Chapter 780: Sun and Moon Dragon

Summon the Sun Priest!

The summoning method, like that of the Electronic Dragon, is also a five-star monster, though its stats are significantly weaker.

The summoned figure was a priest steeped in ancient mythology, dressed like a primitive tribesman, with a sun-shaped emblem on his chest—yet at the sun's center was an ominous human face.

【Sun Priest, ATK 1000】

"So this really is Gothem's deck," Fujiki You Xuan said.

He had already sensed this man was not Gothem; he had planned to observe the cards used in battle to deduce his identity. But now it seemed the man was indeed using Gothem's cards.

The opponent had just keenly detected my hidden presence—such perceptiveness alone proves he is no ordinary man. And the dark energy strike he just launched against me carried a resonance similar to that of Zok, the Dark Dominator.

"What is your relationship with Zok?" Fujiki You Xuan asked.

Gothem ignored his question entirely and continued operating without pause.

"Then, normal summon the Tuner monster 'Red Ant.'"

The name is straightforward—the summoned creature was a giant red ant, its size monstrous for an ant, and its appearance grotesque when magnified.

"Activate the continuous spell 'Celestial Zhong Lou!'" (Original card)

A virtual image, resembling a witch but with a giant bell for its lower body, was projected into the air.

"While 'Celestial Zhong Lou' is on the field, each time either player successfully performs a Synchro Summon, draw one card," Gothem said.

This is a card Gothem used in the 5D's manga.

Fujiki You Xuan's eyelid twitched.

Whether in the anime or manga, the original worlds really did have some brutally simple, terrifying cards.

【Red Ant, ATK 700】

"Level three, Tuner monster 'Red Ant.'

Level five, 'Sun Priest.'

Tune these two monsters!"

【3+5=8】

"When the sun rises, it illuminates all darkness. Let its light shine! Synchro Summon—

—Level eight, Sun Dragon-Inti!"

Fujiki You Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Did you just say… Sun Dragon… what?

What a terrible name.

Within the Synchro halo, stars aligned in a straight line; the Synchro light transformed into a golden sun, from which four dragon heads extended. The red dragon let out a piercing roar.

【Sun Dragon-Inti, ATK 3000】

"Due to the Synchro Summon, 'Celestial Zhong Lou's' effect activates: draw one card!"

Gothem drew a card.

"Next, activate the monster effect of 'Crying God's Statue' from my hand.

This card can be Special Summoned by banishing one Tuner monster from my graveyard."

Gothem displayed and then banished a Tuner monster from his graveyard.

"Banish the Tuner monster 'Red Ant' from the graveyard to Special Summon Crying God's Statue!"

【Crying God's Statue, ATK 0】

"Also, from my hand, the dark Tuner monster 'Black Goddess-Huitaka' can be Special Summoned by paying 1000 Life Points."

【Gothem, LP 4000 → LP 3000】

"Special Summon 'Black Goddess-Huitaka!'"

【Black Goddess-Huitaka, ATK 0】

Fujiki You Xuan frowned. Dark Tuner.

Dark Tuner is a monster type exclusive to the anime; it does not exist in real cards. These are special Tuner monsters used by the anime's antagonists, the Dark Signers, to perform "Dark Synchro."

As is well known, Synchro monsters are simple additions: the Level of the Tuner plus the Level of the other monster equals the Synchro monster's Level. Dark Synchro, however, is subtraction: subtract the Dark Tuner's Level from the other monster's Level to determine the Dark Synchro monster's Level.

Dark Synchro monsters always have negative Levels, symbolizing monsters from the Underworld retaliating against the mortal realm.

But only Dark Signers should be able to control Dark Synchro monsters—and according to the anime's original plot, Gothem shouldn't be a Dark Signer yet.

Yet now Fujiki You Xuan looked at Gothem's right hand and saw purple glowing markings, like LED lights, stretching from his knuckles to his elbow—the unmistakable signature of a Dark Signer.

"Dark Signer?" Fujiki You Xuan said grimly. "Only those who have died once can become Dark Signers."

That's the original lore. When a person dies, they are chosen by the power of the Underworld's deity; those who accept this power become Dark Signers and are reborn.

In the anime, Gothem deliberately died to become a Dark Signer—but that should happen much later in the plot. By the original storyline, he should still be an ordinary man right now.

"You know quite a bit."

Gothem nodded, speaking calmly.

"But Rex Gothem is already dead."

!

Fujiki You Xuan frowned, studying Gothem for a moment longer, as if sensing something.

"I see," Fujiki You Xuan said. "After Gothem died, his body absorbed the Dark Signer's power. And you've taken over his body—and gained that power."

Not bad. Care to share your origins?"

Gothem still said nothing, only gestured to continue.

"The monster effect of 'Black Goddess-Huitaka.'

This card's Level can become equal to that of any Synchro monster on the field.

I choose the Level-eight 'Sun Dragon-Inti.' Black Goddess-Huitaka becomes Level eight, matching the Sun Dragon!"

【Black Goddess-Huitaka, LV 3 → LV 8】

"Now, use the Level-two monster 'Crying God's Statue' and the Dark Tuner 'Black Goddess-Huitaka' for Dark Tuning!"

【2-8=-6】

The Black Goddess's body gradually turned transparent, dissolving completely. Six stars were peeled from within her, then violently invaded the Crying God's Statue.

The statue shattered, its once-bright six stars stained pitch black. The six black stars rotated in midair, releasing black lightning that pulsed between them, as if opening a gateway to the dark realm.

"When the moon is full in darkness, whispers of demons arise, luring death's arrival! Synchro Summon—

—Level negative six, Moonshadow Dragon-Kilia!"

After the sun comes the moon—its design identical to the Sun Dragon. An icy blue moon bore a terrifying human face; four chilling dragon heads emerged from it, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Sun Dragon.

【Moonshadow Dragon-Kilia, ATK 2500】

"You summoned the Sun and Moon Dragons in the first turn," Fujiki You Xuan said. "Well, well, you're throwing serious power at me right from the start."

"Dark Synchro is still a Synchro Summon. 'Celestial Zhong Lou's' effect: draw one card."

Gothem declared.

"Attack! Moonshadow Dragon-Kilia, target the face-down monster!"

Fujiki You Xuan's face-down monster flipped over, revealing a six-armed upright insect with a bulging sack on its back.

【Magical Merchants, DEF 700】

"The effect of Magical Merchants," Fujiki You Xuan said. "When this card is flipped face-up, draw cards from the top of the deck until a Spell or Trap card appears.

That Spell or Trap card is added to the hand; all other revealed cards are sent to the graveyard."

Fujiki You Xuan flipped six cards in a row—the sixth being a Spell card.

"Add the Spell card 'Logical Deduction' to my hand," Fujiki You Xuan said. "Send the other five cards to the graveyard."

Gothem said: "Now, Sun Dragon-Inti, direct attack!"

(End of Chapter)