Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Nuclear and destroy the effects of the [Nuclear Kill Wheel]!"

The Nuclear Killing Wheel, which is similar to the Destruction Wheel in name, effect, and size, and consists of six hexagonal metals surrounding an energy core, also failed to activate. It was slapped into the graveyard by the green wings of the Proclaimer of Light as soon as it took shape.

Hayato has four cards left in his hand, while Dartz has five cards left, one of which is the [Metal Core Beast] that was just shown.

In the face of "Master Kong" [Announcer of Glory], as long as Hayato's hand of Angel cards hasn't run out, he can keep playing against him, and Dartz can't play even if he's frustrated to death.

"Pure" [Dragon Radiance] is such a powerful deck. The title of "Reforging Ritual Glory" is not given lightly. This is what a top-tier ritual deck looks like (leaning back).

Although [Dragon Radiance] also has the drawback of being vulnerable to counter cards, such situations would only occur in BO3 (best of three) formats even in Hayato's previous life. In a duel where the outcome is decided in a single match, how could he possibly be so unlucky as to encounter a counter card?

Hayato looked at Dartz with a smug expression.

When Dartz saw that his second card had also been "countered," he smiled slightly: "Not once per turn, which means that unless I counter that [Announcing Light], I basically can't use spell, trap, or monster effects?"

"In that case, I usually summon this monster."

As Dartz placed a card down, an ordinary-looking blue humanoid monster appeared on his field.

【Nuclear Demon】【3☆/Wind】

[Demon Race/Effect]

[1700/800]

"【Nuclear Demon】?"

Because he didn't know much about the [Nuclear] series, Hayato, who could recite the seemingly incomprehensible effects of the core cards in certain storytelling decks, didn't remember what the monster in front of him had.

"Attack power of 1700? Hmph, that's nothing. Without the support of other card effects, that [Nuclear Demon] can't even surpass my invincible [Chao Guang], let alone [Long Hui Qiao].

Upon hearing this, Dartz, despite knowing that Hayato's "Announcing of the Radiant" had an all-around counter effect that could be used an unlimited number of times per turn, nodded and said, "In that case, I'll activate the card that strengthens monsters."

"The Continuous Spell Card 'Beyond Core Limits' is activated. While this card is on the field, you can increase the ATK of all face-up 'Core' monsters on my field by 500!"

“In that case, I’ll activate the effect of [Announcer of Radiance] and discard the Fairy-Type monster [Extraterrestrial Life] from my hand,” Hayato said, discarding a card and commanding [Announcer of Radiance], “Go, Master Kang, go slap it twice!”

The seven-colored wings behind [The Proclaimer of Light] changed color once more, but at that moment, the seemingly ordinary [Nuclear Demon] on the field suddenly opened its mouth and roared: "Roar!!!"

Not only was Hayato startled by the sudden appearance, but even the [Announcer of Light] was startled and froze, the color of the light wings on its back stopping and even dimming.

Dartz finally spoke up and answered Hayato's question: "I'm sorry, Hayato, if I remember correctly, your [Announcer of Light] is a light-attribute monster, right?"

“My [Nuclear] monsters are monsters built around the same core and based on the remains of other monsters. Although they cannot exist for long, they can shine brightly enough in their short lives.” Dartz pointed to the [Nuclear Demon]. “Even a level 3 monster can unleash powerful energy in this instant.”

"As long as [Nuclear Demon] is face-up on my field, all the effects of LIGHT and DARK effect monsters activated during the Main Phase will be negated!"

"I've disabled the effect of your [Announcer of Light], and you can't get your discarded cards back!"

"What?!"

"How could anyone carry such a card?!"

Upon hearing this, Hayato wore an expression that said "I can't accept it," a facial expression that even Dark Marik would give him a perfect score of 10.

Because of the interference of [Nuclear Demon], the power of [Announcer of Light] was stripped away and could not be used. Moreover, the [Extraterrestrial Life] that Hayato abandoned could not be returned because it was the cost of activating the effect of [Announcer of Light]. Dartz's [Beyond Core Limit] was successfully activated.

In an instant, the standard color of the [Nuclear Demon] on its left chest changed from bright yellow to crimson. The scalding heat melted its muscles and revealed the [Nuclear Beast's Steel Core] buried inside the [Nuclear Demon].

【Nuclear Creation】was not created for continuous use. As 【Nuclear Creation Beast's Steel Core】entered overload mode, the aura of 【Nuclear Creation Demon】became dangerous, just like a horned monster seeing Ultraman Tiga in his red form.

[Nuclear Demon] [ATK1700→2200]

The effect of [Nuclear Demon] negates the effects of LIGHT and DARK monsters, whether activated on the field or in the Graveyard. Therefore, although Hayato's [Extraterrestrial Life], which was sent to the Graveyard, could still activate its effect, it would still be negated, which made him very unhappy.

Dartz's rounds continued.

"In this way, the troublesome [Announcer of Light] can no longer affect me for the time being, but it is still necessary to deal with it."

"I activate the effect of [Core Beast's Core] in my Graveyard, banishing this card from the Graveyard so that my [Core] monsters cannot be destroyed this turn."

Dartz said, drawing a card, "Next, banish one of my cards, 'Steel Core of the Core Beast,' and Special Summon the last 'Core Beast' monster in my hand!"

"【Nuclear Dragon】!"

The previously neutralized [Core of the Beast] takes effect in the graveyard, shattering and releasing an energy curtain that envelops Dartz's field, granting Dartz the ability to summon monsters that follow without being destroyed.

Perhaps because he'd outgrown his chuunibyou phase, Dartz didn't utter any cool summoning lines. Instead, a gradually shattering [Metal Core of a Beast] appeared before him. As the core, radiating a bright yellow light, dissolved, the immense power it contained was released, transforming into a liquid silver metallic dragon!

[Nuclear Dragon][8☆/Wind]

[Dragon/Special Summon/Effect]

【3000/2500→3500/2500】

With a standard stat total of 3000/2500, the main character's ace monster stats have been further enhanced after receiving the power of [Beyond Core Limits], giving it the ability to break through the defense of [Announcer of Light]!

Furthermore, [Nuclear Dragon] can also be activated—

“Once per turn, during my Main Phase, I activate the effect of [Nuclear Dragon] and destroy one card on your opponent's field.” Dartz pointed to Hayato's field. “What I'm going to destroy is your [Declarator of Radiance]!”

"Nuclear heat flow!"

The metal dragon's head, its skin directly covering its skeleton, faced the sealed [Announcer of Light]. A stream of scorching metal spewed from its mouth, heating its body until it glowed red-hot. After the stream of metal heat, the [Announcer of Light] on Hayato's field was completely destroyed.

As a result, Hayato's front field only has two [Dragon's Blessing] in Defense Position with 0 Defense, while Dartz's field has [Nuclear Devil] with 2200 Attack and [Nuclear Dragon] with 3500 Attack.

"Over the years, I've come to understand a principle, Hayato. That is, if you're going to do something, you have to do it to the extreme in one go. Half-hearted efforts won't change anything, whether it's changing the future of the world or fighting monsters."

Holding his last card, Dartz waved his hand and commanded, "Then, let's begin my battle phase!"

Chapter 564 I'm Willing to Give Up My Old Friend [Long Huiqiao]

"Entering my battle phase, I will use [Nuclear Demon] to attack [Dragon Radiance Technique - Shangbi ζ]!"

"Nuclear Dark Impact!"

The [Core Demon] with an attack power of 2200 points extended its palm, which was heated red due to the overheating of its core. A ball of energy was pushed out like a turtle's ki blast, attacking Hayato's [Dragon's Light - Upper ζ] in defense position.

Although the [Dragon Radiance] monsters all have a relatively high attack power of 2000 points, their defense power is 0 points without exception.

Faced with the attack of [Nuclear Demon], [Dragon Light Takumi - Shangbi ζ] was instantly destroyed and sent to the graveyard, but because it was in defense position, Hayato was not seriously injured.

Seeing that Hayato hadn't opened the cover card, Dartz felt somewhat relieved and gave the order again: "Next, the [Nuclear Dragon] will attack to destroy that [Dragon Radiance Technician - Right Pivot Alpha]!"

"Nuclear thermal flow impact!"

The second one, [Dragon Light Takumi], was also destroyed in the graveyard by Dartz. However, for [Dragon Light Takumi], entering the graveyard was like coming home and he was not afraid at all. Moreover, both [Dragon Light Takumi] were on Guard and indicated that they would not cause any harm to Hayato.

However, for Hayato, not letting others suffer a loss is a loss for him, and he absolutely cannot let Dartz destroy the two monsters for nothing.

Dartz, having finished commanding the two monsters to attack, looked at Hayato's empty field and was about to say something when he saw the face-down card on Hayato's back field suddenly open.

"Hmph, you've wiped out all the monsters on my field, Dartz," Hayato said with a smug smile. "It's not very satisfying, but this card's effect is maximized when everything is completely empty! At the end of your Battle Phase, reveal my face-down card!"

"【A close match】!"

Dartz saw on the Trap Card that Hayato had opened that several Duel Monsters dressed as Japanese samurai and generals were fighting with swords. He recognized these monsters; they seemed to be from the Six Samurai deck that International Illusion Company had recently released at the Duel Monsters Tournament alongside E·Hero.

"A trap card activated during the Battle Phase? But Hayato, don't forget that my [Core Beast's Diamond Core] grants my [Core] monsters on the field the ability to be indestructible, whether in battle or by effect—it's all-around resistance."

Hearing Dartz's words, Hayato shrugged and said with a smile, "Your monster resistance isn't the same as your duelist resistance. If I can't deal with your monsters, can't I take down the duelists? The effect of [Battle of Wits] isn't aimed at monsters, but at duelists."

"The effect of 【Battle of Wits】 is that if your opponent controls more cards than you, it can only be activated at the end of both players' Battle Phases. Until the number of cards on your field equals the number on mine, your opponent must banish cards from their field face-down."

Hayato pointed to the three cards on Dartz's field. "So, after all that nonsense about 'choosing' and 'decision,' it's your turn to choose which cards to play, Dartz!"

"I only have [Matchmaking] and one face-down card on the field, which means you have to choose one of the three cards on your field to fold!"

Dartz currently has three cards on his field: [Core Demon], [Core Dragon], and [Beyond Core Limits]. Although [Battle of the Titans] has been activated, it is still on the field and has not yet gone to the graveyard. In order to make the number of cards on his field the same as Hayato's, Dartz must banish one of his cards face down.

Compared to sending cards to the graveyard, banished cards are relatively harder to recover, and face-down banished cards are practically impossible to recover as permanent banishments.

“A choice…” Dartz smiled upon hearing this and unhesitatingly removed the Continuous Spell Card from his Duel Disk. “Although it will reduce the combat power of the monsters on my field, my intuition tells me that the existence of [Nuclear Demon] is necessary, and [Nuclear Dragon] is also a powerful monster that I have finally managed to summon.”

"I will exclude the inside of my backcourt [Beyond Core Boundaries] indicator."

Dartz chose to banish his Continuous Spell Card face down, and with the departure of [Beyond Core Limits], [Core Demon] and [Core Dragon] on his field also lost their power boost at the same time.

[Nuclear Demon] [ATK2200→1700]

[Nuclear Dragon] [ATK3500→3000]

"I'd rather weaken my own monsters than lose that dominance. Ugh, what a hassle." Hayato watched Dartz make his choice with displeasure. "It's a shame you didn't set that card in your hand before the Battle Phase started, otherwise I could have banished one more of your cards."

Dartz just smiled and said, "Even if I'm not very good at Duel Monsters, I wouldn't be so foolish as to set a card before the battle phase."

With that, he inserted a card from his hand into the Duel Disk. "Face one card, my turn ends. Your turn now, Hayato."

[Dartz: 4000LP, 0 cards in hand]

[Nuclear Demon] [ATK1700]

【Nuclear Dragon】【ATK3000】

【GaiKa】

As Dartz declared the end of his turn, the locations of the [Metal Demon] and [Metal Dragon] on his field, where the [Metal Beast's Steel Core] was mounted, were burning red as if they were about to explode. However, the [Metal Beast's Diamond Core] that Dartz had previously banished activated its final ability, preventing them from being destroyed by their own effects.

[Nuclear] monsters generally have the negative effect of needing to discard [Nuclear Monster's Steel Core] at the end of the turn to maintain their existence, with only a few exceptions. However, [Nuclear Monster's Diamond Core] can temporarily exempt them from this drawback.

Hayato looked at Dartz's still-present [Nuclear Demon] on the field, then glanced at the LIGHT monsters in his own hand, and said with a sigh, "Seriously, why is it that Dartz uses [Nuclear Demon] to counter my monsters so effectively?"

"I never intended to be your enemy, Hayato." Dartz, empty-handed, wore an innocent expression. "This [Core Formation] deck I'm using wasn't prepared for you. Think back, what attributes were the Nameless Pharaoh's ace monster and Seto Kaiba's ace monster?"

"I only prepared a tiny bit of cards to counter the Light attribute Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the Dark attribute Dark Magician, but I let you experience them first, Hayato."

Hearing Dartz's explanation, Hayato clicked his tongue in annoyance: "Tsk, fine, that's how it is then. My turn, draw a card!"

He drew a card, which turned out to be the magic card [Magic Hammer]. It came at just the right time; Hayato definitely needed to change his hand.

"Activate the Normal Spell Card [Molten Hammer], shuffle this card and any number of cards in my hand back to the deck, then draw the number of cards returned to the deck. I choose to return all cards in my hand to the deck."

After showing off the [Mega Hammer] in his hand, Hayato closed the cards he had laid out and put them into his deck, where the Duel Disk automatically shuffled them.

Hayato's hand size, including the [Mega Hammer], totals 4 cards, so he can draw four cards at once.

"Draw!" Hayato pulled a card from the top of the shuffled deck, flipped it over to take a look, and smiled. "Hey hey hey, I drew a pretty good card."

"I activate the Spell Card [Cyber ​​Emergency Call]. The effect of this card is to add one [Cyber ​​Dragon] or a Machine-Type LIGHT monster that cannot be Normal Summoned from my Deck to my hand."

"【Electronic Dragon】?" Dartz was initially puzzled, but then his expression cleared up.

【Dragon Shining Takumi】 is a secret card of "Cyber ​​Dragon", so it is reasonable for the deck to contain cards related to "Cyber ​​Dragon". Moreover, the 【Dragon Shining Takumi】 that Hayato just used is indeed a Machine-Type LIGHT monster that cannot be Normal Summoned.

So, are you searching for 【Long Huiqiao】?