Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

[2200/1700]

“Besides being sent to the graveyard, most of the Shaddolls also have their own flip effects. Although I can only use one of the two effects once per turn, it’s more than enough to deal with that ugly ‘light’.” Hayato said, waving his hand, “Shaddoll Beast’s flip effect activates, I draw two cards from my deck, and then discard one card from my hand.”

The modified puppet beast, half lion and half tiger, roared, and the gems on its body lit up, faintly illuminating the countless originally invisible purple threads that controlled it. The lit threads twitched, lifting two cards from Hayato's shadow and adding them to Hayato's hand, while also taking away another card.

Even though Hayato only activated one "Hand Elimination" card at the start of his turn, he still managed to Special Summon two monsters on the field without using a single Normal Summon, and his hand grew from three to four cards.

Even the card that was sent to the graveyard by [Shadowmon] still has an effect that can be activated.

"The card I choose to discard is this one, [Executioner - Moshura]. During the turn this card is sent to the graveyard, I can activate a Trap Card directly from my hand."

After saying that, Hayato didn't rush to play the trap card in his hand. Instead, he looked at Saotome Rei's reaction and found that Saotome Rei was just staring at him with her mouth open, without saying a word.

"Huh? Is it finally over?" Recovering from her surprise, Saotome Rei glanced at Hayato's field and couldn't help but swallow. "It was just a [Hand Elimination] card, how did it turn into this after such a long, storytelling-like development?"

"That just means you haven't dueled enough. You haven't even experienced Duel Monsters 2.0, let alone the next generation of Duel Monsters. Which mainstream deck doesn't have a few tricks up its sleeve?" Hayato spread his hands helplessly. "Compared to my [Shadowdome] deck, which has god-like abilities, your [Lightsworn] deck is just an old dummy that should have been exploding with gold long ago."

"Not only does it have the ability to fill graveyards and the sustainability of card gain, but the final strength of [Shaddoll] is 1000% higher than that of [Lightsworn]! Don't tell me that your [Lightsworn] is just a crippled [Lightsworn] without Synchro, Xyz, or Link. Even if it did, it wouldn't be a threat to my [Shaddoll], because as everyone knows, Fusion Summoning is the noblest form of summoning!"

Hayato inserts a Trap Card into his Spell & Trap Zone and activates it directly using the effect of [Executioner - Masura]: "Continuous Trap Card [Shaddoll Core] activated! After this card is activated, it becomes an Effect Monster and is Special Summoned to my Monster Zone. If this card is Special Summoned by this effect and is used as Fusion Material for a [Shaddoll] Fusion Monster, it can be used as a substitute for a Fusion Material Monster with the attribute stated on that card."

A pure white primordial core appeared on Hayato's field. It appeared clean, but in reality, it possessed a dark aura far surpassing that of the [Shadowmon] beside it. Several yellow demonic dragons that emanated from it opened their massive mouths full of fangs and stared at everything around them with their scarlet eyes, intending to devour and assimilate anything they touched.

The first to bear the brunt was [Shadowfalcon], still nestled in Hayato's shadow.

"Activate the Spell Card [Shaddoll Fusion]: Send the Fusion Material Monsters specified by the [Shaddoll] Fusion Monster from my hand or field to the Graveyard, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from my Fusion Deck."

Unfortunately, without any monsters Special Summoned from the Fusion Deck on Saotome Rei's field, Shaddoll Fusion couldn't unleash its full power to directly use monsters from Hayato's deck as Fusion Material. It's fair to say that Lightsworn should apologize for its weakness, as it couldn't force Shaddoll to use its full strength.

"I've chosen my face-down Defense Position Shaddoll Falcon and the LIGHT-attribute Shaddoll Core as Fusion Materials to satisfy the Fusion Material requirements and create a Shaddoll monster plus a LIGHT-attribute monster!"

"Struggling between the boundaries of restriction and prohibition, majestic Special Summoning Slayer, stand tall upon the earth, Wagatsumashi!"

"Fusion Summon: [Shadowdress Nephilim]!"

【Shadowdee Nephilim】【8☆/Light】

[Angel Race/Fusion/Effect]

[2800/2500]

Like a loving mother or a Buddha, the countless threads connecting the Shaddolls behind her make her seem like an angel. Dressed as a nun, Shaddoll Nephilim has an extremely large body and stands on the earth, which is very fitting for the origin of the name "Nephilim," which is the giant born from the union of the son of God and the daughter of man in the Old Testament.

Fortunately, Hayato had moved to the outdoor garden before the duel began. Otherwise, no matter how much the virtual projection system compressed the size of [Shadowdome Nephilim], it was not a monster that could be summoned indoors at a height of only ten meters or so, and it would have made a mess of the mansion.

Saotome Rei was also briefly stunned by the aura released by [Shadowdome Nephilim], astonished by its enormous size. After regaining her senses, she was unwilling to admit that she had just felt "fear" and stubbornly said, "No, it's just a bit bigger. Whether it's attack power or defense, it can't compare to my [Judgment Dragon]."

"It's impressive that you summoned such a powerful monster so easily without even using a Normal Summon. However, such power shouldn't exist if it's not used for the right purpose. You have the strength to duel, and you could have earned a happy life through your own efforts, so why did you have to do something as despicable as stealing other people's cards!"

Hayato merely smiled, seemingly unimpressed by Saotome Rei's question, and retrieved a card from the graveyard, saying, "The second effect of [Shaddoll Core] is that if this card is sent to the graveyard by an effect, target one [Shaddoll] Spell/Trap Card in my graveyard other than [Shaddoll Core]. Add that card to my hand."

"Be thankful, Saotome Rei. Although I will return [Shaddoll Fusion] to my hand, I can only activate one of this card per turn, so I can't perform a second Fusion Summon. You've escaped with your life."

With three cards remaining in his hand, Hayato had no intention of continuing to play them. Instead, he announced, "Then, let's enter my battle phase. I will use [Shadowdome] to attack [Lightsworn Archer - Felis]."

"Unstoppable!"

Even after being modified and having a body made of rock, the Shadowmon still seemed to be connected to some special network, with a simple and easy-to-understand mind. Upon hearing Hayato's attack command, it walked in a straight line towards Rei Saotome's field, with only one target: the Lightsworn Archer - Felis, who was clearly an AD.

The 2200 ATK Shadowdome could easily defeat the 2000 DEF Lightsworn Archer Felice, but Saotome Rei looked as if she had expected this, and took a card from her graveyard, saying, "At the end of my turn, the cards sent to the graveyard by the effect of Judgment Dragon weren't just Lightsworn Archer Felice. Chain Attack Declaration, I'll also activate the effect of this card in my graveyard."

"Trap Card [Niou Rising]: Banish this card from your Graveyard and target one monster on your field. This turn, your opponent can only attack the targeted monster."

With a sly smile, Saotome Rei pointed to her "Judgment Dragon" on her field and said, "I have no doubt that you, as the Duel King, have the ability to summon monsters with an attack power of over 2000. But Kobayashi Hayato, if you think you can bully the weak, you're sorely mistaken. If you're so capable, why don't you use your monster to clash with my powerful 'Judgment Dragon'?"

"But you can't do it, can you? The combined attack power of your two-part monster is greater than that of my [Judgment Dragon]. This is a power that you, who bully the weak, cannot defeat!"

While Shadowmon has an attack power of 2200, it is still somewhat inferior to Judgment Dragon, which has an attack power of 3000. Hayato also doesn't have any cards in his hand that can increase Shadowmon's attack power.

Not only [Shaddoll], but [God Shaddoll Nephilim]'s attack power is also below that of [Judgment Dragon]. Just when Saotome Rei thought she had successfully blocked Kobayashi Hayato's attack with a [Niou Rise], she heard him say, "Impossible? Unfortunately, there is nothing impossible in front of me, because I am the man who can turn the impossible into the possible."

"Since you wish, then attack! [Shadowdome Nephilim], shatter that dragon beast covered in twisted light. Repel [Shadowmon]'s attack, then [Shadowdome Nephilim] will switch positions and continue attacking [Judgment Dragon]."

Pointing at the [Dragon of Judgment], Hayato coldly gave the order, and with a wave of his hand, shouted, "Divine Fist Crushing Strike!"

Chapter 1242 I hate people who only say half of what they mean.

"[Shadowdee Nephilim], attack [Judgment Dragon]!"

"Divine Fist Shattering Strike!"

Shamelessly plagiarizing the attack name of [Obelisk the Tormentor], [Kamisama Nephilim] raised her fist, which was larger than that of an ordinary person, and smashed it towards [Judgment Dragon] on the Saotome stage.

Saotome Rei didn't take it seriously. Seeing that Hayato didn't seem inclined to play any cards from his hand, she guessed that he probably didn't have any cards that could be activated during the Battle Phase. She said dismissively, "Using a monster with 2800 ATK to attack a 3000 ATK 'Judgment Dragon'? The meaning is unclear, I can't understand it."

"But if you want your monster destroyed willingly, I'll grant your wish. Even if your monster activates some special effect afterward, there's nothing to fear." With a wave of her hand, Saotome Reiya said, "Attack! [Judgment Dragon]!"

"The Dragon King's Sigh!"

The proud white dragon opened its mouth, and a beam of white light, about one meter in diameter, burst forth from its mouth after accumulating energy. The air that the beam swept through was burned and turned into pure white, glowing feathers.

However, right under Rei Saotome's gaze, the Holy Dragon's Breath, which should have shattered the giant of shadow, [Shadowy Nephilim], failed to damage its swung fist in the slightest. The giant fist slammed down and hit [Judgment Dragon]'s cheek directly, forcing its proud head to rub against the ground.

Seemingly unable to bear the humiliation of having its head pressed against the ground and the pain of its skull being constantly squeezed by the earth and the giant fist pressed against it, the [Judgment Dragon] actually voluntarily shattered its body into a dissipating speck of light, destroyed and sent to the graveyard!?

"Impossible! Why would the [Dragon of Judgment]—"

“This is the fate of those ugly beings who think they have the right to judge before me.” Hayato interrupted Rei Saotome’s exclamation, crossing his arms over his chest. “The second effect of [Goddess Nephilim] is the ability to automatically activate at the start of the Damage Step when battling a Special Summoned monster, directly destroying that monster. This effect is not limited to once per turn, but is always activated when the conditions are met, and it does not even target a specific monster.”

"【Kamidori Nephilim】, my superhero!" Hayato said, giving her a thumbs up, which made 【Kamidori Nephilim】 blush and turn her head away.

"Destroys the Special Summoned monster that battles it without targeting it? What a cheesy effect, that's too much!" Saotome Rei complained, looking at the huge [Shadowdome Nephilim] with its shy expression. "This kind of card should be put on the Forbidden List like [Chaos Emperor Dragon - Messenger of the End]."

"Unfortunately, the list of banned and restricted cards was created by the International Illusion Company, which issues the cards, and the Kaiba Corporation, which develops the Duel Disks. I have people on both sides, so there's no way I can even restrict them, let alone ban them." Upon hearing Saotome Rei's words, Hayato revealed an arrogant expression, as if to say, "Referees, referees, witnesses, organizers, co-organizers—all the organizations are mine. What can you do against me?" He looked exactly like a villain.

However, the truth was not as he said. Although he was the largest shareholder of the International Illusion Company, he had not interfered much with the ban/limit card list. After all, the Duel Monsters in this world were different from those in his previous life. Powerful cards were not something that everyone could obtain. Many people could not even afford a single "Lightning Strike" and could only use "Lightning Vortex" as a substitute. "Harpie's Feather Duster" was also a rare card that not everyone could use. Banning or restricting such cards would be completely meaningless.

Cards that are included in the restricted card list need to meet two requirements. First, they need to be strong, since no one would be so bored as to restrict a weak card like "Disruption". Second, they need to be easy to obtain.

The World Championship for professional duelists has been going on for so many years, and the ban/limited card list has naturally changed many times. Apart from the "Chaos Emperor Dragon - Messenger of the End" and "Yataguchi" combo that Hayato first demonstrated and which were subsequently banned, no other cards have been added to the ban list. However, there are plans to change "Treasure Card of Survival" from a limited card to a banned card next month, but there is also consideration of whether to reduce the number of cards drawn from three to one in order to keep "Treasure Card of Survival" usable.

After all, Malik's card is too overpowered for certain decks that like Red-Eyes, Dark Magician, and Horus, which are good at repeatedly switching between the field and the graveyard. The fact that it can draw cards without a limit of once per turn is also too powerful. The key is that although this card is rare, it can be bought with just extra money.

As for limited cards, in addition to [Heavenly Treasure] and the previously mentioned [Survival Treasure], there are many familiar faces, such as [Pot of Greed] and [Angel's Charity], which were once common but whose power is now clearly recognized.

The Forbidden/Limited Card List doesn't include top-tier cards like Yugi and Joey's "Red Daddy," Kaiba's "Treasure Card of Life," Joey's "Treasure Card of Fate," or Hayato and Isis's "Bitter Choice." The main reason isn't that they're not strong enough, but rather that their presence or absence only affects Hayato and Joey's duels. For most duelists in the mainstream Duel Monsters community, it makes absolutely no difference, because they simply don't need those cards.

【Goddess Nephilim】is so powerful that it seems to need to be restricted or even banned, but because she only exists in Hayato's possession, Kaiba wouldn't think of restricting such a card to annoy Hayato. Even if he wanted to defeat Hayato, he wouldn't use such underhanded methods to weaken his opponent, but rather to improve himself.

—But the problem is, Hayato knows these truths, while Saotome Rei doesn't. She clenched her fists when she heard Hayato's words.

Although the next vessel chosen by the power left behind by Saiou—the [Dragon of Judgment]—was temporarily dormant after being destroyed by Hayato, one destruction was not enough to completely eliminate its influence on Saotome Rei. Rather, after temporarily losing its vessel, the power of light continued to linger on Saotome Rei, unable to find an outlet, causing her thoughts to gradually become extreme due to the influence of that light of destruction.

"Hayato Kobayashi is the strongest duelist king." "Hayato Kobayashi is essentially a greedy villain." "Hayato Kobayashi has connections with the International Illusion Company and the Kaiba Corporation." "These two corporations jointly created the Forbidden and Limited Card List for Duel Monsters." "This card list only contains cards that restrict most ordinary duelists, but rarely cards that restrict those famous 'Legendary Duelists.'"

Logically, through this series of deductions, Rei Saotome arrives at an answer—could it be that the International Illusion Company and the Kaiba Corporation are using this method to create powerful personas for those legendary duelists who have become stars, in order to reap profits from people who have a genuine love for Duel Monsters?

To go further, wouldn't it be that whenever someone gains the power to get close to the top, but instead of joining these two companies, they choose to work independently and cannot bring them any profit, wouldn't these two companies try to eliminate the troublesome newcomer, restrict them with a restricted card list, and then have their own duelists defeat the other party to steal their fans?

Perhaps Kobayashi Hayato's strength also stems from his control of the Forbidden Card List, which allows him to arbitrarily remove cards that are detrimental to him, thus maintaining his superior status.

"Could so much filth have been hidden within the world of Duel Monsters all along...? People's love for Duel Monsters has become bait to nourish this greedy system?" Rei Saotome muttered to herself, looking at Hayato. "If things don't change, will Duel Monsters one day become a tool to exploit people's passion for the benefit of those in power? If so, what's the point of everyone's love for Duel Monsters?"

"As long as exceptional privileges exist and the environment for dueling monsters remains, it will only continue to become corrupt."

"Tell me, how can I break this tangled system...?"

Hearing Saotome Rei's self-talk and seeing her fall silent and withdrawn after her final question, Hayato didn't offer any answer. He simply sneered, "It's a pity, but that's reality. The social classes in this world are extremely rigid. Whether a politician's child is a politician, or a banker's son is a banker, it's not something a little brat like you can change."

"Because of the effect of [Nioh-ryu], although I destroyed [Judgment Dragon], unfortunately I still can't attack other monsters, especially since [Shadowmon] already attacked. You've escaped with your life, Saotome Rei."

Hayato played a card from his hand and said, "My Battle Phase is over. During my Main Phase 2, I activate this Spell Card, 'Pot of Greed,' which can only be activated by targeting five monster cards in my Graveyard."

"After returning the five monster cards, 'Clown and Lockbird,' 'Shaddoll Lizard,' 'Shaddoll Hound,' 'Shaddoll Wing-Wendy,' and 'Shaddoll Firecore-Dream Prison,' to the deck and shuffling them, I drew two cards from the deck."

【Shaddoll Nephilim】 has the effect of sending a 【Shaddoll】 card to the Graveyard when it is successfully Special Summoned. However, Hayato's deck only contains a few 【Shaddoll】 cards, so he couldn't send any more to the Graveyard. Therefore, he quickly retrieved the 【Shaddoll】 cards from the Graveyard.

Looking at the card he had drawn, Hayato played another card and said, "Let me use [Executioner - Moshura] one more time before its effect expires. I activate this Trap Card [Heavenly Dragon Snow Prison] from my hand, target a monster in my opponent's Graveyard, negate its effect, and Special Summon it to my field. After that, you can banish one monster of the same type from each player's field!"

Starting from the [Heavenly Dragon Snow Prison] on Hayato Field, a sheet of frost spread out, from which large ice blocks slowly rose. Saotome Rei saw it—within those blocks lay the [Light Path Beast - Wolf], which had been sleeping in her own graveyard?

"They actually took my monster... Damn it, can't fight without hostages? What a spineless coward!"

"As everyone knows, I'm a pure lover, purely enjoying the thrill of stealing monsters from others. The monster I've chosen is the [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf] in your graveyard."

Hayato then pointed to the only remaining Lightsworn Archer - Felis at the Saotome Arena and said, "Lightsworn Archer - Felis and Lightsworn Beast - Wolf are both Beast Warriors. I will use the follow-up effect of Heavenly Dragon Snow Prison to banish both monsters!"

Just like the Trident Ice Dragon that broke free from its seal in [Heavenly Dragon Snow Prison] and fought against the Dragon Knight who slayed the god, [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf], which was forced to revive under the control of [Heavenly Dragon Snow Prison], also fought against its former comrade [Lightsworn Archer - Felis]. Both of them perished together and were removed from the game.

Although Rei Saotome didn't explicitly explain to Hayato the specific effects of [Lightsworn Archer - Felis], it didn't prevent Hayato from inferring from her outward appearance. There's an old saying that archers are often overpowered, and judging by her performance, [Lightsworn Archer - Felis] might possess a special skill, just like the archers in the Fate series, and might even surprise Hayato with something like a "Stella" attack.

Although he went easy on her and wanted to destroy as much of the power belonging to Saiou as possible from Rei Saotome, that didn't mean he would keep [Lightsworn Archer - Felis] on the field. After all, that was a card he had planned to destroy at the beginning of the battle phase. Wouldn't it be embarrassing for him to keep her on the field?

Hayato inserted two cards into the Spell & Trap Zone from his hand and said, "Now, I'll set two cards face-down in my back row to end this turn."

[Kobayashi Hayato: 4000LP, 1 cards in hand]

【Shadowd - Nephilim】【ATK2800】

【Shadowbeast】【ATK2200】

[GaiK] X2

Looking at the spot where [Lightsworn Archer - Felis] disappeared, Rei Saotome took a deep breath and said, "You say I can't change it, Hayato Kobayashi? Can't I change the deeply entrenched hierarchy in the Duel Monsters world, can't I change the complex system? That kind of thing is wrong. Adults hurt others with a calm heart precisely because they don't understand these things!"

"I will change, and I'll show you!" With her finger resting on the top of the deck, Rei Saotome said firmly, "It starts now, starting with taking revenge on Hayato Kobayashi for arrogantly enjoying everything about Duel Monsters and hurting other people's hearts!"

"Guide me, my deck... and then my turn, draw!"

The drawn card flashed, and Saotome Rei's eyes widened after seeing the card image. Then, a smile tugged at the corner of her lips: "I can see it. I can also see the possibility of victory!"

The last of Saiou's power surged toward Rei Saotome's grave, and Rei showed Hayato the card she had just drawn: "I will no longer worship you, Hayato Kobayashi. In the past, you were the great dueling king I imagined, as great as the sun, but the real you was nothing but a villain."

"I will find the person I truly deserve to love. The shadow you cast on me has been dispelled by the courage in my heart! Goodbye, Hayato Kobayashi, and goodbye to my cowardice... Now, I will activate this Spell Card!"

Chapter 1243 Nobody knows whether they or Se Tu will die first.

"The spell card I'm going to activate is this one, [Solar Charge]!"

(The Japanese name エクスチェンジ means "exchange", but the English name "Recharge" means "recharge". The latter is used here.)

"You can activate this card by discarding a Lightsworn monster from your hand. The one I discarded from my hand was Lightsworn Thief Cat - Raikou."

The card that [Hand Elimination] delivered to Saotome Rei earlier seemed to be [Lightsworn Thief Cat - Thunder Cat]. In order to activate [Solar Charge], which she had just drawn this turn, she unhesitatingly used up all the cards in her hand in one go.