Yugioh [399-401] (Patreon)

Chapter 399: The Champion's Dignity

Turn Jump!

The mischievous blue-haired twin-tailed goddess appeared, summoned by the Mischief of the Time Goddess and the effects of ultra-powerful magic. With a light wave of her staff, divine power was unleashed. A semi-transparent roulette of time materialized on the field, its pointer spinning out of control, accelerating forward.

In an instant, an entire turn was skipped. It was now the Arbiter's next Battle Phase!

"Well then, let's let Mr. Hibiki personally experience the full assault of the Elemental Heroes." The Arbiter declared. "First, all the elemental heroes, receive the Orichalcos revelation—release your inner darkness and gain even greater power!"

All the heroes on the field were affected by the barrier. Dangerous red light flickered in their eyes, and a hexagram appeared on their foreheads.

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2100 → 2600]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 2800 → 3300]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 2500 → 3000]

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 2600 → 3100]

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 2600 → 3100]

"Additionally, Escuridao has an effect that increases her ATK based on the number of Elemental Heroes in the Graveyard. But since there are currently none, that effect is meaningless."

The Arbiter paused, squinting slightly.

"But The Shining has a much more interesting effect, doesn't he, Mr. Hibiki?"

Koyo's face was stern: "Elemental HERO The Shining gains 300 ATK for each of your Elemental Heroes banished."

"ATK increases based on banished Heroes… Damn!" Mokuba exclaimed. "That's the effect of Chain Material."

All the heroes the Arbiter used as fusion materials were banished from the game.

"That's right. This turn, I performed four fusions, banishing a total of eight Elemental Heroes." The Arbiter continued. "Thus, The Shining's ATK is…"

Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 3100 → 5500

"ATK 5500!" Mokuba's face changed dramatically.

Five monsters summoned in an instant, and one of them that powerful…

"Let's start with 'Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer'," said the Arbiter. "Direct attack on Mr. Hibiki."

Phoenix Enforcer unleashed a blazing punch, the force seemingly turning into real fire that pierced right through Koyo's chest.

A searing pain, as if his soul was pierced and his heart melted. Koyo's pupils shrank, for a moment feeling as if his breath had stopped.

[Koyo, LP 3700 → LP 1100]

He staggered back, half-kneeling and clutching his chest, face pale and gasping for breath.

This was the pain—the real agony left by that dark duel on the past, when he was sniped by that demon—now lingering as an almost inescapable psychological shadow.

"Koyo!" his sister cried out from the stands.

"Mr. Koyo!"

That was Jaden.

Their shouts snapped him out of his near-frozen state.

"It's not over yet."

He pushed himself up on his knee, struggling to his feet, breathing heavily. Though his body trembled like a long-ill patient, there was a lion's unyielding spirit in his eyes.

"Impressive spirit. No wonder you're called a champion. But how long can that spirit keep your battered body standing?"

The Arbiter flicked his finger.

"Attack continues. Next, 'Elemental HERO Great Tornado,' direct attack."

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 3300]

The storm hero, Great Tornado, spread his arms, thunderclouds roiling above. Black lightning crashed down with a deafening roar, carried by fierce winds toward Koyo!

Four more attacks left from the four Elemental Heroes. Koyo's swaying figure seemed like a lone boat in a storm, any wave threatening to engulf him.

"I activate a trap."

He struggled to reveal a set card.

"Trap Card: Draining Shield. Negate one monster's attack and recover Life Points equal to its ATK."

All of Great Tornado's wind blades smashed against a dazzling barrier. The energy was absorbed, turning into warm golden light that rushed into his body.

[Koyo, LP 1100 → LP 4400]

Koyo managed to stand a bit straighter, adjusting his breath.

He felt as if the warm current restored some of his strength, color returning to his face, even the hidden illnesses in his frail body seemed to fade.

The Arbiter nodded: "Barely survived the second strike. Not bad. But don't get cocky—the power of the Elemental Heroes doesn't end here."

He beckoned.

"Third attack. 'Elemental HERO Nova Master,' direct attack."

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 3100]

This time, searing flames transformed into sword energy that slashed toward him. The fiery blade cut through his body, and for a moment, he nearly lost consciousness.

[Koyo, LP 4400 → LP 1300]

The Arbiter eyed Koyo, observing the smoke rising from his form and his unsteady feet.

"Honestly, you've already exceeded my expectations," he said coolly. "A duel of this darkness—no mere human will could have lasted this long. With your body and condition, it's a miracle you survived even the first strike."

Koyo gasped for breath.

But he raised his head, and his eyes still blazed with unyielding light.

"I am… a professional duelist," he said. "No matter what kind of duel or for what reason, I will never give up halfway."

He glanced at Jaden in the audience, who watched with deep concern.

Especially… I don't want to lose in front of such an important kouhai.

"Hahaha, excellent spirit. That's the kind of soul that fascinates," the Arbiter said. "As you wish, the attacks continue.

'Elemental HERO Escuridao,' direct attack!"

This time, the dark-attribute Elemental Hero, empowered by Orichalcos, was darker than ever.

It was darkness from the abyss, not just the night, but as if pouring out from the deepest corners of the universe.

Before Escuridao's blade could fall, the darkness had already swallowed everything. The oppressive terror made it hard to breathe—the air turned chilling, penetrating to the bone, threatening to shatter reason itself.

Just like what he'd felt on Championship night.

Koyo's vision blurred, the world spinning, and he collapsed toward the floor.

Chapter 400: Hero Soul

Escuridao's direct attack—Dark Diffusion!

Everyone saw that before the blow landed, Koyo had already lost consciousness and collapsed.

"Koyo!"

Midori tried to rush the stage, but was bounced back by the Orichalcos barrier.

"Looks like it's over," Kaiba said.

Koyo had done his best. Reaching this point in his condition was already a miracle. But his opponent was never someone he could defeat…

At that moment, flames burst forth on his field, forming a humanoid figure that crossed its arms in front of him.

Elemental HERO Lady Heat!

[Elemental HERO Lady Heat, DEF 1000]

No one expected this twist. Escuridao's finishing blow struck Lady Heat, who'd appeared out of nowhere!

"Oh? Still have defensive measures?" The Arbiter was surprised.

The reason Lady Heat appeared was clear—Koyo had activated a set card:

Trap Card – Intruder Alarm - Yellow Alert. When your opponent declares an attack, Special Summon a monster from your hand; your opponent must attack that monster. (Anime effect.)

Lady Heat had come out as a shield, blocking the attack.

But…

"Wasn't he already unconscious?!"

Mokuba looked in disbelief at Koyo lying on the ground.

Could the monster have jumped out on its own to protect its master? That superstitious?

"No," Kaiba said.

Everyone noticed that Koyo's right hand was on his Duel Disk, as if he'd pressed the trap activation button.

He had operated it himself.

"This guy…" Even the Arbiter frowned.

He quickly realized Koyo had passed out.

But even unconscious, his body refused to accept defeat, instinctively activating the trap to block the blow.

"Mr. Koyo…"

Jaden stared blankly at the collapsed Koyo, murmuring.

He remembered Koyo's words before boarding the ship—a solemn pat on the shoulder, telling him to always keep his passion for dueling.

Back then, he thought it was obvious. Only now did he realize the weight behind those simple words.

Koyo was using all his will, his life, to demonstrate his belief to Jaden.

The path he insisted on as a proud duelist.

At that moment, Koyo's finger twitched.

Slowly, he pushed himself up with both hands, gritting his teeth, and stood once again.

"Mr. Koyo…" Jaden was speechless.

"That's enough, Koyo." Midori's voice was choked. "You've already—"

But Koyo, face white as paper, grinned at her playfully.

Then he turned to the Arbiter. "Why stop? I still have Life Points left, and cards in my deck."

The Arbiter smiled.

"As you wish."

He waved his hand.

"Elemental HERO The Shining, final direct attack."

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 5500]

The final attack, 5500 ATK—Orichalcos's green aura mixed with The Shining's blazing white light, forming a sun-like energy ball in his hands, growing ever larger.

This would be the strongest blow yet!

Koyo stood trembling, but faced the oncoming light without a trace of fear.

"Optical Storm," said the Arbiter.

Koyo stepped forward, eyes reflecting the image of destruction—utterly resolute.

In his mind echoed that icy voice:

"From now on, every duel you fight will drain your 'life' along with your deck."

He had decided.

Better to die a duelist than live as an ordinary person.

Even if he fell, his duelist's soul would not disappear. His passion, his spirit, would be inherited by his kouhais and never be extinguished.

BOOM!!!

The Shining's destructive light nearly engulfed half the field, swallowing Koyo's figure.

Jaden couldn't help but shout, "Mr. Koyo!"

Kaiba remarked, "Is it over?"

Though the outcome wasn't as he'd hoped, at least Koyo fought to the very last and earned Kaiba's respect.

But—

"Cough, cough…"

As The Shining's dazzling light faded and the rising black smoke dispersed, they saw Koyo half-kneeling, almost unable to stand.

But he was still alive.

"What?" Even the Arbiter was surprised.

A direct attack from over 5000 ATK—how…?

"I activated… a trap," Koyo panted, pointing to a trap card standing before him.

"Trap Card: Hero Soul."

Hero Soul: When a monster with "Hero" in its name is destroyed, you can activate this card the turn your LP hits zero, and recover to 100 LP once. (Manga card.)

"Hero Soul…" Jaden was in awe.

That card reflected Koyo's current state perfectly.

Looking at Koyo's back on stage, Jaden felt that fragile figure was now as tall as an invincible giant.

"You withstood all five Hero attacks. I'm starting to see you in a new light," said the Arbiter.

"Your attacks are over," Koyo panted. "By Chain Material's effect, all monsters summoned this way must be destroyed at the end of the turn.

This effect isn't limited to the turn Chain Material was used—it triggers at the end of any turn, as long as those monsters are still on the field.

Although you skipped the last End Phase with the turn jump, this turn, those monsters will be destroyed."

Koyo wasn't just defending. The Arbiter's Chain Material combo was deadly, but also self-destructive. If Koyo survived the onslaught, all the Arbiter's monsters would self-destruct, exposing a fatal weakness.

That would turn the duel in Koyo's favor.

"True, unless I have this card."

The Arbiter calmly played another card.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Book of Eclipse'—turn all monsters on the field face-down."

Chapter 401: As a Duelist

Book of Eclipse—all monsters become face-down!

Koyo: "!"

As a champion, he instantly realized what this meant.

Normally, monsters summoned by Chain Material would self-destruct at the end of the turn, but turning them face-down dodges that risk—no, even more.

Even if those monsters are turned face-up later, the self-destruct won't trigger. Once face-down, they're treated as having left the field, and flipping face-up refreshes their state—they're no longer considered summoned by Chain Material, so they won't self-destruct.

"You had that up your sleeve…"

Koyo gritted his teeth.

This guy… is strong.

He hated to admit it, but even though the Arbiter used Elemental Heroes and likely not his real deck—and didn't even go all out—Koyo could still sense his power.

This opponent was the strongest he'd ever faced as a duelist.

"Activate Spell Card 'Card of Burial Magic.' Banish 'Book of Eclipse,' 'Card of Sanctity,' and 'Fusion Gate' from my Graveyard; draw two cards." (Anime card.)

The Arbiter drew two cards.

"Set three cards, end turn," the Arbiter said calmly. "Book of Eclipse has a follow-up effect.

At the End Phase, all opponent's face-down monsters are flipped face-up, and the opponent draws a card for each.

But you have no monsters, so that doesn't matter."

He paused.

"Now, let me see just how brightly the world champion's soul can blaze."

"My thoughts exactly."

Koyo coughed twice, then declared firmly,

"My turn. Draw!"

The opponent still had five powerful Heroes, a huge Life Point and field advantage.

But even so, he would not give up.

Even if he died, he would fall fighting to the last second.

Having put life and death aside, Koyo felt unusually light inside—perhaps purer in this near-death moment than ever before as a duelist.

So he decided not to think too much, just to immerse himself in the duel, following his heart.

"Activate Spell Card 'Spell Books from the Pot'—both players draw three cards." (Manga card.)

He drew three more.

"Next, activate Spell Card 'Card Rotator'," said Koyo. "Discard one card, change the battle position of all opponent's monsters."

He discarded a card to the Graveyard.

"All your monsters return to Attack Position!"

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2600]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 3300]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 3000]

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 3100]

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 5500]

The five face-down cards flipped back to attack position, like a chain of mountains before Koyo.

"You chose to face them head-on," the Arbiter remarked.

"A hero never runs from battle," Koyo smiled. "I activate Spell Card 'Polymerization'! I fuse 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' and the WIND-attribute 'Elemental HERO Stratos' from my hand! Fusion requirements: Elemental Hero plus any WIND monster! Fusion Summon—

—Elemental HERO Great Tornado!"

The same WIND-attribute Fusion Hero as the Arbiter's, Great Tornado descended, arms crossed, amidst howling winds!

"Great Tornado's effect—when Fusion Summoned, all opponent's monsters' ATK and DEF are halved!" Koyo roared. "Downburst!"

Earlier, when Arbiter summoned Great Tornado, Koyo had no monsters, so the effect didn't trigger.

Now, a storm swept across the Arbiter's field. The five heroes wavered under the gale, greatly weakened.

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2600 → 1300]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 3300 → 1650]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 3000 → 1500]

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 3100 → 1550]

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 5500 → 2750]

"Nice!" Jaden exclaimed. "That's a huge drop in strength!"

Koyo continued, "Next, activate Spell Card 'Fusion Recovery'. Return 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' and 'Polymerization' from the Graveyard to my hand!"

He promptly played them again.

"Activate 'Polymerization' again—this time, fuse 'Elemental HERO Clayman' and 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' from my hand! Requirements: Hero plus any WATER monster! Fusion Summon—

—Elemental HERO Absolute Zero!!!"

Snow and ice fell, freezing the field. The pure white caped hero arrived!

Koyo's strongest ace outside the Planet Series—Absolute Zero!

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]

"Activate Spell Card 'Monster Reborn'!" Koyo declared. "Revive my ace, my soul—

—Elemental HERO Terra Firma!!!"

The earth split, lava erupting like a furious fire dragon. Amidst molten rock, the giant white hero representing the planet Earth landed, shaking the field.

[Elemental HERO Terra Firma, ATK 2500]

(Of course, in the real card game, Terra can't be revived except by Fusion, but in the manga, it often gets revived by all sorts of effects.)

"Activate set card, Continuous Trap 'DNA Transplant'!" Koyo declared. "Change all monsters' Attributes to one I declare—

I declare WATER!"

A torrent enveloped all monsters on both fields.

"Attribute-changing card?" the Arbiter asked.

"'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero' gains 500 ATK for each WATER monster on the field except itself," Koyo explained. "You have five monsters, and besides Absolute Zero, I have two more—all now WATER.

Absolute Zero's ATK increases by…"

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500 → 6000]

"ATK… 6000!!!"