Evil Emperor Gaius, Summon!
[Evil Emperor Gaius, Attack Power 2400]
Marufuji Ryo's expression tightened: "The legendary Dark Emperor..."
The figure of the Evil Emperor was shrouded in pitch-black mist, with crimson eyes appearing more ethereal and mysterious in the darkness.
"Evil Emperor Gaius's effect, upon successful upper-level summon, any card on the field is excluded from the game."
Yugen pointed once again at the dragon perched on Marufuji Ryo's field.
"Electronic Ultimate Dragon is excluded from the game!"
The Demon God rising in the darkness flashed red beams from its eyes, and black energy began to accumulate in its palms.
Like a source of chaos fused with countless negative emotions, it twisted the air and cut across the entire field like a comet. Wherever it passed, the space seemed to be pulled at will by an invisible hand, causing the previously stable dimensional structure to collapse, extending the path of destruction towards Electronic Ultimate Dragon.
Even with an attack power of sixteen thousand, Electronic Ultimate Dragon was powerless to resist the might of the Evil Emperor. This strike would erase it into nothing upon impact!
"Then I'll activate the Cover Card, and once again activate this card..."
Marufuji Ryo flipped his backfield magic.
"Speed Attack Magic 'Electronic Technology Zone!'"
"Oh?" Yugen whispered, "There's actually a second one?"
"The effect of Electronic Technology Zone once again excludes the face-up Fusion Monster from the game until the end of the turn," Marufuji Ryo said, "Electronic Ultimate Dragon, evade the Evil Emperor's attack!"
The star-blue magic barrier descended once more, and Electronic Ultimate Dragon narrowly disappeared from it again. The Evil Emperor's black energy ball roared past Marufuji Ryo's side.
"That was... close."
The onlookers unconsciously felt nervous for Marufuji Ryo.
This duel kept them on edge, regardless of the side. Marufuji Ryo's ultimate OTK-style aggressive attack, seemingly easily neutralized by Yugen so far, would instantly obliterate upon even the slightest touch.
Meanwhile, Caesar's Electronic Ultimate Dragon looked magnificent, but its moves were like walking on thin ice. The opponent avoided direct confrontation, relying instead on moves like field wipes and exclusions to constantly set traps; a small mistake could lead to a bitter exit.
"Managed to protect it, as expected from Caesar," Yugen said, "Then, due to the effect of 'Temporary Truce', no damage can be dealt this turn."
He drew three cards from his hand.
"Cover three cards in the backfield, turn's over."
"End phase, 'Electronic Technology Zone's effect: Electronic Ultimate Dragon returns! And its attack power doubles again!"
Marufuji Ryo declared.
"This embodies my duel, the ultimate moment I pursue! Return in the strongest form, Electronic Ultimate Dragon!"
[Electronic Ultimate Dragon, Attack Power 16000→Attack Power 32000]
"Attack power thirty-two thousand!"
The watching students were greatly shocked. They looked up at the three-headed dragon, for a moment sensing Marufuji Ryo seemed to become one with the steel fortress-like dragon behind him.
Just as if that Electronic Ultimate Dragon was his embodiment, the ultimate moment of his Duelist soul's blaze, the highest pinnacle symbol of his pursued path.
"As expected of you." Yugen smiled, "But let me remind you, the monster strengthened by 'Electronic Technology Zone' must be destroyed in the next preparatory phase of its turn, correct?"
This power is actually just an illusion, akin to the fleeting beauty brought by burning soul and life, the cost being an early demise.
But Marufuji Ryo only smiled: "Thanks for the reminder, but I have my own plans.
It's my turn, draw!"
Marufuji Ryo drew a card, then swiftly flipped his backfield.
"Trap Card 'Solomon's Lawbook'! This card can skip your next preparatory phase!"
"Oh?" Yugen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
This is quite creative.
The audience directly exploded.
Skip your next preparatory phase... there's such a move!?
"The super-powered boost brought by Electronic Technology Zone comes at the cost of your monster self-destructing next preparatory phase." That Blue Dormitory student said, "But if the preparatory phase is skipped..."
"The Electronic Ultimate Dragon with an attack power of thirty-two thousand stays on the field and won't self-destruct!" said the Yellow Dormitory student, unable to stop shaking his best friend frantically, "Caesar is simply crazily strong! This is too powerful!"
Marufuji Ryo glanced at the card he drew and then at Yugen's three backfield cards, contemplating for a moment without immediately playing it, instead revealing a card in his hand: "Then I'll activate the Magic Card 'Celestial Treasure Scroll'! Until both players have six cards in their hands, draw cards from the deck!"
After replenishing his hand and scanning the cards he held, Marufuji Ryo's heart seemed to settle slightly before making a grand gesture.
"Let's battle! Electronic Ultimate Dragon, attack 'Evil Emperor Gaius'!
Eternal Evolutionary Shockwave!"
Countless flowing electronic pulses moved along the dragon's silver body, quickly flooding its mouth, as if filling a cannon with energy.
A dazzling blaze suddenly surged out! It wasn't ordinary flames, but high-concentration electronic energy condensations accompanied by deafening roars.
An output of thirty-two thousand, a single hit is an instant kill!
Yet Yugen naturally wouldn't let it pass easily: "Activate the Cover Card, Trap Card 'Dimensional Confinement'.
Upon declaring an attack with the opponent's monster, that attacking monster is directly excluded from the game!"
As electricity surged, the dimensional rift exploded, forming a massive fissure to the abyss in front of Electronic Ultimate Dragon!
Marufuji Ryo's expression tightened.
Exclusion again!
It seemed like an endless pit, no matter how you step, you can't step through with any power.
Here he burned everything to create the strongest Ultimate Dragon, yet the opponent persistently ignored his invitation for a royal duel. Even the output of over thirty thousand feels like a punch into cotton.
But he still has countermeasures.
"Speed Attack Magic 'Fusion Dispel'!"
Marufuji Ryo declared.
"Dispel the Fusion of 'Electronic Ultimate Dragon'!"
Golden light covered the Electronic Ultimate Dragon, the three-headed steel giant dragon split into three, reverting back to the separate forms of three Cyber Dragons.
"Dispel the fusion of Ultimate Dragon and special summon the group of fusion materials used from the graveyard." Marufuji Ryo said solemnly, "Therefore, the two 'Cyber Dragon' used for fusing Electronic Ultimate Dragon, and one 'Original Electronic Dragon' are special summoned!"
[Cyber Dragon, Attack Power 2100] x2
[Original Electronic Dragon, Attack Power 1100]
"In this way 'Dimensional Confinement' loses its effect, becoming a blind hit." Yugen nodded, "However, this way Electronic Ultimate Dragon also disappears.
Rarely made, an attack power of thirty-two thousand Ultimate Dragon, really a shame."
Yugen acted regretful.
Marufuji Ryo: "..."
Though it indeed was the case, hearing it from the culprit inexplicably ignited a bit of anger.
Yet his demeanor was very refined, and the attack was still unfinished.
"The strength of Cyber Dragon can't defeat the Emperor... you must think that. But myself and Cyber Dragon's attack are still not over."
Flashes of brilliance appeared in Marufuji Ryo's eyes, as he revealed another card from his hand.
"Speed Attack Magic—Restriction Removal!"