NOVEL NEXT Chapter 382: 382
The current situation was extremely dangerous for Jaden.
Even though he had refilled his hand to six cards, sweat still poured down his face.
Because right now, he had no way to defeat the endlessly reviving Dragon God.
Especially since, every time a Dragon God was sent to the Graveyard, it destroyed one of his own cards.
On the first turn, his first-move Absolute Zero was destroyed by this effect before it could do anything. On the second turn, he had planned to defend with destruction-substitution tactics, only for his opponent to pull out a second copy of itself.
If he didn't come up with a way to break through this, and if the opponent had any way to recycle itself, then he would be facing a bombardment like a raging storm.
No matter how solid his defense was, there would always be a chance for error. He had to deal with this situation now.
His mind flashed rapidly through every possible option, but he gritted his teeth again.
If he went through with this tactic, he would definitely take damage!
He looked at the students nearby, hesitating.
What should he do?
He recalled that time,when he faced the leader of the Seven Stars, Professor Banner.
Back then, he had a good chance at winning. However, when he saw Professor Banner become his enemy, he figured even if he lost, there was still Hikaru, and Banner hadn't seemed particularly ruthless. So he didn't duel with a mindset of life or death.
Though now?
This time, all the enemies were coming for him.
He was the real "culprit."
What had Hikaru done back then...
He recalled what he felt while talking with Hikaru afterward, trying to find something to support him.
If he were the version of himself that Hikaru knew, what would he do?
Maybe,
He looked at the classmates being tormented by the Mad King, and a thought crossed his mind.
Maybe... he could willingly let the opponent take "life" directly from him?
Not bear the burden for his classmates, but shoulder it himself,yes, that made more sense!
In that moment, his thoughts cleared completely. All his confusion and pain lifted.
Even a hero has no right to gamble with the lives of others!
"Grapha!"
"Hm? What is it, Overlord?"
"You want my power, don't you? Tell your people to stop tormenting my classmates. If I'm going to take damage, then just draw power directly from me!"
"Boss?" "Jaden!?" His friends cried out.
Grapha fell silent for a long while.
In its memory, the Overlord was a merciless war machine, a demon who knew only conquest and domination. He would never protect or care for anyone else.
In fact, he didn't even seem to have emotions… he only knew how to duel.
Yet, after reincarnation, had he become... this kind of person?
It glanced at the Mad King, who still sneered, clearly thinking this was impossible.
They had hostages. Obviously, they had the upper hand. Agreeing to a duel had already been a great favor from the Dragon God,why give up such an advantage?
"Very well," the Dragon God's reply was completely unexpected. "All I want is your power! These weak humans are just an excuse. If you wish to protect this trash, then do as you please.
As long as you don't regret it."
"Huh?" The Mad King didn't understand.
"Alright then," Jaden forced out a smile. "It's a deal!"
His energy surged.
"I summon, in Defense Position, Neo Space Connector."
A small Neos appeared, cradling starlight, gently glowing on Jaden's field.
[Neo Space Connector] Level 4│LIGHT│Warrior│1800 DEF
"When this card is successfully summoned: I can Special Summon 1 Neo-Spacian or Elemental HERO Neos in Defense Position from my hand or Deck. I choose Neo-Spacian Dark Panther!"
[Neo-Spacian Dark Panther] Level 3│DARK│Beast│500 DEF
"Then, I activate Neo Space Connector's second effect. I tribute it and target 1 Neo-Spacian or Elemental HERO Neos in my Graveyard. That monster is Special Summoned in Defense Position!
Come on out, Grand Mole!"
"Kiya!"
A giant drill burst from underground, splitting open to reveal a grinning mole.
[Neo-Spacian Grand Mole] Level 3│EARTH│Rock│300 DEF
"Next... I activate the Spell Card, O - Oversoul! Targeting 1 Normal Elemental HERO in my Graveyard to Special Summon it. Come on, Neos!"
"I Special Summon Elemental HERO Neos in Defense Position!"
"Haah!"
Neos leapt onto the field, once again standing proud to protect Jaden.
[Elemental HERO Neos] Level 7│LIGHT│Warrior│2000 DEF
"Now this is enough!"
"Return Neos, Dark Panther, and Grand Mole to the Deck to perform Contact Fusion!"
"Contact Fusion?"
"Ah, it's a new Neos!?"
"Become a nebula of the cosmos, and protect this world!"
The three monsters soared into the sky. A massive nebula began to swirl. From the dark void descended a warrior with a massive drill on his right arm, casually manipulating shadowy power with his left.
"Elemental HERO Nebula Neos."
[Elemental HERO Nebula Neos] Level 9│EARTH│Warrior│3000 ATK
"3000 Attack? Hmph, that's nothing," the Dragon God scoffed.
"Nebula Neos' effect! When Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I draw cards equal to the number of cards you control!"
"What!?" The Dragon God froze.
What did you just say?
"You have five cards on the field, so I draw five cards!"
Jaden swiftly drew five cards, then carefully reviewed them.
"After that, I can choose 1 face-up card you control and negate its effect until the end of the turn. I choose Dark World Archives."
Nebula Neos locked onto the library. The drill on its left arm launched and smashed it to pieces.
"Huh? Why not negate The Gates of Dark World? Then Nebula Neos would gain even more Attack."
"Jaden must have his reasons. Besides, even destroying the Dragon God wouldn't mean much, right?"
Jaden examined his long hand, then thought for a moment.
"I'll end my turn here."
"What??"
Everyone was stunned by Jaden's words.
"Since Nebula Neos lacks cosmic energy to sustain it, it returns to the Extra Deck," Jaden instructed. "Go back, Neos!"
Nebula Neos said nothing and soared into the sky.
"At this moment, Nebula Neos activates its effect! When it returns to the Deck, all cards on the field are banished face-down!"
"!!" The Dragon God was shocked.
"Ah! I see now!" Tyranno slapped the side of the vehicle in excitement. "No matter how often a monster can revive, once it's banished, that's it! And since it's face-down banished, not even retrieval cards can bring them back!"
In Duels, face-up cards contain information. Face-down cards are unknown. A face-down banished card is considered "unidentified information," and can't be retrieved by standard means.
So once banished... they were just gone!
Almost gone forever!
"Impressive," Grapha clapped in admiration. "To use this method? Looks like I have only one option left... I activate the Trap Card, Overworked!"
A Trap Card slowly flipped face-up.
This card had been set as a counter to another Neos fusion like Flare Neos, but now it was used in this situation instead.
"If there are face-up monsters whose current Attack is higher than their original Attack, destroy all of them!"
"Self-destruction?" Jim frowned.
"But also the right call," Axel nodded.
Yes, this was the best choice!
"Tch," Jaden grunted.
He had been worried the Dragon God had a card that would discard from his hand to let the Archives go wild, albeit he hadn't expected this kind of card.
The two Dragon Gods on the field, swollen from their overwhelming power, grew bulkier and more bloated until,at the breaking point,they exploded with a boom.
At the same time, in the sky, Nebula Neos raised its right hand, gathering all its power.
A massive black nebula spun in the air. All cards on the field were drawn in, spinning toward it. In moments, everything vanished, turning into specks of starlight and disappearing from the field.
At least he had dealt with the Archives and the Gates of Dark World.
Jaden nodded to himself.
He looked at his hand: "Since I have more than six cards at the end of my turn, I discard..."
He discarded Elemental HERO Neos, Evil HERO Necroshade, and Glow Moss to the Graveyard.
Though he had eliminated future threats... now, his field was completely empty.
Next, he would have to take this attack head-on with his own body!