Please Give Me a Skip Button!

Inside the thunder-flashing demon's lair, the shattered flesh of the Berserk Demon splattered everywhere, gathering into Pandemonium's altar.

Immediately, the azure flame above it flared up as if it had found kindling and fuel.

A wisp of fire leaped from the fierce blaze, like a passage, gradually coalescing into a card.

"Pandemonium will guide new servants, weaker than those who fell in battle, into my hands."

Although Hades didn't specify which Demon monster he retrieved, Yu Ming actually didn't care much about that anymore.

He only knew that after he ended his turn, Hades's turn would begin.

A turn that made no sense, with manual timing, and possibly more exhausting than his own elaborate plays.

BOOM

Reflected in the intertwining lightning and fire was Pluto's rigid, lifeless face.

"When my turn begins, Pandemonium will not only pay the upkeep for my Demons, but also unleash the power of the Demons buried deep in my graveyard."

"And now, he's not even announcing his draws..."

"Archfiend Empress, grant power to the lower-ranking Demons."

"Oh, he also didn't say what he was calling out when he sent monsters to the graveyard with the wife or the feather before."

BOOM

Where Pandemonium's altar stood, an abyss symbolizing the Underworld began to spread outwards.

Then, it enveloped the orange-red general.

Archfiend General (LV4)

Behind it, the phantom of another, even more ferocious Demon appeared.

Archfiend Empress

As for the so-called "granting power," there's a more formal description for it in duels.

"When Pandemonium is on the field, Archfiend Empress can increase the ATK of Demon monsters Level 4 or lower on the field by one thousand."

This meant that, as the target of the boost, Archfiend General's final stats were...

ATK/2100 → 3100

"It's not over yet. I'll continue by Normal Summoning a servant in Attack Position—Archfiend King."

Archfiend King (LV4)

Attribute/DARK

Type/Demon

ATK/2000 DEF/1500

After being scorched by infernal flames, three more Demon-Type monsters gathered on Pluto's field.

"This is the end!"

Hades gnashed his teeth.

"Vanish, you idiotic obstruction!"

With a wave of his large hand, the chess-inspired pawn already raised its sword and claw.

"Soldier, eliminate that bothersome Skull Servant—Sacrificial Attack!"

BOOM

In an instant, the soldier left its spot and charged straight for Skull Servant.

"So, you see, you really are hated, Skull Servant."

"Is there a possibility that you were the one who summoned me?"

"Well, that was a tactical necessity."

BOOM

As they spoke, the silent soldier had already crossed the halfway line, but just before it reached its destination, it stepped into thin air.

SPLAT

As if stepping into a mud pit, its previously stable posture faltered.

Unbeknownst to them, the previously hard, barren ground had transformed into a sticky, purplish-red swamp.

"This is..."

Faced with the sudden situation, Hades's already dull and cloudy eyes widened.

"Oh, are you looking at me? Hello... goodbye!"

His gaze jumped over Skull Servant, which had already disappeared into the purplish-red swamp, and landed on the source of it all.

"Crush Card Virus (un-nerfed)."

Yu Ming couldn't help but yawn.

BOOM!

In an instant, the reddish-purple tide surged forward, completely engulfing his battlefield, his Pandemonium.

Within the swirling vortex of viruses that blotted out the sky, he felt his senses completely blocked.

The only thing he could perceive, the only thing echoing in his mind, was the voice that swept in with the virus:

"This Trap Card can only be activated by Tributing 1 DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK from your field. After activation, I can check your opponent's field, hand, and all cards they draw over the next three turns, then destroy all monsters among them with 1500 or more ATK."

For a moment, he didn't know how to describe that voice.

"Let's see your hand… 'Fusion'? Can't destroy that, what a shame."

It was calm, languid, yet intensely stimulating, awakening instincts that should have been sealed away.

Suddenly, he remembered things he had seen before.

No wonder it acted that way…

BOOM!

When the crimson torrent finally dissipated completely, there was almost nothing left on the front field, only a solitary 'Skull Servant' standing.

It seemed to be searching for its king and generals, but everywhere it looked was empty, leaving it somewhat bewildered.

"Because 'Skull Servant' was Tributed for the virus, the number of monsters on the field has changed."

Stepping past the Skull Servant, which was looking left and right, Yu Ming shifted his gaze behind it.

"Do you still want to attack?"

Hades was just there, gasping for breath.

Even though the virus had only destroyed his hand and cleared some cards from it, he acted as if he had truly been corrupted.

After a painful whimper, those inhuman eyes swept over:

"So, this is what you rely on."

"Huh?"

"If this truly originated from within you, then I probably understand why it's afraid, and why I've always felt uneasy."

Hades clutched his collar tightly, as if trying to squeeze his own heart in his hand.

"Most who wander this world without losing their minds are those with regrets, or some kind of obsession."

"…Can we just continue the duel?"

"The Evil Dragon that once destroyed the world was like this, and now that Necromancer King is the same."

"Sigh…"

"But you're completely different. You've never had a clear goal, and you've never known what you're supposed to do!"

"…"

"Your inner self is completely empty; nothing can fill that void, which is why it gave birth to this power that seems to devour and destroy everything!"

At this, Hades's withered hand moved up, then clenched his collar again.

"Damn it, that Necromancer King actually left a ticking time bomb like you alone, and that Holy Knight even tried to control you!"

Facing the Archfiend's resolute and angry gaze, Yu Ming couldn't help but cover his forehead.

Although he completely failed to understand what Hades was saying, he suddenly remembered what most people do when a download, update, or installation progress gets stuck.

It's very simple.

"Look up, at the sky…"

Of course, this method was nothing more than pure superstition.

However, sometimes it actually seemed to work a little.

"But it doesn't matter now, I'll personally clarify this matter with that Holy Knight…"

Almost at the same time, Pluto waved his hand.

"When an Archfiend is destroyed, 'Pandemonium' will guide a weaker Archfiend into my hand. Then, I set one card in my Spell & Trap Zone and end this turn!"

"Alright!"

Almost simultaneously, Yu Ming looked straight ahead.

"My turn, Draw!"

Seriously, he didn't want to hear any more of this nonsense; it was as long and foul as a dirty rag.

But now!

"Now…"

Staring at the card he drew for a long time, Yu Ming clenched his fist.

"I… I set one card in my Spell & Trap Zone."

Though extremely reluctant, he had to say the words.

"Turn end..."

"Hmph, just as I thought. Someone like you, without a clear objective, merely possesses power but can't define your goal, nor can you master this sacred ritual."

"Ah... System, help me."

"But I am different. Even now that I've been resurrected, I still have things I need to do, and my magic will surely answer me!"

"I'm not complaining about the skipped story, just give me my skip button back..."

"My turn, draw spell..."

Rumble

Instantly, Pandemonium was filled with thunder and lightning, as the Demon and the virus roared in unison.

As the queen appeared behind the soldier, the virus also coiled around the pale blue flame that symbolized the card.

Then, the front was revealed:

"Card of Demise"

"...I'm not surprised at all."