Chapter 403: Fight to the End

Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 6000!

"Next is the effect of Earth, which can sacrifice an Elemental HERO on my field, and Earth can absorb that monster's ATK and DEF values!"

Xiang Hongye said.

"Therefore, I sacrifice 'Elemental HERO Great Tornado', and its ATK is absorbed by Earth!"

"The Earth Magma!!!"

Great Tornado's figure decomposed into light spots, and its energy was fully absorbed, sinking into Earth's body.

Earth's whole body instantly turned into a surging crimson, like lava erupting from the deep veins of the earth. Destructive power surged, and the scorching lava turned into a winding fire dragon erupting from his back, as if carrying high temperatures capable of melting gold and stone.

【Elemental HERO Earth, ATK 2500 → ATK 5300】

"A monster with 5300 ATK and 6000 ATK all at once!"

Judai's eyes were already full of admiration.

This is Mr. Hongye, who is called the strongest hero on the surface...

Xiang Hongye, a desperate counterattack!

Fujiki You Xuan watched silently, thinking with his chin supported.

If it were him, he might choose to use Earth to absorb the ATK of "Elemental HERO Absolute Zero" as well. In this way, not only could Earth's ATK instantly exceed 10,000, but more importantly, it could trigger Absolute Zero's strongest ability "Absolute Zero" — destroying all monsters on the opponent's field when leaving the field.

Then he immediately remembered, oh right, this effect seems to be a new addition after being printed as a physical card.

In the manga, Absolute Zero only had one effect, which was increasing ATK based on the number of WATER monsters on the field. But in the physical card environment, this effect was almost ignored like the first effect of the Great Universe, and everyone generally only used Absolute Zero's ability to blow up the field...

Sure enough, even for the Hero deck held by Xiang Hongye, there are too many places to be explored and improved.

It's a pity, if Absolute Zero had the field-clearing effect, Xiang Hongye should have had more room for further performance.

Speaking of which, if he had to say it, absorbing Great Tornado wasn't particularly necessary. After all, the ATK increased by Earth would return to its original state at the end of the turn.

But of course, it's a soul card, so soaring ATK and momentum is a basic operation, and there's nothing strange about it.

"Battle!" Xiang Hongye shouted. "First, 'Elemental HERO Earth', attack 'Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman'!"

The ATK was already completely sufficient. The opponent's entire field had been affected by Great Tornado, halving their ATK and DEF. As long as Xiang Hongye's all-out attack passed, he would complete a desperate counter-kill!

But of course, it didn't look like it would be that smooth.

"Then activate Trap 'Monster Swap'," the Arbiter said. "When the opponent's monster declares an attack, return one monster on your field to the hand, then Special Summon a Level 4 monster from the hand."

He scanned the monsters on his field.

"Then I return 'Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer' to the hand, and Special Summon this card from the hand—"

"—Orichalcos Kyutora." (Original card)

Phoenix Enforcer's body dissipated, turning into a beam of fire and flying back into his deck. A strange monster covered in spikes appeared in his back row, its entire body almost occupied by a strange single eye.

【Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500 → ATK 1000】 (Orichalcos boost)

"What?" Xiang Hongye frowned.

Not only because this monster's image was strange, but also because of the position where this monster appeared.

After it appeared, it landed behind the four great Elemental HEROes on the field, which should have been the Spell/Trap zone.

"The Seal of Orichalcos, second effect. That is, my monster zone and Spell/Trap zone can be used interchangeably, and monsters can also be summoned in the Spell/Trap zone."

The Arbiter explained indifferently.

"And, before all monsters in the front monster zone are defeated, the opponent cannot choose monsters in the back row as attack targets."

Xiang Hongye's brows furrowed even tighter.

There was such a strange effect.

And this monster also made him inexplicably feel a bit uneasy.

Seto Kaiba in the audience also narrowed his eyes.

"This guy..."

Of course, he couldn't forget this card.

Because this was exactly one of the key cards used by Dartz, the spokesperson of Orichalcos back then.

"Gave up using the Hero series and finally brought out your original monsters?" Kaiba said indifferently.

In a way, perhaps it was also a kind of recognition for Xiang Hongye as an opponent.

But no matter what, it had reached this point, and Xiang Hongye couldn't retreat now.

"Battle replay, but my attack continues," Xiang Hongye said. "Continue to attack 'Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman'!"

【Elemental HERO Shining Flare Wingman, ATK 2750】

"Earth Magma Slash!"

It was as if he grabbed the fire turned into lava in his hand, turning it into a blade and slashing! The blade of fire slashed across Shining Flare Wingman's body, the hero's body was melted, and the latter shattered in this blow.

"Great!" Judai said. "Caused massive damage in one go..."

"No," Fujiki You Xuan shook his head.

"Eh?"

Only to see that after Shining Flare Wingman was destroyed, the fire released from within it and the erupting energy all seemed to be pulled by an invisible gravitational force, all absorbed into that strange big eye in the opponent's back row.

That was the ominous monster that had just appeared, Orichalcos Kyutora.

And the Arbiter's life points remained unscathed.

"What?" Xiang Hongye was astonished.

"Orichalcos Kyutora has the effect of absorbing battle damage," the Arbiter said indifferently. "As long as this card exists on the field, all battle damage I receive becomes zero."

Xiang Hongye gritted his teeth.

Because of the Orichalcos barrier, he couldn't attack Kyutora located in the back without defeating the monsters in the front first. But if he didn't attack Kyutora, he couldn't deal damage...

He looked at the remaining three heroes on the opponent's field.

By common sense, even if he couldn't deal battle damage, he should continue to attack now, at least to reduce the number of monsters on the opponent's field.

But that ominous eye in the back, especially the scene when that eye just absorbed energy, always made him instinctively feel creepy...

"How about it, continue to attack?" the Arbiter said.

"I give up the attack, turn end."

Xiang Hongye took a deep breath.

He couldn't say why, he could only say that perhaps it was a duelist's instinct.

It was as if there was a voice in his heart telling him not to continue attacking. If he continued to attack, it might trigger even more terrible consequences.

"Oh? Felt danger from Kyutora, so gave up the attack, huh. Hehe, without knowing anything about my tactics, you unexpectedly have precise intuition; is this the talent of a top-level duelist?"

"But it's a pity, this doesn't change anything."

The Arbiter slowly raised his arm.

"My turn, draw.

Activate set card, Trap Card 'Alchemy Cycle'. The original ATK of all face-up monsters on my field becomes 0."

【Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 500】

【Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 500】

【Elemental HERO Infernal Gainer, ATK 600】

【Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500】

Except for Infernal Gainer, which would increase ATK by 100 points based on the number of heroes in the Graveyard because "Shining Flare Wingman" was beaten down in the previous turn, the ATK of other monsters returned to zero, leaving only the 500 ATK granted by the barrier.

Xiang Hongye was very puzzled: "Make your own monsters' ATK zero?"

"Then battle."

The Arbiter waved his hand casually.

"Elemental HERO Infernal Gainer, attack 'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero'."

【Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 5000】

Because the number of monsters on the field other than Absolute Zero became five, his ATK also decreased slightly, but it was still a very considerable 5000 points.

Without suspense, Infernal Gainer was instantly frozen by Absolute Zero, and the ice sculpture shattered into dregs all over the ground.

"Of course, battle damage is still absorbed by 'Orichalcos Kyutora'," the Arbiter said. "And when a monster whose ATK became 0 due to the effect of 'Alchemy Cycle' is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I draw a card from the deck."

The Arbiter drew a card.

"Then Nova Master attacks 'Absolute Zero'."

【Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 500】

【Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 4500】

Still without suspense, Nova Master was also frozen and shattered instantly.

"Likewise, battle damage is absorbed by Kyutora, and I draw a card," the Arbiter said. "Then 'Elemental HERO Great Tornado', attack Absolute Zero."

【Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 500】

【Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 4000】

Great Tornado was also frozen, and was bounced and shattered like an egg hitting a stone.

"Finally, 'Orichalcos Kyutora', also attacks 'Elemental HERO Absolute Zero'."

【Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500】

【Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 3500】

"Even this monster wants to commit suicide?"

Xiang Hongye had already started sweating coldly unconsciously.

An extremely ominous premonition, there must be something fishy in it.

He could feel it, as if it was hidden behind this strange big eye.

Something... is about to come out!

Fujiki You Xuan sighed lightly: "It's over."

"To be able to force out 'that guy', Xiang Hongye is also a proud duelist," Seto Kaiba also said calmly. "But it's over."

Only the two of them in the audience clearly understood what was about to happen next.

When Absolute Zero froze that big eye Kyutora as well, and the latter turned into powder under the powerful force of the hero, it was as if a forbidden seal had been unlocked.

Even the Orichalcos barrier seemed to respond, and the green light of the hexagram began to flicker. The earth shook, and even the entire sky was illuminated by the green light, as if fearing the demon god about to appear.

"When Orichalcos Kyutora leaves the field in any form, its hidden seal will be unlocked."

The Arbiter raised his Duel Disk, and a beam of green light shot into the sky from his deck, and an incomparably huge demon god descended in that radiance.

Orichalcos-Chironex, summon!

"Orichalcos... Chironex?"

Xiang Hongye raised his head with difficulty, only feeling that he had used up the last bit of strength in his whole body just facing this demon god, and under such pressure, even his fingers seemed unable to move.

Even Kaiba's face darkened, and he didn't speak again for a while.

It was this guy.

Back then, when he and Atem fought Dartz two-on-one, Kaiba only persisted to this point. He was defeated by this demon god back then.

"Correct, Chironex's ATK is the total value of battle damage absorbed by 'Orichalcos Kyutora' until it leaves the field. And on that basis, it gains another 500-point boost from 'The Seal of Orichalcos'."

"Therefore, Chironex's ATK is now..."

【Orichalcos-Chironex, ATK? → ATK 17950】

ATK 17,950!

"That monster again, brother!" Mokuba also had psychological trauma from this thing.

"Hmm," Kaiba hummed gloomily.

In fact, when he and Atem faced it, this thing's ATK was over 20,000 when it appeared, even more exaggerated than it is now.

However, there was no difference in the result.

"To be able to persist to this point, let me express my recognition of your efforts," the Arbiter said. "To be able to make me summon Chironex, you have already exceeded my imagination."

"But it's about time to leave the stage, next..."

He ordered in a calm tone.

"Orichalcos-Chironex, attack 'Elemental HERO Earth'."

It was as if the power of the entire barrier was mobilized, green light gathered on the god puppet, surged to the top of its head along its body, and turned into a ring shape and flew out.

Earth's body was cut in half at the waist, the ring's momentum did not diminish, and it hit Xiang Hongye directly.

Xiang Hongye groaned, his body flying out uncontrollably.

His vision gradually blurred, and he only felt that the calls to him in his ears were also constantly moving away.

So that's it, it seems I still lost...

Well, although it's still a bit regrettable... but he has already tried his best.

At least in this way, it can be considered... fighting to the last moment as a duelist, right?

【Xiang Hongye, LP 100 → LP 0】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 404 =====