Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Activate the effect, [Divine Flame Emperor - Uriah]!"

If it weren't for the "Seven Essences Unlocking Gate" constantly pouring power into his body, Kagemaru would have thought that [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] was not reacting because He had awakened His own consciousness and broken free from His control. However, he knew clearly that such a thing had not happened under the suppression of the "Seven Essences Unlocking Gate," which made him even more unable to understand the current situation.

Seeing the [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] flying motionless in the air, Kagemaru shouted, "Move! [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria], why aren't you moving!?"

Chapter 1178 It's worse to have someone earn more than you than to lose money on your credit card.

"Move! [Divine Flame Emperor - Uriah], why aren't you moving!"

Despite Kagemaru's heartfelt cries, he was not a Pokémon Trainer and could not awaken the motionless [Ember King - Uria] with just his calls.

On the other hand, he didn't have much affection for [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria]; he was merely worried that if something happened to [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria], it would affect his grand dream of ruling the world.

"You proclaimed yourself a 'god,' treating the cards as your tools, only to see them defy your will and challenge your 'godly' authority. Kagemaru, how do you feel now? How do you feel?!"

Upon hearing Hayato's provocation, Kagemaru immediately glared at him, angrily saying, "You bastard, did you do something to my [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria]?!"

"Idiot, stop asking such obvious questions." Pointing at Kagemaru, Hayato said contemptuously, "Why don't you think about it? Since I've already said I know the effect of [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria], why would I specifically use [Temptation] to Special Summon [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros]?"

Kagemaru, still a bit confused, finally looked at Hayato's [Predator-Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] on the field after Hayato's prompting. Although Kagemaru was slightly nervous when it first appeared because its appearance was clearly that of a dragon-type monster, he stopped caring about it once he saw that [Predator-Rhinoceros Horned Dragon] was actually a plant-type monster.

After all, plants don't sound very powerful, so what kind of amazing effects could they have?

Then Kagemaru saw that the [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon], which he had not taken seriously, had somehow taken root in the ground, and its roots had silently spread to Kagemaru's field, entangled the tail of [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] that was accidentally dragging on the ground, and pierced the body of [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] to continuously draw its power.

Just like those succubi in doujinshi who can absorb the levels of others through special actions, [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horn Dragon]'s level itself didn't change, but Kagemaru noticed that [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria], who was appearing on the field for the second time, wasn't at the level of 10☆ of the Divine Realm as it was the first time it appeared. Instead, it had been reduced by one digit to a mere 1☆!?

【Divine Flame Emperor - Uria】【Predator Marker: 0→1】【10☆/Flame→1☆/Flame】

"The first effect of [Predatory Plant - Rhinoceros Horn Dragon] can be activated once per turn by targeting one face-up monster your opponent controls. Place a Predator Counter on that monster. This effect can also be activated during your opponent's turn, and it's a Speed ​​2 effect." Hayato said, snapping his fingers. "Once a monster has a Predator Counter placed on it, it means it has become prey for [Predatory Plants] and has lost the ability to resist its fate of being preyed upon."

"The level of a monster with a Predator Counter placed at level 2 or higher will be reduced to the lowest and weakest level, a mere level 1. Then, due to the second effect of the [Predator Plant - Rhinoceros Horned Dragon]'s continuous effect, as long as it is in the Monster Zone, any effects of monsters with Predator Counters activated by the opponent will be negated."

Hayato sneered at Kagemaru, "Unfortunately, it seems that although the effect of [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] has been reset through rebirth, its active activation effect has been nullified. It's a pity that only the activation effect is nullified, not the effect itself. Otherwise, your [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] would just be a blank slate with 0 attack power right now."

"With only trap resistance and a stripped-down version of magic resistance that can't even withstand a lightning strike, you think you can become a 'god'? It feels... worse than the 'Three Egyptian Gods'."

Hearing Hayato's words and being looked at with contempt, Kagemaru's face turned red with anger, as if he had entered a state of feverish heat. He held back a sentence for a long time before finally saying it: "You despicable and shameless guy, it's another one of those cheating monster effects that can be activated during the opponent's turn!"

"Seriously? That's all we've got in common?"

Hayato shook his head, unable to bear Kagemaru's low standards. It was nothing more than some second-speed monster effects: "In the end, isn't it just that you, an idiot, only think about getting to the top in one step, constantly looking up at the high places with a sour look, without noticing what's happening on the ground right beneath your feet?"

"Dueling is like this, and so is living. If you disregard the lives of ordinary people in order to prolong your life, then don't blame yourself for tripping over something you didn't see under your feet."

Hearing Hayato's words, Kagemaru was very annoyed, but he couldn't think of anything to argue with. He could only squeeze out a sentence: "You sharp-tongued brat, stop talking nonsense! In the end, what do the lives of ordinary people have to do with me?"

"Even if the effect is negated, it doesn't matter. As long as I attack with [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] and your [Silver Castle Demon Statue] which only has 2000 ATK, I can revive [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria] again with the trap cards in my hand and shut out all your monsters with an overwhelming 3000 DEF!"

As Kagemaru spoke, he suddenly noticed the [Demon Statue of the Silver Castle] on Hayato's field, and, having conceived a perfect plan, proudly announced it. However, just as he finished speaking, Kagemaru saw Hayato turn his head to look at the [Demon Statue of the Silver Castle], who was silently posing coolly, and, as if only then noticing her attack power stat, said, "Wait a minute, 2000 attack power? Stop posing, idiot, you forgot to update your attack power panel."

Upon hearing Hayato's words, the [Silver Castle Statue] trembled like a student who had been daydreaming in class and whose name was called by the teacher, and hurriedly raised the greatsword in its hand above its head. In Hayato's graveyard, several trap cards appeared as phantoms, turning into streams of light and merging into the [Silver Castle Statue]'s sword.

"The third effect of the Continuous 【Silver Castle Statue】 is that this card gains 400 ATK from each type of Normal Trap Card in my Graveyard, and your opponent cannot target any Fiend monster other than 【Silver Castle Statue】. After all, a knight surrounding a castle needs to have some decent strength."

Hayato took out a Trap Card from his Graveyard, showed it briefly, and then put it back. "Currently, I have three Normal Trap Cards in my Graveyard: [Lapirins Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!], [Scapegoat's Darkness], and [Troublemaker]. Therefore, the current [Silver Castle Statue] will have an attack power exceeding the 3200 points of the 'Legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon,' and you cannot target any other Fiend-Type monster as your attack target!"

【The Demon Statue of the Silver Castle】【ATK2000→3200】

Showcasing its updated attack power, the Demon Statue of Silver City swung its greatsword in a cool slashing pose, but accidentally broke the handrail of the mansion's stairs. Even Ariana, who always had a blank expression, became gloomy after seeing the unexpectedly added task, causing the Demon Statue of Silver City to apologize repeatedly to this summoner of considerable status.

Seeing the [Silver Castle Demon Statue]'s attack power increased to 3200 points, Kagemaru realized that his previous plan had become unfeasible. He was willing to let the "Phantom Demon" perish together with Hayato's monster, but to actively destroy a monster by consuming his Life Points and then revive the "Phantom Demon"? Absolutely not. He didn't want to suffer even the slightest harm, especially if it damaged his body that had finally regained its youth!

He glanced at the only remaining Trap Card in his hand that could revive [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria], and another Spell Card, [Magic Hammer]. While this card could shuffle his hand back into the deck and draw the same number of cards, what if he didn't draw a card that could change the situation?

Should I take a gamble and bet that I can draw the card I want?

Seeing Hayato's attack grow larger and larger with each turn, filling the entire field before the second turn was even over, he knew that while continuing to stall for time would allow him to absorb the world's Pokémon power and human life force, it would also drastically reduce his chances of defeating Hayato. Hayato should be the one eager to defeat him and interrupt the "Seven Spirits Release Gate" that Hayato controlled!

Frustrated, Kagemaru gritted his teeth. Since the situation couldn't get any worse, he figured he might as well take the gamble!

"The Spell Card [Molten Hammer] is activated. I return this card and any two cards from my hand to my deck, shuffle, and then draw the same number of cards as the number of cards returned to my deck." After returning [Absorption Shield] and [Molten Hammer] from his hand to his deck, Kagemaru drew the two cards at the top after the Duel Disk automatically shuffled. "I drew two cards!"

After flipping over the cards he had drawn, Kagemaru was initially stunned to see a spell card and a trap card with the same configuration. However, after recognizing the cards he had drawn, he couldn't help but show a delighted expression. He then looked at Hayato with a smug and arrogant look: "Ya☆da☆zei! As expected, fate is on my side, Kobayashi Hayato, I've drawn an incredibly powerful card!"

"Even something as elusive as luck is on my side. Sure enough, I'm destined to become a 'god' who rules the world! Hehehehehehe!"

With a smile that almost closed his eyes, Kagemaru first placed a card face-down in the Spell & Trap Zone, then played another card, saying, "To maximize the effect, I'll first face-down a card in the back row, and then activate this Spell Card, 'Heavenly Treasure Card,' which allows me to draw a full six cards from my deck at once, even though my hand has zero cards!"

"So what if you have four cards in your hand? What good are more cards anyway? Now you can only get two cards from my [Heavenly Treasure Card]." Kagemaru's smile was somewhat twisted. "You're just a greenhorn, so young yet already in such a high position. I've been annoyed with you for a long time. Now you can't help but show your jealousy, can you?"

For Hayato, watching others gain cards was more painful than losing them himself, and Kagemaru had thought he was about to witness something quite extraordinary.

However, he saw that before his [Heavenly Treasure Card] took effect, Hayato suddenly threw away all the cards in his hand.

"Eh?!"

"【The Fire-Blowing Furnace of the Silver Castle】 and 【The Dragon Lantern of the Silver Castle】, send these two cards from my hand to the Graveyard, then discard two cards from my hand to activate their respective effects. What, I remember these two cards in my hand should be face up, right? You forgot so quickly? Looks like your memory is still at an old age level, Kagemaru."

The cards in his hand were used up in the blink of an eye. Hayato's lips curled up, and his eyes were full of contempt as he looked at Kagemaru. "It's a pity. For me, if I earn one less card than others, I'll be so worried that I'll wake up in the middle of the night, let alone draw four fewer cards. So, with no cards left in my hand, I can draw the same six cards as you."

In order to gain as many cards as possible from the "Heavenly Treasure", Hayato did not even chain activate the effect of "The Mad Clock of the Silver Castle" in the graveyard. If "The Mad Clock of the Silver Castle" were activated when his field was already full, it could not be Special Summoned and would only return to his hand. Wouldn't that mean drawing one less card for no reason?

The chain begins to reverse. Based on the effect of "Dragon Lantern of the Silver Castle," Hayato sets a "Rabilins" Spell/Trap Card to his back row. The effect of "Fire-blown Furnace of the Silver Castle," which is processed later, is the same as that of "Dragon Lantern of the Silver Castle," and Hayato inserts another card into the Spell/Trap Zone.

In this turn, Hayato still hasn't used the ability granted by the effect of [Silver Castle's Mad Clock], which he used during the Preparation Phase, allowing a Normal Trap Card to activate during the turn it's set. Originally, he only had one Normal Trap Card in his back row, retrieved by [Silver Castle's Demon Idol], which could only be activated during an attack declaration. But now that two Furniture cards have activated their effects from his hand, he has more cards to choose from.

However, before using the trap, you still have to draw a card. Kagemaru was so kind as to help Hayato draw a card, how could he refuse the other party's kindness?

With a look in Kagemaru's eyes that was a mixture of anger, disappointment, jealousy, and resentment, resembling a pie chart, Hayato and he simultaneously drew six cards.

The power of "Heavenly Treasure Card" lies in its ability to draw a large number of cards at once. In most cases in Duel Monsters, a large hand of cards means a wealth of choices and the hope of breaking the deadlock. Kagemaru, who was hoping that drawing cards would bring him a breakthrough in Hayato's field setup, was immediately attracted to one of the six cards he drew.

Looking at the cards in his hand, he had already devised a perfect strategy. Having learned from his mistakes, and to avoid being embarrassed by Hayato's counter-strategy as soon as he revealed it, he unusually kept his mouth shut and refrained from making any boastful remarks before unfolding the cards. Instead, he gritted his teeth and played the cards in his hand, saying, "You're not the only one with a field spell card that can modify the environment, Kobayashi Hayato!"

"I've had enough of fighting in the environment you've set up. The 'Phantom Demon,' which surpasses ordinary Duel Monsters, and I, the future god who controls the 'Phantom Demon,' should fight on a stage worthy of them." The Duel Disk opened the field area, and the card that Kagemaru played was placed into it before closing again. A jet-black magical power began to spread from Kagemaru's Duel Disk, which contained the Field Spell Card.

"Field Spell Card, Paradise Lost, activated!"

In an instant, the ground beneath Hayato and Kagemaru's feet began to tremble. The red carpet laid out on the ground inside the mansion was torn apart as the earth was constantly being torn apart. The luxurious dome and magnificent decorations were instantly destroyed into ruins by twisted branches that broke through the ground. The sky that reappeared was a suffocating dark purple.

After the tremors subsided, what appeared between Hayato and Kagemaru was a colossal tree formed by countless twisted and coiled gray-green hands, resembling the hands of the dead. The tree trunk, riddled with cracks, bore no leaves or flowers, only branches that greedily stretched towards the sky like bones. Within those dark cracks, several malevolent beings of unknown origin lurked, their green eyes peering outwards, as if ready to pounce and wreak havoc on everything at any moment.

"For those who have faith, death is the gateway to eternal life."

Reciting lines from the famous epic poem "Paradise Lost," Hayato sighed helplessly as his "Silver Labyrinth Castle," which had been knocked off the field, was sent to the graveyard. In his previous duel with Ramses II, he had used a Field Spell Card to knock off Ramses II's Field Spell Card, and now, ironically, the tables had turned and he was the one getting knocked off.

He looked at Kagemaru and teased, "Why don't you just follow the lines from 'Paradise Lost' and go find the immortality you've always wanted?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Kagemaru, who spent his youth building muscle, his middle age embroiled in business warfare, and his later years focused solely on survival, has never been interested in literature. He has no idea what Hayato meant by "Paradise Lost." All he knows is the "Paradise Lost" card he just activated.

Chapter 1179 Ultimate Jewel God (Confirmed)

"The effect of 【Paradise Lost】is to grant my 'Three Phantoms' the ability to not be targeted by the opponent's effects or destroyed by their effects, thus further enhancing the already strong resistance of the 'Three Phantoms'!"

Kagemaru absolutely refused to admit that he was also a little afraid that Hayato would draw a card like [Lightning Strike] and send his "Three Phantoms" which he had no resistance to being wiped out in one blow. Instead, he pretended to be nonchalant and said, "And, the second effect, which can only be activated when I have any 'Three Phantoms' on my field, allows me to draw two cards from my deck."

A bright red apple, as vivid as blood, was lifted from the ground and brought to Kagemaru by a branch that wriggled like a hand. The fruit seemed to be the forbidden fruit that symbolized the name of the card "Paradise Lost". However, Kagemaru did not care about the price he would have to pay for accepting the forbidden fruit. He touched the fruit in front of him without hesitation and drew out two cards.

Then, with his hand now holding six cards, he played another card and said, "It's about time. During this period, 'Seven Essences Unlocking Gate' has allowed me to absorb a lot of power. If I don't use it when it's time, then the power I've absorbed will be meaningless."

"Continuous Spell Card [Seven Essences Unlocked] activated!"

As Kagemaru inserted a spell card face-up into the spell/trap zone, in an instant, the pillars that had risen from the surrounding jungle, now free from the cover of the field spell card, reappeared in their field of vision.

Moreover, five of the seven pillars had bright yellow orbs of light shining from their tops, and they were connected by a boundary line formed by leaping blue arcs of electricity. This time, the "Seven Gates of Release" that had been activated indiscriminately surrounded Hayato, Kagemaru, Daitokuji, and Jaden; only the final victor could escape.

It's just that Asuka left earlier; otherwise, she would probably still be trapped inside by the barrier that has been activated again.

Although only the five obelisks corresponding to the five keys that Kagemaru has already obtained are activated, "Seven Essences Unlocking Gate" can still function normally even in its current state, and the Continuous Magic Card "Seven Essences Unlocking Gate" that Kagemaru activated, which shares the same name as the barrier, has also begun to be used by Kagemaru.

"This is the barrier I use to manipulate the 'Three Illusionary Demons,' the ultimate alchemical array 'Seven Essences Unlocking Gate,' which is based on the magic circle left behind by the alchemists who once existed on this island. It can destroy everything, and it can also create everything!"

As he spoke, Kagemaru took out a card from his deck. "As part of the effect processing when [Seven Spirits Unlock] is activated, I can add one of the 'Three Phantom Demons' or a monster card with any of those names to my hand. I chose the second 'Phantom Demon,' [Thunder Emperor Hamon]."

Upon hearing the card Kagemaru chose, Hayato whistled: "Holy crap, John's distant relative!"

Completely oblivious to Hayato's words, Kagemaru ignored him and added the card [Thunder Emperor - Hamon] to his hand, saying, "It's just a monster with a mere 3200 ATK. It can only suppress [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria]'s 'Divine Fire' while it hasn't used its own effect to grow stronger. But it's utterly powerless against the Demon God Amon's ability to know the past and future and to sow discord between friends and family!"

"I then activated the Continuous Spell Card [Thunder of Pain] and set two cards face down."

Filling the back row with cards, seemingly thinking that this method was comparable to Hayato filling the monster zone, Kagemaru arrogantly said, "Since you say you know the effect of 'Three Phantom Demons,' then you must have guessed what the two cards I set are, right? The effect of 'Thunder Emperor - Hamon' is similar to 'Divine Flame Emperor Uria,' the difference being that the former uses a completely different magic card as a tribute for Special Summoning."

"At this moment, I have enough tributes in my back row to send the three Spell Cards, [Thunder of Pain], [Plunder], and [Forced Enemy], to the Graveyard and Special Summon this second 'Phantom Demon' from my hand—"

Holding the card high, Kagemaru called out the name on the card.

"—【Thunder Emperor - Hamon】!"

Although the name is "Thunder Emperor", it's normal for the name and attribute of a Duel Monster to be completely unrelated, just like how "Dark Knight Gaia" is an Earth attribute and "Gale Dark Knight Gaia" is a Dark attribute. When Kagemaru raised the card and shouted the name "Thunder Emperor Hamon", lightning and thunder suddenly appeared in the dark purple sky. However, when the gathered lightning struck Kagemaru's field, a large cluster of ice pillars appeared under the dissipating lightning.

Pale yellow bone wings enveloped a skeletal body, shattering the ice along with the blue lightning coiling around it, and the second form of "Phantom Demon"—[Thunder Emperor Hamon]—was Special Summoned by Kagemaru. He summoned two "Phantom Demons" in just one turn, which made Kagemaru extremely excited and proud. Amidst his arrogant laughter, [Thunder Emperor Hamon], whose eyes were equally lifeless, spread its wings and shook off the shattered ice.

【Thunder Emperor - Hamon】【10☆/Light】

[Phantom Beast Race/Special Summon/Effect]

[4000/4000]

"Just like [Divine Flame Emperor - Uriel] corresponds to the archangel Uriel in mythology, its power is precisely the 'divine light' and 'divine fire' that Uriel's name means, shattering all dark traps and constantly reviving and drawing power from the cards in the graveyard." Although he knows nothing about literature, Kagemaru is quite knowledgeable about mythology because he has sought to prolong his life in various ways. "[Thunder Emperor - Hamon] corresponds to Amon, the seventh of the seventy-two demon gods commanded by King Solomon, who was chosen by God. It has the power to know the past and future and to sow discord between friends and family."

“Since the ‘Three Phantom Demons’ can correspond to the names of servants who serve ‘God’ in mythology, then it is only natural that I, who currently controls two ‘Phantom Demons’, am the indisputable ‘God’!”

Kagemaru arrogantly declared, "I am the second god, and now the only one!"

"I suggest you create a world with Rin first," Hayato retorted. "You don't actually think you're that great, do you? You drew six cards with [Heavenly Treasure] and even got [Pot of Greed] for free with [Paradise Lost], and this is all? Why don't you take a look at what cards you threw into the graveyard to summon [Thunder Emperor - Hamon]?"

Looking at the [Thunderbolt of Paradise] card at the top of his graveyard, Kagemaru assumed Hayato was referring to that card and arrogantly said, "Hmph, you don't need to worry about that. Do you really think I'd just send this precious card to the graveyard and waste it?"

"I will use the third effect of 'Seven Essences of Resolve'. This effect can only be activated if there is a Level 10 monster on my field. I will choose one Continuous Spell Card from my Graveyard and add it to my hand. I have chosen 'Thunderbolt of Pain'. I will return it to my hand and activate it again!"

Looking at the [Thunderbolt of Paradise] reattached to Kagemaru's back row, and the [Plunder] and [Forced Soldier] in Kagemaru's graveyard, Hayato couldn't help but complain, "I think that card should be called 'Thunderbolt of the Lost Mind' instead. Is this how you use [Plunder] and [Forced Soldier]?"

"You are not allowed to question the gods!" Kagemaru said impatiently, not daring to listen to a single word of Hayato's questioning. He believed his operation was flawless and without any flaws. "All of this is for the descent of the 'Phantom Demons.' I have already summoned two 'Phantom Demons,' taking another big step forward on my path to the throne of the gods!"

"Similar to [Divine Flame Emperor - Uria], [Thunder Emperor - Hamon] is also immune to the effects of Trap Cards and Spell Cards that are not activated this turn. Furthermore, it is blessed by [Paradise Lost] and can not be targeted by the opponent's card effects or destroyed by them!"

"And its attack power is a full 4000 points higher than your [Silver Castle Demon Statue]. This attack can deal a full 800 points of damage to you. Can you block it?" With a confident expression, Kagemaru sneered as he pointed at Hayato. "Finally, finally the time has come. The time has come to deliver a painful blow to that arrogant brat who always has that haughty and disdainful attitude, that is, Kobayashi Hayato!"

"Enter my battle phase, then use [Thunder Emperor - Hamon] to attack the [Silver Castle Demon Statue], and witness the true power of lightning!"

"The Thunderbolt of Lost Pleasure!"