https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-342-The-Potential-of-the-Electron-Dragon/12557484/
Chapter 343: For Victory
Chapter 343: For Victory
The Chimera-Fortress Dragon, at first glance, didn't seem particularly impressive, but its release unexpectedly had a significant impact on the competitive scene.
This was mainly due to Cyber Dragon.
The introduction of this card was a double-edged sword for Cyber Dragon, which was undeniably one of the strongest monsters in the game at the time.
On the positive side, Cyber Dragon became the ultimate counter to all Machine-type monsters. No matter how powerful an opponent's Machine-type monster was, a single Cyber Dragon could be Special Summoned to fuse into Chimera-Fortress Dragon, devouring all their Machine-type monsters in one fell swoop.
It was as if Cyber Dragon had gained a built-in "Super Polymerization"-like effect, rendering even the toughest of "unaffected by other card effects" monsters as mere fodder.
However, from a pessimistic perspective, it also meant that Cyber Dragon itself had become fodder for this very same strategy.
Prior to the introduction of Chimera-Fortress Dragon, it was not uncommon for a duel to be dominated by a single Cyber Dragon, with its 2100 ATK being an insurmountable hurdle for most lower-level monsters. The suppressive power of a single Cyber Dragon was once formidable.
But with Chimera-Fortress Dragon in the mix, things changed drastically. An opponent needed only to Summon any Machine-type monster to devour their Cyber Dragon, and even controllers of Cyber Dragon had to be cautious about Summoning additional Machine-type monsters, lest they provide their opponent with free material.
Moreover, one couldn't afford to be complacent, hoping that their opponent might not have a Chimera-Fortress Dragon in their Extra Deck. Back then, the rules of Yu-Gi-Oh! did not include the limitation of fifteen cards in the Extra Deck, which was implemented in 2008 with the advent of the Synchron era.
The reason for this change, allegedly, was that Konomi used to provide complimentary card sleeves to tournament participants, and some players took advantage of this by bringing massive Extra Decks of 99+ cards to acquire more sleeves. Konomi, realizing their generosity was being exploited, decided to curb this behavior by imposing a limit on the number of Extra Deck cards.
Incidentally, the Main Deck during the GX era also lacked a defined upper limit; the rulebook only stipulated a minimum of forty cards. It wasn't until 2008, with the introduction of the "Master Rules" and Synchron Summoning, that the sixty-card limit was established.
The rules for the Side Deck were adjusted as well. Previously, Yu-Gi-Oh! mandated exactly fifteen cards in the Side Deck, no more, no less. With the implementation of the Master Rules, this changed to "up to fifteen cards."
This period likely marked the first large-scale exodus of players from the game. The introduction of a new Summoning method, Synchron Summoning, coupled with the seemingly arbitrary limitations imposed on the Main and Extra Decks, left many veteran players bewildered. The freedom of having massive, all-encompassing decks that allowed for a variety of strategies was now a thing of the past.
In any case, prior to the Synchron era, there were no restrictions on the Extra Deck size. Hence, virtually every player would include Chimera-Fortress Dragon in their Extra Deck, ensuring that anyone daring to play Cyber Dragon would have to steel themselves for the possibility of their monster being devoured.
Of course, this dynamic was primarily true for the physical card game, where Cyber Dragon was a ubiquitous, top-tier staple that found its way into most competitive decks.
The animated world, however, was a different story. Cyber Dragon was not as prevalent here, so the introduction of Chimera-Fortress Dragon seemed to inconvenience only one particular individual.
And that individual was none other than Ryo Marufuji, whose facial muscles were currently twitching uncontrollably.
"The original ATK of Chimera-Fortress Dragon becomes the number of monsters used as Fusion Material for its Fusion Summon times 1000 points," Yu Xuan explained with a smile. "Since it was fused using two Cyber Dragons, its ATK becomes 2000."
[Chimera-Fortress Dragon, ATK 0 → ATK 2000]
Ryo Marufuji: "..."
Having held firm until this point, Caesar finally began to grapple with a profound question—
"When faced with an opponent like this, is it truly necessary to maintain one's respect?" he wondered. This was, without a doubt, the most challenging duel he had ever experienced, and the first time he felt his unwavering conviction waver.
Damn his bond with an old friend and respecting his opponent's style of victory.
Losing to anyone was acceptable, but not to this guy.
A shadow was quietly creeping into Caesar's heart.
"Let's fight," You Xuan said, "Chimera-Fortress Dragon, direct attack on Marufuji!"
[Chimera-Fortress Dragon, ATK 2000]
[Ryo Marufuji, LP 1600]
Ryo Marufuji gritted his teeth. Was he going to lose here, at the hands of his old friend? No, that was unacceptable.
He didn't want to lose. Not today, not now, and not to this opponent. Not in this manner.
"Activate the Continuous Trap, 'Minimize'!" Marufuji shouted. "Select an opponent's monster on the field with an original ATK higher than 1000. That monster's Level is reduced by 1, and its ATK becomes 1000 lower!"
You Xuan nodded. "'Chimera-Fortress Dragon's' effect changes its 'original ATK' to the number of materials used for its Fusion Summon x 1000 points."
"Exactly," Marufuji said, "so the effect of 'Minimize' can be applied! Decrease the ATK of 'Chimera-Fortress Dragon' by 1000 points!"
The massive fortress dragon visibly shrunk in size right before their eyes, and the energy blast it unleashed seemed to weaken as well.
Boom!
Marufuji was hit head-on by the blast, staggering back two steps and falling to his knees. Smoke billowed around him.
[Ryo Marufuji, LP 1600 → LP 600]
"Caesar's Life Points are hanging by a thread now!"
The announcer finally snapped out of his astonishment at the sudden turn of events with "Electronics Dragon" and resumed his commentary.
"Th-The tactics of the Yellow-Clad Lord are unimaginably despicable... I mean, ingenious!" he exclaimed. "Caesar's formidable formation has once again been effortlessly broken through.
If Card Gunner's attack goes through, it'll still result in Caesar's defeat."
There was a hint of regret in his tone as he spoke.
He genuinely felt that Caesar had given it his all. But it was futile; no matter how strong Caesar was, he was still just the king among students.
A king could never defeat an inhuman beast.
"Card Gunner, direct attack," You Xuan said.
The triple-barreled barrage was like a death sentence. The flash of gunfire illuminated Marufuji's face, which looked somewhat embarrassed due to the projection effect. The once proud college king no longer exuded the same fighting spirit; his eyes now reflected only exhaustion.
He was even surprised to find himself thinking, "Forget it, just let him have this one."
The thought of conceding the duel and not wanting to continue had flashed through his mind.
But the moment he realized how absurd that thought was, he immediately squashed it.
No, that wouldn't do.
He was a duelist, and a duelist must always fight with every fiber of his being and stop at nothing to pursue victory.
Only by fighting with all one's might and craving victory at all costs could one show true respect to their opponent.
Even if it meant abandoning an old friend.
"Activate my face-down!"
Marufuji stood up, his eyes once again burning with fierce determination as he faced the gunfire.
"Trap Card—Power Wall!!!"
You Xuan laughed with interest. "Oh? So you're using that?"
"When a monster's attack would damage me, I can activate this card!" Caesar shouted. "Until that battle damage becomes 0, send the top card of my Deck to the Graveyard for every 100 points of damage!" (Original effect)
After the card was physicalized, it was modified to 500 damage.
Marufuji roared and pulled out a large handful of cards from his Deck, sending them fluttering down like a blizzard of paper snowflakes.
"I send nineteen cards from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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