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Chapter 422: Classic Absorption Shield
"I Activate the effect of **Bone Temple Offering** in my Graveyard!"
Following Hayato's declaration, just as **Splendid Venus**'s attack was about to hit **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, a black shadow suddenly flew out from the Graveyard and struck the magic orb, detonating it in mid-air before **Splendid Venus**'s attack could hit.
"During the Battle Step when monsters are battling, I can Banish **Bone Temple Offering** from my Graveyard to Negate that monster's attack." Hayato took the **Bone Temple Offering** card from the Graveyard and put it in his pocket. "Although **Splendid Venus** prevents your Spell/Trap Cards from being Negated, a monster's attack is not within its protection range."
Gekko Tenma showed an expression of realization: "I see, that's the card that was Sent to the Graveyard just now by the effect of my **Cursed Coffin**, isn't it? As expected of Mr. Hayato, you can even use the unfavorable effects used by your opponent."
"It's a pity I couldn't Destroy **Gaia the Dragon Champion**. Then I Activate the Spell Card **Double Coston** from my Hand, Tribute the Normal Monster **Mystical Shine Ball** On my Field, and then Draw two cards from my Deck."
After drawing two cards from his Deck, Gekko Tenma looked at his hand and Set them all. "I Set both cards in my hand and End my Turn."
[Gekko Tenma: 2500 LP, Hand 0]
**Splendid Venus** [ATK 2500]
**The Agent of Creation - Venus** [ATK 1600]
[Set Card] X2
In the Turn that just passed, out of caution and to maximize benefit, Gekko Tenma didn't choose to Declare Attack directly, but instead chose to break through Hayato's Set Card to ensure it was foolproof before starting his attack. This step was actually unnecessary.
If he had Declared Attack directly, Hayato's two Set Cards would not Take Effect at all, **Gaia the Dragon Champion** would be directly Destroyed, and the **Bone Temple Offering** Hayato held in his hand would not have been Sent to the Graveyard by the effect of **Cursed Coffin** and then been able to Activate.
However, even though the effect of **Cursed Coffin** was to randomly Send a card from the hand to the Graveyard, Hayato still accurately Discarded **Bone Temple Offering**. Perhaps this was luck.
Looking at Gekko Tenma's slightly regretful expression, Hayato gained some insight into why Maximillion Pegasus said Gekko Tenma "has no talent in Duel Monsters". However, since they had only dueled for one Turn, Hayato wasn't very sure.
"My Turn, Draw!"
Anyway, let's start my Turn first.
"During my Standby Phase, the effect of **Future Fusion** Activates. **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, who was Sent to the future, will appear on my Field."
As he spoke, a light pillar rose from the **Future Fusion** card on Hayato's Field. The light pillar opened an illusory portal in mid-air, and the figure of **Gaia the Dragon Champion** riding **Curse of Dragon** appeared within it.
However, seeing Hayato Summon **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, Gekko Tenma revealed a smug smile: "This is the moment! I Activate the Set Card in my Backrow, **Adhesion Trap Hole**!"
"Can only Activate When Summoned Successfully, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned! As long as that monster is on the Field in Face-up Position, its original Attack becomes half!"
"Furthermore, even monsters that appear later will be Suppressed by the effect of **Splendid Venus**, their Attack and Defense decrease by 500 points!"
Before it could even show off, **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, which appeared on Hayato's Field, was suddenly doused from head to toe with a bucket of strange green liquid that looked like snot as soon as it appeared. Then, it was directly dragged to the ground from the air by the power of **Splendid Venus**. While dizzy from the fall, it was also stuck to the ground by the sticky liquid.
**Gaia the Dragon Champion** [ATK 2600→1300→800]
Just for a moment, due to its cool entrance, the mighty **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack plummeted to a mere 800 points in an instant. Forget battle, even self-preservation was becoming a problem.
"Tsk, its combat ability is basically gone." Hayato looked at the helpless **Gaia the Dragon Champion** and played a card. "In that case, I can't really rely on him. Instead of leaving him on the Field as a waste (**Gaia the Dragon Champion**: Who are you calling a waste?), I might as well make some use of him."
"Activate Spell Card **Seven Star Sword**. I Banish the Level 7 **Gaia the Dragon Champion** on my Field, and Draw two cards from my Deck."
After Replenishing his hand to four cards, Hayato glanced at the situation on his Field.
Although **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack was decreased and couldn't match **Splendid Venus**, Destroying **The Agent of Creation - Venus** was still more than enough.
What's more, the **Spiral Spear Strike** in Hayato's Backrow wasn't just for show. Coupled with **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s ability to decide the opponent's monster position, Hayato's decision was indeed---
"Entering my Battle Phase, I will Use **Gaia the Dragon Champion** to Declare Attack on **The Agent of Creation - Venus**!" Hayato raised his arm and swung it forward. "Before **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, the one who decides your monster position is me, Hayato!"
"I will change **The Agent of Creation - Venus** to Defense Position!"
**Gaia the Dragon Champion** didn't rush to Declare Attack. Instead, it pulled the reins, riding the red **Curse of Dragon** and began flying around the field, constantly accelerating until it became a streak of red light, as if it had become a red comet.
Although it had no horns, **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, which still accelerated to three times the speed, stirred up a whirlwind around Gekko Tenma's field. **The Agent of Creation - Venus** could barely maintain its alert state at first, but quickly became disoriented, finally kneeling on one knee and entering Defense Position in a dizzy state.
**The Agent of Creation - Venus** [ATK 1600→DEF 0]
Gekko Tenma exclaimed in surprise: "My **The Agent of Creation - Venus**'s Defense is 0, and **Gaia the Dragon Champion** has the ability to inflict Piercing Damage... This is bad!!"
Hayato pointed at **The Agent of Creation - Venus**, which had lost its ability to resist, and directly ordered: "This is the angle! Go, **Gaia the Dragon Champion**!"
"Golden Cavalry Spin!"
The red stream of light changed direction. As its Mount, **Curse of Dragon**, rotated in sync, the tip of **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s spear gathered spiral power accelerating to the extreme, as if it could even distort time and space. He swooped down and thrust this spear at **The Agent of Creation - Venus**!
And at this moment, Gekko Tenma gritted his teeth, as if he had finally made up his mind. His finger pressed the Activate Set Card button on his Duel Disk: "At this instant, I Activate my Set Card!"
"Trap Card **Absorb Shield**! Negate **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack, and my Life Points recover the value of **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack!"
**Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s seemingly certain hit was blocked by a translucent energy shield that suddenly appeared in front of **The Agent of Creation - Venus**. Even the spiral spear thrust that could inflict Piercing Damage everything ultimately couldn't resist the rules of Duel Monsters. Did **Gaia the Dragon Champion** return without success?
[Gekko Tenma: 2500 LP→4600 LP]
The gap in Life Points that appeared earlier to Activate **The Agent of Creation - Venus**'s effect was filled back up by the effect of **Absorb Shield**, and even overflowed by 600 points. Looking at his rising Life Points, Gekko Tenma couldn't help but smile.
If **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s previous hit had Destroyed **The Agent of Creation - Venus**, the monster being Destroyed and taking a lot of damage would have been secondary. The truly crucial point was that Hayato could then Activate the effect of **Spiral Spear Strike** to Draw cards from his Deck and swap cards.
But now, he had successfully blocked **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack with one card. Protecting his monster, Recovering Life Points, and hindering the opponent's drawing cards, Gekko Tenma looked at his operation and felt completely satisfied.
With this happy emotion, Gekko Tenma looked at Hayato, wanting to get his comments on this set of operations. Although Gekko Tenma held sincere respect for Maximillion Pegasus, it was impossible for him not to feel unwillingness regarding the evaluation Maximillion Pegasus made.
He had been called a genius since he was young, possessing considerable talent in all aspects, and had even gained Lord Pegasus's appreciation early on, assisting him in working at Industrial Illusions.
However, for someone like himself, whose adoptive father was Lord Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters, known as the "Father of Duel Monsters", to be evaluated as having "no talent in Duel Monsters", Gekko Tenma felt very unwillingness in his heart.
No matter what, I was the Older Brother...
Suddenly, such a thought popped up in Gekko Tenma's mind, but the next moment he himself felt strange. Did he have siblings?
Forgetting the strange thought in an instant, Gekko Tenma looked at Hayato with expectation, but he only heard a sigh from Hayato.
"Ah, it seems you're just a fake fan, Gekko-san." Hayato looked at his **Gaia the Dragon Champion** on the Field and drew a card from his hand. "I use this move quite often, so why didn't anyone tell you about it?"
"**Absorb Shield**, **Counter Gate**, and similar cards that Negate monster attacks are useless against me!"
The card held between Hayato's fingers flipped over, revealing a green card printed with a slot machine.
"Quick-Play Spell Card **Second Coin Toss**, which gives me a second attack opportunity. **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, whose attack was Negated, will gain a second attack opportunity, and its attack will double!"
"Wh-What?!"
Under Gekko Tenma's astonished gaze, the red comet reappeared. A heavier attack than before fell, and this time, Gekko Tenma didn't have **Absorb Shield**.
**The Agent of Creation - Venus**, with 0 Defense, was instantly Destroyed. And **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack, which doubled to 5200 points, even after being weakened by 500 points by **Splendid Venus**, was still as high as 4700 points. With the effect of **Spiral Spear Strike**, it inflicted Piercing Damage, instantly depleting Gekko Tenma's Life Points!
[Gekko Tenma: 4600 LP→0 LP]
End of Chapter
"I Activate the effect of **Bone Temple Offering** in my Graveyard!"
Following Hayato's declaration, just as **Splendid Venus**'s attack was about to hit **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, a black shadow suddenly flew out from the Graveyard and struck the magic orb, detonating it in mid-air before **Splendid Venus**'s attack could hit.
"During the Battle Step when monsters are battling, I can Banish **Bone Temple Offering** from my Graveyard to Negate that monster's attack." Hayato took the **Bone Temple Offering** card from the Graveyard and put it in his pocket. "Although **Splendid Venus** prevents your Spell/Trap Cards from being Negated, a monster's attack is not within its protection range."
Gekko Tenma showed an expression of realization: "I see, that's the card that was Sent to the Graveyard just now by the effect of my **Cursed Coffin**, isn't it? As expected of Mr. Hayato, you can even use the unfavorable effects used by your opponent."
"It's a pity I couldn't Destroy **Gaia the Dragon Champion**. Then I Activate the Spell Card **Double Coston** from my Hand, Tribute the Normal Monster **Mystical Shine Ball** On my Field, and then Draw two cards from my Deck."
After drawing two cards from his Deck, Gekko Tenma looked at his hand and Set them all. "I Set both cards in my hand and End my Turn."
[Gekko Tenma: 2500 LP, Hand 0]
**Splendid Venus** [ATK 2500]
**The Agent of Creation - Venus** [ATK 1600]
[Set Card] X2
In the Turn that just passed, out of caution and to maximize benefit, Gekko Tenma didn't choose to Declare Attack directly, but instead chose to break through Hayato's Set Card to ensure it was foolproof before starting his attack. This step was actually unnecessary.
If he had Declared Attack directly, Hayato's two Set Cards would not Take Effect at all, **Gaia the Dragon Champion** would be directly Destroyed, and the **Bone Temple Offering** Hayato held in his hand would not have been Sent to the Graveyard by the effect of **Cursed Coffin** and then been able to Activate.
However, even though the effect of **Cursed Coffin** was to randomly Send a card from the hand to the Graveyard, Hayato still accurately Discarded **Bone Temple Offering**. Perhaps this was luck.
Looking at Gekko Tenma's slightly regretful expression, Hayato gained some insight into why Maximillion Pegasus said Gekko Tenma "has no talent in Duel Monsters". However, since they had only dueled for one Turn, Hayato wasn't very sure.
"My Turn, Draw!"
Anyway, let's start my Turn first.
"During my Standby Phase, the effect of **Future Fusion** Activates. **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, who was Sent to the future, will appear on my Field."
As he spoke, a light pillar rose from the **Future Fusion** card on Hayato's Field. The light pillar opened an illusory portal in mid-air, and the figure of **Gaia the Dragon Champion** riding **Curse of Dragon** appeared within it.
However, seeing Hayato Summon **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, Gekko Tenma revealed a smug smile: "This is the moment! I Activate the Set Card in my Backrow, **Adhesion Trap Hole**!"
"Can only Activate When Summoned Successfully, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned! As long as that monster is on the Field in Face-up Position, its original Attack becomes half!"
"Furthermore, even monsters that appear later will be Suppressed by the effect of **Splendid Venus**, their Attack and Defense decrease by 500 points!"
Before it could even show off, **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, which appeared on Hayato's Field, was suddenly doused from head to toe with a bucket of strange green liquid that looked like snot as soon as it appeared. Then, it was directly dragged to the ground from the air by the power of **Splendid Venus**. While dizzy from the fall, it was also stuck to the ground by the sticky liquid.
**Gaia the Dragon Champion** [ATK 2600→1300→800]
Just for a moment, due to its cool entrance, the mighty **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack plummeted to a mere 800 points in an instant. Forget battle, even self-preservation was becoming a problem.
"Tsk, its combat ability is basically gone." Hayato looked at the helpless **Gaia the Dragon Champion** and played a card. "In that case, I can't really rely on him. Instead of leaving him on the Field as a waste (**Gaia the Dragon Champion**: Who are you calling a waste?), I might as well make some use of him."
"Activate Spell Card **Seven Star Sword**. I Banish the Level 7 **Gaia the Dragon Champion** on my Field, and Draw two cards from my Deck."
After Replenishing his hand to four cards, Hayato glanced at the situation on his Field.
Although **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack was decreased and couldn't match **Splendid Venus**, Destroying **The Agent of Creation - Venus** was still more than enough.
What's more, the **Spiral Spear Strike** in Hayato's Backrow wasn't just for show. Coupled with **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s ability to decide the opponent's monster position, Hayato's decision was indeed---
"Entering my Battle Phase, I will Use **Gaia the Dragon Champion** to Declare Attack on **The Agent of Creation - Venus**!" Hayato raised his arm and swung it forward. "Before **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, the one who decides your monster position is me, Hayato!"
"I will change **The Agent of Creation - Venus** to Defense Position!"
**Gaia the Dragon Champion** didn't rush to Declare Attack. Instead, it pulled the reins, riding the red **Curse of Dragon** and began flying around the field, constantly accelerating until it became a streak of red light, as if it had become a red comet.
Although it had no horns, **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, which still accelerated to three times the speed, stirred up a whirlwind around Gekko Tenma's field. **The Agent of Creation - Venus** could barely maintain its alert state at first, but quickly became disoriented, finally kneeling on one knee and entering Defense Position in a dizzy state.
**The Agent of Creation - Venus** [ATK 1600→DEF 0]
Gekko Tenma exclaimed in surprise: "My **The Agent of Creation - Venus**'s Defense is 0, and **Gaia the Dragon Champion** has the ability to inflict Piercing Damage... This is bad!!"
Hayato pointed at **The Agent of Creation - Venus**, which had lost its ability to resist, and directly ordered: "This is the angle! Go, **Gaia the Dragon Champion**!"
"Golden Cavalry Spin!"
The red stream of light changed direction. As its Mount, **Curse of Dragon**, rotated in sync, the tip of **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s spear gathered spiral power accelerating to the extreme, as if it could even distort time and space. He swooped down and thrust this spear at **The Agent of Creation - Venus**!
And at this moment, Gekko Tenma gritted his teeth, as if he had finally made up his mind. His finger pressed the Activate Set Card button on his Duel Disk: "At this instant, I Activate my Set Card!"
"Trap Card **Absorb Shield**! Negate **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack, and my Life Points recover the value of **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack!"
**Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s seemingly certain hit was blocked by a translucent energy shield that suddenly appeared in front of **The Agent of Creation - Venus**. Even the spiral spear thrust that could inflict Piercing Damage everything ultimately couldn't resist the rules of Duel Monsters. Did **Gaia the Dragon Champion** return without success?
[Gekko Tenma: 2500 LP→4600 LP]
The gap in Life Points that appeared earlier to Activate **The Agent of Creation - Venus**'s effect was filled back up by the effect of **Absorb Shield**, and even overflowed by 600 points. Looking at his rising Life Points, Gekko Tenma couldn't help but smile.
If **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s previous hit had Destroyed **The Agent of Creation - Venus**, the monster being Destroyed and taking a lot of damage would have been secondary. The truly crucial point was that Hayato could then Activate the effect of **Spiral Spear Strike** to Draw cards from his Deck and swap cards.
But now, he had successfully blocked **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack with one card. Protecting his monster, Recovering Life Points, and hindering the opponent's drawing cards, Gekko Tenma looked at his operation and felt completely satisfied.
With this happy emotion, Gekko Tenma looked at Hayato, wanting to get his comments on this set of operations. Although Gekko Tenma held sincere respect for Maximillion Pegasus, it was impossible for him not to feel unwillingness regarding the evaluation Maximillion Pegasus made.
He had been called a genius since he was young, possessing considerable talent in all aspects, and had even gained Lord Pegasus's appreciation early on, assisting him in working at Industrial Illusions.
However, for someone like himself, whose adoptive father was Lord Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters, known as the "Father of Duel Monsters", to be evaluated as having "no talent in Duel Monsters", Gekko Tenma felt very unwillingness in his heart.
No matter what, I was the Older Brother...
Suddenly, such a thought popped up in Gekko Tenma's mind, but the next moment he himself felt strange. Did he have siblings?
Forgetting the strange thought in an instant, Gekko Tenma looked at Hayato with expectation, but he only heard a sigh from Hayato.
"Ah, it seems you're just a fake fan, Gekko-san." Hayato looked at his **Gaia the Dragon Champion** on the Field and drew a card from his hand. "I use this move quite often, so why didn't anyone tell you about it?"
"**Absorb Shield**, **Counter Gate**, and similar cards that Negate monster attacks are useless against me!"
The card held between Hayato's fingers flipped over, revealing a green card printed with a slot machine.
"Quick-Play Spell Card **Second Coin Toss**, which gives me a second attack opportunity. **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, whose attack was Negated, will gain a second attack opportunity, and its attack will double!"
"Wh-What?!"
Under Gekko Tenma's astonished gaze, the red comet reappeared. A heavier attack than before fell, and this time, Gekko Tenma didn't have **Absorb Shield**.
**The Agent of Creation - Venus**, with 0 Defense, was instantly Destroyed. And **Gaia the Dragon Champion**'s attack, which doubled to 5200 points, even after being weakened by 500 points by **Splendid Venus**, was still as high as 4700 points. With the effect of **Spiral Spear Strike**, it inflicted Piercing Damage, instantly depleting Gekko Tenma's Life Points!
[Gekko Tenma: 4600 LP→0 LP]
End of Chapter
