Yugioh [684-689] (Patreon)

Chapter 684: The Proper Way to Unleash Cyber-Style

A blast of searing heat swept across the field, like flames from the deepest reaches of hell, carrying pure destruction and despair, dyeing everything in twisted shades of red and black.

A colossal figure slowly took shape within the blazing inferno—a terrifying demon god clad in flames, as if from another realm. Its body seemed to be built from countless burning fragments, each radiating heat hot enough to melt steel. Deep within its demonic eyes swirled vortices of fire; behind it, flames took form as a pair of blazing crimson wings, burning fiercely.

[Koa'ki Meiru Valafar – ATK 3000]

"One tribute to summon an eight-star monster!?" a member of the Industrial Illusion exclaimed.

"It's Valafar's effect," Battle Beast said smugly. "When this card is Tribute Summoned using a 'Koa'ki Meiru' monster as the Tribute, you can Tribute Summon it with just one monster!"

"Cyber Dragon or whatever—let the power of demons tear it to pieces! Going straight to the Battle Phase.

Koa'ki Meiru Valafar—attack 'Cyber Dragon'!"

The demon god roared, as if even hell responded to its call. Flames surged skyward around it; pillars of molten lava spiraled and converged upon its hand, then erupted as a ferocious fire dragon.

Cyber Dragon spat out evolutive light-flames in resistance, but they were instantly overpowered and shoved back as if sweeping away dead leaves. Its steel body couldn't withstand the temperature and melted into a pool of molten iron.

[Kira: LP 4000 → 3100]

"Then I'll activate a Trap," Kira said, flipping his back row. "Trap Card: Card of Sacrifice.

If the total ATK of your monsters is lower than the ATK of the opponent's lowest-ATK monster on the field, draw two cards."

Battle Beast nodded. "You've got one Cyber Dragon left, and I've only got Valafar. Cyber Dragon's ATK is lower than Valafar's."

"I'll draw two," Kira said, drawing.

"Then I'll activate the Spell Card 'Card of Heaven and Earth,'" Battle Beast continued. "On a turn you conduct a Tribute Summon, draw two cards from your Deck.

But the cards you draw this turn cannot be used. If they can be Set, Set at least one of them."

Battle Beast drew two cards, then added them to his hand. He pulled one of them out along with another from his hand.

"I set two cards and end my turn," Battle Beast said. "Of course, Koa'ki Meiru Valafar, has a drawback.

During each of my End Phases, I must send a 'Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru' from my hand to the Graveyard; otherwise, this card must be destroyed."

He revealed the Spell Card he had fetched on the previous turn.

"I'll send 'Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru' from my hand to the Graveyard to keep Valafar on the field."

The blazing demon god's form flickered briefly, but quickly stabilized. The flames burning on it seemed even more intense than before.

"My turn. Draw," Kira said. "I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards."

He drew two, then continued:

"And I activate the Spell Card 'Terraforming' to add a Field Spell from my Deck to my hand.

What I'll add is this."

A card popped out from the Deck slot. Kira took it; the Duel Disk automatically shuffled the Deck with a brisk whirr.

"I'll add the Field Spell 'Fusion Gate' to my hand."

A hidden compartment on the side of his Duel Disk snapped open; the Field Spell was inserted and loaded.

"Activate the Field Spell: Fusion Gate!"

A pitch-black vortex appeared midair—thick and heavy like storm clouds, yet also like a wormhole leading to the far end of the universe.

"With Fusion Gate on the field, both players can conduct Fusion Summons without using 'Polymerization.' However, the Fusion Materials used are not sent to the Graveyard; they are banished instead."

"Another Fusion Summon?" Battle Beast frowned.

"Indeed."

Kira took the remaining Cyber Dragon on his field and another card from his hand, and tossed both into the air.

The swirling vortex overhead seemed to unleash infinite gravity, catching both cards and drawing them in.

"I fuse the 'Proto-Cyber Dragon' in my hand with the 'Cyber Dragon' on the field," Kira declared. "Fusion Materials: two or more 'Cyber Dragon' monsters. Fusion Summon!

A new evolution of Cyber-Style—cast off every shackle and run rampant—

—Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, appear!"

The images of Cyber Dragon and Proto-Cyber Dragon manifested, then were absorbed into the fusion vortex, followed by a dense clanging of metal. A blinding storm of blue-white lightning burst from the black hole, like a thunderbolt crashing from the heavens, carrying down a multi-headed steel dragon. It slammed into the ground with a roar, blasting out a transparent blue shockwave.

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon – ATK 2100]

"Rampage Dragon's effect! When it is Fusion Summoned, destroy up to the number of Spells/Traps on the field equal to the number of Fusion Materials used."

"Rampage used two materials," Battle Beast noted.

"Correct," Kira said. "So I'll destroy your two set back-row cards."

The dragon roared; two javelin-like bolts of current shot out left and right, piercing Battle Beast's two set cards and grinding them to dust.

"Tch," Battle Beast clicked his tongue.

"Rampage Dragon's second effect," Kira continued. "Once per turn, during your Main Phase: send up to two LIGHT Machine monsters from your Deck to the Graveyard. This turn, during one Battle Phase, Rampage can make attacks up to the number of monsters sent, in addition to its normal attack."

Kira pulled two cards that popped from the Deck and sent them to the Graveyard.

"I'll send two more 'Proto-Cyber Dragon' from my Deck to the Graveyard. Therefore, in addition to its normal attack, Rampage can attack up to two more times this turn—for a total of three attacks."

"Three attacks in one turn!?" Battle Beast was startled.

Not only could it blow away back row, it also had frightening burst—what a terrifying monster.

"But even so, its ATK is only 2100, far below Valafar," Battle Beast said.

[Koa'ki Meiru Valafar – ATK 3000]

If you can't match ATK, extra attacks are meaningless.

"True. Quite a headache," Kira said lightly, smiling.

"But don't worry. I'll show you what the proper way to play Cyber-Style truly is."

Chapter 685: One-Turn Wave

"The proper way to play Cyber-Style?"

Battle Beast was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but laugh.

Hah, quit the theatrics.

Who doesn't know Cyber-Style? Isn't it the most brute-force deck?
You may be the Duel King and deserve wariness, but what fancy play can you really pull with Cyber Dragon?

"Don't believe me?"

Kira smiled, not explaining further.

"Then I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Cyber Fusion Support' from my hand," Kira said. "Pay half your LP. This turn, when you Fusion Summon a Machine monster, once only, you can banish monsters from your hand, field, or Graveyard as substitutes for Fusion Materials to conduct the Fusion Summon."

[Kira: LP 3100 → 1550]

"You can choose any Fusion Materials and still call it a Fusion?" Battle Beast said.

"Indeed. And don't forget Fusion Gate," Kira said, pointing at the vortex above.

"As long as Fusion Gate remains on the field, I can Fusion Summon without Polymerization, and I can use that effect any number of times per turn.

So now I'll use the effect of 'Cyber Fusion Support' I just played.

I'll banish two 'Proto-Cyber Dragon' from my Graveyard, and the 'Cyber Dragon' you destroyed last turn, and Fusion Summon again!"

"The Proto-Cyber Dragons sent by Rampage's effect?" Battle Beast blurted. "So your goal wasn't just multi-attacking?"

"Using two Proto-Cyber Dragons and one Cyber Dragon—Fusion, a second time!

Fusion materials: two or more 'Cyber Dragon' monsters! Fusion Summon—

—Chimeratech Rampage Dragon No. 2!"

Two prototype Cyber Dragons appeared on Kira's field and were swallowed by the swirling vortex. Another surge of energy crashed down like thunder, accompanied by a sky-rending metallic roar as the second Rampage Dragon descended.

[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon – ATK 2100]

"Rampage destroys Spells/Traps when Summoned," Battle Beast said. "But I don't have any left. The only thing to destroy would be your 'Fusion Gate.'"

"Seems so," Kira said calmly. "But Rampage's effect is optional. I choose not to activate it, so I don't have to destroy any cards."

"That doesn't help you," Battle Beast said. "Even if you've got two Rampages, totaling six attacks, you still can't beat Valafar."

He clearly trusted his 3000 ATK beatstick.

Kira simply smiled and continued. "Then, I'll activate Fusion Gate again."

Battle Beast: "!"

More fusions? How many times is he going to fuse in one turn?

"Fusion condition: two Machine-Type monsters with the same name," Kira declared.

"I'll banish my two 'Chimeratech Rampage Dragon' from the field to Fusion Summon! Cyber-Style's ultimate secret—

—Pair Cycroid!"

Battle Beast: "????"

What… is that!?

He stared, dumbfounded, as the two Rampage Dragons rose and were absorbed by the vortex. In the next instant, a massive pillar of light crashed down. Standing within it, cocky and almost sneering—was the embodiment of Cyber-Style's final form: an unbeatable bicycle.

[Pair Cycroid – ATK 1600]

Battle Beast was stunned—not just him, even the onlookers.

All those fusions, all that setup—just for… this?
Fusing two Rampages into this? No matter how you look at it, that's a loss, right?

"Battle," Kira said leisurely. "Pair Cycroid attacks."

"Are you insane?" Battle Beast snapped. "That thing's ATK isn't even close to Valafar's."

"No problem," Kira smiled. "Pair Cycroid's effect: this card can attack directly."

"!"

The unbeatable bicycle charged at full speed, drifting around with swagger as it zipped past Valafar, its tire tracks rolling right over Battle Beast's face.

He stumbled back, clutching the tread mark stamped across his cheek.

[Battle Beast: LP 4000 → 2400]

"Ugh…" Battle Beast muttered. "Tch, what a dirty monster. But it's only 1600 damage—hardly—"

He was cut off, mercilessly.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Cyberload Fusion' from my hand," Kira said. "Shuffle the Fusion Materials from your field and banished pile into the Deck to Fusion Summon a 'Cyber Dragon' Fusion Monster."

"From the field and the banished pile?" Battle Beast blinked. "Fusing using banished monsters?"

Kira pulled out a fistful of cards from his deck box.

"I'll fuse the two banished 'Cyber Dragon,' three 'Proto-Cyber Dragon,' two 'Chimeratech Rampage Dragon,' and the 'Pair Cycroid' on my field—eight Machine monsters in total!"

The spectators went pale.

Eight-material Fusion!?
What on earth is coming out?

"Fusion materials: 'Cyber Dragon' plus one or more Machine monsters. Fusion Summon!"

Kira thrust his arm forward.

"Chimeratech Overdragon!"

The eight Machines were drawn into the fusion vortex, and a storm of electric fury exploded outward. A massive steel fortress slammed down, multiple mechanical dragon heads emerging one after another, howling to the sky.

[Chimeratech Overdragon – ATK ?]

"Overdragon's effect: its ATK and DEF become the number of Fusion Materials used times 800."

"Number of materials…" Battle Beast's face darkened. "He used eight…"

"Correct," Kira said calmly.

"So Overdragon's ATK becomes…"

[Chimeratech Overdragon – ATK ? → 6400]

The entire crowd gasped.

"ATK six thousand four hundred!?"

Now they understood. Those who had thought all that resource investment just to make a bicycle was a blunder were speechless.

The chain of Fusion Gates to produce two Rampages wasn't just to make Pair Cycroid fodder.

Every single card banished along the way was foreshadowing for this moment!

Chapter 686: A King's Duel

"Chimeratech Overdragon can attack up to the number of Fusion Materials used during one Battle Phase," Kira said. "I used eight.

Therefore, Overdragon can attack eight times this turn."

Battle Beast's face twitched.

ATK 6400, eight attacks in a turn…
So this is the famed Cyber-Style burst?
Its reputation is well-earned. Look away for a second and you'll be reduced to ash.

However—

"Since 'Cyberload Fusion' is a Quick-Play Spell and was activated during the Battle Phase, Overdragon was summoned during the Battle Phase. So of course, it hasn't attacked yet this turn."

Kira snapped his fingers.

"Battle. Chimeratech Overdragon, attack 'Koa'ki Meiru Valafar'!"

The fortress rumbled, all heads opening wide. Flames surged in their steel maws; light and thunder entwined, erupting into a torrent of destructive beams.

Even one hit would be lethal—let alone eight. With 6400 ATK, a single touch would obliterate Battle Beast.

Tenma folded his arms. "His back row's already been cleared by Rampage. With only 2400 LP, it's over."

The Industrial Illusion underlings beside him nodded, their eyes filled with respect and awe as they watched Kira.

Blow away the back row, collapse the opponent's defense, then output terrifying damage in one breath—an almost guaranteed OTK.
If anyone thought the King of Duels only used mind games and tricks, they couldn't be more wrong.

He trolls because he likes to; it doesn't mean that's all he can do.

Even head-on, with pure burst—he's still the King, the pinnacle of this world's power.

"However—"

Battle Beast shouted, pulling a card from his hand.

"I activate a Trap Card from my hand!"

The crowd was stunned.

From his hand!?
"Oh? One of the Traps Rampage destroyed just now," Kira said evenly.

"Exactly," Battle Beast said. "Among the Traps Rampage destroyed was 'Cross Counter Trap.' When this card is destroyed, once only, I can activate a Trap Card from my hand."
He revealed a Trap.

"And I'll activate—Trap Card 'Trap of Darkness'!" Battle Beast declared. "If my LP are 3000 or below, I can pay 1000 LP to gain the effect of a Trap in my Graveyard, then banish that Trap!"

The spectators were shocked.

A Trap destroyed allows a Trap from hand, which copies a Trap from the Graveyard…
Trap-ception?

[Battle Beast: LP 2400 → 1400]

Kira nodded. "The other Trap destroyed by Overdragon?"

"Correct," Battle Beast said, pulling a Trap from his Graveyard. "The other Trap was 'Quaking Mirror Force'! When the opponent declares an attack: change all opponent's Attack Position monsters to Defense Position!

Monsters changed by this effect cannot change their battle position!"

A storm of dust swirled into a hemispherical barrier. The raging blast smashed into the shield; electricity and flame were neutralized, triggering a vicious dust-storm backlash.

"Chimeratech Overdragon is changed to face-down Defense Position!" Battle Beast laughed. "And monsters changed by this effect cannot change their positions!"

"Oh my, that is troublesome," Kira smiled.

The onlookers held their breath.

"To think he could defend even against such a flawless one-turn push…" someone murmured.

Tenma folded his arms, intrigued. "Indeed, looks like this opponent is no slouch… which is only natural."

If he didn't have at least this much, how could he dare challenge the Duel King?

It was a razor-thin defense—one misstep and Overdragon would have turned him into slag, then maybe kept hitting for the full seven extra times for a classic overkill, paying homage to Weevil Underwood's infamous moment…

"The attack didn't go through. What a shame," Kira said. "Then I'll activate the Spell Card 'Card of Burial Magic.' By banishing three Spells from my Graveyard, I draw two."
Three Spell images rose from the Graveyard and dissolved into golden light.

"I'll banish 'Power Bond,' 'De-Fusion,' and 'Pot of Greed' from my Graveyard. Draw two."

Kira drew, thought for a moment.

"Then I'll set two cards and end my turn."

By now, Battle Beast's irritation at the King's shifting styles had entirely vanished. He understood deeply that the King is not the King because of a specific style, but because he is the King.

No matter the tactic or the deck, there is no room for underestimation. One careless instant, and you will be crushed.

So he would go all out as well.

"My turn. Draw!"

Battle Beast drew.

"During the Draw Phase, the effect of 'Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru' in my Graveyard activates.

If this card is in the Graveyard, during your Draw Phase, you can send a 'Koa'ki Meiru' monster from your hand to the Graveyard to add this card from the Graveyard to your hand."

The Graveyard slot flashed; he retrieved the green Spell.

"I'll discard a Koa'ki Meiru monster from my hand and return 'Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru' from my Graveyard to my hand."

"Then I activate 'Spell Book from the Pot'—we both draw three."

He drew; Kira also drew.

Battle Beast paused, squinted at Kira's face-down monster, and snorted softly.

"Even if Overdragon got covered up by the dust barrier, it's still a dangerous piece. Looks like that's your deck's ace, huh?"

He sneered.

"Then I'll remove it here and now.

I activate the Spell 'Nobleman of Crossout'! Destroy one face-down monster and banish it.

If it's a Flip monster, both players banish all copies from their Decks…but of course, we know yours isn't, so that part won't matter."

He pointed at Kira's set monster card.

"Now begone, Chimeratech Overdragon."

The exorcising blade slashed down, breaking the set card. Overdragon's image flickered and vanished in golden light.

Chapter 687: Kira Keeps His Word

Overdragon—eliminated!

"With that, your field is empty!"

Battle Beast's momentum surged.

"I'll Normal Summon 'Koa'ki Meiru Doom' in Attack Position!"

A blue-faced demon with massive bone wings and black horns appeared, its towering frame wreathed in smoldering heat within its palms.

[Koa'ki Meiru Doom – ATK 1700]

Now his combined output exceeded 4000.

"Prepare yourself, King! Koa'ki Meiru Valafar—direct attack first!"

Valafar roared, hellfire gathering into a blazing cannon aimed at Kira.

But the avalanche of flame abruptly halted mid-flight—as if it hit a wall. No, not a wall; it was cut off at the source. The stream of fire stopped, Valafar shuddered, as though wrestling with an unseen force.

"What?"

Battle Beast was startled and shouted, "Valafar? What's wrong? Why aren't you attacking?"

"Because I activated a Trap," Kira said, pointing to a flipped card. "Trap Card: No Entry!!.

Change all Attack Position monsters on the field to Defense Position."

He gestured toward Battle Beast's field.

"Your Valafar and Koa'ki Meiru Doom—both switch to Defense."

[Koa'ki Meiru Valafar – ATK 3000 → DEF 2100]

[Koa'ki Meiru Doom – ATK 1700 → DEF 600]

"Tch—another cheap trick."

Battle Beast clicked his tongue in annoyance.

But then he squinted at Koa'ki Meiru Doom and quietly smirked.

The strongest piece was now set; the scales of victory were tipping. The opponent just hadn't realized it yet.

Using Cyber Dragon against him—this was the King's greatest mistake today, and the reason he would fall.

Here and now, the legend of the King would end.

"I set one card and end my turn," Battle Beast said. "During the End Phase, Valafar and Koa'ki Meiru Doom's effects activate.

Koa'ki Meiru Doom: at the end of the turn, you must discard 'Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru' from your hand or reveal a Fiend-type monster in your hand, otherwise destroy this card."

He revealed a card.

"I reveal a second 'Koa'ki Meiru Doom' in my hand, so Doom remains."

"And then Valafar's effect—during the End Phase, send 'Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru' from your hand to the Graveyard to keep Valafar on the field."

"My turn," Kira said. "Draw."

He snapped his fingers.

"Continuous Trap: Cyber Summon Blaster."

His back row flipped; a tank-like machine rolled out onto his field, topped by a horn-shaped cannon.

"Cyber Summon Blaster: each time a Machine-Type monster is Special Summoned, inflict 300 damage to your opponent."

A card used by Syrus Truesdale in GX.

"Also, if your opponent controls a monster and you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this from your hand."

Kira slapped down a card.

"Special Summon 'Cyber Dragon.'"

[Cyber Dragon – ATK 2100]

"Cyber Dragon is a Machine, and it was Special Summoned—Cyber Summon Blaster inflicts 300 damage."

[Battle Beast: LP 1400 → 1100]

Of course, that damage alone isn't much.

"The origin of Cyber-Style—Cyber Dragon," Battle Beast chuckled. "But at this point, what can it do? Even in Defense Position, Valafar's DEF is 2100—Cyber Dragon can't beat it."

Kira merely smiled and glanced at Tenma behind him.

"Mr. Tenma, if you don't mind, I'd like to test a new card your company has in development."

"?"

At Mokuba's request, they had indeed prepared some new cards for Kira. But as far as Tenma recalled, none of them were for Cyber-Style.

What was he about to test?

"I told you I'd show you the proper way to play Cyber-Style," Kira said calmly.

"I keep my word.

I activate the effect of 'Genex Ally Birdman' in my hand. Return one face-up monster you control to the hand; Special Summon this card from your hand."

"Genex Ally?" Battle Beast frowned.

Never heard of that archetype…
Which made sense—it wasn't yet a real archetype. It was just a few prototype cards developed by the Industrial Illusion, incomplete and still in-lab, not in circulation.

"However," Battle Beast sneered, "that monster is DARK, isn't it?"

"Yes," Kira said.

"Hahahaha… you've stepped right into a deathtrap, King," Battle Beast barked. "Let me tell you the ability of Koa'ki Meiru Doom!

While Koa'ki Meiru Doom is face-up on the field, during the Main Phase, the effects of all LIGHT and DARK monsters activated by either player become negated!"

The spectators froze—then gasped.

LIGHT and DARK… what!?
They immediately realized that Kira's Cyber-Style was composed precisely of LIGHT and DARK cards.

Well-known to all: Cyber-Style is all Machine-Type, with LIGHT- and DARK-focused lines. This Doom's blanket AOE shutdown hit both attributes at once—a natural enemy to such decks.

Yet just as the audience felt their hearts leap into their throats, Kira smiled, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

Battle Beast: "?"

In such a disadvantageous situation—he could still smile?

"I know," Kira nodded.

"You know?"

"Yes. I know Koa'ki Meiru Doom's effect," Kira said evenly. "But Birdman's effect Special Summons itself by returning a monster to your hand.

While the 'Special Summon itself' part gets negated by Koa'ki Meiru Doom, preventing Birdman from being Summoned, 'returning a monster to your hand' is the cost to activate the effect. Even if the effect is negated, the cost is still paid."

Battle Beast nodded. "Correct. So your 'Cyber Dragon' must return to your hand."

Cyber Dragon turned into a stream of light and returned to Kira's hand.

Kira didn't even add it to his hand—he immediately slammed it down again.

"If your opponent controls a monster and you control no monsters, Special Summon 'Cyber Dragon.'"

[Cyber Dragon – ATK 2100]

Battle Beast blinked, then realized.

Right, Cyber Dragon doesn't say 'once per turn.' As long as the condition 'opponent has a monster and you have none' is met, it can Special Summon. So naturally—
Wait.

Something was very, very wrong.

This means—

"Cyber Summon Blaster's effect—upon Special Summon of a Machine, inflict 300 damage," Kira said.

The tank fired again; Battle Beast grunted, sliding half a step back.

[Battle Beast: LP 1100 → 800]

"'Genex Ally Birdman' in hand—return Cyber Dragon to hand to Special Summon itself," Kira said. "Of course, the Special Summon is negated by your Koa'ki Meiru Doom, so it fails.

Cyber Dragon returns to hand as the cost."

Battle Beast went rigid; his limbs felt cold in the summer heat.

This… this is—

"If your opponent controls a monster and you control none—Special Summon Cyber Dragon," Kira said with a smile. "Cyber Summon Blaster—300 damage."

"Uwaah!"

[Battle Beast: LP 800 → 500]

He turned pale, like a patient watching Death approach step by step, scythe in hand, unable to resist.

The crowd's jaws dropped; no one could speak.

An infinite loop!

Everyone saw it.

Each time Cyber Dragon Special Summons, Cyber Summon Blaster burns for 300. Then Birdman's effect returns Cyber Dragon to hand; Birdman's Special Summon is negated by Koa'ki Meiru Doom; then Cyber Dragon Special Summons again…
At this rate, even 1000 LP, 10,000 LP, or a million LP would be burned away.

And it used the opponent's supposed "lockdown" effect to create the loop—ironically gifted by the opponent!

As the crowd processed it, Battle Beast ate another 300 damage; LP 200 remained.

"Y-you…" Battle Beast's lips trembled.

"I told you I'd show you the proper way to play Cyber-Style," Kira said with a smile, revealing Cyber Dragon one last time.

"Special Summon—Cyber Dragon.

Cyber Summon Blaster—final shot."

[Battle Beast: LP 200 → 0]

Chapter 688: The Camp of Light

"Uh… this."

The muscle hired by the Industrial Illusion looked at one another. Their eyes seemed to hold a thousand words, yet all of them got stuck in their throats—desperate to complain, but unable to speak.

Is this the correct way to play "Cyber"?

This thing?

They wanted to roast it, to refute it, but there was nowhere to start. Because you really couldn't deny it: the core of that whole self-locking combo really was Cyber Dragon.
Yet probably not even the founder of the Cyber archetype could have imagined, even in his wildest dreams, that the Cyber Dragon he designed would one day be played in such a deathly, underworld fashion.

The Cyber Dragon you imagine: dashing aggression, extreme speed, winning by crushing the opponent with overwhelming power.

The Cyber Dragon in reality: ping-ponging back and forth, burning LP infinitely, looping into an endless cycle—no celestial immortal could save you.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes today, they'd never have believed it—this counts as Cyber?

Even Tenma, who thought he was already mentally prepared for the King's duels, opened his mouth and tried to speak for a long time, but in the end couldn't get a word out.

How to put it…
Although seeing even a card deck as pure and forceful as Cyber Dragon turned into something like this was jaw-dropping, this wasn't even the part that most drew Tenma's attention.

The key point was that Genex Ally was a deck not even fully developed yet. Kira should have only gotten a few half-finished prototypes from that in-development batch yesterday; in other words, he had at most one night to study every new card's effects and to spin up those bizarre brain circuits of his to consider deckbuilding and lines of play.

Brand-new cards the outside world had never even heard of—just got them last night, only one night.

And he already cooked up this kind of inhuman strategy?

That was what truly unsettled Tenma the most; the way he looked at Kira involuntarily grew more reverent.

Does this guy have a brain that pops out ten thousand self-lock lines the instant he lays eyes on any new card?
Of course, as for who was the most shocked, none could compare to the person involved: Battle Beast.

Battle Beast was not okay.

Cyber Dragon? Aggro deck? OTK?

Hahahaha—
Fake. All fake.

What damn Cyber Dragon—this is clearly the darkest, most evil force in the world!

No wonder the great and pure Light wants to purify this world; he now felt more than ever that this world desperately needed cleansing. Even something as "daylight" as Cyber Dragon had been corrupted into this wretched filth—just how underworldly this world had become was plain to see.

"All right, let's be blunt."

Kira retracted his Duel Disk and spoke calmly.

"Originally I wanted to ask which side you're on, who you work for—but after that duel, there's no need to ask."

He paused, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said:

"The Light of Destruction, right?"

Battle Beast's eyelids twitched; his expression shifted, and he said nothing for a moment.

But Tenma and the others all changed expression slightly upon hearing that, looking at the man in front of them in surprise.

The Industrial Illusion did have intel on the Light of Destruction. In the anime, the introduction to the arc's antagonist was delivered by President Pegasus during his meeting with Chancellor Kaiba. In fact, they were among the first to detect that evil, eroding force in the cosmos; they'd been aware of the Light of Destruction's existence for years.

"Did Sartorius send you?" Kira asked. "Where are the Gladiator Beasts? In Sartorius's hands?"

At that, Battle Beast finally raised his head, giving Kira a strange look for a moment before suddenly throwing his head back and bursting into inexplicable laughter.

After that bizarre bout of laughter, he stopped and sized Kira up and down.

"You know quite a bit, Duel King. But you seem to be mistaken about a few things."

Battle Beast spoke icily.

"Sartorius is just an old charlatan. He does not represent the holy and glorious Light."

Kira arched a brow.

He had already sensed it during the duel—that unmistakably light-like wavelength. He'd crossed paths with powers affiliated with the Light of Destruction more than once, and at the very least felt confident in recognizing it. So the other party belonging to the Light of Destruction's faction shouldn't be wrong.

But that tone of contempt when he mentioned Sartorius didn't sound fake either.

What did that mean?
That this person, while affiliated with the Light of Destruction, was not under Sartorius's camp?

So on Earth right now, there was another Light of Destruction faction besides Sartorius's?

That was major intel.

Kira's expression grew slightly more grave.

Of course Sartorius couldn't fully represent the Light of Destruction—that Kira already knew. In the original, the Sartorius arc was just a prelude, pointing to the largest force behind GX; it's just that even by the end of the anime, that thread was left hanging.

The Light of Destruction seeks to destroy the entire universe, purifying everything into a void of pure white—it is the most powerful evil force in the cosmos. What was shown in the anime was just the tip of the iceberg.

Years ago, a tiny fragment of Light came to Earth, first attaching itself to the card of the ultimate Destiny HERO, Plasma (Blood D), designed by Aster's father, triggering the tragedy of Aster's father being murdered and Plasma being stolen.

Then that fragment transferred to Sartorius, leading to the subsequent series of events in GX.

But that was only a stray fragment that arrived by accident.

Later, in the Yubel arc, it's further revealed that after Jaden sent Yubel into space, Yubel also encountered the Light of Destruction. Yubel's later evolutions into "Terror Incarnate" and "The Ultimate Nightmare" were likely influenced by the Light of Destruction, and Yubel's surge in power may also have something to do with it.

And that was still just the tip of the iceberg. The Light of Destruction's main force never appeared by the end of the anime, yet that was the enemy Jaden and his Neo-Spacians would fight for the rest of their lives, even across reincarnations. In flashbacks of the Other Dimension arc, it's mentioned that even in their previous lives before reincarnation, Jaden and Yubel's primary mission was to battle the Light of Destruction.

Sartorius's background can be gleaned from the anime. But if there are other forces related to the Light of Destruction beyond him, that's another story.

An unknown force—and Kira did not like the unknown.

"The power of the Gladiator Beasts—Lord Merlot has taken it. But he said there's no rush. Duel King, you will have your chance to fight him—sooner or later."

That was the last thing Battle Beast said.

As the words fell, he closed his eyes and collapsed into unconsciousness.

And then, as if in a single instant—

All the hair on his body turned immaculate, pure white.

Chapter 689: GX Commences

"You!?"

Sartorius sat in his messy bedroom, staring coldly at a mirror in front of him.

The mirror's surface was covered in cracks, the marks of an external blow. He was facing the mirror, yet the figure on the other side was not his reflection, but another man.

A man in a spotless white suit, brandishing a black cane.

Sartorius narrowed his eyes.

"I didn't know there were others on Earth."

"Is that so? But I know all about you," the man in the white suit said lazily. "Perhaps because someone has been a bit too high-profile for a long time."

"Everything is under control," Sartorius said coldly. "Unlike you, I remember our mission clearly."

"Or perhaps you're just reckless."

The white suit replied.

"Is that so?" Sartorius sneered. "I'm not like certain people, still timid on a backward world. Have you forgotten our mission? This world, and many more—ultimately, all will become Light, and Light alone."

"Yes, I haven't forgotten." The man in white shrugged. "Unlike certain people, though, who can't even properly control their host and are already getting delusions."

"I have it completely under control!" Sartorius barked.

"Do you?"

The man in white reached out from within the mirror, slowly running his hand along the web of cracks.

Then he smiled—a smile dripping with undisguised mockery.

Sartorius understood what he meant. This mirror had been cracked by his own fist in a fit of rage, because the other self—Sartorius's original personality—wouldn't stop yammering at him from within the mirror, infuriating him.

Face dark, Sartorius said, "I told you, everything is under my control."

He paused, seeming to feel that wasn't very convincing, and added:

"Perhaps that troublesome personality hasn't been fully purified yet, but it won't be long now. And it absolutely will not affect my plan."

"For your sake, I hope so."

The man in white said lightly.

"It's just that your recklessness has forced us to reveal ourselves early as well. Let's hope your plan succeeds, otherwise—"

"It will succeed."

Sartorius cut him off stiffly.

"I don't need any help. You just keep your eyes open and watch."

"Heh. I'll be watching closely, then."

The man in white smiled, said no more, and ended the conversation.

The image in the mirror blurred and faded until it vanished completely.

Sartorius stared at the mirror before him; as the man disappeared and his own reflection returned, the more he looked the angrier he became. He slammed another fist into it. With a crash, the already-cracked mirror shattered, fragments flying in all directions.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Sartorius said.

A man in white opened the door, standing straight at the threshold and bowing respectfully.

"What is it?" Sartorius asked.

"The Prince," the man said. "As you foresaw in destiny, His Highness has set out."

Sartorius's expression eased slightly.

"Finally, some good news."

He stood and strode out of the room.

"Let's go."

The man in white blinked. "Where to?"

"Duel Academy."

…

Duel Academy.

"Something's happened!"

Jean-Louis Bonaparte pumped his little legs for all they were worth, huffing and puffing as he rushed into the Chancellor's office.

Professor Crowler was in high spirits, legs crossed in the Chancellor's chair, a nameplate on the desk before him. Where it originally said "Acting Chancellor Crowler," someone had smuggled in a change and scribbled out the word "Acting."

"What's got you in such a panic?"

Crowler sipped coffee, already quite Chancellor-esque.

"Chancellor Sheppard—Chancellor Sheppard is back!"

Crowler spat coffee everywhere.

"Nani!?"

He sprang from his chair. "Then I'll be demoted from Chancellor back to professor again?"

"No, the new professor is me."

Jean-Louis Bonaparte said with total seriousness.

"As for Professor Crowler, I think the odds are high you'll be fired outright."

Crowler leapt up: "That's going too far!"

"Oh? Sounds like you two are having a very interesting conversation."

Chancellor Sheppard strolled in from the doorway, hands clasped behind his back, smiling.

"C-Chancellor!"

Crowler sucked in a breath.

"Why so nervous, Professor Crowler? It's like it's your first day meeting me."

"Ah, well, that's… happy. I'm happy."

Crowler forced a smile.

"Is that so? Well, thank you very much," Sheppard chuckled. "Gather all the students in the auditorium. We're having a meeting. I have something important to announce."

…

An hour later, the entire student body had been assembled.

"Long time no see, students."

Chancellor Sheppard stood on the stage, smiling.

"I've brought some special gifts back with me this time."

The students immediately started buzzing. Jaden was especially excited: "Oh! The Chancellor traveled the world—he must've brought tons of souvenirs!"

Syrus's eyes lit up too: "Will there be tasty ones?"

Chancellor Sheppard pointed to the big screen behind him. "My gift is this!"

The screen lit up, showing an Medallion emblazoned with "GX."

"The first tournament to decide the world's Generation X number one duel, called GeneX—abbreviated GX—will be held here at Duel Academy!"

The students erupted.

"Duels!"

Jaden got even more excited.

To him, the only gift better than food.

But Syrus started trembling: "Huh? A duel tournament… do we all have to participate?"

"Every student in Duel Academy's upper division and satellite campuses must participate. In addition, there will be pro league duelists and several powerful duelists I personally invited from around the world.

This is a chance for our students to go head-to-head with top experts from across the globe!"

The hall went wild.

"Dueling pros!"

Jaden jumped out of his seat, drawing a loud scolding from Professor Crowler. But lost in his anticipation for duels, Jaden paid him no mind.

"The dueling grounds are anywhere on this island—any location on the island counts. All participants will receive this Medallion as proof of entry."

The Chancellor held up the Genex Medallion in his hand.

"Every participant is obligated to duel at least once per day. You may not refuse the first challenge you receive each day. Winners take all the loser's Medallions.

At the end, the person holding the most Medallions wins—and receives a special tournament prize."

"Okay, leave it to me!"

Jaden had already leapt into the aisle.

"The prize is totally mine!"

Syrus whispered a reminder: "Big bro, based on past academy tournaments, the prize is usually a kiss from Ms. Dorothy…"

"Eh!?"

Jaden turned to stone on the spot.