed win.
"To decide the outcome, my hand still lacks a key card that can deliver the decisive blow. Whether I can draw that card is the key to this duel."
"But a true duelist can even decide their own draw! I will perform a Destiny Draw!"
Hayato raised his drawing right hand above his head, fingers splayed, as if to grasp the entire world in his grasp.
"Open, future circuit that illuminates my path! This is My Genesis! My future!"
"My turn, draw!"
The card at the top of the deck was drawn by Hayato. What followed was a suffocating, intense heat that enveloped the surroundings even before the card landed, as if the sun itself was falling to the ground!
"Ya-da-ze! With this, the winning equation is complete!" Hayato glanced at the Level 10 monster he drew, a smile playing on his lips. "Then, I activate the equip spell card, Wonder Wand! This card can only equip to a Spellcaster-Type monster, increasing the equipped monster's attack by 500 points!"
"I grant this powerful equipment to you, Dark Magician Girl!"
"Huh?"
Dark Magician Girl, looking bewildered, suddenly had her head hit by something, realizing it was a wand that had fallen from the sky, seemingly stronger than the one she originally used.
Paradox looked contemptuously at Dark Magician Girl, who, despite feeling the wand looked familiar, foolishly switched to Wonder Wand: "It's only a 500 attack increase. You're dreaming if you think that's enough to defeat my Malefic True Dragon; it's far from enough!"
[Dark Magician Girl (equipped with Wonder Wand) ATK 2300 → 2800]
Yusei and Jaden also found Hayato's move of equipping Wonder Wand to Dark Magician Girl a bit strange. Yugi, however, immediately recalled something Hayato did during Duelist Kingdom: "Hayato, you're not thinking of..."
"Since you've accepted the gift I sent, then in return, offer your life, Dark Magician Girl!" Hayato's expression was solemn, but his lips couldn't help but curl into a smile. "By sending Dark Magician Girl, equipped with Wonder Wand, to the graveyard, I draw two cards from my deck!"
"Huh?"
It was only then that the bewildered Dark Magician Girl belatedly remembered that the wand in her hand was the card Hayato had equipped and sent to the graveyard after taking control of her from Yugi during Duelist Kingdom!
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Dark Magician Girl was instantly teleported away by the power of Wonder Wand, and Hayato drew two cards.
They were Dark Knight Gaia and Spiritual Exoskeleton.
Although he finally drew a monster card, it was unfortunate that even Gaia could only serve as a link in his upcoming combo.
Hayato turned his head to look at Yusei behind him: "Yusei, lend me your power. That card in your graveyard."
"That card?" Yusei thought back to his graveyard and nodded at Hayato. "Feel free to use it, Hayato!"
"Okay, then, I activate the effect of Rush Warrior in my graveyard, banishing itself to add one Synchron monster from my graveyard to my hand. I choose Junk Synchron!"
Light gathered in Hayato's hand. The figure of Rush Warrior, which Yusei had discarded to boost Junk Warrior's attack, reappeared for the first time in a while, bringing Junk Synchron into Hayato's hand.
Hayato caught the Junk Synchron card, but instead of adding it to his hand, he sent it to the graveyard along with Dark Knight Gaia: "I activate the spell card Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards from my hand to the graveyard, then I can retrieve one spell card from my graveyard to my hand."
"I choose the spell card Graverobber. Jaden!"
"Oh, go get 'em, Hayato-san!" Jaden retrieved the card from his Duel Disk's graveyard zone and tossed it to Hayato. "Let them see the might of the Duel King!"
Catching Jaden's card, Hayato played it, activating its effect: "Then, I activate the spell card Graverobber I added to my hand. This card's effect allows me to temporarily steal one card from my opponent's graveyard for my use. Paradox, you should know which card I'm going to choose, right?"
"Masaka, is it Stardust Dragon? Tch, trying to get Yusei Fudo's monster back?" Paradox snorted. "No, that won't do. Stardust Dragon is an important power for completing my plan!"
"In chain to Graverobber, I activate my set card Call of the Haunted, special summoning Stardust Dragon from my graveyard in defense position. This way, you won't have many cards to choose from in my graveyard to steal, and I also gain insurance against effect destruction."
[Stardust Dragon DEF 2000]
Although Malefic True Dragon seemed impressive in all aspects, ultimately, it was still a Malefic monster, and the lifeline of Malefic monsters was always Malefic World.
Although Paradox's Malefic Territory provided Malefic World with untargetable resistance, the problem was that Hayato's intelligence included Harpie's Feather Duster, a card that doesn't target. If he had that card in his hand, it would be troublesome.
Seeing Stardust Dragon appear on the opponent's field, Yusei's face turned grim, but Jaden patted him on the shoulder.
"Jaden?"
"Relax, Yusei. Hayato-san is the strongest among us," Jaden chuckled, then turned to look at the cards in Hayato's left hand. There, Jaden sensed an extremely familiar and powerful aura.
"That card..." Yubel appeared behind Jaden. He/she also felt that card. "It seems the outcome has already been decided."
"It is Hayato-san, after all. And to save the world, Hayato-san is probably giving it his all. Hayato-san is still as amazing as ever, so I need to put in more effort too." Jaden comforted his friend. "Let's keep striving to become stronger together, Yubel. You don't want to see a future where the world is destroyed, do you?"
"Me? More than the world being destroyed, I care more about you, Jaden. If the world isn't destroyed but you disappear, I couldn't bear to live in a world without the one I deeply love," Yubel said with a stoic expression, but her/his words were full of deep affection for Jaden. "Besides, the world is something created with the person you love."
"For me, what I create with Jaden is the world."
"Yubel..."
Looking at Jaden, who was having a heartfelt conversation with his Spirit Companion, Yusei was bewildered.
Isn't this a duel staking the future of the world? Is it really appropriate for you two to show off your affection like this? Someone is still dueling up front.
However, seeing Yugi also looking confidently at Hayato, Yusei also relaxed a bit.
Jaden and Yugi had both proven that they possessed genuine strength as legendary duelists. Since both of them had such faith in Hayato, Hayato-san would surely display his formidable strength as a duelist, fully showcase his glory as the Duel King, and deliver a perfect duel.
On the duel field, after Call of the Haunted revived Stardust Dragon, it was Hayato's turn to choose a card from Paradox's graveyard to take.
"So, Hayato, which card will you choose?" Paradox mocked. "Is it Malefic Cross? Or Malefic Selector? Unfortunately, they are both Malefic Deck-exclusive cards. Though Dimension Fusion is quite good."
"But, unfortunately, you can't pay the 2000 Life Points required for Dimension Fusion, hahahaha!"
Unexpectedly, Hayato replied: "Since you recommend it so highly, Parad, I'll choose Dimension Fusion."
"It's not Parad, it's Paradox!" Paradox corrected unhappily, retrieving the card from his Duel Disk and tossing it to Hayato. "A foolish choice. You spent so many resources just to take an unusable card from me?"
"Unusable?" Hayato smiled. "That's not necessarily true."
"My Life Points are only a mere 300, a flickering candle in the wind; I indeed cannot pay 2000 Life Points to activate Dimension Fusion." Hayato played the unknown card from his hand. "However, if I add this card."
"The continuous spell card Magical Economical Sparing! This card allows me to not pay Life Points to activate spell cards!"
"Then, activate Dimension Fusion! Special summon as many banished monsters as possible for both players!"
Hayato pointed a hand skyward: "Advance, towards the distant horizon!"
"Gather once more, warriors who jointly save the world! As long as my heart still harbors ambition for the faraway, the expedition will not end!"
"Elemental HERO Neos, Elemental HERO Sparkman, Elemental HERO Bubbleman, Elemental HERO Neos Alius!"
"And Rush Warrior!"
Five beams of light crashed vertically to the ground. Within these sacred pillars of light, the monsters banished in the previous battle all returned to the field!
Seeing this, Paradox said coldly: "Hmph, so what? They're just more fodder monsters. Don't forget, I can also enjoy the effect of Dimension Fusion!"
"I also special summon my banished monsters! Come forth, Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
Corresponding to the five beams of light on Hayato's field, a beam of light also appeared on Paradox's field. Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon, which was banished as a substitute for effect destruction earlier, was special summoned in defense position. However, compared to the imposing five beams of light on Hayato's field, having only one banished monster made Paradox's field look rather unimpressive.
[Elemental HERO Neos ATK 2500]
[Elemental HERO Bubbleman ATK 800]
[Elemental HERO Sparkman ATK 1100]
[Elemental HERO Neos Alius ATK 2500]
[Rush Warrior ATK 300]
[Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon DEF 2000]
Although Paradox always treated Hayato and the others with contempt, he was very careful and cautious during the duel. Even when special summoning monsters, he only placed them in defense position to avoid exposing weaknesses to a fierce attack. Only Malefic True Dragon, with the highest attack, was in attack position.
To defeat Paradox through battle, it seemed the only way was to attack Malefic True Dragon and deal more than 5150 battle damage. But to achieve this damage, the monster's attack would need to be at least 10150, which was simply too difficult.
After playing the Dimension Fusion and Magical Economical Sparing combo, Hayato still had three cards left in his hand. After setting one card in his backrow, Hayato singled out one card from his hand and said: "Paradox, you seemed to have said that your deck gathers the strongest cards from various eras, right?"
"It's Paradox, not Parad— no, never mind." Paradox reflexively stopped, then continued, "That's right, to achieve the goal of destroying Duel Monsters, I have collected many powerful monsters from various eras."
"Is that so? But I feel that there are at least a few cards you haven't collected, and you must be craving them badly, I imagine," Hayato smiled, flipping over the card in his hand, revealing its yellow border.
However, it was not the pale yellow border of ordinary Duel Monsters, but a dazzling golden yellow, like the sun's radiance!
"I have a kind heart and can't bear to see others suffer, so let me show you the great power at the pinnacle of Duel Monsters!" Hayato played the card in his hand. "I will tribute the three monsters on my field: Elemental HERO Neos, Elemental HERO Neos Alius, and Elemental HERO Sparkman!"
Hearing the number of tributes Hayato spoke of, Yusei and Paradox were both stunned.
In the future, synchro summon was almost the most mainstream summoning method, followed by fusion. Tribute summoning wasn't absent, but it mainly served as support and wasn't crucial for deciding duel outcomes. Few people's ace cards were tribute summoned monsters.
Generally, seeing a tribute summon that tributed one monster was rare enough, two was even rarer, and three? Never heard of it.
However, Paradox, coming from the far future, had studied the past carefully to change history and suddenly remembered something—the notes on "Duel King" Hayato seemed to include "Ultimate Duelist who wields the three Egyptian Gods, proficient in tribute monster strategy"!
It's just that the data archives were completely unable to retain the data of the Egyptian God Cards, causing Paradox to only now remember the Egyptian God Cards held by Hayato!
And it was rumored that the Egyptian God Cards required three monsters as tribute to summon!
"Oh, almighty god, witness my great feat! Bow down! My infinite brilliance, the Sun God shall descend here!"
"The Winged Dragon of Ra!!"
The Malefic World that covered the space was suddenly torn open by a huge gap. A golden scorching sun burst through and descended to the surface. Ominous black lightning continuously tried to mend the damaged area but couldn't even get close, being incinerated by the divine flames entwined around the golden sphere.
The sphere-state The Winged Dragon of Ra floated in the air. Ordinarily, at this point, the duelist would need to chant the Ancient Egyptian priest characters on The Winged Dragon of Ra card to gain the right to command The Winged Dragon of Ra. Those who couldn't chant the text would even have control taken by those who could.
However, Hayato had no intention of indulging The Winged Dragon of Ra.
"Oh, Divine-Beast of the Heavens, I forgot the rest, just Henshin!"
This incredibly perfunctory chanting indeed received a response from The Winged Dragon of Ra. The solar disc high in the sky unfurled, and the golden Egyptian God towered above all beings!
[The Winged Dragon of Ra Level 10 / Divine]
[Divine-Beast / Effect]
[? / ?]
"The first effect of The Winged Dragon of Ra is that its ATK and DEF are equal to the combined stats of the tributed monsters! The power of Elemental HERO Neos, Elemental HERO Neos Alius, and Elemental HERO Sparkman belongs to the god's hand!"
Hayato snapped his fingers, and The Winged Dragon of Ra cooperated perfectly, letting out a skyward roar, its ATK and DEF skyrocketing.
[The Winged Dragon of Ra ? / ? → 6100 / 5600]
"Then, Ra's ATK and DEF can be further increased by tributing other monsters on my field!" Hayato sent the remaining two monsters on his field to the graveyard without hesitation. "Witness the god's light!"
[The Winged Dragon of Ra 6100 / 5600 → 6900 / 6800 → 7200 / 8000]
"Enter battle phase!" Hayato still had one last card in his hand, and he pointed his finger at Paradox, who was connected to Malefic True Dragon. "As the cost for you, the duelist, to personally duel, are you ready to taste the power of Ra?"
"Tch, even a god, I can still use the effect of Malefic True Dragon to negate effect destruction, and the god's attack can only reduce my Life Points by 2200!" Paradox still talked tough.
"No, it's over now." Hayato shook his head, playing Concentrating Current from his hand. "A god is only affected by spell card effects used in the current turn. I activate the quick-play spell Concentrating Current, increasing Ra's ATK by its DEF value. All other monsters on my field cannot attack."
"However, this will be the final blow."
Hayato declared loudly: "End this duel, Ra!"
"Divine Flame Cannon!!"
[The Winged Dragon of Ra ATK 7200 → 15200]
The sun's fire surged towards Paradox. Everything in his vision was filled with light and heat. Paradox seemed lost in thought.
Is this your combined attack...
It seems my plan has failed...
Forgive me, Z-One, I'll go ahead...
Paradox closed his eyes and murmured: "My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror..."
"All I have done is for justice..."
"Boom!"
[Paradox: 5150 LP → 0]
Redefining "later."
Also, the author's backend shows this chapter has 6666 characters. I didn't consciously control it to be this exact number. I just wonder how many characters it will be after publishing.
(end of chapter)
As Paradox's Life Points hit zero, the flames of the sun god, soaring into the heavens, tore apart the Malefic World.
The remnants of the shattered Malefic World fell like glass from a colossal mirror. As they plummeted, reflecting the history of the Duel Monsters within, they gradually dissipated into brilliant motes of light.
Speaking in a "bird language" that even Hayato could only partially understand, saying things like, "Can the other Egyptian Gods do this?", "Just by appearing in a Duel like this, I've already won big," and "The true Soul is me, The Winged Dragon of Ra!", Ra, with a satisfied expression, retracted its solar flames and returned to its card.
Beside the "Ark Cradle" D-Wheel, which had crashed and looked unusable, lay Paradox, separated from Malefic Truth Dragon and lying flat on his back.
Hayato's final attack wasn't meant to kill Paradox, only to destroy the Malefic Truth Dragon that had fused with him. But it was still a strike from Ra, the most top-tier of the Egyptian God Cards. The sun's fire, capable of melting gold and breaking iron, had destroyed a vast area of Paradox's artificial skin, exposing the mechanical structure beneath.
Furthermore, Paradox had lost his entire lower body. With only half of his face barely intact, he stared at the sky. From a great distance, he could hear the sound of a helicopter's propellers in the air.
Pegasus? Paradox wasn't sure, but there was no need for him to find out.
A hand, devoid of sensation, appeared in Paradox's left field of vision. The Duel King, who had just moments ago arrogantly commanded a god to pass judgment, was now crouching beside him, fiddling with the wrist that wore the Duel Disk, trying to remove it.
However, because the model of Duel Disk Paradox used was from the future, it differed in its detailed structure, even though it resembled the classic original Duel Disk. Even Hayato, who was quite skilled at acquiring others' Duel Disks, took a while to get it off, taking some unnecessary things with it in the process.
"Ah, sorry, you can have this back." Hayato, not being an ordinary office worker, had little interest in the hand he had accidentally ripped off. He placed it back on Paradox's chest and then took out the Deck from Paradox's Duel Disk.
"How does it feel?"
"Ugh, it probably couldn't be worse," Paradox answered instinctively, the sparking corner of his mouth struggling to form a smile. "But I have to say, I've witnessed an incredible sight. If all humans could be like you, the future might not have been destroyed..."
"That's impossible, isn't it? Humans aren't a hive mind. It's precisely because of the infinite differences between countless individuals that humanity has infinite possibilities."
Hayato stood up, Deck in hand, and looked down at Paradox again.
"It's truly a shame that Duel Monsters has a future where it brings destruction to the world, but to reject Duel Monsters for that reason... wouldn't that be the real tragedy?"
"Gunpowder and bullets brought sorrow to the world, but you can't deny the smiles that fireworks in the night sky bring to people's faces."
"Try to believe that we can guide the world to a different future, O savior from the apocalypse."
Paradox turned his head, the undamaged half of his face pressed against the ground, and looked at Hayato. He closed his eyes.
"So many pretty words, Duel King. But as the loser, I have no choice but to believe in you."
"Everything I have... if you want it, take it all as your prize card, though you've already taken most of it," Paradox's voice grew faint. "I hope you can truly change the destructive fu..."
The future of ruin, its last survivor, Paradox, has ceased to function.
"He's dead..." Hayato fell silent for a moment. He leaned down, took Paradox's neck in his hand, and turned his head to the side, revealing the undamaged half. "At least he ended it as a human."
The solemn atmosphere didn't last long. Hayato picked up Paradox's Deck. Seeing the cards like Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit, Maxx "C", and other cards in Paradox's Deck that he hadn't even used—cards that made even Hayato's mouth water—emotional tears shamelessly trickled from the corners of his mouth.
Behind Hayato, Jaden watched him collect his prize cards with an awkward expression. "That's Hayato for you. So he already had this habit back then?"
"Hayato kept this habit all the way into the future?" Yami Yugi and Yugi Muto had switched back after the Duel, like magical girls de-transforming. Yugi felt a bit helpless hearing that Jaden, from ten years in the future, also knew about Hayato's habit.
He had hoped that in front of the visitors from the future, they, the seniors, could maintain a somewhat respectable image. But from Jaden's expression, it was clear Hayato hadn't restrained himself much over the next ten-plus years.
Hayato wasn't deaf. With the crowd that had fled earlier not yet returned, the plaza was deathly quiet. Naturally, he heard the conversation between Yugi and Jaden.
"Don't make me sound like some kind of demon. I have a legitimate purpose for this," Hayato said, turning around. In his hands were several cards with translucent black borders. He tossed one of them to Yusei Fudo.
Yusei Fudo instinctively caught it with both hands. The moment the card touched him, it shattered, turning into a stream of light that entered his Deck. Following its trail, Yusei Fudo discovered that the card which had absorbed the light was his own Stardust Dragon.
The card, which had been blank after being taken, was restored to its original state. Seeing his Stardust Dragon returned to him once more, even Yusei Fudo, who rarely showed his emotions, broke into a genuinely radiant smile.
Looking up, he thanked Hayato, who was now handing out cards from his era to Jaden. "Thank you very much, Hayato!"
"Whoa, looking at them now, I can't believe Paradox stole so many cards." Jaden couldn't help but exclaim as Hayato shoved a large pile of cards into his hands. "But even though he stole so many, he didn't use all of them."
"After all, a Duel doesn't rely solely on powerful cards. The Duelist's own strength is also a crucial aspect," Hayato said. Noticing Jaden curiously rubbing the glassy shell of the translucent cards, he reminded him, "By the way, if you break that outer shell, I'm not helping you deal with any potential historical changes, Jaden."
"Eh? That could happen?" Hearing this, Jaden obediently stopped and carefully placed the cards in his backpack. He then casually tore open a bag of snacks to feed the orange cat, Pharaoh, who had been sleeping in his bag.
Even though the four of them had been in a heated battle with Paradox outside, it seemed the cat and Professor Banner, who had been swallowed by him, had gotten a good nap.
Just then, Hayato heard the sound of helicopter propellers overhead in the Central Plaza. Although it was still a considerable distance from the ground, the downdraft was already messing up his hair.
Turning his head, Hayato glanced at the clock in the Central Plaza, only to find it was still five minutes before Pegasus's scheduled arrival at 12:00, which surprised him. Why did Pegasus arrive early?
But in the next second, a rope was thrown from the descending helicopter. A man in a long white trench coat, not even wearing gloves, grabbed the rope and leaped out, descending rapidly to the ground!
Thud.
Pointed leather shoes hit the ground. The famous Dragon Enthusiast, Seto Kaiba, ignored the surprised expressions on the faces of the four people before him and said with a cold face, "Twenty minutes ago, KaibaCorp's satellites detected a set of Duel data."
"How dare you use a Blue-Eyes White Dragon in Domino City! And to think you've created other Blue-Eyes without permission... you must really look down on me!"
Kaiba's target was locked onto Jaden's hand, who hadn't finished putting all the cards into his backpack yet. He was still holding two cards.
The Red-Eyes Black Dragon on top, with its strange border, was instantly ignored by Kaiba. Although a Red-Eyes Black Dragon was a rare card on the market worth over several million dollars, Kaiba didn't give the cheap thing a second glance.
However, the card beneath the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, though partially obscured by the card on top and the angle Jaden was holding it, revealed only a corner of its card art—not even a full claw, just a single fingertip.
But!
For Kaiba, who had to stare at his Blue-Eyes White Dragon for twenty minutes every night to get a baby-like sleep until eight in the morning, that single nail was enough for him to be certain that the card was a Blue-Eyes White Dragon!
"You're... Seto Kaiba!?" Before Hayato and Yugi could say anything, Jaden looked Kaiba up and down in astonishment. "No way, why does Kaiba from ten years ago look exactly the same as Kaiba from ten years in the future?"
"This is beyond just good skincare. It's like in an anime with a continuous worldview where the creators just reused the previous characters to save trouble, not even bothering to draw new designs!"
Yusei Fudo was also quite surprised. "Is that really him? The Legendary Duelist whose strength is second only to the Duel King, the one who commands the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Seto Kaiba?"
Yusei Fudo came from decades in the future. By that time, Duel Monsters had developed for many years, and a great number of once-famous Duelists, along with the cards they used, had been forgotten and phased out by the meta and the times. Only a few had managed to leave their names behind.
The Father of Duel Monsters — Pegasus.
The Duel King, ever accompanied by the Soul of the Nameless Pharaoh — Yugi Muto.
The Duel King who reigned over an era with his diverse style — Hayato.
The wielder of the Black Dragon of Dice and Coin — Joey Wheeler.
And, the strongest Duelist beneath the Duel King, who commanded three Blue-Eyes White Dragons — Seto Kaiba.
Yusei Fudo even knew that his good friend, Jack Atlas, although he admired the first Duel King, Hayato, like most people, also held Seto Kaiba in high regard.
Once, during a moment of leisure, Jack Atlas had even complained to Yusei Fudo about why his Ace Monster, Red Dragon Archfiend, which had the same 3000 Attack as Blue-Eyes White Dragon, didn't have a three-monster Fusion form.
"Hmph, all this babbling is noisy," Kaiba snorted, paying no mind to Yusei Fudo's praise. To him, the phrase "second only to the Duel King" was completely superfluous.
Even though the current Kaiba could interact normally with Hayato, the goal of defeating Hayato to become the true strongest had not vanished from his mind for even an instant.
However, if Kaiba knew that Yusei Fudo's evaluation of him was from decades in the future, and that he would never succeed in his lifetime, the expression on his face would surely be priceless.
Staring intently at the curious Jaden holding his backpack, Kaiba's brows furrowed. "Who in the world are you? And what's the deal with that Blue-Eyes White Dragon of yours?"
"Ah, this Blue-Eyes White Dragon? Uh, if I told you this card was obtained from ten years in the future by a guy who wanted to rewrite history, would you believe me?" Jaden said, pointing a thumb at himself. "By the way, my name is Jaden Yuki, and I'm also from ten years in the future."
Hearing Jaden's explanation, the serious expression on Kaiba's face didn't fade; instead, his face soured even more. He even turned his head to glance at Hayato.
"Jaden Yuki? You've mentioned that name to me before, Hayato. I remember you telling me he was an eight-year-old kid." Kaiba glared at Hayato. "Does this look like an eight-year-old!?"
"And what's this about being from the future? Do you think I'm an idiot who's easy to fool!?"
"Um, Kaiba, Yusei Fudo and Jaden are both from the future. They're really not lying to you," Yugi testified for Jaden. "And Jaden really is from ten years in the future."
Hayato was usually never serious, but Yugi always had the face of an honest man. So, upon hearing Yugi's words, even though Kaiba was still skeptical, his stern expression softened slightly. His gaze swept past the Jellyfish Head, Jaden, and landed on the crab-headed Yusei Fudo.
After pondering for a moment whether the sea-star-headed Yugi would also be from the future like the other two, Kaiba asked, "Are you also from ten years in the future?"
"No, Yusei Fudo is from decades in the future. I'm not sure exactly, but at least twenty or thirty years."
Jaden proactively introduced Yusei Fudo to Kaiba, but failed to notice Kaiba's expression turning even fouler.
"According to Yusei Fudo, Domino City in the future seems to have been rebuilt, and future people Duel on highways on motorcycles called 'D-Wheels'—"
"Enough!"
Jaden's introduction was cut short by Kaiba. He raised the Duel Disk on his left arm and said furiously, "That's enough of this nonsense. I have no time to listen to any more of your ramblings."
"Since you're just going to waste time with these outlandish stories, I'll just defeat you in a Duel and then interrogate you about that Blue-Eyes in your hand!"
Hayato was speechless. "Of course, in the end, it's still resolved by playing a card game."
"Is this the Duelist's World? Ya☆Da☆Ze!"
(end of chapter)
Chapter 504: Meek Towards Outsiders, A Heavy Fist for Insiders
And so, Jaden and Kaiba stood on opposite sides of the clearing, starting a Duel over a disagreement.
[Jaden: 4000 LP, Hand: 5]
[Kaiba: 4000 LP, Hand: 5]
"Hmph, I'll let you have the First Turn, boy." Although Kaiba was actually not yet 20 years old while Jaden was over 20, the difference in their height and aura made even Jaden feel that there was nothing wrong with Kaiba calling him "boy."
"While I'm pretty happy to be able to Duel Mr. Kaiba, even I have to say the reason for this Duel is a bit too rash," Jaden muttered to himself, his fingers on his Deck. Yet, the expression on his face was one of sheer excitement. "But in that case, I guess it's okay for me to get a little serious."
"My Turn, Draw!"
Looking at the card he drew, the corners of Jaden's mouth turned up. "Alright, I drew a good one."
"I Summon (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) in Attack Position! Then I Activate the effect of (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) when it is Normal Summoned! I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower (HERO) monster from my Hand. I choose (Elemental HERO Stratos)!"
(Elemental HERO Solid Soldier), who wore light armor and wielded small shields on both arms, looking like a defensive specialist, appeared on Jaden's Field. At the same time, a blue figure soared into the air behind him. Wearing a propeller flight pack, (Elemental HERO Stratos) entered the field alongside (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier).
[Elemental HERO Solid Soldier][Level 4/Earth]
[Warrior-Type/Effect]
[ATK 1300 / DEF 1100]
[Elemental HERO Stratos][Level 4/Wind]
[Warrior-Type/Effect]
[ATK 1800 / DEF 300]
"Hmph, no matter how many Fodder Monsters you swarm, they're still just fodder. Still, (Elemental HERO), huh..."
Kaiba's gaze flicked over to Hayato.
Hayato did not respond to Kaiba's piercing gaze, instead remarking as he looked at the (Elemental HERO Stratos) Jaden had summoned, "If you had three Stratos, who wouldn't want to be a HERO?"
Seeing that Hayato was ignoring him, Kaiba snorted coldly and turned his attention back to the Field, thinking to himself.
Due to recent business collaborations, the relationship between KaibaCorp and Industrial Illusions could be considered to be in an amicable stage. Kaiba was fairly well-informed about Industrial Illusions's activities, so he knew that Pegasus had originally planned to release the (Elemental HERO) Deck at the Duel Monsters tournament today.
However, Kaiba also knew that among the new (Elemental HERO) series released today, while they weren't all Normal Monster fodder and did include effect monsters, there were no monsters like (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) or (Elemental HERO Stratos).
Moreover, Kaiba and other Duel Monsters enthusiasts who had followed the previous KC Cup had already seen the (Elemental HERO) Deck. It had been used by Hayato under the alias "Dan Kuroto" and by a boy named "Jaden Yuki."
Hayato was a major shareholder with a 30% stake in Industrial Illusions. And after investigating Jaden Yuki's background, Kaiba discovered that his father was a designer in Industrial Illusions's card design department. Therefore, when Kaiba learned that Industrial Illusions's new cards were (Elemental HERO), he had briefly suspected that Hayato might have been piggybacking on the hype to promote the new Deck.
The goofy-looking guy before him, smiling like a Common Bone version of Joey, did indeed resemble the boy named "Jaden Yuki." Claiming to be Jaden Yuki while using a new version of (Elemental HERO) that even Kaiba didn't recognize seemed to provide some evidence that he was indeed from the future and wasn't lying.
Before my invincible Blue-Eyes, an ordinary Duelist couldn't hope to close the gap with me even in ten years. Next Turn, I'll Ob☆liter☆ate him in one turn!
Meanwhile, after Jaden used (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) to Special Summon (Elemental HERO Stratos), there were still more effects to resolve.
"When (Elemental HERO Stratos) is Normal or Special Summoned, I can choose one of its effects to Activate. Its first Effect is to Destroy Spells or Traps on the Field up to the number of (HERO) monsters I control, besides this card." Jaden explained to Kaiba. "But since there are no Spell or Trap cards on the Field, I'll choose to Activate his second Effect."
"I Add one (HERO) monster from my Deck to my Hand." Jaden took a card he searched from his Deck and showed it to Kaiba. It was a female monster clad in stylish black armor. "I'm adding this (Elemental HERO Shadow Mist) to my Hand."
Kaiba watched Jaden's Search with an indifferent look, but Hayato, observing from the side, felt his eyelid twitch.
'First the HERO big bro, now the HERO big sister. The future Jaden sure has some fancy moves,' Hayato thought. 'Is he about to pull off that classic (HERO) Deck combo?'
'You were sandbagging and giving away cards against Paradox, so what's the deal with getting so serious against Kaiba? Did he beat you badly in the past or something?'
After adding (Elemental HERO Shadow Mist) to his Hand, Jaden grinned at Kaiba. "Mr. Kaiba, here comes the most exciting part of my (Elemental HERO) Deck. Don't blink now."
"I Activate the Spell Card (Polymerization)! I'll use (Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier) from my Hand and (Elemental HERO Stratos) on the Field as Fusion Material!"
The vortex of (Polymerization) swallowed a monster in liquid armor from Jaden's Hand and the (Elemental HERO Stratos) on his Field. A flash of pure white entered Kaiba's vision.
"The power of the endless storm and the power of pure water converge, becoming a bulwark of protective ice on the front lines!"
"Fusion Summon! (Elemental HERO Absolute Zero)!"
Its armor was a pure, flawless white, like the snows of the arctic. Yet, its sharp, angular design didn't exude a menacing aura, but rather a calming chill. Crystalline ice flowers bloomed on the ground where its boots touched, supporting the warrior that had appeared on Jaden's Field!
[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero][Level 8/Water]
[Warrior-Type/Fusion/Effect]
[ATK 2500 / DEF 2000]
"Simultaneously with (Elemental HERO Absolute Zero)'s successful Fusion Summon, the Effect of (Elemental HERO Liquid Soldier), which was sent to the Graveyard as Fusion Material for a (HERO) monster, Activates." As Jaden spoke, he drew two cards from his Deck. "I Draw two cards from my Deck, then Discard one card from my Hand."
"I Discard this (Cross Keeper) and then Activate the Spell Card (Fusion Recovery)! I Add the (Elemental HERO Stratos) and the (Polymerization) Spell Card used as Fusion Material back to my Hand."
After Jaden's round of hand-swapping, even Kaiba started to look serious as he saw the five cards in Jaden's Hand.
Normally, a "Fusion Summon" should be a method that results in Card Disadvantage. It starts with two Fusion Materials plus one (Polymerization) Spell, requiring at least three cards to Fusion Summon a single powerful monster.
But now, not only had Jaden summoned a 2500 ATK (Elemental HERO Absolute Zero)—on par with a (Dark Magician)—and an (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) with only 1300 ATK that Kaiba paid no mind to, but he also had a full five cards in his Hand.
Not only did he not lose card advantage, he actually gained it.
"Solid, gas, and liquid, is it..."
Jaden paid no attention to Kaiba's muttering. He inserted the (Polymerization) he had just added to his Hand back into his Spell & Trap Zone. "I Activate the Spell Card (Polymerization) again! This time, the Fusion Materials I choose are (Elemental HERO Shadow Mist) from my Hand and (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) on the Field!"
"Shadow covers the earth, and the earth absorbs the shadow. What is born next is the light that creates miracles!"
"Fusion Summon! (Elemental HERO Sunrise)!"
A flowing blue cape billowed upward, caught by the gentle breeze crossing the Central Plaza. A broad chest, a sharp gaze piercing through a horned helmet, and a magnificent weapon on each gauntlet that looked like a shining solar disc split in two!
[Elemental HERO Sunrise][Level 7/LIGHT Attribute]
[Warrior-Type/Fusion/Effect]
[ATK 2500 / DEF 1200]
"(Elemental HERO) are heroes who wield the 'Elemental' powers of the elements to uphold justice. They are best at combining multiple elemental powers to create miracles," Jaden said with a proud expression. "When (Elemental HERO Sunrise) is Special Summoned, I can Activate its Effect to Add one (Miracle Fusion) from my Deck to my Hand."
"But before that, I Chain the effects of (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) and (Cross Keeper) in my Graveyard."
"First is the Effect of (Cross Keeper). While (Cross Keeper) is in my Graveyard and I successfully Special Summon an (Elemental HERO) Fusion Monster, I can Banish (Cross Keeper) from the game to Draw two cards, then return one card from my Hand to the bottom of my Deck."
Just as Jaden put (Cross Keeper) into his pocket to Banish it, drew cards from his Deck, and then placed one card at the bottom of his Deck, the effect of (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) began to resolve.
A stone pillar rose from the spot on Jaden's Field where (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) had disappeared. A panel on the side of the pillar opened like an elevator, and (Elemental HERO Shadow Mist), which had been used as a Fusion Material, walked out and knelt in a defensive crouch on Jaden's Field.
[Elemental HERO Shadow Mist][Level 4/DARK]
[Warrior-Type/Effect]
[ATK 1000 / DEF 1500]
"When (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) is Sent to the Graveyard by a Spell Card's Effect, I can Special Summon one (HERO) monster other than (Elemental HERO Solid Soldier) from my Graveyard to my Field in Defense Position."
After Jaden finished speaking, he searched for and added a (Miracle Fusion) to his Hand thanks to the Effect of (Elemental HERO Sunrise).
"And now for the Effect of (Elemental HERO Shadow Mist). When this card is Special Summoned, I can Add one 'Change' Quick-Play Spell Card from my Deck to my Hand."
Jaden added yet another card to his Hand. He still had five cards, but the number of monsters on his Field had increased again. After a chain of plays that felt like he was reading from a script, his board was quite impressive.
[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero][ATK 2500]
[Elemental HERO Shadow Mist][DEF 1500]
[Elemental HERO Sunrise][ATK 2500 → 3100]
Hmm?
Kaiba looked at (Elemental HERO Sunrise), whose Attack had been 2500 just moments ago. He was a bit puzzled as to how its Attack had become 3100 in the blink of an eye.
"(Elemental HERO Sunrise) has an ability that allows it to Increase ATK based on the number of different Attributes on my Field. Like I said before, (Elemental HERO) are very good at using elemental Power."
"Because I have the LIGHT Attribute (Elemental HERO Sunrise), the WATER Attribute (Elemental HERO Absolute Zero), and the DARK Attribute (Elemental HERO Shadow Mist) on my Field, (Elemental HERO Sunrise)'s Attack increases by 3 times 200, which is 600 points."
On (Elemental HERO Sunrise)'s left arm, three decorative pillars on the scythe-shaped half of the solar disc glowed with faint black, blue, and white light, as if drawing power from the elements.
Then, as if mentioning it casually, Jaden remarked, "Heh, and just like that, my (Elemental HERO) monster's Attack has successfully surpassed 3000 points. That's even higher than your Ace Monster, Mr. Kaiba, the (Blue-Eyes White Dragon)."
"Hmph, you're celebrating far too early. What's so special about exceeding a (Blue-Eyes) by a mere 100 Attack points?"
With a cold snort, Kaiba continued, "If you think this is enough to defeat me, then you can look forward to being crushed by my (Blue-Eyes) on my Next Turn!"
Seeing the unconcealable look of annoyance on Kaiba's face, Jaden chuckled inwardly. 'Judging by that expression, Mr. Hayato was right. Mr. Kaiba hasn't changed his habit of not shuffling for the last ten years. He must have all three (Blue-Eyes White Dragon) and (Polymerization) in his hand right now, right?'
'In that case, I'll use this...'
With a plan in mind, Jaden set three cards from his Hand. "I Set three cards, and that concludes my turn."
[Jaden Yuki: 4000 LP, Hand: 2]
Monsters: See above
[Set Card]x3
"Then it's My Turn!"
The moment he heard Jaden Declare the end of his turn, Kaiba eagerly drew a card. "Draw!"
After confirming the card he drew, the smile on Kaiba's face grew more smug. As if victory was already in his grasp, he looked at Jaden with an aggressive gaze and said arrogantly, "It seems this Duel is already over."
"I have to admit, you possess some skill, but before my (Blue-Eyes), you cannot escape the fate of annihilation." As he spoke, Kaiba pulled a full four cards from his Hand. "Since your (Elemental HERO) Deck is centered around Fusion, I will grant you a complete and utter defeat with this tenacious, invincible, and strongest ultimate Fusion Monster!"
"I Activate the Spell Card (Polymerization)! I use the three (Blue-Eyes White Dragon) in my Hand as Fusion Material!"
Four cards, seemingly glued together, were sent to the Graveyard by Kaiba. He pointed a finger to the sky. Behind him, three (Blue-Eyes White Dragon) appeared, soaring upwards to merge into one through the power of (Polymerization)!
"Behold the form of the Evolved, most powerful Dragon-Type, and let its image be seared into your mind, trapping you in fear of it for all eternity!"
"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
---
Author's Note:
In GX, there's a famous mysterious character—Kaibaman—whose identity was never revealed. Since KONAMI isn't interested in telling the story, I've decided to give him one myself. It will involve the "Twelve Dimensions" setting, which feels like something the GX writers came up with while straining on the toilet.
(end of chapter)
Chapter 505: Wow, What Could Kaiba's Set Cards Be?
"Roar!" x3
After the power of Fusion receded, the massive three-headed White Dragon spread its sky-covering wings. Its ferocious dragon heads looked down from above at Jaden, who was surrounded by three "Elemental HERO" monsters.
"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" [Level 12/LIGHT]
[Dragon/Fusion/Effect]
[4500/3800]
"The power created by combining three 'Blue-Eyes' can surpass even gods. Bow down before 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!" Kaiba sneered as he raised his hand and pointed at Jaden. "If 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' exists in the Extra Deck, 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' can attack three times in one Battle Phase. Your monsters cannot protect you!"
"Now, enter my Battle Phase!"
Kaiba's declaration didn't seem out of place to Chumley, Yugi, or Jaden, who was across from Kaiba. However, Yusei Fudo, who was observing the duel nearby, was exceptionally surprised by Kaiba's overconfident action of ignoring Jaden's set cards.
"He just entered the Battle Phase like that!?"
Yusei Fudo looked up and down at "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" in front of Kaiba. He found it hard to believe that a monster almost entirely defined by "aggressive play" could possess abilities like Spell/Trap Card resistance in addition to its formidable ATK and triple attack power.
Puzzled, Yusei Fudo turned his head to Chumley, trying to get an answer from him.
However, Chumley merely shook his head at Yusei Fudo: "Wondering about Kaiba's confidence? Let's just keep watching, Yusei Fudo."
Facing the imposing aura of "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," Jaden's expression remained calm. The three set cards in his back row were certainly not mere decorations. After Kaiba declared entering the Battle Phase, Jaden's hand hovered beside a button on his Duel Disk, ready to activate one of the set cards at any moment.
"'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's" ATK is 4500 points. If you, Kaiba, sir, manage to attack three times, things will get bad," Jaden estimated the maximum damage Kaiba could inflict.
On his field, he had "E HERO Absolute Zero" with 2500 ATK, "E HERO Sunrise" with 3100 ATK, and "E HERO Shadow Mist" in Defense Position. If Jaden didn't use any card effects, "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's" triple attack could inflict a total of 3800 points of Battle Damage.
However, that's assuming Jaden doesn't activate any cards.
"The effect of that 'E HERO Sunrise' shouldn't just be searching cards upon Summon and increasing ATK based on Attribute types, right? Since you claimed he has the ability to create miracles, his power is definitely more than just that."
Although directly declaring the Battle Phase might seem utterly reckless, Kaiba remained calm and analyzed before attacking.
"Increasing ATK based on the Attributes of other monsters on the field – on the surface, it seems more appropriate to first defeat other monsters to weaken it. And a typical mediocre duelist would very likely do that, but my, Seto Kaiba's, habit has always been to challenge limits!"
Kaiba waved his hand towards "E HERO Sunrise": "Then the first monster to be annihilated shall be that 'E HERO Sunrise'! 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon', Attack it!"
"Hyper Neutron Blast!"
The three heads of "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" simultaneously rose skyward, blue beams of light converging into their mouths. Then, three torrents of light, as if capable of crushing everything to dust and erasing existence from the world, surged forth!
Seeing that Kaiba had chosen "E HERO Sunrise" as the target of his attack, Jaden sighed helplessly: "Still couldn't hide it, huh? This should have been its first appearance in this dimension. Or is it Kaiba, sir's, superhuman duel intuition as a legendary duelist?"
The "E HERO Sunrise" that Jaden Summoned indeed had a trap-like third effect, just as Kaiba said. That effect was: when another "HERO" monster on your field, besides "E HERO Sunrise," declares an attack for battle, you can target one card on the field and destroy it.
When others, as Kaiba predicted, adopted the strategy of attacking other "HERO" monsters to weaken "E HERO Sunrise," they would fall into the trap and have some powerful monsters they painstakingly brought out destroyed by this effect. However, Kaiba chose to attack "E HERO Sunrise" while its ATK was at its peak, precisely circumventing the activation of this effect.
"Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's" attack came, but Jaden showed no panic. His right hand, already prepared, subtly moved its finger and pressed a button.
"Anyway, I didn't expect this move alone to easily defeat you, Kaiba, sir. So, I guess I'll just have to transform!"
Jaden's set card on the field activated. Kaiba frowned, wary of what the Quick-Play Spell Card appearing on Jaden's field might do to his "Blue-Eyes." To his surprise, the power that flew out from that card directly struck "E HERO Absolute Zero" on Jaden's field.
"It's not to enhance the attack target, 'E HERO Sunrise,' nor to weaken the attacking 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'?" Kaiba looked bewildered at the silhouette that leaped from the card Jaden activated and soared into the light.
"The set card I activated is the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Masked Change.' Its effect transforms one 'HERO' monster on my field into a 'Masked HERO' monster of the same Attribute from my Extra Deck."
Jaden explained, watching "E HERO Absolute Zero," which was enveloped by its own solid ice, affected by the power of "Masked Change."
"Even HEROes are not omnipotent. HEROes can stand in the light and strike down the obvious darkness, but they cannot reach the evil hiding in the shadows. For this, HEROes donned masks, walking in the shadows themselves to enact justice. This is 'Masked HERO'!"
Jaden extended his palm towards "E HERO Absolute Zero": "Let the solid ice transform into gentle flowing water! Awaken with the power of the current!"
"'Masked HERO Acid'!"
"Masked HERO Acid" [Level 8/WATER]
[Warrior/Fusion/Effect]
[2600/2100]
The pillar of ice suddenly exploded, shattered ice shards scattering everywhere. Although it appeared to be thin ice that could shatter with a single blow, when it collided with "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's" attack, it was "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" that was blocked.
Furthermore, "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" on Kaiba's field was also struck by ice. At the moment of contact, the heat from "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's" body was instantly transferred, leaving behind a frozen mass. As a large number of ice shards flew, Kaiba watched in astonishment as his "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" was forcefully transformed into an ice sculpture!?
"'E HERO Absolute Zero' is a HERO who channels the power of ice and snow within his body to battle with armor and fists. When he transforms into 'Masked HERO Acid,' the power within him loses its restraint and is unleashed," Jaden explained to Kaiba. "When 'E HERO Absolute Zero' leaves the field, all monsters on the opponent's field are destroyed."
"This move is called, 'Dawn Goddess's Forgiveness.'"
Jaden said, proudly placing his hands on his hips, but unexpectedly, "Masked HERO Acid," which "E HERO Absolute Zero" had transformed into, turned around and strenuously denied to the others that its move had such a strange-sounding name.
"Tsk, it seems that kid Jaden won't grow much in his naming taste later on. If it were me, the names I'd come up with would definitely sound much better," Chumley said, nodding affirmingly. "Like 'Icy Hundred Blossoms Burial' or 'Ice Age'."
"Although it sounds a bit better than 'Dawn Goddess's Forgiveness,' isn't it the exact same in nature?" Yugi retorted, speechless.
"Because 'E HERO Absolute Zero' was sent to the Graveyard by 'Masked Change,' its effect triggered. So, 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon,' despite its high ATK but complete lack of resistance to destruction, is now destroyed. Your plan, Kaiba, sir, has fallen through."
On the field, Jaden said proudly, then glanced at "Masked HERO Acid": "Furthermore, when 'Masked HERO Acid' is Special Summoned successfully, it actually has the effect to destroy all Spell and Trap Cards on the opponent's field, and weaken all of the opponent's monsters' ATK by 300 points."
"However, Kaiba, sir, you have no set cards at all," Jaden paused, then flashed a confident smile. "But it doesn't matter. With no monsters on your field, next turn will be my victory."
Hearing this, Kaiba merely snorted coldly, looking at Jaden who had already preemptively claimed victory: "Sore wa dou kana?"
"Hm?"
After replying to Jaden, Kaiba didn't rush to do anything, instead turning his head to Chumley and Yugi standing nearby.
'Chumley, Yugi, you two always manage to do things beyond your opponents' imagination. You can think of and implement countermeasures for any sudden situation in a duel in a matter of moments, and even foresee your opponents' thoughts to react accordingly.'
'Even in absolute disadvantage, you can continue to duel with a smile and achieve victory.'
'The anomaly that appeared in the Central Plaza just now – I'm sure you two defeated some powerful enemy again. It seems you haven't slacked off because of victory; you're still getting stronger.'
'My deck yearns to defeat you, my mind filled with warlike fervor. And before I defeat you, I will evolve together with "Blue-Eyes" until I catch up to your footsteps and surpass you!'
Glancing at the card in his hand, Kaiba's lips curled into a smirk.
"You, who automatically locked in victory after destroying 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon,' have no idea what kind of being you have awakened." Kaiba held the card in his hand high above his head. As he did so, even though no Field Spell Cards or similar cards were activated, the sky suddenly darkened.
"When 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' was destroyed, the ultimate dragon in my hand met the conditions for its appearance!"
"Endless time hidden within that primal white power, trembling feathers extending amidst the echoing souls, emerge from the azure abyss!"
As Kaiba uttered these chuunibyou lines, which would sound somewhat awkward if others spoke them but were full of aura when delivered in his magnetic voice, "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," now an ice sculpture, began to glow.
However, despite being pure white light, it gave the feeling of devouring everything and dragging it into the abyss.
"Is that...?!" Yusei Fudo's eyes widened as he saw the dragon-form spreading its wings within the light as the ice sculpture of "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" gradually cracked open.
"If you hoped that the ice seal would freeze 'Blue-Eyes' until the end of time, then now, awaken from the seal at the end of time!"
Kaiba let out a roar, and the winged white dragon finally broke free from the ice!
"'Deep-Eyes White Dragon'!!"
"UWOOOOHHHH!!!"
"Deep-Eyes White Dragon" [Level 10/LIGHT]
[Dragon/Effect]
[0/0]
Even Chumley and Yugi were seeing this new white dragon for the first time, Summoned by Kaiba. Looking at "Deep-Eyes White Dragon's" strange and beautiful form, utterly different from other "Blue-Eyes" monsters and seemingly from another dimension, even Yugi found it hard to remain calm: "It's a white dragon with 0 ATK!"
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon," a card that had "aggressive play" etched into its very DNA, and other "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" variants also inherited this trait. Yet, Kaiba, who always disdained monsters with low ATK, actually included a monster with 0 ATK in his deck?
"When a 'Blue-Eyes' monster is destroyed, 'Deep-Eyes White Dragon' can be Special Summoned from my hand. Then, when 'Deep-Eyes White Dragon' is Special Summoned by this effect, the opponent will also endure the wrath of the dragons from the abyss in the Graveyard that descended simultaneously with 'Deep-Eyes White Dragon'!"
The ring connecting the wings behind "Deep-Eyes White Dragon" glowed. As its wings flapped, stardust scattered onto the ground, which then ignited with blue flames and transformed into the images of monsters in Kaiba's Graveyard!
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon," "Blue-Eyes White Dragon," "Blue-Eyes White Dragon," and "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon"!
Under the guidance of "Deep-Eyes White Dragon's" power, four Dragon souls, though phantoms, made breathing motions, and indeed, four attacks truly blasted towards Jaden!
"Ugh!"
Jaden Yuki: 4000 → 1600 LP
"Each Dragon in the Graveyard will inflict 600 points of effect damage to the opponent, and 'Deep-Eyes White Dragon' can inherit the power of 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' in the Graveyard!"
"Deep-Eyes White Dragon" [0/0 → 4500/0]
Kaiba watched Jaden, whose Life Points had drastically decreased due to the bombardment of four "Blue-Eyes" monsters in the Graveyard, and said in a deep voice: "Then, continue the unfinished battle, 'Deep-Eyes White Dragon.'"
"Attack 'E HERO Sunrise'!"
"Abyss Burst Stream!!"
"Woah!"
Jaden: 1600 → 200 LP
"E HERO Sunrise," with 3100 ATK, couldn't withstand "Deep-Eyes White Dragon's" ATK of 4500 points after inheriting the power of "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon." It was directly destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. Jaden's Life Points dropped by another 1400 points, leaving him with only 200 LP.
"With that, your Life Points are like a flickering flame in the wind, kid," Kaiba said with a sneer. If it had been "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," he could have attacked two more times to completely wipe out Jaden's Life Points, which would have been a finishing blow. But alas, he couldn't switch it out.
Unaware that he had just raised a "flickering flame" death flag, Kaiba ended his Battle Phase since all his monsters had attacked. However, just as Jaden thought Kaiba would set cards and end his turn, Kaiba played the last card from his hand.
"In my Main Phase 2, I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Demise.' My hand is replenished to five cards. As a cost, in my Standby Phase five turns from now, I will discard my entire hand."
Saying such shameless words, Kaiba, who activated his last hand card, "Card of Demise," drew five cards in one go and casually set four of them.
"I set three cards, then summon a monster in face-down Defense Position. My turn ends."
Kaiba looked at Jaden triumphantly, as if victory was already in his grasp: "I can feel the wind of victory blowing from behind me. And you, will face defeat at the start of your turn!"
Although Kaiba didn't explicitly state what cards he set in his backrow, Chumley, who knew Kaiba's "three main tricks" (predictable tactics), had already figured it out perfectly from Kaiba's words.
"Wow, Seto set three mysterious set cards! I'm so excited to see what cards they are."
As everyone knows, when Kaiba sets a card and then summons a monster, the set cards are ____ and ____, and when Kaiba has a high-ATK monster on his field, the two set cards are ____ and ____
(end of chapter)
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