# Chapter 238: The Afterglow of the Setting Sun
"Break through the limits! Number 39!"
Under this light, the pressure bearing down on Yūga Hōzumi was completely neutralized. Although his ZEXAL state had been dispelled due to insufficient energy, under the illumination of this light, Yūga Hōzumi appeared like a deity descending into the mortal realm.
"When hope is surpassed and dreams are embraced, a new future will emerge from the distant shore! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 6! Number 39: Utopia Beyond!"
Under the effect of this light, the chaotic power on Sheng's body slowly faded, and the light of a hopeful future transformed into a brand-new suit of armor!
Number 39: Utopia Beyond ATK: 3000
"Utopia Beyond's effect activates upon its Xyz Summon! The Attack Points of all monsters on the opponent's field become 0!"
Utopia Beyond's twin swords flashed, and the berserk force field instantly ceased. The ferocious mechanical dragon also quieted down at this moment.
Cyber End Dragon ATK: 36800 → 0
A battle replay occurred. Ryo Marufuji gasped for breath, struggling to glance at the extremely weakened Cyber Dragon behind him.
The sun gradually set in the west, and the fiery afterglow of the sunset bathed the mechanical dragon's silvery-white body.
The battlefield fell into an eerie silence. Everyone knew that during the End Phase of this turn, Ryo Marufuji would take a massive 4000 damage from Power Bond's negative effect, reducing his Life Points to 0.
"It seems you've won the gamble." After Ryo Marufuji uttered these words with difficulty, he could no longer hold on and collapsed onto one knee.
Ryo Marufuji let out a roar and straightened his back. "But a warrior only ever dies on the charge!"
"Go! Cyber End Dragon, attack Number 39: Utopia Beyond!"
Ryo Marufuji raised his hand and roared, pointing at Utopia Beyond in front of Yūga Hōzumi.
The incredibly weakened Cyber End Dragon forcefully mustered its spirit and launched its final charge.
Yūga Hōzumi remained silent, simply watching as the charging Cyber End Dragon was bisected by a single slash from Utopia Beyond.
Ryo Marufuji LP: 1150 → 0
The chain connected to Yūga Hōzumi's left arm instantly unclasped. Then, the device at its center released a powerful electric current, instantly piercing through Ryo Marufuji's body.
Ryo Marufuji let out a muffled groan before collapsing.
Seeing this, Yūga Hōzumi staggered towards Ryo Marufuji.
But Yūga Hōzumi had clearly overestimated his own body. Halfway there, his vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Retreat!" Seeing this situation, the second-in-command of the Obelisk Force couldn't help but cry out, calling for the remaining soldiers on the battlefield to retreat.
Unfortunately for them, two giant dragons blocked their path of retreat.
The arrivals were none other than Bruno and Jack, who had conquered the Obelisk Force's main base, which had been emptied of its forces, and had rushed here to provide support.
Two D-Wheels barred their only path of retreat, their riders watching the group with cold eyes.
"Damn it…" Ryo Marufuji's second-in-command gritted his teeth and looked toward Yūga Hōzumi's direction. "Let's fight them to the death!"
"Are you worthy?" A stern voice echoed above the battlefield. A colossal battleship, blotting out the sky, slowly flew in from the direction of the Orion District. Atop it, Sugihara Yo, clad in aqua-blue armor, stood with his arms crossed, coldly gazing down at the battlefield.
"Let everything end today!" Sugihara Yo roared. With a wave of his hand, he scattered streams of purple light that fell upon the bodies of the Revolutionary Army's warriors.
After a full day of battle, the warriors, almost all of whom were wounded, began to slowly recover from their injuries under the light's effect. With bloodshot eyes, they gave chase.
Sugihara Yo then leaped down from the battleship in the sky, landing beside Yūga Hōzumi and Ryo Marufuji.
Sugihara Yo looked at the fallen Ryo Marufuji, pursed his lips, raised his Duel Disk to turn him into a card, then looked at Yūga Hōzumi.
"Seriously, was I still a step too late? You already took care of him." Having stolen the kill, Sugihara Yo sighed, regretting that he couldn't personally claim his revenge. His hands, however, didn't slow in the slightest as he reached out to inject energy into Yūga Hōzumi.
But strangely, the Emperor's Key around Yūga Hōzumi's neck projected a barrier, blocking the Barian power Sugihara Yo offered.
Sugihara Yo: …
Emperor's Key: Don't touch me!
Sugihara Yo shook his head helplessly. Just then, Serena, Kaito, and the others gathered around. Looking at Sugihara Yo, whose aura was no less imposing than when Yūga Hōzumi transformed earlier, and especially at his fully restored handsome face, Kaito couldn't help but say:
"You've recovered quite well. It seems you've had quite an adventure, haven't you? Just arrived a little late, though."
"That's right. Why didn't you just wait until it was all over to show up?" Now that the situation on the battlefield was clear, even the usually serious Yuto was in the mood to joke around.
"How is he?" Serena went to the unconscious Yūga Hōzumi's side, helped him up, and after checking his breathing, she asked Sugihara Yo.
"He's fine, just exhausted. Let him sleep soundly for a while. After all, he's already taken care of the most troublesome opponent. The rest of this won't have to trouble him," Sugihara Yo said, looking at the nearby Obelisk Force members who, with their retreat cut off, had unleashed their do-or-die potential.
"I'll leave this guy in your care. We'll go finish the cleanup; we can't waste the opportunity he created," Sugihara Yo said to Serena, who was holding Yūga Hōzumi. He stretched his arms and walked towards their second-in-command.
"This guy, what a show-off," Kaito and the others shrugged, following after Sugihara Yo.
Although more than a month of special training had transformed these Obelisk Force soldiers, their faith, the invincible Commander Kaiser, had fallen. Their so-called resistance was nothing more than the final flare of a dying candle.
As for the Resistance Army, thanks to Yūga Hōzumi's victory and Sugihara Yo's return, their morale was soaring, and even their luck with card draws had significantly improved.
In the early hours of the next day, as the desperately resisting Obelisk Force second-in-command was turned into a card by Sugihara Yo, the entire Resistance Army erupted in fervent cheers!
"We won! We won!"
The warriors of the Resistance Army shouted, their eyes filled with tears.
Three months ago, they were still struggling to survive the Fusion Dimension's hunt. But now, they had successfully eradicated the invaders from the land where they grew up.
This celebration lasted for a full half hour. After everyone's emotions were fully vented, a young warrior silently untied the red scarf from his arm, clutched it in his palm, placed it over his left breast, and slowly bowed in the direction of the Orion District.
Seeing this, the warriors beside him all followed suit. The recently celebrating soldiers suddenly fell into a profound silence, gazing intently toward the Orion District.
They wanted to convey their joy of victory to the man who had been sent back to rest—the man who, like a light, had brought them hope.
...
The Resistance Army arc ends. Next up is the counterattack against the Fusion Dimension and the confrontation with Zarc.
(end of chapter)
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