Chapter 234: Card Printer vs. Top-Decker
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Overload Fusion! I banish Fusion Material Monsters for a Machine-Type, DARK Attribute Fusion Monster from my Field or Graveyard, and Fusion Summon that monster from my Extra Deck."
Ryo Marufuji's intentions were plain to see. He would use Overload Fusion to summon Chimeratech Rampage Dragon and destroy Yūga Hōzumi's two backrow cards. Then, Cyber Dragon Infinity would battle and destroy Lion-Armed Utopia Ray, which had lost its equipment. Finally, Rampage Dragon would land a triple attack, destroying the remaining Zoodiac Tigermortar on Yūga Hōzumi's field and finishing him off in one fell swoop.
"At this moment, the effect of the Tuner Monster Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion in my hand activates! When an effect that would banish a card from the Graveyard is activated, I send this card from my hand to the Graveyard to negate that effect!"
A small girl in a black and white dress flew out from Yūga Hōzumi's hand. With a mere wave, the whirring machine core of the fusion spell began to falter.
Ryo Marufuji furrowed his brow. "Another hand-trap that can be activated during the opponent's turn?"
"But it's useless!" Ryo Marufuji gestured dramatically. "Cyber Dragon Infinity's effect activates!"
"Once per turn, when a card or effect is activated, I can detach one Xyz Material from this card to negate the activation and destroy it!"
Cyber Dragon Infinity fired a laser beam, shattering the small flying girl.
Overload Fusion resolved successfully. A two-headed mechanical chimera was born, its body crackling with violent lightning as it swept toward Yūga Hōzumi's backrow.
"When Chimeratech Rampage Dragon is successfully Fusion Summoned, its effect activates! I can target and destroy Spell and Trap Cards on the field, up to the number of monsters used as its Fusion Material!"
"I activate the Trap Card, Floodgate Trap Hole! When an opponent's monster is Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned, those monsters are changed to face-down Defense Position. Monsters changed to face-down Defense Position by this effect cannot change their battle position."
Although Chimeratech Rampage Dragon shattered Yūga Hōzumi's two backrow cards, it was itself sent to an inescapable abyss.
"Now, Cyber Dragon Infinity, attack Lion-Armed Utopia Ray!"
Cyber Dragon Infinity fired a laser at Lion-Armed Utopia Ray. The warrior raised its longsword to defend but was shattered in a single hit.
Yūga Hōzumi LP: 2800 → 2600
"I activate the Continuous Spell, Mirage of Nightmare!"
"I set one card and end my turn," Ryo Marufuji said.
"My turn! I draw!" Yūga Hōzumi drew his card.
"At this moment, the effect of Mirage of Nightmare activates!" The instant Yūga Hōzumi drew, the Continuous Spell in Ryo Marufuji's backrow flared. "During your opponent's Standby Phase, you draw until you have four cards in your hand. During your own Standby Phase, you randomly discard the same number of cards you drew with this effect."
Ryo Marufuji, whose hand was empty, swiftly drew four cards.
"These cards?" Yūga Hōzumi's eyebrows shot up. *Good grief, did Judai Yuki send you an arsenal? Is one of those cards Emergency Provisions to dodge the discard drawback?*
Yūga Hōzumi winced at the thought, but his hands moved without hesitation.
"I activate the effect of the Trap Card, Breakthrough Skill, from my Graveyard! During my turn, I can banish this card from my Graveyard to target one monster on my opponent's field and negate its effects until the end of the turn!"
"Cyber Dragon Infinity's effect activates! Once per turn, when a card's effect is activated, I detach one Xyz Material from this card to negate that activation and destroy it."
Ryo Marufuji felt helpless. Cyber Dragon Infinity could only use its effect once per turn. If he used it here, he would negate the skill. If he let it go through, his monster would become a vanilla with only 2100 ATK.
Cyber Dragon Infinity ATK: 2100 → 2500
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Onomatopaira!"
"I send one card from my hand to the Graveyard to add up to two monsters to my hand from my Deck, choosing from 'Gagaga,' 'Gogogo,' 'Dododo,' and 'Zubababa' monsters."
"I'll add Gogogo Banchou - Gagaga Coat and Hope Emperor Onomatopia to my hand!"
"Next, I summon Hope Emperor Onomatopia in Attack Position!"
"Then, I activate the effect of Gogogo Banchou - Gagaga Coat in my hand! If I control another 'Gagaga' monster, I can Special Summon this card!"
"I overlay the Level 4 Gogogo Banchou - Gagaga Coat and Hope Emperor Onomatopia!"
"Appear, Warrior of Hope! Xyz Summon! No. 39: Hope Emperor Utopia Ascendant!"
On the back of Yūga Hōzumi's right hand, the number 39 materialized. Unlike its usual golden-tinged red, the number that appeared this time was a brilliant silver.
The Utopia that flew from the vortex in the sky was also different from its usual heroic and vibrant form. It appeared somewhat ethereal, emitting a mysterious purple light.
No. 39: Hope Emperor Utopia Ascendant DEF: 2000
*When it comes to top-decking, I might not be able to beat you,* Yūga Hōzumi thought. *But my Emperor's Key is almost fully unlocked. You can't beat me at printing cards.*
"When No. 39: Hope Emperor Utopia Ascendant is Special Summoned, its effect activates!"
"If this card is Special Summoned, I can target one 'No.' Xyz Monster in my Graveyard other than this card and Special Summon it in Defense Position. Then, I can attach all of this card's Xyz Materials to that monster!"
"Revive! No. 39: Hope Emperor Utopia!"
Utopia Ascendant reached out, opening a golden vortex from which the original form of Utopia emerged, flapping its wings. Then, the two orbiting lights of Xyz Material beside Utopia Ascendant flew over to its original form.
No. 39: Hope Emperor Utopia DEF: 2000
"Next, I activate Rank-Up-Magic Barian's Force!"
"I target one Xyz Monster I control and Special Summon one 'CNo.' monster from my Extra Deck that is the same Type but one Rank higher, using the target as Xyz Material. Then, if my opponent controls a monster with Xyz materials, I can take one of them and attach it to my newly summoned monster as material."
"Appear, CNo. 39! The crimson overlord that commands chaos! Released from ancient laws, become a blazing fire to dispel the darkness! Descend, Hope Emperor Utopia Ray V!"
A chaotic power, interwoven with light and darkness, surged from the card Yūga Hōzumi slapped onto his Duel Disk, enveloping Utopia on the field. A moment later, Utopia Ray V, wielding a chaos scythe and clad in dark red steel armor, flew out of the vortex. The two orbs of light also transformed into two crosses that settled beside it.
CNo. 39: Hope Emperor Utopia Ray V ATK: 2600
(end of chapter)