Chapter 9: Sacrifice for the Greater Good

"My turn, draw."
[Hayato: Hand 4→5]
Hayato drew a card, took a glance, and a look of delight appeared on his face. He then placed the card he had just drawn, along with another monster card from his hand, onto the field.
"I summon another 'Death Stalker' in attack position. Next, I activate this spell card targeting him."
Hayato summoned another "Death Stalker" and placed a spell card into the spell zone of that column. Within the blue border, the card art depicted a demonic blade radiating an ominous aura.
"The Soul-Eating Magic Sword?" Yugi recognized the card. "If I recall correctly, its effect is that it turns other allies besides the target monster into sacrifices?"
"Exactly. Sacrifice yourself for the greater good, Death Stalker #1; it is a necessary offering." Hayato sent the "Death Stalker" that had been revived by "Time Machine" in defense position to the graveyard.
"Feeding on the souls of fallen comrades, each monster sacrificed increases the attack power of Death Stalker #2 by 1000 points!"
"Death Stalker," ATK 900→1900
"Inheriting the will of the Prime Minister to strike down the traitors of the Han. Death Stalker, attack the 'Dark Dragon King'!"
"Using 'Time Machine' to preserve your strength, then using the 'Soul-Eating Magic Sword' to consolidate it. That’s a truly impressive combo, Hayato." Yugi smiled as he placed the "Dark Dragon King" into the graveyard.
Yugi: 2000LP→1600LP
"Just a small trick, nothing special." Hayato spoke with feigned humility, but he could not suppress the expression on his face. Did you hear that? The first-generation King of Games, Yugi Muto, actually complimented my play. I’m so proud!
"In that case, I end my turn." Putting the "Soul-Eating Magic Sword" into the graveyard, Hayato concluded his turn.
[Hayato: Hand 5→3]
It is worth noting here that in the early rules of "Yu-Gi-Oh!", there was no distinction between spell and trap cards, nor were there sub-categories for spells. Effects like activating Fusion during the opponent's turn or Equip Spells remaining active even after being sent to the graveyard were unique phenomena of that early era; only later did classifications like "Normal Spell," "Quick-Play Spell," and "Equip Spell" gradually emerge.
Therefore, Hayato's play was not incorrect.

"Hayato is really amazing, summoning a monster with 1900 attack points in just one turn," exclaimed Joey, who was watching from the sidelines. "To think such a powerful monster could be summoned so early."
"If Yugi can't summon a monster with higher attack than 1900, he won't be able to deal with Hayato's 'Death Stalker' at all," Honda said, finally grasping some of the rules.
However, Yugi did not feel as much pressure as Joey and the others imagined when his turn began.
"My turn, draw."
He drew a card without adding it to his hand. Looking at Hayato with his wide, expressive eyes, Yugi said, "1900 attack points is truly impressive. It only started at 900, yet through cooperation with its comrades (The sacrificed 'Death Stalker': ??), it reached such heights. Even among all warrior-type monsters, that is top-tier attack power."
"Originally, the strongest monster in my hand was the 'Minotaur,' but its 1700 attack is still a bit short of 1900." As Yugi spoke, he placed the card he had just drawn onto the field. "However, the monster I just drew is this one."
Hayato stared at the card Yugi had drawn, his eyes fixed. The reason was simple: he had this card too. It was—
"Dark Magician of Chaos—Gaia—!!!"
The Dark Knight, riding his warhorse and wielding a cavalry lance, was summoned to the field in attack position. With 2300 attack points, it was among the absolute best in this era. Even with the boost from the "Soul-Eating Magic Sword," the 1900 attack of the "Death Stalker" stood no chance against Gaia.
"Dark Magician of Chaos Gaia, attack the 'Death Stalker'." Yugi ordered the attack without mercy.
This time, the "Death Stalker" had no "Time Machine" to save it. It was easily destroyed by Gaia and sent to the graveyard, leaving Hayato's field completely empty.
"I end my turn."
Without setting any cards, Yugi ended his turn just like that.
[Hayato: 2000LP→1600LP, Hand 3]
[Yugi: 1600LP, Hand 5→6→5]
Looking at Yugi's empty back-row and the Gaia in attack position, Hayato thought to himself, "If this were the real card game, I would have wiped you out in one turn." Regrettably, his own ace card was also Gaia, and even if he drew it this turn, it would only result in a mutual destruction.
"My turn, draw."
What caught his eye was the yellow border of "Paladin Artorius." If Gaia hadn't appeared, summoning him might have been a good choice. But Gaia's 2300 attack was enough to crush any monster currently in Hayato's hand.
Rather than wasting a rare, decent card like this, it was better to use some other fodder to stall for time.

"I summon 'Terra the Terrible' in defense position and end my turn."
[Hayato: Hand 3→4→3]
Sending a weakling from his hand to act as a wall, its 500/1200 stats had no ability to withstand Gaia's attack and could only serve to delay.
"Eh? I thought Hayato would summon some powerful monster too." Honda looked at the "Terra the Terrible" Hayato had placed on the field, feeling confused.
Joey curled his lip and said, "Dummy Honda, do you think powerful monsters are that common? That Gaia of Yugi's is already a super-powerful monster. Forget 2300 attack, even monsters with over 2000 attack are rare, alright?"
"My turn."
Yugi drew a card from his deck. He didn't summon any other monsters, instead simply having Gaia attack the "Terra the Terrible" on Hayato's field.
Over the next three turns, Yugi did the same, using Gaia to smash Hayato's monsters one after another—"Celtic Guardian," "Judge Man," and the third "Death Stalker."
[Yugi: 1600LP, Hand 7]
[Hayato: 1600LP, Hand 6]
Even when his hand reached the limit and he was forced to discard, Yugi chose not to summon other monsters to give Hayato an opening. His defense was truly airtight.
To achieve victory, Hayato's only path was to overcome the "Dark Magician of Chaos Gaia" that stood before Yugi like a mountain.
"Turn end." Discarding another card to the graveyard, Yugi did not grow impatient or irritable despite Hayato's constant defensive stance, appearing quite calm and patient. It was no wonder he would go further and further down the path of heavy traps in the future.
"In that case, my turn." Placing his hand on the deck, Hayato prepared to draw. Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation in his heart.
It was as if he could guess what the next card was going to be.