Chapter 374 - Chapter 581:585

Chapter 581: Why Are You Just Watching?

"You're next, Nameless Pharaoh."

Rafael took the card handed to him, confirming that the soul of the Father of Duel Monsters, Pegasus, was sealed within the card without issue. His gaze shifted to Yugi, who had just stepped out of the Elevator.

Before Yugi could react, Joey Wheeler was the first to be unable to suppress the anger born from witnessing a life disappear before his eyes. He stepped forward, glaring back without flinching. "Yare yare, Rafael!"

"You bastard, are you part of Doma too?!"

At the KC Cup, Joey Wheeler had been one of the few audience members to watch the Duel between Rafael and Yugi. Naturally, he had an impression of the person before him. At that time, the reason for Yugi's Duel with Rafael was to obtain the "key" to lift the barrier over the Kaiba Dome Venue—the card Uria, Lord of Searing Flames.

Although there was a reason for the battle, due to the interaction during the Duel, Yugi had ultimately judged Rafael to be a "True Duelist." But how could such a "True Duelist" also be a member of Organization Doma, capable of taking others' cards?!

"You almost died in your Duel with Grimo before, and you barely managed to cling to life. And now you're actively coming to us?" Rafael ignored Joey Wheeler, his eyes fixed only on the silent Yugi. "Nameless Pharaoh, you will eventually become an obstruction to Doma's plan. Let me defeat you here!"

"Tsk, don't ignore me, you bastard!" Joey Wheeler was considerably annoyed by Rafael's repeated disregard. He directly blocked Rafael's gaze, which was fixed on Yugi. "Grimo, that bald guy from before, so he was your Subordinate. Perfect, we still have the score to settle for the God Card that was stolen."

Raising his Duel Disk and adopting a stance ready for battle, Joey Wheeler also glanced at the other person standing beside Rafael, who had been facing away from them until just now. That person had just used a monster that clearly looked like a Machine Type to defeat Pegasus.

"That guy over there, you too! Standing before you is the Top 4 player of Duelist Kingdom, the legendary Duelist Joey Wheeler, who almost defeated the runner-up in Battle City! Just the sin of taking others' souls means I won't let you off easily!"

As Joey Wheeler spoke fiercely, he felt Yugi's hand on his shoulder from behind. Yugi stepped out from behind him, seemingly wanting to say something. Joey Wheeler noticed that the Millennium Puzzle on Yugi's chest was radiating light, but it wasn't the kind of light that appeared when soul switching or Duel Monster materialization occurred. It was closer to a golden light, like a resonance.

"The Millennium Puzzle feels a familiar aura. That feeling... you're also a user of a Millennium Item, aren't you?"

Looking at the person's back, Yugi's finger traced the surface of the Millennium Puzzle. "And it can't be the Millennium Necklace or Millennium Rod, which are kept by the Tomb Keepers. The feeling from you doesn't seem like the Millennium Eye either. Could it be one of the Millennium Key or Millennium Scale?"

"No, that's not right. This aura is too familiar. This feeling... it's the Millennium Ring!"

Yugi pointed a finger at the person facing away from him. "You bastard, where did you get that Millennium Item?!"

Hearing this, the man with his back to Yugi and Joey Wheeler sighed helplessly. "So, I was discovered because of this detail?"

As he spoke, the man reached into his clothes and pulled out a shimmering golden disk. The five golden cones on the disk pointed in Yugi's direction, specifically towards the location of the Millennium Puzzle. The Millennium Ring on his chest was also flashing with light, resonating with the Millennium Puzzle.

However, more than the fact that the person pulled out the Millennium Ring, which had disappeared with Hayato's "sacrifice," Joey Wheeler and Yugi were more concerned about one thing: the voice of the person who had finally spoken was too distinctive, and they were too familiar with that voice.

"You are—!"

"Masaka!?"

Putting down the Millennium Ring and letting it hang from his chest, Hayato turned around and looked at the stunned Joey Wheeler and Yugi. "It's been a long time, Yugi, and Joey Wheeler."

"Hayato?! You bastard, I knew you'd be okay!"

Overjoyed, Joey Wheeler completely forgot about the fact that Pegasus had just been killed by Hayato. Seeing his companion, who was thought to be "dead," reappear, his heart was filled only with surprise and great joy. "You have no idea how worried we were when you disappeared during this time, but now that you're back—"

Just as he was about to step forward, Joey Wheeler was suddenly pulled back by Yugi beside him. And it was this moment of pause that caused a strong wind to sweep past Joey Wheeler's eyes.

Only then did Joey Wheeler notice that the never-before-seen machine demon, Infernoid Belphegor, which should have disappeared after the Duel ended, had remained in the Room and had not vanished. And just now, because Joey Wheeler had approached Hayato, it had actively attacked, using its sharp iron claws to slash a mark on the Ground.

If Yugi hadn't pulled Joey Wheeler back just now, he would have likely been seriously injured!

"What are you doing, Hayato!" Yugi looked at the indifferent Hayato and asked in confusion. "Why are you with Doma's people, and why did you kill Pegasus just now!"

"And why are you letting your never-before-seen monster, which gives off an ominous feeling, attack Joey Wheeler? Aren't we friends!"

"Why are you just watching?!"

However, Hayato's answer caused Yugi's pupils to shrink.

"Friends? Ah, I'm tired of playing that game of friendship."

"Game of friendship?"

Hayato nodded, one hand behind his back, secretly giving a thumbs-up to Infernoid Belphegor, who was putting on a good performance. His expression in front, however, was the standard smirking look of a villain learned from hot-blooded anime. "Yes, the so-called 'friendship' and the like were just a childish game of make-believe that I played with you guys. Although it was interesting, unfortunately, I'm tired of playing it."

"Furthermore, the only reason I maintained friendship with you was because I saw enough profit in you. But now I feel that the power Organization Doma gives me is stronger than what you can provide, so isn't it perfectly normal for me to join Doma?"

Hayato's expression was sincere. No matter how Yugi and Joey Wheeler looked at him, Hayato didn't seem to be lying, but this made it even harder for them to accept Hayato's account.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Hayato! You're lying, right!" Joey Wheeler didn't believe Hayato's words and was about to step forward again, crossing the mark on the Ground. But Infernoid Belphegor behind Hayato acted again. The hawk-like demon plunged its claws directly into the Ground in front of Joey Wheeler, tearing out a large hole.

Rafael looked at Hayato and said, "So, which one do you want to deal with? I don't care who my opponent is."

"No, you don't need to make a move, neither Joey Wheeler nor Yugi."

Rafael, thinking Hayato wanted to let Joey Wheeler and Yugi go, frowned. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Infernoid Belphegor behind Hayato disappear back into a card. Stepping forward, Hayato raised the Duel Disk on his hand. "After all, I was 'friends' with them before. As friends, it's most suitable for me to personally bury them."

"Moreover, the power I've gained from Doma, from Orichalcos, still hasn't reached its limit. I can feel that if I continue to provide sufficiently intense Duels as stimulation, perhaps the power I've obtained can go even further."

Smirking, Hayato looked at Yugi and Joey Wheeler with an expression like he was looking at prey. "In that case, are there any more suitable opponents than them?"

Rafael looked at the arrogant Hayato and reminded him, "Are you going to face two people alone? Don't say I didn't warn you, even if he's not as good as the Nameless Pharaoh, Katsuya Joey Wheeler is still a Duelist with a certain amount of fame. At least he won't hold you back in your Duel with the Nameless Pharaoh."

"I know that better than you, and I'm just informing you, not asking you, Rafael."

Hayato glanced at Rafael and said arrogantly, "Dartz said I'm the person in charge of you 'Doma Three Swordsmen,' are you going to defy me?"

"Get out of the way, I'm starting the Duel. Just thinking about how the Infernoid born from the dark power within my inner thoughts will radiate even greater power through the sacrifice of my former 'friends' makes me feel incredibly hyped, hahahaha!"

"Dartz?" Yugi noticed the name Hayato had just mentioned. He felt like he had heard it somewhere but couldn't place it. However, the incidents that had occurred so far had overloaded his brain capacity, leaving no room to think about who "Dartz" was.

Hayato, who had mysteriously reappeared after sacrificing himself to achieve mutual destruction with Anubis in the battle at that time, had now joined Organization Doma, a mysterious organization that hunted Duelist souls and stole the Three Egyptian Gods cards. Furthermore, the current Hayato was using evil Duel Monsters called Infernoid that looked ominous, and he had killed Pegasus and sealed his soul right in front of him and Joey Wheeler.

Even worse, according to Hayato, he was planning to make a move against him and Joey Wheeler. Judging by the attack his monster launched at Joey Wheeler just now, it didn't seem like he was faking it; he was genuinely trying to kill him!

"Our friendship is fake... That kind of thing—"

"That kind of thing is impossible!" Joey Wheeler, standing beside him, clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on Hayato's eyes as if trying to discern something. He said firmly, "All the things we experienced together in the past, those emotions how could they be something that could be faked!"

"When I didn't understand Duel Monsters, it was Yugi and you, Hayato, who patiently guided me on strategy and helped me grow. And you generously gave me powerful cards more than once. Saying it was 'just for profit' is a complete lie!"

"Hayato, you must have been controlled by Doma's people using some card with evil power. In that case, I'll defeat you and make you return to normal!"

"Joey Wheeler..." Yugi listened to Joey Wheeler's words, slightly stunned, but then suddenly smiled. "Seriously, why did I suddenly have the idea to doubt Hayato just now?"

"That's right, Hayato, who was even willing to sacrifice himself to protect his friends. How could the bond between that Hayato and us be fake?" Yugi stepped forward, standing side by side with Joey Wheeler, jointly facing Hayato. "We'll save you, Hayato!"

Seeing Yugi and Joey Wheeler trust him so much, it would be a lie to say Hayato's heart wasn't completely moved at this moment. But because Rafael was still nearby, he could only turn this emotion into the mocking smile that showed on his face. "Heh heh, how foolish. Even now, you refuse to accept reality, and you even convinced yourselves with such strange reasons?"

"It doesn't matter. Before this pure Infernoid Deck of mine, the facts you refuse to accept will be forcibly revealed. All that will be left for you is pain and despair!"

"Duel~"

[Hayato: 8000 LP]

"Duel!" X2

[Yugi + Joey Wheeler: 8000 LP]

"I'll take the first turn, Draw!"

Joey Wheeler said, drawing a card from his Deck and adding it to his Hand.

In this two-on-one Duel, Yugi and Joey Wheeler would share the Field, Life Points, and Graveyard. They would take turns alternating turns. As compensation, Hayato received double Life Points, and because Hayato was the second turn player, he could enter the Battle Phase on his turn.

Looking at the card he drew, Joey Wheeler immediately activated it. "During my Main Phase, I activate this Spell Card, Red-Eyes Fusion! During the turn I activate this card, I cannot Summon or Special Summon monsters by the effect of cards other than this card!"

"And the power I gain in exchange for this restriction is that I can send Fusion Material monsters determined by a Fusion Monster from my Hand, Field, or Deck to the Graveyard, and then Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster that lists Red-Eyes Black Dragon as a Fusion Material from my Extra Deck. Furthermore, the monster Special Summoned by this effect is treated as Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"

Joey Wheeler said, about to send two monsters from his Deck to the Graveyard: "The Fusion Materials I will send to the Graveyard are Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Meteor Dragon. The Fusion Materials are a 7☆ Red-Eyes monster and a 6☆ Dragon-Type monster. I Fusion Summon—"

"Before that, I discard this card from my Hand."

Hayato's voice interrupted the name of the Fusion Monster Joey Wheeler had yet to declare. Before the Red-Eyes Fusion that Joey Wheeler had already activated, the two monsters, Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Meteor Dragon, were ready to be sent. But at this moment, as Hayato sent a card from his Hand to the Graveyard, a smirking little girl actually blocked the way to Joey Wheeler's Graveyard, preventing him from sending the two cards to the Graveyard!?

Although she was clearly a little girl wearing a cute kimono and appearing with cherry blossoms, the more Joey Wheeler looked at that monster, the harder his fists felt.

Hayato said proudly, "When your opponent activates an effect that adds a card from the Deck to the Hand, Special Summons a monster from the Deck, or sends a card from the Deck to the Graveyard, I can discard Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring from my Hand to negate that effect. This effect can also be activated during your opponent's turn."

"I wonder if Red-Eyes Black Dragon, after being negated, will dream of Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring tonight?" Hayato mocked with malice.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 582: Your Monster is Crying... Oh, it's Ojama Yellow, then it's fine.

During the effect resolution of [Red-Eyes Fusion], "Send the monster to the Graveyard" and "Fusion Summon" are processed within the same effect. The Fusion Material must first be sent to the Graveyard, and then those monsters are used for Fusion.

However, the Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring played by Joey Wheeler interrupted Joey Wheeler's step of sending the monster to the Graveyard, making it impossible for the subsequent processing to continue.

Not only that, but Joey Wheeler also had to bear the consequences himself, enduring the penalty of Red-Eyes Fusion, which has the ability to Fusion from the Deck. That is, he could no longer Summon or Special Summon monsters. To suffer such a penalty right at the start of the Duel was quite fatal.

"Tsk, it seems it's not that simple to wake you up, Hayato." Joey Wheeler glanced at the cards in his hand, then drew another card. "In that case, I activate the Spell Card Cards of the Red Stone! From my hand, I send a Level 7 [Red-Eyes] monster—this Red-Eyes Black Dragon—to the Graveyard, and draw two cards from my Deck."

After refreshing his hand, Joey Wheeler looked at a monster card he drew and took it out. Although he couldn't Summon or Special Summon, he could still Set a monster in face-down Defense Position.

"Next, I Set a monster in face-down Defense Position, and Set two cards. My turn ends."

[Joey Wheeler: 8000 LP, Hand 6→2]

[Face-down Monster]

[Set Card] X2

"My turn, draw!"

After Joey Wheeler's turn ended, it was Hayato's turn. He drew a card from his Deck. Looking at the monster card that came to his hand, Hayato Summoned it directly onto the field. "From my hand, I Normal Summon this card in Attack Position!"

The card landed on Hayato's Duel Disk, and in front of Hayato, a familiar monster appeared.

Ojama Yellow [ATK 0]

"Cry for my strength, nhehe~"

"He actually Summoned Ojama Yellow with 0 ATK in Attack Position?" Joey Wheeler said, puzzled. "Is he planning a suicide attack with that monster?"

"Don't forget that [Ojama] monsters also have powerful Field Spell Cards that are used with them, Joey Wheeler. Don't let your guard down." From the side, Yugi, who still remembered Ojama Country, reminded Joey Wheeler. This made Joey Wheeler recall that there indeed was such a card with an effect that swapped ATK and DEF.

"So ☆Da ☆Yo! Yours Truly, appearing in Aniki's deck after so long, is going to fight with full power, nhe~" Ojama Yellow, standing alone on the field with its hands on its hips, looked incredibly brave. "Aniki's Tamashii isn't other cards, it's me, Yellow!"

"Come on, Aniki, use those super powerful enhancement cards in your hand on me!"

"Oh, it's rare for you to be so proactive." Hayato gave Ojama Yellow a strange look and drew a card.

Hearing this, Joey Wheeler couldn't help but become a little vigilant. He watched as Hayato inserted a card from his hand into the Spell & Trap Zone of his Duel Disk and activated it.

Behind Ojama Yellow, a Spell Card appeared. A circular ring of radiance formed from beneath Ojama Yellow's feet, and a powerful force capable of distorting space appeared around Ojama Yellow!

"Oh oh oh, power is surging—huh? No power is surging up at all?" Despite being surrounded by powerful energy, Ojama Yellow felt nothing special. There was no change in its ATK or DEF either. This made it turn back strangely to check what card Hayato had activated.

Turning around, Ojama Yellow read the name of the card behind it. "Monster Gate? Hmm, the effect is 'Flip cards from the top of your Deck until a monster that can be Normal Summoned appears, and Special Summon that monster. Send all other flipped cards to the Graveyard.' And the penalty to activate it is, 'You must Tribute one monster on your Field to activate'?"

"Oh, I see, it's a card that only takes effect by Tributing a monster on your Field." With a look of sudden realization, Ojama Yellow slapped its palm, only to find its body was dispersing. Realizing belatedly, it reacted, "Wait wait! Tributing a monster on the Field... isn't that just me!?"

"A-Aniki?!"

Looking at Hayato with a pleading gaze, Ojama Yellow only received a heartless nod from Hayato. "Mhm, that's right. This is the penalty you need to pay to obtain great power. For the final victory, make the necessary sacrifice, Ojama Yellow!"

"I Tribute Ojama Yellow on my Field!"

"Aniki!!!"

Amidst Hayato's seemingly sorrowful smile, Ojama Yellow completely vanished and was sent to the Graveyard. And Monster Gate beneath its feet finally began to take effect with the provision of the Tribute.

Ruthlessly Tributing a monster with deep emotional connection and sending it to the Graveyard in order to activate a card's effect—such an action, no matter which Duelist performed it, should ideally give people a feeling like "This guy has fallen so low for power" or "Your monster is crying."

But seeing Hayato Tribute Ojama Yellow exactly as expected, Joey Wheeler and Yugi couldn't help but exclaim in unison, "Ah, that's definitely something Hayato would do."

"Talking about 'joining Doma for power'... in the end, isn't this still the same Duel habit as before?"

Amidst their rants, the power of Monster Gate flipped cards one after another from the top of Hayato's Deck. However, what surprised both of them was that even though several monster cards appeared among the flipped cards, besides the numerous red Trap Cards and quite a few Spell Cards, the effect of Monster Gate still didn't stop.

"Although there were several monster cards just now that I didn't recognize, Monster Gate should Special Summon a monster that can be Normal Summoned when it's flipped. Why weren't the monsters Hayato flipped Special Summoned? Is the Duel Disk malfunctioning?"

Yugi couldn't answer Joey Wheeler's confusion, but he had a conjecture. "No, the Duel Disk shouldn't be malfunctioning. That situation is actually a possibility, because in Duel Monsters, there are quite a few monsters that have special Summoning conditions for Special Summoning and cannot be Normal Summoned."

"That's right. These are the monsters I awakened from the dark side of my inner thoughts, my thirst for power, after joining Doma—the Infernoid. They possess power that surpasses ordinary monsters. The method of Normal Summoning is not enough to satisfy their Descent Condition."

After flipping over more than ten cards, sending about a third of his Deck to the Graveyard, Hayato finally flipped a monster that could be Normal Summoned and Summoned it onto the Field. What appeared was a mechanical cart, Planet Pathfinder.

[Planet Pathfinder] [Level 4/EARTH]

[Machine Type/Effect]

[1000/1000]

"Infernoids that can't be Normal Summoned, huh? But even if they're powerful monsters, they're useless if they're sent to the Graveyard. And the monster on your Field has only changed from Ojama Yellow with 0 ATK to Planet Pathfinder with 1000 ATK."

Joey Wheeler did remember the effect of Planet Pathfinder: by Tributing itself, it could add a Field Spell Card from the Deck to the Hand. But he didn't think Hayato would Tribute it to use its effect right now.

After all, Hayato had already used his Normal Summon opportunity this turn to Summon Ojama Yellow. If he Tributed Planet Pathfinder, wouldn't he have no monsters left on the Field?

But just now, as Joey Wheeler was thinking this, he saw that Hayato actually proactively activated the effect of the monster on his Field.

"Activate the effect of Planet Pathfinder! I Tribute this card to add one Field Spell Card from my Deck to my Hand. I choose Dark World - The Gates of Dark World."

The mechanical cart used for exploring alien surfaces extended its external mechanical arm. A laser beam carved a card onto the ground. After the card was carved and added to Hayato's hand, the cart stopped operating due to depleted energy.

"You were thinking that after I Tribute Planet Pathfinder, I wouldn't have any monsters left on the Field? Heh heh, then let me show you the ultimate power I've obtained, Joey Wheeler, and Yugi!" Not rushing to activate the card in his hand, Hayato pointed a finger towards the sky and shouted, "Here, I shall reveal the Special Summoning conditions of the Infernoid!"

"If the total Level of Effect Monsters on my Field is 8 or less, I Banish two Infernoid monsters from my Graveyard, and Special Summon Infernoid Baal from my Graveyard!"

"Nani!?" "Special Summon from the Graveyard?!"

Behind Hayato, the figures of the two Infernoid monsters that were previously sent to the Graveyard appeared, then instantly shattered and dispersed. However, although their forms dispersed, their fiercely burning soul fire was still preserved, transforming into blue flames restrained within tubes.

"Crush, memories of my soul! Now become a star, become the lightning that pierces destiny!"

"Infernoid Baal, Descent! Ready to strike!"

[Infernoid Baal] [Level 7/FIRE]

[Fiend-Type/Special Summon/Effect]

[2600/0]

The towering Thunder Demon God stood firm on Hayato's Field.

"A Level 7 monster, 2600 ATK, even higher than Dark Magician! It was Special Summoned so easily!"

While Joey Wheeler exclaimed in surprise, Yugi couldn't help but frown, his expression serious, because he knew it was too early to exclaim just yet.

Just now, he had heard very clearly that Infernoid Baal was Special Summoned by Banishing two Infernoid monsters from the Graveyard, in the situation where the total Level of Effect Monsters on Hayato's Field is 8 or less. And the Level of the Infernoid Baal that was just Summoned is exactly 7.

Although he didn't remember the exact quantity of Infernoid monsters that were sent to the Graveyard just now, Yugi was certain that the quantity was at least six or more. At least one more monster of the caliber of Infernoid Baal could still be Special Summoned onto the Field.

And sure enough, after Summoning Infernoid Baal, Hayato took out cards from his Graveyard again. "Currently, I only have one Infernoid Baal with Level 7 on my Field. I haven't reached the limit of the Infernoid's power yet. This time, I will Banish three Infernoid monsters from my Graveyard!"

"Unsatisfied souls, emerge from the Abyss where even radiance cannot reach! Transform into the dark snake and crush the radiance!"

"Ninth Sephirah 'Divine Contamination', Enemy of 'Principle'—Infernoid Lilith!"

Different colored flames flickered and converged, transforming into an ominous and evil purple. Restrained within tubes, they formed the shape of a giant serpent with wings. The mechanical demon named after the first woman, 'Lilith,' spread its wings and stood tall behind Hayato.

[Infernoid Lilith] [Level 9/FIRE]

[Fiend-Type/Special Summon/Effect]

[2900/2900]

In the Infernoid Deck used by Hayato, there were actually beings divided into three ranks. The standard for dividing these ranks was not based on the Level of ordinary Duel Monsters, but rather on the quantity of monsters the Infernoid needed to Banish for their respective Special Summons.

Excluding the most special one, Infernoid Decatron, which is the only one that can be Normal Summoned, from Level 1 Infernoid Satan, Level 2 Infernoid Beelzebul, Level 3 Infernoid Lucifer, to Level 4 Infernoid Astaroth, all are monsters that need to Banish one Infernoid monster from the hand or Graveyard to be Special Summoned from the hand. They are beings of the 'Lower Rank'.

As for the 'Middle Rank' beings, Level 5 Infernoid Asmoday, Level 6 Infernoid Belphegor, Level 7 Infernoid Baal, and Level 8 Infernoid Attondel, the quantity needed to Banish increases to two. However, besides the hand, they can also constantly revive from the Graveyard.

There are only two Infernoid monsters in the 'Upper Rank'. Both require Banishing three Infernoid monsters from the hand or Graveyard to be Special Summoned. Furthermore, the common ability of other Infernoid, 'Tribute one monster to Banish one card from the Opponent's Graveyard,' is upgraded to the ability to negate the Opponent's effects of a specific type by Tributing a monster.

And Level 9 Infernoid Lilith is the first 'Upper Rank' Infernoid monster Hayato has used so far. After all, few of his previous opponents could withstand the power of Infernoid Baal, so there was no need to use an 'Upper Rank' Infernoid.

If the first appearance of Infernoid Baal merely made Joey Wheeler exclaim at its great power, the current appearance of Infernoid Lilith simply by its existence gave Joey Wheeler a chilling feeling. It was as if the being before him was no longer a Duel Monster, but some kind of enemy of humanity sealed within a card. That feeling originating from physiological disgust and fear couldn't be faked.

At this moment, no matter how much Joey Wheeler didn't want to believe, he had to start somewhat believing the truth of what Hayato had said before. Such a monster was simply not a card that could be designed by human ability. Could it truly have been born from the darkness within Hayato's inner thoughts?

To be able to give birth to such a monster... could it be that Hayato is truly—

"When Infernoid Lilith is Special Summoned, I activate her effect, an effect you're quite familiar with, Joey Wheeler." Hayato extended a finger, pointing at the two Set cards in Joey Wheeler's Spell/Trap Zone. "Destroy all Spell/Trap Cards on both players' Fields, except for The Void!"

# Chapter 583: Not Letting Me Gain Card Advantage Is More Painful Than Letting Me Lose It

The [Infernoid] archetype is the archetype that the Spell/Trap Cards of the [Infernoid] Deck belong to. Some cards that support the [Infernity] archetype and some monsters also belong to this archetype, but it's clear that Joey Wheeler most likely doesn't have such cards.

Since Hayato himself didn't have any Spell/Trap Cards on his Field, the effect of Infernoid Lilith was simply like Harpie's Feather Duster to him.

"It's a Spell/Trap Zone destruction effect, huh? In that case, I'll Chain the effect of Infernoid Lilith and activate this Set Card in the Spell/Trap Zone!"

As Joey Wheeler pressed the button to activate a Set Card, one of the two Set Cards in his Spell/Trap Zone that were about to be destroyed flipped open. "Trap Card, Feint Plan! Neither player can attack Set monsters!"

In Chain Resolution, the Giant Serpent Infernoid Lilith on Hayato's Field flapped its transparent white giant wings, stirring up a gale that swept across Joey Wheeler 's Spell/Trap Zone. However, before the two cards were completely destroyed, Feint Plan had already taken effect, leaving a restriction on the Field.

Neither player could attack Set monsters, which meant that Hayato, without a monster on his Field with the ability to attack directly, was temporarily unable to attack Joey Wheeler , who only had one Set monster.

The gale sent the activated Feint Plan and the other card, Sakuretsu Armor, together into the Graveyard. Joey Wheeler smiled proudly, having calculated against Hayato. "Although my first turn field setup was interrupted, I won't hold Yugi back. At least, I don't want to take damage before his turn begins."

Hayato looked at the smug Joey Wheeler and sneered.

"Heh heh, is that so? Feint Plan can indeed effectively obstruct the opponent's Attack when you only have one Set monster on your Field, but you can only barely survive with that. Let me show you the even more powerful strength of the [Infernoid] monsters."

"First, I activate this Field Spell Card, Dark World - Shadow Dystopia!"

As Hayato spoke, he placed the Field Spell Card Dark World - Shadow Dystopia, which he had searched from his Hand earlier, into the Field Zone on his Duel Disk.

Instantly, the scenery changed. The original ground was replaced by pitch-black soil, and dark green flames surged all around, transforming the original modern environment into a confined world of fear.

The flames within the Field even invaded the bodies of the two [Infernoid] monsters on Hayato's Field. Their blue and purple lights were infected and turned dark green.

However, what Yugi and Joey Wheeler found strange was that this Field Spell Card clearly did something to the two monsters on Hayato's Field, but the two [Infernoid] monsters only had their Attribute changed. Their ATK and DEF did not change.

Infernoid Baal [7☆/FIRE → 7☆ DARK]

Infernoid Lilith [9☆/FIRE → 9☆/DARK]

"Because of the effect of Dark World - Shadow Dystopia, the Attribute of all monsters on the Field will be rewritten to DARK Attribute. With the support of this Field Spell Card, the [Infernoid] monsters will unleash extremely terrifying power."

Hayato drew another card from his Hand. "Be glad that Feint Plan delayed your death, Joey Wheeler and Yugi. I Set this card from my Hand, and then I End Turn."

"Now, begin your powerless struggle~"

[Hayato: 8000 LP, Hand 5 → 2]

Infernoid Baal [ATK 2600]

Infernoid Lilith [ATK 2900]

[Set Card]

Field: Dark World - Shadow Dystopia

"Infernoid monsters that unleash their true power after being changed to DARK Attribute? Indeed, even though there's no change in their ATK and DEF values, the sense of threat they give off is becoming heavier," Joey Wheeler said, looking at the two [Infernoid] monsters on Hayato's Field. "However, I'm not fighting alone."

"I believe Yugi has enough ability to defeat your monsters, Hayato, just like I believe you couldn't possibly be the ruthless person you claim to be!"

Stepping aside, Yugi took Joey Wheeler 's place and stepped forward. "Ah, I'll do my best, Joey Wheeler . If the [Infernoid] monsters are truly born from the darkness within Hayato's inner thoughts, then we will defeat that darkness and bring back the original Hayato!"

"My Turn, Draw!"

[ Joey Wheeler → Yugi: 8000 LP, Hand 2 → 6]

Looking at the drawn card, Yugi activated that card directly. "I use the effect of Magician of Chaos in my Hand! I can activate this effect by showing this card from my Hand to the Opponent. I add one Dark Magician or a monster with 'Dark Magician' written in its card name from my Deck to my Hand, except for a Ritual Monster, and then place one card from my Hand on Top of the Deck."

"I choose Dark Magician. I add it to my Hand, and then I activate the Magic Card Polymerization! I use Dark Magician and Magician of Chaos from my Hand as Fusion Material!"

Inserting the Polymerization Magic Card into the Spell & Trap Zone on his Duel Disk, Yugi sent the two monsters from his Hand to the Graveyard as Fusion Material. Looking at Hayato, he said, "To awaken you, Hayato, using this Bond Card between you and me is most suitable."

"Seize the victory that shines in the future! Overlapping feelings, connecting hearts will change the World!"

"Fusion Summon! Dark Magicians!"

Dark Magicians, which had appeared in the Duel where Hayato and Yugi teamed up against Pegasus, reappeared on Yugi's Field. The stern Dark Magician and the playful Dark Magician Girl stood side-by-side.

Although this Master and Disciple pair appeared, the Fusion Material requirements for Dark Magicians are actually quite lenient. It only requires one of the Master and Disciple pair, Dark Magician or Dark Magician Girl, plus one Spellcaster-Type monster for Fusion Summon.

Dark Magicians [8☆/DARK]

[Spellcaster Type/Fusion/Effect]

[2800/2300]

Dark Magicians, being a DARK Attribute monster itself, wouldn't become DARK Attribute a second time due to the effect of the Field Spell Card Dark World - Shadow Dystopia. However, even though he had summoned this considerably powerful Fusion Monster, Yugi was still not satisfied and drew another card.

"Although the power of Dark Magicians has surpassed Infernoid Baal on your Field, it's still a bit lower than Infernoid Lilith. But if I strengthen it with this Equip Spell Card..."

"I activate the Equip Spell Card Rod of the Mind's Eye! This card can only be equipped to a Spellcaster-Type monster. It increases the equipped monster's ATK by 800 Points."

"And because a Spell/Trap Card effect was activated, I Chain activate the effect of Dark Magicians! I Draw a card from my Deck, and if that card is a Spell/Trap Card, I can Set it directly on my Spell/Trap Zone."

After pulling off this combo, Yugi reached for the top of his Deck.

First, he utilized the effect of Magician of Chaos to search out Dark Magician from his Deck and then placed a Trap Card from his Hand that couldn't normally be activated this Turn on top of the Deck. Then, he Fusion Summoned Dark Magicians and used its effect to Set the card placed on top of the Deck onto his Spell/Trap Zone.

If the card Set on the Spell/Trap Zone in this way is a Quick-Play Spell Card or a Trap Card, it can even be activated directly. This kind of combo is quite powerful.

But unfortunately, Yugi wasn't the first turn player; he was the second turn player whose Turn began after Hayato had finished setting up.

"Before that, I also have an effect to activate, Yugi."

Holding Rod of the Mind's Eye, Dark Magician Girl had just raised her hand to use her ability to Draw a card for Yugi, when she suddenly realized that Infernoid Lilith, who should have been on Hayato's Field, had silently approached her at some point. Its slender tail stinger, wrapped in dark green lightning, fiercely pierced into her chest!

*Splurch!*

Accompanied by Hayato's declaration, Yugi was surprised to find that Dark Magicians, which he had summoned with great difficulty, was pierced like meat skewers by Infernoid Lilith's tail, piercing through the bodies of both Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl. Their power was instantly converted into fuel for Infernoid Lilith!?

"Once per Turn, when the effect of a monster other than Infernoid Lilith is activated, I can Tribute one monster on my Field to activate her effect, negating that activation and banishing it."

Hayato's voice came through. "Not only that, the second effect of the Field Spell Card Dark World - Shadow Dystopia is that once per Turn, when I would Tribute a monster on my Field to activate a Card effect, I can Tribute one DARK Attribute monster on the Opponent's Field instead of a monster on my Field."

Hearing this, Joey Wheeler was a bit surprised. "Meaning that—!"

"Tributing Dark Magicians on my Field, and then negating and banishing the effect of Dark Magicians? That effect is a bit too unfair, isn't it?" Even Dark Yugi, whose pressure resistance had been tempered by years of facing the trap-heavy decks of Yugi Mutou and Hayato, couldn't help but rant when he heard Hayato's [Infernoid] effect combo.

Not only does it negate the Opponent's monster, but the cost is paid by the Opponent themselves? How can there be such an annoying card?

Hayato just smiled, grumbling internally: 'The [Infernoid] monsters are still considered good. In the future, there are even more annoying cards, like the endless negation of Toadally Awesome and Giantrainer which gives the self-restriction to the Opponent, and so on.'

The card that should have been drawn remained on top of Yugi's Deck because the effect of Dark Magicians was negated and banished. To complete this combo, Yugi's originally abundant six cards in Hand were now only two, but he couldn't do anything on the Field.

Even worse, he had only consumed the recyclable effects of Hayato's Field Spell Card Dark World - Shadow Dystopia and Infernoid Lilith. Infernoid Baal and that Set card in Hayato's Spell/Trap Zone hadn't been used yet.

Taking a deep breath, Yugi looked to the side and shouted, " Joey Wheeler ."

He didn't need many words. Even though Yugi just called out Joey Wheeler 's name, Joey Wheeler instantly understood what Yugi meant and replied with a thumbs-up. "Oh, go ahead, Yugi!"

Receiving Joey Wheeler 's reply, Yugi nodded, looked back at Hayato, and drew out a card from his Hand. "Although Dark Magicians was banished, I haven't performed a Normal Summon this Turn yet. I Tribute the Set monster on my Field that Joey Wheeler summoned as a Tribute for a Tribute Summon!"

"Come forth, Dark Magician Girl!"

When Dark Magicians is destroyed, it has the ability to Special Summon one Dark Magician and one Dark Magician Girl each from the Hand, Deck, or Graveyard. Although Dark Magicians was banished this time, fortunately, Yugi had kept Dark Magician Girl in his Hand earlier as a reserve, so he wasn't left unable to summon even one monster.

The lively Black Magician Dark Magician Girl appeared on Yugi's Field, bouncing. Her cute face was now angrily puffed out, looking annoyed at Infernoid Lilith on Hayato's Field. She held grudges and wouldn't quickly forget that monster had just Tributed her.

Dark Magician Girl [ATK 2000 → 2300]

Because Yugi had sent one Dark Magician to the Graveyard as Fusion Material when he Fusion Summoned Dark Magicians earlier, Dark Magician Girl's ATK was now increased by 300 Points due to her own effect. However, compared to Hayato's two [Infernoid] monsters, it was still slightly insufficient.

However, Yugi still had one last card in Hand that he hadn't used yet.

"I activate the Magic Card Graceful Charity! Both players replenish the number of cards in their Hand to 6. Because of this effect, I can Draw six cards." The last card in Yugi's Hand was activated. It was Graceful Charity, a card that perfectly interprets the concept that "powerful cards are accompanied by huge risk."

While it can replenish a large amount of your own Hand, it also allows the Opponent to enjoy an equal Benefit. If you're not careful, you can play with fire and get burned.

"Tsk, since I have two cards in Hand, I can only Draw four cards." Hayato's heart was bleeding, not expecting Yugi to use Graceful Charity so quickly. For him, preventing him from gaining card advantage was more painful than him losing card advantage.

The four cards Hayato drew were nothing special, bringing him no great surprise, but when Yugi saw one of the six cards he drew, his eyes lit up.

Drawing out that card, Yugi solemnly said to the card in his Hand, "If you can dispel that evil eye that had previously corroded the World, please assist me now and help me drive away the darkness wrapped around my partner."

"I activate this card's ability, The Eye of Timaeus!"

End of Chapter

# Chapter 584: Mutou Yuugi Doesn't Rule Bend

"[Eye of Timaeus]!"

Just like the human hosts of Ultraman in new-generation tokusatsu shows always inexplicably shout "Ultraman" before transforming, as if unable to transform otherwise, Yugi held up the card in his hand.

Compared to before, Yugi didn't say things like "I activate this monster's effect" or "I activate this Spell Card." He simply said, "I activate the effect of [Eye of Timaeus]," since he himself found it hard to say what type of card it actually was.

However, more egregious than not being able to distinguish the card type was the fact that there wasn't even a single word on the [Eye of Timaeus] card itself; it was just a card with only the card art printed on it.

But Yugi could swear on his Duelist's glory that he would never rule-bend.

Probably.

"[Eye of Timaeus]?" Standing outside the burning shadow flame, Rafael, who was watching the Duel, frowned.

Not long ago, after the Doma Three Swordsmen obtained the Three Egyptian Gods cards and presented them to Dartz, according to the original plan, the Orichalcos God, having gained the power of the Three Egyptian Gods, would open the Dimensional Gate to the Different Dimension and begin the process of World Destruction. At first, signs of this indeed appeared.

Spreading from the Organization Doma's secret Island across the World, the virtual projection of Duel Monsters appeared to materialize without the support of a virtual projection system. However, this was actually the Dimensional Gate between the Human World and the Spirit World being opened, and the Card Spirits were descending into the Human World.

Theoretically, next, Organization Doma would unleash the power they had accumulated for ten thousand years amidst the chaos caused by the Card Spirits, inciting the descent of war to collect more darkness from human hearts for the Orichalcos God. Ultimately, the Orichalcos God would cleanse all humans from the surface.

However, the plan only succeeded in the first step.

After the Card Spirits descended into the Real World, the power of the Orichalcos God, which maintained the Dimensional Gate between the Spirit World and the Human World, transformed into an eye in the sky.

However, the Dimensional Gate was only open for a few hours. Before their online network trolls could even make the topic trend, that eye was inexplicably blown up in Japan by a dragon that suddenly appeared!

Rafael was shocked at the time. What the hell was that thing, and where did it even come from?!

He, Alister, and Valon had rushed to the Palace where Dartz was located to report the unexpected situation, but they heard a loud bang from afar at the Palace entrance. Afterward, they found Hayato appearing beside Dartz.

Rafael had previously sent people to gather information about that giant dragon of unknown origin. After all, if it happened once, it could happen again. For the sake of the plan's future progress, Rafael felt it was necessary to know his enemy and himself. He didn't expect that now, as Yugi used Eye of Timaeus, he would actually see that giant dragon again before Yugi.

It seemed that the Nameless Pharaoh was indeed a great threat. He and the card in his Hand must be eliminated.

Rafael's heavy thoughts remained hidden in his heart. On Yugi's Field, the Legendary Dragon Timaeus, responding to Yugi's call and projecting its power into reality, opened its eye and looked across at Yugi's opponent.

Then, it saw Hayato.

"?"

Timaeus was a bit confused, because if it hadn't misheard just now, wasn't Mutou Yuugi, the user it had chosen, supposed to be dispelling the darkness from the Duelist on the opponent's side?

It knew Hayato too. Timaeus had helped Hayato return from the Spirit World to the Human World not long ago. If Hayato were a person with a dark heart, even if he had the power to defeat the Orichalcos God, Timaeus and the other two Legendary Dragons would never have asked Hayato for help.

Slightly tilting its head to look strangely at the serious Yugi, Timaeus released its power, transforming into radiance that surged towards the only monster on Yugi's Field—Dark Magician Girl.

Holy light enveloped Dark Magician Girl. After the radiance dissipated, what appeared on Yugi's Field was Dark Magician Girl who had changed her magician attire into a heroic set of armor, holding a sword and standing atop Timaeus!

"This is the new power I've gained, Hayato. Eye of Timaeus has the ability to awaken the dormant power within a monster. Dark Magician Girl has now awakened the courage in her heart and has been promoted to Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight!"

"Witness this power, Hayato!"

[Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight][Level 7/Dark]

[Dragon/Fusion/Effect]

[ATK 2600/DEF 1700]

Joey Wheeler said excitedly, "Nice job, Yugi! With this, [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]'s ATK has increased to the same level as Infernoid Baal!"

Joey Wheeler glanced at his Graveyard. The monster he had placed on the field earlier, which Yugi tributed and sent to the Graveyard, was [AD Changer]. It had the ability to banish itself from the Graveyard to change the battle position of one monster on the field.

Although it was just a monster with 100 ATK/DEF, seemingly a small fry, Joey Wheeler was no longer the Duel Monsters novice who only looked at ATK like back then. He wouldn't look down on this card.

Now, Yugi only needed the power of [AD Changer] to twist the battle position of Infernoid Baal on Hayato's Field, changing it from its Attack Position with 2600 ATK to a fragile 0 DEF, and he could easily break through that monster.

However, it was still Yugi's turn. Although they shared the Graveyard and could use the effects of cards in each other's Graveyard, Joey Wheeler wasn't sure if Yugi knew that he had a card with a usable effect in his Graveyard.

However, what slightly surprised Joey Wheeler was that Yugi actually directly declared the Battle Phase?

"Enter my Battle Phase, I attack with [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]," Yugi declared seemingly reckless, completely ignoring the set card in Hayato's Spell/Trap Zone and the reality that neither of the two monsters on Hayato's Field had lower ATK than [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight].

He even pointed his finger at Infernoid Lilith, the monster with the highest ATK on Hayato's Field, "The target of the attack is that Infernoid Lilith!"

"How could he?! He's using [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight] with 2600 ATK to actively attack Infernoid Lilith which has a higher ATK of 2900!?"

Amidst Joey Wheeler 's confused questions, Dark Magician Girl, riding the giant dragon, pointed her sword at Infernoid Lilith. As if to avenge the past, she flew up with Timaeus beneath her and swooped down on Infernoid Lilith!

Hayato looked at [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight] and felt a little awkward, realizing that he seemed to completely forget what effect [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight] summoned by Eye of Timaeus had. Not only this one, which might be the anime version's effect, but he couldn't even quite remember the real card version's effect.

Because the effect of the real card version of Eye of Timaeus is actually to send one Dark Magician monster on the field to the Graveyard as Fusion Material, and then Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster that lists that monster's card name as a specific Fusion Material.

And as everyone knows, although Dark Magician has Fusion forms with many monsters as specified Fusion Material, the most popular one is the existence known as "Red Dad". Although it's still a member of the Turtle Fodder, its power is undeniable.

Logically, if you have Dark Magician on the field and play Eye of Timaeus, anyone would summon "Red Dad" out, right?

For this reason, Hayato hadn't seen anyone use the effect of Eye of Timaeus to summon [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight] for a long time, to the point where he truly couldn't remember what kind of monster effect she had.

However, there was nothing to fear.

Hayato's Infernoid Lilith on the field had the powerful ability to tribute one of his monsters when a monster effect is activated, to negate activation and banish it. No matter how powerful [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]'s effect was, it would be meaningless if it couldn't activate!

Then, Hayato heard Yugi say proudly, "The power held by [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight] is the power of the pure heart within Dark Magician Girl's heart. Any enemy will be dissolved before her."

"When this card battles an opponent's monster, I can send one card from my hand to the Graveyard and destroy that monster without performing damage calculation." Yugi sent a card from his hand to the Graveyard and said proudly, "This effect is always active and does not need to be activated. It also does not enter a chain!"

"Nani!?"

"How can there be such a rule-bending effect?!"

The sword in [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]'s hand radiated dark magic. Although it was pitch-black mystical power, it radiated a holy light that was brighter than the flames on the Infernoids. With one slash, it easily cleaved the 2900 ATK Infernoid Lilith in half!

After sending Infernoid Lilith to the Graveyard, Hayato looked at [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight] who had returned to Yugi's Field and frowned.

After experiencing the effect once, Hayato's memory was slightly jogged, and he recalled the effect of the real card version of [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]. It seemed to be a quick effect card destruction ability that could discard one card from hand once per turn to target and destroy one face-up card on the opponent's Field, and it could also be activated during the opponent's turn. It wasn't weak, but it wasn't strong either.

After all, which boss monster these days doesn't have targeting immunity or destruction resistance, not to mention the cost of discarding a card from hand, which results in card disadvantage.

But the power of the genuine [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight] on Yugi's Field was relatively amazing. It could be used just by battling a monster and discarding a card from hand, and it was an ability similar to a Continuous Spell Card that didn't need to be activated. The destruction also seemed to not target, and if it could attack multiple times, there was no once-per-turn restriction either.

"Tsk, you've got some skill, Yugi. You actually destroyed my Infernoid Lilith on the field. But because of that, the total star level of effect monsters on my field is now back to Level 7. Next turn, I can completely summon new Infernoid monsters again."

Hearing Hayato's harsh words, Yugi drew a card from his hand and said, "Sore wa dou kana?"

"In my Main Phase 2, I activate this card, Soul Release!"

"Nani!"

As Yugi's card activated, Hayato saw that from his Graveyard, radiance was rising. The Infernoid monsters that were sent to the Graveyard by Monster Gate earlier were now being banished from the Graveyard, including the Infernoid Lilith that was just destroyed!

Yugi said confidently, "Even if they are destroyed again and again, the Infernoid monsters that can constantly revive from the Graveyard are indeed quite powerful, almost like they are undying. However, if they are banished, they won't be able to revive anymore, right?"

"Damn it!" Hayato looked annoyed as the Infernoid monsters he had finally managed to pile up in his Graveyard were banished. He lowered his head and looked at his hand. What was slightly fortunate was that because of Yugi's Graceful Charity just now, Hayato drew a handful of Infernoids, with a total of four Infernoid monsters in his hand.

Among them was the Level 2 Infernoid Beelzebul, whose effect was to return one face-up card on the field to the owner's hand once per turn. It was usually used in conjunction with cards like Lava Golem.

[Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]'s effect was a bit rule-bending, but so what? Wouldn't it be fine just to return her to hand? Hayato thought so.

Then, Yugi played another card, saying afterward, "However, considering that you drew four cards just now due to the effect of Graceful Charity, I'm still a little uneasy just banishing a few Infernoid monsters from your Graveyard."

"So, I will activate this card as well, [Synchro Hero]!"

"Huh!?"

A card that Hayato had never expected appeared in Yugi's hand. Seeing Hayato's surprised expression, Yugi explained, "After Yusei Fudo and the others came here, I exchanged some cards with Yusei Fudo while you and Judai were dueling. Among them was this rare card that can increase a monster's level. I didn't expect it to be usable now."

"The effect of this Equip Spell Card is to increase one monster's level by 1 Star Level, and its ATK increases by 500 points." Yugi said, pointing his finger at Hayato's Field, "I will grant this powerful equip card to your Infernoid Baal!"

"Eek!"

Despite Hayato's resistant expression, he could only watch as the star level of his Infernoid Baal on the field changed.

[Infernoid Baal][Level 7/Dark → Level 8/Dark]

[ATK 2600 → 3100]

"Set one card from hand, I end my turn." Leaving one card in his hand to activate [Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]'s ability, Yugi ended his turn.

[Yugi: 8000 LP, Hand 1]

[Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight][ATK 2600]

[Set card][Synchro Hero]

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 585: Bonds Gathered Together! (9K)

Hayato looked at the Infernoid Valon on his Field, feeling quite helpless.

Although Infernoid monsters were very good at Special Summoning themselves repeatedly, the prerequisite was that Hayato's Field wasn't restricted by Levels. Right now, while Infernoid Valon's ATK had increased by 100 points higher than Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its Level being exactly 8 was somewhat awkward.

It wasn't that there was absolutely no solution. The Infernoid monsters' common ability to Tribute a monster to banish an opponent's card could still be used. Hayato could simply Tribute Infernoid Valon to easily lift the Summoning restriction, and then Special Summon it from the Graveyard later.

Anyway, Infernoid monsters didn't feel pain. Even if they did, it wasn't Hayato's problem.

Although many of the Infernoid monsters accumulated in the Graveyard had been consumed by Yugi's Soul Release just now, Hayato still had four Infernoid monsters in his Hand, which was barely enough, even sufficient for Hayato to Special Summon Infernoid Beelzebul, which could return Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight to Yugi's Hand, and then Special Summon Infernoid Valon again. His Resources were still quite ample.

But Hayato was more concerned about the unknown Set Card in Yugi's Spell/Trap Zone. If possible, Hayato also wanted to Summon Infernoid Astaroth from his Hand. It had an ability similar to Mystical Space Typhoon, allowing it to destroy one Spell/Trap Card on the Field once per turn at the cost of not being able to attack.

Tsk, this is troublesome.

Hayato temporarily put aside the conflict in his heart and said, "During your End Phase, Yugi, the third Effect of the Field Spell Card, Void Imagination, activates."

Yugi frowned, "The third Effect?"

"Isn't that too many Effects on one Card? If things keep going like this, will Card Effects even fit on a single Card anymore?" Joey Wheeler ranted.

As Hayato snapped his fingers, two masses of dark green flames landed on the Field, but not on Hayato's Field. Instead, they appeared next to Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight?

"During the End Phase of both players' turns, Special Summon as many Shadow Tokens as possible in Defense Position to the turn player's Field, equal to the number of monsters Tributed during this turn."

[Shadow Token] [Level 3/DARK]

[Fiend-Type/Token]

[ATK 1000/DEF 1000]

"Because I Tributed Magician's Disciple and Joey Wheeler's Set monster during my turn, two Tokens were placed?"

Seeing two more monsters appear on his Field, Yugi couldn't help but think of the monster Hayato liked to use very much—Lava Golem.

Noticing Yugi's gaze, Hayato spread his hands helplessly, "Don't look at me like that. This Effect is Forced Activation by the Field Spell Card. I didn't want two more obstructions on your Field either."

"Alright, it's my Turn now, Draw!" Shouting with considerable aura, Hayato drew a Card from his Deck, showing a slightly surprised expression, "Well, it came just in time."

"I have to say, Yugi, although you used that Eye of Timaeus to Fusion Summon Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight with a powerful Effect from your Fusion Deck, Destiny has decreed that your Effort will instead propel me to a higher realm."

Inserting the Card from his Hand into the Duel Disk's Spell & Trap Zone, even though they were indoors, rising airflow appeared around Hayato, causing his normally drooping black hair to be blown upwards against gravity. "My Deck has responded to me! I feel it, this is the correct position! The Infernoids love me, Hayato Kobayashi!"

"I Activate the Continuous Spell Card, Void Dream! As long as this Card remains face-up on the Field, all Infernoid monsters on my Field with original Levels of 2 or higher have their Levels become 1, at the cost of Battle Damage dealt by them being halved!"

[Lair of Darkness]

The lightning on the demon god who commanded storms violently pulsed, tearing open the lamp tubes on its body, which were both the vessel for its power source and its power limiter. Dark green flames spread across its entire body, and the aura of a world-destroying demon king grew even more profound.

[Infernoid Valon] [Level 8/DARK → Level 2/DARK]

"This is bad!" Joey Wheeler exclaimed in astonishment. "It's the most powerful Level-reducing Card for the Infernoid Deck!"

"Yugi finally managed to increase Infernoid Valon's Level to 8 to complete the Lock, but Hayato broke through it with the Power of just one Card! That monster with such terrifying Power is now completely liberated!"

Reaching up to his forehead, Hayato smoothed his wind-blown hair, making it stand up as if gelled. "I will become the approaching storm!"

"This is, Power!" Saying this, Hayato pointed towards the sky. "This level is still not the Limit of the Infernoids. I need even greater Power!"

"I Set one Card from my Hand. I Activate the second Effect of Void Dream! I Send this Card to the Graveyard, then I select Fusion Material for an Infernoid Fusion Monster from my Hand or Field and Send them to the Graveyard, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from my Fusion Deck!"

"Nani?!"

Yugi was also surprised. He had thought that Infernoid monsters already possessed such powerful individual strength, so they must simply be monsters that primarily focused on Special Summoning. But now Hayato was saying he was going to Summon an Infernoid Fusion Monster?

It was hard to imagine what kind of Fusion form Infernoid monsters, already so powerful, could possibly have!

"The Fusion Material I choose are Infernoid Valon on my Field, and the four monsters in my Hand: Infernoid Satan, Infernoid Beelzebul, Infernoid Lucifer, and Infernoid Astaroth."

"However, in addition to that, if the monster Special Summoned from the Fusion Deck is only present on the Opponent's Field, I can also choose six more monsters from my Deck as Fusion Material!"

"So, adding Infernoid Decatron, Infernoid Asmoday, Infernoid Belphegor, Infernoid Adramelech, Infernoid Lilith, and Infernoid Onuncu, I will Send all eleven of the above monsters to the Graveyard as Fusion Material!"

A terrifying number of Infernoid monsters were sent to the Graveyard by Hayato in one go. Behind him, the phantoms of one demon king after another manifested, then suddenly shattered, leaving only the various colored lights on their bodies rising into the air, arranging themselves into a reversed Qliphoth.

"God is enraged by the actions of man, intending to bring down a tide of world-destroying fire. The reversed Qliphoth gather, and the Power of Creation is now in my hands!"

"The vanguard of God descends here! Come forth, my Tamashii!"

"Fusion Summon, Infernoid Tierra!"

Ten colors of flames surged into Infernoid Decatron, which served as the Core. The Power of these flames was difficult for even the Power of the Field Spell Card, Void Imagination, to erode or change. Gradually, the Energy evolved into a massive physical entity!

An ominous black-purple right half, a sacred pure white left half, four pairs of symmetrically shaped diamond-like light wings of different colors, golden long hair flowing behind its head like an angel's, and a pair of scarlet bull horns rising towards the sky like a demon's.

All sorts of contradictory appearances gathered on this one monster.

Its massive size completely transcended the shackles of the Duel Monsters System, directly breaking through the top floor of Industrial Illusions and appearing outside the building. This Fusion Monster, completely unrestrained, grew wantonly. Although its feet were on the ground floor, its terrifying size could stretch all the way up to the top floor where Hayato, Yugi, and Joey Wheeler were Dueling. They could only see its towering upper body looking down at Joey Wheeler and Yugi!

[Infernoid Tierra] [Level 11/FIRE → Level 11/DARK]

[Fiend-Type/Fusion/Effect]

[ATK 3400/DEF 3600]

The enormous commotion even stunned Kaiba, Alister, Valon, and Kujaku Mai, who were Dueling on the lower floors. Looking at the giant monster outside the window, which they couldn't see the full extent of even by looking up, they all fell silent.

And the pressure was even greater for Joey Wheeler and Yugi, who were directly facing the giant beast.

"That size, isn't it too terrifying? Can the darkness within Hayato awaken a monster of this magnitude?!" Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Joey Wheeler said with a voice that couldn't help but tremble. However, remembering that they had to defeat Hayato in this Duel to awaken his past self, Joey Wheeler forcefully suppressed his fear with his courage.

Yugi's expression was also serious. He looked at Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight on his Field. "The dark power of this monster before us is probably what's confusing the mind of a True Duelist like Hayato. Although it's difficult, hang in there, Timaeus, Dark Magician Girl!"

(Dark Magician Girl: How about you go instead?)

(Timaeus: This is acting, right? I feel like it's real.)

Rafael, standing on the top floor, also felt immense pressure. The moment Infernoid Tierra descended and broke through the top floor, he narrowly avoided being pushed down with the wall and falling to his death. Now standing on the edge of the top floor's cliff, he couldn't help but step back inside a bit to avoid an accident.

"Tierra, is it a variation of Terra, Earth?" Looking at the giant Infernoid Tierra, Rafael used thinking to distract himself. "Could it be that Hayato Kobayashi is so important to Lord Dartz because of this inner darkness? This aura, compared to it, almost makes me feel like this guy is some antagonist who wants to destroy the world."

Rafael's intuition was quite accurate. In fact, the Infernoid Tierra that Hayato had Summoned at this moment was indeed a world-destroying demon king in the official Yu-Gi-Oh! "Duel Terminal World" story. Its true form was Tierra, the Goddess of Destruction. As the name suggests, it was a big shot of the Creation God level. The Infernoid Tierra before them wasn't even its complete form.

However, even so, using Infernoid Tierra still gave Hayato a long-lost feeling of physical burden. He hadn't felt this way in a long time.

"Infernoid Tierra is the ultimate Infernoid, a vanguard of God that exercises the Power of God to destroy the world. And I, who command this monster, will undoubtedly become the King among Gods." Hayato said, pointing at Yugi. "Based on the type of material used during the Fusion Summon, Infernoid Tierra activates multiple Effects upon successful Fusion Summon!"

"If three or more types were used, both players select three Cards from their respective Fusion Decks and send them to the Graveyard. The monsters I choose are these three."

Saying this, Hayato sent three Fusion Monster Cards to the Graveyard.

Yugi saw the cards Hayato sent to the Graveyard: Ojama King, Ojama Knight, and Gaia the Dragon Champion. These Fusion Monsters seemed out of place in an Infernoid Deck, making Yugi wonder if these cards were just filler, or if Hayato's so-called "pure Infernoid" Deck was based on his personal standard of "purity."

Yugi also chose three Fusion Monsters: Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast, Arcana Knight Joker, and Super Magical Swordsman - Dark Paladin.

Although they were sent from the Fusion Deck to the Graveyard, this didn't mean Yugi and Joey Wheeler could Special Summon these monsters with Cards like Monster Reborn. This is because Fusion Monsters have a "Resurrection Restriction." If they haven't been properly Summoned once, they cannot be Special Summoned even if sent to the Graveyard.

Yugi sent the cards to the Graveyard, but it wasn't over yet. Infernoid Tierra's Effect continued to activate.

"If five or more types were used, Infernoid Tierra's second Effect activates: Send three cards from the top of both players' Decks to the Graveyard. Then the third Effect, if eight or more types were used as Fusion Material, both players can choose up to three of their Banished Cards and return them to the Graveyard."

"And finally, the Effect when ten or more types were used: Both players Send all Cards in their Hand to the Graveyard!"

Hearing Hayato's words, Yugi's expression changed, "This is bad!"

The first two Effects weren't so bad. Milling three cards to the Graveyard wasn't a big loss for Yugi's relatively thick Deck. And recovering Banished Cards only meant Hayato could recover three monsters like Infernoid Lilith, which were Banished by Soul Release earlier.

But, the Card in his Hand at this moment was the invincible Kuriboh, which had the powerful Effect of reducing Battle Damage to Zero, and could also be used as a Cost for Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight's Effect.

After losing this sole Card in his Hand, he would have no Cards left to Block Hayato's monster's Attack, and the Card in his Spell/Trap Zone was completely powerless against this kind of Effect!

Yugi finally understood why Hayato had Set a Card from his Hand before Activating Void Dream's Effect. Setting a Card before the Battle Phase began seemed like a misoperation, but because of Infernoid Tierra's Effect, Hayato managed to keep one Card.

But still...

Looking at Hayato's eager expression as he held the only Card in his Hand, Yugi suddenly had a strange premonition, especially since Hayato had specifically emphasized "Tamashii" when Summoning Infernoid Tierra earlier.

No way, could it be that even a monster of Infernoid Tierra's caliber, Hayato is going to...

"In Chain to Infernoid Tierra's Effect, I Activate this Quick-Play Spell Card from my Hand, Mystic Wok. Under Yugi's "just as I expected" gaze, Hayato Activated the Card in his Hand, his true Tamashii. "Although she has high ATK, unfortunately, the most useful thing about Infernoid Tierra to me is only her Effect."

"But her Effect only activates when she is Special Summoned successfully. This means that now, she only has the value of being stir-fried and eaten for me. Not extracting the value of every single monster is a huge waste!"

Ignoring the surprised expression and teary-eyed attempt at cuteness on Infernoid Tierra's face behind him, Hayato even shouted with some excitement, "I Tribute Infernoid Tierra! Then I recover Life Points equal to her DEF of 3600!"

[Yugi: 8000 LP, Hand 1 → 0]

[Hayato: 8000 → 11600 LP, Hand 0]

The massive Infernoid Tierra disappeared from behind Hayato with a look of reluctance and nostalgia. As Yugi discarded his Hand, Hayato's Life Points also increased to a full 11600 Points, enough to withstand three and a half attacks from the standard unit of Duel Monster ATK, Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

The cost was that Hayato only had two Set Cards left in his Spell/Trap Zone. His Hand and monsters on the Front Row were completely empty.

But Yugi and Joey Wheeler knew that the more this was the case, the more dangerous it was, because Hayato's Graveyard was now filled with a large number of cards due to the sending cards to the Graveyard for the Fusion Summon for Infernoid Tierra. The incredibly abundant Graveyard was the source of motivation for Infernoid monsters.

With no monsters on the Field, the Total Level was 0. At this moment, Hayato could freely spend the cards in his Graveyard to wantonly Special Summon Infernoid monsters, and he was indeed doing just that.

"Earlier, I already Summoned one Upper Rank Infernoid. So next to appear will be another Upper Rank Infernoid! Prepare to welcome the most evil existence among demons!"

Hayato said, taking three Infernoid monsters from his Graveyard. "I Banish three Infernoid monsters from my Graveyard—"

"Onuncu, meaning 10, named the Whisperer,"

"O evil of evils, enemy of the 'Kingdom', descend with the flames of extinction!"

"Infernoid Onuncu!"

Green lights flickered, transforming into a red sea serpent flying in the air behind Hayato. Although not as massive as Infernoid Tierra, which Hayato had just Tributed as per custom, when it spread its six pairs of wings, it could still cover the sky.

[Infernoid Onuncu] [Level 10/FIRE → Level 10/DARK]

[Fiend-Type/Special Summon/Effect]

[ATK 3000/DEF 3000]

"Hehehe, don't blink, Yugi, Joey Wheeler. This monster will be the last monster you see." Hayato said proudly. "As the tenth Sephirah of the Qliphoth, Infernoid Onuncu possesses destructive Power equal to Infernoid Lilith!"

"When Infernoid Onuncu is Special Summoned successfully, I Activate its Effect! Destroy all other monsters on the Field!"

"Since it's Onuncu, I'll call this move 'Blazing Torch Melting Scale Fiend Falling Fire Hammer'!"

Casually given a copyrighted attack name by Hayato, Infernoid Onuncu spat out a large amount of green flames from its mouth. In just an instant, Void Imagination, which was already scorched earth, was turned into a Purgatory-like sea of fire.

In the firelight, the two Shadow Tokens on Yugi's Field and Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight couldn't even last a second, being swallowed by the emerald green flames that even the Power of Void Imagination couldn't erode or cover.

Before disappearing, Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight gave Yugi an apologetic gaze, unwilling that she couldn't continue to protect Yugi.

"Dark Magician Girl!"

Yugi shouted, but was only left with an empty Field and Infernoid Onuncu glaring at him.

"Hehehe, it's finally time, Yugi! With this, the troublesome obstructions are completely clear! Are you ready to take this painful blow? Relax, it will hurt at first, but it will hurt even more later!"

Hayato showed a sinister smile that Marik would give full marks to, and mercilessly declared, "Enter Battle Phase! Then I will use Infernoid Onuncu to Direct Attack the opponent Duelist!"

"Thunder Sky Sunlight · Calamity Sound Star Falling Fire Flow Hammer!"

Following Hayato's shout, Infernoid Onuncu opened its giant mouth again, spitting out the emerald green Purgatory Flames at Yugi and Joey Wheeler!

"3000 ATK, the same Level as Blue-Eyes White Dragon, so strong, too strong."

"Unfortunately, I'm not ready to accept an Attack of that magnitude yet, Hayato!" In the moment of crisis, Yugi still smiled confidently, pressing the Activate Set Card button on his Duel Disk. "The backup plan when Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight is Destroyed is Kuriboh in my Hand, but a fully prepared Duelist always has a backup plan for the backup plan!"

"I Activate the Trap Card, Magic Cylinder! Negate Infernoid Onuncu's Attack, then take your own monster's Attack, Hayato!"

"Nani!?"

Joey Wheeler had thought he was about to take a heavy hit, but he didn't expect Yugi's Set Card in the Spell/Trap Zone to come into use at this moment. To his surprised expression, two Cylinders appeared in front of them. One of them precisely caught the Attack spat out by Infernoid Onuncu, and then the same green flames were spat out from the other Cylinder, heading straight for Hayato!

"Ugh!"

[Hayato: 11600 → 8600 LP]

"Damn it, it's Magic Cylinder. I completely didn't expect you to Set such a Card—"

Hayato, hit by the flames, had a painful expression. Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly paused.

"—Did you think I would say that? Let me remind you again, Yugi!" Hayato said, pressing the Activate Set Card button, revealing a Quick-Play Spell Card he had Set the previous Turn, which could now be Activated. "When Dueling against me, never use 'Attack Negation' Cards like Attack and Receive or Magic Cylinder!"

"Quick-Play Spell Card, Double Chance, Activate!"

Joey Wheeler and Yugi were completely surprised to see Hayato use this Card again after such a long time, a Card he frequently used during Duelist Kingdom.

However, even though so much time had passed, they both still remembered the Card's Effect.

"When a monster's Attack is Negated, Target that monster. During this Battle Phase, that monster can Attack once again..."

"During the Damage Step of that monster's Attack, that monster's ATK becomes double!"

"Heh heh, that's right. That's how it is. For me, a mere 3000 points of damage is nothing to worry about, it's even less than what I sucked in from Infernoid Tierra earlier."

"But Yugi, Joey Wheeler, what you are about to face is—"

[Infernoid Onuncu] [ATK 3000 → 6000]

"—a Direct Attack that is coming again and has soared to 6000 points!"

Compared to earlier, the flames descended much faster. The emerald green color should give a feeling of vitality, but as it wrapped around Yugi and Joey Wheeler, it was only vicious flames that took lives.

"Ugh!" "Cough!"

[Yugi: 8000 → 2000 LP]

A full 6000 points of Battle Damage. If this weren't a Tag Duel, Yugi and Joey Wheeler would have been instantly defeated by this single blow. And even now, with the remaining 2000 Life Points, the powerful impact force from the Attack directly sent them flying back to crash against the wall behind them, making it difficult for them to move for a while.

"Hehehe, feel the pain, experience the pain, accept the pain, understand the pain! This is the Power of the Infernoids I have obtained! No one can defy it! Heh heh, hehe, hahahaha!"

Laughing wildly in three stages, the empty-handed Hayato directly declared, "My Turn ends here. Next, it's Joey Wheeler's Turn, Right?"

"But, after taking a massive 6000 points of Battle Damage from Infernoid Onuncu, Joey Wheeler, who shares these Life Points with Yugi, without the protection of Millennium Items or similar Power, can you really stand up and continue the Duel?"

[Hayato: 8600 LP, Hand 0]

[Infernoid Onuncu] [ATK 6000 → 3000]

[Set Card]

Field: [Void Imagination]

As Hayato declared the End Turn, because he had Tributed Infernoid Tierra during this Turn, dark green flames formed a Shadow Token on his Field.

However, Yugi had no mind to pay attention to the Shadow Token that appeared on Hayato's Field. He struggled to get up, looked at Joey Wheeler, who had fallen not far from him, calling out, "Joey Wheeler, Joey Wheeler!"

He was very worried that Joey Wheeler would indeed fall as Hayato had said.

And at this moment, Joey Wheeler did indeed feel the deep-seated pain from the Infernoid Attack, reaching into his soul, just as Hayato had said. However, it was slightly different from what he had initially thought. He had expected intense pain, but his feeling at this moment was more like being electrocuted when taking off a sweater in winter and touching a metal door. It wasn't very painful at all.

(Onuncu: Just the Master's task.)

Yugi felt it so severely because Hayato knew he had dark power protecting him, so he hit a bit harder. Joey Wheeler should have been affected very slightly and should have woken up immediately. The reason Hayato said that was entirely because he felt a familiar aura from Joey Wheeler at this moment.

It was an aura very close to the Power of the Eye of Timaeus that Yugi possessed.

And coincidentally, a similar aura also strangely appeared on Kaiba, who was Dueling Alister downstairs at this moment.

This aura came and went quickly. Kaiba, who was Dueling Alister, only paused for a moment before regaining consciousness, feeling somewhat confused about the illusion he seemed to have just experienced. And Joey Wheeler also suddenly woke up from the ground, finding himself back in the previous Duel.

"Strange, what was that just now?" Joey Wheeler didn't notice that a Card had silently entered the bottom of his Deck. He just stood up under Yugi's relieved gaze.

"Joey Wheeler, are you okay?"

"Uh, I guess I'm okay?" Joey Wheeler said, feeling a bit bewildered by Yugi's question, but when he turned to look at Yugi, he was suddenly startled. "Hey Yugi, what's that thing on your shoulder!"

"Ugh, why does Hayato and the Organization Doma people also have them, and the quantity around Hayato is way too much!"

Joey Wheeler's words made Rafael pause. "Katsuya Joey Wheeler, has he awakened the ability to see Card Spirits?!"

"Hoho, interesting. This makes the Duel even more interesting." For Joey Wheeler awakening the Power to see Card Spirits, Hayato was also surprised, but he felt it was also within reason. He was also curious which Card Spirit Joey Wheeler would Awaken first.

Would it be Red-Eyes Black Dragon, symbolizing his indomitable willpower, or Time Wizard, representing his bold gambling luck?

"Oh, so it's Card Spirits?" Under Yugi's few words, Joey Wheeler easily accepted the concept of Card Spirits existing. After all, he had experienced quite a few major events. "Although I still don't quite understand, does that mean Grandpa Joey Wheeler has become stronger, Right?"

Feeling full of Power, Joey Wheeler raised his head with fighting spirit, glancing at Infernoid Onuncu on Hayato's Field. "O demon standing between us and Hayato, let the stronger Grandpa Joey Wheeler defeat you incarnations of darkness!"

No, Awakening Card Spirits doesn't make someone stronger at all.

Yugi wanted to correct the chuunibyou idea that Joey Wheeler had just come up with, but considering it might affect Joey Wheeler's fighting spirit, he held back from saying it.

"My Turn, Draw." Looking at the Card he drew, Joey Wheeler found it was the Spell Card Pot of Greed, and immediately Activated it.

"I Activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed, from—"

"At this instant, I Activate Infernoid Onuncu's Effect." Hayato interrupted Joey Wheeler. "Once per turn, when a Spell/Trap Effect is Activated, I Tribute one monster on my Field to Negate that Activation and Banish it."

"I Tribute the Shadow Token! I Negate Pot of Greed and Banish it!"

The Chronos Pot, which hadn't even had a chance to show its smile, shattered violently. Seeing this, Joey Wheeler said, annoyed, "I guessed as much. If Infernoid Lilith's Effect is to Destroy all Spell and Trap Cards and Negate Monster Effects, then Infernoid Onuncu's Effect is indeed to Destroy all monsters and Negate Spell/Trap Effects."

"However, you fell into my trap, Hayato! This Card I drew on the First Turn is my offensive strategy!"

Saying this, Joey Wheeler proudly Activated the Card in his Hand. "Spell Card, Pot of Avarice! I Target five monsters in my Graveyard, return those five monsters to the Deck and Shuffle it, then I Draw two Cards from my Deck."

"You didn't Activate it on the First Turn because you didn't have enough monsters in the Graveyard?" Hayato said with a cold smile. "But what does that matter? It's useless no matter how many monsters you recycle into your Deck!"

"I don't know about that, but I know one thing: even if there's no hope in sight, a True Duelist can create the Future of the Draw themselves!"

Joey Wheeler said, returning the five Cards from his Graveyard to his Deck. Because he didn't have enough monsters, only AD Changer and Red-Eyes Black Dragon, he even Shuffled in Dark Magician that Yugi had Sent to the Graveyard earlier.

After Shuffling, Joey Wheeler prepared to Draw Cards. But as Joey Wheeler placed his finger on the Deck, both Yugi and Joey Wheeler simultaneously heard a dragon roar from the other, as if something was resonating.

Before they could react, Joey Wheeler subconsciously drew the Cards and looked.

One of the Cards he drew was another Red-Eyes Fusion from his Deck.

Connecting this with the Dark Magician that had just been Shuffled into the Deck and the strange Resonance, Joey Wheeler exchanged a gaze with Yugi, then resolutely Activated the Card in his Hand. "My Deck, respond to my hopes! Create a Miracle here!"

"I Activate Red-Eyes Fusion again, which failed before! I select the Fusion Material for a Fusion Monster from my Deck!"

Joey Wheeler said, catching the two Normal Monster Cards retrieved by the Duel Disk. "The ones I choose are the Ace Cards of both me and Yugi, Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Dark Magician!"

Hearing the Material Joey Wheeler chose, Hayato's pupils constricted. He thought of a monster he had coveted countless times in the Shop.

"Masaka?!"

"O unknown monster born from this Bond, I entrust the Hope of the Future to you! Conquer for us to gain Victory and open the Path ahead!"

Yugi took the Dark Magician Card that Joey Wheeler handed him, striking the same symmetrical pose as Joey Wheeler holding up Red-Eyes Black Dragon. "We will Fuse our monsters!"

"Dark Magician!"

"Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"

Overlay! X2

The jet-black Giant Dragon, the Master of Dark Magic, two monsters carrying all the hopes and pride of their users leaped into the air and fused together under the Power of Red-Eyes Fusion!

A majestic monster, manifesting its figure!