Chapter 155: A Failed Escape
Chapter 155: A Failed Escape
President Shimizu glanced at his Lava Golem on the field, then at the "Turbulent Era" card at the back of his opponent's field, and finally at the large hand of cards in his own hand that he couldn't play. His expression turned dazed.
The animation effect of the Lava Golem's high-temperature prison seemed to perfectly reflect his current state of mind in this duel.
It felt like he was in jail.
This wasn't a duel at all; it was more like serving a sentence.
Even his passionate enthusiasm for the club was nearly extinguished, and for a moment, the thought of "forget it, let this damn club be destroyed" flashed through his mind.
As long as he could get out of this duel and escape this game, that would be enough.
But at this moment, he heard the voices of his companions cheering him on.
"Come on, President!"
"President, you can't give up! Quickly remember the memories we had in this clubroom!"
"If the clubroom is taken back, what will happen to all our spirit fanfiction and study material CDs?"
President Shimizu shuddered.
That's right.
There were things he had to protect.
He had reasons to fight!
How could he fall here!
President Shimizu raised his head once again, his eyes rekindled with fighting spirit. However, You Xuan remained silent.
Hmm, it seemed like he had accidentally overheard something quite extraordinary.
"The duel isn't over yet, I still have a chance!" President Shimizu said. "I activate the Magic Card 'Greed Jar' from my hand! Draw two cards from the deck! Let me show you the miracle draw that my burning passion will bring!"
"I activate a Set Card, the Quick-Play Spell Card, 'Quick Summon,'" You Xuan revealed another card, "'Quick Summon' allows me to Normal Summon a monster from my hand during either player's turn."
President Shimizu frowned.
Quick Summon at this point, chaining to Greed Jar? What was he planning to summon?
"I offer my 'Crossbowman' on the field as a Tribute," You Xuan declared, "to summon a mechanical monster that's the bane of high-level summons and sealing magic—'Magic Canceler'!
['Magic Canceler' - ATK: 1800]
"As long as 'Magic Canceler' remains on the field, neither player can activate any Magic Cards, and all Magic Cards' effects on the field become invalid!"
President Shimizu almost flipped the Duel Disk in frustration.
What kind of duel even was this?
He couldn't summon monsters or activate magic cards. Had his opponent decided to completely deny him the chance to duel?
"Since 'Magic Canceler' was already on the field when the effect of 'Greed Jar' was resolving, the effect of 'Greed Jar' is negated," You Xuan explained with a smile. "Too bad, Senior. You won't get to witness my passionate draw."
President Shimizu: Fck!
For a moment, he began to doubt his opponent's motives.
Had this person come to negotiate, or to pick a fight?
Because if it was the latter, his opponent was very close to succeeding.
"My turn is over," President Shimizu said, feeling helpless and unable to do anything.
"Then it's my turn. Draw," You Xuan said. "Before moving to the Main Phase, I activate a Set Card, Trap Card—'Return to the Frontlines.' This card allows me to Special Summon a monster from my graveyard in face-down Defense Position.
I Special Summon 'Crossbowman' in face-down Defense Position."
['Crossbowman' - DEF: 1000]
"The effect of 'Crossbowman' inflicts 600 points of damage to my opponent during each of my Standby Phases."
The trigger was pulled, and a metal arrow shot out. President Shimizu was pierced through the heart, causing him to grit his teeth and take a half-step back.
[President Shimizu: LP 3000 → LP 2400]
Although this monster might not be of much use in the modern Yu-Gi-Oh! game, Crossbowman was once a key part of the [Disrupt Canceler] strategy.
Firstly, monsters with stable damage-inflicting effects were rare in the early days, and Crossbowman was one of them. Secondly, being a Machine-type monster like Magic Canceler, it wasn't affected by the summoning restrictions of "Turbulent Era."
By the way, "Lava Golem" was also a standard choice for the [Disrupt Canceler] strategy. Just like how You Xuan was using it now, the strategy could be temporarily adjusted to "Lava Canceler" when needed, and it would still be incredibly effective.
"I Set a card and end my turn."
President Shimizu: "My turn."
"During the Standby Phase, the effect of Lava Golem activates," You Xuan said with a smile. "Take 1000 points of damage."
President Shimizu: "Ugh!"
[President Shimizu: LP 2400 → LP 1400]
Covered once again by the hissing, steaming lava, President Shimizu could only grit his teeth in frustration.
At this rate, Crossbowman would inflict another 600 points of damage during the next Standby Phase, leaving him with only 800 Life Points. Then, during his turn, the Lava Golem would burn away another 1000 Life Points, causing him to lose.
Even so, he still couldn't summon any of his monsters or activate his Magic Cards. There was nothing he could...
Wait, what was this card he had just drawn? President Shimizu's eyes lit up as an idea came to mind.
"My turn," You Xuan drew a card. "Crossbowman inflicts another 600 points of damage."
[President Shimizu: LP 1400 → LP 800]
Taking another arrow, President Shimizu staggered, scowling. "Damn, you're as annoying as a fly!"
"Don't worry, President, it'll be over soon." You Xuan smiled. "Setting another face-down card, end turn."
Indeed, when President Shimizu's turn came around again, the effect of Lava Golem triggered, and the 1000 points of damage would bring the duel to a close.
But!
"My turn! I activate this face-down card, a Trap Card, 'Archer Squad'!"
President Shimizu shouted.
"By tributing a monster on my field, I can destroy any card on your field! So, I tribute my 'Lava Golem' to destroy your 'Magic Canceler'!"
The club members, who had already thought the situation was hopeless, suddenly became excited.
"He used one card to get rid of both Lava Golem and Magic Canceler!"
"Now President Shimizu doesn't have any monsters on his field, so the lockdown of 'Turbulent Era' is lifted. And he won't take damage from Lava Golem's effect during the Standby Phase anymore."
There was still a chance!
The Lava Golem dissipated into fading light, and the Magic Canceler was blown to pieces. Shimizu, who had finally broken free from the blockade, couldn't help but roar in triumph.
"I'm free at last! And with the magic lockdown lifted, I can activate my Magic Cards!"
President Shimizu regained his spirit.
Indeed, his unwavering determination and fiery passion for the club had summoned a miracle! He had the Magic Cards "Monster Reborn" and "Warrior's Return" in his hand. Monster Reborn allowed him to discard a card from his hand to add a monster from his graveyard to his hand, while Warrior's Return let him add a Warrior-Type monster from his graveyard back to his hand.
With these cards, he could retrieve "Jella Warrior" and "Archangel Jella" from his graveyard and recreate his deadly Combo to summon his ace monster, Jella, and launch a counterattack.
"I reveal my face-down card," You Xuan said, "a Trap Card, 'Rogue Trio.' Three Rogue Tokens are Special Summoned to your field."
[Rogue Token, DEF: 1000] x3
As soon as the iron-willed Lava Golem left the field, the three Rogue Tokens rushed onto the scene, creating an image of a shift change.
Rogue Token Yellow offered snacks: "Sorry to intrude!"
Rogue Token Green spread out a newspaper: "Please take care of us!"
Rogue Token Black started snoring: "Zzz... Zzz..."
President Shimizu, who had just drawn a card and was about to play it, froze in that very position.
The club members, who had been cheering for the president's clever strategy to break free from the lockdown, also maintained their enthusiastic poses, as if they had been petrified.
Silence filled the room, with only the sound of a chilly wind blowing through. The only noises were the three Rogue Tokens eating snacks, flipping through the newspaper, and snoring.
It was evident that as soon as the iron-willed Lava Golem left, the Rogue Tokens took its place, and the restriction of "Turbulent Era" remained in effect.
If there was any change for President Shimizu, it was that his summoning restriction had changed from "only able to summon Fiend-Type monsters" to "only able to summon Beast-Type monsters."
He had gotten out of jail, but not entirely.
It was a false hope, and when he realized it, he found himself back in the same predicament. He was still locked in, unable to duel at all.
President Shimizu's expression twitched.
"You... damn it!"
"If you're not going to do anything, President, then it's my turn again." You Xuan smiled. "Draw. Then, during the Standby Phase, Crossbowman inflicts 600 points of damage."
[President Shimizu: LP 800 → LP 200]
Another arrow struck his heart, making him feel like spitting blood.
"Then, I Normal Summon 'Submarineroid,'" You Xuan said politely.
[Submarineroid, ATK: 800]
"Of course, both Submarineroid and Crossbowman are Machine-Type monsters, so they aren't affected by the summoning restrictions of 'Turbulent Era,'" You Xuan smiled. "And the effect of this card allows it to directly attack you, ignoring your monsters."
President Shimizu: "."
"Submarineroid's direct attack."
The anthropomorphic Submarineroid floated up with its characteristic contemptuous gaze, and a torpedo was launched, slicing through the air with a sharp sound as it flew over the heads of the three Rogue Tokens.
Boom!
The torpedo hit President Shimizu head-on, and a circle of mist accompanied the explosion, knocking him to the ground.
[President Shimizu: LP 200 → LP 0]
Completing the final blow, Submarineroid slowly descended, its anthropomorphic eyes filled with disdain for its defeated opponent.
The invincible submarine stood tall on the battlefield!
(End of Chapter)
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