Chapter 821
The Last Card
Chapter 821 The Last Card (8K)
Dennis's turn.
He picked up a card from the top of his deck, glanced at it, and then held it up: "While this card is in your hand, you can target 1 Xyz Monster on the field; detach 1 Xyz Material from that monster, and Special Summon this card. After that, 1 Xyz Monster on the field loses 600 ATK."
"I remove one Xyz Material from the Swing Magician on the field and Special Summon Amusement Wizard Cup Trickster."
A ping-pong sound rang out, and three green cups fell to the ground one after another. Then, the three cups quickly switched places and finally stacked together. A strange little figure raised the cups and waved them outside.
Entertainment Mage Cup Trickster, Level 5, Light Attribute, Mage Race, Attack Power 1200, Pendulum Monster.
Entertainment Mage, Swing Magician, Xyz Material 2→1.
"This effect can only be activated if your opponent controls a monster or if there is a Fun Mage monster on the field. Special Summon this card from your hand. As long as this card is Special Summoned by this effect and is in the Monster Zone, you cannot Special Summon a monster other than a Fun Mage monster."
Special Summon: Entertainment Mage Windsuker!
This time, a mechanical mage with a suction fan is making his appearance.
Entertainment Mage Wind-Sucker, Level 5, Wind Attribute, Mage Race, Attack Power 2100, Pendulum Monster.
"This effect can only be activated if this card is Special Summoned. This card's Level decreases by 1. However, once per turn, I can activate the effect of Windfury Man, raising all Level 4 Fun Wizards on my field to Level 5—"
"I will then summon a level 4 entertainment mage, Flame Devourer. According to Flame Devourer's effect, both sides will take 500 damage. However, I will not take this damage. Then, I will activate the effect of Wind Eater."
Marufuji Sho, LP: 4000→3500
"There are three level 5 monsters, could it be!?"
"That's exactly what I mean."
Dennis took a deep breath.
"Construct an Xyz Network using a level 5 Cup Trickster, a level 5 Flame Eater, and a level 5 Wind Leak!"
With a shout, the three monsters leaped into the air, then spun around and transformed into three giant golden spheres. They moved rapidly along the vortex and eventually became a shadow wearing a green top hat.
"Xyz Summon, Rank 5, Entertainment Mage Shadow Artist!"
Entertainment Mage Shadow Painter, Rank 5, Dark Attribute, Mage Race, Attack Power 2600, Xyz Material 3.
"Activate the effect of Amusement Wizard Swing Magician: During your or your opponent's Main Phase, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target 1 monster on your turn's field. That monster can attack twice this turn, and is destroyed during the Battle Phase."
"I choose the Entertainment Mage/Shadow Painter as the target!"
"At this moment, the Shadow Painter's effect is activated."
Dennis clapped his hands lightly, and the shadow artist chuckled, pulled out a huge pair of golden scissors, and then "snip"ed his own body.
The next moment, the two pieces of paper that had been cut by the scissors began to slowly change, eventually turning into two shadow artists!
"When this card's targeting effect is activated, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to activate this effect. Special Summon 1 Fun Wizard Shadow Artist from your Extra Deck."
Entertainment Mage, Swing Magician, Overload Material 1→0.
Entertainment Mage/Shadow Painter, Overload Material 3→2.
"That way, you can indeed attack twice, but the monster will also be destroyed—"
"That's not important."
"Because I still have this!"
Dennis raised his hand in a flash: "Activate the magic card, Fusion Magic!"
Fusion Spell Card!
As a member of the Fusion Dimension Duel Academy, a member of the Fusion Department, a member of the Fusion Army, and an elite among elites, Dennis... naturally knows how to do this!
"The fusion requirement is two Entertainment Mage Monsters!"
"I'll remove the two Amusement Mage monsters from the graveyard and fuse them!"
"O acrobat who can even manipulate pain with ease!"
Transform infinitely, merge with a single thread, and become a new witch soaring through the sky!
Fusion Summon!
Appear! Level 7! Entertainment Mage, Swing-Powerful Witch!
"Hehehe—ha!"
As Dennis's voice faded, a monster swung along the swing, then opened its arms, revealing a smiling face, and performed superb acrobatics.
Entertainment Mage Swing Spirit Witch, Level 7, Dark Attribute, Mage Race, Attack Power 2400.
"As long as this card is on the field, my Amusement Wizard monsters on the field cannot be destroyed by their own card effects, nor can they become targets of their opponent's card effects."
"Well……"
Marufuji Sho's expression was rather grim, realizing that the current situation was indeed quite difficult to handle.
"When you use the kite machine sent to the cemetery by the Giant City, you can shield yourself from damage by excluding yourself while you are in the cemetery."
"One attack last turn, one more this turn, plus the monsters on the field, which means you can withstand at least 3 attacks."
Dennis held out his hand, gesturing to the monsters on his field: "But now, I have 4 monsters on my field, including an Xyz Monster that can attack twice and has 2600 ATK!"
"It's over, Xiang—"
Dennis advised Marufuji Sho to give up, saying that if he didn't continue the duel, he could bypass the Fusion Army's program and avoid the tragic ending of turning Marufuji Sho into a card.
However, Marufuji Sho did not show that expression; he just gritted his teeth and stared intently at Dennis.
Dennis sighed helplessly.
"Then, let's fight!"
"First, Swing Magician, attack your submarine robot!"
The swing magician swung on the swing and came to Marufuji Sho, a smile on his face, but a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
However, no matter how reluctant it was, it could not disobey its owner, and it fought back with all its might, attacking the submarine crew.
"The effect of Giant Machine City: When a Machine Monster you control battles, you can send 1 Machine Monster from your Deck to the Graveyard to activate this effect. That battled monster's original ATK and DEF are swapped only during that damage calculation."
I sent the Kite Skeleton from my deck to the Graveyard.
The second kite-shaped human.
"Second strike, the Swing Power Witch attacks Xiang directly!"
"Activate the effect of the kite robot in the graveyard, banishing yourself and negating your attacks!"
"Then, for the third strike, the first Shadow Painter will attack directly!"
"...I'll activate the Kite Robot's effect again! It excludes itself, nullifying your attack!"
The kite-like robot flew in front of Marufuji Sho, its face resolute, gritting its teeth as it resisted the magical gale in front of it.
Although no actual damage was caused, the impact of the duel caused Marufuji Sho's body to be blown further back. His body was already swaying, and at this moment, he was attacked by a fierce force, which made his legs go weak.
But he did not back down; instead, he continued to look firmly ahead—even though he could no longer see what lay ahead.
"That way, all the kite-like figures in your graveyard will be eliminated!"
Dennis sighed, slowly raising his hand and pointing at his opponent: "Fourth strike, the Shadow Artist launches another direct attack, directly targeting... Marufuji Sho!"
The illustrator was like a faceless, emotionless fragment; it just chuckled as usual, then suddenly appeared in front of Marufuji Sho, swung its huge scissors, and knocked him down.
"Caw!"
Marufuji Sho was violently thrown away by the impact, crashing into the wall with a loud thud. He was "stuck" to the wall for a good five or six seconds before finally falling off with a thud, landing on his knees.
Sho Marufuji, LP: 3500→900.
"...That's it." Dennis saw that Marufuji Sho hadn't activated any powerful trap cards, which meant that he probably had no way to withstand the final attack.
In this way...
“Then, the fifth strike…” Dennis turned his head away and said, “The second Shadow Painter will attack directly!”
"And that's... the end..."
As always, the illustrator wore a fake smile as he rushed up to Marufuji Sho. Then, he raised the scissors and, as if to slice the man in two, slammed them down.
boom!
The alleyway stirred up countless plumes of dust.
Dennis turned around and looked at the smoke and dust. He felt uneasy and couldn't help but ask himself doubtfully.
right?
Is that really true?
Hey—
Whether it was right or wrong, it's over.
He killed his best friend with his own hands.
"It's...not over yet..."
!! ?
As the smoke and dust slowly dissipated, Dennis saw Marufuji Sho struggling to his feet, his body tattered and battered.
Sho Marufuji, LP: 300.
what! ?
300 left?
Where did it come from?
"I've started this..."
Marufuji Sho gently adjusted his glasses, which had been shattered into a single lens, and reached for the trap card he had activated.
Trap Card.
Angel's Tears?
How could anyone carry something like that?
Choose one card from your hand and add it to your opponent's hand. After that, you recover 2000 life points.
"Use increased health points to survive and then come back to life one by one... But, Xiang, if you do that, you'll have to give me a card. That's like drinking poison to quench thirst."
"Then why don't you take a look... at the card I gave you?"
My card?
Dennis looked to his left.
He had somehow acquired an extra card in his hand.
With a mix of doubt, surprise, and unease, Dennis slowly turned the card over.
At first glance, Dennis was completely stunned.
Normally, magic cards...
Friendship YU-JYO!?
On the card, the legendary Yu-Gi-Oh! and the legendary Joey Wheeler hold hands and look at each other, confirming a legend!
This is the legendary card.
Ten years after Yugi Muto earned the title of King of Duels, cards related to the King of Duels and those legendary duelists began to appear around the world.
This card, symbolizing "friendship," is one of the best-selling and most widely used commemorative cards!
Dennis himself also has one.
but--
No one ever puts this card in their deck!
This card is special: Invite your opponent to shake hands. If your opponent accepts, both players' Life Points become half of their combined Life Points. If you have "Unity" in your hand, you can show that card to your opponent. In that case, both players shake hands, and this card's effect applies.
This is a genuine "action spell" because once activated, it determines whether you will make contact with the other person.
Xiang had not activated this card before.
Because... he probably also knows that if he initiates the action, he won't choose to shake hands.
So, he's expecting to be the one to initiate the attack?
Do you hope to activate this card and make their lives more equal?
Looking forward to actually making a "choice" myself!?
“I won’t activate this card…” Dennis put the card away. “Because if I activate it, it means that I believe I was wrong from the start. So… I won’t activate it.”
"Then I'll make sure you start it!"
“It’s no use! I’m not going to activate it!” Dennis said firmly. “Besides, you should know that I have an overwhelming advantage right now!”
"Now that things have come to this, your body is already broken and battered, how can you compare to me—when I chose to betray you, our friendship was already over!"
"...My turn."
Marufuji Sho struggled to draw a card from his deck.
"Magic card, Pot of Greed, draw two cards."
"How about it, do you want me to help you?" A voice suddenly rang in Marufuji Sho's ear as he looked at the card in his hand.
The mechanical dragon appeared beside him at some point, looking quite interested: "With your current physical condition and deck, you definitely can't beat that guy."
Tenpei IV, the Pokémon who had previously collaborated with Marufuji Sho, suddenly became interested in the duel and wanted to see Marufuji Sho's choice.
With its power, it could temporarily electrify Marufuji Sho's body, allowing the current to control his body's operation. This would allow Marufuji Sho to fully concentrate on the duel without worrying about anything else, and fight with all his might.
This is very beneficial for Marufuji Sho in his current state.
However, Marufuji Sho only glanced at it before falling silent.
"Eh? You don't want to?" Tianpei Si was somewhat surprised. "Using our power, you can complete an Xyz Summon in this dimension, you know? That way, you can understand some of your brother's and your friend's thoughts."
"I don't need it—"
Marufuji Sho gritted his teeth and looked at the card in his hand.
Now that things have come to this, how can we rely on external forces?!
Tianpei was immediately filled with awe.
Before, I was just interested; now, I'm really looking forward to it.
Pity.
This kid probably won't be able to use it at this conference.
It felt somewhat pessimistic.
Marufuji Sho looked at the card in his hand. He examined it carefully for a while, pondered for a long time, and then had an idea.
"Normal summon, Blender Man."
"You can activate this card by Tributing 1 Machine-Type monster on your field. Special Summon 1 non-WIND Machine Monster from your Deck."
"I Special Summon Express Machine from my Deck."
"Activate the effect of the Giant Machine City on the field. You can target 1 card on your field other than this card; destroy that card, and add 1 Machine Card from your Deck to your hand."
I destroyed the Express Machine and added the Dragon Machine from my deck to my hand.
"Then, activate the effect of Dragon Machine Man, discard it from your hand, and activate one of its effects."
I want to choose its first effect: add 1 non-WIND robot from the deck to my hand.
I added the bicycle robot from my deck to my hand.
"What's the point of going through all this trouble?"
"Your health is like a candle flickering in the wind; it's simply not enough for you to continue using it."
"That's enough—"
Marufuji Sho gritted his teeth: "The effect of the 'cemetery mixer' man."
"You can activate this effect by paying half of your Life Points and banishing any number of Machine-Type monsters, including this card, from your Graveyard. Special Summon 1 Machine Fusion Monster of the same Level as the banished monsters from your Extra Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect are destroyed during the End Phase."
I'll banish Mixer Man, Express Man, Submarine Man, Jet Man, and Dragon Man so I can Special Summon a Level 5 Machine Fusion Monster!
"...Only 5 stars?"
"That's right, only 5 stars—but it doesn't matter how many stars!"
"I request a Special Summon: Two-Person Bicycle Robot!" Ta-da!
The bicycle bell rang, and a humanoid bicycle whizzed up and ran in front of Marufuji Sho.
Two-person single-vehicle robot, level 5, earth attribute, mechanical race, attack power 1600.
Sho Marufuji, LP: 300→150.
“Attack power 1600, I remember it can attack directly, right? But don’t forget, Sho…” Dennis raised his hand, showing his ace on the left, “As long as the Swing Magician is present, I will not suffer damage lower than its attack power.”
"That's true...but..."
Marufuji Sho held up a magic card: "What if we use this?"
!! ?
Magic Cards —
Fusion Spell Card!?
"Magic Card, Transportation Robot Connection Zone!"
"Send the Fusion Material Monsters listed on the Transport Robot Fusion Monster Card from your hand or field to the Graveyard, and Fusion Summon 1 of those Fusion Monsters from your Extra Deck. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot be destroyed by card effects, and their effects cannot be negated!"
"it turns out……"
"The fusion conditions are: one Machine-Fusion Monster and one Machine Monster!"
"Come on, my monsters!"
Marufuji Sho clasped his hands together and, imitating—no, mimicking—Amagi Hikaru's movements, shouted.
"Chirp chirp," "Clang clang," "Buzz buzz," "Mmm mmm"
Countless anthropomorphic machines flew out from the ruined mecha city. They frantically combined and pieced together, and finally, the entire mecha city transformed into a magnificent and towering machine!
Fusion Summon!
"Level 10!"
"Super Transportation Robot - Mobile Base!"
Super Transport Robot - Mobile Base, Level 10, Earth Attribute, Machine Race, Attack 0, Defense 5000.
"Attack power...0?"
"Fight, Dennis!"
Marufuji Sho points at the Shadow Artist: "Attack the Shadow Artist with the Super Transport Robot - Mobile Base!"
"The effect of Swing Witch is activated when your Amusement Mage monster declares an attack to battle an opponent's monster. That opponent's monster's ATK decreases by 600."
"It's no use, my attack power is 0!"
"..."
"Battle continues. During damage calculation, I activate the Field Spell Card, Giant Machine City! When one of my Machine Monsters battles, I send 1 Machine Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard to activate this effect. That battling monster's original ATK and DEF are swapped only during that damage calculation! I send my third Kite Machine from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
"The mobile base's defense is... 5000!"
"Attack power 5000!!???"
"OMG--"
"That's a really strong representative!"
"This attack power is already equal to that of the Five Divine Dragons!"
Dennis stared in astonishment at the giant slowly raising his right hand in the sky, his face filled with unspeakable shock.
Attack power... 5000!?
This is already the highest level of basic attack power!!
Before he could continue to be shocked, the attack had already landed!
boom!!
Propelled by the fireworks, the giant robot easily shattered the shadows!
"Ugh-"
Dennis was also hit so hard by the huge impact that he saw stars, tumbled three or four times in the air, and landed on the ground.
Dennis, LP: 4000 → 1600.
"Well……"
Dennis managed to get up.
Because of the Special Summoning of Cup Trickster, Swing Magician's attack power has dropped to 1900, so it can no longer defend against battle damage of over 2000.
But surprisingly, Sho didn't attack the Swing Magician, whose attack power was obviously lower... Was it because he didn't want to attack my ace, or was it because his instinct as a duelist was triggered?
It doesn't matter which one it is.
Dennis clutched his stomach, catching his breath slightly.
The mobile base has a defense of 5000, while my monster's attack power is at most 2600. If I dare to attack, I will lose as soon as the attack power and defense power change. There is no choice but to first bait out the Giant Machine City effect and then attack the mobile base with an attack power of 0.
"The effect of Super Transport Robot - Mobile Base: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; Special Summon 1 Robot Monster that has that monster's ATK or less from your Deck or Extra Deck."
"I choose Swing Magician, and Special Summon UFO Machine from my Deck in Defense Position."
UFO-shaped robot, Level 6, Light attribute, Mechanical race, Defense 1200.
"...End...round."
Marufuji Sho paused for a moment, then looked in Dennis's direction.
Can't see clearly.
He could no longer make out Dennis's appearance at all.
He could only see a blurry world.
But in this blurry world, the world is not complicated; it is simply black and white.
Dennis reached into his deck, about to draw a card, but suddenly froze.
He raised his hand and held it up in front of him.
Is he afraid?
Is he afraid?
Is he feeling guilty?
My hands are shaking badly.
He was doubting himself.
Perhaps, I really do have a choice?
Perhaps, I could have been open and honest with Marufuji Sho long ago?
Perhaps I have many other options?
Perhaps, he could also try to be an ordinary duelist?
perhaps……
wrong.
He shook his head.
Regardless.
When he truly betrayed Marufuji Sho, there was no turning back!
Even if... even if Marufuji Sho himself didn't care, he still couldn't get past his own conscience.
Guilt, remorse, and guilt towards Yuri and Marufuji Sho all prevented him from calming down.
He... had no choice.
Either he dies, or Marufuji Sho dies.
And he—
Of course I don't want to die!
"My turn!"
Dennis suddenly drew a card from his deck.
He looked at the card.
Then he closed his eyes, looking somewhat sad.
Ultimately... the world chose him, and he never had a choice.
He took a deep breath.
"Magic Card, Whirlwind!"
"What--"
Beside Marufuji Sho, Tenbei Shi stared wide-eyed: "At such a crucial moment, they drew the Whirlwind!?"
Marufuji Shoya couldn't help but close his eyes.
He thought... in the end, Dennis would use "friendship".
But I never expected it.
The card I drew was a whirlwind!
"Is this the end of it?" Dennis's fake smile gradually disappeared, and finally, he became expressionless. "It seems that it is the will of heaven that has brought us here to fight to the death."
There's... no more hesitation!
"Activate! Quick-Play Spell Card, Whirlwind! Destroy your Field Spell Card, Giant Machine City!"
The wind howled.
The magnificent yet dilapidated mechanical city slowly vanished amidst the raging storm.
Marufuji Sho closed his eyes, refusing to look at the continuously falling city and machinery, as if he had already accepted his fate.
"The battle phase is over, Marufuji Sho!! Use the Swing Magician to attack the mobile base—"
"It's not over yet!"
!! ?
Marufuji Sho closed his eyes, suddenly raised his hand, and pressed it against the Duel Disk.
It was only then that Dennis realized...
Marufuji Sho was so exhausted that he couldn't even open his eyes!
He wasn't afraid of the sight before him, but rather... he couldn't open his eyes!
However, even though he couldn't open his eyes, Dennis could feel the firm and resolute voice coming from Marufuji Sho's mouth.
Now that things have come to this, what can we possibly do?
"Trap Card, Peacekeeper: This turn, my monsters cannot be destroyed by battle, and the battle damage I take is reduced to 0!"
"...Even so, you can only switch the mobile base to a defensive position in the next turn."
"Well, I still have this card, in the very end—"
"Trap Cards, the Final Battle!"
……
The final battle!?
Dennis's pupils contracted.
This is the final battle?!
"When your Life Points are below 1000, you can activate this effect during your opponent's turn. Target 1 monster you control, and send all other cards on both players' fields and in their hands to the Graveyard. Then, your opponent Special Summons 1 monster from their Deck in Attack Position and it battles. At that time, your battle damage becomes 0."
At the end of the round, the player with monsters still on the field wins the duel. All other outcomes result in a draw.
"...How could this be!?"
Dennis instinctively took a step back: "That card was overwritten in the first round. At that time, you had already overwritten the final battle?"
"But I don't want to give up, I don't want it to end in a draw, I want you to change your mind."
however--
Neither their physical condition nor the timing allowed these two "tributaries in the torrent of fate" to do anything out of line.
Dennis watched as the magicians on the field disappeared one by one, and as Marufuji Sho's giant robot on the field rumbled and fell apart, leaving only a flying saucer, before slowly opening his deck.
There are no more monsters to choose from.
The Flame Devourer, which can deal effect damage, has already been used!
……
"Entertainment Mage on Stilts"
Entertainment Mage Stilt Archer, Level 6, Earth Attribute, Attack Power 2200.
As soon as the stilt shooter appeared, he kicked the UFO robot.
However, under the light of peace, the attack was slow to take effect.
At this moment, there was nothing more Dennis could do.
There are no cards in my hand, only one monster on the field, and no effects from the monsters in my graveyard.
He had no way to send the stilt archer to the graveyard and then deal 2000 points of effect damage.
and so……
He now only has one choice left!
That is--
End of round, awaiting... [Peace]!
Peace……
"Come on, Dennis, let's end this round!" Marufuji Sho said firmly. "I don't speak. A duel is a clash of our souls. My fusion is what it is now!"
Dennis took a deep breath.
He pressed the button on the duel disk.
"I just can't do anything with you, acting like we're really that close..." The Entertainment Duelist scratched his messy hair. "After this is over, you're in for it. You'll definitely be treated as my accomplice, spending every day at Kaiba Corporation..."
He ended the round like this.
With a violent explosion, the shockwaves from the final battle finally erupted in this alley—
An immense power, comprised of two almost inexhaustible decks, began to frantically pull at everything around it. Under this final attraction, a black dot appeared in the center of the duel arena. Then, [Light] appeared in the center of the black dot, followed by a terrifying explosion.
boom----
The light engulfed everything around it, enveloping the scene, the monsters, the cards, and the two duelists. With a violent tremor, everything returned to calm.
draw!
An extremely rare draw!
After the storm of light ended, on the left and right sides of the alley, two duelists lay unconscious on the field, unresponsive.
But even though they were unconscious, their duel disks were still faithfully working.
They compared the results with the rules, and then the cards that symbolized their identity and qualifications slowly disappeared from their hands.
They drew, but also lost a card!
pat...
A soft sound came from the side of the alley.
"Hello, this is location XXX. A pair of duelists have lost their will and qualification cards. Yes, yes, that's right." Hikaru Amagi's voice echoed through the alley. He was contacting the relevant staff of the dueling tournament.
If Marufuji Sho were still conscious and able to see clearly at this moment, he would be surprised to find that...
Hikaru Amagi is here!?
Do not--
Hikaru Amagi has always been here!
However, one of them was completely preoccupied with his own thoughts, while the other couldn't see things clearly, so they didn't notice that there was another person watching the game.
Ultimately, since Hikaru Amagi was willing to make the call and didn't interfere with their duel, it means...
At least in Amagi Hikaru's view, this duel was enough.
Marufuji Sho didn't say anything fancy, and Dennis didn't act excessively crazy, which was already quite good.
At least one person is trying their best even at the cost of everything, while the other person clearly knows that they are "sinful".
So, when everything is over, it's "not too late".
8K8K
(End of this chapter)