Why are my cards lying in your graveyard?

How to describe it?

He couldn't say anything at all.

Yu Ming felt as if he had completely lost the ability to speak, utterly at a loss for how to describe the current situation.

However, he clearly understood the emotions swirling deep within him.

Anger?

Impossible.

Getting hit with a Hand Trap? Who hasn't experienced that?

Before he transmigrated, Yu Ming couldn't count how many times he'd been hit with a Hand Trap. That alone wasn't enough to make his mood fluctuate.

What truly captivated him was that somewhat gloomy-looking little girl!

"Shiranui Solitaire."

As he uttered that beautiful name, Yu Ming felt every pore on his body expand.

Even in the scorching Pandemonium, he felt an indescribable sense of relief.

After all, just one word could represent her… or rather, the identity of her 'compatriots,' including her.

It was a powerful word, something that would make Duelists' legs go weak, unable to walk, willing to succumb to its allure!

"Hand Trap!"

Yes, that was it.

With them, you could stop your opponent's combo right away.

With them, even going second wouldn't cause panic.

With them, the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! would enter the era of the Hand Trap King!

"Save..."

Just as Yu Ming was caught up in his fantasies, a sudden echoing sound pulled him out of his reverie.

"Save me..."

Snapping back to reality, he saw the little girl in the dress reaching out towards him.

However, before she could scream anything more, her already unstable form suddenly began to twist. Countless skeletal arms surged from the deep abyss below.

Then, they dragged the girl into the Graveyard.

On the boundary between life and death, the last thing Yu Ming saw was her complex gaze.

Fear, unease, but also a hint of hope.

"Please, save me."

"Oh, wow, it even comes with a spirit."

There was a reason for such an exclamation. After all, it was well-known that spirits meant bonds, and bonds meant you could be a "troll"!

So...

"You really brought out something good."

Yu Ming narrowed his eyes, gazing at the great demon that seemed to stand unmoving.

"Hey Hades, you don't happen to have any Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring or Called by the Grave in your deck, do you?"

But Hades offered no response.

He acted as if he hadn't heard any of Yu Ming's questions or trash talk, instead flailing his arms about like he was performing some kind of ritual dance.

Seeing that he seemed to be making another move, Yu Ming couldn't help but speak again:

"Just so you know, monsters Special Summoned by Demon Cavalry's effect cannot attack this turn. Don't think you can fool me with your random chants."

However, Hades seemed to have some sense of propriety.

"I Summon Hell Soldier Demon in attack position to bolster my forces, and then I set my final spell in the back row."

He ended his Battle Phase just like that.

Then...

"Turn end."

Hell Soldier Demon (LV2)

Attribute: Earth

Type: Fiend

ATK/1200 DEF/200

Yu Ming glanced at the seemingly unremarkable fiend monster and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"It's finally over."

Honestly, all those nonsensical chants were truly unbearable for him.

In the anime, everything relied on quick reactions; if you didn't activate a card or shout out its name on the spot, it was assumed not to exist. But then, my opponent started acting unreasonable.

As a result, what was supposed to be a perfectly good card game with fixed rules not only tested a Duelist's knowledge of cards but also their eyesight.

Honestly, with a game like this, Yu Ming felt his ability to keep playing was purely due to his chuunibyou tendencies.

Oh, and the rewards…

Yu Ming couldn't help but glance at Hades's feet. Below the altar of Pandemonium was a swirling abyss, which served as Hades's Graveyard.

And right now, his Hand Trap was resting there!

"Shiranui Solitaire…"

From the moment he first saw her, he decided he had to have her.

For that, he had to win!

"My turn, draw card."

However, despite his firm resolve, Yu Ming couldn't help but sigh when he saw his starting hand.

It was a classic case of pleasant imagination meeting harsh reality.

His hand was full of monsters that made any significant plays impossible. The only card he could pin his hopes on was the one he had just drawn.

It was a green card, with a smiling pot depicted on it.

The pot's smile was incredibly infectious. The moment he saw it, Yu Ming couldn't help but smile, even though he had just taken a hit.

After all, it was the 'Pot'.

"Magic Card – 'Pot of Greed'."

In the history of Duel Monsters… Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, this was the card that elevated the word 'Pot' to god-tier status!

"According to its effect, I can draw two cards directly from my Deck without any conditions or cost."

An unconditional 1-for-2 trade—something that could only be used so brazenly in an early environment like this, where there wasn't much multi-card summoning or constant back-and-forth plays.

But even in the DM environment, which lacked explosive combo potential, it could still unleash powerful effects.

After all, the fundamental law of this game remained constant.

More hand cards, more resources, more comeback opportunities!

"Here we go."

After glancing at the cards he drew, Yu Ming took a deep breath.

"I'm coming for you, Hades… I'd love to say that, but you're not reacting at all."

Facing the Great Demon's seemingly unchanging, deadpan expression, Yu Ming inserted the card in his hand into his Duel Disk.

"Magic Card – 'Tribute to The Doomed'."

Immediately, a colossal flesh sculpture appeared behind it.

At the same time, the previously expressionless Mr. Pluto finally reacted.

"The effect of that spell is…"

"Select one Special Summoned monster on the field and send it to the Graveyard, then Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from your hand."

Before Hades could start his mystical explanations, Yu Ming promptly provided the official clarification.

Meanwhile, the demon's single eye glowed with a crimson light, engulfing the raging Minotaur-like demon.

"I choose to send 'Berserk Demon' to the Graveyard, then Special Summon this guy from my hand in Defense Position."

Amidst furious wails and roars, the demon gradually dissolved, its remaining fragments crossing the boundary of the Duel field and reassembling on Yu Ming's side.

Finally, what reflected in Hades's murky eyes was a figure completely different from 'Berserk Demon'.

Small, fragile, with not a speck of flesh on its entire body.

Most people should be quite familiar with this card, as it had the simplest, most unadorned name:

"'Skull Servant'!"

"You damn scoundrel, are you looking down on me?!"