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"Boom!!"
Watching the Attack he personally unleashed detonate precisely on Hayato Kobayashi and their side of the Field, the powerful impact stirred up the accumulated dust on the ground, turning it into smoke and dust that enveloped the Field. As time passed, Paradox confirmed from the slightly dispersed smoke that Hayato Kobayashi and their Field was indeed empty.
It seemed that the Effect of **Malefic Truth Dragon** had indeed Destroyed **Dark Magician Girl** from the Field.
"Alright, it's finally over," Paradox looked down at the ground with a calm gaze, neither sad nor happy.
He wasn't an egoist who sought to Destroy Duel Monsters out of selfish desire. From beginning to end, what drove his actions was the great cause of saving the world.
Mutou Yuugi, Judai Yuki, Fudo Yusei, and Hayato Kobayashi, they were all Legendary Duelists who left behind glorious deeds in history. Paradox actually greatly admired their will to protect their world.
If not for the conflict of stances, Paradox would not have made a move against them. And even now, having killed Hayato Kobayashi and the others due to the conflict of stances, Paradox felt no joy from it.
This was a necessary sacrifice for the great cause of saving the world.
Whether it was the lives of Hayato Kobayashi and the others, or himself...
Paradox lowered his head, looking at his body that had become one with **Malefic Truth Dragon**.
Before his death, Paradox was a Psychic Duelist. Having been reconstructed with an artificial body, he inherited this power, and thus many things in his Duels transformed from mere phantoms into physical entities.
For example, the true damage dealt to Paradox's Opponent, or the "Tributing half of his body" that Paradox had just truly done.
The current Paradox, in order to Summon **Malefic Truth Dragon**, had truly lost half of his body.
"The Legendary Duelists have finally fallen into the Hands of my **Malefic Truth Dragon**, and at the same time, I have become inhuman," Paradox clenched his fist, feeling the power within his body.
"**Malefic** Monsters, the 'Shinri-go' that travels through time, and the power of **Malefic Truth Dragon**!"
"With this, it proves that my salvation for the world is on an absolutely correct Path of Truth!" Paradox looked towards the Clock not far away. The time was less than ten minutes away from Pegasus's originally scheduled arrival at 12:00 sharp.
"Z-one, Aporia, Antinomy, although the distance of Space-Time separates us, I who stand here can feel your will is with me," Paradox looked up at the air with a firm gaze, waiting for the Helicopter carrying Pegasus to appear. "I will save the future of this world in your stead!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out, entered Paradox's ears: "Yare yare daze."
"Nani?!" Paradox lowered his head again with a surprised expression, looking into the smoke and dust. "This voice is!"
"That was really in the nick of time. If it weren't for the Set Card Yugi played, we might have really lost," Hayato's figure gradually emerged from the smoke and dust, a confident smile on his face. "Don't think you can defeat us that easily, Paradox."
"In Chain to **Malefic Truth Dragon**'s Effect, I activated Yugi's Set Card, **Interdimensional Matter Transporter**, banishing **Dark Magician Girl** from my Field until the End Phase."
"If there's no monster that can be Destroyed, **Malefic Truth Dragon**'s Effect Damage naturally won't occur."
[Hayato Kobayashi: 300 LP]
"Tsk, your vitality is surprisingly tenacious." Paradox gritted his teeth, seeming very annoyed. "You've only managed to survive precariously for one more Turn. What else can you do?"
"On my Field, I have **Malefic Truth Dragon** with 5000 ATK, and my Life Points are over 1000% of yours. Your efforts are nothing more than the death struggle of fish caught on the shore, fruitlessly consuming their own oxygen!"
"I Set one card. My Turn ends here. And in the next Turn, your ruin ending still won't change!"
[Paradox: 5150 LP, Hand 0]
[**Malefic Truth Dragon**] [ATK 4200 → 5000]
[Malefic Territory] [Set Card]
[Malefic World]
"Then, at the End Phase of your Turn, **Dark Magician Girl**, who was banished by the Effect of **Interdimensional Matter Transporter**, is Special Summoned back to the Field."
As Hayato's words fell, **Dark Magician Girl** reappeared on the Field, patting her chest and looking shaken, seemingly quite frightened by the near-death experience she just had.
Although **Dark Magician Girl**'s actions were alluring and her figure was quite good, unfortunately, the five people present were all emotionless duelists, not interested in women and only focused on dueling.
[**Dark Magician Girl**] [ATK 2000 → 2300]
It was Hayato's Turn. He wasn't in a hurry to draw a card, but first glanced at the cards in his Hand.
Spell Card **Magical Stone Excavation**, Spell Card **Wonder Wand**, Spell Card **Converging Current**, and one inexplicable Spell Card. Including the **Rainbow Kuriboh** he used previously, Hayato could be said to have drawn a "Perfect Hand" at the start. If it were a 1v1 Solo Duel, this kind of Opening Hand would only suggest lying flat on the spot, because he wouldn't know how to set up his Field at all.
However, this Duel was a 4 vs 1 Tag Duel. An Opening Hand that was terrible in other situations was at this moment truly a "Perfect Hand" worthy of the name. And with just one more card capable of securing victory, Hayato was certain of victory.
"To decide the victory, my Hand is still missing a key card that can seal the deal. And whether I can draw that card is the key to this Duel."
"But a True Duelist can even decide their own draw! I will directly Destiny Draw!"
Hayato raised his right hand used for drawing a card above his head, spreading his five fingers, as if to grasp the entire world in his Hand.
"Open! The Future Circuit that illuminates my Path! This is my Creation of Heaven and Earth! My Future!"
"My Turn, Draw!"
The card on top of the Deck was drawn by Hayato. Accompanying it was a suffocating high heat that enveloped the surroundings before it even arrived, like the sun falling to the ground!
"Ya☆ta☆ze! With this, the Winning Equation is complete!" Hayato glanced at the Level 10 Boss Monster drawn into his Hand, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Then, I activate the Equip Spell Card, **Wonder Wand**! This card can only be equipped to a Spellcaster-Type Monster, increasing the equipped Monster's ATK by 500 points!"
"I grant this powerful Equip to you, **Dark Magician Girl**!"
"Hmm?"
**Dark Magician Girl**, looking confused, suddenly had her head hit. She found it was a Wand that fell from the sky. It looked even stronger than the one she originally used.
Paradox looked disdainfully at **Dark Magician Girl**, who, although she felt the Wand looked familiar, still foolishly switched to **Wonder Wand**. "Just increasing ATK by 500 points? You fantasize about defeating my **Malefic Truth Dragon** with just this much? That's far too little!"
[**Dark Magician Girl**] (**Wonder Wand**) [ATK 2300 → 2800]
Yusei Fudo and Judai also felt that Hayato's action of equipping **Wonder Wand** to **Dark Magician Girl** was a bit strange. As for Yugi, he immediately recalled what Hayato did during the Duelist Kingdom: "Hayato, you're not thinking of... again?"
"Since you've accepted the gift I sent, then as a return favor, offer up your existence, **Dark Magician Girl**!" Hayato had a solemn expression, but unfortunately, the corners of his mouth couldn't stop lifting. "By sending **Dark Magician Girl** equipped with **Wonder Wand** to the Graveyard, I draw two cards from my Deck!"
"Huh?"
The confused **Dark Magician Girl** only then belatedly remembered that the Wand in her Hand wasn't it the card Hayato equipped and sent to the Graveyard after taking her from Yugi's Hand during Duelist Kingdom?!
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
**Dark Magician Girl** was teleported away to who knows where by the power of **Wonder Wand**, while Hayato drawn two cards.
They were **Gaia the Fierce Knight** and **Spiritualism**.
Although he finally drawn a Monster Card, unfortunately, even if it was **Gaia the Fierce Knight**, it could only serve as one link in his upcoming Field Setup.
Hayato turned his head and glanced at Yusei Fudo behind him: "Yusei Fudo, lend me your power. That card in your Graveyard."
"That card?" Yusei Fudo recalled his Graveyard and nodded at Hayato. "Go ahead and use it, Hayato!"
"Okay, then, I activate the Effect of **Charging Warrior** in the Graveyard! By banishing itself, I add one Tuner Monster from the Graveyard to my Hand! I choose **Junk Synchron**!"
Light gathered in Hayato's Hand. The figure of **Charging Warrior**, which Yusei Fudo had discarded previously in order to increase **Junk Warrior**'s ATK, reappeared after a long time, bringing **Junk Synchron** to Hayato's Hand.
Catching the **Junk Synchron** card, Hayato didn't add it to his Hand, but instead, along with **Gaia the Fierce Knight**, sent them both to the Graveyard: "I activate the Spell Card **Magical Stone Excavation**! By sending two cards from my Hand to the Graveyard, I can then choose one Spell Card from the Graveyard to recycle and add to my Hand."
"The one I choose is the Spell Card **Theft**! Judai!"
"Oh, let's go, Mr. Hayato!" Judai took the card from the Graveyard Zone on his Duel Disk and threw it to Hayato. "Let the opponent see the power of the Duel King!"
Catching Judai's card, Hayato played it and activated it: "Then, I activate the Spell Card **Theft** I added to my Hand! This card's Effect is that I can temporarily steal one card from the opponent's Graveyard for my use. Paradox, you should know which card I'm going to choose, right?"
"Masaka, it's **Stardust Dragon**? Tsk, do you want to help Fudo Yusei get his Monster back?" Paradox snorted coldly. "That won't do! **Stardust Dragon** is an important power to complete my plan!"
"In Chain to **Theft**, I activate my Set Card **Call of the Haunted**! To Special Summon **Stardust Dragon** from my Graveyard in Defense Position! This way, even if you can steal a card from my Graveyard, there won't be many choices left. And at the same time, I gain a safety measure against being Destroyed by Effect."
[**Stardust Dragon**] [DEF 2000]
Although **Malefic Truth Dragon** seemed very powerful in all aspects, in the end, he is also a **Malefic** Monster, and the Lifeline of **Malefic** Monsters is always that card, **Malefic World**.
Although Paradox's **Malefic Territory** provided **Malefic World** with Resistance against being Targeted, the problem is that in Hayato Kobayashi's Information, there is **Harpie's Feather Duster**, a card that doesn't Target. If he had that card in his Hand, it would be troublesome.
Seeing **Stardust Dragon** appear on the opponent's Field, Yusei Fudo's expression was very unpleasant, but Judai patted his shoulder.
"Judai?"
"Don't worry, Yusei Fudo, Mr. Hayato is the strongest among us," Judai chuckled, turning his head to look at Hayato's Left Hand. There, Judai sensed an extremely familiar great power.
"That card..." Yubel emerged behind Judai. They also felt that card. "Seems like the victory or defeat has already been decided."
"After all, it's Mr. Hayato. And to save the world, Mr. Hayato probably used his full power. Mr. Hayato is indeed still that amazing. Then I should also put in more effort," Judai comforted his friend. "Let's continue to work hard and become stronger together, Yubel. You don't want to see the future where the world is Destroyed, right?"
"Me? Compared to things like the world's destruction, I care more about you, Judai. If the world isn't Destroyed but you disappear, I couldn't bear to live in a world without the person I deeply love," Yubel wore a cold expression, but what they said was full of deep love for Judai. "Furthermore, the world is something created together with the person you love."
"For me, the world is what I create together with Judai."
"Yubel..."
Seeing Judai being affectionate with his spirit, Yusei Fudo was confused.
Isn't this a duel where the future of the world is at stakes? Is it really okay for you two to be so lovey-dovey like this? Someone is still dueling up ahead.
However, seeing Yugi on the other side also looking at Hayato with full confidence, Yusei Fudo also relaxed a bit.
Judai and Yugi have both proven that they possess strength worthy of the name as Legendary Duelists, and since both of them have so much confidence in Hayato, Mr. Hayato will surely display his great strength as a Duelist, fully demonstrate his glory as the Duel King, and play a perfect duel.
On the Duel Field, after Special Summoning **Stardust Dragon** with **Call of the Haunted**, it was Hayato's Turn to choose one card from Paradox's Graveyard to take.
"How about it, Hayato Kobayashi, which card is your choice?" Paradox mocked. "Is it this **Malefic Cross**, or **Malefic Selector**? Pity, they are all cards exclusive to the **Malefic** Deck. There is a **Dimension Fusion** that's quite good though."
"But unfortunately, you absolutely cannot pay the 2000 Life Points required for **Dimension Fusion**, hahahaha!"
Unexpectedly, Hayato replied, "Since you, Paradox, recommended it so much, then I'll choose **Dimension Fusion**."
"It's not Paradox, it's Paradox!" Paradox corrected, annoyed, taking the card from his Duel Disk and throwing it towards Hayato. "A foolish choice! You spent so many resources just to take a card from me that you cannot use?"
"Cannot use?" Hayato showed a smile. "That's not necessarily true."
"My Life Points are only a flickering candle at 300 points, indeed, I cannot pay 2000 Life Points to activate **Dimension Fusion**," Hayato played the inexplicable card from his Hand. "But, if I add this card..."
"Continuous Spell Card, **Anti-Magic Strategy**! This card allows me to not have to pay Life Points to activate Spell Cards!"
"Then, activate **Dimension Fusion**! Special Summon as many banished Monsters for both players as possible!"
Hayato pointed his Hand towards the sky: "Advance, towards the distant beyond!"
"Gather once more, Warriors who save the world together! As long as my heart still holds ambition for the distance, the expedition will not end!"
"**Elemental HERO Neos**, **Elemental HERO Flash**, **Elemental HERO Bubbleman**, **Elemental HERO Neos Alius**!"
"And **Charging Warrior**!"
Five pillars of light slammed down vertically onto the ground. Within these sacred pillars of light, the Monsters that were banished in the previous battle all returned to the Field!
Seeing this, Paradox said coldly, "Hmph, so what? They are just more small fry. Don't forget, I can also enjoy the Effect of **Dimension Fusion**!"
"I also Special Summon my banished Monster! Come forth, **Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon**!"
Corresponding to the five pillars of light on Hayato's Field, a pillar of light also appeared on Paradox's Field. **Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon**, the one that was banished instead of being Destroyed previously, was Special Summoned in Defense Position. However, compared to the five imposing pillars of light on Hayato's Field, with only one banished Monster, Paradox's Field looked very lacking in aura.
[**Elemental HERO Neos**] [ATK 2500]
[**Elemental HERO Bubbleman**] [ATK 800]
[**Elemental HERO Flash**] [ATK 1100]
[**Elemental HERO Neos Alius**] [ATK 2500]
[**Charging Warrior**] [ATK 300]
[**Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon**] [DEF 2000]
Although Paradox always treated Hayato and the others with a disdainful attitude, he was very careful and cautious during the duel. Even when Special Summoning Monsters, he only put them in Defense Position to avoid being caught with a weakness and heavily attacked. Only the one with the highest ATK, **Malefic Truth Dragon**, was in Attack Position.
To defeat Paradox through battle, no matter how you look at it, it seems the only way is to attack **Malefic Truth Dragon** and then inflict 5150 or more Battle Damage. But to achieve this Damage, the required ATK for the Monster must be at least 10150 points, which is simply too difficult.
After Hayato played the **Dimension Fusion** and **Anti-Magic Strategy** combo, he still had the last three cards in his Hand. After Setting one of the cards in his Spell/Trap Zone, Hayato took out a single card from his Hand and said, "Paradox, you seemed to have said that your Deck gathered the most powerful cards from every era, right?"
"It's Paradox, not Para— no, never mind," Paradox had a conditioned reflex, and after pausing for a moment, continued to say, "That's right. To achieve the Goal of Destroying Duel Monsters, I collected many powerful Monsters from various eras."
"Is that so?" But I think there are at least a few cards you haven't collected. You must be quite envious of the cards you haven't collected, right?" Hayato smiled, flipping the card in his Hand, revealing its yellow border.
However, it wasn't the pale yellow border of a normal Duel Monster, but a dazzling golden yellow like the Radiance of the Sun!
"I have a kind heart and can't bear to see others suffer, so let me show you the Great Power at the Apex of Duel Monsters!" Hayato played the card in his Hand. "I will Tribute these three Monsters on my Field: **Elemental HERO Neos**, **Elemental HERO Neos Alius**, and **Elemental HERO Flash**!"
Hearing the number of Tributes Hayato mentioned, both Yusei Fudo and Paradox were stunned.
In the future, Synchro Summon was almost the most mainstream Summoning Method, followed by Fusion. Tribute Summon was not nonexistent, but it was mostly for supporting purposes and not the key to deciding the victory or defeat of a duel, and very few people's Ace Card would be a Tribute Summoned Monster.
Generally speaking, seeing a Tribute Summon that Tributes one Monster was already rare. Tributing two was even rarer. As for three, they had never even heard of it.
However, Paradox was from the even more distant future after all. Having carefully studied the past to change history, he suddenly remembered something—in the notes for Duel King Hayato Kobayashi, seems like there was a note about him being the "Ultimate Duelist who commands the Three Egyptian Gods" and being "Good at Tribute Monster Strategy"!
However, in the data files, it was completely impossible to keep the data for the Three Egyptian Gods, so much so that Paradox only remembered now that Hayato possessed the Three Egyptian Gods!
And it is said that the Three Egyptian Gods require three Monsters as Tributes to be Summoned!
"Oh, Almighty God, witness my great feat! Bow down! My Infinite Radiance, the Sun God will descend here!"
"**The Winged Dragon of Ra**!!"
**Malefic World**, covering the space, was suddenly torn open with a huge gap. A golden scorching sun burst in, descending onto the surface. Ominous black lightning constantly tried to repair the damaged area, but couldn't even get close, and was completely burned away by the sacred flames wrapped around the golden sphere.
**The Winged Dragon of Ra** in its Sphere Mode floated in the air. According to common sense, at this time, the Duelist needs to Chant the Ancient Egyptian Hieratic Text on **The Winged Dragon of Ra** card to gain the Qualification to Order **The Winged Dragon of Ra**. Those who cannot Chant the text can even have Control taken by those who can.
However, Hayato had no intention of indulging **The Winged Dragon of Ra**.
"Divine-Beast of the Heavens, I forgot the rest, in short, give me a Henshin!"
An extremely perfunctory Chant, but it indeed received a response from **The Winged Dragon of Ra**. The sun wheel high in the air expanded, the golden God Card towered above all beings!
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [Level 10/Divine-Beast]
[Divine-Beast Type/Effect]
[?/?]
"**The Winged Dragon of Ra**'s first Effect is that its ATK and DEF are equal to the Total Stats of the Tributed Monsters! The power of these three Monsters, **Elemental HERO Neos**, **Elemental HERO Neos Alius**, and **Elemental HERO Flash**, returns to the Hand of God!"
Hayato snapped his fingers, and **The Winged Dragon of Ra** also roared towards the sky quite cooperatively, its ATK and DEF soared wildly.
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [?/? → 6100/5600]
"Then, **The Winged Dragon**'s ATK and DEF can be further increased by Tributing other Monsters on my Field!" Hayato sent the other two Monsters on his Field to the Graveyard without hesitation. "Witness the Radiance of the God!"
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [6100/5600 → 6900/6800 → 7200/8000]
"Enter Battle Phase!" Hayato still had one last card in his Hand, his finger pointed at Paradox, who was connected to **Malefic Truth Dragon**. "As the stakes for a Duelist personally entering the Field to Duel, are you ready to taste the Power of the Sun God?"
"Tsk, even if it's a God, I can still use **Malefic Truth Dragon**'s Effect to be Immune to Destruction, and the God's Attack can only reduce my Life Points by 2200 points!" Paradox still retorted stubbornly.
"No, it's already over," Hayato shook his head, playing the **Converging Current** from his Hand. "Gods are only affected by the effects of Spell Cards used in the current Turn. I use the Quick-Play Spell Card **Converging Current**, to increase Ra's ATK by its DEF Value! Also, other Monsters on my Field cannot Attack."
"However, this is the final Attack."
Hayato declared loudly: "End this Duel, Ra!"
"God Blaze Cannon!!"
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [ATK 7200 → 15200]
The Sun's Fire attacked Paradox. Everything in his sight was filled with light and heat. Paradox was somewhat entranced.
This is, your combined attack...
Seems like my plan, has failed...
Sorry, Z-one, I'll go ahead first...
Paradox closed his eyes and muttered, "My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror..."
"All I have done is for justice..."
"Boom!"
[Paradox: 5150 LP → 0]
(End of Chapter)
Watching the Attack he personally unleashed detonate precisely on Hayato Kobayashi and their side of the Field, the powerful impact stirred up the accumulated dust on the ground, turning it into smoke and dust that enveloped the Field. As time passed, Paradox confirmed from the slightly dispersed smoke that Hayato Kobayashi and their Field was indeed empty.
It seemed that the Effect of **Malefic Truth Dragon** had indeed Destroyed **Dark Magician Girl** from the Field.
"Alright, it's finally over," Paradox looked down at the ground with a calm gaze, neither sad nor happy.
He wasn't an egoist who sought to Destroy Duel Monsters out of selfish desire. From beginning to end, what drove his actions was the great cause of saving the world.
Mutou Yuugi, Judai Yuki, Fudo Yusei, and Hayato Kobayashi, they were all Legendary Duelists who left behind glorious deeds in history. Paradox actually greatly admired their will to protect their world.
If not for the conflict of stances, Paradox would not have made a move against them. And even now, having killed Hayato Kobayashi and the others due to the conflict of stances, Paradox felt no joy from it.
This was a necessary sacrifice for the great cause of saving the world.
Whether it was the lives of Hayato Kobayashi and the others, or himself...
Paradox lowered his head, looking at his body that had become one with **Malefic Truth Dragon**.
Before his death, Paradox was a Psychic Duelist. Having been reconstructed with an artificial body, he inherited this power, and thus many things in his Duels transformed from mere phantoms into physical entities.
For example, the true damage dealt to Paradox's Opponent, or the "Tributing half of his body" that Paradox had just truly done.
The current Paradox, in order to Summon **Malefic Truth Dragon**, had truly lost half of his body.
"The Legendary Duelists have finally fallen into the Hands of my **Malefic Truth Dragon**, and at the same time, I have become inhuman," Paradox clenched his fist, feeling the power within his body.
"**Malefic** Monsters, the 'Shinri-go' that travels through time, and the power of **Malefic Truth Dragon**!"
"With this, it proves that my salvation for the world is on an absolutely correct Path of Truth!" Paradox looked towards the Clock not far away. The time was less than ten minutes away from Pegasus's originally scheduled arrival at 12:00 sharp.
"Z-one, Aporia, Antinomy, although the distance of Space-Time separates us, I who stand here can feel your will is with me," Paradox looked up at the air with a firm gaze, waiting for the Helicopter carrying Pegasus to appear. "I will save the future of this world in your stead!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out, entered Paradox's ears: "Yare yare daze."
"Nani?!" Paradox lowered his head again with a surprised expression, looking into the smoke and dust. "This voice is!"
"That was really in the nick of time. If it weren't for the Set Card Yugi played, we might have really lost," Hayato's figure gradually emerged from the smoke and dust, a confident smile on his face. "Don't think you can defeat us that easily, Paradox."
"In Chain to **Malefic Truth Dragon**'s Effect, I activated Yugi's Set Card, **Interdimensional Matter Transporter**, banishing **Dark Magician Girl** from my Field until the End Phase."
"If there's no monster that can be Destroyed, **Malefic Truth Dragon**'s Effect Damage naturally won't occur."
[Hayato Kobayashi: 300 LP]
"Tsk, your vitality is surprisingly tenacious." Paradox gritted his teeth, seeming very annoyed. "You've only managed to survive precariously for one more Turn. What else can you do?"
"On my Field, I have **Malefic Truth Dragon** with 5000 ATK, and my Life Points are over 1000% of yours. Your efforts are nothing more than the death struggle of fish caught on the shore, fruitlessly consuming their own oxygen!"
"I Set one card. My Turn ends here. And in the next Turn, your ruin ending still won't change!"
[Paradox: 5150 LP, Hand 0]
[**Malefic Truth Dragon**] [ATK 4200 → 5000]
[Malefic Territory] [Set Card]
[Malefic World]
"Then, at the End Phase of your Turn, **Dark Magician Girl**, who was banished by the Effect of **Interdimensional Matter Transporter**, is Special Summoned back to the Field."
As Hayato's words fell, **Dark Magician Girl** reappeared on the Field, patting her chest and looking shaken, seemingly quite frightened by the near-death experience she just had.
Although **Dark Magician Girl**'s actions were alluring and her figure was quite good, unfortunately, the five people present were all emotionless duelists, not interested in women and only focused on dueling.
[**Dark Magician Girl**] [ATK 2000 → 2300]
It was Hayato's Turn. He wasn't in a hurry to draw a card, but first glanced at the cards in his Hand.
Spell Card **Magical Stone Excavation**, Spell Card **Wonder Wand**, Spell Card **Converging Current**, and one inexplicable Spell Card. Including the **Rainbow Kuriboh** he used previously, Hayato could be said to have drawn a "Perfect Hand" at the start. If it were a 1v1 Solo Duel, this kind of Opening Hand would only suggest lying flat on the spot, because he wouldn't know how to set up his Field at all.
However, this Duel was a 4 vs 1 Tag Duel. An Opening Hand that was terrible in other situations was at this moment truly a "Perfect Hand" worthy of the name. And with just one more card capable of securing victory, Hayato was certain of victory.
"To decide the victory, my Hand is still missing a key card that can seal the deal. And whether I can draw that card is the key to this Duel."
"But a True Duelist can even decide their own draw! I will directly Destiny Draw!"
Hayato raised his right hand used for drawing a card above his head, spreading his five fingers, as if to grasp the entire world in his Hand.
"Open! The Future Circuit that illuminates my Path! This is my Creation of Heaven and Earth! My Future!"
"My Turn, Draw!"
The card on top of the Deck was drawn by Hayato. Accompanying it was a suffocating high heat that enveloped the surroundings before it even arrived, like the sun falling to the ground!
"Ya☆ta☆ze! With this, the Winning Equation is complete!" Hayato glanced at the Level 10 Boss Monster drawn into his Hand, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Then, I activate the Equip Spell Card, **Wonder Wand**! This card can only be equipped to a Spellcaster-Type Monster, increasing the equipped Monster's ATK by 500 points!"
"I grant this powerful Equip to you, **Dark Magician Girl**!"
"Hmm?"
**Dark Magician Girl**, looking confused, suddenly had her head hit. She found it was a Wand that fell from the sky. It looked even stronger than the one she originally used.
Paradox looked disdainfully at **Dark Magician Girl**, who, although she felt the Wand looked familiar, still foolishly switched to **Wonder Wand**. "Just increasing ATK by 500 points? You fantasize about defeating my **Malefic Truth Dragon** with just this much? That's far too little!"
[**Dark Magician Girl**] (**Wonder Wand**) [ATK 2300 → 2800]
Yusei Fudo and Judai also felt that Hayato's action of equipping **Wonder Wand** to **Dark Magician Girl** was a bit strange. As for Yugi, he immediately recalled what Hayato did during the Duelist Kingdom: "Hayato, you're not thinking of... again?"
"Since you've accepted the gift I sent, then as a return favor, offer up your existence, **Dark Magician Girl**!" Hayato had a solemn expression, but unfortunately, the corners of his mouth couldn't stop lifting. "By sending **Dark Magician Girl** equipped with **Wonder Wand** to the Graveyard, I draw two cards from my Deck!"
"Huh?"
The confused **Dark Magician Girl** only then belatedly remembered that the Wand in her Hand wasn't it the card Hayato equipped and sent to the Graveyard after taking her from Yugi's Hand during Duelist Kingdom?!
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
**Dark Magician Girl** was teleported away to who knows where by the power of **Wonder Wand**, while Hayato drawn two cards.
They were **Gaia the Fierce Knight** and **Spiritualism**.
Although he finally drawn a Monster Card, unfortunately, even if it was **Gaia the Fierce Knight**, it could only serve as one link in his upcoming Field Setup.
Hayato turned his head and glanced at Yusei Fudo behind him: "Yusei Fudo, lend me your power. That card in your Graveyard."
"That card?" Yusei Fudo recalled his Graveyard and nodded at Hayato. "Go ahead and use it, Hayato!"
"Okay, then, I activate the Effect of **Charging Warrior** in the Graveyard! By banishing itself, I add one Tuner Monster from the Graveyard to my Hand! I choose **Junk Synchron**!"
Light gathered in Hayato's Hand. The figure of **Charging Warrior**, which Yusei Fudo had discarded previously in order to increase **Junk Warrior**'s ATK, reappeared after a long time, bringing **Junk Synchron** to Hayato's Hand.
Catching the **Junk Synchron** card, Hayato didn't add it to his Hand, but instead, along with **Gaia the Fierce Knight**, sent them both to the Graveyard: "I activate the Spell Card **Magical Stone Excavation**! By sending two cards from my Hand to the Graveyard, I can then choose one Spell Card from the Graveyard to recycle and add to my Hand."
"The one I choose is the Spell Card **Theft**! Judai!"
"Oh, let's go, Mr. Hayato!" Judai took the card from the Graveyard Zone on his Duel Disk and threw it to Hayato. "Let the opponent see the power of the Duel King!"
Catching Judai's card, Hayato played it and activated it: "Then, I activate the Spell Card **Theft** I added to my Hand! This card's Effect is that I can temporarily steal one card from the opponent's Graveyard for my use. Paradox, you should know which card I'm going to choose, right?"
"Masaka, it's **Stardust Dragon**? Tsk, do you want to help Fudo Yusei get his Monster back?" Paradox snorted coldly. "That won't do! **Stardust Dragon** is an important power to complete my plan!"
"In Chain to **Theft**, I activate my Set Card **Call of the Haunted**! To Special Summon **Stardust Dragon** from my Graveyard in Defense Position! This way, even if you can steal a card from my Graveyard, there won't be many choices left. And at the same time, I gain a safety measure against being Destroyed by Effect."
[**Stardust Dragon**] [DEF 2000]
Although **Malefic Truth Dragon** seemed very powerful in all aspects, in the end, he is also a **Malefic** Monster, and the Lifeline of **Malefic** Monsters is always that card, **Malefic World**.
Although Paradox's **Malefic Territory** provided **Malefic World** with Resistance against being Targeted, the problem is that in Hayato Kobayashi's Information, there is **Harpie's Feather Duster**, a card that doesn't Target. If he had that card in his Hand, it would be troublesome.
Seeing **Stardust Dragon** appear on the opponent's Field, Yusei Fudo's expression was very unpleasant, but Judai patted his shoulder.
"Judai?"
"Don't worry, Yusei Fudo, Mr. Hayato is the strongest among us," Judai chuckled, turning his head to look at Hayato's Left Hand. There, Judai sensed an extremely familiar great power.
"That card..." Yubel emerged behind Judai. They also felt that card. "Seems like the victory or defeat has already been decided."
"After all, it's Mr. Hayato. And to save the world, Mr. Hayato probably used his full power. Mr. Hayato is indeed still that amazing. Then I should also put in more effort," Judai comforted his friend. "Let's continue to work hard and become stronger together, Yubel. You don't want to see the future where the world is Destroyed, right?"
"Me? Compared to things like the world's destruction, I care more about you, Judai. If the world isn't Destroyed but you disappear, I couldn't bear to live in a world without the person I deeply love," Yubel wore a cold expression, but what they said was full of deep love for Judai. "Furthermore, the world is something created together with the person you love."
"For me, the world is what I create together with Judai."
"Yubel..."
Seeing Judai being affectionate with his spirit, Yusei Fudo was confused.
Isn't this a duel where the future of the world is at stakes? Is it really okay for you two to be so lovey-dovey like this? Someone is still dueling up ahead.
However, seeing Yugi on the other side also looking at Hayato with full confidence, Yusei Fudo also relaxed a bit.
Judai and Yugi have both proven that they possess strength worthy of the name as Legendary Duelists, and since both of them have so much confidence in Hayato, Mr. Hayato will surely display his great strength as a Duelist, fully demonstrate his glory as the Duel King, and play a perfect duel.
On the Duel Field, after Special Summoning **Stardust Dragon** with **Call of the Haunted**, it was Hayato's Turn to choose one card from Paradox's Graveyard to take.
"How about it, Hayato Kobayashi, which card is your choice?" Paradox mocked. "Is it this **Malefic Cross**, or **Malefic Selector**? Pity, they are all cards exclusive to the **Malefic** Deck. There is a **Dimension Fusion** that's quite good though."
"But unfortunately, you absolutely cannot pay the 2000 Life Points required for **Dimension Fusion**, hahahaha!"
Unexpectedly, Hayato replied, "Since you, Paradox, recommended it so much, then I'll choose **Dimension Fusion**."
"It's not Paradox, it's Paradox!" Paradox corrected, annoyed, taking the card from his Duel Disk and throwing it towards Hayato. "A foolish choice! You spent so many resources just to take a card from me that you cannot use?"
"Cannot use?" Hayato showed a smile. "That's not necessarily true."
"My Life Points are only a flickering candle at 300 points, indeed, I cannot pay 2000 Life Points to activate **Dimension Fusion**," Hayato played the inexplicable card from his Hand. "But, if I add this card..."
"Continuous Spell Card, **Anti-Magic Strategy**! This card allows me to not have to pay Life Points to activate Spell Cards!"
"Then, activate **Dimension Fusion**! Special Summon as many banished Monsters for both players as possible!"
Hayato pointed his Hand towards the sky: "Advance, towards the distant beyond!"
"Gather once more, Warriors who save the world together! As long as my heart still holds ambition for the distance, the expedition will not end!"
"**Elemental HERO Neos**, **Elemental HERO Flash**, **Elemental HERO Bubbleman**, **Elemental HERO Neos Alius**!"
"And **Charging Warrior**!"
Five pillars of light slammed down vertically onto the ground. Within these sacred pillars of light, the Monsters that were banished in the previous battle all returned to the Field!
Seeing this, Paradox said coldly, "Hmph, so what? They are just more small fry. Don't forget, I can also enjoy the Effect of **Dimension Fusion**!"
"I also Special Summon my banished Monster! Come forth, **Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon**!"
Corresponding to the five pillars of light on Hayato's Field, a pillar of light also appeared on Paradox's Field. **Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon**, the one that was banished instead of being Destroyed previously, was Special Summoned in Defense Position. However, compared to the five imposing pillars of light on Hayato's Field, with only one banished Monster, Paradox's Field looked very lacking in aura.
[**Elemental HERO Neos**] [ATK 2500]
[**Elemental HERO Bubbleman**] [ATK 800]
[**Elemental HERO Flash**] [ATK 1100]
[**Elemental HERO Neos Alius**] [ATK 2500]
[**Charging Warrior**] [ATK 300]
[**Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon**] [DEF 2000]
Although Paradox always treated Hayato and the others with a disdainful attitude, he was very careful and cautious during the duel. Even when Special Summoning Monsters, he only put them in Defense Position to avoid being caught with a weakness and heavily attacked. Only the one with the highest ATK, **Malefic Truth Dragon**, was in Attack Position.
To defeat Paradox through battle, no matter how you look at it, it seems the only way is to attack **Malefic Truth Dragon** and then inflict 5150 or more Battle Damage. But to achieve this Damage, the required ATK for the Monster must be at least 10150 points, which is simply too difficult.
After Hayato played the **Dimension Fusion** and **Anti-Magic Strategy** combo, he still had the last three cards in his Hand. After Setting one of the cards in his Spell/Trap Zone, Hayato took out a single card from his Hand and said, "Paradox, you seemed to have said that your Deck gathered the most powerful cards from every era, right?"
"It's Paradox, not Para— no, never mind," Paradox had a conditioned reflex, and after pausing for a moment, continued to say, "That's right. To achieve the Goal of Destroying Duel Monsters, I collected many powerful Monsters from various eras."
"Is that so?" But I think there are at least a few cards you haven't collected. You must be quite envious of the cards you haven't collected, right?" Hayato smiled, flipping the card in his Hand, revealing its yellow border.
However, it wasn't the pale yellow border of a normal Duel Monster, but a dazzling golden yellow like the Radiance of the Sun!
"I have a kind heart and can't bear to see others suffer, so let me show you the Great Power at the Apex of Duel Monsters!" Hayato played the card in his Hand. "I will Tribute these three Monsters on my Field: **Elemental HERO Neos**, **Elemental HERO Neos Alius**, and **Elemental HERO Flash**!"
Hearing the number of Tributes Hayato mentioned, both Yusei Fudo and Paradox were stunned.
In the future, Synchro Summon was almost the most mainstream Summoning Method, followed by Fusion. Tribute Summon was not nonexistent, but it was mostly for supporting purposes and not the key to deciding the victory or defeat of a duel, and very few people's Ace Card would be a Tribute Summoned Monster.
Generally speaking, seeing a Tribute Summon that Tributes one Monster was already rare. Tributing two was even rarer. As for three, they had never even heard of it.
However, Paradox was from the even more distant future after all. Having carefully studied the past to change history, he suddenly remembered something—in the notes for Duel King Hayato Kobayashi, seems like there was a note about him being the "Ultimate Duelist who commands the Three Egyptian Gods" and being "Good at Tribute Monster Strategy"!
However, in the data files, it was completely impossible to keep the data for the Three Egyptian Gods, so much so that Paradox only remembered now that Hayato possessed the Three Egyptian Gods!
And it is said that the Three Egyptian Gods require three Monsters as Tributes to be Summoned!
"Oh, Almighty God, witness my great feat! Bow down! My Infinite Radiance, the Sun God will descend here!"
"**The Winged Dragon of Ra**!!"
**Malefic World**, covering the space, was suddenly torn open with a huge gap. A golden scorching sun burst in, descending onto the surface. Ominous black lightning constantly tried to repair the damaged area, but couldn't even get close, and was completely burned away by the sacred flames wrapped around the golden sphere.
**The Winged Dragon of Ra** in its Sphere Mode floated in the air. According to common sense, at this time, the Duelist needs to Chant the Ancient Egyptian Hieratic Text on **The Winged Dragon of Ra** card to gain the Qualification to Order **The Winged Dragon of Ra**. Those who cannot Chant the text can even have Control taken by those who can.
However, Hayato had no intention of indulging **The Winged Dragon of Ra**.
"Divine-Beast of the Heavens, I forgot the rest, in short, give me a Henshin!"
An extremely perfunctory Chant, but it indeed received a response from **The Winged Dragon of Ra**. The sun wheel high in the air expanded, the golden God Card towered above all beings!
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [Level 10/Divine-Beast]
[Divine-Beast Type/Effect]
[?/?]
"**The Winged Dragon of Ra**'s first Effect is that its ATK and DEF are equal to the Total Stats of the Tributed Monsters! The power of these three Monsters, **Elemental HERO Neos**, **Elemental HERO Neos Alius**, and **Elemental HERO Flash**, returns to the Hand of God!"
Hayato snapped his fingers, and **The Winged Dragon of Ra** also roared towards the sky quite cooperatively, its ATK and DEF soared wildly.
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [?/? → 6100/5600]
"Then, **The Winged Dragon**'s ATK and DEF can be further increased by Tributing other Monsters on my Field!" Hayato sent the other two Monsters on his Field to the Graveyard without hesitation. "Witness the Radiance of the God!"
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [6100/5600 → 6900/6800 → 7200/8000]
"Enter Battle Phase!" Hayato still had one last card in his Hand, his finger pointed at Paradox, who was connected to **Malefic Truth Dragon**. "As the stakes for a Duelist personally entering the Field to Duel, are you ready to taste the Power of the Sun God?"
"Tsk, even if it's a God, I can still use **Malefic Truth Dragon**'s Effect to be Immune to Destruction, and the God's Attack can only reduce my Life Points by 2200 points!" Paradox still retorted stubbornly.
"No, it's already over," Hayato shook his head, playing the **Converging Current** from his Hand. "Gods are only affected by the effects of Spell Cards used in the current Turn. I use the Quick-Play Spell Card **Converging Current**, to increase Ra's ATK by its DEF Value! Also, other Monsters on my Field cannot Attack."
"However, this is the final Attack."
Hayato declared loudly: "End this Duel, Ra!"
"God Blaze Cannon!!"
[**The Winged Dragon of Ra**] [ATK 7200 → 15200]
The Sun's Fire attacked Paradox. Everything in his sight was filled with light and heat. Paradox was somewhat entranced.
This is, your combined attack...
Seems like my plan, has failed...
Sorry, Z-one, I'll go ahead first...
Paradox closed his eyes and muttered, "My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror..."
"All I have done is for justice..."
"Boom!"
[Paradox: 5150 LP → 0]
(End of Chapter)
