Is this the poker world?Ada thief!

Chapter 1738 I will fight against fate and win to prove it wrong.

"Wait a minute! What's with those two cards!?" Thor, the Supreme God Emperor, exclaimed from the sidelines. "Are they trying to cheat? But even Loki wouldn't use such obvious tricks!"

"What do you mean 'even me'?" Loki, the Supreme God Emperor, glared at him, only to receive a "Isn't that how it is?" look from Thor, the Supreme God Emperor.

“I think it must be the effect of a Field Spell Card, right?” Odin, who rarely spoke, went straight to the point. “That card called [Crystal Array - Potential] should have more than one effect: increasing attack and defense, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Hayato admitted directly, “It was the second effect of [Crystal Array Potential] that made me draw a card—it can only be activated during the end phase of both players’ turns, and I draw a card from my deck equal to the number of [Crystal Machine] Synchro Monsters I Synchro Summoned this turn.”

"Because I Synchro Summoned two Synchro Monsters of the Crystal Machine type, Crystal Machine - Sacred Crystal and Crystal Machine - Quantum Corundum Crystal, I can draw two cards."

[Hayato Kobayashi: 4000LP, hand 4→0→2]

【Crystal Ingenuity - Three-Dimensional Jade Crystal】【DEF2300】

【Crystal Mechanism - Lemon Crystal Rescue the Dragon】【DEF2550】

【Crystal Ingenuity - Quantum Corundum White Crystal】【DEF2300】

[Formula Athlete - Racing Champion] [DEF2000]

Backcourt: [Face Card] x4
Venue: [Crystal Array - Potential]

Looking at the monsters on Hayato's field, [King of the Extreme - Thor] couldn't understand: "At the very beginning, he was able to summon a monster like [Crystal Machine - Holy Sky Crystal] that could threaten even monsters with an attack power of over 3000. Why is it that in the blink of an eye, he's left with just a bunch of trash monsters on the field, none of which have even broken the 3000 mark?"

"Although I really want to say that this must be a despicable conspiracy by Hayato Kobayashi, even I can't see what kind of power these small fry can exert." [Loki the Supreme God] said, only to take a closer look at [Crystal Machine - Trinity Crystal], "At most, it's just that the [Crystal Machine - Trinity Crystal] on the opponent's field can trigger its effect to perform a Synchro Summon during the opponent's turn when the opponent activates its effect."

"The other monsters seem insignificant. Perhaps we should focus on the face-down cards in the opponent's back row?"

Compared to Hayato's front-row monsters, in the eyes of [Loki the Supreme God], it's more important to be wary of Hayato's face-down cards. He knows that no matter what deck Hayato uses, he will eventually turn into a bottomless pit.

Odin thought so too. As an avatar of the Supreme Holy Emperor Odin, Odin still retained a certain amount of power in his body, especially in his left eye, which retained the complete power of runes, forming the "Eye of Runes".

Although the Eye of Runes has a certain ability to see through matter, Odin certainly wouldn't do that, and besides, He couldn't do it—after the duel began, Hayato's cards were already covered by the divine energy released by his card spirits, and even Odin's wisdom couldn't see through Hayato's cards and his future fate.

Moreover, He wouldn't stoop to such an excessive level of cheating.

(Pegasus: Achoo!?)
However, without using the [Runic Eye], Odin reached the same conclusion as [Loki] – it was necessary to prioritize dealing with Hayato's face-down cards in the back row, even if it would trigger the effect of Hayato's [Crystal Machine - Trinity Crystal] in the process.

"My turn, draw a card." Odin drew a card from his deck. Although he couldn't see what Hayato's card was, he could actually see his own cards. He had already confirmed the card in his hand; as he had seen before, it was the magic card [Great Storm].

[Odin Paulsen: 4000LP, hand 5→4→5]

"In the depths of winter, I will become the vanguard of the Wild Hunt, commanding the ghosts. Wind and wood are my aliases, storms are my speed, and tempests are the harbingers of death I summon!" Odin activated the newly drawn spell card, "Great Storm," declaring, "Mortal schemes can never match the will of the gods. Use this card to wipe out your plans—Spell Card 'Great Storm' activated, destroying all cards on both players' fields!"

A sudden gust of wind swept across Odin's empty field and headed toward Hayato's field. Although it was meant to destroy all the cards on both sides' fields, since Odin hadn't played any cards, the only cards targeted were Hayato's field spell cards and his back row face-down cards.

But Hayato didn't just sit idly by. He immediately waved his hand to command the monsters on the field to activate their effects, but what moved was not the [Crystal Machine - Tri-Trinity Crystal] that the Three Pillar Gods had expected. Instead, it was that seemingly ordinary Formula car.
"The effect of 【Formula Athlete - Lightning Track Champion】is that once per turn, when your opponent activates the effect of a Spell/Trap Card, you can activate this effect to lower this card's Level by 2 stars, negate that activation, and destroy it!"

"Twister Charge Tornado!"

The Formula One car, which I remember could only travel on flat ground, suddenly used the crystal cluster behind Hayato's [Crystal Machine - Quantum Corundum White Crystal] as a ramp to speed up and rush into the sky, spinning and turning into a tornado!
"They actually used me as a stepping stone!?" Inside the cockpit of [Crystal Mechanism - Quantum Corundum White Crystal], [Crystal Mechanism - Quantum White Crystal] glared unhappily at the spinning race car in the air.

Human civilization's technological creations clashed with the might of nature, resulting in a whirlwind and a tornado. I mean, the victory of [Formula Athlete - Lightning Speed ​​Master], who, spinning like a tornado, pierced through the newly formed storm horizontally, rendering it completely ineffective against any of Hayato's cards on the field!
【方程式运动员-电光赛道名将】【7☆→5☆/光】【2100/2000→1500/2000】

"I see, that's why attack power is tied to level. My current level is 5☆, which means I can use that effect a maximum of two more times?"

[Loki, the Supreme God Emperor] analyzed rationally, but [Thor, the Supreme God Emperor] was more concerned about another point: "But it's just an effect that can only be used once per turn. Now, [Odin]'s Spell & Trap Cards will no longer be restricted in activation. Take advantage of this opportunity to defeat your opponent in one turn, [Odin]!"

"It sounds so simple, but is it even possible to do?"

Hearing Hayato's provocation, Odin remained unmoved and quite composed, playing another card: "Then next is [Pot of Greed]. Draw two cards from my deck."

"Go ahead and draw cards." Since the Magic Trap Cone had already been used, Hayato did not stop Odin's actions, but he was somewhat contemptuous of the terrible maneuvering Odin had shown.

If you're a student at the Duel Academy, even a first-year student who enrolled this year, you'll have at least learned how to use the Pot of Greed to trick Kang if you've taken Professor Chronos's class.

Don't underestimate this maneuver. The skill lies in knowing whether to use Pot of Greed to protect an important board clear or board control, or to use a less effective search or draw to protect a more efficient card draw. Professor Chronos's skill is far superior to Odin's. If Odin had used Pot of Greed first, and baited out Hayato's spell/trap counter, wouldn't his back row have been instantly wiped out by Odin's subsequent Stormrage? However, Odin chose to prioritize board clear, which explains why Hayato chained his Pot of Greed to activate its effect.

While Odin was told to draw as many monsters as he wanted, Hayato's monster effects would precede his: "However, when you activate your effect, I will also chain-activate the effects of my [Crystal Machine - Trinity Crystal]."

"Special Summon a second [Crystal Machine - Matrix Topaz] from my Deck, then Synchro Summon a monster from my field that includes it. I chose my Level 2 [Crystal Machine - Triad Crystal], Level 2 [Crystal Machine - Triad Crystal], and Level 5 [Crystal Machine - Lemon Crystal Dragon]!"

"Two-body Adjuster monsters and one-body Non-Adjuster monster?!"

Upon hearing Hayato's chosen monster, [Loki, the Supreme Emperor] suddenly frowned. As someone who also wielded Synchro power, he had never seen anyone able to use two Tuner monsters for a Synchro Summon at once.

—After all, in a normal Synchro Summon, Tuner monsters are usually the dominant force. If you use two Tuner monsters at once, wouldn't that be like having two tigers on one mountain? Who should you listen to then?
Even Odin's expression turned serious, and [King Thor] looked uncomfortable. His intuition told him that something ominous was about to happen. Even though Hayato hadn't even summoned a monster yet, and had only decided on the Synchro Material to use, he still felt uneasy and naturally felt disgusted by the monster that was about to appear.

“Although it doesn’t have [True Crimson Nova Dragon], it still has double Star Tuning, so this card is perfect for dealing with your ‘Triple Gods’.” Hayato took out the card and tapped the side of it with his finger. “Then—go, Crystal Machines!”

【Crystal Machine - Lemon Crystal Saves the Dragon】 has already taken action under Hayato's command, taking the lead in catching 【Crystal Machine - Matrix Topaz】 which was summoned from Hayato's deck by the effect of 【Crystal Machine - Tri-Trine Crystal】, and placing it on the cockpit in front of his chest, which was completely restored by the power of 【True Dragon】.

Meanwhile, [Crystal Machine - Triad Crystal] also leaped into the air, grabbed the outstretched hand of [Crystal Machine - Matrix Yellow Crystal], and successfully boarded the cockpit of the giant dragon. Then, the two merged into the cockpit at the same time, ready to pilot this giant mech!

Not only did the power of the original Crystal Machine - Quantum White Crystal and Crystal Machine - Matrix Yellow Crystal lend itself to the Crystal Machine - Gluon Black Crystal that Hayato had previously buried in his graveyard, but it also lent its power to its companions on the field to ride the giant mechanical beast.

(You can see that there are three emblems: blue, yellow, and black, on the visor of the cockpit.)
During Hayato's summoning incantation, the dragon transformed once more, but instead of transforming into the Crystal Machine - Holy Sky Crystal, which was entirely dominated by the power of the True Dragon, it became a gigantic humanoid mobile weapon controlled solely by the pure power of the Crystal Machines themselves!

"The polished crystal light, becoming a true behemoth, surrounds the earth, radiating brilliance! The central dragon and the mortal serpent now converge here; the souls of creation, creation, and destruction, let them roar to shake the heavens and the earth!"

"Level 2☆+2☆+5☆=9☆! Double Synchro Summon!"

"Radiant Change - [Crystal Mechanism - Central Serpent]!"

【Crystal Machine - Central Serpent】【9☆/Water】

[Mechanical Race/Synchro/Effect]

[3000/3000→3300/3300]

A giant golden robot appeared in the sky above Hayato's field. Its size was larger than any of the previous Crystal Machine monsters, and it was even much taller than the three "Gods" outside the field.

Despite being mechanical creations, both Loki and Thor, the God Emperors, felt a familiar aura upon seeing the mobile suit surrounded by crystal. Instinctively, they uttered a name: "Jormungandr?"

"It's a bit ambiguous, but it must be admitted that the design prototype of the [Crystal Mechanism - Central Serpent] does indeed contain elements of Jormungandr, the World Serpent from your Norse mythology." Hayato nodded. "The latter half of its original name, 'Gryongard,' is taken from the 'ngand' in Jormungandr's name, 'Yolmungard.'"

"And the 'Grio' in the first part is the product of combining the 'ku' from 'quartz' and the 'rio' from 'morion'. Thinking about it this way, wouldn't it be just a perfect 9-star Synchro Summon if we only have [Crystal Machine - Quantum White Crystal], [Crystal Machine - Gluon Black Crystal], and [Crystal Machine - Lemon Crystal Fafnir]?" Hayato said, then slammed his fist on his hand with a look of sudden realization. "So [Crystal Machine - Matrix Yellow Crystal] was redundant after all?"

“I heard that, Master!” The voice of [Crystal Mechanism - Matrix Yellow Crystal] came from the cockpit of [Crystal Mechanism - Central Serpent]. “How dare you speak ill of others like that! How can someone your age be so narrow-minded!”

“Before you and your monsters start arguing, I’ll draw cards from my deck.” Odin merely glanced at Hayato and his monsters. Following the chain effect processing order, after [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent] was Special Summoned by the effect of [Crystal Machine - Trinity Crystal], it was his turn to use [Pot of Greed]. He drew two cards from his deck.

[Odin Paulsen: 4000LP, hand 5→4→5]

Although he drew the card and added it to his hand, Odin's attention was completely focused on the [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent] that Hayato had just Synchro Summoned, and he muttered to himself, "Jormungandr, this really is fate—the inescapable causal destiny of Ragnarok."

"Fate is a topic you Norse mythologists like to talk about, but I don't really accept the idea of ​​fate. If there's such a thing as a destiny that's destined for destruction, then," Hayato raised an eyebrow and said casually, "...I'll fight against fate and prove it wrong."

"If 【Crystal Machine - Central Serpent】is Synchro Summoned, target monsters on the field or in the Graveyard with a maximum number of its Synchro Materials, and banish those monsters. Although it's an early summon, at least 【Crystal Machine - Central Serpent】can banish one card—"

Hayato pointed to Odin's graveyard, "That's the [Skeleton King] that the opponent sent to the graveyard last turn!"

A long-awaited 0:00 update!

Central Serpent corresponds to Jack's Multi-Tuner Monster, "Crimson Nova Dragon," while another Level 9 Synchro Monster from the Water Machine, "Quantum Cardinal Crystal," corresponds to Yusei's Accelerated Synchro. However, just like Central Serpent's setting doesn't match its actual level, Quantum Cardinal Crystal is set as a Level 7 Synchro Monster combining Cardinal Crystal, Cardinal Crystal, and Topaz, but its actual level is 9. It's also the first Synchro Monster in the OCG that requires Synchro Monsters as materials, and both Tuner and non-Tuner monsters must be Synchro Monsters, making it a pioneer of cards like Stardust Warriors.

In addition, the agency of Satoshi Sakurai, the voice actor for characters such as Cynthia in Pokémon and Misutomo Saiou in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, released an obituary confirming that he passed away on August 8.13 at the age of 53.

RIP