Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

【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!"

Chapter 1739 The Biggest Monster in Animation Before Tiangaix

"Pierce through the storm, erase death..." Watching the Skeleton King vanish from his graveyard, Odin's gaze towards Hayato shifted, his tone shifting, as if he had made a firm decision. "Even if I had doubted Loki's words, I must now admit one thing—"

“You are the enemy of the Astral Plane, the enemy of the Triads, and therefore my enemy. I must defeat you here!”

(Note: This is an animated version.)

"From my hand, I Normal Summon [Polaris - Valkyrie] in Attack Position!"

【Polaris - Valkyrie】【2☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Adjustment/Effect]

[400/800]

A valiant angel maiden descends upon Odin's field, sharing the same archetype as Chigfrid's Valkyrie deck: the Valkyrie, the Norse goddess who guides the souls of lost heroes to Valhalla.

If the Valkyrie deck emphasizes the legendary Valkyries as a side of the Valkyrie archetype, then the Polar Star Valkyrie, as Odin's servant, places greater emphasis on the role of "guiding the souls of heroes."

"You used the effect of [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent] too early, Hayato Kobayashi. Now, I'm going to use the effect of [Polar Star - Valkyrie] to send the monster to the graveyard."

Showing the two monster cards in his hand, Odin said, "When [Polar Star - Valkyrie] is successfully summoned, I can activate this effect by sending two cards from my hand to the Graveyard."

Because Odin moved so quickly, even Hayato could only see that one of the two cards he sent to the graveyard was a monster card, "Polar Beast - Biting Sheep," and could not see what the other card underneath was.

Odin then said, "Then, I will Special Summon two [Heroic Spirit Tokens] to my field in Defense Position!"

[Heroic Spirit Derivative] [4 stars/land]

[Warrior Race/Derivatives]

[1000/1000]

His hand, which had just been replenished to five cards, was quickly reduced to only two. However, in exchange, he summoned three monsters on his field, including both Tuner and non-Tuner monsters.

"Hehe, want to Synchro Summon? Level 2☆+4☆+4☆=10☆." Looking at the Synchro Materials gathered on Odin's field all at once, Hayato pressed the button to activate a face-down card. "Then let's chain the opponent's Special Summon of a Token, I'll activate my face-down card in the back row!"

"Continuous Trap Card [Crystal Machine Cluster]! Under this card's effect, my [Crystal Machine] cards cannot be banished by my opponent's effects, including not only monsters, but also spells and traps!"

Crystal clusters originating from the [Crystal Mechanism - Sacred Crystal] floated in the air, forming a dense crystal forest that protected Hayato's monsters within. Moreover, the crystal clusters were growing towards Odin's field!?

"And, the second effect of [Crystal Machine Cluster] is that you can target a face-up card on the field to activate this effect, returning any [Crystal Machine] cards other than one [Crystal Machine Cluster] in my Graveyard to the Deck and destroying the targeted card." Hayato paused, then held up two fingers. "However, if I have a [Crystal Machine] Synchro Monster on my field, this effect can target two cards."

"I choose to destroy both of the opponent's [Heroic Spirit Tokens] on the field. The dead should return to the world of the dead, not be driven by so-called gods to fight without peace!"

Before Odin could even fully materialize the [Heroic Spirit Tokens] he Special Summoned using two cards, they were pierced by the spike-like crystal pillars released by Hayato's [Crystal Machine Cluster] and vanished. As a result, Odin was left with only the [Polar Star Valkyrie] monster on his field, which had already used its effect and was now in an awkward position.

"Even the power of the heroic spirits prepared by [Polar Star Valkyrie] has been ended...?" Odin looked at the only remaining [Polar Star Valkyrie] on his field, but then played another card. "However, it was your mistake not to destroy [Polar Star Valkyrie] on my field, which allows me to activate the effect of this card in my hand again!"

"This effect can only be activated if I control a [Polar God] or [Polar Star] monster. Special Summon this [Polar Star Engineer Dwarf] from my hand!"

【Polaris Craftsman - Power Dwarf】【4☆/Land】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[1500/700]

Odin placed a monster card face down on the field and continued, "Then, if [Polar Star Dwarf] is successfully Summoned or Special Summoned, its effect activates, and I add one [Polar Star Treasure] card from my Deck to my hand."

"The card I've chosen is the Throne of the God-King—[Polar Star Treasure - Supreme Throne]!"

"And activate it!"

Although [Polaris - Valkyrie] could no longer guide more [Heroic Spirit Derivatives] to arrive, [Polaris - Dwarf] successfully appeared on Odin's field following her guidance and struck the huge iron hammer he was carrying on his shoulder into the air.

The matter in the astral plane gathered at his command and created a magnificent throne out of nothing.

"The effect of 【Polar Star Treasure - Supreme Throne】 is to Special Summon one 【Polar Star】 monster from my Deck, but as long as the monster Special Summoned by this effect is face-up and I am not a 【Polar God】 monster, I cannot Special Summon it from the Extra Deck."

Odin took a card from his deck. "I Special Summon the Level 4 [Polar Spirit - Wisdom Spirit]. Now I have one Level 2 Tuner monster and two Level 4 non-Tuner monsters on my field!"

【Polar Spirit - Wise Spirit】【4☆/Dark】

[Mage Race/Effect]

[1500/1000]

Seeing Odin's enthusiastic Special Summon, Hayato was surprised that his opponent, with a deck that was not even as good as the Polar Star deck, was actually about to successfully complete his first Synchro Summon. Intrigued, Hayato waved his hand and said, "Then before your Synchro Summon begins, I'll start my Synchro Summon first."

"During your opponent's Main Phase, send your Level 4☆ Synchro Tuner monster, [Crystal Machine - Quantum Corundum White Crystal], and your Level 5☆ non-Tuner Synchro Monster, [Formula Athlete - Electric Track Master], as Synchro Material to the Graveyard to satisfy the Synchro Material requirement of adding at least one Synchro Monster other than a Tuner!"

On Hayato's field, the Formula Athlete - Electric Track Master, which was summoned by the Synchro ...

Inside the cockpit of [Crystal Machine - Quantum Corundum White Crystal], [Crystal Machine - Quantum Corundum White Crystal] reached out and grasped [Crystal Machine - Matrix Yellow Crystal], just as she had grasped his hand when [Crystal Machine - Central Orochi] was summoned in a synchronized manner.

"The gathered crystals of dreams will open a new gate of evolution and transform into a radiant path!" Before the wreckage of [Formula Athlete - Lightning Track Champion] had completely dissipated, Hayato climbed in and pretended to be driving. "Clear Mind!"

"Level 4☆ + 5☆ = 9☆! Accelerate Synchro Summoning!"

"Born, meteor... [Crystal Mechanism - Quantum Red Sparrow White Crystal]!"

The power of the [Crystal Machine - Red Crystal Suzaku] from Hayato's graveyard coalesced on Hayato's field into a giant red robot. The [Crystal Machine - Quantum White Crystal] and the [Crystal Machine - Matrix Yellow Crystal] entered the cockpit together, controlling the robot to deploy the wire-controlled cannon transformed from the crystal feathers of the [Crystal Machine - Red Crystal Suzaku].

Red mobile suits stand tall on the earth!

【Crystal Ingenuity - Quantum Red Sparrow White Crystal】【9☆/Water】

[Mechanical Race/Synchro/Effect]

【2800/2000→3100/2300】

"This effect can only be activated if 【Crystal Machine - Quantum Cardinal Crystal】 is successfully Synchro Summoned! Banish all Spell & Trap Cards on your opponent's field and in their Graveyard!" Hayato waved his hand, pointing to Odin's Graveyard, "Including but not limited to your 【Polar Star Treasure - Supreme Throne】!"

"【Crystal Mechanism - Quantum Red Sparrow White Crystal】is more than just pretty!" shouted 【Crystal Mechanism - Quantum White Crystal】inside the cockpit.

"They're just Norse gods..." [Crystal Mechanism - Matrix Yellow Crystal] said, glancing at [Crystal Mechanism - Quantum White Crystal] beside it.

"Watch us push it back!" X2

"All-around floating cannon attack!"

【Crystal Machine - Quantum Red Sparrow White Crystal】released wire-controlled cannons that spread throughout the surrounding space, bombarding Odin's field and banishing all of his magic and trap cards!

Odin was somewhat disappointed that his own [Polarst Treasure - High Throne] had been banished from his graveyard without him having a chance to use its effect, but he still waved his hand and said, "Now it's my turn. Send my Level 2 Tuner monster [Polarst Valkyrie], and my Level 4 non-Tuner monsters [Polarst Engineer - Power Dwarf] and [Polarst Spirit - Wisdom Spirit] as Synchro Materials to the Graveyard!"

"O all-knowing and all-powerful king residing in the northern sky, it is time for you to rule over the gods of the celestial realm and display your prestige!"

"Level 2☆+4☆+4☆=10☆, Synchro Summon!"

"Command the heavens and the gods, the supreme god—[Odin, the Supreme God Emperor]!"

The towering giant god descended immediately after Hayato's [Crystal Mechanism - Quantum Red Sparrow White Crystal], but in reality, it was just Odin suddenly dispelling his human avatar, and then the enormous true body behind him—the God-King, the head of the "Three Pillars of the Astral Realm," [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin]—stepped directly onto the field!

(Note: Animated version)

【Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin】【10☆/God】

[Phantom Beast Race/Synchro/Effect]

[4000/3500]

On the ground, the soldiers of the Astral Plane had been watching the duel taking place in the sky. Although Hayato's continuous Synchro Summoning had indeed looked impressive, they cheered when [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin] appeared.

"Lord Odin, the King of Gods, has made his move!"

"We've won! The invaders can no longer win the duel; our god has won!"

"Just to see Lord Odin take action, even if I die, it's worth the price of admission!"

(The tallest building in Shin-Domino City, the Kaiba Group building, doesn't even reach knee height; it's the largest building on Tengai Star.)

Hayato glanced at the ground. Although he couldn't quite hear what the soldiers on the ground were saying, he could sense their excitement: "You're very popular with your subjects, [Odin]."

Having abandoned his pseudo-divine human form and returned to his true self, the Supreme Holy Emperor Odin said in a deep voice: "Before me, do you still have the right to mock others, human?"

"I—the God-King [Supreme Holy Emperor-Odin]—am an all-knowing and all-powerful god, possessing the power to nullify magic and traps that affect us gods without limit of times or rounds. At the same time, although 'Ragnarok' symbolizes the inevitable end, it also means that we will never die before the end of our destiny arrives."

"4000 attack power surpassing your monsters! Resurrected immortality! And omniscient and omnipotent power!"

Pointing his left hand, which wasn't holding a gun, at Hayato, [Odin, the Holy Emperor] declared, "I will end your life here, enemy of the Astral Plane!"

But Hayato merely picked at his ear, and even had the leisure to ask the Winged Dragon of Ra at his feet, "Have you ever seen a god that has no resistance to spell and trap cards and doesn't offer any proactive pressure?"

"Waaaaah~" [Ra's Winged Dragon] thought for a moment and said.

"You said you've seen it? [The Sky Dragon of Osiris]. That's true, after all, it's a 'traitor dragon' with a passive effect." Teasing about the [Sky Dragon of Osiris'] effect, Hayato then looked at the [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin] before him. "But that's still stronger than this [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin], isn't it?"

"Besides 'the traitorous dragon'? Or even 'the traitorous dragon'!"

To be fair, even if [Odin, the Supreme Holy Emperor] were standing before Hayato in his prime, as depicted in the anime, the only thing that would intimidate Hayato was his sheer size. And Hayato wasn't just belittling his opponent; he was stating the truth—if Future Yusei had encountered a Ragnarok team that used the "Triads" instead of the "Three Supreme Gods," and instead replaced any one of the Pillar Gods with [Osiris the Sky Dragon], it would have easily overwhelmed the low-level monsters of the Synchro Era, most of which had attack and defense values ​​exceeding 2000.

"There's a limit to rudeness, you mortal!" [Emperor Thor] was very displeased with Hayato's attitude. "The one before you is a noble God-King! Don't add insult to injury!"

"You really dare to say that. I went all out, afraid you wouldn't even be able to gather enough cards for one Synchro Summon, and you only managed one Synchro Summon even though your hand was almost empty." Hayato sighed and looked at Odin's hand. "Speaking of which, you should probably play that card you had in your hand by now. I think you were hoping to use that card to turn the tide?"

"A comeback? No, it's about completing the final act that will leave you in despair!" [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin] said, playing the last card, which had also grown to an enormous size, from his massive self's hand. "The end of fate has been decided. Uncover the answer with my omniscient and omnipotent power!"

"The Spell Card [Treasure of Fate] is activated! Based on the points given by fate, I draw cards from my deck and banish the same number of cards from the top of the deck. The fate I chose is the furthest one, 6 points!"

After appearing in his true form, [Odin, the Supreme Holy Emperor] unleashed his full power, abandoning all pretense and directly indicating that he would roll a six. Under the effect of the [Treasure of Fate], a die fell before him, its number slowly settling on six...four!?

"What? I thought it was Jonouchi again. Even though you have the same cards, your skill level seems quite lacking, [Odin]?" Hayato was initially surprised to see [Odin] play a card, but after seeing that the final score didn't stop at six as he expected, he couldn't help but say, "Don't pretend unless you're absolutely sure, okay? A bespectacled guy once said, 'Don't make boastful claims easily; it only reveals your weakness.'"