Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Because of the effect of your [Disruptive Land], my [Skullface Ladybug]'s ATK and DEF are swapped, and then I will activate this card, [Strange Clover]. I can discard one 4-star Plant monster from my hand to allow one of my monsters on the field to attack twice this turn."

Yumoth discarded a Plant-Type monster from her hand into the Graveyard: [Thorn Fairy], a rare Plant-Type monster that can synergize with Insect-Type monsters. As Yumoth moved, [Thorn Fairy] appeared on the field, but was immediately pounced upon by [Skullface Ladybug], which began to devour it.

[Skull-faced Ladybug] [ATK500→1500] [DEF1500→500]

"A monster with 1500 attack power can attack twice? Hayato is in trouble! He'll take 2000 damage!" Among the onlookers, Jonouchi couldn't help but be amazed by the new combo that Haga had unleashed.

Yugi shook his head: "That's not how it's calculated, Jonouchi. If Haga destroys Hayato's [Disruption Yellow], his [Skullface Ladybug] attack power will recover to 500 points, which is a total of 1000 points." That's what he said, but 1000 points of damage is not a small amount, and Yugi also cast a worried look at Hayato.

Chapter 61 This wave, these moths are on the fourth floor!

"Take this, Hayato Kobayashi! [Skullface Ladybug] attacks that [Disruptive Yellow] with a deadly pounce!"

After devouring the [Thorn Fairy], the [Skull-faced Ladybug] turned its head under the terrified gaze of [Disruption Yellow], opened its wings hidden in its carapace, and took flight, pouncing on the [Disruption Yellow] who had nowhere to escape.

"Help! Annie!"

Upon hearing [Disruption Yellow]'s distress call, Hayato responded: "The moment you declare an attack on my [Disruption Yellow], I will activate my face-down card, [Mysterious Chinese Pot]!"

"Haha, Annie really came to my rescue! Now it's my turn to retaliate!" Seeing that [Skullface Ladybug] had stopped attacking, [Disruption Yellow] couldn't help but shout smugly, turning to look at Hayato's face-down card that had appeared behind him. "Huh? Why does this card look so familiar... Hey! [Mysterious Chinese Pot]!?"

With a loud crash, [Disruption·Huang] discovered a huge wok nearby, with a fire burning underneath. The wok seemed to possess an endless suction force; [Disruption·Huang] was swallowed up without even a last word. After a few stirs, a rather bizarre-looking dish was ready.

[Hayato: 4000LP → 5000LP]

[Skull-faced Ladybug] [ATK1500→500] [DEF500→1500]

"Dodged my attack? What a boring move. Don't forget my [Skull-faced Ladybug] can attack twice. Take this 1000 points—"

“Before that, I have another card to activate.” Hayato revealed another face-down card. “Trap Card: Spirit of Resurrection. I can revive a Normal Monster from my Graveyard and Summon it to the field in Defense Position. Return from the darkness of the Graveyard, Death Stalker!”

The scorpion warrior crawled back onto the field from the graveyard, somewhat bewildered, because it remembered that it had been completely dead before, and had even written its last words. How could it have been resurrected?

【Death Stalker】【DEF800】

Because [Disruption Yellow] was sent to the Graveyard, [Disruption Land] is no longer effective, and [Skullface Ladybug]'s ATK is restored to 500. Continuing to attack Hayato would only target [Death Stalker], but [Death Stalker] has 800 DEF, which is higher than 500. Yuga reluctantly sets a card to her hand.

"Tch, I've escaped with another life. I'll cover one card, and my turn is over!"

【Yumo: 3600LP, Hand cards 1→6→2】

[Skull-faced Ladybug] [ATK500]

[Signature Card][Signature Card][Signature Card]

"My turn, draw a card."

[Hayato: 5000LP, hand card 6→7]

Looking at the [Skullface Ladybug] in Attack position on the field, Hayato did some mental calculations and summoned the monster he had just acquired. "Normal Summon [Swordsman], then switch [Death Stalker] from Defense position to Attack position."

The handsome Elf Swordsman made an elegant entrance, flashing a cool sword flourish, while the Death Stalker, which had been crouching nearby, stood up, rubbing its tail and poised to attack.

'It's just a 1400 ATK "Elven Swordsman"? Tch.' Yuga curled his lip in displeasure. Among his three face-down cards was "Bottomless Trap Hole," which could be activated when a monster with 1500 or more ATK was Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned. Those monsters would be destroyed in one go and banished from the game.

After winning the national Duel Monster Tournament and receiving a prize of three million yen, Yuga spent more than half of the prize money on purchasing various powerful cards to strengthen his deck. Among the powerful cards he purchased, this "Boiled Trap Hole" was the most powerful and the most expensive.

"Oh dear, it's a monster with 1400 attack power. If this attack gets through, my life points will drop again." While saying this in a pretentious manner, Haga was actually hoping that Hayato would quickly launch an attack on his [Skullface Ladybug].

'I also have a [Desert Light] in my back row, which can change my [Skullface Ladybug] to Defense Position. Combined with another [Chained Shield], [Skullface Ladybug]'s Defense will skyrocket to a whopping 2500!'

'Come on, Hayato Kobayashi, attack my monsters now!'

Perhaps the prayer in Hato's heart was truly beginning to take effect, for under his unusually excited gaze, Hayato actually gave the order to attack: "A mere monster with 500 attack power, [Death Stalker], attack [Skullface Ladybug]!"

"Clatter!" [Death Stalker] leaped high into the air. Since the scorpion was not an insect, it had no psychological burden about killing a ladybug.

But then Yuga suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha, you've been tricked, Hayato!"

"You use weak minions to destroy [Swordhorn Beetle], that's the first layer; I use [Disruptive Land] to summon [Skullface Ladybug], that's the second layer; sacrificing weak minions to restore life points and then summoning a monster with higher defense, that's the third layer." He then revealed two face-down cards on his field. "But I'm always one step ahead of you, because I'm on the fourth layer!"

"[Desert Light] is activated, and all monsters on my field will be changed to face-up Defense Position. Then, immediately after [Desert Light] is activated, [Chained Shield] will become an Equip Card and be equipped to [Skull Ladybug]!"

A sudden gust of wind swept across the field of Yuimoth, whipping up countless grains of sand and gravel from the Land of Disorder, obscuring the sky and making it almost impossible to see anything, thus temporarily halting the attacks of the Death Stalker. When the sand settled and sunlight returned to Yuimoth's field, the Skullface Ladybug had changed into a defense stance, and a shield engraved with a unicorn pattern had appeared on its body.

The shield not only looked shiny and incredibly sturdy, but also featured a sharp spike extending from the top of the unicorn's head in the very center. Behind the shield, a long chain was wrapped around and fixed to the [Skull-faced Ladybug], instantly transforming the seemingly fragile insect into a formidable creature.

"The Skullface Ladybug's Attack will increase by 500 points due to the effect of Chained Shield. Furthermore, when the Skullface Ladybug is attacked in Defense Position, its Defense will increase by the same amount as its Attack." A smug smile crept onto Yuga's lips.

"A temporary lead in basic points is nothing. Fight with 900 points of attack power against 2500 points of defense power, and take the damage from this 1600-point difference!"

"Kobayashi Hayato!"

Chapter 62 Unfortunately, I'm in the atmosphere.

"Wow, what an amazing combo!" exclaimed one of the duelists watching.

"This is the tactic that insects and moths excel at: using magical traps to strengthen or weaken the monsters on the field, and then launching a counterattack in one fell swoop!"

"That guy named Hayato is in danger."

"Damn insect bastards, stop attacking! [Death Stalker]!" Jonouchi was extremely anxious. If he could get in, he might actually go up and personally hold back the [Death Stalker] that was about to launch an attack.

“I’m afraid that won’t work, Jonouchi,” Yugi explained. “Hayato did declare an attack just now, but the monsters on the field in Haga only changed their status and couldn’t trigger the battle rollback rule.”

"Hayato is in big trouble now."

Unlike the concerns of Yugi and the others in the audience, Hayato, seeing that the Skullface Ladybug on the field had changed to Defense Position, said with a strange expression, "I thought your backrow would be something like Savior's Ant Hell or Explosive Armor, but it's a defensive counter-attack tactic that changed to Defense Position instead?"

"A monster with 2500 defense points? That's strong, too strong."

"Then I won't hold back. Activate the card, [The Tragedy of the Guillotine]!"

Hayato activated the face-down card he had set at the start of the game, and Haga didn't immediately recognize it: "【The Tragedy of the Guillotine】? I feel like I've heard of this card somewhere before."

Meanwhile, in the audience, the gamer, who had a knack for creating traps since childhood, immediately recited the effect of "The Tragedy of the Guillotine" based on his background as a card dealer: "I remember that card is a trap card that can only be activated when an opponent's monster in Attack Position is changed to face-up Defense Position, and its effect is to destroy all monsters in Defense Position on the opponent's field?!"

As the game recited the card's effect, Jonouchi and the others' eyes grew brighter, while Haga, recalling the card's effect, suddenly turned pale: "So that means—!!!"

"How could anyone carry such a card?!"

"That's right, constant defense will only lead you down the path of Louis XVI. Without fighting, there is no survival. Haga, you like to use underhanded tactics to avoid battle, but that's precisely what will lead you to defeat!" Hayato stared at the massive guillotine projected onto the field, and at the [Skull-faced Ladybug] whose head was stuffed into it, its insect face filled with bewilderment.

"—Execution has been carried out! Death will be the hope for tomorrow!"

The massive blade hanging high on the guillotine fell instantly. Even with its sturdy carapace and secure shield, the Skull Ladybug couldn't stop the falling guillotine and was destroyed with a "crack".

"Damn it!" With [Skull Ladybug] destroyed, her proud combo was ruined without any effect. Yui was both angry and resentful. "Because [Skull Ladybug] was sent to the graveyard, I can recover 1000 base points!"

[Feathered moth: 3600 LP → 4600 LP]

"But because the [Skull-faced Ladybug] was destroyed, the wall that blocked my monster attack no longer exists." Hayato waved his arm. "Let's launch an all-out attack on these insect bastards! [Death Stalker], [Elf Swordsman]!"

"Scarlet Needle!" "Iaijutsu: Lion's Lament!"

Although Hayato's attack names were cool and impressive, the two monsters on the field simply ran up to Haga's dueling ring, attacked once, and then retreated normally. Even so, many duelists in the audience still shouted excitedly.

"What a cool attack!"

"Wow, that swordsmanship is so elegant! I want to collect an [Elf Swordsman] card too!"

“Hey, I remember you wanted to trade [Elven Swordsman] for [Bitter Choice] on the ship yesterday, right? I traded with you.”

"I don't want it. I wouldn't trade it even if you gave me that [Lightning Vortex] card."

Even Kyoko, who wasn't particularly interested in Duel Monsters, tugged at Yugi's arm with sparkling eyes: "Hey, Yugi? I remember you have several [Swordsman] cards, right? Do you want to give me one? I can go on a date with you, you know?"

"Cough!" The virtual projection system on the dueling platform was the same impact simulation system as the one used by Yugi and Kaiba before. Previously, Yugi was only injured by the aftershocks of [Disruption Yellow]. This time, however, he was directly attacked by two monsters in succession, and Yugi felt real pain.

[Feathered moth: 4600 LP → 3700 LP → 2300 LP]

Knowing he either had to finish her off in one go or keep a backup plan in case he got a cheat code to lock in his health, Hayato saw that Hagiwara's life points had reached 2300. He turned all four cards face down and said, "I'll save your life for the next turn. Enjoy your miserable existence, Insect Hagiwara. Turning all four cards face down, my turn ends."

[Hayato: 5000LP, hand card 7→3]

【Elven Swordsman】【ATK1400】

【Death Stalker】【ATK900】

[Signature cards] [Signature cards] [Signature cards] [Signature cards] [Signature cards]

Location: [Land of Disorder]

Yuga looked at Hayato's field and couldn't help but shudder. The two monsters in the front row weren't much of a threat, and the "Disruptive Land" card was practically useless after the "Disruptive" monster disappeared. But the five face-down cards that Hayato had completely filled in his back row were truly frightening.

Yuga considers his dueling style to be quite sinister. The silly dinosaur Ryuzaki, who won the runner-up title in the National Duel Monster Tournament, once cursed Yuga as a treacherous villain after their duel because he was controlled by various trap cards throughout the entire match.

That idiot should really be allowed to fight this despicable Hayato Kobayashi himself, so he can see what the underworld is really like.

"What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and draw the card, I'm getting impatient."

Hearing Hayato completely oblivious to his "T" formation and urging him to draw a card, Haga suppressed his anger and angrily drew a card. He was stunned when he saw the card he received.

"Heh, Hayato, do you think you've got the upper hand? Watch closely, this is my real trump card!"

"Come out, my darling, [Baby Larva], and equip it with [Cocoon of Evolution] from your hand!"

[Baby Larva] [1☆/Ground] [Insect/Normal] [300/200]

"They actually equipped a monster card on top of another monster card!? What kind of weird operation is that?" Jonouchi saw that, just as Haga had said, a small caterpillar had just appeared in the dueling arena and started spinning silk, turning into a huge cocoon that was coiled up on the field.

However, this time, it wasn't the game that answered his question, but a woman's voice: "This is the insect-moth's real trump card combo; a powerful monster will hatch from the cocoon. It seems that the insect-moth is finally getting serious."

Before Jonouchi could even turn his head, he smelled a very familiar perfume scent. When he turned around, he saw that it was indeed the Peacock Mai he had met once on the cruise ship.

Chapter 63 Account Theft in Person

"The [Cocoon of Evolution] can be directly equipped on my [Baby Larva] on the field, and the [Baby Larva]'s stats will then be converted to those of the [Cocoon of Evolution]." The Feather Moth, watching its [Baby Larva] continuously spinning silk to envelop itself, seemed very excited. "Then, after five turns, my strongest trump card will be unleashed!"

[Raven larvae] [DEF 200 → 2000]

"A Duel Monster card that simulates the metamorphosis of insects? 2000 defense points, I wonder if Hayato can break through that." Yugi's expression also became somewhat serious. The only card Yugi knew that Hayato had was [Dark Knight Gaia], but summoning a 7-star Gaia required two tributes.

Although we don't know what the face-down card in the back row of the Yuga is, it's best to be cautious.

"Set one card to the top of my hand, my turn ends." Although there was only one wall with 2000 DEF on the field, Yuumo looked as arrogant as if she had summoned a powerful red card. "Now, [Cocoon of Evolution] has completed one turn, countdown, 4!"

[Yumo: 2300LP, 0 cards in hand]

[Baby Larva] ([Cocoon of Evolution]) [DEF2000]

【Signature Card】【Signature Card】