Is this the poker world?Ada thief!

Chapter 1694 Steam, Start!
Looking at the bunch of monsters on Hayato's field, Oboro no Kagekaze also felt a sense of unease.

Not only are the Pokémon they possess incredibly powerful, but they're also formidable in the Duel Ritual? They have three powerful monsters with an attack power of over 3000, and as they activate their monster effects, the attack power of that [Starwind Wolf - Wolfra Leaf Wolf] can rise up to 4000.

Besides, the effect of that Field Spell Card is unclear, and there's also a face-down card. There's more than one card to deal with, which is really troublesome.

"My turn, draw!" As he drew a card from his deck, Oboro no Karma's eyes lit up. He was very lucky to draw a powerful card, which would greatly benefit the development of his deck. However, the problem was that he could only do so if he had no monsters on his field.

Despite it being his first turn, the [Multidimensional Kaiju - Radion] that Hayato deliberately left on his field became the biggest obstacle to the Shadow of Karma's operation. Even though its attack power was as high as 2800 points, it was enough to annoy him. Fortunately, he had a card in his hand that could deal with this situation.

"I activate the Spell Card [Angel's Charity], draw three more cards from my Deck, and discard two cards from my hand." After drawing cards and filling the graveyard, Shadow of Karma takes another card from the graveyard. "Then, while [Blackwing - Stealth of the Cloak] is in my graveyard, I Tribute one monster on my field to activate this effect."

By releasing the troublesome [Multidimensional Kaiju - Radian] from his field, Oboro no Karma places the monster card he just retrieved from the Graveyard onto the field, and "Special Summon [Blackwing - Stealth of the Cloak] from the Graveyard!"

【Black Feather - Stealth in the Cloak of Invisibility】【3☆/Dark】

[Bird/Beast Race/Adjustment/Effect]

[800/1200]

The name "Steam," which is overly famous due to the existence of a game platform of the same name, reveals that the prototype of [Black Feather - Stem of the Invisible Cloak] is "steam." Combined with the "invisible cloak" in its name, which refers to the large cloak that can make monsters such as tengu invisible when they wear it in the Eastern Kingdom's legends, it fits the image of this bird-beast monster dressed as a ninja that appeared in the Shadow of Karma Field.

Meanwhile, Hayato immediately said after the Oborogure no Karma activated its monster effect: "Due to the activation of the monster effect, the attack power of [Starwind Wolf - Wolfra Leaf Wolf] has increased!"

【Starwind Wolf - Wolfflake Wolf】【ATK3400→3700】

"Go ahead and increase your attack power, we [Blackwing] are not afraid of simply high attack power." Oboro no Karma said, playing a card, "Then I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Blackwing Whirlwind], and activate the effect of [Blackwing - Elite Zephyrus] in my Graveyard!"

The card returned to the hand of the Shadowless Wind, and he also took a card from the graveyard and played it: "If this card is in the graveyard, I can return one face-up card on my field to my hand to activate this effect. I return the [Black Feather Whirlwind] on my field to my hand!"

"Special Summon [Blackwing - Elite Zephyrus] from the Graveyard. I take 400 effect damage!"

【Starwind Wolf - Wolfflake Wolf】【ATK3700→4000】

【胧影之业风：4000→3600LP，手牌5→6→6→5→6】

[Black Feather - Stealth in the Cloak of Invisibility] [DEF1200]

【Black Feather - Elite Zephyros】【ATK1600】

"A whopping 4000 attack power. But isn't that the limit of its effect? ​​I remember clearly, you just said that the attack power increase effect of [Starwind Wolf - Wolfra Leaf Wolf] only takes effect if its attack power is less than 4000 points." Oboro no Kage, remembering Hayato's words perfectly, said quite calmly, "But for me, the real showdown is just beginning!"

Suddenly, Oboro's cloak-like wings began to flutter, and a noticeable updraft appeared around him. He looked at Hayato and said, "Don't think that you're the only one who has mastered the power of Synchro Summoning. Let me show you the true power of us [Black Feather]!"

"First, I will use the effect of this card, [Blackwing - Shima of the Storm], in my hand to send it from my hand/field to the graveyard to activate this effect. I will then place one [Blackwing Whirlwind] face-up from my deck."

"Then, I will perform a Synchro ...

"Spread your jet-black wings and run amidst thunder! Lightning slash!"

"Synchron Summon, Level 3 + 4 = 7☆!"

"Unleash your power—[Strike Blackwing - Thunder Cutterbird in a Sudden Rain]!"

【Strike Blackwing - Thunder Cutterbird of Sudden Rain】【7☆/Dark】

[Bird/Beast Race/Synchro/Effect]

[2600/2000]

Named after Tachibana Dōsetsu's beloved sword "Raikiri," the founder of Shadow Stream Swordsmanship, what appeared on the Oboro no Kage wind field was a strange warrior wearing scorpion armor that did not cover his entire body, with half of his body revealing black feathers, and half of his wings being mechanically modified and made of metal. Overall, he looked quite like a samurai who had taken off half of his robe in preparation for battle.

However, even though Synchro Summoning would send the monster used as a Synchro Material to the Graveyard, on the field of Shadow of Karma, the [Blackwing - Stealth of the Cloak of Invisibility], which should have disappeared, reappeared on the steam, shedding a large cloak leaf from its body. The water mist around it did not dissipate, but was instead bound by a whirlwind and transformed into a strange monster.

"If a face-up [Blackwing - Stealth of the Cloak] leaves the field, activate its first effect to Special Summon one [Steam Token] to my field."

Oboro no Kage paused for a moment, then continued, "Not only that, but I also have the Continuous Spell Card [Black Feather Whirlwind] that I activated in advance. Once per turn, if I Special Summon a DARK Synchro Monster, I can target a [Black Feather] monster in my Graveyard or a banished monster with less ATK than that monster, and Special Summon it to my field!"

[Black Feather - Stealth in the Cloak of Invisibility] [DEF1200]

【Steam derivative】【1☆/Wind】

[Aquarium/Derivatives]

[100/100]

"The effect of [Black Feather - Stealth of the Cloak] is not limited to once per turn. I will activate this Quick-Play Spell Card [Swallow's Nest] from my hand!"

"I can activate this effect by Tributing one face-up Winged Beast monster on my field to my Deck. I can Special Summon one Winged Beast monster of the same Level from my Deck."

"Return my Level 3☆ [Blackwing - Stealth of the Cloak] to my Deck, and then add this Level 3☆ [Blackwing - Gale of the Gale] from my Deck!" Although it's called [Blackwing], [Blackwing - Gale of the Gale], whose fur is either purple or green, flies out from the steam that [Blackwing - Stealth of the Cloak] disappeared into. Its name "Gale" is simple and clear, referring to a strong wind.

【Black Feather - Gale of the Gale】【3☆/Dark】

[Bird/Beast Race/Adjustment/Effect]

[1300/400]

Meanwhile, the dissipated water vapor is once again confined and transformed into a second entity, the "steam derivative".

[Steam derivatives] [ATK100]

"Once per turn, target one face-up monster your opponent controls and activate the effect of [Blackwing - Gale of the Gale] to halve that monster's ATK and DEF!" With a wave of his hand, he commanded his monster to activate its effect. However, Oboro no Karma first looked at the four monsters on Hayato's field and did not choose [Starwind Wolf - Wolfra Leaf Wolf], which had the highest ATK, because its ATK could still be continuously increased by its own effect.

Similarly, he did not choose the defensive stance of [Earthbound Squid], whose defense was only 1200 points. Even the newly introduced [Blackwing Gale] could break it, so there was no need to waste the effect of lowering its defense.

However, he hesitated between [Psychic Executioner] and [Crimson Lotus Demon], and then chose [Crimson Lotus Demon], which had lower attack power but had not yet revealed any of its effects. His bird-like instincts told him that this monster was very special and exuded a dangerous aura of destruction, like some kind of bomb. Although he did not know whether reducing its attack and defense power would be effective, he could at least test the waters!
However, even after [Black Feather - Gale of the Gale] released a strong wind that turned into a tornado to restrain [Crimson Lotus Demon], reducing its original attack power of one [Blue Eyes] to a mere 1500 points, which was at the level of a low-level monster, Hayato did not make any move.
【True Crimson Lotus Demon】【ATK3000→1500】

"Because it's a cheap Tamashi, and this guy just glared at me defiantly—is he still upset that I had someone else teach it a lesson? Anyway, I'm happy to see it get its comeuppance." Hayato didn't treat his monster as a partner at all, and had a look of schadenfreude on his face.

"Is that really the case? Or perhaps you simply don't have any means to stop me? Whatever, I'm going to continue activating the monster effects!" With a wave of her hand, Oboro no Karasu commanded, "The effect of 【Assault Blackwing - Thunder Cutter Bird in a Sudden Rain】 can be activated once per turn, targeting up to the number of 【Blackwing】 monsters on my field other than this card, and destroying those cards!"

Pointing to the ground, Oboro no Kage said, "Although there are multiple cards that want to destroy it at the same time, such as the high-attack [Starwind Wolf - Wolfra Leaf Wolf] and that face-down card in your back row, the highest priority is still this [Light Protection Array] under my feet that makes me uncomfortable, and the Winged Beast type you declared when you activated it is truly unforgettable!"

"I will destroy my opponent's Field Spell Card!"

"Rachel!"

The sword, named Raikiri, [Strike Black Feather - Rain of Lightning Blade Bird], crackled with lightning and pierced the earth. Then, neat rings of lightning lit up around the area surrounding Hayato and Oboro no Kagekaze, and the lightning that shot up from the ground completely shattered the entire area of ​​ground engraved with magic circles into dust.

"Since you've ruined it, I'll explain the effect of this destroyed [Light Protection Array] to you." Hayato explained as he picked up the card in front of him and sent it to the graveyard, "The effect of this card is that when activated, you declare a race, and then monsters of that race cannot attack during the turn they are Normal Summoned, Special Summoned, or Flip Summoned."

"!?!" Oboro no Kage was also shocked upon hearing this. "It actually has that kind of effect?! It completely countered [Black Feather]'s usual tactics, and because it's an effect targeting Winged Beasts, it doesn't affect your monsters at all. Luckily, it was destroyed. But is the appearance of such a card a coincidence?"

"No, normally cards targeting a race wouldn't be so lenient; they only restrict attacks. But you seem to know that [Blackfeather] lacks sufficient means of using destruction spells and trap cards and relies heavily on attacks to unleash their power! You're so familiar with the power of [Blackfeather]."

Looking at Hayato seriously, Oboro no Kage asked, "You... who exactly are you—"

"—A mere duelist passing by, I believe I should have made sure you remember me." Hayato shrugged. "Instead of worrying about my identity, you can't defeat me by just putting up a bunch of weaklings on the field."

The number of cards in his hand has gradually decreased to four, but the highest attack power on the field, 【Strike Blackwing - Thunder Cutter Bird of Sudden Rain】, only has a mere 2600 attack power, the same as 【Dragon Knight - Gaia】. If it weren't for Hayato having 【Earthbound Squid】 in defense position on the field, and the fact that 【Crimson Demon】's attack and defense power were just reduced, he wouldn't even be able to defeat one of Hayato's monsters. And the combined attack power of the three monsters other than 【Strike Blackwing - Thunder Cutter Bird of Sudden Rain】 is only 1500.

"As someone who also possesses Synchro power, you should know the immense role Tokens can play in Synchro Summoning." An updraft rose again around Oboro no Karasu. "Second Level Adjustment! Level Adjust my Level 3 Tuner monster [Blackwing Gale] and two Level 1 [Steam Tokens]!"

"To meet the Synchro Material requirement, you need at least one Tuner monster plus one non-Tuner monster!"

"Let the hero's sword, bathed in dragon's blood, resound here, unleashing the divine wrath upon the radiant star!"

"Synchron Summon, Level 3 + 1 + 1 = 5☆!"

"Fantasy Greatsword - [Black Feather - Radiant Star's Wrath Sword Bird]!"

【Blackfeather - Radiant Star's Wrathful Swordbird】【5☆/Dark】

[Bird/Beast Race/Synchro/Effect]

[2200/1500]

Clad in European knight armor and wielding a greatsword modeled after "Gram," the wrathful sword of Siegfried, the dragon slayer, the Second Synchro Monster appeared on the Shadowy Wind Field.

But at that very moment, Hayato suddenly said, "After all, it's [Blackwing], so consecutive Special Summoning and Synchro Summoning are a piece of cake. Even the 'Crow' in the manga performed a 'Double Synchro' on his first turn—although it was actually just two consecutive Synchro Summons. Speaking of which, [Blackwing - Blazing Star's Wrathful Sword Bird] seems to be the card that 'Crow' used back then."

"However, I knew this moment would come, which is why I waited until now to activate this card's effect!"

As Hayato stomped on the ground, huge octopus patterns lit up a second time on the shattered surface. Simultaneously, the patterns on his [Earthbound Captive - Earth-Painted Squid] also lit up!

"The second effect of 【Earthbound Squid - Earth-Painted Squid】 can only be activated if a monster is Special Summoned from your opponent's Extra Deck. Destroy all monsters Special Summoned by your opponent this turn and inflict damage to your opponent equal to 800 times the number of destroyed monsters!"

"Shocking waves kill!"

With a wave of Hayato's hand, all of the tentacles of [Earthbound Captive - Earth Painting Squid] pierced into the ground. Then, far more tentacles than those that had pierced into the ground burst forth from the ground, surrounding Oboro no Karma and his monsters, and slamming down heavily!
Once the effect of [Earthbound Squid] takes effect, not only will all of the monsters in the Shadow of Karma be destroyed in one go, but it will also suffer a full 1600 points of effect damage, reducing its life points by more than half!

　To be honest, randomly throwing some weaklings onto the opponent's field when playing against Blackwing is really annoying.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)