Youyu had used Absolute Zero Hero many times, employing various cunning strategies, but most of them revolved around leveraging the effect of "destroying all of the opponent's monsters when leaving the field".
As for Absolute Zero's other effect...well, it wasn't that he ignored it on purpose, but that the effect was so underwhelming compared to the other, that he and perhaps most card players practically overlooked it.
When there are Water-attribute monsters on both fields besides "Elemental Hero Absolute Zero", each one increases its attack power by 500.
Such a negligible effect usually has no opportunity to shine in actual combat, but Hibiki Koyo made it a centerpiece. By using the power of "DNA Transplant", turning all monsters on the field into Water attributes, Absolute Zero Hero is granted a terrifying attack value!
If Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight gets defeated by this blow, Youyu's remaining LP will drop to zero!
But of course, that won't happen.
"Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight's effect activates!" Youyu shouted, "Once per turn, by discarding a card from my hand, destroy one face-up card on the field!"
Hibiki Koyo was somewhat surprised.
An effect that can be activated during the opponent's turn?
Is this truly the power of the Legendary Dragon?
The longsword in Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight's hand was raised high. Timaeus let out a dragon's roar that echoed through the sky. A beam of brilliant light descended through the thick clouds, enveloping the silver-white sword in the girl's hand, its blade flickering like mercury.
The crescent-shaped Sword Qi flew across the entire field, shredding the Continuous Trap in the back.
"Since 'DNA Transplant' disappears from the field, its effect is negated," Youyu said, "All monsters on the field revert from Water attribute to their original attribute, and Elemental Hero Absolute Zero's attack power decreases."
[Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, Attack Power 5500 → Attack Power 2500]
Hibiki Koyo frowned slightly but did not hesitate: "No matter. Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, continue the attack!"
An attack power of 2500, merely 100 less than the Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight. Even if countered, the damage inflicted would be negligible.
Conversely, if this battle takes place and Absolute Zero is defeated by Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight's sword power, the ability "Absolute Zero" will instantly freeze all of Youyu's monsters, leaving his field barren.
Hibiki Koyo's remaining Elemental Heroes could then launch an all-out attack to secure victory!
Youyu smirked.
Not bad, truly befitting a second-generation Duel King, claiming to be the best of his generation, his moves are endless.
But...
"Flip the Set Card!"
With a snap of his fingers, another card flipped over in front of Youyu.
"Quick-play Magic 'Form Change'! Return a 'Hero' Fusion Monster on your field to the deck, then Special Summon a 'Masked Hero' with the same level but a different name!
I return the Level 8 'Vision Hero Adoration' to the deck, Form Change!"
A golden ring of light encircled Adoration's body, dazzling armor slowly covered him inch by inch. Countless light particles formed into sharp blades on his wrists, and his blue visor gleamed like a gemstone.
Masked Hero Koga, Summon!
[Masked Hero Koga, Attack Power 2500]
The reason Youyu summoned "Masked Hero Koga" here, Hibiki Koyo knew well.
Masked Hero Koga, once per turn, banishes a 'Hero' from the graveyard to select an opponent's monster, and that monster's attack will decrease by the banished monster's attack power until the end of the turn.
This effect, too, can be activated during the opponent's turn.
Clearly, this is a Masked Hero with formidable offensive power even during the opponent's turn, and it not only boosts its own attack but can also use this ability to shield teammates.
In Youyu's graveyard, there's the previously defeated "Masked Hero: Mist Water". By banishing Mist Water, Elemental Hero Absolute Zero's attack power decreases by 2400 until the end of the turn.
With a reduction of 2400 attack power, Absolute Zero Hero's attack power will immediately plummet to only 100!
If this attack still proceeds, then, accompanied by the counterattack of Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight, before the terrifying ability of "Absolute Zero" activates, Hibiki Koyo's side will instead be defeated by massive battle damage!
Once again, the tide turned, the scales of victory swaying back and forth in such a fleeting moment.
However, Hibiki Koyo is indeed the second-generation Duel King. At the moment Youyu played that "Form Change" card, even before he had a chance to act, he had already anticipated Youyu's plan to employ "Masked Hero Koga" at such a critical juncture.
This is why he immediately chained the effect of "Form Change" and played this card in response.
"Quick-play Magic 'Forbidden Dress'!" Koyo declared, "Select one monster on the field, reduce its attack power by 600, but it cannot be targeted by effects or destroyed by card effects.
I protect 'Elemental Hero Absolute Zero' with 'Forbidden Dress'!"
[Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, Attack Power 2500 → Attack Power 1900]
The sacrifice of attack power is exchanged for the Hero's resistance of "cannot be targeted by effects," so even with Masked Hero Koga on the field, it can't target the opponent.