Chapter 57. Stardust Dragon vs. Red Dragon Archfiend! The 5D's World Boils Over!
Understanding complete.
In the Duel Monsters world, everyone immediately started discussing!
Yugi Muto: "Thanks, Mr. Yuki, for finding the video to explain it. I understand now."
Mai Valentine: "Mm-hmm. So those Forbidden cards can be released someday, but either their effects get changed, or they're just not strong enough for the current environment, right?"
Joey Wheeler: "Uh, so I still don't get why [Pot of Greed] is Forbidden, hey!"
Tristan Taylor: "Joey, quit freaking out. That Forbidden/Limited List is theirs, not ours. We don't even have one!"
With Tristan's reminder, it clicked for everyone!
Right — whatever Forbidden/Limited List that is… it doesn't apply to them!
In their world, there is no list. [Pot of Greed] — use it if you've got it!
[Giant Trunade]? [Graceful Charity]? Use 'em if you've got 'em!
No panic whatsoever!
The advanced world is the advanced world.
The Duel Monsters world is the Duel Monsters world.
In their world, they simply don't worry about a Forbidden/Limited List.
That's the truth.
Even the Egyptian God Cards.
In their world, they're used with their most terrifying, original effects!
Whereas in the advanced world, the God Cards have long since had their power greatly reduced!
In the GX world…
After hearing about K-snake's four ways of nerfing cards, the students and faculty of Duel Academy all looked at each other in disbelief.
They'd never imagined there could be so many ways to control power in the advanced world!
So by that logic…?
That advanced world's Duel environment must be very balanced and full of diverse decks, right?
"Anyway, be that as it may, we still have to face the facts."
"On our side, we don't really enforce a so-called Forbidden/Limited List."
"After all, KaibaCorp hasn't suppressed card power very much."
"[Pot of Greed] and [Graceful Charity] and the like are mandatory three-ofs in every deck!"
"Mr. Yuki, your rules don't have much to do with us."
Having thought it through, Jaden Yuki posted a bullet comment to talk with Sei Yuki.
The other students quickly chimed in as well.
In the Main World…
After reading the bullet comments from the two worlds, the corner of Sei Yuki's mouth twitched.
Looked at this way, that really was how it worked.
But to be honest…
If [Pot of Greed], [Graceful Charity], and other powerful staples were all unbanned, Sei Yuki didn't even dare imagine what his own world's Duel environment would turn into!
Sure, everyone could run three copies!
All graveyard-centric decks could use [Graceful Charity] to sculpt hands and fix draws.
But in that case, who knows how many decks that used to have low-probability lines would have their ceilings raised?
For the simplest example—
The [Exodia the Forbidden One] deck's win rate could shoot up dramatically!
Terrifyingly so!
It could even reach 70%, maybe higher!
At that point, the entire environment might as well be shaped like Exodia, right?
Of course, that's assuming they don't get interrupted.
"Forget it, forget it. After that Forbidden/Limited List video, if the later shorts bring up Forbidden cards again…"
"They should be able to understand."
"Next up is…"
"Unlocking the 5D's world."
"...…"
With a sweep of his eyes, Sei Yuki quickly saw the new feature prompt.
[Congratulations to user Sei Yuki on successfully unlocking the 5D's World feature.]
[Would user Sei Yuki like to spend 2,000 to unlock the 5D's World?]
"Confirm."
"Unlock it."
[Ding! Congratulations to user Sei Yuki for a successful unlock!]
[Please check the 5D's World information, user Sei Yuki!]
After the string of messages finished, Sei Yuki quickly noticed an extra option among these brand-new functions and in the normal 5D's chat group.
The option was—
A Duel Runner riding option!
Wait, what?
It even comes with a simulated Riding Duel function?
No — rather…
He could use this Riding Duel to experience what a Riding Duel is like, right?
Unlocking it would cost another 3,000.
Considering his wallet, Sei Yuki decided to wait until he'd posted a few more videos before unlocking it.
After all, Riding Duels would only be fun if they're online.
Single-player would be boring.
"First, let's see what the people in the 5D's world are talking about after watching the Forbidden/Limited List."
"This chat group, right?"
Sei Yuki opened the 5D's world chat group.
Very soon…
Bullet comments started popping up one after another!
Yusei Fudo: "I actually think K-snake's Forbidden/Limited List is pretty good. A lot of cards are too nasty. Without restrictions, I don't even know how their advanced world environment wouldn't collapse."
Jack Atlas: "That may be, but you can't keep them locked up forever, can you? From that video's information, it seems a lot of cards have been imprisoned for years."
Crow Hogan: "Hahaha! Whatever! It doesn't concern us anyway."
Akiza Izinski: "Mm-hmm. Rather than thinking about that, why don't you look ahead to what's coming next?"
Tetsu Trudge: "By the way, that advanced-world content really is bizarre. First we had deck guides, then single-card spotlights, and now a Forbidden/Limited List..."
After reading their doubts and questions, Sei Yuki coughed a few times, then immediately opened the voice function to send voice bullet comments back.
Sei Yuki: "Hello, Duelists of the 5D's world."
Sei Yuki: "I'm the person in the advanced world who manages the video content."
Sei Yuki: "My name is Sei Yuki."
Sei Yuki: "I'm very happy to be able to communicate with you!"
In the 5D's world…
Sei Yuki's voice came from the virtual screens in every Duel Runner.
Every Duelist who was still in a Riding Duel was startled stiff by the sudden voice.
Quite a few nearly fell off their bikes!
Meanwhile, over at Sector Security, Yusei Fudo and the others' pupils shrank!
Each of them practically jolted to attention!
Advanced world?
So there really was someone controlling the playback of the videos in that advanced world!
How interesting!
Now things were getting even more fun!
A person from the advanced world could talk to them.
Yusei Fudo: "You are… from the advanced world?"
Tetsu Trudge: "Kid, you'd better be! If I find out you hacked our computers, you're going to the slammer!"
Crow Hogan: "If you really are, do you have any way to prove it?"
Akiza Izinski: "Perhaps you could let us specify the content of the next video?"
In the Main World…
After reading their suspicion and questions, Sei Yuki smiled to himself.
Just as expected.
The 5D's world was just as skeptical as the previous two worlds.
Which made sense.
If it were him, suddenly hearing a voice like this would make him cautious too.
Sei Yuki: "Of course — say whatever you like."
Sei Yuki: "I can find the video content you want to see."
In the 5D's world…
Yusei Fudo and Jack Atlas exchanged a glance.
Memories from the past surged up again.
If possible…
What they wanted to see was—
Stardust Dragon vs. Red Dragon Archfiend!
That's right.
They wanted to see how those two decks performed in the advanced world!
Yusei Fudo: "If you can, please find us a Duel between [Stardust Dragon] and [Red Dragon Archfiend]."
Jack Atlas: "Agreed. If we can see a Duel between those two decks, we'll believe you!"
In the Main World…
With the next short video's content decided, there was nothing more to say.
Sei Yuki immediately went to search for the next short.
After he found it…
The title appeared.
"Stardust Dragon vs. Red Dragon Archfiend! Fate's Duel Makes Souls Go Numb!"
Playback begins.
Stardust Dragon itself vs. Red Dragon Archfiend itself.
Both players at 8,000 LP!
First turn — Stardust Dragon itself.
As the video displayed the realistic play, Duelists from the other five worlds perked up.
At last — they could see what Duels in that world were like!
In the 5D's world, Yusei Fudo, Jack Atlas, and the others grew solemn!
The next video really was Stardust Dragon vs. Red Dragon Archfiend!
Which meant—
What the person named Sei Yuki said was true!
With excitement and complicated feelings, everyone in 5D's stopped their Riding Duels and turned to the short's Duel feed!
In the short…
Having won the first turn, Stardust Dragon itself immediately began setting up!
Stardust Dragon (player): "I activate the effect of [Junk Converter] in my hand."
Stardust Dragon (player): "I can discard this card and 1 Tuner to add 1 'Synchron' monster from my Deck to my hand."
Stardust Dragon (player): "I choose to search my Deck for [Junk Synchron]."
"Normal Summon [Junk Synchron], and revive [Junk Converter] from the Graveyard."
"3 plus 2 makes 5! I Synchro Summon!"
"Level 5 [Junk Speeder]!"
With a standard Level-5 Synchro sequence, a Junk Synchro monster they'd never seen before appeared in the Extra Monster Zone!
That standard Synchro line was enough to bring satisfied smiles to the 5D's Duelists.
That's Synchro — no doubt!
But Yusei Fudo went pale!
Wait.
What are 'Speeder' and 'Converter'?
It seems… he hadn't yet obtained that power?
Stardust Dragon (player): "I now activate [Junk Speeder]'s effect!"
Stardust Dragon (player): "When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon as many 'Synchron' Tuners with different Levels as possible from my Deck in Defense Position!"
Stardust Dragon (player): "Come forth — Level 3 [Junk Synchron], Level 1 [Jet Synchron], and Level 2 [Satellite Synchron]!"
"Level 4 [Stardust Synchron] as well!"
"All of them — Tuner monsters!"
Duelists in the Duel Monsters world: "???"
Duelists in the GX world: "???"
Duelists in the 5D's world: "???"
The instant they saw that sequence, Duelists across all six worlds were stunned numb!
Wait!
What kind of play was that?
He pulled five monsters out of the Deck at once and filled every Monster Zone?!
Those who hadn't realized how serious this was yet only thought the effect was broken — mass Tribute Summon fuel!
In the Fusion-focused GX world, they naturally assumed these were all Fusion materials!
Even Jaden Yuki was numb.
If his HERO deck could pull out that many HEROes at once, how awesome would that be!
But for people who actually understood Synchro —
Like Yusei Fudo in the 5D's world…
And Yugo of ARC-V's Synchro Dimension!
Seeing that line made them go slack-jawed!
Five Tuners?!
All at once?!
He pulled out five Tuners at once?!
This was outrageous!
What Synchro Monster could possibly require that many Tuners?!
And the most flustered of all —
Was Yusei Fudo right now!
All his friends turned their eyes to Yusei in unison!
Yusei's grave expression grew even heavier.
Even he — the true Stardust Dragon user — had never made a board like this!
In the short…
While Duelists in other worlds reeled, the play continued.
Stardust Dragon (player): "Use Level 5 [Junk Speeder] and Level 2 Tuner [Satellite Synchron] to make a Level 7 Synchro!"
Stardust Dragon (player): "Let the ancient dragon's cry resound! Come forth, [Ancient Fairy Dragon]!"
Stardust Dragon (player): "Next, I activate a Continuous Spell!"
"[Arrive in Light]!"
"Arrive in Light — activate!"
"As this card resolves its activation, I can place 1 Level 1 Dragon from my hand or Deck on top of the Deck."
"I put [Converging Wills Dragon] on top!"
"Then I use Level 7 [Ancient Fairy Dragon] and Level 1 Tuner [Jet Synchron] to Synchro Summon!"
"Crystal wings spread wide to bring the strongest suppression!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 8! [Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon]!!!"
"I activate [Arrive in Light]!"
"When a Synchro Summon succeeds, I can either Special Summon a Tuner from my hand, or draw 1 card."
"I choose to draw 1!"
"As expected, I draw [Converging Wills Dragon] — which immediately triggers to Special Summon itself."
"Next, I Special Summon Level 1 [Boost Warrior] from my hand!"
"I tune it with Level 4 [Stardust Synchron]."
"Level 5 — [T.G. Hyper Librarian] hits the field!"
"...…"
After a flurry of plays —
Synchro after Synchro exploded onto the field!
Duelists across the six worlds were already completely baffled!
What kind of play was this???
He could chain together so many boss monsters in a single turn?!
And what's more —
None of these seemed to be the end board!
That 'T.G.,' that 'Crystal Wing' —
They seemed like mere cogs!
Not this deck's finisher at all!
So then this deck —
What boss was it aiming for?
Before they could recover, the video gave the answer!
Stardust Dragon (player): "I now activate the effect of [Stardust Synchron] in the Graveyard!"
Stardust Dragon (player): "If this card is in my hand or GY, I can Tribute 1 monster I control to Special Summon it!"
"I Tribute the Level 3 Tuner [Junk Synchron] to Special Summon Stardust Synchron."
"Then I activate the effect of [Doppelwarrior] in my hand!"
"When a monster is Special Summoned from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card from my hand."
"After that — Level 8 [Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon], Level 1 Tuner [Converging Wills Dragon], and Level 2 [Doppelwarrior] — I tune them all!"
"Lightspeed Synchro brings the radiance of Stardust!"
"Behold! Level 11! [Shooting Majestic Star Dragon]!!!"
It arrived!
Finally — there it was!
The deck's first boss monster!
[Shooting Majestic Star Dragon]!
And the moment that card appeared —
In the 5D's world —
Yusei Fudo could no longer sit still!
Who was Stardust Dragon's true ace, after all?!
Yusei pulled out his own [Majestic Star Dragon] to check!
So this "Majestic Star Dragon" actually had an even stronger form — "Shooting Majestic"?!
Then what else —
Could that guy still make?
Just what other trump cards —
Was he going to reveal?!
"These — I can be sure — are definitely not the limits of his setup!"
"He'll definitely keep going!"
"Definitely! The board is not that simple!"
Yusei knew very well the combos and synergies between Stardust Dragon and the 'Synchron' cards!
Likewise —
He also knew —
With this kind of setup, the resources on the field were absolutely enough for that Stardust Dragon player to keep going!
So then —
What was next?
With these resources…
What kind of board was he going to make?
...
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