# Chapter 129: The King's Duel is 3 Steps Ahead
"You blocked it?" Yuya said, looking at the unscathed Red Dragon Archfiend. "But it's useless!"
"When fused using a Level 5 or higher Pendulum Monster, Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon can attack monsters three times in one turn! Go, Rune-Eyes!"
The massive red dragon racing behind Yuya once again threw its head back and unleashed a scorching dragon flame.
"An effect that allows multiple attacks?" Jack frowned, looking at the roaring dragon flame.
"In that case, I activate my Trap Card, Destruction Potion! I destroy one monster on my field to regain Life Points equal to its ATK."
The Red Dragon Archfiend beside Jack roared, then suddenly disintegrated, transforming into a red light that surged into Jack's body.
Jack's LP: 3150 → 5550
"This way, your monster can't attack again!"
"Then, Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon, direct attack!" With Rune-Eyes's attack fizzling out, Yuya had no choice but to have the other monster on his field attack.
Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon roared and flapped its wings, sending countless ice cones accompanied by a cold wind showering down on Jack.
Jack's LP: 5550 → 2750
Jack took the hit without a change in his expression; even his D-Wheel didn't waver.
"I end my turn," Yuya gritted his teeth and ended his turn.
"At this moment, Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's ATK returns to its original value."
Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK: 4100 → 3000
"Your chance is over! This turn, you will meet your end!" Before drawing his card, Jack pointed to the sky and declared with authority.
"My turn! I draw!"
"I banish Wandering King Wildwind from my Graveyard to activate its effect! I add one Fiend Tuner monster with 1500 or less ATK from my Deck to my hand."
"I add the Tuner monster, Crimson Resonator, to my hand!"
"Since I control no monsters, I activate the effect of Crimson Resonator in my hand! I Special Summon it!"
"Next, I summon Red Sprinter in Attack Position!"
"I tune the Level 4 Red Sprinter with the Level 2 Crimson Resonator!"
[2+4=6]
"The crimson dragon illuminates the path ahead! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Red Rising Dragon!"
Amidst roaring flames, a fiery red dragon surged forth.
Red Rising Dragon ATK: 2100
"When Red Rising Dragon is Synchro Summoned, I can target one 'Resonator' monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it."
"Revive, Crimson Resonator!"
"I activate Crimson Resonator's effect! Since the only other monster I control is a single DARK Dragon Synchro Monster, I can Special Summon up to two other 'Resonator' monsters from my hand or Deck!"
"Appear! Force Resonator! Red Resonator!"
"When Red Resonator is Special Summoned, its effect activates! I target one face-up monster on the field and gain Life Points equal to that monster's ATK."
Jack's LP: 2750 → 5750
"As expected of Jack! He recovered the Life Points he lost last turn in one fell swoop!" the Female Commentator said. "And, with a Level 2 Tuner and the Level 6 Red Rising Dragon... is it coming?"
"I tune the Level 6 Red Rising Dragon with the Level 2 Crimson Resonator!" Jack didn't disappoint the audience. He raised his hand, summoning a radiant path of stars, and Red Rising Dragon roared as it soared forward.
[2+6=8]
"Let the roar of the king shake the heavens and earth! Engrave this unrivaled power of the hegemon upon your very being! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Raging soul! Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend!"
At the end of the path of stars, a furious roar echoed through the heavens as a magnificent fiend dragon descended, treading upon flames. The shocking scar on the fiend dragon's right chest bore witness to the bloody battles it had endured, adding a touch of wildness to its form. (A certain split-kicking warrior: Impressive, isn't it? I did that!)
Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend ATK: 3000
"I activate Force Resonator's effect! By sending this face-up card to the Graveyard, I can target one monster I control. This turn, when that monster attacks, my opponent cannot activate the effects of Spells, Traps, or other monsters that target a monster until the end of the Damage Step."
The little demon on Jack's field struck a tuning fork, turning into a yellow flash of light that surged into Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend's body. Instantly, within the fierce demonic claw of Scarlight's right hand, lightning and flame merged, and a tremendous power gushed forth.
"I activate the effect of Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend! Once per turn, I destroy all other Special Summoned Effect Monsters on the field with ATK less than or equal to this card's. Then, you take 500 damage for each monster destroyed by this effect!"
"Absolute Powerflame!" Jack shouted.
Scarlight flapped its wings and flew into the sky. A massive fireball slowly formed in its right demonic claw. Then, with a roar, it smashed the fireball down onto the field.
In an instant, endless flames spread across the field, engulfing all the monsters on it. Yuya's D-Wheel also tottered precariously amidst the inferno.
Yuya's LP: 4000 → 2000
"When an Xyz Summoned Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon another 'Odd-Eyes' monster from my Extra Deck." After struggling to stabilize his D-Wheel, Yuya quickly activated Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon's graveyard effect.
"Appear! Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon!"
Where Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon shattered, leaving behind a scattering of ice, fierce winds suddenly raged. At the center of the storm, a giant dragon entwined with wind and lightning emerged.
Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon DEF: 3000
"When Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon is Special Summoned, its effect activates! I target one face-up Attack Position monster on my opponent's field and return it to the hand!" Yuya pointed at Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend, and instantly, a furious wind swept towards it.
"Wow, what an incredible comeback!" the Female Commentator exclaimed, watching the scene.
"Is Jack's ace monster going to be dealt with just like that?"
Jack looked at the storm rolling toward his dragon and smirked disdainfully. "Third-rate duelists can only consider the present. Second-rate and first-rate duelists can think one or two steps ahead. But the King's Duel is three steps ahead!"
"I activate my Counter Trap, Divine Providence! When a monster's effect, a Spell, or a Trap Card is activated, I can discard one card of the same type from my hand to negate that activation and destroy it!" Jack waved his hand, flipping up the last face-down card on his field. Surging lightning swept out from the card, engulfing the incoming wind before descending upon Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon.
"What? A Counter Trap?" Yuya exclaimed in surprise.
Due to Spell Speeds, even though Yuya's Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon had an effect that could negate Spells and Traps, it couldn't be chained to a Counter Trap. Thus, Yuya could only watch helplessly as his Vortex Dragon was blown to pieces by the lightning.
(end of chapter)