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Chapter 378: Satisfaction
The effect of **Zero-Force Magic Crusher** activated, sending the only **Fusion** in Hayato's hand to the Graveyard and inflicting 500 points of Effect Damage to Amon Garlem.
Then, the effect of **Monster Eye**, which had been transformed into a Psychic-Type by **DNA Surgery**, activated. A Psychic Counter was added to **Brain Research Lab**, and the **Fusion** was returned to Hayato's hand.
Amon's Life Points were steadily reduced to 0 through this infinite combo.
[Amon: 500LP→0]
“Winner, No.114514!”
As Amon Garlem's Life Points reached 0, the referee promptly announced the result of the Duel: "Dan Kuroto" had won the Duel. At the same time, the name "Dan Kuroto" advanced two spots on the Ranking Board, while "Amon Garlem"'s name dropped five spots.
While Hayato was dueling, others were dueling as well, and the rankings on the Ranking Board rose and fell. As of now, the top spot on the Ranking Board was held by Kaiba. After all, Kaiba's "High-Level Opening Hand" included versions of **Fusion** and **De-Fusion**, leaving ordinary duelists with only the option of being crushed.
Besides Kaiba, Hayato also saw the names "Jounouchi Katsuya" and "Mutou Yuugi". Both of them had also pushed their points into the top twenty.
Amon Garlem seemed somewhat lost after the Duel ended. In his imagination, even if he lost the Duel, shouldn't it have been a defeat in a passionate clash between Monsters? Being defeated repeatedly by the **Fusion** felt like it was destroying Amon Garlem's inherent understanding of Duel Monsters.
How could there be winning methods in this world other than battle?!
Regarding Hayato's dueling method, which completely bypassed the Monsters on his field and the cards in his backrow, and defeated him by changing the nature of the battlefield, Amon could only say, "I don't understand, but I am greatly shocked." At the same time, he also became interested in this special way to win.
He vaguely recalled that when he was collecting **Cloudian** cards, he had unexpectedly pulled a card called **Left Arm of the Forbidden One**. That seemed to be a card belonging to the **Exodia** series, which also possessed a special victory condition. Should he try to collect **Exodia**?
Watching the thoughtful Amon leave the Duel Arena without a word, Hayato didn't pay him much mind. Instead, he continued to enjoy the cheers of "Lord God Dan Kuroto" from the surrounding crowd, and while waiting for the next opponent to step onto the duel platform that served as an arena, he opened the System.
The Duel victory against Amon only credited Hayato with 400 DP points. It wasn't a lot, but it was alright. Besides that, there were no card drops.
Hayato checked the drop list for "Amon Garlem (10 years old)". It exclusively listed **Cloudian** cards that could be dropped, from **Cloudian - Smoke Ball** all the way to **Cloudian - Eye of the Typhoon**. There were also **Cloudian** Monsters like **Altus**, **Ghost Fog**, and **Poison Cloud**, which Amon hadn't used in this Duel. Hayato didn't know if Amon hadn't drawn them or hadn't collected them.
However, Hayato didn't feel much regret, as the **Cloudian** series Monsters didn't really appeal to him much. They lacked strength and popularity, the Monsters weren't cool or handsome, and their play speed was terribly slow. Even if they dropped, Hayato wasn't likely to use them.
But Hayato didn't just gain from the Duel settlement and card drops; the Duel against Amon Garlem unlocked two Achievements for him—
[Achievement: Survive Until Completion]
[Conditions: Use cards or effects that require paying Life Points as a cost 10 times in one Duel (Completed)]
[Reward: 1000DP points, R-Rank Exchange Ticket]
[Achievement: Satisfied Reaper]
[Conditions: While your Life Points are lower than the opponent's, cumulatively inflict 2000 or more points of Effect Damage and reduce the opponent's Life Points to 0 using only Effect Damage]
[Reward: 1000DP points, **Infernity Death Gunman**]
Now, this was a pleasant surprise.
Hayato claimed the rewards for both Achievements. He had obtained an R-Rank Exchange Ticket once before, which he had used to exchange for **Ojama Trio**, and after that, he had awakened the Card Spirits of **Ojama Yellow** and the others. Although he hadn't used the exchange ticket yet, he had more or less decided what card he wanted to exchange for.
However, the **Infernity Death Gunman** was Hayato's biggest surprise. Before this, Hayato had always thought that the System could only provide OCG version cards. But **Infernity Death Gunman** was a card that hadn't been OCG-ized yet and only existed in the Anime, TF, and Duel Links.
Unexpectedly, by winning this time using only Effect Damage, Hayato had unexpectedly met the achievement unlock conditions.
As for the origin of the unlock conditions for the Achievement: Satisfied Reaper, Hayato guessed at a glance that it came from the Duel in "Satisfaction Town" by Kyosuke Kiryu, who made a second appearance after the 5D's Signer arc in the distant future.
Although, Kiryu didn't inflict damage at that time.
Obtaining **Infernity Death Gunman** not only meant that Hayato could actually obtain cards from other versions besides OCG from the System (he just hadn't found the method yet), but it also meant that the **Infernity** series deck was unlocked for Hayato. As long as he had enough DP points, he could pull them.
However, the biggest problem currently troubling Hayato was that he didn't have enough DP points.
In Hayato's plan, if he got DP points next, he would first use **Odd-Eyes** to pull some Dragon-Type monsters to satisfy his Dragon Obsession (Slang). Then he planned to first use **XYZ** Summon to pull the invincible **ABC**. After that, his **Gaia** deck, and at the same time, there were multiple deck series like **Cyber Dragon**, **Dragon Rulers**, and **Noble Knight** waiting for Hayato to complete them.
To complete these decks was very simple. Hayato didn't need to complete high-difficulty challenges like the Twelve Trials. He merely needed to find people to duel to grind for DP points, and then keep pulling cards.
But the biggest problem was precisely here—Hayato had an extremely clear understanding of his luck. He wasn't an unlucky person or a lucky king; he could only be considered an Asian. There were occasions when his luck was overflowing and he could get what he wanted in one pull, and times when his luck was terrible and he would spend everything, only pulling one usable card. This kind of situation repeatedly occurred.
Of course, having a clear understanding was one thing, and getting carried away with pulling cards was another.
After all, who hasn't fantasized that they can get what they wanted in the next pull?
"Sigh, I really hope someone comes who can provide an exciting duel but is also a very weak guy, so I can farm DP points."
Muttering to himself, Hayato heard the broadcast announce: "No.114518, Alister, please go to Challenge Arena 44."
"114518? The number is so unexpectedly close to mine?" Hayato was somewhat surprised to be matched with a player whose participant number was so close. While adjusting his deck through the System, he waited for the player named "Alister" to arrive.
However, "Alister", Hayato really couldn't think of any duelist he had an impression of with that name. He did remember that the "Spider-Slayer" from the Marvel Universe was called Alister, but he wasn't a pajama baby.
Just as Hayato was lost in thought, he heard a person calling his name: "How calm and relaxed you are. Is this the composure of the King of Games, Kobayashi Hayato?"
Under Hayato's surprised gaze, a familiar red-haired person calmly stepped onto the duel platform step by step, his eyes constantly looking directly at Hayato.
Because of the Millennium Rod, the surrounding crowd automatically filtered out the words "King of Games" and "Kobayashi Hayato" that they heard, and didn't notice anything.
Hayato thought for a moment, as if remembering something: "Aren't you that one, who is with Rafael and that guy called Valon?"
The red-haired person crossed his arms over his chest: "Hmph, it's truly an honor to be remembered by the King of Games. But unfortunately, I won't hold back because of this, because I—"
"That Yamiedie?"
"It's Alister!"
Seeing that the red-haired person—Alister was a bit agitated, Hayato waved his hand casually: "It's all the same, all the same. 'Yamiedie' and 'Alister' sound similar."
"They're very different!" Alister said angrily, then suddenly seemed to realize something and forced himself to calm down. After taking a few deep breaths, he said unhappily, "Hmph, unexpectedly so skilled at psychological tactics. You've got some skills, King of Games."
"But if you want to affect me, you're still far off. This level of provocation can only make my flames swell even more."
While speaking, Alister glared fiercely at Hayato, shuffled his deck a few times towards the referee, and then directly inserted it into his Duel Disk's Deck Zone. He seemed to be planning to no longer converse with Hayato.
"He really is a hot-tempered guy," Hayato shrugged, also inserting his deck into his Duel Disk. "Moreover, you seem to have a lot of dissatisfaction with me?"
Alister glanced at Hayato, just smiling coldly.
"I won't answer the question of a loser who is about to lose to me."
"But I can give you a hint. Blame it on the fact that you are a stumbling block in my path of revenge."
He seemed to have been triggered by some not-so-pleasant memories. Alister turned his head and glanced at something in the distance, revealing a gnashing-teeth expression of hatred.
Hayato followed Alister's gaze and only saw a billboard painted with the abbreviation "KC" of KaibaCorp erected beside the qualifiers venue.
"Revenge against KaibaCorp? Or rather, revenge against that guy Seto?" Turning back, Hayato looked at Alister, whose hatred in his eyes was almost turning into flames, and rarely seriously asked a question.
Although Hayato himself knew Alister's goal, knew the reason why he wanted to do that, and also knew the deeper reason for Alister holding hatred towards KaibaCorp, he didn't think telling Alister the truth could make him change his mind. It was hard to say if he would even believe him.
Moreover, for Hayato, compared to telling the truth to people he wasn't very familiar with, he was more concerned about whether the people he cared about would be harmed.
And Alister gave his answer without hesitation: "KaibaCorp, Seto Kaiba, is there a difference between these two? For me, who is a revenger, concealing the truth of Revenge is just an insult to the hatred I bear. Therefore, I will not conceal my goal."
"I will completely destroy KaibaCorp, Seto Kaiba, all of them, not a single one left! Utterly destroy them!"
As Alister finished speaking, the crushed green stone on the pendant he wore around his neck bloomed with a strange green light. A spherical field precisely enveloped Hayato and Alister, as well as the duel platform under their feet, in an instant.
From a perspective others couldn't perceive, starting from the center point of the spherical barrier, a green magic circle began to spread, seemingly about to encompass both Hayato and Alister.
Hayato of course recognized this thing. This thing was clearly the **Seal of Orichalcos**, that thing that came with the ability of "Soul Sealing of Duel Losers" and the curse of "Whoever Uses It Loses"!
Hayato didn't want to be dragged into dueling within this troublesome barrier. With a thought, he opened the System and was about to activate a Dark Game to contend against the power of **Orichalcos**. But before he could activate it, a change suddenly occurred on the field.
A sound of a card tearing suddenly came from Hayato's waist. At the same time, the **Seal of Orichalcos** expanding on the field suddenly stopped expanding as if a pause button had been pressed. And at the same time, surprisingly, as if time reversal had occurred, it began to contract, disappearing in just the blink of an eye.
At this moment, not only Hayato, but even Alister was dumbfounded.
"The barrier... disappeared!? How is this possible!" Alister frowned deeply. He glanced at Hayato, who also didn't know what happened, and after thinking for a moment, he asked Hayato, "You guy, how did you just do that?"
In Alister's understanding, after the **Seal of Orichalcos** is activated, the only way to break it is by using the **Orichalcos Fragment** he possesses, and it's not something that can be done casually. Breaking the barrier also consumes the energy within the **Orichalcos Fragment** and cannot be used frequently.
Hayato thought to himself, *You ask me, who should I ask? I also want to know what just happened.* Of course, he didn't say that out loud: "Who knows? I won't answer the question of a loser who is about to lose to me."
"However, maybe it's because that thing you just activated was afraid of me, that's why it disappeared."
Hayato was clearly spouting nonsense, which made Alister feel very annoyed: "Hmph, nonsense-spouting guy. Consider yourself lucky, you saved your life again. However, since I can't lay a hand on you, then I'll use Duel Monsters to teach you a lesson."
Saying this, he flicked his wrist, his Duel Disk underwent automatic deployment, and without waiting for Hayato, he was the first to draw five cards.
"Aren't you speaking too soon?" Hayato also deployed his Duel Disk, looking at his hand of Meaning☆Less Cards, and revealed a kind smile. "Duel Monsters is a game that brings smiles to people. If you don't smile, then I'll help you smile."
"Duel!" X2
The effect of **Zero-Force Magic Crusher** activated, sending the only **Fusion** in Hayato's hand to the Graveyard and inflicting 500 points of Effect Damage to Amon Garlem.
Then, the effect of **Monster Eye**, which had been transformed into a Psychic-Type by **DNA Surgery**, activated. A Psychic Counter was added to **Brain Research Lab**, and the **Fusion** was returned to Hayato's hand.
Amon's Life Points were steadily reduced to 0 through this infinite combo.
[Amon: 500LP→0]
“Winner, No.114514!”
As Amon Garlem's Life Points reached 0, the referee promptly announced the result of the Duel: "Dan Kuroto" had won the Duel. At the same time, the name "Dan Kuroto" advanced two spots on the Ranking Board, while "Amon Garlem"'s name dropped five spots.
While Hayato was dueling, others were dueling as well, and the rankings on the Ranking Board rose and fell. As of now, the top spot on the Ranking Board was held by Kaiba. After all, Kaiba's "High-Level Opening Hand" included versions of **Fusion** and **De-Fusion**, leaving ordinary duelists with only the option of being crushed.
Besides Kaiba, Hayato also saw the names "Jounouchi Katsuya" and "Mutou Yuugi". Both of them had also pushed their points into the top twenty.
Amon Garlem seemed somewhat lost after the Duel ended. In his imagination, even if he lost the Duel, shouldn't it have been a defeat in a passionate clash between Monsters? Being defeated repeatedly by the **Fusion** felt like it was destroying Amon Garlem's inherent understanding of Duel Monsters.
How could there be winning methods in this world other than battle?!
Regarding Hayato's dueling method, which completely bypassed the Monsters on his field and the cards in his backrow, and defeated him by changing the nature of the battlefield, Amon could only say, "I don't understand, but I am greatly shocked." At the same time, he also became interested in this special way to win.
He vaguely recalled that when he was collecting **Cloudian** cards, he had unexpectedly pulled a card called **Left Arm of the Forbidden One**. That seemed to be a card belonging to the **Exodia** series, which also possessed a special victory condition. Should he try to collect **Exodia**?
Watching the thoughtful Amon leave the Duel Arena without a word, Hayato didn't pay him much mind. Instead, he continued to enjoy the cheers of "Lord God Dan Kuroto" from the surrounding crowd, and while waiting for the next opponent to step onto the duel platform that served as an arena, he opened the System.
The Duel victory against Amon only credited Hayato with 400 DP points. It wasn't a lot, but it was alright. Besides that, there were no card drops.
Hayato checked the drop list for "Amon Garlem (10 years old)". It exclusively listed **Cloudian** cards that could be dropped, from **Cloudian - Smoke Ball** all the way to **Cloudian - Eye of the Typhoon**. There were also **Cloudian** Monsters like **Altus**, **Ghost Fog**, and **Poison Cloud**, which Amon hadn't used in this Duel. Hayato didn't know if Amon hadn't drawn them or hadn't collected them.
However, Hayato didn't feel much regret, as the **Cloudian** series Monsters didn't really appeal to him much. They lacked strength and popularity, the Monsters weren't cool or handsome, and their play speed was terribly slow. Even if they dropped, Hayato wasn't likely to use them.
But Hayato didn't just gain from the Duel settlement and card drops; the Duel against Amon Garlem unlocked two Achievements for him—
[Achievement: Survive Until Completion]
[Conditions: Use cards or effects that require paying Life Points as a cost 10 times in one Duel (Completed)]
[Reward: 1000DP points, R-Rank Exchange Ticket]
[Achievement: Satisfied Reaper]
[Conditions: While your Life Points are lower than the opponent's, cumulatively inflict 2000 or more points of Effect Damage and reduce the opponent's Life Points to 0 using only Effect Damage]
[Reward: 1000DP points, **Infernity Death Gunman**]
Now, this was a pleasant surprise.
Hayato claimed the rewards for both Achievements. He had obtained an R-Rank Exchange Ticket once before, which he had used to exchange for **Ojama Trio**, and after that, he had awakened the Card Spirits of **Ojama Yellow** and the others. Although he hadn't used the exchange ticket yet, he had more or less decided what card he wanted to exchange for.
However, the **Infernity Death Gunman** was Hayato's biggest surprise. Before this, Hayato had always thought that the System could only provide OCG version cards. But **Infernity Death Gunman** was a card that hadn't been OCG-ized yet and only existed in the Anime, TF, and Duel Links.
Unexpectedly, by winning this time using only Effect Damage, Hayato had unexpectedly met the achievement unlock conditions.
As for the origin of the unlock conditions for the Achievement: Satisfied Reaper, Hayato guessed at a glance that it came from the Duel in "Satisfaction Town" by Kyosuke Kiryu, who made a second appearance after the 5D's Signer arc in the distant future.
Although, Kiryu didn't inflict damage at that time.
Obtaining **Infernity Death Gunman** not only meant that Hayato could actually obtain cards from other versions besides OCG from the System (he just hadn't found the method yet), but it also meant that the **Infernity** series deck was unlocked for Hayato. As long as he had enough DP points, he could pull them.
However, the biggest problem currently troubling Hayato was that he didn't have enough DP points.
In Hayato's plan, if he got DP points next, he would first use **Odd-Eyes** to pull some Dragon-Type monsters to satisfy his Dragon Obsession (Slang). Then he planned to first use **XYZ** Summon to pull the invincible **ABC**. After that, his **Gaia** deck, and at the same time, there were multiple deck series like **Cyber Dragon**, **Dragon Rulers**, and **Noble Knight** waiting for Hayato to complete them.
To complete these decks was very simple. Hayato didn't need to complete high-difficulty challenges like the Twelve Trials. He merely needed to find people to duel to grind for DP points, and then keep pulling cards.
But the biggest problem was precisely here—Hayato had an extremely clear understanding of his luck. He wasn't an unlucky person or a lucky king; he could only be considered an Asian. There were occasions when his luck was overflowing and he could get what he wanted in one pull, and times when his luck was terrible and he would spend everything, only pulling one usable card. This kind of situation repeatedly occurred.
Of course, having a clear understanding was one thing, and getting carried away with pulling cards was another.
After all, who hasn't fantasized that they can get what they wanted in the next pull?
"Sigh, I really hope someone comes who can provide an exciting duel but is also a very weak guy, so I can farm DP points."
Muttering to himself, Hayato heard the broadcast announce: "No.114518, Alister, please go to Challenge Arena 44."
"114518? The number is so unexpectedly close to mine?" Hayato was somewhat surprised to be matched with a player whose participant number was so close. While adjusting his deck through the System, he waited for the player named "Alister" to arrive.
However, "Alister", Hayato really couldn't think of any duelist he had an impression of with that name. He did remember that the "Spider-Slayer" from the Marvel Universe was called Alister, but he wasn't a pajama baby.
Just as Hayato was lost in thought, he heard a person calling his name: "How calm and relaxed you are. Is this the composure of the King of Games, Kobayashi Hayato?"
Under Hayato's surprised gaze, a familiar red-haired person calmly stepped onto the duel platform step by step, his eyes constantly looking directly at Hayato.
Because of the Millennium Rod, the surrounding crowd automatically filtered out the words "King of Games" and "Kobayashi Hayato" that they heard, and didn't notice anything.
Hayato thought for a moment, as if remembering something: "Aren't you that one, who is with Rafael and that guy called Valon?"
The red-haired person crossed his arms over his chest: "Hmph, it's truly an honor to be remembered by the King of Games. But unfortunately, I won't hold back because of this, because I—"
"That Yamiedie?"
"It's Alister!"
Seeing that the red-haired person—Alister was a bit agitated, Hayato waved his hand casually: "It's all the same, all the same. 'Yamiedie' and 'Alister' sound similar."
"They're very different!" Alister said angrily, then suddenly seemed to realize something and forced himself to calm down. After taking a few deep breaths, he said unhappily, "Hmph, unexpectedly so skilled at psychological tactics. You've got some skills, King of Games."
"But if you want to affect me, you're still far off. This level of provocation can only make my flames swell even more."
While speaking, Alister glared fiercely at Hayato, shuffled his deck a few times towards the referee, and then directly inserted it into his Duel Disk's Deck Zone. He seemed to be planning to no longer converse with Hayato.
"He really is a hot-tempered guy," Hayato shrugged, also inserting his deck into his Duel Disk. "Moreover, you seem to have a lot of dissatisfaction with me?"
Alister glanced at Hayato, just smiling coldly.
"I won't answer the question of a loser who is about to lose to me."
"But I can give you a hint. Blame it on the fact that you are a stumbling block in my path of revenge."
He seemed to have been triggered by some not-so-pleasant memories. Alister turned his head and glanced at something in the distance, revealing a gnashing-teeth expression of hatred.
Hayato followed Alister's gaze and only saw a billboard painted with the abbreviation "KC" of KaibaCorp erected beside the qualifiers venue.
"Revenge against KaibaCorp? Or rather, revenge against that guy Seto?" Turning back, Hayato looked at Alister, whose hatred in his eyes was almost turning into flames, and rarely seriously asked a question.
Although Hayato himself knew Alister's goal, knew the reason why he wanted to do that, and also knew the deeper reason for Alister holding hatred towards KaibaCorp, he didn't think telling Alister the truth could make him change his mind. It was hard to say if he would even believe him.
Moreover, for Hayato, compared to telling the truth to people he wasn't very familiar with, he was more concerned about whether the people he cared about would be harmed.
And Alister gave his answer without hesitation: "KaibaCorp, Seto Kaiba, is there a difference between these two? For me, who is a revenger, concealing the truth of Revenge is just an insult to the hatred I bear. Therefore, I will not conceal my goal."
"I will completely destroy KaibaCorp, Seto Kaiba, all of them, not a single one left! Utterly destroy them!"
As Alister finished speaking, the crushed green stone on the pendant he wore around his neck bloomed with a strange green light. A spherical field precisely enveloped Hayato and Alister, as well as the duel platform under their feet, in an instant.
From a perspective others couldn't perceive, starting from the center point of the spherical barrier, a green magic circle began to spread, seemingly about to encompass both Hayato and Alister.
Hayato of course recognized this thing. This thing was clearly the **Seal of Orichalcos**, that thing that came with the ability of "Soul Sealing of Duel Losers" and the curse of "Whoever Uses It Loses"!
Hayato didn't want to be dragged into dueling within this troublesome barrier. With a thought, he opened the System and was about to activate a Dark Game to contend against the power of **Orichalcos**. But before he could activate it, a change suddenly occurred on the field.
A sound of a card tearing suddenly came from Hayato's waist. At the same time, the **Seal of Orichalcos** expanding on the field suddenly stopped expanding as if a pause button had been pressed. And at the same time, surprisingly, as if time reversal had occurred, it began to contract, disappearing in just the blink of an eye.
At this moment, not only Hayato, but even Alister was dumbfounded.
"The barrier... disappeared!? How is this possible!" Alister frowned deeply. He glanced at Hayato, who also didn't know what happened, and after thinking for a moment, he asked Hayato, "You guy, how did you just do that?"
In Alister's understanding, after the **Seal of Orichalcos** is activated, the only way to break it is by using the **Orichalcos Fragment** he possesses, and it's not something that can be done casually. Breaking the barrier also consumes the energy within the **Orichalcos Fragment** and cannot be used frequently.
Hayato thought to himself, *You ask me, who should I ask? I also want to know what just happened.* Of course, he didn't say that out loud: "Who knows? I won't answer the question of a loser who is about to lose to me."
"However, maybe it's because that thing you just activated was afraid of me, that's why it disappeared."
Hayato was clearly spouting nonsense, which made Alister feel very annoyed: "Hmph, nonsense-spouting guy. Consider yourself lucky, you saved your life again. However, since I can't lay a hand on you, then I'll use Duel Monsters to teach you a lesson."
Saying this, he flicked his wrist, his Duel Disk underwent automatic deployment, and without waiting for Hayato, he was the first to draw five cards.
"Aren't you speaking too soon?" Hayato also deployed his Duel Disk, looking at his hand of Meaning☆Less Cards, and revealed a kind smile. "Duel Monsters is a game that brings smiles to people. If you don't smile, then I'll help you smile."
"Duel!" X2
