# Chapter 231: A Duel with Little Information Asymmetry
At Yūga Hōzumi's command, the twin wings behind Hope flashed, and wielding the Luna Blade, it slashed at the Dark Nether Dragon in the sky.
"At this instant, the effect of Number 39: Utopia King, Hope activates! When a monster—yours or your opponent's—declares an attack, I can detach one Xyz Material from this card to negate that attack."
The twin wings of Hope lit up, and the longsword in its hand was raised high, just waiting for Yūga Hōzumi's support to arrive to unleash a Hope Double Slash.
"I activate the Trap Card, Infinite Impermanence! I'll target one face-up monster on your field; that monster's effects are negated until the end of the turn."
The phantom of Cyber Dragon Infinity appeared out of thin air. With a furious roar, the light flowing around Hope's body instantly dimmed, and it could only strike the Dark Nether Dragon with its original Attack.
Ryo Marufuji LP: 4000 → 3500
"Interesting," Yūga Hōzumi said with a cold laugh. "It seems you've done your homework on me."
Indeed, this "Hope Double Slash" gambit had turned countless opponents into cards. It was only natural for Ryo Marufuji to be prepared.
"Then, Zoodiac Broadbull, direct attack!"
The bull-headed warrior raised its giant axe high and brought it down on Ryo Marufuji.
Ryo Marufuji didn't dodge or evade, taking the attack head-on.
Ryo Marufuji LP: 3500 → 2300
"End Battle Phase!" After Yūga Hōzumi declared the end of the Battle Phase, he slammed a glowing card onto his Duel Disk.
"I activate the Rank-Up-Magic, Zexal Force!"
"I target one Xyz Monster on my field to Special Summon one 'Utopia King Hope' monster or 'Zexal Weapon' monster from my Extra Deck that is one Rank higher by using the target as material. Then, I take one 'Zexal Weapon' monster or 'Zexal Servant' monster from my Deck and place it on top."
Holy light shone from the core in the chest of the half-armor on Yūga Hōzumi's body, creating a golden vortex beneath Hoperey. A crimson mechanical lion leaped out of it, transforming into pieces of armor in mid-air and attaching to Hoperey's body.
"Warrior of Hope who has gained the power of Chaos! Descend in the armored form of the King of Beasts, drawn forth by the power of bonds! For your fallen comrades, unleash the sword of vengeance! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 5! Beast-Armor Combination - Leo Hoperey!"
A mighty beast's roar echoed from the golden light surrounding Hoperey. The light slowly dispersed, and Hoperey, clad in crimson armor and bearing golden twin wings, appeared.
Beast-Armor Combination - Leo Hoperey ATK: 2500
"I activate the effect of Beast-Armor Combination - Leo Hoperey! Once per turn, I can detach one material from this card to equip one 'Zexal Weapon' monster from my Deck or Extra Deck to this card."
"Appear! ZW - Pegasus Twin Saber!"
Beast-Armor Combination - Leo Hoperey ATK: 2500 → 3500
"Next, I'll overlay using one monster: Zoodiac Broadbull!"
"Guided by the talisman, I call forth a new comrade in exchange! Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 4! Zoodiac Drident!"
The rune of the Ox from Zoodiac Broadbull flashed and transformed into the rune of the Dragon. A moment later, a valiant and heroic Dragon-Type female warrior holding a long spear appeared within the magic circle.
Zoodiac Drident DEF: 0
"I set a card and end my turn!"
"My turn! Draw!" It was Ryo Marufuji's turn.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Twin Twisters! By discarding one card, I can target and destroy up to two Spell or Trap Cards on the field."
"I'll destroy the ZW - Pegasus Twin Saber on your field and your other set card!"
Yūga Hōzumi: "..."
You really drew that!
Two twisters swept towards Yūga Hōzumi's backrow. Yūga Hōzumi had no choice but to activate his set card before it was destroyed.
"I activate the Trap Card, Threatening Roar! This turn, my opponent cannot declare an attack!"
"I activate the effect of the Spell Card I discarded as the cost for Twin Twisters, Treasured Compensation! When this card is sent to the Graveyard, I draw three cards."
"I summon Cyber Dragon Core in Attack Position! When Cyber Dragon Core is Normal Summoned, I can add one 'Cyber' or 'Cybernetic' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."
"I'll add the Spell Card, Cyber Emergency, to my hand."
I activate the Spell Card, Cyber Emergency. I'll add one 'Cyber Dragon' monster or one LIGHT Machine monster that cannot be Normal Summoned from my Deck to my hand.
"I add Cyber Dragon Nachster to my hand."
"I activate the Spell Card, Machine Duplication! I target one Machine-Type monster on my field with 500 or less Attack; I can then Special Summon up to two monsters with the same name from my Deck."
"Since Cyber Dragon Core's name becomes 'Cyber Dragon' while on the field, I can use this card to Special Summon two 'Cyber Dragon' monsters from my Deck!"
"Trying to get two Level 5 monsters for an Xyz Summon? I won't let you! At this moment, I activate Zoodiac Drident's effect! Once per turn, I can detach one material to target and destroy one face-up card on the field!"
Zoodiac Drident hurled its spear at Cyber Dragon Core on the field, destroying it just before the mechanical arms from Machine Duplication could reach it.
With Cyber Dragon Core shattered, the assembly line of mechanical arms conjured by the Spell Card lost its target and soon dematerialized.
With his play disrupted, Ryo Marufuji frowned. This was a significant blow. If he had successfully summoned Cyber Dragon Infinity, he could have removed Beast-Armor Combination - Leo Hoperey from Yūga Hōzumi's field without battling, and he'd have an extra negate on the board. But now, he could only use the last two cards in his hand to defend.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Cyberload Fusion! By shuffling Fusion Materials from my field or among my banished monsters back into the Deck, I can Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster that lists a 'Cyber Dragon' monster as material!"
"I'll return the banished Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon Core, and Cyberdark Chimera to the Deck to Fusion Summon!"
"Appear, Level 10! The eternal light of evolution! Cyber Eternity Dragon!"
Golden light flared. The three Machine-Type monsters returned from the Different Dimension and fused into one within this light. A moment later, a long, mechanical dragon, shimmering with golden light, flew forth and coiled beside Ryo Marufuji.
Cyber Eternity Dragon DEF: 4000
"I set a card and end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" It was Yūga Hōzumi's turn.
"I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Avarice! I return five monsters from my Graveyard to the Deck—two Zoodiac Ratpier, Zoodiac Broadbull, Zoodiac Hammerkong, and Zoodiac Boarbow—then I draw two cards!"
...
(end of chapter)