Chapter 29: Today’s Target for Persecution is the Disruptor of the Black

“Summoning monsters on my field? Hmph, an utterly meaningless card, and what you summoned are just a bunch of weaklings.” Lachi glanced down at the three core cards of the Disturbance monsters that Hayato had placed on his field as mere “derivatives.” To Lachi, their glaring zero attack and feeble 1000 defense were nothing but trash.

What he couldn’t see was that, offended by his constant insults calling them weaklings, the three Disturbance monsters clambered onto him, pummeling him with fists and kicks. “How dare you call us weaklings?” “Only big brother can say that!” “Exactly!”

However, the “Spirit Power” Hayato had acquired—the ability to communicate with card spirits—was only at its lowest level. The Disturbance monsters were mere phantoms without any combat strength. Even if their levels increased, their zero attack power meant they posed no threat.

[Lachi: Hand 3 → 4]

“Well then, it’s my turn. Draw.” Hayato drew a card, feigning great surprise. “Oh my, Mr. Lachi, it seems I’ve drawn quite an extraordinary card.”

Flipping it over, Hayato revealed the card: “Toll Tax.”

Lachi recognized it immediately. “If you don’t pay 500 life points, you can’t declare an attack? Hmph, that’s hardly a bother against my 2000 base points. Besides, I only need to attack once to take out that stubborn monster of yours.”

“Planning to activate it?” Lachi smirked, just starting to show his smile when Hayato nodded firmly.

“Of course.”

Hayato placed “Toll Tax” on the field. From now on, neither player could declare an attack without paying 500 life points.

“Even if my Atolis’s attack—though doubled—can’t take down your Rocket Cannon Spider without both of us going down, I can still wipe out those three Disturbance Derivatives you summoned just now.” Hayato narrowed his eyes, scanning the terrified trio. “Now, I’ll randomly pick a lucky spectator to have a beating. Who will be so fortunate?”

The three Disturbance brothers huddled tightly together, trembling.

“Summoning monsters onto my field only to destroy them? How utterly boring,” Lachi said, watching Hayato squint. “Monsters in attack or defense position don’t hurt me. But you, next turn you’ll again face my invincible Rocket Cannon Spider.”

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“Attacking defense position monsters theoretically causes no damage, but I happen to have a spell that can change that.”

Hayato played a card, leaving only one in his hand.

“Meteor Strike? The card that grants piercing damage against defense position monsters? Bah, only a mere 800 damage.”

“No, it’s not 800 damage, it’s 2600.” Hayato didn’t mention that destroying the Disturbance Derivative would also trigger an effect dealing damage, as the 300 damage was insignificant this time. He then played his last card: “Growth Amplify. It doubles or halves a monster’s attack based on the life point difference.”

Lachi eyed the card. Hayato’s “Growth Amplify” differed from the common version, which simply boosted attack and defense by 20%. This one was terrifyingly potent—it doubled attack power.

Yet, such power was a double-edged sword. If the player’s life points exceeded the opponent’s, the card would halve the monster’s attack instead.

“Quite a powerful effect. But kid, did you forget something?” Lachi smirked arrogantly. “Because of your last turn’s ‘Damage Vaccine,’ your life points are now equal to mine. This ‘Growth Amplify’ won’t activate. Seems fear of failure has clouded your mind. Hahaha!”

“I never expected a kid like you to have such a rare, powerful card. Decided then: after this duel, that card is mine. The Kaiba Corporation’s been collecting strong cards recently; selling this on the black market could fetch a fortune. You really are my lucky star!”

Watching Lachi babble about his imagined riches, Hayato cleared his throat softly. “Ahem, Mr. Lachi, I think you’ve forgotten something.”

“Hm?”

“If you have, allow me to remind you.” Hayato pointed to the field. “I’m about to declare an attack with the Paladin Atolis equipped with ‘Meteor Strike’ and ‘Growth Amplify’ against your, hmm, Disturbance Derivative Black.”

“And because of ‘Toll Tax,’ I need to pay 500 life points!”

“What? That card!” Lachi’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at the “Toll Tax” card he had dismissed.

If Hayato’s 500 life point payment activated “Toll Tax”—

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[Hayato: 2000 LP → 1500 LP]

“At this moment, with my life points changed, ‘Growth Amplify’ requires a life point comparison. Since 1500 is less than 2000, the effect activates, doubling Atolis’s attack!”

[Paladin Atolis] [ATK 1800 → 3600]

“The attack target is the Disturbance Derivative with 1000 defense. Thanks to ‘Meteor Strike,’ Atolis gains piercing damage. Take this 2600 damage!”

Under the trembling gaze of Disturbance Black, unseen by others, Atolis engaged in battle. The gigantic Atolis raised the equally magnified heavy sword and thrust it down fiercely at the tiny Disturbance Black, no larger than a toe.

[Lachi: 2000 LP → 0]

“Oh my, what an interesting duel.” Hayato began organizing the cards on the table, speaking with a mocking tone, looking up at Lachi, whose face had turned pale from defeat and who now held a revolver aimed at his forehead.

“Losing the duel makes you so angry? Even you don’t have much psychological resilience.” Though fully aware of the gun pointed at him, Hayato acted as if he didn’t notice and continued tidying the scattered cards. “Are you going to shoot, Mr. Lachi? Oh, but it seems luck isn’t on your side now, is it, Unlucky Lachi?”

“Shut up, punk! I won’t waste bullets on a brat like you!” Lachi scowled darkly, his voice low. “Tell me your bank card password and hand over that ‘Growth Amplify’ card!”