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Chapter 472: This Is No Longer Your Business
As everyone knows, as the protagonist and true heroine (?) of *Yu-Gi-Oh! DM*, Mutou Yuugi, or rather, Yugi Mutou, primarily uses a Trap-Heavy Deck.
Summon? Negated. Field Setup? Negated. Card Draw? Negated. Direct Attack? So strong, too strong! I activate Magic Cylinder.
However, although his Deck is filled with all sorts of red and green cards, Yugi Mutou actually has a few iconic Ace Monsters. Among them is the Magnet Warrior Deck, which, similar to XYZ, is also based on three-part combinations.
And the Boss Monsters of the Magnet Warrior series, Valkyrion the Magna Warrior and Electromagnet Warrior Magnet Valkyrion, have an effect that makes them incredibly resilient. Even if they are Destroyed, they can Revive by Summoning the Component Monsters that make them up, and can even Combine again to Revive in the next Turn.
The ABC-Dragon Buster that Hayato Summoned also possesses a similar Ability, and is even more potent than the Magnet Warrior.
[ABC-Dragon Buster]
[Effect: ① Once per Turn, you can Discard a card from hand, then Target 1 card on the Field; Banish that card. This Effect can be Activated during your Opponent's Turn.
② During your Opponent's Turn, you can Tribute this card, then Target 3 of your Banished LIGHT Machine Type Union Monsters; Special Summon those monsters.]
Not only can it Banish a Key Card on the Field once per Turn during the Opponent's Turn to disrupt their plays, but if the Opponent wants to Counterattack, ABC-Dragon Buster can also utilize its second Effect to Disassemble and Escape, dodging Effects. It's the standard "only I can hit you, you can't hit me" style.
After Summoning ABC-Dragon Buster, Hayato glanced at his Hand. After a series of Operations, he still had three cards left. Hayato only kept one card in Hand to use as the Cost for ABC-Dragon Buster's Effect next Turn, Setting the other two cards.
"I Set two cards from my Hand. My Turn ends."
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 1]
[ABC-Dragon Buster] [ATK 3000]
[Frontline Base] [Set Card] X2
Field: [Union Hangar]
"A Monster with 3000 ATK, and you've also Set two Trap Cards for Defense," the Former Cyber Style Master said with a frown. "As someone Challenging a Dojo, your Strength is quite high."
"I told you I'm not—"
"But the Cyber Style is much stronger than you imagine. A mere 3000 ATK is something I can easily Surpass!"
Although Hayato tried to Clarify again, the stubborn old man interrupted him once more, Talking to himself.
"My Turn, Draw!" Drawing a Card from his Deck, the Previous Master/Instructor saw the card he Drew, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He immediately played the card he Drew.
"First, I Activate the Spell Card Pot of Greed, allowing me to Draw two cards from my Deck."
"Then I Activate the Continuous Spell Card Future Fusion, which I just Drew. As the name suggests, this card allows monsters to be Fusion Summoned in the future. I choose my Fusion Monster Cyber End Dragon for you to Confirm, and then Send the three Cyber Dragon from my Deck that are Material for Cyber End Dragon to the Graveyard!"
Because his Duel Disk didn't have the Black Technology for automatic Deck Search like Hayato's, the Previous Master/Instructor could only Search for the Cyber Dragon in his Deck one by one and then Send them to the Graveyard.
While Searching, he looked at Hayato: "Since you have the Courage to Challenge the Cyber Style Dojo, you should also Know the Ultimate Technique of the Cyber Style—the Power of Cyber End Dragon."
"Because of Future Fusion's Effect, Cyber End Dragon will appear on my Field next Turn. However, if you think you can escape this way, you are greatly mistaken, because I will Fusion Summon a monster using 'Cyber Dragon' as material in this Turn!"
The Previous Master/Instructor Drew a Card from his Hand and inserted it into the Spell & Trap Zone. As the card was inserted, the Phantom of the three Cyber Dragon that had just been Sent to the Graveyard Manifested behind him and then Dispersed into Particles.
"This Effect, could it be..."
Hayato also has a Cyber Dragon Deck, so he naturally knows the "Three Axes" commonly used for Cyber Dragon Fusion: Power Bond for Hand Fusion, Cyberload Fusion for Banished Zone Fusion, and Fusion from the Graveyard—
"I Activate the Spell Card Overload Fusion! This card allows me to select Fusion Material required for a Machine Type DARK Attribute Fusion Monster from my Field or Graveyard, Banish them, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster!"
"The Fusion Material are all three Cyber Dragon! I Banish all of them, and then Summon Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!"
After the figures of the three Cyber Dragon Dispersed beside the Previous Master/Instructor, ominous and dangerous red Electric Currents began to flash among the silver light Particles that filled the air. Accompanied by a mechanical hum, a mechanical long Dragon with three branching heads was now coiled beside the Previous Master/Instructor!
[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon] [5☆/DARK]
[Machine Type/Fusion/Effect]
[2100/1600]
Looking at this Machine Type Fusion Monster Summoned by the Previous Master/Instructor, which was similar yet vastly different from the usual Cyber Dragon, the surrounding Disciples couldn't help but exclaim: "So, so cool!"
"It's a completely different Style from Cyber End Dragon, but still so cool!"
"And it's DARK Attribute! Three LIGHT Attribute Cyber Dragon fused into a DARK Attribute Fusion Monster, and its ATK/DEF and even Level are the same?"
After Summoning Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, the Previous Master/Instructor saw that the Apprentices were curious about this DARK Attribute "Cyber Style" monster that wasn't included in the usual Cyber Style Curriculum, and took the opportunity to promote it.
"Many people know the 'Cyber Style's' Cyber Dragon, and know that Cyber Dragon's Fusion form, Cyber End Dragon, is the Proof of the collection of all 'Cyber Style' Techniques. Obtaining Cyber End Dragon means you have Mastered all the Techniques of the 'Cyber Style'."
He Paused, then changed the subject, "But!"
"Cyber End Dragon represents the Perfection of the 'Cyber Style', but it is not the Limit of the 'Cyber Style'. The evolution of the 'Cyber Style' is infinite and without end!"
"Let me use this Duel to Defeat the Challenger and show you a corner of that Infinite Peak!"
After speaking, the Previous Master/Instructor turned back to the Field and pointed a Finger towards Hayato: "In front of the 'Cyber Style', everything is Fair and Square. First, I will Destroy those Troublesome Spell and Trap Cards of yours."
"When Chimeratech Rampage Dragon is successfully Fusion Summoned, I can Target Spell/Trap Cards on the Field up to the number of Fusion Material used for Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, and Destroy them," the Previous Master/Instructor extended three Fingers. "I used three Cyber Dragon as Fusion Material, so I can Destroy your two Set Cards in the Spell/Trap Zone and your Field Spell Card!"
"Go, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, Overload Charge Impact!"
As the Former Cyber Style Master designated the cards to be Destroyed, each of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's three heads gathered an orange Lightning and spat them out simultaneously. Like a hot knife through Butter, the three beams of Lightning sliced through the Set Cards on Hayato's Field and the pillars of Union Hangar behind him, Destroying them all.
"Boom!"
Amidst the explosion's fire, the Previous Master/Instructor heard a voice from Hayato's side: "Instead of accumulating Power, you chose to prioritize clearing my dangerous Set Cards. If Pharaoh were as cautious as you, he wouldn't always step straight into Yugi's Traps."
"But you know, having my Set Cards Destroyed isn't necessarily a bad thing for me."
As Hayato's words fell, a red light suddenly shot out from the smoke of the explosion. It bypassed the obstructing Chimeratech Rampage Dragon and directly struck the Previous Master/Instructor, pushing him back several steps, and his Life Points decreased accordingly.
[Previous Master/Instructor: 4000 LP → 3000 LP]
Clutching his chest where the red light had just hit him, the Previous Master/Instructor couldn't understand why his Life Points had suddenly dropped by a full 1000 LP when he had only Destroyed two Set Cards.
After the quickly dissipating smoke, the card Hayato held between his Fingers gave him the answer.
"Blast Held by a Tribute. It deals 1000 Damage to the Player who Destroyed this card. It might not be very useful against reckless Duelists who play entirely by Feeling and don't look at others' Set Cards, but it's Most Suitable for dealing with overly cautious guys who are good at overthinking."
As he spoke, Hayato Sent Blast Held by a Tribute, along with the simultaneously Destroyed Union Scramble and Union Hangar, to the Graveyard.
"Hmph, it's just a mere 1000 Points. As long as I finish you off in this Turn, it's just a slight loss," the Previous Master/Instructor said Proudly. "Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's second Effect is that it can Send up to two Machine Type LIGHT Attribute monsters from the Deck to the Graveyard."
"Then, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon can make additional attacks equal to the number of monsters sent to the Graveyard, in addition to its Normal Attack! I Send two Proto-Cyber Dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard, Granting my Chimeratech Rampage Dragon the Ability to Attack three times this Turn!"
As the Previous Master/Instructor Sent the two Searched Proto-Cyber Dragon to the Graveyard, the eyes of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's three heads on his Field all lit up with dangerous red light, seemingly ready to Attack Hayato.
"Heh heh, Weak, Weak, Weak. Even if it can Attack three times, what can it do? A piece of tofu attacking three times can't pierce a hard Griddle. Don't forget your Chimeratech Rampage Dragon only has 2100 ATK. Do you dare defy me, who possesses ABC-Dragon Buster with 3000 ATK?"
Hayato didn't think a Triple Attack with only 2100 ATK was anything to Fear. If it were Chimeratech Overdragon's Fatal Five Consecutive Hits with 4000 ATK, that would be more terrifying.
Hearing Hayato's standard Antagonist speech, the Previous Master/Instructor's mouth curved into a smile, and he Drew a Card from his Hand: "In that case, what about adding this card?"
Only then did Hayato notice that although the opponent had completed the Milling, Fusion, and Field Clear operations, the old man had actually only played two cards from his Hand. He still had a full five cards in his Hand that he hadn't used.
And now, he played a Powerful Card that is practically essential for ATK boosting Cyber Dragon Decks.
"Quick-Play Spell Card, Limiter Removal, Activate!"
That's right, the card the Former Cyber Style Master Activated at this moment was Limiter Removal, which can be Activated without any prerequisites and simply and Brutally Doubles Attack Power from the start. 1000 becomes 2000, 2000 becomes 4000, 4000 becomes 8000, and 8000 can even become 16000.
"Limiter Removal's Effect is that the ATK of all Machine Type monsters on my Field is Doubled. That means your supposedly Weak Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's 2100 ATK will become 4200, surpassing the 4000 ATK of the legendary God Card, Obelisk the Tormentor."
The Previous Master/Instructor said Proudly, "Can you still be as Composed as before, Kid?"
"4200 ATK, and it can Attack three times. Indeed, at this level, it can't be called Weak. After All, Kaiba's Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is only a Triple Attack with 4500 ATK."
Hayato nodded and continued, "But even so, Powerful Cards come with Risk. Machine Type monsters' inherent power output is optimized. If you overload them by lifting the limit, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, having applied Limiter Removal's Effect, will also be Destroyed at the end of your Turn."
"Heh heh, it doesn't matter. As long as I finish you off this Turn, it's fine. Anyway, rather than sustained ordinariness, I prefer Instant Radiance," the Previous Master/Instructor laughed wildly, not at all like an old man, but rather like a hot-blooded young man.
"Is that so..." Hayato also smiled upon hearing this. "In that case, let me add a little more to your 'Radiance'."
"Hmm?" Hayato's words were a bit difficult to understand, but seeing ABC-Dragon Buster open its Laser Cannon Barrel and Rocket Pod as Hayato Sent a Card from his Hand to the Graveyard, the Former Cyber Style Master had an ominous premonition.
"Once per Turn, ABC-Dragon Buster can Activate its Effect by Discarding a card from my Hand, Targeting one card on the Field, and Banishing that card. And this Effect can be Activated during the Opponent's Turn."
Hayato said sarcastically, "A Triple Attack with 4200 ATK, so strong, too strong. But rather than being Destroyed by Limiter Removal's Effect, I'll use ABC-Dragon Buster's Effect to Banish you!"
The Previous Master/Instructor understood Hayato's Plan. This guy was waiting for him to commit enough Resources to strengthen Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, and then Banish it when its Power reached its Peak.
How could someone Duel in such an Annoying way? NMD, WSM?
"You, you guy!"
"No need to thank me. You cleared my Spell/Trap Zone, I'll take care of your Boss Monster. This is what's called Tit for Tat," Hayato snapped his Fingers. "Go, ABC-Dragon Buster, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's business here is finished. Let it go guard the pond!"
"Moment of Demise!"
In 2016, the biggest Impression for many Duelists was still Zoodiac, but ABC's Radiance, which came out a few months before Zoodiac, was indeed overshadowed by Zoodiac.
It's not that ABC wasn't strong; I personally feel that ABC's greater significance was showing Kaiku Corporation the sweet spot: the sweet spot of "extremely small System + Low Cost Field Setup → Brutal Suppression + Heavy Backrow + Sustainability".
Small System: The Archetype itself only has 12 cards, and even with a full set of Photon Thrasher, it's only 20 cards. Among these, you only need to use five specific cards to perform a standard combo, leaving the remaining 20 card slots for Card Filtering and Counter Cards.
Low Cost Field Setup: Field Spell plus Photon Thrasher/Galaxy Soldier is a two-card combo to bring out ABC + Rank 4. It comes with Search and has a high Success Rate.
Brutal Suppression: Quick Effect Banish.
Heavy Backrow: Set cards, besides destroying traps, include Solemn Judgment and Skill Drain that make your blood pressure soar.
Sustainability: ABC comes with Escape and Trade 1 for 3, the Field Spell can also generate advantage, and the Graveyard Components can be Searched again.
Before ABC, even Yang Zing, Shaddoll, Prophecy, etc., didn't achieve "small System + Low Cost Field Setup". Only a peak era Masked HERO was similar, but Masked HERO was born at the wrong time and encountered a bunch of monsters. The Power of this model wasn't fully realized until ABC.
After ABC, came Zoodiac, which developed this "extremely small System + Low Cost Field Setup" to its extreme.
A 13-15 card Archetype small System, Low Cost one-card Field Setup, Drident's Quick Effect Card Destruction, plenty of slots for Hand Traps and Trap-Heavy Deck, and the incredible Sustainability of Broadbull.
If ABC was the Mature Form, Zoodiac was the Perfected Form.
This was an important Link in the development of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Meta, serving as Preparation for the popularity of Hybrid Decks.
End of Chapter
As everyone knows, as the protagonist and true heroine (?) of *Yu-Gi-Oh! DM*, Mutou Yuugi, or rather, Yugi Mutou, primarily uses a Trap-Heavy Deck.
Summon? Negated. Field Setup? Negated. Card Draw? Negated. Direct Attack? So strong, too strong! I activate Magic Cylinder.
However, although his Deck is filled with all sorts of red and green cards, Yugi Mutou actually has a few iconic Ace Monsters. Among them is the Magnet Warrior Deck, which, similar to XYZ, is also based on three-part combinations.
And the Boss Monsters of the Magnet Warrior series, Valkyrion the Magna Warrior and Electromagnet Warrior Magnet Valkyrion, have an effect that makes them incredibly resilient. Even if they are Destroyed, they can Revive by Summoning the Component Monsters that make them up, and can even Combine again to Revive in the next Turn.
The ABC-Dragon Buster that Hayato Summoned also possesses a similar Ability, and is even more potent than the Magnet Warrior.
[ABC-Dragon Buster]
[Effect: ① Once per Turn, you can Discard a card from hand, then Target 1 card on the Field; Banish that card. This Effect can be Activated during your Opponent's Turn.
② During your Opponent's Turn, you can Tribute this card, then Target 3 of your Banished LIGHT Machine Type Union Monsters; Special Summon those monsters.]
Not only can it Banish a Key Card on the Field once per Turn during the Opponent's Turn to disrupt their plays, but if the Opponent wants to Counterattack, ABC-Dragon Buster can also utilize its second Effect to Disassemble and Escape, dodging Effects. It's the standard "only I can hit you, you can't hit me" style.
After Summoning ABC-Dragon Buster, Hayato glanced at his Hand. After a series of Operations, he still had three cards left. Hayato only kept one card in Hand to use as the Cost for ABC-Dragon Buster's Effect next Turn, Setting the other two cards.
"I Set two cards from my Hand. My Turn ends."
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 1]
[ABC-Dragon Buster] [ATK 3000]
[Frontline Base] [Set Card] X2
Field: [Union Hangar]
"A Monster with 3000 ATK, and you've also Set two Trap Cards for Defense," the Former Cyber Style Master said with a frown. "As someone Challenging a Dojo, your Strength is quite high."
"I told you I'm not—"
"But the Cyber Style is much stronger than you imagine. A mere 3000 ATK is something I can easily Surpass!"
Although Hayato tried to Clarify again, the stubborn old man interrupted him once more, Talking to himself.
"My Turn, Draw!" Drawing a Card from his Deck, the Previous Master/Instructor saw the card he Drew, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He immediately played the card he Drew.
"First, I Activate the Spell Card Pot of Greed, allowing me to Draw two cards from my Deck."
"Then I Activate the Continuous Spell Card Future Fusion, which I just Drew. As the name suggests, this card allows monsters to be Fusion Summoned in the future. I choose my Fusion Monster Cyber End Dragon for you to Confirm, and then Send the three Cyber Dragon from my Deck that are Material for Cyber End Dragon to the Graveyard!"
Because his Duel Disk didn't have the Black Technology for automatic Deck Search like Hayato's, the Previous Master/Instructor could only Search for the Cyber Dragon in his Deck one by one and then Send them to the Graveyard.
While Searching, he looked at Hayato: "Since you have the Courage to Challenge the Cyber Style Dojo, you should also Know the Ultimate Technique of the Cyber Style—the Power of Cyber End Dragon."
"Because of Future Fusion's Effect, Cyber End Dragon will appear on my Field next Turn. However, if you think you can escape this way, you are greatly mistaken, because I will Fusion Summon a monster using 'Cyber Dragon' as material in this Turn!"
The Previous Master/Instructor Drew a Card from his Hand and inserted it into the Spell & Trap Zone. As the card was inserted, the Phantom of the three Cyber Dragon that had just been Sent to the Graveyard Manifested behind him and then Dispersed into Particles.
"This Effect, could it be..."
Hayato also has a Cyber Dragon Deck, so he naturally knows the "Three Axes" commonly used for Cyber Dragon Fusion: Power Bond for Hand Fusion, Cyberload Fusion for Banished Zone Fusion, and Fusion from the Graveyard—
"I Activate the Spell Card Overload Fusion! This card allows me to select Fusion Material required for a Machine Type DARK Attribute Fusion Monster from my Field or Graveyard, Banish them, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster!"
"The Fusion Material are all three Cyber Dragon! I Banish all of them, and then Summon Chimeratech Rampage Dragon!"
After the figures of the three Cyber Dragon Dispersed beside the Previous Master/Instructor, ominous and dangerous red Electric Currents began to flash among the silver light Particles that filled the air. Accompanied by a mechanical hum, a mechanical long Dragon with three branching heads was now coiled beside the Previous Master/Instructor!
[Chimeratech Rampage Dragon] [5☆/DARK]
[Machine Type/Fusion/Effect]
[2100/1600]
Looking at this Machine Type Fusion Monster Summoned by the Previous Master/Instructor, which was similar yet vastly different from the usual Cyber Dragon, the surrounding Disciples couldn't help but exclaim: "So, so cool!"
"It's a completely different Style from Cyber End Dragon, but still so cool!"
"And it's DARK Attribute! Three LIGHT Attribute Cyber Dragon fused into a DARK Attribute Fusion Monster, and its ATK/DEF and even Level are the same?"
After Summoning Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, the Previous Master/Instructor saw that the Apprentices were curious about this DARK Attribute "Cyber Style" monster that wasn't included in the usual Cyber Style Curriculum, and took the opportunity to promote it.
"Many people know the 'Cyber Style's' Cyber Dragon, and know that Cyber Dragon's Fusion form, Cyber End Dragon, is the Proof of the collection of all 'Cyber Style' Techniques. Obtaining Cyber End Dragon means you have Mastered all the Techniques of the 'Cyber Style'."
He Paused, then changed the subject, "But!"
"Cyber End Dragon represents the Perfection of the 'Cyber Style', but it is not the Limit of the 'Cyber Style'. The evolution of the 'Cyber Style' is infinite and without end!"
"Let me use this Duel to Defeat the Challenger and show you a corner of that Infinite Peak!"
After speaking, the Previous Master/Instructor turned back to the Field and pointed a Finger towards Hayato: "In front of the 'Cyber Style', everything is Fair and Square. First, I will Destroy those Troublesome Spell and Trap Cards of yours."
"When Chimeratech Rampage Dragon is successfully Fusion Summoned, I can Target Spell/Trap Cards on the Field up to the number of Fusion Material used for Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, and Destroy them," the Previous Master/Instructor extended three Fingers. "I used three Cyber Dragon as Fusion Material, so I can Destroy your two Set Cards in the Spell/Trap Zone and your Field Spell Card!"
"Go, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, Overload Charge Impact!"
As the Former Cyber Style Master designated the cards to be Destroyed, each of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's three heads gathered an orange Lightning and spat them out simultaneously. Like a hot knife through Butter, the three beams of Lightning sliced through the Set Cards on Hayato's Field and the pillars of Union Hangar behind him, Destroying them all.
"Boom!"
Amidst the explosion's fire, the Previous Master/Instructor heard a voice from Hayato's side: "Instead of accumulating Power, you chose to prioritize clearing my dangerous Set Cards. If Pharaoh were as cautious as you, he wouldn't always step straight into Yugi's Traps."
"But you know, having my Set Cards Destroyed isn't necessarily a bad thing for me."
As Hayato's words fell, a red light suddenly shot out from the smoke of the explosion. It bypassed the obstructing Chimeratech Rampage Dragon and directly struck the Previous Master/Instructor, pushing him back several steps, and his Life Points decreased accordingly.
[Previous Master/Instructor: 4000 LP → 3000 LP]
Clutching his chest where the red light had just hit him, the Previous Master/Instructor couldn't understand why his Life Points had suddenly dropped by a full 1000 LP when he had only Destroyed two Set Cards.
After the quickly dissipating smoke, the card Hayato held between his Fingers gave him the answer.
"Blast Held by a Tribute. It deals 1000 Damage to the Player who Destroyed this card. It might not be very useful against reckless Duelists who play entirely by Feeling and don't look at others' Set Cards, but it's Most Suitable for dealing with overly cautious guys who are good at overthinking."
As he spoke, Hayato Sent Blast Held by a Tribute, along with the simultaneously Destroyed Union Scramble and Union Hangar, to the Graveyard.
"Hmph, it's just a mere 1000 Points. As long as I finish you off in this Turn, it's just a slight loss," the Previous Master/Instructor said Proudly. "Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's second Effect is that it can Send up to two Machine Type LIGHT Attribute monsters from the Deck to the Graveyard."
"Then, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon can make additional attacks equal to the number of monsters sent to the Graveyard, in addition to its Normal Attack! I Send two Proto-Cyber Dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard, Granting my Chimeratech Rampage Dragon the Ability to Attack three times this Turn!"
As the Previous Master/Instructor Sent the two Searched Proto-Cyber Dragon to the Graveyard, the eyes of Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's three heads on his Field all lit up with dangerous red light, seemingly ready to Attack Hayato.
"Heh heh, Weak, Weak, Weak. Even if it can Attack three times, what can it do? A piece of tofu attacking three times can't pierce a hard Griddle. Don't forget your Chimeratech Rampage Dragon only has 2100 ATK. Do you dare defy me, who possesses ABC-Dragon Buster with 3000 ATK?"
Hayato didn't think a Triple Attack with only 2100 ATK was anything to Fear. If it were Chimeratech Overdragon's Fatal Five Consecutive Hits with 4000 ATK, that would be more terrifying.
Hearing Hayato's standard Antagonist speech, the Previous Master/Instructor's mouth curved into a smile, and he Drew a Card from his Hand: "In that case, what about adding this card?"
Only then did Hayato notice that although the opponent had completed the Milling, Fusion, and Field Clear operations, the old man had actually only played two cards from his Hand. He still had a full five cards in his Hand that he hadn't used.
And now, he played a Powerful Card that is practically essential for ATK boosting Cyber Dragon Decks.
"Quick-Play Spell Card, Limiter Removal, Activate!"
That's right, the card the Former Cyber Style Master Activated at this moment was Limiter Removal, which can be Activated without any prerequisites and simply and Brutally Doubles Attack Power from the start. 1000 becomes 2000, 2000 becomes 4000, 4000 becomes 8000, and 8000 can even become 16000.
"Limiter Removal's Effect is that the ATK of all Machine Type monsters on my Field is Doubled. That means your supposedly Weak Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's 2100 ATK will become 4200, surpassing the 4000 ATK of the legendary God Card, Obelisk the Tormentor."
The Previous Master/Instructor said Proudly, "Can you still be as Composed as before, Kid?"
"4200 ATK, and it can Attack three times. Indeed, at this level, it can't be called Weak. After All, Kaiba's Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is only a Triple Attack with 4500 ATK."
Hayato nodded and continued, "But even so, Powerful Cards come with Risk. Machine Type monsters' inherent power output is optimized. If you overload them by lifting the limit, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, having applied Limiter Removal's Effect, will also be Destroyed at the end of your Turn."
"Heh heh, it doesn't matter. As long as I finish you off this Turn, it's fine. Anyway, rather than sustained ordinariness, I prefer Instant Radiance," the Previous Master/Instructor laughed wildly, not at all like an old man, but rather like a hot-blooded young man.
"Is that so..." Hayato also smiled upon hearing this. "In that case, let me add a little more to your 'Radiance'."
"Hmm?" Hayato's words were a bit difficult to understand, but seeing ABC-Dragon Buster open its Laser Cannon Barrel and Rocket Pod as Hayato Sent a Card from his Hand to the Graveyard, the Former Cyber Style Master had an ominous premonition.
"Once per Turn, ABC-Dragon Buster can Activate its Effect by Discarding a card from my Hand, Targeting one card on the Field, and Banishing that card. And this Effect can be Activated during the Opponent's Turn."
Hayato said sarcastically, "A Triple Attack with 4200 ATK, so strong, too strong. But rather than being Destroyed by Limiter Removal's Effect, I'll use ABC-Dragon Buster's Effect to Banish you!"
The Previous Master/Instructor understood Hayato's Plan. This guy was waiting for him to commit enough Resources to strengthen Chimeratech Rampage Dragon, and then Banish it when its Power reached its Peak.
How could someone Duel in such an Annoying way? NMD, WSM?
"You, you guy!"
"No need to thank me. You cleared my Spell/Trap Zone, I'll take care of your Boss Monster. This is what's called Tit for Tat," Hayato snapped his Fingers. "Go, ABC-Dragon Buster, Chimeratech Rampage Dragon's business here is finished. Let it go guard the pond!"
"Moment of Demise!"
In 2016, the biggest Impression for many Duelists was still Zoodiac, but ABC's Radiance, which came out a few months before Zoodiac, was indeed overshadowed by Zoodiac.
It's not that ABC wasn't strong; I personally feel that ABC's greater significance was showing Kaiku Corporation the sweet spot: the sweet spot of "extremely small System + Low Cost Field Setup → Brutal Suppression + Heavy Backrow + Sustainability".
Small System: The Archetype itself only has 12 cards, and even with a full set of Photon Thrasher, it's only 20 cards. Among these, you only need to use five specific cards to perform a standard combo, leaving the remaining 20 card slots for Card Filtering and Counter Cards.
Low Cost Field Setup: Field Spell plus Photon Thrasher/Galaxy Soldier is a two-card combo to bring out ABC + Rank 4. It comes with Search and has a high Success Rate.
Brutal Suppression: Quick Effect Banish.
Heavy Backrow: Set cards, besides destroying traps, include Solemn Judgment and Skill Drain that make your blood pressure soar.
Sustainability: ABC comes with Escape and Trade 1 for 3, the Field Spell can also generate advantage, and the Graveyard Components can be Searched again.
Before ABC, even Yang Zing, Shaddoll, Prophecy, etc., didn't achieve "small System + Low Cost Field Setup". Only a peak era Masked HERO was similar, but Masked HERO was born at the wrong time and encountered a bunch of monsters. The Power of this model wasn't fully realized until ABC.
After ABC, came Zoodiac, which developed this "extremely small System + Low Cost Field Setup" to its extreme.
A 13-15 card Archetype small System, Low Cost one-card Field Setup, Drident's Quick Effect Card Destruction, plenty of slots for Hand Traps and Trap-Heavy Deck, and the incredible Sustainability of Broadbull.
If ABC was the Mature Form, Zoodiac was the Perfected Form.
This was an important Link in the development of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Meta, serving as Preparation for the popularity of Hybrid Decks.
End of Chapter