Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

On one hand, it can indeed be used to destroy the threat of [Brave Tokens], but on the other hand, he is probably using these two cards whose effects have been negated to test Hayato's face-down cards in the back row.

With Starry Butterfly reducing the attack power of two monsters and Hayato still not using any face-down cards, Chronos chose to use Ancient Machine Fortress to increase the resistance of the monsters, and then summoned all the powerful monsters in his hand at once.

"Both the duelist himself and the monster card are quite excellent, Mr. Chronos. However, [Ancient Machine Fortress] only grants resistance to being targeted by effects and to being destroyed by effects, while the effect of [Starry Butterfly] does not involve destruction and does not require targeting; it is continuous."

"Therefore, even the Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon, with an attack power of 2700, needs its attack power reduced by 500 points!"

[Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] [ATK2700→2200]

"The attack power has still been reduced, but it doesn't matter. The attack power of the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] is still higher than that of the [Hero Token]." Chronos seemed unconcerned about the reduced attack power of the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon], saying, "Depending on the type of sacrifice used during the superior summoning, the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] can obtain different effects. This is the power of the Dark Ages!"

"The card name 【Ancient Gear Machine】 contains both the fields 【Tool】 and 【Ancient Machine】, therefore 【Ancient Machine Synthesis Dragon】 will gain both effects simultaneously, and I'm entering the Battle Phase, no way~"

"By Tributing a 'Gadget' monster to Tribute Summon 'Ancient Gear Dragon,' you can attack each of your opponent's monsters once! So even if your ATK is temporarily reduced, it doesn't matter. Just destroy 'Temple Water Warrior,' and the Equip Card 'Starry Butterfly' on it will be sent to the Graveyard, thus removing the ATK reduction effect!"

Chronos pointed at [Temple's Water Knight]: "Attack [Temple's Water Knight] first, [Ancient Gear Dragon]! And because of [Ancient Gear Dragon]'s effect, when my [Ancient Gear] monster attacks, until the end of the Damage Step, your opponent cannot activate monster effects, Spell Cards, or Trap Cards!"

Clonos shouted, "Sudden Impact Strike!", effectively locking down Hayato's potential backcourt attack.

Facing the [Temple's Water Warrior], the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon]'s three heads opened their mouths, revealing sharp metal teeth in a threatening manner. Then, taking advantage of the [Temple's Water Warrior] being distracted, it suddenly extended its tail and used the wide-open mouth of the head on its tail to bite and capture the [Temple's Water Warrior]. At the same time, electric currents were generated on the rapidly spinning gears, coiling around the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon].

"Waaaah! Don't shock it!" With a mere 1200 points of defense, the [Temple Water Warrior] was powerless to break free from her restraints and unable to resist the impending attack of the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon]. Crying out in anguish, she looked at Hayato and cried, "Hero, save me!"

"【Water Dispatch】? (Unrelated)"

However, Hayato only glanced at the [Temple Water Warrior] who came to his aid, and had no intention of helping her at all. He watched helplessly as she was struck by the electric shock released by the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] that spread along her metal body!

Chronos frowned, looking at the location of the [Temple Water Warrior] shrouded in smoke and dust. The [Temple Water Warrior], with only 1200 defense, should have been destroyed by the [Ancient Gear Dragon], which had 2200 attack. Then, the Equip Spell Card [Starry Butterfly] would disappear, restoring the [Ancient Gear Dragon] to its original attack power, allowing it to deal even more damage to the [Hero Token].

But why is the attack power of the Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon still 2200 points?

"Although the effect of [Ancient Gear Dragon] blocks the activation of monster effects, spells, and traps, the effects of spells and traps already on the field can still be used."

"The third effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Journey of Destiny]: Once per turn only, my monsters equipped with Equip Cards cannot be destroyed by battle. My companions on this journey to save the world will support each other. You think you can destroy my monsters so easily? I won't let you do that."

Hayato explained, and as the dust settled, the figure of the [Temple Water Warrior], though covered in soot, was revealed unharmed. Because it was a defensive symbol, Hayato was also unharmed by the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon]'s attack.

Upon hearing Hayato's words, the [Temple's Water Warrior] summoned a water sphere to clean himself of the dust, and looked at Hayato with a special emotion in his eyes: "Hero..."

"Because it would be such a waste if my monster wasn't destroyed by me after all its value had been squeezed out!"

Chronos only heard Hayato's first words and didn't hear what he said afterward, nor did he see the [Temple's Water Warrior] who almost fell over. Looking at the [Temple's Water Warrior], he continued, "However, [Ancient Gear Dragon], which uses an [Ancient Gear] monster as a tribute during its Tribute Summon, has another effect: if this card's battle does not destroy an opponent's monster at the end of the Damage Step, it will banish that opponent's monster."

The tail attack failed, and this time the Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon no longer feigned an attack, but instead directly spat out attacks from each of its three mechanical dragon heads. However, just as it was about to land on the Temple's Water Warrior, the Starry Butterfly beside her suddenly flew to the Temple's Water Warrior's head and circled around it.

The next moment, the effect of the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] actually passed right through the [Temple Water Warrior]!?

"Although it doesn't have a high profile, don't overlook this Field Spell Card, Mr. Chronos. The first effect of the Reality Marble [Forest of Enchanted Flowers] is that my monsters equipped with [Starry Butterfly] will not be affected by the effects activated by your opponent." Hayato spread his hands. "In this [Forest of Enchanted Flowers], [Temple Water Warrior] will be protected, and the effect activated by your [Ancient Gear Dragon] will be negated against it."

"So, all I can do is watch as the [Temple's Water Warrior] equipped with [Starry Butterfly] remains on the field, and my monsters keep having their attack power reduced, huh?" Chronos looked at the [Temple's Water Warrior], who was still in a daze and hadn't yet realized why he was unharmed, with a rather troubled expression.

Although Ancient Gear Dragon can attack three times during this battle phase, it's not a true three-attack like True Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. It can only attack each of Hayato's three monsters once. However, the double protection of Destiny's Journey and the Forest of Mysterious Flowers makes the Temple Water Warrior completely invincible.

Unable to deal with it for the time being, Chronos decisively shifted his target, saying, "In that case, I'll attack the [Disruptor King] first. Although I can't destroy it through combat, the effect of the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] can eliminate it by banishing it!"

"Double synaptic strike!"

【Ancient Gear Dragon】 unleashed electricity to attack 【Disruptor King】 on Hayato's field. Due to the effect of 【Ancient Gear Dragon】, the monster effects, spells, and traps that had been released after the damage step of the attack were sealed were sealed again. Hayato's two cards in the back row were like decorations, completely unable to participate in the battle.

However, although the [Disruptor King] looks disgusting, its defense is genuinely high. Even the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] couldn't break through its 3000-point butt. The [Ancient Mecha-Synthetic Dragon]'s attack only caused 800 points of combat damage to be reflected back to Chronos.

However, this was already part of Chronos's calculations. At the cost of 800 base points, the effect of [Ancient Mechanical Synthesis Dragon] would activate again the moment the damage step ended, and [Disruptor King] would not have the protection of [Starry Butterfly].

"Oh ho, off work, time to go eat~" Without a trace of tension or psychological pressure, [Disruptor King] left Hayato's field nonchalantly, putting the card into his pocket and putting it away.

[Kronos: 4000→3200LP, 3 cards in hand]

"Next, the Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon's third attack targets Mr. Danrito's core on the field—the Hero Token!" Chronos waved his hand, "Triple Synaptic Blast!"

"boom!"

The attacks from the three mechanical dragon heads struck the [Hero Derivative] riding the [Dragon Rider - Dragon Carrier]. With the mount offering no assistance in the battle, even the invincible hero could only be destroyed.

Hayato's base score also dropped by 200 points.

[Hayato: 4000→3800LP, 1 card in hand]

Chapter 1014 Hero - Daizenga - Derivative

"My battle phase ends here. Then, in Main Phase Two, I will activate the Spell Card [Ancient Excavator]."

As 【Ancient Gear Dragon】 completed its attack and returned to Chronos's field, Chronos also sent a card from its hand to the graveyard and activated the Spell Card 【Ancient Excavator】: "If I have an 【Ancient Gear】 monster on my field, I can discard a card from my hand to activate this effect. Choose a Spell Card from my Deck and set it to my field."

By spending two cards to retrieve one card and set it face down, watching Chronos's actions, Hayato couldn't help but sigh inwardly that Chronos already possessed the card-disadvantage skills he would later have. The classic scene of summoning the Ancient Gear Giant by trading four cards for one was still vivid in his mind. And later, one of his students even surpassed his teacher, summoning a blank card that was even worse than the Ancient Gear Giant by trading five cards for one.

“However, the card set with this effect cannot activate Nanonne this turn.” Unaware that Hayato was thinking this to himself, Chronos inserted another card from his hand into the Spell Trap Zone and said, “Then I set another card from my hand on the back field to end my turn.”

[Kronos: 3200LP, 0 cards in hand]

[Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] [ATK2200]

[Ancient Mechanical Fortress] [GaiKar] X2

After declaring the end of his turn, Chronos lowered his hand and looked at Hayato's field. Although he had the advantage on the field, Chronos knew his deck very well. The Ancient Gear deck had the ability to seal the opponent's spells, traps, and even monster effects when attacking, and with its decent attack power, it was a very suitable deck for aggressive play.

However, offense is one thing, defense is another. Ancient Mechs do not have the ability to launch an effective counterattack when defending. In fact, in the case of an internal battle between Ancient Mechs, the Ancient Mech deck will find it difficult to defend against attacks from other Ancient Mechs.

His only monster on the field is [Ancient Gear Dragon]. Due to the suppression of [Starry Butterfly], it is still in a state of reduced attack power. However, fortunately, because [Ancient Gear] was used in the Triple Summon, not only when attacking, but also any opponent's monster that battles [Ancient Gear Dragon], even if it is not destroyed in battle when attacked, will be banished at the end of the damage calculation step.

In other words, even if Dan Rito summons a powerful monster, the Ancient Gear Dragon can withstand at least one attack. But besides that, does Dan Rito have any other means? Perhaps destructive effects like a black hole outside of combat?

With this in mind, one of the cards Chronos sets face-down on the back row is "Ancient Gear Resurrection," which can revive one "Ancient Gear" monster from the Graveyard once per turn and increase its ATK by 200 if there are no monsters on your field. This is to prevent monsters from being destroyed by card effects and then being attacked directly.

As for the other spell card set with the effect of "Ancient Excavator," that's my secret weapon, a wonderful tool I'll use later!

"My turn, draw a card." Hayato glanced at the card he'd drawn and said to Chronos, "I drew an Equip Card, Mr. Chronos, and it's not like [Dragon Rider - Dragon Carrier], which can definitively increase the ATK of the monsters on my field. I'm going to equip this powerful Equip Card to [Temple's Water Warrior]!"

A beam of light shone down on the [Temple Water Warrior]. Trusting Hayato, she reached out without hesitation and grasped something in the beam of light. In an instant, a powerful surge of magic flowed from her palm into her entire body, and the [Temple Water Warrior]'s eyes lit up.

"Wow, so powerful! It's incredible! Power surged forth in an instant!" Feeling the surging magical energy, the [Temple Water Warrior] exclaimed excitedly, "I feel like I've finally reached a level of power close to that of the Hero! My body feels so light, there's nothing to fear anymore!"

[Temple Water Warrior] [ATK 1500 → 2000]

"The Magic Wand can only be equipped to Spellcaster monsters. Its first effect is to increase the equipped monster's ATK by 500 points," Hayato explained as he inserted the card into the Spell & Trap Zone.

On the field, upon hearing Hayato's words, the [Temple's Water Warrior] subconsciously repeated, "That's right, the [Miracle Wand] the Hero gave me can increase my attack power by 500 points..."

"Huh? Wait a minute, the Magic Wand!?"

Looking at the true form of the equipment card revealed as the pillar of light disappeared, it was a classical and mysterious magic wand with a jade inlaid at the top. It was clearly a powerful card that could effectively increase attack power, but in an instant, [Temple Water Warrior] felt as if he had seen a rat dropping in the toilet and wanted to get rid of it in terror.

However, the [Magic Wand] that had already been successfully equipped seemed to be permanently attached to the [Temple Water Warrior's] hand, and he couldn't shake it off at all!

"W-Why this card?! Hero, what are you doing?!"

“Ah, I’m sorry, [Mizuki], this is a necessary sacrifice.” Hayato gave a “kind” smile. “Didn’t I say before that I wouldn’t let you be destroyed before I’ve squeezed out all your value? But now is the time for you to use your last bit of energy.”

"Ya-me-lo!"

Ignoring the cries of "Mizuki," Hayato, showing no mercy, decisively declared, "Next, I will use the second effect of 'Magic Wand.' I can activate this effect by sending the equipped monster and this card from my field to the Graveyard, and draw two cards from my Deck!"

In terms of effect, the "Magic Wand" which requires a two-for-two trade is not as powerful as the "Pot of Greed". Moreover, with the "Water Destroyer of the Temple" being sent to the graveyard, the Equip Spell Card "Starry Butterfly" equipped on it was also sent to the graveyard, which removed the restriction on Chronos's "Ancient Machine Dragon" and restored its original attack power.

[Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] [ATK2200→2700]

"Wanting to send your own monster to the graveyard?" Chronos frowned in confusion. "This fighting style looks so familiar... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before..."

"The reason I'm sending 'Temple's Water Warrior' to the graveyard is because I need to use her effect. It can only be activated by banishing 'Temple's Water Warrior' from my hand or graveyard. I can add one 'Alamisaiah Ritual' from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand." Since there wasn't a second 'Alamisaiah Ritual' in his deck, Hayato took the card from the graveyard and activated it. "That's what a hero is like—a cheat character who can keep saving and reloading, trying to start over again and again."

"The Spell Card [Rite of Alamis] is activated again! Now that I have no [Brave Tokens] on my field, I Special Summon [Brave Tokens] to my field. Watch me keep going until I clear the stage!"

The summoning ritual began again, and a column of water rose in the [Forest of Enchanted Flowers]. The [Hero Specimen], which looked exactly like Hayato, leaped out of the water column in a Dio-esque pose and landed on the field.

【Hero's Derivatives】【ATK2000】

"So you're back again, Hero? But this time, the Hero is all alone, and the attack power of my [Ancient Mechanical Synthesis Dragon] has been restored to its original value." Chronos looked at the unarmed [Hero Token] with disdain.

“Grandma said that friendship is an unbreakable bond. Even if we are separated by great distances, our hearts are still connected. Even if I am alone for the time being, my destined companions will still come to the hero’s side again.” Hayato raised his Duel Disk and said, “I activate the second effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Journey of Destiny]. If a monster is successfully Summoned or Special Summoned, I add one Equip Spell Card from my Deck whose Token name is listed as [Hero Token] to my hand. I choose [Light Sword - Denel] to add to my hand.”

"Then comes the first effect of [Journey of Destiny]: add one monster card with the name of [Brave Token] from my deck to my hand, and then send one card from my hand to the graveyard. The monster I chose is this one, [Ruins of the Mine Warrior], and then I send one card from my hand to the graveyard."

After retrieving the card, Hayato sent one of his cards to the graveyard. However, despite sending it to the graveyard, a phantom formed of light appeared in front of the [Hero Token] on the field.

"What is that?" Chronos looked at the phantom in front of the [Hero's Derivative], which seemed to be a sword.

"The Demon Warrior from the Mineral Ruins, though seemingly rough and brute, is actually an excellent blacksmith. He prepared a weapon for the hero to fight the Demon King—[Holy Sword of Light - Dennel]. If this card is sent to the Graveyard, target one [Hero Token] on my field and equip this card. This effect can only be used once per turn."

【The Holy Sword of Light - Denel】, retrieved by 【The Journey of Destiny】, was sent to the graveyard by 【The Journey of Destiny】 again. Hayato, who made a profit without any investment, said this as he played another card in his hand, "Then, if I have a 【Hero Token】 on my field, 【Ruins of the Mine Warrior】is Special Summoned from my hand!"

As Hayato special summoned the [Ruins Mine Warrior], the warrior, clad in rock armor with flames burning between its crevices, appeared. The phantom of the sword of light in front of the [Hero Token] immediately absorbed the magical flames emanating from it, transforming from nothingness into a physical entity.

"Clang!"

[Hero's Derivative] reached out and grasped the hilt, pulling the sword from the rock before him. At the same time, [Ruins' Magic Mine Warrior] shouted excitedly, "Rejoice! The immortal hero, who has gathered the power of his destined companions and transcends time and space, is now raising the holy sword upon which the hope of saving the world rests!"

"He who draws this sword will be a hero who saves the world!"

"Are you acting out the Arthurian legend?" Hayato complained, looking at the [Ruins Mine Warrior]. "And not everyone can equip the [Holy Sword of Light - Dennell]? Everyone's a savior, huh?"

Unable to see the elves, Chronos was unaware of the [Ruins' Magic Mine Warrior]'s earlier celebration, but he saw that as the [Hero's Derivative] raised the Sword of Light, its attack power began to increase!

[Hero's Derivative] (Holy Sword of Light - Dannel) [ATK 2000 → 2500]

“The effect of [Holy Sword of Light - Dennel] increases the ATK of the equipped monster by 500 points equal to the number of monsters listed in the name of [Hero Token] on my field.” Hayato said, then played another card. “Although [Ancient Gyro-Dragon] still has a higher ATK for now, there are more than one partner who is helping the hero.”

"The [Wandering Griffin Knight], having fully recovered, is back!"

Hayato just drew a card from his deck using the effect of the "Magic Wand," which happened to be the "Wandering Griffin Knight" that had previously returned to the deck. Now, it returns to the field again with its own effect to support the hero's battle.

As the [Wandering Griffin Knight] appeared, the light of the [Holy Sword of Light - Dannel] in the hands of the [Hero Token] instantly intensified, further increasing the attack power of the [Hero Token].

[Hero's Derivative] (Holy Sword of Light - Dannel) [ATK 2500 → 3000]

"An attack power of 3000 points!? That's comparable to the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Chronos glanced at the monsters on Hayato's field: the Ruins Mine Warrior with 2300 attack power, the Wandering Griffin Knight with 2000 attack power, plus the Hero Token with 3000 attack power—enough to wipe out his Life Points!

At this moment, Hayato still has two cards in his hand, and the two face-down cards in the back row have not been revealed yet.

At that moment, Hayato finally pressed the button to activate the face-down card and opened one of the face-down cards.

"If I control a [Brave Token], I can target one of my monsters that is equipped to an Equip Card with the name of a [Brave Token] – [Brave Token] – and activate the Trap Card [Lightning Discharge]!"

As Hayato activated the card, the [Hero Token] also raised its longsword towards the sky, its magical power transforming into magic that communicated with another world, summoning a gigantic lightning demon behind it.

"Destroy all monsters on your opponent's field with an ATK of less than or equal to that of a [Brave Token]. After that, you can select one Equip Card from your hand or Graveyard that has the name of a [Brave Token] Token and equip it to one monster on your field that you can equip."

Hayato pointed at the [Ancient Mechanical Synthetic Dragon] and shouted, "Majestic Heavenly Might, transform into divine thunder, draw it with the sword!"