The moment that happened, the effect of [Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force] in my Graveyard activates, and I also chain the effect of [Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star]!
Yusaku's voice was like thunder, his momentum unstoppable.
First, I resolve [Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star]!
Before the words even finished leaving his mouth, he raised his hand and pointed straight at Jiro's field.
When this card is Special Summoned, I can send 1 card on your field to the Graveyard! I choose your face-down monster!
Dingirsu swung its arm violently. The massive spiral lance in its grasp let out a shrill hum as it trembled, golden energy condensing at the tip, dragging a long burning tail as it shot forward like a falling comet—precisely striking that set card!
Boom!!!
The explosion shook the entire Duel Arena. The set card shattered on impact, bursting apart in a violent blast.
Next is the effect of [Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force]!
Yusaku didn't slow down for even a second.
While this card is in the Graveyard, as long as I Special Summon an Xyz Monster of Rank 5 or higher, I can activate its effect to return it to my hand. I just successfully Special Summoned the Rank 8 [Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star], so this card can return to my hand!
After taking the Rank-Up-Magic back into his hand, Yusaku drew a card from his Extra Deck and revealed it.
The summoning conditions for [Number 84: Pain Gainer] allow it to be Xyz Summoned by overlaying it on a DARK Xyz Monster I control that is Rank 8–10 and has 2 or more Xyz Materials!
I overlay it on [Dingirsu, the Orcust of the Evening Star], which currently has two Xyz Materials!
In that instant, an enormous spiderweb spread across the entire field. The strands glowed with an eerie dark-violet sheen. A heartbeat later, a giant spider the size of a small mountain slowly emerged from the center of the web, eight compound eyes flashing a chilling green light.
[Number 84: Pain Gainer]
[Rank 11 / Insect / Xyz / Effect]
[Xyz Materials: 3]
[ATK: 0]
Jiro stared at the monster, his brow furrowing as shock churned in his chest. A Rank 11 Xyz Monster that could be overlaid across Ranks like this—completely beyond his understanding.
But the moment his gaze landed on its 0 ATK, he calmed down at once, curling his lips into a mocking sneer.
By the rules, you win a Duel by reducing the opponent's LP to 0. A monster with 0 ATK—no matter how high its Rank—was nothing more than a decorative piece.
And with his LP already over 40,000, Jiro simply folded his arms and watched Yusaku continue, full of disdain. He wanted to see whether Yusaku could really push their LP to 50,000 and beyond.
I activate the effect of [Number 84: Pain Gainer]!
Yusaku looked directly at Jiro.
This card's DEF increases by (the combined Ranks of all Xyz Monsters I control) × 200!
On my field, I have [Tellarknight Ptolemaeus], [Number F0: Utopic Future Dragon], [CXyz Gimmick Puppet Fanatix Machinix], plus [Number 84: Pain Gainer] itself as Rank 11—my total combined Ranks are now 25!
As soon as he said it, a faint violet aura shimmered around Pain Gainer, and its DEF value skyrocketed in a blur.
[Number 84: Pain Gainer]
[DEF: 0 → 5000]
Just 5000 DEF. Jiro snorted. Not bad for a wall, but our LP is already over 40,000. What does that change?
What does it change? You'll find out immediately. Yusaku smiled faintly.
Then, without pause, he swept his hand forward.
I activate Pain Gainer's other effect! Once per turn, I detach 1 material, and I can destroy all monsters on your field whose DEF is not higher than this card's DEF!
I activate this effect and detach 1 Xyz Material!
Destroy your DEF 1800 [Miu-Wu Waterwood]!
The gigantic spider snapped its forelimb upward, spitting a silver thread that gleamed with lethal cold. The thread shot forward like an arrow, piercing straight through [Miu-Wu Waterwood] on Jiro's field and blowing it apart on the spot.
Jiro cast a casual glance toward his Graveyard and sneered.
That's it?
Yusaku glanced at him coolly.
Why the rush? Then again, it makes sense you're rushing. You're supposed to be panicking—because this Duel is about to end.
Jiro: ?
Yusaku lifted a card.
I activate the Spell Card [Graveyard Warper]!
This card's effect sends 1 Reptile monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. I choose [Yajiro Invader]!
The moment the card hit the Graveyard, Yusaku continued smoothly.
Now, the effect of [CXyz Gimmick Puppet Fanatix Machinix]! I can detach 1 material from this card, then choose 1 monster from either Graveyard and Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position!
I detach 1 Xyz Material!
[CXyz Gimmick Puppet Fanatix Machinix]
[Xyz Materials: 2 → 1]
I Special Summon the [Yajiro Invader] I just sent to the Graveyard to the center Main Monster Zone of your field, in Defense Position!
A deep-purple monster shaped eerily like a jellyfish slowly appeared on Jiro's field.
[Yajiro Invader]
[Level 5 / Reptile / Effect]
[ATK: 0]
The spectators froze for a beat—then the stands exploded.
No way! No way! No way! I finally get it—he's going to summon that monster!
Now I really understand!
Kouki was right! Yusaku actually put Numeron components in his Deck! I never thought I'd see Numeron monsters in a Hope deck!
[Ptolemaeus] + [Numeron]… what kind of genius idea is this?!
Faces were flushed red with excitement, like the one Duelling on the field wasn't Yusaku—it was them.
Jiro and Susumu felt the crowd's abnormal reaction and instantly grew uneasy.
Every time this kind of uproar happened, it meant Yusaku was about to bring out something ridiculous.
Jiro swallowed hard, staring at [Yajiro Invader] on his field. For some reason, the moment this monster appeared, a kingly sense of doom surged up his spine.
On the field—
Yusaku revealed the card in his hand.
Next, I'll show you the power of Numeron!
He slammed the card onto his Duel Disk.
I activate the Spell Card—[Rank-Up-Magic Argent Chaos Force]!!!
As the card activated, dense, bizarre red patterns erupted across the arena floor, and a spherical prison-like space rapidly expanded outward.
A lotus glowing with an eerie crimson light slowly rose, lifting Yusaku into midair. At the same time, countless lotus phantoms burst from the ground, shooting straight into the sky.
Then, behind Yusaku, a massive blood-colored silhouette appeared, unfurling black wings hundreds of meters long. A terrifying pressure swallowed the entire venue.
Yusaku's coat whipped in a wind that wasn't there. He slowly raised his arm, the card in his hand blooming with thick, dark-red radiance.
To fear Chaos is the shallow sin of the mediocre; the dreams of this world are nothing but endless illusion! O god of nothingness—judge the light with the power of darkness!
Chaos Xyz Evolution! Rank 12—[Number C1000: Numerounius]!
In that instant, roaring black clouds churned overhead, and bolts of pale-blue lightning slammed down in succession.
From the clouds, a pair of black wings blotting out the sky stretched outward. Amid earthshaking thunder, a colossal beastly silhouette—too vast to comprehend—took shape within the storm.
A flash of white lightning split the heavens, illuminating its pallid body. This giant that commanded Numeron power descended behind Yusaku, looking down upon the world like a demon king.
[Number C1000: Numerounius]
[Rank 12 / Fiend / Xyz / Effect]
[ATK: 0]
Right now! The effect of [Yajiro Invader] on your field triggers!
Its effect is: whenever the opponent Summons or Special Summons a monster, it activates. If that monster is not in the same column as it, it moves 1 zone toward that monster into an adjacent Main Monster Zone, then destroys all other cards in its new column!
I just Special Summoned [Number C1000: Numerounius], so your [Yajiro Invader] will move one zone to the left, line up with my monster in the same column—and then destroy it!
The moment his words fell, violent electricity erupted around Yajiro Invader, blasting savagely into [Number C1000: Numerounius]. The giant beast detonated with a demonic roar, shattering into nothing.
Jiro's brows knitted tight. He could not understand Yusaku's intent.
He couldn't comprehend why Yusaku would spend so much effort Summoning a monster, only to deliberately trigger an effect that destroyed it.
As he struggled to make sense of it, Yusaku's icy voice cut through.
Congratulations. You've stepped into a deeper abyss of despair.
Jiro's face went blank.
What?
The effect of [Number C1000: Numerounius].
If this card, while it has Xyz Material, is destroyed by your opponent's effect and sent to the Graveyard, I can activate its effect. I Special Summon 1 monster from my Extra Deck, and attach this card to it as Xyz Material!
Extinction!!!
Yusaku raised his arm high and shouted.
My eternity is unbreakable. The dreams that mortals cling to are nothing but reflections in water and flowers in a mirror! Supreme god of nothingness—judge the light with darkness!
Chaos Xyz Exchange! Rank 13—[Number iC1000: Numerounius Numerounia]!!!
The black clouds once again smothered the sky completely. Pale-blue lightning crashed down again and again.
A pair of wings even larger than before stretched from the clouds. With deafening thunder, a gigantic beastly silhouette—large enough to blanket all of Hoshino City—slowly emerged.
White lightning illuminated its form. This demon that ruled Numeron power floated in the heavens, casting the entire city beneath its shadow.
[Number iC1000: Numerounius Numerounia]
[Rank 13 / Fiend / Xyz / Effect]
[ATK: 100000] (anime effect)
All across Hoshino City, people who were in the middle of Duels stopped cold, staring up at the sky in disbelief.
A Rank 13 Xyz Monster? How is that possible? Aren't Xyz Monsters capped at Rank 12?!
A-Attack… 100,000 ATK?! Are you serious?!
In the tournament's monitoring room, staff members gaped at the screens, mouths unconsciously hanging open.
On the field—
Jiro was just as stunned. The oppressive pressure radiating from the monster made breathing itself feel difficult.
But this was exactly what he wanted. The stronger the monster, the greater the stamina drain—then the team leader would have an easier time later.
And he still didn't believe he could lose this Duel.
Gritting his teeth, Jiro forced himself to stay calm and glared at Yusaku's field.
Even if that monster's ATK is high, it's useless! Don't forget the effect of [Miu-Wu Waterwood]—plus the previous boosts, our LP has already reached 153,350!
[Jiro, Susumu, LP 16000 → 153350]
Even if you attack this turn, you can't end the Duel!
Yusaku smiled lightly.
Who said I was going to attack? I told you from the start—you'll watch yourselves walk into defeat with your own eyes. My turn ends. Over to you.
Jiro looked over Yusaku's field again. Not seeing anything obvious, he snorted.
Stop playing tricks. I want to see exactly how you plan to end the Duel on my turn.
Yusaku's smile turned even sharper.
Sorry. You don't have a turn.
The effect of [Tellarknight Ptolemaeus] skips your next turn. In other words, your turn is skipped.
Jiro: ???
Susumu: ???
Yusaku snapped his fingers.
In an instant, the phantoms of the twelve zodiac constellations appeared clearly in the sky, and a colossal clock-shaped mirage slammed into existence at the center of the arena.
A star-forged hand began to move with a heavy tick, like an ancient bell tolling in the distance.
Then—without warning—the hour hand accelerated into a frenzy, spinning straight toward twelve.
When the hand aligned perfectly with the star-diamond at the twelve o'clock point, a vast net of starlight fell from the sky and fused with the clock mirage, transforming into a transparent wave threaded with gold patterns.
The wave exploded outward from the clock.
In that moment, the crowd's chatter, their gasps, even their breathing—everything was swallowed in an instant, as though the world itself had been paused.
Only the giant clock's hands continued to spin at terrifying speed. One by one, star-diamonds on the dial lit up, tracing arcs of gold across the void.
When the hour hand completed a full revolution and returned to its starting point, the transparent wave snapped back into the clock mirage, which then scattered into countless star-dust motes and vanished into the air.
In the next second, Jiro realized with horror that his turn had been forcibly skipped. The turn counter had already jumped to the fourth turn—now sitting in the hand of Labrynth, who was looking at him with a wicked grin.
Jiro's face darkened. He was about to demand an explanation, when he saw Yusaku raise a finger to his lips, looking down at him from above.
If you want to know what [Ptolemaeus] does, go ask the genius academy students behind you. They all know what that monster can do.
Now, you can leave the stage. No—actually, hand over your decks.
Jiro: ???
Susumu: ???
Seeing both of them completely stunned, Yusaku folded his arms and spoke evenly.
I told you from the beginning: on the next turn, you would witness your own defeat with your own eyes.
The effect of [Number iC1000: Numerounius Numerounia]. This card cannot declare an attack on its own, but as long as it remains on the field, the opponent must attack it with a monster. If they fail to declare an attack, then at the end of their turn, this card's controller wins the Duel immediately.
And since your turn has been skipped, you naturally cannot fulfill the requirement to attack.
The moment they heard that, Jiro and Susumu's pupils contracted violently. The color drained from their faces.
How is that possible?!
Before the words even finished, Numerounius Numerounia slowly fluttered its wings once.
A dazzling wave of golden light spread outward, surging straight toward Jiro and Susumu.
Watching that radiance rush closer—filling more and more of their vision—both of them stumbled back in despair.
Impossible! I don't believe it! How can there be such a monstrous effect?!
But no matter how they struggled or screamed, they could not change the outcome. The effect had already taken hold. The Duel's result was set in stone.
Boom!!!
A violent explosion rang out. The golden wave detonated in front of them, and a towering pillar of light swallowed their bodies whole.
The raging shockwave hurled them high into the air. Their shrill screams ripped through the arena.
[Jiro, Susumu, LP 153350 → 0]
(End of Chapter)
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