**Chapter 863: Avatar of Despair**
(Decoyroid) [DEF 500] X3
(Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) [ATK 0]
(Super Vehicroid - Stealth Union) [ATK 3600]
Spending two cards from his hand, Syrus quickly Summoned four monsters to his Field, filling his Monster Zone. Though it seemed full, none of them were a match for Zane Truesdale's (Cyber End Dragon).
"I don't know what's going on, but what's the point of Summoning a bunch of fodder monsters? Is he going to Link Summon an (Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess) or something?" Hayato quipped. But when Marik asked what "Link Summon" and "(Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess)" meant, he brushed him off with, "An (Apollousa, Bow of the Goddess) is someone you *must* marry."
"Normally, if multiple monsters with 'taunt' abilities appear on the Field, they gain the ability to lock down the opponent's attacks. For example, the combo of Special Summoning (Marauding Captain) with (Marauding Captain). However, (Decoyroid) is an exception."
As the designer of the Roid Deck, Pegasus explained, "The effect of this card isn't that you can only attack it; rather, it's that you can only attack (Decoyroid). This means no matter how many (Decoyroid) you have, they cannot lock down the opponent's attacks; they merely provide three additional targets for attacks."
"As for (Super Vehicroid - Stealth Union), I also recognize its effect. It has the ability to equip one non-Machine-Type monster on the Field once per turn, boosting the equipped monster's Attack. However, when it attacks, its original ATK is halved, and it can attack twice. This won't affect (Cyber End Dragon)."
"Uh, doesn't that effect just sound like your (Relinquished), Pegasus?" Tristan quipped. "Copying yourself isn't copying, huh? It's even a weaker version. You're something else, Pegasus."
Atem also looked at the monsters on Syrus's Field with some confusion. "It seems his goal is just to Summon as many monsters as possible, but if he can't concentrate the cards' power, it will be ineffective against his opponent."
"Also, Hayato, I always feel like you really dislike that person. That dark power on him couldn't possibly be from you—no, even you wouldn't do something like that."
Hayato seemed displeased to hear that. "What do you mean, 'even you wouldn't do something like that'? What kind of image do you guys have of me?"
Hearing Hayato's words, Joey, Pegasus, Atem, Rex, and the others first recalled their specific impressions of Hayato, then subtle smiles simultaneously appeared on their faces.
Marik, meanwhile, directly quipped, "Sometimes, people should have some self-awareness, brother-in-law. Honestly, with your past actions, playing the mastermind behind a manipulative evil dragon in a 'Brave vs. Evil Dragon' script wouldn't be out of place at all—ugh!"
After taking a serious, mountain-splitting hand chop from Hayato, Marik crouched down, clutching the swelling lump on his head, while Syrus continued his turn.
"I activate the Equip Spell Card, (Machine Remodeling Factory), and equip it to (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base), increasing its Attack and Defense by 300. Then, the Spell Card, (Descending Tide). I target (Decoyroid) on my Field, declare a Level from 1 to 3 to activate its effect, changing its Level to the declared Level. I choose Level 1."
"Finally, this card: the Spell Card, (Wishing on a Star). I activate it by targeting the (Decoyroid) on my Field whose Level was changed to Level 1 by (Descending Tide). This makes the Levels of all monsters on my Field with the same Attack or Defense as (Decoyroid) become Level 1 until the End Phase."
After playing three more cards consecutively and completing these seemingly meaningless operations, Syrus suddenly looked up and spoke to Zane: "I've always looked up to you, but I've fallen to a point where I can't sink any lower, trapped in despair. I thought I'd never surpass you, until I unexpectedly obtained this card."
"Brand new cards I'd never seen before appeared in my Deck, and my luck when drawing cards is completely different now. Trapped in despair, I can change everything with this card, even defeat you, Zane Truesdale."
"And now, with four Level 1 monsters on my Field whose Levels have been decreased to their absolute limit, the Summoning Condition for this card has been met!"
(Decoyroid) [Level 2 → Level 1] X3
(Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) [0/5000 → 300/5300] [Level 10 → Level 1]
"Four Level 1 monsters? What kind of strange Summoning Condition is that?" Joey, who believed he had grown significantly after so many duels, was bewildered by the Summoning Condition Syrus mentioned for a certain card. "A Level requirement usually points to a Ritual Summon, but exceeding the Level for a Ritual Summon isn't an issue, is it?"
"He only has two cards left in his Hand. Is it one Ritual Monster and one Ritual Spell Card?" Joey, unable to figure it out, speculated.
But Marik, who could see the dark power on the cards, denied Joey's guess. "No, there's only one card radiating dark power. If it were a Ritual Summon, this situation shouldn't occur; a Ritual Spell Card would usually have some special traces. Speaking of Rituals, though, I remember there are special Ritual Summons, aren't there?"
As he spoke, Marik glanced at Hayato beside him. What stung him more than the lump on his head was the memory of challenging Hayato to a duel out of mischief, only to be countered to death by Hayato's Fairy-Type cards after he Ritual Summoned (Herald of Ultimateness).
What made him twitch even more was that Hayato had insisted he was using a "pure (*Drytron*) Deck" before the duel. Marik knew Hayato's personality, so why had he believed him then? No, why had he even been so foolish as to challenge Hayato to a duel in the first place?
What he'd said last time was completely true: Odion, whose Deck was full of Trap Cards; his sister, Ishizu, who used a Gravekeeper's Strategy Deck to One Turn Kill; and his brother-in-law, Hayato. Besides himself, the sunny boy who liked to give powerful monsters to others, everyone else was a Shadow Realm duelist.
"The Ritual Summon of (*Drytron*) is a rare exception where ATK replaces Level/Rank. Cards that require specific matching Levels aren't unheard of, but in that case, he could have just used two Level 2 (Decoyroid) to gather Tributes." Hayato looked curiously at the four Level 1 monsters on Syrus's Field. "To Summon using four Level 1 monsters, he couldn't possibly be using (Lyrilusc) or even a Dark Card of (*Drytron*) that I don't have, could he?"
"Even a properly Summoned (Numeron Gate) only needs three Level 1 monsters to Overlay..."
Casually speaking words no one else understood, Hayato suddenly froze when he mentioned (Numeron Gate). From (Numeron Gate), Hayato thought of its user, the infamous scoundrel Master Over One Thousand. And from Master Over One Thousand, letting his thoughts wander, with only the word "despair" that Syrus had been incessantly muttering since earlier, Hayato connected it to another person.
"No way, it couldn't be that card, could it? The one that also requires four Level 1 monsters..."
Seeing a surprised expression appear on Hayato's face, Rex said curiously, "Do you know what card that kid Syrus is going to Summon, Hayato?"
"Yes, if I'm not mistaken, that's a truly terrifying card."
Just as Hayato had guessed, Syrus raised a card in his hand. An inexplicable updraft formed around him, making his coat tails rustle and lifting his fringe, revealing a crazed expression that shouldn't have been on his usually timid face.
And on Syrus's Duel Disk, the zones where the four (Decoyroid) and (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) were located were suddenly covered in black, and crimson characters appeared on them, forming the word "Error," which signifies a mistake.
"By Overlaying the four Level 1 monsters on my Field, I construct the Network of Despair! Shadow born from the light of hope, the god of destruction that grants despair and crushes hope, my despair and darkness have deeply drawn you in! Traverse the dimensions, shadow, and come forth!"
Beneath Syrus's feet, an intense blackness suddenly spread, occupying most of his Field and even extending to the zone behind him, startling the onlookers, who quickly retreated to a safe distance. From within this blackness, a colossal monster rose from the shadows, standing tall behind Syrus.
Its gaunt torso appeared quite majestic due to being scaled up, its lower body was covered by a skirt-like garment hanging from its waist, while its upper body was encased in sturdy armor, and its arms were covered by a pair of gauntlets. However, the most striking feature wasn't any other part of this monster, nor even its head which bore some resemblance to both a Sacred Beast King and (*Obelisk the Tormentor*), but rather the disk-shaped backpack on its back, equipped with several massive blades.
"This is... God's Will Gundam?"
Someone in the crowd subconsciously quipped about the monster's appearance. Staring at Zane, Syrus slammed the card onto his Duel Disk, calling out the monster's name in his hand,
"Anything! As long as I can surpass him, as long as I can defeat Zane Truesdale, come forth! Avatar of Despair, unifying all darkness and chaos!"
"(Despair God Antihop)!!!"
(Despair God Antihop) [Level 12 / DARK Attribute]
[Fiend-Type / Special Summon / Effect]
[5000/5000]
"A Level 12 monster, and its Attack even surpasses the legendary (Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon), reaching a whopping 5000!?" Even Zane Truesdale couldn't maintain his calm expression when he saw (Despair God Antihop) appear on Syrus's Field, looking at his younger brother in astonishment.
His gaze was incredibly complex. He had heard Syrus's words just now – how his own existence had overshadowed all of Syrus's brilliance. Before hearing Syrus bare his heart today, Zane Truesdale had never realized that his relentless, all-out dueling style would cause such immense pressure for his younger brother, even driving him to despair.
Had he done something wrong by respecting the duel and giving his all in every duel? Zane Truesdale clenched his fist and looked at the colossal (Despair God Antihop). Although he didn't possess the ability to see Duel Monster spirits, nor could he directly perceive the existence of dark power, this enormous monster before him was already a presence that instilled profound fear in anyone who merely witnessed it.
"(Despair God Antihop) cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned from my Hand or Graveyard by sending four Level 1 monsters that are face-up on my Field to the Graveyard." Turning his back to (Despair God Antihop), Syrus smiled. "Fall into the deepest despair, and ultimate power will come into my hand, capable of even devouring the dazzling light you've always emitted!"
"Syrus..." Zane Truesdale watched Syrus, then took a deep breath and said gravely, "How did you obtain such a monster? This is definitely not a normal Duel Monster."
"Are you jealous, Zane Truesdale? The appearance of this monster is all thanks to you," Syrus said with a cold laugh. Their gazes met, allowing Zane Truesdale to clearly see that Syrus's normally clear eyes were now black. "He says he's a remnant of a shattered world of despair, drawn to me by the despair you imposed upon me, and has come to my side."
"Next, I'm going to defeat you, surpass you, empowered by its strength, by the god-like, invincible power of (Despair God Antihop)!"
Hearing Syrus's words, Zane Truesdale shook his head. "That's no god; it's just a demon. Relying on external power, have you completely lost yourself..."
Zane Truesdale's eyes once again became resolute. Since his younger brother had gone down the wrong path, all he could do was win this duel and correct his mistake.
"I enter my Battle Phase! Due to (Despair God Antihop)'s effect, all monsters on my Field other than it cannot attack. Therefore, I use it to attack the (Cyber End Dragon) on your opponent's Field!"
"My despair, hidden behind the curtain, will forever be your nightmare!" Syrus declared with a wave of his hand. "Anti-Hope - Despair Slash!"
The colossal avatar of despair lifted off the ground and floated, looking down like a god, releasing light from its back. However, the light emanating from behind (Despair God Antihop) wasn't the usual white glow; instead, it was a completely opposite, pitch-black light, striking towards (Cyber End Dragon)!
Although (Cyber End Dragon)'s Attack was already a high 4000, it was still insufficient against (Despair God Antihop)'s 5000 Attack. If this attack hit, (Cyber End Dragon) would undoubtedly be destroyed. To protect the Ultimate Secret Technique of the Cyber Style that he had painstakingly Summoned, Zane Truesdale decisively pressed the button on his Duel Disk to activate a Set Card.
"I won't let you do that! I activate my Set Card—"
(end of chapter)