[Worm Zero]
[ATK: 0→3000]
When the crimson outline of the third Worm Zero finished condensing on the field, Ichiki Nakamura suddenly raised his hand and shouted:
"Activate the additional effect of [Worm Zero]! When this card is Fusion Summoned using 6 or more different materials, I can draw 1 card from my Deck. I currently control three copies of [Worm Zero], so I activate its effect three times and draw three cards!"
His fingertip slid across the Duel Disk to draw the cards, and the moment the cards landed in his hand, he flicked his wrist sharply.
"Next, I use the two Level 10 [Worm Zero] on my field to construct the Overlay Network!"
"Xyz Summon! Rank 10! Number 81: Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Super Dora!!"
Before his words even fell, the two gigantic skeletal monsters turned into streams of light and were sucked into the golden vortex spinning in midair. The next second, something like a steel war beast tore through the vortex and descended with a crash. The heavy tank's treads ground against the ground with a dull roar, and its massive cannon barrel pointed straight at the sky.
[No.81: Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Super Dora]
[Rank 10 / Machine / Xyz / Effect]
[Xyz Materials: 2]
[DEF: 4000]
"Effect of [No.81: Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Super Dora]!" Nakamura's voice carried an edge of arrogance. "Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target 1 face-up monster on the field. Until the end of this turn, that monster is unaffected by other card effects!"
"I activate that effect now!"
[No.81: Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Super Dora]
[Xyz Materials: 2→1]
"I choose itself as the target. For this turn, it'll be immune to all external effects!"
"Huh?"
The crowd of players immediately broke into an uproar.
"What's he doing? That effect is obviously for protecting it on the opponent's turn. Why fire it off on his own turn?"
"He just wasted a material for nothing. I don't get this play at all."
Yusaku also knit his brows slightly. He rarely played Reptile decks, so right now he truly couldn't work out what the other guy was aiming at.
Hearing the commentary around him, Nakamura suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly.
"I know exactly what you're all wondering about. You're trying to figure out why I'd do this, right? Now I'll show you the true meaning behind my setup!"
His laughter cut off abruptly as his gaze sharpened.
"Activate the effect of the last [Worm Zero] on my field! Since this copy was Summoned using at least 2 different materials, once per turn, I can target 1 Reptile monster in my GY and Special Summon it in face-down Defense Position!"
"I activate the effect to Special Summon the other [Worm Zero] I just sent to the GY as Xyz Material! That way, it avoids the destruction effect of [Chain Material] and becomes the perfect material for my next monster!"
"Not a bad idea. Unfortunately…"
Yusaku's lips curved slightly as he slowly revealed a card from his hand.
"That monster of yours isn't going to make it onto the field."
Nakamura's pupils constricted. "What?"
"Effect of [Bystial Magnamhut]."
Yusaku slid the card into his Duel Disk and pointed toward the opponent's GY.
"Target 1 LIGHT or DARK monster in either GY to activate. If your opponent controls a monster, this effect can be activated during their turn. Banish that monster, and then this card Special Summons itself from the hand."
"I target the LIGHT-Attribute [Worm Zero] in your GY and banish it. Come forth, Bystial Magnamhut!"
The instant his words fell, the card in Nakamura's GY turned into a streak of light and shot into the banished zone. Immediately after, a massive mechanical dragon wrapped in dark purple energy tore out of the dimensional rift with a roar. The metallic patterns on its scales shimmered with a cold luster.
[Bystial Magnamhut]
[Level 6 / Dragon / Effect]
[ATK: 2500]
"Additional effect of [Bystial Magnamhut]!" Yusaku's voice was calm but carried an oppressive weight. "When this card is Special Summoned, during the End Phase of this turn, I can add 1 Dragon monster, except [Bystial Magnamhut], from my Deck or GY to my hand."
Since Nakamura's Worm Zero had been banished, it naturally could not be Summoned back.
Seeing this, the watching players collectively burst into laughter.
"I can't, I'm dying over here! He schemed all that time, burned an Xyz material for nothing, and in the end just handed his opponent a free monster and a search!"
"That's a very familiar [Bystial Magnamhut] right there. You guys think Yusaku is on Branded? Usually only Branded builds run [Bystial] cards!"
"I'll bet 100 Crystals that it's a Branded deck. Just wait, that boss on the other side is getting fused away any minute now."
"Only 100? Look down on him much? I'll bet 200."
"…"
On the field, Yusaku folded his arms across his chest, his smile undiminished.
"Thanks for the monster resources. You really are such a 'nice guy'."
Nakamura's face went dark, but he still let out a cold snort and drew another card before continuing:
"According to the effect of [Chain Material], I activate [Fusion Gate] again! I Fusion Summon a monster whose materials are 'Beetrooper' monsters plus any Insect monster!"
He pulled two cards out from his Deck, flashing them just long enough for the mechanical insect artwork to be visible.
"I banish [Heavy Beetrooper Mighty Neptune] and the Insect [Krawler Spine] from my Deck as Fusion Materials!"
"Fusion Summon, Level 5 – Beetrooper Cruel Saturnas!"
Two streams of light shot into the Fusion vortex, and moments later, a warrior clad in heavy armor emerged riding a pitch-black mechanical rhinoceros beetle. In his hands he gripped a gigantic serrated greatsword, and he charged out of the vortex in a spray of sparks.
[Beetrooper Cruel Saturnas]
[Level 5 / Insect / Fusion / Effect]
[ATK: 2400]
"Effect activate!" Nakamura shouted. "When this card is Special Summoned, I can add 1 'Beetrooper' card from my Deck to my hand. I search the Counter Trap – [Beetrooper Fly & Sting]!"
He slipped the searched card into his hand, then yanked out another spell and slapped it onto the Duel Disk.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card – [Graceful Charity]!"
The players around them just went numb.
The card they themselves dreamed of but couldn't touch no matter what, this yellow-haired guy called Nakamura was tossing out like it grew on trees.
First it was [Pot of Greed], now it was [Graceful Charity]. At this rate, would [Painful Choice] or [Pot of Avarice] drop out of the sky next?
Nakamura had no idea his plays were stirring up so many feelings.
All he knew was that these people acted like they'd never seen a Duel before, screaming every single time he played a busted Spell.
"According to [Graceful Charity], I draw 3 cards, then discard 2 from my hand."
He skimmed his new hand at high speed and sent two cards to the GY.
"I discard [Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown] and [Beetrooper Sting Lancer]!"
"Open those eyes of yours and watch closely!"
Nakamura slammed another card into the middle of his Duel Disk, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"I Tribute my [Beetrooper Cruel Saturnas] on the field together with my last [Worm Zero] – Tribute Summon one of the aces of my Deck!"
He lifted his arm high.
"Deity of the swarming hive sleeping between the cracks of dimensions, use these twin offerings as your gateway and tear apart the boundary between reality and the void! Now, reveal the terrifying body that devours everything – come forth, Deus X-Krawler!!"
As the two Tribute monsters turned into violet lightning and were sucked down into the Duel Disk, the sky suddenly dimmed.
A twisted insect-shaped silhouette struggled free from a dimensional rift, its body covered in dark metallic armor. A spiral horn protruded from its head, its compound eyes glowed a sinister scarlet, and each of its six mechanical limbs grated against the ground with harsh metallic screeches. Phantom swarms of lesser bugs swirled ceaselessly around its form.
[Deus X-Krawler]
[Level 9 / Insect / Flip / Effect]
[ATK: 2000]
"Holy crap, it's Deus X-Krawler!"
"I remember if this thing is face-up on the field, it negates the effects of all monsters your opponent controls. It's basically a walking Skill Drain with stats!"
"You're half right, but that effect only works after it's been flipped face-up. And if I recall correctly, the archetype's Traps are also Flip-based. With a face-up Summon like that, how's he planning to lock anything down?"
"The entire Krawler family is based on Flip effects. Don't tell me you've never seen a Flip stun board before?"
"…"
The chatter from the players made Nakamura feel very pleased with himself. He glanced over at Yusaku with a proud smirk.
"Well? Scared yet?"
"Scared would be an exaggeration." Yusaku rubbed his chin, still sounding flat. "If I remember correctly, that monster needs to be Set first and then flipped to get its effect. Your archetype's Traps also rely on flipping. Summoning it face-up like this, how do you plan to trigger the lock?"
"I obviously have a way!"
Nakamura sharply revealed a card from his hand.
"Effect of [Krawler Soma] activate! Target 1 face-up monster I control, Special Summon this card from my hand, then change the targeted monster to face-down Defense Position. That monster cannot change its battle position this turn!"
"I target [Deus X-Krawler] to Set it and Special Summon this card!"
Deus X-Krawler's towering form vanished in an instant, replaced by a purple insectoid monster shaped like a neuron cluster.
[Krawler Soma]
[Level 6 / Insect / Effect]
[ATK: 2000]
The moment the monster hit the field, Nakamura shouted once more:
"Activate [Krawler Soma]'s other effect! During my Main Phase, I can reduce this card's Level by 2 or 4, then Special Summon 'Krawler' monsters from my hand, Deck, or GY whose total Levels equal the amount reduced!"
"I choose to reduce it by 4!"
[Krawler Soma]
[Level: 6→2]
"From my Deck, I Special Summon [Krawler Dendrite] and [Krawler Receptor] in face-up Defense Position!"
[Krawler Dendrite]
[DEF: 600]
[Krawler Receptor]
[DEF: 1200]
"Now the materials are ready. Watch carefully! This is my Deck's strongest ace!"
Nakamura threw his arms wide, his voice booming across the plaza.
"Activate the effect of [Fusion Gate]! I banish [Krawler Dendrite], [Krawler Receptor], [Krawler Soma] on the field, and [Resonance Insect] in my hand – four Insect monsters in total – as Fusion Materials!"
"With the swarm as the foundation and Fusion as the shackles, I forge a body of steel that bears the weight of the earth! Now, awaken – Fusion Summon, Level 11 – Ultra Beetrooper Absolute Hercules!!"
The four monsters turned into radiant streams of light and were drawn into the Fusion vortex. The whirlpool swelled to an enormous size, and then a mechanical rhinoceros beetle the size of a mountain slowly emerged, its back like a steel metropolis welded onto its carapace. Every step it took made the ground violently quake.
[Ultra Beetrooper Absolute Hercules]
[Level 11 / Insect / Effect]
[DEF Position: 4000]
"This is my ace!"
Nakamura laughed wildly as he pointed at the colossal insect.
"When this card is Fusion Summoned, until the end of my next turn, it is unaffected by any other card effects! Four thousand DEF plus absolute immunity. I'd love to see how you plan to break through that!"
"But I'm still not done!" His tone flipped again.
"Activate the effect of [Resonance Insect] in the banished zone! When this card is banished, I can send 1 Insect monster other than 'Resonance Insect' from my Deck to the GY. I send [Gokipole]!"
"Then, I trigger the GY effect of [Gokipole]! When this card is sent to the GY, I can add 1 Level 4 Insect monster from my Deck to my hand. If I add a Normal Monster, I can also Special Summon it and then optionally destroy 1 monster on the field whose ATK is greater than or equal to that monster's ATK. I add [Beetrooper Assault Roller] to my hand!"
The moment the card touched his hand, Nakamura's eyes grew even more feverish.
"Finally, I activate the effect of [Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown] in my GY! This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. It can only be Special Summoned by banishing 3 Insect and/or Plant monsters from my hand or GY."
"I banish [Gokipole], [Beetrooper Sting Lancer] from my GY, and [Beetrooper Assault Roller] from my hand – descend, Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown!"
As he spoke, three streaks of light shot up from the banished zone and his hand, weaving together into a gigantic green vine-like magic circle in the air.
Countless roots wrapped in golden armor thrust out from the array, twisting upward and intertwining. They condensed into the form of an emperor-like monster clad in leaf-shaped armor and wielding a massive vine staff, radiating a chilling aura of nature's majesty.
[Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown]
[Level 9 / Insect / Effect]
[DEF: 3400]
"I don't mind telling you what [Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown] does." Nakamura crossed his arms smugly. "Once per turn, during my Main Phase, I can destroy all face-up monsters on the field that are not Insect or Plant monsters."
"You're planning to blow up my [Bystial Magnamhut], huh?" Yusaku raised a brow. "But you've still got the Machine-Type [No.81: Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Super Dora] on your field. You really dare to activate that?"
"I only wanted you to know ahead of time." Nakamura flashed a smile of absolute confidence. "Next turn, you won't be able to do anything. This is just the countdown to your defeat. When it comes back around to my turn, you won't have a single monster left on your field!"
As he spoke, he Set two cards onto his Duel Disk, the hem of his coat flicking out with the motion.
"Finally, I Set two cards. My turn ends."
His cold gaze stabbed straight at Yusaku.
"Your move."
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]