Chapter 846: Scammed
After activating the Continuous Spell Card "Fiery Duelists," with the BGM resonating, Hayato explained the card's effect to Jesse Anderson:
"As long as 'Fiery Duelists' exists in the Spell & Trap Zone, each player can only Set one Spell/Trap Card from their Hand once per turn, and Monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck this turn cannot attack."
"The latter effect was actually a rule Seto tried to implement before Battle City began, thinking that 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' was simply too powerful and needed to be weakened. However, in the end, he changed his mind after my persuasion (which involved 'borrowing' his 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'). This non-existent rule could only be activated through this card."
Hearing Hayato's words, Jesse Anderson also nodded, having learned a behind-the-scenes story from Battle City that he hadn't known, but then asked curiously, "But isn't an effect like this just a purely negative effect? It even affects you, Mr. Hayato, far more than it affects me."
"After all, that 'Invoked Mechaba' was just Special Summoned from the Extra Deck this turn, but now it cannot attack due to the effect of 'Fiery Duelists'."
Hayato smiled at his words, "Powerful cards often come with great risks, after all. But it's enough. The puzzle to destroy 'Guardian Power' is now complete."
"Enter Battle Phase! Use 'Nibiru, the Primal Being' to attack 'Grave Squirmer'!" Just as he raised his hand, Hayato then said, "However, I will use the effect of 'Fiery Duelists' to negate 'Nibiru, the Primal Being''s attack."
On the giant meteorite ('Nibiru, the Primal Being') on Hayato's Field, a humanoid arm surprisingly stretched out, and then a humanoid creature emerged from the meteorite. But this was normal; after all, its true name wasn't actually 'meteorite' but 'Nibiru, the Primal Being'. Although it was Rock-Type, it truly had life, and this humanoid form was a part of it that had split off for attacking.
However, although it was a primal life form, the humanoid that emerged from the meteorite had long, wavy purple hair, was almost naked, wearing only strips of cloth wrapped around its armpits and shoulders, and a loincloth. It struck a demonic stance, making one feel it would be more fitting to find two similarly styled characters to pose under the moon.
After receiving Hayato's attack command, even though Hayato said the attack had been negated, Jesse Anderson saw the demonic humanoid flick its hand, and a pair of slender, long blades, growing out from each elbow as if sprouting plants, reflected an almost metallic sheen in the sunlight.
Moreover, it suddenly rushed towards Jesse Anderson's Field, shouting, "Flow of Light - Brilliant Blade Glide Style!"
"Watch out, 'Grave Squirmer'!"
Due to the humanoid's aura, Jesse Anderson subconsciously shouted at the 'Grave Squirmer' on his Field. Even though it should have been protected by 'Guardian Power', neither battle nor effect could destroy 'Grave Squirmer', yet facing the humanoid's assault, Jesse Anderson always had a bad feeling in his heart.
At the same time, he also felt a bit annoyed that he had been so stunned by the combo of (Wormhole), ('Nibiru, the Primal Being'), and a Continuous Spell Card that Hayato had just played, that he had missed the timing and couldn't activate 'Grave Squirmer''s effect, resulting in a misplay.
The effect of 'Grave Squirmer' allows it, while in Defense Position, to change an opponent's monster to Defense Position when that monster is successfully Normal or Special Summoned. If Jesse Anderson had maintained a calm mindset just now, he could have completely used its effect when 'Nibiru, the Primal Being' was summoned, changing it to a fragile Defense Position, with only 600 Defense Points.
Instead, now, having to face an attack with an unknown outcome.
'Guardian Power' (Spell Counter: 1→2)
'Grave Squirmer' DEF2000→2500
Although, as Hayato said, 'Nibiru, the Primal Being''s attack was negated by one of 'Fiery Duelists'' effects, whose full scope was unknown, the attack declaration Hayato made against 'Grave Squirmer' was a fact. 'Guardian Power' also increased its Spell Counter due to its own effect, boosting 'Grave Squirmer''s Defense.
But Jesse Anderson grew increasingly uneasy, and 'Nibiru, the Primal Being''s attack had already arrived on his Field.
What Jesse Anderson didn't expect was that as he and 'Grave Squirmer' had both prepared for battle, the humanoid directly bypassed 'Grave Squirmer' and sliced down on the single Set card remaining in his backrow!?
It was a monster, yet it could attack a Set card?!
"Duel Monsters are quite mysterious, aren't they?" As if possessing mind-reading ability, Hayato spoke, answering Jesse Anderson's confusion. "The effect of 'Fiery Duelists' can be activated by targeting one Spell/Trap card on the opponent's field, when my monster declares an attack."
Pointing at Jesse Anderson's mysterious Set card, Hayato said, "That monster's attack is negated, and the targeted card is destroyed! Take this strike! Your Set card shall shatter!"
As Hayato's words fell, Jesse Anderson saw countless tiny saw-like teeth on the blade of 'Nibiru, the Primal Being' rotate like a chainsaw, and with a casual downward press, it instantly severed the Set card in his backrow!
Before the card shattered, Hayato also clearly saw Jesse Anderson's Set card; it was actually the Spell card 'Magical Power Mastery'!?
"'Magical Power Mastery', which can place Spell Counters on 'Guardian Power', has the effect to search another 'Magical Power Mastery' from the Deck. My teacher said it's a good card that can maintain card advantage, but its flaw is that only one 'Magical Power Mastery' can be used per turn."
Jesse Anderson looked at Hayato, whose expression was like he'd just heard "Never Gonna Give You Up" and been scammed, and said shyly but with a hint of pride, "If it stayed in my hand, I'd still have to wait until the next turn to use it, so I might as well Set it in the backrow; maybe I could even trick more cautious duelists. My teacher taught me this, and it actually worked!"
"What is this, (*Fusion*) wind-baiting? Raphael, what have you been teaching this kid?" Hearing this, Hayato couldn't help but look at Raphael outside the field and complained.
But Raphael was completely unmoved and retorted, "Otherwise, should the next generation of duelists learn those infuriating duel techniques from you, Hayato, that seem to come straight from the Shadow Realm? I've been annoyed for a long time that you, as the Duel King, always use such strange tactics; the impact on teenagers is immeasurable."
"Precisely because of that, I realized I should become an educator in the future, to at least correct some of the children from your influence!"
Hearing Raphael's words full of resentment towards him, Hayato shrugged helplessly, "Compared to the outcome of the duel, you still care more about the process, just like before. But unfortunately, I care about the result. No matter how beautiful the process, if the outcome is a tragedy, I'd be very displeased."
"As long as I can win, the means don't matter." He played a card from his hand.
"Although I was tricked once by a 'wind,' it's fine. The card 'Fiery Duelists' still has one last use. I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Double Cyclone' during the Battle Phase!"
"It can be activated by targeting one Spell/Trap card on my field and one Spell/Trap card on the opponent's field, destroying those cards. The cards I intend to destroy are, naturally, 'Fiery Duelists', which restricts 'Invoked Mechaba' from attacking this turn, and 'Guardian Power', which protects your 'Grave Squirmer'!"
"Although it provides powerful destruction resistance to the equipped monster, as well as continuously increasing ATK and DEF boosts, in the end, that card is nothing more than a mediocre card of low rarity. It itself has no destruction resistance!"
Two hurricanes suddenly rose on the field and collided with each other, sweeping towards the last remaining card on Hayato's and Jesse Anderson's backrow respectively. 'Fiery Duelists' and 'Guardian Power' were both destroyed and sent to the Graveyard.
'Grave Squirmer' DEF2500→1500
As 'Grave Squirmer' lost the ATK and DEF boost from 'Guardian Power', as well as its powerful resistance, the Minotaur-like monster 'Invoked Mechaba', whose lower body was fused with a chariot, stirred its body. Now free from its restraints, it was eager to attack.
And Hayato naturally didn't make it wait any longer. Waving his hand, he said, "Then, it's time for battle! Go, 'Invoked Mechaba', the immortal chariot of raging storms! Tragoidia!"
The pronunciation of "Tragoidia" from Hayato's mouth was outrageous, and the attack name was also somewhat meaningless, but when the silver-white chariot began its charge, everything else became completely unimportant. Its aura had overwhelmingly captured everyone's attention.
Seeing this, Jesse Anderson somewhat anxiously shouted at the unappealing 'Grave Squirmer' on his field, "Hang in there, 'Grave Squirmer'!"
However, having no Spirit Awakening, 'Grave Squirmer', being just an ordinary Duel Monster card, could not respond to Jesse Anderson. And this was not a Pokémon set but a duel field with detailed stats and strict rules. 'Grave Squirmer', with only 1500 Defense Points, was no match for 'Invoked Mechaba' with 2500 ATK, and was instantly crushed by its wheels and sent to the Graveyard.
As 'Invoked Mechaba' returned to Hayato's field, Jesse Anderson wore a sad expression, looking at the spot where 'Grave Squirmer' had been destroyed.
Because 'Grave Squirmer' was in Defense Position, Jesse Anderson did not take damage. Moreover, his Duel Disk had its Virtual Impact Simulation System's damage specifically set to its lowest value, ensuring younger children would not be affected. However, compared to the physical impact, Jesse Anderson's state was clearly more emotional.
With arms crossed over his chest, Raphael watched the field and suddenly spoke, "Speaking of which, this is actually Johnny's first duel against someone."
"First time? That child's first duel against someone?" Atem heard this and said, a little surprised, glancing at Jesse Anderson, "That's truly amazing talent."
"Whoa, whoa, this isn't just 'amazing' anymore, is it? Is he a genius? When Yugi and I had our first duel, I couldn't even remember my own cards' effects, and as far as I know, most people are the same." Joey said incredulously, "And he used quite a few duel techniques. Is it really his first duel?"
"In that case, it's just as Raphael said, he's a genius in the Duel Monsters domain." Tristan put his arms behind his head, glanced at Jesse Anderson, and then asked curiously, "But what's wrong with him now?"
Raphael sighed, "I told you before, Johnny possesses the rare ability to see Spirits, a capability not all powerful duelists have, but Johnny was born with this ability."
"In many cases, duelists see the presence of Spirits later than their own cards' Spirit Awakening, but because Johnny was born with this ability, the normal order was reversed, causing him to sense the sleeping Spirits within cards, yet the cards cannot respond to him."
"That child appears optimistic on the surface, but deep down in his heart he has always been lonely; he has no friends like himself, nor any card spirit partners."
"But even so, he regards every monster as his important friend, even if it's only a one-sided friendship."
After Raphael finished speaking, Atem, next to him, looked at Jesse Anderson, who was clearly in a state of sadness, "But I feel that Jesse Anderson carries more than just sadness; there seems to be something else."
"Because the monster never responded to him, coupled with Hayato-boy's attack, Jesse Anderson-boy seems to be doubting himself, even starting to wonder if he should continue to trust cards?"
"Did you see that with the power of your Millennium Eye, Pegasus?" Hearing Pegasus' words, Marik glanced at him, and also drew Raphael's displeased gaze onto Pegasus.
"No, no, no, me still have some ability to judge people." Seeing this, Pegasus quickly clarified, waving his hand, and couldn't help but show a hint of disappointment when looking at Jesse Anderson. "Indeed, still an immature child. With such a mindset, me still a bit unable to entrust cards to him."
Meanwhile, on the field, Hayato also saw Jesse Anderson's state, but he said nothing to him, only declared, "My turn ends here."
The important purpose of this duel was to show Pegasus Jesse Anderson's abilities. Duel Monsters being destroyed would happen countless more times in Jesse Anderson's future duels; he had to overcome this, and Hayato couldn't help him.
As Jesse Anderson hesitated to draw a card, Raphael, after a moment of thought, spoke to him, "Johnny, this is the third lesson, lesson 3."
"Trust your cards, just believe."
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