Chapter 129: As Long As It Doesn't Stop, The Path of Evolution Will Continue to Extend
"[Armed Dragon LV7]!"
The light of evolution wrapped around [Armed Dragon LV5] surged again. In just an instant, its already burly body became even more massive, almost bursting through this Dungeon. Thankfully, this was a Virtual Projection of Duel Monsters, otherwise [Armed Dragon LV7] wouldn't even need to Attack; just moving slightly could easily cause a collapse and bury Hayato and the Paradox Brothers underground.
[Armed Dragon LV7][ATK2800]
"It actually skipped the LV5 state and went straight to LV7?" Kyuu's expression was grim. Based on the recording of Hayato's Duel with Keith, they only knew the evolution conditions for [Armed Dragon]: LV3 was "time," LV5 was "destruction experience," and LV7 was drawing the LV10 "Destiny."
With [Armed Dragon] already having Evolved to LV7, the Information about its evolution conditions no longer held much value.
However, the Paradox Brothers had no understanding whatsoever of the special abilities possessed by the [Armed Dragon] Monster. Almost all LV Monsters possessed their own unique abilities. For example, [Ultimate Insect] had the same ATK Reduction Effect as Weevil Underwood's [Great Moth], and [Silent Swordsman] could directly Destroy Monsters in Face-Down Defense Position, and so on.
Yet, the Information on [Armed Dragon] was completely blank. However, based on the external appearance of the [Armed Dragon] Monster, its ability was definitely something extremely dangerous, because these Giant Dragons covered in sharp blades and sturdy armor didn't look like anything good. It couldn't possibly be an ability like recovering Life Points, right?
"Grandma said my evolution is faster than light, and my speed is unmatched in the universe." Hayato extended a Finger, pointing towards the ceiling above. From the Paradox Brothers' perspective, Hayato's Finger happened to be pointing at a light on the Dungeon ceiling, and his tone of voice was quite boastful. Behind him stood the enormous [Armed Dragon LV7], staring menacingly at the [Sanga of the Thunder] on the Paradox Brothers' Field.
Although they were both Level 7 Monsters, for some reason, the Paradox Brothers felt that their three Spirit God Monsters were a Level lower in Aura compared to [Armed Dragon]. What was more crucial was that currently, both the ATK and Defense (DEF) of [Sanga of the Thunder] were higher than [Armed Dragon LV7].
Facing the majestic [Armed Dragon] directly, Mei suddenly understood the difference—while their three Spirit Gods also possessed considerable might, they felt somewhat rigid. After all, all the reactions they could make were pre-programmed in KaibaCorp's Virtual Projection System.
But [Armed Dragon LV7] felt like a living Giant Dragon. Despite being a Projection, they could clearly sense its breathing, its emotions. It was as if it were alive, just different from creatures in nature. [Armed Dragon] was an existence living within the Card.
Thinking of this, Mei slapped his own face. What was he even thinking? Duel Monsters was just a game, and Cards were just mass-produced commodities from a factory. How could there be life living within them? He must have been dizzy with anger because [Suijin] was Banished from the Game.
Kyuu, on the other hand, didn't think as much as his brother. With [Sanga of the Thunder] blocking in front of him, he didn't feel too much pressure from [Armed Dragon LV7]. "That sounds nice, but in the end, the [Armed Dragon LV7] you painstakingly Summoned is just a Monster with 2800 ATK. How can it compare to my [Sanga of the Thunder] on the Field?"
'Furthermore, my [Sanga of the Thunder] has an effect that can be called invincible. No matter how high your Monster's ATK increases, I can intercept it.' Of course, Kyuu didn't foolishly say this out loud, only thinking it in his Heart. He still planned to conceal [Sanga of the Thunder]'s Effect to trick Hayato.
"Indeed, [Armed Dragon LV7]'s ATK is merely 'a mere 2800' Points. But who ever stipulated that 'a Monster with lower ATK cannot defeat a Monster with higher ATK'?" Hayato revealed a smile that the Paradox Brothers couldn't understand. "[Armed Dragon LV7], for me, Attack [Sanga of the Thunder]!"
"Galaxy Phantom Ultraman Super 44 Caliber Magnum Extreme—Jab!"
Using a ridiculously long name, the Attack [Armed Dragon LV7] launched was not a "jab" at all, but could barely be considered a flying spike Attack. The spikes mounted on its armor instantly fired out upon receiving the Order, propelled by a small thruster at the base of each spike, and shot towards [Sanga of the Thunder] on Kyuu's Field.
"Summer is over, there's no lingering heat of autumn, and the sunlight is weak, not enough to burn your brain." Kyuu laughed smugly. "To so recklessly launch a suicidal Attack against [Sanga of the Thunder], in that case, I'll give you a little push!"
"Open Set Card, [Shield & Sword]! This Card can increase [Sanga of the Thunder]'s ATK and Defense (DEF) by 400 Points!"
[Sanga of the Thunder][3400/2200 → 3800/2600]
"Then I'll use [Sanga of the Thunder]'s Effect! This Card can only be used once while it is face-up on the Field. I'll reduce your [Armed Dragon LV7]'s ATK to 0!" Kyuu laughed loudly and waved his hand. "Take this 3800 Points of counter-Damage, Hayato Kobayashi!"
"Thunder Barrier!"
Infinite currents instantly wrapped around [Sanga of the Thunder], spreading forward and forming a wall of electricity entirely composed of energy, yet seemingly solid. It violently crashed towards [Armed Dragon LV7]. Along the way, the current barrier encountered no obstacles, easily hitting [Armed Dragon LV7] behind Hayato.
Under the effect of the current, even [Armed Dragon LV7]'s sturdy Body couldn't help but let out a painful howl, its ATK rapidly dropping like a stone.
[Armed Dragon LV7][ATK2800 → 0]
Just as the flying spikes in the air were about to hit [Sanga of the Thunder] and the counter-Attack was imminent, Hayato finally opened the Set Card he had Set last Turn: "Spell Card, Rush Recklessly Activate! I Declare the [Light] Attribute!"
The moment Hayato Declared the [Light] Attribute, a flash of current suddenly flickered across the few spikes fired by [Armed Dragon LV7], hitting [Sanga of the Thunder]'s Body directly. Raising its muscular arms, [Sanga of the Thunder] was about to counter-Attack, but it discovered in horror that all the currents it had generated were absorbed by those few spikes that had embedded themselves in its Body without leaving even a single wound.
Accumulating [Sanga of the Thunder]'s thunder light, the spikes suddenly became incredibly dazzling. After a brief pause, there was a thunderous explosion. [Sanga of the Thunder] was directly Destroyed by the exploding spikes and sent to the Graveyard.
Witnessing their Ace Monster being Destroyed for the second time, Kyuu angrily looked towards Hayato, who calmly placed the Rush Recklessly that had served its purpose into the Graveyard, explaining, "This Card's Effect is Activated by targeting one Monster on my Field. After Declaring an Attribute, if this Monster of mine Battles a Monster with the Declared Attribute, it can Destroy the other Monster without calculating Damage."
"How about that? Have you seen the power of a Monster with 'a mere 2800 Points'?"