Chapter 509

Jonouchi actually had mental preparation, knowing that Pegasus might be difficult to handle.

After all, even if he had fallen from grace, he was still the Father of Duel Monsters, the man who had once been chosen by the Millennium Eye. He single-handedly designed god-tier monsters like the Egyptian God Cards and the Wicked Gods—the latter were even created after he lost the Millennium Eye.

It's impossible for a duelist without powerful fate-manipulating abilities to do that.

But even so, pulling an OTK right from the start was truly a bit surprising.

Actually, it's not Jonouchi's poor memory; he was still at Duelist Kingdom when he first saw cartoons. The rules of the game were different back then; everyone only had 2000 Life Points, and there was no rule that allowed monsters to attack the duelist directly.

So the cartoon monsters back then were naturally different from now. Although Jonouchi remembered that cartoon monsters could only be attacked by cartoon monsters back then, and all the various monster attacks Yugi summoned were dodged by cartoon monsters in exaggerated, comical poses—they couldn't be hit at all—he didn't expect this characteristic to be changed to "can attack the opponent player directly" under the current standardized effects.

Encountering this for the first time made Jonouchi feel a bit annoyed.

Cartoon monsters have 2000 or 3000 ATK at every turn; wouldn't it be too much of a cheat if they could all attack directly?

Just like now, the Cartoon Magician loli hit him right on the head with her staff, and then followed up with this blow, instantly finishing him off.

If he didn't have this second plan.

"Activate face-down card!" Jonouchi said, "Counter Trap 'Blackboard Eraser Trap'!

Can only be activated when an effect other than battle damage is activated, negate the damage you would take, and then choose one card from the opponent's hand to discard!"

Jonouchi's counterattack beautifully blocked the pounce of the ghostly Red-Eyes that Pegasus had conjured, and all the damage was blocked by the trap.

Pegasus made an exaggerated gesture, slapping his forehead: "Oh no! Unbelievable, Jonouchi-boy!

Not only did my OTK fail, but I actually have to discard a card from my hand!"

After two seconds of over-the-top acting, Pegasus turned to smile.

"If... my remaining card in hand wasn't this, it would really be a disaster."

He showed the card in his hand.

"The only card left in my hand is the monster card 'Electric Snake'. When this card is discarded and sent to the Graveyard by an opponent's card effect, I can draw two cards from my deck."

Jonouchi's mouth twitched.

No, isn't that too much? Is it really that coincidental?

"I only have one card in my hand, so I have to discard this card."

Pegasus discarded the card leisurely.

"Then the effect of 'Electric Snake' activates, and I draw two cards from my deck."

Jonouchi: "..."

Well, this just proves that Pegasus is still as sharp as ever. Even without the Millennium Eye and unable to cheat by reading minds, he is still a difficult opponent worthy of the legendary title.

But immediately, Jonouchi puffed out his chest confidently.

Hey, who isn't a legend-tier duelist?

It just so happens that I didn't have the chance to face Pegasus back then, so I'll make up for the regret today and prove myself.

"Set one card in the back row, turn end."

Pegasus said.

"Alright, let's go all out!" Jonouchi said, "My turn, draw!"

Jonouchi waved his hand grandly.

"I offer 'Red-Eyes Retro Dragon' on my field as a Tribute, Tribute Summon!

Summon the demon that calls down lightning using the power of darkness—

—Summoned Skull, descend!"

The calm air was torn apart, a red body as scorching as fire, covered with an intricate white skeletal structure. The sky responded to its will, gathering rolling black clouds. All light was obscured, and golden lightning exploded like divine punishment, kicking up rolling black smoke.

【Summoned Skull, ATK 2500】

This was originally a monster held by Yugi back then, but ever since Yugi fused Summoned Skull with Jonouchi's Red-Eyes, Jonouchi's deck gradually developed derivative directions related to Summoned Skull, and now he also possesses the same series.

"Then activate the Spell card 'Substitution Fusion'!" Jonouchi played the Spell in his hand.

"This card is treated as 'Polymerization' in the rules, but can only use monsters on the field as fusion materials for fusion!"

Treated as Polymerization in the rules—this is not a card effect, but a rule written on the card. It means this card is treated as Polymerization in every aspect; even when building a deck, you can only include a total of three copies of 'Polymerization' and 'Substitution Fusion'.

But unlike Polymerization, which can fuse from the hand, Substitution Fusion can only fuse monsters on the field. However, the new effect gained in exchange for this cost is that you can banish this card from the Graveyard to recover one Fusion Monster from your Graveyard to your deck, and then draw one card from your deck.

It belongs to a type of fusion spell that focuses more on sustainability.

"I fuse 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' and 'Summoned Skull' from my field!"

"Oh! The fusion of Red-Eyes and Summoned Skull!" Pegasus said, "Are you going to show me Black Skull Dragon, Jonouchi-boy?"

What Pegasus said was exactly the monster Yugi fused with his own Summoned Skull and Jonouchi's Red-Eyes back at Duelist Kingdom; it was the proof of their friendship.

"Haha, not quite."

Jonouchi put away his smile and said seriously.

!. Read

"Although I don't know where Yugi is now, and we haven't been able to meet for a long time, our bond, our friendship will never change because of time and space.

Or rather, the tempering of time has only made our friendship more solid.

Look, this evolved Red-Eyes is the proof!"

Jonouchi raised his hand.

"The evolved friendship transforms into a new crystal, now descend here—

—Archfiend Black Skull Dragon, summon!"

The same materials as back then, the same recipe, but a completely different flavor. The brand-new evolution and upgrade of Red-Eyes and Summoned Skull merged together, turning into flames that soared into the sky!

Black flames and lightning intertwined. Under the swirling black clouds and golden lightning, the demon dragon was covered in bones, as if standing on the peak of a volcano.

Archfiend Black Skull Dragon, descend!

【Archfiend Black Skull Dragon, ATK 3200】

"Black Skull Dragon has actually evolved into a new form."

Pegasus muttered, his expression becoming a bit more solemn.

"Go, Archfiend Black Skull Dragon, show your stronger evolved form!

Attack 'Cartoon Dark Magician Girl'!"

Archfiend Black Skull Dragon let out a powerful roar. Lightning like electricity moving through the nine heavens gathered into the black flames on its claws, and the fire soared into the sky!

"Although I don't know what it has evolved into, but..."

A sharp glint flashed in Pegasus's eyes.

"To be safe, you should just exit the stage here immediately.

Activate face-down card, Trap card 'Mirror Force'!"

"When the opponent's monster declares an attack, destroy all Attack Position monsters the opponent controls!"

"Not happening!"

Jonouchi interrupted the casting domineeringly.

"When Archfiend Black Skull Dragon battles, the opponent cannot activate any Spell, Trap, or monster effects from the start of the battle until the end of the Damage Step!"

Only then did Pegasus's expression change suddenly.

"Nani!?"

(End of chapter)