Chapter 336: A Historic Scene of Two Mariks Meeting
Under Hayato's astonished gaze, under the dazzling light, the card for The Winged Dragon of Ra actually split into two. On the card on top, the originally soaring The Winged Dragon of Ra actually began to slowly curl up its body, retracting its claws, giant wings, and even the Solar Disc behind it, changing its form back to Sphere Mode!
Along with this, even the card's name and the Hieratic Text below it began to change—
The Winged Dragon of Ra - Sphere Mode [Level 10/Divine]
[Divine-Beast Type/Effect]
[?/ ?]
The obscure and difficult-to-understand ancient Egyptian Hieratic Text on the card's description field became even more complex. However, even though he still couldn't read it, Hayato could recite its effect with his eyes closed. The reason being, he frequently used this card in the Real Card Environment of his previous life.
The Three Egyptian God Cards in the anime, due to their overly powerful effects, influenced the card selling plan of the wicked KaibaCorp. Therefore, after the Egyptian God Cards were made into physical cards, their respective effects were severely nerfed. Especially the Egyptian God Cards' most powerful protection was almost completely removed, with only Obelisk the Tormentor retaining the ability to not be an effect target.
And the one that was nerfed the most excessively was naturally The Winged Dragon of Ra, which had the most effects. What could originally be done with one card was forcibly split into seven cards.
Fast forward to collecting seven cards to Summon the complete The Winged Dragon of Ra and make a wish.
Among the seven cards that were split off, the one with the highest usage rate was this The Winged Dragon of Ra - Sphere Mode in Hayato's hand. This is because it can clear three powerful Monsters that the opponent painstakingly Summoned onto the field with only one Normal Summon opportunity and no cost. The key is that this card can even return to your own field during the opponent's next End Phase.
You should know that Monsters like Quintet Magician, which have Tribute Resistance, are extremely rare. General Ace Monsters that possess protection like "unaffected by opponent's effects" or "cannot be targeted by effects" are already considered "powerful protection", but they still cannot resist The Winged Dragon of Ra - Sphere Mode's Tributing ability.
If the opponent has one powerful Monster, use a Kaiju Monster that is Summoned by Tributing one of the opponent's Monsters;
If the opponent has two powerful Monsters, use Lava Golem;
If the opponent has three Monsters, use The Winged Dragon of Ra - Sphere Mode.
If the opponent Summoned five or more Monsters in one Turn? Just use Nibiru, the Primal Being.
Looking at The Winged Dragon of Ra, which very consciously manifested a new variant, Hayato nodded in satisfaction. With Sphere Mode, The Winged Dragon of Ra is much easier to use. In that case, adding it to the Deck is not out of the question.
Thinking this, Hayato put The Winged Dragon of Ra and Sphere Mode into his Deck.
Suddenly, Hayato felt an indescribable sense of crisis. Without time to think further, he swept up the Deck spread out on the table and rolled to the side, dodging.
The very next moment after Hayato left his original spot, a sphere of Dark Magic that he hadn't noticed at all before smashed onto the table. The sturdy metal table was destroyed by that Magic Orb in just an instant. Hayato had no doubt that if he had been even a step slower, he would have been the one taken out.
"Tch, why can you always dodge my sneak attacks? Do you have eyes on the back of your head or something?"
Another man's voice echoed in the room that should have only held Hayato. Hayato wasn't surprised. In fact, after seeing the familiar sneak attack, he had already guessed who had broken in.
"Aren't you the one with a tough destiny, Six-Year-Old? I thought you had already sunk to the bottom of the sea along with that Sea Fortress."
The person who walked out from the dark corner, who else could it be but Marik?
Inside the Millennium Puzzle, seeing Dark Marik appear, Regular Marik seemed quite agitated: "Go get him, Brother-in-law! Take out that Bastard!"
"When did you switch jobs to become a Trainer? That's Bakura's line, isn't it?" Muttering a retort, Hayato waved his hand forward. The figure of Gaia the Fierce Knight appeared beside him, thrusting the lance in its hand towards Dark Marik.
"Clang~"
Gaia's attack was blocked, but it wasn't Dark Marik who blocked the attack. Instead, it was the Dark Game that suddenly descended as Dark Marik raised the Duel Disk on his wrist. Under the influence of the Rules, not only did Gaia fail to damage Dark Marik, but it was even suppressed back into a card.
Dark Marik's movements were so fast; he had clearly anticipated that Hayato would attack him. That's why, the moment his sneak attack failed, he immediately started the Dark Game, dragging Hayato into a Duel to prevent himself from getting hurt.
"Hoho, that won't do, Kobayashi Hayato. The Dark Game has already begun. How can you make a physical attack on me?" Watching the power of the Rules of the emotionless Dark Game suppress Gaia back, Dark Marik mocked Hayato like a petty person who had gained the upper hand.
This was the second time he had used the rigidity of the Dark Game for his own profit. The last time was by manipulating the definition of Marik; this time, it was by exploiting the principle of fairness after the Dark Game began.
"If the Goddess of Destiny truly exists, then without a doubt, she firmly stands on my side." Dark Marik raised his Duel Disk with considerable smugness. "Before that Sea Fortress self-destructed, I found an Escape Pod to leave there. And when I arrived on the island not knowing how to find you, the Ra you possess provided guidance for me."
"Before others rush here and interfere, let's start this enjoyable Dark Game, Kobayashi Hayato. I'm betting your The Winged Dragon of Ra!"
Hayato wasn't intimidated. He wasn't afraid of Marik when he had two Egyptian God Cards, let alone Marik who now had no God Cards?
"Then bring it on, Marik. Let your sorrowful cries be the accompaniment to my Duel with Yugi Mutou."
Saying this, Hayato placed his Deck into the Duel Disk and activated it, making the reasonably spacious room their Duel Field.
Meanwhile, inside the Millennium Puzzle, Marik said discontentedly, "Although I really want to teach my Dark Personality a good lesson, even if it means punching that face that originally belonged to me, Brother-in-law, can you distinguish between the two of us when you're saying threatening lines? I don't want to make any sorrowful cries at all."
Hayato rolled his eyes at Marik and simultaneously said "Duel!" with Dark Marik across from him.
"I'll take the First Turn, Draw!" After drawing a card from the top of his Deck, Dark Marik grinned sinisterly as he looked at the Millennium Ring hanging on Hayato's chest. Half-questioning, half-asserting, he said, "Kobayashi Hayato, that cowardly, ignorant, and paranoid me... he should be inside your Millennium Ring, right?"
Without waiting for Hayato's answer, Dark Marik confirmed the answer himself: "So that's it. No wonder last time when I Dueled the Nameless Pharaoh, I felt the damage he took was a little strange. It turns out you gave him the Millennium Ring."
"You say I'm good at using Dark Games, but aren't you just the same?"
Hayato sneered dismissively, "Don't lump me in with trash like you, Marik. I've always only cared about three things: fairness, fairness, and goddamn fairness."
"The stakes in a Dark Game are relative. When you targeted my The Winged Dragon of Ra, your life was also weighed on the scales. Alright, hurry up and start your Turn."
"I will, Kobayashi Hayato. With this Monster." Dark Marik returned his cold smile and played a card from his hand. "Activate the Continuous Spell Cards: Card Trader, Infinite Hand, and Black Snake Disease."
"Then, send three Spell Cards from my Field to the Graveyard. Appear, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder!"
Under Hayato's surprised gaze, Marik sent three Face-up Position Continuous Spell Cards from his Field to the Graveyard. Appearing on his Field instead was Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, previously used by the Ghouls hunter "Hesiod"?!
Thunder and frost intertwined. Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, like a skeletal angel, had just appeared and was about to unleash its long-suppressed emotions. But as soon as it spread its wings and saw that the one standing opposite it was Hayato, who had previously thrashed it, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder flinched, tucking its head back under its wings like an ostrich.
[Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder] [10☆/LIGHT]
[Thunder/Effect]
[4000/4000]
"Are you wondering why this card, which that bastard Bakura Ryo took, is in my hand?" Dark Marik completely failed to notice Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, who was standing behind him and had already cowered before the Duel even began. He continued talking to himself,
"I wasn't the only one causing trouble on that Sea Fortress. As the price for deceiving me, I took this card from that guy before I locked him out of the escape pod."
"No, that's not what I wanted to ask. I'm not interested in what kind of 'dream collaboration' might happen between Six-Year-Old and Dark Satoshi." Hayato waved his hand dismissively. "What I was going to say is, you didn't lose Ra and decide to use Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, which looks the most similar to The Winged Dragon of Ra, as a replacement, did you?"
"Hmph, stop talking big, Kobayashi Hayato." Dark Marik snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "Although it's not Ra, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder isn't something a weak Monster can defeat."
"Are you saying you can summon a Monster stronger than Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder in one Turn and defeat me in a single Turn?"
Dark Marik said with confidence. Clearly, he had completely missed the Grouping Match that had just ended not long ago and had no idea about Hayato's feat of summoning Cyber End Dragon with 8000 Attack Points in a single Turn.
"I haven't performed a Normal Summon this Turn yet. Attack Position Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight. After I Set a Card, my Turn Ends."
[Marik: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
[Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder][ATK 4000]
[Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight][ATK 2100]
[Set Card]
Looking at his "Per☆fect☆De☆fense" on the Field, Dark Marik was somewhat smug. Today seemed to be his lucky day; just smashing things randomly on the Sea Fortress triggered self-destruction, he managed to screw over Bakura before escaping, he sensed the presence of The Winged Dragon of Ra as soon as he arrived on Devil's Island, and his hand was unexpectedly smooth.
How could an ordinary person possibly defeat such an impenetrable defense? No matter how he thought about it, he was certain to win. His chances of defeating Kobayashi Hayato were now 1000%!
Looking at the smile on Dark Marik's face, let alone Hayato, even Normal Marik inside the Millennium Ring couldn't stand looking at his own incredibly punchable face.
"Now you know how annoying you used to be, Three-Year-Old?" After complaining to Normal Marik, Hayato took the opportunity to look down and check his hand.
Spiral Fusion, Gaia the Fierce Knight, Curse of Dragon, Ojama Yellow, and Ojama Mixed Match.
To be honest, Hayato's Deck was still being modified and wasn't finished at all; calling it a Card Pile was being generous. But what he didn't expect was that with such a mixed Deck, his starting cards were actually quite perfect.
Combined with starting with Power Bond and Cyber Dragon during the Grouping Match before, Hayato really found it hard not to suspect: could today be his lucky day?
"My Turn, Draw!"
After Hayato declared his Draw, he didn't rush to check the card after adding it to his hand. Instead, he immediately played the Combo he had already fully planned out: "At this moment, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card in my hand, Ojama Mixed Match!"
"Send one Ojama Card from my hand or Field to the Graveyard. I add one Ojama Monster with a different Name and one Armed Dragon Card from my Deck to my hand, after which I can Normal Summon one of those Cards."
Hayato was just about to reveal the Ojama Yellow in his hand and then send it to the Graveyard, when he found that Ojama Yellow actually popped out of the card, hugging his palm and crying hysterically, pleading: "Broooo!"
"It took me so long to finally come out! Don't send me to the cold Graveyard!"
"Look, I'm yellow just like Brother The Winged Dragon of Ra! Didn't you say you're sworn enemies with gambling and poison? Don't send me to the Graveyard!"
Hayato listened, but said firmly, "However, I refuse!"
"Nani?!" Ojama Yellow widened its small eyes. "But the book said if a supporting character plays the pity card, they should get sympathy, right?"
"Idiot, playing the victim isn't popular anymore! Do you think this is some country's pity show?" Grabbing Ojama Yellow, Hayato threw it along with its card into the Graveyard. "Now get into the Graveyard like a good boy!"
"Then, I add Ojama Blue and Armed Dragon LV3 to my hand, and Normal Summon Armed Dragon LV3!"
Chapter 338: Dark Marik, Wither
Drawing the two cards automatically ejected from his Deck by the Duel Disk, Hayato added **Ojama Blue** to his Hand, then placed the other card, **Armed Dragon LV3**, onto the Duel Disk.
**Armed Dragon LV3**, which hadn't appeared in a long time, flapped its small wings and landed on Hayato's Field. It excitedly raised its hands, and because it was still Hayato's Standby Phase, a light of evolution began to bloom around **Armed Dragon LV3**.
"**Armed Dragon LV3's** own Effect! During my Standby Phase, I Send it from my Field to the Graveyard to Special Summon one **Armed Dragon LV5** from my Hand or Deck!"
Enveloped by the light of evolution, **Armed Dragon LV3's** armor and blades thickened and extended. The cute **Armed Dragon LV3** evolved into the imposing and majestic **Armed Dragon LV5**.
[**Armed Dragon LV5**] [Level 5/Wind]
[Dragon-Type/Effect]
[2400/1700]
Watching Hayato Special Summon **Armed Dragon LV5** onto the Field without even using his Normal Summon opportunity, Dark Marik remained calm, his arms crossed over his chest.
Let alone **Armed Dragon LV5**, even **Armed Dragon LV7** or **Armed Dragon LV10**, the final evolution of **Armed Dragon**, only had an ATK of 3000. **Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder**, on the other hand, had an ATK and DEF of 4000, completely surpassing **Armed Dragon**.
**Armed Dragon's** Effect was also useless against **Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder**, because it wasn't meant to challenge strong opponents, but rather to suppress weaker ones. It was good for bullying novices, but useless against **Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder**.
"Heh, are you planning to challenge **Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder** with that monster, Kobayashi Hayato?" Dark Marik chuckled disdainfully, lowering his head to glance at the cards on his Duel Disk.
Aside from **Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder**, the only other monster on his Field was **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight** with 2100 ATK. However, the Set Card in his Backrow was **Absorption Shield**.
If Hayato planned to Summon a high-ATK monster and Attack **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight** to zero out Dark Marik's Life Points, then his **Absorption Shield** would activate.
Hayato glanced at Dark Marik and smiled, "Are you that eager to be crushed by me? In that case, I'll grant your wish."
"Activate Spell Card, **Spiral Fusion**!"
The vortex that appears when a Fusion Card is activated appeared on Hayato's Field, but this time the vortex wasn't the usual blue, but a vibrant green.
From Hayato's Hand, the two monsters, **Gaia the Fierce Knight** and **Curse of Dragon**, were Sent to the Graveyard as Fusion Material.
"**Spiral Fusion** is a Fusion Spell Card specifically for Dragon-Type Fusion Monsters. I can Send the Fusion Material Monsters determined by a Dragon-Type Fusion Monster Card from my Hand or Field to the Graveyard, and then Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster."
Within the vibrant green vortex, **Gaia the Fierce Knight**, riding a **Curse of Dragonfire**, appeared on the Field. It was **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion**!
As soon as **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** appeared, the green vortex behind him, which hadn't dissipated yet, transformed into a torrent of Magic Power that flowed back into Gaia. The Hellfire on **Curse of Dragonfire** and the swirling storm gathered on the Lance in Gaia's hand. Instantly, Dark Marik, who had been composed moments before, became flustered.
Because **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion's** ATK began to strangely soar, as if the Duel System had a BUG?
[**Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion**] [Level 7/Wind]
[Dragon-Type/Fusion/Effect]
[2600/2100 → 5200/2100]
"The reason it's limited to Dragon-Type Fusion Monsters is, of course, because **Spiral Fusion** has a second Effect. When the Fusion Summoned Dragon-Type monster is **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, **Spiral Fusion** increases that monster's ATK by 2600, and it can Attack twice during a single Battle Phase."
As he spoke, Hayato pointed to **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** on his Field. "**Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion's** Card Name can be treated as **Gaia the Dragon Champion**, and when he is successfully Special Summoned, I activate his Effect."
"From my Deck or Graveyard, I add one **Spiral Spear Strike** to my Hand. I activate it directly."
Placing the **Spiral Spear Strike** he had just added to his Hand into the Spell & Trap Zone, Hayato sneered at Dark Marik: "Here I come, Dark Marik. Do you have enough monsters left on your Field?"
"**Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion**, Attack **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight**! Cyclone! Heat! Maximum Drive!"
Following Hayato's command, **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** raised the Lance entwined with wind and flames in his hand and Attacked **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight** on Dark Marik's Field.
As Hayato Declared the Attack, **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** used the fierce wind to change **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight's** Battle Position.
"When **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** Declares an Attack on an opponent's monster, I can activate its Effect to change the Battle Position of the Attack Target monster. In front of **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion**, the one who decides your monster's Battle Position is me!"
"Feel the pain!"
[**Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight**] [ATK 2100 → DEF 500]
Seeing **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion**, with its high ATK of 5200, Attack **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight**, which had been forcibly switched to Defense Position on his Field, Dark Marik, who knew that **Spiral Spear Strike** granted **Gaia the Dragon Champion** Piercing Damage, no longer waited and flipped his Set Card in the Backrow.
"Stop right there! Activate Trap Card, **Absorption Shield**!"
An energy shield appeared in front of **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight**, which was crouching in Defense Position, just barely blocking Gaia's Lance, which was only a step away from Destroying it. The swirling wind and flames on the Lance surged forward, but they were completely absorbed by **Absorption Shield** and converted into Dark Marik's Life Points.
[Marik: 4000 → 9200 LP]
Seeing his **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion's** finishing blow blocked by Marik, Hayato smiled: "Originally, I was thinking I'd need to follow up with **Armed Dragon LV5**, but I didn't expect you to use **Absorption Shield**."
"Didn't anyone tell you not to casually use 'Attack Negation' cards when facing me?"
Hayato revealed the card he had drawn from his Deck at the start of the Turn.
Quick-Play Spell Card, **Double Chance**!
"Nani?! That card is...!"
"Ah, although it's a Quick-Play Spell Card, it's a card that can only be used after its Conditions are met."
"**Double Chance's** activation Condition is 'when a monster's Attack is negated'."
As he spoke, Hayato inserted **Double Chance** into his Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone: "Activate **Double Chance's** Effect!"
"When a monster's Attack is negated, you can activate this card by targeting that monster!"
"During this Battle Phase, that monster can Attack one more time. During the Damage Step of that Attack, that monster's ATK becomes double its current ATK."
Looking at **Absorption Shield**, which had blocked his Attack, **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** withdrew the Lance he had thrust out, concentrating all his Full Power onto the other Lance he hadn't used yet.
The speed of the wind and flames, which had just been coiling around the Lance like a snake, accelerated, and the wind and fire merged into one, enveloping the entire Lance. From a distance, it looked as if **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** was directly holding a bundle of fiery tornadoes in his hand.
[**Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion**] [ATK 5200 → 10400]
"ATK... broke through ten thousand?!"
"**Spiral Spear Strike** will grant **Gaia the Dragon Champion** the ability to pierce through Defense Position monsters. With its ATK increased to 10400, and **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight's** DEF being 500, the Damage you will take is 9900. It's almost a shame it's not more."
Hayato sighed dramatically, looking at the somewhat flustered Dark Marik: "So, are you ready to accept this Damage, Dark Marik?"
"No, wait a minute, Kobayashi Hayato!" Although Dark Marik had always acted like a fearless idiot, upon realizing that he would inevitably lose this Dark Game and have his Soul stripped away by Kobayashi Hayato, he couldn't help but panic, fearing he would never be able to cause trouble again.
"Look at me, I'm Marik, Ishizu Ishtar's brother. You have a good relationship with Ishizu, right?"
"Even though Ishizu treats me coldly, if you kill me, it will definitely create a rift in her heart. You don't want to become distant from her because of this, do you?"
"Let me go, I'm willing to give up Control of the Body. You can put my Surface Personality back into this Body!"
Looking at Dark Marik's pathetic state, Hayato merely gave a cold smile: "I, Kobayashi Hayato, will refuse to pay if I'm served overpriced food, will mercilessly beat up thugs and hooligans if I encounter them, and will take all of a duelist's Cards after defeating them if they behave maliciously. However, even someone like me knows what true Sin is."
"Ask yourself, Marik. Do your past actions deserve to be forgiven and let go?"
"Accept this Punishment called Soul Annihilation! The one who delivers this Punishment is I, Kobayashi Hayato, and my **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion**!"
"Explosive Kill!!!"
As **Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion** thrust out the Lance in his hand, the suppressed violent wind and fire instantly engulfed **Dark Hero - Corpse Demon Knight**. Under the gaze of **Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder**, who was sweating profusely and trembling, Dark Marik's Life Points were instantly Depleted.
"No! I... I can't accept this!" Even though he had taken a massive 9900 points of Damage in the Dark Game, Dark Marik, who was sent flying and hit the room wall, didn't immediately fall Unconscious. Instead, like a dying ember flaring up, he glared furiously at Hayato.
The Millennium Rod tucked into his waist glowed.
"Kobayashi Hayato, you Bastard!"
"I'll be waiting for you on the road to Hell! Just you rememb—"
Before Dark Marik could finish his harsh words, the Punishment of the Dark Game descended. Even under the protection of the Millennium Rod, which possessed a certain degree of ability to modify the Rules of the Dark Game, Dark Marik's Soul was instantly shattered. His body went limp and fell to the ground, stopping Breathing as if dead.
After Marik's Body fell to the ground, Hayato lowered his head to look at the Millennium Ring on his chest, tapping the Eye of Udjat in the center of the golden disk, calling out to Marik, who was residing within it.
"Hey, Three-Year-Old, are you ready?"
"Huh? Ready for what?" Marik hadn't recovered from the strange mix of vengeful satisfaction and the feeling of seeing "himself" utterly defeated by Hayato in one Turn. Hearing Hayato's words, he didn't immediately understand.
"Honestly, just listening to these Card Spirits chirping is annoying enough. You being next to me is really in the way." Hayato glanced at **Ojama Yellow** and **Ojama Blue**, who were dancing excitedly because Rainbow Kuriboh hadn't appeared in this Duel but they had, and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Patting the noisy two Ojama monsters back into their respective Cards, Hayato walked towards Marik's "corpse" lying on the ground as he spoke.
"For a noisy Tenant who hasn't paid rent, I, the Landlord, have every reason to kick him out, don't I?" Turning Marik's Body face up, Hayato said to Marik inside the Millennium Ring.
Although Hayato had always called him "Three-Year-Old," Marik wasn't actually three years old. He understood what Hayato meant.
He had been begging Hayato to let him out in the Virtual World before, but now that Hayato was actually going to put him back into his own Body, Marik hesitated.
"Brother-in-law, I..."
"First of all, I'm not your Brother-in-law." Hayato interrupted Marik, explaining the current situation to him, "Let me explain beforehand. Your Soul was already damaged due to Personality Split and was usurped by your Dark Personality. After that, it was even roughly extracted from your Body by him. It's quite lucky you didn't suffer Soul Annihilation at that time."
"And your Body, because your Dark Personality preferred Dark Games, who knows how many he went through or what kind of abuse he suffered during this time?"
"Anyway, your Soul is shattered now, and your Body has been ravaged. Even if your Soul returns to your Body, whether they will be compatible is unknown. Be prepared to become a Vegetative State or even Brain Death."
What Hayato said was very realistic, but hearing such realistic words, Marik in the Millennium Ring was only silent for a moment before laughing: "Wouldn't that be good too?"
"I remember there's a saying, 'What goes around comes around, Heaven's justice is inescapable'?" My Dark Personality and I, our past actions have caused countless people to fall into Suffering. I will bear this Sin and won't make excuses for myself."
Marik's voice was low, but beneath the low tone, there was a hint of relaxation and relief:
"If I'm lucky enough to survive, I plan to spend the rest of my life atoning for my past Sins. And if I die directly, being able to repay my crimes with just death would actually be a bargain for me."
His straightforward and open-minded words made Hayato look at Marik seriously for the first time. The Marik who had been childish and foolish in the past seemed to have grown up a lot in this moment.
"Cut it out, trying to escape responsibility by dying? You Three-Year-Old, no, Six-Year-Old." Hayato rarely doubled Marik's age. "Don't drag down others who care about you. I don't want to see Ishizu crying and mourning for you. Just thinking about that scene makes me Annoyed."
"Thank you for taking me in during this time, Brother-in-law," Marik said with a smile. "Even though you never admit it, I acknowledge you. Take good care of Sister, she's a very gentle person."
Hayato waved his hand without saying anything, but with a thought, he Released the Millennium Ring's restraint on the Soul. From the Millennium Ring, Marik's Soul was protected by Dark Magic and sent into Marik's Body, which was lacking a Soul.
Before entering the Body, Marik looked at Hayato not with his usual Face Acting, but with a bright smile that truly suited his age: "Goodbye, Brother-in-law. No matter what, I can reunite with the people I care about, right? Whether it's Sister, who is still alive, or Brother Rishid, whom I killed."
Hayato, however, looked strangely at Marik, who was about to merge into the Body: "Who told you Rishid is dead?"
"Eh?"
"You didn't think the other you killed Rishid, did you? You're thinking too much, you Six-Year-Old, no, Three-Year-Old." Hayato said smugly, "That Bakura guy thought he could kill someone in front of me? Don't even think about it. Rishid just fell Unconscious from the Attack at the time, he's not dead at all."
"By the time we get back to Domino City, he's probably already recovered." As he spoke, Hayato raised his hand and flicked Marik's Soul Body. "So live, go back to Domino City and see Rishid, and then spend your life atoning, you eternal Three-Year-Old."
Marik's Soul entered his Body. Hayato wore a look of disgust, but his hands didn't hesitate for a moment, and he began manually pressing on Marik's chest to restore his Breathing.
At the same time, Hayato used the Millennium Ring to Control the Dark Magic circulating within Marik's Body, helping him clear and recover from the internal injuries left by the Dark Game.
It was only then that the room Door was pushed open. Kaiba and Yugi walked in first. As soon as they entered the room, they felt the lingering heat.
Seeing Marik being "rescued" by Hayato in a corner of the room, Mokuba, who was following behind Kaiba, was quite surprised: "Isn't that Marik Ishtar? He's been missing for so long, how did he suddenly appear in Hayato's room?"
"Marik..." And Ishizu, seeing Marik lying on the ground as if dead, although she had always maintained an attitude of righteous condemnation, seeing her own brother lying there like he was dead, couldn't help but feel Sorrow.
Handing Marik over to the Medical Personnel who had arrived with them, and conveniently taking his Deck, Hayato saw the sorrowful expression on Ishizu's face and comforted her: "The Marik now is the original him."
"Hayato-kun..."
"Dark Marik snuck in here to ambush me, and then because he lost the Dark Game, I expelled him from the Body. Then, I put the Soul of the Surface Personality Marik back into the Body." Watching Marik being carried away on a Stretcher, Hayato continued, "The dark Soul has been shattered by me. The rest depends on Marik's own fate."
"After all, not everyone has studied Souls. I don't know what his outcome will be."
"However, before being sent into the Body, he repented."
Hayato's words were indeed helpful. Hearing that Marik had repented, Ishizu felt some comfort amidst her worry and sadness.
The Unconscious Marik was taken away by the Medical Personnel. As Marik's Family Member, Ishizu also left with them. Kaiba, along with the KaibaCorp Security Force led by Isono, confirmed there were no further dangers in the room before walking up to Hayato.
"Hmph, you certainly have a lot going on, Kobayashi Hayato."
"It's not like I want it this way. I wanted to organize my Deck properly too," Hayato said with a helpless shrug. "But Seto, you're so slow. If I had to rely on you, I'd be cold by the time you arrived."
"Hmph, cut the act. I don't think you'd be taken down that easily." Kaiba spoke as if afflicted with a terminal illness that prevented him from speaking without a "Hmph" in every sentence. "Since there's nothing else, prepare properly for the upcoming Duel. And don't think I'll forget what happened in the Grouping Match!"
With that, Kaiba turned and walked towards the Door.
Looking at Yugi beside him, Hayato shrugged: "It's all your fault, Yugi. Because of your **Switch Position**, Seto is completely fixated on me now."
"But I didn't want to face Joey Wheeler either," the Original Yugi, who was currently present, said. Hearing Hayato's words, he scratched the back of his head shyly. His words earned him a "Strong Man Lock" from Joey Wheeler, who had come with them.
"Hey, were you guys all trying not to be in the same Grouping as me?" Joey Wheeler said, holding Yugi's starfish hair with one hand, somewhat dissatisfied. "Is it embarrassing to be in a Grouping with me?"
"Just think about it, it's definitely because Joey Wheeler is too Weak and not a Challenge," Tristan, who was nearby, retorted, successfully diverting Joey Wheeler's attention. The "Strong Man Lock" shifted from Yugi to Tristan.
While roughhousing with Tristan, Joey Wheeler looked at Hayato and Yugi and said confidently: "That Duel with Mai wasn't my Full Power at all. When I Duel Kaiba, I'll definitely show you guys how amazing I am!"
# Chapter 339: Armed Dragon's Rapid Evolution
As the sun rose above the horizon, the morning sunlight shone on the silver-white Duel Tower top.
After departing from Domino City and enduring a day and night of airship travel, the semifinals of the Battle City tournament were about to begin. Everyone who had rested was now seated in the audience.
However, calling it "rest" was just them chatting together. The sleeping pods used to enter the virtual world had a strong sedative effect on the user's body while their consciousness was transferred into the virtual world. Because of this, theoretically, everyone who had been exhausted from the night's events felt no fatigue at all.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Yugi Mutou and Kobayashi Hayato walked out of the lounge one after another and stepped onto the stage for the duel.
Staff members placed the photography equipment around the stage and turned them on one by one to record the upcoming duel from various angles. After Roland confirmed that all equipment was ready, he announced loudly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting. The first match of the Battle City tournament semifinals is about to begin. The players are Yugi Mutou and Kobayashi Hayato. The victor will advance to the finals and compete for the title of King of Games."
"Both players are ready, so I declare,"
"Let the match begin!"
"Duel!" x2
Watching the two on stage simultaneously draw their hands, Joey Wheeler shouted excitedly, "Go, Yugi! And Hayato too!"
"Who cheers for both sides like that?" Tristan , standing beside him, retorted.
Joey Wheeler shrugged, "But aren't both Yugi and Hayato our friends right now? That Hayato guy just had to be matched up with Yugi. I don't even know who to cheer for, so of course, I have to cheer for both sides."
"Hmph, you mediocre one. Cheering and shouting offer absolutely no use to a Duelist. Or do you think Yugi or Hayato need a Third-Rate Duelist like you to worry about them?"
Joey Wheeler didn't even need to turn around to guess who was speaking.
"Kaiba!"
"Shut up, close your mouth and watch the match quietly." Kaiba crossed his arms over his chest and coldly glanced at Joey Wheeler, who was skillfully held back by Tristan and Duke Devlin, before shifting his gaze back to the field.
Looking at Hayato and Yugi Mutou confronting each other, Kaiba said with a hint of expectation, "Now then, Yugi Mutou, Hayato, prove to me that your strength hasn't decreased in purity from associating with Third-Rate Duelists, and offer me a magnificent Duel!"
"Who are you calling a Third-Rate Duelist, you bastard!"
Joey Wheeler's antics in the audience had no influence whatsoever on Hayato and Yugi Mutou on the Duel Field. After each drawing five cards into their hand, Yugi Mutou's movements weren't as fast as Hayato's, allowing Hayato to seize the first turn.
"Heh heh, the first turn is mine. Draw!" After drawing a card into his hand, Hayato wasn't in a hurry to start his combo/play. Instead, he smiled and said to Yugi Mutou, "After all, I'm facing you, Yugi Mutou. I can't not seize the first turn and make some preparations."
"Although, I think I said something similar back in Duelist Kingdom."
Yugi Mutou, who had already switched to Pharaoh mode, returned a smile, "It really has been a long time, Hayato. But I'm sorry, to get the Three Egyptian God Cards, I have to keep winning. So I have to defeat you, Hayato!"
"Oh, bring it on, Yugi Mutou." Hayato smiled and drew a card from his hand. "During my Standby Phase, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card **Armed Dragon Lightning** from my hand. This card allows me to Special Summon one Level 3 **Armed Dragon** from my Deck in Defense Position."
"Next is the effect of **Ojama Mixed Match**. I Send one **Ojama** card from my hand or field to the Graveyard, and choose one **Ojama** monster with a different name and one **Armed Dragon** monster from my Deck or Graveyard to add to my hand." Hayato Sent two cards from his hand to the Graveyard. In exchange, he took out two cards from his Deck and revealed them.
"Because I Sent **Ojama Magic** to the Graveyard, I add **Ojama Red** and **Armed Dragon LV10** to my hand. And because **Ojama Magic** was Sent to the Graveyard, I can add **Ojama Yellow**, **Ojama Green**, and **Ojama Black** from my Deck to my hand."
"Then, with the effect of **Ojama Mixed Match**, after adding **Ojama Red** and **Armed Dragon LV10** to my hand, I can Normal Summon one of them onto the field. I will Summon **Ojama Red**."
"**Ojama Red**'s effect activates when Summoned successfully. I can Special Summon up to four monsters with 'Ojama' in their name from my hand in Attack Position. I Special Summon **Ojama Black**, **Ojama Yellow**, and **Ojama Green**."
"And then, during my Standby Phase, **Armed Dragon LV3** will evolve to the next stage! Come forth, **Armed Dragon LV5**!"
Through a series of operations, even though it was only his Standby Phase, Hayato used three cards from his hand and Summoned a total of five monsters onto the field: **Armed Dragon LV5**, **Ojama Red**, **Ojama Black**, **Ojama Yellow**, and **Ojama Green**, completely filling his field.
Yet, the number of cards in his hand hadn't decreased much. He still had a full 4 cards in his hand.
"Your card synergy is as powerful as ever, Hayato." Yugi Mutou couldn't help but praise. In this era where most Duelists used cards that weren't part of a series, Hayato's Deck had an incredibly unique coherence that left a deep impression on Yugi Mutou.
On Hayato's field, **Ojama Red** and **Ojama Yellow**, along with the others, gathered together and struck a strange pose similar to the Ginyu Force. However, due to the absence of **Ojama Blue** and the low-presence **Ojama Pink**, the pose wasn't entirely complete.
But this didn't affect the mood of **Ojama Yellow** and the others.
"That seven-colored bastard didn't show up,"
"And those dangerous XYZ monsters,"
"There's nothing that can stop us from becoming Aniki's Tamashii anymore!"
"Plan complete, ne!"
Accompanied by **Ojama Yellow**'s arrogant laughter, Hayato responded to Yugi Mutou's words and played a card: "Don't look down on the **Ojama** monsters just because they look ugly and have weak combat power. Even lackeys have their uses."
"I activate the Spell Card—"
"Hahaha, I didn't expect Aniki to rate us so highly." **Ojama Green** laughed smugly, noticing that the attention of its other brothers was completely focused on the Spell Card that appeared behind it. It couldn't help but turn around to look.
"Hmm, let me see, **The Cheep Chaining**, the effect is 'You can Send 1 face-up monster on your field that is not an Effect Monster to the Graveyard; draw 2 cards'?" **Ojama Green** read out the card effect word for word, still not understanding what it meant.
"[Yellow], what's a 'monster that is not an Effect Monster'?" Beside **Ojama Green**, **Ojama Black** asked **Ojama Yellow**.
"Hmph hmph, isn't that simple? There are only so many types of Duel Monsters. A monster that isn't an Effect Monster, isn't that a Normal Monster?" **Ojama Yellow** pulled out a pair of glasses from somewhere—perhaps its four-dimensional pocket?—and put them on its floating eyeballs, pretending to be knowledgeable.
"Oh, so that means this card lets you Send a Normal Monster to the Graveyard and then draw two cards," **Ojama Red** on the side said understandingly, then looked around. "Which card is Aniki going to Send to the Graveyard?"
"Yeah, yeah," "There are no Normal Monsters, ne," "Aniki, you got it wrong."
The three **Ojama** brothers also looked around, and failing to find a "Normal Monster," they immediately reminded Hayato, "Aniki, you don't have any Normal Monsters on the field, ne. You played the wrong card!"
"You three really are idiots." Hayato rubbed his temples helplessly. Honestly, he'd rather play Dark Games with Marik, Bakura, Maximillion Pegasus, and others for three days and nights straight than deal with these three annoying fools. "Take a good look at your own feet."
"The one I'm Sending to the Graveyard is **Ojama Green**, who is a Normal Monster!"
"N-Nani?!"
As Hayato designated the target, **Ojama Green** discovered in horror that large amounts of light particles were floating out of its body, gradually turning transparent. It quickly reached out to grab its brothers beside it: "N-No, Aniki, don't throw me into the cold Graveyard, ne!"
"Save me, [Black], [Yellow]!"
Facing **Ojama Green**'s plea for help, **Ojama Black** and **Ojama Yellow** exchanged a rare look of understanding, then simultaneously turned their heads and started whistling and chatting: "The weather is great today, ne."
"The scenery here is nice too."
"The sea breeze feels so good."
Seeing its two brothers pretending not to hear it, **Ojama Green** shouted angrily, "You two faithless guys!" and pounced towards them. However, before it could carry out its final revenge, **The Cheep Chaining** fully took effect, and it was Sent to the Graveyard, while Hayato drew two cards.
With the number of cards in his hand now at five, Hayato pondered briefly, then looked at Yugi Mutou: "My current lineup on the field is probably enough for ordinary opponents. But if my opponent is you, Yugi Mutou, perhaps I should go a step further."
"Activate the Spell Card **Level Up!**. I Send **Armed Dragon LV5** on the field to the Graveyard and Special Summon **Armed Dragon LV7** from my Deck! Then, I Tribute **Armed Dragon LV7** on the field and Summon **Armed Dragon LV10** from my hand!"
To deal with Yugi Mutou, Hayato could be said to be going at full power. In just one turn, he gave **Armed Dragon** an acceleration boost, rapidly climbing from LV3 to LV10.
The three weak, pitiful, and helpless **Ojama** monsters were squeezed out of their original positions by the immensely swollen **Armed Dragon LV10**, hiding in a corner, terrified that their own ally might accidentally move and wipe them out.
[Armed Dragon LV10] [ATK 3000]
"Set a card. My turn ends." With the final two cards remaining in his hand, Hayato ended his turn.
Chapter 340: Ojama Yellow Died Again, How Outrageous
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 2]
[Armed Dragon LV10] [ATK 3000]
[Ojama Red] [DEF 1000]
[Ojama Yellow] [ATK 0]
[Ojama Black] [ATK 0]
[Set Card]
Looking at the four monsters on Hayato's Field as he ended his Turn, Joey Wheeler seemed quite surprised: "Hayato's really strong, huh? He actually managed to put four monsters on the Field in one go, and even Summoned that troublesome [Armed Dragon LV10]. This is going to be tough for Yugi Mutou."
"An idiot is an idiot. Did the appearance of [Armed Dragon] take up all the memory in your brain?" Kaiba, who didn't agree with Joey Wheeler's view, sneered, "Although Hayato has four monsters, those two Ojama Lackeys are in Attack Position."
"Leaving two backdoors with no DEF whatsoever, what is that Hayato guy thinking?"
At this moment, Yugi Mutou's thoughts were the same as Kaiba's. He was also unsure why Hayato would leave two Ojama monsters on the Field in Attack Position, even though their ATK was 0.
Since Ojama Yellow and Ojama Black are both Normal Monsters, Yugi Mutou didn't need to worry about them having any troublesome Effects, but he had to be wary of the Set Card in Hayato's Backrow.
The Pharaoh felt a bit helpless.
Although Hayato always called Yugi Mutou — specifically Original Yugi — a "Heavy Trap Dark Player," saying his Deck was full of Trap Cards, among those who often Dueled with Hayato, both Yugi Mutou himself and Joey Wheeler unanimously agreed that Hayato was the one who used the most "Heavy Trap Strategy."
What could that Set Card in Hayato's Backrow be? Sakuretsu Armor, Desert Sunlight, or Curse of Anubis?
Yugi Mutou put himself in Hayato's shoes for a moment, thinking about what kind of Card he would use from that perspective.
But no matter what, it was his Turn now.
"My Turn, Draw!"
He looked at the Card he drew; it was Mystical Swordsman of the Forest. Unlike the original version, the Normal Monster [Mystical Elf Swordsman], Mystical Swordsman of the Forest has the ability not to be Destroyed by Battle by monsters with 1900 or more ATK. It's a Card with excellent Strength for staying On the Field.
But the problem was, Hayato happened to have an [Armed Dragon LV10] On the Field, which could Destroy monsters with a Non-Targeting Effect by Discarding a Hand Card.
Helplessly putting Mystical Swordsman of the Forest into his Hand to use later, Yugi Mutou placed a Card in his Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone: "Activate the Spell Card Dark Magic Curtain! By paying 1000 Life Points, I can Special Summon one Spellcaster Type, DARK Attribute monster from my Hand or Graveyard."
[Yugi Mutou: 4000 → 3000 LP]
"Come forth, Dark Magician!"
As Yugi Mutou paid his Life Points, a Magic Circle appeared on the ground. Dark Magician leaped out of the Magic Circle with an incredibly stylish 360° mid-air spin, landing and catching the emerald green Staff that spun into his Hand, striking a very cool pose.
[Dark Magician] [ATK 2500]
After Dark Magician's appearance, Yugi Mutou's Summoning was far from over; rather, it was just the beginning.
"Because Dark Magician is On the Field, I Activate the Spell Card Master and Student Bond! I call forth Dark Magician's Disciple!" After playing a Card, Yugi Mutou added Dark Magician Girl from his Deck to his hand, then Special Summoned her. "Come out, Dark Magician Girl!"
With light steps, Dark Magician Girl leaped out of the Card, landing On the Field covering her short skirt. Seeing the Camera pointed at her, she playfully struck a cute pose towards the lens.
[Dark Magician Girl] [ATK 2000]
Mokuba, who was skilled at marketing, captured this moment and put the screenshot of Dark Magician Girl's cute pose on the KaibaCorp official website's introduction page for the "Virtual Projection System," placing the Dark Magician Girl Card next to it for comparison. As an added bonus, he also wrote a publicity slogan: "Want to see your beloved Cards come to life? KaibaCorp's Virtual Projection System helps you fulfill your dream!"
Others didn't know, but Maximillion Pegasus, who had finished his recovery and been discharged from the hospital and was watching the Livestream Feed on television, started having some bad thoughts — Dark Magician Girl is so cute~ It's decided, Me will also print a Toon version of Dark Magician Girl for Me~
"The subsequent Effect of Master and Student Bond: After Summoning Dark Magician Girl, I can Set one Dark Burning Magic, Dark Magic Attack, Dark Burning Attack, or Dark Magic Twin Burst from my Deck to my Backrow."
After Consuming three Cards from his Hand, Yugi Mutou had gathered the Master and Disciple pair, Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl, On the Field. However, they were still not a match for Hayato's [Armed Dragon LV10].
[Armed Dragon LV10] has a Powerful Effect that can Destroy all Face-up Position monsters On the Field without Targeting after Discarding a Hand Card. This means if Yugi Mutou cannot Destroy [Armed Dragon LV10] this Turn, his Next Turn will be a crisis.
Of course, Yugi Mutou wasn't without other options. For example — using the Dark Magician Master and Disciple he had already Summoned On the Field to Attack Ojama Yellow and Ojama Black in Attack Position on Hayato's Field, dealing enough Damage to defeat Hayato in one Turn.
Putting it another way, perhaps the best way to protect my teammates is to deal with the Enemy before they can harm my teammates?
"Entering my Battle Phase! Go, Dark Magician!" Yugi Mutou sharply waved his hand forward, pointing his finger at Ojama Yellow, who was hiding in the corner, Dueling Cards with Ojama Red and Ojama Black. "Attack Ojama Yellow!"
"Eek!"
Hearing that it had been Designated as the Attack Target, Ojama Yellow was startled. It shook off the white paper strips stuck to its face from losing at Cards and frantically tried to hide behind the tall [Armed Dragon LV10].
But when it turned its head, it saw the Card Hayato had Set last Turn. Even though it didn't know what Hayato's Set Card was, Ojama Yellow suddenly puffed up with Confidence.
"Hehehe, just come and Attack! Aniki has a Set Card in the Backrow!" Using extremely lively gestures to wantonly provoke the Dark Magician attacking towards it, Ojama Yellow perfectly demonstrated what it meant to "gain power through petty means" and "borrow a tiger's prestige."
Even though the Dark Magician, whose ATK far exceeded its own, had already thrown a pitch-black Magic Orb, Ojama Yellow remained unhurried, fawning over Hayato: "Aniki, it's the right time! Just for Me, Activate the Set Card, 'nye~"
"Huh? You're actually this proactive today?" Hayato looked at Ojama Yellow with some surprise.
"Hehehe, it's finally my time to shine! Let Ojama Yellow take care of Aniki's Enemy!" Ojama Yellow confidently spread its arms, waiting for Hayato to Activate his Set Card. "So, what Card did Aniki Set for Me? Rush Recklessly? Or Roar of the Earthbound?"
"Neither~" Hayato smiled and revealed his Set Card. "Actually, I didn't want to, but you're rarely this proactive. I Chain to Dark Magician's Attack and Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Instant Fusion!"
Ojama Yellow's expression froze: "Na-Nani?"
"It's not a Trap Card for Attack Declaration or a Card to strengthen Me?"
"Send monsters from my Field to the Graveyard, and use the monsters Sent to the Graveyard as Fusion Material to Fusion Summon a monster! I Send Ojama Black and Ojama Yellow to the Graveyard, and Fusion Summon Ojama Knight!"
A Fusion Vortex appeared On Hayato's Field. Ojama Yellow, who thought it would be a hero but ended up with the Destiny of being Sent to the Graveyard, and the slow-witted Ojama Black were sucked into it. The newly appeared Ojama Knight On Hayato's Field blocked the Attack from Dark Magician with a flick of the small round shield in its hand.
[Ojama Knight] [DEF 2500]
[Dark Magician] [ATK 2500]
Because their ATK and DEF values were exactly the same, [Ojama Knight] was not Destroyed by Battle, and Yugi Mutou did not take Reflected Damage.
The moment [Ojama Knight] was Summoned, Ojama Yellow and Ojama Black, in different outfits, appeared On Yugi Mutou's Field.
"That hateful Aniki, he sold Me out again!" Ojama Yellow said discontentedly, "I've decided, I'm defecting! I'm going to throw some dirt in Aniki's eyes!"
"Go, Yugi Mutou! Take down Aniki for Me!"
Ojama Yellow's voice was as loud as ever. Seeing the annoying Ojama Yellow and Ojama Black that had appeared On his Field, Yugi Mutou looked at Hayato with a troubled look, receiving a helpless shrug in return.
"Ojama Knight, while On the Field in Face-up Position in the Monster Zone, can Target up to two unused Monster Zones on the opponent's Field, making the Designated Zones unusable," Hayato explained. "However, Ojama Knight, which was Fusion Summoned by Instant Fusion, will be Destroyed at the End of this Turn. These two annoying pests will only Trouble you for this one Turn at most."
"I somewhat understand why you usually treat them so badly, Hayato." Even the Pharaoh couldn't maintain his expression at this moment. "Let's finish this quickly! Dark Magician Girl, Attack Ojama Red!"
Both [Ojama Knight] and [Armed Dragon LV10] On Hayato's Field had higher ATK than Dark Magician Girl's ATK. Although he couldn't deal Damage, Yugi Mutou still chose to Destroy Ojama Red in Defense Position first and Send it to the Graveyard.
What Yugi Mutou was guarding against was the Ojama archetype's Field Spell Card, Ojama Country, the one they remembered earliest. A Continuous version of Shield & Sword, it had to be guarded against.
However, what Yugi Mutou didn't expect was that Hayato, to prevent Bricks, simply didn't include Ojama Country in the Deck he was using this time.
(End of Chapter)