Chapter 539: Falling Behind for Too Long! (7k Words, Requesting Monthly Tickets!)

"My turn!"

Long Qi yanked a card from his Deck, glanced at the other cards in his hand, and then looked at the Baby Dinosaur.

Good, I'll use this one!

"Normal Summon, Gem-Knight Master Diamond!"

A monster made entirely of jade, resembling a crocodile more than a dinosaur, flopped onto Dinosaur Ryuzaki's field.

"When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Destroy one Dinosaur monster in your hand or face-up on your field, except this card; then, add one Reptile, Sea Serpent, or Winged Beast monster from your Deck with the same original Level as the destroyed monster, or one 'Evolutionary Medicine' Spell Card to your hand."

"I destroy the Baby Dinosaur in my hand and add 'Super Evolution Drug B' from my Deck to my hand."

Boom—

The little green dinosaur, bound entirely with explosives, instantly self-destructed; the next second, a strange Evolutionary Medicine spun through the air and landed in his hand.

"Evolutionary Medicine?"

"It looks a bit strange..."

"Ho ho ho, I see, interesting, Ryuzaki," the old man chuckled.

Super Evolution Drug B; that Dinosaur Duelist from the Fusion Army had used this card before, so when Tenjou Hikari saw it, he wasn't surprised at all that Dinosaur Ryuzaki had obtained it.

Ignoring the murmurs of the crowd, Dinosaur Ryuzaki opened his mouth and shouted: "Baby Dinosaur's effect! When this card is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Dinosaur monster from your Deck!"

"I Special Summon my second Oviraptor!"

With just one card, Dinosaur Ryuzaki rapidly cycled his hand and Special Summoned a monster, leaving the surrounding Duelists, who had just been offering their expert opinions, increasingly silent; none dared to comment directly, instead watching the field in silence.

"Oviraptor's effect! When this card is Normal Summoned: Add one Dinosaur monster from your Deck to your hand, or send one to the Graveyard—I add Baby T-Rex from my Deck to my hand!"

Following the Baby Dinosaur, another tearful dinosaur, prepared for self-destruction, appeared in his hand.

"He searched again, and got a card that sounds very similar to Baby Dinosaur?"

A group of Duelists exchanged glances, realizing the "loop." No matter what kind of Duel it was, as long as it could loop, it proved the feasibility and reproducibility of that tactic.

Ryuzaki took the Baby T-Rex from his Deck into his hand, then glanced at his field.

His field now held one Gem-Knight Master Diamond and one Oviraptor, while his hand had suddenly gained a Baby T-Rex and an Evolutionary Medicine.

But even at this point, Dinosaur Ryuzaki had not stopped his "exploration."

"I activate the Spell Card, Ground Attacker Bugross, to add one Dinosaur Tuner or one Dinosaur Normal Monster from my Deck to my hand; then, destroy one card in my hand. I add the Dinosaur Tuner, Jurrac Guaiba to my hand! Then, I destroy the Baby T-Rex in my hand."

As the Duel progressed, Dinosaur Ryuzaki suddenly said something shocking, startling the countless surrounding spectator Duelists.

A Tuner?

"At this moment, Baby T-Rex's effect activates."

"When Baby T-Rex is destroyed by a card effect and sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon one Level 4 or higher Dinosaur monster from your Deck. Monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot attack this turn!"

"He's still Special Summoning!?"

"For real—"

"Hiss, as expected of... the 'Legend'."

Seeing this, the crowd of spectator Duelists couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

This was what they called a "Legend."

"I Special Summon from my Deck—Two-Headed King Rex!"

Two-Headed King Rex, Level 6, EARTH Attribute, Dinosaur Type, ATK 1600.

"Two-Headed King Rex... an evolution of Two-Headed King Rex, right?" Jonouchi looked up at the massive two-headed dinosaur, feeling a slight surge of excitement. "Ryuzaki, it seems you haven't been slacking off all these years!"

"Heh... Of course not!"

Dinosaur Ryuzaki only refused to admit defeat no matter what when Dueling against Jonouchi.

Two-Headed King Rex.

In the truest sense, the card that had accompanied him from childhood to the present.

He had used this card in his previous Duel against Tenjou Hikari; it was his most trusted partner, one he would absolutely never abandon.

"I activate Two-Headed King Rex's effect! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Target one monster on the field with ATK less than the combined ATK of all Dinosaur monsters you currently control; destroy that target!"

"I choose, Jinzo!"

Dinosaur Ryuzaki pointed at Jonouchi's field.

As long as he destroyed Jonouchi's monster, he could battle freely.

Jonouchi only had one monster on his field; once it was destroyed, Jonouchi would be wide open, allowing free attacks!

The surrounding Duelists clearly realized this as well; Jonouchi's complete lack of defense made them realize he probably wouldn't last until the next turn!

But—

"At this moment, I also activate the effect of a monster in my hand!"

What?!

In his hand!

Jonouchi suddenly chuckled: "The effect of Soul of the Red-Eyes! When your opponent Special Summons a monster: Send this card from your hand or field to the Graveyard; Special Summon one 'Red-Eyes' monster from your hand or Deck, except 'Soul of the Red-Eyes'!"

Red-Eyes!?

Dinosaur Ryuzaki suddenly froze.

"Come, Special Summon—Red-Eyes Baby Dragon!"

"Wow!"

A small Red-Eyes Black Dragon let out a soft cry and flew onto Jonouchi's head.

"Wow!"

"It appeared!"

"Red-Eyes Black Dragon—but why is it the juvenile form?"

"Yeah, isn't there a stronger, invincible Red-Eyes Black Dragon?"

Red-Eyes Baby Dragon, Level 3, DARK Attribute, Dragon Type, DEF 700.

Red-Eyes Black Dragon...

Back then, in Duelist Kingdom, he had Dueled against Jonouchi using Red-Eyes Black Dragon; it was also at that time that their fate became thoroughly entangled, and he lost to Jonouchi's Red-Eyes Black Dragon.

Perhaps that was the so-called "beginning of the legend," and he was the one who started Jonouchi's legend.

He shook his head, dismissing any sentimental thoughts, and looked at his hand.

"It doesn't matter, I activate the Spell Card! Super Evolution Drug B! Tribute two monsters from your hand or field that include a Dinosaur monster; Special Summon one Level 5 or higher Dinosaur monster from your Deck or Extra Deck with ATK greater than or equal to the combined ATK of the Tributed monsters!"

"After this card is activated, until the End Phase, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck, except Dinosaur, Dragon, Sea Serpent, or Illusion monsters!"

"He can Special Summon directly from the Extra Deck?"

"What a powerful Spell Card!"

Jonouchi watched the massive Evolutionary Medicine appear on the field and couldn't help but laugh loudly: "Are you saying you're still evolving?"

"For power, for victory, of course I will evolve—"

"I send the Two-Headed King Rex on my field, which cannot attack, and the ATK 0 Gem-Knight Master Diamond to the Graveyard!"

He looked at the King Rex in his hand and took a deep breath.

After his Duel with Tenjou Hikari, after seeing Tenjou Hikari defeat Insector Weevil, and after being told by Tenjou Hikari that he could have won against Insector Weevil back then, he had made many new changes.

For instance, coordinating with the GX tournament, serving as a Star Rank Examiner, and also learning more about Dinosaur spirits.

At the Critical Point, he had received help from many brand-new monsters.

But—

He was still stuck.

Stuck there, unable to move forward.

Synchro wasn't a power so easily mastered, especially after leaving the Critical Point, where he couldn't even attempt it.

But—his contact with Tenjou Hikari had already pushed his stagnating needle forward significantly.

"Evolve into your most sublime form!"

"My true soul!"

"The two opposing minds that have accompanied me throughout my life—"

"Special Summon!"

"Level 9, King Rex!"

"Roar!!!!"

The Two-Headed Dragon's body grew wildly; countless spikes sprouted from the massive dinosaur's body, and the once tiny wings on its back now became vast enough to block out the sun and sky, seemingly capable of shielding people from wind and rain.

King Rex, Level 9, EARTH Attribute, Dinosaur Type, ATK 3200.

"King Rex, huh? Ho ho ho..." Sugoroku Yugi Mutou clasped his hands behind his back and nodded.

Indeed, the current Dinosaur Ryuzaki truly did have a bit of the "King Rex" feel about him.

Unfortunately—

Dinosaur Ryuzaki looked at the card's effect.

【If this card was not Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned this turn: You can target up to 2 monsters your opponent controls; destroy those targets.】

Although he had "evolved," unfortunately, 【King Rex】 could only evolve this far.

But, no problem—he could still win!

"I activate the Equip Spell Card, Premature Burial."

"Pay 800 LP; target one monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target in Attack Position, and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, destroy that monster!"

Dinosaur Ryuzaki, LP: 3400 → 2600.

"Revive, Two-Headed King Rex!"

"1600 plus 1600 plus 3200—" Several duelists nearby immediately began discussing excitedly, "It can reduce Mr. Cheng Zhi Nei Jue's Life Points to zero in an instant!"

"Yes, that monster's Attack Points are even higher than the Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Could it be that today we will witness a legendary reversal!?"

"So powerful; as expected of the legendary duelist, to create this current situation with just a single card!"

Long Long Qi paid no attention to these words; he took a deep breath, pointed at the small Red-Eyes Black Dragon opposite him, and said, "Attack with Two-Headed King Rex!"

Boom—

The small Red-Eyes Black Dragon was instantly destroyed.

"At this moment, I activate the effect of Red-Eyes Black Dragon Chick! This effect can only be activated when this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard. Special Summon one Level 7 or lower 【Red-Eyes】 monster from the Deck, and treat this card in the Graveyard as an Equip Card that increases Attack Points by 300, equipping it to that monster!"

"Level 7 or lower... Red-Eyes, could it be..."

"That's right—Long Qi—it is this one!" Cheng Zhi Nei Jue directly reached out toward his Deck; the top card of the Deck turned into a stream of light, transforming directly into a card burning with black flames, and flew into his hand!

"I Special Summon, Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"

"Roar!!"

The dragon's roar of the pitch-black dragon echoed through heaven and earth!

Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Level 7, DARK Attribute, Dragon-Type, Attack Points 2400 → 2700!

"Wow, it really appeared, the legendary Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"

"This is the Dragon of Possibility that can stand alongside the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

Seeing Tiancheng Guang watched from afar.

Dragon of Possibility?

The Dragon that Burns Blood!

However...

It must be said that although Seeing Tiancheng Guang had seen the Red-Eyes Black Dragon several times before, the one summoned by Cheng Zhi Nei Jue possessed more momentum and was even more powerful.

"... It doesn't matter, attack your Red-Eyes with King Rex!"

The dinosaur spread its twin wings wide, then pounced upon the Red-Eyes, biting into its body and crushing it.

Cheng Zhi Nei Jue, LP: 4000 → 3500.

"The Red-Eyes has been destroyed!"

"But it's alright; at least this way, Mr. Cheng Zhi Nei Jue has survived—"

"Yes, as long as he still has Life Points..."

"Hmph..." Long Qi suddenly laughed heartily at Cheng Zhi Nei Jue as if raising a toast, "My apologies, Cheng Zhi Nei Jue. When King Rex destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can activate this effect. During this Battle Phase, this card can attack one more time!"

!!

"A double attack!?"

"With 3200 Attack Points, it can attack twice?"

"Oh no, Mr. Cheng Zhi Nei Jue's Life Points are 3500! Next, if King Rex and Oviraptor attack directly—"

"Ha, Long Qi..." Cheng Zhi Nei Jue suddenly started laughing, "In this current situation, does it feel familiar to you?"

?

"Back then, with Tyrant Dragon, it was just like this, wasn't it—"

Tyrant Dragon?

Cheng Zhi Nei Jue's words reminded Long Long Qi of that event.

Back then, during the Dartz incident, he had joined Dartz, used the power of the Orichalcos Barrier to become stronger, and wanted to rely on the Orichalcos to defeat Cheng Zhi Nei Jue. At that time, he had summoned Tyrant Dragon, destroyed the Red-Eyes by battle, then revived the Red-Eyes with a Trap Card, and used Tyrant Dragon's effect to continue attacking...

Continue attacking, revive the Red-Eyes, could it be?

"I activate the effect of Red-Eyes Chronos Dragon! Activate when a Level 7 or lower Red-Eyes monster on my field is destroyed by an opponent's monster's attack or opponent's card effect and sent to the Graveyard. Special Summon this card from my hand in Defense Position, and Special Summon as many of those destroyed monsters as possible in the same battle position!"

"Then, I activate the effect of Red-Eyes Black Dragon Chick! Activate when this card equipped to a monster is sent to the Graveyard. Add one Level 1 Dragon-Type monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand. I choose Black Steal Dragon."

Red-Eyes Chronos Dragon, Level 4, DARK Attribute, Dragon-Type, Defense Points 1600.

A monster draped in temporal blue light appeared on Cheng Zhi Nei Jue's field; vaguely, Long Long Qi seemed to see that familiar monster—Time Wizard.

The "key to victory" from that duel back then.

"Really, after all these years, it seems you haven't changed at all."

Cheng Zhi Nei Jue didn't say any formalities; laughing heartily, he gestured with both hands, displaying on his face an amazing, unimitable range of exaggerated expressions.

"Then, King Rex continues its attack on the Red-Eyes—my apologies, Red-Eyes, but for the sake of victory, perish!"

Cheng Zhi Nei Jue, LP: 3500 → 2700.

"Oviraptor attacks Chronos Dragon!"

Oviraptor took a short run, reached Chronos Dragon's side, pounced fiercely, slapped its body, and shattered it.

"Battle Phase end."

"Wow, that was close—"

"That was close; just a moment ago, I thought Mr. Cheng Zhi Nei Jue had already lost!"

"Mr. Cheng Zhi Nei Jue actually managed to survive such a fierce attack without setting any cards, relying only on his hand; that's truly amazing. As expected of a legend!"

Wu Teng Shuangliu looked at Long Long Qi, nodding continuously.

For someone of his age, what they liked most was probably seeing a prodigal son return.

Having failed to strike in one blow, Long Qi looked at King Rex.

Next turn, King Rex would gain its full power; by then, it could easily destroy all of Cheng Zhi Nei Jue's monsters.

However.

Just in case, he still had to survive the next turn.

"I use Oviraptor's effect to destroy Two-Headed King Rex and revive Tricera Top from the Graveyard in Defense Position."

Tricera Top made its tearful entrance once again.

"Then, I set one card and end my turn."

The Trap Card he set was the power given to him by the "Zhu Zhu Luoji" monsters he obtained later—Jurassic Impact. It can only be activated when there is a Dinosaur-Type monster with 2500 or more Attack Points on your field. Destroy all cards on the field.

With Tricera Top on the field, using this card should be quite effective.

Even if Cheng Zhi Nei Jue summoned a monster capable of defeating King Rex, it would be destroyed immediately.

"How nice, Long Qi."

?

He looked at Cheng Zhi Nei Jue.

Cheng Zhi Nei Jue rubbed his hair: "Mai said that talking with a guy like me would probably make it hard to open up to you, but through a duel, it should be possible."

"After you were swallowed by the power of the Orichalcos, I swore to save your souls from within the Orichalcos. Although after that, our relationship grew worse, I truly never expected we would go so long without contact."

Frowning and crossing his arms, he said, "I was originally a bit worried, because I truly don't understand those things either, so I wanted to perform like Master, using cards like Jinzo, Legendary Fisherman, Red-Eyes, and Insect Queen—these cards I received from others, symbols of the bonds and friendship between us.

But... it seems you have already started walking your own path long ago."

These words struck straight into Long Long Qi's heart, instantly awakening him.

Yes—

He had actually already taken new steps!

With Seeing Tiancheng Guang, with that kid's support!

"Perhaps our relationship wasn't quite at that level, but I am still very happy that you have stepped out, after all... duelists like us are born to duel.

Ten years; even the best of friends cannot stay together forever. After all, everyone has their own career and life goals to achieve."

Cheng Zhi Nei Jue sighed with emotion, then said: "In that case—let's end it here."

!?

Long Long Qi was suddenly startled.

Could it be!?

"Too slow, too slow, Long Qi!"

"You realized it too slowly!

You have fallen too far behind, far, far behind!!

Hehe, you have already been left far behind by me!"

"Long Qi!"

Cheng Zhi Nei Jue's momentum suddenly changed.

A wild wind howled!

All the duelist spectators were forced back by the 【Wild Wind】.

No—

That was not a wild wind!

That was 【Spirit】!

Seeing this, Seeing Tiancheng Guang even felt a slight "tremor."

His heart pounded wildly!

Excitement!

An extremely, wildly intense excitement; he could feel a thrill indescribable in words pulsating within his heart.

Stronger than the Wave of Light, stronger than Kaiba from ten years ago, a far more intense excitement!

A true 【Legend】!

Not those who "dueled legends and then became legendary duelists"... but 【Legends】 in the truest sense!!

"My turn, draw!"

He drew a card, glanced at it, and played it immediately: "Normal Summon, Iron Fantasy Magician!"

What is that?

Everyone cried out in shock within their hearts.

Tenjou Hikari widened his eyes.

Metallization—

"This card can only be activated when Normal or Special Summoned. Place one 【Metallization】 Trap from the Deck face-down on your field. If 【Metallization·Reflective Armor】 exists in your Graveyard, you can also draw one card!"

"Metallization?" Long Qi remembered; that was a Trap Card supporting Red-Eyes.

When did he—

Ah, it's 【That Trap】, the one shown at the very beginning, used to Special Summon the Jinzo!

Cheng Zhi Nei placed a card face-down on the field, then drew one card and played another: "It's not over yet! Send one face-down card on my field to the Graveyard to Special Summon this card! Red-Eyes Steel Claw Dragon!"

A Red-Eyes Black Dragon with steel claws fitted over both hands descended from the sky, landing on Cheng Zhi Nei's field.

"When Red-Eyes Steel Claw Dragon is Normal or Special Summoned, its effect activates. If 【Metallization·Reflective Armor】 exists on your field or in your Graveyard, you can add one 【Metallization】 Trap from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand."

"I add the Trap from my Graveyard to my hand, then set it."

"How about it? Want to activate your face-down card?"

Long Qi was somewhat confused.

If it were only to this extent, there was absolutely no need to use a face-down card; after all, destroying all cards on his own field at this moment would actually result in a net loss.

His side had higher Attack Points.

"Then, I activate the Trap Card—Metallization·Reflective Armor!"

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Wasn't that just set!? "

"Y-Yes, exactly!? Isn't that cheating—this is totally cheating! B-But, Mr. Cheng Zhi Nei must have his reasons for doing this..."

"Silence!! It's simple enough to understand! This is a Monster Effect!" Tenjou Hikari interrupted the duelists' screams from the side.

"Ha, that's right—" Cheng Zhi Nei nodded to Tenjou Hikari, "While Red-Eyes Steel Claw Dragon is on the field, I can activate 【Metallization】 Traps even on the turn I set them."

"Impossible—"

"So strong!?"

"Th-This is ridiculous!"

Cheng Zhi Nei didn't dwell on it further, saying: "Metallization·Reflective Armor: Tribute one face-up Monster on your field to activate. Special Summon one Monster that cannot be Normal Summoned, whose name includes 【Metallization·Reflective Armor】, from your Hand, Deck, or Graveyard. After that, you can equip this card to that Monster as an Equip Card 【ATK/DEF +400, cannot be destroyed by Spell or Monster effects, and the opponent cannot target the equipped Monster with Spell or Monster effects】."

"I empower my Red-Eyes!"

Clang clang clang clang clang—

Steel frantically attached itself to the Red-Eyes, and a steel giant dragon, armed to the teeth in the literal sense, slowly descended.

Red-Eyes Black Heavy Steel Dragon, Level 8, DARK Attribute, Machine Type, ATK 3400 → 3800.

"3800!"

"It surpasses the Long Wang! It far exceeds the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

Long Qi swallowed hard: "I activate the Trap Card, Jurassic Impact, which can only be activated if a Dinosaur-Type Monster with 2500 or more ATK exists on my field. Destroy all cards on the field!"

"Self-destruction?"

"It's actually a self-destruct! But then he'll lose everything too—"

"No, this is a good thing! After all, if his own Baby T-Rex is destroyed, he can Special Summon another Monster!"

Many duelists began discussing this development.

Only Tenjou Hikari knew.

The moment 【Metallization】 activated, the duel was over.

"Ha, sorry, Long Qi—Red-Eyes Black Heavy Steel Dragon's effect can only be activated when the opponent activates an effect. Negate that activation."

The Trap Card had just flipped open, then immediately halted; the "Dinosaur Meteor" that had just begun gathering in the sky vanished instantly...

"Impossible—" Dinosaur Long Qi was greatly shocked.

"Heh..." Cheng Zhi Nei looked at the Red-Eyes, and the Red-Eyes let out a roar.

The Black Dragon represented burn damage—after this effect activated, he could inflict damage equal to the ATK of one Attack Position Monster on the opponent's field to the opponent's Life Points.

In other words, 3200 points!

But—

He really hated 【burn damage】.

"Long Qi, it's time to use the last card—In ancient legends, there was a legendary Sword Saint who defeated countless spirits, but after defeating every opponent under heaven, he felt loneliness, and subsequently donned heavy armor for himself..."

"... Sword Saint?"

"That's right—The ultimate trump card I used in that duel! The Sword Saint reborn as a phoenix!"

"Equip the Equip Spell Card Dark Dragon's Claw from my Hand to Red-Eyes Black Heavy Steel Dragon, then banish the equipped card to activate. Special Summon, Divine Phoenix Sword Saint Gia Freed!"

A giant Sword Saint clad in pure white armor and draped in flames slowly emerged from a summoning circle resembling a fireball.

Divine Phoenix Sword Saint Gia Freed, Level 9, FIRE Attribute, Warrior Type, ATK 3000!

"Attack Points completely equal to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

"Hehehe..." The old man introduced with hands behind his back, "Divine Phoenix Sword Saint can be Special Summoned by banishing Equip Spell Cards from the field or Graveyard."

Cheng Zhi Nei then picked up another card: "Equip Spell Card, Phoenix Armored Sword, equip it to the Sword Saint."

Sword Saint ATK 3000 → 3300.

"When the Sword Saint declares an attack, I can equip one Monster on the opponent's field to it as an Equip Card that increases its ATK by 500. That Baby T-Rex is quite pitiful... I'll have the Sword Saint attack your Soul-Stealing Egg Thief Dragon, and equip the Baby T-Rex while I'm at it."

Sword Saint ATK 3300 → 3800.

The Flame Sword Saint slashed down upon the dinosaur burning with blue fire.

Dinosaur Long Qi raised his hands to block in front of him, enduring the damage.

Long Qi, LP: 2600 → 600.

"Then, Red-Eyes Black Heavy Steel Dragon attacks!"

3800 - 3200 = 600!

Just right!

Long Qi took a deep breath.

Is the gap between myself and Cheng Zhi Nei really this large now!?

He felt somewhat angry, somewhat regretful, regretting why he had wasted so many years.

But at the same time, he felt somewhat excited!

Good, Cheng Zhi Nei, just you wait, wait for me; I will definitely defeat you thoroughly using my own power and the dueling philosophy I have re-realized!

That day will absolutely not be far!

Boom!

Black flames fell.

Long Qi, LP: 600 → 0.

7k7k, asking for monthly tickets, asking for monthly tickets

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(End of Chapter)