Chapter 701: Are There No Decent Duelists in the Tomb Keepers?
Looking at the golden item the Gravekeeper's Elder wore on his wrist, Hayato asked with some curiosity, "That style... is that a Duel Disk?"
"Sort of," Marik said casually, stepping forward to stand beside Hayato. "Anyway, our clan's had this thing as long as I can remember. Looks like it's been passed down for thousands of years." He added, "While I know I did a lot of wrong things in the past, not just anyone has the right to punish me."
As he spoke, he reached out to Hayato, palm open, and said, "Brother-in-law, lend me your Duel Disk for a bit. I'll take down this old guy."
"This old guy's had his eye on the Clan Head position for a long time, always targeting our family. I just didn't expect that after I killed my Father, my Older Sister would take over as Clan Head, leaving his ambitions thwarted again. Now he's probably trying to use this chance to cause trouble and use me as an opening to usurp the throne."
"I won't let him have his way."
"The power struggle in your clan is quite complex," Hayato remarked slightly upon hearing Marik's brief explanation. He took out his Duel Disk from his backpack, but instead of handing it to Marik who had reached out to him, he simply put it on his own wrist.
Stepping forward, Hayato blocked Marik. "Ishizu specifically instructed me to keep an eye on you. Although you've recovered enough to handle normal Duels now, this old guy's Duel probably won't be ordinary, right? I'll take your place."
"But—"
"No buts about it. If Ishizu finds out I couldn't even protect someone as immature as you, how much face would I lose?" Without turning back, Hayato looked at the Gravekeeper's Elder opposite him and said, "Also, don't call me Brother-in-law."
"Hmm? You rude fellow, are you trying to stop me from inflicting punishment on Marik?" The Elder glanced at Hayato and said disdainfully, "Hmph, it doesn't matter who goes first. I wasn't planning on letting you off anyway, daring to kick me!"
"Oh? You actually have the courage to accept a Duel with me? You chose to Duel instead of escape?" Using a magic trick-like method, Hayato took out the Deck stored in his System. Since he wasn't sure what kind of Deck his Opponent was playing, he chose the most stable deck build.
The Elder grinned and chuckled, "If we don't Duel, how can I properly torment you all?"
"Ho ho, then come closer," Hayato said, pushing his Deck into the card slot of his Duel Disk. The automatically expanding Duel Disk displayed the Life Points.
"Duel!"
"Duel!"
[Hayato: 4000LP]
[Elder: 4000LP]
"I'll take the first turn, Draw!"
Drawing a card from the golden Duel Disk, the Gravekeeper's Elder gave a proud smile and said, "Excellent! Although it's the first turn, I've already drawn the most powerful Card in my Deck! I'm guaranteed to win!"
"Isn't it a bit too early to be talking so big? Looking down on people like that?" Joey Wheeler could't help but say, seeing the Gravekeeper's Elder's arrogant look. "What's the use of just drawing a powerful Card? If you can't use it, it has no meaning."
"Although Yugi, you guys always say to be serious and give it your full power no matter what opponent you encounter, this annoying-looking old man doesn't even know who Hayato is, right?" Tristan, not showing any fear towards the long knives pointed at them, cheered Hayato on, "Don't hold back, go all out, Hayato! Give that old guy a good lesson!"
Hayato nodded upon hearing that. "Don't worry, I'd do that even if you didn't say anything. Besides, for a True Duelist, there's no such thing as a bricked hand. I've also drawn a perfect hand."
Hearing Hayato's words, the Gravekeeper's Elder's face revealed a sinister smile.
"Oh, is that so? If your Hand is good, then let me use the best Card in your Hand!" With a smug smile, the Gravekeeper's Elder Set all four cards in his Hand on his Spell/Trap Zone, then played the card he had drawn this turn. "After Setting four cards, I activate the Spell Card, Hand Exchange!"
"Both players reveal their Hand, then each player chooses one card from the opponent's Hand and adds it to their own Hand!"
"Nani!?" Yugi, who was watching, almost got PTSD when he saw Hand Exchange appear. He couldn't forget how Rafael had forced a Seal of Orichalcos into his Hand back then, which ultimately led to Aibo almost being taken away from him.
"First he Sets all his cards except one, then he Activates Hand Exchange? Doesn't that mean Hayato has no way to choose what card he gets, while the opponent can freely choose from Hayato's Hand!" Téa said angrily. "Before, he deliberately said he drew the strongest card; wasn't that also to test the strength of the cards in Hayato's Hand? How cunning!"
"Hmph hmph, say whatever you want. The fact is, my strategy has been effective." The Gravekeeper's Elder didn't take Téa's accusations to heart at all, looking at Hayato and saying, "Let me see your Hand!"
"D-damn it, he actually used such a powerful combo. This is bad, my powerful monster in my Hand is going to be taken~"
Hayato wore an unwilling expression, slowly turning the card he held in his Hand towards the Gravekeeper's Elder. The opponent, wanting to see Hayato's Hand clearly, stared at the card in Hayato's Hand while enjoying the angry expression on Hayato's face that gave him immense pleasure.
But when the Hand was fully flipped, the expression on Hayato's face changed. "...You thought I'd say that, idiot? Come on, pick the card you want to take. Don't be shy."
The five cards in Hayato's Hand were revealed before the Gravekeeper's Elder—
[That Grass Looks Greener] [Foolish Burial] [Monster Gate] [Reasoning] [Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon]
"???"
The Gravekeeper's Elder was also stunned. Didn't he say it was a "perfect hand"? How could it be a Hand full of Spell Cards? Even the only Monster Card gave off a feeling that choosing it would be a mistake.
At a glance, the effects of the four Spell Cards were all so meaningless. The Gravekeeper's Elder couldn't understand at all what Hayato was trying to do by putting so many cards that send cards to the Graveyard into his Deck. Was he trying to kill himself?
After a brief consideration, he felt that instead of getting a bunch of completely useless Spell Cards, it would be better to take the only Monster Card. At least he could Summon it and use it as a wall on his Field.
"I choose Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon, and I'll take this card." As he spoke, the Gravekeeper's Elder flicked the only card in his Hand towards Hayato and accepted the Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon that Hayato flicked over.
Hayato took the card. The card the Gravekeeper's Elder gave him was the Trap Card Localized Tornado. Its effect is to return all cards in your Hand and Graveyard to the Deck and shuffle it. On the surface, it was just a meaningless card, completely inferior to Pot of Avarice or Jar of Greed, which could selectively recycle cards and replenish Hand.
However, wasn't this card super suitable for the Deck Hayato was using this time?
"Hmph hmph, I'll take your card. Then I'll Summon this Monster I got from your Hand onto my Field in Defense Position." Setting Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon horizontally on his Field, the Gravekeeper's Elder looked at Little Blue, dressed in a maid outfit, appearing on his Field, and said proudly, "How does it feel to see your own Monster commit betrayal? It must be even more painful to break through this Monster with your own hands later, right?"
"Hmm, let me see this Monster's effect. 'When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can send the top 3 cards of your Deck to the Graveyard'? Hmph, what a meaningless effect. I won't use it."
"With that, I end my turn."
[Elder: 4000LP, Hand 0]
[Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon] [DEF1600]
[Set Cards] X4
The Gravekeeper's Elder had already announced the end of his turn, but Little Blue, standing on his Field, still couldn't understand why she was on a stranger's Field while her Master stood opposite her.
"M-Master!?" For some reason, as Little Blue watched Hayato slowly raise his head, an ominous premonition rose in her heart.
Looking at Little Blue standing on the opponent's Field, Hayato said with a serious expression, "Little Blue, Little Blue, I always thought only those rebellious Ojama Yellow and their gang would commit betrayal. I didn't expect you, with your innocent look, to become a traitor too. Since that's the case, I won't hold back!"
"My turn, Draw!" After drawing a card from the top of his Deck, Hayato played the card that was already revealed in his Hand. "Then, I activate the Spell Card That Grass Looks Greener! If you have more cards in your Deck than your opponent does: Send cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard until you have the same number of cards in your Deck as your opponent!"
With the activation of the Spell Card, a brown-furred canine appeared on Hayato's Field. It had metallic fangs in its mouth and a pair of scythes growing from its chin. It looked perfect for the grass strategy.
To maximize the effect of the Card That Grass Looks Greener, Hayato's deck build was still a full 60-card build. Now that both players hadn't consumed many of their Deck's resources, Hayato could use this card to send a full 20 cards to the Graveyard in one go!
However, seeing Hayato activate That Grass Looks Greener, the Gravekeeper's Elder waved his hand and ordered one of the cards on his Spell/Trap Zone to flip. "Although I don't know what you're trying to do, it's common sense in a duel ritual not to let your opponent have their way. I chain to that card and activate the Trap Card I Set last turn."
"Counter Trap Card Direct Line Disconnect! When a Monster Effect, Spell, or Trap Card is activated in the same Column as this card: You can activate this Set card on my Field; negate that activation, and if you do, destroy it!"
Before the grass strategy creature that appeared on Hayato's Field could send cards from Hayato's Deck to the Graveyard, a golden light suddenly shone from beneath it, then violently burst, negating and destroying the That Grass Looks Greener that Hayato activated, and sending it to the Graveyard.
"Tsk, bad luck placing it in the wrong position." Hayato glanced at the four Set cards in the Gravekeeper's Elder's Spell/Trap Zone and said, feeling annoyed. There were five positions to place cards, but he had accidentally placed it in the sole wrong position. Was it bad luck, or...?
"Since That Grass Looks Greener was negated, I'll use this card then. Spell Card Reasoning."
Following the grass strategy creature, a figure of a detective, smoking a pipe, appeared beside Hayato. A screen with scrolling numbers hovered above his head. "The opponent declares a Level from 1 to 12. Reveal cards from the top of my Deck until a monster that can be Normal Summoned appears."
"If the Level of that monster is the same as the declared Level, send all revealed cards to the Graveyard; otherwise, Special Summon that monster onto my Field, and send all remaining revealed cards to the Graveyard."
After explaining, Hayato saw the Gravekeeper's Elder frown and actually wave his hand again to flip a card in his Spell/Trap Zone. "Another card that sends cards to the Graveyard? In that case, I'm even more certain I can't let you send cards to the Graveyard! The second Set card flips, Counter Trap Card Dark Bribe!"
The figure of a detective, waiting for the Gravekeeper's Elder to declare a Level, turned his head and saw that at some point, someone had left a huge red envelope behind him. A note with the word "Bribery" written on it was even stuck on the envelope. How blatant!
"When your opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card, Dark Bribe can be activated." The Gravekeeper's Elder pointed a finger at the figure of a detective on Hayato's Field. "Negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it, then your opponent draws 1 card."
"You want to buy off me, who is full of curiosity for the truth, with money? This is an insult to me!" Picking up the red envelope casually, the detective left a card for Hayato. "Although I wanted to say that, he really gave too much."
With a "bang," the easily bribed detective turned into smoke and disappeared from Hayato's Field, and Hayato helplessly drew a card from his Deck.
Both attempts at milling were stopped by the Gravekeeper's Elder's Set cards, which made Hayato look at the two Set cards that remained in his Spell/Trap Zone again, his gaze quite strange.
One might be excusable, but two negations would definitely not be a coincidence. Especially since the opponent could even use that annoying psychological tactic last turn of "tricking out the quality of the opponent's Hand, then using Hand Exchange to steal." Are there no decent Duelists in the Tomb Keepers?
Rishid, whose Deck is full of Trap Cards, Ishizu, who plays Exchange of the Spirit, plus this old man in front of him who has negated him twice in a row... In comparison, Marik, who just likes to give people weird items and powerful monsters with high ATK, has actually become a genuinely sunshine boy.
However, since his opponent was such a Heretic, Hayato didn't need to pretend to be an upright gentleman anymore.
"Activate Field Spell Card Magical Meltdown! When this card is activated: You can add 1 Aleister the Invoker from your Deck to your Hand." This time, corresponding to the activation of the Field Spell Card, the Gravekeeper's Elder opposite him didn't chain timing to flip his Set card in the Spell/Trap Zone, but instead watched as Hayato added a card to his Hand. "Next, I Normal Summon Aleister the Invoker!"
"Then, when Aleister the Invoker is Normal Summoned, I activate its effect! I can add 1 Invocation from my Deck to my Hand!"
(End of Chapter)
# Chapter 702: The Duelist's Ultimate Subject
As the Field Spell Card was activated, the environment beneath everyone's feet changed in an instant. The surroundings turned into a fiery red Magic Space, and in the center of the profound Magic Circle, the figure of a Magician wearing a Mage Robe appeared.
[Aleister the Invoker][ATK 1000]
"Sa, showtime da~" Twirling the Staff in his hand, Aleister struck a cool pose and said, "Next is my Stage."
Compared to the previous two instances of Milling being continuously Negated, the Normal Summon of [Magical Meltdown] and [Aleister the Invoker] went much smoother. the Gravekeeper's Elder also didn't Activate the Set Card in his Spell/Trap Zone.
However, just when Hayato thought his opponent had run out of moves, the Gravekeeper's Elder pulled out a lighter—ah, no, he pulled out another Trap.
Before [Aleister the Invoker] could Search for his signature move, the Gravekeeper's Elder waved his hand and Ordered: "Then, Chain to that monster's Summon, I Activate my third Set Card, the Continuous Trap [Imperial Order]!"
"This Card can be used when a monster's effect that activates upon its successful Summon is activated. That Spellcaster monster's Effect Activation will be Negated by [Imperial Order], but as Compensation, you can Draw a Card."
"This is my Invincible all-encompassing Penalty Deck! Hahahaha!"
As [Aleister] raised his Staff, a pair of Handcuffs suddenly clamped onto his hands. In a state of confusion, the Magic-Blocking Handcuffs directly Broke Through the Magic Circle of [Invocation] which had yet to be Set Up.
Off-field, Yugi watched Hayato Draw the Compensation Card, his expression becoming serious: "It Looks Like the opponent being an Elder in the Tomb Keepers who presides over Punishment isn't just because of his age. He at least has a certain Strength and isn't the Nobody I initially thought. The Situation is getting a bit difficult for Hayato."
"Eh? But Yugi, I remember before, didn't Hayato and you highly regard the concept of 'Card Advantage'? Even though Hayato's Effects were Negated three times in a row, he still has five Cards in his Hand, shouldn't he still have the Advantage?" Téa , who was standing nearby, said with a hint of Confusion upon hearing this.
Because of the presence of these Top Duelists around her, Téa had also picked up quite a bit of Dueling Trivia through osmosis.
"The concept of 'Card Advantage' does exist, that's not wrong. But besides that, there's another concept, which is the existence of consuming Resources like gasoline in an internal combustion engine, converting them into tangible Advantage. That is, a Deck's 'Play Starter'."
Using an easy-to-understand example, Yugi patiently explained to Téa beside him, "It's like how I like to use [Magical Merchant] to quickly Tribute Summon [Dark Magician Girl], and then sequentially Field Setup to Summon [Dark Magician] and Set Up Magical Combination. The Cards Hayato just used, whether it was [That Grass Looks Greener], [Reasoning], or [Aleister the Invoker], are all Cards that can be used as Starting Points to Field Setup the Deck."
"However, all three Field Setups were Broken Through. Especially the Appearance of [Aleister the Invoker] consumed Hayato's Normal Summon for this Turn. Without a Play Starter that can consume and Utilize the Hand, having Infinite Hand Cards is meaningless."
"Achoo!"
As Yugi spoke, Marik, who was also watching the Duel, suddenly sneezed.
He had reason to suspect that Yugi's last sentence was definitely hinting at him. In the Battle City Top 8 to Top 4 match, wasn't it his Dark Personality, Dark Marik, who had Control of his body, who fell for Yugi's Strategy and Decked Out with an Infinite Hand, leading to his Defeat?
However, the Marik with the Ah Q Spirit was quite open-minded. What did the Bad Play made by Dark Marik, that Six-Year-Old (Nickname), have to do with a sunny big boy like me, Marik?
"Precisely because of that, I said the Situation is slightly difficult for Hayato," Yugi Paused, seeing the Composure on Hayato's face, and continued, "However, it's only 'slightly'. Hayato is a True Duelist; this level of Difficulty won't make him feel Troublesome."
And just as Yugi said, after Hayato's three Play Starters were all Negated, he instead showed a Smile: "Phew, well, I stepped on the Traps quite accurately, didn't I? By paying the Stakes of a few Cards, I successfully probed the existence of three Traps."
"But it's a Pity that Aleister's Effect was Negated, I was ready to sing." As he spoke, Hayato glanced at the [Aleister the Invoker] on his Field, his Finger twitching as if he wanted to play a Card.
But Aleister was completely unaware of Hayato's small action. He raised his hands, which were handcuffed together, and Revealed them to Hayato: "There's nothing I can do, Master, it's really not that I don't want to help. Looks Like, I can only stand on the Field and do nothing now."
Although he had been by Hayato's side for some time, Aleister hadn't realized what Hayato's Dueling Style was truly like.
And the next moment, a Space Tunnel slowly opened beneath his feet.
"Huh? What's this?" Turning his head back strangely, Aleister saw a Card that appeared behind him. He subconsciously read out the Card Name and the written effect: "[Monster Gate], Activate by Tributing one monster on your Field. Flip Cards from the Top of your Deck until a monster that can be Normal Summoned appears, Special Summon that monster, and Send all remaining flipped Cards to the Graveyard?"
"Wait, wait a minute, Master, you're not going to Tribute me, are you!?"
"There's nothing I can do, Aleister, I don't want to either, but right now, you standing on the Field only have one Usefulness to me, and that's being Tributed," Hayato inserted the Card into his Duel Disk and said ruthlessly, "Alright, you, who have no Merchandise Value, are now Out of Print!"
"Yamete~" After a mischievous yell, Aleister was Absorbed by the Space Tunnel beneath his feet, and the Cards on the Top of Deck automatically flipped.
If Hayato were using an [Infernoid] Deck this time, because all [Infernoid] monsters except [Decatron] are monsters that cannot be Normal Summoned, Hayato could basically Utilize the Effect of [Monster Gate] to Mill a large number of Cards into the Graveyard In one go. But unfortunately, this time Hayato wasn't using [Infernoid], but rather—
"Tsk, how unlucky, the first Card flipped is actually a monster that can be Normal Summoned." Looking at the Card flipped from the Top of the Deck, Hayato Drew it and Placed it on his Duel Disk, "Then, due to the Effect of [Monster Gate], I Special Summon [Shaddoll Falcon] in Attack Position onto my Field!"
As If it were the regurgitation of a Living being, the Space Tunnel that Absorbed Aleister spit out a new Monster—a Falcon with a slightly mechanized body structure, black-purple all over, inlaid with purple jade in various places, and connected by silk threads.
However, although it Looks Like a Winged Beast Type in Form and its structure resembles a Machine Type, the monster that appeared on Hayato's Field was surprisingly a Spellcaster Type.
[Shaddoll Falcon][Level 2/DARK Attribute]
[Spellcaster Type/Flip/Effect]
[600/1400]
Similar to [Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring] and others, [Shaddoll Falcon] was originally a Tuner Monster, but due to the Restriction of the Era, the "Tuner" wording was removed. However, Hayato is playing a Pure [Shaddoll] Deck. Although it has a Small Engine of [Aleister the Invoker] as an Engine, it is still a Pure [Shaddoll] Deck. The extremely Pure [Shaddoll] Deck focuses on Fusion Summoning and doesn't need things like Tuners; the Purity is too low.
"It's [Shaddoll]," Seeing [Shaddoll Falcon] appear, Joey Wheeler couldn't help but feel a chill, recalling the painful experience of constantly engaging in a Battle of Wits with Hayato's monster nicknamed "Mi" not long ago.
But the Gravekeeper's Elder, who didn't Know how Amazing [Shaddoll] was, looked at the Puppet Falcon that appeared on Hayato's Field with some Disdain: "Hmph, a piece of scum with only 600 ATK, not even as good as that monster that looked like a Scumbag just now. Looks Like, you rude fellow are just talking tough. What's the Use of being able to Fight? To make a living out here, you need to Know how to Duel, you little punk."
"Well, [Shaddoll Falcon]'s ATK/DEF are indeed lower than Aleister's. A Normal Summon plus [Monster Gate] only exchanged for a monster of this Strength, so it really is a Card Disadvantage," Hayato said, Drawing a Card from his Hand, "But me, I'm the type who considers it a loss if I don't pick up something when I go out. Losing Card Advantage is more unbearable than anything else to me, so I'll earn it back with this Card."
"Spell Card [Upgrade Transformation]! Send [Shaddoll Falcon] on my Field to the Graveyard, and Special Summon one monster from my Deck with the same Type and Attribute as [Shaddoll Falcon] but 1 Level higher."
[Shaddoll Falcon] dissolved on Hayato's Field and sank into the Shadow beneath his feet. The Shadow expanded to a certain Size, and a Hedgehog with similar coloring to [Shaddoll Falcon] appeared.
[Shaddoll Hedgehog][Level 3/DARK Attribute]
[Spellcaster Type/Flip/Effect]
[800/200]
Not only that, but at the same time as [Shaddoll Hedgehog]'s Appearance, the Shadow beneath its feet didn't Disappear; instead, it Moved to the side, and the Figure of [Shaddoll Falcon] flashed by within the Shadow.
"When Sent to the Graveyard by an Effect, [Shaddoll Falcon]'s Effect Activation! I Summon it in Face-Down Defense Position onto my Field," Hayato Explained, "Summoning from the Deck while also not losing the monster on the Field. Rounding up, this is called a Freebie."
Although the number of monsters on Hayato's Field increased to two, the Gravekeeper's Elder Still wore an Indifferent Expression.
"Tsk, how Flashy. What's the Difference between two monsters? Aren't they just Small Fry monsters with ATK less than 1500, unable to Break Through the Defense of that monster you left on my Field that Looks Like it's clumsy?"
The Gravekeeper's Elder's contemptuous tone while speaking offended all three monsters on the Field. [Shaddoll Falcon] and [Shaddoll Hedgehog] had no Self-consciousness and didn't react, but Little Blue, who was standing on his Field, couldn't help but Protest: "Little Blue is very useful, okay? The one who calls others clumsy is the Idiot!"
"When Little Blue gets Serious, I would absolutely never do something like Milling Powerful Cards into the Graveyard, uh, probably?" But as she spoke, Little Blue became a little less confident again, and forcibly Defended, "Idiots don't catch colds, you know? Little Blue, I, broke the washing machine last time when I was washing clothes and got completely soaked, almost catching a cold, so I'm definitely not an Idiot! Mm, that's how it is!"
However, the Gravekeeper's Elder, who couldn't see Card Spirits, didn't hear a single word of Little Blue's rather powerless Defense.
"Holding my monster and also belittling my monster as clumsy, what a Wicked fellow," Hearing the Gravekeeper's Elder's words, Hayato glanced at him and said in a flat tone, "But who said I was going to Attack the cute Little Blue with them? Little Blue is my Dearest Friend and Family, my Brothers."
"What kind of Strange adjective is that?" Little Blue couldn't help but Rant.
But Hayato Paid no heed. He looked at the three remaining Cards in his Hand and Drew one of them: "At this moment, the Materials prepared for it are all gathered. I originally intended to Battle in the way of an Invoker, but I didn't expect to get endless Traps in return."
"I'll show my hand. Fusion Summon is the Most Noble Summoning Method! Activate Spell Card [Polymerization]! I use [Shaddoll Hedgehog] and [Shaddoll Falcon] on my Field as Fusion Material!"
Hearing Hayato's words, Joey Wheeler grabbed Tristan 's arm tightly: "It's coming, that monster is coming!"
"What are you doing with so much Strength? Let go of me, Joey Wheeler !"
Amidst Tristan 's cries of pain, Hayato's [Polymerization] successfully Activated. Although the Field Spell Card [Magical Meltdown] seemingly was only used to Search for [Aleister the Invoker], it Actually provided Hayato with the Power that when Activating an effect that Fusion Summons a Fusion Monster, the Activation cannot be Negated, and when that Fusion Summon is successful, the Opponent cannot Activate Spell/Trap/Monster Effects!
No one could stop Hayato from Summoning that monster that Joey Wheeler was so concerned about onto the Field!
"Materials are, a [Shaddoll] monster plus one DARK Attribute monster! Souls wandering between Life and Death! Release the Resentment settled in the Abyss of Darkness upon this Land!"
"Fusion Summon, [El Shaddoll---]"
Taking a deep breath, Hayato shouted loudly, "El Shaddoll Midrash!!!"
The two monsters rising from the shadows returned into the shadows. Under the Power of [Polymerization], the Power Resonance between the two monsters Awakened the Deeper Existence slumbering within the Power of [Shaddoll]'s Shadow.
Named "El Shaddoll (meaning 'Explanation')", the Gusto Shrine Maiden who died in the past and the Four Sons (Yang Zing Monsters) from [Yang Zing] formed a combination and Revived from the Gap Between the Dead and the Living. A Card Monster combining multiple XP Factors such as "Puppet", "Beautiful Girl", "Frail Limbs", "Monster Girl", "Corrupted", "Human Modification", and "Limb Amputation" appeared!
[El Shaddoll Midrash][Level 5/DARK Attribute]
[Spellcaster Type/Fusion/Effect]
[2200/800]
"The Ultimate Subject that Duelists ultimately cannot avoid—How to Out 'Mi'." Hayato extended his hand and pointed towards the Gravekeeper's Elder, "Sa, begin your Experiment."
In 2014, everyone was trying to Out El Shaddoll Midrash with Normal Hand Fusion.
In 2016, everyone was trying to Out El Shaddoll Midrash with Neptune Cosplay.
In 2019, everyone was trying to Out El Shaddoll Midrash escorted by Double Apex.
In 2020, everyone was trying to Out El Shaddoll Midrash with Apocrypha Quick Effect.
In 2022, everyone was trying to Out El Shaddoll Midrash with Tearlaments Quick Effect.
(End of Chapter)
# Chapter 703: The One Who Punishes You Is My Tamashii!
"[Shaddoll Falco] can only use one of its effects once per Turn, so the [Shaddoll Falco] that was Sent to the Graveyard by [Polymerization] this time won't be Revived. However, the effect of [Shaddoll Hedgehog], which was also Sent to the Graveyard by [Polymerization], Activates,"
Hayato raised his Duel Disk and drew a Card that it automatically Searched, displaying it. "Add one [Shaddoll] Monster other than [Shaddoll Hedgehog] from the Deck to my Hand. The Monster I choose is this one, [Shaddoll Lizard]."
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 3]
However, compared to Hayato's resource management from his Deck, the Gravekeeper's Elder was more concerned about the Monster that appeared on Hayato's Field.
[El Shaddoll Midrash][ATK 2200]
'ATK of 2200 points, huh? That's more like it, but still too weak. Next, it must be that Monster's Attack, right?'
The Gravekeeper's Elder glanced at the last Set Card in his Spell/Trap Zone. 'But, I still have the strongest Card that can be used in this situation on my Back Row. Just one Monster isn't enough of a Threat. Before that, I'll just use that Kid's own Card to block it.'
[Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon][DEF 1600]
Looking at Little Blue in Defense Position, Hayato said seriously, "Little Blue, I love you so much! For you, I'm activating this Powerful Card!"
"Spell Card [Shield Crush]! Activate by Targeting one Defense Position Monster on the Field! Destroy that Monster!"
Following the Card's Activation, a green laser shot at Little Blue on the Gravekeeper's Elder's Field. A Phantom Shield appeared on her body and was shattered. "Ugh!" Little Blue screamed and was mercilessly Destroyed and Sent to the Graveyard by Hayato.
Catching the [Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon] card that returned to his hand, Hayato looked at it with an angry expression before sending it to the Graveyard. "Damn it, my cute and powerful Little Blue was just Destroyed and Sent to the Graveyard like that! How dare you harm my Cherished Monster, you are truly unforgivable!"
"What does that have to do with me?! Didn't *you* Destroy that Monster yourself?!" The Gravekeeper's Elder had no intention of taking the blame Hayato was throwing at him and said angrily, "Nonsense, I cannot understand!"
"Alright then, in that case, I'll Enter Battle Phase and launch a Direct Attack on you since you have no Monsters left on your Field!" Hayato pointed at the Gravekeeper's Elder. "The one who punishes you is my Tamashii, [El Shaddoll Midrash]!"
"Extreme Dive Bombing Crash!"
As the prototypes for [El Shaddoll Midrash], [Gusto Priestess - Winda] and [Wind Dragon Star - Pulao] are both WIND Attribute Monsters, it's perfectly reasonable for Hayato to use a Flying Type Z-Move.
Facing the Attack of [El Shaddoll Midrash], the Gravekeeper's Elder hesitated slightly.
This timing just met the Activation Condition of the Set Card in his Spell/Trap Zone. But if he used that Powerful Card just to trade for a mere Level 5☆ Monster, it would be too much of a waste. However, if he didn't use it, 2200 ATK points would be quite painful, and his Life Points would instantly drop to only half.
After a brief consideration, and thinking that if he left the Card on the Field, it might be Destroyed by Cards like [Mystical Space Typhoon] next Turn, the Gravekeeper's Elder finally decided to Activate the Set Card.
"Chain to that Monster's Attack Declaration," the Gravekeeper's Elder said proudly. "Although the previous [Card Exchange] involved some Psychological Tactics, I wasn't lying last Turn. I truly drew the strongest Ultimate Card in my Deck. Now is the time! I Activate the last Card I Set last Turn!"
"False 'God', kneel before me, before this Sublime Power!!"
"Trap Card, [Mirror Force]!!!"
The Set Card in the Gravekeeper's Elder's Spell/Trap Zone flipped up. It wasn't a Card possessing a Strange Curse like [Sakuretsu Armor], but rather the highest level of Attack Declaration Trap, Hanoi's (crossed out) [Mirror Force]!
As the Set Card opened, an arc-shaped Protective Barrier enveloped the Gravekeeper's Elder. Once triggered by an Attack, this seemingly fragile Protective Barrier would instantly Destroy all Attack Position Monsters on Hayato's Field without Targeting them, instantly crushing them, leaving not a single one behind. How powerful!
"Although it only trades for one of your mere Level 5☆ Monsters, the thought that your last remaining Monster on the Field will also be Destroyed, allowing me to freely Summon Monsters and Attack you next Turn, makes using this Card worthwhile." The Gravekeeper's Elder pointed triumphantly at the [El Shaddoll Midrash] flying towards him. "With such powerful strength, how can that Monster withstand it?"
He couldn't help but imagine the scene of the Monster before him being crushed to pieces under the Despair-inducing Power of [Mirror Force]!
However, he didn't notice the knowing smiles on the faces of Joey Wheeler , Yugi, and the others watching the Duel.
The next moment, [El Shaddoll Midrash], a Spellcaster Type Monster that imitated a Flying Creature diving from high altitude under Hayato's Instruction, crashed into the mirror barrier before the Gravekeeper's Elder. It successfully triggered the destructive power within, and the Impact instantly swept across Hayato's entire Field. [El Shaddoll Midrash] naturally bore the brunt of the Destruction effect.
But contrary to what the Gravekeeper's Elder expected, even though it clearly took the hit from the Impact emitted by [Mirror Force], [El Shaddoll Midrash] remained unharmed as if nothing happened. After its Mount bit and shattered the Protective Barrier, [Midrash] on the dragon's back leaped up, aimed at the position Hayato had attacked before, and kicked towards the Gravekeeper's Elder!
"Bugah!"
[Elder: 4000 → 1800 LP]
"Rider Kick," the green-haired puppet-like figure said softly after completing the Attack. She lightly landed back on the dragon's back on tiptoe, holding onto the Staff which was more decorative than practical, and returned to Hayato's Field, remaining silent as if nothing happened.
Only the Gravekeeper's Elder, covering his Nose which had suffered a second injury, lay on the ground and looked angrily at Hayato. "Why, why wasn't that Monster Destroyed?!"
"Well well, I actually didn't expect the Set Card in your Spell/Trap Zone to be Hanoi's Mirror Force."
Hayato didn't notice [Midrash]'s quiet muttering just now. Looking at the Gravekeeper's Elder's angry expression, he grinned and laughed, "[El Shaddoll Midrash] cannot be destroyed by opponent's effects. If you couldn't even imagine this, then you are indeed an Ignorant Fool bound by Earth's Gravity."
"Is Earth's Gravity something that lowers intelligence?" Hearing Hayato's words, Aleister, who stuck his head out from the Graveyard and lay on the Duel Disk, couldn't help but Rant.
Looking at the [Shaddoll Lizard] and [Localized Tornado] in his Hand, Hayato didn't Set either Card. Instead, he ended his Turn like this. "Then, My Turn ends here."
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 2]
[El Shaddoll Midrash][ATK 2200]
"An Ability that prevents it from being Destroyed by effects... Tsk, is that such a troublesome effect? But, it can be solved just by Battle Destruction, right? Just trash with only Level 5."
Hearing the Gravekeeper's Elder's words, Hayato also nodded. "That's right. Although Battle Destruction Immunity is the most useless Resistance, Battle Destruction is the most effective Removal Method."
He paused for a moment, glancing at the Gravekeeper's Elder's empty hand, or rather, his Duel Disk, then continued, "However, with no Hand Cards, can you precisely Draw the Card that can support you in Summoning a Monster with the Ability to Battle Destroy [El Shaddoll Midrash]?"
The Gravekeeper's Elder frowned slightly and said calmly, "Nonsense. Before Drawing a Card, how would I know what Card I will Draw."
"In short, My Turn, Draw!"
Reaching his Hand towards the Deck Zone of the unique Golden Duel Disk, the Duel Disk spat out a Card which the Gravekeeper's Elder took into his Hand, and after looking at the Card he drew, an expression of joy appeared on his aged face. "Heh heh, heh ha ha ha, my Deck responded to me and let me Draw a suitable Card."
However, in Hayato's view, while the expression on the Gravekeeper's Elder's face was close to "surprise", it was more so "Proud".
"Normal Summon this Monster in Attack Position, [Shield Worm]!"
Placing the Card on the Duel Disk, a worm with most of its body covered in brown armor as part of its shell appeared on the Gravekeeper's Elder's Field. As soon as it appeared on the Field, this worm couldn't help but want to curl up its body and protect itself with its armor because of the [El Shaddoll Midrash] on Hayato's Field.
"When [Shield Worm] is Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned successfully, it changes to Defense Position because of its Own Effect." The Gravekeeper's Elder looked at [Shield Worm]'s action, but pointed at his Monster with his Hand. "However, this effect will be negated by the effect of [Imperial Order] on my Back Row, and then I Draw a Card from my Deck!"
[Imperial Order], the Continuous Trap Card that negated [Aleister the Invoker]'s effect last Turn, affects the entire Field indiscriminately. A white light flashed from the flipped-up [Imperial Order] in the Back Row and fell upon [Shield Worm]. The worm attempting to curl up its body was forced to remain stiff on the Field in Attack Position, unable to use its Own Effect.
[Shield Worm][Level 4☆/EARTH]
[Insect Type/Effect]
[800/2000]
And the Gravekeeper's Elder once again Took Out a Card from the Golden Duel Disk. This time, he couldn't even be bothered to show a surprised expression and directly Activated the Card he drew. "Next is this Card, [Magical Mallet]! Send the Face-up Continuous Trap Card [Imperial Order] on my Field to Activate! I Draw two Cards from my Deck."
"Following that is this Card, Spell Card [Graceful Charity]! I Draw three Cards from my Deck, then Send two Hand Cards to the Graveyard."
The overly smooth operation made Joey Wheeler scratch the back of his head somewhat strangely. "It feels like something's a bit off? Although a True Duelist can decide the future of drawing cards for themselves, I can't feel the Aura a True Duelist should have from that old guy at all."
Yugi also nodded quite approvingly but didn't say anything, just watching the Field. Like Hayato, he specifically looked at the Golden Duel Disk in the Gravekeeper's Elder's Hand, having a guess in his heart.
After Sending Cards to the Graveyard and replacing his hand, the Gravekeeper's Elder revealed a quite arrogant smile and said, "To be able to hurt me, you have some Strength, but this is as far as you go! Because right now, I will Summon the strongest Card in my Deck!"
"Tribute [Shield Worm]! Activate this Spell Card, [Hatching]! Special Summon one Insect Type monster from my Deck with 1 Level higher than the Tributed monster." While saying this, the Gravekeeper's Elder again Took Out a Card from his Deck and placed it on the Field as a substitute for [Shield Worm]. "Come forth, [Ultimate Insect LV5]!"
Under the influence of [Hatching], [Shield Worm] spat out a large amount of Silk Thread and wrapped its body. Accompanied by the squirming and deforming of the Cocoon, a pair of sharp Grasping Legs stabbed out, tearing a large opening in the Cocoon, and a giant Insect with a fierce Aura crawled out from it.
[Ultimate Insect LV5][Level 5☆/WIND]
[Insect Type/Effect]
[2300/900]
"Hahaha, this is my Ace Card, the legendary LV Monster [Ultimate Insect]! Although it wasn't Special Summoned by the Power of [Ultimate Insect LV3] and lost its most powerful effect, it's already enough to Defeat that Monster of yours!"
"But, it's not over yet! I will also Summon this Monster!" While saying this, the Gravekeeper's Elder played another Card from his Hand. "[Doom Dozer] can only be Special Summoned by Banishing two Insect Type monsters from my Graveyard. I will Banish the ones I Sent to the Graveyard earlier with [Graceful Charity]... Huh?"
Even though he had placed the Card on the Duel Disk, the Figure of [Doom Dozer] did not appear on the Gravekeeper's Elder's Field, nor did the Graveyard Zone spit out the two Monster Cards he intended to Banish.
Immediately, the Gravekeeper's Elder cast a suspicious gaze towards Hayato.
"This kind of Special Summon, if there are too many, it will only leave long combos in the Duel. That won't do, so let me use Mi to save the Duel." Facing the Gravekeeper's Elder's gaze, Hayato explained, "As long as [El Shaddoll Midrash] exists in the Monster Zone, during that period, Both Players can only Special Summon a monster once per Turn."
"[Shield Worm] was a Normal Summon, so it's not affected. And the appearance of [Ultimate Insect LV5] has already consumed your only Special Summon."
While saying this, Hayato pretended to look around. "As for [Doom Dozer], it probably got lost somewhere. It can't come out for now."
"Tsk, it actually has an effect? In that case, isn't that Monster's Strength too troublesome?!" The Gravekeeper's Elder took back the [Doom Dozer] Card and looked annoyed at Mi on Hayato's Field. "Then I'll Special Summon [Doom Dozer] after I Destroy that Monster. You got lucky."
"Enter Battle Phase! Use [Ultimate Insect LV5] to Attack [El Shaddoll Midrash]!"
"Poison Powder Storm!"
# Chapter 704: Shout Out My Name!
Although El Shaddoll Midrash was powerful enough to repeatedly jump between Limited, Semi-Limited, and Unlimited status, in the end, it was still just a monster with 2200 ATK and no battle destruction immunity, and was destroyed by Ultimate Insect LV5's attack.
[Hayato: 4000→3900 LP]
"Just like other Shaddoll monsters, El Shaddoll Midrash also has an effect it can use when it is sent to the Graveyard. However, since there are no cards in my Graveyard that meet its activation condition, I cannot activate Mi's effect."
Watching Hayato send El Shaddoll Midrash to the Graveyard, the Gravekeeper's Elder said proudly, "What's this? My attack was quite accurate, wasn't it?"
"Without that monster, my Special Summon restriction is also dispelled, right? In that case, I will end the Battle Phase, and then in Main Phase 2, I will banish two Insect-Type monsters from my Graveyard."
As he spoke, the Gravekeeper's Elder saw the two Monster Cards smoothly ejected from his Duel Disk and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. He played the card in his Hand. "From my Hand, I Special Summon this monster! Come forth, Doom Dozer!"
Without El Shaddoll Midrash's restraint, the Gravekeeper's Elder successfully performed a second Special Summon this time. A giant, centipede-like insect broke through the Ground and appeared on his Field, guarding the Gravekeeper's Elder on both sides along with Ultimate Insect LV5.
[Doom Dozer] [Level 8/EARTH]
[Insect-Type/Special Summon/Effect]
[2800/2600]
However, because it was Special Summoned during Main Phase 2, the Doom Dozer appearing now did not have the ability to attack.
"My turn ends, and now it's your turn, Kid." The Gravekeeper's Elder revealed an annoying smile. "Although it was only 100 points of damage, I'm sure it was enough to make you feel heart-wrenching pain, wasn't it?"
[Elder: 1800 LP, Hand 0]
[Ultimate Insect LV5] [ATK 2300]
[Doom Dozer] [ATK 2800]
Hearing this, Hayato glanced at his trouser leg. Hayato had already discovered at the beginning of the Duel that although he seemed like just a wicked old man, the Elder of the Tomb Keepers opposite him actually had the ability to initiate a Dark Game. However, he was quite cunning, waiting until he had already taken damage and was about to counterattack before activating the Dark Game.
With this operation, he avoided the 2200 points of true damage from El Shaddoll Midrash's direct attack earlier, but the 100 points of damage Hayato had just taken was boosted by the Dark Game and became true damage. Hayato's trouser leg on his calf was torn by the storm kicked up by Ultimate Insect LV5's attack just now, revealing reddened skin.
"Heh, it doesn't hurt or itch. Is the 'heart-wrenching pain' you spoke of just this kind of attack that doesn't even count as a massage?" Having experienced so many Dark Games up to this point, a mere 100 points of damage wasn't enough for Hayato to even care about. He said indifferently, "It's just a pity about my twenty-thousand-dollar pants."
"Tsk, why are Kids nowadays so rich?" The Gravekeeper's Elder said resentfully. After looking at the monsters on his Field, he recovered his confidence. "Well, it's clearly my victory now. In my Standby Phase next turn, Ultimate Insect will evolve from LV5 to LV7. While its power is enhanced, it will also regain the ability to scatter scales and decrease the opponent's monster's power."
"Coupled with Doom Dozer's existence, no matter what kind of monster you Summon, you're only fated to be broken through and annihilated by me!"
Looking at the two cards in Hayato's Hand, the Gravekeeper's Elder said contemptuously, "With just the two revealed cards in your Hand, and you can only Draw a Card once, can you really defeat me instantly in one turn? Duels don't have that kind of luck."
As he finished speaking, the Gravekeeper's Elder but saw Hayato actually started laughing.
"Hmph hmph, hehe, hahahahaha!"
"Luck? While I don't deny that some people do have luck so outrageous it seems like cheating ( Joey Wheeler : Why are you looking at me?), only a third-rate Duelist would rely on luck for drawing cards."
"My turn!" His finger rested on his Deck. An updraft suddenly blew under Hayato's feet, where there was nothing around him, causing his hanging bangs to stand up. "A True Duelist can Draw whatever card they want! Draw a Card!"
"Then, activate this card," He drew the card, and without even looking at the card he drew, he slapped it directly onto his Duel Disk, as if he already knew what card he would draw. "Spell Card, Graceful Charity! Draw three cards from my Deck, then discard two cards from my Hand."
Watching Hayato's operation of freely using the drawn cards without even looking at them, the Gravekeeper's Elder was somewhat stunned. The scene before him was completely beyond his expectation. Unable to understand the reason, he pointed at Hayato and shouted, "You! You're definitely cheating! How could it be possible for someone to guess what they drew without looking at the cards!"
"Heh, you say I knew what I drew beforehand? Weren't you the same? And don't measure me with your shallow understanding, you idiot." Hayato drew three cards from his Deck, then sent two of them to the Graveyard. He said proudly, "Nothing is impossible on this World! Everything is in my hands!"
"The cards I sent to the Graveyard are the Monster Card Shaddoll Lizard and the Trap Card El Shaddoll Fusion. Here, I activate Shaddoll Lizard's effect: If this card is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, send one Shaddoll card other than Shaddoll Lizard from the Deck to the Graveyard. I choose Shaddoll Core."
"And if Shaddoll Core is sent to the Graveyard by an effect, I can target one Shaddoll Spell/Trap Card other than Shaddoll Core in my Graveyard and add it to my Hand. I recycle El Shaddoll Fusion."
After one Graceful Charity, Hayato's Hand increased to four cards. He drew one of the cards, clamped it between his fingers, and held it above his head, saying, "Now, I have grabbed the Future in my Hand."
"At this moment, I have five Spellcaster-Type monsters in my Graveyard! I must immediately perform a noble Fusion Summon!"
"Activate Spell Card Polymerization! This card allows me to fusion summon a monster using monsters from my hand or field as material!"
Behind Hayato, several phantoms rose up.
Aleister the Invoker,
Shaddoll Falcon,
Shaddoll Hedgehog,
El Shaddoll Midrash,
Shaddoll Lizard
A total of five Spellcaster-Type monsters slumbering in the Graveyard released their power. Behind Hayato, they transformed into five magic spheres of different colors. A profound domain rose under his feet, surrounding the energy balls in the air and merging into them, unfolding a five-layered magic circle.
At the center of the converging power, a figure slowly manifested.
"Lend me your power, Mi, Aleister!" After cramming the cards into the Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone, Hayato held the five banished Monster Cards in his Hand, his left hand clenched into a fist.
"Yosh! Let's go, Master!" Aleister nodded, and El Shaddoll Midrash also nodded, softly said, "Mm."
The phantom behind Hayato then opened its arms in a motion like an embrace. The energy balls merged into it, and the figure said, "Shout out my Name!"
"Osu!" Hearing this, Hayato suddenly raised the Duel Disk on his left wrist, which was like a weapon, and raised his left hand, clenched into a fist, above his head. "Fusion Summon! Quintet Magician!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 705: You Have At Least Three Sentences to Say to Me
"Fusion Summon! Quintet Magician!"
Five energy spheres displaying magic circles merged into the figure behind Hayato, who maintained the same stance with his left hand raised high. The Sai Q Magician—Quintet Magician—made its grand appearance!
[Quintet Magician] [Level 12/Dark]
[Spellcaster Type/Fusion/Effect]
[4500/4500]
"It appeared! The Highest-Level Magician that once used Super Polymerization to instantly defeat my Older Sister, with ATK equal to Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Quintet Magician!" Seeing Quintet Magician appear, the most excited person was none other than Marik, who was watching the duel. "As expected of my Brother-in-law, easily doing what we couldn't. I truly worship you!"
Joey Wheeler, standing nearby, couldn't help but comment, "Why are you so excited when talking about your own Older Sister's defeat?"
"Im-impossible, they were clearly just a bunch of weak monsters, and how were they even remotely similar to each other? How could they Fusion Summon such a monster?" The Gravekeeper's Elder looked at the appearance of Quintet Magician with a look of disbelief. "D-damn it, with 4500 ATK, it can deal 2200 points of damage to me just by attacking the Ultimate Insect LV5 on my Field!"
The Gravekeeper's Elder looked at his meager 1800 Life Points with unwillingness. He was just short of the Ultimate Insect LV5's ability to decrease the ATK of all monsters on the Opponent's Field by 500 points. He was only one effect away from victory, just 500 points of dam—
"Your next sentence is, 'If only my Ultimate Insect LV5 could use its effect!'"
"If only my Ultimate Insect LV5 could use its effect—what!?"
Seeing the Gravekeeper's Elder's look of astonishment, Hayato couldn't help but sneer, "Idiot, your calculations were already within my expectations. Even if your Ultimate Insect LV5 could use its effect, or even evolve to LV7, it wouldn't make a difference. It fundamentally cannot change the ending!"
"This card's effect can only be activated when it is Fusion Summoned successfully using five different Spellcaster Type monsters as material. Destroy all cards on the Opponent's Field!" As he spoke, Hayato pointed towards the sky. "At the instant Quintet Magician, which gathered the power of five different Spellcaster Type monsters, descended, like humans bowing to the sun, all your cards will bow before me and meet their destruction!"
"Hand Shadow of the God of Destruction!"
Shouting the attack name that seemed to have no meaning, Quintet Magician behind Hayato slightly raised its wrist. An energy sphere instantly formed, carrying a magic circle, and teleported above the Gravekeeper's Elder's head. In an instant, countless beams of light were released from the energy sphere, sweeping across his Field.
"Boom!"
Doom Dozer with 2800 ATK and Ultimate Insect LV5 with 2300 ATK had no difference in power before this destructive power. They were hit and destroyed almost simultaneously, sent to the Graveyard. The Gravekeeper's Elder's Field became completely empty in just a single breath!
"My monsters!" Seeing the monsters he used to protect himself swept away in an instant, the Gravekeeper's Elder's expression was panic. "D-damn it, doesn't that mean I'm not protected anymore!"
"Even now, are you still thinking about such unnecessary things? How pathetic." Hayato waved his hand and ordered, "This is the last attack. Go, Quintet Magician! Take this! Nanto Suichoken Ultimate Mystery—Hishou Hakurei!"
Although it was a Spellcaster Type, due to Hayato's preference, Quintet Magician helplessly struck a practiced attack stance. Using its powerful magic power, it instantly teleported itself in front of the Gravekeeper's Elder, then clenched its right hand, infused with all its magic power, into a fist and swung it out, smashing it into the Gravekeeper's Elder's face!
"Uwaaaah—!!"
The Gravekeeper's Elder, whose face had been severely struck for the third time, was directly blasted away by Quintet Magician's attack. While wailing, his Life Points also went to zero.
[Elder: 1800 LP → 0]
As the duel ended, Hayato walked towards the direction of the fallen Gravekeeper's Elder. Passing by Quintet Magician, he patted its shoulder, and the latter nodded to Hayato. The moment they passed each other, its figure dispersed and returned to the card.
Upon seeing the Elder, who was considered one of the strongest among the Clan in terms of Duel Rituals, defeated by Hayato, the Black-Robed Figure who had surrounded everyone with knives brought by the Gravekeeper's Elder also panicked slightly. Ignoring Joey Wheeler and Yugi, they ran directly towards the Gravekeeper's Elder who was knocked to the ground, seemingly intending to protect the Elder and intercept Hayato to prevent him from getting close.
However, no matter how you looked at it, they were just going through the motions. Every step Hayato took closer, the Black-Robed Figure, forming a human wall with expressions of facing death, took a step closer with the knives in their hands, fundamentally not daring to narrow the distance with Hayato by even an inch.
Even when they had nowhere left to retreat, this human wall actually opened up a Passage on its own, leading directly to the Gravekeeper's Elder who was still lying on the ground, groaning and wailing. They were comparable to the bodyguards around a certain open-minded person, providing absolutely no protective effect.
Hayato didn't care about these bluffing guys who held knives but didn't even dare to make eye contact with him. He walked directly towards the Gravekeeper's Elder, ignoring his reaction, and directly reached out to grab his left hand wrist, intending to remove the Golden Duel Disk he was wearing with a method he had unaccountably become skilled at.
However, the moment Hayato grabbed his wrist, the Gravekeeper's Elder surprisingly unleashed a burst of his potential. He forcefully used his other hand to grab Hayato's left hand, which was about to undo the Duel Disk harness, with a pleading expression.
But would Hayato care about that? In his despair-filled gaze, Hayato didn't hesitate to pry open his fingers and take off the Duel Disk.
Although Marik said that this Duel Disk seemed to have been something that existed in the Clan since his childhood, after taking it, Hayato found that while its weight was somewhat heavy, it was far too light compared to the expected weight. It didn't have the heaviness of a golden item on the outside at all.
Upon closer inspection, Hayato immediately noticed something was wrong and confirmed his conjecture was correct.
Attempting to draw a card from the Golden Duel Disk, Hayato, after switching from the Opponent's perspective to the User's perspective, immediately noticed that the Deck Zone of this Duel Disk, besides the card slot for placing the Deck, was hollow on the side and contained other cards besides the Main Deck, such as Graceful Charity, Raigeki, and Mirror Force.
Even the card slot for placing the Deck itself had a small mechanism! It could automatically move powerful cards to the desired position when shuffling cards!
"Just as I thought." Hayato removed the Duel Disk he had worn for the experiment and looked contemptuously at the Gravekeeper's Elder slumped on the ground. "This guy is fundamentally just scum who cheats in duels, even worse than Keith. At least his hand speed was trained through strength."
Yugi, who had also noticed something earlier, nodded when he heard Hayato confirm that the opponent was a cheater. He looked at the Gravekeeper's Elder with some anger. "Cheating? So that's how it is. What a disgusting guy, and he even uses the same Insect Type."
Hearing Yugi and Hayato's words, the ones with the biggest reaction weren't the others, but the Black-Robed Figure surrounding them.
"Elder, he actually cheated in the sacred Duel Ritual? How is that possible?" "Why would the strongest Elder in the Clan cheat? There's no reason!" "I cannot accept this!"
Marik walked up to Hayato, glanced at the Golden Duel Disk discarded on the ground by Hayato, and after inspecting the mechanism that Hayato had uncovered up close, a proud smile appeared on his face. "I knew it. How could an old man who fundamentally just sees Duel Monsters as a tool for his power strife be able to draw whatever card he wanted? Turns out he relied on cheating."
"In the Tomb Keepers, this old guy, besides managing the punishment, was also responsible for guarding the precious items passed down in the Clan and had a certain authority to use them. Relying on this privilege, he manufactured this cheat item, imitating the Golden Duel Disk already existing in the Clan. He utilized the blind spot where others didn't have the right to inspect precious items. Heh, what a despicable guy."
"In that case, I understand. It's because of this external force that you, old man, were able to defeat others in the Clan. After all, compared to others who rely on luck to draw cards, your chances of victory were undoubtedly much higher knowing your Deck's arrangement beforehand. It's even because of this reason that you didn't want to activate the effect of the Dragonmaid Laundry Dragon you got from my Brother-in-law just now."
"But, you, like this, were mercilessly defeated by my Older Sister." Marik paused, seemingly recalling some unpleasant memory, and murmured with some regret, "In the way of Exchange of the Spirit, which crushed me countless times..."
Hearing Marik's words, the Gravekeeper's Elder sitting on the ground seemed to be enraged. He no longer cared about despair and wailing, or perhaps that resentment outweighed the despair, and he said angrily, "That little girl, relying on her bloodline to inherit the Millennium Necklace passed down in the Clan, for such a ridiculous reason, how can she suppress me!"
"What 'strongest User in a thousand years'? What if I can plan in advance what cards I'll draw? That bastard isn't even more excessive? He can even predict what cards I've set up to draw and then counter my counter, leaving me stuck at my current position as Elder. I wanted to be the Clan Head!"
"Since she can use a cheat item like the Millennium Necklace, what does it matter if I use this item!"
As he spoke, the Gravekeeper's Elder stopped himself, looking at his hands with a terrified expression. "I, I... how did I say everything!?"
He had just been thinking that even though his cheating had been exposed, if he played the victim and made up a reason, he might be able to fool the few young kids in front of him. As for the Subordinate he brought with him, he could easily deceive them by explaining it as "shameless false accusation" based on his prestige in the Clan over the years, and continue to maintain his image as the "strongest of the Gravekeeper's."
As long as he got away, he could immediately regroup his Troops to kill these bastards who had shamed him and silence them. But why, why did he blurt out the inner thoughts he had planned to keep hidden!?
"Are you perhaps wondering why you spoke your inner thoughts?" Hayato smiled coldly. The Millennium Key and Millennium Rod hanging at his waist were revealed, emitting a faint golden light. "Wasn't it you who presumptuously initiated a Dark Game against me?"
"When you made that Duel Disk, you must have misappropriated some item to grant it dark power, right? But unfortunately, when it comes to authority in Dark Games, I am still above you. However, I didn't set any heavy punishment. I merely placed the magic power of these two Millennium Items on your body. After all, there is no Duelist more compassionate than me."
Hayato squatted down, looking at the terrified Gravekeeper's Elder, and pointed at the Millennium Ring. "Look, when it lights up, someone is going to die. When someone is going to die, someone will cry. And when someone is to cry, they have to speak their inner thoughts."
"Speak. You have at least three sentences to say to me."
The Gravekeeper's Elder looked at the Millennium Ring, which was emitting a faint panic. The dark magic power was pressing down on his nerves almost without reservation. He tried hard to close his mouth, but he simply couldn't.
"To weaken Ishizu's prestige, I fabricated rumors. Ishizu, despite being the Gravekeeper's Family Leader, doesn't stay in the Clan properly. She must be lovesick and wants to fall in love, which is why she hasn't returned to the Clan, wasting the Clan Head's resources. If it were me, I would definitely, definitely do worse than her! After all, I've worked so hard for so long, marketed my persona in the Clan for so long, all for the sake of becoming the Clan Head and enjoying it!"
The Millennium Key opened his heart, and the Millennium Rod controlled his thought. The Gravekeeper's Elder spoke his inner thoughts without reservation.
Hayato raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat displeased, and gently shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "Not that sentence."
"Hehe, you're done for this time. My Brother-in-law is very petty." Marik said with a wicked smile. "Guess why I call him Brother-in-law?"
The Gravekeeper's Elder's eyes widened. He looked at Hayato in disbelief, never expecting that the rumors he had fabricated were actually true, that Ishizu, that little girl, had actually found a man outside, and it happened to be the one in front of him.
He wanted to beg for mercy in his heart, but the Gravekeeper's Elder once again said something he didn't want to say. "Six years ago, I was the one who found a way to lure Malik Ishtar, that kid, outside the Tribal Land to violate the Ancestral Teachings, thinking of using this to overthrow his Father's position. I never expected that this kid would directly kill his old man. That's even better, I have a greater opportunity to become the Clan Head, but it's all Ishizu's fault for obstructing me again!"
"Huh!?" The wicked smile on Marik's face paused for a moment. He looked at the Gravekeeper's Elder, appearing somewhat angry. To be honest, he wasn't a good person, but killing his own father was something he couldn't do. If his father hadn't angrily punished Rishid for not watching him properly at that time, causing The Other Self to emerge, his father wouldn't have died.
And this actually came from the calculations of this disgusting guy in front of him!? The wrath of being used as a tool made Marik punch the Gravekeeper's Elder in the face.
His face struck for the fourth time, the Gravekeeper's Elder was painfully knocked to the ground. But as he covered his bleeding nose and was about to wail, he found that the control over him seemed to be dispelled.
"Not that sentence either." Looking at the Gravekeeper's Elder's face covered in bloodstains, Hayato shook his head again.
Hayato's words also reminded the Gravekeeper's Elder that his life seemed to be in the hands of the person in front of him. As the winner of the Dark Game, Hayato could kill him at any time. He immediately begged for mercy, "Please, spare me. I will never again covet Ishizu's... ah, no, I will never again covet Elder Ishizu's position!"
Looking at the disheveled Gravekeeper's Elder, Hayato shook his head again. "Honestly, I still prefer the way you were being stubborn just now. Unfortunately, it's not that sentence either."
As he spoke, Hayato extended his finger and pointed it at the Gravekeeper's Elder's forehead. In an instant, a vast amount of magic power surged into his brain, crashing around.
Due to extensive activity, Gryphon Rider suffered injuries, and the Cat People Tribe has recently prohibited Gryphon Rider from going out.
Due to the decrease in related activities, Water (Attribute) is considering returning and helping to handle more ritual events.
Regarding the Field aspect, thanks to the efforts of the repair department, Black Widow Grapple Anchor has been completely repaired.
Thanks to good ecological protection activities, Jackalope's activity range in Mikankyō Archetype has recovered.
Marik has already recollected the material for the third Magical Meltdown. Please be careful, everyone.
Due to too many Buster Blader being destroyed, Union Carrier is currently undergoing emergency repair and cannot be deployed temporarily.
Through long-term repair, the second Divine Dragon Cannon has been repaired.
Due to long-term combat, Spright Jet is severely injured, and Spright Pixie has severe wear and tear.
The map of Dragonmaid has been lost again. Please contact the nearest Floowandereeze Affairs Center if found.
The main Attractor is addicted to Floowandereeze observation work and has reduced the number of times they go out.
Nimes has recently fallen into love, causing Tearlaments' protective barrier to be destroyed by Kashtira Fenrir.
The repair work has progressed further, and The Phantom Knights' activity range has expanded.
The phenomenon of Lightning Storm has decreased recently. Please rest assured, all travelers.
The number of resentment is decreasing, indicating that the extermination work is showing initial results.
Regarding the Magician aspect, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon's staff has been repaired. Selene, Queen of the Master Magicians hopes that Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon can recover as soon as possible.
Regarding the shrine aspect, due to extensive activity, Ancient Guardian and Shrine of the Dormant God are severely damaged. Herald of Orange Light has shrunk its activity range.
The rumored creature Yata-Garasu is suspected to have reappeared.
The Allied Forces have successfully manufactured the third Bird Person. The Allied Forces are one step closer to their peak period.
New spies have rediscovered the third Base, and the activity range has expanded further.
End of Chapter
is any one reading if so can you comment one comment so i know your exisiting and i will dedacte more time for uplading for this novels if there peaple actully reading .