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Chapter 597
Facing the **Dark Armed Dragon**, Valon laughed confidently, which Katsuya Jounouchi found quite perplexing.
'When **Dark Armed Dragon** battles, Valon shouldn't be able to activate Spell/Trap or Monster Effects until the end of the Damage Step.'
'This point should have spread along with the replays from Battle City and the existence of **Dark Armed Dragon**. There's no way he doesn't know.'
'What other trump card does he have? And where does this ominous feeling come from?'
The demon-like black dragon raised its demon claw, wreathed in black flames, and slammed it down heavily on the **Mental Headgear**, which was much smaller in comparison. Naturally, Valon wouldn't sit back and take the attack; he also raised his right fist to meet it!
It was only then that Joey Wheeler finally understood why Valon said he was "one move behind".
For the sake of victory, he had just been desperately thinking about how to achieve victory, like a student who hadn't finished writing an answer when the exam bell rang. But in that panic, he had completely forgotten one thing—
Unlike ordinary Duel Monsters, all **Armor** Monsters are equipped to Valon's body. Because of this characteristic, only one can attack at a time, as the human body, while miraculous, cannot simultaneously punch with full power and kick with full power.
But at the same time, unlike other Duel Monsters that are inevitably drawn into battle once selected as an attack target, **Armor** Monsters are armor on Valon's body. He can completely choose which part of his body will bear the attack!
And just as Joey Wheeler belatedly realized, the attack of **Dark Armed Dragon**, which had originally locked onto **Mental Headgear** and could have reduced most of Valon's Life Points in one go, ended up only hitting the **Big Bang Blow**, which was easily crushed and exploded!
"When two or more **Armor** Monsters exist, if any **Armor** Monster becomes an attack target, I will choose the target of the attack. This is a continuous effect common to all **Armor** Monsters and does not need to be activated. Even the power of **Dark Armed Dragon** has no right to interfere!"
"When **Big Bang Blow** is destroyed, all monsters on the field are destroyed, and the combined ATK value is dealt to you as damage. And I will be completely unharmed under the protection of **Ego Boost**!"
"Now! It's time to detonate!"
The demon dragon swung its claw from above, and Valon on the ground responded with an iron fist, showing no fear. It should have been a crushing result, but the ending was that **Dark Armed Dragon** and **Big Bang Blow** only stalemated for a few seconds before being directly blown away and destroyed by the impact of the explosion!
"Ugh!!" The shockwave even hit Joey Wheeler directly, reducing his Life Points, which were originally full, to the state of a flickering candle in one go!
[Joey Wheeler: 4000 → 800 LP]
The smoke caused by the explosion dissipated, revealing Valon still maintaining the pose of punching towards the sky. The position of his right arm was blank, and the **Ego Boost** on his chest, after completely absorbing the impact, also shattered into pieces. His helmet, needless to say, was also destroyed in the previous explosion.
The **Armor** Monsters he had gathered were all destroyed in this attack, in exchange for Valon successfully reversing the gap in Life Points between him and Joey Wheeler.
"What a pity. If you had continued to keep **Summoned Skull** in Defense Position on the field, I wouldn't have had any way to deal with you. But for the sake of victory, you walked down this path of defeat yourself."
After all monsters on both players' fields were destroyed simultaneously, Valon looked at Joey Wheeler, who had been knocked down by the direct damage of 3200 points, and said confidently, "The vitality damage ability of the **Armor** Deck, even if it couldn't defeat your body in one go, you're probably like a donkey with a carrot dangling in front of it now. No matter how hard your will tries, it can't force your body to act."
Valon had crushed the body and will of his opponents countless times in the past with his **Armor** Deck. The "vitality damage" ability was practically like cheating. And when he learned from Joey Wheeler that Rex, whom he had thought was dead, was still alive, Valon put his full power into the damage from this **Big Bang Blow**.
Even if he didn't finish Joey Wheeler off directly, at least he wouldn't be able to move a muscle from now on. That's what Valon thought.
And Joey Wheeler did indeed remain lying down for a long time, just as he had thought.
Seeing this, Valon directly forced the end of Joey Wheeler's turn, placing his finger on his Deck: "Although there were some twists and turns in the process, in this World, only the result matters. Only the result will be preserved. And the result is, I will deliver the final blow to you on my turn, Katsuya Jounouchi!"
"My turn, draw a card!"
"First is the effect of **Mental Headgear**. Special Summon it from the Graveyard in Attack Position. Then, because of the effect of **Card of Sanctity**, I draw three cards."
"And I activate this Spell Card, **Armor Gravity**! I can Special Summon up to four **Armor** Monsters from my Deck!"
"**Accel Charge**!" "**High Defender**!" "**Ego Boost**!" "**Burning Knuckle**!"
"Now, gather on me!"
Valon gathered a total of five **Armor** Monsters on his field in one go, and after a combination, he wore them all, like a Saint Seiya who had wandered onto the wrong set.
"Monsters Special Summoned by the power of **Armor Gravity** are destroyed at the End Phase, but the result will be revealed before then. Although the original ATK of **Burning Knuckle** is 0, this number will increase by the value of **Armor** Monsters on the field X200 points."
[Burning Knuckle] [ATK 0 → 1000]
Flames ignited on the armguard of his right hand. After the ATK of **Burning Knuckle** increased, just one attack would be enough to clear Joey Wheeler's remaining meager 800 Life Points.
"Enter my Battle Phase. And this is the final direct attack."
"One move behind, causing your king and rook to separate. You lose, Katsuya Jounouchi! The one who stands until the end in this Duel, the stronger one, is me!"
Shouting his victory declaration at Joey Wheeler, Valon leaped several meters high with the power of the leg armor **Accel Charge**, and swung his fist at the fallen Joey Wheeler, who had no monster protection!
This scene was coincidentally noticed by Kujaku Mai, who had followed Joey Wheeler and spent a long time finding the vicinity, attracted by the huge commotion during Valon and Joey Wheeler's Duel.
[Burning Knuckle] [ATK 1000]
[Katsuya Jounouchi: 800 LP]
She shouted, "Joey Wheeler!!!"
----Next Chapter, Joey Wheeler's Death----
Where am I...?
Joey Wheeler remembered that he had taken damage from the effect of **Big Bang Blow**. He had taken 3200 points of damage before, but the damage dealt by Valon made Joey Wheeler feel like he had been violently hit by a fully loaded semi-truck traveling at one hundred kilometers per hour. The connection between his spirit and body was severed the instant he was hit, leaving him in a predicament where he couldn't move.
Just moments ago, he had confidently declared to Valon that he would achieve victory, but in the blink of an eye, he had suffered such a humiliating setback. It was too lame, not cool at all!
Therefore, he couldn't just let this slide.
Joey Wheeler tried to open his eyes, but all he could see was darkness.
He could hear Valon's confident voice with absolute clarity, feel his own still strong heartbeat, but no matter how hard Joey Wheeler tried at this moment, he could never escape this darkness.
This was natural.
The Seal of Orichalcos cultivates powerful cards from the user's inner darkness. Among the Doma Three Swordsmen, Rafael and Alister had already achieved this. Hayato, in the eyes of those who didn't know, had also achieved this. Only Valon seemed somewhat different, having not achieved much.
However, this did not mean that Valon's inner darkness was not enough for the Seal of Orichalcos to cultivate powerful monsters. In fact, his inner darkness was comparable to the other two of the Doma Three Swordsmen.
But even if such a monster was cultivated, what good would it do? Valon's darkness was completely injected into his **Armor** Deck. This was also the origin of the "vitality damage" ability.
In this pitch-black lock, Joey Wheeler struggled desperately but could not break free. Listening to Valon complete his preparations for the finishing blow, Joey Wheeler could do nothing.
"Joey Wheeler!!!"
Was that... Mai's voice?
Just as Joey Wheeler, whose efforts had brought no change, was about to give up, he heard Kujaku Mai's voice. He turned in the direction of the voice, but saw that in the midst of the darkness, there seemed to be a crack-like opening.
Kujaku Mai's voice just now had come from within that.
Mai!
Joey Wheeler wanted to shout out a response, but he still couldn't regain control of his body's action.
Damn it!
He swung his fist and slammed it heavily against the crack, but the crack didn't change at all, remaining the same size as before.
Damn it!
Another punch landed, still useless. The size of the crack didn't change at all. However, punching the crack in front of him was the sole thing Joey Wheeler could do.
Damn it!
He desperately wanted to shout out, but it was useless, so Joey Wheeler could only swing his fist again.
Losing to Valon so miserably, he was completely unwilling!
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
Punching again and again, at some point, a sound came from the crack, and it expanded slightly, but Joey Wheeler was completely unaware, just punching again and again.
I haven't defeated Kaiba yet to make that arrogant guy look at me properly!
I haven't defeated Hayato yet to bring the old Hayato back!
I haven't defeated Yugi yet to let him see my growth!
I haven't become a powerful Duelist yet, to let Shizuka know how amazing her Brother is!
I haven't become a powerful Duelist yet, to let Tristan know how amazing I am!
I haven't become a powerful Duelist yet, to let Mai...
"Crack!"
Unconsciously, the crack had already expanded to several times its original size. His obsession burned fiercely in his heart. Joey Wheeler shouted as he punched: "I haven't surrendered yet!"
"Boom!"
The crack shattered with a roar. The dazzling light dispelled the darkness, causing Joey Wheeler to close his eyes involuntarily.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed that the shape of the darkness he was in before was like an eggshell.
Opening his eyes again, Joey Wheeler saw Valon's fist, stopped in front of him, unable to get any closer.
"You bastard, you woke up!" Valon was astonished by Joey Wheeler's sudden awakening, even forgetting to turn his head to look at Kujaku Mai, who had just shouted Joey Wheeler's name. But he was even more astonished that his decisive blow had been stopped?
A powerful resistance came, pushing Valon back to his field.
Watching Joey Wheeler struggle to stand up, Valon finally noticed that Joey Wheeler had pressed the activate set card button, activating a card in his Spell/Trap Zone.
"Trap Card, **Doki Doki Armor** . It can only be activated when the opponent's monster declares a direct attack and my Life Points are 2000 or less." Joey Wheeler moved his finger away from the button and looked up at the surprised Valon, "It negates that attack and Special Summons one **Player Token** to my field."
In front of Joey Wheeler, a bright red armor manifested. Its design was exactly the same as the **Armor** on Valon, and it similarly moved backward and was worn by Joey Wheeler!
For a moment, two people wearing full armor stood opposite each other, looking even more like they were on a Saint Seiya set.
[Player Token] [4☆/EARTH]
[Warrior Type/Token]
[?/?]
"When **Player Token** is successfully Special Summoned, my Life Points are halved. Also, the ATK/DEF of **Player Token** will be equal to my Life Points." Joey Wheeler pointed at Valon, "It's too early to say the Duel is over. Now is when the real victory or defeat begins between us, Valon!"
[Joey Wheeler: 800 → 400 LP]
[Player Token] [ATK 400]
His decisive blow was negated. Valon looked at Joey Wheeler, who was standing with difficulty but refused to fall: "You bastard!"
He was knocked down, why didn't he just lie there and accept the result? Why did he stand up again, this guy who refused to give up!
He only summoned a monster with 400 ATK. What could he possibly do with Life Points like a flickering candle and an empty hand?
This useless struggle wouldn't change anything. He knew that better than anyone. Back then, to stop the demolition of the Church, the Valon of that time chased away the thugs who came to his door again and again, but only got the result of the Church being burned to the ground.
No matter how hard you try to change the "process", the most important thing is still the "result". A "process" without a "result" is simply useless effort!
What is this Katsuya Jounouchi fighting for?
For the first time, Valon looked at Joey Wheeler not from the perspective of "the person Kujaku Mai likes" or "the enemy Dartz wants me to eliminate", but from the perspective of "my opponent".
He suddenly had a premonition that there might be something very important about Joey Wheeler, something he absolutely had to know.
Inadvertently, the corner of Valon's mouth curved up, revealing a smile: "Bliss..."
Facing the **Dark Armed Dragon**, Valon laughed confidently, which Katsuya Jounouchi found quite perplexing.
'When **Dark Armed Dragon** battles, Valon shouldn't be able to activate Spell/Trap or Monster Effects until the end of the Damage Step.'
'This point should have spread along with the replays from Battle City and the existence of **Dark Armed Dragon**. There's no way he doesn't know.'
'What other trump card does he have? And where does this ominous feeling come from?'
The demon-like black dragon raised its demon claw, wreathed in black flames, and slammed it down heavily on the **Mental Headgear**, which was much smaller in comparison. Naturally, Valon wouldn't sit back and take the attack; he also raised his right fist to meet it!
It was only then that Joey Wheeler finally understood why Valon said he was "one move behind".
For the sake of victory, he had just been desperately thinking about how to achieve victory, like a student who hadn't finished writing an answer when the exam bell rang. But in that panic, he had completely forgotten one thing—
Unlike ordinary Duel Monsters, all **Armor** Monsters are equipped to Valon's body. Because of this characteristic, only one can attack at a time, as the human body, while miraculous, cannot simultaneously punch with full power and kick with full power.
But at the same time, unlike other Duel Monsters that are inevitably drawn into battle once selected as an attack target, **Armor** Monsters are armor on Valon's body. He can completely choose which part of his body will bear the attack!
And just as Joey Wheeler belatedly realized, the attack of **Dark Armed Dragon**, which had originally locked onto **Mental Headgear** and could have reduced most of Valon's Life Points in one go, ended up only hitting the **Big Bang Blow**, which was easily crushed and exploded!
"When two or more **Armor** Monsters exist, if any **Armor** Monster becomes an attack target, I will choose the target of the attack. This is a continuous effect common to all **Armor** Monsters and does not need to be activated. Even the power of **Dark Armed Dragon** has no right to interfere!"
"When **Big Bang Blow** is destroyed, all monsters on the field are destroyed, and the combined ATK value is dealt to you as damage. And I will be completely unharmed under the protection of **Ego Boost**!"
"Now! It's time to detonate!"
The demon dragon swung its claw from above, and Valon on the ground responded with an iron fist, showing no fear. It should have been a crushing result, but the ending was that **Dark Armed Dragon** and **Big Bang Blow** only stalemated for a few seconds before being directly blown away and destroyed by the impact of the explosion!
"Ugh!!" The shockwave even hit Joey Wheeler directly, reducing his Life Points, which were originally full, to the state of a flickering candle in one go!
[Joey Wheeler: 4000 → 800 LP]
The smoke caused by the explosion dissipated, revealing Valon still maintaining the pose of punching towards the sky. The position of his right arm was blank, and the **Ego Boost** on his chest, after completely absorbing the impact, also shattered into pieces. His helmet, needless to say, was also destroyed in the previous explosion.
The **Armor** Monsters he had gathered were all destroyed in this attack, in exchange for Valon successfully reversing the gap in Life Points between him and Joey Wheeler.
"What a pity. If you had continued to keep **Summoned Skull** in Defense Position on the field, I wouldn't have had any way to deal with you. But for the sake of victory, you walked down this path of defeat yourself."
After all monsters on both players' fields were destroyed simultaneously, Valon looked at Joey Wheeler, who had been knocked down by the direct damage of 3200 points, and said confidently, "The vitality damage ability of the **Armor** Deck, even if it couldn't defeat your body in one go, you're probably like a donkey with a carrot dangling in front of it now. No matter how hard your will tries, it can't force your body to act."
Valon had crushed the body and will of his opponents countless times in the past with his **Armor** Deck. The "vitality damage" ability was practically like cheating. And when he learned from Joey Wheeler that Rex, whom he had thought was dead, was still alive, Valon put his full power into the damage from this **Big Bang Blow**.
Even if he didn't finish Joey Wheeler off directly, at least he wouldn't be able to move a muscle from now on. That's what Valon thought.
And Joey Wheeler did indeed remain lying down for a long time, just as he had thought.
Seeing this, Valon directly forced the end of Joey Wheeler's turn, placing his finger on his Deck: "Although there were some twists and turns in the process, in this World, only the result matters. Only the result will be preserved. And the result is, I will deliver the final blow to you on my turn, Katsuya Jounouchi!"
"My turn, draw a card!"
"First is the effect of **Mental Headgear**. Special Summon it from the Graveyard in Attack Position. Then, because of the effect of **Card of Sanctity**, I draw three cards."
"And I activate this Spell Card, **Armor Gravity**! I can Special Summon up to four **Armor** Monsters from my Deck!"
"**Accel Charge**!" "**High Defender**!" "**Ego Boost**!" "**Burning Knuckle**!"
"Now, gather on me!"
Valon gathered a total of five **Armor** Monsters on his field in one go, and after a combination, he wore them all, like a Saint Seiya who had wandered onto the wrong set.
"Monsters Special Summoned by the power of **Armor Gravity** are destroyed at the End Phase, but the result will be revealed before then. Although the original ATK of **Burning Knuckle** is 0, this number will increase by the value of **Armor** Monsters on the field X200 points."
[Burning Knuckle] [ATK 0 → 1000]
Flames ignited on the armguard of his right hand. After the ATK of **Burning Knuckle** increased, just one attack would be enough to clear Joey Wheeler's remaining meager 800 Life Points.
"Enter my Battle Phase. And this is the final direct attack."
"One move behind, causing your king and rook to separate. You lose, Katsuya Jounouchi! The one who stands until the end in this Duel, the stronger one, is me!"
Shouting his victory declaration at Joey Wheeler, Valon leaped several meters high with the power of the leg armor **Accel Charge**, and swung his fist at the fallen Joey Wheeler, who had no monster protection!
This scene was coincidentally noticed by Kujaku Mai, who had followed Joey Wheeler and spent a long time finding the vicinity, attracted by the huge commotion during Valon and Joey Wheeler's Duel.
[Burning Knuckle] [ATK 1000]
[Katsuya Jounouchi: 800 LP]
She shouted, "Joey Wheeler!!!"
----Next Chapter, Joey Wheeler's Death----
Where am I...?
Joey Wheeler remembered that he had taken damage from the effect of **Big Bang Blow**. He had taken 3200 points of damage before, but the damage dealt by Valon made Joey Wheeler feel like he had been violently hit by a fully loaded semi-truck traveling at one hundred kilometers per hour. The connection between his spirit and body was severed the instant he was hit, leaving him in a predicament where he couldn't move.
Just moments ago, he had confidently declared to Valon that he would achieve victory, but in the blink of an eye, he had suffered such a humiliating setback. It was too lame, not cool at all!
Therefore, he couldn't just let this slide.
Joey Wheeler tried to open his eyes, but all he could see was darkness.
He could hear Valon's confident voice with absolute clarity, feel his own still strong heartbeat, but no matter how hard Joey Wheeler tried at this moment, he could never escape this darkness.
This was natural.
The Seal of Orichalcos cultivates powerful cards from the user's inner darkness. Among the Doma Three Swordsmen, Rafael and Alister had already achieved this. Hayato, in the eyes of those who didn't know, had also achieved this. Only Valon seemed somewhat different, having not achieved much.
However, this did not mean that Valon's inner darkness was not enough for the Seal of Orichalcos to cultivate powerful monsters. In fact, his inner darkness was comparable to the other two of the Doma Three Swordsmen.
But even if such a monster was cultivated, what good would it do? Valon's darkness was completely injected into his **Armor** Deck. This was also the origin of the "vitality damage" ability.
In this pitch-black lock, Joey Wheeler struggled desperately but could not break free. Listening to Valon complete his preparations for the finishing blow, Joey Wheeler could do nothing.
"Joey Wheeler!!!"
Was that... Mai's voice?
Just as Joey Wheeler, whose efforts had brought no change, was about to give up, he heard Kujaku Mai's voice. He turned in the direction of the voice, but saw that in the midst of the darkness, there seemed to be a crack-like opening.
Kujaku Mai's voice just now had come from within that.
Mai!
Joey Wheeler wanted to shout out a response, but he still couldn't regain control of his body's action.
Damn it!
He swung his fist and slammed it heavily against the crack, but the crack didn't change at all, remaining the same size as before.
Damn it!
Another punch landed, still useless. The size of the crack didn't change at all. However, punching the crack in front of him was the sole thing Joey Wheeler could do.
Damn it!
He desperately wanted to shout out, but it was useless, so Joey Wheeler could only swing his fist again.
Losing to Valon so miserably, he was completely unwilling!
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
Punching again and again, at some point, a sound came from the crack, and it expanded slightly, but Joey Wheeler was completely unaware, just punching again and again.
I haven't defeated Kaiba yet to make that arrogant guy look at me properly!
I haven't defeated Hayato yet to bring the old Hayato back!
I haven't defeated Yugi yet to let him see my growth!
I haven't become a powerful Duelist yet, to let Shizuka know how amazing her Brother is!
I haven't become a powerful Duelist yet, to let Tristan know how amazing I am!
I haven't become a powerful Duelist yet, to let Mai...
"Crack!"
Unconsciously, the crack had already expanded to several times its original size. His obsession burned fiercely in his heart. Joey Wheeler shouted as he punched: "I haven't surrendered yet!"
"Boom!"
The crack shattered with a roar. The dazzling light dispelled the darkness, causing Joey Wheeler to close his eyes involuntarily.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed that the shape of the darkness he was in before was like an eggshell.
Opening his eyes again, Joey Wheeler saw Valon's fist, stopped in front of him, unable to get any closer.
"You bastard, you woke up!" Valon was astonished by Joey Wheeler's sudden awakening, even forgetting to turn his head to look at Kujaku Mai, who had just shouted Joey Wheeler's name. But he was even more astonished that his decisive blow had been stopped?
A powerful resistance came, pushing Valon back to his field.
Watching Joey Wheeler struggle to stand up, Valon finally noticed that Joey Wheeler had pressed the activate set card button, activating a card in his Spell/Trap Zone.
"Trap Card, **Doki Doki Armor** . It can only be activated when the opponent's monster declares a direct attack and my Life Points are 2000 or less." Joey Wheeler moved his finger away from the button and looked up at the surprised Valon, "It negates that attack and Special Summons one **Player Token** to my field."
In front of Joey Wheeler, a bright red armor manifested. Its design was exactly the same as the **Armor** on Valon, and it similarly moved backward and was worn by Joey Wheeler!
For a moment, two people wearing full armor stood opposite each other, looking even more like they were on a Saint Seiya set.
[Player Token] [4☆/EARTH]
[Warrior Type/Token]
[?/?]
"When **Player Token** is successfully Special Summoned, my Life Points are halved. Also, the ATK/DEF of **Player Token** will be equal to my Life Points." Joey Wheeler pointed at Valon, "It's too early to say the Duel is over. Now is when the real victory or defeat begins between us, Valon!"
[Joey Wheeler: 800 → 400 LP]
[Player Token] [ATK 400]
His decisive blow was negated. Valon looked at Joey Wheeler, who was standing with difficulty but refused to fall: "You bastard!"
He was knocked down, why didn't he just lie there and accept the result? Why did he stand up again, this guy who refused to give up!
He only summoned a monster with 400 ATK. What could he possibly do with Life Points like a flickering candle and an empty hand?
This useless struggle wouldn't change anything. He knew that better than anyone. Back then, to stop the demolition of the Church, the Valon of that time chased away the thugs who came to his door again and again, but only got the result of the Church being burned to the ground.
No matter how hard you try to change the "process", the most important thing is still the "result". A "process" without a "result" is simply useless effort!
What is this Katsuya Jounouchi fighting for?
For the first time, Valon looked at Joey Wheeler not from the perspective of "the person Kujaku Mai likes" or "the enemy Dartz wants me to eliminate", but from the perspective of "my opponent".
He suddenly had a premonition that there might be something very important about Joey Wheeler, something he absolutely had to know.
Inadvertently, the corner of Valon's mouth curved up, revealing a smile: "Bliss..."
