Chapter 160: The Psychic Ruler
Chapter 160: The Psychic Ruler
"Android Psychic Crusher, I summon you!"
As Sprite Soga's body remained semi-transparent and ghostly, he could only watch helplessly as a fully materialized version of himself was summoned to the opposing side through the effect of a Dead Sorcerer. This doppelganger, with its arms crossed, seemed to exude a hint of contempt, much to Soga's frustration.
One of You Xuan's primary objectives during his visit to Kaiba Corporation was to acquire the Crush Card, also known as the Royal Oppression. As previously mentioned, the card's reputation in the early stages of Duel Monsters was mediocre. On the one hand, many decks in the slower-paced environment were unaffected by its suppression, and on the other hand, it was vulnerable to being turned against its controller.
However, You Xuan possessed a deck that synergized exceptionally well with Crush Card.
It was the Abyss Control deck he had used before.
While there were various schools of thought regarding the construction of Abyss Control decks during that period, some duelists later began referring to builds incorporating "Royal Oppression" as "Oppression Abyss" to distinguish them from the original. These variants were considered unique and powerful.
Although the construction had been adjusted, the deck's core philosophy of "not letting the opponent play the game" remained intact, as evident by the intensity of the opponent's reactions.
Take Sprite Soga, for example. Upon witnessing his doppelganger being summoned, his ghostly body began to flicker more rapidly, resembling heavy breathing as he struggled to contain his admiration for such a cunning tactic.
Soga: "@%!"
"Moving to the Battle Phase," You Xuan announced. "I'll start with 'Android Psychic Crusher' attacking 'Darkness Hound'."
The Android clasped its hands together, and amidst a surging current of electricity, a ball of psychokinetic energy formed in its palms, emitting a sharp roar as it reduced the Darkness Hound to shreds.
[Android Soga: LP 4000 → LP 3500]
The impact caused Soga's ghostly body to flicker uncontrollably, and the humiliation of being struck by his own signature move was felt not only physically but also emotionally.
Moreover, the presence of his doppelganger on the field rendered his powerful defensive traps useless, reducing them to mere blank cards. This might have been the first time in Soga's life that he found his own effects somewhat repulsive.
"Direct attack from Abyss Soldier," You Xuan continued his assault.
The Abyss Soldier's trident, entwined with water currents, pierced through Soga, causing him to grunt in pain.
[Android Soga: LP 3500 → LP 1700]
"To endure such humiliation..." Soga grit his teeth. "Unforgivable!"
You Xuan: "I'll set another card in the backrow and end my turn."
Soga's voice turned muddy, as if he were gasping for air.
"My turn. Draw!"
Another card materialized in his hand.
Having been thoroughly suppressed last turn and losing a significant portion of his Life Points, Soga felt the sting of humiliation. However, with his doppelganger on the field, he could at least rest assured that his opponent's backrow wouldn't pose an immediate threat.
As long as "Android Psychic Crusher" remained on the field, neither player could activate Trap Cards, including Crush Card, temporarily halting its effect.
This presented Soga with an opportunity to strike back.
"I summon 'Android Psychic Jack-knifer'!"
[Android-Psychic Jack-knifer: ATK 600]
"Activate the effect of 'Psychic Jack-knifer'! By tributing itself, I can add an 'Android' monster from my deck to my hand!" Soga declared. "Become the sacrifice that guides my manifestation!"
The Android's body disintegrated on the field, soon transforming into a new card that materialized in Soga's hand. He briefly flipped it over to reveal it to You Xuan.
It was the "Android Psychic Crusher 2".
"Additionally, the subsequent effect of 'Psychic Jack-knifer' allows me to inspect your face-down cards in the backrow."
"Hmph, I'll be borrowing the power of your Trap Card," Soga said in a low voice, "Since I've confirmed a Trap, I can Special Summon one 'Android' monster from my hand.
So, I Special Summon myself—
—Android Psychic Crusher, I summon!"
As Soga spoke, his sprite's figure flickered once more before vanishing from the duelist's side. A thunderous lightning strike landed in the power plant, and amidst the lightning, a towering, majestic metallic figure emerged.
Android Psychic Crusher has arrived!
[Android Psychic Crusher: ATK 2400]
"Finally! It feels great to be alive again!"
Soga clenched his fists, relishing the transformation from his semi-transparent state to a fully materialized being. If he weren't a robot, he might have been moved to tears.
This duel was one he couldn't afford to lose!
"I'll attack 'Abyss Soldier' with myself!"
The trident-wielding soldier, whom he detested the most, was met with a palm strike that gathered an astonishing electrical current, forming a massive energy sphere brimming with thunderous power.
"And at this moment, I activate a Quick-Play Spell Card from my hand!"
As Soga spoke, another card from his hand was flipped over.
"Limit Release!
Doubling the attack power of Machine-type monsters on my field—that is, myself!"
[Android Psychic Crusher: ATK 2400 → ATK 4800]
The crushing shockwave pierced through the Abyss Soldier's body. The Water-Attribute warrior was temporarily removed from play, and You Xuan raised his arm to shield himself from the onslaught, his figure swallowed by the billowing smoke.
"Ah, You Xuan!" Judai instinctively wanted to rush forward.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
As the smoke cleared, You Xuan stood calmly in his original spot, waving away Judai's concern.
[You Xuan: LP 3200]
Soga was taken aback: "Why didn't you take any damage?"
"I discarded 'Kuriboh' from my hand to reduce battle damage to zero." You Xuan smiled, "Looks like someone's selfless attack didn't pay off. What a shame."
"Tch, using such a low-level monster."
You Xuan glanced sideways.
You've got some nerve calling it a "low-level monster," pal.
In the world of Duel Monsters, referring to Kuriboh as a low-level monster took guts.
Everyone knew that calling Kuriboh weak was akin to uttering a forbidden curse; anyone who dared to touch upon this taboo would meet a chilling fate.
A notable example was Kaiba, whose encounters with Kuriboh in the anime could be described as a torturous bond. From the Duelist Kingdom arc onwards, Kaiba was relentlessly tormented by Kuriboh, a trend that continued until Atem's departure.
"At the end of the turn Limit Release was activated, the Android whose attack was boosted by its effect will self-destruct," Soga said gravely, "But before that, during the second Main Phase, I'll offer myself as a Tribute!"
You Xuan narrowed his eyes.
Hmm? You're going to Tribute yourself, too?
The Android on the field was suddenly enveloped in a mass of electricity, energy, and light, as if evolving at lightning speed within the electrical currents.
"Receiving psychic waves from the far reaches of the universe, the mysterious power completes its final evolution. Behold, the monarch's true form!"
The Android spread its arms wide, its body rapidly growing in size, as if covered in a new alloy, its form swiftly upgrading.
"Android Psychic Ruler, I summon!!!
(End of Chapter)
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