Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Chapter 738 God said it was impossible

"You can activate the Spell Card [Snake Rain] by discarding a card from your hand. Send four Reptile-Type monsters from the rest of your Deck to the Graveyard."

As the Pharaoh spoke, he sent one card from his hand and four monster cards from his deck to the graveyard.

Without even a single-turn self-restriction on its card name, capable of precisely sending any Reptile-Type monster to the Graveyard, and with a strength almost comparable to "Bitter Choice," this card, "Serpent Rain," is incredibly powerful. However, if it weren't limited to the underwhelmingly strong Reptile-Type monsters but rather to more mainstream Dragon-Type, Warrior-Type, or even Fish-Type or Winged-Beast-Type monsters, this card would inevitably be banned.

However, despite having five cards in the graveyard, Pharaoh did not activate the effect of even one card, suggesting that there were no cards among them that could trigger the graveyard effect.

"Then there's this spell card, [Snake Lily of the Underworld]. Send one more Reptile-Type monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. If there are five or more Reptile-Type monsters in my Graveyard after that, Special Summon one Reptile-Type monster from my Graveyard!"

As Pharaoh played his second card, Hayato's expression changed. Upon hearing the words "Netherworld," his look became much more serious, and he immediately said, "Then I'll chain your Spell Card to activate, and I'll activate the effect of 'Armed Dragon Strike Cannon'!"

"During your opponent's turn, you can banish one card from my Deck or Fusion Deck to activate this effect, banishing all cards on your opponent's field or in their Graveyard!"

Carrying heavy equipment, the [Armed Dragon Strike Cannon] roared to the sky. Above its head, lightning, amplified by the mechanical device, transformed into a crescent moon. From within the crescent moon, a bolt of lightning struck the [Armed Dragon Strike Cannon] itself, releasing energy and recharging.

He used the electric drill, mechanical arm, and metal inserts on his body to stab into the ground and fix his body in place. A thick cannon barrel was then extended and assembled on the back of the [Armed Dragon Assault Cannon] and aimed at the Pharaoh's arena.

"Lunar axis check, Arrow of Destruction system 96% charge, anchoring pile feet, connect!" Hayato waved his hand forward, "Boom Sink - Bow-Breaking Moon, my Moonlight Cannon, fire!"

"boom!"

A tremendous roar resounded as a pure white beam of light shot out from the barrel of the [Armed Dragon Strike Cannon], instantly sweeping across most of the arena and about to strike the [Primal Lifeform - Nibiru] on the Pharaoh's field.

With that fierce aura, Hayato was confident that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this attack would absolutely wipe out all the monsters on Pharaoh's Field and in the catacombs in one fell swoop!

But as the saying goes, "If nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected is bound to happen." After seeing Hayato activate the effect of [Armed Dragon Strike Cannon], Pharaoh sneered: "Hmph, hahahaha, trying to use that effect to stop me from summoning monsters? Too slow, too slow!"

"I activate the effect of [Armed Dragon Cannon] that I have linked with, activate the Quick-Play Spell Card [Forbidden Drop] in my hand, send [Snake Lily of the Netherworld] on my field to the Graveyard, and target 1 Effect Monster on your opponent's field with the same number of monsters."

Pointing at the [Armed Dragon Strike Cannon], the Pharaoh commanded, "The [Armed Dragon Strike Cannon]'s effects are nullified, and its attack power is halved!"

"And because the card I sent to the graveyard is a Spell Card, you can't chain 'Forbidden Drop' to activate a Spell Card!"

As he spoke, although it was a magic card that was activated, Pharaoh swept his eyes, squeezing out the water from them. Like a laser, the water instantly pierced through the beam of the [Armed Dragon Strike Cannon], tearing apart most of its armor in the process!

[Armed Dragon Assault Cannon] [ATK3500→1750]

"What do you mean, 'Empty Eye Strikes'?" Hayato muttered instinctively, then frowned. "First a meteor, then a drop of light. Just how many hand traps did you prepare in your deck?"

"I don't know. I've never thought about such a question. Besides, instead of those trivial matters, you should keep your eyes open and watch out for what's about to happen, Hayato Kobayashi."

Rubbing his eyes, the Pharaoh put one hand on his hip and pointed to the ground with the other: "Based on the effect of [Snake Lily of the Netherworld], I send [Netherworld God - Augdo Abyss] from my deck to the Graveyard. Then, because I have a total of six types of Reptilian monsters in my Graveyard: [Netherworld God - Augdo Abyss], [Netherworld Defilement - Nur], [Netherworld Defilement - Naya], [Netherworld Twilight - Kas], [Netherworld Darkness - Alette], and [Netherworld King - Aaron]."

"Special Summon this monster from my grave in Attack Position!"

"All living things have an infinite future on earth, but the Netherworld is the only place where all things perish." The Pharaoh said, drawing a card from the graveyard area of ​​the Duel Disk and placing it on the Duel Disk. "Reveal yourself, Creator God known as the Primordial Water!"

"【Netherworld God - Augdo Abyss】!"

Suddenly, a large amount of water surged up from beneath the Pharaoh's feet, covering most of the area on his side. From beneath the tide, a golden cobra emerged, its black bird wings flapping and splashing countless water droplets. For a moment, the scene looked as if the tide beneath their feet was welcoming their god's arrival!

【Netherworld God - Ogdo Abyss】【10☆/Light】

[Crawler Category/Effect]

[3100/2200]

"Then, if there are no monsters on my field or if there are [Netherworld] monsters, activate the effect of [Netherworld Defile-Nur] in my Graveyard and Special Summon it from my Graveyard in Attack Position."

After Special Summoning [Ogdo Abyss, the God of the Underworld], the Pharaoh took another card from the Graveyard and placed it on the Duel Disk. "If [Nur, the Defilement of the Underworld] Special Summoned by this effect leaves the field, it shall be banished. And as long as it remains on the field, I may only Special Summon Reptile-Type monsters."

Beside the [Netherworld God - Augdo Abyss], the water surged and broke open, revealing a golden cobra much smaller than the [Netherworld God] beside it. Its body, composed of jet-black liquid, was coiled around a golden lotus flower, which looked exactly like the [Netherworld Serpent Water Lily] that the Pharaoh had just used, clearly the same one.

【Nur, the Impurity of the Netherworld】【4☆/Light】

[Crawler Category/Effect]

[0/0]

Putting aside everything else, just looking at the terrifying attack and defense stats of [Nur the Netherworld] is enough to know how powerful its effects are.

But after summoning [Nur the Twilight of the Netherworld], the Pharaoh did not stop his actions. Instead, he took out another card from the graveyard: "It's not over yet. I will activate the effect of [Kass the Twilight of the Netherworld] in the graveyard to release [Nur the Twilight of the Netherworld] on my field and Special Summon it from the graveyard in Defense Position. Then, my opponent can Special Summon a monster from their own graveyard after negating its effect."

"However, due to the effect of [Twilight of the Netherworld - Kas] itself, if it is successfully Special Summoned, not only you, but everyone else can also Special Summon a 4-star or lower [Netherworld] monster from the Graveyard. If the [Netherworld] monster Special Summoned by this effect leaves the field, it will be banished."

Because of Hayato's series of actions in the previous turn, he didn't have many monsters in his graveyard. In fact, there was only one [Disruptor King] that was decent. Hayato Special Summoned [Disruptor King], whose effect was negated, to the field in Defense Position.

Meanwhile, on the Pharaoh's field, the surging tide swept away the newly entered [Nur of the Netherworld], banishing it due to its own effect as it left the field, while bringing two new [Netherworld] monsters.

【Twilight of the Netherworld - Cass】【8☆/Light】

[Crawler Category/Effect]

[400/2400]

【Naya, the Impurity of the Netherworld】【4☆/Dark】

[Crawler Category/Effect]

[0/2000]

One monster after another appeared from the graveyard. This scene was so familiar, it was exactly the same as the scene when Hayato used the "Inferno Machine" deck to duel during his time in the Doma organization. Just like now, monsters kept appearing from the graveyard.

Hayato had taken the situation seriously earlier when Pharaoh unleashed [Snake Rain] precisely because he knew this scene would unfold. While the current situation was partly due to the absurd effects of [Snake Rain] when it was limited to reptiles, it was also proof of the dueling prowess of the guy who wouldn't even reveal his real name to Hayato, only allowing him to call him "Pharaoh."

He's incredibly good at taking money.

"If [Naraya - The Dregs of the Netherworld] is successfully Summoned or Special Summoned, activate its effect. Search my Deck for one [Naraya] Spell/Trap Card and add it to my hand. The card I choose is this one: Field Spell Card [The Origin of the Netherworld], and activate it." The Pharaoh played the card he had searched from his Deck and proclaimed, "Fear! You who rise from the Netherworld!"

The pristine tide was instantly stained pitch black, spreading from Pharaoh's field all the way to Hayato's, submerging his three monsters: Primal Life Form Token, Armed Dragon Cannon, and Disruptor King, as if to drag them into the underworld with a deathly tide.

“Under the protection of the Field Spell Card [Origins of the Netherworld], any force that destroys my [Netherworld] monsters, whether through battle or effect, will have that disrespect avenged.” After briefly explaining the effect of [Netherworld], the Pharaoh once again mercilessly released monsters from his field. “Then, release [Netherworld Defilement - Naya] to Special Summon [Netherworld's Darkness - Alette] from my Graveyard!”

"Because of this effect, Hayato Kobayashi, you may choose one monster from your graveyard and return it to your hand."

Upon hearing this, Hayato glanced at his graveyard and casually picked up a card to add to his hand.

He only had two monsters left in his graveyard: [Armed Dragon LV3] and [Armed Dragon LV5]. Since he only had one of each [Armed Dragon] card in his deck, choosing either one wouldn't make much difference. He simply chose the [LV3], which could at least be Normal Summoned to block one attack.

The snake-headed monster [Darkness of the Underworld - Alette], which also has a staff and jewelry in the shape of a golden sun and corresponds to [Twilight of the Underworld - Kas] in both representing "darkness", appeared on the Pharaoh's Field. As soon as it appeared, it slammed the sun staff in its hand on the ground.

【The Darkness of the Underworld - Alette】【ATK2000】

"[Naya the Dregs of the Netherworld] will be banished when it leaves the field due to the effect of [Kass the Twilight of the Netherworld]. However, if it is successfully Special Summoned due to the effect of [Alette the Darkness of the Netherworld], you can send up to two banished Reptile-Type monsters—namely, [Naya the Dregs of the Netherworld] and [Nur the Dregs of the Netherworld], these two monsters symbolizing water and chaos—back to the Graveyard!"

"Life and death, an endless cycle!"

The two monsters that were previously banished were immediately recalled to the graveyard by the Pharaoh. This means that in the next turn, since their effects can be activated again, they can be Special Summoned to the field once more by their own effects, like an unstoppable cycle that is repeatedly used.

Compared to the Fire Demon [Hellfire Machine], which tends to unleash a frenzy and achieve an OTK (One-Turn Kill) in a single turn, [Netherworld], representing the "Eight Gods" in Egyptian mythology, is clearly more adept at prolonged battles, accumulating resources until the opponent can no longer resist and then annihilating them in one fell swoop!

That's what they say, but in reality, Pharaoh's field already boasts a fairly luxurious lineup.

【Netherworld God - Ogdo Abyss】【ATK3100】

[Primitive Life Form - Nibiru] [ATK3000]

【Twilight of the Netherworld - Cass】【DEF2400】

【The Darkness of the Underworld - Alette】【ATK2000】

"Weak, weak, you don't even have a reaction to what I'm about to do? Cowardly, so cowardly, Kobayashi Hayato!"

After completing several steps of deployment, Hayato seemed to have completely given up and started to slack off, watching as he played freely. Pharaoh, however, was not happy at all, but looked at him with considerable dissatisfaction.

He had already achieved countless victories in his lifetime, so defeating Hayato this time was nothing new. What he wanted was to test Hayato's aptitude in this duel, but if one side attacked while the other did nothing, nothing could be tested.

In particular, Hayato didn't actually have no cards at all; he clearly had a face-down card in his back row, but he just wouldn't activate it.

"Hmph, if that's the case, then keep watching from there, Kobayashi Hayato. This will be the last special summon you ever see!"

As the Pharaoh spoke, he sent the two monsters, [Twilight of the Underworld - Kass] and [Primal Life Form - Nibiru], from his Duel Disk to the Graveyard, and retrieved the only monster in the Graveyard that had not yet been Special Summoned. "I am the sun, the king of kings! The Almighty God will witness my great deeds here, and then bow down in despair!"

"Rising from the dark underworld, half of the sun that means 'Amun,' offer your power to me!"

"【King of the Underworld - Aron】!"

Bearing the name "Amun," which means "Amun-Ra" (meaning "merged with the sun god Ra"), his jet-black, liquid body embodies the physical characteristics of three of Egypt's most abundant reptiles: the webbed feet of a frog, the body of a crocodile, and the head of a venomous snake. Besides being the [God of the Underworld], who symbolizes primordial water, and occupying the highest position among the eight primordial gods, [King of the Underworld - Aron] has descended!

【King of the Netherworld - Aron】【8☆/Light】

[Crawler Category/Effect]

[2500/2800]

"Finally, I activate the effect of [Netherworld God]. This effect can only be used once per player's lifetime: send all monsters on both players' fields, except for those Special Summoned from the Graveyard, to the Graveyard." The Pharaoh waved his hand and commanded, "Return to nothingness!"

In an instant, the already turbulent water surface was stirred up by the serpentine body of the [Netherworld God] hidden underwater, turning into a huge vortex that swept towards the monsters on Hayato's field!

If no way is found to stop this attack, all other monsters on Hayato's field, except for the Disruptor King Special Summoned by the effect of Twilight of the Underworld - Kass, will be wiped out by this attack, including the Primal Life Form Token with 5800 ATK and the Armed Dragon Cannon!

Faced with the overwhelming torrent, Hayato made the choice—

"You want to flip the table, huh? I said no way!" Hayato announced, pressing the button to activate the face-down card. "Activate the Trap Card 'God's Protection,' discard the Monster Card 'Armed Dragon LV3' from my hand, negate and destroy the effect of that monster with the long, incomprehensible name 'Netherworld God'!!"

Chapter 739 Domino City's Life-Saving King

"You didn't expect this, did you? In the end, the card that defeated your strongest monster on the field was the one you personally delivered to me."

Under the effect of [Divine Protection], the vortex that should have swept Hayato's cards to the graveyard was completely destroyed. Despite being the highest-ranking creator god, [Netherworld God - Ogdo Abyss] had been on the field for so long, he just watched and was destroyed and sent to the graveyard without even being able to activate his effect.

More displeased than the monster being sent to the graveyard was the smug Hayato: "The card in the back row is [God's Protection]. Although it's an almost universal counter card that can negate almost any card, without any cards in hand, that card is just a piece of waste paper."

"You drew such a useless card, yet you just said you had an ace up your sleeve? You were just bluffing!"

In the previous turn, Hayato used the effect of [Disruptive Magic Modification] to replenish his hand and draw cards. After drawing the cards, he showed a strangely confident expression. At that time, he really fooled Pharaoh, making Pharaoh wonder what cards Hayato had set down while using the [Netherworld] deck to expand.

But now, they're telling me it's a card that couldn't be activated before. I said, "How come it hasn't made a move for so long? Are you playing mind games? That's so sneaky!"

What's even more infuriating is that the [Armed Dragon LV3] card that allowed him to use the [Divine Protection] effect was the very card that I had helped him recycle with [Darkness of the Underworld - Alette]!

The feeling of being humiliated is like opening your mouth to yawn and then being hit by a pile of bird droppings – utterly disgusting! (Ono Rei, Hayato Kobayashi!)

Displeased, Pharaoh snorted and said, "Boring schemes, is that all you can do? But don't forget the existence of the Field Spell Card [Origins of the Netherworld] on the field!"

"Because [Netherworld God - Augdo Abyss] was destroyed by the effect of your [Divine Protection], I activate the effect of [Netherworld Origin]. I target [Primal Life Form - Nibiru] on your field and send it to the Graveyard. However, since it is a token, it will disappear from the game the moment it leaves!"

With the disappearance of the [Netherworld God], the giant wave that it had raised, which seemed to sweep across the world and destroy everything, gradually subsided.

However, a dark, turbid current rose from the receding tide, engulfing the [Primitive Life Form Derivative], which had the highest attack power on Hayato's field and could not be destroyed by battle by the monsters on Pharaoh's field for the time being, and was swallowed up in the blink of an eye.

Both Hayato and Pharaoh lost their respective monsters with the highest attack power, and coincidentally, the number of monsters on both sides' fields became the same.