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Chapter 479: If Your Card Slips During an Electric Shock, Your Dueling Career is Over. Just Cover It Up With a Louder Voice.
What does 8000 ATK mean?
In the OCG meta of Hayato's previous life, the rules used 8000 LP, and 8000 ATK meant that a single attack from one monster was enough to achieve victory in the case of a direct attack.
Under the DM rules of 4000 LP, 8000 ATK meant that when many duelists painstakingly summoned their ace card onto their Field and proudly anticipated seeing their opponent having no way against their high attack power ace card,
8000 ATK could not only instantly defeat most ace monsters, but if that ace card's ATK didn't exceed 4000, it could even take out the opponent duelist as well.
And the risk Samejima paid was merely that if he couldn't instantly defeat the opponent by the end phase, he would take effect damage equal to {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s original attack of 2000 points.
On Hayato's side, although summoning **Cyber End Dragon** with 4000 ATK on the first turn was quite impressive, he was still within {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s lethal range of 8000 ATK.
"Armored Cyberdark Dragon, attack **Cyber End Dragon**,"
Samejima swung his hand forward.
"Ultimate Dark Burst!"
The **Cyberdark Cannon** on {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s back lit up with an orange-red light of destruction. If this strike hit **Cyber End Dragon**, Hayato's Life Points would be cleared!
Because of this, Hayato didn't hesitate to flip up his Set Card in the Spell/Trap Zone: "Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, **Mystical Wok**! This card allows me to tribute one of my monsters, then I recover Life Points equal to that monster's ATK or DEF value."
"Rather than letting you destroy **Cyber End Dragon** like this, I'd rather stir-fry it and eat it."
A large pot appeared below **Cyber End Dragon** as Hayato activated the Set Card, sending it to the Graveyard. This caused {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* to lose its attack target, and Hayato's Life Points recovered accordingly.
[Hayato: 4000 → 8000 LP]
"You chose to send **Cyber End Dragon** to the Graveyard? In that case, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, which triggered battle replay, can select an attack target once more." Samejima said, his gaze falling upon the other monster on Hayato's Field.
Hayato's lips curled into a smile: "That's true, but the other monster on my Field is **Cyber Dragon Core** in Defense Position. {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* doesn't have **Cyber End Dragon's** piercing damage effect, so no matter how high its attack power is, it can't inflict damage to me by attacking **Cyber Dragon Core**."
"Is that so? But what if I add this card?"
Saying this, Samejima played a card from his Hand. "Although Normal Spell Cards cannot be activated during the Battle Phase, I can activate this Quick-Play Spell Card, **Enemy Controller**, from my Hand!"
"Here I activate its first effect. I change the battle position of your **Cyber Dragon Core** on the Field from Defense Position to Attack Position."
[**Cyber Dragon Core**] [DEF 1500 → ATK 400]
Watching the joystick and buttons on a game controller appear on his Field and perform an operation, causing Hayato's **Cyber Dragon Core** to change battle position to Attack Position, Samejima waved his hand and ordered: "Attack again, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, Ultimate Dark Burst!"
The orange-red radiance manifested again, and this time the attack target changed to the weaker **Cyber Dragon Core** instead of **Cyber End Dragon**. However, because of the **Mystical Wok** used earlier, Hayato's Life Points increased from 4000 to 8000. Even if he took this hit, he would still have 400 Life Points remaining.
However, if possible, Hayato naturally didn't want his Life Points to drop that low. After all, compared to a narrow victory by locking LP, he preferred a full-health victory.
"He actually had that move! **Mystical Wok** just now didn't manage to bait out the negate, and I was thinking of saving this card for later." Hayato pressed the Activate Set Card Button on his Duel Disk. "But that's right, there's no point in not using a card when you should."
"Activate the card set earlier by **Cyber Dragon Core's** effect search, the Continuous Trap Card **Cybernetic Hidden Technology**! Once per turn, when an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can send one **Cyber Dragon** or a Fusion Monster that lists **Cyber Dragon** as fusion material from my Field to the Graveyard to activate this card, destroying that attacking monster!"
"And while on the Field or in the Graveyard, **Cyber Dragon Core** can be treated as **Cyber Dragon**!"
Saying this, Hayato snapped his finger and swung his palm forward: "Sacrifice for the great cause, **Cyber Dragon Core**, destroy {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*!"
**Cyber Dragon Core** transformed into a streak of light, crashing into Samejima's {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* on the Field like a self-destructing meteor just before {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s attack arrived. It detonated itself at the instant of impact, vowing mutual destruction.
But Hayato didn't hold out hope that this card would successfully activate. Although he hadn't played much with **Cyberdark** Decks before, Hayato was somewhat aware of {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect as a boss monster.
And sure enough, in response to the **Cybernetic Hidden Technology** Hayato flipped up, Samejima activated {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s second effect.
"When the opponent activates a Spell/Trap/Monster Effect, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect chain activation!" Samejima ordered. "Send the **Cyber End Dragon** treated as an Equip Card on my Field to the Graveyard to negate and destroy that activation!"
"Dark Contraction!"
The **Cyber End Dragon** grabbed by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* was released, discarded as the target of **Cyber Dragon Core's** self-destruct. The explosion engulfed and crushed **Cyber End Dragon**, but from the smoke, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, having lost its equip card, flew out unharmed.
[{铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*] [ATK 8000 → 4000]
The explosion engulfed not only **Cyber End Dragon** and **Cyber Dragon Core**, but also the **Cybernetic Hidden Technology** Hayato had just activated was destroyed. This left Hayato's Spell/Trap Zone with only one unknown set card and **Time Capsule**. His Front Row was empty, yet he had to face {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, whose attacks had been repeatedly thwarted but was now finally coming to attack.
As the boss monster of the **Shadow Cyber Style**, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* possesses an extremely useful omninegate. It can negate the activation of any Spell/Trap/Monster Effect, at the stakes of sending an equip card from the Field to the Graveyard.
Hayato had previously wanted to use **Mystical Wok** to bait out this negate, but Samejima endured and didn't activate it, preferring to watch Hayato's Life Points soar to 8000. He only used this effect when {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* was about to be destroyed.
However, **Cybernetic Hidden Technology** and **Cyber Dragon Core** weren't entirely useless. At the very least, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* lost its sole equip card. While losing its card countering ability, its ATK also returned to its initial 4000.
The orange-red beam passed through Hayato's body. Hayato truly experienced what dueling against the **Shadow Cyber Style** felt like. It was as if his body was instantly pierced by a high-voltage electric current. The momentary pain and numbness lingered on his body, interwoven and refusing to dissipate. His Life Points decreased as a result.
[Hayato: 8000 → 4000 LP]
It felt like a specialized version of **Dark Game's** electric shock penalty, except it caused less damage to the soul and more physical injury to the body.
"Ugh—"
However, this muffled sound wasn't made by Hayato, but by Samejima, who had commanded {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* to attack Hayato.
Only to see his hand tremble slightly. Seems like he almost couldn't endure the pain brought by dueling with the **Shadow Cyber Style**.
Gasping for air, Samejima glanced at his Hand and set his last card in the Spell/Trap Zone: "I set the last card in my Hand, end turn."
"Then, because {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* exists on my Field, due to **Power Bond's** effect, I take effect damage equal to its original attack—2000 points."
As soon as he finished speaking, Samejima's Duel Disk suddenly released a large amount of lightning, spreading from Samejima's arm throughout his entire body. Even though Samejima had previously endured the burden that using the **Shadow Cyber Style** placed on his body, under this powerful electric shock, he couldn't bear it any longer and cried out in pain:
"Hngh... Aaaaargh!!"
"Samejima-san!" Seeing this, Hayato also recovered from the pain caused by the attack and called out to Samejima, "Are you alright!"
"I... I can still endure it." Propping himself up on his knees with both hands to barely stand, Samejima answered Hayato breathlessly.
He could feel the electric current still coursing through his body, paralyzing his muscles. Straightening his body, Samejima raised a hand to wipe away the sweat dripping from his forehead, his gaze meeting Hayato's.
The power of the **Shadow Cyber Style** is a forbidden existence. Maintaining a **Shadow Cyber Style** duel consumes the duelist's pure will. Even calling its stakes 'life-consuming' is too light a term; not everyone can persist through repeated electric shocks and continue dueling while remaining conscious.
Although Samejima didn't say anything more, from his gaze, Hayato understood his idea.
"I understand, Samejima-san." Placing his finger on the Duel Disk, Hayato said firmly, "I won't let you down with this expectation and hope."
[Samejima: 2000 LP, Hand 0]
[{铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*] [ATK 4000]
[Set Card] [**Cyberdark World**]
"My turn, draw!"
"At this instant, I activate the set card in my Spell/Trap Zone." As Hayato drew a card, Samejima activated the card in his Spell/Trap Zone. "Continuous Trap Card, **Cyberdark Invasion**."
Both players in this duel are not enemies or in conflict. Neither Hayato nor Samejima intended to harm the opponent in their hearts. But to fulfill the **Cyber Style's** long-held wish passed down through generations, neither of them could hold back against the opponent at this moment.
Without fully immersing themselves and having their fierce duelist spirits collide, it wouldn't be enough to generate sparks that could shake the starlight.
"**Cyberdark Invasion's** effect is: Once per turn, target one **Cyberdark** Effect Monster on my Field, and equip it with a Dragon Type or Machine Type Monster from either player's Graveyard as an Equip Card, increasing its ATK by 1000."
Samejima pointed his hand in Hayato's direction. "The one I will select is your **Cyber End Dragon** from your Graveyard, Hayato."
The **Cyber Style's** ultimate technique—the figure of **Cyber End Dragon** appeared on the Field once more due to the card effect. But despite being a powerful monster with a high attack power of 4000, **Cyber End Dragon's** three appearances never managed to make a lasting impact, being grabbed by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* as an equip card again.
However, because **Cyber End Dragon** was equipped by **Cyberdark Invasion's** effect and not {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s own effect, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s ATK only increased by 1000 points, rather than gaining **Cyber End Dragon's** ATK. But, because it gained an equip card again, it could once more activate its powerful ability to negate any effect activation.
[{铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*] (**Cyber End Dragon**) [ATK 4000 → 5000]
"Although **Cyber End Dragon** also exists in my Graveyard, if you, Hayato, drew a card like **Monster Reborn**, there's still the possibility of destroying {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*. So, as a safety measure, I equipped the **Cyber End Dragon** from your Graveyard."
Listening to Samejima, Hayato looked at the card he had drawn, showing a helpless expression: "He actually took control of my monster! How annoyed. Usually, I'm the only one who gets to steal other people's monsters."
"In that case, I activate the Spell Card **Change of Heart** from my Hand! This card allows me to gain control of your {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* on the Field until the end of the turn."
"Then I chain activate {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect! I send **Cyber End Dragon**, treated as an equip card, to the Graveyard to negate **Change of Heart's** activation!"
As expected, the **Change of Heart** Hayato activated was negated by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*. The priest, half-angel, half-fiend, was annihilated by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect the moment it manifested, forcibly terminating Hayato's monster stealing attempt.
"**Change of Heart**, huh? If you didn't draw **Monster Reborn**, you can't defeat {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*." Samejima said seriously. "And as long as **Cyberdark Invasion** exists, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, which can activate its effect almost infinite times, is invincible. The key cards you activate cannot take effect before it."
Hearing this, Hayato chuckled: "You can't just throw around the 'invincible' buff, Samejima-san. And when did you get the misconception that '**Change of Heart** is my key card this turn'?"
"The card I'm going to activate is this one, the Spell Card **Magical Stone Excavation**! By sending two cards from my hand to the Graveyard, I can return one Spell Card from the Graveyard to my Hand!"
After activating **Change of Heart** and having it negated, Hayato's Hand size was three cards. **Magical Stone Excavation** requires discarding two cards from the Hand, meaning after activating this card, Hayato's Hand will only have the card that was recycled.
Although Hayato didn't declare which card he would recycle, Samejima had already guessed what that card was.
After all, Hayato never accepts a loss. Recycling one card by sending two from his hand to the Graveyard means that card is more precious than the 'three'.
Adding a green Spell Card from the Graveyard to his Hand, Hayato inserted it directly into the Spell & Trap Zone:
"The rule of victory is already decided. In this turn, I'll show you how I defeat {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*."
"Activate the Spell Card for the second time, **Graceful Charity**!"
Today, let me teach everyone a new tongue twister:
West Eight bought a mysterious Chinese pot, and packed up all the watermelons in the restaurant.
Next to West Eight came a baka, wanting the watermelons West Eight packed up.
West Eight wouldn't give the baka the watermelons West Eight packed up, but the baka insisted on the watermelons West Eight packed up.
Don't know if West Eight cursed the baka West Eight, or if the baka cursed West Eight baka.
West Eight went back to pack the pot, and the baka kept cursing West Eight was a baka.
(End of Chapter)
What does 8000 ATK mean?
In the OCG meta of Hayato's previous life, the rules used 8000 LP, and 8000 ATK meant that a single attack from one monster was enough to achieve victory in the case of a direct attack.
Under the DM rules of 4000 LP, 8000 ATK meant that when many duelists painstakingly summoned their ace card onto their Field and proudly anticipated seeing their opponent having no way against their high attack power ace card,
8000 ATK could not only instantly defeat most ace monsters, but if that ace card's ATK didn't exceed 4000, it could even take out the opponent duelist as well.
And the risk Samejima paid was merely that if he couldn't instantly defeat the opponent by the end phase, he would take effect damage equal to {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s original attack of 2000 points.
On Hayato's side, although summoning **Cyber End Dragon** with 4000 ATK on the first turn was quite impressive, he was still within {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s lethal range of 8000 ATK.
"Armored Cyberdark Dragon, attack **Cyber End Dragon**,"
Samejima swung his hand forward.
"Ultimate Dark Burst!"
The **Cyberdark Cannon** on {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s back lit up with an orange-red light of destruction. If this strike hit **Cyber End Dragon**, Hayato's Life Points would be cleared!
Because of this, Hayato didn't hesitate to flip up his Set Card in the Spell/Trap Zone: "Activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, **Mystical Wok**! This card allows me to tribute one of my monsters, then I recover Life Points equal to that monster's ATK or DEF value."
"Rather than letting you destroy **Cyber End Dragon** like this, I'd rather stir-fry it and eat it."
A large pot appeared below **Cyber End Dragon** as Hayato activated the Set Card, sending it to the Graveyard. This caused {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* to lose its attack target, and Hayato's Life Points recovered accordingly.
[Hayato: 4000 → 8000 LP]
"You chose to send **Cyber End Dragon** to the Graveyard? In that case, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, which triggered battle replay, can select an attack target once more." Samejima said, his gaze falling upon the other monster on Hayato's Field.
Hayato's lips curled into a smile: "That's true, but the other monster on my Field is **Cyber Dragon Core** in Defense Position. {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* doesn't have **Cyber End Dragon's** piercing damage effect, so no matter how high its attack power is, it can't inflict damage to me by attacking **Cyber Dragon Core**."
"Is that so? But what if I add this card?"
Saying this, Samejima played a card from his Hand. "Although Normal Spell Cards cannot be activated during the Battle Phase, I can activate this Quick-Play Spell Card, **Enemy Controller**, from my Hand!"
"Here I activate its first effect. I change the battle position of your **Cyber Dragon Core** on the Field from Defense Position to Attack Position."
[**Cyber Dragon Core**] [DEF 1500 → ATK 400]
Watching the joystick and buttons on a game controller appear on his Field and perform an operation, causing Hayato's **Cyber Dragon Core** to change battle position to Attack Position, Samejima waved his hand and ordered: "Attack again, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, Ultimate Dark Burst!"
The orange-red radiance manifested again, and this time the attack target changed to the weaker **Cyber Dragon Core** instead of **Cyber End Dragon**. However, because of the **Mystical Wok** used earlier, Hayato's Life Points increased from 4000 to 8000. Even if he took this hit, he would still have 400 Life Points remaining.
However, if possible, Hayato naturally didn't want his Life Points to drop that low. After all, compared to a narrow victory by locking LP, he preferred a full-health victory.
"He actually had that move! **Mystical Wok** just now didn't manage to bait out the negate, and I was thinking of saving this card for later." Hayato pressed the Activate Set Card Button on his Duel Disk. "But that's right, there's no point in not using a card when you should."
"Activate the card set earlier by **Cyber Dragon Core's** effect search, the Continuous Trap Card **Cybernetic Hidden Technology**! Once per turn, when an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can send one **Cyber Dragon** or a Fusion Monster that lists **Cyber Dragon** as fusion material from my Field to the Graveyard to activate this card, destroying that attacking monster!"
"And while on the Field or in the Graveyard, **Cyber Dragon Core** can be treated as **Cyber Dragon**!"
Saying this, Hayato snapped his finger and swung his palm forward: "Sacrifice for the great cause, **Cyber Dragon Core**, destroy {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*!"
**Cyber Dragon Core** transformed into a streak of light, crashing into Samejima's {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* on the Field like a self-destructing meteor just before {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s attack arrived. It detonated itself at the instant of impact, vowing mutual destruction.
But Hayato didn't hold out hope that this card would successfully activate. Although he hadn't played much with **Cyberdark** Decks before, Hayato was somewhat aware of {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect as a boss monster.
And sure enough, in response to the **Cybernetic Hidden Technology** Hayato flipped up, Samejima activated {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s second effect.
"When the opponent activates a Spell/Trap/Monster Effect, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect chain activation!" Samejima ordered. "Send the **Cyber End Dragon** treated as an Equip Card on my Field to the Graveyard to negate and destroy that activation!"
"Dark Contraction!"
The **Cyber End Dragon** grabbed by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* was released, discarded as the target of **Cyber Dragon Core's** self-destruct. The explosion engulfed and crushed **Cyber End Dragon**, but from the smoke, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, having lost its equip card, flew out unharmed.
[{铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*] [ATK 8000 → 4000]
The explosion engulfed not only **Cyber End Dragon** and **Cyber Dragon Core**, but also the **Cybernetic Hidden Technology** Hayato had just activated was destroyed. This left Hayato's Spell/Trap Zone with only one unknown set card and **Time Capsule**. His Front Row was empty, yet he had to face {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, whose attacks had been repeatedly thwarted but was now finally coming to attack.
As the boss monster of the **Shadow Cyber Style**, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* possesses an extremely useful omninegate. It can negate the activation of any Spell/Trap/Monster Effect, at the stakes of sending an equip card from the Field to the Graveyard.
Hayato had previously wanted to use **Mystical Wok** to bait out this negate, but Samejima endured and didn't activate it, preferring to watch Hayato's Life Points soar to 8000. He only used this effect when {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* was about to be destroyed.
However, **Cybernetic Hidden Technology** and **Cyber Dragon Core** weren't entirely useless. At the very least, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* lost its sole equip card. While losing its card countering ability, its ATK also returned to its initial 4000.
The orange-red beam passed through Hayato's body. Hayato truly experienced what dueling against the **Shadow Cyber Style** felt like. It was as if his body was instantly pierced by a high-voltage electric current. The momentary pain and numbness lingered on his body, interwoven and refusing to dissipate. His Life Points decreased as a result.
[Hayato: 8000 → 4000 LP]
It felt like a specialized version of **Dark Game's** electric shock penalty, except it caused less damage to the soul and more physical injury to the body.
"Ugh—"
However, this muffled sound wasn't made by Hayato, but by Samejima, who had commanded {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* to attack Hayato.
Only to see his hand tremble slightly. Seems like he almost couldn't endure the pain brought by dueling with the **Shadow Cyber Style**.
Gasping for air, Samejima glanced at his Hand and set his last card in the Spell/Trap Zone: "I set the last card in my Hand, end turn."
"Then, because {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* exists on my Field, due to **Power Bond's** effect, I take effect damage equal to its original attack—2000 points."
As soon as he finished speaking, Samejima's Duel Disk suddenly released a large amount of lightning, spreading from Samejima's arm throughout his entire body. Even though Samejima had previously endured the burden that using the **Shadow Cyber Style** placed on his body, under this powerful electric shock, he couldn't bear it any longer and cried out in pain:
"Hngh... Aaaaargh!!"
"Samejima-san!" Seeing this, Hayato also recovered from the pain caused by the attack and called out to Samejima, "Are you alright!"
"I... I can still endure it." Propping himself up on his knees with both hands to barely stand, Samejima answered Hayato breathlessly.
He could feel the electric current still coursing through his body, paralyzing his muscles. Straightening his body, Samejima raised a hand to wipe away the sweat dripping from his forehead, his gaze meeting Hayato's.
The power of the **Shadow Cyber Style** is a forbidden existence. Maintaining a **Shadow Cyber Style** duel consumes the duelist's pure will. Even calling its stakes 'life-consuming' is too light a term; not everyone can persist through repeated electric shocks and continue dueling while remaining conscious.
Although Samejima didn't say anything more, from his gaze, Hayato understood his idea.
"I understand, Samejima-san." Placing his finger on the Duel Disk, Hayato said firmly, "I won't let you down with this expectation and hope."
[Samejima: 2000 LP, Hand 0]
[{铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*] [ATK 4000]
[Set Card] [**Cyberdark World**]
"My turn, draw!"
"At this instant, I activate the set card in my Spell/Trap Zone." As Hayato drew a card, Samejima activated the card in his Spell/Trap Zone. "Continuous Trap Card, **Cyberdark Invasion**."
Both players in this duel are not enemies or in conflict. Neither Hayato nor Samejima intended to harm the opponent in their hearts. But to fulfill the **Cyber Style's** long-held wish passed down through generations, neither of them could hold back against the opponent at this moment.
Without fully immersing themselves and having their fierce duelist spirits collide, it wouldn't be enough to generate sparks that could shake the starlight.
"**Cyberdark Invasion's** effect is: Once per turn, target one **Cyberdark** Effect Monster on my Field, and equip it with a Dragon Type or Machine Type Monster from either player's Graveyard as an Equip Card, increasing its ATK by 1000."
Samejima pointed his hand in Hayato's direction. "The one I will select is your **Cyber End Dragon** from your Graveyard, Hayato."
The **Cyber Style's** ultimate technique—the figure of **Cyber End Dragon** appeared on the Field once more due to the card effect. But despite being a powerful monster with a high attack power of 4000, **Cyber End Dragon's** three appearances never managed to make a lasting impact, being grabbed by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* as an equip card again.
However, because **Cyber End Dragon** was equipped by **Cyberdark Invasion's** effect and not {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s own effect, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s ATK only increased by 1000 points, rather than gaining **Cyber End Dragon's** ATK. But, because it gained an equip card again, it could once more activate its powerful ability to negate any effect activation.
[{铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*] (**Cyber End Dragon**) [ATK 4000 → 5000]
"Although **Cyber End Dragon** also exists in my Graveyard, if you, Hayato, drew a card like **Monster Reborn**, there's still the possibility of destroying {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*. So, as a safety measure, I equipped the **Cyber End Dragon** from your Graveyard."
Listening to Samejima, Hayato looked at the card he had drawn, showing a helpless expression: "He actually took control of my monster! How annoyed. Usually, I'm the only one who gets to steal other people's monsters."
"In that case, I activate the Spell Card **Change of Heart** from my Hand! This card allows me to gain control of your {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon* on the Field until the end of the turn."
"Then I chain activate {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect! I send **Cyber End Dragon**, treated as an equip card, to the Graveyard to negate **Change of Heart's** activation!"
As expected, the **Change of Heart** Hayato activated was negated by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*. The priest, half-angel, half-fiend, was annihilated by {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*'s effect the moment it manifested, forcibly terminating Hayato's monster stealing attempt.
"**Change of Heart**, huh? If you didn't draw **Monster Reborn**, you can't defeat {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*." Samejima said seriously. "And as long as **Cyberdark Invasion** exists, {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*, which can activate its effect almost infinite times, is invincible. The key cards you activate cannot take effect before it."
Hearing this, Hayato chuckled: "You can't just throw around the 'invincible' buff, Samejima-san. And when did you get the misconception that '**Change of Heart** is my key card this turn'?"
"The card I'm going to activate is this one, the Spell Card **Magical Stone Excavation**! By sending two cards from my hand to the Graveyard, I can return one Spell Card from the Graveyard to my Hand!"
After activating **Change of Heart** and having it negated, Hayato's Hand size was three cards. **Magical Stone Excavation** requires discarding two cards from the Hand, meaning after activating this card, Hayato's Hand will only have the card that was recycled.
Although Hayato didn't declare which card he would recycle, Samejima had already guessed what that card was.
After all, Hayato never accepts a loss. Recycling one card by sending two from his hand to the Graveyard means that card is more precious than the 'three'.
Adding a green Spell Card from the Graveyard to his Hand, Hayato inserted it directly into the Spell & Trap Zone:
"The rule of victory is already decided. In this turn, I'll show you how I defeat {铠狱龙-电子暗冥龙} *Armored Cyberdark Dragon*."
"Activate the Spell Card for the second time, **Graceful Charity**!"
Today, let me teach everyone a new tongue twister:
West Eight bought a mysterious Chinese pot, and packed up all the watermelons in the restaurant.
Next to West Eight came a baka, wanting the watermelons West Eight packed up.
West Eight wouldn't give the baka the watermelons West Eight packed up, but the baka insisted on the watermelons West Eight packed up.
Don't know if West Eight cursed the baka West Eight, or if the baka cursed West Eight baka.
West Eight went back to pack the pot, and the baka kept cursing West Eight was a baka.
(End of Chapter)
