Chapter 884: Why Did You Reward Him?
"Activate (Zombie World)!"
As the Mysterious Person placed the card in the Field Zone, a wave of purple mist suddenly erupted from beneath his feet, spreading continuously outwards.
Within the previously dark Duel Field, with the spread of this purple mist, countless corpses and rotting flesh surfaced from underground, and a putrid stench filled the air.
Under the influence of the (Zombie World)'s aura, Kaiba noticed a change in the body of the (Kaina the Messenger of Hades) on the Mysterious Person's Field. The armor on the originally Fairy-Type (Kaina) became rotten and dilapidated, and moss covered its pale face. While its appearance turned horrifying, its Type also transformed into "Zombie-Type."
Not only the Mysterious Person's own (Kaina the Messenger of Hades), but Kaiba's (Blue-Eyes White Dragon) and (White Spirit Dragon) on his Field, as well as (Labrynth Archfiend) on Hayato's Field, underwent the same change. All visibly decayed, rotted, and decomposed. Even (Cyberdark End Dragon) could only resist this power for a moment, its metal-plated body covered in a layer of rust.
"You bastard, what did you do to my (Blue-Eyes)?!"
As if seeing his beloved woman being bullied right in front of him, Kaiba was enraged!
"The effect of the Field Spell Card (Zombie World) changes all monsters on both players' Fields and in their Graveyards to Zombie-Type, and prohibits both players from Tribute Summoning non-Zombie-Type monsters," the Mysterious Person said calmly. "However, it's merely a change of Type, nothing worth—"
"Nothing worth caring about? Hmph, you don't understand the bonds between me and (Blue-Eyes)."
"My Turn, Draw." Placing his finger on top of the deck and drawing a card, the Mysterious Person was unmoved by Kaiba's words. "Bonds, you say? Say whatever you like, feel free to try, and let me see how your 'bonds' respond to you."
"However, during my Standby Phase, since a card exists in the Field Zone, I will Special Summon this monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position using its own effect. Come forth, (Doomking Balerdroch)!"
During the Mysterious Person's Standby Phase, he Special Summoned a Zombie-Type monster that hadn't appeared before from his Graveyard. Kaiba didn't ask when that card entered the Graveyard, knowing without a doubt that it was also thanks to Hayato's (Infernoid Tierra).
(Doomking Balerdroch) [Level 8/DARK Attribute]
[Zombie-Type/Effect Monster]
[2800 ATK/2000 DEF]
Glancing at the opponent's five cards in hand, as well as the 3000 ATK (Kaina the Messenger of Hades) on the Field and the newly appeared (Doomking Balerdroch), for a moment, Kaiba couldn't help but frown: "The Spell/Trap Cards in the Graveyard have the ability to continuously add more Spell/Trap Cards from the deck, and monsters that can constantly revive. If we can't defeat them with an aggressive play in one go, we'll only face an even more intense counterattack."
Hayato glanced in Kaiba's direction: "Originally, we could have held on, but who do you think helped the opponent send cards to the Graveyard and replenish their hand?"
"Are you trying to say I'm a burden, Hayato?" Kaiba glared back at Hayato. "Weren't you the one who helped the opponent send cards to the Graveyard at the very beginning? If it weren't for your (Infernoid Tierra), where would that guy get so many usable cards in his Graveyard?"
Even though the Duel with the Mysterious Person hadn't ended yet, Kaiba and Hayato were glaring at each other, looking as if they were about to quarrel.
The Mysterious Person looked at them both, then leisurely took a card from his Graveyard: "Activate the effect of (Guardian of the Golden Land) in my Graveyard, Banish it, then Set one (Eldlixir of the Golden Land) Spell/Trap Card from my deck."
"And by the effects of these three cards: (Conquistador of the Golden Land), (Eldlixir of Scarlet Sanguine), and (Eldlixir of Black Awakening), I will Set one (Eldlixir of the Golden Land) and two 'Golden Land' Spell/Trap Cards from my deck."
"Then, I will activate the effect of (Eldlich the Golden Lord) in my Graveyard, send one Set Spell/Trap card on my Field to the Graveyard, and add it back to my hand from the Graveyard."
Hayato watched the Mysterious Person's combo unfolding while he and Kaiba were talking. Although he had completely confirmed the opponent's true identity, it didn't stop him from pretending not to recognize him in this duel: "Hoo-hoo, trying to revive from the Graveyard, are we? Last Turn, Seto's (Blue-Eyes) easily crushed that monster as if plucking a leaf from a roadside bush, and you're still thinking of reviving from the Graveyard to keep attacking us?"
"While I'd love to say, 'come closer,' I haven't allowed you to summon more monsters."
Hayato drew a card from his hand, flipped it over to show the Mysterious Person, and gently tapped its side, awakening the timid girl within the card. "To deal with you, this Zombie-Type card should be appropriate."
"I discard (Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion) from my hand to activate her effect, negating your effect that adds a card from the Graveyard to your hand!"
A freshly Set card in the Mysterious Person's back row was sent to the Graveyard. (Eldlich the Golden Lord), who had just been Obliterated by (Blue-Eyes White Dragon), tried to dig through the ground and emerge from the Graveyard. But just as it poked its head out, a silver-haired girl in Gothic attire stepped on its head, pushing it back into the Graveyard.
"Damn it, there's a card like that?!" "Damn it, why did you reward him?!"
At that moment, the Mysterious Person and Hayato simultaneously spoke with identical tones, watching (Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion) suppress (Eldlich the Golden Lord) back into the Graveyard. This caused Kaiba to turn his head and give Hayato a deep look, then said, "I've always thought you were shameless, but I didn't realize you were *this* shameless."
"Huh? Does someone who secretly hugs cards and calls them 'wife' every night when it's quiet have the right to say that to me?"
"Stop slandering me, you scoundrel!"
Ignoring Kaiba, who seemed somewhat agitated by Hayato's truthful words, the Mysterious Person watched as his (Eldlich the Golden Lord) was about to be stomped back into the Graveyard. After a brief thought, he commanded: "To be forced into using this effect so early, but it changes nothing. I will chain to your (Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion) and activate the effect of (Doomking Balerdroch)!"
"When a Zombie-Type monster's effect, other than (Doomking Balerdroch), is activated, I can choose one of two effects to use: 'Negate that effect' or 'Target one monster on either Field or in either Graveyard and Banish it.' (Doomking Balerdroch) cannot apply the same effect more than once per Turn. I choose to Negate the effect of (Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion)!"
"Muda muda muda, all your efforts to stop (Eldlich the Golden Lord) are Muda!"
(Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion), who was stepping on (Eldlich the Golden Lord), suddenly felt her body lighten. She looked and found that (Doomking Balerdroch), standing nearby, had grabbed her collar with its snake-like tail and lifted her up. It pulled out a piece of paper labeled "Effect Negation" from somewhere and stuck it on her forehead, then flicked its tail, throwing her back onto Hayato's Field.
(Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion) sat on the ground, then stood up and tidied her slightly wrinkled clothes. She glanced back at Hayato, spread her hands with a helpless expression, and vanished from in front of him. Meanwhile, (Eldlich the Golden Lord) on the Mysterious Person's Field, with a regretful expression, successfully climbed out of the Graveyard and into his hand.
"It can't be repeated, meaning the other effect can be used again? Combining with (Zombie World) to twist all monsters on both players' Fields and in their Graveyards into Zombie-Type monsters," Kaiba frowned. "Tch, what a disgusting ability."
"As a follow-up to (Eldlich the Golden Lord)'s effect, after it returns to my hand, I can special summon one Zombie-Type monster from my hand. That Zombie-Type monster gains 1000 ATK/DEF until the end of the next opponent's turn and cannot be destroyed by card effects."
The (Eldlich the Golden Lord) card that had just returned to his hand was played by the Mysterious Person again. The golden lich reappeared on his Field, and this time, upon its appearance, it was enveloped in a flowing light, its gems shining all over its body, like performance-enhancing RGB, making it clear at a glance that it was powerful.
(Eldlich the Golden Lord) [2500 ATK/2800 DEF → 3500 ATK/3800 DEF]
"Hmph, you finally summoned a monster with higher ATK than (Blue-Eyes White Dragon), but it's only one. Who can it defeat?" Kaiba said coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Whether it's (Cyberdark End Dragon) on Hayato's Field or my three (Blue-Eyes White Dragon)s, with only one strong monster, you have no chance of winning."
"Is this all you've got?"
Hearing Kaiba's words, the Mysterious Person said nothing. His response was to play a Spell Card from his hand: "Spell Card (Fusion)! I will use another (Eldlich the Golden Lord) from my hand and the Level 8 Zombie-Type monster (Mazera Deville) as Fusion Material!"
"Material requirements are one Eldlich monster plus one Level 5 or higher Zombie-Type monster. Under the cursed gold, unleash your madness upon your enemies!"
"Fusion Summon! (Eldlich the Golden Berserker)!"
On the Mysterious Person's Field, as the power of (Fusion) manifested, a foot clad in golden greaves crushed a skeleton on the ground. A majestic and imposing figure emerged from the Fusion vortex.
The purple cape behind the original (Eldlich the Golden Lord) became tattered, as if it had endured countless battles. Its golden armor was replaced with a heavier design that could resist spells and battles, and the demon horns on its head, resembling bull horns, became longer, sharper, and more ferocious.
(Eldlich the Golden Berserker) [Level 10/LIGHT Attribute]
[Zombie-Type/Fusion/Effect Monster]
[3800 ATK/3500 DEF]
Numerically, (Eldlich the Golden Berserker)'s ATK and DEF stats were exactly opposite to those of the revived and boosted (Eldlich the Golden Lord). Even without looking at the stats, just by its appearance, it was clear that it was more skilled in offense than defense.
Hayato couldn't help but glance at Kaiba beside him: "Did you really have to open your mouth?"
"Hmph!"
After summoning (Eldlich the Golden Lord), the Mysterious Person still had two cards left in his hand. Glancing at the (Blue-Eyes White Dragon) on Kaiba's Field, he declared: "The effect of (Eldlich the Golden Berserker)! I will Tribute (Doomking Balerdroch) and activate the effect, Targeting your (Blue-Eyes White Dragon), Seto Kaiba. I will take control of that monster!"
"Nani!?" Hearing this blatant declaration of taking control, Kaiba raised an eyebrow. "You dare try to steal my (Blue-Eyes) from me? Don't even think about it!"
"Activate Set card, Counter Trap (Broken Line)! This card can only be activated when a monster's effect, Spell, or Trap card is activated in the same Column as this card. It negates that activation and destroys it!"
After speaking, Kaiba looked at (Eldlich the Golden Berserker) on the Mysterious Person's Field and said, "You wasted cards to summon a monster, and you still have the audacity to covet my (Blue-Eyes)? Perish now!"
The pre-arranged chain blast activated as the Set card was flipped. The golden energy that (Eldlich the Golden Berserker) was about to unleash, triggered by (Doomking Balerdroch)'s leaving the Field, was interrupted by a sudden explosion at its feet, and this blast even engulfed (Eldlich the Golden Berserker).
However, there's always the ancient saying, "No damage if there's smoke." Before Kaiba's cold sneer could fully form, he saw (Eldlich the Golden Berserker) still standing unharmed in the smoke on the Field.
"What a pity, (Broken Line)'s effect negates the activation and destroys it, but (Eldlich the Golden Berserker) has resistance to being destroyed by battle or card effects. If it were a card that just 'negates the effect and destroys it,' it would have worked," Hayato said with a look of regret. "However, even though the activation was negated, (Eldlich the Golden Berserker)'s effect can only be used once per turn, so you don't have to worry about the opponent using its effect to take control of your (Blue-Eyes) again."
Hearing Hayato's words, Kaiba looked at him with some confusion, frowning: "Have you seen this monster before? How do you know its effect so well?"
"Well, it's too complicated to explain," Hayato said, shrugging. He looked at the Mysterious Person, who was changing his (Kaina the Messenger of Hades) from Defense Position to Attack Position. "More importantly, the opponent seems to be about to attack."
"Change (Kaina the Messenger of Hades) to Attack Position, then enter Battle Phase! I will use (Eldlich the Golden Berserker) to attack (Labrynth Archfiend)." Not choosing Kaiba, who was protected by four powerful Dragon-Type monsters, as his attack target, the Mysterious Person locked onto Hayato's (Labrynth Archfiend), which still had 0 ATK. "This punch, 3800 battle damage, can you withstand it, Hayato?!"
"Sekishiki Meikai Ha!"
The Death of Hayato, Duel Standby!
(end of chapter)