Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"However, although this guy's goal is partly the same as mine—we both want to kill the Pharaoh, which is you, Game—he is unwilling to destroy the kingdom or harm other innocent people, especially that Priest Set. Moreover, relying on the amplification of his dark magic and the combination of the [Millennium Eye], he has been resisting my control, which really annoys me."

"However, thanks to you all for defeating him, I can now take control of this guy's body. After all, his mission has failed, so it's time for me to activate my final trump card."

As he spoke, the magic power emanating from Aknadi surged even more, rushing wildly into the Netherworld Slab. The spirits surrounding the slab also began to expand outwards, attacking the group!

"I don't know what tricks you're up to this time, but Bakura! I won't let you succeed!" Yami Yugi said, raising the gladiator disk. "Come forth, [The Wyvern Defender]!"

Although he wasn't quite sure what these translucent white spirits were, just in case, Yami Yugi didn't send Mahad, the "Dark Magician," to make a move. Instead, he chose the "City Guardian Wyvern," who was somewhat powerful but not exceptionally strong, to test the waters first.

In the event of a situation like the [Sacrifice Demon], even if the [City Guardian Wyvern] is controlled, there will still be time for the [Dark Magician] to eliminate it.

However, Yami Yugi didn't even have a chance to execute this tactic that would make the "City-Defending Wyvern" curse. He tried to use the Gladiator Disk to summon the Slate Monster as usual, but the Gladiator Disk didn't react at all, as if the battery had run out of power.

Even the three folded-up wing-shaped components did not unfold to reveal the grid used to summon the slate monster, let alone light up a mark on them to summon the slate monster.

"What... what's going on?"

While Yami Yugi was in a daze, Hayato also shook the Gladiator's Disk in his hand with some confusion, only to find that, just like Yugi, he couldn't unfold the Gladiator's Disk to summon monsters.

Seth, who had been knocked away by Aknadi, finally got up from the ground. Seeing that Hayato and Yami Yugi were unable to summon the Stone Tablet Monsters, he tried using the Gladiator's Disk himself, but it wouldn't activate either. Not only that, he also noticed something amiss with the two Millennium Items in his hands: the Millennium Scales and the Millennium Scepter. They had lost their former golden luster and become dull and lifeless, like rocks.

He looked at Bakura, who was controlling Aknadi: "What have you done!"

“Since you have asked so sincerely, I will mercifully tell you,” Bakura said smugly, answering every question. “Whether it is the Millennium Item or the Gladiator’s Disk, they are essentially products of dark alchemy. The power they possess is simply taken from me.”

"Within the domain of this stone tablet, merely restricting their power is child's play for me. Now die, nameless pharaoh, Hayato!"

The spirits surged towards the group like a tide, but accompanied by Bakura's triumphant laughter, two magic bullets slammed into the spirits, repelling them. Mana, standing shoulder to shoulder with [Dark Magician Girl], and [Dark Magician] flanked Yami Yugi, and declared loudly:

"Don't even think about getting close to the prince until you've defeated us."

"I will protect the Pharaoh with my life!"

Meanwhile, on Hayato's side, black liquid surged from beneath his feet, transforming into the forms of two monsters before him: [Netherworld King - Aaron] and [Netherworld Queen - Amonesia]. The black tide engulfed any approaching spirits, carrying them underground. However, Hayato did not activate the Gladiator's Disk, and these two monsters were not summoned by him.

"Hmph, you keep restricting people time and time again. How long do you intend to keep embarrassing yourself, Kobayashi Hayato?"

Beside Hayato, the [Spiritual Exophysical Body] suddenly spoke, but judging from its tone, it was clear that Meliamon had actually escaped from the [Millennium Wisdom Wheel], "I can hardly bear to look at your pathetic state anymore."

"Who told you I had no other options? There's no point in saving your trump card for the very end," Hayato said, scoffing. "You actually managed to get out from over there?"

"Hmph, fool, haven't you noticed? Ever since that lightless person appeared in front of you, the aura here has been getting closer and closer to the underworld, and the resistance I encounter in this area has also become smaller and smaller."

"Do you see those spirits? They seem to be the wronged souls of those who died tragically on this land more than ten years ago and were bound to that stone slab. This is evidence that this land is getting closer and closer to the underworld."

Glancing at the [Millennium Wisdom Ring] on Hayato's chest, Meliamon said casually:

"I have already condescended to stay in the [Millennial Wisdom Wheel] for the time being. It is no longer a suitable place for me to stay. Consider this a suggestion: you should remove that thing from your body as soon as possible."

Hayato was taken aback at first, but without much thought, he instinctively chose what Meliamon had said, removing the Millennium Wisdom Ring from his chest and throwing it to the ground. Just as Hayato discarded the Millennium Wisdom Ring, an ominous aura suddenly emanated from the now-golden ring.

Seeing that Hayato had actually taken off the [Millennium Wisdom Wheel], Bakura's voice was somewhat disappointed: "Tch, your senses are a bit too sharp, aren't they? You actually saw through it. I thought I could use it to inject some evil thoughts into your body."

Hayato understood as well. With Akna's knowledge of alchemy, the Netherworld Tablets, and the three Millennium Items, Bakura could not only block the use of any items involving dark alchemy in the vicinity, but also inject evil thoughts into others using the Millennium Items.

He said somewhat displeasedly, "Hmph, even if you succeed, it's useless. What are mere evil thoughts and malice compared to me?"

“Nobody’s praising you for this, and it’s nothing to brag about!” Bakura said, controlling Akna to turn his head to the other side. “However, even though you have nothing to do with the game, didn’t I still manage to achieve one success?”

Following the direction Bakura was looking, Hayato realized that he had forgotten someone: Seth, who was holding two of the Millennium Items!

A large amount of black magic surged from the two Millennium Artifacts, the Millennium Scepter and the Millennium Scales, flowing into Seth's body as they came into contact with him. This left Seth rooted to the spot, almost unable to move, his body trembling uncontrollably. At the same time, a huge dragon-shaped phantom appeared behind him, flickering uncertainly amidst Seth's heavy, painful breathing.

"Damn it, Seth has been hit!" Hayato glanced at Meliamon beside him. "Quick, go help him!"

“You don’t need to tell me that kind of thing!” Meliamon was quick to act. [King of the Underworld - Aaron] immediately rushed through the tide of spirits to Seth’s side. With a wave of his scepter, he knocked both [Millennium Artifacts] out of Seth’s hands, causing the magic power surging on Seth to subside and the phantom behind him to disappear.

Seeing Seto rescued, Yami Yugi breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he noticed something strange: "The power of the Millennium Item comes from Bakura? But isn't Bakura a modern person like Hayato?"

“You should know that Bakura has two personalities, right? The outer Bakura is the modern person we know, but the Dark Bakura who is currently playing the Dark Game with us isn’t even human.” Hayato helped Seth, who had been brought back by [Lord of the Netherworld - Aaron], to join Yami Yugi and answered him.

Aknadi nodded approvingly: "That's right, you know a lot, Hayato. I've been concerned about you for a long time. You always know more than others. It wasn't until I came to this world of memories that I finally understood why you always made me care so much."

"But unfortunately, I have stalled for time long enough. What I am about to reveal is a deep and dark truth. Don't blink, nameless pharaoh, Hayato! This is the last despair you will ever see!"

The magical power surging from Aknadi finally came to an end. As blood spurted from his left eye, the [Millennium Eye] flew out of his eye on its own, carrying the magical power with it towards the Netherworld Slab.

Similarly, the other three [Millennium Artifacts], which were discarded on the ground and were shrouded in black mist, all converged towards the Netherworld Slab under Bakura's control.

The "Millennium Key," symbolizing "life," is held in the left hand.

The Millennium Scepter, symbolizing "thought," is held in the right hand.

The "Millennium Eye," symbolizing "true vision," is embedded between the eyebrows.

The Millennium Cone, a symbol of "royal power" embedded in the heart;

The "Millennial Wisdom Wheel," symbolizing "wisdom," is embedded in the five internal organs.

And the Millennium Scale, a symbol of "balance" embedded in the two feet.

Here, apart from the "Millennium Jewelry" that symbolizes the "future" and is embedded in the forehead, the other six "Millennium Artifacts" are all gathered on the Underworld Stone Tablet. The stone tablet trembles violently and is almost about to shatter, but because it lacks a complete "key," the gate to the Underworld it seals remains unopened.

However, this does not mean that Hayato and his companions can rest easy. On the contrary, because of the collection of the six Millennium Items, the dark aura in the underground space has become increasingly dense. Just standing there, one feels a stinging sensation on their skin, as if the dense dark power is about to invade their bodies.

Meanwhile, the utterly useless Aknade was casually discarded by Bakura and tossed to Hayato's side. Bakura also casually dropped an important piece of information: "Fifteen years ago, Aknade used the dark alchemy deciphered in the Millennium Magic Book to communicate with the underworld and summon my power. He then slaughtered the Thieves Village and used their resentment to create the Millennium Item, sealing me inside this underworld stone tablet."

"You stripped me of my power to create the Millennium Artifact. I should have killed Aknadi to vent my anger, but considering he helped me a lot in the end, I'll return it to you."

"Catch this carefully, Priest Set. After all, he was the younger brother of the previous Pharaoh. He was a great man who created the Millennium Artifact to protect the country he loved, abandoning his royal status and even abandoning you and your mother! With such a father, be proud of your lineage, Set!"

"Ta-da! This is a shocking fact that's only being revealed now!"

Chapter 794 Why are props not allowed in the prop competition?

Seth was already weakened by the evil power of the Millennium Item, but he was stunned when he heard Bakura's words.

"Aknadi is my father!?"

Seth was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of major news he had learned in such a short time that his mind was practically blank.

First, it was revealed that the Dark High Priest was actually Aknadi. Then it was revealed that the source of the power of the Millennium Items was the Evil Tablets. Besides being the creator of the Millennium Items and the brother of the previous Pharaoh, Aknadi was also his own father.

In a moment of panic, he actually fainted, and Aknadi's body was thrown not far in front of Hayato, whereupon the Dark Magician caught him with magic.

However, Bakura was not a kind person. The reason he threw Aknadi to the group was actually just to attract their attention. In the blink of an eye, a large mass of dark magic emerged from the Netherworld Stone Slab, condensing into a ferocious monster that looked down at the group.

The monster's appearance was blurry, but its height of over ten meters, almost reaching the ground, gave people an extremely strong sense of oppression.

Meanwhile, in front of the chessboard, an item in Bakura's hand was completely reduced to ashes and disappeared.

As a player in this dark game, Bakura possesses three GM items: "Time Reversal," "Time Stop," and the "Restriction Removal" he just used. It was thanks to these items that he was able to pull off a near-comeback even after the Dark High Priest was defeated, managing to collect a full six [Millennium Items] in one fell swoop despite the unfavorable circumstances.

The Netherworld Stone Tablet, as an important tool for sealing "his" true form, could actually summon a part of his will as early as when it was embedded with a [Millennium Artifact]. Bakura, who obtained the [Millennium Wisdom Wheel], had been enhanced and thus was able to be transformed into a chess piece by Aknadi.

With two Millennium Items embedded, the power it can unleash will naturally increase. If Bakura had been willing to use the power within the stone tablet to support them, Aknade would not have been defeated at all.

However, Bakura couldn't wait any longer. He had had enough of Akna's unilateral actions. He could have easily stolen Set's Millennium Scepter while in the palace, but he didn't. Bakura also understood that although Akna had been corrupted, he was still essentially the same person who had freed himself from the stone tablets fifteen years ago. Even if he killed the Pharaoh, he would not collect all the Millennium Items.

In that case, Aknadi's role as a pawn would be greatly diminished. Bakura concealed his ability to summon "himself" from the Netherworld Tablet, and only when everyone relaxed did he resolutely use his last GM item, "Restriction Removal."

This item's ability is to completely unleash the inherent limitations of an object and use it beyond its limits. Bakura used it on Aknadi, who had no value to him, and used the Millennium Eye and Aknadi's alchemical knowledge to create the current situation.

After the "restriction is lifted," the things that were affected will be almost completely destroyed, but what does Akna's safety have to do with Bakura? Anyway, he has no use for him anymore.

To be honest, Bakura originally wanted to choose "Collapse" which could cause terrain destruction. He chose "Limit Removal" under Hayato's influence, since he had wanted to try "necessary sacrifices" for a long time.

As the giant monster appeared, Hayato noticed that Meliamon's figure beside him began to flicker: "What's wrong with you?"

"Hmph, the existence of this demonic entity before you seems to be interfering with the connection between reality and the underworld, and my existence has also been affected to some extent." Meliamon frowned, and although he looked like he could disappear at any moment, he still spoke in a calm tone, "How embarrassing, that I would be helpless against such a lightless thing."

Hayato turned around and saw that the black liquid that made up the bodies of the monsters in the [Netherworld] was also evaporating and decreasing, and the power of the [Netherworld King] and [Netherworld Queen] was being weakened.

"Hmm, it seems the power of the [Netherworld] is still not very strong. It even has problems due to the connection between the Netherworld and reality." Meliamon nodded to himself and muttered to himself, "After I go back this time, I might try a different kind of power."

"Don't set up a flag for me in a place like this, you bastard." Hayato complained as he listened to Meliamon's "go back and get married" flag, but when he looked at Meliamon, the other's body had already shattered and disappeared like a bubble.

At this moment, the Gladiator's Disk is sealed by the Underworld Tablet, and the power of the three Egyptian Gods is also restricted by the region. Even if we include Hayato's [Spirit Exophysical Body], which is currently possessed by Meliamon, the only remaining combat power is that of Mahad's [Dark Magician] and Mana's [Dark Magician Girl], totaling only three bodies.

Hayato instinctively reached for the last GM item he was carrying. This item had a limitation: someone else had to use it first, and it could record that other person's GM item.

Just now, it had read the information of an item, and Hayato felt that it might be time to use it.

However, just as Hayato was about to use it, information about a second item strangely appeared on the item, which made Hayato look at Yami Yugi next to him.

"Darkness may be profound, but light is never solitary." Before disappearing, Meliamon glanced at Yami Yugi, who had taken an item from his pocket, then looked up at the sky and closed his eyes. "Your reinforcements have arrived, Kobayashi Hayato. Well then, I look forward to seeing you again soon."

Meliamon's figure vanished completely from Hayato's side, and at the same time, Yami Yugi's voice rang out: "Don't think you're the only one with cheat tools, Bakura. Our future will not end here!"

"Answer my call, 'Slate Spirit Hassan'!"

As Yami Yugi raised the sphere with the golden mask above his head, the dark aura surrounding everyone was instantly dispelled by a burst of light. In that light, a humanoid figure wearing a golden mask appeared, and with a wave of his hand, he suddenly released a barrier that blocked the monster summoned by Bakura from the Netherworld Stone Tablet.

"I have come in response to your call, and I will protect you from the invasion of evil, Pharaoh." With her back to the crowd, the "Slate Spirit Hassan" waved her hand again, and light transformed into steps that appeared before them, leading to the ground. "However, I cannot hold them off for long. Please leave this place quickly, Pharaoh!"

As he spoke, the demon on the Netherworld Stone Tablet punched the barrier, leaving a crack in it.

Chapter 795 If one shot isn't enough, then fire another.

Like Hayato and Bakura, Yami Yugi, who is also a gamer, has his own GM items. However, since he starts as a country under the Pharaoh, Yami Yugi only has two GM items.

One of them is the Millennium Cone. Although it was originally one of the Millennium Items, when it existed as a GM item, the Millennium Cone had the ability to connect with the Millennium Puzzle outside the Memory World. This is why Yugi and Jonouchi were able to successfully enter the Memory World.

The second GM item is the "Stone Slab Sprite Hassan" that Dark Game has summoned at this moment. Its ability is powerful: it mimics the three stages of the sun's cycle—rising sun, midday sun, and twilight sun—to become immune to death twice.

To put it simply, it increases the number of health bars. Even if the Dark Game's health bar is empty, you won't die. Just like spending a resurrection coin, you can use up one use of "Slate Sprite Hassan" and continue living until you clear the game.

Not long ago, when Bakura used the GM item "Time Reversal" to outmaneuver Yami Yugi and deplete Yami Yugi's "Soul" gauge after he summoned the Winged Dragon Ra, Yami Yugi had actually passively used the power of the "Slate Spirit Hassan" once. The memories he regained while unconscious were also thanks to its remaining power.

Although Yami Yugi has summoned the "Slate Spirit Hassan," he has no intention of using it for the last time. Besides its ability to use its power, the "Slate Spirit Hassan" also possesses considerable combat strength, which is Yami Yugi's trump card that he has been holding back until now.

Seeing the monsters emerging from the Netherworld Stone Tablet relentlessly attacking the barrier released by the "Stone Tablet Spirit Hassan," Yami Yugi didn't have time to explain further to the others and hurriedly said, "Mahad, Mana, Hayato, Hassan can't hold on for much longer, let's get out of here quickly!"

"That Seth, of all times, he had to become a burden at a time like this." Looking at the unconscious Seth, Hayato complained helplessly, but his movements were swift as he hoisted him up and carried him on his back. "Alright, let's run away right now, I can't wait!"

Hayato didn't resist the suggestion to escape at all. In fact, if he hadn't been held back by Diaband, Hayato would have wanted to use the "muddy road oil" technique. However, the intrusion of Yami Yugi and his group added too many changes, and now it has actually turned into a situation where Bakura has already collected six of the Millennium Items.

Hayato could only be thankful that he had been quite prescient in letting Kaiba and Maric take Isis and Carim away first, so that Isis's Millennium Jewelry should still be in her possession, thus avoiding the worst-case scenario.

However, as for Karim, he ultimately shared the same fate that Hayato remembered, sacrificing himself in the struggle against the forces of darkness. The only blessing Hayato could offer to the deceased Karim was that his last battle before his death was a worthy one.

In the span of those few breaths, the demon on the Netherworld Stone Tablet slammed its fists into the barrier twice more, causing the cracks on the barrier to spread again. Hassan, who was not skilled in this area, also began to flicker.

The group, without further delay, quickly stepped onto the steps leading to the ground created by Hassan. Yami Yugi had Mana walk in front, followed closely by Hayato carrying Set, and then by himself and the Dark Magician. Before leaving, Yami Yugi had the Dark Magician take Aknadi, who was also unconscious, and use magic to lift his body and float him.