"I hate Trap-heavy Decks the most."
Even as he said this, Hayato ultimately became the very thing he hated. Looking at the three cards he Set, Hayato ended his Turn.
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
[Set Cards] X3
"My Turn, Draw."
Drawing a Card, Duke Devlin couldn't help but smile, saying, "Fate is on my side, Hayato, I can already see victory waving at me!"
"Destiny favors me to defeat you, to punish you. The future is already in my Hand!" Duke Devlin Activated the Card he had just Drawn. "I Activate the Spell Card, (Limiter Removal)!"
A speedometer dial appeared on Duke Devlin's Field. The needle spun clockwise, ignoring the maximum speed marked on the dial, and continued to spin beyond it.
"This Card's Effect is to make all Machine-Type Monsters on the Field exceed their safety limits, doubling their Attack." As Duke Devlin declared the Card's Effect, the two cosmic fighter jets on his Field began to emit white smoke, looking as if they were about to explode. "However, as a Cost, all Machine-Type Monsters are Destroyed at the End Phase of my Turn."
(V-Wing Fighter) [ATK 1200→2400]
(V-Wing Jet) [ATK 1200→2400]
"Two Monsters with 2400 Attack?! This is bad, Hayato's Field is completely empty right now!" Tristan looked at Hayato worriedly, but found a confident expression on Hayato's face.
Duke Devlin didn't notice this. The victory within his grasp filled him with excitement. "My two Monsters launch a Direct Attack against you! Taste the bitterness of defeat, you despicable King of Duels!"
The first to act was (V-Wing Fighter). Despite being a fighter jet designed for space combat, (V-Wing Fighter) wasn't equipped with any long-range firepower; instead, it increased its rear thrusters' propulsion and charged towards Hayato.
Then, Duke Devlin disappointedly watched the five Cards that appeared in front of Hayato.
"Hmph, reckless and foolish. You actually think an Attack of this level can take me out? You completely underestimate me." Hayato said, Activating a Set Card. "The Effect of (Power Wall) nullifies one instance of Damage I receive, but as a Cost, for every 500 points of Damage, I must Discard one Card from my Deck."
Skillfully Sending several Cards from the top of his Deck to the Graveyard, Hayato continued, "Then, because it was Sent to the Graveyard from the Deck, the Monster I just Discarded also has an Effect that can be Activated."
After completely Absorbing (V-Wing Fighter)'s impact, the five Cards in front of Hayato fell into the Graveyard. But immediately after, another Card returned to Hayato's Field, and a gigantic Clay Golem appeared out of nowhere.
(Revival Golem) [DEF 2100]
"The Effect of (Revival Golem) can be Activated when it's Sent to the Graveyard from the Deck. I can choose to Add it to my Hand, or Special Summon it from the Graveyard to my Field."
"But (V-Wing Jet) hasn't Attacked yet!" Duke Devlin said unhappily, commanding the (V-Wing Jet) on his Field to crash into the (Revival Golem), which had only been on the Field for a few seconds, in the same manner as (V-Wing Fighter).
This time, it couldn't be revived from the Graveyard again. But it successfully protected Hayato from two Attacks.
Duke Devlin frowned, regretting his carelessness. His Attack was too hasty, allowing Hayato to escape this time. "I Set one Card, and my Turn ends."
As soon as he finished speaking, with two "bangs," the two fighter jets on Duke Devlin's Field self-destructed due to Overload and overheating. After both sides Attacked for one Turn, both Fields became empty.
[Duke Devlin: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
[Set Card]
"Yosh, Hayato's chance has arrived." Joey, with his dog-like head, excitedly leaned over the railing. Just as he was about to say more, he found Duke Devlin looking their way and casually threw a Dice, hitting Joey right on the nose. "Ouch!"
"I don't recall allowing you to speak, Joey-dog." Scornfully looking at Joey, Duke Devlin fiddled with a Dice in his hand, as if he would throw the Dice again if Joey did anything he disliked.
"Wow, so cool!"
"So manly!"
"Lord Duke Devlin!"
It wasn't just Hayato and Yugi who witnessed this scene; many people were gathered around the Duel Field. Most noticed one of the duelists throwing a Dice outside the Field.
What surprised Yugi and Tristan was that many of Duke Devlin's fans, upon seeing his rude behavior, didn't develop any ill feelings towards him. Instead, they were incredibly excited, as if Duke Devlin had done something remarkably cool.
"Tch, so your fans are like a fan club, disgusting." Hayato said, annoyed.
"Hmph, as the founder of Monster Dice Roulette, receiving this level of adoration and pursuit is just basic, no, one might even say 'as it should be.'"
Duke Devlin smiled and lifted his bangs, but when his Hand fell, his expression turned fierce. "If it weren't for you, if it weren't for Yugi, I should have been the most celebrated talent!"
"I, a Genius Game Designer, spent so many years designing and completing Monster Dice Roulette, even earning the admiration of Maximillion Pegasus. I should have officially signed with Industrial Illusions after Duelist Kingdom ended, becoming widely known as the founder and first Champion of Monster Dice Roulette!"
"It's all because of you two! You used some despicable means to defeat Mr. Pegasus. I will definitely get my revenge!"
Looking at the agitated Duke Devlin, Hayato shook his head disdainfully and Drew a Card. "My Turn, Draw!"
"Hayato!" Duke Devlin glared at Hayato across from him, gritting his teeth. "Are you too cowardly to respond because I spoke the truth?!"
"Hmph, don't misunderstand, idiot." Hayato glanced at the Card in his Hand and said coldly, "Yugi's and my appearance messed up your plans for the future? Is that the kind of ridiculous excuse that made you harm my friend?"
"Don't make me laugh, fool!"
Hayato's eyes fixed on Duke Devlin. "The World doesn't revolve around you alone. How can future variables be fixed by your personal ideas?"
"Pegasus's matters have nothing to do with us. I'm not interested in explaining it in detail, nor is it fun to be the target of your revenge." Hayato placed the Card he had just Drawn onto the Duel Arena. "What I want to do now is simply teach you a lesson!"
"Come forth, my Soul, (Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight)——Gaia————!!!"
Though Dark Knights are typically Earth Attribute, the (Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight) Drawn into Hayato's Hand was a DARK Attribute monster, even with its 'Swift' prefix. Since he only had one Monster in his Hand, Hayato easily Summoned it without any Tributes!
(Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight) [ATK 2300]
(end of chapter)