Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

[Super Transportation Robot - Invisible Combination] [ATK3600]

Having spent two cards, Marufuji Sho summoned four monsters to fill his field in a very short time. Although the field seemed full, none of them were a match for Marufuji Ryo's Cyber ​​End Dragon.

"I don't know what's going on, but so what if he summoned a bunch of weak monsters? Could he possibly link and summon a god of the underworld?" Hayato retorted. However, when Malik asked what "link and summon" and "god of the underworld" meant, he brushed it off by saying, "The god of the underworld is someone you have to marry."

“Normally, if multiple Monsters with the 'Taunt' ability appear on the field, you can gain the ability to prevent the opponent from attacking, such as using the 'Charge Captain' to Special Summon the 'Charge Captain' combo. But, the 'Decoy' is an exception.”

As the designer of the [Machine] deck, Pegasus explained, "The effect of this card is not that it can only attack him, but that it can only attack [Decoy Machines]. In other words, no matter how many [Decoy Machines] appear, they cannot block the opponent's attack; they only add three substitutions."

"As for [Super Transport Robot - Invisible Fusion], I also recognize its effect. It allows you to equip a non-Machine-Type Monster to the field on Onice for one turn, increasing the ATK of the equipped monster. However, when it attacks, its original ATK is reduced to half and it can only attack Twice. It has no effect on [Cyber ​​End Dragon].

"Uh, doesn't this effect sound just like Pegasus's [Nasagi]?" Honda retorted. "Copying yourself isn't considered copying, right? It's even a weakened version. You're really something, Pegasus."

Atem looked at the monsters on Marufuji's field with some confusion: "It seems that his goal is just to summon as many monsters as possible, but if he can't concentrate the power of the cards, it will be ineffective against his opponent."

"Also, Hayato, I always feel like you really dislike that person. Could the dark power within him be you—no, even if it were you, you wouldn't do something like that."

Hayato was somewhat displeased: "What do you mean 'I couldn't do something like that'? What kind of image do you have of me?"

Upon hearing Hayato's words, Jonouchi, Pegasus, Atum, Baron, and the others first recalled their specific impressions of Hayato, and then subtle smiles appeared on their faces.

Malik went even further, saying, "Sometimes people should have some self-awareness, brother-in-law. To be honest, with your past actions, you could easily play the mastermind behind the dragon's seduction in those hero-versus-dragon stories—hmm!"

After taking a serious chop to the head from Hayato, Malik crouched down, clutching the large bump on his head, while Marufuji Sho continued his turn.

"I activate the Equip Spell Card [Machine Factory] to equip [Super Transport Robot - Mobile Base], increasing its ATK and DEF by 300. Then I activate the Spell Card [Descending Tide], targeting [Decoy Robot] on my field, declaring its Level from 1 to 3, and changing its Level to the declared Level. I choose Level 1."

"Finally, this card, the Spell Card [Wish Upon the Stars], targets the [Decoy Machine] on my field whose Level was reduced to 1☆ by [Descent Current]. It gives me the Level of monsters on my field with the same ATK or DEF as [Decoy Machine], which becomes 1☆ until the End Phase of this turn."

After playing three more cards in a row and completing this seemingly meaningless action, Marufuji Sho suddenly raised his head and said to Marufuji Ryo, "I have always looked up to you, and I have fallen into the bottom of despair. I used to think that I could never surpass you, until I unexpectedly obtained this card."

“My deck has been filled with brand new cards that I’ve never seen before, and my luck when drawing cards is completely different from before. I’m in despair, but I can change everything with this card, even if it’s to defeat you, Ryo Marufuji.”

"And now, with four 1-star monsters whose levels have been reduced to their lowest possible level on my field, the conditions for this card to appear have been met!"

[Decoy Robot] [2☆→1☆] X3

【超级交通机人-移动基地】【0/5000→300/5300】【10☆→1☆】

"Four Level 1 monsters? What kind of strange summoning condition is that?" Jonouchi, who thought he had grown a lot from all the duels he had experienced, was also puzzled by the summoning condition of a certain card that Marufuji had mentioned. "Is it a ritual that requires a certain level? But it doesn't matter if the level is higher than the required level for a ritual summon, right?"

"He only has two cards left in his hand. Is it a Ritual Monster and a Ritual Spell Card?" Jonouchi wondered, puzzled.

However, Malik, who could see the dark energy on the card, denied Jonouchi's guess: "No, there is only one card radiating dark power. If it were a ritual summon, this wouldn't happen. Ritual magic cards should have some special traces. But speaking of rituals, I don't remember there being any special ritual summons."

As he spoke, Malik glanced at Hayato beside him. What pained him more than the bump on his head was the experience of trying to play cards with Hayato earlier, when Hayato, summoned by a ritual, was called "Announcer of Light" and used a hand full of Angel cards to outmaneuver him to death.

What's even more infuriating is that Hayato insisted before the game that he was using a "pure [Dragon's Radiance] deck." Knowing Hayato's personality all too well, why did I believe him? No, ultimately, why did I even have the brain fart to invite Hayato to play cards?

I was absolutely right when I said it last time. My deck is full of trap cards, my sister Isis uses the [Current Darkness] deck for OTK, and my brother-in-law Hayato Kobayashi. Apart from myself, this sunny boy who likes to give powerful monsters to others, everyone else is a duelist from the underworld.

"The Ritual Summon of 【Dragonlight Takumi】 is a rare case where ATK is used instead of Star Level. It's not unheard of for a card to be of the same Star Level, but in that case, you could just use two 2-star 【Decoy】 to collect the tributes." Hayato looked at Marufuji Sho's four 1-star monsters on the field with a puzzled expression. "To summon it, you need four 1-star monsters. It can't be 【Lyrical Bird】 or a black card like 【Dragonlight Takumi】 that I don't even have."

"Even a properly made appearance of the [Gate of Source Numbers] only requires three 1-star units to be enough for Oppa..."

While casually uttering words that no one else could understand, Hayato suddenly froze when he mentioned the "Gate of Source Numbers." From the "Gate of Source Numbers," Hayato thought of its user, the infamous swindler, Master Thousand. But as his thoughts wandered from Master Thousand, only Marufuji Sho kept repeating the word "despair" since the beginning of the conversation came to mind, and Hayato connected it to someone else.

"No way, could it be that card? It just so happens to require four Level 1 monsters..."

Seeing the surprised expression on Hayato's face, Baron asked curiously, "Do you know what card that brat Marufuji Sho is trying to summon, Kobayashi Hayato?"

"Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, that's a pretty terrifying card."

Just as Hayato had guessed, Marufuji Sho raised a card in his hand. An updraft inexplicably appeared around him, making his clothes flutter and lifting his drooping hair, revealing a wild expression that shouldn't have appeared on his cowardly face.

On Marufuji Sho's Duel Disk, the area where the four [Decoy Robots] and [Super Transport Robot - Mobile Base] were located was suddenly covered by black, and scarlet characters appeared on it, which together formed the word "Error".

"I've stacked my four Level 1 monsters to form a network of despair. Born from the light of hope, a shadow that brings despair and destroys hope, my despair and darkness have deeply attracted you. Shadow that has crossed dimensions, come here!"

Suddenly, darkness spread out from beneath Marufuji Sho's feet, occupying most of his space and even extending to the area behind him. The onlookers were so frightened that they quickly moved away. From this darkness, a huge monster rose from the shadows and stood behind Marufuji Sho.

The slender torso, enlarged to a certain extent, appeared quite imposing. Its lower limbs were covered by a skirt hanging from its waist, while its upper body was encased in a sturdy suit of armor, and its arms were covered by a pair of gauntlets. However, the most eye-catching feature was not the rest of the monster's body, nor even its head, which bore some resemblance to both the [Phantom Emperor] and the [Giant Warrior], but rather the disc-shaped backpack on its back, which contained several enormous sword blades.

"This is... the Divine Will Gundam?"

Some people in the crowd subconsciously made sarcastic remarks about the monster's appearance, while Marufuji Ryo and Marufuji Sho slammed their cards onto the duel disk and called out the names of the monsters in their hands.

"Anything is fine, as long as I can surpass him, as long as I can defeat Marufuji Ryo! Come forth, you embodiment of despair who unites all darkness and chaos!!"

"【Despair God - Antihope】!!!"

【Despair God - Antihope】【12☆/Dark】

[Demon/Special Summon/Effect]

[5000/5000]

"A level 12 monster, and its attack power even surpasses the legendary Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, reaching 5000 points!?" Even Ryo Marufuji couldn't maintain his composure when he saw Antihope, the God of Despair, appear on Sho Marufuji's field, staring at his younger brother in astonishment.

His eyes were quite complicated. He had heard what Marufuji Sho had just said. His presence had completely overshadowed Marufuji Sho's brilliance. Before hearing Marufuji Sho confide in him today, Marufuji Ryo had never imagined that his all-out approach would put such immense pressure on his younger brother, even making him feel desperate.

Had he done something wrong by respecting the duel and giving his all in it? Ryo Marufuji clenched his fists and looked at the enormous [Despair God - Antihope]. Although he didn't have the ability to see spirits or directly observe the existence of dark forces, this giant monster was already a sight that could instill deep fear in any witness.

"【Antihope, the God of Despair】cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned from my hand or Graveyard by sending four face-up 1-star monsters I control to the Graveyard." With his back to 【Antihope, the God of Despair】, Sho Marufuji smiled. "Fall into the deepest despair, and then ultimate power will come into my hands, even able to devour your blinding light!"

“Sho…” Looking at Sho Marufuji, Ryo Marufuji took a deep breath and said solemnly, “How did you get that kind of monster? It’s definitely not a normal Duel Monster.”

"Are you jealous, Ryo Marufuji? This monster's appearance is all thanks to you." Sho Marufuji said with a sneer. Because of the eye contact, Ryo Marufuji could clearly see that his normally normal eye sockets were now black. "He said he was the remnant of a shattered world of despair, and was attracted to my side by the despair you inflicted on me."

"I will defeat you and surpass you, with its power, under the godlike and invincible power of [Despair God - Antihope]!"

Hearing Marufuji Sho's words, Marufuji Ryo shook his head: "That's not a god, just a demon. Has it become completely lost, relying on external forces..."

Marufuji Ryo's eyes hardened again. Since his younger brother had gone astray, all he could do was win this duel and correct his mistakes.

"Entering my battle phase, because of the effect of [Despair God - Antihope], all the monsters on my field except for it are unable to attack, so I use it to attack my opponent's [Cyber ​​End Dragon]!"

"The despair within my veil will forever be your nightmare!" Marufuji Sho shouted, waving his hand. "Anti-Hope - Despair Slash!"

A colossal avatar of despair rose from the ground, hovering like a god overlooking the earth, radiating light from behind. However, the light spreading from behind [Despair God - Antihope] was not the usual white light, but rather a completely opposite, pitch-black light, hurtling towards [Electronic Terminator Dragon]!

Although the attack power of [Cyber ​​End Dragon] is already a high 4000 points, it is still not enough in the face of the 5000 points of attack power of [Despair God - Antihope]. Once this attack hits, [Cyber ​​End Dragon] will definitely be destroyed. In order to protect the "Cyber ​​Stream" ultimate technique that he had worked so hard to summon, Ryo Marufuji decisively pressed the button on the Duel Disk to activate the face-down card.

"I won't let you do that, I'm activating the face-down card—"

Chapter 864 As punishment for being my enemy, I will extinguish your hope.

"Activate the cover, [Explosive Armor]!"

In Marufuji Ryo's back row, corresponding to the attack declaration of [Despair God - Antihope], he flipped over a Trap Card: "Activate when the opponent's monster declares an attack, destroy that attacking monster!"

Although the attack power of [Despair God - Antihope] did surprise Marufuji Ryo somewhat, 5000 points of attack power was still not something that "Electronic Flow" could not reach.

Although he didn't draw any cards like "Restriction Removal"—if he had, he would have used them last turn to instantly defeat Marufuji Sho with "Cyber ​​End Dragon"—as long as he can survive until his turn, he has plenty of ways to counterattack and defeat "Despair God - Antihope".

Ryo Marufuji believes this is also a kind of confidence. Although Mr. Hayato said that the [Explosive Armor] is cursed and cannot be used, how could such a thing be true? He must be fooling me. I don't believe it. I must use the [Explosive Armor] to destroy this monster. In the next round, I will give my younger brother a little "Electronic Stream" shock.

However---

"【Explosive Armor】? No way!" Marufuji Shoichi raised his Duel Disk and spat out a card from his Graveyard. "【Despair God - Antihope】Activate once during the Battle Step when it battles, banish 1 Level 1 monster from my Graveyard!"

"A Level 1 monster?" Ryo Marufuji was also taken aback when he saw the Level 1 monster—[Kite Machine]—that Marufuji Sho took out of the graveyard. "That card... was it the card that [Giant Machine City] sent to the graveyard before?"

"Until the Damage Step ends, [Despair God - Antihope] is unaffected by other card effects and cannot be destroyed by battle!" Sho Marufuji said smugly, putting [Kite Robot] into his pocket. "Not a monster, this is a god!"

Marufuji Ryo's eyes widened as he watched the power of his [Explosive Armor] wrap around [Despair God - Antihope], but it had no effect whatsoever. [Despair God - Antihope] simply raised a hand and shattered the [Explosive Armor], launching an attack on [Electronic Terminator Dragon]!

This card really is cursed!? But even though it failed, it can withstand 1000 points.

Seeing the [Electronic Terminator Dragon]'s resistance instantly destroyed and the aftershocks of its attack about to hit him, Ryo Marufuji crossed his arms in front of him in a defensive stance. However, what he didn't expect was that with the appearance of [Despair God - Antihope], the duel had unknowingly turned into a dark game, and even 1000 points of combat damage was beyond his ability to withstand.

"Hmph, hmph, ughhhhh!" The attack of [Despair God - Antihope] devoured [Electronic Terminator Dragon] and annihilated it, while also covering Marufuji Ryo's entire body. Under the pain that penetrated to the depths of his soul, Marufuji Ryo could not bear it and let out a wail.

"boom!"

The [Electronic Terminator Dragon] exploded with a roar during the attack of [Despair God - Antihope], kicking up smoke and dust. At that moment, the attack of [Despair God - Antihope] also stopped and returned to Marufuji Sho's back, looking down at the silent Marufuji Ryo's field.

"Ya☆da☆zei! I did it! I defeated [Cyber ​​Terminator Dragon], I defeated Marufuji Ryo!" Marufuji Sho's face showed no other emotion than genuine joy as he listened to Marufuji Ryo's wailing. He looked triumphantly at the field covered in smoke and dust, "I did it! With the power of God, I did it!"

"You've been surpassed by me, and even your strongest ace has been defeated. Ryo Marufuji, how do you feel now? How do you feel?"

"Hahahaha!"

Clutching the last card in his hand, Marufuji Sho laughed wildly.

Just then, a voice rang out from the smoke and dust, answering him: "The specific feeling? Hmm, what a weak god."

Marufuji Sho's laughter faltered, because he could tell that the voice was not Marufuji Ryo's.

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, Ryo Marufuji's figure slowly emerged, but he was unconscious and only managed to stay upright with someone supporting him. The Duel Disk on his wrist was being removed. The person who was removing Ryo Marufuji's Duel Disk and putting it on his own wrist, answering Sho Marufuji, was none other than Hayato, who had suddenly appeared in the dueling arena at some unknown time.

"Huh? When did Hayato go over there? Wasn't he just standing here?" Honda was also taken aback when he saw the scene clearly. He looked at the empty seat where Hayato had been standing and asked Malik, "Did you see when your brother-in-law ran in?"

"I can't get there!"

"Don't ask, it's just a once-in-a-lifetime teleportation of the Kobayashi family, where everyone has always been a gentleman." Hayato said casually, glancing at Ryo Marufuji, whom he was supporting. "Sorry kid, I need to check what kind of guy that is over there. I don't have time to teach your brother a lesson anymore. You can continue to teach him a lesson after I take his card away."

"But, because of the shock and stimulation of experiencing the Dark Game for the first time, he's already passed out and can't hear me?" Hayato put Marufuji Ryo's deck back into the card box on his waist and called out to Malik in the distance, "Three-year-old, come and help me pick him up!"

"Who's a three-year-old?!" Malik had reason to suspect that Hayato was retaliating against him for calling him brother-in-law every day. While muttering "He's at least six years old," he still obediently ran over and pulled the unconscious Marufuji Ryo away.

"You are... Kobayashi Hayato?" Even though Hayato was still using the Millennium Scepter to mislead people's minds and make it impossible for ordinary people to associate him with "Duel King Kobayashi Hayato," Marufuji Sho recognized him immediately upon seeing him. "You, are you trying to stop this important duel!?"

"Damn it, unforgivable!"

"It should be common sense to add Pegasus's name after 'unforgivable' when you say it's unforgivable," Hayato said calmly, looking at the annoyed Marufuji Sho. He took out his deck from the card box at his waist, put it into the Duel Disk, and continued, "Besides, wasn't my performance quite obvious? I just took over this duel in place of Marufuji Ryo."

"Why should I duel with you?" Marufuji Sho asked Hayato warily. Although he had just surpassed Marufuji Ryo, the mountain that had always been his goal and blocked all the light shining on him, which made Marufuji Sho slightly arrogant, he still didn't think he could be a match for Kobayashi Hayato. "As an adult, you use such powerful cards as the [Three Egyptian Gods], how could I possibly be your opponent!"

"You're the Duel King, yet you bully the weak. That's truly despicable!"

"Powerful cards? I see. You actually think that Duel Monsters can be won or lost just by having powerful cards? If that's the case, then you also have a powerful monster on your field." Hayato raised an eyebrow and said casually, "But don't worry, although I changed my deck, I'm still using a 'pure cybernetic' deck, which isn't much different from Ryo Marufuji's deck."

"Also a 'Cyber ​​Stream'?" Hearing Hayato's words, Marufuji Sho, not understanding what Hayato meant by "pure Cyber ​​Stream," naively believed him and turned to look at [Despair God - Antihope] behind him. With the invincible [Despair God - Antihope] present, and using the same "Cyber ​​Stream" deck, even the Duel King couldn't be his match.

The duel wasn't over, but the battle had already proven that, empowered by the power of [Despair God - Antihope], he far surpassed Marufuji Ryo, whom he had always considered his role model. It was time to seize the opportunity and climb to even greater heights. If he defeated the Duel King, Kobayashi Hayato, here, wouldn't he be the next Duel King?

"In that case, I accept. However, as the price for inheriting Marufuji Akira's arena, you must accept the rule that 2000 Life Points will be deducted when you enter a duel."

Hayato shrugged: "The basic points are infinite as long as they don't go to zero."

[Ryo Marufuji→Hayato: 4000→3000→1000LP]

Seeing the numbers change on Hayato's Duel Disk, Marufuji Sho also set down his last card. "Because of the effect of [Despair God - Antihope], all the monsters on my field except for it are unable to attack, so you got a spare, Kobayashi Hayato. Set one card down, my turn ends."

[Marufuji Sho: 500LP, 0 cards in hand]