Duels should be played with a smile.

Sure enough, it is this monster, but there are no spirits, so it probably isn't the one from Jonouchi.

"Hey, isn't that one of Jonouchi's favorite monsters? Does he have this monster too?" Kyoko asked the game again from the guest seats, while also taking out her phone to try and call Jonouchi.

"Iron Knight isn't a particularly rare monster, and besides, you can now obtain cards through Duel Links, so it's not a big deal if someone else gets Iron Knight, right?"

The explanation was given in a casual manner, but the game was already starting to worry about Atm on the stage. Although he hadn't dueled many times, he had always taken the most serious approach to understanding each card and the synergies between them.

Now, the two monsters on the field reminded him of a possible but never-before-seen combination.

"Keep going, my other self from another world!"

On stage, Raphael's demeanor suddenly changed, and he became serious, but within this seriousness, there was also a hint of haughty arrogance.

"You're a decent duelist, but that's all."

"I activate the Equip Spell Card [Butterfly Dagger - Echo], equip it to Iron Knight on my field! Because I activated the Spell Card, I place a Spell Counter on Spell Puppet. This card gains 200 ATK for each Spell Counter placed on it."

The short sword, which looked rather delicate and was swirling in the breeze, flew into the Iron Knight's hand and was gently grasped by him.

However, the magical short sword was shattered the moment it came into contact with the Iron Knight's armor by the powerful magic resistance emanating from the armor.

"Iron Knight's effect: If this card has an Equip Card equipped to it, activate this effect. Destroy those Equip Cards."

The fact that an equipment card was wasted only resulted in the addition of a magic counter left most viewers puzzled, but a small number of viewers stared intently at the equipment magic card that was sent to the graveyard.

They had heard of this card before and knew about some of the synergies. The other cards in this synergy weren't rare, and some were even easy to obtain, but they had never seen the most crucial card.

And today, my wish has come true.

"The effect of Echo means that when this card equipped to a monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, this card can bounce back to its owner's hand!"

"I will retrieve the Echoes of the Graveyard and reequip them!"

"The magic-manipulated puppet will be marked again!"

At that moment, everyone understood.

"Isn't this an infinite loop?! So, Raphael can declare victory in advance! The attack power of the magic-manipulated puppet can be calculated as infinite!" A spectator couldn't help but exclaim.

His companion next to him showed off his new Duel Disk, pointed to a function button on it and said, "Almost there. As long as an infinite loop is achieved, the player can declare the result directly and fast forward to the final state. The Duel Disk will handle this situation normally."

On stage, Raphael's declaration was repeated 44 times. The next second, the magical pointers of the magic-manipulating puppet became 44, and the attack power also became 10800 points.

"That's it. Magic Manipulation Puppet can also remove 2 Spell Counters placed on this card and destroy 1 monster on the field."

"I remove 4 Spell Counters and destroy 2 of your monsters!"

With the support of a massive amount of magic power, the manipulated puppet is now almost invincible. Two throwing knives were launched by the puppet, accurately defeating King Gaia and the Thunder God on the Atm field.

"The second effect of Thunder God: If this card, which was Special Summoned by paying LP through the first effect, is destroyed by your opponent, you recover 5000 LP."

[LP: 5000 → 10000]

The Thunder God, who descended after absorbing offerings, was like a benevolent person. He came after receiving 3000 offerings and left with an extra 2000. This proved that gods were better than immortals.

After all, the immortal's return is 3000, and sending him to the tomb deducts 5000, which is comparable to modern usury, and triggering it is extremely troublesome.

"Ten thousand LP is a lot, but it's meaningless."

The magic puppet with 4 counters removed has exactly 10,000 attack power.

You can continue to increase your attack to infinity through an infinite loop, but it's still meaningless.

"Battle has begun! Use the Iron Knights for a direct attack!"

The valiant iron knight charged ahead, completely ignoring the ambushing card, and slashed at Atm with his sword.

[LP: 10000 → 8200]

"No matter what your card is, there's only one thing I'm going to do, and that's attack you."

The doll with an attack power of 10,000 was enormous, while Atm, without the protection of a monster, appeared incredibly small. The contrast between the two created an urge in the audience to record the scene.

It would be even better if a tall wall, reaching the neck of the doll, were added between the two sides.

"Your duel ends here."

The twin blades fell mercilessly, the massive weapons shattering the ground, scattering countless fragments of stone and billowing dust.

"Solvadocana!"

The most authentic words came from Atm's mouth, but unfortunately, Leyou, who was addicted to playing cards, never got to see them, otherwise he would definitely have imitated them.

After the dust settled, a round ball appeared in front of Atm, while the powerful puppet had retreated, crouching on the ground and assuming a defensive stance with its two-handed weapons.

Attack Power 10000 → Defense Power 1000

"The effect of 【Globular Kuriboh】: When an opponent's monster declares an attack, you can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard to activate this effect. Change that attacking monster to Defense Position."

Once inside the cemetery, Chestnut Ball rubbed its bare body, feeling a little uncomfortable. It had made a great sacrifice to prevent its owner's disguise from being seen through!

Those bristles will take a long time to grow back! Not to mention how much effort it will take to trim them into a nice shape!

"Kurikyu...and that pose just now."

Raphael looked at the audience again, his gaze shifting between the game and ATM, his mind racing.

After careful consideration, Raphael took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, "Who exactly are you?"

"Is there any need to ask? Haven't you already figured out the answer in your heart?"

"you...!"

Even though it's hard to believe, it seems that the nameless pharaoh has broken free from the confines of his vessel and appeared in the outside world on his own.

"Although I don't know why, this suits me perfectly!"

Raphael's fighting spirit soared instantly; he was initially bored by the lack of a nameless opponent, but now he was thrilled.

Then, my eyes were enveloped in darkness and crimson.

"In that case, I shall take your soul!"

Raphael took out the only unknown card from his remaining three cards and slammed it hard onto the Duel Disk.

"I activate the Field Spell Card [Orichalcos Barrier]!"

A deep green barrier spread out, imprisoning the two inside.

Just like the anomaly created by Ameruda before, the audience, seeing the familiar barrier again, began to wonder if a second evil god card would appear.

The audience had no idea about the secrets; all they knew was that the user of this green barrier had previously summoned the evil god card, which was said to be able to restrain gods.

They love watching these super powerful monsters.

“It’s really… ugly.” Atm sighed and shook his head.

At this moment, Raphael's eyes were bloodshot, and the mark of Orichalcos was engraved on his forehead. His whole body was emanating an ominous black aura, making him completely different from the composed and true duelist he had been before.

The Raphael in his memory wasn't so ugly from the start, and after being defeated by him, he became an upright and honorable person again.

"Since you are so stubborn, then let me awaken you with a duel!"

"My turn, draw a card!"

Although Raphael did not declare the end of his turn, it was not a big deal that Atm forcibly ended his turn since he had no room for maneuver.

Basic procedure, sit down.

"Those whose duelists' hearts are blinded by darkness cannot defeat me!"

"But true duelists are not blinded by darkness!"

The card he wanted came into his hands at his command, and today he would prove to Raphael what a truly strong heart was!

"Give up and resist. I've said it before, there is an inescapable fate in this world. Even you, the nameless Pharaoh, cannot defy the power of Orichalcos."

"Everyone harbors an indelible darkness within their heart, and this darkness is proof that the god Orichalcos is destined to descend."

"Even you, when the darkness within you is unleashed, can only be swallowed by that darkness..."

“Solvador Kana!” Atm said again, “You won’t understand until I show you.”

"Since I can't convince you with words, I'll prove it with actions!"

"I activate the Field Spell Card [Orichalcos Barrier]!"

Another barrier expanded outwards from the field. Raphael stared in disbelief at Atm, whose forehead was not marked with the Orichalcum symbol and whose eyes remained clear. He was speechless with astonishment.

Endless black energy surged around Atm, passing through his body time and time again, making him even more deeply immersed in darkness, yet his resolute expression remained unchanged.

"Now, tell me, have I succeeded in confronting the darkness within myself?"

Chapter 149 I'll scatter your gravestone!

Raphael was now completely bewildered.

Why does the Pharaoh possess an Orichalcohol barrier? Why does he appear more like someone preparing to destroy the world than he actually is when he uses it? Why...?

Raphael had too many questions in his mind.

"you..."

"You don't need to say anything more. I will make you understand what you should really be doing in this duel!"

Atm once fell into a predicament due to Raphael's provocation and various other factors. Fortunately, he had the best aibo in the world, other close friends, and a deck he deeply trusted.

After experiencing various things, he regained what he had lost and also recognized his own path.

And now, he has once again come face to face with the person who once made him lose his way.

But this time, their positions have been switched.

Atm did not want a true duelist to be consumed by the power of Orichalcos. Having faced the true face of the god of Orichalcos, he intended to awaken his former rival through his duel!

"To bring you to your senses, the first step is to break your infinite loop! Your infinite loop is indeed powerful, but during my turn, monsters in defense position can be easily destroyed!"

"I activate Pot of Greed! Draw two more cards!"

"Then there's the effect of this card: [Gaia the Sorcerer] can be summoned directly without Tributing if there are no monsters on your field!"

"Return with a brand new look! Gaia!"

Having lost his dragon mount, Gaia returned to his old ways, becoming a knight on the ground, but this time his mount seemed even more powerful than before.

[Light - 7★ - Warrior - Attack Power 2300]