Reading settings
Chapter 323: Crush! Destroy! Great Applause!
"Was that just now [Maiden of the Aqua]?"
"Why is Hayato's monster on your field!"
Noah answered Kaiba with a loud laugh: "It seems you completely fail to understand, Seto."
"Let me say it again. The [Ark of Salvation] is the wheel of salvation carrying hope, and as the god of this world, any monster that boards the [Ark of Salvation] will fall under my control!"
"Each time your Battle Phase begins, I can randomly Special Summon monsters from within the [Ark of Salvation]'s Another Dimension onto my field in Defense Position, equal to the number of monsters on your field."
"In other words, no matter how many monsters you Summon, you will never be able to break through my perfect defense circle!"
As if responding to Noah's contemptuous gaze that kept glancing towards him while he spoke, [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] let out a dissatisfied roar. However, having already attacked once, it could no longer attack again.
Even if it had the ability to attack multiple times, the [Maiden of the Aqua] that was just destroyed by battle had the ability to end the current Battle Phase when destroyed by battle. Helplessly, Hayato ended his turn.
[Hayato: 400 LP, Hand 1]
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon] [ATK 3000]
[Set Card]
"Have you run out of options? That's to be expected. After all, you're facing me, Noah Kaiba, an existence that surpasses Seto Kaiba in every way."
Noah's tone made Kaiba quite annoyed, and repeatedly mentioning the name "Noah Kaiba" made him extremely angry.
"Enough. Even now, are you just going to keep pretending with a deceased person's name and appearance?" Kaiba said coldly. "Noah Kaiba was a deceased person more than ten years ago!"
Noah glanced at Kaiba: "It seems you've already seen the footage of my funeral, Seto? Yes, yes, that's absolutely correct. 'Noah Kaiba is a deceased person' is an undeniable fact."
"But who ever said that the deceased Noah Kaiba couldn't stand before you? Where do you think the 'Mind Digitization' technology used in the Virtual World designed by KaibaCorp came from?"
As he spoke, Noah wasn't in a hurry to draw cards. Instead, he snapped his fingers.
In the sky, covered in dark clouds due to the great flood, a giant sphere appeared like a falling sun. Countless light particles flickered on the sphere.
"What is that thing?" Hayato frowned. "Hey, you're not going to tell me that thing is your brain, are you?"
Noah recounted his story. How, as the crown prince of the powerful KaibaCorp, he grew up not meeting Gozaburo Kaiba's expectations, how he died due to an unexpected event, and how KaibaCorp's black technology transferred his mind and memory into the network world.
Kaiba's face showed understanding, even a look of having connected some dots, seemingly inspired by the technical principles Noah mentioned. Hayato, however, felt like he was listening to gibberish. Even though he could understand every word, when put together, he couldn't make sense of it at all.
"Because you're no longer human but an AI made of data, you stopped growing. Does that mean your brain was this amazing even when you were a child?" Hayato looked at Noah, who appeared to be at most ten years old, and retorted, "Could someone your age really learn something that profound? Aside from calling yourself a god like some chuunibyou, I don't feel like you're an elementary school student at all."
"Calling myself a god? No, I said it from the beginning, Kobayashi Hayato. In this Virtual World, I am the undisputed god." Noah drew a card and declared, "As my turn begins, the god will start recreating this world after sweeping away the sin."
"I activate the Spell Card Card of Demise, replenishing both players' hands to 6 cards. Then, I activate the Field Spell Card Jurassic World!"
After playing the card, Noah drew six cards in one go. Hayato, who had a brick in his hand—Blue-Eyes White Dragon—only drew five cards.
After drawing the cards, Noah lightly tapped one of them. The card he chose fell towards the ground and, like a ginseng fruit, sank into the earth upon contact.
The water level rapidly dropped, exposing the ground beneath as if it had dried up. The previous lava had already extinguished and turned into hard land. At the same time, mud and dust were carried to the ground by the flood. In the blink of an eye, the ground was covered in vegetation as if countless years had instantly passed. Looking out, the ground was covered in green, lush and vibrant, brimming with life.
At the same time, Noah summoned a monster onto the field: "After all civilization was destroyed, came the age of dinosaurs. I Attack Position Summon Giant Rex from my hand, and then equip it with the Equip Spell Card Rising Energy."
In this lush Jurassic jungle, a massive Spinosaurus poked its head out. With a swing of its powerful claws, it tore apart the obstructing thick trees. At the same time, because Noah equipped it with the Equip Spell Card Rising Energy, the muscles on the sail-like spines on its back expanded, maximizing heat dissipation.
[Giant Rex] [4☆/EARTH]
[Dinosaur-Type/Effect]
[2000/1200 → 2600/1800]
Under the boost of two Spell Cards, Giant Rex, whose ATK was already among the forefront of 4☆ monsters, soared to a full 2600 points. Although it still couldn't compare to Hayato's Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field, most other monsters couldn't contend with it.
And Noah's operation was far from over.
"Even after being strengthened twice consecutively, Giant Rex's ATK still can't compare to the giant dragon of the mythological era, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, just like you and me, Seto." Although it was a duel against Hayato, Noah's attention was always focused on Kaiba behind Hayato. "You, who were raised to imitate me, no matter how much you grow, you can't compare to me."
"Hmph, a mere ghost wandering in the Virtual World. Do the dead think they can interfere with the world of the living? Don't dream about it." After listening to Noah's story, Kaiba's tone changed slightly. Compared to his previous disdain for someone "impersonating a deceased person," Kaiba now saw Noah more as one of the sins from Gozaburo that must be conquered.
"Compared to you, who only gained exceptional talent because of your upbringing, it's clear that Blue-Eyes White Dragon is me. Don't get it wrong, Noah!"
Noah just smiled: "If you insist on saying that, then just watch 'you' be defeated by 'me' over there. I activate the Spell Card Attack Seal, changing Blue-Eyes White Dragon's form to Defense Position."
An "X"-shaped red light burst forth from one of the cards in front of Noah. After being hit by the red light, Blue-Eyes White Dragon struggled fiercely for a moment but couldn't break free from the card's power. Helplessly, it curled up its body and changed to Defense Position.
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon] [ATK 3000 → DEF 2500]
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, changed to Defense Position, had exactly 100 less DEF than Giant Rex's ATK!
"Go, Giant Rex! Destroy Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Following Noah's command, Giant Rex opened its massive maw and bit towards Blue-Eyes White Dragon's exposed neck.
Hayato immediately flipped over the only set card remaining on his field: "Chaining to your attack declaration, I activate Sakuretsu Armor to destroy it!"
"Hmph, as if!" Noah snorted and played another card. "Don't think you're the only one with that card. Quick-Play Spell Card Forbidden Lance! Decrease Giant Rex's ATK by 800 points, and it will not be affected by the effects of other Spell/Trap Cards besides this one!"
Sakuretsu Armor, cursed with the inability to take effect, unsurprisingly failed to destroy Giant Rex. Before the effect could reach Giant Rex, it was blocked by a golden spear.
"As expected, it was negated. But Noah, Forbidden Lance doesn't just negate my Sakuretsu Armor. The effects of Jurassic World and Rising Energy on your field will also be negated for Giant Rex because of this, and its ATK will decrease by another 800 points!"
"Counterattack, Blue-Eyes!"
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon] [DEF 2500]
[Giant Rex] [ATK 2600 → 2000 → 1200]
Although it evaded the effect of Sakuretsu Armor using Forbidden Lance, because of this, the Giant Rex with decreased ATK no longer had the ability to break through Blue-Eyes White Dragon's defense. It opened its mouth and bit down on Blue-Eyes's scales, but couldn't break through its defense at all. Instead, Blue-Eyes flapped a wing, swatting Giant Rex back to Noah's field and reflecting battle damage back at him.
[Noah: 7700 → 5800 LP]
"Tch, insignificant damage." Noah pouted. The fact that he couldn't defeat Hayato this turn and allowed him to stall for another turn made him feel a bit annoyed.
He lightly tapped the last card in front of him: "I activate the Continuous Spell Card Supply Squad. Once per turn, when my monster is destroyed, I can draw one card from my deck."
"Then, I end my turn."
[Noah: 5800 LP, Hand 0]
[Giant Rex] (Rising Energy) [ATK 2600]
[Supply Squad]
Field: [Jurassic World]
Hayato: "My turn, drawing cards."
Looking at the card he drew, Hayato was also surprised, because it was the third Blue-Eyes White Dragon in his deck. And by a strange coincidence, due to Noah's Card of Demise effect earlier, he just happened to have a Polymerization in his hand.
"Hmph, you drew it..." Kaiba, who hadn't seen Hayato's hand, showed a knowing expression, the corner of his mouth slightly curving up. "So, what's your choice, Kobayashi Hayato?"
"In this situation, is there even a choice?" Hayato also smiled and activated the card from his hand. "Noah, let me show you the strongest Dragon-Type! I activate the Spell Card Polymerization, using the Blue-Eyes White Dragon on my field and the other two Blue-Eyes in my hand as fusion material!"
Just as Hayato was about to continue, Kaiba, who was nearby, already snatched back the lines: "Noah, let me show you the strongest, most ultimate dragon in history! Transcending the boundaries of time and space, descend! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
Under the power of Polymerization, the ultimate dragon with three heads appeared on Hayato's field. The three dragon heads roared towards the sky in unison!
[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon] [ATK 4500]
"Enter Battle Phase!" Hayato immediately issued the attack command. Just as he was about to target the attack, Noah opposite immediately activated his Deck Master's effect. "Before Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attacks, I activate the effect of [Ark of Salvation]!"
"Absolute Defense!"
Because there was only one monster on his field when Hayato entered the Battle Phase, only one monster flew out from within the [Ark of Salvation]. It was Hayato's Treeborn Frog.
Although having his own monster appear on the opponent's field made Hayato a bit annoyed, his gaze remained firm on the Giant Rex in Attack Position: "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Giant Rex!"
"Burst Stream of Destruction!"
"Strong! Invincible! Supreme!!"
The triple-stacked "Burst Stream of Destruction" spewed forth from the mouths of the three-headed giant dragon, landing on the Giant Rex on Noah's field. Even after undergoing double reinforcement, Giant Rex was powerless to resist Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's attack and was easily destroyed.
"Eek!"
[Noah: 7700 → 5800 LP]
Waving his hand impatiently to dispel the rushing air current towards him, Noah drew a card: "Due to the effect of Supply Squad, I draw one card from my deck."
"To be able to reduce my Life Points to this extent, I must say you truly have some skill, Kobayashi Hayato. But unfortunately, to defeat me, who is a god, you are still twenty thousand years too early."
Saying this, Noah showed a mocking expression: "Once it's my turn, the Giant Rex that was just destroyed, as well as the three Blue-Eyes in your graveyard, will all be taken into my [Ark of Salvation] and grant me LP recovery."
"Your efforts to reduce my Life Points were completely in vain!"
Hayato, however, wasn't worried at all that what Noah said would happen. If you're asking why: "No, that's not right, Noah. Haven't you realized? This duel is about to end, right in this turn of mine!"
"You, whose Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the field has already attacked, say the duel is about to end? Heh heh, are you saying you can still summon new monsters to attack during the Battle Phase?"
"Wait, could it be...!"
Under Kaiba's 'of course' gaze, Hayato revealed the card in his hand: "You've seen Kaiba duel so many times, you should know that in this guy's deck, there are a few cards that are always stuck together, right?"
"While it's not as excessive as him sticking five cards together, I can still manage to draw Polymerization and De-Fusion at the same time!"
As De-Fusion was played by Hayato, the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon that was one became three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, and attacked Noah, who only had a single trembling Treeborn Frog on his field!
"Crush!"
"Destroy!"
"Great Applause!"
Three beams of white light descended. Treeborn Frog went to the underworld once again, and Noah's Life Points were completely depleted by this triple attack!
[Noah: 5800 → 2800 → 0 LP]
Achievement: [Crush! Destroy! Great Applause!] Completed
"Was that just now [Maiden of the Aqua]?"
"Why is Hayato's monster on your field!"
Noah answered Kaiba with a loud laugh: "It seems you completely fail to understand, Seto."
"Let me say it again. The [Ark of Salvation] is the wheel of salvation carrying hope, and as the god of this world, any monster that boards the [Ark of Salvation] will fall under my control!"
"Each time your Battle Phase begins, I can randomly Special Summon monsters from within the [Ark of Salvation]'s Another Dimension onto my field in Defense Position, equal to the number of monsters on your field."
"In other words, no matter how many monsters you Summon, you will never be able to break through my perfect defense circle!"
As if responding to Noah's contemptuous gaze that kept glancing towards him while he spoke, [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] let out a dissatisfied roar. However, having already attacked once, it could no longer attack again.
Even if it had the ability to attack multiple times, the [Maiden of the Aqua] that was just destroyed by battle had the ability to end the current Battle Phase when destroyed by battle. Helplessly, Hayato ended his turn.
[Hayato: 400 LP, Hand 1]
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon] [ATK 3000]
[Set Card]
"Have you run out of options? That's to be expected. After all, you're facing me, Noah Kaiba, an existence that surpasses Seto Kaiba in every way."
Noah's tone made Kaiba quite annoyed, and repeatedly mentioning the name "Noah Kaiba" made him extremely angry.
"Enough. Even now, are you just going to keep pretending with a deceased person's name and appearance?" Kaiba said coldly. "Noah Kaiba was a deceased person more than ten years ago!"
Noah glanced at Kaiba: "It seems you've already seen the footage of my funeral, Seto? Yes, yes, that's absolutely correct. 'Noah Kaiba is a deceased person' is an undeniable fact."
"But who ever said that the deceased Noah Kaiba couldn't stand before you? Where do you think the 'Mind Digitization' technology used in the Virtual World designed by KaibaCorp came from?"
As he spoke, Noah wasn't in a hurry to draw cards. Instead, he snapped his fingers.
In the sky, covered in dark clouds due to the great flood, a giant sphere appeared like a falling sun. Countless light particles flickered on the sphere.
"What is that thing?" Hayato frowned. "Hey, you're not going to tell me that thing is your brain, are you?"
Noah recounted his story. How, as the crown prince of the powerful KaibaCorp, he grew up not meeting Gozaburo Kaiba's expectations, how he died due to an unexpected event, and how KaibaCorp's black technology transferred his mind and memory into the network world.
Kaiba's face showed understanding, even a look of having connected some dots, seemingly inspired by the technical principles Noah mentioned. Hayato, however, felt like he was listening to gibberish. Even though he could understand every word, when put together, he couldn't make sense of it at all.
"Because you're no longer human but an AI made of data, you stopped growing. Does that mean your brain was this amazing even when you were a child?" Hayato looked at Noah, who appeared to be at most ten years old, and retorted, "Could someone your age really learn something that profound? Aside from calling yourself a god like some chuunibyou, I don't feel like you're an elementary school student at all."
"Calling myself a god? No, I said it from the beginning, Kobayashi Hayato. In this Virtual World, I am the undisputed god." Noah drew a card and declared, "As my turn begins, the god will start recreating this world after sweeping away the sin."
"I activate the Spell Card Card of Demise, replenishing both players' hands to 6 cards. Then, I activate the Field Spell Card Jurassic World!"
After playing the card, Noah drew six cards in one go. Hayato, who had a brick in his hand—Blue-Eyes White Dragon—only drew five cards.
After drawing the cards, Noah lightly tapped one of them. The card he chose fell towards the ground and, like a ginseng fruit, sank into the earth upon contact.
The water level rapidly dropped, exposing the ground beneath as if it had dried up. The previous lava had already extinguished and turned into hard land. At the same time, mud and dust were carried to the ground by the flood. In the blink of an eye, the ground was covered in vegetation as if countless years had instantly passed. Looking out, the ground was covered in green, lush and vibrant, brimming with life.
At the same time, Noah summoned a monster onto the field: "After all civilization was destroyed, came the age of dinosaurs. I Attack Position Summon Giant Rex from my hand, and then equip it with the Equip Spell Card Rising Energy."
In this lush Jurassic jungle, a massive Spinosaurus poked its head out. With a swing of its powerful claws, it tore apart the obstructing thick trees. At the same time, because Noah equipped it with the Equip Spell Card Rising Energy, the muscles on the sail-like spines on its back expanded, maximizing heat dissipation.
[Giant Rex] [4☆/EARTH]
[Dinosaur-Type/Effect]
[2000/1200 → 2600/1800]
Under the boost of two Spell Cards, Giant Rex, whose ATK was already among the forefront of 4☆ monsters, soared to a full 2600 points. Although it still couldn't compare to Hayato's Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field, most other monsters couldn't contend with it.
And Noah's operation was far from over.
"Even after being strengthened twice consecutively, Giant Rex's ATK still can't compare to the giant dragon of the mythological era, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, just like you and me, Seto." Although it was a duel against Hayato, Noah's attention was always focused on Kaiba behind Hayato. "You, who were raised to imitate me, no matter how much you grow, you can't compare to me."
"Hmph, a mere ghost wandering in the Virtual World. Do the dead think they can interfere with the world of the living? Don't dream about it." After listening to Noah's story, Kaiba's tone changed slightly. Compared to his previous disdain for someone "impersonating a deceased person," Kaiba now saw Noah more as one of the sins from Gozaburo that must be conquered.
"Compared to you, who only gained exceptional talent because of your upbringing, it's clear that Blue-Eyes White Dragon is me. Don't get it wrong, Noah!"
Noah just smiled: "If you insist on saying that, then just watch 'you' be defeated by 'me' over there. I activate the Spell Card Attack Seal, changing Blue-Eyes White Dragon's form to Defense Position."
An "X"-shaped red light burst forth from one of the cards in front of Noah. After being hit by the red light, Blue-Eyes White Dragon struggled fiercely for a moment but couldn't break free from the card's power. Helplessly, it curled up its body and changed to Defense Position.
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon] [ATK 3000 → DEF 2500]
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, changed to Defense Position, had exactly 100 less DEF than Giant Rex's ATK!
"Go, Giant Rex! Destroy Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Following Noah's command, Giant Rex opened its massive maw and bit towards Blue-Eyes White Dragon's exposed neck.
Hayato immediately flipped over the only set card remaining on his field: "Chaining to your attack declaration, I activate Sakuretsu Armor to destroy it!"
"Hmph, as if!" Noah snorted and played another card. "Don't think you're the only one with that card. Quick-Play Spell Card Forbidden Lance! Decrease Giant Rex's ATK by 800 points, and it will not be affected by the effects of other Spell/Trap Cards besides this one!"
Sakuretsu Armor, cursed with the inability to take effect, unsurprisingly failed to destroy Giant Rex. Before the effect could reach Giant Rex, it was blocked by a golden spear.
"As expected, it was negated. But Noah, Forbidden Lance doesn't just negate my Sakuretsu Armor. The effects of Jurassic World and Rising Energy on your field will also be negated for Giant Rex because of this, and its ATK will decrease by another 800 points!"
"Counterattack, Blue-Eyes!"
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon] [DEF 2500]
[Giant Rex] [ATK 2600 → 2000 → 1200]
Although it evaded the effect of Sakuretsu Armor using Forbidden Lance, because of this, the Giant Rex with decreased ATK no longer had the ability to break through Blue-Eyes White Dragon's defense. It opened its mouth and bit down on Blue-Eyes's scales, but couldn't break through its defense at all. Instead, Blue-Eyes flapped a wing, swatting Giant Rex back to Noah's field and reflecting battle damage back at him.
[Noah: 7700 → 5800 LP]
"Tch, insignificant damage." Noah pouted. The fact that he couldn't defeat Hayato this turn and allowed him to stall for another turn made him feel a bit annoyed.
He lightly tapped the last card in front of him: "I activate the Continuous Spell Card Supply Squad. Once per turn, when my monster is destroyed, I can draw one card from my deck."
"Then, I end my turn."
[Noah: 5800 LP, Hand 0]
[Giant Rex] (Rising Energy) [ATK 2600]
[Supply Squad]
Field: [Jurassic World]
Hayato: "My turn, drawing cards."
Looking at the card he drew, Hayato was also surprised, because it was the third Blue-Eyes White Dragon in his deck. And by a strange coincidence, due to Noah's Card of Demise effect earlier, he just happened to have a Polymerization in his hand.
"Hmph, you drew it..." Kaiba, who hadn't seen Hayato's hand, showed a knowing expression, the corner of his mouth slightly curving up. "So, what's your choice, Kobayashi Hayato?"
"In this situation, is there even a choice?" Hayato also smiled and activated the card from his hand. "Noah, let me show you the strongest Dragon-Type! I activate the Spell Card Polymerization, using the Blue-Eyes White Dragon on my field and the other two Blue-Eyes in my hand as fusion material!"
Just as Hayato was about to continue, Kaiba, who was nearby, already snatched back the lines: "Noah, let me show you the strongest, most ultimate dragon in history! Transcending the boundaries of time and space, descend! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
Under the power of Polymerization, the ultimate dragon with three heads appeared on Hayato's field. The three dragon heads roared towards the sky in unison!
[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon] [ATK 4500]
"Enter Battle Phase!" Hayato immediately issued the attack command. Just as he was about to target the attack, Noah opposite immediately activated his Deck Master's effect. "Before Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attacks, I activate the effect of [Ark of Salvation]!"
"Absolute Defense!"
Because there was only one monster on his field when Hayato entered the Battle Phase, only one monster flew out from within the [Ark of Salvation]. It was Hayato's Treeborn Frog.
Although having his own monster appear on the opponent's field made Hayato a bit annoyed, his gaze remained firm on the Giant Rex in Attack Position: "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Giant Rex!"
"Burst Stream of Destruction!"
"Strong! Invincible! Supreme!!"
The triple-stacked "Burst Stream of Destruction" spewed forth from the mouths of the three-headed giant dragon, landing on the Giant Rex on Noah's field. Even after undergoing double reinforcement, Giant Rex was powerless to resist Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's attack and was easily destroyed.
"Eek!"
[Noah: 7700 → 5800 LP]
Waving his hand impatiently to dispel the rushing air current towards him, Noah drew a card: "Due to the effect of Supply Squad, I draw one card from my deck."
"To be able to reduce my Life Points to this extent, I must say you truly have some skill, Kobayashi Hayato. But unfortunately, to defeat me, who is a god, you are still twenty thousand years too early."
Saying this, Noah showed a mocking expression: "Once it's my turn, the Giant Rex that was just destroyed, as well as the three Blue-Eyes in your graveyard, will all be taken into my [Ark of Salvation] and grant me LP recovery."
"Your efforts to reduce my Life Points were completely in vain!"
Hayato, however, wasn't worried at all that what Noah said would happen. If you're asking why: "No, that's not right, Noah. Haven't you realized? This duel is about to end, right in this turn of mine!"
"You, whose Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the field has already attacked, say the duel is about to end? Heh heh, are you saying you can still summon new monsters to attack during the Battle Phase?"
"Wait, could it be...!"
Under Kaiba's 'of course' gaze, Hayato revealed the card in his hand: "You've seen Kaiba duel so many times, you should know that in this guy's deck, there are a few cards that are always stuck together, right?"
"While it's not as excessive as him sticking five cards together, I can still manage to draw Polymerization and De-Fusion at the same time!"
As De-Fusion was played by Hayato, the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon that was one became three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, and attacked Noah, who only had a single trembling Treeborn Frog on his field!
"Crush!"
"Destroy!"
"Great Applause!"
Three beams of white light descended. Treeborn Frog went to the underworld once again, and Noah's Life Points were completely depleted by this triple attack!
[Noah: 5800 → 2800 → 0 LP]
Achievement: [Crush! Destroy! Great Applause!] Completed
