Yugioh [760-762] (Patreon)

Chapter 760: The Friendly Stone Statue

"My turn. I draw."

Kira drew a card, glanced at it, then casually switched the monster on his Duel Disk from attack to defense.

"I switch Stone Statue of the Aztecs from attack to defense."

[Stone Statue of the Aztecs, ATK 300 → DEF 2000]

"Next, I set a monster in face-down defense," Kira said. "Then I set one card and end my turn."

Seeing this sequence, Guardian Baou threw his head back and laughed.

"Turtling up already—so you're completely out of options, huh? Well, if you're facing Baou, one of the Duelists of Death, I suppose you really don't have any other choice."

Kira stared at him without expression, letting him laugh.

"Fine," Guardian Baou smirked. "Then I'll help you end this suffering this turn.

My turn. I draw!"

He glanced at the continuous trap in his back row.

"In the Standby Phase, the continuous trap Gravity Gain requires tributing a monster to remain. But we don't need it anymore at this point.

I choose not to pay the cost and let it destroy itself."

With a boom, the Gravity Gain shattered, and the black energy sphere hanging in midair vanished.

"Now the Level 4 attack restriction is gone, but it doesn't matter. I'll end this duel this turn!" Guardian Baou barked. "I summon Gene-Warped Warwolf in attack!"

A genetically modified white werewolf—born for battle, a powerful physique, a vicious visage, and four destruction-laden arms—known as the strongest Level 4 with no side effects.

[Gene-Warped Warwolf, ATK 2000]

"Go. Archfiend Giant, attack Stone Statue of the Aztecs!"

The massive fiend god swung its ponderous arm again, a palm like a falling sky crashing down on the stone statue on Kira's field.

But this was exactly the moment Kira had been waiting for.

"Activate set card," Kira snapped his fingers. "Trap: Wall of Disruption."

The trap triggered; yawning fissures partitioned the field like a sliced cake. Segments of the arena sank with a roar, and an invisible force—like unseen gravity—pressed down on Baou's field.

"Wall of Disruption: when the opponent declares an attack, all attack-position monsters they control lose ATK equal to 800 times the number of monsters they control."

"ATK minus monsters × 800… I have three monsters," Baou frowned. "So Archfiend Giant, Twinheaded Beast, and Gene-Warped Warwolf each lose 2400 ATK?"

His strongest, Archfiend Giant, only had 2400 ATK to begin with; taking this hit, all three of his big monsters would drop to zero at once!

"Correct. And the Stone Statue of the Aztecs you chose to attack has another effect," Kira smiled. "When it's attacked, any battle damage dealt to the opponent that results from that battle is doubled!"

Guardian Baou: "!"

Doubled—doesn't that mean—!?

[Stone Statue of the Aztecs, DEF 2000]

If Wall of Disruption dropped all three of his monsters to 0 ATK, then if any one of them connected and the battle resolved, the damage would reflect for 2000—and then double to 4000.

An OTK on the opponent's turn!

"You little bastard… This was your plan from the start!?" Guardian Baou roared.

In their dimension, under the Supreme King's rule, where power was worshipped above all, this path was nearly unthinkable.

Baou's duel told the story clearly. His continuous trap Gravity Gain oozed disdain for low-level monsters; under it, only high-level monsters deserved to battle.

But now, it seemed his lockdown meant nothing to this man.

Because the bastard never planned to attack from the start!

Winning without ever needing to attack—unimaginable to the natives here. This man didn't plan to attack, didn't plan to summon big monsters, didn't intend to break Baou's lock or destroy his lineup.

He planned to win by a single OTK-grade "bump" and reflect the opponent to death!

Though the audacity shocked Baou, he—

"Counter Trap!" Guardian Baou barked, flipping his back row. "Seven Tools of the Bandit!

When a Trap Card is activated, pay 1000 LP; negate its activation and destroy it!"

[Guardian Baou, LP 3000 → LP 2000]

"By paying 1000 LP, I negate and destroy Wall of Disruption!"

The trap shattered; the crisscrossing cracks in the ground sealed, and the arena returned to normal. Archfiend Giant strode forward; the attack continued.

Counter Traps cannot be chained to by other cards; Archfiend Giant's palm connected, smashing Stone Statue of the Aztecs to dust.

"What a devious outlander. Is this how you duel in your world—by cheating and trickery?" Guardian Baou wiped cold sweat inwardly. "That was close. If not for Seven Tools, I'd have fallen for it."

But now he was cautious of Kira.

This kid is poison. End it quickly before anything else goes wrong.

"This time it really ends!" Guardian Baou shouted. "Next, Gene-Warped Warwolf, attack the face-down monster!"

[Gene-Warped Warwolf, ATK 2000]

Once he cleared the set monster, he'd still have Twinheaded Beast to attack. Twinheaded Beast could attack twice per turn, and the opponent only had 2400 LP left.

Baou narrowed his eyes, a triumphant curl at his lips.

It's done.

"Activate set card," Kira said lazily, flipping another back row. "Trap: Ghosts From the Past."

"Another trap?" Baou frowned.

"Ghosts From the Past's effect: banish two monsters from your Graveyard; then target one face-up attack-position monster on the field."

Kira revealed two Giant Rat in his Graveyard and explained:

"I banish two Giant Rat from my Graveyard and target your face-up attack-position Gene-Warped Warwolf.

The chosen monster's ATK becomes 0 until the end of the turn."

Guardian Baou: "…"

"…"

"…"

[Gene-Warped Warwolf, ATK 2000 → ATK 0]

The so-called strongest Level 4 got trapped and instantly wilted like a punctured balloon.

"Also, since you've already declared an attack and the number of monsters on the field hasn't changed, you can't rewind your attack. The attack command can't be retracted."

Kira narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Stone Statue of the Aztecs's effect: when battle resolves, inflict to the opponent double battle damage—so that's 4000."

He paused, kindly reminding:

"If you have any last words, now would be your final chance."

Guardian Baou: "Your mom—"

Gene-Warped Warwolf's claw slapped the statue, but the force rebounded; it tumbled head over heels. The recoil became a transparent vortex—like an air cannon—slamming straight into Baou's face, blasting the rest of his sentence back down his throat.

[Guardian Baou, LP 2000 → LP 0]

Chapter 761: Dark Fusion

Jaden had dreamed of this moment more than once.

In truth, even those who seemed closest to him didn't truly understand him. The minion who trailed him day and night, the classmates at his side, the rivals who often connected with him through duels…
Each thought they understood him. They were all wrong.

They didn't know the real Jaden Yuki.

Jaden was rare: outwardly warm, inwardly cold. He looked carefree, a thoroughgoing optimist—but that was the image he allowed others to see.

He buried his thoughts deep, leaving only the strongest, most optimistic front to others.

Just like now.

Ever since learning about the Supreme King, not a single day had passed without him thinking about it. The darkness in his heart, the tyrant who exploited and ruled another world—that was an opponent he had to defeat, a fate he had to face.

And now he had come here—to the Supreme King's castle, to the deepest chamber.

To face that black armor: the physical form of the most terrifying darkness he had hidden for years—so deep he might not even have known it existed.

Jaden faced the Supreme King; the Supreme King faced Jaden.

It felt strange, like looking into a mirror. He could faintly sense that the figure in the mirror was himself—only darker, more dreadful.

The two stood in silence, face to face, as the air grew denser, each breath heavier.

"So you're the Supreme King," Jaden said.

But the moment he spoke, it felt odd to say that to a face identical to his own.

"The darkness… in my heart," Jaden murmured.

"No."

The Supreme King spoke too. The same voice, but stripped of all emotion, stiff as if altered.

"You are the weakness in my heart," he said. "The only weakness. But after today—"

The Supreme King opened his unique Duel Disk.

"That weakness will be destroyed."

Jaden took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

What must come will come. What must be faced must be faced.

Today. This very moment.

He would sever himself from himself.

"Duel!" ×2
[Jaden, LP 4000]
[Supreme King, LP 4000]

"I'll go first. Draw."

The Supreme King drew and, without hesitation, summoned a monster.

"I set Elemental HERO Clayman in defense."

The thick-bodied clay hero landed on the field. The Clayman card hovered horizontally beneath him as he crouched defensively, arms crossed.

It was the exact same card as Jaden's—but even this Elemental HERO seemed corrupted, his eyes glowing a dangerous dark red.

[Elemental HERO Clayman, DEF 2000]

"Clayman…" Jaden's expression was complicated.

Facing an opponent with the same face, using the same Elemental HEROes—it felt… peculiar.

"I set one card. Turn end," said the Supreme King.

Jaden: "My turn. Draw!"

This duel, of all duels, he could not lose.

For himself—and for all the worlds he'd passed through and witnessed along the way.

"I activate the Field Spell, Fusion Gate!"

Jaden raised his hand. A chaotic fusion void yawned open midair, like a portal to the unknown.

"As long as Fusion Gate is on the field, I don't need Polymerization for Fusion Summons. I can banish Fusion Materials from my hand or field to Fusion Summon."

He tossed two cards. They flared in midair, projecting silhouettes—a green-winged hero and a curvaceous lady wreathed in flame.

The Elemental HERO power couple.

"I banish Elemental HERO Avian and Elemental HERO Burstinatrix from my hand," Jaden declared. "Fusion Summon! My beloved hero—

—Elemental HERO Flame Wingman!"

Avian and Burstinatrix were drawn into the black vortex and vanished. An explosive surge burst from the void; a green whirlwind entwined with roaring fire. A white single wing cleaved the blaze; within that fiery storm, a hero took shape.

[Elemental HERO Flame Wingman, ATK 2100]

"If you symbolize the deepest darkness in me, then I'll burn it away with the hottest flame!" Jaden shouted. "Elemental HERO Flame Wingman, attack Elemental HERO Clayman!
Flame Shot!"

Flame Wingman soared, riding a whirlwind that ignited into flame and swallowed him whole. At his apex, he dove with a flaming kick like a living cannon shell!

Clayman was pierced through; with a boom, he shattered to dust.

"Flame Wingman's effect: when it destroys a monster by battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK," Jaden said. "Clayman's ATK is 800, so you take 800!"

Flame Wingman landed in front of the Supreme King; the dragon-head arm lifted, spewing a spiral blaze that slammed into him.

The Supreme King closed his eyes, expressionless, enduring the sear.

[Supreme King, LP 4000 → LP 3200]

"Activate set card," the Supreme King said. "Trap: HERO Signal.

When a monster you control is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Elemental HERO from your hand or Deck."

A searchlight beam shot from the flipped trap, painting the sky with a hero's call.

The Supreme King spread his Deck and slid out a card.

"I Special Summon Elemental HERO Avian from the Deck."

A green whirlwind rose on the Supreme King's field—darker, deeper in hue. The Avian that appeared was more somber in color than Jaden's, his eyes glinting with a sinister air.

[Elemental HERO Avian, DEF 1000]

Jaden: "I set one card. Turn end."

"My turn. Draw."

The Supreme King drew—not looking at the card, but at Flame Wingman.

"'Beloved hero'? You really are my weakest part."

"What did you say?" Jaden frowned.

"Only those with power deserve to be called heroes," the Supreme King said coldly. "Justice without power can accomplish nothing. Power is justice itself.

And this card is the symbol of power—the decisive difference between you and me!

I activate the Spell Card Dark Fusion!
A dark fusion that transforms Elemental HEROes into fiends!"

Chapter 762: HERO vs. Evil HERO

"Turn Elemental HEROes into fiends?" Jaden was stunned.

"I fuse the Avian on my field with Burstinatrix in my hand!" the Supreme King declared. "Embrace darkness—and let hellfire scour everything—

—Evil HERO Inferno Wing!!!"

Jaden's eyes widened as Avian and Burstinatrix merged into the pitch-black fusion vortex. Black lightning erupted within, carving jagged cracks across the floor.

Swirling darkness condensed into form—long arms, a lean torso, the curve of claws taking shape. Demon-broad bone wings unfurled; a mass of hellfire exploded behind, wrapping the wicked hero in flame, a cruel smile seeming to hang at its lips.

[Evil HERO Inferno Wing, ATK 2100]

Inferno Wing beat its wings, hovering, facing down Flame Wingman. HERO and Evil HERO—two auras clashed invisibly in the air.

"An evil version of Flame Wingman?" Jaden said gravely.

"No—stronger, more perfect," the Supreme King said icily. "I activate the Equip Spell Vicious Claw from my hand, equipping it to Evil HERO Inferno Wing."

Metal talons latched onto the fiend hero's hands. The blackened hero toyed with the glinting blades, slashing the air to leave transparent scars.

"Vicious Claw gives the equipped monster +300 ATK."

[Evil HERO Inferno Wing, ATK 2100 → ATK 2400]

"And if the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle, I can return this card to my hand instead—and then destroy another monster on your field outside of that battle," the Supreme King added.

Jaden: "Such a powerful Equip…"

"Battle," said the Supreme King. "Evil HERO Inferno Wing—tear apart that inferior reflection."

Inferno Wing needed no order; it shot forward eagerly.

Flame Wingman flapped up to meet it—the two collided at high speed again and again.

But in the end, Flame Wingman fell short. When his dragon-arm lunged, Inferno Wing seized it, twisted, and ripped open Flame Wingman's abdomen with a savage slice of the Vicious Claw.

Flame Wingman staggered back. Inferno Wing let out a shrill cackle, drove a kick into Flame Wingman's chest, and sent him plummeting. He smashed into the ground with a thunderous crash.

[Jaden, LP 4000 → LP 3700]

"Now Inferno Wing's effect," the Supreme King said. "When Evil HERO Inferno Wing destroys a monster by battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster's higher of original ATK or DEF."

Inferno Wing screeched, arms thrust high. Sparks flared at Jaden's feet—hellfire from the abyss ready to erupt.

"Counter Trap—Damage Polarizer!" Jaden immediately responded. "Negate the activation and effect that would inflict effect damage, and both players draw a card!"

A mirror-smooth shield appeared. The hellfire was fully deflected, scattering harmlessly in all directions.

Inferno Wing's effect was stopped, but the Supreme King remained unruffled.

"Pointless stalling," he said. "I set two cards. Turn end."

Jaden exhaled lightly.

So this is the corrupted version of Flame Wingman. This suffocating feeling—pressure born of power?
Or is it…

He stared at Inferno Wing—the cruel smile, the eyes playing with prey.

Somehow, he read sorrow there.

Jaden shook his head, casting off the thought.

Either way, this is bad. The enhanced Inferno Wing is stronger than Flame Wingman. Take last turn for example—even if Jaden set Clayman to defend, being destroyed by Inferno Wing would deal 2000 damage, since Clayman's DEF is higher.

And Inferno Wing has Vicious Claw. Even if he summons something stronger and attacks, he might not beat it—and could trigger the claw's effect, turning the tables and hurting himself.

Enough thinking.

Overthinking tactics isn't Jaden's style. He's better at following his heart.

"My turn. Draw!" Jaden said. "I activate the Spell Books from the Pot—both players draw three cards."

Both drew three. Seeing the HERO he needed, Jaden made up his mind.

"My Elemental HEROes may not be as strong as those turned into fiends—but they never give up!" Jaden raised his head. "I once again use Fusion Gate!

I'll banish monsters from my hand to Fusion Summon!"

"Not this time," said the Supreme King. "I activate my set trap—Dust Tornado.

I destroy one Spell/Trap on the field."

He pointed at the fusion vortex above Jaden.

"I destroy the Field Spell, Fusion Gate."

A sand-laden gale swept through; even the black vortex dissipated in the wind. Jaden raised an arm to shield himself as his Duel Disk's Field Zone popped out the destroyed card.

"Now you can't use that field to fuse anymore," the Supreme King said. "And Dust Tornado lets me set one Spell/Trap from my hand afterward."

He set another card to his back row.

Fusion foiled, but Jaden didn't falter: "Then I activate the Spell Fusion Sage, adding Polymerization from my Deck to my hand.

Next, I activate Polymerization!"

He drew two monsters from his hand and tossed them skyward. The cards became HERO forms in midair: a blue-suited hero wrapped in crackling arcs, and a heavy, bulwark-like armored hero.

"I fuse Elemental HERO Sparkman and Elemental HERO Clayman!"

The two heroes spiraled into a fusion vortex, swallowed like by a black hole. The core churned, then burst into prismatic light—like countless stars swept into an endless dance.

Suddenly, dazzling golden lightning erupted from the depths of the vortex like first light piercing mist. Surging current sculpted mighty steel arms and stout legs; countless fine arcs and energy bands wove thick armor, forming a giant wreathed in thunder, towering between heaven and earth.

Elemental HERO Thunder Giant—summon!