Is this the poker world?Ada thief!

Chapter 1815 Yubel: I was here first!
"Unforgivable! Unforgivable! Unforgivable!"

John, standing to the side, was speechless and embarrassed: "This guy... has he completely lost his mind?"

"Probably, but I won't hold back because of that." Jaden said, and seeing that the other party was still immersed in jealousy, he simply continued to deal with the effects of the other cards in the chain, "So the last one to be dealt with is the appearance effect of [E·hero Flame Wingman - Flame Strike]."

"—I added a [Beloved] card to my hand from my deck and graveyard. Since it went to my graveyard, it won't be negated by [Awakened Three Phantoms], so I successfully used its effect to add this [Winged Kuriboh LV6] to my hand."

[Yujo Judai: 2000LP, hand cards 4→3→4]

【M·hero Gust】【ATK2200】

【E·hero Blaze】【DEF1800】

After the effects in the chain were completely resolved, the next step was the effect of the Special Summoned [M·hero Gale], but Jaden did not use a Quick-Play Spell Card such as [Mask Change] to remove it from the field to ensure the effect could be used smoothly.

One reason is that he only has two cards available for quick attacks: Masked Change and Instant Fusion. Moreover, Jaden had to forcefully draw these two cards from his deck after using E. Hero Liquid Man. Otherwise, if he could have used them earlier, why didn't he protect E. Hero Thunder Giant - Volt Thunder from the start? Wouldn't the effect of destroying the front and back rows be more worthwhile than going through a long detour to remove the opponent's three front-row monsters?

On the other hand, there is no need to save it, because the effect of [M·Hero Gale] is to target one of the opponent's monsters and reduce its ATK by half when it is Special Summoned.

However, at this moment, the only two monsters on the field of "Gana Malden" are "Thunder King Hamon" in Defense Position and "Phantom King Rabiel" in Attack Position. The former has no need to reduce its attack power, and the latter has the resistance to be targeted by the opponent's effects due to the existence of "Paradise Lost". Even if the effect of "M Hero Gale" can be activated successfully, it will be unable to deal with these two monsters.

There is actually a third reason, which is—

【"Ghana Malden": 12700LP, 1 in hand】

[Fantasy Emperor-Rabiel][ATK4000]

【Thunder Emperor - Hamon】【DEF4000】

Backcourt: [Seven Essences Unlocked] [Resurrection of the Demonic Realm] [Awakened Three Phantom Demons] [Given Card]

Location: Paradise Lost

That's right. Because of Jaden's repeated Special Summonings, the Awakened Three Phantoms are constantly providing "Gana Malden" with Life Points recovery. In just a few steps, its Life Points are already more than twice the combined Life Points of Jaden and John. And as long as Jaden and John continue to Summon and Special Summon monsters, the opponent can continue to recover Life Points.

He hadn't reduced the opponent's base score to begin with, and now he was still increasing it. Although there's a saying that "as long as the base score doesn't go to zero, it's infinite," Jaden didn't want to challenge himself to see how much combat damage he could deal in one turn.

If the opponent's base score is so high that they can't be killed in one turn, then who knows how many more variables will arise if it takes an extra turn to finish them off—especially since they don't have the extra time for a leisurely and steady duel right now. With the [Awakened Three Phantom Demons] activated, the faster they finish off the opponent, the better.

So, let's go back to [M·hero Gale]. Since it's ineffective, why did Jaden choose the level 6 [M·hero Gale] instead of the level 8 [M·hero Kamikaze] which has higher attack power when using [Mask Change]? The answer lies in the second effect that Jaden actually wanted to use.

"If [M·Hero Gale] is Special Summoned, its effect can be activated, but since [Awakened Three Phantoms] will negate its effect, whether or not it is activated is irrelevant." After a pause, Jaden played a card from his hand. "Next, I will activate the Spell Card [Masked Charge], targeting one [Hero] monster and one [Change] Quick-Play Spell Card in my Graveyard, adding them to my hand. I chose [Miracle Excluder] and [Masked Change] from my Graveyard."

[Yujo Judai: 2000LP, Hand 4→5]

Jaden immediately activates the effect of [M·hero Gale] after recovering [Mask Change]: "Next, I activate the second effect of [M·hero Gale], which is the key to both players' turns. I pay 500 Life Points and can target one Spell/Trap Card on my opponent's field to return that card to their hand."

"The card I've chosen is naturally the [Awakened Three Phantom Demons]!"

Compared to breaking the resistance granted by [Paradise Lost], it is obviously a higher priority to deal with the troublesome [Awakened Three Phantoms]. More importantly, Jaden and John can no longer tolerate their beloved spirits being tormented because of this card.

Along with the activation of [M·hero Gale]'s effect, Jaden's barely-used [Mask Change] card also activated: "Chain activation of my Quick-Play Spell Card [Mask Change], sending [M·hero Gale] from my field to the Graveyard, Special Summoning one [M·hero] monster with the same Attribute from my Extra Deck!"

"Mask Change! Level 8☆!"

"【M·Hero Kamikaze】!"

A stronger wind warrior, cloaked in armor, appeared where [M·hero Gust] had vanished in a whirlwind, whipping up a gale that swept outwards. Unfortunately, he too was not spared; a portion of his power was still seized by the [Awakened Three Phantom Demons] and absorbed into Gana Malden's body. But this was the last bit of power the [Awakened Three Phantom Demons] provided to Gana Malden.

【M·hero Kamikaze】【8☆/Wind】

[Warrior Race/Fusion/Effect]

[2700/1900]

【"Gana Malden": 12700→15400LP, Hand: 1→2】 After the operation of Special Summoning 【M·hero Kamikaze】 with 【Mask Change】 is completed, it is time for the effect of 【M·hero Gale】, which has already left the field, to be dealt with. The last power of 【M·hero Gale】, which disappeared in a whirlwind, formed a tornado that was very similar to the Spell Card 【Whirlwind】, which picked up the card of 【Awakened Three Phantoms】 and kicked it back into "Gana Malden"'s hand.

[Yujo Judai: 2000→1500LP, Hand: 5→4]

As a result, Judai's already low Life Points have been reduced even further, and now his Life Points are less than one-tenth of "Gana Malden's".

However, as the card of the Awakened Three Phantoms left, the Thunder King Hamon successfully regained consciousness and immediately stopped absorbing the power of the Spirit World. The Phantom King Rabiel, who was standing next to him, also stopped his actions after being reminded by Hamon's behavior.

Furthermore, from now on, the restrictions on Jaden and John's field are finally lifted, and there is no longer any need to worry about Special Summoned monsters being unable to use their effects and instead causing the opponent to recover Life Points.

"So, that's how it works!" Looking at the [Awakened Three Phantom Demons] back in his hand, he knew that he could only play it again after his next turn. Until then, the card was just a decoration and would be useless. "Returning the card to my hand, well done, Jaden!"

Although it was meant as a compliment, it had a hint of gritted teeth about it. Jaden responded with a smile: "Do you even need to tell me? Now that the three Awakened Phantom Demons are no longer in your way, I can finally slowly clear out the rest of your cards."

Jaden organized the four cards in his hand, three of which were [Miracle Excluder], [EN - New Universe Intervention], and [Winged Kuriboh LV6], which he had already revealed to others. He played one of the cards and said, "Next, I will use the Normal Spell Card [EN - New Universe Intervention]."

"I can activate this effect by sending one [E-hero] monster and one [N] monster from my hand and Deck to the Graveyard. I send [Winged Kuriboh LV6] from my hand to the Graveyard—this card's name can be used as [E-hero] in addition to [Beloved]." Jaden discards the card in his hand and takes out a card from his Deck. "And, what I discarded from my Deck is this [N-Dark Panther]."

"Under the effect of [EN-Neo Cosmic War], I can Special Summon a single [N] monster or a Level 5 or higher [E-hero] monster from my Deck, and add one [Fusion] card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I choose to Special Summon the Level 7 [E-hero Neo Cosmic Spirit] and add a second [Displacement Fusion] card from my Deck to my hand."

"Come out, Neos!"

With a translucent, pure white body adorned with red patterns and a blue indicator light on its chest brimming with power, the spirit form of the new universe hero—[E·hero Neo-Ultraman]—who bears a striking resemblance to Ultraman, has made its dazzling debut!
【E·hero New Universe Elf】【ATK2500】

"If [E·hero Neos Elf] is Special Summoned, activate this effect and add one Spell/Trap Card or [Fusion] with the name of [E·hero] monster from my Deck to my hand."

The first half of the search effect of 【E·hero Neospiel】 is the same as that of 【Miracle Excluder】, so Jaden chose the card with the most 【E·hero Neospiel】 in its name, "I choose this 【EN Switch】 card with the 【E·hero Neospiel】 in its name."

The moment that [E·hero Neo-Elf] appeared also marked the first meeting between "Gana Malden" and "E·hero Neo-Elf," representing the "Darkness of Justice."

"Is that the guy? He was a card with me, but you were the only one chosen by the so-called 'Darkness of Justice,' and you even arrived at Jaden's side a whole year before me!" Ghana Malden glared at [E·hero Neospiel], clearly agitated. "It was me! I was first! I was here first!"

"Whether it was making a promise to Judai, protecting him, or winning his love—I was the one who came first!"

"I will never allow you to take Jaden away from me, so—Trap Card activated!"

Although the Awakened Three Phantoms have left, that doesn't mean that "Gana Malden" has no cards left to use. There's always a card set face-down on her back row—the unknown "Magic God" Spell/Trap Card set face-down by "Resurrection of the Demon God Realm"!

As the card was revealed, a powerful magical force suddenly erupted from "Gana Malden's" graveyard, firmly locking onto the aura of the [E·hero Neos Elf] that had just appeared on the field in Jaden's game. Because of personal grudges, "Gana Malden" was acting against him recklessly, not caring at all whether it was reasonable to just hand over his only face-down card.

"【Magical God】only has three Spell/Trap Cards: a Field Spell Card, a Continuous Spell Card, and this Trap Card, 【Magical God of Rebellion】." Discarding a card from his hand, "Gana Malden" said, "You can activate this effect by targeting one 【Magical God】 monster in my Graveyard and one face-up monster on the field. Discard one card from my hand, Special Summon the targeted monster from my Graveyard, and destroy the targeted card on the field!"

"【E·hero Neo-Elf】, I can no longer tolerate your existence in this world with ten generations! Die under this 【Rebellious Demon God】!"

Because of the angle, John could clearly see that the opponent had actually discarded the [Awakened Three Phantoms] card that had just returned to their hand!

"What deep-seated grudge could this be?" John complained as the newly appeared [E·hero Neos] was shattered, and Jaden didn't even have time to use its other effect to return to the deck and Special Summon [E·hero Neos].

At the same time, the [Demon God] in the "Gana Malden" graveyard was also resurrected—the [Demon God - Leviathan], a superior being with a level 10☆!
【Leviathan】【ATK3000】

Although in the previous use of "Gana Malden", its main purpose was basically the same as "Little Horned Dragon" in the Dinosaur-type deck: to be destroyed to activate its effect, this does not affect its noble 3000 ATK, which is rarely exceeded by monsters.

"You did very well, Jaden, but you overdid it. You angered me by Special Summoning [E·hero Neospiel], and I will punish you—by what is called 'Pain'!"

With his arms outstretched, "Gana Malden" grinned maliciously: "Don't forget an important rule of this duel—your and John Anderson's field cards are not interchangeable. Your monsters cannot protect John Anderson. With his field currently empty, I can defeat him directly in the first battle phase of this duel next turn!"

“Right now I have two monsters with 4000 ATK and one monster with 3000 ATK on my field. Even without the effects of the ‘Phantom Demons’, I have enough power to kill John Anderson right in front of you. And what can you do to stop me when you can’t even enter the Battle Phase? There’s no way, absolutely none!”

"【Paradise Lost】grants the 'Phantom Demons' resistance, and the destruction of 【Demon God - Leviathan】will provide me with a large amount of resources to allow me to expand in the next turn. You can't even kill me this turn by reducing my base score, because my base score is now as high as 15400 points, which is your 1000%!"

"Pain, Judai, pain! Struggle in the hatred of losing your 'friend' right before your eyes, just as I watched you being taken away by someone else. Feel my pain, feel my love too!"

It's that time of year again for white photo albums!