Just as Hara Shichi had said, aaa76's move had merely prepared for a later Polymerization and offered little help in the current situation, so she ended her turn immediately after finishing it.
"Then it's my turn. Draw." Hara Shichi looked at the card he had drawn, froze for a moment, then smiled faintly. "The chance to turn this around has come."
"You mentioning it reminded me—we still have that card!" Ai said with a bright smile as she looked at the card Hara Shichi had drawn.
"I enter the Main Phase and activate the Equip Spell Card Living Fossil, Special Summoning White Rabbit from the Graveyard."
White Rabbit, which had been instantly defeated on the first turn, hopped back onto the field. But when it looked around and spotted a group of terrifying monsters, it immediately curled up and trembled.
"Why are you still hung up on that monster? Whether it's White Rabbit's ATK, DEF, or monster effect, none of it has the slightest meaning in this duel," Masked Girl said, confused.
"If it has no meaning, then I'll give it meaning. Isn't that what Duelists are?" Hara Shichi said as he inserted his final card into the Duel Disk. "I activate the Spell Card—Polymerization! I send White Rabbit and Demonic Imp Bloodstone on the field to the Graveyard and Fusion Summon—Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon!"
"What?!" Masked Girl cried out at Hara Shichi's move. Unlike the deliberately lowered voice she had been using, her natural voice was gentle and slightly sweet, like soft cotton candy that made one unable to resist becoming immersed in it.
But another powerful roar quickly drowned out the girl's cry of surprise:
"Roar!"
The enormous roar echoed through the entire space. Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon circled through the air with its wings spread wide, its scarlet eyes fixed firmly upon Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
This monster had been left gathering dust in the miscellaneous card pile because it did not fit Marincess. Hara Shichi was using it for the first time today, so after being absent from the field for so long, it seemed especially restless and excited.
"But Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon only has 2700 ATK." Masked Girl promptly poured cold water on his excitement. "That amount of ATK cannot break through Blue-Eyes White Dragon's 3000 ATK."
"That's not necessarily true." Hara Shichi stared at the field. Other than that Set Card, aaa76's cards were all exposed now. The scales of victory had begun tipping in his favor.
"I activate the effect of Skill Successor in the Graveyard. I banish this card to increase the ATK of one face-up monster I control by 800 until the End Phase of this turn. I choose Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon!"
Ancient Dragon, the Progenitor Dragon: ATK 2700 → 3500!
That put its ATK above Blue-Eyes White Dragon's!
Blue-Eyes White Dragon Was Truly Terrifying...
"That card... was it sent to the Graveyard when Raigeki was used?" aaa76 seemed puzzled. She had thought it would be a one-for-four trade, but it seemed she had not traded for anything at all.
"I switch Cyber Laser Dragon to Defense Position." Cyber Laser Dragon's original ATK was 2400, but because it had been summoned by Constellar Aldebaran, both its ATK and DEF were a pathetic 500. In that situation, leaving it in Attack Position would only be giving away LP.
"However, I enter the Battle Phase!" Hara Shichi said. "Ancient Dragon attacks Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
The two giant dragons clashed, but bolstered by the Trap Card, Ancient Dragon now held the advantage in strength. The enormous Blue-Eyes White Dragon could only let out an unwilling roar before being helplessly sent to the Graveyard.
aaa76: 4000 LP → 3500 LP.
"I saw that coming."
aaa76's mechanical voice rang out. "I activate the effect of Jet Dragon. If this card is in my hand or Graveyard and a card on the field is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can activate this effect. Special Summon this card."
The jet-shaped Blue-Eyes White Dragon flew out of the Graveyard and faced Ancient Dragon in place of Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
"Jet Dragon also has 3000 ATK, while your Ancient Dragon's ATK will drop back to 2700 after the turn ends." aaa78's meaning was obvious. Once the turn ended and it became aaa76's turn, Jet Dragon would destroy Ancient Dragon.
"Really? Conveniently enough, I saw this coming too," Hara Shichi said confidently.
"Oh? Then what are you planning to do?" Masked Girl asked.
"Didn't you already tell me how?" Hara Shichi said to Masked Girl. "With Messenger of Peace on the field, you summoned Cyber Laser Dragon—a monster that clearly has 2400 ATK—with only 500 ATK. You couldn't possibly have brought it out just to throw it away, right?"
"Oh, you actually know Cyber Laser Dragon's effect?" Masked Girl was somewhat surprised. She had originally been worrying about how to hint at it, but it turned out he already knew.
Of course I don't, but Ai does. Hara Shichi thought, glancing at Ai, who was waggling her eyebrows at him from the side.
He might have been an experienced card player, but in truth, he only remembered some commonly used cards in the meta. Having Ai as a "card database" was an enormous help.
"I activate Cyber Laser Dragon's effect. Once per turn, it can destroy one monster with ATK or DEF equal to or greater than this card's ATK." Hara Shichi looked at the white dragon on the opposing field, radiating beautiful and noble majesty. "Be destroyed, Jet Dragon!"
"Hehe, do you think that solves the problem?" aaa76 let out a cold laugh.
Though she was only a virtual projection, she laughed as if she were a real person.
"The problem hasn't been solved," Ai said with a slight frown.
That was right. Hara Shichi understood that this was merely a delaying tactic.
It looked as though he had dealt with her cleanly and efficiently, but Jet Dragon was like a stubborn piece of adhesive. As long as it existed in the Graveyard or hand and there was a Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field or in the Graveyard, it could keep jumping back and forth endlessly.
But this duel was not a duel between just him and aaa76! Hara Shichi looked toward his teammate—Masked Girl. She still had two cards in hand, and after her next draw, she would have three. She had the most hand resources of everyone present.
And if things really came to that...
"I end my turn."
"My turn. Draw," aaa76 said flatly.
"I enter the Main Phase and Normal Summon The White Stone of Ancients. Then, I enter the Battle Phase."
Ancient Dragon opened its massive maw at aaa76 and released a threatening roar, but aaa76 raised her hand without hesitation. "I use The White Stone of Ancients to attack Cyber Laser Dragon."
The White Stone of Ancients had 600 ATK, while Cyber Laser Dragon had 500 DEF. Thus, the massive Cyber Laser Dragon was knocked into the Graveyard by the white stone.
"Next, I use Lord of D.—Dragon Dictator of D.—to attack Ancient Dragon."
"So she went with that after all?" Hara Shichi murmured.
The Dictator, with only 1200 ATK, charged suicidally at Ancient Dragon. Naturally, he was obliterated without leaving a trace, but precisely because of that, a certain dragon in the Graveyard began stirring again.
"I activate Jet Dragon's effect in the Graveyard. Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. I use Jet Dragon to attack Ancient Dragon."
Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 2800 LP → 2500 LP.
"But Ancient Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle with a monster other than a Normal Monster," Hara Shichi said. That was right—all three of her Blue-Eyes White Dragons were currently in the Graveyard. As long as he switched Ancient Dragon to Defense Position, she would have no way to deal with it for the time being!
"Is that so? Then I enter Main Phase 2 and use the White Stone and Jet Dragon on the field for a Synchro Summon in Defense Position—Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon."
"I activate Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon's effect. I Tribute this Synchro Summoned card to Special Summon one Level 8 or higher Dragon-Type LIGHT Synchro Monster other than Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon from the Extra Deck in Defense Position. That monster is destroyed during this turn's End Phase. I Special Summon Silver Dragon."
"I activate Silver Dragon's effect. When this card is Special Summoned: Dragon-Type monsters I control cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects until the end of the next turn." aaa76 paused before continuing. "Once per turn, during my Standby Phase, Silver Dragon can target one Normal Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it."
"And Silver Dragon has 3000 DEF."
After saying that, aaa76 arrogantly raised her chin and looked down at Hara Shichi.
"Tell me, is this really a simulated projection from the system and not a real person?" Hara Shichi gritted his teeth. "I feel like she's mocking me."
Just as he had been about to stall with Ancient Dragon, she had effortlessly resolved the situation with a Synchro Monster.
Ancient Dragon's ATK could not break through Silver Dragon's DEF, and Silver Dragon could not be destroyed by effects. On the next turn, she would definitely pull a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the Graveyard to destroy Ancient Dragon.
"And I remember The White Stone of Ancients has an effect too..." Hara Shichi said, holding his forehead.
Sure enough, aaa78 quickly activated The White Stone of Ancients' effect. "At the End Phase of the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard, I activate The White Stone of Ancients' effect. Special Summon one 'Blue-Eyes' monster from the Deck."
"I Special Summon Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon from the Deck and activate its effect. I add the Spell Card Polymerization from my Deck to my hand, and also add Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon from my Deck to my hand."
In just one turn, aaa78 had summoned two high-ATK Blue-Eyes dragons onto the field. Jet Dragon in the Graveyard was still ready to revive at any time, Silver Dragon could summon another Blue-Eyes White Dragon next turn, the white stone in the Graveyard could return a Blue-Eyes White Dragon to her hand, and Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon in her hand could jump onto the field... In other words, once it became aaa76's turn, she could summon five Blue-Eyes White Dragons onto the field!
Oh, and she had a Polymerization in hand. She would probably make a Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon too, just for fun.
Hara Shichi had no ideas left. He could only look hopefully at his teammate—Masked Girl. At least she still seemed calm now, though perhaps the face beneath her mask had already fallen into despair.
Faced with the situation before her, Masked Girl simply grabbed Hara Shichi's arm and said flatly, "My turn. Draw."
What a Ridiculous Topdeck
"I enter the Main Phase and activate the Spell Card—Pot of Desires." Masked Girl said calmly, "I banish six cards face-down from the Extra Deck, then draw two cards from the Deck."
"Why is everyone running Pot of Desires? It looks so profitable." Hara Shichi looked at the four cards in the girl's hand and was tempted. "Should we run a few too?"
"There is only one Tiramisu of the Tiara. What if it gets banished?" Ai rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't think like a gambler. Gamblers end up with nothing."
"Aren't you going to check what cards you have left in your Extra Deck?" Hara Shichi asked Masked Girl.
"No need. I've drawn the card I wanted." Masked Girl gave a soft laugh. "I banish Demonic Imp Bloodstone and Cyber Laser Dragon from the Graveyard, then Special Summon from my hand—Black Luster Soldier—Envoy of Genesis!"
A warrior clad in blue armor appeared on the field, but before he could steady himself, violent waves burst from the ground and tugged at his body. Not only that, Ancient Dragon beside him and Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon on aaa76's field were also drawn toward the enormous whirlpool, seemingly about to vanish from the field.
Hara Shichi hurriedly looked toward aaa76's field. Sure enough, the Set Card she had hidden until now had been flipped open.
"At this moment, I chain and activate the Trap Card—Torrential Tribute." aaa76's emotionless mechanical voice rang out. "When a monster is Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned: destroy all monsters on the field."
"Don't even think about it!" Masked Girl inserted the card in her hand into the Duel Disk. "I chain and activate the Quick-Play Spell Card—My Body as the Shield! I pay 1500 LP to negate and destroy the activation of a card activated by my opponent that has an effect which destroys monsters on the field!"
Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 2800 LP → 1300 LP
The raging torrent vanished completely in an instant, as if it had never existed.
"Mm!" Masked Girl suddenly bent over with a muffled groan, her long black hair spilling forward.
"Hey? Are you okay?" Hara Shichi asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. Just keep your arm raised," Masked Girl said as she slowly stood up while supporting herself against the device console. "I enter the Battle Phase. Black Luster Soldier attacks Silver Dragon!"
The blue-armored warrior brought down his blade and cut down the silver dragon.
"At the instant Silver Dragon is destroyed, I chain Jet Dragon's effect in the Graveyard and Special Summon it from the Graveyard in Attack Position."
With a dragon's roar, Jet Dragon revived from the Graveyard once more and appeared on the field, glaring provocatively at Hara Shichi and Masked Girl.
Masked Girl remained unmoved. She continued, "When Black Luster Soldier destroys an opponent's monster, it can attack once again. I continue my attack against Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon."
"Then I use Ancient Dragon to attack Lord of D.—Dragon Dictator of D."
This left only one Jet Dragon on aaa76's field, while Hara Shichi and Masked Girl had Ancient Dragon and Black Luster Soldier.
They held an overwhelming advantage—or so it seemed.
Hara Shichi knew exactly what card aaa76 was holding. Next turn, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon would jump out and destroy Envoy of Genesis, and aaa76 would still retain an absolute advantage!
"I enter Main Phase 2, Set two cards, and end my turn," Masked Girl said as she set 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 choose one card in your opponent's hand and banish it face-down. During your opponent's fourth Standby Phase after this card's activation, that card returns to their hand."
"What?" Before aaa76 could react, one card from her hand had already been sent to the Banish Zone.
"Cough, cough." Masked Girl coughed lightly. "Now we just have to see whether we can banish the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon in her hand."
That was right. If they banished Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, the situation would reverse instantly! Her Jet Dragon could only trade one-for-one with Black Luster Soldier or attack Ancient Dragon, but either way, it would be useless. Ancient Dragon could not be destroyed in battle by Jet Dragon. Next turn, Hara Shichi only needed to attack Jet Dragon, then attack directly with Ancient Dragon to win the duel.
"You did indeed banish my Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon," aaa76's ethereal voice drifted out. "But the card that remained in my hand will instead drag you into the abyss of despair."
"What can one card possibly do... Wait, don't tell me it's..." Hara Shichi's eyelid twitched as a bad feeling rose within him.
aaa76 inserted the sole card in her hand into the Duel Disk and softly said, "I enter the Main Phase and activate the Spell Card—Ultimate Fusion."
"It can only be activated during either player's Main Phase. Return Fusion Material Monsters listed on a Fusion Monster Card from my hand, field, or Graveyard to their owner's Deck, then Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster that lists Blue-Eyes White Dragon or Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon as Fusion Material from the Extra Deck."
"I return three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my Graveyard to the Deck and Fusion Summon—Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon."
A colossal three-headed dragon appeared on the field and unleashed a deafening roar.
"Tch, what a ridiculous topdeck. She actually drew that." Hara Shichi gritted his teeth. First Raigeki, then Ultimate Fusion—there had to be a limit to how lucky she could be!
"I activate Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's effect. Once per turn, I can target one card on my opponent's field and destroy it. I choose to destroy your Set Card."
"I chain Destruction Potion!" Masked Girl hurriedly flipped open her Set Card. "I destroy Black Luster Soldier on my field and recover 3000 LP!"
Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 1300 LP → 4300 LP.
aaa76 continued her play. "I activate Abyssal Blue-Eyes Dragon's effect in the Graveyard. I banish this card from my Graveyard to increase the ATK of all Level 8 or higher Dragon-Type monsters on my field by 1000."
Blue-Eyes Tyrant Dragon: ATK 4500 → 5500! Jet Dragon: ATK 3000 → 4000!
"I enter the Battle Phase. Jet Dragon attacks Ancient Dragon."
The tremendous shockwave knocked Hara Shichi to the ground, while Masked Girl beside him began trembling all over.
"Next, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attacks Ancient Dragon!"
"Roar!"
Hara Shichi & Masked Girl: 4300 LP → 200 LP!
"Still 200 LP... We barely survived," Hara Shichi said, panting.
Before you continue