Punishment of Ambition!
The power of worship is activated, and the mark of energy has appeared beneath Core. The moment it erupts will be the end of the duel!
But Hibiki Koyo urgently activated a button on the Duel Disc: "Trap Card 'Butterspy Protection'! Change an attack position monster on the field to defense position.
And in the turn this card is activated, all damage my side receives is halved!"
Hibiki Koyo raised his finger towards the white giant on his field.
"I switch 'Elemental Hero Core' to defense position!"
[Elemental Hero Core, ATK 550 → DEF 1400] (weakened by Vision Hero's Worship effect)
This was quite a brilliant defensive move. Core couldn't be destroyed by any means due to 'Dimension Guardian', and now that it's in defense mode, Youyu couldn't inflict damage on Hibiki Koyo by attacking Core.
A very smart defensive tactic, essentially blocking Youyu's chance to continue attacking this turn.
"Then the Battle Phase ends."
Youyu revealed another card from his hand.
"Activating Continuous Magic 'Nightmare Mirage'!" Youyu said, "During the opponent's standby phase, I can draw cards from the deck until I have four cards in hand.
My turn ends."
"End Phase, Worship's effect ends, restoring 'Elemental Hero Core's attack power."
[Elemental Hero Core, ATK 550 → ATK 1350]
The effect of Worship lasts only for one turn, but 'Vision Hero Poisoner' isn't the same. Even after the turn ends, Core's attack power remains halved.
Hibiki Koyo pushed up the frame of his glasses on his nose, the reflection in the glasses obscuring his eyes.
"As expected of the First Duel King, the momentum he creates is truly terrifying."
The opponent's new trump cards, endless tricks, continuing would only worsen his situation.
A decision must be reached this turn if possible.
"My turn, draw!"
"At this moment, the effect of 'Nightmare Mirage'." Youyu stated, "I refill my hand to four cards."
Hibiki Koyo revealed a card: "Magic Card 'The Warrior Returning Alive'! Add a Warrior-Type monster from the graveyard to my hand. The card I want to retrieve is...'Elemental Hero Absolute Zero'!"
A white storm arose, frost sprites danced mid-air. A Fusion Monster Card ejected and Hibiki Koyo took it into his hand.
"Of course, Absolute Zero is a Fusion Monster Card, so it returns directly to the deck."
Hibiki Koyo then revealed the next card.
"Magic Card 'Miracle Fusion'! Banish Fusion Material Monsters from the graveyard to Fusion Summon an 'Elemental Hero' Fusion Monster!
I banish 'Elemental Hero Shadow Mist' and the water-attribute 'Elemental Hero Ice Edge'! Fusion Summon!
Returning once more from the depths of frost—
—Elemental Hero Absolute Zero!!!"
The intense cold swiftly encompassed the area, Zero emerged clad in silver-white armor, his cape billowing like waves in the wind.
[Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]
Core and Absolute Zero, the two ace cards of Duel King Hibiki Koyo!
Youyu's "Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight" can destroy any face-up card during the opponent's turn, a powerful disruptive ability, but it's not suitable for use right now.
Elemental Hero Core is protected by a Continuous Trap, impervious to effect destruction. Although Absolute Zero has no resistance, he's a veritable hedgehog; destroying him recklessly would lead to complete annihilation.
"First, switch 'Elemental Hero Core' back to attack position, then enter the Battle Phase!" Hibiki Koyo launched his aggression without further ado, "Attack 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight' with 'Elemental Hero Core'!"
[Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight, ATK 2600]
"Core's effect!" Hibiki Koyo declared, "When a monster battles, from the attack declaration until the end of damage calculation, his attack power is doubled!"
[Elemental Hero Core, ATK 1350 → ATK 2700]
As expected, the attack came!
Completely within Youyu's plans, he snapped his fingers sharply and flipped open the Set Card in front of him.
"Activate Trap...Magic Cylinder!"
Hibiki Koyo: "!"
To reveal Magic Cylinder at such a critical moment!?
"When the opponent declares an attack, negate that monster's attack and inflict damage to the opponent equal to that monster's attack points," Youyu pointed at Hibiki Koyo, "Reflecting your own Hero's attack...for 2700 points of damage!"
Molten heat blasted from Core, pouring into the left-hand Magic Cylinder, only to emerge from the right and barrels back along its path.
This counterattack would be outright fatal!
"Quick-Play Magic 'Fusion Dispel'!" Hibiki Koyo swiftly revealed another card, "Defuse the Fusion of 'Elemental Hero Core' on the field!"
The moment felt as if even breath paused, Core's fiery form suddenly split. The massive white giant split into three, manifesting Heroes from various elemental attributes.
[Elemental Hero Woodsman, ATK 1000]
[Elemental Hero Heat, ATK 1600]
[Elemental Hero Blazeman, ATK 1200]
The reflection from Magic Cylinder struck at the split-second, the three Elemental Heroes retreated in different directions, the searing barrage unleashed by Core skimmed past the middle, the blistering heatwave suffocating.
"When Blazeman is Summoned, add one 'Polymerization' from the deck to the hand."
Hibiki Koyo drew the ejected card from the deck and added it to his hand.
"Truly a close call, facing Mr. Youyu, even a moment's carelessness would mean annihilation." Hibiki Koyo said coolly, "But unfortunately, this level of trap is inutile against me.
Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, attack 'Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight'!"
Absolute Zero leapt, white snow swirling around him; snowflakes like loyal servants, the white storm as a assembling army.
"At this moment, activate the Set Card!"
Hibiki Koyo raised his arm, the Set Trap in front flipped open.
"Continuous Trap - DNA Transplant! Upon activation, declare an attribute, all monsters on the field become the declared attribute."
Youyu's eyelid twitched.
This combination...
"I declare 'Water', change all monsters on the field to Water!" he shouted, "Then 'Elemental Hero Absolute Zero's effect, he gains 500 attack points for each Water monster other than himself on the field!"
On the field besides Absolute Zero: Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight, Vision Hero Worship, Destiny Hero Malicious, Elemental Hero Blazeman, Woodsman, and Liquidman, a total of six.
If all become Water, it means...
[Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, ATK 2500→ ATK 5500]
The blizzard howled to its extreme, the bone-chilling white power danced at the hero's fingertips as if even the heavens and earth obeyed his command!
Youyu's lips twitched.
D**n, does anyone normal even remember Absolute Zero still has another effect...