Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth

by DivadX

Yuhiro Furutani, one of 8 children kidnapped 10 years ago by an unknown group, now works as Raguel, an agent in LINK VRAINS' Black Market. One day, he fights the Knights of Hanoi and encounters Playmaker, who becomes his newest assignment. Follow Yuhiro as he now must decide who he wants to become: as both a duelist and as an individual.

66. Chapter 66: Hanoi's Malady

Response to Reviews

Thank you to HunterHQ, Noobmaster, ZeroMK7, Anonymous, Ambiguous, Zodiac Knight, Donkeyboy100, KingOtakuOverYou, Naruto1999, Guest, Guest, Lord Mammon, Guest, Portal, Unnamed, Unknown, Guest, Guest, Cosmic Cat, Pancakes, Goro Akechi, Guest, Guest, Guest, Pikachu99, PR5, Fusion, Cyber Warrior, Iris Luster, Magic Dragon, Malcom, E.T. 2000, Guest, Revolver, Guest, Guest, Abysstainer, and Garfield for reviewing Chapter 65 of Obscured Truth.

Hi, everyone! I hope you're doing well as we move to the Spring Season. As we move towards the epic parts of Season 2, I want to thank every one of you for sticking with it so far. You won't regret it.

Let's answer some reviews, shall we:

HunterHQ: Well, Azrael and Lightning basically want Ace to create a labour force that serves them in the real world. Good idea for what you said about Pawn and Queen. After all, our favourite house cleaning robot needs more victories, right? Let me remind you that Rook appeared in Chapter 28 of the story, where Akira reported to him about recent events. Wraith recorded the video of Azrael killing Kazuma Saromi so Azrael would have a souvenir of the kill. Why doesn't Azrael just end the Light Ignis's life? It's for two reasons. One: Lightning and Bohman obviously have plot armor by this point. As for the second reason, that will be revealed this chapter. We'll see whether a Malf vs Bohman duel will occur in Season 2. Destroying the chip was the last thing on Brion's mind, as he intended to present both it and incriminating evidence of SOL Technologies making deals with the Black Market to the authorities. Yes. The way Jericho erased Brion's memories was similar to Yuhiro's neuralyzer back in Chapter 62. There isn't necessarily a power gap between Jericho and Shalem. The latter is simply a messenger.

Noobmaster: All Athaliah did was provide Lightning with the schematics and blueprints needed to create Mirror LINK VRAINS. She doesn't have the capabilities to do it all by herself. Azrael may be evil, but he does have honor, as his actions unintentionally caused the events that led to Hailee Shilton's death and Jeff's imprisonment. By keeping Jeff alive, it's as if he's trying to ensure that the Shilton family doesn't go through anymore tragedy. Azrael and Wraith don't know yet of what Lightning did to Aqua. Glad you enjoyed the slice of life moments, as the good guys need one after the Turf War. In terms of Arashi missing a chance with Brea... well, I got something special planned for them later on. Besides, Arashi is the guy who won't give up, especially following the pep talks he got from the Ignis, Eloise, and Roxy. How did Brion get around Den City, you may ask? Simple. He made sure to cover his tracks. And Brion will use Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode later on. Considering the events in Season 2... let's just say Yuhiro will be forever affected by them. Glad you liked the scenes at the end of the chapter. And rest assured: Jericho will not ally with Lightning and Azrael. As for Ace, Athaliah, and Speckles, they had NO CHOICE. It's either help Lightning and Azrael, or face death.

ZeroMK7: Glad you enjoyed the chapter, and congrats on the second place win. Yes. Someone needs to stop Pawn.

Anonymous: Brion had faith in Jericho and SOL that they'll help him get what he wants. Sadly, it's that faith that prevented him from detecting the lies.

Ambiguous: I'll just repeat what I said above: Brion had faith in Jericho and SOL that they'll help him get what he wants. Sadly, it's that faith that prevented him from detecting the lies.

Zodiac Knight: In terms of the alignment chart, that's basically a good description of where the OC characters would end up on.

Donkeyboy100: Glad you liked the chapter! If you have the time now and then, don't forget to read the coming chapters!

KingOtakuOverYou: First off, I'm glad you liked the chapter. Second, I'll address your comments and concerns. Brion wasn't just going to report the chip to the authorities. He also planned on giving them the information on SOL Technologies' illegal actions as well. You calling him boring is your opinion, and from what I read, you're assuming that Brion is a perfect character. Such type of a character doesn't exist in stories. While Brion did what he thought was right, he ended up paying for his mistake. This will help his character development later down the road. After all, character development doesn't happen if a character is perfect all the time, especially with a royal prince like Brion. Even those of higher status can make mistakes. So give Brion a break, would you?

Naruto1999: Glad you liked the chapter. Ace risked everything in his duel against Lord Kazuma, which was why Azrael barred him from the attack on the Knights of Hanoi. Akairo was referring to his family back home, not the Hanoi.

Guest: Favorite starter Pokémon? Let's see: All three starters from Kanto. Totodile and Cyndaquil from Johto, Mudkip and Treeko from Hoenn, Turtwig and Chimchar from Sinnoh, Oshawott from Unova, Froakie from Kalos, Rowlet and Litten from Alola, and Grookey and Scorbunny from Galar. If you count Hisui, then all three straters.

Guest: No, and this is for the last time. The male OC for the Arc-V story won't have a personality similar to that of Revolver.

Lord Mammon: Once again, welcome back my friend. I hope you enjoy the story moving forward. Glad you liked the chapter as well.

Guest: Of course Stregone will return, stop saying that!

Portal: Glad you liked the chapter.

Unnamed: If Lightning gave Azrael and Malf Judgment Arrows, then the chances of them being exposed (and the realization that they're all working together) would go up. At the time, Brion was looking for work, and Jericho giving him the chance to get revenge on Athaliah and Balius was too tempting not to take. I mean, if you were in his shoes and wanted revenge, you'd agree to help Jericho out in exchange for completing your goals, right?

Unknown: The board of directors at Uchida Industries forced Emon out of the company, and it would have been taken over by SOL Technologies had Ondina not stepped in at the last minute.

Guest: I can't answer that question for you.

Guest: I can't answer that question for you.

Cosmic Cat: You don't have to be a full-scale bad guy to have an impact on the story. On the alignment chart, Azrael is Lawful Evil because he has a sense of honor. And bad guys don't have to be fully evil as well.

Pancakes: How dare you call Brion that! Do not ever call him that again! This is your warning.

Goro Akechi: Urizen is a person, and while Jericho is aware of Azrael's existence, Azrael doesn't know about Jericho.

Guest: Well, Yuhiro's about to receive a massive reality check over the next few chapters.

Guest: My favorite legendary Pokemon? In terms of region, it would be this: Mewtwo from Kanto, Lugia from Johto, Rayquaza from Hoenn, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina from Sinnoh, Reshiram and Zekrom from Unova, Zygarde from Kalos, Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma from Alola, and Kubfu (and by extension, Urshifu) from Galar.

Guest: While I do agree with some of your points (ex. the male OC character being a badass like Infearno, and jokes around like Lord Kazuma), there are other points I don't agree with you on.

Pikachu99: I'm glad you liked the chapter. In terms of your comment on Electrolyzer being a male version of SengokuQueen, you're partially correct. As for what happens to him next, you'll just have to see for yourself. Dancho, Lord Kazuma, and Infearno, for Season 2, have minor roles. But that doesn't mean they don't have their time to shine in the sun.

PR5: Let's see. Considering how Soulburner is the deuteragonist to Playmaker, I'd say that Slipstream is the deuteragonist to Raguel. Not sure about tritagonist.

Fusion: Everyone has different opinions on this question, so it's not worth me putting down my opinion here.

Cyber Warrior: Excellent idea there!

Iris Luster: Great observation. The last scene where Electrolyzer was dragged back into the real world was definitely inspired from Bakugan: New Vestroia, where Volt was dragged into the dimension hole upon defeating Hydron. In a sense, Volt served as a character inspiration for Electrolyzer.

Magic Dragon: Honestly, I like both Sevens Road Magician and Multistrike Dragon Dragias, as both can balance one another out.

Malcom: Okay, let me get something straight. Raguel is not always in rage mode. That's just an overstatement.

E.T. 2000: Yup. Brion certainly acted impulsively in this chapter, and these events will impact his character development later on in the story. Regarding Jericho, he'll pop up a few more times in Season 2, so pay close attention, and you won't be disappointed.

Guest: The Crisis will be at least thirty or more chapters to cover, especially in regards to how big it is moving forward from Season 3.

Revolver: Stregone, by this point, has mastered all six summoning methods. You'll see him Xyz Summon during Season 2, that I can confirm. Raguel doesn't have access to Contact Fusion (yet), Dark Synchro, and Rank Up (yet). Allow me to remind you: Ace betted EVERYTHING in his duel against Lord Kazuma, and that was because the latter used a duel anchor that made both duelists bet all the information they had. In other words, winner take all. That's why he was barred from participating in the Hanoi attack.

Guest: Looking at your list, I actually agree with at least three or four of your points. For the others I didn't agree with, it's because they're either anime-canon, or they're important for the story.

Guest: That's actually the QOTC for Chapter 66.

Abysstainer: Really? You think that problems are solved by one person? It takes teamwork to solve a problem, and one person just doing it all is not good at all.

Garfield: I never left at all.

Now that all reviews have been answered, it's time for the chapter to commence. Enjoy!

Chapter 66: Hanoi's Malady

The sky appears, full of clouds. Playmaker races through the clouds on his duel board, followed by Raguel, Soulburner, and Slipstream. Two swords then slice the clouds completely to reveal NEW LINK VRAINS. One of the swords, a katana with symbols inscribed on the blade, crosses downwards to the left. Crossing downwards to the right was a typical western sword, with a golden rain-guard and a blue grip. The sword also had symbols inscribed on the blade as well. The two swords made a shining X, causing the Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS! logo to appear, and underneath it, the words "OBSCURED TRUTH" ominously appear.

Yuhiro and Yusaku are walking down the street to school. Naoki runs past them, a large smile on his face. Aoi walks past them on the other side, smiling lightly and blushing at Yusaku. Then Takeru walks up behind them and wraps one arm around Yusaku. He then wraps the other arm around Yuhiro, surprising him for a few moments before being pulled to the side by Rachel, who's clearly happy to see him. Yuhiro smiles back at her.

Tsubaki and Hideki are shown boarding an airplane as they head to their destination. After sitting down next to each other in their respective seats, Tsubaki looks out in the window, which shows a reflection of Rosetta, while Hideki picks up the airplane guide and reads it. In the sky above them is Ace, a malicious sneer on his face.

Go Onizuka is shown wearing a hoodie as he leaves the waterfront for the last time. Outside of his home, he encounters Kenmochi and Yoroizaka, who are waiting for him. Smirking, the three of them raise their left arms into the air and enter NEW LINK VRAINS, with Go in his new avatar riding beside his new allies. Stregone crosses his arms as he looks down at them, a look of shock and disappointment on his face.

Kusanagi is then shown with Roxy at a nearby picnic table, both enjoying food and laughter while talking about technology. Flame and Ai are shown arguing in Café Nagi, while Herald ends up getting annoyed with their bickering. As a result, he snaps his fingers, causing Progleo to jump onto the desk and startle Ai and Flame.

At SOL Technologies, Akira Zaizen and Hayami are shown in Queen's office, with Queen handing them a signed order regarding Playmaker and Raguel. A look of hesitation appears on Akira's face, but he hides it just in time.

Azrael and Wraith are then shown with Ace and Athaliah standing behind them, shrouded in shadow along with their ace monsters Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed and El Shaddoll Construct. Standing behind Azrael and Wraith though, is a black, bipedal dragon with red sclera, white irises, and black pupils obscured in shadow. The dragon roars before disappearing with Zerrziel and El Shaddoll Construct. Jumping above Azrael and Wraith is Malf, sporting a demonic expression on his face. He then extends his right arm forward towards the screen, darkening it completely.

When the screen becomes clear, Playmaker and Raguel are shown riding their duel boards next to each other, with Cyberse Witch and Cyberse Magician in front of Playmaker, and Cyreath Hercules and Cyreath Medusa in front of Raguel. The two are chased by Blood Shepherd, who directs two copies of Battledrone Sergeant to fire at them. Although the two of them are hit by the explosions the missiles caused, they escape unharmed. Suddenly, Drachen orders Red-Eyes Black Dragon to fire at them. In response, Playmaker and Raguel are shown swerving left and right to avoid the consecutive fire blasts. Joining the young man in the hunt is Electrolyzer, who orders PSY-Framelord Omega to attack Playmaker, but Raguel turns his duel board around and activates a card, causing Hercules to glow a bright light before transforming into Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode. His eyes glowing red, Hercules/Alpha Mode charged forward with his axe sword and clashed with PSY-Framelord Omega.

The screen then shifts to slipstream watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, while Raguel duels Electrolyzer. Noticing Haru, who's also watching the duel between Playmaker and an obscured Bohman, Slipstream takes a card and summons Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, who roars at the boy. Haru, in response, takes a card and summons Hydradrive Nagini, who hissed at Clear Wing in the process.

Blue Girl and Rosetta are shown in NEW LINK VRAINS at a picnic table, laughing and enjoying each other's company. The two of them then turn their heads towards the duels going on in the sky, a look of concern on each of their faces.

Watchman's group is then shown, with Percival standing slightly apart from them as he makes a fist with his left hand. Simorgh, Bird of Sovereignty and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon appear before a massive, red-skinned demonic looking monster with golden elements, several eyeballs embedded on its body and four tentacles with bladed claws rises from behind them.

The Knights of Hanoi are shown summoning their monsters. Motor Worm Spread Queen, Helixx Necro Darwin, and Dark Mummy Surgical Forceps first appear before fading into the background. Next is Dark Magician, Berserker of the Tenyi, and Lucifer, Condemner of the Burning Abyss, with Sunavalon Dryanome behind them. Borreload Savage Dragon then rises from behind the four monsters and roars loudly.

Akira is shown at Green Park with Emma, Gekiryushi, and Aoi, giving them details on finding the Ignis. Emma proceeds to make a flirtatious gesture at Akira, making Gekiryushi facepalm and comment on how flirting can be useful at a time like this. The two women then begin to argue, with Akira and Aoi trying to break up the argument.

Yuhiro and Progleo are shown with Miyu at the Den City Hospital, trying to help her walk. Miyu, who's using the parallel bars, ends up slipping, only for Yuhiro to immediately catch her from behind and help her stand up. Roxy then runs out of nowhere and starts pummeling Yuhiro, causing Miyu to almost fall backwards again to their shock. Catching her this time though is Medusa, who appears behind her and smiles, much to everyone's relief. Miyu smiles back, grateful for Medusa's help. The screen then flips around before showing Yuhiro on his knees, clasping an unconscious Miyu's hand in sadness and rage.

Cyreaths Hercules/Alpha Mode, Medusa, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus are then shown in the air, with Turboblaze Dragon racing past them. The five of them prepare to attack alongside Turboblaze Dragon, who unleashes his Desolation Flare attack as well.

Raguel and Herald are then shown on top of a tower, facing off against Azrael and Wraith in a duel. Behind Raguel and Herald is Turboblaze Dragon, while behind Azrael and Wraith is the black, bipedal dragon from earlier in the opening. Both dragons roar at each other. Raguel reeves up his sword, while Azrael unsheathes his katana before the two of them and their dragons charge at each other.

Yuhiro, Roxy, Miyu, Kusanagi, Takeru, and Yusaku are all shown sitting outdoors at a picnic table near the Den City Hospital, all of them eating hot dogs, and Takeru, Kusanagi, and Roxy are laughing. Three duel disks are shown on the table, with Flame lecturing Ai while Herald plays a game on Yuhiro's tablet.

Yuhiro, Roxy, and Miyu are sitting down on a bench outside the Den City Hospital, with Medusa standing nearby them and Progleo on Roxy's lap. Miyu proceeds to rest her head on Yuhiro's shoulder, causing him to blush as she smiles. Yuhiro smiles back at her, while Roxy and Medusa both smile at them, happy they're able to find happiness with each other. The scene then switches to NEW LINK VRAINS, with Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner standing on a building and looking out into the radiant sky.

In the real world, at Yusaku's apartment...

Ai and Roboppy were looking at the message boards on the Internet, trying to find positive posts that praised the former's skills.

"Master, the message boards today are filled with posts praising your exploits." Roboppy told Ai, which got his attention.

"Really? Show me! Show me!" Ai replied. He cheered with excitement as he scrolled over them. "Okay. Uh-huh!" At the third post, it showed Playmaker defeating Revolver while holding a card. "Cute!" As for the fourth post... "That's um... unique."

"And disturbing." Roboppy commented, with Ai nodding in agreement. Both of them made a mental note not to tell Yusaku about this, as he'd get annoyed to. Well, maybe, as Yusaku wouldn't care about it at all.

"Hey! You said they were praising me, not Playmaker!" Ai protested.

"They are. You are in this pic." Roboppy assured Ai, as the picture scrolled to the next one.

"Where?"

"Here." Roboppy zoomed in on the pic, which showed Ai pointing his right index finger up.

"I need to hire a PR firm." Ai said, before an idea popped into his mind. "Or better yet. I can PR myself. I can create a post too." He then began creating a post that basically showed that Ai is greater than Playmaker, as evident by the number of greater than signs between both pictures.

"Roboppy does not approve of spamming!" Roboppy complained, annoyed with what Ai was doing.

"What? It's not spamming. I only put up one post!" Ai countered.

"Really, master?"

Ai sweat-dropped upon hearing Roboppy's question. "Uh, what are you implying?"

"You put 212 posts up yesterday." Roboppy simply answered.

"How do you know?" Exasperation then became evident on Ai's face. "So what if I did? Don't you see? No one knows I'm the true hero of LINK VRAINS! No one! You can't even spell Vrains without an A or an I!" He then jabbed his right thumb to his chest. "So it's time this guy gets the credit, not that useless fresh putz!"

"I don't think I'm that useless," a familiar voice interrupted Ai, which caught him by surprise.

"Yusaku! Didn't see you there." Ai commented, trying to save the situation. "Um... did you hear that-?" But before Ai could continue, Linkuriboh jumped out of the duel disk and headed towards Yusaku as he walked down the stairs. "Oi, Linky! I told you to stay in the duel disk!"

"Guess he wants to be with me more than you right now." Yusaku stated, kneeling down and petting Linkuriboh on the head.

"Linky, how could you choose him over me?!" Ai protested, before turning back to the screen out of annoyance.

"Master, Ai was pretending to be some sort of-." Roboppy began, only for Ai to glare at the house bot and shut him up.

Upon turning back to the screen, something caught his eye. "Whoa! Check out this latest post! This text is from the Earth Ignis!"

"Are you sure?" Yusaku asked, as he looked at the same post Ai was looking at, Linkuriboh in his arms.

"Of course I'm sure! The algorithm is in it!" Ai confirmed.

Yusaku narrowed his eyes. "I see," he muttered. "We'll investigate this tomorrow, Ai. In the meanwhile, keep tabs on it." After putting Linkuriboh on the ground, Yusaku then headed towards his bedroom, intent on calling it a night.

"I can't believe you chose Yusaku over me!" Ai complained to Linkuriboh.

"Kuri Kuri Ku..." Linkuriboh replied.

"I know Yusaku's my Origin. But I created you, which means you're my best buddy, not his!"

"Master..." Roboppy began speaking, his eyes having narrowed at Ai's ridiculous comment.

"Oh, uh, Roboppy. Didn't realize you were still in the room..." Ai panicked. As if on cue, sparks flew once again between Roboppy and Linkuriboh. "Aw man. Does this have to happen now of all times?" This... was going to be a long night.

In the network, at the Light Ignis's palace,

Azrael looked at the digital screen in front of him. At the moment, Wraith was doing another search to see if he can find traces of the Earth Ignis. After a moment passed, he eventually found it.

"Gotcha!" Wraith victoriously said. "I honestly can't believe that the Earth Ignis of all people would post a message on a forum board."

"People can be stupid at times, especially an Ignis like the Dark Ignis." Azrael humorously stated, looking at the numerous posts Ai put on the forum board.

"Oh yeah. Good old Dark Ignis. You never cease to be carefree, that's for sure." Wraith added, before pressing his right palm with his left finger. Unfortunately, nothing happened. "That's strange..."

"What is it?"

"My tracker should be showing what Ai is doing right now." Wraith replied.

"Has this been occurring recently?" Azrael inquired.

"I've been able to fix the issue multiple times, but it seems my tracker appears to be fizzling once again." Wraith explained. During their first meeting, Wraith placed a tracker on Ai so he and Azrael can keep tabs on what Raguel and his allies were up to. Even though Wraith fixed the tracker multiple times, there were times when it didn't work. If he didn't fix it permanently, Azrael and Wraith would have a small, but manageable roadblock to overcome. "Moving that aside, since Ai found the Earth Ignis, the Hanoi will follow."

"Which is why we need to strike now to deal with them." Azrael finished. To prepare for the task, Azrael requested a total of thirty Bitboots from the Light Ignis after making the case that a strong distraction would enable Malf to assassinate Revolver. By doing so, the Hanoi will certainly lose morale, and even if they didn't, a key player would be eliminated from the game.

Nearby, Malf vomited out a head that belonged to an Echo, disgust evident on his face.

"Me am really starting to hate this food." Malf said, walking over to Azrael. "When will you let me go after humans?"

"When the attack force has been fully prepared, Malf. Even if you're back to full strength, we'll need reinforcements if this attack is to go through." Azrael reminded Malf. "That being said, you and I need to have a talk about your dueling strategies."

"My duel strategies?" Malf raised an eyebrow. "They're perfect. Me doesn't need to improve them."

"And yet you humiliatingly lost to Drachen." Wraith pointed out, much to Malf's fury.

"Me had to get me mission done! Didn't you tell me-!"

"I know what I told you, Malf. And even though you succeeded in your mission, our enemies found flaws in your strategy, and have developed countermeasures against Delusional Heartbeat." Azrael told Malf, as he crossed his arms. "Do you remember why you were created, Malf?"

"Of course! To serve the both of you as your enforcer!" Malf answered.

"And at the time, what was your greatest strength?" Wraith inquired.

"To..." It then dawned on Malf. "Oh, my. It seems me have been too upfront with me enemies recently."

"You are an assassin, Malf. Assassins specialize in executing their opponents covertly, or by drawing their prey into a trap." Azrael began speaking. "In your hunger for strength, you've abandoned these techniques, and have instead started focusing on eliminating the enemy upfront as soon as possible. While that strategy nearly defeated Raguel, it's how you lost to Drachen. Try creating an inescapable death trap for the opponent before executing the final blow. If you do, you'll see better results."

Malf nodded. "Very well. Me will try that strategy."

"Ah, there you are," the Light Ignis said, as he and Jin approached Azrael, Wraith, and Malf. Behind him and Jin was a total of thirty Bitboots. "As per your request, I have made thirty Bitboots for you to use in the attack."

"I appreciate the assistance, Light Ignis. With these forces, the Hanoi will be no more." Azrael promised. And even if they aren't, they'll be crippled, he thought in the back of his mind. "I will launch the attack now." He and Malf began walking away, only for the Light Ignis to speak up.

"I have gifts for you," the Light Ignis stated, as two copies of Judgment Arrows formed in his hand. "Here's a copy of Judgment Arrows for you and Malf, Azrael. Consider it a token of appreciation for your assistance." He then moved the cards to Azrael and Malf, the both of them grabbing the cards in the process. Now for the fun part, he thought in his mind.

But to his surprise, Malf ate the card and chomped on it before spitting it out, a new Link Spell card forming in his hand. Wraith, on the other hand, chopped up the card, the data particles flowing over to him in the process. He then merged them together to create a new Link Spell card.

"Really, Light Ignis? You were going to infect us with viruses?" Wraith questioned in pure boredom and amusement.

"What?!" The Light Ignis's eyes widened out of shock. "How did you-?"

"Malf's immune to your virus, and in your arrogance, you forgot two things. One: What Wraith's abilities are. Two: The fact that I'm no ordinary human." Azrael answered out of pure boredom and amusement, as if he expected something like this to happen. "I do appreciate the gift, though. I'll inform you of what happened once the mission is complete. Ciao." He and Malf, along with the thirty Bitboots, walked away from the Light Ignis and Jin, the former obviously ticked off with what happened.

The Light Ignis then pondered over what just happened. Azrael, Wraith, and Malf are amongst the most unique people I've ever met, he thought in his mind. I need to find something that will make them back down, as I can't afford any unexpected surprises, especially now that Bohman's awake from his nap. While the Light Ignis didn't know what will help him in this gruesome task, he knew that if he kept a quiet eye on things, he'll find the weapon needed to rein them in, and his patience will certainly be rewarded as a result.

Meanwhile, at the Hanoi Stronghold...

Deep within the Hanoi Stronghold, a series of voices echoed through a seemingly empty room with a viewing screen in the dead center of it.

"Things have certainly been interesting in the network over the past few days."

"Yes, especially with the multiple key players involved in the Turf War."

"These events will certainly help with the battles to come, that's for sure."

A series of voices echoed as Faust, Dancho, and Specter materialized in the room looking over images of recent events.

"Thanks to Lord Kazuma's reconnaissance work, we have found out new things from the Turf War." Faust continued.

"Especially the fact that the pieces are starting to come together." Baira commented, as she materialized in the room as well.

"Something that's been needed for quite a while." Dr. Genome added, as he too materialized in the room. "I mean, with everything coming together, we'll finally have a solidified lead not just on our numerous enemies, but on the Ignis as well."

"And it will help us in the battles to come." The five turned to the direction of the voice, as Revolver walked into the room, with Lord Kazuma at his side.

"Revolver. Lord Kazuma." Dancho said with a bow, as well as the other Knights of Hanoi before turning to Lord Kazuma. "I trust you're doing well in light of recent revelations?"

"Yes, but I'm still pissed off." Lord Kazuma answered with a frown. "That blue bastard's behind everything. The Turf War, my mentor's death, and the collapse of Infearno's plan during the Tower of Hanoi events. He was responsible from the very start!"

"While those facts are true, we don't know if he's responsible for Bohman and Haru yet." Revolver reminded Lord Kazuma, as Infearno materialized in the room. "How's Mikuru?"

"She and the others are well." Infearno replied. "There were doctors and nurses among the rescued, and are treating the others to their best ability. However, there's something else I've found out."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"I'll explain it during the meeting. Besides..." Infearno looked around the room. "The eight of us are here, so we might as well get started with the discussion." After the others nodded, the screen revealed to show Azrael during the Tower of Hanoi events slicing the cages, and Numera and Akira by extension using his katana. "As per Lord Kazuma's findings, the azure assailant made a brief appearance, though discreetly. Not only did this man interfere in our plans, but also stole all of our data."

"Which delayed us in rescuing you by three months, Baira." Revolver finished, turning towards her. "My apologies for taking so long."

"It's alright, Revolver. I knew you'd all bust me out of that penitentiary sooner or later." Baira replied, before turning to the screen, which changed to someone breaking Ace and Athaliah out of the prison transport and into the night. It then changed to the same individual knocking Speckles, or Saburo Inoue in the real world, out before taking his body into the night as well. "Thanks to Lord Kazuma, we found out that the same man who interfered in the Tower of Hanoi was the same one who broke out and recruited these three individuals." The screen then showed pictures of Ace, Athaliah, and Speckles.

"This azure assailant has certainly become a dangerous enemy. One that we must watch out for more than ever." Revolver stated.

"Indeed." Infearno agreed, as he crossed his arms. With what Azrael did to them, the Hanoi obviously had to be wary of him, especially now they know that he is working with both Malf and the three people he busted out. The screen then changed to show footage of someone killing the previous Overseer. "The azure assailant, prior to the Turf War, set Ace up to become the new Overseer by killing the previous one. Or more specifically, had Malf do the deed." Zooming in on the footage, it showed a set of arms that grabbed and dragged an old man into the darkness before eating him alive, much to the horror of everyone except for Infearno, Dancho, and Revolver.

"For an A.I., Malf can be troublesome to deal with. Though if we get a sample of him, we can weaponize it into something that can greatly harm the Ignis." Dr. Genome stated, the others nodding in agreement before he turned to Dancho. "Were you able to pinpoint his movements?"

"Unfortunately, no." Dancho grimly answered Dr. Genome. "The little guy is stealthier than I expected." The footage changed to show Drachen and Malf's duel. "After Drachen defeated Malf, the latter exploded, and had I not been there, Drachen would have been severely injured."

"Thank you helping him in his time of need, Dancho. I am most grateful." Revolver said, bowing before Dancho, who was surprised in response.

"He's our ally. Someone that all of us views as family, and the last thing that's needed right now is for one of us to get hurt." Dancho replied. The others nodded in agreement, knowing how important the topic of family was to them.

"Ace becoming the Overseer occurred at the same time Raguel and his allies were at Gamma." Faust mentioned, as the footage changed to show Raguel, Ghost Girl, and SengokuQueen going through multiple troops from Gamma before reaching the database. "It seems they were after something from its database, and destroyed it upon getting what they needed."

"And yet somehow, Gamma was able to resume operations during the Turf War." Specter commented with a chuckle. "Especially with how Raguel and his allies attacked it a second time."

"But they weren't alone this time. A group of people known as the Rickety Raiders helped them get inside." Baira continued the conversation, the footage now changing to show pictures of Viola, Aithne, Electra, and Tigress. "A woman named Angelica formed this group, and committed numerous crimes together. One of which being the infamous plundering of the Scarclust Clan."

"Hmm. What an interesting group of individuals. I wonder why they agreed to help them out." Dr. Genome mused, a tinge of curiosity on his mind.

"Whatever reasons they had doesn't matter. What does matter is the events that followed." Revolver told Dr. Genome.

"Permit me to make a suggestion, sir." Faust stated, getting Revolver's attention. "While I certainly agree with your point that we shouldn't go after the Rickety Raiders in the real world, we should at least keep tabs on them in case something interesting comes up on Playmaker's side."

Revolver thought this over for a moment. Faust's idea certainly had merit. If anything, they could have Akairo investigate this matter for them in the real world. "Very well, Faust. We'll do that. However.." He pointed his right index finger to Tigress's picture. "We'll keep tabs only on Tigress."

"Why is that, Revolver?" Dr. Genome questioned with a frown. "If we go after the others, we can-."

"It's simple, Dr. Genome. Because of the four members, Tigress interacted with Playmaker and his allies the most." Revolver answered, in a tone that made Dr. Genome shut his mouth. That, and considering recent events, the last thing I need is for more innocent people to get hurt, especially someone who has a family, he grimly thought in his mind. Looking at Revolver's expression, both Baira and Dancho frowned, knowing the other reason why Revolver didn't want to go after the others.

"It's only logical to go after the more prominent links that lead us to our enemies, Dr. Genome." Dancho said. "Going after unnecessary links will only waste time. I trust you understand this?"

Dr. Genome nodded to Dancho before bowing to Revolver. "I understand, sir. And my apologies for my insensitive comment."

"Moving along from that little drama, we were able to get footage from Raguel's interrogation on Seamus Guzik." Specter stated, the footage changing to show Raguel interrogating Seamus. "I understand we have lots of enemies, Master Revolver, but I'm afraid we need to be aware of another unknown."

The Hanoi silently watched the interrogation as Seamus spilled a name on who sent him the Project: VIII data: Zero.

"Do you think this Zero is affiliated with Project: VIII in any way?"

"It's a very likely possibility, Specter. One that we'll address after we deal with the current situation." Revolver assured him and the others.

"The entire Turf War was a massive distraction, as Ace was able to get into Uchida Industries and seize it." Infearno lamentably told the other Hanoi members, as the footage showed Ace defeating Ondina in a duel before being confronted by Drachen. "Despite Drachen's best efforts, Ace was able to take the company in the end."

"But why exactly? Why would the azure assailant want Ace to bend the company to his control? Why even set Ace up as a puppet ruler in the first place?" Specter wondered.

"It's one of the simplest tricks in the book, Specter. Puppet rulers are basically the face behind the person they serve. The person pulling the strings." Lord Kazuma answered. "In this case, the blue bastard is buying time to prepare for something while stripping away our important resources."

"That's the most likely theory there." Revolver stated, before turning back to the footage. "Regardless, it would be wise to capture either Athaliah or Speckles so they can spill the beans not just on what Ace plans to do with Uchida Industries, but what the azure assailant is planning overall."

"The former, unfortunately, is no longer an option. Because of this." Lord Kazuma said, the footage now changing to show Athaliah being killed, and what surprised everyone was the aftermath. More specifically, where a purple-like goo substance cracked Athaliah's bones and ripped out her flesh before escaping. "Seems the blue bastard implanted a piece of Malf inside her as a failsafe."

"To ensure that she wouldn't spill the beans on the azure assailant's plan." Infearno finished. "As for the data on hand, it's now in the hands of two individuals." Soon, the footage showed two pictures. The first was Greg Ebihara, while the second was Gil Ariba. "These two individuals, along with Numera and Electrolyzer, witnessed both events themselves."

"Electrolyzer isn't an option for the time being, Infearno. Drachen told me that SOL Technologies threw him in prison for trying to blow the whistle on SOL Technologies, especially with their unethical practices." Revolver told Infearno.

"Even with the clean slate, we can't go to the FBI and ask its commissioner for the information. It'd be like walking into a trap." Baira added.

"Which means there's only one option..." Faust said.

"...Gil Ariba. Another victim of Project: Apotheosis." Revolver began, his eyes narrowing at the picture. "His dad was an information broker. One that sold him to Athaliah in exchange for information that will help his business."

The other Hanoi widened their eyes upon hearing this. While they committed crimes, it was for the greater good of humanity. But for someone to sell their child like that... was reprehensible by all counts.

"Following Project: Apotheosis, Gil was taken in by a woman who worked at Delta. After her death, Gil tracked down his father, threw him to the authorities, and stole both his job and deck as retribution. With the Black Market in shambles, he's now freelance at the moment."

"Maybe we can offer him something in exchange for the info on his hands." Specter suggested.

"What can we offer, Specter? At the moment, we don't have much to offer this kid. We can't afford to lose our remaining resources. Not after what's happened!" Baira reminded Specter.

"Baira's right, Specter. We can't afford to lose any more resources than what we've got left." Revolver told his subordinate.

"There is something else as well." Dancho added, getting the attention of everyone else. "Considering how Gil helped Raguel and his ally during the mission in Omega, it's likely he gave the information to them. Why, I don't know, but it's likely Gil's looking for work, and has decided to help our enemies."

"So until we acquire something worthwhile to offer Gil, we're at a slight disadvantage." Revolver mused in annoyance. He then turned to Lord Kazuma. "Following your duel against Ace, you weren't able to get any information from him, am I correct?"

"Unfortunately, you're correct." Lord Kazuma confirmed with a frown. "Apparently, Ace prepared for his loss in advance, and already gave the key to Uchida Industries, as well as any information he had on hand to the blue bastard before our duel even began. Damn that man!"

"So based on recent events, one of our priorities right now is to locate and find Speckles." Dancho deduced, the others nodding in agreement.

"But if there's anything good that came out of these events, it's this." Infearno said, the footage now changing to play the live announcement that was played earlier today. "Since Ace is currently masquerading as me, I can hide in plain sight in Den City and get supplies for us. After all, in the people's mind, they think that I'm making amends for what happened months prior."

"That will certainly help us, indeed." Revolver agreed. Now that Infearno can slip into Den City and get supplies for the Hanoi, it will enable them to restock and continue their operations at a faster rate. As if on cue, the footage changed to that of a digital map, which showed orange particles in numerous spots on it. Another screen then popped up beside it, showing a forum containing numerous posts from Ai, much to the chagrin of every Hanoi member there.

But below it was a single message.

A message showing the planet earth, an emoji of a pair of shaking hands, and a picture of Playmaker together in a single line.

"It seems the wave of good news hasn't stopped for us." Revolver smiled at what he saw in front of him. "Apparently, our monitors have picked up traces of the Earth Ignis."

"Traces that can help us pinpoint the Earth Ignis's next likely location." Faust added, as the others, except for Specter, grinned at the opportunity. If they can eliminate the Earth Ignis, they'll be one step closer to eradicating all of them and ensure humanity's survival.

"But we'll have to make haste, as the Earth Ignis wants to meet Playmaker." Infearno pointed out. "If such a meeting were to happen, Playmaker and the others will certainly give him refuge."

"Of course they would. It's only logical for Playmaker and his allies to protect them. In their minds, the Ignis are a living species." Dr. Genome agreed with a chuckle.

Specter, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes and frowned. Revolver was the one who gave him a place to belong amongst the Knights of Hanoi, something he never had before. And because of that, Specter served Revolver and carried out all his orders. All in the name of not only protecting the Hanoi's interests, but to ensure that Revolver's goals came to fruition as well.

But still, the question weighed heavily on his mind.

How would he handle eliminating his own Ignis?

"Something the matter, Specter?"

Specter then turned to Lord Kazuma, the latter having been the one to ask the question.

"Nothing's the matter, Lord Kazuma. I was thinking, that's all." Specter immediately answered.

Revolver, seeing Specter's apprehension about the coming task, shook his head at Lord Kazuma, as if he was telling him to back off. Seeing Revolver's expression, Lord Kazuma nodded his head and understood, understanding what the former was telling him.

KABOOM!

Suddenly, the entire Hanoi Stronghold shook, as if it had been hit by a massive blast of energy.

"What was that?" Baira asked. Footage then popped up, which showed numerous Bitboots attacking the Hanoi stronghold with several copies of D-Scale Full Metal Dunkle.

"That's the AI Soulburner dueled the other day!" Faust realized, before turning to Revolver. "How did they find us?"

"We'll figure that out later. For now..." Revolver narrowed his eyes. "We need to get rid of these attackers and capture one of them. If we do, we can get some answers." All eight of them logged out of the stronghold, intent on dealing with the attackers.

In LINK VRAINS...

All eight Hanoi members appeared landed on their duel boards as they rode out to confront the intruders.

"There's our prey, boys!" one Bitboot announced. The next thing the Hanoi knew, a data gale emerged out of nowhere and completely surrounded the area, trapping everyone in. Soon, the Bitboots proceeded to chase down the Hanoi members, forcing them to split up.

"A Data Gale?" Dr. Genome said out of shock. "How did these A.I.'s get their hands on our weapon?"

"That's something else we'll figure out after dealing with these A.I.'s." Revolver replied. "Everyone. Take care of the Bitboots. We can't afford to have them steal our remaining resources!"

"Right!" all of them responded, each one taking on three to four Bitboots.

Several minutes later...

"Battle! Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss attacks you directly!" Infearno declared, as Dante fired a beam of golden energy out of his staff at the last Bitboot he was dueling, defeating it in the process. "Well, it seems my section of enemies has been taken care of. Time to take care of-." As if on cue, Infearno dodged to the left to avoid the three chained daggers lashed out from behind him by Speckles. Touching the chained daggers with his finger, Infearno sent a piece of data in them, which made Speckles scream as their function shut down.

"How did you know I was going to attack you from behind?!" Speckles demanded.

"If you thought a sneak attack was going to defeat me, you're even stupider than I thought." Infearno countered. "As for why you're going after me, perhaps it's because I'm the real founder of Uchida Industries, am I not correct?"

"Obviously!" Speckles confirmed. "By eliminating you, Ace's hold on Uchida Industries will be complete!"

"Ace's hold? Or your master's hold on the company?" Infearno questioned back.

"I'm not dignified to answer that with a response." Speckles told him.

"Of course you're not. After all, you're a criminal. One that's done far worse things than merely committing robberies." Infearno replied. This has given me a golden opportunity, he thought in his mind. If I defeat him in a Speed Duel, I can acquire his location in the real world and capture him for information. That will help us for sure. "If you wish to duel me, then you'll have to listen to my proposition."

"Proposition?" Speckles raised his eyebrow. "Go on."

"Let's make this duel a PK duel." Infearno stated. "The winner will keep their account, while the loser will lose their account and be forbidden from logging into LINK VRAINS again."

Speckles grinned upon hearing this. A chance to eliminate Infearno in both the network and in the real world? How could he not pass up such an opportunity to do so? If Speckles succeeded, he will be greatly pleased, and all his mistakes will be forgiven. "Very well. I accept your proposition," he said, as he activated his duel disk. "Now let's begin the duel."

"Yes. Let us begin indeed." Infearno agreed, also activating his duel disk, a grin on his face.

"Speed Duel!" Infearno and Speckles shouted in unison.

Speckles: 4000 LP

Infearno: 4000 LP

"As you agreed to making this a PK duel, I'll go first. My turn." Infearno said, looking at his hand. "Based on the cards in my hand, I believe that you will lose once three turns have passed starting from now."

"Don't get so cocky, Hanoi! I'll make you swallow those words in due time!" Speckles snarled back.

"I highly doubt that." Infearno replied. "I activate the Spell card, Card Destruction. This card makes the both of us send the cards currently in our hand before drawing the same amount."

"Are you kidding me?!" Speckles exclaimed. Uh oh. The cards Speckles drew were required for him to defeat Infearno. Just great, he thought to himself, as he and Infearno discarded the cards in their respective hands before drawing new ones. The good news was that Infearno only drew three, while Speckles drew four new cards. At least these cards, combined with my Skill, will help me make a comeback, Speckles thought, a look of relief on his face.

"The effects of Graff and Cir both activate in sequence." Infearno announced. "First, since it was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my deck with a different name. Come, Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" A grey skinned demon with wings, claws, three spiked horns, and long black hair soon appeared on Infearno's field.

Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1500 DEF: 300 LV: 3

"Second, as Cir was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard to my field. Now arise, Graff!" A draconic fiend with wings and claws emerged from a fiery portal and onto Infearno's field. Upon seeing Speckles, it licked its lips, eager to sink its teeth into him.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1000 DEF: 1500 LV: 3

"I now activate my Skill, Condemned Punishment!" Infearno continued, as his large burnt scar glowed hot red. He grit his teeth in slight pain, but was able to keep it together.

"Already?!" Speckles exclaimed, his eyes having been widened out of shock.

"Yes. After all, I need to defeat you as soon as possible." Infearno answered, before thrusting his right hand forward. "By sending one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my deck to my Graveyard, you take damage equal to its attack points! I send Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss from my deck to my Graveyard, and inflict 2700 points of damage to you!"

After a card popped out of Infearno's deck, he took it and sent it to his Graveyard. Then a red-skinned demon in blue armour that wielded two swords, one blue and one red, and had a tail resembling a dragon's head lunged forward from Infearno's Graveyard and slashed Speckles, making him nearly lose his balance in the process.

Speckles: 4000 – 2700 = 1300 LP

Upon seeing this, both Graff and Cagna laughed at Speckles' pain.

"You deserved it, little boy!" Graff exclaimed.

"You gonna cry from that attack?" Cagna tauntingly added, much to Speckles' ire and Infearno's amusement.

"That's enough for now, boys. I'll make sure he gets punished more, especially regarding the crimes he committed." Infearno assured both Graff and Cagna. "Appear, the circuit of blood and death!" A Link portal appeared in the sky above him. "The summoning conditions are one Fiend monster. I'll set Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss into the Link Markers!" Cagna went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Appear! Link 1! Charon, Ferryman of the Burning Abyss!" A skeleton wearing a long red cloak over his body and riding on top of a long boat appeared on Infearno's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Charon, Ferryman of the Burning Abyss ATK: 0 LINK-1 ⬇️

"The effects of Charon and Cagna now activate in sequence." Infearno stated. "First, when Charon is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard to a Main Monster Zone he points to. Return, Cir!" Soon, a muscular demon resembling a bull with grey blue skin and broken blue horns appeared on Infearno's field in the Main Monster Zone Charon pointed to.

Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200 LV: 3

"Second, as Cagna was sent to the Graveyard, I can send one 'Burning Abyss' Spell or Trap card from my deck to my Graveyard. I send The Terminus and the Burning Abyss from my deck to my Graveyard." A card popped out of Infearno's deck, which he took and sent to his Graveyard. "Appear, for a second time! The circuit of blood and death!" A second Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Burning Abyss' monsters. I set the Link 1 Charon, Ferryman of the Burning Abyss, Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss into the Link Markers!" Charon went into the top arrowhead, Graff went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Cir went into the bottom-right arrowhead.

"Fallen knight, take up your sword from Hell, and resume your crusade upon my enemies!" Infearno chanted. "Link Summon! Emerge! Link 3! Cavaliere Angelo of the Burning Abyss!" A tall, winged humanoid demon with two ridged horns and purple glowing eyes appeared on Infearno's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. His entire body was covered with dark grey, metallic armor. He also had two large wings circling his shoulders. In his right hand was an enormous sword consisting of four distinct blades with thorn-like serrations, as well as a hollow center that glowed purple. Purple lightning danced around the blade as Cavaliere Angelo swung it, ready for battle.

Cavaliere Angelo of the Burning Abyss ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ↙️⬆️↘️

"When Cavaliere Angelo is Link Summoned using a 'Burning Abyss' Link monster as Link Material, I can add one 'Burning Abyss' Spell or Trap card from my deck to my hand. I add Tactics of the Burning Abyss from my deck to my hand." A card popped out of Infearno's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "I Set two cards face-down and end my turn. At this point, Scarm's effect activates. Since it was sent to the Graveyard this turn, I get to add a Level 3 Dark Fiend monster from my deck to my hand. I add Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my deck to my hand." A card popped out of Infearno's deck, which he took and added to his hand.

"My turn! I draw!" Speckles snarled, as he drew the top card of his deck. "You dare make fun of me?! I'll make you regret it! I activate my Skill, Call of the Krawlers!" The chained daggers attached to Speckles' stump glowed red. "If I control no monsters, or if there's a 'Krawler' Link monster on my field in the Extra Monster Zone, I can Special Summon up to three 'Krawler' monsters from my Graveyard to my field!"

"So a little insect like you has some bite after all?" Infearno amusedly inquired.

"Shut! Your! Mouth!" Speckles exclaimed. "Let's see how you talk after this! Using my Skill, I Special Summon Krawler Axon, Krawler Glial, and Krawler Spine from my Graveyard to my field!" Soon, three monsters appeared on Speckles' field.

The first monster was a mechanical insect that stood on its hind legs in attack position.

The second monster was a brown insect with thin legs and upraised wings.

The third monster was a four-legged insect with red tendrils and a single eye.

Krawler Axon ATK: 500 DEF: 1800 LV: 2

Krawler Glial ATK: 700 DEF: 1500 LV: 2

Krawler Spine ATK: 300 DEF: 2100 LV: 2

"I activate the Field Spell card, World Legacy in Shadow. Now all 'Krawler' monsters on my field gain 300 attack and defense points." Axon, Glial, and Spine were surrounded in a purple aura as their strength increased.

Krawler Axon ATK: 500 + 300 = 800 DEF: 1800 + 300 = 2100

Krawler Glial ATK: 700 + 300 = 1000 DEF: 1500 + 300 = 1800

Krawler Spine ATK: 300 + 300 = 600 DEF: 2100 + 300 = 2400

"I now activate the Spell card, World Legacy in Shadow." Speckles continued. "This card lets me excavate the top five cards from my deck, add a 'Krawler' monster or 'World Legacy' card among them, and send the rest to my Graveyard." After taking the top five cards of his deck and looking at them, he said, "From these five cards, I add the Continuous-Trap card, World Legacy Pawns to my hand." Once Speckles took one of the five cards and added it to his hand, he sent the rest to his Graveyard. "I'll now infiltrate my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above Speckles. "The summoning conditions are three 'Krawler' monsters. I set Krawler Axon, Krawler Glial, and Krawler Spine into the Link Markers!" Axon went into the left arrowhead, Glial went into the right arrowhead, and Spine went into the bottom arrowhead, all three of them turning red in the process.

"World Armor of the World Legacies! Merge with the Hive Mind, and transform into a titan of destruction! Link Summon! Behold! Link 3! X-Krawler Axonisks!" A large, mechanical, golem-sized insect appeared on Speckles' field in the right Extra Monster Zone. It had a singular eye, and swords attached to the back of its arms. Blade-like ridges were also attached to its shoulders as well.

X-Krawler Axonisks ATK: 2500 LINK-3 ⬅️⬇️➡️

X-Krawler Axonisks ATK: 2500 + 300 = 2800

"So that's the monster you used against Blood Shepherd..." Infearno muttered.

"Correct, and it will be one of the things that ends you this turn!" Speckles declared. "When Axonisks is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon one 'Krawler' monster from my deck or Graveyard in face-up attack position or defense position. I Special Summon Glial back from my Graveyard to my field in face-up defense position!" At Speckles' command, Glial reappeared on his field in face-up defense position.

Krawler Glial ATK: 700 DEF: 1500 LV: 2

Krawler Glial ATK: 700 + 300 = 1000 DEF: 1500 + 300 = 1800

"I activate Axonisks' second effect as well! Once per turn, I can shuffle one 'Krawler' monster on my field to shuffle a card on your field back into your deck, and this does not target!"

"...!" Infearno narrowed his eyes out of surprise. While he knew what that monster did, it still caught him off guard.

"I shuffle Glial on your field, and the face-down card on your right back to our respective decks!" Both cards turned into particles, much to Infearno's annoyance.

Just great, he thought to himself, still annoyed with what happened. Speckles managed to shuffle Tactics of the Burning Abyss back into my deck. He may be an insect, but he's definitely an annoying one.

"I activate World Legacy in Shadow's second effect." Speckles said. "Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Level 2 or lower Insect monster from my hand in face-up or face-down defense position. I Set a monster from my hand to my field to face-down defense position." A Set card appeared on Speckles' field in face-down defense position. "I then activate the Spell card, Book of Taiyou, which lets me target one face-down defense position monster on my field and change it into face-up attack position. As such, I target the second copy of the face-down defense position Spine, and change it to face-up attack position!" As if on cue, the card flipped up, which revealed a second copy of Spine in face-up defense position.

Krawler Spine ATK: 300 DEF: 2100 LV: 2

Krawler Spine ATK: 300 + 300 = 600 DEF: 2100 + 300 = 2400

"Spine's Flip effect! I can target one monster you control and destroy it! Say goodbye to Cavaliere Angelo!" Speckles grinned as Cavaliere Angelo turned into particles, much to Infearno's annoyance. "I now tribute Spine to Tribute Summon Krawler Suma from my hand to my field!" After Spine turned into particles, a humanoid bug that wore golden armor all over its body appeared on Speckles' field. It had a total of four arms, each ending in a large blade instead of fingers. Blue orbs were on its knees, elbows, chest, and the upper forearms. Attached to Suma's back was a pair of wires.

Krawler Suma ATK: 2000 DEF: 2500 LV: 6

Krawler Suma ATK: 2000 + 300 = 2300 DEF: 2500 + 300 = 2800

"I now activate Suma's effect!" Speckles added. "Once per turn, I can lower this cards level by two or four, and by doing so, I can Special Summon 'Krawler' monsters with different names from my hand, deck, or Graveyard whose total levels equal the amount reduced in face-up attack or face-down defense position. From my Graveyard, I Special Summon Spine and Axon to my field in face-up attack position!" At Speckles' command, two Set cards appeared on his field in face-down defense position, while a red aura surrounded Suma, which lowered his level by four.

Krawler Suma LV: 6 – 4 = 2

"I Set one card face-down." Speckles pointed at Infearno with his left index finger. "Battle! Krawler Suma attacks you directly!" Suma charged forward, intent on piercing Infearno with its blades.

"Sorry, but you won't do such a thing." Infearno stated. "I activate the Trap card, Pinpoint Guard. When you declare an attack, I can target one Level 4 or lower monster in my Graveyard, and Special Summon it to my field in defense position. Also, the monster Special Summoned by this effect cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn."

"What?!" Speckles exclaimed, angry that Infearno denied him the chance of winning the duel.

"Now arise, Cir!" At Infearno's command, Cir reappeared on his field in defense position.

Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200 LV: 3

"In that case, Suma attacks Cir!" Speckles replied, as Suma brought down its blades on Cir, a barrier appeared in front of the latter in the process. As a result, Suma was forced to retreat back to Speckles' field, much to his fury. "I end my turn." It's alright. I still have a face-down card, two monsters that are in face-down defense position, and two strong monsters on my field. I'll survive this turn, he assured himself.

Infearno clapped sarcastically. "Wow. Just wow. I had hoped an insect like you would give me an actual challenge. Then again, I was mistaken."

"Are you mocking me?!" Speckles demanded.

"To put it simply, I am." Infearno answered. "Then again, even the smallest insect can have a bite, but only on those who can't fight back."

"What do you mean by that?"

Infearno smirked. "I'm talking about the crimes you've committed, of course. Robbery and murder aside, you've committed a very immoral one. One that insults humanity itself."

"Don't you-!"

"Since you were a boy, you always wanted to be on top." Infearno began. "You murdered your grandparents to get their fortune, charmed your way into becoming popular at school, and when that wasn't enough, you robbed numerous banks and companies, ruining multiple people's lives."

"Silence!"

"But you didn't stop there, did you?" Infearno taunted. "Your desire to be on top became so great that you abused other people in numerous ways to assert dominance. And if I recall, one of your primary targets were... girls your age, right, Saburo Inoue?"

"STOP TALKING!" Speckles screamed.

"You also hid behind bribes, threats, and the criminal world to get away with what you did." Infearno continued nonchalantly. "Because of your perverse crimes, you ruined numerous peoples lives, thus making you one of the worst criminals that ever walked the planets surface."

"Don't be so high and mighty! You Hanoi scum also committed crimes!" Speckles pointed out.

"You are right. The Hanoi committed crimes. But whereas we committed crimes in the name of saving mankind, you committed crimes just to satisfy your big ego." Infearno clarified. "It's time to end this façade of a duel. My turn! I draw!" He drew the top card of his deck. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Apocrypha of the Burning Abyss. This card lets me-."

"Continuous-Trap, activate! World Legacy Pawns!" Speckles interrupted. "This card lets me activate one of two effects. I choose effect one, which lets me target a face-down monster I control and change it to either face-up attack position or defense position. I change the face-down defense position Axon to face-up defense position." On Speckles' command, the Set card flipped up, which revealed Axon.

Krawler Axon ATK: 500 DEF: 1800 LV: 2

Krawler Axon ATK: 500 + 300 = 800 DEF: 1800 + 300 = 2100

"Axon's Flip effect! I can target and destroy a Spell or Trap card on the field. Say goodbye to Apocrypha of the Burning Abyss!"

"..." Infearno frowned as both cards turned into particles. "If this is your best, you're no match for me!"

"What are you saying?" Speckles asked. "I know you plan on summoning stronger monsters. Which is why I-!"

"Do you really think that would stop me?" Infearno inquired back, which made Speckles gasp. "I am a Knight of Hanoi! We not only adapt to the situation, but ensure we have other accessible options to win the duel! Allow me to show you what I mean! I summon Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my hand!" A winged demon with blue skin, wings and claws, as well as braided hair, appeared on Infearno's field.

Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1300 DEF: 700 LV: 3

"It seems we're punishing a sinner, aren't we Cir?" Libic said.

"Indeed we are, Libic. And this sinner will pay his debts in Hell!" Cir agreed.

"Do all of your monsters talk?" Speckles questioned.

"Yes, they do. Got a problem with that?" Infearno replied. "Appear, the circuit of blood and death!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two Level 3 monsters! I set Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss into the Link Markers!" Cir went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while Libic went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning both of them red in the process.

"Link Summon! Emerge! Link 2! Geryon, Steed of the Burning Abyss!" An enormous, demonic armored horse with black skin galloped onto Infearno's field, in the right Extra Monster Zone. The horse had glowing blue horns on its head, along with a mane of blue fire. Its hoofs were also alit with blue fire.

Geryon, Steed of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1600 LINK-2 ↙️↘️

"Prepare to fall before my might!" Geryon screeched, as it reared on its hind legs for a brief moment.

"The effects of Cir and Libic both activate!" Infearno continued. "First, as Cir was sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Graveyard. Now come, Graff!" At Infearno's command, Graff reappeared on his field.

Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1000 DEF: 1500 LV: 3

"Second, when Libic is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my hand. Now serve me, Barbar!" A horned, bearded old man appeared on Infearno's field, wielding a spiked ball on a chain.

Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

"Appear for a second time! The circuit of blood and death!" Infearno declared, as a second Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Burning Abyss' monsters. I set the Link 2 Geryon, Steed of the Burning Abyss, Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss, and Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss into the Link Markers!" Geryon went into the left and right arrowheads, Graff went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Barbar went into the bottom-right arrowhead, all of them turning red in the process.

"Ruler of Hell, the fulfilled time has come! Break free from your imprisonment and take over Heaven as its rightful ruler!" Infearno chanted. "Link Summon! Emerge! Link 4! Lucifer, Condemner of the Burning Abyss!" A muscular, supernaturally tall and humanoid demon with dark grey skin and several glowing scars around his body appeared on Infearno's field in the left Extra Monster Zone. Along with glowing red, orange, and yellow eyes, Lucifer's face consisted of thin lava-like scars resembling streaks of tears running from his face. On his head were two large horns, while his shoulders and chest had small spikes on them. He wore a brass-colored armlet on each of his arms, which were in the shape of a serpent. His legs appeared goat-like, in the form of a satyr. As evident that he fell from Heaven, Lucifer's back had smoking stumps, which showed where his wings once were. In his right hand, he carried a large demonic sword. Lucifer chuckled as he looked at Speckles, intent on eliminating him the first chance he got.

Lucifer, Condemner of the Burning Abyss ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ↙️⬅️➡️↘️

"GAAAAH!" Speckles screamed. "NOT YOU!"

"Oh, but it is indeed, boy." Lucifer cackled. "I will so enjoy making you my slave in Hell!"

"And you will get your chance, Lucifer." Infearno assured him. "Starting with this! The effects of Lucifer, Graff, and Barbar now activate! First, when Lucifer is Link Summoned, one card on your field is banished. I banish Axonisks! Hell's Rupturing!"

"I hope you didn't need that card, child!" Lucifer cackled for a second time, as he pointed his sword at the card and fired a blast of demonic fire at it, turning it into ashes and causing Speckles to scream out of panic.

"Second, when Graff is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster with a different name. Come, Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss!" Infearno ordered, as a winged demon with no arms and long white hair appeared on Infearno's field in the Main Monster Zone Lucifer pointed to.

Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss ATK: 1000 DEF: 1900 LV: 3

"Third, when Barbar is sent to the Graveyard, I can banish up to three 'Burning Abyss' cards from my Graveyard to inflict 300 points of damage for each one! I banish Cir, Graff, and Scarm from my Graveyard to inflict 900 points of damage to you!" Three fireballs appeared out of Infearno's Graveyard and orbited around his hand before he started juggling them. "Here, Speckles. Have some balls. After all, I don't think you have any at all." He threw all three of them at Speckles, which made him nearly lose his balance.

Speckles: 1300 – (300 X 3) = 400 LP

Infearno then thrusted out his right hand. "I activate Lucifer's second effect. Once per turn, I can target one face-up monster he points to, and all face-up monsters you control lose attack points equal to that monsters attack points until the End Phase. I target Farfa!"

"All of you are nothing beneath me!" Lucifer declared, as he raised his demonic sword high into the air, releasing blazing waves of energy at Suma and weakening it in the process.

Krawler Suma ATK: 2000 – 1000 = 1000

"THIS CAN'T BE!" Speckles screamed. "I AM ON TOP! EVERYONE ELSE IS BENEATH ME!"

"No, Speckles. This time, you're beneath everyone else you've hurt, especially all the ways you tortured the innocent." Infearno pitilessly responded, in a tone that made Speckles gasp. "It's time to pay your debts in Hell! Battle! Lucifer, Condemner of the Burning Abyss attacks Krawler Suma! Hell's Domination!"

"I will restore my eminence, and all shall burn in my glory!" Lucifer proclaimed, as he dashed forward with his demonic sword, intent on striking Suma down. He slashed it several times before breathing scorching fire all over its body. The resulting explosion made Speckles scream like a demented animal as he fell off his duel board.

Speckles: 400 – 2000 = 0

Soon, Speckles' avatar fully turned into particles before forming into a data sphere, which went over to Infearno as he held it in his right hand.

"It seems I found your location in the real world." Infearno grinned. If he hurried, he can capture Speckles in the real world and interrogate him for information. After sending a message to the other Knights of Hanoi, Infearno pressed a few buttons on his duel disk before tapping the top of the data sphere, putting it into his duel disk in the process. He then logged out, intent on completing his mission.

Meanwhile...

"Battle! Berserker of the Tenyi attacks D-Scale Battle Coela! Darkness Mixer!" Dancho declared, as Berserker of the Tenyi teleported in front of Battle Coela before brutally punching and kicking it to the point of death, causing an explosion that made Bitboot fall off his duel board and get shredded by the Data Gale. "And another one bites the dust!" He pressed a button on his duel disk. "How's everything on your end?"

"Faust and I still have Bitboots to contend with." Baira answered.

"Specter and I are busy with our opponents as well." Dr. Genome added.

"Infearno's sent us a message, saying he's found Speckles' location in the real world." Lord Kazuma stated over the comm.

"Then we need to eliminate these A.I.'s fast and catch up with Infearno." Revolver decided over the comm.

"I'll head over right away, Rev-." Dancho began, only for Malf to appear out of nowhere, who nearly hit him had he not got out of the way at the last minute. "So you've appeared..."

"Hi, old man!" Malf greeted Dancho with a wide smile. "Me decided to play with you in a duel!"

"Is that so?" Dancho inquired, with Malf nodding in confirmation. He pressed a button on his duel disk before speaking. "Revolver, it's Malf. He's..." Nothing came back but static.

"No, no, no. Me don't want you to do that. Me want to get stronger. By eliminating you!" Malf said, the wide smile still evident on his face.

Dancho narrowed his eyes. I've seen footage of Raguel and Drachen's duels against Malf, and I know how his deck works. If I defeat him, perhaps I can get that sample for Dr. Genome, and ultimately a bioweapon for the Hanoi to use against the Ignis, he thought in his mind. "Very well, Malf. If you wish to duel, I'll give you a lesson. One that will end in your defeat!"

"Oooh. Fighting words." Malf gave a brief boxing stance before turning around and steadying himself on his duel board while Dancho sped up parallel to him. "Me like that! Let's begin! Because me have a mission, and if me is to complete it, me has to eliminate you for good!"

"Speed Duel!" Malf and Dancho shouted in unison.

Dancho: 4000 LP

Malf: 4000 LP

"I will go first for our duel." Dancho told Malf. "My turn. I activate the effect of Tenyi Spirit – Nahata from my hand! Since I control no effect monsters, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" A misty green serpentine dragon appeared on Dancho's field and roared at Malf.

Tenyi Spirt – Nahata ATK: 800 DEF: 1000 LV: 4

"Appear, the circuit of mystical chi!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one non-Link 'Tenyi' monster! I'll set Tenyi Spirit – Nahata into the Link Markers!" Nahata entered the bottom arrowhead around the portal, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Join your master! Link 1! Monk of the Tenyi!" A young teenage male, wearing what looked like to be a brown Gi with a dragon symbol on it and a red belt, appeared on Dancho's field in the right Extra Monster Zone.

Monk of the Tenyi ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"I then activate the Spell card, Vessel for the Dragon Cycle!" Dancho continued. "I can send a Wyrm monster from my deck to my Graveyard. In addition, should I control a face-up non-effect monster, I can add a 'Tenyi' monster from my deck to my hand, as long as it has a different name! I send Tenyi Spirit – Ashuna from my deck to my Graveyard, and add Tenyi Spirit – Adhara from my deck to my hand!" Two cards popped out of Dancho's deck, where he took one and sent it to the Graveyard, while he added the other to his hand.

"I now activate the effect of Tenyi Spirit – Ashuna from my Graveyard. As I control a non-effect monster, I can banish this card from my hand or Graveyard to Special Summon one 'Tenyi' monster from my deck with a different name to my field. In exchange, I can's Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except for Wyrm monsters. Now emerge from my deck! Tenyi Spirit – Vishuda!" A blood red misty serpentine dragon appeared on Dancho's field and roared at Malf.

Tenyi Spirit – Vishuda ATK: 1500 DEF: 2500 LV: 7

"I also summon Tenyi Spirit – Adhara from my hand to my field." Dancho said, as a brown, misty serpentine dragon appeared on his field.

Tenyi Spirit – Adhara ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"I now tune the Level 1 Tenyi Spirit – Adhara with the Level 7 Tenyi Spirit – Vishuda!" A bolt of lightning struck Dancho as the world greyed out and his two monsters turned into particles. wo rings, one brown and one red appeared before turning blue and merging. Eight blue rings stacked in a tower appeared, a screen displaying "1 + 7" in front of them. The screen changed to "8" as light surged through the rings.

"Fallen student! Let your soul corrupt you, and unleash the darkness within!" Dancho chanted. "Synchro Summon! Roar, Level 8! Draco Berserker of the Tenyi! A muscular, corrupted ogre with scaly skin and spikes appeared on Dancho's field in the Main Monster Zone Monk of the Tenyi pointed to.

Draco Berserker of the Tenyi ATK: 3000 DEF: 0 LV: 8

"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn." Dancho concluded with a smirk. I have three great cards to impede this AI's progress, he thought in his mind. First, if Malf activates a monster effect, Draco Berserker can simply banish it once per turn. Second, Tenyi Renewal lets me Special Summon up to three 'Tenyi' monsters from my Graveyard and/or my banished zone before immediately performing a Link Summon. And third, Fists of the Unrivaled Tenyi lets me negate the activation of any card effect Malf activates. Thanks to the data from Raguel and Drachen's duels against Malf, I'll be able to squash this AI once and for all.

"A clever one, aren't you?" Malf said. "Me will put you in your place! Me turn! Me draw!" He drew the top card of his deck. "Me summon Darkscourge Star Core from me hand!" A medium-sized violet orb with a black star emblem displayed on the front appeared on Malf's field. The orb has large spikes that rotate around it, giving it a sun-like appearance. It also has red eyes in the center of the star emblem.

Darkscourge Star Core ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"When Star Core is Normal or Special Summoned, it-."

"I activate Draco Berserker's effect!" Dancho interrupted. "Once per turn, when you activate a monster effect, I can banish it!"

"WHAT?!" Malf exclaimed, having been caught off guard by that.

"Go, Draco Berserker! Chi Howl!" Draco Berserker roared at Star Core, turning it into particles, much to Malf's dismay.

"You...!" Malf grit his teeth. "How did you-?"

"I know how your deck works, Malf." Dancho began speaking. "How you build up 'Darkscourge' counters to use for Link Summoning, as well as how Star Core plays a key part of that strategy. I won't let that strategy bear fruit. Not as long as I have control of this duel!"

"Only for now..." Malf muttered. "Me activate the Spell card, Darkscourge Sustenance from me hand. By sending one 'Darkscourge' card from me hand to me Graveyard, me can draw two cards from the top of me deck. Me send Darkscourge Worm from me hand to me Graveyard, and draw!" After sending one of the cards in Malf's hand to his Graveyard, he drew the top two cards of his deck. Upon looking at them, he grinned. "Worm's effect from me Graveyard activates! Once per turn, when it's sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, me can Special Summon it back to me field! Now come to me field, Darkscourge Worm!" A large worm with solid black skin and thorns near its head appeared on Malf's field. Its face had a black star emblem at the center, and it had a wide purple mouth with some eye-like growths in it.

Darkscourge Worm ATK: 1500 DEF: 1500 LV: 3

Not yet, Dancho told himself in his mind. Once Malf activates a strong card, I'll spring my other surprise on him.

"Appear, the circuit of the rampant plague!" A Link Portal appeared above Malf. "The summoning conditions are one 'Darkscourge' monster. Me set Darkscourge Worm into the Link Markers!" Worm went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Emerge! Link 1! Darkscourge Creeper!" A black-skinned creature with a triangular head appeared on Malf's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. The creature had a single eye on its face, along with a black star emblem. Each of its hands were large, which had claw-like fingers.

Darkscourge Creeper ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"The effects of Worm, Creeper, and Star Core now activate!" Malf continued. "First, when Worm is used to Link Summon a 'Darkscourge' Link monster, the both of us must send the top card of our deck to our Graveyards!" Both duelists took the top card of their decks and sent them to their respective Graveyards. "Second, when Creeper is Link Summoned, me can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge' monster from me Graveyard to me field. Me Special Summon Star Core from me banished zone to me field!" Creeper raised its hands and conjured up a portal, which caused Star Core to appear on Malf's field in face-up defense position.

Darkscourge Star Core ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"Third, when Star Core is on me field and me control a 'Darkscourge' Link monster, you cannot target any of them with card effects, nor can you target Star Core for attacks!"

"...!" Dancho narrowed his eyes. That... wasn't good. Still, it was a good thing one of his face-down cards didn't specifically target, that's for sure.

"Me now activate the Spell card, Darkscourge Spawning!" Malf added, as he played one of the cards in his hand. The card showed Darkscourge Star Core going through cellular mitosis to produce legions of Darkscourge Satellmites. "If Star Core is on me field, me can Special Summon two 'Darkscourge Satellmite' tokens to me field in defense position. Now come, two copies of Darkscourge Satellmite!" Soon, two balls with four spider legs and red eyes appeared on Malf's field in defense position. On each of their faces was a black star emblem.

Darkscourge Satellmite ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

Darkscourge Satellmite ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

Suddenly, words popped in Malf's mind. The same ones that Azrael and Wraith told him just prior to their attack.

"You are an assassin, Malf. Assassins specialize in executing their opponents covertly, or by drawing their prey into a trap. In your hunger for strength, you've abandoned these techniques, and have instead started focusing on eliminating the enemy upfront as soon as possible. While that strategy nearly defeated Raguel, it's how you lost to Drachen. Try creating an inescapable death trap for the opponent before executing the final blow. If you do, you'll see better results."

After pondering these words, Malf grinned, knowing what he had to do. But first, he had to make some preparations. "Appear, for a second time! The circuit of the rampant plague!" A second Link Portal appeared above Malf. "The summoning conditions are two 'Darkscourge' monsters. Me set both Darkscourge Satellmite tokens into the Link Markers!" One Satellmite token went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while the other went into the bottom arrowhead.

"Link Summon! Arise! Link 2! Darkscourge Hawk!" A small, winged dragon that had a squamous black hide and no legs or claws appeared on Malf's field in the Main Monster Zone Creeper pointed to. It had red lines all over its body, three fins on the end of its wings, and a long tail. On its head was a black star emblem.

Darkscourge Hawk ATK: 2200 LINK-2 ↙️⬇️

"When Hawk is Link Summoned, me can add one 'Darkscourge' Spell or Trap card from me deck to me hand." Malf told Dancho. "Me add Darkscourge Mutation from me deck to me hand!" A card popped out of Malf's deck, which he took and added to his hand. "Appear, for at third time! The circuit of the rampant plague!" A third Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Darkscourge' monsters. Me set the Link 1 Darkscourge Creeper and the Link 2 Darkscourge Hawk into the Link Markers!" Creeper went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while Hawk went into the bottom-left and bottom-right arrowheads, all three of them turning red in the process.

"Amorphous mass of darkness, mold yourself to a creature that will end my enemies!" Malf chanted. "Link Summon! Come forth! Link 3! Darkscourge Sabah!" A tall, slender dark, humanoid creature that had a mask on its face, which resembled the black star emblem, appeared on Malf's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Red spores attached to his forearms and shins, along with a single one at the center of his chest. Curved spikes were attached to the back of his head, which glowed a dim red. In each of his arms, he carried long-bladed dirks.

Darkscourge Sabah ATK: 0 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️

"Sabah's effect! When he's Link Summoned, me can-!"

"Counter-Trap, activate! Fists of the Unrivaled Tenyi!" Dancho interrupted. "When you activate a Spell, Trap, or monster effect while I control a non-effect monster, I can-!"

"Do nothing!" Malf countered. "Me activate the effect of Darkscourge Airnapse from me hand!" The card showed a dark-purple nucleus that had a red coating around it. On its face was a black star emblem. "When you activate a card effect, me can send this card to me Graveyard to negate the effect and banish it!"

Dancho grit his teeth in response, as he didn't expect Malf to have that card in his hand.

"Say goodbye to Fists of the Unrivaled Tenyi!" Soon, a silhouette of Airnapse charged forward at Fists of the Unrivaled Tenyi and entered the card, causing it to turn into particles from the inside out. "And now to resume with Sabah's effect! When Sabah is Link Summoned, me can send one monster you control to your Graveyard, and by doing so, he gains its attack points!"

"What?!" Dancho exclaimed for a second time, having been caught off guard by what Malf said just now.

"Me send Draco Berserker to the Graveyard, and have Sabah gain 3000 attack points! Scourge Drain!" Sabah raised his right hand, which glowed as it turned Draco Berserker into a mass of darkness, which went into Sabah before powering him up.

Darkscourge Sabah ATK: 0 + 3000 = 3000

"Me Set three cards face-down and end me turn." Malf suddenly concluded. "You are up."

Elsewhere...

"End this duel, Borreload Dragon!" Revolver declared. "Attack him with Thunder Borrel Cannon!" A gun barrel extended from Borreload Dragon's mouth before it fired a large shell at Bitboot, which exploded upon impact and caused them to fall off their duel board before being shredded by the data gale. "Good riddance, A.I." Something's going on with Dancho, he thought with concern in his mind. I need to assist him asap! Revolver attempted to speed forward towards Dancho's location, only for Malf to emerge out of nowhere, his right arm having been morphed into a large blade. Seeing this, Revolver dodged each of Malf's strikes before riding parallel to him. "So you're with those A.I.'s aren't you, Malf?"

"You correct!" Malf confirmed. "But is it on purpose or mere coincidence? Me won't give you the answer to that question!"

It's obviously on purpose, you wretched A.I., Revolver easily figured out in his mind. That was the obvious answer. After all, how else could Malf find the Hanoi Stronghold's location? Regardless, this was a golden opportunity, as Revolver can acquire a piece of Malf should he defeat him in the coming duel. "Enough talk, Malf. Let's get to the duel. Because I intend to tear you into pieces!"

"Excellent! Because me want to get started right away!" Malf stated.

"Speed Duel!" Revolver and Malf declared in unison.

Revolver: 4000 LP

Malf: 4000 LP

"I'm going first." Revolver announced to Malf, who didn't respond. "My turn! I activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Quick Launch! This card lets me Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my field, but it can't attack, and it's destroyed during my End Phase. Come, Magnarokket Dragon!" A blue and red metal dragon with green holographic wings and a small cannon on its head appeared on Revolver's field.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200 LV: 4

"Next, as I control a 'Rokket' monster, I can Special Summon Absorouter Dragon from my hand." A dark-blue and black dragon with green eyes, two legs, and wings that had three spines on each side appeared on Revolver's field.

Absorouter Dragon ATK: 1200 DEF: 2800 LV: 7

"Manifest, my circuit!" Revolver declared, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are one Level 4 or lower Dark Dragon monster! I set Magnarokket Dragon into the Link Markers!" Magnarokket Dragon went into the left arrowhead, turning it red.

"Link Summon! Rise! Link 1! Striker Dragon!" A blue metal dragon with light-green lines running over it, large green holographic wings, and clawed legs flew onto Revolver's field in the Extra Monster Zone. The curved pieces of metal on the dragon's head and shoulders coincidentally resembled the ones from revolvers.

Striker Dragon ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬅️

"When Striker Dragon is Link Summoned, I can add the Field Spell card Boot Sector Launch from my deck to my hand." Revolver explained, as a card popped out of his deck, which he added to his hand. "Striker Dragon's effect! By targeting a face-up monster on my field and destroying it, I can target and add a 'Rokket' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I destroy Absorouter Dragon on my field, and target Magnarokket Dragon in my Graveyard!" After Absorouter Dragon turned into particles, a card popped out of Revolver's Graveyard, which he took and added to his hand. "Absorouter Dragon's effect now activates! Since it was sent to my Graveyard, I can add one 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my hand. I add Autorokket Dragon to my hand." Another card popped out of Revolver's deck, which he took and added to his hand.

"I also activate the Field Spell card, Boot Sector Launch. With this card, all 'Rokket' monsters on my field gain 300 attack and defense points!" A massive red gun barrel with green lines appeared on Revolver's right side. It had a red and black frame that ran from the top to the bottom that covered two of the six holes. The red gun barrel then turned into particles. "Boot Sector Launch's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon up to two 'Rokket' monsters from my hand in defense position. Come on out, Magnarokket Dragon and Autorokket Dragon!" Two monsters then appeared on Revolver's field in defense position.

The first was Magnarokket Dragon.

The second was an armored orange metal dragon with green holographic wings and a rocket on its head.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200 LV: 4

Magnarokket Dragon ATK: 1800 + 300 = 2100 DEF: 1200 + 300 = 1500

Autorokket Dragon ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

Autorokket Dragon ATK: 1600 + 300 = 1900 DEF: 1000 + 300 = 1300

"I now activate Noctovision Dragon's effect from my hand." Revolver added. "As a Dark Dragon monster was Special Summoned to my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand to my field. Now, rise! Noctovision Dragon!" A dark-green, thin dragon that had no arms and green holographic wings appeared on Revolver's field in defense position.

Noctovision Dragon ATK: 0 DEF: 2800 LV: 7

"I manifest my circuit for a second time!" A second Link Portal appeared above Revolver. "The summoning conditions are two Dark Dragon monsters. I set the Link 1 Striker Dragon, and Noctovision Dragon into the Link Markers!" Striker Dragon went into the top arrowhead, while Noctovision Dragon went into the bottom arrowhead, turning both arrowheads red.

"Link Summon! Rise! Link 2! Dillingerous Dragon!" A medium-sized, bipedal dragon with purple armour and no wings appeared on Revolver's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Instead of fingers, it had a pair of guns attached to its hands, and it also had a gun cylinder in its chest as well.

Dillingerous Dragon ATK: 1600 LINK-2 ⬆️⬇️

"Noctovision Dragon's effect now activates! Since it was sent to the Graveyard as Link Material, I can draw the top card of my deck!" Revolver explained, as he drew the top card of his deck. This will certainly help, he thought in his mind. But I need to do something first. "I now manifest my circuit for a third time!" A third Link Portal appeared above Revolver. "The summoning conditions are three or more effect monsters. I set the Link 2 Dillingerous Dragon, Magnarokket Dragon, and Autorokket Dragon into the Link Markers!" Dillingerous Dragon went into the left and right arrowheads, Magnarokket Dragon went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Silverrokket Dragon went into the bottom-right arrowhead, turning all four of them red in the process.

"My new wind that pierces through the closed world!" Revolver chanted. "Link Summon! Rise! Link 4! Borreload Dragon!" A large, red and silver mechanical dragon that had multiple green lines running over its body appeared on Revolver's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. It had two large silver spines, which projected green holographic wings. Borreload Dragon also had a gun cylinder in its chest, ready to be used.

Borreload Dragon ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ↙️⬅️➡️↘️

"I activate the Equip Spell card, Borrel Regenerator. This card lets me target one 'Rokket' monster in my Graveyard and equip it with this card. By doing so, I can Special Summon it from my Graveyard to my field, but it's banished when it leaves my field. I target Autorokket Dragon in my Graveyard, equip it with Borrel Generator, and Special Summon it to my field!" At Revolver's command, Autorokket Dragon reappeared on his field.

Autorokket Dragon ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

Autorokket Dragon ATK: 1600 + 300 = 1900 DEF: 1000 + 300 = 1300

"I also activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Squib Draw. By targeting a 'Rokket' monster on my field and destroying it, I get to draw two cards. I destroy Autorokket Dragon!" Revolver continued, as Autorokket Dragon turned into particles. Once that was done, Revolver drew the top two cards of his deck. "In addition, Borrel Regenerator's second effect activates! As it was sent to the Graveyard because the equipped monster was destroyed, I can draw a card from the top of my deck." He drew the top card of his deck as well.

"I Set one card face-down and end my turn." Revolver concluded. "At this point, the effect of Autorokket Dragon activates. Since it was destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my field with a different name. Emerge, Silverrokket Dragon!" A silver-armored dragon with a bullet on its head, along with magenta holographic wings appeared on Revolver's field.

Silverrokket Dragon ATK: 1900 DEF: 100 LV: 4

Silverrokket Dragon ATK: 1900 + 300 = 2200 DEF: 100 + 300 = 4

"Me turn! Me draw!" Malf said, as he drew the top card of his deck.

"Not so fast! I activate Borreload Dragon's effect!" Revolver suddenly interrupted. "Once per turn, during either of our turns, I can target one monster on the field and lower its attack and defense points by 500! You can't activate cards or effects in response to this effect as well! I target Silverrokket Dragon!" Borreload Dragon roared loudly as a red aura surrounded Silverrokket Dragon, which decreased its attack points.

Silverrokket Dragon ATK: 2200 – 500 = 1700 DEF: 400 – 500 = 0

"Silverrokket Dragon's effect now activates! If it's targeted by a Link monster's effect, I can destroy this card to look at your Extra Deck and banish one card from it!"

"WHAT?!" Malf exclaimed out of shock, as Silverrokket Dragon's entire body transformed into a bullet that went into the gun barrel in Borreload Dragon's chest.

"You weren't expecting such a move, were you, A.I.?" Revolver taunted with a smirk, as a series of cards appeared in front of him. After looking at them for a moment, he then picked one. "I banish the Link-3 Darkscourge Black Bull!" The gun barrel rotated as Borreload Dragon opened its mouth and fired a silver beam at the declared card, turning it into particles. "I also activate the Trap card, Magical Cylinders. This card lets me set a copy of Magical Cylinders from my deck or Graveyard to my Spell & Trap card zone. I Set a copy of Magical Cylinders from my deck to my Spell & Trap card zone." A card popped out of Revolver's deck, which he took and Set in his Spell & Trap card zone.

"Why, you little...!" Malf gritted his teeth. How dare Revolver do that to him! Then again, it made sense. After all, Revolver was the leader of the Knights of Hanoi, and the strongest amongst them. Even though Revolver Set Magical Cylinder with his Trap card, he can't activate it, which means me can still attack, he thought in his mind. As long as Malf was careful, he'd succeed in his mission. "Me summon Darkscourge Star Core from me hand!" A medium-sized violet orb with a black star emblem displayed on the front appeared on Malf's field. The orb has large spikes that rotate around it, giving it a sun-like appearance. It also has red eyes in the center of the star emblem.

Darkscourge Star Core ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"When Star Core is Normal or Special Summoned, it gains 'Darkscourge' counters equal to the number of cards in me hand. Since me have four cards in me hand, Star Core gains a total of four 'Darkscourge' counters!" Four purple orbs soon orbited around Star Core.

Darkscourge Star Core DSC: 0 + 4 = 4

"Me now activate the Spell card, Darkscourge Sustenance." Malf continued. "By sending one 'Darkscourge' card from me hand to me Graveyard, me can draw two cards from the top of me deck. Me send Darkscourge Puffer from me hand to me Graveyard, and draw!" After sending one of the cards in Malf's hand to his Graveyard, he drew the top two cards of his deck. Upon looking at them, he smirked widely. "Appear, the circuit of the rampant plague!" A Link Portal appeared above Malf. "The summoning conditions are one 'Darkscourge' monster. However, if me would Link Summon a 'Darkscourge' Link monster, Star Core lets me remove 'Darkscourge' counters from it equal to that Link monster's Link rating instead, and treat it as a Link Summon! Therefore, me remove one 'Darkscourge' counter from Star Core and set it into the Link Markers!" One of the purple orbs orbiting around Star Core went into the bottom arrowhead, turning it red.

Darkscourge Star Core DSC: 4 – 1 = 3

"Link Summon! Emerge! Link 1! Darkscourge Creeper!" A black-skinned creature with a triangular head appeared on Malf's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. The creature had a single eye on its face, along with a black star emblem. Each of its hands were large, which had claw-like fingers.

Darkscourge Creeper ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

"The effects of Creeper and Star Core now activate." Malf continued. "First, when Creeper is Link Summoned, me can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge' monster from me Graveyard or banished zone to me field. Me Special Summon Darkscourge Puffer from me Graveyard to me field!" A round, purple fish with a black star emblem on its face, along with a pair of wings on its sides and a cork on top of its head appeared on Malf's field. It also had red eyes in the center of the star emblem.

Darkscourge Puffer ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 2

"Second, while Star Core is on me field and me control a 'Darkscourge' Link monster, you cannot target any of them with card effects, nor can you target Star Core for attacks."

"Tch!" Revolver grit his teeth. That meant he couldn't use Borreload Dragon's first effect to target Malf's monsters and decrease their attack and defense points.

Malf grinned. "Do you really think Black Bull was me only strong monster, Revolver? Allow me to disprove your theory! Appear, for a second time! The circuit of the rampant plague!" A second Link Portal appeared above Malf. "The summoning conditions are two 'Darkscourge' monsters, and just like before, me can also remove 'Darkscourge' counters from Star Core equal to that Link monster's Link rating instead, and treat it as a Link Summon. Me remove two 'Darkscourge' counters from Star Core and set them into the Link Markers!" Two of the three purple orbs orbiting around Star Core went into the left and right arrowheads, turning both of them red in the process.

Darkscourge Star Core DSC: 3 – 2 = 1

"Link Summon! Rise! Link 2! Darkscourge Assassin!" A humanoid creature with red, black, and orange skin, as well as a black star emblem at the center of its orange armor appeared on Malf's field in the Main Monster Zone Creeper pointed to. It had three horns on the head, along with a small tail on its lower back. Two horns were also attached to the armor as well. In its hands, it carried a blaster.

Darkscourge Assassin ATK: 2200 LINK-2 ⬅️➡️

"Me now activate the Continuous-Spell card, Darkscourge Pestilence!" Malf continued, as he played one of the cards in his hand. The card showed several Darkscourge Stonks spreading a toxic gas throughout the streets, infecting several people along the way. "While this card is on me field, every time you summon a monster, me can place one 'Darkscourge' counter on Star Core or Generator on me field. In addition, your monsters lose 300 attack and defense points as well for every 'Darkscourge' counter on the field!"

"What?" Revolver said, as a purple gas emitted the field, which made Borreload Dragon roar in slight pain as its attack points dropped.

Borreload Dragon ATK: 3000 – 300 = 2700

"Me Set two cards face-down." Malf then pointed his right index finger to Revolver. "Battle! Darkscourge Assassin attacks you directly!"

"Directly?" Revolver repeated out of surprise.

"If me control Star Core, Assassin can attack you directly, but any battle damage it inflicts is halved." Malf explained. "Go, Darkscourge Assassin! Attack Revolver directly!" Assassin vanished for a brief moment before preparing to fire at Revolver!

"Trap card, activate! Magical Cylinder!" Revolver stated.

"You can't do that! You Set that card with your previous Trap card!" Malf protested.

"Yes, I can!" Revolver countered. "If I Set a copy of Magical Cylinder from my deck to my Spell & Trap card zone with Magical Cylinders' effect, I can activate it this turn." Upon hearing this, Malf's eyes widened out of shock. "With Magical Cylinder, when your monster declares an attack, I can not only negate the attack, but inflict damage equal to its attack points!" Assassin fired a blast of energy from its gun, which went into one of the Magical Cylinders that appeared in front of Revolver. "I also activate the effect of Magical Cylinders from my Graveyard. By banishing this card from my Graveyard, any damage you take is doubled!"

"...!" Malf's eyes widened out of surprise. While he definitely didn't see that coming, he did have something just in case.

"Your strength will be your undoing, A.I.! Fire!" Revolver declared, as a blast of energy was fired out of the Magical Cylinders towards Malf, who suddenly grinned.

"Not necessarily, Revolver!" Malf interjected. "Me activate Puffer's effect! If me take damage, me can cut it in half by tributing this card on me field, and by doing so, me can inflict damage to you equal to the other half of the damage me would have taken until the End Phase!"

"What?!" Revolver exclaimed, as Puffer appeared in front of Malf and opened its mouth, who ate half of the blast of energy before it blew up, which made both Malf and Revolver slightly lose their balance on their respective duel boards before regaining it.

Malf: 4000 – (4400 / 2) = 1800 LP

Revolver: 4000 – (4400 / 2) = 1800 LP

"Me end turn here." Malf concluded, wiping the sweat off his forehead before sighing out of relief.

"And since you ended your turn, Silverrokket Dragon's effect activates." Revolver said. "As it was destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my field with a different name. Come on out, Metalrokket Dragon!" A blue metal dragon with green holographic wings and a missile on its head appeared on Revolver's field. The dragon groaned in slight pain as its attack and defense points decreased.

Metalrokket Dragon ATK: 1700 DEF: 1400 LV: 4

Metalrokket Dragon ATK: 1700 + 300 = 2000 DEF: 1400 + 300 = 1700

Metalrokket Dragon ATK: 2000 – 300 = 1700 DEF: 1700 – 300 = 1400

"Pestilence's effect activates as well! Since you summoned a monster, me can place one 'Darkscourge' counter on Star Core or Generator. Me choose the former! And remember that for every 'Darkscourge' counter on me field, your monsters lose 300 attack and defense points!" Malf replied, as a purple orb orbited around Star Core. Both Borreload Dragon and Metalrokket Dragon groaned in pain as their strength was depleted further.

Darkscourge Star Core DSC: 1 + 1 = 2

Borreload Dragon ATK: 2700 – 300 = 2400

Metalrokket Dragon ATK: 1700 – 300 = 1400 DEF: 1400 – 300 = 1100

"My turn! I draw!" Revolver drew the top card of his deck. I didn't expect for Malf to redirect the damage like that. Nor did I expect him to fire back half of the damage at me, he admitted. Regardless, such a thing won't stop me! "Borreload Dragon's effect! Once per turn, during either of our turns, I can target one monster on the field and lower its attack and defense points by 500! You can't activate cards or effects in response to this effect as well! I target Metalrokket Dragon!" Borreload Dragon roared loudly as a red aura surrounded Metalrokket Dragon, which decreased its attack points.

Metalrokket Dragon ATK: 1400 – 500 = 900

"Metalrokket Dragon's effect now activates! If it's targeted by a Link monster's effect, I can destroy this card to destroy all cards in the column it's in!"

"...!" Malf gasped, as Metalrokket Dragon's entire body transformed into a bullet that went into the gun barrel in Borreload Dragon's chest.

"Say goodbye to Creeper and Assassin, A.I.!" Revolver declared. "Fire!" The gun barrel rotated as Borreload Dragon opened its mouth and fired a blue beam, which pierced both Creeper and Assassin before turning both of them into particles.

"Me activate the Quick-Play Spell card, Darkscourge Mutation!" Malf said in response. "By tributing one 'Darkscourge' monster on me field, me can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge' monster from me deck to me field in face-up attack or face-up defense position. Me tribute Star Core, and Special Summon Darkscourge Tricker from me deck to me field in face-up attack position!" After Star Core turned into particles, it was replaced by a phoenix with red and black skin, which had bat-like attributes, as evidence by the shape of its wings and the horns on its head. It had yellow eyes, along with a black star emblem on its face.

Darkscourge Tricker ATK: 1500 DEF: 1500 LV: 4

Every time I summon a monster, Darkscourge Pestilence gains a 'Darkscourge' counter, and my monsters get weaker, Revolver recalled in his mind as he frowned. I need to get rid of it fast. "I activate the Spell card, Rokket Blast, from my hand!" The card showed Borreload Dragon firing a transformed Magnarokket Dragon out of its mouth towards Firewall Dragon. "By sending a 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my Graveyard, I can banish one card on your field. What's more, if I control a 'Borrel' monster, you can't activate cards or effects in response to this cards activation!"

"Tch!" Malf grit his teeth. Revolver wasn't letting up, that's for sure.

"I send Anesthrokket Dragon from my deck to my Graveyard!" Revolver said, as a card popped out of his deck, which he took and sent to his Graveyard. "And banish Darkscourge Pestilence from your field!" As if on cue, Pestilence turned into particles. "With Pestilence gone, Borreload Dragon's attack points return to normal!" Borreload Dragon roared as its strength reverted to its original amount.

Borreload Dragon ATK: 2400 + 600 = 3000

Meanwhile, at Malf and Dancho's duel...

"My turn! I draw!" Dancho said, as he drew the top card of his deck. Malf didn't attack with his monster that turn, he thought in his mind. I don't know why, but he may be preparing something big. That's why I need to defeat him as soon as possible! "I activate the Spell card, White Elephant's Gift. By sending one non-effect monster from my field to my Graveyard, I can draw two cards from the top of my deck. I send Monk of the Tenyi from my field to my Graveyard, and draw!" After Monk of the Tenyi turned into particles, Dancho drew the top two cards of his deck. "In addition, I activate the Trap card, Tenyi Renewal! This card lets me target up to three 'Tenyi' monsters in my Graveyard and/or banished zone and Special Summon them to my field. What's more, I can Link Summon a 'Tenyi' monster by using only those monsters as Link Material!"

"..." Malf frowned as he narrowed his eyes. Whatever monster Dancho planned to Link Summon must be strong. Still, something like that wouldn't stop Malf from winning this duel, that's for sure.

"From my Graveyard, I Special Summon Monk of the Tenyi, Tenyi Spirit – Vishuda, and Tenyi Spirit – Adhara to my field!" At Dancho's command, Monk of the Tenyi, Vishuda, and Adhara reappeared on his field.

Monk of the Tenyi ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

Tenyi Spirit – Vishuda ATK: 1500 DEF: 2500 LV: 7

Tenyi Spirit – Adhara ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 1

"And with Tenyi Renewal's second effect, I can now do this! Appear, the circuit of mystical chi!" Dancho declared, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more monsters, including a Link monster. I set the Link 1 Monk of the Tenyi, Tenyi Spirit – Vishuda, and Tenyi Spirit – Adhara into the Link Markers!" Monk of the Tenyi went into the bottom-left arrowhead, Vishuda went into the bottom arrowhead, and Adhara went into the bottom-right arrowhead, all three of them turning red in the process.

"Master the pure energy flowing through you, my student! Link Summon! Link 3! Draco Masters of the Tenyi!" The young teenage male from earlier returned, only he was surrounded by a golden aura. His right fist was filled with golden energy, and a small, misty golden dragon was surrounding him as well.

Draco Masters of the Tenyi ATK: 2600 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️

"If you can summon monsters, then so can me!" Malf said. "Quick-Play Spell card, activate! Darkscourge Mutation!" The card showed a purple fog surrounding one of the Satellmites in Darkscourge Generator, which mutated it into Warrior as it roared upon birth, to the observance of Star Core. "By tributing one 'Darkscourge' monster on me field, me can Special Summon one 'Darkscourge' monster from me deck to me field in face-up attack or face-up defense position. Me tribute Star Core, and Special Summon Darkscourge Stonk from me deck to me field in face-up defense position!" After Star Core turned into particles, it was replaced by a purple cloud with cloud-like arms in face-up defense position. It had red eyes, along with a black star emblem on its face.

Darkscourge Stonk ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 LV: 3

"I'm not sure what you're planning, but I can't let it reach fruition!" Dancho stated. "I activate Draco Masters of the Tenyi's effect! Once per turn, should I control no other effect monsters, I can destroy effect monsters you control equal to the number of non-effect monsters I control or is in the Graveyard. Since I have one non-effect monster in my Graveyard, I can destroy one of your two monsters! I destroy Sabah!"

"That won't happen, old man! Counter-Trap, activate! Darkscourge Repellence!" Malf interrupted, as he gestured to one of his face-down cards. The card showed military troops firing artillery at a bubbly, poisonous shield that was in front of numerous Warriors, Necromancers, and Black Bull. Some of the bullets bounced off and hit other troops, causing them to become infected, as evident by the red spores. "When you activate a card effect while me control a 'Darkscourge' monster, me can negate the effect. What's more, you can't activate cards or effects in response to this card's activation!"

"Tch...!" Dancho grit his teeth as poisonous bubbles flew out of the card towards Draco Masters of the Tenyi, which made him scream upon impact.

"That's not the only thing me got! Me activate the Continuous-Trap card, Darkscourge Breakdown!" Malf told Dancho, as he gestured to his other face-down card. The card showed humans giving into their primal instincts and tearing each other apart upon being exposed to the toxic gas. Seizing the opportunity, several Necromancers siphoned the energy from numerous humans as a dark silhouette of a legless emperor with three red bestial eyes, twin wide horns with red tips, a set of spines on his scalp, three-fingered paws with claws, and no lips watched the chaos, laughing in dark humour. "While this card is on me field, monsters you control must attack, and if they don't attack, they are destroyed, and you take damage equal to their original attack points!"

"WHAT?!" Dancho exclaimed, his eyes having widened out of shock as a purple gas enveloped the field, causing Draco Masters of the Tenyi to hold his head in pure pain. Within moments, his eyes glowed red, having succumbed to his primal instincts.

This isn't good, Dancho thought. If he didn't attack, he'd take damage, and Malf would win. But if he used the cards in his hand carefully prior to the Battle Phase, along with his Skill, he can at least deal massive damage to Malf. And if Dancho survived one more turn, he'd win the duel. "If you want me to attack so bad, then I'll grant your wish! I activate the Equip Spell card, Big Bang Shot, and equip it onto Draco Masters of the Tenyi. Not only does my monster gain 400 attack points, it can also deal piercing battle damage as well!" An orange aura surrounded Draco Masters of the Tenyi, powering him up.

Draco Masters of the Tenyi ATK: 2600 + 400 = 3000

"I also activate the Spell card, Nightmare Binding. I can target one monster you control, and have it lose 800 attack points."

"..." Malf narrowed his eyes, paying attention to what Dancho was saying.

"In addition, your monster can't activate its effects while it's on your field, nor can it be tributed. What's more, I gain 800 life points! I target Sabah!" Dancho said, as chains erupted from the card and wrapped themselves around Sabah, restricting his movements. A golden aura surrounded Dancho afterwards, increasing his life points in the process.

Darkscourge Sabah ATK: 3000 – 800 = 2200

Dancho: 4000 + 800 = 4800 LP

"Now for the coup de grace! I activate my Skill, Ultimate Technique!" The green lines on his white coat glowed. "This turn, one monster I control can now attack all monsters you control once each! I target Draco Masters of the Tenyi for this Skill!" A rainbow-colored aura surrounded Draco Masters of the Tenyi, increasing his strength. "Battle! Draco Masters of the Tenyi first attacks Darkscourge Stonk!" Draco Masters of the Tenyi charged golden energy in his fist, ready to unleash it.

"Me activate Stonk's effect!" Malf suddenly stated. "During either player's turn, me can pay up to 1000 life points to decrease your monster's attack points! As such, me pay 1000 life points to lower your monsters attack points by 1000!" Stonk fired purple smog at Draco Masters of the Tenyi, making him scream for a third time as his attack points dropped.

Draco Masters of the Tenyi ATK: 3000 – 1000 = 2000

Malf: 4000 – 1000 = 3000 LP

"That won't save you! Dragon Fist!" Dancho declared, as Draco Masters of the Tenyi punched his right hand forward, releasing the misty golden dragon, which led to it literally eating Stonk and destroying it. The explosion made Malf wince as his life points dropped.

Malf: 3000 – 1000 = 2000 LP

Dancho then gasped. Oh no, he thought in his mind, upon realizing what Malf's plan was.

He had fallen into the antlion's trap.

A trap that he couldn't get out of.

"You starting to realize the truth now, Knight of Hanoi?" Malf inquired with a sadistic grin. "No matter what you do, no matter how much you struggle, it's all for naught. Especially when you realize that there's no way out of this duel, aside from your loss of course!" Malf then jumped off his duel board, his right arm glowing red. "Me activate me Skill! Delusional Heartbeat!" He then launched his right arm like a weapon towards Draco Masters of the Tenyi, touching his chest before returning to its owner. As a result, a transparent, bloody damp mark appeared on Draco Masters of the Tenyi's chest momentarily before disappearing. When Malf landed back on his duel board, he opened his right palm, which showed a mirror image of Draco Master of the Tenyi's heart. "Once per duel, when me have 2000 life points or less, me can target one monster you control and place one 'Malady' counter on it. If a 'Darkscourge' monster on me field destroys it by battle..." His eyes widened as he sadistically smiled. "I WIN THE DUEL!"

Draco Masters of the Tenyi MC: 0 + 1 = 1

"...!" Dancho's eyes widened, pure fear evident in his eyes.

"If you attack, you lose. If you don't attack, you lose! One way or another, it's over!" Malf pointed out, the sadistic grin still on his face as he pointed his right index finger at Draco Masters of the Tenyi before bending it back and forth. "Come here, little duel monster. It's time for you to die!" As if in a trance, Draco Masters of the Tenyi prepared to charge golden energy in his fist.

"NO! DRACO MASTERS OF THE TENYI! PLEASE STOP!" Dancho pleaded, as Draco Masters of the Tenyi punched his right hand forward, releasing the misty golden dragon towards Sabah, who broke free from his chains before slicing it in two with his dirks.

Sabah then charged forward and stabbed Draco Masters of the Tenyi in multiple places on his body.

"MY SON!" Dancho screamed, as he raised his right arm forward, hoping to do something to stop this madness.

"CHECKMATE! YOU LOSE!" Malf triumphantly declared, as he squeezed his right hand and crushed the mirror image of Draco Masters of the Tenyi's heart in his palm. Upon crushing it, a massive explosion occurred, which froze Dancho in his place as his life points dropped.

All the way to zero.

Dancho: 4800 – 4800 = 0

A bloody hole appeared on the left side of Dancho's chest, which had traces of blood flowing out of it. Blood also fell down from the left side of Dancho's lips, who didn't react to it due to the frozen and blank expression on his face.

Seizing the chance, Malf dashed forward and pierced his right arm through Dancho's chest, grabbing his heart in the process before ripping it out of his body. The frozen Dancho then fell off his duel board and began hurtling towards the ground, the data gale shredding his avatar and logging him out before he did so.

Malf ate the heart in his hand, relishing in the blood that filled his mouth. Soon, he triumphantly roared before glowing and turning into a large, purple piece of goo, which travelled in an unknown direction towards its owner.

Elsewhere, at Revolver and Malf's duel...

"I Set one card face-down on my field." Revolver thrusted out his right hand towards Malf's field. "Battle! Borreload Dragon attacks Darkscourge Tricker! Thunder Borrel Cannon!" A gun barrel extended from Borreload Dragon's mouth before it fired a large shell at Tricker. The bullet tore through Tricker, which exploded and caused Malf to slightly lose his balance before regaining it. A smirk was on his face, as if everything was going according to plan.

Malf: 1800 – 1500 = 300 LP

"I end my turn here." Revolver concluded. "At this point, Metalrokket Dragon's effect activates! Since it was destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my field with a different name. Come, Anesthrokket Dragon!" A green and yellow metal dragon with green holographic wings and a syringe on its head appeared on Revolver's field in defense position.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK: 0 DEF: 2200 LV: 1

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK: 0 + 300 = 300 DEF: 2200 + 300 = 2500

Malf, upon sensing what was coming, began to laugh. Loudly.

"What's so funny, Malf?!" Revolver demanded. He soon had to shield his eyes upon seeing the shining, purple goo zoom past him and spread all over Malf's body.

"It's time for me to evolve!" Malf announced with glee, as his whole body began shining before he grew taller, his appearance having been fully changed. He now had magenta-colored flaming hair, along with a dark vest that had purple padding around his shoulders and neck. The pants Malf wore now grew in size, as if to fit his newly grown body. "Ah. So this is what my evolved form looked like." His voice also grew deeper, as if his feral instincts have been pacified. "It seems the old man's strength and wisdom was the last thing I needed to grow stronger."

"Old man?" Revolver repeated, his eyes having been widened upon putting two and two together. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH DANCHO?!"

"Simple. I consumed his heart." Malf answered, turning to Revolver. "It serves you Hanoi right, as you're not saviours. You're murderers!"

"Says the A.I. who went after an old man..." Revolver snarled back.

"Becoming stronger is a necessity in order to survive in this world, Revolver. You of all people should know that." Malf countered. "While my objective tonight was to eliminate you permanently, I knew that to do so, I had to get stronger. Which is why I had to divert your attention long enough so I could acquire one of your allies' strength and knowledge. As to why I chose the old man, it's because his wisdom was needed to balance out my feral instincts. It was something my lord said I needed following my previous mission."

"You! YOU'LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO DANCHO!" Revolver furiously shouted, before pressing a button on his duel disk. "All Knights of Hanoi! Come to my location! Malf's injured Dancho, and he must-!"

"No. I think not." Malf suddenly interrupted, before pressing a button on his duel disk, which intensified the data gale around him. "It will take quite a while for your allies to assist you, and even if they could, the Bitboots are still entertaining them in duels. That just leaves you and me here in this duel, and it will end in my victory. My turn! I draw!" He drew the top card of his deck. "I activate Tricker's effect from my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can banish one monster you control!"

"WHAT?!" Revolver exclaimed, as he gasped out of pure shock.

"Begone, Borreload Dragon!" A silhouette of Tricker flew out of Malf's Graveyard and incinerated Borreload Dragon, turning it into particles. "And with Borreload Dragon gone, I activate the Trap card, Darkscourge Reanimation!" The card showed a dark silhouette of a legless emperor with three red bestial eyes, twin wide horns with red tips, a set of spines on his scalp, three-fingered paws with claws, and no lips raising his right hand above the ground, repairing Assassin, Warrior, and Necromancer in the process with his energy. "This card lets me Special Summon up to three 'Darkscourge' monsters from my Graveyard or banished zone to my field. Return from my Graveyard, Assassin and Creeper!" At Malf's command, Assassin and Creeper reappeared on his field.

Darkscourge Creeper ATK: 1000 LINK-1 ⬇️

Darkscourge Assassin ATK: 2200 LINK-2 ⬅️➡️

"What's more, I can Link Summon a 'Darkscourge' monster by using 'Darkscourge' monsters on my field as Link Material!"

"...!" Revolver widened his eyes out of shock. Whatever Malf brought out next... would not be good at all.

"Appear, the circuit of the rampant plague!" Malf declared, as a Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more 'Darkscourge' monsters. I set the Link 1 Darkscourge Creeper, and the Link 2 Darkscourge Assassin into the Link Markers!" Creeper went into the bottom-left arrowhead, while Assassin went into the bottom and bottom-right arrowheads, turning all three of them red in the process.

"Disciple of the dark lord! Master the infected energy flowing within you, and enforce the dark lord's tyrannical rule!" Malf chanted. "Link Summon! Come forth at the dark lord's command! Link 3! Darkscourge Draco Master!" A young teenage male, wearing a brown Gi that was ripped apart in numerous places appeared on Malf's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. Instead of a dragon symbol, the Gi now had a black star emblem on it, as well as on the blood-stained belt around Draco Master's waist. His right fist was filled with purple energy, and a small, misty purple dragon was surrounding him as well. Draco Master's eyes glowed red as he roared in rage at Revolver.

Darkscourge Draco Master ATK: 2800 LINK-3 ↙️⬇️↘️

"How dare you pervert Dancho's son like that!" Revolver furiously snarled, disgusted by what Malf did.

"I believe it's something you call fighting poison with poison, am I not correct?" Malf taunted back, much to Revolver's fury. "I activate Draco Master's effect! Once per turn, I can banish cards your control up to the number of 'Darkscourge' Link monsters in my Graveyard."

"Tch!" Revolver grit his teeth. Uh oh. With Malf banishing his cards instead of destroying them, it prevented him from activating the second effects of his 'Rokket' monsters.

And if Revolver knew anything else, it was that Malf wouldn't banish Anesthrokket Dragon.

Rather, Malf would go after his two other cards.

"I have Assassin and Creeper in my Graveyard, which means I banish up to two cards on your field! I banish Boot Sector Launch and your face-down card! Contagious Outbreak!" Draco Master charged a ball of purple energy before firing it at Revolver's field, which split into two misty, purple dragons that tore apart both Boot Sector Launch and the face-down card. "And with Boot Sector Launch gone, Anesthrokket Dragon's attack and defense points return to normal." Anesthrokket Dragon groaned as its strength reverted to its original amount.

Anesthrokket Dragon ATK: 300 - 300 = 0 DEF: 2500 - 300 = 2200

"I also activate the Spell card, Darkscourge Lariat!" Malf continued, as he played a card in his hand. The card showed two Assassins teleporting around Machina Citadel, blasting it to bits in numerous directions in the process. "This card, upon activation, lets me target one 'Darkscourge' Link monster on my field. By doing so, if the targeted monster destroys your monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, you take damage equal to its attack or defense points, whichever one is higher."

"So in other words, if you fail to defeat me this turn, you'll still inflict battle damage." Revolver figured out.

"That's correct." Malf confirmed. "Like I told you before, my lord has commanded me to defeat you permanently, and to do that..." His arm glowed red. "I must take your heart. I activate my Skill, Delusional Heartbeat!" He then launched his right arm like a weapon towards Anesthrokket Dragon, touching its chest before returning to its owner. As a result, a transparent, bloody damp mark appeared on Anesthrokket Dragon's chest momentarily before disappearing. Malf then opened his right palm, which showed a mirror image of Anesthrokket Dragon's heart. "Once per duel, when I have 2000 life points or less, I can target one monster you control and place one 'Malady' counter on it. If a 'Darkscourge' monster on me field destroys it by battle, I WIN THE DUEL!"

Anesthrokket Dragon MC: 0 + 1 = 1

"...!" While Revolver was aware of Malf's Skill, it still baffled him that a Duel-Winner Skill existed at all. If Raguel and Drachen can survive it...

...Then so can he!

"I Set one card face-down." Malf thrusted his right hand towards Revolver's field. "Battle! Darkscourge Draco Master attacks Anesthrokket Dragon! Venoshock Fist!" Draco Master screamed as he punched his right hand forward, releasing the misty purple dragon, which headed towards Anesthrokket Dragon!

"I activate the effect of Exactorokket Dragon from my hand!" Revolver interrupted, as he played a card in his hand. "When you declare an attack, I can Special Summon this card from my hand to my field in face-up defense position!" Soon, a long, red and green dragon with green lines running over its body and long wings appeared on Revolvers' field in defense position. All over its body were armored shields, which also had green lines running over it.

Exactorokket Dragon ATK: 0 DEF: 0 LV: 7

"Exactorokket dragon also has two other effects! One, when it's Special Summoned by its own effect, you can only target it for attacks!" The armored shields on Exactorokket Dragon glowed as the misty, purple dragon missed Anesthrokket Dragon and began circling around Draco Master's right fist. "Second, I can target one monster you control, and have it gain attack and defense points equal to the half of the targeted monsters attack and defense points! I target Draco Master!" Exactorokket Dragon released a scanning wave from its shields towards Draco Master, analyzing him before a red aura surrounded it, which increased its attack and defense points.

Exactorokket Dragon ATK: 0 + 1400 = 1400 DEF: 0 + 1400 = 1400

"Very well. I will target your monster instead." Malf complied. "Darkscourge Draco Master attacks Exactorokket Dragon instead! Venoshock Fist!" Draco Master screamed for a second time as he punched his right hand forward, releasing the misty purple dragon, which led to it literally eating Exactorokket Dragon and destroying it. "And thanks to Darkscourge Lariat, you take damage equal to either your monsters attack or defense points, whichever is higher. Since they're the same, I declare attack points, which means you take 1300 points of damage!" Revolver winced as his life points dropped.

Revolver: 1800 – 1400 = 200 LP

"I end my turn here."

"At this point, the effect of Exactorokket Dragon activates. Since it was destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a 'Rokket' monster from my deck to my field with a different name." Revolver said. "Rise, a second copy of Magnarokket Dragon!" At Revolver's command, a second copy of Magnarokket Dragon appeared on his field.

Magnarokket Dragon ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200 LV: 4

"In addition, I activate the effect of Dillingerous Dragon from my Graveyard. As a 'Rokket' monster was Special Summoned to my field while it's in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card from my Graveyard to my field. In exchange, it's banished upon leaving the field. Rise again, Dillingerous Dragon!" At Revolver's command, Dillingerous Dragon reappeared on his field and roared.

Dillingerous Dragon ATK: 1600 LINK-2 ⬆️⬇️

Malf grinned. "As the leader of the Knights of Hanoi, I expected nothing less from you. But allow me to repeat what I said before. You and the other Hanoi are not saviours! You are murderers!"

"All we've done was to ensure that humanity had a better future. One where they can freely prosper without fear of the unknown." Revolver began speaking. "If it meant sacrificing a few lives for the better, we would do it. But you." He grit his teeth. "You put people on the verge of death not just for fun, but to get stronger as well. All for whatever goal your blue bastard of a master plans to achieve. In the name of humanity, I will make sure you never harm anyone else again by tearing you to bits this turn! My turn! I draw!" Revolver drew the top card of his deck.

"Trap card, activate! Darkscourge Veil!" Malf interrupted, as he gestured to his face-down card. The card showed a dark silhouette of a legless emperor with three red bestial eyes, twin wide horns with red tips, a set of spines on his scalp, three-fingered paws with claws, and no lips showering Draco Master with dark energy, making him scream as he powered up. "When this card is activated, I can equip it onto one 'Darkscourge' Link monster on my field. I equip it to Draco Master!" A purple and black aura surrounded Draco Master, as he roared in strength. "While Draco Master is equipped with Veil, he's unaffected by your card effects, except for the effects of Link monsters whose Link rating is higher than his. In other words, if you don't have a Link 4 monster on your field, your cards will do nothing against Draco Master."

"We'll see about that, Malf!" Revolver replied, as he raised his right hand high into the air before letting out a shout. Soon, the data from the data gale began surrounding his arm. Unfortunately, he screamed in pain as the data from the data gale began to overwhelm him. As a result, he had to fall onto one knee due to the level of pain the data brought to his body.

"I don't know what you're doing, Revolver, but the data from the data gale will shred you to bits if you keep this up." Malf stated, before his eyes suddenly widened out of shock upon realizing what Revolver was up to. "You're insane! You wouldn't do such a thing!"

"It seems you're realizing what I'm about to do, aren't you?" Revolver taunted, before narrowing his eyes in anger and forcing himself to stand up on his feet, regaining his strength in the process. "I am the leader of the Knights of Hanoi! A group of people sworn to save humanity from the unknown, no matter who or what is in our way. Prepare yourself, Malf! For you're about to experience a true world of pain!" Using the data from the data gale, he then fired it out of his hand, which created a massive data storm. While Malf jumped over the data storm, Revolver went into it.

As he struggled to get through the data storm, Revolver saw something in front of him.

It was a white-armoured dragon-like creature with orange wing loops. One that had light blue lining, orbs, and spikes across its trefoil knot tail. Its upper armour had pink and golden cords decorated all over it. Portions of its armour on its arms and the middle of its chest, which had a light-blue diamond at the center, was coloured black. The dragon had a blue orb for an eye, which was inside its sharp-fanged mouth. As for its curved horns, they were attached to the sides of its mouth.

"Yes! It's perfect! The monster that will end you! I activate my Skill, Storm Access!" Revolver shouted, as he reached forward with his right arm into the data storm before grabbing the card that appeared in front of him. After doing so, he exited the data storm and sped over to where Malf was.

"I activate the Spell card, Galaxy Journey, from my hand. This turn, each time a monster I control is banished, I can Special Summon that monster to my field." Revolver grinned, his plan having fully come together. "I now manifest my circuit!" A Link Portal appeared above him. "The summoning conditions are two or more effect monsters. I set the Link 2 Dillingerous Dragon, Anesthrokket Dragon, and Magnarokket Dragon into the Link Markers!" Dillingerous Dragon went into the top-left and top-right arrowheads, Anesthrokket Dragon went into the bottom-left arrowhead, and Magnarokket Dragon went into the bottom-right arrowhead, all four of them turning red in the process.

"The evolution of the universe transforms nothing into the infinite!" Revolver chanted. "Link Summon! Come before us! Link 4! Topologic Zeroboros!" A white-armoured dragon-like creature that had orange wing loops, light blue lining, orbs, and spikes across its trefoil knot tail appeared on Revolver's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. A set of pink and golden cords were decorated all over its upper armour. The other portions of its armour on its arms and the middle of its chest, which had a light-blue diamond at the center, was coloured black. The dragon had a blue orb for an eye, which was inside its sharp-fanged mouth. As for its curved horns, they were attached to the sides of its mouth.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ↖️↙️↘️↗️

"So that's the monster you pulled from the data storm..." Malf muttered. "A Cyberse monster at that. Why would such a monster answer your call, especially the call of someone who murdered Cyberse creatures?"

"It's because this monster is a 'Topologic' monster, and just like the others, it recognized me as the true apex predator. Long story short, this monster will be the end of you!" Revolver re. "As Dillingerous Dragon left the field, it's now banished. However, thanks to Galaxy Journey, I can Special Summon it right back to my field!" Immediately, Dillingerous Dragon reappeared on Revolver's field in the Main Monster Zone Zeroboros pointed to.

Dillingerous Dragon ATK: 1600 LINK-2 ⬆️⬇️

"Zeroboros' effect also activates! When a monster is Special Summoned to a Main Monster Zone it points to, all cards on the field are banished!"

"WHAT?!" Malf exclaimed out of pure shock, having been caught off guard by what Revolver just told him.

"You heard me." Revolver said. "All the cards on your field are banished. Go, Zeroboros! Asura Enigma!" A massive sigil traced the entire duel field, with a trefoil knot being traced in the middle. Upon completion, it glowed as every single card turned into particles. "And thanks to Galaxy Journey, I can Special Summon both Zeroboros and Dillingerous Dragon from my banished zone right back to my field!" At Revolver's command, Zeroboros and Dillingerous Dragon reappeared on his field.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK: 3000 LINK-4 ↖️↙️↘️↗️

Dillingerous Dragon ATK: 1600 LINK-2 ⬆️⬇️

"Zeroboros' second effect also activates. It gains 200 attack points for every card that's banished!"

"Such an effect exists?!" Malf exclaimed in pure anger and surprise.

"That's right!" Revolver confirmed. "You have Draco Master, Veil, Black Bull, Tricker, and Pestilence banished, while I have Borreload Dragon, Magical Cylinders, a copy of Boot Sector Launch, and Red Reboot banished on my side. That means Zeroboros gains 1800 attack points!" Zeroboros roared as its strength increased.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK: 3000 + (200 X 9) = 4800

Revolver then thrusted out his right hand. "Let's end this! Battle! Topologic Zeroboros attacks you directly! Final Disorder Code!" Zeroboros charged orange energy in its wing loops, ready to fire it at Malf.

"I activate the effect of Lariat from my Graveyard." Malf stated. "By banishing it, any battle damage I take this turn is also inflicted to you!"

Revolver gasped. "You'd do something as desperate as that just to win the duel?"

"Yes." Malf simply confirmed, as Zeroboros' strength went up due to there being another banished card.

Topologic Zeroboros ATK: 4800 + 200 = 5000

Zeroboros fired the orange energy at Malf, which caused an explosion that spread towards Revolver as both duelists fell off their duel boards, the duel having ended in a draw.

Malf: 300 – 5000 = 0

Revolver: 200 – 5000 = 0

"You're not getting away from me!" Revolver shouted, as he pressed a button on his duel disk before landing on his duel board, which released a data anchor that contained a vine-wired cage towards Malf, trapping him in the process.

"That's where you're mistaken, Revolver." Malf responded, a glow suddenly spreading all over his body before he blew up so fast that Revolver couldn't react in time.

"GAAAAAAHHHH!" Revolver fell off his duel board in pain, the explosion forcing him to do so as he was forced to log out, his avatar being torn into pieces in the process.

In the real world, at Ryoken's yacht...

Ryoken immediately got up from his bed and ran over to the main area, where he saw the others try to treat Zandaka. Unfortunately, as evident by the bloody hole on the left side of Zandaka's chest, along with the blood falling down the left side of his lips, this proved to be very tricky.

"Get more towels, Eizaburo!" Kyoko panickily told him.

"Right!" Eizaburo complied, running over to the nearby bathroom, hoping to find more towels. Having found some, he brought them back and handed a few small ones to Kyoko and Aso, the two of them putting pressure on the wound. Youta and Takeya also helped stabilize Zandaka so they can tend to his massive chest wound.

"Kyoko, what's-?" Ryoken began, only to gasp at the bloody hole on the left side of Zandaka's chest. "How bad is the wound?"

"With the equipment we have, I don't think we can-." Kyoko began speaking, but before she could continue, Ryoken bent down and picked up Zandaka's body. He then started running towards the yacht's exit and to the dock. "RYOKEN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Getting help!" Ryoken panickily answered, running to where the safehouses were, which was a few minutes away from the yacht. After the Hanoi brought numerous injured civilians to the safehouses, they parked the yacht nearby so they can help them if needed. Mikuru also checked in on the injured civilians every now and then, as she had some employees of Uchida Industries help in treating their injuries. The safehouses. There they are, he thought, a look of relief and panic evident on his face. "I NEED A DOCTOR! NURSES! ANYONE! SOMEONE HELP!"

Hearing the commotion, various adults and children turned around, where they saw Ryoken arrive at the area. Seeing how serious the situation is, a female adult motioned for Ryoken to follow her, which he did. There, he found a safehouse with a red plus at the top, much to his relief. Entering inside, he found several doctors and nurses tending to the wounded, some of which he recognized as workers from Uchida Industries.

"We've got a person in critical condition!" the female adult cried out, getting the attention of a doctor and two volunteers as they took Zandaka's body from Ryoken and placed him on a nearby medical bed before beginning to operate on him. Ryoken nodded to the head doctor out of gratitude, the latter nodding back in response before he exited the safehouse. Leaning his back to the wall, Ryoken then sunk to the ground and sat down before bringing to his knees to his chest. He then let the tears out.

Tears that contained sadness and anger in regards to recent events.

Ever since his parents divorced, Zandaka was there for him. To the point where Ryoken saw him as a loving grandfather. Someone he can lean on and trust during difficult times. When his father officially died, Zandaka was there to help him fully process what happened. With his mother having not been located, all Ryoken had was his comrades, who he viewed as his family.

And now the Ignis put Zandaka, one of Ryoken's trusted comrades, in a state of near death.

"The Ignis, Malf, that blue bastard... all of them will suffer for this..." Ryoken quietly seethed in pure fury and rage, just quiet enough so no one else could hear him.

"You're not a bad person."

Ryoken looked up, and in doing so, he saw a male child with dark skin and dark-brown hair that spiked backwards at the sides, along with magenta-coloured eyes. His attire mainly consisted of a brown and white shirt, along with jeans and shoes.

"Kid, you have no idea what I'm responsible for." Ryoken said, narrowing his eyes to get his point across.

"Would a bad person help us in our time of need?" the boy countered, which made Ryoken gasp. "My parents taught me that bad people only look out for themselves. But you and the others helped us in our time of need. I don't know what you did in the past, but that doesn't define who you are."

Ryoken widened his eyes. Looking at the child, he saw that he was nine to ten years old. Yet for this child to tell him this information... threw him in a loop.

"There he is!" a voice cried out, which made Ryoken and the male child turn their head as they saw Mikuru, along with Kyoko, Aso, Eizaburo, and Youta, approach them.

"Guys..." was all Ryoken muttered, as he saw the sad expressions on their faces.

"Thank you, Ryker." Mikuru said to the boy, who nodded before running off and leaving them alone. Once that was done, Mikuru kneeled down to his level before giving Ryoken a hug. "Ryoken... I'm so sorry." Aso placed a comforting hand on Kyoko's shoulder, while Eizaburo and Youta frowned, all of them trying to process what happened.

"Where's Takeya?" Ryoken asked them.

"Keeping an eye on the ship, Master Ryoken." Youta answered. A doctor then exited the safehouse, which got everyone's attention.

"We stabilized Zandaka for the time being," the doctor told the group. "We'll keep an eye on him as the days go by."

"Thank you, doctor." Ryoken stated, standing up on his feet and offering the doctor his right hand, who reciprocated it with a handshake in response. "We're grateful."

The doctor turned around, and was about to enter into the safehouse when he stopped. "You guys may have committed awful crimes, but the fact you risked your safety to help us goes a long way. Maybe you're not the bad guys the media paints you as." He then entered inside the safehouse.

"Are you sure you're alright, Ryoken?" Mikuru asked him.

"No. I'm not alright." Ryoken admitted, wiping the tears with his right forearm. "But I have to keep going. Those who did this to Zandaka will pay dearly." The others nodded in agreement. Soon, his burner phone began vibrating in his pocket, which he took and pulled out before looking at who was calling him. Following the Tower of Hanoi, Ryoken and the others got burner phones so they can ensure that their conversations wouldn't be traced by the authorities. They were older models too, which reassured them even more.

Seeing that it was Emon calling him, Ryoken answered it and said, "Yes?"

"I found Saburo Inoue. Takeya and I are interrogating him as we speak." Emon explained.

"We'll meet the both of you at the yacht." Ryoken then hung up and turned to the others. "Emon's captured Saburo, and he and Takeya are currently interrogating him."

"Then let's go immediately." Youta stated.

"Right!" The Hanoi then headed over to the yacht, only for Ryoken to turn to Mikuru for a brief moment.

"Take care of him," he whispered to Mikuru, who nodded in response before he joined the others. While it took a few minutes to get to the yacht, the Hanoi went inside, where they found Emon and Takeya interrogating Saburo, who was tied to a chair.

"You'll spill the beans soon, little insect." Takeya mocked Saburo, much to the latter's fury.

"I told you not to call me that!" Saburo exclaimed, as Emon punched him in the gut.

"We can do this all night." Emon warned Saburo. "Now tell us where and who your master is."

"I don't know who you're talking about." Saburo defiantly replied, only for Takeya to strike him at one of his pressure points, which made him scream in pure pain.

"That's enough, Emon. I'll take it from here." Ryoken told him, who stood aside. He then charged forward and punched Saburo so hard that the chair fell to the ground. Going over, Ryoken knelt down and grabbed the lapels on his white shirt. "Where's your master?! Who is he?!"

"So you're Dr. Kogami's son." Saburo said with a wide grin. "I wonder whether dear old daddy would be impressed by what-AAAAGGH!" Ryoken then headbutted him to the ground, much to the shock of the other Hanoi. As a result, the chair broke, which cause Saburo to try and squirm away from Ryoken.

"Master Ryoken, restrain yourself!" Youta begged him, Aso and Kyoko going over to try and stop Ryoken. It was all for naught, as Ryoken went over and stomped Saburo's shins so hard that he stopped moving. He then grabbed his lapels and picked him up before slamming him to the wall behind them. "Where? Is? Your? Master?! Who is he?!""

"Okay, okay! I'll tell you! My masters name is-GAAAAAH!" Saburo's body then started seizing, which forced Ryoken to let him go and take a step or two back as he continued to seize.

The next thing the Hanoi knew, blood burst out of Saburo's body as he screamed further, some of it now leaving his mouth. Soon after, a purple-gooey substance cracked Saburo's bones and emerged from his chest and his back, which made him open his mouth out of pure shock before he breathed his last.

"Get that thing now!" Ryoken immediately told the others, who tried to do so. Unfortunately, the purple-gooey substance quickly headed over to the nearest monitor and jumped into it, having escaped their attack. Gritting his teeth, Ryoken stood up on his feet, angry that they couldn't grab that piece of Malf.

Or so he thought.

"Ryoken, I looked at Speckles' avatar, and found pieces of Malf still embedded in it." Emon informed him.

"Excellent." Ryoken replied, before turning to Eizaburo and Kyoko. "Can the two of you create a virus using the pieces of Malf from Speckles' avatar?"

"We can, but it will take some time." Eizaburo answered.

"Good. Then get to work." Ryoken turned to Saburo's corpse, a pure look of disgust evident on his face before he turned to Takeya. "Contact everyone Saburo hurt. Tell them that he died. As for how, I'll leave that to you."

"And Den Academy?"

"It doesn't matter. Say whatever you want to them." Ryoken then turned his head to Emon. "Get rid of his goddamn body."

"Gladly." Emon complied, as he summoned Graff and Cagna and nodded his head at them, both demons grabbing the body and flying it out of the yacht in the process. "Good riddance to scum like Saburo Inoue."

For the next hour, the Hanoi did their assigned tasks, with Ryoken and Youta heading over to a room that contained a holographic information display, along with monitors. While Youta scanned Ryoken's avatar for any permanent damage, Aso sat down at a nearby desk and typed on his computer, completing a task that Ryoken told him to do a while back.

"Well, Youta. What's the damage?" Ryoken asked him.

"The explosion you were caught up in permanently damaged your avatar, Master Ryoken." Youta explained, pointing at the dark cracks on Ryoken's avatar, which was displayed on the holographic information display. That made sense, as Ryoken didn't have time for him to deploy a shield to protect himself. Since Malf evolved, his speed in self-destructing increased, which caused this to happen. "There's something else?"

"What?"

Youta sighed before zooming in to the center of Ryoken's avatar and pointing at a series of blue coding in it, which had been contaminated with dark, cracked data. "Your Skill, Storm Access, has also been permanently deleted as well. I'm sorry, Master Ryoken, but without your father's algorithm, you can no longer acquire Cyberse monsters."

Ryoken narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth in anger. The ability to use Storm Access was given to his father for him to use. So they can eliminate the Ignis with the strongest Cyberse creatures at their disposal, and thanks to Malf, Ryoken could no longer acquire any more Cyberse monsters.

Composing himself, he then crossed his arms. "I would've needed to change my avatar at some point anyway," Ryoken commented. "As for a new Skill..."

"Perhaps you can come up with one that synergizes with your 'Rokket' and 'Borrel' monsters." Youta suggested.

"Yes, that would work." Ryoken agreed, but before he could leave the room, Aso spoke up.

"Ryoken, I know this may not be the best time, but I do think some needed good news are in order."

"Oh?" Ryoken turned his head to look at Aso. "What is it?"

"Take a look at this, sir." Aso said, typing on his laptop before the holographic information display showed three cards.

The first card showed a small, blue mechanical dragon with green, holographic lines on it. It also had a medium-sized tail, a large, circular body, and a pair of green, holographic wings on the top. Last but not least, it had a missile on its head.

The second card showed a red dragon with a long tail and four green, holographic wings. Green lines ran all over its body, and attached to its arms were shoulder pads in the form of a rocket. In addition, it had a missile on its head.

Last but not least, the third card showed a large, red and white mechanical dragon that had multiple green lines running over its body appeared on Revolver's field in the right Extra Monster Zone. It had a total of two horns, two of which curved upward, while the other two curved forward. It also had two large white spines, which projected green holographic wings. The dragon also had a gun cylinder in its chest, which was ready to be used.

"While your Xyz, Fusion, Ritual, and Pendulum monsters aren't ready, I do hope this will suffice for the time being." Aso explained.

"They certainly will, Aso. They certainly will." Ryoken responded, happy that his new weapons against the Ignis were ready.

"What will you name them, sir?" Youta asked.

Ryoken thought about it for a moment before pointing his right index finger to the first card. "I'll name this card Rokket Synchron." He then moved his right index finger to the second card. "I'll name this card Rokket Tracer. As for you..." He moved his right index finger to the third and final card. "...I'll name it Borreload Savage Dragon."

With these new cards, the Ignis will suffer for messing with the Hanoi.

This, Ryoken swore in his heart.

Meanwhile, in the network...

Azrael and Wraith looked at the digital screen in front of them as they saw Speckles die at the hands of Malf in the real world, the Hanoi witnessing this act. In their minds, it was only a matter of time until Speckles' use ran out. And besides. With Speckles' death, the world was rid of another criminal forever, especially an awful one like him.

"You knew he'd fail in the end, didn't you Azrael?" Wraith figured out, as the screen turned off.

"Obviously. He no longer served a purpose in the grand scheme of things, which is why I got rid of him forever." Azrael replied.

"Smart. As you once told me, the world's too spineless to get rid of those beyond redemption." Wraith said, before turning to Azrael. "Why didn't you let me get rid of all of the Hanoi's reserve resources?"

"The Hanoi need motivation to keep going, and the injury of one of their own will push them to keep fighting. But for that to occur, they need resources." Azrael explained to Wraith. "Besides. It diverts the Light Ignis's attention from us to them, as he sees the Hanoi as a grave threat."

"There's something else, isn't there?"

Azrael smirked before unsheathing his katana and looking at it. The Muramasa Blade. The sword that can cut through anything and everything. The blade that was part of his inheritance, and in due time, he'd get the other part of it. "Only I am fit to bring judgment to the Hanoi, and only when I decide for it to happen. In other words, once I vanquish their fighting spirit both physical and mentally, I'll deliver the final blow."

WHOOSH!

Azrael and Wraith soon saw Malf speeding past them before jumping off his duel board and landing on the same building they were on.

"So you've evolved at last, Malf." Azrael greeted Malf without looking at his ally.

"I have, my lord." Malf confirmed with a nod.

"And you've grown talkative as well. It seems my advice has helped you after all."

"Indeed, my lord." Malf agreed. "The old man has certainly aided in my evolution. His wisdom and strength now flow through my body. Despite my evolution, I unfortunately failed to defeat Revolver. I was, however, able to temporarily incapacitate him for the time being. He won't be able to use Storm Access ever again, that I can confirm."

"Regardless of what happened, you succeeded one way or another." Wraith told Malf, as he turned to look at him.

"Revolver and the Hanoi aren't the type of people to give up." Azrael added, looking out into the radiant sky and not bothering to turn his head to look at Malf. "Seeing one of their comrades injured will surely motivate them to fight back. After all, when a person someone loves is injured, they will spring into action for their well-being." It worked on Raguel, and will certainly work on the Hanoi, he thought in his mind. Love was certainly a powerful weapon, especially when you can motivate someone into action just by hurting those they care about.

"I see." Malf narrowed his eyes. "My lord, forgive me for saying this, but I have some doubts I hope you can address."

"Doubts?" Azrael repeated. This made sense, as everyone, even him, had doubts at some point. Even A.I.'s had doubts. Well, only A.I.'s that had free will. If it helped Malf learn, then Azrael would be happy to answer whatever questions Malf had.

"At your level of strength, you can easily eradicate the Light and Wind Ignis's, as well as make Bohman and Haru kneel before you. Yet you stay your hand. Why is that?"

"It's simple, Malf." Azrael began speaking. "While I share the Light Ignis's goal in fighting for the Cyberse, there's also a goal I need to complete. One the Light Ignis will help me with in exchange for my assistance."

"Your goal?"

"Yes. I wish to get into the dark vault, and soon..." Azrael pulled out a white-sapphire pendent from his jet-black suit that was wrapped around his neck. "...I'll get the final key needed to do so." He then tucked it right back in after looking at it for a few seconds.

"As for Bohman and Haru, Azrael sees great potential in them, especially considering they're unique A.I.'s." Wraith added. "I'm curious in their growth as well, which is why I too stay my hand."

"I see." Malf replied, before another question popped up in his mind. "Why is it you seek power, my lord? You're already strong enough as it is, so why do you seek more of it?"

"O-Ho-Ho." Azrael narrowed his eyes. "That is a good question indeed. Allow me to ask you a question to you, Malf." He turned his head briefly to look at him. "Why do you think humans seek power?"

"Humans seek power for numerous reasons, my lord. The most prominent one for a human to rule and control others." Malf immediately answered.

"Correct." Azrael replied, now turning back to look out into the radiant sky. "In the old days, rulers ruled over kingdoms, and its subjects obeyed them. The ruler had the highest authority, and anyone who disobeyed them died as a warning to those who would follow that same path. These rulers saw power as a want, and as a result, became consumed with it greedily. To the point where they fought and killed one another just to grab more power. Just so they can expand their kingdom and make more people kneel before them." He then grit his teeth.

"Azrael?" Wraith asked out of concern.

"If you assume I'm like those power-hungry people of the past and present, you're wrong, Malf." Azrael stated in a deep tone, as if it were demonic. He made a fist, as if he were trying to hold the rage back within him. "I'm not like them, and you'd be wise not to try and group me with them."

"I will keep that in mind, my lord." Malf promised with a nod.

"As for your question on why I seek power, it's because I see it as a need." Azrael continued speaking. "Humans need things to survive, the most important ones being food, water, and shelter. For myself, I need power to survive, especially after what happened a long time ago."

"A long time ago?" Malf repeated, now giving Azrael his full attention out of pure curiosity.

"Yes. I died twice already, Malf, and this was when I was nothing more than a child. All because I was helpless, and didn't have the power to prevent it from happening." Azrael clarified. "Yet by my willpower, I survived."

"Azrael, calm down!" Wraith pleaded.

"I need power, Malf. Not because I'm power-hungry, but because I'm afraid. Afraid of dying again like the helpless child I was a long time ago!" Azrael frantically said, blue, glowing cracks now spreading over his right arm. "It's not just the fear of dying. It's the fear of failure. If I fail, I die. If I die, it means I failed in preventing it from happening. And it's not just myself. It's the fact that I failed to save my family from the hands of death a long time ago. That instance, along with the Lost Incident, has embedded itself into my skull, a trauma that can never go away!" The blue, glowing cracks began spreading over Azrael's body, as if responding to the pain he was experiencing.

"AZRAEL, CALM DOWN! I'M BEGGING YOU!" Wraith pleaded for a second time. While Azrael had great control of his Link Trigger, there were times where his trauma made him lose control, even if it was only briefly.

Azrael, upon hearing Wraith's voice, took some deep breaths, which helped him recomposed himself. As a result, the blue, glowing cracks all over his body disappeared. "Thank you, Wraith. I appreciate your help."

"It will be alright, Azrael. No one will ever hurt you again." Wraith assured him, with Azrael nodding in response.

After doing so, Azrael took another deep breath before turning his head to Malf. "To answer your question, Malf, I seek power so I can avoid death and failure. So I can eradicate the trauma inside my head forever. But to do so, I need to get stronger. That way, no one can surpass me, and at the same time, I can surpass someone."

"Surpass someone?" Malf repeated out of curiosity, as Azrael turned his head back to look out into the radiant sky. "I doubt you mean Playmaker, Soulburner, or Slipstream, as neither of them are strong enough to defeat you."

"Correct. They're not at my level of strength." Azrael confirmed.

"Then is it Raguel you wish to surpass?"

Azrael smirked. "Yes, but he's not the only person I want to surpass."

"I see." Malf sighed. This man before me has stared at death in the eye twice before, and along with the trauma he's experienced before, has left a permanent stain on his mind and body, Malf thought in his mind. Even though he's strong-willed, there are traces of pain and rage in him. Traces that he has borne for his entire life. In his mind, the man known as Azrael has subconsciously linked the acquisition of power to the fears of failure and death. While an obsession for power would drive anyone insane, it's only due to greed. For Azrael, he seeks it to survive, which has prevented him from going insane. In short, he does not want to die.

As Azrael turned fully around to face Malf, the latter fell on one knee and bowed before him.

"I understand your goal, my lord, and have made it my own," Malf said. "As your servant, I will make sure it becomes a reality, no matter how many of our enemies need to die for it to happen. Let us both aim for eternity."

A light shines and the letters spelling out VRAINS light up the screen before a network is formed and several cards are drawn in towards a pillar of light. Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner are shown with their respective Ignis and stats, along with real-life forms that across the backgrounds that match their Ignis' colors. The screen then shows each of them being shocked while wearing VR sets as kids, along with Arashi.

The screen gets swallowed with darkness at It reveals a young Yukage huddled up and crying, his shadow shrinking behind him before taking the form of Wraith and comforting him. Yukage looks up with a menacing and soul piercing glare before the darkness consumes him and he's replaced with an older version of himself. Azrael and Wraith are then shown in NEW LINK VRAINS, as they look out into the digital sky. The scene then shifts to Bohman standing tall above NEW LINK VRAINS and holding the earth in his hands with Haru by his side. Malf grins in the shadows behind them, his red eyes shining bright in the process.

A drop of light falls down, and as it explodes, it reveals Playmaker, Raguel, and Soulburner, standing on buildings watching over the network, along with Slipstream as well. Blood Shepherd is shown commanding a trio of Battledrone Sergeants before the screen shifts to Drachen, who is shown commanding Red-Eyes Black Dragon. The screen then shifts a third time to Electrolyzer, where above him was PSY-Frame Driver, with PSY-Framegears Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta. The screen then shows Go Onizuka, Kenmochi, and Yoroizaka with Dinowrestler King T Wrextle, Gouki the Blade Ogre, and Gouki the Solid Ogre behind them ready for battle.

Blue Girl, Ghost Girl, Numera and SengokuQueen are then featured together riding their duel boards across the night sky with shooting stars flying across them. Trickstar Holly Angel was with Blue Girl, while Numera was with Geomathmech Final Sigma. Ghost Girl was with Altergeist Dragvirion, while SengokuQueen was with Secret Six Samurai – Rihan.

The screen then changes to Raguel, Playmaker, and Soulburner riding on their duel boards with Cyreath Medusa and Cyreath Hercules/Alpha Mode, Cyberse Magician, Cyberse Witch, and Salamangreat Heatleo behind them. Following the trio is Slipstream and Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. The four of them join together with a fist bump and smile in the real world as the wind blows, with Kusanagi, Roxy, and Greg watching them from Kusanagi's truck. Rachel then runs toward the quartet, and more specifically, Yuhiro, a look of joy clearly on her face. Unbeknownst to everyone, they're watched from the shadows by a cloaked person who glares at them, biding his time.

Card Gallery

Malf:

Darkscourge Airnapse (LV: 1/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 0/DEF: 0)

Effect: If you opponent activates a card effect (Quick Effect): You can send this card from your hand to your GY; negate the effect, and if you do, banish it. If this card is used as Link Material for the Link Summon of a 'Darkscourge' Link Monster: Negate the effects of one card your opponent controls. You can only use each effect of 'Darkscourge Airnapse' once per turn.

Darkscourge Puffer (LV: 2/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 0/DEF: 0)

Effect: If you would take damage by battle or card effect (Quick Effect): You can tribute this card on your field; halve that damage, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the damage you took. If this card is used for the Link Summon of a 'Darkscourge' Link Monster: You can place 1 'Darkscourge' counter on a 'Darkscourge Star Core' or 'Darkscourge Generator' on your field. You can only use each effect of 'Darkscourge Puffer' once per turn.

Darkscourge Stonk (LV: 3/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000)

Effect: During either player's turn (Quick Effect): You can pay up to 1000 LP, and if you do, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; it loses ATK equal to the amount of LP paid by this effect. If this card is used as Link Material for the Link Summon of a 'Darkscourge' Link Monster: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; it loses 1000 ATK, then place 1 'Darkscourge' counter on a 'Darkscourge Star Core' or 'Darkscourge Generator' on your field. You can only use each effect of 'Darkscourge Stonk' once per turn.

Darkscourge Spawning (Normal Spell card)

Effect: If you control a 'Darkscourge Star Core': You can Special Summon 2 'Darkscourge Satellmite' tokens to your field in face-up defense position (LV: 1/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 0/DEF: 0). You can only use this effect of 'Darkscourge Spawning' once per turn.

Darkscourge Lariat (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Target 1 'Darkscourge' Link Monster you control; this turn, if it destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK or DEF (whichever is higher). If this card is in your GY and your opponent declares an attack (Quick Effect): You can banish this card; any battle damage you take this turn is also inflicted to your opponent. You can only use each effect of 'Darkscourge Lariat' once per turn.

Darkscourge Mutation (Quick-Play Spell card)

Effect: You can tribute 1 'Darkscourge' monster on your field; Special Summon 1 'Darkscourge' monster from your deck to your field in face-up attack or defense position. You can only activate 1 'Darkscourge Mutation' per turn.

Darkscourge Pestilence (Continuous-Spell card)

Effect: Each time your opponent Normal or Special Summons a monster: Place 1 'Darkscourge' counter on a 'Darkscourge Star Core' or 'Darkscourge Generator' you control. Monsters your opponent controls field lose 300 ATK/DEF for each 'Darkscourge' counter on your field. If this card is destroyed by a card effect: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; its effects are negated until the end of your next turn. You can only use this effect of 'Darkscourge Pestilence' once per turn.

Darkscourge Reanimation (Normal Trap card)

Effect: When this card is activated: You can Special Summon up to three 'Darkscourge' monsters from your GY and/or banished zone to your field. Then, immediately after this effect resolves, Link Summon 1 'Darkscourge' Link Monster from your Extra Deck by using 'Darkscourge' monsters on your field as Link Material. You can only activate 1 'Darkscourge Reanimation' per turn.

Darkscourge Veil (Normal Trap card)

Effect: Target 1 'Darkscourge' Link Monster you control; equip it with this card. While this card is on your field, the equipped monster is unaffected by your opponents card effects, except the effects of Link Monsters whose Link Rating is higher than the equipped monster's Link Rating. You can only control 1 'Darkscourge Veil' on your field.

Darkscourge Breakdown (Continuous-Trap card)

Effect: While this card is on your field, your opponent must attack with monsters they control, if able. If a monster your opponent controls doesn't attack: Destroy it, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its original attack points. If this card is in your GY, except the turn it was sent there: You can banish this card; reduce the ATK and DEF of 1 monster your opponent controls to 0, also, negate its effects. You can only use this effect of 'Darkscourge Breakdown' once per turn.

Darkscourge Repellence (Counter-Trap card)

Effect: When your opponent activates a card effect while you control a 'Darkscourge' monster: You can negate the activation. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this cards activation. You can only activate 1 'Darkscourge Repellence' per turn.

Darkscourge Creeper (LR: 1/Cyberse/ATK: 1000/⬇️)

Effect: 1 'Darkscourge' monster. When this card is Link Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 'Darkscourge' monster from your GY to your field. If this card is in your GY: You can remove 1 'Darkscourge' counter from 'Darkscourge Star Core' or 'Darkscourge Generator' you control; shuffle this card back into your deck, then draw 1 card from the top of your deck. You can only use this effect of 'Darkscourge Creeper' once per turn.

Darkscourge Assassin (LR: 2/Cyberse/ATK: 2200/⬅️➡️)

Effect: 2 'Darkscourge' monsters. This card can attack your opponent directly, but any battle damage inflicted is halved. If your opponent summons a monster (Quick Effect): You can remove 1 'Darkscourge' counter from 'Darkscourge Star Core' or 'Darkscourge Generator' you control; negate the summon, and if you do, banish it. You can only use this effect of 'Darkscourge Assassin' once per turn.

Darkscourge Sabah (LR: 3/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 0/↙️⬇️↘️)

Effect: 2 or more 'Darkscourge' monsters. When this card is Link Summoned: You can send 1 monster your opponent controls to their GY; and if you do, you can have this card gain ATK equal to the sent monster's ATK. If this card would leave the field by battle or card effect (Quick Effect): You can remove 1 'Darkscourge' counter from a 'Darkscourge Star Core' or 'Darkscourge Generator' you control instead.

Darkscourge Draco Master (LR: 3/Cyberse/Dark/ATK: 2800/↙️⬇️↘️)

Effect: 2 or more 'Darkscourge' monsters. Cannot be destroyed by battle with an Effect Monster. Once per turn: You can banish cards your opponent controls up to the number of 'Darkscourge' Link Monsters in your GY. You can only use this effect of 'Darkscourge Draco Master' once per turn.

Revolver:

Exactorokket Dragon (LV: 7/Dragon/Dark/ATK: 0/DEF: 0)

Effect: If your opponent declares an attack on a monster you control: You can Special Summon this card from your hand to your field in face-up defense position, and if you do, your opponent can only target it for attacks for the rest of this turn. If this card is Special Summoned by its own effect: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; have this card gain ATK and DEF equal to half the ATK and DEF of the targeted monster. During the End Phase, if this card is in the GY because it was destroyed on the field by battle or card effect and sent there this turn: You can Special Summon 1 'Rokket' monster from your deck, except 'Exactorokket Dragon'. You can only use each effect of 'Exactorokket Dragon' once per turn.

Rokket Blast (Normal Spell card)

Effect: Send 1 'Rokket' monster from your deck to your GY, and if you do, banish 1 card on your opponents field. If you control a 'Borrel' monster, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this cards activation. You can only activate 1 'Rokket Blast' per turn.

QOTC

What are your thoughts on the ending of Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens? Now that it's finished, what are your thoughts on it overall?

Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Obscured Truth. Chapter 67: Truth and Consequences. The Earth Ignis has made contact with Ai, leading Yusaku to meet up with him in the network, hoping to gain answers and a new ally for the battles ahead. Yuhiro attempts to join him, only to receive a challenge letter from a most unexpected opponent, with an equally dreadful secret he intends to share with Yuhiro...

Author's Notes

Credit goes to both HunterHQ and Scififan599 for their help with the duels, especially the duels involving Malf, as they were tricky to write.

Thank you so much everyone for waiting for this chapter! I really appreciate it very much. This chapter is one of the best ones I've done so far, and it will only get better from there. Let's get to the recap, shall we?

Aside from the anime events involving Ai, I wanted to first touch upon the scene in the Light Ignis's castle. First is Azrael's comment to Malf on how he's an assassin. He basically tells Malf that because of his hunger for strength, he's been reckless and upfront lately, which has caused him to lose duels. From there, Azrael suggests that Malf try to pull the opponent into a trap that will result in their loss, which Malf agrees to do so. Keep in mind that Malf is still developing as an A.I., and will learn new things as the story goes on. Following a conversation between Azrael and Wraith, the Light Ignis gives them and Malf Judgment Arrows, with his intention being to corrupt them. That obviously doesn't work, as Malf eats the card and turns it into his Link Spell, while Wraith cuts the virus out of Judgment Arrows and forges it as a Link Spell for Azrael to use. There's an obvious reason why I did this, as it was to show how powerful Azrael, Wraith, and Malf are in comparison to the Light Ignis. It's basically just them saying, "Is a virus supposed to hurt us?"

Next up is the recap involving the Hanoi, as they go over recent events, especially the ones for the Turf War. Now here, they're getting closer to solving the puzzle, as the information is starting to help them get a solidified lead on their enemies. From how Ace became Overseer to the events in Gamma, and even an observation on people they need to keep an eye out for, the Hanoi cover it all. Following this is the Hanoi finding out that the Earth Ignis is nearby, and while they agree that they need to eliminate it, Specter has some doubts. Why? It's simple. He's conflicted, as that's his Ignis, and isn't sure how he'll feel if the Earth Ignis dies. More so, how will Specter eliminate it if needed?

From there is the attack on the Hanoi's stronghold by a total of thirty Bitboots. While the attack occurs, a total of three duels happens in conjunction. First being Speckles vs. Infearno. Now during the duel, Infearno basically states what Speckles' crimes are, and I'll put them down here: Speckles not only murdered his grandparents, he robbed banks, and abused others for his own gain. More specifically, girls his age. That's right. He went there. Speckles abused them in numerous ways, and hid behind the criminal world and bribes to get away with it. While Infearno, as you know, harbors demons, I wanted him to be the one to finish Speckles once and for all. Why? Because once upon a time, the devil brought those who committed crimes to judgment, so it felt right for Infearno to bring a criminal down like Speckles. And as it was a PK duel, Speckles will never duel again.

The second duel was between Malf and Dancho. Recall that Azrael pointed out why Malf kept failing, which was due to his hunger for more power. Taking Azrael's advice, Malf put Dancho in a scenario where the latter can't escape from. And for those of you who were thinking why Dancho Link Summoned Draco Masters of the Tenyi, it was so he can pick Malf's field apart. And some of you may also be thinking, "If Dancho didn't attack, he wouldn't have his heart ripped out of his body." Well, I hate to say it, but Dancho would have lost his heart one way or another, as thanks to Malf's Skill, he won the duel and took the spoils of war, which was Dancho's heart in this instance.

The third duel was between Malf and Revolver. Now some of you might be wondering: How was Malf able to duel two people at the same time? Simple. Malf can split himself apart, but at the cost of losing some of his strength each time he does that. However, if all the parts come back together, then his strength will return to normal. This was a tricky duel to write, as both duelists didn't hold anything back, that's for sure. It's here where Malf evolves into his second form, and almost defeats Revolver using a corrupted version of Draco Masters of the Tenyi. Luckily, Revolver was able to make a comeback by using Storm Access to acquire Topologic Zeroboros and attempt to defeat Malf, only for the latter to end the duel in a draw. It'd be a disservice if Malf, in his new form, lost against Revolver, so ending it in a draw was fitting. And unfortunately, Malf ends up blowing up in Revolver's face, destroying both his avatar and Storm Access permanently.

Following these duels is the real world events, where Ryoken takes Zandaka to the safehouses for medical care. Allow me to point something out here: Even though the people there are aware of what the Hanoi did, they're grateful that they saved their lives. And as the doctor told the Hanoi, despite what the Hanoi did, they were willing to take a major risk to save their lives.

With that comes Saburo's interrogation by Emon and Takeya, and his eventual death at the hands of Malf. Honestly, this was needed, as by this point, Saburo no longer has any more plot relevance to the story. Plus, it helped the Hanoi get a sample of Malf needed to create a new virus. In addition, Malf got stronger as well. And at the end of it all, Ryoken gets three new cards, which are Rokket Synchron, Rokket Tracer, and Borreload Savage Dragon. Who here is excited for the 'Rokket' Pendulum cards he'll get in the future? It won't come until late Season 3 or after, but they will certainly help Ryoken with his deck, don't you agree?

Last but not least is the scene between Azrael and Malf. It's here where we learn why Azrael seeks power: He seeks it so he can survive. He's also afraid of death, as he's died twice before, and doesn't want to do so again. Azrael is also traumatized by failure, as in his mind, if he fails, he dies. If he dies, that meant he fails. And the fact that he couldn't save his family has also traumatized him as well. So to sum up, Azrael seeks power to eradicate the trauma in his mind, and ensure that no one can surpass him. He also seeks to surpass someone, and while Raguel is one of the people he wishes to surpass, there's someone else. But who? That will be revealed later on in the story.

A sweet moment between Azrael and Wraith is shown here, as the strength of their bond was what enabled Azrael to calm down and snap out of his Link Trigger state. A parallel to Raguel and Herald, don't you agree?

With everything recapped, I want to thank you all for reading Chapter 66 of Obscured Truth. As always, please let me know your thoughts about the chapters below in your reviews. Also, constructive criticism is appreciated, as your tips and advice helps make the story better. In addition, don't forget to favorite and follow the story. That way, you will get a notification once the next chapter is released.

Now before I go folks, I know I don't ask much, but I have a request this time around. For Chapters 67-69, I want you to read them thoroughly, and look it over so you don't miss anything before posting a review. Because these next three chapters are going to be the most important ones I write so far in Season 2, and all I ask is the benefit of the doubt here, as they will certainly impact the events to come for the overall story. Trust me when I say this: There will be lots of surprises and epic moments for the next three chapters, as well as new information to be unveiled. If you pay attention thoroughly, you will enjoy it. And one last thing: I welcome constructive criticism, as it helps me improve as a writer. But me getting lambasted is something I do not appreciate. Do not ruin the story with your insensitive and rude comments.

What did you enjoy the most from this chapter? The scenes involving Azrael? The attack on the Hanoi? The duels? Malf's evolution? Or was it something else?

That's all for now, folks. Stay tuned, as next chapter, the stakes will be raised even more!