# Chapter 126: Don't Blink
"Want to save your monster? Not so fast! I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Forbidden Chalice! I target one face-up monster on the field! That monster gains 400 ATK until the end of the turn, but its effects are negated."
Destiny HERO - Dusktopia ATK: 3000 -> 3400
The light shield in front of Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer shattered, and the monster was instantly engulfed by the bursting laser.
Aster Phoenix LP: 4000 -> 3900
After Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer fell, the attack of the suppressed Cyber End Dragon returned to normal.
Cyber End Dragon ATK: 2600 -> 4000
"What's the point of this?" Aster Phoenix sneered. "The effect of Destiny HERO - Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer activates when it's destroyed by battle or card effect! During the next Standby Phase, I can Special Summon one 'Destiny HERO' monster from my Graveyard."
The flames of rebirth rose behind Aster Phoenix again, and he said smugly, "I've already told you, Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer is a perfect monster with an undying body. Your attack was useless! Next turn, the reborn Phoenix Enforcer will bury you!"
"Hahaha, next turn?" Ryo Marufuji burst out laughing. "You don't have a next turn!"
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Dimensional Blast! I return one face-up Fusion Monster I control to the Extra Deck, and in exchange, both players can Special Summon up to two of their banished monsters!"
"I return Cyber End Dragon to my Extra Deck and Special Summon the banished Cyber Dragon and Cyber Dragon Core!"
"What are you scheming?" Aster Phoenix asked, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. "Fine! I'll Special Summon my two banished Destiny HERO - Malicious in Defense Position!"
Destiny HERO - Malicious DEF: 800
Destiny HERO - Malicious DEF: 800
"Your monster may be immortal, but you aren't! I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Cyberload Fusion!"
"I Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster that lists a 'Cyber Dragon' monster as material from my Extra Deck, by shuffling the required Fusion Materials from my field and my banished pile back into the Deck! For the rest of this turn, my other monsters cannot attack."
"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Cybernetic Fusion Support! I pay half my Life Points, and for one Machine Fusion Summon this turn, I can banish the materials from my hand, field, or Graveyard!"
Ryo Marufuji LP: 2400 -> 1200
"I banish Cyber Dragon Nachster, Cyber Dragon, and Cyber Dragon Core from my field; Cyber Dragon Nova, Cyber Dragon Infinity, and another Cyber Dragon from my Graveyard; and Kiteroid from my hand! With these seven Machine monsters, I Fusion Summon!"
"Don't blink. This is the last monster you'll ever see," Ryo Marufuji growled as immense electrical currents surged through his body, forming a peculiar mechanical core before him.
"Appear! Chimeratech Overdragon!"
As Ryo Marufuji's words fell, seven mechanical dragon heads of different colors burst forth from the core, a chaotic dance of demons unleashed in an instant.
"Chimeratech Overdragon's ATK and DEF are equal to the number of its Fusion Materials times 800!"
Chimeratech Overdragon ATK: ? -> 5600
"Go! Chimeratech Overdragon, attack Destiny HERO - Dusktopia!"
Red light flashed in the eyes of one of Chimeratech Overdragon's mechanical heads as the immense energy gathered in its maw was unleashed.
Aster Phoenix LP: 3900 -> 1700
Just as the aftershock left Aster Phoenix reeling, Ryo Marufuji's voice rang out again. "Chimeratech Overdragon can attack a number of your monsters equal to the number of materials used for its Fusion Summon!"
"Go! Chimeratech Overdragon! Attack again!"
Another laser cannon pierced through Destiny HERO - Dusktopia's form and exploded right in front of Aster Phoenix. The impact sent him flying, and he slammed heavily against the wall.
Aster Phoenix LP: 1700 -> 0
Ryo Marufuji walked over to Aster Phoenix, who was slumped against the wall, and looked down into his venom-filled eyes.
"Have you really fallen this low?" Ryo Marufuji said, grabbing Aster Phoenix by the collar and hauling him up. He tore the badge signifying the commander of the Obelisk Force from Aster Phoenix's chest.
"I like that look in your eyes. You're welcome to take this back from me... if you can."
With that said, Ryo Marufuji casually tossed the limp form of Aster Phoenix aside like a dead dog and left without a backward glance.
...
Synchro Dimension, in Bruno's dream.
"What in the world are you doing? You're just one step away every single time!" Yūga Hōzumi finally snapped after Bruno failed his Accel Synchro for the seventh time.
"I... I don't know either," gasped Bruno, who had just been saved from a crash by Shooting Star Dragon.
"You can't surpass the speed of light if your heart is full of doubt," Yūga Hōzumi said.
"I know, but I..." Bruno punched the floor, his expression darkening.
"Let's call it a day," Yūga Hōzumi said, pressing the logout button on his glasses. "Think carefully about why you want to become stronger."
Seeing Yūga Hōzumi's figure turn illusory, Bruno quickly asked, "Senior, who are you, really?"
He had been startled awake by crashes the last few times, so he'd been holding this question in for a long time.
Hearing this, Yūga Hōzumi gave a sly smile.
"The name's Yusei Fudo. Just a passing-by Duel Runner rider, that's all."
The moment he finished speaking, Yūga Hōzumi vanished.
As Yūga Hōzumi disappeared, the world around him began to collapse, and Bruno awoke with a start.
After waking up, Bruno fumbled for the light switch and sat on his bed alone for a long time.
"Yusei... Fudo...?" Bruno muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, the newly awakened Yūga Hōzumi also had a pained expression. He finally understood how his high school math teacher must have felt looking at him back in his past life. (Author's note: I scored a 27 on my college entrance exam for math.)
"Looks like I'll really have to ask Kiryu what this kid's mental block is," Yūga Hōzumi sighed and muttered to himself.
Just then, an energetic voice called out from outside the room.
"Hey! Yūga Hōzumi! Are you awake?"
With the eyes of a dead fish, Yūga Hōzumi went to open the door. Outside stood Yugo, the chuunibyou teen, full of energy even this early in the morning.
"Keep your voice down, people are still sleeping."
"Oh, right." Yugo scratched his head. "Sorry, sorry. I'm just too excited! Today's the Friendship Cup warm-up match. Want to go watch it together?"
It had to be said, a chuunibyou with no ill intentions had surprisingly good social skills. Yugo had only been here for about a week, but he had quickly managed to befriend everyone at the base. They all liked the energetic young man.
"The combined bounty on our heads could buy a house in The Tops, and you want to go watch the match in person?" Yūga Hōzumi said with a pained expression.
...
(end of chapter)