Chapter 27: Hacking an Account Face-to-Face

"The [Cocoon of Evolution] can be equipped directly onto the [Larvae Baby] on my field, and then the stats of [Larvae Baby] will become the stats of the [Cocoon of Evolution]!" Watching the [Larvae Baby] on the field spinning silk to wrap around itself, Weevil looked quite excited. "And then, after five turns, my ultimate ace will make its grand entrance!"

[Larvae Baby] [DEF 200 → 2000]

"A Duel Monster card that simulates the metamorphic development of insects? With 2000 defense points, I wonder if Hayato can break through it." Yugi's expression was also somewhat solemn. The only monster Yugi knew of in Hayato's hand with an attack power exceeding 2000 points was [Gaia the Fierce Knight], but summoning the Level 7 Gaia required two Tributes.

As for the face-down card in Weevil's backrow, although its identity was unknown, it was best to remain cautious.

"I set one card, and end my turn." Though there was only a wall with 2000 defense points on the field, Weevil acted as arrogantly as if he had just summoned a supreme powerhouse. "Now, [Cocoon of Evolution] has passed one turn. Countdown, 4!"

[Weevil: 2300 LP, Hand: 0]
[Larvae Baby] ([Cocoon of Evolution]) [DEF 2000]
[Face-down Card] [Face-down Card]

"Anyone watching would think you activated [Final Countdown]! It's just a paltry 2000 defense. My turn, draw!" Placing his hand on the deck, Hayato felt the topmost card respond to him. Knowing instantly what monster he had drawn, he declared his draw and played it directly without even looking at it.

"Tribute the [Rogue Doll] and [Celtic Guardian] on my field! Ride the gale in the name of the earth, swing the lightning like raging fire, O' My Soul!"

"GAIA—!!!"

Although possessing 2300 attack power, most of it derived from his steed, [Gaia the Fierce Knight] appeared on the field riding a warhorse and wielding a lance. Before he could pull back the reins of his mount and strike a handsome pose, Weevil suddenly chuckled darkly and activated his face-down card: "You managed to escape when I summoned [Celtic Guardian] last turn, but this time you've finally walked right into the trap! Activate face-down card, [Bottomless Trap Hole]!"

[Bottomless Trap Hole]: Can be activated when the opponent summons, flip-summons, or special summons a monster with 1500 or more attack power. Destroy and banish those monsters with 1500 or more attack power.

"Oh no, it's a Trap card that responds to a summon, and it even has a powerful banishing effect!" Yugi and the others instantly tensed up. In the current environment of Duel Monsters, even monsters sent to the Graveyard had ways to be revived, but once banished, in most cases, they could truly never return to the game.

Although Hayato had held the upper hand in every aspect previously, if his field were completely cleared, Weevil could easily flip the tides of battle. "To wait until Hayato summoned a powerful monster before activating such a card, how despicable!" Joey said indignantly, earning agreement from Tristan and Téa.

However, Mai beside them shook her part: "Using cards where they yield the maximum benefit is simply part of the game. If it were me, I would have made the exact same choice as that insect Weevil."

Watching the newly arrived Soul Number 3—[Gaia the Fierce Knight]—about to be swallowed by a pit full of acid that had suddenly appeared beneath his warhorse, Hayato unhappily flipped open his face-down card: "Don't count on it! Although it's a bit of a waste, I also have a face-down card to activate. Chaining to your trap, [Earth Chant - 'Iron']!"

Just as [Gaia] was about to plunge downward, a circular magic circle suddenly appeared above his head, swiftly sweeping across his body like a scanner, including even the warhorse beneath him. [Gaia] was enveloped in light for an instant, turning into sheer illumination.

The light dissipated, and what appeared on the field was a block of steel floating defiantly against gravity, hovering directly above the now-expended [Bottomless Trap Hole].

"[Earth Chant - 'Iron'] requires an Earth-attribute monster on my field as a tribute to activate." Hayato retrieved the [Celtic Guardian] he had just sent to the Graveyard as the cost for liberation, placing it back onto the field. "I can special summon a Level 4 or lower Earth-attribute monster from my Graveyard, other than the Tributed monster."

"Though it may not conform to the alchemical principle of equivalent exchange, return to the field, [Celtic Guardian]!"

"Clang!"

The block of steel on the field shattered abruptly, and [Celtic Guardian] leaped out from amidst the fragments like some divine stone monkey, returning to Hayato's side.

[Celtic Guardian] [ATK 1400]

"Tch, he escaped again." Seeing that the [Bottomless Trap Hole] he activated failed to swallow even a single monster and began to close, Weevil muttered unhappily.

Using [Earth Chant - 'Iron'] to prematurely sacrifice and send [Gaia the Fierce Knight] to the Graveyard to avoid being banished didn't leave Hayato feeling particularly joyful either. Although he had used a Normal Summon opportunity to trick Weevil into wasting one of his backrow disruptions, there was still another obstacle to deal with.

Moreover, the more troublesome issue was that he currently had no cards in his hand to boost attack power. While he might slightly look down on the 2000 defense points of the [Cocoon of Evolution], the [Celtic Guardian]'s 1400 attack power truly had no way of dealing with it.

"Activate Magic Card, [Dark Factory of Mass Production]. The effect of this card is to retrieve two Normal Monster cards from the Graveyard. I choose [Ojama Yellow] and [Gaia the Fierce Knight]." Activating the face-down card he had previously set merely as a bluff against potential removal, Hayato retrieved both [Gaia] and [Ojama Yellow] from the Graveyard. "My turn ends here."

[Hayato: 5000 LP, Hand: 5]
[Celtic Guardian] [ATK 1400]
[Face-down Card] [Face-down Card] [Face-down Card]
Field: [Ojama Country]

Looking at the [Cocoon of Evolution] on Weevil's side of the field, Hayato pondered his countermeasures. Although his hand was quite decent so far, given his usual luck, he had to account for the possibility of failing to draw an Equip Spell to boost his attack power.

In that case, on the next turn, he could try summoning [Ojama Yellow] to trigger the effect of [Ojama Country], which would reduce the defense of [Cocoon of Evolution] down to a mere 0, allowing any of his monsters to finish it off.

"Every step you're taking is unfolding exactly as I predicted, Hayato! Whether it's evading the [Bottomless Trap Hole] or retrieving your monsters. Since that's the case, I'll gladly take advantage of you!"

"At the very moment your turn ends, I activate this card! [Mind Crush]!" Under Hayato's astonished gaze, Weevil flipped up a face-down card. "The effect of this card is to declare a card name. If a card with that name exists in your hand, you must discard all cards from your hand. If not, then I must discard one card."

"Though I currently have no cards in hand, even if I guessed wrong I wouldn't have to discard, there is zero chance I'll guess wrong, because what I am declaring is the [Ojama Yellow] you just added to your hand!"

Hayato was practically speechless. How could anyone actually run such a card? And was it really appropriate for this card to appear right here?

With these thoughts, Hayato even turned his head to glance at Yugi in the audience. The trick behind [Mind Crush] was famously used against Seto Kaiba by none other than the person sitting right down there. With the original user present, Weevil, you cute little fellow, are you pulling a stunt like stealing accounts right in front of the master?