Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

【3400/2000→0/0】

The Jewel Knight Lady Diamond, whose level is 1 star higher than the previous Jewel Knight King Diamond - Dispersion and whose attack power is also higher, makes a dazzling appearance under the effect of Bright Fusion. However, after entering the scene, her attack power, which surpassed that of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, instantly drops to zero.

"The ATK and DEF of 'Gem Knight Lady - Diamond' summoned by the effect of 'Bright Fusion' will become 0. This is the negative effect of this card. However, the fact that its ATK is reduced to zero will not affect the use of 'Gem Knight Lady - Diamond's' effect."

After a pause, Valentine added, "However, before using the effect of [Gem Knight Lady - Diamond], the effect of its fusion materials will take effect first."

"【Gem Knight Quartz】can be activated if it is sent to the Graveyard as Fusion Material or banished. Add one 【Gem Knight】 monster other than 【Gem Knight Quartz】 from my Graveyard to my hand. I choose 【Gem Knight Emerald】."

"And the effect of [Gem Knight Neferu]: This card can be activated when it is sent from the hand or Deck to the Graveyard. Send one card from my hand to the Graveyard and Special Summon this card."

"I discard [Jewel Knight: Emerald] which I just added to my hand, and Special Summon [Jewel Knight: Neferpitou]".

Similar to the previous [Gem Knight: Dream Prison Core], the gem girl who was once called [Gem Knight: Xiaoliu] and will become [Shaddoll Nephilim] appears in a state between the two, retaining the identity of [Gem Knight] but already beginning to transform into [Shaddoll].

Although its size is still that of a normal person, it has already developed wings of light made of purple threads, a characteristic of the Shaddoll lineage.

When Hayato came face to face with the card, he felt the mournful cries of the soul bound within it. The Shadowdome Nephilim he carried was also pleading with Hayato, wanting to save his "past" self.

【Gem Knight - Naphir】【4☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Effect]

[1550/1600]

"As you can see, Hayato Kobayashi, just like the previous [Gem Knight: Dream Prison Core], this [Gem Knight: Neferpitou] was also born from the [Shadowdome] you showed before. That monster named 'Neferpitou' left a deep impression on me."

Valentine glanced at the cards on the Duel Disk: "It seems I have another reason to defeat you—I'm enough for someone who can obtain this powerful force. In fact, if I defeat you, I can also obtain an even greater power called [Shadowdew]!"

"Coveting my card? You've got some nerve, Fanny Valentine." Hayato's lips curled into a smile, but his eyes were icy cold. "I'll return the favor to you. Now I have another reason to kill you."

“Go ahead and try if you can do it! I bet you’re thinking the same thing, aren’t you?” Fanny Valentine smiled confidently. “But make no mistake, Hayato Kobayashi. You’re the one who should be thinking about how to survive my clutches!”

Chapter 2102 The Dragon Maid Maze - Part 5

"This effect can only be activated when [Gem Knight Neferu] is Normal or Special Summoned! Add one [Gem Knight] monster other than [Gem Knight Neferu] from my Deck to my hand."

"As a price, during the main phase of this turn, the opponent takes half the effect damage." Valentine took a card from his deck. "I'm adding [Gem Knight Obsidian] to my hand."

【法尼·瓦伦泰：4000LP，手牌：6→5→4→3→4→3→4】

【Gem Knight - Sapphire】【ATK1400】

【Gem Knight - Ruby】【ATK2500】

【Gem Knight Lady - Rose Diamond】【ATK2700】

【Gem Knight Lady - Diamond】】【ATK0】

【Gem Knight Neferpitou】【ATK1550】

Backcourt: [Bright and Harmonious]

After replenishing his hand, Valentine picked up the card "Gem Knight Neferu" from his Duel Disk: "I can use the ability of 'Gem Knight Ruby' on my field to activate this effect once per turn by Tributing one other face-up 'Gem' monster on my field."

"I will release [Gem Knight Neferpitou] and increase the attack of [Gem Knight Ruby] by the value of the released monster until the end of this turn."

【Gem Knight - Ruby】【ATK2500→4050】

After absorbing the power of [Gem Knight Neferpitou], [Gem Knight Ruby]'s attack power surged, instantly surpassing [Obelisk the Tormentor] and reaching 4050 points!

“It’s not over yet! I’ll activate the effect of [Gem Knight Lady - Diamond] next.” Pointing to the monster on his field with the highest level but 0 ATK, Valentine said, “It can only be activated once per turn during my Main Phase.”

"Send one face-up 'Gem Knight' monster from my field to the Graveyard, and Special Summon one 'Gem Knight' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions!"

The effect of [Jewel Knight Lady Diamond] can undoubtedly be used to "transform" into other [Jewel Knights] by sending herself to the Graveyard. However, Valentine did not move the [Jewel Knight Lady Diamond] card at all, but instead picked up the [Jewel Knight Blue Jade] card.

"I swear to my 'patriotism'! Hayato Kobayashi, I will defeat you—even at the cost of [Sapphire's] life!" Valentine waved his hand, "Send [Gem Knight Sapphire] to the graveyard, then Special Summon—[Gem Knight King Diamond]!"

【Gem Knight King - Radiant Diamond】【9☆/Land】

[Rock Element/Fusion/Effect]

[2900/2500]

Unlike his previous "dispersion" state, [Gem Knight King - Diamond] reappeared on Valentine's field. He no longer had as many proliferating crystal clusters on his body; instead, he held a greatsword inlaid with seven-colored gems.

Seven colors of light—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple—converged in his left hand. As he raised his hand and snapped his fingers, a blue beam shot out and struck Hayato's [Lava Demon] on the field!?

"When [Gem Knight Sapphire] is sent to the Graveyard by [Gem Knight Lady Diamond], you can target one card on your opponent's field and return that card to your hand."

Looking at Hayato, Valentine said, "I won't touch your monsters in the slightest, but it's alright if I take back my own cards, right? My target is the [Lava Demon] on your field!"

"Return it to my hand—but it's in my hand. Then, the Special Summon of [Lava Demon] isn't limited to once per turn. This time, I'll Tribute [Rabillins of Silver Castle] and [Silver Princess of Labyrinth Castle] from my opponent's field to Special Summon [Lava Demon]!"

The Lava Demon, struck by the brilliance of the Gem Knight Blue Jade, disappeared for a moment before reappearing, only to devour two of Hayato's high-level monster cards, leaving Hayato with only three monster cards on his field.

Valentine waved his hand and said, "Next, I will use the effect of [Gem Knight Fusion] in my graveyard. If this card is in my graveyard, I can banish one [Gem Knight] monster from my graveyard to activate this effect and add it to my hand."

"Then, I discard a spell card from my hand—this [Gem Knight Fusion]—to activate the second effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Bright Fusion]."

"The monster Special Summoned by the effect of this card, namely [Gem Knight Lady Diamond], gains its original ATK and DEF until the end of your opponent's turn."

As Valentine discarded [Gem Knight Fusion], his [Gem Knight Lady Diamond] instantly regained its original power, and its attack power increased dramatically!

Fanny Valentine: 4000LP, Hand: 4→5→4

【Gem Knight Lady - Diamond】】【ATK0→3400

"It's not over yet! Although [Gem Knight King Diamond] is not in his 'Dispersion' form and does not have the power to disintegrate and special summon other [Gem Knights], his current form can unify the power of the other [Gem Knights]!"

Valentine waved his hand, "Each [Jewel] monster in my graveyard will increase [Jewel Knight King Diamond]'s ATK by 100. And now I have a total of nine [Jewel] monsters in my graveyard, so its ATK will now increase to 3800!"

"Not only that, I can also activate the second effect of [Gem Knight King Diamond] once per turn by banishing one [Gem Knight] Fusion Monster of Level 7 or lower from my Graveyard. Although it will reduce my ATK by 100, it's worth it!"

"I banish the Level 7☆ [Jewel Knight: Prism], and give [Jewel Knight King: Diamond] the same card name and effect as [Jewel Knight: Prism] until the End Phase of this turn!"

[Gem Knight King - Diamond → Gem Knight - Prism] [ATK2900 → 3800 → 3700]

"The effect of 【Gem Knight: Prism】is that once per turn, you can send one 【Gem Knight】 card from your hand to the Graveyard, then target one face-up card on the field and destroy that face-up card."

Valentine revealed the card in his hand, "Although it can't destroy the face-down card, it's enough—I'll discard the [Gem Knight Neferpitou] effect-searched [Gem Knight Obsidian] and destroy the [Lava Demon] with the highest ATK on the opponent's field!"

"At the same time, the number of [Gem Knight] monsters in my graveyard has increased again, so [Gem Knight King Diamond]'s attack power has increased by 100 points again!"

【Gem Knight King - Diamond】】【ATK3700→3800】

On the greatsword of [Gem Knight King - Diamond], the fourth black gem lit up. After being infused with the power of [Gem Knight - Obsidian], he raised the greatsword, and the phantom of [Gem Knight - Prism Crystal] appeared behind him.

With a slashing motion, a lance crackling with lightning flew out from the Valentine arena, piercing the body of the [Lava Demon] and destroying it!

Now, Hayato only has two monsters left on the field, and in his back row, there's only "Half-Dragon Maid's Greeting," "Rabilinus Welcome, Welcome, Big Welcome," which can't be activated, and a face-down card with no clear purpose.

[Kobayashi Hayato: 4000LP, hand card: 6]

【Half-Dragon Maid - Laundry Dragon Girl】【DEF1700】

[Ariana the Summoner of the Silver City] [DEF2200]

Back row: [Half-Dragon Maid's Greeting] [Face Card] x2

On the other hand, Valentine has four high-level monsters on the field. The lowest attacking monster, [Gem Knight Lady Rose Diamond], has an attack of 2700, while the highest attacking monster, [Gem Knight Ruby], has an attack of 4050.

"It's a bit of a shame that I can't play the remaining cards I have, but this lineup is enough for me." Confident in his monsters, Valentine said, "I'm going into battle like this—"

"Before that, I'll wait until the end of your main phase and activate the cards in my hand." Hayato, who had been waiting for most of the day with the six cards he had drawn from the [Heavenly Treasure Card], interrupted Valentine as he finally finished his hand and was about to enter the battle phase.

(Cow, come on!)

"This effect can be activated during the Main Phase of both players' turns when the opponent has Normal or Special Summoned 5 or more monsters. Tribute as many face-up monsters as possible from both players' fields and Special Summon [Primal Life Form - Nibiru] from my hand!"

"Go—Axis!"

"What a strange name!" Valentine frowned, then sneered. "So, all you're relying on in the end is that one card? No wonder you're so confident. But unfortunately for you, your counterattack is exactly what I planned!"

"Don't let this card's effect distort your calm expression—when I have a [Gem Knight] Fusion Monster on my field and my opponent activates its effect, I banish three [Gem Knight] cards from my Graveyard, including [Gem Knight: Dream Prison Core], to activate this effect!"

"I banish [Gem Knight Dispersion], [Gem Knight: Dream Prison Core], and [Gem Knight: Neferpitou]! Negate that effect of yours, and afterwards increase the ATK of all [Gem Knight] monsters on my field by 1000!"

【Gem Knight King - Diamond】】【ATK3800→3600】

Because the number of Jewel monsters in the graveyard has decreased, Valentine's Jewel Knight King Diamond's attack power has decreased, but it doesn't care about this at all.

After all, as long as the effect of [Gem Knight: Dream Prison Core] is dealt with, his monsters will immediately gain another 1000 attack points, so the current mere 200 points are not a big deal.

However, after Valentine played his card, Hayato activated another card from his hand: "Then I will use the effect of this [Star Cannon - Aquarius Demon] card from my hand! Both players can discard this card from their hand during their Main Phase to activate this effect!"

—In the deck Hayato is using today, [Silver Castle] is actually paired with [Genki]. Both are decks that use common trap cards very strongly, so they can complement each other. The real partner for the mixed [Half-Dragon Maid] is actually the [Starry Sky] series!

"Use the monsters in my hand and on the field as Fusion Materials to perform a Fusion Summon of a Dragon/Spellcaster Fusion Monster!"

"A second-speed Fusion Summon from your hand!?" Valentine was shocked, then gritted his teeth and waved his hand, saying, "Don't be so smug, you think I'll let you succeed!"

"During my turn, when my opponent activates a monster's effect, I can banish one 'Gem Knight' card from my banished Graveyard, and then target one face-up card on my opponent's field to activate the effect of 'Gem Knight Lady: Rose Diamond' and destroy that card!"

【Gem Knight King - Diamond】】【ATK3600→3500】

Valentine removes [Gem Knight Obsidian] from the graveyard and banishes it, activating the effects of the monsters on his field and causing [Gem Knight King Diamond]'s ATK to decrease again.

He pointed at the monster on Hayato's field and said, "You want to use the monsters on your field for a Fusion Summon? Then I'll destroy the monsters on your field first, and let's see what else you can use for Fusion!"

"I will destroy [Ariana, the Summoner of the Silver City]!"

Because of the effect of the "Half-Dragon Maid's Greeting" skill that Little Blue had previously used to build up the graveyard, Valentine cannot target Little Blue.

In addition, he remembered that Hayato's previous use of "Silver Castle's Mad Clock" required Hayato to have a "Silver Castle" monster on his field to activate the trap card on the turn it was set. So he naturally chose to destroy "Silver Castle's Summoner - Ariana", which is Little Green, first.

"Is that so? You want to destroy my monsters first to prevent me from using them for fusion... Well then, as you wish."

Hayato saw Valentine on the field raise her Swift Sword to attack, but instead pressed the button to activate the face-down card.

Then the card with an unclear meaning was flipped up, and although it was green, it also had a purple mist spreading out.

(Red, blue, green, and purple—Genki's color scheme is totally reminiscent of Warhammer 4 peddlers.)

"—If you won't let me fuse, then I'll just synchronize with you!" Hayato picked up the card, "Purple Slug Demon God Power—Gu Worm's [Slug Demon Insect Poison] activated!"

Countless silk threads suddenly rose up in Hayato's field, as if he had entered the lair of some spider demon. A beautiful woman wearing a loose twelve-layered kimono sat on the spider silk, playing with the web, her long, slender legs exposed, crossed and perched on the ground.

On Hayato's field, a twisted monster with a body made of spider silk, resembling a mummy, appeared.

[The Pervert's Insect Poison] [1☆/Dark]

[Insectoid/Adjustment/Normal]

[0/0]