Chapter 1324

Guardian Dreadscythe, just like its Grim Reaper-like image, is literally an immortal monster. Whether by battle or effect destruction, no matter how many times it is destroyed, it can revive from the graveyard, and with each revival, by discarding a monster card to the graveyard, it can continue to become even more powerful.

Originally, this effect could not be called completely "immortal," because its revival was not without a price. Dreadscythe's revival is a mandatory effect; the player must discard a card from their hand to make it revive, even if the controller does not want to activate it.

This effect design seems to imply the setting that "once one falls into darkness, one cannot extricate oneself," and once it appears on the field, even Rafael himself can no longer control it.

But because one must discard a card from the hand to revive each time, it effectively limits the number of revivals. In fact, in the original work, Dark Yugi also used this weakness to crush Dreadscythe; once Rafael's hand was exhausted, it meant Dreadscythe's revival coins were used up, and this Guardian would be completely eliminated.

However, at this very moment, the existence of the Continuous Spell "Card of Sanctity" perfectly compensated for this weakness.

For every card discarded, Dreadscythe can revive, and each revival allows drawing three cards. As Dreadscythe revives continuously, its ATK grows stronger and stronger, and Rafael's hand resources also increase; one revival coin used adds three more, which is almost equivalent to infinite life.

In this way, the condition to exhaust its revival coins changed from "exhausting the opponent's hand" to "drawing out the opponent's deck," and the difficulty suddenly increased significantly.

Additionally, the common tactic against indestructible monsters—"battle damage must still be taken"—also failed, because "Soul Barrier," which can ignore battle damage, was present.

Now that this combination was complete, Rafael and Dreadscythe had indeed evolved into a combination with near-infinite life.

"The darkness in the human heart is like weeds that can never be pulled out or burned away, and every time it makes a comeback, it becomes even stronger, just like this Grim Reaper-like Guardian."

Rafael said in a deep voice.

"Guardian Dreadscythe, attack 'Infernity Doom Dragon' once again!"

【Guardian Dreadscythe, ATK 4500】

【Infernity Doom Dragon, ATK 4700】

The ATK was still two hundred short, and naturally, Dreadscythe was once again shattered and destroyed by the Doom Dragon's chaotic breath.

At the same time, another card in Rafael's hand was swallowed into the vortex of darkness, vanishing as if annihilated in that chaos.

"Due to the effect of Soul Barrier, I take no battle damage," Rafael said. "Then, I discard one card from my hand, and Dreadscythe revives from the graveyard."

The undying Grim Reaper returned once more, clutching that eerie scythe, its deathly aura even more intense than before.

"Because a monster card was discarded, Guardian Dreadscythe's ATK increases by 500," Rafael said. "Next, the effect of 'Card of Sanctity,' I draw three cards from my deck."

Rafael drew three more cards.

Of course, no matter how many cards he drew, there was a limit to what he could use. Because while Dreadscythe was on the field, he could not summon any new monsters.

【Guardian Dreadscythe, ATK 4500 → ATK 5000】

"I said, the darkness of the human heart is endless," Rafael said coldly. "Humans can never surpass the darkness within their own hearts; this is the truth of this world, and Lord Dartz made me understand this point. And Lord Dartz's guidance will teach the world to accept that darkness, and then surpass it, just like how I obtained this power of Dreadscythe!"

As he spoke, he drew another card he had just pulled into his hand via the power of "Card of Sanctity," and held it high, facing upward. "I will not underestimate you again, nor will I hold back. I will release the darkness in my heart, all of my power, right here! Activate Field Spell—

—The Seal of Orichalcos!!!"

Another green pillar of light shot into the sky, seemingly merging with the pillar behind them that was already piercing the clouds. Behind the clouds in the sky, a hexagram magic circle seemed to descend, weaving a solemn barrier that shrouded both combatants in this layer of glass-like transparent green light.

Rafael let out a long, drawn-out howl, as if his body had completely absorbed the energy of the barrier. A red glow lit up in his eyes, and a hexagram mark appeared on his forehead, and the same mark appeared on the forehead of Guardian Dreadscythe, as if connecting the master and the monster.

"Guardian Dreadscythe, boosted by The Seal of Orichalcos, has its ATK increased by another 500 points!" Rafael said.

【Guardian Dreadscythe, ATK 5000 → ATK 5500】

"Guardian Dreadscythe, attack 'Infernity Doom Dragon' once again!"

The ATK finally surpassed and broke through; Dreadscythe slashed open the Doom Dragon's breath with one strike. The chaotic vortex was split in two, and the erupting blade light split the Infernity Doom Dragon in two from the head.

【You Xuan, LP4000 → LP3200】

"The turn is over," Rafael said. "Fujiki You Xuan, you are probably a very strong duelist. But facing this darkness, even if you bring out stronger power, it will become stronger and regenerate; this is the truth of the darkness in the human heart."

"Oh, is that so? But coincidentally, regarding the so-called darkness of the human heart, I have also done a little superficial research," You Xuan smiled.

Rafael: "Hmm?"

You understand darkness too?

Someone actually dares to mention the darkness of the human heart in front of us, the Doma Trio, and the sacred power of Orichalcos?

"Yes, I know a little, I've studied it slightly," You Xuan said with a smile. "Well, although I only know a little, it's probably enough for an outsider like you."

Rafael showed an angry expression: "What did you say?"

If the opponent denied him, refuted him, or even tried to awaken his bond with his monsters saying it was wrong, the current Rafael would probably just pretend not to hear it and not take it to heart.

But the opponent did not. On the contrary, the opponent actually questioned his understanding of Lord Dartz's teachings, questioned his unshakable destiny, and questioned his faith; this could not be tolerated.

"It's exactly what it sounds like," You Xuan said faintly. "In the end, you keep saying 'inner darkness,' yet you don't even count as a basic Dark Duelist. You know nothing about how dark power operates, and you are completely ignorant of the truth of inner darkness.

The transcendence you use is nothing more than borrowing the authority of others through the card 'The Seal of Orichalcos'; it is not your own power at all. Including the inner darkness you think you understand, it is nothing more than thoughts instilled in you by others.

If you don't believe it—"

You Xuan raised his hand toward him, fingers spread wide.

As if it were an illusion, in this instant, Rafael felt those spread fingers blocking the sky in his field of vision, as if they were about to grasp him entirely into the palm of his hand.

You Xuan: "... Let me show you."