Chapter 938: Beyond the Rules!

“Hah! No wonder you’re You Xing—you can’t be fooled.” You Xuan smiled knowingly. “That’s right. It’s the effect of Fallen Thunder Emperor·Harmon. When this card is in Defense Position on the Monster Zone, your opponent cannot target any other monster on your field for attack!”

So it’s not bluffing—it’s the monster effect of Fallen Thunder Emperor.

Only then did the others understand, yet they also felt regret.

“Damn! It was such a perfect opportunity,” Cro sighed.

Jack also realized: “So Fallen Thunder Emperor in Defense Position is itself a shield?”

This attack was blocked, which was regrettable—but You Xing and Cro exchanged a glance and immediately devised a new plan.

“It’s not over yet—our full power hasn’t ended!”

You Xing said.

“I’ll set one card face-down. End my turn.”

At that exact moment, the Savior Star Dragon burst into brilliant light.

You Xing said: “At the End Phase, the effect of the Savior Star Dragon activates.”

Like the Savior Demon Dragon, the Savior Star Dragon cannot remain on the field long—it lasts only one turn. At the End Phase, it returns to the Extra Deck, and I Special Summon ‘Stardust Dragon’ from my Graveyard.”

The form of the Savior Star Dragon began to fade into a shadow, its radiant wings spreading wide as it soared into the sky, dissolving like stardust.

And in that instant—between the disappearance of the Savior Star Dragon and the return of Stardust Dragon—

“That’s what I’ve been waiting for!” Cro cried. “This is our full power—our final move!”

Activate the Set Card: Trap Card ‘Microcosm Explosion’!”

Can only be activated when a Dragon-Type Synchro Monster on your field leaves the field—inflict damage to your opponent equal to the ATK of the monster that left the field!” (Original card)

Also an original Trap from 5D’s, though it appears fairly often.

When a Dragon-Type Synchro Monster leaves the field, it synergizes perfectly with the Stardust Dragon series, which negates effects by tributing itself. This card was used frequently by You Xing in the anime—by tributing Stardust Dragon and following up with Microcosm Explosion, he instantly deals 2500 damage equal to Stardust Dragon’s ATK, making it perfect for surprise one-shot kills, often catching opponents off-guard even when they held the advantage.

But You Xuan remembered this should be You Xing’s card—Cro’s deck shouldn’t have any Dragon-Type Synchros right now. The fact he played this means he likely adjusted his deck specifically for team duels.

“No wonder you’re an old teammate of the Alliance—you’ve got real bonds,” You Xuan said.

This combo was undeniably powerful. If the three opponents’ combos all succeeded this turn, the Savior Star Dragon with 9300 ATK, after destroying the Phantom Demon Emperor, would immediately deal 5300 damage.

Then, at the End Phase, Savior Star Dragon would leave the field due to its own side effect—and Microcosm Explosion would follow up instantly, adding another 9300 damage equal to its ATK. Total damage this turn: 14,600. Even if You Xuan had two lives, he’d be wiped out.

“So strong…”

Xiang Qiu, watching the glowing phantom of the Savior Star Dragon in the sky, was momentarily stunned.

Both You Xuan and You Xing’s trio were too strong. Against the Phantom Demon, they’d still pulled off such a lethal combo.

Long Ya and Long Ke were so excited they began clapping.

“Indeed—even if Savior Star Dragon’s attack was blocked, Microcosm Explosion still guarantees the kill. This counter combo is awesome.”

You Xuan smiled strangely.

“Well, for a moment I thought letting you win wouldn’t be so bad—but unfortunately, I have no choice now…”

BOOM!

The soul of the Savior Star Dragon slammed into You Xuan’s field—only to collide with an invisible barrier. A towering golden phantom rose from the ground, like a transparent mountain blocking the blow.

You Xing: “What!?”

At this very final moment, facing their flawless counterattack, could this man still have a last resort?

That was—

“Fallen Thunder Emperor·Harmon!” Cro exclaimed in shock.

Yes—it was Harmon. Harmon, who should have been destroyed, had somehow reappeared—his body still broken, yet stubbornly standing before You Xuan.

“Correct,” You Xuan said. “The final effect of Fallen Thunder Emperor·Harmon: When this card in Defense Position is destroyed, all battle and effect damage your opponent would take this turn becomes 0.” (Original effect)

Absolute defense!

“You can only attack Harmon—and even if it’s destroyed, you take no damage this turn? That’s too sneaky!” Cro said.

You Xuan smiled: “Your combo was good. But if that was your final move, it still fell a bit short.”

You Xing: “...”

After a two-second pause, he said: “Continue resolving ‘Savior Star Dragon’s’ effect—Special Summon ‘Stardust Dragon’ in Defense Position from the Graveyard. End my turn.”

【Stardust Dragon, DEF 2000】

Of course, at this moment, the Phantom Demon Emperor generated another token on the field.

“Then, my turn. Draw.”

You Xuan said.

“If your plan was to survive this turn using Stardust Dragon in Defense Position, sorry—it won’t work.”

Activate the Field Spell ‘Paradise Lost’—once per turn, when Phantom Demon is on the field, draw two cards from your deck.”

“Then activate Spell Card ‘Silly Burial’—send one monster from your deck to the Graveyard. I send ‘AD Changer’ from my deck to the Graveyard.”

You Xing’s expression changed slightly: “That card is—”

“Correct,” You Xuan said. “When ‘AD Changer’ in the Graveyard is banished from the game, you can change the battle position of one monster on the field.”

“I change your Defense Position ‘Stardust Dragon’ to Attack Position!”

【Stardust Dragon, ATK 2500】

Cro: “Damn! Turning Stardust Dragon to Attack—trying to use it as a breakthrough point?”

“Quick-Play Spell ‘Burial from a Different Dimension.’” You Xuan said. “You can return up to three banished monsters to the Graveyard.”

“I return ‘Phantom Demon Emperor·Rabiel—Heavenly Crushing Fist,’ ‘Divine Flame Emperor·Uria,’ and ‘Phantom Summon God’ from banishment to my Graveyard.”

“Then, tribute one ‘Phantom Token’ on the field to Special Summon ‘Phantom Demon Emperor·Rabiel—Heavenly Crushing Fist’ from my Graveyard to my hand.”

Jack: “That thing again…”

“Shit!” Cro said. “Stardust Dragon is forced into Attack Position—if it takes damage from Phantom Demon Emperor, and then Phantom Demon Emperor’s ATK doubles…”

They’d be instantly killed!

You Xing’s face grew grim, but he remained calm.

His last Set Card was the Continuous Trap ‘Forced End’—by sending one card from the field to the Graveyard, it forcibly ends the Battle Phase. At least, it should block this attack.

If so, they’d survive this turn—and then next turn—

“Looks like even now, you still have a trick up your sleeve… No wonder you’re Budongyouxing .”

You Xuan smiled.

“Letting such a powerful duelist get a next turn is too dangerous.” You Xuan interrupted You Xing’s thoughts. “Let me end this quickly.”

The trio: “!”

“I tribute my second ‘Phantom Token’ for a Tribute Summon! Level 5, Dark Summon God!”

【Dark Summon God, ATK 0】

Level 5—and again, ATK 0!

The trio had nearly developed PTSD from seeing 0-ATK monsters. Their opponent kept summoning nothing but 0-ATK monsters, each one dark and sinister.

“Dark Summon God’s effect: You can tribute it to Special Summon up to one each of ‘Divine Flame Emperor·Uria,’ ‘Fallen Thunder Emperor·Harmon,’ and ‘Phantom Demon Emperor·Rabiel’ from your Graveyard, ignoring summoning conditions.” (Original effect)

The trio: “What!?”

“I tribute ‘Dark Summon God’ to Special Summon! Rise again!”

Divine Flame Emperor·Uria!”

Fallen Thunder Emperor·Harmon!”

Uria and Harmon—the two Phantom Demons just returned from the Extra Dimension—reappeared.

The Three Phantom Demons—united!

“They’ve gathered all three Phantom Demons…” Cro felt his throat go dry.

“But this turn, I cannot conduct my Battle Phase after activating this effect… but I don’t need to.” You Xuan said. “The Three Phantom Demons are monsters that transcend even the rule that ‘attacks can only occur during the Battle Phase.’ Let me show you how.”

Activate the effect of ‘Phantom Summon God’ in the Graveyard: Banish this card from the Graveyard to add one Spell Card ‘Dimensional Fusion Kill’ from your deck to your hand.”

You Xuan drew the retrieved card and raised it above his head.

“Spell Card ‘Dimensional Fusion Kill’ activated!”

Banish one each of ‘Divine Flame Emperor·Uria,’ ‘Phantom Demon Emperor·Rabiel,’ and ‘Fallen Thunder Emperor·Harmon’ from your field to perform ultimate fusion upon the Phantom Demons!” (Original effect)

The real card version of Dimensional Fusion Kill has a major buff. In reality, you don’t need the monsters on the field—you can fuse them from your hand or Graveyard. And the fused monster gains 0 battle damage—something the original version didn’t have.

But You Xuan hadn’t yet unlocked the real card version, so he could only activate it after gathering the Three Phantom Demons on the field.

“Fusing the Three Phantom Demons!?” Cro gasped.

These three already monstrous Demons could fuse further?

What kind of monster would that create?

The air solidified into an invisible net; ominous darkness tore through the sky. A deafening roar echoed. At the center of a swirling violet vortex, a colossal form slowly emerged amid thunder. A massive, terrifying silhouette, wreathed in violet lightning, flames flickering with unnatural light—even its dark outline seemed to drive one mad.

“Chaos Phantom·Amater, Summon!”

【Chaos Phantom·Amater, ATK 0】

You Xing: “This is the ultimate fusion of the Phantom Demons…”

Jack: “ATK is 0 again!”

After this duel, they’d never look at 0-ATK monsters the same way again.

Phantom Summon God, Dark Summon God, Chaos Phantom, Chaos Core—

And now even this ultimate twelve-star monster had 0 ATK!

“Hahaha, yes—ATK is 0. Because Amater… doesn’t need ATK at all.”

You Xuan smiled.

"Chaos Phantom Amitel, effect activated."

"Once per turn, inflict ten thousand battle damage to your opponent’s monster and player!"

The three: "?????"

What is this?

You Xuan’s pupils shrank, his heart filled with shock.

Directly inflicting ten thousand battle damage through effect alone.

No attack needed, no battle phase required. He finally understood fully what You Xuan had meant just now.

Ultimate Phantom, a supreme being in the Duel Monster world, truly transcending all rules!

"Chaos Phantom Amitel!" You Xuan said. "Inflict ten thousand battle damage on Stardust Dragon!"

Amitel’s massive wings flapped; the mouth of the Divine Flame Emperor mounted on its hand opened, unleashing a brilliant, scorching torrent of energy. The entire altar glowed as if ignited, and at the moment of impact, it seemed as though heaven and earth would be torn apart by this force. Hellfire erupted from the point of collision, surging like a tidal wave, reducing all to ash!

【Kro/Jack/You Xuan, LP4300→LP0】

(End of Chapter)