Who asked him to play Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 1609 The Dark Truth

Guardian Desdeath, true to its death-like image, is a monster that is literally immortal. Whether destroyed by battle or by monster effect, it can be resurrected from the Graveyard no matter how many times it is destroyed, and it becomes even stronger with each resurrection and the discarding of monster cards into the Graveyard.

Originally, this effect couldn't be considered completely "immortal," because its resurrection wasn't without cost. Each time Dessaith resurrected, the effect was forcibly activated; the player had to discard a card to revive it, even if the controller didn't want to activate it again.

This effect design seems to imply the setting of "once you fall into darkness, you can't get out," and once it appears, even Rafael himself can no longer control himself.

However, since one must discard cards to revive each time, the number of revival attempts is limited. In fact, in the original work, Yami Yugi used this weakness to defeat Desdeath. Once Rafael ran out of cards, it was equivalent to using up Desdeath's revival coins, and the guardian was completely destroyed.

However, at this moment, the existence of the eternal magic "Sign of Survival" perfectly makes up for this weakness.

Desdeath can revive by discarding a card, and each revival allows her to draw three cards. As Desdeath revives repeatedly, her attack power increases, and Rafael's hand resources also grow. Using one revival coin adds three more, essentially giving her infinite lives.

This changes the condition for depleting the opponent's resurrection coins from "depleting the opponent's hand" to "draining the opponent's deck," significantly increasing the difficulty.

Furthermore, the common tactic of "still having to take the battle damage" is also ineffective when facing indestructible monsters, because there is a "soul barrier" that can ignore battle damage.

Now that this combination is complete, Rafael and Desdeath have indeed evolved into a combination with almost infinite life.

"The darkness in the human heart is like weeds, which can never be eradicated or burned out, and each time it returns, it grows stronger, just like this death-like guardian."

"Rafiru said in a deep voice."

"Guardian Desdeath attacks the 'Infernal Death Dragon' once again!"

[Guardian Desdeath, Attack Power 4500]

[Eternal Fire Death Dragon, Attack Power 4700]

With an attack power still two hundred points lower, it was only natural that Desdeath was once again pulverized and destroyed by the Death Dragon's chaotic breath.

At the same time, another card in Rafiru's hand was swallowed by the dark vortex and disappeared in the chaos as if it had been annihilated.

“The effect of Soul Barrier is that I take no combat damage,” Rafael said. “Then discard a card from your hand, and Desdeath is resurrected from the graveyard.”

The undying Grim Reaper has returned once more, gripping that eerie scythe, his deathly aura even more intense than before.

“Because of the discarded monster card, Guardian Desdeath’s ATK increases by 500,” Rafael said. “Then, with the effect of ‘Survival Treasure Card,’ I draw three cards from my deck.”

Rafael drew three more cards.

Of course, no matter how many cards he draws, there's only so much he can use. This is because he can't summon any new monsters while Desdeath is on the field.

[Guardian Desdeath, Attack Power 4500 → Attack Power 5000]

"I've said it before, the darkness in people's hearts is endless," Rafael said coldly. "Humans can never transcend the darkness within themselves; that's the reality of this world, and it was Lady Dartz who made me understand this. Lady Dartz's guidance will teach the world to accept that darkness, and then transcend it, just like how I obtained the power of Desdeath!"

As he spoke, he drew another card from his hand, which he had just obtained using the power of the "Survival Treasure Card," and held it high in the air, tilting his head back. "I will no longer underestimate you, nor will I hold back. I will unleash the darkness within me, all my power, here! Activate Field Spell—"

—Orichalcos Barrier!!!

Another green beam of light shot into the sky, seemingly merging with the beam of light that had already soared into the clouds behind the two. A six-pointed star-shaped magic circle appeared to descend from behind the clouds, weaving a solemn barrier that enveloped both sides in a glass-like, transparent green light.

Rafael let out a long, drawn-out howl, as if his body had completely absorbed the energy of the barrier. Red light shone in his eyes, and a six-pointed star mark appeared on his forehead. The same mark, as if connecting its master and the monster, also appeared on the forehead of the Guardian Desdeath.

"With the Orichalcos Barrier amplification, 'Guardian Desdeath's' attack power will increase by another 500 points!" Rafael said.

[Guardian Desdeath, Attack Power 5000 → Attack Power 5500]

"Guardian Desdeath, attack the 'Infernal Death Dragon' once again!"

With its attack power finally surpassing the previous level, Desdeath cleaved the Death Dragon's breath with a single strike. The chaotic vortex was split in two, and the burst of light from the blade cleaved the Eternal Fire Death Dragon in two from its head.

[Yu Xuan, LP4000 → LP3200]

“The round is over,” Rafael said. “Fujiki Yugen, you are probably a very strong duelist. But when faced with this darkness, no matter how much power you unleash, it will only grow stronger and regenerate. This is the truth of the darkness in people’s hearts.”

“Oh, really? But it’s quite a coincidence that I also have some rudimentary research on the so-called darkness of the human heart,” You Xuan said with a smile.

Rafael: "Hmm?"

You understand darkness too?
How dare someone bring up the darkness of the human heart in the face of the power of us, the Three Musketeers of Dorma, and the divine power of Orichalcohol?
“Yes, I know a little, and I’ve done some research.” You Xuan said with a smile. “Well, although I only know the basics, it should be enough for a novice like you.”

Rafiru's face darkened with anger: "What did you say?"

If the other party denies him, refutes him, or even tries to awaken his bond with the monster by saying that it's wrong, Rafael would probably just pretend not to hear and not take it to heart.

But the other party didn't. On the contrary, the other party actually questioned his understanding of Lord Dartz's teachings, questioned his unwavering belief in destiny, and questioned his faith, which was intolerable.

"It means exactly what it says," You Xuan said calmly. "In the end, you keep talking about 'darkness within,' but you're not even a basic dark duelist. You know nothing about how dark power works, and you're completely clueless about the truth of inner darkness."

The supernatural powers you use are merely temporary borrowing of someone else's authority through the 'Orichalcos Barrier' card; they are not your own. Even the darkness within you that you believe you understand is nothing more than thoughts instilled in you by others.

If you don't believe me"

You Xuan raised his hand in his direction, his five fingers spread.

As if by illusion, in that instant, Rafiru felt as if the outstretched fingers were covering the sky and the sun in his vision, as if they were trying to squeeze him into their palms.

You Xuan: "Let me show you."

(End of this chapter)