.Chapter 238: Regarding the Matter of the Previous Chapter's Title Being Eaten by an Earthbound Immortal
With the activation of Goblin Attack Force, Hert's Life Points were reduced to zero, and the outcome of the duel was decided.
Looking at the unconscious Hert lying on the ground, the Earthbound Immortal pounced fiercely, like a perverted hungry ghost just released from prison after thirty years spotting an old sow.
Unfortunately, Hayato was a step faster than it and took it off the Duel Disk first. Looking at the resentful gaze of the rapidly dissipating Earthbound Immortal - Wiraqocha Rasca directed at him, Hayato waved his hand without mercy, signaling it to quickly scram.
However, before completely dissipating, the giant eagle Earthbound Immortal let out a cry. The soul-piercing sound waves accurately bypassed Hayato and Yugi's group, knocking out Hert, who still had a last shred of consciousness left, and the other two Rare Hunters members wearing black robes.
Joey Wheeler and Tristan squatted down to check on the two half-stunned black-robed figures, while Téa and Yugi came over to Hayato. Looking at Hayato, who was bending down to take Hert's deck, Yugi said with some concern, "Hayato-kun, are you alright?"
"Ah, me? I feel pretty good." After flipping through Hert's deck and finding that they were all fake cards without a single real card, Hayato somewhat helplessly threw the cards into a roadside trash can. "What's wrong?"
"Hayato-kun, the card you summoned just now had such a heavy evil aura on it. I think it's better to use that kind of Duel Monster as little as possible," Téa expressed her opinion.
When Earthbound Immortal - Wiraqocha Rasca descended just now, let alone both Yugis, even Téa could clearly smell the evil aura on it, which was even more vulgar than rat droppings in a toilet.
"You mean this thing," Hayato said, drawing Wiraqocha Rasca from the top of the deck he had just organized and holding it in his hand. "Actually, even if I wanted to use it in every duel, I probably couldn't."
Under the surprised gazes of Yugi and Téa, the card art of Earthbound Immortal - Wiraqocha Rasca was actually gradually changing.
The giant eagle that Hayato had just summoned, which soared through the sky, was unable to devour any souls to replenish its energy. The markings on its body were incredibly dim, and its size had shrunk. Pale blue lines resembling tail feathers gradually wrapped around its entire body, dragging it down to the ground. Then, only a Nazca Lines image was left on the cracked ground, along with a Chick beside the image.
"Damn it, you mean I can't even eat one?" Yugi even heard the Chick complaining to Hayato with a look of dissatisfaction.
"Not a single one. You're not allowed to eat anyone. This is part of the contract." Hayato glared back, causing the Chick to lie down beside the image with a blank look.
"What is... what's going on?" Yugi asked, confused.
Hayato spread his hands helplessly: "As you can see, this card is a rather evil monster, but it's in a sealed state. Because I made a contract with it, agreeing to let it out for a bit every so often, it also has to obey my commands."
"If its true form were to descend normally, it would require sacrificing a large number of human souls as tribute. I used the power of the Millennium Ring as a substitute, but there's still a difference. Without souls as food, this guy has to rest for a long time after coming out once."
Only then did Yugi understand why Earthbound Immortal - Wiraqocha Rasca, after being summoned just now, didn't stay put and instead kept flying around in the sky.
"Furthermore, I believe that while the power of cards might have good and evil aspects, ultimately, where that power is directed is decided by the duelist, isn't it?"
Hayato smiled and patted Yugi's shoulder, then glanced at the three people lying on the ground. "Joey Wheeler, although we haven't been delayed for too long, don't forget, Serenity Wheeler is still waiting for you."
"Oh yeah!" Reminded by Hayato, Joey Wheeler looked like he had just remembered, saying somewhat awkwardly, "Hayato, your monster just now had too much pressure, I completely forgot. It's not too late now, let's hurry to the hospital!"
Téa glanced at the black-robed figures lying on the ground and asked Hayato, "Should we just leave these people here? What if they wake up and attack others?"
Hayato thought for a moment and said, "First, I'll call Kaiba and tell him to find someone to arrest these guys. You all go to the hospital. I'll stay here and watch them." As he spoke, he flexed his bicep. "Even if they wake up, I can handle them by myself."
At first, Yugi and the others were a bit worried about leaving Hayato alone here, but considering that Serenity Wheeler, who was about to have surgery, was waiting for them, and Hayato repeatedly urged them to leave, the four of them finally headed towards the hospital.
Just as Yugi and the others' figures disappeared around the corner of the path, Hayato suddenly turned around and came face-to-face with Hert, who had gotten up at some point behind him. Reaching out, he instantly grabbed his wrist and squeezed slightly, making him release his grip. The dagger he was using for the sneak attack fell to the ground.
"A dog can't change its habit of eating , and a thief can't change its habit of sneak attacking, Marik." Kicking the vacant-eyed Hert to the ground, and watching him slowly get up like a zombie, Hayato said coldly to the Millennium Eye on his forehead, "Or did you think I'd forget so quickly that you can control other people's bodies?"
"Although you've failed twice in a row, against both me and Seto."
"Kobayashi Hayato!" "Hert" shouted Hayato's name, full of anger. Then, as if going insane, he suddenly started laughing. "Heh heh, ha ha ha, Interesting. You actually use that kind of card that looks utterly evil? It seems you're not as simple as you appear."
"Oh? Have you already finished looking through this guy's memories?" Hayato's gaze flicked towards the trash can where he had just thrown the deck. "The deck he used wasn't even as good as Pandora's, not a single real card. Have you Rare Hunters become so short-handed that you can only use lackeys like this to get revenge on me?"
Marik snorted coldly: "Hmph, you really have the nerve to say that. If you hadn't destroyed our Rare Hunters' biggest base in Domino City, how could we Rare Hunters have fallen to this state?"
Hayato glanced at Marik, who seemed to have no intention of attacking, and thought to himself that this three-year-old was really easy to fool. With just a few words, he had managed to extract a bit more information. "The biggest base in Domino City," meaning there are other bases?
"What I look forward to most is that expression of yours, Marik." Watching "Hert"'s face twist in anger, synchronized with Marik, Hayato laughed triumphantly. "That look on your face, wanting to get rid of me but being unable to, is truly Interesting. Let me guess, you haven't arrived in Domino City yet, have you?"
"How many days until you arrive in Domino City? Three days, five days? Or will you not even be able to make it in time even after Duel City starts? It's truly a shame, Marik. Even if you have the ability to defeat me, even if you plan to defeat me, the subordinates you left in Domino City are just trash."
"They're just a bunch of third-rate duelists with fourth-rate decks, completely unable to do anything to me. For the next few days, you can only watch helplessly as I bounce around in Domino City, unable to do anything at all, ha ha ha ha."
"You... you bastard! Hmph, you only have these next couple of days. I'll be in Domino City in five days. By then, the wrath of Ra will consume you. Wash your neck and wait for me!"
Hayato's provocation was quite effective. "Hert"'s face, controlled by Marik, showed an extremely distorted expression, clearly indicating that Marik on the other end was furious. But this level wasn't enough at all, so Hayato added fuel to the fire.
"Oh, right, Marik. I heard your father is dead, right? And that he died because of the Pharaoh?" Hayato provoked. "Well, I just happen to know some inside information~"
Marik's rage paused for a moment. His hatred for Yugi mainly stemmed from his father having "died because of the Pharaoh," which is why he hated Yugi so much and stole the Three Egyptian God Cards to get revenge on the Pharaoh.
Hayato saying this hit exactly where Marik was most vulnerable.
"What inside information? Tell me!"
Hayato knew very well how Marik's father had actually died, but even if he told Marik, 'Your father wasn't killed by Yugi, but by your other personality, you filial son, with his own hands,' would Marik believe him?
How could he!
Back then, Marik, yearning for the outside world, left the Tomb Keepers and violated their rules. His adoptive brother Rishid took the punishment in his place to protect him and was near death. Marik, who had deep feelings for Rishid, was in immense pain, which resulted in the release of his other personality, "Dark Marik," born from the torture he had endured.
And the first thing Dark Marik did after seeing the light of day was to personally kill the leader of the Tomb Keepers, who had ordered Rishid's punishment—Marik's own father—using the Millennium Rod in his hand.
Because the personalities didn't share memories, Marik had no idea about everything Dark Marik did after emerging. With Ishizu Ishtar and Rishid concealing the truth, the "truth" he unexpectedly learned was that the Pharaoh had killed his father. He firmly believed this and stole the Three Egyptian God Cards to get revenge on the "Pharaoh"—meaning Yugi.
"That's too bad, I don't feel like telling you." Amidst "Hert"'s twisted expression, Hayato said calmly, "You'll be in Domino City in five days? Then in five days, I'll be waiting for you at the dock in Domino City. If you want to get all the information I know, defeat me in a duel!"