Chapter 149: Rematch with Yugi
This person, Lemuria, although he hadn't done anything to harm others like Dark Bakura, and according to Joey Wheeler and others who watched his Duels, he didn't use any Underworld Decks. He wasn't even as Shady as Samejima's Deck, just a simple Aqua Deck.
However, for some reason, Hayato always felt that this guy wasn't a good person. Moreover, compared to Yugi, Lemuria seemed to be more interested in him.
According to Kujaku Mai and Samejima, there were no famous Duelists named Lemuria. Hayato also searched online and found that this name wasn't a name a normal person would use, because it came from a lost civilization called the Lemuria Civilization.
Although there was no concrete evidence, Hayato's Inner Thoughts had already determined that this guy was using a fake name.
Meeting Hayato's gaze, Lemuria's expression didn't change in the slightest. There was no subconscious avoidance that one might have when being stared at. Instead, he stood up and walked generously towards Hayato. While clapping his hands, he spoke in a gentle tone: "Congratulations, Hayato Kobayashi. After defeating Samejima Iemitsu of the 'Cyber Style', you're one step closer to the title of 'Duel King'."
"Now, the only ones standing in your way are Mutou Yuugi, and the high-above Master Pegasus, right?"
"Uh, thanks? And, do we know each other?" You don't hit a smiling face. Although Hayato didn't have a good impression of the blue-haired guy in front of him, he wouldn't show a bad face just because the other party congratulated him.
Lemuria smiled and shook his head: "No, of course we don't know each other, but who can say what will happen in the future?"
"Compared to Mutou Yuugi, I actually want to see you win the title of 'Duel King' more, so I'll give you a Card."
Saying this, Lemuria extended a Hand, holding a face-down Card. Opening his palm, Lemuria smiled and nodded, signaling Hayato to take it.
Hayato didn't understand why. He picked up the Card and flipped it face-up, finding it was a Field Spell Card, **[Forgotten City - Lemuria]**. Perhaps it had some specific meaning, perhaps it was a coincidence, but the Card Lemuria gave Hayato was also called "Lemuria".
As soon as Hayato looked up, he found that Lemuria had already walked down the stairs of the Spectator Area. After looking back at him once, he followed a Staff member without looking back, heading in the Direction of leaving the Castle.
The matter of Lemuria didn't stay on Hayato's mind for too long. Although he couldn't figure out what was going on with that mysterious guy, since the other party gave him a Card, Hayato, adhering to the principle of "if you don't pick it up when you go out, it's lost," accepted the **[Forgotten City - Lemuria]** without guilt, even though he couldn't use it at all, and threw it into his Card Pool.
Time passed minute by minute. Hayato and the others watched as the Staff members dismantled the original Duel Platform and transported new equipment from outside the Castle to install. After more than half an hour, they finally completed the installation of the new Duel Platform.
Hayato looked up at the high area. There was a viewing stand there that had been vacant for the past two days. Only during Keith's Duel with Hayato yesterday had Pegasus briefly appeared there.
Now, it was time for the final Finals between Hayato and Yugi. He wondered if Pegasus would come?
The diligent Old Butler appeared beside the Duel Platform holding a microphone: "The Grand Finals of the Duelist Kingdom Tournament will begin in ten minutes. It will be between Player Mutou Yuugi and Player Hayato Kobayashi. Please proceed to the Player Lounge in advance and prepare for the Duel."
Hayato turned his head and looked towards Yugi. Just at this moment, the Millennium Puzzle hanging on Yugi's chest once again emitted a dazzling light. His originally soft facial features became sharper, his entire temperament changed from gentle to resolute, and after even growing a few centimeters taller, the Pharaoh's gaze met Hayato's.
"Hayato, let's have a game that's even more exciting than anyone else's Duel," the Pharaoh said with a confident smile. With a stronger Competitive Spirit for Duels than Yugi Mutou, he seemed eager to start the Duel immediately.
"As energetic as ever, Yugi." Hayato smiled and high-fived the Pharaoh with great chemistry. They each walked down the stairs into the Player Lounge.
Spreading out his Deck again, replacing [System Down] with [Witch's Strike], Hayato began to think about how he should modify his Deck.
"Compared to Yugi Mutou's Trap-Heavy Deck, the Pharaoh's Deck is more about Monster Synergy and Spell and Trap Cards Chain, and also has a bunch of strange and varied Cards."
"Dragon Destroyer, Magnet Warrior, JQK, Black Luster Soldier, and the classic Dark Magician, none of them are Cards that can be ignored. And what's certain is that the Pharaoh, who already understands my Deck to some extent, has definitely prepared some Counter Cards."
Thinking this, Hayato glanced at a Deck placed on his Right Hand side. It was a Deck he had purchased from the System after entering the Duel Castle. It was a surprise Hayato intended to save for Pegasus. Before the Duel with Samejima today, Hayato didn't plan to use this Deck.
However, after defeating Samejima today, he unlocked an Achievement. A New Feature within the Achievement made Hayato think that maybe he would use this Deck in the Duel against Yugi.
Ten minutes passed in an instant. Hayato and Yugi stood on opposite sides of the Duel Platform and placed their Decks down.
"You seem to have high fighting spirit, Hayato," Yugi said with a smile.
Hayato took a deep breath, looked at the strongest Opponent before him, and also showed a smile: "After all, my Opponent is you, Yugi. I really want to defeat you. For that, I've prepared quite a few things."
"Exactly on time, the Duelist Kingdom Grand Finals, between Player Hayato Kobayashi and Player Mutou Yuugi. Both Players are ready," the Old Butler stood beside the Duel Platform and announced as usual. "The Winner of this Duel will become the Grand Champion of the Duelist Kingdom Tournament."
"The title of Duel King, a large sum of Prize Money, and even the Challenge to the Father of Duel Monsters—Master Pegasus. The Winner can obtain all of the above."
"I declare, the Duel, officially begins!"
"Duel!" X2
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
[Yugi: 4000 LP, Hand 5]
"The First Turn is mine, Draw a Card!" Hayato seized the right to Attack and was the first to Draw a Card from his Deck. Immediately, he placed the drawn Card onto the Duel Platform.
"Attack Position Summon **Noble Knight Artorigus**, Set two Cards, I End Turn."
Leaning on a fine longsword and wearing sturdy Armor, a human Warrior appeared on Hayato's Field with a resolute expression.
[Noble Knight Artorigus] [4☆/Light]
[Warrior Type/Normal]
[1800/1800]
Without any further fanfare, unlike Hayato's previous Dueling Style, this time against Yugi, Hayato simply ended his Turn.