Turn leap!
Time Goddess's Mischief, the effect of an immensely powerful magic, summoned a playful blue-haired twin-tailed goddess. The magic staff in her hand swayed gently, unleashing divine authority, and on the field, a semi-transparent time roulette seemed to appear, with the pointer accelerating forward uncontrollably.
In just an instant, it leaped an entire turn, arriving again at the Judge's next battle phase!
"Then, let Mr. Hibiki personally experience the ultimate assault of Elemental Heroes." The Judge said, "First, let the heroes of each element receive the revelation of 'Orichalcos', liberate the darkness within their hearts, and gain stronger power!"
All heroes on the field were affected by the barrier, their eyes glowing with a dangerous red light, and a hexagram mark reflected on their foreheads.
[Elemental Hero Phoenix Lad, Attack Power 2100→Attack Power 2600]
[Elemental Hero Great Tornado, Attack Power 2800→Attack Power 3300]
[Elemental Hero Netherworld Lady, Attack Power 2500→Attack Power 3000]
[Elemental Hero New Star Lord, Attack Power 2600→Attack Power 3100]
[Elemental Hero Flash Hero, Attack Power 2600→Attack Power 3100]
"Moreover, Netherworld Lady has an effect to increase Attack Power based on the number of Elemental Heroes in the graveyard. But right now, the number of Elemental Heroes in the graveyard is zero, so this effect is meaningless."
The Judge paused and squinted his eyes.
"But Flash Hero has a rather interesting effect, don't you think, Mr. Momiji?"
Hibiki Momiji's face was serious: "Elemental Hero Flash Hero's Attack Power will increase by 300 points for each banished Elemental Hero."
"Attack Power increases based on banished heroes... Oh no!" Keihei said, "Chain Material's effect..."
The Judge had banished all the heroes he used as Fusion Material from the game.
"Indeed, this turn I performed four fusions, a total of eight Elemental Heroes were banished from the game." The Judge said, "Thus, Flash Hero's Attack Power..."
[Elemental Hero Flash Hero, Attack Power 3100→Attack Power 5500]
"Attack Power of five thousand five hundred!" Keihei's face changed.
Summoning five big monsters in an instant, including such powerful heroes...
"Let's start with 'Elemental Hero Phoenix Lad'." The Judge said, "Direct attack on Mr. Momiji."
Phoenix Lad punched with a blazing fist, its force seemingly transformed into tangible flames piercing through Hibiki Momiji's chest.
The intense burning sensation felt like his soul was being pierced, his heart melting. Hibiki Momiji's pupils constricted; he almost felt his breath was cut off in that instant.
[Hibiki Momiji, LP 3700→LP 1100]
He retreated in pain, half-kneeling on the ground clutching his chest, his face pale, breathing heavily.
This pain was just like the real agony brought by that dark duel during the championship night that almost crushed him, now an almost indelible shadow lingering in his heart.
"Momiji!" His sister screamed from the audience.
"Mr. Momiji!"
That voice was Judai's.
The shout pulled him instantly back to reality from the icy abyss.
"It's not... over yet."
He supported himself on one knee, swaying to stand up, breathing heavily. His trembling body was like that of a long-sick patient, but his eyes were like a defiant lion.
"Impressive spirit, worthy of being called a champion... But with that body of yours, how long can you persist on mere spirit?"
The Judge lightly moved his fingertips.
"The attack continues. Next is 'Elemental Hero Great Tornado', direct attack."
[Elemental Hero Great Tornado, Attack Power 3300]
The hero of the storm, Great Tornado Hero spread his arms wide, as if thunderclouds surged in the sky. A pitch-black lightning struck down, accompanied by deafening thunder, engulfed in the whirlwind, rushing toward Hibiki Momiji!
Four Elemental Heroes, still reserving a four-hit combo. Hibiki Momiji's swaying body before the storm seemed like a lone boat, easily engulfed by any wave.
"Activate trap..."
He struggled to open a card in the rear.
"Trap Card... Absorption Shield. Nullify one monster's attack and absorb... the Attack Power value as life."
Great Tornado Hero's countless wind blades all crashed against the colorful barrier. All the energy impact was absorbed, transformed successfully into a warm golden light that surged into his body.
[Hibiki Momiji, LP 1100→LP 4400]
Hibiki Momiji barely stood a bit straighter, trying to adjust his disordered breathing.
Perhaps an illusion, he felt that this surge of warm flow into his body had recovered some of his strength, his pale face gaining a hint of color, even some hidden ailments in his weak body seemed to be fading.
The Judge nodded: "Barely handled the second move, not bad. But don't hurry, the power of Elemental Heroes doesn't end here."
He flexed his fingers.
"Third attack. 'Elemental Hero New Star Lord', direct attack."
[Elemental Hero New Star Lord, Attack Power 3100]
This time was blazing flames, transforming into sword qi slashing toward him head-on. The fiery sword blade scalded as it slashed through his body, making him nearly lose consciousness in that moment.
[Hibiki Momiji, LP 4400→LP 1300]
The Judge studied Hibiki Momiji in front of him, watching the black smoke engulfing him, and those steps almost unable to stand still.
"Honestly, you've somewhat exceeded my expectations." He said calmly, "This level of dark duel, the will of an ordinary human should not be able to persist until now.
With your body and state, not collapsing on the first strike is already somewhat incredible."
Hibiki Momiji gasped heavily.
But he lifted his head, those eyes still flashing with such indomitable light.
"I am... a professional duelist." He said, "No matter what kind of duel, for whatever reason, it's absolutely... forbidden to give up halfway..."
As he spoke, his peripheral vision glanced at Judai watching intently from the audience.
Especially unwilling to lose in front of an important junior...
"Haha, splendid spirit. Such a soul is truly mesmerizing." The Judge said faintly, "Then, as you wish, the attack continues.
Elemental Hero Netherworld Lady, direct attack!"
This time it was the dark attribute Elemental Hero, backed by the power of the Orichalcos Barrier, unprecedentedly dark.
Like an unparalleled darkness from the abyss, not as deep as the night, but as if pouring out from the darkest corner of the cosmos.
Netherworld Lady's blade had yet to swing, the darkness already came devouring first. The ultimate suffocating and terrifying fear, as if crushing one's sanity, even the air turned icy cold, piercing through clothing to the bone, like grinding one's rationality to powder.
Just as he felt on that championship night.
Hibiki Momiji felt the scene before him quickly blur, the sky spinning, and he fell toward the floor.