Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"The monster I Special Summoned is this one—[Crystal Machine - Sacred Crystal]!"

The landing [Crystal Machine - Trinity Crystal] casually pulled two Synchro Rings. Although it wasn't a Synchro Summon, it still managed to Special Summon [Crystal Machine - Sacred Crystal] from Hayato's graveyard, which he had previously destroyed himself. As soon as it appeared, both [Loki], who had already attacked, and [Thor] and [Odin], who hadn't yet attacked, felt a sudden weight on their bodies.

【Crystal Ingenuity - Sacred Celestial Crystal】【DEF2100→2400】

"This feeling... have I been captured by gravity?" Feeling the increased weight of the raised hammer, [Emperor Thor] angrily exclaimed, "Damn gravity!"

"Idiot, can't you even look at your own hammer?" [Loki, the Supreme God Emperor] complained from the side. "It's that [Crystal Mechanism - Holy Celestial Crystal] that covered us in crystals the moment it appeared, making us heavier!"

[Loki, the Supreme God Emperor] [ATK3300→2800]

【Emperor of the Ultimate Gods - Thor】【ATK3500→3000】

【Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin】【ATK4000→3500】

"The effect of [Crystal Machine - Holy Sky Crystal] is only limited to when it is Synchro Summoned, but its ability to lower the opponent's monster's ATK is not limited to that. It can still be triggered even if it is revived," Hayato explained. "Although it is summoned at the cost of destroying [Crystal Machine - Quantum Red Sparrow White Crystal], in terms of ATK, my [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent] has higher ATK than your [Ultimate Emperor - Thor], [Odin]!"

Even with the Field Spell Card bonus, [King of Gods - Thor]'s 3500 ATK was still greater than [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent]'s 3300 ATK after the bonus. However, with the support of [Crystal Machine - Holy Heaven Skeleton], the situation changed again, and Hayato's side now has a higher ATK.

"Although Spell & Trap Cards are ineffective against us, can Monster Effects still be activated?" [Emperor Thor] understood the situation and said with a look of lingering fear, "Fortunately, [Odin] hasn't given the attack command yet, otherwise I might have perished together with Jormungandr, just like in the prophecy of Ragnarok."

[Loki, the Supreme God Emperor] continued to undermine the argument: "Mutual destruction? Stop trying to glorify yourself. You were clearly the one who got unilaterally and brutally killed by the other side, weren't you?"

"...Saying one less word won't kill you, [Loki]!"

However, Odin, the Supreme Holy Emperor, wore a solemn expression upon witnessing the regeneration of the Crystal Mechanism - Holy Celestial Skeleton: "...I saw Hela, the Queen of the Land of the Dead, standing on a great ship made of dead men's fingernails. That ship was called Nagilfa, filled with an army of giants, sailing towards the realm of the gods. The evil god was the king of the sailors on board, the giant wolf Fenrir dwelled atop it, and the giant serpent Jormungandr coiled on the waves..."

Originally, Odin, the Supreme Holy Emperor, didn't have any particular feelings about the Crystal Machine - Holy Celestial Skeleton. However, when he saw it standing next to the Crystal Machine - Central Serpent, he couldn't help but recall the prophecy about "Ragnarok" that he had learned about. No matter how he looked at it, the Crystal Machine - Holy Celestial Skeleton, which had the word "skeleton" in its name and did indeed have a vehicle function, seemed to be referring to the ship of the dead.

"As expected, you are a rather dangerous being, Hayato Kobayashi." Instead of ordering [Thor] to change its target, he personally took action, raising his spear. "I have never demanded that you humans refrain from wielding power beyond your own kind. However, you have repeatedly shown me the approaching prophesied fate!"

“You are only twenty-three years old now, and you have already obtained the two powers that threaten us, ‘Jormungandr’ and ‘Nagilfa’. If this continues, you will have four powers by the time you are forty-six, and by the time you are ninety-two, you will be able to bring about Ragnarok by yourself.”

"As the King of Gods, I must defeat you here—for the glory of the gods!"

"The Great God's Declaration: Gungnir!"

What streaked across the sky—was it a shooting star? No, it was the spear in the hands of the Supreme Holy Emperor, Odin! This divine spear, which in mythology was said to "always pierce its target," was hurled by Odin in an instant, piercing through the body of the Crystal Mechanism—Holy Celestial Skeleton—and shattering it to pieces!

The God King's furious strike, even with its attack power reduced by 500 points by the [Crystal Mechanism - Holy Celestial Crystal], still instantly destroyed it and sent it back to the graveyard!

However, because it was a defensive signal, Hayato did not suffer any further combat damage.

Because of the departure of [Crystal Mechanism - Holy Celestial Crystal], the crystal clusters on the "Three Extreme Gods" shattered and their power was restored. [Extreme God Emperor - Thor] immediately took action and smashed his giant hammer hard onto [Crystal Mechanism - Central Serpent]!

【Emperor of the Ultimate Gods - Thor】【ATK3000→3500】

[Hayato Kobayashi: 3800→3600LP, 2 card in hand]

After a powerful attack that combined the strength of the "Three Gods," Hayato only lost a mere 400 Life Points. However, he still had a [Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon] and a face-down card remaining on his field. Even the effect of [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent], which had just been destroyed in battle by [God Emperor - Thor], was activated.

"Although the effect of [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent] was negated by you, [Thor], while it was on the field, it successfully escaped your restriction after being destroyed and sent to the Graveyard." Hayato took out another card from the banished monsters and said, "If the Synchro Summoned [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent] is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can target any banished monsters of both players other than this card and Special Summon them to my field."

"I Special Summon this banished [Crystal Machine - Smoky Tiger]".

【Crystal Mechanism - Smoky Tiger】【DEF1800→2100】

"Tch, one kill and another one comes, there's no way to kill them all." Although it felt great to smash [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent], [Ultimate God Emperor - Thor] felt a little annoyed when he saw another [Crystal Machine - Smoke Tiger] appear on Hayato's field in the blink of an eye.

"Are you really annoyed?" Hayato asked knowingly. "You'll definitely feel that way at first, but if I do it a few more times, maybe you'll get used to it?"

"Before your Battle Phase ends, [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin], I activate my last face-down card - Trap Card [Crystal Machine Capsule]! Special Summon one [Crystal Machine] Tuner Monster from my hand and Graveyard."

"I Special Summon [Crystal Machine - Quantum White Crystal] from my hand and [Crystal Machine - Matrix Topaz] from my Graveyard!"

【Crystal Mechanism - Quantum White Crystal】【DEF500→800】

【Crystal Mechanism - Matrix Citrine】【DEF500→800】

【Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin】 frowned as he saw two more Tuners appear on Hayato's field. He subconsciously checked the two monsters with his eyes, then his expression suddenly changed: "So that's how it is. Is this your true power?!"

"Where exactly does the strength of [Crystal Machine] lie? To be honest, its control over the terminal isn't very strong, and its effect when destroyed is also quite outdated. Its own Spell & Trap Cards aren't particularly powerful either, and most of its non-Tuner effects can only be activated once per turn." Hayato muttered to himself, perhaps answering [Odin], "But the one thing that can't be denied is the strength of [Crystal Machine] Tuner monsters."

"So far, the only [Crystal Machine] Tuner effect I've revealed is [Crystal Machine - Trinity Crystal], right? Actually, the other three [Crystal Machine] Tuner effects aren't much weaker, because they all have the ability to Special Summon monsters from a specific area during the opponent's Main Phase and Battle Phase and perform Accelerated Synchro Summoning on themselves!"

Hayato waved his hand and said, "First, there's the effect of [Crystal Machine - Quantum White Crystal]. I can Special Summon a monster from my hand that is not a Tuner by negating its effects, and then Synchro Summon a Machine Synchro Monster using only that monster and this card as materials!"

(Perpetually banned card)

"I Special Summon this Level 1☆ [Level Thief Bug] from my hand, and then send the Level 1☆ Tuner monster [Crystal Machine - Quantum White Crystal] and the Level 1☆ non-Tuner monster [Level Thief Bug] as Synchro Materials to the Graveyard!"

"May our gathered prayers reach a new horizon of speed, transforming into a radiant path!"

"Summoning Synchro, Level 1☆ + 1☆ = 2☆!"

"The invincible little car—[Formula Synchronizer]!"

[Formula Synchronizer] [2☆/Light]

[Mechanical Race/Synchro/Adjustment/Effect]

[200/1500]

"【Formula】?" Odin was more interested in the name preceding 【Formula Synchron】 than the 【Synchronizer】 field, because there had been a 【Formula Athlete - Lightning Track Champion】 before, and it mistakenly thought that was the main field of 【Formula Synchronizer】. "Is it a Synchron Monster from the same series as that previous monster?"

"Actually, no, the two are not that related. But let's skip the detailed explanation." Hayato was too lazy to explain how huge the [Synchronizer] series was, and waved his hand, saying, "First, because of the effect of [Formula Synchronizer] - this card can only be activated when it is Synchro Summoned, I drew a card from my deck."

"Draw!"

[Hayato Kobayashi: 3600LP, hand 2→1→2]

Having replenished the cards consumed when activating [Crystal Machine Capsule], Hayato continued, "Then, I activate the effect of my [Crystal Machine - Matrix Topaz], which Special Summons a One-in-One monster from my Graveyard during my opponent's Main Phase and Battle Phase, negating its effects, and then Synchro Summons it as Synchro Material for a One-in-One Machine-Type monster. However, when Synchro Summons using this effect, the Synchro Material monster is banished instead of sent to the Graveyard."

"I will Special Summon the Level 5☆ Crystal Machine - Lemon Fafnir from my Graveyard, and then banish the Level 2☆ Tuner monster Crystal Machine - Matrix Topaz and the Level 5☆ Non-Tuner monster Crystal Machine - Lemon Fafnir!"

"Summon [Formula Athlete - Lightning Track Champion] once again!"

[Formula Athlete - Racing Champion] [DEF2000]

Hayato placed the card on the field and shrugged, "Alright, I've finished my turn. You can continue your turn now."

As Hayato moved around freely during his turn, while he could only watch from the sidelines like an "incompetent husband," [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin] felt a sense of frustration that came from nowhere. But in reality, even if Hayato gave him back his turn, there was nothing he could do.

"I end my battle phase, and then in Main Phase 2, I set two cards face down on my back row and end my turn." Even though [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin] had already completed all possible combos in Main Phase 1, he only managed to set two cards face down before ending his turn, even after regaining control of his turn.

【Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin: 2000 LP, Hand size 2 → 0】

【Emperor of the Ultimate Gods - Thor】【ATK3500】

【Loki, the Supreme God Emperor】【ATK3300】

【Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin】【ATK4000】

Backcourt: [Face Card] x2

However, while Odin declared the end of the turn, Hayato had a card effect to activate: "Then during the end phase of the opponent's turn, by the effect of my Field Spell Card [Crystal Array Potential], I draw cards from my Deck equal to the number of [Crystal Machine] Synchro Monsters I Synchro Summoned this turn."

"I Synchro Summoned [Crystal Machine - Quantum Ruby White Crystal] and [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent], so I can draw two cards."

[Hayato Kobayashi: 3600LP, hand 2→4]

【Crystal Mechanism - Smoky Tiger】【DEF2100】

[Formula Synchronizer] [DEF1500]

[Formula Athlete - Racing Champion] [DEF2000]

【Phantom Wing Synchron Dragon】【DEF2000】

Venue: [Crystal Array - Potential]

Chapter 1742 Crystal Mechanism... Crystal Wings!

"My turn... Draw!"

Just as Odin finished his turn and Hayato completed his draw during his turn's draw phase, Loki, the Supreme God Emperor on Odin's field, suddenly said, "This is the moment! Act quickly, Odin! Unlock your face-down card!"

“I don’t need you to command me, [Loki].” Odin glanced at [Loki the Great] and said, “But just as [Loki] said, I will activate my face-down card in the back row the instant the opponent finishes drawing cards and enters the standby phase, the Continuous Trap Card [Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield]!”

The so-called "ice shield" actually refers to a giant shield created and placed in front of a golden chariot in Norse mythology by the gods to prevent the heat of the fire from burning the chariot, which was then pulled through the sky by two divine horses. The shield's name, Svalin, means "to cool down."

The cards in the "Polarst Monster" series all take their names from artifacts or treasures in Norse mythology. For example, "Polarst Monster - High Throne" is named after Odin's throne in mythology, which grants the person sitting on it a special perspective to observe the nine worlds. Therefore, "Polarst Monster - High Throne" also gains the ability to Special Summon any "Polarst" monster from Odin's deck.

Comparatively, the effects gained by [Polarstar Treasure - Ice Shield] will naturally have some connection with the mythical prototype of the giant shield in front of a chariot, "Swarin"—

"The Continuous Trap Card [Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield] has two effects, and I can only use one of them once per turn. This time, I'm going to use its first effect." [Polar God Emperor - Odin] waved his hand and said, "It can only be activated if [Polar God] is on my field. It negates the effects of all face-up cards on the opponent's field until the end of the turn!"

Norse mythology holds that the sun's light and heat come from the manes of the two divine horses that pull the golden chariot, the chariot's radiance, and the large amount of fire blocks carried on it. The giant shield "Swarin" in front of the chariot can block the heat of the fire blocks. Therefore, the effect of the trap card "Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield" naturally becomes the ability to strip away the heat bestowed upon all things—that is, to nullify the effect.

This is indeed powerful because its second-speed nullification effect is more comprehensive than that of [Pluto Barrier Wave], which only nullifies monster effects. However, the important power that it lacks compared to [Pluto Barrier Wave] is that it can be chained.

"The effects of [Extreme God] are mostly activated during your own turn. Even [Extreme God Emperor - Odin]'s effect can only be triggered passively. Therefore, even though I don't know the effect of [Extreme Star Treasure], I can guess that you are preparing some cards with active aggression effects to interfere with me." Hayato glanced at the four monsters on his field and waved his hand, "That's why I Synchro Summoned the second [Formula Athlete - Lightning Track Master]!"

"Chain effect of [Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield] to reduce its level by 2 stars, nullify and destroy the activation of [Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield]!"

"The Destruction Firebird Returns!"

【方程式运动员-电光赛道名将】【7☆→5☆/光】【2100/2000→1500/2000】

Unlike before, when the rotation was centered on the direction of travel, this time the [Formula Athlete - Electric Track Champion] was actually drifting and spinning in place. The red flames released from the tailpipe transformed into a fire tornado as it swirled around, engulfing the [Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield]!

Seeing that Hayato had indeed activated the effect of [Formula Athlete - Lightning Track Champion], [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin] breathed a sigh of relief: "Faced with the power of [Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield], you really had no choice but to activate this effect. After all, if you didn't activate it, your monster effect would be negated."

"But the result of you using the effect of [Formula Athlete - Lightning Track Champion] to negate my [Polar Star Treasure - Ice Shield] is exactly what I wanted, because I'm going to activate this card again—the Continuous Trap Card [Divine Radiance]!"

(ps: animated version)

"This card can only be activated when there is a Mythical Beast-Type monster on the field. After this card is activated, until my second Standby Phase, any Mythical Beasts on my field cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects!"

Unlike the physical card version of "Divine Radiance," which can only target one "Extreme God," the effect of "Divine Radiance" played by "Extreme God Emperor - Odin" does not require targeting but affects all Divine Beast-Type monsters on his field. Combined with the effect of "Extreme God Emperor - Odin," this results in the monsters on his field having a stripped-down version of Spell/Trap resistance and targeting effect resistance. Only monster effects that do not target can affect the "Three Extreme Gods."

"Not only that, Kobayashi Hayato, I can also tell you about the power sleeping in my graveyard." [Supreme God Emperor - Odin] confidently explained, "If [Polar Spirit - Wise Spirit] is in my graveyard, once my [Supreme God] is sent to the graveyard by my opponent through means other than battle, whether destroyed or Tributed, I can banish it to activate its effect and resummon a new [Supreme God] from my Extra Deck."

"And we, the 'Three Gods,' each have the ability to be resurrected on the field after being destroyed, inflict 800 points of effect damage on the opponent, recycle one Trap Card from the Graveyard, and draw one card from the Deck!"

"What can you possibly do with just those four monsters on your field!"

【Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin】in two turns, he basically figured out the characteristics of Hayato's 【Crystal Machine】 deck. It was nothing more than using efficient resource utilization to perform multiple Synchro Summons and accumulating resources with the help of Field Spell Cards, and then snowballing the opponent's defeat. However, that tactic was useless on his side.

The card that needs the most attention is probably the highest-level card in the opponent's deck, [Crystal Machine - Central Serpent]. But even if it has already been destroyed by [Supreme God Emperor - Thor], and even if another one comes, wouldn't [Divine Radiance] be the card to defend against? As for other cards, whether it is [Lightning Strike] or other cards, [Supreme God Emperor - Odin] can handle them on his own.

Of all the monsters on Hayato's field, he naturally noticed the Synchro Summoned monsters "Formula Synchro" and "Phantom Wing Synchro Dragon." The combined Level of these two monsters is exactly 9 stars. Although they don't meet the conditions for summoning "Crystal Machine - Central Serpent," they can summon "Crystal Machine - Quantum Cardinal White Crystal." Its effect of banishing Spell & Trap Cards from its own field and Graveyard is indeed somewhat threatening, but that's about it. Because its summoning means that Hayato Kobayashi doesn't have enough monsters on his field to Synchro Summon another "Crystal Machine - Central Serpent."

More importantly, although he was quite reserved at the start of the battle, and considered himself a supreme god, the [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin] was somewhat disdainful of looking at Hayato's cards, when Hayato forced him to personally participate in the battle and he was even on the verge of losing, the [Supreme Holy Emperor - Odin], who was not exactly a refined person to begin with, had already quietly activated his Rune Eyes and was checking the cards on top of his deck in real time.

The next card you can draw is the powerful spell card "Ragnarok," which can transfer control of a "God of War" monster to your opponent's field, destroy that "God of War" monster during your opponent's End Phase of the next turn, and banish all cards on your opponent's field.