CHAPTER 400: CHAPTER 399: THE CHAMPION’S DIGNITY (BONUS)

Turn Jump!

The mischievous blue-haired twin-tailed goddess appeared, summoned by the Mischief of the Time Goddess and the effects of ultra-powerful magic. With a light wave of her staff, divine power was unleashed. A semi-transparent roulette of time materialized on the field, its pointer spinning out of control, accelerating forward.

In an instant, an entire turn was skipped. It was now the Arbiter’s next Battle Phase!

"Well then, let’s let Mr. Hibiki personally experience the full assault of the Elemental Heroes." The Arbiter declared. "First, all the elemental heroes, receive the Orichalcos revelation—release your inner darkness and gain even greater power!"

All the heroes on the field were affected by the barrier. Dangerous red light flickered in their eyes, and a hexagram appeared on their foreheads.

[Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer, ATK 2100 → 2600]

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 2800 → 3300]

[Elemental HERO Escuridao, ATK 2500 → 3000]

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 2600 → 3100]

[Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 2600 → 3100]

"Additionally, Escuridao has an effect that increases her ATK based on the number of Elemental Heroes in the Graveyard. But since there are currently none, that effect is meaningless."

The Arbiter paused, squinting slightly.

"But The Shining has a much more interesting effect, doesn’t he, Mr. Hibiki?"

Koyo’s face was stern: "Elemental HERO The Shining gains 300 ATK for each of your Elemental Heroes banished."

"ATK increases based on banished Heroes... Damn!" Mokuba exclaimed. "That’s the effect of Chain Material."

All the heroes the Arbiter used as fusion materials were banished from the game.

"That’s right. This turn, I performed four fusions, banishing a total of eight Elemental Heroes." The Arbiter continued. "Thus, The Shining’s ATK is..."

Elemental HERO The Shining, ATK 3100 → 5500

"ATK 5500!" Mokuba’s face changed dramatically.

Five monsters summoned in an instant, and one of them that powerful...

"Let’s start with ’Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer’," said the Arbiter. "Direct attack on Mr. Hibiki."

Phoenix Enforcer unleashed a blazing punch, the force seemingly turning into real fire that pierced right through Koyo’s chest.

A searing pain, as if his soul was pierced and his heart melted. Koyo’s pupils shrank, for a moment feeling as if his breath had stopped.

[Koyo, LP 3700 → LP 1100]

He staggered back, half-kneeling and clutching his chest, face pale and gasping for breath.

This was the pain—the real agony left by that dark duel on the past, when he was sniped by that demon—now lingering as an almost inescapable psychological shadow.

"Koyo!" his sister cried out from the stands.

"Mr. Koyo!"

That was Jaden.

Their shouts snapped him out of his near-frozen state.

"It’s not over yet."

He pushed himself up on his knee, struggling to his feet, breathing heavily. Though his body trembled like a long-ill patient, there was a lion’s unyielding spirit in his eyes.

"Impressive spirit. No wonder you’re called a champion. But how long can that spirit keep your battered body standing?"

The Arbiter flicked his finger.

"Attack continues. Next, ’Elemental HERO Great Tornado,’ direct attack."

[Elemental HERO Great Tornado, ATK 3300]

The storm hero, Great Tornado, spread his arms, thunderclouds roiling above. Black lightning crashed down with a deafening roar, carried by fierce winds toward Koyo!

Four more attacks left from the four Elemental Heroes. Koyo’s swaying figure seemed like a lone boat in a storm, any wave threatening to engulf him.

"I activate a trap."

He struggled to reveal a set card.

"Trap Card: Draining Shield. Negate one monster’s attack and recover Life Points equal to its ATK."

All of Great Tornado’s wind blades smashed against a dazzling barrier. The energy was absorbed, turning into warm golden light that rushed into his body.

[Koyo, LP 1100 → LP 4400]

Koyo managed to stand a bit straighter, adjusting his breath.

He felt as if the warm current restored some of his strength, color returning to his face, even the hidden illnesses in his frail body seemed to fade.

The Arbiter nodded: "Barely survived the second strike. Not bad. But don’t get cocky—the power of the Elemental Heroes doesn’t end here."

He beckoned.

"Third attack. ’Elemental HERO Nova Master,’ direct attack."

[Elemental HERO Nova Master, ATK 3100]

This time, searing flames transformed into sword energy that slashed toward him. The fiery blade cut through his body, and for a moment, he nearly lost consciousness.

[Koyo, LP 4400 → LP 1300]

The Arbiter eyed Koyo, observing the smoke rising from his form and his unsteady feet.

"Honestly, you’ve already exceeded my expectations," he said coolly. "A duel of this darkness—no mere human will could have lasted this long. With your body and condition, it’s a miracle you survived even the first strike."

Koyo gasped for breath.

But he raised his head, and his eyes still blazed with unyielding light.

"I am... a professional duelist," he said. "No matter what kind of duel or for what reason, I will never give up halfway."

He glanced at Jaden in the audience, who watched with deep concern.

Especially... I don’t want to lose in front of such an important kouhai.

"Hahaha, excellent spirit. That’s the kind of soul that fascinates," the Arbiter said. "As you wish, the attacks continue.

’Elemental HERO Escuridao,’ direct attack!"

This time, the dark-attribute Elemental Hero, empowered by Orichalcos, was darker than ever.

It was darkness from the abyss, not just the night, but as if pouring out from the deepest corners of the universe.

Before Escuridao’s blade could fall, the darkness had already swallowed everything. The oppressive terror made it hard to breathe—the air turned chilling, penetrating to the bone, threatening to shatter reason itself.

Just like what he’d felt on Championship night.

Koyo’s vision blurred, the world spinning, and he collapsed toward the floor.