"So the conditions were met? I see, the only condition for a Hatchling's growth is probably just enough time." Yugi mused, piecing together the (Armed Dragon LV3)'s evolution conditions.
"During my Turn's Standby Phase, I can Activate (Armed Dragon LV3)'s Effect," Chumley said, Searching a Card from his Deck and placing it on the Field. "By Sending the LV3 from the Field to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon an (Armed Dragon LV5) from my Hand or Deck!"
"Its grown body is even more resilient. Initiate Annihilation Mode! Come forth, (Armed Dragon LV5)!"
The white light of Evolve was violently torn apart, and the (Armed Dragon LV5), having grown from its juvenile stage to its mature form, appeared majestically on the Field. Its armor, along with its growing body, became sturdier and tougher, with many spikes and blades connecting to it, looking incredibly lethal.
(Armed Dragon LV5) [Level 5/Wind]
[Dragon-Type/Effect]
[2400 ATK/1700 DEF]
"It actually has the same Attack as my (Red-Eyes Black Dragon), and since it's Level 5, it only needs one Tribute." Joey exclaimed. "If it can Evolve even further, wouldn't it be an incredibly powerful Monster?"
"Hmph, although it's a rare LV Monster, when it comes to Attack, my (Cyber Raider) is still stronger."
Looking at the (Armed Dragon LV5), whose body color had changed from its original bright yellow to orange-red, Chumley Drew a Card from his Deck: "Then, My Turn officially begins! Draw!"
Looking down, Chumley saw that he had Drawn a Spell Card this Turn, and it happened to be one that could be used right now.
"Bandit Keith, I see you only have one (Cyber Raider) on your Field; it looks so empty, doesn't it? I'll send you a Monster. After all, don't you love using other people's Cards the most?"
"I Activate the Spell Card, (Shien's Spy)! Until the end of this Turn, I can send one of my Monsters to you. I choose (Swamp Battleguard)!"
The Spell Card immediately took effect. The sand Fiend, which had been standing beside the majestic (Armed Dragon LV5), suddenly transformed into a whirlwind and swiftly moved to Bandit Keith's Field, maintaining its Attack position.
"He actually sent his own Monster to the opponent's Field?" Mai Valentine was somewhat confused, but after glancing at Bandit Keith's Life Points, she immediately understood. "I see, Chumley is aiming for that."
(Bandit Keith: 400 LP)
Sitting beside Mai Valentine, Joey, reminded by her, also noticed Bandit Keith's Life Points. "(Cyber Raider)'s Attack is 2800, which is higher than (Armed Dragon LV5), but (Swamp Battleguard)'s Attack is 2000. Chumley is creating an opening."
"Once the Attack goes through, Bandit Keith's Life Points, which are like a candle in the wind, will be instantly wiped out." Yugi also seemed somewhat pleased.
But Sheppard, who was nearby, calmly reminded them: "However, that Bandit Keith still has three Set Cards unused in his Backrow. And I noticed last Turn, when (Masked Dragon) declared an Attack, he hesitated about whether to Activate a Set Card. It's hard not to be wary."
"It's My Battle Phase, Bandit Keith! You dared to steal my Monster, how despicable!" Although Chumley still had two Set Cards on his Field, these two Cards couldn't be Activated due to the effect of the annoying (Xin Zhen Hu). He could only proceed to the Battle Phase. "(Swamp Battleguard), I can't believe a big-eyed, thick-browed guy like you is a traitor! (Armed Dragon LV5), take out that traitor!"
"Crush, Annihilate, Destroy! Final Death!"
(Chumley: 1600 LP → 1100 LP)
The spikes and blades on (Armed Dragon LV5)'s armor flew off its body simultaneously as Chumley's command was issued, rushing towards the (Swamp Battleguard) on Bandit Keith's Field. Bandit Keith looked annoyed and flipped his Set Card in the Backrow: "You irritating brat, didn't you send that to my Field yourself?"
"You think you can defeat me this way? It's not that simple! I Activate my Set Card, (Sacred Javelin)!"
Bandit Keith's Set Card in the Backrow flipped open, and a javelin with pure white wings shot out from the Card, narrowly missing the Attack launched by (Armed Dragon LV5). As (Armed Dragon LV5) Destroyed (Swamp Battleguard), the javelin also pierced (Armed Dragon LV5).
However, despite being a javelin, after hitting its Target, it failed to inflict any Damage to (Armed Dragon LV5); instead, it dissipated into a halo of light.
"When your Monster's Attack is Declared, (Sacred Javelin)'s Effect allows me to regain Life Points equal to the Attack of your Attacking Monster." Bandit Keith watched (Swamp Battleguard) being Destroyed on the Field, feeling completely unfazed, even wanting to laugh. The aftershock of the Attack, which would have otherwise taken his last Life Points, was now completely harmless.
(Bandit Keith: 400 LP → 2800 LP → 2400 LP)
(Swamp Battleguard) [DEF 2000]
"Furthermore, I'll Activate this Card." Before (Swamp Battleguard) could return to Chumley's Graveyard, Bandit Keith flipped his Set Card; it was the (Time Machine) he hadn't Activated last time. "When (Swamp Battleguard) is Destroyed, (Time Machine)'s Effect can Revive it to the Field of the player who controlled it when it was Destroyed. Since you already gave me the Card, I'll gladly accept it, hmph hmph."
(Swamp Battleguard) [DEF 2000]
"Sigh, you're really tenacious. I guess it's not that easy to deal with you after all?" Chumley sighed, a hint of disappointment in his voice. But just as Bandit Keith was about to retort with a taunt, Chumley suddenly said, "Just kidding."
"My goal has already been achieved, Bandit Keith!"
Bandit Keith's brow furrowed: "Goal achieved? What do you mean... could it be!"
"My Turn ends. And because a Monster was Destroyed by battle and gained enough growth experience, (Armed Dragon LV5) will continue to Evolve to its next stage!"
"The strongest armor after modification, the strongest Dragon after Evolve, my glory, my Soul!"
"(Armed Dragon LV7)!"
The light of Evolve reappeared. The orange-red body grew once more, turning deep crimson as if it had endured countless Battles and been stained with blood. The armor on various parts of its body was also Enhanced and modified, becoming even more ferocious. Its size had become so immense that it occupied most of the Field. As the final stage of its series evolution, (Armed Dragon LV7) roared to the sky.
"ROAR!!!"
(Armed Dragon LV7) [Level 7/Wind]
[Dragon-Type/Effect]
[2800 ATK/1000 DEF]
"It Evolved again, and its Attack is as high as 2800?!" Bandit Keith hadn't expected his schemes to inadvertently allow Chumley's (Armed Dragon) to Evolve again. Unwillingly, he said, "But your Turn has already Ended. Even if it Evolved again, you can't Attack me this Turn."
"That's true," Chumley nodded, glancing at Bandit Keith's Field. "But Bandit Keith, can you really Summon a Monster powerful enough to defeat (Armed Dragon LV7) in one Turn?"
(Chumley: 1100 LP, Hand 0)
(Armed Dragon LV7) [ATK 2800]
(Toll), Set Card (Xin Zhen Hu), Set Card (Xin Zhen Hu), (Megamorph)
Author's note: Just a heads-up, it's going to be available for purchase this Friday. I'll drop ten chapters on that day.
Which means tomorrow's update will be exactly when this Duel finishes for the protagonist, which is a bit awkward.
(end of chapter)