Chapter 491: Joey Wheeler: I Haven't Gotten On Yet
The midday sunlight wasn't too harsh due to the cloud cover. Listening to Pegasus introduce the newly released card series, Hayato looked up at the clouds of various shapes drifting across the sky.
Out of boredom, he even started associating the cloud shapes with Duel Monsters.
"This one's Righty Driver, this one's Lefty Driver, this one's Predaplant Verte Anaconda, this one's Red Dad and Slacker."
He muttered softly.
"This one's Kitten, this one's Puppy, this one's Heavenly Court Number, this one's Motorcycle."
"Huh!?"
"Where did a Motorcycle come from?"
Hayato suddenly realized something incredible seemed to have just zipped across the sky. He rubbed his eyes and looked up again, but couldn't find the sleek red Motorcycle he had just seen flying through the air.
It was probably a Motorcycle. Anyway, Hayato saw it had two wheels. It couldn't have been a wheelchair; not everyone can struggle and race in any situation like the Cyber Style.
Hayato felt like he should be remembering something, but he wasn't a brainiac with an exceptional memory. At most, he just felt that the Motorcycle flying through the sky just now gave him a strong sense of déjà vu, but he couldn't recall anything related that would happen.
However, even if he didn't remember what would happen, Hayato had a way to find out what that Motorcycle was.
With a light finger snap, Ojama Yellow, still wearing pajamas, found itself being held by Gaia The Fierce Knight and appearing behind Hayato.
Accompanied by a powerful "Ora!", Ojama Yellow shot into the sky!
--- Judai sat on the back seat of Yusei Fudo's Motorcycle, where Akiza couldn't sit ---
"Seriously, they're not listening to us at all."
With an elbow strike, Judai knocked down a security personnel guarding the rooftop. Judai helped the person lie down, "Just rest for ten minutes or so, okay?"
Behind Judai, Yusei Fudo also knocked down another security guard with a "Crab Rising Fist". However, Yusei Fudo, who came from the streets, didn't have the gentleness to help the opponent up, simply letting them collapse and lie on the ground.
Due to his past experience of Bakura exploiting security loopholes to sneak up and gouge his eye, Pegasus was now very careful about his personal safety. Choosing not to arrive at the scene early was both to avoid the troublesome questions from Reporters and for this consideration.
The security personnel who arrived early had cleared out potential dangers in almost every location, including the rooftop. After all, while ordinary people wouldn't come to the rooftop, you never know if someone like Spider-Man or Batman might squat on the rooftop to pose.
However, although the security guards on the rooftop where Yusei Fudo and Judai were located remained vigilant throughout, they were more vigilant about potential intruders on the building's exterior walls and the Stairs leading to the rooftop. They completely failed to anticipate that someone would arrive driving a Motorcycle from the sky.
Standing at the edge of the rooftop and looking down, Judai couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, it's amazing, there are so many people! It looks really lively."
"The more lively it is, the harder it will be for the people present to escape once an Attack occurs," Yusei Fudo began to imagine the tragedy that would unfold if the Masked Man attacked here next. "To defeat the Father of Duel Monsters of this era using Duel Monsters that have developed into the Future, creating a Paradox. That Masked Man's goal is to destroy this entire World and spacetime."
"So we must stop that person. First, confirm the time of that person's Attack, then go back to a time before it and evacuate the crowd," Judai said with a rare serious expression. "As long as we change the Past, the Future will also change accordingly. At that time, the dynamic between us and that Masked Man will be reversed."
"To eliminate Duel Monsters, he will instead need to 'maintain history' and stop us, while we need to defeat him when he comes to stop us."
It sounds simple in principle, but it is very difficult for Yusei Fudo and Judai to implement. The first challenge is that their control over time cannot be too short or too long.
Going too far into the Past could easily trigger too many butterfly effects. By then, perhaps even without the Masked Man needing to act, the World of Duel Monsters would be destroyed by the two of them.
If the time they go back to is too recent, it might not be enough to create sufficient impact to change the Future.
And it was precisely to determine this "degree" that Yusei Fudo and Judai appeared at the time when the Attack was about to happen, to estimate exactly how long they needed to travel back in time later.
Having witnessed the destructive power of the Duel Monsters that caused widespread destruction in Europe at Judai's time, both Judai and Yusei Fudo could imagine that if that Masked Man acted here, most of the people in the plaza below would not be able to escape and would only meet their end.
But they would not, and could not, act to save them, because it would be futile.
They needed to watch coldly as innocent people died in large numbers, and then return to the Past to reverse this Future.
And just then, they noticed a flash of radiance on the rooftop opposite them as well. A giant white Motorcycle landed on the opposite rooftop. Appearing simultaneously with the Motorcycle were Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Stardust Dragon, and others.
The materialization of Duel Monsters was no longer just a simple virtual projection. As soon as they appeared above the Commercial Street Central Plaza, they cast several huge shadows, attracting the attention of the crowd on the ground. Even Pegasus couldn't help but look up, surprised to see the several giant dragons circling in the air.
"Oh, oh! Has KaibaCorp's virtual projection system developed to this extent now? That's truly amazing! It feels just like there are real Duel Monsters flying in the sky," Solomon Muto exclaimed repeatedly. "And the accuracy of Blue-Eyes White Dragon and that Cyber End Dragon is really high."
"However, the other two are Dragon-Type Monsters I haven't seen before."
Solomon Muto was naturally referring to Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon and Stardust Dragon, two Duel Monsters that would only exist in the Future.
Beside Solomon Muto, his Chief Disciple, Joey Wheeler's gaze gradually shifted from surprise and suspicion to seriousness.
"No, something's completely wrong, Master Solomon!" Joey Wheeler stared intently at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon among the four giant dragons. "That Blue-Eyes feels abnormally intense to me. It's completely different from the aura that Kaiba's Blue-Eyes possesses. This is the one thing I absolutely cannot be mistaken about."
"That is definitely not the Blue-Eyes held by Kaiba, and it's about to Attack!"
As Joey Wheeler predicted the meaning behind its upward movement, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon he was pointing at indeed began accumulating an Attack in its mouth. The other three giant dragons also followed suit, raising their heads.
The first to Attack was Stardust Dragon. High-pressure airflow was spewed from its mouth. Stardust Dragon, which usually kindly protected its companions, had now transformed into a machine of destruction. The sturdy Building was directly severed at the waist by its breath with a shake of its head. Large amounts of shattered bricks, stones, and glass fell from high altitude.
The merciless "sword rain" fell upon the crowd who couldn't escape in time. Many people were decapitated by glass before they could even scream, or were directly crushed into meat paste by heavy Building debris.
The other three giant dragons also launched their Attacks one after another, completely engulfing the Central Plaza from various directions.
As for their initial target, Pegasus, he was already suppressed by the half-severed tall Building that fell during the first wave of Attacks. Although he had arranged quite a few security personnel, no amount of personnel was more than futile resistance against the Attack of materialized Duel Monsters. Before being killed, Pegasus only had time to say, "Oh! Noooooo!"
After surviving one round of Attacks, Hayato and the materialized Gaia The Fierce Knight beside him pushed away a piece of Building debris that had nearly crushed him to death.
Thanks to Hayato throwing out Ojama Yellow, he learned from it that a Jellyfish Head and a Crab Head had appeared on the rooftop. This made him realize where the feeling of unease he had felt before came from.
This was clearly the scene where Paradox, the Boss who wasn't the strongest but could be called the bravest among all Yu-Gi-Oh! eras, was about to act and kill Pegasus. The red Motorcycle he saw before must have been the D-Wheel, the vehicle and Duel Device of Fudo Yusei from the Future.
Recalling the disaster that would occur next, Hayato was about to act to slightly evacuate the crowd, but it was already too late. Four giant dragons appeared consecutively in the sky. Two of them might not be familiar to others, but Hayato knew them too well.
Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon, said to be the only one in the World but which you could pull a floor full of in the DP07 Johan pack, and Stardust Dragon, the Tamashii of "Yusei", with the extremely standard 2500 ATK of a Protagonist's Ace Card.
If he hadn't just used Gaia The Fierce Knight, Hayato wouldn't even have been able to complete a Drawing Motion before being crushed to death on the spot.
Seeing the light again after pushing away the giant rock, Hayato looked around and found that the previously bustling Commercial Street had been completely destroyed into a ruin. Not far away, Yugi and Joey Wheeler, who seemed to have miraculously escaped, were holding a broken headband engraved with the character "Solomon" and crying out in grief:
"Grandpa!!!"
"Master Solomon!!"
In the midst of the sorrowful scene, there was always an untimely troublemaker. A triumphant laugh came from the rooftop of a Building in the distance. Hayato turned his head and saw a figure wearing a black and white Mask.
"Hmph hahahaha, excellent! With this, the ultimate experiment is complete! I have achieved an unprecedented Act of Salvation!"
"Who are you?!" Joey Wheeler suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at the wildly laughing Masked Man.
Solomon Muto was Yugi's Grandpa, but also Joey Wheeler's important Teacher. It was Grandpa Solomon's teaching that allowed Joey Wheeler to grow and progress in the field of Duel Monsters. Now, Solomon Muto was dead, and it was very likely this wildly laughing madman who killed him!
However, Joey Wheeler's angry question received no response from the Masked Man. That guy was still laughing wildly.
"The Paradox of the Father of Duel Monsters dying by Duel Monsters is now established! The Future will change from this point!"
"Hmph hahahaha!"
"Hmm!?"
The Masked Man's wild laughter abruptly stopped. Not far from him, on top of a tall Building, a red giant dragon swam out of thin air, circling a Motorcycle as it rushed towards the ground. On the Motorcycle, the Masked Man saw Fudo Yusei and Judai Yuki, whom he had just met not long ago, sitting on the Motorcycle.
"You actually chased me all the way here? Hmph, but it's too late! I've already killed Pegasus!"
The Masked Man was indifferent to the appearance of Yusei Fudo and Judai Yuki. But what he didn't expect was that the Red Dragon, Ultimaya Tzolkin, which brought them, didn't just appear for a short while and then disperse as he had seen before. Instead, after landing on the ground with Yusei Fudo's D-Wheel, it smoothly swallowed Yugi and Hayato, who had survived on the ground, into its mouth, and then rushed into a circular hole and disappeared.
Only Joey Wheeler was left looking bewildered: "I haven't gotten on yet?!"
And in the very next second after the Red Dragon, Ultimaya Tzolkin, disappeared, the Buildings that had been destroyed by Stardust Dragon, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and the others suddenly flew back into the air as if time was reversing, accurately returning to their previous positions. And the corpses of the people who were killed actually refreshed and disappeared like monster corpses in a video game?!
The expression under the Masked Man's mask twisted. His research on spacetime was quite deep, and he clearly understood why this scene was happening before his eyes. Wasn't it because the Past had been changed?
Clearly, the damned Fudo Yusei and Judai Yuki had taken Mutou Yuugi and Hayato Kobayashi, these two Legendary Duelists, to an even earlier Past to change history!
"To stop me again and again, you won't succeed!" In his annoyance, the Masked Man turned around and once again mounted his giant D-Wheel, chasing the trajectory of the changed spacetime, and leaped back into the Past with them.
---- Third Bomb: Bites the Dust ----
Domino City Commercial Street Central Plaza, 11:30 AM (Half an hour ago)
"Whoa oh oh~~"
Just like half an hour later, a long red dragon appeared out of thin air on the rooftop. However, this time the Red Dragon's flight path happened to collide with the two security personnel on the rooftop. By the time the D-Wheel driven by Yusei Fudo flew out from the dragon's head, they didn't even need to act again; the security personnel on the rooftop had already been knocked unconscious by the Red Dragon, Ultimaya Tzolkin.
Yusei Fudo's D-Wheel skidded to a stop, and Yugi and Hayato, who followed closely behind them, also flew out from the dragon's torso. Yugi's athletic ability wasn't great; he couldn't maintain balance in mid-air at all, fell directly to the ground, rolled out, and hit his head on the guardrail at the edge of the rooftop, crying out in pain.
Hayato's balance was very good. He maintained a leaping posture in mid-air like "Intruder Dio", landed smoothly, and even tilted his head back, flipping up his drooping bangs.
This guy, he's so arrogant.
Judai, who got off the back seat of Yusei Fudo's Motorcycle where Akiza couldn't sit, went to help Yugi, who had hit the railing, up. Yusei Fudo, who had parked his D-Wheel, looked at Hayato, who had a smug look, and thought to himself.
Chapter 492: Paradox
"Huh? Thirty minutes ago!" Yugi exclaimed, his face filled with shock as he listened to Judai and Yusei Fudo's explanation. "And it was the power of Duel Monsters? That's amazing, Duel Monsters has power like that?"
"Well, it is Duel Monsters, after all. Nothing is really surprising," Judai chuckled foolishly, introducing himself to Yugi and Hayato. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Yugi, Mr. Hayato. My name is Judai Yuki, and I'm from the future, over ten years from now."
"My name is Fudo Yusei, and I'm from an even more distant future, several decades from now," Yusei Fudo introduced himself, then continued, "At this current point in time, the 'Father of Duel Monsters', Pegasus J. Crawford, hasn't arrived at the venue for the Duel Monsters Convention yet, and that attack hasn't happened either. So, Mr. Yugi, your Grandpa is still safe."
Yugi looked down from the tall building. After searching for a bit, he easily found the most beautiful Coser among the many Cosplaying Duel Monsters below, and unsurprisingly, found Joey Wheeler and Solomon Muto, the Master and Disciple, from this time period standing beside that Coser.
Confirming that his Grandpa was indeed safe, Yugi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hoho, Judai Yuki from ten years in the future?" Hayato, standing nearby, looked at the slightly nervous Judai with interest. "Just to be safe, let me confirm first. You should be the Judai Yuki I know, right?"
Hearing Hayato's words, Judai seemed prepared. He drew a Card from his Duel Disk.
"On the way here, I thought Mr. Hayato might ask me something like this. In that case, I guess this Card is the best proof," Judai flipped the Card in his Hand, revealing a Level 8 Powerful Monster—the Lava Golem, which Judai had used in the future timeline to Absorb **Cyber End Dragon** and **Rainbow Dragon** to defend against an Attack.
"This Card was the Enrollment Gift you gave me, Mr. Hayato, when I enrolled in Duel Academy. Although my enrollment is still several years away from the Present, I thought Mr. Hayato would give me this Card in the future just like you did."
Hayato was momentarily stunned looking at the **Lava Golem** Judai showed him, then nodded with a hint of Helplessness. "Well, as expected, it's a Gift I would give. **Lava Golem** is indeed Most Suitable when used in conjunction with **E·HERO**."
Speaking of **E·HERO** Monsters, although Hayato had once shown the younger Judai he knew various Strange Usage methods, the core theme of **E·HERO** was ultimately Elemental Fusion. And speaking of Fusion, the most classic one to mention is **E·HERO Flame Wingman**.
Fusion Summoned using two Normal Monster **E·HERO**es, "Wind" and "Fire", as Fusion Material, although its ATK is only 2100 Points, due to the existence of the **E·HERO** Exclusive Field Spell Card, **E·HERO Flame Wingman**'s ATK can easily increase to 3100 during an attack, which is just enough to completely suppress Monsters with 3000 ATK.
After all, it's well known that the Protagonist's Ace Card often has 2500 ATK, while the male lead's rival's Ace Card often has 3000 ATK. Because of this rule, the Number of Monsters with exactly 3000 ATK is quite large, which made Kaiba lose face for a while, as whenever they mentioned ATK, they would always add, "It's a Monster with the same ATK Value as the Legendary **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**."
It made **Blue-Eyes White Dragon** seem like a Combat Power unit.
A simple ATK Increase isn't the Key Point. The Key Point is that **E·HERO Flame Wingman** has the Ability to "inflict Effect Damage to the Opponent Duelist equal to the ATK Value of the Monster Destroyed by Battle."
Destroying **Blue-Eyes White Dragon** by Battle allows it to inflict an additional 3000 Points of Effect Damage, which is **Blue-Eyes White Dragon**'s ATK, on top of the Battle Damage. This level of Damage is quite Fatal in a 4000 LP Environment, and you could easily be defeated in return if you're not careful.
Because of this, although **E·HERO Flame Wingman** isn't a Protagonist's Ace Card with 2500 ATK like **Elemental HERO Neos**, which appeared later, the original Judai still regarded it as his most beloved Hero and also earned the Title "3000 Slayer".
And **Lava Golem**'s Stats are well known to everyone; it has exactly 3000 ATK. First, you Absorb the Opponent's Powerful Monster to turn it into a **Lava Golem** with 3000 ATK, and then **E·HERO Flame Wingman** delivers the Fatal Blow. The Effect is definitely excellent.
However, Actually, Hayato never doubted Judai's Identity. After all, other things could be Disguised, but one thing could not be hidden.
That was the demonic Humanoid figure silently floating behind Judai, observing the group—**Yubel**. From **Yubel**, Hayato could feel a very strong Dark Power, and it felt similar to **Destiny HERO - Plasma** from back then, clearly originating from the Power of the Light of Destruction. At the same time, Hayato could also sense the Seal of the **Millennium Ring** being Dispel.
Clearly, this Judai in front of him indeed came from the Future of his World. And from the looks of it, Judai still launched **Yubel** into the sky and Received the Baptism of the Light of Destruction.
"Well, let's stop chatting for now. Next, let's exchange some Information," Hayato clapped his Hands, signaling Yusei Fudo, Judai, and Yugi to look at him. "In any case, the Goal is to stop that Masked Man who launched the Attack earlier from taking out Pegasus, right?"
"Not just that, we also need to ensure that History doesn't deviate too much," Yusei Fudo explained. "For example, we can't just take out Pegasus ourselves before the Masked Man does, just to prevent Pegasus from dying at the Masked Man's Hands."
"So many people are gathered here at the Duel Monsters Convention, we need to evacuate the crowd too," Yugi pondered.
Among the few of them, Judai was the most relaxed. He was well aware of his Ability. If it was during a Duel, he was fine, as his Duel Smell was very sharp, but when it came to anything requiring thinking outside of that, he was completely useless. Besides, there were already three smart people trying to figure things out, so there was no need for him to force himself to think as well.
Anyway, once Hayato and the other two came up with a Plan, he would just go and carry it out.
The current Situation was like a Great Fire intentionally set in a Forest. Hayato and the others were at a Time Point before the Fire spread, needing to ensure the Forest wouldn't be burned down. However, at the same time, they didn't have the Ability to extinguish the Fire, because if they extinguished this Fire, the Arsonist would go and set Fire somewhere else unknown.
Seeing that Yusei Fudo and Yugi couldn't come up with a solution for a while, Hayato suggested a Plan. Yugi and Yusei Fudo thought about it and felt that Hayato's method was very feasible and would control the Influence on the Future within a very small range.
However, the method proposed by Hayato was somewhat outside of Yugi and Yusei Fudo's conventional thinking, making them a bit unaccustomed to it. On the other hand, the unconventional Judai thought Hayato's Plan was excellent.
"Whoosh!"
"Boom!!"
In the Gap of the warm-up activities before the official start of the Duel Monsters Convention, from a rooftop, a Light Bullet streaked across the air and landed on the empty Stage from above. It seemed to have hit some Device, causing a small Explosion. The violent blast blew the paper scraps left from the previous performance all over the Stage.
"Whoa!!"
"What happened?!"
A somewhat illusory blazing fire swallowed the entire Stage and spread outwards at a very abnormally slow speed. The Stage was burned down under the Watching eyes of everyone present, followed by the Smoke that inexplicably rose to cover everything.
Before the crowd could react to what kind of Accident Situation had occurred, they heard several childish Voices among them:
"Wow, an Explosion! That's Dangerous!"
"We need to Escape quickly, who knows what will happen next!"
"We have to leave the Plaza quickly!"
Although the emotions in the few Voices were not quite right, sounding like they were reading lines, for the crowd who were good at following others and lacked a backbone, these Voices gave them a Goal for their next Action.
Anyway, no one knew who started it, but everyone present began to run frantically along the Commercial Street, running towards a safe place without looking back, intending to get as far away as possible from the Stage where the Explosion had just occurred.
However, within the crowd, four people stood still, with no intention of Escaping at all.
"Combining Materialization of Duel Monsters and the Virtual Projection System... there's actually a Usage like this," Yusei Fudo praised Hayato and Judai's perfect Cooperation just now. "First, using a Materialized Duel Monster to create an Attack that definitely exists but only for that Instant to attract everyone's Attention, and then using the illusory images created by the Virtual Projection System."
"After all, if the Attack is too small, it's not easy to scare people away, and if the Attack is too big, the Destruction caused will be excessive," Hayato said with a smile, retrieving a Trap Card from his Duel Disk. **Yubel** behind Judai also lowered her arm.
And as Hayato took away the Trap Card in his Hand, the Illusion that had fooled everyone was Dispel, revealing the main Stage of the Duel Monsters Convention with a large Hole blown in the Wooden Floor, but otherwise perfectly intact. The Smoke and blazing fire from just now vanished into thin air.
"I see, setting Fire to create an Open Space before the Flames reach the Forest, so that the spread of the Flames can be isolated and the entire Forest prevented from being burned down," Yugi confirmed that his Present self had already left with Solomon Muto and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "If the Duel Monsters Convention is Interrupted halfway, it can still be held later."
Yusei Fudo also nodded. "This way, at least the people present won't be killed by the Accident at 12:00. Next, we just need to contact Mr. Pegasus—"
"That's something I won't let you do!"
A Voice came from afar, interrupting Yusei Fudo's unfinished words.
A Pitch-Black Portal suddenly opened up in the Open Space of the Plaza. The giant D-Wheel driven by the Masked Man leaped out from the Portal. The golden-haired Masked Man riding the giant D-Wheel gnashed his teeth even more furiously when he found that his reckless driving hadn't hit a single person.
"You actually evacuated everyone from the scene! Are you trying to obstruct me this way, you stubborn Ghosts of the Past!"
Standing up from his Vehicle, the Shinri-go, the Masked Man, whose bare arms were full of muscles and whose build was robust, looked at the people standing opposite him. "Legendary Duelists from various Eras have gathered? But don't think you can stop my Act of Salvation!"
As he stood up, the Masked Man also took off the black and white Mask on his face, which was paradoxical, revealing a rather handsome face.
"My Name is Paradox, from the distant Future, wandering through various Eras searching for Possibility. My Goal is to become the Hero who Saves the World."
"You, don't think you can block my path!"
"You guy, you're clearly just a Terrorist who disregards Human Lives, what kind of Saving the World are you!"
Judai was Annoyed that the Masked Man—Paradox—called himself a "Hero". Because based on everything Judai knew about Paradox's actions so far, there was nothing that could be called heroic; he didn't even have the Qualification of an anti-hero. No one understood "Hero" better than Judai.
"Hmph, your vision is ultimately limited by your Era, you can only see the partial Destruction, but you cannot see the Rebirth hidden behind the Ruin," Paradox snorted coldly. "I told you, I come from the distant Future, even more distant than Fudo Yusei's,"
"A Future Destroyed by Duel Monsters."
Paradox seemed to have his Memories stirred, saying with a sigh: "A Doomsday-like Future where Energy is Depleted."
Yugi was very shocked: "Duel Monsters, Destroyed the Future?!"
"No, that kind of Future is not Possible!" Yusei Fudo questioned. "You don't need to go to the more distant Future, just in my Era, a Perpetual Motion Machine with Infinite Energy has already appeared. As long as people can Duel, they can generate inexhaustible Energy."
"If it were reasons like Alien Invasion or Human War, it might be Possible, but 'Energy Depletion' is the one thing that cannot happen."
One must know that Yusei Fudo's Father was the inventor of that Perpetual Motion Machine. New Domino City in the Future even elevated the Status of Duelists extremely high because the Energy of the Perpetual Motion Machine came from Duels. The Strongest Duelist could even receive the Title of "Pharaoh".
"That is indeed correct. The Perpetual Motion Machine with Infinite Energy was Born in your Era, Fudo Yusei."
"However, that was just the Beginning of Despair."
Paradox sneered, "When Material Life is satisfied, Humans do not therefore pursue Spiritual Life. Instead, they only generate endless Greed due to Material abundance."
"The more they crave, the more it leads to the Degeneration of Human Spiritual Culture. And the Perpetual Motion Machine, which reads the Human Heart, reverses because of this. Material and Spiritual fall into two extremes, neither is attainable. This is the 'contradiction' of Humanity, and the inevitable Future of Despair they will face."
"Therefore, I will Destroy Duel Monsters, which gave Birth to the 'Synchro' that Destroyed the World, in my own way!"
Yugi complained: "What's with that 'Synchro'? It has nothing to do with our Era!"
"After all, even without Synchro, Duel Monsters will continue to develop. If it's not 'Synchro' Destroying the World, it might be various Strange methods like Xyz, Pendulum, or Link that Destroy the World," Hayato said words that the others couldn't understand at all. "So, Paradox thought he might as well just Destroy Duel Monsters cleanly."
"It's not Parado, it's Paradox, it's Paradox!" Paradox corrected Hayato's Strange pronunciation of his Name, snorted coldly, and operated the controls on his Shinri-go. "I have collected the Strongest Cards from various Eras to form my Deck. Since you are stubbornly obstructing me, I will Annihilate you here using Duel Monsters!"
Only to see the rear wheel of the D-Wheel beneath Paradox's feet magically unfolded and split into two, transforming into two wing-like structures. The long motorcycle head retracted, and the front wheel flipped flat, changing the original motorcycle Appearance into a Hover Machine, gradually leaving the Ground.
Standing on the Shinri-go in Duel Mode, Paradox put on a Duel Disk and inserted his Deck: "You, who became famous in History because of Duel Monsters, shall be killed by me here using Duel Monsters!"
Chapter 493: See this Pot of Greed? *Slap*, it's Forbidden.
"As expected, words won't convince this guy," Yusei Fudo frowned, looking up at the flying Paradox. "We can't understand each other."
"Sacrificing the present for the future, what kind of Hero is that?" Judai was also quite indignant.
Hayato nodded. "When you want to become a Hero, you've actually already lost the qualification to be one."
"In that case, let's defeat him with a Duel," Yugi's Millennium Puzzle on his chest lit up. Turning his head, Yugi looked at the others. "Everyone, let's go together!"
"Oh!" X3
Facing Paradox, who intended to destroy the World, the four individuals from different times stood in a line. Hayato, Yugi, and Judai raised their Duel Disks overhead and activated them. Although his own Duel Disk didn't have an activation function, Yusei Fudo also raised his Duel Disk overhead to fit in.
Yugi handed the lead over to the Pharaoh within the Millennium Puzzle. Although Yusei Fudo didn't have his Stardust Dragon by his side for the moment, the Red Dragon "Ultimaya Tzolkin" was there as a substitute. Yubel, behind Judai, spread its winged arms and wrapped them around its chest.
Meanwhile, Hayato reached up and smoothed his hair. His usually understated hairstyle stood up like it was slicked back with gel. The Millennium Ring and Millennium Rod resonated with each other, emitting golden light. Releasing a Spirit to look cool was completely unnecessary; Hayato's own Aura was already high enough.
"Nothing is impossible for the Pharaoh's Duel on the ground. All things are in my hands!"
"Duel!" X5
[Paradox: 16000 LP]
[Yugi, Judai, Yusei Fudo, Hayato: 4000 LP]
"Even you, Legendary Duelists whose names are recorded in history, have no chance of winning against my Deck, which gathers the strongest Cards from every Era," Paradox said, looking down on them, and drew five Cards into his Hand. "My Life Points are four times yours, and the Rules of the Duel are Rotation System."
"Now, I'll take the First Turn! Draw!"
As Paradox spoke, he drew a Card, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up. "First, I will take you to the World of Sin! Activate Field Spell Card, Malefic World!"
As Paradox placed a Card in the Field Zone, a beam of black lightning surged from his Duel Disk, quickly spreading and covering the Aircraft beneath his feet.
Following this, relying on the several Signal Emitter-like devices that extended from Paradox's Vehicle, the "Shinri-go," in Duel Mode, the black lightning spread throughout the "Shinri-go" was fired towards various corners of the Deserted Plaza where the four stood.
The pinkish-purple portals, like Space, that had appeared when Paradox Time Traveled before, appeared at the points struck by the black lightning. They spread out and connected with each other, transferring the five people present into a fantastical World.
"Malefic World..." the Pharaoh's brow furrowed. "It's just a Field Spell Card, yet this ominous feeling is..."
"Duel Monsters that destroyed the World are undoubtedly existences that carry the Sin of Human. The Malefic Deck I'm using is the best proof of this," Paradox raised the Duel Disk on his hand. "To be against me is, in a sense, to be against the history of Duel Monsters, a history full of Sin."
"While Malefic World exists on the Field, I can forgo drawing a Card during each Draw Phase and instead Add a random Malefic Card from my Deck to my Hand."
Paradox proudly raised his head, wanting to hear the exclamations of the people before him, whom he considered "Ancient People."
The characteristic of the Malefic Deck he used was that it could Send Powerful Monsters that originally required certain Conditions to Summon directly to the Graveyard, in order to Special Summon Malefic Monsters that had completely identical Combat Power and even inherited their special Abilities.
For example, to Summon Cyber End Dragon through conventional means, you needed to Assemble three Cyber Dragon as Fusion Material and also a Polymerization Card. However, the Malefic Cyber End Dragon he created after taking Cyber End Dragon only required Sending the Cyber End Dragon from the Extra Deck to the Graveyard to be Special Summoned directly.
Summoning a Powerful Monster with 4000 ATK and Piercing Battle Damage without even using a Normal Summon slot was practically Invincible.
However, Paradox also remembered an ancient proverb that had been passed down for a long time: "Powerful Cards often come with Risk." The Flaw of Malefic Monsters, which had such simple Summoning Conditions, was that without Malefic World present, Malefic Monsters would Self-Destruct. Additionally, their Special Summon could only Send the Original Monster from the "Deck" to the Graveyard.
Thinking of this, Paradox glanced dismissively at the Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon in his Hand and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon he had taken from an old man named "Solomon Muto" from a future relative to the current Era.
Awkwardly, Paradox had accidentally fallen into a situation called a "bricked hand." He had only collected one Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and if it was accidentally drawn into his Hand, the Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon became useless paper. He didn't know if it was his own Luck or a problem with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon itself.
Speaking of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon held by Solomon Muto, whose Card Paradox had taken, was in a Damaged state and originally couldn't be used for Duel Monsters. However, because Paradox had developed his own Card Transfer Technology specifically to take Powerful Monsters, he successfully Transferred the originally Damaged Blue-Eyes White Dragon into a normal Card.
However, Paradox waited for a long time but didn't hear any sounds of astonishment from the people below.
It wasn't that no one was talking, it was just—
"Huh? Is that all?" Judai scratched his head, confused. "Isn't there a more troublesome effect later? Like, if your Monster attacks a Monster with higher ATK, it can Increase its ATK by 1000 Points or something?"
"Although it's called Malefic World, the name sounds cool and the effects look cool, but the effect is useless," Hayato also spread his hands, looking like he didn't take Malefic World seriously.
"You guys don't know anything!?" Paradox wished he could grab their Collars and explain in detail how important Malefic World was to the Malefic Deck. Just guaranteeing that he wouldn't brick his Hand next was already very useful, okay?
But before he could explain, Hayato's words dealt him a fatal blow.
"Drawing a random Card, and it also restricts you from drawing Cards other than Malefic Cards. It sounds useless. After all, shouldn't a True Duelist be able to Draw whatever they want?"
Mutou Rule Bending Yugi: "Indeed."
Yuki Divine Draw Judai: "Exactly."
Fudo Card Printing Yusei Fudo: "Right, right, right."
"Why are these Ancient People so arrogant?" Paradox's Mood became increasingly Annoyed. He gave a Cold Snort, too lazy to talk to them further, and continued his Turn.
"Although it's useless paper for now, it's not completely useless. I prepared this Card in my Deck precisely because I considered this situation might occur," Paradox inserted a Card into the Spell & Trap Zone. "Activate Normal Spell Card, Trade-In! Discard a Level 8 Monster from my Hand, then Draw two Cards from my Deck."
"I will discard the Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Hand, then Draw."
"It's Kaiba's Blue-Eyes!?" Yugi was quite shocked that Paradox had Blue-Eyes White Dragon in his Hand. He had forgotten about it because it hadn't been brought up again, but now Yugi also remembered that among the Solid Vision Monsters that had attacked the Duel Monsters Tournament Venue half an hour ago, there was a Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
"That's right. I told you, my Deck gathers the strongest Duel Monsters Cards from every Era. Although Blue-Eyes White Dragon is, frankly, just a Normal Monster with 3000 ATK, it did exist as the strongest presence in the history of Duel Monsters during a certain period."
"In that case, of course, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to acquire it. Naturally, I also Defeated the guy who stood in my way."
Paradox didn't Clarify Yugi's misunderstanding. After all, one was snatching a Blue-Eyes that was torn in half from a powerless old man, and the other was taking the precious Ace Card from the historically famous Legendary Duelist "Kaiba Seto." The latter was clearly more impressive.
Besides, he wasn't lying. He did Defeat that old man who stood in his way. As for Mutou Yuugi and the others understanding "the guy who stood in my way" as "Kaiba Seto," that was their own problem.
"I didn't expect that in the future, even Kaiba..." Yugi's Expression became quite Serious. "It seems I must be careful, otherwise, I might repeat Kaiba's fate."
But at the same time, another Question arose for Yugi: "The Discard Cost plus the Cards drawn, and it's specifically restricted to discarding a Level 8 Monster. In the end, you only Draw two Cards."
"It's not as efficient for Milling as Graceful Charity, and Drawing Cards isn't as worthwhile as Pot of Greed. Just like that Field Spell Card Malefic World, it's a meaningless Card."
This time, Paradox didn't need to say anything. Judai, standing next to Yugi, spoke up to explain for him: "No, of course, it would be better to use Cards like Graceful Charity and Pot of Greed if possible, but it's not that he doesn't want to, it's that he can't."
"Although I'm not quite sure what the Forbidden & Limited List of the future is like, Pot of Greed was already a Limited Card when I was in school, and in the second semester of Duel Academy, it was directly locked away in the Forbidden Card List."
"In my Era, there was a watered-down version of Graceful Charity called Cards from the Sky, which became Draw two, discard one. But Cards like Graceful Charity and Pot of Greed have been Forbidden for decades."
Yusei Fudo also explained the situation in the future. "Although Duel Disks allow the use of these two Cards, because they are out of production, the newest ones are Antiques from decades ago, all kept in Private Collections."
Using Antique Cards to Duel is no different from using a centuries-old Antique bowl to hold a Meal. It's overly luxurious, and no one would do something that doesn't cherish their Cards.
However, in this Era, it seems there are a large number of Pot of Greed and Graceful Charity Cards circulating on the market. As Yusei Fudo thought about it, his eyes lit up. If he brought back some "Souvenirs" when he returned...
"Then I Draw two Cards." Paradox didn't pay too much attention to Yugi and the others' communication. He drew two Cards on his own, and seeing the Cards he drew, he couldn't help but show a Proud smile.
"Now, I will Send the Cyber End Dragon from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard," The purple Cyber End Dragon was pushed into the Graveyard by Paradox. Behind him, the Figure of Cyber End Dragon, the Ultimate Technique of the Cyber Style, appeared.
"He actually gave up his Old Friend Cyber End Dragon right at the Opening Hand," Hayato raised an eyebrow. "And, he Sent it to the Graveyard instead of Banishing it. It looks like things will be a bit troublesome next."
"Come forth, Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"
Along with Paradox's loud shout, several black lightning bolts gathered around Cyber End Dragon, creating several pieces of Pitch-Black Armor out of thin air. Ignoring the struggling Cyber End Dragon, they roughly encased its surface.
Then, black lightning overflowed, covering Cyber End Dragon's entire body. The Eye Monitors lit up in Cyber End Dragon's three heads were extinguished. But in the next moment, all six eyes lit up with scarlet radiance.
[Malefic Cyber End Dragon] [Level 10☆/DARK]
[Machine Type/Special Summon/Effect]
[4000/2800]
"Madamada! I will also Send the Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard! My second Malefic Monster, Malefic Rainbow Dragon!"
Just like with Cyber End Dragon, Paradox Sent the Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon he Searched from his Deck to the Graveyard. And next to Malefic Cyber End Dragon, Malefic Rainbow Dragon appeared in the same manner.
[Malefic Rainbow Dragon] [Level 10☆/DARK]
[Dragon Type/Special Summon/Effect]
[4000/0]
"Johan and Kaiser's Cards! And, they've all been dyed black, even their Attribute has become DARK Attribute!" Judai's eyes widened, looking at the two Monsters before him that Paradox had taken from his Friends and whose Appearance had been remodeled beyond recognition.
"Their ATK and DEF are also the same as the original Monsters. In that case, maybe even their Effects..."
The sharp-eyed Yugi, although far away, still managed to glimpse the ATK/DEF Values on the Cyber End Dragon and Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon Cards. They were equal to the two Monsters before him.
Although he couldn't see the Effects of the two Monsters that were Sent to the Graveyard because Paradox's movements were quite swift, Yugi, associating it with a certain person, guessed that these two Malefic Monsters likely also inherited the Effects of the original Monsters.
At the same time, Yugi Mutou within the Millennium Puzzle couldn't help but Rant to Dark Yugi outside: "Taking other people's Monsters, remodeling them into a similar but different state, and not even changing their Effects and ATK/DEF."
"Why do I suddenly feel that Paradox's Goal of killing Pegasus isn't simple? Does he really just want to Change the future, or does he feel that his and Pegasus's Styles of Duel Monsters clash?"
"Could it be that after his Malefic Monsters are Destroyed, he'll take out other 'True Ace Cards' or something, just like how Pegasus would take out Relinquished after his Toon Monsters were Countered?"
# Chapter 494: Go, Slap Him Twice
[Malefic Cyber End Dragon] [ATK 4000]
[Malefic Truth Dragon] [ATK 4000]
"Summoning two monsters with 4000 ATK in a single turn is a bit too much, isn't it?" Yusei Fudo said, frowning.
In his era, while ATK-boosting decks weren't nonexistent, most of them had already fallen out of the meta. More decks focused on smooth plays, summoning multiple monsters in one Turn, defending against the opponent's Attack, and interrupting the opponent's plays.
Compared to summoning one powerful Boss Monster, it was more popular in his era to Summon several monsters of slightly lower strength, to prevent collapsing after the Boss Monster was dealt with.
The ATK of typical Boss Monsters was mostly just over 2000. A monster with 3000 ATK was already considered a Beatdown type, like the Ace Card of Yusei Fudo's friend and rival, Jack Atlas. His Ace Card was a monster with 3000 ATK called [Red Dragon Archfiend], and it had a powerful Effect that destroyed all of the opponent's Defense Position monsters when it destroyed a Defense Position monster.
However, the Paradox before them had easily Summoned two powerful monsters with 1000 more ATK than [Red Dragon Archfiend] with almost no cost. Listening to Mr. Yugi's mumbling, it was possible that these two monsters would even inherit their original powerful Effects.
Isn't that a bit too unfair?
"Heh heh, this is the [Malefic] Archetype. The [Malefic] monsters I use symbolize the Sin and Darkness hidden behind Duel Monsters. As the desires in the Human Heart increase without limit, [Malefic] monsters have even surpassed the Limit of the original Duel Monsters and can be Summoned without Cost."
Paradox was quite pleased with Yusei Fudo's Expression. Compared to older guys like Hayato Kobayashi, Mutou Yuugi, and Judai Yuki, "Fudo Yusei," whom "that person" praised as the most hopeful candidate to become the savior, was much more pleasing to the eye.
However, even Fudo Yusei cannot, will not, and could not become my stumbling block.
"Originally, Cyber End Dragon and Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon each have their own troublesome Summoning Conditions, but [Malefic] monsters can Send them directly from the Deck to the Graveyard and Special Summon themselves from my Hand."
"Since you claim you must stop me, then at least defeat the Malefic Cyber End Dragon and Malefic Truth Dragon on my Field first, and show me your Resolve!"
Saying this, Paradox inserted another Monster Card from his Hand, besides the Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon which was a Bricked Hand, into his Spell & Trap Zone. "Since it's the First Turn, I cannot enter the Battle Phase, so after Setting one Card, my Turn ends."
[Paradox: 16000 LP, Hand 2]
[Malefic Cyber End Dragon] [ATK 4000]
[Malefic Truth Dragon] [ATK 4000]
[Set Card]
Field: [Malefic World]
"Two Level 10 monsters but no Overlay for an invincible Gustav Max, otherwise it would be a finishing blow." Hayato casually remarked, then looked at Yusei Fudo beside him. "Yusei Fudo, go, give him two slaps."
"Huh? Do you mean I should take the First Turn?" Yusei Fudo tried to understand Hayato's meaning, nodded, and said to Yugi and Judai, "Everyone, please watch, this is my Duel!"
"Oh, go for it, Yusei Fudo!" Judai cheered for Yusei Fudo. "The Aggro from having precious Cards stolen, you have to Crush the opponent at least ten times to consider it repaid!"
"Be a little careful about potential Counter measures the opponent might have," Yugi also reminded him slightly. "Because of the nature of [Malefic] monsters, the opponent is very likely to Set supporting Traps."
After nodding, Yusei Fudo turned around and stepped forward, looking up at Paradox in the sky. "Although you say the future world will be destroyed because of the rampant desires of Humanity, how can you deny the past because of the future?"
"Your delusion of destroying the world will be shattered by me! Draw!"
Adding a Card to his Hand, Yusei Fudo immediately Activated it. "First is the Normal Spell Card Tuning. This Card allows me to add one Synchron monster directly from my Deck to my Hand. Then, as an exchange, the top Card of my Deck is Sent to the Graveyard."
"I will add Junk Synchron from my Deck to my Hand."
"Next, I Activate the Effect of Unknown Synchron from my Hand. If the opponent has a Monster on their Field and I have no monsters on my Field, I can Special Summon it directly from my Hand!"
As Yusei Fudo slammed a Card onto his Duel Disk, a Machine Type Monster shaped like an Eyeball Manifested on his Field. Its amber pupils seemed to take in everything.
[Unknown Synchron] [Level 1 / DARK]
[Machine Type / Tuner / Effect]
[0 ATK / 0 DEF]
"So strong! Its ATK and DEF are both 0, and it has the same Effect as [Cyber Dragon]!" Judai was very interested in the future monster Yusei Fudo used. "But, 'Tuner' is..."
"Tuner monsters are quite an important category in Deck Building for future Duel Monsters, because in a few decades, a Special Summoning method called 'Synchro Summon' will become popular," Yusei Fudo explained to Judai, who had an "I'm very curious" Expression.
"Similar to Ritual Summon, if you have a Tuner monster and Non-Tuner monsters on the Field, as long as their combined Levels exactly reach a specific Level, you can perform a Synchro Summon."
"Compared to Ritual and Fusion, which have fixed requirements, the Conditions for Synchro Summon are more flexible."
"That sounds like a very interesting Summoning method. It's a shame I can't experience it in the future," Yugi said with some regret.
Although he didn't know when "Synchro Summon" would appear in the future, judging by Judai's reaction, it wouldn't be for at least ten years.
Although living in this Era made Dark Yugi very happy, he knew his destination was not the real world. Coming from the past, he would eventually say goodbye to his Friends and return to the Underworld.
According to Ishizu Ishtar of the Tomb Keepers, by gathering the three [Three Egyptian Gods] Cards and the seven [Millennium Items], achieving the two Necessary Conditions like gathering "three souls and seven spirits," he could regain his lost Memory and important Name.
The [Three Egyptian Gods] Cards were in Hayato's Hand, and among the seven [Millennium Items], he had already encountered the [Millennium Rod], [Millennium Puzzle], [Millennium Wheel], and [Millennium Necklace]. Additionally, there was the [Millennium Eye] that Bakura Ryo took from Pegasus.
Although two more were missing, the day of parting was inevitably drawing closer. Thinking of this, Yugi couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
Yusei Fudo's plays continued.
"Activate the Magic Card Magnetic Call Circle LV2. Its Effect allows me to Special Summon a Machine Type monster with a Level of 2 or lower from my Hand. I Special Summon Harmonic Support Agent in Defense Position."
Yusei Fudo played a second Card, Special Summoning another Monster onto the Field. Harmonic Support Agent, with something resembling [Mystik Wok] on its head, adjusted the long scarf around its neck that dragged on the ground and crossed its arms in front of its Body in a defensive stance.
[Harmonic Support Agent] [Level 1 / LIGHT]
[Machine Type / Effect]
[100 ATK / 300 DEF]
"Oh! Two Level 1 monsters!"
"He got two materials without a Normal Summon!"
"Link-2!"
Listening to the exclamations from the three behind him, Yusei Fudo tried hard to suppress his urge to retort. He had just explained "Synchro Summon," right? What were they associating it with?
His Inner Thoughts were just Inner Thoughts. Yusei Fudo calmed his Heart and Declared, "With this, I have a Tuner monster and a Non-Tuner monster on the Field whose Levels total 2."
"Level 1 Harmonic Support Agent and Level 1 Unknown Synchron Synchro!"
Following Yusei Fudo's command, the two monsters on his Field leaped up into the air together. Unknown Synchron, as the Tuner monster, instantly became Transparent and decomposed, turning into a green Ring. Harmonic Support Agent, following behind Unknown Synchron, transformed into a blue Star the moment it passed through the Ring.
"Gathered prayers will head towards the horizon of a new speed, becoming a road shining with Radiance!"
Yusei Fudo shouted, raising his arm,
"Synchro Summon! Power of Hope! Synchro Tuner, Formula Synchron!"
The blue Star and the green Synchro Ring Resonated, suddenly transforming into a dazzling pillar of Light constrained by the Ring. From within that pillar of Light, a Formula race car drove out, landing on Yusei Fudo's Field and transforming into a Machine Type Warrior!
[Formula Synchron] [Level 2 / LIGHT]
[Machine Type / Synchro / Tuner / Effect]
[200 ATK / 1500 DEF]
"Sugoi~" Witnessing the scene of "Synchro Summon" firsthand, Judai couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. "Just as Yusei Fudo said, it gathers the Power of two monsters together without needing Cards like [Fusion], turning them into a stronger monster!"
"Because of Formula Synchron's Effect, when he is Synchro Summoned successfully, I Draw one Card from my Deck," Yusei Fudo said, drawing a Card, then continued, "And Harmonic Support Agent's Effect, when he is Sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I Draw another Card."
Yusei Fudo's Hand Size returned to five Cards.
"Oh? An Effect to replenish your Hand, but it's useless. After all, Formula Synchron is just a weak monster with 1500 DEF. In front of Malefic Cyber End Dragon, which inherited [Cyber End Dragon]'s Piercing Damage Effect, it doesn't even serve as a barrier."
Paradox's attitude towards Formula Synchron was quite contemptuous. In his understanding, Duel Monsters without "Dragon" in their name were trash.
"This Turn, I haven't performed a Normal Summon yet. I will Normal Summon Junk Synchron, which I previously Searched to my Hand with the Effect of Tuning," Yusei Fudo continued his serious plays, unaffected by Paradox.
[Junk Synchron] [Level 3 / DARK]
[Warrior Type / Tuner / Effect]
[1300 ATK / 500 DEF]
Looking at the small yellow figure with a broken engine on its back that appeared on Yusei Fudo's Field, Hayato suddenly felt his hands itching, wanting to immediately throw out a [Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion] to Interrupt. After all, speaking of Junk Synchron, it's impossible to avoid another paired Monster Card.
"When Junk Synchron is successfully Summoned, I can Activate its Effect targeting one Level 2 or lower monster in my Graveyard, Special Summoning that monster to my Field in Defense Position with its Effects Negated. I Special Summon Harmonic Support Agent from the Graveyard in Defense Position."
"Then, the Effect of Doppelganger Warrior from my Hand. When a monster is Special Summoned from my Graveyard, I can Activate this Effect to Special Summon Doppelganger Warrior from my Hand."
[Harmonic Support Agent] [Level 1] [300 DEF]
[Doppelganger Warrior] [Level 2 / DARK]
[Warrior Type / Effect]
[800 ATK / 800 DEF]
Harmonic Support Agent, climbing back up from the Graveyard for overtime duty with a wok on its head, and Doppelganger Warrior, Special Summoned from Yusei Fudo's Hand, Manifested simultaneously. Although Paradox still had a contemptuous Gaze, Hayato knew that something big was coming.
In Duel Monsters, "Comboing" is like "Trap-Heavy Deck" – it's something the player doing it finds very satisfying, but the player on the receiving end finds incredibly frustrated, yet it's an unavoidable part of the game. And when it comes to Comboing, many decks can pull off a few combos as long as they aren't too casual, but the most memorable has to be the famous "Junk Doppel."
The so-called "Junk Doppel" is short for "Junk Doppelganger." The most core combo strategy is centered on the two monsters Junk Synchron and Doppelganger Warrior, emphasizing continuous plays like a surging tide.
In fact, if someone is bold enough to throw out [Maxx "C"], which has the Effect "Draw one Card when the opponent Special Summons," while a "Junk Doppel" deck is Comboing, it's not too difficult to make the opponent draw their entire Deck.
And now, Yusei Fudo was clearly going to give Paradox a good demonstration of "Junk Doppel" Comboing.
"Level 2 Doppelganger Warrior and Level 3 Junk Synchron Synchro!"
Just like when he Synchro Summoned Formula Synchron before, Junk Synchron and Doppelganger Warrior, chosen by Yusei Fudo, leaped into the air together. Junk Synchron transformed into three green Rings wrapped around Doppelganger Warrior's Body, converting it into two shining Stars.
Subsequently, the Stars erupted into a brilliant pillar of Light.
"Gathered Stars will awaken new Power, becoming a road shining with Radiance!" Yusei Fudo played a Card from his Hand. "Synchro Summon! Appear! Junk Warrior!"
From within the pillar of Light, Junk Warrior, bearing a pair of jet-powered gliders on his back, wearing ice skates and gauntlets resembling steel knuckles, with his white scarf fluttering in the wind around his neck, made a dazzling appearance!
[Junk Warrior] [Level 5 / DARK]
[Warrior Type / Synchro / Effect]
[2300 ATK / 1300 DEF]
"Another annoying Synchro Monster, weak and irritating." Paradox looked at Yusei Fudo with contempt. "The total Level of the monsters on your Field is 8 now, right? That's a bit of a shame, because if your Stardust Dragon hadn't been taken by me, you could have Summoned Stardust Dragon this Turn, right?"
"However, even if you Summon Stardust Dragon, it would be powerless and fragile against the [Malefic] monsters born from the Sin of Duel Monsters on my Field."
The sneer on Paradox's face subsided, his Gaze turning cold. "It is this unrestrained Summoning method, Synchro Summon, that destroyed the Future. If you want to protect the Future of Synchro and refuse to let go, then drown with Synchro!"
Chapter 495: Now I'm Stronger!
Listening to Paradox's words, Yusei Fudo retorted, "Paradox, you said the future was destroyed by Synchro?"
"Hmph, that's right." Paradox said coldly, "You still don't believe it? It's precisely because of Synchro Summoning, a summoning method like a demon with infinite power that leads people into the Abyss, that the future world became—"
"No, that's not it at all!"
Interrupting Paradox, Yusei Fudo lowered his head and looked at his right forearm. As if sensing Yusei Fudo's line of sight, a pattern on his arm lit up, a gentle, non-dazzling red dragon mark even visible through the gloves Yusei Fudo was wearing. "Synchro Summoning is a summoning that synchronizes heart with heart, a power that allows humans to understand each other."
"Connecting heart after heart that understand each other, that is the true meaning of Synchro Summoning!"
"The proof is the 'Red Dragon' mark on my hand. Even with the Time-Space gap, I can still feel the hearts of my Companions!" Yusei Fudo's gaze was firm. "I will use the power of Synchro to surpass and crush the so-called Malefic Monsters on your Field this turn!"
"When Junk Warrior is successfully Synchro Summoned, its ATK increases by the total ATK of Level 2 or lower monsters on my Field. Then, I chain the activation of the effect of the Synchro Material, Doppelwarrior. When it is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I Special Summon two Doppel Tokens in Attack Position to my Field!"
Harmonic Synchronizer [1☆] [100/300]
Doppel Token [1☆] [400/400]
Doppel Token [1☆] [400/400]
Formula Synchron [2☆] [200/1500]
"The total ATK of Level 2 or lower monsters on my Field is 1100 points. Therefore, Junk Warrior's ATK increases by 1100 points!"
Junk Warrior [ATK 2300 → 3400]
"How can this be? Just now it was just a trash monster on the level of Gaia the Fierce Knight, but in the blink of an eye, it managed to increase its ATK to a level that surpasses Blue-Eyes White Dragon by relying on those small fry gathered around it?!"
Paradox didn't expect that although Yusei Fudo's Junk Warrior looked like a junk collector with cobbled-together equipment all over its body, it had such an ATK boosting technique. It was as annoying as stepping on a wobbly brick on a rainy day and getting splashed with sewage!
"It's not over yet. Next is the Synchro of the Level 1 Harmonic Synchronizer, Doppel Token, and Formula Synchron!" Yusei Fudo played another card. "Synchro Summon! Armory Arm!"
The Formula Synchron race car accelerated and transformed into two rings, restraining the stars that Harmonic Synchronizer and Doppel Token had become. From the bursting light pillar appeared a sharp-edged steel glove.
Armory Arm [4☆/Light]
[Machine Type/Synchro/Effect]
[1800/1200]
"Although Harmonic Synchronizer's effect is negated while it exists face-up on the Field after being Special Summoned by Junk Synchron, it can still activate its effect as Synchro Material. I draw a card from my Deck."
After drawing a card, Yusei Fudo continued, "Then, only once during my Main Phase, I activate the effect of Armory Arm, equipping it to Junk Warrior on my Field as an Equip Card."
"Increase the ATK of Junk Warrior equipped with Armory Arm by 1000 points!"
Junk Warrior [ATK 3400 → 4400]
"Alright! In that case, Junk Warrior's ATK is higher! Amazing, Yusei Fudo!" Judai cheered, and Yusei Fudo slightly relaxed his serious expression, turning back to Judai with a smile. "That's not all. I said I would crush all the Malefic Monsters on Paradox's Field."
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card I just drew, Domino. The effect of this card is that when a monster on the Opponent's Field is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can send any number of cards on my Field to the Graveyard to destroy the corresponding number of monsters on the Opponent's Field."
"Nani?!" Hearing the effect of Domino, Paradox couldn't help but cast his line of sight towards the last monster on Yusei Fudo's Field besides Junk Warrior—the Doppel Token Special Summoned by Doppelwarrior's effect. Remembering that Doppel Token was not a monster but a token, Paradox couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Although in most situations, tokens can basically be used as monsters, whether as Fusion Material, tribute for a summon, or participating in Synchro, and being destroyed by monster destruction effects is also allowed, they are after all not normal monster cards.
And the effect "send to the Graveyard," which normal monsters can use, just so happens cannot be used on tokens. This means that Fudo Yusei cannot activate the effect of Domino by sending the Doppel Token to the Graveyard.
Yusei Fudo's Normal Summon this turn had already been used on Junk Synchron to start the combo. Paradox felt that Yusei Fudo surely couldn't just bring out another monster that could be Special Summoned, could he?
Then, Paradox saw Yusei Fudo indeed reveal a monster card from his Hand.
Junk Servant [4☆/EARTH]
[Warrior Type/Effect]
[1500/1000]
"If I have a 'Junk' monster face-up on my Field, I can Special Summon Junk Servant from my Hand." Yusei Fudo ignored Paradox's unpleasant expression, Special Summoned the monster, and waved his hand, ordering, "Now, begin my Battle Phase—"
"Junk Warrior with 4400 ATK, attack Malefic Truth Dragon!"
"Scrap Fist!!"
Pulling at the Armory Arm on his right hand with his left hand, Junk Warrior's wheels stomped, and its body instantly turned into a phantom and flew out. Only the white afterimage of the long scarf wrapped around Junk Warrior's neck remained in Paradox's line of sight.
And the next instant, Paradox discovered with disbelief that Junk Warrior had appeared in front of Malefic Truth Dragon and was about to deliver a punch!
However, remembering that the target of the attack was Malefic Truth Dragon, Paradox's mouth curved up, revealing a hidden smile.
Yugi and Yusei Fudo both anticipated that Junk Warrior's attack would achieve results, but Judai suddenly remembered something he had forgotten for a long time: the effect that Ultimate Crystal God Rainbow Dragon possessed.
The original Rainbow Dragon had the effect of "Sending all face-up Crystal Beast monsters on your Field to the Graveyard, and increasing its ATK by the number of monsters sent to the Graveyard x 1000 points," and this could be activated during the Opponent's turn, a counter-focused effect.
According to Paradox, since Malefic Monsters inherit the effects of the original monsters, Judai felt that the effect of Malefic Truth Dragon might have undergone some change, after all, the Opponent didn't take away Johan's other Crystal Beast cards as well.
Although he didn't know the specific effect, the basic logic should not have changed, which is the ability to send monsters to the Graveyard and increase ATK based on the number of monsters sent to the Graveyard!
"Yusei Fudo! That Rainbow Dragon should have an effect that increases ATK, you chose the wrong attack target!"
Judai spoke up, and then he saw Yusei Fudo turn his head, hesitate for a moment, and then show a "shocked" expression: "What, that would be bad!"
"To be able to increase its ATK to 4400 points, as expected of Fudo Yusei, a famous Duelist in history. I have to admit your strength in Duel Monsters." Paradox said proudly. "But, Malefic is not something you can surpass just because you say so. I will activate the effect of Malefic Truth Dragon during your turn!"
"Send all other monsters on my Field besides Malefic Truth Dragon to the Graveyard. Then, Malefic Truth Dragon's ATK increases by the value of the number of Malefic Monsters sent to the Graveyard by this effect x 1000. This effect can be activated during the Opponent's turn!"
"Now, I'm stronger!"
Malefic Truth Dragon [ATK 4000 → 5000]
At the instant it was about to be hit by Junk Warrior, the originally colorful and dazzling gems on Malefic Truth Dragon's body on Paradox's Field, now stripped of their radiance and retaining only their basic colors, all lit up. Although they didn't influence the iron fist swung by Junk Warrior, they dissolved and crushed Malefic Cyber End Dragon on the other side.
And after Malefic Cyber End Dragon was crushed, as if extracting the power from its body, Malefic Truth Dragon's body was wrapped in black lightning, and it opened its gaping maw to viciously bite towards Junk Warrior!
He had thought that after Junk Warrior gathered the power of other monsters, it could annihilate the monsters on Paradox's Field. But looking at the current situation, on the contrary, Junk Warrior was at a disadvantage and about to be destroyed!
Paradox was proudly about to say something else, but just then, he caught sight of the confident expression on Yusei Fudo's face.
"Chaining to the effect of Malefic Truth Dragon, I activate the effect of Rush Warrior from my Hand!" Yusei Fudo revealed a hand card. It was a Level 2 Warrior Type monster with only 300 ATK.
However, no matter how weak a monster, by connecting and concentrating their power, they can still exert incredibly powerful strength. Junk Warrior is the best proof.
"During damage calculation when my Warrior Synchro Monster battles an Opponent's monster, I can send Rush Warrior from my Hand to the Graveyard to activate this effect." Sending Rush Warrior to the Graveyard, Yusei Fudo clenched his right hand. "Junk Warrior's ATK becomes double only during that damage calculation!"
"Nani?!"
Amidst Paradox's disbelief expression, a Rush Warrior appeared on Yusei Fudo's Field. As soon as it appeared, it began to move forward at full speed, and when its speed reached its limit, it directly crashed into Junk Warrior's back to provide propulsion!
Junk Warrior (Armory Arm) [ATK 4400 → 8800]
Junk Warrior with 8800 ATK met the biting jawbone of Malefic Truth Dragon and threw a punch!
"Boom!"
"Cough!!!"
The surging airwave generated by the explosion of Malefic Truth Dragon, which was blown up by a "Serious Punch," swept over. Paradox, standing on the Shinri-go, had to lower his center of gravity slightly to avoid being blown away by the airflow and falling to his death. At the same hand, he subconsciously cried out in pain due to the high battle damage.
Paradox: [16000 → 12200 LP]
A full 3800 points of battle damage. If it weren't for the fact that Paradox was currently in a 1 VS 4 Duel, causing his Life Points to become four times the original amount, this single blow would have been enough to instantly reduce the normal full 4000 Life Points to a flickering candle of 200 points.
Paradox endured the pain, trying to penetrate the annoying smoke that obscured his line of sight to see Yusei Fudo on the other side.
However, from the slightly dissipating smoke, he saw that Junk Warrior, which had just defeated Malefic Truth Dragon, did not return to Yusei Fudo's Field but stood not far in front of him, the Armory Arm equipped to its right hand moving its sharp knuckles.
Junk Warrior (Armory Arm) [ATK 8800 → 4400]
"When used as an Equip Card by its own effect, Armory Arm has a second effect besides increasing ATK." Yusei Fudo's voice entered Paradox's ears through the smoke. "When Junk Warrior equipped with Armory Arm destroys a monster by battle, it inflicts damage to the Opponent Duelist equal to the destroyed monster's ATK!"
Accompanying Yusei Fudo's voice, Junk Warrior's right hand was raised high, then vertically slashed down, fiercely grabbing at Paradox's body!
"Ugh!!"
Paradox: [12200 → 8200 LP]
"Finally, a direct attack from Junk Servant and Doppel Token!"
"Ergh!!"
Paradox: [8200 → 7800 → 6300 LP]
"Oh! It's an effect similar to Flame Wingman! So strong, Yusei Fudo!" Seeing that the future actually had a Synchro Monster with the same effect as Flame Wingman, Judai seemed very excited. "Reducing the Opponent's Life Points by nearly ten thousand points in one turn, amazing!"
"Gathered power, huh... Well done." Yugi also had a high evaluation of Yusei Fudo's play.
Junk Servant and Doppel Token returned to Yusei Fudo's Field one after another after completing their attacks. Hearing the praise from Yugi and Judai, Yusei Fudo, whose nerves had been tense almost constantly since the beginning, couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Well, I hit quite accurately.
However, Yusei Fudo also noticed that unlike Yugi and Judai, who had become happy early on, Hayato seemed to be looking directly at Paradox through the smoke, with an expression of regret.
Sensing Yusei Fudo was looking at him, Hayato sighed helplessly: "You were a bit too impatient just now, Yusei Fudo. You should have aimed for his head."
"What do you mean?"
"It means you should have confirmed the specific situation on his Field before attacking." Hayato turned his head. "Didn't that guy say we are legendary Duelists who left our names in history? It's likely that what cards we would use were already within his expectations."
"Even the Rush Warrior you just used was probably within his scheme. He was deliberately luring you into dealing a large amount of damage to him in one turn."
"Nani?!" Hearing Hayato say this, Yusei Fudo suddenly turned his head back to look and saw a string of numbers that greatly surprised him—
Paradox: [25700 LP]
"H-How can this be!"
"That guy's Life Points didn't decrease, but increased instead?"
While Yugi and Yusei Fudo were puzzled about what had happened, the sharp-eyed Judai saw the card that was revealed as the smoke dissipated: "That card is—"
"Johan's Rainbow Life? Why is it in your Hand!"
"The effect of this card is a Trap Card that converts all damage I receive this turn into an increase in Life Points. Although there is a restriction that requires discarding a card from Hand, this is a necessary cost."
The smoke dissipated, and Paradox's face was full of mockery: "I should have said it, right? My Deck gathers the strongest cards from every era."
"This Duel won't end that easily."