Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

[1500/1500]

"The artificial life form made of gold, the metal that symbolizes the sun, Sunday, and the goddess of dawn, is one of the most powerful monsters in my deck, the [Golden Artificial Life Form]. It has the ability to increase its ATK and DEF based on the number of my banished cards."

As Amunaeru spoke, he waved his hand, and suddenly, phantom images of cards that Daitokuji had previously used and banished appeared around the [Golden Artificial Lifeform] on his field!

Before the start of Daitokuji's second turn, he had already banished five cards due to the effect of [Alchemy Cauldron - Chaos Refining]. Then, during this turn, he banished another twenty-five cards. Now, more than half of his full deck of sixty cards has been banished.

These excluded cards were not wasted. In the hands of an alchemist, any substance can be reused. At this moment, the Golden Artificial Lifeform, specially summoned by [White Process - Albedo], flashed with golden light and absorbed all the power of the excluded cards!

In Jaden's eyes, its attack and defense power surged!

[Golden Artificial Life Form] [1500/1500→10500/10500]

Theoretically, it should be more dangerous for Mr. Hayato to face Chairman Kagemaru, who is holding the "Three Phantom Demons" card. However, seeing the [Golden Artificial Lifeform] that has been summoned with an attack power of over 10,000, Jaden is a little confused about who is actually facing the final boss.

Compared to the [Chaos Phantom Demon - Amitel] that Chairman Kagemaru just summoned, this [Golden Artificial Lifeform] seems to be even stronger!

With tens of thousands of basic points, tens of thousands of attack and defense points of monsters on the field, and nine cards remaining in her hand, Amunaeru, unlike Kagemaru, did not get easily carried away. She calmly said, "The attack and defense points of [Golden Artificial Lifeform] will increase by 300 points based on the number of my cards banished from the game. I currently banish thirty cards, so its attack points will increase by 9000 points to 10500 points."

"Then come on, Judai, let me see your talent. You should be more than just what you were before, right? So now that I'm a little more serious, show me your strength and surpass me!"

"I place three cards face down, and my turn ends."

【Amunaeru: 15600LP, hand 9→6】

[Golden Artificial Life Form] [ATK10500]

[Alchemy Cauldron - Chaos Refining] [Gaikart] x4

'As punishment for sleeping in class every day, don't blame me for going all out, Judai~' Looking at Judai who was almost drenched in sweat, Amunaeru's face under the mask wore a sinister smile, which was at least eight-tenths Hayato's.

Chapter 1190 Alchemy and Duels, Elements and Heroes

Looking at the monsters on the field, Jaden took a deep breath but quickly regained his composure.

While monsters with ATK exceeding 10,000 are rare, Jaden had encountered them a few times during his battles with Manjoume. For Manjoume, who specialized in "pure Dragon" decks, summoning "Five Divine Dragons" was a simple matter, followed by a single "Gigantify" card to quickly double its ATK. However, after triggering "Divine Shield - Mirror Power -" several times with the 10,000 ATK "Five Divine Dragons," Manjoume never used that combo again.

Amunaeru's summoned [Golden Artificial Lifeform] is in a similar situation. While the attack power of a Duel Monster is important, its resistances and effects are even more crucial. The [Golden Artificial Lifeform], which only has the effect of increasing its own power but lacks any other resistances, is merely outwardly strong but inwardly weak.

"My turn, draw a card." Jaden draws a card from his deck, glances at the card he has drawn, and sends it to the graveyard. "Discard one card from my hand, activate the effect of my [E-Hero Ionizer], and destroy one monster in Attack Position that your opponent controls."

"No matter how high the attack power is, it's meaningless if you can't hit!" Jaden said, waving his hand. "Go! [E·hero Electro-Ionizer], Secret Technique - Thunderclap!"

Amunaeru only had [Golden Artificial Lifeform] in Attack Position on the field. Even if Jaden didn't explicitly say so, his [E. Hero Ionizer] knew where the target was. The lightning was restrained and absorbed into the massive metal gauntlet. With a wave of Jaden's hand, [E. Hero Ionizer] charged out, unleashing all its lightning at the very moment it was about to touch [Golden Artificial Lifeform]!

The ultra-high voltage lightning not only generates destructive currents, but also has a special attack on the gold-based [Gold Artificial Lifeform], which is like "lightning metallurgy". In just a moment, the body of the [Gold Artificial Lifeform] touched by the current of [E·hero Ionizing Claw Man] showed obvious melting. The high temperature generated by the electric current in the metal can quickly destroy the body of the [Gold Artificial Lifeform], which has no resistance!

However, just after the body of the [Golden Artificial Lifeform] had melted by more than half, Jaden suddenly saw a white robe with gold decorations appear out of nowhere inside its melting body.

Amunaeru's voice came: "Quick-Play Spell Card [Forbidden Cloth], Chain to Jaden, activate the effect of your [E·Hero Ionizer]. This card can target 1 face-up monster on the field, reduce its ATK by 600 until the End Phase of this turn, and give it resistance to being targeted by effects and destroyed by effects."

Hearing Amunaeru's words, Jaden wasn't too surprised, but rather had an expression that said he had expected it: "As expected, those face-down cards in the back row aren't just for show. Knowing that their monsters have power but no resistance, they use other cards to support them."

“Just like your ‘heroes’, Jaden, aren’t they?” Amunaeru looked at Jaden, a gentle smile on his face behind his mask. “Alchemy and dueling, the former changing matter and the latter tempering the spirit, are like the ‘elements’ representing matter and the ‘heroes’ symbolizing will coming together.”

"Your 'Elemental HERO' [E·hero] is, in my opinion, the closest thing to alchemy."

[Golden Artificial Life Form] [ATK10500→9900→10200]

First, its attack power decreased by 600 points, but then because the card [Forbidden Cloth] was excluded by [Alchemy Cauldron - Chaos Refining], the attack power of [Golden Artificial Life Form] rebounded, so the overall decrease was only 300 points.

"Nonsense, I don't understand." Jaden frowned as he listened to Amunaeru's words. "Alchemy and all that? Who wants that kind of thing? I have enough of those trustworthy cards that believe in me! And I'll defeat you, Amunaeru, together with them!"

Although the effect of [E·hero Ionizer] is not limited to once per turn and can be used multiple times as long as Jaden has cards in hand, activating the effect again is meaningless now that [Golden Artificial Lifeform] has gained "Majestic Resistance".

Jaden played a card from his hand and said, "Quick-Play Spell Card [Fusion Release], target [E·Hero Nova] on my field."

"Return [E·Hero Nova] to the Fusion Deck, then Special Summon [E·Hero Flameman] and [E·Hero Skyman], the set of Fusion Material Monsters used to Fusion Summon it, from my Graveyard!"

If you had three copies of [Sky Hero], who wouldn't want to be a hero? Even though you only put one in your deck and it was already used in the last turn, you can still recycle and reuse it.

With the [Fusion Release] taking effect, [E·hero Blaze], who was temporarily unable to play a role on the field, left the field and was replaced by [E·hero Skyman], who wore a propeller-driven flight backpack on his back, and [E·hero Blaze], who could summon the Blaze Armor, appeared together.

At the same time, due to the increase in the types of monsters with different attributes on the field in Generation X, the attack bonus provided by [E·hero Sunrise] has increased once again.

【E·hero Sky Warrior】【ATK1800→2600】

【E·hero Blaze】【ATK1200→2000】

【E·hero Sunrise Man】【ATK3100→3300】

【E·hero Ionizing Pliers】【ATK3200→3400】

Although its attack power is still far inferior to that of the [Golden Artificial Lifeform], Jaden's main purpose in using [Fusion Release] was not to increase the monster's attack power, but rather—

"At this moment, my [E·Hero Skyman] has an effect that can be activated." After placing the card down, Jaden waved his hand and said, "When [E·Hero Skyman] is successfully Normal or Special Summoned, you can choose one of its two effects to apply - add one [Hero] monster from my Deck to my hand, or destroy the number of Spell/Trap Cards on the field other than this card equal to the number of [Hero] monsters I control."

Jaden's Duel Disk showed no reaction. Surprisingly, instead of using the card-gaining effect of [E·Hero Sky Warrior] to search for cards, he chose another effect. Pointing to the cards in Amunaeru's back row, Jaden said, "I choose to apply the latter. Right now, I have three [Hero] monsters on my field besides [E·Hero Sky Warrior], so I can choose three Spell/Trap Cards to destroy them."

"I've chosen Amunaeru, the three face-down cards in your backcourt!"

After using one "Forbidden Cloth", Amunaeru still has three face-down cards left. Jaden plans to destroy these three cards first to prevent them from blocking or interrupting the unfolding of the game.

however--

"The Continuous Trap Card [Imperial Decree] is activated!"

Just as the Tenth Generation's [E·hero Skyman] was piloting his aircraft, several meters above the ground, and looking down at Gaika in Amunaeru's backfield, intending to destroy him, a powerful pressure suddenly descended upon [E·hero Skyman], as if it were the resentment of some flightless earth god.

Just a hair's breadth away from taking action, [E·hero Skyman] was forced back to the ground, his soul bound by gravity and unable to soar through the sky. Damn gravity!

Looking at the card that had been opened in the back row of Amunaeru, Jaden frowned: "That card..."

"The effect of the Continuous Trap Card [Imperial Decree] can be activated when the effect of a monster activated upon its successful summoning is activated, and negate that activation. After that, the duelist who negated the activation draws one card from their Deck."

On the card art of the opened trap card, a giant in black armor stands with a seemingly dignified companion, pointing and gesturing condescendingly. Amunaeru watched as Jaden drew a card and said, "Jaden, most of the effects of your [Hero] cards can be activated upon summoning. I know your deck well. The existence of this [Imperial Decree] is a major obstacle you need to overcome."

"However, I'm a little curious, why didn't you activate the effect of [E·hero Blaze]?"

Daitokuji thought that Jaden's Special Summoned E. Hero Flameman and E. Hero Skywalker would activate their effects after using Fusion Deactivation, since one could search for Fusion Spell Cards and the other could search for Hero Monster Cards. However, Jaden did not use the effect of E. Hero Flameman immediately.

Jaden glanced at the card he had drawn and smiled at Amunaeru, saying, "Even I'm not the kind of Duel Monster novice who just taps wherever the light comes on. Activating a card's effect immediately isn't always the best option."

"You can only use one of the two effects of [E·Hero Blaze] once per turn. The reason I didn't use [E·Hero Blaze]'s effect to search for a [Fusion] Spell Card is because I want to activate its second effect during the Main Phase." Jaden said, raising his Duel Disk and drawing a card that had been automatically searched, then displaying it. "I'm sending one [E·Hero] monster from my Deck, other than [E·Hero Blaze], to the Graveyard. The card I sent is this [E·Hero Necromancer]!"

On the field, [E·hero Blaze] raised his fist above his head, and the flames burning in his hand spread from top to bottom to his entire body, forming an additional flaming armor on top of his original "Flame Head".

Immediately afterwards, the flames on [E·hero Blaze]'s body, which were clearly in a plasma state, began to deform as if they were some kind of liquid substance, and their color changed from bright orange-red to dark red.

"【E·hero Blaze】will receive power from 【E·hero Necromancer】. Until the end of this turn, 【E·hero Blaze】's Attribute, ATK, and DEF will become the same as 【E·hero Necromancer】. The cost of this effect is that, after activation, until the end of this turn, I cannot Special Summon monsters other than Fusion Monsters."

【E·hero Blaze】【4☆/Fire→4☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

【2000/1800→1600/1800→2400/1800】

Seeing that Jaden sent the card to the graveyard, and that the appearance of the "Flame Armor" of [E·hero Blaze] remained similar to that of [E·hero Necromancer], Amunaeru shook his head: "That's not enough, Jaden. Your [E·hero Blaze] has only changed its appearance; its essence remains unchanged."

"You haven't yet unleashed your full potential; otherwise, you wouldn't be able to defeat the [Golden Artificial Lifeform]."

But upon hearing Amunaeru's words, Judai smiled confidently and said, "Sore wa to ka na!"

"Huh?" Amunaeru was taken aback when she saw the hand that Judai showed.

"The equation for victory is complete: the moment [E·hero Blaze] activated its effect, the moment [E·hero Ionizer] used its effect, and the moment I Fusion Summoned [E·hero Sunrise] last turn." Jaden said, inserting the card into his Spell & Trap Zone, "[E·hero Sunrise] previously searched for this [Miracle Fusion] card added to my hand, and now activates it, completing the final piece of the miracle puzzle!"

"【Miracle Fusion】can banish the Fusion Material Monsters determined by the 【E-Hero】 Fusion Monster from my field or Graveyard, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from my Fusion Deck. I choose to banish 【E-Hero Necromancer】 and 【E-Hero Wildman】 from my Graveyard and use them as Fusion Material to Fusion Summon!"

Upon hearing this, Amunaeru revealed a knowing expression: "So that's how it is. The card that [E·hero Ionizer] discarded when it activated its effect was [E·hero Wilder], and then [Fusion Deactivation] was used to revive [E·hero Blaze], which can send cards from the deck to the graveyard. Although it seems that the effect was blocked by me time and time again, I gradually completed the combination I wanted under the cover of those seemingly failed effects."

"I'm getting excited, Judai. You truly have exceptional alchemical talent!"

Jaden didn't respond to Amunaeru's words. Instead, after banishing a Fusion Material Monster from the Graveyard, he took out a monster card with a purple border, placed it on the Duel Disk, and shouted, "The mysterious power from the underworld will be awakened in the wilderness, and step into this land of miracles with mysterious steps!"

"Fusion Summon! [E·hero Necromancer]!"

With a six-ringed Zen staff adorned with gold rings slung over his shoulder, a burly man with a bare upper body revealing his muscular physique appeared on Jaden's stage dressed as a "Kyogen mask" from Noh, with thick "shimenawa" ropes wrapped around his shoulders and waist. Even without knowing the name "Necromancer," one could clearly see the strong religious connotations from his appearance.

【E·hero Necromancer】【6☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Fusion/Effect]

【1900/1800→2700/1800】

After receiving the blessing of [E·hero Sunrise Warrior], [E·hero Necromancer]'s attack power reached 2700 points, but if you want to reduce Amunaeru's base score, then [Golden Artificial Life Form] is still an unavoidable existence.

The Golden Artificial Lifeform, endowed with the Forbidden Cloth and boasting an attack power of 10200, is incredibly powerful. However, with the appearance of the E·hero Necromancer, Jaden has completed all preparations to defeat him!

"【E·Hero Necromancer】has an effect that can be activated if it is successfully Special Summoned, while 【Imperial Decree】 has no effect on the effects of monsters activated during Special Summoning." Jaden said, pointing to the only monster Amunaeru could control. "If this card is successfully Special Summoned, you can Tribute 1 monster your opponent controls. After that, you can Special Summon 1 monster from your opponent's Graveyard to their field."

"The effect of [E·hero Necromancer] does not target, therefore Amunaeru, I will release your [Golden Artificial Lifeform]!"

The effect of 【E·hero Necromancer】 can be activated even in situations like now, where there are no monster cards in Amunaeru's graveyard and monsters cannot be Special Summoned. 【Forbidden Cloth】 only grants resistance to being destroyed by card effects and not being targeted by card effects. However, the Tribute effect of 【E·hero Necromancer】 does not involve destruction or targeting, perfectly countering 【Golden Artificial Life Form】 which has high attack power but no substance.

After the [E·hero Necromancer] slammed his staff into the ground, causing the six rings to collide and produce a clear sound, the [Golden Artificial Lifeform], which was as insurmountable as a mountain, was freed from its inner driving soul and self-destructed!

Having defeated the almost hopeless [Golden Artificial Lifeform], Jaden looked at Amunaeru's field, which had collapsed on its own and kicked up a considerable amount of dust due to its release, and said, "Now that you have no monster to act as a wall, my direct attack is coming next!"

"Your hard-earned base score will be crushed again by my heroes!"

"Battle mode activated! I'm going to attack you directly with my monsters!"

Chapter 1191 Our bond is as great as the stars in the Milky Way—so I activate the Great Universe!

"First up is the direct attack from [E·hero Necromancer], a series of Black Death Fists!"

As he declared his attack, Jaden waved his hand and said, "At the same moment, at the instant that a Hero monster other than E. Hero Sunrise declares its attack, use the effect of E. Hero Sunrise!"

"Target one card on the field and destroy it!" Because the Forbidden Cloth had previously granted the Golden Artificial Lifeform resistance, preventing it from being targeted by effects or destroyed by them, Jaden hadn't planned to use the effect of E. Hero Sunrise to deal with his opponent. However, without the Golden Artificial Lifeform, Jaden could now use this effect while attacking and use it elsewhere.

Jaden's finger pointed to a face-down card in Amunaeru's back row. The intense light emanating from [E·hero Sunrise] enveloped that face-down card, igniting and destroying it out of thin air. Jaden also saw that the face-down card was the Continuous Trap Card [Death Counter], which could destroy monsters that directly attack duelists and inflict battle damage.

This face-down card seems to suggest that Amunaeru is confident that Jaden can bypass his [Golden Artificial Lifeform] and allow the monster to attack him directly.

After luckily destroying a rather dangerous face-down card, Jaden's monster continued its attack, unleashing a barrage of punches from [E·hero Necromancer], which struck Amunaeru's body first.

【Amunaeru：15600→12900LP】

The attack of [E·hero Necromancer], which would normally take away more than half of an opponent's attack power in a duel, seemed to have no effect on Amunaeru at this moment, not even taking away a fraction of his base points.

However, this was just the beginning. After confirming that Amunaeru had indeed dropped and was no longer using cards like "Rainbow Life," Jaden confidently allowed the other monsters to begin their attacks.

"Then comes the direct attack from [E·hero Blaze]: a double strike, Flame Fist!"