Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"You schemed against me, Hayato Kobayashi!"

"Simply increasing attack power won't trigger a battle reversal. Don't run away, face the Jeep... I mean, [Rhinoceros Horned Dragon]!" Hayato, seeing [Lava Judgment King] already attacking [Rhinoceros Horned Dragon], ordered [Rhinoceros Horned Dragon], "Nanohorn injected, you've been enhanced, go!"

[Herbivorous Rhinoceros] [ATK 2700 → 3700]

【Lava Judgment King】【ATK2700】

【Night Journey of the Heavenly Horse: 2000LP】

Facing the raging flames that could ignite even plants, the [Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] roared fearlessly, its purple wings unfurling to unleash a storm that seemed to originate from another dimension. Behind it, the [Summoner - Aleister], completely transparent like a ghost, listlessly swung his staff, chanting a perfunctory incantation: "Demons and monsters, leave! Demons and monsters, leave!"

With the magical power it provided, the seemingly mighty flames of the [Lava Judgment King] were suppressed by the strong wind and instead surged back, engulfing the [Lava Judgment King].

As he watched his monster being consumed by flames, Pegasus Night Walk's eyes widened in fury.

Just now I described Kobayashi Hayato's base score as "a candle flickering in the wind," since without the appearance of [Predatory Herbivorous Rhinoceros], Hayato's 3000 base score would only leave him with a mere 300 base score after taking the attack of [Lava Judgment King].

But now, with only 2000 basic points remaining, I have to withstand a full 1000 points of damage that will be returned to me. In that case, I will only have 1000 basic points left!

In the next round, Hayato Kobayashi can completely ignore the resurrected [Supreme Sun] and launch a fierce attack on the weak point of [Lava Burner] with an attack power of 2100. How can I defend against that!?

Tianma Yexing was both frightened and afraid. He was not afraid that if he lost in this dark game, his soul would be taken away by the dark game the moment his basic score dropped to zero. He was afraid that if he died, who would avenge Mr. Pegasus?

No, I don't want that! No, I don't want to lose!

Tianma Yexing was consumed by rage, oblivious to the thick black aura emanating from the card in his hand that enveloped him. Simultaneously, a voice echoed in his mind:

'I hear your desire. So, let's make a deal...'

A deal? Tianma Yexing hesitated for a moment, then agreed without hesitation.

As long as we can win, anything is fine. I don't care if I sacrifice my deck or even myself, as long as I can avenge Mr. Pegasus!

'I will help you kill Hayato Kobayashi…' The voice echoed in Tenma Yagyō's mind again. Simultaneously, black mist emanated from the card in his hand, seeping into his body. Tenma Yagyō felt drowsy, his body gradually stiffening and becoming immobile. 'But, in exchange, your soul is mine. And while you're at it, return my body to me!'

"boom!"

The flames that pushed back the [Lava Judgment King] ignited it, and the flames that were not blocked by it blew towards Pegasus Night Walk along with the gale. The hot sparks landed on Pegasus Night Walk's ugly monster body, sizzling.

[Pegasus at Night: 2000→1000LP]

As Tenma Yagyō suffered the consequences of his own scheme, with only 1000 points remaining in his base score, Keihei, who was watching, couldn't help but jump up excitedly: "Yada thief! Hayato-nii has the upper hand!"

"Hmph, the outcome of this duel is obvious, there's no need to make a fuss," Kaiba said calmly. "That Pegasus Night Walker lost at the start of the duel, the next round will be the end of this duel."

"Isn't that obvious?" Ameruda curled her lip, glanced at the field, and felt a little strange. "Speaking of which, isn't that guy's position a little different?"

Following Ameruda's gaze, Kaiba also noticed that Pegasus Nightwalker seemed to be standing a little further forward than before.

"When I take combat damage, activate the effect of this card in my hand..." Tianma Yexing said, sounding as if he was not greatly affected by the combat damage just now, but his voice had a subtle change, as if he were a different person.

Pegasus Yagyō drew a card from his hand, held it above his head, suddenly looked up at Hayato, and grinned maliciously, "Special Summon myself!"

"Prisoners who gaze at the stars, merge with the fools blinded by illusions, and become a vengeful beast that will take its revenge on the world!"

"[Tragodia]!"

The monster roared and stomped its foot hard on the ground. As the ground trembled, the monster shouted its name to the world once more.

【Tragodia】【10☆/Dark】

[Demon Race/Effect]

【？ /？】

"He actually summoned himself? Has that guy completely come to see himself as a monster?" Amelda raised an eyebrow. "Even Dartz wouldn't be this crazy."

Kaiba thought back to his recent battle with Dartz, in which he had merged with Orichalcos, and remained noncommittal. Even though Dartz had seized Orichalcos's power to destroy the world, he had never abandoned his former identity, despite his ugly appearance.

However, seeing "Pegasus at Night" shout out "Tragodia," Kaiba narrowed his eyes: "It feels a little different. This guy is different from the previous 'Pegasus at Night.'"

"You're saying this guy isn't Pegasus in the Night?" Ameruda didn't understand Kaiba's meaning. She looked at Kaiba, who seemed a little uncertain, and then looked at Hayato in the arena. "But isn't this the guy who's been dueling with Kobayashi Hayato since just now?"

"That's not it, it's that guy's inner self. If I'm not mistaken, you should be [Tragordia]!" Hayato pointed at the somewhat strange "Pegasus Night Walk" and said sharply.

Hearing Hayato say that, "Tenma Yako" chuckled: "You actually noticed, Kobayashi Hayato, your senses are far too sharp. No, rather than not noticing something was off about my behavior, it seems you've been suspicious of Tenma Yako's state since just now, haven't you?"

"Putting aside the stench on you that's even more disgusting than rat droppings in a toilet, I'm not an idiot. Anyone can see that something's wrong with Tenma Yagyō, right?" Hayato curled his lip. "Pegasus is still alive, but you think he was killed by me and Yugi. Combined with what he said about 'Tragodia having the power to control people's minds,' it looks like you've turned the tables and controlled him."

Upon hearing this, 'Tianma Yexing' said smugly, "That's right, as expected of Kobayashi Hayato, you can't be fooled at all. Unlike this fool, who easily believed that under the influence of my power, he could really control me, and even thought that he could take the dominant position after merging with me."

"That's right, I am Tragodia, the vengeful spirit sealed away by the priests of ancient Egypt three thousand years ago. To avenge myself against the priests and the Pharaoh, I will destroy all the Millennium Artifacts from the world!"

'Pegasus in the Night,' or rather, Tragodia's gaze toward Hayato shifted from mockery to venom, and Hayato realized that what Tragodia was looking at was less at him and more at the Millennium Wisdom Ring on his chest. "The first thing to do is to eliminate all the holders of the Millennium Items, starting with you, Kobayashi Hayato!"

"As the reincarnation of that pharaoh, you're quite high on my revenge list."

"Let me make this clear from the start: I am who I am. Don't associate me with Meliamon... that guy Ramses II." Hayato snorted coldly, somewhat annoyed. "Also, don't act like you can just do whatever you say. Do you dare disobey me, who possesses the [Rhinoceros Horn Dragon]?"

“Then let’s wait and see, Hayato Kobayashi.” Tragodia spread his palms and said, “My attack and defense stats will increase by 600 points based on the number of cards in my hand, and since I still have two cards in my hand, my attack and defense stats will increase by 1200 points.”

【Pegasus Night Walk → Tragodia: 2000LP, 2 cards in hand】

【Tragodia】【? /? →1200/1200】

"Although it's a Special Summon during the Battle Phase, I don't intend to attack myself. The Battle Phase ends here." Tragodia draws a card from his hand and sends it to the Graveyard. "Then, in Main Phase Two, I send a monster card from my hand to the Graveyard. Target one face-up monster on your opponent's field with the same Level as that monster card, and activate my effect to gain control of that monster!"

"The monster card I sent to the graveyard is this one, [Dark Lord Diablos], its level is 8☆, and the target of my effect is naturally your level 8☆ [Predator Plant - Rhinoceros Dragon] on your field!"

As Tragodia sends a card from its hand to the graveyard, its attack and defense values ​​decrease, but it also releases an invisible force that attacks Hayato's [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horn Dragon] on the field.

[Tragodia] [1200/1200→600/600]

That effect seems to be the source of [Tragodia]'s ability to control people's minds. Unlike NTR cards such as [Mind Change] and [Brainwashing], the monsters it steals do not return ownership at the end of the turn, but are permanently taken.

Hayato smiled contemptuously upon seeing this: "I'm the one who NTRs other people's monsters, not the other way around. [Rhinoceros Horn Dragon] isn't just for show. Let me show you the power of Tear's lackey!"

"Chain activation of the effect of [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon]: Once per turn, target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls, place a Predator Counter on that monster, and change the Level of a Level 2 or higher monster with a Predator Counter to Level 1. This effect can also be activated during your opponent's turn!"

"The second effect of [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horn Dragon] is a continuous effect. As long as this card is in the Monster Zone, the effects of monsters with Predator Counters activated by your opponent are negated!"

Tragodia's smile froze as he tried to permanently hypnotize the Rhinoceros with his eyes shining. Dozens of vines suddenly sprang up from the ground and tightly wrapped around its entire body, rendering all its limbs immobile. Even its neck was entangled by the thickest vine, making it hard for it to breathe.

If an attempt is made to use effect control on [Rhinoceros Horned Dragon], the vines will tighten further and continuously plunder the energy from Tragodia himself.

"No, no! I finally managed to accumulate this power!" Tragodia was filled with rage as the vines that had been binding him stole his power and took it to Hayato. He had nowhere to vent his anger.

To achieve this, I first gave the only "planet" card I had, [Suppressing Pluto], to Tianma Yexing, tempting him to collect cards to break my seal. Then, I gradually used my regained power to control his mind.

During this time, due to the despair in Tenma Yako's subconscious, he also attracted the so-called "God of Despair" who also coveted Tenma Yako's body. He finally managed to defeat the severely injured opponent and obtain the opponent's power. He then hypnotized Tenma Yako and merged with it to gain control and obtain a physical body that actually existed. Finally, he waited until today, thinking of using this invincible power to kill Kobayashi Hayato, who possesses the "Millennium Wisdom Wheel".

"Give me back my power!"

Tragodia howled in agony, utterly powerless against the power of the [Herbivorous Rhinoceros], completely drained by Hayato's villainous, maniacal laughter, and collapsed to his knees, utterly exhausted.

[Tragodia] [600/600→0/0]

"See? This is what happens when duelists personally enter the arena to play cards. You never know what kind of torturous cards your opponent has." Hayato concluded with a rather composed remark to Keipai outside the arena, a look of regret on his face. "If I could, I would have preferred to change my opponent to something like [Dark Magician Girl], and then use cards like [Torture Wheel] or [Nightmare Torture Chamber].

"The main reason is that I really enjoy playing cards."

"You want to play cards? You're clearly just lusting after people's bodies, you're despicable." Ameruda looked at Hayato with disdain and complained.

Chapter 898 Why does it hurt when I rub my eyes with my hands?

It took Tragodia a long time to recover from the torment, and her eyes were filled with both anger and fear as she looked at Hayato.

Something feels off. I'm the villain, so why is it Kobayashi Hayato on the other side who's using torture methods?

Considering that Tragodia's own effect, namely the monster [Tragodia], was negated by Kobayashi Hayato's [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horn Dragon], there is no need to keep the remaining card in its hand. Insert it into the Spell Trap Zone: "Activate the Continuous Spell Card [Hanselhouse], my turn ends."

[Tragodia: 1000LP, 0 cards in hand]

[Tragodia][DEF0]

[Lava Burner] [ATK1500→2100]

[Candy House] [Giveaway] [Giveaway]

As the turn ends, the effect of [Forbidden Cloth] disappears, and [Lava Burner]'s attack power returns to its original value, but [Tragodia]'s effect remains ineffective. As long as [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] exists, [Tragodia] with a predator tactical marker placed will continue to be suppressed by it.

"So this is what they call the strongest dragon after its evolution...?" Looking at the [Predatory Herbivore-Rhinoceros], whose attack power had also recovered to 2700 points, Tragodia exclaimed, "It's a powerful force that makes one's mouth water and fearful at the same time."

"No, Hayato Kobayashi was obviously just saying that offhand. He actually mistook this monster for a dragon?" Ameruda complained, glancing at Keihei beside her. "Did he get too carried away with the bondage play and lose his mind?"

"I don't know, because I'm just a cute little kid."

With his arms crossed, the seahorse scoffed, "Hmph, what kind of strongest dragon is that? Even if we ignore the fact that she's not a dragon monster at all, that kind of boring effect is completely meaningless. She's no match for my invincible Blue-Eyes White Dragon."

"The reason you acted that way is simply because the ability to negate effects doesn't really suppress your deck much, right?"

Listening to Amelda and Kaiba's conversation, Hayato put one hand on his hip and said smugly, "Hehehe, that's right. [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horn Dragon] is the strongest dragon. Even without using the ability to negate monster effects, its ATK and DEF are higher than the two monsters on your field."

"Die howling under the power of the traitors of tears!"

"Although I don't quite understand what 'the lackey of tears' means, since you are so proud of your monster's power, then watch your own monster self-destruct under excessive attack power."

Tragodia made a tough statement, while Hayato placed his finger on the top of the deck and drew a card: "My turn, draw."

"Because of the effect of [Nightmare of the Mirage], you need to discard the number of cards you previously drew with its effect during your Standby Phase." Seeing Hayato draw a card, Tragodia immediately urged him on. Hayato, who was already annoyed by having to discard cards, raised an eyebrow and said impatiently, "I don't need you to tell me that."

"I drew three cards using the effect of [Nightmare Mirage], so I'm discarding three cards from my hand now."

[Hayato: 3000LP, hand 5→6→3]

"It's not over yet. The effect of 'Predatory Plant - Cordyceps' in my graveyard is activated. During my Standby Phase, I banish this card from my graveyard and target two 'Predatory Plant' monsters of Level 4 or lower in my graveyard." Hayato took a card from his graveyard, revealed it, and banished it, continuing, "Special Summon the targeted monster to my field."

"Special Summon two monsters in one go?" Tragodia squinted at the [Predatory Plant - Cordyceps] card Hayato was holding. "When was that monster card sent to the graveyard...? Was it the previous [Scapegoat's Darkness]?"

“That’s right. However, powerful cards often come with great risks. I can’t make a Normal Summon during the turn that [Cordyceps]’s effect is activated.” Putting [Cordyceps] into his pocket, Hayato took out two more monster cards from the graveyard. “Resurrect, my love, cough cough, my monsters.”

"[Predatory Plant - Sundew Frilled Lizard], [Predatory Plant - Pterosaur of the Pitcher Plant]!"

Besides the [Predatory Plant - Pitcher Dragon] that Tragodia had previously seen through Pegasus Nightwalker's body, another monster that resurrected from the graveyard, like the [Predatory Plant - Cordyceps], was also appearing for the first time.

[Predatory Plant - Pitcher Plant] [ATK300]

[Predatory Herbivore - Sundew Frilled Lizard] [2☆/Dark]

[Plant Tribe/Effect]

[600/200]

Hayato could have used the effect of [Predatory Plant - Cordyceps] to revive as many [Predatory Plants] with higher attack power as possible, but he only chose two low-level monsters whose combined attack power was less than 1000, which puzzled Tragodia.

Since the previous "Cordyceps" was sent to the graveyard with "Darkness of the Scapegoat", then this "Drosera Lizard" must be the card that Hayato just sent to the graveyard with the effect of "Nightmare Mirage". The same goes for "Nepenthes Pterosaur", the previous one was banished face-down by Hayato with the effect of "Dead Soul Fusion".