Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"The effect of 【Nephthys's Reincarnation】: If 【Nephthys's Priestess】 is Ritual Summoned, destroy 1 card on the field. This time, the card I chose to destroy is the Field Spell Card 【Mind's Eye Temple】!"

As Gab spoke, he pointed to the arena, whereupon Nephthys's Linker threw a fireball, and the spreading flames instantly destroyed Hayato's arena.

Without the power of a Field Spell Card, [Earthbound God - Veracocha Raska] is instantly weakened. In addition to no longer being able to activate the powerful effect of changing the opponent's Life Points, it also loses many abilities such as direct attack, being unable to be the target of attacks, and being unaffected by the opponent's Spell & Trap Card effects. It becomes a vanilla card with only 1 attack power that will self-destruct at the end of this turn even if Gab does not attack.

But Geb's actions continued. The Nephthys Linker, who had destroyed the Field Spell Card, conjured a fireball in his hand, but instead of playing it, he controlled it to transform into the "Anka" symbol, representing life.

"When the Ritual Summon of [Nephthys's Linker] is successful, I Special Summon one [Nephthys] Ritual Monster from my hand or Deck as a Ritual Summon. Life and death are in endless cycles. Come forth, the second [Nephthys's Azure Phoenix] from my Deck!"

By drawing the second [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix] from his deck and placing it on the Golden Duel Disk, Geb had essentially exhausted all his options, and his field of play now resembled—

[Gab: 3000LP, 0 cards in hand]

Nephthys, the Phoenix Goddess, [DEF1600]

Nephthys the Enlightened One [ATK600]

Nephthys, the Azure Phoenix Goddess, ATK3000

[Nephthys's Linker] [ATK2000]

Nephthys, the Azure Phoenix Goddess, ATK3000

Aside from the filler monster, Nephthys the Enlightened One, Geb had gathered a full four monsters with attack power of over 2000 on his field, making for an exceptionally luxurious lineup that truly showcased his strength as the former patriarch of the Gravekeepers!

"Wow, that's amazing! In the blink of an eye, you summoned so many powerful monsters!"

"And they've completely destroyed Hayato's backcourt cover cards. If they go all out, it looks like Hayato simply can't withstand it!"

"Hayato's 5600 basic points are now as fragile as a candle in the wind!"

Seeing the monster summoned on the field, Jonouchi, Honda, and Malik, who were watching the battle, chimed in, "Whose side are you guys on? Don't you know how to cheer for Hayato?" Kyoko, standing to the side, said with some dissatisfaction, "Whose side are you guys on? Don't you know how to cheer for Hayato?"

Upon hearing this, Pegasus smiled and said, "Miss, you underestimate Hayato's power. Although he seems to be in danger, I don't think he can be defeated so easily."

Looking at the three monsters on Hayato's field and the only [Spiral Shot] card in his back row, Geb thought for a moment and said, "Although the total attack power of the monsters on my field is currently as high as 10400 points, just to be on the safe side, I will use the effect of [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God] first."

"During my Main Phase, I destroy any number of [Nephthys] cards from my hand or face-up cards on the field, and then destroy the same number of monsters on my opponent's field!"

As he spoke, Geb took three cards from his overflowing Duel Disk in succession. "Destroy the three monsters on my field: [Nephthys Phoenix God], [Nephthys Enlightened One], and [Nephthys Linker]. Then, Kobayashi Hayato, all three monsters on your field will also be destroyed!"

"Firefire Ten Trillion Death Burial Array!"

Accompanied by a cool but meaningless attack name, [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God] exhaled a mouthful of flame, instantly engulfing Hayato's entire field and destroying [Little Roadrunner], [Sky Dragon Knight - Gaia], and [Earthbound God - Veracocha Raska]!

Although Gab only had two [Azure Phoenix] monsters left on his field, the [Nephthys] monsters he destroyed could still be used in his next turn. In other words, he eliminated a weak point on his field, which was quite worthwhile in exchange for a direct hit on Hayato!

"Enter my battle phase, and then [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God] will launch a direct attack on Hayato Kobayashi!" Gab pointed at the empty field where Hayato stood. "The outcome is already decided. With no cards left to use, you are as naked as I see you. Take this blow!"

"Fire Talisman - The Radiance of the Fire God!"

"Wow, how come Touhou hasn't been expelled from the second tier yet?" Hayato muttered, watching as [Nephthys, the Azure Phoenix Goddess] ascended under Gaebu's command, unleashing a rain of flames that swept towards him like an ever-changing vortex. But he was intrigued. "Don't underestimate my bullet-grabbing skills! Such a slow barrage, watch me—"

"boom!"

[Hayato: 5400→2400LP]

Before Hayato could even take a few steps, forgetting that the attack from [Nephthys' Azure Phoenix God] was a lock-on type, Hayato was easily hit by the azure flames. Although the timely protection of [Millennium Wisdom Wheel] prevented him from being covered in dust from the attack, which inexplicably caused some substantial damage, his base score did drop by a full [Blue Eye].

"Ah, I didn't dodge it." Brushing off some non-existent dust from his clothes, Hayato sighed helplessly. "Honestly, because I held back a little, I got attacked directly. How embarrassing."

"Hmph, you think that's all, Hayato Kobayashi?" Seeing that Hayato's image was not damaged by the direct attack of [Nephthys Azure Phoenix God], Gab snorted coldly and gave the order again, "This attack is the final one. Go, [Nephthys Azure Phoenix God] Unit 2, the final direct attack!"

"Your base score will be completely wiped out by this single blow—"

“Sorewadokana!” Hayato suddenly interrupted Gab, calmly inserting a card from his hand into the Duel Disk. “Once you’ve gained a slight advantage, don’t try to push your luck any further, Mr. Gab. Now it’s my turn to shine!”

"Your [Azure Phoenix God] is no longer capable of attacking!"

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Gab abruptly turned his head and discovered that the [Azure Phoenix God of Nephthys], whom he had ordered to attack Hayato, had indeed not attacked him, just as Hayato had said, but had frozen in place without moving!

Gab also noticed that as the [Azure Phoenix God of Nephthys] struggled, a rainbow-like band of light appeared on its body, which had somehow somehow bound it!

"When did that equipment card appear?!" Geb's face showed a surprised expression when he noticed an equipment card that had appeared on his monster at some unknown time.

Hayato lightly raised the Duel Disk on his wrist, revealing the card he had just inserted into the Magic and Trap Zone when Gab declared his attack: "Hmph, then I'd like to ask you in return, when did you get the illusion that I hadn't activated any cards?"

"Chaining the attack declaration of [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God], I activated the effect of [Rainbow Kuriboh] in my hand. When an opponent's monster declares an attack, you can target that attacking monster to activate this effect. Equip [Rainbow Kuriboh] from my hand as an Equip Card to that monster, and the monster equipped with [Rainbow Kuriboh] cannot attack!"

Nephthys the Azure Phoenix Goddess (Rainbow Kuriboh) [ATK3000]

"Damn it!" Gab muttered unhappily at Hayato's smug expression. "Hmph, you got lucky and escaped with your life, Hayato Kobayashi. My turn is over for now."

"However, an even more powerful offensive awaits you in the future. In my next round, you will not escape the fate of being defeated!"

[Gab: 3000LP, 0 cards in hand]

Nephthys, the Azure Phoenix Goddess, ATK3000

Nephthys the Azure Phoenix Goddess (Rainbow Kuriboh) [ATK3000]

To create that previous powerful offensive, Gab used up all his cards, aiming to eliminate Hayato in this turn if possible. As a precaution, he even deliberately used the effect of [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix] beforehand to destroy all the monsters Hayato could use.

But in the end, Hayato's Rainbow Kuriboh ruined their plan.

In fact, it proved that Geb's previous actions were not wrong. If Hayato had used Rainbow Kuriboh to control Nephthys the Enlightened One, the only monster on Geb's field at the time that could destroy Roadrunner by battle, then even if Geb destroyed the other two monsters on Hayato's field, he would not have been able to do anything to the most inconspicuous Roadrunner.

Although it can deal up to 3399 damage to Hayato, the number is meaningless as long as the base score isn't depleted.

Although he had no resources left and couldn't prepare any cards to defend against Hayato's next attack, he felt that he had two monsters with an attack power of 3000 points on the field, so he wouldn't be wiped out in one turn. As long as he could hold out until the next turn, all the monsters that Gab destroyed this turn would activate their effects at the same time, creating an even stronger attack than before.

Hayato glanced at the two Nephthys Phoenix Gods on Geb's field and Geb's remaining 3000 life points, and sighed, "If I don't face another fierce attack before the next round, it seems I have to end the duel this round."

"Hmph, do you really think I'm someone you can easily defeat, Kobayashi Hayato? There's a limit to arrogance!" Gab glared at Hayato with a sour face.

“Grandma always said that if I want to do something, fate will definitely be on my side,” Hayato said, placing his hand on the duel disk. “I’ve already grasped the future in my hands!”

"My turn, draw a card!"

"I sensed it! I've found the location! It's this card!" Hayato glanced at the card he had drawn, placed it in his Duel Disk, and said with utmost seriousness, "The bonds between people cannot be severed even when they are separated by thousands of miles. Let me show you the Bond Card that I obtained from a friend... I mean, the gift I received!"

"Activating the Spell Card, [Change of Heart]!"

(Bakura, whose whereabouts are unknown: Achoo!)

As Hayato activated the card, Geb witnessed the one of his two [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix] cards, the one that wasn't equipped with [Rainbow Kuriboh] and could attack, being struck by a brainwashing beam from the card that appeared in Hayato's back row. A very subtle pink emblem appeared on its chest, and it moved to Hayato's field in a daze!

"My [Nephthys, the Azure Phoenix Goddess]!"

"This monster is the strongest in your deck, there's no stronger monster than it, right, Mr. Geb?" Hayato made a funny face, pointed at himself with a thumbs up, and said, "Now the one controlling it in battle isn't you, it's me, Kobayashi Hayato!"

"Wow!" "As expected of Hayato, you easily accomplished what we couldn't. I admire you so much!"

As Geb accepted the card [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God] with a resentful expression, Hayato's lips curled into a smile, and he played another card from his hand: "And then this card, the Spell Card [Immortal]! Destroy all monsters equipped to Equip Cards!"

"A monster that relies on external forces to strengthen itself, your purity is too low, Geb!"

"An equipment card?" Geb was taken aback, glancing at the remaining [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix] on his field. It was equipped with [Rainbow Kuriboh]!

"Isn't this the card you gave me?!"

"Kuri~" Standing on the head of [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God], [Rainbow Kuriboh] had an expression of complete familiarity. The power of [Becoming a Buddha] destroyed [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God] along with it, sending it to the graveyard.

Similar to [Nephthys the Phoenix God], the evolved [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God] has the ability to be Special Summoned back to the field during the next Standby Phase if destroyed by battle or effect. However, it's clear that Gab doesn't have a next phase, because [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God], whose control was transferred by [Distrust], is now standing on Hayato's field, eyeing his empty field with predatory intent!

"This card would be better for dealing with you, wouldn't it?" Hayato waved his hand and said, "Let's enter my battle phase, and this will be the final direct attack!"

"Thunderous Sunlight - Calamity Sound Starfall Fiery Hammer!"

"boom!"

[Gab: 3000LP → 0]

Chapter 713 The "Truth" Behind the Millennium Artifact

Seeing that Gab's life points were reduced to zero by his own [Nephthys the Azure Phoenix God], Hayato put the three cards from his hand, [Spiritual Exosome], [Gigantification], and [Monster Resurrection], back into his deck.

Hayato could have resurrected Gaia, the Sky Dragon Knight, equipped him with Giant Growth to double his attack power, and then changed the battle position of Azure Phoenix God to defeat Gaib with its defense penetration ability. However, Hayato deliberately used Gaib's own card in the end. Even Hayato himself felt that there was no duelist more compassionate than him.

Hayato didn't even use his Soul Card [Summoning Exophysis], he's practically the gentlest person on Earth (I'm sure of it).

As for Gaib, whose basic points were wiped out, he was sent flying and crashed to the ground by the attack from [Azure Phoenix God]. Since he is not a living person and has no physical body, he probably doesn't feel pain, hmm. I, Kobayashi Hayato, always know how to conduct myself.

Seeing Gabu sprawled on the ground with a frustrated expression, it was unclear whether he was upset about losing or about losing to Hayato. The victorious Hayato arrogantly leaped down in front of Gabu, scrutinizing his expression closely, and taunted him:

"I've been wanting to see this since the beginning, with that expression on your face~" Hayato practically taunted Gaib, "That jealous look on your face, hehehehe~"

“Although there’s a saying that ‘the winner takes all,’ it’s not usually too much for the victor of a duel to say a few harsh words.” Looking at Gab, who was suppressing his anger, Malik wiped the sweat from his forehead. “My brother-in-law is acting like he has no intention of getting along with Father at all.”

However, with the end of the duel, it also meant that Hayato, on behalf of the group, had successfully passed Gebna's so-called "test" and "trial," which was perhaps essentially just pointless harassment, and could now enter the tomb guardian's secret chamber to see what the so-called "Millennium Magic Book" was all about.

However, Hayato waved to the group, telling them to go ahead and not wait for him.

“Mr. Gab was picking on me the whole time during the duel, so in return, I’ll take a good look at his pathetic, defeated state.” Hayato rolled over and sat on the ground, waving at the others. “I have absolutely no interest in that ‘Millennium Magic Book,’ you guys can go and see for yourselves.”

After exchanging glances, Yugi, Jonouchi, and the others decided that since Hayato said he wasn't interested in the Millennium Magic Book and it was his own prerogative not to go see it, they wouldn't force him to go with them. After saying goodbye to Hayato and Gab, they went into the secret room.

As Geb finished his duel, the golden duel disk that he had temporarily "borrowed" returned to the hand of the statue on the right side of the secret chamber, while the "Millennium Magic Book" that had risen from the cabinet in the center remained in its original place, seemingly waiting for someone to enter the secret chamber to read it.

"Is that the [Millennium Magic Book]?" Even from a distance, Jonouchi could feel the strange power emanating from the open book. "One of the treasures that Malik, Miss Isis, and Mr. Geb and their tomb-guarding clan have protected for a thousand years?"

“Just standing here looking at that book, I feel like my mind is overflowing with inspiration for Duel Monster.” Pegasus’s eyes were filled with eagerness as he looked at the [Millennium Magic Book], and he turned to Malik to ask, “Malik boy, can we freely browse that book now?”

Malik rolled his eyes and said irritably, "How could you think that someone like me, who was expelled from the tomb-guarding clan at the age of ten, would know the answer to the question? I don't know either, okay? What exactly is that book, what does it record, what kind of material it is, what we need to pay attention to, and whether there are any hidden mechanisms or anything like that."

"If you're brave enough, feel free to touch that book yourself. It doesn't matter to me whether you die or the book breaks."

Upon hearing Malik's words, not only Pegasus, who was filled with curiosity about the "Millennium Magic Book," but also Jonouchi, who was standing to the side itching to touch the golden pages to see if they were really made of gold, froze and decisively withdrew his hand, choosing to distance himself from the ancient book.

Gambling your life on whether a book is made of gold is pointless. Even if you knew the "Millennium Magic Book" was really made of gold, Jonouchi would never sell it for money. It's really not worth it to satisfy some trivial curiosity.

Since Gab was still outside and hadn't come in, and since the others knew nothing about the [Millennium Magic Book], it wasn't appropriate for them to touch it. After much consideration, Yugi stepped forward and transferred control of his body back to Dark Yugi. The nameless Pharaoh's soul walked to the steps in front of the unfolded golden box, and without reaching out, simply looked down at the words on the ancient book.

With just one glance, the game's pupils contracted: "This is!?"

The fact that Yugi's usually calm and composed face showed such obvious surprise immediately attracted the attention of the others. Driven by curiosity, Kyoko, Honda, and Jonouchi also came over and, like Yugi, stopped at the step one level away from the "Millennium Magic Book" to look at the words on the book.

However, looking at the scribbled characters on the book that were completely incomprehensible to ordinary people, they were all a bit dumbfounded.

Since the "Millennium Magic Book" also bears the title of "Millennium", as expected by the game, the text on it is also a unique ancient Egyptian priestly script. As a script that has been lost for a long time, only Malik and Yugi among the six people who entered the secret room can understand what is recorded on it.

Because the steps were fairly wide, Malik and Pegasus walked to a position alongside the others to look at the [Millennium Magic Book]. Malik, who could also read the ancient Egyptian priestly script, was shocked the moment he saw the contents, just like Yugi, and both showed the same expression on their faces.

The wait wasn't long. Malik regained his senses the moment he deciphered the book's contents, his face grave and serious as he looked down at the Millennium Puzzle hanging around his neck, muttering, "The Millennium Item...it's like this..."