Chapter 9: Sacrifice for the Greater Good
"My Turn, I Draw."
[Hayato: Hand 4→5]
After drawing a card and glancing at it, a joyful expression appeared on Hayato's face.
Simultaneously, he placed the card he had just drawn and another Monster Card from his Hand onto the Field.
"I Summon another "Death Stalker" in Attack Position, and then I use this Spell Card, targeting it."
Hayato Summoned another "Death Stalker" and then placed a Spell Card in the Spell & Trap Zone of the same column.
Within the blue border, the card art depicted a demonic blade that radiated an evil aura.
""Soul-Eating Demon Blade"?" Yugi recognized the card. "I remember its effect. Isn't it a Spell Card that Tributes all other friendly monsters besides the target monster?"
"That's right. It's time to die for a greater cause, "Death Stalker" number one. This is a necessary sacrifice." Hayato Sent the "Death Stalker" in Defense Position, which had been Revived by "Time Machine", to the Graveyard.
"By feeding on the souls of fallen comrades, "Death Stalker" number two gains 1000 Attack Points for each monster Tributed!"
"Death Stalker", ATK 900→1900
"Carrying on the will of our fallen comrade, we strike down the usurper! "Death Stalker", Attack "Dark King of the Abyss"!"
"Using "Time Machine" to preserve your forces, and then using "Soul-Eating Demon Blade" to consolidate that power. That's an impressive combo, Hayato." Yugi smiled as he placed "Dark King of the Abyss" into the Graveyard.
Yugi: 2000 LP → 1600 LP
"It's nothing, really," Hayato said modestly, but he couldn't hide the expression on his face. *Did you hear that? The original King of Duelists, Yugi, just praised my play. I'm so proud!*
"With that, I End my Turn." After sending "Soul-Eating Demon Blade" to the Graveyard, Hayato ended his Turn.
[Hayato: Hand 5→3]
It's worth noting here that in the early rules of "Yu-Gi-Oh!", not only was there no clear distinction between Spell Cards and Trap Cards, but even Spell Cards themselves were not subdivided into different types. Activating Fusion on the opponent's Turn, or Equip Spells being sent to the Graveyard after their effects were applied, were phenomena unique to the early days. It was only later that categories like "Normal Spells," "Quick-Play Spells," and "Equip Spells" were gradually introduced.
So, Hayato's play here was not incorrect.
"Hayato is really something, Summoning a monster with 1900 Attack Points in just one Turn," Joey, who was watching from the side, exclaimed. "To think a monster that strong could be Summoned so early."
"If Yugi can't Summon a monster with more than 1900 Attack Points, there's no way he can deal with Hayato's "Death Stalker"," Tristan added, having also grasped some of the rules.
However, as his Turn began, Yugi didn't seem to be under as much pressure as Joey and the others imagined.
"My Turn, I Draw."
Drawing a card without adding it to his Hand, Yugi looked at Hayato with his large, striking eyes and said, "1900 Attack Points is quite impressive. It originally had only 900, yet through coordination with its comrade (Sacrificed "Death Stalker": ???), it reached such heights. That's a top-tier Attack stat even among all Warrior-Type monsters."
"The strongest monster in my Hand was "Minotaur", but its 1700 Attack Points is still a ways off from 1900," Yugi said as he placed the card he had just drawn onto the Field. "However, the monster I just drew is this one."
Hayato's eyes went wide as he stared at the card Yugi had drawn. The reason was simple: he had the same card. It was—
""Gaia The Fierce Knight"—!!!"
The dark knight, mounted on his warhorse and brandishing a long lance, was Summoned to the Field in Attack Position. In this era, its 2300 Attack Points were among the absolute strongest. Even with the power boost from "Soul-Eating Demon Blade", the 1900 Attack Points of "Death Stalker" stood no chance against Gaia.
""Gaia The Fierce Knight", Attack "Death Stalker"," Yugi ordered without mercy.
This time, "Death Stalker" had no "Time Machine" to save it. It was easily Destroyed by Gaia and Sent to the Graveyard, leaving Hayato's Field completely empty.
"I End my Turn."
Without setting any cards, Yugi ended his Turn.
[Hayato: 2000 LP → 1600 LP, Hand 3]
[Yugi: 1600 LP, Hand 5→6→5]
Looking at Yugi's empty Back Row and his Gaia in Attack Position, Hayato thought to himself, *If these were real cards, I would've absolutely destroyed you in one Turn.* But unfortunately, Hayato's own Ace Card was also Gaia. Even if he drew it this Turn, it would be useless, only resulting in Mutual Destruction.
"My Turn, I Draw."
The card he drew had a yellow border—"Noble Knight Artorigus". If Gaia hadn't appeared, Summoning this might have been a good choice. But Gaia's 2300 Attack Points could effortlessly crush any monster currently in Hayato's Hand.
Rather than waste a rare, decent card like this, it's better to stall with another Normal Monster for now.
"I Summon "Earthbound Spirit" in Defense Position and end my Turn."
[Hayato: Hand 3→4→3]
He sent out a weak monster from his Hand to act as a wall. With stats of 500/1200, it had no ability to withstand Gaia's attack and could only serve to delay the inevitable.
"Huh? I thought Hayato was going to Summon a powerful monster too," Tristan said, looking puzzled at the "Earthbound Spirit" Hayato placed on the Field.
Joey scoffed and said, "You idiot, Tristan, you think powerful monsters are that common? Yugi's Gaia is already a super-powerful monster. Forget 2300 Attack Points; even monsters with over 2000 Attack Points are incredibly rare, okay?"
"My Turn."
Yugi drew a card from his Deck. He didn't Summon any other monsters, instead directly ordering Gaia to Attack the "Earthbound Spirit" on Hayato's Field.
Over the next three Turns, Yugi did the same, using Gaia to Destroy Hayato's monsters one by one—"Celtic Guardian", "Judgment Hand", and the third "Death Stalker".
[Yugi: 1600 LP, Hand 7]
[Hayato: 1600 LP, Hand 3]
Even though his Hand repeatedly reached its maximum size, forcing him to discard, Yugi didn't Summon any more monsters, refusing to give Hayato an opening. His defense was absolutely watertight.
To achieve victory, Hayato's only path was to overcome the "Gaia The Fierce Knight" that stood before Yugi like a towering mountain.
"I End my Turn." Sending another card from his Hand to the Graveyard, Yugi remained unfazed by Hayato's continuous defensive posture, appearing remarkably calm and patient. No wonder he'd go further and further down the path of a Trap-heavy strategy in the future.
"Alright, My Turn." Placing his hand on his Deck, Hayato was about to Draw. But suddenly, he felt a strange sensation.
It was as if... he could guess what the next card was.
(end of chapter)