Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"By the way, the other card besides [Knight of Dawn] that was sent to the graveyard by [Sun Charge] was [Lightsworn Dragon - Gragnis], which was just banished by [Soul Liberation]. This is my deck's response to defeat you!"

As Saotome Rei spoke, she held the three monsters that had just been banished, along with the two Lightsworn monsters that had been banished by [Heavenly Dragon Snow Prison], in her hand. "Although [Return from Another Dimension] also requires paying half of my Life Points to activate, [Transaction Reversal] only copies its effect without me having to pay Life Points again to activate it. I can directly use the effect of [Return from Another Dimension] to Special Summon as many of my banished monsters as possible to the field!"

"I Special Summon five monsters that are banished from my field: [Lightsworn Archer - Felis], [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf], [Lightsworn Assassin - Raiden], [Lightsworn Summoner - Luminas], and [Lightsworn Dragon - Gragnis] in Attack Position!"

A crack appeared on Saotome Rei's field, from which five pillars of light rose one after another. One by one, the [Light Path] monsters that had appeared in the previous duel emerged from the cracks and returned to the field, looking fearlessly at the two monsters on Hayato's field.

【Lightsworn Archer - Phyllis】【ATK1100】

【Lightswitch Beast - Wolf】【ATK2100】

[Lightpath Assassin - Raiden] [ATK1700]

[Lightsworn Summoner - Luminas] [ATK 1000]

【Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnonis】【6☆/Light】

[Dragon Clan/Effect]

[2000/1600]

"The effect of [Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus] is that this card gains 300 ATK for each type of [Lightsworn] monster in my Graveyard, and when attacking a Defense Position monster, if its ATK exceeds the target monster's DEF, inflict battle damage to your opponent equal to that amount."

Raising the Duel Disk, phantoms of [Lightsworn Hound - Lightning] and [Lightsworn Cat Thief - Thunder Cat] emerged from Saotome Rei's Graveyard. "There are currently two [Lightsworn] monsters in my Graveyard, therefore [Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus]'s ATK and DEF will increase by 600!"

"But that's not all. I'm going to use the effect of my Lightsworn Archer - Felis on my field to Tribute this card and then target one of my opponent's monsters to activate its effect, destroying that monster and sending three cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard." Pointing to Hayato's field, Rei Saotome said firmly, "The card I'm going to destroy is the one that betrayed me, the Judgment Dragon!"

"Sacrifice yourself for the greater good, [Lightsworn Archer - Phyllis], a meteor strike!"

By releasing her own monster to the graveyard, and watching [Lightsworn Archer - Felis] shout "Stella" and fire a dazzling arrow, Rei Saotome successfully destroyed the [Judgment Dragon] that Hayato had taken from her side, and also successfully shattered the [Guardian of the Codex - Aiwass] that was controlling it in his chest.

The addition of [Lightsworn Archer - Felis] to the graveyard increases the variety of [Lightsworn] monsters in Saotome Rei's graveyard, so [Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus]'s final increase is not 600 points, but a full 900 points!

[Light Chaser Dragon - Gragonis] [2000/1600→2900/2500]

"How cold-blooded! Just because his monster betrayed him, he actually destroyed it? And even at the cost of his own monster?" Hayato said, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Anyone can say that, but you, who are good at sacrificing monsters and even stole mine, have no right to say it!" Rei Saotome said, placing her finger on top of the deck. "To defeat you, sacrifice is inevitable. Now that the [Judgment Dragon] you took from me is dead, the only thing that can protect you is [Shadowdome Nephilim]!"

"And I can also send three cards from my deck to the graveyard under the effect of [Lightsworn Archer - Felis]!"

Saotome Rei flipped over the top card of her deck, a look of delight on her face. Ignoring the other two cards—the useless Trap Card [Exploding Armor] and the Continuous Spell Card [Lightsworn Realm]—the third card was, quite coincidentally, another [Lightsworn] monster—her second [Lightsworn Beast Wolf] in her deck!

"When [Lightsworn Beast Wolf] is sent from the Deck to the Graveyard, activate its effect and Special Summon it from my Graveyard!" After sending two cards to the Graveyard, Rei Saotome is about to place the [Lightsworn Beast Wolf] card onto the Duel Disk.

But just then, a burst of black electricity suddenly erupted from her duel disk, pushing the card in her hand away and knocking it to the ground!

"What's going on?" Looking at the cards on the ground, Rei Saotome was puzzled and looked at Hayato with suspicion. "Could it be that you've gone so far as to tamper with the Duel Disk—"

"I would never do something as tasteless as pulling out a screw," Hayato immediately denied, glancing at Rei Saotome with a smirk. "You don't think that Xiaomi only has one effect, do you? If it really only had one resistance that wouldn't be destroyed by the opponent's effect, Xiaomi wouldn't have bothered so many card players for nearly ten years."

"While [Shadowy Midrash] is in the Monster Zone, both duelists can only Special Summon a monster once per turn. In other words, if you don't find a way to deal with Midrash, you can't Special Summon a monster that you've already Special Summoned with [Return from Another Dimension]."

Upon hearing Hayato's words, Saotome Rei's expression twisted in disgust: "It can't be destroyed by effects, both players can only Special Summon a monster once during its duration, and it's a Speed ​​2 Fusion Summoned using 'Shaddoll's Pseudo-Scripture' during the opponent's turn, and it even has a 'Last Word' effect that activates when a 'Shaddoll' monster is sent to the Graveyard... What kind of monster is this? It's disgusting! How can anyone else play Duel Monsters if we don't ban cards like that!"

"That's ridiculous. Nama was indeed banned before, but Mimi is so cute, at most she'd only be restricted a little. Why ban her? Sometimes you should think about whether you're just not good enough at the game." Hayato paused, then sneered, "Although I've said things like 'a king's duel must be entertaining' and 'bring smiles through duels,' no one really takes those words seriously, right? That's impossible, because a duel has to have a winner and a loser, and only the winner can laugh."

"Duel Monsters is such a cruel game; being able to play on one side is already pretty much enough."

Chapter 1245 Foot-Rubbing Double Swords: The Best in the World

"Tch, even if I can't Special Summon it." Rei Saotome reluctantly picked up the card of [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf] from the ground and put it back into the Graveyard, feeling that her Special Summon attempts were limited. "However, because the number of [Lightsworn] monsters in my Graveyard has increased, the ATK and DEF of [Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus] on my field will also increase again!"

[Light Chaser Dragon - Gragonis] [2900/2500→3200/2800]

However, it doesn't really matter if [Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus] doesn't continue to increase. Although Saotome Rei's field only has [Shadowy Midrash] with 2200 ATK so far, the other three remaining monsters have a combined ATK of 4800, which is more than enough to wipe out Hayato's remaining 4000 Elemental Points.

Without much hesitation, after learning about the troublesome effects of [Shadowy Midrash], she decisively declared: "Although I can still use the effect of [Lightsworn Assassin - Raiden] to further increase the attack power of my monsters, there is no need for that anymore. My monsters are more than capable of defeating you at the moment."

"Hayato Kobayashi, prepare to be defeated by me, you fake Duel King! I'm entering battle phase!"

Because of the presence of [Shadowy Midrash], Rei Saotome did not have the option to attack that monster first. She commanded [Lightsworn Dragon - Gragnis], which had the highest attack power on her field, to "[Lightsworn Dragon - Gragnis], attack [Shadowy Midrash] and take care of that troublesome monster!"

"Light of Domination!"

As a member of the same race as the [Judgment Dragon] and the highest-ranking being in the [Lightsworn] guild besides it, [Lightsworn Dragon - Gragnius] also holds a very high position within the [Lightsworn] guild, as evidenced by the names of its attack moves. A white beam of light, accompanied by Gragnius's inhalation, converged into its mouth, forming a similar yet slightly different white pillar of light, which was then unleashed towards [Shadowy Midrash] on Hayato's field.

With the power of the Lightsworn monster in Saotome Rei's graveyard, the attack power of Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus was even greater than that of the Judgment Dragon before Hayato controlled it. The beam of light that hit the Shadowdike Midrash with an attack power of up to 3200 points instantly destroyed it and sent it to the graveyard!

Even the overflowing combat damage inflicted on Hayato reduced his original maximum of 4000 base points by a quarter!

[Hayato Kobayashi: 4000→3000LP]

"Heh heh, you actually managed to inflict battle damage on me? Impressive!" Hayato sneered, looking at [Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus], which had just defeated his monster on the Saotome Arena. "But you made me bleed! That means you're prepared to face the wrath of the gods, aren't you!"

"Before you get angry, survive the attacks of my monsters, you arrogant fool!" Saotome Rei, showing no fear of Hayato, waved her hand and said, "Next up is a direct attack from [Light Path Assassin - Raiden]!"

"A slash of justice!"

Wielding twin swords, [Light Path Assassin - Raiden] assumed a stance as if gathering power, then suddenly leaped towards Hayato, spinning his body in mid-air like a top, about to unleash a series of slashes to reduce Hayato's life points.

However, in the next moment, the blade that [Lightpath Assassin - Raiden] swung seemed to have struck some part of the flesh with poor texture. It made a "clang" sound and was suddenly bounced away. As a result, [Lightpath Assassin - Raiden] lost his balance and fell to the ground.

"No, where do you get the confidence to keep attacking me directly? Letting you destroy Xiaomi was already me going easy on you, okay? Do you really think you can win?" Hayato looked at the dual swords of [Light Path Assassin - Raiden] lying on the ground with a puzzled expression. "You don't even use a katana, how come a dual-wielder is so clueless?"

Meanwhile, Saotome Rei was looking at the figure that had inexplicably appeared in Hayato's field. It was dressed in a white robe, wore a mask, and had long, dangerous-looking claws on its arms crossed in front of its chest.

"When was that monster?"

"Huh? You didn't even notice what I was doing and recklessly let the monster attack, did you?" Hayato raised his Duel Disk and placed a card on it at some point, saying disdainfully, "I can only activate the effect of [Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassin] in my hand when a Fusion Monster is sent to either player's Graveyard, and Special Summon it from my hand."

"I Special Summoned [Shadowy Midrash] to the field the moment it was destroyed in battle. Otherwise, what do you think I meant by 'prepare to face the wrath of the gods'?"

[The Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassins] [8☆/Light]

[Magic Race/Effect]

[2000/1500]

The monster that just blocked the attack of [Lightsworn Assassin - Raiden] was none other than [Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassin]. Fortunately, Saotome Rei's order was to attack directly and not something else. The attack declaration just now was just a mistake in poor execution and not a real attack declaration. Otherwise, if a monster with lower attack power were to attack a monster with higher attack power, Saotome Rei's [Lightsworn Assassin - Raiden] would not only have self-destructed, but the difference in battle damage would have backfired on Saotome Rei.

"To summon a monster with 2000 attack power at a time like this... Tch, if only the Special Summon of [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf] hadn't been restricted..."

Saotome Rei's expression seemed somewhat annoyed, because she realized that although she still had another [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf] on the field that could defeat [Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassin] with an attack power that was exactly 100 points higher, at the same time, the combined attack power of her remaining [Lightsworn Summoner - Luminas] and [Lightsworn Assassin - Raiden] was only 2700 points.

Even with the attack power boost from using [Lightsworn Assassin - Raiden] during the main phase, it only grants a maximum of 2900 points, not enough to wipe out Hayato's 3000 life points. Just missing is [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf], the other Lightsworn unit that was previously sent to the Graveyard by [Lightsworn Archer - Felis] but whose Special Summon was restricted by [Shadowd Midrash].

"In the end, why did this random 'Teaching' card suddenly appear in a 'pure [Shadowdew]' deck...? No, there's no point in talking about that now." Saotome Rei took a deep breath and looked at Hayato. "Anyway, we have to keep going. Even if we can't win this turn, at least I'll reduce your Life Points as much as possible!"

"Before initiating another direct attack, [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf], attack [Disciple of the God of Guidance - Assassin]! Wild Light!"

The wolf-headed beast warrior charged forward, wielding a double-bladed switch axe, seemingly intending to use its 2100 attack power to slice Hayato's monster, "Disciple of the God of Teachings - Assassin," which, like Hayato, wielded two claws, in two. However, upon hearing Saotome Rei's declaration of attack, Hayato scoffed, "So you're still a brat. Tell me, have you ever heard of the 'Old Man of the Mountain' in the Middle East? If you have, you should know one thing—the name 'Assassin' doesn't belong to an individual, but to an assassin cult."

Hayato's [Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassin] spread its arms, seemingly ready for a head-on battle. But just as [Lightsworn - Wolf] continued its charge, suddenly a pair of sharp claws pierced its back, penetrating its heart and protruding from its chest. All its strength drained in an instant, [Lightsworn - Wolf] collapsed in bewilderment and confusion, destroyed and sent to the graveyard.

Behind [Lightbeast - Wolf], several assassins dressed similarly to [Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassin] were seen. However, their clothing was much simpler, lacking the gold trim, and their claws were shorter and more concealed. Clearly, from the beginning, [Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassin] was not alone, but rather had a single person draw attention while numerous assassins carried out their assassinations!

[Disciple of the God of Teaching - Assassins] [ATK 2000 → 2500]

"When your opponent's monster declares an attack, activate the effect of [Apostle of the God of Guidance - Assassin] to increase the ATK of all [Guide] monsters on my field by 500. So, it's easy to be misled by appearances alone," Hayato said with a cold laugh. "Because [Apostle of the God of Guidance - Assassin]'s ATK increases to 2500, it won't be my [Apostle of the God of Guidance - Assassin] that gets destroyed, but your [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf]!"

"At the same time, absorb the combat damage from this difference!"

A disciple of the God of Teachings, an Assassin, threw his sword at Saotome Rei. The cold glint made Saotome Rei instinctively turn her head, narrowly avoiding the thrown sword. However, several strands of hair near her ear were cut off, which startled her and lowered her base score.

[Saotome Rei: 1000 → 600 LP]

The effect of [Asahis, the Disciple of the God of Guidance] at this moment completely extinguished Saotome Rei's hopes. Even [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf] could not defeat [Asahis, the Disciple of the God of Guidance], so naturally there was no possibility for the other monsters on her field to defeat it. Could she be expected to attack again with [Lightsworn Dragon - Glagnus], which had already attacked once?

Although she can Special Summon five banished monsters from outside the game to the field at once, the negative effect of "Burial from Another Dimension" will arrive at the end of Rei Saotome's turn, banishing all the Special Summoned monsters from her field again. After that, with only 600 Life Points, can she withstand Hayato Kobayashi's direct attack?

She realized that Hayato was right about at least one thing: "despair" does indeed have a freshness. With each reversal between hope and despair, she was almost losing the will to continue the duel.

“My battle phase is over, and then…” Knowing that her hopes were now slim, Saotome Rei took a deep breath, trying her best to suppress the despair in her heart, and then looked at Hayato and said, “【Teaching】? It seems to be a religious card series with a light tendency similar to 【Lightsworn】, but I can feel that there seems to be some kind of terrifying evil brewing in it.”

(Hidden Darkness)

"I am acutely aware that I have no chance of winning at this moment. But I will not give up! I can lose to anyone else, but I refuse to lose to someone as despicable and evil as you!"

Using words to bolster her spirits, Saotome Rei, who had intended to end her turn immediately, said with her last bit of courage: "During my Main Phase 2, I activate the effect of [Lightsworn Assassin - Raiden] on my field, sending the two cards at the top of my deck to the Graveyard!"

"Come on, my last stand at the end of my road!"

It should be noted that Saotome Rei's deck, due to the common characteristic of Lightsworn monsters that sends cards from the deck to the graveyard, requires a large amount of deck reserves, so her deck naturally increased to the maximum of 60 cards at once. And so far in the duel, she still has 34 cards remaining in her deck.

Of these thirty-four cards, the probability of sending a specific card to the graveyard is less than 3%.

However, when Saotome Rei turned over the card, she saw the last remaining card in her deck, [Lightsworn Beast Wolf]!

"W-This is...!" Saotome Rei's eyes widened in surprise, then she couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, thank you everyone, thank you for responding to me."

"Then, I send two cards to the Graveyard, and at that moment I trigger the effect of [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf] that I sent to the Graveyard!" Reiichi Saotome clenched her fist, retrieved the cards she had just sent to the Graveyard, placed them on the Duel Disk, and Special Summoned them to my field!

The recently sacrificed [Lightsworn Beast Wolf] returned to Saotome Rei's arena with a new card. The seemingly inhuman beast warrior stood guard in front of Saotome Rei like a loyal protector, even when facing the assassin group that had just killed him.

【Lightswitch Beast - Wolf】【ATK2100】

Hope isn't just about this one card; another card sent to Saotome Rei's graveyard also takes effect, and a swift sword gleaming with a restrained blue light appears before [Lightsworn Beast - Wolf].

"The other card I sent to my graveyard is [Lightsworn Rapier]. When this card is sent from the Deck to the Graveyard, you can equip it to one [Lightsworn] monster on my field. I chose [Lightsworn Beast Wolf]. The [Lightsworn Rapier] equipped to a [Lightsworn] monster increases that monster's ATK by 700!"

【Lightsworn Beast - Wolf】(Lightsworn Rapier) 【ATK2100→2800】

Looking at Hayato, Saotome Rei said firmly, "Even in dire straits, I will never surrender to you or the darkness behind you, Kobayashi Hayato!"

"My turn ends, and then the effects of the Lightsworn monsters on my field, as well as the effect of Return from Another Dimension, take effect. Monsters Special Summoned by the effect of Return from Another Dimension are banished, and I send a total of eight cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard!"

The deck, which had only thirty-two cards, was reduced by a quarter, leaving only twenty-four cards. This time, the cards sent to Saotome Rei's graveyard no longer included effective graveyard-filling cards like "Lightsworn Rapier," but mostly just duplicate "Lightsworn" monsters. After all, miracles are precious precisely because they are limited.

Meanwhile, her monsters, including Lightsworn Dragon Glagnus, were banished again in a beam of light after their time on the field expired, leaving only Lightsworn Beast Wolf guarding in front of Saotome Rei.

[Saotome Rei: 600 LP, 0 cards in hand]

【Lightsworn Beast - Wolf】(Lightsworn Rapier)【ATK2800】

Chapter 1246, Part 10: Join!

"Caesar? And Asuka's brother, what are you doing here?"

Upon hearing the sound, Marufuji Ryo and Tenjouin Fubuki turned around and saw Judai standing behind them with a puzzled expression.

"Jūdai? When did you get here?"

"Just now, I arrived here and saw you two here." Jaden scratched his head and said with a smile, "You haven't said what you're doing yet... Did I disturb you?"