In this past month, it wasn't just Joey who changed; both Yugi's and Hayato's Decks underwent significant transformations. The reason for this was Industrial Illusions' recent launch of many new Card Packs, which introduced a brand new Card type: Trap Cards.
Simultaneously, Pegasus also issued a notice regarding Card adjustments, reclassifying older Cards like *Saviour's Ant Hell* as Trap Cards. Duelists could purchase Card Packs to acquire them, or visit game shops across various regions to exchange their existing Cards for the new versions.
It wasn't that no one chose not to exchange their Cards, but Pegasus came up with a "cool" idea to address this: he partnered with several companies to install Duel Arenas equipped with Solid Vision Technology in sports stadiums across major cities. Only Cards readable by these Duel Arenas could be Virtual Projected.
These "several companies," as one might expect, included KaibaCorp, the patent holder for the Solid Vision system. Alongside them, a large number of mid-sized companies took on the production of these high-tech Duel Arenas, such as the Princeton Group, owned by Chazz Princeton's family.
It's worth mentioning that Kaiba hadn't appeared at school since his Duel loss against Yugi that day; it was rumored he had already dropped out.
With new Cards released and Yugi having a grandfather who owned a game shop, he naturally wouldn't let this advantage go to waste. He quickly acquired many "interesting" Trap Cards, such as *Angel's Hand Mirror*, *Swords of Concealing Light*, and Hanoi's Adoration — I mean, *Mirror Force*.
As a result, Joey, who repeatedly challenged Yugi, now experienced many more ways to lose—being defeated with an Empty Field after his Monsters were transformed using *Angel's Hand Mirror*, or losing all his Life Points when a large number of his Monsters were wiped out by *Mirror Force*, and so on.
At first, Hayato also considered whether he should exchange the Trap Cards he held that were still Spell Cards, such as *Time Machine* and *Ojama Trio*. However, the System, uncharacteristically, had a change of heart and offered a free upgrade to the new versions, saving Hayato some trouble.
Over the same month, Hayato Dueled others several times, accumulating a significant amount of DP, all of which he used to open Card Packs. His Deck's strength greatly increased. In fact, in Hayato's most frequently used mixed Deck, the only Monsters with less than 1000 ATK remaining were *Skull Stalker* and the *Ojama* brothers.
He also discovered something else: the Basic Card Packs in the System's Shop seemed to adjust slightly based on his Deck's composition, similar to the Custom Booster Pack he had purchased. Initially, Hayato mostly drew Warrior-Type Monsters, but as his Card pool deepened, the number of Beast-Type and Dragon-Type Monsters gradually increased.
The only thing Hayato regretted was that Pegasus never agreed to implement the rules from the later Battle City era. Things like 4000 LP, Fusion from hand, Tribute Summons, and Direct Attacks—Duels would have been much more interesting that way.
"Whether it's Weevil of the Insects or Rex of the Dinosaurs, both are incredibly strong Duelists," Yugi remarked, watching the Match on television. "Just with the addition of Trap Cards, Duel Monsters has become so interesting! I really look forward to seeing how much Duel Monsters will Evolve in the future."
That's because the game environment keeps accelerating with the advent of Synchro, eventually fast-forwarding to world destruction.
"Speaking of which, why didn't Hayato and Yugi participate in the Qualifiers?" Téa asked, noticing something and turning to inquire.
Hayato was just retrieving his Deck from the System, taking out five Cards and placing them on himself. Hearing Téa's question, he thought for a moment before giving his answer: "It's probably because I feel that 'National' or whatever is too small a scope. Even though I can't beat Yugi yet, my goal is to become the strongest Duelist in the entire world."
"Hayato, you can definitely do it," Yugi encouraged with a smile, then replied to Téa, "As for me, it's because I want to Duel with *that* person."
Joey frowned. "That person, are you talking about Kaiba?"
"Mm," Yugi nodded. "Kaiba, he didn't grasp the power of the 'Heart of the Cards' hidden within the Cards before. I want to Duel him honorably again, now that he has understood the 'Heart of the Cards'."
Joey, however, didn't quite agree with Yugi. "That Kaiba, can he really understand the 'Heart of the Cards'? I just can't bring myself to believe in him."
"Hey, looks like it's about to be decided," Tristan said. His view of Duel Monsters was more just an interesting Game, not yet elevated to the level of "Duelist's honor and dignity" that Yugi and Joey felt, let alone the mysterious power of the "Heart of the Cards". Therefore, he didn't join their discussion. Still, the Materialized Duel Monsters on TV looked really cool.
Everyone shifted their attention back to the TV Screen after Tristan's reminder.
On Weevil's Field, there was only one remaining *Basic Insect* with 500 ATK and one Set Card. Rex, however, had Summoned the powerful Dinosaur-Type *Megazowler* with 1800 ATK to his Field, and furthermore, Equipped it with the Spell Card *Rising Air Current*, boosting its ATK to a formidable 2100.
[Rex: 100 LP]
[Weevil: 600 LP]
"You might have the advantage in Life Points, but my Monster can quickly wipe out your Life Points, Weevil!" Rex cackled excitedly, victory seemingly within his grasp. "*Megazowler*, attack *Basic Insect*!"
Weevil chuckled and flipped his Set Card. "Still haven't learned your lesson, Rex. I Activate my Set Card, *Saviour's Ant Hell*!"
A whirlwind of sand swept in. The enormous *Megazowler* couldn't even take a single step before being trapped by the sudden quicksand, unable to move.
"My *Megazowler*!"
"Now you're just fish on a chopping block, Rex." With a sinister grin, Weevil played two Spell Cards in quick succession. "*Laser Cannon Armor* and *Firearm Mech Armor* will be Equipped to *Basic Insect*, then attack the defenseless *Megazowler*!"
Two beams of light shot out from the Cards Weevil Activated, landing on *Basic Insect* and transforming into two formidable-looking cannon combinations, significantly boosting *Basic Insect*'s ATK.
As a laser beam fired from the cannons on *Basic Insect*'s back, *Megazowler* was destroyed, Rex's Life Points dropped to zero, and the Match was decided. Ultimately, "Insect" Weevil became the Champion of Japan's National Duel Monsters Tournament.
Even the ad guy is truly relentless.
(end of chapter)