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## Chapter 548: You Call This a Symbol of Friendship, Isn't It a Bit Shady?
"My Turn."
Yugi placed his finger on his Deck, glancing at the Field situation.
To be honest, when Grimo kidnapped Solomon Muto and threatened Yugi into a Duel where Slifer the Sky Dragon was on the line, Yugi had actually treated the Duel seriously, viewing his opponent as a Duelist with great strength.
After all, this wasn't the first or second time Yugi had participated in Duel Monsters Tournaments open to the entire World. Even if he hadn't meticulously studied his own Duel replays, he should at least know his own strength. Since Grimo had the courage to challenge Yugi, it meant he was very confident in his own strength.
However, what Yugi never expected was that he had completely overestimated Grimo's strength. His opponent was simply too pathetic. Although in the first turn he performed a Special Summon of **Command Knight** using **Command Knight** to achieve an Attack Seal on the Field, his most impressive play was just that.
(Command Knight Effect: ① When this card is Summoned successfully, you can activate this effect. Special Summon one 4☆ or lower monster from your Hand. ② While this card is in the Monster Zone, your opponent cannot select other Warrior-Type monsters as attack targets.)
There was no need to even use Slifer the Sky Dragon, which was in his Deck. Yugi achieved perfect suppression just by Summoning the master-apprentice duo of **Dark Magician** and **Dark Magician Girl**. However, Yugi didn't go all out to expand his advantage and seize victory, but instead pretended to be using his full power to stall as much as possible.
Grimo's Duel Disk seemed to have a device to control the tower crane. If there was one, there would be a second. No one could guarantee that Grimo didn't have ways to control other devices. If he were defeated by Yugi and became enraged, dragging Solomon Muto down with him would be disastrous.
So, in Yugi's deliberate stall, he displayed a scene where he was struggling to achieve an even match with Grimo. Although he held a **Dark Burning Magic** in his Hand that could easily field clear, he stubbornly refused to activate it.
And Grimo truly seemed to be deceived, thinking he had suppressed the legendary Duelist Mutou Yuugi. His attention was completely focused on the Duel with Yugi, believing that with a little more effort, he could successfully achieve victory.
Afterward, under Yugi's cover, Joey Wheeler and Tristan successfully rescued Solomon Muto, who was suspended in the air.
If it were an ordinary Duel, Yugi might, out of respect for his Duel opponent and his Duelist's pride, continue the Duel with Grimo even after rescuing Solomon Muto. But in Yugi's eyes, Grimo, who used the kidnapping of Solomon Muto as a means to Duel him, had no Duelist's glory whatsoever.
Respect is mutual. Since his opponent had defiled the sacredness of the Duel, there was no need for him to continue Dueling with his opponent.
However, at that moment, Grimo suddenly began to laugh.
"Are you trying to escape, Nameless Pharaoh!?"
"Hmph hmph, hehe, hahahahaha, do you think I didn't know that your goal from the beginning was that old man? I knew your plan the moment you arrived on the rooftop. Don't think that you were the only one not using your full power just now, Nameless Pharaoh! Now, I will show you my true power!"
As he spoke, Grimo activated an ominous Field Spell Card. "This is our Sanctuary born from Pitch Black Darkness! Its mysterious ultimate magic power will now become my power! With a sacred seal, surround me and my enemy!!"
"**Seal of Orichalcos**, activate!!!"
Yugi, who had just turned around, intending to imitate the "Nigero da yo" technique he had learned from Hayato a long time ago to escape, hadn't even managed to put distance between himself and Grimo when suddenly an emerald green ring descended from the sky, enveloping both Yugi and Grimo.
The chain ornament embedded with a green gem that Grimo wore on his chest emitted the same emerald green radiance. The ancient, long-lost Ancient Atlantis text within the ring also lit up. The ring, which should have been merely a projection, instantly became a tangible existence, forming a circular domain that sealed off Yugi and Grimo within it. Joey Wheeler and Tristan, who wanted to approach from outside the domain, were simultaneously repelled!
Yugi's first thought was, of course, to use the Millennium Puzzle to unleash a "Dark Game" that surpassed ordinary Duels, to counteract Grimo's restriction method.
However, just as the Eye of Wjat/Udjat on Yugi's forehead began to glow, the Millennium Puzzle was swallowed of all its radiance by the ring domain in a brief instant, completely unable to use any power, as if it were just an ordinary large gold block.
Lines extended and connected within the ring. Three lines connected to form a "Z" shape, and two "Z" shapes then combined to form an unusual hexagram. The same pattern, along with a scaled-down ring, even appeared on Grimo's smooth forehead, as if his hair loss was meant to make space for this pattern.
"Until the victor is decided, the sacred **Seal of Orichalcos** will isolate all obstructions! Only the Duel's winner can walk out of here, and the loser's soul will forever remain within the **Seal of Orichalcos** card!"
Afterward, Grimo also demonstrated other effects of the **Seal of Orichalcos**. As long as the **Seal of Orichalcos** exists, Grimo can use the Spell & Trap Zone as a Monster Zone. Additionally, monsters in the Spell & Trap Zone cannot be selected as attack targets until all monsters in the Monster Zone are destroyed. Furthermore, the **Seal of Orichalcos** also has the ability to darken monsters, increasing their ATK by 500 points.
Even more outrageous, the **Seal of Orichalcos** even has an effect that prevents it from leaving the Field. Once activated, it is bound to remain. Whether it's return to hand, destroy, banish, or even set over with another Field Spell Card, none of it works against the **Seal of Orichalcos**. It is simply like it won't leave until it collects a defeated person's soul.
Looking at the dense effects on the **Seal of Orichalcos**, Yugi couldn't help but rant that this was definitely a fake card. Even a despicable card printer like Pegasus wouldn't dare to print a card with such disgusting effects.
But before Yugi could rant, Grimo did something that surprised and angered Yugi—he activated a Spell Card, **The Voice of Obedience**. He declared the card name of **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, which he knew was in Yugi's Deck before the Duel, and used the effect to add it to his Hand. Then, he used three monsters on his Field as tribute to Summon it.
He even kept a **Graceful Charity** to maximize the power of **Slifer the Sky Dragon**!
And under the influence of the **Seal of Orichalcos**, **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, which would originally unleash divine punishment, was actually darkened!
Even Yugi completely didn't expect such a situation to actually occur. Although he was unprepared, he managed to use **Attack Negation** in time to protect his Life Points, but the **Dark Magician** and **Dark Magician Girl** on his Field were completely destroyed by the concentrated attack of Grimo's darkened monsters.
[Grimo: 2000 LP, Hand 6]
[Slifer the Sky Dragon] [ATK 6500]
(Spell/Trap Zone) [Command Knight] [ATK 1700]
(Spell/Trap Zone) [Demon Tamer] [ATK 1300]
(Field) [Seal of Orichalcos]
Although Yugi's Hand also benefited from the effect of **Graceful Charity**, he currently had six cards in Hand, and with the one he was about to draw this turn, he would have seven cards. But because of the existence of **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, Yugi truly had no good ideas to defeat Grimo for the time being.
Although **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, when it was an ally, always acted like a traitor, causing trouble in various ways, **Slifer the Sky Dragon** appearing as an enemy was simply too difficult to deal with. The **Thunder Force** that automatically activated regardless of battle position is simply a small fry crusher. Even if he wanted to use some ordinary monsters to stall, he couldn't.
—Speaking of which, this time, **Slifer the Sky Dragon** could also be considered a traitor, right? It was clearly in his Deck before, but now it ran to the opponent's Field.
As expected, it's the "Traitor Dragon." Yugi increasingly felt that what Hayato said back then had too much foresight.
What was more troublesome was that Grimo had also used the **Seal of Orichalcos** to place his **Command Knight** and **Demon Tamer**, which were like weaknesses on his Field, in the rear. Without defeating **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, he couldn't attack the target at all.
For now, he could only place his hope on the next draw.
"Draw!"
Yugi drew a card from the top of his Deck, his expression freezing for a moment, as if he recalled something.
Looking at the card in his Hand, Yugi's gaze became resolute. He Set it face-down on his Field, along with another card: "Summon one monster in face-down Defense Position, then Set one card. My turn ends."
[Yugi: 3000 LP, Hand 5]
[Set Monster]
[Set Card] [Set Card] [Set Card]
"Hoho, it seems your strength is only at that level, Mutou Yuugi. Facing the darkened **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, all you can do is turtle up and defend."
Grimo said with a sneer, "But your struggle is Muda da! I will make you watch with your own eyes as your monsters are crushed, and then your **Slifer the Sky Dragon** will grant you defeat. Finally, I will offer the prize, **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, and the **Seal of Orichalcos**, which seals your soul, to my Master!"
"My turn, draw, and then **Slifer the Sky Dragon** power up!"
Because Grimo drew a card, his number of cards in Hand increased to seven. **Slifer the Sky Dragon**'s ATK reached 7000 points due to its own effect, and after the **Seal of Orichalcos** boost, its ATK was a full 7500 points!
[Slifer the Sky Dragon] [ATK 6500 → 7500]
He glanced at Yugi's Set cards in the Spell/Trap Zone. Although he displayed an arrogant demeanor, Grimo was actually a deeply cunning person. This could be seen from how he seized the opportunity when Yugi was holding back power to stall earlier, pretended to use his full power, but then suddenly burst forth to achieve suppression over Yugi.
If he were truly an idiot, how could he have worked his way up to his current position in the fiercely competitive Organization Doma, becoming a subordinate of lord Rafael, one of the Three Swordsmen trusted by that personage?
He recalled the information about Mutou Yuugi recorded in the files. Not caring that **Slifer the Sky Dragon**'s ATK would decrease because of this, he decisively played a card from his Hand: "I let you succeed once before. This time, I've learned my lesson. I must first deal with those troublesome Set cards in your Spell/Trap Zone."
"Activate the Spell Card **Heavy Storm**! Destroy all Spell/Trap Cards on the Field!" Grimo said proudly, "Although there's the danger of destroying my own cards along with yours, the only Spell/Trap Card on my Field is the Field Spell Card **Seal of Orichalcos**, which cannot leave the Field. Therefore, the only cards that will be destroyed are yours, Nameless Pharaoh!"
[Slifer the Sky Dragon] [ATK 7500 → 6500]
"Hmph, Sore wa dou kana?"
"Nani?!"
Grimo had a surprised expression, and Yugi, facing **Heavy Storm**, also activated one of his Set cards in the Spell/Trap Zone: "Chain **Heavy Storm**, I activate the Trap Card **Magic Jammer**!"
"When a Spell Card is activated, I discard one card from my Hand to negate and destroy **Heavy Storm**'s effect!"
The storm had just begun to rise but was immediately suppressed. This made Grimo, who had just boasted, annoyed: "Tsk, as expected of Mutou Yuugi, you certainly have some skill. But so what? I don't believe you can activate a second life-saving Trap Card in your Spell/Trap Zone to escape disaster."
"Enter Battle Phase! I will use **Command Knight** to attack that face-down monster on your Field!"
Having lost its former righteous aura due to darkening, **Command Knight** furiously brandished the pair of long swords in its hands and attacked the card Set on Yugi's Field. The sharp long sword easily pierced through the monster's body hidden beneath the card.
Grimo also saw the ATK and DEF value of the monster that was revealed because of the flip.
[450/600]
"Heh, such weak ATK and DEF. Even added together, they're less than 1500 points. Isn't that just a weak monster?"
Hearing Grimo's words, Yugi sneered, "In that case, taste the power of the 'weak monster' you spoke of."
"This monster is a card that Hayato once gifted to me. Without a doubt, it is the symbol of friendship between him and me. Even though Hayato has left this World, his power is still with me!" Yugi waved his hand forward, "Counterattack begins, **Mimiclay**!"
Command Knight's long sword that pierced out was subsequently firmly gripped by a pair of strong pincers!
"My Turn."
Yugi placed his finger on his Deck, glancing at the Field situation.
To be honest, when Grimo kidnapped Solomon Muto and threatened Yugi into a Duel where Slifer the Sky Dragon was on the line, Yugi had actually treated the Duel seriously, viewing his opponent as a Duelist with great strength.
After all, this wasn't the first or second time Yugi had participated in Duel Monsters Tournaments open to the entire World. Even if he hadn't meticulously studied his own Duel replays, he should at least know his own strength. Since Grimo had the courage to challenge Yugi, it meant he was very confident in his own strength.
However, what Yugi never expected was that he had completely overestimated Grimo's strength. His opponent was simply too pathetic. Although in the first turn he performed a Special Summon of **Command Knight** using **Command Knight** to achieve an Attack Seal on the Field, his most impressive play was just that.
(Command Knight Effect: ① When this card is Summoned successfully, you can activate this effect. Special Summon one 4☆ or lower monster from your Hand. ② While this card is in the Monster Zone, your opponent cannot select other Warrior-Type monsters as attack targets.)
There was no need to even use Slifer the Sky Dragon, which was in his Deck. Yugi achieved perfect suppression just by Summoning the master-apprentice duo of **Dark Magician** and **Dark Magician Girl**. However, Yugi didn't go all out to expand his advantage and seize victory, but instead pretended to be using his full power to stall as much as possible.
Grimo's Duel Disk seemed to have a device to control the tower crane. If there was one, there would be a second. No one could guarantee that Grimo didn't have ways to control other devices. If he were defeated by Yugi and became enraged, dragging Solomon Muto down with him would be disastrous.
So, in Yugi's deliberate stall, he displayed a scene where he was struggling to achieve an even match with Grimo. Although he held a **Dark Burning Magic** in his Hand that could easily field clear, he stubbornly refused to activate it.
And Grimo truly seemed to be deceived, thinking he had suppressed the legendary Duelist Mutou Yuugi. His attention was completely focused on the Duel with Yugi, believing that with a little more effort, he could successfully achieve victory.
Afterward, under Yugi's cover, Joey Wheeler and Tristan successfully rescued Solomon Muto, who was suspended in the air.
If it were an ordinary Duel, Yugi might, out of respect for his Duel opponent and his Duelist's pride, continue the Duel with Grimo even after rescuing Solomon Muto. But in Yugi's eyes, Grimo, who used the kidnapping of Solomon Muto as a means to Duel him, had no Duelist's glory whatsoever.
Respect is mutual. Since his opponent had defiled the sacredness of the Duel, there was no need for him to continue Dueling with his opponent.
However, at that moment, Grimo suddenly began to laugh.
"Are you trying to escape, Nameless Pharaoh!?"
"Hmph hmph, hehe, hahahahaha, do you think I didn't know that your goal from the beginning was that old man? I knew your plan the moment you arrived on the rooftop. Don't think that you were the only one not using your full power just now, Nameless Pharaoh! Now, I will show you my true power!"
As he spoke, Grimo activated an ominous Field Spell Card. "This is our Sanctuary born from Pitch Black Darkness! Its mysterious ultimate magic power will now become my power! With a sacred seal, surround me and my enemy!!"
"**Seal of Orichalcos**, activate!!!"
Yugi, who had just turned around, intending to imitate the "Nigero da yo" technique he had learned from Hayato a long time ago to escape, hadn't even managed to put distance between himself and Grimo when suddenly an emerald green ring descended from the sky, enveloping both Yugi and Grimo.
The chain ornament embedded with a green gem that Grimo wore on his chest emitted the same emerald green radiance. The ancient, long-lost Ancient Atlantis text within the ring also lit up. The ring, which should have been merely a projection, instantly became a tangible existence, forming a circular domain that sealed off Yugi and Grimo within it. Joey Wheeler and Tristan, who wanted to approach from outside the domain, were simultaneously repelled!
Yugi's first thought was, of course, to use the Millennium Puzzle to unleash a "Dark Game" that surpassed ordinary Duels, to counteract Grimo's restriction method.
However, just as the Eye of Wjat/Udjat on Yugi's forehead began to glow, the Millennium Puzzle was swallowed of all its radiance by the ring domain in a brief instant, completely unable to use any power, as if it were just an ordinary large gold block.
Lines extended and connected within the ring. Three lines connected to form a "Z" shape, and two "Z" shapes then combined to form an unusual hexagram. The same pattern, along with a scaled-down ring, even appeared on Grimo's smooth forehead, as if his hair loss was meant to make space for this pattern.
"Until the victor is decided, the sacred **Seal of Orichalcos** will isolate all obstructions! Only the Duel's winner can walk out of here, and the loser's soul will forever remain within the **Seal of Orichalcos** card!"
Afterward, Grimo also demonstrated other effects of the **Seal of Orichalcos**. As long as the **Seal of Orichalcos** exists, Grimo can use the Spell & Trap Zone as a Monster Zone. Additionally, monsters in the Spell & Trap Zone cannot be selected as attack targets until all monsters in the Monster Zone are destroyed. Furthermore, the **Seal of Orichalcos** also has the ability to darken monsters, increasing their ATK by 500 points.
Even more outrageous, the **Seal of Orichalcos** even has an effect that prevents it from leaving the Field. Once activated, it is bound to remain. Whether it's return to hand, destroy, banish, or even set over with another Field Spell Card, none of it works against the **Seal of Orichalcos**. It is simply like it won't leave until it collects a defeated person's soul.
Looking at the dense effects on the **Seal of Orichalcos**, Yugi couldn't help but rant that this was definitely a fake card. Even a despicable card printer like Pegasus wouldn't dare to print a card with such disgusting effects.
But before Yugi could rant, Grimo did something that surprised and angered Yugi—he activated a Spell Card, **The Voice of Obedience**. He declared the card name of **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, which he knew was in Yugi's Deck before the Duel, and used the effect to add it to his Hand. Then, he used three monsters on his Field as tribute to Summon it.
He even kept a **Graceful Charity** to maximize the power of **Slifer the Sky Dragon**!
And under the influence of the **Seal of Orichalcos**, **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, which would originally unleash divine punishment, was actually darkened!
Even Yugi completely didn't expect such a situation to actually occur. Although he was unprepared, he managed to use **Attack Negation** in time to protect his Life Points, but the **Dark Magician** and **Dark Magician Girl** on his Field were completely destroyed by the concentrated attack of Grimo's darkened monsters.
[Grimo: 2000 LP, Hand 6]
[Slifer the Sky Dragon] [ATK 6500]
(Spell/Trap Zone) [Command Knight] [ATK 1700]
(Spell/Trap Zone) [Demon Tamer] [ATK 1300]
(Field) [Seal of Orichalcos]
Although Yugi's Hand also benefited from the effect of **Graceful Charity**, he currently had six cards in Hand, and with the one he was about to draw this turn, he would have seven cards. But because of the existence of **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, Yugi truly had no good ideas to defeat Grimo for the time being.
Although **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, when it was an ally, always acted like a traitor, causing trouble in various ways, **Slifer the Sky Dragon** appearing as an enemy was simply too difficult to deal with. The **Thunder Force** that automatically activated regardless of battle position is simply a small fry crusher. Even if he wanted to use some ordinary monsters to stall, he couldn't.
—Speaking of which, this time, **Slifer the Sky Dragon** could also be considered a traitor, right? It was clearly in his Deck before, but now it ran to the opponent's Field.
As expected, it's the "Traitor Dragon." Yugi increasingly felt that what Hayato said back then had too much foresight.
What was more troublesome was that Grimo had also used the **Seal of Orichalcos** to place his **Command Knight** and **Demon Tamer**, which were like weaknesses on his Field, in the rear. Without defeating **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, he couldn't attack the target at all.
For now, he could only place his hope on the next draw.
"Draw!"
Yugi drew a card from the top of his Deck, his expression freezing for a moment, as if he recalled something.
Looking at the card in his Hand, Yugi's gaze became resolute. He Set it face-down on his Field, along with another card: "Summon one monster in face-down Defense Position, then Set one card. My turn ends."
[Yugi: 3000 LP, Hand 5]
[Set Monster]
[Set Card] [Set Card] [Set Card]
"Hoho, it seems your strength is only at that level, Mutou Yuugi. Facing the darkened **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, all you can do is turtle up and defend."
Grimo said with a sneer, "But your struggle is Muda da! I will make you watch with your own eyes as your monsters are crushed, and then your **Slifer the Sky Dragon** will grant you defeat. Finally, I will offer the prize, **Slifer the Sky Dragon**, and the **Seal of Orichalcos**, which seals your soul, to my Master!"
"My turn, draw, and then **Slifer the Sky Dragon** power up!"
Because Grimo drew a card, his number of cards in Hand increased to seven. **Slifer the Sky Dragon**'s ATK reached 7000 points due to its own effect, and after the **Seal of Orichalcos** boost, its ATK was a full 7500 points!
[Slifer the Sky Dragon] [ATK 6500 → 7500]
He glanced at Yugi's Set cards in the Spell/Trap Zone. Although he displayed an arrogant demeanor, Grimo was actually a deeply cunning person. This could be seen from how he seized the opportunity when Yugi was holding back power to stall earlier, pretended to use his full power, but then suddenly burst forth to achieve suppression over Yugi.
If he were truly an idiot, how could he have worked his way up to his current position in the fiercely competitive Organization Doma, becoming a subordinate of lord Rafael, one of the Three Swordsmen trusted by that personage?
He recalled the information about Mutou Yuugi recorded in the files. Not caring that **Slifer the Sky Dragon**'s ATK would decrease because of this, he decisively played a card from his Hand: "I let you succeed once before. This time, I've learned my lesson. I must first deal with those troublesome Set cards in your Spell/Trap Zone."
"Activate the Spell Card **Heavy Storm**! Destroy all Spell/Trap Cards on the Field!" Grimo said proudly, "Although there's the danger of destroying my own cards along with yours, the only Spell/Trap Card on my Field is the Field Spell Card **Seal of Orichalcos**, which cannot leave the Field. Therefore, the only cards that will be destroyed are yours, Nameless Pharaoh!"
[Slifer the Sky Dragon] [ATK 7500 → 6500]
"Hmph, Sore wa dou kana?"
"Nani?!"
Grimo had a surprised expression, and Yugi, facing **Heavy Storm**, also activated one of his Set cards in the Spell/Trap Zone: "Chain **Heavy Storm**, I activate the Trap Card **Magic Jammer**!"
"When a Spell Card is activated, I discard one card from my Hand to negate and destroy **Heavy Storm**'s effect!"
The storm had just begun to rise but was immediately suppressed. This made Grimo, who had just boasted, annoyed: "Tsk, as expected of Mutou Yuugi, you certainly have some skill. But so what? I don't believe you can activate a second life-saving Trap Card in your Spell/Trap Zone to escape disaster."
"Enter Battle Phase! I will use **Command Knight** to attack that face-down monster on your Field!"
Having lost its former righteous aura due to darkening, **Command Knight** furiously brandished the pair of long swords in its hands and attacked the card Set on Yugi's Field. The sharp long sword easily pierced through the monster's body hidden beneath the card.
Grimo also saw the ATK and DEF value of the monster that was revealed because of the flip.
[450/600]
"Heh, such weak ATK and DEF. Even added together, they're less than 1500 points. Isn't that just a weak monster?"
Hearing Grimo's words, Yugi sneered, "In that case, taste the power of the 'weak monster' you spoke of."
"This monster is a card that Hayato once gifted to me. Without a doubt, it is the symbol of friendship between him and me. Even though Hayato has left this World, his power is still with me!" Yugi waved his hand forward, "Counterattack begins, **Mimiclay**!"
Command Knight's long sword that pierced out was subsequently firmly gripped by a pair of strong pincers!
