Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Chapter 1749 Your Sun Has Set

"Synchro Summoning!" Manjou's eyes widened. "Isn't that the summoning method that Hayato-sensei first used less than a year ago? It's said that even the legendary duelist Seto Kaiba was still in the experimental stage and hadn't been able to complete it, and Professor Cobra actually—"

While Synchro Summoning is indeed very difficult, is it really so extreme that even Kaiba has consistently failed to achieve it? Not really. The truth is that Kaiba was simply setting his sights too high.

His requirements for Synchro Summoning were very clear: from the very beginning, he had to Synchro Summon the "Blue-Eyes" from his dream that he had sensed in the past—the Blue-Eyes Elf Dragon. During the Synchro Summoning process, there were actually some dragon-type Synchro Monsters like the Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon that tried to respond to him, but he completely ignored them and only focused on chasing after the traces of the Blue-Eyes Elf Dragon.

As he approached Blue-Eyes Sprite Dragon, Kaiba sensed other Blue-Eyes Synchro Monsters several times—the auras of multi-headed "Ultimate Dragons" like Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. This slightly slowed down his pursuit of Blue-Eyes Sprite Dragon, because he never liked making one-way choices. Since he had the ability, he naturally wanted to greedily have both.

That's why, even though he had been trying Synchro Summoning before Hayato, the title of "the second duelist in the world to use Synchro Summoning" didn't fall to Kaiba, purely because Kaiba greedily chose "I want it all." However, even so, his progress was nearing completion. If it weren't for the sudden surge in "D-Wheel's" progress, he might have already completed Synchro Summoning without being distracted.

"Just like contact fusion, it can advance to a higher-level monster without the [Fusion] Spell Card." Asuka said warily, looking at [Reptile Fairy Melusin], named after the half-human, half-snake water monster "Merusin" from folklore. "Although its attack power is only 2500 points, I feel that this monster has a rather incredible effect."

"Hmph, of course, because this is a power bestowed by that lord, something that ordinary Duel Monsters cannot shake." Professor Cobra said smugly, "When 【Reptile Fairy Melusin】is Synchro Summoned using only Reptile-type Monsters as materials, she will gain an indestructible body that cannot be destroyed by any effects or battles. At the same time, she also possesses a suppressive ability like a Demonic Beast."

"Every time your opponent activates a monster's effect, [Reptile Fairy Melusin] can target one face-up monster on your opponent's field and activate its effect, reducing its ATK to 0. The only restriction on this effect is that it can only be used once per chain, but there is no restriction on once per turn. In other words, any monster that uses its effect in front of it will be turned into a helpless stone statue!"

(Only people from Longjiang truly understand how good Jimei's foundation is.)

“It sounds more like Medusa to me than ‘Merusin’,” John couldn’t help but say after hearing Professor Cobra’s description of the effect.

"No, there really is a Medusa among the [Reptile Witch] monsters. Dr. Cobra seems to have discarded her in a previous round, right? But Poseidon in mythology who would fall for that kind of monster is definitely out of his mind no matter how you look at it," Jim remarked, recalling the real [Reptile Witch Medusa].

O'Brien, however, was not distracted by such a distant topic. Looking at [Reptile Fairy Melusin], he said, "It has immunity to combat and effect destruction, and also has the ability to petrify to deter Jaden from activating monster effects. Dealing with such a monster is far too difficult."

"Furthermore, due to the increase in the number of monsters in the graveyard, the attack power of [Venom Minaga] has been restored."

[Venom Minaga] [ATK3500→4500]

Although the derivatives did not enter the graveyard and disappeared upon leaving the field, the other two materials of [Reptile Fairy Melusin] did indeed enter Professor Cobra's graveyard, restoring the ATK of [Venom Minaga] on his field to its previous level, thus threatening the monsters on the Jaden field.

"Did you think my strategy was over?" After completing the Synchro Summon, Professor Cobra began searching his deck. "Don't forget the effect of 'Serpent's Resentment' on my back row. While this card is on the field, I can't use monsters other than Reptiles to attack or activate their effects, but that also means its effect is powerful!"

"Not only can my face-up Reptile monsters on the field be destroyed by battle, but even if I just send a Reptile monster to the Graveyard—which is the Synchro Summon I just performed—the effect of [Serpent's Grievance] can also be triggered, Special Summoning a Reptile monster of Level 4 or lower from my Deck."

"I Special Summoned this [Reptile Cobra] from my deck!"

[Reptile Cobra] [1☆/Dark]

[Crawler Category/Effect]

[0/0]

A strange half-human, half-snake monster, with the lower body of a snake and the upper body of a human, and a snake's head growing on its human head, was summoned by Professor Cobra. It was clearly a [Reptile Monster]. Its stats looked unremarkable, but anyone who knew anything about monsters would realize how troublesome it was once they saw that its attack and defense were both 0.

"【Reptile Cobra】is a monster with resistance to being destroyed in battle. Although it cannot reduce the battle damage I receive, this deficiency is compensated for because I have 【Soul Barrier】on the field."

Professor Cobra explained, "The effect of [Reptile Cobra] is simple and straightforward: it reduces the attack power of monsters it battles to 0 at the end of the battle phase. This effect does not target, so even if [E·Hero Shining Neos] has resistance to being targeted, it won't help!"

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Attack Pheromones], and then I enter my Battle Phase. First, I use [Reptile Fairy Melusin] to attack [Winged Kuriboh LV6]!"

"Self-Sealing - Dark Temple!"

【Reptile Fairy Melusin】 took action under the command of Professor Cobra. Although her upper body looked like a beauty, she was actually mainly a snake in terms of movement, crawling on the ground and quickly approaching 【Winged Kuriboh LV6】 on Jaden's field.

Despite the numerous high-attack monsters on both sides, [Reptile Fairy Melusin]'s 2500 ATK is comparable to [Dark Magician], which is not low at all. Moreover, Jaden's [Winged Kuriboh LV6] was previously switched to Attack Position and its ATK was reduced to 0. Jaden is going to take this 2500 points of battle damage squarely—if he doesn't do anything.

Just as [Reptile Fairy Melusin] was about to petrify [Winged Kuriboh LV6] with her Mystic Eyes, [Winged Kuriboh LV6] suddenly disintegrated into countless points of light and vanished in front of her. At the same time, the surrounding [Skyscrapers] rapidly collapsed, revealing the original landscape of Duel Academy.

"This is?"

"Although you've changed [Winged Kuriboh LV6] to Attack Position, I won't let my Aibo be bullied by you." Jaden noticed Professor Cobra's confusion. "When the opponent declares an attack, or when the opponent activates the effect of a monster on the field, I can release [Winged Kuriboh LV6] on my field to activate its effect, destroy that monster, and inflict damage to the opponent equal to its original ATK."

"As for the changes in the surrounding environment, it's not the effect of [Winged Kuriboh LV6], but rather my [Beloved Hero] on the field." Jaden explained, lifting his Duel Disk. "This card can change the field at the start of the Battle Phase, even if I've already deployed [Skyscraper], I can still change it to any other environment I need."

"However, I didn't see you activate any Field Spell Card." Looking around, it was exactly the original terrain of Duel Academy, and there was nothing special on Jaden's field, Professor Cobra said.

"No, there is one." Jaden waved a card in his hand. "That's our [Duel Academy] itself!"

The card that Jaden activated was none other than the fixed card that every new student could obtain from a special card pack given as a welcome gift upon entering the university—the Field Spell Card [Duel Academy]!

Professor Cobra wasn't a faculty member at the main campus. Although he had heard that every student at the main campus had one of these cards, he had absolutely no interest in understanding its effects. However, he did know one thing: "Release [Winged Kuriboh LV6], your destructive effects have no effect on my [Reptile Fairy Melusin]—but in return, it allows me to activate the effects of [Reptile Fairy Melusin]!"

Battle Phase Begins: [Beloved Hero] → [Duel Academy]

C1 [Reptile Fairy - Melusin] Attack Declaration C2 [Winged Kuriboh LV6] C3 [Reptile Fairy - Melusin]!

"【Reptile Fairy Melusin】can reduce the ATK of one monster on the field to 0. Although you can't choose 【E-Hero Shining Neoswing】 which can't be targeted, Jaden Yuki, the other monsters on your field don't have that kind of resistance. If only the hero is strong, he can't protect anything!"

With a cold laugh, Professor Cobra ordered, "I choose to reduce the attack power of [E·hero Ironwall Gunner] to 0!"

Although she lost her target, [Reptile Fairy Melusin] didn't let her power go to waste, turning her head to glare at [E. Hero Ironwall Gunner]. Under everyone's gaze, [E. Hero Ironwall Gunner], in defense stance, instantly turned into a stone statue?!

【E·hero Ironwall Gunner】【2000/2500→0/2500】

"Although the attack power of my [E·hero Ironwall Gunner] has been reduced to 0, she is in Defense Position. The attack power reduction only means that she can no longer deal damage to you directly with her own effects."

Hearing Jaden's words, Professor Cobra nodded: "That's true, but I never said that I would destroy [E·hero Ironwall Gunner] while it is in defense position."

"Because [Winged Kuriboh LV6] disappeared, [Reptile Fairy Melusin], who was still in the attack declaration state, triggered a battle rewind. I will choose a new target." Pointing to the other side of Jaden's field, "I'll choose this [E-Hero Ironwall Gunner]!"

Although the petrification attack reduced [E·hero Ironwall Gunner]'s attack to 0, the problem is that the petrified [E·hero Ironwall Gunner] is now an enemy that [Reptile Fairy Melusin] cannot break through with its attack. [Reptile Fairy Melusin], with its 2500 attack, isn't damaged by [E·hero Ironwall Gunner]'s 2500 defense, but it still can't break through the opponent's defense. It can only angrily slam its tail against the statue to vent its frustration before returning to Professor Cobra's field.

Meanwhile, because Winged Kuriboh LV6 went to the Graveyard, the attack power of E·hero Shiny Neos on the Jaden field increased.

【E·hero Flash New Universe】【ATK7400→7700】

"With the attack power of [Reptile Fairy Melusin], it should be able to destroy [M·hero Mist], which has a defense of 2000 points, so why did it choose to attack [E·hero Ironwall Gunner]?" Manjoume looked at Professor Cobra with doubt. "Is it because it is wary of Judai's [E·hero Flashy Neos] attack power continuing to rise?"

"No, isn't it a very simple reason? You'll understand once you see it." Professor Cobra, who had already revealed his hand at the start of the battle phase, spread his arms wide. "Look at the changes that occur with Jaden Yuki's [E·Hero Ironwall Gunner] on the field!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked over and discovered that although [E·hero Ironwall Gunner], who should have been in defense stance, was completely petrified, a crack had appeared at the spot where [Reptile Fairy·Merusin] had struck her. A subtle odor emanated from the crack, causing [E·hero Ironwall Gunner] to move uncomfortably. It was so uncomfortable that even in its petrified state, it couldn't maintain defense stance and had to switch to attack stance!?

"The effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Attack Pheromones] that I activated at the end of Main Phase 1 is that if a Reptile-Type monster on my field attacks a Defense Position monster, that monster changes to face-up Attack Position at the end of the Damage Step. Under the influence of the pheromones, [E. Hero Ironclad Gunner] was forced to change to Attack Position—and [E. Hero Ironclad Gunner] doesn't have an effect like [Winged Kuriboh LV6] that allows it to activate by Tributing itself!"

Professor Cobra waved his hand and said, "Now's the time—attack [E·hero Iron Wall Gunner] and deal damage to Jaden Yuki, [Serpent God - Venominaga]!"

"Ultimate Vengeance!"

The snake head on the right arm of [Venominagar] opened, and where the tongue should have been, another snake head grew out. Then, a jet of pitch-black venom suddenly spurted from the mouth of that snake head. Its corrosive power was so strong that it instantly vaporized and evaporated the petrified [E·hero Ironwall Gunner]!?

Even more deadly is that [E·hero Iron Wall Gunner] is not only in attack position, but also in a state where its attack power has been reduced to 0 points. This means that the 4500 points of attack power, which is equivalent to the "legendary [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]", is directly applied to Jaden!

"Uh ah ah ah ah ah!"

As the venom approached, Jaden's brain was instantly filled with pain. An unparalleled agony assaulted his body and mind. It was not a simple virtual projection that could simulate such a realistic impact. It was an attack from a materialized Duel Monster, just like the swarm of venomous snakes created in the Snake Venom Swamp!

[Yuki Jaden: 5500→1000LP, 0 cards in hand]

"Hmph, hahahaha, that's it, Jaden Yuki, do you feel the pain? Although I don't know the reason, that person seems quite satisfied with the pain you feel!" Touching his left arm, Professor Cobra pointed at Jaden, "And from the moment [Viper God - Venominaga] successfully inflicted battle damage on you, it's not just a simple, quantifiable basic score in an ordinary duel, but your life is truly as fragile as a candle in the wind!"

"After [Venomous Serpent God - Venominaga] inflicts combat damage on the opponent, a three-turn countdown will begin. The deadly poison that has entered your body will then erupt and take your life, granting me victory in the duel!"

Looking at the setting sun on the horizon, Professor Cobra laughed wildly, "Your sun has set!"

Chapter 1750 Elbow Opens Helicopter Cabin, Cobra Out (Confused)

"Without a doubt, I love you, Judai!"

"Can you feel it? That pain? This is proof of my love for you, just as you love me, I love you too!"

"Look, you're all alone now. Is there anyone else who can stand by your side at a time like this? Only me, Judai. I still love you, so come to my side quickly, my beloved Judai!"

"That's how it feels! Such vivid pain, can you feel my sincere love for you? Why are you making such a painful face? It must be because you've remembered your love for me!"

"Will Hayato Kobayashi mourn for you? Only I love you, Judai!"

"Ten generations, ten generations, ten generations, ten generations, ten generations!"

Inside the basement, [Yubel] was in a life support pod, looking through the glass at the surveillance screen not far away, which was showing the entire duel between Professor Cobra and Jaden.

Thanks to the dueling energy she extracted from the entire Duel Academy during this period, [Yubel] managed to gather enough energy to recover from the injuries she sustained in her previous battle with Hayato. However, if she used it all for healing, her energy reserves would be depleted in the short term. If possible, she would naturally want to store as much energy as possible for unforeseen circumstances—just like when she exiled Hayato.

Considering that Hayato Kobayashi had already been sent to another distant world, [Yubel] was not in a hurry to heal her wounds. In any case, as long as she had enough energy reserves, she could recover at any time. So she simply stayed in the life support pod prepared by Professor Cobra in her broken body form.

She estimated that by the time Jaden and Professor Cobra's duel ended, her own collection and reserves of dueling energy should be nearly complete, enough to satisfy her needs for a long time to come. By then, the darkness within Professor Cobra, this useful tool, would have been almost completely drained, and [Yubel] would be willing to grant his wish as well, although it might not be in the way Professor Cobra wanted.

But at the same time, one of her materialized eyes inside the life support pod was looking out of the monitoring room. On the other side of the wall, someone was fiddling with the locked door.

“I see. No wonder you weren’t with Judai. So you left the group to act alone, Amon Garlem.” [Yubel]’s eyes held a hint of mockery. “The darkness in your heart is quite interesting. It may not be purely delicious, but it might be a very interesting condiment.”

On the ground, on that high platform, John listened to [Britmon] finish speaking, then turned to look at Manjoume: "Ruby said she sensed a strange aura from Professor Cobra, but it wasn't like Professor Sato's previous state of being controlled and possessed by a spirit."

"'Ruby'? Is that the name of your Pokémon? But even without the ability of a 'Pokémon Master,' just looking at that guy's hands, you can tell that he's acting very strangely right now, right?" Manjoume paused, looking behind Professor Cobra. "Although I really want to say that we can see something special, it's clear that what we see is pretty much the same. We can only vaguely see a strange aura on him, but we don't see any specific Pokémon."

"In other words, it's not like Mr. Sato's mind was altered, or Garam's that was directly controlled by a spirit," Asuka concluded. "It's more like that spirit hunter who inherently possessed such thoughts."

"You defeated everyone in the academy with 'exposing duels,' collected that strange special energy, and were just talking about that person..." Jim adjusted his cowboy hat. "What exactly is your purpose, Dr. Cobra!"

“I have no obligation to answer your questions, but considering that I am already confident of victory, as long as Jaden Yuki’s turn ends, I can win even if I end my turn immediately after the start of my next turn. So, it doesn’t seem to matter if I explain my goal to you a little, right? After all, I’m not the one who should be anxious.”

Professor Cobra didn't rush to use his last remaining enemy, the Reptilian Cobra, to attack. Instead, after Jim raised his question, he leisurely answered, "Actually, I didn't have any plans at all."

"Stop lying!" Manjoume frowned. "Are you trying to say that you just find doing evil fun?"

"Doing evil? No, I just wanted to create a miracle, how can that be called doing evil?" Professor Cobra said matter-of-factly, "I am clearly doing the most righteous thing in the world!"

"Once upon a time, when I was a soldier active on the battlefield, I unexpectedly found a dilapidated baby basket by the ruins on the way back during a mission. Inside was a baby boy who was either abandoned or whose family had perished. I, who was usually just a heartless executioner, subconsciously broke away from the team and went to the abandoned baby."

"As a soldier, I felt inexplicable emotions at that time, which should have been wrong, but the truth is quite the opposite. It was because of my action that I managed to avoid the shells that would have wiped out my original unit. In other words, it was that child who saved my life. He was the only redemption in my wasted life."

“I adopted him and raised him to adulthood—that’s how it should have been.”

"But one day, Rick, the child who saved me from an accident, whom I regarded as my second life, even more important than my own, brought hope to my stagnant life. But that child was taken away by a ridiculous accident!"

(I got hit by a truck and was transported to another world of card players to become the king of the road (I'm sure of it))

“I can’t accept it, I can’t forgive it, but my resentment can’t change anything. My anger can’t bring back the dead, and my sorrow can’t bring Rick back!” Professor Cobra said, revealing an expression of excitement he had never shown in the previous duel. “Because of Rick, I left the military and my life has fallen into the abyss again. I can’t forgive myself for not even stopping Rick back then. I started to vent my endless grief and anger as a mercenary.”

"After Rick died, I thought I was going to lose him forever, but it was because I started working as a mercenary again that I found out that wasn't the case. Because of a certain investigation mission, I met that person!"

"That adult?" Upon hearing this, Judai endured the excruciating pain that constantly asserted his presence and looked at Professor Cobra's left hand.

"Initially, we knew nothing and were just going there to investigate what was that thing that had fallen from space, based on mission intelligence. But as we approached it, we encountered a strange storm, and my squad, which was in a helicopter, was wiped out in the crash. However, I was the only one in the squad who survived, and even appeared safely outside the wreckage of the plane with the hatch still closed."

(Related to snakes and helicopter accidents, identified as a survivor from a parallel universe in the IF timeline)

"Later I learned that it was because I had been chosen by that great being to become His agent. He promised me that as long as I served Him, He would help me bring Rick back to my side and let Rick and me be together forever."

“But that’s wrong!” Asuka said seriously. “It’s understandable to risk everything for someone important to you, but that’s never a reason to sacrifice other innocent people in the academy! Don’t you care about the lives of the students?”

“Yes, I don’t care anymore!” Professor Cobra said without hesitation. “All I want is that rebirth that is still here. As long as that child is here, I’m willing to do anything for it. Unlike you students who can’t even bear the burden of other people’s lives, I know how heavy the promise of ‘willing to do anything’ is. I am willing to give up my life for it!”

“You idiot, you only think about yourself!” John said angrily. “Besides, the dead cannot be brought back to life!”