Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"You've come to the right person, because my deck also uses [Lightning Vortex] instead of [Lightning Strike]. Other people might not know that," Jonouchi said, patting his chest smugly. "The truth is, it's all about the price!"

"Even someone who doesn't understand anything can at least tell the difference between [Lightning Vortex], which requires discarding cards to activate, and [Lightning Strike], which doesn't require any cost. As a result, the price of one [Lightning Strike] can be exchanged for ten or even nine [Lightning Vortex] cards on the market."

As Jonouchi spoke, a look of indignation on his face appeared on his face. "How could someone ask such a question? It's completely outside the knowledge of rich people!"

"In the end, I don't need to say who's to blame for designing such different cards, do I?" Honda patted Jonouchi on the shoulder, and the two exchanged a glance, saying in unison with perfect understanding, "Unforgivable, Pegasus!"

"Huh? This is actually my mistake?" Pegasus looked troubled and shrugged. "Actually, I was just thinking that when designing cards, I should also consider Duel Monster fans who don't have enough money. The important thing is not strength, it's love, it's affection."

"Why don't you throw away your cheating 'Cartoon' deck before saying that?"

As they were talking, Exer dropped a card into the graveyard, and the lightning from [Lightning Vortex] crashed down from the sky, completely engulfing the monsters on Hayato's field.

Upon seeing this, Fanny Valentine was overjoyed: "Hahahaha, I didn't expect you to actually be of some use, Exel. Although you have such a big reputation, you still let the monster be destroyed so easily. It seems that even I could do it."

“No, it wasn’t destroyed,” Exel said, frowning. Fanny Valentine was also taken aback: “What are you talking about? It’s obvious that something was successfully destroyed.”

As he spoke, Valentine pointed to something that had been shattered in the lightning. As the lightning dissipated, the true form of the shattered object was revealed. Valentine discovered that it was actually a yellow demon that had not been on Hayato's field just now. Both the monsters in Hayato's back defense position and the Apostles of the Sun God were still completely unharmed.

"Trap Card [Darkness of Sacrifice]: When the effect of an opponent's Spell/Trap/Monster that destroys a card on the field is activated, you can activate this card to negate that effect and then send one 3-star or lower DARK monster from your Deck to the Graveyard in its place."

As he spoke, Hayato sent a card he had retrieved from his deck to the graveyard.

"He actually sacrificed a monster from his own deck as a shield? The Duel King truly lives up to his name. However, someone like me has no right to comment." Exer seemed to have been prepared all along, and waved his hand, saying, "Then let's move on to my Battle Phase. I'll use [Volcanic Blade] to attack the second [Apostle of the Sun] that appears!"

"Small flame!"

As the Flame Clan monster spat out a mouthful of flame that struck the Apostle of the Sun God, the seemingly magnificent golden armor was rendered useless and melted almost instantly. The Apostle of the Sun God was also destroyed in the lava.

However, because it was a defensive stance, Hayato did not suffer any combat damage.

Exerge cautiously refrained from attacking Hayato's face-down Defense Position monster, thus ending his Battle Phase by inserting two cards from his hand into the Spell & Trap Zone: "Set two cards face down, and my turn ends here."

"Then at the end of your turn, due to the effect of [Slippery Summon], the first [Apostle of the Sun] will return to my hand." Hayato also retrieved the monster cards on the field, leaving only the face-down monster and the other [Apostle of the Sun].

Chapter 833 Kobayashi, the Pure Love God of War, Hayato

"Because of the effect of [Slippery Summon], [Apostle of the Sun] will return to my hand." After retrieving the monster card from the field, Hayato pressed the button to activate the face-down card amidst the unsurprised gazes of the others. "Then, the Quick-Play Spell Card [Extraordinary Food] will send [Nightmare Mirage] from my field to the Graveyard, restoring 1000 Life Points."

[Hayato: 4000→5000LP, 3→4 cards in hand]

[Exercise: 4000LP, 1 card in hand]

【Volcano Blade】【ATK1800】

[GaiK] X2

“Brother-in-law’s monsters have turned into two again, so we don’t have enough offerings.” Malik raised an eyebrow. “But if we can Special Summon a monster by some means, we can still summon [Ra], right?”

“Unfortunately, that’s not possible, Malik. Because of the effect of my ‘Apostle of the Sun’ on my field, I can’t Special Summon monsters unless I use its effect. And it has a restriction that it can only be Tributed by the Triple Summon of the three Egyptian God Cards.” Hayato shrugged, saying helplessly.

"In other words, I can only summon a god by collecting three offerings. Otherwise, I won't be able to perform any other special summons, whether it's fusion, rituals, or anything else, until the [Apostle of the Sun God] is destroyed."

Fanny Valentine couldn't help but show a smug expression upon hearing this: "Huh? That monster has too many useless effects, and its attack power is so low. It's just a weak monster."

Hayato glanced at Valentine, gave a cold smile, and didn't bother to say anything. He placed his finger on top of the deck and drew a card: "My turn, draw. Since [Nightmare Mirage] has left my field, I don't need to discard any cards."

"Being restricted from Special Summoning means you can't gather enough Tributes? In that case, why not just take your opponent's monsters?" Hayato revealed the card he had drawn. "Let me show you my favorite card as the God of Pure Love, the Spell Card [Heart Change]!"

A pink beam of light shot out from Hayato's [Change Heart] and struck [Volcanic Blade] on the Exor field, forming a pink heart-shaped mark on its abdomen. Under the effect of [Change Heart], [Volcanic Blade] left the Exor field and transformed into Hayato's shape.

"Hmm, quite pure love," Honda remarked.

Exel watched as Hayato snatched his monster away. After a moment's thought, he immediately pressed the button to activate a face-down card: "In that case, I'll chain your 'Change of Heart' and activate my face-down card in the back row, the Continuous Trap Card 'Flame Cannon Magazine'!"

“As long as it exists in the Spell & Trap Zone, the card name can be used as [Flame Cannon - Trident].” Exer said, sending the card from his hand to the graveyard. “Now I’m going to use its effect, which can only be activated during both players’ Main Phases: send one [Volcano] card from my hand to the graveyard, and then draw one card from my deck.”

As [Volcanic Blade] left, a device resembling an air-to-air missile launcher rose up on Exer's field. After Exer sent his hand to the graveyard, light began to converge from the three cannons on it.

"First it was [Volcanic Blade], then [Flame Cannon Magazine]. At first I wasn't quite sure, but now it seems it really is a [Volcanic] deck." Pegasus said with some certainty as he watched Exel draw the cards.

"【Volcano】? Is that also a deck series?" Anzu asked, not knowing much about Duel Monsters cards.

"Inspired by an erupting volcano, this deck is based on mechanical and cannon designs. Speaking of which, the [Volcano] deck was actually designed by the same person as the [Revolver Dragon] deck used by that 'Thief' Keith, so they are both cards that are good at destruction."

Pegasus chuckled, glancing at the field: "Like that, sensing that Hayato-boy was about to summon 'God,' he quite decisively pressed the detonation button."

As Pegasus said, Exer said loudly, "Kobbayashi Hayato, the card I sent to the graveyard is [Volcanic Deer Bullet]. It has the effect of dealing 500 damage to the opponent when it is sent to the graveyard, but it cannot be activated for the time being because it conflicts with the effect of [Flame Cannon Magazine]."

"However, I'll be using its second effect here. When it's sent to the graveyard by a [Flame Cannon] card, I can send two [Volcanic Deer Bullets] from my Deck or hand to the graveyard."

With a wave of his hand, Exer commanded, "Destroy all the monsters on the opponent's field!"

"[Flame Cannon Magazine], fire!"

Knowing his own limitations, Exel remained steadfast in his initial goal: to prevent Hayato from gathering the offerings for the gods. As a mercenary, he lacked the ability to create, but he was exceptionally skilled at destruction.

The three barrels of the [Flame Cannon Magazine] were loaded with three-headed fire monsters, the [Volcanic Deer Shells], and opened fire, covering Hayato's field. In an instant, both the monster Hayato was facing and the [Apostle of the Sun God] were covered by the cannon fire.

Being able to unleash two devastating attacks in such a short time, if Exel's opponent wasn't Hayato, most people probably wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Because of the chain reaction of attacks arriving late but arriving early, by the time the [Flame Cannon Magazine]'s fire subsided, [Volcanic Blade], controlled by [Heartbreaker], finally arrived on Hayato's field. Unfortunately, Hayato only had one other monster left besides it...

"Huh?" Exel was taken aback. Why was there another monster on Hayato's field?

"A spectacular series of field bombs, but unfortunately, the monster I have on my field in face-down defense position is this one, [Shaddoll Falcon]. If this monster is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can Special Summon it to my field in face-down defense position."

Hayato showed Exel the card [Shaddoll Falcon] and put it back on the field. "However, since he can only use one of his two effects once per turn, I can't activate his other effect this turn, as he is a Flip Monster."

Exer frowned: "Not only that, because the [Apostle of the Sun God] was destroyed, your special summon restrictions have also been lifted."

"That's it, so are you ready? Ready to welcome the arrival of 'God'?" Hayato played a card from his hand. "Fusion Summoning is the noblest form of summoning. I activate the Spell Card [Shaddoll Fusion], using the LIGHT [Apostle of Ra] in my hand and [Shaddoll Falcon] on the field as Fusion Materials—"

"Struggling between the boundaries of restriction and prohibition, majestic Special Summoning Slayer, stand tall upon the earth, Wagatsumashi!"

"It's not a monster, it's Kamida! Fusion Summon: [Shadowdee Nephilim]!"

Chapter 834 The Terrifying Power of Kami

In an instant, shadows covered the earth, and a giant puppet, accompanied by countless purple threads, stood on the ground, looking down at the empty field of Exel.

The doll's face is as kind and benevolent as a Bodhisattva with closed eyes. The layers of purple armor on its body form a shape similar to that of a shrine maiden who worships gods in a shrine, while the radiant threads behind it resemble a pair of wings of light, making it look like an angel.

【Shadowdee Nephilim】【8☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Fusion/Effect]

[2800/2500]

"What a beautiful monster! It's so holy!" Even Valentine couldn't help but exclaim in amazement when he saw [Shadowy Nephilim]. "Damn it, why is it that brat gets to have such a magnificent monster instead of me!"

Malik glanced at Valentine and scoffed, "How sour. But with this, the total attack power of my brother-in-law's monsters on the field has already exceeded his opponent's life points, so this duel is pretty much over."

With the 2800-point attack power of [Shadowdee Nephilim] and the 1800-point attack power of [Volcanic Blade] that Hayato obtained from Exusiai, even if Hayato doesn't continue with any further developments, clearing Exusiai's mere 4000 points of base score is already enough.

"If [Shaddoll Nephilim] is Special Summoned, activate its effect: Send one [Shaddoll] card from my Deck to the Graveyard. If I send [Shaddoll] to the Graveyard, and then [Shaddoll] is sent to the Graveyard by its effect, I draw one card from my Deck."

Hayato sent the retrieved [Shaddoll] to the graveyard, drew a card, glanced at it, and added it to his hand without using it immediately. He then declared to Exor, whose field was empty except for one [Flame Cannon Magazine] and one Mysterious Faceless Card: "Enter the Battle Phase! Tremble in the light of the gods, thief!"

"First, I'll use [Shadowdee Nephilim] to attack you. Then, your own monster—[Volcano Blade]—will wipe out your last Life Points. Struggle in the abyss of blood and darkness; suffer in the hell of hatred and resentment!"

"Sixteen Sacred Bombs - Divine Slaughter!"

Although the name of the move Hayato shouted seemed to mean that sixteen attacks would come, it was only when Hayato seriously shouted the name of the move that it was an exception. In reality, what Exe was facing was a rain of threads that crashed down like a curtain of rain!

The threads connecting the various parts of [Shadowdee Nephilim]'s body, which had turned him into a puppet, now transformed into deadly weapons and fell, arriving before Exel in an instant!

Seeing the scene before him, Axel clenched his fists. From the very beginning of the duel, for some reason, Axel felt a deep pressure enveloping him. Although he wasn't pressed to the ground by this inexplicable pressure, Axel felt that at least half of his strength in the duel was suppressed, making it difficult for him to exert his full power.

After the appearance of [Shadowdee Nephilim], the pressure reached its peak, making Exor almost unable to breathe, and his whole body felt cold, as if he were being entangled by some dark and evil being.

However, he absolutely could not lose like this. Although he still did not know what the consequences would be if he lost to Kobayashi Hayato, the result was not important, but the process was. It was not time for him to give up!

Taking a deep breath, Exor pressed the button to activate the face-down card: "Then, in conjunction with the attack declaration of [Shadowdee Nephilim], I will open the last face-down card in my back row, the trap card [Volcanic Power], because its effect will send my [Flame Cannon Magazine], whose card name can be regarded as [Flame Cannon - Trident], to the graveyard."

With a loud "boom," the [Flame Cannon Magazine] in the back row of Exel exploded violently. The weapon, which possessed great destructive power, also burst forth with powerful force as it self-destructed, turning into a towering flame. However, this did not affect the attack of [Shadowdee Nephilim], whose purple threads rushed into the flames.

However, amidst the flames, a pair of ferocious eyes suddenly opened, and a gigantic demon swept away the surrounding firelight, leaping out to stand in front of Exor and face the attack of [Shadowdee Nephilim] head-on!

"Special Summon [Volcano Demon] from my Deck, Hand, and Graveyard! Just as you asked, how was my struggle, Hayato Kobayashi!" Exer shouted to Hayato, mustering his courage.

【Volcano Demon】【8☆/Flame】

[Fire Clan/Special Summon/Effect]

[3000/1800]

"Attack power of 3000 points, that's a whopping [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]!" Even under these circumstances, Jonouchi still wouldn't let go of the opportunity to persecute Kaiba.

Honda raised an eyebrow: "【Goddess Nephilim】 has an attack power of 2800 points. How come a monster with an even higher attack power suddenly appeared, and even jumped out during the battle phase?"

“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just that it’s the battle phase, and since the opponent has Special Summoned a monster, my brother-in-law can use the ‘Attack Reversal’ rule. We just need to find a way to defeat that monster in Main Phase 2,” Malik said nonchalantly. “It just means the duel will be dragged out for another turn.”

However, upon hearing their words, Pegasus smiled and said, "No, Hayato boy can't use the 'Attack Rebound' rule right now."

"Wait a minute? Even I know that the 'Attack Reversal' rule applies now. Wait a minute, you didn't change the rules again, did you, Pegasus? Is it some kind of 'Pegasus☆Special-Ruler'?" Kyoko looked at Pegasus with suspicion, after all, he had a history of doing this back in Duel Kingdom.

“Miss Kyoko, is that really how you see me? So sad~” Pegasus put on a rather affected sad expression, glanced at the field, and said, “It’s definitely not me, it’s because of the effect that monster has.”

Just then, Exel spoke up, saying, "[Volcano Demon] cannot be Normal Summoned, but can be Special Summoned using [Volcanic Power] and its own effect. During your opponent's Battle Phase, if there is a monster in Attack Position, you must attack this card."

"Now that [Shadowdome Nephilim] has declared its attack, the 'Attack Reversal' rule will not apply due to the effect of [Volcano Demon]. So, let's counterattack against the 'god,' [Volcano Demon]!"

"Meteor Volcano!"

Facing the attack from [Shadowdee Nephilim], [Volcano Demon] fearlessly charged forward, relying on its superior attack power. Its fists were covered in lava and fire, determined to annihilate [Shadowdee Nephilim].

Seeing this, Pegasus added, "Not only that, when the [Volcano Demon] destroys a monster and is sent to the Graveyard, it also has the ability to destroy all monsters on the opponent's field, and can even deal additional effect damage equal to the number of destroyed monsters x 500. Exciting! This is Mr. Exor's third field-destroying attack, isn't it? That's really impressive!"

"You're still making sarcastic remarks!?" Kyoko glared at Pegasus, who still had a bright smile on his face, then looked at Yugi and found that even he had a calm expression. "What, even Yugi?"

"Don't worry, Anzu. Think about it carefully. Is Hayato really that easy to defeat? Don't forget that he hasn't used his two face-down cards in the back row yet, and he still has two cards in his hand. There's no need to worry," Yugi comforted Anzu. Judging from his tone, Atum had somehow switched bodies with Yugi to watch the game. "Also, I don't know if you noticed what Hayato said when he summoned [Shadowduck Nephilim]."

"When summoning?" Kyoko tilted her head and exchanged a glance with Bakura, who was also looking bewildered. "Isn't that just something you boys shout out when you're having a fit of chuunibyou?"

However, Atem's reminder made Anzu somewhat recall that when Hayato summoned [Shadowdee Nephilim] earlier, he seemed to have shouted something like "Struggling on the boundary between prohibition and restriction" and "Special Summon Killer".

Wait a minute, "Special Summon Killer"? Could the effect of [Shadowdee Nephilim] be...?

Anzu seemed to have guessed something, and at this moment, [Volcano Demon] finally clashed with [Shadowdee Nephilim]'s attack. This simple comparison of size required no professional duelist skills to make a judgment. Valentine shouted from the sidelines, "Kill that Kobayashi Hayato, Exor O'Brien, and then take that beautiful monster!"

However, before he could utter his next sentence, the Volcano Demon, who had thought he would easily break through the threads of Shadowdike Nephilim and defeat it, was instantly enveloped in shadows the moment it made contact with the attack.

Before the "battle" itself even took place, the [Volcano Demon], which had been swallowed by shadows from nowhere, was pulverized into dust by the countless threads in the blink of an eye.