Duelists Never Surrender!

As Hara Shichi had said, aaa76's actions were merely preparations for the Fusion Summon later, offering little help to the current situation, so she ended her turn after completing them.

"Then, it's my turn, Draw Phase." Hara Shichi looked at the card he drew and was slightly stunned, a slight smile rising to his lips. "The chance to turn things around has arrived."

"You mentioning it reminded me, we still have that card we can use!" Ai also smiled broadly as she looked at the card Hara Shichi drew.

"I enter my Main Phase and activate the Spell Card Living Fossil, Special Summoning White Rabbit from the Graveyard."

White Rabbit, which had been instantly defeated in the first turn, once again hopped onto the field. However, after it looked around and saw a group of terrifying monsters, it immediately cowered and shrunk back.

"Why are you still fixated on this monster? White Rabbit's ATK, DEF, or even its monster effect are completely meaningless in this duel," the Masked Girl said, confused.

"If it has no meaning, I will give it meaning. Isn't that what a Duelist is?" Hara Shichi said, inserting his last hand card into his Duel Disk. "I activate the Spell Card—Fusion! I send White Rabbit and Demonic Imp Bloodstone on the field to the Graveyard, Fusion Summon—Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon!"

"What?!" The Masked Girl exclaimed in shock at Hara Shichi's move. Unlike her intentionally subdued voice, the girl's original voice was gentle and slightly sweet, like soft cotton candy, making one unable to resist its charm.

However, another powerful roar quickly drowned out the girl's surprise:

"ROAR!"

A massive roar echoed throughout the space. Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon, flapped its wings and circled in mid-air, its scarlet eyes fixed on Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

This monster had been gathering dust in the pile of miscellaneous cards because it wasn't suitable for Marincess. Hara Shichi was using it for the first time today, so it was currently a bit agitated and excited after a long absence.

"But, Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon's ATK is only 2700," the Masked Girl quickly poured cold water on the situation. "With such an ATK, it's impossible to break through Blue-Eyes White Dragon's 3000 ATK."

"That's not necessarily true." Hara Shichi stared at the duel field before him. Other than that one Set Card, all of aaa76's other cards were now revealed. The scales of victory were beginning to tip in his favor.

"I activate the effect of Skill Succession from the Graveyard, banish this card, and target 1 monster on my field that is face-up, its ATK increases by 800 until the End Phase of this turn. I choose Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon!"

Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon: ATK 2700 → 3500!

This way, its ATK surpassed Blue-Eyes White Dragon!

Chapter Sixty: Blue-Eyes White Dragon is Truly Terrifying...

"This card... was it sent to the Graveyard during Raigeki?" aaa76 seemed somewhat confused. They thought it would be an exchange of four cards, but it seemed like nothing was gained?

"I change Cyber Laser Dragon on the field to Defense Position." Cyber Laser Dragon's original ATK was 2400, but because it was summoned by "Constellar Aldebaran," its ATK and DEF were a pitiful 500. In this situation, attacking would only result in LP loss.

"However, I enter the Battle Phase!" Hara Shichi declared. "Ancient Dragon attacks Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

The two dragons clashed. But Ancient Dragon, empowered by the Trap Card, held the upper hand in terms of strength. The massive Blue-Eyes White Dragon could only let out a roar of unwillingness before being sent to the Graveyard.

aaa76: 4000 LP → 3500 LP.

"I predicted this long ago."

aaa76's mechanical voice sounded: "I activate the effect of Jet Dragon. If this card is in your hand or Graveyard, when a card on the field is destroyed by battle or card effect, you can activate this effect. This card is Special Summoned."

Jet Dragon, shaped like a jet, flew out of the Graveyard, confronting Ancient Dragon in place of Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

"Jet Dragon's ATK is also 3000, and your Ancient Dragon's ATK will drop to 2700 after the End Phase. Once it's aaa76's turn, your Ancient Dragon will be destroyed by Jet Dragon." The implication from aaa76 was clear.

"Is that so? Coincidentally, I also predicted this situation long ago." Hara Shichi said confidently.

"Oh? Then what do you plan to do?" the Masked Girl inquired.

"Didn't you already tell me the solution?" Hara Shichi said to the Masked Girl. "With cards like Messenger of Peace, why would you summon Cyber Laser Dragon, a monster with 2400 ATK, with only 500 ATK? It couldn't possibly be for nothing, right?"

"Oh, you actually know Cyber Laser Dragon's effect?" the Masked Girl was somewhat surprised. She had been struggling with how to hint at it, but unexpectedly, he already knew the effect.

I don't, but Ai does. Hara Shichi looked at Ai, who was winking at him, and thought.

Although I'm a veteran card player, I only remember some of the common cards in the meta. Having Ai, my "card checker," is a huge help.

"I activate Cyber Laser Dragon's effect. Once per turn, you can destroy 1 monster with ATK or DEF equal to or greater than this card's ATK." Hara Shichi looked at the white dragon on the opponent's field, emanating a beautiful and noble aura. "Destroy it, Jet Dragon!"

"Heh heh, do you think this will solve the problem?" aaa76 let out a cold laugh.

Even though it was just a virtual projection, the cold laugh sounded as if it came from a real person.

"The problem hasn't been solved." Ai frowned slightly.

That's right, Hara Shichi understood this was merely a temporary measure.

Although it seemed like he had cleanly dealt with the opponent, Jet Dragon was like a persistent leech. As long as it existed in the Graveyard and hand, and there was a Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field or in the Graveyard, it could repeatedly revive.

However, this duel was not between just the two of us, aaa76! Hara Shichi looked at his teammate, the Masked Girl. She still had two cards in her hand, and after the next draw, she would have three. She had the most hand resources among everyone present.

Even if it comes to that...

"I end my turn like this."

"My turn, Draw Phase." aaa76 said calmly.

"I enter my Main Phase, Normal Summon The White Stone of Ancients, then I enter the Battle Phase."

Ancient Dragon opened its gaping maw and let out a threatening roar at aaa76, but aaa76 raised his hand without hesitation and said, "I use The White Stone of Ancients to attack Cyber Laser Dragon."

The White Stone of Ancients' ATK was 600, and Cyber Laser Dragon's DEF was 500. Thus, the giant Cyber Laser Dragon was smashed into the Graveyard by the white dragon.

"Next, I use Dragon Ruler - Dragon Dictator to attack Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon."

"As expected, this move," Hara Shichi muttered.

Dragon Dictator, with only 1200 ATK, charged suicidally at Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon. Of course, it was utterly annihilated, but it was precisely because of this that a certain dragon in the Graveyard began to stir.

"I activate Jet Dragon's effect from the Graveyard. This card is Special Summoned from the Graveyard. I use Jet Dragon to attack Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon."

Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 2800 LP → 2500 LP.

"However, the Progenitor Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle with monsters other than Normal Monsters," Hara Shichi said. That's right, the opponent's three Blue-Eyes White Dragons were all in the Graveyard at the moment. This meant that as long as the Progenitor Dragon was in Defense Position, the opponent would be helpless for a while!

"Is that so? Then I'll enter Main Phase 2 and Synchro Summon the White Stone of Ancients and Jet Dragon on the field into Defense Position—Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon."

"I activate Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon's effect. I can activate this by tributing this card that was Synchro Summoned. I Special Summon 1 Dragon-Type, LIGHT Attribute Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck in Defense Position, other than 'Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon.' That monster will be destroyed during the End Phase of this turn. I Special Summon Silver Dragon."

"I activate Silver Dragon's effect. When this card is Special Summoned, it activates. Dragon-Type monsters on my field cannot be targeted by effects or destroyed by effects until the end of your next turn." aaa76 paused and continued, "Silver Dragon can target 1 Normal Monster in your Graveyard during each of your Standby Phases. That monster is Special Summoned."

"Furthermore, Silver Dragon's DEF is 3000."

After saying this, aaa76 arrogantly raised her chin and looked down at Hara Shichi.

"I say, is this really a system simulation or a real person?" Hara Shichi gritted his teeth. "I feel like she's mocking me."

Just as he was about to stall with the Progenitor Dragon, the opponent easily resolved the dilemma with a Synchro Monster.

The Progenitor Dragon's ATK couldn't break through Silver Dragon's DEF, and Crystal Wing wouldn't be destroyed by effects. Next turn, the opponent would definitely summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the Graveyard to destroy the Progenitor Dragon.

"And, I remember The White Stone of Ancients also has an effect..." Hara Shichi held his forehead.

As expected, aaa78 quickly activated the effect of The White Stone of Ancients. "I end my turn. I activate The White Stone of Ancients' effect. It can be activated during the End Phase of the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard. I Special Summon 1 'Blue-Eyes' monster from my Deck."

"I Special Summon Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon from my Deck, and activate its effect. I add the Spell Card Fusion to my hand from my Deck, and at the same time, I add Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon from my Deck to my hand."

In just one turn, aaa78 had summoned two high-ATK Blue-Eyes White Dragons on the field. The Jet Dragon in the Graveyard was ready to blow up at any moment, and next turn Silver Dragon could summon another Blue-Eyes White Dragon, while the White Stone in the Graveyard could return a Blue-Eyes White Dragon to hand. Then, the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon in hand could also be summoned... This meant that once it was aaa76's turn, she could summon five Blue-Eyes White Dragons on the field!

Oh, and she still had a Fusion in her hand, so she'd probably summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon for fun.

Hara Shichi felt he had no other options and could only look to his teammate, Masked Girl, for hope. At least she seemed calm now, though perhaps behind the mask, her face was already filled with despair.

Facing the situation, Masked Girl silently grabbed Hara Shichi's arm and said faintly, "My turn. Draw."

Chapter 61: What a Cheater

"I enter Main Phase. I activate the Spell Card—Pot of Desires," Masked Girl said calmly. "I banish 6 cards from my Extra Deck face-down, and then I draw 2 cards from my Deck."

"Why is everyone running Pot of Desires? It looks so profitable," Hara Shichi said, eyeing the four cards in the girl's hand with some interest. "Shouldn't we run a few too?"

"Tiramisu of the Tiara is only one card. What if it gets banished?" Ai rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't think about gambling, gamblers lose everything in the end."

"Aren't you going to check which cards are left in your Extra Deck?" Hara Shichi asked Masked Girl.

"No need. I've already drawn the card I wanted," Masked Girl chuckled. "I banish Demonic Imp Bloodstone and Cyber Laser Dragon from my Graveyard, and Special Summon from my hand—Chaos Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning-!"

A warrior clad in blue armor appeared on the Duel Field. But before he could stabilize himself, intense splashes of water suddenly appeared from the ground, pulling at his body. Not only that, but even the Progenitor Dragon and aaa76's Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon on the field were being dragged by this massive water vortex, about to disappear from the field.

Hara Shichi quickly looked at aaa76's field. Sure enough, the Set Card that had been hidden until now was now revealed by aaa76.

"At this moment, I Chain and activate the Trap Card—Torrential Tribute," aaa76's emotionless mechanical voice rang out. "This card can be activated when a monster is Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned. Destroy all monsters on the field."

"No way!" Masked Girl inserted a card from her hand into her Duel Disk. "I Chain and activate the Quick-Play Spell Card—My Body as the Shield! I activate by paying 1500 LP. Negate the activation of a card your opponent activated that has the 'effect to destroy monsters on the field' and destroy it!"

Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 2800 → 1300 LP.

The torrential downpour on the field vanished in an instant, as if it had never appeared.

"Ugh!" Masked Girl suddenly hunched over and let out a muffled groan, her long black hair falling forward.

"Hey? Are you okay?" Hara Shichi asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. Just keep your arm raised," Masked Girl said, leaning on the equipment stand as she slowly stood up. "I enter the Battle Phase. Chaos Soldier attacks Silver Dragon!"

The warrior in blue armor swung his sharp blade, cutting down the Silver Dragon.

"The moment my Silver Dragon is destroyed, I Chain and activate the effect of Jet Dragon in the Graveyard, Special Summoning it from the Graveyard in Attack Position."

With a dragon's roar, the Jet Dragon from the Graveyard once again rose from the dead onto the field, looking provocatively at Hara Shichi and Masked Girl.

Masked Girl remained unfazed. She continued, "When Chaos Soldier destroys an opponent's monster, it can attack again. I continue to attack Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon."

"Then, I use the Progenitor Dragon to attack Dragon Ruler - Dragon Dictator-."

With this, only one Jet Dragon remained on aaa76's field, while Hara Shichi and Masked Girl had two cards: the Progenitor Dragon and Chaos Soldier.

The situation is overwhelmingly advantageous—not!

Hara Shichi knew what card aaa76 was holding. Next turn, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon would descend and destroy Chaos Soldier, and aaa76 would still have the absolute advantage!

"I enter Main Phase 2, set two cards, and end my turn," Masked Girl said, setting two cards.

"My turn. Draw." aaa76 drew a card from her Deck.

"During the Draw Phase, I activate the Trap Card—Swords of Concealing Light!"

"Randomly select 1 card from your opponent's hand and banish it face-down. After this card's activation, during your opponent's 4th Standby Phase, counting from your opponent's turn, that card returns to your opponent's hand."

"What?" Before aaa76 could react, a card from her hand had already been sent to the banish zone.

"Ahem." Masked Girl coughed twice. "Let's see if we can banish their Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon."

That's right, if Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon was banished, the duel's situation would instantly reverse! Their Jet Dragon would only be able to trade one-for-one with Chaos Soldier, or attack the Progenitor Dragon. But even then, it would be useless, because the Progenitor Dragon wouldn't be destroyed by Jet Dragon's battle. Next turn, as long as Hara Shichi attacked Jet Dragon, and then the Progenitor Dragon attacked directly, they would win the duel.

"You did banish my Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon," aaa76's ethereal voice echoed. "However, the card that remains, which was not banished, will drag you into a desperate abyss."

"What can one card do... Wait, could it be?" Hara Shichi's eyelids twitched. He had a bad feeling.

Then, aaa76 inserted her only remaining hand card into her Duel Disk and said softly, "I enter Main Phase. I activate the Spell Card—Ultimate Fusion."

"Can be activated during either player's Main Phase. Return Fusion Material Monsters from your hand, field, or GY to the Deck, that are listed by a Fusion Monster, and Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck that uses "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" or "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon" as Fusion Material."

"I return three Blue-Eyes White Dragons from my graveyard to the Deck, and Fusion Summon—Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon."

A colossal three-headed dragon appeared on the field, letting out a deafening roar.

"Tch, what kind of luck is this, that she managed to draw that," Hara Shichi gritted his teeth. Raigeki first, and then Ultimate Fusion. There's a limit to how lucky one can be!

"I activate the effect of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Once per turn, you can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that card. I choose to destroy your Set Card."

"I activate Destruction Potion in a Chain!" the Masked Girl quickly revealed her Set Card. "Destroy Chaos Soldier on my field and recover 3000 LP!"

Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 1300 → 4300 LP.

aaa76 continued, "I activate the effect of Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon in my graveyard. You can banish this card from your graveyard to activate this effect. All Dragon monsters on your field that are Level 8 or higher gain 1000 ATK."

Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon: ATK: 4500 → 5500!

Jet Dragon: ATK: 3000 → 4000!

"Entering the Battle Phase, Jet Dragon attacks Ancient Dragon."

A massive shockwave sent Hara Shichi sprawling to the ground, while the Masked Girl beside him began to tremble all over.

"Next, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attacks Ancient Dragon!"

"ROAR!"

Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 4300 → 200 LP!

"Only 200 LP left... I barely survived," Hara Shichi panted.