Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"One more time, [Triple Sun - Helios]!" Pointing at the [Soul Bird Derivative], Daitokuji gave the attack command, "Final Strike - Firebird Star!"

"Caw! Daitokuji's [Triple Sun - Helios] has launched another attack, as powerful as the Demon Blade of No Self, as if it intends to rape and kill Kobayashi Hayato on the spot!" Hayato excitedly explained as he watched the attack from [Triple Sun - Helios] approach. "Faced with such a powerful attack, even Kobayashi Hayato would surely perish on the spot. So, does he still have any secret weapon to turn the tide?"

"The answer is, of course, yes!"

Hayato pulled out a card and said arrogantly and confidently, "Aibo, save me!"

The firebird, resembling the sun, swooped down and exploded upon impact, turning Hayato's field into a sea of ​​fire and obscuring Daitokuji's vision. However, Daitokuji did not let his guard down easily like some players who popped champagne halfway through the game, thinking he had already defeated Hayato. He had just seen a rainbow light emanate from Hayato's hand the instant the flames exploded.

As expected, after the flames disappeared into the universe without anything to burn, Daitokuji saw that Hayato's field was shrouded in a rainbow-like light, and none of the four monsters on Hayato's field were harmed.

Daitokuji vaguely sensed that something was amiss, and just as he was about to think about it more closely, Hayato suddenly spoke loudly, diverting his attention.

"【Rainbow Kuriboh】 likes me, Hayato Kobayashi, Daitokuji!" Hayato, arms outstretched and unharmed, looked at Daitokuji and said, "This is the supreme good fortune I have received. Your attacks on me will absolutely not be able to pass through this 'wall of light' released by 【Rainbow Kuriboh】. Any attack, any misfortune will be deflected and moved away from me in front of this wall of light, allowing me to obtain eternal happiness!"

"Thanks to your [Heavenly Treasure], the [Rainbow Kuriboh] I drew from my deck had its monster effect activation restrictions lifted because of [Ama-Iwato's] departure. It wasn't just you who had the restriction; when the opponent's monster declared an attack, I activated the invincible effect of the [Rainbow Kuriboh] in my hand, equipping it as an Equip Card to [Triple Sun - Helios], preventing it from attacking!"

In front of Hayato, Rainbow Kuriboh jumped out triumphantly and pointed its little hand at Daitoku-ji Temple's Triple Sun Helios. The rainbow light barrier that blocked the attack pressed down on it like a collapsing wall, seemingly trying to seal Triple Sun Helios within this rainbow-colored light barrier.

"As expected, it's Rainbow Kuriboh. It can launch an attack that blocks monsters from the hand. It's a low-level monster, but it has such a powerful effect. No wonder I see it in most of your duels, Mr. Hayato."

Seeing that [Triple Sun - Helios] was completely enveloped in rainbow light, with the three suns and the three fat women below huddled together, utterly unable to move, Daitokuji wasn't surprised by the card Hayato had played. He paused, then flipped the card over. "However," he said, "my declaration of ending the duel was a conclusion I reached only after understanding and guessing the existence of [Rainbow Kuriboh]!"

"If I have [Grand Universe] on my field, activate this Quick-Play Spell Card [Grand Cross] from my hand!"

"Everything has gravity, and the most prominent manifestation of gravity in the universe is the ever-rotating planets. When the seven stars orbiting the sun intersect to form a Grand Cross, that is the 'Grand Cross'! It will unleash infinite power!" Daitokuji inserted the card into the Duel Disk. "The laws of nature have been broken!"

"The effect of [Grand Cross] destroys all monsters on the field and inflicts 300 effect damage to the opponent's duelist!"

"And Mr. Hayato, your base score is only 200 points. After taking this 300-point effect damage, your base score will be completely reset to zero!" Daitokuji shouted. "It is hereby decreed—all the numerous decisions, countless setbacks, and all the prosperity shall vanish into nothingness. With this single blow, the invincible god shall be defeated, and the bells of change shall be tolled!"

"Grand-Cross!"

Within this simulated universe supported by the "Great Universe" and the "Chaotic Field," the numerous planets simulated by Daitokuji shifted under the guidance of the "Great Cross," forming a giant cross together with the "Triple Sun - Helios," which was entwined with rainbow light. An exaggerated gravitational wave affected the fields of both Hayato and Daitokuji, while a wave originating from the universe struck Hayato!

"Crack!"

Like the sound of shattering glass, the power of the Grand Cross crashed down, shattering and disappearing everything in the face of this cosmic force, whether it was the Dragon Magic Knight Gaia or the Soul Bird Token on Hayato's field, or the Triple Sun Helios on Daitokuji's field. Even the newly appeared Rainbow Kuriboh disappeared along with it because the Triple Sun Helios was destroyed.

Even the universe simulated by the [Grand Universe] briefly shattered, revealing the void world originally constructed by the Field Spell Card [Chaos Field].

However, this sign was abnormal, because if the effect of [Great Cross] had successfully cleared Hayato's Life Points, the image created by the duel should have disappeared when the duel ended. Daitokuji couldn't help but look in Hayato's direction and found that Hayato's Life Points had not been cleared, but had actually increased by quite a bit.

[Hayato: 200→1200→900LP]

"This can only be activated during the Battle Steps. I Special Summon 'Demon-Type Knife' from my hand, restoring 1000 Life Points. I've been crushing that three-year-old Malik so many times, I already have all his cards. I Special Summoned this monster before 'Grand Cross' was activated." Hayato pulled a card from his Duel Disk and showed it to Daitokuji. "It's my first time using an unfamiliar card, so I'm a little clumsy."

As he spoke, Hayato smiled dramatically and licked his lips with his tongue.

"As expected, it wasn't my imagination before." Daitokuji belatedly realized that something was wrong with Hayato's field when [Triple Sun - Helios]'s attack was blocked by [Rainbow Kuriboh]. After [Ama-Iwato] was destroyed, there should only be three monsters on Hayato's field, but Daitokuji saw four at the time, and before he could think about it, Hayato diverted his attention.

"My terrifying divine talent is immortal~ Wahahahaha!"

Seeing Hayato laugh arrogantly, Daitokuji also laughed: "Hehehe, hehehehe!"

"Hayato-san, as expected of you! That's amazing, this is exactly what I wanted to see!" Looking at Hayato, Daitokuji held up a card. "As expected, I still have a lot to learn compared to you, so come and show me more of your incredible limits!"

"[Triple Sun - Helios]'s effect: When this card is destroyed, it will not go to the Graveyard, but will be banished by the effect of [Cosmos]. Instead, it will be Special Summoned back to my field in the same battle position, and its ATK and DEF will increase by 500 for each time it is Special Summoned by this effect!"

【Triple Sun - Helios】【ATK3000→3500】

"And because it was Special Summoned again, the attack count of [Triple Sun Helios] was reset. I'm using it to attack you directly, Mr. Hayato, who has no monsters on the field!"

As Daitokuji pointed at Hayato, [Triple Sun - Helios] launched its third attack, but Hayato's field was now empty of monsters due to the effect of [Grand Cross]. However, this also meant that Hayato had cards in his graveyard that could be activated.

"When your opponent's monster declares a direct attack, I Special Summon 'Rainbow Kuriboh' from my Graveyard to my field in Defense Position! Although your 'Triple Sun Helios' has the ability to revive, because 'Grand Cross' and your original Equip Card 'Meteor Strike' have already self-destructed, 'Triple Sun Helios' no longer has the ability to pierce defense!" Hayato retrieved the 'Rainbow Kuriboh' he had just sent to the Graveyard, "Aibo, save me one more time!"

"Kurikuri~" Despite its exasperation, the ever-reliable Rainbow Kuriboh responded to Hayato's call immediately, leaping out of the graveyard and taking the hit from Triple Sun Helios in Defense Position. Even though Triple Sun Helios's attack power was boosted, Hayato was unharmed because it was in Defense Position.

However, the trade-off is that the Rainbow Kuriboh Special Summoned from the Graveyard by its second effect is banished from the game instead of entering the Graveyard when it leaves Hayato's field.

Daitokuji wasn't surprised by the effect of Rainbow Kuriboh jumping out of the graveyard. Knowing the hand effect of Rainbow Kuriboh, how could he only understand half of it? He wasn't the kind of guy who would only listen to half of someone else's explanation and end up concluding that "it would have been better to just use the red form from the start."

【Triple Sun - Helios】【ATK3500→3800】

"Because Rainbow Kuriboh was banished from the game, the number of banished monsters increased, and Triple Sun Helios's attack power increased by another 300 points." Daitokuji looked at Hayato's remaining Life Points and said with some regret, "It's a pity that I still couldn't defeat you, Mr. Hayato."

"Then, my turn ends here." Daitokuji, with his hands empty, lowered his arms, declaring the end of his turn.

[Daitoku-ji Hugo: 1000LP, 0 cards in hand]

【Triple Sun - Helios】【ATK3800】

【Big Universe】

Chapter 1039 Counterfeits and Genuine Products

Even with the bonus from the "Heavenly Treasure Card," and even having his "Triple Sun - Helios" attack three times in one battle phase, Daitokuji still couldn't clear Hayato's last life points.

With only one [Triple Sun - Helios] and one [Great Universe] Continuous Trap Card that only applies to itself left on the field, Daitokuji ended his turn.

However, with my Triple Sun Helios having an attack power of 3800, wouldn't it take a monster with at least 4800 attack power to wipe out my life points? Even Mr. Hayato probably couldn't easily summon such a powerful monster.

Looking at Hayato, Daitokuji thought to himself.

As Hayato's fingers touched the deck, he sensed what card it was and raised an eyebrow, turning his gaze to Daitokuji and saying, "Teacher Daitokuji, you seemed to have mentioned before that this alchemy deck of yours is the embodiment of your pursuit, right? Constantly refining and sublimating, constantly removing the 'impurities' from your deck, evolving towards the ultimate goal of the 'Philosopher's Stone'."

Although he didn't understand why Hayato wasn't drawing cards and instead suddenly brought this up, Daitokuji nodded, acknowledging Hayato's statement.

"Just to boost the monster's attack power and keep banishing cards, don't you think that's going too far?" Hayato said to Daitokuji with a compassionate expression, recalling what Yugi said during his first duel with Rebecca.

However, the same words can have drastically different effects on different people. While the game could win Rebecca's heart, when Hayato said the same thing, he only received a glare from Daitokuji. Even someone as refined and easygoing as Daitokuji restrained himself from asking Hayato where he got the audacity to say such a thing.

"Tsk, as expected, I'm more suited to a duel-style blast than to talk big." With a smirk, Hayato continued, "To reach an ultimate goal, one must sacrifice everything along the way—life, emotions, even one's identity as a human being. I can't judge whether this approach is right or wrong, after all, people can never truly understand each other."

"However, your behavior of simply banning monsters for the sake of banning is such a waste; it doesn't extract any remaining value from the bann monsters at all!"

Hayato pointed at the 【Triple Sun - Helios】 on the field at Daitokuji Temple: "The purpose of banishing monsters is merely to fuel the burning of that false sun? Let me use this card to show you how to truly extract every last drop of value from banished monsters!"

"My turn, draw a card, and then activate this Spell Card I drew, 'Disruptor Modified,' banishing the three monsters 'Disruptor Yellow,' 'Disruptor Green,' and 'Disruptor Black' from my Graveyard!" Without even looking at the card he drew, Hayato drew it from the top of his deck and inserted it directly into the Spell & Trap Zone. An operating table also rose up on Hayato's field, with the three 'Disruptor' brothers, whom Hayato had previously sent to the Graveyard, bound to it.

"Huh? We're back for an encore?" "Didn't she say we got overtime pay?" "Compared to that, why are we being excluded again!?"

Hayato ignored the three "Disruption" brothers, instead taking three cards from his graveyard and putting them in his pocket. He then took three cards from his deck: "Reveal the LIGHT Attribute Machine-Type Fusion Monster 'ABC-Dragon Destroyer,' and Special Summon its Fusion Material Monsters—'A-Assault Core,' 'B-Destroyer Dragon,' and 'C-Crusher Winged Dragon'—from my Deck!"

"I knew it!" "Anyway, we're just a stepping stone for Annie to summon other monsters!" "I don't want this kind of participation!"

Amidst the protests of the three "Disruption" brothers, the operating table binding them sank, accompanied by three cries of "How awful this feeling is~", and three mechanical monsters appeared on Hayato's field, replacing the "Disruption" monsters.

【A-Assault Core】【ATK1900】

【B-Destroyer Dragon】【ATK1500】

【C-Crushing Pterodactyl】【ATK1200】

“Are those the ritual sacrifice monsters that were sent to the graveyard by [Advanced Ritual Art]? They’re being used again in this way.” Daitokuji frowned. “However, none of these three monsters have the same attack power as my [Triple Sun Helios], and because three more monsters were banished from the game, [Triple Sun Helios]’s attack power has increased by another 900 points!”

【Triple Sun - Helios】【ATK3800→4700】

"Attack power has increased again, but it doesn't matter, because no matter how powerful it is, a simulated sun can never compare to the real sun." Hayato held a card between his fingers above his head. "I haven't performed a Normal Summon this turn, so I'll Tribute the Triboss monster on the field to perform a Tribute Summon. And then, let's pay homage to the gods!"

"The summoning incantation is too long to say, but anyway, Endless War God, come forth!"

"Descend, [Rathalos]!"

Unlike the simulated sun created by Daitokuji using the "Great Universe," when Hayato released all the three mechanical monsters on his field, the Sun Bird, engulfed in golden flames, didn't even bother with its spherical shape and directly tore through space in its complete form, descending into this simulated universe from the outside of this false universe.

With the arrival of the Winged Dragon Ra, even though it hadn't done anything, this space was ignited by the solar fire emanating from its body and warped and deformed by the high temperature.

【Ra's Winged Dragon】【10☆/God】

[Phantom Beast Race/Effect]

[4600/4000]

“The noble [Ra] can absorb the power of the sacrificed monster, and its attack and defense values ​​are the sum of the corresponding values ​​of the sacrificed monster.” Hayato paused after saying this, “Although even with the combined attack power, [Triple Sun Helios] is still higher?”

"Whatever, I'll activate the second effect of [Disruptor Modified] in my graveyard, returning the three banished [Disruptor] minions to my deck and shuffling them, then draw one card!"

In the blink of an eye, as Hayato shuffled the three [Disruption] brothers back into the deck and drew a card, the attack power of [Triple Sun - Helios] dropped back to its previous value as the number of banished monsters decreased.

【Triple Sun - Helios】【ATK4700→3800】

"Even though you're willing to temporarily sacrifice external things for victory, just like me, you'll still take them back in the end... I see, so that's your thinking, Mr. Hayato." Watching Hayato's actions, Daitokuji seemed thoughtful, but then said, "However, I still have a chance!"

"Even the Winged Dragon of Ra can only attack once in a single battle phase. When the Triple Sun Helios is destroyed in battle, although I will suffer 800 points of battle damage, my remaining 1000 base points can withstand it. It's just that my base points will drop to 200 points, just like you, Mr. Hayato."

“However, after being destroyed, [Triple Sun - Helios] will be resurrected, and its attack power will increase by another 500 points, approaching the realm of gods.” Daitokuji looked at Hayato, “Even if one life is not enough to surpass the limit, as long as I can find a way to recover my basic points, then with a second and third resurrection, even [Ra's Winged Dragon of Ra] will be defeated by [Triple Sun - Helios]. There is absolutely no path where a counterfeit is necessarily inferior to the genuine article!”

For Daitokuji, whose goal is the "Philosopher's Stone," Hayato is undoubtedly the possibility for his progress. Although his efforts so far are not what he originally intended, they can all be said to be "imitations" made to get closer to Hayato. In particular, the "Triple Sun - Helios" that Daitokuji uses as his ace is just an imitation of Hayato's ace "Ra's Winged Dragon".

In this duel, at this very moment, although Daitokuji did not initially expect to defeat Hayato, who stood like a demon king at the end of all duelists' eyes, when there was a glimmer of hope for victory, he resolutely reached out his hand, trying to grasp this faint possibility leading to the future!

But Hayato shook his head: "While courage and will are commendable, it is a pity that life is the most precious and resilient thing when you only have one. Any character with more than one life cannot escape all kinds of setbacks, such as the Heracles in the Moon World set next door."

"I'll shatter your delusion of surpassing [La] at the cost of your life!" Hayato said, waving his hand. "I'll remove the three monsters [A-Assault Core], [B-Destroyer Dragon], and [C-Crusher Winged Dragon] from my graveyard!"

"Because the number of monsters has increased and the attack power of [Triple Sun - Helios] has increased!"

【Triple Sun - Helios】【ATK3800→4700】

Hearing Hayato's words, Daitokuji also offered a reminder. Seeing that the attack power of [Triple Sun Helios] had returned to the value it had when the [Disruption] monster was banished, Hayato shook his head: "Although the attack power of [Triple Sun Helios] is better now, it's still not enough. At this level, it's still 20,000 years away from defeating me!"

"At the cost of banishing [A-Assault Core], [B-Destroyer Dragon], and [C-Crusher Wyvern] from my field and graveyard, they will strike again in their combined form!" Hayato said, taking out a card and placing it on his Duel Disk. "Don't blink, this is the last monster you'll ever see. Witness Triple Contact Fusion!"

"Fusion Summon! [ABC-Dragon Annihilator]!"

【ABC-Dragon Annihilator】【ATK3000】

The three mechanical monsters that had previously made a brief appearance on Hayato's field and were sent to the graveyard by Hayato as a sacrifice to "God" have returned to Hayato's field, this time in a combined form. Their attack power has also increased to a full 3000 points as they have connected their powers to one place (comparable to the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon).

“Since you, Daitokuji, are pursuing the Philosopher’s Stone and the ultimate power, then let me tell you. Even the ‘god’ who stands at the very end of power is never alone, and even a hero should not walk alone and will not refuse the help of his companions.”

As Hayato spoke, he sent a card from his hand to the graveyard. "Once per turn, discard one card from your hand, target [Triple Sun - Helios] on your field, and activate the effect of [ABC - Divine Dragon Annihilator] to banish it!"

"This is where your [Triple Sun-Helios] falls far short of a 'god.' Even if you simulate the sun's light and heat, you've only achieved so-called 'power.' The true sun god possesses far greater resistance and a more steadfast 'heart'!"

"Aww!" Hayato's [Ra's Winged Dragon] on the field nodded and chirped. Although it didn't know what Hayato meant, it seemed to be praising it, so it just nodded and said yes, yes, yes.

The discarded cards in the graveyard became the energy supply for [ABC-Dragon Destroyer] to activate its ultimate weapon. A number of weapons, including the laser dragon head, electromagnetic cannon tube, and rocket pod, locked onto [Triple Sun-Helios] on the Daitokuji field. Then came a flash of light, like the sulfur and fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in biblical mythology. The only difference was that looking at this light would not turn Hayato into a pillar of salt.

When the light faded, even with the ability to resurrect, [Triple Sun - Helios] was unable to recover from its banished state and return to Daitokuji's field. The monster that drew its power from the banished monster was ultimately banished as well. Daitokuji had to face Hayato's [ABC - Dragon Annihilator] and [Ra's Winged Dragon] on the field, leaving his hand, graveyard, and field completely empty.

"Entering the battle phase." Hayato stopped playing cards. He could summon more monsters if needed, but that was enough. The duel was already decided before he even drew his cards, no, before he even did. There was no need for him to summon any more monsters. "The raging fire falls from the sky... Attack Daitokuji directly! [Pull]!"

"Roaring Supreme Refinement Emperor!"