NOVEL WEB Chapter 202: Another duel
Hikaru took the first turn.
Hikaru held his cards while Tierra watched from the side.
Now back in this world, and facing a Duelist whose "power level" wasn't that high, Tierra finally had a chance to observe, even "participate."
It was a rare opportunity. Seeing that the opponent meant no harm, Tierra began pointing things out.
"Hikaru, use this one, this one. I like this one."
"...Fine, I guess." Hikaru glanced at the card in his hand, considered for a moment, and gave a small nod.
In this world, more than being "strong," it was often about what you "liked."
"I activate the Spell Card, Polymerization." Hikaru drew a card from his hand and revealed it.
"It's Polymerization!"
"It's the original Polymerization card!"
At the front gate of the Academy, right at the center of the venue set up by the Polymerization and Fusion Clubs,
Polymerization Club President Mizuo Fukasui and Fusion Club President Amaki Hikaru were dueling.
There were plenty of freshmen gathered, and some second- and third-year students too. Seeing the two clubs clash again, they called over their friends to watch the duel in person.
The entire venue was quickly surrounded. As the two faced off, even some teachers joined the crowd to watch this new semester's "Fusion Club vs. Polymerization Club Rematch."
After all, on the secluded Duel Island, this was practically a flagship form of entertainment for both students and faculty.
No one expected that Hikaru, famous for his dazzling array of Fusion techniques, would open the new semester with the most basic Spell Card: Polymerization!
Then again...
That made sense!
In a brand-new semester, using the most original Polymerization felt exactly like "Absolute Fusionist, Amaki Hikaru."
"I fuse Ancient Gear Beast and Ancient Gear Knight from my hand, Fusion Summon, Ancient Gear Howitzer!"
A red warning light buzzed to life as a massive mechanical statue emerged amidst a series of clanks and grinding noises.
[Ancient Gear Howitzer] Level 8│EARTH│Machine│1800 DEF
"It's the Mechanical Golem!?" Mizuo indeed recognized the card; his expression changed instantly.
"Ancient Gears!"
"Didn't expect it to be anything other than Flame Swordsman!"
"But Ancient Gears are one of Hikaru's most-used cards, too!"
"Aw, too bad. I wanted to see the legendary Dark Magician..." a student sighed.
"Ancient Gear Howitzer's effect! During the Main Phase, once per turn, inflict 1000 damage to the opponent!"
"Gear Barrage!"
Hikaru gave the order. Ancient Gear Howitzer aimed its multiple cannons at Mizuo. Gears whirred as old-fashioned gear-shells loaded into the barrels and fired in unison.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Shrapnel poured down like rain. Mizuo's Life Points dropped rapidly to 3000.
[Mizuo Fukasui, LP: 4000 → 3000]
"End turn."
Hikaru glanced at his hand and directly ended the turn.
"What a flashy first turn! He Fusion Summoned and dealt damage too!" a freshman exclaimed.
"Yeah! He pulled off a Fusion Summon on the very first turn, as expected of Hikaru-senpai!"
Some second and third-year students glanced at each other, puzzled.
Was this... impressive?
…Was it?
Many silently asked themselves.
For students of Duel Academy, assembling a Fusion combo at the start and summoning a monster with over 2000 Attack was already a major feat.
Despite that, after watching Hikaru all last year summoning countless powerful 2000+ Attack monsters in wildly creative ways, this simple Fusion now felt a bit... plain.
What was this?
A return to basics?
Truly worthy of Hikaru, ever striving for the pinnacle of Fusion.
By contrast, Mizuo Fukasui felt a surge of... excitement!
Because this setup looked familiar!
Wasn't this the same tactic used in the duel against Rex Raptor!?
"Ancient Gear Howitzer has the powerful ability to Special Summon an Ancient Gear monster from the Deck, ignoring conditions, when destroyed by battle," Mizuo said as he drew a card.
"You want to use that effect to bypass Ancient Gear Golem's usual Special Summon restriction and bring it out directly from the Deck. Then you'll use Ancient Gear Fusion, or Ancient Gear Duel, or even Necro Fusion to summon your strongest Fusion Monster, Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem, right?"
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
Hearing Mizuo's analysis, the Polymerization Club members behind him gasped in realization. They all agreed their President was spot-on.
That was totally something Hikaru would do!
"Not only that, while Ancient Gear Howitzer is on the field, it's unaffected by any other card effects.
"So as long as that card stays on the field, I must find a way to destroy it in battle. Otherwise, 1000 LP damage per turn could be fatal!
"That's your Ancient Gear Strategy, isn't it!?"
"Ooooh! President, you're amazing!"
"Well now…"
Hikaru couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Intelligence Division Polymerization Club?
Even among the freshmen watching, people started buzzing. Mizuo really seemed to be on point. Some who had seen Hikaru's duel with Rex Raptor started pretending to be experts,
jumping in with their own analysis.
On the other side, Chazz and the others weren't worried about Hikaru at all. Only Bastion couldn't help but comment, "Thanks to his deep understanding of Fusion, Hikaru is especially skilled at dueling other Fusion users, leveraging his knowledge of their decks."
He looked at Mizuo with curiosity.
This was undoubtedly Hikaru's strategy!
And this wasn't a blatant copycat like Dimitri either, this opponent had his own thoughts and ideas. Evidently, he was someone who had seriously studied Hikaru!
As Hikaru muttered under his breath, the core members of the Fusion Club looked at him in awe.
Mizuo curled his lips into a smirk.
Not bad. This feeling... wasn't bad at all.
"Freshmen, watch closely! This is how I break through Amaki Hikaru's strategy!"
He drew a card, glanced at it, and grinned. "Perfect!"
"Looks like that human drew something good," Tierra said nervously.
After all, this match was technically her "second duel."
"First, I activate this card!"
"Frightfur Patchwork!"
"Oh!" Hikaru's eyes lit up.
'Frightfurs, huh?'
...
Bonus @600 PS. Let's try to get into Top 30 this week
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