Pulling Down the Flag / Battle and Evolution
You Zhi stroked his chin and said, "If the weakening trend is true, then we'd better finish off the enemy before the Clear Mind completely fails. According to common patterns, this should be a hint of a time limit."
"Although I don't understand what the routine is all about, I do feel a sense of unease. If we can't stop the Perpetual Motion Machine as soon as possible, it may be too late," Yusei said with a solemn expression.
Just then, the sound of a gust of wind suddenly came from ahead. The four people driving the Duel Runner looked up and saw a group of machines rushing towards them, and they were of a type they had never seen before.
You Zhi quickly identified them using his cheat system and found they were a group of Machine-Type Speedroid Robots." He then warned, "They are Steel and Flying-type Pokémon. Unlike the previous guards, these Pokémon are all quite fast. Be careful not to get separated and surrounded."
The group responded in agreement, showing no surprise. All the enemies they had encountered before were Machine-Type, and their lineages would inevitably include a Steel-type. Therefore, sending out a Pokémon with a type advantage would make them easy to deal with.
For example You Zhi used the Amazoness Princess, who is a dual-type Fighting-type and Ground-type, as his main character. As a result, the Amazoness Princess leveled up rapidly and soon broke through level 30, showing signs of evolution.
Of course, this time the enemy has Flying-type, Amazoness Princess is not suitable for battle.
The four of them each sent out a Pokémon to block the enemy's first wave of attacks. You Zhi quickly assessed the situation and said, "The two strongest enemies are that motorcycle and the dragon-like Pokémon. Yusei and I each have one."
Antinomy and Lorelei had no objections. The former was the weakest, while the latter, whose specialty was Ice-type, was naturally at a disadvantage against Steel-type. Although this disadvantage was negligible for Lorelei, she wasn't one to show off and preferred to keep things simple.
"No problem, I'll take the motorcycle."
Yusei commanded the Junk Warrior to attack the "Clear Wing Rider," but the opponent dodged with a graceful drift.
"Interesting."
Yusei was ignited. He twisted the handle, accelerated, and charged forward, engaging in a race of speed and passion with his opponent. While firmly Bite the tail, he used the special structure of the Duel Runner to create Spell Card without letting go.
The two sides chased each other, and when they reached a slope, the Clear Wing Rider used the terrain to make a 180-degree turn, avoiding the pursuing Junk Warrior and crashing head-on into Yusei.
Clearly, as a Pokémon, it doesn't need to adhere to the trainer's code of conduct.
But Yusei was prepared. He activated the newly crafted Spell Card, and a rusty steel scarecrow appeared out of thin air, blocking the Clear Wing Rider's charge. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Junk Warrior swung a Lightning Fist, knocking the rider away and paralyzing him at the same time.
"Scrap-Iron Scarecrow" is Trap Card frequently used by Yusei. It has the effect of preventing the enemy from attacking once per turn. Moreover, after activation, it will recharge its spirit and can be activated again after the spirit is fully charged. Theoretically, as long as it is not destroyed, it can be used indefinitely. In addition, it is only a D-rank card, making it extremely cost-effective.
On the other side, You Zhi was facing Kitedrake. After seeing the opponent's effect, he decisively chose to summon Icejade Aegirine.
[Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake (8-Star) Wind]
[Lineage: Steel, Flight]
[Level: 40]
[Attack Power: 3000 (3000)]
[Defense Strength: 2800 (2800)]
[Machine-Type, effect: omitted]
Kitedrake possesses the ability to destroy all enemy Pokémon on the field, but Icejade Aegirine can grant friendly Pokémon resistance to being destroyed by effects. Moreover, even if Kitedrake doesn't activate its ability, once it does, Icejade Aegirine can chain it to banish it.
Under complete suppression, Kitedrake had almost no power to resist and was soon frozen into an ice sculpture by Icejade Aegirine. Afterwards, Icejade Aegirine joined forces with Lorelei's Snowdust Magician to create an Ice Spike Storm, which pierced the other Speedroid into ice candy sticks, easily annihilating more than 70% of the enemies.
After much effort, Yusei finally managed to defeat the 11-star Clear Wing Rider. The defeated Junk Warrior radiated an evolutionary light, transforming into a robot wielding a giant battle axe and possessing muscular limbs.
[Junk Berserker (7-star) Wind]
[Lineage: Steel, Fighting-type]
[Level: 42]
[Attack Power: 2700 (2970)]
[Defense Strength: 1800 (1980)]
[Warrior-Type, Effect: Banish 1 "Junk" monster Yugi your Graveyard, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls. The targeted monster's ATK is reduced by the banished monster's ATK. Also, if this card attacks Defense Position monster, destroy that monster without damage calculation.]
"Wow, the style has changed drastically. Before, it was considered an agile type, but now it has suddenly become a violent damage dealer."
After You Zhi shook his head with slight disappointment. "Superficial. Although I recommended that you focus on cultivating the Scrap Warrior and unleashing its potential, I still have to say that the Scrap Warrior before its evolution was cooler."
Yusei wasn't angry; instead, he chimed in, "I think so too. A simple, unassuming scrap metal warrior might suit me better."
Chapter 237 Pulling the Flag
"This is how the city originally looked?"
You Zhi gazed ahead at a city resembling the world of Final Fantasy VII, blending fantasy and futuristic technology. A towering structure stood at each of the four corners, each radiating powerful spiritual energy fluctuations, while a Gold Letter rose in the center.
"How is that possible...?"
Antinomy looked helpless and complained, "Although I'm not a resident of Domino City, I've seen the city's promotional ads. Domino City used to be completely different. Only cyber lunatics would like this style."
After observing for a while, Yusei Fudo said, "Judging from the energy flow, the four towers are protective devices, transmitting energy to form a protective shield to protect the central system from intrusion."
You Zhi stroked his chin. "This setting seems familiar. If we follow the tropes of various Yugi or movies, we either need to destroy the four towers in a specific order or destroy them simultaneously to break through the protective shield and attack the central system."
Lorelei, "Very likely, but we'll have to try it to know for sure. Luckily, there are four of us."
Antinomy was a little nervous. His strength had improved rapidly during this period, and some of his elves had even evolved, but he was still the weakest among them. Remembering his promise, he gritted his teeth and said, "I will work hard, and I will never hold anyone back, even if it costs me my life."
Just as You Zhi was pondering how to allocate the resources, a figure suddenly descended from the sky and said, "No need for probing. We must destroy all four towers simultaneously to open the path to the central Gold Letter; otherwise, the enemy will send out a large number of mechanical spirits to repair it."
"Cross!"
Upon seeing who it was, Lorelei's face lit up with surprise.
Yusei Fudo immediately realized that the other person was also from another world, and that the three of them knew each other.
Adu nodded, and without further pleasantries, continued to get down to business, "I've already tried it. Destroying a tower alone won't work. Each tower has a guardian who is both a Pokémon and a trainer. You have to duel with them to destroy the energy core, but it will repair itself after a short time."
You Zhi asked, "How long exactly is 'not long after'?"
Adu said, "About half an hour, so the time between destroying the energy core of the first tower and the last tower cannot exceed half an hour."
You Zhi thought for a moment and said, "We can agree on a time. For example, after defeating the guardian, don't rush to destroy the energy core. Instead, launch a signal flare to let the others know that we've taken care of it. Then, when the fourth signal flare appears, we can all work together to destroy it."
Antinomy hurriedly said, "Leave the signal flare to me. I found the materials on the way. It won't take too much time, twenty minutes will be enough." He was a highly skilled technician with practical abilities.
Adu readily agreed, "There's no time to lose. Let's each choose a tower, get the signal flare, and set off. The longer we delay, the more dangerous it will be. From my observation, the enemy is creating more and more mechanical spirits, and their levels are getting higher and higher."
Lorelei asked with some concern, "Are you sure you're okay? If you don't know the proper purification methods, using a spirit in this world will result in contamination."
Adu said, "I discovered it on the first day I arrived here. Fortunately, the Starving Venom Fusion Dragon wasn't too affected. I've been using it in battles these past few days to protect the other Pokémon, and now is the time to risk everything!"
Antinomy immediately went to gather materials; his Duel Runner had the function of a workbench.
A-Du briefly introduced the characteristics of the four tower guardians to You Zhi and the others, while also reminding them that his experience could only be used as a reference, and the enemy might make changes.
In this situation, targeted attacks were not feasible, so the four randomly assigned targets and then adjusted their mindset to prepare for the final battle.
Suddenly, You Zhi noticed that Yusei Fudo, the protagonist of this world, was looking at the central Gold Letter with a complicated expression. He thought to himself, "The final battle is about to begin. I hope he won't cause any trouble at this time."
Although he could pretend he didn't see it, he had a vague feeling that if he didn't speak up now, it might be used as a prelude to the upcoming battle, so he could only bite the bullet and ask, "What are you thinking about?"
Yusei Fudo was silent for a moment before speaking, "I suddenly remembered that the inventor of the Perpetual Motion Machine seems to be Yusei Fudo's father. Dr. Fudo discovered an intermediary particle that can connect all the fundamental particles through his research, which he named the Yusei Particles. Based on this, he invented the Perpetual Motion Machine. He named his newborn son Yusei, hoping that his son would become someone who could unite his friends. The energy conversion devices in other places were all copied by others, but the one in the central system was made by Dr. Fudo himself. And our goal now is to shut it down, but I happen to be his son. In a sense, it's really an irony of fate."
Sensing danger, You Zhi quickly said, "Speaking of which, you no longer need to maintain the identity of Yusei Fudo. The three of us are from another world, and Antinomy follows you as a person. 'Yusei Fudo' has lost its meaning. Why not just change back to your original name?"
"... I've already forgotten my original name, so what's the point of insisting on calling out my own name while wearing someone else's face?"
"There are exceptions. For example, when later generations record this history, they can at least remember the real names, instead of attributing the credit to a person who never existed."
"I think Yusei Fudo is more deserving of this credit than I am. If Yusei Fudo is a guiding star stretching across the night sky, then I am a star that tries to disguise myself as a movie star by reflecting his light—no, I've even abandoned the mission of a movie star now. I'm just a hybrid, fake star, completely devoid of reality. Even the appearance of a star isn't real; everything is an illusion created by technology."
You Zhi confirmed it, this guy is setting a flag!
We're almost at the boss fight, and you're giving me this self-doubt? Are you complaining the adventure has been too easy and want to deliberately increase the difficulty?
It's obvious to anyone with a brain that if things continue as they are, the BOSS will definitely launch into a verbal battle, leaving him confused. Then, either he'll be awakened by his companion's words and overcome his inner demons, or the mission will fail, leading to a recovery plot.
You Zhi didn't want to add unnecessary risks, so he quickly racked his brains to comfort her, saying, "It doesn't matter if you don't know your own true self, and it doesn't matter if you only reflect the light of others. To those who are guided by you and have their path illuminated, you are the guiding star!"
"It's better to have a radiant illusion than to wander aimlessly in complete darkness. Darkness breeds despair. No one is destined to be the protagonist. Give what little warmth you have, even if it's just the light of a firefly. You can still bring hope to others in the darkness. Don't wait for a torch. If there is no torch, then you are the only light!"
Yusei Fudo trembled and murmured, "Give off whatever light you can, however little heat you have..." before falling into deep thought.
When Antinomy arrived with the signal flare, he clenched his fist, the confusion in his eyes vanished, and he said firmly, "That's right! Even if I'm not the main character, I can still do my part, even if it's just a Huan Xing, even if it's just false light, I haven't done anything wrong!"
"Yusei..."
Antinomy was puzzled, but he could still sense a change in the other person; they seemed more radiant and more real.
"From now on, call me Huan Xing, the phantom star that revolves in the sky, chasing the morning star— the Skyborne Phantom Star!"
At this moment, he felt that even if Yusei Fudo really stood in front of him, he could stand tall and face him with confidence.
Perhaps the other party could have done better than him, perhaps the other party could have truly united everyone around him, but if they didn't appear, they didn't appear. The one who has stood here and fought to this day is Skyborne Phantom Star, whose name he has even forgotten, not Yusei Fudo, who has the name of HERO.
Seeing this, even if A-Du and Lorelei didn't understand the flag principle, they knew that a hidden risk had been resolved, and secretly gave You Zhi a thumbs up—that's impressive eloquence!
You Zhi wiped away imaginary cold sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself that he had already quoted a famous saying, so there shouldn't be any more trouble.
Chapter 238 Battle and Evolution
You Zhi headed to the tower he was in charge of, encountering many Machine-Type guards along the way. He was easily defeated by the Demon Lizard Yihao and the Amazoness Princess, with the former in charge of the assault and the latter in charge of guerrilla warfare.
Even though they don't have much chemistry, they can still perform their respective duties without interfering with each other, since they don't need to care about their trainer's safety and can focus on the battle.
They rushed all the way to the top floor, immediately triggering an alarm.
"Intruder detected in the defense core; danger level raised to highest. Initiate final defense procedure."
Accompanied by electronic sounds, two strangely shaped, enormous machines appeared before You Zhi.
[Vylon Alpha (9 stars) light]
[Lineage: Steel, Flight]
[Level: 45]
[Attack Power: 2200 (2200)]
[Defense Strength: 1100 (1100)]
[Machine-Type, Effect: When this card Synchro Summon, you can equip 1 Equip Spell Card from your Graveyard to this card. This card equipped with an Equip Card cannot be destroyed by the effects of Spell/ Trap Card other than Equip Cards.]
[Vylon Omega (10 stars) light]
[Genealogy: Steel, Electricity]
[Level: 50]
[Attack Power: 3200 (3200)]
[Defense Strength: 1900 (1900)]
[Machine-Type, Effect: When this card Synchro Summon, destroy all face-up Normal Summon monsters on the field. Once per turn, you can equip 1 "Vylon" monster from your Graveyard to this card as an Equip Card. When an Effect Monster's effect is activated, you can send 1 Equip Card equipped to this card to the Graveyard to negate its activation and destroy it.]
Vylon Omega appears, activates its ability, and fires a giant beam of light at the two Pokémon.
"Wasn't it said there would be duelists? Wataru's information is completely unreliable."
While complaining, You Zhi activated the Spell Card "My Body as a Shield" that he had prepared beforehand.
This card can negate the effects of destroying spirits on the field and destroy them by paying 1500 Life Points. If there is Demon Lizard Yihao on the field, its hidden effect is triggered without paying any cost.
A knight in armor wielding two swords appeared before the Demon Lizard Yihao, using his sturdy back to block the beam of light and forcefully deflect it back.
Vylon Omega reaped what it sowed, being blasted by the beam and crashing to the ground in an explosion. The Amazoness Princess seized the opportunity to attack, wildly striking with her spear using a Fighting-type Bone Rush. However, Vylon Alpha blocked her way, electromagnetic shields appearing in her hands to deflect the attack.
At the same time, Vylon Omega activated its effect, reaching out to grab a Vylon Spirit that You Zhi had damaged during his journey, and forcibly attached it to his body.
That's a 2-star "Vylon Tetra," which has the effect of replacing the destruction of equipment spirits.
The Demon Lizard Yihao and the Amazoness Princess joined forces to attack, but were firmly blocked by Vylon Alpha and unable to break through the electromagnetic shield. Once Vylon Omega's cooldown was over, it activated its special ability again, retrieval a Vylon Spirit and attaching it to its body.
This time it's a 4-star "Vylon Prism", which can increase the attack power of the equipped target by 1000.
"One player defends and stalls for time, while the other takes the opportunity to strengthen their position. It's a simple and easy-to-understand tactic, but it's also easy to break."
On his way here, You Zhi had crafted a number of Spell Card. If his opponent wanted to duel him, it would be a waste of time, as all his Spell Card would be cleared. In a private duel, there would be fewer restrictions. He immediately activated the second Associated Card with the Demon Lizard Yihao, "Dimensional Prison".
In an instant, a spatial rift appeared next to Vylon Alpha, emitting a powerful suction force. The Amazoness Princess immediately launched a strong attack, trying to push her opponent into the rift.
Vylon Alpha possesses the effect of not being destroyed by Spell Card other than those of the Equip type, but it can only prevent destruction, not banishment. Therefore, it decisively abandons defense and flies upwards.
Despite being pulled in by the spatial rift, Vylon Alpha was, after all, a level 45, 9-star Pokémon, with resistance far exceeding that of ordinary Pokémon, and forcibly broke free with its powerful momentum.