"Gravekeeper's Spiritualist"? You're not planning to Fusion Summon a second Gravekeeper's Psychic, are you?"
Hearing Hayato's words, Ishizu showed a resigned expression: "Activating Gravekeeper's Spiritualist's Effect to Fusion Summon a second Gravekeeper's Psychic… I actually really wanted to do that, but unfortunately, I only have one Gravekeeper's Psychic."
"Facing Gaia the Dragon Champion, I don't have a good way to counter it for now. I can only try my best to ensure I'm not one-turn killed by your Attack, Hayato."
"Stop trying to fool me. I don't think you, Ishizu, would just sit there and accept defeat." Hayato watched as Ishizu Set the last Card in her Hand. "Is that Card what you're relying on? Is it an Attack-declaring Trap, a Summon trap? Or is it a Fake Trap meant to trick me into Destroying it?"
"So, are you going to try Attacking, Hayato?" Ishizu smiled calmly.
Hayato thought for a moment, then spoke: "Just in case, before your End Phase, I'll use Gaia the Dragon Champion's Effect, which can be Activated once during each player's Main Phase, by Targeting one Card on the Field other than Gaia the Dragon Champion. I choose that Card you just Set in your Backrow."
"I'll reduce Gaia the Dragon Champion's ATK by 2600 to Destroy the targeted Card!"
Gaia the Dragon Champion raised the lance in its hand above its head, then hurled it towards the Card Ishizu had just Set. The sharp lance Destroyed that Card, revealing a Trap Card depicting a luxurious temple.
Gaia the Dragon Champion [ATK 5200 → 2600]
"The Card Destroyed by Gaia the Dragon Champion's Effect is Necrovalley Temple." A sly smile appeared on Ishizu's face. "Although it's a Continuous Trap, it also has an Effect that can be Activated when it's Destroyed and Sent to the Graveyard."
"When Necrovalley Temple is Destroyed by an Opponent's Effect and Sent to the Graveyard, I can Activate its Effect: I can Search my Deck for 1 Necrovalley Spell/Trap Card, other than Necrovalley Temple, and Set it on my Field."
At the Cost of halving Gaia the Dragon Champion's ATK, Hayato Destroyed Ishizu's Set Card, but unfortunately, the Card Ishizu Set was a Trap that could Activate its Effect when Destroyed. However, Hayato felt a bit relieved.
What Hayato was most worried about was Ishizu Setting a Quick-Play Spell in her Backrow, a Card that could be Activated during his Turn, such as Rush Recklessly. Although he wasn't very familiar with the Gravekeeper's Archetype, the Necrovalley Archetype's Set Cards didn't seem to include Quick-Play Spells.
Traps, on the other hand, were what Hayato was least worried about, because among the three Set Cards in his Backrow, Red Reboot had been Set for a while now.
"I'll Set one Card from my Deck, then End Turn." After Searching her Deck for a Card and Setting it, Ishizu ended her Turn.
[Ishizu: 3400 LP, Hand 0]
[Gravekeeper's Cleric] [DEF 2000]
[Gravekeeper's Spiritualist] [DEF 2000]
[Set Card]
"My Turn, Draw!" Hayato Drew a Card from his Deck and Set it. "I'll Set the Card I just Drew on the Field, then Activate the Effect of Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight in my Hand."
"If this is the only Card in my Hand, I can Normal Summon it directly without Tributing!"
"Come forth, my most trusted Ace Monster, my Soul, Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight!"
The jet-black knight, wielding a lance, appeared on the Field. Subconsciously, he looked up at the other Gaia the Dragon Champion on Hayato's Field. Turning his head away uncomfortably, the knight muttered, "No matter how many times, seeing another version of myself is always strange…"
Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight [ATK 2300]
"Alright! Hayato now has two Monsters on his Field, and their ATK is higher than Ms. Ishizu's Monsters' Defense on the Field!" Joey seemed a little excited when he saw Hayato Summon a second Gaia. "I bet next, Hayato will Attack with both Monsters!"
However, contrary to Joey's thoughts, Hayato on the Duel Field didn't Activate an Attack immediately. Instead, he commanded Gaia the Dragon Champion again: "During my Main Phase, I'll use Gaia the Dragon Champion's Effect once more. I'll reduce its ATK by 2600 to Destroy the Set Card in your Backrow, Ishizu!"
Gaia the Dragon Champion [ATK 2600 → 0]
"He actually reduced Gaia the Dragon Champion's ATK to 0?"
Joey was a bit surprised, because if its ATK was reduced to 0, it meant Gaia the Dragon Champion would no longer be able to Destroy Monsters through Battle to Increase ATK with its Effect.
Yugi understood somewhat: "Although both Gaia the Dragon Champion and Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight's ATK exceeds Ms. Ishizu's Monsters' DEF on the Field, no one knows what the next revealed Card on the Field will be. It doesn't hurt to be careful."
"Hmph, ultimately, that guy's just a coward," Marik said, clearly displeased, upon hearing Yugi's assessment of Hayato. Regardless of whether Hayato was cautious or reckless, Marik could always find fault with something. Everything done by someone he dislikes is displeasing.
Kaiba, meanwhile, listened silently to the discussion around him, his gaze fixed on Gaia the Dragon Champion as it hurled its lance: 'To clear the Opponent's Set Card, even at the cost of reducing Gaia's ATK again… he's truly a cautious one, Hayato.'
He then glanced at Yugi: 'However, if you're someone who often Duels Yugi, who is adept at using Trap Cards, it's understandable.'
The lance flew towards Ishizu's Set Card just like it had last Turn, but unlike before, the Card Ishizu had Set this Turn had undergone sufficient preparation time; it wasn't Destroyed without any resistance like last Turn.
"Then, I'll Chain to Gaia the Dragon Champion's Effect, and Activate the Set Card chosen as the Target!" Ishizu flipped up the Set Card, revealing its true identity: "Royal Tomb of Necrovalley!"
"Activate if a Gravekeeper's Monster and Necrovalley exist on the Field! Negate the Activation of an Effect Monster's Effect, Spell, or Trap Card, and Destroy it!"
(end of chapter)