Yugioh [636-641] (Patreon)

Chapter 636: The Missing Ultimate D

The inky night was deep and dense, binding sky and earth tightly together. Not a single star shone above. The sea breeze, sharp with bone-chilling cold, skimmed over the empty docks, raising a shrill, wailing whine.

Men in black gathered silently in a corner of the pier. A few dim, yellow streetlights swayed in the wind, their meager glow barely lighting the area where the people stood.

A long-faced man sat in a chair, with sharp-looking men in black suits standing on either side.

A group of masked men approached at a measured pace. Each of them wore a red cloth over his face, concealing their features. They were a local gang; the red mask was their emblem.

The long-faced man lazily waved. "Let's see the sincerity first."

The masked leader nodded. A younger underling beside him stepped forward, carrying a metal briefcase.

One of the black suits by the long-faced man took the case, opened it to verify, and after seeing the neatly arranged box of cards, gave a slight nod and closed it.

The long-faced man smiled, satisfied.

"Cash for goods, at the same time."

He gestured to the other black suit, who immediately stepped up with a case of his own, handing over two stuffed briefcases.

The masked man opposite took them and checked. Inside was packed with banknotes. He nodded in satisfaction as well, closed the latches, and passed the case back to his people.

"So," the long-faced man spread his hands with a smile, "happy cooperation?"

No sooner had he finished than there was a sharp snap.

The few shaky streetlights went out all at once.

"What the hell?"

Everyone froze.

Then someone screamed.

All heads tilted up. Upon the top of a shipping container, in the moonlight, a demonic silhouette stood coldly, cape billowing behind him.

Everyone was taken aback. But when they looked again, the spot was empty—as if what they'd seen was an illusion.

"There!"

Someone shouted.

They turned to see that demonic shadow had somehow appeared behind them.

A masked man roared, drew a knife, and lunged to stab. But as he closed in, the figure didn't even seem to move; there was only a dull thud, and the masked man screamed as he was knocked flying.

The others yelled in unison and several burly men rushed together.

But the demon moved with uncanny agility, slipping through the gaps between them to their backs with a slight shift. He wasn't just fast—he was monstrously strong. He pressed a palm to one man's chest, and with an inhuman force sent him screaming across the floor, tumbling into a corner.

Someone drew a gun and fired, bang-bang, at the shadow. Muzzle flashes flared and bullets cut into the night, but the figure was utterly unmoved.

Perhaps they had missed entirely; or perhaps the bullets passed clean through. There was no sign of impact—the figure didn't even sway, betraying no trace of kinetic force.

Then the shadow swept an arm, and talons at his fingertips were like knives through steel. Wherever they passed, gun barrels were sheared in half, drawing a gasp of cold dread.

A powerful kick drove from beneath the cape, slamming into a man's chest. Bones crunched, and the masked thug screamed as he was sent flying.

In less than thirty seconds, only the long-faced man in the chair remained.

The demon strolled unhurriedly toward him.

The long-faced man didn't panic, though his expression grew more grave. In silence he raised his hand, revealed a Duel Disk, and flicked it open with a swish.

The demon halted at the sight of the Duel Disk, and came no closer.

"Friend, where did you crawl out from?"

the long-faced man said coldly.

"I don't recall ever picking a fight with you."

After a moment's silence, the caped demon stepped back, as if making way.

Out walked Aster Phoenix, clad in a white suit and wearing a masquerade-like mask.

The demon was the monster he had summoned: Destiny HERO - Doom Lord. Being a Duel Monster, conventional weapons did nothing to it.

Ahem, worth noting: Doom Lord actually only has 600 ATK. Ignoring monster effects and going by punches alone, in the Duel Monsters world he's about as useful as a wet noodle.

"So you're that meddlesome guy the news has been talking about lately."

the long-faced man said coolly.

"I figured it was made up. Or a pawn from some power struggle. Didn't think we still had nosy do-gooders in this day and age."

He narrowed his eyes.

"But these days, if you wanna play the game, you'd better have the goods. Let's see if you've got what it takes."

"Interesting."

Aster raised his Duel Disk with unfailing poise.

"That's exactly what I was going to say."

…

Moments later—

"Waaagh!"

[Long-faced Man, LP 0]

Beaten to a swollen, bloody mess, the long-faced man toppled over and crawled forward with difficulty.

"You gotta be… kidding me…"

he gritted out.

Way too strong…

A foot came down on the wrist he was struggling to drag forward. He screamed in agony.

Doom Lord planted his foot on the man's hand, leaned down, yanked the man's Deck from his Duel Disk, and handed it back to his master.

Aster took the Deck and quickly rifled through it.

Aster had a habit of pulling peoples' Decks whenever he hunted down criminals. Not because of some innate destiny or affinity with a certain spiky-haired someone—he pulled Decks to look for one specific card.

"Tch. As expected, not here."

Aster shrugged, unfazed.

He knew the odds of the card he sought showing up in some small fry's Deck were slim. Still, for years he hadn't let any suspect who might be tied to that kind of crime off the hook—he'd formed the habit of checking every enemy's Deck, never missing even the faintest possibility.

The long-faced man screamed as Doom Lord smashed his face into the wall.

"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything I know…"

the long-faced man shrieked.

"I do smuggle cards, yeah, and sometimes even contraband with dangerous powers…"

"But I swear I don't know anything about some Ultimate something D!"

"Is that so."

Aster wasn't surprised.

As Sartorius had said, him catching these thugs was partly to follow any lead, and partly to vent his rage on scum like the ones who killed his father.

He hadn't been expecting much.

But then the long-faced man abruptly changed tack.

"However, I know an organization with a huge stash of rare cards—lots of contraband of unknown origin among them. I think I heard they had some lead on a… something… something D card. I don't know if it's what you're after, but maybe—"

"Hm?"

Aster's eyes lit up. He pressed.

"Who?"

"They call themselves the Knights of Hanoi!"

Chapter 637: Hanoi's Trap

October's sea wind drove waves crashing against the rocks lining Duel Academy's coast. A massive ship broke through the surf as it drew alongside, packed with first-years, eyes wide with curiosity.

It was the start of Duel Academy's school year.

This ship carried the incoming freshmen. Word had it this year's intake wasn't shabby; the entrance exams were said to be fiercely competitive.

The main reason was likely that last year the Academy produced a reigning Duel King from among its current students, a publicity coup of immense impact. The dueling world was abuzz; more young people than ever were desperate to get in.

Some wanted to train at the school that had produced a Duel King and become stronger; others simply wanted to glimpse the legend.

From the first day off the boat, it became the hot topic. Almost every new student disembarking immediately asked around for stories about the legend.

This was the moment for the Ra Yellow dorm to bask in glory.

They pulled the newcomers aside and boasted about "back in the day"—the rise of the Lord of Yellow last year, how they themselves had once crossed blades with the Lord of Yellow…

The newbies listened, eyes shining.

Especially when they heard Ra Yellow held a dorm exchange battle every year to break the ice through duels—many freshmen were itching to go.

Did that mean a chance to duel the fabled King?

In some top-tier events, even the champion might only then earn a shot at facing the Duel King. Such an opportunity was priceless.

This year, there were already more students than usual vying for Ra Yellow. After hearing this, even more could hardly hold back.

It was one thing that Slifer Red students didn't have the grades for it. But this year, there were even many Obelisk Blue assignees trying to transfer to Ra Yellow.

Unprecedented since Duel Academy's founding. Obelisk Blue, intended from the start as the most prestigious dorm, now, for the first time ever, seemed in danger of being overshadowed by Yellow.

Ra's dorm head, Sartyr was grinning ear to ear; he even doubled the curry for this year's welcome dinner.

Obelisk Blue's dorm head, Professor Crowler, should have felt the pressure—but he had his hands full.

That's because Chancellor Sheppard had officially entered his long-term "on business trip" hermit mode this year, handing the acting chancellor's duties to Professor Crowler.

Crowler was delighted—he saw it as a huge opportunity—but he was also swamped. Especially during orientation season, the pile of matters needing the chancellor's stamp was mountainous. The Pot of Greed Professor pulled multiple all-nighters, sporting twin dark circles and looking even more comical than before.

After working till past three a.m., he came early that morning to personally welcome the new students.

In past years the chancellor would never show for orientation. Crowler was so enthusiastic partly because he was newly acting chancellor and wanted to make a good impression.

The second reason: this year there was an extraordinary freshman.

Aster Phoenix, a top young prodigy from the pro circuit.

If he could recruit a star while the chancellor was away, then score some impressive results, maybe he could drop the "acting" from his title…

Of course, dreams are pretty.

But after Crowler dragged the chubby Vice-Chancellor Jean-Louis Bonaparte to the shore and they waited the whole day, the guy never showed.

"Seriously? You didn't mess up, did you, Acting Chancellor Crowler?" Jean-Louis Bonaparte couldn't help asking. "The freshmen are almost all through and he's still not here. Could it be a namesake?"

"No…"

Crowler looked dazed.

"I definitely contacted his agent."

"Come to think of it, we haven't seen Kira either," Jean-Louis Bonaparte muttered.

"Kira… uh… busy with affairs, I suppose. We'll leave it to fate."

"So, are we still waiting?" Jean-Louis Bonaparte glanced at him.

"…Let's wait a little longer. We're already here."

Crowler pulled his coat tighter.

The cold wind blew in over the sea. The tall-and-short pair of professors huddled together until sunset.

They didn't know it, but although they hadn't come to the Academy, the new and old students they were pining for had already started their exchange.

Just not in the way they expected.

…

Aster Phoenix was standing at the entrance of a club.

This is the place.

Reportedly one of the first clubs Revolver paid a visit to when he went around challenging, and later one of the earliest Knights of Hanoi bases.

Yes, Aster had heard of the Knights of Hanoi. Though he'd never been involved with the Society of Light, he'd spent time around Sartorius and was a pro duelist—so he'd picked up the odd rumor.

He'd just never imagined the Knights of Hanoi would be connected to the Ultimate D he'd been chasing all this time.

The Ultimate D was the last card his father made, and his best lead. It was such a cold case that even the police had essentially given up, but he wouldn't.

He would find that person, no matter the cost.

Aster pushed the club door open.

Darkness.

The vast club was quiet, empty of people. The shadows felt packed with ghosts; it was as if malign gazes were measuring the foolhardy intruder.

Aster frowned, unafraid, and walked further in.

No sign of anyone.

Was my intel wrong? Has this place been abandoned for a long time?

Or did they get wind that someone was coming and clear out early?

Suspicious, but he didn't turn back. He moved on, alert.

Then he heard something.

Aster froze.

It happened fast. Before he could register what, there was a bang.

From beneath his feet.

The floor fell away. He lost balance and dropped.

A trap.

Aster's pupils shrank. Almost by instinct, his Duel Disk snapped open.

He didn't know how long he fell in the dark, but he only just managed to slap down the card for Doom Lord. Destiny HERO - Doom Lord materialized in the dark and grabbed his arm, shaving off the force of the fall.

They still crashed hard onto solid ground.

Aster pushed up on a knee, a bit disheveled, and took in his surroundings.

It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the gloom. Then he started to see walls.

High walls, encircling him, woven into a complicated structure.

Like a maze.

Chapter 638: The Maze

By the third time he returned to where he started, Aster was sure—this was a maze.

He couldn't be certain it was aimed at him specifically, but he had undeniably walked into a trap. A maze in the dark, tangled walls hemming him in like layered shackles.

He tried feeling his way for a while, only to lose his bearings completely. His patience wore thin.

"Come on! Destiny HERO - Malicious!"

A Destiny HERO answered his summon and appeared. Aster swept his arm, and the HERO drove a fist into the wall beside them. Raw power punched straight through, leaving a gaping hole.

Aster stepped through.

"I don't know who you are, or if you can hear me. But if you think an ambush of this level can deal with me, that's naive."

Aster said, voice cool.

"This trick won't work. You can show yourself."

His words sank into the darkness like a stone into the sea. No reply.

"Fine." He shrugged. "Looks like I'll have to drag you out myself."

He gestured again. Malicious roared and punched through another wall. The maze wall was breached again.

Crude but effective—if you can't find a way out, make one. Keep opening holes in one direction and you'll get out eventually.

A sound plan.

But after he'd smashed through who knew how many walls and stepped forward again, he froze.

What he saw beyond was nothing like he expected.

It was a workshop.

A bespectacled man sat at a desk, working intently. A silver-haired boy leaned on the desk's edge, staring at what the man held with shining anticipation.

"Alright, how about this?"

The man with glasses smiled and passed the drawing board to the boy beside him. The child reached out with small hands, and as he saw the tall, handsome hero on the board, his eyes seemed to light up—

"Dad…?"

Aster couldn't help taking two steps forward, voice trembling.

That was his father. Stepping into this room felt like stepping into a memory from years ago. His father's smile was so vivid—he could even feel the thrill from his younger self when receiving a hero designed by his father's own hand—

"No."

He snapped back, forcing himself to pull free before he drowned in the past, shaking his head hard.

"This isn't real. It can't be."

Aster spun around. The wall he'd just punched through was whole again. No trace of any hole.

He quickly realized the maze wasn't so simple.

Either he was seeing illusions, and none of this was real, or the maze itself was some kind of supernatural construct, like the barrier of a Shadow Game.

If it were a Shadow Duel, the way out would be to defeat the one who cast it.

If it was some other kind of dark game, the rules could vary.

Like that time in DM when the Pharaoh played the maze of the heart with Shadi, holder of the Millennium Items—the solution was to find the one real room.

Of course, Shadi never did find the real room, because even the Pharaoh himself didn't know the answer at the time…

"Knights of Hanoi, is it? I don't know what this trick is, but you picked the wrong target."

Aster's voice was ice.

"You think a maze can trap me?"

"You think this would make me panic?"

"You don't know a thing. You have no idea what I've been through!"

Boom!

Malicious smashed another wall.

"I'll find the exit. I'll drag you out," Aster said loudly. "And you'd better not let me find anything to do with the Ultimate D card, or—"

He stepped into the next room, and his words died. His pupils contracted.

It was a graveyard.

Rain poured.

The young Aster stood alone before his father's tombstone, his gaze lost and dazed.

A black umbrella appeared above his head.

Aster turned in surprise and saw a man who had come to his side without him noticing.

Sartorius.

"There's no rain that never stops," Sartorius said softly. "Even the strongest storm has a moment when it breaks."

Aster looked up at him in surprise.

"Just wait," Sartorius said gently. "The storm will pass."

Aster lowered his head.

"But… how long do I have to wait?"

"I don't know. But until then, I'll hold the umbrella for you."

That was his first meeting with Sartorius.

"What are you trying to say?"

Aster shouted.

"You're trying to claim you know everything about me, about Sartorius!?"

He said it, but he was shaken.

If this wasn't mental suggestion—if this wasn't just his brain showing him visions—and was truly some supernatural barrier…

Then how did they know such details?

This scene was from years ago; he was certain only he and Sartorius were there. How could anyone else know?

And what was the purpose of showing him this?

To flaunt the Knights of Hanoi' omniscience?

No—just a trick. Or maybe it really was only his mind conjuring illusions.

"Hrragh!"

Malicious roared and smashed another wall. Aster pushed forward, but his steps were starting to falter.

He burst out of the graveyard into a new scene. The black night flicked to a glaringly bright interior, so bright he could hardly see at first.

He steadied himself, squinting, and vaguely recognized another moment from long ago. His childhood self sat at a table. A much younger Sartorius sat across from him, flipping a Tarot card.

"The Devil, upright," Sartorius said. "Malice, injustice, temptation, bondage—those are its meanings. This is the fate I'm to meet, the ruin that awaits me.

Unfortunately, though I can foresee it, I have no idea what exactly will happen."

Little Aster listened, bewildered, half understanding.

Then he clenched a tiny fist.

"Then… then if one day you run into a storm, Sartorius—this time, I'll be the one to hold the umbrella."

"A big one!"

Sartorius smiled faintly.

"I'll count on you then, Aster."

"…"

Aster shook his head hard, banishing the thoughts.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"Come out!"

"Afraid to face me!?"

A voice rose from the dark.

"No need to be dramatic."

The Knights of Hanoi' leader, Revolver, stepped out from somewhere in the gloom, walking at an unhurried pace.

"Just reminding you: Sartorius—the friend you promised to lend a hand to—he's in need right now."

Chapter 639: The Prophecy

"Revolver!"

Aster shouted in fury.

He had no personal grudge with Revolver, but the string of mind games had driven his patience to the brink. Now that the real culprit finally showed himself, Aster had an outlet for all that anger—and he roared.

Revolver stood atop the maze, looking down at him from on high. Most of his face was hidden by a dark mask, yet somehow Aster could feel a faint, amused smile behind it.

"Malicious !"

Aster barked, and Malicious had already leapt forth. A Destiny HERO fist rocketed out. Revolver stood aloft without dodging. The force of the punch flapped his coat—but he did not budge.

The fist passed clean through. The figure turned translucent and vanished, as if it had been a mirage all along.

Aster's heart skipped. He realized his thoughts had been shaken by the illusions; agitation lingered. He'd rushed that attack.

He whirled. A door had appeared in the once-endless loop of maze walls behind him.

He hesitated, then couldn't help pushing it open. The door creaked as it swung, and he stepped through into an open vista.

The scene shifted again—outdoors, like the graveyard before. Rain poured in sheets; lightning writhed through the woods like enraged serpents.

He was a child again, gripping a large umbrella with both hands. The rain hammered down, the gale so strong it threatened to carry him off along with the umbrella.

He ran, shouting Sartorius's name, and only after who knew how long did he find him on a patch of grass.

Sartorius knelt with his back to him, head bowed, doing something unknown. His hair and clothes were drenched through.

"Sartorius!"

Little Aster rushed up, eager to hold the umbrella for him as promised.

But Sartorius suddenly whirled, and Aster almost screamed.

It wasn't Sartorius at all—his face was a demon's, twisted and feral, clawing toward him. That distorted visage seemed to roar—and laugh—its mouth yawning wide as if to swallow Aster whole.

Aster jolted, tossing the umbrella aside.

He stumbled and fell, his back slamming into a solid wall. He blinked, and the downpour, the graveyard, and the warped demon were gone.

He was still in the maze—endless loops, eerie darkness—and Revolver in white stood ahead.

Aster stood with a stone face. "What are you trying to say? I don't know how you learned so much about us, but you clearly don't understand the bond between me and Sartorius.

If you really did, you'd know popping a few jump scare scenes won't drive a wedge between us…"

"Is that so." Kira smiled. "If your bond is as solid as you claim, how is it you've noticed nothing about your comrade's change?"

"What did you say?" Aster frowned.

"You've sensed it yourself, haven't you?" Kira said lightly. "Sartorius's recent changes. Think carefully—does he still seem like the Sartorius you knew?"

Aster pondered.

He couldn't deny it. He knew Sartorius well. Since his father's death, Sartorius had helped him a great deal. In the last couple of years, Aster had felt something was off—Sartorius seemed gloomier, more occult-obsessed than before.

"Didn't Sartorius prophesy long ago he would face a ruinous fate?" Kira said. "So when his personality began to warp, did it never occur to you that the ruin he foresaw might already have descended, quietly?"

Aster said nothing, but he seemed swayed. His eyes flickered; unbidden, memories surfaced—oddities of Sartorius's he'd ignored.

Just then, a white gleam flashed in Aster's eyes, and an invisible white flame seemed to ignite around him.

"Ghh—ahh—!"

Aster clutched his head. The light vanished, and his gaze turned vicious.

He looked up, glaring at Kira.

"No—our bond won't be swayed by your glib words. More importantly, I have a question. The Ultimate D card!"

He barked.

"Is that card connected to you?"

"The influence of the Light of Destruction, huh."

Kira had spotted the source of Aster's abnormality and shrugged.

"Sorry to disappoint you. The card you want isn't in my hands."

"Words aren't enough to convince me."

Aster snapped open his Duel Disk.

"Duel! I'll rid Sartorius of a problem while I'm at it."

Kira smiled. He'd come prepared to duel.

If he could crush the Light of Destruction's influence on Aster through a duel, it should help clear his head.

"Fine."

"Duel!" x2

[Kira, LP 4000]

[Aster, LP 4000]

"I'll go first. Draw!"

Luck seemed to be on Aster's side—the priority light for turn order lit up on his Duel Disk, and he took first without hesitation.

"I activate the Spell Card Destiny Draw!" Aster said. "By discarding a Destiny HERO from my hand, I draw two cards!"

He flashed a monster from his hand, then sent it to the Graveyard.

"I discard Destiny HERO - Malicious to the GY and draw two!"

Malicious —one of the big names among Destiny HEROs. By banishing it from the GY, you can Special Summon another copy from the Deck. It was once limited for ease of use, and even as an old card, it remains a HERO staple.

"Next I activate the Spell Card Graceful Charity. Draw three, then discard two."

He drew, then picked two to send to the GY.

Then he looked up, solemn.

"I hear you're strong, Revolver. Good. Today I'll show you the heroes hidden in the darkness—one of a kind in this world—my heroes!

From my hand, I summon this guy.

Come on, Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude!"

A vortex of summoning wind rose, the caped hero seeming to rise from the earth. He swept his cape aside, revealing a body gleaming like cut ice crystal.

[Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude, ATK 1400]

Chapter 640: Heroes in the Dark

"Destiny HEROs," Kira said. "A rare branch of the HERO series indeed."

He paused, then smiled.

"Speaking of which, I've heard there's a young HERO user at Duel Academy with some potential. You two should trade notes sometime."

"Jaden Yuki, is it." Aster frowned.

Sartorius had been mentioning him often of late.

"Oh? So you know already."

"A mediocrity," Aster said bluntly. "I'm not like someone who uses HERO power for his own amusement.

Heroes bear a heavy fate—they can only advance by fighting. Our reasons for fighting, what we shoulder—it's not the same. Don't compare me to someone like that."

"A heavy fate borne by Heroes, huh…" Kira smiled. "But is that truly the fate of the Heroes, or are you binding your Destiny HEROs with your own so-called fate?"

"What did you say?"

Aster snapped.

"What do you know about me or my Destiny HEROs?"

He refused to argue further and continued.

"Destiny HERO – Diamond Dude's effect! Once per turn, reveal the top card of my Deck. If it's a Normal Spell, send it to the GY. Next turn's Standby Phase, I can activate that card's effect.

If it's not, return it to the bottom of the Deck."

Diamond Dude is a fascinating card. Not because its raw power is absurd, but because it's uniquely positioned in the entire card pool—still unmatched even today.

Activating the effect of a Spell you "hit" means you ignore its activation conditions and costs. In other words, if there were a Spell with a near-impossible cost but an effect that says "You win the Duel," and Diamond Dude mills it, you can ignore the ridiculous condition and just apply "win the Duel."

It's hard to use consistently, but the ceiling is obvious. Back in the day, people built all sorts of "trick" decks around it, even full Spell-centric builds.

Of course, in reality it comes down to luck—will you hit a Spell, and will it matter?

But this is anime. At least when Aster is on screen, Diamond Dude never seems to miss.

"I hit the Spell Card Trade-In."

Sure enough, Aster revealed the Spell.

"Trade-In lets me discard a Level 8 monster to draw two. Per Diamond Dude, I send Trade-In to the GY."

He slid the Spell into the Graveyard. A chill glimmer flashed over Diamond Dude's facets.

"Next turn, during my Standby, I'll apply 'draw two from Deck' without discarding a Level 8."

"As expected of a pro," Kira nodded.

Not that the line was flashy—just that Aster never whiffed. With Diamond Dude, he always hit a Spell.

"Next, I activate the Spell: Over Destiny!" Aster said. "Target a Destiny HERO in my GY, then Special Summon a Destiny HERO from my Deck with a Level less than or equal to half of the targeted monster's Level.

I target Destiny HERO - Malicious in my GY!"

As he spoke, a ghostly image of Malicious rose behind him.

"Malicious is Level 6," Kira noted.

"Right—so I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower Destiny HERO from my Deck."

Aster raised his arm; a beam of golden light shot from his Deck.

"Come on! Destiny HERO - Doom Lord!"

The beam hit the floor and took form—the vigilante from recent urban rumors. Demonic silhouette, blood-red cape, landing in a superhero crouch.

[Destiny HERO - Doom Lord, ATK 600]

"Monsters Special Summoned by Over Destiny are destroyed during the End Phase," Aster said. "But that's enough.

I then activate Destiny HERO - Malicious's GY effect! I banish Malicious to Special Summon another copy from my Deck."

He retrieved the GY card, showed it, tucked it into the holder, then raised his Duel Disk. Another beam of light—arms spread, a D blazing on his chest, the cruel aura of a dark hero—roared onto the field.

[Destiny HERO - Malicious, ATK 800]

"Three monsters on turn one." Kira chuckled. "So this is top-tier pro power?"

"I'm not done."

Aster lifted his hand, voice clear.

He'd heard of Revolver, and he knew today's opponent was dangerous. He didn't hold back—he didn't even use the Elemental HERO build from the pro circuit. He opened with his trump: Destiny HEROs.

"I tribute my three Destiny HEROs—Diamond Dude, Malicious , and Doom Lord!"

Transparent pillars of light surged skyward. A storm kicked up, tossing his suit hem and silver bangs. The three Destiny HEROs were swallowed in turn, fusing into a massive, burly figure descending with overwhelming force.

"Destiny HERO – Dogma, Special Summon!"

Vast black bone-wings spread. A helm masked his face; silver chains wound his neck like the embodiment of fate's shackles. The white blade in his hand gleamed with lethal chill, a storm swirling around him.

[Destiny HERO – Dogma, ATK 3400]

One of Aster's strongest aces before Dreadmaster entered the anime—his preeminent trump.

"Dogma cannot be Normal Summoned; it can only be Special Summoned by tributing three monsters including a Destiny HERO," Aster said.

"And I'm not done. From my hand, I activate this!"

A hidden slot popped open on his Duel Disk. He slammed a card in; the slot swallowed it.

"I activate the Field Spell: Clock Tower Prison!"

Night swallowed the sky. A massive black tower speared upward. Golden hands froze upon the clock at its pinnacle, as if marking fate's countdown.

This was the domain of night—a tower that imprisoned fate's inmates.

"I set two and end my turn!"

Chapter 641: The Fate to Fight

"Quite a luxurious opening," Kira said, eyeing Aster's field.

An 8-star beater in Dogma, the Destiny HERO tower, and two set backrow—luxurious indeed.

"Looks like I'll have to get a little serious." Kira: "My turn, draw."

"At the start of your Standby Phase, Destiny HERO – Dogma's effect activates!" Aster snapped. "As long as Dogma remains on the field, during each of your Standby Phases, your LP is halved!" (Anime effect)

The printed card kept it but, as usual, nerfed it: it only triggers on the opponent's next Standby after Dogma's Special Summon, a one-time effect.

Dogma's power surged; a pillar of light erupted under Kira's feet. A matching sigil formed beneath him; the pillar scorched upward like burning energy.

[Kira, LP 4000 → 2000]

Notably, Dogma "changes the opponent's LP to half," not "inflicts damage equal to half their current LP."

So it's LP modification, not effect damage. Meaning reflectors like Barrel Behind the Door nor effect-damage immunity like Hanewata's barrier won't stop it.

It's basically guaranteed unless you negate the activation outright.

"This is the power of a hero burdened with the fate of battle," Aster said. "Not like that Jaden Yuki riffraff!"

"Haha—sure. If you say so."

Kira smiled.

"I activate Graceful Charity—draw three, then discard two."

"Since I discarded Learning Elf from my hand, when it hits the GY, I draw one."

"Next, I activate the Ritual Spell Black Illusion Ritual from my hand. I tribute monsters from my hand/field totaling Level 1 or more to Ritual Summon Relinquished."

Aster's face tightened. "Relinquished?"

"I tribute the Level 3 Transforming Sphere from my hand to Ritual Summon!"

Kira snapped his fingers. Transforming Sphere flickered into being and turned into a beam of violet light, plunging into the altar.

A monstrous single eye opened in the chaos; Relinquished unfurled and swept the field with a baleful gaze.

[Relinquished, ATK 0]

"Relinquished's effect," Kira said. "Once per turn, equip one of your monsters to it and absorb it."

He paused, then smiled.

"If your Destiny HEROs are so burdened by fate, allow me to set him free.

Relinquished, absorb Destiny HERO – Dogma."

Relinquished's lone eye widened; a terrible suction surged forth. An irresistible force dragged Dogma toward it.

"I activate my set Quick-Play Spell Effect Veiler!" Aster shouted. "Negate a monster effect and destroy it!" (Anime effect)

Relinquished was bound by a barrier and detonated with a boom, shattering.

"The hero's fate isn't something any random trash can bear," Aster said coldly.

"Hahaha, I thought as much," Kira said. "Then I Normal Summon Synthesize Sphere."

A vortex of wind coiled on the field, currents forming a ring. A small, curled Sphere bird nestled within.

[Synthesize Sphere, ATK 1000]

"When Synthesize Sphere is summoned, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Sphere' from the GY."

Kira retrieved a card from the GY.

"The Transforming Sphere I used as Ritual material returns."

[Transforming Sphere, ATK 100]

"Attacking in Attack Position with 100 and 1000 ATK?" Aster frowned.

"From my hand, I activate the Spell Block Attack—force an Attack Position monster on the field into Defense Position," Kira said. "Change Destiny HERO – Dogma to Defense."

The mighty hero resisted, but the magic held him fast. He grunted under the binding, struggled, and then dropped to one knee, arms crossed to guard.

[Destiny HERO – Dogma, ATK 3400 → DEF 2400]

"Transforming Sphere's effect: discard a card to equip an opponent's face-up Defense Position monster to it."

Aster: "!!!"

Another absorb!?

"I discard one card," Kira said. "Equip Destiny HERO – Dogma to Transforming Sphere!"

Transforming Sphere shrieked. A transparent cyclone seized Dogma. He roared mightily, but resistance was useless—he was bound beneath the little Sphere's wind-ring, manipulated like a puppet.

[Transforming Sphere, ATK 100 → 3500]

"Transforming Sphere gains ATK equal to the absorbed monster's ATK," Kira said. "And the card I discarded was the Spell Card of Compensation—when sent from hand to GY, draw two."

He drew two, glanced, then swept his arm.

"Transforming Sphere, direct attack!"

Aster grit his teeth.

You've got to be kidding me. If both of these birds hit directly, that's an OTK!

Ritual into Relinquished, then this cursed bird—where's all this cheese coming from!?

"I activate the Trap Defense Draw!" Aster shouted. "Negate one attack, then draw a card!"

A transparent barrier formed. Dogma, controlled by the Sphere, slashed down upon it, sparing Aster the humiliation of being one-turned by his own ace.

"I draw!"

Aster took his card.

"Then Synthesize Sphere attacks directly," Kira said.

This time Aster had no defense left. The Sphere barreled into him; he staggered back with a grunt.

[Aster, LP 4000 → 3000]

"After battle, Transforming Sphere automatically switches to Defense Position," Kira said. "Then I activate the Continuous Spell Mirage of Nightmare—during your Standby Phase, draw until you have four cards in hand."

"Lastly, I set two and end my turn."

Kira gestured to Dogma, equipped under the Sphere.

"Also, Transforming Sphere only keeps absorbed monsters for one turn. At the end of the turn, the equipped Destiny HERO – Dogma returns to your field."

The wind-ring finally released; Dogma flew back to Aster's field.

Aster drew a deep breath.

He was rare serious today.

In the pro circuit, he'd never even pulled out a HERO deck—Elemental HERO hadn't seen daylight, and Destiny HERO had never appeared. Today he not only revealed his hole cards from the start, he also built a formidable turn-one board: his strongest ace Dogma, the Clock Tower Prison…

And the opponent slipped through it with ease, leaving him on the back foot.

His caution had been right—this opponent was among the strongest he had ever faced… perhaps the strongest.

Aster pushed himself up on a knee. Far from shrinking, his eyes burned brighter.

He was a duelist—a pro duelist—aiming to be world champion.

It's precisely opponents like this that are worth beating with everything he has.