Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Hayato retrieved two cards from the graveyard: [Tears of Elegy Clan - Mermaid of ...

"Then, all other adversaries in the extinction environment will fill the pie chart with your full-body image!"

The tides once again surrounded Hayato, drawing in the two cards he held. Amidst the waves and eddies, the Narcissus Mermaid, who had been helped by the Mermaid Melo to change into a new outfit, returned to Hayato's field.

No, she's no longer called "Narcissus Mermaid." Having severed her bonds and grasped the radiant, glassy blade, she is now called—

"Fusion Summon! Wagatsumashi! Level 8☆!"

"【The Lament of the Pearl-Tear Clan - Rusaka Mermaid】!"

Withdrawing her ambiguous gaze from Hayato, the mermaid lady, also known as "Lulu Kalos," turned her attention to the game arena, displaying a regal air: "Anyone who opposes Darling, I will use everything in [Teardrop] to crush them until there are no more enemies in front of Darling. This is my Lulu (rule)!"

【The Lament of the Pearl-Tear Clan - Rusaka Mermaid】【8☆/Water】

[Aquarium/Fusion/Effect]

[3000/2500]

Hayato placed the card on the Duel Disk, pressed down on the face of [Rusaka] who had been cool for less than five seconds, hadn't stayed on the field, and then ran to his side, trying to get close to him, and pushed her away to avoid getting his cheek wet with her rather unreserved tongue. Hayato looked at Yugi and said, "Alright, continue your turn, Yugi."

"It's your turn to play Duel Monsters."

Chapter 1287 has cows!

"Speaking of which, this was supposed to be my turn, wasn't it?"

Yugi sighed helplessly, looking at Hayato's [Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid] on the field. This was the third [Tears of Elegy] monster Hayato had used so far. He had already witnessed the fusion ability of [Merlot Mermaid] and the various graveyard games of [Narcissus Mermaid], and wondered what kind of effect [Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid] would have.

Using conventional thinking, a deck series will not consist entirely of cards with overpowered effects, nor will it consist entirely of cards with unclear effects. The overall strength will be balanced to some extent. If a few cards are particularly strong, the strength of other cards will be somewhat restrained. If all other cards are of the shockwave level, then it is very likely that a few powerful cards will be included.

While this pattern can lead to situations where a deck struggles to get new buff cards due to the presence of a powerful card (Cloud Monster: First, I'll rule out that possibility), or a powerful card might be banned because it keeps appearing in other decks (Red-Eyes: It can't be me, right?), it does effectively protect the gaming experience of other duelists in the environment.

The effects of [Merlot Mermaid] and [Narcissus Mermaid] are already so overpowered, the effects of the remaining monsters in [Tears of Elegy] should be more balanced and not too strong, right...? But considering that it was Hayato who brought out the card, the game is a bit uncertain again.

In short, it's always better to be cautious; let's test the waters first.

"My turn continues. During my Main Phase, I can activate the second effect of [Golden Chest of Light] once per turn. Add any card from my Deck that has the name of [Golden Chest of Light] to my hand, except for [Golden Chest of Light]. The card I choose is this one, [Light of the Devil].

Upon hearing the card name that the game had retrieved, Hayato asked with some surprise, "Did you have this card when we dueled before, Yugi?"

"Back then, the 'Golden Chest of Light' version of 'Summoning of the Devil' wasn't even finished yet; it didn't even have a 'New Folder' feature." Yugi chuckled. "But thanks to the duel test you did with me back then, Hayato, I actually had some inspiration that night. Then, while making cards for Maeda not long ago, I also made this 'Light of the Devil' and transferred the spirit from 'Summoning of the Devil' to the card."

"Really? That's great. If it weren't for the [Summoning of the Devil] spirit in the card, I might not have been so interested in targeting it." Hayato said with a wicked smile, looking at the card Yugi had added to his hand. "How dare they defeat me, a mere Kami! I won't forget such a humiliating past!"

"How can the grudges of many years be quelled? The hatred of yesterday is like a thorn in my side; how can I ever avenge it!"

"While I did defeat Dark Knight Gaia with [Summoning of the Devil] during my first duel with you, Hayato, is it really necessary to dwell on that for so long? You already got your 'revenge' back in the Duel City semifinals, didn't you, Hayato?" Yugi retorted, looking at Hayato. "Although we've returned to the stage where we fought in Duel City, does it have to be this way again?"

Looking at the five cards in his hand, Yugi decided to use the "Devil's Light" card he had just retrieved to test Hayato's "Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid" on the field. He played it and placed it on the Duel Disk, saying, "Flip changes the monster's battle position rather than being a Normal Summon. I haven't summoned any monsters this turn. Also, since I have "Golden Coffer of Light" on my field, I don't need to Tribute this card to summon it."

"O Demon Emperor who wields the power of light and thunder, come to the field at my call! Attack Position Normal Summon: [The Light of the Demon]!"

The Golden Casket of Light on the game field slowly opened a corner of its lid, and orange-yellow lightning suddenly leaped out from the tiny gap onto the game field, forming a large golden ring.

From within this golden ring of lightning, the [Summoning of the Demon], though bathed in lightning, is still of the dark attribute and has been transformed into a new form—[The Light of the Demon]!

[The Demon's Light Comes] [6☆/Dark]

[Demon Race/Effect]

[2500/1200]

The core feature of the "Golden Chest of Light" deck created by the game is that the monsters are all based on cards from the deck he has been using for a long time, which can only be called a deck. They are given a touch of gold and associated with the "Golden Chest of Light" to create new cards.

Therefore, apart from the "Three-Color Gadgets" which are composed of red, yellow and green "gadgets", all other gadgets, whether it is "Destroyer Dragon - Gandora G", "Black Magician - Dark Magician", or "Silent Magician - Zero", have the same level, attributes, attack power and defense power as the original. So, "Devil's Light", which is based on "Devil's Summoning", is no exception.

If the game continues to expand its "Golden Chest of Light" deck in the future, adding "Dark Magician Girl," "Kuriboh," "Magnet Warrior," and "Dragon Destroyer," they will most likely have the same level, attribute, attack, and defense as the original monsters.

"Compared to the previous [Destroyer Dragon - Gandora G] and [Black Magician - Dark Magician], why does [The Light of the Devil] feel like there's no difference between it and the original [Summoning of the Devil]?" Jonouchi examined the monsters on the field. "If you replace those bone armor with gold and change the color of the muscle lines and wings to a similar color, can that be considered a completely new card?"

"I suddenly feel like I could become a card designer too."

"Ahem, no way! I clearly added spikes to the shoulder and chest armor of [The Light of the Devil], and the pose was also very difficult to design..." Yugi was trying to argue, but even he was a little embarrassed and couldn't continue making up the story. "After all, it's a card I finished in a hurry, so it's already pretty good that [The Light of the Devil] has changed its appearance."

"Indeed, it's better than Pegasus, that lazy dog, just changing the color of 'Double-Mouthed Dark Ruler' and calling it 'Two-Headed Thunder Dragon'. The 'Two-Headed Thunder Dragon' projected in the virtual image is a two-headed flying dragon that, while not very cool, is still passable in appearance." Hayato nodded in agreement. He felt he could talk about Pegasus's early, embarrassingly filler monster cards for the rest of his life.

"Is it because the design was completed in a hurry that the monster looks so broken and damaged? Hmph, how lazy, Yugi," Kaiba sneered. "Does such a monster really have the power to defeat Kobayashi Hayato's monster?"

"I never said I was going to destroy Hayato's monster, Kaiba." Yugi responded with a confident smile, then turned his gaze back to Hayato's [Tearful Lament Tribe - Rusaka Mermaid] on the field. "[The Devil's Light] has two effects besides its first effect of being able to be Normal Summoned without tribute when [Golden Coffin of Light] is present."

"Its third effect is that other monsters on my field gain 500 ATK during my turn. However, I'm now using its second effect, which can only be activated when it is Normal or Special Summoned, targeting one monster on my opponent's field!"

[Dark Merchant of Magic] [ATK 1500 → 2000]

Putting aside the attack power increase of [Dark Merchant], after seeing [Demon's Light] successfully target Hayato's only monster on the field, [Tearful Lament of the Lusaka Mermaid], with its effect, Yugi breathed a slight sigh of relief and was glad that his opponent did not have any resistance to being targeted. If that were the case, half of his plan would have succeeded.

He continued, "The target monster of [Devil's Light] is naturally the only one you have on your field, [Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid]. Under the effect of [Devil's Light], I will have control of [Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid] until the end phase. However, if I do not have [Golden Coffin of Light] on my field when this effect is activated, then the monster that gains control cannot attack."

"Regardless of whether [Tears of Elegy Clan - Rusaka Mermaid] has an effect that activates when she is sent to the graveyard like [Tears of Elegy Clan - Narcissus Mermaid], or any other abilities, as long as I take control of her, her effects will be unusable!"

"Wow, there's a cow!"

Seeing that the game's [Devil's Light] was actually trying to steal his [Tears of Elegy Clan - Rusaka Mermaid], Hayato said with a surprised look, "I thought I was the only one who liked to steal other people's monsters, but I didn't expect that you, Yugi, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, would also play the minotaur game!?"

"I originally thought it would be an effect like [Demonic Mist Rain] that lowers the opponent's attack power, but it's actually stealing the opponent's monster?" Jonouchi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hayato. "Although it's unexpected, it also seems to make sense. After all, it's a card that Yugi was inspired by after his duel with you, Hayato—"

"Hey, I can hear you! Are you trying to say that I like bullying monsters, so the game added a minotaur effect to 'The Devil's Light'?" Hayato waved his hand. "Impossible, absolutely impossible! I'm a pure love fan!"

"You dare call yourself 'pure love'?" Even Kaiba couldn't stand it anymore after hearing Hayato's words, and surprisingly stood on the same side as Jonouchi. "Of the four people here, you're the only one who has no right to say that!"

"Slander, pure and simple slander. Just wait to get a lawyer's letter when you get back, you bunch of trolls."

Seeing that the misunderstandings among the group were growing, Yugi quickly explained, "No, no, although my duel with Hayato gave me 99% of the inspiration, the remaining 1% came from 'The Summoning of the Devil' itself. In the description of 'The Summoning of the Devil,' it was already stated that it is a 'devil that bewitches people.'"

"If you can't explain the game, you don't have to. The more you explain, the worse it gets." Looking at Jonouchi and Kaiba's expressions—"Oh, I see...but Hayato's fondness for monsters is still undeniable"—Hayato felt a wave of dizziness, utterly exasperated by the two rascals.

Kaiba, seeing that Hayato had stopped arguing with the two eliminated players and was instead looking at his hand, finally had a moment to think. He muttered to himself, "Designing an Effect Monster version of an Effect Monster based on the description of a Normal Monster? In that case, wouldn't [Blue-Eyes] be—"

"The description of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon says 'any opponent will be crushed,' which means that any opponent can crush the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. So if there were an Effect Monster version of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it would be a weakling with 0 attack power, 0 defense power, and no effect, just like having nothing at all, right?" Jonouchi interrupted.

His words drew a furious glare from the seahorse: "You mediocre talent, your intelligence is only good enough to use a monster like the Lion Wizard!"

"Then you are [Seahorse Beast], and a seahorse should be called [Seahorse Beast]!"

"Mediocre! A second-rate duelist with a third-rate deck!"

"You stinky brat! You seahorse cheat!"

The bickering between the two outside the arena had no effect on the duel inside. Although it looked dazzlingly golden, it was ultimately dark lightning guided by the "Demon's Light" to strike the "Tears of Elegy Clan - Rusaka Mermaid," preparing to transform into a subtle electrical signal that invaded its nerves to replace its own body and seize control.

【Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid】Not only does she lack the targeting or destruction resistance that games should be wary of, she actually has no resistance at all. After all, 【Tears of Elegy】is never the type to play a powerful terminal card and then stay on the field to fight a war of attrition. Instead, she is good at making random moves regardless of the situation during her turn and the opponent's turn, making excessive plays, and then winning with the support of other cards.

Now is the time for the "other cards" to make their move.

"Muda muda muda! I'm always the one who's tougher on other people's monsters, but no one has ever been tougher on my monsters. Taste the power of stockings, I mean, go for it, Hatsune Miku!"

"During my opponent's Main Phase, I send this [Effect Veiler] from my hand to the Graveyard, and then target any Effect Monster on my opponent's field to activate its effect! The monster I choose is, of course, [Spirit of the Devil]!"

After discarding a card into the graveyard, a hazy, soft, semi-transparent magical cloth suddenly appeared on Hayato's field, encircling the [Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid]. With its extremely scientific insulation properties, it blocked the oncoming lightning. Then, it suddenly flew out and entangled [Demon's Light], preventing it from releasing electricity. The attack power of the [Magical Dark Merchant] next to it also lost its boost.

[Dark Merchant of Magic] [ATK 2000 → 1500]

Under the watchful eyes of the game, the girl in stockings with two long, turquoise hair strands beside Hayato smiled playfully and flew into Hayato's graveyard. Hayato then explained the subsequent effect: "The effect of [Demon's Light] is nullified until the end of this turn!"

“You, Yugi, who has no more chances to summon normally, can you break through my defenses with only four cards left in your hand? Right now, I still have six cards left in my hand!” Hayato looked at Yugi and said, “The battle of the Grim Reapers is about spiritual pressure... I mean, the battle of Duel Monsters is about card advantage!”

"Do you dare disobey me, who possesses the [Tears of the Pearl]!?"

Chapter 1288 LV Monsters Have No Future

Looking at the monsters on Hayato's field, Yugi glanced down at a card in his hand and said, "In terms of resource holdings, Hayato, you do have an overwhelming advantage, but as you always say, 'No matter how many cards you have in your hand, they are meaningless if you can't play them.'"

"The more you specifically remind me of the number of cards in your hand, the more clearly I can see the weaknesses in your field setup. Although the effect of [Tears of Elegy - Rusaka Mermaid] is unknown, and it even has the same attack and defense as [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] (Kaiba outside the field: Hey!), I believe my deck has the ability to break through it!"

"I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed' to shuffle five monster cards from my Graveyard back into my Deck, and then I draw two cards from my Deck!"

"I'm returning these five monster cards to my deck: [Destroyer Dragon - Gandora G], [Red Gadget], [Yellow Gadget], [Green Gadget], and [Super Magical Dragon Knight - Red-Eyes Dragon Rider]! Then I'll draw!"

After recovering the monster resources from the graveyard and replenishing a card in his hand, Yugi didn't even look at the card he had drawn and immediately played it, saying: "Next, I activate the Spell Card [Savior's Mark]. This card can target the effect monsters of the Spellcaster class in my graveyard and add them to my hand."

"I've chosen this one: [The Black Magician - Dark Magician]!"

Clusters of magical crystals grew on the game field, creating a dreamlike scene like a crystal forest. In the brilliance refracted by countless crystals, the image of [Black Magician - Dark Magician] was pieced together little by little. A crystal containing the card was picked up by Yugi, who then retrieved the [Black Magician - Dark Magician] card from it.

"Let's go together, [Dark Magician]!" Looking at the card in his hand that symbolized his soulmate, Yugi played the card. "If I have [Golden Coffin of Light] on my field, I activate the effect of [Dark Magician - Dark Magician] and Special Summon it from my hand!"

The [Golden Chest of Light] on the field opened its lid again, just like when [The Light of the Devil] appeared. As light burst forth, a golden ring was quickly drawn within it. This ring, filled with mysterious characters, formed a simple staff, which then...

Just as the Black Magician was about to pass through the magic ring and arrive on the game field, he suddenly stopped as if he sensed some danger, not getting any closer to the magic ring. In the next moment, a seven-colored slash suddenly cut the entire magic ring open, instantly dispelling the light that was about to summon the Black Magician!

However, even though he had some prior warning, the Black Magician was still unable to avoid the aftershocks of the slash. He was hit by a sudden burst of water from the cut and was swept into the suddenly expanding tide, which carried him to the graveyard.

Yugi stared in astonishment at Hayato's [Tearful Lament Clan - Rusaka Mermaid] unleashing that slash on the field: "What is that, Powder?"

"You can only activate the second effect of [Rusaka] when your opponent activates any effect that Special Summons a monster, negating and destroying that activation." Hayato examined the destructive effect of [Tearful Lamenter Rusaka Mermaid]'s effect, something even he had never seen before. "If this is how it's presented, how about we just call it 'Hard Vortex Water Blade'? My naming skills are pretty good, aren't they?"

(Second-generation leader: You inherently evil minotaur brat! I'm about to—)

"Any Special Summoned monster's effect can be activated!?" Yugi said with some surprise. "Isn't that a bit too broad? Cards like [Monster Resurrection] and [Call of the Dead] go without saying, but wouldn't monsters Special Summoned from the hand, [Fusion], and most Ritual Summons also be negated by the chain?"

"Even Hayato's powerful [Primal Life Form - Nibiru] can be negated and destroyed by this effect!"

"Doesn't that mean the effect of Blue-Eyes Jetfire activated when the situation is destroyed is also destroyed?!" Kaiba said with a sour face. "Blue-Eyes Jetfire, which has the power to resist destruction, can be destroyed? What a disgusting effect!"

"At least it's better than [Shadowy Midrash], after all, the entry conditions are there." Compared to Yugi and Kaiba, Jonouchi was much more relaxed, mainly because the psychological trauma that Mimi had caused him was too heavy.

Especially since so many years have passed, when I was in school and I was still thinking about how to counter Xiao Mi during my duel with Hayato, and now that I've become a world champion, I'm still thinking about how to counter Xiao Mi. I always feel powerless, like I've wasted all these years!

"Any special summon effect that can be chained can be shattered by [Rusaka] in one strike. That's the power of [Teardrop], hahahahahaha!" Hayato laughed wildly as he continued, "However, powerful cards are often accompanied by great risks. The powerful effect of [Teardrop Elegy Clan - Rusaka Mermaid] naturally comes with an equally huge price to pay."

"That is—after the effect is successfully activated, I need to send one 'Tears of Elegy' card from my hand or field to the graveyard!"

Jonouchi was expecting Hayato to mention some terrible negative consequences, such as banishing himself, not being able to activate other card effects this turn, or even taking a certain amount of effect damage. But after waiting for a while, he heard that Hayato's so-called consequence was "sending a [Tears of Elegy] card to the graveyard"?

He nearly stumbled and couldn't help but complain, "Compared to 'cost,' that sounds like a positive ability that helps your deck continue to develop, Hayato!"

"No way, it's a huge price to pay, isn't it? Especially if I don't have the card 'Tears of Elegy' in my hand, wouldn't I have to send 'Rusa' herself to the graveyard? I can't bear to do that."

Hearing Hayato's words, the Rusaka Mermaid, who had just shattered the summoning circle of the Black Magician with a single sword strike, turned around with delight and looked at Hayato, saying, "Darling..."

"Because I haven't even squeezed every last drop of value out of her yet." Ignoring the resentful look from the [Rusaka Mermaid] who almost fell over if she hadn't been levitating thanks to her special power, Hayato drew a card from his hand. "But luckily, I still have the [Tearful Song Clan] card in my hand, this trap card that I drew during [Heavenly Treasure Card]!"

"【A lamentation played out in a lifetime of misfortune】!"