NOVEL NEXT Chapter 383: 383
It's the Dragon Lord's turn.
It looked at Jaden, who was already prepared to take the attack, and without a word, slowly drew a card.
It glanced at the card.
Dark World Accession!
It couldn't help but grin.
This card is a Fusion Spell specifically for Dark World monsters. By discarding Dark World monsters from the hand, it enables a Fusion Summon of Dark World monsters.
Of course…
Right now, there were no Fusion Monsters in its Deck.
Still…If it could seize the fusion power from the Overlord's body, then it could evolve even further!
It was already among the highest-ranking demons across the countless dimensions.
However, that was still just "among the highest-ranking demons."
In the end, it was still just a demon, a spirit.
Even though it possessed the immense power to create three copies of itself, even though its overwhelming might had led to it being sealed away by other Dark World entities, none of that could change reality.
Across the infinite dimensions, there might not be many demons stronger than it, but there were still plenty of demons on the same level!
Even among its own kind, there existed beings like Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World,equal in class, just slightly weaker.
It wanted to become stronger!
It desired power that transcended dimensions. It wanted to become the strongest demon!
It looked at the rest of the cards in its hand.
Unfortunately, with The Gates of Dark World and Dark World Library banished, it no longer had effects to discard cards. That meant no chance of achieving victory in a single turn.
Regardless, as long as it could seize that power, it was enough.
"Normal Summon: Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World. Then, return, Beiige."
From the Graveyard, the dragonlike demon revived once more.
[Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World] Level 8│DARK│Fiend│2700 ATK
"Persistent bastard..." Jim muttered through clenched teeth.
The Dragon Lord slowly raised its hand and pointed at Jaden. "Go, my avatar. Bring me the power that rightfully belongs to me."
The avatar of the Dragon Lord roared and charged toward Jaden. Jaden crossed his arms in front of him, bracing for the impact.
No monsters to protect him. No Trap Cards to shield him. All he could do now was silently endure the attack.
The Dragon Lord's claws were like curved blades. Each swipe through the air stirred up a violent gust.
Just as the claws were about to pierce Jaden,a figure suddenly appeared before him.
Splurt,
The claws pierced through that figure with ease.
The rainbow-colored armor shattered with a sharp crack.
The claws had gone through the figure and barely grazed Jaden, only piercing his arm before freezing and slowly pulling back.
"!!" Jaden's pupils shrank instinctively.
"Ah!?" His companions gasped.
"Reign?" the Dragon Lord murmured the name in surprise.
Reign-Beaux, Overlord of Dark World, had appeared before Jaden. The claws had pierced its chest, but its hands gripped the Dragon Lord's avatar tightly, holding it back and slowly forcing it away.
"S...sorry, Lord Overlord. I interfered with the sacred Duel Ceremony. But... I will pay the price with my death." Blood gushed from its mouth,blood that shimmered with shifting colors.
It was the demon opposite of the Dragon Lord: one of darkness, the other of color.
Splurt,
The avatar's claws pulled from Reign's body, causing more colorful blood to spurt.
"Re-Reign?!" Jaden caught Reign hurriedly. "What are you doing!?"
The Dragon Lord also slowly returned to its senses. "Heh... Reign, what was the point of that?"
Jaden's eyes began to well with tears.
In his mind, he kept asking himself: why?
"I'm not the one you knew!"
"D-don't worry. We of the Dark World have protected the Overlord for generations,"
"I told you, I'm not the Overlord!"
"You are. You absolutely are..." Reign's body slowly turned into particles of light, then foam, dissolving away. It did not explain its actions, nor did it try to awaken Jaden's memories. Instead, it simply voiced what it saw: "That Nebula Neos... that fusion power capable of sweeping across the stars... there's no mistake. You haven't changed. You are still... the Overlord!"
With that final declaration, Reign completely dissolved into light before Jaden.
Jaden trembled, reaching for one of the light particles. Instead of vanishing, the particle froze in place,as if held by a powerful force.
A flood of memories surged back.
From Bastion's injury to the Fusion Army's attack that tormented the headmaster.
These past events replayed before him, and the power he once wielded returned once more.
His anger needed no words.
He had known all along,he had already experienced it.
He knew.
The power of the Overlord.
This wasn't just some baseless claim by the demons. He had felt it himself. That's why he understood.
And because of that, because he knew the Overlord's power was evil and invasive, he resisted it with everything he had.
He was not the Overlord!
Yet, Reign's words shattered that resolve.
His innate fusion power,far beyond his peers,wasn't a gift.
It was the power of the Overlord.
"Poor Reign. So stupidly loyal..." the Dragon Lord mocked with feigned pity. "An old friend of mine, too. I was even thinking of sparing it, letting it witness my dominion over all dimensions. What a pity.
In the end, even it never saw you as a subordinate."
Yes.
Even to the very end, Jaden never saw Reign as a subordinate.
He had been wary of Reign up to this very moment.
But when Reign died in front of him, an overwhelming sense of responsibility surged through him.
In that instant,that very moment,Reign had become someone he needed to protect.
The next moment, he found himself in a space full of mirrors. As he turned, he saw someone who looked exactly like him.
Albeit that person's face bore no smile. His golden eyes made him seem utterly different.
The Overlord.
The power deep within his heart.
That figure stared at Jaden,not with anger, not with resentment, and not demanding to take over. Instead, it spoke calmly.
"Victory is justice."
'!!!'
It felt like a shockwave hit him. When he came to, he was back in the Duel Arena, as if nothing had happened.
He stood up calmly.
Regaining his stance, he looked at his opponent.
[Jaden, LP: 6000 → 3300]
"Heh... hehehe..." The Dragon Lord could feel the power.
Even if it was only partial, even if Reign had shielded Jaden from the full piercing damage,
Still…
It was just one opportunity away!
Now, that chance had come!
"Excellent... truly excellent. Main Phase 2, I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Dark World Accession!"
"I will surpass the past and ascend to the ultimate heights!"
"Dark World Accession is a Fusion Spell for Dark World monsters! I banish Fusion Materials listed on a Fiend Fusion Monster from my field and Graveyard, and Fusion Summon from the Extra Deck!
If it's a Dark World Fusion Monster, I can also discard monsters from my hand as Fusion Materials!"
It cackled wildly, raising its hand like it already had everything:
"I discard Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World from my hand, and banish Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World from the Graveyard. Hmph hmph, ahahahaha,!"
It leapt into the air. In the sky, dark clouds swirled into a massive vortex. A bolt of orange-yellow lightning struck it from above, triggering a frenzied transformation.
Its limbs grew more muscular. Its lower body morphed into a four-legged equine form. New wings burst from its back,vast, black wings that blotted out the sky.
"Heheheheheh, hahahahaha,!"
It had now surpassed everything it had ever been!
"Grapha, Dragon Overlord of Dark World!"