Yugioh [339-344] (Patreon)

Chapter 339: The Fleeting Strongest Moment

[Caius the Shadow Monarch, ATK 2400]

Zane’s expression tightened: “The legendary Shadow Monarch…”

The form of the Caius the Shadow Monarch was shrouded in pitch-black mist, his crimson eyes appearing all the more mysterious and ethereal in the darkness.

“The effect of Caius the Shadow Monarch: When it’s Tribute Summoned, you can banish any card on the field.”

Kira pointed again at the massive dragon dominating Zane’s field.

“Cyber End Dragon is banished!”

The demon god rising from the darkness flashed with red light in its eyes as black energy began to gather in its palm.

As if it contained the chaotic origin of countless negative emotions, the energy twisted the air, tearing through the field like a comet. Space itself seemed to be dragged and warped by an invisible hand, the dimension’s structure collapsing, with the path of destruction stretching straight toward Cyber End Dragon.

Even with an attack power of 16,000, Cyber End Dragon was powerless before the might of the Shadow Monarch. A direct hit would erase it completely!

“Then I’ll activate a set card—once again, this one!”

Zane flipped a Spell in his back row.

“Quick-Play Spell: ‘Cybernetic Zone’!”

“Oh?” Kira murmured, “You actually had a second copy?”

“Cybernetic Zone’s effect: It banishes a face-up Fusion Monster on the field until the end of the turn,” Zane explained. “Cyber End Dragon, dodge the Shadow Monarch’s attack!”

A bluish magic barrier fell once again, and Cyber End Dragon vanished in the nick of time. Caius the Shadow Monarch’s black energy sphere howled past Zane’s side.

“That was close.”

Even the spectators couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat for Zane.

This duel was nerve-wracking for everyone, no matter which side they supported. Zane’s extreme OTK style of aggressive offense seemed, so far, to be calmly neutralized by Kira. But if even a single attack slipped through, it could mean instant defeat.

Cyber End Dragon looked dazzling, but he was walking a razor’s edge. The opponent avoided direct confrontation, instead bombarding him with removal and banishment effects. One careless move could end the match.

“You actually protected it, as expected of Kaiser,” Kira said. “But thanks to ‘One Day of Peace,’ no damage can be dealt this turn.”

He drew three more cards from his hand.

“I set three cards face-down in my back row and end my turn.”

“End Phase: Cybernetic Zone’s effect! Cyber End Dragon returns! And its ATK doubles again!”

Zane called out.

“This is the ultimate duel I pursue—the strongest moment! Return in your invincible form, Cyber End Dragon!”

[Cyber End Dragon, ATK 16,000 → ATK 32,000]

“Thirty-two thousand attack power!”

The watching students were stunned. They gazed up at the three-headed dragon, momentarily feeling as if Zane had fused with the metallic fortress behind him.

It was as if Cyber End Dragon was his avatar, the crystallization of his duelist’s soul burning at its peak—the symbol of his pursuit of the highest summit.

“As expected of you,” Kira smiled. “But don’t forget—monsters powered up by ‘Cybernetic Zone’ are destroyed during your next Standby Phase, right?”

Such strength was only surface-level; the power brought by this card truly was a fleeting beauty that seemed to burn up the soul and life itself, with the cost being an early demise.

But Zane only smiled: “Thanks for the reminder, but I have my own plan.”

“My turn, draw!”

Zane drew a card, then swept his hand to reveal another set card.

“Trap Card: ‘Solomon's Lawbook’! This card lets me skip my next Standby Phase!”

“Oh?” Even Kira raised an eyebrow.

That was creative.

The audience exploded.

Skip your next Standby Phase? That’s possible!?

“The downside of the power boost from Cybernetic Zone is that the monster self-destructs in the next Standby Phase,” a Blue Dorm student explained. “But if you skip that phase…”

“A thirty-two thousand ATK Cyber End Dragon stays on the field and doesn’t self-destruct!” a Yellow Dorm student shook his friend in excitement. “Kaiser is insanely powerful! This is too much!”

Zane glanced at the card he drew, then at Kira’s three set cards. After thinking for a moment, he showed his hand: “Next, I play Spell Card, ‘Card of Sanctity’! Both players draw until they have six cards in hand!”

After replenishing his hand and checking his cards, he finally seemed to settle and swept his arm forward.

“Battle! Cyber End Dragon, attack ‘Caius the Shadow Monarch’!

Eternal Evolution Ray!”

Countless streams of electronic pulses flowed along the dragon’s silver body, surging into its mouth and gathering energy like a cannon.

A dazzling beam erupted—a concentrated burst of electronic energy, roaring with deafening thunder.

Thirty-two thousand attack power: a touch is instant annihilation!

But of course, Kira wouldn’t let it pass so easily: “I activate a set card—Trap Card, ‘Dimensional Prison’!”

Electricity crackled as a rift in space exploded open, a massive chasm to the abyss forming in front of Cyber End Dragon!

Zane tensed.

Another banishment!

It was as if the traps never ended—no matter how he tried, he couldn’t break through, no matter how strong his monsters were.

He had poured everything into creating the ultimate Cyber End Dragon, but his opponent kept sidestepping his challenge. Even with such overwhelming attack power, it felt like punching into cotton.

But he had another move.

“Quick-Play Spell: ‘De-Fusion’!”

Zane called out.

“De-Fusing Cyber End Dragon!”

A golden light enveloped the three-headed steel dragon, splitting it back into three Cyber Dragons.

“By de-fusing Cyber End Dragon, I Special Summon the Fusion Materials from the Graveyard: two ‘Cyber Dragons’ and one ‘Proto-Cyber Dragon!’”

[Cyber Dragon, ATK 2100] x2

[Proto-Cyber Dragon, ATK 1100]

“This way, ‘Dimensional Prison’ loses its target,” Kira nodded. “But your Cyber End Dragon is gone now. How unfortunate; a thirty-two thousand ATK dragon, wasted.”

Kira feigned regret.

Zane: “...”

It was true, but hearing it from the culprit was infuriating.

Still, he composed himself and pressed on.

“You must think my Cyber Dragons can’t defeat your Emperors. But my attack isn’t over yet.”

A glint flashed in Zane’s eyes as he revealed another card.

“Quick-Play Spell: Limiter Removal!”

Chapter 340: The Risk of Power

Limiter Removal!

The machine-type’s ultimate OTK weapon, it can grant ordinary Machine monsters the power to kill in one blow. Zane’s three Cyber Dragons were instantly empowered, blue electric serpents coiling around their silver bodies, energy output skyrocketing!

[Cyber Dragon, ATK 2100 → 4200] x2

[Proto-Cyber Dragon, ATK 1100 → 2200]

In an instant, over ten thousand total attack power again!

A few students watching were dumbfounded.

Another OTK!?

Kaiser is an OTK monster!

To keep falling into traps and yet still muster up OTK firepower again and again…

 “This is Kaiser’s true strength?” a Blue Dorm student murmured.

“The battle continues. If you can defend against even this, show me, Kira!”

Zane called out.

“Cyber Dragon triple attack!

First, the first Cyber Dragon attacks ‘Zaborg the Thunder Monarch!’

Evolution Ray!”

With doubled attack power, Cyber Dragon now outclassed even Monarch-level monsters. Its electrified energy blast shot forth like a wild stallion, illuminating the field and overpowering the Thunder Monarch.

The Monarch’s armor shattered, the beam piercing his defenses. His hulking body was torn apart, torrents of electricity exploding from the cracks.

[Kira, LP 4000 → LP 2200]

Kira raised an arm to shield himself, smiling lightly.

“Impressive.”

“Second strike!” Zane called again, “Cyber Dragon #2 attacks ‘Caius the Shadow Monarch!’”

Another Evolution Ray, this time targeting the Shadow Monarch. The king in the darkness tried to resist, but his shield was also pierced instantly, his dark armor shattering under the beam.

Caius the Shadow Monarch’s massive body collapsed, a torrent of dark energy surging out and opening a portal to the abyss, his body dissolving into the void.

[Kira, LP 2200 → LP 400]

Kira slid back a few steps under the impact, black smoke fading from his body, eyebrows only slightly furrowed.

“All Monarch, wiped out!”

The commentator was ecstatic.

“Kaiser has finally broken through Kira’s defenses! Could this be the day!?”

The moment Zane broke the darkness, it was like sunlight piercing the clouds at Duel Academy—a historic moment, worthy of campus-wide celebration!

“Final strike,” Zane shouted. “Proto-Cyber Dragon, direct attack!”

The doubled Proto-Cyber Dragon opened its mouth, flames and electricity surging forth to engulf Kira and his flickering LP.

BOOM!

A massive explosion, black smoke billowing and covering half the field.

Zane panted, only then realizing he was drenched in sweat, beads running down his face.

Did I finally win?

It should be over.

But for some reason, he didn’t feel victorious.

Instead, he sensed that his attack had only triggered some dangerous fuse, drawing him deeper into an unfathomable darkness.

The smoke cleared.

[Kira, LP 5400]

“Phew, that was close,” Kira wiped imaginary sweat. “You almost got me.”

Zane: “???”

He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

Life points… five thousand four hundred!?

“Why…?”

“At the last moment, I activated the Trap ‘Rainbow Life.’”

Kira smiled, displaying the Trap Card that was now in the Graveyard.

“Rainbow Life: Discard one card to activate. All damage this turn becomes zero, and my life points return to what they were at the start of the turn—four thousand.

And on top of that, I recover any life points lost this turn up to the point the card was activated.” (Anime effect)

(The TCG version only recovers damage taken after activation.)

In short, in the anime it absorbed damage before activation; in the card game, it absorbs after activation.

“I see,” Zane nodded. “So after activating Rainbow Life, your LP went back to 4000, plus the damage from the two Cyber Dragons—3600.”

“Yes, so my LP rose to 7600,” Kira nodded. “Then I took 2200 from Proto-Cyber Dragon’s direct attack.”

[Kira, LP 5400]

Zane gritted his teeth.

He had truly given it his all, he and his Cyber Dragons. But even such a fierce assault felt like dropping a stone in the ocean.

And as much as he hated to admit it, he could feel it—

This guy was still holding back.

The commentator deflated.

“Damn, even that couldn’t break through Kira’s defense…”

No, it seemed like the more he hit, the more LP his opponent had.

And Limiter Removal has a drawback: monsters powered by it self-destruct at end of turn. If you don’t win in one shot, it’s a complete reversal.

Not only did Kira survive, he healed, and now Zane’s field would be wiped clean by self-destruction—no more “One Day of Peace” protection.

Things looked grim.

“He really can’t…?”

A Blue Dorm student murmured.

In his eyes, Zane was already more than strong enough—he was on another level compared to ordinary students.

But even so, he was still toyed with by Kira.

The academy’s future looked darker than ever.

“Great power always carries a risk,” Kira said. “After Limiter Removal, your Cyber Dragons will be destroyed at the end of the turn.”

“I know.”

Zane replied.

“Main Phase 2. I Normal Summon ‘Machina Peacekeeper.’”

[Machina Peacekeeper, ATK 500]

“I play Spell Card ‘Machine Duplication.’ I select a Machine-type with 500 or less ATK and special summon up to two more copies from the Deck.”

He searched his Deck.

“I only have one monster zone left, so I summon one more Peacekeeper.”

[Machina Peacekeeper, ATK 500]

“Peacekeeper’s effect: once per turn, you can equip it to a Machine-Type monster as an Equip Card.

I equip each Peacekeeper to a Cyber Dragon.”

The two little machines transformed, becoming armor on the Cyber Dragons.

“Then I set two cards face-down and end my turn. End Phase: Limiter Removal’s drawback destroys both Cyber Dragons.

But when the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, Machina Peacekeeper is destroyed instead.

So both Peacekeepers are destroyed instead of the Cyber Dragons!”

Two explosions, two fireballs and black smoke, but the Cyber Dragons remained unharmed. Only the unequipped Proto-Cyber Dragon self-destructed.

“And Peacekeeper’s other effect: if it’s sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a Union Monster from my deck to my hand.”

Zane searched his deck.

“I add ‘Armored Cybern’ to my hand.”

Chapter 341: The Potential of Cyber Dragon

“I add ‘Armored Cybern’ to my hand,” Zane declared, showing the card before adding it to his hand. “Then my turn ends.”

“A beautiful use of Union monsters to avoid Limiter Removal’s self-destruction, and you even got a search out of it,” Kira praised. “Impressive, really.”

“But at the same time, I’m at my limit,” Zane said, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

“I’ve done everything I possibly could, approaching perfection. But even so, you blocked it all with ease.

Even though it looks like I have the advantage, that’s just an illusion.”

Kira smiled but said nothing.

“Don’t define yourself so quickly. If you’ve never tried to change, how do you know this is your limit?”

Zane: “...”

This time, he said nothing.

Maybe he hadn’t noticed, but after coming this far, a seed of doubt had sprouted in his heart.

He never thought this way before, because he always won—he was Kaiser, the academy’s strongest. As long as he stayed true to himself, no one could beat him.

But today was different.

Facing Kira, he truly felt his limit. He sensed that if he kept refusing to change, he probably couldn’t win.

He still told himself that as long as he stuck to his dueling style, winning wasn’t everything.

But no matter how he tried to convince himself, a duelist can never fully suppress the desire to win—especially against such an opponent.

Against someone like Jaden, where both sides go all out with everything on the line, maybe even losing would feel worth it.

But against someone like this—who dodges every direct fight, using removal, banishing, and endless traps—it was hard not to feel frustrated, like having all his strength bottled up.

“My turn, draw,” Kira said. “I Normal Summon ‘Card Trooper.’

Card Trooper’s effect: once per turn, I can send up to three cards from the top of my deck to the Graveyard.

This card gains 500 ATK for each card sent until the end of the turn.”

Kira milled three cards.

“Three cards sent, Card Trooper gains 1500 ATK.”

[Card Trooper, ATK 400 → ATK 1900]

“But it’s still not as strong as my Cyber Dragons,” Zane said.

“I know.”

Kira smiled, glancing at the two Cyber Dragons on Zane’s field.

“I can sense it too—the bond between you and Cyber Dragon,” Kira said.

Zane nodded. “Since before I came to Duel Academy, I’ve fought alongside it. No matter the deck or opponent, we’ve always battled together.”

He looked at his two Cyber Dragons.

“And we’ll keep fighting together.”

“I see.” Kira nodded with respect. “Then, as my highest tribute to you and your Cyber Dragon, I’ll reveal my trump card.”

Zane stayed silent but raised his guard.

Is this it? A new Monarch? Or maybe a Black Luster Soldier?

“Watch closely, Zane. This is our lab’s latest achievement—no one in the world has seen it yet,” Kira declared. “It represents the cutting edge of Duel Monster research—a new power of epochal significance!”

The string of titles only made Zane more nervous… but also curious. He knew how many achievements Kira’s lab had made—not just at the academy but in the dueling world.

Could they really have developed a new trump card…?

“Interesting. Bring it on,” Zane’s duelist spirit burned within him. “No matter the enemy, my Cyber Dragon and I will face it head-on!”

“Hahaha, good!”

Kira swept his arm.

“Then, I’ll send the two Cyber Dragons on your field to the Graveyard as Fusion Materials! Fusion Summon—appear now—

—Chimeratech Fortress Dragon!”

Zane: “???”

What Fusion?

At first, he thought he misheard. But when he looked at his field in shock, his two Cyber Dragons were suddenly on Kira’s side, combining and transforming.

A massive, heavy steel body, solid and stable, with complex mechanical parts intertwining like a writhing fortress dragon.

Chimeratech Fortress Dragon—summoned!

Of course, it was summoned to Kira’s field.

Zane: “???????”

Honestly, he couldn’t understand what was happening.

He was sure Kira hadn’t played any cards—no Spell, Trap, or monster effects, nothing that could steal monsters.

It looked like Kira just beckoned, and his two old friends leapt to the other side.

Are you kidding me!?

“Chimeratech Fortress Dragon’s Fusion Materials are ‘Cyber Dragon’ plus any number of Machine-Type monsters,” Kira smiled. “Its special feature is that the Fusion doesn’t require a Fusion Spell—just send monsters from the field to the Graveyard.”

He paused to emphasize.

“Yes, as long as you send them from the field—it doesn’t have to be my field.”

Zane: “!!?”

Wait, I have Chimeratech Fortress Dragon too—is that really its effect? Don’t lie to me!

In the anime, Chimeratech Fortress Dragon still needed a Fusion Spell. In the TCG, it looked the same but the effect was completely rewritten.

When the card was first released, it caused a huge stir.

“Send Fusion Materials from the field to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon”—that’s nothing special in modern Yu-Gi-Oh! Anyone familiar with cards would immediately notice that “from the field” doesn’t specify “your field.”

But at the time, it was unthinkable. Many didn’t believe it, thinking it was a misprint—otherwise, stealing the opponent’s monsters for free would be absurd.

But later, the official ruling clarified—it wasn’t a misprint; that really was the effect. They even updated the text to clarify “you can use monsters from either side of the field as Fusion Materials.”

“So that’s why I said it’s the latest achievement,” Kira grinned. “Maybe Cyber Dragon’s potential is far greater than you ever imagined.

See? I didn’t activate any effects or play any cards—your Cyber Dragons just became mine. Isn’t that amazing?”

Zane: “...”

Chapter 342: For the Sake of Victory

The Chimeratech Fortress Dragon—at first glance, it didn’t seem that impressive, but upon release, it unexpectedly shook the competitive environment with its impact.

The main reason was, of course, the Cyber Dragon.

In some sense, the birth of this card was a double-edged sword for the then-undisputed powerhouse, Cyber Dragon. It was both a blessing and a curse.

On the positive side, it meant Cyber Dragon became the ultimate nemesis of all Machine-type monsters. No matter how powerful a Machine-type monster the opponent summoned, as long as you Special Summoned Cyber Dragon, it could devour all Machine-types on the opponent’s field in one gulp and transform into Chimeratech Fortress Dragon.

It was as if Cyber Dragon now possessed a built-in “Super Polymerization” field-clearing ability. Even if your opponent filled the field with five “unaffected by any effect” boss monsters, in the face of Cyber Dragon, they’d just become premium fodder.

But from a pessimistic perspective, it also meant that Cyber Dragon itself became easy prey for the opponent.

Before this card’s release, it was common for a single Cyber Dragon to dominate an entire duel after being summoned. With 2100 ATK, it was an insurmountable wall for lower-level attackers, and a single Cyber Dragon’s suppressive power used to be formidable.

But with this card out, things changed. The opponent only needed to play any Machine-type monster and could use it to devour your Cyber Dragon. Even the controller had to be careful not to carelessly summon a second Machine-type monster while Cyber Dragon was on the field, or risk being taken advantage of.

And you couldn’t just hope your opponent didn’t have Chimeratech Fortress Dragon. Unlike nowadays, the rule limiting the Extra Deck to a maximum of fifteen cards was only introduced in 2008, during the Synchro era.

The reason, supposedly, was because the official tournaments handed out card sleeves to participants, so many people would bring super-sized Extra Decks of 99+ cards just to get free sleeves. Konami decided this freeloading had to stop and imposed the card limit.

Incidentally, in the GX era, there wasn’t even a written rule that the Main Deck had to be under sixty cards—only that it had to be at least forty. The sixty-card upper limit was also introduced with the 2008 Master Rule that brought Synchro Summoning.

The Side Deck rules were also changed. Previously, the Side Deck had to be exactly fifteen cards—not one more, not one less. After Master Rule, it became “up to fifteen.”

That was probably the first major wave of players quitting Yu-Gi-Oh. Not just because of Synchro Summoning, but because many veteran players couldn’t accept the new limits on Main and Extra Decks. In the past, you could theoretically bring a “have-it-all” deck with hundreds of cards for fun, but after the new rules, that was impossible.

In short, before the Synchro era, there was no limit on the Extra Deck. So, virtually 100% of players would include “Chimeratech Fortress Dragon” in their Extra Deck. If you dared use Cyber Dragon, you had to be mentally prepared for it to be eaten.

Of course, this only applied because Cyber Dragon was a top-tier, universal attacker that almost everyone used.

But in the anime world, things were different. Not everyone had Cyber Dragon, so the only one really affected by the appearance of “Chimeratech Fortress Dragon” was one person.

That is, Zane Truesdale, whose facial muscles were twitching at this moment.

“Chimeratech Fortress Dragon’s original ATK becomes the number of fusion materials used for its Summon × 1000,” Kira smiled. “Since I fused two Cyber Dragons, its ATK is now 2000.”

[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, ATK 0 → ATK 2000]

Zane: “…”

Having held fast to his beliefs up to this point, Zane finally began to seriously consider one question—

—When your opponent is a dog, is there really any need to show respect?

This felt like the toughest duel he’d ever had, the first time his unwavering approach had ever been shaken.

It seemed that in this very instant, his long-suppressed instincts and desire for victory reached their peak.

He had to win. He must win.

Friendship, respect for the opponent’s tactics—all of it didn’t matter anymore.

He could lose to anyone, but not to this guy.

A shadow was quietly creeping over Zane’s heart.

“Battle.” Kira declared. “Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, direct attack on Zane!”

[Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, ATK 2000]

[Zane, LP 1600]

Zane gritted his teeth.

Was it really going to end here—losing to his old friend?

No, absolutely not.

He refused to lose. Not today. Not now. Not in this way. Not to this opponent.

“Continuous Trap—‘Miniaturize’!” Zane shouted. “Select a monster with original ATK of 1000 or more on the field; it loses 1 Level and its ATK drops by 1000!”

Kira nodded. “Chimeratech Fortress Dragon’s effect sets its original ATK to the number of materials × 1000.”

“Exactly! So Miniaturize applies!” Zane said. “Lower Chimeratech Fortress Dragon’s ATK by 1000!”

The huge dragon visibly shrank to half its size, and even the energy blast it fired seemed weaker.

Boom!

Zane was blasted, staggering two steps and half-kneeling, black smoke swirling around him.

[Zane, LP 1600 → LP 600]

“Kaiser’s Life Points are now just a candle in the wind!”

The commentator only now recovered from his shock at Cyber Dragon’s sudden betrayal and resumed his commentary duties.

“K-K-Kira’s tactics are just beyond shameless—er, I mean, brilliant!” he continued. “Kaiser’s mighty formation was once again casually broken through. Card Trooper hasn’t even attacked yet. If the attack goes through, Kaiser will lose anyway!”

He couldn’t help but sound regretful.

He truly thought Zane had given his all. But there was nothing to be done—in the end, Zane was just king among students.

A king can’t beat a Demon King who doesn’t play fair.

“Card Trooper, direct attack.” Kira said.

The three consecutive cannon shots were like a death sentence. The firelight illuminated Zane’s now ashen face. The academy king no longer had the fighting spirit he had at the start; only exhaustion remained in his eyes.

He was even surprised to find, just for a moment, that he almost wanted to give up.

Just let him have this one—I don’t want to keep playing.

But the moment he realized how absurd that was, he crushed the thought instantly.

No—that was unacceptable.

He was a duelist; no matter what, he had to do everything in his power to win.

Only by fighting with everything, by seeking victory at any cost, could he show his opponent true respect.

Even if it meant abandoning old friends.

“Activate Set Card!”

Zane stood up against the flames, a fierce fire rekindled in his eyes.

“Trap Card—Power Wall!!!”

Kira laughed with interest. “Oh, you’re using that move?”

“When an opponent’s monster’s attack would deal me battle damage, I can activate this!” Zane declared. “For every 100 points of damage, I send one card from the top of my deck to the graveyard until the damage becomes zero!” (Anime effect.)

The printed card was later changed to every 500 damage.

Zane shouted, pulling a huge stack of cards from his deck, scattering them like snowflakes.

“Nineteen cards from my deck—to the graveyard!”

Chapter 343: I Must Struggle Immediately

“Nineteen cards from my deck—to the graveyard!”

With Zane’s shout, nineteen cards became a shield. Card Trooper’s triple attack all slammed into that barrier, unable to break through Zane’s last 600 Life Points.

“He blocked it?”

Kira calmly drew another card from his hand.

“Then I set one card. Turn end.”

Zane: “My turn. Draw!”

He swept away his earlier dejection; his fighting spirit seemed rekindled.

But something was different now.

If before he fought for the love of dueling, for the thrill of facing a strong opponent, now it was pure, burning desire to win this duel.

On the field, there is always only one winner. There are no participation prizes. The winner is remembered; the loser is forgotten.

If you play, you play to win.

“I activate the Spell Card ‘Card of Reversal’!” Zane declared. “If the opponent has Special Summoned monsters and I have none, I draw two cards!” (Anime card.)

He drew two cards, his eyes flaming with darkness.

“I activate the Spell Card—‘Overload Fusion’!

I banish monsters from my field and graveyard as Fusion Materials to Fusion Summon a DARK Machine-type monster!”

The watching students were shocked.

DARK Machine-type?

“Isn’t that the opposite Attribute of Cyber Dragon and Cyber End Dragon?” a Blue Dorm student muttered.

All of Zane’s Cyber Dragon, Twin Dragon, and End Dragon were LIGHT. It was well known he was a LIGHT Machine user, his duels as bright and upright as his signature End Dragon.

No one had ever seen him use DARK Fusion before—it almost felt at odds with his dueling style.

“I fuse three ‘Cyber Dragons’ from the graveyard, one ‘Proto-Cyber Dragon’, one ‘Cyber Barrier Dragon’, two ‘Machina Peacekeepers’, and eleven more Machine-type monsters sent by ‘Power Wall’—all together!”

Metallic beasts emerged one after another, drawn into the swirling vortex of dark fusion. The audience was stunned.

Fuse with eighteen monsters!?

What could that possibly Summon?

“Eighteenfold Fusion—arise!

—Chimeratech Overdragon!”

A cold, steel body exploded with immense energy. Countless dragon heads studded its fortress-like frame; black lightning danced along its armored surface.

Kira nodded slightly. “Oh, there it is. You’re going all out, huh?”

It seemed Zane had realized the limits of clinging to Cyber End Dragon.

For victory, he could even abandon an old friend.

“Chimeratech Overdragon’s ATK is the number of Fusion Materials x 800,” Zane declared gravely. “I used eighteen materials, so its ATK is—”

[Chimeratech Overdragon, ATK ? → ATK 14400]

“Fourteen thousand four hundred ATK!?”

The Blue Dorm students were shocked.

“So strong…”

“And Chimeratech Overdragon can attack up to the number of Fusion Materials used,” Zane continued. “So it can attack eighteen times in one turn!” (Anime effect.)

The printed card retained this effect but limited it to attacking monsters, not players. But in the anime, there was no such restriction.

In a shadow game with real damage, over ten thousand points of damage, eighteen times in a turn—even ashes would be scattered.

“Not done yet!” Zane declared. “I summon ‘Armored Cybern’ in Defense Position!”

[Armored Cybern, DEF 2000]

“Once per turn, this card can equip itself to any Machine-type monster with ‘Cyber’ in its name!” (Anime effect.)

The printed card was later changed to only equip to Cyber Dragon or its Fusions.

“Equip ‘Armored Cybern’ to Chimeratech Overdragon!”

The wing shot arcs of electricity, gliding along rails to attach to Chimeratech Overdragon.

“Armored Cybern’s other effect: I can decrease the equipped monster’s ATK by 1000 to destroy any card on the field. And this effect—can be used any number of times per turn!” (Anime effect.)

“Nani!?”

The students were floored.

With 14,400 ATK, that meant up to fourteen destructions!?

Isn’t that invincible?

Kira rested his chin on his hand. “So that’s how broken this was originally…”

The printed card was later changed to once per turn, and only to destroy monsters.

“This is my full power—my all-out pursuit of victory!”

Zane stepped forward.

“Armored Cybern: lower Chimeratech Overdragon’s ATK by 1000, destroy your Set card!”

[Chimeratech Overdragon, ATK 14400 → 13400]

A blast was fired, but midway the cannon turned and targeted another Set card.

“Trap Card—‘Card of Pandora’,” Kira said. “When a card in my Spell/Trap Zone is targeted by an effect, the target shifts to this card, then I draw two cards.” (Anime card.)

“No matter,” Zane said. “Armored Cybern, activate again! Lower Overdragon’s ATK, destroy another Set card!”

[Chimeratech Overdragon, ATK 13400 → 12400]

The next card revealed was the Continuous Trap “Spirit Barrier”—negates battle damage while you control a monster.

“Third and fourth!” Zane shouted. “Lower Overdragon’s ATK two more times, destroy Chimeratech Fortress Dragon and Card Trooper!”

[Chimeratech Overdragon, ATK 12400 → 10400]

Two more blasts; Chimeratech Fortress Dragon and Card Trooper were destroyed.

“When Card Trooper is destroyed, I draw one card.”

Kira drew another card.

“Now your field is empty. It’s over!”

Zane roared.

“Chimeratech Overdragon, direct attack!”

Chapter 344: Winning is Enough

“Chimeratech Overdragon, direct attack!”

Zane shouted, his pupils shrinking, heart racing.

Armored Cybern had cleared the field—no wall monsters, no set cards.

Even if Kuriboh, Necro Gardna, or Kiteroid came out, they could only block one or two attacks. But Overdragon could attack eighteen times. There was no way to stop it.

He’d won!

Kira remained calm, leisurely drawing another card.

“Kuriboh in hand—”

“Not a chance!” Zane interrupted. “Chimeratech Overdragon can attack eighteen times—even Kuriboh can’t stop it!”

Even if every card in Kira’s hand was Kuriboh, it wouldn’t be enough.

Kira paused, smiled, and continued.

“Kuribon’s effect—or you might call it ‘Sphere Kuriboh’,” Kira smiled. “When your opponent declares an attack, send this card from your hand to the graveyard to change the attacking monster to Defense Position.”

Zane: “!?”

A different Kuriboh!?

“A new research breakthrough. Well, it’s not mine—it’s a KaibaCorp product,” Kira said.

The golden, spherical Kuriboh appeared, circling Overdragon. The mighty monster sputtered and powered down.

[Chimeratech Overdragon, ATK 10400 → DEF 14400]

Zane bit his lip in frustration.

In Defense Position, even eighteen attacks would do nothing.

So close, and yet…

“I set a card and end my turn,” he declared, frustrated.

Only now did he realize how truly unwilling he was, for the first time, to let victory slip from his grasp.

“What a pity. If I’d had regular Kuriboh instead of Sphere Kuriboh, I might’ve lost. But still, just a little short.”

Kira drew a card.

“My turn. Draw.

In the Standby Phase, ‘Treeborn Frog’ in my graveyard: If I control no Spells or Traps, I can Special Summon it.”

“My field was wiped by your Armored Cybern, so no Spells or Traps. Treeborn Frog revives.”

[Treeborn Frog, DEF 100]

“I activate ‘Pot of Avarice’—shuffle five monsters from my graveyard into my deck, then draw two cards.”

The five cards leapt out, displayed for all to see.

“I return Storm, Rock, Thunder, and Shadow Monarchs, plus Chimeratech Fortress Dragon, then draw two cards.”

Seeing Chimeratech Fortress Dragon among them, Zane’s eyelid twitched.

But he quickly suppressed the anxiety.

Stay calm, nothing to fear. Chimeratech Fortress Dragon needs Cyber Dragon plus another Machine to Fusion Summon. With only Overdragon on my field, he can’t use it.

He’d only seen Chimeratech Fortress Dragon once, but already felt PTSD…

“Draw two cards.”

Kira revealed one of them.

“Spell Card—‘Dark Magic Veil’. Pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon a DARK Spellcaster from hand or grave.”

[Kira, LP 5400 → 4400]

Zane was shocked. “That’s the legendary Duel King’s ace support card—Dark Magician!”

He looked at Kira in disbelief.

His gaze seemed to ask: Don’t tell me you even have Dark Magician?

“Hahaha, no way I’d have a legend like that. But it doesn’t have to be Dark Magician—any DARK Spellcaster works.”

Kira smiled.

“I Special Summon ‘Witch of the Black Forest’.”

[Witch of the Black Forest, ATK 1100]

“Tribute Witch of the Black Forest to Tribute Summon—”

Kira waved his hand.

“The ruler of frozen lands descends now—

—Mobius the Frost Monarch!”

The field froze over, as if the world itself had iced up.

“Mobius, upon Tribute Summon, destroys up to two Spell/Trap cards. I target your Set card and the equipped ‘Armored Cybern’.”

Zane watched as ice spread rapidly toward his field, and said gravely:

“The Monarch series has strong on-summon effects that press both monsters and backrow—paired with Treeborn Frog’s endless recursion, it’s terrifying. But I know the Monarchs’ weakness.”

He flipped his Set card.

“Counter Trap—‘Pulling the Rug’!

When a monster’s effect activates upon Summon, negate that activation and destroy the monster!”

“Oh?”

Kira nodded.

Indeed, a Monarch counter. A Counter Trap that neuters “on Summon” effects, quite effective against Monarchs. Even Mobius, the so-called backrow killer, was stymied today.

The ice instantly shattered, Mobius destroyed in a burst of energy.

“That should do it…”

But Zane was still tense.

Because he’d almost exhausted his resources, while Kira still seemed to have endless options.

Even with Overdragon’s monstrous stats, he felt little sense of safety.

Kira: “But the Witch of the Black Forest I just tributed triggers too. When sent to the graveyard, I can add a monster with 1500 or less DEF to my hand.”

Zane’s eyelid twitched.

Right—the Monarchs’ DEF is all under 1500.

And those Monarchs just returned to the deck with Pot of Avarice…

That means Kira can fetch any Monarch he wants!

“Exactly. I add ‘Caius the Shadow Monarch’ to my hand.”

Kira drew out the card.

As he revealed it, a chilling aura seemed to swirl above—Caius’s shadow looming, gazing coldly down.

“I play ‘Double Summon’—I can Normal Summon again this turn.”

Kira waved his hand.

“I tribute Treeborn Frog—

The embodiment of destruction, breaking free from endless darkness, descends once more—

—Caius the Shadow Monarch!”

The strongest and most sinister of the early Monarchs, awakening like a demon god, descending with his supreme power!

[Caius the Shadow Monarch, ATK 2400]

“Caius’s effect: When Tribute Summoned, banish any card on the field.”

The audience was shocked.

“If Overdragon is banished, Kaiser’s field will be empty…”

Nothing could stop Kira!

“Not over yet…”

The dark fire in Zane’s eyes still burned.

He hadn’t lost, and didn’t want to!

“From the graveyard, I banish the Trap Card ‘Skill Prisoner’ sent by Power Wall,” Zane shouted. “I select a card on my field; all monster effects that target it this turn are negated!

I use Skill Prisoner to protect Overdragon—even Caius can’t…”

“You’re rattled, Zane.” Kira interrupted.

Zane paused.

“Don’t be so quick to activate it. Look closely—which card is Caius targeting?”

Zane: “?”

With only Caius and Overdragon on the field, what else could he target?

He then noticed the dark vortex swirling around Caius himself.

“Nani!? Are you—”

He suddenly thought of a terrifying possibility, momentarily speechless.

“Caius the Shadow Monarch, upon Tribute Summon, can banish any card on the field. But it also has an extra effect.”

Kira explained calmly.

“If the banished card is a DARK monster, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent.”

Kira smiled brightly amid the swirling darkness.

“Caius is itself a DARK monster.”

Zane: “…”

No…no way?!

The undefeated Kaiser, having come this far, finally cracked.

Is this really dueling?

If you actually beat me head-to-head, I’ll admit defeat!

But Kira felt this was only right. In dueling, victory means reducing your opponent’s Life Points to zero—nothing more.

Blasting down a 10,000-ATK Overdragon was cool, but there was no bonus for style.

Winning is enough.

“Caius’s effect: banish itself.

Since Caius is DARK, inflict 1000 damage!”

[Zane, LP 600]

The raging darkness peaked, Caius soaring, its body turning ethereal as it rocketed toward Zane.

Caius the Shadow Monarch—kamikaze bomb!

Boom!!!

[Zane, LP 600 → LP 0]

PS: Nice Duel.