This scene was so intense that even Professor Chronos let out a mechanical voice like an AI assistant.
On the stage, looking at the two who were nearly driven into a corner, the boss began to persuade them:
"Kid, it's impossible for you to defeat the Guardian of the Gate! I suggest you just give up now. That way, at least you won't have to suffer as much."
"As long as there are still cards in my deck..."
"Hmm?"
That line... sounded familiar.
"A Duelist never gives up!"
Now I remember who said that.
"The hope of victory lies in the next draw! That's what the King of Games, Yugi Mutou, once said."
As a loyal fan of the King of Games, Judai remembered the classic quotes officially released for him, and this was one of his most iconic lines.
"Hmph! Stubborn fool!"
Even if he disliked what the King of Games said, the boss couldn't badmouth him in public, so in the end, he just scoffed and said no more.
However, his close brother turned his attention to Judai's teammate—Sho.
"Kid, we can see your determination loud and clear. But what about your partner? He looks like he's about to give up."
Hearing that, Judai turned to his right and saw Sho hanging his head low, looking completely dejected.
"Shou! You're still hanging in there, right?"
"Big bro..."
Judai turned his gaze back to the Labyrinth Brothers' most powerful monster, the Guardian of the Gate, and said to Sho with full trust in his voice:
"The Guardian of the Gate is strong, yes. But don't forget—you've got cards in your deck that can defeat it!"
"Think back to all the tutoring Yuuya gave you lately, and all the times we've been by your side! I believe you'll draw that card!"
That unwavering trust coming from his big brother instantly revitalized Sho's spirit.
'Big bro is right. There are still cards in my deck that can take down that monster! Now's the time to apply everything I've learned!'
"My turn—Draw!"
Under the watchful gaze of Judai, Yuuya, and the others, accompanied by a faint golden glow, the card that would decide the outcome of the duel was drawn from Sho's deck.
"Spell Card—Pot of Greed! It lets me draw two cards from my deck… Next, Graceful Charity! I draw three cards, then discard two cards from my hand."
Just like his big bro Judai, he used Pot of Greed to draw two cards, then followed up with Graceful Charity for three more, while also setting up his Graveyard.
"Spell Card—Power Bond! I'll fuse Big Bro's Elemental HERO Bladedge with the UFOroid in my hand!"
In this novel, the "Guardian of the Gate" has the same card stats and summoning conditions as in the official OCG. The only difference is that it possesses powerful "counter effects," which have been adapted from the author's previous work. As such, this is a unique card specific to this story
As he spoke, the younger brother pointed toward Bladeedge, who was now piloting the small UFO vehicle and rapidly approaching.
"Gate Guardian's other effect! Until the end of this turn, I can reduce the ATK and DEF of one face-up monster on the opponent's field to 0!"
Everyone: ???!!!
Until the end of the turn... becomes 0?! That means if this battle goes through, Judai and Sho's remaining Life Points will be wiped out instantly! And if their Life Points drop to zero, that would mean immediate expulsion from the academy!
'Is this the end? This is just so frustrating!'
That was what everyone present was thinking — even Judai himself. Sho had gone through so much effort to summon this brand-new monster, only for it to be toyed with by the giant Gate Guardian like it was nothing! It was just too hard to accept!
"Ehehehehe! Now we can finally expel these two failing students!"
Other than the Labyrinth Brothers, there was one more person thrilled about UFOroid Fighter's potential defeat — the ever-scheming Professor Chronos, who had long wanted to drive out the "problem student" Judai.
But just as everyone was drowning in despair, unable to watch any longer — and while the Labyrinth Brothers and Chronos were cackling smugly — Sho spoke up:
"Our team losing the Duel? Don't make me laugh! I've been preparing all week for this moment! Big Bro Judai has been supporting me the whole way! And I have to win this Duel — to prove myself, and to live up to the expectations of the two people who believe in me!!"
"From my hand, I activate the Quick-Play Spell — Forbidden Chalice! I negate Gate Guardian's effect until the end of the turn!"
A long-hidden trump card — his final card in hand — finally revealed its value at this crucial moment!
A divine chalice descended from the heavens! Even a fused ultimate godlike monster, when drenched in its sacred light, fell into a dazed stupor, unable to wield its full strength for the time being.
"…Tch! So what if you used Forbidden Chalice to negate Gate Guardian's effect? Don't forget, Chalice not only seals a monster's effect — it also increases its ATK by the amount written on the card!"
Quick-Play Spell "Forbidden Chalice"... Who would've thought that this last card held by the shorty Sho Marufuji would be this?
But as the saying goes: "Blessings and misfortunes come hand in hand."
While Forbidden Chalice negated Gate Guardian's effect, it also boosted its ATK by 400 points — perfectly reversing the earlier 50-point gap where UFOroid Fighter had the upper hand!
"You didn't know, did you?"
"Know what?"
Faced with Sho's sudden question, the Labyrinth Brothers instinctively responded. But Sho merely clicked his tongue and shook his head with a pitying look as he answered:
"The Spell Card I activated at the beginning — Power Bond — not only fuses Machine-Type monsters… it also doubles the Fusion Monster's original ATK based on the total ATK of its materials."
"In other words, UFOroid Fighter's final strength isn't just the combined ATK of the materials — it's double that value!"
(UFOroid Fighter, ATK: 3800 → 7600)
"7-7-7600 ATK?!!"
That completely stunned the Labyrinth Brothers and Professor Chronos in the stands. An ATK that exceeds the typical Duel Monsters card limit of 5000 by over half — plus 100 points — was unstoppable!
"This Duel is ours, Big Bro!"
Imitating Judai's usual victory pose, Sho gave the signal — and Bladeedge unleashed the finishing blow! The 3050 battle damage instantly wiped out the brothers' remaining 1500 Life Points!
[Card Info – Gate Guardian]:
Gate Guardian
Special Summon/Effect Monster
Type: Warrior | Attribute: DARK | Level: 11
ATK: 3750 / DEF: 3400
Summon Condition / Effect:
This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned by Tributing 1 copy each of "Sanga of the Thunder," "Kazejin," and "Suijin" from your field.
①: Once per turn, you can pay half your Life Points and banish 1 card from your hand to activate one of the following effects (can also be activated during your opponent's turn):
Until the end of the turn, this card cannot be destroyed by the opponent's card effects.
Until the end of the turn, negate all effects of Spell/Trap/Effect Monsters activated by your opponent that target this card.
Until the end of the turn, reduce the ATK and DEF of 1 face-up monster on your opponent's field to 0.