《Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!》


 Chapter 1 - 1

    "Hehe, now I have all 5-star servants. Even though it cost me a lot, and the last servant was particularly hard to get, costing me seven more singles," the girl laughed foolishly at her phone screen as if she were possessed.


    "My dear Artoria, you are so beautiful." The screen displayed the popular mobile game FGO, and Hoshino Chiyuki couldn''t stop poking Artoria in My Room, her face full of adoration.


    Her darkroom was plastered with various anime posters, ranging from hot-blooded guys to sexy characters. The shelves were filled with exquisite figurines, each displaying the perfect bodies that real-life men and women could hardly possess. It was a typical otaku girl''s room, and it looked like she had a wealthy family.


    Hoshino Chiyuki, an ordinary high school girl, came from a rich family. She had a slender figure and a cute and pure appearance. However, since her second year of high school, she had become addicted to 2D- world and couldn''t stop. Eventually, she evolved (or regressed?) into a shut-in otaku, spending all her time on anime and mobile games. By the second semester of her second year, she even refused to go to school.


    Her doting father, who had spoiled her since she was little, was at his wit''s end. Her mother had passed away when she was very young, so she had no memory of her. As a business magnate, her father treated her like a treasure. So, even when he saw her become obsessed with the 2D world and unwilling to go to school, her doting father just let her be.


    Satisfied, Chiyuki exited My Room and opened her Spirit Collection, slowly scrolling from top to bottom. It was a complete collection, not a single one missing, revealing how much time and money she had invested in FGO.


    "Sigh~" She sighed softly, reminiscing about her servant, and then looked around her dim room. For some reason, a faint sense of loneliness crept into her heart.


    "Just through a screen, it feels so empty. If only they were real~" Perhaps tired of her monotonous life, Chiaki silently fantasized.


    "¡ª¡ªDuel System activated, Duel Code 001, Name: Hoshino Chiaki, login complete."


    "Huh? What''s going on? Who''s speaking?" Chiyuki felt a strange voice suddenly echoing in her mind, saying inexplicable things.


    "Creating Duel Deck, converting Spirit Deck~"


    "Ah! Ah! What''s happening?" Chiyuki frantically watched her phone, witnessing what seemed like the most horrifying scene of her life.


    She watched in disbelief as her Spirit Collection dimmed and disappeared one by one. (TL: DATA LOST?)


    "My Husbando, my wives, my money! No!" For Chiyuki, this was one of the most unacceptable disasters of her life.


    But Chiyuki''s heart-wrenching cries couldn''t stop this bizarre phenomenon. One by one, Artoria, Emiya, Gilgamesh, Merlin, Waver, Tamamo, and Okita¡­all vanished!


    "Mash, even Mash is gone, waaaah." Finally, Chiyuki''s once-proud complete Spirit Collection was entirely gone.


    "It''s over, everything''s over. I have no will to live in this world anymore." With a face like death, Chiyuki dropped her phone, her slender body collapsing into the chair.


    "¡ª¡ªHeroic Spirit Deck creation complete, transitioning to Duel World."


    Chiyuki, whose mood had plummeted, instinctively ignored the voice in her mind.


    But the surrounding scenery forced Chiyuki to pay attention.


    "Huh? What''s going on?" The scene around her shifted and blurred unpredictably, causing Chiyuki to panic.


    Leaving her chair, Chiyuki tried to find a way out. But at that moment, her familiar room seemed infinitely enlarged. No matter how she ran, it felt like running on a treadmill, unable to find an exit.


    After a few minutes, the blurry surroundings gradually cleared up. However, the scene that emerged was no longer her familiar room.


    A slightly salty breeze ruffled Chiyuki''s hair, making her fair face itch.


    "Sea breeze?" Although Chiyuki often stayed indoors, she knew enough to recognize the sudden sea breeze, which puzzled her.


    "I was clearly in my room. How could there be sea breeze?" Chiyuki turned her clear eyes to observe her surroundings.


    Luxurious, splendid, resplendent¡ªthese words barely did justice to her current environment. She was on a luxurious passenger ship, sailing on an endless dark sea.


    "Where am I? Am I dreaming?" Chiyuki, having taken in her surroundings, felt even more confused.


    "System prompt: Currently aboard the ship heading to the Duelist Kingdom." An emotionless, mechanical voice echoed in Chiyuki''s mind again.


    "System? Duelist Kingdom?" The familiar yet strange names jogged Chiyuki''s memory, and she felt the answer was on the tip of her tongue but couldn''t quite say it.


    "Man overboard! Help!" The previously calm ship suddenly became chaotic as passengers shouted for security.


    Interrupted from her thoughts, Chiyuki decided to join the crowd to see what was happening and perhaps find some clues.


    "Jonouchi!" At the edge of the ship, a spiky-haired boy shouted into the dark sea.


    After a few minutes of rescue by the security team, the young man named Jonouchi was finally pulled from the water.


    "Sorry, Yugi. I only managed to retrieve two Exodia. The other two were washed away by the waves." The blond youth, Jonouchi, looked apologetically at the spiky-haired boy. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The spiky-haired boy firmly grasped Jonouchi''s hand, looking relieved, "It''s okay, Jonouchi. As long as you''re safe."


    Such a clich¨¦ and corny display of friendship, yet the surrounding spectators were moved to tears.


    Chiyuki, on the other hand, didn''t comment on the clich¨¦ plot; she stood there, dumbfounded.


    "Jonouchi? Yugi?" Chiyuki murmured to herself.


    "Yugi? Yugi Mutou! Your full name is Yugi Mutou, right?" Like a bolt of lightning, Chiyuki rushed forward and urgently asked the spiky-haired boy.


    Yugi, startled by the sudden approach, stammered, "Yes, that''s right. I''m Yugi Mutou."


    Jonouchi glanced at Chiyuki, then jealously grabbed Yugi''s shoulder and whispered, "I envy you, Yugi. After defeating Seto Kaiba, you''ve become famous, and now you even have a cute girl fan."


    Listening to Jonouchi''s whisper, Yugi awkwardly smiled.


    "Yugi Mutou, Jonouchi, Duelist Kingdom! I get it!" As Chiyuki''s thoughts cleared, childhood memories slowly resurfaced. Though she hadn''t watched much of the anime, as an otaku, she still recognized these iconic characters.


    "The world of Yu-Gi-Oh!" Chiyuki exclaimed in her heart, "Oh my God, I transmigrated into an anime world."


    "But why Yu-Gi-Oh!? Before I transmigrated, I was thinking about my Servant waifu. It should have been FATE world."


    "Ow!" Feeling something poke her thigh, Chiyuki instinctively reached into her pocket.


    Sure enough, it was a standard Yu-Gi-Oh! card back. Chiyuki pulled out a mysterious deck from her pocket. She swallowed nervously and flipped over the first card.


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light]


    [Warrior/Effect ATK: 1000 DEF: 2000]


    [While this card is face-up on the field in Defense Position, your opponent must target this card for attacks. After a battle in which this Defense Position card is attacked, it is changed to Attack Position. This Defense Position card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects.]

 Chapter 2 - 2

    "Hey there, miss, are you okay?" Seeing Hoshino Chiyuki in a trance-like state, the enthusiastic (and slightly perverted) young man Jonouchi couldn''t help but express his concern.


    Gradually clearing her thoughts, Chiyuki slowly came back to her senses. She gave Jonouchi a pure smile in response to his concern, "Thank you for your concern. I was just a bit starstruck seeing my idol, Yugi Mutou."


    "I-I see." Jonouchi scratched his head awkwardly, giving Yugi a jealous glance.


    Since she had been transported into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh and was about to head to the Duelist Kingdom, it was the right move to stick close to the main characters. Chiyuki''s clever mind quickly started thinking.


    "Allow me to introduce myself. I''m Hoshino Chiyuki, a high school girl (though in reality, I''m a shut-in)." Chiyuki tried to display her perfect smile to win the favor of the main cast.


    "I''m Katsuya Jonouchi, also a high school student." Jonouchi quickly introduced himself, striking a pose he thought was very cool.


    "So this is the legendary ''Facial Expression King'' Jonouchi. He does look a bit handsome in person, though he''s a bit silly," Chiyuki thought to herself.


    "I''m Yugi Mutou, Jonouchi''s classmate. My family runs a shop selling Duel Monsters cards. Feel free to come by anytime." Yugi politely introduced himself.


    "Yugi in his normal form is pretty cute, but I remember there''s also a very handsome Dark Yugi, right?" Chiyuki''s heart was filled with respect for the original protagonist of Yu-Gi-Oh.


    Jonouchi tapped Yugi on the head, "She said she''s your fan, so you don''t need to introduce yourself."


    "Yeah, a high school student who defeated Seto Kaiba, the chairman of KaibaCorp. Every duelist knows who Yugi Mutou is." A seductive voice came from behind them, and a woman in a revealing outfit approached Yugi slowly.


    "Wow!" Jonouchi, standing aside, was dazzled. First a pure beauty, now a sexy older woman. "Yugi, you are lucky," Jonouchi thought enviously. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''m Mai Valentine. I didn''t expect the one who defeated Seto Kaiba to be such a cute little boy. I like you." Mai Valentine winked at Yugi seductively.


    Even Chiyuki, as a girl, felt a shiver from Mai''s sultry gaze. Yugi, an inexperienced boy, blushed and looked down, muttering a small "thank you."


    "What are you doing to Yugi, you woman!" Anzu, who had snuck onto the ship, couldn''t hold back any longer and spoke up.


    "Anzu? Honda?" Yugi and Jonouchi asked in unison, "What are you doing here?"


    Realizing her impulsive outburst had revealed her presence, Anzu stuck out her tongue, "We were worried about Yugi and Jonouchi, so we snuck onto the ship."


    "Yeah, yeah," Honda echoed, "Don''t forget, we''re best friends."


    Seeing the familiar, harmonious scene, Chiyuki breathed a sigh of relief. So far, it seemed she had crossed into a peaceful world without wars, zombies, or demon lords, where everyone just enjoyed playing cards¡ªa nice and easy world.


    The remaining problem was how to survive in this world with no money and only a mysterious deck of cards.


    This problem seemed simple but was complex. Typically, in such scenarios, the protagonist would receive some special abilities to help them get by in the new world, gradually leveling up and maybe even conquering the world.


    But in Chiyuki''s case, she had no special abilities and was dressed normally. The system had gone silent after the initial crossover, leaving her only with a deck of cards, at the cost of her entire FGO collection.


    If I could convert this deck into the money I spent on FGO, I could live comfortably for a while. Desperate, Chiaki briefly considered selling her deck for money. But just for a moment¡ªselling her "wives"? No way! Chiyuki Hoshino would rather starve on the streets than do that¡ª


    "Jonouchi, you''re joining the Duelist Kingdom tournament for the prize money mentioned in the invitation, right?" Anzu looked at Jonouchi, who hadn''t received an invitation, with a questioning gaze.


    "Huh? Prize money!" Chiyuki''s cute little ears twitched slightly at the words "prize money."


    "Excuse me, what did you mean by prize money?" Chiyuki, eager to make money, asked Anzu.


    Facing Chiyuki''s question, Anzu looked at her in disbelief, "You didn''t receive an invitation to the Duelist Kingdom? It says that the winner will receive a huge cash prize."


    "Did you get an invitation, cute girl?" Mai Valentine looked skeptically at Chiyuki, "Almost every duelist''s goal here is the prize money. Though the title of Duel King is attractive, the real draw is the cash prize."


    "Except for one person," Honda added, "Yugi is here to defeat Pegasus and save his grandpa."


    Yugi''s grandpa, Sugoroku Mutou, had his soul taken by Pegasus using the Millennium Eye, forcing Yugi to participate in the Duelist Kingdom tournament.


    Feeling Mai''s suspicion, Chiyuki instinctively looked away and pouted, "I-I did get an invitation. I just didn''t read it carefully."


    "Oh, is that so?" Mai wasn''t convinced, "Then show me your duelist star."


    "Duelist star?" What new term was this? Chiyuki had watched only a few episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! as a child and barely remembered the plot, though she knew the rules from the card game.


    "It''s this," Jonouchi said, opening his hand to reveal a yellow star.


    "Ah! I think I have it." Chiyuki nervously rummaged through her pockets.


    Please, please let it be there! This is my best shot at earning a living here. System, don''t be so disappointed me as to not even give me a star.


    Praying silently, Chiyuki finally felt two prickly objects in her pocket. She pulled them out to find two identical stars to Jonouchi''s.


    "See, I told you I had it." Chiyuki breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, she didn''t pull out a Saint Quartz from FGO instead.


    "I knew it, a cute girl like you couldn''t be a stowaway." Jonouchi gave her a look that said, "I always believed in you."


    Anzu, standing nearby, stomped on Jonouchi''s foot in anger, "So you think I''m not a cute girl because I''m a stowaway?"


    Everyone around laughed at Jonouchi''s predicament as he squatted down to rub his foot.


    Although Chiyuki laughed along, she had already started planning in her mind.


    "Duelist Kingdom, huh? prize money, huh?" She patted the mysterious deck in her pocket and confidently nodded, "Becoming the Duel King, commanding respect, and living a rich life in a 2D world¡ªI, Hoshino Chiyuki, am ready!"

 Chapter 3 - 3

    The morning sun slowly rose over the eastern horizon, casting light on the previously dark sea and restoring its original blue color.


    With no room available, Hoshino spent the night on the deck studying her deck of cards. Now, she was both hungry and tired. Fortunately, after spending the entire night, she had a good understanding of her deck. A deck composed entirely of heroic spirits was something Hoshino had never heard of, so she couldn''t judge its effectiveness until she used it in battle.


    First, she planned to find a few novice duelists to practice with, familiarize herself with her deck, and then gradually challenge higher-ranking opponents. The ultimate goal was to defeat Pegasus, become the Duelist King, and win the prize money. Thinking of this, the hungry and tired Hoshino couldn''t help but laugh.


    "We''ve arrived! I can see land!" Someone suddenly shouted on the ship, breaking the morning tranquility.


    Hoshino looked up and indeed saw an island covered with vegetation amidst the vast ocean.


    "Finally, we''re here, Duelist Kingdom." She carefully put her deck into her pocket, her eyes firmly fixed on the island ahead.


    Although they could see the island, there was still some distance to cover. After about an hour, the ferry slowly docked at the shore, and the duelists on board orderly disembarked and set foot on the island.


    "Hoshino, are you okay? You don''t look well. Didn''t you sleep last night?" The kind and gentle Yugi noticed the slight dark circles under Hoshino''s eyes and asked with concern.


    Facing Yugi''s concern, Hoshino forced a smile: "I was too nervous last night, so I didn''t sleep at all."


    It was true that she was nervous. Suddenly transported into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh, with no one to rely on but her deck, it would be strange if she could sleep well on the first night.


    "Make sure to get enough sleep, so you can be in perfect condition during the duels." Yugi kindly advised.


    "Hoshino couldn''t sleep well either? So it wasn''t just me. I was nervous last night too." Jonouchi suddenly interrupted, cutting off Hoshino and Yugi''s conversation.


    "Jonouchi, you¡­" Honda, behind him, gave Jonouchi a chop on the head. "You slept like a log last night, snoring so loudly I couldn''t sleep."


    Jonouchi rubbed his head with a twisted expression: "I snore when I''m nervous, okay? Don''t slander me in front of Hoshino."


    Hoshino chuckled; Jonouchi and Honda''s banter helped ease her nervousness quite a bit.


    As everyone gradually disembarked, the previously crowded deck was almost empty.


    "Welcome, duelists, to the Duelist Kingdom." A tall, black-clad security guard wearing sunglasses loudly announced to the duelists present. "Ahead is the entrance to the Duelist Kingdom. Please proceed in an orderly manner to the entrance to hear the rules."


    The black-clad man pointed forcefully towards the castle gate located among the mountains, accessible via countless steps.


    "Ah, do we have to climb these high stairs?" Hoshino drooped her shoulders. As a homebody, her physical strength was already at the lowest level, not to mention that she hadn''t eaten or slept all night.


    "I might die." With a despairing gaze, she looked at the seemingly endless steps. "Is my grand plan going to be stranded right from the start?"


    "No!" For some reason, a wave of anger surged within Hoshino, filling her with determination. "The prize money and the wonderful future in the 2D world await me; I can''t fall here!"


    Heavily stepping onto the first stair, the courage in her heart drove her to challenge the hell she had never conquered.


    "Hoshino sure has a lot of spirit," Anzu commented, her mouth twitching as she watched Hoshino take her first step.


    "Although she''s climbing very slowly." Yugi, already halfway up the steps, looked back at the struggling Hoshino at the bottom.


    "Well, let''s wait for her a bit."


    "Yeah, otherwise she''ll be too lonely by herself."


    "If it comes to it, I''ll carry her." With that, Jonouchi bent down, preparing to carry someone on his back.


    "You''ll get sued for sexual harassment, Jonouchi." Anzu looked disdainfully at the bent-over Jonouchi.


    ... S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This is the last step, right? Did I finally make it?" Gasping for breath, Hoshino finally stepped onto the last step.


    "This is only half of the steps, Hoshino." Though reluctant, Yugi, who had been waiting for her, told her the bad news.


    ...


    "No more, I''m going to die. I never want to climb stairs again." Whether driven by the courage burning in her heart or her desire for a large sum of money, Hoshino finally made it. Standing in front of the castle gate, she had climbed the last step.


    "God, I''ve completed the challenge, so can I get the prize money now?" In a daze, Hoshino seemed to see angels coming to greet her.


    "No, Hoshino, pull yourself together. You''re going to die if you keep this up." Anzu shook Hoshino, whose soul seemed to be leaving her body.


    "Welcome to the Duelist Kingdom, brave duelists!" A somewhat effeminate voice descended from the castle gate, bringing Hoshino back to reality.


    Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Hoshino slapped her cheeks with both hands. "I can''t fall here."


    "Pegasus!" Yugi, beside her, glared at the man standing on the castle gate.


    The father of the Duel Monsters card game, the dark man with the Millennium Eye, and the one who had taken Yugi''s grandfather''s soul.


    "Now, let me explain the rules," Pegasus spoke with his strange accent and effeminate tone, making Hoshino uncomfortable.


    "All duels are conducted using Duel Monsters cards, with 4000 Life Points (LP). Direct attacks on players are allowed, but physical violence between duelists is strictly prohibited."


    A rule forbidding any violent acts outside of the duels was essential for someone like Hoshino, who had no physical strength.


    "Use your strongest deck, brought specifically for dueling, and fight to your heart''s content. Each participant should have a Duel Glove and two Star Chips. The glove has ten slots for Star Chips. The Star Chips are proof of being a duelist, and all duels use them as stakes."


    "So, if you lose, you have to give your Star Chips to the winner. Losing all your Star Chips means losing your qualification to a duel." Hoshino thought to herself, "Simple yet cruel rules."


    "The duel stage is the entire island. Only those who gather ten Star Chips in a battle royal style can open these gates. The duels will start in an hour and last for forty-eight hours. Anyone who fails to collect ten Star Chips within the time limit will be forcibly expelled."


    "What? We''re not dueling in the castle but on the entire island!!" Hearing this bad news, Hoshino was devastated. "Then why did we climb up here if we have to go back down?"


    "Good luck, duelists. May you return victorious!"

 Chapter 4 - 4

    After spending another hour, Hoshino finally made it down the stairs.


    "I can''t do this anymore¡­. I can''t." Hoshino gasped for breath. Although descending was easier than ascending, she had expended so much energy that she was now both hungry and exhausted, seeing stars before her eyes.


    "Hoshino, are you okay? The duel tournament has already started," Anzu said with a concerned look at the dazed Hoshino.


    According to Pegasus'' arrangement, the tournament officially began an hour after the dispersal. The duelists who had already chosen their opponents set off on their dueling journey as soon as the time came.


    "Anzu, Anzu, do you have any food? I haven''t eaten for so long, I can''t hold on anymore." Hoshino finally abandoned her last bit of ladylike demeanor and started begging for food.


    However, things didn''t go smoothly. Yugi and his friends also looked troubled.


    "Sorry, Hoshino, we don''t have any food either," Yugi said apologetically. "We didn''t expect the tournament to last 48 hours, so we didn''t bring any food."


    "Yeah, we haven''t eaten since we boarded the ship last night. I''m starving too," Jonouchi complained. "That Pegasus, organizing such a big tournament and not providing any food for the participants."


    "I have a solution for food," an unfamiliar voice suddenly said, attracting everyone''s attention.


    A man with crossed arms appeared in front of them.


    "Mako Tsunami!" Honda suddenly exclaimed.


    "Mako Tsunami?" A strange name; Hoshino had never heard of it.


    "Hey? You don''t know? This is Mako Tsunami, the one who came third in the national duel tournament recently!" Honda explained to Hoshino with gestures.


    "Third in the regional tournament? Sounds impressive," but that wasn''t Hoshino''s main concern. "You said you have a way to get food?"


    Seeing the stars in Hoshino''s eyes, Mako''s face suddenly turned a bit red.


    "Ahem." After a dry cough, Mako turned around, "Follow me."


    Although unsure of his intentions, Hoshino and the others, troubled by the lack of food, had no choice but to follow him. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a short walk, the grass under their feet began to thin out.


    "Listen, you can hear the sound of waves," Anzu, always observant, noticed they were getting closer to the shore.


    "We''re here." Mako stopped on a rock by the shore.


    "So, what now?" Hoshino asked, puzzled.


    "Just wait here." Without looking back, Mako suddenly jumped into the sea.


    "What is he doing?" His sudden action startled everyone.


    "Could it be?" Yugi touched his chin, guessing, "Fishing?"


    Indeed, confirming Yugi''s guess, Mako soon climbed back up with two live fish in his arms.


    "Amazing, he caught two big fish in such a short time. Mako, your fishing skills are incredible," Hoshino said excitedly, looking at the fish in Mako''s hands, already imagining various delicious fish dishes.


    Seeing Hoshino looking at him, Mako, who had been cooled by the seawater, felt his face heat up again. He subconsciously touched his nose and said proudly, "Of course, I''m the son of a fisherman, so this is natural."


    Mako expertly handled the fish, found a few dry sticks, quickly lit a fire, and started grilling the fish.


    "Smells so good." Hoshino squatted by the fire, sniffing the air as the aroma of grilled fish gradually spread.


    "Is it done yet, Mako? How much longer?" The hungry Hoshino kept urging him.


    "Not yet, it needs a bit more time." Mako focused on the fish over the fire, not daring to look at Hoshino beside him.


    Hoshino felt like she was living through eternity, though it was only a few minutes, waiting for the fish to be done.


    "It''s ready." Finally, Hoshino heard the words she wanted to hear most.


    Mako gently handed the grilled fish, skewered on a stick, to Hoshino: "Here, be careful, it''s hot."


    "Thank you!" Hoshino nodded vigorously, taking the fish and immediately putting it into her mouth.


    "So hot, but so delicious." Hoshino, feeling the joy of finally eating, was almost moved to tears.


    Even without any seasoning, the natural salty flavor of the fish, combined with the perfectly grilled texture, made it a delicious, natural treat.


    Seeing Hoshino enjoying her meal, Jonouchi couldn''t help but swallow. "Hey, Mako, what about our fish? Is the other one for us?"


    Unexpectedly, Mako, who had been gentle, suddenly snapped at Jonouchi, "The other one is for me. Why should I grill fish for you? If you want to eat, catch your own."


    "What? How can you be like that?" Jonouchi and the others said in unison. "Then why did you ask us to come with you?"


    "I never asked you to come. I only invited Chiyuki Hoshino. You followed on your own," Mako said, picking up the other fish and starting to eat.


    "Why? Why does only Hoshino get to eat?" Jonouchi asked angrily.


    "Huh?" Finally snapping out of her food-induced trance, Hoshino realized something was off.


    "Because, because¡­" Mako, who had been assertive, suddenly softened, his face turning redder. "Because Hoshino is my type. I want to marry her."


    "Pfft!!" Hoshino spat out the fish in her mouth.


    Her first-ever confession happened in such circumstances; Hoshino couldn''t believe it even if she had told before.


    "Sorry, Mako." Hoshino forced an awkward smile. "Though the fish is delicious, you''re not my type. Sorry." She put down the fish, bowing deeply to Mako.


    "Seriously, look at yourself. All scruffy. With that look, you want to marry Hoshino? Keep dreaming," Jonouchi taunted, seeing Mako''s rejection.


    "Jonouchi, that''s not nice," Yugi said, noticing the awkward atmosphere around Mako, trying to stop Jonouchi''s mockery.


    "Why did you reject me? Do you think I''m not strong enough?" Mako whispered, head bowed. "I liked you from the first moment I saw you."


    "Let''s duel, Chiyuki Hoshino. As fellow duelists, I''ll prove my true strength to you through a duel," Mako said, raising his Duelist Glove, with two stars shining under the sunlight. "Once I win, you''ll like me."


    "Huh? What kind of logic is that?" Hoshino thought, "Is everyone in this world so strange? Why duel me after a failed confession?"


    Unexpectedly, Hoshino''s first duel in this world would be for such a reason¡­

 Chapter 5 - 5

    As soon as Mako Tsunami finished speaking, a large dueling platform rose from the ground.


    "Duel accepted. Duelist Mako Tsunami vs. Duelist Chiyuki Hoshino, please wager your Star Chips." A man in sunglasses and black clothes, who appeared out of nowhere, naturally assumed the role of the duel''s host.


    "I refuse!" Hoshino, finally coming to her senses, shook her head vigorously. "Why do I have to duel Mako for such a reason? It''s too strange!"


    "Star Chips will be deducted, and you will be deemed to have forfeited the tournament," the expressionless man in sunglasses said, looking at Hoshino. "Miss Chiyuki Hoshino, are you sure you want to refuse this duel? If you do, you will automatically lose a Star Chip."


    Losing a Star Chip was even worse. She only had two, to begin with. Losing one would leave her with no margin for error. This feeling of playing a game with only one life left was something the risk-averse Hoshino hated deeply.


    "Come on, Hoshino, let me show you my true strength." Already standing confidently on the dueling platform, Mako called out to Hoshino.


    Sighing helplessly, Hoshino took out her deck and slowly stepped onto the platform. Compared to losing a Star Chip, accepting this duel seemed the better option. Even if she won or lost, she wouldn''t accept Mako Tsunami, but defeating him here might stop him from pestering her in the future. Although it might mean no more grilled fish, her dignity was more important.


    Moreover, winning duels would earn her the Star Chips she needed. If she didn''t dare to take this step, how could she gather the ten Star Chips needed to compete for the prize money?


    "Since it''s our first duel, let''s wager one Star Chip," Mako said, placing a Star Chip on the table.


    Hoshino did the same, placing her Star Chip on the table. "My first duel is against the national third place? This deviates from my original plan to start with some easy opponents," she thought. "But if I can''t beat the third place, how can I become the Duelist King?"


    With determination in her eyes, Hoshino placed her Heroic Spirit deck on the platform.


    "The duel begins!" The dueling platform''s electronic voice announced, and orderly grids appeared on the empty field.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino takes the first turn. Begin!"


    Yugi and his friends, watching from below, were filled with worry. "Do you think Hoshino will be alright? Facing the third-best duelist in the country for her first duel must be very stressful," Jonouchi voiced his concern.


    Looking at Hoshino gripping her cards tightly on the platform, Yugi also looked worried. "Hoshino doesn''t seem like an experienced duelist. She feels more like a newbie, like Jonouchi."


    "Haha, are you saying Hoshino and I are a good match? No way!" Jonouchi scratched his head foolishly.


    Anzu looked at Jonouchi with disdain. "That''s not what Yugi meant, you idiot. But since Hoshino received an invitation to the Duelist Kingdom, she must have some skills. Unlike a certain someone who sneaked into the tournament and got a Star Chip from Yugi."


    "Go, Hoshino!" Jonouchi cheered loudly, ignoring Anzu''s mockery.


    Focused entirely on her cards, Hoshino didn''t have the energy to pay attention to the spectators.


    "What''s going on? Why are all my cards low-star? Does my luck still affect me even after getting to this world?" Looking at her low-star monster cards, Hoshino felt helpless.


    "I summon Spartacus in attack mode," Hoshino said, placing her card on the table. A holographic image of Spartacus appeared on the field.


    "For my love, I crush the oppressors!" Spartacus declared as he appeared.


    "So, this is the dueling platform with holographic projection. It''s so lifelike," Hoshino marveled at the realistic projection.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Warrior/Effect] [ATK:1500/DEF:1500] S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I set one card and end my turn." Being the first turn, she couldn''t attack, so Hoshino played it safe.


    "Have you seen that monster card before?" Yugi asked, puzzled. As a child raised in a Duel Monsters card shop, Yugi had seen countless cards but had never seen one like this.


    "A card even Yugi hasn''t seen? It must be very rare. Maybe Hoshino is really strong," Jonouchi said excitedly. "Go, Hoshino! Beat that rude guy!"


    "My turn, draw!" Mako Tsunami added the card to his hand, observing the situation on Hoshino''s field. "A rare monster indeed, but rarity doesn''t mean strength."


    Mako summoned a monster card to the field, "I summon Great White Shark in attack mode."


    [Great White ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Water][Fish][ ATK:1600/DEF:800]


    "Great White, attack Spartacus!" Mako directed his monster towards Hoshino''s Spartacus. "Bite Attack!"


    With an ATK of 1600, Great White Shark had just 100 points more than Spartacus. The outcome was clear.


    "Ugh¡­ such a feeling¡­ double the payback!" Spartacus shattered into pieces and disappeared.


    Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 3900


    "Haha." Hoshino smiled, feeling triumphant. "Activate Spartacus''s special effect."


    [When this card is destroyed in battle, recover 500 LP and deal 500 LP damage to the opponent.]


    Hoshino LP 3900 ¡ú 4400


    Mako Tsunami LP 4000 ¡ú 3500


    "Not bad, you''ve got some tricks up your sleeve," Mako praised, seeing his LP drop.


    "Hoshino is amazing! Even against the third-best in the country, she''s holding her own," Jonouchi cheered from below, waving his arms.


    "I set one card and end my turn." With only one normal summon per turn, Mako ended his turn.


    "My turn, draw." Hoshino looked at her new card, her expression worsening. "Why does my luck only deserve bronze cards?"


    Frustrated, Hoshino placed the card on the table. "I summon Leonidas I in defense mode and end my turn."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Warrior ATK:1400 DEF:1900]


    "Sparta! Muscles are the best!" The muscular Leonidas appeared on the field.


    "Another card I''ve never seen," Yugi thought to himself.


    "Hoshino, could it be¡­" Mako Tsunami looked shocked.


    "Huh?" Hoshino tilted her head, confused.


    "Hoshino, do you like muscular men?" Mako Tsunami seemed to have found the reason for his rejection

 Chapter 6 - 6

    Hoshino''s LP:4400


    On the Field:


    - [Heroic Spirit - Leonidas I][ATK: 1400 DEF: 1900]


    - One face-down card


    Mako Tsunami''s LP: 3500


    On the Field:


    - [Great White][ATK: 1600 DEF: 800]


    - One face-down card


    "Hoshino, do you like muscular men?" Mako Tsunami seemed to have found the reason for his rejection.


    "No!" Hoshino angrily denied Mako''s guess. She suddenly realized that both of the Heroic Spirits she had summoned were the muscular type. It was no surprise that others would think this way since Heroic Spirit monster cards were likely being seen for the first time by everyone.


    "Damn it, I have so many attractive Heroic Spirits!"


    "Though Leonidas'' attack power doesn''t match Great White Shark''s, his defense is considerable. He should hold out this turn," Hoshino calculated. "Please let me draw a powerful monster next. My King of Heroes(Gilgamesh), my Minamoto no Yorimitsu(Raik¨­), where are you?"


    "My turn, draw." Mako laughed maniacally after looking at his card. "Sorry, Hoshino, but let me show you national-level strength." He deliberately said national-level strength instead of third in the nation, likely because Mako felt the third place was too humiliating for his reputation.


    Mako placed his newly drawn card in the spell card area on the table. "Activate the field spell card, Umi (Sea)."


    [Umi - Field Spell Card - Effect: Increase the ATK and DEF of all WATER monsters by 200 points.]


    "Due to the effect of Umi, the Great White''s attack power increases."


    [Great White][ATK: 1600 ¡ú 1800, DEF: 800 ¡ú 1000]


    "Even with an attack power of 1800, you still can''t break through the sturdy shield of Leonidas," Hoshino thought, feeling slightly tense but determined to not show weakness.


    "Is that so?" A sharp glint appeared in Mako''s eyes. "Summon the monster card, Abyss Soldier, in attack mode."


    [Abyss Soldier][WATER][Effect][ATK: 1300 ¡ú 1500 DEF: 1000 ¡ú 1200]


    "Activate Abyss Soldier''s special effect. Increase the ATK of all WATER monsters, except itself, by 300 points." Mako gripped his cards excitedly. "So, Great White''s attack power rises again!"


    [Great White][ATK: 1800 ¡ú 2100]


    "Attack Leonidas I with Great White, Bite Attack!"


    "Muscles, unyielding!" Despite the 200-point difference, the rules are the rules. Leonidas was brutally torn apart by Great White.


    "Attack Hoshino directly with Abyss Soldier." Mako pointed at Hoshino with a flourish.


    Hoshino LP: 4400 ¡ú 2900


    "Ugh." Hoshino gasped for breath after the direct attack. Despite it being a holographic attack, the realism was overwhelming. No wonder Yugi''s grandpa was startled the first time; this was not for the elderly.


    "End turn." Mako crossed his arms confidently, sure of his victory.


    "Indeed, as expected of the nation''s third best, what a great combo," Jonouchi said, now less enthusiastic.


    After a moment, Hoshino reached for her deck. "My turn, draw."


    "Alright, alright," Hoshino muttered, looking at her card with resignation. "Muscular men it is. I love them the most, okay?"


    "I summon the monster card, Eric Blood Axe, in attack mode."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Eric Blood Axe¡ï¡ï¡ïEarth - Warrior/Effect ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000]


    "Activate the spell card, Berserk EX."


    [Berserk EX][Spell Card - Effect: Select one monster on your field; increase its ATK by 800 points until the end of the turn. Destroy it at the end of the turn.]


    [Eric Blood Axe ATK: 1000 ¡ú 1800]


    "Attack Abyss Soldier with Eric Blood Axe."


    "Roar!" The frenzied Blood Axe shattered Abyss Soldier with one blow.


    "It''s not over yet!" Hoshino smiled confidently, her momentum surging again. "Activate Eric Blood Axe special effect." S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [When Eric Blood Axe destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, it can attack once more.]


    "Due to Abyss Soldier''s absence, Great White''s attack power returns to 1800," Hoshino said, laughing maniacally. "Take this, the blood-soaked coronation!"


    Blood Axe Erik raised his axe again, striking the trembling Great White.


    "Activate the trap card, Spirit of the Ocean''s Protection! When a WATER monster is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, end the opponent''s battle phase." A massive wall of water rose, blocking the axe''s attack.


    "Tsk..Damn, it was blocked," Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration. "End turn."


    Due to Berserk EX''s secondary effect, Eric Blood Axe was destroyed at the end of the turn. The raging Eric Blood Axe clutched his head in agony before shattering.


    "It''s over. Hoshino has no monsters on the field. She''ll face another direct attack this turn," Yugi analyzed hopelessly.


    "Was it too much to face the nation''s third-best, Hoshino?" Jonouchi lamented, feeling the dramatic shift in momentum.


    "My turn, draw." Mako chuckled. "You''ve done well to last this long, Hoshino, but it''s over."


    "Sacrifice Great White to summon Ocean Dragon Lord!"


    Great White Shark transformed into a streak of blue light, followed by a massive whirlpool on the sea-like field.


    [Ocean Dragon Lord¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï][WATER][Sea Serpent][ATK: 2400 ¡ú 2600 DEF: 2000]


    "Activate the spell card, Blessing of the Sea Spirit, increasing the ATK of all WATER monsters on the field by 300 points for this turn."


    [Ocean Dragon Lord ATK: 2600 ¡ú 2900]


    "It''s over!" Jonouchi cried out in despair, seeing Hoshino''s remaining 2900 LP.


    "Perish in the wrath of the ocean dragon!" Mako Tsunami''s finishing blow was aimed at Hoshino. "You''ll be my wife after this."


    "I refuse!" Hoshino shouted, unwavering. She activated her face-down trap card, "Ryuudou Temple''s Gate!"


    The card Hoshino had set from the first turn became her hope to turn the tables.


    [Ryuudou Temple''s Gate - Trap Card - Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares a direct attack, special summon [Heroic Spirit - Sasaki Kojirou] from your hand or deck.]


    "I special summon Sasaki Kojirou in attack mode!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Sasaki Kojirou¡ï¡ï][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK: 1000 DEF: 500]


    "You''re only delaying your defeat," Mako Tsunami frowned, irritated by Hoshino''s rejection.


    Ocean Dragon Lord''s attack naturally redirected to the newly appeared monster on the field.


    "Assassin Sasaki Kojirou, reporting. Master, what monsters shall we slay today?" The holographic Sasaki Kojirou seemed to have a consciousness, conversing with Hoshino.


    "Today, we slay a sea dragon," Hoshino smiled at Kojirou. "Activate Sasaki Kojirou''s special effect!"


    [This card cannot be normal summoned; it can only be special summoned by the effect of Ryuudou Temple''s Gate. During the battle, this card''s ATK becomes 3 times its original ATK during damage calculation only. After the battle, its ATK becomes 0.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Sasaki Kojirou ATK: 1000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Secret Sword, Swallow Reversal! ( Tsubame Gaeshi)" Three elegant slashes cut Ocean Dragon Lord into four pieces.


    Mako Tsunami LP: 3500 ¡ú 3400


    Ocean Dragon Lord, destroyed!

 Chapter 7 - 7

    Seeing the Ocean Dragon Lord cut down by Swallow Reversal, Mako Tsunami''s expression grew increasingly twisted. His ace monster, his confident finishing move, had been single-handedly destroyed by a two-star monster.


    [Sasaki Kojirou ATK: 3000 ¡ú 0]


    With the end of the battle, the five-foot-long blade in Sasaki Kojirou''s hand broke in two.


    "It seems I underestimated you, Hoshino," Mako Tsunami said, looking at Hoshino with admiration. Such a cute girl, skilled at dueling, stirred a deep desire for conquest within Mako.


    "Activate the spell card, Monster Reborn." Mako placed a card with a cross-like object depicted on it onto the table.


    [Monster Reborn ¨C Spell Card ¨C Effect: Select one monster from either player''s Graveyard and Special Summon it to your field.]


    The previously calm sea surface roiled again, and the ferocious Ocean Dragon Lord roared back to life from the depths.


    "Damn, using a limited card like Monster Reborn," Hoshino thought, feeling uneasy. Limited cards were so powerful that they were restricted to one per deck. For context, a deck could normally include up to three copies of a card.


    [Ocean Dragon Lord¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïWATER ¨C Sea Serpent ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000]


    "Damn it, she just barely managed to defeat the Ocean Dragon Lord, and now it''s back thanks to that broken card," Jonouchi grumbled. The situation had reversed again due to Monster Reborn, nullifying Hoshino''s comeback.


    "It''s okay, Jonouchi," Yugi reassured him, his worry easing somewhat. "Using Monster Reborn during the battle phase means Mako Tsunami has ended his battle phase. So, the Ocean Dragon Lord can''t attack this turn."


    "The key to this duel now is how Hoshino handles this disadvantage in her next turn. We must trust in her," Yugi added, as they all began to recognize Hoshino''s strength and held a glimmer of hope for victory.


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino was inwardly panicking, her remaining cards inadequate to overcome the dire situation. She could only place her hope on this final draw.


    "Hahahahaha," Hoshino laughed upon seeing her drawn card. Indeed, victory always belonged to the lucky.


    "Mako Tsunami, I have completed my puzzle of victory!" Hoshino declared, pointing at Mako with her drawn card, her confidence locking him in place.


    With a confident smile, Hoshino placed her new card on the table. "Summon a monster in face-down Defense Position and change Sasaki Kojirou to Defense Position."


    Defensive summons could be in face-down position, keeping the monster hidden from the opponent¡ªa common dueling tactic.


    "I set one card and end my turn."


    "Hoshino, are you crazy or just giving up?" Mako scoffed at the field¡ªa face-down Defense Position monster, which indicated it wasn''t high-star, and Sasaki Kojirou with zero attack points. "Is this your so-called puzzle of victory? Are you mocking me?"


    "Oh? Whether I''m mocking you or not, why don''t you find out?" Hoshino taunted Mako without fear.


    "If you''re just trying to provoke me into making a mistake, you''ve miscalculated." Despite Hoshino''s provocation, Mako remained clear-headed. His national third-place strength wasn''t something to be swayed by mere taunts.


    "Sacrifice Ocean Dragon Lord to Special Summon Ocean Dragon God!" The fierce Ocean Dragon Lord transformed into a white light and disappeared. The sea surged with stormy waves.


    "Descend, master of the boundless seas and the undying ocean, Ocean Dragon God!"


    [Ocean Dragon God¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïWATER ¨C Sea Serpent ATK: 3000 ¡ú 3200 DEF: 2600 ¡ú 2800]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned. Must be Special Summoned by tributing Ocean Dragon Lord. When Ocean Dragon God battles, it can attack all of your opponent''s monsters once each.] (TL: I searched if there a card like this but I don''t find it I think it''s an OG Card by the author)


    "My ultimate and strongest ace, let''s see you handle this, Hoshino!" Mako''s roar blended with the storm as the massive Ocean Dragon God loomed. "Go, Ocean Dragon God! Attack the face-down monster card! Dragon God''s Lightning!"


    Blinding lightning shot from Ocean Dragon God''s gaping maw, striking the face-down monster.


    "Alright, I''ll show you then," Hoshino stood firm amidst the storm. "Mash, block it!"


    "Yes, Master!" The face-down monster revealed itself under the attack.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïLIGHT ¨C Warrior/Effect ATK: 1000 DEF: 2000]


    [When this card is in face-up Defense Position, your opponent must attack this card. When attacked in Defense Position, it cannot be destroyed by battle or effects, and its position changes to Attack Position.]


    "Transient Wall of Snowflakes!" The giant shield blocked Dragon God''s Lightning, leaving Mash unscathed. Lowering the shield, Mash switched to Attack Position.


    "You think you can win with strange cards like these? Activate Ocean Dragon God''s special effect, attack all of your opponent''s monsters!" Mako snarled, annoyed by the failed attack. "Can you block this, Hoshino?" Lightning gathered again, striking Sasaki Kojirou.


    "When I say I''ll block it, I''ll block it, no matter how many times you attack." Hoshino waved her hand, activating her face-down card, "Activate Quick-Play Spell Card, Lord Camelot!" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Lord Camelot ¨C Quick-Play Spell Card ¨C Effect: If you control a face-up "Mash Kyrielight", grant all your monsters an effect where they cannot be destroyed by battle once. At the start of your next turn, increase the ATK of all your monsters, except "Mash Kyrielight", by the original DEF of "Mash Kyrielight" until the end of the turn.]


    "The place that cures all the wound and dissolves all the hatred, our home, sits here! Lord Camelot!!!" A massive Camelot castle gate rose, blocking the lightning again.


    "Lord Camelot bestows upon my monsters an effect where they cannot be destroyed by battle once."


    "How about that, Mako Tsunami?" Hoshino gave him a beautiful smile.


    "Ugh." Mako felt a critical hit to his heart. Strong and beautiful, she was a perfect girl, he thought.


    "End turn. I acknowledge your strength, Hoshino. I, Mako Tsunami, recognize you as a duelist with national-level strength," he praised generously. "But you still can''t defeat my Ocean Dragon God. You''ll lose next turn."


    "National-level strength? I don''t need it. My ultimate goal is to become the Duelist King." With unwavering resolve and a thirst for victory, Hoshino grew stronger. "I said my victory puzzle is complete, Mako Tsunami. You won''t have another turn."


    "Activate Lord Camelot''s effect. At the start of my turn, all monsters except Mash Kyrielight gain ATK equal to Mash''s DEF until the end of the turn."


    [Sasaki Kojirou ATK: 0 ¡ú 2000]


    "A mere 2000 ATK can''t defeat Ocean Dragon God¡­" Mako began to say, but then realized the impending danger.


    "Ah, you''ve realized it? This is Sasaki Kojirou with 2000 ATK," Hoshino smiled confidently. "You''ve lost, Mako Tsunami!"


    "¡ª¡ªI attack Ocean Dragon God with Sasaki Kojirou!"


    "My new blade is so sharp," Kojirou murmured, admiring his newly restored sword. "Let me answer my master''s expectations with this new blade."


    "¡ª¡ªSecret Sword, Swallow Reversal!"


    "Activate Sasaki Kojirou''s special effect! During battle, this card''s ATK becomes three times its original ATK."


    [Sasaki Kojirou ATK: 2000 ¡ú 6000]


    "This can''t be happening," Mako Tsunami shouted in despair as three elegant slashes cleaved his ace monster.


    Mako Tsunami LP: 3400 ¡ú 600


    "It''s over, Mako Tsunami," Hoshino placed her cards down, looking at Mako with pity. "Mash, deliver the final blow."


    "Fall to this blow," Mash said, raising her massive shield and smashing the surrendering Mako.


    Mako Tsunami LP: 600 ¡ú 0


    "Duel over. The winner is Chiaki Hoshino!"

 Chapter 8 - 8

    "The duel is over. The winner is Hoshino Chiyuki." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "She won!" The four spectators hugged each other in excitement upon seeing Hoshino''s victory. "Hoshino actually won against Kajiki Yuta, the third-ranked duelist in the country!" (TL: Author change Mako Tsunami to Kajiki Yuta Author use the manga name or anime?)


    "Phew, I finally won." Hoshino let out a long breath on the stage. There was no unusual feeling during the duel, but now she felt her legs slightly weakening.


    The two left the duel platform and approached the sunglasses-wearing, black-clad adjudicator.


    "You won, Hoshino. You''re strong, even stronger than I imagined." Yuta placed the star in Hoshino''s hand and held her hand tightly.


    "I like you a lot, Hoshino. After the duel, I like you even more. You''re cute, strong, and the courage to face despair without giving up. I realized clearly that a man like me doesn''t deserve a girl as excellent as you. So, I choose to give up, Hoshino."


    The complex emotions swirling in Yuta''s heart were probably only clear to himself. The restlessness of youth, the unwillingness of a duelist, and the calm acceptance of failure... The chemical reaction of these mixed feelings would surely help Yuta grow into a stronger duelist.


    "Yuta..." Hoshino, not immediately pulling her hand away, looked at Yuta with guilt.


    "It''s okay. A man of the sea can''t stay down for long." Yuta released her hand and left the star, a symbol of the duelists, in Hoshino''s palm. "Only one star left, no room for retreat. I have to work even harder."


    "Hoshino, you won!" Anzu, excited, ran over and hugged Hoshino tightly.


    An¡­Anzu..." Caught off guard by the sudden hug, Hoshino was a bit at a loss, her delicate face flushing slightly.


    As a Shut-in, Hoshino usually resisted physical contact. But somehow, the feeling of being hugged by a friend for the first time wasn''t bad at all.


    Yugi, Jounouchi, and Honda also gathered around, chattering praises for Hoshino. As the daughter of an entrepreneur, Hoshino had heard all kinds of flattery since childhood. But this time was different. She could genuinely feel that Yugi and his friends were sincerely praising her and truly happy for her victory.


    With friends like these, she was sure she could go further in this unfamiliar world.


    "Thank you, thank you, everyone." A surge of emotion filled Hoshino''s heart, making her feel like she might even cry.


    <Victory detected. Evaluating duelist rank.>


    The familiar system voice echoed in Hoshino''s mind again.


    Finally, the system showed up! It didn''t help her when she was most confused, but now it came out to cause trouble at such a touching moment.


    <Evaluation complete. Duelist Kajiki Yuta, duelist rank C. Awarding victory reward: 30 Saint Quartz. Current accumulated Saint Quartz: 30.>


    "Reward?" Hoshino was puzzled. "Saint Quartz, could I exchange it for money?"


    <Saint Quartz obtained, card shop unlocked.>


    "Wait, what''s a card shop? Don''t I have all the Servant cards?" Feeling something was off, Hoshino hurriedly asked the system.


    <The card shop is used to unlock the use rights of 3-Star to 5-Star cards. Currently, duelist Hoshino Chiyuki only possesses the full hero card collection and the use rights of some 1 to 2 Star cards.>(TL: There''s are some Limited 1 to 2 Star servant in FGO and it''s not part of her deck)


    "Use rights of High Star Servant Cards? Could it be that I could only draw low-star because I didn''t have the rights to use those cards?" Hoshino, who had always thought it was just her bad luck, finally found the answer.


    This deceptive system! You only explained things now. Thankfully, she won the first duel. If she had bet two stars in the first duel and lost because she could only draw low rarity card, it would have been truly frustrating.


    <When a deck is not set up, the system will automatically the combined deck for the duelist before the duel begins. Cards that are not authorized cannot be used in the duel.>


    "So, you''re telling me that you lock all the heroic Spirit that I paid for and are now trying to sell them back to me this way?!" Hoshino angrily questioned the system. The feeling of being sold something only to have to buy it back infuriated her.


    <Only those with a full set of five-star cards have the qualifications to unlock the hero deck. The Heroic Spirit you''ve paid for can only be used to unlock the deck. To use hero cards in this world, you must abide by this world''s rules.> The system''s cold voice was devoid of any emotion.


    "Ugh..." Speechless for a moment, Hoshino sighed, "Alright then, open the card shop for me."


    [Saint Quartz Summon (Limited Time Banner) Fuyuki Select Hero Recommended Summon]


    [Summon x1 costs 3 Saint Quartz][Summon x10 costs 30 Saint Quartz]


    The familiar interface rendered Hoshino completely speechless. "So, you''re telling me the Saint Quartz you gave me isn''t for exchange but for gacha?!" Hoshino silently screamed, feeling targeted.


    "Plop~" A loud splash interrupted Hoshino''s conversation with the system.


    "Ah, Yuta jumped into the water again," Anzu exclaimed as she watched Yuta fall into the water.


    "What is that guy up to now?" Jounouchi, already somewhat annoyed with Yuta, grumbled.


    Before long, Yuta climbed back onto the shore, holding four fresh fish: "You all must be hungry. Just wait a moment, it will be ready soon."


    "Yuta, are you really going to make fish for us?" Despite his earlier annoyance, Jounouchi was now drooling. "I knew Yuta was really a good guy."


    The four of them glanced at Jounouchi, the fence-sitter, and shook their heads helplessly.


    The aroma of grilled fish soon filled the air.


    "Thank you, Yuta," Yugi politely thanked while eating the grilled fish.


    "Yuta, you''re a lifesaver. If we waited any longer, we might not have made it," Jounouchi said, chomping down on the fish, his earlier hostility seemingly gone.


    "Yuta, you''re really kind." "Thanks a lot," Anzu and Honda also didn''t forget to express their gratitude.


    Feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise, Yuta scratched his head, "Go ahead and eat, everyone. Since you''re Hoshino''s friends, this meal is on me."


    "Yuta..." Hoshino, squatting by the fire, stared intently at Yuta.


    "Hoshino, don''t get me wrong." Feeling a bit flustered under her gaze, Yuta hurriedly explained, "I''m not trying to woo you by pleasing your friends. A man of the sea knows when to let go."


    "Yuta, I''m still so hungry." After a night of hunger and only a few bites of grilled fish before being pulled into a duel, Hoshino was naturally not satisfied.


    "Plop~" The familiar sound of Yuta falling into the water echoed again.

 Chapter 9 - 9

    "Yuta, are you really not coming with us?" Yugi said reluctantly to Yuta.


    "If you come with us, we can look out for each other," Jounouchi added, trying to persuade Yuta.


    "Jounouchi, you just want Yuta to take care of your meals, don''t you?" Honda teased, giving Jounouchi a playful punch on the chest.


    "No, thank you all for your kindness." Yuta shook his head and looked ahead at Hoshino, who was chatting with Anzu. "I''ve already said I''m letting go. Continuing to hang around would be too unmanly."


    Understanding Yuta''s intentions from his gaze, the three friends decided not to press the matter any further.


    "Let''s set off again," said Hoshino. After resolving their food issue, the five rested a bit before preparing to continue their journey. After all, they were still in a competition and couldn''t rest too long if they wanted to gather the ten duelist stars within the 48-hour limit.


    Hoshino carefully placed the three stars she had into her pocket. She needed seven more to qualify for entry into Pegasus'' castle.


    "Hoshino, wait a moment." Yuta, who had decided to go his own way, called out to Hoshino.


    "What''s up? Changed your mind and decided to join us?" she asked.


    "No." Yuta hurried over and pulled a card from his deck, handing it to Hoshino. "Hoshino, I hope you''ll accept this card."


    Hoshino looked at the card in her hand and shook her head in surprise. "I can''t accept this, Yuta. It''s too precious."


    However, Yuta showed no intention of taking it back. He scratched his nose, feeling a bit shy. "Even though I''ve given up pursuing you, I still hope you can remember me. If you see this card in the future and think of me even a little, I''ll be satisfied."


    In this situation, refusing would be too cruel to Yuta, and Hoshino understood that well.


    "Thank you, Yuta. I won''t forget you." She put the card into her deck and smiled at Yuta.


    "Well then, until we meet again, Hoshino." Yuta waved and ran off without looking back.


    Parting ways with Yuta, the five wandered away from the seashore, and the surroundings gradually changed to grassy fields.


    The vast, seemingly endless grassland featured towering duel platforms easily visible from a distance. The Duelist Kingdom competition had just begun, so there were still many contestants. The expansive grassland had about seven or eight duel platforms in sight, each with a considerable number of spectators.


    "Since we don''t have a specific destination, why don''t we watch a duel and maybe find someone willing to duel with us?" Yugi suggested.


    "Good idea. I also want to see how others duel." Hoshino, eager to gain experience and learn strategies, readily agreed.


    "That platform over there has a lot of spectators. Let''s check it out." Jounouchi pointed to a distant duel platform with significantly more onlookers than the others.


    "So many people wasting their valuable duel time to watch. The duelist must be very strong, and everyone is observing their deck."


    Indeed, in this world, skilled duelists were very famous. Since their goal was to become the King of Games, they would eventually face these renowned duelists. Knowing your opponent was crucial.


    "Let''s go quickly." Eager, Hoshino ran ahead.


    ...


    "Let me see who''s dueling." The platform was crowded, making it hard for Hoshino to see the duelists clearly.


    "It''s no use. There are too many people; we can''t see anything." Yugi, aware of his height disadvantage, shook his head in frustration.


    "Who could be attracting such a large crowd?" Jounouchi grumbled. "Hoshino, do you want to sit on my shoulders to get a better view?"


    "Jounouchi, you pervert." Hoshino glared at him, her body instinctively reacting with resistance. "I can''t believe I thought you were kind of cute when we first met. I was so naive."


    "If you want to carry someone, carry Yugi." Anzu rolled her eyes.


    "The duel is over. The winner is..."


    "Ah, it''s over already?" The group was a bit disappointed.


    "The winner is Weevil Underwood!" The familiar synthesized voice announced.


    "Weevil Underwood!" Hearing the winner''s name, Jounouchi and Yugi clenched their jaws, their eyes filled with anger.


    "Weevil Underwood? Who''s that?" Hoshino, clueless, asked again.


    Honda almost lost his balance. "Weevil Underwood, The Regional duelist champion! How could you not know the champion, Hoshino?"


    Scratching her head awkwardly, Hoshino stuck out her tongue. "I didn''t follow that tournament, sorry."


    But Hoshino''s real thought was, "How could I know this minor character who barely appeared in the anime?"


    "And he''s also the despicable person who threw Yugi''s Exodia into the sea," Jounouchi added, seething with rage.(TL: In the Raw version it said Dark Magician I changed it to Exodia to align in the anime)


    "Exodia, thrown into the sea? Oh, that time." Hoshino recalled the scene when she first arrived in this world. So, that''s why Jounouchi jumped off the ship.


    "Weevil Underwood!" Yugi, who had been speaking softly, suddenly shouted towards the stage.


    "Well, well, isn''t that Yugi Muto?" A boy with round glasses and a green coat descended from the platform. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Weevil, you despicable person," Jounouchi scolded.


    "Despicable? Watch your tone when talking to The Regional champion." Despite his short stature, Weevil''s words were full of arrogance.


    "Weevil, I challenge you to a duel!"


    The Millennium Puzzle on Yugi''s chest glowed, and the gentle-eyed Yugi transformed into the sharp-eyed Yami Yugi.


    "Wow, he can really transform. It''s not just the eyes; even his height changes." Hoshino''s astonishment was a natural reaction to seeing Yami Yugi for the first time. "This is like two different people!"


    "Duel accepted. Duelist Weevil Underwood versus Duelist Yugi Muto." The omnipresent black-clad, sunglasses-wearing adjudicator appeared again.


    "Go, Yugi, you have to win."


    "Teach that despicable person a lesson."


    Jounouchi and the others loudly cheered for Yugi, who stepped onto the platform, seemingly oblivious to his transformation. Hoshino couldn''t help but inwardly complain, "This is clearly two different people. Can''t you see that? Is no one going to report him for using a stand-in?"(TL: Anime mystery)

 Chapter 10 - 10

    "Please decide the wager of the duel," said the black-clad, sunglasses-wearing adjudicator in a deep voice.


    "Yugi, you only have one star right now, but I..." Weevil Underwood taunted, shaking his duelist glove adorned with three stars, having won one in his recent duel.


    In contrast, Yugi had given one of his stars to Jounouchi, who hadn''t been invited to the competition, leaving Yugi with only one star.


    "This round will only wager one star," Weevil said as he removed a star from his glove and placed it on the table.


    "No, Weevil. I want you to wager three stars," Yugi, who had been silent until now, shocked everyone with his words. "In this duel, it''s either you or me."


    "Hehehe, why should I wager three stars? What''s your stake?" Weevil sneered at Yugi.


    "I''ll stake my life as a duelist and my deck. I want you to wager all your stars," Yugi declared, slamming his deck on the table, his sharp eyes fixed on Weevil.


    "Haha, fine, I''ll accept your deck as a stake, but in my eyes, your deck is only worth one star," Weevil retorted, not entirely unjustified. Even though Yugi''s deck had defeated Seto Kaiba, it relied heavily on the Exodia. Without it, Yugi''s deck had lost its soul.


    "Damn," Dark Yugi gritted his teeth. Weevil was unwilling to cut off his own escape route, even though he believed Yugi couldn''t win without Exodia.


    "Catch, Yugi!" Hoshino''s voice suddenly rang out from below the stage.


    "Huh?" Yugi caught the object Hoshino threw, holding it tightly in his hand.


    "Hoshino, you..." Seeing the star in his hand, Yugi instantly understood, feeling touched as he looked at Hoshino.


    "I believe in you, Yugi," Hoshino made a V-sign towards him. She wasn''t acting rashly; she was confident Yugi would win the duel.


    "Is this enough, Weevil?" Yugi asked, placing two stars on the table. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fine. You''re going to lose anyway, Yugi. Your dueling career is over!" Weevil placed his remaining two stars on the table without hesitation.


    "The duel officially begins!" The familiar synthesized voice announced the life-and-death battle between Yugi and Weevil.


    The spectators who had dispersed after Weevil''s previous duel began gathering again.


    "Is that Yugi Muto?"


    "The one who defeated Seto Kaiba? Amazing!"


    "Starting with a life-and-death duel between the regional champion Weevil Underwood and Yugi Muto, huh?"


    "This is a top-tier battle we can''t miss."


    The growing crowd recognized Yugi and buzzed with excitement.


    "But who are those people with him?"


    A random comment drew attention to Jounouchi and his friends.


    "Haha," Jounouchi puffed up with pride as the crowd looked their way, "I am the legendary duelist Yugi Muto''s close friend, Katsuya Jounouchi, along with his merry companions!"


    Thud! Thud! Thud! Hoshino, Anzu, and Honda each delivered a punch to Jounouchi''s head. "What kind of introduction is that? How did we get lumped in as ''merry companions'' like some background characters?"


    ...


    As the duel heated up, the number of spectators grew.


    "Let me see... Oh, it''s Yugi and Weevil dueling," a familiar voice said from behind. The four turned to see the sexy older woman, Mai Valentine, who had chatted with Yugi on the ferry.


    Her long, beautiful golden hair, paired with a sexy miniskirt, and her impressive figure instantly drew the attention of many males, including Jounouchi and Honda.


    "Who are you?" Anzu seemed hostile towards Mai. "Why do you call Yugi so intimately and keep bothering him?"


    "I''m interested in Yugi Muto, the duelist who defeated Seto Kaiba," Mai said seductively, licking her lips. "But I also find this cute girl interesting."


    She leaned close to Hoshino, blowing into her ear.


    Focused on Yugi''s duel, Hoshino suddenly felt a tickle at her ear, letting out a soft cry and going weak.


    "What are you doing!" Hoshino glared at Mai, scolding her.


    "Hehe, what a cute personality. I''m becoming more interested in you," Mai teased, stroking Hoshino''s smooth cheek. "For an unknown duelist to beat Yuta Kajiki, that''s really interesting."


    Watching this near-R-rated scene, the hormonal Jounouchi and Honda almost had nosebleeds.


    Anzu glared at the leering Jounouchi and Honda, snorting, "Men are all the same."


    "How do you know Hoshino beat Yuta Kajiki?" Anzu questioned Mai. "Were you following us?"


    "Hehe, little girl, don''t say it like I was a stalker. I was just passing by," Mai smiled, pursing her lips.


    "So, little cutie, interested in a duel with me? I have three stars too," Mai said, showing her duelist glove and tracing her finger on Hoshino''s face.


    Suddenly, Yugi''s voice interrupted the scene.


    "Activate trap card, Mirror Force!" With Yugi''s declaration, all of Weevil''s monsters were destroyed.


    "It seems becoming Japan''s number one was just luck. Let me tell you clearly, Weevil," Dark Yugi''s confident smile shattered Weevil''s composure, "You''re too weak."


    "Wow, Yugi is amazing," the crowd murmured.


    "But this is just the critical moment. Yugi hasn''t dealt any damage to Weevil''s life points, and his own life is hanging by a thread," Mai''s previously teasing demeanor turned serious. "Once Weevil brings out his ace, Yugi will be in trouble."


    "Calling him ''Yugi'' so intimately again! What do you know about Yugi?" Anzu stuck out her tongue at Mai. "We believe in Yugi the most. Go, Yugi!"


    "Once the duel starts, duelists only believe in themselves. Your pointless cheering will only distract him," Mai lectured.


    "No, Mai, you''re wrong." Yugi''s voice from the stage denied her. "The power of our friendship can be felt no matter how far apart we are."


    "Activate the Equip Spell Card, United We Stand, on Dark Magician."


    [United We Stand''s effect: The equipped monster gains 800 ATK/DEF for each face-up monster on your side of the field.]


    "Now I summon Kuriboh, bringing the total to two monsters on my field, increasing Dark Magician''s attack by 1600."


    [Dark Magician ATK ¡ú 4100]


    "Dark Magician, direct attack on Weevil Underwood! Dark Magic Attack!"


    "Impossible! Defeated in one blow! How could this happen!" With Weevil''s scream, his life points dropped to zero, signaling Yugi''s victory.


    "This is the power of our friendship," Yugi gave a thumbs-up to his friends below.(TL: I thought its plot armor)


    Hoshino twitched a smile, "As expected of the King of Games. Though he won with his own skill, he managed to spin it as the power of friendship. Impressive."

 Chapter 11 - 11

    "The duel is over. The winner is Yugi Muto!"


    "Yes!" Jounouchi jumped three feet high in excitement. It was no wonder he was so thrilled; finally avenging the grudge and punishing that despicable Weevil was truly satisfying.


    "Yugi won!" Although the other three weren''t as visibly excited as Jounouchi, witnessing Yugi''s victory filled them with immense joy.


    "So this is the duel of Yugi Muto, the one who defeated Seto Kaiba," Mai Valentine, who had been swiftly humbled by Yugi, murmured while biting her thumb.


    "How could this happen..." Weevil, nearly crawling off the platform, was utterly broken, collapsing on the grass.


    "I never expected it. The first to be eliminated from Duelist Kingdom is the regional champion of Japan," Yugi said, looking down at Weevil with disdain as he took the three stars from Weevil''s hand. "This is what they call karma."


    "Hand over the glove too, you scum," Jounouchi said, kicking Weevil when he was down and taking his glove to wear himself.


    With that, the regional champion Weevil Underwood was eliminated.


    "Hoshino, this is for you," Yugi said, holding the stars in his hand out to Hoshino.


    "Okay," Hoshino replied, reaching out. The saying "what goes around, comes around" held true. She never doubted Yugi''s strength, even though Weevil was the Regional champion. She knew he was no match for Yugi.


    "Huh? What are you doing, Yugi?" Hoshino asked, puzzled, as Yugi placed two stars in her hand when she had only lent him one.


    "This is a thank-you gift for believing in me, Hoshino," Yugi said, turning his head to avoid showing his blushing face. "With your help, I was able to completely defeat Weevil."


    Hoshino smiled, accepting Yugi''s kind gesture. She carefully placed the stars in her pocket, then looked enviously at Jounouchi showing off his glove to Honda. "I want a duelist glove too. It would look so cool." However, the thought of it being Weevil''s glove made her reconsider.


    "If only a cute girl would lose her glove to me," Hoshino secretly hoped.


    "Hoshino, you already have four stars. I''m so jealous," Mai said, appearing behind Hoshino and placing her hands on her shoulders seductively. "How about a duel with me?"


    The sudden touch made Hoshino shiver, almost collapsing.


    "Mai, I won''t allow you to bully Hoshino," Jounouchi declared righteously. "If you want to bully someone, come at me!"


    Nice move, Jounouchi. Clearly, he had his own agenda.


    "Oh? Would you like to duel me instead of Hoshino?" Mai let go of Hoshino and put her hands on her hips, addressing Jounouchi. "If you duel me first, you might lose your only star. Do you want to be the second person eliminated after Weevil?"


    "Uh..." Jounouchi hesitated. Finding a weaker opponent to win stars from would be the best strategy, but his pride as a man wouldn''t let him back down.


    "I''m not afraid of you...uh..."


    Jounouchi was cut off by Hoshino.


    "I''ll handle this, Jounouchi. She challenged me first," Hoshino said firmly, determined not to let Mai toy with her any longer.


    "Are you sure, Hoshino? Isn''t this too tiring with so many duels?" Jounouchi asked, worried.


    "It''s fine, Jounouchi," Hoshino replied with a teasing smile. "You should worry about yourself, rookie. Yugi and I already have plenty of stars."


    "Even Hoshino is bullying me now!"


    Ignoring the crestfallen Jounouchi, Hoshino turned to Mai. "Mai, I accept your challenge, but I need some time to organize my deck."


    "Of course, take your time," Mai said, waving her hand generously. "Prepare well and let''s have a great duel."


    Thanks to the system''s reminder, Hoshino knew her deck hadn''t been properly organized. Using an auto-generated deck against Mai would likely result in a loss. Plus, she still had 30 Saint Quartz left. As someone who never let such resources go to waste, Hoshino wouldn''t miss this opportunity to draw cards.


    "You''re quite an oddity. Being invited to Duelist Kingdom, not knowing the regional champion, and having an unprepared deck," Mai mused, stroking her chin. "It''s surprising you beat Yuta Kajiki." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino awkwardly laughed, not engaging further, and opened the system''s card shop.


    [Saint Quartz Summon (Limited Time Banner) Fuyuki Select Hero Recommended Summon]


    [Summon x1 costs 3 Saint Quartz][Summon x10 costs 30 Saint Quartz]


    The familiar interface appeared. To avoid wasting too much time and raising suspicion, she skipped the single draws and went straight for the ten-time summon.


    "Select, ten-time summon," Hoshino decided, pressing the [Summon x10] button.


    Since this was the Fuyuki Select banner, most of the draws should be Fuyuki Servant. While not top-tier, they were decent and suitable for a beginner like Hoshino. And if she pull Gilgamesh, it would be a huge win. Completely forgetting her bad luck, Hoshino fantasized.


    As her deck glowed, one card after another unlocked. To Hoshino''s surprise, not only heroes but also matching spell and trap cards appeared. Most were spell and trap cards, with only C¨² Chulainn as a silver hero in the first seven draws.


    "Am I destined to play a trap-heavy game even after transmigrating?" Hoshino''s heart ached as she saw one silver card after another. "Please, give me a gold card. I''ll go without food for a day for a gold card."


    The system seemed to hear her plea. The eighth draw shone with gold light, signaling a rare card.


    Hoshino was ecstatic, gripping the cards tightly. "Who is it? Artoria? Gilgamesh? Whoever it is, come to me, my king!"


    As the golden light faded, the card revealed itself.


    "Sorry for pulling me. Siegfried, responding to the summon."


    Why would Siegfried appear in the Fuyuki banner!? This must be a trick! Furious, Hoshino almost threw the card down.


    But on second thought, Siegfried might be powerful in this world. After all, the legendary dragon-slaying hero had formidable strength.


    "Huh?!" Just as she was about to read Siegfried''s effect, her attention was drawn to the final card of the ten-summon.


    "Another gold card!"

 Chapter 12 - 12

    "Are you ready, Hoshino?" Mai Valentine was growing impatient. She hadn''t expected Hoshino to take so long to adjust her deck. While it''s common for duelists to tweak their decks before a duel, taking this much time seemed like she was completely rebuilding it.


    "Hmph." Hoshino used her cards to hide her smug smile and slowly turned around. "All set. Now I''m a completely different person."


    Despite hiding her smile with the cards, Hoshino''s smug face was still evident. Mai forced a smile. "Confidence is good. That means I don''t have to hold back. Let''s start the duel."


    "Duel accepted: Duelist Mai Valentine vs. Duelist Hoshino Chiyuki."


    As she stepped onto the platform, Hoshino took a deep breath and placed her newly organized deck on the table. Unlike her first duel, she was now confident in her deck. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Please wager your stars."


    "Two!" They both said in unison, placing two duelist stars on the table.


    "Go, Hoshino! Teach that woman a lesson!" Anzu cheered energetically from below, giving the impression that she was the one dueling.


    "Go, go," Jounouchi and Honda cheered, though less fervently than Anzu.


    "Hey!" Anzu turned to glare at them. "Who exactly are you cheering for? You wouldn''t be rooting for Mai just because she''s sexy, would you?"


    Jounouchi and Honda exchanged embarrassed smiles, as if she had seen right through them. "No way, Hoshino is our friend. Of course, we''re cheering for her."


    "Really?" Anzu''s skeptical look made them squirm.


    "Both sides, give it your best and have an unforgettable duel!" Yugi also cheered from the sidelines.


    "Even Yugi..." Anzu muttered, feeling deflated.


    "Haha, Mai doesn''t seem like a bad person. I hope they both enjoy the duel," Yugi said, scratching his head.


    "Mai goes first. The duel begins!"


    "I summon Harpie Lady in defense position and set one card face-down. I end my turn." Mai''s clean and efficient move demonstrated her experience as a seasoned duelist.


    [Harpie Lady ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïWIND][Winged Beast]


    The small, cute Harpie Lady appeared on the field, crouching protectively with her pink wings.


    "Wow, such a cute monster card," Hoshino thought, feeling a bit uneasy. She had grown used to seeing paper-thin waifus.


    But as a duelist, she couldn''t hold back just because the monster was cute.


    "My turn, draw!"


    "I summon Spartacus in attack mode." The well-rounded Spartacus was Hoshino''s standard opening move.


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï EARTH][Warrior/Effect]


    "Spartacus, attack Harpie Lady!" Hoshino commanded. "Don''t hold back just because she''s cute"


    "Suppressor, destroy!" Spartacus'' massive body crushed Harpie Lady without mercy.


    "Hmph," Mai smirked. "I activate the trap card Harpie Lady''s Call."


    [Harpie Lady''s Call: When a Harpie Lady you control is destroyed, add three Harpie cards from your deck to your hand.]


    Mai added three cards to her hand from her deck, leaving her with seven cards.


    "Using a weak monster and a trap card to gain card advantage and search for key cards in the first turn," Yugi analyzed from below. "Mai might be tougher than she seems."


    "Yugi, stop boosting her morale and lowering ours!" Anzu complained. "Hoshino still has a monster on the field, while Mai doesn''t."


    "A low-level monster on the field isn''t necessarily an advantage, since..." Yugi trailed off as Hoshino ended her turn.


    "My turn, draw. I summon Harpie Lady in attack mode."


    [Harpie Lady ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï WIND][Winged Beast]


    "Hmph, even if you worked hard to search for Harpie Lady, it can''t beat Hoshino''s monster," Anzu said, noticing Harpie Lady''s attack was 100 points lower than Spartacus''.


    "I activate the equip spell Elegant Egotist, equipping it to Harpie Lady."


    [Elegant Egotist: The equipped monster gains 300 ATK. When this card is sent to the graveyard, equip it to another Harpie Lady.]


    [Harpie Lady ATK ¡ú 1600]


    "That''s not all. Harpie Lady''s true beauty is just beginning." Mai placed another spell card on the table. "I activate the spell card, Cyber Shield."


    [Cyber Shield: If you control a Harpie Lady, you can special summon one Harpie Lady or Harpie Lady Sisters from your hand or deck.]


    "Come forth, my beautiful sisters. Special summon Harpie Lady Sisters from the deck!"


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï WIND][Winged Beast/Effect]


    "Harpie Lady, attack Spartacus!" The sharp talons of Harpie Lady pierced Spartacus'' sturdy body.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 3900


    "Ugh... This thrill... I''ll return it tenfold!" Spartacus'' special effect activated, restoring 500 LP to Hoshino and dealing 500 damage to Mai.


    Mai Valentine LP 4000 ¡ú 3500


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3900 ¡ú 4400


    "Hmph, it''s not over yet, Hoshino. Harpie Lady Sisters, direct attack!" The three Harpie Lady Sisters'' image passed through Hoshino''s body.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4400 ¡ú 2450


    "Damn, she''s strong. Not only did she destroy my monster, but she also summoned a six-star monster," Hoshino said, catching her breath. "Mai is definitely stronger than Yuta Kajiki."


    "Hoshino..." Anzu, who had been excited, now looked worried, realizing the half-finished statement Yugi had made earlier.


    "My turn, draw!" Seeing the card she drew, Hoshino made a reassuring gesture to Anzu. "Even if Mai is stronger, I''m not afraid."


    "Because I''ve grown stronger too. I summon Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn in attack mode!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï LIGHT][Warrior/Effect]


    "Come at me!" Cu Chulainn, wearing his blue bodysuit, brandished his red spear.


    "I activate the equip spell, Piercing Thorn Spear. Equip it to Cu Chulainn, increasing his attack by 300."


    [Cu Chulainn ATK ¡ú 1900]


    Cu Chulainn''s spear glowed red. "Feeling great, master!"


    "That''s good." Hoshino trusted her monster. "Cu Chulainn, attack Harpie Lady!"


    The glowing red spear pierced Harpie Lady''s body.


    Mai Valentine LP 3500 ¡ú 3200


    "I activate Cyber Shield''s special effect. When this card is sent to the graveyard, equip it to another Harpie Lady."


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK ¡ú 2250]


    "This is your counterattack, Hoshino? It''s barely a scratch," Mai said, noting that her Harpie Lady Sisters'' attack was now higher than Cu Chulainn''s.


    "Don''t be hasty, Mai. It''s not over yet."


    "I activate Piercing Thorn Spear''s special effect!"


    [Piercing Thorn Spear: The equipped monster gains 300 ATK. If equipped to Cu Chulainn, send this card to the graveyard to destroy one opponent''s monster.]


    "I''ll take your heart!" Cu Chulainn''s spear shone brightly. "Gae Bolg!"


    The glowing red spear pierced Harpie Lady Sisters'' heart.


    [Cu Chulainn ATK 1900 ¡ú 1600]


    "How''s that? This is my Lancer''s counterattack." Hoshino''s sharp gaze fixed on Mai.

 Chapter 13 - 13

    "Hoshino is so strong!" Even Yugi, who usually stayed calm, couldn''t help but praise her. "It feels like she''s even stronger than when she dueled Yuta. Her growth rate is incredible."


    "See, I told you Hoshino is amazing," Anzu said excitedly after hearing Yugi''s compliment. "Go, Hoshino! You have to defeat that woman!"


    Seeing her ace Harpie Lady defeated in one turn, Mai Valentine frowned. "This little girl... I thought she would at most be on Yuta or Ryuzaki''s level, maybe comparable to Weevil. But I didn''t expect her to be this tough."


    "I set two cards and end my turn." Hoshino didn''t get overly excited. Even though she had a significant advantage, she knew she couldn''t afford to be careless against a top-tier duelist like Mai Valentine.


    The current state of the field:


    - Hoshino Chiyuki: LP 2450, 2 cards in hand, 2 set cards, 1 monster on the field.


    - [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï LIGHT][Warrior/Effect]


    - Mai Valentine: LP 3200, 5 cards in hand, empty field.


    "This little girl set two cards again. Troublesome indeed. She seems to have a rare trap card called ''Temple Gate of Ryudoji,'' which even Yuta struggled against. I need to be careful," Mai thought, quickly analyzing her hand, mostly consisting of equip and spell cards but lacking monsters to turn the tide.


    "My turn, draw." Looking at the card she drew, Mai''s tense expression relaxed, and she let out a couple of laughs.


    "Sorry, Hoshino-chan, but it seems Luck is on my side."


    Mai elegantly placed the drawn card into the spell and trap zone.


    "I set one card and summon Harpie Lady 2 in defense mode. Turn end."


    [Harpie Lady 2 ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï WIND][Winged Beast]


    Harpie Lady 2 had the same stats as Harpie Lady but a slightly different appearance.


    Seeing Mai''s weak field, Hoshino narrowed her eyes. "Is this what you call Luck''s ? It looks like a desperate struggle to me."


    "My turn, draw! I summon Heroic Spirit - Bloodaxe Eric in attack mode."


    [Heroic Spirit - Bloodaxe Eric ¡ï¡ï¡ï EARTH][Warrior/Effect]


    "Cu Chulainn, attack Harpie Lady 2."


    "Yes, master." Cu Chulainn''s confident voice and the familiar sound of his spear piercing through Harpie Lady 2 filled the air.


    "Bloodaxe Eric, direct attack on Mai Valentine!" Eric swung his massive axe at Mai.


    "I''ve been waiting for this moment, Hoshino." Mai''s face turned smug, her expression full of confidence. "I activate the trap card Hysteric Party."


    [Hysteric Party Continuous Trap Effect: Discard 1 card from your hand to activate. Special summon as many Harpie Lady monsters from your graveyard as possible. When this card leaves the field, destroy those monsters.]


    "I discard Harpie Lady 3 from my hand. Then, special summon as many Harpie Lady monsters from my graveyard as possible." Mai''s slender finger pointed at Hoshino. "Sorry, Hoshino, but this is my unbeatable combo blessed by the goddess of fortune."


    Special summon [Harpie Lady ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï WIND][Winged Beast]


    Special summon [Harpie Lady 2 ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï WIND][Winged Beast]


    Special summon [Harpie Lady 3 ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï WIND][Winged Beast]


    Special summon [Harpie Lady Sisters ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï WIND][Winged Beast/Effect]


    The spectators, including Yugi and his friends, were stunned by Mai''s sudden reversal and field domination. Mai''s skill and composure were truly top-tier.


    Due to the sudden appearance of monsters on the opponent''s field, Bloodaxe Eric had to target a monster instead of attacking Mai directly.


    "Bloodaxe Eric, attack Harpie Lady Sisters." Hoshino chose the highest attack monster without hesitation.


    "Hey, Hoshino, have you lost your mind? In this situation, shouldn''t you target the weakest monster to minimize your LP loss?" Mai couldn''t help but point out Hoshino''s seemingly reckless move.


    "Thanks for the advice, Mai, but I''m not an easy target either." Hoshino waved her right hand, revealing a set card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, Golden Sumo - Rocky Terrain."


    [Golden Sumo - Rocky Terrain Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 monster you control; when that monster battles an opponent''s monster with higher ATK, it gains ATK equal to the difference in their ATK.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Bloodaxe Eric ATK ¡ú 1950]


    "Let''s have a fair sumo match." Bloodaxe Eric''s muscles bulged as he tossed aside his axe and charged at Harpie Lady Sisters.


    The equal attack points meant mutual destruction.


    "Impressive, Hoshino." Mai couldn''t help but applaud. "Even in this situation, you calmly took out my highest attack monster. You''re a true duelist."


    "But I still have three monsters on the field. My turn, draw!" Mai decided to end the duel in this turn, not giving Hoshino any breathing room.


    "I activate the equip spell Cyber Shield, equipping it to Harpie Lady."


    [Cyber Shield Equip Spell Effect: A Harpie Lady or Harpie Lady Sisters gains 500 ATK/DEF.]


    [Harpie Lady ATK ¡ú 1900] The sexy Harpie Lady, now clad in a metal-themed bodysuit, looked even more intimidating.


    "Next, I activate the equip spell Rose Whip, equipping it to Harpie Lady 2."


    [Rose Whip Equip Spell Effect: A Harpie Lady gains 300 ATK.]


    [Harpie Lady 2 ATK ¡ú 1700]


    "Lastly, I activate the equip spell Mage Power, equipping it to Harpie Lady 3."


    "No way, Mage Power?!" Yugi exclaimed in alarm from the sidelines.


    "What''s Mage Power?" Anzu asked, confused. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s one of the most powerful equip spells, comparable to United We Stand."


    [Mage Power Equip Spell Effect: The equipped monster gains 500 ATK/DEF for each spell/trap card you control.]


    "With three equip spells and one continuous trap card on the field, Harpie Lady 3 gains 2000 ATK!"


    [Harpie Lady 3 ATK ¡ú 3400]


    "3400 ATK?!" Jounouchi shouted in disbelief.


    "Yes, and Mai wisely spread her equip spells to avoid putting all her eggs in one basket. Even if Hoshino''s set card is ''Temple Gate of Ryudoji,'' it''s over. Mai has ensured her victory," Yugi analyzed despairingly.


    "What will you do, Hoshino?" Anzu worriedly looked at Hoshino''s emotionless face.


    "Hoshino, this duel is over!" Mai confidently ordered her Harpie Ladies to attack.


    "Harpie Lady, attack Cu Chulainn." The sharp claws slashed across Cu Chulainn''s chest.


    But no LP was deducted.


    "Hmph, I activate Cu Chulainn''s special effect!" Hoshino finally smiled.


    [Effect: Once per turn, this card cannot be destroyed by battle, and you take no battle damage.]


    "Protection from Arrows! That was close." Cu Chulainn wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    "Another weird card effect. Harpie Lady 3, attack Cu Chulainn."


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP ¡ú 650


    "It''s not over!" Cu Chulainn''s voice echoed again.


    [Effect: When this card is destroyed, special summon it in defense mode. This effect can only be activated once per duel, and this card cannot change its battle position.]


    "Battle continue!" Cu Chulainn roared with his last strength.


    "Damn, this 4-star monster is so tenacious!" Furious at missing her chance to defeat Hoshino, Mai used her last Harpie Lady to destroy Cu Chulainn.


    Lancer ga shinda!!


    "This only buys you one more turn, Hoshino. With your life points like a flickering candle, what can you do?" Mai was still confident in her victory.


    "Lancer, I will remember your sacrifice!" Looking at Cu Chulainn, who had protected her three times, Hoshino felt a mix of sorrow and determination.


    "I activate the trap card, Back of the Hero of justice!"


    [Back of the Hero of Justice Trap Effect: If two or more ''Heroic Spirit'' monsters are destroyed in one turn, special summon ''Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya'' from your hand or deck.]


    "Lancer, your sacrifices were not in vain!"

 Chapter 14 - 14

    **Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 650**


    Field: Monster Card [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya]


    **Mai Valentine LP**


    Field:


    - [Harpie Lady + Cyber Shield ATK]


    - [Harpie Lady 2 + Rose Whip ATK]


    - [Harpie Lady 3 + Mage Power ATK]


    - Continuous Trap Card [Hysteric Party]


    "You did well, Lancer," said Shirou Emiya, who had been specially summoned. "But, Master, I don''t really like making an entrance this way."


    Watching Lancer''s repeated deaths had even stirred Emiya''s anger.


    "I''m sorry, Emiya, but given the current situation, this is the only way to achieve victory," Hoshino said apologetically. "If we don''t win, how can we honor Lancer''s sacrifice?"


    "Hmph, you''re right," Emiya smiled slightly and gripped his twin swords, Kanshou and Bakuya, tighter. "Let''s finish this quickly, Master. Let''s show them what we''re made of!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Flame][Spellcaster/Effect]


    The last card Hoshino drew from her ten-time summon was [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya]. Although she didn''t get a five-star card, two four-star cards in one pull was still considered quite lucky.


    This card was now Hoshino''s last hope.


    "My turn, I activate the spell card [Crane Wing Triple Attack]!" Hoshino placed the spell card on the table as Emiya threw his twin swords.


    [Crane Wing Triple Attack Spell Effect: Can only be activated by targeting a monster with ''Heroic Spirit'' in its name. The targeted monster''s ATK is halved, but it can attack three times this turn. The targeted monster cannot attack directly.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya ATK ¡ú 1100]


    "Hoshino, what are you doing? With your monster''s original ATK, you could have defeated one of my Harpies," Mai said, puzzled. "Now, you can''t even beat one. What''s the point of attacking three times?"


    Confident in her victory, Mai looked down on Hoshino, thinking her last-minute summon of a six-star monster wouldn''t change the outcome.


    "Do you think I''m a third-rate duelist who makes such rookie mistakes?" Hoshino crossed her arms over her chest, her presence filling the field. "Don''t underestimate me, Mai!"


    "I activate Heroic Spirit Shirou Emiya''s special effect."


    [During your Battle Phase, this card can copy all Equip Spell Cards on the opponent''s field and equip them to itself. Destroy all copied Equip Spell Cards at the end of the Battle Phase.]


    "Trace On (Gradation Air)!" Emiya''s twin swords reappeared in his hands after being thrown.


    "Copy, Cyber Shield!" [Shirou Emiya ATK ¡ú 1600]


    "Copy, Rose Whip!" [Shirou Emiya ATK ¡ú 1900]


    "Copy, Mage Power! Since I have three Equip Spell Cards on the field, Emiya''s ATK increases by 1500." [Shirou Emiya ATK ¡ú 3400]


    Throwing three pairs of swords, Emiya charged forward.


    "!!" Everything happened so fast that Mai was still in shock.


    "Emiya, attack Harpie Lady!" The thrown swords took a strange trajectory, returning to slice Harpie Lady''s back.


    Harpie Lady destroyed, Mai LP ¡ú 1900


    In the same way, the second pair of swords destroyed Harpie Lady 2, Mai LP ¡ú 200


    "With two Harpie Ladies destroyed, the respective Equip Cards are sent to the graveyard, reducing Harpie Lady 3''s ATK by 1000."


    [Harpie Lady 3 ATK ¡ú 2400]


    Precise calculations and meticulous strategy. Hoshino was now clearly above most duelists in this world.


    "Crane Wing Triple Attack, Heart of Stone!" Emiya charged at Harpie Lady 3, with the returning swords by his side.


    "It''s over, Mai!" Hoshino and Emiya said in unison.


    "This is my final Crane Wing Triple Attack!"


    Harpie Lady 3 destroyed!


    Mai LP: 200 ¡ú 0


    "The duel is over. The winner is Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    The booming electronic voice snapped Mai out of her daze.


    "I... I lost?" Mai asked herself incredulously, looking at her zero LP.


    "Yes! Hoshino won!" Anzu waved her arms excitedly, congratulating Hoshino on stage.


    Unlike Anzu, Yugi and Jounouchi were still in shock.


    "That Hoshino is incredibly strong!" The spectators began to murmur.


    "Although Mai is impressive, Hoshino Chiyuki is also powerful."


    "I thought Mai had won, but in just one turn, Hoshino completely turned the tables."


    "She made the impossible possible in an instant."


    "She may look cute, but I don''t want to duel against someone like her. I''d definitely lose."


    "It''s not just Hoshino; I''d probably lose against Mai too."


    "Both duelists are so strong. That was an amazing duel."


    "Yeah, and both are beautiful. It was an exciting and visually pleasing duel."


    "Go, both of you are the best!"


    "Thank you for such a wonderful duel."


    The spectators began to applaud, giving the two duelists on stage their sincerest praise.


    "Yay, Hoshino, I''m a fan now!"


    "Mai, don''t be discouraged. You''re the best, both in skill and looks."


    "Hoshino Chiyuki is my waifu!"


    Though some odd comments mixed in with the praise, there was no doubt this was an incredible duel.


    Mai gracefully handed her duelist stars to Hoshino as she walked off the stage. "Hoshino, you won. You''re strong. Even giving it my best, I still lost."


    "Hehe, I was just lucky this time. You''re very strong too, Mai," Hoshino said shyly, scratching her head. Off the stage, Hoshino seemed like a completely different person, no longer exuding the strong presence she had during the duel.


    "But Hoshino, I have to warn you." Mai''s gaze turned serious as she glanced around at the spectators. "You''ve shown such great strength. Be careful of enemies in the dark."


    "Enemies in the dark?" Hoshino asked, puzzled. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Dark Duelist and what they call Shadow Duels.''"

 Chapter 15 - 15

    <Victory detected. Assessing Duelist level.>


    Hoshino shivered, almost forgetting about this part.


    "This feels great. Not only do I get stars chips, but also get Saint Quartz. I could duel ten times a day without getting tired," Hoshino thought, secretly delighted. "And considering Mai Valentine''s skill level, the rewards should be much better than Yuta''s."


    While chatting with Mai, Hoshino tried to suppress her inner joy to respect her opponent. She tried to maintain a serious expression after defeating Mai. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Hoshino was the type whose emotions showed on her face. Despite her best efforts, the joy was clear to see.


    Worse, her attempt to suppress it made her smile look twisted and sinister. To Mai, it seemed like Hoshino was mocking her defeat.


    "You! I tried to warn you, and you repay me with that smirk. Are you looking down on me?" Seeing Hoshino''s unnatural smile, Mai, who had been calm, flared up. "Do you think just because you won, you can look down on people?"


    "No, Mai, I didn''t mean it that way," Hoshino hurried to explain. But she couldn''t tell Mai it was because she was excited about drawing more cards soon.


    "Stop calling me Mai. " Mai picked up her shoulder bag and swung it over her back. "I''ll be back for revenge once I have extra stars. Until then, don''t get eliminated."


    With that, Mai walked away without looking back. Watching her retreating figure, Hoshino sighed deeply.


    "I thought I could get along well with sexy onee-chan," Hoshino lamented. Despite Mai''s earlier teasing that had flustered her, in retrospect, she didn''t mind it and even felt a bit excited.


    "Sexy onee-chan are great," Hoshino thought wistfully, gazing at the endless blue sky.


    <Assessment complete. Duelist Mai Valentine, Duelist level B. Awarded 45 Saint Quartz. Remaining Saint Quartz: 45.>


    The system''s voice snapped Hoshino back from her thoughts. She checked her remaining quartz. "45, that''s 15 more than Yuta. That''s five more chances! Maybe I''ll pull Artoria!" Clearly, the previous double gold pull had given Hoshino an overly optimistic view of her luck.


    "Thank you for dealing with that woman, Hoshino." Anzu''s familiar hug and her girlish scent chased away Hoshino''s lingering regret.


    Breathing in Anzu''s scent, Hoshino''s earlier melancholy vanished. "Although sexy onee-chan are nice, innocent girls like Anzu are even cuter."


    "That was an amazing duel, Hoshino."


    "I''m so jealous, Hoshino. You have six stars already, and I still only have one." Jounouchi looked at the single star on his glove and sighed.


    "If you have time to waste here, you should be out looking for duels," Honda said, putting an arm around Jounouchi''s shoulder. "Let me help you find some weaker duelists."


    "Are you underestimating me? If Yugi and Hoshino can defeat Elite-level duelists, then as their friend, I must challenge a same level duelists too," Jounouchi declared confidently, pointing his thumb at himself. "My first target will be the regional second place, Dinosaur Ryuzaki!"


    "Oh? Who''s calling for me?" A boy wearing a red cap jumped out from the crowd.


    "I was just looking for someone to duel, and here comes a volunteer." Though half Jounouchi''s height, his arrogant attitude matched Weevil''s.


    "Wow, it''s really him, the regional second place, Ryuzaki."


    "That guy, didn''t realize Ryuzaki was nearby."


    "I heard Ryuzaki lost to Mai Valentine yesterday and got kicked out of his room."


    "Really? Mai is that strong? I knew she was good, but stronger than the regional second place?"


    The spectators'' chatter confirmed the boy''s identity as Ryuzaki.


    Hearing the chatter, Jounouchi got angry. "Who said I don''t think before I speak? Everything I do is calculated!"


    "Fine, I''ll accept your challenge."


    "Duel accepted: Duelist Katsuya Jounouchi vs. Duelist Dinosaur Ryuzaki."


    "Already?" Jounouchi hadn''t expected the black-clad officials to be so fast.


    "Jounouchi..." Yugi looked at him worriedly.


    "Jounouchi, are you planning to throw your life away? You''re wasting the star Yugi gave you," Honda and Anzu scolded him.


    "You think I''ll lose?" Jounouchi''s initial hesitation turned into determination upon hearing his friends'' doubts.


    "Can you really do this?" Hoshino also felt concerned. Though in the story Ryuzaki gave Jounouchi the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, the sequence of events had changed, making the outcome uncertain.


    "If you lose all your stars, I can give you some," Hoshino offered. If Jounouchi lost, she would feel responsible since she had dueled Mai, Jounouchi''s intended opponent.


    To Jounouchi, Hoshino''s offer seemed angelic. "Hoshino is such a good girl. I''d die happy if I could marry her," he thought.


    "Good girl..." Jounouchi remembered his sister and his reason for coming to Duelist Kingdom. His expression turned serious.


    "Thanks, Hoshino. But I won''t fall here," Jounouchi said, looking unexpectedly handsome. "I have someone I need to save."


    "Is that so." Seeing Jounouchi''s serious expression, Hoshino felt reassured. Despite being seen as a rookie, Jounouchi had a lucky charm that made him a strong contender in Yu-Gi-Oh.


    "Shouldn''t be a problem," Hoshino thought as she watched Jounouchi step onto the platform.


    "Let''s draw these stones before worrying about anything else." For Hoshino, unused Saint Quartz was always a pressing concern.

 Chapter 16 - 16

    The duel was one-sided. After Dinosaur Ryuzaki summoned the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Jounouchi''s advantage, gained through the Barbarian Brothers, vanished.


    "This is like getting rubbed into the ground," Honda said anxiously, watching Jounouchi''s dwindling LP from the audience.


    "After saying such cool things before going on stage," Anzu also looked worried.


    However, Hoshino at that moment remained silent, with a look of utter despair. She had no interest in paying attention to the duel on stage.


    "¡­.Hah." Having used up the 45 Saint Quartz just rewarded, Hoshino fell into despair. Even though getting nothing from 45 Saint Quartz was typical for her as an person with Rank E Luck, the huge disparity compared to her first ten-roll was hard to accept.


    "Not even a guarantee, Stupid system, didn''t even give me a guaranteed card in ten rolls!" Hoshino shouted in her mind. In all 15 rolls, she only got Medea as a Servant, with the rest being support Magic Trap Cards, confirming her title as ''Craft Essence Go''.


    "Heh, Jounouchi, as a rookie duelist, I must commend you for lasting this long against me," Ryuzaki began mock Jounouchi from his seemingly victorious position on stage.


    "Damn it, You think I''ve lost? I''ve still got a hidden card!" Though he was at his wit''s end, Jounouchi couldn''t help but talk tough.


    "Hahaha, that''s hilarious. Even Pegasus couldn''t turn this around," Ryuzaki laughed as if he''d heard the funniest joke in the world.


    "No, Jounouchi, you still have a chance to win." Hoshino, recovering from her horrible gacha roll, loudly reminded Jounouchi on stage. She knew Jounouchi had a good card that could reverse the situation.


    Ryuzaki stopped laughing and looked at Hoshino, "Oh? I''ve heard that the duelist who defeated Mai Kujaku is a cute girl who hangs out with Yugi. That must be you." Having been beaten by Mai before, Ryuzaki was intrigued by the girl who defeated her.


    "How interesting. You say Jounouchi can beat me, how about a bet?" Ryuzaki''s eyes glinted with a sinister idea.


    "If Jounouchi wins, I''ll give you this Red-Eyes Black Dragon that cost me my entire fortune," Ryuzaki sneered. "But if Jounouchi loses, you will become my girlfriend, including your deck."


    Ryuzaki, initially only interested in Hoshino''s deck, couldn''t resist his lust upon seeing how cute she was.


    "You''re pervert. Hoshino would never agree to such bet," Honda and Anzu angrily scolded Ryuzaki from the audience.


    "If you think it''s unfair, I''ll bet my two remaining star chips as well," Ryuzaki said, taking off the two star chips left on his glove, confident he wouldn''t lose.


    "Fine, I accept!" Hoshino thought she could just deny it later since such an illegal bet couldn''t be enforced. Betting star chips or cards was regulated, but betting a person was illegal and unenforceable. Ryuzaki might just end up getting beaten by the black-clad guards.


    "How can you agree to such a certain-loss bet?" Anzu and Honda were flustered, not understanding Hoshino''s strategy.


    "Could it be Hoshino knows Jounouchi has that card?" Yugi believed Hoshino wouldn''t gamble on a sure-loss. She must know something about Jounouchi''s deck.


    "Hoshino..." Jounouchi looked guiltily at Hoshino. He had just been talking tough, and now she was dragged into it, making him feel awful.


    "What are you hesitating for, Jounouchi! Use Time Wizard!" Hoshino shouted to the bewildered Jounouchi on stage.


    "Huh? Time Wizard?" Jounouchi glanced at his hand and saw the card. He had never used it before, so how did Hoshino know?


    "Whatever, I summon Time Wizard in attack mode!" Trusting Hoshino, who believed in him, Jounouchi resolved to believe in her unconditionally.


    "[Time Wizard¡ï¡ï Light ][Spellcaster/Effect ATK: 500 DEF: 400]"


    "Hahaha, that''s hilarious. Such a weak monster can''t even damage my Red-Eyes Black Dragon," Ryuzaki laughed.


    "Activate Time Wizard''s special effect. Time Magic!" Ignoring Ryuzaki''s taunts, Jounouchi activated the effect decisively.


    "Toss a coin. If you call it right, destroy all monsters on the opponent''s field. If you call it wrong, destroy all monsters on your field and take damage equal to half their total ATK. This effect can be used once per turn during your Main Phase."


    Ryuzaki''s face suddenly stiffened, realizing this seemingly insignificant card had such a terrifying effect.


    "Heads or tails..." Jounouchi hesitated. The outcome depended on his guess.


    "I guess, heads!"


    Hoshino believed in Jounouchi because his luck always prevailed with such probability-based god cards. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Heads! Time Magic activated!


    As Time Wizard raised its staff high, the entire field twisted as if millennia had passed.


    The Red-Eyes Black Dragon shattered into fossils, and Baby Dragon evolved into Thousand Dragon, announcing Jounouchi''s victory.


    "No way, he actually won," Anzu and Honda couldn''t believe their eyes.


    Jounouchi exhaled deeply and struck a cool pose toward Hoshino.


    "Duel over, the winner is Katsuya Jounouchi!"


    "Hand it over, you pervert," Jounouchi jumped down from the ring and snatched the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and the three star chips from the stunned Ryuzaki.


    Thus, Dinosaur Ryuzaki, runner-up in the Japan Duelist Tournament, was out.


    "Hoshino, this is for you." Jounouchi handed two star chips and the Red-Eyes Black Dragon to Hoshino, his eyes filled with tenderness. From the beginning, Hoshino had unwavering faith in his victory, even making that bet with Ryuzaki. It stirred a special feeling in the often mocked ''novice duelist'' Jounouchi.


    "I''m glad I didn''t let you down, Hoshino," Jounouchi rubbed his nose. "Otherwise, even if I risk being kicked out, I wouldn''t let Ryuzaki take you."


    Hoshino waved her right hand, refusing the star chips and card Jounouchi offered. "Jounouchi, these are your prizes for your first victory in Duelist Kingdom. Consider it my celebration for you."


    "Believe in yourself, Jounouchi. You''re a strong duelist, and you will save your sister." Hoshino smiled warmly, respecting Jounouchi who bore the responsibility of saving his sister.


    "Hoshino, Hoshino... you''re so kind to me." To everyone''s surprise, Jounouchi started crying.


    Helpless, Honda put an arm around Jounouchi''s shoulder. "Come on, Jounouchi, you big guy. Crying in front of a girl is too embarrassing."


    "I just... I just..." Jounouchi wiped his tears with his right sleeve. "Hoshino, you wouldn''t happen to..."


    "Stop you''re delusions," Anzu interrupted Jounouchi. "Hoshino is just kind to everyone."

 Chapter 17 - 17

    **Kaiba Entertainment Group, President''s Office.**


    Seto Kaiba, continuously flipping through his deck, wore an increasingly anxious expression.


    "Damn it, there''s no way I can beat Yugi like this." Kaiba''s hands trembled as he rifled through his deck.


    "How... how can I understand the heart of the cards?"


    Outside the door, Kaiba''s younger brother, Mokuba, looked at his brother with a worried face. The usually composed Kaiba, who seemed to have the world in his grasp, was nowhere to be seen in Mokuba''s eyes.


    "No, it''s no good!" In a fit of rage, Kaiba threw his deck aside. The rare and valuable cards, which were precious to others, scattered on the floor like trash. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What''s wrong, brother?" Unable to bear seeing Kaiba so frantic, Mokuba finally spoke up.


    "Damn it, no matter how much I think, I can''t beat Yugi as I am now." Kaiba''s face was filled with frustration.


    "That''s not true, brother. Didn''t you always say that cards are power?" Mokuba comforted his increasingly haggard brother. "No one can match the power of your cards, brother."


    "The cards of power have been defeated by Yugi''s cards of heart." Kaiba said through gritted teeth. "Without understanding the heart of the cards, I can''t win against him."


    "Brother..."


    Kaiba slowly stood up and took a card from the inner pocket of his coat. "I''m entrusting this card to you, Mokuba. It''s the key to the vault that holds important data for Kaiba Corporation."


    "Brother? Why are you giving me something so important?" Mokuba clearly didn''t understand Kaiba''s intention.


    "I''m going on a journey for a while. While I''m away, Kaiba Corporation is in your hands, Mokuba." Kaiba grabbed his suitcase full of cards and quickly exited the office.


    "Why can Yugi achieve such feats?" Kaiba kept questioning himself as he left the company. "I don''t believe my skills are inferior to Yugi''s. The only difference is what we carry on our shoulders."


    "His grandfather entrusted the cards to him, and he fights to protect the heart of the cards." Kaiba''s eyes gradually filled with determination. "Through this journey, I will also understand the heart of the cards. And then, Yugi, I will defeat you."


    **---------- **


    **Kaiba Entertainment Group, Board of Directors.**


    In a pitch-black room, every major shareholder of Kaiba Corporation was gathered, except for President Seto Kaiba.


    Sitting in Kaiba''s place was none other than the father of Duel Monsters, Pegasus J. Crawford.


    "I''ll get straight to the point. I want you to transfer your shares of Kaiba Corporation to me," Pegasus said sternly, sitting on a sofa. "To reorganize Kaiba Entertainment Group, this is the only way."


    Due to Pegasus'' schemes, the news of Seto Kaiba''s loss to Yugi Mutou quickly spread worldwide. Kaiba Corporation lost all investor trust, and its operations were in dire straits. Pegasus seized on this opportunity.


    "I understand your point, but there is one condition."


    "Kaiba Corporation''s loss of trust is all due to that boy named Yugi."


    "To restore the company''s credibility, we must defeat that boy."


    "Mr. Pegasus, if you can meet this condition, we will announce at the board meeting that Seto Kaiba will be removed."


    "We will agree to hand over everything of Kaiba Corporation to you."


    Pegasus smiled confidently from the sofa, "Defeating that Yugi-boy will be very easy."


    "There is one more thing: the key to the vault containing important information is hidden by Seto Kaiba''s younger brother, Mokuba."


    "Oh, no problem, that''s also within my grasp." Pegasus'' smile turned sinister. "I''ve already invited Mokuba-boy to my Duelist Kingdom castle as a guest. I''m sure with our hospitality, he will hand over the key."


    "Hahahaha." The room was filled with everyone''s delighted laughter.


    **---------- Meanwhile**


    <The system detected that due to duelists rejecting the SSR-level card [Red-Eyes Black Dragon], an SSR-specific summon ticket is being compensated.>


    "Whoa!" Hoshino shouted excitedly.


    "What happened, Hoshino?" Hoshino''s sudden outburst startled Yugi and his friends.


    Realizing she had lost control of her excitement, Hoshino awkwardly scratched her head. "Sorry, I just thought I saw a person in the bushes and got scared."


    Although Hoshino made up an excuse, she wasn''t lying; she had indeed felt someone''s gaze while passing by the bushes.


    "No way, Hoshino, you must be mistaken. How could anyone be hiding in a bushes in broad daylight?" Jounouchi, thinking Hoshino was startled, volunteered to check the bushes.


    Suddenly, the bushes rustled, and a small figure leaped out.


    "Since you''ve found me, there''s no choice." Although the person had their face covered with a cloth, their voice sounded like a teenager. "Yugi, I want to duel you. I want to avenge my brother."


    "Avenge your brother?" Yugi was puzzled. "Who are you, and who is your brother?"


    "Don''t play dumb, Yugi Mutou." The boy tore off the cloth covering his face. "I am Mokuba Kaiba, Seto Kaiba''s brother!"


    "Seto Kaiba''s brother?" Everyone was shocked. "I think we''ve heard that Kaiba Corporation''s president, Seto Kaiba, has a younger brother."


    "So you came to duel Yugi to avenge your brother?" Hoshino scolded sternly. "Do you think you can achieve what your brother couldn''t?"


    "Besides, Yugi didn''t use any underhanded means to win; it was a fair duel."


    "But, but..." Mokuba''s voice turned tearful, and he looked like he was about to cry. "Ever since my brother lost to Yugi, he''s been acting strange. He''s no longer the confident brother he used to be."


    "And because of his loss and Pegasus'' schemes, Kaiba Corporation is on the brink of bankruptcy. If that happens, all of my brother built will lost." As he spoke, tears rolled down Mokuba''s cheeks. "And my brother left on a journey to find the heart of the cards, but we''ve lost contact with him. I don''t even know if he''s alive."


    Listening to Mokuba''s story, Hoshino felt a bit of sympathy and regretted her words earlier.


    "So, Yugi, I must defeat you! I must single-handedly revive Kaiba Entertainment Group!" Wiping his tears, Mokuba pointed angrily at Yugi.


    "Found him, here he is!" Just as Mokuba finished speaking, black-clad men ran over from a distance. "Sneaking out of the castle like that, what a headache."


    The burly men grabbed Mokuba, intending to take him back to Pegasus'' castle.


    "Let him go! What are you doing?" Realizing that something wrong on the situation, Yugi shouted to stop the black-clad men.


    "Mind your own business," the man sneered at Yugi.


    "Honda!" Jounouchi called to Honda, standing beside him. "Got it, Jounouchi."


    The two rushed at the man, skillfully knocking him down and rescuing Mokuba.


    "Impressive, you guys really are the legendary fighting duo," Hoshino clapped her hands.


    Though the men were well-trained, they were caught off guard. However, their counterattack was swift and agile.


    The three began to brawl.


    "Stop!" The Millennium Puzzle suddenly shone brightly, and the Pharaoh''s (Yami Yugi''s) roar stunned the three combatants.


    "Fighting won''t solve anything," the Pharaoh pointed at the man. "I challenge you to a duel!"


    Hoshino, confused, asked, "How is that going to solve anything???"( because it''s Yu-Gi-Oh)

 Chapter 18 - 18

    **Two days ago, at a seaside villa**


    In a room filled with various high-tech devices, everything might look chaotic, but to Seto Kaiba, it was perfectly organized. Fiddling with the machinery in his hands, Kaiba had one unwavering belief.


    "Defeat Yugi! I''m not just fighting for myself; I carry the entire Kaiba Corporation and Mokuba''s future on my back." Looking at the device he was about to complete, Kaiba smiled with satisfaction.


    The device, which resembled a disk, was a portable dueling device Kaiba had poured all his energy into and spent a week developing.


    "Fighting to protect the heart of the cards." Kaiba admired the device in his hands. "This new system functions as a supercomputer, allowing duels anytime, anywhere. If I can complete this, at least I can face Yugi on equal terms."


    "With this device, I''ll surely save Kaiba Entertainment Group from its crisis. This device will the new era for Duel Monsters!" Thinking this, Kaiba couldn''t help but laugh. "How about it, Yugi? I can go this far to protect others too."


    Although immersed in his new device, Kaiba''s keen senses hadn''t dulled. The hurried and chaotic footsteps at the door alerted Kaiba, so he quickly put the device into his briefcase.


    With a loud "Bang!", the room''s door was kicked open by two men in black suits wearing sunglasses.


    "Don''t move!" one of the men in black warned Kaiba, raising his gun. "Seto Kaiba, come with us!"


    "Understood." Kaiba stood up calmly. "Even if I said no, you wouldn''t agree, would you?"


    Seeing Kaiba''s compliance, the men in black smiled smugly.


    But in the next moment, a sharp glint flashed in Kaiba''s eyes. He kicked the chair in front of him with all his might, sending it flying at the men in black.


    Caught off guard by the flying chair, the men in black momentarily panicked. Kaiba seized this moment of confusion and prepared to escape through the window.


    "Damn it!" Furious, one of the men in black fired at Kaiba, but the bullets were blocked by Kaiba''s sturdy briefcase.


    "Pegasus, you''re a thousand years too early to catch me, hahahahaha." Leaving behind a trail of laughter, Kaiba leaped out of the window.


    Outside the window was a seaside cliff, its towering height leading to the raging sea below. A normal person would surely die jumping from such a height.


    The men in black searched Kaiba''s room hastily and found that all items related to the new device had been taken by Kaiba. Their only find was Kaiba''s deck, left behind in his hurried escape.


    "Interesting, you want to duel me?" The man in black wearing sunglasses smirked at the Pharaoh pointing at him.


    "Although I''m not supposed to participate in duels, it''s no problem." The man in black let go of Jounouchi''s collar. "I can arrange someone to duel you, Yugi Mutou."


    "A substitute duel?"


    "Come with me. I''ve already arranged a duelist."


    "How does he know Yugi''s name?" Hoshino thought suspiciously. "And this feels too much like a trap waiting for Yugi to fall into."


    After about a ten-minute walk, the group followed the man in black to a designated spot. A dueling platform was already set up, and a duelist stood waiting, validating Hoshino''s bad feeling.


    "Been waiting for you, Yugi Mutou." The man in black couldn''t hold back his laughter. "Your opponent is this person."


    "!!!" Everyone looked at the duelist on the platform in shock. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Kaiba... Mokuba?!" Yugi said in disbelief.


    "That''s right, Yugi. You are about to duel Seto Kaiba," the man in black straightened his posture and placed his hands behind his back, mimicking a referee. "No, to be precise, you will duel the spirit of Seto Kaiba."


    "Seto Kaiba''s spirit?"


    "Literally. Seto Kaiba no longer exists in this world. He died resenting you, and now the one standing there is his spirit."


    "What?!"


    The silent "Kaiba" on stage finally lifted his head, revealing his face hidden in the shadows: "Yes, Yugi. I was driven to my death by you. After losing to you, I saw no way out and chose to end my life."


    The familiar face was undoubtedly Seto Kaiba.


    "That''s impossible! My brother isn''t so weak-minded. He wouldn''t die over something like this!" Mokuba refused to believe the person in front of him was his brother''s spirit.


    "Mokuba, I am dead. I came back because of my resentment. I want to avenge myself on Yugi Mutou with a bloody duel!" The "Kaiba" on stage grew increasingly hysterical, pointing at the Pharaoh: "It was you, Yugi. You drove me to my death. You must bear this sin."


    "Kaiba..." Two drops of sweat fell from the Pharaoh''s face, "Did I really drive you to your death? Did I make a mistake back then?"


    "Come on, Yugi. Step onto this platform. I will defeat you with my Blue-Eyes White Dragon deck from hell!" With that, Kaiba placed his deck on the table.


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon..." Hearing this, even Mokuba couldn''t argue anymore. It was well-known that the only three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in the world were in Kaiba''s possession. If this person could summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, claiming he was Kaiba''s spirit wasn''t implausible.


    The Pharaoh understood the implication. Though he didn''t show it outwardly, his slightly trembling hands revealed that deep down, he feared he had driven Kaiba to his death.


    "What''s wrong, Yugi? Will you accept the duel, or will you back out?" The man in black pressed Yugi, giving him no room to breathe.


    Yugi took a deep breath and steadied himself: "Alright, I will..."


    "You''re walking right into a trap, Yugi." Hoshino stopped Yugi from stepping onto the platform. "Seto Kaiba, I''ve never met him, but if this coward is supposed to be Seto Kaiba, he doesn''t seem impressive at all."


    "I''ll go. I''ll expose this impostor''s true identity." Hoshino''s determination grew. She knew the person in front of her wasn''t the real Seto Kaiba.


    "Hoshino..." The Pharaoh saw Hoshino''s resolute expression, and the confusion from his guilt over Kaiba''s death began to clear.


    "Yeah, someone like this could never be the real Seto Kaiba." The Pharaoh''s confident smile returned. "Sorry, Hoshino, I couldn''t see through this. How embarrassing."


    Feeling relieved to see the Pharaoh regaining his composure, Hoshino placed her deck on the table.


    "I will tear off your false mask, fake Kaiba!"

 Chapter 19 - 19

    "Who exactly is this girl?" Sitting in front of the screen, Pegasus held a glass of red wine and asked the butler behind him. The screen displayed the scene of Hoshino dueling Seto Kaiba''s spirit in place of Yugi.


    Seto Kaiba''s spirit, sent by Pegasus'' company, Industrial Illusions, as the first duelist, was meant to defeat Yugi Mutou. As soon as he defeated Yugi, Industrial Illusions could take over all of Kaiba Corporation''s shares in one go.


    Being interrupted by an unknown girl annoyed Pegasus, even though defeating Yugi was only a matter of time. The sooner he took over Kaiba Corporation, the sooner he could profit from it. For an international company like Kaiba Corporation, the profit generated every minute after a takeover was unimaginable.


    "She appears to be just an ordinary high school girl," the butler bowed deeply. "I had someone investigate when she defeated Ryota Kajiki, but we couldn''t find any information on Hoshino Chiyuki."


    "We don''t know why she was invited to the Kingdom or why she is close to Yugi. It''s all a unknown." The butler''s face showed regret. With Industrial Illusions'' extensive information network, they could usually find detailed information on anyone, including their birthplace, residence, and even relationships with relatives and friends.


    "Oh? No information at all?" Pegasus played with his wine glass with interest. "But seeing her helping Yugi-boy, she''s definitely not on our side."


    "Then crush her without hesitation. Ordinary duelists are no match for our trained duelist from Industrial Illusions." Taking a sip of wine, a sharp glint flashed in Pegasus'' eyes. "If she does win, find a way to bring her to me. I''m very interested."


    "If she can win... hahaha." Even Pegasus found this notion amusing.


    "I''m already dead." The fake Kaiba''s deep voice echoed in the open space. "I can''t forgive. I''m wandering in hell, and I''ll drag you and Yugi down with me."


    "Shut up, you fake! You think I''ll be shaken by ghost stories?" While most girls might fear ghosts and spirits, Hoshino wasn''t one of them. With her knowledge of the anime world, she had long turned such specters into cute characters in her mind.


    "We''ll see if you can say that after you beat my deck." The fake Kaiba lowered his head again, obscuring his expression.


    "Even if you can mimic my brother''s face, you can''t mimic his deck," Mokuba, from the audience, still refused to believe his brother was dead.


    "Duel start! Seto Kaiba vs. Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "My turn, draw!" The fake Kaiba''s gloomy voice sent chills down the audience''s spine.


    "I summon Cyclops in attack position. Then I set one card and end my turn."


    [Cyclops¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Beast-Warrior]


    A green Cyclops roared onto the field.


    "Cyclops..." Yugi and Mokuba''s expressions tensed up.


    "If I remember correctly, Kaiba''s deck does have this card," Yugi said to Mokuba.


    "Even so, it doesn''t mean it''s my brother," Mokuba argued, noting Cyclops wasn''t a rare card.


    "My turn, draw." Hoshino wasn''t disturbed by a mere Cyclops.


    "I summon Spartacus in attack position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Warrior/Effect]


    "Destroy the oppressor with my love!"


    "Great, it''s Hoshino''s signature monster," Jounouchi clenched his fists in excitement.


    "That''s not true! Spartacus isn''t my signature monster!" Hoshino blushed and shouted in denial at Jounouchi''s comment.


    "I''m a beautiful girl; how could Spartacus be my signature monster?" Although she thought this, she couldn''t deny that Spartacus was indeed very useful.


    "Spartacus, attack Cyclops."


    The two massive muscles clashed, producing a philosophical spark. Ultimately, Spartacus, with its 300 attack point advantage, crushed Cyclops.


    **Seto Kaiba LP¡ú3700**


    "I set one card and end my turn."


    "Heh, you''re quite brave to cut down a life point," the fake Kaiba seemed more pleased despite losing Cyclops. "My turn, draw!"


    "I activate the Spell Card, Polymerization! I fuse Minotaur and Centaur in my hand to special summon from the Extra Deck!" Kaiba sent three cards to the graveyard, causing the once-calm field to stir.


    **[Polymerization Spell Card Effect: Send Fusion Material Monsters listed on a Fusion Monster Card from your hand or field to the Graveyard, and Special Summon that Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.]**


    "Come forth, one of my strongest beasts, Minotaur-Centaur!" With Kaiba''s gloomy voice, a bizarre creature with a bull''s head and a horse''s body appeared.


    **[Minotaur-Centaur¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Beast-Warrior]**


    "What''s a Fusion card, Yugi?" Jounouchi asked as the high-star monster appeared.


    "It''s a useful Spell Card that allows summoning high-star monsters without tributes," Yugi explained patiently. "Depending on the Fusion Monster, it can bring effects that can turn the tide."


    "That''s a powerful card," Jounouchi understood. "Hoshino, don''t lose!" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Now I activate the Equip Spell Card, Megamorph!" Kaiba continued his offensive.


    **[Megamorph Equip Spell Card Effect: If your LP are lower than your opponent''s, the equipped monster''s ATK becomes double its original ATK. If your LP are higher, the equipped monster''s ATK becomes half its original ATK.]**


    "Since my LP is 300 lower than yours, Minotaur-Centaur''s attack doubles," Kaiba laughed. "You thought you were cutting down my life points, but it was intentional! Minotaur-Centaur, attack Spartacus."


    **Minotaur-Centaur ATK¡ú4000**


    The enlarged Minotaur-Centaur''s axe seemed capable of splitting the heavens. Even the massive Spartacus looked small in comparison.


    **Spartacus was destroyed. Hoshino Chiyuki LP¡ú1500**


    "I activate Spartacus'' effect!" **[When Spartacus is destroyed by battle, restore 500 LP and deal 500 damage to your opponent.]**


    **Hoshino Chiyuki LP¡ú2000 Seto Kaiba LP¡ú3200**


    "Turn end." Kaiba looked smug after gaining a significant lead.


    Seeing this, Mokuba was stunned. "This person''s deck is exactly like my brother''s." Mokuba, who knew his brother''s deck inside out, was shocked.


    "So what!" Hoshino shouted from the platform. "If you don''t believe your brother is alive, who else will?"


    "Seto Kaiba would never play such a child play combo!"

 Chapter 20 - 20

    "Seto Kaiba would never make such a child play combo!" Hoshino wasn''t intimidated by the powerful attack; instead, she felt a bit disdainful towards the fake Kaiba.


    "My turn, draw!"


    "Since my LP is now lower than yours, the reverse effect of Megamorph activates, reducing Minotaur-Centaur''s attack power by half!" Despite the seemingly powerful attack, it had no follow-through. Hoshino was convinced the duelist in front of her didn''t have Kaiba''s skill level.


    **[Minotaur-Centaur ATK¡ú1000]**


    "I summon Heroic Spirit ¨C Cu Chulainn in attack position!" Hoshino placed the monster card on the table, and a long-lance-wielding warrior materialized on the field.


    **[Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light][Warrior/Effect]**


    "Cu Chulainn, attack Minotaur-Centaur!"


    "Huh? Such a small opponent? This will be easy," Cu Chulainn smirked as he thrust his spear at the now miniaturized Minotaur-Centaur.


    "Hahaha, did you really think I will let you do that?" Kaiba''s maniacal laughter continued, "Activate the set card, Trap Card: Magic Cylinder!"


    "Tsk! It''s the Magic Cylinder Trap Card!" Seeing the set card flip open, Hoshino realized she was in trouble.


    **[Magic Cylinder Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate the attack, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK.]**


    Cu Chulainn''s spear, which was meant for Minotaur-Centaur, struck Hoshino instead.


    **Hoshino Chiyuki LP¡ú400**


    "Sorry, Master, I didn''t mean to," Cu Chulainn apologized to Hoshino.


    "It''s not your fault, it''s my mistake for not considering the opponent''s trap card," Hoshino regretted her carelessness as her LP rapidly decreased. She had underestimated this fake Kaiba.


    "Hahahahaha! Our Industrial Illusions duelist are rigorously trained in tactics and psychology, far beyond ordinary duelists," Pegasus, watching with satisfaction, said, "I overestimated Hoshino-girl. She''s probably just a nobody using a fake name."


    "I set one card and end my turn." Hoshino took a few deep breaths to regain her composure. Although she was down to 400 LP, having Cu Chulainn on the field gave her some reassurance.


    "My turn, draw!" Kaiba saw Hoshino''s 400 LP as an easy target, thinking she was just a girl with rare cards but no real skill.


    "I activate the Spell Card, Pot of Greed." Kaiba felt lucky, as Pot of Greed was the perfect card to replenish his hand.


    **[Pot of Greed Spell Card Effect: Draw 2 cards from your Deck.]**


    **Seto Kaiba''s remaining hand: 3 cards**


    "Good, very good!" Kaiba was pleased with his replenished hand. "Witness the power of the spirit of Seto Kaiba!"


    "I activate the Spell Card, Brain Control!" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    **[Brain Control Spell Card Effect: Pay 800 LP, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls that can be Normal Summoned/Set; take control of that target until the End Phase.]**


    **Seto Kaiba LP¡ú2400**


    "Brain Control!" Yugi''s eyes widened. "She was counting on Cu Chulainn to survive this turn. I hope her two set cards can save her."


    Cu Chulainn, who was on Hoshino''s field, began to walk towards Kaiba with a twisted expression.


    "Oy..What''s happening, Master? My body is completely out of control."


    Although he joked, Cu Chulainn''s expression turned fierce, "I''m in great condition. Let me stab that woman again!"


    Hoshino was caught off guard by Cu Chulainn''s sudden betrayal, especially after he had just attacked her due to Magic Cylinder. Now, he was ready to attack again.


    But Cu Chulainn didn''t get the chance to act. His body, along with Minotaur-Centaur, began to dissolve into a white light. Hoshino knew this was the effect of a high-level monster being summoned as a tribute.


    "What''s happening?" Cu Chulainn looked at his disappearing form in confusion, "Wait¡­why it''s always happening to me."(Lancer''s ga shinda!!)


    Silently watching Cu Chulainn''s sacrifice, Hoshino thought to herself, "No matter where you go, you''re always dies, Lancer."


    "Using these two monsters as sacrifices, I summon!" Kaiba dramatically raised his card, "The one that destroys everything, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    A massive white dragon burst into the sky, its wings blocking out the sun, its roar shaking the earth, symbolizing destruction itself.


    **[Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light][Dragon]**


    **--------- Meanwhile**


    Kaiba Corporation headquarters was heavily guarded by Pegasus'' men. Not just the headquarters, but all branches worldwide were under tight security, preventing Seto Kaiba from approaching Kaiba Corporation.


    But the saying "a cunning rabbit has three burrows" applies to Seto Kaiba. Carrying his familiar briefcase, Kaiba entered an unassuming underground garage. At the deepest part of the cold, eerie garage was an old iron door with a brand-new combination lock.(TL:That''s the first time I heard that saying)


    "Please enter the password." The electronic synthesized voice spoke before Kaiba even touched the lock.


    "Activate iris recognition." Kaiba widened his eyes, maintaining a calm demeanor.


    "Iris recognition complete. Welcome, President Kaiba." The machine seemed to recognize him, adding a touch of respect to its cold tone.


    The iron door slowly opened, revealing half a meter of black alloy behind the old exterior. Such robust defenses couldn''t be breached by ordinary force, making this the ultimate safe haven of Kaiba Corporation.


    Inside, large precision instruments lined the vast walls. Kaiba tossed his briefcase aside and casually sat at the computer, tapping on the keyboard.


    "Tell me what happened while I was away." Realizing the situation was dire, Kaiba needed the latest information.


    Following Kaiba''s command, the machine detailed all recent events involving Kaiba Corporation, including Pegasus'' collusion with the board to acquire Kaiba Corporation, Mokuba''s abduction to Duelist Kingdom, the condition of defeating Yugi Mutou to finalize the acquisition, and Yugi''s participation in the Duelist Kingdom tournament.


    "Supercomputer, connect to the holographic projection satellite and search for Yugi Mutou''s duel on Duelist Kingdom island." Kaiba continued to issue commands. Although he was worried about Mokuba''s safety, he knew Pegasus wouldn''t harm him as long as he needed the key. The priority was to prevent Yugi from being defeated.


    "Search failed. Duelist Yugi Mutou is an A-Class encrypted option. Only entities with ownership rights over Duelist Kingdom, such as Industrial Illusions, can access this data."


    "Damn you, Pegasus. You''ve covered all your bases," Kaiba angrily pounded the table. "But I''m not so easily outwitted. Open all data on Duelist Kingdom''s holographic monster projections."


    Although Yugi''s data was encrypted, as the company developing holographic monster cards, Kaiba Corporation received all data on holographic monsters sent back to their supercomputer.


    "There are currently 12 ongoing duels on Duelist Kingdom island, with 28 holographic monsters in play. Generating a list for you."


    Kaiba''s plan was simple: locate Yugi by identifying his common monsters, like Dark Magician or Curse of Dragon.


    To his surprise, the first monster that appeared on the list was a name he knew all too well: "Blue-Eyes White Dragon."

 Chapter 21 - 21

    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it really is the Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Kaiba''s face showed an expression of disbelief. "Pegasus, you''re something else, using my deck in the tournament."


    "Wait a minute, pause the screen and zoom in on that section." Kaiba noticed figures resembling Yugi and Mokuba in the corner of the screen. As the zoomed-in image became clearer, it confirmed his suspicion.


    "It seems that girl dueling the fake ''me'' is a companion of Yugi," Kaiba''s intelligence was indeed extraordinary; with just a bit of information, he deduced a lot.


    "What a shame. That girl has no chance of winning against Blue-Eyes White Dragon. It looks like her journey in Duelist Kingdom ends here." Kaiba''s words were devoid of any emotion, as to him, Hoshino was just like any random passerby.


    "Once that girl is defeated, it''ll be Yugi''s turn." Kaiba smirked at the irony. "Sacrificing herself to verify the fake Kaiba''s identity is a futile effort. Even if this person uses my deck, they can''t defeat Yugi Mutou, who possesses the Exodia."


    "Alert: Yugi Mutou has lost the Exodia"


    "What?! Yugi Mutou has lost..." Kaiba couldn''t believe his ears, but he knew the supercomputer had no reason to lie.


    "Can Yugi still defeat Blue-Eyes White Dragon without Exodia?"


    **Familiar transition**


    **Current situation:**


    **Hoshino Chiyuki LP:** 400, no monsters, 2 set cards, 3 cards in hand


    **Seto Kaiba LP:** 2400, Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field, no set cards, 1 card in hand


    **[Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light][Dragon]** [ ATK:3000DEF:2500]


    "It''s the real Blue-Eyes White Dragon. This really is my brother''s deck. Could it be that my brother really is..." Mokuba, feeling despair, knelt on the ground.


    "Submit to absolute power! Blue-Eyes White Dragon, direct attack on that girl." With the fake Kaiba''s command, the massive energy of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s attack gathered in its mouth, "Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    "This is the grudge of Seto Kaiba from hell!" The fake Kaiba laughed, waiting for Hoshino''s life points to drop to zero.


    However, they didn''t. **Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 400**


    "Negate Attack, you should be familiar with it." Hoshino activated her set trap card, feeling relieved that the trap card she added to her deck on a whim had saved her.


    **[Negate Attack Counter Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate the attack, then end the Battle Phase.]**


    A massive vortex absorbed the destructive Burst Stream of Destruction, nullifying it.


    "Tch, a stalling tactic." Kaiba''s excitement turned to calm.


    "Hoshino..." Anzu helped the kneeling Mokuba to his feet, looking worried.


    "What are you afraid of? Are you scared of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Hoshino shouted at the crying Mokuba. "I, as a duelist facing the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, am not afraid. Why are you crying?"


    "I summon Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash in attack position!"


    **[Heroic Spirit - Arash¡ï¡ï Wind][Fairy/Effect][ ATK:300DEF:300]


    "Hey, Master, long time no see." Arash''s familiar and yet unfamiliar face appeared on the field. Ever since Hoshino reached bond level 10 with Arash two years ago, she had retired him (actually to avoid losing bond points).(TL: to much Stella)


    It had been a long time since Hoshino heard Arash''s steady and reliable voice, and she smiled inwardly.


    "I activate Arash''s special effect!"


    "Eh?! After finally appearing again, I have to use my Noble Phantasm immediately without even a greeting?" Despite his complaints, Arash showed no hesitation.


    "Well, as long as it''s for Master, I''ll do it as many times as needed." Arash smiled slightly, drawing his bow.


    "After all, I am the great hero who ends wars!"


    **[When your LP is 2000 or lower than your opponent''s, you can activate this effect by banishing Arash from the field. Destroy all cards on the field.]**


    "I also activate the set card, Holy Sacrifice!"


    **[Holy Sacrifice Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: When a monster is banished from your field, you can activate this card. Gain 1000 LP for each banished monster and add one "Heroic Spirit" card from your deck to your hand.]**


    **Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 400¡ú1400**


    As foretold, the ultimate shot of a full-power arrow.


    Regardless of the conflict, it could instantly end, akin to its literal name, "Stella."


    Many can shoot stars down, but only one can shatter stars.


    "May you bear witness.Stella!!!"


    The brilliance of the shooting star streaked across the sky, a colossal energy like a meteor falling from space, engulfing the entire field.


    "What? Such massive light!" The duel platform was engulfed in a huge explosion and dazzling light, making it impossible for Yugi and his friends to see what was happening.


    **...**


    "Signal lost, signal lost." The screen before Pegasus went black. Pegasus, who had been elegantly sipping wine, seemed petrified.


    "A world-shaking attack, with such a terrifying effect." Swallowing his wine with difficulty, Pegasus'' gaze became sharper. "This duel has become increasingly interesting."


    **...**


    "Lost target lock, lost target lock." The supercomputer in front of Seto Kaiba similarly lost visual on the field.


    "What kind of terrifying effect is that?" Kaiba grew nervous. As someone who developed the holographic duel monster projection technology, even he couldn''t imagine such effects from holographic projections.


    "Who exactly is Hoshino Chiyuki, and why is she close to Yugi Mutou?" Kaiba wasn''t idiot; he couldn''t treat Hoshino as a mere passerby after witnessing such a scene.


    **...** Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The dust gradually settled, and the field slowly became visible again.


    "How about that, Mokuba?" From behind the smoke, Hoshino, appearing unscathed, gave Mokuba a thumbs up. "I''ve taken care of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon you were afraid of."


    "That''s not, that''s not how it is." Though shaken by the effects, Mokuba still remembered his brother, tears in his eyes. "The one using Blue-Eyes White Dragon must be my brother..."


    "You think the one using Blue-Eyes White Dragon must be your brother? Then look at my field!"


    Standing tall on Hoshino''s monster zone was a roaring Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    And the spell card Hoshino had just used: **Monster Reborn.**


    "I''m using Blue-Eyes White Dragon now. Does that mean I''m Seto Kaiba?"


    "Dummy Hoshino," Mokuba, no longer crying, laughed at Hoshino''s logic.


    Though her reasoning was shameless, bordering on sophistry, Hoshino wanted to encourage Mokuba, to tell him this truth:


    No matter what card the opponent uses, you must believe your brother is still alive.

 Chapter 22 - 22

    "Even though I''ve given up on pursuing you, I still hope you''ll remember me. If you think of me whenever you see this card, I''ll be satisfied."


    Monster Reborn, the magic card gifted to Hoshino by Ryota Kajiki at their farewell. Hoshino had personally experienced its powerful effect. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Thank you, Yota." Hoshino looked at the card with a hint of gratitude. The hero who turned the tide, and the Monster Reborn that resurrected Blue-Eyes White Dragon, were both essential pieces for victory.


    "No way, you actually revived my Blue-Eyes White Dragon." The huge contrast was too much for the fake Kaiba to accept. He frantically scratched at his face, causing his mask to start peeling off from the excessive force.


    "Hmph, revive your Blue-Eyes White Dragon? Dream on." Hoshino sneered, looking at the imposter as if he were trash. "I revived Seto Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Not one stolen by a thief like you!"


    "I am Seto Kaiba! I''m really dead!" The fake Kaiba, despite Hoshino''s ridicule, continued to deny it. "Mokuba! I''m already dead, don''t you feel sad?"


    "You can''t fool me anymore!" Mokuba began shouting at the fake from the audience. "Big sister Hoshino''s actions have shown me that you could never be my brother!"


    "Look at your own ugly face." With half of his human mask peeling off, the distorted and hideous face underneath was fully revealed. "Don''t get too caught up in your act, Faker!"


    "Let me show you the real anger of Seto Kaiba!" Hoshino roared, pointing at the fake Kaiba. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, direct attack on the scum pretending to be your true master!"


    The Blue-Eyes White Dragon seemed to understand Hoshino''s words. It roared and took flight. Instead of its usual direct attack, it flew straight toward the imposter, as if venting its anger, its massive maw wide open.


    "Take this! Point-blank Burst Stream of Destruction!" The immense energy burst right in front of the imposter. Even as a virtual image, the effects of the Burst Stream of Destruction were incredibly shocking from a distance. The point-blank blast was powerful enough to knock out a normal person instantly.


    The imposter, already mentally unstable, couldn''t withstand the shock. In the blinding white light, he foamed at the mouth, eyes rolling back, completely unconscious.


    **Seto Kaiba LP ¡ú 0**


    "Duel victory, the winner is Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "We... we won!" The stunning effects left everyone in the audience speechless.


    "So cool!" Mokuba looked at Hoshino on stage with stars in his eyes. It was a feeling of admiration and awe, just like the first time he watched his brother duel.


    **...**


    "How can virtual reality images achieve such effects?" Seto Kaiba, in front of his supercomputer, wore an expression of disbelief.


    First, The hero''s stella shot interfered with the satellite signal. Then, the circling Blue-Eyes White Dragon, seemingly expressing its own anger, unleashed a point-blank Burst Stream of Destruction, knocking out the imposter.


    "That''s impossible. I never programmed the Blue-Eyes White Dragon with such actions." As the developer of the holographic duel monster projection system, Kaiba knew that all the Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s animation data were created by him. He never designed the dragon to have such a terrifying, reality-affecting effect.


    "Could it be that cards really do have their own spirits?" Kaiba seemed to understand something and smiled knowingly. This seemed like the most reasonable explanation.


    **...**


    "This is so interesting!" Pegasus threw away his wine glass as if he had seen a long-sought treasure. "Hoshino-girl has interesting abilities."


    "I want to meet Hoshino-girl. Send someone to bring her to me." Pegasus ordered his aide excitedly.


    "Yes!" The butler, who had served Pegasus for many years, was puzzled. Normally calm and seemingly all-knowing, Pegasus was now agitated over an apparently ordinary girl.


    "No! No, no, no!" Suddenly feeling this might not be appropriate, Pegasus shook his hand. "Even without your help, with her abilities, Hoshino-girl will surely come to Duelist Kingdom castle to see me herself."


    "Track Hoshino-girl''s duels for the next 24 hours. I want to watch every one of her duels!" Pegasus, regaining his composure, adjusted his hair, which had been messed up in his excitement.


    "Yes!"


    **...**


    <Victory detected. Assessing duelist level.>


    Although Hoshino hadn''t dueled in Yugi''s place for Saint Quartz, getting some as a reward was certainly a bonus.


    "Ah, I almost forgot." Hoshino remembered she still had an SSR summon ticket to use.


    "Who will be my first SSR? I''m getting a bit excited just thinking about it." Joyful from her victory, Hoshino felt her fatigue vanish, her steps lighter as she walked off the stage.


    "Big sister Hoshino!" Mokuba suddenly threw himself into Hoshino''s arms, wiping his eyes.


    Hoshino, expecting a familiar hug from Anzu, was caught off guard by Mokuba, making her a bit flustered.


    "Thank you for defeating that imposter." Mokuba, only as tall as Hoshino''s waist, buried his face in her abdomen and cried loudly, "Thank you for telling me my brother is still alive. Thank you for believing in him."


    Seeing Mokuba like this, Hoshino smiled with maternal affection. "After all, he''s still just a kid."


    She reached out and ruffled Mokuba''s thick hair gently. "Get off! You''re wiping your snot on my clothes!"


    Pushing the bewildered Mokuba away, Hoshino then embraced Anzu. "A girl''s hug is still the best, the perfect cure after an intense duel."


    The sudden push left Mokuba in a daze, stopping his tears.


    "Big sister Hoshino..." Mokuba''s cheeks turned red, "Big sister Hoshino, you''re so cool!"


    Enjoying Anzu''s scent, Hoshino couldn''t have imagined she''d just gained a devoted fan, one who came from a wealthy family.

 Chapter 23 - 23

    Stepping over the unconscious imposter, Yugi walked onto the platform and picked up the deck on the table. "Is this Seto Kaiba''s deck?"


    "Kaiba can''t even take care of his own deck?" Jounouchi quipped as he approached.


    "A duelist''s deck is equivalent to their life. I believe Kaiba, who values dueling above all else, wouldn''t lose his deck so easily." Yugi analyzed with a serious expression.


    "So, even though this spirit of Kaiba is a fake, the real Kaiba''s fate is still unknown?" Anzu and Honda also gathered around.


    "No, Kaiba wouldn''t be defeated so easily." Hoshino began to analyze, "As the president of Kaiba Corporation, rising from a street kid to his current position, Kaiba''s meticulous person. He must be facing some unsolvable problem, which is why he hasn''t appeared yet. But he will definitely come here eventually."


    Hoshino glanced at Mokuba in the audience to back up her certainty that Kaiba would return.


    "For now, we''ll keep Kaiba''s deck safe." Yugi planned, putting Kaiba''s deck in his pocket. "I''ll return it to him personally next time I see him."


    "Hey, where''s Mokuba?" Hoshino looked around from the platform but couldn''t see Mokuba anywhere on the vast grassland. "Could it be¡­?"


    After confirming multiple times, Hoshino was sure of her guess. "Mokuba is missing!"


    "Damn it, even that man in black is gone." Jounouchi jumped off the platform in frustration. "He must have taken Mokuba."


    "Let''s split up and search." Agreeing with Yugi''s suggestion, everyone scattered.


    **.....**


    **At dusk**


    "Did you find him?" Judging by Yugi''s expression, he hadn''t had any luck.


    Everyone else had similar expressions, bringing no good news.


    "Damn it, we can''t find him anywhere." Jounouchi punched a nearby tree in frustration.


    "He must have been taken to Pegasus''s castle." Looking at the castle bathed in the sunset, Yugi muttered.


    "We have to find a way to save Mokuba, or Pegasus will use the Millennium Eye to steal his soul." Anzu shivered at the thought of Yugi''s grandfather''s fate.


    "I couldn''t find him either." Hoshino, who returned a bit later, was bent over, panting heavily. After almost nonstop dueling all day and searching for Mokuba, she was near her limit. Except for the grilled fish Yuta had given her in the morning, she hadn''t had anything to eat or drink all day.


    Seeing Hoshino''s weakened state, everyone felt sympathy.


    "It''s getting late. Continuing the search would be too dangerous. We need to find a place to rest." Jounouchi, concerned about the exhausted Hoshino, suggested. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Jounouchi is right. The forest is too dangerous at night. If we get lost, we''re done for." Supporting Hoshino, Anzu agreed with Jounouchi''s suggestion.


    "Is there any water? I''m so thirsty." Hoshino, leaning on Anzu, finally managed to speak. Going without food for a day might be bearable, but not drinking water for a day was excruciating.


    "Shh, I think I hear water flowing." Yugi closed his eyes, quietly sensing the environment.


    Everyone fell silent at Yugi''s words, afraid of disturbing him. Finding a stream or other water source and resting nearby would solve their immediate crisis.


    "This way, follow me." Confirming the direction, Yugi gestured and led the group.


    Hearing there was water to drink, Hoshino, who had been on the verge of collapse, regained some energy and followed Yugi with Anzu''s help.


    After about a minute''s walk, they spotted a clear stream dyed red by the sunset.


    "It''s water, thank goodness!" Finding a water source before dark, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Yugi, you''re our savior." Honda patted Yugi''s back hard in praise.


    Hoshino cupped her hands and drank the water. Three days ago, she never would have imagined she''d be so moved just to have a drink of water.


    "Gulp, gulp, gulp~" Drinking the stream water from her hands, Hoshino felt reborn. "So good, I''ve never had such delicious water."


    "It''s really good." Anzu praised after taking a sip.


    "Revived!" Jounouchi wiped his mouth and shouted.


    Water truly is essential for humans. The four, who had been worried moments ago, now looked content.


    "Grrr~" A mysterious cute sound came from Hoshino''s stomach, drawing everyone''s attention. Hoshino blushed as red as the sunset behind her.


    When one need is met, another arises. After quenching their thirst, their hunger became more pronounced.


    Seeing Hoshino bow her head in embarrassment, everyone couldn''t help but laugh.


    "We haven''t eaten all day, and we''re all hungry." Anzu patted Hoshino''s head to comfort her.


    "But it''s almost dark. Where will we find food?" Jounouchi asked.


    Yugi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We could find mushrooms in the forest, but we can''t identify which are edible, and we don''t have a fire source. Eating raw mushrooms isn''t an option."


    "A fire source." Honda''s expression darkened. "As it gets darker, we need fire not only to cook food but also to provide warmth and light, and to ward off wild animals."


    "Wild animals?!" Hearing Honda, Hoshino clung tightly to Anzu. "Are there really wild animals in this forest? We didn''t see any during the day."


    "Some animals are nocturnal hunters," Jounouchi added.


    "Hey, don''t scare Hoshino!" Anzu petted the trembling Hoshino. "Don''t be scared. There can''t be wild animals on this artificial island."


    "Haha, true." Jounouchi laughed and struck a boxer''s pose. "Even if there are, I''ll protect you, Hoshino."


    Just as Jounouchi finished speaking, the bushes behind them rustled, and mysterious lights slowly approached from the forest''s depths.


    "C-could it be wild animals? I heard their eyes glow at night." Hoshino clung to Anzu tighter, her fear making her stammer.


    "What kind of monster do you think can scare the great Jounouchi?" Jounouchi picked up a stick and waved it confidently, not wanting to lose face in front of Hoshino.


    As the lights came closer, everyone gulped nervously.


    "Rustle¡­" With the sound of rustling leaves, a young boy with snow-white hair and a delicate face emerged from the forest, holding a flashlight.


    "Bakura?!"

 Chapter 24 - 24

    "Bakura?!" Yugi and his friends were surprised to see the boy emerge from the forest.


    "Who is he?" Now that she knew it wasn''t a wild animal, Hoshino was no longer as scared.


    "He''s a classmate from our school," Anzu explained to Hoshino, who was still in her arms.


    "I heard familiar voices, so I slowly made my way over." Bakura smiled. "It really is you guys; I''m glad I wasn''t mistaken."


    Yugi noticed that Bakura wasn''t wearing a Duelist Glove. "Bakura, did you sneak in here too?"


    "Uh, yes¡­" Bakura looked away, as if hiding something.


    "So you''re here to cheer Yugi on!" The ever-oblivious Jounouchi slung an arm around Bakura''s shoulder.


    "The more friends supporting us, the better!" Honda was also delighted.


    "So, Bakura, do you have any food?" Hoshino, not knowing Bakura well but always straightforward, asked the most important question.


    Everyone suddenly went quiet, their eyes fixated on Bakura.


    "Well, food, um¡­" Nervously, Bakura reached into his backpack, feeling like he might be eaten if he didn''t produce any food.


    "Ah, here it is!" After some rummaging, Bakura pulled out several packets of instant curry.


    "My goodness!" Hoshino''s eyes widened. She had expected maybe some chocolate bars at best, but Bakura had brought out curry packets. The smaller the expectation, the greater the surprise.


    "Is this guy an angel?" Hoshino thought, wiping the drool from her mouth as she looked at Bakura, who was scratching his head shyly from all the praise.


    "But we only have instant curry. We don''t have a pot or fire to cook it," Anzu pointed out, pouring cold water on Hoshino''s excitement.


    "Right, fire is a pressing issue. It''s getting darker, and if we don''t make a fire, we won''t be able to see anything." Honda looked at the setting sun with concern.


    They were back to the original problem: without fire, spending the night in the forest would be too dangerous.


    "Um¡­"


    "I remember how Yuta made a fire! Let me try!" Jounouchi, recalling Yuta fire-making technique from that morning, found two dry sticks and started rubbing them together vigorously.


    After a while, the friction caused the sticks to emit white smoke.


    "We''ve got it! Quick, add dry grass!" Jounouchi called excitedly to Honda.


    "On it!" Honda quickly covered the smoking sticks with dry grass.


    But there was no flame, only smoke that slowly dissipated without igniting the grass.


    "It''s no use. Starting a fire in the wild is too difficult for amateurs like us." Exhausted, Jounouchi collapsed to the ground.


    "Are we really going to spend the night in this dark forest?" The sun had fully set, leaving the world in darkness.


    "Um¡­" Bakura timidly interrupted their discussion.


    "I have a lighter and a pot too."


    .....


    "Fire brings warmth, life, and hope to humanity. It lights up the darkness, drives away the cold, and¡­cooks our food!"


    "What are you mumbling about, Hoshino?" Anzu asked, watching Hoshino mutter to herself by the fire.


    Staring at the flickering flames, Hoshino reflected on the day''s events. It felt like a dream. If she fell asleep and woke up in her familiar room, she wouldn''t be surprised.


    "No, no, I decided to be a winner in this world. How can I get depressed after just one day?" Hoshino slapped her face lightly.


    Regaining her spirit, Hoshino smiled at Anzu. "Anzu, when will the curry be ready? I''m so hungry."


    Anzu chuckled, seeing Hoshino perk up a bit. "You glutton, the pot hasn''t even started boiling yet. It''ll be a while."


    "Ah, I see. Good food always takes time." Stretching, Hoshino lay down on the grass.


    Lying down, she took out her deck and started flipping through it.


    <System alert: you have two unread messages.> S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm? I haven''t checked the system alerts because of everything that''s been happening."


    "Open unread messages."


    <Unread Message ¢Ù: Duelist assessment complete. Duelist: Industrial Illusions Impersonator, Duelist Level B. Due to using Seto Kaiba''s deck, duel rewards increased: 45 + 15 Saint Quartz. Remaining Saint Quartz: 60.>


    "I have enough for two ten-pulls! This is amazing!" Hoshino looked at her remaining quartz with excitement, grinning widely.


    Anzu glanced at Hoshino, who was lying on the ground grinning, and hurried her curry stirring.


    <Unread Message ¢Ú:Only 5 hours remaining for the limited-time banner [Saint Quartz Summon (Limited Banner) Fuyuki Select Heroic Spirit Recommended Summon].>


    "The banner is ending so soon? Each banner only lasts about a day." Hoshino thought as she read the system message.


    "Open the card shop."


    <Since you have an SSR exclusive summon ticket, redirecting to SSR exclusive banner.>


    "SSR exclusive banner?" Hoshino opened the interface curiously. She had never heard of an SSR exclusive banner in all her years playing FGO.


    "Whoa!" She exclaimed at the dazzling display. "This, this¡­"


    "This banner is full of SSRs, from Artoria to Ozymandias, including all the limited SSRs!" Hoshino laughed more maniacally while lying on the ground.


    "And the best part is, this banner only has SSRs! This isn''t a banner, it''s paradise!"


    With a trembling hand, Hoshino pressed the summon button.


    <Do you want to use one SSR exclusive summon ticket?>


    "Yes!"


    Rainbow light burst forth! Hoshino knew an SSR was coming.


    "My first SSR, who will it be? I''m so excited, my heart is racing." Clutching her chest, Hoshino tried to keep calm.


    "I don''t have any SSRs, so I can''t lose with whoever comes! Come on!"


    The rainbow light faded, revealing Hoshino''s first SSR in this world.


    "Yay~ I''ve arrived! Shinsengumi''s First Unit Captain, Okita Souji! Master. My physical condition is as good as ever¡­ cough (blood spurt)!?"

 Chapter 25 - 25

    "Hey, are you okay, Okita-san?" Hoshino looked at the card in her hand. The initially energetic Okita suddenly started coughing up blood, making Hoshino unsure whether to laugh or cry at the dynamic card animation.


    "I''m fine, Master. I''m just too excited to see you." Okita wiped the remaining blood from her mouth skillfully and gave Hoshino an "all okay" gesture.


    "Well, that''s true. You do cough up blood often. You''ll be fine." Hoshino indifferently added Okita to her deck and reopened the summoning page.


    "It''s not fine! Okita-san is very sad! Please talk to me a bit more, Master~" Ignoring Okita''s fading voice, Hoshino began planning how to use the remaining 60 Saint Quartz.


    <[Saint Quartz Summon (Limited-Time Banner) Fuyuki Select Heroic Spirit Recommended Summon] (Time remaining: 4 hours)>


    "If the banner changes at midnight, then it''s already 8 PM." Hoshino looked up at the sky. Despite the starry night, it wasn''t completely dark thanks to the campfire.


    "Now, I have 60 Saint Quartz. Should I use them all to try for Artoria?" Hoshino was torn. With only 4 hours left for the Fuyuki banner and it already being night, there probably wouldn''t be any more duels tonight. These 60 Quartz were her last hope to summon Artoria.


    In the past, Hoshino would definitely go all out, thinking she could always buy more Quartz. But now, the significance of summoning had changed. She needed to improve her deck''s strength quickly. Although she wanted Artoria, she had already summoned most of the other Servants in the Fuyuki banner. From a strategic standpoint, waiting for the next day''s new banner would be better.


    "Why isn''t there a story banner? That would make this so much easier." Hoshino grumbled as she pressed the summon button. "Just one ten-pull, I swear I won''t do more."(That all it''s started)


    Perhaps because her previous summoning session was so unlucky, this time the system seemed to favor her. The first pull was golden.


    "Oh, oh, oh!" Hoshino''s excited exclamations made Anzu think she was delirious from hunger.


    "Roar!!!" Greece''s great hero, Heracles, appeared in Hoshino''s hand.


    "Wow, Berserker! This is great!" Hoshino thought about Heracles'' strength in FGO. He was a pseudo-SSR disguised as an SR, so he must be strong in Yu-Gi-Oh! as well.


    Although the rest of the ten-pull didn''t yield any more Servants, she got some useful spell cards. For instance, a **Pot of Greed** card was definitely worth adding to her deck.


    "Should I do another ten-pull while my luck is good..." Hoshino, who had just sworn not to do more, hesitated.


    "No, no, Hoshino! You need to control your gacha addiction! Are you going to be driven by your impulses forever? Do you really want to be the Duel King?" Staring at the tempting ten-pull option, Hoshino held back her right hand, continuously reminding herself.


    "I, Hoshino, am going to be the Duel King. I can endure what others can''t. Today, even if I have to break this hand, I won''t do another ten-pull!"


    **...**


    "Are you my Master?" As the golden light faded, Artoria''s familiar face appeared in Hoshino''s hand.


    "Artoria!"


    Hoshino finally succumbed to the temptation of summoning, happily looking at the card. Luckily, she had successfully summoned Artoria, the only remaining Servant in the Fuyuki banner she hadn''t yet acquired.


    "Master. Sorry to keep you waiting. I''m here to answer your call." Artoria''s initially serious expression softened into a warm smile. "It must be tough being alone in this world. Let me help you."


    Every time she summoned a Servant, it felt like reuniting with old friends, filling Hoshino''s heart with warmth. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After using up all her Saint Quartz, Hoshino sat up, feeling relieved, and started organizing her deck.


    "You''re so diligent, Hoshino. Staying up late to adjust your deck." Seeing Hoshino take out her deck, Honda slowly approached.


    "I''ve been curious about Hoshino''s deck for a long time. Let me see it." Jounouchi, always eager to join in, wasn''t going to miss this opportunity.


    "No way! Hmph~" Hoshino stuck out her tongue at Jounouchi and hid her deck behind her back. "This is my secret weapon. What if you leak it?"


    "What?! You think I''d do that?" Jounouchi, feeling deeply hurt, lowered his head.


    "It''s fine, Jounouchi. Some duelists don''t like showing their decks to others." Yugi joined in to console Jounouchi.


    "If you really want to see a deck, how about looking at mine?" Honda said, pulling out a bunch of cards from his pocket.


    "Honda, you play Duel Monsters too?" Jounouchi was surprised. He''d never seen Honda duel, even during school breaks.


    "Hahaha." Honda laughed awkwardly. "It was really popular back then, so I bought a few packs to try it out."


    "I have a deck too," Bakura chimed in, joining the group.


    "Me too," Anzu added from where she was cooking.


    "What? So everyone secretly brought their decks?" Seeing everyone pull out their decks, Jounouchi laughed happily.


    "I understand how everyone feels." Yugi said warmly. "After all, this is Duelist Kingdom."


    "That''s right! On this island, everyone''s hopes are tied to their cards," Hoshino added, earning nods of agreement.


    "So, Jounouchi, what''s your favorite card?" Bakura asked, sitting beside them.


    "That would be this one!" Jounouchi proudly pulled out his card. "Flame Swordsman!"


    "From now on, call me the Flame Swordsman!" Entering his chuunibyou mode, Jounouchi brandished his card like a sword.


    "This is my favorite!" Honda excitedly showed his card, **Command Knight**.


    "You two are such kids." Anzu couldn''t help but laugh at Jounouchi and Honda''s excitement.


    "What about you, Anzu? What''s your favorite card?" Yugi asked gently.


    "For me, it''s this one," Anzu said, holding up **Holy Magician**. "What about you, Yugi? What''s your favorite card?"


    "For me, it''s definitely this one." Yugi looked at his **Dark Magician** card, smiling brightly.


    "What about you, Hoshino? What''s your favorite card?" Everyone turned their attention to Hoshino.


    "Ah? Well..." Hoshino scratched her head, thinking.


    "It must be Spartacus, right?" Jounouchi answered for her.


    "No, it''s not!" Hoshino angrily punched Jounouchi''s head.


    "For me, it''s definitely this one." Hoshino pulled out her Mash card, her eyes filled with fondness.


    "Thinking back, Mash has been with me for many years, always my steadfast support."


    Seeing everyone share their favorite cards, Bakura''s expression briefly turned dark.

 Chapter 26 - 26

    "How about you, Bakura? Since you have your own deck, you must have a favorite card too." After learning Hoshino''s favorite card, Yugi turned to ask Bakura.


    "For me..." Bakura touched his deck and gently drew a magic card: "Change of Heart, this is my favorite card."


    "Huh? You actually like that kind of card." Jonouchi twitched his mouth, somewhat unable to understand Bakura''s preference.


    Anzu nudged Jonouchi with her elbow and whispered, "Don''t be like that, Jonouchi. Everyone has different preferences."


    "Yeah, yeah, there''s no rule that you have to like monster cards." Honda laughed, trying to smooth things over.


    "How about it, Yugi? Would you like to duel with me?" Bakura suddenly suggested. "Of course, it won''t be a star-stake duel, just a bit of entertainment before dinner."


    "Great idea!" Jonouchi spoke up before Yugi could respond.


    "Ever since we got to this island, it''s been all serious and tiring duels. How about a lighthearted duel to relax?" Honda seconded the idea.


    Seeing their expectant looks, Yugi naturally couldn''t refuse. After all, he also enjoyed playing cards with his friends.


    "I suggest an interesting rule: everyone puts their favorite card into Yugi''s deck. What do you think?" Bakura smiled innocently, asking for their opinions. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sounds fun." Jonouchi immediately put his Flame Swordsman into Yugi''s deck.


    "It looks like a lot of fun." Honda and Anzu followed suit, handing their cards to Yugi.


    Hoshino looked at the card in her hand, Mash, and hesitated for a moment. But seeing her friends'' enthusiastic eyes, she reluctantly handed Mash to Yugi.


    "Master, you better be careful. That guy gives me a bad feeling." A familiar voice echoed in Hoshino''s mind, making her pause for a moment.


    She tried to recall who the voice belonged to.


    "Medea, is that you?" Hoshino finally found the answer.


    "Oh, hehe, I can''t believe Master recognized me just by my voice." The semi-transparent Medea appeared behind Hoshino, gently placing her hand on her shoulder.


    However, none of the surrounding friends noticed anything unusual, proving that only Hoshino could see Medea.


    "The darkness within this boy''s soul surpasses even mine as a witch," Medea whispered mysteriously in Hoshino''s ear. "So let me handle this."


    With a soft blow in Hoshino''s ear, the semi-transparent Medea dispersed like smoke.


    Unnoticed by anyone, the card Hoshino was about to hand to Yugi changed from Mash to Medea.


    "Alright, now that everyone''s favorite cards are in Yugi''s deck," Bakura shuffled his deck, a hint of a sinister smile on his lips. "Let''s have an enjoyable shadow game."


    "Shadow game? Bakura, what are you talking about?" Yugi looked at Bakura in surprise.


    Ding ding ding~~


    "Why is there a wind chime sound?" Anzu looked around, puzzled.


    "Millennium Ring." Bakura''s expression changed, and a golden disc-like object emerged from his chest, the wind chime sound coming from its decorations.


    As the Millennium Ring appeared, the surrounding scenery rapidly changed into a closed dark space, and the five of them lost consciousness without warning.


    "Hmph, Millennium Puzzle, so easy to get." With a smug look on his face, Bakura reached for the Millennium Puzzle on Yugi''s chest.


    However, just as Bakura was about to touch it, the Millennium Puzzle lit up with a familiar glow.


    "It''s really a Shadow game. Bakura, who are you?" The Pharaoh, who had taken Yugi''s place, stopped Bakura from stealing the Millennium Puzzle.


    "Bakura? Just a body unaware of anything." Bakura pointed to his own head. "We''re the same, aren''t we, Yugi? You should know, whoever gathers the Millennium Items can gain everything in this world."


    "Don''t compare my friendship with my friends to you." The Pharaoh waved his right hand, denying Bakura''s words. "Enough talk, let''s start the shadow game!"


    "If you win, I''ll restore everyone''s souls. If you lose, the Millennium Puzzle is mine."


    "If you think you can do it!"


    The duel began, a dark game that was like a battle of proxies.


    "My turn, draw!" The Pharaoh launched his first attack, looking at his hand.


    "I summon, in defense mode, Commander!"


    [Commander¡ï¡ïDark][Warrior-Type][ ATK:750 DEF:700]


    Commander wasn''t originally in Yugi''s deck; it was Honda''s favorite card.


    But the materialized Commander shocked Yugi. "Honda?! What''s going on?"


    Miniature Honda, dressed as the Commander, appeared on the field. "Yugi?"


    Honda looked up at the gigantic Yugi and then at his own outfit. "What''s going on? Did I turn into a Duel Monster?"


    "No time to explain, Honda. This is a Shadow game. Help me."


    The Pharaoh quickly understood the situation. Hoshino and the others'' souls were sealed in their cards, and they would appear on the field when summoned as monsters.


    "Heh, seems you catch on quickly, Yugi." Bakura laughed coldly. "But it''s too late now. My turn, I summon in attack mode, White Robed Thief."


    [White Robed Thief¡ï¡ï¡ïLight][Spellcaster-Type][ATK:1000DEF:700]


    "White Robed Thief, attack Commander!"


    "Ah? What''s happening!" Honda (Commander), easily defeated, disappeared from the field.


    "Defeated monsters naturally go to the graveyard, and their souls follow the cards to the graveyard too." Bakura explained, "If lost souls stay in the graveyard too long, they''ll be taken by the Reaper and never wake up again."


    "What!" The Pharaoh had never anticipated such a rule.


    "Your turn, Yugi, play your card!" Bakura spread his hands, indicating the Pharaoh to continue.


    "Damn, I can''t let Honda stay in the graveyard. My turn, draw!"


    "Use Spell Card, Monster Reborn, revive Commander!"


    [Commander¡ï¡ïDark][Warrior-Type]


    "That was close, Yugi, almost got caught by the Reaper." Wiping sweat from his forehead, Honda said fearfully.


    "Seems Bakura was telling the truth." The Pharaoh glanced at his hand, which, apart from Jonouchi''s Flame Swordsman, had no monster card strong enough to defeat White Robed Thief.


    After some thought, the Pharaoh placed Flame Swordsman on the table.


    "I leave it to you, Jonouchi."

 Chapter 27 - 27

    "What''s? What happened?" In the midst of chaos, Hoshino gradually regained consciousness. As her awareness returned, the surrounding scenery became clearer.


    "Where is this?" Looking around, she found herself standing in a clean, bright, and technologically advanced hallway. The overwhelming sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu swirled in her mind.


    "I''ve never been here before, so why does it feel so familiar?" Rubbing her head, Hoshino felt a headache. This place she had never been to gave her a sense of having seen it thousands of times.


    "Huh?! What''s with this outfit?" She looked down at her clothing. A pitch-black robe had replaced her original clothes. While girls have a variety of clothing, Hoshino was sure she didn''t own anything this strange.


    "Hmm?" Hoshino was startled as footsteps approached from the end of the hallway. Facing the unknown, she instinctively pulled up the hood of her robe, pressed herself against the wall, and tried to find a sense of security to dispel her fear.


    As the footsteps grew closer, Hoshino felt her legs start to tremble.


    "Yo~ Medea, good evening." A casual greeting, the passing red-clad man didn''t even glance at the trembling Hoshino in the corner.


    "Hey? Emiya!" Hoshino couldn''t stay as calm as the man in front of her, because his face was all too familiar.


    Hearing the voice from behind, Emiya stopped and turned to observe Hoshino in the corner. "I thought it was Medea, but it''s actually Master!"


    Bending down, he removed her hood, revealing a trembling Hoshino. "Master, what are you doing here? Cosplaying as Medea?"


    Looking at Emiya''s confused expression, Hoshino didn''t know how to explain her current situation.


    Seeing her panic, Emiya seemed to guess the gist of it.


    "Calm down a bit, Master. Are you hungry? Should I make you something to eat?" Mama Emiya side shone through.


    At the mention of food, Hoshino nodded silently.


    "Come on, let''s go to the cafeteria" Emiya smiled warmly and motioned for Hoshino to follow him.


    As they walked, Hoshino finally understood the source of her strong sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. This place was Chaldea. Although she had never been here personally, she had seen it countless times.


    That meant the man in front of her was the real Emiya. Realizing this, Hoshino felt a bit excited¡ªshe was actually going to eat Emiya''s cooking, a wish of many type-moon fan.


    Chaldea truly lived up to being a hub of human wisdom. Every detail showcased the charm of modern science, and the various automated facilities dazzled Hoshino. Arriving at the kitchen, the automatic doors silently opened to reveal a clean and bright dining room. At the northern table, a familiar face was quietly eating skewers of mochi.


    "Artoria!" Seeing the all-too-familiar face, Hoshino blurted out. The "Artoria" eating mochi trembled at the sound of Hoshino''s voice, dropping the mochi onto the table. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''m Okita, not Artoria! Why am I always mistaken for her? I wants to cry." Okita raised her head, looking at Hoshino and complaining.


    On closer inspection, the cherry-colored hair indicated it was indeed Okita. But with a face identical to Artoria''s, it was no wonder Hoshino made the mistake.


    "Hey!? Master?" Okita, mid-complaint, finally saw Hoshino''s face under the Medea cloak.


    "I thought you were Medea! Even Master didn''t recognize me. Now i an doubly sad." Okita sulkily stuffed the fallen mochi into her mouth.


    "Nom nom,..but Master, what are you doing? Playing Medea cosplay?" Chewing the mochi, Okita quickly recovered. "If you''re into cosplay, include me too. I''ve always wanted to cosplay as the legendary King Arthur."


    "Okita, don''t you find my presence here a bit odd?" Hoshino was exasperated, feeling like her presence in Chaldea was treated as normal. Okita didn''t seem surprised, even though it was Hoshino''s first time here.


    "Nom nom, uh, what''s strange?" Chewing the mochi, Okita''s expression changed.


    "Why is Master here? This is big news!" Okita finally reacted, exclaiming.


    "Too loud, Okita. You''ll scare Master." Emiya, carrying a plate of omelet rice, placed it in front of Hoshino. "Eat, Master. Calm down a bit and then tell me what happened."


    "Okay." Picking up a spoon, Hoshino tasted the omelet rice, her eyes lighting up. "It''s so good! This familiar taste, it''s like a mother''s cooking."


    Emiya crossed his arms, smiling wryly. He didn''t understand why everyone said his cooking tasted like a mother''s.


    Halfway through the omelet rice, Hoshino''s thoughts became clearer.


    "I remember, just before I lost consciousness, I saw Medea." She tapped her head, trying to recall.


    "As expected, it has something to do with Medea." Seeing Hoshino''s outfit, Emiya had already guessed it involved Medea.


    "And there was going to be some duel?" Hoshino didn''t want to miss any clue, as even small details could break the current deadlock. "It was called a Shadow game?!"


    "Yes, a shadow game!" Hoshino finally realized. "We fell into Bakura''s shadow game, and our souls were sealed in the cards."


    "I originally handed over Mash''s card, but then Medea talked to me and swapped Mash with herself." Hoshino now understood what Medea meant by "the darkness in Bakura''s soul."


    "That''s right, Senpai, it''s a shadow game!" The kitchen''s automatic doors opened again, revealing Mash.


    "Senpai, you can''t yet resist the power of the shadow game, so Miss Medea took my place... no, she took your place in this shadow game." Mash said with a serious expression.


    "Mash..." Hoshino looked at her in confusion.


    "I''ll explain the details to you, Senpai. Please come with me to the central control room." In a reliable tone, Mash took Hoshino''s hand and led her out of the dining room. "I''ll teach you the real way to counter the so-called shadow game."


    "Master, I''ll come too." Emiya, worried, followed Hoshino out of the dining room.


    "It sounds serious. I also help Master." Okita said, following them.


    ...


    "Huh? Master, why are you here?" The group leaving the dining room ran into Artoria, who was preparing for another meal. Seeing their serious expressions, Artoria understood something was wrong and silently joined them.


    "Isn''t this Master? Why are you here?" Siegfried, strolling in the hallway, also joined, sensing the group''s purpose.


    "Wow, so many people! Count me in." The returning "Dog" joined them too. "Oh? A wild Master appears."


    ...


    "Senpai, we''re here. This is the central control room." Mash skillfully input the password, opening the central control room door. "From here, we can clearly see what''s happening outside."


    "I see." Hoshino nodded quickly. Understanding the progress of the dark game was indeed urgent.


    "But..." She looked at the crowd behind her. "Why did so many people come along?!"


    Most of the existing Chaldea Servants were present, including several Berserkers who couldn''t even speak properly.


    "Of course, because we worry about Master." "To pass the time." "It seems serious..." "Roar!!" "Oh my!!" "Destroy the oppressors with love!!"


    "Shut up, all of you!!"

 Chapter 28 - 28

    "The so-called shadow game can be simply understood as one of the mysteries residing in this world," Mash began to explain in detail while operating the equipment swiftly.


    "This world hides a mystery known as the Millennium Seven Items, ancient Egyptian artifacts passed down through history. These items grant their possessors immense dark powers and are essential for initiating the so-called shadow games."


    "The dark power needed for the shadow game, huh?" Hoshino pondered, touching her chin. "Why do these human-made artifacts possess dark energy?"


    "According to our research, the Millennium Items were initially created to fend off foreign invaders. However, during their creation, the entire village was massacred, and the excessive killing caused the villagers'' resentful spirits to inhabit the items." Mash appeared somewhat tense as she explained. "Moreover, the seven items themselves are keys to opening the legendary gates of the underworld."


    "The keys to the underworld? Do you mean the underworld ruled by Ereshkigal?" Hoshino recalled the golden-haired, tsundere girl who resembled Rin and appeared during the restoration of the Seventh Singularity, ''Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia.'' "That doesn''t sound too terrifying."


    "Ah, Miss Ereshkigal..." Mash smiled awkwardly. "While she is indeed the goddess of the underworld in the Age of Gods, this world is quite different."


    "You know, Master, in the Age of Gods, the human world and the underworld were physically connected. If you dug deep enough, you could enter the so-called underworld through physical means." Mash explained in detail, using images on the screen. "But whether it''s because we''re too far from the Age of Gods or due to differences in the world itself, the underworld in this world is a far more terrifying existence. Moreover, it''s not Miss Ereshkigal who controls it."


    "Then who does?"


    "The Great Demon God Zorc!" Mash stretched her hands to the sides of her face and made a playful roar, trying to appear scary but looking rather cute instead.


    "Oh, I see." Hoshino twitched her mouth, watching Mash''s lively performance. "That does sound a lot scarier than Eresh."


    "Ahem..." Mash realized from the snickering behind her that her performance had been less than convincing. "Anyway, if an ordinary person like you, Senpai, were to engage in a shadow game¡ª"


    "You would undoubtedly lose!" Mash''s serious gaze conveyed that this was no exaggeration. "And in the worst-case scenario, Senpai, you might die."


    "Die?" The timid Hoshino shrank back. She had thought this otherworldly card game would be fun, not life-threatening. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But you don''t need to be too scared, Senpai. I was speaking hypothetically about you being an normal person." Seeing Hoshino''s fear, Mash smiled reassuringly.


    "Am I not an normal person?" Hoshino didn''t quite understand.


    "As the only Master of Chaldea, the strongest human organization, supported by hundreds of Heroic Spirits, having successfully restored numerous Singularities and ultimately saving humanity from its ends, the Incineration of Humanity¡ªhow could you be normal l person?" Mash''s voice was filled with pride.


    "But that''s just the setting of the game. I''m just a normal..." Hoshino was interrupted as Mash gently placed a finger on her lips, shaking her head with a smile.


    "You are you, Senpai, no matter which world you''re in. Chaldea will always be your strongest support." Mash''s warm smile seemed to radiate human kindness, making her appear almost angelic.


    "Mash..." Hoshino, looking at Mash and the Heroic Spirits who had followed her out of concern, couldn''t help but tear up.


    "It''s connected, Senpai. The screen is showing the current state of the shadow duel." After a series of complex operations, Mash had finally brought up the live feed of the dark duel on the central control room''s large screen.


    "Jonouchi? Honda? Why have they all turned into Duel Monsters?" Hoshino exclaimed at the sight on the screen.


    "Because everyone''s souls have been sealed in their favorite cards," Mash explained. "If it weren''t for Medea''s help, your soul would have been sealed in my card."


    "Then how do we win this shadow game?" Hoshino asked the crucial question.


    "Like any normal game, you just need to reduce the opponent''s Life Points to zero."


    "Phew, that sounds simple. With Yugi''s skills, he won''t lose." Hoshino breathed a sigh of relief.


    Mash shook her head, contradicting Hoshino''s assumption. "If this were a normal duel, Yugi would never lose. But this is a shadow game, and the initiator of the shadow game has set rules that are extremely unfavorable to Yugi."


    "Extremely unfavorable rules?"


    "If a card containing a soul stays in the graveyard too long, the Reaper will take it." Mash resumed her animated explanation. "Once taken by the Reaper, the soulless body will never awaken."


    Hoshino swallowed nervously, realizing the disadvantageous rule. No card with a comrade''s soul could be sent to the graveyard, meaning even weak monsters like ''Commander'' couldn''t be defeated.


    "Then can''t Yugi just keep the cards with their souls in his hand and not play them?" Hoshino thought of a loophole.


    "It''s not that simple, Senpai. Look." Mash pointed to the screen, indicating the current duel.


    Bakura: "Activate Morphing Jar''s effect! Discard all cards in both players'' hands and draw five new cards!"


    The Pharaoh glanced at his hand, relieved to find no soul-bound cards. He discarded his hand and drew five new cards from his deck.


    "!!!" Hoshino instantly grasped the situation. If Bakura used Morphing Jar again, keeping soul-bound cards in hand would be even more dangerous.


    "What a despicable tactic." Hoshino bit her finger and cursed angrily.


    "So, Master, we will now teach you how to counter the shadow game." Seeing that Hoshino understood the situation, Mash continued.


    "We? Who else?" Hoshino looked at the crowd behind her, doubting it could be any of them.


    "It''s me!" A familiar avatar suddenly lit up on the bottom right of the screen.


    "The most beautiful, all-powerful genius Da Vinci-chan is here~~"

 Chapter 29 - 29

    "The universal genius Da Vinci-chan has arrived." Da Vinci''s familiar smiling face suddenly appeared in the bottom right corner of the screen.


    "Da Vinci! How are you here?" Hoshino exclaimed excitedly, looking at Da Vinci as if she were a savior.


    "Long time no see, Hoshino-chan. Though, it''s only been about two days," Da Vinci''s trademark smile brought a sense of reassurance.


    This feeling was the so-called "if Da Vinci is here, everything will be fine" mindset. Truly deserving of the title "universal genius."


    "Since you left your original world, I''ve been monitoring you. The world you''re in now is different from your original world, more like Chaldea''s dimension," Da Vinci began to explain her observations to Hoshino.


    A different dimension? Could she mean the difference between the third dimension and the second dimension? Hoshino thought, no wonder Chaldea, being part of the second dimension, felt more familiar.


    "Da Vinci-san, this isn''t the time to discuss settings." A worried Mash interrupted Da Vinci''s enthusiastic explanation.


    On the screen, the Pharaoh was gradually falling into a disadvantage. To protect his friends'' soul cards from being sent to the graveyard, he had expended too many resources and was now struggling.


    "Medea!" Hoshino glanced at the remaining cards in the Pharaoh''s hand and saw the Medea card that had replaced Mash''s.


    "Yugi Mutou isn''t Chaldea''s Master, so he can''t use the Servant cards effectively," Da Vinci explained quickly due to the dire situation. "In his hands, Medea is just a blank card with no effect."


    "Da Vinci, tell me what I can do now," Hoshino said urgently, worried about her friends'' lives.


    "Now it''s time for the universal genius, Da Vinci, to step in." With a confident smile, Da Vinci reached below her body¡ªmore accurately, the bottom of the screen, since only half of her avatar was visible.


    "The high-precision Millennium Item replica: Millennium Ruler!" With a peculiar tone, Da Vinci pulled out a ruler-like object from below the screen.


    "..."


    "Huh? No one laughed? Wasn''t that funny?" Da Vinci asked awkwardly in the sudden silence.


    "Da Vinci, you think this is a comedy manga? This is no time for jokes," Hoshino said, looking disdainfully at the ruler in Da Vinci''s hand.


    "How mean! You''re slandering my carefully crafted item." Pretending to cry, Da Vinci placed the ruler into a nearby device.


    Like magic, the golden ruler appeared in Hoshino''s hand the next second.


    It didn''t seem special when seen through the screen, but up close, Hoshino couldn''t help but exclaim, "Exquisite!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The golden ruler was intricately engraved with strange characters on both sides. Although Hoshino couldn''t understand their meaning, the meticulous craftsmanship made it feel alive, captivating her completely. She wouldn''t question if someone told her it belonged in the Louvre.


    "Impressed, aren''t you?" Da Vinci laughed, seeing Hoshino''s astonished expression. "By combining the mysteries of ancient Egypt with Chaldea''s cutting-edge technology and magecraft, we precisely inscribed these characters on the ruler. This process quickly elevates its concept to match that of a Millennium Item."


    A genius, truly a genius. Hoshino knew Da Vinci''s simple explanation belied the immense difficulty of such a task.


    "Senpai, there''s no time. Wear the ruler," Mash urged, still operating the equipment.


    "Wear it? But it''s just a ruler, how do I..." Hoshino fumbled, unsure how to proceed.


    In her panic, the ruler started writhing like a living thing.


    "Ew, what''s happening? It''s so gross." Hoshino''s discomfort was palpable as the ruler moved.


    The ruler twisted from her hand to her wrist, wrapping around it like a bracelet before stopping.


    "It actually looks nice, like a golden bracelet," Hoshino said, turning her wrist and admiring the ruler. "Let''s call it the Millennium Bracelet instead of the Millennium Ruler."


    "Senpai, focus. The dark power is being infused now," Mash said, finally completing her work on the equipment.


    "What, dark power? Wait¡ª" Before Hoshino could react, the engraved characters on the bracelet started moving, transferring into her body.


    The light around her changed rapidly, flickering like a slideshow.


    "What''s happening, Mash?" Hoshino asked in terror.


    "This is the history of the Millennium Items. Please endure it, Senpai," Mash encouraged her with a supportive look.


    Slaughter, resentment, and cruelty. The spirits of ancient Egyptians cursed the world, and Hoshino finally understood the immense hatred contained within a single village, passed down for millennia. The screams of villagers being melted into gold during the forging of the Millennium Items were akin to hellish wails, shaking her soul.


    This was the most brutal scene Hoshino had ever witnessed. The intense mental shock made her retch uncontrollably. The so-called dark power was, in reality, the infusion of these spirits'' grudges into her body, causing unimaginable pain.


    "Hang in there, Hoshino-chan. This is the only way to survive the shadow game." Although Da Vinci had designed the device, its effectiveness was uncertain.


    "Without this power, there''s no way to defeat Pegasus, who possesses the Millennium Eye."


    "Pegasus!" The name reignited a spark of determination in Hoshino''s eyes.


    "I am destined to be the King of Games, and there''s a hefty prize waiting for me. Do you think a little pain will stop me?" Desire, possibly humanity''s strongest emotion, is crucial for evolution. The greater the desire, the faster the evolution.


    "You''ve been dead for thousands of years. This era no longer belongs to you. I have friends to save, real living beings of this era. Millennium Item spirits, behave yourselves!" With her overwhelming desire, Hoshino''s mental strength finally subdued the dark power within the item.


    "You did it, Senpai!" Mash sighed in relief, seeing the "complete" message on the device.


    "It''s finally over." Hoshino smiled at Mash, panting heavily.


    "Hoshino-chan, it''s your turn to step in," Da Vinci said, her expression still serious despite the successful device. "Yugi is about to lose."


    A familiar white light surrounded Hoshino. She looked at her gradually transparent hands in confusion. "What''s happening? Am I being sacrificed?"


    "Don''t joke, Senpai," Mash smiled gently. "It''s time for you to leave."


    "So, I have to leave Chaldea." Hoshino felt a twinge of sadness. Although it was her first time here, Chaldea felt like home.


    Looking back at the Heroic Spirits behind her, Hoshino felt a newfound courage.


    "Good luck, Master. Okita will always support you."


    "Take care, Master, and remember to eat regularly."


    "Don''t let me die in vain again, Master."


    "Sorry I couldn''t be of more help, Master."


    "My sword points where your heart desires."


    "Destroy the oppressors with love!"


    ...


    "Hahaha, there''s no way you can win now, Yugi." Bakura''s laughter grew wilder.


    "Damn, is this the end?" The Pharaoh despaired as he looked at his hand, finding no hope for victory.


    "How about abandoning those worthless cards on your field and fighting me head-on?" Bakura sneered, glancing at Jonouchi, Honda, and Anzu on the field.


    "Using such underhanded tactics to win, and you still laugh?"


    "Who?" Bakura was startled to see a third person in the supposedly closed dark game.


    "You''ve done well. Leave the rest to me, Yugi." Hoshino took the cards from the Pharaoh''s trembling hand.


    "Hoshino!?" Jonouchi, Honda, Anzu, and even Yugi exclaimed in surprise as she suddenly appeared.


    Ignoring their calls, Hoshino''s eyes locked onto Bakura.


    "Let''s end this, Millennium Ring!"(Referring to Bakura)

 Chapter 30 - 30

    "No way." Bakura''s dark expression flashed with a hint of surprise. "A mere human without any dark power can actually move within the dark game space I created."


    "Oh? Is that so?" Hoshino glanced at the Millennium Bracelet on her right wrist. Clearly, everything that had just happened wasn''t a dream. The reason she could awaken in such a bizarre space was likely because of this.


    "What''s that thing on your wrist?" Bakura followed Hoshino''s gaze and noticed the Millennium Bracelet. "That familiar feeling... A Millennium Item? Impossible! There''s no bracelet-shaped item among the Millennium Items!"


    "What are you babbling about, Millennium Ring? It''s your turn." Hoshino didn''t care about the appearance of the Millennium Items. She had gone through great lengths to get here, and her goal was to defeat the man in front of her.


    "Oh? Do you really intend to continue in this situation?" Bakura, momentarily distracted by Hoshino''s sudden appearance, almost forgot the current game state.


    Bakura: LP 4000


    Field: [Skull Knight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïDark][Fiend-Type ATK 1000]


    No face-down cards, two cards in hand


    Hoshino (Yugi): LP 200


    Field: [Flame Swordsman (Jonouchi)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïFire][Warrior-Type ATK 1800], [Commander (Honda)¡ï¡ïDark][Warrior-Type DEF 700], [Mystical Elf (Anzu)¡ï¡ï¡ïLight][Spellcaster-Type/Effect DEF 2000 face-down]


    Three cards in hand


    Seeing Honda and Anzu''s monsters with such low attack and defense points, Hoshino couldn''t believe the Pharaoh had held on for so long. It was no wonder he had been at a disadvantage the entire time.


    Even in such unfavorable conditions, the Pharaoh still had more monsters on the field. He truly was remarkable.


    "My turn, draw!" Bakura''s twisted grin was far from the gentle Bakura seen before.


    "Look at your LP. One more hit and you''re finished." His tone was filled with dark glee as Bakura mocked Yugi. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But I won''t let you lose that easily. I want you to lose the game and your most important friends." Bakura''s sinister intent was clear. He not only wanted to win but also planned to send all the friends'' soul cards to the graveyard.


    "I activate the magic card, Change of Heart!"


    [Change of Heart Magic Card Effect: Select one of your opponent''s face-up monsters. Gain control of it until the end of this turn.]


    "This is Bakura''s favorite card!" The Pharaoh frowned. In regular duels, Change of Heart was banned from decks, but in this ruleless shadow game, bans didn''t apply.


    "I choose to control Commander!" Bakura announced.


    At that moment, the activated Change of Heart card materialized a gentle-looking Bakura on the field.


    "What''s happening? Even Bakura himself is sealed in a card?" Hoshino was shocked to see Bakura in angelic attire. "He''s really willing to use anything, even himself."


    "What''s going on?" The materialized Bakura (Change of Heart) moved Commander (Honda) uncontrollably to the opposite field.


    "Damn it, Honda!" Jonouchi (Flame Swordsman) shouted as Honda left their field. "What do we do, Hoshino? If this keeps up, Honda will die."


    If Commander attacked Flame Swordsman, Honda would undoubtedly perish.


    Hoshino didn''t answer Jonouchi. She was waiting for Bakura''s next move.


    "Hahaha, as much fun as it would be to have Honda die by your sword, I won''t do that." Enjoying Jonouchi''s angry expression, Bakura laughed even harder. "I want you and Honda to die together!"


    "I sacrifice Commander and Skull Knight to summon Demon Lord! Honda is sent to the graveyard! Hahahaha."


    [Demon Lord¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïDark][Fiend-Type/Effect][ATK:3200 DEF:2500]


    [¢Ù This card can only attack if there are no other monsters on your field. ¢Ú When this card is destroyed, send all monsters on the field to the graveyard and inflict damage to the opponent equal to the number of cards sent to the graveyard x 200.]


    The massive Demon Lord, dragging a large, shimmering sword, stepped onto the field.


    "Whoa, it''s huge!" Jonouchi (Flame Swordsman) looked up at the towering Demon Lord and swallowed nervously.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, you know what this card means, don''t you? It''s checkmate." Bakura pointed at Jonouchi, who was trembling. "Demon Lord, attack Flame Swordsman and end this!"


    The flaming sword in Flame Swordsman''s hand seemed powerful, but it was no match for the Demon Lord''s sword, which gleamed with deadly light.


    "Go join Honda in the other world, Jonouchi." The giant sword slashed through Jonouchi, sending him to the graveyard. "And you too, Hoshino Chiyuki. Don''t think you can survive losing a shadow game."


    This attack would reduce Hoshino''s LP to zero, securing Bakura''s victory.


    "Huh? What''s happening?" Bakura waited, but the game didn''t end.


    "I activate the effect of Kuriboh from my hand." Hoshino discarded Kuriboh to the graveyard, sighing in relief.


    [Kuriboh Monster Card Effect: During your opponent''s turn, when an opponent''s monster declares an attack, you can discard this card to take no battle damage from that attack.]


    "Good thing I had Kuriboh." The Pharaoh relaxed, Kuriboh being one of his most frequently used cards, saving him countless times in crises.


    "So what?" Bakura wasn''t upset about the delay. "I told you, when Demon Lord appears, it''s checkmate."


    Bakura wasn''t wrong. Aside from Demon Lord''s higher attack than Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its effect of destroying all monsters and dealing damage upon destruction was more than Hoshino''s LP could handle.


    Realizing this, the Pharaoh''s face darkened again, acknowledging the devastating effect of Demon Lord.


    "Damn, we''ve come so far." Hoshino bit her finger in frustration. Her original plan was completely disrupted by Bakura''s powerful combo of Change of Heart and Demon Lord.


    "What do we do, Hoshino? Jonouchi and Honda are dead. If we don''t revive them this turn..." Anzu (Mystical Elf) pleaded tearfully.


    "Draw your card, it''s your turn." Bakura sneered, enjoying the atmosphere.


    Slowly reaching for her deck, Hoshino quickly calculated her chances of turning the tide.


    As soon as her right hand touched the deck, the Millennium Bracelet on her wrist shone brightly.


    "Hoshino-chan, D-Draw!"


    "Da Vinci!? D-Draw?" Hoshino exclaimed, hearing Da Vinci''s voice in her head.


    "Destiny Draw. There''s no time for explanations, go for it, Hoshino-chan!"


    A true genius instills confidence, making others think, "If Da Vinci is here, everything will be fine." Hoshino felt this reassurance deeply.


    "Okay, Da Vinci! My turn, destiny-draw!"

 Chapter 31 - 31

    "Destiny Draw, activate!"


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino''s confident expression replaced her earlier anxiety as she drew a card from Yugi''s deck with flair.


    Dark Magician, Yugi''s soul card.


    Seeing the Dark Magician she had just drawn, Hoshino glanced at her hand and smiled slightly. "Da Vinci, you really are something with this high-tech wizardry."


    If there was one card in Yugi''s deck that could turn the tide, it had to be this Dark Magician.


    "What an annoying smile. Are you still struggling at this point?" Bakura, who had intended to enjoy Hoshino''s despair, was momentarily taken aback by her sudden smile.


    "It''s not that,it''s that it has finally come to this!" Hoshino''s fighting spirit reignited as she looked at Bakura.


    "I flip my face-down card, Mystical Elf, to attack position and activate its flip effect!" Hoshino revealed Anzu, who was glowing with a sacred light.


    Flip effects are powerful effects that some monsters have, which are activated when they change from face-down defense position to face-up.


    [Flip/Effect: When this card is flipped face-up, target 1 Spell Card in your Graveyard; add that target to your hand.]


    "I choose this Spell Card from the Graveyard." Hoshino retrieved a card from the Graveyard and placed it on the table.


    "Monster Reborn, revive Commander (Honda)!" With the activation of Monster Reborn, Honda, who had been sent to the Graveyard, reappeared on the field.


    [Commander (Honda)¡ï¡ïDark][Warrior-Type][ ATK:750 DEF:700]


    This Monster Reborn was used earlier by Yugi to revive Honda and had remained in the Graveyard until now.


    "I''m alive again?" Honda, resurrected for the second time, felt guilty, having used up two precious Monster Reborn cards.


    "It''s okay, Honda. I''ll make sure everyone survives." Hoshino reassured the guilty Honda with a smile.


    "Everyone? So that means Jonouchi too..." Honda looked around, realizing Jonouchi was missing. "Damn, even Flame Swordsman got destroyed."


    "Hahaha, reviving weak monsters again? That''s why you can''t beat me," Bakura laughed maniacally, slapping his knee. "You and your friendship games are both amusing and disgusting to me."


    "Pity you. You''ve been fighting alone for millennia; it must be lonely." Hoshino placed a monster card on the table.


    "I summon Heroic Spirit- Medea!" This card was the reason Hoshino had come here, as only the Master of Chaldea could activate the true effect of a Servant card. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Heroic Spirit- Medea¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïDark][Spellcaster-Type/Effect][ ATK:500 DEF:100]


    "I''ve been waiting for you, Master," Medea smiled seductively as she materialized on the field. "I always believed you would come, and my efforts weren''t in vain."


    "Medea? I remember you putting Mash in the deck..." Realizing something, Bakura glared at Hoshino. "You saw through my plan from the start, didn''t you?"


    "Who knows?" Hoshino responded coldly, not giving a direct answer. Although Medea had sensed something amiss, a vague response was the best way to pressure Bakura.


    "Ready, Medea? Activate Medea''s special effect!"


    "I''ve been ready for a long time, Master. Let''s show that boy the Chaldea''s power."


    [When this card is Normal Summoned successfully, target the last Spell Card activated by each player; copy their effects and activate them again. (Spell Cards that can''t be activated are considered invalid.)]


    "What!" Bakura''s expression was one of utter shock as he watched Medea chant on the field.


    "Playing tricks with a witch? You''re still a long way off, boya." Medea taunted Bakura.


    "Activate the effect of Monster Reborn again to revive Flame Swordsman from my Graveyard." Hoshino quickly placed Flame Swordsman on the table, afraid Jonouchi might be taken by the Reaper.


    "That was close," Jonouchi said, wiping sweat from his forehead as he reappeared. "I thought I''d never see you guys again. Thanks, Hoshino."


    "Even if you revive all the soul cards, as long as Demon Lord is on the field, you can''t win!" Bakura said calmly. "If you dare destroy Demon Lord, you''ll face a wipeout, which is exactly what I want to see, hahaha."


    "You''re weak, Millennium Ring. You forgot the last Spell Card you used," Hoshino said disdainfully, activating Medea''s effect again.


    "Copy the opponent''s last Spell Card, Change of Heart!" With Hoshino''s command, the angelic Bakura reappeared on the field, this time standing with her friends.


    "Thank you, Hoshino." The gentle Bakura looked up at her. "I can finally help my friends."


    "With Change of Heart, I control Demon Lord for one turn!" Despite Demon Lord''s power, it obediently stood on Hoshino''s field.


    "It''s crowded. This guy is huge," Jonouchi complained as the five monsters, including the massive Demon Lord, filled the field.


    "Very impressive, Hoshino. I admit your Servant card has game-changing effects." Bakura clapped coldly. "But don''t forget Demon Lord''s attack condition: [This card can only attack if there are no other monsters on your field]. That means it''s just a useless stump on your field, and your remaining monsters can''t reduce my LP to zero."


    "Next turn, when Change of Heart''s effect ends, the victory will be mine. You didn''t account for that, did you, Hoshino Chiyuki? Hahaha." Bakura continued to laugh, ignoring Hoshino''s confident expression.


    "There is no next turn, Millennium Ring." Hoshino had two cards left: Dark Magician and...


    "Activate the Spell Card, Dimension Magic!" Slamming the last card on the table, Hoshino secured victory conditions for the dark game.


    [Magical DimensionsQuick-Play Spell Card Effect: If you control a Spellcaster-Type monster, target 1 monster you control; tribute that target, then Special Summon 1 Spellcaster-Type monster from your hand.]


    "The Spellcaster-Type monsters on the field are Mystical Elf and Servant - Medea, so Dimension Magic''s activation condition is met! I tribute Demon Lord!"


    "Impossible, no way!" Bakura''s eyes widened as Demon Lord was sealed in a magical coffin. Though Demon Lord''s destruction would destroy all monsters, tributing it prevented this effect.


    "Special Summon the Spellcaster-Type monster from my hand, Dark Magician!" Hoshino revealed her final card, Yugi''s soul card.


    [Dark Magician¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïDark][Spellcaster-Type][ATK:2500 DEF:2100]


    The magical coffin opened, and Dark Magician emerged triumphantly.


    "Magical Dimension , performance complete." Hoshino smiled.


    Yugi, in Dark Magician attire, appeared on the field. All the soul cards were now on the field.


    "Every one of them is here. Bakura, you''ve lost completely." The Pharaoh, impressed by Hoshino''s strategy, finally spoke. "The only thing you miscalculated was the mysterious power of Hoshino."


    "It''s not my power," Hoshino shook her head, whispering, "It''s the power of Chaldea!"


    "Everyone, direct attack on Millennium Ring!"


    [Flame Swordsman] + [Commander] + [Mystical Elf] + [Servant - Medea] + [Dark Magician] = Direct attack, reducing Bakura''s LP to zero.


    "You''re finished, Millennium Ring!"


    Bakura LP ¡ú 0

 Chapter 32 - 32

    "You''re finished, Millennium Ring!" As everyone launched their direct attacks, Bakura''s LP instantly dropped to zero, and the eerie dark space began to collapse.


    Bakura clutched his head in pain, wailing, "Impossible! How could I be defeated by a mere girl? I am the Millennium Ring! I am the great evi¡ª"


    "Get back, Hoshino!" The Pharaoh pushed Hoshino away from the table. The Millennium Puzzle on his chest glowed with a golden light, and the dark power emanating from it made Hoshino jump.


    "Evil spirit within the Millennium Ring, return Bakura''s body!" the Pharaoh roared. The concentrated dark power locked onto the spirit within the Millennium Ring.


    Due to the dark game''s failure, the evil spirit that had possessed Bakura became unstable and could no longer firmly anchor itself in his body. The Pharaoh noticed this and tried to use his dark power to separate the turbulent spirit from Bakura''s body.


    "No, no, stop..." Bakura resisted with all his might, his screams growing louder.


    Hoshino suddenly realized something and extended her right wrist toward the mini Bakura on the table. "Bakura, try touching this bracelet." She didn''t know if it would work, but an instinct told her to try.


    "Huh? Okay..." Bakura, initially dazed, timidly raised his hands to touch the Millennium Bracelet on Hoshino''s wrist.


    As soon as mini Bakura touched the bracelet, a third presence joined the collision between the Millennium Puzzle and the Millennium Ring. Originally incompatible, the two Millennium Items formed a mystical triangular circuit with the third presence, allowing the soul energy to flow.


    "What''s happening? My soul is being pulled out..." The Millennium Ring''s spirit, realizing the danger, looked utterly desperate.


    In a flash, Bakura''s menacing expression softened, returning to his usual harmless, introverted self.


    "How can this be!!" Mini Bakura exclaimed, looking at his hands in horror. His sinister expression made it clear that his soul had swapped with Bakura''s, now trapped in the Change of Heart card.


    "Hahaha, didn''t expect this, did you?" Jonouchi (Flame Swordsman) walked over with his sword, his face slowly breaking into a menacing grin.


    "What are you going to do?" Mini Bakura, terrified by Jonouchi, fell onto the duel board.


    "Guess what we''re going to do!" Honda, looking fierce, joined in, hands on his hips and grinning wickedly.


    "Everyone, get him! Think about how he treated us and his arrogant face during the duel." Hoshino, not missing the opportunity for some fun, egged them on.


    "Alright, let''s make him feel our pent-up anger." Spurred by Hoshino, Jonouchi and Honda began to pummel the fallen Bakura.


    "Curse you, humans, daring to attack m¡ª" Bakura couldn''t finish his sentence as the brothers'' barrage of punches and kicks overwhelmed him.


    "I won''t let you get away with this! Remember my¡ª" Bakura''s threats were cut off by another punch.


    "You won''t get a chance for revenge," Hoshino said coldly, picking up the Change of Heart card. "Go join the Reaper you so revere."


    "If a soul card stays in the graveyard too long, the Reaper will take the soul away, and the body will never wake up." Those were Bakura''s own words.


    "No, you can''t mean..." Bakura, now desperate, begged, "Please, don''t do this..."


    "Sorry, but our Master has no mercy!" With that, Hoshino slammed the Change of Heart card into the graveyard. The mini Bakura''s form disintegrated.


    "May your soul never find redemption under the Reaper''s scythe."


    As the Millennium Ring''s spirit vanished, the shadow game''s space fully collapsed, and the surroundings returned to normal. Everyone''s souls returned to their bodies, but they didn''t wake up immediately, likely needing time to reintegrate.


    The only ones conscious now were Bakura, the Pharaoh, and Hoshino.


    <Victory detected. Evaluating Duelist level.>


    Hearing the familiar system voice, Hoshino felt a surge of joy. She had expected no rewards for only playing the last turn, but the system''s consideration surprised her.


    "Bakura, where did this Millennium Ring come from?" The Pharaoh looked at Bakura''s chest, intrigued. Without the dark spirit, the Millennium Ring was now just an ordinary pendant.


    Bakura thought hard, placing his finger on his chin. "I remember my father, an archaeologist, bought it from a man at a roadside stall in Egypt when I was young and gave it to me."


    "So it did come from Egypt," the Pharaoh nodded, recalling that his Millennium Puzzle was also a gift from his grandfather, brought back from Egypt.


    "Along with the Millennium Ring, there was a monster card, but I lost it," Bakura added sheepishly.


    "Hoshino, is the thing on your wrist also a Millennium Item?" The Pharaoh shifted his gaze to Hoshino''s right wrist, noticing the bracelet. "I don''t recall you wearing that before."


    "Ah, this..." Hoshino hesitated, trying to avoid the question, but the Pharaoh''s sharp look made her give in.


    ...


    "Was it Medea''s illusion that warned you?" After hearing Hoshino''s explanation, the Pharaoh was surprised. "So you have the ability to communicate with the spirits in the cards."


    "Really? Maybe," Hoshino said, scratching her face. Thinking back, she often chatted with the spirits when summoning Servant cards, probably because of this ability.


    "And you said your bracelet isn''t a Millennium Item but something similar?" The Pharaoh stroked his chin, studying Hoshino. Although she explained part of it, she didn''t reveal anything about Chaldea.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, who exactly are you..."


    Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 33 - 33

    "Ugh, my head hurts. It feels like I just had a nightmare." Jonouchi was the first to wake up, rubbing the back of his head. Soon after, Honda and Anzu also woke up.


    "It seemed like in my dream, there was an especially evil Bakura?" Anzu shook her head, trying to recall. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yeah, a super scary Bakura, with a particularly creepy smile." Honda shivered as he remembered.


    Bakura walked over with his usual gentle smile. "Is everyone okay?"


    "Ah! Evil Bakura!" Jonouchi and Honda screamed and clung to each other in terror at the sight of Bakura.


    "Come on, guys, does this Bakura look evil to you?" Anzu, being the calmest, knocked sense into the two scaredy-cats.


    "Uh-oh, Anzu, look over there!" Hoshino, who had been quietly observing the group, suddenly shouted and pointed to the fire.


    Or rather, to the curry on the fire, which was starting to emit black smoke.


    "Oh no, oh no!" Anzu rushed over to save the curry, but it was too late. She had to announce its demise.


    "We don''t have dinner again," Jonouchi lamented, plopping down on the ground.


    Hoshino wasn''t as disheartened as Jonouchi. Having just eaten an omelet made by Emiya in her soul state, she didn''t feel as hungry as before. While her physical body hadn''t eaten, the feeling of fullness transmitted from her soul kept her from being famished.


    But this wasn''t a long-term solution. If everyone else didn''t have food, she couldn''t be the only one unaffected. Plus, she couldn''t be sure how effective this soul-transmitted satiety was. If it only made her feel not hungry while her body still needed energy, she might suddenly collapse without warning.


    An idea suddenly lit up in Hoshino''s mind, as if a lightbulb had gone off. "Since we have a fire now, do you remember Yugi''s initial suggestion?"


    "Yugi''s initial suggestion, you mean looking for mushrooms in the forest?" Yugi immediately remembered. Although the forest''s vegetation wasn''t dense, finding enough food for one meal shouldn''t be a problem.


    "With a fire and a pot, we can make grilled mushrooms and mushroom soup." Anzu also recalled the idea.


    "Grilled mushrooms and mushroom soup..." Jonouchi wiped his mouth, imagining the food.


    "But we have a problem. We didn''t follow Yugi''s suggestion initially for two reasons," Anzu added. "We''ve solved the fire issue, but we can''t tell if the mushrooms are safe to eat. What if we get poisoned?"


    "Yeah..." Jonouchi''s mood sank again.


    Clearing her throat, Hoshino, lacking confidence, said, "Ahem, I might be able to tell if the mushrooms are edible."


    Hoshino, being a shut-in, had Zero survival skill or knowledge of edible mushrooms. Normally, she wouldn''t make such a claim. But now she had "Da Vinci" as her cheat.


    Bringing the Millennium Bracelet close to her mouth, Hoshino whispered to Da Vinci, "Da Vinci, can you hear me?"


    There was no response from Da Vinci, but the bracelet vibrated like a phone on silent mode.


    "Hmm? Da Vinci can''t talk right now?" Hoshino guessed, and the bracelet vibrated again.


    "Can you only speak in the shadow game space? Shake once for no, twice for yes." Cleverly, Hoshino devised a way to communicate with the "mute" Da Vinci.


    The bracelet vibrated twice.


    "So it''s different from a real Millennium Item." Thinking of how the Pharaoh could swap bodies with Yugi anytime, Hoshino sighed. "Even geniuses have their limits."


    The bracelet vibrated violently, as if Da Vinci were expressing dissatisfaction.


    "Haha, don''t be mad, Da Vinci," Hoshino chuckled awkwardly. "Anyway, can you help me identify edible mushrooms and fruits? One shake for yes, two for no."


    The bracelet shook once, showing how simple it was for a universal genius like Da Vinci. Hoshino could almost see Da Vinci''s smug smile.


    "Hoshino, are you serious? Do you have survival skills?" Yugi asked, surprised that the seemingly delicate girl had such knowledge.


    With Da Vinci''s affirmation, Hoshino straightened her back and patted her chest confidently. "Of course! Leave it to me. Just gather the food, and I''ll identify it."


    "Hoshino, you''re incredible! Not only are you good at dueling, but you also have survival skills," Anzu looked at her like an idol.


    "You''re amazing, Hoshino. I''ve never seen such a perfect girl." Jonouchi''s flattery was sincere, though it sounded a bit exaggerated.


    Scratching her face shyly, Hoshino enjoyed the feeling of being relied upon, even though it was thanks to Da Vinci. "Well, let''s get started. The sooner we find food, the sooner we can eat. And don''t just look for mushrooms; bring any fruits you find too."


    "Alright, time for me, Jonouchi, to shine. Leave the food gathering to me!" Jonouchi rolled up his sleeves, full of energy.


    Everyone scattered to search for food. Although Jonouchi offered to do the heavy lifting, no one would let him do it all alone. In wilderness survival, mutual help was essential. Hoshino also refused Jonouchi''s offer of protection and went off alone to gather food, knowing she couldn''t communicate with Da Vinci in front of others.


    "This is edible. Wow, this one too. So many delicious-looking mushrooms and fruits!" Hoshino ran around, collecting a lot of food in just ten minutes, guided by Da Vinci''s knowledge.


    "Huh? Da Vinci, what''s going on? Why''s the bracelet shaking so much?" Hoshino asked, puzzled by the sudden intense vibration.


    The next moment, a giant hand covered her mouth and dragged her into the bushes.


    "Damn it! I let my guard down!" was Hoshino''s first thought. With her mouth covered, she couldn''t call for help. Being dragged into the woods at night was terrifying, and Hoshino could only imagine the worst.


    "Cough, cough, cough," Hoshino retched and coughed as she was finally released.


    "Who are you? What do you want with me?" she asked, terrified, shielding her body with her hands, knowing it was futile against the giant.


    "Is my purity going to be sullied here?" Despite her reluctance, the situation made Hoshino fear the worst.


    "I am a Dark Duelist. Hoshino Chiyuki, I challenge you to a duel!" The giant pointed a hand wearing a Duelist glove at Hoshino.


    "????" Did you drag a girl into the woods at night just to play cards?

 Chapter 34 - 34

    "I am the Dark Duelist, Hoshino Chiyuki. Under Lord Pegasus''s orders, I challenge you to a duel." The giant in front of her raised his large hand and pointed straight at Hoshino.


    "It''s really just a duel, right? You''re not planning to do anything else, are you?" Hoshino, feeling skeptical, questioned him again.


    The giant laughed heartily, clutching his waist. "Hahaha, didn''t expect that, did you? As long as you''re on Duelist Kingdom, even at night, duelists won''t find peace. If you let your guard down, the darkness will strike without mercy. Beasts like me, who dwell in the shadows, will pounce on unsuspecting duelists at any moment."


    "Even though it feels like we''re having different conversations, it seems he''s really just here for a duel," Hoshino patted her chest, slightly relieved, though her heart was still racing from the earlier scare.


    "Hoshino-chan, is that your voice?" A familiar voice called from behind the duel platform.


    "This voice?!" Hoshino''s excitement surged. "Mai!"


    Mai Valentine slowly emerged from behind the platform, her head down and her expression gloomy.


    "Did he attack you too, Mai? With your skills, there''s no way you''d¡ª" Hoshino''s words trailed off. She considered Mai the strongest duelist she had faced so far, someone who shouldn''t lose to a despicable character lurking in the shadows.


    But reality was harsh. Mai''s glove was devoid of any star chips, indicating she had lost the right to stay on Duelist Kingdom.


    "This can''t be happening..." Hoshino''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Mai, did he use some dirty trick?"


    Mai shook her head sadly. "Hoshino-chan, I lost. This man is the Dark Duelist I warned you about. Even after winning six star chips after our duel, I still lost to him."


    "I used to be a dealer on a luxury cruise ship, facing the ugly faces of the rich daily. I grew tired of those self-proclaimed high society scumbags and their vile behaviors. Greed, flattery, schemes, human nature¡ªall those wealthy people thought they could do anything because they had money. They never treated people like us as human beings, seeing us as nothing more than moving toys." Mai''s sudden confession left Hoshino silent, simply listening.


    "So, I vowed to become rich. Only by winning the enormous prize money on Duelist Kingdom could I start my life anew. I wouldn''t be manipulated by those so-called high society scumbags anymore. I would live freely, on my terms!" Mai''s eyes filled with fierce determination and tears. "But I was naive. My journey on Duelist Kingdom ends here."


    "But Hoshino-chan, your journey isn''t over. You can defeat this man." Mai gripped Hoshino''s arm tightly, almost pleading. "Please, Hoshino, defeat him. I''m so unwilling to accept this!"


    Feeling Mai''s trembling hands, Hoshino nodded firmly. "Leave it to me, Mai. I''ll get your star chips back. Your journey isn''t over yet."


    "Get them back? You mean..." Mai looked at Hoshino in surprise, gratitude shining in her eyes.


    "Don''t worry, Mai. I''ll reclaim what''s yours," Hoshino assured, patting Mai''s shoulder as she stepped onto the platform. "By the way, did this guy do anything weird to you?"


    First Mai, now Hoshino¡ªthis scarred giant seemed to target attractive women. It couldn''t be a coincidence.


    Understanding Hoshino''s implication, Mai smiled and shook her head.


    Reassured by Mai''s guarantee, Hoshino focused on the duel, placing her deck on the table. She smiled at the giant, "You might still be a decent person, old man."


    "We Dark Duelist have a rule: the duel must be for all of the opponent''s star chips!" Ignoring Hoshino''s compliment, the giant slammed his glove on the table. Hoshino noticed that his specially made glove was different from other duelists''.


    Most duelists'' gloves could hold ten star chips, but the giant''s glove already had nearly thirty star chips. Clearly, he had defeated many duelists.


    "That''s exactly what I want!" Determined to win back Mai''s star chips, Hoshino placed all her star chips on the table. "I wager all six of my star chips! Let''s start!"


    "The duel begins: Hoshino Chiyuki versus the Dark Duelist!"


    "The Dark Duelist will go first!"


    "Hidden in the darkness, can you defeat me, Hoshino Chiyuki?" The giant''s sly smile and trembling scar sent shivers down Hoshino''s spine.


    "My turn, draw! I activate the field spell, Dark Floating Castle." Placing the card in the field spell zone, the giant looked at Hoshino expectantly. "This card creates a dark world. What will you do?"


    Hoshino''s expression darkened as a giant castle floated in the air, and the giant''s side of the field was engulfed in darkness. It was her first time seeing such a thing.


    "Hahaha, one of my favorite parts is seeing the puzzled expressions of you self-righteous duelists when you witness this scene." The giant summoned a monster card, laughing triumphantly. "I summon a monster and end my turn."


    He didn''t reveal which monster he summoned. The monster''s 3D image flickered and vanished into the darkness.


    [?????][??? ATK: ??? DEF: ???] Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So that''s your strategy." In one turn, Hoshino understood what the giant meant by "unrelenting darkness." "No wonder you could defeat Mai. Despite looking big and dumb, you use psychological tactics when dueling."


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino glanced at her hand. Attacking recklessly without knowing the opponent''s monster''s identity or stats was too risky.


    "I summon a monster in face-down defense position and set one card. I end my turn." In such a situation, a conservative approach was the safest choice.

 Chapter 35 - 35

    Late night, in the Duelist Kingdom castle.


    On an incredibly long dining table, a pristine white tablecloth highlighted the opulence of the tableware. Sitting at the table, Pegasus held a glass of red wine. On the exquisitely decorated plate before him were two pieces of blue cheese.


    "Oh ho ho ho, what an interesting book." Flipping through a manga, Pegasus let out a joyful laugh, "This classic masterpiece never gets old."


    "Good wine, paired with very good cheese, and accompanied by a manga." He exhaled deeply, a look of satisfaction spreading across his face. "This is the most relaxing enjoyment after a tiring day of work."


    Placing a piece of blue cheese in his mouth, Pegasus closed one eye, savoring the rich flavor spreading throughout his mouth.


    "Master Pegasus, Master Pegasus, are you there?" A knock on the door, completely disregarding the atmosphere, interrupted Pegasus''s moment of extreme enjoyment. The old butler gently pushed the door open and walked in with a dignified stride.


    With a frown, Pegasus questioned the butler in a slightly angry tone, "You should know that if it''s not an urgent matter, disturbing my only enjoyment time of the day will have consequences."


    "Yes, Master Pegasus..." Usually quite approachable, Pegasus''s sudden scolding made the butler a bit fearful. However, he also knew that he had to inform Pegasus of this matter; otherwise, it would be his dereliction of duty.


    "Master Pegasus, the duel involving Chiyuki Hoshino, whom you are interested in, has begun."


    Upon hearing the name "Chiyuki girl," Pegasus raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Still dueling so late? Could it be against that man?"


    "Yes, that''s correct. She is dueling against the Dark Duelist you arranged." Relieved that Pegasus did not continue to blame him, the old butler let out a sigh of relief.


    "The Dark Duelist, interesting." Setting down his comic book, Pegasus''s smile grew even broader. "Although the Dark Duelist is quite skilled, I suspect he might have met his match this time."


    The old butler placed a screen down, looking puzzled. He asked Pegasus, "It''s the middle of the night, the most advantageous condition for the Dark Duelist . How could he have met his match?"


    "The dark tactics, achievable only through Kaiba Corporation''s holographic projection technology, are useless against Chiyuki." Pegasus''s eyes were full of anticipation as he looked at the screen, waiting for the moment when the screen would light up, like a child eagerly waiting for the weekly broadcast of One Piece.


    "After all, Chiyuki girl is someone beloved by the spirits."


    Here comes your adorable scene transition princess.


    "My turn, draw!" The large man shrouded in darkness, whose movements Chiyuki could only vaguely make out, likely couldn''t cheat and draw extra cards with Kaiba Corporation''s advanced technology.


    "Release the monster on the field as a tribute, and summon, Dark Overlord!" In the pitch-black arena, there was another dim flicker, followed by another disappearance, which was making Chiyuki very annoyed.


    [Dark Overlord¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïDark][???ATK:???DEF:???]


    "Dark Overlord, attack that face-down monster!" With a giant finger, he commanded the monster in the darkness, "Beast hidden in the dark, it''s time to show your terrifying fangs!"


    Confident in the attack power of his Dark Overlord, a six-star monster summoned through a tribute should typically have no problem defeating a monster summoned normally.


    "Mash, block it!" Chiyuki waved her right hand, flipping open the face-down monster card.


    "Yes, senpai!"


    [Servant ¨C Mash Kyrielight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïLight][Warrior/Effect ATK:1000 DEF:2000]


    [While this card is face-up in defense position on the field, the opponent can only choose this card as the attack target. If this card is attacked in defense position, it is forced into attack mode after the battle. This card is not destroyed by battle or effects while in defense position.]


    "Transient Wall of Snowflakes!" Mash shouted, raising her huge shield to block the attack of the giant beast from the darkness. Without losing Life Points due to the defense reflection, it proved that the opposing monster''s attack was certainly above Mash''s 2000 defense points.


    "What an interesting monster card." Watching his Dark Overlord''s attack being blocked, the man''s dark figure trembled slightly with laughter.


    "Activate the Continuous Spell Card, Dark Assembly." After placing it in the Spell Card Zone, a strange light emitted from the dark floating castle overhead.


    [Dark Assembly Continuous Spell Card Effect: Can only be activated when [Dark Floating Castle] is on the field. While this card is on the field, at the end of each of my turns, randomly special summon one [Dark] attribute monster from the deck to my field.]


    "End turn." With the man''s end-of-turn command, a mysterious monster jumped down from the Dark Floating Castle, landing in the darkness below.


    [???][ATK:???DEF:???]


    "How annoying, hiding in the dark like a coward is despicable behavior, old man." Unable to hold back any longer, Chiyuki taunted, "With your sinister and despicable nature, you''ll never find a girlfriend. My turn, draw!"


    Looking at the card she drew, Chiyuki thought calmly, "To break this situation, pure defense won''t work, I''ll have to take a gamble and go on the offensive."


    "Release [Mash Kyrielight] on the field, and summon [Heroic Spirit¨C Shirou Emiya] from my hand in attack mode!" A familiar white light enveloped Mash, and the ally of justice replaced Mash on the field.


    [Servant ¨C Shirou Emiya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïFire][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2200 DEF:2600


    "I much prefer this kind of normal entrance." Crouching on the ground and posing, Emiya held Kanshou and Bakuya, slowly opening his eyes.


    "Stop showing off. The opponent doesn''t even have an Equip Card; you can''t use Projection Magic at all." Chiyuki clicked her tongue at Emiya''s over-the-top entrance.


    Unable to activate Projection Magic, Emiya''s attack power wasn''t high, but it wasn''t low either. However, Chiyuki currently had no other high-attack monsters to summon besides Emiya.


    "Activate the Equip Spell Card, [Fou of the Sun]!" Placing the card in the Spell Card Zone, the fluffy Fou jumped out and perched on Emiya''s shoulder.


    "Fou~"


    [Fou of the Sun Equip Spell Card Effect: Can only be equipped to monsters with [Heroic Spirit] in their names. The equipped monster''s attack power increases by 500 points. When the equipped monster is destroyed by battle, this card is destroyed and sent to the graveyard instead.]


    [Heroic Spirit¨C Shirou Emiya ATK ¡ú 2700]


    "Go, Emiya, attack that...." Chiyuki paused mid-command, then continued after some thought, "Attack that!"


    Since she didn''t know the name of the special summoned monster, Chiyuki had to refer to it as that.


    With an attack power of 2700, Emiya could defeat most monsters; a six-star Dark Overlord was unlikely to surpass this attack power. To eliminate uncertainty, Chiyuki chose to attack the mysterious monster.


    "Fou!" Contrary to Chiyuki''s expectations, Fou let out a miserable cry and was sent to the graveyard.


    "Sorry!" Emiya apologized, looking at the disappearing Fou on his shoulder. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chiyuki Hoshino LP ¡ú 3800


    [Heroic Spirit¨C Shirou Emiya ATK ¡ú 2200]


    The monster that jumped down from the Dark Floating Castle had an attack power of 2900. Sacrificing Fou to uncover the truth, Chiyuki took a sharp breath.


    "This is troublesome, Emiya. This is going to be tough." Chiyuki said dramatically, glancing at Emiya on the field.


    "Stop acting, master. That face-down card of yours, it''s that one, isn''t it?" Emiya ignored Chiyuki''s theatrics, though the opponent probably couldn''t hear him anyway.


    Caught, Chiyuki smiled awkwardly, "You can even see through my first turn''s set card, Archer class is really made up of Archer."

 Chapter 36 - 36

    **Current Situation Summary:**


    **Dark Duelist LP 4000 **


    - [Dark Overlord¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïDark]


    - [???][???]


    - [???ATK:???DEF:???]


    - Field Spell Card [Dark Floating Castle], Continuous Spell Card [Dark Assembly], no face-down cards


    **Chiyuki Hoshino LP 3800 **


    - [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïFire][Spellcaster/Effect][ ATK:2200DEF:2600]


    - One face-down card


    "Chiyuki..." Mai Valentine, anxiously biting her nails, watched the situation on the field. What seemed like a surefire hit had hit a wall. No one could have expected that the randomly summoned Dark attribute monster from the deck would turn out to be a monster card with 2900 attack points.


    "Hahaha, how lucky tonight! Chiyuki Hoshino, you are destined to fall prey to my hunt." Scar Man, knowing that luck was on his side, laughed even more wildly.


    "My turn, draw!" Scar Man glanced at the card he drew and promptly placed it on the field, "Today''s luck is superb. I''ll summon another monster card."


    [???][ATK:???DEF:???]


    Annoyance boiled within Chiyuki as yet another pitch-black monster appeared and then disappeared into the darkness without a word.


    "No, no, stay calm." Taking a deep breath, Chiyuki suppressed the anger rising in her heart. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Go forth, creatures lurking in the darkness." Scar Man spread his arms, commanding his minions, "At this moment, show your true terror."


    From the darkness, three massive figures accompanied by terrifying howls lunged at Emiya.


    "If Chiyuki takes all these attacks, she''ll be in danger!" Mai Valentine couldn''t bear to look at the cruel scene, fearing the moment when Chiyuki''s LP would drop to zero, bringing overwhelming guilt.


    "Master, it''s time to use it, stop hiding it!" With giant monsters approaching and Chiyuki unmoved, beads of sweat formed on Emiya''s forehead.


    "Hero of Justice, don''t be so antsy." Chiyuki smiled wickedly, slowly reaching for her face-down card.


    "This little girl must be teasing with me, venting her anger." Emiya, relieved that Chiyuki was finally preparing to activate her face-down card, grumbled.


    "Anger? I wouldn''t get angry over something like this." With clear eyes, Chiyuki, having teased Emiya, was now in perfect condition. "A true duelist must remain calm and analyze the situation at all times, finding the path to victory in infinite possibilities!"


    "You talk a good game, master." Emiya smiled approvingly, nodding with a look that said his daughter had finally grown up.


    "Activate the face-down card, Continuous Trap Card, [Avalon of Radiant Path]." In an instant, a dazzling golden light illuminated the three giant beasts lunging at Emiya. The terrifying, twisted faces revealed themselves briefly in the light of Avalon.


    "This so called creature of darkness are truly ugly." Emiya, blocking the Dark Overlord with his twin swords, couldn''t help but comment.


    "Probably because it''s too dark, so no one cares how they look." Chiyuki, following Emiya''s comment, added her own taunt.


    [Avalon of Radiant Path Continuous Trap Card Effect: Can only be activated by designating one of your face-up attack position monsters with [Heroic Spirit] in its name. While this card is on the field, the designated monster cannot be destroyed and cannot change to defense position.]


    The radiant sheath gradually fused into Emiya''s body.


    "But the damage calculation still applies! Keep attacking!" Despite the sudden activation of the trap card, Scar Man remained unfazed, showing the composure of a seasoned duelist assassin.


    "This actually hurts a bit." Although not destroyed, the monster''s attack hit Emiya hard.


    Chiyuki Hoshino LP ¡ú 3700 ¡ú 3000


    Only two attacks hit, indicating the third summoned monster''s attack power wasn''t higher than Emiya''s 2200.


    "Dark Overlord''s attack power, huh." With a simple calculation, Chiyuki deduced Dark Overlord''s hidden attack power.


    "Hmph, knowing that won''t help you. At the end of the turn, another Dark attribute monster will descend into this darkness due to the effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Dark Assembly]." With both quantity and quality on his side, Scar Man could almost taste victory.


    "Will you surrender now, or watch as your monsters are continuously tortured until your LP reach 0?" Scar Man arrogantly extended his giant hand towards Chiyuki. "End turn, activate [Dark Assembly]''s effect!"


    From the Dark Floating Castle, a new dark monster leaped down, making Scar Man''s side four monsters strong.


    "I choose the third option." Drawing a card from her deck, Chiyuki''s burning determination inspired Mai Kujaku from the stands. "Beat you up and reclaim the star you took from Mai."


    "Chiyuki..." Unsure how to respond, Mai Valentine could only watch. Although she couldn''t see a way to turn the tide in such a lopsided situation, she had faith that Chiyuki could work a miracle.


    "My turn, draw! Activate the effect of the Continuous Trap Card [Avalon of Radiant Path]."


    The Avalon that had merged into Emiya''s body emitted a gentle glow. Overflowing grains of light formed a mysterious magical sigil on the ground.


    [¢Ú During your main phase, you can release this card and the designated monster to the graveyard to special summon [Heroic Spirit¨C Artoria Pendragon] from your hand or deck.]


    "Time to switch gears, Saber!" Waving goodbye with her right hand, Chiyuki watched Emiya disappear into the golden light. "Make sure to win, master."


    Slowly stepping out of the light, Artoria''s delicate face radiated a rare heroic aura, "I''ll definitely win, Archer. If you don''t have a chance of victory, I''ll create one and try every possible way."


    Wielding her transparent wind sword, Artoria looked ready for battle. "Sorry to keep you waiting, master. I''ll carve a path to victory. The enemy is that group of dark, evil creatures, right?"


    "As expected of Saber (SSR), what an impressive entrance." Chiyuki was subconsciously awestruck by Artoria''s appearance, wondering how another SSR like Okita Souji would compare.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(8) Light][Dragon/Effect ATK:???DEF:???]


    "Didn''t expect that, did you, Dark Duelist?" Chiyuki, confident, could almost see Scar Man''s twisted expression in the darkness. "You think you''re the only one who can hide attack power? Get familiar with the Invisible Air~"


    "Upon this oath, I am the sword of the world, the good of the world." Raising her sword before her, Artoria vowed, "I''m ready, master!"

 Chapter 37 - 37

    "Don''t be ridiculous." The burly man''s rage boiled over as if Chiyuki''s taunts hit a sore spot. "Hiding the attack power of a mere monster is useless."


    "So, you''re angry because your specialty has been encroached upon? Despite your large frame, you seem to have a surprisingly small mind, old man." Chiyuki pressed her finger to her soft lips, looking at him with a playful expression. If verbal taunts could make her opponent lose composure, it would greatly increase the chances of him making mistakes, a tactic commonly known as trash-talking.


    "Go, Artoria! Attack the Dark Overlord."


    "Yes, master!" Following Chiyuki''s command, Artoria charged into the darkness with her sword.


    In the dark mist, the dazzling blade sliced across the massive body of the Dark Overlord. The huge monster was helpless against Artoria''s elegant strike.


    Dark Duelist Assassin LP ¡ú 3800


    "Hahahaha, what a joke." Seeing his reduced Life Points, the previously enraged Scar Man laughed wildly. "Only 2500 attack points? Such a grand entrance for something so weak. Hiding its attack power was completely pointless."


    "Oh? So, do you think you''ve regained your dignity, coward and petty old man?" Chiyuki''s mocking smile only intensified Scar Man''s irritation. "Activate the Spell Card [Pot of Greed], draw two cards from my deck, and end my turn."


    "In that case, I''m going to tear you to pieces!" Enraged, Scar Man slammed his giant fist on the table. "After you lose to me, I''ll completely ruin that face of yours!"


    After saying this, a chill ran down Scar Man''s spine. Startled, he quickly looked over his shoulder but saw nothing but endless darkness.


    Though nothing was there, his primal instincts told him that if he dared lay a hand on this girl, he would meet a terrible end.


    ...


    "Make the arrangements to dispose of this man."


    "Yes, Master Pegasus."


    ...


    "My turn, draw." The once-menacing Scar Man now cowered, his massive frame shrunken in fear as he timidly drew a card from his deck.


    "This can''t be happening. She''s just an ordinary little girl." Trying to calm himself, Scar Man repeated this mantra in his mind, "It''s just my imagination. Haha, yes, just my imagination."


    Glancing at his hand and the field, Scar Man suddenly realized Chiyuki had ended her turn without setting a single card.


    "So, if I just deal with her 2500 attack point monster and then attack her directly, I''ll win! Hahaha!" Scar Man laughed out loud, having calculated his victory. "So, she''s just a little girl after all, at this level."


    "I''ll summon another monster to the field." Placing his card on the table with trembling hands, this tremor wasn''t from fear but from the excitement of impending victory. "Monsters of darkness, attack Artoria!"


    Following Scar Man''s command, the first to attack was his strongest monster on the field, the one with 2900 attack points. It easily overpowered Artoria''s 2500 attack points.


    "The remaining monsters will attack directly. Haha, sorry, but I''ve won!" Ecstatic, Scar Man almost threw his cards in celebration.


    "Noisy!" With a swift and elegant move, Artoria swung her sword, slicing the giant beast attacking her in two.


    The other two monsters, meant to attack directly after Artoria was defeated, came to a screeching halt and retreated into the darkness in terror.


    "....." Scar Man''s ecstatic dance turned to stone as he struggled to comprehend the field.


    Dark Duelist Assassin LP ¡ú 3700


    "How can this be? This monster only has 2500 attack points." Scar Man''s eyes nearly popped out in disbelief as his sure victory vanished.


    "Hmph, activate Artoria''s special effect." With her arms crossed, Chiyuki explained.


    [¢Ù The opponent cannot know this card''s attack and defense points. Its attack and defense points are (base 2000 + 500 for each monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name in your hand).]


    (Oh? So you think you''ve regained your dignity, disgusting and petty old man? Activate the Spell Card [Pot of Greed], draw two cards from the deck.)


    Scar Man recalled Chiyuki''s last move before ending her turn. "So, you were trying to provoke me into overlooking the significance of her adding to her hand."


    Since the previous turn, Chiyuki''s continuous taunts had thrown the Dark Duelist off balance, leading him to miscalculate Artoria''s attack power as only 2500. The result was sacrificing his strongest monster on the field.


    "In such a dire situation, she still managed to use this tactic. Chiyuki..." Mai Valentine watched in awe as Chiyuki turned the tables with her cunning strategy.


    "Playing mind games with me, old man, you''re not even close." Seeing her trash-talk strategy succeed, Chiyuki crossed her arms and smirked triumphantly. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Realizing he''d been duped, Scar Man forced himself to calm down, his gaze growing cold as he stared at the smug Chiyuki. " Girl, you''ve underestimated what it means to be a Dark duelist ."


    With a giant finger, Scar Man pressed a card onto the table. "Now, feel the true terror of darkness."


    "Activate Continuous Spell Card [Falling Dark Floating Castle]." As soon as Scar Man placed the card on the table, the once stable floating castle began to tremble and collapse.


    The previously faint dark mist from the floating castle erupted like a bomb, engulfing the entire field, including Chiyuki''s monster zone.


    "The dark power and terrifying monsters sealed within the floating castle are now unleashed." Scar Man, covering his grotesque face with his giant hand, entered a state of near-madness.


    Five giant shadows slowly emerged from the darkness, their terrifying howls sending chills down Chiyuki''s spine. Nervous sweat trickled down her delicate face and neck.


    [Falling Dark Floating Castle Spell Card Effect: Can only be activated when [Dark Floating Castle] and [Dark Assembly] are on your field. ¢Ù Release [Dark Floating Castle] and [Dark Assembly] to the graveyard, pay 3000 Life Points, and summon as many Dark attribute monsters from your deck/hand/graveyard to your field as possible. ¢Ú While this card is on the field, all Dark attribute monsters gain 500 attack points, and non-Dark attribute monsters lose 500 attack points.]


    Dark Duelist LP ¡ú 700


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, this darkness will be your grave."

 Chapter 38 - 38

    "Chiyuki Hoshino, this darkness will be your grave."


    Scar Man looked at his trump card with satisfaction, particularly his highest attack monster, [Dark Emperor]. Thanks to the Continuous Spell Card [Falling Dark Floating Castle], its attack power increased by 500 points, reaching a terrifying 4000. Meanwhile, Artoria''s attack power had dropped by 500 points, and even if Chiyuki drew another [Heroic Spirit] monster this turn, Artoria''s attack power still wouldn''t surpass [Dark Emperor]''s.


    Additionally, [Dark Emperor]''s special effect meant the opponent could only choose it as the attack target, ensuring that no matter how Chiyuki struggled, death was her only fate.


    "Heh, checkmate." After calculating everything, Scar Man couldn''t help but laugh again. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So scary, Artoria." Pretending to tremble, Chiyuki twisted her small frame, playfully whining to Artoria.


    "With all due respect, master, I don''t feel your fear at all." True to her stoic nature, Artoria ruthlessly cut off Chiyuki''s attempt to act coy. "And there''s nothing to fear. Whether it''s five monsters or fifty, I''ll deal with them all for you, master."


    Confidently swinging her sword, Artoria elegantly twirled it, slicing through the dark mist surrounding her.


    "Tch." Chiyuki pouted in dissatisfaction, watching Artoria dance with her sword. " King Arthur truly doesn''t understand human emotions."


    "Ah... not understanding emotions, huh." Artoria''s movements halted suddenly, a hint of sadness appearing on her face. "Master is right. Everyone says King Arthur doesn''t understand emotions."


    "Sorry! I''m so sorry, Artoria!" Realizing she''d inadvertently touched a nerve, Chiyuki clasped her hands and winked apologetically. "I just wanted the cool Artoria to comfort me a bit. I''m terribly sorry for saying something so selfish!"


    Artoria turned to look at Chiyuki, smiling gently. "Don''t blame yourself, master. It''s partly my fault. I need to move on from my past."


    "What are you babbling about? It''s your turn, hurry up!" Unable to see Artoria''s actions, Scar Man only saw Chiyuki talking to herself like a fool. "Is she so desperate that she''s lost her mind?"


    "Chiyuki..." Mai Valentine watched Chiyuki''s strange behavior with concern, gripping her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her skin. She couldn''t believe the Dark Duelist had such a powerful card. She hadn''t even seen it before being easily defeated, a blow to her self-esteem. "Is the gap between me and Chiyuki really that big?"


    "My turn, draw." With a light touch of her finger, Chiyuki drew a card from the top of her deck.


    "Hmph, summon my soul card, Spartacus!" Slamming Spartacus onto the table, Chiyuki suddenly realized something was wrong: "Wait, Spartacus isn''t my soul card! Damn it, completely influenced by that idiot Jounouchi."


    "Destroy the oppressor with my love!" The muscular Spartacus appeared beside Artoria.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ïEarth][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500DEF:1500]


    "Oppressor!"


    "Master, this is quite troublesome for me." Artoria, looking troubled, took a step back to distance herself from Spartacus''s shouting.


    "Ah! Sorry, didn''t think of that." Chiyuki rubbed her head and scolded Spartacus. "Spartacus, this isn''t the oppressor. And it''s battle time now, so behave."


    "Oh, not the oppressor~" Pacified by Chiyuki''s scolding, Spartacus lowered his head in dejection.


    "What''s the use of summoning a small fry like this?" Scar Man couldn''t help but mock the three-star Spartacus, who wouldn''t even be a mouthful for his Dark Emperor.


    "A small fry?" Scar Man''s taunt amused Chiyuki. "Don''t you know, anyone kicked by Spartacus on this island ends up dead."


    Chiyuki wasn''t exaggerating. With her current 100% win rate and Spartacus''s 100% appearance rate, it was indeed true.


    "Hahaha, so you''ve beaten a few weak duelists on this island and think you''re invincible? Do you know how many duelists have lost to me?" Scar Man held up two fingers arrogantly. "Twenty, exactly twenty, including that fool woman below. And you will be the twenty-first."


    "Mai isn''t a foolish woman! Take that back!" Chiyuki''s sudden shout startled Scar Man.


    "Hahaha, if she isn''t foolish, what is she? Confidently betting all her stars only to lose them easily to me. Such a woman claims to have dreams. If that isn''t foolish, what is?" Covering his mouth, Scar Man laughed nastily.


    "Mai Valentine is a proud and honorable duelist!" Chiyuki''s demeanor shifted, and the aura she exuded crashed towards the Dark Duelist Assassin like a tidal wave. "And you, you''re just a coward who hides in the dark, using loopholes in the holographic system to gain an unfair advantage. You''re nothing but third rate!"


    "Activate Artoria''s special effect!" At Chiyuki''s command, the Invincible Air around Artoria''s sword dissipated, revealing the golden sword''s true form.


    [¢Ú During your main phase, you can activate this by removing one card with [Avalon] in its name from your graveyard, then add [Excalibur] to your hand.]


    "Remove [Avalon of Radiant Path] from the graveyard and activate the Equip Spell Card [Excalibur] from my hand!" Slamming the card on the table, the barrier dissipated, and the golden sword shone with a light that defied the darkness.


    [Excalibur Equip Spell Card Effect: Can only be equipped to a monster with [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon] in its name. ¢Ù Negate the equipped monster''s effects. ¢Ú The equipped monster gains 500 attack points for each monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name on the field or in the graveyard.]


    With the Invincible Air are gone, Artoria''s true attack power was revealed.


    "With four Heroic Spirit monsters on the field and in the graveyard, Artoria''s attack power increases by 2000 points!"


    [Artoria Pendragon ATK ¡ú 4000]


    "But due to [Falling Dark Floating Castle]''s effect, her attack power decreases by 500 points again!" Scar Man didn''t falter, knowing Artoria still couldn''t surpass [Dark Emperor].


    "Go ahead, attack me with your so-called high attack power." Whether out of revenge or hoping for Chiyuki''s mistake, Scar Man eagerly anticipated seeing her monster fall to [Dark Emperor] just as his had. "Then you''ll understand the true terror of darkness."


    "Pah, do you think I''m as dumb as you?" Chiyuki spat, looking at him with disdain. "Do you know what it means to cut through the darkness? Let me show you, third-rate."


    "Chiyuki, it feels like your character has changed..." Mai Valentine couldn''t help but comment, watching in disbelief as Chiyuki exuded a new persona.

 Chapter 39 - 39

    **Field Summary**


    **Dark Duelist LP: 700**


    - 5 monsters, including [Dark Emperor ATK 4000]


    - Continuous Spell Card: [Falling Dark Floating Castle]


    **Chiyuki Hoshino LP: 3000**


    - [Servant ¨C Artoria Pendragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(8) Light][Dragon/Effect] [ATK: 3500]


    - Equipped with Spell Card [Excalibur]


    - [Servant ¨C Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Warrior/Effect]


    - Remaining hand cards: 4


    ---


    "What is the light that pierces through the darkness? Let me show you, Third-rate." With a calm demeanor, Chiyuki gently placed her slender, white finger on the card [Excalibur]. "Are you ready, Artoria?"


    Faced with Chiyuki''s sudden change in personality, Artoria was momentarily stunned. However, seeing the burning determination in Chiyuki''s eyes, her confident smile replaced the initial surprise. "Ready whenever you are, master."


    "Activate [Excalibur]''s special effect."


    [Excalibur: ¢Û Can only be used once per duel. Send all cards in your hand to the graveyard, and the equipped monster''s attack power increases by [number of cards sent to the graveyard] x 100. Then destroy all opponent''s monsters with attack power lower than the equipped monster''s. The equipped monster cannot attack during the turn this effect is activated.]


    Without hesitation, Chiyuki sent all her cards to the graveyard.


    "Chiyuki..." Mai Valentine watched worriedly as Chiyuki discarded all her cards. Giving up all her hand cards was a true all-or-nothing gamble. If this attack didn''t achieve its intended effect, Chiyuki would be left with nothing.


    "Since I sent 4 cards to the graveyard, Artoria''s attack power increases by 400." As the cards were sent to the graveyard, the golden light from Artoria''s holy sword grew ever brighter.


    [Artoria ATK ¡ú 3900]


    "As one of the ultimate man-made weapons, crystallized within the planet as ''the strongest fantasy,'' Excalibur, feel its power." Chiyuki''s calm words were like a proclamation of her victory, befitting the name of the holy sword.


    However, Scar Man thought otherwise. "Hahaha, this girl thinks 3900 attack points is higher than all my monsters and threw away her entire hand. My victory is certain now." S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "She didn''t expect my [Dark Emperor] to have an attack power of 4000! Chiyuki Hoshino, you''re finished!" Scar Man silently calculated.


    Both convinced of their victory, they stood like light and darkness about to clash. Would the thick darkness swallow the light, or would the hopeful light pierce through the darkness? The outcome hinged on this turn.


    "Let''s go for it, Artoria!"


    "Yes, master!" Gripping the light that pierced the heavens, Artoria roared and swung the holy sword down.


    "You miscalculated, Chiyuki Hoshino! My strongest monster, [Dark Emperor], has an attack power of 4000. Although it''s only 100 points higher than your Artoria''s, you still lose!" As the holy sword struck, Scar Man finally laughed wildly. "After all your grand words, light still loses to darkness!"


    Standing in the light, Chiyuki remained unmoved by Scar Man''s taunts. Instead, she roared with a force greater than before. "That sword embodies the noble dreams of all soldiers who have died on the battlefield, holding onto those hopes in their final moments. Such will deserves honor, and such faith must be upheld."


    "What are you saying? Don''t you realize you''ve lost?" Overwhelmed by Chiyuki''s presence, Scar Man, who believed victory was in his grasp, felt a twinge of fear.


    "Now, the ever-victorious king declares the true name of this miracle in her hand!" The golden light lifted Chiyuki''s flowing hair, pushing back the darkness.


    "And that name is¡ªExcalibur!" With Artoria''s triumphant roar, the golden light from her sword split the sky, banishing the darkness. Though it was the dead of night, it shone as bright as day.


    "This is it! This is what I wanted to see!" Pegasus clenched his fists in excitement as he watched the golden light on the screen. "Chiyuki Hoshino truly possesses such power."


    "With Chiyuki''s power, I can see you again, my wife..."


    "Yugi, look over there!" Jounouchi pointed urgently towards the beam of light piercing the forest.


    "That''s Chiyuki. She must be there." For some reason, Yugi was convinced that only Chiyuki could create such a light.


    "Let''s go. Chiyuki must be in trouble." Despite her exhaustion, Anzu rushed towards the light.


    "This can''t be happening! No way!" Scar Man pounded the table in disbelief as his [Dark Emperor] was engulfed by the light. "You must be cheating! My [Dark Emperor]''s attack power is higher!"


    "Someone as coward as you is afraid of cheating?" Chiyuki stood triumphantly in the light. "Don''t lump me in with third-rate like you. Look closely at Artoria''s attack power."


    [Artoria Pendragon ATK 4400]


    "It''s actually higher than my [Dark Emperor]? How?" Scar Man couldn''t comprehend the sudden increase in Artoria''s attack power.


    "That''s why I said you''re nothing but a third-rate, Dark Duelist." Chiyuki''s mocking tone rubbed salt in Scar Man''s wounds. "If it were Mai, she would have figured it out."


    Mai Valentine smiled from the stands, looking up at Chiyuki in admiration. "You really did it, Chiyuki. You calculated everything perfectly."


    "Did you forget how many [Heroic Spirit] monsters I had in my hand, old man?" Chiyuki''s words awakened Scar Man to the truth.


    "You mean... it can be like that!" Scar Man looked at Chiyuki in disbelief. To execute such a combo in this situation, how strong must her mind be?


    "I originally had two [Heroic Spirit] monsters in my hand. After summoning Spartacus, I had one left. [Excalibur]''s effect increases attack power by 500 for each [Heroic Spirit] monster on the field or in the graveyard. When I activated the third effect, discarding all my hand cards, the last [Heroic Spirit] monster also went to the graveyard. So, Artoria''s true attack power increase was (4 cards x 100) + 1 [Heroic Spirit] x 500 = 900 points." After her explanation, Chiyuki made a cutting gesture across her throat. "In conclusion, you''re finished!"


    "Such brilliant calculation, master." Artoria sheathed her holy sword after obliterating the opponent''s monsters and the surrounding darkness. "However, I can''t attack this turn. So, it''s up to you, Spartacus."


    "Oh! Oppressor ahead, feel my love!" With the obstacles cleared, Spartacus eagerly charged towards the Dark Duelist.


    "I told you, anyone kicked by Spartacus ends up dead." Gently raising her right hand to cover her eyes, Chiyuki peeked through her fingers with a look of pity.


    "How could I be defeated by such a small fry? Ahhhhh!" Scar Man wailed as he faced Spartacus''s onslaught.


    Dark Duelist Assassin LP: 700 ¡ú 0


    "The duel is over. The winner is Chiyuki Hoshino!"

 Chapter 40 - 40

    "The duel is over. The winner is Chiyuki Hoshino!"


    <Victory detected. Assessing duelist level.>


    <You have two unread system messages.>


    Mai Valentine, tears in her eyes, exclaimed, "She won! Chiyuki really won."


    "Hoshino!~" Yugi and his friends, following the light from Excalibur, finally arrived at the scene.


    "Was Hoshino dueling?" Yugi asked concernedly, watching Hoshino jump off the dueling platform. "I wonder what the result was."


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Jounouchi clapped Yugi on the shoulder, answering first. "There''s no way Hoshino would lose to a novice like him."


    "Clearly, you''re the most novice here," Anzu thought to herself, rolling her eyes at Jounouchi.


    Hoshino, having jumped off the platform, slowly approached the still-dazed Scar Man and snatched the six star chips from the table. "These are Mai''s six stars. It''s best to return things won through such underhanded tactics."


    Playing with the metallic stars, Hoshino turned and walked towards the waiting Mai.


    " Hoshino, be careful!!" Suddenly, Mai''s face turned to horror, and she screamed loudly.


    The events happened too quickly for anyone to react. Infuriated by his loss, Scar Man abandoned all semblance of honor as a duelist, pulled out a large dagger, and charged at Chiyuki.


    "Don''t be too cocky, girl! I''ll show you what happens when you anger me!" he roared, thrusting the dagger towards Hoshino''s back.


    Hoshino, unaware of the attack, could only infer what was happening from the horrified expressions of Mai and Yugi. "Oh no, did I go too far with the taunting?" she thought, her body trembling with fear, unable to move.


    At this critical moment, the Millennium Bracelet on Hoshino''s wrist emitted a blinding light in the darkness.


    "Master, look out!" The semi-transparent Mash materialized, raising her massive shield to block Scar Man''s strike.


    Scar Man, unable to see Mash, felt like he''d collided with an invisible wall.


    "How can this be?" he grunted, pushing with all his might but unable to get any closer to Hoshino. "I''ve never been so humiliated! I have to kill this girl today..."


    "How dare you attack our master!" The half-phantom Okita appeared, her eyes filled with rage. "Instant Movement! Then... Mumy¨­ Sandan-Zuki."


    With three rapid strikes, too fast for the naked eye to see, Scar Man was silenced and fell to the ground, rolling his eyes back.


    "Another flawless kill from the most stylish and powerful Okita," she said, sheathing her sword and giving a V-sign before gradually fading away.


    "Mash, Okita..." Hoshino, who had been on the brink of death, felt immense relief seeing the two servants.


    "Be careful next time, master. The energy stored in the bracelet can''t keep us materialized for long. We jumped out without your permission because it was an emergency," Mash explained, her body also starting to fade.


    "Ha, I''m the servant that uses the least energy? That makes me sound weak," Okita grumbled, trying to maintain her cool pose but failing and coughing up blood.


    "Thank you! I love you both!" Chiyuki Hoshino called out, watching the two disappear.


    As Mai, shaken by the events, finally regained her composure, she rushed to Chiyuki. " Hoshino, are you okay?"


    "Mai, I was so scared!" Chiyuki cried, burying her face in Mai''s chest, rubbing against her and letting a small smile play at her lips.


    Mai, feeling a tingling sensation from Chiyuki''s actions, gasped but gently patted her head in comfort.


    "Hoshino!" Anzu arrived, feeling an inexplicable annoyance at the scene.


    Sensing a tense atmosphere, Chiyuki quickly looked up at Anzu with a pitiful expression. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Anzu, just now...!" she cried, throwing herself into Anzu''s arms and recounting the events.


    "Don''t cry, it''s okay," Anzu comforted her, understanding Chiyuki''s fear after hearing the story.


    "That bastard! How dare he do this to Hoshino!" Jounouchi, having heard the story too, angrily kicked the unconscious Scar Man.


    "But why did he suddenly collapse?" Yugi asked, puzzled.


    "Who knows?" Chiyuki said, scratching her head awkwardly. "Maybe he couldn''t handle the stress."


    At that moment, several black-clad figures emerged from the bushes.


    "Apologies, we received orders from Master Pegasus to take this man back to the castle dungeon," one of them said, preparing to drag Scar Man away.


    "You''re too late! Do you know how dangerous it was just now?" Mai scolded, unable to contain her anger. "How could you let such a dangerous person participate in an official match? I will file a complaint!"


    "Apologies, miss. This was indeed our oversight," the lead figure bowed deeply, his face full of regret.


    Seeing their sincerity, Mai relented a bit. "Humph, you should be apologizing to Chiyuki Hoshino, not me."


    "Deepest apologies, Miss Chiyuki Hoshino," the man said, bowing again.


    "It''s okay, Mai. Nothing terrible happened, so let''s leave it at that," Chiyuki said, not wanting to blame them entirely since she had indeed provoked Scar Man excessively during the duel.


    ...


    In Pegasus''s castle dungeon:


    "I am Master Pegasus''s designated duelist! Let me out! I need to see Pegasus!" Scar Man, now conscious and aware of his situation, grasped the cold bars and shouted.


    In the silent, empty dungeon, his roars echoed, accompanied only by the eerie sound of a distant bell.


    "Why is there a bell in a dungeon?" Sensing something was wrong, Scar Man, who had been roaring angrily, suddenly felt a chill of fear and instinctively huddled in a corner.


    A terrifying figure in a skull mask, dragging a large sword, slowly emerged from the darkness...


    "Dost thou hear the tolling of the bell?"

 Chapter 41 - 41

    TL Note: Starting from this chapter, the chapters will be longer as I have combined two chapters into one. This way, you can enjoy the content even more. Thank you for your continued support and happy reading!


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------


    "Pegasus, according to satellite intelligence, Seto Kaiba is approaching Duelist Kingdom." Ending the duel broadcast, suddenly the figures of the Big Five of KaibaCorp. appeared on the screen.


    "Oh? Kaiba-boy is coming to visit my island?" Pegasus stood up slowly and looked out at the pitch-black night sky.


    "Don''t worry, Pegasus, we won''t let Kaiba get close to Duelist Kingdom. We''ll do everything we can to stop him."


    "Make sure Kaiba never reaches Duelist Kingdom, hahaha."


    "NO, do not lay a hand on Kaiba-boy," Pegasus sternly rejected the Big Five''s ''kind offer''.


    "Our contract is only valid until the moment we defeat Yugi-boy, no problem, right?" Revealing the Millennium Eye hidden behind his hair, Pegasus''s expression gradually became serious, "At that time, KaibaCorp. will be ours. Whether it''s the technology KaibaCorp. possesses or the genius mind of Seto Kaiba, I want it all!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    On the calm sea reflecting the starlight, the sound of the propeller drowned out the waves. Piloting the helicopter, Seto Kaiba''s determined gaze fixed on the island ahead.


    "Hmph, Duelist Kingdom, huh." Looking at the latest duel system disk beside him, Kaiba felt a mix of emotions.


    "Yugi, your duel is truly unparalleled."


    ("The card I summoned is [Exodia]! Go, EXODIA, OBLITERATE!")


    The scene of Yugi using the Exodia to destroy the three Blue-Eyes Ultimate White Dragons replayed countless times in Kaiba''s mind.


    ("No matter how strong the card is, if you can''t connect with it spiritually, it''s meaningless! As long as you merge with the card, miracles can happen.")


    "I really want to duel him again." Unconsciously, a smile appeared on Kaiba''s lips, "And there''s also..."


    ("Experience the true wrath of Seto Kaiba! Direct attack with! Burst Stream of Destruction!")


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, the duelist who defeated the Blue-Eyes White Dragon deck, huh? Interesting, if possible, I''d like to duel her too." Thinking of this, Kaiba shook his head with a smile. Initially, he only reluctantly got involved with these toy-like cards to develop the most advanced commercial product. Unexpectedly, he became addicted to it; this must be the charm of dueling.


    "But before that, I must defeat one person with this new duel system disk." With that thought, Kaiba''s gaze grew colder, "To reclaim KaibaCorp, and the man who collaborated with those traitors behind the scenes and kidnapped Mokuba."


    "Pegasus J. Crawford! I must defeat you personally!"


    .


    ..


    ..


    Transitioning quietly...


    By the creek...


    "You split up to look for food and ended up walking alone in this forest?" Strictly scolding the kneeling Chiyuki Hoshino, Mai Valentine looked exasperated, "Please, Chiyuki, as a girl, how can you have no sense of danger?"


    "I-I''m sorry..." Each time Mai scolded her, Chiyuki''s head lowered further, almost burying her face in her chest.


    "Alright, Mai, maybe Chiyuki is experiencing this kind of thing for the first time, don''t blame her too much." Though hesitant to speak up, Jonouchi stepped in to defend Chiyuki, feeling sorry for her.


    "And you have the nerve to speak, Jonouchi! Don''t think you''re off the hook." Hearing Jonouchi''s voice, Mai''s anger shifted towards him, "You, a grown man, watched a girl like Chiyuki ran into the dangerous forest alone without stopping her, thinking you did nothing wrong?"


    "Uh, well..." Rendered speechless by Mai''s retort, Jonouchi found himself retreating under her fierce aura.


    "Nice, Jonouchi!" With her head down, Chiyuki secretly gave Jonouchi a thumbs up for drawing Mai''s ire away, "I won''t forget your sacrifice."


    Seeing Jonouchi''s predicament, the rest of the group, including Yugi, could only awkwardly laugh, not daring to intervene.


    Though Mai seemed very angry, she was only worried about Chiyuki, and her anger didn''t last long.


    "So, you guys don''t have any food now, right?" Mai''s expression softened, taking on a teasing tone.


    "Yes, yes, yes!" The six nodded vigorously. Though they had initially gathered some wild food from the forest, it had been discarded during the search for Chiyuki.


    "Really, I can''t leave you guys alone." Pressing her forehead with her hand, Mai smiled helplessly, "Come eat with me then. I brought plenty of food and camping gear."


    "Really, Mai? That''s great!" Originally kneeling, Chiyuki jumped up excitedly upon hearing Mai''s words. After a duel, the soul''s satiation had long faded, and her body craved an energy boost.


    ...


    "This is amazing, food, tents, lanterns, you have everything! Did you bring all this by yourself, Mai?" Chiyuki''s eyes sparkled as she watched Mai pull various instant foods and camping equipment from her bag like a treasure chest.


    Pleased by Chiyuki''s praise, Mai proudly straightened up, hands on her hips, "Of course! As a duelist, it''s only natural to be self-reliant. But fetching water and cooking is your job, boys!" Mai pointed at the four men standing nearby.


    "Okay, leave it to us." Without hesitation, Honda grabbed a bucket and headed to the creek.


    "Damn, taking orders from this woman is really annoying." Jonouchi grumbled, but still moved obediently.


    "Idiot, we get to eat, just bear with it." Honda awkwardly laughed, giving Jonouchi a push from behind.


    "We''ll gather some firewood then." Yugi and Bakura also got to work without delay.


    As everyone gradually moved away, Mai sneaked over to Chiyuki''s side, leaning close to her ear seductively, "Though I said duelists must be self-reliant, you''re different, Chiyuki. Rely on me more."


    "Uh, okay..." Startled by Mai''s sudden change, Chiyuki didn''t know how to respond.


    "So, want to take a shower with me? I brought a camping showerhead." Mai''s long fingers traced Chiyuki''s cheek, making her blush.


    "A shower..." Chiyuki swallowed. Girls have a deep obsession with cleanliness. After a day on the island, a shower sounded heavenly. But Chiyuki had never bathed with anyone else before, let alone been naked in front of someone else.


    "Chiyuki, you want to shower too, right? Some things only women understand," Mai''s words whispered like a devil in Chiyuki''s ear. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I... I..." Chiyuki stammered, struggling internally. On one side, her sense of shame; on the other, the allure of Mai''s smooth body. Like choosing between an angel and a devil...


    The devil said, "Don''t miss the chance to feel the seductive, smooth body of an older sister!"


    The angel said, "Don''t listen to the devil..."


    "Hey... Have you forgotten about me?" Anzu, who was sitting on the side, gave a dry cough to remind everyone of her presence.


    "A... Anzu." Hoshino awkwardly scratched her head and looked away, not daring to face Mai.


    "Oh? Anzu is interested too? How about the three of us together~" Mai licked her lips seductively, showing a keen interest.


    "Wait!" Hoshino suddenly interrupted Mai''s temptation. She wasn''t intentionally changing the subject; she genuinely heard something. "What''s that sound?"


    Seeing Hoshino suddenly become serious, Mai, who was good at reading the room, naturally stopped her flirtatious behavior.


    "Beep~ Beep~ Beep~? What''s that sound?" The noise was getting closer and clearer.


    "Why is there a helicopter sound?! At this time of night?" Finally identifying the source of the noise, Hoshino exclaimed in disbelief.


    "Hoshino, Anzu, Mai!" The group also heard the unusual aircraft sound and put down what they were doing to come over.


    "In the middle of the night, flying a helicopter to this island, how unreasonable must this person be." Looking at the approaching helicopter, Jonouchi grumbled.


    But what surprised everyone even more was that the helicopter steadily hovered right above their heads.


    "No way, could they have heard what I just said?" As a civilian, this was Jonouchi''s first time seeing a real helicopter up close.


    With the huge gust of wind kicked up by the rotor, the helicopter slowly landed in front of them. Once the door opened, Kaiba elegantly jumped out, carrying a suitcase.


    "Kaiba!" Yugi, looking at Kaiba jumping down from the helicopter, ran over in surprise.


    "Long time no see, Yugi." Looking down at Yugi, Kaiba''s face was expressionless.


    "Here, Kaiba, this is your deck, which I kept for you." Yugi took out the deck from his pocket, which he had safeguarded for Kaiba earlier in the day. "Now it''s time to return it to its rightful owner."


    "Oh." Taking the deck from Yugi indifferently, Kaiba remained expressionless.


    "What''s with that attitude!" Unable to bear it any longer, Jonouchi stepped forward. "Yugi went out of his way to keep your deck safe, and you don''t even say thank you!"


    "Hmph, then I''ll say thanks, I suppose." With a proud turn of his head, Kaiba began walking towards Pegasus''s castle in the distance.


    "Kaiba, have you understood the spirit of the cards?" Yugi asked, looking at Kaiba''s retreating figure.


    "I haven''t found the answer yet." Kaiba clenched the deck in his right hand slightly. "But to protect Mokuba and the Kaiba Corporation, I must defeat Pegasus by any means necessary." Without looking back, Kaiba continued walking, with Pegasus as his sole focus.


    "Stop, Kaiba!" Unexpectedly in unison, Hoshino and Jonouchi called out to Kaiba. Surprised to have spoken at the same time, they exchanged smiles.


    "Every participant in this Duelist Kingdom is full of dreams, fighting hard to collect ten Star Chips to challenge Pegasus!" Jonouchi, catching up to Kaiba, placed a hand on his shoulder.


    "Whatever your reasons, Trying to take shortcuts, you''re betraying the hundreds of duelists who are fighting with their dignity on the line on this island," Hoshino added, voicing her thoughts. Her real concern, though, was Kaiba winning the prize money early.


    Kaiba snorted coldly, shaking off Jonouchi''s hand. "Jonouchi, even duelists like you can participate in this tournament. The standard of Duelist Kingdom is really low."


    "What did you say! I''m at least a top-eight finisher!" Jonouchi retorted angrily, pointing at himself with his thumb.


    "Huh? Jonouchi is a top-eight finisher? I never knew. That''s impressive." Hoshino, who always thought Jonouchi was a novice, was genuinely surprised.


    "It''s only the top eight in the regional preliminaries..." Anzu corrected, shaking her head, revealing the harsh truth. "There were only about twenty participants, and they were mostly kids."


    "Stop being so annoying, Anzu! Top eight is top eight, don''t add unnecessary details!" Embarrassed in front of Hoshino, Jonouchi stomped his foot in frustration.


    "But Jonouchi has improved a lot," Yugi added, "He even defeated Ryuzaki, the regional runner-up, with his own skills."


    Ignoring everyone''s comments, for Kaiba, it didn''t matter whether Jonouchi was a top-eight finisher or had beaten Ryuzaki; it had no relevance to him.


    "You''re Hoshino Chiyuki, right?" Kaiba turned, his cold gaze landing on Hoshino.


    "Y-Yes, that''s me." Intimidated by Kaiba''s icy stare, Hoshino, who was worried about the prize money being won, instantly cowered.


    Kaiba silently stared at Hoshino''s face. No one dared to speak as they waited for Kaiba to continue, and the air around them grew cold.


    "What''s going on? Why did everyone suddenly stop talking?" Hoshino, her mind in turmoil, swallowed nervously under Kaiba''s penetrating gaze.


    "Hmph!" With a familiar snort, Kaiba turned around, once again showing his aloof back to everyone.


    "What kind of personality does this guy have? He starts the conversation but doesn''t say anything." Hoshino was deeply exasperated by Kaiba''s twisted nature.


    Opening his suitcase, Kaiba threw out a newly developed Duel Disk system. The round device landed accurately in Hoshino and Jonouchi''s hands.


    "Let''s duel. I need real combat to test this new Duel Disk system." Kaiba equipped the Duel Disk on his left hand and inserted his deck into it.


    "This is the prototype of the legendary Duel Disk." Hoshino recalled, looking at the round Duel Disk in her hand. Although it differed slightly from the cool, transformable Duel Disk she remembered, it was still quite stylish for its time. It certainly was more convenient than having to climb onto a massive duel platform for every match.


    "What is this thing?" Unlike Hoshino, Jonouchi had no concept of a Duel Disk. He stared at it dumbfounded.


    "Put it on your left hand. The Duel Disk, my newly developed card battle device, allows for virtual image duels without a duel platform." Surprisingly, Kaiba patiently explained to them. "First, place your deck into the slot, then draw a card and place it on the Duel Disk, and finally..."


    Kaiba placed a card on the Duel Disk and threw it onto the ground with force. The top of the spinning Duel Disk projected a familiar image. "Through the high-speed 3D engine in the Duel Disk, the image data of the monster card is converted into a 3D solid image! Come forth, Battle Ox!"


    Out of thin air, the solid image of Battle Ox roared into existence before everyone.


    "Amazing! Kaiba has taken dueling to a new level." Yugi sincerely admired the genius developer Kaiba Seto.


    However, Hoshino had a different thought, "What a primitive Duel Disk! You still have to throw the card out to project the image? With this heavy Duel Disk, having to throw out each card in a duel would be exhausting."


    Already regretting it, Hoshino wanted to quietly hand the Duel Disk over to Yugi. Knowing her own lack of stamina, she thought it better for Yugi or Jonouchi to duel instead.


    "Let''s duel, Hoshino Chiyuki!" Kaiba raised his left hand equipped with the Duel Disk, pointing at Hoshino.


    "mmp¡­"


    ----------------------------------------------------------------


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 Chapter 42 - 42

    "Hey, Seto Kaiba! Where the hell did you put me?" Jonouchi suddenly got upset as he watched Kaiba challenge Hoshino to a duel.


    "Jonouchi, although you won''t be of much help, I''ll generously let you both duel me together," Kaiba said, flicking his coat and exuding a haughty aura.


    "A tag team duel?" Yugi asked Kaiba, puzzled. "You mean a three-way duel, with you against both Hoshino and Jonouchi?"


    "Exactly!" Kaiba announced loudly with his distinctive voice. "The new Duel Disk system eliminates the inconvenience of the old Duel Arenas and the rigid player limits. Now, any number of people can duel anytime, anywhere. It''s truly a revolutionary product!"


    "The rules for a three-way duel are simple. The turns will rotate as follows: ''Me¡úHoshino¡úMe¡úJonouchi¡úMe.'' All other rules remain the same as usual." Kaiba explained as he retrieved the spinning Duel Disk from the ground.


    "This is the first time I''ve heard of such a duel..." Anzu looked puzzled after hearing Kaiba''s explanation. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If we follow these rules, Seto Kaiba, your number of turns doesn''t decrease at all," Mai Valentine questioned. According to Kaiba''s rules, he would act twice for every turn Hoshino and Jonouchi each took. "You said it''s a two-on-one duel, but aside from the initial hand advantage, you suffer no real disadvantage. In fact, if Hoshino and Jonouchi don''t coordinate well, it will be even harder for them to win."


    "Shut up, woman! Do you think I''m the type to exploit loopholes?" Kaiba shouted at Mai, raising his Duel Disk high. "Since it''s still in the development stage, every time a monster is summoned, the Duel Disk must be thrown out, and it can only be retrieved after the monster is sent to the graveyard. Thus, each player can only have one monster on the field at a time."


    "Only one monster can be summoned?!" Even Jonouchi understood the disadvantage Kaiba faced. Hoshino and Jonouchi, with two Duel Disks, could summon two monsters, while Kaiba, limited to one monster on the field, couldn''t summon high-level monsters like Blue-Eyes White Dragon, which requires two tributes.


    "So this Duel Disk can''t fully replicate the Duel Arena''s features," Hoshino bluntly pointed out the obvious shortcomings of the device, leaving Kaiba looking slightly embarrassed. "All your bragging, and this Duel Disk is just a stripped-down version."


    "Ugh..." Kaiba froze for a moment, his expression slightly awkward. "That''s right! This Duel Disk sacrificed a lot for portability, but it''s only a prototype version. More features will be added in the future!"


    Although Kaiba agreed to the duel, Jonouchi still felt somewhat slighted by the two-on-one arrangement. "In the end, you still looking down on us, using rules that disadvantage yourself..."


    "I accept the rules!" Hoshino interrupted Jonouchi''s complaint, smiling at him. "Let''s do our best together, Jonouchi-kun~"


    "Ah... okay..." Facing Hoshino''s innocent smile, Jonouchi, who had just been glaring angrily at Kaiba, suddenly scratched his head shyly.


    Hoshino knew very well that defeating a world-class duelist like Seto Kaiba was unlikely with her current deck. After all, there was a qualitative difference between Kaiba and the fake Kaiba she defeated earlier. But according to Kaiba''s rules, teaming up with Jonouchi could significantly increase their chances of winning.


    "Enough talk, let''s start the duel!" Kaiba drew his cards without waiting.


    "Bring it on, I''m not afraid of you!" Jonouchi didn''t back down either.


    "Wait, hold on, I haven''t even put this thing on yet." Hoshino fumbled to attach the Duel Disk to her right arm.


    The duel began!


    Seto Kaiba LP : 4000


    Hoshino Chiyuki & Jonouchi LP : 4000


    "I''ll go first!" Jonouchi drew his card. "I summon the monster card [Armored Lizard] in attack position!"


    Placing the monster card on the Duel Disk, Jonouchi mimicked Kaiba''s earlier move, throwing the Duel Disk to the ground. The spinning Duel Disk projected the holographic image of [Armored Lizard].


    [Armored Lizard ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth] [Reptile] [ATK:1500 DEF:1200]


    "Turn end."


    "Hahaha, Jonouchi, you''re really just an amateur." Kaiba couldn''t help but mock Jonouchi for ending his turn so quickly. "Summoning such a weak monster in attack position on the first turn, don''t you know anything about playing it safe? My turn, draw!"


    "I summon [Axe Raider] in attack position!" Kaiba threw out his Duel Disk, and the menacing monster with a giant axe appeared on the field.


    [Axe Raider ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Dark] [Beast-Warrior] [ATK:1900 DEF:1200]


    "Wow, it has 1900 attack points without needing a tribute." Yugi exclaimed. An attack power of 1900 was among the highest for a 4-star monster, indicating the card''s rarity.


    For Kaiba, who came from a wealthy family, even the rarest cards could fill his deck. "Attack [Armored Lizard] with [Axe Raider], go, Axe Slash!"


    The enormous blade cut through the lizard and its armor in one swift strike.


    After [Armored Lizard] was destroyed, the spinning Duel Disk bounced back to Jonouchi''s hand.


    Hoshino Chiyuki & Jonouchi LP ¡ú 3600


    "At this rate, even in a three-way duel, you''ll only drag Hoshino Chiyuki down," Kaiba laughed, not sparing any ridicule.


    "Damn you, Seto Kaiba." Jonouchi wanted to retort but couldn''t find any reason to, and his fear of actually dragging Hoshino down left him feeling less confident.


    "I set one card face-down and end my turn." Kaiba inserted a card into his Duel Disk, indicating a face-down card.


    "My turn, draw!" Seeing Jonouchi''s low spirits, Hoshino smiled and reassured him, "It''s okay, Jonouchi, leave it to me."


    "How is Hoshino going to deal with the 1900 attack points of [Axe Raider] with only one monster allowed?" Yugi wondered. The high attack power of Kaiba''s first summoned monster was truly oppressive.


    "I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime] in attack position!" Placing the card on the Duel Disk, Hoshino used all his strength, "Here we go~"


    Like throwing a discus, Hoshino launched the Duel Disk with both hands.


    "This design is too strenuous for girls," Kaiba thought to himself, stroking his chin as he watched Hoshino''s effort.


    [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime ¡ï¡ï¡ï Fire] [Dragon/Effect] [ATK:800DEF:200]


    "Master, you''ve finally summoned me!" A girl in white stockings with a yandere expression appeared on the spinning Duel Disk. "You had me all this time and only summon me now, are you shy?"


    Instinctively stepping back two steps, Hoshino knew why she hadn''t summoned her earlier. "I need you to lend me your strength, Kiyohime." Steeling her resolve, Hoshino commanded Kiyohime with a magnetic fake voice.


    "Master, you''re so dashing. Please, command me more," Kiyohime blushed even more, looking expectantly at Hoshino.


    "Activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime]!"


    [¢Ù When this card is summoned, special summoned, or flip summoned, toss a coin. Heads: the attack points of an opponent''s monster decrease by the same amount as this card''s attack points; Tails: the opponent cannot conduct battles until the end of their next turn.]


    "Sealing my attack with such a trick, interesting," Kaiba said, intrigued by Hoshino''s monster''s effect. "But you must pay the price if you lose the gamble."


    "You''ll never know unless you try. Toss the coin!" Hoshino was confident, especially with the lucky Jonouchi by her side.


    Result of the toss: Heads, the opponent''s monster loses attack points equal to this card''s attack points.


    [Axe Raider ATK ¡ú 1100]


    "Hahaha, too bad, Hoshino Chiyuki, it seems luck isn''t on your side," Kaiba laughed as the result came out. "My Axe Raider still has higher attack power!"


    "Damn, we lost the gamble! The plan to seal his attack failed," Jonouchi shouted, frustrated.


    "No, Jonouchi, we won the gamble!" Hoshino gave Jonouchi a thumbs up. With Jonouchi around, luck was on her side. "I never said I was aiming to seal his attack."


    "Simply sealing his attack won''t resolve the current situation. Breaking his monster is the most effective way. Kiyohime, attack Axe Raider!"


    "Three-Fold Flames of Transformation!" Kiyohime raised her fan, and a fiery dragon engulfed Axe Raider. "My flames won''t let you escape~"


    [¢Ú When this card attacks, its attack points double until the end of the turn.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime ATK: 800 ¡ú 1600]


    "All right, Axe Raider is defeated!" Jonouchi excitedly clenched his fist.


    Seto Kaiba LP ¡ú 3500


    "I set two more cards face-down and end my turn," Hoshino said, mimicking Kaiba as she inserted the cards into the Duel Disk''s slots.


    "That was quite a gamble, Hoshino." Kaiba chuckled, closing his eyes as he retrieved his Duel Disk after Axe Raider was destroyed.


    "My turn, draw!" Kaiba drew a card with a dramatic flourish and placed another monster on the Duel Disk. "But luck alone isn''t enough to defeat me!"


    "From my hand, I special summon Bloodthirsty Beast King!"


    [Bloodthirsty Beast King ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Dark] [Beast-Warrior/Effect] [ATK:1900 DEF:1200]


    [¢Ù: If there are no monsters on your field, you can special summon this card from your hand. ¢Ú: When this card destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, its attack increases by 500. ¢Û: If this card is destroyed by battle, the attack of the monster that destroyed it decreases by 500.]


    "Another monster with 1900 attack points," Jonouchi said, feeling nervous. "And it''s a five-star monster, even stronger than the last one. Seto Kaiba is truly terrifying."


    "Bloodthirsty Beast King, attack Hoshino Chiyuki''s monster! King''s Mountain-Crushing Strike!" The beast king roared and raised a massive sword, slashing down with enough force to split a mountain.


    "Master, this looks bad!" Kiyohime cried, her face pale as she saw the massive sword approaching.


    "Don''t be afraid, Kiyohime. Just leave it to¡ª"


    "Master wants me to trust you, right? I knew you''d protect me. I love you, Master," Kiyohime interrupted, gazing at Hoshino with adoration.


    "Leave it to Jonouchi!" Hoshino declared, revealing a set card.


    "Huh? Me?" Jonouchi was bewildered as Hoshino suddenly handed him the responsibility.


    "Activate trap card [Nagging Shopkeeper]!"


    [Nagging Shopkeeper Trap Card Effect: When a monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name is targeted for an attack, you can activate this card to special summon a level 4 or lower monster from your deck in defense position, and its defense increases by 500 points.]


    "Jonouchi, I don''t have any monster slots left, so I''m counting on you," Hoshino said, looking at Jonouchi with trust.


    Understanding Hoshino''s strategy, Jonouchi grabbed his Duel Disk. "Leave it to me!"


    "From my deck, I special summon Iron Knight ¨C Gearfried in defense position!"


    [Iron Knight ¨C Gearfried ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK:1800 DEF:1600¡ú2100]


    The reinforced black armor of the Iron Knight blocked the Bloodthirsty Beast King''s powerful strike.


    Seto Kaiba LP ¡ú 3300


    "Jonouchi, you have such a strong four-star monster?" Anzu said in surprise as she looked at Jonouchi''s special summoned Iron Knight.


    "Iron Knight may have excellent stats for a four-star monster, but it has a downside," Mai explained seriously. "It can''t be equipped with any equip cards, which is a significant disadvantage for a Warrior-type monster."


    [Iron Knight Effect: If this card is equipped with an equip card, the equip card is destroyed.]


    "But it doesn''t change the fact that it has excellent stats and helped Hoshino block that attack," Yugi added.


    "Oh? I underestimated you, didn''t I, you amateur?" Kaiba raised an eyebrow as his attack was blocked.


    "Of course! My skills are just getting started!" Jonouchi raised his arm in a show of strength.


    "He''s only boasting because of Hoshino''s set card," Anzu muttered, looking at Jonouchi, who thought he looked cool.


    "It''s my turn now! My turn, draw!" Jonouchi said, looking at the card he drew with excitement. "Seto Kaiba, I''m just getting started! Watch this!"


    "I use [Iron Knight] and [Kiyohime] as sacrifices to summon my monster card, [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]!"


    "What? I have to part with Master so soon?" Kiyohime looked at Hoshino with a pout.


    "Don''t worry, Kiyohime, you''ve done great," Hoshino said, smiling warmly at her as she was enveloped in white light.


    "Master, you must win!" Kiyohime cheered before disappearing into the light.


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star) Dark] [Dragon][ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000]


    A massive black dragon appeared on the spinning Duel Disk with a roar that shook the battlefield.


    "Hmph, the legendary Red-Eyes Black Dragon, said to rival the Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Kaiba sneered. "I''m surprised an amateur like you has such a rare card."


    "Can Red-Eyes Black Dragon really rival Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Anzu asked Yugi, puzzled. "Its attack points are much lower."


    "Legends say the White Dragon brings victory, while the Black Dragon brings out the potential of a deck," Yugi thought, looking at the roaring dragon. "Perhaps the Red-Eyes Black Dragon has some unknown potential."


    "How about that, Kaiba? My ace card!" Jonouchi boasted. "Take this, Red-Eyes Black Dragon''s Black Flame Bullet!"


    Responding to Jonouchi''s command, the massive black dragon opened its jaws and fired a black flame bullet at the Bloodthirsty Beast King.


    "I''d love to compliment you, but you''re still too naive. Activate the face-down card!" Kaiba revealed the card he set in the first turn. "Counter Trap Card, Negate Attack!"


    The familiar Negate Attack absorbed the black flame bullet into a vortex, nullifying it.


    "Damn, blocked," Jonouchi gritted his teeth in frustration. "I''ll set a card and end my turn."


    "Kaiba didn''t use his trap card to block Kiyohime''s attack earlier?" Mai asked, astonished.


    "That''s Kaiba''s brilliance," Yugi explained. "Since he only had one monster slot, there was no need to waste trap card protecting weaker monsters. But by using it this turn, it means..."


    "My turn, draw!" Kaiba''s loud voice interrupted Yugi and Mai''s conversation. "Activate Spell Card, Cost Down!"


    "Just as I thought!" Yugi''s suspicions were confirmed.


    [Cost Down Spell Card Effect: Discard 1 card to activate this card. This turn, the level of all monsters in your hand decreases by 2.]


    "By using Negate Attack to protect his monster, Kaiba set up for a tribute summon of a high-level monster!" Mai finally understood Kaiba''s strategy.


    "Exactly! I sacrifice Bloodthirsty Beast King to summon!" Kaiba''s aura alone seemed to lift his coat. "The embodiment of destruction, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star) Light] [Dragon] [ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500]


    With a powerful flap of its wings, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared, its roar shaking the battlefield as it faced the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 Chapter 43 - 43

    A massive white dragon descended, breaking through the night sky.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star) Light] [Dragon][ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500]


    "The Blue-Eyes... White Dragon," Jonouchi said in disbelief, looking at the enormous white dragon before him. His left hand, holding his cards, trembled uncontrollably from the dragon''s thunderous roar. Although he had seen the Blue-Eyes White Dragon during the duel between Hoshino and the fake Kaiba earlier in the day, the oppressive presence of facing it directly was incomparable.


    Not only Jonouchi, but even Hoshino felt that this Blue-Eyes White Dragon posed a far greater threat than it did during the day. "So this is the true Blue-Eyes White Dragon used by the real Seto Kaiba. Its presence is overwhelming."


    "Are you mere mortals rendered speechless by my Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Kaiba glanced at their reactions with a satisfied smile. "Remember this moment well, for this is the true terror of the Blue-Eyes!"


    "Go, Blue-Eyes White Dragon! White Lightning Attack!" Kaiba commanded, raising his finger high. "Disappear into the blinding white light of destruction, Red-Eyes!"


    Although the legend said the White Dragon and Black Dragon could rival each other, in reality, the disparity in their attack points caused the Red-Eyes Black Dragon to be annihilated by the dazzling White Lightning Attack.


    Hoshino Chiyuki & Jonouchi LP ¡ú 3000


    "Hahaha, what a pathetic Black Dragon! So much for being equally matched. Legends are truly deceptive!" Kaiba felt a surge of pride as he watched the Red-Eyes Black Dragon be defeated in one strike by the Blue-Eyes.


    "The potential that the Black Dragon brings to a deck is something you can''t comprehend right now," Hoshino said coldly, facing Kaiba''s condescending attitude. "Jonouchi, activate the set card!"


    "With pleasure!" Jonouchi caught the rebounding Duel Disk and flipped open the card he had set last turn. "Activate the trap card, [Dragon''s Legacy]!"


    [Dragon''s Legacy Trap Card Effect: When a Dragon-type monster on your field is destroyed, you can activate this card to special summon a Dragon-type monster from your deck with a level half or lower than that of the destroyed monster.]


    "In defense position, I special summon from my deck, [Baby Dragon]!" Once again, Jonouchi threw out the Duel Disk, and the Baby Dragon, inheriting the will of the Black Dragon, appeared on the field.


    [Baby Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï Wind] [Dragon][ATK:1200 DEF:700]


    "Are you trying to make me laugh, you amateur?" Kaiba raised an eyebrow, unsure how to react to the Baby Dragon trembling before the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. "Is this the potential you speak of?"


    "That''s right, Seto Kaiba! The potential awakened will eventually triumph over the invincible Blue-Eyes!" Satisfied with the Baby Dragon, Hoshino drew a card from his deck. "My turn, I sacrifice Baby Dragon to summon in attack position, [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:0 DEF:3000]


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, have you been influenced by this amateur? Summoning a monster with zero attack points in attack position?" Kaiba angrily questioned.


    "The Dragon Slayer, bathed in dragon blood, ..." Hoshino recited as she watched Siegfried emerge from the white light, "He gained strength and immortality from the dragon''s blood, marking the beginning of his tragic life."


    "I''m sorry, Master, for causing you trouble," Siegfried apologized as he materialized.


    "No need to apologize, Siegfried," Hoshino reassured him, unaffected by Kaiba''s words. "No one is more suited to slaying dragons than you. Activate [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried]''s special effect!"


    [¢Ù This card can only be normal summoned by sacrificing a Dragon-type monster. When successfully summoned, its attack points increase by twice the attack points of the sacrificed Dragon-type monster.]


    "Hero, bathed in dragon blood!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried ATK: 0 ¡ú (1200 x 2) 2400]


    "I''m sorry, I''m just a Heroic Spirit who can only slay dragons," Siegfried apologized again.


    [¢Ú This card''s attack points increase by 1000 for each Dragon-type monster on the opponent''s field.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried ATK ¡ú 3400]


    "That''s more than enough. Being able to slay dragons makes you outstanding, Siegfried," Hoshino said, trying to comfort the apologetic Siegfried.


    "Master is truly kind-hearted," Siegfried smiled subtly. "Let me respond to your expectations with my sword."


    Siegfried raised his sword, gathering immense energy into the Phantom Greatsword. "The evil dragon shall fall, and everything shall be cut down. The world is now at sunset."


    "Go, Hoshino, show that arrogant guy the power of dragon slayers!" Jonouchi cheered, waving his arms excitedly.


    "Let Seto Kaiba witness the strength of a dragon slayer!" Hoshino, too, felt a surge of excitement as the Phantom Greatsword gathered energy. "Swing your sword, heroic dragon slayer!"


    "At your command, Master!" Siegfried, having finished gathering energy, opened his eyes and released the accumulated power in a single strike. "The evil dragon shall fall, and the world will reach its sunset. Felling blow ¡ºBalmung Phantasmal Greatsword - Feller of the Sky Demon¡»"


    The colossal sword energy, containing terrifying power, shattered the howling Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    Seto Kaiba LP ¡ú 2600


    [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried ATK ¡ú 2400]


    "Impressive, Hoshino Chiyuki." Recovering quickly from the shock of seeing his Blue-Eyes White Dragon defeated, Kaiba couldn''t help but praise Hoshino. "Although I suspected you might have the power to defeat the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it''s still surprising to see it actually happen."


    Kaiba had witnessed Hoshino''s deck defeat the Blue-Eyes White Dragon before, so seeing it happen again wasn''t entirely unexpected.


    "This is truly entertaining. Dueling with you is so much fun!" Kaiba laughed heartily as he drew a card from his deck.


    To prevent Hoshino''s Arash special effects to activate, Kaiba had been deliberately keeping his LP low, but his Blue-Eyes White Dragon was still defeated. "You truly are a duelist worthy of my recognition, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "Activate the spell card, [Monster Reborn]!" Kaiba placed the spell card into the slot and threw the Duel Disk. "Revive, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The roaring white dragon reappeared on the field.


    "It''s useless. Even if you summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon again, you can''t defeat Hoshino''s Siegfried!" Jonouchi taunted confidently, recognizing Siegfried''s power. "With a Dragon-type monster on the field, Siegfried''s attack points increase!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried ATK ¡ú 3400]


    Ignoring Jonouchi''s taunt, Kaiba focused intently on Hoshino behind Siegfried. "Today, I''ll show you the ultimate power of the world''s tyrant."


    "From my hand, I activate the spell card, Polymerization!" Kaiba declared like a monarch, placing [Polymerization] into the slot.


    "Fusion? Could it be..." Yugi watched in disbelief.


    "I fuse the two Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my hand with the one on the field. Arise!" As the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons entered the graveyard, the world seemed to tremble, and the immense pressure made it hard to breathe.


    "The most powerful, Dragon in history! Appear, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12-star) Light] [Dragon/Fusion Monster][ATK: 4500 DEF: 3800]


    With a deafening roar, the three-headed Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon emerged on the field, seemingly ready to pierce the dark sky.


    "Perfect, invincible, the strongest!!" Kaiba''s unique voice echoed, as if the entire Duelist Kingdom was beneath his feet. "Transcending the limits of time and space, appear! White Lightning Attack!!"


    Three colossal beams of white light shot from the three dragon heads, engulfing Siegfried in an instant.


    "I''m sorry, Master, I lost to the evil dragon," Siegfried said with a smile, glancing back at the stunned Hoshino before disappearing into the white light.


    Hoshino Chiyuki & Jonouchi LP ¡ú 1900


    "Perfect, invincible, the strongest! This is the power of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Kaiba shouted arrogantly, spreading his arms wide. He felt invincible at this moment.


    "How could such a monster exist¡­" Jonouchi was engulfed in a wave of despair. No one could blame him; anyone who had witnessed the devastating power of that attack would struggle to muster the will to fight.


    "Seto Kaiba is even stronger than when he dueled me," Yugi muttered, feeling a shiver of fear as he looked at the towering Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.


    "How can we possibly defeat such a terrifying monster?" Mai shivered, the cold, intimidating glow from the three dragon heads'' blue eyes spreading dread throughout the arena.


    ¡­


    "What are you daydreaming about, Jonouchi?" Hoshino scold, noticing Jonouchi''s inaction. "It''s your turn. The duel isn''t over yet!"


    "Ho-Hoshino¡­" Jonouchi stuttered, turning his trembling head toward Hoshino. "Can we really beat such a terrifying monster?"


    Can we really win? To be honest, Hoshino had no confidence either. But as the famous basketball coach Anzai once said¡­


    "If you give up now, the game is over!" Hoshino said, mimicking the same tone and delivering the iconic quote to Jonouchi.


    "¡­" Jonouchi stood still, Anzai''s impactful words echoing in his mind.


    "That''s right, we haven''t lost yet." Suddenly enlightened, Jonouchi smiled and drew a card. "My turn, draw!"


    "I summon [Tiger Axe Warrior] in defense position and set one card face-down. Turn end." Jonouchi, regaining his courage, looked at Hoshino and silently prayed, "Sorry, Hoshino. I don''t want to give up, but I don''t know how to defeat the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. All I can do now is pass the turn safely to you."


    [Tiger Axe Warrior ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth] [Beast-Warrior][ATK:1300DEF:1100]


    Jonouchi felt ashamed of his thoughts, but it was all he could do.


    "Do you think you can block an attack from the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Jonouchi? My turn, draw!" Kaiba laughed, glancing at his drawn card. "Feel the despair, you amateur."


    Kaiba placed his card into the slot. "Activate the Equip Spell [Meteor Impact]!"


    "Oh no!" Yugi immediately sensed danger when he saw Kaiba activate the Equip card.


    [Meteor Impact Equip Spell Effect: When attacking a Defense Position monster, the equipped monster inflicts battle damage to your opponent equal to the difference between the equipped monster''s attack and the targeted monster''s defense.]


    "An equip card with piercing effect! That makes Defense Position meaningless!" Anzu closed her eyes, unable to watch the impending scene.


    "Despair, amateurs! But that''s not all. Activate the Spell Card [Ultimate Burst Stream]!" Kaiba activated another Spell card, leaving no escape for his opponents.


    [Ultimate Burst Stream Spell Effect: If you control "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," destroy all monsters your opponent controls.]


    The exclusive Spell Card for the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon unleashed its terrifying effect. The massive burst stream exploded on the field, easily destroying the Tiger Axe Warrior.


    "This should make it hard for you to use your strange cards, Hoshino!" Kaiba spared no expense, even sacrificing his hand to prevent any surprises from Hoshino''s traps.


    "Go, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! Direct attack and claim victory!" Kaiba commanded, his face full of confidence. "Ultimate White Lightning!"


    "Activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George]! Special summon in defense position!" At the critical moment, Hoshino summoned Saint George from her hand.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George ¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:1000DEF:1600]


    [¢Ù When your opponent declares an attack, you can special summon this card from your hand in defense position. Its defense increases by 500 points. ¢Ú While this card is on the field, your opponent can only target this card for attacks.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George DEF ¡ú 2100]


    "Master, forgive me for saying this, but I can''t block such an attack," Saint George said, frowning at the incoming white lightning.


    "It''s useless, Hoshino Chiyuki. No matter how versatile your cards are, you can''t block this attack!" Kaiba had already anticipated Hoshino''s resistance and equipped the [Meteor Impact] for the final blow. "Inflict piercing damage, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    "I won''t let you succeed, Kaiba!" Jonouchi, fueled by newfound courage, stepped up. "Activate trap card, [Skull Dice]!"


    "Nice, Jonouchi!" Hoshino praised as Jonouchi activated the trap card. All they could do now was hope for Jonouchi''s luck.


    [Skull Dice Trap Card Effect: Roll a six-sided die. All monsters your opponent controls lose attack and defense equal to the result x 100 until the end of this turn.]


    "Please, let this work." Both Jonouchi and Hoshino prayed as the die rolled on the field.


    Result: 6


    "Jonouchi, you truly are the legendary luck god!" Hoshino exclaimed at the rolled number.


    "Yes!" Jonouchi''s exaggerated expression of triumph couldn''t be missed.


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ATK: 4500 ¡ú 3900]


    Hoshino Chiyuki & Jonouchi LP ¡ú 100


    "Tch, just hanging by thread," Kaiba grumbled, annoyed by their survival.


    "It''s not just hanging on; it''s finding a glimmer of hope in the darkness." Retrieving her Duel Disk, Hoshino believed Lady Luck had not abandoned them. "Activate the trap card [Hero''s Return]!"


    [Hero''s Return Trap Card Effect: When a monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name is destroyed, special summon one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your graveyard.]


    "Special summon from the graveyard, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Siegfried]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Siegfried ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:0 DEF:3000]


    "Master, you¡­" Siegfried couldn''t believe he was being summoned this way.


    "Is this your so-called glimmer of hope?" Kaiba frowned at the revived Siegfried. As a special summon, Siegfried didn''t activate his normal summon effect, so his attack points remained at 0. "What are you planning, Hoshino Chiyuki?"


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 Chapter 44 - 44

    "What Hoshino thinking?" Yugi looked at the 0-attack Siegfried, or rather the 1000-attack Siegfried, puzzled. With the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the field, Siegfried''s attack points increased to 1000, but this was still nothing compared to the 4500 attack points of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.


    [Siegfried ATK: 0 ¡ú 1000]


    "Jonouchi..." Jonouchi remained silent, believing Hoshino must have a plan.


    "Jonouchi!" Hoshino suddenly called out to Jonouchi, "Do you believe in the potential hidden within your cards?"


    "Huh?" Jonouchi was taken aback by the question, but then he looked at the cards in his Duel Disk and smiled. "Of course! I''m here, standing in Duelist Kingdom, because I believe my cards can create miracles."


    "Nice answer, Jonouchi!" Hoshino inserted a Spell Card into the slot, convinced that this card would bring victory. "Alone, I might not be able to defeat Seto Kaiba. But with our combined strength, we can create miracles!"


    "Activate Spell Card, [Monster Reborn]! Special summon [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] from the graveyard!"


    "Got it!" Understanding Hoshino''s plan, Jonouchi retrieved [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] from the graveyard and placed it on the Duel Disk. "Go, Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    With a roar, the Red-Eyes Black Dragon reappeared on the field. However, no matter how intimidating its roar, it was powerless before the ultimate white dragon.


    "What can summoning that black dragon accomplish now?" Kaiba sneered at the roaring dragon. "A monster that couldn''t even defeat the Blue-Eyes White Dragon stands no chance against the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    "If the White Dragon brings victory, the Black Dragon brings potential. Now, I''ll show you what ''potential'' truly means," Hoshino declared, unfazed by Kaiba''s contempt.


    "Stop struggling like a clown. Look at your LP. The only outcome for you is defeat!" Kaiba roared, irritated by Hoshino''s defiance.


    "No, our fate will be different!" Hoshino inserted another card into the slot, ready to create a hero that had never existed. "Activate Spell Card, [Alternate Ending]!"


    [Alternate Ending Spell Card Effect: Discard 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster and 1 Spell Card from your hand, then target 1 Spell Card in your or your opponent''s graveyard. Add that card to your hand.]


    "What are you doing?" Kaiba''s eyes widened in shock at Hoshino''s sudden move.


    "I need a card that can create miracles." Hoshino smiled confidently, discarding two cards from his hand. "I discard [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] and [Lord Camelot], and add your Spell Card [Polymerization] from your graveyard to my hand!"


    "Polymerization!" Yugi finally understood Hoshino''s actions. "If any card can turn the tide, it''s definitely Polymerization."


    "Fusion summon [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] and [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried]! Appear, new heroic spirit that never existed!" Hoshino wasn''t sure what this Fusion would bring, but it was their only chance. The potential of the Black Dragon and the miracle of Fusion converged.


    A massive energy vortex engulfed Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Siegfried, forming a pillar of dark light that pierced the sky.


    "I believe in you, Siegfried." Hoshino was about to break the dimensional walls and merge entities that shouldn''t coexist.


    The dark pillar exploded, and a new heroic spirit emerged from the darkness.


    "It worked!" Hoshino exclaimed, placing the newly formed card onto the Duel Disk and throwing it out. "Special summon the new monster, [Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter]!"


    [Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10-star) Dark] [Dragon/Fusion/Effect] [ATK:3000 DEF:3000]


    Siegfried, now adorned in black armor with a Red-Eyes Black Dragon helmet on his left shoulder, spread his dark wings and hovered above the ground.


    "The dragon slayer has become the demon dragon!" Siegfried raised his sword, a cursed holy sword that transformed into either a demon or holy sword depending on the user.


    "I am the strongest demon dragon soaring in the night sky. There''s nothing to apologize for!"


    "Siegfried..." Hoshino felt a surge of emotion seeing Siegfried''s newfound confidence.


    "See this, Seto Kaiba!" Jonouchi boasted, proud of the monster that resulted from the fusion of his Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Hoshino''s Siegfried. "This is the potential the Black Dragon brings!"


    "But its attack is still not higher than the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Despite the immense pressure from the new monster, Kaiba still believed his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon was the strongest.


    "Activate [Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter]''s special effect!" Hoshino commanded the new Siegfried, raising his right hand.


    [This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon. ¢Ù This card gains ATK equal to the number of Dragon-Type monsters on the field and in the graveyards ¡Á 500.]


    "There are 8 Dragon-Type monsters on the field and in the graveyards: [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime], [Baby Dragon], [Red-Eyes Black Dragon], [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] ¡Á3, [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon], and [Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter]. So Siegfried''s attack increases by 4000 points!" As Hoshino named the Dragon-Type monsters present in this duel, the dark energy of Siegfried''s sword intensified.


    [Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter ATK ¡ú 7000]


    "Impossible! 7000 attack points?!" Kaiba gasped at the sight of Siegfried, now empowered with the souls of all the Dragon-Type monsters. "It''s higher than the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The ultimate Blue-Eyes cannot surpass the ultimate demon dragon." Hoshino crossed his arms, having already sealed their victory. "Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter, attack Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    "Killing dragons is as easy as eating or sleeping," Siegfried grinned evilly, raising his empowered sword. "Whether holy dragons or demon dragons, all will fall¡ªPhantom Greatsword: Heaven''s End!"


    Siegfried, hovering above, unleashed the dark energy from his sword. The evil energy exploded on the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, disintegrating it in an instant.


    Seto Kaiba LP ¡ú 100


    "Activate [Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter]''s effect!"


    [¢Ú If this card destroys a Dragon-Type monster by battle, it can attack again.]


    "Sorry, Seto Kaiba, but we''re winning this duel!" Jonouchi exclaimed, thrilled by Siegfried''s final effect.


    "See this, Kaiba! This is the potential the Black Dragon brings!" Hoshino shouted as Siegfried''s massive dark sword swung again, striking down the stunned Kaiba.


    Seto Kaiba LP: 100 ¡ú 0


    Seto Kaiba: "Aaaah!!"


    With Siegfried Alter''s sword strike, Kaiba''s remaining LP was reduced to zero.


    "Great, we won, Hoshino!" Jonouchi, overwhelmed with excitement, spread his arms and rushed towards Hoshino.


    "Get away, you creepy guy!" Exhausted, Hoshino threw her Duel Disk into Jonouchi''s face. Although Jonouchi was reliable during the duel, seeing his exaggerated expressions made it hard to approach him.


    "Ouch... not even a victory hug?" Jonouchi''s voice was muffled by the Duel Disk on his face.


    "Hmph, I actually lost," Kaiba said to himself, almost as if mocking his own defeat.


    "Kaiba..." Yugi was happy for Hoshino and Jonouchi''s victory, but seeing Kaiba standing solemnly made him worried.


    "Kaiba!" Hoshino shouted as she walked up to him, trying to snap him out of his daze.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki?" Kaiba looked up, his eyes calm as he gazed at Hoshino.


    "Kaiba, you''re really strong. If I had challenged you alone today, I would have surely lost." Hoshino wasn''t trying to console him; she was stating a fact. Without Jonouchi''s help, she knew she couldn''t have won against Kaiba under equal conditions.


    "Oh? If you''re trying to comfort me, save your effort." Kaiba looked down at Hoshino with his usual cold expression. "A loss is a loss. I don''t make excuses."


    "Good to know you understand. And you still plan to challenge Pegasus?" Jonouchi, removing the Duel Disk from his face, couldn''t resist the opportunity to mock Kaiba.


    "Jonouchi!" Anzu glared at Jonouchi for his insensitivity.


    "What? I''m just stating the truth," Jonouchi said, still acting cocky in front of Kaiba.


    "Hmph, amateur." Kaiba, surprisingly, allowed a smile to creep onto his face as he looked at Jonouchi. "Win or lose, I''m still going to face Pegasus."


    "As I said, this duel was just a test for my newly developed Duel Disk system." Kaiba removed the Duel Disk from his arm and placed it back in its case, signaling for Jonouchi and Hoshino to return theirs as well. "The test revealed many flaws, and that was the duel''s only purpose."


    "Are you really going to confront Pegasus, Kaiba?" Hoshino quickly returned the heavy Duel Disk to Kaiba, glad to be rid of it.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, you''re the strongest female duelist I''ve seen," Kaiba praised Hoshino without holding back. "But it''s still not enough. If your goal is to defeat Pegasus, you don''t stand a chance with your current strength."


    Hoshino understood this well; she still had many cards to collect. Her current deck was just a mishmash of whatever she had managed to draw, so it wasn''t strong enough yet.


    "But you don''t need to worry about that. I will personally take down Pegasus." After collecting the Duel Disks, Kaiba turned and walked towards Pegasus''s castle, displaying his tall, imposing figure.


    "Kaiba..." Yugi, sensing Kaiba''s determination, did not try to stop him again.


    Everyone watched silently as Kaiba''s figure slowly disappeared into the night.


    "Do you think Kaiba can really defeat Pegasus?" Jonouchi asked after Kaiba had vanished from sight.


    "It''s hard to say." Yugi couldn''t predict the outcome. As the only one among them who had dueled Pegasus, Yugi knew well how terrifying Pegasus was. "Pegasus''s Millennium Eye allows him to see everything his opponent thinks. Every card and strategy becomes transparent."


    "Such a terrifying ability is really OP!" Jonouchi clenched his fist. Even as a beginner, he could grasp the immense advantage the Millennium Eye gave.


    "That''s why decks relying on strategy are at a disadvantage against Pegasus," Mai noted, looking at Yugi. Yugi''s deck was known for its strategic depth.


    "But Kaiba''s deck is different. If mine is a strategy deck, then Kaiba''s is a power deck." Understanding Mai''s point, Yugi continued, "Kaiba''s deck focuses on the sheer strength of his cards. He might be the most likely among us to defeat Pegasus."


    "No, Kaiba can''t win," Hoshino suddenly spoke up, breaking her silence. She didn''t elaborate, but from her distant memories, she knew that Kaiba had never defeated Pegasus.


    "Well, let''s not dwell on such serious topics." Mai patted Hoshino on the shoulder. "Let''s go eat. You must be hungry."


    "Yeah, Kaiba''s interruption almost made us forget about dinner." Prompted by Mai''s reminder, Jonouchi felt a wave of hunger.


    "Yes, let''s eat!" Everyone agreed with Mai''s suggestion, their tense expressions easing as they headed back to the camp.


    "Pegasus and the Millennium Eye..." Hoshino thought to herself, trailing behind the group. "Can I really win in such an open-book duel?"


    Reluctantly, Hoshino admitted that her victories often relied on the unique effects of her Heroic Spirit deck. Since no one had seen such a deck before, they couldn''t prepare for it. But Pegasus was different. He could see through any strategy.


    "Hmm! My current Heroic Spirit deck!" Hoshino realized something. "After all the duels tonight, I should have earned plenty of Saint Quartz. It''s time to update my deck."


    With that thought, Hoshino''s frown turned into a smile. The series of events had made her forget about the system rewards. Defeating Bakura, the Dark Duelist, and Seto Kaiba should have earned her a lot of Saint Quartz.


    "Tomorrow, when the new card pack is released, I''ll draw until I''m broke!" Hoshino giggled to herself, dreaming of pulling powerful new cards.


    "Open unread messages."


    <Evaluation complete. Duelist Bakura, Duelist Level: C. Victory reward: 30 Saint Quartz. Current Saint Quartz: 30.>


    <Evaluation complete. Duelist Dark Duelist, Duelist Level: B. Victory reward: 45 Saint Quartz. Current Saint Quartz: 75.>


    <Evaluation complete. Duelist Seto Kaiba, Duelist Level: A. Victory reward: 60 Saint Quartz. Current Saint Quartz: 135.>


    <A dark game victory detected. Reward: 1 SSR-exclusive charm.>


    "I''m rich! I''m really rich now!" Hoshino''s eyes would have turned into the shape of Saint Quartz if they could.


    ------------------------------------------------------------


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 Chapter 45 - 45

    "Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters cards, that enigmatic man who invented the rules of the game with his mind and created all the cards with his hands." Alone in the night, as Kaiba walked toward Pegasus'' castle, he kept thinking, "On this island, every duelist is fighting for the star chips, aiming for that castle. But to him, the god of this card kingdom, it''s just a game."


    "Yugi, even you cannot defeat Pegasus." Thinking this, a trace of confusion appeared on Kaiba''s face. "I once saw one of his duels. No, It could no longer be called a duel."


    ¡­..


    It was during the American Championship held in New York, where I was invited as a guest to watch the match.


    Pegasus'' opponent was the number one ranked bounty hunter in America, Keith Howard. Because he had taken all the tournament''s prize money, he was known as the Thief Keith.


    "Haha, it''s an honor to duel with you. After this duel, I will be the number one in the world." Sitting at the front, Keith arrogantly said to Pegasus.


    However, Pegasus made no moves, merely watching Keith and writing something on a piece of paper. Then he called over a small boy sitting behind me to take his place.


    "What is your name, boy?" Pegasus gently asked as he handed the paper to the boy.


    "Tom¡­" The boy seemed nervous, probably because he was suddenly called onto the stage.


    "Oh, don''t be nervous, Tom boy. Just follow what''s written on this paper to finish this duel for me." After saying this, Pegasus left his seat.


    "Don''t joke around, Pegasus. Are you trying to escape because you''re afraid of losing to me?" Keith mocked as he watched Pegasus leave. "Well, as long as I get the prize money, nothing else matters."


    But what happened next shocked all the spectators. Following Pegasus'' instructions on the paper, the boy broke all of Keith''s strategies and won the duel perfectly.


    "It''s Tom boy''s victory. Let''s give him a round of applause~" Returning to the stage and raising Tom''s hand, Pegasus acted more like an award presenter, which was truly ironic for the American champion.


    ...


    "Although I don''t know what kind of tricks Pegasus used, he definitely saw through his opponent''s mind." Looking at the suitcase in his hand, Kaiba showed a confident smile. "I wonder if this new duelist device can stop Pegasus'' unknown tricks."


    ...


    Early morning on the second day of the Duelist Kingdom tournament.


    The early morning sun filtered through the dense leaves above, casting soft sunlight onto the face of a still-sleeping Hoshino.


    "Ugh¡­" Probably disturbed by the sunlight, Hoshino slightly opened her eyes and instinctively turned over.


    But as she turned, she seemed to unconsciously touch something soft.


    "Nobu?" The touched object suddenly made an inexplicable sound.


    Hearing the strange sound, Hoshino struggled to open her eyes a little more, glimpsing a familiar blue and white outfit. "What, it''s just Okita-san."


    Not noticing anything wrong, Hoshino drifted back to sleep.


    "Nobu!!" The object, seemingly annoyed, hit Hoshino''s cheek twice, waking her up.


    "Eh? Okita-san?!" Realizing something was off after being hit, Hoshino exclaimed.


    "No, it''s not Okita-san, it''s Nobu Nobunaga?!" Looking at the small, cute Nobu in Okita''s clothes beside her, Hoshino was now completely confused.


    "Nobu! Nobunobo, nono, bubu!" Nobu seemed to be trying to explain something, but Hoshino couldn''t understand a word.


    "What is going on? Am I still dreaming?" The scene before her was too fantastical for Hoshino, who had just woken up. Planning to slap herself awake, she realized her cheeks already felt burning pain.


    "Oh right, I was slapped awake by Nobu." In her dazed state, this was the only conclusion Hoshino could draw.


    "Where has everyone gone?" Realizing something was wrong again, Hoshino noticed that all her companions, who should have been sleeping together, had disappeared, leaving only half-burnt campfire and scattered sleeping mats.


    A sense of unease crept over Hoshino. She never expected to encounter such a bizarre incident on her first morning on the island.


    As Hoshino was at a loss, the bushes behind her suddenly rustled, making the sound of leaves brushing.


    "Yugi? Anzu? Mai? Or Jonouchi?" Hearing no response, the increasingly frightened Hoshino instinctively hugged the soft Nobu beside her.


    "Everyone, don''t joke around, don''t scare me!" Watching the shaking bushes, Hoshino was almost in tears.


    "Nobu!" After a violent shake, a tank-like object charged at Hoshino from the bushes. No, it wasn''t just a tank but a creature with only its lower half and arms as a tank.


    "Help!" Overwhelmed by fear, Hoshino finally couldn''t help but scream. But just at the critical moment, the mini Nobu in her arms jumped out, drew a small knife resembling the Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, and sliced the tank Nobu attacking Hoshino.


    Defeated, the tank Nobu exploded into a puff of smoke like in an animation, and a card fell into Hoshino''s hand.


    [Chariot Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Earth][Machine/Effect][ATK1500 DEF:1500]


    [This card''s ¢Ù effect can also be activated during the opponent''s turn. ¢Ù: Once per turn, you can activate this effect. This card''s ATK increases by 1000 until the end phase. During the end phase of the turn this effect was activated, send this card to the graveyard.]


    "What on earth is going on?!" Looking at the mini Chariot Nobu that exploded into a card in her hand, Hoshino was even more confused.


    "Nobu!" Mini Nobu Nobunaga stylishly sheathed her small Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, exuding an aura of ''my sword has slain something boring again.''


    "Nobu, what''s going on?" Helpless, Hoshino squatted down and asked the mini Nobu Nobunaga posing on the ground. Since it had just protected her, it seemed this thing was on her side.


    "Nobu?" Facing Hoshino''s question, mini Nobu Nobunaga looked puzzled.


    "You don''t know anything either, huh." Sighing, Hoshino felt truly unlucky. The new day had just begun, and she was already encountering such an incident.


    "Anzu, Mai, Yugi!! Everyone!" After shouting for a while without any response, it seemed everyone really wasn''t nearby. Despite the sleeping mats, sleeping bags, and various camping supplies still lying around as they were last night, where had everyone gone?


    Holding Nobu helplessly, Hoshino wandered around. Strangely, on the vast Duelist Kingdom, there wasn''t a single human, not even a trace of life.


    "In broad daylight, not hearing any human sounds on the entire island is really strange." Under normal circumstances, a short walk would reveal the towering duel arenas and dueling contestants. Even if many had been eliminated in one day, it shouldn''t be so deserted.


    Thinking this, Hoshino shivered. Although she wasn''t afraid of ghosts and spirits, such an eerie event would make anyone feel a bit uneasy.


    "Am I the only one left on this island? Is this another shadow game?" With this thought, Hoshino glanced at the Millennium Bracelet on her right wrist. "Da Vinci are you there? Can you answer me?"


    But aside from Nobu''s mocking expression, there was no response.


    Shaking her head helplessly, Hoshino punched Nobu in her arms that was laughing at her futile efforts. "Are you asleep, Da Vinci? How can you be absent at such a critical moment?"


    "Nobu!"


    But if it were a shadow game, Da Vinci wouldn''t remain silent, so Hoshino ruled out that possibility.


    Could it be...


    With this thought, Hoshino was left with only one answer, and she trembled as she opened the system.


    A grand BGM and...


    [Limited-Time Event! Chattering Honnoji is heating up. Collect Nobu cards to win SR Servant [Oda Nobunaga]!!]


    [Current mission: Collect Nobu cards to form a deck. Current progress: 2/40.]


    "There really is a limited-time event! This system is too cool!" Looking at the grand and familiar interface, Hoshino was reminded of the Chattering Honnoji event she participated in when she first played FGO.(GUDAGUDA)


    "I didn''t expect the system to not only bring over the Servant deck and gacha system but also the limited-time events..." Can such events be participated in another world? Surely I don''t have to farm dungeons for materials like in FGO.


    But knowing it was a system event, Hoshino felt slightly relieved: "Since it''s a system event, this place is probably just a special event space, and the fact that there''s no one here can be explained. And since it''s a limited-time event, things should return to normal once the time is up."


    Since it was her own system, it shouldn''t harm her, Hoshino told herself.


    "So, this empty Duelist Kingdom was created by the system''s power?" Scanning the empty arena, Hoshino couldn''t help but marvel, "How much power is hidden within the system?"


    "Well, since it''s a limited-time event, I might as well participate. There might be generous rewards, right Nobu?" Knowing it wasn''t a dangerous event, Hoshino was no longer afraid. She patted the soft Nobu''s head and continued wandering around the island.


    "Nobu!" The Nobu in her arms enthusiastically raised the Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, exuding a ''leave it to me'' vibe.


    After all, FGO events were known for their generosity. As long as you were willing to grind, you could get rich materials and exclusive Servants. But would it be the same in the Yu-Gi-Oh world?


    "What does this current mission mean? Does Nobu cards refer to this?" Picking up the card that the mini Chariot Nobu had turned into, Hoshino analyzed the system''s ''2/40'' progress. "So, I need to collect 40 such cards to complete the mission?"


    "I remember the mini Chariot Nobu appeared in the bushes, right? I haven''t encountered a second one on this main road. Could it be they''re only found in hidden places?" Thinking this, Hoshino couldn''t help but laugh. This encounter system was quite similar to a certain world-famous RPG.


    With this in mind, Hoshino left the wide main road and ventured into the dense forest.


    "Nobu!" As expected, it didn''t take long after entering the forest for another familiar mini Chariot Nobu to appear before Hoshino.


    "They''re all hiding, huh? It''s not so easy to find them." Hoshino calculated in her mind. The first one that jumped out and attacked her was probably the system''s tutorial.


    [A wild [mini Chariot Nobu] appeared!]


    "?!" The familiar prompt that appeared out of nowhere made Hoshino scratch her head.


    "..Well, let''s go! Go, mini Nobu Nobunaga!" Following the command, Hoshino threw Nobu towards the mini Chariot Nobu.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki sent out [mini Nobu Nobunaga] to battle!]


    "?"


    "Nobu!!" With a fierce shout, mini Nobu Nobunaga drew the Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune and slashed the mini Chariot Nobu in half. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [[mini Nobu Nobunaga] used Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, it''s super effective!]


    The defeated Chariot Nobu exploded into a card again, falling into Hoshino''s hand.


    [[mini Chariot Nobu] has fainted!]


    "Hey, this is like Pok¨¦mon!" Unable to hold back any longer, Hoshino finally blurted out.


    [******]


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 Chapter 46 - 46

    "Hey, is this Pok¨¦mon?!" Unable to hold back her complaint, Hoshino thought this system was too lazy. Clearly an FGO event, yet it copied another game''s mode.


    "Huh? Mini Nobu Nobunaga, what''s wrong with you?" After her complaint, Hoshino suddenly noticed something was off. After slicing through the mini Chariot Nobu, Nobu Nobunaga stood there twitching, unable to move.


    "Mini Nobu Nobunaga''s body?!!"


    "What? What''s happening now?" Hoshino looked at the twitching Nobu Nobunaga with concern, but there was nothing she could do to help.


    Suddenly, a bright light burst forth from the twitching Nobu Nobunaga.


    "[Mini Nobu Nobunaga] has evolved into [Nobu Corps]!"


    "[Nobu Corps] has learned a new skill, [Nobu''s Radiance]."


    "It can evolve too!" Relieved to see that Nobu Nobunaga¡ªno, now it was Nobu Corps¡ªwas okay, Hoshino looked at the two new cards that had appeared in her hand, [Nobu Corps] and [Nobu''s Radiance].


    [Nobu Corps ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Wind] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:1900 DEF:100]


    [¢Ù Once per turn, when this card attacks a Defense Position monster, you can activate this effect. Destroy that monster without applying damage calculation. During the End Phase of the turn this effect was activated, send this card to the Graveyard. ¢Ú During the End Phase of the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard, you can activate this effect. Special Summon this card in face-up Attack Position.]


    [Nobu''s Radiance Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: Target 1 monster with [Nobu] in its name you control. ¢Ù That monster gains 500 ATK.]


    "I see, so the Nobu cards I collect include not only various Nobu monster cards but also spell and trap cards representing their skills." After reading the card effects, Hoshino couldn''t help but smile. "Although it''s copying Pok¨¦mon, this event is quite fun."


    [Current mission: Collect Nobu cards to form a deck; Current progress: 4/40]


    Pocketing the cards, Hoshino picked up Nobu Corps from the ground and continued on her journey to become a Nobu master.


    "Though you''ve evolved, you don''t look any different." Hoshino chatted with Nobu Corps in her arms as she explored.


    "Nobu?" Nobu Corps looked at Hoshino with puzzled eyes, then raised a hand to poke its cartoonish face.


    "Pfft, are you saying your skin got better after evolving?" Hoshino couldn''t help but laugh. Despite being a card-based creature, it cared about its skin.


    "Nobu!" Nobu Corps angrily jumped up and punched Hoshino on the head, then fell back into her arms.


    "Ouch!" Surprised by Nobu Corps'' attack, Hoshino, annoyed, poked Nobu Corps'' face hard with her finger. "I''ll see just how smooth your skin is after evolving."


    "Oh?! This texture..." Though reluctant to admit it, the feel was much smoother than before, reminding Hoshino of Mai Valentine soft, smooth body from the previous night...


    Thinking of this, Hoshino''s face turned red, and she lowered her head.


    "Nobu!" As Hoshino was lost in the pleasant memory, Nobu Corps loudly called out, alerting her to danger.


    Hoshino quickly came back to her senses, thinking another mini Chariot Nobu had appeared.


    But there was nothing. Nervously scanning the ground with her eyes, Hoshino found nothing.


    "Nobu! Nobu!" An anxious Nobu Corps kept pointing to the sky with its short arms.


    "The sky? No way..." Looking up in a hurry, Hoshino spotted a new creature¡ªa Nobu with a UFO-like lower body.


    [A wild [Nobu UFO] appeared.]


    "Get ready for battle. Nobu Corps, I choose you!" Skillfully throwing Nobu Corps, Hoshino wore a face full of anticipation.


    But...


    [Nobu Corps used Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, but it''s ineffective.]


    "Nobu!" Because [Nobu UFO] floated in the sky, Nobu Corps'' short Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune couldn''t reach it.


    On the contrary, [Nobu UFO] rained down laser missiles, firing enthusiastically. "!" The ill-mannered [Nobu UFO], with its crude language, unleashed its full firepower.


    "What should we do, Nobu Corps?!" Fleeing madly to avoid the bombardment, Hoshino asked the bombed-to-a-crisp Nobu Corps, "Use your invincible Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune to figure something out!"


    "Nobu~~" Using the last of its strength, the charred Nobu Corps reached for Hoshino''s card pocket.


    Understanding Nobu Corps'' intention, Hoshino pulled out the collected cards. "You mean I should use these cards? But how?"


    With the bombardment closing in, Hoshino''s fate would likely be no better than the scorched Nobu Corps if she didn''t think of something.


    "Screw it, here goes nothing!" Drawing a card, Hoshino threw it out. "I choose you, [mini Chariot Nobu]!"


    "Nobu!" The card transformed mid-air into the heavy [mini Chariot Nobu], which landed stylishly and drifted elegantly on the ground.


    "It actually worked? So I can use the collected cards." Hoshino was relieved. "Go, mini Chariot Nobu, shoot down that Nobu UFO."


    "Nobu!" With a loud roar, the mini Chariot Nobu''s cannon aimed at the sky.


    [Mini Chariot Nobu used anti-aircraft cannon, it''s super effective.]


    After an intense exchange of fire, Nobu UFO let out a scream and crashed to the ground. "Nobu><"


    [Nobu UFO has fainted.]


    Naturally, another card appeared in Hoshino''s hand.


    [Nobu UFO ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars) Dark] [Machine/Effect][ATK:500 DEF:1400]


    [¢Ù When this card is Summoned or Special Summoned, you can add 1 [Nobu] monster from your Graveyard to your hand. ¢Ú When this card is destroyed or banished, you can target 1 [Nobu] monster in your banished zone, return it to the deck and shuffle it.]


    "So defeating them makes them allies. This system is convenient." Looking at the new card, Hoshino sighed. "But this card''s art style feels like it''s from another dimension compared to the others."


    After the battle, the mini Chariot Nobu returned to card form in Hoshino''s hand.


    "Nobu~" The charred Nobu Corps clung to Hoshino''s pants.


    "You did well, Nobu Corps." Stroking its blackened body, Hoshino hugged it. "As a meat shield¡­"


    ...


    In the darkness, a hidden face showed a wicked smile, "How interesting. But no matter how many of these small fry Nobus you collect, you won''t defeat me, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven."


    What challenges await Hoshino on her journey to become a Nobu master?


    "I wanna be the very best


    Like no one ever was


    To catch them is my real test


    To train them is my cause


    I will travel across the land


    Searching far and wide


    Teach Pokemon to understand


    The power that''s inside


    Pokemon!..."


    "Go, Nobu Corps!" Hoshino drew a card and threw it. "Use the Quick-Play Spell Card, Nobu''s Radiance!"


    "Nobu!" The Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune in Nobu Corps'' hand glowed brightly as it slashed at the silver mechanical Nobu.


    [[Nobu Corps] used Nobu''s Radiance. It''s super effective!]


    After the light faded, the body of the silver mechanical Nobu shattered, and its core card fell into Hoshino''s hand.


    [Silver Mechanical Nobu ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï] [Machine/Effect] [ATK:1500 DEF: 500]


    [You can only use this card''s ¢Ù effect once per turn. ¢Ù: When this card is summoned or Special Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 [Nobu] monster, except [Silver Mechanical Nobu], from your deck. ¢Ú: While this card is in the Monster Zone, you cannot Special Summon monsters from the deck except [Nobu] monsters.]


    "Nice, that makes ten cards." Pocketing the new card, Hoshino picked up Nobu Corps, who was playing with its shiny little knife on the ground.


    [Current mission progress: 10/40]


    "But it feels like time is passing slowly. Is it because I''m in a separate dimension?" Hoshino looked up at the sun. It felt like a whole morning had passed, yet the sun was still just rising. "I don''t feel hungry at all despite not eating anything yesterday."


    "And since earlier, I''ve had this strange feeling of being watched..." Hoshino turned sharply to look at the bushes behind her but saw nothing unusual.


    "Maybe I''m just imagining things. Let''s keep working on the mission." After giving Nobu Corps a rub, Hoshino continued on her journey.


    In the bushes...


    "Phew, that was close. Almost got caught." Lying on the ground, clutching her chest in fear, Nobunaga watched Hoshino''s figure fade into the distance and breathed a sigh of relief. "As expected of Master, she''s very sharp."


    After calming her breathing, a cunning look flashed in Nobunaga''s eyes. "You won''t have it easy for long, Master. Just wait and see. Haha..."


    SONG continues~


    "Gotta catch ''em all--


    It''s you and me


    I know it''s my destiny


    Poke..." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Enough, enough, stop singing! Keep it up, and we''ll get a copyright letter." Staring at the new Nobu that had just appeared, Hoshino scolded the Nobu Corps, which had been humming the Pok¨¦mon theme.


    [A wild [Golden Mini Nobu] appeared!]


    Smirking at the tiny golden Nobu, Hoshino couldn''t hold back her laugh. "Haha, it looks so weak."


    "Nobu, XD!" Nobu Corps in her arms also burst into laughter, thinking it was very small, but this golden mini Nobu was only half its size.


    "Nobu Corps, I choose you! Take it down easily, as usual!" Hoshino expertly tossed Nobu Corps, waiting for the new card to be in her hands.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki sent out [Nobu Corps] to battle!]


    As usual, Nobu Corps drew its mini Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune and charged.


    But before Hoshino realized it, the [Golden Mini Nobu] had pulled out a UFO-like object from behind.


    "Crap, if it gets on that UFO, Nobu Corps won''t be able to reach it." Realizing the situation, Hoshino quickly pulled out a card to summon [Mini Chariot Nobu].


    "Nobu!" To Hoshino''s surprise, the Golden Mini Nobu didn''t get on the UFO but hugged it and charged forward.


    "Watch out, Nobu Corps!" Hoshino suddenly recalled her Waver getting taken down by critical hits in events. "It''s a self-destruct!"


    "Nobu!" But it was too late. A loud explosion engulfed Nobu Corps.


    After the dust settled, the charred Nobu Corps landed at Hoshino''s feet, defeated once again.


    "Nobu Corps!!" Hugging the barely conscious Nobu Corps, Hoshino cried out in sorrow.


    "Nobu..." With its last bit of strength, Nobu Corps gently touched Hoshino''s face before its hand fell and it closed its eyes.


    "Well, at least I got the cards." Pulling herself together, Hoshino looked at the two new cards in her hand and pocketed them.


    [Golden Mini Nobu ¡ï¡ï¡ï Fire] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:300 DEF:300]


    [You can only use this card''s ¢Ù effect once per turn. ¢Ù: When this card is summoned or Special Summoned, you can target 1 [Nobu] monster in your graveyard, except [Golden Mini Nobu]; negate its effects and Special Summon it in Attack Position. ¢Ú: You can target 1 [Nobu] monster you control; this card''s Level becomes the same as that monster''s. You cannot Special Summon monsters except [Nobu] monsters during the turn you activate this effect.]


    "What a strange ¢Ú effect." Hoshino frowned at the description. "This is my first time seeing a level-changing effect. What''s up with this Nobu deck?"


    [Big Explosion NOBU! Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: You can activate this if you control only [Nobu] monsters. ¢Ù: Destroy all [Nobu] monsters you control, and inflict 400 damage to your opponent for each monster destroyed.]


    "That''s quite a powerful direct damage spell card. If you fill the field with Nobu monsters, you can deal 2000 damage at once." Remembering the devastating explosion, Hoshino sighed.


    In the bushes...


    "Damn, as expected of Master!" Nobunaga bit a leaf in frustration. "Even [Golden Mini Nobu]''s self-destruct was ineffective."


    "But next time won''t be so easy. Just wait, Master." Nobunaga''s eyes turned cold again.


    [Current mission progress: 12/40]


    "Your recovery is really fast, Nobu Corps." Hoshino rubbed the now fully energetic Nobu Corps, completely healed from its charred state. The same thing happened after being blasted by [Nobu UFO]; it looked serious but quickly recovered.


    "Nobu!" Nobu Corps clapped its small hands, agreeing with Hoshino.


    "Is it because of the skill effect?" Hoshino pulled out Nobu Corps'' card and looked at its ¢Ú effect: During the End Phase of the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon this card in face-up Attack Position.


    "If that''s true, you''re basically immortal." Surprised, Hoshino looked at the cute Nobu in her arms, unable to believe it had such great power.


    "Indeed, the comic relief characters are the strongest..."


    [******]


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 Chapter 47 - 47

    "Go, Golden Mini Nobu! Use Self-Destruct!" Hoshino expertly threw out both [Golden Mini Nobu] and [Big Explosion NOBU].


    "Nobu~" With a weak cry, the Golden Mini Nobu, which had already self-destructed countless times, tiredly hugged the UFO and launched itself at the enemy.


    [Silver Mini Nobu has fallen!]


    [Silver Mini Nobu ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:1000 DEF:1000]


    [¢Ù You can only activate this effect when this card is Special Summoned. You gain 500 Life Points. During the turn this effect is activated, this card is changed to Defense Position.]


    [Current mission progress: 37/40]


    "Perfect, that makes 37 cards." Hoshino pocketed the [Silver Mini Nobu] with a satisfied smile.


    Ever since capturing [Golden Mini Nobu] and [Big Explosion NOBU], Hoshino''s efficiency in battling monsters had skyrocketed. She didn''t have to consider anything about strengths or weaknesses; she simply blew everything up, making it as practical as using Arash.


    The downside was that after over 20 explosions, the [Golden Mini Nobu] seemed to be getting weaker. Additionally, the Nobu Corps in her arms looked at her with increasing fear.


    In the bushes¡­


    "Master, you a devil" Nobunaga, who had been following Hoshino, trembled on the ground, her face filled with disbelief. "Using such a cute mini Nobu like Arash, doesn''t your conscience hurt?"


    "I can''t keep hiding." Watching Hoshino''s progress, Nobunaga resolved to take action.


    ¡­


    "For some reason, I really want to blow something up." Just three Nobu cards away from completing the mission, Hoshino felt very relaxed.


    But the day didn''t go as planned. She wandered for a long time without finding any Nobus, whereas before, she encountered one every few minutes.


    "Did I blow them all up, or are they hiding because they''re scared?" Hoshino''s relaxed mood turned to irritation as she tightly squeezed the Nobu Corps in her arms.


    "Nobu!" The Nobu Corps, whose face was being squeezed, softly expressed its displeasure.


    "Come on, cute little Nobus, don''t hide. Come out so big sis can love you." Hoshino tried to lure out the Nobus by peeking into the bushes, using a childish lie.


    "NOBU!" To her surprise, she actually heard the familiar cry of a Nobu. Though familiar, this cry sounded heavier than usual.


    Hoshino didn''t think too much about it. Needing only three more cards to complete the mission, she wasn''t going to let this Nobu slip away. Pushing through the trees, she finally saw the source of the heavy Nobu cry.


    "So big!" she whispered in awe, looking at the giant golden Nobu.


    Hiding behind the bushes, Hoshino observed the enormous golden Nobu for a while.


    "No wonder the cry sounded so loud." While regular Nobus reached only up to her thighs, this giant Nobu was at least twice her height, its presence far more imposing than any mini Nobu.


    "Nobu Corps, can you handle this guy?" she whispered to the Nobu Corps in her arms.


    "Nobu!" The Nobu Corps shook its head rapidly.


    Sighing softly, Hoshino understood. The giant Nobu was about twenty times the size of the Nobu Corps, so it was natural that they couldn''t fight it head-on.


    "Let''s use the usual method." Hoshino drew [Golden Mini Nobu] and [Big Explosion NOBU], and quietly threw them out.


    "Go, Golden Mini Nobu, do what you do best." Whispering from behind the bushes, Hoshino hoped not to attract the giant Nobu''s attention.


    "Nobu~" The weak cry came as the Golden Mini Nobu once again hugged the UFO and wobbled toward the giant Nobu.


    Despite its weak steps, the self-destruct effect was undeniable. The explosion created a huge crater around the giant Nobu.


    "Did we get it?" Hoshino eagerly emerged from the bushes, examining the aftermath of the explosion.


    "Master, usually when someone says that, it means they didn''t get it!" The familiar voice from above made Hoshino look up. As the dust settled, she saw the giant golden Nobu still standing, albeit damaged.


    In a flash, a figure in a red cloak jumped down from the trees and stood beside the giant Nobu.


    "Oda Nobunaga?!" Hoshino exclaimed in surprise. "Are you here to help me?"


    "Hahaha!" Nobunaga burst into laughter. "Master, you''re so na?ve."


    "Since I''m standing by the giant Nobu, I''m here to defeat you!" Nobunaga''s expression turned fierce as she aimed her musket at Hoshino and pulled the trigger.


    "Nobu!" The Nobu Corps in Hoshino''s arms quickly drew its Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune and sliced the bullet in half.


    "Corps¡­" Dumbfounded by the turn of events, Hoshino couldn''t react.


    "NOBU!" With a heavy cry, the giant Nobu fired a thick golden laser from its mouth.


    The laser grazed Hoshino''s face, cutting off a few strands of her hair, and exploded in the bushes behind her.


    "Oh crap, this is serious!" Realizing the danger, Hoshino grabbed the Nobu Corps and ran. "Isn''t this supposed to be a limited-time event? Why is it so dangerous?"


    "Run all you want, Master!" Nobunaga laughed maniacally, firing her musket repeatedly as she chased Hoshino.


    Behind her, the sounds of gunfire, bullets hitting trees, laser explosions, and Nobunaga''s laughter filled the air.


    "I''m not built for this!" Already out of breath after running a short distance, Hoshino slowed down.


    But waiting ahead was a giant silver Nobu.


    "NOBU!" With a loud, heavy cry, the silver Nobu forced Hoshino to retreat.


    "Utterly hopeless¡­" With a giant Nobu ahead and behind, Hoshino felt utterly trapped.


    "Don''t stop thinking, don''t give up, Hoshino. There must be a way out!" Even in this dire situation, Hoshino''s strong will to survive forced her brain to work at high speed. In her tension, she hugged the Nobu Corps tighter.


    "Nobu~" The Nobu Corps, suffocated by the tight hug, started to turn purple.


    "What''s the matter? Not running anymore, Master?" Nobunaga''s arrogant voice came closer. "Even if you run, it''s useless."


    "Get ready to surrender, Master!" Aiming her musket at Hoshino, Nobunaga pulled the trigger.


    "If it''s in this world, this move might work!" Thinking quickly, Hoshino finally came up with a solution.


    "Oda Nobunaga!" Hoshino turned and shouted.


    "Wh-What?" Nobunaga, expecting Hoshino to surrender, was startled by her sudden outburst.


    "Let''s duel, Nobunaga!"


    "Duel?" Nobunaga repeated, bewildered by Hoshino''s words.


    "Yes, a duel, the decisive way to settle things in this world!" Hoshino replied, pulling out her Servant deck and looking earnestly at Nobunaga.


    "Hahaha, Master, do you take me for a fool? I have an overwhelming advantage right now. Why would I play a child''s game with you?" Nobunaga laughed uproariously, not taking Hoshino''s words seriously.


    Hoshino watched Nobunaga laugh, nervously swallowing. If this didn''t work, she might have to surrender. Her life was far more important than the rewards from a limited-time event.


    "But, interesting! As the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, I accept your challenge!" Nobunaga stopped laughing, her expression turning competitive, a proud smirk on her lips. "How exhilarating! I feel a burning spirit from within. A duel, huh? Not bad at all!"


    "Phew~" Relieved, Hoshino saw Nobunaga couldn''t escape the world''s rules.


    "But I don''t have a deck like yours. How can we duel?" Nobunaga asked, holstering her musket and tilting her head at Hoshino.


    "I have an extra deck you can use, but it''s missing a few cards." Hoshino took out her incomplete Nobu deck. According to the basic rules of Yu-Gi-Oh, a deck must have at least 40 cards to duel.


    "Missing cards? You mean the cards that appear after each Nobu explodes. So, we duel with those cards. Interesting." Nobunaga quickly drew her musket again, firing two shots at the giant Nobus.


    "NOBU!" Responding to Nobunaga''s gunshots, the two giant Nobus cried out and fell, exploding into cards that floated into Nobunaga''s hand.


    "Now, we''re just one card short," Nobunaga smiled, looking at the cards before turning to Hoshino.


    "As expected of Oda Nobunaga, how ruthless," Hoshino thought, marveling at Nobunaga''s lack of hesitation in attacking her allies.


    "Master, where''s the last card?" Nobunaga asked, holstering her musket again, eager to duel.


    "The last card is..." Hoshino hesitated, unsure how to explain.


    "What''s the deal with the last card, Master?" Nobunaga asked, even more intrigued by Hoshino''s hesitation.


    "The last card is you, Oda Nobunaga!"


    "What!!! Me?" Nobunaga scanned her body in surprise. "So I turn into a card too?"


    "Though I''m not sure, it seems pretty powerful," Nobunaga mused, looking herself over. "But if I''m the last card, how can we make it to 40 cards to duel?"


    "Hehehe, looks like it''s my turn." A familiar laugh echoed from nowhere.


    "Who?" Nobunaga scanned the surroundings warily, finding no one. The voice wasn''t nearby¡ªit came from Hoshino''s hand...


    "Huh?" A card floated out of Hoshino''s Servant deck, exploding like a Nobu card to reveal its physical form.


    "Arriving just in time, the righteous and beloved Servant Swordmaster, Okita Souji, has arrived!" Amidst the smoke, Okita appeared, striking a cool pose.


    "Okita!" Hoshino exclaimed in delight. She had tried to materialize Servant cards like Nobu cards before, but it never worked.


    "Long time no see, Master! How''s my grand entrance?" Okita stood up, looking at Hoshino expectantly, her face begging for praise.


    "Um... very cool!" Hoshino complimented half-heartedly before getting back to the issue at hand. "So, Okita, did you come to save me?"


    "No, no, no~" Okita waved her hand, smiling. "Ignoring class advantage, I probably can''t beat Nobunaga here, especially on her home turf."


    "Then why did you come out?" Nobunaga demanded angrily. "You think you need more screen time? This is my event! If you have nothing to do, go back!"


    "Nobu, don''t trouble Master too much." Okita sighed, scolding the raging Nobunaga. "You want to duel, right? Since you''re one card short, use me instead." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What! You traitor, Okita!" Hoshino burst out. Okita was one of the two SSRs in her deck, and she was switching sides before the duel even started.


    "Master, you''ve got it wrong," Okita whispered in Hoshino''s ear. "If you duel Nobunaga head-on without meeting the conditions, you''ll lose for sure. She''s the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, a terrifying opponent."


    "But if it''s a duel you''re good at, I believe you can win, Master." Okita gave Hoshino an encouraging gesture. "Then you can defeat Nobunaga and complete the event."


    After Okita''s persuasive words, Hoshino nodded, convinced. Looking at the puzzled Nobunaga, she felt more confident.


    "Okita, go!" With a familiar explosion, Okita turned back into a card, landing in Nobunaga''s hand.


    "Master, do we have enough cards now?" Nobunaga asked, holding the Okita card.


    "Ahem, yes, that''s enough." Despite Okita''s interference making things feel strange, the Nobu deck finally had 40 cards.


    "Great, then tell me the rules, Master!" Nobunaga grinned eagerly. "I can''t wait to duel!"


    "You mean we have to start from the rules?" Hoshino was shocked. Nobunaga had agreed to the duel without even knowing the rules.


    "Of course, I''ve never dueled before," Nobunaga admitted innocently.


    "Sigh, alright." Hoshino sat on the grass, patting the ground beside her. "Sit down, I''ll teach you."


    "Yay~" Excited like a child, Nobunaga quickly sat next to Hoshino.


    "This, like this, and then like this..." Hoshino explained the rules, showing each card to Nobunaga.


    "Wow, amazing!" Nobunaga''s interest grew as she almost pressed her face against the cards in Hoshino''s hand. "So this is a duel! How fascinating, Master!"


    [******]


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 Chapter 48 - 48

    "Oh, I see, now I totally get it." After listening to Hoshino''s explanation, Nobunaga, with her arms crossed confidently, replied with a full smile.


    "There''s no time to lose, let''s get started right away." Hoshino slowly stood up, brushing off the grass from her pants.


    "Great, we can finally duel!" Nobunaga jumped up excitedly. "But Master, where are we going to duel?"


    "If I remember correctly, there should be a duelist arena nearby." Provided the system can perfectly replicate the entire Duelist Kingdom in this space, Hoshino thought to herself. Observing the surrounding grass carefully, she indeed found a large square area of grass that was noticeably different in color from its surroundings. The only explanation for this inconsistency was that a duelist arena was hidden beneath it!


    "Since the arena is here, the activation button must be..." Hoshino walked around the edge of the square arena and found a red activation button hidden in the grass.


    "Hey, I''m pressing it!" Without hesitation, Hoshino pressed it and waited quietly for the duelist arena to rise.


    "Self-destruct sequence of the duelist arena initiated, countdown: 10, 9, 8..." A familiar synthesized voice, but with entirely unfamiliar lines.


    "??" Hoshino was dumbfounded, listening to the emotionless synthesized voice counting down, her mind blank.


    "4, 3, 2..." "Are you kidding me?!" As the countdown neared its end, Hoshino, realizing she couldn''t dodge in time, hurriedly drew a handful of cards and threw them out. "It''s decided, you guys, Nobu Multi-Layered Ring!"


    Various Nobus materialized in front of Hoshino, forming a not-so-sturdy human wall that shielded her.


    Although the Nobu''s defense wasn''t very high, fortunately, the duel arena hadn''t risen, so the explosion occurred underground. By the time the force reached the surface, it had significantly dissipated, only scattering the Nobus in front of Hoshino.


    The stunned Nobus reverted to cards and returned to Hoshino''s hand.


    "Wow! Master, that was amazing!" Watching Hoshino confidently press the self-destruct button and then skillfully form a shield with the Nobus to block the explosion, Nobunaga couldn''t help but applaud. "So this is what a duel is about!"


    "Absolutely not!" Hoshino turned her head, blushing and yelling angrily, "Did you not listen to any of my explanations just now? How does this look like a duel at all?"


    "No wonder the staff in black uniforms always raise the arena during duels. It turns out that raising the arena is such a dangerous task." As Hoshino silently searched for a new arena, she complained in her heart, "Why is there a self-destruct button? What kind of maniac is Pegasus to design the duelist arena like this?"


    "Finally found it." Unlike the dangerous-looking red button earlier, this blue button looked much safer and wasn''t particularly hidden.


    "This shouldn''t cause any more problems." Nervously swallowing, Hoshino carefully pressed the blue button and immediately crouched to the side.


    Watching the giant duel arena slowly rise from the ground, Hoshino finally breathed a sigh of relief. This time, nothing went wrong.


    "So cool, this is the duel arena Master talked about, right?" Once the arena was raised, Nobunaga eagerly leaped onto it. "Oh no, I forgot to bring my deck! Master, quickly pass me my deck."


    Seeing Nobunaga stretch out her hand for the deck like an innocent child, Hoshino smiled slightly, handed over the deck, and then quietly walked to the opposite side of the arena.


    With the deck in hand, Nobunaga placed it on the table excitedly, waiting silently for the game to begin.


    "Heh..." Watching Nobunaga place the deck on the table, Hoshino''s lips curled into a barely noticeable, triumphant smile. "This rookie duelist really doesn''t know to shuffle the deck. Before handing it to her, I put all the monster cards I used to block the explosion on top, with no supporting spell or trap cards."


    "You''ll be stuck drawing only monster cards in hell! Oda Nobunaga!"... S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s time to duel, with Oda Nobunaga going first!"


    "Ah, I go first? Alright!" Surprised to go first, Nobunaga took a deep breath and drew a card from her deck. "Let''s see~" Nervously looking at her hand, Shin was confused. "I can only summon one monster per turn, right? Okay, I''ll summon [Chariot Nobu] in attack position!"


    Placing the card carefully on the table, the holographic sensor activated, projecting the image of Chariot Nobu onto the field.


    [Chariot Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïEarth][Machine/Effect][ATK: 1500 DEF : 1500]


    "Nobu!" The roaring Chariot Nobu began running around the empty field.


    "Since I can''t attack on the first turn, I''ll end my turn." Nobunaga put down her cards, indicating the end of her turn.


    "Haha, no spell or trap cards, just as I thought." Laughing inwardly, Hoshino drew a card from her deck. "My turn, draw! I''ll summon a monster in face-down defense position and set two cards, ending my turn."


    Even though there are no set cards on her side, Chariot Nobu''s effect is still pretty powerful. I need to handle this carefully.


    "Haha, it''s my turn again! My turn, draw!" Becoming more confident, Nobunaga drew a card with much more vigor than last turn. "Master, let me show you the terrifying power of my Nobus!"


    Confidently placing the monster card from her hand onto the table, Nobunaga''s face lit up with joy. "I summon the monster card [Nobu Corps] in attack position!"


    [Nobu Corps ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïLight][Warrior/Effect][ATK: 1900 DEF: 100]


    "Nobu!" The familiar Nobu Corps Troop appeared on the field with a bang.


    "Huh? Nobu Corps?" Hoshino suddenly realized that the Nobu Corps, who had always stayed by her side, had somehow disappeared. "That guy must have sneaked back into the deck after encountering danger!"


    "Attack Master''s monster with Nobu Corps!" Now extremely excited, Nobunaga felt as if she had returned to her past, commanding troops on the battlefield. "Dueling is so fun, Master!"


    "But the fun ends here for you! My defense monster is [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight]!" Revealing the face-down defense monster, Hoshino poured cold water on Oda.


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïLight][Warrior/Effect ][ATK:1000 DEF:2000]


    "Mash''s defense is higher, so [Nobu Corps] can''t destroy Mash!"


    "It''s useless, Master! Activate Nobu Corps effect!" Nobunaga raised her right hand, commanding Nobu Corps in battle. "Once per turn, when this card attacks a defense position monster, destroy it without calculating battle damage!"


    "Nobu!" Drawing the Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, Nobu Corps accelerated toward Mash.


    "Go, Nobu Corps, Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune Slash!" Oda, believing in her inevitable victory, roared.


    "Clang!" The sound of the swiftly drawn sword clashing against metal, Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune was blocked by Mash''s shield.


    "Activate Mash''s special effect, this card in defense position cannot be destroyed by battle or effects!" Hoshino finally revealed his sinister smile. "And since you activated [Nobu Corps]''s effect, at the end of the turn [Nobu Corps] is sent to the graveyard. Didn''t see that coming, did you, Oda? When it comes to strategy, you are no match for me!"


    "Master, you are so sneaky." Holding her shield, Mash turned back to look at Hoshino with a disdainful gaze.


    "Ugh, it''s just Mash, yet she''s so powerful." Nobunaga frowned as he watched the Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune get blocked.


    "But due to Mash''s effect, after being attacked in defense position, she is forced into attack position. So now Mash is in attack mode." As Hoshino announced this, Mash, who had just blocked Shin''s attack, slowly lowered her shield.


    "Senpai, why are you dueling Nobunaga?" Mash asked, confused, lowering her shield. "Speaking of which, Nobunaga, do you really know how to duel?"


    "Ridiculous! Is there anything new under the sun that the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven can''t master?" Nobunaga snapped at Mash for questioning her. "Reformation, innovation, we must not be bound by old customs and common sense. I am the King of Innovation, and even dueling will submit to me."


    "Chariot Nobu, attack Mash!" Nobunaga commanded her Nobu again, as Mash, now in attack mode, only had an attack power of 1000, compared to Chariot Nobu''s 1500.


    "I won''t let you succeed. From my hand, I activate [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George]''s special effect!" As the chariot closed in on Mash, Hoshino quickly threw a card onto the table!


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star) Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK: 1000 DEF: 1600]


    [¢Ù When an opponent''s monster declares an attack, you can activate this card from your hand in defense position, and its defense increases by 500. ¢Ú While this card is on the field, your opponent can only target this card for attacks.]


    "Block it, Saint George!" In a flash of light, Saint George appeared on the field, raising his holy sword to intercept the charging Chariot Nobu.


    "Not so fast, Master! You''re too na?ve!" Nobunaga threw a card from her hand onto the field, catching Hoshino off guard. "Did you really think I didn''t know your Heroic Spirit cards'' effects?"


    "Special summon, [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu]!" With Nobunaga''s command, the massive Mecha Nobu appeared on the field.


    "NOBU!!" As always, its heavy voice resonated, and even as a hologram, its presence was overwhelming.


    [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star) Earth][Machine/Effect][ATK:2400 DEF:2000]


    [¢Ù When your opponent special summons a monster from the deck, hand, or graveyard, you can special summon this card from your hand. Then, select one special summoned monster on your opponent''s field and destroy it.]


    "Golden¡­ Giant Nobu?" Hoshino murmured, staring at the massive card Nobunaga had just played, "It''s impossible, the top cards of Nobu''s deck should have been the small Nobus I placed there, how could she draw this¡­"


    "Master! Are you wondering how I could draw the Golden Giant Nobu?" Nobunaga interrupted Hoshino''s muttering, answering as if she could read Hoshino''s mind, "You think I didn''t notice you tampering with my deck? I didn''t shuffle the cards on purpose!"


    "Then how did you draw it¡­ unless!" Realizing her plan had been uncovered, Hoshino finally understood Nobunaga''s intention, "You swapped the three cards in your hand?!"


    "Exactly, Master. From the start, I had [Golden Giant Nobu], [Silver Giant Nobu], and [S¨­ji Okita] in my hand. I didn''t shuffle because I placed them on top of my deck!" Nobunaga raised her right hand, pointing at the stunned Hoshino, "This duel was calculated from the very beginning by me, Oda Nobunaga!"


    "Is this person really a newbie duelist?" Hoshino couldn''t believe Nobunaga''s tactics, realizing she might have underestimated her opponent. "Is this what they call the King of Innovation, who can instantly grasp all new things? What a useful ability."


    "I activate [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu]''s special effect, choosing to destroy one special summoned monster on your opponent''s field." As Nobunaga commanded, the giant Mecha Nobu''s mouth gathered laser energy again, "Go, Giant Nobu, destroy Saint George!"


    "NOBU!" The thick golden laser effortlessly pierced through Saint George''s armor.


    "Ugh, I was careless! Master, be careful, Nobunaga is not easy to deal with." Clutching his wound, Saint George disappeared after leaving his last advice.


    "Since Saint George is destroyed, [Chariot Nobu] continues its attack on Mash!" With her plan realized, Nobunaga laughed heartily, "Nobu, it''s time for a comeback!"


    "Nobu nobu!" Setting up its cannon, Chariot Nobu aimed at the defenseless Mash.


    "Ready!Aim!!Fire!!!" Nobunaga''s high-pitched attack declaration was reminiscent of commanding her former musket troops.


    "Activate the trap card!" A drop of cold sweat trickled down Hoshino''s face as she decided to activate a set card after thinking for a moment, "Trap card, [Nagging Shopkeeper]!"


    [Nagging Shopkeeper Trap Card Effect: When an [Heroic Spirit] monster you control is targeted for an attack, you can special summon one level 4 or lower monster from your deck in defense position. The summoned monster''s defense increases by 500 points.]


    Special summon from the deck in defense position, monster card [Heroic Spirit ¨C Cu Chulainn]!


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Cu Chulainn¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1600 DEF: 1600+500=2100]


    "What kind of toy-like attack is that? Easily blocked~" Cu Chulainn taunted, looking at Chariot Nobu''s toy-like cannon with a smirk.


    "Then I''ll activate Chariot Nobu''s effect. Once per turn, this card''s attack increases by 1000 points!" Understanding the principle of "strike while the iron is hot," Nobunaga wouldn''t retreat an inch in such a critical moment.


    [Chariot Nobu ATK¡ú2500]


    "NOBU!!" Furious at being mocked, Chariot Nobu armed itself fully, unleashing all its firepower.


    "Hey, hey, can''t take a joke?" Seeing the sudden barrage, Cu Chulainn smirked helplessly, "Can''t be helped, Master, don''t blame me for this!"


    Freshly summoned, Cu Chulainn was engulfed by the full-on assault of Chariot Nobu.


    "Of course, I won''t blame you. You''ve done well, Cu Chulainn." Hoshino said, looking relieved as Cu Chulainn stood up again from the barrage, "Cu Chulainn''s effect, which can only activate once: if this card is destroyed, it can be special summoned in defense position and cannot change its form."


    "The fight continues! I won''t go down so easily!" Shrouded in the smoke of the explosion, Cu Chulainn wiped the blood from his mouth, roaring at Nobunaga.


    "What a spectacular offense and defense, Master!" Nobunaga, extremely excited, remained undeterred despite her attack being blocked by Cu Chulainn. "But don''t forget, I still have one monster that hasn''t attacked!"


    "NOBU!" At Nobunaga''s command, the Golden Giant Mecha Nobu prepared for another assault.


    "Golden Giant Mecha Nobu, attack Mash again!" Nobunaga''s high spirits caused her red cape to lift behind her. "Giant NOBU version, King''s Cannon!"


    A thick golden laser shot toward Mash.


    "This is the homeland that heals all wounds, all grudges¡ª¡ª"


    "What?" Nobunaga was startled, seeing Mash chanting with closed eyes.


    "¡ª¡ªAppear, Lord Camelot!!"


    A massive Camelot gate rose from the ground, blocking the Mecha Nobu''s attack.


    "Quick-play spell, Lord Camelot!"


    [******]


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 Chapter 49 - 49

    "Activate Quick-Play Spell Card, Lord Camelot!"


    [Lord Camelot Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù When "Mash Kyrielight" is face-up on your field, you can activate this card, granting all your monsters protection from battle destruction once. ¢Ú At the start of your next turn, all monsters except Mash on your field gain attack points equal to Mash''s original defense points until the end of that turn.]


    The giant gates of Camelot rose from the ground, blocking Nobunaga''s massive attack.


    "Even though they won''t be destroyed by battle, Mash in attack mode still takes damage!" Nobunaga laughed, hands on her hips, undeterred by the blocked attack. "No problem if it''s blocked. Golden Giant Mecha Nobu, continue attacking Mash!"


    The residual force of the golden laser hit Hoshino, making her dizzy.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP ¡ú 2600


    "Haha, how do you like that, Master?" Nobunaga gloated, seeing Hoshino''s reduced life points. "Dueling is too easy! I end my turn."


    "Oda Nobunaga!" Hoshino suddenly shouted, startling Nobunaga, who had been basking in her triumph.


    "Here''s some advice!" Hoshino''s cold gaze made Nobunaga shiver. "Whether you''re a novice or an expert, remember this! Never underestimate a duel, and never underestimate the soul of a duelist who fights with all their might for victory."


    "What the heck? You were just messing with my deck, and now you''re giving me a lecture?" Nobunaga, feeling chastised and a bit wronged, timidly retorted.


    With Nobunaga''s turn ended, [Nobu Corps] and [Chariot Nobu] disappeared into the graveyard due to their special effects. However, [Nobu Corps] could be special summoned from the graveyard at the end of Hoshino''s turn due to its second effect.


    The current field situation is:


    - Oda Nobunaga LP: 4000 with [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu ATK:2400] in attack position and a waiting-to-be-summoned [Nobu Corps ATK:1500]


    - Hoshino Chiyuki LP:2400 with [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight ATK:1000 DEF: 2000] who cannot switch to defense position this turn, and [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn ATK:1600¡ú3600 DEF:1600] who cannot change to attack position due to continuing battle effects


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino drew a card and glanced at her hand. "Although Cu Chulainn''s attack power has increased by 2000 points due to Lord Camelot''s effect, he can''t change to attack position because of the continuing battle effect."


    "On my field, only Mash with an attack power of 1000 remains, which can''t break through Nobunaga''s Golden Giant Mecha Nobu with 2400 attack power. Plus, [Nobu Corps] will return to her field next turn. The situation looks grim." Thinking this, a smile appeared on Hoshino''s lips. "I''ll have to gamble!"


    Determined, Hoshino played a card from her hand onto the table. "Activate the Spell Card, [Mage''s Outfit: Chaldea Combat Suit]!"


    As soon as the card was activated, a light from the holographic projector at Hoshino''s feet transformed her clothes into the familiar Chaldea Combat Suit. The tight-fitting suit outlined her curves, making her look exceptionally attractive.


    "Oh, amazing, Master!" Cu Chulainn called out frivolously as he turned to look at Hoshino in the combat suit.


    This was Hoshino''s first time using this card, and she hadn''t expected the holographic device to change her clothes. Blushing, she examined herself. "Is this really just a projection?" She spun around, realizing that she didn''t feel like she had changed clothes. If it were the Chaldea Combat Suit, she should feel different. So this suit, including the body curves, must be a projection.


    "But now''s not the time to worry about this," Hoshino steadied herself. "Activate [Chaldea Combat Suit]''s effect!"


    [Mage''s Outfit: Chaldea Combat Suit Spell Card Effect: Activate one of the following effects. ¢Ù: All monsters you control gain 500 attack points for one turn. ¢Ú: Select one monster on your opponent''s field; during their next turn, the selected monster cannot declare an attack, activate effects, or change its battle position. ¢Û: Select one [Heroic Spirit] on your field; return the selected [Heroic Spirit] to the deck, then special summon a monster from your deck with a lower level than the returned [Heroic Spirit].]


    "I activate the combat suit''s third effect, returning [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn] to the deck." As Hoshino activated the effect, golden particles emanated from her suit, surrounding Cu Chulainn on the field.


    "Bye, Master. It''s great that I didn''t have to die twice this time." Knowing he was leaving, Cu Chulainn waved goodbye to Hoshino.


    "Then, from the deck, I special summon [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime]!" Responding to Hoshino''s summon, a blue flame ignited where Cu Chulainn had been.


    [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star) Flame][Dragon/Effect][ATK:800 DEF: 200]


    "My lord, Kiyohime has heard your call~" Kiyohime said, touching her cheek and looking obsessively at Hoshino, paying no attention to the enemy.


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime]''s special effect. ¢Ù When this card is summoned, special summoned, or flip summoned, toss a coin. Heads: Decrease the attack of your opponent''s monsters by this card''s attack points; Tails: Your opponent cannot battle until the end of their next turn." Hoshino took out a golden coin used for Duel Monsters, a gift from Jounouchi, and prayed for good luck. "Here goes, heads would solve the problem of Golden Giant Mecha Shin!"


    But without Jounouchi''s lucky charm, Hoshino, an unlucky person, likely wouldn''t get the desired result.


    Coin toss result: Tails. Opponent cannot battle until the end of their next turn.


    "Sorry, Master, Kiyohime failed. Boo hoo~" Kiyohime pretended to cry, raising her fan to encircle Nobunaga''s field in blue flames.


    "How sneaky, Master! How can an effect benefit you no matter the result?" Nobunaga angrily cursed, surrounded by the blue flames.


    "Ahem, this is the harshness of dueling, have you seen it?" Hoshino awkwardly coughed and set another monster card on the table. "Summon a monster in face-down defense position, end turn."


    "My turn, draw!" Nobunaga, furious, drew a card from her deck, then laughed. "Haha, Master, this is the end for you! Watch the trump card of my Nobu army!"


    "First, activate the effect of [Nobu Corps] in the graveyard, special summon it to the field!"


    "Nobu!" With a bang, Nobu Corps returned to the field.


    "Then, summon the monster card [Silver Mecha Nobu] from my hand and activate its effect!"


    [Silver Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Light][Machine/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF: 500]


    [When this card is summoned or special summoned, you can activate this effect. Special summon one [Nobu] monster from your deck other than [Silver Mecha Nobu].]


    A smaller version of the Giant Mecha Nobu appeared on the field, slowly raising an antenna from its head.


    "I special summon [Golden Mecha Nobu] from my deck!" Nobunaga placed the Golden Mecha Nobu card on the table and shuffled her deck. "How about that, Master? Your tampering with my deck was all in vain!"


    "Nobu!" Golden Mecha Nobu appeared on the field, also raising an antenna to send a signal.


    [Golden Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star) Light][Machine/Effect][ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000]


    [When this card is summoned or special summoned, you can special summon one [Nobu] Machine-type monster from your hand to your field.]


    "Special summon my last card, Giant Nobu!" Nobunaga placed her final card on the table, undoubtedly the [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu] she had from the start.


    "NOBU!" The heavy voice of Silver Giant Mecha Nobu filled the last empty monster card spot on Nobunaga''s field.


    [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Earth][Machine/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF : 1000]


    "How''s that, Master? This is the invincible combo of my [Nobu] Mecha family!" Nobunaga proudly boasted, seeing her fully-loaded field.


    "You''re really impressive, Nobu!" Even Hoshino couldn''t help but praise Nobunaga after seeing her fill the field in one turn. She hadn''t expected the seemingly unimpressive Nobu deck to hide such tremendous power.


    "Hehe, it''s not over yet, Master!" Nobunaga, brimming with confidence, roared with full force. At this moment, chasing victory with all her might, Nobunaga was undoubtedly a qualified duelist.


    "All of you, listen to my command, COMBINE!!!"


    "Combine?!" Hoshino listened to Nobunaga''s words in disbelief.


    "These things can combine?" Hoshino pointed at the strange-looking Nobus on the field. She couldn''t believe these odd creatures could combine. In Hoshino''s mind, combining robots should be square and made from vehicles.


    "Of course they can combine!" Nobunaga, with her arms crossed, pulled her hat down slightly, covering her eyes. "Combining is all about spirit!"


    "Reformation, innovation, technology! The culmination of all development, the end of all dreams is!" Nobunaga suddenly raised her hands, forming a ''T'' shape with her body. Her powerful aura made the red cloak behind her flutter wildly.


    "It''s a giant robot!" Nobunaga laughed loudly, as if she had reached the pinnacle of life.


    "Combine my [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu], [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu], [Golden Mecha Nobu], [Silver Mecha Nobu], and [Nobu Corps] for a special summon!" Pointing to the sky, Nobunaga shouted, "Our journey is the stars and the sea!"


    "Nobu! X5" As if infected by Nobunaga''s spirit, the five Nobus leaped into the air and gathered together.


    Golden and Silver Mecha Nobu: "Nobunobu! (We form the legs!)"


    Silver Giant Nobu: "NOBU! (I form the arms!)"


    Golden Giant Nobu: "NOBU!! (I form the body!)"


    Nobu Corps: "Nobu! (I form the head!)"


    "Raging combination! Five Nobu Connection!" Nobunaga clenched her fist, excited like a child seeing a giant transformer for the first time.


    "Come forth, special summon on my field!" Slamming the new card onto the table, Nobunaga''s eyes locked onto victory. "The strongest, invincible, super robot! Mazinger Nobu!"


    "NO! BU!" The gigantic humanoid robot appeared before Hoshino. Looking closely, the cockpit in the robot''s head showed Nobu Corps using its small hands to control the robot.


    [Mazinger Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12-star) Light][Machine/Fusion/Effect][ATK:4000 DEF:3500]


    [Materials: [Nobu Corps] + [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu] + [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu] + [Golden Mecha Nobu] + [Silver Mecha Nobu]]


    [Must be special summoned by banishing the above cards from your field. ¢Ù This card''s summon cannot be negated by other card effects. When successfully summoned, destroy all spell and trap cards on the field. ¢Ú When successfully summoned, special summon as many [Mazinger Nobu Tokens] (2000/2000) as possible to your field. The summoned tokens cannot attack the turn they are summoned.]


    Mazinger Nobu landed heavily on the ground. Although there were no face-down cards in the spell and trap zones on both sides, they still didn''t escape the fate of destruction.


    "Activate Mazinger Nobu''s special effect." Nobunaga, overjoyed after summoning the gigantic robot, couldn''t contain her happiness. "Hahaha, come forth, Mazinger Nobu!"


    [Mazinger Nobu Token¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5-star) Light][Machine/Token] [ATK:2000 DEF: 2000]X4


    The four smaller Mazinger Nobu Tokens, looking identical to Mazinger Nobu, filled Nobunaga''s remaining four monster zones.


    "Master, you sure are lucky, using flames to stop my attacks this turn." Nobunaga, satisfied with her field, taunted happily. "It''s your turn, Master. In this earth-shattering situation, let''s see what you can do."


    "Hmph, I admit it, Nobu, you did a great job." Lowering her head, Hoshino laughed softly, not sparing any praise. "Your strategy from the beginning, using tactics to keep your key cards. Even in your first duel, you showed no fear or hesitation. And finally, your unexpected chain of moves, filling the field in one turn..."


    "If, as you said, this duel was calculated from the start, I wouldn''t be surprised now." Hoshino drew a card, not even looking at it, knowing it was her last draw for this duel.


    "But no matter how perfect your calculations, you missed one crucial point!" Raising her head, Hoshino''s eyes weren''t filled with the despair Nobunaga expected but with a fighting spirit and hope for victory.


    "The one thing you missed is the card still in your hand..." Flipping the monster summoned last turn, Hoshino looked at Nobunaga''s hand. "The card still in your hand, Okita Souji!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Mata Hari]''s flip effect!" The scantily-clad Mata Hari appeared from the flipped monster card.


    "Well done, Master." Mata Hari gave Hoshino a charming smile before disappearing from the field. "Now it''s my turn as a spy."


    [Heroic Spirit - Mata Hari¡ï¡ï (2-star) Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK:500 DEF:500]


    [Flip: Tribute this card; declare one card name. If the declared card is in your opponent''s hand, add it to your hand.]


    "Could it be..." Nobunaga''s eyes widened in shock, pupils trembling.


    "Nobunaga, you have it in your hand, don''t you? Okita Souji!" Hoshino pointed to Nobunaga''s hand, revealing the truth.


    (That''s right, Master. From the start, I had [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu], [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu], and [Okita Souji]. I didn''t shuffle because I placed them on top of my deck!)


    "Have you been plotting against me since then?" Nobunaga gritted her teeth, watching as Mata Hari''s phantom took the [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] card from her hand.


    "All''s fair in war, Nobunaga. You should understand that!" Taking the card from Mata Hari, Hoshino immediately placed it on the battlefield. "Using [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight] and [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime] as sacrifices, I summon [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji]!"


    "Hmph, stealing the final spotlight, huh." Kiyohime disappeared in a flash of white light, smirking.


    "Do your best, Okita. Win this duel for Senpai!" Mash silently prayed as Okita''s figure became clear in the white light.


    "Of course, Mash!" The white light faded, and Okita emerged, pointing her prized sword, Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, at the massive Mazinger Nobu.


    "The strongest and invincible Okita is here to claim victory for Master!"


    [******]


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 Chapter 50 - 50

    "Master, Okita is back again!" Wielding her Kiku-Ichimonji, Okita turned to Hoshino with a hopeful expression. "You always believed in me, right?"


    Hoshino instinctively averted her gaze, avoiding Okita''s eager eyes. "Y-yes, of course, I''ve always believed in you, Okita."


    "Oh? Really?" Okita gave a mischievous smile, her mouth forming a ''w'' shape.


    "Why is it you again, Okita? Even at this critical moment, you have to steal my spotlight!" Nobunaga shouted at Okita, clearly displeased.


    "Nobu? Is it just me, or do you seem particularly hostile towards Okita today?" Although the two often clashed, Hoshino noticed Nobunaga''s animosity towards Okita was especially pronounced today.


    "Because, because..." Nobunaga lowered her head when pressed by Hoshino.


    "Oh? Because of what? Tell us~" Okita smirked, putting her hand to her ear as if listening intently.


    "Because, because!!" Unable to bear it any longer, Nobunaga suddenly raised her head. "Why did Okita appear so much earlier than me? I''m Oda Nobunaga, the beloved and trustworthy event Heroic Spirit, everyone can easily get me to level 5!"


    Nobunaga''s sudden outburst startled Hoshino.


    "Even though my ownership rate is the highest, why does Okita, that SSR hidden in the banner pool, with a drop rate that requires hundreds of saint quartz to get, have so much more screen time?!" Nobunaga pounded the table, her eyes burning with jealousy as she glared at Okita. "And why is Okita on the book cover? If it were me, Oda Nobunaga, it would definitely be more popular!"


    "Stop, Nobunaga, you''re breaking the fourth wall..." Realizing the implications of Nobunaga''s words, Hoshino quickly tried to stop her.


    "So, Nobu, you''re jealous of me, huh?" Okita mocked, barely hiding her laugh. "Nobu, you''re such a child."


    "Shut up! Now I finally have it, the main stage for the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!" Nobunaga, provoked by Okita''s smile, seemed to regain some composure.


    After adjusting her hat that had been tilted from excitement, Nobunaga smiled again. "As long as Master can''t complete this event, you''ll never escape. Then it will always be my main stage! Hahaha!"


    "You think a mere Okita can defeat my invincible Mazinger Nobu?" Nobunaga laughed confidently, looking at her giant robot. "In the end, Okita is just a foil to show the invincible power of my giant Nobu robot."


    "Wait! This is the first time I''ve heard that failing to complete the task means you can never leave!" Hoshino, shocked by Nobunaga''s arrogant words, quickly questioned her. "Isn''t this a limited-time event? How did it become forever?!"


    "Yes, it''s a limited-time event..." Nobunaga pulled her hat down again, covering half her face, her mouth curling into a sinister smile. "Limited to 100 years!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "!!!"


    "Don''t worry, Master. Okita will stop Nobu''s evil plan." Gripping her Kiku-Ichimonji tightly, Okita''s eyes were full of confidence. "It''s not the first time I''ve cleaned up Nobu''s mess."


    "You''re really reliable." Hoshino, whose mind had been in turmoil from Nobunaga''s words, smiled slightly at Okita''s reassurance. "You''re right. We just need to defeat Nobu!"


    "Defeat me? Don''t be ridiculous." Nobunaga''s face contorted with disbelief, confident in her Mazinger Nobu''s invincibility. "Look closely, this is an invincible robot!"


    "Go, Okita!" Hoshino raised her right hand, issuing an attack declaration. "Win our victory!"


    "Yes, Master!" Leaping forward with her Kiku-Ichimonji, Okita dashed towards the [Mazinger Nobu Token].


    [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK : 2500 DEF : 2000]


    "Experience Okita''s elegant swordsmanship firsthand!" Okita''s swift strikes clashed against the metal body of the Mazinger Nobu, producing brilliant sparks.


    "Nobu!" With a final cry, the Mazinger Nobu Token, with an attack power of 2000, couldn''t withstand Okita''s 2500 attack power and shattered in a shower of sparks.


    Oda Nobunaga LP ¡ú 3500


    "So what?!" Nobunaga scoffed at the destroyed token. "After all that talk, this is all you can do, Okita?"


    "Not at all, Okita''s power doesn''t stop here!" Due to her inherent illness, Okita coughed up blood from the exertion, staining the ground.


    "Hang in there, Okita!" Hoshino, clenching her fist, silently cheered. "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji]''s special effect!"


    [¢Ù: When this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage. ¢Ú: This card can attack additional times in the same Battle Phase equal to the number of opponent''s monsters. ¢Û: After each battle, place a [Weakness] counter on this card. For each [Weakness] counter, this card''s attack decreases by 100 points.]


    [Weakness] Counter x1, [Okita Souji ATK ¡ú 2400]


    "No problem at all. Okita, continue attacking!" Moving at high speed again, Okita flashed behind the second Mazinger Nobu Token.


    The familiar clash of sword and metal ended with the second token being destroyed.


    [Weakness] Counter x2, [Okita Souji ATK ¡ú 2300]


    Oda Nobunaga LP ¡ú 3100


    "Cough! This thing is really tough, cutting it is exhausting!" Okita complained about the Mazinger Nobu''s toughness as she coughed up blood again. "But it''s not over, Okita can keep going!"


    With a swift movement, Okita sidestepped the central [Mazinger Nobu] and reached the third Mazinger Nobu Token.


    "That''s the third one! Cough!" Even while coughing up blood, Okita didn''t loosen her grip on the Kiku-Ichimonji.


    [Weakness] Counter x3, [Okita Souji ATK ¡ú 2200]


    Oda Nobunaga LP ¡ú 2800


    "I will bring victory to Master, just watch, Nobu!" Okita roared, slicing the last Mazinger Nobu Token into three pieces. "Only one left!"


    [Weakness] Counter x4, [Okita Souji ATK ¡ú 2100]


    Oda Nobunaga LP ¡ú 2600


    Wiping the blood from her mouth, Okita pointed her Kiku-Ichimonji at Mazinger Shin. "Get ready to die, you hunk of junk!"


    "Hahaha, Okita, are you out of your mind?" Nobunaga laughed, clutching her stomach as she looked at Okita. "With your pitiful attack power after coughing up blood, you think you can defeat my Mazinger Nobu?"


    "Okita''s wish, entrusted to the Holy Grail, is to ''fight until the very end.''" Hoshino smiled proudly as she watched Okita stand tall after defeating the four Mazinger Nobu Tokens. "And now that wish has been fulfilled, in becoming a Heroic Spirit, in battling Nobu."


    "Don''t go spouting cool lines like that, Master!" Nobunaga, waving her right hand dismissively, argued, "In the face of absolute rules, victory isn''t determined by mere belief! That''s the harsh reality of dueling!"


    "That''s true. But as long as the rules are followed, even Okita can defeat the invincible Mazinger Nobu." Hoshino''s expression grew more confident as Nobunaga became increasingly agitated. "That''s the allure of dueling, Nobu!"


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji]''s special effect!"


    "Okita has been waiting for this moment, Master!" Okita, gripping her Kiku-Ichimonji, responded excitedly to Hoshino''s command.


    [¢Ü: This effect can only be activated once. When this card has 3 or more [Weakness] counters, you can add 1 [Nameless Three-Step Thrust] from your deck to your hand.]


    "Due to Okita''s effect, the Quick-Play Spell [Nameless Three-Step Thrust] is added to my hand." Hoshino declared, slamming the card onto the table. "This is the final piece of my victory!"


    [Nameless Three-Step Thrust Quick-Play Spell Effect: Can only be activated when [Okita Souji] and [Weakness] counters are on your field. ¢Ù: Remove all [Weakness] counters, select 1 face-up monster on your opponent''s field; that monster is forced into Defense Position, and its DEF is decreased by 500 for each removed [Weakness] counter.]


    "Removing all 4 [Weakness] counters, [Mazinger Nobu]''s DEF is reduced by 2000." Hoshino declared loudly, signaling her victory to Nobunaga. "And with the removal of the [Weakness] counters, Okita''s attack power returns to its original value!"


    [Mazinger Nobu DEF ¡ú 1500], forced into Defense Position.


    [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji ATK ¡ú 2500]


    "Amazing, Master! Okita is back to her peak condition." Okita looked at her hands in disbelief as the [Weakness] counters disappeared, her eyes becoming sharper. "No, I''ve surpassed my peak! I can do this now!"


    "What?! How can this be?" Nobunaga, unwilling to believe her eyes, watched in disbelief. "My invincible Mazinger Nobu, defeated by someone like Okita... Wait, where is Okita?"


    In the blink of an eye, Okita had vanished from the battlefield.


    "Of course, I''m using ''Shrinking Earth''! There''s no way to win against a giant head-on!" Appearing behind Mazinger Shin, Okita shouted at Nobunaga, who was bewildered.


    "You sneaky Assassin! That''s underhanded!" Nobunaga slammed the table in frustration at Okita''s ambush.


    "Calling it underhanded is just an excuse for losers, Nobu!" Okita, feeling no shame for her tactics, raised her Kiku-Ichimonji before her. "Secret Technique!"


    A secret sword technique born from unparalleled skill and speed.


    "One-Step Beyond Sound!"


    Within the [First Thrust], there are hidden [Second Thrust] and [Third Thrust]. This is a horizontal thrust executed "simultaneously" rather than "almost simultaneously" from a Heijigan stance.


    "Two-Step Interval!"


    The moment the three thrusts are executed, the [First Thrust], [Second Thrust], and [Third Thrust] "exist simultaneously" in the "same location." Even if the [First Thrust] is blocked, the [Second Thrust] and [Third Thrust] will pierce the same spot.


    "Three-Step Ultimate Blade!"


    Due to this paradox, the tip of the sword induces a "dimensional refraction phenomenon." In essence, the three thrusts become an undefendable sword strike. Using this dimensional refraction phenomenon, it''s extremely effective for destroying objects as well.


    "With Okita''s effect, when attack power exceeds defense power, it inflicts piercing damage!" Slamming the table, Hoshino activated the effect of the spell card [Nameless Three-Step Thrust] again.


    [¢Ú: When [Okita Souji] attacks the designated monster and deals damage, the damage is calculated three times.]


    "Take this and crumble, Mazinger Nobu!" Okita roared as she approached Mazinger Shin''s back, her steps echoing three times. "This is Okita''s ultimate and most powerful finishing move! Nameless! Ship-Slaying Sword! Three-Step Thrust!"


    "Wait! You slipped in a weird name there! Since when did you have a finisher like that?!" Despite Nobunaga''s hysterical shouts and complaints, she couldn''t change the outcome.


    The massive Mazinger Nobu had a huge hole blown through its chest by Okita''s three rapid thrusts and slowly collapsed.


    "Nobu? Nobunobu!" The frantic Nobu Corps in the cockpit couldn''t control the damaged robot and was thrown into the air by the explosion.


    "See that, Nobu? This is Okita''s true strength!" With her back to the exploding Mazinger Nobu, Okita coolly closed her eyes and sheathed her Kiku-Ichimonji.


    "Cough!" [Weakness] Counter x1


    Oda Nobunaga LP ¡ú 1600 ¡ú 600 ¡ú 0


    "The duel is over, the winner is Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Looking at her zeroed-out LP, Nobunaga trembled and mumbled, "I lost? The mighty Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, defeated by a sick swordsman."


    "No, Nobu." Okita shook her head at the disheartened Nobunaga. "It wasn''t Okita who defeated you. I just stole the final spotlight. It was Master, fighting to the end with her Heroic Spirits, who truly defeated you."


    "Master''s... Heroic Spirits?" Nobunaga repeated, staring blankly at Okita.


    "That''s right, Nobu. Don''t trouble Senpai anymore." Mash suddenly appeared on the field, looking worried.


    "Oda Nobunaga, haven''t you had enough fun?" Cu Chulainn, carrying his spear, also appeared on the field.


    "A girl who only causes trouble will be disliked by Master~" Kiyohime covered her mouth with a fan, laughing quietly.


    "Come back, Nobu. It''s lonely being out here alone, isn''t it?" Mata Hari opened her arms, ready to embrace Nobunaga with her ample bosom.


    "Everyone..." Nobunaga''s eyes filled with tears as she looked at everyone''s smiling faces. "Can I play with you all? I want to duel again and help Master win."


    "Of course, Nobu." Hoshino gently patted the Heroic Spirit cards on the table. "I used to be a gaming otaku, but after coming to this world, I truly felt protected by all of you. So, Nobu, can you also protect me and then have fun dueling together?"


    "Yes!" Nobunaga nodded vigorously, a pure white light glowing from her chest.


    In the light, a new card slowly appeared, falling into Nobunaga''s hand.


    "This is my Heroic Spirit card?" Nobunaga examined the card carefully, wiped away her tears, and smiled brightly again. "It''s definitely stronger than Okita''s. I''m very satisfied."


    (******)


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 Chapter 51 - 51

    "Eh? What''s happening to my body...?" A gentle golden light gradually enveloped Nobunaga.


    After looking around and regaining her composure, Nobunaga began to understand the situation. "So, this is it, my stage is coming to an end."


    The surrounding scene gradually blurred, indicating that this false space created by the system was slowly disappearing.


    [System prompt: Nobu card collection progress 40/40. Limited-time event mission [Chattering Honnoji] completed. Preparing to transport back to the original space.]


    "Finally, I can go back~" As he watched Nobunaga being enveloped in light and the space gradually disappearing, Hoshino involuntarily sighed with relief. "I wonder how the outside world has changed after all this time."


    "Master!" Noticing that she, too, was disappearing with the space, Nobunaga called out to Hoshino.


    "What''s up, Nobu?" Hoshino asked, looking puzzled at Nobu who had a cheerful smile on her face.


    "Catch this!" With a flick of her right hand, Nobunaga accurately tossed the card representing her to Hoshino. "It was fun dueling with you!"


    "Nobu..."


    Leaving her final words, Nobunaga and the surrounding space disappeared together. With the space gone, Hoshino, losing her footing, began falling endlessly into a bottomless darkness.


    "Ah¡ªAh¡ªAh!!" Hoshino awoke with a start like a dying man suddenly sitting up.


    Looking around at the inside of the tent and the sleeping Anzu beside her, Hoshino scratched her head in confusion. "Was it all just a dream?"


    "Wait a minute!" As if suddenly realizing something, Hoshino reached into her pocket.


    Her familiar deck was still there. Nervously swallowing, Hoshino slowly flipped open the first card.


    "So, it wasn''t a dream..." Looking at Nobunaga''s familiar smile on the card, Hoshino smiled in relief. "Welcome to the Duelist Kingdom, Oda Nobunaga."


    "Master, can you change the cover of the novel to¡ª"


    "Smack!" Hoshino abruptly slammed Nobunaga''s card back into the deck, stopping her from saying anything further.


    "You''re up so early, Hoshino~" A gentle greeting came from outside the tent. Hearing the commotion inside, Mai Valentine slowly lifted the tent flap, letting the morning sunlight stream into the dark space.


    "Or were you too hungry to sleep?" Walking into the tent, Mai playfully touched Hoshino''s stomach, which had shrunk from hunger. "You haven''t eaten anything since yesterday, so you must be very hungry now."


    "Growl~~~" Not noticing the hunger before, the reminder brought on a wave of intense hunger, making Hoshino dizzy.


    Collapsing weakly, Hoshino lay half over her sleeping bag, looking at Mai with her head tilted. "Mai, I''m starving. I don''t think I can move anymore."


    "Hehe, what a big baby." Mai gently tapped Hoshino''s cute nose with her hand and smiled softly. "Can you make it out of the tent? I made some noodles."


    "I can! I can get out~" Previously thinking she had no energy left, Hoshino''s survival instinct was reactivated at the mention of noodles. Using all her strength, she dragged her exhausted body slowly out of the tent.


    "Smells great! This is the best instant noodles I''ve ever had." Greedily slurping the noodles and praising them, Hoshino looked gratefully at Mai. Having not eaten anything for a whole day and night, this bowl of noodles was a true lifesaver for Hoshino.


    "Eat slowly, don''t choke." Looking at Hoshino with a loving gaze, Mai picked up an iron pot and slowly stood up.


    "Mai? What are you doing?" Hoshino asked in confusion, not stopping her chopsticks despite her puzzlement.


    "Hmph~" With a mischievous smile, Mai walked over to Jounouchi''s ear and suddenly banged on the iron pot.


    "Bang! Bang! Bang!!" The loud noise startled Hoshino from a distance, let alone Jounouchi, who had it right by his ear.


    "Huh? What''s going on? A duel, someone wants to duel me?!" Jounouchi jumped up from his sleep, instinctively assuming a defensive posture. Then, coming to his senses, he looked around in confusion.


    "How long are you planning to sleep? If you don''t get up for a duel, all the stars will be taken by others." Mai continued banging on the pot, waking up the remaining boys.


    "Huh? What time is it?" Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Yugi asked timidly.


    "To be exact, it''s 5:30 in the morning," Mai replied after checking her wristwatch.


    "Only 5:30, and you''re waking us up?" Still sleepy, Honda lay back down after hearing the time. "Let me, let me sleep for another half hour."


    "Get up, get up, no more sleeping!" Not intending to let them continue sleeping, Mai insisted. "The early bird catches the worm. With such lazy habits, do you think you can enter Pegasus'' castle and defeat Pegasus?"


    "Pegasus!" Hearing this name, everyone''s eyes suddenly became serious, and their sleepiness quickly dissipated.


    "That''s right, we''re here at the Duelist Kingdom not for fun. We must seize every moment." Fully awake, Yugi nodded in agreement with Mai.


    "Thank you, Mai, for reminding us." Coming out of his sleepy state, Jounouchi regained his fighting spirit.


    "Well, while winning stars in duels is important, the priority now is to have breakfast." Mai put down the iron pot and invited everyone to eat.


    "Great, Mai, you''re a good person!" Hearing about breakfast, Jounouchi''s respect for Mai increased.


    "Well, I''m not the one to thank. If you want to thank someone, thank Hoshino." After saying that, Mai gave Hoshino a wink.


    "Thank Hoshino? Why?" Jounouchi scratched his head in confusion.


    "It''s a secret~" Mai put her finger on her rosy lips and gave Hoshino a mischievous look.


    Hoshino could only blush and eat her noodles in silence...


    Because Hoshino was the first to eat, she finished much earlier than everyone else. Feeling quite aimless, Hoshino suddenly realized that a new day had begun, which meant...


    Impatiently opening the system, Hoshino was ready to explore the new card pool. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You have two unread system messages."


    <Unread message ¢Ù: [Saint Quartz Summon (Limited-time Card Pool) Evil Dragon Hundred Years War Selected Hero Summon] now open.>


    <Unread message ¢Ú: Duelist evaluation completed. Duelist Oda Nobunaga, Duelist Rank E, reward 5 Saint Quartz. Remaining Saint Quartz: 140.>


    "Open the card store!" Seeing the number of Saint Quartz she had left and the new card pool, Hoshino impatiently urged the system to act.


    <Detected that you have one SSR exclusive summoning ticket. Redirecting to the SSR exclusive card pool.>


    "Wow, I almost forgot about this thing, my third SSR!" Hoshino had yet to use the SSR exclusive summoning ticket she earned as a reward from the conscience system after winning a dark game with Bakura.


    Opening the honest SSR exclusive card pool again, the luxurious interface appeared once more before Hoshino.


    Compared to last time, Hoshino felt an even greater respect for this card pool. After all, having experienced the power of two SSR cards, she knew firsthand their strength. Judging by the current mainstream deck strength in this world, each SSR likely represented the potential for some kind of miraculous comeback.


    "Come on, come on!" Excitedly clicking the summon option, Hoshino couldn''t wait to see what her third SSR would be.


    <Do you want to use one [SSR Exclusive Summoning Ticket] for a summon?>


    "Yes!"


    Colorful light burst out, and the familiar SSR servant summoning interface appeared.


    "Wow, wow, wow!" Eyes shining, Hoshino eagerly awaited the card rotating in the colorful light to reveal its true form.


    ¡ª¡ª


    "Da Vinci was very worried about you, Hoshino, so she sent me to check on you and help you in critical moments." Hoshino''s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the card glowing with golden light in her hand.


    "Same as always, if you need a hero, I regret to say my combat power is insufficient. But if you need a detective or a reasoning expert, then you''ve drawn a good card."


    "Sherlock Holmes, here to lend you a hand." The familiar Holmes, with his pipe and raised eyebrow, brought a sense of reassurance to Hoshino, just like Da Vinci''s smile.


    "Thank you, Holmes." Smiling at the Holmes card in her hand, Hoshino felt grateful to all the servants who were concerned about her.


    "In any case, since there''s no incident at the moment, just put me back in the deck for now. Whether to use me in a duel is up to you, Hoshino." Holmes cautioned, raising an eyebrow. "Don''t blame me for not warning you¡ªI am not like other combat monster cards. I''m just a detective, so don''t expect too much from my combat power."


    Looking at Holmes'' weak stats, Hoshino couldn''t help but laugh. "It''s fine, Holmes. Duel Monsters isn''t just about combat power. Strategy is also very important."


    "Really? From what you said, I guess this is a turn-based card game that relies on intelligence and strategy. Duel Monsters, right? It might be quite interesting." From just one sentence and his attributes, Holmes, who had never encountered a duel before, had grasped the basic rules of Duel Monsters. Truly deserving of the title of detective, the epitome of ''the revealer.''


    Carefully placing Holmes back into the deck, Hoshino closed the luxurious interface and switched to the regular card store.


    <[Saint Quartz Summon (Limited-Time Card Pool) Evil Dragon Hundred Years War Selected Hero Summon] now open.>


    "Evil Dragon Hundred Years War, if I remember correctly, should be set in France, with Jeanne d''Arc and Alter Jeanne d''Arc''s confrontation." Rubbing her chin, Hoshino tried to recall. "I wonder what effects the special-class Jeanne d''Arcs will have. I''m looking forward to it."


    Thinking of this, Hoshino shook her head vigorously. "I haven''t even drawn them yet, what am I expecting? Don''t jinx yourself, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "But I have 140 saint quartz in total, so I shouldn''t fail, right?" Not knowing the exact summoning probability in this world, Hoshino estimated that around 100 saint quartz should be enough to get what she wanted, much better than the original 1% money-draining probability.


    After all, you couldn''t spend real money in this world, and the sources of quartz were limited, so, understandably, the probabilities would be increased. Hoshino couldn''t help but think back to her previous comfortable life, where she could buy as many quartz as she wanted. Probability issues seemed insignificant when you had tons of quartz.


    How ironic, this is what they call ''not knowing to save when you have money, only realizing the value of money when you''re broke.'' Mocking herself, Hoshino silently clicked the ten summon option.


    "But do your best. If you win in the end, you can live an even better life than before!" Shallow and devoid of any respectable morality or burden of responsibility, Hoshino''s simple desire was just to fulfill her wishes. This was her goal, similar to most duelists on this island.


    Yet, it was this most shallow desire that pushed Hoshino forward step by step. Time and again, she made comebacks in desperate situations, and this same motivation would continue to drive Hoshino to victory in future duels.


    With such prayers, Hoshino stared intently at the spinning ten summon. The first attempt yielded no golden cards.


    "Well, the first step is always the hardest." Feeling confident with 110 stones left, Hoshino clicked the [Ten Summon] option again.


    "Emmm~" Seeing the second ten-fold attempt yield nothing, Hoshino''s calm heart began to feel a bit anxious. "Am I not summoning correctly?"


    After taking a few deep breaths, Hoshino patted her chest and adjusted her sitting posture.


    Anzu, who was eating beside Hoshino, saw her sitting respectfully with her deck and couldn''t help but admire her silently. "So, even powerful duelists like Hoshino show such respect to their decks, even sitting properly to adjust their decks. That''s amazing¡­"


    "O Goddess of RNGesss, O Godfather of Gacha, can you feel my sincerity, my hope and dreams? Please bring Jeanne to my side." With a sincere prayer, Hoshino tremblingly clicked the [Ten Summon] option again.


    ...


    "Hoshino, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?" Seeing Hoshino suddenly collapse, Anzu was startled and quickly put down her food.


    "I''m fine, Anzu¡­" Hoshino, with tears in her eyes, reached out and touched Anzu''s worried face. "I just feel like all my efforts last night were wasted."


    The gods did not respond to the prayers (desires) of a girl named Hoshino Chiyuki.


    "All your efforts last night? Wasted? What are you talking about, Hoshino? Pull yourself together." Gently holding Hoshino''s cold hand against her face, Anzu wiped away Hoshino''s tears with a pained expression.


    "What''s wrong? What happened?" The others, having almost finished eating, also noticed Hoshino lying on the ground.


    "Weren''t you adjusting your deck, Hoshino?" Jounouchi asked in confusion, seeing Hoshino looking lifeless. "Did you lose some valuable cards?"


    "Is that it, Hoshino?" Yugi asked worriedly, as this seemed to be the only reasonable explanation for such a situation.


    But Hoshino, looking at her remaining 50 Saint Quartz, only enough for one more ten summon, couldn''t possibly tell them she had failed in gacha.


    Silently scanning the worried faces around her, Hoshino wanted to say something. Then, when she saw Jounouchi, a sudden idea struck her like lightning.


    "Jounouchi, come here for a second¡­"

 Chapter 52 - 52

    "Jounouchi, come here for a second." Hoshino, with a mischievous smile on her face, slowly sat up and called Jounouchi over.


    "Me? Are you talking to me?" Jounouchi pointed at himself incredulously, looking around at everyone''s expressions. Nobody knew what Hoshino was up to.


    Of course, Hoshino wasn''t sure if this would work either. Since Yugi and the others couldn''t see the summoning interface, it was uncertain if Jounouchi''s "Luck" could indeed draw an SSR servant.


    Whenever Hoshino opened the summoning option, only a semi-transparent interface appeared, and touching it had no tangible feel. It merely symbolically prompted, "Do you want to use 30 Saint Quartz for a tenfold summon?" In theory, even without a tactile response, if Jounouchi touched the [Ten Summon] button, it should trigger the summon.


    Pausing the system interface on the card store, Hoshino spread her hands, indicating for Jounouchi to try.


    "Haha, Hoshino, what do you want me to do?" Jounouchi, seeing Hoshino calling him over but then staying silent, felt completely confused. "Is this some kind of joke? Or are you going to perform a magic trick? Hahaha?"


    Jounouchi, smiling awkwardly, didn''t know what to make of Hoshino''s spread hands.


    "Just poke here and see." Pointing to the spot of [Ten Summon], Hoshino smiled meaningfully at Jounouchi.


    "Huh? Here? What am I supposed to do?" Growing more baffled, Jounouchi could only comply with Hoshino''s request.


    <System prompt: Do you want to use 30 Saint Quartz for a [Ten Summon]?>


    "It worked!" Receiving the system prompt, Hoshino clenched her fist in excitement. "Yes!"


    "Huh? What worked?" Unable to hear the system, Jounouchi naturally didn''t understand what Hoshino was talking about.


    "Shh, just watch." Indicating for Jounouchi to be quiet, Hoshino once again stared at the summoning interface''s spinning light circle.


    Suddenly, the card deck in Hoshino''s hand emitted a dazzling golden light, visible to everyone, including Jounouchi and the others.


    "Master! Cheating is not good!" Flipping open the glowing deck, a brand-new card appeared in her hand, one unfamiliar to this world but very familiar to Hoshino.


    "Servant Ruler, Jeanne d''Arc., answering an unknown summoning!" Jeanne, puffing her cheeks, glared at Hoshino with a frown.


    "Hoshino, is this some kind of magic trick?" The group, staring in disbelief at the glowing deck in Hoshino''s hand, was stunned.


    However, shortly after the first golden light dimmed, a second golden light began to shine.


    "Hehe, Saintess, don''t be so rigid. The fact that Master used such a method shows she''s grown quite a bit... in wickedness~" A servant with the same appearance as Jeanne, but with a mischievous smile, appeared on the card. "Servant, Avenger Jeanne Alter, it''s been a while, Master."


    "Why is your deck glowing like this!" Seeing the second flash of golden light, Jounouchi continued to ask.


    Why does it keep glowing? Isn''t it because of your incredible luck? Hoshino thought to herself.


    "Is it because of card spirits, Hoshino?" Yugi guessed, speaking his mind. "Last night, during your duel with Kaiba, the other me (the Pharaoh) said that you have the power to communicate with card spirits."


    "Did the other Yugi say that?" Anzu, hearing Yugi''s words, looked at Hoshino''s deck in surprise.


    Unexpectedly, everyone seemed to accept the concept of card spirits without much trouble. If what Yugi said was true, then Hoshino''s sometimes odd behavior, like talking to herself after summoning monsters, made perfect sense.


    "Amazing, Hoshino! Can you see the card spirits?" Bakura excitedly asked, nearly incoherent with joy.


    "Uh, whether they''re card spirits, I can''t say for sure." Seeing everyone''s excitement, Hoshino scratched her face awkwardly, unsure if servants counted as card spirits. "If you mean communication, then yes, I can talk to them a bit."


    "That''s awesome, Hoshino." Yugi''s eyes showed respect. "My grandpa once told me that those who can see card spirits are deeply loved by the spirits and also love them deeply."


    "Is that so? Hoshino, you''re loved by everyone." Following Yugi''s lead, Jounouchi praised her. "I didn''t expect even the card spirits to like you."


    Flustered by the sudden praise, Hoshino, who had only intended to use Jounouchi''s luck for the draw, now felt embarrassed and shyly lowered her head.


    At that moment, the deck flashed with golden light once more...


    "How many golden cards are going to come out of this ten summon, Jounouchi? What are you? Did you save the world in your previous life?" Surprised by the glowing deck, Hoshino flipped the card again.


    "My name is Martha, just plain Martha...We will save the world without fail!~" Martha winked at Hoshino. "Long time no see, Master. But it seems Master has done something a bit cheaty, huh?"


    "Big Sis!!" Forgetting there were others around, Hoshino excitedly shouted Martha''s nickname.


    "Geez, stop calling me Big Sis." Martha pretended to be angry and softly chided Hoshino. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Huh? Is this card called Big Sis?" Anzu, leaning over to look at the card in Hoshino''s hand, read the name. " Saint Martha? That sounds familiar."


    "Saint Martha... you mean the saint who tamed the evil dragon Tarasque?" Yugi recalled the name and said.


    "A legendary saint? How amazing." Listening to Yugi''s explanation, Anzu looked at the card in Hoshino''s hand with even more respect.


    "Speaking of Hoshino''s cards, many of the names seem familiar, like Siegfried." Joining the conversation, Jounouchi added, "He seems to be the legendary dragon-slaying hero."


    "And there''s Spartacus! I even watched a TV show about him!" Honda added. "Although he looks quite different from the TV version, the name is the same, so it must be him."


    "So, Hoshino, are all your cards based on legendary heroes?" Bakura asked curiously.


    "Well, if you put it that way, I guess you could say that." Not knowing how to respond, Hoshino confirmed Bakura''s guess.


    "Hero cards, I''ve never seen anything like that. How amazing." Yugi exclaimed, recognizing the rarity of such cards.


    "Yeah, and Hoshino can even see the spirits within the hero cards, which is incredible!" Jounouchi excitedly waved his fists.


    "Haha, it''s not that big of a deal..." Unsure whether to be proud or humble, Hoshino silently accepted her friends'' praise.


    At that moment, the previously calm deck flashed golden once more.


    "Damn it, Jounouchi, how can you be so lucky?!" Hoshino''s gaze towards Jounouchi changed as she looked at the deck that flashed golden for the fourth time. "Could this man be the legendary God of Gacha?"


    Flipping the card once more, Hoshino revealed the fourth gold servant from the tenfold summons.


    "Wassup! My homies!, it''s Marie~" The playful figure of Marie appeared in Hoshino''s hand, waving to greet her. "I can''t believe you got four gold cards in one ten summon, Master. You must have used some incredible ritual!"


    Hoshino was puzzled. Why did every summoned servant mention this? Could having someone else draw for you be such a serious matter in this world?


    As the summoning effects gradually faded, the incredible ten summons finally ended. With Marie joining the deck, this tenfold summons solidified Jounouchi''s status as the "Luck Emperor."


    [Warning!! Warning!!]


    A loud alarm suddenly sounded, startling Hoshino, who hadn''t yet calmed down from the excitement of the tenfold summon. She instinctively looked around.


    However, everyone else showed no reaction, which meant...


    The alarm could only be heard by Hoshino; it was a system alert!


    [Alert!! Detected abnormal summoning by Duelist No. 001, Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    "What? Abnormal summoning?!" Realizing something was wrong, Hoshino finally understood why every summoned servant mentioned this. Could it be that having someone else draw cards for you was prohibited in this world?


    [Due to an abnormal summoning by Duelist No. 001, Hoshino Chiyuki, your remaining Saint Quartz has been deducted as a penalty. If abnormal summoning occurs again, the punishment will be multiplied.]


    "Deductions? Saint Quartz? Does that mean my..." Hoshino quickly checked her remaining stones. After spending 30 Saint Quartz for a ten summon, she should have had 20 left.


    However, the empty Saint Quartz count confirmed that the system wasn''t joking.


    "How can this be? This system has such restrictions?" Disappointed, Hoshino slumped down again. It wasn''t the loss of 20 Saint Quartz that bothered her; she could earn those back through duels.


    Her real disappointment was that she couldn''t have Jounouchi help her with the draws anymore. With such a lucky person by her side, summoning all the cards from the banner wouldn''t just be a dream.


    Hoshino silently put away her deck. Since the system had confiscated her remaining stones, further summoning wasn''t possible.


    "Why are you putting it away? Won''t it glow again?" Jounouchi, clearly not having seen enough of the unique sight, asked in disappointment.


    Though he probably didn''t mean anything by it, to Hoshino, it felt like a slap in the face. She snapped at Jounouchi, "It won''t glow again!" Although she knew Jounouchi hadn''t done anything wrong and had even helped her a lot, she couldn''t help but feel frustrated. Her own three tenfold summons yielded nothing, yet Jounouchi''s single attempt...


    "What''s wrong? Why are you suddenly snapping at me?" Feeling wronged by Hoshino''s unexpected outburst, Jounouchi shrank back.


    "Alright, everyone, let''s stop fooling around." Mai, who had been packing up the camping gear, called out to everyone. "I think it''s about time we set off."


    "Is it time to leave?" Hoshino estimated the time. From waking up until now, nearly an hour had passed. 6:30 wasn''t too early or too late. Given the 48-hour time limit for the Duelist Kingdom tournament, wasting an hour reduced their chances of collecting enough stars to enter Pegasus'' castle.


    "Mai, are you going to join us?" Yugi asked, seeing Mai ready to go.


    "Huh? Join you? Don''t be ridiculous. I''m a lone duelist; why would I hang out with you kids playing friendship games?" Although her tone was disdainful, her expression showed a hint of fondness.


    "The reason I helped you last night was to repay Hoshino''s kindness." Holding her star chips, Mai slowly approached Hoshino and leaned in close. "Hoshino, think of these six-star chips as a loan from your big sister. If you ever need them, I''ll return them without hesitation."


    Before Hoshino could react, Mai''s soft lips brushed gently against Hoshino''s smooth cheek. "Remember to think of me, okay?"


    Blushing and in a daze from the unexpected kiss, Hoshino silently watched Mai walk away.


    "If fate allows, see you at Pegasus'' castle tomorrow!" Mai waved goodbye as she walked away, gradually disappearing.


    "That woman, teasing Hoshino again!" Feeling a surge of inexplicable anger, Anzu grumbled quietly, watching Mai leave and Hoshino stand there dazed.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "Mr. Pegasus, sorry to disturb you, but there are two matters to report." The old butler bowed deeply as he approached the luxurious table where Pegasus was having breakfast.


    "Go ahead~" Pegasus, in a good mood from watching Hoshino''s duel last night, seemed cheerful. He had found new possibilities for holographic projection technology, bringing him closer to achieving his wish.


    "First, as per your orders, the dark duelist imprisoned in the castle dungeon seems to have escaped last night."


    "Escaped?" Pegasus frowned. "What about the guards? Did they notice anything unusual?"


    "According to the guards, the dark duelist woke up last night and was furiously roaring, but then everything went silent. This morning, the Dark Duelist was gone, with no signs of forced entry or exit. It was as if..."


    The old butler hesitated, then continued in a bewildered tone, "As if he vanished into thin air."


    "Vanished into thin air?" Pegasus took a bite of bacon, contemplating for a moment. "It''s just a dog, after all. Even if he escaped, he wasn''t a threat. What''s the second matter?"


    "Yes, according to surveillance, Seto Kaiba infiltrated the castle five minutes ago."


    "You should have reported that first!" Pegasus scolded, setting down his knife and fork.

 Chapter 53 - 53

    Pegasus'' Castle...


    In a pitch-black special room, Mokuba, whose feet were tightly chained, sat against the wall with his head down.


    This was Pegasus'' so-called "warm" hospitality. Initially, Mokuba was only placed under house arrest. However, Pegasus underestimated Mokuba''s resilience and he managed to escape In an unexpected way. After being recaptured, the security personnel had no choice but to add extra precautions.


    Having been imprisoned overnight, Mokuba slowly opened the locket around his neck. Inside was a photo of him with his older brother from when they were children.


    "Brother, you''ll definitely come to save me, right? I''ll hold on until then," Mokuba, still young, clung to his only hope and belief¡ªhis brother, Seto Kaiba. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The guard outside, a man In sunglasses and a black suit, turned his face away coldly as he watched the weakened Mokuba in the cell. However, this act of turning away was probably the biggest mistake of his life.


    Kaiba, who had already infiltrated the ceiling compartment, seized the moment when the guard looked away and accurately landed behind him, delivering a hand chop that knocked the guard out instantly.


    After taking down the guard, Kaiba gripped the cold bars and anxiously called out to Mokuba, who was squatting in the corner of the cell. "Mokuba, are you alright?"


    "That voice¡­?" Mokuba, with his head down and eyes blank, lit up with hope upon hearing the familiar and comforting voice. "Brother, it''s my brother!"


    Dragging his heavy, iron-ball-chained feet, Mokuba struggled to the iron door. "Brother, I knew you''d come to save me! I never doubted it! I didn''t give the key you gave me to anyone. I successfully protected the Kaiba Corporation!"


    "Mokuba, hold on. I''ll save you now!" Seeing Mokuba so worn out, Kaiba frowned with concern as he searched the unconscious guard for the cell key.


    "Got it!" The shape of the key was distinctive, making it easy to recognize at a glance. "Mokuba, don''t worry. I''ll be right there¡­"


    *Clap, clap, clap* Applause echoed through the darkness.


    "Who''s there?" Startled, Kaiba stopped his actions immediately and instinctively adopted a defensive stance.


    "What a touching brotherly reunion. I was moved to tears." Pegasus emerged from the darkness, clapping.


    "Pegasus!!" Seeing the mastermind behind all the despicable plans and the man responsible for Mokuba''s misery, Kaiba gritted his teeth, barely restraining his anger.


    "I''m sincerely blessing your heartfelt reunion, yet your attitude, Kaiba-boy, isn''t very nice," Pegasus sneered, hiding his hands behind his back.


    "Pegasus, you scum!" Mokuba, seeing Pegasus in the darkness, shouted angrily.


    "Shut up!" Pegasus'' expression turned vicious as a dark power surged from his left eye, blowing aside the hair covering the Millennium Eye.


    The eerie dark power enveloped Mokuba, making him collapse to the ground as if his soul had been drained.


    "Damn you, Pegasus!" With the Millennium Eye glowing, Mokuba collapsed instantly. Although Kaiba didn''t know the reason, it was clear that Pegasus was behind it, fueling Kaiba''s rage even further. "What did you do, Pegasus?"


    "Kaiba-boy, don''t be so impatient," Pegasus said in his usual slow, mocking tone, further irritating Kaiba.


    "I merely sealed Mokuba-boy''s soul into this card." Pegasus raised the card that had somehow appeared in his hand, showing Mokuba''s helpless image on the card''s face. "Just like I did with Yugi''s grandfather, Sugoroku Mutou."


    "This can''t be real." Witnessing the supernatural phenomenon before him, Kaiba''s face filled with disbelief. "The Millennium Eye?! So what Yugi said was true."


    "That''s right. If you want to retrieve your dear brother''s soul, there''s only one way: defeat me in a duel." Pegasus taunted, putting the card with Mokuba''s image back in his pocket.


    "Perfect!" Kaiba''s expression turned confident. "Let''s settle this, Pegasus!"


    "NO~NO~NO~" Pegasus shook his head with a disdainful laugh. "You can''t challenge me directly. This is Duelist Kingdom."


    With that, Pegasus tossed five metal star chips, symbols of duelists, onto the floor. "To challenge me, you must follow the rules of Duelist Kingdom."


    "What are you planning, Pegasus?" Kaiba glared at the star chips on the ground, then at Pegasus.


    "Go and defeat a Hoshino Chiyuki." Pegasus'' tone shifted from playful to serious.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki? Why her?" Kaiba was surprised to hear this name from Pegasus.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki possesses the ability to communicate with spirits and unlock the full potential of the holographic projection system," Pegasus explained calmly.


    "Unlock the potential of the holographic projection system? That''s impossible¡­" As the developer of the holographic projection system, Kaiba was about to dismiss Pegasus'' claim but then remembered something.


    ("Let me show you! The real anger of Seto Kaiba!"


    "Take this! Point-blank attack! Burst Stream of Destruction!")


    "So that''s it, Pegasus." Understanding Pegasus'' motive, Kaiba stared at him.


    "Yes. I want you, the genius developer of the Duel Monsters holographic projection system, to duel with Hoshino. Your brilliant mind will surely uncover the hidden possibilities of the system. If we can develop a more perfect device, the reputation of Kaiba Corporation will be restored, and its value will increase exponentially."


    "Looks like Pegasus doesn''t know I''ve already dueled Hoshino once." Kaiba thought to himself. "So that''s it. Although all the duel arenas on the island are under Pegasus'' surveillance, my newly developed duel disk isn''t."


    "This means Pegasus can see his opponent''s cards by cheating through the specialized duel arenas," Kaiba smirked, thinking he had figured out Pegasus'' secret.


    "Well, Kaiba-boy, do you accept the condition?" Pegasus asked as Kaiba fell silent in thought.


    "I accept!" Kaiba picked up the five star chips from the floor, clenching them in his fist as he pointed at Pegasus. "After I defeat Hoshino, I''ll destroy your invincible legend, expose your ugly face, and make sure you can never stand in this world again."


    "I''ll crush you with the full force of my cards, Pegasus!!" With those final words, Kaiba turned and left the room.


    "I''m looking forward to it, Kaiba-boy¡­" Watching Kaiba leave, Pegasus smiled, his plan coming to fruition.


    ¡­


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, what a remarkable duelist." Leaving the castle, Kaiba silently recalled his duel with Hoshino from the previous night.


    ("What awaits us is a [different ending]!


    "Special summon a new monster: [Crimson Demon Dragon¡ªSiegfried Alter]!"


    "Since there are eight dragon-type monsters on the field and in the graveyard, Siegfried Alter''s attack power increases by 4000."


    [Crimson Demon Dragon¡ªSiegfried: 7000]


    "Impossible, it''s stronger than the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    "See, Kaiba? This is the potential that the Black Dragon brings to the deck!")


    "A deck of heroes, though still immature, is an interesting opponent," Kaiba thought, a rare smile of appreciation appearing on his usually stern face.


    Ray: "Aaaah!!!"


    Ray LP: 800 ¡ú 0


    "Yes! Yugi won!" The spectators cheered excitedly. Even though they had already won several duels that morning, their excitement never waned. Truly, whether participants or spectators, everyone could fully enjoy the fun of dueling.


    "That was easy~" Jounouchi said contentedly, looking at the metal star chips embedded in his duelist glove, counting the morning''s spoils.


    "Yeah, it''s great that things are going so smoothly, Jounouchi~" Yugi said, genuinely happy for Jounouchi''s winning streak.


    "Hehe, this is great~" Hoshino said, for the umpteenth time raising her duelist glove to admire it closely. "I have to say, this glove is really stylish."


    The duelist glove that Hoshino was so fond of was her prize from the only duel she fought that morning. Like Jounouchi taking the glove from the eliminated Weevel, Hoshino had claimed the glove of a bespectacled girl she had ruthlessly defeated.


    Did Hoshino feel guilty? Watching the girl''s eyes swell up as she handed over her last star chip, Hoshino almost felt like refusing it. But the girl knew that by the second day of the competition, with only one star chip left, it was nearly impossible to collect ten chips and enter the castle within the remaining time.


    "Everyone comes here with dreams, to Duelist Kingdom," Hoshino murmured, raising her gloved hand to the sky. The dazzling sunlight shone through her fingers, illuminating the seven star chips embedded in her glove, which, combined with her slender, fair wrist, showed a touch of elegant design.


    Current standings:


    Hoshino Chiyuki: 7 star chips


    Yugi Mutou: 6 star chips


    Katsuya Jounouchi: 5 star chips


    ¡­


    On a hill, two men were stealthily watching Yugi''s group.


    "They won again, huh?" the shorter man, nervously asked the taller, skinnier man beside him. "Should we report this to the boss?"


    "Yeah, let''s tell the boss. There''s a particularly strong duelist in that group named Yugi Mutou," the skinny man replied, feeling uneasy. "I heard Yugi Mutou is the legendary duelist who defeated Seto Kaiba and is a top contender in this tournament."


    "Let''s report back and pick another target. This prey is too tough," said the short man, the fear spreading and affecting his confidence. He got up and ran back to their camp.


    "What? You want to let this prey go? Do you know how many star chips they have? There aren''t many duelists left. To gather enough star chips for all of us to enter the castle, we must take down this prey." The apparent leader scolded the returning short man. "Although Yugi Mutou might be tough, his companion, Jounouchi, is just a rookie. You can handle him easily, right, Ghost Kozuka? Or do you doubt my ability?"


    Though initially frightened by the leader''s scolding, Ghost Kozuka quickly regained confidence, "Of course, I trust you, boss. Thanks to you''re adjustments to my deck, I''ve won so many star chips."


    Kozuka raised his six star chips, their metallic gleam reassuring him further.


    "Of course. Do you know who I am?" The leader proudly pointed to himself with his thumb. "I''m the multiple-time U.S. Duel Monsters champion and bounty hunter, Bandit Keith!"


    ¡­..


    "Is it just my imagination, or are there fewer duelists now?" Honda grumbled after a long walk without encountering any duelists.


    "Maybe many have already been eliminated," Yugi mused, rubbing his chin.


    "There were nearly a hundred duelists when we first gathered on the island," Hoshino recalled the bustling scene when they first arrived.


    "With so many participants, only four can enter Pegasus'' castle. It makes sense there would be duelists designated as ''duelist killers'' to control the numbers," Yugi concluded, realizing something and hitting his palm with his fist.


    As everyone was analyzing the situation, Jounouchi suddenly ran into the woods. "Wait for me, I''ll be right back."


    "What are you doing at a time like this?" Honda asked impatiently.


    "Nature calls! Stop asking so many questions!" Jounouchi complained, running towards the creek.


    "What a troublesome guy," Honda shrugged. "We''ll have to wait for him here."


    "Do you think Kaiba has met Pegasus yet?" Anzu asked, looking up at Pegasus'' large castle looming in the distance. "I hope he''s already rescued Mokuba."


    "I doubt it," Yugi said, shaking his head. "Pegasus'' Millennium Eye can seal souls. Even though I don''t know how it works, it seems unlikely Kaiba could rescue Mokuba."


    "I see¡­" Anzu lowered her head, feeling dejected.


    "Aaaah!!"


    A familiar scream echoed from deep within the forest.


    "Jounouchi?!" Everyone immediately recognized Jounouchi''s distinct scream.


    "Could he have been attacked? He never stops causing trouble!" Despite his complaints, Honda''s worried expression was evident as he ran towards the source of the scream.


    "Let''s go too," Yugi urged, looking equally concerned.


    In the cave¡­


    "What do you guys want?!" After finishing his business, Jounouchi was dragged here with a bag over his head. Finally, seeing his captors, he demanded, "Do you plan to take my star chips by force? Don''t you know violence against duelists is forbidden in Duelist Kingdom?"


    "You''re Jounouchi, right?" Bandit Keith, sitting arrogantly on a rock, looked at him. "We''re not taking your star chips by force. We just want a fair duel."


    "This cave has a hidden duel arena. It''s never been used, but Pegasus has some twisted tastes." Keith pressed a switch with his foot, and a large duel arena rose from the ground. "You''ve been winning thanks to Yugi''s helped, so we separated you to make you duel on your own."


    On the raised arena stood a small figure. "I, Ghost Kozuka, will defeat you with my ghost deck!"


    ¡­


    "Where did Jounouchi go?" After searching around the water''s edge without finding any trace of Jounouchi, everyone regrouped.


    "Damn it, he''s always causing trouble!" Honda kicked a stone into the water, splashing a large wave.


    "Honda¡­" Yugi looked at Honda, understanding his frustration. He knew Honda was as worried about Jounouchi as anyone else.


    "Could he have been caught by a duelist killer?" Anzu suggested, remembering their earlier conversation. "If that''s true, with Jounouchi''s skill level, he''s in trouble."


    Feeling helpless, Hoshino stood silently, unable to think of a solution to their predicament.


    "Hoshino, Hoshino¡­" A gentle voice whispered in Hoshino''s ear.


    "Huh?" Recognizing the familiar tone, Hoshino looked around but saw no one.


    "Don''t look around. You can''t see me right now. Just listen," the voice continued.


    "Mr. Holmes!" Hoshino finally recognized the voice, gasping softly.


    "I suspect there''s a hidden place nearby," the semi-transparent figure of Holmes, resting on Hoshino''s shoulder, said, rubbing his chin in thought.


    "Why do you say that?" Hoshino asked, puzzled.


    "In Duelist Kingdom, everyone aims to win star chips through dueling. It''s likely that Jounouchi was taken for a duel," Holmes explained, aligning with Anzu''s earlier guess.


    "Considering the size of the duel arenas and the timing of Jounouchi''s scream, if he was taken against his will or was unconscious, they couldn''t have moved him far without us noticing the arena rising. So, there must be a hidden place nearby, likely a cave, given the terrain."


    "Really?" Though Hoshino barely understood, she relayed Holmes'' reasoning to the group.


    "Found it!" Honda, running along the water, discovered a hidden cave behind a waterfall.


    "Amazing, Hoshino! Are you a detective?" Bakura, looking at Hoshino with admiration, clenched his fist in excitement.


    "Haha, is that so¡­" Hoshino, embarrassed, turned her face and muttered, "You''re amazing, Mr. Holmes, truly a legendary detective!"


    "It''s just common sense, my friend~"


    Jounouchi: "Aaaah!!!" LP ¡ú 300


    "Damn it! You call this a ghost deck, but all the monsters are zombies!" Jounouchi complained, looking at Kozuka''s field full of zombie monsters.


    Ghost Kozuka LP: 2700, [Zombie Dragon ATK : 2000 DEF : 0], [Pumpking the King of Ghosts ATK : 1800 DEF: 0], [Clown Zombie ATK : 2000 DEF : 0]


    Jounouchi LP: 300, empty field


    "Hahaha, still have the energy to talk? Are you ready to give up?" Kozuka taunted, confident in his victory.


    "Damn it!" With trembling hands, Jounouchi reached for his deck, reflecting silently. "All this time, I''ve relied on Yugi and Hoshino in crucial moments. I''ve never fought alone."


    "Am I really just a rookie? Even though I defeated Ryuzaki and Kaiba, it was thanks to Yugi and Hoshino. Alone, I can''t do anything." Consumed by regret, Jounouchi''s spirit waned, losing the strength to draw a card.


    "Brother~"


    "Shizuka!"


    "There''s no way I can''t do anything!" The courage buried deep within Jounouchi suddenly surged up. "Kozuka, even if I''m alone, I can defeat a duelist like you!"


    "Hahaha, don''t talk big. Look at your life points, they''re like a candle in the wind!" Kozuka, thinking Jounouchi was just bluffing, paid no attention to his words.


    "Jounouchi!!" The group finally found Jounouchi dueling on the platform deep within the cave.


    "Sure enough, Jounouchi was captured for a duel." Yugi said worriedly, seeing Jounouchi''s low life points and the strong monsters on the opponent''s field.


    "Hahahaha, Yugi Mutou, you''re too late." Keith, sitting on a rock and watching the duel, laughed when he saw Yugi arrive. "Your friend is about to lose all his star chips! Even you can''t turn this situation around."


    "Sorry, Yugi?" The bright light flashed again on the Millennium Puzzle, and Yami Yugi took over.


    "Jounouchi, you can turn this around, you just have to..."


    "Don''t say anything, Yugi!" Jounouchi unexpectedly interrupted Yami Yugi, who was about to give him a hint.


    Despite having almost no life points and no monsters on the field, Jounouchi''s eyes were filled with hope. "This is my pride as a duelist. This is my fight, Yugi!"


    "I see, Jounouchi." Understanding Jounouchi''s thoughts, Yami Yugi smiled. "Then go for it, Jounouchi. Show them your true strength!"


    "My turn, draw!" Slamming the card he drew onto the table, Jounouchi, as Yugi had said, pursued victory with all his might. "I summon, in attack mode, [Battle Tiger]!"


    [Battle Tiger¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïEarth][Beast][ATK : 0 DEF: 2100]


    "Hahaha, summoning a monster with 0 attack points in attack mode, are you an idiot?" Kozuka laughed, clutching his stomach.


    "Is that really the case, Kozuka?" Ignoring Kozuka''s taunts, Jounouchi confidently placed two spell cards on the table. "Activate Spell Card [Shield & Sword]!"


    "What?! A spell card that swaps attack and defense points!" Seeing Jounouchi activate the spell card, Kozuka, who had been relaxed, suddenly tensed up.


    [Shield & Sword Spell Card Effect: Until the end of this turn, the original attack and defense points of all face-up monsters on the field are swapped.]


    "All your zombie monsters have 0 defense points, while my Battle Tiger has a defense of 2100! So!" Raising his arm, Jounouchi shouted for victory, "Battle Tiger, massive attack boost!"


    [Battle Tiger ATK: 0 ¡ú 2100]


    "It doesn''t matter. Battle Tiger''s attack boost is temporary, and next turn you''ll be defeated." Although surprised by Jounouchi''s sudden move, Kozuka still believed he couldn''t lose.


    "There is no next turn, Kozuka. I activate Quick-Play Spell Card, [Graceful Dice]!" Using the second spell card, Jounouchi''s confidence seemed unshakable as he watched the angelic figure materialize.


    [Graceful Dice Quick-Play Spell Effect: Roll 1 six-sided die. All monsters you control gain ATK and DEF equal to the result x 100 until the end of the turn.]


    "I can see it! I can see all six faces of the dice showing 6!" Jounouchi''s eyes widened as he awaited the result.


    Roll result: 6!


    "Yes! Because of Graceful Dice''s effect, Battle Tiger''s attack increases by another 600!" Slamming the table, Jounouchi glared fiercely at Kozuka. "Send your zombies back to the graveyard, Kozuka!"


    [Battle Tiger ATK ¡ú 2700]


    "Battle Tiger, attack Zombie Dragon! Roaring Tiger Slash!"


    With an attack power of 0, Battle Tiger had never imagined it could unleash such a powerful strike. The roaring blue tiger pounced on Zombie Dragon.


    "How can this be?!" The roar of Battle Tiger hit the 0 attack power Zombie Dragon, causing damage equivalent to a direct attack. The powerful impact cleared Kozuka''s life points.


    Kozuka LP ¡ú 0


    "Did you see that? This is the true strength of a proud duelist, Katsuya Jounouchi!"

 Chapter 54 - 54

    "Jonouchi won?!" The spectators, except for Yugi and Hoshino, were all shocked that Jonouchi managed to achieve such a comeback on his own.


    "Hand over your star chips!" Jonouchi unceremoniously took all the star chips from Kozuka''s pile on the table and added them one by one to his own Duelist glove.


    "I have collected them! I actually acquired all ten star chips, so no one can say I was a newbie!" Jonouchi was almost in tears as he slipped the final star chip into his glove, "Shizuka, big brother did it! Big brother finally made it!"


    "Well done, Jonouchi!" Yugi, who had switched souls with the Yami Yugi again, sincerely congratulated Jonouchi, "Jonouchi, you really worked hard. I didn''t expect you to be the first among us three to collect all 10 star chips."


    "Not bad, Jonouchi." Hoshino, with her hands behind her back and a mischievous smile, reluctantly praised Jonouchi.


    "Big brother, I lost? What do I do now? I''ve lost all my star chips!" Bonz, who had lost all of his chips, hysterically whined to Bandit Keith, who was sitting on a rock.


    "Who cares about you? You even let this situation be overturned." Keith sneered at Kozuka, perceiving him as worthless after losing all of his star chips.


    "How can you say that? I was following your orders!" Kozuka became enraged by Keith''s attitude and seized Keith''s garments.


    However, the physical contrast was too extreme. Kozuka, who was only half Keith''s height, was punched to the ground, "Losers should get out of Duelist Kingdom!"


    "That''s too much! Who are you to treat your own companion like this!" Jonouchi shouted at Keith, unable to take it.


    "Companion? Don''t make me laugh. I''m not companions with trash like him; it''s just a relationship of mutual use." Keith shrugged dismissively with a smug smirk, "If you must know who I am, I''m Bandit Keith!"


    "Bandit Keith?!" Yugi''s expression became serious as he heard the name. "The bounty hunter who once challenged Pegasus and created a legend of undefeated dueling monster cards before being defeated by Pegasus, Bandit Keith!"


    "Is he really such a formidable figure?" Jonouchi broke out in cold sweat after hearing Yugi''s answer. "I dueled against someone commanded by such a guy? That was dangerous."


    "It''s a pity, Kozuka''s luck was just too bad. I had already arranged a flawless strategy for him." Though Keith''s statements appeared to sympathize with Kozuka, his true objective was to exploit rookies like Kozuka to eliminate more competition. If he could lead these rookies into Pegasus'' palace, he would certainly win.


    "This guy is awful, hiding behind others to duel while avoiding any risk himself." When Hoshino realized Keith''s actual intents, she clinched her teeth and swore.


    "Girl, you''re quite cute, though your mouth is crude, splattering my name like that." Keith''s eyes lit up when he spotted the star chips on Hoshino''s duelist glove.


    Keith inquired with a sneaky smirk, "Girl, what''s your name?"


    "Hoshino Chiyuki." Despite Keith''s presence, Hoshino exhibited no fear because she was surrounded by her friends, giving her no reason to back down.


    "Oh, Hoshino Chiyuki, huh?, I challenge you to a duel!" Keith lifted his right hand, while wearing the duelist glove, and pointed at Hoshino.


    "Big brother, you''re dueling yourself?" Keith''s last two followers were apprehensive about Kozuka''s defeat. However, learning that Keith was going to duel personally relieved their anxiety.


    "Yes, let me show you my true dueling skills." Keith estimated that an unknown duelist like Hoshino had no chance of defeating him, America''s unbeaten champion. Not even Yugi could. Nonetheless, he was a cautious individual, as seen by his proclivity to make alliances despite his single fighting abilities.


    His life ethic was to avoid danger, and confronting Yugi was not the greatest option just now. So, this female with 7-star chips was the ideal victim. Defeating her would not only allow him to earn 10 star chips, but it would also restore his image in the eyes of his followers, tricking them into confronting Yugi and getting more vital information.


    "Hoshino..." The unexpected challenge from such a powerful opponent had everyone concerned about Hoshino. Despite having observed Hoshino''s prowess, the opponent was clearly not an easy prey.


    "Don''t worry about me," Hoshino soothed her worried companions with a grin, then turned to Keith with a serious expression. "Alright, I accept your challenge!"


    "Hahaha, excellent, at this moment, you have great courage." Keith laughed as he jumped onto the just vacated duel stage.


    Hoshino also entered the stage, removing 3 star chips from her glove, "The bet is 3 star chips, okay? More would be a disadvantage for me."


    "Perfect; I only need three star chips." Keith removed his star chips and placed them on the table.


    "Duel accepted, Duelist Hoshino Chiyuki VS Duelist Keith Howard." The loud electronic announcement of the stage sounded, likely due to the secluded location, as no official black-clad duel referees were around.


    As the duel was about to begin, Holmes'' familiar gentle voice once again echoed in Hoshino''s ear, "Hoshino, be careful. Judging by this man''s actions, he''s not an honorable person. He might use some underhanded tactics in this duel."


    "Don''t worry, Mr. Holmes." Hoshino''s confidence surprised Holmes, "I figured it out already; this man is definitely a scoundrel."


    "Hehe, sorry for worrying too much, Hoshino." Realizing his over-cautiousness, Holmes laughed, "After all..."


    "After all, it''s common sense, my friend," they said in unison.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino vs. Keith Howard, duel start!"


    "Chiyuki Hoshino goes first."


    "I go first, huh? Alright." Glancing at her hand, Hoshino decided on a conservative opening, "I summon the monster card [Leonidas I] in defense mode! And I set one card face-down, ending my turn."


    [Heroic Spirit - Leonidas I¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars) Earth][Warrior][ATK: 1400 DEF: 1900]


    "It''s been a while since I could stretch my muscles, feels great!" The familiar Spartan appeared on Hoshino''s battlefield again, "Master, have you been slacking on your muscle training? Your muscles seem a bit softer recently."


    "I don''t have muscles, you muscle-head!" Hoshino muttered quietly. Ever since Yugi and the others learned she could talk to spirits, she felt a bit embarrassed chatting with her heroic spirits openly.


    "Leonidas I, the protagonist of the famous movie 300 Spartans!" Honda, realizing the nature of Hoshino''s deck, paid more attention to the names of the monsters, "The King of Sparta, a hero who fought against the Persian army with just 300 men!"


    "A hero deck, huh? Interesting." Keith''s expression showed more interest after hearing Honda''s words, "But that won''t make me go easy on you. My turn, draw!"


    "I summon in attack mode, Mine Spider!" Slamming the monster card on the table, Keith pulled out a duel coin from his pocket.


    [Mine Spider¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Earth][Insect/Effect][ATK :2200 DEF: 100]


    "A 4-star monster with 2200 attack points?!" Jonouchi asked Yugi in surprise, looking at the Mine Spider.


    "Such high attack points usually come with downside." Yugi, unfazed, understood the nature of [Mine Spider].


    [Effect: When this card declares an attack, toss a coin and call it. If you call it right, continue the attack. If you call it wrong, your life points are halved before attacking.]


    "So that''s it!" Realizing the situation, Jonouchi hit his palm, "So if Keith guesses wrong this turn, he''ll have to pay 2000 LP to attack. Who can rely on such a luck-based card?"


    "Then I''ll call heads!" Keith casually tossed the coin onto the table, his dark sunglasses hiding his cunning eyes.


    Result: Heads!


    "Hahaha, looks like it''s my lucky day!" With a favorable outcome, Keith laughed and pointed at Leonidas I on Hoshino''s field, "Attack, Mine Spider! Mine Spray!"


    "Boom~!" Several mines shot from the spider''s mouth exploded on Leonidas, destroying his 1900 defense points instantly.


    "How about that? Whether in strength or luck, Bandit Keith is first-class." Keith loudly mocked Hoshino as Leonidas was destroyed, "I set one card face-down and end my turn."


    "My turn, draw!" With the 2200 attack points Mine Spider on the field, Hoshino wiped off some cold sweat, "I thought Leonidas'' defense would last a turn as a tribute for a higher-level monster, but Keith is a strong opponent."


    "Master, let him experience the beauty of France~"


    "Haha, good idea." Agreeing to the request, Hoshino drew a card, "I summon in attack mode [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette]."


    [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Light][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:1000 DEF: 1400]


    "Vive la France! And Whassup!" Marie cheerfully appeared on the field.


    "Not just heroes, but even legendary queens, huh?" Jonouchi admired the lively and cute Marie on the field, "Marie, she''s really adorable, hehe."


    "Summoning such a cute monster, planning to feed it to my Mine Spider?" Keith mocked, "Duel Monster cards aren''t about summoning cute cards to win!"


    "So?" Hoshino calmly retorted, "Do you think Marie''s cuteness means she has no combat power? Duel Monsters isn''t just about attack points!"


    "I activate [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette]''s special ability!"


    [Effect: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can target 1 face-up monster on the field; change it to Defense Position.]


    "Your Mine Spider might have 2200 attack points, but its defense is only a pathetic 100!" Pointing at Mine Spider, Hoshino declared her attack, "Marie, tear apart that ugly spider!"


    "Master! You can''t use such vulgar words~" Unexpectedly, Marie refused Hoshino''s attack declaration, "You must use love, to touch it with love."


    "Little spider, please leave the field nicely." Gently stroking the trembling Mine Spider in Defense Position, Marie radiated kindness. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Vive la France!!!!" Feeling Marie''s gentle touch, Mine Spider shouted and jumped into the graveyard on its own.


    "..." The whole field was silent.


    "Is this even possible?" Hoshino, her mouth twitching, looked at the unbelievable scene before her and rubbed her forehead, "I set one card face-down and end my turn."


    "Oh... my turn." Slightly embarrassed by his Mine Spider jumping into the graveyard, Keith''s momentum was a bit diminished, "I activate the Spell Card [Shallow Grave]!"


    [Shallow Grave Spell Card Effect: Each player selects 1 monster from their graveyard and Special Summons it in face-down Defense Position.]


    "I choose [Mine Spider] from my graveyard for Special Summon!" Keith placed Mine Spider from the graveyard back on the field.


    "Then I''ll choose [Leonidas I]." Hoshino''s graveyard had only this monster to summon.


    "Humph, and then I activate the Spell Card [Soul Exchange]!" Keith smirked as he placed the Spell Card on the table.


    "Master, what''s happening?" Marie asked, confused by the white light surrounding her.


    "Just take a little rest, Marie." Hoshino gently explained with a bitter smile.


    "Okay, then Marie will take her leave, master." Marie gave a cheering gesture to Hoshino and left the battlefield.


    [Soul Exchange Spell Card Effect: This turn, you can Tribute 1 opponent''s monster as if it were your own, but you cannot conduct your Battle Phase this turn.]


    "I use my Mine Spider and your Marie as Tributes to summon my monster." The Mine Spider, feeling fulfilled, disappeared along with Marie in a white light.


    "[Revolver Dragon]!"


    [Revolver Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Dark][Machine/Effect][ATK: 2600 DEF : 2000]


    [Effect: Once per turn, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; toss a coin 3 times, and if at least 2 results are heads, destroy that target.]

 Chapter 55 - 55

    "I use my Mine Spider and your Marie as tributes to summon my monster card, [Revolver Dragon]! "


    [Revolver Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Dark][Machine/Effect][ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000]


    "At this moment, I activate [Heroic Spirit¡ªMarie Antoinette]''s special effect! "Hoshino gently tapped the graveyard with her finger, causing a soft glow to emanate from the desolate area.


    "Please inherit the soul of France." In the graveyard, Marie clasped her hands in prayer.


    [Effect: When this card is sent to the graveyard, you can add 1 [heroic spirit] monster from your deck or graveyard to your hand.]


    After completing the search, Hoshino added a monster card to her hand and reshuffled her deck.


    "Due to the effect of the spell card [Soul Exchange], [Revolver Dragon] cannot attack this turn." Keith tapped the card of [Revolver Dragon] twice and took three duel coins from his pocket. "But it can activate its special effect! "


    [Effect: Once per turn, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; toss a coin 3 times, and if at least 2 results are heads, destroy that target.]


    "Let''s see how my luck is today." Keith tossed the three coins onto the table, a mysterious smirk on his face.


    Result: 2 heads and 1 tail!


    "Hahaha, it appears like luck is on my side today! "Keith laughed as the barrel of [Revolver Dragon] began to load. "Fire, destroy the monster on her field! "


    The targeted face-down [Leonidas I] reappeared.


    "Muscles supreme! For the second time!"Leonidas flexed his muscles without any concern for the gun barrel aimed at him.


    "That muscle-brain is such a bother. Activate the quick-play spell card [Body of the Saint]! "Hoshino activated the newly set spell card, which enveloped Leonidas in a hazy image of Jeanne d''Arc.


    [Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control; that monster is unaffected by other card effects this turn.]


    "Bang, bang, bang! " The three shots fired from [Revolver Dragon] hit Leonidas'' muscles.


    "Perfectly trained muscles can easily deflect a few bullets," Leonidas flexed, causing the bullets to bounce off. "No problem at all!! "


    "Not bad." Keith, unfazed by the deflected bullets, crossed his arms and said, "You wouldn''t be worthy of a duel against me if you couldn''t do this much! Turn end! "


    "My turn, draw! "Hoshino frowned at her new card, which was unsuitable for the current situation.


    "I sacrifice [Leonidas I] to summon a monster card! "Hoshino drew out a monster card from her hand, closed her eyes, and whispered a prayer: "Lord, please look away for a moment! "


    Leonidas, still flexing, was enveloped in a white light. "Haha, then inherit my muscle strength! "


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit - Martha] in attack mode! "Slamming the card on the table, Hoshino declared energetically, "Inheriting Marie''s soul of France and Leonidas'' muscle strength, the invincible card, Martha, go get him, boss! "


    "Seriously, stop calling me the boss! "Martha appeared on the field, brushing her hair aside with a complaint, "Why do I have to inherit muscle strength too?! "


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Martha¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars) Light][Fairy/Effect][ATK: 1600 DEF: 1300]


    "Sorry, boss, I got too excited." Hoshino''s apology lacked sincerity as she displayed a ''sorry, but I''ll do it again'' attitude.


    "Activate Martha''s special effect! "Hoshino almost slipped but managed to correct herself, tapping Martha''s card on the table.


    [Effect: When this card is Summoned or Special Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 [Tarrasque Token] (Dragon-Type/Fire/Level 4/ATK 1500/DEF 1500).]


    With a mighty roar, Tarrasque appeared beside Martha, affectionately nuzzling her cheek.


    [Tarrasque¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Fire][Dragon/Token][ATK:1500 DEF:1500]


    "A saint who subdued a dragon, along with the dragon itself..." Jonouchi, having heard Yugi''s explanation, was somewhat familiar with Martha but didn''t expect the card to summon both the saint and the dragon.


    "Hey, even though it''s a tribute-summoned higher-level monster, its attack isn''t much higher than Leonidas''! "Keith crossed his arms and shook his head disdainfully. "You summoned two weaklings with such a grand declaration."


    "Roar! "Tarrasque, seemingly understanding the insult, growled at Keith.


    "What now, boss? He mocked us! He called you a weakling! "Hoshino, with a mischievous smile, egged Martha on.


    "Of course, we beat him up! "Martha, furious at being called a weakling, was ready to fight.


    "Show him the power of the saint who subdued the dragon! "Hoshino raised her right hand with the duel glove, pointing at [Revolver Dragon] on Keith''s field, declaring Martha''s attack.


    "Hey, are you serious? Using a 1600 ATK monster to attack my 2600 ATK [Revolver Dragon]?"Keith couldn''t comprehend Hoshino''s move.


    "Once opposing enemies, now united, the combined power..." Hoshino crossed her hands over her chest, confidently watching Martha charge at [Revolver Dragon]. "Can destroy all evil! "


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit¡ªMartha]''s special effect! "


    "O dragon ignorant of love''s sorrow, like a star! "The enormous holy power concentrated in Martha''s right fist, a brilliant light capable of purifying all evil, said, "Lord, please close your eyes for a moment."


    [Effect: When this card attacks an opponent''s monster, you can tribute 1 Dragon-Type monster you control to destroy the opponent''s monster and inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster''s original ATK.]


    Tarrasque flew up, using its massive body to restrain [Revolver Dragon].


    "There''s no escape; take this! Iron Fist of Judgment!!! "


    The holy power burst from Martha''s fist, piercing through [Revolver Dragon] and Tarrasque simultaneously.


    "That was awesome, boss! "Hoshino''s eyes sparkled with admiration for the legendary Iron Fist of Judgment.


    Martha, not denying Hoshino''s calling her ''boss,'' cracked her knuckles. "I''m not a weakling, you scum! "


    Keith Howard''s LP ¡ú 1400


    The audience below was stunned. The legendary saint dismantled a dragon bare-handed. What a shock.


    "That''s so cool! Hoshino is in the lead! "Jonouchi, finally snapping back to reality, was so excited that he grabbed Yugi by the neck and shook him wildly, causing Yugi to gasp for air.


    "I get it, Jonouchi, but this hurts," Yugi, struggling to breathe, managed to complain.


    "Hehehe, very impressive indeed," Keith sneered, his eyes behind his sunglasses becoming sharper. "With such strength, I can''t call you a girl anymore. Chiyuki Hoshino¡ªI''ll remember that name."


    Despite the loss of his life points, Keith remained composed. He revealed the trap card he had set earlier: "I activated the trap card, [Time Machine]! "


    [Time Machine Trap Card Effect: When a monster is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, Special Summon that monster from the graveyard in the same battle position.]


    Hoshino was taken aback upon seeing this card for the first time.


    "So, [Revolver Dragon] is special summoned back to my field! "Keith returned [the Revolver Dragon] from the graveyard to the field, accompanied by the sound of turning gears.


    [Revolver Dragon ATK: 2600]


    "Although you didn''t destroy my [Revolver Dragon], you did deal significant damage to my life points." Keith was shaking his head. "I can''t take another hit like that."


    "Keith truly is the American champion. Despite losing life points, he still has the upper hand on the field." Jonouchi, who had been ecstatic moments ago, now felt deflated after Keith activated a single trap card. "If [Revolver Dragon] activates its effect successfully again next turn, Hoshino will be..."


    "What are you saying, Jonouchi? "Anzu interrupted, scolding him. "Whose side are you on? The chance of [Revolver Dragon''s] effect failing is higher! "


    "I''m just worried," Jonouchi muttered, poking his fingers together after being reprimanded by Anzu. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Though he seems an idiot, Jonouchi isn''t entirely wrong." Holmes, now half-transparent, appeared behind Hoshino again. "Hoshino, did you notice anything strange about that coin? "


    "Something strange? "Hoshino hadn''t noticed anything unusual until Holmes mentioned it. "Did you see something, Mr. Holmes? "


    "This is just my speculation; I have no solid evidence yet. I need to observe him tossing the coin once more." Holmes, polishing his pipe, locked his sharp gaze on Keith''s right hand as he tossed the coin.


    "So, he is likely to succeed again next turn. If Keith has tampered with the coin, it must be to increase the chances of success. I''ll set another card and end my turn."


    "It''s my turn, draw!"Keith, with his usual sly smile, looked at his drawn card.


    "I summon a monster in face-down Defense Position, and let''s test my luck again." Keith placed a monster card face-down and pulled out his coin once more. "Activate [Revolver Dragon]''s effect! "


    Flip: Heads, Flip: Tails, Flip: Heads


    "Sorry, I succeeded again! "Keith''s exaggerated grin was visible even behind his dark sunglasses.


    "Hoshino, he''s definitely cheating! "Holmes suddenly exclaimed, finally seeing through Keith''s trick.


    "Cheating? Is there something wrong with the coin? Are both sides heads? "Hoshino, now fully focused, carefully observed but saw nothing wrong.


    "It isn''t so straightforward. Holmes shook his head, dismissing Hoshino''s hypothesis. "Though it''s not both heads, the coin is indeed problematic."


    "Not both heads, but still problematic? "Hoshino was even more puzzled by Holmes'' explanation.


    "This man is smart. Only two of the three coins have been tampered with, however little. From the outside, it''s difficult to tell." Holmes explained his theory: "After three observations, including the Mine Spider''s coin toss, it''s evident. Two coins have a different flipping angle than the third. A skilled gambler can manage a marginally changed coin to land in a certain direction with amazing precision."


    "Then I''ll expose his trick! "Hoshino, now understanding, whispered angrily.


    "No, you can''t. You have no proof." Holmes shook his head, stopping Hoshino''s impulsive move. "First, from the outside, the coins look normal and require a specific tossing technique to control. Even if you accuse Keith, he won''t admit it."


    "So, what should I do? I can''t let him succeed every time." Hoshino, feeling dejected, lowered her head.


    "You can ask him to change the coin, a reasonable request, but it won''t change this turn''s result. Or..." Holmes, in his half-transparent state, patted Hoshino''s head, smiling, "Or you can simply destroy his [Revolver Dragon], which is what you''re best at."


    "[Revolver Dragon], ready to fire! "Keith yelled excitedly, pointing at Hoshino''s Martha, "Fire the death bullet, [Revolver Dragon]! "


    Three dark bullets shot towards Martha''s seemingly slender body.


    "Boss, I''m counting on you! "Hoshino, focusing on the incoming bullets, moved her fingers towards the graveyard.


    "Hey, Hoshino, what are you doing? Duel Monsters isn''t a game where cheering for your monsters helps." Keith''s laugh grew more arrogant.


    However, the next scene stunned Keith.


    Facing the three nearly invisible bullets, Martha punched out three times with blinding speed.


    "Ora! Ora! Ora! "Her solid punches intercepted the bullets, creating bright sparks on impact.


    "How is this possible? "Keith couldn''t believe his eyes. His [Revolver Dragon]''s effect, which had succeeded twice in a row, was nullified without Hoshino activating any set cards.


    "Confused? Wondering why I didn''t activate a set card, yet Martha wasn''t destroyed?"Hoshino sneered at Keith, "I activate [the body of the saint]''s graveyard effect! "


    [Effect: When a [heroic spirit] monster you control is targeted by a monster effect, you can banish this card from your graveyard; negate that effect. This effect cannot be activated the next time this card is sent to the graveyard.]


    The faint, holy silhouette of Jeanne d''Arc appeared behind Martha, merging with her.


    "I feel the will of the Lord! "

 Chapter 56 - 56

    "I banish [Body of the Saint] from my graveyard. This turn, [Heroic Spirit - Martha] will not be affected by monster effects." Hoshino tapped the graveyard with her finger, banishing the card. "So, Martha won''t be destroyed by [Revolver Dragon]''s effect this turn!"


    "Impossible, activating a magic card from the graveyard!" Keith''s face grew darker as he watched Martha withstand three bullets. "Even if you blocked my special effect, can you withstand my attack this turn? [Revolver Dragon], Attack!"


    The dark barrel loaded again, but this time it was an attack declaration, meaning [Body of the Saint] couldn''t block it.


    "Goodbye, saint!" Keith, pushing his sunglasses down to his nose, sneered at the soon-to-be-destroyed Martha.


    "I won''t let you!" Hoshino put all her effort into protecting her ''boss'', "I activate the trap card [Nagging Shopkeeper]!"


    [Nagging Shopkeeper Trap Card Effect: When a monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name is targeted for an attack, you can activate this card to special summon a level 4 or lower monster from your deck in defense position, and its defense increases by 500 points.]


    "Due to [Nagging Shopkeeper]''s effect, I Special Summon a Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck to become [Revolver Dragon]''s attack target!" Hoshino took out a card she relied on heavily, "In Defense Position, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light] [Warrior/Effect ATK: 1000 DEF: 2000]


    [While this card is face-up on the field in Defense Position, your opponent must target this card for attacks. After a battle in which this Defense Position card is attacked, it is changed to Attack Position. This Defense Position card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects.]


    "Because of Mash''s effect, she cannot be destroyed by battle while in Defense Position! Block the attack, Mash!" Wielding a large shield, Mash stood between Martha and [Revolver Dragon].


    "Yes, senpai! Transient Wall of Snowflakes!" Mash''s sturdy shield intercepted the powerful attack, with three bullet marks burning into her large shield.


    "Who is this hero, Mash?" Bakura struggled to recall the name.


    "I don''t know either, never heard of her..." Jonouchi, quick to dismiss what he didn''t recognize, remarked, "Though she is cute."


    "She must be some unknown minor character," Honda chimed in.


    The sharp words, like three swords, pierced Mash''s fragile heart.


    "Yes, I am not a true Heroic Spirit, just an unknown pseudo-servant." Mash, dejected, lowered her shield.


    "No, that''s not true, Mash..." Hoshino angrily glared at the three below and quickly comforted her, "Mash, you''re amazing. Even if your fame isn''t as great as other Heroic Spirits, you''re always number one in my heart!"


    "Senpai?" Mash, standing with her shield, looked at Hoshino with a forlorn gaze. "Is that truly how you feel?"


    "Of course, you''re the best, Mash!" Hoshino exclaimed suddenly, shouting an inexplicable slogan.


    "This girl... No wonder she''s gathered seven-star chips; she''s quite skilled." Seeing his attack blocked again, Keith calculated silently.


    "But as long as I have this ace, I have nothing to fear." Rubbing his special coin, Keith pushed his sunglasses back up, hiding his sinister eyes. "I set two cards and end my turn."


    Hoshino glanced at Keith''s field: two set cards, one face-down monster, and [Revolver Dragon]. Although she led in life points, the pressure was immense. If she didn''t destroy [Revolver Dragon] this turn, it would be troublesome next turn.


    Hoshino''s field: [Mash], [Martha], one set card, three cards in hand.


    "My turn, draw!"


    "This is...!" Even without looking at the card, Hoshino could feel its immense power. "Whoa, just holding it gives me chills. This is reliable."


    "Stop muttering to yourself!" Keith, unable to tolerate Hoshino''s whispers, yelled, "When dueling Keith Howard, being distracted means certain defeat!"


    "I pity you!" Hoshino, unfazed by Keith''s outburst, felt her energy surge with her new draw. "Prepare to say goodbye to [Revolver Dragon] and your deceitful tricks!"


    "I activate the magic card [Pot of Greed], drawing two cards." With five cards in hand, Hoshino felt confident, "This is enough. Five cards are enough to create a new ending!"


    "I activate the magic card [Alternate Ending] from my hand!"


    [Alternate Ending Magic Card Effect: Discard one [Heroic Spirit] monster and one magic card from your hand, then target one magic card in either player''s graveyard and add it to your hand.]


    "What are you planning?" Keith felt an inexplicable unease.


    "To achieve victory and defeat the undefeated legend of America!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I discard [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] and [Crane Wing Triple Strike] to select a magic card to add to my hand." Discarding Okita, Hoshino felt relieved.


    "I add the magic card [Soul Exchange] from the graveyard to my hand!" Hoshino''s costly acquisition was the card Keith used to summon [Revolver Dragon], marking the heated start of this duel.


    "And now, this duel will end with the help of this card!" Hoshino slammed [Soul Exchange] on the table, leaving herself with two cards in hand. "I activate [Soul Exchange], discarding one card..."


    Hoshino had one card left in her hand.


    To summon this Heroic Spirit, she used four cards¡ª


    "Using [Soul Exchange], I tribute [Revolver Dragon], [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight], and [Heroic Spirit - Martha]!"


    ¡ªand three monsters as sacrifices!


    The three monsters were enveloped in a white light.


    "Three monsters? Summoning with three sacrifices?" Yugi frowned, seeing such a card for the first time. Even powerful monsters like Blue-Eyes White Dragon only required two tributes.


    "If it''s him, he can bring victory to master." Martha smiled, disappearing into the white light, as a colossal figure emerged.


    Meeting the summoning conditions, Hoshino summoned a monster symbolizing absolute victory, "Come forth! The heroic legend, the unparalleled Heracles!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Heracles¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 stars) Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2800]


    A giant, like dark steel, roared as it stood on the battlefield.


    The furious roar of the pitch-black giant echoed through the cave. The sealed space shook slightly from the sheer sound energy.


    "What kind of monster is that?" Jonouchi, dumbfounded, stared at the black giant before him. The oppressive force far surpassed the Blue-Eyes White Dragon he had faced.


    "Does Hoshino''s deck have such a powerful monster?" Yugi, who hadn''t seen Hoshino summon Artoria, instinctively thought Hoshino''s deck was won by synergy and effects. But this card felt different; it radiated absolute power.


    [Heracles¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 stars) Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2800]


    [If this card is Tribute Summoned by releasing 3 monsters including a [Heroic Spirit] monster, place 12 Valor Counters on it.]


    [Heracles Valor Counters x12]


    "Its attack power matches Blue-Eyes White Dragon, but its presence is far more imposing." Honda, as a novice duelist, used Blue-Eyes White Dragon as the benchmark for powerful cards.


    "The great hero from Greek mythology, Heracles..." Anzu, familiar with the legend, covered her mouth in astonishment. "He completed the twelve labors, said to be impossible, and even gained an immortal body."


    Staring at the giant on the battlefield, Keith felt a drop of cold sweat run down his forehead, dampening his bandana.


    "What''s there to be afraid of? No matter how legendary, it''s just a duel monster." Keith, regaining his composure, thought. "Besides, I have a [Time Bomb] set on the field. If she declares an attack next turn, she''s finished!"


    [Time Bomb¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Dark][Machine/Effect][ATK:1400 DEF:1400]


    [Effect 1: When this face-down Defense Position card is attacked, before damage calculation, it equips itself to the attacking monster. Effect 2: During your opponent''s next Standby Phase, destroy the equipped monster and inflict damage to your opponent equal to the monster''s ATK.]


    "Due to using the magic card [Soul Exchange], I cannot declare an attack this turn," Hoshino emphasized, mimicking Keith''s earlier actions with [Revolver Dragon]. "But I can activate a special effect without relying on luck or dirty tricks!"


    [By removing 1 Valor Counter, this card gains 300 ATK. Effect 1: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can target 1 monster on your opponent''s field with lower ATK or in Defense Position, remove 1 Valor Counter, and destroy that monster.]


    "I activate [Heroic Spirit - Heracles]''s special effect, remove one Valor Counter, and destroy your face-down Defense Position monster!" Hoshino pointed at Keith''s face-down [Time Bomb], unaware of its identity.


    Without moving, Heracles roared, sending a massive shockwave that short-circuited and destroyed [Time Bomb].


    Valor Counters x11, [Heracles ATK ¡ú 3300]


    "It was a [Time Bomb]! Good thing Hoshino didn''t attack!" Yugi gasped at the destroyed monster.


    "Dammit, she destroyed my hidden bomb so easily. What kind of unreasonable monster is this?" Keith, who had felt confident because of [Time Bomb], now felt a sense of frustration. He suspected Hoshino had figured out his cheating.


    "Since I can''t attack, I end my turn." With no cards in hand, Hoshino ended her turn.


    "My turn, draw!" Keith''s right hand trembled slightly as he drew, the oppressive presence of Heracles weighing on him. "I, Keith Howard, feeling fear, how disgraceful."


    His hand steadied when he saw his draw. Keith''s stern face turned to joy. "Hahaha, my luck hasn''t run out! I activate the Equip Magic Card [Premature Burial]."


    [Premature Burial Equip Magic Card Effect: Pay 800 Life Points, then target 1 monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it in Attack Position and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, destroy the equipped monster.]


    Keith Howard LP 1400 ¡ú 600


    "This card is like a weaker [Monster Reborn]," Jonouchi analyzed as [Premature Burial] was activated.


    "Most of the time, but its Equip effect can sometimes surpass [Monster Reborn]," Yugi added.


    "I revive [Revolver Dragon]!" Keith brought [Revolver Dragon] back from the graveyard, marking its third appearance in this duel, showcasing its tenacity.


    [Revolver Dragon ATK:2600]


    "It''s time to use [Revolver Dragon]''s effect again." Keith prepared his special coins to repeat his trick.


    But as Keith tossed the coin, a thunderous roar from Heracles startled him, causing his right hand to shake.


    "Damn it!" Realizing his mistake, Keith was shocked.


    Result: Two tails, one head. Effect failed.


    Glaring at Heracles, who had roared, Keith fumed silently.


    "Nice, Heracles!" Hoshino gave a thumbs-up, taunting Keith, "What''s wrong, American champion? Looks like your luck''s run out."


    "Don''t get cocky! I didn''t become champion by luck alone!" Keith infuriated, slammed the table and declared an attack, "Go, [Revolver Dragon], an attack that monster!"


    "Attacking [Heracles] with [Revolver Dragon]''s 2600 ATK against 3300 ATK? Is Keith insane?" Anzu questioned.


    "Do you think I''d make such a foolish move, girl?" Keith revealed one of his set cards, "I activate the trap card [Metalmorph]!"


    "Equip [Revolver Dragon] with [Metalmorph], and behold, [Metal Revolver Dragon]!" The newly equipped silver armor glinted in the light, transforming [Revolver Dragon] into a shining [Metal Revolver Dragon], "Destroy the Heracles!"

 Chapter 57 - 57

    "I activate the trap card [Metalmorph], equipping it to [Revolver Dragon]. Come forth, [Metal Revolver Dragon]!"


    [Metalmorph Trap Card Effect: Target 1 face-up monster on the field; equip this card to that target. It gains 300 ATK/DEF. When it attacks, it gains ATK equal to half the ATK of the attack target during damage calculation only.]


    [Revolver Dragon ATK:2600 ¡ú 2900]


    [Metal Revolver Dragon], its silver gun barrels aimed at Heracles, roared, "Because [Heroic Spirit - Heracles] has 3300 ATK, I activate [Metalmorph]''s second effect. [Metal Revolver Dragon] gains half of your monster''s ATK!"


    A series of operations left Keith completely abandoning his thoughts of winning by cheating. "It''s been so long since I''ve felt this exhilaration of a duel."


    [Metal Revolver Dragon ATK:2900 ¡ú 4550]


    "Sorry, Chiyuki Hoshino, but I''m taking this duel today!" Keith, as excited as if he were back in the American Championships before losing to Pegasus, declared his attack, "Attack, [Metal Revolver Dragon], with your unstoppable bullets, pierce that giant!"


    "Bang bang bang~" The silver barrels erupted, and three bullets shot straight at Heracles.


    The giant, pierced by the three rapid bullets, fell to one knee.


    Chiyuki Hoshino LP:4000 ¡ú 2750


    "Hahaha, the monster you worked so hard to summon was still defeated by my [Metal Revolver Dragon]!" Keith laughed as if he had already won, "Hoshino, no monsters, no cards in hand, you''re at your wits'' end! Your turn!"


    Keith gestured to Hoshino with a smile.


    "Keith, don''t you realize something''s wrong?" Hoshino drew a card casually, eyeing Keith with a mocking expression.


    "Wrong?" Keith looked at the field in confusion, his smile freezing. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why isn''t the destroyed monster gone?" Keith couldn''t believe his eyes as Heracles, still kneeling, remained on the field.


    "Who told you that you destroyed Heracles?" Hoshino thumbed towards Heracles'' massive body, a mysterious smile on her lips.


    The giant''s body, initially pierced, was regenerating visibly. Low growls and waves of heat emanated from Heracles.


    "This giant... is he reviving?" Jonouchi recalled Anzu''s earlier words, "He completed the impossible twelve labors and gained an immortal body... is this for real?"


    "Even if it can revive, what''s the point? Its ATK can''t surpass my [Metal Revolver Dragon]; it''ll be defeated again!" Keith glanced at his set cards, still confident.


    "Oh, really?"


    "!!!??"


    [Heracles ATK:5100]


    "How can its ATK be higher after reviving!?" Keith pounded the table in disbelief, "Is this card invincible? Revival should have a cost!"


    "I activate [Heroic Spirit - Heracles]''s special effect!" Hoshino, seeing the giant stand once more, revealed Heracles'' final ability, "Granted both the ''blessing of the gods'' and ''curse,'' the Noble Phantasm representing his immortality. His body itself is a Noble Phantasm, named Twelve Labors [God Hand]!"


    [Effect 2: If this card is destroyed by battle or a card effect and sent to the graveyard, you can remove half of this card''s Valor Counters instead. This effect cannot be used if there is less than 1 Valor Counter on this card.]


    "Of course, there''s a cost to reviving, but it also brings greater strength! By removing half of the Valor Counters, Heracles'' ATK increases by 1800, surpassing [Metal Revolver Dragon]!" Hoshino, empowered by Heracles'' roar, declared, "This is a miracle that shakes the earth!"


    "And I activate [Heroic Spirit - Heracles]''s first effect, removing one Valor Counter to destroy your [Metal Revolver Dragon]!" With Heracles'' ATK now higher, Hoshino unleashed the giant''s overwhelming might.


    The black giant, with a body like steel, raised its battle axe and struck the ground. The massive axe, imbued with immense power, sank into the ground effortlessly, causing waves of rock to surge towards [Metal Revolver Dragon].


    Unable to resist, [Metal Revolver Dragon] was engulfed by the waves of rock.


    "Is this really something holographic equipment can produce?" Jonouchi gulped, feeling the scene was too realistic, as if experiencing a disaster firsthand.


    "Heracles, with unparalleled strength, shakes the earth with pure might." Yugi marveled, not just at Heracles'' powerful effects or its ATK surpassing even Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, but at the aura emanating from the card. "This is the power of the demigod."


    "Partner, Hoshino surely hides a secret." The Pharaoh''s voice echoed from the Millennium Puzzle, only Yugi could hear.


    "Hoshino has a secret? You mean she can do more than just see card spirits?" Yugi, snapping out of his amazement, asked upon hearing the Pharaoh.


    "Though I can''t say for sure yet, I feel her secret is somewhat connected to the Millennium Puzzle." The Pharaoh''s voice grew more serious, "Understanding Chiyuki Hoshino might help uncover the Puzzle''s secrets."


    [Heracles ATK:5400] [Valor Counters remaining: 4]


    "Keith, your [Metal Revolver Dragon], which you used to try to destroy a legend, has ultimately been defeated by that very legend." Looking at the shattered remains of [Metal Revolver Dragon] scattered by the rock waves, Hoshino pointed her duel glove at Keith. "Those who seek victory through underhanded means will ultimately be consumed by those same means."


    "You have no more turns left, Keith!" Hoshino coldly declared her intent to finish the duel. She felt a twinge of pity for Keith, who had been humiliated by Pegasus and resorted to vile methods for revenge, only to be defeated here, like a clown.


    "Finish him, Heracles." Hoshino''s calm tone lacked the usual excitement of victory, replaced by a smoldering anger towards Pegasus. Using the power of the Millennium Eye to mock duels and crush duelists'' pride was disgraceful behavior for the father of Duel Monsters.


    At Hoshino''s command, Heracles roared and charged at Keith, brandishing his massive black iron axe.


    "I haven''t lost yet!!" Despite everything, Keith couldn''t believe he hadn''t given up. Facing the terrifying monster that could revive twice more, with only one set card on his field, he still held on.


    "Am I really this desperate for victory?" Keith silently mocked himself as he stared at the charging black giant. "I''ve used every dirty trick to get here, seeking revenge on Pegasus and the prize money. Yet now, I want to win like a true duelist!"


    "I''m not that na?ve! Winning is all that matters!" Keith''s sudden outburst seemed more directed at himself.


    "I activate my last set card, [Blast with Chain]!" Keith glanced at his remaining cards. His eyes behind the sunglasses, typically full of cunning, turned serious. "If I can survive this turn, I have a chance to take down that monster!"


    [Blast with Chain Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack, target the attacking monster; destroy it.]


    "This takes it down twice. With only two Valor Counters left, it should be easy to finish." Keith forced a smile, "I haven''t lost yet!"


    As Keith activated [Blast with Chain], the eerie armor materialized and clung to Heracles'' massive body.


    "Die again, you monster!" Keith roared, venting his pent-up frustration at the giant, "No one can stop my plans!"


    The strange armor sparked and shone brightly, exploding violently and engulfing Heracles. Even Heracles couldn''t withstand such a massive blast.


    "Now it only has two Valor Counters left!" Keith, clutching his face and laughing maniacally, seemed to be losing his sanity. "No one can stop me from taking revenge on Pegasus and winning that prize money. I''m the bounty hunter, Bandit Keith!"


    "No! You have no chance left!" Through the smoke, Hoshino''s voice, tinged with amusement, reached Keith. "Though you''re scum, in that last moment, your pursuit of victory was worthy of a duelist!"


    "Even with your cheating, if you sincerely repent, the Lord might forgive you." A familiar, comforting voice came from within the smoke.


    "So now, I''ll send you to meet God!" As the smoke cleared, the figure of Martha, who had left earlier, appeared on the battlefield.


    "Where''s the giant? Your monster should have revived! How is it¡­?" Keith, terrified, watched Martha, who was preparing to fight.


    "Confused, American champion?" Hoshino revealed her final set card, the last straw for Keith. "I activate the trap card, [Hero''s Return]!"


    "This card!" Jonouchi, surprised, remembered its effect from Hoshino''s duel with Kaiba, "I remember this card''s effect¡­"


    [Hero''s Return Trap Card Effect: When a monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name is destroyed, target one [Heroic Spirit] monster in your graveyard and Special Summon it.]


    "Monster¡­ destroyed? You mean¡­?" Keith, wide-eyed, finally realized.


    "That''s right. I didn''t choose to revive Heracles! Instead, I sent him to the graveyard to trigger [Returning Hero]''s effect! You thought you could survive this turn¡­" Hoshino pressed [Returning Hero] onto the table, declaring loudly, "But I never miss a chance to finish an opponent!"


    Once a duel starts, one must strive for victory with all their might. If there''s even a glimmer of hope, one must seize it. This was Chiyuki Hoshino''s creed as a duelist.


    "Keith, in the hell of defeat, repent for your despicable actions!" Hoshino pointed at Keith, looking at Martha with trust, "Boss, finish him off!"


    Martha, ready and waiting, finally received the attack order from Hoshino. "That despicable man over there, even though you can''t hear me, I''ll tell you why you lost!"


    "It''s because you called me a small fry!" The physical form of Martha sprang into action, charging towards the panicked Keith. "The Lord says, today, you''ll get three pages of MUDA!MUDA!!MUDA!!!"


    A barrage of punches rained down on Keith, sending him flying off the duel platform. Though merely a holographic image, the force of the blows was undeniable.


    "Boss, that was amazing! How did you do that?" Hoshino, awestruck, asked Martha, who had just delivered the final blows.


    "Who knows, maybe he was just scared of me," Martha playfully stuck out her tongue, trying to deflect the question.


    Keith Howard LP: 600 ¡ú 0


    "Duel over. The winner is Chiyuki Hoshino!"

 Chapter 58 - 58

    "That''s great! Hoshino won after all!" Anzu, watching Martha''s final flurry of punches, clapped enthusiastically.


    "She completely defeated the American champion. Keith didn''t have a chance from start to finish," Jonouchi marveled. "Even with Keith''s successful gambles, Hoshino''s momentum never wavered, and she just grew stronger."


    "Hoshino has really become strong," Yugi reflected calmly, speaking to his friends. "At first, when she faced Yuta, she seemed like a beginner duelist. But she''s grown incredibly fast, overcoming challenges and always striving for victory. Now, even the American champion couldn''t stand against her."


    "Yugi, stop, you''re making me cry," Anzu said, wiping away tears. Her mind replayed memories of Hoshino''s duels, her unwavering courage even against the ultimate Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. As a fellow girl, Anzu understood the immense courage required to achieve this.


    "Hey, what are you two doing?" Jonouchi, confused, couldn''t help but comment as Yugi and Anzu got lost in their memories. "We haven''t won the final victory yet. She just gathered 10 star chips. Why didn''t you guys get this emotional when I did?"


    "Where did Keith go?" Hoshino''s sudden shout brought everyone''s attention back. Yugi and Anzu snapped out of their reminiscing.


    Keith, who had fallen off the duel platform, was nowhere to be seen when Hoshino went to collect her star chips.


    "Wait, where did Keith''s henchmen go?" Jonouchi looked around, sensing something was wrong.


    "What is that sound?" A loud noise of rocks scraping the ground echoed from the cave entrance. Alarmed, Hoshino called out, "Everyone, forget Keith for now. Let''s check the exit!"


    Spurred by the loud scraping sound filling the cave, everyone ran faster. However, when they reached the entrance, they found it completely blocked by a massive rock.


    Outside the cave:


    "Hahaha, this is what happens when you mess with me," Keith said, arms crossed, watching his henchmen push the boulder to block the entrance. "Now they''ll never get out of that cave."


    "That damn brat, it''s just a duel, and she had to lecture me so much," Keith spat on the ground in frustration and turned away.


    Turning around, Keith was immediately confronted by a row of burly men in black suits. "You must be Keith Howard?"


    ---


    "Mm, what a very interesting duel," Pegasus remarked, swirling a familiar wine glass and staring at a screen.


    "Mr. Pegasus, I''ve arranged what you requested," the old butler reported seriously.


    Pegasus nodded slightly, acknowledging the report but kept his eyes fixed on the screen. "So, what interesting developments will happen next? It''s been a long time since I''ve felt this excited."


    ---


    "Damn it, it won''t budge!" Yugi, Jonouchi, and Honda strained with all their strength, trying to move the rock blocking the exit, but it wouldn''t budge.


    "This rock is completely wedged in," Yugi said, shaking his head and looking at the tight fit at the base.


    "Keith, you bastard!," Jonouchi cursed, stomping the ground in frustration. "Not only did he refuse to leave his star chips, but he also blocked our exit."


    Meanwhile, Bakura, standing behind them and holding the Millennium Ring, seemed deep in thought.


    "Everyone, if we want to get to Pegasus'' castle, we should go this way," Bakura suddenly said and started running deeper into the cave before anyone could react.


    What they thought was a small cave turned out to be an intricate maze with numerous paths. Confused, the group had no choice but to follow Bakura.


    "We won''t get lost, right, Bakura?" Hoshino asked, increasingly anxious about the complex paths.


    Bakura remained silent, focused only on moving forward.


    "It''s okay, Hoshino," Yugi reassured her gently. "The Millennium Ring seems to have the ability to locate Millennium Items. It''s likely guiding us to Pegasus'' castle where the Millennium Eye is."


    "The Millennium Ring? That''s amazing," Hoshino nodded, trusting Yugi''s explanation and continued following Bakura.


    "I see light ahead!" Jonouchi shouted excitedly, thinking they had found another exit.


    "But what''s that sound?" Hoshino wondered, hearing Chinese-style drums and gongs.


    When they reached the light at the end of the cave, they found a strange room instead of an exit. In the center was a duel platform twice the usual size. On the back wall were doors labeled "Maze" and "Palace," and...


    "Ha!"


    "Hiya!"


    Two bald men suddenly jumped out from the doors, performing a martial arts routine in mid-air before striking a pose as they landed gracefully.


    Hoshino and her friends were stunned, unable to speak, as they stared at the two bald men.


    "What''s wrong? Why aren''t you saying anything?" The bald man on the right broke the silence, "Are you scared of our fearsome martial arts?"


    On closer inspection, though they looked identical, the bald men had tattoos on their smooth heads: one said "Para" and the other "Dox."


    "Who are you?" Jonouchi, ever the simpleton, was the first to ask.


    "Don''t ask them that, Jonouchi!" Hoshino silently berated herself. "They''re obviously waiting for us to ask. Ignoring them and moving on would have been the smart choice."


    "Hahahaha!" The two stopped posing and laughed heartily, as if they had been waiting for this question.


    "Good question!" The serious-looking "Para" exchanged a glance with "Dox."


    The two, perfectly synchronized, finally had a chance to perform their practiced introduction.


    "We are the guardians of the underground maze!"


    "The Labyrinth Brothers!"


    "The Labyrinth Brothers ¡­ I see." Hoshino elbowed Jonouchi and rubbed her forehead, looking at the two self-absorbed brothers.


    Yugi, however, noticed something more significant. "Star chips representing duelists? Are you duelists'' eliminator?" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Exactly!" one brother said, performing a high kick. "We harvest the lost sheep who wander into the labyrinth."


    "If you want to know the right way out, you must defeat us in a two-on-two duel." The other brother did a backflip.


    "Otherwise, you''ll never leave the underground maze!" they said in unison.


    "A two-on-two duel?" Despite the brothers'' flashy introduction, Yugi quickly grasped the main point. "You mean two of us will team up against both of you in a four-player duel?"


    Seeing Yugi catch on so quickly, the brothers laughed and jumped onto the large duel platform. "Correct, and it will be on this special duel platform!"


    "Come on, decide who''s going to duel. Victory will lead you out of the maze!"


    "What should we do, Yugi?" Hoshino looked at Yugi with hopeful eyes. If she had to choose a partner for a tag duel, Yugi was far more reliable than Jonouchi. Besides, Hoshino and Yugi were the only ones who hadn''t collected all their star chips yet.


    With a flash of the Millennium Puzzle''s light, the Pharaoh took over Yugi''s body. "Hoshino, it looks like we have no choice but to accept the challenge!"


    The Pharaoh''s confident appearance reassured Hoshino. She nodded firmly and walked with him towards the special duel platform.


    "Let''s decide on the star chips to bet," the Maze Brothers said, crossing their arms.


    "Aren''t duelists'' eliminator supposed to make us bet all our star chips?" Hoshino, having fought against dark duelists before, knew some of their rules.


    "Heh heh heh," one brother laughed coldly. "Don''t lump us in with other duelists'' eliminator. Since you won''t leave the maze if you lose, it doesn''t matter how many you bet."


    "Really?" Hoshino hesitated but then placed three star chips on the table.


    "I''ll bet four star chips!" The Pharaoh confidently placed four star chips on the table.


    "Let the duel begin!"


    "I''ll go first and explain the rules of the special maze duel," one brother said, drawing a card and placing a monster card in the Field Spell Zone. "I activate [Labyrinth Wall]!"


    [Labyrinth Wall Monster Card Effect: This card cannot be destroyed.][Rock][ATK:0 DEF:3000]


    Hoshino held back her urge to shout, "Did you even shuffle your deck?" Instead, she focused on the situation. "Putting a monster card in the Field Spell Zone is against the rules!"


    "Just watch," the brothers said, ignoring Hoshino''s comment.


    The special duel platform was enormous, making it look empty even with four duelists and up to ten monsters. But when [Labyrinth Wall] was placed, a massive labyrinth rose from the ground, separating Yugi & Hoshino''s area from the Maze Brothers''.


    "This is¡­?" The complex labyrinth divided the field.


    "Welcome to the special maze duel platform!" the brothers announced, explaining the maze duel rules. "This card creates a special labyrinth area on the field."


    "1: You can''t attack our monsters or us unless you navigate the maze."


    "2: To navigate the maze, you must summon monsters in Attack Position. Each turn, monsters in Attack Position can move a number of spaces equal to their level."


    "3: At the start of your turn, all your monsters will be transported to the furthest point you''ve reached in the maze. Newly summoned monsters will start from the same point."


    "4: If all your advancing monsters are destroyed, you start over from the beginning."


    "5: If you run out of cards or your Life Points hit zero, you lose the duel."


    "Now, try to navigate our ultimate labyrinth!" The brothers spread their arms, proudly displaying their stage.


    "Damn, what kind of duel is this? All the rules are against Hoshino and Yugi," Jonouchi fumed.


    "Complaining won''t help now," the Pharaoh said, signaling with an OK gesture to Jonouchi before drawing a card. "Talk is cheap. Let''s start navigating!"


    "I summon [Celtic Guardian] in Attack Position!" He slapped the card on the table, and the Celtic Guardian appeared at the maze entrance.


    [Celtic Guardian¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Earth][Warrior][ATK:1400 DEF:1200]


    "Since [Celtic Guardian] is Level 4, it can move forward four spaces," the Pharaoh commanded. "Go, Celtic Guardian, lead the way through the maze!"


    The Celtic Guardian, following the Pharaoh''s command, walked four spaces into the maze.


    [Labyrinth Progress: 8%]


    "What''s this progress indicator?" Hoshino asked, puzzled by the sudden prompt on the screen.


    "When a monster navigates the maze correctly, the progress indicator increases," one brother explained with a smirk. "If you take a wrong turn, it won''t increase. Remember to turn back. Isn''t it a thoughtful design?"


    "Moving four spaces increased the progress to 8%," the Pharaoh told Hoshino. "So, advancing 50 steps along the correct path will clear the maze."


    "That''s not too hard," Hoshino said, feeling more confident. "It''s like playing an RPG. There won''t be a boss fight at the end, will there?"

 Chapter 59 - 59

    "It''s my turn, draw a card!" After drawing a card, One of the labyrinth brother summoned a monster on the table and then activated a magic card. "Summon the monster card [Cannon Bird], then activate the magic card [Sacrificial Puppet]."


    [Sacrificial Puppet Magic Card Effect: Sacrifice one monster on your field to activate. Special summon a level 7 monster from your hand that can be normally summoned. The special summoned monster cannot attack this turn.]


    "After sacrificing [Cannon Bird], special summon [Water God - Skega] from my hand!" A level 7 monster was summoned directly to the maze exit by Brother Gong.


    [Water God - Skega ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Water][Aqua/Effect][ATK:2500 DEF:2400]


    "There really is a final boss, huh?" Looking at the roaring Water God at the maze exit, Hoshino said with a twitch at the corner of her mouth, "This flag got picked up way too quickly."


    "Turn end." Satisfied with the Water God Skega, the labyrinth brother nodded and ended his turn.


    "It''s my turn now!" Looking at the intricate maze in front of her, Hoshino frowned and thought for a while. Since the star level represents the number of steps a monster can move, summoning higher star monsters is most advantageous for conquering the maze.


    "My turn, draw a card! Summon [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn] in attack mode!" She slapped the 4-star monster card on the table. Without using a tribute to summon higher level monsters, a normally summonable 4-star monster is the best choice for the maze. Hoshino had great confidence in C¨² Chulainn''s survivability, making him a reliable vanguard.


    [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1600 DEF:1600]


    "Yo! Such an unfamiliar environment, Master~" The spear-wielding C¨² Chulainn appeared on the field, "Is this the underground maze of the third singularity, Okeanos?"


    "It shouldn''t be that complicated." Hoshino laughed and replied, suddenly realizing that since she had already conquered the Okeanos maze (albeit on her phone), this small maze shouldn''t be a problem for her.


    "Hoshino, your monsters can actually talk?" To her surprise, Yugi(Yami) suddenly joined the conversation and could hear C¨² Chulainn''s voice.


    "Oh, hey! This starfish-haired guy can hear me too?" Seeing a third party besides Hoshino talking to him, C¨² Chulainn got excited. "I am Ireland Child of Light, remember that well."


    "Ireland Child of Light, huh? Never heard of it, but I''ll remember." Yugi, initially surprised by C¨² Chulainn''s greeting, smiled, "This is interesting, Hoshino. Being able to chat with your monsters during a duel feels really reassuring."


    "Hehe, aren''t we fighting side by side now, Yugi~" With so many reliable companions, Hoshino felt that she could conquer anything, even a mountain of swords and a sea of flames. "Advance, C¨² Chulainn!"


    Since both C¨² Chulainn and the Celtic Guardian are 4-star monsters, they can move forward 4 spaces.


    However, after advancing 1 space, the first fork in the maze appeared.


    "Master, which way should we go?" Looking at the left and right forks, C¨² Chulainn scratched his head helplessly, "Don''t make me choose, My luck is E-rank."


    Hoshino nodded, realizing the problem. The maze ahead was long, and choosing a path at a fork was down to luck.


    "Let''s go left!" Overthinking would just waste time, so Hoshino made a decisive choice based on intuition.


    "Got it, left it is!" Following Hoshino''s order, C¨² Chulainn charged into the left path without hesitation.


    [Maze Progress: 10%]


    "Ah, wrong choice." Seeing the progress indicator, Hoshino slapped her forehead in frustration. 10% progress meant only the first step was correct, and the forked path was wrong. Returning to the fork would waste 3 movement points.


    "It''s all your fault for having E rank luck!" Hoshino glared at C¨² Chulainn with resentment after venting her frustration.


    "Hey, that''s not fair, Master. You chose the path yourself." The innocent C¨² Chulainn felt a chill down his spine under Hoshino''s accusing gaze.


    "Don''t argue, Hoshino, C¨² Chulainn." Yugi comforted Hoshino, "At least you helped the Celtic Guardian find the right path. Don''t forget, we''re fighting together."


    "Yugi~" This feeling was so much more reliable than Jonouchi. "I''ll set two cards and end my turn."


    "Heh heh, it''s my turn again." The Labyrinth Brothers, laughing coldly, drew a card. "Did you think we''d just wait for you to conquer the maze? Too naive!"


    "Summon the monster card [Maze Worm]!" Brother Maze placed a monster card on the table, but no monster materialized.


    "Huh? What''s going on?" Hoshino, unable to see the opponent''s monster, felt something was amiss.


    "Be careful!" Yugi, noticing a subtle change in the environment, shouted a warning, "It''s attacking from underground!"


    "But I''m targeting the Celtic Guardian!" As the Labyrinth Brothers laughed maniacally, a giant, disgusting worm emerged from the maze floor, "This maze is our hunting ground!"


    [Maze Worm ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Earth][Insect][ATK:1800 DEF:1500]


    "What is that? It''s so gross!!" Despite not fearing ghosts, Hoshino instinctively recoiled at the sight of the wriggling insect.


    Worse yet, the Celtic Guardian was swallowed whole before it could react.


    Yugi & Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 3600


    "Hehe, Celtic Guardian, destroyed." The Labyrinth Brothers calmly laughed as they watched Yugi''s life points decrease. "Set one card, turn end."


    "It''s okay, Yugi. Although the Celtic Guardian was destroyed, C¨² Chulainn is still on the field. We can summon a monster at C¨² Chulainn''s position without starting over." Suppressing her revulsion toward the worm, Hoshino knew now was not the time to be distracted.


    "Heh heh, are you sure it''ll be okay?" The Labyrinth Brothers pointed to the field, grinning.


    "Ah, I see!" Yugi, whose turn had started, realized the problem.


    After defeating the Celtic Guardian, the Maze Worm stopped moving, but it stopped at the space in front of the Swordsman¡ª a crossroads of two paths.


    "The way back is blocked by the Maze Worm¡­" Looking at the disgusting body of the worm filling the fork in the road, Hoshino couldn''t help but shiver. With the worm''s 1800 attack points, which are quite high for a 4-star monster, breaking through to open the path forward wouldn''t be easy. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, seeing the confident expression on Yugi''s face, Hoshino knew that a mere worm wouldn''t be an obstacle.


    "Summon the monster card [Mammoth Graveyard] in attack mode!" Yugi slammed a monster card onto the table.


    [Mammoth Graveyard ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars) Earth][Dinosaur][ATK:1200 DEF:800]


    A giant skeletal mammoth appeared next to C¨² Chulainn, sharing the same space.


    "What a big guy this is." Facing the skeletal mammoth that appeared beside him, C¨² Chulainn curiously reached out to touch it, "If you had more flesh, I''d want to hunt you."


    "Roar~" The mammoth roared, seemingly understanding C¨² Chulainn''s words.


    "This thing can''t defeat my [Maze Worm]." The Maze Brothers laughed as the large mammoth appeared in the narrow maze path, "Even though it''s just bones, my worm isn''t picky about its food."


    "I''m not feeding it to the worm." Yugi chuckled and then played a magic card from his hand, "Activate the equip spell card [Horn of the Unicorn]!"


    [Horn of the Unicorn Equip Spell Effect: ¢Ù: The equipped monster gains 700 ATK/DEF. ¢Ú: If this card is sent from the field to the graveyard, it returns to the top of the deck.]


    [Mammoth Graveyard ATK:1200¡ú1900]


    As the equip spell activated, a large horn appeared on the mammoth''s head. The mammoth shook its newly adorned head, looking quite satisfied.


    "It looks like a rhinoceros." Hoshino couldn''t help but comment as she watched the mammoth shake its head.


    "Go, Mammoth Graveyard, clear the path for us!" Yugi pointed forward into the maze, giving the attack command.


    The mammoth roared, raising its horn and charging at the worm blocking the path. The massive creature moved like a heavy tank through the maze.


    "Since Mammoth Graveyard has higher attack power, Maze Worm, destroyed!" Yugi announced the battle result with a wave of his hand.


    The worm''s huge body blocking the fork was pierced by the mammoth''s horn, splattering green blood everywhere.


    "Ugh! Even if it''s just a hologram, did it have to be so realistic?" Hoshino gagged at the sight of the green liquid, "Does Kaiba have some weird hobby, making bugs so realistic?"


    [Maze Progress: 10%]


    Because Mammoth Graveyard was only 3 stars, it could only move forward 3 spaces, barely reaching the start of the fork, so the progress didn''t increase.


    "I''ll set two cards and end my turn." Yugi, having destroyed the worm, looked at Hoshino confidently, "The path is clear, it''s up to you now."


    "Hey, starfish-headed guy, you did pretty well." C¨² Chulainn whistled, teasingly resting his spear on his shoulder.


    "Hey, if I stay silent, would you forget I exist?" One of the labyrinth brother, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke as his turn began, "Do you think beating a single Maze Worm is impressive? The real horror of the Labyrinth is just beginning!"


    "My turn, draw! Summon the monster card [Shadow Ghoul] in attack mode, and activate the spell card Polymerization from my hand, fusing [Shadow Ghoul] with [Labyrinth Wall]!" The Shadow Ghoul on the field extended its claws to the maze walls, merging with them.


    "Fusion?!" Jounouchi exclaimed, knowing well the power of this card.


    [Wall Shadow ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars)][ATK:2000 DEF:3000]


    Silence fell as the Shadow Ghoul merged with the walls, making no sound.


    "It''s attacking, Master, be careful!" C¨² Chulainn, with his beast-like instincts, sensed something wrong and loudly warned Hoshino. The Wall Shadow lived up to its name, silently sliding through the maze walls and quickly reaching the fork.


    "The target is Mammoth Graveyard!" Yugi frowned as he saw the twisted ghoul shadow emerging from the wall, aiming for the mammoth.


    "I won''t let you!" At the critical moment, Hoshino played a card from her hand. Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared behind Mammoth Graveyard, "Activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George ¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1000 DEF:1600]


    "When an opponent''s monster declares an attack, you can special summon this card from your hand and increase its DEF by 500!" As Hoshino declared, the sword of Saint George shone with a brilliant light.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George DEF1600¡ú2100]


    "While Saint George is on the field, you can only choose him as the attack target!"


    "Evil beings, retreat before the holy sword! This is the rule of the world!" Holding the shining holy sword, Saint George''s light forced the attacking ghoul back.


    Labyrinth Brothers LP 3900 ¡ú 3800


    "You''re really reliable, Hoshino." Yugi breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to Hoshino.


    "This is the first time I haven''t been destroyed immediately after appearing, Master." Saint George looked at his still intact body in disbelief and smiled wryly at Hoshino, recalling his past experiences.


    "Haha, that''s true¡­" Hoshino laughed awkwardly, not knowing how to face him, having used him as a sacrifice so many times before.


    "My attack isn''t over yet, don''t get too comfortable!" Labyrinth Brother shouted, interrupting their conversation.


    "The attack isn''t over?!" Hoshino looked at Brother Gong''s field in disbelief, suddenly realizing there was still an unmoved [Water God ¨C Skega], "Isn''t that thing a gatekeeper? Can something that big enter the maze?"


    "Look under your feet!" Labyrinth Brother''s arrogantly pointed at Saint George standing at the fork, "Do you think the Maze Worm dug a tunnel from the exit for no reason?"


    "That sound, could it be?" Yugi, closing his eyes to listen, heard a faint sound of running water from below, "Water God''s attack is coming through the hole!"


    Even though they realized it, there was no way to avoid it. A huge water jet shot up, hitting Saint George directly from the hole. He couldn''t resist the powerful water pressure and was sent flying.


    In mid-air, his solid armor was easily torn apart by the torrent. Saint George silently watched his body gradually disappear and sighed heavily.


    "Just surviving one round is so hard, what a terrifying game¡­"

 Chapter 60 - 60

    Watching Saint George scatter in the air, the Labyrinth Brothers smugly waved their hands. "How''s that? This is the unbeatable combo of the Maze Worm and Water God, and us brothers!"


    "Wow, he flew really high." C¨² Chulainn looked up at Saint George soaring into the sky, marveling.


    "I set one more card face down and end my turn," said the Maze Brothers, leisurely placing a card facedown after gaining a significant advantage.


    "Damn it, Saint George!" Hoshino angrily pounded the table. "They shattered Saint George''s dream of surviving for one whole turn just like that?"


    "Huh? Who cares about dreams and nonsense like that?" The Labyrinth Brothers looked at Hoshino like she was an idiot, mocking her without mercy.


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino swiftly drew a card from her deck and slammed it onto the table. "Saint George, I''ll take up your legacy."


    "Sacrificing the [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn] and [Mammoth Graveyard] on the field, I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] from my hand!" Thanks to Saint George''s protection, the two monsters on the field remained, allowing her to meet the condition for summoning a higher-level monster.


    The most important rule for conquering the maze was that each monster could move forward a number of spaces equal to its star level. So, summoning high-star monsters early was key to breaking through the maze.


    "Oh, Master is really going for it. Keep it up!" C¨² Chulainn gave a thumbs up to Hoshino before disappearing in a flash of white light.


    [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK:2500 DEF:2000]


    "Making a grand reappearance after 10 chapters, Okita-san is back!" Okita Souji appeared at the fork in the maze, taking the place at the front line previously held by Mammoth Graveyard.


    However, upon stepping out of the white light, Okita''s bare feet in sandals stepped into the green liquid left by the shattered worm.


    "Eww! This texture is so disgusting." She shivered, looking at the sticky green liquid on her foot. "What is this, Master?"


    "Uh, vegetable juice, it''s vegetable juice..." Hoshino coughed, unable to tell Okita the harsh truth.


    "Okita Souji? This star level and attack power are the same as my Dark Magician," Yugi said, raising an eyebrow in surprise.


    "Oh? Matching Okita-san''s stats, that Dark Magician guy must be something." Okita drew her sword from her waist with an arrogant look. "But invincible Okita-san has the title of ''strongest 7-star monster''!"


    "When did you get that title?!" Hoshino couldn''t help but retort.


    "Well done, Master, quick and accurate as always!" Okita nodded approvingly as she twirled her sword.


    "Alright, alright." Hoshino sighed, "Okita-san, attack Wall Shadow!"


    "Wall Shadow?" Following Hoshino''s command, Okita looked around and found the ghoul half-emerged from the wall. "That thing isn''t a match for Okita-san at all!"


    With her attack power of 2500, Okita Souji certainly wouldn''t fear the 2000 attack power Wall Shadow. The ghoul had stopped moving after being blocked by Saint George in defense mode.


    "Hehehe, watch me slash it down in one strike!" Okita charged with a smile, raising her sword for a powerful slash.


    But to everyone''s surprise, the ghoul retracted fully into the maze wall, leaving only a solid wall before Okita.


    "Ding~!" The blade struck the wall with a resounding clang, and the recoil from the solid impact left Okita''s hand trembling. "This is too unreasonable! It retracted its head! Cough!"


    Blood splattered on the ground, not from the ghoul but from Okita herself.


    [Weakness] Counter x1 [Okita Souji ATK 2500¡ú2400]


    "Hahaha, did you think summoning a high-level monster could defeat my Wall Shadow?" The Labyrinth Brothers laughed loudly. "Activate Wall Shadow''s special effect."


    [When this card is declared as an attack target, it switches to defense mode. At the end of the turn, it switches back to attack mode.]


    "Since Wall Shadow''s defense matches the original Labyrinth Wall''s defense, you suffer 500 points of backlash damage!"


    Hoshino & Yugi LP 3600 ¡ú 3100


    "Sorry, Yugi, I was too impulsive." Hoshino apologized, looking at the reduced life points.


    "It''s fine, no one could have predicted that effect," Yugi said, frowning as he heard Wall Shadow''s effect.


    "If we can''t destroy their monster, we''ll just keep moving forward. Okita-san!" Failing to destroy Wall Shadow wasn''t a big deal. Summoning a high-level monster was meant to progress through the maze faster.


    "Roger! Okita-san is on the move!" She sheathed her sword and sprinted down the other fork, utilizing her 7-star level.


    [Maze Progress: 24%]


    "Yay, Okita-san''s great victory!" Okita advanced 7 spaces without encountering another fork.


    "Alright!" Hoshino cheered, clenching her fists in excitement. "We''ve conquered a fifth of the maze! Turn end."


    "My turn, draw!" The labyrinth Brothers started their turn, glancing at Okita''s 2400 attack power. "Not a bad monster, but!"


    "It''s no match for my Thunder God!" They played two cards confidently. "Summon the monster card [Kaiser Sea Horse], then activate the spell card [Sacrificial Puppet]!"


    "Another Sacrificial Puppet!"


    "By sacrificing Kaiser Sea Horse, I can special summon Thunder God." Slamming the monster card onto the table, the Labyrinth Brothers declared, "Come forth, my strongest gatekeeper, [Thunder God - Sanga]!"


    [Thunder God - Sanga ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Light][Thunder/Effect][ATK:2600 DEF:2200]


    "Due to Sacrificial Puppets'' effect, Thunder God can''t attack this turn. Turn end." The Labyrinth Brothers crossed their arms, satisfied with having two gods on the field.


    "Can''t attack this turn? Does this Thunder God also have a way to attack inside the maze?" Hoshino pondered their words.


    "Hmph!" Her thoughts were interrupted by Yugi''s confident laugh. "Labyrinth Brothers, this turn, I will shatter your proud maze!"


    "My turn, draw!" Yugi didn''t look at the card he drew, because it was undoubtedly the [Horn of the Unicorn] he had just recovered. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Confidently smiling, Yugi pulled out a card from his hand and slapped it on the table: "I activate the spell card [Ancient Rules] from my hand!"


    [Ancient Rules Spell Card Effect: Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from your hand.]


    The ancient scroll materialized through holographic imagery slowly unrolled, the dragon insignia on the scroll resonating with the monster in Yugi''s hand.


    Responding to the call of the dragon insignia, Yugi slammed the monster card from his hand onto the table: "The monster I summon, of course, is my strongest servant, the Dark Magician!"


    "Summoning a 7-star monster without any sacrifice, as expected of Yugi, how strong!" Hoshino marveled at Yugi''s method of summoning the Dark Magician. "So this is how ace cards are meant to be used, completely unimpeded."


    [Dark Magician ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Dark][Spellcaster][ATK:2500 DEF:2100]


    Wearing his signature black magician robe, the Dark Magician descended beside Okita Souji with a serious expression.


    "So tall!" Okita Souji looked up at the Dark Magician''s towering height, tiptoeing and measuring with her hand. "So this is the Dark Magician that starfish-haired guy mentioned. I have to admit he''s pretty cool. I''ll reluctantly acknowledge that you and I have the same strength."


    The Dark Magician, expressionless, glanced at Okita Souji, who was measuring his height, and let out a light snort without speaking.


    "Go, my strongest servant, Dark Magician, attack Wall Shadow!" Yugi extended his right hand forward, giving the attack order to the Dark Magician.


    A black magic sphere appeared on the Dark Magician''s elegant staff.


    "Hey, isn''t your attack power the same as mine? If you attack directly, it will damage our LP!" Okita Souji anxiously reminded, seeing the Dark Magician prepare to attack.


    The ghoul protruding from the wall seemed to sense the impending attack, ready to retreat back into the wall at any moment.


    "Attack, Dark Magician!" With Yugi''s shout, the black magic sphere shot towards the ghoul in the wall.


    "Hahaha, fool, wasting LP for nothing." The Labyrinth Brothers laughed mockingly as the Dark Magician''s attack was launched. "Wall Shadow, switch to defense mode!"


    However, the next scene left the Labyrinth Brothers'' mocking faces frozen.


    The ghoul, who was about to retract into the wall, was trapped by a hexagram spell, unable to move.


    "Hmph, did you think I''d let you escape so easily?" Yugi countered, opening his face-down trap card. "Activate the continuous trap card [Hexagram Curse]!"


    [Hexagram Curse Continuous Trap Card Effect: Select 1 monster on your opponent''s field. The selected monster loses 700 ATK, cannot attack, and cannot change its battle position. When the selected monster is destroyed, this card is destroyed.]


    [Wall Shadow ATK 2000 ¡ú 1300]


    "What! Using a trap card to prevent Wall Shadow from changing its form!" The Labyrinth Brothers exclaimed in panic, seeing the immobilized ghoul.


    "Labyrinth Brothers, you never thought Wall Shadow could be destroyed, did you?" Yugi grinned as the ghoul screamed, engulfed by dark magic. "Don''t forget, [Shadow Ghoul] fused with [Labyrinth Wall] to become this monster. Although it gained attack ability, it lost its indestructibility!"


    "So that''s it!" Hoshino clapped her hands, recalling Yugi''s thoughtful expression when Okita Souji attacked the ghoul earlier. "Yugi, you realized it then?"


    "Destroying [Wall Shadow] is equivalent to breaking this maze!" Hoshino''s admiration for Yugi''s intelligence and decisiveness was evident in her eyes.


    "Exactly, Hoshino. Thanks to your attack on Wall Shadow, it revealed its effect, allowing me to uncover the maze''s weakness." Yugi, without arrogance, credited Hoshino.


    As the ghoul''s body gradually vanished, the surrounding maze began to collapse.


    "As expected of Yugi, amazing!" The friends watching from behind couldn''t help but cheer at Yugi''s feat.


    "So this is what an ace monster is, so cool!" Okita Souji, watching the collapsing maze, muttered while staring at the still expressionless Dark Magician. "I wish I could be that cool."


    "We''ll have to give up Wall Shadow, big brother!" The anxious Labyrinth Brothers shouted at each other.


    "We can''t let you destroy the maze so easily!" The Labyrinth Brothers, realizing the danger, activated their face-down card with a bead of sweat rolling down their bald heads. "Quick-play spell card [De-Fusion]!"


    "Separate [Shadow Ghoul] and [Labyrinth Wall]! So the Labyrinth Wall won''t be destroyed!" With De-Fusion, the ghoul was ejected from the wall.


    [Shadow Ghoul ATK:1700 ¡ú 1000]


    Abandoned by the wall, the ghoul was instantly destroyed by the Dark Magician''s powerful attack, leaving no trace.


    Labyrinth Brothers LP 3800 ¡ú 2300


    Seeing their drastically reduced life points, the Labyrinth Brothers'' previously relaxed expressions disappeared. "Yugi Mutou, as expected, is strong, just as Pegasus said."


    "Hmph, it''s not that easy to settle this." Unfazed by the failure to destroy the maze, Yugi placed another card on the table. "Now that we''ve dealt with [Wall Shadow], even weaker monsters won''t be threatened. Summon [Castle Gate Dragon] in attack mode."


    [Castle Gate Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Wind][Dragon][ATK:1400 DEF:1200]


    Yugi was right. With Wall Shadow, which could attack from the maze, defeated, summoning monsters with less than 2000 attack power wouldn''t risk sudden attacks. With the Labyrinth Brothers'' life points significantly reduced, Yugi''s turn had completely turned the tide of the duel.


    "Let''s break through the maze in one go, Hoshino!"

 Chapter 61 - 61

    "Advance, Castle Gate Dragon!" Yugi commanded, moving Castle Gate Dragon forward two spaces to the second fork in the maze.


    "Go left!" Yugi said confidently, using Castle Gate Dragon to scout the path. The correctness of this choice wouldn''t impact their progress much.


    [Maze Progress: 32%]


    "We made the right choice," Yugi noted, seeing the updated progress. He then ordered, "Dark Magician, move forward seven spaces!"


    With the path clear, Dark Magician moved from its original position to a spot three spaces ahead of Castle Gate Dragon. As long as Dark Magician stayed in play, other monsters would converge on its location.


    [Maze Progress: 38%]


    "We''re making great progress!" Hoshino cheered, pleased with their advancement. "Teaming up with the legendary duelist feels amazing!"


    "I set one more card face down and end my turn," Yugi said, drawing and setting a card, satisfied with their turn. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "My turn, draw!" Labyrinth Brother ''Para'' drew his card, annoyed by the loss of Wall Shadow. "Don''t get too confident; there''s a long way to go!"


    "I summon [Maze Assassin] in attack mode!" ''Para'' played a card, summoning a ninja-like monster.


    [Maze Assassin ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Dark][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1400 DEF:1000]


    "That weak monster can''t even beat Castle Gate Dragon," Hoshino laughed at its stats.


    "Go, Maze Assassin," ''Para'' whispered, as the assassin vanished.


    "Another disappearing act? Can''t they have straightforward monsters?" Jounouchi said, frustrated.


    "Calm down, Jounouchi," Bakura advised. "A monster called ''Maze Assassin'' was never going to be straightforward."


    "Activate Maze Assassin''s special effect!" Para announced. "It targets and destroys the monster at the back of the maze during the damage calculation phase!"


    "The monster at the back? That''s my Okita Souji!" Okita gripped her sword, nervous.


    "Okita, behind you!" There was no shadow or footsteps, just a surge of killing intent. The assassin''s dagger struck Okita, aiming for a one-hit kill.


    "Okita Souji, destroyed!" Para grinned at Hoshino.


    "Oh? Who gave you the confidence to say that?" Hoshino retorted.


    Para was shocked to see only a light-blue haori where Okita had stood.


    "What''s going on?" Para was puzzled, as even the haori vanished.


    "The haori of the ''Shinsengumi,'' known for their loyalty and strength."


    "Activate the trap card [Haori of Vows]!" Hoshino declared. "It''s time for a counterattack, Okita!"


    [Haori of Vows Trap Card Effect: ¢Ù: Activate when a WIND [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field is attacked. Destroy the attacking monster. ¢Ú: Then, equip this card to the monster, increasing its ATK and DEF by 300. Once per turn, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    "Prepare yourself!" Okita appeared behind Maze Assassin, her haori on. "A true backstab should be a one-hit kill!"


    She drew her sword and struck Maze Assassin, destroying it.


    [Okita Souji ATK 2400 ¡ú 2700]


    "This haori is nice," Okita said, feeling rejuvenated. "I''m in perfect condition!"


    Para, furious, ended his turn.


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino, excited for her turn, drew a card. Okita Souji automatically moved to the front of the maze, where Dark Magician was.


    "Hmm?" Hoshino studied her new card closely. "Can this be used for...?"


    Yugi watched Hoshino, curious about her reaction.


    "This maze won''t stop me anymore!" Hoshino declared, setting a monster face-down and commanding Okita to move forward.


    "Okita is moving out!" Okita said, saluting and running ahead.


    "Master, there''s another fork, with three paths..."


    "Take the middle path!" Hoshino ordered without hesitation.


    "You''re confident, Master. I hope it''s right," Okita remarked, rushing into the middle path.


    [Maze Progress: 52%]


    "Nice job, Hoshino!" Jounouchi cheered as they advanced.


    "Hoshino, you..." Yugi felt as if Hoshino knew the correct path rather than just guessing.


    "Hmph!" Hoshino said smugly. "Labyrinth Brothers, this maze is mine!"


    "Hoshino... could it be that you?" Yugi wondered aloud, as if realizing something.


    "Shh!" Hoshino placed her finger to her lips, signaling Yugi with her eyes.


    "Ah, just lucky to pick the right path on the first try," Hoshino said with a faux lament, clearly acting for the Labyrinth Brothers'' sake. "Turn end."


    "Tch, just luck," Dox grumbled, irritated that so much of the maze had been cleared. "My turn, draw!"


    After checking his field and hand, a smile appeared on Dox''s face. "I summon [Maze Lightning Summoner] in attack mode!"


    [Maze Lightning Summoner ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Light][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:0 DEF:1000]


    "Hahaha, activate Maze Lightning Summoner''s effect! Its attack power increases by the combined attack of all Light monsters on the field. With my Thunder God''s 2600 attack, Lightning Summoner gains 2600 attack points!" He laughed wildly. "Though it''s not written on the card, Lightning Summoner can move any number of spaces within the maze, harnessing lightning!"


    [Maze Lightning Summoner ATK: 0 ¡ú 2600]


    "Now he''s just making things up! Does he think he''s the Flash?" Hoshino remarked, twitching.


    "Go, Maze Lightning Summoner, attack Dark Magician!" The Lightning Summoner, charged with lightning, sped into the maze. Its 2600 attack power was enough to outmatch Dark Magician''s 2500 attack.


    However, the Lightning Summoner never reached its target.


    "What''s happening?!" The Labyrinth Brothers and everyone else were confused as the Lightning Summoner aimlessly ran around the maze.


    "Did it get lost?" Jounouchi laughed, holding his stomach at the sight. "What a dumb monster, hahaha!"


    "Big brother, don''t you think something''s wrong?" the other Labyrinth Brother asked, wide-eyed. "Is our maze this complicated?"


    "What... what is this maze?!" The Labyrinth Brothers realized the maze was now far more complex, with walls densely packed, resembling a QR code.


    "Give it up, Labyrinth Brothers," Hoshino, no longer hiding the truth, smiled triumphantly. "Even if the Lightning Summoner runs itself to death, it won''t get through this maze."


    Desperately, the Labyrinth Brothers denied the situation. "Impossible! This maze is our hunting ground!"


    "This is no longer your hunting ground!" Hoshino declared, "This is my maze now!"


    "Chaos Labyrinth- Labyrinth Eternally Unchanging!"


    "When did you replace our maze?" The Maze Brother couldn''t believe it. "Was it that monster...?" He glanced at Hoshino''s face-down monster, suspecting it was responsible for the maze change.


    "Hoshino, I don''t know how you did it, but that was brilliant!" Yugi praised, seeing that the Lightning Summoner''s entrapment also protected the Dark Magician.


    "My turn, draw!" Yugi commanded his Dark Magician to advance. "Hoshino, you know the layout of this maze?"


    "Perfectly," Hoshino replied confidently.


    "Then let''s advance to victory, Dark Magician!"


    "Three-way fork ahead, Hoshino!"


    "Right."


    "Five-way fork!"


    "Second from the right!"


    "Seven-way fork!"


    "Straight in the middle!"


    [Maze Progress: 66%]


    Their smooth Q&A allowed Dark Magician to navigate the maze effortlessly.


    "Impressive, Hoshino," Yugi smiled. Though aware Hoshino had secrets, she was a reliable ally. "Turn end."


    "It''s because of that monster, right? It replaced our maze!" Para, furious, quickly drew a card. "For this, you''ll pay!"


    "I activate the spell card Fusion from my hand!"


    "Another Fusion!" Hoshino was shocked, as this was the Labyrinth Brothers'' second Fusion.


    "Using [Cannon Soldier] from my hand and [Maze Lightning Summoner] on the field, I fusion summon!" The lost Lightning Summoner was drawn into the fusion.


    "Special summon the fusion monster [Labyrinth Lightning Chariot]!"


    [Labyrinth Lightning Chariot ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Light][Machine/Fusion][ATK:2400 DEF:2400]


    The chariot, with lightning flickering around it and three enormous drills, roared onto the field.


    "Not done yet! I activate the spell card [Fusion Recovery]!" The Labyrinth Brother set another card on the table.


    [Fusion Recovery Spell Card Effect: Target 1 Fusion and 1 Fusion Material Monster in your Graveyard; add them to your hand.]


    "Retrieve [Maze Lightning Summoner] and [Polymerization] from the graveyard." The Labyrinth Brother, retrieving his cards, summoned [Maze Lightning Summoner] again.


    "With two Light monsters on the field, Lightning Summoner''s attack power surges!" The newly summoned Lightning Summoner absorbed the attack power of Thunder God and Lightning Chariot, boosting its strength.


    [Maze Lightning Summoner ATK + 2600 = 5000]


    "5000 attack power!" Jounouchi exclaimed. "But even with that, it can''t break through Hoshino''s maze!"


    "Hmph, the maze walls are useless against the chariot''s drills!" The Labyrinth Brother commanded the Lightning Chariot to attack the face-down monster. "Go, Lightning Chariot, crush that monster!"


    The chariot''s engines roared as it drilled through the maze walls, heading towards Hoshino''s monster.


    Unfazed, Hoshino calmly flipped her face-down card.


    "Let them see, Asterios! This is a labyrinth even the Demon King can''t escape!"

 Chapter 62 - 62

    The chariot''s engine roared as it broke through the maze walls, heading directly towards the Minotaur.


    "Lightning Chariot, destroy that creature!" someone commanded.


    As the attack neared, Hoshino activated the flip effect of [Heroic Spirit - Asterios], revealing the minotaur without hesitation.


    "Asterios? Who''s that?" Anzu asked, puzzled.


    "If you knew his other name, you''d recognize him," Hoshino explained. "He''s known as the Minotaur, the Bull of King Minos."


    "The monster from the legend trapped in the labyrinth!" Anzu exclaimed, surprised.


    "No, not a monster. He was a hero blessed with lightning," Hoshino corrected, insisting that Asterios was not a monster, but a kind hero.


    [Heroic Spirit - Asterios ¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK:1400 DEF:1400]


    "So it''s just the ugly bull from the maze!" The Labyrinth Brothers laughed at Asterios'' stats. "With that attack power, my chariot will crush him!"


    "I said he''s not a monster!" Hoshino snapped. "Asterios, make them regret entering this maze!"


    [Effect: When this card is flipped face-up, while it remains face-up on your Monster Zone, the ATK and DEF of all monsters on your opponent''s field become half their original values.]


    "The real power of the Chaos Labyrinth! Forever lost within!"


    A massive, complex light maze appeared above the Labyrinth Brothers'' field. Though it wasn''t physical, the fear and confusion it caused were real.


    "Wander... hesitate... and die..." Asterios'' voice, despite the words, was gentle, not matching his imposing appearance.


    "Because of Asterios'' effect, all your monsters'' attack and defense are halved!" Hoshino shouted. "Block it, Asterios!"


    [Labyrinth Lightning Chariot ATK 2400 ¡ú 1200]


    "Got it!" Asterios crossed his twin axes in front of him, stopping the chariot''s drill. Sparks flew from the contact, but Asterios didn''t move.


    Seeing their chariot stopped, the Labyrinth Brothers shouted angrily, "Don''t celebrate yet! My Lightning Summoner hasn''t attacked!"


    Even with its attack power halved to 2500, the Lightning Summoner was still formidable.


    "Isn''t your Lightning Summoner stupid enough to get lost in the maze?" Jounouchi taunted.


    "Shut up and look at the maze now!" the Labyrinth Brothers retorted. "The Lightning Chariot has created a new path through the maze!"


    The destroyed walls formed a direct route to the exit.


    "Have you forgotten, bald brothers?" Hoshino teased. "We''re the ones who need to navigate the maze, and you''ve just made it easier for us. Thanks!"


    "Don''t get arrogant, brat!" Furious, the Labyrinth Brothers played the Lightning Summoner''s card. "Go, Lightning Summoner, fry that minotaur!"


    The Lightning Summoner charged down the new path, leaping high and gathering an electrical charge in its foot before kicking downwards.


    "Disappear! Thunderbolt Kick!"


    Despite the attack''s name, its 2500 attack power was significant, enough to break through Asterios'' defenses.


    But just before the attack hit, Asterios was replaced by a slender figure.


    "You''re fast, Lightning Man," Okita Souji mocked from where Asterios stood. "But is your lightning faster than my blade?"


    "What? I wasn''t attacking..." The Labyrinth Brothers looked at Hoshino, puzzled.


    "Don''t forget me." Yugi, who had been silent, spoke up. "Cooperation in a duel isn''t limited to you two! Activate the trap card [Shift]!"


    [Shift Trap Card Effect: Activate when a monster you control is targeted by a card effect or an attack. Target 1 other monster you control that would be an appropriate target; that effect/attack now targets the new target.]


    "Shift! I switched Asterios and Okita Souji." Yugi explained with a smile. "And Okita Souji is the only one who can defeat the Lightning Summoner."


    "You''re quite the speaker, Starfish Guy. Okita is pleased!" Okita grinned at Yugi''s compliment.


    "Likewise, I trust you, Okita." Yugi, unconcerned by the nickname, had faith in his cards.


    "Leave it to Okita! She''s confident! After all..." As the Lightning Summoner kicked, Okita leaped, her blade flashing. "At full power, Okita''s blade is as swift as lightning!"


    The brilliant blade cut through the Lightning Summoner''s kick and its body.


    [Labyrinth Brothers LP 2100¡ú 1900]


    "Okita wins! Because it was a counterattack, the Weakness effect doesn''t activate!" Okita gave a victory sign to Hoshino and Yugi, smiling.


    "Well done, Okita. It''s our turn now!" Hoshino praised Okita and evaluated the situation. "The maze is open, their monsters'' attack is halved, and our morale is high! Now''s the time to strike!"


    Drawing a card dramatically, Hoshino''s eyes were filled with determination. "It''s time to counterattack. My turn, draw!"


    "Advance through the newly opened path, Okita-san!" Hoshino directed. After switching places with the minotaur, Okita had a clear path ahead, thanks to the chariot.


    "Skipping those winding paths is convenient! Okita is moving out!" Okita darted through the chariot-made path, with the maze completion percentage increasing with each wall she passed.


    [Maze Progress: 66%, 76%, 86%, 96%, 100%]


    [Maze Conquered]


    "Finally out!" Okita, twirling her sword, grinned mischievously. "Now, let''s see which troublemakers need a lesson from Okita."


    The Labyrinth Brothers'' monsters had their attack points halved by the ''Eternal Maze'' effect, leaving their strongest, [Thunder God - Sanga], with only 1300 attack points. Confident, Okita, with her 2700 attack points, prepared for action.


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji]''s special effect! She can attack a number of times equal to the number of monsters on the opponent''s field during the Battle Phase! So, Okita Souji will attack both [Thunder God - Sanga] and [Water God - Skega]!" Hoshino declared excitedly. "Go, Okita-san! This will bring those bald Brothers'' life points to zero, and we''ll win!"


    "Absolutely, Master!" Okita, grinning, rushed forward with her sword. "This is how an ace monster should perform!"


    "Activate [Water God - Skega]''s special effect!" The Labyrinth Brothers countered calmly.


    [Effect: This effect can only be activated during the damage calculation in your opponent''s turn. The attacking monster''s attack becomes 0. This effect can be used once while this card is face-up on the field.]


    A torrent of water rose up, blocking Okita and the Water God. Drenched and annoyed, Okita exclaimed, "Why did this suddenly appear? It soaked my favorite haori!"


    "Okita-san, the haori getting wet is the least of our worries..." Hoshino said, stunned by the turn of events.


    "The situation is much worse," Hoshino added, sighing.


    [Okita Souji ATK 2700 ¡ú 0]


    "Eh? Okita-san''s power is gone?" Okita looked at her hands, dismayed.


    "Even with zero attack power, the attack declaration can''t be stopped," the Labyrinth Brothers sneered. "Go ahead, continue attacking my Water God!"


    "Master, this is bad. I don''t think we can win like this." Okita gulped, facing the threatening Water God. "Maybe apologizing would help?"


    "No, it won''t..." Clearly, apologizing wasn''t an option.


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch!!" Okita yelled as she was hit.


    "Ugh!"


    [Weakness] Marker x2


    Hoshino covered her face, unable to watch the scene.


    [Hoshino & Yugi LP 3100 ¡ú 1850]


    "Damn, they didn''t hold back!" Okita, drenched and panting, used her sword to steady herself.


    "Activate [Haori of Vows] effect. The equipped monster can''t be destroyed by battle once per turn." While Okita was protected by the haori''s effect, she was too weakened to continue attacking.


    Drawing a card and setting it face-down in defense mode, Hoshino thought, "If the Water God has that ability, the Thunder God likely has a similar one. These skills are troublesome."


    "With Asterios'' maze effect, the opponent''s monsters have halved attack power, so they won''t attack recklessly. But there''s no guarantee they won''t summon stronger monsters, as Asterios'' maze doesn''t affect newly summoned monsters." Looking at Yugi, Hoshino said, "I have a feeling the Labyrinth Brothers still have a powerful ace hidden. We''ll rely on you next turn, Yugi."


    "Turn end!"


    "Hahaha, you talked so big, and now look at this mess!" The Labyrinth Brothers began their turn, mocking Hoshino. "My turn, draw!"


    "Hahaha, this card will finish you off!" The Labyrinth Brothers'' excitement grew as they looked at their drawn card.


    "Activate the spell card [Sacrificial Puppet]!" They played their third Sacrificial Puppet, using the chariot as a tribute. "By sacrificing the chariot, I special summon [Wind God - Fujin]!"


    A fierce wind swept the field as the green Wind God descended.


    [Wind God - Fujin ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) Wind][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2400 DEF:2200]


    "A third... God!" Hoshino exclaimed as her suspicion was confirmed.


    "Now, with all three Gods on the field!" The Labyrinth Brothers triumphantly placed another card on the table. "Sacrifice all three Gods to summon our invincible monster!"


    As they played the card, the three Gods combined, stacking from bottom to top.


    "So they were meant to combine. That''s why they each looked incomplete," Hoshino realized, watching the fusion. "The Water God only had legs, and the Thunder God only had hands."


    "Thunder, Wind, Water Gods! Combine to special summon [Gate Guardian]!" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Gate Guardian ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (11 stars) Dark][Warrior/Effect][ATK:3750 DEF:3400]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned by tributing "Thunder God - Sanga," "Wind God - Fujin," and "Water God - Skega." The attack power of any monster attacking this card becomes 0. This effect can be used three times while this card is face-up.]


    The Gate Guardian, with its formidable presence, was as powerful as the five-fused mecha, Mazinger Nobu. Its overwhelming power threatened all monsters on the field.


    "Hahaha, this is our final trump card, the invincible [Gate Guardian]!" With the Gate Guardian''s arrival, the Labyrinth Brothers were at their peak. "Gate Guardian, attack Okita Souji! Combined elemental attack: Guardian Elemental Blast!"


    "This is bad, Master..." Okita, seeing the attack, gripped her sword tightly. Though the haori''s protection would prevent her destruction, the battle damage could be fatal.


    "Okita-san is in a desperate situation!"

 Chapter 63 - 63

    "Okita-san is in a desperate situation!" With her attack power reduced to zero due to the Water God''s effect, even with the haori''s protection, the devastating Guardian Elemental Blast from the Gate Guardian would feel like a direct attack, causing damage that Hoshino couldn''t withstand.


    "Master, think of something! Don''t you have a set card?" Okita pleaded, turning to Hoshino for help.


    "But this card..." Hoshino hesitated, knowing it wouldn''t help in the current situation.


    "Yugi..." Hoshino looked at Yugi with a hopeful expression, believing that he could handle this even without a set card.


    "Master, what are you talking about? Without a set card, there''s no way... ahhh!" Okita was swallowed by the surging elemental blast before she could finish her sentence.


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch! ¡ª"


    "..."


    "¡ª Huh??? It doesn''t hurt at all?" Standing unharmed amidst the elemental blast, Okita inspected herself in surprise. "What''s going on? It doesn''t hurt at all. Did Okita-san level up?"


    "How is this possible?!" The Labyrinth Brothers shouted, perplexed by Hoshino''s life points remaining untouched.


    "Hmph, it''s all thanks to the bond between a duelist and their cards!" Yugi explained, smiling confidently.


    "I sent [Kuriboh] from my hand to the Graveyard and activated its effect!"


    [Kuriboh ¡ï Dark][Effect: During damage calculation in your opponent''s turn, you can discard this card to make the battle damage from that battle 0.]


    "It was you!" Okita looked down at the translucent Kuriboh by her feet. "You protected Okita-san? Thanks!"


    "It''s just delaying the inevitable. There''s no way you can defeat the invincible [Gate Guardian]!" Frustrated by their failed attack, the Labyrinth Brothers placed their last card face-down. "Turn end!"


    "My turn, draw!" Yugi, facing the overwhelming presence of the Gate Guardian, frowned. "With all three Gods'' effects and 3750 attack points, this isn''t something that can be defeated by an ordinary monster."


    Adding the drawn card to his hand, Yugi declared loudly, "Since my turn has started, all monsters in the maze are transferred to Okita Souji''s location, meaning the Dark Magician has also cleared the maze."


    With his words, [Dark Magician] and [Castle Gate Dragon] were transported to the maze''s exit.


    "So what if there are more weaklings? No matter how many, they can''t defeat the Gate Guardian!" The Labyrinth Brothers remained confident, having never lost after summoning the Gate Guardian.


    "Invincible Gate Guardian? Isn''t it too arrogant to say that now?" Yugi, wearing his familiar confident smile, placed a monster card on the table. "I tribute [Castle Gate Dragon] to summon [Dark Magician Girl]!"


    [Dark Magician Girl ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars) Dark][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2000 DEF:1700]


    The lively and adorable Dark Magician Girl appeared, adjusting her oversized magician hat.


    "She''s so cute!" Hoshino''s eyes sparkled as she looked at the Dark Magician Girl. "Is this the legendary idol-level dueling monster, Dark Magician Girl? She''s even cuter up close than in the cards, unbelievably cute!"


    "Master, you''re drooling," Okita pointed out, looking annoyed.


    "Are you trying to beg for mercy from the Gate Guardian by summoning such a cute monster? Hahaha," the Labyrinth Brothers mocked.


    "Hmph!" Dark Magician Girl pouted angrily at their taunts.


    "Don''t underestimate the Dark Magician Girl. She may still be in training, but her potential as a Dark Magician is top-notch," Yugi said, ignoring the Labyrinth Brothers'' mockery.


    "What potential? This is a duel monster game! Do you think saying that will defeat the invincible Gate Guardian?"


    "I said, thinking the Gate Guardian is invincible now is too arrogant!" Yugi raised his voice and played a spell card. "Feel the potential of the Dark Magician Girl!"


    "Activate the spell card, [Dark Burning Magic]!"


    [Dark Burning Magic Spell Card Effect: If you control "Dark Magician Girl," destroy all face-up monsters your opponent controls.]


    "What?!" The Labyrinth Brothers'' eyes widened in shock as they read the effect of [Dark Burning Magic]. They never expected the seemingly weak Dark Magician Girl to have such devastating power.


    "Go, Dark Magician Girl, destroy the so-called invincible Gate Guardian!" Yugi commanded. "Dark Burning Magic!"


    With Yugi''s powerful declaration, the Dark Magician Girl released a terrifying burst of energy. The black magic sphere flew towards the enormous Gate Guardian, shattering it completely with dark magic.


    "Your ace monster is really weak!" Yugi taunted with a smile.


    "Now, [Dark Magician] and [Dark Magician Girl], attack directly!" At Yugi''s command, the two magicians crossed their staffs, amplifying their combined dark magic.


    [ATK + 2500 = 4500]


    "This is the strength of the strongest duelist, Yugi Mutou," Hoshino murmured, watching Yugi and the magicians on the field.


    "Can I really defeat such an opponent if we face off in the finals?" Although Yugi was a reliable teammate now, Hoshino couldn''t help but wonder if she could win against him in the tournament.


    "Activate the trap card, [Threatening Roar]!" The Labyrinth Brothers, sweating profusely, activated their face-down card in desperation.


    [Threatening Roar Trap Card Effect: Your opponent cannot declare an attack this turn.]


    "Choosing to survive, Labyrinth Brothers?" Yugi taunted mercilessly.


    "Tch..." Unable to attack, Dark Magician Girl pouted.


    "Master, she just ''tched''! Did you hear that?" Okita pointed at the pouting Dark Magician Girl. "And she''s just a hologram! How does she have so many small actions? This is too unreasonable!"


    "She''s so cute, even her pouting is adorable, Dark Magician Girl~" Hoshino was completely enamored.


    "Master, you''re hopeless..."


    "I set a card face-down and end my turn." Because of the effect of [Threatening Roar], Yugi couldn''t declare an attack and chose to end his turn.


    "My turn, draw!" The Labyrinth Brothers, who had been confident in their victory, now faced an empty field. "Damn you, Yugi Mutou!"


    Grinding his teeth and glaring at the calm Yugi, Para''s anger surged. The feeling of ''dislike but can''t defeat'' frustrated the Labyrinth Brothers the most.


    However, upon seeing the card he drew, Para''s expression shifted dramatically, as if he had hit the brakes on a mountain road.


    "Hahaha, Yugi Mutou, luck is truly on our side!" Para suddenly burst into laughter, clutching the newly drawn card like a lifeline.


    "I activate the spell card [Dark Element] from my hand!" Para slapped the card on the table, his expression growing increasingly twisted. "This is our ultimate and strongest trump card!"


    "Dark Element?!" Yugi''s previously calm expression turned serious as he saw the card Para played.


    A sinister aura began to spread across the field, so intense that even Hoshino shivered involuntarily.


    "This is bad, really bad, Master!" Okita, equally terrified, instinctively moved closer to the sturdy Asterios.


    "Activate Dark Element''s effect!!!"


    [Dark Element Spell Card Effect: If [Gate Guardian] is in the Graveyard, pay half your Life Points to Special Summon 1 "Dark Guardian" from your Deck. You cannot summon or Special Summon other monsters the turn you activate this card.]


    [Labyrinth Brothers LP 1900 ¡ú 950]


    "Descend from the depths of hell, Gate Guardian!" Para spread his arms wide, calling out in a frenzy. "With the dark power from hell, crush all life on the field!"


    "Special Summon [Dark Guardian]!"


    [Dark Guardian ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 stars) Dark][Warrior/Effect][ATK:3800 DEF:3800]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. Must be Special Summoned by the effect of "Dark Element". This card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Once per turn, the attack of a monster that battles this card becomes 0.]


    "Hahaha, this is the true ultimate and invincible Guardian!" Para slammed the Dark Guardian card on the table, yelling, "Unleash hell''s attack, Dark Guardian!"


    As Para''s piercing shout echoed, a sinister aura enveloped the massive axe in Dark Guardian''s hand.


    "Underworld! Hell! Double Slash!" The giant axe, filled with ominous energy, struck the ground, sending a purplish-red shockwave straight toward Okita.


    "Why is it always Okita-san?" Once again targeted by a major attack, Okita, having given up resistance, closed her eyes in resignation. "Fine, fine, Okita-san is already very tired..."


    "Don''t give up, Okita-san!" Yugi''s stern voice snapped Okita out of her near despair. "We haven''t lost yet! Activate the face-down trap card!"


    "[Mirror Force]!"


    A giant holy barrier enveloped Okita. The purplish-red shockwave, which had been rushing toward Okita, struck the holy barrier and was instantly reflected back.


    "Mirror Force''s effect destroys all your attack position monsters!"


    "It''s useless; [Dark Guardian] cannot be destroyed by such card effects!" The purplish-red shockwave hit the giant body of the Dark Guardian but caused no damage.


    "This is really tough..." Yugi said with a slight smile, seeing the Dark Guardian unscathed. He then looked at Hoshino, silently praying, "Hoshino, although it''s difficult, the next turn will likely decide the duel. Show me your hidden potential!"


    "My turn, draw."


    "Yugi!" Hoshino called out to Yugi after adding the drawn card to her hand, "You are really strong..."


    "Hmm?" Puzzled, Yugi didn''t understand what Hoshino wanted to convey at such a time.


    "Since the beginning, I''ve been wondering. As a duelist as powerful as you, can I really surpass you?" Hoshino closed her eyes, speaking calmly. "This is probably the question we''ve all been avoiding, including Jounouchi and me."


    "Maybe Mai was right. We''re just a bunch of kids playing friendship games," Hoshino laughed, shaking her head. "Since we entered this tournament, we''ve been winning on this island, but deep down, Jounouchi and I never believed we could surpass you."


    "Hoshino, that''s not..." Yugi wanted to deny it but couldn''t refute Hoshino''s honest words.


    "Hoshino..." Jounouchi, realizing the truth of Hoshino''s words, felt disheartened. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "In this duel, even if I survive this turn and pass it to you, Yugi, with your strength, you can defeat the Labyrinth Brothers." Hoshino''s tone shifted from calm to passionate. "But! I won''t give this chance to you!"


    "I need a reason, a reason to believe I''m not weaker than you." Hoshino''s voice grew more intense as she reached for her face-down card. "So I''ll use this duel, this turn, to prove it! Even if I''m standing opposite you on the dueling stage, I can still seize victory!"


    "Little girl, are you underestimating us Labyrinth Brothers?" Hearing Hoshino''s words, the Labyrinth Brothers felt she wasn''t taking them seriously, shouting angrily, "Our ultimate and invincible Dark Guardian is still standing! You''re dreaming if you think you can win this turn!"


    "Ultimate and invincible Dark Guardian? Isn''t it arrogant to say that now?" Hoshino echoed Yugi''s earlier words before he defeated the Gate Guardian. "Activate my last face-down card, the Ritual Spell [Summoning of the Guardian Hero]!"

 Chapter 64 - 64

    "Reveal the final set card, Ritual Magic [Summoning of the Guardian Hero]!"


    Jonouchi, seeing a ritual card for the first time, was puzzled. "What''s a Ritual Magic Card?" he asked, looking at the card in Hoshino''s hand.


    "It''s a special kind of magic card used to summon ritual monsters," Yugi explained, also watching Hoshino''s card. "Ritual summoning requires a ritual magic card, a ritual monster, and meeting certain conditions, which usually means ritual monsters have powerful abilities."


    "Is it really that strong?" Jonouchi clenched his fists in excitement after hearing Yugi''s explanation. "Go for it, Hoshino, don''t lose!"


    Jonouchi, now fully supporting Hoshino, was eager for her victory.


    [Ritual Magic Effect of Summoning of the Guardian Hero: ¢Ù Sacrifice monsters from your hand or field whose total levels equal or exceed the ritual monster''s level. Ritual Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] Ritual Monster from your hand.]


    "I sacrifice [Heroic Spirit - Asterios] from the field to summon my ritual monster!" Hoshino announced. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Only a 3-star monster?" Yugi was surprised. Sacrificing only a 3-star monster means the summoned ritual monster can only be 3-star or lower. How could a low-star monster turn the tide? "Hoshino, you are an intriguing duelist!"


    Hoshino placed the ritual monster from her hand onto the table and declared, "Ritual Summon, [Heroic Spirit - Shakespeare]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Shakespeare ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars) Light][Spellcaster/Ritual/Effect ATK: 0 DEF: 0]


    "Is that the monster Hoshino summoned?" Jonouchi asked, still confused.


    "Shh, quiet, Jonouchi!" Anzu hushed him. "Hoshino is trying her best; let''s just watch."


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Shakespeare]''s special effect! When this card is successfully summoned, reduce all monsters on the opponent''s field''s attack power by 1000 points."


    Shakespeare, emerging from the ritual light, held his classic works as the effect activated.


    [Dark Guardian ATK 3800¡ú2800]


    "So that''s your final card? Even with the attack power reduced, the Dark Guardian is still stronger than your monsters!" The Labyrinth Brothers laughed mockingly at Shakespeare''s 0 ATK and 0 DEF. "What''s the point of this ritual monster, it has no battle power!"


    "Indeed, I''m just a writer, fighting isn''t my specialty!" Shakespeare agreed with a nod.


    "But!" Shakespeare''s expression turned serious. "My writings are more enduring than diamonds!"


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Shakespeare]''s special effect!" Hoshino declared, lightly touching the card.


    "I can feel the warmth of my master''s touch, it''s wonderful!" Shakespeare exclaimed, closing his eyes. "I see the ending, but the true climax begins now!"


    [¢Ú: Release this card from your field; Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your deck.]


    "The moment of performance has arrived; there should be thunderous applause (First Folio)!!!"


    With Shakespeare''s declaration, the previously empty field lit up like a stage, full of energy.


    "Release [Heroic Spirit - Shakespeare] and Special Summon from the deck!" Hoshino announced, placing a new monster card onto the table.


    "Hahahahaha!" Laughter filled the air before the figure appeared.


    "Uh, that laugh sounds familiar!" Okita, who had been silent, suddenly realized.


    "It is I, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga!" Nobunaga descended dramatically onto the stage. "What a splendid entrance, I''m very satisfied!"


    "Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Fire][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2900 DEF 2500]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned.]


    "So it''s Nobunaga!" Okita exclaimed, looking at the descending Nobunaga.


    "Okita, you''re in trouble now. If you can''t handle this, you''re truly weak." Nobunaga teased.


    "Hey, Honda~" Jonouchi whispered to Honda. "Oda Nobunaga, that''s the famous historical figure from Japan, right?"


    "Yeah, the legendary Demon King of the Sixth Heaven who nearly unified Japan!" Honda nodded. "But..."


    "She''s a girl?!" They whispered in disbelief.


    "Hahaha, is this your best, Hoshino Chiyuki?" The Labyrinth Brothers mocked. "Even if Nobunaga''s attack power is higher than the Dark Guardian''s now, remember the Dark Guardian''s special effect. If you attack, your attack power will drop to zero!"


    "Nobunaga, can you handle that monster?" Okita, provoked, pointed at the Dark Guardian.


    "Hahahaha, Okita, what nonsense!" Nobunaga laughed. "Of course not!"


    "Nobunaga..." Yugi looked at Hoshino, concerned.


    "Heh, I get it now." Yugi noticed the burning determination in Hoshino''s eyes. "Sorry, Hoshino, I underestimated you. You''re not just interesting."


    "But a true duel master!"


    Feeling the stage''s excitement, Hoshino reached for her cards. The star symbol on her glove shone brightly, guiding her to victory. "The time is ripe, now is the moment to reclaim all my strategies!"


    "Watch closely, Yugi. My strongest proof of strength will be ending this duel right here and now."


    "The time has come. Now is the moment to reclaim all my strategies."


    Hoshino reached out to the monster summoned face-down in the previous turn, her eyes fixed on the Labyrinth Brothers'' hand.


    "This card is the initial setup I laid down for victory!" Flipping the covered monster card, Hoshino declared, "Flip Summon, [Heroic Spirit - Mata Hari], and activate Mata Hari''s flip effect!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mata Hari ¡ï¡ï (2 stars) Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK:500 DEF:500]


    [When this card is Flip Summoned successfully, release this card from your field (as a tribute), declare 1 card name to activate. If the declared card is in your opponent''s hand, add the declared card to your hand.]


    The alluring and seductive Mata Hari gracefully emerged from the card. Her revealing attire and perfect figure, along with her angelic and innocent face, instantly captured Jonouchi and Honda''s attention.


    "I can''t believe there''s such a sexy duel monster." Honda wiped his mouth and asked Jonouchi, "If there are extras of this card, can we ask Hoshino for one? Even if I don''t duel, I''d like to keep it as a collectible."


    "Great minds think alike." Jonouchi nodded vigorously, agreeing with Honda''s sentiment.


    "Hehe, my dear master, what card are you going to take this time?" Mata Hari teased, licking her rosy lips as she looked at the serious Hoshino. "Choose carefully, or Mata Hari will have to punish you, master."


    "Don''t worry, I won''t choose wrong." Hoshino''s voice was filled with unparalleled confidence.


    "I declare! Your magic card!" Without hesitation, she pointed at the card held by the Labyrinth Brothers and accurately declared, "You have it in your hand, [Polymerization]!"


    "!!!" Everyone was shocked by Hoshino''s declaration.


    That''s right, the Labyrinth Brothers definitely had [Polymerization] in their hand, because...


    ("It''s not over yet. Activate Magic Card, [Fusion Recovery]! Add [Maze Lightning Summoner] and [Polymerization] from the Graveyard to my hand.")


    "So, you were setting this up from that moment!" Gripping [Polymerization] tightly, the Labyrinth Brothers looked at the girl in front of them with disbelief. Unconsciously, the image of this girl duelist in their eyes grew more formidable. How powerful must her mind be to devise such a strategy?


    But rules are rules, and despite their reluctance, [Polymerization] ended up in Hoshino''s hand.


    "Indeed, the so-called miraculous comeback always involves this card!" Satisfied, Hoshino placed [Polymerization] on the table with great force. "Labyrinth Brothers, this is the last card I play in this duel!"


    "Fusion Summon [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] and [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga] from the field, along with [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] from my hand!" Sending Spartacus to the Graveyard, Hoshino looked at the two on the field.


    However...


    "Fusion, what kind of fusion?" Okita asked, looking at the equally confused Nobunaga.


    "Fusion? Are we supposed to dance some weird dance, master?" They turned to Hoshino, who was watching them.


    "Probably not, I think just physical contact will do." Hoshino, not fully understanding the mechanics of [Polymerization], believed no special ritual was necessary once activated.


    "Just physical contact?" Nobunaga, eager to try, looked at Okita. "Ready, Okita?"


    "All set, Nobu!" Okita replied with equal enthusiasm.


    "Here we go, fusion!!" x2


    As soon as the words were spoken, Nobunaga smirked mischievously. Clenching her right fist, she swung with all her might at Okita, "You must be kidding, Okita! Do you think I''d just touch you? If we need to make contact, take this punch!"


    Okita''s surprised expression quickly turned into a relieved smile, "I didn''t expect this, but we''re on the same page!"


    With their right fists clenched, they simultaneously swung at each other with perfect cross-counter punches on the grand stage.


    "Fu-sion!!"


    The contact between Okita and Nobunaga was enveloped by the fusion''s light. The brilliance was so intense that it outshone the stage''s dazzling lights. As the stage returned to its original state, the light transformed into a spiral of dark energy, converging at a single point before dissipating. From the dissipating energy emerged a tall silhouette.


    "Did it work?" Hoshino excitedly said, looking at the figure appearing on the field, "The final battle-use Heroic Spirit, adjusted for a single moment of brilliance! Its name is..."


    "My name is..." The emerging figure, although with the same face as Okita Souji, gave off a completely different aura.


    "Majin-Okita Souji(Alter)!!"


    Drawing her long sword and pointing it at the Dark Guardian, Majin-Okita Souji''s calm voice carried immense power, "I shall sever all evils in this world and expel all aberrations! I am the enforcer of the counter force!"


    "What, the final battle-use Heroic Spirit?! It''s just a fancy name!" The Labyrinth Brothers tried to maintain their composure, but the oppressive force from Majin-Okita Souji made their words lose all impact.


    "Prepare to die, Dark Guardian, aberration of the world!" Holding her large sword horizontally in front of her eyes, Majin-Okita Souji slightly bent her body.


    However, in the next second, her figure vanished from everyone''s sight.


    "Pole Star!" The ultimate footwork that allows full strength in any space, in an instant, Majin-Okita Souji appeared before the Dark Guardian.


    " I will pierce the infinite world...I will sever the thread of destiny with this boundless light!!" No one could count how many slashes Majin-Okita Souji unleashed, as the golden light of her strikes spread like a dense web, enveloping the Dark Guardian.


    "Immeasurable!, Unhindered!, Unbound!," Her swift movements left a blazing spark on the duel arena floor. " the three luminous fluxes forms together eternally. Decisive Blade!"


    "Impossible, the invincible Dark Guardian can''t be destroyed by any monster!" Even as the Dark Guardian was enveloped by countless slashes, the Labyrinth Brothers refused to admit defeat.


    With a splendid 180-degree turn, Majin-Okita Souji''s position was fixed, visible terrifying energy gathered in her large sword named [Rengoku], "Uhh¡­What was it again¡­? Uh~~huh¡­I forgot! Eat this! Somewhat amazing!"


    "BEAAAAAAAM!!!"


    The black energy shot out like a laser from the sword, effortlessly piercing the Dark Guardian''s massive body.


    The sharp energy not only pierced the Dark Guardian but also the Labyrinth Brothers behind it.


    Labyrinth Brothers LP: 950¡ú0


    "How about that, Yugi!" Hoshino''s once serious face transformed into a bright smile as she turned to the stunned Yugi beside her, "See, I won!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 65 - 65

    "Heh, so that''s how it is, Hoshino. This proves your strength," Yugi said, recovering from the shock with a satisfied smile. "You''re one of the strongest opponents I''ve faced, probably only Kaiba can compare."


    "We won, we won!" Anzu exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly from behind. "That means..."


    "Both Yugi and Hoshino have all ten star chips!" Jonouchi and Honda looked at each other, then high-fived in celebration.


    "Right, now hand them over, Labyrinth Brothers!" Yugi said, approaching Hoshino with the star chips the Labyrinth Brothers had wagered. "Here, Hoshino, these stars are yours." He held out his hand, revealing three star chips, and handed them to Hoshino. His sharp eyes softened with warmth. "It was great working with you."


    "Thank you, Yugi," Hoshino replied, smiling as she took the star chips from Yugi. "Hehe, I didn''t expect you to show such a gentle side, even as another Yugi."


    "Uh, is that so." Embarrassed, Yami scratched his face and looked away. "That''s good..."


    "Hey, you two, stop playing dead!" Jonouchi shouted at the Labyrinth Brothers lying on the ground, interrupting Hoshino and Yami. "Tell us how to get out of the maze. Didn''t you say victory would show us the way?"


    The Labyrinth Brothers stood up, brushing off their clothes. "Do you think leaving the underground labyrinth, known as the Duelist''s Grave, is that easy?"


    "Look at the two large doors behind us!" They pointed to the doors labeled "Maze" and "Palace."


    "So those are doors? I always thought they were just wall decorations," Anzu remarked, tilting her head.


    "Hmph." The Labyrinth Brothers chuckled coldly. "These are the only exits from the underground labyrinth: the ''Maze Door'' and the ''Palace Door.''"


    "Only by choosing the correct door can you escape."


    "If you choose wrong, you''ll wander in the maze forever."


    "Hahahaha."


    "That''s low, you two!" Jonouchi yelled angrily. "You said victory would guide us, and now you''re trying to back out after losing!"


    "Hahaha, we make the rules in this underground labyrinth!" The Labyrinth Brothers replied disdainfully. "But as a reward for your victory, we''ll give you a hint. From now on, one of us will tell the truth, and the other will lie. You get one question to ask."


    "You can ask either one of us any question."


    "But remember, you can only ask one question, and only to one of us!"


    Jonouchi scratched his head, perplexed. "How am I supposed to know the correct exit with only one question?"


    "..." The silence from the Labyrinth Brothers signaled the start of the final challenge.


    "Uh..." Jonouchi looked helplessly at Yugi.


    Yugi furrowed his brow in thought. "Since we don''t know who is lying, simply asking which door is correct won''t work."


    "Hoshino..." A familiar voice whispered in Hoshino''s ear.


    "Mr. Holmes!" Hoshino nearly forgot about him, startled. "Why didn''t you appear while we were navigating the maze, and why does your voice sound weaker?"


    "Miss Hoshino, Ms.Da Vinci scolded me for appearing too often, saying I was wasting the limited energy in the bracelet," Holmes explained, sounding a bit miffed.


    "Appearing too often?" Hoshino recalled and laughed. "Hehe, you did show up a lot. I thought you could materialize at will."


    "Impossible. Everything follows the law of conservation of energy," Holmes responded seriously.


    "But this isn''t the time for that. I''ll keep it short to avoid Da Vinci''s scolding." Holmes whispered, "You just need to ask... mumble mumble... and that''s it!"


    Realizing the simplicity, Hoshino looked at Holmes in surprise. "So simple, Mr. Holmes, you''re amazing!"


    Holmes took a satisfied puff from his pipe. "It''s always..."


    But like a signal cutting out, Holmes vanished from Hoshino''s sight mid-sentence.


    "Hope Da Vinci goes easy on him." After a brief moment of silence for Holmes, Hoshino confidently stepped forward. "Mr. Holmes, I caught your final words!"


    "Hoshino, you''re going to?" Yugi asked in surprise as Hoshino, previously silent, stepped forward.


    "Don''t worry, Yugi, I''ve found the perfect solution to this puzzle." Hoshino gave a thumbs-up to Yugi and the others before stepping up.


    "Hey, you with ''Dox'' on your head. Since we can only ask one question to one person, I''ll ask you..." Hoshino pointed at one of the Labyrinth Brothers with determination.


    "Why him, Hoshino? Can you tell if he''s the one telling the truth?" Jonouchi asked.


    "No, I don''t know if he''s telling the truth or lying. I just picked randomly," Hoshino replied, shaking her head. "The key to this puzzle isn''t who you choose, but what you ask."


    "Dox, I ask you!" Hoshino''s gaze was steady.


    "Answer me: if I were to ask Para which door is the correct one, which would he say?"


    "!!!" Everyone was stunned by Hoshino''s question.


    "Hahahahaha!" The Labyrinth Brothers laughed and exchanged glances.


    "Your name is Hoshino Chiyuki, right? You''re quite interesting!" The brother labeled ''Dox'' nodded approvingly before answering. "My answer is the Maze Door!"


    "Thanks for your cooperation~" Hoshino smiled, then walked over and opened the door labeled "Palace."


    Sure enough, a staircase leading up to the surface and sunlight streaming down greeted them..


    ____


    "BEAAAAAAAM!!!"


    "Splendid! Hoshino girl''s duel is endlessly entertaining," Pegasus exclaimed, so excited that he threw his wine glass aside as he watched the black light pierce through the screen. "Record this footage onto a Blu-ray disc and place it in my collection room."


    "Yes, Master Pegasus!" The old butler bowed respectfully.


    "With Hoshino girl and Yugi boy together, they truly make the best combination on Duelist Kingdom!" Pegasus stood up and looked out the window. "I wonder how Kaiba boy is preparing. It''s really something to look forward to."


    Seeing Pegasus in such high spirits was rare, and the old butler''s face was filled with a relieved smile. "Master Pegasus, I''ll prepare the finest afternoon tea so you can fully enjoy watching the duel between Seto Kaiba and Chiyuki Hoshino."


    "Very good, you really understand my heart."


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "Hoshino, you''re really amazing!" The group exclaimed as sunlight streamed in from the open door.


    "Go ahead, Chiyuki Hoshino, you''ve earned the recognition of the Labyrinth Brothers!" The Labyrinth Brothers first gave Hoshino an encouraging pat on the shoulder, then laughed self-deprecatingly.


    "Let''s go, everyone!" Hoshino called out to her friends, stepping confidently through the "Palace" door like a victorious leader.


    However, as she crossed the threshold, Hoshino caught a glimpse of a sly smile on the faces of the Labyrinth Brothers.


    "No way?!" She quickly turned back to see...


    "The two doors lead to the same place! Choosing either door doesn''t matter!" Hoshino, once proud of her solution, now felt deceived.


    As the doors slowly closed, the Labyrinth Brothers'' mocking laughter filled the air. "Welcome back to the scariest underground maze of Duelist Kingdom!"


    ...


    <System Notice: Duelist level assessment complete. Duelist: Labyrinth Brothers. Duelist level: C+. Victory reward: 40 Saint Quartz. Current total Saint Quartz: 85.>


    <You have an unread system message.>


    "Hmm?" Climbing the stairs, Hoshino heard the familiar system notice in her mind.


    Excitedly hitting her palm, Hoshino remembered, "I almost forgot! Because of Jonouchi, I nearly drained the Evil Dragon Hundred Years War banner. After that, I didn''t pay much attention to my quartz. I can''t believe I have 85 already."


    Thinking about this, Hoshino looked back at Jonouchi, "This guy''s luck is unbelievably good. If the system hadn''t caught me, I would have turned him into my personal gacha machine!"


    Although the temptation to let Jonouchi pull the banner was great, Hoshino didn''t dare to try it again. The system warned that the next violation would result in harsher penalties, possibly turning her quartz count negative or deleting her cards entirely. It wasn''t worth the risk.


    "Sigh~" Hoshino sighed, looking at Jonouchi with a sense of frustration. Having such a lucky person around but not being able to use him was really vexing. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Noticing Hoshino secretly staring at him, Jonouchi was slightly surprised but then smiled and leaned in. "What''s up? Is there something weird on my face, Hoshino?"


    "Nothing!" Hoshino replied, slightly annoyed, looking away and pouting.


    "Why are you suddenly upset?" Jonouchi asked, puzzled by Hoshino''s expression. "By the way, Hoshino, I wanted to ask you..."


    "Hmm?"


    "Do you have any extra cards? The ones with cute girls on them." Jonouchi scratched his face awkwardly as he asked the question he''d been holding back. "Of course, I won''t take them for free. I''ll trade with you! Duel Monsters is a trading card game, after all, and it''s normal to trade cards with friends."


    "Jonouchi, how could you ask first!" Honda rushed over, also eager. "Hoshino, I have some Duel Monsters cards too. Trade with me as well."


    "But..."


    "Honda, those few cards you bought casually aren''t worth trading with Hoshino," Jonouchi taunted his competitor without mercy.


    Ignoring Jonouchi''s ridicule, Honda looked earnestly at Hoshino. "I just want Martha. Her divine and gentle aura purifies me just by looking at her."


    "Oh? So, Honda likes someone like Martha," Anzu glanced at Honda, then turned to Jonouchi. "What about you, Jonouchi? What kind of type do you like?"


    "Me? Definitely Mary! That lively and cute pure-hearted girl really triggers my protective instincts!" Jonouchi answered, waving his arms excitedly.


    "But if I had to choose my favorite..." The two exchanged a knowing look, and their smiles grew wicked.


    "Of course, it''s Mata Hari!"


    "Hehe, Mata Hari wins again~" Hoshino muttered, hearing Mata Hari''s triumphant laugh in her ear.


    "Sorry, but I only have one of each card, so I can''t trade them with you," Hoshino waved her hand, refusing Jonouchi and Honda. Even if she had extras, she wouldn''t casually give her Heroic Spirit cards to others.


    "I see." Jonouchi and Honda slumped in disappointment. After some playful banter, the group quietly continued climbing the stairs.


    "Open the unread system message," Hoshino commanded, opening the system again after Jonouchi''s interruption.


    <System Notice: Duelist level assessment complete. Duelist: Keith Howard. Duelist level: B. Victory reward: 45 Saint Quartz.>


    "Wow, Keith, the U.S. champion, is only level B?" Hoshino thought in surprise, reading the system message. "That means Mai, who''s also level B, has the strength of a U.S. champion. That''s impressive."


    Thinking of Mai, another figure popped into Hoshino''s mind¡ªthe arrogant Seto Kaiba and his dramatic card draws, along with his iconic coat. "Seto Kaiba, level A duelist. One whole level higher than the U.S. champion. Such a terrifying opponent, I really don''t want to face him again."


    "Wait, what am I thinking!" Hoshino shook her head vigorously to clear her thoughts. "How can I talk about retreating? It''s just Seto Kaiba! I still have to face stronger duelists like Yugi and Pegasus. How can I become the Duel King if I''m afraid of Kaiba!"


    Slapping her face to snap out of her thoughts, Hoshino reminded herself not to overthink. "Besides, Kaiba should already be dueling Pegasus. He won''t suddenly appear in front of me wanting a duel."


    "Look, there''s the exit!" Yugi suddenly shouted, pointing to the light ahead.


    "Great, let''s give it one last push!" Responding to Jonouchi''s call, the group quickened their pace and burst out of the underground stairs, emerging on the surface.


    The familiar scenery greeted them again¡ªthe sunlit land, the towering Pegasus Castle, and standing in front of the castle stairs was Seto Kaiba.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, duel me!"


    Hoshino: "(¨s¡¤_¡¤)¨s¦à©ß©¥©ß"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 66 - 66

    "What a beautiful day!" Having lost track of time after being underground for so long, Hoshino looked up at the sky and estimated the current time. "If it was noon when we entered the cave, it''s probably around 4 PM now. If we delay any longer, it''ll be evening. Let''s hurry and enter Pegasus Castle, everyone."


    "Hoshino..." Everyone looked at Hoshino with concern as she prepared to head towards the castle.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, are you trying to run away?" Kaiba, having been ignored, raised his voice even louder.


    "...." Hoshino turned her head in the opposite direction, covering her eyes with her hand, muttering to herself, "This illusion of Seto Kaiba is so realistic. It''s all because I was thinking nonsense that I''m seeing this strange thing. Snap out of it, Hoshino. Don''t pay attention to this illusion."


    "Hoshino..." Anzu finally couldn''t hold back and spoke up, "This is probably not an illusion. It''s the real Kaiba."


    "Hehe, don''t joke around, Anzu. The real Kaiba wouldn''t be here," Hoshino said with a bright smile, patting Anzu''s shoulder. "Besides, why would Seto Kaiba challenge me? I''m just a nobody."


    "Kaiba!" The Millennium Puzzle in front of Yugi suddenly shone brightly, and Yami took over Yugi''s body again. "If you''re just looking for a duel, I''m happy to oblige!"


    Seeing Hoshino continuously avoiding reality, Yami couldn''t help but step forward. "Hoshino has just gone through two intense duels and needs time to rest."


    "Humph, Yugi, you and I are destined rivals. A duel with you is inevitable!" Kaiba sneered, then said, "But today, I''m here to duel Chiyuki Hoshino. According to the rules of Duelist Kingdom, the challenged cannot refuse a duel!"


    "What rules of the kingdom! Kaiba, you just said yesterday you despise participating in the Duelist Kingdom tournament!" Jonouchi, annoyed by Kaiba''s resolute attitude, retorted, "Besides, you''re not even a participant!"


    "Fool, you haven''t been eliminated yet?" Kaiba laughed mockingly at Jonouchi''s outburst. "Who told you I''m not a participant?"


    Kaiba pulled out five star chips from his pocket and threw them on the ground, silencing everyone. "Now there''s nothing left to say. Chiyuki Hoshino, you can''t escape this duel today!"


    "Kaiba, why Hoshino..." Yami, sensing Kaiba''s determination, asked through gritted teeth.


    "You can ask Pegasus yourself!" Kaiba replied, glancing down at Yami. "But by then, Pegasus will probably have been defeated by me."


    "Pegasus? Pegasus personally instructed you to duel Hoshino?" Yami exclaimed in disbelief. "How could this be? Why would Pegasus notice Hoshino?" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at the silent Hoshino, Yami pondered the same question, "Hoshino, what secrets are you hiding?"


    At this moment, Hoshino knew that the Kaiba in front of her was undoubtedly real. "Seto Kaiba, an A-rank duelist. Although I''ve faced him before, it was a two-on-one battle. Can I really win against him alone?"


    Thinking this, Hoshino looked up at Pegasus Castle above. "Damn it, I''ve already gathered ten star chips."


    "I''ve come this far; I can''t fail because of this." Lowering her head, Hoshino looked at the ten star chips embedded in her glove. On this island, star chips are equivalent to a duelist''s life. From the beginning with Yuta, to Mai Valentine, and finally the Labyrinth Brothers, all their star chips were gathered here. "I''ve won step by step. Even though I was confused at first, I persevered! Every duel was a battle of dignity, with both sides giving their all. After taking away the hopes of so many, how can I back down now?"


    "This is Duelist Kingdom, where duelists'' dreams are at stake!" Driven by her strong desire for victory (and money), Hoshino''s fighting spirit reignited. "It''s not about whether I can win, but that I must win, absolutely must win!"


    "Seto Kaiba!" Hoshino suddenly shouted, looking at Kaiba. "I, accept this duel! Don''t regret not choosing Jonouchi as your opponent!"


    "Me...?" Jonouchi pointed to himself awkwardly. If the goal was to gather ten star chips, Jonouchi would indeed be the best choice among the three.


    "Humph, whether it''s you, a fool, or Yugi, it doesn''t matter to me," Kaiba sneered, seeing Hoshino accept the challenge. "None of you can beat me!"


    "Hoshino!" Seeing Hoshino''s renewed fighting spirit, Yami smiled, feeling reassured. "Kaiba, I advise you not to be overconfident. Hoshino''s full strength is not below ours."


    "Oh?" Kaiba raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. This was the first time he heard Yugi give such high praise to a duelist. "Interesting. Let me experience it firsthand, Hoshino!"


    "What? You''re not using your new Duel Disk system?" Hoshino asked, seeing Kaiba empty-handed. She suddenly regretted it, remembering the exhaustion from last night''s disc-throwing. Her arms ached just thinking about it.


    "This time, no Duel Disk. We''ll have a proper duel on the duel stage!" Kaiba shook his head, walking on the nearby grass as if searching for something.


    "But you know that Duel Disk only summoning one monster isn''t proper." Hoshino couldn''t help but tease Kaiba, hoping to see his reaction.


    "I told you it was a prototype." Kaiba remained stoic, much to Hoshino''s disappointment. "And the subsequent models are already designed in my mind. Duel stages will be obsolete in the future!"


    With that, Kaiba stomped on a switch he found, and a large duel stage emerged.


    "But for now, this duel stage is sufficient to defeat you." With a confident declaration of victory, Kaiba pulled out his deck and stepped onto the stage.


    Hoshino shook her head, also taking out her Heroic Spirit deck. "Geniuses are really hard to deal with."


    Standing on the duel platform, Hoshino took a deep breath to calm her overly excited emotions.


    "The duel begins: Duelist Chiyuki Hoshino vs. Duelist Seto Kaiba!" the familiar synthesized voice announced.


    "Seto Kaiba will go first!"


    "My turn, draw!" Kaiba glanced at his hand and smiled. "Chiyuki Hoshino, I''ve seen your unique deck twice now. You''re heroes indeed possess unique powers that are hard to grasp."


    "But in the face of absolute power, they are still pale and powerless!" Kaiba declared as he slammed his card onto the table, "I activate the Continuous Spell Card, [Future Fusion] from my hand!"


    "Future? Fusion?" Hoshino furrowed her brow, hearing this card for the first time. She had a bias against cards with ''Fusion'' in their name, feeling they were always troublesome.


    [Future Fusion - Continuous Spell Card Effect: Reveal 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, then send the Fusion Materials listed on that monster from your Main Deck to the Graveyard. During your second Standby Phase after this card''s activation, Special Summon that Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck. When this card leaves the field, destroy that monster. When that monster is destroyed, destroy this card.]


    "I will fuse the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!!" Kaiba drew the card from his Extra Deck and held it up for everyone to see.


    "A fusion from the future, just like the card''s name says," Hoshino murmured, watching Kaiba lift the Ultimate Dragon high. "Summoning Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon right at the start, Kaiba is serious this time."


    "By sending the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons from my deck to the Graveyard, in two turns, the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon will be Special Summoned to my field." Kaiba''s smile grew more confident as he sent the three White Dragons to the Graveyard. "Next, I set one card and end my turn."


    "Kaiba, he''s set up for summoning Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon but hasn''t summoned any monsters?" Jonouchi said in surprise as Kaiba ended his turn.


    "My turn, draw!" Even though Kaiba hadn''t summoned a monster, the turn passed to Hoshino. "What is Kaiba planning?"


    The empty field seemed like a perfect opportunity to attack.


    But this was Kaiba. If it were any other minor duelist, Hoshino would attack without hesitation, but against Kaiba, she had to be more cautious.


    "I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn] in attack mode." After thinking for a moment, Hoshino placed the big dog''s card on the field. As a monster that could be directly summoned, Cu Chulainn''s attack power wasn''t low, and his excellent survivability meant that any unexpected changes could be minimized.


    [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1600 DEF:1600]


    "Yo master, starting a new duel just minutes after the last one?" Cu Chulainn appeared on the field, speaking his usual cheeky remarks.


    However, seeing the empty field across from him, he barked in surprise, "Hey, there aren''t any monsters on the other side. This is the perfect chance to attack."


    "Although I want to caution you to be careful, that wouldn''t be your style." Hoshino, who had been a bit tense, relaxed after Cu Chulainn appeared.


    Hoshino knew she wasn''t fighting alone. She had companions and reliable Heroic Spirits supporting her. "While caution is necessary, being overly defensive won''t defeat Seto Kaiba. Attack, Cu Chulainn!"


    "That''s what I wanted to hear, master!" With Hoshino''s command, Cu Chulainn, holding his spear, turned fierce. "Hey, you over there, take this!"


    As Cu Chulainn charged straight at him, Kaiba remained calm, with an inscrutable smile on his face. "Activate the set trap card!"


    "Of course, there''s a trap card!" Hoshino knew Kaiba wouldn''t just take the hit without a counter.


    "Continuous Trap Card, [Call of the Haunted]!" Kaiba''s momentum surged again as he activated the card.


    [Call of the Haunted - Continuous Trap Card Effect: Target 1 monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target in Attack Position. When this card leaves the field, destroy that monster. When that monster is destroyed, destroy this card.]


    "Revive a monster from the Graveyard? Does Kaiba even have any monsters in the Graveyard?" Jonouchi asked, puzzled by the card''s effect.


    "Fool, how did someone like you collect ten star chips? The level of Duelist Kingdom is too low!" Kaiba shouted at Jonouchi, slamming the revived monster onto the table. "I will revive the Blue-Eyes White Dragon sent to the Graveyard by [Future Fusion]!"


    The revived Blue-Eyes White Dragon roared, spreading its massive wings as it descended onto the battlefield.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light][Dragon][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    "Whoa, this monster suddenly appeared! I''m not sure we can win, master!" Cu Chulainn, initially fierce, began to panic at the sight of the White Dragon. However, once an attack declaration is made, it cannot be withdrawn.


    "Blue-eyes White Dragon, crush this monster!" Kaiba''s confident voice rang out as he issued his command. "Attack with Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    "Go, Cu Chulainn! As the Child of Light of Ireland, how can you fear a dragon that breathes white light?" Hoshino''s unwavering resolve caught Kaiba off guard.


    "Master, you''re making it hard for me to back down after saying that!" Cu Chulainn, smiling fiercely again, charged straight into the Burst Stream of Destruction.


    Watching Cu Chulainn get engulfed by the white light, Kaiba laughed loudly, "Hahaha, what Child of Light of Ireland? He''s no match for my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "Is that so?" Hoshino raised her right hand towards the sky.


    "Hm?!" Attracted by Hoshino''s gesture, everyone looked up.


    "I dodged it, master!" Cu Chulainn, having leaped high into the sky, had evaded the terrifying Burst Stream of Destruction. "This is the Blessing of Avoidance!"


    [¢Ù: When this card is in face-up Attack Position, it cannot be destroyed by battle once per turn, and no battle damage is calculated.]


    "Tch, just barely surviving," Kaiba clicked his tongue in annoyance at the failed attack.


    "Is it really just barely surviving?" Hoshino countered, lowering her right hand to point at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. "Cu Chulainn, show them your perseverance!"


    "Sure thing, master! Let''s hit it hard!" Cu Chulainn, descending from the sky, gripped his red spear with both hands. Using the momentum of his fall, he roared and pierced the spear into the dragon''s large head, running it through from top to bottom.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 67 - 67

    "Master! Let''s finish it off!" Cu Chulainn growled fiercely, plunging his red spear into the dragon''s head as if he was hunting his prey.


    "Impossible! How could a monster with only 1600 attack points defeat my Blue-Eyes?!" Kaiba asked in disbelief, watching his Blue-Eyes White Dragon get pierced.


    "Who said it''s impossible?" Hoshino picked up the Quick-Play Spell Card she had just activated and showed it to Kaiba. "Quick-Play Spell, [Golden Sumo Rock]!" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Golden Sumo Rock - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 monster you control with [Heroic Spirit] in its name. During a battle between that monster and an opponent''s monster with higher attack points, increase your monster''s attack points by the difference between their attack points.]


    "Due to the effect of Golden Sumo, Cu Chulainn''s attack points increase to match Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    [Cu Chulainn ATK 1600 ¡ú 3000]


    "And because of Cu Chulainn''s effect, even if their attack points are the same, he won''t be destroyed in battle. So the only one being destroyed is your Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Hoshino pointed the Golden Sumo card at Kaiba and shouted, "Send that White Dragon back to the graveyard!"


    As Cu Chulainn withdrew his crimson spear from the Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s head, the dragon, realized as a solid hologram, shattered into fragments of light, returning to the graveyard.


    "Slaying dragons isn''t just for that ''I''m sorry'' guy!(Referring to Siegfried)" Cu Chulainn said, spinning his spear before returning to his usual relaxed stance.


    "Amazing, Hoshino! Not only did you defeat Blue-Eyes White Dragon, but you also increased Cu Chulainn''s attack points to 3000, matching Blue-Eyes!" Jonouchi exclaimed, thrilled by Hoshino''s control of the battlefield.


    "But don''t forget, in two turns, Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon will be summoned," Yugi, watching nearby, warned. While he supported Hoshino, the situation was still not optimistic.


    "I set one card face-down and end my turn." Yugi''s warning was not without reason. Hoshino knew she had to prepare for the arrival of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon in two turns.


    "My turn, draw!" Kaiba didn''t even look at his drawn card before adding it to his hand.


    "Hoshino, you''re quite an interesting duelist. Using such peculiar monsters to defeat my Blue-Eyes," Kaiba said, looking at Cu Chulainn with 3000 attack points. "It seems Yugi was right; this duel won''t disappoint me."


    "I summon a monster in face-down defense position and set one card. Turn end!" Kaiba placed two cards on the field without hesitation, ending his turn.


    "Stalling with a defense monster, waiting for Ultimate Dragon''s to summon?" Hoshino thought, drawing a card. "If that''s the case, I need to speed up my attack and gain the advantage this turn."


    "I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] in attack mode!" Hoshino placed the card on the table. Though not a particularly strong card, it was the first monster she summoned in her first duel, giving her a sense of reassurance.


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars) Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF:1500]


    "Come on, destroy the oppressor with my love!" Spartacus roared, appearing on the battlefield.


    "Great, it''s Spartacus!" Jonouchi was even more excited than Hoshino every time Spartacus was summoned.


    "Attack the face-down monster, Spartacus!" In the face of unknown defense, it would be safer to attack with Cu Chulainn, who had higher attack points. However, if Spartacus could destroy the monster, Cu Chulainn could then attack directly, dealing 3000 damage to Kaiba and gaining a significant life point advantage. It was a gamble worth taking.


    As Spartacus charged, the hidden monster revealed itself.


    [Giant Germ ¡ï¡ï (2 stars) Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK1000 DEF:100]


    "Yes! Its defense is only 100 points. Hoshino, you''ve got this!" Jonouchi shouted, seeing Spartacus''s massive body crush the spherical virus.


    "It''s more complicated than that," Yugi responded calmly.


    "Hmph, as expected of Yugi!" Kaiba sneered, raising the destroyed Giant Germ. "Activate the special effect of [Giant Germ]!"


    [When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent. You can also Special Summon any number of [Giant Germ] from your Deck in face-up Attack Position.]


    Chiyuki Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 3500


    "!!!" Hoshino was shocked by the effect of the destroyed Giant Germ.


    "Then, I Special Summon two [Giant Germ] from my deck in Attack Position!" Kaiba retrieved two identical cards from his deck and placed them on the table.


    [Giant Germ ATK:1000] X2


    "Three Giant Germs add up to 1500 points of effect damage," Yugi frowned.


    "But Hoshino has Cu Chulainn with 3000 attack points on the field. As long as she destroys one Giant Germ, she can inflict 2000 damage on Kaiba!" Jonouchi said optimistically, seeing the two 1000 attack point Giant Germs as no threat.


    "Cu Chulainn, attack the Giant Germ!" Hoshino declared, pointing forward. She knew she would take 500 direct damage, but compared to the damage Kaiba would receive, it was negligible.


    "With Ultimate Dragon about to appear next turn, are you feeling anxious, Hoshino?" Kaiba asked calmly as Cu Chulainn''s spear advanced. "But remember, rushing to gain an advantage can sometimes backfire!"


    "Activate the set trap card, [Draining Shield]!"


    [Draining Shield - Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate the attack, and if you do, gain Life Points equal to that monster''s attack.]


    Just as Cu Chulainn''s spear was about to pierce the round body of the Giant Germ, a soft green-glowing shield appeared between them.


    "What? My strength is being drained, master!" Cu Chulainn said helplessly as the shield absorbed the energy concentrated at the tip of his spear.


    Seto Kaiba LP 4000 ¡ú 7000


    "Surprised, Hoshino? Your haste to gain the upper hand has actually worked in my favor!" Kaiba laughed maniacally, glancing at his boosted life points. "With such a massive life point lead and the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, you stand no chance of winning!"


    Ignoring Kaiba''s taunts, Hoshino drew a card from her hand, held it in front of her, and murmured, "Lord, please respond to my prayers!"


    "I set one card face-down and end my turn!"


    "It''s Kaiba''s turn now!" Jonouchi exclaimed. "That means..."


    "The strongest, The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is finally about to descend!" Kaiba spread his arms wide, looking at the distorted space caused by Future Fusion. "Let mere mortals witness this absolute power, this absolute dominance!"


    From the twisted space, the first dragon head, marked with a black insignia, emerged, followed by three dragon heads, and finally, the massive body of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon squeezed out from the distorted space.


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 stars) Light][Dragon/Fusion][ATK:4500 DEF:3800]


    "It''s finally here," Jonouchi murmured, remembering the fear he felt when faced with the emperor''s power before.


    "Perfect, invincible, the strongest!" Kaiba continued to shout, pointing at Hoshino''s field. "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, with power that transcends time and space, use your strongest Burst Stream of Destruction to annihilate the opponent!"


    Receiving Kaiba''s command, the three dragon heads, marked with terrifying insignia, began gathering brilliant white light. Although white light usually invokes thoughts of holiness, this light only brought thoughts of destruction.


    "Go, attack Hoshino''s [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus]!" Kaiba''s attack target aimed directly at the weakest point on Hoshino''s field.


    "Oh no! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s attack will deal 3000 damage if it hits Spartacus!" Yugi realized Kaiba''s plan. "This would leave Hoshino with only 500 life points, and with the two Giant Germs on the field, Hoshino would lose!"


    "Kaiba isn''t giving Hoshino any chance to react!" Jonouchi thought anxiously as the bright light was about to explode.


    "It''s over, Hoshino!" Kaiba declared, lowering his raised arm as the triple Burst Stream of Destruction shot towards Hoshino.


    "Kaiba, you tried to finish me off this turn by using the Giant Germ combo, but isn''t that a bit too hasty?" Faced with the incoming white light, Hoshino didn''t seem as desperate as everyone thought.


    "Being overly hasty can sometimes backfire," she echoed Kaiba''s earlier words, activating the card she had just set.


    "Activate the trap card [God Is Here With Me]!!" As the card was revealed, a holy light filled Hoshino''s field, clashing with the incoming destructive white light.


    "What is this? The light is so bright we can''t see anything!" The intense light obscured everyone''s vision.


    Amidst the blinding light, only Hoshino''s voice could be heard declaring the card''s effect.


    [God Is Here With Me - Trap Card Effect: Activate only when your opponent declares an attack while they control 3 or more Attack Position monsters. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] from your hand or Deck.]


    "Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc?" Kaiba squinted, trying to see through the light.


    "Defend my brethren, my banner! God is here with me¡­Luminosit¨¦ Eternelle!!"


    A holy figure, the Heroic Spirit Jeanne d''Arc, appeared, raising her banner to protect all of Hoshino''s monsters with angelic blessings. The triple Burst Stream of Destruction, as if hitting an invisible shield, dispersed harmlessly.


    As the light faded, Hoshino''s monsters were unharmed, and a new one had joined them.


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Light][Fairy/Effect][ATK:2500 DEF:3000]


    [Once per turn, you can reduce this card''s ATK by 1000 until the end of this turn; your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and you take no battle damage. This effect can be activated during either player''s turn.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc ATK 2500 ¡ú 1500]


    "Master, don''t push yourself too hard," Jeanne said, lowering her holy banner after successfully defending against the attack.


    "Thank you, Jeanne. I''m glad you were here." Without Jeanne''s Noble Phantasm, Hoshino would have lost the duel.


    Kaiba''s field, with three monsters, had met the condition for activating [God Is Here With Me].


    Holding up the trap card, Hoshino smiled at Kaiba. "How about that, Kaiba? If you hadn''t rushed to defeat me this turn by summoning two Giant Germs, I wouldn''t have been able to activate [God Is Here With Me] and summon Jeanne to block your Ultimate Dragon''s attack."


    Kaiba''s brow furrowed with a hint of regret. If not for the two Giant Germs, he wouldn''t have met the condition for [God Is Here With Me].


    "Not only did you let me block the attack, but you also gave me a chance to counterattack. I''ll make the most of it, Kaiba!" Hoshino taunted, waiting for Kaiba''s next move. "The real battle starts now!"


    "Ridiculous!" Kaiba scoffed, drawing two cards and flicking his coat dramatically. "Even if you gather weak monsters, they are no match for my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    Kaiba threw the two cards onto the table and changed the position of his Giant Germs.


    "I set two cards and switch my two Giant Germs to Defense Position, ending my turn." Kaiba knew he couldn''t damage Hoshino this turn due to Jeanne''s effect, so sacrificing the Giant Germs would be pointless.


    "Hoshino survived the turn!" Anzu finally snapped out of her daze from the intense battle. "Hang in there, Hoshino, don''t lose!"


    "Anzu..." Yugi hesitated, noticing her enthusiasm, unable to bring himself to tell her that Hoshino was still in a dangerous situation because of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.


    Hearing Anzu''s cheer, Hoshino gave an OK sign to the audience and drew a card from her deck. "This turn, I''ll turn the tide in one go. My turn, draw!"


    "Hoshino, are you dreaming?" Kaiba taunted from behind his Ultimate Dragon. "Without the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, even if you summon Siegfried, he won''t stand a chance against my Ultimate Dragon!"


    "Damn it! I should''ve lent Hoshino my Red-Eyes Black Dragon before the duel!" Jonouchi regretted, smacking his thigh.


    "It''s okay, Jonouchi!" Hoshino''s gentle voice soothed Jonouchi''s frustration as she tapped Jeanne''s card. "This time, let me surpass the ultimate dragon with my own strength!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 68 - 68

    "Overcome the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with your own strength?" Seeing Hoshino''s serious expression, Kaiba toned down his mockery and became more solemn. "If you can do it, then go ahead and try, Hoshino!"


    "Kaiba, while your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is indeed powerful, it has a fatal weakness," Hoshino said sharply, her eyes fixed on the Ultimate Dragon.


    "Weakness? You''re saying my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon has a weakness?" Kaiba extended a finger towards Hoshino, his words full of confidence. "Stop your futile struggle. My Ultimate Dragon is perfect!"


    "Hehe, I admit that purely in terms of power, your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is indeed a perfect monster." Hoshino held a card between her fingers and dramatically pointed it at Kaiba. "But, you forgot about the summoning method of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    "Summoning method?" Jonouchi thought for a moment and then realized, "That''s right, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon was summoned through [Future Fusion], which has a negative effect!"


    "[Future Fusion] destroys the monster it summoned if it leaves the field!"


    "Excellent, Jonouchi," Hoshino continued pointing at Kaiba. "Which means I don''t need to destroy the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. I just need to destroy your [Future Fusion]!"


    "Amazing! Hoshino, you''ve found the key to turning this duel around!" Yugi said excitedly.


    "But how can you destroy the Future Fusion in the back row?" Jonouchi scratched his chin, pondering. "Could it be that the card Hoshino is holding is the key to dealing with Future Fusion?"


    "No, the card I''m holding is just a useless spell card," Hoshino admitted with a playful smile. "I just thought it looked cool to point it at you, Kaiba."


    "What the hell! You''re joking at a time like this?" Jonouchi almost lost his balance upon hearing this.


    "That''s where you''re wrong, Jonouchi~" Hoshino shook her head mysteriously. "Sometimes, a card might seem useless when drawn, but using a card isn''t always about meeting its activation conditions."


    "What are you talking about, Hoshino?" Jonouchi asked, even more confused.


    Without further explanation, Hoshino pointed at Jeanne and declared, "I activate [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc]''s special effect!"


    [Once per turn: You can target 1 card in your opponent''s Spell & Trap Zone (if the target is face-down, reveal it). Send 1 card of the same type (Spell/Trap) from your hand to the Graveyard, and if you do, destroy the targeted card. Your opponent cannot activate the targeted card in response to this effect.]


    "The card I choose is your spell card, Future Fusion!" Hoshino pointed at the Future Fusion card in Kaiba''s back row. "Did you receive the revelation from the Lord, Jeanne?"


    "Hehe, it seems I haven''t received any divine revelation," Jeanne said, opening her eyes. "But I have indeed seen through the opponent''s card!"


    "That''s all I need!" Hoshino, receiving Jeanne''s confirmation, raised her spell card and showed it to everyone. "By targeting the spell card [Future Fusion], I send this spell card from my hand to the Graveyard to destroy [Future Fusion]."


    Hoshino sent the spell card to the Graveyard and explained to Jonouchi, "Do you understand, Jonouchi? Sometimes using a card doesn''t mean meeting its activation effect, it just needs to be a spell card."


    "I see," Jonouchi muttered, feeling that Hoshino was half-joking but unable to argue against her logic.


    "Damn it, using this method to defeat my Blue-Eyes," Kaiba growled. His Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon began to destabilize as [Future Fusion] was destroyed.


    "Stop resisting and disappear!" Hoshino made a throat-slitting gesture towards the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, a rare mischievous smile on her face.


    "Don''t be so cocky! Even without the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, I won''t let you win so easily!" Kaiba quickly activated his set card. "Activate Quick-Play Spell [De-Fusion]!"


    "De-Fusion?!" Yugi, who thought Hoshino had won, was shocked, then sighed. "It''s true, Kaiba''s aggressive strategies always leave a safe alternative."


    [De-Fusion - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 Fusion Monster on the field; return it to the Extra Deck. If all the Fusion Material Monsters that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your Graveyard, you can Special Summon them.]


    Due to the effect of [De-Fusion], the nearly collapsing Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon instantly split into three Blue-Eyes White Dragons.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Light][Dragon][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]X3


    "Damn, just a bit more," Jonouchi groaned in frustration. He knew that three Blue-Eyes White Dragons were almost as troublesome as one Ultimate Dragon.


    "Haha, now this is interesting, Kaiba!" Unexpectedly, Hoshino wasn''t upset about Kaiba''s move. Instead, she smiled with satisfaction. "If you were so easily defeated, you wouldn''t be Seto Kaiba!"


    "Oh no, Hoshino is getting too crazy," Jonouchi muttered, worried about her increasing interest.


    Ignoring Jonouchi, Hoshino''s mind was incredibly calm. She had anticipated that Kaiba wouldn''t rely solely on a single Future Fusion for his advantage.


    "But I didn''t expect you to summon three Blue-Eyes White Dragons. This is..." Hoshino pretended to shake her head, a sly smile on her face. "Exactly what I wanted, Kaiba!"


    Hoshino suddenly declared, "I activate the Equip Spell Card [Sealed Designation: Enforcer] from my hand, equipping it to [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn]!"


    [Sealed Designation: Enforcer - Equip Spell Effect: The equipped monster gains ATK equal to 200 times the total Levels of all face-up monsters your opponent controls.]


    "Three Blue-Eyes White Dragons! You should know very well how many stars are on your field, Kaiba!"


    "A single star level increases ATK by 200, so on Kaiba''s field!?" With a shocked expression, Yugi looked at the monsters piled up on Kaiba''s field.


    "Three Blue-Eyes White Dragons and two Giant Germs, totaling 28 stars!" Hoshino pointed to Cu Chulainn after finishing the calculation, and an immense energy, beyond all reason, surged onto the spear in his hand.


    "What is this?" Cu Chulainn was initially stunned, but then a faint smile appeared as he understood the situation. "Is this Bazett''s power? She really is a terrifying woman."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Cu Chulainn ATK 3000 ¡ú 8600]


    "Too strong, this state is just too strong, Master!" Even Cu Chulainn himself was terrified by such overwhelming power. The scarlet spear in his hand felt like the demonic spear Longinus, and just holding it he could sense Its power was so great it might consume him as well. "Hey, hey, right now, I feel even stronger than my teacher!"


    "Nani?! His ATK is actually 8600!" Facing an ATK far surpassing his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Kaiba''s face twisted in disbelief as he shouted loudly.


    "So strong, Hoshino is so strong!" Even Anzu, who only had a basic understanding of dueling, could sense the terrifying power of Hoshino''s monster on the field.


    "This scene is all your doing, Kaiba!" Hoshino extended two fingers and pointed directly at Kaiba, whose expression was twisted. It was merely due to summoning two more Giant Germs that this chain reaction occurred, leading to this situation. Should this be attributed to Kaiba''s carelessness or Hoshino''s persistence? Debating this now is clearly meaningless.


    "This is the strike that will turn the tables!" Hoshino shouted, giving Cu Chulainn the final attack order, "Go, Cu Chulainn, attack the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Upon receiving the attack command, Cu Chulainn leaped high, raising the spear in his hand. "Master, if you had delayed any longer, I wouldn''t have been able to hold this power!"


    "This spear¡­ it can definitely reach EX rank !" Roaring, Cu Chulainn used all his strength to hurl the spear in his hand like a nuclear bomb. "Take this, White Dragon! Gae Bolg!!"


    Without any exaggeration, the Gae Bolg, once thrown, exploded like a nuclear bomb on Kaiba''s field. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon, caught in the scarlet storm, disintegrated in an instant.


    [Warning!! Warning!!]


    A familiar alert appeared before Kaiba.


    [Warning! Warning! Holographic projection system overload, unable to restore field status!]


    "Impossible! How can a holographic projection system based on the card itself fail to restore the card''s battle?" Watching the warning, Kaiba, unwilling to believe his eyes, frowned and thought, "Our Kaiba Corporation products are absolutely perfect, there''s no way there could be such a flaw. Then the problem must lie with Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "Activate, administrator mode!" Kaiba opened a hidden panel on the side of the arena and expertly input a series of passwords.


    The holographic Image, overloaded by the intense scarlet storm, gradually became clear again.


    [Seto Kaiba LP 7000 ¡ú 1400]


    "This is a strike that can kill a god? I really want my teacher to see this¡­" Cu Chulainn, in mid-air, looked at the scarlet storm he had unleashed and sighed from the bottom of his heart. However, the price for using such immense power was that Cu Chulainn''s body began to crumble like Arash''s.


    "If I could die as cool as this every time, that would be great¡­" Leaving these final words, Cu Chulainn disappeared from the battlefield.


    [After the equipped monster declares an attack, this card is removed from play, and the equipped monster is removed from play.]


    "Cu Chulainn ga shinda!!!" Jeanne closed her eyes, unwilling to see the sight of Cu Chulainn''s body crumbling and the card being removed from play. "To achieve victory, he was willing to make such a sacrifice. Cu Chulainn, you are a true hero."


    "A brave rebel!" Spartacus shouted.


    "What are you two doing? He''s not actually dead¡­" Hoshino looked at the two who were already in character, reminding them.


    "Ah, I see." Jeanne, realizing it, coughed awkwardly. "Even so, we can''t waste Cu Chulainn''s sacrifice, let''s keep attacking, Master!"


    Waving her holy flag, Jeanne seemed eager to continue.


    "Jeanne, don''t forget, your ATK can''t defeat the Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Jeanne''s 1500 ATK was only half of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s.


    "Is that so¡­" Disappointed, Jeanne lowered her flag. She was not a reckless fighter and would not engage in a battle she could not win.


    "But with your DEF, you can withstand the Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s attack without any problem!" Encouraging Jeanne, Hoshino switched her two monster cards to defense position. "Change [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne] and [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus] to defense position, end turn!"


    However, Kaiba hesitated to start his turn¡­


    "How can this be? Why are the Duel Monsters'' holographic projections talking?" Viewing from the administrator''s perspective, Kaiba finally glimpsed the true nature of the Heroic Spirit deck. "Moreover, the lifelike movements and facial expressions, including the explosion effect just now, can''t be achieved with current technology!"


    With countless questions in his mind, Kaiba suddenly recalled Pegasus''s words and the reason he was asked to duel Hoshino.


    ("Hoshino Chiyuki has the ability to communicate with spirits and a mysterious power that can unleash the potential of the holographic projection device. Duel her, and with your genius mind, you will surely discover the hidden potential of the holographic projection system.")


    "Haha, so this is what you meant, Pegasus." With a self-deprecating smile, Kaiba finally understood Pegasus''s intention. "Talking about the potential of holographic projection, this thing has clearly surpassed the realm of science!"


    (*****)


    "So, you''ve finally realized, Kaiba-boy." Sipping his tea and staring at the screen, Pegasus murmured to himself. "Though my goal is selfish, I need the help of your genius mind, Seto Kaiba!"


    "Continue to be confused and bewildered, one day you will break through yourself and the limits of science."


    (*****)


    "My turn, draw!" Even if he couldn''t understand the situation, the duel had to go on. Despite his LP being drastically reduced, the field advantage hadn''t changed, and Kaiba still didn''t think he would lose. "Set two cards, then activate the Spell Card, Card of Sanctity!"


    [Card of Sanctity Spell Card Effect: Both players draw until they have six cards in their hands.]


    Having cleared his hand by setting two cards, Kaiba fully utilized the Card of Sanctity''s effect to draw six cards.


    Glancing at his new hand, Kaiba''s smile reappeared. "Activate the set card [Monster Reborn]!"


    [Monster Reincarnation Spell Card Effect: Discard 1 card from your hand; add 1 monster from your Graveyard to your hand.]


    "To replenish more hand cards, he set a normal Spell Card he didn''t need! Really¡­" Surprised by Kaiba''s tactic, Jounouchi clenched his fist in frustration. "Really¡­ I''ve learned something new!"


    Ignoring Jounouchi''s antics, Kaiba drew a card and sent it to the Graveyard. "Using Monster Reborn''s effect, send [Dead Spirit Guard] to the Graveyard, and add [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] from the Graveyard to my hand!"


    "How much does Kaiba favor Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Seeing Kaiba retrieve the Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the Graveyard, Jounouchi couldn''t help but comment.


    "Please be quiet, Jounouchi." Although a companion, even Anzu couldn''t tolerate Jounouchi''s constant chatter, softly scolding him, "You''re disturbing Hoshino''s concentration."


    "Sorry¡­" Jounouchi, reprimanded by Anzu, lowered his head like a scolded child.


    "Now, let me show you my brand-new monster!" Perhaps having heard Jounouchi''s remarks, Kaiba, who had been muttering to himself, suddenly raised his voice. "Activate the special effect of [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] from my hand!"


    "Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon?" Hearing this name for the first time, Hoshino couldn''t help but repeat it silently.


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned. You can Special Summon this card from your hand by revealing 1 ''Blue-Eyes White Dragon'' in your hand to your opponent. You can only Special Summon ''Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon'' once per turn this way.]


    "So that''s why Kaiba retrieved Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Yugi thought to himself, his eyes sharp.


    "Due to the effect of Monster Reborn, I naturally have the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] that I just recovered from the graveyard in my hand!" Kaiba triumphantly displayed his Blue-Eyes White Dragon, "So the [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] in my hand can be Special Summoned to the field!"


    Kaiba then dramatically slapped the card onto the table.


    Amid flashes of lightning, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon roared onto the battlefield. Although similar in appearance to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon exuded a distinct presence. If Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s light represented the light of destruction, then Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon''s light symbolized the thunderous light of dawn.


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon][¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 Stars) Light Attribute [Dragon/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    [¢Ù: While this card is on the field or in the graveyard, its name is treated as "Blue-Eyes White Dragon."]


    "This is Kaiba''s new monster, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon," Yugi marveled at Kaiba''s newfound power. "Kaiba, you''ve grown even stronger!"


    "It''s not over yet. Using the two Giant Germs on the field as tributes, I summon from my hand!" With a commanding gesture, Kaiba slapped another card onto the table, "Summon, [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]!"


    The familiar roar echoed as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon returned to the field.


    "Four Blue-Eyes White Dragons. Kaiba has gathered four Blue-Eyes White Dragons on the field," the spectators exclaimed in awe at the lineup. One legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon was enough to crush any ordinary duelist, and now there were four.


    "This is going to be tough..." Hoshino swallowed nervously, facing the four pairs of menacing dragon eyes gleaming with a blue light.


    "Activate [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon]''s special effect!" Not giving Hoshino a moment to breathe, Kaiba commanded, "Target the opponent''s [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne] on the field!"


    [¢Ú: Once per turn, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it. This card cannot attack the turn this effect is activated.]


    The Alternative White Dragon opened its mouth, crackling with lightning. Even though Alternative White Dragon''s 3000 ATK couldn''t destroy Jeanne''s 3000 DEF by battle, its effect could destroy Jeanne regardless of her defense.


    "Go, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon! Burst Stream of Destruction!" With Kaiba''s shout, a terrifying lightning blast shot from Alternative White Dragon''s mouth towards Jeanne on Hoshino''s field.


    "So, the effect destruction can only be countered by another effect. Raise your flag, Jeanne!" Although Jeanne had only 1500 ATK left, allowing her to use her invincibility effect one last time was better than being destroyed outright.


    "Defend my brethren, my banner! God is here with me¡­Luminosit¨¦ Eternelle!!"" Jeanne chanted, raising her holy flag. A sacred light once again swept the field, blocking the destructive lightning.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne ATK 1500¡ú500]


    Legend had it that through god blessings, Jeanne''s holy flag''s concept was elevated to her Noble Phantasm. However, while holding up the flag, Jeanne couldn''t attack, and the flag would continue to accumulate damage from enemy attacks, making it unusable if overused.


    "This is the last time, Master!" Jeanne panted heavily from exhaustion, worry evident on her face. Even though she blocked the attack, the enemy''s strength continued to grow, and merely defending would lead to a slow defeat.


    "Jeanne, you''re doing well as a rebel," Spartacus said haltingly, looking at the exhausted Jeanne.


    "Are you comforting me, Spartacus?" Jeanne used her holy flag to prop herself up, standing straight once again. "Sorry for worrying you. It''s not time to give up yet!"


    "Is this the heart of the cards?" Using administrator mode, Kaiba could see the conversation between the Heroic Spirits, shocking him again. He turned to Yugi in the audience, "So that''s it, Yugi. You could see this all along!"


    "But this time, I''ll prove that mere heart of the cards can''t defeat absolute power." Due to Jeanne''s special effect, Hoshino''s monsters couldn''t be destroyed until the end of the turn, making further attacks pointless. Kaiba decisively ended his turn.


    "Phew~" Hoshino took a deep breath. The pressure from the four Blue-Eyes White Dragons was immense, but she knew that staying calm was crucial. Only a clear mind could find a way to turn the tide.


    "My turn! Draw!" Glancing at her hand, thanks to the effect of Card of Sanctity, her hand was replenished to six cards. Adding this turn''s draw, she had seven cards in total, convinced that one of them could turn the situation around.


    "Hmm! This card is?!" Hoshino slowly drew out a card from her hand, one of the special cards in her Heroic Spirit deck. Seeing this card, she smiled gratefully. "It''s been so long since my first duel with you. I''m glad."


    "Once again, lend me your strength, Yuta!" With a determined slam, she placed Monster Reborn on the table, "Activate the Spell Card, [Monster Reborn]!"


    "Monster Reborn! Is she going to revive Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon?!" Jounouchi exclaimed, watching the field.


    "Jounouchi, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon returned to the fusion deck due to Fusion Dissolve, not the graveyard, so it can''t be revived," Yugi patiently explained. "And Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragons are all on the field, with no powerful monsters in his graveyard. Hoshino has no monsters in her graveyard either. So what is she going to revive?"


    "Revive [Giant Germ] from the graveyard!"


    The round, purple sphere appeared on Hoshino''s field due to Monster Reborn''s effect.


    "??" Even Kaiba was puzzled by Hoshino''s intention, sending a questioning look. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Then use [Giant Germ], [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus], and [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne] as tributes!" Hoshino raised her card high, and even before summoning, a powerful aura emanated from the raised card.


    "What? Using three tributes?" Kaiba, finally understanding Hoshino''s move, had a new question.


    "Three tributes, it must be!" Jounouchi, seeing the raised card, couldn''t contain his excitement despite Anzu''s warnings.


    "Yes, it must be Hoshino''s ace monster, representing the power of her deck," Yugi nodded in agreement.


    "Summon the monster from my hand!" Slamming the card onto the table, a beastly roar echoed before the image fully materialized, "Heracles!"


    [Heroic Spirit-Heracles][¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 Stars) Earth Attribute [Warrior/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2800]


    [If this card is Tribute Summoned using 3 monsters, including a [Heroic Spirit] monster, place 12 Valor Counters on this card.]


    [Heracles Valor Counters X12]


    "Crush them, Berserker!!"


    "ROOOOOOOARR!!!"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 20 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 69 - 69

    [Heracles¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 stars) Earth Attribute, Warrior/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2800]


    [Valor Counters] X12


    "It''s Heracles!" Anzu cheered excitedly from the sidelines.


    "Hmph, you went through all that trouble to summon a monster with the same attack power as my Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Kaiba remarked, momentarily caught off guard by Heracles'' appearance. However, he quickly regained his composure after noting the monster''s stats. "I have four Blue-Eyes White Dragons, each with 3000 attack power. Let''s see what your so-called ace can do against them."


    "Heh, this isn''t a weak opponent." Hoshino confidently held up her card, addressing Kaiba. "Heracles is my key to winning this match!"


    "Go, it''s time to unleash your power, Heracles!" Hoshino commanded, targeting Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon for the first attack.


    "RRROOOOAAARRR!!"


    Heracles roared, crouching down to gather strength before launching himself into the air with tremendous force.


    "Such a massive body can move so nimbly?" Kaiba was taken aback by the sheer presence of Heracles, even as a holographic image. "Hoshino, are you trying to...?"


    In mid-air, Heracles brought his massive axe down on Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, which responded by unleashing a surge of lightning around its body. Despite the lightning''s destructive force, Heracles'' axe cleaved through the dragon, slicing it in half.


    "Hmph, you opted for mutual destruction in the end." Kaiba sneered at the scene of mutual defeat, though he felt a subtle relief.


    "Oh? Mutual destruction? Kaiba, even someone as strong as you can dream, huh?" Hoshino pierced through Kaiba''s psyche, "You just sighed in relief, didn''t you, Kaiba?"


    "This proves that deep down, you fear Heracles'' terrifying power!" Hoshino pointed upwards, calling out to the legendary hero and his accompanying miracles, "This is Heracles'' greatest miracle, Twelve Labors (God Hand)!"


    [¢Ú: If this card would be destroyed by battle or a card effect, you can remove 1 [Valor Counters] counter from this card instead. This effect cannot be applied if this card has fewer than 1 [Valor Counters] counter.]


    [Valor Counters] X6


    "Nani?!" Kaiba watched in disbelief as Heracles'' shattered body, resembling black alloy, rapidly regenerated. "What kind of monster is this? Is it a immortal?!"


    "With each [Valor Counters] counter removed, Heracles'' attack power increases by 300 points." Hoshino''s confidence grew as Heracles'' body restored itself. "So Heracles'' attack power increases by 1800 points!"


    [Heracles ATK 3000 ¡ú 4800]


    "That''s the power of a demigod! This is the true strength of the greatest Greek hero, Heracles," Hoshino confirmed Kaiba''s suspicions. "Even the ultimate Blue-Eyes can''t surpass the strongest demigod now!"


    Revived, Heracles'' attack power now exceeded that of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Even if Kaiba summoned it again, Heracles would crush it underfoot.


    "Activate Heracles'' effect again, remove a [Valor Counters] counter, and destroy a monster on the field with lower attack power!" Hoshino continued the onslaught, commanding Heracles, "Go, target Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Heracles concentrated all his power into his arms, throwing his giant axe like a massive steel boomerang, decapitating Blue-Eyes White Dragon before returning to his hand.


    [Valor Counters] X5, [Heracles ATK 4800¡ú 5100]


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon has been defeated!" In just one turn, the previously one-sided battle was completely turned around. A monster capable of such feats could indeed be considered a demigod.


    "Set one card face-down, turn end." Fully in control, Hoshino''s tension eased as she looked at Heracles'' broad back. "It''s reassuring to stand behind Heracles."


    "Interesting, legendary hero, huh?" However, Hoshino faced Kaiba, the duelist at the pinnacle of the world''s dueling community. Within seconds, Kaiba regained his composure, his resolve even stronger. "My turn, draw!"


    Without hesitation, Kaiba slapped a card onto the table. "Activate the Spell Card, [Polymerization]!"


    "Fusion again? But Kaiba can''t gather three Blue-Eyes White Dragons on the field now." Yami raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. "What will you do now, Kaiba?"


    "Today, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon will surpass the gods!" Kaiba''s powerful and distinctive voice overshadowed the roars of the war god and the white dragons. "I will perform a Fusion Summon using the two Blue-Eyes White Dragons on my field!"


    "Two?!" Hoshino''s heart raced as she watched the two Blue-Eyes White Dragons fuse together. "Can two Blue-Eyes White Dragons really be fused?"


    "Watch closely, this is the first step to surpassing the gods!" With confidence, Kaiba summoned his new fusion monster, declaring, "Fusion Summon!", [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon]!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars) Light Attribute, Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2800]


    "Blue-Eyes? Twin Burst Dragon?" Hoshino furrowed her brow at the new monster. "But its attack power still can''t surpass Heracles!"


    "This is the new form Blue-Eyes achieved in response to my expectations!" Drawing another card from his hand, Kaiba pointed at Heracles. "And this new Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon will defeat the demi-god now!"


    "Activate the Equip Spell Card, [Megamorph]!" Slamming the card onto the table, the already massive Twin Burst Dragon''s body doubled in size, its aura growing exponentially. "Since my Life Points are lower, Megamorph''s positive effect activates, doubling Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s attack power!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ATK 3000 ¡ú 6000]


    "Attack power?!" Hoshino''s eyes widened as she saw Twin Burst Dragon''s attack power surpass Heracles''. She muttered, "Kaiba, you''re a more terrifying monster than Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Heracles combined!"


    "Go, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, attack Heracles!" Kaiba''s attack declaration was as fierce as his opponent''s, "Double destructive burst stream!"


    The colossal dragon heads, now twice their usual size, unleashed an overwhelming energy blast at Heracles. Despite his alloy-like body, Heracles disintegrated under the intense white light.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP ¡ú 2600


    "Activate Heracles'' effect, revive..."


    "It''s futile!" Kaiba interrupted loudly, pointing at his Twin Burst Dragon. "Activate Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s special effect!"


    [¢Ù: If this card''s attack does not destroy an opponent''s monster, at the end of the Damage Step, you can banish that opponent''s monster.]


    "Banished Heracles cannot trigger his revival effect!" Kaiba''s strategy was direct and brutal. If regular destruction would only make Heracles stronger upon revival, he would banish him outright. "This is the true power of Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, which surpasses even god!"


    "Kaiba really defeated Heracles." The terrifying sight made Yugi sweat slightly. "Kaiba, despite not understanding the heart of the cards, has once again elevated his power cards to a new level."


    "Hoshino, being able to push me to this extent is commendable. If not for Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, I would have lost." Kaiba, satisfied with his field, declared confidently, "But duels can be ruthless. You have no chance of beating me now."


    "Turn end!"


    "Hoshino..." The terrifying Twin Burst Dragon combined with Megamorph seemed unbeatable, leaving little hope for victory in the minds of her friends.


    "I can do it, I haven''t lost yet!" Hoshino forced a smile, sensing her friends'' concern. Although the words were meant for her friends, they were also a reminder to herself. "If I give up now, the duel is truly over."


    "I understand, Hoshino! That''s Coach Anzai''s advice!" Jounouchi, recalling the familiar words, responded excitedly, sweeping away his previous despair. "It''s not time to give up yet!"


    "Hmph, how boring." Although Kaiba''s words were full of disdain, he didn''t truly hate Hoshino''s strong will. This was evident from his slight smirk. "Show me what you can do next, Hoshino."


    Hoshino patted her face to invigorate herself and began her turn. "My turn, draw!"


    After some thought, Hoshino placed a card on the table. "Activate the Spell Card, [Quantum Transfer]!"


    [Quantum Transfer Spell Card Effect: You can activate this card once per turn. Special Summon 1 level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your deck, then shuffle your deck. You cannot Normal Summon or Special Summon monsters other than [Heroic Spirit] monsters during the turn you activate this card.]


    Looking at the low-level Heroic Spirits in front of her, Hoshino quickly calculated in her mind. "Which one, which one can change the situation?"


    "Hoshino!" Yugi called out from the sidelines, sensing her anxiety. "Even if no single card can change the current situation, you must believe in the bond between your cards."


    "Yugi?" Hoshino looked down at Yugi, deep in thought. "The bond between cards..."


    "Is that so? Thank you, Yugi!" The overwhelming power of Heracles had momentarily trapped Hoshino''s thinking. But her cards couldn''t be like Kaiba''s, relying on a single monster for perfect suppression. "If one card can''t do it, then we''ll do it together!"


    "I''ve decided on this one!" She slapped the chosen 4-star monster onto the field, already planning her next moves. "This time, it will work!"


    "Special Summon, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette]!" Yes, this card was Hoshino''s key to turning the tide.


    "Activate Marie''s special effect. When this card is summoned or special summoned, select one face-up monster on the field and change its battle position!" Hoshino pointed at the Twin Burst Dragon staring at her. "Sit down and behave!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon DEF:2500]


    "I see, so Twin Burst Dragon''s defense is not an unreachable 6000 anymore," Jounouchi exclaimed, seeing hope again.


    "But Hoshino doesn''t have any powerful monsters on the field." With a defense of 2500, although less significant compared to an attack of 6000, it was still higher than most monsters.


    "Not done yet, activate the trap card, [Avalon of Radiant Path]!" Hoshino revealed the face-down card, pointing at Marie. "Marie, lead us to victory!"


    "What a warm feeling, like being at home," Marie murmured as the sheath of the sword merged with her body.


    "Is this a card we''ve never seen Hoshino use before?" Yugi analyzed with his arms crossed. "This duel is truly amazing. Both Kaiba and Hoshino are showing all their trump cards without reservation."


    It was normal for Yugi and the others not to have seen it before, as Hoshino had only used this card in front of Mai. It was a key card in her duel against the Dark Duelist killer and essential for summoning the legendary King Arthur.


    [Avalon of Radiant Path Continuous Trap Card Effect: Activate by targeting 1 face-up [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. During your Main Phase, you can Tribute that target and this card; Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon] from your hand or Deck.]


    "Due to Avalon of Radiant Path''s effect, Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon] from the deck!" Placing the card of King Arthur on the table, Hoshino set the stage to defeat Twin Burst Dragon. "British Magic! Artoria, come forth!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Light Attribute, Dragon/Effect ATK: ??? DEF: ???]


    Bathed in light, Artoria appeared on the battlefield with steady steps.


    "This is the legendary King Arthur," Anzu remarked, observing Artoria emerge from the light. "She looks so elegant, but there''s a fierce determination in her eyes."


    "But it''s not over yet! Activate [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette]''s effect again. When this card is sent to the graveyard, search your deck for a [Heroic Spirit] monster and add it to your hand!" This was the real reason Hoshino chose Marie to start the chain. If Artoria was essential to defeat Twin Burst Dragon, then this card was crucial to achieving victory.


    "Add [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter] to my hand from the deck!" With the search complete, Hoshino slapped the card onto the table. "Banish [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from the graveyard to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Dark Attribute, Fiend/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned by banishing a [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from your graveyard. This card is also treated as an [Fairy] monster. As long as this card is on the field, all Dragon-type monsters on your field gain 500 ATK.]


    "It''s ironic, isn''t it? I, who once sought to destroy France, now appear with the help of the French queen," Jeanne Alter said with a meaningful smile. "But don''t think for a second that my hatred will be appeased by this."


    "Jeanne Alter, now isn''t the time for arguments." Artoria, gripping her invisible sword, reminded Jeanne Alter.


    "Ugh, this annoying feeling¡­ It''s the regular version of the cold-blooded girl," Jeanne Alter replied with a disdainful expression. "This overly righteous feeling makes me even more uncomfortable."


    "Uncomfortable?" Artoria, holding her sacred sword, was slightly taken aback and then lowered her head, frowning in thought.


    "Ahem, how about this¡­" Artoria cleared her throat and suddenly her expression turned stern. "Hey, you reckless girl, take this seriously!!"


    "Wow, it''s like Artoria Alter!" Hoshino, who had been silently watching, couldn''t help but praise Artoria''s imitation. "I guess it makes sense since they''re the same person."


    "Is that so, Master?" Artoria smiled, pleased with the compliment. "I''ve taken another step toward understanding people today."


    "You guys must be kidding, right?" Jeanne Alter, looking at the two in disbelief, sighed. "Forget it, what''s important isn''t the cold-blooded girl¡­"


    Looking at the Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon slowly changing from defense to attack position, Jeanne Alter''s expression became complex. "Master, what kind of terrifying monster did you let me control? This is scarier than the legendary dragon Fafnir."


    [Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can target 1 face-up Dragon-type monster your opponent controls; change that target''s battle position.]


    "Huh? Why? We just changed it to defense position with Marie, and now it''s back to 6000 attack power?" Jounouchi, completely confused, kept asking questions.


    "The purpose of summoning Marie wasn''t to change Twin Burst Dragon''s position. I just found its arrogance annoying." Hoshino''s unexpected answer amused her as she watched the Twin Burst Dragon do squats. Of course, this was a joke. The real reason for summoning Marie was to search the deck for Jeanne Alter.


    "Hmph, childish. Truly childish." Kaiba couldn''t help but laugh at Hoshino''s behavior. For him, anything that didn''t lead to victory was meaningless.


    "Childish or not, just watch till the end!" Hoshino waved her hand, her playful expression turning serious as she looked at Kaiba. "This turn, I will defeat your Twin Burst Dragon head-on."


    "Go, Artoria, release the Invisible Air!" Hoshino commanded, targeting the transparent sword in Artoria''s hand. "Activate Artoria''s effect, banish [Avalon of Radiant Path] from the graveyard to add [Excalibur] from the deck to the hand."


    "And then!" She slapped the searched Excalibur onto the table. The golden light pierced through the Invisible Air, glowing in Artoria''s hand. "Activate the Equip Spell Card, [Excalibur]!"


    [Excalibur Equip Spell Card Effect: Equip only to a [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon] monster. ¢Ù: The equipped monster''s effects are negated. ¢Ú: The equipped monster gains ATK equal to the number of [Heroic Spirit] monsters on the field and in the graveyard ¡Á 500.]


    "The legendary sword of King Arthur, so cool!" Anzu, mesmerized by the glowing golden light, murmured to herself.


    "Since there are 4 [Heroic Spirit] monsters on the field and in the graveyard, Artoria''s ATK increases by 2000 points due to Excalibur''s effect!" Unfortunately, since Cu Chulainn and Heracles were banished, they couldn''t contribute to the attack boost. "And with Jeanne Alter''s effect, Dragon-type monsters on the field gain 500 ATK, making Artoria''s final ATK!!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon ATK 2000¡ú 4500]


    "I see," Yugi, now understanding, calmly analyzed. "Because of that invisible barrier, we couldn''t see King Arthur''s stats before."


    Swinging the golden Excalibur, Artoria''s gaze sharpened. "It''s time to claim victory."


    "4500 points, huh? It matches Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, but it''s still no match for the Twin Burst Dragon with Megamorph." Kaiba, confident behind the massive Twin Burst Dragon, showed no fear.


    "An immense power, once turned against you, can have severe consequences." Hoshino, satisfied with the Excalibur in Artoria''s hand, taunted Kaiba. "Your inflated Twin Burst Dragon is about to get popped."


    "Inflated¡­?" Kaiba''s composed expression twitched slightly at the jab.


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter]''s special effect!" Hoshino''s fingers lightly touched Jeanne Alter''s card. "Take all the power you need from me, Jeanne."


    "You said it, Master. I won''t hold back." Jeanne Alter smiled wickedly, hearing Hoshino''s words.


    A being born from personal desires and fantasies, retaining great power due to its origin. However, as a life form, it can never be truly recognized, and will quietly slumber once everything ends.


    "Just a fleeting illusion, yet you place such expectations on me. Master, you truly are a worthy villain."


    [¢Ú: Once per turn, you can pay half your LP to activate this effect. Until the end of this turn, this card is unaffected by your opponent''s card effects, and its ATK increases by the amount of LP paid. This effect can be activated during either player''s turn.]


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2600 ¡ú 1300


    "Ugh?!" Despite being just a holographic image, Hoshino could feel her strength being drained by Jeanne Alter. "Hey, are you serious¡­"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter ATK 3000 ¡ú 4300]


    "Now, gather all evil here!" Jeanne Alter drew her sword, pointing at the Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon. Dozens of dark swords surrounded the Twin Burst Dragon, ready to strike. "Taste my hatred and resentment!"


    "So that''s Hoshino''s plan!" Yugi exclaimed, realizing her strategy.


    "What''s happening, Yugi? Jeanne Alter''s attack increased a lot, but it''s still not enough to beat Twin Burst Dragon," Jounouchi asked, still confused.


    "Look at their Life Points, Jounouchi!"


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP:1300


    Seto Kaiba LP:1400


    "!!!" Realizing the situation, Jounouchi shouted, "Hoshino''s Life Points are lower than Kaiba''s, which means Megamorph''s negative effect activates, halving Twin Burst Dragon''s attack!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ATK 6000¡ú 1500]


    "How about that, Kaiba? Your inflated Twin Burst Dragon has been popped!" Hoshino laughed, looking at the shrunken Twin Burst Dragon.


    "Now, let''s settle this!" Jeanne Alter and Artoria, both holding their swords, spoke in unison.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 70 - 70

    "Let''s decide this final battle!" Both Artoria and Jeanne Alter pointed their swords at the Twin Burst Dragon.


    "Even if I attack your Twin Burst Dragon with any of my monsters, you''ll lose, Kaiba!" Hoshino declared, pointing at the stern-faced Kaiba. "Go, Artoria! Launch the final attack on Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"


    "Yes, Master!" Artoria, gripping Excalibur, charged forward. The sacred sword glowed, leaving a golden trail in its wake.


    "Hmph, the last spotlight is taken by the genuinely cold-blooded girl," Jeanne Alter smirked, her irritation barely concealed. "But if she fails, my blade of resentment will pierce our opponent without mercy!"


    "Kaiba has no way out now!" Jounouchi cheered as Artoria rushed toward the Twin Burst Dragon. "Hoshino has finally beaten Kaiba!"


    "It''s not over yet. I won''t lose here! For Mokuba, I can''t lose!" Kaiba revealed his face-down card, thinking of Mokuba''s soul trapped in a card. His eyes grew more determined. "Activate Quick-Play Spell, [Emergency Provisions]!"


    [Emergency Provisions Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: Send any number of other Spell/Trap Cards you control to the Graveyard to gain 1000 LP for each card sent.]


    "It''s useless. Even if you forcefully restore your Life Points, it''s just a drop in the ocean against Artoria''s high attack power!" Hoshino continued her assault, unfazed by Kaiba''s Life Point recovery.


    "Watch closely, Hoshino!" Kaiba dramatically raised his hand, sweeping up the Spell Card affected by Emergency Provisions. His coat flared behind him as he made the exaggerated motion.


    "I''m sending the Equip Spell Card [Megamorph] to the Graveyard!"


    "!!!"


    Seto Kaiba LP 1400 ¡ú 2400


    "Hmph, you understand now! With [Megamorph] sent to the Graveyard, the negative effect on Twin Burst Dragon is gone!" Kaiba''s stern expression softened slightly as his strategy succeeded.


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ATK 1500 ¡ú 3000]


    "Kaiba''s strategy involves using Emergency Provisions to send [Megamorph] to the Graveyard, restoring his Life Points, and boosting Twin Burst Dragon''s attack power to withstand Artoria''s assault," Yugi observed from the sidelines, admiring Kaiba''s resolve. "Kaiba, you''re a duelist worthy of respect!"


    "It''s futile. Even if you block this attack, Jeanne Alter''s follow-up will still get through!" Hoshino''s confidence wavered slightly in response to Kaiba''s move.


    "Yugi, Hoshino! I won''t hold on desperately when I know defeat is inevitable!" Kaiba declared, activating his final face-down card. "Activate Trap Card, [Burst Breath]!"


    [Burst Breath Trap Card Effect: Tribute 1 Dragon-Type monster; destroy all face-up monsters your opponent controls with DEF less than or equal to the Tributed monster''s ATK.]


    "I''ll Tribute my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!" Kaiba roared, giving his final command to the Twin Burst Dragon. "Blue-Eyes, show your final dignity!"


    With the effect of Burst Breath, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon roared, and its massive dragon breath swept across the field.


    "Even though Jeanne Alter and Artoria have a high attack power, their DEF is all below Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s 3000 ATK!" Kaiba, grabbing onto his last lifeline, decisively Tributed his monster. "So, Hoshino, your two monsters are destroyed simultaneously!"


    "Damn it, I haven''t even made my move!" Jeanne Alter complained to Hoshino as the dragon breath engulfed her. "This isn''t my fault, Master. I tried my best!"


    [Artoria DEF 2000¡ú Destroyed]


    [Jeanne Alter DEF 2500¡ú Destroyed]


    "To think you had such a card, Kaiba!" Hoshino couldn''t help but break a sweat as her monsters were engulfed by the terrifying dragon breath. "What a fearsome opponent.!"


    "It''s over. With no monsters on the field, Hoshino will be directly attacked by Kaiba''s monsters next turn!" Jounouchi, who had thought Hoshino had won, was shocked by the sudden reversal and didn''t dare to prematurely celebrate anymore.


    "But I won''t give up so easily, Kaiba!" Hoshino, equally determined, revealed her final face-down card. "Activate Trap Card, [Back of the Hero of Justice]!"


    [Back of the Hero of Justice Trap Card Effect: If two or more [Heroic Spirit] monsters you control are destroyed in the same turn, you can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya] from your hand or Deck.]


    "Since two [Heroic Spirit] monsters were destroyed, Special Summon from my hand!" Slapping her last monster card onto the table, Hoshino called upon a name symbolizing justice. "Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Fire Attribute, Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2200 DEF:2600]


    "Master, we''re in a tough spot!" Emiya, appearing on the field, immediately assessed the situation.


    "As expected of an archer, nothing gets past you." Hoshino, looking at Emiya''s strong back, felt reassured. "But the struggle is over. This is the final strike! Go, Emiya!"


    "Yes, Master! Trace on" Emiya swiftly projected a longbow and a spiral sword. The bow, though simple and dark, fit perfectly in Emiya''s hands.


    "At this close range, I won''t miss!" Emiya notched the spiral sword onto the longbow, aiming at Kaiba. "I am the bone of my sword¡­Caladbolg"


    The spiral sword, shot with explosive speed, was nearly impossible to track with the naked eye and exploded upon impact with Kaiba.


    By destroying the projected Noble Phantasm and triggering an explosion, its power was momentarily maximized.


    "It''s no good, Hoshino''s monster only has 2200 attack points, and Kaiba has 2400 Life Points. She''s still 200 points short!" Jounouchi calculated quickly from the sidelines.


    "It won''t fall short; I''ll end this duel now, Kaiba!" Hoshino drew another card from her hand and slapped it onto the table. Immediately, Shirou Emiya''s body surged with magical power. "Activate Quick-Play Spell, [Heroic Deed]!"


    [Heroic Deed Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control; that monster gains 1000 ATK/DEF until the end of this turn. If it battles an opponent''s monster this turn, any battle damage it inflicts to your opponent is doubled.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya ATK 2200 ¡ú 3200]


    "You have no monsters, no face-down cards. You''re finished, Kaiba!" Hoshino exclaimed, thrilled to have victory within her grasp after such a hard-fought battle.


    However...


    "Activate the special effect of [Spirit Reaper] from the Graveyard!" Kaiba, with a gleam in his eyes, clearly had not given up yet.


    "Seriously, Kaiba, isn''t that a bit too much?" Hoshino, almost crying and laughing at the same time, saw Kaiba summon another monster. The joy of impending victory instantly dissipated. Without exaggeration, this was the most dramatic duel Hoshino had experienced since coming to the Duelist Kingdom.


    "This [Spirit Reaper] was sent to the Graveyard as the cost for [Monster Reincarnation]!"


    ("Due to the effect of Monster Reincarnation, [Spirit Reaper] was sent to the Graveyard, and [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] was added to the hand from the Graveyard!")


    Kaiba, drawing a card from the Graveyard, his eyes burning with determination, said, "This is a duel I cannot afford to lose!"


    The spiral sword that should have exploded in front of Kaiba was blocked by the sturdy body of Spirit Reaper. The amplified Broken Noble Phantasm exploded on the field like a nuclear bomb.


    "I can banish this [Spirit Reaper] from the Graveyard to negate an attack once!"


    Even with the double damage effect of [Heroic Deed], Kaiba still wasn''t defeated. The responsibility he carried made him resilient against one desperate situation after another.


    "When you discarded cards with [Monster Reincarnation], you already considered a defense for an empty field. That''s the level of a top duelist in the world¡ªjust how strong do you have to be to stop?" Hoshino, unwilling to lose, clenched her teeth. Even against the world''s top duelists, she didn''t want to lose. "Set a card and end my turn."


    Naturally, neither Kaiba nor Hoshino wanted to lose after fighting so hard. Both sought victory to the very end.


    "Hoshino, I acknowledge Yugi''s evaluation of you. You''ve shown strength no less than any duelist." Kaiba''s unexpected praise came as they reached the final steps of the duel. "But this will be the last turn!"


    "My turn, draw!" Kaiba''s elegant card-drawing motion made the card seem to sparkle in the air.


    "Hahaha, it seems fitting to settle this duel with this card!" Kaiba, glancing at his drawn card, laughed excitedly before slamming it onto the table. "Activate Spell Card, [Dragon''s Mirror]!"


    A gigantic mirror appeared on Kaiba''s field due to the spell. Reflected in the mirror were three terrifying dragon heads.


    "Damn, Kaiba drew that card at the last moment!" Yugi, eyes wide open, admired Kaiba''s incredible luck. "The deck responded to Kaiba''s perseverance at the final moment."


    [Dragon''s Mirror Spell Card Effect: Banish Fusion Material Monsters listed on a Dragon Fusion Monster from your field or Graveyard, then Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.]


    "It''s a spell card that fuses monsters from the Graveyard?" Hoshino, incredulous at Kaiba''s final card, sensed something ominous. "Could it be?!"


    "Indeed! I''ll fuse the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my Graveyard!" Kaiba roared, slamming the card of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon onto the table. "Appear once more on this shattered battlefield, the ultimate Dragon!"


    The familiar three-headed dragon broke through the gigantic mirror, spreading its wings as it emerged. The ultimate emperor, symbolizing destruction, descended with a terrifying roar.


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 stars) Light Attribute, Dragon/Fusion Monster][ATK:4500 DEF:3800]


    "Let''s settle this, Hoshino!" Kaiba roared confidently alongside his dragon, pointing at Hoshino. "This is the true final battle!" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Attack, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! Triple Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    Following Kaiba''s final attack command, the three-headed dragon unleashed a devastating white light.


    "Damn, Hoshino''s Life Points can''t withstand this attack!" Without any enhancement, Blue -eyes 4500 ATK was enough to crush Emiya''s relatively small body with a single strike.


    It should have been like that...


    "Counterattack, Emiya!" Hoshino, not knowing when to give up, issued her final command to Emiya.


    "Hmph, what a willful master." Emiya, closing his eyes, smiled meaningfully. "But today, I''ll surpass my limits for you, Master!"


    "Trace on!" Familiar projection magic, yet Emiya''s open hands did not produce new weapons.


    "Futile struggle!" Kaiba believed that any flashy tricks were useless against absolute stats.


    But as soon as Kaiba''s words fell, a massive sword projected by Emiya stood between him and the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. The giant sword, larger than the massive dragon itself, was not meant for human use.


    "Broken-Noble Phantasm: Ig-Alima: Green Field Cutting Through the Thousand Mountains," Emiya declared. "Though only a replica, it''s sufficient for now!"


    A Divine weapon, the Ig-Alima: Green Field Cutting Through the Thousand Mountains, is capable of cutting through a thousand mountains. It was not merely for slashing with the blade or sheer mass.


    The sword contained the concept of "Skyline." This was the principle that separates heaven and earth. As this principle leaked from the sword''s gleam, the giant sword easily cut through mountains.


    "Kaiba, this is my last stand, my final trump card!" Hoshino''s final face-down card transformed her duel-long conviction into an explosive burst of determination. "Activate Trap Card, [Limited/Zero Over]!"


    [Limited/Zero Over Trap Card Effect: Activate when an opponent''s monster declares an attack on a monster you control. The targeted monster''s ATK becomes equal to the attacking monster''s ATK until the end of this turn. After that, the targeted monster is destroyed.]


    "With Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s 4500 ATK, Shirou Emiya''s ATK also increases to 4500!"


    "This transcendental power will indeed damage the spirit base irreparably, but now''s not the time to worry about such trivial matters!" Emiya, feeling his body burn with immense power, gritted his teeth and persisted.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya ATK 2200¡ú 6700]


    "Another Broken-Noble Phantasm: Sul-sagana, the Sword of Burnt Horizon!" Emiya roared, projecting the companion sword to Sul-sagana. The Sword of Burnt Horizon, capable of burning away a thousand seas, possessed the concept of "Horizon."


    The two giant swords resonated, and with earth-shattering force, they smashed into Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s massive body.


    "What kind of monstrous battle is this!" The spectators, speechless, struggled to describe the ultimate clash between the two monsters. The collision between the two swords and the Ultimate Dragon''s triple-burst stream instantly pushed the holographic system to its limit.


    (****)


    "Incredible!" Pegasus, abandoning his favorite snack, pressed his face against the screen, half-rising from his seat. "Marvelous, this is the true hidden potential of holographic projection technology!"


    "When I fully grasp this wonderful technology, I will surely see you again, Cynthia..." Pegasus whispered, a tear glistening in his previously excited eyes as he thought of her.


    (****)


    "The administrator mode can''t even fully capture this?!" Kaiba was in disbelief as he watched the blurred image of the two forces colliding and the warning signs lighting up on the platform. The administrator mode, essentially the failsafe that utilized 100% of the duel platform''s capabilities without regard for load limits, had reached its peak.


    Yet now, even this 100% capacity had been completely exhausted.


    "Kaiba, this is my final counterattack to seize victory!" Hoshino, thrilled to see the two god-forged weapons overpowering the Ultimate Burst Stream, raised her gloved right hand. "Go, Emiya, for the final..."


    "Broken-Phantasm!" As Hoshino and Emiya shouted in unison, the dual god-forged swords, symbolizing ultimate fantasy, shattered the Ultimate Burst Stream, their explosion further amplifying their power.


    "So our goals were the same," Kaiba muttered, a smile of satisfaction crossing his lips as he felt the explosion of the dual swords. "It''s just that our timing was different, Hoshino!"


    "??!!"


    "Activate Quick-Play Spell from my hand!" Slamming his final card onto the overloaded platform, Kaiba''s face shifted from satisfaction to indomitable pride. "Fusion Duel!"


    [Fusion Duel Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: Activate only when a Fusion Monster you control declares an attack on an opponent''s monster. Your Fusion Monster gains ATK equal to the ATK of the opponent''s monster it is battling, until the end of the Damage Step.]


    "It''s a card with the same effect as [Limited/Zero Over]?!" Hoshino, shocked by Kaiba''s last card, felt a strange sense of relief.


    "Due to the effect of [Fusion Duel], my Fusion Monster, [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon], gains the ATK of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya]!" Kaiba, using his last ounce of strength, roared, discarding all his remaining cards and reaching out as if grasping victory itself. "This is the true final strike!"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ATK 4500¡ú11200]


    "It''s over 10,000 ATK!!" Yugi, utterly stunned by the unprecedented duel, murmured to himself. "This duel is destined to go down in the history of Duel Monsters as the greatest duel ever!"


    "Hos---hino---!"


    "Don''t come closer---!!"


    In the space-tearing collision and Kaiba''s shout, this duel, which stood at the pinnacle of Duelist Kingdom, finally reached its conclusion.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1300 ¡ú 0


    "Duel over. Winner: Seto Kaiba." The electronic voice, sounding more exhausted than usual, announced the result, likely using the last of the platform''s power.


    "Did... I lose?" Hoshino stared blankly at her empty field and depleted Life Points, unsure of how to react.


    Since her first duel with Yuta at the start of Duelist Kingdom, Hoshino had never lost a duel. Despite being in seemingly hopeless situations, she had always persevered, using her belief to find a way to victory and turning the tide to win.


    But in the end, she lost to Kaiba. The duelist known as Seto Kaiba was truly different from any other duelist she had faced. Even though Hoshino had given her all, using her Heroic Spirit deck to its fullest potential, she was still one step short. No matter how close she came to victory, not standing at the end meant defeat.


    Silently, Hoshino removed the five-star chips from her duelist glove and handed them to Kaiba, who had been waiting for her. "Kaiba, you are incredibly strong. Even giving my all, I couldn''t defeat you. A bet is a bet; take these star chips to save Mokuba."


    "Hmm?" Kaiba raised an eyebrow as he took the star chips. "How did you know about Mokuba?"


    "You shouted during the duel that you couldn''t lose because of Mokuba," Hoshino replied with a bitter smile.


    "Is that so?" Kaiba chuckled, realizing he had spoken out loud in his intense focus. "I''ll take your star chips then, Duelist Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Combining Hoshino''s five-star chips with his own, Kaiba now had the required ten-star chips. He turned once more towards Pegasus'' castle.


    "After I defeat Pegasus, I''ll invite you to work at KaibaCorp!" Leaving these words, Kaiba began climbing the steps to the castle.


    "Thanks for the offer," Hoshino murmured, watching Kaiba''s retreating figure. "But I hate working more than anything."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 71 - 71

    "Hoshino..." Concern was evident in Anzu''s eyes as she looked at Hoshino, and their companions were at a loss for words. Hoshino had always won every duel they fought, no matter how challenging, and the group had grown used to celebrating each victory. However, deep down, they knew that winning wasn''t always guaranteed. Even if Hoshino managed to defeat Kaiba today, future duels with Jonouchi and Yugi would still loom, and someone would eventually lose.


    The expected defeat came sooner than anticipated.


    "Sorry, everyone." Seeing the worried expressions on their faces, Hoshino forced a smile. "I gave it my best, but I still lost."


    Hoshino''s attempt to appear strong only deepened everyone''s heartbreak. Anzu approached Hoshino timidly and grasped her slender hands tightly, "Hoshino, you gave it your all. It''s okay to show your sadness right now."


    Feeling Hoshino''s cold, trembling hands, Anzu fought back tears. "Even with such delicate hands, you fought so hard..."


    Hoshino tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but her hands shook uncontrollably. Realizing Anzu noticed, Hoshino awkwardly pulled her hands away and waved her duelist glove to change the subject, "I only have 5-star chips left. At this rate, I can''t enter Pegasus''s castle."


    "Yes, that''s a significant problem," Yugi, now in control, said as he looked at the setting sun. "Most duelists have been eliminated by now. Where can we find 5 more star chips?"


    "How about we go back and challenge the Paradox Brothers again?" Jonouchi suggested, breaking his silence.


    "That''s a good idea, Jonouchi! I didn''t expect that from you," Honda said, his eyes lighting up with hope.


    But Hoshino shook her head gently, declining Jonouchi''s suggestion. "The Paradox Brothers are tough opponents, and it requires two people for a tag duel in the labyrinth. I don''t want you all to lose your qualifications because of my mistakes."


    "Hoshino, you can''t be thinking of giving up! In a situation like this..." Jonouchi began to panic as Hoshino refused his suggestion.


    "There aren''t any extra duelists left on this island now!" A familiar voice came from behind them.


    "Mai Valentine?!" Jonouchi exclaimed, turning to see Mai suddenly appear. "When did you get here?"


    "I''ve been here the whole time, but you didn''t notice me." Mai walked up to the slightly exhausted Hoshino and, like Anzu, took her cold hands. "I saw your duel, Hoshino. I''ve never seen such an intense battle."


    "!!" Hoshino was slightly stunned, feeling the object in Mai''s hand. "Mai, this is..."


    "This is what I borrowed from you before, remember?" Mai winked and motioned for Hoshino to open her right hand. Five-star chips, the symbol of duelists, transferred from Mai''s hand to Hoshino''s.


    "But Mai, if you give me these star chips, you won''t have enough to enter the castle. Your dream is..." Hoshino tried to return the star chips with her trembling hands.


    "Do you think your big sister would let that happen?" Mai proudly raised her duelist glove, still adorned with 10-star chips. "To return your star chips, I worked hard and won a total of 16 star chips."


    "You''re amazing, Mai!" Yugi, who had been worried about Hoshino''s ability to enter Pegasus''s castle, finally felt relieved seeing the star chips.


    "That''s great, Hoshino! Now you can enter the castle again~" Jonouchi said gratefully, looking at Mai.


    "Thank you, Mai. You''re kind," Anzu said, any previous resistance she had felt toward Mai now completely gone.


    "Don''t thank me. These star chips belong to Chiyuki," Mai said, feeling a bit embarrassed by their gratitude.


    However, in stark contrast to everyone''s joy, Hoshino stood aside, staring blankly at the star chips in her hand.


    "Chiyuki..." Mai, feeling sorry for her, pulled Hoshino into a tight hug.


    "Mai..." Hoshino was caught off guard by the sudden embrace, overwhelmed by the soft sensation.


    Gently stroking Hoshino''s head, Mai whispered in her ear, "Chiyuki, sometimes a single defeat can teach you more than ten consecutive victories. As a duelist, it''s okay to feel confused or reluctant to accept sudden losses, but you must never run away."


    "Chiyuki..." It was the first time since arriving in this world that someone had called her by that name. "It feels just like family."


    Enjoying Mai''s warmth for a moment, Hoshino looked up. "Don''t worry too much about me, Mai. It''s just one lost duel; it''s not a big deal."


    After saying this, Hoshino quickly embedded the five-star chips back into her duelist glove, filling the once-empty slots.


    "It''s getting late. We should head to Pegasus''s castle now," Hoshino said, waving to her companions. "There are still many steps to climb. This is harder than dueling. If we don''t hurry, it''ll be dark."


    "Right, Hoshino is right. Let''s go!" Jonouchi''s spirits lifted, and he jumped onto the steps with Hoshino.


    "Jonouchi is fast, jumping three steps at a time."


    "Of course! I can even jump four steps at a time!" Jonouchi stretched his long legs, skipping four steps with each stride.


    "Haha, it looks like a split. It''s impressive but also gross!"


    Watching Hoshino and Jonouchi cheerfully bounding up the stairs, Yugi''s worry didn''t lessen. "Hoshino is pretending to be strong."


    "Chiyuki probably doesn''t want us to worry too much," Mai said, sighing at Hoshino''s excessive kindness. "She could rely on me a bit more."


    "Hoshino must have her reasons." Anzu, placing her hand on her chest, looked at Hoshino with trust.


    "Let''s go too, to Pegasus''s castle!"


    "This staircase is as difficult as ever~" Hoshino complained, wiping the sweat from her forehead and gasping for breath.


    Previously chatting and laughing with Jonouchi, Hoshino now couldn''t keep up with her companions. "Don''t these people ever get tired?"


    "Miss Hoshino, are you all right?" a calm voice with a hint of concern sounded in Hoshino''s ear.


    "Mr. Holmes?" Hoshino looked at him with a puzzled expression as he suddenly appeared. She answered quietly, "I''m okay. Even though it''s tiring, I''ve climbed this before. Besides, I think my endurance has improved a lot over the past two days."


    Spending two days outdoors hadn''t transformed Hoshino into an athlete, but it did help her, normally accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, regain some physical stamina.


    "That''s not what I''m asking about, Miss Hoshino." Holmes raised an eyebrow, his expression growing more serious. "You know what I mean."


    "Mr. Holmes, you''re speaking in riddles. I don''t quite understand," Hoshino said, looking away. "I''m perfectly fine. What do you think is wrong with me?"


    "There are many things: your forced calmness, your shaking hands, your strained smile..." Holmes sighed, taking a deep puff from his pipe. "You''re not deceiving this detective, and you''re certainly not deceiving your friends."


    "Mr. Holmes, if you''ve been materialized this long, won''t Da Vinci scold you?" Hoshino''s previously agreeable demeanor shifted, her voice tinged with annoyance. "If you don''t have anything else to say, could you please be quiet for a while? I''m already very tired from all the duels."


    "Oh, is that so?" Holmes, momentarily surprised by Hoshino''s sharp response, patted her shoulder with his semi-transparent hand.


    "Miss Hoshino, if the battles you usually fight are shared with Chaldea, then the battle you face now is yours alone." With these words, Holmes''s semi-transparent form disappeared into the wind.


    ...


    "Finally made it!" Hoshino gasped as she reached the front gate, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.


    "You all... collected 10-star chips?!" The guard at the castle gate looked at them in shock.


    "Yes, the four of us are the final qualifiers for the Duelist Kingdom tournament!" Mai Valentine proudly presented Hoshino, who was still out of breath, and showed the guard their gloves, filled with star chips.


    "You!" Jonouchi exclaimed suddenly, pointing at the guard. "You''re the one who set up the fake Kaiba to duel Hoshino and kidnapped Mokuba!"


    Everyone became alert at Jonouchi''s words, recognizing the guard by his distinctive hairstyle.


    "Where''s Mokuba?" Jonouchi demanded, grabbing the guard''s collar.


    "Hmph, I didn''t expect you to collect all 10 star chips." The guard sneered, pushing Jonouchi away. "As for Mokuba, I was just following Lord Pegasus''s orders. If you have questions, take them up with him."


    The guard stepped aside, revealing the iron gate behind him. "Enter. Just place your 10-star chips on the door to activate the switch."


    "All right, everyone, let''s not waste time on him," Mai said, placing her star chips on the door mechanism. "Put them here and turn the switch~"


    The massive iron door creaked open, revealing a path leading into the castle''s opulent interior.


    "We all have the right to enter, so no need to open the door one by one," Jonouchi remarked, taunting the guard as he entered the castle.


    "Dammit..." The guard muttered, unable to retaliate.


    "Let''s go too..." Anzu and the others, who weren''t participants, tried to slip in unnoticed.


    "Stop right there! Who are you?" The guard, still fuming, wasn''t about to let them pass. "You''re not participants. Why are you here?"


    "Hehe, we''re just here to cheer them on," Anzu said, awkwardly scratching her face.


    "Don''t play games with me, kids," the guard growled, reaching for Anzu''s shoulder.


    But before he could, Honda grabbed the guard''s hand firmly. "Don''t be so arrogant. We still have a score to settle from last time."


    "You''re... the guy from yesterday afternoon!" Recognizing Honda, the guard pulled away angrily.


    "Yesterday was just a fluke. You think I''d lose to you?" Honda cracked his knuckles, stepping closer.


    "You''re in for a surprise, kid! Today, I''ll show you what happens when you mess with a pro," the guard shouted, lunging at Honda.


    "Honda, now!" Jonouchi called out, and Honda dodged, letting Jonouchi land a surprise attack from behind.


    A coordinated barrage of punches and kicks followed, with Jonouchi and Honda working in perfect sync, giving the guard no chance to fight back.


    "Why... yesterday we were evenly matched, but today...?" The guard stammered, bewildered by the high schoolers'' strength. "How are high schoolers this strong?"


    "Hmph, we''re not the same as we were yesterday!" Honda declared.


    "After seeing Big Sister Martha''s incredible fighting skills, we leveled up!" they shouted, raising their fists. "Take this, Jonouchi & Honda''s burning brotherly combo!"


    "Double! Iron! Fist! Judgment!"


    Their combined punch, delivered with full force, sent the guard flying, crashing into the castle wall and knocking him out.


    "Big Sister, you have disciples in this world too..." Hoshino murmured, astonished at the sight. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 72 - 72

    "Jonouchi, is this okay?" Anzu asked anxiously, looking at the unconscious guard. Although the guard''s attitude wasn''t great, he was still a staff member here.


    "It''s fine. If he can''t even beat a high school student, it just shows how poor the security is here. It''s not our fault," Jonouchi replied arrogantly, dusting off his hands.


    With the guard no longer a barrier, the group easily entered Pegasus''s castle.


    Standing at the castle''s entrance, Hoshino looked back at the island of Duelist Kingdom under the setting sun. "It''s only been two days, but it feels like so much has happened. This place, carrying so many dreams, is truly magical."


    "By the way, I haven''t seen Yuta. Did he lose his qualification somewhere?" Though she wondered, Hoshino didn''t feel much emotion about it. In this brutal survival competition, one small mistake could lead to total loss, so losing qualification was quite normal.


    "And I wonder, how far will I go..." Hoshino asked herself as she followed her companions into the castle.


    "This is magnificent!" Mai marveled at the luxurious European-style decor inside the castle. "This is the life of the wealthy. Someday, I''ll live in a house like this through my efforts."


    "But even though we entered the castle smoothly, this place is huge. Where do we go to find Pegasus?" The pre-tournament rules only mentioned that participants with ten star chips could enter the castle, but gave no further instructions.


    As they wandered into the castle, steady footsteps approached.


    "Hello, Yugi Mutou, Chiyuki Hoshino, Katsuya Jonouchi, and Mai Valentine, the four qualified participants, and their friends." The elderly steward who usually followed Pegasus now stood before them, bowing deeply. "Following Lord Pegasus''s orders, I''ve arranged rooms for all participants. You are free to use your time as you wish until dinner."


    "Hey, where''s Pegasus? Isn''t it rude of him not to show up? Is this how he treats guests?" Jonouchi''s spine tingled at the thought of Pegasus being nearby but not appearing.


    "Lord Pegasus is very busy with his duties, and today he also needs to set aside time to duel Seto Kaiba. He can''t be here right now," the elderly steward replied professionally, unfazed by Jonouchi''s rude question. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Seto Kaiba..." Hoshino''s pupils contracted slightly at the name, then she regained her composure.


    "Dueling Kaiba?!" Yugi exclaimed. "Does that mean the duel between Pegasus and Kaiba hasn''t started yet?"


    "Yes," the steward nodded, glancing at his wristwatch. "The duel is expected to start before dinner. If you''re interested, you can watch in the duel hall."


    "Pegasus versus Kaiba?" Yugi muttered, deep in thought. "I originally thought Kaiba couldn''t beat Pegasus, but the strength Kaiba showed today was unlike anything before."


    Having seen Kaiba''s newfound strength, even Yugi held a glimmer of hope that Kaiba might defeat Pegasus. "Good luck, Kaiba!"


    "As I mentioned earlier, I''ll now lead you to the rooms prepared for the participants." The steward gestured for them to follow, and walked down the hallway with measured steps.


    Silently, perhaps due to thoughts about Kaiba, the group followed the steward, lost in their reflections.


    "These are the rooms prepared for the four participants. As for their friends, I''m afraid you''ll have to share rooms with the participants." The steward bowed deeply again after arranging the rooms. "I hope you all get sufficient rest."


    "Pegasus gave us such spacious and luxurious rooms," Jonouchi exclaimed, looking around the lavishly decorated room. "Being rich lets you do whatever you want."


    "If we have to share, I''ll stay with you, Jonouchi." Honda flopped onto the soft bed, sighing contentedly. "Ah~ this bed is comfortable!"


    "Hey, who said you could sleep on my bed? You should be grateful to have the floor!" Jonouchi grumbled, annoyed that Honda had taken his bed.


    Ignoring their usual antics, the others quietly left Jonouchi''s room.


    "Bakura, you''ll stay with me, alright? No problem?" Yugi asked as the only room left for the boys was his.


    "No problem at all, Yugi," Bakura nodded.


    "Then I''ll stay with Hoshino!" Anzu said, hugging Hoshino and patting her head.


    "Anzu..." Hoshino forced a smile, feeling Anzu''s warmth. It should have been a happy moment, but she couldn''t feel any joy.


    "Anzu!" Mai interrupted, pulling Anzu away from Hoshino. "You can stay with me tonight."


    "Why..." Anzu began to question, but seeing the serious look in Mai''s eyes, she seemed to understand and reluctantly agreed. "Alright~"


    "No objections, right, Hoshino? I''ll borrow Anzu for one night." Mai teased, tracing Hoshino''s face with her fingertip.


    "Sure, Mai. I''m just a bit tired, so I''ll go rest now." Hoshino replied calmly, turning to her room.


    Like Jonouchi''s room, it was lavishly decorated, with a massage-equipped bathtub and a fridge stocked with various drinks. But Hoshino had no mood to enjoy any of it.


    Lying on the soft bed, Hoshino''s small frame almost sank into the mattress. Staring blankly at the ornate chandelier, the bright light stung her eyes, and tears began to fall.


    "How can anyone sleep with such blinding light?" She complained, wiping the tears from her eyes.


    "Why can''t I stop crying?" The more she wiped, the more tears flowed down her pale cheeks. "Can someone turn off this stupid light..."


    "Stop trembling, hands!" Frustrated with her shaking hands, Hoshino grew more agitated. "It''s so uncomfortable with tears all over my face!"


    "I''m not crying. It''s just the light is too bright." Her self-talk turned to sobs. "It''s just one lost duel. What''s there to cry about? It''s just a game! I lose in LOL all the time!"


    But tears don''t lie...


    Pressing her hands over her eyes, Hoshino gave up resisting and began to cry loudly. "Why do I feel so unwilling? It''s just a game, but I don''t want to lose!"


    "I tried so hard, I was so close to victory!"


    "I can''t stand it, I want to win! If I don''t win, what''s the point!!"


    Hoshino''s heartfelt regret echoed in the bright room.


    (*****)


    "Mai, what are you peeking at?" Anzu asked, finding Mai outside Hoshino''s door.


    The door was unlocked, and Mai was peeking through the crack.


    "Shh," Mai whispered, signaling Anzu to be quiet, her gentle gaze returning to the room. "She probably cried herself to sleep."


    Anzu quietly joined Mai, peeking through the door.


    Inside, Hoshino lay on the bed, tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes, peacefully asleep.


    "Chiyuki, this feeling of frustration will drive you to new heights," Mai whispered. "You will become stronger, and I''m looking forward to it."


    (******)


    In her dreams, Hoshino found herself back in that world, walking through a futuristic corridor.


    "Where is this?!" Seeing the familiar, modern mechanical corridor before her, Hoshino immediately realized, "This is Chaldea!"


    "I remember I was in a guest room in Pegasus''s castle," Hoshino said, confused, as she touched her head and instinctively looked around for the Servants, hoping for an explanation.


    "Ah! Master spotted!" A familiar energetic voice came from the end of the corridor.


    "Okita-san!" Hoshino felt a wave of relief as she saw Okita Souji rushing toward her.


    "Hahaha, Master, Okita-san missed you!" Okita Souji suddenly leaped and hugged Hoshino tightly. Despite usually binding her chest, being close revealed that Okita had quite a bit to offer.


    "Um, Okita-san, what are you doing?" Hoshino was momentarily stunned by the sudden embrace.


    "Today is a day worth celebrating, Master." With eyes sparkling, Okita stood behind Hoshino, placing her hands on Hoshino''s shoulders.


    "What? Is a day worth celebrating? Ah!" Hoshino exclaimed as Okita, pushing her forward, made her run toward the cafeteria.


    "Hehehe, you''ll know when you get there, Master. Hurry to the cafeteria." Okita smiled mysteriously as she quickly pushed Hoshino toward the cafeteria. "It''s a surprise just for you!"


    Resigned, Hoshino gave up resisting and let Okita push her to the cafeteria door.


    "So, what''s worth celebrating?" Hoshino asked Okita, still full of questions.


    "Hehe, open the door and see, Master~" Okita, grinning, released Hoshino''s shoulders and eagerly waited for her to open the door.


    "Bang!" The sound of celebratory poppers exploded, with confetti raining down on Hoshino''s head. Mash, standing at the door with a popper in hand, smiled at the stunned Hoshino.


    "Master, congratulations!" All the summoned Servants in the cafeteria shouted in unison.


    A variety of dishes filled the tables. Emiya, holding two plates of freshly cooked food, paused his work upon Hoshino''s arrival.


    A banner hanging from the ceiling caught Hoshino''s eye. It read...


    "Celebration of Master''s First Defeat in Duelist Kingdom!!"


    "Okita-san, come here..." Hoshino called out to Okita without bothering to remove the confetti from her head.


    "What''s wrong, Master?" Still unaware of the danger, Okita innocently approached.


    "Is this what you call a celebration? What''s there to celebrate!" Hoshino yelled, pinching Okita''s cheeks and rubbing them furiously.


    "Ow, it''s a celebration of your first loss!" Okita managed to mumble through her distorted face.


    "Senpai, please don''t torture Okita-san," Mash intervened, trying to mediate as she looked sympathetically at Okita''s face, which was nearing its limit. "It was Da Vinci''s idea."


    "Da Vinci? No way," Hoshino said in disbelief, still not stopping her hands. "I haven''t even summoned Da Vinci. Shouldn''t she be back in Chaldea, working?"


    "Hoshino-chan, I''m right here," a familiar voice came from the crowd.


    "Da Vinci?!" Hoshino exclaimed, turning to see Da Vinci emerging from the crowd, followed by Holmes holding a box.


    "Why is Da Vinci here?" Hoshino was surprised but still confused. "And why this annoying celebration?"


    "Although it looks like I''m here, I''m a hologram," Da Vinci said, reaching out to touch Hoshino. Her hand passed right through her body.


    "I used my genius to decode this world''s holographic technology and compressed the equipment into a small box." Da Vinci proudly pointed to the box Holmes was holding.


    "So that''s why Mr. Holmes was holding that box. It''s Da Vinci''s hologram projector," Hoshino said, realizing that Holmes must have been coerced. "So why this ''celebration''?"


    "Hehe, calling it a ''Da Vinci-in-a-box'' makes it sound like an urn," Da Vinci chuckled without directly answering Hoshino''s question. "Let''s eat first. Emiya made all the dishes. You must be hungry after not eating all day."


    "Yes, Master, it would be a shame if these dishes got cold." Artoria, swallowing her saliva, urged Hoshino, her eyes fixed on the food.


    "You can''t win battles on an empty stomach, Master!" Nobunaga said, patting Hoshino on the back with a smile.


    "I''m not really in the mood to eat, but since Emiya cooked..." The temptation of Emiya''s top-tier cooking made Hoshino swallow her saliva, "I guess I''ll have a little."


    "Alright!" The Servants cheered and eagerly took their seats at the table.


    "Rebels must eat well!"


    "Emiya, are the burger''s ready?"


    "What kind of food is this? I don''t eat dog food!"


    "Sorry, Heracles, can you pass the pepper?"


    The once lively cafeteria became even more chaotic after Hoshino gave the go-ahead.


    "Senpai, sit here and enjoy Emiya''s cooking," Mash said, finding a seat for Hoshino.


    "Thank you, Mash~" Hoshino accepted Mash''s gesture and sat down.


    "Master, if there''s anything specific you want, let me know. After all, you''re the star today," Emiya said, still busy in the kitchen despite the array of dishes on the table.


    "I''d like an omurice, Emiya." Hoshino requested the dish that left a lasting impression from her first visit to Chaldea, though it was only yesterday.


    "Coming right up, one omurice!" Emiya expertly flipped the pan in the kitchen.


    "Senpai, try this. It''s delicious," Mash said, offering a plate of roasted meat with a blissful expression.


    "This is amazing! I''ve never had such delicious roast meat!" Hoshino''s face lit up with happiness as she tasted it.


    Time passed in the lively atmosphere, and just as Hoshino was beginning to forget her unhappiness, the holographic image of Da Vinci, sitting across from her, suddenly spoke.


    "Hoshino-chan, let''s talk about the real purpose of this celebration."


    "The real purpose?" Hoshino, still chewing, swallowed her food and became serious.


    "To be blunt, Hoshino-chan, you''re too weak right now."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 73 - 73

    "To put it bluntly, Hoshino-chan, you are currently too weak." Da Vinci''s expression turned serious, a departure from her usual demeanor.


    "I''m too weak?" Hoshino was stunned by Da Vinci''s direct and hurtful words.


    "Yes, and the most critical issue is that you''ve never realized this problem because you''ve been on a winning streak." Da Vinci shook her head helplessly and continued explaining.


    "But I''ve been winning all this time! Why do you say I''m weak?" Hoshino retorted, feeling a bit indignant. "I almost beat Seto Kaiba!"


    "But you still lost." Da Vinci''s sharp words pierced Hoshino''s heart like a blade, leaving her speechless.


    Hoshino''s head drooped, and her spirits sank instantly.


    "Hoshino-chan, the reason you''ve been winning isn''t because you''re strong; it''s because your deck is strong for this era." Despite the pained expression that flashed across Da Vinci''s face as she looked at Hoshino''s dejected expression, she continued firmly. "Most of your victories are due to the inherent strength of your Heroic Spirit cards. While you sometimes pull off a nice combo, those are the basics."


    "Da Vinci, that''s too harsh," Hoshino muttered, her head nearly resting on her chest.


    "It''s not harsh; it''s for your good." Da Vinci took on a motherly tone. "That''s why I''ve been waiting since yesterday, waiting for the moment you finally lose."


    "But what if, what if I had beaten Kaiba?" Hoshino clung to a shred of hope, still thinking she was just a step away from victory.


    "No, there''s no ''what if.'' You could never have beaten Seto Kaiba." Da Vinci crushed Hoshino''s last bit of hope. "Kaiba, even though he doesn''t possess the so-called dark powers of this world, still gives off an extraordinarily unique aura. It''s a feeling quite similar to yours, Hoshino-chan."


    "A feeling similar to mine?" Hoshino was even more confused by Da Vinci''s words.


    "A feeling that doesn''t belong to this world. This is just a guess, but it might be that your presence here has altered the world''s original course. Or perhaps..." Da Vinci trailed off.


    "Or perhaps..." Hoshino swallowed nervously, waiting for Da Vinci to continue.


    "Well, those baseless theories aren''t important. The reason I say you can''t defeat Kaiba is because that duel was already the limit of your current deck." Da Vinci shifted the topic away from the mystery that interested Hoshino the most. "And Kaiba can still get stronger."


    "Come on, Da Vinci, don''t just give me half the story." Hoshino, who had mentally prepared herself, felt disappointed.


    "But it''s hard to believe Kaiba can get even stronger," Hoshino shuddered at the thought.


    "Not just Kaiba; Yugi and Pegasus, too, are beyond your current abilities." Da Vinci''s words sounded alarming, but Hoshino could tell she wasn''t exaggerating.


    "So, Da Vinci, you''ve been talking about how strong everyone else is. What''s weak about me?" Hoshino asked urgently.


    "Hmm, explaining it directly might not make sense to you. How about a duel with me?~" Da Vinci smirked, proposing the challenge.


    "A duel with you, Da Vinci?" Hoshino looked incredulous. "But you''re just a hologram. Can you even duel?"


    "It''s just a card game. Although using a hologram isn''t ideal, we can manage." Da Vinci insisted, pulling out a deck from somewhere.


    "Where did you get that deck, Da Vinci?" Hoshino''s curiosity was piqued by the mysterious deck.


    "It''s just a deck I copied from some data. Nothing special." Da Vinci smiled mysteriously and placed the deck on the table. "Enough talk, let''s duel!"


    [Da Vinci VS Chiyuki Hoshino, Duel Start!]


    "Although Chaldea doesn''t have a special holographic dueling system, Duel Monsters was designed as a tabletop game, so it won''t be a problem." Drawing five cards, Da Vinci smiled slyly.


    ... (Three chapters of dueling with Da Vinci)


    "Hahaha, Da Vinci, despite all your fancy talk, you''re about to lose!" Seeing her overwhelming advantage on the field, Hoshino couldn''t help but laugh. "Heracles, a direct attack on Da Vinci."


    [Heracles ATK:4800]


    "Too naive, Hoshino. Activate trap card, [Magic Cylinder]!" Da Vinci flipped her only set card, signaling the end of the game. "Magic Cylinder reflects Heracles'' attack power as damage."


    Chiyuki Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 0


    "That''s so unfair, Da Vinci! What kind of card is that?" Hoshino, despite her huge advantage, lost to one card and complained bitterly.


    "Hoshino-chan, this is one of your critical weaknesses: you never consider the opponent''s set cards.~" Da Vinci collected the cards and adjusted her glasses. "Your aggressive style is impressive, but you can''t be reckless. Set cards can be fatal."


    "I''m not satisfied, Da Vinci! One more duel!" Hoshino pounded the table like a child throwing a tantrum.


    "Alright, one more round." Da Vinci, anticipating Hoshino''s reaction, placed the deck back on the table.


    ... (Two chapters of dueling.)


    "Sorry, Hoshino-chan, but I''m going to win again~" Da Vinci smugly played the spell card [Monster Reborn]. "Revive Heracles from your graveyard and then activate [Spinning Lance of the Blue Berserker]! Sacrifice Cu Chulainn on your field and destroy all your monsters." Adjusting her glasses again, Da Vinci announced her victory. "Then, Heracles, direct attack!"


    Chiyuki Hoshino LP 2500 ¡ú 0


    "This makes no sense! Why would your card sacrifice my Cu Chulainn?" Hoshino, in disbelief, shouted.


    "Hehe, sometimes the opponent''s monsters can be used as resources too." Da Vinci laughed, thoroughly enjoying her victory. "So, do you admit you''re weak now?"


    "No, it''s just that you''re too strong, Da Vinci!" Hoshino sighed, putting her cards down and slumping over the table.


    "I''m just using what I learned recently." Da Vinci shook her head, her expression serious again. "Duelists like Pegasus and Yugi are much stronger than I am. Do you think you can beat them as you are now?"


    "So what do I do? Help me, Da Vinci!" Like Nobita pleading with Doraemon, Hoshino could only rely on the universal genius Da Vinci now. "Coach, teach me how to play!"


    "I''d love to teach you, but there''s no time. True dueling skills, unless you''re a genius like me..." Da Vinci''s expression turned smug, "are honed over hundreds or even thousands of duels."


    "So you''re saying I have no chance to beat Pegasus?" Hoshino, knowing she didn''t have the time to accumulate that much experience before the tournament, felt desperate. "Am I just supposed to give up on the Duelist Kingdom prize money? How will I survive here?"


    "No, you can''t give up. You must win." Da Vinci''s eyes were grave as she explained to Hoshino, "Your presence has already started to alter the course of this world. The darkness originally unrelated to you has now entangled you, the catalyst for these changes. And you can''t avoid it."


    "To fight against this world''s darkness, you must grow stronger quickly!" Even Hoshino could sense the seriousness of the situation, knowing Da Vinci must have a solution.


    "The most effective way to quickly increase your combat power is to enhance the strength and synergy of your Heroic Spirit deck." Da Vinci adjusted her glasses and explained to the eager Hoshino, "To put it in terms you can understand, you need to max out the potential of your cards."


    "Max out my cards? Hmm..." For some reason, hearing Da Vinci''s suggestion made Hoshino''s liver ache slightly.


    "Do you mean I have to grind for materials like in FGO?" Hoshino recalled the days she spent tirelessly grinding for materials for her Servants. Though she had enjoyed it back then, the thought of doing it now filled her with exhaustion.


    "Hehe, it won''t take much time. If you had that much time, it would be better spent dueling more to gain experience." Da Vinci laughed, comforting Hoshino, who was clutching her side. "What I''m talking about is a much simpler and more direct way to instantly increase your cards'' strength."


    "In the world you came from, there''s also a gacha system, right?" Da Vinci adjusted her glasses, her expression turning into that of a shrewd merchant.


    "Are you telling me that spending money will make me stronger? I know that already, but I don''t have the means to spend money here." Hoshino, having seen Da Vinci''s merchant-like expression many times when recharging in the game, couldn''t help but associate it with spending money.


    "That gacha system was something I added..."


    "I knew it! You scammer! You''re still trying to make me spend money even in this world!" Hoshino, realizing the truth, slapped her cards on the table and reached for Da Vinci, only to remember she was just a hologram. "You''re just messing with me! Why are you bullying me like this?"


    "Calm down, Hoshino-chan." Unfazed, Da Vinci continued, "I''m doing my best to help you."


    "Is tricking me into spending money your best effort?" Hoshino glared at Da Vinci with a deadpan expression.


    "When you got caught up in the transfer system, you were supposed to arrive in this world with nothing." Da Vinci suddenly turned serious. "Luckily, when you were pulled into the system, your connection to Chaldea was active."


    "My connection to Chaldea was active?" Hoshino tried to recall what she was doing before she got transferred. "I think I was playing FGO on my phone."


    "Exactly. That was the stroke of luck in your misfortune. Although I had very little time to react, I managed to hack into that mysterious system as quickly as possible." Da Vinci''s proud expression implied that no one else could have hacked the system so quickly. "Based on this world''s rules, I recreated Chaldea''s power to the fullest extent possible, which includes your current cards and the gacha system."


    Hoshino gasped. According to Da Vinci, her transfer was essentially an accident, unrelated to Chaldea. Without Chaldea''s help, she would have arrived in this world with nothing. Surviving without her deck would have been nearly impossible.


    "I''m sorry, Da Vinci. I misunderstood you." Realizing her mistake, Hoshino bowed her head to her savior.


    "No need to be so formal, Hoshino-chan. We''re like family." Da Vinci reached out with her virtual hand, pretending to pat Hoshino''s head. "Anyway, back to the topic¡ªgacha system!"


    "You''ve drawn many cards, and besides Heroic Spirit cards, you''ve gotten other types of cards too, right?" Da Vinci''s meaningful smile seemed to mock Hoshino''s bad luck. "Most of what you''ve drawn aren''t Heroic Spirit cards, correct?"


    "Uh!!" Hoshino felt a pang in her heart as she looked at Da Vinci''s smile. She obediently answered, "Aside from Servant cards, most of what I draw are spell and trap cards that go with the Heroic Spirit decks, and occasionally cards that already exist in this world."


    Nodding, Da Vinci wore an ''I knew it''s expression. "And among those spell and trap cards, there must be quite a few duplicates."


    "Yes, there are some duplicates, but I don''t know where they are. I''ve checked my deck many times, and each card is unique." Hoshino confirmed confidently.


    "Exactly. This is the fatal flaw of the Heroic Spirit deck: each card is unique. Not just Heroic Spirits, but even their accompanying spell and trap cards are unique." Da Vinci pushed up her glasses, analyzing seriously. "And this is a flaw that seems impossible to overcome." Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That can be considered a flaw?"


    "Yes, it is a flaw! Even if a card is powerful, you can only have one in your deck." Da Vinci nodded emphatically.


    "But if you can only have one, just use another powerful Heroic Spirit. There are so many strong Heroic Spirits, and the deck can only hold so many cards anyway." Hoshino didn''t understand how this was a serious flaw.


    "No! If you can only have one of each Servant, the probability of drawing any specific Servant is very low. You can''t specialize your deck around any single Heroic Spirit." Seeing Hoshino''s confusion, Da Vinci thought for a moment. "Let me give you an example."


    "Do you think Kaiba is strong because of Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Da Vinci asked, preparing her example.


    "Of course! Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon not only has high attack power but also seems indestructible. It''s an all-around powerhouse, a super rare card with only three copies in the world." Recalling her terrifying encounters with Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Hoshino shivered.


    "No! Blue-Eyes White Dragon itself is excellent but not extremely strong." Da Vinci raised three fingers. "Kaiba''s deck has three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, making it highly likely for him to draw one. The true strength of Blue-Eyes White Dragon comes from Kaiba''s deck being heavily built to support it."


    Hoshino''s eyes widened as she finally grasped Da Vinci''s point. "So what should I do, Da Vinci? You must have a solution!"


    "Hehe, I told you before, the most effective way to enhance your deck''s strength is to increase the cards'' power and synergy." Da Vinci pointed to Hoshino''s deck. "Take out [Limited/Zero Over] and have a look."


    Hoshino''s face showed a complicated expression.


    "Is this the card?" Hoshino pushed [Limited/Zero Over] onto the table, recalling her recent defeat to Kaiba.


    "Hold this card and open the system," Da Vinci instructed.


    Confused but compliant, Hoshino did as Da Vinci said.


    "<System prompt: Would you like to spend 30 Saint Quartz to max out the[Limited/Zero Over]?>"


    "?!?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 74 - 74

    "Th... Thirty Saint Quartz?!" Hoshino stuttered as she read the system message, her hands shaking. "That''s enough for a whole ten-pull, just to max out one card?"


    "It''s all about choices, Hoshino-chan," Da Vinci said, observing from the sidelines. "In life, gaining something often means losing something else. If you want to grow stronger, you have to make sacrifices."


    "Sacrifices, huh." Hoshino reflected on the deeper meaning of Da Vinci''s words, her brows furrowing.


    On one hand, there was the risk of a ten-pull yielding nothing. On the other, the untested max-out upgrade.


    "Both options feel like a rip-off!" Hoshino concluded after analyzing.


    "But if spending just thirty Saint Quartz can unlock unknown possibilities!" Despite her complaints, Hoshino decisively chose to max out the card. "When you think about it, it''s quite cheap!" S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Initiating [Limited/Zero Over] max limit breakthrough!"


    A brilliant golden light enveloped the card in Hoshino''s hand, and she felt a gentle magical power flowing through her fingertips.


    "Isn''t it beautiful? This is the brilliance of Saint Quartz," Da Vinci said, her hands under her chin, watching contentedly.


    "This is the brilliance of money!" Hoshino wanted to retort but then realized that in this world, Saint Quartz didn''t cost money.


    As the golden light faded, the familiar card face reappeared in Hoshino''s hand, now with the card name [Limited/Zero Over] glimmering as if gilded.


    <[Limited/Zero Over] max limit breakthrough successful. Remaining Saint Quartz: 55.>


    [Limited/Zero Over (Max) Counter Trap Card Effect: This card can be activated when an opponent declares an attack, targeting one monster you control.


    ¢Ù: The attacking monster''s ATK becomes 0, and this card is equipped for the targeted monster. For the rest of this turn, the opponent can only attack the equipped monster and must attack it if able. This effect cannot be countered by the opponent''s card effects.


    ¢Ú: Once per turn, during either player''s turn, when the equipped monster battles, it gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the monster it is battling.


    ¢Û: During the End Phase of the turn, this card''s ¢Ù effect is activated, destroy the equipped monster, and banish this card. The controller takes damage equal to the equipped monster''s ATK.]


    Staring in disbelief at the now golden-glowing [Limited/Zero Over], Hoshino was overwhelmed. "This card is so powerful. It could change the course of a battle with just one play. If I had this effect back then..."


    "That''s right. If you had this effect back then, you probably wouldn''t have lost to Seto Kaiba," Da Vinci said, voicing Hoshino''s thoughts. "The counter trap version of [Limited/Zero Over] can''t be chained to by quick-play spell [Duel Fusion]. Even though the timing rules in this world are unclear, this basic rule still holds."


    Hoshino, her thoughts anticipated by Da Vinci, could only silently contemplate the card.


    "What''s the matter, Hoshino-chan? Feeling reluctant?" Da Vinci smiled warmly, like an understanding elder sibling who could read Hoshino''s mind.


    "Of course, I''m feeling reluctant!" Hoshino clenched the card tightly, determination rekindling in her eyes. "I want to duel Kaiba again."


    "Hehe, that''s why you''re still too naive, Hoshino-chan. Even with one strengthened card, your chances of beating Kaiba are slim." Da Vinci, pleased to see Hoshino''s revived spirit, didn''t want her to challenge an unbeatable opponent again. "Your goal now isn''t to defeat Seto Kaiba but to win the Duelist Kingdom tournament."


    "But I only have 55 Saint Quartz left. I can only strengthen one more card at most," Hoshino said, feeling the pinch of her limited resources.


    "I haven''t finished explaining yet," Da Vinci said mysteriously. "I mentioned the quickest way to strengthen your deck is by increasing the strength and synergy of your cards, right?"


    "And the synergy of the deck, Da Vinci-sensei!" Hoshino, sitting upright, proudly raised her hand to answer.


    "Good answer, Hoshino-chan." Da Vinci, playing along, adjusted her glasses like a teacher. "In a deck where each card is unique, you need a card that ties them all together. No, one card isn''t enough; you need three to ensure you can draw it reliably."


    "Da Vinci-sensei, where can I find such an incredible card?" Hoshino asked eagerly, looking at Da Vinci expectantly.


    "Hehe, you don''t need to find it yourself, Hoshino-chan. Your teacher has it right here." To Hoshino''s surprise, Da Vinci pulled out three cards from under the table. "These are custom-made for you, Hoshino-chan. They will tie together the unique cards in your deck!"


    Hoshino, not rushing to grab them, understood that she couldn''t touch the cards Da Vinci held as they were just a hologram.


    Seeing Hoshino''s calm reaction, Da Vinci nodded approvingly. "Not being controlled by desire shows your mental strength, Hoshino-chan."


    "I''ll place these cards in your deck when you return. How you use them will be up to you." With a flick of her wrist, the cards disappeared from Hoshino''s view like a magic trick. "It''s getting late, Hoshino-chan. It''s time for you to go back."


    "Already?" Hoshino realized that between the ''celebration'' and dueling with Da Vinci, a lot of time had passed. "I''ve been here quite a while."


    Watching the still noisy Servants around her, Hoshino felt a sense of happiness. Initially resistant to the ''celebration of Master''s first loss in the Duelist Kingdom,'' the atmosphere now made her feel grateful.


    Moreover, the negative emotions that had plagued her were gradually washed away by the familiar laughter of the Servants.


    "Yes, there''s no need to worry about how far I''ll go. I just need to keep moving forward," Hoshino said, a smile of relief spreading across her face as she looked gratefully at Da Vinci. "Thank you, Da Vinci, for organizing this celebration for me."


    Da Vinci smiled warmly and shook her head. "I only organized it. It was the collective will of all the Servants that made this gathering possible. Hoshino-chan, you are truly loved by everyone."


    "Could you secretly send me off, Da Vinci?" Hoshino whispered, leaning close to Da Vinci.


    "Why not say goodbye to everyone?" Da Vinci asked, tilting her head in confusion.


    "No, if I do, I''ll start crying again." Hoshino wiped a tear from her eye and took a deep breath. "I''ve decided I won''t avoid things anymore. I won''t cry or make everyone worry. No matter how tough the battles ahead are, win or lose, I won''t get discouraged."


    "But that doesn''t mean I''ll lose again!" Leaving those final words, Hoshino disappeared into a faint light.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "Mm!" Hoshino awoke with a start, sitting up in bed. The familiar luxurious guest room and soft bed reminded her she was back in this world.


    "Right, Da Vinci mentioned the key card!" Hoshino hurriedly reached for her deck, eager to see the card Da Vinci had described.


    "..."


    "Da Vinci, this card art gives me peace of mind." She looked at the card with a smile, seeing the cheerful faces of everyone. Carefully, she placed it back into her deck. "If only I could see you again in this world, Doctor."


    [Chaldea Magical Support System Continuous Spell Card: Hoshino-chan, we will always be your strongest support.]


    "But it''s noisy outside. What''s going on?" The castle, which should have been quiet, was filled with familiar explosion sound effects. Curiosity piqued, and Hoshino followed the noise.


    "Ah! Chiyuki, you''re awake?" Mai Valentine''s tall, sexy figure appeared in Hoshino''s view.


    "Mai, what''s happening? Why is it so loud?" Hoshino asked, noticing Mai''s anxious expression.


    "Kaiba is dueling Pegasus."


    "Kaiba is dueling Pegasus?!" Hoshino instantly snapped out of her grogginess.


    "Chiyuki, you..." Mai, noticing the difference in Hoshino, paused briefly before smiling warmly. "You''ve recovered quickly, Chiyuki."


    "Sorry for worrying you, Mai." Feeling guilty for her previous despondency that worried her friends, Hoshino resolved, "I won''t be downcast anymore. Let''s go to the Duelist Hall."


    Now, Hoshino was intensely curious about this duel. How would the match between the person who defeated her, Seto Kaiba, and the creator of Duel Monsters, Pegasus, unfold?


    In the Duelist Hall, Pegasus''s Castle


    "Hoshino, Mai, you''re here," Anzu called out as the two approached.


    "Are you okay now, Hoshino?" Yugi, initially concerned, noticed Hoshino''s renewed determination and smiled, relieved. "It looks like you''re alright now."


    "Sorry for making you worry, Yugi. What''s the situation?" Hoshino nodded politely at Yugi before looking down at the duel platform.


    Unlike the towering duel platforms on Duelist Kingdom island, the Duelist Hall in the castle had the audience seated above the duel platform, giving them a better vantage point.


    "As you can see, Kaiba has already summoned Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," Yugi explained.


    "Summoned Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon?" Although it was hard to believe, the imposing presence of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the field was undeniable. "Did Kaiba even shuffle his deck?"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 stars) Light][Dragon/Fusion Monster][ATK:4500 DEF:3800]


    "Since Kaiba summoned Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, he should have an overwhelming advantage. Why does everyone still look so tense?" Hoshino wondered, observing the worried expressions of the onlookers.


    "Because, Hoshino, look at Pegasus''s field," Yugi said, shaking his head and pointing to Pegasus''s side of the field.


    "!?!" Hoshino, her attention previously drawn to the impressive Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, finally noticed Pegasus''s field. "What''s with the completely different art style here?"


    Before seeing Pegasus, Hoshino''s impression of him was shaped by others'' descriptions¡ªa sinister schemer wielding the dark power of Millennium Eye, the mastermind who sealed Yugi''s grandfather''s soul. Hoshino had imagined Pegasus''s cards to be filled with dark, terrifying monsters.


    "This... this is..." Hoshino finally expressed her thoughts. "This is too cute!"


    Pegasus''s field was filled with cartoonish castles and monsters, including a cute, cartoonish mermaid girl shivering in her clam shell in defense position.


    [Toon Mermaid ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Water][Aqua/Effect][ATK:1400 DEF:1500]


    "If they made merchandise of these, they''d probably sell a lot," Hoshino remarked, then continued analyzing the situation. "Although they''re cute, I can''t imagine these monsters defeating Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon."


    "That''s how it should be..." Yugi, unsure how to explain, gestured for Hoshino to keep watching.


    "Go, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, unleash Neutron Blast!" Kaiba commanded, his voice echoing through the hall.


    The familiar, earth-shattering energy of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s three-headed attack, Neutron Blast, shot towards the Toon Mermaid.


    But once the blast hit Pegasus''s field, the style changed dramatically. The Toon Mermaid, hiding in its shell, emerged unscathed, though the shell turned bright red and teary-eyed from the heat.


    "Is this a cartoon?" Hoshino muttered in astonishment.


    "Hahaha, very astute, Hoshino-girl." To Hoshino''s surprise, Pegasus addressed her directly from the field. "In delightful cartoons, the characters can recover from any injury instantly and never die. Toon monsters inherit this wonderful trait."


    "Why does Pegasus know Hoshino?" Yugi and the others, startled by Pegasus''s sudden address, turned to Hoshino. "Hoshino, have you met Pegasus before?"


    "No, no!" Hoshino shook her head vigorously. "I''ve never met Pegasus!"


    "Haha, it''s true Hoshino-girl hasn''t met me." Pegasus looked up at Hoshino, smiling with narrowed eyes. "But I''m your biggest fan."


    A chilling feeling ran down Hoshino''s spine. It was terrifying enough that this final boss-like character knew her; even more so that he claimed to be her biggest fan.


    "Pegasus, how dare you lose focus while dueling me! Do you think I''m someone you can beat with cheap tricks?" Kaiba roared, angry at Pegasus''s behavior.


    "So why can''t Toon monsters be destroyed?" Hoshino, despite being sidetracked by Pegasus''s comment, still didn''t have an answer to her question. "Don''t tell me it''s because they''re invincible in cartoons."


    "Hoshino, it''s because of Pegasus''s field spell..." Yugi pointed to the cartoonish castle on Pegasus''s field. "It''s a card that''s never been released, only owned by Pegasus: [Toon Kingdom]."


    [Toon Kingdom Field Spell Card Effect:


    ¢Ù: When this card is activated, banish the top 3 cards of your Deck face-down.


    ¢Ú: While this card is in the Field Zone, its name is treated as "Toon World".


    ¢Û: Your opponent''s card effects cannot target Toon monsters you control.


    ¢Ü: If a Toon monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish the top card of your Deck face-down for each monster that would be destroyed, instead.]


    "As long as this card is on Pegasus''s field, his Toon monsters can''t be destroyed," Yugi said with a frown. "As much as I hate to admit it, Pegasus''s Toon monsters are practically invincible under these conditions."


    "That''s so unfair!" Hoshino exclaimed, outraged. "Printing a one-of-a-kind card just for yourself is cheating!"


    "Hahaha, Hoshino-girl, you''re so amusing." Pegasus laughed instead of getting angry at Hoshino''s accusation. "By your logic, aren''t we the same?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 75 - 75

    "Hmm..." Hoshino was momentarily at a loss for words after being rebutted by Pegasus. "Could Pegasus already know my Heroic Spirit deck?"


    "Pegasus!!" Kaiba''s voice grew even louder as his anger increased at Pegasus for not taking their duel seriously. "No matter how unbeatable your Toon Monsters are, they can''t defeat my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    "Set two more cards face down, and end my turn!" Kaiba threw the two cards from his hand onto the table, a slight smile appearing on his face.


    Current situation:


    Seto Kaiba LP:4000


    Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ATK:4500


    Two face-down cards


    Maximillion Pegasus LP:4000


    Toon Mermaid in DEF:1500


    One face-down card


    "How interesting, Kaiba-boy." As if reading Kaiba''s thoughts, the Millennium Eye behind Pegasus'' hair glowed faintly.


    "My turn, draw~" Pegasus smiled as he looked at the card he drew, switching his Toon Mermaid from defense mode to attack mode. "Go, Toon Mermaid, attack the adorable Kaiba-boy."


    [Toon Mermaid ATK:1400]


    "Attacking Kaiba," Hoshino asked Yugi in confusion, ignoring the word ''adorable,'' "Kaiba has a Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with 4500 attack points on the field. Is attacking with a Toon Mermaid that only has 1400 attack points how you play cards?"


    Before Yugi could answer, the bizarre scene unfolding before them provided Hoshino with the answer.


    The Toon Mermaid emerged from its shell, drew a toy-like bow and arrow, and shot forward. The flimsy toy arrow inexplicably bypassed the massive Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and struck Kaiba directly.


    [Seto Kaiba LP ¡ú 2600]


    "!!" Kaiba''s shocked expression showed that even he hadn''t anticipated this outcome. "Ignoring my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragons?"


    "Hahaha, Kaiba-boy, a regular monster like Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon can''t interfere with a Toon Monster''s attack." With a smile as if enjoying a fun animation, Pegasus continued, "Activating Toon Mermaid''s special effect~"


    [Toon Mermaid, ¢Ù: This card cannot attack in the turn it is Special Summoned. ¢Ú: This card cannot declare an attack unless you pay 500 Life Points. ¢Û: If your opponent does not control a Toon Monster, this card can attack your opponent directly. If a Toon Monster is present, this card must attack the Toon Monster.]


    "Since Kaiba-boy has no Toon Monsters on the field, I only need to pay 500 Life Points to launch a direct attack. Quite a bargain~" Unfazed by the minimal damage to his Life Points, Pegasus spread his arms wide, striking a nonchalant pose.


    Pegasus LP ¡ú 3500


    "Unaffected and able to bypass opponent''s monsters." Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hoshino said to Yugi, "Now I understand why you said Toon Monsters are Invincible."


    "After the Battle Phase, I''ll tribute my Toon Mermaid to Special Summon from my hand..." As Pegasus placed the card on the table, the Toon Mermaid disappeared in a puff of smoke, just like in a cartoon.


    "This exit style!" Feeling an odd sense of familiarity, Hoshino tried to recall, "Isn''t this how Nobu cards exit?"


    Could Nobu monsters be considered Toon Monsters? Hoshino couldn''t help but wonder, though the art styles were similar, Nobu monsters couldn''t avoid destruction or attack players directly, making them quite different from Toon Monsters.


    "Special Summon Toon Dark Magician Girl~"


    "Dark Magician Girl? Toon!" Hoshino, still contemplating the connection between Nobu cards and Toons, perked up upon hearing the name, her attention instantly captured.


    "Hehe~" The Toon Dark Magician Girl appeared on the battlefield, her petite and cute figure bouncing, with large blush marks on her cheeks.


    [Toon Dark Magician Girl ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars) DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2000 DEF:1700]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. If Toon World is on your field, you can Special Summon this card by tributing 1 monster on your field. This card cannot attack the turn it is Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned. If Toon World is on your field and your opponent controls no Toon Monsters, this card can attack your opponent directly.]


    "Oh wow~! That''s so cute!" Seeing the bouncing Toon Dark Magician Girl, Hoshino clutched her chest excitedly, "The Dark Magician Girl was already very cute, and adding a cartoonish touch made her even more playful. It''s hard to resist wanting to play with her!"


    The crowd watched Hoshino, who had seemingly triggered a strange switch, with twitching mouths, unsure of what to say.


    "Although Toon Monsters are very cute, their combat power is real~" Nodding in agreement with the Dark Magician Girl''s cuteness, Yugi still analyzed the situation on the field. "Fortunately, most Toon Monsters can''t attack the turn they are summoned, or else Kaiba would have lost."


    "Since it''s a Special Summon, I can still perform a Normal Summon this turn~" Pegasus drew another card from his hand and placed it on the table, "Summon Goblin Attack Force (Toon)~"


    [Toon Goblin Attack Force ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK:2300 DEF:0]


    [This card cannot attack the turn it is Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned. If this card attacks, it changes to Defense Position at the end of the Battle Phase and cannot change its position until the end of your next turn. If Toon World is on your field and your opponent controls no Toon Monsters, this card can attack your opponent directly.]


    Toon Goblin Attack Force appeared on the field, wielding an oversized spiked club.


    "Since I can''t attack now, I''ll set one card and end my turn," Pegasus announced, extending his right hand to signal Kaiba to begin his turn.


    "Two high-attack Toon Monsters!" Even Jonouchi, who had been silent, realized the gravity of the situation. "If Kaiba doesn''t take out these two Toon Monsters, he''s sure to lose the next turn when they attack directly! But Toon Monsters can''t be destroyed, it''s tricky!"


    Watching Jonouchi anxiously scratching his yellow hair, Yugi also looked worried. "Kaiba, what are you going to do in this situation?"


    However, Kaiba on the duel platform remained expressionless, though his furrowed brows showed his concern.


    "Kaiba!" A sudden voice from the audience broke Kaiba''s concentration. Taking a deep breath, Hoshino shouted from the stands, "You defeated me in a duel. If you lose so easily to Pegasus, I''ll be very disappointed!"


    "Hmph, boring!" Kaiba grumbled, glancing at Hoshino, but a faint smile on his lips betrayed him. "Watch closely, Hoshino. My true counterattack begins now!"


    "My turn, draw!" Kaiba declared his counterattack, drawing a card from his deck with flair.


    "Although he talks big, what can Kaiba do?" Even though Jonouchi was often annoyed by Kaiba''s arrogance, he still hoped Kaiba would win in moments like these.


    "Since Toon Monsters can''t be destroyed, I''ll just attack their Life Points directly!" Kaiba shouted, flipping over his set card from the previous turn. "Activate the trap card..."


    "You''re going to activate Ring of Destruction, aren''t you?" Pegasus interrupted Kaiba just as he was about to reveal his card. "The card you set last turn is indeed Ring of Destruction, isn''t it?"


    "Pegasus!" Kaiba stared in disbelief at the calm Pegasus as he flipped over his card, revealing it to be the [Ring of Destruction].


    "So this is the Millennium Eye?!" Hoshino exclaimed, covering her mouth in astonishment as she witnessed its power to read minds for the first time. "It can reveal all of the opponent''s set cards, hand, strategies, and thoughts... It''s the Millennium Item, the Millennium Eye..."


    Swallowing nervously, Hoshino struggled to think of a way to counter such an ability.


    "So what if you''ve seen through everything? I still activate Ring of Destruction!" Kaiba, briefly taken aback, quickly regained his composure and continued his move.


    [Ring of Destruction''s effect: Destroy 1 face-up monster on the field. Both players take damage equal to that monster''s attack points.]


    "I choose to destroy my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Kaiba declared, pointing at his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Sorry, Blue-Eyes, but this is for the sake of victory!"


    "Destroy Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Yugi quickly grasped Kaiba''s strategy. "Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon has 4500 attack points, meaning both players will take 4500 points of damage!"


    "Going for a draw?" Jonouchi pounded the spectator railing, uncertain of how to react.


    "Only the weak choose to go down together!" Kaiba drew another card and slammed it onto the table, glaring at Pegasus. "The only one who will lose is you, Pegasus! I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Ring of Defense] from my hand!"


    [Ring of Defense''s effect: The damage from a Trap Card''s effect becomes 0.]


    "So this is Kaiba''s strategy! This way, Kaiba won''t take the 4500 damage from Ring of Destruction." Hoshino, in awe of Kaiba''s combo, remarked, "If Kaiba had used this combo when he dueled me, I would''ve lost right away."


    At this moment, Hoshino finally understood why Da Vinci said she couldn''t defeat Kaiba back then. The gap between their skill levels was indeed vast. But now, Hoshino could accept her defeat openly. If she lost, she would win next time. Even if not now, she was determined to beat Kaiba shortly.


    The explosive ring wrapped around the central head of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. The green Ring of Defense stood ready before Kaiba, prepared to absorb the explosion''s impact.


    "Go to hell, Pegasus!"


    With Kaiba''s command, a massive explosion engulfed the field.


    "Did he win?!" The spectators, their view obscured by the dust of the explosion, couldn''t see the duel platform.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    Seto Kaiba LP:2600


    Maximillion Pegasus LP:3500


    "How can this be!" Kaiba''s eyes widened in shock as he saw Pegasus'' Life Points unchanged.


    "Too bad, Kaiba-boy." Wrapped in a gentle magical barrier amidst the explosion, Pegasus looked at the shattered Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with pity. "Your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon sacrificed itself for nothing."


    "Activate the set trap card, [Pikeru''s Circle of Enchantment]~"


    [Pikeru''s Circle of Enchantment effect: Until the end of this turn, the controller of this card takes no damage from card effects.]


    The adorable white mage Pikeru''s phantom softly chanted a spell, protecting the Pegasus behind her.


    "A supposedly foolproof strategy rendered useless once seen by the Millennium Eye..." Pegasus countered Kaiba''s move with a single card, causing him to lose his most powerful Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Hoshino pondered, "Is there a way to beat the Millennium Eye?"


    "Kaiba..." Yugi, unable to see a path for Kaiba to win, watched anxiously as two indestructible Toon Monsters now dominated the field.


    "Pegasus, I''ll admit you seem to have seen through my strategy!" Kaiba slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Although I don''t know what cheating methods you used to see through my setup from the last turn, can you counter the new strategy from the card I just drew this turn?"


    "Kaiba-boy, the reason you''re so confident is because of the [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] you stole from the lab in the castle, isn''t it?" Pegasus said playfully, having anticipated Kaiba''s next move. "Though I don''t know how you found out about the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon in the lab, it was originally meant for you after I took over KaibaCorp to defeat Yugi Muto. So, it''s fine to give it to you now."


    "But do you think you can defeat me with just the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon?"


    "The naive one is you, Pegasus!" Unfazed by Pegasus discovering his theft, Kaiba threw another card onto the table. "I activate the Spell Card [Fusion Recovery] from my hand!"


    "I''ll retrieve the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] used to summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and the Spell Card [Polymerization] from my Graveyard!" Reclaiming Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Kaiba played Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon onto the field. "Since I have Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand, I can Special Summon [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon]! Come forth, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!"


    With a mighty roar, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon descended onto the field.


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can be Special Summoned by showing Blue-Eyes White Dragon from your hand to your opponent.]


    "This is what Da Vinci meant by Kaiba''s deck being specialized around Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Hoshino murmured, realizing that Kaiba''s field always had a Blue-Eyes White Dragon no matter the situation. "Is this the source of your strength, Kaiba? Although you''re teaching me, my deck doesn''t seem to be able to emulate that."


    "I activate the special effect of [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] on the field!" Riding the momentum of successfully summoning Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, Kaiba pressed on.


    "No, Kaiba-kun. Even though Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon''s special effect can destroy an opponent''s monster, Toon Monsters can''t be destroyed by effects!" Yugi worriedly reminded Kaiba from the stage.


    "Do you think I''m an idiot, Yugi?" Kaiba scolded Yugi and continued activating Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon''s effect. "The effect I want to activate is that as long as [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] is on the field or in the Graveyard, its name becomes ''Blue-Eyes White Dragon''!"


    "Becomes Blue-Eyes White Dragon?! I see!" Realizing the plan, Hoshino exclaimed, "Kaiba, you''re amazing!"


    "As expected of Hoshino, you''ve already figured out my strategy!" Kaiba praised Hoshino before drawing another card and slamming it onto the table. "I activate the Spell Card [Polymerization] from my hand!"


    "Fusion? That''s right, Kaiba still has that card!" Yugi, the second to catch on, also looked excitedly at the field.


    Activating [Polymerization], Kaiba glared at Pegasus. "Pegasus, this is the response to your expectations! Witness the new form of Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "I fuse the [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] on the field with [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] in my hand!" Slamming the fusion monster onto the table, Kaiba pointed at Pegasus and the Toon Monsters. "Let me defeat your indestructible Toon Monsters!"


    "Special Summon, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars) LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 20 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you! S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 76 - 76

    "Special Summon, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars) Light] [Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    "Yes, if it''s Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, it can defeat the Toon monsters!" Looking at the roaring twin-headed dragon on the field, Jonouchi finally understood Kaiba''s intention.


    "Oh? This is interesting, Kaiba boy~" Pegasus, who had been wearing a casual and mocking expression, became slightly more serious when Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon appeared.


    "Watch closely, Pegasus. Today, I''m going to use my blue eyes to tear apart the sinister face you hide behind your hair!" Stretching his right hand forward, Kaiba''s powerful aura surged towards Pegasus. "Attack the Toon monsters, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"


    The twin-headed dragon, poised to strike, unleashed a terrifying white light from its mouth, shooting towards the shivering and cowering Toon Goblins. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Normally indestructible Toon monsters were turned to ash in the scorching white light of the Twin Burst Dragon.


    Pegasus LP 3500 ¡ú 2800


    "It defeated the Toon monsters? How did that happen?" Anzu, still confused, looked at the destroyed Toon Goblin Attack Force.


    "It''s because of Twin Burst Dragon''s effect," explained Yugi patiently. "Twin Burst Dragon has a special effect where if its attack doesn''t destroy the opponent''s monster, that monster is banished instead. That''s how it defeated Hoshino''s Hercules."


    "Ugh..." Hoshino winced at the memory. "Yugi, it''s fine to explain, but don''t use my sad experiences as examples."


    "Ah, sorry, sorry~" Yugi apologized, scratching his star-shaped hair with a sheepish smile.


    "I see!" Anzu exclaimed, hitting her palm with her fist in realization. "So the indestructible Toon monsters triggered Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s effect and were banished!"


    "As expected of Kaiba. To come up with such a strategy against the Toon monsters," Honda excitedly shook the fence in front of the audience. "Maybe Kaiba really can defeat Pegasus, and then Yugi''s grandpa can be saved."


    "Pegasus, my attack isn''t over yet!" Ignoring the discussions and praises from the audience, Kaiba roared as he continued his turn. "Activating Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s special effect again!"


    [This card can attack monsters twice during the same Battle Phase.]


    "I''m going to wipe out every last Toon monster on your field!" Kaiba shouted arrogantly at Pegasus, reaching forward. "Attack again, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"


    The twin Burst Dragon''s wings quivered as its heads gathered energy once more.


    Hiding her face under a large magician''s hat, the Toon Dark Magician Girl, unable to watch the scene, was engulfed by the merciless attack.


    "The cute Toon Dark Magician Girl..." Hoshino turned away, unable to bear the sight. Despite being the enemy''s monster, Hoshino, who firmly believed that ''cute is justice,'' silently lamented for the Dark Magician Girl.


    As expected, due to Twin Burst Dragon''s effect, the Toon Dark Magician Girl also vanished without a trace.


    Pegasus LP 2800 ¡ú 1800


    "Splendid! Kaiba boy!" Despite applauding, Pegasus''s tone carried a hint of anger as he watched his two Toon monsters be annihilated.


    "Pegasus, I wonder how long you can maintain that unperturbed attitude!" Kaiba, exuding a sense of finality, revealed his last set card. "This is my final trump card, Pegasus! Activate the set Quick-Play Spell Card, [De-Fusion]!"


    "Kaiba!" Yugi looked at Kaiba''s last set card with excitement.


    "De-fuse my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!" Kaiba placed the de-fused [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] and [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] onto the table, and the two White Dragons returned to Kaiba''s field.


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Light] [Dragon/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Light] [Dragon][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    "Because the monsters were de-fused during the Battle Phase!" Hoshino''s eyes widened in shock. "It means the two Dragons can still attack!"


    "And Pegasus has no monsters on his field!" Jonouchi clenched his fists in excitement. "Doesn''t that mean Kaiba has won?"


    "Pegasus, you''ve played with KaibaCorp and imprisoned Mokuba''s soul in a card. Your heinous actions have thoroughly enraged me!" With a wave of his right hand, Kaiba commanded his final attack. "Prepare to face my wrath, Pegasus! Blue-Eyes White Dragon, obliterate the man in front of you!"


    Responding to Kaiba''s command, Blue-Eyes White Dragon roared and launched a dazzling burst of white light.


    "Wait, Kaiba! Be careful!" Hoshino, who had been anticipating Pegasus''s defeated expression, noticed a hint of cunning in Pegasus''s face. Her intuition told her that this was not the expression of someone about to lose. "Pegasus still has a counter!"


    "Even if you''ve realized it, it''s too late, Hoshino girl~" Pegasus, revealing a triumphant smile, activated his last set card. "Activate the set Trap Card, [Toon Mask]!"


    [Toon Mask Trap Card Effect: When you have "Toon World" on the field, target one face-up monster your opponent controls; Special Summon one Toon monster from your hand or Deck whose Level is less than or equal to the Level of that target, ignoring its Summoning conditions.]


    "I''ve been waiting for your de-fusion, Kaiba boy!" Stretching his slender arm, Pegasus pointed at the attacking Blue-Eyes White Dragon. "I target your Blue-Eyes White Dragon to Special Summon my Toon monster, [Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon]!"


    A comical mask appeared on the field, closely examining the Blue-Eyes White Dragon before flying into the Toon castle behind it.


    "Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Kaiba''s pupils contracted as he sensed danger.


    [Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Light] [Dragon/Effect][ATK:3000 DEF:2500]


    With a comical appearance, the Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon emerged from the Toon Kingdom castle due to the Toon Mask''s effect.


    The next moment left everyone speechless...


    Faced with the attacking Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s burst of white light, the Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon opened its exaggerated dragon mouth, swallowing the attack whole. After holding the light in its mouth for a moment, it spits it back at the opposing Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] was destroyed...


    "How unfortunate. Despite having the same 3000 attack points, my Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon cannot be destroyed~" Feigning regret, Pegasus''s tone was full of mockery. "In comparison, your Blue-Eyes White Dragon is fragile, Kaiba boy~"


    "My Blue-Eyes White Dragon... was defeated by such a ridiculous monster!" Kaiba pounded the table in frustration, his words filled with resentment. But now, with no cards left in his hand, Kaiba was out of options, making a comeback nearly impossible. "Even my final strategy was completely seen through by the Millennium Eye!"


    "Are you ready to face my Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s final attack? Since it''s a Toon monster, it can directly attack the player~" Pointing at the enraged Kaiba, Pegasus commanded his Toon Blue-Eyes White Dragon to attack. "Byebye~ Kaiba boy~"


    The comical white light, like a burp, engulfed Kaiba.


    Seto Kaiba LP 2600 ¡ú 0


    "Kaiba actually lost..." Anzu covered her mouth in disbelief, unwilling to accept the reality before her.


    "Hmph, so this is my final struggle. How futile." Kaiba sneered, looking at his empty life points as if mocking his powerlessness.


    "Kaiba boy, you know what happens next, don''t you~" Pegasus, holding a blank card, said meaningfully to Kaiba.


    "Soul Cage" was written on the blank card, a name that meant a cage imprisoning souls. This was the card Pegasus used to imprison Yugi''s grandpa and Mokuba, and now it was Kaiba''s turn.


    "Yugi! Pegasus agreed with the Big Five. The moment he defeats you, all shares of KaibaCorp will be transferred to him. That''s his real goal!" At his final moment, Kaiba didn''t react with fear or begging but loudly revealed the truth to Yugi. "Yugi! If it''s you, my destined rival, you can defeat Pegasus!"


    "Kaiba..." Yugi, filled with sadness, couldn''t bear to look at the defeated Kaiba.


    "Hoshino!" Even Kaiba himself didn''t seem to know why he called out this girl''s name. "I told you to learn well, but in the end, I still failed. How disgraceful!"


    "Kaiba boy, you talk too much!" Annoyed by Kaiba''s revelation of his plan, Pegasus''s Millennium Eye shone with a dazzling golden light. "Time to say goodbye to everyone~"


    "Hoshino, though you are still immature, you are a duelist full of potential! Try to surpass..." Kaiba''s soul left his body before he could finish his shout, and his figure was imprinted on Pegasus''s previously blank card.


    Surpass who? Pegasus? Yugi? Or Seto Kaiba himself? Hoshino couldn''t grasp the full meaning of Kaiba''s incomplete words, but one thing was certain: the anger in her heart. "Kaiba, I said I''d be very upset if you lost easily, but it''s okay. You fought beautifully."


    Despite Kaiba, who had defeated her, losing to Pegasus, Hoshino felt no fear. "Pegasus! You use the dark power of the Millennium Eye to toy with souls and separate loved ones for money and profit! Such despicable behavior, please don''t call yourself my number one fan anymore!"


    Though Kaiba, Mokuba, and Yugi''s grandpa had nothing to do with her, Hoshino''s heart surged with uncontrollable anger. Only by shouting could she vent her dissatisfaction with Pegasus.


    "Well said, Hoshino!" With the dazzling light of the Millennium Puzzle, the Pharaoh had swapped souls with Yugi. "Kaiba fought with his life to protect his most important person. This feeling of protecting someone precious is the same as ours. And you, Pegasus!!"


    "Hmph, here comes the other Yugi boy." Pegasus, his expression previously calm, now showed a slight change as he looked silently at the Pharaoh in the audience.


    "Pegasus, you don''t have the right to take away our most important people!" The Pharaoh pointed fiercely at Pegasus, still standing in the duel arena. "I will defeat you with my own hands!"


    "If you want the right to duel me, you must win the championship finals first~" Pegasus dismissed the Pharaoh''s challenge and turned to leave the duel arena.


    "I know, but be prepared!" Yugi clenched his Duel Glove, gritting his teeth. "My anger won''t subside until I''ve defeated you!"


    "Hmph, the four strongest duelists gathered on this island will engage in the fiercest battles tomorrow morning. Only the one who stands out among them will have the highest honor of dueling me~" Pegasus said his final words and left the duelist hall.


    "Yugi boy, Hoshino girl, I''m looking forward to it~" Walking down the hallway, Pegasus could no longer hide his deep interest with a calm expression. "Let''s see if your burning anger can consume me, the father of Duel Monsters!"


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "This food is really good. Pegasus is a bad guy, but he prepared so many delicious dishes for us." Jonouchi praised as he ate heartily at the dinner table.


    "Jonouchi, how can you eat so well after seeing that scene?" Hoshino, who had no appetite, played with the cherry tomatoes on her plate and looked disdainfully at Jonouchi.


    "Starving won''t help us duel properly," Mai Valentine, unexpectedly cutting her steak, said. "Are you planning to rely on that cherry tomato to get through the night, or sneak into my room for food later?"


    "Mai is right!" The butler, with his hands behind his back, explained respectfully. "To prepare for tomorrow''s elimination matches, Pegasus specially prepared these exquisite dishes. He hopes everyone will rest well and be in top form for tomorrow''s duels."


    "Hmph, I''d rather starve, die outside, and jump off from here than eat a single bite of Pegasus''s food!" Hoshino declared fiercely, cutting the cherry tomato on her plate in half with her fork and then stirring the soup before her out of boredom.


    "Hoshino, don''t play with your food." Anzu reminded her, picking up the cherry tomato from Hoshino''s plate and eating it.


    "Additionally, there''s one more thing to announce before tomorrow''s elimination matches. Everyone must prepare one of the two cards given to you before the match." The butler pulled out two cards from his coat.


    "This one, [Glory of the King''s Right Hand]." The card was adorned with luxurious gold coins and jewels.


    "And this one, [Glory of the King''s Left Hand]." This card, however, was blank.


    "Without [Glory of the King''s Right Hand], you can''t win the prize money. Without [Glory of the King''s Left Hand], you can''t challenge Pegasus." The butler explained.


    "Ah!!" Hoshino''s scream interrupted the explanation.


    "Hoshino, what''s wrong!" Jonouchi, who was worried because he didn''t have the qualification cards as a stowaway contestant, was immediately drawn to Hoshino.


    "There''s an eyeball in the soup!" Hoshino, bored and stirring her soup, had discovered a golden eye that looked like a replica of the Millennium Eye.


    "That''s disgusting!" Anzu shrank away, scared.


    "How dare you serve us something so disgusting!" Jonouchi, angry that Hoshino and Anzu were scared, slammed the table and questioned the butler.


    "Apologies, but this is a special item prepared by Pegasus, a replica Millennium Eye containing the contestant''s duel sequence tags." The butler bowed slightly. "Now, please open the replica Millennium Eyes in your soups."


    Sure enough, only the contestants had the replica Millennium Eyes in their soups. Reluctantly, Hoshino fished out the eye and opened it along the seam.


    "Number 2? What does that mean?"


    "I''m number 1," Jonouchi said, looking at his tag.


    "I''m number 3," Yugi added.


    "And I''m number 4~," Mai said.


    "Tomorrow''s duel order is number 1 versus number 2, followed by number 3 versus number 4. Please adjust your decks according to your opponent." The butler left the dining room after his final instructions.


    "Number 1 versus number 2 means my first opponent tomorrow is..." Hoshino sighed, looking at the grinning Jonouchi. "I''ll be dueling Jonouchi."


    "And the most crucial part is, I don''t have the qualification cards!" Hoshino, having searched her deck multiple times, had never seen the ''Glory of the King''s Right Hand'' or ''Glory of the King''s Left Hand.''


    "Even though I know I shouldn''t complain to Da Vinci, how can I enter the finals like this?" Hoshino suddenly turned to Mai, who was chewing her steak.


    "???" Mai, noticing Hoshino''s gaze, showed a charming smile while chewing her steak.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    In the darkness, Kaiba''s soul floated somewhere, endlessly repeating his unfinished words.


    "Try to surpass fate, Duelist Number 001, Hoshino Chiyuki..."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 77 - 77

    -Knock, knock~


    A cautious knock on the door, Hoshino lightly tapped on Mai''s door. "Mai, are you there?"


    It didn''t take long for Hoshino''s patience to be rewarded. As the door handle turned softly, Mai''s door opened quietly. "I knew it was you, Chiyuki. I figured you would come looking for me. Come in."


    "Hmm?" Hoshino was slightly taken aback, not expecting Mai to have already figured out her intentions. She went along with Mai''s invitation and entered the room.


    Anzu wasn''t visible, but the sound of running water from the bathroom indicated that she was taking a shower.


    "Mai, why are you only wearing underwear?" In the hallway, Hoshino had only seen Mai''s head poking out and hadn''t realized the situation. But once inside, she saw that Mai was clad only in underwear, her smooth, sensual body fully on display.


    "Chiyuki, you are such a child. A mature woman feels free to be herself in her room~" Mai struck a pose, unabashedly showing off her perfect figure to Hoshino.


    "Mai... I''m not here for that..." Hoshino blushed furiously, so nervous she didn''t know what she was saying.


    "Oh? What ''that'' are you talking about~" Mai touched Hoshino''s flushed cheek, the more embarrassed she got, the more Mai wanted to tease her.


    "I''m here to..." Hoshino''s mind was a mess, unable to find the words.


    "You want to ask about the qualification cards, right?" Mai''s suggestive tone suddenly shifted to a gentle one.


    "Ah, Mai, you already knew?" Hoshino looked at Mai in disbelief, not understanding how she knew.


    "Haha~, the way you looked at me during dinner gave it away!" Mai laughed, answering Hoshino. "Remember when we first met on the cruise? I suspected you weren''t a formal contestant back then."


    Recalling that moment, Hoshino awkwardly laughed. Mai had indeed questioned her then, and she had managed to ease the situation by showing two Duelist Stars.


    "Chiyuki, although I don''t know your secret or your purpose for coming to the Duelist Kingdom, I''m still willing to support you." Unlike the sharp Mai she had first met, the gentle Mai before her seemed like a different person. "After all, I earned my qualification because of all the stars you gave up." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Mai, if you''re talking about that, you returned the stars to me when I needed them most." Hoshino scratched her head, feeling a bit overwhelmed by Mai''s kindness. "You don''t owe me anything."


    "It''s different, Chiyuki. You were the first person to help me without expecting anything in return." Mai sighed, looking out the window. "I''ve seen so many ugly faces scheming for their benefit in my life. You appeared like an angel when I was at my lowest."


    "An angel..." Hoshino felt a bit embarrassed by Mai''s heartfelt words. "I didn''t expect the usually cool and serious Mai to say something like that."


    "Haha, I''m still a girl, after all. Isn''t it normal to have such innocent fantasies?" Mai stood up, laughing, and pulled two cards from her clothes hanging on the rack. "[Glory of the King''s Right Hand] and [Glory of the King''s Left Hand]. You only need one to participate in the final elimination match. You can choose either one, Chiyuki."


    "Mai, but isn''t your dream..." Hoshino never expected Mai to offer her the card representing the large prize money, [Glory of the King''s Right Hand]. Seeing Mai''s sincere smile, Hoshino knew she wasn''t joking.


    "Don''t worry about small things. After all, it doesn''t matter which card you take~" Mai playfully knocked on Hoshino''s hesitant head, trying to hand her the [Glory of the King''s Right Hand].


    However...


    "Mai, I had already decided before coming here." Hoshino took the blank card from Mai''s hand, her eyes firm. "I want to use [Glory of the King''s Left Hand] to challenge Pegasus."


    [Glory of the King''s Left-Hand effect: The winner of the elimination match gets the right to duel Pegasus.]


    Mai looked at Hoshino in disbelief, never expecting her to challenge Pegasus. "Chiyuki, don''t worry about me. Even if you take the prize card, it''s completely fine."


    "I''ve thought about it a lot, Mai. This blank card, [Glory of the King''s Left Hand], probably symbolizes the souls of those who are sealed." Based on Yugi''s and her guesses, Hoshino figured that the blank card [Glory of the King''s Left Hand] likely represented the souls of important people. "So I need to challenge Pegasus, to reclaim the souls of Kaiba, Mokuba, and Yugi''s grandpa. And then..."


    "And then seek revenge on Kaiba?" Mai, intrigued, put away the card symbolizing wealth. "I didn''t realize you valued dueling this much, Chiyuki."


    "Maybe I''ve been influenced by all the passionate friends around me." Hoshino sighed, recalling all the duels on the island.


    "Also, if you think about it, saving Seto Kaiba means saving KaibaCorp. We''ll never lack money again~" Hoshino whispered in Mai''s ear, revealing her true thoughts.


    "Haha? Really?" Mai, skeptical, twitched her lips. "Even if you save him, Kaiba might only say ''thank you'' and that''s it."


    (***)


    After finishing her talk with Mai and returning to her room with [Glory of the King''s Left Hand], Hoshino''s emotions were still in turmoil.


    "You were only half-honest with Mai, weren''t you?" A translucent Sherlock Holmes appeared, smoking a pipe.


    "Haha, nothing escapes you, detective." Hoshino laughed at herself, looking at Holmes. "Did Da Vinci allow you to materialize?"


    "The concentration of dark energy in this castle is high enough to maintain my materialization." Holmes shrugged, sitting on a chair by the round table. "Miss Hoshino, the night is still long. Shall we..."


    "Shall we what?" Hoshino looked nervously at Holmes'' meaningful gaze.


    "Haha, Miss Hoshino, what do you take me for? I mean..." Holmes set down his pipe, crossing his legs as he sat. "Shall we have a duel?"


    "A duel? Now, with you, Mr. Holmes?" Hoshino, puzzled by Holmes'' proposal, was a bit confused.


    "A duel in name, but it''s a special training, Miss Hoshino." Holmes''s eyes suddenly sharpened.


    "Tonight, I won''t let you sleep easily~"


    (***)


    "The title of King of Baker Street is not just for show~" Holmes pushed the cards on the table and revealed his victorious smile again. "I attack with the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Holmes]!"


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1000 ¡ú 0


    "Sigh, I lost again!" Throwing her cards on the table, Hoshino slumped back in her chair. "It feels like Mr.Holmes can see through all my cards. Are you secretly using some unique skill to cheat?"


    "It''s just a basic deduction, my friend." Smiling at the slumped Hoshino, Holmes quietly tidied up the scattered cards on the table. "And Miss Hoshino, remember, the Millennium Eye you''re about to face is far more terrifyingly real than my deductions."


    "Millennium Eye?!" Hoshino jolted, her previously slumped body miraculously sitting upright. "One more round, Mr. Holmes!"


    "Hehe~" Holmes chuckled gently while shuffling the cards. "I was here to accompany you, after all. We can go as many rounds as you like. But Miss Hoshino, it seems you haven''t added the two cards Da Vinci gave you to your deck."


    "Yeah, since it''s special training, I want to grow relying on my strength first." Now sitting up, Hoshino began sorting her scattered cards. "If I always rely on Da Vinci''s power, I''ll become weak."


    "Da Vinci gave you those cards because she believed you wouldn''t rely solely on her power." Holmes placed the neatly shuffled deck on the table and began drawing cards. "Wow, another great hand. Miss Hoshino, it seems you''ll lose again."


    "Cut the chatter and play!"


    Later that night...


    Holmes LP: 800 ¡ú 0


    "Hehe, Miss Hoshino, you finally beat me." Holmes praised, satisfied with his empty life points, but received no response from Hoshino. "Miss Hoshino?"


    Looking at Hoshino across the table, Holmes smiled warmly. "Rest well, Hoshino..."


    (***)


    -Knock, knock~


    Mai Valentine knocked on Hoshino''s door, calling loudly from outside. "Chiyuki, wake up, or you''ll miss breakfast!"


    Awakened by the urgent knocking, Hoshino, who had fallen asleep in her chair at some point, rubbed her eyes, groggily removed the blanket covering her, and wobbled to the door.


    "Huh?! Chiyuki, what did you do last night? You have such dark circles." Mai looked at Hoshino''s haggard face in surprise and asked worriedly.


    "It''s nothing, Mai. I was just too nervous last night to sleep well." Finding a random excuse, Hoshino then went to the bathroom to freshen up.


    Splashing cold water on her face, Hoshino immediately felt more awake. Looking at herself in the mirror, Hoshino reminded herself that everything was real. "Today is the final battle!"


    "Chiyuki, do you want to have breakfast together? You hardly ate anything last night." Although Hoshino seemed back to her usual self after freshening up, Mai was still worried about her health.


    "Of course, I want to eat! You said fighting on an empty stomach is no good for dueling, didn''t you?" Having eaten almost nothing the night before and dueled all night with Holmes, Hoshino''s stomach had been growling.


    "But didn''t you say last night that you wouldn''t eat anything from Pegasus?" Mai teased Hoshino, who was now headed straight to the dining hall.


    "Fine, the food smells too good!" Hoshino retorted without looking back.


    In the Duel Hall¡ª


    "Oh! It''s Hoshino." Jonouchi seemed a bit nervous as he saw Hoshino arrive after breakfast.


    "What''s wrong, Jonouchi? Are you scared before the duel even begins?" Hoshino teased, noticing Jonouchi''s complex expression.


    "N-No, I''m not scared!" Jonouchi quickly defended himself, then awkwardly scratched his face. "I just hope we have a duel we won''t regret. If I win, you better not get mad."


    "Hah! Dream on, Jonouchi. The duel hasn''t even started and you''re already dreaming!" Hoshino pinched Jonouchi''s arm. Despite her words, she never underestimated Jonouchi as a duelist.


    "Anyway, good luck to both of you!" Yugi cheered for the two, who were bickering.


    "Yugi, you have time to cheer for others?" Mai, standing beside Hoshino with arms crossed, warned Yugi. "Be careful, or I''ll defeat you before you even get to Pegasus."


    "Don''t worry, Mai. I''ll give it my all!" Yugi nodded firmly, always respectful to every opponent.


    "The final elimination match of Duelist Kingdom is about to begin. Please welcome Pegasus to the arena!" The familiar old butler announced loudly beside the dueling platform. Pegasus, wearing large loafers, stepped onto his special throne on the platform, his designated viewing spot.


    "King of Duelist Kingdom, huh..." Hoshino murmured, looking at Pegasus on his throne.


    "Now, let the participants of the first match come forward: Hoshino Chiyuki versus Katsuya Jonouchi!"


    "It''s our turn. Let''s go, Jonouchi!" Drawing her carefully adjusted deck, Hoshino took a deep breath and stepped onto the final duel platform.


    "Oh yeah!" Jonouchi, with a peculiar laugh, also took out his deck. "Shizuka, give your brother strength!"


    "Please show your qualification cards." The butler requested as per protocol.


    "Hmph, of course, I have the qualification card!" Jonouchi proudly pulled out a shining golden card from his pocket. "[Glory of the King''s Right Hand], see? No problem, right?"


    The butler nodded, indicating that Jonouchi''s card was valid. Jonouchi had likely received this card from Yugi.


    "My qualification card is!" Slowly taking out the blank card from her clothes, Hoshino glared at Pegasus on his throne as she showed the card. "[Glory of the King''s Left Hand]!"


    "Hoshino is going to use [Glory of the King''s Left Hand] to challenge Pegasus?!" Yugi exclaimed in disbelief, surprised at Hoshino''s choice. "I always thought Hoshino joined the Duelist Kingdom tournament just for the prize money."


    With both qualification cards verified, the butler officially announced the start of the match.


    "The duel begins Hoshino Chiyuki vs. Katsuya Jonouchi!"


    "Katsuya Jonouchi will go first!"


    "Great, I get to go first!" For some reason, Jonouchi always seemed particularly excited when going first. "My turn, draw!"


    "I summon [Armored Lizard] in attack position!" After a moment of thought, Jonouchi played his monster card on the table. "End my turn."


    [Armored Lizard ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth] [Reptile][ATK:1500 DEF:1200]


    "Seriously? You get so excited about going first, and then just summon this monster and end your turn?" Hoshino couldn''t help but complain about Jonouchi''s move.


    "Huh? Isn''t this how normal duels go?" Jonouchi asked innocently, confused by Hoshino''s reaction.


    Jonouchi''s response made Hoshino realize that this was the standard level of dueling in this world. Most duels on Duelist Kingdom''s island were like this. The sense of dissonance she felt was due to her recent opponents being abnormal. Kaiba never shuffled and always played Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon; Da Vinci had mysterious decks with unpredictable traps; Holmes felt like she was playing with open cards.


    "It''s a relief, Jonouchi, to duel you in the first match." Hoshino sighed, finally feeling back to normal dueling. "And today, I''m feeling lucky. Let''s try out a new card I drew this morning!"


    "I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Caligula] in attack position!" Throwing the new monster card on the table, the hologram of Caligula appeared on the battlefield.


    [Heroic Spirit - Caligula ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Dark] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF:1200]


    "Neroooo!" The terrifying roar of the mad emperor echoed across the field.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 78 - 78

    [Heroic Spirit - Caligula¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Dark][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF:1200]


    "That''s a monster I''ve never seen Hoshino use before!" said Yugi, watching Caligula roar on the field, turning to his friends observing the duel.


    "Making significant adjustments to your deck at this stage of the finals is a double-edged sword, Chiyuki," Mai Valentine murmured with a frown. Adding new cards to the deck can catch opponents familiar with your deck off guard, but the drawback lies in whether the user can skillfully use the new card.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Earlier that morning, in the dining room...


    <[Saint Quartz Summon (Limited-Time Banner) Eternal Madness Empire: Septem Recommended Heroic Spirits Summon] Now Open!>


    "A new banner opens?" Hoshino, after finishing breakfast, was in a dilemma looking at her remaining Saint Quartz.


    <[Detected Duel Victory, Duelist Holmes, Duelist Rank A-, Reward 55 Saint Quartz, Remaining Saint Quartz: 110.]>


    "Did I beat Mr. Holmes?" Hoshino''s memory was extremely vague, as her consciousness was fading due to her fatigued body by the final duel. However, her dissatisfaction from losing many times and her persistent drive for victory still supported her in completing the final duel. "Mr. Holmes'' rank is high, no wonder he was so tough to beat."


    Currently, Saint Quartz can be used not only for gacha but also for breaking the limit of Craft Essence cards.


    "It''s such a dilemma; both offer unknown results! Can''t there be a system that''s a bit friendlier to unlucky players?" Hoshino, grabbing her head in frustration, once again faced Da Vinci''s suggestion of making a choice.


    "Then I''ll do it half and half, I want it all!" Taking out a frequently used Craft Essence card from her deck, Hoshino clicked on the enhancement option.


    <[Alternate Ending] Limit Break successful, Remaining Saint Quartz: 80.>


    Satisfied with the golden glow on the [Another Ending], Hoshino opened the card shop again.


    <[Use 30 Saint Quartz for 10 summons?]>


    "Yes!"


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Flashback Ends


    "Today I''m super lucky, Jonouchi!" Hoshino declared, hands on her hips and a bright smile lighting up her face. The thrill of her successful gacha pulls still buzzed through her veins, giving her an extra boost of confidence. "Go, Caligula, attack Jonouchi''s Armored Lizard!"


    "Hey, Hoshino, your monster''s attack is equal to my Armored Lizard''s, do you want to end in a draw?" Jonouchi asked loudly, surprised at Hoshino''s attacking move.


    "Hmph, Caligula''s special effect, activate!" Hoshino ordered, waving her hand at Caligula charging at Armored Lizard.


    [Once per turn, pay 500 LP to activate. This card''s DEF decreases by 500 points and ATK increases by 500 points.]


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 3500


    "Ugh, it still hurts a bit, but compared to a bubble-like illusion, it''s much easier!" Complaining through gritted teeth, Hoshino watched her Life Points decrease.


    [Caligula ATK 1500 ¡ú 2000 DEF 1200 ¡ú 700 ]


    "Offer up... your soul!" Gathering all its life force, Caligula delivered a heavy punch at Armored Lizard.


    "Use my soul as you wish, go Caligula!"


    The punch exploded on the seemingly tough armor of Armored Lizard, destroying it as expected.


    Jonouchi Katsuya LP 4000 ¡ú 3500


    "Activate Caligula''s effect again!" Hoshino commanded Caligula, not stopping her actions.


    [When this card destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, gain LP equal to the destroyed monster''s level x 200.]


    "Since Armored Lizard is a 4-star monster, I recover 800 LP!" Laughing happily, Hoshino absorbed the energy returned by Caligula, "How''s that, Jonouchi, my new monster!"


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3500 ¡ú 4300


    "Not only did she recover LP, but her monster''s ATK is now 2000," Yugi analyzed, observing Hoshino''s sequence of actions, "It feels like Hoshino''s monster is becoming more like Kaiba''s power cards."


    "Set one card face-down, ending my turn." Having gained a huge advantage, Hoshino did not become complacent like Jonouchi and ensured she set a card.


    "Damn, my turn, draw!" Frustrated, Jonouchi looked at Hoshino''s Caligula with its high ATK of 2000 and said, "Hoshino, where''s your signature monster, Spartacus? I like that card better!"


    "I already said it''s not my signature card anymore!" Blushing as she retorted, Hoshino suddenly smirked and replied, "I''ve acquired new power, I won''t use outdated cards anymore." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What are you talking about, Hoshino? Spartacus has fought with you all this time!" Jonouchi responded angrily, "No matter how strong a card is, I won''t acknowledge a duelist who doesn''t understand the heart of the cards!"


    "Enough with the nonsense! First, deal with my Caligula!" Annoyed but touched by Jonouchi''s words, Hoshino suddenly paused.


    "Alright! Summon monster card [Little-Winguard]!" Jonouchi placed the monster card on the table, determined to awaken Hoshino from her power obsession.


    [Little-Winguard ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1400 DEF:1800]


    The small but cute monster held a tiny shield and sword.


    "You think this monster can defeat Caligula? Wake up, Jonouchi," Hoshino said disdainfully, looking at Jonouchi''s monster.


    "You''re the one who needs to wake up, Hoshino!" Furious, Jonouchi slammed a spell card onto the table, "Activate spell card, [Shield & Sword]!"


    "This card!" Yugi exclaimed, understanding Jonouchi''s intention, "Hoshino''s Caligula has high ATK but low DEF due to its effect, while Winged Guard has very high DEF!"


    [Little-Winguard ATK:1800 DEF:1400]


    [Caligula ATK:700 DEF:2000]


    "Due to [Shield & Sword], the attack and defense of all monsters on the field are swapped until the end of the turn!" With his plan successful, Jonouchi launched his attack, "Go, Little-Winguard, Wind Slash!"


    The cute little Winguard, wielding a now large sword, swung it at Caligula, destroying it.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4300 ¡ú 3200


    "For you, that''s not bad at all, Jonouchi!" Praising Jonouchi while watching her Caligula be destroyed and her Life Points decrease significantly, Hoshino said, "Activate trap card, [Ruthless]!"


    [Ruthless Trap Card Effect: Activate only when a [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. Special Summon one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand or Deck with a level lower than the destroyed monster.]


    "Due to Ruthless effect, I Special Summon from my deck, monster card, [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus]!"


    [Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star) Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF:1500]


    "Hoshino!" Despite Hoshino activating a trap card and summoning a monster, Jonouchi seemed even more excited, "I knew Hoshino wouldn''t turn into someone like Kaiba! Using Spartacus suits you!"


    "Hehe, I was just messing with you earlier." Hoshino smirked, speaking to the excited Jonouchi, "You asked for Spartacus, so don''t regret it later!"


    "Where is the oppressor, Master?" Spartacus made a dramatic entrance, scanning for the so-called oppressor. However, the only thing standing before him was the Little Winguard. "You''re not the oppressor!"


    "I set one card and activate Little-Winguard''s special effect!" Finally remembering to set a card, Jonouchi commanded Winged Guard before ending his turn, "Switch to Defense Position!"


    [This card can change its battle position once during your End Phase.]


    Since the effect of [Shield & Sword] only lasts for one turn, Little-Winguard''s defense returned to 1800 at the end of the turn.


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino glanced at her hand, then at Jonouchi''s Little-Winguard in defense position. She couldn''t help but praise, "Interesting, Jonouchi. That attack and defense switch was brilliant, and you even used Little-Winguard''s effect to avoid the weakness period after the switch."


    "But¡­" Hoshino drew a monster card and placed it on the field, grinning confidently. "For someone with new powers like me, this little trick is no threat at all!"


    "Special Summon from my hand, monster card [Heroic Spirit - Gaius Julius Caesar]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Gaius Julius Caesar¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1300 DEF:1000]


    Wielding a golden sword, Caesar appeared on the battlefield.


    "Hoshino has such a monster in her deck¡­" Anzu murmured, her mouth twitching at the sight of Caesar. "I thought heroes were all supposed to be handsome, but that Caesar looks like¡­.that?"


    "That''s why you shouldn''t put me on the front lines; it''s embarrassing for you, Master!" Caesar sighed, complaining about Hoshino summoning him.


    "Hoshino, your monsters'' attack power can''t surpass Little-Winguard''s defense this turn, so your attack will be wasted," Jonouchi said smugly.


    "Hmph, don''t underestimate Caesar. He''s quite powerful despite his appearance!" Hoshino encouraged Caesar with a trusting look. "Go, Caesar, show them your real skills!"


    "I can''t refuse Master. Alright!" Knowing he couldn''t avoid it, Caesar twirled his golden sword twice. "Even a golden sword needs to be swung from time to time!"


    [As long as this card is in the Monster Zone, all your monsters gain 500 ATK and lose 400 DEF.]


    "Ugh, getting power from the oppressor is annoying!" Spartacus grumbled, affected by the golden sword''s light.


    [Spartacus ATK 1500 ¡ú 2000]


    [Caesar ATK 1300 ¡ú 1800]


    "Surprised? Caesar can emit an aura effect too!" Hoshino declared her attack with confidence, seeing that her monster''s attack power now exceeded Winged Guard''s defense. "Crush them, Spartacus!"


    "Assist the oppressor!" Spartacus shouted something incomprehensible as he prepared to smash Little-Winguard with his massive body.


    However, just as Spartacus''s attack was about to connect, Jonouchi flipped his face-down card. "Activate trap card, [Skull Dice]!"


    "Oh no!" Hoshino thought, realizing the danger. "He''s using that lucky dice."


    [Skull Dice Trap Card Effect: Roll a six-sided die. All monsters your opponent controls lose ATK and DEF equal to the result x 100 until the end of this turn.]


    As long as the die result is 2 or higher, Spartacus''s attack would fail.


    Dice result: 3


    [Spartacus ATK 2000 ¡ú 1700]


    "Of course, just my luck." Hoshino sighed, lamenting her unlucky fate.


    Spartacus, who had been full of momentum, now collided with Little-Winguard as if hitting a wall.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3200 ¡ú 3100


    "Looks like Luck is on my side today, Hoshino." Jonouchi breathed a sigh of relief after blocking the attack.


    "Alright, I set one card and ended my turn." Accepting reality, Hoshino knew her attack this turn had been thwarted.


    "Hehe, my turn again, draw!" Jonouchi glanced at his four cards, holding them in front of his face. Although his expression was obscured, his wicked grin was evident to Hoshino.


    "I sacrifice Little-Winguard to Tribute Summon a monster from my hand!" Jonouchi declared with a sinister smile, slapping the card onto the table. "[Maximum Six]!"


    "Maximum Six? What kind of monster is that?" Hoshino, never having seen Jonouchi use this monster, felt uneasy just from the name.


    [Maximum Six¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star) Earth][Warrior/Effect: When this card is Tribute Summoned, roll a six-sided die. As long as this card is face-up on the field, it gains ATK equal to the result x 200.]


    "Another gambling card!" Hoshino was speechless, knowing Jonouchi was about to showcase his luck again.


    "Since Luck is with me, let''s keep the momentum going!" Jonouchi clenched his fist and commanded, "Roll the dice!"


    Dice result: 5


    [Maximum Six ATK 1900 ¡ú 2900]


    "An attack power of 2900, how troublesome." Hoshino, having anticipated the result, was not overly surprised.


    "Hmph, attack, Maximum Six, on¡­" But Jonouchi suddenly hesitated.


    "Jonouchi is deciding whom to attack," Yugi analyzed. "Hoshino has two monsters on the field, and deciding which one to attack to maximize his advantage is crucial."


    "Attack Hoshino''s Caesar!" Jonouchi concluded, opting to eliminate the aura-emitting Caesar first, which was indeed the right choice.


    "Hahaha, just as I thought." Contrary to Jonouchi''s expectations, Hoshino, who had been tense about Maximum Six''s high attack power, suddenly burst out laughing. "I knew you''d attack Caesar! Activate trap card [Haori of Vows]!"


    [Haori of Vows Trap Card Effect:¢Ù: Activate when a Wind-attribute [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field is targeted for an attack. Destroy the attacking monster.¢Ú: Then this card is treated as an Equip Card with the effect of increasing the equipped monster''s ATK and DEF by 300. Once per turn, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    (Sherlock Holmes: "Hoshino, dueling isn''t just about managing your attacks. You must also consider your opponent''s intentions and anticipate their next moves. Like in Chess, the one who reads more moves ahead gains the advantage!")


    "Since Caesar is a Wind-attribute monster, Haori of Vows''s effect activates!" Silently thanking Holmes for his guidance, Hoshino called out to Caesar, "The haori might not fit, but counterattack, Caesar!"


    The green haori, originally meant for Okita Souji, now stretched comically over Caesar''s plump figure, but it did not affect its functionality.


    "Due to Haori of Vows''s effect, Maximum Six attacking Caesar cannot destroyed!"


    No one could believe it as Caesar''s large body rolled nimbly, instantly reaching Maximum Six''s back. "Making me fight is a waste of talent!"


    Despite his complaints, Caesar''s golden sword danced at a speed too fast to follow with the naked eye. "Take this, and be shattered, Yellow Death (Crocea Mors)!"


    Amidst the sword dance, Maximum Six''s muscular body disintegrated into dust.


    "So tiring, I feel like I''m losing weight." In the end, muscles were no match for Dad bud...


    (*****)


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 Chapter 79 - 79

    "Jonouchi rolled a 5, and his Maximum Six was destroyed so easily!" Yugi exclaimed as he watched Caesar cut down Maximum Six. "I don''t know if it''s just me, but Hoshino feels different when she plays now."


    "Different?" Mai, who had seen fewer of Hoshino''s duels, couldn''t pinpoint the change like Yugi could. "Do you mean she''s gotten stronger or weaker?"


    "It''s hard to say. Hoshino used to duel with a lot of momentum, overcoming any traps the opponent set. But now she feels more ¡­.rational," Yugi said, shaking his head without giving a definitive answer.


    "Then she must be stronger!" Mai smiled and shouted to Hoshino, "Go for it, Hoshino! Don''t hold back, give Jonouchi a good beating."


    "I activate [Haori of Vows] special effect! It becomes an Equip Card for Caesar, raising his ATK and DEF by 300 points!"


    [Caesar ATK 1800¡ú2100]


    "Damn it, my monster." Jonouchi, once again left with an empty field, frowned. "If I end my turn now and take a direct attack, I''ll lose!" He pondered his options, "I just need to survive this turn! I set two cards and end my turn."


    "My turn, draw!"


    "Before you draw, I activate Quick-Play Spell [Scapegoat]!" Interrupting Hoshino just as she drew her card, Jonouchi eagerly flipped over his face-down card.


    [Scapegoat Quick-Play Spell Effect: Special Summon 4 "Sheep Tokens" (Beast-Type/EARTH/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. These Tokens cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon.]


    Four soft-looking Sheep Tokens appeared on Jonouchi''s field, forming a solid wall.


    "Haha, Jonouchi, are you that afraid of being attacked?" Hoshino laughed at Jonouchi''s urgent action. "But your scapegoats won''t be able to block my attack~"


    "I tribute Spartacus to Summon a monster from my hand!" Using the light from Spartacus''s release, Hoshino placed a new monster on the table.


    "Dance splendidly, light of Rome, I am¡­"


    Another Heroic Spirit, making their presence known with their voice first.


    "Nero Claudius!" The blonde girl in a red dress, wielding an oddly shaped long sword, made an entrance worthy of an emperor.


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star) Fire][Warrior/Effect ][ATK 2300¡ú2800 DEF 1900¡ú1500 ](Increased by Caesar''s effect, DEF decreased.)


    "Umu, you summoned me knowing I possess the power to turn the tide, right, Master?" Nero said confidently, with a cheerful smile.


    "Yes, Nero, you''re very reliable!" After Nero''s appearance, Hoshino retrieved [Heroic Spirit - Caligula] from the Graveyard and placed it on the table. "Since Nero Claudius was summoned this turn, Caligula''s ¢Ü effect activates!"


    [¢Ü: If you control [Nero Claudius], you can Special Summon this card from the Graveyard or Deck.]


    "Neroooo!!" Caligula''s roar echoed on the field, but this time he found the one he cared about.


    [Heroic Spirit - Caligula¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Dark][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500¡ú2000 DEF 1200¡ú800]


    "Uncle is here too!" Nero remarked nonchalantly, seemingly used to Caligula''s roars.


    "Hoshino has three monsters on the field, and they all have high attack power!" Honda, looking at the current situation with some tension, began to sweat for Jonouchi. "She can break through three scapegoats in one go."


    "It seems like I''m being underestimated, UMU~!" Nero smiled smugly, though Honda couldn''t see it from the stage.


    "Yes, let them witness the power of Rome!" Matching Nero''s aura, Hoshino drew a Spell Card from her hand and slammed it onto the table. "Activate Spell Card [Mana Transfer] from my hand!"


    [Mana Transfer Spell Card Effect: You can only activate one per turn. Choose one of the following effects: Add one Field Spell Card with [Heroic Spirit] from your Deck to your hand.]


    "I add this Field Spell Card to my hand!" After searching, Hoshino placed the card into the Field Spell Zone, "Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius!" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well done, Master!" Recognizing the familiar card, Nero placed her beautiful white hand on her chest and began to chant, "Open the gates! Raise the curtains for the soloist!"


    As Nero''s exalted chant echoed, a magnificent golden theater rose, replacing the empty battlefield.


    "Magnificent, noble, Rome!" These few lines could barely describe the current scene. Even Pegasus on his throne was amazed by this spectacle.


    [Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius Field Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù: When this card is activated, [Nero Claudius] on your field can attack all opponent''s monsters once each. ¢Ú: Once per turn, you can send one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand to the Graveyard, then add one [Nero] monster from your Deck to your hand. ¢Û: [Nero] monsters on the field gain 300 ATK and DEF and are unaffected by your opponent''s Spell/Trap effects.]


    In the grand Golden Theater, the four small Sheep Tokens appeared incredibly insignificant.


    "Hoshino plans to destroy all of Jonouchi''s Sheep Tokens in one go!" Yugi, recovering from the shock of the Golden Theater, foresaw the impending disaster, "With the remaining attacks, Jonouchi''s Life Points won''t hold up!"


    Nero drew her crimson sword, Aestus Estus: The Original Flame, from the theater''s center, flames swirling around the blade.


    "Behold my talent and listen to the thunderous applause!" Nero chanted as she wielded her sword, making it look like the grandest performance in the most splendid theater.


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius ATK2800¡ú3100]


    Only in the grand Golden Theater could Nero use her strongest sword technique.


    "Then praise me! Praise my Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius!!"


    With Nero''s final shout, the intense flames followed the sword''s path, exploding onto Jonouchi''s field.


    ¡ªClap, Clap, Clap,


    "What a beautiful attack, what a comeliness of a scene!" Pegasus, sitting on his throne, couldn''t help but clap in admiration at the magnificent sight before him. "At this moment, this truly can be called Rome!"


    "Hoshino girl, I so dearly want to peer into your mind, to know the origins and secrets of your cards." Struggling to control the urge driven by the Millennium Eye, Pegasus gritted his teeth and persevered. "But as a gentleman, it would be incredibly rude to invade a lady''s mind without an invitation. At least, at least wait until the duel..."


    The bombardment of the Original Flame swept across Jonouchi''s field, obliterating all four Scapegoat tokens without exception.


    "We won! Well done, Your Majesty!" Watching the flames incinerate the Scapegoats to a crisp, Hoshino knew there were no monsters left on Jonouchi''s field to stop her attack.


    "Umu~, ¡­Master, something feels off!" As the flames subsided, a hint of a nervous smile appeared on Nero''s usually confident face. "My sword seems to be blocked by someone."


    As the flames dissipated, the figure hidden within, blocking Nero''s attack, was revealed. It was a swordsman dressed in red, just like Nero.


    "Caesar, you traitor!" Hoshino cursed, recognizing the charred, curly-haired figure on the other side as none other than Caesar, who had been burned by the Original Flame.


    Looking at Caesar''s bulky figure, holding the golden sword and blocking Nero''s attack, Hoshino scolded, "I never expected someone with such a trustworthy appearance to betray the revolution today!"


    "I didn''t want to either, Master. My body moved on its own!" Caesar''s character wouldn''t willingly cross such a long distance from Hoshino''s field to Jonouchi''s.


    "Phew, good thing I had a backup plan. Dueling against you, Hoshino always keeps me on edge!" Jonouchi sighed with relief, instinctively wiping his forehead even though the flames were just holograms. "Activate my second face-down trap card, [Magical Arm Shield]!"


    [Magical Arm Shield Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack, if you control a monster, you can target one face-up monster your opponent controls other than the attacking monster. Take control of that target until the end of the Battle Phase, and if you do, it becomes the attack target, and you proceed to damage calculation.]


    "Hoshino, I''m taking control of your [Heroic Spirit - Caesar] to block your attack!" With his plan succeeding, Jonouchi''s previously tense demeanor relaxed. "Since Caesar left your field, your other two monsters'' attack power has decreased!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius ATK 3100¡ú2600]


    [Heroic Spirit - Caligula ATK 2000¡ú1500]


    "Even with such a lower attack power, to block my attack, he truly is Caesar!" Nero praised, struggling to hold the Original Flame.


    "He''s not that determined. Because of [Haori of Vows] special effect, the equipped monster can''t be destroyed by battle once per turn!" Hoshino commented, analyzing the situation. Even though Caesar was controlled by the opponent, it was only for one turn, but continuing the attack now seemed unreasonable.


    Jonouchi Katsuya LP 3500¡ú3000


    Although Caesar couldn''t be destroyed, the damage still counted.


    "Jonouchi, you''re quite tenacious." Hoshino sighed, looking at Jonouchi with some resentment. "But with only one card left in your hand, making a comeback should be difficult. I set one card and end my turn."


    ...


    "Damn, am I going to lose..." Jonouchi muttered, looking at his hand and field. Since the turn ended, Caesar returned to Hoshino''s control, leaving Jonouchi''s field empty again. With only one useless spell card in his hand, Jonouchi felt helpless in this desperate situation. "For someone like me, beating Hoshino is just too hard."


    "Shizuka, your brother might lose..." Losing the courage to draw a card, Jonouchi silently opened the locket around his neck containing his sister Shizuka''s photo.


    "Jonouchi! You coward!" Sensing Jonouchi''s loss of will to fight, Honda on the stage shouted angrily, "If you give up now, how can you face your sister? At least fight to the very end!"


    "Fight to the end? Can anyone turn the tide in such a desperate situation?" Honda''s encouragement slightly rekindled Jonouchi''s fighting spirit, but the cold reality still loomed over him.


    "Hmm? No, wait. The person who often turns the tide in desperate situations is right in front of me!" Jonouchi suddenly realized, looking at Hoshino. He had witnessed many of Hoshino''s comebacks from dire situations.


    "Heh, right. All you need to turn the tide is persistence!" Jonouchi, having an epiphany, decided to make one last stand. "Thanks, Honda, Hoshino!"


    "Thank me? For what?" Hoshino, utterly bewildered by Jonouchi''s sudden gratitude, was full of questions.


    "My turn, draw!" Despite his confident words, Jonouchi was a bit nervous about this possibly final draw of his Duelist Kingdom journey.


    However...


    "My deck, it''s responding to my hopes!"


    "Oh no!" Hearing Jonouchi''s words, Hoshino sensed trouble. "He''s going to draw a game-changer!"


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Graceful Charity]!" Jonouchi slapped the freshly drawn card onto the table and drew three more cards.


    [Graceful Charity Spell Card Effect: Draw 3 cards, then discard 2 cards.]


    "Finally, I can discard this useless card." Jonouchi, ready to discard, suddenly paused. "Wait, this spell card might be useful now!"


    "I discard two monster cards and activate the Continuous Spell Card [Card of Safe Return]!" Instead of discarding the spell card he originally considered useless, Jonouchi played it.


    [Card of Safe Return Continuous Spell Card Effect: Each time a monster is Special Summoned from your Graveyard, draw 3 cards.] (Anime Effect)(Btw it''s also a banned card)


    "This isn''t over yet!" Pushing beyond his limits, Jonouchi demonstrated his determination. "Activate my last spell card from my hand, [Silent Doom]!"


    [Silent Doom Spell Card Effect: Target 1 Normal Monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon it in Defense Position. It cannot attack.]


    "I Special Summon the Normal Monster [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] from my Graveyard in Defense Position!"


    "Red-Eyes Black Dragon? When did that happen?!" Hoshino clicked her tongue in realization, "It must have been discarded with Graceful Charity. Jonouchi, you have a knack for comebacks. But in this situation, a single [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] won''t be much help."


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star) Dark][Dragon][ATK 2400 DEF 2000]


    Due to [Silent Doom]''s effect, the summoned Red-Eyes Black Dragon could only be in Defense Position, so its aura was weaker than usual.


    "Hoshino, didn''t you tell me that the Black Dragon symbolizes potential?" Jonouchi, now having no cards left in his hand, declared, "Now I''ll test that potential!"


    "Activate the effect of [Card of Safe Return]. Since Red-Eyes Black Dragon was Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I draw 3 cards!" Jonouchi excitedly reached for his deck, no longer tense like before. "Let''s see what potential the Black Dragon brings me!"


    "Alright!" With more dramatic flair than ever, Jonouchi''s face lit up. "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Monster Reborn]!"


    "(Banned card trio!) You''re too much!" Hoshino, feeling helpless, couldn''t help but complain.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 80 - 80

    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card, [Monster Reborn]!" Jonouchi''s confidence soared as he played the card drawn through [Card of Safe Return]. "I will now turn this duel around!"


    "Monster Reborn? Does Jonouchi have something stronger than Red-Eyes Black Dragon in his graveyard?" Honda asked Yugi, puzzled by Jonouchi''s move.


    "I''m not sure." Yugi shook his head, also confused by Jonouchi''s strategy. "As far as I know, Jonouchi''s deck doesn''t have any cards with higher attack power than Hoshino''s Nero at 3100."


    "The monster I''m reviving from the graveyard is [Kaiser Sea Horse]!" Jonouchi placed the resurrected monster on the field. "And because I Special Summoned a monster from the graveyard, [Card of Safe Return] activates again, letting me draw three more cards!"


    [Kaiser Sea Horse¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1700 DEF 1650]


    [This card can be treated as 2 Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a LIGHT monster.]


    A terrifying marine warrior clad in spiked armor and wielding a heavy spear appeared on the battlefield. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Is it the monster discarded by [Graceful Charity]? Damn Jonouchi, he''s back in the game!" Hoshino remarked with slight annoyance as she watched Jonouchi replenish his hand and field. "Fine, but with the current battle strength of your monsters, you''re still slightly weaker than me."


    "Once I play this monster, you won''t be smiling, Hoshino~" Jonouchi raised an eyebrow and pointed at Hoshino with one hand while making a finger gun with the other, striking a pose he thought was cool.


    "So disgusting!" Hoshino felt an overwhelming sense of aversion to Jonouchi''s attempt to look cool.


    "You should be familiar with Kaiser Seahorse''s effect!" Jonouchi tributed Kaiser Sea Horse, slapping a monster card from his hand onto the field. "If I tribute Kaiser Seahorse to summon a LIGHT monster, it counts as two tributes! I tribute [Kaiser Sea Horse] and [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] to Tribute Summon the warrior of light from my hand!"


    "Wait, Kaiser Sea Horse can count as two tributes, so why not also tribute Red-Eyes Black Dragon? That''s three tributes!" The only monster Hoshino had encountered that required three tributes was Hercules, with his overwhelming destructive strength. If Jonouchi wasn''t making a mistake, the monster he summoned had to be as powerful. Hoshino instantly felt a shiver down her spine.


    "Exactly, this monster is similar to your Hercules, needing three tributes to unleash its true power." The light from the tributes extended to the Red-Eyes Black Dragon on the field. "From my hand, I Summon [Gilford the Lightning]!"


    [Gilford the Lightning¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star) Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2800 DEF 1400]


    Amidst flashes of lightning, the warrior holding a sword crackling with electricity descended onto the battlefield, raising his electrified blade to the sky as if calling for victory.


    "Activate [Gilford the Lightning]''s special effect!"


    [You can Tribute 3 monsters to Tribute Summon (but not Set) this card. If Summoned this way: Destroy all monsters your opponent controls.]


    As Gilford raised his voice, thunderbolts rained down on Hoshino''s field.


    "Master, this monster is dangerous!" Nero complained with a serious expression, using all her magic to resist the lightning.


    In the grand Golden Theater, lightning flashed and thunder roared.


    [Heroic Spirit - Caligula] destroyed.


    [Heroic Spirit - Caesar] destroyed.


    After the lightning subsided, only Nero remained on the field.


    "Hmm? Why is one still left?" Jonouchi, expecting to clear Hoshino''s entire field, scratched his head in confusion.


    "[Body of the Saint]!" Hoshino revealed her set card, breathing a sigh of relief. "Nero within the Golden Theater isn''t affected by Spell or Trap cards, so I set this card to counter monster effects. I didn''t expect to use it so soon."


    [¢Ù: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control; it is unaffected by your opponent''s monster effects this turn.]


    "You are impressive, Hoshino, blocking my attack from Gilford the Lightning." Jonouchi complimented Hoshino while acknowledging the situation, "But Gilford the Lightning can still attack this turn!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius ATK 3100 ¡ú 2600]


    "Damn, because Caesar left, my power has decreased!" Nero inspected her hands, visibly feeling the drop in magic.


    "Hoshino, your Nero can''t defeat my Gilford the Lightning!" Jonouchi pointed forward, declaring the attack. "Go, Gilford the Lightning, strike with Thunder Slash!"


    The lightning-charged sword created a dazzling arc as Gilford charged.


    "Jonouchi, your attack names are lame!" Hoshino retorted, waving her right hand as Nero counterattacked. "If you can''t avoid it, then meet it head-on, Nero!"


    "If it''s Master''s command, I have no choice!" Nero drew the Aestus Estus embedded in the ground, red flames enveloping the sword once more. "Come, noble warrior! I, Nero Claudius, the Emperor of Rome, shall test your strength! Let the flames of glory ignite our battle!"


    As the words fell, the lightning sword and the flame sword collided, producing a massive burst of lightning and fire.


    "Mmm, it feels like I can''t win, Master!" Though neither side retreated, Nero''s lower attack power by 200 was crucial. The flames on her sword began to fade.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3100¡ú2900


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius]''s special effect!" Hoshino realized that without activating this effect, she couldn''t save Nero.


    [This effect can only be used once per duel. ¢Û: When this card is destroyed, you can flip 3 coins. If at least one is head, the destruction is negated.]


    "Nero, show them the persistence of the Emperor!" Encouraging Nero, Hoshino pulled out coins from her pocket. "At least one of these three should be heads!"


    Flip results: Tails, Tails...,


    "Don''t be ridiculous!" Hoshino''s frustration grew with each consecutive tail. "I refuse to believe that my luck is an ''E-'' while he is ''EX.''"


    Muttering about the unfairness of fate, Hoshino tossed the final coin...


    "Master! My magic is restored!" The flames on Nero''s Aestus Estus reignited. Seizing the moment, Nero created an opening and escaped the clash. "Even after facing the death, I will dance gloriously!"


    Flip results: Tails, tails, heads.


    "Come, let''s start again, Lightning Swordsman!" Nero exclaimed arrogantly, raising the burning Aestus Estus in her hand.


    "Nero, even if you fight again, your lower attack power means you can''t beat the Lightning Swordsman," Hoshino whispered, trying to remind the emperor not to be stubborn.


    "A duel between a lightning sword and a flame sword... You''ve reignited my duelist spirit, Hoshino!" Jonouchi, still reeling from the explosive clash, regained his composure and spoke with growing excitement, "This is what a duel should be like¡ªtruly exhilarating!"


    "I equip [Lightning Sword] from my hand to [Gilford the Lightning]!" But seeing Jonouchi play the Equip Card left everyone speechless.


    [Lightning Sword Equip Spell Card Effect: Equip only to a Warrior-Type monster. It gains 800 ATK. All WATER monsters on the field lose 500 ATK.]


    [Gilford the Lightning ATK 2800¡ú3600]


    "Uh? Did I do something wrong?" Even someone as dense as Jonouchi noticed the sudden quietness and sensed something was amiss.


    "Jonouchi, why didn''t you equip that card before attacking? That would''ve inflicted more damage to my Life Points," Hoshino said, holding her forehead in frustration.


    "Umm..." Jonouchi, about to admit his mistake, quickly thought of an excuse, "I was being cautious of your set card, Hoshino! If it was a [Magic Cylinder], I could''ve lost! Hahaha, my calculations are never wrong!"


    "Jonouchi does have a point there," Yugi said, unexpectedly persuaded by Jonouchi''s spontaneous reasoning.


    "Hahaha... Yugi, you always understand me," Jonouchi said with a forced laugh, setting two cards, "I set two cards and end my turn!"


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino sighed as she glanced at her three remaining cards compared to Jonouchi''s full hand, "I guess it''s my turn for the tables to turn."


    "But I''ve prepared many strategies for situations like this!"


    (Sherlock Holmes: "Miss Hoshino, utilizing card effects to maintain card advantage is crucial. True despair isn''t having no monsters on the field, but having no cards in hand. Always consider strategies to replenish your hand unless it''s an all-or-nothing move.")


    "I activate the Spell Card [ Alternate Ending] from my hand!" Hoshino confidently placed the newly Limit Broken [Alternate Ending] on the table, "Today, I''ll replenish my hand while defeating your arrogant Lightning Swordsman!"


    "[Alternate Ending]? Isn''t that the card where you discard two cards to retrieve a Spell Card from the graveyard?" Yugi asked, puzzled by Hoshino''s move given her limited hand, "Is it wise to use such a costly card in this situation?"


    [Alternate Ending Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù: Discard two cards, then target one Spell Card in either Graveyard; add it to your hand.]


    "I discard my last two cards to add [Monster Reborn] from Jonouchi''s graveyard to my hand!" As expected, Hoshino aimed for Jonouchi''s [Monster Reborn].


    "But even with [Monster Reborn], what can you do without any cards in hand?" Yugi still didn''t understand Hoshino''s plan, "Is there a monster in the graveyard that can defeat Jonouchi''s Gilford the Lightning?"


    "Of course, Yugi! I''ll use [Monster Reborn] to revive a monster from my graveyard..." Hoshino smiled triumphantly, retrieving the card, "[Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Lancer)]!"


    A blast of light signaled Li Shuwen''s arrival on the battlefield...


    "Show them the pinnacle of martial arts!" Li Shuwen roared, elegantly twirling his spear.


    [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Lancer)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2000 DEF 1900]


    "Li Shuwen, the legendary martial artist! He''s my idol!" Honda shouted excitedly, "But when did Hoshino have Li Shuwen in the graveyard?"


    "It''s because of [Alternate Ending]''s effect, Honda," Yugi explained, frowning, eager to see what Hoshino planned with Li Shuwen, given the high cost of summoning him.


    [¢Ù: If this card is Summoned or Special Summoned and you have no cards in hand, draw two cards and discard one.]


    Thanks to Li Shuwen''s effect, Hoshino drew two cards and smiled brightly, "Perfect, these cards are just what I needed!"


    "Due to Li Shuwen''s effect, I draw two cards and discard one. I discard [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette]!" Discarding Marie was highly beneficial for Hoshino''s deck.


    [¢Ú: If this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can add one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.]


    "I add [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight] from my Deck to my hand!" Hoshino quickly summoned Mash in Defense Position, "I summon [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight] in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000 DEF 2000]


    After a series of moves, Hoshino had one card left in her hand. Looking at her final card, she smiled with relief.


    "Time to attack, Li!" Hoshino commanded, pointing at Jonouchi, "Show them the power of your spear!"


    "You''re using Li Shuwen, with just 2000 attack points, to challenge my Gilford the Lightning?" Jonouchi exclaimed in disbelief.


    Li Shuwen, obeying Hoshino''s command, swung his spear and spoke calmly, as if recounting his life story.


    "Behold my unparalleled skill of Liu He Da Qiang! The Spear that Kills with one Thrust, I''ll show it to you!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 81 - 81

    "Hoshino is serious; she plans to use a monster with 2000 attack points to attack the 3600-attack-point Gilford the Lightning!" Yugi remarked, observing Hoshino''s unshakable determination to attack. "That must mean Hoshino''s monster has some special destruction ability."


    "That''s right, Yugi!" Hoshino raised his right hand in agreement. "A true master, no matter how powerful the opponent, can always use their skills to face them!"


    "Heh, isn''t it normal to want to spar with a strong opponent?" Li Shuwen smiled slightly and commended Hoshino''s reasoning. "Master, you have talent. Would you like to learn martial arts from me?"


    "Li Shuwen, your martial arts might not be suitable for a girl like me," Hoshino politely declined, shaking her head slightly. Li Shuwen was known for his steel spear and iron fist; if she tried to learn his martial arts, she joked she might die on the spot. "But I do know its power. I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Lancer)]!"


    [¢Ú: When attacking a monster with higher attack points, this card''s attack points increase by half the attack points of the attacked monster during damage calculation only.]


    "Since [Gilford the Lightning] has 3600 attack points, Li Shuwen''s attack points increase by half of that, 1800 points!" Hoshino declared the result, marveling at Li Shuwen''s spear, which appeared to be capable of penetrating anything and was followed by a furious wind.


    [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Lancer)ATK 2000 ¡ú 3800]


    "Li Shuwen''s attack points have surpassed Gilford!" Honda couldn''t contain his excitement. Torn between his idol and his best friend, he was extremely conflicted. "Is this the legendary ''strength meeting strength''?"


    "It''s only 200 points more; I can still recover!" Facing the spear that seemed to tear through the air, Jonouchi hurriedly activated his face-down card, "Quick-Play Spell [Graceful Dice]!"


    "Of course, it would be Graceful Dice." Hoshino had suspected as much the moment Jonouchi set down two cards, knowing that his deck only had a few cards that could be set like that.


    [Graceful Dice Quick-Play Spell Effect: Roll a six-sided die. All monsters you control gain attack and defense points equal to the result x 100 until the end of the turn.]


    Rolling a 1 would mean 100 extra attack points, and rolling a 2 or higher would make Gilford the Lightning equal to Li Shuwen''s attack points. But rolling a 1 would have no effect.


    Result of the roll: 6


    "Of course, it would be like that. Jonouchi''s dice must all be loaded to roll 6!" Hoshino had a small hope for a 1, but reality harshly shattered it.


    [Gilford the Lightning ATK 3600 ¡ú 4200]


    "Didn''t see that coming, did you, Hoshino! My Gilford the Lightning has surpassed you again!" Jonouchi boasted, grinning at the 6 on the dice and the attack points of his swordsman.


    "I expected it!" Hoshino retorted loudly, not out of spite but because she truly had foreseen it. She slammed her last card onto the table. "This card was prepared for this moment!"


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card [Hero''s Last Stand] from my hand!"


    [Hero''s Last Stand Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control; it gains 1000 attack and defense points until the end of the turn. If it battles an opponent''s monster, inflict double battle damage to your opponent.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Lancer) ATK 3800 ¡ú 4800]


    "His attack points even surpassed the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Honda gasped.


    "Is this the trick of a magus? It''s quite impressive!" Feeling the overwhelming power, Li Shuwen tightened his grip on the spear. "This spear strike will reach the pinnacle!"


    Adjusting his breathing, focusing his mind, he moved into his stance¡ª


    What he displayed was a unique and supreme spear strike.


    " Shen Qiang Wu Er Da God Spear, No Second Strike!"


    Even though Gilford the Lightning blocked with his weapon, the sharp wind from the spear pierced through his body. It was a simple, unembellished spear thrust, devoid of excessive special effects or flashy moves, only that strike refined to perfection.


    "Li Shuwen has a legendary feat where he pierced a fly on a wall without damaging the wall itself. This must be that spear strike," Honda whispered in awe, swallowing hard. It seemed like a simple spear thrust, but the whole room felt frozen in time.


    "UMU~!" Nero praised loudly as she came to her senses. "Such an awe-inspiring strike deserves a thunderous applause in my Golden Theatre!"


    But what was supposed to be a decorative Golden Theatre, under Nero''s command, filled the room with thunderous applause.


    " Gilford the Lightning destroyed! And because of [Hero''s Last Stand]''s effect, you take double battle damage!" Enthralled by the applause, Hoshino declared the result of this epic battle.


    Jonouchi Katsuya 3500 ¡ú 2300


    "Damn it, it''s not over yet! I activate my last face-down card!" Jonouchi stubbornly flipped open his last card, "Trap Card [Time Machine]!"


    "This card? I remember Keith used it!" Hoshino suddenly realized.


    [Time Machine Trap Card Effect: When a monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: Special Summon that monster to the same field it was on, in the same battle position it was in when destroyed.]


    "Revive the destroyed Gilford the Lightning!"


    [Gilford the Lightning ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2800 DEF 1400]


    "Great job, Jonouchi! Now Nero can''t attack directly!" Yugi, seeing Jonouchi survive once again, was moved to tears. "This is your duelist''s resolve, Jonouchi!"


    "And in the next turn, if Jonouchi attacks Li Shuwen with Gilford the Lightning, Li Shuwen can''t activate his effect passively and will be destroyed!" Honda, trying to analyze the situation like Yugi, felt Jonouchi was close to a comeback.


    "But Hoshino still has Mash on the field. If Gilford the Lightning wants to attack, he''ll have to target Mash first!" Anzu, staying calm, didn''t overlook Mash silently holding up a shield on the field.


    "That''s easy; just summon another monster to attack Mash first!" Honda insisted on his point.


    "You''re right, Honda!" Nodding quietly, Hoshino agreed with Honda''s so-called analysis. "But I won''t give Jonouchi any more chances to counterattack! I activate the effect of [Alternate Ending] in my graveyard!"


    [¢Ú: You can banish this card from your graveyard to add 1 Spell Card from your deck to your hand.]


    "What?! [Alternate Ending] has this kind of effect?!" Jonouchi, utterly shocked, had no idea. The effect was a newly added feature from this morning''s Max Out.


    "The Spell Card I''m adding to my hand is [Lord Camelot]!"


    "I''ve added the Spell Card [Lord Camelot] to my hand!" Hoshino said, lightly holding the card between her index and middle fingers. "Are you ready, Mash?"


    "Yes, senpai!" Mash nodded firmly, her voice filled with determination.


    "I set one card and end my turn!" Hoshino placed her only card face down on the table, making it obvious to anyone what card she had set.


    "This means Jonouchi can''t defeat Hoshino''s monster this turn!" Yugi observed, understanding the hopeless situation Jonouchi found himself in. "Hoshino has mastered her deck. She used to just play whatever cards she drew, but now it feels like the entire deck is under her control."


    "Can Jonouchi beat this version of Hoshino?"


    ...


    "My turn, draw!" Jonouchi drew a card, feeling equally troubled. Although he still had many cards in his hand, they were all monsters that couldn''t change the situation. The [Lord Camelot] card set by Hoshino in the back row had dashed his last hope of defeating Li Shuwen. If he relied on regular attacks, he wouldn''t be able to destroy any of Hoshino''s monsters this turn, and he would face a devastating counterattack from her boosted monsters in the next turn.


    "Flawless!" Jonouchi muttered through gritted teeth as he assessed Hoshino''s strategy.


    Clutching the pendant around his neck, Jonouchi, determined to make a last stand, refused to give up. "Shizuka, lend me your strength and hope!"


    Resolutely, Jonouchi prepared to take his final gamble. "I summon the monster card [Baby Dragon]!"


    [Baby Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars) | Dragon-Type][ATK 1200 DEF 700]


    "Hmm, Baby Dragon..." Hoshino, who had been relaxed, suddenly frowned, sensing something amiss. "Why do I have such a strong feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu? Could it be that he''s going to use..."


    "And then I activate the effect of the monster card [Time Wizard] from my hand!" Sure enough, before Hoshino could finish her sentence, Jonouchi had already played Time Wizard.


    "Hold on! Admin, I want to report this!" Hoshino put a hand on her forehead, extending her other hand toward Jonouchi to stop him. "Do you think [Time Wizard] is a Spell Card? You''ve already summoned Baby Dragon; how can you use the monster card [Time Wizard] now?"


    "Jonouchi, you''re cheating again, aren''t you?" Hoshino accused Jonouchi of his shameless behavior.


    "That''s right, Jonouchi-boy, summoning two monsters in one turn is not allowed," Pegasus, lounging on a throne and seemingly assuming the role of a judge, remarked nonchalantly, legs crossed.


    "Heh, no, Hoshino, because I activated this Spell Card!" Unexpectedly, Jonouchi wasn''t fazed by Hoshino''s accusation and instead picked up a card that had mysteriously appeared on the table. "Spell Card [Double Summon]!"


    [Double Summon Spell Card Effect: You can conduct 2 Normal Summons this turn.]


    "Is that better, Hoshino?" Jonouchi retorted, striking a confident pose. "No matter what, everything is calculated by me, Jonouchi-sama!"


    [Time Wizard ¡ï¡ï Light | Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 500 DEF 400]


    [Activate the Time Magic Wheel. If successful, destroy all monsters your opponent controls. If unsuccessful, destroy all monsters you control and take damage equal to half the total ATK of the destroyed monsters. This effect can be used once per turn during your Main Phase.]


    "If Time Wizard''s Time Magic succeeds, all your monsters on the field will be destroyed!" Jonouchi, placing his last hope in Time Wizard, held the magical staff high. "Spin, Time Roulette!"


    The spinning roulette had only one-third of its area marked for success, while the remaining two-thirds were filled with skulls, symbolizing failure. It was a do-or-die gamble!


    "Before you activate Time Magic, I''ll activate my face-down Quick-Play Spell [Lord Camelot]! This grants all my monsters immunity to being destroyed by battle once!" Hoshino, feeling uneasy about Jonouchi''s final gamble, was convinced something significant was about to happen. If Mash was destroyed, Lord Camelot could no longer be used.


    The towering wall of Camelot rose in the Golden Theatre, piercing through the ceiling with its high walls.


    "My... my proud Golden Theatre!" Nero cried tearfully as she watched her theatre be destroyed by the walls.


    As Camelot''s wall rose, the spinning Time Roulette also came to a stop. Never underestimate Jonouchi''s luck in dire situations; the Time Wizard''s pointer landed perfectly in the success area.


    "Time Magic, activate!" The Time Wizard shouted, waving its staff excitedly. The entire scene felt like it had entered a time tunnel, with the background turning into a whirl of clocks.


    "It''s no use, Hoshino! Even if your [Lord Camelot] protects your monsters from battle destruction, you can''t stop the effect of Time Magic from destroying them!" Jonouchi clenched his fists in excitement, believing he had turned the tables. "After a thousand years, your gates, your theatre, and your monsters will age and be destroyed by the passage of time, while Baby Dragon will evolve into Thousand Dragon!" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Thousand Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars) | Wind | Dragon/Effect][ATK 2400 DEF 2000]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. Special Summon it by sacrificing [Baby Dragon] when Time Magic is successfully activated.] (Anime effect)


    As the Golden Theatre crumbled into dust, Hoshino''s monsters were also destroyed by the successful activation of Time Magic.


    "Hoshino, you''ve lost!" Jonouchi declared his victory, pointing to the rubble on Hoshino''s side of the field. "You have no monsters left, and next, I''ll launch a direct attack to secure my victory!"


    "Jonouchi, that guy beat Hoshino!" Honda, excited, couldn''t believe his eyes.


    "Heh, Jonouchi, who said all my monsters are gone?" Hoshino chuckled, her expression hidden. "Take a closer look at my field."


    As the dust cleared, a lone, slender figure still stood amidst the ruins.


    "Impossible! All monsters should have been destroyed by Time Magic''s effect!" Jonouchi shouted in disbelief.


    "Because I activated the effect of [Body of the Saint] from my graveyard! By banishing Body of the Saint from the graveyard, I chose a [Heroic Spirit] monster to make it immune to your monster effects!"


    "So my Li Shuwen wasn''t destroyed by Time Magic, and after enduring a thousand years..." Hoshino''s eyes sparkled with admiration. "Li Shuwen has surpassed his previous state!"


    "My, my, I never expected to train for a thousand years in this body!" Although the voice still sounded like Li Shuwen, it had aged significantly.


    Standing tall amidst the battlefield was an elderly man with graying hair, yet he still exuded strength.


    "To accumulate a thousand years of training, at this moment, I''ve surpassed my limit many times over!" Though he wore a smile, his sharp gaze radiated an intimidating aura.


    [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Assassin)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars) | Wind | Warrior/Effect][ATK 2000 DEF 1900]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. Special Summon it by sacrificing [Heroic Spirit ¨C Li Shuwen(Lancer)] when Time Magic is successfully activated.]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 82 - 82

    [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Assassin)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars) | Wind | Warrior/Effect][ATK 2000 DEF 1900]


    "He evolved alongside Time Wizard''s time magic, this monster," Jonouchi said in surprise, watching the elderly Li Shuwen standing on Hoshino''s field.


    "But its attack power is only 2000, nowhere near enough to defeat my [Gilford the Lightning] and [Thousand Dragon]!" Jonouchi, though briefly flustered by Li Shuwen''s aura, quickly regained confidence. "Maybe he''s just an old man."


    "Am I being underestimated?" Li Shuwen, with his hands clasped behind his back, retracted the killing intent in his eyes, replacing it with...


    "Li Shuwen, have you evolve? You look stronger," Hoshino couldn''t help but ask, sensing the serene aura replacing the previous hostility.


    "Kuhahaha, After training for a thousand years, You can said I get a bit stronger," Li Shuwen replied with a smile.


    "This doesn''t feel right, Jonouchi," Yugi, feeling a sense of danger after Li Shuwen subdued his killing aura, felt Li Shuwen had become even more intimidating.


    "Jonouchi, you mustn''t attack rashly," Yugi silently prayed, hoping Jonouchi would approach the current situation more cautiously.


    "Do you think you can scare me with a monster that has only 2000 attack points?" Jonouchi, just a step away from victory, was increasingly controlled by his desire to win. "Watch as my Gilford the Lightning easily defeats you! Attack, Gilford the Lightning!"


    However, as Jonouchi declared his attack, Hoshino''s lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Li Shuwen, he''s entered the battle phase."


    "Then I must respond!" Slowly opening his eyes, Li Shuwen''s serene aura mingled with a sharp killing intent.


    Li Shuwen took up a fighting stance, first stomping his right foot forward and then sweeping it in an arc across the ground.


    The previously charging Gilford the Lightning suddenly seemed to be pulled off balance by an unseen force. Not only Gilford the Lightning but also the Thousand Dragon and Time Wizard were similarly affected, being drawn toward Li Shuwen.


    "Wha-what''s going on? Time Wizard? Thousand Dragon? I didn''t command an attack!" Jonouchi exclaimed, bewildered by the bizarre scene before him.


    "Is it the effect of Hoshino''s monster?" Jonouchi, with no other explanation, looked at Hoshino, who was smirking.


    "Have you finally figured it out?" Hoshino, with a constant smirk, raised her hand to announce Master Li''s special effect.


    [While this card is on the field, the opponent cannot skip their battle phase. If the opponent''s monsters can attack, they must attack this card.]


    "In other words, your monsters can''t escape!" After Hoshino''s spirited declaration, Jonouchi''s three monsters were already being pulled toward Master Li Shuwen. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So what? Even if you can defeat Time Wizard, my Thousand Dragon and Gilford the Lightning still have higher attack points!" Jonouchi shouted, refusing to back down. "Don''t be scared by these tricks; keep attacking, Gilford the Lightning!"


    "Kids, this day, why so hot-headed?" Li Shuwen, now in a combat stance, calmly remarked. "Using your power, harnessing the power of others¡ªthis is martial arts; this is the way."


    [Upon entering the battle phase, this card''s attack power increases by half the total attack points of all monsters on the field.]


    "A single strike should suffice!" Taking a deep breath, Li Shuwen raised his energy to its peak.


    "With Li Shuwen, Gilford the Lightning, Time Wizard, and Thousand Dragon on the field, totaling 7700 attack points, Li Shuwen''s attack power increases by half that amount!" As Hoshino named each monster, the combined power gathered in Master Li''s poised steel fist.


    [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen(Assassin)ATK 2000¡ú5850]


    "In lieu of a hundred techniques, I strike with but one. There truly is no second strike¡­ Ha!" With a shout, Master Li unleashed his finishing move toward the two massive forms before him, "This is¡ªWu Er Da No Second Strike!"


    The roaring wind from his punch engulfed Jonouchi''s three monsters, swiftly piercing through them. It was a precise, refined blow without unnecessary movement or flashy effects.


    "What is this feeling?" Opposite the attack, Jonouchi''s pupils widened, his stomach churning as if he were the one struck, not the monsters. "Can this be just a hologram? It feels so real!"


    With a single blow, the bodies of the three monsters shattered simultaneously, signaling Hoshino''s victory in this duel.


    "Wow! This is truly Li Shuwen!" Even Hoshino, standing behind Li Shuwen, couldn''t help but be amazed by the punch.


    Jonouchi Katsuya LP 2300 ¡ú 0


    "Did I... lose?" Jonouchi, finally recovering from the shock, stared blankly at the cards in his hand. The zero on his LP indicated that his journey in the Duelist Kingdom had come to an end. "Shizuka, your brother tried his best, didn''t he?"


    "Jonouchi!" Hoshino''s shout snapped Jonouchi out of his daze. "You did great. I''m really glad you were my opponent in the first match of the finals. And I don''t mean that sarcastically; dueling with you reminded me of the true spirit of dueling."


    "Hoshino..." Jonouchi, feeling more at peace rather than bitter over his loss, responded with determination, "Although you won this time, next time, I''ll beat you! I''ll get stronger!"


    "Heh, me too. I won''t let you catch up so easily!" Hoshino gave Jonouchi a thumbs-up, and they both left the dueling arena.


    On his throne, Pegasus frowned, contemplating a single question, "Hoshino-girl, where exactly did you get these cards?"


    "Hoshino, Jonouchi, you both fought wonderfully!" Even though one of them would inevitably lose, that was a predetermined outcome. But the group welcomed the returning duelists with laughter, acknowledging and appreciating their efforts.


    "But I still lost!" Jonouchi scratched his head awkwardly in response to his friends'' smiles.


    "What are you saying, Jonouchi!" Honda playfully nudged Jonouchi''s ribs, scolding him with a smile. "You, a rookie duelist, made it to the finals and fought Hoshino on equal footing. You could boast about this at school for a long time!"


    "Hehe, is that true?" Jonouchi managed to squeeze out a smile, reassured by Honda''s words. "Hearing you say that, I feel like I did pretty well."


    "You too, Chiyuki, you fought brilliantly!" Mai Valentine, excited as if inspired by the recent duel, waved her fists in the air. "Especially that last move of yours was so cool! It ignited my duelist spirit!"


    "Hehe, if it helps Mai get into better form, then this duel was worth it," Hoshino replied with a cheerful grin, though it was just a polite remark. Deep down, Hoshino genuinely hoped Mai Valentine would be in her best form for her next duel, especially since her opponent would be...


    "Thanks, Chiyuki~" Mai Valentine patted Hoshino on the head, knowing that Hoshino was cheering her on. "Even against Mutou Yugi, I won''t back down."


    "Isn''t that right, Yugi-kun~" Mai Valentine''s face, initially serious, suddenly turned charming as she looked at Yugi.


    "Mai, if you''re planning to use seduction tactics against Yugi, it won''t work!" Anzu, standing next to Yugi, laughed as she reminded, "Yugi has a determination that won''t lose to yours!"


    As Anzu finished speaking, the Millennium Puzzle on Yugi''s chest flashed brightly. Yugi, who had been blushing and looking down due to Mai''s teasing, now stood tall and confident as the Pharaoh.


    "Indeed, Mai Valentine, let''s have a duel as exciting as Jonouchi and Hoshino''s." The Pharaoh smiled confidently, seemingly eager for the duel, inspired by the previous match.


    "Yugi-kun is so full of fighting spirit~" Mai Valentine responded with a chuckle to the Pharaoh''s words.


    ...


    "The second match of the Duelist Kingdom Finals is about to begin. Duelists Mutou Yugi and Mai Valentine, please take the stage and prepare!" After a few minutes, as the excitement from the first duel settled, the elderly butler announced the start of the second match.


    "Good luck, Mai, Yugi!" Hoshino cheered for the two as they walked onto the stage. Dueling between friends could be a bit conflicting, as supporting one would feel like betraying the other.


    However, the undeniable fact remained that the winner of this duel would face Hoshino for the final glory.


    "According to the rules, please present your qualification cards."


    "Here, [Glory of the Right Hand of the King]!" Mai Valentine said.


    "Mine is [Glory of the Left Hand of the King]!" Mutou Yugi replied.


    Watching silently as the two presented their cards, Hoshino sighed slightly. If the organizers knew that the four finalists shared two sets of qualification cards, they would be surprised. It was quite a feat that these four could reach a delicate balance without any disputes.


    "The qualification cards are in order. The duel is about to begin!"


    <[System Alert: Duelist Level Assessment Complete. Duelist Jonouchi Katsuya, Duelist Level B, Reward: 45 Saint Quartz, Remaining Saint Quartz: 46]>


    Just before the duel officially began, Hoshino''s attention was drawn back to the system alert.


    "Huh, I didn''t expect Jonouchi to have such a high duelist level~" Hoshino muttered, looking at Jonouchi, who was waiting for the duel to start.


    However, Jonouchi''s beast-like intuition quickly caught Hoshino''s gaze, and he turned his head sharply.


    "Hoshino, why are you looking at me..." Unexpectedly, Jonouchi, who usually carried the air of a delinquent, scratched his face shyly.


    "I was just thinking that, despite your average looks, you have some dueling skills." Hoshino made up an excuse to brush off Jonouchi''s question, then continued to look through the translucent system interface.


    "I''m... average-looking? No way!" Jonouchi hung his head low, showing a disappointed expression, and weakly denied, "I still have quite a few girls who admire me at school, you know!"


    "Only in your imagination, right?" Hoshino, mercilessly bursting Jonouchi''s bubble, suddenly realized the nature of the system and pondered silently. "Come to think of it, this system was made by Da Vinci in those brief seconds before I was isekai. A true genius is terrifying. This level of skill would outshine most programmers."


    However, whether the system was created with programming or magic, Hoshino couldn''t tell.


    "Anyway, since I got the Saint Quartz, the first thing to do is~" Smiling slyly, Hoshino opened the card shop. "When you get Saint Quartz, the first thing to do is GACHA!"


    Although the Quartz could be used for card strengthening, well, after tasting the sweetness of today''s gacha, Hoshino rediscovered a truth: "The gambling nature of gacha is more addictive than predetermined enhancements!"


    "Open the card shop!"


    <[Duelist Number 001, Hoshino Chiyuki, logged into the card shop.]>


    <[Saint Quartz Summon (Limited-Time Banner) Eternal Madness Empire: Septem Recommended Heroic Spirits Summon]>


    [Summon x1: 3 Saint Quartz] [Summon x10: 30 Saint Quartz]


    "Without hesitation, ten summons!" Completely used to gacha in this world, Hoshino was no longer trembling with excitement. "Come on, come on, let''s strike gold today! Let me feel Rome''s hospitality once more!"


    Whether due to the Romans'' supposed hospitality, the first draw already shone with brilliant light.


    "Oh, rainbow, this means a guaranteed 5-star!" Hoshino, who was very familiar with the gacha interface, could clearly distinguish the effects of different star-level cards. "But are there any 5-star servants in the Roman card pool?"


    "I am Altera. Master, Gacha is a bad civilization." With a calm yet subtly dangerous tone, Altera''s card appeared in Hoshino''s hand.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 83 - 83

    "Now that you mention it, the second singularity does indeed seem to have Altera appearing," Hoshino muttered to herself, looking at the SSR card of [Heroic Spirit - Altera] in her hand. "Today I must be exceptionally lucky; how many gold cards is this now? Could it be that I''ve stumbled upon the right way to do gacha?"


    Including Nero and Li Shuwen, this was already Hoshino''s third gold card of the day.


    "And there''s also one particularly special card..." Hoshino mused silently as she flipped through her deck. "Though it''s not a gold card, it possesses great power, the legendary founder of Rome."


    ...


    "Yugi, it seems my luck is really good today!" Mai Valentine''s sudden laughter drew Hoshino''s attention. "My Harpie''s Pet Dragon gains effects based on the number of [Harpie] monsters I control!"


    [Harpie''s Pet Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars) Wind] [Dragon/Effect][ATK:1200 DEF:600]


    [Effect: This card gains the following effects depending on the number of [Harpie] monsters you control, excluding "Harpie''s Pet Dragon."


    ¡ñ 1: While you control this face-up card, your opponent cannot select another [Harpie] monster you control as an attack target.


    ¡ñ 2: This card''s original ATK and DEF are doubled.


    ¡ñ 3: Once per turn, you can destroy 1 card on your opponent''s field.]


    "But Mai, you only have one Harpie Lady on the field." The confident Yugi had already successfully summoned his ace monster, [Dark Magician]. "It''s still no match for my, Dark Magician!"


    Current Battle Situation:


    Mai Kujaku LP 4000


    [Harpie Lady ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars) Wind] [Winged Beast] [ATK 1300 DEF 1400](Attack Position)


    [Pet Dragon ATK 1200] (Attack Position)


    Yugi Muto LP 4000


    [Dark Magician ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 Stars) Dark] [Spellcaster] [ATK 2500 DEF 2100](Attack Position)


    Two face-down cards


    "Don''t be so hasty, Yugi. Next, let me show you the true power of Harpie Lady~" With a flourish, Mai placed a card on the table, "I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Hysteric Sign]."


    [Hysteric Sign Continuous Spell Effect: You can only use 1 "Hysteric Sign" effect per turn, and only once that turn. When this card is activated: Add 1 "Elegant Egotist" from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand. If this card is sent from the hand or field to the Graveyard: You can add up to 3 "Harpie" cards with different names from your Deck to your hand.]


    "I activate the first effect, adding the Spell Card [Elegant Egotist] from my deck to my hand." With the added spell card in hand, Mai summoned another Harpie Lady monster, "Thanks to [Elegant Egotist], Harpie Lady assumes her most elegant form! I special summon [Harpie Lady Sisters] from my hand!"


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 Stars) Wind] [Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 1950 DEF 2100]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned with "Elegant Egotist."]


    Three graceful Harpie sisters appeared on Mai''s field through the holographic imaging system. Although they appeared as three monsters, they counted as one by the rules.


    But one was enough. With two Harpie Lady monsters on the field, Mai triggered the additional effect of Harpie''s Pet Dragon.


    "Since I have two [Harpie] monsters on the field, [Harpie''s Pet Dragon] gains ATK!" Mai confidently smiled as she touched the card of Pet Dragon on the field, "Pet Dragon''s ATK and DEF are doubled!"


    [Harpie''s Pet Dragon ATK 1200¡ú2400]


    "It''s useless, even so, it''s still not stronger than my Dark Magician!" Yugi remained unperturbed as if Mai''s tactics were all within his expectations.


    "Yugi, let''s see how long that smile lasts!" Mai, steadfast in her strategy, was not swayed by her opponent''s strength. "I hope you can maintain your confidence after I play this card."


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Triangle Ecstasy Spark]!"


    [Triangle Ecstasy Spark Spell Effect: Until the End Phase, the ATK of all "Harpie Lady Sisters" becomes 2700, and your opponent cannot activate Trap Cards. Your opponent''s Trap Cards and their effects are also negated.]


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK1950¡ú2700]


    "This is my Harpie Lady Sisters'' ultimate card!" As Mai activated the card, the Harpie Lady Sisters arranged themselves into a triangle, a massive spark of light gathering at the center. "Yugi, your set card [Mirror Force] can no longer be activated~"


    The ATK of Harpie Lady Sisters surpassed Dark Magician, and the trap card Yugi relied on was sealed. The confident smile on Yugi''s face finally vanished.


    "Yugi, I like you better with this expression. Boys are more adorable when they''re confused and thoughtful!" Mai commanded her monsters to attack, "Attack Dark Magician, Harpie Lady Sisters!"


    The triangle of dazzling bodies released a burst of light, overwhelming the helpless Dark Magician.


    [Dark Magician] destroyed


    Yugi Muto LP 4000¡ú3800


    "It''s not over yet, Yugi!" With Dark Magician defeated Mai launched an unimpeded attack, "Pet Dragon, Harpie Lady, direct attack!"


    "Ugh!" The two fierce attacks hit Yugi, leaving him with minimal life points.


    Yugi Muto LP 3800¡ú1400


    "He''s in the red zone!" For some reason, despite Mai''s overwhelming advantage on the field, Hoshino felt a sense of foreboding when she saw Yugi''s remaining 1400 life points.


    "Come on, Yugi, don''t lose!" Unlike Hoshino, her friends didn''t have the same strong intuition and believed Yugi was indeed close to defeat.


    "It''s your turn, Yugi~" Mai gestured for Yugi to take his turn, her smile radiant, "Show me what you can do with your life points on the line."


    Fixating on his life points, Yugi''s expression grew more serious. "In just two days, you''ve grown so much, Mai. You''re like a different duelist compared to when you faced Hoshino."


    "Heh, being praised by you, Yugi, I suppose I can afford to be a little proud." Mai accepted the compliment graciously, glancing at Hoshino and Jonouchi in the audience. "In this Duelist Kingdom where everyone pursues their dreams, everyone grows at an incredible rate. I, too, have my aspirations, and I can''t afford to stand still."


    "Mai, since you have such resolve, I have no worries!" Yugi''s confident smile returned, "With that determination, even if you fail here, you''ll rise again and challenge greater heights!"


    "Yugi-kun, are you saying that as if you can win against me?" Mai Valentine was somewhat intimidated by Yugi''s confidence.


    "Yes, I will end this duel this turn. It''s my turn, draw!" With a trusting gaze, Yugi looked at the card he had just drawn and immediately played it on the table. "I summon Kuriboh!"


    [Kuriboh¡ï (1 star) DARK] [Fiend/Effect][ATK 300 DEF 200]


    "What can such a weak monster do?" Mai scoffed at the Kuriboh Yugi summoned.


    "This is one of the pieces of the puzzle leading to my victory! Then..." Yugi declared with energy, pulling out another card and holding it high. "Now, I shall call upon the name of the strongest warrior from the chaos!"


    "The strongest warrior from the chaos?" Hoshino, who was watching, furrowed her brow, staring at Yugi standing tall on the stage, holding the card aloft. "Is this the aura of the Main Character?"


    "I banish the LIGHT monster ''Queen''s Knight'' and the DARK monster ''Dark Magician'' from the game!" Yugi shouted, and as he did, two beams of light, one black and one white, appeared and intertwined, condensing. "Special summon from my hand, Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning!"


    "Combining the power of light and dark," Hoshino muttered, understanding the scene unfolding on the field.


    "Come forth, the strongest warrior!" After the two beams of light converged, the strongest warrior appeared on the battlefield, clad in blue armor with gold trim.


    [Black Luster Soldier ¨C Envoy of the Beginning¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) LIGHT] [Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000 DEF 2500]


    "This monster has the same attack power as Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Jonouchi exclaimed, awed by Yugi''s newly summoned monster.


    "Even with 3000 attack power, you can''t defeat me in one turn, Yugi. Aren''t you overconfident?" Mai felt tense from the overwhelming presence of the Black Luster Soldier, but she believed in her strategy, thinking she could survive this turn and counterattack in the next.


    "You won''t get another turn, Mai!" Yugi slapped two more cards on the table, going all-in on the attack. "I activate the Equip Spell Card ''United We Stand'' and the Quick-Play Spell Card ''Multiply!''"


    "Equip ''United We Stand'' to Black Luster Soldier. For each monster on my field, Black Luster Soldier gains 800 attack points!" Yugi grinned, "And because of ''Multiply,'' my field is filled with Kuriboh tokens!"


    [Multiply Tribute 1 face-up ''Kuriboh''; Special Summon as many ''Kuriboh Tokens'' (Fiend-Type/DARK/Level 1/ATK 300/DEF 200) as possible in Defense Position.]


    "So Black Luster Soldier''s attack power increases to... 7000!" With the field filled with Kuriboh tokens, the attack power of Black Luster Soldier soared.


    "An attack power of 7000?!" Mai gasped, unable to believe what was happening.


    "This power is terrifying," Anzu covered her mouth, shocked. The Black Luster Soldier''s blade, now infused with the combined strength of all the Kuriboh tokens, gleamed with immense sharpness.


    "This is the strongest slash that can cut through chaos and create a new world!" Yugi, grasping victory, confidently pointed forward and declared the attack. "Attack, Black Luster Soldier!"


    The Black Luster Soldier, responding to Yugi''s command, lunged forward with its sword, targeting ''Harpie''s Pet Dragon.''


    With an attack power of 2400, Harpie''s Pet Dragon was no match for the 7000 attack power of Black Luster Soldier. With a single strike, the dragon was shattered and engulfed in chaos.


    Mai Valentine LP 4000 ¡ú 0


    "Just that one slash dealt 4600 damage to Mai?" Jonouchi, shocked, stared at Mai''s now empty life points.


    "And it doesn''t end there, Jonouchi. Look at the stance of the Black Luster Soldier; it''s clear the attack isn''t over." Hoshino, equally astonished, observed the situation on the field closely. "That means the Black Luster Soldier must have a follow-up attack effect."


    "Exactly, Hoshino!" Yugi, with arms crossed, confirmed Hoshino''s guess. " Black Luster Soldier ¨C Envoy of the Beginning has an effect that allows it to attack again after destroying a monster!"


    Continuing its attack, the Black Luster Soldier carved four large characters on the now vacant battlefield.


    "So, I lost this thoroughly?" Mai Valentine, sighing in resignation, placed her cards down. "If you continued attacking, you would not only wipe out my Harpie Lady but also deal massive damage to my life points. There''s no way I could withstand that attack. No wonder you were so confident you could end the duel this turn. You''re really strong."


    "Still as unfathomable as ever, Yugi..." After witnessing Yugi''s incredible strength, Hoshino''s feelings were complex. "The finals of the tournament... I will finally face the strongest duelist, huh?" S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With that thought, Hoshino took out three cards she had kept in her other pocket, holding them before her eyes in silent prayer: "Da Vinci, Mash, Doctor! Please lend me your strength!"


    "The second match of the final knockout round has concluded, with the winner being Yugi Mutou!" announced the elderly steward, confirming Yugi''s advancement to the final match of the tournament.


    "Wahhh, Chiyuki, your big sister lost~" Mai Valentine, putting on a mock crying face, ran off the stage and tightly hugged Hoshino. "I need the comfort of Chiyuki-chan right now!"


    Initially surprised by the hug, Hoshino soon stood on her tiptoes, reaching out with her right hand to gently pat Mai''s head. "There, there, don''t cry. Big sister Mai did very well."


    After enjoying the soft touch of Hoshino''s body for a moment, Mai looked up, gripping Hoshino''s shoulders firmly. "Chiyuki, you must win! Your big sister will always support you!"


    Scratching her cheek, Hoshino didn''t seem very confident. "I''ll do my best, Mai, but honestly, my opponent is Yugi, and I haven''t thought of any strategy to win yet."


    "Chiyuki, you don''t usually rely on strategies to play cards!" Mai said, knocking Hoshino on the head playfully. "Use your beast-like intuition in the duel; you might just surprise everyone!"


    "Ow, that hurts!" Hoshino pouted, rubbing her head. "What do you mean by ''beast-like intuition''? I''m a proper young lady, after all. I can''t rely on something like that."


    "And besides, the time of playing by instinct is over," Hoshino continued, glancing at Yugi and then at Pegasus on the throne. "If I charge ahead without a plan, I can''t beat those two."


    "You''ve become quite mature, Chiyuki," Mai said, smiling warmly at Hoshino''s determined expression.


    "Don''t get too nervous, Hoshino~" Jonouchi suddenly interjected. "To tell you the truth, I''ve dueled Yugi countless times."


    "Really?" Hoshino looked skeptically at Jonouchi, who was bragging.


    "Of course! I''m a man of my word; I wouldn''t lie to a girl!" Jonouchi declared proudly, pointing his thumb at himself. "Every chance I get during breaks or lunch, I duel Yugi."


    "I see..." Hoshino suddenly realized that Duel Monsters is a very popular game in this world, and dueling with friends at school is common. Her experiences had been so serious that she had misunderstood the casual nature of dueling here.


    "So, I dare say I''m the one who understands Yugi''s dueling style the best here," Jonouchi continued, crossing his arms and closing his eyes as if analyzing something, nodding repeatedly. "Yugi''s dueling style is unpredictable! It''s like he''s a different person when dueling at school compared to when he''s dueling in the Kingdom!"


    "You''re not helping, Jonouchi," Hoshino sighed, regretting having any expectations from him. Not to mention that the Yugi Jonouchi dueled at school might not be the same as the one in the Kingdom, making it normal for their styles to differ.


    ...


    "The final match of the tournament is about to begin. Contestants, please take your positions!" After a short break, the elderly steward''s voice once again pushed the tournament forward.


    "Are you ready, Hoshino?" Yugi asked, still in control of his body, as the final round was about to begin.


    "I''ve been preparing for this moment every day, Yugi," Hoshino replied with a smile, her eyes full of determination. For Hoshino, who had been aiming to win the championship from the start, Yugi was undoubtedly the strongest opponent.


    As the two stepped onto the stage, their friends remained surprisingly silent, no one uttering a word.


    "Please present your qualification cards!" The standard procedure followed.


    "Glory of the Left Hand of the King!" both contestants said in unison.


    "Qualification cards confirmed. The duel will now begin!"


    "Yugi Mutou vs. Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Yugi Mutou LP: 4000


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 4000


    "Yugi Mutou will take the first move!"


    "My turn, draw!" Yugi, taking the initiative, began his play. "First, I set a monster card in face-down defense position and set one card. That ends my turn!"


    "Face-down defense position...?" Hoshino frowned at the unusual play. In previous duels, no opponent had ever set a monster this way; they usually played them openly, except for Hoshino herself, who occasionally used this tactic. "As expected of Yugi, he starts differently from everyone else."


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino drew a card and quickly reviewed her hand. "Since he set a monster in defense position, it must have high defense. I''ll take an aggressive approach!"


    "I special summon [Heroic Spirit - Lu Bu Fengxian] from my hand!" She placed the card on the table, initiating her first attack. "Lu Bu''s special effect allows him to be special summoned if there are monsters on the opponent''s field!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Lu Bu Fengxian¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK1600 DEF0]


    A massive figure, like a Gundam, appeared on the battlefield, accompanied by holographic lights.


    "Then I activate Lu Bu''s special effect again!"


    [Once per turn, you can pay 500 Life Points to increase this card''s attack power by 1000 until the end of the turn.]


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 3500


    [Lu Bu ATK 1600 ¡ú 2600]


    "A monster with 2600 attack points right from the first turn? Hoshino''s attack is really strong!" Jonouchi couldn''t help but sweat for Yugi, seeing the figure of Lu Bu on the field.


    "Attack, Lu Bu!" Hoshino declared, pointing forward.


    The massive Lu Bu raised his weapon high, taking just a step or two forward to reach Yugi''s monster within his attack range.


    " Hrraahhhhhh!" With a mighty roar, the weapon came crashing down on the covered monster.


    "Reveal yourself, my set monster!" At the moment of the attack, Yugi flipped his face-down monster. "Big Shield Gardna!"


    [Big Shield Gardna¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK100 DEF2600]


    [When this card is attacked, after the Damage Step, it changes to Attack Position.]


    "Yugi''s monster also has 2600 defense points!" Anzu exclaimed in surprise, looking at Yugi''s revealed monster.


    With both monsters having 2600 points, the clash created a fierce spark.


    "The first turn is already such an evenly matched and intense confrontation! Hoshino-girl, Yugi-boy, I''m looking forward to this duel!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 84 - 84

    "It''s a draw!" The battle started with a clash of monsters both having 2600 attack and defense points. The onlookers, who were silent before, were stunned.


    "But Hoshino paid 500 life points, so it''s a slight loss for her," Jounouchi commented, glancing at Hoshino''s life points.


    "Well, it''s hard to say who came out ahead. Chiyuki''s monster was special summoned, which means she still has a normal summon available," Mai Valentine analyzed while observing the field. "If Chiyuki sacrifices L¨¹ Bu to summon a higher-level monster, it could establish a significant field presence."


    "Impressive, Yugi. You managed to block such a strong attack," Hoshino praised, looking at the great shield holding back L¨¹ Bu.


    "Likewise, Hoshino. Judging by how you started, you must have more plans up your sleeve," Yugi remarked, catching on to Hoshino''s strategy.


    "If I sacrifice L¨¹ Bu to summon a higher-level monster, it would be advantageous. I''ve been outmaneuvered by Yugi''s defensive play!" Hoshino thought, frowning as she recognized the strategic difference between herself and Yugi.


    "I sacrifice the [Heroic Spirit ¨C L¨¹ Bu Fengxian] on the field to summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius]!" Hoshino placed another monster card on the table. With a flash of sacrificial light, L¨¹ Bu was replaced by the crimson-robed Roman Emperor.


    "It hasn''t been long since I last appeared! Rejoice, people of Rome!" Nero proclaimed enthusiastically, though likely only Yugi, Hoshino, and perhaps Pegasus could hear.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars) Fire] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:2300 DEF:1900]


    "Upon summoning, I activate Nero''s special effect!"


    [This card''s effect activates when it is Normal Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned, and there are no other monsters on your field. Draw one card.]


    Hoshino, having drawn a card, continued to activate another effect, "Next, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula] from my deck!"


    [Caligula: If there is a ''Nero Claudius'' on your field, you can Special Summon this card from the graveyard or deck.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Dark] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF:1200]


    "Nero, oh Nero," Caligula groaned, his voice filled with longing.


    "Stop that, uncle! It''s only been a few minutes. This is embarrassing," Nero responded, a bit uncomfortable.


    "So strong! She summoned two powerful monsters and drew an extra card," Jounouchi noted, realizing Hoshino''s play had indeed created significant pressure, just as Mai had predicted. "Luckily, Hoshino''s already used her battle phase, or Yugi would be in real trouble."


    "But Hoshino''s new deck seems a bit different from before," Anzu observed, noticing something subtle but unable to pinpoint it.


    "Different? I didn''t notice," Jounouchi replied, admiring Nero. "Nero''s so cute, though! I didn''t get a good look during the duel, but now I can see how beautifully she carries herself in that red dress, with her noble posture and... um, other assets!"


    "This isn''t the time to question why a Roman emperor is a girl," Mai said, shaking her head at Jounouchi''s reaction. "I haven''t seen many of Hoshino''s duels, but her deck has improved in consistency and synergy, allowing her strategies to flow better. Isn''t that right, Anzu?"


    "Yes, exactly!" Anzu agreed, casting a disapproving look at Jounouchi.


    "So, Yugi, what will you do next?" Anzu asked, concerned about Yugi''s chances.


    "I set one card and end my turn," Hoshino gestured, indicating Yugi''s turn.


    "My turn, draw!" Yugi drew a card and smiled at Hoshino, "Hoshino, you truly are strong. To be honest, the duel I''ve been most looking forward to in this tournament is against you."


    "Huh?" Hoshino was caught off guard by the compliment. "It''s an honor to be praised by the legendary duelist Yugi Muto."


    "I think it''s a bit exaggerated to call me a legend just because I beat Kaiba once," Yugi downplayed his reputation. "In a duel, both players are equals, regardless of any titles. So, I''ll give it my all, Hoshino!"


    "Bring it on, Yugi!" Hoshino, now fired up, responded eagerly.


    "I sacrifice [Big Shield Gardna] on my field to summon from my hand the monster [Dark Magician Girl]!" A brilliant light enveloped the Big Shield Gardna, and the Dark Magician Girl appeared on the field, her attire both adorable and revealing.


    [Dark Magician Girl ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars) Dark] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2000 DEF:1700]


    "Dark Magician Girl is too cute!!!" Hoshino exclaimed, finding it hard to attack her. "That''s not fair, Yugi!"


    "Hoshino, your Nero is very cute too," Yugi teased, glancing at Nero.


    "Ah, is the starfish head over there complimenting me? What good taste!Umu~." Nero proudly puffed out her chest.


    "Nero, the most beautiful!" Caligula agreed, giving a thumbs-up.


    However, on Yugi''s field, Dark Magician Girl looked a bit jealous after hearing the exchange.


    "But cuteness alone isn''t enough to win battles!" Yugi declared, placing another card on the table. "Let''s break through at once, Dark Magician Girl! Activate the spell card from my hand, [Dark Burning Magic]!"


    [Dark Burning Magic Spell Card Effect: If you control monsters whose original names are "Dark Magician" and "Dark Magician Girl," Destroy all cards your opponent controls.]


    A massive surge of magic exploded from the Dark Magician Girl''s staff, sweeping across Hoshino''s field.


    "This will wipe out all of Hoshino''s monsters!" Jounouchi exclaimed, amazed at Yugi''s powerful move. "Yugi sure is ruthless."


    "Not yet! Nero on Chiyuki''s field might still be able to hold on," Mai said tensely, her eyes wide as she focused on the explosion''s aftermath, hoping to see a red figure emerge.


    The result of the coin toss: heads, heads, heads.


    "Nero! Third heads, a great success!" From within the smoke, Nero wielded her Noble Phantasm, the Aestus Estus, tearing through the magical explosion.


    "Ha, you survived that, huh?" Yugi smiled as if everything was going according to plan. "Then I activate the Equip Spell Card [Magic Formula] from my hand, equipping it to Dark Magician Girl to increase her attack!"


    [Magic Formula Equip Spell Card Effect: Can only be equipped to "Dark Magician" or "Dark Magician Girl". The equipped monster gains 700 ATK. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, recover 1000 life points.]


    A massive spellbook materialized in front of Dark Magician Girl, who curiously flipped it open. As she did, powerful magic energy flowed from the book, enveloping her and bolstering her resolve.


    [Dark Magician Girl ATK 2000 ¡ú 2700]


    "Now, Dark Magician Girl''s attack is higher than Emperor Nero''s!" Yugi declared, pointing forward. "Attack the Roman Emperor, Dark Magician Girl!"


    "Ugh!" As if venting her frustration at a rival, Dark Magician Girl swung her staff with all her might. Empowered by the Magic Formula, her magic was formidable, even for a novice like her.


    "Umu! I''ll leave the rest to you..." Nero said resolutely, knowing she couldn''t escape. She looked towards a set card in the back row before being consumed by Dark Magician Girl''s attack.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3500 ¡ú 3100


    "Leave it to me!" A magnetic male voice cut through the attack, as a new figure appeared where Nero had stood, breaking through Dark Magician Girl''s assault.


    Unbeknownst to Yugi, Hoshino had flipped a set card in the back row, excitedly clenching her fist. "Waking up every day to his handsomeness, known as the hero of justice, Chaldea''s top chef but the ultimate housewife, EmiyaMama, has arrived!"


    [Back of the Hero of Justice Trap Card Effect: When two or more [Heroic Spirit]monsters are destroyed in the same turn, Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya] from your hand or deck to your field.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars) Fire] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2200 DEF:2600]


    "Master, please don''t use such misleading introductions," Emiya said, shaking his head at Hoshino''s words, but his eyes grew sharp. "But this time, I won''t lose!"


    "Just as I thought, Emiya, we must win this time," Hoshino replied, sharing the same determined look as Emiya. While they didn''t have the skill of the Hawk Eye, their desire to win was clear.


    "You''re impressive, Hoshino, not only blocking my Dark Magician Girl but also summoning a new monster," Yugi complimented, surprised at the sight of Emiya emerging unscathed. "But defeating me with just one monster might still be a bit difficult. I set one card and end my turn!"


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino, not relaxing at Yugi''s praise, drew a card and looked at Yugi''s field. "Two set cards, huh? Yugi''s set cards are usually tricky. Attacking recklessly might be costly." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    (Leonardo da Vinci: "While your confidence during duels is admirable, Hoshino-chan, being too rash can sometimes be dangerous. Opponent''s set cards can be lethal.")


    Drawing a card and pointing towards Yugi, Hoshino shouted, "But being overly cautious won''t break the stalemate! Attack, Emiya!"


    "Heh, after all that consideration, you''re still attacking?" Yugi smiled as if expecting this outcome while Emiya charged forward with Kanshou and Bakuya, the twin swords, in hand.


    "Activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya]! During my battle phase, this card can copy all the equip cards on the opponent''s field, ignoring equip conditions!"


    "Trace on!" Emiya chanted, closing his eyes and beginning to analyze and copy the [Magic Formula] equipped to Dark Magician Girl.


    "Projection Complete!"


    [Magic Formula (Projection) Token: Treated as the Equip Spell Card [Magic Formula].]


    [Shirou Emiya ATK 2200 ¡ú 2900]


    "Hoshino''s monster has equipped Yugi''s Dark Magician Girl''s equip card!" Jounouchi exclaimed, surprised at the sudden increase in Emiya''s attack power. "Now Hoshino''s monster''s attack is higher!"


    "What''s the big deal about equipping a spellbook?" Mai, biting her nails, recalled the moment she lost to Hoshino when Emiya copied her Harpie Ladies'' best cards. "Who exactly is this Shirou Emiya?"


    "I think I heard Hoshino mention something about a housewife and chef?" Honda pondered, stroking his chin.


    Despite the increased attack power of Emiya, Yugi remained unfazed. "Hoshino, attacking without dealing with the set cards in the back row might have serious consequences. I activate the continuous trap card [Curse of the Hexagram]!"


    As Yugi flipped over the set card, a hexagram appeared on the ground beneath Emiya, trapping him.


    "You''ve stepped into my continuous trap card [Curse of the Hexagram]!" Yugi revealed the trap card with a victorious smile. "Due to the Hexagram''s effect, Emiya is not only immobilized but also loses 700 ATK."


    [Activate this card by targeting 1 monster your opponent controls; it cannot attack or change its battle position. When that monster is destroyed, destroy this card.]


    "Do you think such a thing can stop my counterattack?" Emiya, undeterred by the trap, stomped his foot and shattered the seal.


    "Finally, something beyond your calculations, Yugi!" Hoshino declared, placing another card on the table. "Quick-Play Spell [Body of the Saint]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 85 - 85

    "Due to the effect of [Body of the Saint] my [Heroic Spirit- Shirou Emiya] is immune to the effects of your cards for this turn." As Hoshino slammed down the card, the holy aura of Jeanne d''Arc merged with the red figure of Emiya on the field, dispelling the effects of the [Curse of the Hexagram].


    Emiya, freed from the seal, quickly advanced towards the Dark Magician Girl.


    "Eek!" The startled Dark Magician Girl was caught off guard by Emiya''s sudden approach.


    "Emiya, isn''t it a bit harsh to attack such a cute girl with your swords?" Seeing the panicked Dark Magician Girl, Hoshino seemed to have second thoughts.


    "Master, showing mercy to the enemy is being cruel to oneself; I won''t make such a basic mistake!" With years of experience working for the Counter Force, Emiya wouldn''t miss this chance due to his opponent''s appearance. "Besides, Master, you have a point. There''s no need to use my swords."


    "Since I projected this, I might as well use it!" Suddenly, Emiya''s right hand, previously holding a blade, transformed the weapon into a heavy magic book. "Let her feel the power of knowledge!"


    Emiya, holding the thick tome, swung it down like a hammer, striking the Dark Magician Girl''s head and sending her flying. The magical energy contained within the book and its physical weight made the blow quite impactful. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino covered her eyes, unable to watch the scene of the Dark Magician Girl being struck down. "Emiya, isn''t this even crueler?"


    [Dark Magician Girl] was destroyed.


    Yugi Muto LP 4000 ¡ú 3800


    "To think there could be such an attack method, oh ho ho, very interesting!" Pegasus found the scene amusing and chuckled.


    "Pegasus, you might not be laughing when I use this trick on you with your Toon World!" Frustrated by the loss of the cute Dark Magician Girl, Hoshino directed her anger towards Pegasus.


    "Uh..." Pegasus, caught off guard by Hoshino''s comment, decided not to take it seriously, simply smiling politely. "Such a lively personality, Hoshino-girl. I''m looking forward to it."


    Meanwhile, Yugi, who was left staring at his defeated Dark Magician Girl, wore a complex expression. "You''ve outdone yourself, Hoshino, even breaking through my [Curse of the Hexagram]. However, since the equipped magic card [Magic Formula] was sent to the graveyard, I recovered 1000 Life Points."


    Yugi Muto LP 3800 ¡ú 4800


    "I end my battle phase. According to Emiya''s effect, after battle, the projected equip card is destroyed, so I also recover 1000 Life Points!" Hoshino, not to be outdone, kept the score close.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3100 ¡ú 4100


    "The Life Points of both players are now higher than at the start!" Jounouchi scratched his head, perplexed by the situation. "It''s like nothing happened; are we starting over?"


    "Not quite, Jounouchi. Chiyuki has a significant advantage now." Mai Valentine corrected Jounouchi, analyzing the situation. "Don''t be fooled by Yugi''s slightly higher Life Points; Chiyuki has complete control of the field and hand. To dominate Yugi like this is impressive, Chiyuki!"


    "I''ll set one card and end my turn." With a lighter expression, Hoshino acknowledged her strong position. "It''s your turn, Yugi. You only have one card left in your hand."


    "Thanks for the reminder, Hoshino." Yugi, seemingly taking Chiyuki''s taunt as a cue, maintained a calm demeanor, "But I''ve already considered this. My turn, draw!"


    "I activate the spell card [Pot of Greed] from my hand!" Yugi instantly replenished his hand to three cards.


    "Tsk, top-decking pro!" Hoshino grumbled internally, lamenting the unfairness. "Why does Yugi always draw exactly what he needs, without any setup?"


    (Top-Decking is the condition where a player is at a large disadvantage, such as having no cards on the field or in their hand, and draws a card that ends up turning the tables in their favor.)


    "Next, I activate the spell card [Dark Magic Curtain]!" Yugi played another card, demonstrating the power of a true Duelist.


    Hoshino noticed a slight, almost imperceptible smile on Yugi''s face as he activated the card.


    An eerie curtain appeared on Yugi''s side of the field, with a fearsome skeleton ready to draw it open, sending chills down Hoshino''s spine. "Dark Magic? Curtain, could it be...?"


    [Dark Magic Curtain Spell Card Effect: Pay half your Life Points; Special Summon 1 ''Dark Magician'' from your Deck. You cannot Summon or Set other monsters during the turn you activate this card.]


    "So, it''s the ace monster!" Hoshino''s uneasy feeling was confirmed upon reading the card''s effect.


    Yugi Muto LP 4800 ¡ú 2400


    "He paid so many Life Points just to summon Dark Magician?" Jounouchi couldn''t yet understand the importance of Dark Magician to Yugi.


    As expected, the Dark Magician emerged from behind the curtain, his slender figure stepping onto the field.


    [Dark Magician ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 Stars) Dark] [Spellcaster][ATK:2500 DEF:2100]


    Although no one could say for sure whether summoning Dark Magician was worth the cost, at the moment, his higher attack power compared to Red-Eyes Black Dragon allowed Yugi to regain control of the field, using only one card.


    "Impressive, Yugi. Refilling your hand and summoning your ace monster." Hoshino gritted her teeth, but couldn''t help praising her opponent.


    "It''s time to counterattack, Dark Magician!" With the Dark Magician''s appearance, Yugi''s confident smile returned. "Dark Magic Attack!"


    Responding to Yugi''s command, the Dark Magician raised his staff, unleashing a torrent of magical energy toward Hoshino''s [Heroic Spirit-Shirou Emiya].


    "I activate my face-down card." Despite facing the ace monster, Hoshino wouldn''t go down easily. "Trap card! [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens]!''"


    As Hoshino revealed the card, Emiya stretched his right hand forward, and his calm voice echoed throughout the field, "I am the bone of my sword¡­.Rho Aias!"


    A seven-layered giant ring resembling cherry blossoms formed in front of Emiya, layer by layer.


    [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens - Continuous Trap Effect: Can be activated when [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya] is present on your field or in your graveyard. ¢Ù As an effect of this card''s activation, add 7 [Ring] counters to this card.]


    [Ring] x7


    "Each layer of Rho Aias has defense power comparable to a wall!" Hoshino, seeing the shield for the first time, was equally excited. "Block the Dark Magic like this!"


    [¢Ú: Once per turn, when a Heroic Spirit monster on your field is destroyed by battle or card effect, you can remove 1 Ring counter from this card instead and send the top card of your deck to the Graveyard. ¢Û: Once per turn, when you would take damage, you can remove 1 Ring counter from this card and send the top card of your deck to the Graveyard to make that damage 0.]


    The surging power of Dark Magic slammed into the rings, penetrating two layers but stopping at the third.


    [Ring] x5


    "To replace the destruction and damage, I send the top two cards of my deck to the Graveyard." Hoshino, drawing two cards and placing them in the graveyard, successfully nullified Yugi''s Dark Magician''s attack for this turn.


    "Though it cost a bit, you managed to block it," Yugi smirked, knowing well that the cost of sending two cards to the graveyard was minimal compared to paying half of his LP. "But to me, the Dark Magician is more than just a normal monster. Although his attack was blocked this turn, his presence still suppresses the field. I''ll set another card and end my turn!"


    "Two set cards again? What was that first set card in Yugi''s opening turn?" Hoshino frowned, analyzing the King''s moves. "Since Yugi summoned the Dark Magician, he wouldn''t let me destroy it easily. That means the set card is definitely to protect the Dark Magician."


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino, glancing at her drawn card, suddenly smiled. "Since it''s a match for the ace, let''s use another ace to counter!"


    "Activate the Spell Card [Monster Reborn] from my hand!" Hoshino slapped the card on the table, reviving a monster from the graveyard. "I''ll bring back [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] from my graveyard!"


    "Okita Souji? When did she get into the graveyard..." Yugi raised an eyebrow, then understood. "I see, you''ve even turned the downside of discarding cards from Seven Rings into an advantage. Impressive, Hoshino!"


    Under the holy light of Monster Reborn, Okita Souji''s figure appeared on Hoshino''s field. "The suddenly grave-bound Okita-san now returns stronger than ever from the edge of hell!"


    "Okita-san, although your entrance line sounded like a protagonist''s comeback, there''s been no change in your power." Hoshino waved dismissively, trying to bring Okita out of her fantasy.


    "It''s the spirit, the spirit!" Okita patted her chest earnestly. "A revived Okita-san has a stronger will! Naturally, my sword will also be sharper!"


    [Heroic Spirit-Okita Souji¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK:2500 DEF:2000]


    "Look, the stats are the same as before." Hoshino pointed at the unchanged stat above Okita''s head, unimpressed. "But now''s not the time to worry about Okita-san''s weak stats; we need your strength to win!"


    "These are not weak stats; they are standard ace stats!" The ever-competitive Okita refused to back down, though she obediently raised her sword towards the front as Hoshino commanded. "Show me which weakling to cut down."


    However, in the direction Okita''s blade pointed, the Dark Magician stood with arms crossed, mirroring the King''s poker face, staring back at her.


    "Master, uh..." Okita, sweating, turned her head to Hoshino. "Those two, the poker-faced magician and the starfish-haired guy look familiar."


    "That''s right, they''re none other than Yugi Mutou and his ace monster, the Dark Magician~" Hoshino introduced with a harmless smile.


    "Is that so, a battle of the aces, finally a chance to face the Dark Magician." Okita, spurred by her competitive spirit, gripped her sword tighter. "Master, you have a strategy to defeat them, right?"


    "Defeating the Dark Magician isn''t hard, just need to..." Hoshino said, placing a card on the table. "Activate the Equip Spell Card [Fou of The Sun]!"


    [Fou of The Sun - Equip Spell Effect: Can only be equipped to monsters with [Heroic Spirit] in their name. The equipped monster gains 500 ATK. When the equipped monster is destroyed by battle, this card is destroyed instead and sent to the Graveyard.]


    [Okita Souji ATK 2500 ¡ú 3000]


    "Oh, it''s Fou!" Okita exclaimed, delighted as she rubbed the creature that suddenly appeared on her shoulder. "Great, with this, our attack power has surpassed theirs. Time to attack!"


    "Although Yugi''s set cards are concerning, with Fou and Rho Aias, I can''t think of a countermeasure Yugi might have!" Hoshino pointed forward, confidently giving Okita the order to attack. "Cut through the confusion, Okita-san!"


    "The invincible Okita-san, moving out!" In a flash, Okita''s figure appeared behind the Dark Magician, her sword at the ready.


    "So this is the speed of the captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi, impressive." Emiya, also a swordsman (Archer), couldn''t help but praise Okita''s movement.


    Satisfied with her field, Hoshino observed the combination of Emiya with his five-layer cherry blossom shield and Okita with Fou. This attack and defense combo seemed unbeatable. "Show me your prized cards, Yugi! Whether it''s Magic Cylinder or Mirror Force, bring them on!"


    "Heh, I admit, you''ve achieved a great offense and defense set up, Hoshino!" Yugi nodded in approval. "After your duel with Kaiba, you''ve grown a lot, but..."


    "The fun of dueling lies in its ever-changing nature, and no one can account for all possibilities." Yugi, revealing his set card, spoke with a serious expression. "Every duelist gambles on finding that single path to victory amidst countless possibilities!"


    "Activate the set Trap Card [Magic Hats]!"


    As Yugi activated his Trap Card, the previously standing Dark Magician was covered by four giant magic hats that appeared on the field, shuffling around rapidly to mix their positions.


    "Come on, it''s a one-in-four chance. Make your choice, Hoshino!" Yugi, spreading his arms with a smirk, invited Hoshino to attack. "But if you choose wrong, the consequences could be severe"


    "Interesting setup, Yugi." Unfazed by the sudden appearance of four magic hats, Hoshino continued her attack order. "But against Okita, numbers are meaningless! It''s not a matter of luck, but..."


    [This card allows an additional attack per monster on the opponent''s field in the same battle phase.]


    "Destroy them all at once!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 86 - 86

    "The effect of the Magical Hat is to select three Spell or Trap cards from the deck and use them as hats. If destroyed, they go directly to the graveyard." Yugi knew well that Okita''s attack could target all monsters, but he remained calm.


    "Even if Spell or Trap cards are hidden under the hats, they can''t activate their effects if destroyed!" Hoshino, raising her right hand, was not concerned about the cards hidden below. "Don''t be intimidated by his words. Keep attacking, Okita-san!"


    "Got it, Master!" With a swift motion, Okita slashed at the Magical Hat in front of her. Of course, with only a one-in-four chance, it wasn''t easy to hit the target. The hat revealed nothing but a face-down card cut in half.


    "Cough!" Familiar blood spurted out. An unavoidable side effect of the attack was the accumulation of a Weakness token.


    [Weakness] x1


    [Okita S¨­ji ATK 3000 ¡ú 2900]


    "What an inconvenient setting. I used to only cough up randomly, but now I cough up blood with every strike!" Okita complained as he wiped the blood from her mouth, continuing toward another Magical Hat.


    "Cough!"


    "Cough!"


    "Ugh!"


    [Weakness] x3


    [Okita S¨­ji ATK 2900 ¡ú 2700]


    "Master, what kind of luck do you have? You chose wrong three times in a row!" Okita, now vomiting blood, grumbled at Hoshino''s choices.


    "No, no, Okita-san, you''ve misunderstood. Today, my luck is at its peak." With confidence, Hoshino crossed her arms and spoke coolly.


    "Choosing wrong three times is the proof of my luck!" Hoshino, unfazed by Okita''s three blood-spitting episodes, was more concerned with the fully accumulated [Weakness] tokens. "When three [Weakness] tokens are collected, Okita''s true power is revealed!"


    [When this card accumulates 3 or more [Weakness] tokens, you can add [Nameless Three Step Thrust] from the deck to your hand.]


    "No more hiding, Dark Magician!" With [Nameless Three Step Thrust] added to the hand, and the other hats destroyed, the Dark Magician hiding under the last hat revealed itself.


    "The final blow, Okita!" Slamming the retrieved card on the table, Hoshino pointed to the now-visible Dark Magician. "Activate Quick-Play Spell Card [Nameless Three Step Thrust] from hand!"


    [Nameless Three Step Thrust Quick-Play Spell Effect: This can only be activated when [Heroic Spirit-Okita S¨­ji] and [Weakness] tokens are on your field. ¢Ù: Remove all [Weakness] tokens and target one face-up monster on the opponent''s field; it is forcibly changed to Defense Position, and its DEF is reduced by 500 for each removed [Weakness] token. ¢Ú: If [Heroic Spirit-Okita S¨­ji] attacks the targeted monster, damage calculation is performed three times.]


    [Weakness] x0


    [Okita S¨­ji ATK 2700 ¡ú 3000]


    "Target the Dark Magician, forcibly change it to Defense Position, and reduce its DEF by 500 x 3 = 1500 points!"


    The Dark Magician, crouching, was forcibly switched to Defense Position.


    [Dark Magician DEF 2100 ¡ú 600]


    "When Okita attacks a monster in Defense Position, piercing damage is inflicted! So take this, the one-hit kill sword of Okita-san!" Hoshino shouted, commanding Okita to unleash her Noble Phantasm.


    "So, it was all planned, Master. You''re amazing!" With the three [Weakness] tokens removed, Okita was back in peak condition, speaking with confidence. "Master, you must have seen through the placement of the hats from the beginning. We''ve won!"


    "Well, yes, exactly!" Hoshino shamelessly accepted Okita''s praise, coughing awkwardly.


    "In short, it''s the Mumy¨­ Sandan-Zuki" Leveling her sword, Okita unleashed three consecutive strikes in the same space and time, easily piercing the Dark Magician''s body.


    "Sorry, Dark Magician, but in this duel of aces, Okita-san emerges victorious." Standing behind the pierced Dark Magician with both hands raised, Okita declared triumphantly, "Today, Okita S¨­ji officially becomes the strongest ace monster in this story!"


    "Cough!" [Weakness] x1


    [Okita S¨­ji ATK 3000 ¡ú 2900]


    "Humph!" However, just before disappearing, a faint cold laugh reached Okita''s ears.


    "Huh?!" Okita, with her years of battle experience, immediately sensed something was off from the opponent''s behavior, "Master, it seems it''s not over yet?"


    "I can see that without you telling me." Hoshino, having waited a while, had not seen the Yugi''s life points drop. Not only that, but another monster had appeared on the Yugi''s field.


    "The last set card didn''t activate, and the remaining card in his hand vanished." Faced with this situation, Hoshino could only think of one possibility. "So, the last card in your hand was Kuriboh, right?"


    "You know it well, Hoshino." Yugi pointed to the top card in his graveyard, Kuriboh, with a raised finger.


    However¡­


    [Dark Magician of Chaos ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Dark] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:2800 DEF:2600]


    "Where did this monster come from?" Hoshino, with a twitching mouth, couldn''t figure out when Yugi summoned this monster.


    "Hoshino, you cooperated with me by destroying all my hats at once!" Yugi picked up the card from the last hat destroyed by Okita, explaining to Hoshino, "This is the card I placed in the last hat you destroyed, [Chaos Scepter Blast]!"


    [Chaos Scepter Blast Quick-Play Spell Effect: If you control a Level 8 or higher Spellcaster-Type monster: Banish 1 card on the field face-down. If this card in its owner''s Spell & Trap Zone is destroyed by an opponent''s card effect: You can Special Summon 1 "Magician of Black Chaos" or "Dark Magician of Chaos" from your Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions.]


    "So, it was a Spell card that activates when destroyed." Understanding the situation, Hoshino looked at the confident Yugi with a complex expression. "You anticipated Okita''s effect to attack all monsters and used this card in combination with the Magical Hats. Yugi, you are a terrifying man walking on the edge."


    "Thanks to your cooperation, I was able to summon the strongest sorcerer from my deck, [Dark Magician of Chaos]!" Yugi placed the new monster card on the table, looking at Okita, who had stopped attacking. "Also, since your monster, Okita can only perform additional attacks in one turn after the first regular attack, it can''t attack my newly summoned Dark Magician of Chaos." S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But, Yugi, your so-called strongest sorcerer has an ATK lower than my Okita''s by 100 points!" Even though she had to admit the Yugi''s trick with the hidden card was impressive, a single Dark Magician of Chaos couldn''t overturn the advantage on her field. "And most importantly, Yugi, with the last Kuriboh discarded, you have no cards left in your hand!"


    "Sore wa dou kana? (I wonder about that)" Yugi replaced the mocking tone with a questioning one, pointing to his Chaos Sorcerer. "Dark Magician of Chaos, magic or a miracle, open the path to victory for me!"


    [When this card is summoned or special summoned, you can add 1 Spell card from your graveyard to your hand.]


    "The card I will add to my hand is this!" Yugi proudly showed a Spell card from the graveyard to Hoshino, "Spell card [Card of Sanctity]!"


    "You hid [Card of Sanctity] under the Magical Hats, too, Yugi; you''re a high-stakes gambler!" Hoshino looked at Yugi with a mixture of admiration and frustration. "Unlike Kaiba''s straightforward attacks with powerful monsters, this strategy of connecting each step to create an amazing effect is much harder to deal with."


    "As long as I win the gamble, that''s all that matters, right?" Yugi added [Card of Sanctity] to his hand and motioned for Hoshino to continue. "Go on, continue your turn, Hoshino!"


    "I would have continued even if you hadn''t said so!" Hoshino, perhaps irritated by the Yugi''s series of chains, responded with frustration.


    "Now I can''t continue to attack; I need to think of a strategy to prepare for Yugi''s attack next turn." Her eyes darted between her hand and the field, contemplating Yugi''s next move. "Next turn, Yugi will surely use the freshly drawn [Card of Sanctity] to refill his hand. This means my hand will also be forcibly replenished to six cards, so this turn I need to..."


    "Set three cards, then summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight] in Defense Position!" To maximize the effect of [Card of Sanctity], Hoshino desperately used up her hand, even setting normal Spell cards that didn''t need to be set.


    "Servant Mash, reporting for duty!" Mash, seemingly eager for a dramatic entrance, declared with a cool line, "My shield will protect my Master from all harm!"


    "Cough, Mash, you don''t have to force yourself to say things like that." Hoshino, coughing awkwardly, gently reminded Mash, who was blushing and hiding behind her shield, "Even without those lines, I know you''re very reliable, Mash."


    "Master~"


    "Alright, the setup is complete, turn end!"


    "Come on, Yugi. Even if you refill your hand with [Card of Sanctity], I still have the advantage in card count!" After setting up her field, Hoshino glanced at the relaxed Yugi across from her. "With Mash, Rho Aias, and Fou''s triple protection, even you, Yugi, will have a hard time breaking through this field."


    "My turn, draw!" Yugi didn''t rush to use [Card of Sanctity] to refill his hand. He merely glanced at the newly drawn card and Hoshino''s back row filled with set cards.


    "Trying to replenish your hand alongside my [Card of Sanctity], your strategy is quite transparent, Hoshino." Yugi, without showing any clear approval or disapproval, commented on Hoshino''s setup. "It''s a common move most people would think of."


    "But..." Yugi flipped over a card from his first turn, "This turn, I''ll destroy all your set cards, along with your proud defense."


    "Activate the set Spell Card, [Dark Magic Attack]!" To Hoshino''s surprise, Yugi revealed a normal Spell card that seemed useless while set on the field.


    "This is the card you''ve had set since the first turn?" Hoshino, feeling deceived, clenched her teeth. The card she had speculated about and guarded against countless times turned out to be just a regular Spell card. "You''ve completely fooled me, Yugi!"


    "All''s fair in love and war, Hoshino!" Yugi, with arms crossed, held two cards between his fingers.


    [Dark Magic Attack Spell Card Effect: Can only be activated when "Dark Magician" is on your field. Destroy all Spell and Trap cards on your opponent''s field.]


    "Hold on, where do you have a Dark Magician on your field!" Hoshino interrupted, trying to prevent the King''s blatant cheating.


    "Look closely at the two cards in my hand, Hoshino." Yugi separated the two cards he had between his fingers and placed them on the table. One was [Dark Magic Attack], and the other was the Spell Card [Monster Reborn].


    "This is the card I drew this turn!" After [Monster Reborn] was activated, the [Dark Magician] in the graveyard was bathed in holy light and dramatically returned to the Yugi''s field. "My strongest servant has returned and will now dismantle your setup, Hoshino!"


    "Go, Dark Magician, activate the Spell Card [Dark Magic Attack]!" Yugi, with his right fist clenched, commanded the resurrected Dark Magician to use the combo spell.


    "Understood!" With a deep grunt, the Dark Magician leaped high into the air, pointing his staff downward.


    A black orb, infused with eerie dark magic and wrapped in a layer of crackling black energy, crashed down onto Hoshino''s field.


    "This isn''t good, Master, there''s no way to block this attack." Emiya, holding up a cherry blossom shield, could only helplessly watch as the five remaining layers of the barrier were pierced and destroyed by the black orb. "While this doesn''t directly damage us, the five-set cards behind Master are probably all gone."


    Caught off guard by this development, Hoshino could only watch as her back row was wiped out by [Dark Magic Attack], including the deployed Rho Aias and Fou on Okita''s shoulder.


    "Fou~san!" Okita lamented, seeing Fou disappear from her shoulder.


    [Okita S¨­ji ATK 2900 ¡ú 2400]


    "Without Fou''s help, I can''t defeat the Dark Magician!" That seemed to be the true reason for Okita''s sorrow. The sharp-eyed Dark Magician seemed to be flaunting the recent turn of events, displaying the aura of a true ace, while Okita, deliberately turning her head away, avoided eye contact as if admitting defeat.


    "I only have one card left in my hand, so you should know what comes next." Yugi placed his last card on the table, raising an eyebrow at Hoshino.


    "Of course I know, it''s time for everyone''s favorite part¡ªrefilling our hands!" Before Yugi could recite the card''s effect, Hoshino had already started drawing cards.


    [Card of Sanctity Spell Card Effect: All players draw cards until they have 6 cards in hand.]


    "This nullifies your card advantage, Hoshino." Despite having six cards each, the Yugi''s field was now stronger. Having already used [Nameless Three-Step Thrust] and with Okita still burdened by [Weakness] tokens, Hoshino''s forces were unable to challenge the [Dark Magician], let alone the even stronger [Dark Magician of Chaos].


    Glancing at his newly replenished six cards, Yugi''s eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. "Sorry, Hoshino, the pieces of my victory have come together!"


    With a bold declaration of victory, background music fittingly called "Passionate Duelist" seemed to play behind him.


    "I activate the Spell Card, [Bond Between Teacher and Student] from my hand!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 87 - 87

    "Activate the Spell Card from my hand, [Bond Between Teacher and Student]!" The puzzle piece for Yugi''s victory likely involved the cards thrown onto the table.


    [Bond Between Teacher and Student Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù: Can only be activated if you have a "Dark Magician" on your field. Special Summon 1 "Dark Magician Girl" from your hand, deck, or graveyard.]


    "Hehe~" With Yugi activating the Spell Card, the Dark Magician Girl, who had been in the graveyard, was brought back to the field in defense position because the Dark Magician was present, and she playfully jumped to stand beside him.


    [Dark Magician Girl DEF:1700]


    "Summoning [Dark Magician Girl] in defense mode... Is this the puzzle piece for your victory?" At such a critical moment, Hoshino couldn''t afford to focus on the cute appearance of the Dark Magician Girl.


    "Don''t be too hasty, Hoshino," Yugi, with a calm demeanor, pointed to the Spell Card [Bond Between Teacher and Student] on the field. "The effect of my card isn''t over yet. Let''s continue activating the Spell Card''s effect!"


    [¢Ú: After that, you can add 1 "Dark Magic Attack," "Dark Burning Attack," "Dark Burning Magic," or "Dark Magic Twin Burst" from your deck to your hand.]


    "..." Hoshino, slightly embarrassed, watched Yugi recite the long list of effects and said, "As expected of Yugi, being able to recite such long and complex card names in one go."


    "Although they''re long and sound a bit pretentious, these cards seem tough just by their names..." However, despite her joking tone, Hoshino was internally aware of the trouble brewing.


    "Hmm, the card I''ll add to my hand is [Dark Burning Magic] from my deck." Swiftly and adeptly, Yugi searched his deck and drew the final piece of his victory puzzle. "Now, with the combined attack of Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl on the field, let''s bring this duel to a close! Activate the Spell Card from my hand, [Dark Burning Magic]!"


    [Dark Burning Magic Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: This can only be activated when there are monsters on your field whose original names are "Dark Magician" and "Dark Magician Girl." Destroy all cards your opponent controls.]


    With a simple and brutal effect, the Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl on the field gathered their magical power after the activation of the Spell Card. With a force greater than any single "Dark Magic Attack" or "Dark Burning Attack," the duo launched a massive energy attack like a Spirit Bomb.


    "Is it over..." Mai Valentine couldn''t bear to watch the scene on the field, knowing how devastating the effect of destroying all cards on the opponent''s field would be for Hoshino. "There''s nothing Chiyuki can do with no cards on the field; she''s completely out of options."


    "Even though you couldn''t defeat Yugi, Chiyuki, you did your best!" Mai clutched the railing in the spectator area tightly, comforting Hoshino on the stage.


    "Mai, it''s not over yet!" Unexpectedly, despite the impending Dark Burning Magic attack, Hoshino showed no sign of despair in her eyes. "Could you not surrender on my behalf prematurely? It''s troubling, you know~"


    "Hm?" Hearing Hoshino''s complaint, Yugi frowned in disbelief. "Given the current situation, do you still think you have a chance, Hoshino?"


    "Yugi, do you think I would make such a meaningless struggle?!" Hoshino slapped her hand hard on the empty spell and trap card zone, glaring at Yugi, who believed he had already won. "Today, I''ll show you what it means to turn the tables! Empty field! Card creation!"


    "Empty field? Card creation? Hoshino, what are you joking about..." However, Yugi, who initially thought Hoshino was just being stubborn, suddenly froze when he saw the scene in front of him.


    Because he truly saw that Hoshino''s previously empty spell card zone was now emitting a faint glow.


    Although the glow seemed faint to others, in Hoshino''s eyes, it was the holy light, the only hope for survival in a dire situation.


    "Go, Andersen! I''m counting on you!" Hoshino shouted towards the faint glow in front of her, entrusting her last hope.


    "Seriously, making a weak writer like me deal with such an attack." From the faint glow, the short figure of Andersen appeared, holding a book and quill, furiously writing something.


    Despite his grumbling, the tsundere young Andersen was busily writing with no sign of reluctance, "Even though my high-speed incantation is only E-ranked, I''m now going all out!"


    "Mr. Andersen!" Mash, who had been ready to face the Dark Magician''s deadly attack alone, turned back excitedly to look at Andersen. She knew that if she was the only one left on the field, she wouldn''t be able to block Yugi''s upcoming tidal wave of attacks. "Please, Mr. Andersen, protect everyone!"


    "Enough, I''m doing it." Andersen, quickly writing and visibly nervous, had beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.


    "But I finally made it in time, more urgent than an end-of-month deadline!" As if he had finished writing something, Andersen threw the heavy book into the air with all his might. "Go, this is the story I''ve written for you (M?rchen Meines Lebens)!"


    "Hoshino, what are you trying to do..." Yugi could hear the conversation among the Servants on the field, but he was still confused. He didn''t know where Andersen had come from or what his purpose was.


    "You, with the starfish hair, listen up!" Andersen, having completed his task, pointed his quill at the bewildered Yugi. "This is my masterpiece, poured into with all my strength. Although I just wrote it, each page represents the ''perfect form'' of this duel that I wanted to showcase!"


    Andersen''s Noble Phantasm, [M?rchen Meines Lebens], originally grew in power with the progression of the manuscript. A few pages could only cause minor coincidences, but when the entire manuscript was complete, it would bring the targeted thing to the "best form" envisioned in Andersen''s mind. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "To think he wrote an entire book in those few seconds!" Even Hoshino found it hard to believe that Andersen could do this, "If you could write this fast before readers started demanding updates, wouldn''t you be free from monthly deadlines?"


    "Quiet!" Andersen scolded Hoshino angrily. "This is a rare, massive update. Don''t call me out for such troublesome matters next time!"


    While the others were talking, the previously fearsome Dark Burning Magic had disappeared without a trace.


    "Heh heh," Andersen looked pleased as he watched the sky (ceiling) return to normal, his body gradually dissipating into golden particles. "The script has been rewritten, master. If you can''t win now, I won''t forgive you!"


    "Of course," Hoshino answered firmly to the already vanished Andersen, proudly showing Andersen''s card to Yugi. "Yugi, this card represents the small yet immense hope that changed the course of the battle!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Hans Christian Andersen¡ï¡ï (2-Star) Light] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK:1000 DEF:200]


    [¢Ù: This card can be set as a Continuous Trap Card in the Spell/Trap Zone. ¢Ú: While this card is face-up on the field, all [Heroic Spirit] monsters gain 300 ATK and DEF. ¢Û: When this card in the Spell/Trap Zone is destroyed by an opponent''s effect, you can Special Summon this card. ¢Ü: If an effect that would destroy cards on the field is activated, you can release this card to negate that effect and destroy it.]


    "Because my Andersen was destroyed by your card''s effect, his effect was triggered, allowing a special summon to block your finishing move, Yugi." Hoshino slowly placed the Andersen card into the graveyard and continued, "Seeing that you hid [Chaos Scepter Blast] in your hat and summoned [Dark Magician of Chaos], I realized the easiest way to destroy my [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens] and [Fou of The Sun] was to directly wipe out my back row. That''s why Andersen was my insurance in the back row!"


    "You learned from my strategy, Hoshino. That''s impressive." Yugi, wide-eyed in disbelief, looked at Hoshino. "Even while dueling me, you keep growing. You''re a woman full of potential."


    "You shouldn''t call a young lady in her prime a ''woman,'' Yugi," Hoshino retorted with a shake of her head.


    "Heh, sorry about that," Yugi apologized with a smile. "Even though you negated my [Dark Burning Magic], it''s an undeniable fact that your [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens] were destroyed."


    "Plus, without [Fou of The Sun] to support [Okita S¨­ji]''s attack, you can''t withstand my next attack!" Yugi declared, thrusting his hand forward to start the battle phase. "Attack, Dark Magician!"


    [Dark Magician ATK:2500]


    Facing the oncoming Dark Magician attack, Okita S¨­ji gulped hard, complaining, "He''s just 100 points stronger than Okita-san. This debuff is so annoying; can I manually remove it?"


    Okita reached out, attempting to remove the [Weakness] counter on herself but failed.


    "It''s useless, Yugi. As long as Mash is in defense mode on my field, you can only target her." Hoshino waved her hand, ordering Mash to intercept the attack. "Block it, Mash!"


    "Yes, senpai!" Holding her heavy shield, Mash quickly moved in front of Okita. "Please step back, Okita-san!"


    "Transient Wall of Snowflakes!" The shield, imbued with magical energy, bore mysterious patterns and sturdily withstood the Dark Magician''s attack.


    "Mash''s defense mode prevents her from being destroyed. What an unusual monster," Pegasus mused, switching his crossed legs to ease the numbness. "Considering the situation, every one of Hoshino''s monsters communicates. If they were just card spirits, she must be truly loved by them to have so many guarding her." His interest in Hoshino grew as he muttered to himself.


    "Hoshino, I know Mash''s effect well. While she can block this attack, like my [Big Shield Gardna], she must switch to attack mode after being attacked." Yugi declared another attack. "Now, without back-row defenses, let''s see how you block [Dark Magician of Chaos]''s higher attack power!"


    [Dark Magician of Chaos ATK:2800]


    "Attack, Chaos Destruction Spell!" The Dark Magician of Chaos twirled its ornate staff, unleashing a powerful black energy blast from the staff, resembling a miniature ''Dark Magic Attack.''


    "Why does the attack always come towards Okita-san? Can''t you show some care for Emiya-san, who''s also on the field?" Okita glanced at Emiya, who shrugged with a ''because your attack is higher'' look, and closed her eyes, resigned to the incoming attack. "I''m doomed. Okita-san is done for."


    However, the expected destruction never came.


    "What''s happening? Is the Destruction Spell not painful? It looked terrifying," Okita wondered, looking at her still intact hands and body. "Not hurt at all, haha, it doesn''t hurt!"


    "Ouch!" Okita heard a low groan from in front of her.


    Guessing what had happened, Okita slowly looked up to see Saint George standing before her, his body pierced by the black energy.


    "I activated the effect of [Heroic Spirit - Saint George] from my hand..." Hoshino, unwilling to look at the groaning George, picked up her card. "During an opponent''s attack declaration, it can be Special Summoned from the hand to block the attack."


    "What an attack! It hurts so much!" Despite his sturdy-looking armor, Saint George was always easily defeated(again). Though accustomed to being sent to the graveyard, he hadn''t expected this attack to be so extraordinary.


    "According to [Dark Magician of Chaos]''s effect, monsters destroyed by it aren''t sent to the graveyard; they are removed from play," Yugi recalled Saint George''s brave stand against the Labyrinth Brothers, apologizing, "I''m sorry, Saint George."


    "So I can''t even go to the graveyard this time. It''s a miserable fate for a Saint," Saint George muttered as his body, starting from the wound, was gradually consumed. "If I had the chance, I''d want to become my alter form."


    [Heroic Spirit - Saint George] Banish


    "How about that, Yugi? I blocked it!" Hoshino placed George''s card in the banished zone, feeling a pang of guilt at the scene. "I promise, next duel, I''ll make sure you last more than a turn, Saint George."


    "Nicely done, Hoshino." Drawing a card, Yugi placed it face-down, ending his turn.


    "My turn, draw!" Shaking off the brief sadness, Hoshino''s eyes gleamed with determination, her hand full of cards and three monsters on the field. "This turn is the perfect moment for a counterattack!"


    Most importantly, with Andersen rewriting the script, a duel that should have ended in Yugi''s victory had now ventured into uncharted territory.


    "It''s time to use this card!" Hoshino played a card, and unexpectedly, a bright red light shone from the back of her right hand.


    "Is this a Command Spell? It''s quite pretty~" After the light faded, a vibrant red seal was imprinted on Hoshino''s hand. "Activate Continuous Spell Card from my hand, [Chaldea Mana Support System]!"


    "The mana is flowing. Let''s finish this, Master!" Emiya declared, feeling the surge of power.


    "Go all out, Emiya!" Hoshino raised her hand with the Command Spell, shouting, "Unlimited Blade Works, deploy!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 88 - 88

    "What''s happening, Hoshino?" Yugi asked, concerned about the sudden appearance of a red mark on Hoshino''s hand.


    "Don''t worry, it''s probably just a hologram," Hoshino speculated after examining it. The mark, similar to the projections from the [Chaldea Combat Suit], wouldn''t physically affect the duelist.


    Pegasus, watching from his seat, suddenly became serious. "So this is also a holographic effect. Truly, the finest technology from Kaiba Corp."


    "Anyway, let''s activate the special effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Chaldea Mana Support System]!"


    [Chaldea Mana Support System Continuous Spell Card Effect: When activated, place 1 [Command Spell] counter on this card. During your Standby Phase, place 1 [Command Spell] counter on this card.]


    "A Command Spell? So that''s what the tattoo-like thing on Hoshino''s hand is," Bakura understood quickly, sighing in relief. "I thought it triggered some kind of shadow game."


    [Remove 1 [Command Spell] counter to add a Spell or Trap card that mentions an [Heroic Spirit] monster''s name from your deck to your hand.]


    "Using one Command Spell counter, I''ll add a Spell Card that mentions [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya] to my hand!" The magic from the Command Spell on Hoshino''s hand transferred to Emiya.


    (Da Vinci: "Hoshino, you need a key card to connect the Heroic Spirit deck. Without it, the individual Servant cards and their respective Noble Phantasms won''t synergize.")


    "This card is Chaldea''s pinnacle of technology, connecting the entire deck!" With the Command Spell glowing on her hand, Hoshino drew the card as if by magic. "I''m adding the Field Spell [Unlimited Blade Works] to my hand!" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Just one card can generate such immense power? Da Vinci truly is reliable," Emiya praised, feeling the magic flowing through him.


    "Then I''ll activate the [Unlimited Blade Works] I added to my hand!" Hoshino placed the card in the field spell zone, awaiting the transformation.


    "What exactly is [Unlimited Blade Works]?" The onlookers were puzzled, with Jounouchi scratching his head anxiously. "This guy Emiya already feels mysterious, and now there''s a card even more obscure than Yugi''s magic cards."


    "Just watch, Jounouchi," Hoshino replied with a mysterious smile. "You won''t be disappointed."


    On the battlefield, Emiya began chanting a familiar incantation.


    "I am the bone of my sword."


    "Steel is my body and fire is my blood."


    "I have created over a thousand blades."


    "Unknown to death, nor known to life."


    "Have withstood pain to create many weapons."


    "Yet, those hands will never hold anything."


    "So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works."


    As if a desert wind had passed, the entire scene dimmed.


    Unexpectedly, the entire landscape changed before everyone''s eyes.


    "Impossible! No matter how advanced the technology, can it do this?" Pegasus, who had uncrossed his legs in tension, was taken aback. "A field spell''s holographic projection should be limited to the duel arena, not change the entire surrounding scenery."


    "It feels like the whole world has changed," Jounouchi exclaimed, marveling at the scene. "Hoshino wasn''t kidding!"


    The new setting was a red wasteland filled with countless swords stuck in the ground, with a fiery horizon and giant gears turning in the distance.


    "So this is your trump card, Hoshino!" Yugi, calm despite the vast new landscape and countless swords, remarked. "But whatever appears is irrelevant to me. My goal here is to defeat you."


    "That makes it more interesting, Yugi!" Hoshino, standing on a hill covered in swords, responded confidently. "Surrendering just from seeing a new scene would make defeating you meaningless!"


    "This is so cool, almost unfairly so!" Okita, standing beside Emiya, exclaimed at the impressive scene and Emiya''s cool demeanor. "Why do my effects always look so cheap? This makes it seem like Emiya-san is the real ace!"


    "The moment of truth has come, Master!" Emiya, his back proudly turned to Hoshino, declared. "The effect can now be activated!"


    "Alright, activating the special effect of the Field Spell Card [Unlimited Blade Works]!" Hoshino declared, raising the card on the hill.


    [Unlimited Blade Works Field Spell Card Effect: Can only be activated when you control [Heroic Spirit- Shirou Emiya]. ¢Ù: When this card is activated, search both players'' decks and equip [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya] with as many Equip Cards as possible, ignoring any restrictions.]


    "Copying the Equip Card [Magic Formula]!"


    [Shirou Emiya ATK 2200 ¡ú 2900]


    "Copying the Equip Card [Fou of The Sun]!"


    [Shirou Emiya ATK 2900 ¡ú 3400]


    "These are Equip Cards from the graveyard, and now for those that haven''t been used yet!" Hoshino reviewed the available Equip Cards, looking through her deck.


    "Copying the Equip Card [Piercing Thorn Lance]!"


    [Shirou Emiya ATK 3400 ¡ú 3700]


    "This is probably the only Equip Card besides Fou in my deck. And because of the [Chaldea Mana Support System] Continuous Spell Card, only four Equip Cards can be copied, so I can only equip four."


    "Now, for the main event!" Hoshino pointed to Yugi''s deck with a mischievous smile. "Yugi, your deck must have it, right? The strongest Equip Card that can drastically increase attack power, [United We Stand]!"


    "Heh, even if I denied it, the rules wouldn''t allow it," Yugi chuckled, nodding silently.


    "So, copying the Equip Card [United We Stand]! Since I have Mash, Okita, and Emiya on the field, the attack increases by 800 x 3 = 2400 points!" Hoshino laughed boldly, having achieved her final goal. "The unity of three Servants is the most common formation in FGO battles!"


    [Shirou Emiya ATK 3700 ¡ú 6100]


    "I win, Yugi!" As Hoshino pointed towards the Dark Magician trio on the horizon, countless swords in the scene floated and trembled, ready to attack.


    [¢Ú: While you control [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya], only he can attack during your Battle Phase. ¢Û: [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya] can attack all opponent''s monsters once each. After each attack, randomly destroy one Equip Card equipped to [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya]. If no Equip Cards remain, destroy this card. ¢Ü: Your opponent cannot activate card effects in response to attacks by [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya].]


    [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya ATK:6100]


    [Muto Yugi LP:2400]


    "In an instant, the attack power reached 6100!" Jounouchi, now accustomed to the surrounding scene resembling a steel mill, was once again stunned.


    "If this attack hits any of Yugi''s monsters in attack position, Yugi will lose!" Anzu, nervously gripping her sleeve, prayed silently. Although she had enjoyed meeting and befriending Hoshino over the past two days, her heart ultimately rooted for her long-time friend Yugi, who carried the souls of his relatives.


    "Go for it, Yugi!"


    On the battlefield, the countless swords projected by Unlimited Blade Works surrounded Yugi''s three monsters. The originally limited dueling field seemed to expand, making the distance between Hoshino and Yugi appear even greater.


    "It''s time to settle this, Yugi!" Hoshino mimicked Emiya''s gesture, pretending to control the swarm of swords. "Even though Unlimited Blade Works has the effect of attacking all of your monsters, with such high attack power, one strike is enough to end the duel."


    "Oh? Then bring it on!" Yugi, clutching his card tightly, forced a confident smile. "This is truly a clash of aces!"


    "Hey, you starfish-head! Don''t overstate things. I''ve already said the ace is Okita-san!" Okita shouted angrily at Yugi, eager to clarify her status.


    "Yes, Okita-san is indeed the ace!" With a wave of Hoshino''s (Emiya''s) hand, the infinite swords surged toward the trio of Dark Magicians. "That''s why this is called the trump card or even a joker clash! Go, Emiya, attack the Dark Magician on Yugi''s field!"


    "Activate my set card..." As the overwhelming wave of swords approached, Yugi flipped his last face-down card.


    "It''s useless, Yugi! Within [Unlimited Blade Works], you can''t activate any card effects in response to Emiya''s attack phase!" Hoshino roared, pointing skyward and controlling the sword wave. "So your precious [Magic Cylinder] and [Mirror Force] can''t activate."


    "How can a card have such powerful effects?" Jounouchi exclaimed, worried. "This means Yugi''s last defenses are completely neutralized. He''ll have to take the attack head-on!"


    "Keep your card hidden, Yugi, it''s checkmate!"


    "Hmph, Hoshino, it''s true I can''t activate traps in response to Emiya''s attack declaration and must take the attack head-on," Yugi admitted, yet his eyes showed no sign of surrender. "Joker against an ace, this is interesting. Let my Dark Magician respond to your swords with the strongest dark magic!"


    "The card I revealed is the Trap Card [Collected Power]!" As Yugi revealed the card, the Dark Magician, who had stood resolutely, leaped high, creating numerous violet magical circles in the twilight sky.


    "I''ll gather all the magical energy in this sky onto my Dark Magician!" The Dark Magician, extending his right hand toward the sky, was accompanied by Yugi''s confident smile. "This magic rain, enough to cover the sky, should be able to withstand your sea of swords!"


    "I''ll target my Dark Magician and activate the effect of [Collected Power]!"


    [Collected Power Trap Card Effect: Choose one face-up monster on the field. All Equip Cards on the field are equipped to that target.]


    "Damn, that''s too much! Did you just print this card?" Hoshino cursed, never expecting Yugi''s set card to be not a pitfall like Magic Cylinder but a trap targeting Equip Cards.


    "This is my counter to your strategy, Hoshino," Yugi explained seriously, ignoring Hoshino''s harsh words. "With a high-level monster on the field, the best way to surpass my attack power is with Equip Cards. What I didn''t anticipate was you using so many Equip Cards to skyrocket the attack power."


    "Now, due to [Collected Power]''s effect, the four Equip Cards on Emiya transfer to the Dark Magician!" As Yugi declared the card''s effect, the magic rain in the sky grew more intense.


    [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya ATK 6100 ¡ú 2200]


    [Dark Magician ATK 2500 ¡ú 6400]


    "Oh my God! The situation has completely reversed; Yugi-boy is truly an incredible duelist." Pegasus, previously calm, was now astonished by the sudden 180-degree turn. "Hoshino-girl has hit a hard wall this time."


    "Even if you want to stop now, you can''t halt the attack, Hoshino!" Yugi, who had turned the tide, declared with sharp eyes. "Once Emiya''s attack lands, the duel will be over!"


    "Hoshino..." The spectators were silent, watching the sudden reversal. "If Hoshino loses this way again, it''ll be a huge blow."


    The scene mirrored her duel with Kaiba.


    ---


    "Reveal the trap [Limited/Zero Over]! The attacked Emiyy gains the attack power of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya ATK 2200 ¡ú 6700]


    "Kaiba...!"


    "Hmph, just a different timing. Such a pity, Hoshino! I activate Quick-Play Spell from my hand! [Fusion Duel ], raising my Blue eye''s attack power of [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya]!"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ATK 4500 ¡ú 11200]


    "Hoshino...!"


    Amid the spatial rift and their cries...


    [Chiyuki Hoshino LP 1300 ¡ú 0]


    ---


    The same monster, the same situation. Both times, just as Hoshino was about to secure victory with Emiya, a sudden twist pushed her into despair.


    "I said I won''t lose again!" Hoshino shouted, breaking the silence. Despite losing all Equip Cards, Emiya did not give up, charging toward the dark magic rain that seemed to burn the sky. "If I fail like this again, how can I face my master!"


    "A futile struggle like a moth to a flame?" Yugi didn''t mock Emiya''s indomitable will, instead feeling a deeper respect for his perseverance. "But without the support of Unlimited Blade Works, you can''t withstand this magic rain."


    "If I''ve lost my swords, I''ll just make more!" Emii retorted fiercely, swinging his hand upward as he charged. "In this space filled with countless swords, the one thing we don''t lack is swords!"


    As Emiya swung his hand, the swords embedded in the ground began to tremble as if reawakening.


    "That''s the spirit, Emiya!" Hoshino, standing on the hill of swords, shared Emiya''s determination. "Activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya]! During my Battle Phase, I can copy all Equip Cards on the opponent''s field and equip them to myself!"


    "I almost forgot Emiya could copy Equip Cards!" Mai, previously despairing, lifted her head with tears in her eyes. "Go, Hoshino, don''t give up!"


    "It''s ironic that the one who projects fake weapons now has to copy fake ones." Though Emiya mocked himself, his unwavering determination had turned into a fiery resolve. "The fake of a fake, the projection of a projection, I am the bone of my sword!"


    "Trace! On!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 89 - 89

    "Trace! On!"


    Countless swords embedded in the wasteland rose, pointing towards the surging magical energy in the sky as Emiya''s equipment returned.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya ATK 2200 ¡ú 6100]


    "Since we can''t stop it, let''s go all out, Emiya!" Facing her fate without a trace of fear, Hoshino commanded, "Attack the Dark Magician!"


    "But it won''t work; under equal conditions, Chiyuki''s Emiya''s attack power is 300 points lower than the Yugi''s Dark Magician!" Although they managed to overturn a huge disadvantage, the small difference in attack power in Duel Monsters rules would still result in the monster''s destruction.


    "Let me answer you with this infinite sword, Mr. Ace!" With a roar that drowned out the dusk, Emiya leaped high, plunging into the dense rain of magic alongside a sea of swords.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4100 ¡ú 3800]


    "Emiya-san looks tragic!" Okita pretended to wipe away non-existent tears, mourning for Emiya. "Emiya-san, I''ll convey your heroic figure to your comrades in the Chaldea kitchen."


    "Don''t presume my dead so easily, you fool Okita!" A familiar and steady voice emerged from the aftermath of the clash between the infinite swords and the magic rain. "Making fun of my title as a hero of justice and a top chef, I won''t fail this time for the master!"


    "How is this possible? Why wasn''t Emiya..." Yugi''s eyes narrowed in disbelief, looking at Emiya emerging unscathed from the clash.


    [Heroic Spirit - Shirou Emiya ATK 6100 ¡ú 5600]


    "So that''s it, Hoshino!" With difficulty, Yugi squeezed out the words, glancing at the now-disappeared equipped card [Fou of The Sun] in Hoshino''s back row. "She used Fou''s effect to substitute for Emiya''s destruction."


    "Exactly, Yugi!" Hoshino, relieved to see Emiya safe, added, "Let''s gamble, Yugi; the next attack will decide the winner! Due to the effect of [Unlimited Blade Works], Emiya can continue to attack!"


    "Go, Emiya, attack the [Dark Magician of Chaos] on Yugi''s field!"


    "Hmph, so that''s what you meant by gambling?" Understanding Hoshino''s words, Yugi smiled wryly. "Due to the negative effect of [Unlimited Blade Works], each time Emiya attacks, one of his equipment cards will be randomly destroyed."


    "In other words!" With Yugi''s hint, Jonouchi suddenly realized, "If Emiya randomly destroys the equipment card with the highest attack power increase, [United We Stand], Yugi can survive, otherwise..."


    "This is truly a life-and-death strike." Honda nervously swallowed, sweat trickling down his face.


    [Magic Formula] destroyed!


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya ATK 5600 ¡ú 4900]


    "It wasn''t the equipment with the lowest attack power, nor the one with the highest!" To everyone''s surprise, the Magic Formula, which increased attack power to a certain extent, shattered with Emiya''s attack. "So, what is the final result?"


    Even with the destruction of the grimoire, Emiya''s attack power still overwhelmed the Dark Magician of Chaos on the Yugi''s field. Emiya, descending from the dim sky, wielded his swords, kanshou and bakuya, like two heavy guillotines, slicing the Dark Magician of Chaos into three parts.


    [Dark Magician of Chaos] destroyed


    [Yugi Muto LP 2400 ¡ú 300]


    "Damn it, did Yugi survive?" Mai Valentine, feeling immense regret, grabbed Jonouchi''s collar and shook him vigorously. "What kind of luck is this?"


    The dizziness from the high-frequency shaking left Jonouchi feeling faint. "Mai, calm down a bit. Yugi had a two-thirds chance of surviving; it''s not extraordinary luck."


    "Yeah, real luck would be like you surviving with a one-sixth chance!" Hoshino, not feeling any regret, teased Jonouchi''s luck.


    "That close call, Hoshino!" Relaxing his grip that had almost pierced his palms, Yugi sighed in relief. For a moment, he genuinely believed he might lose, which would mean his grandfather''s soul would be forever trapped in a card¡ªsomething he couldn''t accept. "Hoshino, you''re really strong, much stronger than I imagined. You might be the second person to push me this far after Pegasus."


    Due to the negative effect of [Unlimited Blade Works], [United We Stand] was destroyed.


    The destruction of [United We Stand] was inconsequential; the only monster left on the Yugi''s field was a trembling Dark Magician Girl.


    "Sorry, but battles aren''t child''s play. No matter how cute you are, I still have to send you to the graveyard." With a cold demeanor, Emiya threw Kanshou, effortlessly slicing through the Dark Magician Girl.


    [Piercing Thorn Spear] destroyed.


    "Now, Yugi, you have no other monsters on the field, and the attack power of your Dark Magician will decrease by 1600 points due to the destruction of [United We Stand]." Hoshino pointed to the empty field.


    [Dark Magician ATK 4800]


    "What does it matter?" Standing confidently on the burning ground, Yugi remained straight-backed and confident. "Even though my Life Points are low, I have a Dark Magician on the field with attack power exceeding the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Hoshino, do you think you still have a chance to win?"


    "Hahaha!" Hoshino suddenly burst into laughter, startling Yugi with her unusual reaction. "Yugi, you''re good at setting up flags for yourself."


    "Flag? What do you mean?" Confused, Yugi found Hoshino''s words even more perplexing than Pegasus''s English jargon.


    "Of course, I''ll win!" Not having time to explain further, Hoshino drew a card from her hand, "This turn, not only will I win, but I''ll win beautifully!"


    "Impossible!" Yugi strongly denied Hoshino''s confident words. "Because of the field spell [Unlimited Blade Works], your other monsters can''t attack besides Emiya; you can''t defeat me this turn."


    "What does it matter?" Dramatically slamming the card onto the sand-covered table, Hoshino smiled brightly. "This card is my final move in this duel!"


    "Activate the Quick-Play Spell [Dream Summon] from my hand!"


    [Effect of the Quick-Play Spell: Send the materials for a [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster from your hand or field to the Graveyard, or banish [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your Graveyard to Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster.]


    "Dream Summon?!" Yugi frowned as if he understood something. "So, it''s a [Polymerization] card specifically for [Heroic Spirits], but it''s a Quick-Play Spell, which is different from typical [Polymerization] cards."


    "The most important part is, it can fuse monsters from the Graveyard?" Yugi thought, feeling he might have overlooked something crucial. His intuition told him that this could potentially cost him the duel.


    "Hoshino''s Fusion Monster, huh? But what kind of Heroic Spirits can Hoshino currently fuse on the field?" Jounouchi was trying hard to recall, feeling that the answer was just within reach but missing a key element.


    "Yugi, you should know very well what monster I''m going to fuse, right?" Hoshino asked, with a sly smile forming on her lips as she looked at the frowning Yugi.


    "Impossible, the monster you''re trying to fuse..." Yugi suddenly felt a chill down his spine and instinctively denied the possibility. "Majin-Okita S¨­ji(Alter), right?"


    "If it were impossible, I wouldn''t say I''m going to win beautifully!" Hoshino raised the [Dream Summon] card high, the card''s mysterious glow adding a different hue to the twilight sky. "Using the special effect of [Dream Summon], Fusion Summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji(Alter)]!"


    "Hmph didn''t expect that, Starfish Hair! In the end, it''s a showdown between the ace monsters!" Okita, who had been preparing for this, pointed her sword at the ever-calm Dark Magician before her. "Today, Okita-san will prove her ace status with her strongest form!"


    "Stop joking, Hoshino, Okita S¨­ji (Alter) requires [Nobunaga Oda] as a fusion material! Where is Nobunaga Oda on your field?" Yugi still believed that Hoshino was bluffing and tried to refute her.


    "Hahaha, did someone call my name?" However, a familiar hearty laugh shattered the Yugi''s last bit of confidence. "Okita, you really can''t do without me, huh? Only the true protagonist appears at critical moments to save the day."


    "Nobunaga, A true protagonist wouldn''t spend the entire battle lying in the Graveyard!" Okita''s sharp retort struck Nobunaga''s heart.


    "The entire battle in the Graveyard?" Yugi, who could hear the conversation between the Heroic Spirits, finally realized the crucial point he had forgotten.


    ("Because of the effect of [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens], as a substitute for destruction and damage, two cards from the top of the Deck were sent to the Graveyard.")


    "The two cards sent to the Graveyard, one was Okita, who was revived by Hoshino using [Monster Reborn], and the other was..." Yugi, grasping the situation, found it hard to believe such a coincidence. "Randomly sending the top two cards of the Deck to the Graveyard ended up sending both Okita and Nobunaga together, huh?!"


    "Yes, although it was a coincidence, Okita-san believes it''s just that Nobunaga can''t stay away from me, so she always ends up getting shuffled together with Okita-san~" Okita nodded with satisfaction, a ''w''-shaped smile appearing on her face.


    "Stop being narcissistic, Okita. I just think you can''t win this battle for our master alone!" Nobunaga''s spirit, still in the Graveyard, defended her position energetically. "But I never thought I''d end up lying in the Graveyard for an entire duel; this definitely could make it into the Top 10 Most Embarrassing Moments of Demon King Nobunaga."


    "Sorry, Nobu. When I chose to revive someone, I just thought Okita-san''s abilities were more suited to dealing with [Magical Hats]."


    Okita, slightly apologetic, looked firmly at the two on the field. "But now I need the combined strength of both of you, so I''m counting on you!"


    Nobunaga didn''t mind Hoshino''s choice with [Monster Reborn]. As someone familiar with dueling, she naturally understood that summoning Okita to break through the four [Magical Hats] in one go was indeed the best choice at the time.


    "Since it''s master''s request, I don''t mind fusing with this sick swordsman again!" Nobunaga, smiling, lowered her hat slightly to cover her eyes, and extended her hand toward Okita. "But this time, since I''m just a semi-spirit in the Graveyard, let''s not beat each other up during the fusion."


    "Hmph, I didn''t expect Nobunaga to be so obedient." Caught off guard by Nobunaga''s sudden friendliness, Okita blushed slightly and hesitantly reached out her hand.


    "Careful, Okita-san!" Mash suddenly noticed the ominous dark aura around Nobunaga''s hand and urgently warned.


    "It''s too late!" Nobunaga''s eyes, hidden under her hat, revealed unparalleled cunning and murderous intent. "Feel this, the resentment accumulated from lying in the Graveyard for an entire duel, the wrath of the Demon King!"


    "Aaaaaaahhhh!!"


    "Fu-sion!"


    The familiar black vortex engulfed both of them, their figures gradually disappearing, leaving only Okita''s screams echoing through the tense space.


    "Send [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] and [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shirou Emiya] from the field to the Graveyard, and banish [Heroic Spirit - Nobunaga Oda] from the Graveyard, to Fusion Summon using the effect of [Dream Summon]!" Hoshino flicked the mysteriously glowing card into the black vortex before her. As the card merged with the light, the once turbulent black vortex began to calm down.


    "Including me too?" Emiya was momentarily surprised upon hearing Hoshino''s fusion declaration, but then he understood the reasoning behind Hoshino''s choice.


    If Emiya remained within the Unlimited Blade Works space, it would trigger the negative effect of the [Unlimited Blade Works] card, preventing any new Fusion Monster from attacking.


    "Well, I guess I''ll see what fusion feels like!" Emiya, without resistance, spread his arms and merged into the black vortex.


    As Emiya entered, the vortex, now fulfilling all conditions, spun even more violently, forming a jet-black pillar that seemed to pierce the sky.


    "Yugi, do you remember? Yesterday, when we teamed up against the Labyrinth Brothers, I said I wanted to use this card to prove that I''m not weaker than you." Hoshino spoke nostalgically, holding a new card between her fingers. "But now, my wish is not just to prove that I''m not weaker than you!"


    The purple card was slammed onto the table, the tremendous energy from the card scattering the sand on the table. As soon as the card touched the arena, Kaiba Corporation''s most advanced projection equipment initiated complex calculations.


    "This card is the proof that I will surpass you! Fusion Summon, [Heroic Spirit - Majin-Okita S¨­ji(Alter)]!"


    The gathering and dispersing black vortex blew away the burning sword graveyard, then quickly focused on a single point, revealing the tall figure of the Demon General.


    " Majin-Okita S¨­ji, reporting for duty for the ultimate victory!" Wielding the massive katana [Rengoku], the Majin-Okita S¨­ji(Alter), with her tan skin, spoke calmly.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji(Alter)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars) DARK][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000 DEF 2500]


    [[Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] + [Heroic Spirit - Nobunaga Oda] + [Heroic Spirit] Monster. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon. The turn this card battles, banish this card at the end of the Battle Phase.]


    "So, this is Chiyuki''s final trump card?" Mai Valentine, initially stunned by the black pillar piercing through the entire space, was now shocked for a different reason upon seeing the Majin-Okita S¨­ji for the first time. "But with only 3000 attack points, it can''t defeat Yugi''s [Dark Magician]!"


    "Jounouchi, you guys should have seen Chiyuki use this card before, right? What exactly is its effect?" Yugi''s question suggested that Hoshino had definitely summoned and used this card before. "Who will emerge victorious in this duel?"


    "Uh..." Jounouchi scratched his head awkwardly, unsure how to answer Mai''s question. "She did use it, but at that time... how should I put it..."


    "The duel ended so quickly that we didn''t have time to see the card''s effect." As unbelievable as it sounded, Jounouchi was speaking from personal experience.


    "Ended the duel in an instant?" Mai, realizing Jounouchi wasn''t trying to deceive her, repeated his words in disbelief. "An attack like a flash of light, capable of ending everything in an instant without even revealing the card''s effect."


    "That''s right, Mai. It''s an attack like a flash of light, an unfathomable light that pierces through darkness!" Hoshino on the hill of swords seemed to blend with the aura of the Majin-Okita S¨­ji, intimidating the entire space.


    "Launch the final attack, Majin-Okita S¨­ji!"


    "It''s useless, Hoshino. Your card, Majin-Okita S¨­ji i, doesn''t have a higher attack than my Dark Magician!" Yugi waved his hand, commanding the Dark Magician to counterattack.


    "Understand" was The usual response from the Dark Magician, who was preparing to leap up after receiving the counterattack command.


    [Dark Magician ATK 4800]


    However, to Yugi''s surprise, the next moment, the Dark Magician''s usually calm expression was replaced with one of shock.


    "Polar Star!" As Mai described, it was an attack as swift as light, moving at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. This ultimate technique, capable of traversing any space, was effective even within the unique realm.


    With a movement that seemed to shatter the space itself, Majin-Okita S¨­ji instantly appeared before the Dark Magician. In a fraction of a second, before anyone could react, she had already swung her katana, [Rengoku], unleashing countless beams of light.


    "I will pierce the infinite world¡­ I will sever the thread of destiny with this boundless light!!" The Dark Magician, who had intended to counterattack, was engulfed in the golden light of Beam, resulting in a one-sided annihilation.


    "So cool! Is that Majin-Okita S¨­ji?" Mash, eyes sparkling, admired the golden light of Beam in the darkening sky. "Although she looks just like Okita-san, she seems much more reliable! Is her dark skin because she fused with Emiya-san? But there''s no trace of Nobunaga, who was also part of the fusion."


    "Mash, you must be a hidden sharp-tongued person..." Hoshino chuckled helplessly, feeling that Mash''s brief comment managed to mock all three fusion components. "You''re quite the charming little devil~"


    "Impossible, the Dark Magician had higher attack power!" Yugi, for the first time, shouted in disbelief at the scene before him.


    "Take a closer look, Yugi!" Hoshino pointed at Demon General Souji, who was cutting through the golden light, and explained.


    [Majin-Okita S¨­ji ATK 5000]


    [¢Ù: For each [Heroic Spirit] monster card banished, this card''s attack power increases by 1000 points.]


    "Yugi, besides Nobunaga Oda, who was used as fusion material from the Graveyard, do you need a reminder of which another monster card was banished?" Hoshino spoke with sudden hostility as if listing the Yugi''s misdeeds.


    "The banished monster..." Yugi clenched his teeth, recalling that moment.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "What an attack! It hurts so much!!"


    " According to [Dark Magician of Chaos]''s effect, monsters destroyed by it aren''t sent to the graveyard; they are removed from play."


    "So I can''t even go to the graveyard this time. It''s a miserable fate for a Saint." The wound inflicted by the black orb started spreading, gradually consuming his body.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "[Heroic Spirit - Saint George]!!" Yugi, nearly biting through his teeth, forced out the name.


    "That''s right. If Saint George hadn''t been banished, Majin-Okita S¨­ji ''s attack power wouldn''t have been able to surpass that of the Dark Magician!"


    "There''s a reason for everything, Yugi!" Hoshino raised her right hand, pointing to the crimson sky, where the once empty twilight now seemed to feature a radiant smile from Saint George. "This is the last will, the last legacy, left to us by Saint George, who died a tragic death!"


    "Yugi, it doesn''t matter if all my previous actions and plans were within your calculations, as long as this final move can turn the tables, that''s enough!" Now at the critical juncture, Hoshino roared without restraint, venting the resentment accumulated from being targeted by the King throughout the duel. "Go, Majin-Okita S¨­ji, with everyone''s will, achieve the final victory!"


    "Zekken, Mukyusandan!!!" After countless golden beams, Majin-Okita S¨­ji''s attack finally shattered Yugi''s first and last ace, the Dark Magician.


    [Yugi Muto LP: 300 ¡ú 100]


    "Incredible, Hoshino! Actually, from the moment you freed Andersen, you had already completely exceeded my calculations."Yugi, looking at his life points dwindling like a candle in the wind, placed all his cards on the table. "But you''re still one step short, Hoshino because the effect of [Fou of The Sun] prevented the Dark Magician''s destruction!"


    [Dark Magician: ATK 4800 ¡ú 4300]


    "My Dark Magician on the field is still intact, but your Majin-Okita S¨­ji will have to leave after this turn ends." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s not good, Chiyuki! If you let Yugi survive and mount a counterattack, things could get really bad!" Mai shouted, fully aware of the Yugi''s fearsome abilities. Even with only 100 life points left, Yugi''s fighting spirit was formidable, as she had experienced in the previous duel.


    "Mai, doesn''t something seem strange to you?" Jounouchi asked, becoming increasingly calm in this critical moment. "If Hoshino had the [Dream Summon] card, why didn''t he choose to fuse Majin-Okita S¨­ji from the beginning, instead of using [Unlimited Blade Works]?"


    "If it weren''t for [Collected Power] stealing all the copied Equip Cards, Yugi''s Dark Magician wouldn''t have such a high attack power."


    "Exactly, Hoshino-girl," Pegasus commented, puzzled from his throne. "What could have prompted you to make such a choice? Is there a secret about Yugi-boy that we''re missing?"


    "It''s because none of you understand the true terror of the Main protagonist!"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 20 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 90 - 90

    ¡ª¡ª¡ªThe Night Before the Final Tournament


    "Miss Hoshino, who do you think is your biggest enemy in the Duelist Kingdom?"


    "Huh? Why are you suddenly asking that?" Holmes, who had been silently playing cards, suddenly spoke, surprising Hoshino.


    "The biggest enemy in the Kingdom is, of course, the owner of the Kingdom, Pegasus, with his Millennium Eye."


    "Hmm, that''s a good point. Pegasus is indeed difficult to deal with."


    Holmes continued, taking a puff from his pipe, "Pegasus has the Millennium Eye that can read minds and a Toon World deck designed for himself. He''s indeed a troublesome opponent, but¡­"


    Then, another silence followed.


    "But what, Mr. Holmes? Just say it already!" Hoshino, who was feeling a bit anxious, urged Holmes, who was dragging out his explanation.


    "Direct attack, I win!" The cunning Holmes, after stopping his explanation, suddenly went all-out and easily won this round.


    "That''s too sneaky! I won''t acknowledge a win like that!" Pouting, Hoshino threw her cards on the table and slumped back in her chair.


    "You''re upset over this? Miss Hoshino, you are like a child." Holmes laughed, his previously straight posture bending as he leaned closer to Hoshino, feigning mystery. "If you understood the true strength of Yugi Mutou, wouldn''t you be even more disheartened?"


    "Yugi? Why bring him up suddenly¡­?" Hoshino, initially puzzled, suddenly realized, "Mr. Holmes, are you saying that Yugi is the biggest enemy in the Kingdom?"


    Holmes did not speak, indicating agreement.


    "Yugi¡­ I know he''s strong, but is he stronger than Pegasus, who can read minds?"


    "Yes." Holmes finally spoke, giving a definitive answer. "The spirit residing within Yugi Mutou, more precisely, within the Millennium Puzzle, harbors what might be the most profound mystery of this world."


    Hoshino, who had thought the spirit within the Millennium Puzzle was just another personality of Yugi, gasped.


    "Most of the mysteries in this world are tied to Shadow Games, and each Millennium Item, imbued with immense dark power, gives its holder an almost cheat-like advantage. If the power of the Millennium Eye is to see through hearts, what do you think the power of the Millennium Puzzle is?"


    "Heart of the Cards, miracle draws, and plot armor?" Hoshino, guessing jokingly, tilted her head.


    "Hahaha, that''s a very vivid description." Holmes suddenly laughed heartily, as if Hoshino had told a funny joke. "You''re right, though. My description of it is¡­"


    "Localized probability manipulation."


    "Localized? Probability manipulation? That sounds even more confusing." Hoshino scratched her head, recalling her almost nonexistent high school math education.


    "Just understand it as you described, as the ''Heart of the Cards'' and miracle draws. Of course, it won''t be unlimited; just as the Millennium Eye can''t predict your moves five turns ahead, the Millennium Puzzle can only alter the probability of drawing or setting certain cards."


    "Changing the cards drawn and set?!" Hoshino repeated Holmes'' words in shock. "You''re making it sound simple, but in a card game, being able to draw the right cards is the most powerful thing."


    "Exactly, that''s why I''m telling you, the hardest opponent in the Duelist Kingdom tournament, and the greatest enemy, is Yugi Mutou. If Yugi were to face Pegasus in the final battle, the victory would likely go to Yugi."


    "Yugi is amazing!" For some reason, when Hoshino heard that Yugi would defeat Pegasus, she felt a sense of relief. "In that case, I don''t need to work so hard; I''ll just let Yugi win and solve everything~"


    "Hahaha, Miss Hoshino, you''re so optimistic." However, Holmes'' slightly eerie smile made Hoshino feel uncomfortable.


    "Is there something wrong?" Hoshino asked, feeling a chill down her spine as she listened to Holmes'' laughter. "If Yugi wins, everyone''s souls will be saved, right? And Da Vinci said that the darkness that will come in the future should be dealt with by Yugi and the others, right? After all, I''m not from this world; even without my interference, they would surely manage."


    "Yes, according to Miss Da Vinci''s theoretical analysis, Yugi and his group are enough to handle all the challenges ahead, even without you." Holmes took another deep puff from his pipe, exhaling a long cloud of smoke.


    "Then it''s settled. So why did you try to scare me?" Seeing Holmes'' softened attitude, Hoshino patted her chest, slightly relieved.


    "What I''m going to say next is purely my speculation, something even Da Vinci doesn''t know." After exhaling smoke, Holmes'' gaze turned more serious than ever before.


    "Is this another one of your so-called elementary ideas¡­"


    "No, it''s very much beyond that." Surprisingly, Holmes didn''t use his catchphrase, indicating that he had little confidence in his upcoming deduction, feeling it might be quite far-fetched. "If you don''t defeat Pegasus, you might never return to your original world. Worse, you might die!"


    "Because, Miss Hoshino, this isn''t your first time in this world."


    "!!!"


    (Final Elimination Match, Yugi VS Hoshino)


    "It''s because none of you understand the true terror of the Main protagonist!" Hoshino said with a bitter smile, responding to everyone''s confusion.


    "Hoshino, even if you praise me like that, I won''t hold back." Yugi, with a serious expression, spoke from across the arena. "I can''t afford to lose this match. I bear the responsibility for the souls of my family and friends. I must personally defeat Pegasus and save my grandfather and Kaiba!"


    "I''m sorry, Yugi. I understand the weight of the responsibility you carry," Hoshino, standing on the sword hill, showed no signs of backing down. "But now I have my reasons for needing to win, for needing to defeat both you and Pegasus!"


    "Even your trump card can''t defeat my Dark Magician. Do you still think you can win?" Yugi frowned, deeply hoping Hoshino would give up.


    But by this point, neither of them had any room for retreat.


    "Majin-Okita S¨­ji has no monster she can''t defeat." Looking confidently at the Majin-Okita gracefully sliding into the arena, Hoshino said, "Do you remember, Yugi, how even the ''Dark Guardian'' of the Labyrinth Brothers fell before Majin-Okita?"


    "Dark Guardian?" Yugi, startled, recalled the moment when that dark light pierced through the dungeon labyrinth.


    "Jounouchi, weren''t you wondering why I chose to use [Unlimited Blade Works] first instead of directly using [Dream Summon]?" Pointing at Yugi, who was now alert, Hoshino declared her prepared finishing move. "I can only tell you, the time is ripe. Now is the moment to reclaim all the setups!"


    (Holmes: "In a crisis, the cards Yugi sets could be any in his deck, so to win, Miss Hoshino, you must eliminate all possibilities."


    Hoshino: "But if Yugi sets many cards, I can''t eliminate them all!"


    Holmes: "That''s why your chances of winning are slim. You must find the only path to victory among thousands of possible defeats.")


    "Yugi, I know the most common trap cards in your deck, and those that can turn the tide are activated in response to attack declarations. So I used [Unlimited Blade Works,] a card immune to attack declaration triggers. If you could change the set cards, the best choice would have been to counter my equipment or monsters. The moment you chose to use [Magical Hats] to seize my equipment, your defeat was sealed! If you had set two more cards, you wouldn''t have been able to take control of all four of Emiya''s equipment cards, which would make Dark Magician''s attack power lower than Emiya''s. But with only one set card, you now can''t defeat Majin-Okita."


    "Exactly, Miss Hoshino! This is the only method among countless possibilities for the Servant deck to defeat Yugi!" Holmes, appearing in a half-ethereal form behind Hoshino at some point, shouted, "You finally found it, the key to the outcome."


    "Ha, ha, that''s common sense, my friend!"


    "Show him the limitless power, Majin-san!" From her high vantage point, Hoshino called out to Majin-Okita, still gliding on the ground.


    "Finally, I can attack, Master. If this took any longer, my shoes would catch fire." Majin-Okita, who had glided away after unleashing an endless beam of light to defeat Dark Magician, spoke with a hint of humor. The soles of her shoes had turned red-hot from prolonged high-speed friction. "One strike without interruption leads to two, two without interruption leads to a thousand, and a thousand without interruption leads to infinity!"


    [When this card attacks and does not destroy a monster, you can banish one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your graveyard to continue attacking.]


    "She can attack endlessly as long as she doesn''t destroy a monster!" Jounouchi finally realized why the Majin could defeat the Dark Guardian in the maze so effortlessly.


    "That''s why Majin defeated the Dark Guardian," Hoshino said, waving her hand to banish [Lu Bu] from the graveyard. "And now, Majin-Okita will defeat you too!"


    "With [Heroic Spirit - Lu Bu] banished, Majin Okita''s attack power increases by another 1000 points!"


    [Majin-Okita ATK 5000 ¡ú 6000]


    "This strike is truly checkmate, Yugi!"


    "My ray of light...open a path towards endlessness.!" Majin Okita announced coldly, her expression unchanged as she struck the final blow. "This is the last strike. Fall into the void, Dark Magician, the ace monster!"


    On the [Rengoku], the blade matched its name, channeling an aura of terror seemingly from the underworld. "Majin Blade!"


    If the golden radiance was the energy to destroy evil, then the black radiance from the underworld was the power to pierce all things, infinity.


    "Zekken, Mukyusandan!!!"


    The black light easily pierced through the Dark Magician, undeniably sealing Hoshino''s victory in this duel.


    Yugi Muto LP: 100 ¡ú 0


    "..."


    "The Duelist Kingdom final match is over, and the winner is..."


    "Chiyuki Hoshino!!!"


    Silence. With the end of the duel, the holograms vanished, and the once-burning space of Unlimited Blade Works returned to normal. There were no usual cheers or excitement from companions, only an overwhelming silence of disbelief.


    "Yugi lost..." Anzu, covering her mouth, couldn''t believe what she was seeing.


    "Chiyuki beat Yugi?" Mai, who had supported Hoshino all along, couldn''t believe it either when the moment finally came.


    "Hoshino... Yugi..." Even Jounouchi, usually the most enthusiastic after a match, was speechless, not knowing what to say.


    *Clap... clap... clap...* Suddenly, solitary applause echoed in the hall, breaking the silence.


    "Hoshino, you fought well. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly," Yugi said, clapping alone, with a sad but genuine smile, truly complimenting Hoshino.


    "Yugi..." Seeing Yugi''s expression, tears welled up in the eyes of his familiar companions.


    "Chiyuki, you did great, that was fantastic!" Mai was the second to react, applauding vigorously and shouting her praise. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What are we standing around for?" Holding back tears, Jounouchi urged the others, "Hoshino won fair and square! We should be congratulating her! We should, like always, give her our praises!"


    "Hoshino, you were amazing!!"


    The applause completely replaced the earlier silence. Although there weren''t many people in the hall, the prolonged applause deeply moved Hoshino.


    "Did I finally win?" To everyone''s surprise, Hoshino was the last to realize her victory. Feeling her trembling hands, she noted that this time it was from excitement, not like the trembling after her duel with Kaiba. "Did I... finally win? Did I beat Yugi?"


    "Hoshino!" As Hoshino came back to her senses, Yugi, who had stopped clapping, called out to her from across the stage, "Can I ask you a favor?"


    "Mm?"


    "As a friend, I ask you to defeat Pegasus and save the souls of my grandfather and Kaiba!"


    "Is there any need to ask, Yugi?" Hoshino replied cheerfully, with a bright smile. "That''s my responsibility to fulfill!"


    <[System detected a duel victory. Assessing Duelist level for Yugi Muto.]>


    "Splendid, truly the best duel, Yugi-boy, and Hoshino-girl!" Pegasus stood up from his throne, offering sincere praise to the two duelists.


    "I thought you''d never leave your throne. Are you nervous, Pegasus?" Hoshino remarked with a smile upon seeing Pegasus rise. "After all, you''re next."


    "Hahaha, I am very much looking forward to it, Hoshino-girl," Pegasus laughed, standing with his hands behind his back.


    "Then please, look forward to it," Hoshino replied, leaving Pegasus a parting remark.


    After exchanging a glance with an old butler, Pegasus exited the Duelist Hall through a side door to the left of the throne.


    The old butler, with a slight nod to indicate his understanding of Pegasus'' instructions, announced, "According to the tournament rules, the winner of the final match, Miss Chiyuki Hoshino, has earned the right to duel the master of the kingdom, Master Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters."


    "Before Master Pegasus''s challenge begins, the challenger will be given time to rest and make final adjustments to their deck. Miss Chiyuki Hoshino may proceed to the specially prepared player restroom to prepare for the duel against Master Pegasus," the butler continued, gesturing towards the direction of the restroom.


    "Rest and deck adjustments before the final duel, indeed necessary," Hoshino thought, calculating in her mind. Aside from the fatigue washing over her after dueling Yugi, there was also the opportunity to use the Saint Quartz she had earned to enhance and adjust her Heroic Spirit cards, increasing her chances in the final duel.


    "Alright, I''ll go rest for a bit," Hoshino said.


    "Hoshino, let me come with you," Yugi said, seemingly wanting to advise Hoshino on something.


    "We, we want to go too..." Jounouchi and the others naturally didn''t plan to sit idle. Since Hoshino had defeated Yugi, she was now their only hope to defeat Pegasus and thus became their focus of protection.


    "I''m sorry, but only Miss Chiyuki Hoshino, the challenger, is allowed to proceed," the butler interjected, denying the others'' request.


    "Is that so..." Mai, who also wanted to cheer for Hoshino, expressed her disappointment.


    "Don''t worry, everyone. There''s no danger in Pegasus''s castle, really," Hoshino reassured them, then turned to Yugi. "Yugi, I know what you want to say. I''m well aware of Pegasus''s abilities after seeing his duel with Kaiba, but that''s no reason for me to back down. On the contrary, to rescue Kaiba''s brothers and your grandfather''s souls, I must defeat him."


    "Hoshino..." Yugi felt a bit guilty, knowing that Hoshino was shouldering such a heavy responsibility.


    "Well, I''ll go rest now!" Chiaki waved to her friends as she walked towards the restroom.


    "Chiyuki, I''ll be waiting for you to come back!" Mai waved her hand like she was seeing off a family member.


    "All we can do now is trust Chiyuki."


    Hoshino preferred to adjust her deck alone, as she needed to use Saint Quartz to draw cards and perform upgrades. If everyone came along, she would be the center of attention during the final challenge, preventing her from discreetly strengthening her deck using the system as she had done before.


    <[Evaluation complete. Duelist Yugi Muto, Duelist Level: A+. Victory reward of 70 Saint Quartz granted. Total remaining Saint Quartz: 86.]>


    "A+, huh!" Hoshino, walking down the corridor, took a deep breath upon hearing the system notification. "This must be the highest-level duelist I''ve faced so far."


    Before defeating Yugi, Kaiba''s level A was the highest she''d encountered. Yugi''s A+ indicated he was superior in some respects.


    "I wonder if there are S-level duelists?" Hoshino pondered, her thoughts drifting. In many games, the S-rank is above the A-rank, suggesting the existence of an S-level. "But if even Yugi, the holder of the most potent mystery in this world, the Millennium Puzzle, is only A+, then perhaps A+ is the current cap for duelists."


    "What about Pegasus''s level? According to Mr.Holmes, Pegasus''s strength is below Yugi''s?" This thought puzzled Hoshino further. "Having easily defeated the A-level Kaiba and yet being below the A+ Yugi, what level does that make Pegasus?"


    "A truly mysterious man," Hoshino concluded, unable to settle on an answer. She didn''t realize that having defeated both an A-level Kaiba and an A+ Yugi made her level even harder to define.


    Lost in thought, Hoshino finally reached the door at the end of the corridor.


    "This must be the player restroom," Hoshino said, standing before a rather ostentatious red wooden door. She finally understood why the butler hadn''t escorted her, merely pointing the way. The lavish red door frame contrasted sharply with the white decor of the castle. The red and gold-bordered carpet extending from the door seemed to flaunt the room''s luxury to anyone outside.


    "Having money truly allows one to do anything," Hoshino sighed as she silently pushed open the door to the player restroom.


    "Oh, Hoshino-girl, you''ve kept me waiting for quite a while," came the familiar voice of Pegasus, who was lounging on a prominent sofa in the lavishly decorated red room.


    "Jounouchi, earlier I said [there can''t be any danger in Pegasus''s castle], I was wrong," Hoshino thought, swallowing nervously as she regretted her earlier words.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 91 - 91

    Sensing the situation, Hoshino tried to maintain her composure and spoke seriously, "Pe¡­ Pegasus, why are you here¡­?"


    "Hahaha, no need to be so nervous, Hoshino-girl," Pegasus laughed, noticing Hoshino''s attempt to appear confident. "Since this is the player''s restroom and I''m a contestant in the final match, it''s perfectly normal for me to rest here, isn''t it?"


    "It sounds reasonable, but¡­" Hoshino almost fell for Pegasus''s reasoning before realizing something was off. "There are so many places for you to rest in your castle. Why come here specifically to see me? I can''t believe you have no other motives!"


    "Hoho, you''re quite sharp, Hoshino-girl," Pegasus nodded in approval. "I do enjoy conversing with clever individuals, so I''ll be direct."


    "Hoshino-girl, where did your cards come from?"


    "!!!!" Hoshino didn''t expect Pegasus to ask such a direct question. Given that Pegasus is the creator of all Duel Monsters cards, it was natural for him to question the Heroic Spirit cards she brought from another world.


    But how could she explain this? She couldn''t exactly say she made them herself. Even though the cards passed scrutiny from Kaiba Corp''s advanced equipment, labeling them as counterfeit seemed unlikely.


    "Oh? You don''t intend to tell me?" Pegasus smiled, intrigued by Hoshino''s silence. "Since you''re unwilling to answer, let me help you out."


    "?!"


    "Go ahead, share your hypothesis, my friend," Hoshino said, imitating Sherlock Holmes.


    "What an interesting girl," Pegasus remarked, raising an eyebrow and becoming more serious. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Card spirits, that''s it, isn''t it? And quite a few of them!"


    "!!" Although Hoshino had already heard about "card spirits" from Yugi, she feigned surprise to give Pegasus a sense of validation and encourage him to continue.


    "Hmph, seems I''ve hit the mark," Pegasus grinned with satisfaction. "If I''m not mistaken, each of your cards houses a powerful spirit. To have the favor of so many spirits, you must be a special person, Hoshino-girl."


    Pegasus''s suspicion was understandable. He had previously investigated Hoshino due to her association with Yugi Muto, only to find no information about her, not even a single clue. This, combined with her possession of numerous card spirits, made Hoshino a significant variable in Pegasus''s otherwise flawless plan. Now, this variable has reached a critical point by defeating Yugi Muto.


    "So the most important question, Hoshino-girl, is what is your true identity and purpose?" Pegasus threw out another weighty question.


    "Hehe~," Chiyuki chuckled, feeling more comfortable answering questions about herself. "I am the beautiful duelist, Chiyuki Hoshino. My goal is to defeat you, rescue Kaiba''s brothers and Yugi''s grandfather''s souls, and win the Duelist Kingdom''s grand prize money!"


    "Still unwilling to tell the truth, I see. Hoshino-girl, you''re such a naughty child who doesn''t like to tell the truth," Pegasus said, his smile growing more sinister, making Hoshino uneasy.


    "I-I''m telling the truth! What are you planning to do?" Hoshino stepped back instinctively as the room''s atmosphere darkened with Pegasus''s sinister smile.


    "In the face of the power of the Millennium Eye, no secrets can be hidden," Pegasus declared, as dark energy gathered around his eye, partially covered by his hair. "Since you won''t tell me, I''ll just see for myself!"


    As the dark energy gathered, Pegasus''s hair lifted, revealing the glowing golden eye. "Witness the power of the Millennium Eye to read minds!"


    "Help!" Hoshino cried, finding the restroom door locked. She had no idea what consequences Pegasus reading her mind might have, but as a girl, having her inner thoughts exposed was intolerable.


    ¡­


    "Mr. Pegasus, your attempt to pry into a young lady''s thoughts is far from gentlemanly!" In a critical moment, Sherlock Holmes appeared, standing between Hoshino and Pegasus. "A true gentleman seeks the truth through intellect and deduction, not force."


    "Tch, card spirits, huh!" Pegasus clicked his tongue in annoyance, his plans interrupted by Holmes. He had noticed Holmes briefly appearing during Hoshino''s duel with Yugi and now realized he was a card spirit.


    "I was impulsive, Mr. Card Spirit¡­" Realizing the potential danger, Pegasus backed off. Card spirits'' mysterious powers were unknown even to him, and using the Millennium Eye might backfire.


    "My aim is clear: to take over Kaiba Corporation. If I defeat Yugi-boy, all of Kaiba Corp''s shares will transfer to Industrial Illusions. However, with Yugi''s defeat by your hand, Hoshino-girl, the condition has changed to defeat you!" Pegasus explained, his tone calm.


    "Defeating me?" Hoshino echoed, suddenly understanding that her battle was not just about saving Kaiba''s brothers but also protecting Kaiba Corp.


    "Kaiba, you owe me a huge favor now¡­"


    "That''s right, so if you want to stop my plan, give it your all. I''m looking forward to it, Hoshino-girl," Pegasus left the player''s lounge with a cryptic taunt.


    "Phew~ That was dangerous just now. Thank goodness Mr. Holmes showed up to save the day," Chiaki said with a grateful look at Holmes, who had manifested in the room. "Pegasus is the villain and final boss; he''s so evil!"


    "That might not be Pegasus''s true nature," Holmes speculated, rubbing his chin. "Judging by his change in behavior and usual demeanor, it seems a bit far-fetched to say he''s the same person."


    "What are you babbling about, Mr. Holmes?"


    "I''m thinking the Millennium Eye, which possesses Pegasus, may be influencing his judgment, especially when he uses its power, making him particularly sinister."


    "Huh? He seems pretty evil even without it," Hoshino said, skeptical of Holmes''s theory.


    "No, no, no, not at all. Pegasus is quite the gentleman, not unlike myself!" Holmes said with a smug grin, shaking his head.


    "Are you saying he''s good at kicking people too?"


    "..."


    Half an hour later¡ª


    "The duel against Master Pegasus will begin in 5 minutes. Chiyuki Hoshino, please prepare yourself," the old butler''s voice suddenly announced from a speaker in the corner of the lounge, much like a school''s PA system.


    "Alright!" Hishino, with a confident expression, quickly gathered the cards she had organized on the table.


    "You seem very confident, Miss Hoshino," Holmes, who had remained in the room, leaned against the wall, calmly smoking his seemingly endless pipe. "Have you figured out how to counter Pegasus''s Millennium Eye and his Toon World?"


    "Hmph, not at all!" Hoshino replied honestly, ready to leave the lounge.


    "As expected," Holmes smiled slightly, having anticipated Hoshino''s answer. "But confidence is always better than being hesitant."


    "Of course I''m confident. After all, you said that Yugi is stronger than Pegasus. Since I defeated Yugi, why should I fear Pegasus?" Hoshino said proudly, striding confidently.


    "Considering that reasoning, Miss Hoshino, you should still be cautious. After all..."


    "Your victory over Yugi was a one-in-a-million chance," Holmes paused, then corrected himself, "It would be unfair to call it just luck; rather, you seized a one-in-a-million opportunity to defeat a nearly unbeatable opponent. But if you were to duel Yugi again, do you think you could win?"


    "..." Hoshino fell silent, her confident stride slowing down, as Holmes''s words hit home.


    "I don''t think I could win..." Hoshino admitted, knowing better than anyone the difficulty of her victory.


    "Hehe, I didn''t mean to bring you down," Holmes said, patting Hoshino''s head with his translucent right hand. "I just want you to take this duel seriously and cautiously."


    "Mr. Holmes, you''re so mean!" Hoshino grumbled, pouting.


    "Hehe, if it helps you win this duel, I''m happy to play the bad guy," Holmes laughed, noticing Hoshino''s playful tone.


    Duel Arena¡ª


    "Hoshino''s here!" The group eagerly watched the entrance.


    Hoshino waved to the crowd, feeling like a star, with the audience as her fans.


    "Good luck, Chiyuki! Win that prize money!" Mai cheered loudly.


    "Go, Hoshino! Summon Spartacus and crush Pegasus!" Jonouchi and Honda shouted, supporting her.


    "Hoshino, please win!" Yugi, now in Yami''s form, stood seriously in the crowd.


    "Hoshino, you must win!" Anzu prayed, her hands clasped. "Save Yugi''s grandfather and the Kaiba brothers!"


    ...


    "What is this feeling?" Hoshino, now at the stage, felt her heart swell with warmth.


    "Miss Hoshino, that''s the power of friendship," Holmes smiled, looking at her supportive friends.


    "For real?" Hoshino asked skeptical


    "For real." Holmes smiled answering her.


    "Power of friendship?" Hoshino smiled, looking at her right hand about to draw a card. "I used to think ''friendship'' was fake and cheesy, but this feeling, this warmth in my chest, makes me stronger!"


    "Bring it on, Pegasus!" Hoshino shouted, pointing at Pegasus. "Today is the day you''ll be judged for your crimes!"


    Duelist Chiyuki Hoshino vs. Duel Kingdom King - Pegasus J. Crawford


    "Duel Start!"


    "My turn! Draw!" Hoshino drew her card, taking the first turn.


    "First, I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Chaldea Magic Support System]!"


    [Chaldea Magic Support System - Continuous Spell: When activated, place 1 ''Command Seal'' counter on this card. During your Standby Phase, place 1 ''Command Seal'' counter on this card.]


    With good luck, Hoshino drew a crucial card in her opening hand. As she played the card, a bright red Command Seal appeared on the back of her right hand.


    [Command Seal] X1


    "Next, I summon [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn (Prototype)] in attack mode!" Hoshino placed a card on the table, summoning a youthful C¨² Chulainn.


    "C¨² Chulainn of Ulster, pleased to meet you!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 92 - 92

    [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn Prototype¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK1700 DEF1500]


    "Is this the C¨² Chulainn from Hoshino?" Although the name is the same, the appearance differs significantly from the usual image of C¨² Chulainn that Hoshino uses, which naturally puzzled Jounouchi.


    "Don''t question me right away, Jounouchi. Just watch quietly for now," Mai, who isn''t particularly interested in the origin or appearance of heroic spirits, was more concerned with Hoshino''s opening move.


    "Tch, that''s why you women don''t get it. Heroes are the romance of men," Jounouchi grumbled after being scolded by Mai.


    "I''ll set two cards and end my turn!" It was a standard opening, nothing significantly different from usual. After setting two cards face-down, Hoshino ended her turn.


    "Has Hoshino figured out a way to deal with Toon World?" Yugi was worried, knowing there wasn''t much that could be done in the first turn, yet Hoshino''s opening seemed as usual.


    "My turn, Hoshino-girl" Pegasus, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, "Draw!"


    "Hehe, my luck seems pretty good today!" Pegasus chuckled slyly as he glanced at his drawn card and his hand. "Welcome to the Toon Kingdom!"


    "Damn it!" Hoshino, sensing trouble as Pegasus spoke, guessed that he might not be shuffling his deck again.


    "I activate the field spell card [Toon Kingdom] from my hand~" Pegasus placed the unique card into his field zone, and in an instant, a cartoonish castle appeared on the previously empty arena.


    However, not shuffling was just a joke; shuffling decks is a necessary procedure before duels. Just as Hoshino drew her key card [Command Seal] on her first turn, Pegasus drew his key card [Toon Kingdom], not only due to having three copies in his deck but perhaps also due to the so-called bond between duelists.


    [Toon Kingdom Field Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù: When this card is activated, banish the top 3 cards of your deck face-down as the cost.]


    "As the condition for constructing the Toon Kingdom, I must banish the top three cards of my deck~" Pegasus continued, unhesitatingly banishing his three cards, "For such a small cost, we can build such a perfect Toon World; it''s a great deal~"


    Observing Pegasus''s deck as he banished the top three cards, Hoshino noticed that Pegasus''s deck was noticeably thicker than normal, likely to complement the banishing effect of [Toon Kingdom]. This is still within the rules.


    "Hoshino-girl, do you know the special traits of Toon monsters?" Without rushing to continue, Pegasus cheerfully asked Hoshino after placing the field spell.


    "How would I know? I didn''t print these cards!" Hoshino replied disdainfully. Initially, she only viewed Pegasus as the main antagonist, but after he tried to peek at her with the Millennium Eye, she also tagged him as a perverted old man, so she didn''t treat him kindly.


    "Some Toon monsters can be Special Summoned, so they''re not limited to one Normal Summon per turn~" Despite getting a cold shoulder, Pegasus maintained a friendly smile and explained softly, "So this turn, I''ll summon two Toon monsters!"


    "How many more privileges is Pegasus going to add to his exclusive cards!" Jounouchi grumbled, pounding the railing of the spectator seats.


    "I summon [Toon Gemini Elf] in attack position, and Special Summon [Toon Mermaid] in attack position!" Pegasus placed the two cards from his hand on the table, and the holographic projection system in the arena activated again.


    [Toon Gemini Elf¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Earth] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK1900 DEF900]


    The originally alluring Gemini Elf had lost all its original charm after being toonified, leaving only a rounded and humorous appearance.


    Then, alongside the Normal Summon, the Special Summoned [Toon Mermaid] also appeared in the Toon Kingdom.


    [Toon Mermaid¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star) Water] [Aqua/Effect][ATK1400 DEF1500]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can be Special Summoned if you control "Toon Kingdom".]


    "There''s some good news for you, Hoshino-girl~" After finishing his moves and placing his cards down, Pegasus seemed ready to end his turn, "Toon monsters cannot attack in the turn they are summoned, so you can take this time to think of a strategy, Hoshino-girl."


    "End turn~"


    Yugi frowned as he watched Pegasus''s opening, "Summoning two Toon monsters in the first turn, one with an attack of 1900, the maximum for low-level monsters, truly worthy of the kingdom''s ruler, a perfect opening."


    "But Yugi, ignoring the higher attack [Toon Gemini Elf], Hoshino''s C¨² Chulainn has higher attack than the Special Summoned [Toon Mermaid]. She can just destroy it next turn, can''t she?" Jounouchi, in his usual clueless mode, didn''t understand why Yugi was so concerned.


    "Jounouchi, you idiot! Don''t you remember¡­" Honda yelled, hitting Jounouchi on the head, "Didn''t you see the duel between Kaiba and Pegasus? Toon monsters can''t be destroyed, and they can attack the player directly!"


    "Right, I almost forgot!" Realizing his mistake after Honda''s ''Iron fist reminder'', Jounouchi exclaimed, "If Hoshino can''t destroy the Toon monsters this turn, she''ll get directly attacked next turn, and her Life Points will plummet!"


    "Exactly." Yugi nodded, watching Hoshino in the arena closely, "So, what will you do, Hoshino!"


    "My turn, draw." Hoshino didn''t seem as desperate as her companions thought, facing Pegasus''s two Toon monsters, "At the start of my turn, I get another Command Seal thanks to the effect of [Chaldea''s Magical Support System]!"


    A bright light shone, engraving another Command Seal on Hoshino''s hand.


    [Command Seal] x2


    "Get ready for battle, C¨² Chulainn!" Extending her right hand marked with the Command Seal, Hoshino called out to her C¨² Chulainn on the field.


    "Let''s start, master!" C¨² Chulainn, unlike his usual talkative self, was already poised and eager.


    [Remove 1 Command Seal counter, and add a spell/trap card with the same name from your deck to your hand.]


    "Here it comes, the card I''m adding to my hand is the Equip Spell [Piercing Thorn Spear]!"


    [Piercing Thorn Spear Equip Spell Effect: ¢Ù The equipped monster gains 300 ATK.]


    "Take this!" Hoshino placed the Equip Spell on the table, and the red spear in C¨² Chulainn''s hand began emitting a bright red light.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn 1700 ¡ú 2000]


    "Alright, its attack has surpassed the Gemini Elf!" Jounouchi shouted excitedly as he saw C¨² Chulainn''s attack power rise.


    "But it doesn''t matter if it''s higher; regular monsters can''t destroy Toon monsters." Honda, always level-headed, threw cold water on Jounouchi''s excitement.


    "Y-Yeah, you''re right." Jounouchi''s mood quickly dropped again.


    "Don''t be so down, Jounouchi!" Hoshino suddenly addressed Jounouchi from the arena, "When you can''t think of a solution, just attack!"


    "Hoshino¡­"


    "Attack [Toon Gemini Elf], C¨² Chulainn!" With a confident grin, Hoshino commanded the attack.


    "Such recklessness, Hoshino-girl." Pegasus shook his head disappointedly at Hoshino''s reckless attack, "You''d have done more damage to my Life Points if you attacked [Toon Mermaid]."


    "Sorry, Pegasus. What I said to Jounouchi was when I didn''t have a solution¡­" Watching C¨² Chulainn rush towards the Gemini Elf, Hoshino smiled confidently, "But now I know how to deal with your Toon monsters!"


    "Bluffing won''t work; Toon monsters can''t be destroyed in battle~" Pegasus pointed at the Toon castle on the field, "I activate the field spell [Toon Kingdom]''s effect when my Toon monsters would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish the top card of my deck face-down as a substitute~" S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This is the immortal Toon monster, ha¡­."


    "Huh?"


    However, in the middle of his laugh, Pegasus''s eyes widened as he saw [Toon Gemini Elf] pierced through by the crimson spear, and he froze in disbelief.


    "Pierce, penetrate, withdraw, G¨¢e Bolg!!" C¨² Chulainn swiftly withdrew his spear from the Gemini Elf, flicking off the blood.


    Pegasus LP 4000 ¡ú 3900


    "How can this be? The immortal Toon monster, destroyed!" Pegasus covered his face in disbelief as he looked at the destroyed [Toon Gemini Elf], "It''s too violent, way too violent! How can such a show be suitable for children?"


    "What''s wrong, Pegasus? Without using the Millennium Eye, you couldn''t see through this?" Hoshino taunted Pegasus, smiling mischievously, "Activate [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn Prototype]''s special effect."


    [When this card battles, your opponent cannot activate cards or effects until the end of the Damage Step.]


    "In other words, your field spell card [Toon Kingdom]''s effect, which was supposed to protect the Toon monsters, was nullified!"


    "Whew~ What luck to trigger an instant death." C¨² Chulainn (Prototype) whistled contemptuously as he looked at the Toon Gemini Elf, lying in a pool of blood with a hole in its body and convulsing. "I''m glad this body doesn''t have Luck E."


    "I say!" Sighing in frustration, Hoshino covered her face with her right hand and said, "Can''t you guys, when destroying monsters, just have them disappear into holographic fragments like normal Duel Monsters? Seeing them get pierced and sliced like this is psychologically disturbing after a while!"


    "That''s not my fault, Master. The idea of breaking targets into holographic fragments is less logical. From a Servant''s perspective, it''s more natural for a defeated target to leave a corpse. I don''t even know how to turn them into holographic fragments."


    "Fine, fine, it''ll disappear in a bit anyway." Unable to find a better argument, Hoshino resigned herself to ignoring the gruesome scene on the field.


    "She destroyed the Toon monster!" The spectators were more focused on Hoshino''s success in defeating the seemingly invincible Toon monster than on the Gemini Elf''s corpse.


    "She did it, she did it~? Hoshino, you did great~?" Jounouchi and Honda hugged each other in excitement, their tone almost like singing, perhaps influenced by the Disney-esque atmosphere on the field.


    "You two, just destroying one Toon monster doesn''t mean Hoshino has won." Mai sighed at the sight of the two wild men singing together. "Even though Hoshino has made some progress thanks to her new monster''s effect, it''s not a long-term solution."


    "Exactly. C¨² Chulainn is only a 4-star monster. If Pegasus focuses on destroying him, Hoshino will lose her only means of countering the Toons," Yugi said, remaining cautious despite Hoshino''s slight advantage.


    "I''ll also summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight] in defense mode. End turn." Hoshino kept it simple: knowing that C¨² Chulainn''s effect could defeat Toons, she needed to protect him. "With Mash''s protection, it should be hard for Pegasus to destroy C¨² Chulainn."


    "Senpai, where is this place? It feels like a fairytale!" Mash looked around, her face flushed with excitement, like a child at an amusement park.


    "Good thing Mash didn''t see the gory scene just now¡­" Seeing Mash''s innocent expression, Hoshino could understand Pegasus''s aversion to violent scenes.


    "Hahaha, Hoshino-girl, your cards have some surprising effects." Though shocked by the bloody scene, Pegasus quickly regained his composure. "To spare the children''s delicate hearts from such brutality, let me make him more adorable~"


    "Huh? My C¨² Chulainn is already cute enough, thank you!"


    "No, no, no, a Toon-styled monster is what people find truly adorable." Pegasus placed a card on the table after drawing his card for the turn. "I activate the Equip Spell [Comic Hand]~"


    "An Equip Spell? Is he trying to boost his monsters'' attack?" Hoshino watched Pegasus''s card placement with suspicion.


    "I''m equipping [Comic Hand] to your monster, [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn (Prototype)]!"


    "Huh? Equipping it to C¨² Chulainn?" Hoshino''s duelist instincts told her that this card was trouble.


    [Comic Hand Equip Spell Effect: Can only be equipped to an opponent''s monster when you control "Toon World."]


    A cartoonish hand extended from the massive Toon castle, bypassed Mash''s shield and grabbed hold of Hoshino''s C¨² Chulainn.


    "Ugh, what is this thing? It''s so strong!" Despite C¨² Chulainn''s desperate struggle, the cartoonish hand''s immense strength pulled him into the Toon castle.


    "The fantastic Toon performance is about to begin~" With C¨² Chulainn successfully drawn into the castle, Pegasus spread his arms like a show host. "Now, please welcome our new character, the castle''s new friend, [Toon C¨² Chulainn]!"


    As Pegasus made the announcement, C¨² Chulainn''s agonized screams from inside the castle gradually ceased¡­


    "What just happened?" Nervous sweat ran down Hoshino''s delicate face to her neck. While C¨² Chulainn''s Luck wasn''t as bad as Luck E, his situation wasn''t likely to be much better. "It seems that whether it''s Luck D or Luck E, C¨² Chulainn can''t escape his death."


    [Comic Hand: ¢Ù Gain control of the equipped monster. ¢Ú The equipped monster is treated as a Toon monster, and if your opponent controls no Toon monsters, it can attack directly. ¢Û Destroy this card if there is no "Toon World" on the field.]


    "What a terrifying effect! It''s much stronger than [Brain Control] or [Change of Heart]!" Yugi was sweating as he marveled at [Comic Hand]''s effect.


    "So, C¨² Chulainn has become a traitor again?" Understanding [Comic Hand]''s dangerous effect, Hoshino stared at the Toon castle that had absorbed her C¨² Chulainn.


    "Hehe, this is such a high-energy moment!" The familiar voice of C¨² Chulainn, now lighter, came from the castle. Then, a round, blue figure jumped out of the castle and stood on Pegasus''s side. "Hey, you weird-looking woman over there, let me poke you with my spear!"


    [Toon C¨² Chulainn (Prototype) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK1700 DEF1500]


    "Who are you calling a weird-looking woman?! Do you want to die?" Hoshino retorted at the sight of the comical version of C¨² Chulainn. "This is just like an April Fools'' card¡­"


    "Hahaha, this is the truly universally loved cute form, Hoshino-girl~" Proudly observing C¨² Chulainn, Pegasus gloated, "Your only monster capable of defeating Toons has now become a Toon itself. Isn''t that an ironically amusing twist?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 93 - 93

    "Now, let''s watch the delightful and familiar scene of love and rivalry between master and servant!" Pegasus announced loudly, his eyes suddenly turning fierce. "Because of ''Toon World,'' Toon C¨² Chulainn can attack directly if the opponent has no Toon monsters on the field!"


    "Sure, I''ve been waiting for this!" Waving his spear, Toon C¨² Chulainn, with his short legs, charged toward the opponent.


    "Pegasus, you two-faced dog! You were just saying this is for all ages, and now you''re talking about love and rivalry¡­ Huh? Love and rivalry? With whom?" Facing the charging Toon C¨² Chulainn, though the small, round figure lacked an imposing presence, the gleaming spear in its hands made Hoshino shiver.


    "A direct attack with 2000 attack points! Hoshino is in danger!" Seeing the spear about to strike Hoshino, Jonouchi couldn''t help but shout, "That''s half her life points! If Toon Mermaid attacks too, Hoshino will almost lose!"


    "Stay calm, C¨² Chulainn-san!"


    At the moment the spear was about to touch Hoshino''s chest, Mash''s massive shield firmly blocked in front of her, the spear tip sparking against the shield. "Besides, the one in love with Master is me!"


    "Mash¡­ Mash¡­" Hoshino, covering her face and giggling, waved her hand slightly. "Don''t say such embarrassing things in public like this, hehe~" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, in this so-called public place, only Pegasus and Yugi could hear Mash''s words.


    "Mash''s special effect activates: when Mash is in defense mode, the opponent can only target her for attacks!"


    Toon C¨² Chulainn''s 2000 attack points clashed with Mash''s 2000 defense points, resulting in no damage to either player''s life points.


    "But Mash will switch to attack mode after being attacked, so Hoshino, you can''t block my Toon Mermaid''s attack next!" Seeing the first attack blocked, Pegasus extended his right hand, continuing to command his monsters to attack. "Go, my lovely Toon Mermaid, a direct attack on Hoshino girl!"


    [Toon Mermaid: This card can only attack if you pay 500 life points.]


    [Pegasus LP 3900 ¡ú 3400]


    "Chirp!" The Toon Mermaid, who had been hiding in her shell, emerged, pulled out a toy-like bow and arrow, and, after a brief aim, shot straight at Hoshino.


    "It seems even Toon monsters need to pay a price for continuous attacks!" With a sly smile on her face, Hoshino quickly flipped her facedown card.


    "Activate the trap card, [Nobu''s Assemble]!"


    [Nobu''s Assemble Trap Card Effect: This can be activated when the opponent declares a direct attack. Special Summon 2 level 4 monsters with different attributes and the name [Nobu] from your deck or hand to your field.]


    "[Nobu] monsters? Not [Heroic Spirit] monsters?" The unfamiliar prefix puzzled the spectators. "I''ve never seen Hoshino use monsters other than Heroic Spirit monsters."


    "But since Chiyuki specially added them to the deck for the showdown, she must have her reasons!" Mai, trusting Hoshino''s every decision, believed it was paving the way for the final victory.


    "Hahaha, it''s useless, Hoshino-girl. Even if you summon new monsters, Toon Mermaid can still attack you directly." Pegasus continued his attack declaration without stopping.


    "I firmly believe that one day my cards will ride armored tanks and shield me from attacks!" With a shout, Hoshino placed the two selected cards on the table. "I''ve decided on you two, [Nobu Corps] and [Chariot Nobu]!"


    "Nobu!!" X2


    Above the arena, two mysterious beings with distinct styles appeared in the crowd''s sight, shouting in strange language.


    Looking up, the humanoid tank floating in the air drifted in a graceful curve, then heavily landed on the battlefield, blocking the Toon Mermaid''s attack trajectory.


    On top of the tank, Nobu Corps, dressed in a haori, crossed his short arms confidently. Under the lowered white military cap, only a triangular, fierce eye was visible.


    [Chariot Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Machine/Effect][ATK 1500 DEF 1500]


    [Nobu Corps¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1900 DEF 100]


    "Block it, Nobu Corps!"


    "Nobu!" Upon receiving Hoshino''s order, Nobu Corps, standing on the tank, drew the mini sword at his waist. With a swift motion, a transparent wind blade followed the Toon Mermaid''s attack path, slicing the toy arrow in half. The blurry wind blade then hit the Toon Mermaid.


    [Pegasus LP 3400 ¡ú 2900]


    "Nobu! (Nobu Slash!)" Nobu Corps announced the move''s name with style, sheathing his sword. Although the Toon monsters weren''t destroyed due to the effect of [Toon Kingdom], Nobu Corps slash still cut down Pegasus'' life points.


    "Pegasus'' life points have decreased again!" Yugi, seeing the sudden change on the field, was slightly surprised. "Amazing. How did Hoshino do that?"


    "What happened? My [Toon Mermaid] should be able to attack directly when there are no Toon monsters on the opponent''s field, right?" Pegasus, confused by the situation, scratched his head.


    "It''s laughable, King of the Toon World. Without using the Millennium Eye, you can''t see through anything, can you?" Hoshino taunted, pointing to her left eye. "What? Afraid to use your Millennium Eye to see through my tactics?"


    "Don''t get too cocky, Hoshino-girl." Finally angered, Pegasus reactivated the dark power of the Millennium Eye, which he had been suppressing. "Don''t regret it, Hoshin-girl. Once I use the power of Millennium Eye, you won''t have any chance of winning."


    "Millennium Eye, see through the heart!" Pegasus activated the Millennium Eye again, looking at the smiling Hoshino across the arena.


    And then, inside Hoshino''s mind, he saw¡­


    "Nobu! Nobu! Nobu! Nobu!... XD"


    "Oh my god?! What are these things!!"


    An unnamed genius once said, "There are two ways to counter mind reading: one is to empty your mind and think of nothing, and the other is to scramble your thoughts, making it impossible for the opponent to see anything."


    However, expecting Hoshino to empty her mind was unrealistic. Completely emptying the mind requires top-tier Zen-like meditation. Not to mention Hoshino''s impure mind filled with distractions, even making her think of nothing while playing cards would be a lost cause.


    Therefore, Hoshino''s only option was to go the route of scrambled thoughts, a safeguard placed in her command spells by that unnamed genius to counter the Millennium Eye.


    "Hoshino-chan, when the command spells activate, there will be a certain level of mental connection between the master and the servant. Although it''s unknown how much this connection can disrupt the Millennium Eye''s mind-reading ability, as long as the scrambled thoughts can slightly interfere with Pegasus''s power, you have a chance to win."


    "Da Vinci, this effect might be even better than you anticipated. Nobu''s thoughts are usually so chaotic that they probably rank among the top in Chaldea for confusion." Seeing Pegasus''s bewildered expression, Hoshino couldn''t help but laugh. Despite Nobu''s cute appearance, her mind''s chaos was comparable to a war general''s.


    "Could it be that Pegasus''s Millennium Eye can''t read Hoshino''s thoughts?" Yugi exclaimed, noticing Pegasus''s complex expression, so different from his usual confident demeanor after using Millennium Eye. "If we can seal Pegasus''s Millennium Eye ability, Hoshino has a great chance of winning!"


    "But why could Hoshino''s monsters withstand the Toon monsters'' attacks?" Jonouchi asked, still puzzled.


    "Though I''m not sure what Toon monsters are," Anzu said, tilting her head and touching her cheek with a finger, "those two cute monsters Hoshino summoned look a lot like Toon monsters, don''t they?"


    "Nobu?!" Nobu Corps on the field twitched its simple ears, catching Anzu''s compliment of "cute." It then flipped its bangs and threw a heart toward Anzu in the audience.


    "Nobu~ (That beautiful young lady over there has great taste~)"


    "Hahaha, your insight isn''t as sharp as Anzu''s." Hoshino, having also heard Anzu, spoke to the arena. "When I first saw Toon monsters, I realized they and Nobu are essentially the same kind of creatures, sharing an art style and a comical, non-destructive character trait. So, it''s not unreasonable to classify Nobu as a Toon."


    "Is that even possible?" Jonouchi muttered, his face twitching as he struggled to find words after hearing Hoshino''s explanation (or rather, nonsense).


    "All thanks to Kaiba''s sacrifice, I realized the strategy to counter Toon monsters!" Hoshino placed her hand gently on her chest, pausing for a moment to mourn Kaiba. "So, before the final battle, I took a gamble. I drastically revised my deck, merging my two separate decks¡ªone for Heroic Spirits and one for Nobu¡ªinto one..."


    "¡ªFinal Battle Mix-Style Deck!!"


    "Nobu! (That''s right, Nobu!)"


    "Trying to seal the Millennium Eye and Toon monsters like this, you are imaginative, Hoshino-girl!" Pegasus, gritting his teeth, barely contained his anger as he spoke.


    "That''s not imagination!" Hoshino retorted, holding her cards and pointing them at the angry Pegasus. "I am determined to defeat you!"


    "Go on, continue your turn, Pegasus!"


    "Don''t get cocky too soon, Hoshino-girl!" Her taunt only made Pegasus calmer. As the master of the Duelist Kingdom and the father of Duel Monsters, even without the mind-reading power of Millennium Eye, he was still a top-tier duelist. "You''ve only stopped my Toon monsters'' direct attacks with a couple of low-level monsters. Don''t forget, without C¨² Chulainn, you have no way to destroy Toons."


    With that, Pegasus drew a monster card from his hand and placed it on the table. "I haven''t summoned yet this turn. I use [Toon Mermaid] as a sacrifice to special summon from my hand, [Toon Summoned Skull]!"


    "Summoned Skull?"


    The familiar name made Hoshino instantly realize, "Isn''t that the demon Yugi often uses, with an attack power exceeding [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] despite being only a 6-star monster?"


    [Toon Summoned Skull¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars) Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2500 DEF 1200]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned if ''Toon World'' is on your field (requires a Tribute). This card cannot attack in the turn it is Special Summoned. If ''Toon World'' is destroyed, destroy this card.]


    The bottomless half of the Toon Summoned Skull emerged from the castle, still connected to the Toon Kingdom below, giving it a ridiculous yet eerie appearance.


    "A Toon monster with 2500 attack points, and it only required one tribute." Watching the strange, jack-in-the-box-like movements of the Toon Summoned Skull, Hoshino murmured, "Thankfully, the Nobus can block the damage. Otherwise, a direct attack like this would be a farewell."


    After saying this, Hoshino pulled a monster card from her hand and placed it on the table after the Toon Summoned Skull''s special summon.


    "Hoshino-girl, it''s still my turn. Are you being too hasty summoning monsters?"


    "Hehe, I''m just following the rules, Pegasus." She pointed to the newly summoned monster on her table. The arena didn''t display any error messages, indicating that Hoshino''s summon was legitimate. "Activating the special effect of [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu] from my hand!"


    [¢Ù You can Special Summon this card from your hand when your opponent Special Summons a monster from their deck, hand, or graveyard. Then, destroy one Special Summoned monster on your opponent''s field.]


    [Golden Giant Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Earth][Machine/Effect][ATK 2400 DEF 2000]


    "NOBU!" The giant mechanical Nobunaga stepped heavily onto the battlefield, its deep voice resonating. It fired a massive golden laser beam at the Toon Summoned Skull''s bizarre form.


    Of course, the Toon Summoned Skull, hit by the laser, merely twitched a bit before returning to normal, resulting only in the removal of the top card from Pegasus''s deck¡ªa trivial outcome.


    "Even though it''s Pegasus''s turn, Hoshino has summoned three more monsters..." At this moment, Jonouchi seemed to realize something, staring blankly at the duel representing the highest honor in the Duelist Kingdom.


    "Hoshino might become the Duel King!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 94 - 94

    "It seems toon monsters that cannot be destroyed are indeed quite troublesome," Hoshino muttered, feeling a tinge of frustration as her Golden Giant Mecha Nobu''s laser was blocked. "If these toon monsters keep increasing, it will only be more disadvantageous for me. I have to find a way to target that Field Spell, [Toon Kingdom]!"


    "Hoshino-girl, let me guess what you''re thinking right now," Pegasus said, smiling again with one eye squinted at Hoshino. "Of course, I''m not using the power of my Millennium Eye; this is just a duelist''s battle of wits."


    "I guess you''re thinking of destroying my [Toon Kingdom], right~?"


    "!!!"


    "Was she that easy to read?" Jonouchi exclaimed, seeing Hoshino''s expression of being seen through. "Does Pegasus not need the Millennium Eye to read people''s minds?"


    "Jonouchi¡­" Yugi, somewhat exasperated, glanced at him. "That''s not hard to guess. Destroying the Field Spell is the most straightforward way to deal with Toon monsters."


    "So, I activate the Continuous Spell Card, [Field Barrier]~" Pegasus, playing a card with a confident smile, seemed much more at ease. "This is the safest insurance for my [Toon Kingdom]."


    [Field Barrier Continuous Spell Card Effect: Field Spells on the field cannot be destroyed. Neither player can activate a new Field Spell Card. You can only control 1 "Field Barrier"..]


    "A Spell Card specifically protecting Field Spells, and it also restricts Hoshino''s Field Spell!" Yugi gasped, seeing the new card Pegasus played. "It seems Pegasus is well aware of the weakness of his Toon monsters. This way, Hoshino will have a hard time destroying [Toon Kingdom]."


    "End turn. It''s your turn now, Hoshino-girl~" Pegasus said, having set his last card, making his play seem like an all-in.


    "Using up all your cards in two turns, Pegasus?" Analyzing the situation, Hoshino noted that Pegasus had an empty hand. "Does this mean you have absolute confidence in your Toon monsters?"


    "Of course, Hoshino-girl~" Pegasus nodded in agreement, his hands on his hips. "With your current strength, you can''t destroy my invincible Toons."


    "Is that so? Don''t be so sure. My turn, draw!" Unperturbed by Pegasus'' taunts, Hoshino quickly drew a new card from her deck. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Annoyingly, he has a point. I don''t have a way to destroy the Toon monsters," Hoshino admitted begrudgingly after surveying her two cards and the single set card on her field.


    "Since it''s my turn, the [Command Seal] gains another charge."


    [Command Seal] x2


    "At the very least, if I can reduce Pegasus'' Life Points significantly, it should limit his ability to use Toon monsters." However, Hoshino''s hand lacked any high-level monsters with substantial attack power. Pegasus, on the other hand, had the lowest attack power monster on his field, which was the traitor C¨² Chulainn that he had taken from Hoshino''s side.


    "In that case, let''s replenish my hand! I activate the Spell Card [Pot of Greed] and draw two cards." Prioritizing card advantage, Hoshino drew two more cards, increasing her hand to three.


    "Hmm? This card might be useful¡­ to stir the pot¡­ or rather, create an opportunity!" She threw down a newly drawn card as if an idea had struck her. "I activate the Spell Card [Chaldea Combat Suit] from my hand!"


    [Chaldea Combat Suit Spell Card Effect: Activate one of the following effects. ¢Ù: All monsters you control gain 500 ATK until the end of this turn. ¢Ú: Target one monster your opponent controls; during your opponent''s next turn, it cannot declare an attack, activate effects, or change battle positions. ¢Û: Target one [Heroic Spirit] monster you control; return it to the Deck, then Special Summon one monster with a lower Level from your Deck.]


    As soon as the card hit the table, the new projection device, which had been quiet, started acting up again. Unlike the Command Seals that affected the duelists themselves, this card''s special effects were different. Under the full operation of the holographic projection device, gentle golden particles surrounded Hoshino''s entire body.


    The next second, Hoshino''s usual clothing was replaced with a tight orange battle suit. Though just a virtual image, the slightly provocative Chaldea Combat Suit still clung tightly to her body, outlining a surprisingly alluring figure.


    "Oh wow~ this outfit¡­ is really¡­ nice!" Even without the ample assets of Mai, the sexy curves outlined by the tight suit on Hoshino''s otherwise slim frame had the boys in the audience thrilled.


    "Snap, snap, snap!" Mai Valentine quickly snapped her fingers in front of Jonouchi, Yugi, and Honda''s faces. "Seriously, Jonouchi and Honda, I get, but even you, Yugi? Can''t you learn from Ryou and look at things with a more innocent eye?"


    Unsurprisingly, among the group, only Bakura seemed unbothered, looking thoughtfully at the duel stage.


    "It''s just a holographic projection; let them enjoy it¡­" Hoshino, having used this card before, was mentally prepared and knew this was not the time to worry about such things.


    "I activate the ¢Û effect of the Spell Card [Chaldea Combat Uniform], swapping my [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight] with a lower-level Heroic Spirit from my Deck!" Following Hoshino''s command, the gentle light surrounding the battle suit began enveloping Mash on the field.


    "Ah, are we leaving already? I haven''t had my fill of this splendid scene," Mash said, somewhat reluctantly, taking a final glance around the castle.


    "It''s okay, Mash~ Next time, I''ll take you to a more splendid and real fairy tale castle to play!" Hoshino promised, seeing Mash''s beaming smile before she vanished into the light.


    "The monster I summoned from the Deck is¡­," Hoshino took a deep breath, placing the newly searched monster face-up on the table.


    "[Heroic Spirit ¨C Hassan of Serenity]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hassan of Serenity ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 Stars) Dark] [Psychic/Effect][ATK 200 DEF 200]


    "Everything, everything follows Master''s orders. I will offer everything for you, this heart, this body¡­" Serenity spoke calmly, saying slightly embarrassing words as she appeared on the field. "So, can you pet me after the battle, Master~?"


    "Of course¡­" Despite being part of the "under the bed trio," which always gave Hoshino a vague sense of crisis, Hoshino remained composed.


    "But for now, let''s get ready for an OTK!"


    (****)


    Scene Summary:


    Pegasus: LP 2900, Field Spell [Toon Kingdom], Continuous Spell [Field Barrier], Equip Spell [Comic Hand], [Toon Summoned Skull ATK 2500], [Toon C¨² Chulainn ATK 2000], 1 Set Card, No cards in hand.


    Hoshino Chiyuki: LP 4000, [Gold Giant Mecha Nobu ATK 2400], [Nobu Corps ATK 1900], [Chariot Nobu ATK 1500], [Heroic Spirit - Hassan of Serenity ATK/DEF: 200], 1 Set Card, 2 Cards in hand.


    (****)


    "Yugi, what does ''OTK'' mean?" Jounouchi asked, puzzled by the term Hoshino used.


    "OTK, short for One Turn Kill, refers to defeating your opponent in a single turn," Yugi explained, clearly concerned by Hoshino''s declaration.


    "In one turn? Dealing massive damage to win?" Jounouchi repeated, astonished. "Can Hoshino beat Pegasus in one turn?"


    "Did she say OTK? Is it a bluff, or can she...?" Yugi couldn''t finish the thought, knowing the odds were against Hoshino with her current setup.


    "Pegasus, let me show you the ultimate combo I''ve been perfecting with my cards!" Hoshino announced confidently.


    "Nobu?! (Am I your ''waifu''?!)" Nobu exclaimed, but Hoshino swiftly corrected, "Not you! It''s your turn, Serenity!"


    "Yes! I''ll give my all for my master, even if it means my body!" Serenity responded, determination in her eyes.


    "No need to go that far," Hoshino said, pulling a card from her hand. "I haven''t Normal Summoned yet, so I summon [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu] in Attack Position!"


    [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Earth [Machine/Effect][ATK 1500 DEF 500]


    "NOBU! (Why is my attack so much lower than the gold one?!)" the new mech roared.


    "Hoshino''s filling her field..." Anzu observed, noting Hoshino''s summoning of low-attack monsters. "But they can''t match Pegasus'' Toons in attack power."


    "Exactly, Hoshino-girl," Pegasus taunted. "These fake Toon monsters can''t delay your inevitable defeat."


    "You sure are feeling confident, Pegasus," Hoshino smirked. "If you weren''t so evil, we might get along, sharing a love for manga. But..."


    "Look at the field, Pegasus!"


    "What?!?" Pegasus was taken aback. The cheerful colors of Toon Kingdom were shrouded in a strange purple mist, dissolving the castle walls.


    "It''s... poison!" Pegasus, with his experience in ancient Egyptian tombs, quickly deduced.


    "What have you done to my beautiful castle, Hoshino-girl?"


    "It wasn''t me; it was Serenity. Don''t let her quiet demeanor fool you; she''s dangerous when serious!"


    "Even in bed (whispering)."


    The source of the mist and the densest area, was Serenity''s location. Her silhouette was barely visible through the thick haze.


    "I set my last card and end my turn!" Hoshino declared, surprisingly not attacking but ending her turn.


    "Is Hoshino not attacking? What about the OTK?" Jounouchi was confused by the sudden end of Hoshino''s turn.


    "Even if she attacked with Gold Giant Mecha Nobu, Toon C¨² Chulainn can negate the battle damage once per turn," Yugi reasoned. "She must have another plan."


    Pegasus was wary, noting the increasing poison mist. "What''s your plan, Hoshino-girl?"


    "It''s my turn, draw!" Pegasus drew a card, pleased to have one in hand. "And I activate..."


    "Pegasus!" Hoshino interrupted, her voice commanding. "There''s no ''and then'' for you!"


    "!!!"


    "At the start of your turn, in the Standby Phase, I activate [Heroic Spirit - Hassan of Serenity]''s special effect!" The field filled with the thick poison mist, obscuring all monsters.


    [¢Ú: During your opponent''s Standby Phase, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of monsters on the field x 200. This effect can only be used once while this card is face-up.]


    As Hoshino made her declaration, the mist seemed to ignite, causing a massive explosion.


    "Do it, Serenity!"


    Serenity, dancing gracefully in the mist, softly chanted, "Hot, burning, as if melting away. Let your body and soul be consumed! [Delusional Poison Body (Zabaniya)]!!"


    "So that''s why she filled the field! There are 7 monsters, so that''s 1400 damage to Pegasus!" Jounouchi realized.


    "That''s right, Jounouchi! But Pegasus still has 2900 LP. Even with 1400 damage, it''s not enough for the OTK Hoshino mentioned!" Yugi observed.


    "Exactly, Yugi! When I say OTK, I mean it!" Hoshino shouted, revealing her set card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Big Explosion NOBU]!"


    [Big Explosion NOBU! Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: Can be activated when you control a [Nobu] monster. Destroy all monsters you control, and inflict damage to your opponent equal to the number of destroyed [Nobu] monsters x 400.]


    "I have 4 [Nobu] monsters, so I deal 1600 damage to Pegasus!" Hoshino announced, pointing dramatically. "Nobu, this is it! Finish the battle!"


    "NOBU!" x4


    With a determined cry, the four Nobu monsters charged forward, the resulting explosion combining with the poison mist to engulf the entire field.


    "Pegasus, this is my final strategy, the ultimate finisher of my deck. Its name is..."


    "Nobu¡¤Mitsu¡¤Poison¡¤Explosive¡¤One-Turn Kill!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 95 - 95

    "Unbelievable! A direct damage of 3000 points in an instant!" Yugi let out a gasp, his eyes filled with astonishment as he looked towards the arena, where explosions and poisonous mist intermingled in the flames. "This is a true OTK! The new deck Hoshino prepared for the final battle is incredibly strong!"


    "Although the style is quite strange, it doesn''t diminish Hoshino''s strength! Dealing 3000 points of damage directly means..." Jounouchi, excitedly clutching Yugi around the neck, exclaimed, "Pegasus only has 2900 life points, which means Hoshino won!"


    "Jounouchi, Jounouchi, let go of Yugi!" Anzu sympathetically patted Jounouchi''s shoulder as King struggled to breathe.


    "It''s not over yet, there''s no indication that the duel has ended!" Mai, frowning deeply, felt uneasy and kept waiting for the arena''s announcement. As she expected, despite the intense explosion, the familiar synthesized voice did not announce the duel''s end.


    "Hehehe, hahaha..." On the other side of the poisonous mist and flames, Pegasus''s slightly crazed laughter rang out. "Interesting, very interesting indeed, Hoshino girl!"


    Pegasus''s once neat silver hair was now disheveled, evidence that Hoshino''s poison explosion, although not a one-hit knockout, had dealt significant damage to him.


    Pegasus LP: 400


    "How could it be, just a sliver of life left?" Hoshino, puzzled, looked at the disheveled Pegasus across the field, as well as the stars of rain enveloping him.


    "The card I set to increase my life points for my Toon monsters to attack freely turned out to be my lifeline..." Pegasus said through gritted teeth, holding the flipped card in his right hand. "Hoshino-girl, you''re the first, the first duelist to push me to such a state, and you''ll pay for it!"


    [Solemn Wishes Continuous Trap Card Effect: Restore 500 LP each time you draw a card.]


    Seeing the set card in Pegasus''s hand, Hoshino understood why Pegasus survived: "Because he recovered 500 LP when drawing a card, increasing his life points to 3400, he wasn''t instantly defeated by the direct damage that followed..."


    "Miss Hoshino, be careful!" Holmes, who had been hiding his presence since the duel began, suddenly jumped out.


    "It''s a Shadow Game!!"


    "A Shadow Game? How could..." Though hard to believe, Hoshino knew Holmes wouldn''t lie at such a moment. A glance around revealed that the once clear light was gradually becoming blurry, replaced by an encompassing dark energy.


    "It''s indeed a Shadow Game!" Hoshino sighed and clenched her teeth, reluctantly acknowledging it as she observed the changing scenery around her. "It''s similar to the duel with Bakura, yet different."


    "It seems that after Pegasus''s life points were rapidly reduced, his mental power to suppress the Millennium Eye personality also weakened significantly. He''s now using the dark power of the Millennium Eye without regard for the consequences," Holmes stated, not speculating but asserting.


    "Hoshino-girl!!" As the dark power in his left eye began to leak, Pegasus''s expression became more ferocious. "A duelist like you, threatening my invincible status, a ticking time bomb disrupting my plans, cannot be allowed to exist!"


    "Face the punishment of the Shadow Game!"


    "Damn, it''s a Shadow Game!" Yugi, also realizing the situation was wrong, exclaimed as he watched the scene being swallowed by darkness. "Pegasus can wield such immense dark power! Did you sell your soul to the devil?"


    The enormous dark space enveloped the entire dueling arena, including Yugi and the others watching.


    "Hahaha, Hoshino-girl, those without dark power will suffer irreparable mental damage over time in such a dense dark space," Pegasus laughed, his previously disheveled hair inexplicably restored to its original state. "Hoshino-girl, let''s see how long you can withstand the Shadow Game''s effects."


    "Humph, Pegasus, you underestimated me," Hoshino smirked coldly, looking at Pegasus, who tried to wear her down with the Shadow Game.


    "I can hold on until you fall!" Raising her right hand, the golden bracelet inscribed with mysterious symbols began to flicker with a faint golden light after entering the Shadow Game, as if a strange switch had been turned on.


    "A Millennium Item? Hoshino girl, you have a Millennium Item too..." Pegasus was shocked, never having thought that the bracelet Hoshino always wore on her right hand would be a legendary Millennium Item. "Is there a bracelet-shaped Millennium Item?"


    "Eh? So Hoshino has a Millennium Item like Yugi and Bakura?" Jounouchi, whose memory was vague from the Shadow Duel with Bakura, naturally didn''t remember Hoshino''s Millennium Bracelet.


    "Um..." Yugi was momentarily at a loss for words, knowing the general situation but unsure how to explain it to his friends.


    "Hoshino''s has a replica of a Millennium Item," Bakura, who had been silent since the start, suddenly explained to everyone.


    "A replica of a Millennium Item?" Jounouchi touched his chin, pondering. "There are even fake Millennium Items, huh? Well, it doesn''t matter if it''s fake or real, as long as it works, it''s a good item!"


    "A replica Millennium Item, huh? Hoshino-girl, you continue to surprise me. If I had to compare, you''re like a magical treasure chest that makes me want to unwrap you and see what''s inside~" Pegasus''s words took on a perverse tone, though Hoshino guessed he meant something else, she couldn''t help but shudder in disgust.


    "But is this the time for such talk, Pegasus? Your strategy of dragging me down with the Shadow Game has completely failed. Look at your life points."


    With only 400 life points left, Pegasus was not quite a candle in the wind, but he couldn''t even afford to pay the 500-point cost needed for a [Toon Monsters] attack.


    "Hahahaha, Hoshino girl, do you think you''re any better off?" He pointed to Hoshino''s empty field after a wave of counterattacks, as they continued to taunt each other.


    "And even if you can hold out in the Shadow Game, do you think your friends can?"


    "!!" Realizing something, Hoshino quickly looked up at the audience.


    "Anzu! Anzu, hang in there!" As expected, as Pegasus said, apart from Yugi and Bakura, the other companions were ordinary people without any dark power. Especially Anzu, who was not even a duelist and had a relatively weak physique. Without anything to rely on, she was the first to collapse.


    The souls of duelists are more resilient than those of ordinary people, allowing them to resist the encroachment of dark forces to some extent. This is why Pegasus couldn''t take Kaiba''s soul until he had defeated him. However, Anzu is different; she''s not a duelist, just a girl, and it''s unrealistic to expect her soul to withstand the dark forces.


    "Anzu..." Hoshino looked anxiously at Anzu, who had collapsed in the stands. "Pegasus, how could you target Anzu? It''s despicable and not gentlemanly at all!"


    "Hahaha, a gentleman? Despicable? I''ll do whatever it takes to achieve my goals, even if it means sacrificing my soul!" Pegasus ignored Hoshino''s accusations and continued his turn. "Let''s proceed, Hoshino-girl. I assume you don''t want to drag this out."


    Indeed, the longer it dragged on, the more damage it would do to Anzu''s soul. Hoshino had no choice but to continue the duel and try to end it quickly.


    "However, even if we continue, you have no monsters to block my attacks, Hoshino girl!" Pegasus, now back to his usual composed self, adjusted his freshly styled hair.


    "Who said I don''t have any monsters left? I activate the special effect of [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu] which was destroyed and sent to the graveyard due to [Big Explosion Nobu]!''"


    [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu: When this card is sent to the graveyard, you can Special Summon one [Nobu] monster from your deck. The monster Special Summoned by this effect has its effects negated.]


    Hoshino, still resilient after the toxic explosion, played her trump card. "I Special Summon a monster from my deck in Defense Position, [Nobu UFO]!''"


    [Nobu UFO¡ï¡ï¡ï DARK] [Machine][ATK500/DEF1400]


    "No~Bu~" After Hoshino placed the card on the table, the alien-sounding Nobu UFO wobbled onto the field, riding a UFO as large as its body.


    "Darn, it''s moving too slowly! We don''t have time for this!" Normally, Hoshino wouldn''t mind such a leisurely entrance, but with Anzu''s condition, she was increasingly anxious and wanted to end the duel as quickly as possible.


    "No! Bu!" At Hoshino''s scolding, Signal UFO quickly took its position.


    "Hurry, continue your turn, Pegasus!"


    "Oh, I can see you''re getting anxious, Hoshino-girl." Enjoying Hoshino''s current state, Pegasus felt his dark game was working. "But don''t just worry about your friends; you should also worry about yourself."


    "In a shadow game, when players'' Life Points decrease, they suffer real damage." Pegasus reminded Hoshino with a sinister smile. "When a duelist''s Life Points reach zero, in a way, their life truly ends!"


    "You''re kidding, right? Is it really that dangerous? We''ve been in shadow games before..."


    "Hoshino-chan, what Pegasus said is true." Da Vinci''s grave voice interrupted Hoshino''s muttering. "This shadow game is extremely dangerous, almost like betting your life. The concentration of dark energy here far exceeds the previous shadow game against Bakura!"


    "Da Vinci!" Surprised and delighted, Hoshino recalled that in a dark game environment, the Millennium Bracelet allowed her to communicate with Da Vinci.


    "Now''s not the time for reminiscing, Hoshino-chan, focus on the duel!"


    "Yes, Da Vinci! But is Pegasus crazy? It''s just a card game, and he''s risking his life?" Hoshino looked at Pegasus with disbelief after hearing Da Vinci''s explanation.


    "Pegasus, what kind of obsession drives you to sacrifice everything like this...?"


    Ignoring the questioning look from Hoshino, Pegasus continued his turn. "I''ll continue, Hoshino-girl. I activate the Spell Card [Mimicat]!''"


    Pegasus placed his last card on the table, and from the cartoon castle shattered by the toxic fog, a long, comical blue cat appeared, slipping into Hoshino''s graveyard.


    [Mimicat Spell Card Effect: When you have [Toon World] and a [Toon] monster on your field, you can activate this card by selecting a card in your opponent''s graveyard and copying it.]


    "I''m copying the Spell Card [Pot of Greed] from your graveyard." As the Mimicat''s slender body twisted in Hoshino''s graveyard, the card in Pegasus''s hand transformed into [Pot of Greed].


    "Thinking of replenishing your hand at the last moment, isn''t it a bit too late?" After leaving Anzu in Mai''s care, Jounouchi refocused on the field, knowing that Hoshino''s victory in the dark game was key to saving Anzu. "Wouldn''t it have been better to copy a monster from Hoshino''s graveyard instead of gambling on uncertain draws?"


    "That''s not the case, Jounouchi." Yugi shook his head, agreeing with Pegasus''s strategy. "Look at Pegasus''s situation; he can''t sustain an attack from Toon Monsters with just 400 Life Points, but after drawing cards..."


    [Solemn Wishes Continuous Trap Card Effect: Each time you draw a card, gain 500 Life Points.]


    "Since I drew two cards, the effect of [Solemn Wishes] activates, restoring 1000 Life Points~" After drawing, the holy rain around Pegasus grew denser. Due to the dark game, the healing effect made Pegasus look more refreshed.


    Pegasus LP: 400 ¡ú 1400


    "By drawing cards and restoring Life Points, he can attack again with [Toon Monster]!" Hoshino lamented. Pegasus, who had saved himself from a critical situation with a combo of Mimicat and Solemn Wishes, was proving to be a master duelist.


    "But that''s not all, Hoshino-girl. I drew a good card this time." Glancing at his two new cards, Pegasus launched his next assault. "I play the Spell Card [Toon Rollback]!''"


    [Toon Rollback Spell Card Effect: Select one Toon monster on your field. This turn, that monster can attack twice during the Battle Phase.]


    "I choose the monster that can attack twice, [Toon C¨² Chulainn]!''"


    "It can attack twice, which means..." Before Jounouchi could finish, Toon C¨² Chulainn''s spear pierced the simple-designed body of Nobu UFO.


    "C¨² Chulainn, you traitor!" Hoshino shouted angrily as she watched the comical C¨² Chulainn impale her beloved Nobu.


    "Master, I didn''t do it willingly. My body just isn''t obeying..." Surprisingly, C¨² Chulainn, controlled by Pegasus, managed to regain some consciousness with his strong will, though only just. "Be careful of the next attack, Master!!"


    "Haha~ The next attack will end you, Hoshino girl~" With Nobu UFO, her shield, destroyed, and Pegasus still having a 2000 ATK C¨² Chulainn and a 2500 ATK Toon Summoned Skull, it was enough to finish off Hoshino.


    "Go, [Toon Summoned Skull], I pay 500 Life Points to attack Hoshino girl directly!"


    Pegasus LP: 900 ¡ú 400


    As soon as he paid the Life Points, Pegasus''s previously refreshed expression turned to one of pain, proving that the damage inflicted by the dark game was not a joke.


    "Hoshino-girl, prepare yourself; it hurts a lot." Gasping in pain, Pegasus smiled wickedly at Hoshino. "Attack, [Toon Summoned Skull]!"


    Despite its comical appearance, Toon Summoned Skull had the same power as the real ''Summoned Skull.'' The lightning gathered around its body and struck Hoshino like a venomous snake.


    "Take this, Hoshino-girl, Toon Thunderbolt!!"


    Unlike Jounouchi or Honda, who were physically robust, Hoshino, who was even more delicate than Anzu, relied entirely on the protection of the Millennium Bracelet to survive in the dark space. However, the damage based on the rules of the dark game could not be avoided by the bracelet.


    The intense lightning engulfed Hoshino''s frail body, the searing pain piercing through her being, making her feel as if her consciousness was being torn away from her body.


    "Aaaaaahhh!!!" Never having experienced such pain, Hoshino, a pampered young lady, felt as if her entire worldview had been shattered, the intense disparity nearly breaking her spirit.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 1500 S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even a mere 500 Life Point cost made Pegasus wince in pain, so it was no wonder Hoshino, who had suffered 2500 points of damage, was in such agony.


    "Miss Hoshino, stay with us!" Holmes called out anxiously to Hoshino, who, after a scream, seemed to be on the brink of unconsciousness.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 96 - 96

    "Hoshino, stay strong!" The anxious cries of Yugi and Jounouchi mirrored Holmes''s concern, all worried about the severe mental blow Hoshino had suffered.


    "Pegasus, how could you harm Chiyuki? You''re despicable!" Mai shouted, her voice filled with anger and sympathy for Hoshino, who was under the thrall of the Millennium Eye.


    "Has she lost consciousness? What a pity, Hoshino-girl." Pegasus, seeing Hoshino''s lack of response, surmised the situation. In the thick atmosphere of a Shadow Game, taking a direct hit of 2500 damage at once was something a girl like Hoshino couldn''t endure, which is precisely the terror of a Shadow Game. Even if your Life Points remain, if your spirit is crushed, it equates to losing the duel.


    "There''s nothing more to say. This duel was always destined to end with your defeat, Hoshino-girl." Lacking any sense of mercy, Pegasus gave the final attack order. "But the game must end properly for everything to be resolved. So, Toon C¨² Chulainn, deliver the finishing blow to your master."


    "What irony, to be struck down by your monster, ha! Ironic and amusing~"


    "Wake up, master! If you fall here, I''ll never be able to show my face at Chaldea again!" C¨² Chulainn, resisting Pegasus''s attack command with all his might, seemed to struggle as if against a Command Seal.


    However, without Magic Resistance, C¨² Chulainn couldn''t resist. Pegasus''s attack declaration was the absolute rule in this game. Despite his reluctance, C¨² Chulainn charged at Hoshino with his spear. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Miss Hoshino! If you don''t wake up now, you''ll lose!"


    "Hoshino, hang in there!"


    "Hoshino!"


    "Chiyuki!"


    "Master!!!"


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "Senpai!"


    "..."


    "Mas... mash!"


    Hoshino''s pupils suddenly contracted, and her body, which had been standing like a wooden figure, slumped onto the dueling platform, barely supported by her hands. "I..."


    "I can''t die here... I promised Mash that I would take her to see a more magnificent place..." she muttered weakly, dragging her heavy right hand to her last set card.


    "Chiyuki, you''re conscious again..." Mai, with tears still in her eyes, watched Hoshino''s movements, her arms trembling as she held Anzu.


    "I activate my last face-down card, the trap card..." With the last of her strength, Star flipped the card, breathing a sigh of relief, "[Final Guard]!!"


    "I''m counting on you, Nobunaga!"


    [Final Guard Trap Card Effect: This effect can only be used once per duel. When your Life Points are below 2000 and an opponent''s monster declares a direct attack, Special Summon one monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from your deck. The Battle Phase ends immediately. The monster Special Summoned by this effect is banished when it leaves the field.]


    In an instant, the arena was engulfed in flames, burning down the toon castle that had already been corroded by poison gas. After the fire, only ruins remained, with a single grand door still standing, as if declaring that the field spell hadn''t been destroyed.


    "How dare you bully my master, how infuriating!" Emerging from the flames, the enraged Nobunaga walked out, tipping her military hat. "Only I can bully my master! No one else is allowed!"


    "Nobunaga!..." Hoshino, touched by Nobunaga''s reappearance, softly called out.


    "Master, you rest a bit. I''ll handle things for now." With a fierce gaze from under her hat, Nobunaga locked eyes with the advancing C¨² Chulainn. "You''re just a cartoonish Lancer, know your place!"


    With that, Nobunaga swiftly raised her gun and fired without hesitation at the approaching C¨² Chulainn.


    "Bang!" Propelled by gunpowder, the bullet shot from the barrel, heading straight for C¨² Chulainn''s forehead.


    "Not enough, Nobunaga!" However, C¨² Chulainn, relying on his beast-like instincts, deflected the bullet with his spear, despite its near-invisible speed. "You can do better than that!"


    "Oh? If one gun isn''t enough, how about ten? No, a hundred guns?" Though Nobunaga spoke harshly, she didn''t move an inch, nor did she seem inclined to continue the attack, merely floating unnaturally in the air.


    Then, countless matchlock guns, as if conjured by magic, appeared around Nobunaga, floating just like her in the air.


    "Is this firepower sufficient, Lancer?" With a massive release of magic from Nobunaga, the increasing number of matchlock guns aimed at a single point.


    "Yikes, a serious Nobunaga is terrifying." Even as a toon monster, C¨² Chulainn broke into a cold sweat, facing the overwhelming firepower of Nobunaga''s matchlock guns.


    "Perish amidst three thousand worlds! Tenma Gourin!!" With a flick of Nobunaga''s right hand, a deluge of matchlock guns fired in unison, like a disciplined army, beginning a grand barrage. "Demon Descent! Behold, the Demon King''s Three-Line Formation!!"


    The barrage lasted for tens of seconds, creating a massive chasm between Pegasus and Hoshino''s fields. The rift, marked by the bullets, was filled with the smell of gunpowder and unbearable heat, perfectly separating Pegasus and Hoshino''s fields.


    "Master, I''ve bought us some time, so please recover quickly," Nobunaga called out to Hoshino, whose complexion was visibly improving after the attack.


    "I''m okay, Nobunaga. I''m much better now." Hoshino managed a weak smile at Nobunaga, forcing herself to stand. "Thanks to your efforts, we''ve managed to survive this turn, but the battle isn''t over yet."


    "Ha ha ha ha! With the Sixth Demon King now on the field, what do you have to worry about, Master?" Nobunaga laughed heartily, sending Hoshino a reassuring look. "I''m not as weak as that man-slayer(Okita); those two monsters are no match for me."


    [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star) ][Fire][Warrior/Effect][ATK3000/DEF2500]


    "In the final moment, you found yourself again, Hoshino-girl¡­" Pegasus''s expression grew complex as he gazed at the large trench filled with gunpowder between him and Hoshino. "Such resilient mental strength¡ªno wonder you''re favored by the spirits."


    "Does my awakening trouble you, Pegasus?" With her physical and mental state significantly improved thanks to Nobunaga buying her time, Hoshino began to regain her usual composure. "Or are you more troubled by the monster I summoned?"


    With Nobunaga''s 3000 attack points, she perfectly outclassed Pegasus''s two Toon monsters, including C¨² Chulainn. Moreover, Pegasus''s Toon monsters had already attacked and couldn''t switch to a defense position. If Pegasus had no countermeasures this turn, Nobunaga''s assault next turn could easily take out Pegasus''s remaining 400 Life Points.


    "Only one card left, right, Pegasus~" Hoshino, still leaning on the table, couldn''t resist taunting him, "Can this last card save you from defeat?"


    "Hoshino-chan, do you have to keep tempting fate at a time like this¡­" Da Vinci''s voice, filled with exasperation, echoed from the wristband.


    "Ha ha ha, just being able to stand up is commendable, Hoshino-girl~" Pegasus, placing his last card on the table, remained composed. "My last card is the magic card [Toon Table of Contents].''"


    [Toon Table of Contents: Add 1 [Toon] card from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Pegasus''s last card is a universal search card for Toon cards!" Jonouchi lamented, having thought that Hoshino was already in the clear. "If there''s another powerful Toon card in Pegasus''s deck, it could be troublesome."


    "As a reward, let me show you something no one has ever seen before a new Toon monster!" Raising the card high, Pegasus wore a confident smile. "I tribute my two Toon monsters on the field to summon a monster from my hand¡­"


    "Finally liberated, huh? Sorry, Master, for causing so much trouble." As C¨² Chulainn, freed from control, vanished in the sacrificial light, he worried more about Hoshino''s state than his predicament. "Master, no matter what challenges you face, please don''t give up."


    Scratching his head, C¨² Chulainn disappeared from the field, "I''m going to be scolded by everyone when I get back. What a headache¡­"


    "I tribute summon [Toon Ancient Gear Golem]!" As Pegasus slapped the card on the table, the entire field shook. In the dilapidated Toon castle, a massive, somewhat worn-looking mechanical golem, half-kneeling, grabbed onto the crumbling castle tower and slowly rose to its feet.


    "Is this a Toon monster?" Hoshino, feeling a sense of foreboding, looked up at the towering mechanical giant, almost reaching the ceiling. "This has way too much presence for a Toon monster!"


    [Toon Ancient Gear Golem¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) Earth][Machine/Effect][ATK3000/DEF3000]


    [¢Ù This card cannot attack the turn it is summoned flipped face-up, or Special Summoned.


    ¢ÚIf [Toon World] is on the field and your opponent controls no Toon monsters, this card can attack your opponent directly.


    ¢Û If this card attacks, your opponent cannot activate Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step.


    ¢ÜIf this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent.]


    "This is my most magnificent and cute, new Toon monster." Pegasus spread his arms wide, like a child showing off a new toy. "A new generation of Toon monsters that can stay on the field without [Toon World] and doesn''t require Life Points to attack. Truly a flawless monster~"


    "I''m not even going to comment on how you call it a new Toon monster when it''s Ancient Gear Golem." Hoshino, with an annoyed expression, complained to Pegasus. "Don''t you feel ashamed creating such OP cards for yourself?"


    "Heh heh, Hoshino-girl, the strength of Duel Monster cards isn''t decided by me." Shaking his head with a smile, Pegasus rejected Hoshino''s accusation. "It''s the spirits who choose the cards, and I merely create them."


    "I don''t understand, I don''t care, no way!" Hoshino swiftly dismissed his words, urging Pegasus, "You have no cards left. it''s my turn now?"


    "Please proceed~"


    "My turn, draw!" Raising her right hand, which she had been using to support herself, Hoshino drew a new card.


    Feeling something was off, Hoshino leaned toward the wristband, asking quietly, "Hey, Da Vinci-san, we''re in a Shadow Game right now. Won''t that trigger that thing called Destiny Draw?"


    Noticing no change in the wristband, Hoshino seemed a bit disappointed, realizing she couldn''t trigger a Destiny Draw.


    "Hoshino-chan, D-Draw is a function that lets you draw a card from your deck in a desperate situation, potentially turning the tide with one card." Da Vinci''s voice patiently explained from the wristband, "If D-Draw isn''t triggered, it means your deck doesn''t currently have a card that can decisively turn the game around."


    "So there''s no card that can turn the tide in one move, huh?" Frowning, Hoshino glanced at the card she had just drawn. "Or maybe there are no winning cards left in my deck¡­"


    "..." Da Vinci remained silent, seemingly agreeing with Hoshino''s assessment.


    "Sigh, this card came at the worst time. Is my luck running out?" Hoshino sighed, looking at the current situation on the field. The 3000 attack points Ancient Gear Golem matched Nobunaga''s, but the opponent was a Toon monster.


    The fate of a regular monster clashing with a Toon monster? Remembering the unfortunate fate of Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon against Toon Blue-Eyes, it was clear.


    "Anyway, since my turn started, I gained another Command Spell!" The dark red glow marked the final Command Spell on Hoshino''s hand.


    [Command Seal] x3


    "Even with all these Command Seals, there''s only Nobunaga on the field. And my deck doesn''t have any cards that synergize specifically with Nobunaga. What a waste." Hoshino muttered quietly, glancing at the Command Seals on her hand and Nobunaga''s innocently smiling face on the field.


    "Guess I have no choice but to try my luck! I activate the spell card [Nagging Quarrel] from my hand!" With a resigned look, Hoshino placed her last card on the table.


    [Nagging Quarrel: Can be activated when there are 2 or more [Nobu] monsters in your Graveyard. ¢Ù: Both players draw one card. ¢Ú: If the drawn card is a monster card, reveal it to the opponent and draw one more card once. ¢Û: Then, restore your Life Points by X150 the number of cards drawn by both players.]


    "If only I had a god card like Yugi''s [Card of Sanctity], it would be so easy to turn the tables." Hoshino, drawing a card from her deck, prayed silently, "Please, let it be a useful card!"


    "Draw!"


    "Ha ha¡­ it''s hard to say if this is good or bad at this moment." Hoshino, with an awkward smile, showed her newly drawn card to Pegasus. "The card I drew is the monster card [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus], so according to the effect, I can draw one more card."


    "I drew the monster card [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands], so according to the effect, I can also draw another card." Unexpectedly, Pegasus had drawn a monster, but it wasn''t a Toon monster. "And because I drew two cards in a row, according to the effect of [Solemn Wishes] my Life Points are restored by 1000."


    Pegasus LP: 400 ¡ú 1400


    "And that''s why this card came at the worst time." Seeing Pegasus''s restored Life Points, Hoshino revealed the real reason she didn''t want to use this card. "Never thought I''d end up healing the opponent¡­"


    "And now, for the final draw!" Placing her hopes on this last draw, Hoshino squinted slightly, sneaking a peek as if that would somehow strengthen the card she drew.


    "Nobu!" Seeing the final card, Hoshino suddenly called out to Nobunaga in front of her.


    "???"


    "Maybe we can defeat that giant in front of us!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 97 - 97

    "Victory? Against this thing¡­" Nobunaga looked up at the towering Ancient Gear Golem, commenting, "Although I prefer modern-style giant robots, this retro style has its charm. It would be even better if it weren''t in cartoonish form."


    "This isn''t the time to discuss your robot fetish; get ready to move!" Hoshino urged Nobunaga, snapping her out of her fantasy.


    "Master? You said to attack, but where do I even start with something this huge?" Nobunaga, still surveying the giant, seemed to suggest that with an equal attack power of 3000, she couldn''t defeat the giant.


    "Hmph, I never said you''d be the one fighting~" Hoshino gave a smile and placed the second card she drew on the table. "A giant robot should be dealt with by another giant robot!"


    "Oh, oh! A battle between giant robots! Just thinking about it gets me fired up, Master!" Nobunaga, realizing Hoshino''s strategy, was visibly excited.


    "First, I summon the monster card, [Silver Mecha Nobu]!" A smaller version of the Giant Mecha Nobu, Silver Mecha Nobu, appeared on the field, raising its mechanical arm enthusiastically.


    [Silver Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars) Light][Machine/Effect][ATK1500/DEF500]


    "It''s Silver Mecha Nobu!" Nobunaga, recognizing the familiar form on the field, seemed to know the routine. "Since Silver Nobu is here, next must be¡­"


    "Exactly!"


    Nodding emphatically, Hoshino played another card. "I activate Silver Mecha Nobu''s special effect!"


    [When this card is summoned or Special Summoned, you can Special Summon one [Nobu] monster from your deck, except [Silver Mecha Nobu].]


    "I Special Summon [Gold Mecha Nobu] from my deck!"


    [Gold Mecha Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 Stars) Light][Machine/Effect][ATK2000/DEF1000]


    "NOBU!" Gold Mecha Nobu appeared on the field with a serious expression.


    "Mm, the mischievous Silver Nobu and the serious Gold Nobu, they make a perfect pair." Nobunaga, looking satisfied, crossed her arms and nodded.


    "Enough chatter, it''s your turn, Nobu!" Hoshino, having played both cards, repeatedly tapped Nobunaga''s card on the table.


    "Hahaha, Master, you''re tickling me~" Nobunaga, initially looking cool with her arms crossed, now clutched her stomach, laughing. "Alright, alright, I''ll start right away!"


    "I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Oda Nobunaga]!"


    [If there are 5 [Nobu] monsters in your graveyard, you can tribute this card to Special Summon up to three [Nobu] monsters from your graveyard in Defense Position. The monsters summoned this way cannot be used as Tribute for a Tribute Summon.]


    "Although I didn''t get to fight this time, at least I made a big impact." As Nobunaga was tributed, she grumbled with a slightly reluctant expression, "Don''t think that Nobunaga is weak; remember the formula: one Nobunaga equals three Nobus!"


    Since Nobunaga was summoned by the effect of [Final Guard], she was not sent to the graveyard but was instead banished from the game.


    "You guys!" As she was about to disappear, Nobunaga adjusted her hat and, with a serious expression, gave her final order to the three Nobus that had appeared on the field, "Make sure to win!!"


    "NOBU!!" x3


    The three Nobus saluted in unison, watching Nobunaga''s departure.


    "Well, time to head back and hang out with Okita."


    "Because of Oda Nobunaga''s special effect, I Special Summon three Nobus from the graveyard in Defense Position!" After tributing Nobunaga, Hoshino quickly played three monster cards on the table.


    "Come forth, Nobu Corps! Gold and Silver Giant Mecha Nobu!"


    [Nobu Corps DEF100]


    [Gold Giant Mecha Nobu DEF2000]


    [Silver Giant Mecha Nobu DEF1000]


    "Hahaha, that''s quite an amusing strategy, Hoshino-girl!" Pegasus clapped, seemingly impressed with Hoshino''s rapid field-filling tactics. "If Duel Monsters were about summoning weak monsters quickly, you''d surely be number one."


    "But, weak monsters are still weak! You don''t have [United We Stand], so summoning more monsters won''t help, will it?" Pegasus, aware that Hoshino''s last card was [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus], stated this with confidence, knowing that both sides were almost openly revealing their hands.


    "Chiyuki, what are you planning?" Mai, watching the duel nervously, didn''t understand Hoshino''s strategy. "Pegasus has [Toon Ancient Gear Golem] on the field with piercing damage. If the Nobu Corps in Defense Position are attacked, Chiyuki will lose."


    "Haha, Pegasus, I admit your Ancient Gear Golem combined with [Toon Kingdom] is strong, but¡­" Hoshino shouted, mimicking Nobunaga''s gesture of pointing to the sky, exuding a powerful aura despite being extremely weak physically.


    "Our goal is the stars and the sea!!"


    "!!!" Pegasus looked shocked, unable to believe that Hoshino still had such a strong spirit. "You still have such strong willpower, Hoshino-girl?"


    "Fusion, Nobus!" Hoshino, using all her strength, shouted her final battle command to the five Nobus on the field.


    "NO!BU!" x5


    "Fusion?" Jounouchi and Honda, eyes wide, seemed infected by Hoshino''s aura and became excited. "Can these strange-looking Nobus combine?"


    "Of course they can!" Hoshino answered loudly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "As long as there''s spirit, the ultimate fusion is possible!"


    As she finished speaking, the five Nobus leaped into the air, converging at a single point.


    Gold and Silver Mecha Nobu: "Nobunobu! (We''ll form the legs!)"


    Silver Giant Nobu: "NOBU! (I''ll form the arms!)"


    Gold Giant Nobu: "NOBU!! (I''ll form the body!)"


    Nobu Corps: "Nobu! (I''ll form the head!)"


    "Fusion! Five Nobu Union!" Slamming the newly fused card onto the table, Hoshino glared at Pegasus''s field. "Pegasus! Your beloved Toon Kingdom and Toon Ancient Gear Golem will be obliterated by my ultimate, unrivaled super robot!"


    "Fusion Summon, [Mazinger Nobu]!!"


    [Mazinger Nobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 Stars) Light][Machine/Fusion/Effect][ATK4000/DEF3000]


    ["Nobu Corps" + 4 Machine-Type monsters with [Nobu] in their names]


    [Can only be Special Summoned by banishing the above cards from your field. (No Polymerization card required)]


    After the fusion, the enormous Mazinger Nobu descended slowly from the sky. Its massive form landed heavily on the ground, creating a windstorm that swept away the remaining ruins of Toon Castle, including the once-standing castle gate.


    "It fused! So cool!" Jounouchi and Honda''s eyes lit up, fully grasping the concept of ''giant robot is a man''s romance.'' "This is a complete turnaround, Hoshino is incredible!"


    "Pegasus, because of Mazinger Nobu''s effect, your Toon Kingdom has been destroyed!" Hoshino exclaimed, watching the ruins dissipate like smoke, knowing she had finally broken the invincible Toon myth.


    [¢Ù: This card''s Summon cannot be negated by other card effects. When this card is successfully Summoned, destroy all Spell and Trap cards on the field.]


    However, the three Command Seals on Hoshino''s hand also dissipated with the wind.


    "Impossible, my [Toon Kingdom] has the protection of [Field Barrier]. Even if the effect destroys all Spell and Trap cards, according to the rules, [Toon Kingdom] should remain," Pegasus said, frowning, refusing to accept what had happened.


    "Oh? You''re talking about your [Field Barrier]~" Hoshino tilted her head and feigned innocence. "That thing was already negated by [Gold Giant Mecha Nobu]."


    [Gold Giant Mecha Nobu Effect: You can target one face-up card each on your and your opponent''s fields, other than this card; those cards'' effects are negated until the end of the turn.]


    "Your Field Barrier is nothing in the face of Nobu''s strategy!"


    "Hmph, I never imagined that Hoshino''s Nobus could hide such immense power!" Even Yugi, rarely showing satisfaction, smiled at the sight of Mazinger Nobu, who stood as tall as the Ancient Gear Golem. "Hoshino, you''ve come this far, so don''t overthink it, just go all out!"


    "Alright!" Raising her right fist in response to Yugi''s encouragement, Hoshino continued her play. "Because I successfully summoned [Mazinger Nobu], according to its effect, I will Special Summon as many [Mazinger Nobu Tokens] as possible to my field!"


    [¢Ú: When this card is successfully summoned, you can Special Summon [Mazinger Nobu Tokens] (Machine-Type/Light/4 Stars/ATK/DEF 2000) to your field as many as possible. Tokens cannot attack the turn they are summoned.]


    [Mazinger Nobu Token¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars) Light][Machine] x4


    The field, which had been somewhat empty after the fusion, was instantly filled again, living up to the title Pegasus had given her as the fastest field-filling duelist.


    "It''s time for the showdown, Pegasus!" Hoshino, having completely turned the tables, launched an attack on Pegasus''s Ancient Gear Giant. "A final battle between giant robots is a rare sight indeed."


    "Attack the [Toon Ancient Gear Golem] on Pegasus''s field, Mazinger Nobu!"


    "Interesting, Hoshino-girl! Even though they looked like a bunch of weak monsters, they''ve created something as colossal as a war god." Gritting his teeth, Pegasus also ordered his Ancient Gear Golem to counterattack. "Don''t hold back, engage [Toon Ancient Gear Golem]!"


    The comical yet huge silhouette contrasted sharply with the imposing Mazinger Nobu. The two giant robots, both nearly breaking the ceiling, took steps toward each other. The massive chasm created by Nobunaga''s attack last turn seemed insignificant in front of the giants.


    Despite the giant size, it took only two steps for them to be within striking distance of the limited duel arena. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Charge, Mazinger Nobu!" Jounouchi and Honda were filled with excitement, inspired by the giant form and the weight of the machinery.


    As they spoke, Mazinger Nobu and the Ancient Gear Nobu simultaneously swung their massive iron fists at each other.


    "Is this... a giant robot version of the Cross CounterPunch?" Jounouchi and Honda recognized the familiar stance. In a Cross CounterPunch, both sides get hurt, but... "Hoshino''s monster has higher attack power! So..."


    "So you have no chance of winning, Pegasus!" Hoshino shouted, putting her all into the command as if unleashing an ultimate move. "Feel the burning soul on this iron fist!"


    "Steel Spirit!!"


    With Hoshino''s shout, the seemingly ordinary punch of Mazinger Nobu suddenly burned with a layer of emerald green starlight, as if the very soul itself was ablaze.


    "Without the protection of [Toon Kingdom], even if the Toon Giant can still exist without relying on the field card, it is no longer indestructible!" Hoshino, straining to support her overexerted body, smirked with satisfaction. "This punch, this is a punch that can break through the stars and the sea! Go, Mazinger Nobu!"


    "Starbreaker!!"


    The emerald green starlight that covered the fist violently expanded and flickered as if ignited. The soul power that burst forth accurately met the Ancient Gear Golem''s iron fist.


    "Tenka Goken: One-Hit-Kill Star Shattering Fist!!"


    The moment the fists of the Ancient Gear Golem and Mazinger Nobu made contact, the already somewhat outdated body of the Toon Giant began to disintegrate from the arm, unable to withstand the impact. Thousands of parts scattered across the arena, and like other destroyed monsters, it dissolved into a pile of holographic fragments.


    [Toon Ancient Gear Golem] Destroyed


    Pegasus LP 1400 ¡ú 400


    After the attack, Hoshino realized she had overexerted her mental energy. Her entire body felt like it was falling apart, unresponsive. In a Shadow Game, not only does taking damage consume significant mental energy, but controlling monsters to attack does as well, and the stronger the monster, the greater the consumption.


    "How about that, Pegasus!" Despite her condition, Hoshino couldn''t help but feel a surge of joy seeing Mazinger Nobu destroy Pegasus''s Ancient Gear Golem.


    "Your precious Toon Kingdom and strongest Toon monster have been wiped out by me, by the Starbreaking Fist!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 98 - 98

    "Miss Hoshino, are you okay?" Holmes, noticing something was off with Hoshino, asked with concern, "That last strike took a lot out of you, especially after taking 2500 points of direct damage. If you keep pushing yourself like this..."


    "I know, Mr. Holmes..." Hoshino shook her head, interrupting Holmes. "But look at the field now; I''m close to winning. It''s not the time to worry about little mental fatigue."


    After the reversal punch, Pegasus'' field was empty. Even the continuous trap card [Solemn Wishes], which he relied on to restore life points, had been destroyed by the cyclone.


    "The victory is almost certain, just one more hit. If I can hold on until the next turn, it''ll be over..."


    "It''s not just a little mental fatigue, Hoshino-chan..." Da Vinci''s voice from the wristband was equally concerned.


    "Turn end, it''s your turn, Pegasus!"


    Though Hoshino''s field was filled with [Mazinger Nobu Tokens] each with an attack power of 2000, due to their effect, the tokens couldn''t attack in the turn they were summoned. So even though Pegasus had only 400 life points left, she couldn''t defeat him directly this turn.


    "Hoshino doesn''t seem quite right," Yugi said softly, furrowing his brows, also noticing Hoshino''s unusual state.


    "Hoshino''s mental strength is probably completely exhausted," Bakura, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "What keeps her going now isn''t physical strength or mental stamina, but sheer determination to win."


    "But, look at Pegasus; he''s not in great shape either," Jonouchi pointed at Pegasus, who stood motionless at the edge of the platform after taking a hit. "Now, Hoshino is just a step away from victory. Knowing her personality, there''s no way she''d give up now."


    "Chiyuki..."


    On the other side of the platform, Pegasus kept his head down, hiding his expression under his bangs. The full-force strike from Hoshino''s last turn must have dealt significant damage, likely more than what Hoshino expended in launching the attack. However, Pegasus'' original mental state was better, and coupled with the dark power of the Millennium Eye, he hadn''t lost consciousness like Hoshino had.


    "Hey, Pegasus, stop pretending to be dead!" Jonouchi shouted at the unresponsive Pegasus, "If you''re planning to surrender, hurry up and do it. Don''t use such a despicable stalling tactic!"


    "Hehehe, hahahaha!" Pegasus'' head, still covered by his bangs, suddenly emitted a disgusting laugh in response to Jonouchi''s outburst.


    "Good, very good. None of you are leaving here alive!" Pegasus suddenly looked up, laughing maniacally. As he did, his bangs shifted, revealing the Millennium Eye, glowing ominously with black light, along with the bulging veins around it.


    "Pegasus... was the Millennium Eye always this disgusting?" Hoshino looked repulsed, hesitant to look directly at Pegasus'' veiny face.


    "No, this can''t be called Pegasus anymore; it should be called Millennium Pegasus!" Da Vinci said seriously from the wristband.


    "Da Vinci, please, stop with the pointless jokes..."


    "Ahem, in any case, Pegasus'' personality has been completely consumed by the Millennium Eye. The person in front of us is not Pegasus, but the Millennium Eye using his body."


    "The Millennium Eye using Pegasus'' body..." Realizing she was dueling against something inhuman, Hoshino felt a chill. However, seeing Spartacus in her hand helped her regain some composure.


    "Both sides have laid their cards on the table now. Even with all its power, the Millennium Eye can''t pull off a miracle now, can it?"


    "Hoshino-chan, could you stop setting such ominous flags..." Da Vinci quipped back, mimicking Hoshino''s earlier tone.


    "Hmm, it''s my turn now," the Millennium Eye sneered, forcing a stiff, sinister smile. "Draw..."


    "Hoshino-chan, Pegasus'' draw seems off!" Da Vinci, who had maintained a steady tone, suddenly grew anxious. "Is this a D-Draw?"


    "What, D-Draw? Pegasus can do that too?" Hoshino stared in shock as the card Pegasus drew emitted a black glow. Even a fool could tell it was no ordinary draw. "Da Vinci, you told me D-Draw was exclusive to the Millennium Bracelet!"


    "It looks like D-Draw, but it''s probably just a similar ability. Be careful, Hoshino-chan!"


    "Hehehe, Chiyuki Hoshino, let me show you the true terror hidden within the depths of these cards," the Millennium Eye said in a mechanical voice, tossing a card onto the table. "I summon the monster card, [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands]."


    Alongside Hoshino''s Spartacus, a new monster card, [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands], appeared on the field. Because it was a face-up card, Hoshino knew it wasn''t the one Pegasus just drew.


    [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Light] [Fairy/Effect ATK1400/DEF1000]


    True to its name, the body of the [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands] was covered with countless arms. Although the card stated it belonged to the Fairy type, its menacing face resembled that of an Asura. In the eerie darkness of the field, it appeared even more terrifying.


    "Upon summoning, [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands] activates its special effect."


    "[This card''s effect activates when it is summoned or flip-summoned. Add 1 Ritual Monster or 1 Ritual Spell Card from your deck to your hand.]"


    "I add the Ritual Spell Card, [Black Illusion Ritual], to my hand." After a simple search, the Millennium Eye drew the Ritual Spell card.


    "Adding a Ritual Spell Card to his hand? Could the card Pegasus drew this turn be a Ritual Monster?" Despite the mental fatigue that even affected her thinking, Hoshino tried to deduce Pegasus'' intention. "But a Ritual Monster requires sacrifices of enough levels. To defeat the [Mazinger Nobu], the Ritual Monster should have a high level, right? But Pegasus now..."


    Indeed, Pegasus only had the level 4 [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands] on the field.


    "Then I activate [Black Illusion Ritual]..."


    "[Black Illusion Ritual: This card is used to Ritual Summon [Relinquished]. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 1 or more.]"


    "''Relinquished''? Level 1?!" Completely contrary to Hoshino''s expectations, she thought the Ritual Monster would be high-level, but it only required 1 level. "1 level? That''s too much! Even lower than Shakespeare! Can this defeat Mazinger Nobu?"


    After [Black Illusion Ritual] activated, a pot with a golden eye insignia suddenly appeared on the field, eerily similar to Pegasus'' Millennium Eye. If performing a dark ritual to start a shadow game required a specific setting, it would certainly look like this scene.


    "I tribute [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands] on my field to Ritual Summon the monster from my hand." Finally, Pegasus placed the monster he had just drawn onto the table. "Come forth, my strongest monster, [Relinquished]!"


    "[Relinquished ¡ï Dark] [Spellcaster/Effect ATK: 0 DEF: 0]"


    After the ritual, the monster Pegasus claimed embodied the deepest darkness hidden in the cards, [Relinquished], appeared on the field.


    "Ugh, what a disgusting monster!" The sharp contrast with the previous cute Toon monsters made Hoshino feel extremely uncomfortable.


    A massive spinning top-shaped body with a spherical head resembling an eye and a gaping, mouth-like cavity in its abdomen, [Relinquished] was indeed a sight that sent chills down one''s spine.


    "And its ATK and DEF are 0..." For some reason, in this situation, seeing a monster with 0 ATK made Hoshino feel uneasy.


    "Pegasus, what kind of bizarre monster is this? And why is its attack 0?" Jonouchi, completely oblivious to the tension, joked, "But this ugly monster does kind of match Pegasus'' veiny state."


    "Jonouchi..." Yugi called out helplessly, reminding him to be mindful of the atmosphere.


    The tension was palpable on the darkened duel platform.


    "Activate, [Relinquished]''s special effect." After a long wait, Pegasus finally activated the monster''s effect. If someone told Hoshino that a monster summoned with such effort and having 0 ATK had no effect, she wouldn''t believe it.


    "Begin, endless devouring!"


    Before she could finish her sentence, the gaping maw on the abdomen of [Relinquished] started emitting a thick, purple aura and slowly drifted towards [Mazinger Nobu]. Despite being one-tenth the size of Mazinger, Relinquished''s maw expanded to swallow it whole. To accommodate the entire monster, the maw stretched nearly tenfold, revealing its muscular texture in a way that instinctively filled Hoshino with fear.


    [¢Ù: Once per turn, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; equip it to this card as an Equip Spell. ¢Ú: This card''s ATK/DEF becomes equal to that of the monster equipped by this effect. If this card is destroyed by battle, the equipped monster is destroyed instead. Your opponent takes all battle damage that you would have taken from battles involving this card.]


    [Relinquished][ATK: 0 ¡ú 4000 DEF: 0 ¡ú 3500]


    Pieces of the disassembled Mazinger were scattered across Relinquished''s body after being devoured.


    "To think it would defeat my monster in such a manner¡­" Hoshino shivered, finally understanding the meaning behind Pegasus''s (Millennium Eye''s) words about the dark fears hidden within the cards.


    "Checkmate, Hoshino-girl~" Pegasus''s right hand, previously caressing the Millennium Eye, made an elegant sweeping gesture, issuing an attack command, "Relinquished end this duel."


    "Relinquished Radiant Beam!"


    At the Millennium Eye''s attack declaration, Relinquished, now enlarged from devouring Mazinger, emitted a green beam of light, which pierced through the [Mazinger Nobu Tokens] on Hoshino''s field, effortlessly breaching their sturdy mechanical bodies.


    "By destroying the [Mazinger Nobu Tokens], you will take 2000 points of damage." The Millennium Eye laughed maniacally, "In your current state, can you endure such a terrifying blow?"


    "Damn!" Holmes realized the danger and glanced at Hoshino''s remaining life points.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2100 ¡ú 100


    "AAAAAAH!!" The already extremely weakened Hoshino suffered another potentially fatal blow, akin to the one inflicted by the [Toon Summoned Skull].


    "MISS Hoshino!"


    "She won''t wake up again~" The Millennium Eye, well-acquainted with Shadow Games, knew the limits of human endurance to mental damage, "Hoshino Chiyuki, this Shadow Game is my victory."


    "Hoshino!" "Chiyuki!" The friends in the audience, shouting desperately, also realized the grave threat this blow posed to the weakened Hoshino.


    "Damn it, we were so close, how did it end up like this!" Jonouchi, nearly moved to tears, shouted in frustration.


    "Damn, damn you, Pegasus! You despicable Millennium Eye!" Honda, equally frustrated, pounded the hard railing in front of him, his knuckles bleeding from the force.


    "Chiyuki¡­" Mai, unable to bear the sight of the stage, turned her gaze to the unconscious Anzu. At this moment, Mai could no longer bring herself to tell Hoshino to hold on.


    "Hoshino¡­"


    "Anzu, Anzu, you''re awake?" No one expected Anzu, who had been unconscious, to regain consciousness at such a moment.


    "Did Hoshino win?" Anzu''s weakly opened eyes asked the question she had been worrying about even in her dreams. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "...." Silence, no one answered.


    "What''s wrong with you all?" Still lying in Mai''s arms, Anzu smiled faintly upon seeing the silent expressions, "Hoshino will win, right? That''s Hoshino, who even defeated Yugi."


    "Yes, Hoshino will win." Yugi, squatting down, tightly held Anzu''s cold hand, "Hoshino bears all our wills; she won''t lose easily!"


    "Yes, if even we don''t believe in Hoshino, who else will?" Following Yugi''s actions, Jonouchi and Honda also tightly held Anzu''s hand, "Although we don''t have the Symbol of Friendship, the power of our friendship will surely reach Hoshino."


    The Symbol of Friendship was a symbol that Anzu had drawn on everyone''s hands with a marker during Yugi''s duel against Kaiba. When the four of them put their hands together, it formed a smiley face-like face. Though the marker''s marks had long faded, the symbol of friendship was deeply engraved in their hearts.


    "Please, Symbol of Friendship, convey our thoughts to Hoshino!"


    ¡­.


    "Mr. Holmes¡­" Hoshino, who had been hanging her head, spoke weakly.


    "MISS Hoshino, Hoshino! How do you feel?" Holmes, who had been extremely worried from the beginning, called out in surprise upon seeing Hoshino finally regain consciousness.


    "I feel¡­ my chest is so hot¡­"


    "Your chest? Hot?" Realizing something, Holmes looked up, then smiled in relief, "I see."


    ----------Earlier


    "What is this feeling?" Hoshino, now at the stage, felt her heart swell with warmth.


    "Miss Hoshino, that''s the power of friendship," Holmes smiled, looking at her supportive friends.


    "For real?" Hoshino asked skeptical


    "For real." Holmes smiled answering her.


    "Power of friendship?" Hoshino smiled, looking at her right hand about to draw a card. "I used to think ''friendship'' was fake and cheesy, but this feeling, this warmth in my chest, makes me stronger!"


    (***)


    "So, this is the so-called power of friendship!" Awakened by the surge of warmth, Hoshino looked up with determination. Her once hollow eyes were now filled with a burning fighting spirit.


    "Impossible! To wake up after suffering such damage, what a strong soul! How can a human have such a vast soul?" The Millennium Eye, showing fear, looked in disbelief at the revived Hoshino, "Such a dazzling soul¡­"


    "Millennium Eye, this is the power you, lost in darkness, can never surpass! The power of friendship!" Hoshino, gradually regaining her composure, raised her right hand, which shone with a golden light, "It''s my turn now, isn''t it!"


    "Hoshino-chan!" Da Vinci, equally thrilled by Hoshino''s revival, shouted excitedly, "Destiny Draw, has activated!"


    "Impossible, impossible that there''s still a chance to turn this around." The Millennium Eye, terrified, instinctively retreated, shaking his head in denial, "Not to mention you can''t defeat [Relinquished]. Even if you could destroy it, you''d have to bear the damage due to its effect. You''re like a candle in the wind¡­"


    Realizing he had misspoken, the Millennium Eye quickly covered his mouth.


    "Millennium Eye, you just said it¡­" Smiling at the flustered Millennium Eye, Hoshino reached for her final deck with her golden-glowing right hand, "You just said it! Like a candle in the wind!"


    "This is hope! This is the power to reverse fate, Destiny Draw!"


    "This is the Destiny Draw that will change fate!" The radiant draw stood in stark contrast to the dark draw from the previous round with the Millennium Eye. Unlike the despair brought by the Black Illusion Ritual, this trace of light, defying fate, was sure to bring hope for victory.


    "Did Hoshino feel the power of our friendship?" Watching Hoshino''s regained spirit and the Millennium Bracelet glowing gold on her right wrist, Yugi couldn''t help but recall the similar golden glow that pierced the darkness of despair during Bakura''s shadow game yesterday.


    "But in this situation, is there a way to win?" Though happy about Hoshino''s recovery, based on his understanding of the duel, Jounouchi felt the situation was almost hopeless.


    "I remember Hoshino has a Spartacus card. If she summons it directly and crashes into Pegasus, triggering Spartacus''s destruction effect, then with Pegasus''s remaining 400 life points..." This was the only way Jounouchi could think of, but doing so would undoubtedly lead to Hoshino''s defeat first.


    "Heh, heh, even if we rack our brains here, it won''t do any good, Jounouchi," said Yugi, arms crossed and smiling, looking relaxed. "We just have to watch quietly and see how Hoshino creates a miracle..."


    "That''s right... just as she protected all our soul cards and perfectly defeated the Millennium Wheel yesterday." Yugi thought to himself, full of confidence in Hoshino. "This time, she won''t lose to the Millennium Eye either!"


    "She''s just bluffing..." Quickly regaining his composure, the Millennium Eye was no longer in a panic. "I don''t care what friendship power brought you back, if you can''t win this shadow game, you''re still on a path to destruction!"


    "I will win, Millennium Eye!" Without even looking at the card she drew, Hoshino seemed to know exactly what it was. "I believe in the cards that have fought alongside me until now, and I also believe in the perfect functionality designed by the genius Da Vinci."


    "Millennium Eye! If there''s any card in my deck that can send you to hell, it has to be this one!" Surprisingly, Hoshino didn''t even look at her card, placing all the remaining cards on the table. "This is the will of humanity, the will of heroes, the will that transcends mystery! The power of the Guardian Spirits!"


    "Summon [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK1500/DEF1500]


    "To destroy with love, to create with love, to pave the way for the future with love!"


    "Even if you summon such a small fry monster at this point, it won''t do any good." The Millennium Eye, with a twisted and contorted expression, yelled at the roaring Spartacus on the battlefield.


    "And now, activate the final Spell Card, the Ritual Spell [Call of the Guardian Spirits - Death]!" This card, which Hoshino hadn''t even looked at, was the crystallization of the Destiny Draw, and the only card Hoshino believed could send the Millennium Eye to hell.


    [Call of the Guardian Spirits ¨C Death Ritual Spell: Necessary to summon [Heroic Spirit] Ritual Monster. From your hand and field, release monsters whose total levels equal or exceed the level of the Ritual Monster to be summoned, and summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] Ritual Monster from your hand or Deck.]


    "She can tell what card she drew without looking!" Honda shouted, amazed by Hoshino''s confident actions. "So Hoshino is going to use a Ritual Monster to face Pegasus''s Ritual Fiend?"


    "It''s not about facing Pegasus, it''s about destroying the Millennium Eye!" Correcting Honda, Hoshino waved her hand, deciding on the monsters for the ritual tribute.


    "I sacrifice the 3 [Mazinger Nobu Tokens] on my field for the ritual!" The mysterious light of hope quickly enveloped the only three remaining tokens on Hoshino''s field. "Total ritual level..."


    "Twelve stars!"


    "!!" The group was utterly shocked. The one-star ritual monster Pegasus had just summoned was already strange enough. But here, Hoshino was raising the level straight to the maximum.


    "A twelve-star ritual monster! Does Hoshino''s deck still have such a powerful card?" Although they hadn''t seen its true form yet, Yugi was certain that a monster with a level as high as twelve stars wouldn''t be weak.


    "Yes, I knew you were always there..." As if answering Yugi''s question or speaking to someone beside her, Hoshino closed her eyes and quietly felt.


    A faint bell rang in the dark space.


    "Why is there a bell ringing?" Anzu, still unable to get up and relying on sound to judge the situation, was the first to react. "This bell... it sounds so peaceful, like..."


    "Like a requiem~"


    "What is this sound!" The Millennium Eye, hearing a completely different tone from Anzu, held his head, struggling against the long, funeral-like sound.


    "¡ª Hast thou heard this bell''s toll? It marketh the end of thy destiny."


    "Who''s talking, who''s there?!" The Millennium Eye, already somewhat mentally unstable, asked in fear.


    "It''s the one who will sever your millennium-long fate, Millennium Eye!" Hoshino, pleased with the card now in her hand, finally grasped victory with slightly trembling hands.


    "Ritual Summon Monster!" Placing the final card on the table, the entire space seemed to fall into the silence of a deep valley. "[Heroic Spirit ¨C Grand Assassin Old Man of the Mountain]!"


    There were no special effects or sounds, not even the operation of the holographic projection device could be felt. In the silence, an old man, cloaked in a linen robe and face obscured, stood on Hoshino''s field.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Grand Assassin Old Man of the Mountain ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12) Dark] [Fairy/Ritual/Effect ATK:0 DEF:0]


    "A twelve-star ritual monster, but it has 0 attack power!" Watching the peaceful old man who seemed to blend into the surrounding darkness, Jounouchi found it hard to believe.


    In contrast, the increasingly frantic Millennium Eye, like staring into the abyss, looked at the old man before him, "You want to sever my millennium-long fate?! Do you dare to make a move? If you even scratch my [Relinquished], that girl with only 100 life points will never leave here alive!"


    "No death, no life; only by death doth life endure. The fate thou dost speak of is not just, but wicked. This vessel of calamity, begotten of human iniquity. The darkness that doth seek return is the root that doth cast thee aside..."


    "What are you saying?!" The Millennium Eye, now shaking uncontrollably, could only watch as the cloaked old man slowly approached him, revealing a large sword hidden under the cloak.


    Just as naturally as swinging his own body, the old man gently swung the huge sword with one hand. In an instant, the entire dark space shattered and crumbled.


    "The title of Grand is unneeded; the proof of mightiest strength doth lie solely in this single stroke¡­.Azrael [Angel That Foretells Death]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 99 - 99

    "The space of the Shadow Game has been destroyed!" After a single slash, a large rift appeared in the previously impenetrable darkness. Long-missed light poured in through the rift, and under the sunlight, the entire dark space began to crumble from the edges of the rift.


    "Can you destroy the space of the Dark Game with physical force?" Yugi, well-acquainted with the concept of Shadow Games, struggled to understand what was happening before him. "The duel isn''t over yet, but the Shadow Game ended prematurely. Why..."


    However, the clear sound of breaking gave Yugi his final answer. On the stage, Pegasus, standing dazed, saw the golden orb of his left eye begin to crack from the middle, splitting into two halves.


    .


    ..


    ¡­


    "Impossible! The Millennium Item has been destroyed!" Far away in Egypt, Shadi suddenly awoke from meditation, his face full of disbelief. "The Millennium Eye has disappeared from this world. This has never happened in thousands of years..."


    "Pharaoh, what exactly happened to you?"


    Meanwhile, in the audience, another person shared a similar reaction. As the Millennium Wheel on his chest shook wildly, Bakura''s expression twisted in disbelief. "Destroying a Millennium Item is unheard of. Who exactly is Chiyuki Hoshino?!"


    "What happened to me?" With the destruction of the Millennium Eye, Pegasus regained his original personality and innocently looked around at the dissipating darkness and the golden fragments of the Millennium Eye continuously falling from his left eye. "Has the Shadow Game ended?"


    "Yes, everything has ended, Pegasus, including the lingering regrets that have troubled you for years." Looking at the collapsing world after the old man of the mountain''s slash, Hoshino smiled in relief. "Truly impressive, Gramps. No wonder you''re the Grand Assassin; with a single strike, you gave the concept of death to the invincible Tiamat."


    "Past valor needeth not be recounted, mine contractor."


    "So, what exactly happened? What happens when a monster with 0 ATK clashes with a monster with 4000 ATK like the [Relinquished]?" With a thick-skinned attitude, Jounouchi seemed unaffected by the collapsing dark space and was more concerned about the state of the duel.


    "Yes, the duel should continue." Hoshino nodded, also feeling there was no need to delay further. "Activate [Heroic Spirit ¨C Grand Assassin Old Man of the Mountain] special effect. The controller of this card takes no damage from battles involving this card."


    This was the reason Hoshino hadn''t suffered any damage to her life points.


    "And most crucially, when [Old Man of the Mountain] declares an attack, it negates the effects of all cards on the opponent''s field!"


    "Hehe, so that''s your strategy, Hoshino-girl~" Pegasus chuckled, understanding Hoshino''s intention. "After that slash, my [Relinquished] effect was nullified, which means it no longer poses any threat to you."


    [Relinquished][ATK 4000 ¡ú 0]


    With the attack nullified by the [Old Man of The Mountain] effect, the [Relinquished] lost the ATK gained from absorbing the [Mazinger Nobu]. Now, the once formidable [Relinquished] looked with terrified eyes at the giant sword of Gramps, its large body cowering in the corner of the stage.


    "Haha, this monster, which was so arrogant before, now trembling to death!" Jounouchi laughed heartily, the victory assured and his spirits high.


    This reaction was understandable. When Tiamat, the god who didn''t understand the concept of death, felt the fear of death, her wails could be heard from the underworld to the human world. It''s no wonder a duel monster would be terrified after being slashed by a Grand Assassin.


    "And the most important effect of the [Old Man of the Mountain]..." From the start, Hoshino had been bragging about her gramp like a child showing off how amazing their grandparent was, her expression full of pride.


    "When [Old Man of the Mountain] leaves the field, it Special Summons a genuine [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hassan-I-Sabbah] from the Deck, hand, Graveyard, or banished zone, ignoring summoning conditions! Uh, not that I''m saying you''re not genuine, Gramps..."


    "Come forth, Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hassan-I-Sabbah]!" Excited, Hoshino watched as the field filled with the feathers of the angel of death, eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new monster.


    "Hoshino-chan, there''s no such card as [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hassan-I-Sabbah] in your Deck..." Da Vinci''s voice came again from the Millennium Bracelet, helpless. "Think carefully, when did you ever pull a card called [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hassan-I-Sabbah]?"


    "...." The excited smile on Hoshino''s face froze, her expression becoming increasingly awkward. "It seems, indeed, I never pull it."


    "And I don''t even understand where you got the card [Old Man of the Mountain] from. It''s not in the Heroic Spirit Deck system I designed!" Even the genius Da Vinci was now filled with confusion. "How do you know this card is in your Deck, Hoshino-chan?"


    "How do I know? Just, intuition?" As her excitement subsided and she regained her composure, Hoshino astonishingly realized she had summoned a card that had never been part of her Deck.


    "What is going on, Gramps..."


    However, there was no sign of her ''Gramps''. On the empty stage, only the trembling [Relinquished] and the ready-to-strike Spartacus remained.


    "Hehe, I see." Understanding the situation, Hoshino gave a wry smile.


    "It''s time to end this, Pegasus!" Pointing her right hand at her opponent, Hoshino was about to conclude her long duel in the Duelist Kingdom. "Whether or not I can summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hassan-I-Sabbah] doesn''t matter! Spartacus can resolve everything!"


    "Ugh! Master, it''s been a hard journey!" Spartacus grinned widely, wielding his large sword with strength. "Let me finish it!"


    "Go, Spartacus! Now nothing can stop us from reaching victory!" Watching as Spartacus roared and charged at the enormous figure opposite him, Hoshino felt a surge of emotion.


    ("So this is how it ends, summoning Spartacus in attack mode!")


    The first card Hoshino played in the Kingdom, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus], was now helping her conclude her final battle there. Although it had only been two days, it felt like the most eventful and longest experience of her life.


    "A journey through the Duelist Kingdom that begins and ends with Spartacus feels unexpectedly fitting!" Hoshino smiled contentedly, thinking that even if Jounouchi called Spartacus her ace/soul card now, she would gladly accept it.


    "Let''s end this! The rebellious morning star that illuminates the earth!!"


    Pegasus J. Crawford LP: 400 ¡ú 0


    "Duel over, the winner is Chiyuki Hoshino!!"


    "The duel is over, and the winner is Chiyuki Hoshino!" The familiar electronic announcement marked the end of the final match of Duelist Kingdom.


    "Chiyuki¡­ she really won¡­" Mai, covering her mouth in excitement, could hardly believe what she was seeing.


    "This is great, Hoshino won, really great." Anzu, in Mai''s arms, also felt relieved upon hearing the announcement of the final victory.


    "Hoshino defeated Pegasus, which means¡­" Jounouchi and Honda exchanged a knowing glance and then put their shoulders together, "It means Hoshino is now the Duel King!"


    "The Duel King¡­ Hoshino, you finally did it~" Yami Yugi, showing a satisfied smile, unconsciously returned control of the body to Yugi.


    "Oh ho ho, I lost completely, Hoshino-girl. You played perfectly~" Pegasus admitted his defeat gracefully and didn''t seem troubled by losing the Millennium Eye. On the contrary, he seemed relieved.


    "Pegasus, since Hoshino won, what about Grandpa and the Kaiba brothers'' souls?" Yugi reminded Pegasus loudly from the audience, as this was their primary reason for coming to the Duelist Kingdom.


    "Ho ho, don''t worry, Yugi-boy." Pegasus, looking up at Yugi, pulled out three cards marked with "Soul Prison." "The moment the Millennium Eye was destroyed, the power imprisoning the souls disappeared."


    Sure enough, the cards that were supposed to contain the souls of Sugoroku Mutou and the Kaiba brothers were now empty. "The souls are already returning to where they belong."


    "Then Grandpa''s soul is also¡­"


    "Yugi~" A familiar, elderly voice came from behind Yugi.


    "Grandpa!" For Yugi, this was undoubtedly the most familiar and desired voice.


    The translucent soul of Sugoroku Mutou stood behind them with a kind smile, "Yugi, you and your friends have worked hard these past few days. You''ve done an amazing job, and I''m so proud of you!"


    "Grandpa¡­" Yugi, scratching his head in embarrassment, looked apologetically at Sugoroku, "It wasn''t me who defeated Pegasus in the end."


    "Oh ho ho~" Sugoroku, with his hands behind his back, chuckled, "Grandpa saw everything. Although it was Hoshino who dueled Pegasus in the end, her victory was also thanks to the power of friendship among all of you. Through the power of friendship, you put your hearts into the cards and conveyed your strength. You are all excellent duelists!"


    "By the way, she''s Grandpa''s lifesaver. Such a wonderful girl, we must invite her to the toy shop after we return. I want to show her my collection of Blue-Eyes White Dragons~"


    "Invite Hoshino to our house¡­" For some reason, Yugi''s face showed a slight blush at his grandpa''s suggestion.


    "And, though it should be fine, you should hurry and check on your friends¡­" Sugoroku''s last words faded as his soul slowly disappeared.


    "Grandpa, has he been¡­ put to rest?" Jounouchi exclaimed, not thinking before he spoke, as Sugoroku''s soul vanished.


    "Jounouchi, are you an idiot? Of course, his soul is returning to Grandpa''s body at Yugi''s house!" Honda retorted, hitting Jounouchi''s head.


    "But Grandpa''s last words¡­"


    "Chiyuki!" Mai''s sudden concerned shout drew everyone''s attention back to the arena.


    After the duel ended, Hoshino hadn''t said a word. Everyone thought she was just too emotional from winning and needed time to calm down. But, unexpectedly, just as Yugi was saying goodbye to his grandpa''s soul, Hoshino suddenly collapsed without warning.


    "Hoshino!!"


    ...


    In her unconscious state, Hoshino seemed to be watching a series of memories flash by.


    Of course, they were not her own.


    My young mind was severely shocked.


    "This is my friend''s daughter, Cynthia. She''s the same age as you. I''m sure you two will become the best of friends, just like your fathers, hahaha!" My father''s hearty laughter as he patted the golden-haired girl named Cynthia on the head was the only thing I heard clearly. After that, the conversation between my father and his friend about ''staying over, trouble, bankruptcy'' and such complex words seemed blocked from my mind, making no sense.


    The girl in front of me, Cynthia, was just too beautiful. Her porcelain doll-like face, her golden hair shining under the sun, and those eyes that almost seemed to pull my soul in¡ªeverything about her was so elegant and graceful. At that moment, I thought that being friends with such a lovely girl made me the luckiest boy in the world.


    "H-Hello! My name is¡­" Determined to make a perfect introduction like a true gentleman, I started to speak.


    "Bah!!" I was stunned when Cynthia made a vulgar face, something I never expected from such an elegant girl.


    "I hate you rich kids. You all think you''re so great!"


    That was my first encounter with Cynthia.


    Later, I learned that Cynthia''s father was an old friend of my father. But recently, Cynthia''s father had some business troubles, and her parents had to leave for a while, so they asked my father to take care of Cynthia temporarily.


    My father was more than happy to help; after all, we had plenty of rooms, and they could always stay at the villa if needed. So, Cynthia came to stay with us.


    Naturally, I was the happiest about Cynthia staying at our house. Even though my first introduction failed, I thought I could still restore my gentlemanly image in her mind and become good friends.


    However, things didn''t go smoothly. Cynthia, who seemed obedient and well-behaved in front of adults, was completely different around me. She played pranks on me constantly.


    If my shoes or hat went missing, it meant Cynthia was in a good mood that day, satisfied with such a small prank. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eventually, I got used to finding frogs in my cup or skewered dragonflies in the oven.


    I thought these little pranks were just Cynthia''s way of coping with an unfamiliar environment. After all, not everyone can easily adjust to a new life. I didn''t blame her at all because cuteness is justice.


    "Pegasus, Are you a boy? Hahahaha~" As long as I could see Cynthia''s bright smile after a successful prank and hear her clear, bell-like laughter, I felt that a little scare was well worth it.


    Until she sank the pendant my mother left me into the pond¡­


    I finally realized I shouldn''t tolerate such rude behavior from her.


    Angry, I ignored Cynthia for several days, no matter what pranks she played on me.


    Cynthia seemed to sense my mood and stopped smiling brightly.


    Surprisingly, there were no more pranks in the following days, which I found somewhat unsettling. Cynthia spent her free time playing alone in the backyard, and my life seemed to return to how it was before she arrived.


    "Well, that''s not so bad~," I thought, rocking in my chair and flipping through my favorite comic book, "At least I still have my manga to keep me company. Nothing makes me happier than an interesting manga."


    But I knew I was lying to myself; I couldn''t focus on the interesting manga in my hands at all. My mind was completely preoccupied with what Cynthia might be doing right now.


    This anxious state continued for several days until I couldn''t bear it any longer. I made the most important decision of my life: "No, I have to make up with Cynthia!"


    At this time, Cynthia must still be playing in the backyard. I honestly didn''t know what was so fun about that insect-ridden place, but I ran out without hesitation.


    Then, at the corner of the corridor, I was knocked down by Cynthia, who was also running¡­


    Damn, how embarrassing for a boy.


    A flustered Cynthia helped me up from the ground. To be honest, it was the first time I saw Cynthia looking so worried about me, with an expression that was both hesitant and adorable. If I could see such a cute expression every time, she could knock me over as much as she liked.


    "Pegasus¡­" Cynthia finally spoke, as if she had made up her mind. It was the first time she called my name directly, without adding "you jerk" afterward.


    "Here, this is for you¡­" For the first time, I saw Cynthia looking so shy, so much so that I hadn''t noticed what she was holding in her small hands.


    "This is¡­ my mother''s pendant!" What delighted me even more than Cynthia''s behavior was the recovery of my mother''s heirloom.


    "But it sank into the pond, didn''t it? How¡­" My mind, like a manga detective, suddenly pieced together the whole story, "So you''ve been in the backyard every day, looking for this."


    The water in the backyard pond wasn''t deep, just barely reaching Cynthia''s thighs. However, the thick mud at the bottom made it difficult to retrieve anything once it sank.


    "Yes!" Cynthia nodded emphatically and handed the pendant to me. The moment my hand touched Cynthia''s, I felt something awaken within me; it was the first time I had touched a girl''s hand. "So soft¡­ This is what a girl''s hand feels like."


    My mind couldn''t help but conjure up an image of Cynthia rolling up her pant legs and sleeves, revealing her slender white legs, and bending over to search in the pond¡­


    Naturally, Cynthia and I made up, and our relationship grew even closer.


    I lost something called Cynthia''s Pranks, but I gained a friend named Cynthia. She would take me to play in the backyard, a place I had never liked going. But for some reason, being with Cynthia felt like discovering a new world, and every day was filled with new and exciting discoveries.


    After we got tired of playing, I would politely invite Cynthia to my room to read my treasured manga. At first, Cynthia, like me with the backyard, had no interest in the seemingly childish manga.


    But I have to admit, we both found ourselves liking them eventually.


    Cynthia''s parents never came to pick her up, but every season they sent letters of greeting and specialties from around the world. This made me wonder if they were avoiding debt or traveling the world.


    I wasn''t interested in Cynthia''s parents'' letters, nor did I want them to come and take her away. However, the various exotic souvenirs fascinated me.


    Sometimes it was a carved wooden elephant, jewelry with golden eyes.


    "So the world is this big!" Every time I saw something representing a place, I couldn''t help but sigh.


    "Why, Pegasus, do you want to be an explorer in the future?" Cynthia teased as she lay on my bed, holding up a comic book, "I think you''d be better off sticking to your dream of becoming a mangaka. After all, you''re quite timid~"


    "Hehe, you''re right." I would quickly back down at times like these. Before Cynthia arrived, I hadn''t even been willing to explore the backyard, let alone the world.


    Time flew by, and Cynthia''s parents never returned. Instead, my father said it was time for us to go to school.


    So Cynthia and I went to a prestigious private school.


    I didn''t like school. Cynthia was very popular; she was beautiful, brave, smart, and practically everyone''s idol, always surrounded by friends.


    I should have been Cynthia''s only friend!


    But my situation at school was the opposite of Cynthia''s. I had few friends. The other kids called me a sissy, though I didn''t understand what that meant. During boring breaks, I would sit alone, flipping through the latest manga, waiting for Cynthia to remember me among her many friends and say a word or two to me.


    Thankfully, our private school had weekends off. Saturdays and Sundays were my favorite days, not because there were no classes but because I could spend time with Cynthia again. Although Cynthia was sometimes invited out by her friends, most of the time, things were as usual.


    Until we learned from my father that Cynthia''s parents had died in an accident.


    Honestly, while I never wanted Cynthia''s parents to take her away, I didn''t wish for it to happen this way. Seeing Cynthia devastated broke my heart.


    I started trying to cheer Cynthia up, using all the funny things I had seen in the manga, just hoping she would find her smile again.


    I knew that even if I didn''t do anything, time would eventually ease the pain. But I couldn''t allow myself to do anything when Cynthia was at her most vulnerable. Perhaps, in the eyes of others, my clownish behavior was laughable, but it was all I could do for Cynthia.


    "Haha, Pegasus, what kind of accent is that? It''s hilarious." Finally, I saw Cynthia''s smile again.


    "Really? Cynthia-girl has a strange sense of humor~" I used a villain''s catchphrase from a manga I had read, successfully making Cynthia laugh.


    "Pegasus, will you stay with me forever?" After laughing, Cynthia suddenly asked an unexpected question.


    "Of course, I''d be delighted!" I didn''t hesitate for a second; it was probably the quickest answer I had ever given in my life.


    Life seemed to return to normal afterward, except that Cynthia wasn''t as cheerful as before. Perhaps because of her more subdued demeanor, Cynthia interacted less with her friends at school. On most lunch breaks, she would bring her chair over to my side to eat with me, or she would sit backward in the seat in front of me, staring at my face thoughtfully.


    And so it went, from elementary school to middle school, university, and finally¡­


    "Mr. Pegasus, do you take Miss Cynthia to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?"


    "I do!"


    "Miss Cynthia¡­"


    "I do!"


    That was probably the happiest day of my life; I felt like my life was complete.


    At that time, I never imagined Cynthia would suddenly leave me.


    Watching Cynthia, weak on her hospital bed, I was heartbroken. I felt the same pain Cynthia must have felt when she lost her parents, but there was no one left in the world who could fully comfort me.


    "Son, are you really going?" My father didn''t want me to take such a risk. "This kind of thing, defying science and nature, is impossible."


    But I was determined. I had heard that Egypt had a way to bring people back to life. I had to find it, even if it took me my entire life. I had to see Cynthia again.


    I became an explorer, searching Egypt''s tombs and ruins. Sometimes I would think back to when Cynthia and I talked about our dreams as children and look to the sky, mocking myself: "Cynthia, even timid me has become an explorer now."


    Eventually, I met a man named ''Shadi,'' the one who gave me the Millennium Eye and guided me to create the Duel Monsters card game. The moment the Millennium Eye merged with my body, I saw Cynthia''s spirit for the last time. Although it was only a fleeting moment, it was the image that haunted my dreams for years.


    But a moment wasn''t enough. I wanted more; I wanted to see Cynthia''s beautiful face again.


    So, to see Cynthia again, I sold my soul to the devil. If I could obtain the most advanced device from the Kaiba Corporation, I could bring Cynthia back to life, just like the Duel Monsters cards.


    Then I met a girl named Hoshino Chiyuki. Under her use of the holographic projection device, each monster was lifelike, even capable of conversation. If I could get her help, I could see Cynthia, perfectly revived, and express the feelings I had held for over ten years¡­


    (*****)


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 Chapter 100 - 100

    "Pe~ga~sus~" murmured Hoshino, half-asleep, in her dream.


    "Oh my god, Hoshino-girl, Hoshino-girl, are you awake?"


    "Hmm? What happened?" Probably disturbed by Pegasus''s somewhat excited tone, Hoshino rubbed her eyes, and her vision gradually cleared.


    "Pe-Pegasus!" Like a person waking up from a bad dream, Hoshino looked in horror at Pegasus''s joyful expression. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I never thought Hoshino-girl would call my name even in her sleep; I''m really happy!" Unlike his personality during a shadow duel, the current Pegasus felt more like the character from her dream to Hoshino.


    "Where am I now¡­" Still, in a daze, Hoshino looked around the luxurious room and the familiar soft bed beneath her.


    "In your original guest room, Hoshino-girl. Do you remember passing out right after the duel ended? But I''ve already had the castle doctor check on you; there''s nothing serious, just lack of sleep and excessive physical exhaustion," said Pegasus with gentle concern, which made Hoshino feel uneasy and shiver slightly.


    "Lack of sleep¡­" Hoshino frowned, recalling why she was sleep-deprived, and silently blamed the detective who still hadn''t shown up.


    But looking at Pegasus in front of her, Hoshino felt an inexplicable sense of dissonance. "Why, why is Pegasus here taking care of me? Where are my Friends? Shouldn''t it be Anzu or Mai by my bedside, quietly waiting for me to wake up?"


    "Your Friends¡­" Pegasus chuckled, gesturing behind him.


    Hoshino saw Yugi and the others gathered around the small table where she had dueled Holmes the previous night, craning their necks to watch something. Their expressions reminded Hoshino of old men in the neighborhood watching chess games.


    "Haha, Mai, you''re done for! I activate the magic card [Time Wizard]!" Shouted Jounouchi, taking advantage of Mai''s distraction and placing [Time Wizard] in the magic and trap zone. "If my time magic succeeds, all your Harpy Ladies will turn into old ladies!"


    "You''re too na?ve, Jounouchi! I activate the trap card [Magic Cylinder]!" Mai, on the other side of the table, smiled with satisfaction, "I knew you''d use [Time Wizard] as a magic card, so your time magic is reflected by my [Magic Cylinder]. After a thousand years, your Time Wizard is now a pile of dust!"


    "What, how could this happen!" Jounouchi cried out in frustration, holding his head.


    "What kind of nonsense duel is this¡­" Hoshino thought, her mouth twitching. She didn''t realize that in school, Yugi and the others played Duel Monsters without the strict rules of the dueling arena, allowing for more freestyle gameplay.


    "Ahem! Guys, I''m awake!" Hoshino tried to get some attention by coughing loudly. It was supposed to be a heroic return, yet everyone was engrossed in their card games.


    "Ah, Chiyuki, you''re awake!" Mai, having just defeated Jounouchi, smiled brightly as she left her seat.


    "Hoshino, are you okay? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?" As Hoshino spoke up, her companions gathered around with concern.


    "You guys were so happily playing cards while I was unconscious, and now you''re pretending to be worried; it makes me feel so mad!" Hoshino said, biting her blanket in mock indignation, casting a resentful look at them.


    "Haha, don''t be mad, Chiyuki~" Mai said, rubbing Hoshino''s head affectionately. "The doctor said you were just exhausted and would be fine after some sleep, so we weren''t worried~"


    "And look, everyone''s here in the room waiting for you!"


    "Is that so? You weren''t just playing cards in my room?" Hoshino''s tone softened a bit after Mai''s explanation but still carried a hint of disappointment.


    "Of course! It was Jounouchi, that idiot, who suggested that since we had nothing else to do, we should decide the third and fourth place of the Duelist Kingdom, so he challenged Mai," Anzu added, casting a disdainful glance at the dejected Jounouchi. "And as expected, he proved himself to be fourth place."


    "Damn, I was hoping to claim third place and brag at school, but now I can only say I was in the top four!" Jounouchi complained, stomping his feet in frustration.


    "Anyway, thank you, Hoshino, for saving Grandpa and the Kaiba brothers'' souls!" Finally, Hoshino heard the words she most wanted to hear, and realized her friends hadn''t forgotten her efforts.


    "Alright, let''s continue with the Duelist Kingdom event," Pegasus clapped his hands, signaling everyone. "Please, everyone, let''s move to the dueling hall."


    "How about it, Chiyuki, can you get out of bed?" Mai asked, instinctively supporting Hoshino.


    "I''m fine, Mai, it''s just a lack of sleep," Hoshino assured, feeling her body was fine, and hopped off the bed lightly to show her concerned friends.


    "By the way, where are the Kaiba brothers?" Hoshino suddenly remembered, according to what was said earlier, that their souls should have been returned as well. "Did they leave without saying a word?"


    (Mai: "For someone like Kaiba, even if you saved him, he might only say thank you.")


    "Didn''t even say thank you? We overestimated you, Kaiba¡­"


    Mai, seeing through Hoshino''s thoughts, laughed softly. "The Kaiba brothers haven''t woken up yet. Their condition is similar to yours; it''s probably due to the exhaustion caused by their souls being trapped."


    Mai then gave Hoshino a look, indicating she could carry out their original plan to take advantage of Kaiba.


    "Welcome to the dueling hall!" When they returned to the dueling hall, everyone understood why Pegasus had been in such a hurry.


    "It was to prepare for this, huh~" The once plain dueling hall had been decorated as if for an award ceremony, and Pegasus, now dressed in a pure white suit, stood in the center with a microphone.


    But the most surprising thing for everyone was the presence of two very familiar figures in the hall.


    "Kaiba, Mokuba, you''re awake!" Yugi greeted them excitedly, rushing over.


    "Hmph!" However, the enthusiastic greeting was met with only a cold snort from Kaiba, along with...


    "Big sister Hoshino~" Mokuba ignored Yugi and ran straight to Hoshino. "I knew you''d make it to the finals! You''re amazing!"


    "Made it to the finals?" Hoshino was initially surprised by Mokuba''s words, then chuckled, "No problem, I did make it to the finals."


    Seeing this, Yugi could only awkwardly scratch his face.


    "If our souls have been returned, that means Pegasus was defeated, right?" Kaiba finally lowered his head to look at Yugi. "As expected, Yugi, you''re my lifelong rival; you didn''t disappoint me!"


    "Kaiba, it wasn''t me..." Yugi, feeling more embarrassed, scratched his face even more. "It was Hoshino who defeated Pegasus."


    "!!" Even Kaiba''s usually stern expression showed a hint of surprise. "Yugi, what do you mean?"


    "It means exactly what it sounds like, Kaiba!" Yugi looked at Kaiba with a firm gaze. "I lost to Hoshino and lost the right to challenge Pegasus. In the end, Hoshino defeated Pegasus; that''s how it happened."


    "Big sister Hoshino, didn''t you say..." Mokuba, also surprised, looked at Hoshino with a complex expression, mixed with admiration.


    "That''s right, Mokuba, I made it to the finals as I told you~" Hoshino smiled proudly, then turned her gaze to Kaiba. "But after reaching the finals, I also won the championship!"


    Kaiba''s expression, however, was more than just surprised now.


    "Hoshino defeated Yugi?" Kaiba pressed his hand against his head as if trying to recall something. "Yugi, didn''t you use [Dark Magician of Chaos] to defeat Hoshino?"


    "!!" This time, it was Yugi''s turn to be surprised. "Kaiba, your soul was imprisoned, yet you still know the details of the duel? Yes, I did use [Dark Magician of Chaos] to almost win, but in the end..."


    "But in the end, Hoshino girl used [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji(Alter)] to win the duel~" Pegasus, standing on the stage with a microphone, interjected. "It was a truly intense and thrilling match; even I thought Hoshino-girl was going to lose."


    "But Kaiba-boy, being imprisoned in [Soul Cage], you shouldn''t have been able to perceive any external changes," Pegasus continued, his expression becoming more serious.


    "Yes, I didn''t see the match, but I..." The inexplicable d¨¦j¨¤ vu lingered in Kaiba''s mind, as if it were his own experience. However, unable to find a reasonable explanation, Kaiba concluded, "Such unscientific d¨¦j¨¤ vu¡ªI, won''t believe it!"


    "Pegasus, don''t you have any sense of responsibility for being the mastermind?" Hoshino couldn''t help but retort, "I know your mind was influenced by the Millennium Eye, but could you at least show some remorse!"


    "Haha, Hoshino-girl, you speak so sharply; you''re indeed the Duel King~"


    "Duel King!" The term jolted Hoshino, making her realize, "I am now..."


    "That''s right; now we proceed with the final ceremony of the Duelist Kingdom tournament!" With a flourish, Pegasus turned around, and the once brightly lit dueling hall suddenly dimmed, leaving only blinding spotlights and countless cameras moving around.


    "Now, the whole world''s eyes are upon us. Let all Duel Monsters enthusiasts witness the girl standing at the pinnacle of the kingdom!" With Pegasus''s passionate announcement, the spotlights and cameras focused on Hoshino.


    "The final victor of the Duelist Kingdom and the one bestowed with the title of Duel King: Hoshino Chiyuki-girl!"


    "Yay, Hoshino, you''re amazing!" The atmosphere seemed to infect even Yugi and his friends, who couldn''t help but cheer, with Jounouchi being the loudest.


    Under the spotlight, Hoshino felt a bit lost. Suddenly thrust into what seemed like a global broadcast, her mind went blank.


    "There''s no need to be too nervous, Miss Hoshino~" Holmes, appearing once more, seemed quite used to being in front of the camera, looking more elegant than usual. "At this moment, you are the true protagonist. Just express what you want to express the most."


    "What I want to express the most..." Taking Holmes''s advice, Hoshino''s eyes flickered slightly. She took a deep breath and voiced the deepest desire in her heart.


    "I want to go home."


    Yes, that was what weighed most heavily on Hoshino''s mind. Initially, when she arrived in this world, she hadn''t given it much thought, but as three days passed, she felt overwhelmed. She had never been away from home for so long, and she was filled with mixed emotions.


    "Dad must be very worried. I left without saying anything and lost contact for so many days; he must be frantic." Clutching her clothes tightly, Hoshino spoke each word with deep feeling. "I just wanted to go out and play, but I never intended not to return. I don''t want to leave Dad alone. What should I do to get back?"


    "Miss Hoshino..." Even Holmes, who had been somewhat excited earlier, felt a pang of guilt upon hearing Hoshino''s words. Despite being the crystallization of the ''detective'' concept, he had no clue about this particular case.


    Why Hoshino came to this world?


    At that moment, the whole world watched Hoshino Chiyuki win the highest honor in dueling, becoming the Duel King. Then, she tearfully expressed her desire to go home...


    ---


    Shadi: "So, this Hoshino Chiyuki defeated the Pharaoh and the Millennium Eye''s Pegasus? If so, the destruction of the Millennium Eye must be related to this girl."


    ---


    "Oh? The Duel King isn''t Yugi Muto? That''s unexpected." Malik licked his finger, a nearly crazed expression crossing his face. "Gahaha, Hoshino Chiyuki, interesting, very interesting!"


    ---


    At this moment, the world remembered the name of this girl, including those hidden in the shadows, ready to stir up darkness.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 101 - 101

    "Ugh~~!!"


    "Is Hoshino alright?" Everyone who had returned to Domino City using Kaiba''s helicopter was excited about their first helicopter ride¡ªeveryone except one person.


    "I never want to fly again, QAQ!" Hoshino, who was extremely airsick due to her poor constitution, was crying as she vomited.


    Feeling sympathetic, Yugi and the others quietly discussed, "Could Hoshino be homeless?"


    "We don''t know anything about Hoshino''s real identity," Honda said, shaking his head helplessly.


    "But no matter who Hoshino really is, she''s still our most important friend," Jounouchi said resolutely, clenching his fist.


    "So, what are Hoshino''s plans now..." Yugi said, looking worriedly at Hoshino''s frail back.


    (Three hours earlier¡ª¡ª¡ª)


    "Hey! Pegasus, can''t you give me the prize money?" Although she expected this outcome, Hoshino still tried to plead.


    "It''s clearly stated in the rules, Hoshino-girl~ Only those who use the [Glory of the King''s Hand] card are eligible for the prize money," Pegasus said, smiling as he shook his head, rejecting Hoshino''s request again. "But I''m not a devil. As compensation, we''ll cover Jounouchi''s sister''s surgery costs entirely."


    "Damn, in the end, Jounouchi turns out to be the biggest winner, huh?" Although Hoshino glared at the tearful Jounouchi in anger, she was also genuinely happy that his sister could be helped.


    "But what about me, a homeless kid? Do I have to go work at Kaiba Corporation?" Hoshino said helplessly, turning to Kaiba. Even though she had saved him, Kaiba hadn''t even thanked her, let alone offered her a job.


    "Uh, with Hoshino''s skills, working at our Kaiba Corp shouldn''t be a problem!" Mokuba said, tugging at Kaiba''s sleeve. "Brother, how about...?"


    "No!" Kaiba refused firmly, frowning as if he were extremely against the idea.


    "Damn it, Kaiba, you promised me you''d welcome me to work after the duel in front of the castle!" Hoshino, who didn''t want to work either, thought that if Kaiba would give her a high-paying, easy job as thanks for saving him, it wouldn''t be so bad.


    "Hmph, our Kaiba Corporation doesn''t hire minors, homeless people, or those without an identity¡ªthree things you are!" Kaiba''s unassailable reasoning shut Hoshino up. As the company''s CEO, he indeed had no obligation to hire someone like Hoshino at great risk.


    Feeling abandoned by two major figures, Hoshino lowered her head in disappointment.


    "Ha ha ha, Hoshino-girl, don''t be so down. You''re the Duel King now. Use that title well, and at least you won''t be living poorly," Pegasus, still perceptive even without his Millennium Eye, easily saw through Hoshino''s thoughts. "If I just gave you a large sum of money, you''d probably turn into a shut-in, wouldn''t you? I don''t want to lose such an excellent Duel King because of that."


    "He even sees through my plans to live shut-in with the money!" Hoshino thought, surprised that Pegasus had guessed her intentions so accurately.


    "Oh ho ho, but Hoshino-girl, you''re a marketing genius. That tearful plea on global television¡ªno one can resist a cute girl''s tears. Your popularity must be skyrocketing now~" Pegasus said, looking at Hoshino with admiration, clearly having high expectations for the new Duel King. "Under your leadership, Duel Monsters will surely reach new heights."


    Hoshino, who was genuinely expressing her feelings, felt somewhat annoyed that Pegasus compared her to those reality show contestants who play for sympathy. But he had a point¡ªshe was now a semi-celebrity, so making money shouldn''t be difficult. However, the main problem was still...


    (Domino City, Sugoroku''s Toy Store¡ª¡ª¡ª)


    "Broke and without a place to stay, huh? Poor thing," Sugoroku said, looking thoughtfully at the helpless Hoshino.


    "Kaiba, really heartless. Hoshino saved him, and he didn''t even say thank you¡ªjust left like that!" Jounouchi said, angry on Hoshino''s behalf.


    "Let''s not be too hard on Kaiba, Jounouchi. After all, he said he had to deal with the Big Five''s issues," Anzu said, patting Jounouchi''s back.


    Indeed, Kaiba was already overwhelmed and couldn''t spare time for others. Kaiba Corporation was still in turmoil, with the Big Five holding nearly half of the company''s shares. Even if Kaiba returned as CEO, he wouldn''t be able to settle things quickly.


    "Every family has its troubles," Honda sighed deeply.


    "Anzu, can I stay at your place?" Relying on her friends, asked Anzu directly.


    "Um..." Anzu, suddenly put on the spot, scratched her head awkwardly. "Well, we do have my little brother at home, so there''s no extra room. If you want to come, I can ask my mom. Staying a few days should be fine, but long-term..."


    Realizing that Anzu was trying her best to help, Hoshino nodded understandingly.


    "If it would be too much trouble..."


    "Hey, why don''t you stay at the toy store?" Sugoroku, who had been deep in thought, suddenly said.


    "Grandpa, is that okay?" Yugi, feeling it might not be appropriate, blushed and asked.


    "Of course, Yugi," Sugoroku said, smiling kindly at Hoshino. "Hoshino is Grandpa''s savior. How could I not help her when she''s in trouble?"


    "But, having a girl live in a house with just the two of us men, isn''t that inappropriate?" Yugi pointed out, thinking it was quite unsuitable.


    "Relax, Yugi. Grandpa meant the store, not our house," Sugoroku said, smiling knowingly. "If we clean up the old storage room in the toy store and furnish it a bit, it''ll be quite cozy. Grandpa used to live there when the store first opened and I didn''t have a house."


    "Really? Grandpa!" Hoshino, clinging to this lifeline, looked at the kind old man with pleading eyes.


    "Of course, Hoshino is a good girl. I''m happy to help," Sugoroku said sincerely. "Besides, you don''t have any money, do you? Grandpa will cover the cost of furniture and daily necessities."


    "Is this okay?" Hoshino, feeling that Sugoroku''s kindness was far beyond Kaiba''s indifference, felt touched yet hesitant. Now, Sugoroku was even willing to pay for her living expenses. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh ho ho ho, Hoshino is a considerate girl," Sugoroku laughed a shrewd look in his eyes, revealing the wisdom of a seasoned businessman. "In return, just help out at the store in your free time. Of course, Grandpa will pay you a salary~"


    "This sly old man, he just wants me to be a poster girl!"


    (***)


    "Brother, why didn''t you agree to let Hoshino join Kaiba Corporation?" Mokuba questioned Kaiba in the luxury car. "Is it because of your loss to¡­?"


    He paused, worried about reopening old wounds.


    "It''s fine. I''ve come to terms with losing to Yugi, especially since I won against Hoshino," Kaiba replied with a smirk, believing that his victory over Hoshino proved he was stronger than Yugi.


    "But if we let Hoshino, the King of Duelists, join our company, it would silence all the critics among the executives and quickly restore Kaiba Corporation''s reputation, even surpassing its previous heights," Mokuba argued. Despite being young, his sharp business acumen sometimes surpassed his brother''s.


    "I already said, Kaiba Corporation won''t hire someone with no family, no home, no identity¡­" Kaiba began.


    "That''s not true, brother!" Mokuba interrupted sternly. "There are many employees in our company who were once homeless, just like we were before being adopted. That''s not the real reason! Why are you so against involving Hoshino?"


    Kaiba let out a cold snort and continued staring ahead without another word.


    (***)


    (Kame Game Shop)


    "Hahaha, it''s done!" Hoshino clapped her hands, satisfied with the room they had cleaned and furnished in just one afternoon.


    Outside, Jonouchi and Honda, exhausted, stared at her in disbelief. "You didn''t even lift a finger! Why are you acting like you did all the work? Who knew you were so good at ordering people around¡­ I''m exhausted!" Jonouchi complained.


    "Thanks, everyone!" Anzu handed them canned drinks, impressed by their efficiency. "You all worked faster than a moving company under Hoshino''s direction."


    "Thank you, Anzu!" Jounouchi gulped down the drink. He then turned to Hoshino. "But seriously, finishing this quickly¡­ Were you a commander in a secret unit or something?"


    Hoshino just smiled mysteriously without answering.


    Suddenly, Yugi''s stomach growled, drawing everyone''s attention.


    "Ah, I can''t take it anymore!" Yugi said, collapsing onto the floor. "Grandpa, I''m so hungry!"


    Having worked hard to help Hoshino, Yugi''s stamina was nearly depleted.


    "The sun is setting," Bakura noted, glancing at the horizon. "It''s time to head home for dinner. Our families must be worried since we haven''t been home for days."


    "Yes, we should go," the others agreed, realizing it had been three nights since they were home. Although they were high school students on vacation, staying out for days wasn''t ideal.


    "See you tomorrow, Yugi, Hoshino!" They waved goodbye, heading home, promising to return the next day.


    "See you tomorrow!" Hoshino waved back, feeling a pang of sadness seeing them leave for their homes.


    Left alone with Yugi, the atmosphere grew a bit awkward.


    "So, Yugi, why is the shop called ''Kame Game''?" Hoshino broke the silence, trying to ease the awkwardness.


    "Because of this," Yugi explained, pointing to a green toy turtle by the entrance. "Grandpa says the turtle is the shop''s mascot, so he named it ''Kame Game.''"


    "That''s¡­ so random," Hoshino remarked, noting the turtle''s minimal presence, which seemed out of place in the shop.


    "Yugi, Hoshino, dinner''s ready!" Grandpa''s voice called from the adjacent house. Though not in the same building, Yugi''s house was attached to the shop, so Hoshino was welcome to join them for meals.


    "Let''s go, Hoshino. Grandpa''s cooking is great!" Yugi said excitedly, seemingly thrilled to bring a girl home for the first time.


    "Okay~"


    (After Dinner)


    "If you need anything, don''t hesitate to call us. We''re just next door," Grandpa reassured Hoshino.


    "Don''t worry, Grandpa. I''m used to living alone," Hoshino replied confidently. Her businessman father often worked late, so she was accustomed to being home alone.


    Back at the Kame Game Shop, Hoshino locked the doors and windows. Despite reassurances about the city''s safety, she prioritized her security.


    Finally feeling secure, Hoshino sat on her bed. The room lacked the furniture, figurine cabinets, and posters of her old room, but its simple cleanliness was comforting.


    "So, this is my new home?" she murmured, feeling a pang of homesickness.


    "Just me, no computer, no phone¡­ It''s so boring. I want to watch some anime!" She lay back on the bed, fiddling with her Millennium item, lamenting the lack of dark energy to summon "Mr. Holmes" for a game.


    "Wait, I can¡­" She sat up, remembering she could draw cards to pass the time.


    <You have three unread messages>


    <Detected Duel Victory: Duelist Maximillion Pegasus. Evaluating Duelist Rank.>


    <Duelist Rank Evaluation Complete: Maximillion Pegasus, Rank A+. Awarding Victory Prize of 70 Saint Quartz. Current Total: 70 Saint Quartz.>


    "Pegasus is ranked the same as Yugi! And ''Mr. Holmes'' said he''s weaker than Yugi. That unreliable detective!"


    <Detected Duelist ID 001 Hoshino Chiyuki''s victory in a Shadow Game. Awarding SSR Summon Ticket.>


    "Another SSR chance! What a pleasant surprise," Hoshino exclaimed, feeling her efforts had paid off.


    "Today isn''t over, so I should use this SSR ticket now and save the quartz for tomorrow''s new pool." She quickly opened the card shop.


    <SSR Summon Ticket detected. Redirecting to SSR Shop.>


    "Always exciting," Hoshino murmured, heart racing as she initiated the draw.


    As she selected the option, a brilliant golden light swirled around her. The light seemed brighter than usual, making her squint.


    "Master, I heard you''re struggling with living expenses. Would you like me to go out and work for you?" A gentle voice spoke, offering to relieve her burdens, "Then you can relax at home."


    "Karna, responding to your summon!"


    "Karna, oh no!" Tears welled up in Hoshino''s eyes as she listened to his protective words. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the cards. "But Karna, in your card form, you can''t work like you did when you manifested in the real world."


    The reality was harsh. If Karna were physically present, Hoshino would undoubtedly become completely dependent. But now, Karna could only assist her in duels.


    "Then let''s duel, Master! Enter tournaments with prize money!" Karna suggested, still unwilling to give up. "Even as a card, my heart burns with passion. With this spear, I will never taste defeat!"


    "You''re so reliable, Karna!" Moved by his determination, Hoshino smiled brightly, feeling a warm comfort dispelling her loneliness.


    Filled with this warmth, Hoshino soon drifted off to sleep.


    (The Next Morning)


    "Ugh, what''s going on? It''s so noisy outside!" Woken by the sound of children shouting, Hoshino abandoned her plan to sleep in.


    After getting ready, she opened the door and was stunned by the scene before her.


    It was a massive card-drawing event.


    "UR! UR! UR! Please give me a UR!" The children were fervently chanting as they held packs of Duel Monster cards, hoping for Ultra Rare (UR) cards, which Hoshino knew from her experience with gacha games were equivalent to SSRs¡ªsuper rare and valuable.


    "Grandpa! Grandpa! Is there any breakfast?" Hoshino called out, feeling hungry, as she saw Sugoroku busy at the register.


    "Oh, Hoshino, you''re awake!" Sugoroku, looking vibrant and cheerful, probably due to the bustling business, responded, "Grandpa is busy right now. Please wait a bit!"


    "Hoshino, it''s Hoshino!"


    "Wow, it''s the King of Games, Hoshino! She''s even prettier than on TV!"


    To Hoshino''s surprise, Sugoroku''s casual mention of her name drew the children''s attention, making her the center of attention. Not used to such intense scrutiny, she instinctively stepped back into her room.


    "Calm down, everyone!" Sugoroku skillfully calmed the excited crowd. "Only those who pull the most UR cards by 10 AM today will get the chance to duel the King of Games, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "What? I never agreed to this!" Hoshino was shocked that Sugoroku had used her as a business ploy on her first day there.


    However, unable to refuse after being fed and accommodated, Hoshino reluctantly looked towards the crowded entrance of the Kame Game Shop. The toy turtle from yesterday was now gone, replaced by a poster of her.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 102 - 102

    "Grandpa is something else!" After seeing Hoshino walk out of the room, Yugi scratched his starfish-shaped hair and approached apologetically. "He used you for business without even asking. I''m sorry."


    "It''s okay, Yugi. After all, Grandpa has helped me so much. If it''s just this much..."


    Just this much...


    Posting posters of Hoshino from who knows where using the Duel King status to scam, and arranging a duel between Hoshino and a whale spender without permission.


    Hmm, that old man is too much!


    "Hey, what''s going on?" A familiar voice, even though it was very noisy at the door, Hoshino still accurately caught the sexy tone.


    "Mai, you''re back!" Since Kaiba''s helicopter couldn''t bring everyone back, Mai Valentine, who wasn''t used to flying anyway, decided to take a cruise instead, naturally arriving a day later than Hoshino and the others.


    In the crowd, Mai, who was swinging her backpack over her shoulder with one hand, stared at the Hoshino posters at the door and smiled faintly.


    "Where did you get Hoshino''s poster? It suits the Duel King image~ pfft!" Seeing Hoshino approach, Mai finally couldn''t help but burst into laughter.


    The poster featured Hoshino''s card-drawing action captured at some unknown time, combined with post-processing and background effects, giving a powerful impact.


    But comparing it with the real Hoshino, the contrast made Mai burst out laughing on the spot.


    "Mai, that''s too much..." Hoshino, puffed-up with pride, had warmly welcomed Mai, but she was still staring at the poster and laughing.


    "Hahaha, sorry, sorry Chiyuki~" Although apologizing, Mai didn''t stop laughing. She gently patted Hoshino''s head. "I just think Chiyuki is too cute, whether normally or during duels."


    "Mai, you''re back~" Jonouchi''s voice came from the crowd. "Huh? What''s going on today? Business is so good."


    Jonouchi, Honda, Anzu, and Bakura, who had agreed to come to the toy store the next day, arrived early in the morning and were equally shocked by the crowd at the entrance.


    "Is there some promotion? I was just thinking of buying some card packs to strengthen my deck!" Jonouchi hurried over excitedly. "Let me see, let me see~"


    "Kame''s Game Shop Special Event... in collaboration with the Duel King... Chiyuki Hoshino? Huh?!" Jonouchi read the sign at the door word by word, increasingly feeling something was off. "Today, before 10 AM, the person who draws the most UR cards from Duel Monsters packs will get the chance to duel with Duel King Chiyuki Hoshino!!"


    "What a money-grabbing event!" Initially thinking it was a discount promotion, Jonouchi shouted angrily after understanding the rules. "Using Hoshino for a business scheme, Grandpa, give me 10 packs!"


    "Jonouchi, can your allowance handle buying so many packs at once?" Anzu asked, worried about Jonouchi''s spending.


    "Yeah, and haven''t you already dueled Hoshino?" Honda also disapproved of Jonouchi''s actions.


    "You guys, I lost, so I want revenge!" Jonouchi angrily took out his wallet and stormed to the counter. "Grandpa, give me 10 packs of the best Duel Monster cards!!"


    "Alright, thanks for your patronage~" Grandpa, who was already grinning from ear to ear, picked out ten packs from the counter and handed them to Jonouchi.


    "Grandpa, how many URs has the current leader drawn?" Jonouchi asked casually as he silently prayed and tore open the packs.


    "Hmm, according to our records, two people have drawn six URs each and are tied for first place," Grandpa answered accurately after flipping through his notebook.


    "Hmph, only six URs? Watch me surpass that easily!"


    "Jonouchi, if you wanted to duel, you could have just asked me directly..." Seeing Jonouchi already engrossed, Hoshino sighed. "I became the Duel King just yesterday, and I''ve already attracted so many customers?"


    "Yay, UR!" Jonouchi excitedly drew a shiny card from his first pack.


    "You didn''t know? Hoshino, you''ve already gone viral online. I only found out yesterday when I went online after getting home," Bakura, with a hint of admiration, looked at Hoshino. "The hottest search right now is ''The Beautiful Duel King of Love and Tears''!"


    "Great, another UR!"


    "Huh? Love and Tears..." Hoshino''s mouth twitched, clearly unwilling to accept this strange title. "Beautiful Duel King is one thing, but what''s with Love and Tears?"


    "Alright! Third UR!"


    ?


    "Isn''t it obvious? It''s because of the heartfelt moments you showed during your livestream, touching duelists worldwide and spreading love," Mai explained, struggling to keep a straight face.


    "Fourth..."


    "Hey, that''s enough! Your luck is too good!" Hoshino, unable to bear it anymore, interrupted. "How many URs do you need to be satisfied?"


    "Isn''t drawing a UR in every pack normal? This is only my fourth pack." Jonouchi, looking innocent, didn''t understand why his friends were yelling at him.


    "Jonouchi, you know the normal probability of drawing a UR in a pack is less than 10% right?"


    "Bah, the ugly face of yours!" Hoshino spat disdainfully, looking at Jonouchi.


    However, probabilities didn''t seem to matter to someone as lucky as Jonouchi. Out of the ten packs, Jonouchi drew nine URs, instantly becoming the person with the most URs.


    "Hahaha, looks like you can''t avoid our duel, Hoshino~" Jonouchi grinned smugly at Hoshino.


    Almost immune to Jonouchi''s antics, Hoshino turned her gaze to a small duel arena-like table inside the store. "If we duel, do we have to use that since there''s no duel arena?"


    Two kids were happily playing at the mini duel table. Although it didn''t have the grand holographic displays of Duelist Kingdom''s large arenas, the detailed miniatures on the table still provided an immersive experience for duelists.


    "Hoshino, you mean this? This is a free trial duel table provided by Kaiba Corporation to various toy stores~" Yugi, who had taken it upon himself to explain, proudly touched the duel table. "And this duel table not only has the function to materialize monsters like in duel arenas but also comes with Kaiba Corporation''s self-developed rank system, which is now very popular worldwide."


    "A rank system? Sounds like eSports~" Hoshino, hearing a familiar term, sighed.


    "I heard there are only a few duelists worldwide at rank 10. Reaching a high rank is difficult!" Anzu added while looking at the duel arena.


    "Even Yugi..." Hoshino, in disbelief, couldn''t understand that Yugi, whom she considered the highest level of dueling, was only ranked 8.


    "That''s only because Yugi doesn''t have much time to play!" Jonouchi defended loudly. "If Yugi had as much time as those pro players to duel every day, he would have reached rank 10 long ago. Me too¡ªif I had more time to duel, I wouldn''t be stuck at rank 2."


    "Oh, so you''re only ranked 2." Looking disdainfully at Jonouchi, Hoshino roughly understood the rank-ranking mechanism.


    "Hoshino, do you want to register and try? I''m curious what initial rank Kaiba Corporation will assign to you as the Duel King," Yugi said enthusiastically as he opened the rank ranking interface.


    "You just look at the screen for facial recognition, and it will register you."


    "It''s that easy? Kaiba Corporation has all kinds of weird high-tech stuff." After staring at the screen for a while, a registration success message appeared.


    "Since you''re registered, let''s duel now, Hoshino!" Jonouchi, confident he couldn''t be beaten, was raring to go.


    "No way, the event isn''t over yet, Jounouchi!" Sugoroku shouted, worried Jounouchi would ruin his business. "Besides, Hoshino hasn''t had breakfast yet. Skipping breakfast isn''t good for a child''s growth."


    Reminded by Sugoroku, Hoshino rubbed her stomach, feeling her blood sugar drop.


    "I haven''t eaten either, Chiyuki. Let''s eat together~" Mai, putting down her backpack, winked at Hoshino.


    "Okay~" Catching the hint, Hoshino happily floated towards Mai.


    "Move aside, brats!" Just as Hoshino was about to leave, a discordant voice came from the door.


    A trio of one fat and two thin men shoved their way into the not-so-spacious toy store, ignoring everyone else.


    The leader, a tall, burly, and intimidating man in his twenties, looked like he wasn''t to be messed with and his exaggerated hairstyle made him look like a seasoned duelist.


    "You''re the shop wreckers!!" From behind the counter, Sugoroku instantly recognized the troublemakers, his eyes filled with fear.


    "Grandpa, who are the shop wreckers!?" Yugi, sensing trouble, watched the three men warily.


    "They''re blacklisted members of the Game Shop Alliance. If you don''t pay them, they use crushing duel tactics to defeat all the duelists in the store, scaring them away for good." Sugoroku''s forehead beaded with sweat as he explained, "Shops targeted by them all closedown. That''s why they''re called the ''Shop Wreckers.''"


    "No way there are people like that in this world." Hoshino, speechless, looked at the three imposing men. "They''re not using violence but their dueling skills to make money...It almost seems admirable!"


    "What are you talking about, Hoshino? They''re notorious shop wreckers!" Anzu, shocked by Hoshino''s conclusion, said nervously.


    The leader, ignoring the crowd, confidently approached the counter and slammed his hand down. "Old man, I hear you can duel the King of Games if you pull the most UR cards?"


    "Yes, that''s correct," Sugoroku replied, trying to stay calm. "But someone has already pulled 9 UR cards, a record hard to beat."


    It was clear he wanted them to leave.


    The shop wrecker leader glanced at the packs on the wall behind the counter and held up a finger. "Oh? Then give me 100 packs!"


    "100 packs!" Sugoroku''s forced calm shattered instantly. "If you buy all the packs, the other kids won''t have any to buy..."


    "Old man, just sell them!" The shop wrecker leader snarled, grabbing Sugoroku by the collar.


    "I run this game shop not just to make money but to protect the kids'' smiles." Looking at the children inside and outside the store, Sugoroku smiled with relief despite being grabbed. "Today, I''m very happy because I saw the kids'' expectant smiles this morning, each believing they might duel the King of Games...So I won''t let you ruin their smiles! Give up, I won''t sell to you!"


    "Old man, turning down a customer like this, do you want to die?" Seeing the deal fall through, the shop wrecker leader raised his fist at Sugoroku.


    "Grandpa, I thought you were just a money-hungry merchant, but I see you in a new light now!" Hoshino couldn''t hold back any longer and called out to the shop wreckers. "I''m the current King of Game. If you want to duel me so badly, we can start now."


    "Hm? A girl like you is the King of the Game?" Surprisingly, the shop wrecker didn''t even recognize Hoshino, even though he came to duel her.


    "Boss, boss..." The fat subordinate whispered to the leader, "Boss, she is the King of Games, just like online."


    "Oh?" After the explanation, the shop wrecker''s attitude changed, and he looked Hoshino over with interest. "A girl is the King of Games? Seems like the level at Duelist Kingdom isn''t that high."


    "Yeah, if my boss hadn''t had a stomach ache and missed the boat, he''d be the King!" the fat subordinate said, boasting for his boss.


    "No need to mention the stomach ache!"


    "Anyway, since you agreed to a duel, let''s start!" The shop wrecker dramatically opened his coat.


    "!!!" The crowd was shocked to see the inside of the shop wrecker''s coat.


    Rows of inner pockets, each holding a deck. Even at a glance, it was clear he carried at least 20 decks.


    "That''s a lot of decks. Impressive." Jounouchi was awed by the display. "No wonder he can wipe out most shop duelists."


    "Jounouchi, dueling isn''t about how many decks you have!" Hoshino confidently chose a duel table, pulling out her familiar deck.


    "Oh? So it''s not about the number of decks?" Equally confident, the shop wrecker logged into the ranking system at the duel table opposite Hoshino. "How about this?"


    [Ranking system logged in, Duelist Hakutaku, Rank 9]


    "Rank 9, higher than Yugi!" Hoshino''s friends, who initially thought the shop wrecker was a minor nuisance, were suddenly unsettled.


    On the other side:


    [Ranking system logged in, Duelist Hoshino Chiyuki, Rank King]


    "Sorry, but it looks like I''m a step above you." Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 103 - 103

    [Rank system login complete: Duelist Hoshino Chiyuki, Rank King]


    Hoshino hadn''t expected Kaiba Corporation''s ranking system to be so accommodating, immediately placing her in the King Rank. Despite this high ranking, the shop wrecker Hakutaku, with his Rank 9 status, clearly wasn''t to be underestimated.


    Hakutaku, expecting to dominate with his revealed rank, was visibly annoyed. "So you''re the Duelist King? Interesting! My goal today is to defeat you and take your place as the King!"


    "Even if you beat me, you wouldn''t become the King of Games¡­" Hoshino thought this burly man was na?ve to believe that defeating her in an obscure toy shop would earn him worldwide recognition. Besides, "You won''t defeat me!"


    "Don''t be so sure of yourself, King of Games," Hakutaku said, scanning the decks inside his coat as a sly smile formed. "With a counter deck, I can make you lose completely."


    "Counter deck?" Yugi felt a twinge of unease at the term.


    "Enough talk, let''s duel!" Hakutaku quickly pulled a deck from his coat and slapped it on the duel table.


    "My thoughts exactly!"


    [Rank 9 Hakutaku versus Rank King Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    [Duel!]


    "I''ll go first!" After numerous duels, Hoshino had learned that in this world, turn order was determined by who shouted first. It was essentially a race to go first.


    Hoshino quickly drew a card from her deck, securing the first move.


    "I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] in attack mode!" After a brief moment of thought, Hoshino placed her Spartacus on the mini duel table. "Then I activate the equip card [Fou of The Sun], which increases Spartacus''s attack power by 500."


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars) Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK1500¡ú2000/DEF1500]


    "Spartacus, back in action!" As the duel table projected a mini hologram, Spartacus''s figure appeared, miniature like a typical figurine. The Fou perched on Spartacus''s shoulder looked even more adorable.


    "Impressive, summoning a monster with 2000 attack points in the first turn!" With the duel underway, more children gathered, filling the already crowded Kame Game Shop.


    "I''ll set one card face-down and end my turn!"


    "Wow, setting a card on the first turn, so strong!" Though Hoshino didn''t dislike children, their chatter during a duel that required concentration was irritating. More importantly¡­


    "How weak are your dueling skills that you think setting one card is impressive?!" Hoshino silently fumed, trying to maintain her composure.


    "Just as I expected, King of Games." Hakutaku, clearly more experienced, wasn''t surprised by such a common move. "From what my subordinates told me, your deck mainly consists of Warrior-type monsters."


    "So what?" Hoshino had long been aware that her Heroic cards were predominantly Warrior-type, reflecting the nature of most heroes.


    "You''ll see soon enough. My turn, draw!" Laughing, Hakutaku slapped his monster card onto the table. "I summon [Kinetic Soldier] in attack mode!"


    [Kinetic Soldier¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth] [Machine/Effect][ATK1350/DEF1800]


    The mechanical swordsman looked like a toy in the mini hologram projection.


    "Attack Spartacus, Kinetic Soldier!" Unexpectedly, Hakutaku attacked with a monster that had only 1350 attack points against Spartacus 2000 attack points.


    "This shop wrecker isn''t as tough as the rumors say," Jounouchi scoffed at such a reckless move, something even he wouldn''t do.


    "No, Jounouchi, there''s something about this card!" Yugi, ever cautious, sensed something off in Hakutaku''s confident play.


    "Haha, the famous duelist Yugi Mutou is indeed skilled!" Hakutaku''s grin widened as he activated his monster''s effect. "[Kinetic Soldier]''s special effect activates!"


    [When this card battles a Warrior-type monster, its ATK and DEF increase by 2000 during damage calculation.]


    [Kinetic Soldier][ATK1350¡ú3350]


    "A monster specifically targeting Warrior-types!" Watching the attack power surge, Hoshino realized why Hakutaku was so confident.


    "Go, Kinetic Soldier, Kinetic Blast!" With its attack power skyrocketing, the swordsman''s toy-like cannon barrel expanded dramatically, now stronger than Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s, and engulfed Spartacus.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP4000¡ú2650]


    "Hoshino is being overwhelmed!" Her friends couldn''t believe the point difference widening so dramatically in just one turn.


    "Activating the special effect of the equip card [Sun of The Fou], I send it to the graveyard instead of destroying the equipped monster." As the blast subsided, Hoshino moved the card from her field to the graveyard.


    "Saved by a strange equipment card, huh?" Hakutaku, now confident in his huge advantage, let his tone grow more arrogant. "Now you understand the terror of a counter deck! I''ll set one card and end my turn."


    "How infuriating, claiming it''s a counter deck. It''s just a cheap trick targeting specific cards." Quickly scanning her hand, Hoshino grew tense. "I''m in trouble; all I have are Warrior-type heroes. I''ll have to rely on my next draw."


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino''s constipated expression made it clear that she didn''t draw a card that could improve her situation.


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight] in defense mode and end my turn." With a short turn, Hoshino had no choice but to switch to a defensive strategy, relying on Mash''s excellent defensive abilities to buy some time.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars) Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK1000/DEF2000]


    "Senpai, things are looking bad!" Mash, who stepped forward with her shield, also understood the opponent''s strategy against Warrior-types. "It''s so despicable of them to try to win by targeting us. If only I wasn''t a Warrior-type, I could be more helpful to you."


    "Mash, you''re a Fairy! They must have labeled you as Warrior-type by mistake; you''re definitely a Fairy-type." Hoshino felt genuine gratitude towards Mash, who always thought of her.


    "Huh? Just one card this turn? Maybe the King of Games isn''t that great after all." Kids, easily influenced by the atmosphere, quickly changed their opinions. "And getting suppressed in the first turn, that''s so lame!"


    "These brats!" Hoshino was infuriated by the children''s criticism, feeling it was just bad luck this turn. "Once this is over, I''ll make sure to grind you into the ground and take every Saint Quartz you have!"


    "Hahaha, even the King of Games is powerless in this situation." Seeing Hoshino only summoning one monster and ending her turn made Hakutaku more convinced of his flawless strategy. "If I were in the Duelist Kingdom tournament, I would be the King. No, as the King, I wouldn''t even step foot in such a filthy little shop."


    "My grandpa''s toy shop isn''t dirty!" Yugi couldn''t stand Hakutaku''s arrogant attitude any longer. "The Duelist Kingdom is where everyone gives their all to achieve victory! You won''t win with such despicable tactics, targeting specific decks!"


    "The famous duelist who defeated Seto Kaiba, Yugi Mutou, right? Don''t worry, your turn will come soon." Hakutaku grinned, fishing through his coat. "Your spellcaster deck won''t stand a chance against me either. But first, I need to take care of this King of Games!"


    "My turn, draw!" Hakutaku trembled with excitement upon seeing his drawn card. "It''s over, Duelist King! I''ll end you with this card!"


    "I activate the spell card [Warrior Elimination]!"


    [Warrior Elimination Spell Card Effect: Destroy all face-up Warrior-type monsters on the field.]


    "How despicable, using a card like that!" Even the kids could see that this card, which no one would usually include in their deck, was meant to target specific known decks. Even in kids'' duels, no one would use this card against friends who also played Warrior-types.


    "What''s despicable? This is called strategy, you little brats!" Hakutaku wasn''t angry at their insults; instead, he felt a twisted pride. "Because of [Warrior Elimination]''s effect, your two Warrior-type monsters are destroyed. You have no defenses left!"


    "Oh? Is that so¡­" Hoshino looked at him with disdain. As [Warrior Elimination] activated, a sniper''s lens targeted Spartacus and Mash on Hoshino''s field.


    A massive bullet instantly pierced through Spartacus''s head. As another bullet flew toward Mash.


    "Obscurant Wall of Chalk!" The bullet left only a faint trace of smoke on Mash''s shield.


    "Because of Mash''s special effect, she can''t be destroyed by battle or card effects in defense mode!" Mash once again protected Hoshino from a lethal attack.


    "And since Spartacus was destroyed!" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2650 ¡ú 3150]


    [Hakutaku LP 4000¡ú3500]


    "Haha, I''ve heard that your monsters have troublesome effects, and now I''ve experienced it firsthand." The card he thought would secure his victory only managed to destroy Spartacus, leaving Hakutaku feeling awkward. "And since Mash can''t be destroyed by battle, even if I attack, the effect would be minimal. Your simple setup makes it hard for opponents to deal with. You do have some skill."


    "This is the bond Mash and I have built over the years, right?" Hoshino and Mash shared a knowing glance, proud of their teamwork.


    "It seems you trust your monsters a lot." Hakutaku''s sly smile returned as he drew another card. "Although your tactics might trouble others, they won''t work on me."


    "I discard [Puppet Plant] from my hand to activate its special effect."


    "!!" Puppet Plant''s thorny tendrils suddenly emerged from the graveyard, wrapping around Mash.


    "Ah~ Senpai, this¡­ isn''t good!" Mash, bound tightly by the tendrils, struggled as the thorns cut into her exposed skin, drawing blood.


    "Indeed, this is not good," Hoshino said, blushing as she rubbed her nose. "This feels too indecent with all these kids watching."


    "Senpai! This isn''t the time to be thinking about such things!" Mash said, giving up resistance as she lowered her head.


    [Puppet Plant: Discard this card to the graveyard to take control of one Warrior or Spellcaster-type monster on your opponent''s field until the end phase.]


    "Hahaha, your trusted monster is now under my control!" Hakutaku laughed triumphantly as he gazed at Hoshino''s now empty field. "Without your most trusted monster, you have no protection!"


    Without resistance, Mash was dragged silently by the tendrils to Hakutaku''s field.


    "Mash, no¡­" Hoshino couldn''t believe Mash would ever stand on the opponent''s side.


    "I thought only Cu Chulainn could do something like this."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 104 - 104

    "A monster card specifically used to control Warriors and Spellcasters? It''s the first time I''ve seen one too." Surprisingly, even Yugi, who is known as the Duel Encyclopedia, had never seen anyone use this card. " If it''s effective against Spellcasters too, does that mean even Dark Magician Girl would be bound like that?"


    "What are you thinking about, Yugi?" Anzu glanced at Yugi and retorted helplessly.


    " N-no, I''m not!" Waving his hands in a fluster, Yugi shook his head vigorously. "I was just thinking about how to deal with it if I were to duel Hakutaku."


    "Mash..."


    Mash, who had been standing silently on the opposite side of the field with her head lowered, had her light pink bangs slightly covering her eyes, making it hard for Hoshino to see her expression.


    "Mash, are you mad because of what I said earlier?" Recalling her words, Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly.


    "It''s the first time you''ve felt what it''s like to have your monster standing on the opponent''s field, isn''t it!" Observing Mash on his field, Hakutaku smugly stroked his chin and analyzed, "Hmm, it''s an excellent defensive monster, but what I need now isn''t defense, so I''ll switch Mash to attack position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight][ATK:1000]


    "He''s serious!" Seeing Mash decisively put down her shield and appear ready for battle, Hoshino felt a chill in her heart.


    "I aim to finish you in this turn, King of Games!" Hakutaku roared as he drew another card and slammed it on the table. "I haven''t summoned a monster this turn yet, so I''ll summon another [Kinetic Soldier] in attack position!"


    [Kinetic Soldier ¡ï¡ï¡ï Earth][Machine/Effect][ATK1350/DEF1800]


    Seeing the second materialized mechanical soldier on Hakutaku''s field, Jonouchi grumbled discontentedly, "To think he put so many [Kinetic Soldier] in his deck, He must be assuming Hoshino''s deck is full of Warriors."


    "That makes three monsters on the shop wrecker''s field, while the Duel King''s field is empty!"


    "Is she going to lose?"


    "No, even with the attack power of two Kinetic Soldiers combined, it isn''t higher than King of Game''s life points."


    Even though their dueling skills weren''t high, the kids watching eagerly analyzed the battle, enjoying it thoroughly.


    "Hmph, you brats, this is the brutal battle between adults!" Striking a haughty pose, Hakutaku bragged to the surrounding kids. "Launch the attack, [Kinetic Soldier], win me this duel!"


    With the combined attack power of the three monsters exceeding Hoshino''s remaining life points, Hakutaku was confident he had victory in the bag.


    "Hehehe, I see, so that''s how it is, Mash!" However, on the opposite side, Hoshino looked as if she had an epiphany, showing no sign of tension from impending defeat. "So that''s why you silently went over to the other side."


    "What are you talking about? Do you think you can communicate with your monsters?" Hakutaku''s disdainful eyes fell on Hoshino, who was talking to herself.


    "Heh, that''s where you''re wrong. Hoshino really can communicate with her monsters!" Laughing proudly, Jonouchi said in a triumphant tone, "Go ahead, Hoshino, show him the bond you have with your heroes!"


    "Senpai! Now, activate the set card!" Suddenly raising her head, her gaze firm, Mash shouted to the opposite side.


    "I won''t let your efforts go to waste, Mash. Now is the time to show the unity of the Heroic Spirits!" Hoshino responded to Mash''s expectation by flipping the set card in the back row. "Activate the trap card, [God is Here With Me]!"


    [God is Here With Me - Trap Card Effect: Can be activated when there are three or more attack position monsters on the opponent''s field. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] from your hand or deck to your field.]


    "Because Mash was forcibly dragged to your field, the condition to activate [God is Here With Me] was met, Hakutaku!" Pointing the card at Hakutaku, Hoshino''s clear yet imposing voice echoed in the room. "My Heroic Spirits, no matter where they are, their hearts are always with me!"


    "Due to [God is Here With Me]''s effect, I special summon in attack position!" Coolly slamming the card onto the table, Hoshino reversed the situation with one card, "[Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc]!"


    "The Heroic Spirits, who are invincible and indomitable, will not be defeated by such despicable means!" Bathed in holy light, Jeanne swung her holy flag as she stepped onto the field gracefully. "My name is Jeanne d''Arc, and in the name of the Lord, I shall be my master''s steadfast shield!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars) [Light][Fairy/Effect][ATK2500/DEF3000]


    "So cool!" Probably having never seen such a duel in person, the watching kids were collectively thrilled, shouting excitedly.


    "To summon an 8-star monster in one go."


    "So this is Jeanne d''Arc, so beautiful, I wish I could draw this card too!"


    Seeing Jeanne on Hoshino''s field, Jonouchi was even more excited than the kids around him. "Great, since Jeanne isn''t a Warrior, she won''t trigger the [Kinetic Soldier]'' special effect!"


    "So, it won''t be that easy to settle this." Looking at Jeanne with an attack power of 2500 on Hoshino''s field, Hakutaku remained calm. "But if you think I didn''t anticipate non-Warrior monsters in your deck, you''re mistaken! Activate the set card!"


    "Continuous Trap Card [DNA Surgery]!"


    [DNA Surgery - Continuous Trap Card Effect: Declare 1 Type. As long as this card is on the field, all face-up monsters on the field become the declared Type.]


    "The type I declare is Warrior! So the attack power of [Kinetic Soldier] increases again."


    [Kinetic Soldier][ATK 1350¡ú3350]


    "So Hakutaku''s deck isn''t just targeting Hoshino''s Warriors but also enhancing the strength through card synergy." Seeing the attack power of the Kinetic Soldier surge, Yugi exclaimed in alarm, "With this, Hoshino''s Heroic Spirits will be countered even if they''re of different types."


    "Tch, this is troublesome!" Facing Hakutaku''s watertight strategy, Hoshino felt a slight headache. "Activate Jeanne''s special effect!"


    [¢Ù: Once per turn, you can reduce your attack by 1000 until the end of this turn; during this turn, none of your monsters can be destroyed and you take no damage. This effect can also be activated during your opponent''s turn.]


    "My flag, protect my comrades! Luminosit¨¦ Eternelle!!"


    Holy light once again swept across the field, blocking the fierce bombardment of the Kinetic Soldier.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne][ATK 2500 ¡ú 1500


    "Huff, that was dangerous just now, Master!" Jeanne wiped the sweat off her headpiece (the main body) and let out a long sigh of relief. "I never thought I''d be forcibly changed into a Warrior-type. Should I draw my sword now?"


    "No, please don''t!!" Hoshino, terrified at Jeanne''s alarming idea, frantically tried to stop her. "Just stay like this, it''s fine just like this..."


    "What a troublesome girl, being able to withstand my attacks again and again." Frustrated to the point of gnawing on his thumb, Hakutaku frowned. "Even though I have [DNA Surgery] on the field, which should make me invincible, why do I feel this irritation?"


    "Why does it feel like I''m playing cards against a whole crowd of people? Is this the aura of a King of Games?" Staring intently at Hoshino, who was smiling mysteriously, Hakutaku bit his nails faster.


    " If you keep staring, I''ll have to sue you, shop wrecker." Hoshino snapped her fingers, reminding Hakutaku who was lost in thought. "Cute girls are a private resource, you know~"


    "Hmph, smooth talker~." Hakutaku snorted coldly and drew another card from his hand.


    "Activate Field Spell Card from my hand, [Gaia Power]!"


    [Gaia Power Field Spell Effect: Increase the ATK of all EARTH monsters by 500 points and decrease their DEF by 400 points..]


    As Hakutaku placed the card in the field spell zone, the entire arena transformed. Gigantic trees stood tall in the center, and the once-barren field became overgrown with plants.


    "Amazing, it''s a Field Spell Card, how cool!"


    "This is the first time I''ve seen someone use a Field Spell Card!"


    [Kinetic Soldier ATK 1350 ¡ú 1850] x2 S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The attack power of [Kinetic Soldier] has increased again!" Jonouchi exclaimed as he saw the enhanced Kinetic Soldier due to the field spell''s effect.


    "But why? Even without the field spell, Hakutaku could perfectly crush Hoshino with DNA Surgery." Yugi, sensing something was off, analyzed.


    "Is it because you''re scared, Hakutaku?" Hoshino, however, answered in an instant.


    "After so many clashes, you''re finally scared. You think your strategy might not be perfect, so you added an extra layer of insurance."


    "Nonsense, Boss strategy has always been flawless!" Loyal and indignant, the subordinate immediately jumped to his Boss''s defense upon hearing the criticism.


    "Enough." Hakutaku, stopping his subordinate, stared straight into Hoshino''s fearless eyes. "That''s right, I admit your skills are strong. But don''t forget, the current situation is still overwhelmingly in my favor. And you can only rely on [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne]''s invincibility for one more turn."


    "Huh? Heroic Spirit Jeanne''s invincibility can only be used once more?" a disappointed child''s voice came from the crowd.


    "I wanted to see it a few more times, such a splendid holy light!"


    "But I want the King of Games to win!"


    "Hakutaku, when a person''s momentum declines, fortune will no longer stand by them." Hoshino smiled gently as she looked at the innocent faces of the surrounding children. "Don''t you realize you''re already the target of everyone''s ire? Today, I, The King of Games..."


    "...will also protect the children''s smiles!"


    "My turn, draw! Because the control effect of [Puppet Plant] lasts only one turn, Mash returns to my field." After drawing the card, the first thing Hoshino did was welcome Mash back.


    "Senpai, I''m back!" Shedding the tentacles that had lost their restraining power, Mash ran back with a bright smile, holding her shield.


    "Welcome back, Mash, your undercover tactic was brilliant!"


    "Talking about momentum and fortune! How could such things possibly determine the outcome of a duel!" Hakutaku wouldn''t believe Hoshino''s mind games. "If you''re so confident, can you draw the card that will turn the situation around this turn?"


    " Hmph, what a coincidence, shop wrecker..." Hoshino''s two cold laughs made Hakutaku''s face turn pale instantly.


    "Ha ha, are you scared now?" Watching Hakutaku''s panicked face, Hoshino flipped the card in her hand to show everyone. "The card I drew is just a normal trap card, [Haori of Vows]."


    "Damn brat, you''re playing me!" Feeling tricked by Hoshino, Hakutaku cursed in anger.


    "Hoshino, why did you reveal the trap card you drew to the enemy?" Jonouchi, baffled, looked at Hoshino''s puzzling action.


    "Because I don''t need this card, Jonouchi!" Raising the red trap card high, Hoshino''s gaze locked onto Hakutaku''s backfield. "This is the key card I prepared to break your strategy!"


    "Are you ready, Jeanne?"


    "I''ve already seen through it, Master!" Jeanne, who had her eyes closed since the beginning of the turn, suddenly opened them wide. "Take this, a lightning bolt like divine punishment!"


    [¢Ú: Once per turn, you can target one card in your opponent''s Spell/Trap Zone; reveal that card if it''s set. Send a card of the same type (Spell/Trap) from your hand to the Graveyard, and if you do, destroy the targeted card. Your opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect.]


    "Sorry, Hakutaku, but your key strategy card, [DNA Surgery], is done for!"


    A dazzling bolt of lightning shot from the card Hoshino raised, accurately destroying Hakutaku''s DNA Surgery in the backfield. After the lightning shattered, the card placed on the table was flung off.


    "How can this be!" Hakutaku stared in disbelief at the card blasted away by the lightning, his mouth agape.


    "Since [DNA Surgery] is destroyed, the monsters on the field are no longer designated as Warrior-type. Jeanne also returns to being a Fairy-type."


    "Huh? So I''m back to being a Fairy-type? I don''t feel any different." Jeanne murmured as she looked at her hands in confusion.


    "So what if she''s back to Fairy-type." Hakutaku, trying to regain his composure after being shocked by the lightning, forced himself to stay calm. "Look at the attack power of the monsters on the field!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne][ATK:1500]


    [Kinetic Soldier] [ATK:1850]


    "Because of the Field Spell Card, my Kinetic Soldier attack power is still higher than your Jeanne''s." Hakutaku, quietly sighing in relief, felt grateful for his backup plan.


    "Don''t be in such a hurry, the real battle starts now!" Hoshino''s eyes turned sinister as she drew a long-prepared monster from her hand. "Now, let the cursed name that resonates with the world resound!"


    "Using the two monsters on the field as tribute, I perform a Tribute Summon..."


    "[Heroic Spirit - Vlad III]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Vlad III¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars)][Dark][Zombie/Effect][ATK2300/DEF1200]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 105 - 105

    [Heroic Spirit - Vlad III¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-Star)][Dark] [Zombie/Effect][ATK2300/DEF1200]


    "Now it is the time of darkness, the feast of blood~" Vlad, holding a strange long spear, appeared on Hoshino''s field, accompanied by special effects featuring black bats.


    "Vlad? The legendary vampire, indeed a cursed name." Upon seeing the true form of the monster summoned by Hoshino, Hakutaku unexpectedly sighed in relief, "A villain mixed among the so-called heroes, is this the result of your desperation?"


    "Master, may I drink our opponent''s blood?" Vlad''s elegant demeanor flickered with a hint of anger at Hakutaku''s disrespectful words. "It''s not time yet, Vlad. One more step is needed," Hoshino replied, her entire demeanor had changed since summoning Vlad III. "Just one last step, and we can dedicate the opponent''s blood to this victory."


    "Come forth, my final trump card..." Imitating Vlad''s tone, Hoshino slowly drew the card from her hand.


    "Doesn''t Hoshino seem a bit odd?" Anzu asked, tilting her head at Hoshino''s weird tone.


    "Who knows, maybe she''s just into character," Mai, having caught Hoshino''s slight smirk, guessed the reason for Hoshino''s change, "With so many kids watching, she probably just wants to show off."


    "I will banish [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] from the graveyard and special summon from my hand!"


    The field, previously darkened by Vlad III''s arrival, suddenly burst into fierce flames.


    "Feel it, the wrath from hell!"


    "Special Summon, [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc (Alter)]!!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc (Alter)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-Star)][Dark] [Fiend/Effect][ATK3000/DEF2500]


    [This card cannot be normally summoned. It can only be special summoned by banishing one [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] from the graveyard. This card''s type can be treated as [Fairy].]


    Walking along the flames, Jeanne Alter, holding a pitch-black flag, appeared on the mini duel platform.


    "Heh heh heh, Jeanne(Alter) will make you bleed on the spot," Hoshino said, lowering her voice with satisfaction at the sight of Jeanne(Alter).


    "Huh?! Master, what''s wrong with you? Did someone hit your head?" Without hesitation, the sharp-tongued Jeanne(Alter) showed a face of disdain, mocking Hoshino''s strange tone, "Can you speak normally? Keep this up, and I''ll go on strike."


    "Huh? I thought it sounded pretty cool. Is it that strange?" Hoshino''s smile turned awkward as her taste was questioned.


    "I also think Master''s tone is very dignified and reliable," Vlad quietly nodded in agreement.


    "The Duel King just summoned two 8-Star monsters in one go!" The children, who had never seen such a thing, were all awestruck by Hoshino''s continuous summoning of powerful monsters.


    "Normally, it''s tough to summon even one."


    "Yeah, it''s hard to gather two sacrifices."


    "Besides, 8-star monsters are usually very rare and hard to draw."


    "The Duel King is so strong!"


    "Go, Duel King, crush the shop wrecker!"


    "Hehe, keep praising me, say more!" Hoshino''s nose almost went sky-high, indulging in the endless praise.


    "She summoned two high-level non-Warrior monsters in one go." In stark contrast to Hoshino''s elation, Hakutaku''s expression twisted with increasing discomfort, "I''m done for. If I don''t draw [DNA Surgery] next, this duel is over."


    "Shop Wrecker!" Hoshino called out to the increasingly distressed Hakutaku, her lips curling into a clear smirk. "Let me guess, you''re praying for your next card to be [DNA Surgery], right?"


    "!!!"


    "But it''s useless because the time is now, and it''s time to pay for your despicable actions!" Pointing at Hakutaku, Hoshino publicly declared the finishing blow, "Everything I''ve endured, planned, and prepared is to defeat you this turn!"


    "No, no way! Your monsters'' attack power isn''t enough to defeat me!" Panicked, Hakutaku staggered backward, nearly falling off the mini duel platform.


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc (Alter)]''s special effect!" Forcefully pointing downward with the hand directed at Hakutaku, Hoshino stabbed Jeanne Alter''s card hard, "Go, Ephemeral Dream!"


    [¢Û: Once per turn, you can pay half of your life points to activate this effect. Until the end of the turn, this card is not affected by your opponent''s card effects, and its attack increases by the amount of life points paid. This effect can be activated during the opponent''s turn.]


    "Don''t hold back; use as many life points as you need, Jeanne!"


    "I won''t hold back, but don''t complain about the pain later, Master!" Despite her words, Jeanne Alter''s action of absorbing Hoshino''s LP was noticeably more cautious this time, showing some remorse for hurting Hoshino last time. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3150 ¡ú 1575]


    "Even though I feel sorry for Master, this is exhilarating!" Jeanne Alter''s eyes slightly reddened after absorbing the life points, and she subconsciously licked her lips.


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne Alter ATK 3000 ¡ú 4575]


    "This is terrifying attack power; I''ve never seen an attack above 4000 before!"


    "With such high attack power, the duel can end in one strike."


    "No, it''s not," Yugi said, judging the result at a glance. He explained to the surrounding children, "Even if all of Hoshino''s monsters'' attack power were used, they couldn''t directly deplete the shop-wrecker''s life points, considering the [Kinetic Soldier]''s field-boosted attack power."


    [Hakutaku LP 3500]


    "Impressive calculation, Yugi!" Praising Yugi, Hoshino moved her hand to Vlad III''s card, "What if we add Vlad III''s effect?"


    "The feeling of blood is wonderful. I can fiercely feel the bloody light raging on the battlefield!" Vlad, whose aura had grown more intense, showed red glows in his eyes like Jeanne.


    [¢Ù: When your life points are lower than your opponent''s, this card''s attack increases by the difference.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Vlad III ATK 2300¡ú 4225]


    "Another monster with attack power 4000, Duel King is truly amazing!" The sudden surge in the attack power of the two 8-star monsters brought the duel''s atmosphere to its peak.


    "With this, Duel King will win!"


    "It''s over, Hakutaku!" After completing the final operation, Hoshino commanded Jeanne and Vlad to attack, "Go, attack the two [Kinetic Soldier]."


    "To fight alongside the infamous Impaler, what an honor."


    "Likewise, the Dragon Witch of France''s."


    "Come on, all evil! Pierce the opponent in the most glorious way!" Hoshino shouted excitedly.


    "Behold, my blood-soaked life, the origin of the Impaler''s fame!"


    "Hell, incarnate is the reward for your depravity![Kazikli Bey]!!"


    "All evil shall gather here."


    "My sword is hatred! My dragon is vengeance! My flames are retribution! Everything will be pierced! [La Grondement du Haine]!!"


    The lush vegetation on Hakutaku''s field, due to the field spell, was instantly filled with blood and fiery spikes. The Kinetic Soldier stabbed to pieces and exploding into the spike-filled hell, had no chance to react.


    [Hakutaku LP 3500 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel over, the victor is Rank King Chiyuki Hoshino!]


    "I... I got defeated in an instant!" Hakutaku, unable to believe his life points had been wiped out, slumped onto the table in despair. "Even with a counter deck, I lost so miserably. This is the gap between me and the Duel King."


    "Hehe, a beautiful victory! Shop wrecker, your evil plans have been completely shattered!" With the confidence of a victor, Hoshino put away her cards and silently awaited the children''s imminent praise.


    "That last blow was so cruel!"


    "So many spikes, it''s scary!"


    "Duel King is so cool!"


    "Mom, I want to go home!"


    "You brats!" The huge contrast to her expectations left Hoshino quite displeased. "Don''t let me catch you, or I''ll defeat you in an even crueler way, you little saint quartz!"


    Even the lowest-level duel would yield some quartz, Hoshino thought.


    "Boss..." Seeing their boss''s crushing defeat, his lackeys didn''t know what to say.


    "Let''s go, retreat. We won''t come to this shop again!" Calming himself from the defeat, Hakutaku decisively chose to leave. "Even as shop wreckers, we have basic principles. Since I lost, I won''t trouble you anymore."


    "Oh? You''re pretending to be a good guy now?" Jounouchi mocked, "Even if you come back, Hoshino will beat you every time! Right, miss manager?"


    "Who''s the miss manager!" Hoshino responded by uppercutting Jounouchi''s chin, rejecting the title.


    "Well, now that they are gone, we can continue our activities!" Grandpa Sugoroku calmed the crowd with his trademark smile. "Kids, who wants to buy card packs?"


    "Me! I want to buy some!"


    "Me too, I want to draw Jeanne!"


    "Jeanne is stronger, but I still want to draw Jeanne(Alter)!"


    "I want to duel Hoshino, her duels are so exciting!"


    Though she wanted to tell them they couldn''t draw Jeanne no matter how many packs they bought, Hoshino held back for the sake of not shattering their dreams. "Grandpa, you made a lot of money today by using me as an advertisement."


    "Hoshino, don''t forget I''m still the record holder with 9 UR cards, and it''s almost 10. Don''t forget our duel later!" Jounouchi eagerly anticipated his upcoming revenge match.


    "Ah, it''s already 9 o''clock!" Hoshino looked alarmed at Jounouchi''s reminder.


    "What, getting scared?"


    "I haven''t had breakfast yet!"


    "Huh!"


    "Let''s go, Mai! How about treating me to a meal?" Rejuvenated, Hoshino cheerfully hopped over to Mai.


    "No problem, Chiyuki~" Mai gave her a thumbs up, taking Hoshino''s wrist and heading to the store entrance.


    "Ouch!" Suddenly, a kid rushed into the store and collided straight into Hoshino.


    "Stupid kid, watch where you''re going!" Seeing Hoshino get hit, Mai angrily scolded the boy who had fallen.


    "It''s okay, Mai. He''s just a kid. Are you alright kid?" Calming Mai, Hoshino turned to the boy who had bumped into her. "Huh? This hairstyle looks familiar..."


    "Mokuba? What are you doing here?" Hoshino, crouching down, recognized the familiar child immediately. "Shouldn''t you be with your brother, dealing with the Big Five at KaibaCorp?"


    "Hoshino, help my brother! He''s in trouble!" Mokuba, on the verge of tears, looked up at Hoshino for help.


    "Kaiba?!"


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "So, because Kaiba lost to Yugi, even as president, his credibility in the company has plummeted?" After understanding the situation, Hoshino continued, "And the five biggest shareholders, have united, causing unrest within KaibaCorp."


    "Yes, that''s right." Mokuba nodded solemnly.


    "But the Big Five joining forces with Pegasus to sell KaibaCorp, won''t that hurt their reputation too?" Yugi''s analysis made sense; betraying one''s company shouldn''t leave one''s reputation unscathed.


    "That''s the worst part!" Mokuba clenched his teeth in anger. "They claim they''re not selling KaibaCorp, just partnering with Pegasus''s Industrial Illusions to develop a VR game based on Duel Monsters to restore the company''s reputation."


    "Huh!" Jounouchi, already knowing the Big Five''s real secret from Pegasus, was as angry as Mokuba. "Such lie can be exposed by asking them to produce the nonexistent game."


    "But the issue is..." Mokuba hung his head again, "They made that VR game and set a condition: if my brother clears it, they''ll hand over their shares and resign."


    "Hah, Kaiba wouldn''t fall for such an obvious trap, right?!" Hoshino, suddenly agitated, couldn''t understand the VR game''s nature in this world but knew its dangers from her original world, where everyone who''d seen Sword Art Online knew its risks.


    "My brother accepted..."


    "Really? Kaiba is that stubborn?" Hoshino couldn''t believe Kaiba, with his intellect, wouldn''t see the trap and still jump in.


    "But my brother said..."


    ("I, Seto Kaiba, will never refuse any challenge! And avoiding this, using my authority to fire them, would bring a revenge capable of destroying KaibaCorp. So I must face it head-on!")


    "I see." Hoshino smiled wryly, finding some sense in Kaiba''s words. "But seeking our help means Kaiba hasn''t cleared the game."


    "Yes, my brother failed and is trapped in the virtual world." Mokuba, his voice trembling, was pained to admit Kaiba''s failure.


    "Hoshino, Yugi, please enter the virtual world and save my brother! You''re our only hope now."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 106 - 106

    ¡ªInside the Kaiba Manor¡ª


    "The interior of the Manor hides such facilities!" Hoshino exclaimed, surprised at the VR full-dive equipment that resembled space capsules.


    "Of course, not to mention the absurdity of Kaiba having a Manor in the first place!" Hoshino said as she glanced around at the various Blue-Eyes White Dragon statues. It was more fitting to call this place the Blue-Eyes White Dragon Museum rather than Manor.


    "But there are only four devices here, and we have so many people." After a rough count, Hoshino noted that since the VR game was based on Duel Monsters cards, they didn''t need to include those without much dueling experience like Honda and Anzu. Including Mai and Mokuba, there were six people in total.


    "I need to go in. I must rescue my brother with my own hands! Plus, I have a basic understanding of the game mechanics." Mokuba, who was the first to volunteer, might not be an experienced duelist, but having someone somewhat familiar with the game was better than going in blind.


    "Then... maybe I shouldn''t participate." Perhaps due to the fear from SAO and the fact that even Kaiba was trapped, Hoshino was already silently preparing to back out.


    "You can''t, Hoshino! You and Yugi are our strongest duelists. If this game''s difficulty is so high that even my brother couldn''t clear it, without you and Yugi working together, we won''t stand a chance!" Mokuba pleaded urgently upon seeing Hoshino''s hesitation.


    "Yeah, Hoshino, let''s give it our best shot together!" Yugi, standing beside Hoshino, struck an encouraging pose.


    "Then, for the last slot..."


    "Since Chiyuki is going, I''ll go too." Mai, not willing to leave Hoshino alone, raised her hand to volunteer.


    "No, let me do it..." But Mai''s raised hand was forcibly pushed down by Jounouchi. "This is a dangerous game, so leave it to me!"


    "I didn''t expect you to be so brave at a time like this, Jounouchi~" Jounouchi''s unexpected bravery earned praise from Anzu behind him.


    "Think carefully, taking Jounouchi is almost a waste of a combat slot!" Mai, annoyed at being overridden, protested. "Can a novice like him handle such an important game?"


    "Hey, I''m one of the top four in Duelist Kingdom!" Jounouchi, feeling insulted, retorted. "I''m no longer a novice, alright!"


    "Oh? Is that so? The ''fourth place'' who got there by luck?" Mai doubled down on her sarcasm, emphasizing "fourth place."


    "Mai, I think it''s more suitable for Jounouchi to go..."


    "Oh, even Chiyuki doesn''t want me to go. I''m so heartbroken~" Mai, looking disappointed, pouted at Hoshino.


    "Ahem, because this is an RPG game. In RPGs, luck can be a decisive factor, and Jounouchi''s luck might turn out to be crucial!" Hoshino understood deeply that in any game, the most terrifying thing was a lucky player. "Besides, I don''t want to put Mai in such danger."


    "Ugh..." Blushing slightly at Hoshino''s persuasion, Mai scratched her cheek. "If you say so, Chiyuki, I won''t object!"


    "Jounouchi!" Mai gave Jounouchi a firm slap on the back. "You better protect Chiyuki well. If anything happens to her, I''ll kill you!"


    "Of course!" Jounouchi struck a powerful pose and gave a determined look.


    "Let''s get started then!" Seeing everyone was ready, Mokuba took a deep breath and opened the space capsule-like VR device.


    "We just lie down in this?" Hoshino, exploring the device, lay down flat inside like a corpse. "This feels weird."


    "Oh, right, make sure to place your deck in the card slot on your right-hand side," Mokuba reminded suddenly. "Otherwise, you''ll be weaponless in the game."


    "What!? You just said this detail now?!" Startled, Hoshino quickly took out her deck and inserted it into the slot on her right-hand side. "Are you sure you''re a reliable guide?"


    "Hehe, sorry about that." Mokuba scratched his head awkwardly. "Everything should be fine now. Close your eyes and get ready to start the game."


    "Let''s go!" X4(Link Start)


    [Duel Monsters Adventure is launching, players logging in...]


    A blurry interface and illusory lights appeared before Hoshino.


    "This interface feels familiar." For some reason, Hoshino experienced a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu as she looked around the space. "I''ve seen this scene somewhere before..."


    After a brief transition, they successfully entered the virtual game world.


    "Wow, this is the virtual game world. It feels so real!" Jounouchi exclaimed, looking at the dense forest around them.


    "And this Duel Disk..." Yugi noted, waving the device on his arm that looked just like the one Kaiba had used during their duel. It even had "LP" marked on it.


    "Mokuba, in this game, do we just draw cards from the Duel Disk and summon monsters?" Yugi asked after examining the Duel Disk.


    "That should be correct. I saw my brother use a card from the Duel Disk to summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon with the effect of [Ancient Rules]," Mokuba recalled, looking at his cards.


    [Ancient Rules Spell Card Effect: Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from your hand.]


    "If that''s the case, the rules of this world might be the same as in duels. Just summon monsters using cards," Yugi, looking enlightened, seemed eager to try.


    "But even Kaiba, who summoned Blue-Eyes White Dragon, failed. This game must be hard," Jounouchi remarked, catching the key point in Mokuba''s words.


    "After my brother summoned Blue-Eyes White Dragon, he was defeated by the opponent using [Dragon Capture Jar]," Mokuba, clearly frustrated by Kaiba being targeted, lowered his head.


    However, Hoshino was not as calm as the others.


    "Summoning monsters directly with cards for duels¡ªthis mode is just like last time with Nobunaga, and..."


    "Why don''t I have a Duel Disk?"


    Sure enough, out of the four of them, Hoshino was the only one empty-handed.


    "Why am I the only one without a Duel Disk?" Hoshino wondered, staring at her arm as if trying to will a Duel Disk to appear, but seeing nothing of the sort.


    "What''s going on, Hoshino?" Mokuba was equally panicked. If Hoshino couldn''t fight, they''d lose a crucial part of their strength. "Maybe you put the deck in the wrong slot."


    "No, I followed your instructions and placed it in the slot on the right side!" Hoshino, feeling wronged, looked helplessly at the others.


    "That''s strange. If you put it in, the deck should have been transported to this world." Mokuba scratched his head, equally puzzled.


    "The deck is here..." Feeling embarrassed, Hoshino looked down and mumbled softly.


    "If the deck is here, where is it?" Jounouchi, ever the blunt one, couldn''t see any sign of a deck on Hoshino. "Did you tuck it into your pocket as usual?"


    "..." Without answering, Hoshino helplessly lifted her skirt, revealing her pale thigh with the deck strapped to it.


    "Why is it strapped to your leg?!" Hoshino had no idea how to react to seeing the deck securely fastened to her thigh. It seemed to be a game-setting issue because no matter what she did, she couldn''t unstrap the belt holding the deck.


    "This game knows people''s hearts!"Jounouchi exclaimed, his face red as he couldn''t help but compliment the game, even though it had trapped Kaiba.


    "But how can you use the cards without a Duel Disk?" Despite having her deck, Hoshino was still very uncertain.


    "Well, for now, let''s just take it one step at a time. Those of us with Duel Disks will protect you, Hoshino!" Jounouchi, unusually enthusiastic, took the lead and headed deeper into the forest.


    "Jounouchi, do you even know where you''re going?" Yugi, reluctantly following, asked with a worried look.


    "Yugi, you don''t get it. In RPGs, just wandering around at the start usually triggers events!" Jounouchi, feeling confident, marched into the forest with exaggerated steps.


    After just a few steps, a ferocious roar echoed from deep within the forest.


    "What was that sound?" Hoshino, unarmed, was visibly panicked.


    "It sounds like we disturbed a monster in the forest," Mokuba, frowning, analyzed cautiously. "It''s all Jounouchi''s fault for wandering off and triggering an unnecessary battle!"


    "Hey, this is a plot-related battle that''s unavoidable!" Jounouchi, defending himself, stood tall in front of Hoshino. "Hoshino, stay back. I''ll handle this."


    "You say you''ll handle it, but do you even know how to fight?" Yugi shot a skeptical glance at Jounouchi, who was trying to look cool.


    "Roar!!" As the roar grew closer, the sound of something massive moving through the trees became more pronounced. It was not a small creature.


    [Giant Rat¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-Star)][Earth][Beast/Effect][ATK1400/DEF1450]


    A gigantic light blue rat emerged from the forest, glaring at the group menacingly.


    "Why does a rat sound like a lion? This game has such logical settings!" Hoshino, backing away from the huge rat, muttered as she retreated further behind Jounouchi.


    "It''s just one monster. Watch me take it down!" Drawing a card from his deck, Jounouchi beamed. "Great, I drew my ace monster on the first draw!"


    "I summon [Blue Flame Swordsman] in attack position!" Raising the card high, Jounouchi''s Flame Swordsman card sparkled like a star before...


    [Blue Flame Swordsman ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-Star)][Fire][Warrior/Effect][ATK1800/Def1600]


    The physical manifestation of Blue Flame Swordsman, with its strong body, stood between the group and the Giant Rat.


    "Yes, it summoned successfully!" Jounouchi, having no idea of the rules, somehow managed to summon a monster by fumbling through. Truly, he was a lucky player.


    "Attack, Blue Flame Swordsman! Cut down that big rat!" Riding the wave of his success, Jounouchi gave the attack command. "Flame Sword Slash!"


    Obeying the command, Blue Flame Swordsman rushed at the Giant Rat. The blue flames on his sword sliced through the rat''s body like paper. The rat''s pained screams echoed through the forest.


    "Piece of cake!" Victorious, Jounouchi turned to Hoshino and made a V-sign. "With me around, no worries!"


    "Something''s not right, Jounouchi." Yugi, sensing something amiss, didn''t lower his guard. "The forest... it''s getting restless."


    "How? Didn''t we just defeat it?" Jounouchi, not doubting Yugi''s sharp observation skills, knew it was Yugi''s keen insight that had led them to find water in the Duelist Kingdom.


    "I remember now, Jounouchi!" Realizing something, Yugi quickly drew cards from his deck. "Recall the effect of Giant Rat."


    "Huh? Giant Rat''s special effect, what was it again?" Jounouchi, holding his head in frustration, struggled to remember.


    Understanding Yugi''s hint, Mokuba answered quickly, "When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon 1 Earth monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck in face-up Attack Position!"


    "So that means..." Hoshino, realizing the gravity of the situation, looked around the agitated forest in horror. Hidden in the shadows of the trees were countless eyes gleaming eerily, surrounding them. "The forest is full of rats?"


    "But the card effect says just one! Why are there so many?" Jounouchi, realizing he had messed up, tried to shift the blame.


    "Probably a game modification for realism. Anyway..." Yugi, staying calm, raised the two cards he had just drawn.


    "Sacrifice [Blue Flame Swordsman] to summon [Curse of Dragon] from my hand, then activate the spell card [Burning Land]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 107 - 107

    The scene was just like before for Jonouchi. The two cards held high by Yugi also gleamed with light.


    [Cursed of Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5 stars)][Dark][Dragon][ATK2000/DEF1500]


    A terrifying dragon driven by evil power, materializing and hovering above everyone''s heads.


    "Because I activated [Burning Land] at the same time, according to the card''s effect, the surrounding forest field is destroyed!" With that, Yugi raised his head and gave an order to the Cursed Dragon in the sky, "Go, [Cursed of Dragon], burn this land with your fury!"


    [Burning Land Continuous Spell Card Effect: When this card is activated, all Field Spell Cards on the field are destroyed. Additionally, during each player''s Standby Phase, the turn player takes 500 damage.]


    Empowered by the spell card, the Cursed Dragon roared and spewed an indescribable amount of flames onto the forest below. In an instant, the flames overturned the entire forest, exposing the giant rats hiding within.


    "Now there''s nowhere to hide, attack all the giant rats, [Cursed of Dragon]!" Following Yugi''s command, the giant rats, having lost their hiding place, were slain one by one by the dragon.


    "As expected of Yugi, taking down so many giant rats in one go. But look...," Jonouchi added, his gaze sweeping the landscape, "with the forest gone, we can see the road ahead!"


    Looking around, not far from where they stood in the forest, they could barely make out an area resembling a city.


    "Let''s go to the city to find my brother and gather some information!" Mokuba, eager and impatient, had already started walking towards the city.


    "Huh? What''s that scattered on the ground?" Hoshino, who had been somewhat reluctant about the giant rat corpses, noticed that with the monsters destroyed, the corpses disappeared just like the holographic images on the duel stage. The ground, which should have been piled with corpses, was now empty except for some golden cards.


    [1 Gold Coin]


    Picking up a card, Hoshino examined it closely. The card was simple, with just the words [1 Gold Coin] written in glittering letters on the front, while the back was the same as a regular Duel Monster card.


    "These look like currency," Yugi observed, noticing the golden cards scattered around. He took one from Hoshino and flipped it over, confirming his suspicion. "Yeah, this must be the currency of this world."


    "Hehe, money, huh? Can''t leave that lying around!" Greedy Jonouchi, upon hearing that the cards dropped by monsters could be used as money, gleefully bent down to pick them up one by one.


    "Defeating monsters to get gold coins, this feels like an RPG~" Hoshino, playing with the gold coin card in her hand, started to enjoy herself, "I wonder if my Heroic Spirit deck can use these too. I''ll try it next time we encounter monsters~"


    [Hoshino''s party obtained 20 gold coins (cards)]


    "That little brat sure runs fast." Having spent some time picking up cards, the three were already a distance behind Mokuba, who was hurrying towards the city, but at least he was still within visible range, so they could react quickly if there was danger.


    "Let''s hurry too, Yugi, Jonouchi~" Hoshino, also interested in the city, was curious about what could be bought with the world''s currency. Such exploration was part of the unique fun of an RPG game.


    ...


    "Huh? Has Mokuba stopped?" After chasing for a while, Jonouchi, squinting at Mokuba''s tiny figure in the distance, speculated, "He seems to have stopped moving. Is he waiting for us?"


    "No, he''s not waiting for us!" Yugi, suddenly alarmed, noticed something was wrong, "He''s not just standing still, he''s running towards us! He must be in danger!"


    Seeing Mokuba''s approaching figure, the three couldn''t help but tense up.


    "Yugi, Hoshino, help me! QAQ" Mokuba, with tears in his eyes, ran frantically towards the trio.


    But behind him...


    [Dragon Zombie¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][Dark][Zombie][ATK1600/DEF0]


    [Armored Zombie¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][Dark][Zombie][ATK1500/DEF0]


    [Pumpking the King of Ghosts¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Dark][Zombie][ATK1800/DEF2000]


    "There are zombies, zombies!" Shivering, Mokuba cowardly hid behind Hoshino.


    "Hahaha, who would''ve thought that a tough-looking kid like you, would be scared of zombies!" Jonouchi mocked, a smug look on his face, "Although they look a bit tougher than the giant rats, these zombies are still just small fry~"


    "In attack mode, I summon [Gearfried the Iron Knight]!" Jonouchi, drawing a monster card from his duel disk without even looking, summoned it.


    [Gearfried the Iron Knight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK1800/DEF1600]


    The masked knight, clad in black armor, stood imposingly on the virtual world ground.


    Seeing Jonouchi and Yugi''s two rounds of card play, Hoshino finally understood that in this world, decks had no randomness¡ªone could draw whatever card they wanted.


    "Go, Iron Knight, attack Dragon Zombie!" Since Gearfried''s attack power was 1800, equal to the strongest Pumpking the King of Ghosts, Jonouchi naturally started with the weaker zombie monsters.


    With a hefty shield, he accurately smashed the head of the Dragon Zombie.


    [Dragon Zombie] destroyed


    "Hmph, see that, Mokuba? It''s that easy~" Jonouchi boasted after another victory, turning to show off to Mokuba.


    "You idiot, those are zombies! They aren''t that easy to deal with!" Mokuba, still on edge, remained behind Hoshino, unwilling to come out.


    "Be careful, Jonouchi!" Yugi''s panicked voice suddenly rang out. The Dragon Zombie, which had been shattered by the Iron Knight, miraculously regenerated.


    [Dragon Zombie ATK 1600¡ú1900]


    It wasn''t just a simple revival; the Dragon Zombie now looked fiercer, with its attack power surpassing Jonouchi''s Iron Knight.


    "Jonouchi, summon a stronger monster!" Seeing the Dragon Zombie about to pounce on the Iron Knight, Hoshino urged nervously. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I want to, but it seems I can only summon one monster per turn." Helplessly, with no response from his duel disk or cards, Jonouchi could only watch in despair as his Iron Knight was defeated by the Dragon Zombie.


    [Gearfried the Iron Knight] destroyed


    [Jonouchi LP 4000¡ú3900]


    "What the heck, is this a turn-based RPG?!" At this moment, Hoshino finally grasped the mechanics of this game.


    "Yeah, Hoshino, you figured it out too." Yugi, also gradually understanding the RPG mode, tried to analyze, "You can only normal summon one monster at a time, just like in Duel Monsters. If you want to summon again, you must endure an attack from the opponent."


    "Although it means enduring an attack, it seems the damage won''t directly hit the player..." Hoshino added.


    Among the three zombies, only the Dragon Zombie attacked, while the remaining Pumpkin King and Armored Zombie just slowly approached without attacking. "It seems that as long as you summon another monster quickly after being attacked, you won''t suffer a lot of direct damage. It''s quite a humane rule."


    "You two still have time to analyze the rules here!" Jonouchi, flustered, realized that the strongest monster he could normally summon from his deck was [Gearfried the Iron Knight], and after it was defeated, he had no idea what card to play next.


    "And the fact that zombie-type monsters revive and increase their attack power is unheard of!" Mokuba, trembling with fear of the zombies, complained angrily.


    "It seems this RPG has added some rules that weren''t originally in Duel Monsters for the sake of realism." Yugi, frowning, quickly drew a card from his duel disk, "Let me handle this turn, Jonouchi. Let''s try purifying these evil creatures with holy light!"


    "Summon [Mystical Elf]!"


    [Mystical Elf ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Light][Spellcaster][ATK800/DEF2000]


    A blue-haired elf girl draped in holy light materialized in front of the three zombies as Yugi''s card shimmered.


    "It seems I guessed correctly." Under the illumination of the Holy Elf''s light, the three advancing zombies started to retreat. The berserk aura of the revived Dragon Zombie also faded away.


    [Dragon Zombie ATK 1900¡ú1600]


    "But the Mystical Elf ''s attack power is only 800, not enough to defeat the zombies." Although the appearance of the Mystical Elf temporarily relieved them from the zombie threat, stalling was not a viable solution.


    "Yugi, don''t you have any stronger light monsters in your deck?" Jonouchi asked anxiously, knowing his warrior-type deck structure couldn''t help much.


    "This is troublesome, I only have the [Mystical Elf]!" Yugi, whose deck mainly consisted of spellcaster and dark attribute monsters, also had no stronger light monsters to summon.


    "Let me try this turn, Yugi!" In this stalemate, Hoshino volunteered, "If saints count as Light monsters, I have a few in my deck."


    "That''s great, Ho..." Realizing the composition of Hoshino''s deck, Yugi, who had been looking at her with joy, suddenly blushed and turned his head away.


    Hoshino, lifting her skirt, smoothly retrieved a card from her thigh, her movements full of wild sensuality.


    "But Hoshino, you don''t have a duel disk. Can you use a card?" Yugi, still not daring to look back, reminded her with his head lowered.


    "Even though you have duel disks, you aren''t using them!" Having thoroughly understood the game in the past five minutes, Hoshino confidently replied. From her observation, it seemed that Yugi and Jonouchi''s duel disks were just for placing decks and not utilizing any other functions; they were simply drawing cards and using them directly.


    "In this world, to use a card, you just need the right spirit!" Raising the drawn card with great spirit, Hoshino shouted, "Using [Mystical Elf] as a tribute, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Martha] Install!"


    The Mystical Elf, disappearing as a tribute, and the shimmering card like a brilliant star, all resembled previous summonings.


    However, things didn''t go as smoothly after that. Martha''s figure didn''t appear before them; instead, the glow from the card in Hoshino''s hand intensified, enveloping her body in a spotlight-like dazzling white light.


    "Hoshino!" The sudden abnormal situation made the three nervous. Jonouchi almost rushed in, looking helplessly at Hoshino, engulfed in light.


    "It''s fine, Jonouchi!" Hoshino''s enlightened voice came from within the light, "So that''s how it is. I wondered why the card-on-thigh setting felt so familiar. It''s Phantasm Summon!"


    "Huh? A what Summon?"


    [Install:Phantasm Summon: By indirectly contacting the Heroic Spirit Throne through a card, the power of a Heroic Spirit of the corresponding class covers the user, transforming them into a Heroic Spirit.](Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya)


    "In short! Phantasm Summon, Spirit Origin Martha!" The dispersing light gathered around Hoshino, completely transforming her attire. The pure white saintly dress that should have been on Martha replaced Hoshino''s short skirt, and a cross-shaped staff appeared in her hand.


    "Isn''t this the boss''s outfit? Why is it on Hoshino..." The scene was so far beyond Jonouchi''s understanding that he was left dumbfounded.


    "Explaining it all would take too long. Just trust me¡ªwatch!" Too lazy to explain or not knowing how to explain, Hoshino decided to leave the reasons behind, "Now, using the strongest holiness of humanity, let''s purify the evil before us!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Martha (Hoshino)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Light][Fairy/Effect][ATK1600/DEF1300]


    [Effect ¢Ù: When this card is summoned or special summoned, you can activate it. Special summon one [Tarasque Token] (Dragon/Fire/4 stars/ATK/DEF 1500) to your field.]


    "Come forth, Tarasque!" Hoshino, holding the staff aloft, called out the name of the terrifying dragon.


    "Roar!" A deafening dragon''s roar echoed from above, with a giant dragon circling the sky.


    [Tarasque Token¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Fire][Dragon][ATK1500/DEF1500]


    "Go, Tarasque! You know what to do!" With a slight smile, Hoshino pointed the staff at the three zombies, "Grant them the holiest purification!"


    "Roar!" The circling dragon, following Hoshino''s command, dove down, its massive body firmly trapping the three zombies.


    "I''ve always wanted to try this!" Growing more excited, Hoshino threw away her staff and rushed forward. Due to the Phantasm Summon, the power of Martha''s spirit origin enveloped Hoshino, allowing her originally weak body to move swiftly.


    "Behold the sorrow of a dragon unaware of love, like a star!" Mimicking Martha''s tone, Hoshino declared the execution.


    "Lord, bear witness to my resolve!"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 108 - 108

    "Lord, bear witness to my resolve!" Completely caught up in the excitement, Hoshino no longer cared about the supposed Lord''s feelings. Her punches came down like a torrential storm, hammering Tarasque''s dragon body with relentless, blinding speed.


    Tarasque''s dragon body could barely withstand the high-intensity iron-fist barrage, but the three zombies trapped within it couldn''t. Each punch landed with bone-crushing force, sending shockwaves rippling through Tarasque''s massive body. The wind pressure alone was enough to force blood from the zombies'' every orifice.


    "She''s... terrifying," Yugi muttered, as he and Mukoba stood frozen in shock, their mouths agape. It was hard to reconcile the quiet Hoshino they knew with the relentless fighter before them.


    "Wow, that''s the boss''s punches. Hoshino is amazing!" Jonouchi''s focus was entirely different.


    "You got it, Jonouchi! This punch is sacred, reserved for those with the purest faith..." Hoshino, feeling a bit tired from the punching, decided to give the zombies the final blow.


    [Effect ¢Ú: At the start of the battle phase, when this card attacks an opponent''s monster, you can tribute one Dragon-Type monster you control, destroy that opponent''s monster, and inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster''s original attack.]


    Holy power, concentrated severalfold on Hoshino''s fist, exploded on Tarasque''s body like a light bomb. "Sorry, Tarasque, please sacrifice yourself for the Lord!"


    "This is the holy light that can purify everything!"


    "Iron Fist Holy Judgement!"


    The helpless zombies were obliterated, reduced to nothing more than a smoldering pile of debris. Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Hoshino smiled brightly at the three, "I didn''t expect purifying evil creatures to be this tiring, but they shouldn''t be able to revive now."


    Wide-eyed and shivering, the three huddled together, their horror deepening as they watched Hoshino cheerfully dismantle both the zombies and their understanding of her. They nodded like robots, terrified of doing anything to displease her.


    "Everyone''s acting so strange. The zombies are gone, so why are you still so scared?" Shaking her head in confusion, Hoshino bent down to pick up the golden cards left behind by the zombies.


    [10 Gold Coins] x2


    [20 Gold Coins] x1


    "It looks like this 20 gold coin card dropped from the big pumpkin." Noticing the zombie blood on the card, Hoshino wiped it on her saintly dress. "It''s just a disposable outfit, anyway," she murmured.


    [Hoshino accumulated 60 gold coins]


    "Let''s move on, everyone~" Brimming with energy, Hoshino called out to the others and took the lead toward the city. Probably due to leaving the battle, Martha''s outfit on Hoshino reverted to her original short skirt.


    "Uh¡­ okay!" The three answered weakly, dragging themselves along.


    As they entered the bustling desert city, NPCs in colorful headscarves called out from stalls overflowing with exotic wares. The scent of spices and roasted meats filled the air, mixing with the vibrant chatter of the marketplace. The air buzzed with the lively chatter of women and children, adding to the city''s vibrant atmosphere.


    "Wow, this feels so real. Is this a game world?" Hoshino, full of excitement, stood on the city''s central fountain, looking around. "They even have food stalls here. I wonder what eating in a VR game feels like?"


    "Hoshino seems to be enjoying herself," Mokuba whispered with a twitching mouth, "I hope she doesn''t forget we''re here to rescue my brother."


    "But finding someone in such a big city seems very troublesome." Yugi, stroking his chin, frowned at the bustling crowd.


    "Not very optimistic, especially since we have no clues." Jonouchi also understood that searching for someone in this city was like finding a needle in a haystack.


    "Let''s split up and gather information." Jumping down from the fountain, Hoshino suggested, "We can ask around if anyone has seen a stranger dressed like us."


    "Yeah, that''s a good idea!" The NPCs here wore traditional desert attire, so if Kaiba had passed through, someone would have noticed.


    "It seems Hoshino is quite reliable after all~" With a renewed sense of purpose, Mokuba felt a bit more cheerful.


    "Of course, I''ve completed countless RPGs while staying at home!" Hoshino closed her eyes and nodded proudly, reminiscing.


    "But won''t it be dangerous if we split up, especially for a girl like you¡ª" Jonouchi''s voice faltered as the image of Hoshino pulverizing the zombies flashed in his mind. He quickly swallowed his words.


    "Don''t worry, in a typical RPG city, it''s usually a safe zone. As long as you are not the MC, there won''t be any problems!" Turning around, Hoshino gave them an OK sign and headed to the other side of the city.


    "Alright~" Jonouchi sighed deeply, watching Hoshino''s retreating figure.


    Then, the three scattered in different directions.


    "Hmph, those three are so gullible~" Hoshino, who had left first, chuckled, "They didn''t even notice I have all the gold cards. Now it''s time for some fun shopping~"


    Shopping was second nature to Hoshino, even as a shut-in who often had packages delivered daily. Now, having entered the virtual world, it would be a shame not to check out what this other world had to offer.


    While standing at the central fountain earlier, Hoshino had already spotted the nearest shopping street. Heading there immediately, the gold cards in her pocket were already heating up from being handled so much.


    "Come, come, get your grill lizard tails!"


    "Cheap desert clothes, greatly reduce your blindness rate!"


    "Free trial of card-drawing oil! Rub it on your hands and guarantee every draw is a good one. Money-back guarantee if it doesn''t work!"


    "It''s so lively!" With her eyes almost not enough to take in everything, Hoshino happily walked through the shopping street, "It''s true, the other world sells things you''ve never seen before. This trip was worth it!"


    "Hey, little girl over there, come take a look¡­" Finally, after walking for a while, an old woman trying to attract customers noticed Hoshino.


    "Granny has some rare cards for sale~" The eerie voice seemed to have a magical pull on Hoshino.


    "A store selling cards? How interesting," thought Hoshino. It made sense that a game based on Duel Monster cards would have such shops, so she decided to check it out.


    "Granny, what kinds of cards do you have here?" Hoshino asked, glancing at the display board outside the shop. They were almost identical to the Duel Monster cards she usually used. However, unlike the usual packs, each card here had a marked price below it.


    "Hehehe!" Seeing Hoshino couldn''t resist her curiosity and came over, Granny smiled happily. "Little girl, you don''t look like you''re from here. I''m sure you wouldn''t be interested in the junk cards displayed at the shop entrance."


    Hoshino took a closer look at the so-called junk cards Granny mentioned.


    [Steel Ogre Grotto #2¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Earth][Machine][ATK1900/DEF2200]


    [Spike Seadra¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5 stars)][Water][Sea Serpent][ATK1200/DEF900]


    [Enchanting Mermaid¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][Water][Fish][ATK1200/DEF900]


    Indeed, these were flashy but essentially useless normal monsters. Their stats did not match their star levels. They might be good for fooling kids at Kame Game Shop, but Hoshino was not so easily impressed.


    "Hehe, these are the ultra-rare cards in the store~" Granny whispered mysteriously, pulling out a beautifully crafted card from her sleeve. The emerald green dragon on the card instantly caught Hoshino''s attention.


    [Luster Dragon #2¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Wind][Dragon][ATK2400/DEF1400]


    It was indeed an excellent card, but...


    "Sorry, Granny, I can''t use this monster." Although the Luster Dragon #2, a 6-star monster, had attack power close to the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Hoshino wasn''t willing to spend money on such a card.


    "Mm!" A look of surprise flashed across Granny''s face. It was the first time someone had rejected this card without even asking for the price. "I didn''t expect it, little girl. At such a young age, you have great insight. If the [Luster Dragon #2] doesn''t interest you, it must mean nothing less than the best will do."


    "If you don''t have anything rarer, I''ll be on my way, Granny." Time was limited, and Hoshino didn''t want to spend it all in one shop. She was also very interested in the card-drawing oil she had seen earlier.


    "No, don''t go, I have more cards!" Granny seemed panicked as she saw Hoshino about to leave. "If the [Luster Dragon #2] didn''t interest you, then I''ll have to show you my most treasured, one-of-a-kind card."


    "Then show me quickly." Growing impatient, Hoshino couldn''t imagine what one-of-a-kind card this shop could have.


    "Hehehe~" Granny, regaining her mysterious smile, reached back into her sleeve, "I found this card near the Dragon God''s domain a few days ago. I guarantee you''ve never seen it before!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A finely crafted orange-yellow card emerged from Granny''s sleeve.


    Seeing the card, Hoshino, who had been impatient a moment ago, instantly became excited.


    "Granny, how much for this card? I''ll buy it. Please sell it to me!" Eyes wide, Hoshino eagerly inquired about the price.


    "Hehehe, I knew you were a discerning customer. The value of this card is not easy to see for most people~" Granny pleased that her card had caught Hoshino''s interest, smiled even more proudly.


    "But, Granny risked her life to get this card from near the Dragon God''s domain, so it''s not cheap!" Using the typical seller''s tactic, Granny feigned difficulty, obviously aiming to raise the price.


    "Stop wasting time, Granny, just tell me how much it is!" Young and inexperienced, Hoshino fell right into the trap, her eagerness making it clear to Granny how much she wanted the card.


    Raising an aged finger, Granny''s already wrinkled eyes narrowed to slits.


    "10 gold coins?" Hoshino guessed.


    Granny shook her head.


    "100 gold coins?!" Hoshino exclaimed. Although it exceeded her 60 gold coin balance, she could gather the rest by fighting a few monsters.


    "No, not gold coins!" Granny''s shocking answer and sudden shrewdness completely stunned Hoshino.


    "1000 gold coins? Why not just rob a bank? It''d be simpler!" Before coming to this shop, Hoshino had understood the prices in this world. A meal cost less than 1 gold coin, yet this merchant wanted 1000 gold coins for one card, which was outrageous.


    "Hehe, business is all about mutual consent." Granny laughed, seeing Hoshino hesitate at the price, and pretended to put the card back in her sleeve. "If you think the price is too high, maybe you and this dragon girl card aren''t meant to be. I''ll just wait for the next buyer."


    "Wait, Granny, I''ll buy it!" Panic surged as Hoshino imagined someone else snatching up the card. "But I don''t have enough coins now. I need to gather more money. Please don''t sell it to anyone else!"


    "Hehe, seeing how sincere you are, Granny will wait for you for a day. I won''t sell it to anyone else today." Knowing Hoshino had taken the bait, Granny was unhurried. Selling a card for 1000 gold coins was a rare chance, only feasible by deceiving an outsider like Hoshino.


    As she left Granny''s card stall, all thoughts of shopping vanished from Hoshino''s mind. Her mind raced, desperate to figure out how she could earn 1000 gold coins in just one day. But the most baffling thought was...


    "Why in the world is a Saber Lily card being sold in this VR game?!" Heroic Spirit cards were different from other market-released cards. Even if the game had in-app purchases, they should only offer officially released products.


    Thinking about it, Hoshino, considering her unusual way of using cards, felt the answer was obvious.


    Opening the system, Hoshino saw it.


    [Limited-time event [Dragon God Domain Adventure] is now live!!]


    [Clear the Dragon God Domain to obtain exclusive rare Servant cards~]


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 109 - 109

    "Da Vinci, seriously, it''s your system, so why do I always have to complete time-limited missions to get event cards?" Hoshino grumbled to herself as she listened to the frustrating BGM playing from the system, silently cursing Da Vinci in her heart.


    But even though she was complaining, there was no way she could just leave Lily behind. After all, who knew if she would ever have the chance to get Lily''s card again after leaving this virtual world?


    "But 1,000 gold coins? That''s way too much!" Hoshino muttered, frowning as she walked aimlessly down the street, thinking of ways to make money. "If I drag Jonouchi and Yugi along to fight monsters, I wonder if we could make enough in one day."


    "Take a look. Take a look!"


    "Hm?"


    "The King''s Gladiator Tournament in the Desert Capital opens today! The victor will receive a huge cash prize and the legendary equipment¡ªthe Sword of the Hero!"


    "!!!" The dejected Hoshino trembled slightly when she heard the announcement from a street vendor at the corner.


    "How much is this ''huge cash prize'' you''re talking about!" Hoshino rushed over eagerly, looking with anticipation at the vendor handing out flyers. "Could it be 1,000 gold coins?"


    "Uh¡­" Startled by Hoshino''s sudden appearance, the vendor paused before looking her up and down with a disdainful gaze. "Yeah, it''s 1,000 gold coins, but Miss, don''t tell me you''re planning to enter the tournament?"


    "Why, can''t I enter?" Hoshino spun around in place to show herself off, then smiled confidently. "Do I look weak to you?"


    "Hahaha, Miss, you''re killing me!" The vendor laughed uproariously, clutching his stomach, and handed Hoshino a flyer. "Take a look at who you''d be up against."


    Feeling mocked, Hoshino unhappily took the flyer and glanced over it. It was the usual kind of gladiator tournament advertisement: massive, muscular men showing off their biceps, or heavily armed warriors posing with long swords.


    "They don''t look that tough to me," Hoshino muttered dismissively.


    "Huh? Are you blind, Miss?" The vendor waved his hand in front of her face, looking at her like she was crazy. "With that small frame of yours, you''d get crushed in a second in the arena!"


    "I don''t have time to argue with you!" Frustrated with the vendor''s refusal to understand, Hoshino decided not to explain further. "Just tell me how to sign up."


    "Signing up is simple. Just give me two gold coins as the registration fee, and I''ll give you a number card. Just show up at the arena at noon." Seeing that Hoshino was determined to go through with it, the vendor gave up trying to dissuade her, holding up two fingers to indicate the fee.


    "Two gold coins, huh¡­" Hoshino fumbled around in her pocket. It was her first time using this world''s currency. "So I just give you two 1-gold-coin cards, right?"


    "Thanks for your patronage! Here''s your number card." The vendor took the coins and casually pulled a card with a number on it from his pouch. "Sigh, you''re such a cute girl. Why can''t you find another way to earn money? Why throw your life away? Just don''t blame me when you get hurt."


    "Don''t worry, old man. When I win, I''ll share two gold coins with you~" Hoshino said cheerfully as she accepted the number card and looked at it closely. Besides the number 12, there were no other noticeable markings on the card.


    "What a shabby entry proof. Is this tournament even legitimate?"


    Hoshino had no idea that, despite how easily this entry proof could be forged, most people wouldn''t dare to enter such a tournament.


    "Well, anyway, I should check out the arena first~" Hoshino''s mood lifted now that she had found such a quick way to earn money.


    The Desert Capital Arena was one of the most prominent structures in the city, a colossal circular building reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum, located in the southernmost part of the city. Today, with the opening of the King''s Gladiator Tournament, the arena was packed with spectators, leaving barely any room to move. Hoshino pushed her way through the dense crowd toward the entrance.


    "Hey, Miss, why are you pushing so hard?" A security guard at the arena''s back entrance called out when he saw the girl squeezing through the crowd. "If you want to buy tickets, you need to go to the main entrance. This is the entrance for participants."


    "Sorry, I''m here to participate!" Hoshino replied, pulling out the number card she had just bought from the vendor.


    "For real? A girl like you is entering this tournament?"


    The guard was stunned as he took the number card, his face full of disbelief. "Are you sure, Miss? This is suicide."


    "I''m sure, why does everyone keep saying that?" Hoshino fumed, patting the deck of cards strapped to her thigh under her skirt. "When I win, I''ll use the gold coin cards to slap all of you in the face!"


    "Well, go on in then~" The guard sighed, feeling like it was a waste. But since the number card was valid, he had no reason to stop her.


    The Desert Capital Arena, Contestant''s Lounge¡ª


    "Hey there, my good buddy Jon! Your chest hair''s looking even thicker today!" A burly man with a bare chest slapped the chest of another man with a similar build across from him.


    "Of course, Bob! I had a whole bowl of nails for breakfast today!" The man named Jon flexed his chest muscles and laughed.


    "So what? A bowl of nails is just a snack to me~"


    "Hmph, I didn''t add any milk!"


    "You win this one. I admit defeat!"


    ...


    "Whoa, are these guys even human?" Hoshino, who had just entered the contestant''s lounge, marveled at the monstrous figures sitting inside.


    "But then again, they''re just NPCs in a game. Of course, they aren''t human."


    "Hey, guys, look at this little cutie I found!" Despite Hoshino''s tiny stature compared to these giants, Jon''s sharp eyes immediately spotted her. "Little girl, this place is dangerous. The kids'' section isn''t here~"


    "Hahaha!" The crowd burst into laughter at Jon''s joke as they stared at Hoshino.


    Ignoring the shallow taunts, Hoshino chose an empty spot and sat down.


    "Wait, could she be a new ring girl? Why would they hire such a scrawny ring girl?" Jon scratched his head in confusion when he saw that Hoshino wasn''t leaving.


    "Hmph, when the match starts, I''ll make you the ring girl~" Hoshino smirked, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.


    "You seem pretty strong!" Unexpectedly, the fully armored man sitting next to Hoshino didn''t mock her like the others. Instead, his deep voice was filled with excitement. "To think I''d encounter a formidable opponent like you in a place like this. It was worth coming."


    The sudden compliment startled Hoshino. Despite not having used her Phantasm Summon ability, this man could already sense her strength. This made Hoshino scrutinize the man before her. Unlike the other muscular brutes, he had a physique closer to that of a normal person, clad in pitch-black armor that covered his entire body, even concealing his face, making it impossible to see what he looked like.


    "You don''t seem too bad yourself, at least much better than those muscle-head fools," Hoshino politely returned the compliment.


    After this brief exchange, the man fell silent, merely sitting there quietly, waiting for the tournament to begin.


    Noon¡ª


    "Ladies and gentlemen! The annual grand event of the Desert Capital, the King''s Gladiator Tournament, has officially begun!!"


    "Yeah!!"


    "We''ve been waiting so long for this!!"


    "This is what I live for every year!!"


    Hearing the sudden eruption of cheers outside, Hoshino frowned and murmured to herself, "So, it''s finally starting."


    "First, since this is the King''s Gladiator Tournament, we must first invite our King into the arena!" The host, who was excellent at stirring up the crowd, dramatically gestured toward the contestants'' lounge opposite Hoshino''s. "The champion of last year''s tournament hailed as the strongest in the Desert Capital, the warrior who never removes his mask¡ªThe Bull Warrior!!"


    "Finally, the Bull Warrior is here!"


    "We love you, Bull Warrior!"


    "Crush them all!"


    On the opposite side of the arena, a hulking warrior wearing a red bull-headed mask emerged from a rising steel gate, basking in the cheers of the surrounding audience.


    "He''s amazing, like a real star," Hoshino commented enviously as she watched the Bull Warrior soak up the applause.


    "Although most of you are probably familiar with the rules of the King''s Gladiator Tournament, I''ll explain them again for those watching or participating for the first time." With the Bull Warrior now in the center of the arena, the host continued the proceedings.


    "Participants can challenge the arena champion, our strongest warrior, the Bull Warrior, at any time. If a contestant defeats the Bull Warrior, they will become the new champion. To claim ultimate victory in the tournament, one must defend their title as champion for ten rounds."


    "The arena imposes no restrictions on fighting methods. You may bring your weapons or use those provided by the arena. To all the powerful contenders gathered here, hold nothing back and unleash your most ferocious strength!"


    "Victory belongs to the warrior who stands last! And the strongest warrior will earn the honor they deserve! In addition to the grand prize, the champion will receive this year''s special award¡ªthe legendary weapon wielded by the hero, the Sword of the Hero!"


    "Now, embrace your dreams and determination, and fight to claim the glory that belongs to you!"


    "Yeah!!!"


    The host''s impassioned speech not only whipped the audience into a frenzy but also filled Hoshino with excitement.


    "No wonder so many people come to watch. This tournament is something special." Hoshino, eager to compete, clenched her fists in anticipation.


    "Now that all the contestants are in the lounge, let''s wait for the first warrior to challenge the champion!"


    "Oh? It''s finally starting!" Hearing the host''s announcement, Hoshino prepared to step forward as the first challenger.


    "Little girl, I can tell this is your first time in a tournament like this. You should wait a bit and observe first." Jon, the burly man who had blocked Hoshino, surprisingly showed her some gentle concern despite his rough appearance. "Watch a few rounds before you decide whether to participate. Even if you choose to withdraw afterward, it''s allowed by the rules."


    "But I don''t have that much time to waste!" Hoshino replied impatiently, looking at Jon. She had been waiting in the arena for the tournament to begin for a while now, and she knew Jonouchi and the others would be worried if they couldn''t find her. All she wanted was to compete, win quickly, and claim the prize money.


    "Then let me, Jon the Great, go first and show you just how brutal the top-level gladiators are!" With that, Jon slammed his fists together and walked forward with overwhelming force. "Referee, I''m entering! Contestant number 7, Jon!"


    "Alright, please wait a moment. Do some warm-ups or choose your weapon." The referee, who was recording contestant numbers and information, quickly relayed the data.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, we''ve just received word that our first contestant has been decided! It''s none other than the man known as the Human Meat Grinder, the mighty Jon!" Receiving the information from the referee, the host instantly became excited. "As one of this tournament''s top warriors, Jon is competing first! It''s truly a battle of kings right from the start!"


    After the host''s enthusiastic announcement, the iron gate in front of the contestants'' lounge lifted. Jon''s massive body barely squeezed through the gate as he entered the arena.


    "And now, the first match of the King''s Gladiator Tournament: Bull Warrior versus Jon¡ªBegin!"


    At the signal to start, Jon let out a furious roar and charged forward, dragging his massive frame with terrifying speed.


    [Human Meat Grinder Jon][ATK1800/DEF1800]


    "Hm?" Hoshino''s eyes widened as she noticed a stat line suddenly appear above Jon''s head once he entered combat mode. "So, like the monsters in this world, the NPCs also have their abilities displayed?"


    While Hoshino was still in shock, the two giants had already collided. Neither the Bull Warrior nor Jon chose to use weapons¡ªthese monstrous men believed that their bodies were the most powerful weapons.


    "Jon is really in top form today!" Jon''s best friend, Bob, remarked with a smile as he watched Jon force the Bull Warrior back step by step. "Maybe the Bull Warrior will lose his title in the very first round."


    "No, Jon won''t win," Hoshino said seriously, watching the two collide in the arena.


    "Huh? Can you understand this match, little girl?" Bob was visibly displeased with Hoshino''s opinion, which contradicted his own.


    "Just wait¡ªyou''ll see." Hoshino''s smile was confident, her eyes locked onto the arena as she anticipated the Bull Warrior''s counterattack.


    Just as Hoshino predicted, Jon had cornered the Bull Warrior, believing victory was certain. But to his shock, the Bull Warrior used the wall to his advantage, hoisting Jon into the air.


    "Oh my! I can''t believe it! Our giant Jon has just been lifted off the ground!" The incredulous host exclaimed in shock.


    With Jon hoisted high above his head, the Bull Warrior bent his knees slightly, then leaped into the air with Jon''s massive body in tow.


    "It''s here, it''s here! The Bull Warrior''s finishing move!"


    Midair, with the Bull Warrior''s immense strength, Jon was flipped upside down and pinned beneath his opponent."


    With a mighty roar, the Bull Warrior used his full body weight to slam Jon down, the impact of the two titans hitting the ground shaking the entire arena.


    "Finisher: Crow Flying on an Airplane!!"


    When the dust settled, only the Bull Warrior remained standing in the arena, while poor Jon lay on the ground, eyes glazed over and foaming at the mouth.


    [Bull Warrior][ATK1900/DEF2000]


    "Indeed, it didn''t take long for me to understand the brutality of gladiatorial combat." Hoshino let out a bitter smile as she watched Jon meet his swift defeat.


    "Jon... he lost!" Bob was in shock, not because Jon had been defeated by the Bull Warrior, but because Hoshino, who didn''t even look like a contestant, had predicted the outcome so accurately.


    "The match is decided, and our Bull Warrior still seems to be in top form. Let''s wait for the next challenger."


    However, no one came forward to challenge the undefeated Bull Warrior. Jon''s crushing defeat probably made everyone reluctant to face the bull warrior in peak condition.


    "I told you to let me go first! See? All that time wasted, and it''s still my turn now~" With a shrug, Hoshino walked over to the referee under the gaze of the crowd.


    "Contestant number 12, Hoshino Chiyuki, applying for a challenge."


    The referee was stunned. It was his first time seeing such a young girl participate in a gladiatorial tournament.


    "Referee! Did you hear me? Number 12, contestant!" Hoshino knocked on the table, trying to rouse the referee, and emphasized her request again.


    "Oh, right! Please wait a moment!" The trembling referee recorded Hoshino''s information and handed the card out just like before.


    "Alright! Our next contestant is decided!" Shortly after, the excited voice of the host came from outside. "Judging by the name, it seems to be a female contestant. It''s rare to see female participants in our arena, so I wonder what kind of performance she will bring us."


    "Please welcome contestant number 12, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Slowly passing through the rising iron gate, Hoshino walked into the arena empty-handed.


    "..."


    The host was at a loss for words as he saw Hoshino step through the gate with nothing in her hands. He had expected even a female contestant to be a burly woman with muscles, but instead, a frail-looking girl, seemingly too weak to even harm a chicken, appeared, making the host feel a bit embarrassed.


    "Little girl, are you sure you didn''t walk into the arena by mistake?"


    "Hahaha!"


    "Bull warrior, did you bring your daughter here for a stroll? Hahaha."


    After a brief silence, the entire arena burst into thunderous laughter.


    "Host, why don''t you hurry up and announce the start of the match!" Instead of explaining with words, Hoshino thought it would be easier to show these ignorant spectators herself.


    "Oh...!" The host snapped out of his daze and picked up the microphone again. "Round two of the King''s Gladiator Tournament: Hoshino Chiyuki versus Bull Warrior, begin!" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Go for it, little girl! Try to last a few seconds!"


    "Minotaur, don''t hit too hard! It''d be a shame to break such a little girl!"


    "Ha! Phantasm Summon!" Without intending to drag out the fight, Hoshino lifted her skirt and quickly drew a card from her thigh.


    "Whoo! She lifted her skirt! So sexy! Is she trying to use seduction?"


    "Hahaha, who would have thought the Bull Warrior might be gay!"


    However, the next second, the card in her hand silenced the crowd.


    "Servant! Leonidas I!" As a bright light enveloped her body, Hoshino''s short skirt outfit instantly transformed into fully armored Spartan gear. The girl, now armed with a giant shield and spear, had only her face exposed.


    "Cool! She transformed!" The audience, who had been laughing moments ago, fell silent as the air around Hoshino shimmered with power. Their laughter turned to murmurs of awe as she revealed her ability.


    Feeling the immense pressure emanating from Hoshino, the Bull Warrior didn''t slack off just because his opponent was a girl. He charged towards Hoshino, swinging his iron fist that looked solid and powerful.


    The thunderous impact echoed through the arena, reverberating off the stone walls and silencing the crowd for a split second. On the battlefield, Hoshino, holding her giant shield, accurately and steadily blocked the Minotaur''s heavy punch without stepping back even an inch.


    "Oh! She''s got some skills, this girl!" The blood-pumping clash instantly earned thunderous applause from the audience.


    [Heroic Spirit - Leonidas I (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][Earth] [Warrior][ATK1400/DEF1900]


    In Hoshino''s deck, there were no normally summoned monsters with an attack power that could directly surpass the Bull Warrior''s 1900 attack power. So, starting first, Hoshino chose to use Phantasm Summon to call forth Leonidas, using his high defense to withstand the Minotaur''s first wave of attacks.


    "Minotaur, you''re done for!" Seeing her strategy succeed, Hoshino smiled confidently from behind her shield and reached into her skirt armor to draw another card.


    "Phantasm Summon! Nero Claudius!" Taking a big step back, the Spartan armor on her body dissipated in a flash of light, and Hoshino''s outfit instantly transformed into Nero''s red dress. "This magnificent colosseum is indeed the perfect setting for such a glorious attire!"


    As the Spartan spear and shield vanished, they were replaced by a uniquely shaped longsword. Gracefully wielding the Aestus Estus, the rising flames gradually dyed Hoshino''s hair red.


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Fire] [Warrior/Effect][ATK2300/DEF1900]


    "How splendid, how elegant!" With Hoshino''s second transformation, the atmosphere in the arena reached a new height.


    "Unbelievable! Simply unbelievable!" The equally excited host shouted as he witnessed the scene. "Who would have thought that the frail-looking Hoshino Chiyuki, after two transformations, would completely overwhelm our champion, the Bull Warrior, with her aura!"


    "This will be the final blow, Bull Warrior!" Pointing the blade at the massive figure before her, the flames in Hoshino''s hand ignited the fighting spirit in her eyes.


    "Bask in the thunderous applause as I bring down the curtain, (Laus Saint Claudius)!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 110 - 110

    "Bask in the thunderous applause as I bring down the curtain, Laus Saint Claudius!"


    The flames clinging to the sword, following the dance of the primordial fire, surged towards the Bull Warrior like a wave of blazing inferno.


    Poor Bull Warrior, despite his robust appearance, had only 1900 attack points, which was vastly outmatched by Nero, Hoshino''s summoned entity with 2300 attack points. His massive, corpulent body rolled in the flames, crashing into the wall at the edge of the arena and embedding deeply into it. The red bullhead mask, which he would never remove, turned to ash under the intense heat.


    "The Bull Warrior has fallen!" The commentator, after repeatedly checking the arena, reluctantly acknowledged the fact, "The invincible Bull Warrior has fallen!"


    "A new champion has been born in the King''s Arena, and it''s none other than our mysterious challenger, Chiyuki Hoshino!"


    "Roar!!"


    "What a spectacular one-hit kill!"


    Of course, with cheers of support also came voices of dissent.


    "Letting a girl like her become the champion of the Desert Capital''s arena is a disgrace to us Desert people."


    "You gladiators eat so much, yet you can''t perform when it counts?"


    "She''s just a girl; anyone could easily crush her!"


    "And now, our third challenger has entered the arena!" Unlike the long wait with the Bull Warrior, despite Hoshino''s victory, her small stature didn''t pose much of a threat to the enormous gladiators. Within moments, a rush of contestants crowded around the judge''s desk.


    "Let''s welcome our latest contender, Big Bob!"


    "So his title is Big Bob, huh? He does look pretty big." Staring at Bob, who was rushing towards her from behind the iron gate, Hoshino''s mind wandered, "I wonder what title would sound cooler for me? Transforming Magical Girl? Or maybe Mysterious Female Swordsman?"


    [Bob][ATK1600/DEF1900]


    The primordial flame swung upward, raising a pillar of fire before Hoshino. The fierce flames launched Bob''s body into the air, and by the time he landed, he was semi-cooked and unconscious.


    "Another one-hit kill? If the first was a fluke, the second was undoubtedly a display of skill," the commentator exclaimed. "Our contestant, Chiyuki Hoshino, has impressively completed a double kill in the arena!"


    "Seriously, is there no one who can put up a fight?" Two consecutive one-hit kills had inflated Hoshino''s confidence, but she had never thought she would lose anyway. After all, she knew better than anyone the strength of her Servants.


    "Someone, please take her down! If she wins the championship, all my bets will be for nothing!"


    "Useless gladiators, wasting my hard-earned money!"


    "Tch, a bunch of gamblers." Hoshino, a gacha addict, clicked her tongue in irritation as she gradually grasped the situation in the arena. In such competitive matches, betting was inevitable. And as a newcomer, no one would have bet on her. This meant that with every opponent she defeated, she was destroying a portion of the audience''s stakes. If there had been some who supported her out of novelty at first, as their interests were impacted, the boos would only increase.


    "The next contestant has entered the arena¡ªit''s Sion the Berserker!"


    [Sion][ATK1900/DEF1500]


    "Hmm? Another one to be sent flying?" Hoshino thought that her two overwhelming victories had already displayed enough intimidation. But it seemed that the arena was indeed a place for those who weren''t afraid to die.


    "Sion the Berserker has picked up his most prized weapon!" The commentator shouted excitedly as Sion rapidly approached Hoshino, "The most terrifying killing tool in the Desert Duel Arena, the Bloodstained Mace, which has claimed countless lives!"


    "Huh? A weapon?!" Hoshino, who had become a bit complacent after her easy victories, suddenly realized that her opponent was not unarmed this time.


    By the time she realized it, though, it was already too late. The horrifying mace, thick as a doorpost and filled with spikes, was already descending heavily upon Hoshino''s head. Why was it called a mace instead of a club? Because regular clubs are one-handed weapons. But this massive weapon, as thick and solid as a doorpost, with a spiked head, required the enormous Sion to lift it with both hands, living up to its name.


    [Bloodstained Mace Equipped: Increases attack power by 500 points]


    [Sion][ATK 1900 ¡ú 2400]


    "A direct hit! The destructive power is terrifying!" The commentator, nearly losing his grip on the microphone in excitement, watched in awe as the massive mace connected with Hoshino, exclaiming, "Is this the end for our adorable contestant, Chiyuki Hoshino? Such a brief but brilliant moment of glory, now gone!"


    "Sion, that was beautiful! My bet on you wasn''t in vain!"


    "Keep this up, and my chance with a supermodel tonight depends on you!"


    "Let''s congratulate Sion on becoming the new champion of the..."


    "Shut up! I haven''t lost yet!" Under the massive mace, Hoshino''s voice came through gritted teeth.


    "Hmm?" Sion, who had been grinning with joy, now wore an increasingly grim expression as he realized that he couldn''t push his weapon down even an inch further.


    "I forgot about my equipment, how careless of me!" Hoshino said with a bitter smile, holding the primordial flame above her head with all her might. "If I hadn''t been lucky enough to trigger the Guts skill, I''d be done for this time."


    [This skill can only be used once per duel. ¢Û: Activate this skill when this card is destroyed. Toss 3 coins. If at least one of them is heads, the destruction is negated.]


    Toss results: Heads, Heads, Heads


    "Invictus Spiritus: Thrice, Though I Welcome the Setting Sun!" Hoshino roared as she stomped her feet, using the original flame in her hands to deflect the Bloodstained Mace above her head.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino has blocked it! This is the first time in the history of the Desert Capital''s arena that someone has blocked this attack¡ªwhat an incredible feat!"


    "Big guy, you''ve pissed me off!" After deflecting the opponent''s weapon, Hoshino took advantage of the brief moment when Sion lost his balance and drew another card from her leg.


    "Phantasm Summon! Install¡ªEmiya!"


    The flashing light once again transformed Hoshino''s outfit. Although still dressed in red, the attire from the Phantasm Summon of Emiya was significantly more revealing, making her movements even more agile.


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmiya (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Fire][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK2200/DEF2600]


    "Wow! Another transformation¡ªand this one is super sexy!"


    "Don''t be intimidated by such flashy tricks, Sion!"


    Hoshino, now transformed, vaulted powerfully into the air, soaring over Sion''s head. "Let me show you just how painful it is to get smashed by your weapon!"


    [During your battle phase, this card can ignore equipment requirements and copy all equipment cards on the opponent''s field, equipping them to itself as much as possible. After the battle phase, the copied equipment cards are destroyed.] S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Trace on!" With Hoshino''s silent chant, an identical, enormous Bloodstained Mace appeared in her hands.


    [Heroic Spirit ¡ª Emiya (Hoshino)][ATK 2200¡ú2700]


    "Listen up, you bunch of gamblers! The champion of the King''s Arena, me, Chiyuki Hoshino, is claiming the title today!"


    With all her might, Hoshino slammed the Bloodstained Mace down, as heavy as a thousand pounds, crushing Sion''s massive body.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 111 - 111

    "Where on earth did Hoshino run off to?" At noon, Yugi, Jounouchi, and Mokuba returned to the central fountain of the city, looking worried. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "When she left, she said the city was a safe zone and nothing would happen as long as we didn''t cause trouble. But now, she''s suddenly disappeared!" Jounouchi, frustrated mainly because of his concern, was becoming increasingly agitated. "If I''d known, I would''ve gone with her. Damn it!"


    "Jounouchi, don''t get so worked up just yet." Yugi patted Jounouchi on the back, trying to comfort him. "Since this is a game world, and Hoshino has the power to defend herself, I don''t think there''s anything in this city that could threaten her."


    "Exactly, and if there''s something even Hoshino can''t handle, having you there wouldn''t change much," Mokuba added, following Yugi''s reasoning.


    The underlying meaning was clear: you''re too weak, just a tagalong.


    "Uh, that''s not exactly what I meant, Mokuba." Yugi scratched his spiky hair awkwardly, laughing.


    "Hey, did you hear? In today''s King''s Arena tournament, a dark horse suddenly appeared¡ªand it''s a cute girl!" As the three were at a loss, a conversation among passersby caught their attention.


    "Really? A cute girl participating in a match full of bulls and beasts?"


    "Yeah, it''s true! I heard she even defeated the Bull Warrior! Should we go check it out?"


    "The Bull Warrior was defeated?! That girl must be strong!"


    "Yugi, Mokuba, did you hear that?" Jounouchi asked, determination in his eyes after the passersby finished talking.


    "Yes, loud and clear!" Yugi nodded emphatically.


    "A cute girl tearing it up in the arena... It has to be Hoshino!" Mokuba, recalling the scene of Hoshino single-handedly destroying three zombies, was certain.


    "Let''s head over there quickly!"


    ---


    To the south of the city, in the Desert Capital Arena¡ª


    "Damn it, all our coins are with Hoshino, so we can''t even afford tickets!" Jounouchi, realizing they were broke, shouted in despair at the half-coin ticket price.


    "This arena sure is popular, though. Just look at how many people are gathered outside," Yugi observed, taking in their surroundings.


    A sea of people, likely just as broke as Yugi and his friends, surrounded the arena, hoping to soak in the annual excitement from the outside.


    "Yugi now''s not the time to be marveling at the crowd!" Mokuba scolded Yugi, drawing a card from his Duel Disk. "Since we can''t afford tickets, let''s blend in with the crowd! With so many people, it''ll be the perfect cover!"


    "Mokuba, what are you planning?!" Jounouchi, worried that Mokuba might cause trouble, quickly asked, "If you start something in this crowd, it''ll be a big problem!"


    "Idiot! Do you think I''m as reckless as you?" Mokuba discreetly placed the drawn card, its glow cleverly concealed by his clothing. "Counter Trap Card: [Dark Illusion]."


    As the card''s effect activated, a faint shadow gradually enveloped the three of them. Blending into the crowd, the dim shadow was nearly impossible to notice without close inspection.


    "I didn''t know you could use a card like that!" Jounouchi marveled at the strange scene around him, amazed by Mokuba''s creativity.


    "I am a genius, after all. Don''t lump me in with you ordinary people." Mokuba spoke with calm detachment as if stating a simple fact. He waved his right hand, signaling the others to move forward.


    ---


    "We finally made it in!" Once inside, Jounouchi let out a long sigh of relief.


    "Jounouchi, look!" Yugi shouted, pointing to the center of the circular arena. "Isn''t that Hoshino?"


    In the middle of the arena, Hoshino, clad in Emiya''s revealing outfit, sat atop a mound formed by the bodies of several large men stacked together. The warriors beneath her, once powerful enough to take on many, were now nothing more than a makeshift throne.


    "Is there anyone else who dares to challenge me?!" Hoshino, wearing an intimidating expression, taunted mercilessly. "Why have your audience members been so quiet for a while now? Have you all lost your money already?"


    "Incredible, I can hardly believe my eyes! In such a short time, Chiyuki Hoshino has already won eight consecutive matches, and each one was a complete one-hit kill!" The commentator, who had hosted the King''s Arena tournament for many years, had never seen matches end this quickly. Typically, the tournament could last several days, even weeks, as winning ten consecutive matches with limited stamina was incredibly difficult. But now...


    "With just two more wins, the youngest champion in the Desert Capital Arena''s history will be crowned!"


    "Hoshino entered this kind of tournament?" The three spectators couldn''t help but frown. Although they had found Hoshino, they couldn''t understand why she would spend time in an arena match that had nothing to do with finding Kaiba.


    "Hoshino must have her reasons," Yugi said, seriously watching Hoshino in the arena. He was certain she wasn''t participating just for fun.


    ---


    "Alright, our ninth contestant has entered the arena! Known for his impenetrable defense, it''s Iron Rhino Tamm!"


    A giant clad in heavy steel armor squeezed through the entrance gate. The armor was so thick that even this huge man struggled to move, his movements slow and cumbersome.


    [Tamm][ATK 1500/DEF 2000 ¡ú 2500]


    "So, in this world, all battles are based on Duel Monster stats," Yugi instantly understood why Hoshino had been dominating.


    "If that''s the case, then there should be no one who can stop Hoshino," Jounouchi said, feeling reassured that even the intimidating giant before them only had such low attack power.


    "But his defense is quite high. If he stays in defense mode and doesn''t attack, what will Hoshino do?" Mokuba, now fully engrossed in the atmosphere, watched with great interest.


    "Folks, it looks like we''re finally in for a drawn-out battle!" The commentator, seeing Tamm step into the arena, finally breathed a slight sigh of relief. "In previous battles, no one has been able to break through Iron Rhino Tamm''s legendary defense. When his opponents are exhausted, Tamm will strike back. How long will it take for Hoshino to break through Tamm''s defense, or will she run out of stamina and be countered by Tamm? Let''s watch and see!"


    *Bang! Bang!* While the commentator was still speaking, Hoshino tried two quick slashes, which predictably bounced off the armor. "Oh? It''s quite tough," she remarked.


    "Give it up, little girl. I won''t attack until your stamina is completely drained!" Tamm''s voice, muffled under layers of armor, taunted with cowardice. "I made sure to eat and drink well before coming on stage, so I can outlast you!"


    "Good job, Tamm! We love your endurance strategy!" Some of the gamblers, seeing a glimmer of hope, rekindled their dying spirits.


    "You call this boring fight entertaining? The taste of you Desert Capital folks is questionable." Hoshino shot a disdainful glance at the crowd, then quickly drew a card from under her thigh-high skirt. "But I think you''re about to be disappointed."


    Phantasm Summon, while it could imbue Hoshino with the power of a Heroic Spirit, had rules similar to a prototype, scaled-down Duel Disk made by Kaiba¡ªit could only summon one monster. This made it difficult when she wanted to summon a high-level monster requiring two tributes.


    "Although it''s a bit troublesome, that doesn''t mean I can''t defeat you! Activate, Quick-Play Spell: [Heroic Shaping]!"


    [Heroic Shaping Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK/DEF until the end phase. If it battles an opponent''s monster, the battle damage to your opponent is doubled.]


    "W-What is that?!" The commentator, at a loss for words, stared in shock at the giant sword now floating above Hoshino''s raised hand¡ªa sword so massive it could cleave through the entire arena.


    "Trace on¡ªIg-Alima!" Hoshino grinned slightly, satisfied with the sight of the colossal sword in the air. "Sorry, Tamm, but at least you had a full meal before this, so you won''t die hungry~"


    Ig-Alima: Green Field Cutting Through the Thousand Mountains: A massive, boneless sword capable of cutting through even a thousand mountains. Not merely slashing with its blade, nor solely relying on its sheer mass.


    [Heroic Spirit - Emiya (Hoshino) ATK 2200 ¡ú 3200]


    "No, no way, this can''t possibly be a weapon a human can wield." The aura emanating from the Divine Construct was far beyond that of any ordinary weapon. Even clad in his prideful armor, Tamm didn''t believe he could withstand a strike from this colossal sword.


    "It''s too late now, Tamm! Once you step into this arena, there''s no turning back!" Hoshino shouted as she swung her arm down heavily, aiming at the fleeing Tamm.


    "Pseudo Noble Phantasm: Green Field Cutting Through the Thousand Mountains (Ig-Alima)!"


    The massive sword, spanning the entire arena, left no room for someone as encumbered by heavy armor as Tamm to evade. The Mountain-Splitting Sword aimed squarely at Tamm, crashed down with the force of Hoshino''s swing, striking Tamm''s armor with a tremendous impact. The violent collision stirred up waves of earth, reshaping the once-flat arena. The sword''s sheer weight drove half of its blade into the ground, with poor Tamm being crushed into the earth without a chance to resist.


    [Heroic Spirit - Emiya (Hoshino) ATK 3200 ¡ú 2200]


    "Tsk tsk, getting him out of there is going to be a chore," Hoshino muttered, shaking her head at the thought of the cleanup. Even though she hadn''t delivered a lethal blow, Tamm, buried in the earth, would find it extremely difficult to climb out.


    On the other side, the commentator, jaw nearly unhinged in shock, couldn''t even begin to comprehend the scene before him. But the sword, deeply embedded in the arena, perfectly complemented the battlefield, further highlighting the arena''s brutal atmosphere. Afterward, the organizers decided not to remove the sword from the arena¡ªpossibly because they couldn''t. The Mountain-Splitting Sword, with half its blade lodged in the earth, became an accidental but iconic feature of the Desert Capital Arena. As for why the projected counterfeit sword didn''t disappear, perhaps it was because this world was an illusion to begin with.


    But that''s a story for another time...


    "Is there... is there anyone else brave enough to¡ªer, I mean, anyone else willing to challenge our contestant Chiyuki Hoshino?!" the commentator, finally regaining his composure, stammered through his announcement.


    "Hey, you just said ''brave enough''!"


    "Do you even know how to host? If not, step down!"


    While some of the audience still grumbled with dissatisfaction, no one dared to question Hoshino''s strength anymore.


    "Ah! According to the latest information, the tenth challenger is already in position, and they''re also a newcomer! Please welcome our..."


    "Strong one, I''ve been waiting for this moment for so long!" Before the commentator could finish, a pitch-black figure burst through the rising iron gate, charging toward Hoshino with eager anticipation. "Let''s have a real, intense fight!"


    "!!!" Hoshino, suddenly recalling something, looked in shock at the dark figure rushing toward her.


    ("To think I''d meet such a strong opponent in a place like this. This trip wasn''t in vain after all.")


    "As expected, this is the final boss. It looks tough!" Fully armed in pitch-black armor, wielding two strange weapons that flickered with flames of red and blue, the figure exuded an overwhelming aura.


    [???][ATK2800/DEF400]


    "Damn, what kind of monster has this kind of attack power!" Though she had sensed the danger, Hoshino couldn''t help but exclaim when she saw the exact stats displayed on the panel.


    "Let''s have a true duel between men!" The dark figure roared, raising his blood-flame-imbued weapons high, clashing them against Hoshino''s hastily projected Kanshou and Bakuya.


    "Hey! I''m not even a man, alright!" Although she managed to block the strike, the enormous gap in attack power made Hoshino dizzy, and the powerful impact sent her flying.


    [Phantasm Summon Emiya] destroyed.


    "Incredible, unbelievable!" Finally witnessing a seemingly even match, the commentator''s hidden passion was reignited. "Are all the contestants in this year''s King''s Arena tournament monstrous newcomers? Our previously unstoppable contestant, Chiyuki Hoshino, has been overwhelmed in the very first exchange!"


    "Our new challenger, Beowulf, currently has a significant advantage!"


    "Huh? Beowulf?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 112 - 112

    "Beowulf?" Suddenly realizing the situation, Hoshino finally understood the true identity of the man in front of her. His slightly familiar tone and the mind filled with thoughts of battle now made sense.


    "Hahaha, Master, I never expected to run into you here! I''m so excited!" Even though he recognized Hoshino, Beowulf didn''t seem to have any intention of stopping his attack.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Beowulf][ATK 2400 ¡ú 2800/DEF 0 ¡ú 400]


    In a critical moment, Hoshino hastily drew a card from her leg, disregarding the risk of exposure. "Phantasm Summon! Install ¨C Cu Chulainn!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Cu Chulainn (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-Star)][Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1600/DEF 1600]


    A blue bodysuit instantly enveloped Hoshino''s body, highlighting her slightly slender figure. The scarlet spear in her hand swept fiercely in a circle, scraping the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust as it met Beowulf''s beast-like assault head-on.


    "Oh, Master, you still manage to keep a clear head at a time like this!" Beowulf was completely unfazed by the dust that was kicked up, as the two weapons in his hands, Hrunting and Naegling, clashed heavily against Hoshino''s spear.


    "Is Hoshino planning to use Cu Chulainn''s ability to survive a battle once, and then use him as a sacrifice to summon a higher-level monster in the next turn?" The moment Hoshino drew Cu Chulainn, Yugi understood her intention. "She really lives up to her name. She developed a strategy in just a few seconds!"


    "But it''s useless!" Beowulf roared as he brought Hrunting down in a heavy slash, cutting Hoshino''s spear in two.


    "What?! Why didn''t Cu Chulainn''s effect activate?" Hoshino was dumbfounded, staring in confusion at the broken and disappearing spear in her hand and the fading effect of the Phantasm Summon on her body.


    "No way, Cu Chulainn was destroyed in one hit!" Jounouchi''s eyes widened in disbelief. Cu Chulainn''s survival ability was one of the best among all of Hoshino''s monsters, with effects that granted one-time immunity to destruction and a return to the field after being destroyed in battle. To think it would be taken down so easily.


    [Phantasm Summon Cu Chulainn] Destroyed?.


    "Oh my god, our contestant, Hoshino Chiyuki, is being completely suppressed! Beowulf''s beast-like attacks are terrifying!" The commentator, seizing the opportunity to narrate a rare evenly matched battle, poured all his pent-up enthusiasm into the commentary.


    "What will Hoshino Chiyuki do next? Will she continue to defend, or will she take a desperate gamble and go on the offensive? Stay tuned, everyone!"


    "Hahahaha, Master, I''m not going to give you any chance to keep a sacrifice for summoning a higher-level monster!" Beowulf cackled wildly as he launched another fierce assault.


    "Why¡­ Why am I fighting Beowulf here? This doesn''t make any sense!" Hoshino muttered to herself as she prepared to counter Beowulf''s attack with another card.


    "Phantasm Summon! Install ¨C Mash Kyrielight!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-Star)][Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]


    Her front armor, which barely covered her abdomen and thighs, exuded a sultry allure, while the enormous shield, large enough to cover her entire body, instantly appeared on Hoshino.


    "Master, it''s you saying things like that at times like this that don''t make any sense!" Beowulf grew even more excited as Hoshino summoned her armor again. "In this arena where it''s either you or me, don''t think about anything else, just focus on defeating your opponent!"


    "Mash''s shield, which cannot be destroyed by battle or effects, is generally considered absolute defense!" Hoshino thought to herself as she braced the massive shield in front of her. "If this doesn''t hold, there can only be one reason¡­"


    The burning Hrunting collided with the shield, the resounding crash echoing through the arena, causing the audience to cover their ears.


    "Defense! Hoshino has chosen to defend herself with an extraordinary shield! Will it be effective?" Even as the impact reverberated through his eardrums, the dedicated commentator pressed on with his narration.


    "Sorry, Master, but even Mash''s shield is useless!" Beowulf sneered as he swung his dual blades across the shield, disarming Hoshino and sending the shield flying from her grasp.


    "Impossible! That''s Mash''s invincible shield!" Jounouchi shouted in disbelief as Hoshino''s defense was broken once again. "Isn''t Beowulf cheating or something? How can he break through so many layers of her defense?"


    "Hehehe, Master, the strongest spear and the strongest shield faced off, and I won!" Beowulf taunted, shouldering Hrunting as he looked at Hoshino, who had once again lost her Phantasm Summon. "You have no means left to fight back, do you?"


    "Amazing! Beowulf''s extraordinary combat skills are truly awe-inspiring! Could it be that our champion is about to be dethroned?"


    "Hmph, that so-called strongest spear was just a lie to mislead me." Hoshino, without rushing to transform, stared intently at the seemingly relaxed Beowulf before her. "The real reason you were able to break through my defense is because of a banishment effect, isn''t it?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Banishment?!" Yugi suddenly realized.


    "Hahaha, as expected of Master. You figured out my trump card after just a few clashes!" Beowulf, ever straightforward, had no intention of hiding anything once Hoshino uncovered his secret and nodded in acknowledgment.


    [This card''s effect can only be activated at the start of the Battle Phase when battling an opponent''s monster. That opponent''s monster is banished, and at the end of the Battle Phase, this card is banished from the game.]


    "As expected of you¡ªBeowulf!" Hoshino sighed in resignation as her suspicions were confirmed. "Only you could wield such a reckless effect."


    "Wait, if his effect is to banish both himself and his opponent from the game, then why hasn''t Beowulf disappeared after attacking so many times?" Jounouchi, annoyed, pointed out the inconsistency. "He is cheating, isn''t he?"


    "It''s probably because of the Hrunting in your hand, isn''t it, Beowulf?" Hoshino shifted her gaze to the Hrunting in Beowulf''s hand, which had never stopped burning, fully experiencing the difference between a genuine Noble Phantasm and the replicas Emiya frequently projected.


    "Even though both contestants are engaging in a conversation that, while difficult to understand, certainly sounds impressive, from the looks on their faces, it seems that Beowulf has the upper hand!" The professional commentator from the Desert City kept on providing commentary, even in such a tense moment.


    "You mean this thing, right?" Beowulf grinned as he lifted the Hrunting in his hand. "Even though I usually prefer fighting with my bare hands, I can''t deny that this thing is incredibly useful!"


    [Hrunting ¨C Equip Card Effect: Can only be equipped to monsters with [Heroic Spirit] in their name. ¢Ù: The equipped monster''s ATK and DEF increase by 400 points. ¢Ú: When equipped to [Heroic Spirit ¨C Beowulf], this card gains the following effect: This card is not banished by its own effect.]


    "What kind of overpowered combination is this?" Seeing the true effect of Hrunting, while Jounouchi''s suspicion of cheating was dispelled, the situation still looked grim. "These two cards combined make him practically invincible!"


    "It''s indeed a tough one to deal with!" Even Yugi admitted the terrifying nature of this combo. "No matter what Hoshino summons with her Phantasm Summons, as long as it battles with Beowulf, it''ll be banished directly. That way, she won''t be able to gather enough sacrifices to summon a higher-level monster!"


    "Hoshino, don''t give up! Keep fighting!" Although Mokuba still didn''t understand why Hoshino was participating in this battle, he didn''t want her to lose.


    "Come on, Master, let''s see your next struggle!" Beowulf, with a face full of excitement, seemed to be fighting not for victory but purely for the thrill of battle. "But I won''t give you a chance to gather sacrifices for summoning Martha. To be honest, I really can''t deal with that saint."


    "What a twisted sense of fun you have, you battle maniac!" In the past, Hoshino would''ve wanted to avoid this kind of muscle-bound fighter at all costs, but now things were different¡­


    "I''ve figured it out¡ªthe winning strategy that will defeat you and lead me to victory!"


    "Haha! As expected of my Master, even your bluffs are full of confidence!" Beowulf''s interest grew even stronger as he charged at Hoshino again with Hrunting in hand. "Let me see it, then! Show me the strategy that can defeat me!"


    "Can she pull it off?" Just a moment ago, Jounouchi had declared Beowulf unbeatable, but after hearing Hoshino''s words, he felt a little embarrassed.


    "She can do it, especially in this world!" Yugi nodded confidently. "Because the special characteristic of this world is that it allows one to unleash the hidden, infinite possibilities within their deck!"


    "Infinite possibilities within the deck?"


    "You''re making it too complicated; there''s no way Jounouchi will get it," Mokuba explained, noticing the blank look on Jounouchi''s face. "In this world, you can draw any card you need, making endless strategies possible.


    "You lost the moment you revealed your trump card, Beowulf!" Hoshino, drawing three cards in quick succession from under her raised skirt, calmly watched Beowulf charging at her.


    "A huge crisis! Our contestant Hoshino has chosen to face Beowulf''s attack unarmed?!" The commentator screamed frantically as he saw Hoshino standing still. "Could it be that after just a few rounds, she has realized she''s no match for her opponent and decided to forfeit?"


    As the commentator spoke, Beowulf''s Hrunting was already dangerously close to Hoshino, who hadn''t activated any Phantasm Summons.


    "Hey, hey, Master, giving up doesn''t work like this! Without a summon, you won''t be able to block this attack!" Though Beowulf is a battle-crazed maniac, he can''t bring himself to attack his Master.


    "Don''t worry, Beowulf! Attack with everything you''ve got!" But the determination in her eyes conveyed her resolve to the warrior.


    "Alright then, here I come, Master!!"


    "Come on, Beowulf!!" In an instant, a change in Hoshino''s outfit caused everyone present to hold their breath, filled with tension. "Activate Trap Card [Ryuudou Temple Gate]!!"


    [Ryuudou Temple Gate Trap Card Effect: Activate only when an opponent''s monster declares a direct attack. Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sasaki Kojirou] from your hand or deck.]


    "My final Phantasm Summon! Install ¨C Sasaki Kojirou!"


    Wind, bird, flower, moon¡ªthese words could describe Hoshino''s outfit at that very moment. In a light purple kimono, with one delicate, pale arm exposed, she wielded a katana nearly as tall as herself, swinging it toward Beowulf''s advancing Hrunting.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sasaki Kojirou (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï][Dark] [Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 500]


    "You used a Trap Card to Phantasm Summon Sasaki Kojirou, huh? Interesting, Master!" Unfazed, Beowulf continued his attack, his Hrunting clashing precisely with the katana.


    "Exactly! If it''s Sasaki Kojirou, he can certainly surpass Beowulf''s attack power without needing any sacrifices!" Jounouchi, finally understanding Hoshino''s strategy, pumped his fist in excitement.


    "Beowulf, let me show you a sword technique that has been honed to perfection!"


    A flash in the real world, followed by two more in a completely overlapping manner that ignored the concepts of time and space. This triple slash, produced by a "dimensional refraction phenomenon," surpasses speed, precision, and even illusory strikes¡ªunnamed swordsmanship unknown to magic and magecraft, yet it reaches the heights of the "Second Magic."


    "Secret Sword: Tsubame Gaeshi!"


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned through the effect of [Ryuudou Temple Gate.] During the battle, this card''s ATK becomes triple its original value for damage calculation only. After the battle, its ATK becomes 0.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sasaki Kojirou (Hoshino) ATK 1000 ¡ú 3000]


    "With godlike swordsmanship, you''ve surpassed my attack power. Well done, Master!" Beowulf praised her without hesitation, but he still didn''t believe he would lose. "But it''s all in vain! Before my Hrunting, everything is crushed into nothingness!"


    "The only thing in vain is you, Beowulf! This is my final card¡­" Hoshino revealed the last of the three cards she had drawn earlier, the key to securing victory in this battle. "Quick-Play Spell [Body of the Saint]!"


    [Body of the Saint Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate by targeting one [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field. That monster is unaffected by other card effects except this card''s effect for the rest of this turn.]


    "Your last move won''t work anymore, Beowulf!" A holy light enveloped Hoshino''s blade as she unleashed a triple slash that cut through Beowulf''s thick body all at once.


    Losing his balance after the heavy blow, Beowulf muttered in frustration as he caught a glimpse of Jeanne d''Arc behind Hoshino.


    "That''s why¡­ I hate fighting saintly types¡­"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 113 - 113

    "Be... Beowulf has fallen!" The reversal happened so suddenly that the commentator was momentarily lost for words. "Just a moment ago, it was Beowulf dominating the match, but Hoshino Chiyuki managed to turn the tables and deliver a counterattack with her swordsmanship!"


    That''s likely how the scene between Hoshino and Beowulf appeared to the average spectator.


    "Incredible! In just one afternoon, the champion of the Desert City Colosseum''s King''s Gladiator Tournament has been crowned! And that champion is none other than our rising star, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "Whoa!! This girl won, unbelievable!"


    "Oh no, I''m a fan now! Even though I lost so much money!"


    Strength is always the quickest way to prove a person''s worth. After Hoshino claimed the championship, the faint voices of dissent in the audience were drowned out by thunderous applause.


    "Hoshino won!" Though Jounouchi didn''t know Hoshino''s true motive, he was genuinely happy to see his friend emerge victorious.


    "Now, we will bestow upon our new champion the highest honors, prize money, and the legendary Hero''s Sword!"


    "The legendary Hero''s Sword?!" Yugi''s eyebrows raised as he instantly sensed something. "Is that why Hoshino entered the tournament?"


    "The legendary Hero''s Sword¡ªit sounds like an essential item to clear the game. Hoshino is amazing!" Even the genius Mokuba couldn''t imagine that Hoshino''s true goal was money.


    "It''s finally done~" As she watched the staff bring out the treasure chest, Hoshino''s eyes practically turned into gold coins. "I thought I''d have to spend all day grinding monsters to get enough money, but I made it in one afternoon! Lucky~"


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, please claim the honor that is rightfully yours." The commentator respectfully opened the treasure chest for Hoshino.


    However, what lay inside the chest wasn''t the pile of gold coins Hoshino had imagined.


    There were only two cards. In such an ornate, majestic chest, there were just two tiny cards.


    Just two cards, and they needed so many people to carry them? This showmanship is way over the top!


    With an innocent expression, Hoshino tilted her head and looked at the commentator, her eyes saying, "You''ve got to be kidding me, right?"


    But the commentator''s serious demeanor made it seem like there was more to it, leaving Hoshino slightly perplexed.


    Oh well, I''ve already won. If you dare to mess with me, I''ll tear this whole coliseum down. With that thought in mind, Hoshino approached the chest.


    However, this was the most prestigious coliseum in the Desert City, so they certainly wouldn''t shortchange a champion who had won purely by merit. As Hoshino got closer to the chest, she finally realized why it wasn''t filled with gold coins. Although the world''s currency was measured in gold coins, it was represented as cards.


    The two identical cards in the chest were both dazzling, shiny cards marked with 1000 gold coins each.


    "Wow, UR!" Hoshino''s pupils turned into gold coins again as she looked at the cards sparkling in her hand.


    "Two cards, totaling 2000 gold coins. That crafty old woman''s eyes will probably pop out of her head." As she thought about this, Hoshino held the cards up to her face and snickered quietly.


    "Lily, I won''t leave you in that cold store. Just wait, I''ll come and get you out of there!"


    "It seems that our champion, Hoshino Chiyuki, is very pleased with the wealth she earned through her skills!" The commentator, catching Hoshino''s obvious grin behind the cards, couldn''t help but laugh as well. "But this year''s King''s Gladiator Tournament is about more than just wealth¡ªthe Hero''s Sword is the main event!"


    "Hero''s Sword! Hero''s Sword!"


    With the commentator''s prompting, the crowd erupted into cheers again.


    The sudden surge of excitement pulled Hoshino out of her financial reverie, making her realize, "I came for the prize money, but what exactly is this Hero''s Sword? Judging by the reaction, it seems to be something incredible, like the prize money is just the secondary reward."


    "And now! We invite the Mayor of the Desert City to present our young champion with the ultimate honor, the sword of legend passed down through generations!"


    "They''re going all out? Even the mayor is presenting the award? I hope they don''t waste too much of my time." Growing impatient with the lengthy ceremony, Hoshino muttered quietly.


    But when Hoshino saw who appeared on stage holding the sacred sword, she was completely stunned.


    "Granny, what are you doing here?"


    "Hehehe, young lady, you didn''t disappoint this old woman~" The familiar laughter was the same, but the woman on stage no longer exuded the thick aura of a shrewd merchant. Instead, the sword''s glow gave her a dignified and holy presence.


    "No mayor I''ve heard of also moonlights as a card seller. Granny, your side hustle is pretty extensive." Shrugging her shoulders, Hoshino walked forward without the slightest respect for authority.


    "Ahem, Hoshino Chiyuki, Lady Shurima has been serving as the mayor of the Desert City for fifty years, deeply loved by the people." The commentator cleared his throat twice, subtly hinting that Hoshino should show a little more respect.


    "Hehehe, there''s no need to be so serious~" The elderly woman, full of smiles, waved her frail arm.


    "This old woman has always liked young people, especially talented young women like you, Hoshino. The moment I first saw you, I could sense the extraordinary power within you. And indeed, you didn''t let this old woman down."


    "Granny, so you charged me so much just to test my strength!" Touched by the elderly woman''s praise, Hoshino happily said, "I knew it! You were planning to give me that Saber Lily card for free, right~"


    "Not a single coin less."


    "Ugh, shrewd as ever!"


    "And now! It is time to bestow upon our champion the highest honor!" It should be said that as a figure of authority, the old woman''s role-switching was both swift and flawless. One moment she had the air of a shrewd merchant, and the next, she was suddenly solemn and dignified.


    "Take this Hero''s Sword, young one!"


    "Is this the Hero Sword? It doesn''t seem that special." Hoshino, having received the Hero Sword, casually swung it a couple of times. "It doesn''t even feel as good as Kojirou''s katana!"


    "Ahem, the Hero Sword is a mythical weapon that only the strongest warrior can wield. It symbolizes not only unparalleled strength but also immense responsibility!" Sensing that the quality of the sword hadn''t impressed Hoshino, the old woman awkwardly cleared her throat and continued her explanation.


    "The Desert Grand Empire, the centennial cycle of natural disasters, the chaos caused by the evil dragon, and the revival of the legendary Five Emperor Dragons. Each cycle of disaster brings devastation to the people, turning the world into a scene of hell." The old woman paused for a moment, secretly opening one squinting eye to catch Hoshino''s reaction.


    But Hoshino, who wasn''t listening at all, flicked the blade with her finger, the crisp sound echoing in her ears. "This sword can''t be a fake, right? It doesn''t weigh like a real sword; it feels like plastic."


    "The way to stop this disaster!!" Raising her voice by several decibels, the old woman tried to capture Hoshino''s attention.


    *Cough cough cough*


    "Granny, no need to rush. Why are you shouting? I''m listening." Hoshino patted the old woman''s back, who was coughing from straining her voice, speaking with a tone of genuine concern.


    Shooting Hoshino a displeased glance, the old woman took a moment to collect herself before continuing. "There are two ways to stop the disaster. One is for the legendary hero to wield the Hero Sword and slay the evil dragon in the Dragon God''s domain! The other is to offer a male and female sacrifice to the evil dragon."


    "Offering just two sacrifices to avert such a serious disaster doesn''t seem too difficult..." Hoshino thought. Arash dies twenty to thirty times a day just grinding, so being able to stop a once-in-a-century disaster with just two sacrifices is a steal!


    "Hero, what are you talking about?" The old woman looked at Hoshino with disbelief. "Slaying the evil dragon is the hero''s destiny. How could you let innocent lives be sacrificed in vain?"


    "Hey, isn''t the hero''s life also a life? That thing called the Whatever Dragons sounds tough! Besides, I only entered the gladiatorial competition for the Saber Lily card. How did I suddenly become the Hero?" Faced with the old woman suddenly calling her "Hero," Hoshino''s heart was full of resistance.


    "Hoshino! Hoshino!" Meanwhile, Yugi and Mokuba were quietly calling out to Hoshino behind her, nearly jumping up and down in their urgency. "This is a main quest, the most important one at that! If you want to beat the game, just accept the mission already!"


    "Main quest?!" Hoshino''s ears perked up. Even though Yugi and Mokuba had kept their voices low to avoid disrupting the solemn atmosphere, Hoshino still caught their words.


    "Oh! I almost forgot that I entered this virtual world to save Kaiba..." Scratching her head, Hoshino realized that she had nearly forgotten about the crucial task of saving Kaiba and beating the game because of the sudden appearance of the Lily card. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Granny!" Suddenly becoming serious, Hoshino gripped the Hero Sword tightly with both hands. "I suddenly feel a strong sense of justice welling up inside me!"


    "Oh! Hero Hoshino, have you finally found your resolve?" Although she didn''t understand why Hoshino had a sudden change of heart, the old woman was thrilled. "As long as you, Hero Hoshino, are willing to exterminate the evil dragon, we in the Desert Capital will do everything in our power to assist you!"


    "Then will you give me the Saber Lily card for free?"


    "No, not a single gold coin less."


    "Ugh, you''re just like Da Vinci!"


    ----


    "So, this is the all-out support from your Desert Capital?" Looking at the four camels in front of her, Hoshino couldn''t hide her look of disdain.


    "Hero Hoshino, don''t underestimate the camels. If you want to cross the vast desert to reach the Dragon God''s domain, camels, the ships of the desert, are essential." The old woman, with a kind smile, looked at the four fully prepared individuals with satisfaction. "I never expected that the legendary hero would have three reliable companions. This puts my mind at ease."


    "Rest assured, Granny! We are the three protectors of Hero Hoshino! And I am known as Hoshino''s right-hand man, Katsuya Jounouchi!" Flexing his arms confidently, Jounouchi boasted.


    "Hehe, seeing such spirited young people makes this old lady feel a lot younger. By the way, let me share a piece of information with you. I''m not sure if it will help."


    After examining their outfits, the old woman seemed to recall something. "A few days ago, an outsider with a similar outfit to yours, but with a very serious expression, also headed to the Dragon God''s domain."


    "Big brother, it must be big brother!" The moment Mokuba heard the words "serious expression," he became excited.


    "It turns out Big Brother hasn''t failed; he''s still clearing the game his way. I knew Big Brother was the best!"


    "So, Kaiba still has some fight left in him!" Learning that Kaiba was okay, Jounouchi also felt a sense of relief.


    "Thank you for telling us this, Granny!" The polite Yugi bowed his head slightly in gratitude.


    "Hehe, for an old woman like me to be able to provide even a little help to you young people is truly gratifying." The old woman, chuckling her familiar laugh again, glanced at the endless desert ahead. "Now hurry and depart. When night falls, the temperature in the desert will drop sharply, and that will be even more dangerous."


    "All right, Granny, we''re off!" Expertly mounting the camel, Hoshino, likely due to being in a game, managed to handle the camel''s reins effortlessly despite having no riding skills.


    "I''ll bring you back some souvenirs from the Dragon God''s domain!"


    ---


    Even though they were traversing the desert, the camels provided by the Desert Capital were of the highest quality, their smooth gait making the ride surprisingly comfortable¡ªa delightful experience with an exotic touch.


    "I wonder where Beowulf went?" Leaning against the camel''s hump, Hoshino recalled the gladiatorial match.


    After losing to Hoshino in the match, Beowulf, who had been lying on the ground, slipped away unnoticed during the ceremony when Hoshino was awarded the Hero Sword.


    "Is that guy one of the spirits in your deck, Hoshino?" Yugi recalled the display panel showing Beowulf''s stats, noting that the prefix [Heroic Spirit] was indeed attached to his name.


    "Yes, it''s a shame though. If we could have gotten Beowulf''s help, slaying the evil dragon would have been a piece of cake." Sighing, Hoshino regretted letting such a powerful ally slip through her fingers.


    "Yeah, with his insane effect combined with the equipped card [Hrunting], I feel even the legendary Five Emperor Dragons wouldn''t stand a chance against him." Jounouchi, also feeling it was a loss, nodded with his eyes closed.


    It''s said that after becoming king, the aged Beowulf dragged his elderly body into a life-and-death battle with a legendary dragon to protect his people. Although he perished from dragon poison after slaying the dragon, his achievements as a dragon slayer were widely celebrated. Now, summoning him in his prime, he could probably tear apart a few evil dragons as easily as eating a meal.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 114 - 114

    "According to the map Granny gave us, this should be the Dragon God''s Domain, right?" Yugi unrolled the parchment and surveyed the surroundings. "With the giant cactus in the desert as the centerline, the crescent moon rock on the left, and the starlight rock on the right, the area ahead should undoubtedly be the location of the Dragon''s Domain."


    "Yugi, are you sure you''re not joking?" Jounouchi shaded his eyes and looked ahead with a confused expression. "All I see is endless desert. Where''s the slightest hint of a Dragon''s Domain?"


    "Strange, this should be the place¡­" Yugi flipped the map over a few times, furrowing his brow.


    "Could it be that some kind of illusion spell is hiding it from us?" Hoshino wondered. "That''s pretty common in RPGs."


    "Well, we''re close enough. Let''s just go check it out," Mokuba suggested, not dismissing the idea.


    Even after stepping into the area marked as the Dragon''s Domain on the map, the surroundings looked like a regular desert.


    "That old hag wasn''t playing a trick on us, was she?" Jounouchi angrily snatched the map from Yugi''s hands and tossed it to the ground.


    Suddenly, Yugi''s expression turned serious. "Jounouchi, something''s moving underground!"


    "Don''t tell me we''re about to encounter monsters," Hoshino grumbled, as her panicking camel nearly threw her off. "The closer you get to the final boss, the stronger the monsters. And whatever''s coming sounds tough."


    "It''s here!"


    In an instant, a violent windstorm erupted, turning the calm desert into a swirling tornado of sand, reducing visibility to almost nothing.


    "What kind of monster is this?!"


    A figure with a snake-like human upper body riding a tornado emerged from the ground, glaring fiercely at them.


    [Desert Twister ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star)][Wind][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 2000]


    "Did slamming the map on the ground attract this thing?!" Hoshino quickly blamed Jounouchi.


    "What? How could that little slam attract a monster like this?" Jounouchi protested, drawing two cards from his Duel Disk.


    "Activate the Spell Card [Ancient Rules] to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Normal Monster!" Struggling against the fierce wind, Jounouchi raised his cards high. "Come forth, [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]!"


    Amid the storm, a furious inferno of dark flames cut through the sandstorm as *Red-Eyes Black Dragon* roared, tearing apart the dust.


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star)][Dark][Dragon][ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    "Nice, Jounouchi. You added [Ancient Rules] to your deck?" Hoshino asked, surprised. She didn''t remember him having that card before.


    "Of course! I''ve been growing stronger!" Jounouchi, pleased with the compliment, waved his hand forward. "Go, [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]! Take out that ugly monster!"


    "Black Flame Bomb!"


    The Black Dragon gathered its dark flames and opened its jaws, releasing a black core that hit the Desert Twister directly.


    "Yes! Easily defeated!" Jounouchi struck a celebratory pose, clenching his fist. "That monster was just for show."


    "Wait... if the wind has stopped, why is it still so dark?" Hoshino asked, looking around in confusion.


    It was still hours before sunset, and the sun had been shining brightly before the Desert Twister appeared.


    Yugi suddenly tensed and looked up. "Everyone, look at the sky!"


    A colossal structure was suspended high above them, unnaturally blocking out the sun and casting darkness below.


    "That thing wasn''t there before¡­" Mokuba said, his voice filled with disbelief.


    "It probably appeared after I defeated the gatekeeper," Jounouchi said confidently. "In RPGs, there''s always a gatekeeper before the final boss, right?"


    "So the map wasn''t wrong¡ªit just didn''t account for the Z-axis," Yugi said, relieved they had found their destination.


    "So this is the Dragon God''s Domain¡­" Hoshino stared at the massive structure. "It looks impossible to reach on foot. We''ll need a way to get up there."


    "That''s easy¡ªwe''ve got Duel Monsters, don''t we? Red-Eyes!" Jounouchi called out, and the Black Dragon lowered its body, allowing him to climb on.


    "That''s a great idea, Jounouchi. I''m glad you came with us this time," Mokuba said, growing more impressed with him.


    "Come forth, [Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1]!"


    "Summon, [Luster Dragon]!"


    Yugi and Mokuba each summoned a flying monster and immediately mounted them.


    But Hoshino¡­


    "I-I don''t have any flying monsters, QAQ!" Although her Servants were strong, none of them could fly. If only she had summoned a Servant like Altera the San(ta), she wouldn''t have this problem.


    "No way am I flying on Arash Airlines," Hoshino muttered, knowing it''d be a death sentence.


    "Summon, [Baby Dragon]!" Jounouchi, sitting on Red-Eyes, tossed another card. "Hop on, Hoshino. After all, I''m the hero''s right-hand man."


    "Huh? Baby Dragon can fly?" The thought of riding the tiny dragon made Hoshino nervous. "Well, I don''t have much of a choice¡­"


    ------


    "I''m not too heavy, am I? Baby Dragon, it''s not that I''m heavy, right?" Hoshino leaned in close, repeatedly asking as she noticed Baby Dragon gasping for breath halfway through the flight.


    "We''re almost there, the Dragon God''s Domain!" Yugi called out to everyone as he looked up at the increasingly clearer structure while riding on the Winged Dragon.


    "Just a little more, Baby Dragon, you''re the best!" Hoshino kept encouraging Baby Dragon, who was starting to fall behind.


    "Yugi, Hoshino, Jounouchi! This isn''t right!" Mokuba exclaimed as he looked up at the Dragon''s Domain, his eyes widening in alarm. "I feel like something is flying out from the building."


    "It''s not just a feeling¡ªsomething is coming at us!" Jounouchi, flying in the lead on his Red-Eyes Black Dragon, was the first to spot the danger. "Monsters are flying out of the Dragon God''s Domain! They don''t want us to get any closer!"


    [Blackland Fire Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][Dark] [Dragon][ATK1500/DEF800]


    [Gray Wing ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star)][Wind] [Dragon/Effect][ATK1300/DEF700]


    "Get out of the way! You''re just a bunch of small fry!" Perhaps due to riding his ace monster, Jounouchi was brimming with confidence. "Any dragon that stands in Jounouchi the Great''s way is going to die!"


    "Special Move: Double Black Flame Bomb!"


    The massive black flames struck the Blackland Fire Dragon accurately, incinerating it to ashes. However, despite Jounouchi shouting for a double attack, only one shot had been fired.


    "Jounouchi, we''ve entered turn-based combat now! Each monster can only attack once!" Yugi quickly explained the situation.


    "Damn it! I let one escape!" Jounouchi cursed as he watched the Gray Wing speed past him.


    "Why¡ªwhy is it coming after me?!" The Gray Wing, having bypassed the others, zeroed in on Hoshino, sensing her as the weakest target. It was simple: of all their mounts, only Baby Dragon''s attack power was lower than Gray Wing''s.


    "Hoshino, watch out!" Mokuba, realizing the Gray Wing''s target, urged his Luster Dragon forward. "Go! Protect Hoshino!"


    "Attack the Gray Wing¡ªLuster Blast!"


    Though Luster Dragon was only a 4-star monster, its attack power was 1900. Following Mokuba''s command, the solidified energy from Luster Dragon''s mouth struck the oncoming Gray Wing, destroying it.


    "That was way too close!" Hoshino wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and patted the trembling Baby Dragon beneath her. "If Baby Dragon got knocked out at this height, I would''ve been done for."


    "Hoshino, it seems like the danger isn''t over yet¡­" Mokuba''s eyes widened as he stared at the sky, now filled with a massive swarm of dragons.


    "How many thousands are there? If we try to fight them all, it''ll be dark before we''re done." Jounouchi swallowed hard, realizing just how many enemies they were up against.


    ("A centennial calamity, the evil dragons run amok, and the sky is filled with dragons.")


    Recalling the words of the old lady from the Desert Capital, Hoshino broke out into another cold sweat. "The dragon-filled sky is here so that just leaves¡­"


    "The revival of the Five-Headed Dragon!" Yugi exclaimed, his voice heavy with worry.


    "Oh no, are we too late?" Yugi muttered as he looked at the countless dragons filling the sky. He began to realize they had no chance of reaching the Dragon''s Domain. "Is there no way to stop the revival of the Five-Headed Dragon?"


    "Did even my brother fail?" Mokuba thought of his brother, who had triggered the path to the Dragon''s Domain a day earlier and hung his head in despair.


    "¡­" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Isn''t it a bit too early to give up now?" Suddenly, Hoshino stood up on Baby Dragon''s back, trying to lift everyone''s spirits.


    "Sorry, Baby Dragon~" she whispered an apology to the struggling Baby Dragon beneath her, "Just hang in there a bit longer until I take care of those pests in the sky."


    "Roar!" Despite panting heavily, Baby Dragon, encouraged by Hoshino, forced itself to let out a determined roar.


    "But Hoshino, what can we even do in this situation?" With countless dragons filling the sky, breaking through seemed impossible.


    "If we give up on the final boss before even facing it, how could I ever call myself the King of Duelists!"


    Steadying herself, Hoshino crossed her arms in front of her chest. The aura emanating from her on the dragon''s back was in no way weaker than that of the overwhelming dragon horde before her.


    "Hoshino, you''re so cool!"


    "Yugi, summon Kuriboh!" Hoshino commanded decisively.


    "Oh, right!" Yugi, with no choice but to trust his partner in this desperate situation, quickly summoned Kuriboh. "Go, Kuriboh!"


    [Kuriboh ¡ï Dark] [Fiend/Effect][ATK300/DEF200]


    The materialized Kuriboh flew from Yugi''s side into Hoshino''s arms.


    "Haha, Kuriboh, you''re so cute!" Hoshino exclaimed, happily rubbing Kuriboh''s fluffy body. Satisfied, she quickly drew two cards from the deck hidden under her windblown skirt. "Kuriboh, I''ll be borrowing your power now!"


    "Using Kuriboh as a tribute, I perform a Phantasm Summon!"


    "Install¡ªEmiya!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Emiya (Hoshino)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star)][Fire] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK2200/DEF2600]


    In a flash of light, Hoshino''s original outfit was replaced by a slightly revealing, red, sexy ensemble.


    "Hoshino, what are you going to do?" Yugi, still puzzled, looked at Hoshino, who had completed the Phantasm Summon mid-air.


    "Heh, no matter how many dragons there are, their numbers are still finite. I''ll just face them with infinite swords!" A confident smile spread across Hoshino''s face as she raised the remaining card in her hand high.


    "Activate! Field Spell¡ª[Unlimited Blade Works]!"


    "¡­"


    "I am the bone of my sword¡ªUnlimited Blade Works!"


    Though it didn''t completely replace the surrounding environment like in a Duel Arena, the vast sea of swords suspended in mid-air behind Hoshino was real and no less intimidating than the horde of dragons before her.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya] can attack all of your opponent''s monsters once each.


    "I''ll carve out hope with these unlimited blades!" With a sweeping gesture, Hoshino directed the sea of swords behind her toward the dragon horde.


    "Here I come¡ªdo you have enough dragons?"


    The metallic wave of swords clashed with the endless dragon horde. Countless dragons fell in an instant, only to be replaced by more from behind.


    "Jounouchi, use any Equip Card!" After a few minutes of the intense clash, Hoshino suddenly shouted to Jounouchi. "As long as there''s an Equip Card on the field, [Unlimited Blade Works] can perform unlimited attacks!"


    [After each attack, one Equip Card on [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya] is randomly destroyed. If there are no Equip Cards on the field, this card is destroyed.]


    "Oh! Leave it to me!" Finally seeing a glimmer of hope, Jounouchi was eager to contribute. "I activate the Equip Spell¡ª[Dragon''s Nails], equipping it to Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    "Now it''s checkmate, evil dragons!" With the restrictions removed, Hoshino ramped up the density of the sword sea severalfold. The evenly matched clash between swords and dragons quickly turned into a one-sided massacre.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 115 - 115

    "Where did this girl come from?!"


    In a mysterious dark room, five major figures sat together, staring in disbelief at the giant screen on the wall.


    On the screen, an image showed Hoshino fighting a horde of dragons, wielding countless swords.


    "How did such a person suddenly appear?! According to the game''s settings, without entering the Dragon God Domain after the Evil Dragon takes over the sky, it''s supposed to be impossible to win, right?"


    According to the original setting, to conquer this game, one must enter the Dragon God Domain before the birth of the dragon horde. But because Kaiba entered the Dragon God Domain a day early, the plot''s trigger time was also advanced. This meant that, even if Hoshino and the others hurried as fast as they could, they couldn''t reach the destination before the set time.


    "This girl seems to be the Duel King who defeated Pegasus, Hoshino Chiyuki!" one of the major figures suddenly realized.


    "Why would the Duel King come to conquer this game?!"


    "Look at her companions! Isn''t that Kaiba Seto''s younger brother and the one who defeated Kaiba, Yugi Mutou?"


    "Damn, he brought in reinforcements to save his brother?"


    "Yugi Mutou and Hoshino Chiyuki. With such big variables joining the game, there''s no guarantee this game can keep Kaiba Seto trapped!"


    "It seems we have no choice but to use the final measure. We must enter the game as well."


    "By our souls, we will revive and summon the strongest¡ªFive-Headed Dragon..."


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "Phew, that was tough." Hoshino exhaled deeply, looking up at the sky. The terrifying dragon horde that once blocked out the sun was now completely gone.


    "She managed to wipe out the entire dragon horde..." Mokuba stood dumbfounded, his small mouth slightly open, hesitant to speak.


    "Well done, Baby Dragon." Hoshino smiled, gently stroking the orange dragon''s head, which had just started to sprout tiny horns. "This was half your achievement too."


    "Roar~" The Baby Dragon, now extremely excited, showed no signs of the earlier fatigue, its small wings flapping with even more vigor.


    "What a terrifying woman!" Jounouchi whispered, watching the excited Baby Dragon.


    "Hmm? I think I heard someone call me a woman..." Hoshino muttered.


    ...


    "We''ve finally arrived¡ªthe Dragon God Domain." Even though it was impossible to calculate the exact distance from the ground, the fact that they had to fly upwards for so long surprised everyone.


    "It''s huge!" The biggest reason for miscalculating the distance was because the floating structure in the air was just too massive. It was as large as a city, and calling it a floating Atlantis in the sky wouldn''t be an exaggeration. Its immense size inevitably caused a visual misjudgment when viewed from afar.


    "We''ve spent so much time getting here. I wonder if the Five-Headed Dragon has already been revived," Yugi said with concern, looking toward the horizon.


    The sunset was nearly over, and the gradually dimming sky only accentuated the eerie and terrifying atmosphere of the Dragon God Domain.


    "It shouldn''t have been revived yet. If the Five-Headed Dragon had been revived, this place wouldn''t be so quiet." Hoshino speculated, noticing that the deathly silence around them contrasted sharply with the earlier dragon horde. There was no sign of any living creatures near the entrance of the Dragon God Domain.


    "Hoshino, there won''t be any ghosts here, right?" Mokuba swallowed nervously, instinctively moving closer to Hoshino. It was clear he was genuinely scared of zombies and other supernatural entities.


    "Don''t worry, I''m here." Hoshino comforted him, gently rubbing Mokuba''s long hair. "Even if there are ghosts, I''ll purify them all with my fists!"


    "Alright, let''s get ready to go in!" Jounouchi slapped his face hard, forcing himself to stay alert as he was the first to enter the door that emitted a constant dark aura.


    The strange dragon-headed door, which seemed capable of devouring souls, gave the impression that any intruder would never return.


    "Kaiba is something else, daring to enter a place like this alone," Hoshino sighed as she surveyed the terrifying surroundings. Even though she wasn''t afraid of ghosts or monsters, the thought of walking alone in such an eerie place made her want to refuse a thousand times over.


    "Of course, my brother is amazing." Even though Mokuba was scared to death, clutching Hoshino''s arm tightly, he didn''t forget to praise Kaiba. "My brother never believes in anything unscientific. Not even demons or monsters would dare approach him!"


    "Heh, that''s true." Even if something supernatural happened around Kaiba, he''d probably have a thousand scientific explanations for it. That must be the privilege of a genius.


    "Reporting to the hero, there''s a strange iron door ahead!" Jounouchi, leading the group, was the first to report the situation ahead.


    Although it was just a short distance away, everyone else could see the unnatural iron door standing in the space before them.


    "How should I put it? This iron door has a bit of a unique style." The red doorposts and the golden rings on the handles didn''t quite match the Medieval Fantasy art style of the RPG.


    "Th-there won''t be zombies inside, right!" Mokuba clung tightly to Hoshino, almost crying as he spoke.


    "That shouldn''t be possible. Even if there were, what''s so scary about zombies?" Hoshino, fearless, dragged the already attached Mokuba forward. "Open the door, Jounouchi. Whatever monsters or demons are behind it, we''ll have to face them!"


    "Alright!" Taking a deep breath and focusing his strength on his arms, Jounouchi easily pushed open the seemingly heavy iron door.


    "This is?!!" The scene behind the door surprised everyone more than any monster could have.


    "It''s a dungeon maze!" The winding and complex passageways laid before them, with several dark maze entrances just at the start, made everyone feel a headache coming on.


    "It looks more complicated than the underground maze in the Duelist Kingdom." Yugi, showing a troubled expression, started thinking about how to navigate the maze. "If only we had the Millennium Ring. It was thanks to Bakura''s Millennium Ring that we found our way last time."


    "Although we don''t have the Millennium Ring, we do have something even more reliable now!" Hoshino grinned, proudly pointing at herself.


    "Hoshino, are you saying you''re good at navigating mazes?"


    "I might not be, but someone is!" Hoshino skillfully lifted her skirt and pulled out a card with a smug expression.


    "Phantasm Summon! Install¡ªAsterios!"


    A heavy red skirt tightly covered Hoshino''s slender frame. With slightly fluffy white hair and two tiny red horns, she looked particularly cute.


    [Heroic Spirit - Asterios (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star)][Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK1400/DEF1400]


    Unable to see her cute appearance, Hoshino glared at the laughing Jounouchi and Yugi in confusion. "What''s so funny? Let''s get moving!"


    She gently placed her hand on the maze wall, and the layout and paths of the maze began to flow into Hoshino''s mind like data. "This is quite a useful skill~"


    "Ah¡ªah¡ª!!" But just as Hoshino was feeling pleased, a terrified scream echoed from deep within the maze.


    "Girl, it''s a girl''s scream!" Jounouchi exclaimed excitedly, repeatedly reminding everyone.


    "We''re not deaf; of course, we heard it!" Hoshino sneered, glancing at Jounouchi. "You always get so worked up whenever there''s anything involving girls."


    "I thought this Dragon God''s Domain wouldn''t have any humans in it besides Kaiba." Yugi frowned, sensing something was off.


    "Could it be a trap?" Anxious, Mokuba started second-guessing.


    "No, it''s not a trap!" Hoshino closed her eyes and touched the wall of the labyrinth. "At the exit of the labyrinth, a human is being threatened by monsters."


    "Seriously, Hoshino? You can sense that?" Jounouchi looked at her, amazed at how serious she was.


    "It''s like the labyrinth has become part of me. It''s such a strange feeling."


    "In any case, follow me to the closest path to the labyrinth''s exit!" Hoshino released her grip on the wall and signaled for everyone to follow.


    "She''s usually the slowest one, but after that Phantasm Summon, it''s like she''s a different person!" Jounouchi muttered, watching Hoshino sprint ahead.


    ...


    "This is it!" Hoshino declared confidently as they arrived at what she claimed was the nearest exit.


    "Huh? This is the nearest exit? This is a dead end!" Jounouchi''s face was exaggerated in confusion.


    "Hoshino, could it be that we took a wrong turn?" Yugi asked, equally puzzled.


    "No way, this is the nearest exit!" Still wearing her familiar confident smile, Hoshino pulled out another card.


    "Phantasm Summon! Install¡ªMartha!"


    Iron gauntlets instantly covered Hoshino''s arms.


    "Ora!" With a resounding punch, she smashed into the wall in front of them.


    The punch, imbued with holy power, easily blasted a huge opening in the wall.


    "See, now there''s an exit," Hoshino said, still feeling like she hadn''t quite gotten her fill as she cracked her knuckles.


    "This... this works too?" Jounouchi, Yugi, and Mokuba stood there, their eyes wide in disbelief.


    As the dust settled, the newly created exit revealed a richly dressed girl being forced back by two Blackland Fire Dragons [ATK1500].


    "You there! Let go of that girl!" Hoshino yelled, overjoyed at seeing a new target. Without hesitation, she lunged forward with a powerful kick.


    "Tarasque!"


    As if summoned from another dimension, a large dragon-turtle-like creature appeared from the shadows at Hoshino''s command. With a snarl, Tarasque chomped down on both Blackland Fire Dragons, swiftly incapacitating them.


    "Dragons that know not the sorrow of love, be like the stars!" Hoshino smirked as she prepared to finish them off.


    "Iron Fist of Judgment!"


    Although the move wasn''t necessary against two low-level dragons, Hoshino couldn''t resist shouting it out, especially after summoning Martha. She sent one final, punch into the dragons, shattering them into fragments of darkness.


    "Thank you, brave warrior! You''ve saved me!" The richly dressed girl bowed deeply to Hoshino, her voice gentle and full of grace.


    "Haha, no problem! It''s what heroes do¡ªrescue damsels in distress!" Hoshino scratched the back of her head with a sheepish grin.


    However, when Hoshino got a closer look at the girl''s face, she froze. "Huh?! Mokuba?"


    "Hoshino, why are you calling me?" Mokuba called out from behind, still struggling to climb through the hole Hoshino had punched in the wall.


    "Uh, I wasn''t calling you..."


    "What the¡ªMokuba?!" Jounouchi and Yugi exclaimed in unison, their eyes darting between the girl and Mokuba. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What? Why are you all calling me?!" Mokuba shouted impatiently, finally managing to catch up to the group.


    "Mokuba, take a look at her yourself," Hoshino said, her expression bemused as she gently turned the girl to face him.


    "What the... me?!" Both the girl and Mokuba exclaimed simultaneously as they locked eyes.


    The resemblance between the girl and Mokuba was uncanny. With her disheveled black hair and wide eyes, the only real difference was her elegant attire and the subtle femininity of her features. Still, the two could easily be mistaken for twins.


    "Mokuba, you''d be great at cross-dressing!" Hoshino teased, giving the girl an appraising look. "You''re quite adorable!"


    "Th-thank you for the compliment," the girl stammered, blushing as she shyly lowered her head.


    "But seriously, who are you, and why are you here?" Mokuba asked, clearly unsettled by the strange coincidence.


    "I... I''m..." The girl spoke hesitantly, as if recalling something important. "Lord Kaiba... Lord Kaiba went to face the dragon horde alone, to protect me!"


    "Kaiba?!" The group shouted in unison.


    Finally, Hoshino smiled, sensing they were nearing the end of their quest. "So, Kaiba''s up ahead? The one causing all this trouble, right?"


    "Where''s my brother? Why is he protecting you?" Mokuba, now deeply worried, began bombarding the girl with questions.


    It was obvious why, Hoshino thought to herself with a smirk. The girl looks just like you. With Kaiba''s brother complex, there''s no way he''d leave her behind.


    "Follow me; Lord Kaiba should still be up ahead!" the girl said, lifting her long skirt as she began to run with small, hurried steps.


    "By the way, who are you?" Hoshino asked as they jogged along, keeping pace with her.


    "My name is Mana. I... I am the princess of the Desert Empire, Gran," the girl replied between breaths, clearly out of stamina. "I was chosen as the sacrificial offering for the centennial ritual."


    "Sacrificial offering?!" Yugi, Jounouchi, and Mokuba shouted in disbelief.


    Hoshino''s mind immediately flashed back to the old woman''s words:


    ("There are two ways to prevent the disaster: one is to offer a male and female pair as sacrifices to the evil dragon...")


    "Those dragons kidnapped such a cute girl to use as a sacrifice? That''s unforgivable!" Hoshino clenched her gauntlet-covered fists, her anger growing. "Why would a kingdom choose its princess as a sacrifice? What was your father thinking?"


    "No, it''s not my father''s fault..." Mana shook her head, her voice trembling. "We didn''t have a choice. The evil dragons chose me, and I was captured by them..."


    "Kidnapping a princess in broad daylight... these evil dragons are something else," Hoshino muttered, recalling how ordinary warriors in the coliseum had a combat power of around 1,000. Though the [Blackland Fire Dragon] might have seemed like mere fodder in their current battle, they''d be a real threat to a kingdom''s army.


    "Go, Blue-Eyes!"


    As they ran further into the domain, they suddenly heard Kaiba''s commanding voice echo through the halls. "White Lightning Attack!"


    "Lord Kaiba (Big Brother)!!"


    Hoshino, however, caught onto something amidst the noise that piqued her curiosity.


    "I''m going to let you hear the biggest hit in the Servant world! B¨¢thory Erzs¨¦bet!!"


    "?!?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 116 - 116

    "What is this? Such a screeching noise!" As they approached, everyone finally realized something was wrong and quickly covered their ears.


    "Why is Elizabeth here?!" Poor Hoshino, due to the iron gauntlets on her hands, couldn''t effectively block the sound even when covering her ears. She had to endure walking through this sea of singing (or rather, noise).


    However, there was another person in the same unfortunate situation...


    Kaiba, controlling his Blue-Eyes White Dragon to counter the sound waves in front of him, didn''t lower himself to cover his ears, though his expression became more and more twisted from the unbearable noise that felt like mental pollution.


    "But this singing... I never thought it would be this powerful. It feels like two Elizabeths are singing," Hoshino remarked, struggling forward and squinting to see.


    "Seriously? There are two Elizabeths!" Sure enough, there were two Elizabeths. One wore a witch outfit clearly from the Halloween event, standing side by side with the original gothic-dressed Elizabeth, both using their singing (mental pollution) to fend off Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s attack.


    The saying "music knows no boundaries," no matter the species, seemed to apply perfectly here. In the clash between the sound waves and light beams, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, which had been at an advantage, suddenly halted its attack, let out a pained wail, and returned to Kaiba''s deck.


    "Blue-Eyes, what''s going on?!" Kaiba, frowning deeply, shook his Duel Disk and called out loudly.


    "It''s useless, useless~" Elizabeth mocked, bending over with a playful expression on her face. "That White Dragon that only ''looks'' strong has already been purified by our singing~"


    "But I never dreamed I could sing on the same stage as myself. You''re really lucky~" Halloween Elizabeth spun around elegantly, full of joy. "Indeed, only my singing harmonizes best with myself!"


    "This is truly double the pleasure, double the excitement~" they chimed in unison.


    "Hah, they call that noise ''singing''?" Jounouchi cautiously lowered his hands from his ears after the performance ended.


    "Lord Kaiba (Big Brother)!" The two Mokubas, seeing Kaiba was safe, ran over with tears in their eyes.


    "Huh? Mana? Mokuba?!" Kaiba, stunned, could hardly believe what he was seeing. "Why... why are you here? How did the two of you end up together?"


    "Lord Kaiba (Big Brother), I brought reinforcements to help you!" the two of them said in unison again.


    "Hey, I specifically invited Hoshino and Yugi here!" Mokuba snapped, feeling like his credit was being stolen.


    "But I was also worried about Lord Kaiba~" Mana, lowering her head, looked down, speaking softly after being scolded by Mokuba. "Besides, if I hadn''t led you, you wouldn''t have found Lord Kaiba at all."


    "Sigh, don''t argue over something so trivial," Kaiba sighed, looking frustrated.


    "By the way, Mokuba, what do you mean by saying Hoshino and Yugi are here?"


    "I was worried because you hadn''t beaten the game yet, so I went to find Hoshino and Yugi for help."


    "Mokuba, do you think I can''t beat a trash game like this?" Though Kaiba''s tone was reproachful, there was a hint of gratitude in his eyes.


    "But Big Brother, this is a plot by the Big Five. This game can''t be beaten by normal means!"


    "Yeah, Kaiba!" Yugi, suddenly interjecting with a serious expression, said, "Rather than letting the Big Five''s plot succeed, let''s work together to clear this game!"


    "And what do you mean by beating it alone? You were just about to lose!" Jounouchi, finally seizing an opportunity to mock Kaiba, smugly leaned over and waved his hand in front of Kaiba''s Duel Disk. "Your Blue-Eyes White Dragon ran away in the middle of the fight~"


    "Peasant, even you came." Kaiba snorted coldly, unaffected by Jounouchi''s taunts. "Mokuba, could you not find anyone else who can play cards?"


    "Hm? Why did the number of people suddenly increase on the other side?" Elizabeth, now a bit flustered, noticed the growing group around Kaiba.


    "And... and isn''t that Little Manager? Little Manager is here too!" Halloween Elizabeth exclaimed excitedly as she spotted Hoshino.


    "Hoshino, it looks like they''re calling for you," Yugi reminded her.


    "Huh? Are those two on the other side also Hoshino''s monsters?"


    "Uh... yes..." Hoshino, who had been silent this whole time, was at a loss for how to explain these two troublemakers to everyone.


    Yes, two. It was already a lot of trouble when there was just one, and now, suddenly, there were two.


    [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][Fire] [Dragon/Effect][ATK1300/DEF1000]


    [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Caster) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5-star)][Fire] [Dragon/Effect][ATK1200/DEF1200]


    "Hoshino, keep your monsters in check. Don''t let them run around causing trouble for others," Kaiba snapped, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.


    "What?! You''re the one who attacked first, you mean-looking jerk!" Elizabeth couldn''t sit still after seeing Hoshino being scolded.


    "You attacked us without saying a word, and you blame our Little Manager!"


    "Hmph!" Kaiba let out a familiar cold snort and didn''t argue back. It seemed that Elizabeth was telling the truth.


    "Lord Kaiba, what happened after I left?" Mana asked worriedly.


    "Though there were many evil dragons at the time, they were no match for my Blue Eyes. After I wiped out the evil dragons filling this space, these two things suddenly appeared." Kaiba turned his body slightly to glance at the two Elizabeths. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "By the way, why is Liz here?" Hoshino asked, voicing the question that had been bothering her.


    "Of course, to help you!" Elizabeth replied proudly, blinking her cute eyes.


    "Da Vinci exploited a loophole in the system and teamed up with BB to hack into this world. They put us in here as a limited-time event because we''re the most compatible with this world~"


    "As expected of Da Vinci, only she could pull off something like this." Hoshino smiled tiredly, reflecting on the various events that had happened in this world, realizing that this explanation was the only one that made sense.


    "Hoshino, what are you talking about?" However, her companions around her didn''t understand anything, looking completely baffled.


    "Although I don''t know what you''re saying, it sounds very scientific." Kaiba crossed his arms, narrowed his eyes, and nodded silently.


    Just as everyone was talking, the entire Dragon Lord''s Domain suddenly started shaking violently.


    "Kaiba, are you sure you took care of all the evil dragons in this place?" Hoshino asked, her face twitching as she looked at the countless massive dragons emerging from the darkness, her scalp tingling with anxiety.


    "This doesn''t feel like the same level as those small fries earlier!"


    "What a terrifying aura!"


    In the shaking Dragon God Domain, Mana looked panicked, closing her eyes and clasping her hands tightly in prayer. "Oh ancient soul of the brave, passed down through the Grand Empire for a thousand years, please protect us!"


    "This isn''t good; these creatures are strong!" Jounouchi''s hand, gripping his cards, trembled slightly. "These things are far beyond the level of mere minions."


    In the shifting darkness, countless evil dragons surged forward, and it was very clear that this wave of dragons was far stronger than anyone had anticipated.


    [Serpent Night Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star)][DARK] [Dragon][ATK2350/DEF2400]


    A monster formed from the materialized dragon that inhabits the heart of an evil knight. Its twisted body and sinister appearance sent chills down one''s spine.


    Among the countless Serpent Night Dragons, though fewer in number, there were still uncountable...


    [Tyrant Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][FIRE] [Dragon/Effect][ATK2900/DEF2500]


    With an aura befitting a king ruling the world, the Tyrant Dragon roared, leading the Serpent Night Dragons around it.


    "So this is the true disaster," Mokuba whispered, his pupils dilating as he was overwhelmed by the might of the evil dragons before him.


    "Mokuba, stand back! Your Luster Dragon won''t stand a chance against them," Kaiba said sternly, positioning himself in front of Mokuba.


    Mokuba''s Luster Dragon, though possessing 1900 attack points and being strong among 4-star monsters, was still just a 4-star monster, incapable of defeating even Serpent Night Dragon.


    "We can''t just sit here and do nothing! Everyone, counterattack!"


    Jounouchi shouted, and though his hands trembled uncontrollably, he was the first to reveal his card. "Come forth! [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]!"


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star)][DARK] [Dragon][ATK2400/DEF2000]


    The black flame dragon covered in fire stood before Jounouchi.


    "Destroy the Serpent Night Dragon, Red-Eyes!"


    Even with just a 50-point attack difference, Red-Eyes'' powerful black flame burst accurately destroyed the twisted Serpent Night Dragon.


    [Serpent Night Dragon] Destroyed!


    "Jounouchi, watch out!" Mokuba shouted in alarm.


    As soon as Jounouchi''s attack landed, the Tyrant Dragon flapped its massive wings and spat crimson flames toward the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.


    "Even though you''re a fool, I''ll give you credit for having the courage to take the lead!" Kaiba smirked as he raised his card, sparing a glance at Jounouchi beside him. "But courage is all you''ve got. You''re still brainless! Come forth! [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][LIGHT] [Dragon][ATK3000/DEF2500]


    The White Dragon''s roar echoed through the cavern, condensing into a destructive white beam that overpowered the crimson flames aimed at Jounouchi.


    [Tyrant Dragon] Destroyed!


    "See that? This is the true strength of a ruler, a real tyrant!" Kaiba''s confidence surged as his White Dragon triumphed.


    "Impressive, Kaiba!" The Millennium Puzzle around Yugi''s neck began to glow as Yami Yugi took over.


    "In that case, I can''t just stand by and watch either!"


    Before the words had fully left his mouth, Yami Yugi swiftly drew three cards from his Duel Disk. "Summon! [Magician''s Valkyria]!"


    [Magician''s Valkyria ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK1600/DEF1800]


    A figure resembling Dark Magician Girl, but with a more mature appearance, stood before Yami Yugi, shielding him from the advancing dragons.


    "Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Magical Dimension]!"


    [Magical Dimension Quick-Play Spell Effect: If you control a Spellcaster monster: Target 1 monster you control; Tribute that target, then Special Summon 1 Spellcaster monster from your hand, then you can destroy 1 monster on the field.]


    "I''ll offer [Magician''s Valkyria] as a tribute!" Yami Yugi threw down a card gleaming with magic.


    "Come forth, my most powerful monster! [Dark Magician]!"


    Two magic coffins, bound with iron chains, sealed away Magician''s Valkyria and the Tyrant Dragon. As the dark magic surged, Dark Magician emerged from one coffin, while the other coffin shattered the Tyrant Dragon.


    [Dark Magician ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star)][DARK] [Spellcaster][ATK2500/DEF2100]


    [Tyrant Dragon] Destroyed!


    However, the number of Tyrant Dragons was far more than just one or two. Hundreds of Tyrant Dragons, along with thousands of Serpent Night Dragons, continued to roar and charge at the group.


    "Watch out, Little Manager!" Both Elizabeths moved to shield Hoshino, showcasing their vocal prowess without hesitation.


    "B¨¢thory Erzs¨¦bet Fresh Blood Demoness! La¡ªla¡ª!!"


    The sound waves, infused with the power of dragons, forced the evil dragons back step by step.


    "Sorry, Little Manager, our attack power isn''t enough; this is all we can do." Although they managed to push back the dragons, they didn''t deal any real damage¡ªonly bought time.


    "You''ve done great, Liz-chan!" Hoshino praised the hard-working Elizabeths before revealing three cards she had prepared.


    "Now, let the Dragon of Britain proclaim its miraculous true name!"


    "Trap Card¡ª[Avalon of the Radiant Path] !"


    [Avalon of the Radiant Path Trap Card Effect: During your Main Phase, you can release this card and the designated monster to the graveyard to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit-Artoria Pendragon] from your hand or deck.]


    "Phantasm Summon! Install¡ªArtoria Pendragon!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][LIGHT] [Dragon/Effect][ATK ???/DEF ???]


    In a burst of light, the King of Knights emerged. The golden crown, silver armor adorned with blue patterns, and a thick cape replaced Hoshino''s previous attire.


    "Hoshino? What is this?!"


    Kaiba, momentarily stunned, stared in disbelief at Hoshino''s transformed appearance but quickly understood the situation. "Hmph, I see. So that''s why you were wearing such strange clothes earlier."


    "Talking to a genius is so convenient!" Hoshino smiled, her voice full of reassurance and command. "You should know what to do next."


    Responding to her words, the Holy Sword''s brilliant golden light overflowed from the invisible air. As the invisible barrier dispersed, the Sword of Promised Victory revealed its true form in all its majesty.


    "Yes, taking them down one by one would be too much trouble!" Kaiba''s eyes gleamed with determination, grasping Hoshino''s intent.


    "Let''s prepare to take them all out in one go, Yugi, Kaiba!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 117 - 117

    "Equip Card! [Excalibur]!"


    As Hoshino played the last card, the holy sword in her hand transformed the abundant magical energy into a golden light.


    That sword, that light, embodied the noble dreams held by every soldier who, though sorrowful, had hope in their hearts as they perished on the battlefield in the past, present, and future! Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Excalibur Card Effect: The equipped monster''s attack power increases by 500 for each monster card on the field or in the graveyard with [Heroic Spirit] in its name.]


    "In this RPG, it seems like there''s no concept of a graveyard or hand," Hoshino commented.


    Pointing Excalibur at the dragon horde ahead, Hoshino calmly stated, "Even so, with [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth] and [Heroic Spirit - Artoria] on the field, the attack power provided by the three Heroic Spirits is enough to surpass any evil dragon!"


    [Artoria (Hoshino) ATK 2000 ¡ú 3500]


    "We¡­ we''re helping the Little Manager, too, right?" Elizabeth, feeling her power reflected in the holy sword, asked timidly.


    "Of course, Liz is the best~" Hoshino gave Elizabeth a gentle look before raising the holy sword, surrounded by golden light, high above her head.


    "Let''s go, Yugi! Kaiba!"


    "Hmph, you better keep up with my pace!" Kaiba, surprisingly agreeing to the joint attack, dramatically drew a card from his Duel Disk.


    "With the power of our friendship combined, we can break through this crisis!" Yugi drew two cards from his Duel Disk with determination.


    "Damn it, don''t forget about me!" Jounouchi, feeling left out of the final blow, complained.


    "It''s tough holding them off by myself, you know! Trap Card [Magical Arm Shield]! Quick-Play Spell [Scapegoat]!"


    Constantly playing defense cards, Jounouchi single-handedly held back the evil dragon horde''s assault. "Final attack! [Skull Dice]! Roll two 6s for me!"


    "Yeah, Jounouchi has always been a reliable duelist; we know that well."


    "For a mediocre player, you''re doing quite well," Kaiba sneered as he launched his final attack.


    "Go, Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Activate Spell Card! [Burst Stream of Destruction]!"


    [Burst Stream of Destruction Spell Card Effect: If you control [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]: Destroy all monsters your opponent controls. [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] you control cannot attack the turn you activate this card.]


    A terrifying energy, several times more powerful than the usual destructive white light, gathered in the wide-open mouth of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "Let these ignorant lesser dragons witness the true majesty of an emperor!"


    The Burst Stream of Destruction, filled with countless destructive forces, annihilated all living things before it. The blinding white light pierced through the Dragon God''s domain, tearing through countless evil dragons and reducing them to ashes.


    Not to be outdone, Yugi quickly followed Kaiba''s lead, playing his cards. "Activate Spell Card! [Bond Between Teacher and Student]! Special Summon [Dark Magician Girl] from the deck!"


    [Bond Between Teacher and Student Spell Card Effect: This card can only be activated if you control a [Dark Magician]. Special Summon 1 [Dark Magician Girl] from your hand, deck, or graveyard.]


    [Dark Magician Girl¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK2000/DEF1700]


    "Heehee~" The lively and cute Dark Magician Girl materialized due to the Spell Card''s effect.


    "When the Dark Magician and his apprentice are together, they can unleash the ultimate magic that can destroy everything!" Yugi tossed his last card and looked towards the monsters he trusted the most.


    "Are you ready, Dark Magician? Dark Magician Girl!"


    "Yes!" "Yay!" With their wands crossed, the Dark Magician and his apprentice were ready to strike.


    "Activate Quick-Play Spell! [Dark Burning Magic]!"


    [Dark Burning Magic Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: If you control monsters whose original names are [Dark Magician] and [Dark Magician Girl]: Destroy all cards your opponent controls.]


    The Dark Magician and his apprentice raised their wands high, unleashing a terrifying, pitch-black magical blast.


    More powerful than any previous Dark Magic, more splendid than any other, the magic weaved through the dragon horde, exploding at the edge of the Dragon God''s domain. The black lightning surrounding the blast, deadly upon contact, annihilated the evil dragons in its path, showcasing the ultimate Dark Magic.


    "What reliable partners!" Hoshino exclaimed, watching the perfectly synchronized, world-shattering combo attack.


    "We can''t lose on our side either!"


    "Oh! Go for it, Little Manager!"


    "Activate the effect of Equip Card [Excalibur]!"


    [This effect card can only be used once. Send all cards in your hand to the graveyard, increase the equipped monster''s attack power by [the number of cards sent to the graveyard] x100, then destroy all monsters your opponent controls with attack power lower than that of the equipped monster.]


    Without needing additional cards in hand, Hoshino''s attack power, already at 3500, was enough to surpass all the evil dragons.


    "Feel this, evil dragons! The light at the pinnacle of holy swords!" The intense golden light completely engulfed Excalibur, and as Hoshino gripped the sword, it felt as though she was simply holding a beam of pure light.


    "This light is the planet''s hope...proof of the life that illuminates this world! Behold!¡ªExcalibur!!"


    By converting the wielder''s magical energy into light and releasing it as a beam, the golden light that destroys everything illuminated the dark Dragon God''s domain. It enveloped the remaining evil dragons in the majesty of a king, shattering the peak of the Dragon''s Domain.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "Grandma, look at the sky! What a beautiful aurora~" In the night market, a child''s innocent voice tugged at Shurima''s clothing, pointing to the starless, pitch-black sky.


    The sky, which should have been devoid of light, now emitted three dazzling auroras from a distant point.


    Blue, purple, and gold lights intertwined, illuminating the night sky over the desert capital.


    "Oh! This is..." Shurima''s body trembled with excitement, and tears rolled down her aged cheeks.


    "The heroes are fighting for this world!"


    "Grandma, what''s wrong?" The child asked, confused and concerned, as he looked at the trembling, tearful Shurima.


    "It''s nothing. Grandma is just too happy. This is the first time in my life I''ve seen such beautiful light."


    "This is indeed the light of hope for this world!"


    (*****)


    The next few chapters will be a bit shorter than usual because I had a cold while translating at the time.


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 Chapter 118 - 118

    "What are these monsters?"


    "A group of dragons modified using admin privileges, and they were wiped out?"


    "With this group''s strength, can they stop the Five-Headed Dragons if they''re summoned?"


    "No, in this world, the Five-Headed Dragons represent absolute power. No matter how skilled they are, they can''t win."


    "Now, with our souls as the sacrifice, proceed with the final summoning!"


    ---


    "So this is what the true appearance of the Dragon God''s Domain looks like!" Jounouchi exclaimed as he tilted his head back, turning his neck almost 180 degrees.


    The light from Excalibur illuminated most of the space in the Dragon''s Domain, which had previously been shrouded in darkness.


    Weird dragon statues were densely attached to the walls, making the entire space uneven. The strong sense of incongruity made everyone feel very uncomfortable.


    "If I had to rate the art team of this game, I''d give them negative points," Hoshino said, frowning and trying to suppress her discomfort.


    "Couldn''t they have made the dragons as cute as me?" Elizabeth chimed in.


    "Right, right. If the walls were covered with sculptures of me, the whole space would be filled with a glamorous idol vibe," added Halloween Elizabeth.


    "It''d be a fan''s paradise," they both echoed in perfect sync.


    "Ugh! What''s that huge thing?!" Mokuba exclaimed, pointing ahead.


    In the farthest part of the space, standing opposite the group, was a giant statue that stood out from the other dragon statues. Because of its enormous size, they could only see the solid body of the dragon, while everything above its head was completely obscured.


    "What a huge body¡­ If that''s a dragon, just how big is it?" Jounouchi extended his hands to measure, but because of the distance, he couldn''t accurately gauge its size. However, judging from the overwhelming presence they felt from so far away, it was undoubtedly larger than any dragon they had encountered before. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why don''t we go take a look?" Hoshino suggested as she took off her blanket, preparing for a closer inspection.


    "There doesn''t seem to be any other target," Kaiba agreed, though his tone still made it sound like someone owed him eight million yen.


    "Let''s go."


    ---


    Before entering the Dragon''s Domain, Hoshino and the others had flown around its perimeter to observe. The enormous Dragon Domain, floating in the air, was still massive inside.


    "At this pace, it would take all night to walk through it," Jounouchi complained.


    After entering the Dragon''s Domain, the group lost their sense of time. They knew it was likely nighttime outside, but exactly how much time had passed was unknown.


    "But Jounouchi, look¡­" Hoshino pointed ahead. "Don''t you feel like that giant dragon statue is a lot closer now?"


    Thanks to the Phantasm Summon, Hoshino felt no fatigue at all and was even enjoying herself a little. After all, there was no way she could be this light on her feet in the real world.


    "You''re so sneaky, Hoshino, looking so relaxed," Jounouchi grumbled, refusing to lift his head. "Quit teasing me. It was still far away just a minute ago."


    "No, Jounouchi, it''s much closer," even Yugi (Yami) began to caution him, though his tone carried a hint of anxiety.


    "What? Even Yugi is trying to trick me¡­" Jounouchi complained, still in denial.


    "Dodge! That thing''s charging at us!" Mokuba shouted, warning everyone as he took off running.


    "Huh?" Realizing it wasn''t a joke, Jounouchi hurriedly looked up.


    "How is it just a little closer, Hoshino? It''s right in front of our faces!!" Even in a situation like this, Jounouchi couldn''t resist cracking a joke. Faced with the dragon statue charging at them at 500 mph, he used his extraordinary reflexes to leap to the side, narrowly dodging the statue''s collision.


    "With that kind of mass, charging at that speed, if it hits you, you''d be smashed to pieces!" Jounouchi said, grateful to have escaped death.


    "But why did it charge on its own¡­" Hoshino wondered aloud, looking up at the statue and taking a deep breath.


    Up close, the dragon statue was indeed enormous. But the reason they couldn''t see the dragon''s head from afar wasn''t because it was too big or blocked from view¡ªit was because the statue simply didn''t have a head.


    It was a bizarre statue of a dragon with only its body.


    The thick body was even larger than the dragons from Western mythology. Its wide torso, combined with its headless design, exuded an inexplicable sense of oppression.


    "Could this thing be the Five-Headed Dragon?" Although it had no head, the statue gave Hoshino the impression that it was the final boss.


    "Hahaha, truly the King of Duelists, seeing through the Five-Headed Dragon''s aura so easily!" To everyone''s surprise, multiple deep male voices echoed from within the dragon statue.


    "That voice? The Big Five!" For Kaiba, those voices were so familiar he could recognize them even if they were turned to ashes.


    "Kaiba, I didn''t expect you to survive this long and even gather companions to beat this game."


    "Our always solitary Kaiba Corp president has even learned to utilize the power of others."


    "Hmph, Big Five, no matter how you designed this game, I could clear it alone without any difficulty."


    "Stubborn as always, Kaiba. Can you still say that after seeing our strongest Five-Headed Dragon?"


    "Now, we five shall offer our souls to the strongest dragon!"


    As the Big Five solemnly declared this, the massive dragon statue began to crack. Through the fissures, they could see the living dragon hidden within.


    "For your selfish desires, you sold your souls to something that doesn''t even exist, Big Five?" Kaiba''s eyes gradually filled with disdain as he looked at the dragon coming back to life before him. "No matter what monster you summon, it will fall before me! I''ll prove that your filthy souls are worthless!"


    "Descend, mighty Dragon King, the Five-Headed Dragon that symbolizes absolute power and disaster!" As the statue''s shell completely shattered, five differently shaped dragon heads emerged from the enormous dragon''s body.


    "Five-Headed Dragon, descend! And reveal the true appearance of the Dragon God''s Domain!"


    With the Five-Headed Dragon''s earth-shattering roar, the surrounding scenery rapidly changed. The eerie dragon domain had transformed into a dense matrix of code.


    "Big Five, you did cheat!" Kaiba, as sharp as ever, instantly recognized the game data modification. This scene had entered a space that shouldn''t exist in the game at all.


    It was a BUG space.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 119 - 119

    "Ha ha ha, Kaiba, take a look at your feet¡ªthis is the final resting place we specifically selected for you." From within the body of the Five-Headed Dragon, the voices of the Five Heads seemed to merge into one. Their once distinct souls had fused, making it impossible to revert to their original forms.


    [Five-Headed Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 stars)][Dark] [Dragon/Effect][ATK5000/DEF5000]


    The massive Five-Headed Dragon, with its differently-shaped heads, stood tall in the eerie space filled with codes and data.


    "Beneath my feet?" Kaiba glanced down skeptically.


    "What the¡ª?!"


    In the near-2D scene, the entire Dragon God''s Domain was imprinted below them.


    "Well done, Five Heads. You modified the entire Dragon God''s Domain data to harness all this enormous energy for yourselves, huh?" Understanding the situation, a disdainful smile appeared at the corner of Kaiba''s mouth.


    "What an utterly disgraceful struggle!"


    [Dragon God''s Domain Field Effect: ¢Ù: Only Dragon-type monsters can declare an attack.]


    "You didn''t realize that restricting me to using only Dragon-type monsters works in my favor, did you?" Kaiba confidently drew two cards, his eyes showing he was ready to bury the Five Heads.


    "Huh? What''s going on?" Suddenly, Hoshino''s voice interrupted Kaiba''s move. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why has the Phantasm Summon disappeared?" Hoshino, bewildered, inspected her now-normal clothing.


    "Ha ha ha, Hoshino, this place is no longer part of the official game''s space, so your power won''t work here." The purpose of coming to this space wasn''t just for the Five Heads to leverage the effects of the Dragon God''s Domain, but also to neutralize uncertain factors like Hoshino''s Phantasm Summon.


    "Pathetic, Five Heads." Realizing the situation, Hoshino''s eyes were filled with pity.


    "You''re even on guard against a frail girl like me?"


    However, inside, the Five Heads were fuming. ''When you were soloing all the dragon mobs, you didn''t say you were frail!''


    "Hmph, Five Heads, I''m more than enough to handle this!" Having been interrupted by Hoshino''s exclamation, Kaiba resumed his stance.


    "Now, let me show you the new power I acquired at Duelist Kingdom!"


    "Reveal the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand, and Special Summon my new White Dragon! [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon]!"


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars)][Light] [Dragon/Effect][ATK3000/DEF2500]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must first be Special Summoned (from your hand) by revealing [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] in your hand. You can only Special Summon [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] once per turn this way. This card''s name becomes [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] while on the field or in the GY. Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it. This card cannot attack the turn this effect is activated.]


    In the hollow data space, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Unlike the usual White Dragon''s presence, the Alternative White Dragon cloaked in roaring lightning materialized in front of the Five-Headed Dragon.


    "Go, [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon]! Burst Stream of Destruction!" Kaiba roared in sync with the White Dragon, aiming for a one-hit kill.


    [Once per turn, you can target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it. This card cannot attack during the turn this effect is activated.]


    "Amazing, Kaiba!" Seeing the lightning blast forming in the White Dragon''s mouth, Jounouchi couldn''t help but cheer. "No matter how high your Five-Headed Dragon''s attack points are, it''ll be easily destroyed by the Alternative White Dragon''s effect!"


    But in reality, the destructive lightning blast that could destroy any monster did not affect the Five-Headed Dragon.


    "Ha ha ha, too bad, Seto Kaiba!" Once again, that familiar maniacal laughter echoed.


    "Did you think we didn''t study your duels at the Duelist Kingdom? This Dragon God''s Domain is your custom-made grave!"


    [Dragon God''s Domain: ¢Ú: Dragon-type monsters are unaffected by your opponent''s card effects.]


    "Die, Seto Kaiba! Five-Headed Dragon, Chaos Blast!" At the Five Heads'' command, the five differently attributed dragon heads simultaneously aimed at the flickering Alternative White Dragon. In an instant, the mixed-attribute attack engulfed the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon.


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon] is destroyed.


    [Seto Kaiba LP 4000 ¡ú 2000]


    "Damn, in this field, the only way to win is to match this thing''s attack power!" Jounouchi, who thought the victory was assured, complained in frustration.


    But the Five-Headed Dragon''s whopping 5000 attack points weren''t something easily surpassed.


    "Ara~, the invincible Kaiba just got smacked down again," Hoshino sighed as she watched Kaiba''s Life Points drop by half in an instant.


    "Glare!" Kaiba''s eyes, sharp enough to kill, stared at Hoshino, making her shiver.


    "For now, let''s summon Dragon-type monsters! Otherwise, one attack and we''ll lose!" Yugi (Yami) quickly gave everyone sound advice.


    "Yugi''s right!" Jounouchi, who never doubted Yugi''s opinion, was the first to draw a card.


    "Sorry to trouble you again, Special Summon with Ancient Rules! [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]!"


    "In Defense Mode, I summon [Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1]!" Yugi (Yami), severely lacking in Dragon-type monsters, had no choice but to summon this card, aside from the Curse of Dragon, which required a tribute.


    "Hoshino, use my Duel Disk!" Knowing he was completely out of the game, Mokuba silently removed his Duel Disk and handed it to Hoshino.


    "Mokuba¡­" Reading the determination in Mokuba''s eyes, Hoshino nodded firmly.


    "Leave it to me! Mokuba, step back!"


    "Finally, I can summon monsters again!" Due to the restriction on Phantasm Summoning being lifted, Hoshino was now able to detach her deck from her thigh, something she couldn''t do earlier. Tossing aside the belt strapped to her leg, Hoshino inserted her Heroic Deck into Mokuba''s Duel Disk with determination.


    "Heroic Spirit Deck, loaded!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000]


    "Let''s go too, Kaiba!" Hoshino shouted to Kaiba, drawing a card quickly from the Duel Disk.


    "Hmph, just what I was waiting for!" Kaiba sneered, though it was unclear what exactly he was so confident about.


    "Ancient Rules! Go, [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars)][Light] [Dragon][ATK3000/DEF2500]


    The familiar Blue-Eyes materialized before Kaiba once more.


    "Seto Kaiba, what''s the point of summoning such a normal monster now?" The Five Heads, their voices dripping with disdain, mocked Kaiba from within the Five-Headed Dragon. "Is this the extent of your abilities?"


    "You''ll find out soon enough if it''s useful or not!" Kaiba spread his hands, ending his turn with a gesture. "It''s your move, Hoshino!"


    "You''re playing along well, Kaiba!" Hoshino raised the card in her hand, which was glowing. This was Hoshino''s first true monster summon in this world.


    "Sacrificing Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I summon [Heroic Spirit - Siegfried]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 120 - 120

    "Bathed in the blood of the strongest dragon, the dragon slayer emerges! Surpassing even the Five-Headed Dragon!"


    [When this card is successfully Tribute Summoned using a Dragon-type monster, it can be treated as a Dragon-type. This card''s ATK increases by twice the ATK of the Dragon-type monster used as the Tribute.]


    "Since the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] was used as a Tribute, its ATK increases by twice the Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s ATK!" As Siegfried emerged from the light, Hoshino once again felt the sensation of summoning a monster.


    "Not having to fight personally and just commanding others feels much better, as expected~"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Siegfried ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star)][Earth] [Warrior/Effect][ATK 0 ¡ú 6000/DEF 3000]


    "ATK! 6000!!" Watching Siegfried clad in Blue-Eyes'' radiance, Mokuba screamed in excitement, "Hoshino, you''re really strong!"


    "Thank you very much for this overflowing power, Master!" Swinging his sword, Siegfried''s eyes flashed with a rare confidence.


    "Now, I stand above all evil dragons!"


    "It''s rare to see you this confident, Siegfried. It''s a good thing~" Compared to the usually apologetic Siegfried, Hoshino preferred this more reliable version.


    "When Siegfried is Tribute Summoned using a Dragon-type, he can also be treated as a Dragon-type!" This meant that even in the Dragon God''s Domain, Siegfried, as a warrior, wouldn''t be trapped.


    "Go, Siegfried, attack the Five-Headed Dragon!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    Raising his Balmung with both hands, Siegfried concentrated his magic on it.


    [This card''s ATK increases by the number of Dragon-type monsters on the opponent''s field x1000.] Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Siegfried ATK 6000 ¡ú 7000]


    "The evil dragons will fall, cut down by the light and shadow. The world, now, has reached dusk!"


    "The Five-Headed Dragon is no match for Hoshino at all!" Jounouchi, leaping up in excitement, swung his arm holding the Duel Disk. "This is the punishment for all your evil deeds!"


    "Forgive me, evil dragon before me!" Siegfried suddenly opened his eyes wide and swung his greatsword down hard.


    "Balmung Phantasmal Greatsword ¨C [Felling of the Sky Demon]!!"


    A massive burst of magical energy in the form of sword energy tore through the Five-Headed Dragon''s enormous body in the data space.


    "Ooohhh!" The wails of the five heads echoed as the sword energy pierced through the dragon''s body.


    "The King of Duels, possessing such power, can bring us such pain!!"


    "Unforgivable, unforgivable!"


    "Hoshino, something''s wrong." Kaiba, who was very familiar with the Five-Headed Dragon, immediately noticed the problem. Their tone was not that of defeat.


    Before everyone''s eyes, the body of the Five-Headed Dragon, which had been pierced, was visibly repairing itself.


    "What kind of freakish dragon is this?" Watching the severed dragon body being stitched together by intertwining crimson dragon flesh, a terrified Mokuba couldn''t help but gag.


    "This is the evil that has plagued the Grand Empire for a thousand years¡­" Mana, also feeling uneasy, had a look of despair in her eyes.


    "What a pity, Duel King. Although your monster is strong, it still cannot inflict even a scratch on the Five-Headed Dragon!"


    [Five-Headed Dragon Effect: Cannot be destroyed by battle with a DARK, EARTH, WATER, FIRE, or WIND monster.]


    "It can be immune to battle destruction by five attributes!" Yugi, wide-eyed, seemed deep in thought.


    "Even so, since it''s a duel, if it cannot be destroyed by battle, damage is still calculated!" Hoshino wasn''t about to accept her all-out attack achieving nothing.


    "Indeed, you can have this tiny bit of Life Points," the Five Heads said dismissively.


    [Five-Headed Dragon LP 10000 ¡ú 8000]


    "They have 10,000 Life Points¡­" Even Kaiba was a bit unsettled now. "Modifying the game data like this, do you have any sense of shame?"


    "Kaiba, don''t speak so harshly. This isn''t data modification!" The Five Heads retorted confidently.


    "This is the power of our five souls!"


    "This is the recognition the Five-Headed Dragon has given us for offering up our souls."


    "Hahahaha." A crisp laugh interrupted their proud self-description.


    "Did you take that as recognition?" Hoshino, clutching her stomach, laughed with a mocking tone.


    "This is clear evidence that even the Five-Headed Dragon looks down on your souls. The value of each of your souls is only 2000 points when flattened."


    "Hahaha, so that''s how it is." Kaiba, seemingly finding Hoshino''s explanation amusing, also grinned.


    "What an interesting interpretation, Hoshino! Big Five, even your trusted Five-Headed Dragon has denied your existence''s worth."


    "Slick talk, Seto Kaiba, Duel King! Next, we''ll make you understand despair!" Now slightly flustered, the Five Heads launched a counterattack.


    "Five-Headed Dragon, a direct attack on Mokuba!"


    "!!"


    The twisting five heads locked their gaze on Mokuba, unarmed and standing behind Hoshino.


    "That''s too cowardly! How can you attack someone not participating in the duel? This violates the rules!" Hoshino shouted as she quickly shielded Mokuba.


    "Rules? In this space, we are the rules!" The Five-Headed Dragon showed no signs of stopping, and the chaotic energy of five attributes was already condensing.


    "After entering this space, no one should expect to escape!"


    "In this space, those who fail will have their souls eternally trapped here."


    "Five-Headed Dragon, Chaos Blast!"


    "Mokuba!!" As the attack headed straight for Mokuba, Kaiba, usually calm and composed, finally shouted out in panic.


    "Brother, Hoshino!" Mokuba, tears welling up in his eyes, didn''t want to hold everyone back but even more didn''t want to spend his life wandering in the void.


    ---


    "BB~Channel!"


    A familiar, cheerful voice echoed in the data space.


    "That''s¡­!" Hoshino, on alert, suddenly noticed the golden slot machine that had appeared in front of her.


    "BB Slot Machine is spinning, kucchi kucchi~!"


    Time in the entire space seemed to freeze, and everyone watched in astonishment as the slot machine in front of them spun its reels.


    Swastika, Swastika, Swastika.


    Finally, the slot machine stopped, displaying three mysterious symbols.


    "How lucky! You''ve drawn Soul Protection!" A girl dressed in a black coat, playfully winking with one eye, slowly descended from the sky.


    "As a reward, no soul in this space will be destroyed~ Yay!"


    Waving the baton-like object in her hand, BB instantly deployed a green soul barrier in front of Mokuba and Hoshino, effortlessly blocking the Five-Headed Dragon''s Chaos Blast.


    "BB, what are you doing here?" Although Hoshino had doubts about BB''s sudden appearance, her eyes were still filled with gratitude.


    "Master, take a look at your surroundings~" BB pointed at the scenery filled with various data, her face bearing a mysterious smile.


    "Hoshino¡­" Mokuba, who had not yet fully shaken off the fear of death, hesitated to speak, tears welling up as he tightly clutched Hoshino''s clothes.


    "It''s okay, Mokuba. You''re safe now." Hoshino gently stroked Mokuba''s head, comforting him with a warm tone.


    "Hoshino, is that your monster too?" Kaiba, who had finally relaxed, quietly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Though he didn''t say it aloud, there was a hint of gratitude in his eyes.


    "Well, sort of." Hoshino felt a bit guilty since even she hadn''t anticipated BB''s appearance.


    "Master, now isn''t the time for idle chatter, you know. Go all out." BB cheered everyone up, hopping slightly in place, causing the two large adornments on her chest to jiggle slightly. "BB will be in charge of protecting everyone''s souls, so don''t hesitate, give it your all~"


    "Oh!!" Jounouchi, his eyes practically glued to the sight, was instantly motivated.


    "Damn it, you keep accusing us of cheating, but aren''t you cheating too?!" The voice of the Big Five suddenly rang out.


    "Five-Headed Dragon, we offer our souls to fill this space!"


    With the Big Five''s resolute shout, the once-static data symbols in the space began to flow once more.


    "Those old geezers have no shame!" Hoshino, berating the Big Five''s despicable actions, furrowed her brow as she watched the flowing data.


    "Even though I don''t know what they''re planning, can you stop it, BB?"


    "BB would love to confidently say yes, but sorry, Master~" BB, looking a bit troubled, whispered in Hoshino''s ear.


    "If we were in the original world, BB would be able to do it. But interfering with another world''s data from Chaldea like this, BB''s already trying her best to protect everyone''s souls from being destroyed."


    "And honestly, the data in this game world is not simple. It''s not something that could be developed solely by human intelligence."


    "I see¡­" Hoshino, roughly understanding the situation, even felt that BB''s words made a lot of sense.


    Ever since arriving in this virtual world, Hoshino had felt it¡ªthis world was far too realistic, nothing like a game developed solely through programming.


    Instead, it felt more like a real world, different from the one they came from.


    "Big Five, you''ve truly angered me this time!" Kaiba''s fury finally reached its peak in response to the Big Five''s repeated outrageous actions.


    "Today, I''ll make sure you''re utterly destroyed!" Kaiba''s eyes filled with killing intent as he drew four cards in quick succession.


    "Fusion Summon, my ultimate emperor!"


    "[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]!"


    The three Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards and the Fusion card raised high by Kaiba exuded an aura as though they were alive.


    In the space distorted by Fusion, the ultimate emperor, with its three imprinted dragon heads, roared as it flew out.


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 stars)][Light][Dragon/Fusion][ATK 4500/DEF 3800]


    "Hahaha, Kaiba, is this your ultimate trump card?" As the data flow in the surroundings gradually came to a stop, the Big Five''s voices echoed once again.


    But unlike before, this time their voices came from five different directions.


    [Pseudo-Five-Headed Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 stars)][Dark] X4


    [Dragon/Token][ATK 5000/DEF 5000]


    "Five Five-Headed Dragons?!" The group, unable to believe their eyes, stood stunned, staring at the massive dragon bodies that filled the entire data space.


    "Hey, isn''t this kind of a bit too much!" Jounouchi, barely holding back the urge to curse, gritted his teeth.


    "This is the manifestation of our souls, our obsession filling this space!" The irritating laughter emanating simultaneously from the five dragon bodies echoed throughout the space.


    "Kaiba, your Ultimate Dragon is nothing compared to our absolute power!"


    "The next turn will be your true demise!"


    ...


    "This is a bit troublesome, Master." BB''s voice carried a hint of tension as she glanced at the data around them that had been altered.


    "This must be their trump card. The entire space has lost the ability to be further altered, but at the same time, it has allowed the Big Five to break free from the constraints of the original rules."


    "Oh? So this is just their last desperate struggle?" Kaiba, feeling no fear whatsoever, casually remarked, "Completely insignificant!"


    "You might not have fully grasped what BB just said, Mr. Arrogant." BB shot Kaiba a glare before continuing.


    "In the current situation, to eliminate the Big Five, you have to not only deplete their Life Points but also defeat all the Five-Headed Dragons in the space at the same time!"


    "If either of these conditions isn''t met, it''ll be a total failure, and you''ll lose everything!"


    "What kind of impossible condition is that?!" Mokuba, hearing the ridiculously harsh victory conditions, jumped in frustration, "Is there no other way?!"


    BB shook her head, shattering Mokuba''s last bit of hope.


    "..."


    "Heh heh, is that really all it takes?" To BB''s surprise, Hoshino showed a relieved smile at this moment.


    "Doesn''t seem that difficult to me," Yugi also smiled confidently.


    "As a final challenge, it''s not nearly enough!" Even Jounouchi''s tone grew arrogant.


    "And you talk about our demise next turn, that''s a joke!" Kaiba, closing his eyes and crossing his arms, smirked coldly.


    "The ones who will truly perish are you, Big Five!!" X4


    In unison, Hoshino, Jounouchi, Yugi, and Kaiba all instantly figured out how to overcome this seemingly hopeless situation.


    "Wow, they''re so cool and full of spirit!" Elizabeth, quietly watching from the side, had stars in her eyes. "As expected of our little manager."


    "Eek?! What''s with these four?!" BB, startled by the overwhelming aura of the duelists, took a step back, her face filled with disbelief.


    "I''ll say it one more time, you need to deplete their Life Points and defeat all the Five-Headed Dragons in the same turn. Are you sure you heard that right?"


    "Don''t worry, BB." Hoshino, raising her Duel Disk slowly, gave BB a firm look.


    "Uniting the souls of the four of us, the path to victory is already clear!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 121 - 121

    "Yeah, what am I even worried about?" Mokuba chuckled self-deprecatingly, feeling the overwhelming aura emanating from the four of them.


    "In this world, who could defeat the combination of these four?"


    "This is the strongest alliance in the history of Duel Monsters!"


    "Are you ready to start, Kaiba?" asked Yami Yugi, exchanging a knowing glance, drawing a brand-new card.


    "Let''s do this, Yugi! My rival, the one man I acknowledge!"


    "I activate the Ritual Spell Card [Black Luster Ritual] from my hand!"


    [Black Luster Ritual - Ritual Spell Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon [Black Luster Soldier]. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 8 or more.]


    "I sacrifice [Curse of Dragon (Level 5)] in my hand and [Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1 (Level 4)] on my field as offerings for the Ritual Summon!"


    As the ritual was activated, a black and white light enveloped the two monsters, intertwining and merging into a chaotic form.


    "Ritual Summon, [Black Luster Soldier]!"


    [Black Luster Soldier ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][Earth][Warrior/Ritual][ATK3000/DEF2500]


    [You can Ritual Summon this card with [Black Luster Ritual].]


    However, as Black Luster Soldier stepped onto the field, he was immediately bound by the power of the Dragon God''s Domain.


    "Hahaha, it''s useless, Yugi Muto! In this Dragon God''s Domain, only Dragon-type monsters can wield their full power!"


    "Your monster is nothing more than a mere decoration!"


    "Oh? Is that so?" Yami Yugi replied calmly, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Polymerization] from my hand! I''ll fuse [Black Luster Soldier] on my field with [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]!"


    With a swift motion, Yugi threw down two cards, and Black Luster Soldier, clad in blue armor, along with Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, a majestic and roaring dragon, were both drawn into the swirling fusion vortex.


    "Now, the strongest warrior and the strongest dragon shall combine into one, giving birth to the ultimate knight that transcends all limits!"


    "Come forth, Fusion Summon! [Dragon Master Knight]!"


    [Dragon Master Knight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12)][Light][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK5000/DEF5000]


    [[Black Luster Soldier] + [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon] Must be Fusion Summoned. This card gains 500 ATK for each Dragon monster you control, except this card.]


    Standing atop the Ultimate Dragon, the Black Luster Soldier merged perfectly with the aura of a sovereign, commanding awe throughout the battlefield.


    "Since the Five-Headed Dragon cannot be destroyed by anything other than a Light monster, let''s use the strongest Light to surpass it!" Seeing the birth of a monster that surpassed the Five-Headed Dragon, Kaiba couldn''t contain his excitement.


    "See this, Big Five? This is my ultimate emperor, the true power!"


    "Such reliable companions!" Hoshino smiled with satisfaction as she watched Yugi and Kaiba successfully devise a method to defeat the true Five-Headed Dragon.


    "We can''t fall behind, Jounouchi! Let''s take care of all the Pseudo-Five-Headed Dragons!"


    "Alright! Let me show you the strongest combo between me and Hoshino!" Jounouchi exclaimed, pulling a card from his Duel Disk with excitement. "I''m so glad I bought so many card packs this morning; none of them went to waste!"


    "With your incredible luck, buying card packs could never be a waste," Hoshino teased with a smile, her gaze heating up as she looked at the two monsters on the field. "Let''s go, Fusion!"


    "I activate the Spell Card [Polymerization]! I''ll fuse [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] on my field with [Heroic Spirit ¨C Siegfried]!"


    Breaking through the barrier of souls once more, the ultimate hero who doesn''t exist in this world descended.


    "Fusion Summon! [Crimson Demon Dragon - Siegfried Alter]!"


    [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][Dark][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK3000/DEF3000]


    [This card can only be Special Summoned by Fusion Summon. ¢Ù: This card''s ATK increases by 500 points for each Dragon-Type monster on fields and in the Graveyards.]


    "I am the strongest evil dragon in existence; there is nothing to apologize for!"


    Clad in pitch-black armor, Siegfried hovered in mid-air, adorned with the form of a black dragon on his shoulders. His sinister dragon wings spread wide as he floated, and the sword in his hand, now transformed from holy to demonic, became Gram¡ªthe demonic sword known as the ''Dawn of Destruction.''


    "The Pseudo-Five-Headed Dragon, born from evil, shall be annihilated by the strongest darkness!" Seeing the proud and reliable figure of Siegfried Alter once again, Hoshino''s eyes were filled with determination.


    "According to [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter]''s effect, its ATK increases by 500 points for each Dragon-type monster on the field!" Glancing at the field filled with Dragon-Type monsters, Hoshino couldn''t help but smile. "Even without considering the Graveyard, there are more than enough dragons on the field. You''ve truly dug your own grave, Big Five!"


    "The opponent has five Five-Headed Dragons on the field, plus our two Elizabeths, the Dragon Master Knight, and Siegfried himself, for a total of¡­" As Hoshino counted out each name, the evil power gathering on Siegfried''s cursed sword grew heavier.


    "Nine dragons, meaning [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter]''s final ATK increase is 4500 points!"


    [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter][ATK 3000 ¡ú 7500]


    "As expected of my Red-Eyes, the symbol of potential! It''s so strong!" Jounouchi beamed with pride as he watched Siegfried''s attack power skyrocket.


    "This is the power of our teamwork, Jounouchi!" Hoshino, eyes closed and nodding slightly, issued the final attack command.


    "Let''s go, Jounouchi!"


    "Right!"


    "Attack, Siegfried Alter! Wipe out all the Pseudo-Five-Headed Dragons in one strike!"


    "As for slaying evil dragons, it can be done in a single breath!" As soon as Hoshino''s words fell, Siegfried, like a black whirlwind, dashed forward. In an instant, his cursed sword had sliced the Pseudo-Five-Headed Dragons into pieces.


    [Big Five LP 8000 ¡ú 5500]


    [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter][ATK 7500 ¡ú 7000]


    Even with a few dragons lost, Siegfried''s attack power was still overwhelming.


    [¢Ú: If this card destroys a Dragon-Type monster in battle, it can attack again.]


    "Press the attack, Siegfried Alter!"


    "Hmph, looks like we''ve been overtaken, Kaiba!" Yugi smiled slightly as he watched Hoshino and Jounouchi''s intense battle unfold.


    "Then we''ll take care of the real Five-Headed Dragon!" With a grand gesture, Kaiba''s roaring aura lifted the coat behind him.


    "[Dragon Master Knight], increase your attack power by 500 points for each Dragon-Type monster on our field, excluding yourself!"


    [Dragon Master Knight][ATK 5000 ¡ú 6500]


    "It feels like our biggest role on the field is just to boost their attack power." Elizabeth scratched her cheek in resignation as she exchanged a glance with her other self beside her.


    "Isn''t that great~" Halloween Elizabeth laughed as she twirled her trident. "Providing dreams and power to our fans is the very essence of an idol''s job~" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Exactly, that''s so like me, you get it!" Energized by the encouragement from her other self, Elizabeth''s enthusiasm soared.


    "After all, selling dreams is the most important job for idols!"


    "Go for it, little piggies and manager!"


    "It''s time to end this, Big Five!!" Hoshino, having already taken down three of the pseudo-Five-Headed Dragons, pointed to the sky where Siegfried was gathering the power for the final blow.


    [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter][ATK6000]


    [Big Five LP 5500 ¡ú 3500 ¡ú 2000]


    "Impossible! How could so many Five-Headed Dragons all be defeated!" A voice filled with terror emanated from the last two dragons.


    "Finally feeling fear, Big Five?" Kaiba sneered, his eyes showing no mercy. "When I, Kaiba Seto, make a promise, I keep it. Today, none of your souls will escape!"


    "Yugi, we''re about to deliver the final blow here!" Jounouchi, brimming with energy, reported to the Pharaoh.


    "Let''s finish this, Kaiba, and end this long duel!"


    "Go, Dragon Master Knight, deliver the final blow to the Five-Headed Dragon!"


    Channeling the power of every Dragon-Type monster on the field, the Dragon Master Knight swung its sword, unleashing a devastating slash combined with the blazing white light of the Ultimate Dragon.


    "Oblivion Slash!!"


    At the same moment, Siegfried, raising his cursed sword high, unleashed all the accumulated dark magic in one mighty strike.


    "Whether holy dragons, evil dragons, or divine dragons, they will all fall before this sword!"


    "Demon''s Fall!"


    The two ultimate attacks, embodying the strongest forces of darkness and light, struck simultaneously, engulfing the last two Five-Headed Dragons without hesitation.


    "Impossible, they defeated all the Five-Headed Dragons at the same time!!" The Big Five''s anguished screams echoed throughout the endless space.


    "Why¡­ why is there such overwhelming power?!"


    "Do you see it, Big Five? This is the final strike unleashed by the combined souls of the four of us!" Hoshino felt a sense of peace as she looked at her companions who had fought alongside her.


    "This is the light and darkness that surpasses all limits and breaks through any hopeless situation!"


    [Big Five LP 2000 ¡ú 1000 ¡ú 0]


    As the light and darkness dissipated, the entire space was left void of the Five-Headed Dragons. At the same time, the Big Five''s corrupted souls were erased from existence, destined to vanish along with time.


    "They¡­ they did it, they fulfilled those impossible victory conditions." BB was completely stunned, unable to believe that the four duelists had truly succeeded until the very last moment.


    "So strong, even BB was moved. They managed to overcome conditions that were almost like cheating."


    "You four are truly the strongest players!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 122 - 122

    "Is it finally over?" Hoshino exhaled a long breath and looked at the space where the Five-Headed Dragons no longer existed, gradually feeling relieved.


    "Who would''ve thought we''d be playing this VR game from morning until night," Yugi (Yami) sighed, feeling a bit of indescribable fatigue. "But at least we managed to clear the game and rescue Kaiba."


    "Hmph, I could''ve cleared it on my own, even without you guys."


    "Kaiba, if you don''t say thank you at a time like this, you''ll be cursed by the heavens!" Jounouchi threatened, displeased with Kaiba''s attitude.


    "Alright, alright, we didn''t rescue Kaiba just to get a thank you," Hoshino, having anticipated Kaiba''s attitude, tried to smooth things over with a helpless smile.


    "But BB, now that the Big Five have been defeated, we should be able to leave this space, right?"


    "Of course~ Leave such a simple task to your final boss-type k¨­hai~"


    With a light wave of her baton, the surrounding scene, filled with data, scattered and dissipated. The 2D flat Dragon God''s Domain, which had served as their battleground, gradually returned to its three-dimensional shape, once again enveloping the group.


    "Are we back? The original Dragon God''s Domain." Mokuba looked around at the familiar yet still unsettling surroundings.


    "Even though the Five-Headed Dragons have been defeated, this place still feels so creepy, doesn''t it?" Jounouchi, perhaps due to fatigue, massaged his shoulders and stretched his arms.


    "It''s probably just the game designer''s twisted sense of humor," Hoshino tried to convince herself, though she couldn''t shake the feeling that something else was hidden in this eerie space. However, she didn''t want to delve deeper.


    "But why haven''t the Duel Monsters disappeared? The battle is already over." Jounouchi shook his Duel Disk, glancing at the still-present monsters.


    "Yeah, according to the usual rules, the summoned monsters should automatically disappear once the battle is over, but now..." Yugi frowned deeply.


    The Dragon Master Knight and Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter, still on the field, stood motionless, their poses unchanged since the end of the battle.


    A few seconds of contemplative silence passed.


    Then, a gentle voice broke the brief pause.


    "The battle is not yet over."


    "Mana?" Drawn by the voice, everyone turned their gaze to Mana, who had remained unnoticed since the battle began.


    "Who is this girl?" BB suddenly asked, her large eyes observing Mana up and down. "She isn''t one of the players who came with you, right?"


    "Mana is a resident of this world," Hoshino explained to BB, though she was more concerned about what Mana had just said. "She''s the princess of the Gran Empire, captured by the evil dragon."


    "Master, are you messing with BB~?" BB flashed her trademark smile.


    "Hmm?"


    "In the Gran Empire of this world, there is no princess."


    "..."


    "!!!"


    Hoshino suddenly felt a chill down her spine. BB''s words surpassed any ghost story she had ever heard, making her skin crawl.


    "Mana... are you?" Kaiba, equally shocked, managed to ask with difficulty.


    "Lord Kaiba, I didn''t lie to you. I am indeed the princess of the Gran Empire," Mana said, her head lowered, her bangs covering her eyes completely.


    "However, I was chosen as a sacrifice, the princess of the Gran Empire from a thousand years ago."


    "A thousand years ago?" Everyone gasped, realizing that Mana, whom they had thought was just an ordinary girl, carried such a secret.


    "Why would an old lady from a thousand years ago be in the Dragon God''s Domain?" Jounouchi, skeptical, raised an eyebrow.


    "Jounouchi, read the room!" Hoshino elbowed Jounouchi heavily, whispering a reprimand.


    "I died a thousand years ago." Mana''s tone, once filled with royal etiquette, gradually changed, becoming sorrowful and chilling.


    "The me you see now is just a wandering spirit within the Dragon God''s Domain..."


    "Is that so..." Although Mokuba disliked ghosts and spirits, he couldn''t bring himself to hate the tragic Mana in front of him.


    Faced with Mana, who shared his appearance but had a miserable fate, Mokuba, driven by sympathy, gently took her cold, small hands.


    "It''s over now, Mana. The Five-Headed Dragons have been defeated by my brother and the others. You should be able to rest in peace."


    "No... not yet..."


    "Huh?"


    "My body, which neither ages nor disappears, is nothing more than a vessel for the world''s evil over the past thousand years."


    "Huh? What are you talking about, Mana?" Frightened by Mana''s sudden words, Mokuba''s hands trembled slightly as he held hers.


    "Yes, the one who has driven this world into a cycle of calamity every century... the mastermind behind it all!" Mana''s words, spoken with pauses, barely formed coherent sentences.


    "Let go, Mokuba!" Hoshino, sensing something was wrong, shouted a warning, likely triggered by the lingering instinct from summoning the King of Knights in a Phantasm Summon.


    "Hoshino?!" Though unsure why, Mokuba, already feeling something was off, didn''t question Hoshino''s warning and immediately released Mana''s hands.


    The moment Mokuba let go, pitch-black energy engulfed Mana, who had been wearing a white ceremonial dress.


    "What''s happening?" The suddenness of the event left everyone stunned, except for Yugi, who reacted immediately, and BB, who remained calm, continuously analyzing data.


    "I see now. BB understands everything now!" BB, having completed her analysis, waved her baton, tapping each of the stunned group members on the head.


    "What''s going on, BB?" Hoshino asked, rubbing her head where BB had hit her.


    "Now it''s time for BB''s lesson!"


    "Don''t bother with the details at a crucial moment like this!" Hoshino snapped impatiently, urging for haste.


    "Master, you''re impatient. Fine, BB will explain directly~"


    "This world was never a game world to begin with; it''s a real parallel world existing in a different dimension." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A parallel world? But isn''t this supposed to be a game created by the Big Five?" Kaiba asked, sensing something was off.


    "The game is just a setting the Big Five imposed on this world. Do you think that with your world''s current level of technology, you could develop such a realistic and advanced VR game in such a short time?"


    Kaiba, now silent, accepted BB''s analysis. Indeed, if this world were merely a game pieced together from data, it would be far too advanced, even compared to the most cutting-edge holographic devices available today.


    Kaiba had considered this possibility before, but as someone who believed in science, he hadn''t entertained the idea of a parallel world.


    "I knew it! There''s no way the Big Five could have developed such a high-realistic game in such a short time!" Mokuba, who had been frustrated, finally found the answer to his doubts, stomping the ground in anger.


    "BB, I''m completely lost now." Hoshino, feeling a headache coming on, held her head and asked BB for help. "Could you explain it in simpler terms?"


    "Yeah, even if this is a real parallel world, how does that relate to what''s happening now?" Jounouchi, as confused as Hoshino, pressed for an explanation.


    "Allow BB, with her superior AI summarization skills, to explain it to you ignorant humans." BB, proud of her explanation, twirled her baton.


    "The current situation is that the Big Five forcibly connected themselves to this world using sacrificed souls. They are more like foreign entities rather than the final bosses of this world."


    "Foreign entities? But wasn''t the Five-Headed Dragons the final boss of this game¡­ or rather, this world?" Yugi, having quickly grasped BB''s summary, pinpointed the key point.


    "Bingo~ You''re sharp, starfish-haired boy! This world has existed for over a thousand years. Do you think the five insignificant humans who inserted themselves later have the qualifications to be this world''s final boss?"


    "Then, what about the legend of the Five-Headed Dragons from a thousand years ago?" Hoshino, growing more uneasy, hesitated to continue.


    "Master, there''s no running away now!" BB''s eyes turned serious as she looked at the anxious Hoshino. "The legend from a thousand years ago and the princess captured a thousand years ago are the oldest and most authentic mysteries of this world!"


    "In BB''s words, the one standing before you now is the true final boss~"


    "The final boss? You mean Mana?" Jounouchi, finding it hard to believe, asked. Even though Mana was engulfed in darkness, she still appeared to be just a girl the same age as Mokuba.


    "She''s no longer Mana. As she said herself, she''s merely a vessel for the world''s evil."


    "But she just looks like an ordinary girl..."


    "Her appearance means nothing at this point!" Even BB seemed a bit impatient with Jounouchi''s dull thinking.


    "Look, she''s already gathering power!" BB pointed to the walls around them.


    The dragon statues, which had been densely packed on the walls, had started writhing at some point, converging on the darkness that had consumed Mana.


    "So those disgusting statues on the walls were alive all along." The already unsettling sculptures now made Hoshino feel even more nauseous.


    "The world''s evil has no fixed form; it only takes on the shape that the people of this world fear the most. The unchanging image over the past thousand years is the true origin of the legend of the Five-Headed Dragons¡­" BB explained, her tone turning more serious.


    The countless dragon statues continued converging into the dark mass surrounding Mana, until they all finally fused into a gigantic, towering form¡ªrevealing their true nature.


    [True Five-Headed Dragon (Ascension) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 Stars)][Dark][Dragon/Effect][ATK 5000/DEF 5000]


    "This¡­ this is the true Five-Headed Dragon of the thousand-year-old legend?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 123 - 123

    "This feeling, I won''t forget it even after a hundred years." Ever since the aurora passed, the old woman had been gazing at the sky, deep in thought. "Unknowingly, a hundred years have already passed, and the Five-Headed Dragons have resurrected again."


    "Could it be that all my efforts over the past century have been in vain? Or perhaps this world was nothing more than a pitiful plaything of the Five Emperor Dragons from the very beginning?"


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª


    [True Five-Headed Dragons (Ascension) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (12 Stars)][Dark] [Dragon/Effect][ATK 5000/DEF 5000]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned from the hand or Deck when the [Five-Headed Dragons] on your field is destroyed.]


    "This is the true Five-Headed Dragons from the legend a thousand years ago..." The series of shocking developments gradually numbed everyone''s nerves.


    The Five-Headed Dragons before them radiated a presence distinctly different from the earlier Five-Headed Dragons. There was a more authentic sense of existence in this world, with the multicolored dragon heads, each with scales writhing vividly.


    But what was even more important was that, compared to the oppressive presence brought by the Big Five''s souls, the oppressive force brought by this world''s evil wasn''t even on the same level.


    "This oppressive feeling is really unbearable." Hoshino, feeling a bit intimidated, finally experienced the fear of facing the entire world''s terror firsthand.


    "But the term ''World''s Evil'' sounds familiar... like Angra Mainyu."


    "No, no, no, Master. This thing in front of us is quite different from the counterfeit World''s Evil, Angra Mainyu." BB shook her head, the usual calm smile on her face now gone without a trace. "In concept, it''s somewhat close to a Beast, but it hasn''t reached that level yet."


    "Beast? Human Evil? It''s something close to that level?" Hoshino''s composure instantly vanished upon hearing this term.


    The terrifying impact of the Human Evil Beast was something Hoshino could never forget.


    Back then, Hoshino had hidden under the covers, staying up all night and crying as she finished the Seventh Singularity, Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia. The shock brought by the Human Evil Tiamat was deeply imprinted in her memory, impossible to erase. Those epic, tragic scenes, the King of Uruk standing alone on the wall, facing Tiamat with regal pride even knowing his people no longer existed...


    "Clap! Clap!" BB clapped her hands twice, snapping Hoshino out of her memories. "Master now is not the time to be reminiscing about your experience."


    "BB just explained it clearly; this thing hasn''t reached the level of a Beast. Probably because the scale of this parallel world is too small. If our original world is like a city, then this parallel world is like a village, so naturally, the World''s Evil here isn''t as grand."


    "I see, so there''s nothing much to be afraid of." Since BB said it was fine, Hoshino felt a lot more at ease. And since this world was based on the Duel Monsters system, she could see the stats at a glance. This True Five-Headed Dragons only had 5000 attack points. It couldn''t possibly match the likes of Dragon Master Knight or Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter.


    "I never said there''s nothing to fear..."


    "It''s attacking! Prepare to defend!" Kaiba, who had been vigilantly locking eyes with the Five-Headed Dragons, was the first to notice its abnormal movements. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From its massive body, the red dragon head symbolizing fire unleashed a scorching blaze, charging directly at Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter.


    "What a fool, thinking it can defeat my Siegfried!" Jounouchi, shameless as always, had somehow started considering Siegfried his monster, probably because Siegfried was summoned using Red-Eyes Black Dragon.


    [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter][ATK 5500]


    "Something''s not right, Jounouchi, be careful!" After hearing BB''s words, Hoshino felt that this creature wouldn''t be as simple as its stats suggested. The way it was attacking didn''t seem like a mere 5000 ATK move.


    [Jounouchi Katsuya][LP 3900 ¡ú 0]


    "How... is this possible?!" Jounouchi''s pupils dilated, overtaking his eyes as he looked in disbelief at his Duel Disk, where his life points had dropped to zero.


    [When this card is successfully Special Summoned, its ATK becomes twice its original value until the end of the next turn.]


    [Five-Headed Dragons (Ascension)][ATK 5000 ¡ú 10000]


    "Its attack power is actually 10,000." Without any additional boosts, it had reached 10,000 ATK just on its own. Even Kaiba couldn''t help but exclaim at the sight.


    [Dragon Master Knight][ATK 6500 ¡ú 6000]


    With Siegfried defeated, the attack power of the Dragon Master Knight dropped as one of the Dragon monsters on Kaiba''s field was destroyed.


    "Watch out, the attack isn''t over yet!" Yugi, who had thought the opponent''s turn was over, keenly observed the yellow dragon head representing lightning moving next to the red one.


    Accompanied by terrifying thunder, it struck down the Dragon Master Knight with lightning-fast speed.


    [Muto Yugi][LP 4000 ¡ú 0]


    "Even Yugi..." Since the Dragon Master Knight was summoned by Yugi, its 10,000 ATK perfectly wiped out Yugi''s 4000 life points in one blow.


    [This card can attack up to 5 times per turn.]


    "Aaaah!" A torrent of water mixed with residual lightning surged forward, directly assaulting Kaiba.


    [Kaiba Seto][LP 2000 ¡ú 0]


    "Being able to attack five times with 10,000 ATK..." The terrifying power that instantly wiped out Yugi, Kaiba, and Jounouchi left Hoshino stunned.


    "If this isn''t even on par with a Beast, then how terrifying must a true Beast be?"


    "Hey, little manager, don''t just stand there! Another attack is coming!" After defeating the three, the Five-Headed Dragons naturally turned their attention to the last remaining duelist on the field.


    The gray dragon head representing earth and the purple dragon head symbolizing darkness both launched their attacks, heading straight for Hoshino.


    "Damn it! As long as we''re here, you won''t harm the little manager!" Halloween Elizabeth, furious, stood in front of Hoshino, driving her ornate trident into the ground.


    "And I''m here too, I''ll protect the little manager as well." Elizabeth, maintaining her original pride, was not to be outdone.


    But knowing that their attack power couldn''t possibly withstand the Five-Headed Dragons'' might, the Elizabeths abandoned offense and used their bodies to shield Hoshino from the attack.


    [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth Bathory] destroyed


    [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth Bathory (Caster)] destroyed


    "Everyone, why..." Seeing her comrades being defeated one by one, Hoshino began to panic. The feeling of fighting alone overwhelmed her, evoking the same emptiness she imagined Gilgamesh felt when he faced Tiamat alone on the wall.


    However, Hoshino did not possess Gilgamesh''s pride.


    "Don''t worry, Master." BB, who had been silent, finally spoke again, but her tone now carried a hint of weariness. "BB''s Slot Machine effect is still active, so I managed to preserve everyone''s souls~"


    The green barrier BB had raised firmly protected everyone''s bodies. Though their life points were depleted, they hadn''t vanished from this space.


    "I''m sorry, Hoshino, we were careless." Yugi, his face showing a hint of regret, apologized.


    "Damn it, how is this monster so broken? How are we supposed to defeat it?" Jounouchi complained bitterly, frustrated at being the first to be eliminated.


    After five attacks, the true nature of the real Five-Headed Dragon was finally revealed, and the group could truly feel the terrifying presence of this so-called Evil of the World.


    [¢Ù: This card cannot be destroyed by battle with Dark, Earth, Water, Fire, or Wind attribute monsters. ¢Ú: As long as this card is on the field, your opponent cannot summon or special summon Dark, Earth, Water, Fire, or Wind attribute monsters, nor can they activate their effects.]


    "It''s even worse than the regular Five-Headed Dragon, with absolute immunity to all five attributes," Kaiba growled, his voice filled with frustration. "Damn monster! If I''m the last one standing, I''ll show you the true terror of my Blue-Eyes White Dragon."


    "Hoshino, do you have any Light-attribute Dragon monsters left in your deck?" Yugi asked worriedly, as the effect of Dragon Domain was still active, restricting them to summoning only Dragon-type monsters.


    "Damn it! If only Artoria was still here¡­" Hoshino muttered, frustrated that the Big Five had manipulated the data, forcing her to end Artoria''s Phantasm summon state. Artoria''s card had been forcibly ejected from the virtual space. Although the real card should still exist within the VR system, in this world, Hoshino had lost the card in her hand.


    "I''m out of options," Hoshino thought, feeling defeated.


    "I''ve already used everything I could. If we lose now, I have no right to complain."


    "I''m sorry, Grandma. It looks like I''m going to fail as a hero."


    "A hero?!" Hoshino suddenly realized something.


    ("There are two ways to stop this disaster. One is for the legendary hero, wielding the Hero Sword, to venture to the Dragon God''s Domain and slay the evil dragon!")


    "That''s right! I''m not just a duelist; I''m a hero, too!" Excitedly, Hoshino unsheathed the Hero''s Sword from her waist, as if she had found the last glimmer of hope.


    "This might be our final chance. Let''s hope the legend is true¡ªHero''s Sword!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 124 - 124

    "Let''s hope it''s real, Hero''s Sword!" Hoshino gripped the Hero''s Sword tightly, silently praying in her heart.


    In the eerie atmosphere, the glow from the sword''s blade gave her a reassuring sense of comfort.


    "BB, can you help me analyze this sword?" Although it was called the Hero''s Sword, Hoshino had no idea how to use it. She couldn''t just charge in and slash at the Five-Headed Dragon blindly.


    "No problem, give BB one minute." BB smiled easily and immediately entered the sea of data.


    "Hoshino, do you think the Hero''s Sword you got from the Arena will work?" Mokuba asked doubtfully.


    At first, Mokuba had assumed this was a key item needed to clear the game. But after BB''s explanation, it was now clear that this wasn''t a world made of data. This meant the Hero''s Sword wasn''t some key item but a real legendary artifact.


    As for how it had been passed down¡ªwhether it was a tool created by some con artist to make money or a relic of humanity''s millennia-old fears¡ªno one could say for sure.


    But one thing was certain¡ªthe Hero''s Sword had never slain the real Five-Headed Dragon, or else it wouldn''t still be standing before Hoshino and the others now.


    "The more I think about it, the more unreliable it seems." Hoshino swallowed nervously but, with steely resolve, lifted the sword and pointed it at the Five-Headed Dragon.


    [Five-Headed Dragon ATK 10000 ¡ú 5000]


    Due to the end of the turn, the Five-Headed Dragon''s doubled attack points reverted to 5000.


    "If that''s its attack power, we might just stand a chance!" It wasn''t an unreachable 10,000 points anymore. If it was just 5000 points¡­


    "From my hand, I summon my final Light-attribute Dragon monster: [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily]!" This card, which Hoshino had spent 1000 gold coins on, was the only monster remaining in her deck that could take the field. "Now, witness the true power of a player who pays to win!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][Light][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 800]


    "No way, we can''t win. There''s absolutely no way." Lily, with an innocent smile on her face, resolutely refused Hoshino''s request.


    "What? Lily, you''re my last hope!"


    Hoshino, devastated by the refusal, pleaded with her, "The legendary King of Knights can''t give up so easily!"


    "Hmm? But Lily is just a half-baked knight still on her journey of training, far from being a true knight," she replied with a gentle smile.


    "But..." Seeing Lily''s pure expression, Hoshino couldn''t bring herself to press further. After all, with just Lily, there was no way they could defeat the Five-Headed Dragon.


    "Then, Lily, can you use this Hero''s Sword?" Hoshino asked.


    "Nope, Master!" Lily cheerfully declined again, leading Hoshino to suspect that the seemingly innocent girl might be a bit sly.


    "Monster cards can''t use real-world equipment. If it were a card, then... well, cards can use equip-type cards, but this sword is meant for a hero, not a king."


    "For a hero, not a king..." Hoshino mused. The sword was called the Hero''s Sword, after all, so that made sense. "But if monster cards can''t use it..."


    "Master, the analysis of the Hero''s Sword is complete!" BB suddenly broke her silence and waved her baton lightly. "Now BB will display the data for you, Master."


    [Hero''s Sword - Equipment: A legendary sword that can only be wielded by someone with the title of [Hero]. The wielder''s attack power increases by 1000 points, and they gain the power to destroy all evil.]


    Unlike standard Duel Monster equip card rules, the Hero''s Sword was a more romanticized object, looking more like a real artifact from legend.


    "Master!" Perhaps seeing the confusion in Hoshino''s eyes, Lily spoke gently, like an angel. "Even though Lily is still on her journey of training, I feel like I''m growing stronger with every step."


    "Hmm?"


    "Traveling is such a strange thing. Sometimes it''s joyful, but most of the time, it''s tough. But if it weren''t tough, it wouldn''t count as training, would it?"


    "When I look back, every step I''ve taken wasn''t in vain. Every experience has given me real strength for the future."


    "So, Master, reflect on your journey. I''m sure you''ll find the answer to your doubts."


    [Journey of the Flowers EX]: Though the journey is tough, this small yet great hope is bound to bring peace and happiness to the world.


    ("Hehehe, I''ll sell you this dragon girl for just 1000 coins."


    "Your final card has no effect, Beowulf!"


    "The champion of the King''s Colosseum is born! It''s our rising star, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "Young girl, take this Hero''s Sword!")


    "I see... I think I understand now, Lily." Hoshino, who had intended to hand the Hero''s Sword to Lily, pulled it back, realizing something important.


    "Monster cards can''t use it. Only a real hero can wield the Hero''s Sword¡ªit was destined from the start."


    "This is the Hero''s Sword that I won with my strength. It belongs to me!"


    "I am the true hero, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Hoshino took off her Duel Disk and handed it to Mokuba, then tied her Heroic Spirit deck back onto her thigh.


    Why did Da Vinci set up a time-limited mission in this world?


    Why was Hoshino''s Duel Disk system modified into a Phantasm Summon system?


    Why did they send Elizabeth to the Dragon God''s Domain?


    Why could only a true hero wield the real Hero''s Sword?


    All the questions from her journey were interconnected. The seemingly complex chain of events finally collided and canceled each other out, revealing the final answer.


    "Have you finally understood, Master?" Seeing Hoshino''s newfound confidence, BB smiled warmly for once. "You sure took your time figuring out how to win. You are slow, Master."


    "A good game takes time to enjoy. Especially one prepared by both you and Da Vinci, just for me."


    "Now, it''s time for my battle!" Hoshino drew a card and, with one hand holding the Hero''s Sword, crossed it with the card in her other hand.


    "This is the true Dream Summon. This is the battle of a true hero."


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Dream Summon]!"


    [Quick-Play Spell Dream Summon Effect: Send the [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster materials from your hand or field to the Graveyard, or as a substitute, banish [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your Graveyard to Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster.]


    "Are you going to...?" Kaiba, eyebrows furrowed, cautiously asked as he watched Hoshino wield the sword and card.


    "Sorry, but from now on, call me ''Hero Hoshino.''" The card in Hoshino''s hand began to emit starlight particles, refracted through the Hero''s Sword, illuminating her body.


    "Just sit back and watch, human," BB, wearing a relaxed smile, leaned forward and laughed. "This isn''t some second-rate delusion. What comes next is the Hero''s job."


    "Using the effect of Dream Summon, I fuse [Heroic Spirit ¨C Elizabeth B¨¢thory] and [Heroic Spirit ¨C Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Caster)] from my Graveyard!"


    "Now, appear! O great Heroic Soul!"


    The light refracted through the Hero''s Sword enveloped Hoshino, gradually revealing her bare skin as her clothes dissolved.


    "Fusion Phantasm Summon! Install ¨C Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Hero)!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Hero) (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2400 ¡ú 3400/DEF 2500]


    After the successful fusion, the once featureless Hero''s Sword now bore a red gemstone embedded in its center, glowing crimson in harmony with the round shield in Hoshino''s other hand.


    Unlike the near-naked outfit when she used the Emiya card, the standard red and green RPG hero attire left only her thigh exposed due to the short skirt, with her deck strapped to her leg.


    "Phew, at least it''s not as embarrassing as that outfit," Hoshino said, glancing down at her heroic attire with a sigh of relief.


    "The Hero, that detestable Hero aura!" To everyone''s surprise, the previously silent True Five-Headed Dragon finally spoke in a low, sinister tone. "A Hero who failed a hundred years ago is now standing before me again, Surima?!"


    "Surima? Why does that name sound so familiar..." Hoshino tilted her head, trying hard to recall the name mentioned by the dragon.


    "It''s Grandma!" Mokuba, with his genius memory far outstripping Hoshino''s, instantly recalled the origin of the name. "That desert city''s mayor, Lady Surima, who gave you the Hero''s Sword!"


    "Grandma? So she was a Hero too..." Hoshino awkwardly twitched her mouth, unable to imagine Grandma wielding the Hero''s Sword against the Five-Headed Dragon.


    "But that was a hundred years ago! Just how old is Grandma now?" Jounouchi, equally baffled, likely envisioned the same humorous scene as Hoshino.


    "No, I''m not the Surima you''re talking about. Remember this well: I am the new Hero, Hoshino Chiyuki!" Denying the dragon''s words, Hoshino swung the now-heavier Hero''s Sword with determination. "And I am the strongest Hero who will defeat you!"


    "Empty words. So, Surima eventually gave up struggling? Humans, after all, live such short lives." Though the True Five-Headed Dragon''s expression couldn''t be seen, its tone was full of disdain toward humanity. "And you, young Hero, will meet the same fate as Surima."


    "Though I don''t know what happened in the war a hundred years ago, let me tell you something, Five-Headed Dragon." Hoshino''s voice grew more impassioned.


    "Hmm?"


    "Grandma¡ªLady Surima¡ªnever gave up!" As Hoshino''s emotions surged, the red gemstone on the Hero''s Sword glowed even brighter, gathering the remaining magic in the air.


    "For a hundred years, the soul of the Hero has never faltered, and now it has finally been passed to me!"


    "A thousand years of longing will end today!"


    "If you think you can, then come prove it, Hero!" The Five-Headed Dragon''s furious roar echoed throughout the Dragon God''s realm, as its five multi-colored heads opened wide, and its enormous body stretched out even more menacingly.


    "BB, can you analyze the conditions for victory in this battle?" Before making her move, Hoshino cautiously consulted BB one last time.


    "Master, you don''t need to overthink it anymore." BB looked at Hoshino with an unusually serious gaze.


    "If I had to name a condition for victory, it''s simple: the Hero just needs to slay the evil dragon!"


    "Such a straightforward victory condition!" With the Hero''s Sword now fully charged with magic, Hoshino unleashed its energy along the blade, a pure white aura swirling around it.


    "Prepare yourself, Five-Headed Dragon! Today, this world will witness the legend of the Crimson Hero!" Bending low and pushing off the ground, Hoshino used the recoil to launch herself forward at high speed.


    "Does she have enough attack power?" Kaiba watched Hoshino charge directly at the dragon with some concern.


    "A brash young Hero with no strategy is rushing to her death." The Five-Headed Dragon, unimpressed by Hoshino''s seemingly meager attack, launched a counterattack from its lightning-covered head.


    Bam!


    The lightning strike was swiftly blocked by the round shield on Hoshino''s left arm, with the crimson magic surrounding it absorbing the force of the attack.


    "Oh? You managed to withstand my attack? You''ve got some skill, Hero." For the first time, a hint of surprise appeared in the dragon''s voice as the remaining four heads swiftly joined in the assault.


    Like a flower blooming amidst despair, the Hero''s Sword expertly slashed through each of the Five-Headed Dragon''s strikes.


    "Hoshino¡­ she''s so strong!" Jounouchi, mesmerized, couldn''t believe how Hoshino managed to match the Five-Headed Dragon blow for blow despite the vast difference in their attack power.


    "Jounouchi, look at the card hidden behind Hoshino''s shield," Kaiba, having spotted something, smiled knowingly.


    Following Kaiba''s hint, Jounouchi closely observed the subtle glow from the card concealed behind Hoshino''s Hero''s Shield.


    [Quick-Play Spell Hero Creation Effect: Target one [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. Until the end of this turn, that monster gains 1000 ATK/DEF. If it battles a monster, double the battle damage dealt to your opponent.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Hero) (Hoshino) ATK 3400 ¡ú 4400]


    "So that''s it! Well done, Hoshino!" Jounouchi whispered excitedly, trying to keep the Five-Headed Dragon from noticing the trick.


    "Is that Merlin''s power?" Lily, sensing a familiar magic, showed a flash of joy in her eyes.


    "A clever hero using tricks will ultimately fall to me no matter what you do!" The Five-Headed Dragon ramped up its assault, still confident that it wouldn''t lose despite Hoshino being stronger than expected.


    However, no matter how much the Five-Headed Dragon intensified its attack, Hoshino deflected every blow as though she were a seasoned general on the battlefield.


    "How¡­ how is this possible? My power is higher. Why can''t I defeat you?" The Five-Headed Dragon, now visibly flustered, began to lose composure. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Finally feeling fear, Five-Headed Dragon?"


    "I told you, your time is up!" Leaping high into the air, Hoshino crossed over all five dragon heads and raised the Hero''s Sword high above her head. "This strike will surpass the evil of the world!"


    "Activate Elizabeth (Hero)''s special effect!"


    [When this card battles, draw one card. The drawn card is revealed to both players, and this card gains the following effect based on the type of card drawn:]


    [- Spell Card: Gain 1000 Life Points.]


    [- Trap Card: Heroic Spirit monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.]


    [- Monster Card: This card gains 1000 ATK for the rest of this turn.]


    "This is the Legend of the Crimson Hero EX!" Hoshino leaped into the air and, with lightning-fast speed, drew a card from her deck.


    The card spun in the air, much like a tarot card, revealing the fate of humanity and the world itself.


    At that moment, everyone present seemed to forget how to breathe, desperate to see the true form of the spinning card just one second sooner.


    Time seemed to freeze, with the only movement being the Hero''s Sword in Hoshino''s hand, glowing even brighter!


    "The card I drew is... a Monster Card! [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus]!" The card stopped in mid-air, revealing Spartacus''s muscular body.


    "According to Elizabeth (Hero)''s effect, since I drew a Monster Card, this card''s ATK increases by 1000!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Hero) (Hoshino) ATK 4400 ¡ú 5400]


    "It worked!" The crowd cheered in unison, shouting with excitement. "Finally, she''s surpassed the Five-Headed Dragon''s attack power!"


    With her attack power increased the Hero''s Sword in Hoshino''s hand transformed into a massive sword of light constructed purely from magic. The sword''s blade, nearly piercing the ceiling, was held high by Hoshino, who was still suspended in the air.


    "It''s over, Five-Headed Dragon, the Evil of the World!"


    With a powerful downward swing, Hoshino brought the enormous sword of light crashing down. The glowing blade sliced cleanly through the Five-Headed Dragon''s body, leaving a blinding mark that split the dragon in half. From this mark, the dragon''s body began to crumble and disintegrate.


    "Impossible! How could I, the embodiment of all the world''s negative emotions, the undying and eternal Evil of the World, lose to a human hero?!" The dragon''s final roar echoed throughout the Dragon God''s realm, causing it to tremble.


    "The Evil of the World! The hope of this world has completely surpassed the fear you once ruled over." Hoshino, now sheathing her Hero''s Sword, looked solemnly at the crumbling Five-Headed Dragon before her.


    "Your defeat today signifies the will of humanity to resist and the determination to survive!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 125 - 125

    "Hahaha, hero! You''ve won, but this world is already doomed!"


    "Is it finally over?!" Although Hoshino had looked like the high and mighty victor when rebuking the Evil of the World, that final summoning, powered by her heroic strength, had drained her considerably.


    Breathing heavily and leaning on her knee, Hoshino forced one eye open to look at the nearly vanished body of the Five-Headed Dragon.


    "Yes, it''s all over, Master." BB''s voice was calm and emotionless, not indicating joy or sorrow. "The Evil of the World has been defeated, and the game data of the Five-Headed Dragon in the Dragon God''s Domain has completely disappeared. You''ve cleared the game."


    The shaking of the Dragon God''s Domain, caused by the Evil of the World''s final roar, had become so intense that Hoshino and the others could barely stand.


    "You should be able to log out of the game now!" Kaiba, checking the data on his Duel Disk, reminded the others.


    Even though their souls were in this world, their bodies were still lying in the real world, connected to the VR equipment.


    "Log out? How do we do that?!" Jounouchi, completely clueless, was panicking, terrified of being left behind.


    "You idiot, Jounouchi! Just press the power button on your Duel Disk!" Mokuba disdainfully pointed out, showing him the Duel Disk. "I''m heading back now. See you all on the other side!"


    As Mokuba pressed the power button on his Duel Disk, his body disappeared like a hologram before everyone''s eyes.


    "Oh, so it''s that simple! Alright, I''m out too!" Jounouchi immediately pressed the button without hesitation.


    "Hoshino, see you later!" Yugi, having swapped back with the Pharaoh, waved his hand before disappearing.


    "Hoshino!" Just as everyone else had left, the usually silent Kaiba suddenly called out to her.


    "Hm?" Hoshino tilted her head to look at Kaiba.


    "Even though I still believe that your assistance was entirely unnecessary¡­"


    "Thank you for protecting Mokuba." Leaving those words behind, Kaiba gave Hoshino no time to respond, pressing his logout button and exiting the game.


    "Oh my God, Kaiba said thank you!"


    In disbelief, Hoshino stared at the spot where Kaiba had vanished, stunned. "Could he be a total brocon after all?"


    "Alright, Master, we should get going too." With a slightly impatient tone, BB smiled and gave Hoshino a gentle push.


    "But I don''t have a Duel Disk! How am I supposed to leave? I don''t exactly have a power button on me."


    "Master, with me, the almighty super AI BB here, don''t you think making a power button is a piece of cake?"


    "Oh, true." With BB by her side, Hoshino felt like there shouldn''t be anything to worry about.


    Yet for some reason, she couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off.


    "Alright, Master, get ready, we''re about to¡ª" BB, waving her conductor''s baton with a commercial smile, looked at Hoshino.


    But just as they were about to leave, Hoshino saw something emerge from the depths of the shaking Dragon God''s Domain¡ªa dragon.


    Then came a second, a hundred, a thousand. Like headless flies, they crazily smashed into the walls of the Dragon God''s Domain, frantically trying to escape.


    "BB, what''s going on?" Feeling that something wasn''t right, Hoshino stopped BB from logging her out.


    "Master, you''ve already done everything you could. There''s nothing more to worry about." BB''s commercial smile instantly froze.


    "BB, you''re hiding something from me, aren''t you?" The sudden appearance of the dragons only confirmed Hoshino''s nagging feeling of unease.


    "There are some things you''re better off not knowing." BB hesitated.


    "I command you, as your Master, BB, to tell me the truth." Hoshino''s serious gaze made it clear to BB that she wasn''t joking.


    "Sigh... seriously!!" BB let out a frustrated sigh, pouting. "Even if I tell you, Master, what could you possibly do about it?!"


    "This world has been doomed from the very beginning!"


    "?!"


    "What do you mean by that, BB?" Shocked by BB''s startling revelation, Hoshino hurriedly pressed her for answers.


    "The Evil of the World has been defeated, and with that, the Dragon God''s Domain has lost its final support and restraint. It''s about to crash to the ground. When the millions of dragons trapped within the Dragon Domain are released, they will cause catastrophic damage that humanity has no means to resist," BB explained, her voice filled with resignation.


    "So, by defeating the Evil of the World, I haven''t saved the world at all¡ªI''ve actually destroyed it." Hoshino''s wide eyes were trembling, struggling to process the truth.


    "No, it''s not your fault, Master. BB just told you, this world was doomed from the start."


    BB sighed, knowing exactly how Hoshino would react. "That''s why I didn''t want to tell you. I knew you''d take on a huge burden of guilt."


    "The minions of the Evil of the World¡ªthe dragons¡ªare destroying the world bit by bit. Even if humanity survives this century-long catastrophe, this world will likely cease to exist before the next century arrives."


    "The Five-Headed Dragon only accelerated the actions of the Evil of the World. They just sped up the inevitable destruction."


    "So it''s all the fault of the Evil of the World and the Five-Headed Dragon¡ªit''s not your fault, Master."


    "Isn''t there any way to save this world? Chaldea can save humanity, can''t we find a way to save this world?" With a trace of desperation in her voice, Hoshino clutched BB''s black sleeve tightly.


    BB shook her head slowly. "Master, you know as well as I do that Chaldea doesn''t have the means to interfere with other worlds. If it could, you would have already been brought back to your original world."


    "Now that the Dragon God''s Domain is falling, this land, as large as Atlantis in the sky, will bring about the same disaster as a meteor crashing to the ground. Add to that the millions of demonic dragons within the Dragon Domain..." BB hoped that this final explanation would convince Hoshino.


    But Hoshino''s eyes suddenly lit up after hearing BB''s last statement.


    "BB, you''re a genius!"


    "Huh? Did you hit your head again, Master?"


    "Meteors! You just mentioned meteors!" Hoshino pulled out a card from her leg pocket, her eyes gleaming with renewed hope. "If the Dragon God''s Domain is the cause of the disaster, we just have to destroy it while it''s still in the sky!"


    "Master, are you joking? Destroy it in the air? BB just said it''s as big as a meteor!"


    "Hmph," Hoshino smirked and flipped over the card in her hand, showing it to BB.


    "Though there are countless beings capable of shooting down stars, there''s only one who can shatter them!"


    "Master, are you planning to use Arash''s Noble Phantasm?" A puzzled expression crossed BB''s face.


    "You, of all people, should know the cost of Arash''s Noble Phantasm. And without a Duel Disk, you can only perform a Phantasm Summon now!"


    "Are you really going to use your own body to unleash [Stella]?"


    However, what responded to BB was an exceptionally determined gaze from Hoshino.


    "You''re crazy, completely crazy. BB won''t play along with you anymore!" BB turned her head away, sounding annoyed. "What reason could there possibly be for you, Master, to go this far for this world?"


    "Heh, I couldn''t say," Hoshino replied, scratching her head in confusion. Even though she feared death more than anyone, she felt compelled to do this.


    "Perhaps it''s the responsibility that comes with being a hero!"


    ("The Hero''s Sword is an armament that only the strongest hero of legend can wield. It symbolizes not only unparalleled strength but also great responsibility!")


    At this moment, Hoshino fully understood the true meaning behind the elder''s words.


    "Besides, Arash blows himself up so many times a day without a problem. If I use it once or twice, it should be no big deal, right?" Hoshino reassured herself while also trying to convince BB.


    "No way!" BB quickly shot down Hoshino''s thoughts, almost like she was throwing a tantrum. "Arash detonates himself as a Heroic Spirit! At worst, he just returns to the Throne of Heroes. But you''re going to self-destruct with a mortal body! No one knows what might happen!"


    "Hahaha, don''t scare me like that!" Hoshino patted BB''s shoulder and whispered in her ear, "I know BB better than anyone. You might talk like that, but you have a way to handle it, right? After all, you''re a super AI capable of anything!"


    "Praising BB won''t help you now." Although BB''s tone was still tough, the hint of pride in her voice gave her away.


    "We can''t delay this any longer. The sooner we shatter the Dragon God''s Domain, the less harm it''ll cause the world." Confident that BB could find a way to protect her, Hoshino raised Arash''s card high.


    "Phantasm Summon! Install¡ªArash!" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Heroic Spirit - Arash (Hoshino) ¡ï¡ï][Wind] [Fairy/Effect][ATK 300/DEF 300]


    A gentle wind swept over Hoshino, enveloping her entire body.


    "What a strange feeling. I never thought I''d wear Arash''s clothes." Hoshino marveled as she examined the familiar outfit she now donned.


    "Master, let me make it clear. BB''s method can''t fully guarantee the safety of your soul. BB can only promise to try her best. Even so, will you still go?" BB warned Hoshino once again, her tone serious.


    "Then I''ll be counting on you, BB," Hoshino replied with a confident smile, one that resembled that of a true hero.


    "But it feels a bit cramped inside the Dragon Domain. Let''s find a way out!" Hoshino glanced around quickly and spotted an opening in the ceiling leading outside.


    Thanks to the high stats of [Strength B] and [Agility B+], Hoshino now scaled walls with ease. She sprinted along the vertical surface, rapidly approaching the exit at the top.


    "Master, watch out!" BB urgently warned. The mindless dragons that had been crashing aimlessly around the domain had now locked their attention on the rapidly ascending Hoshino.


    The minimum attack power of these evil dragons was 1000, while Phantasm Summoned Arash only had 300 attack points...


    A Tyrant Dragon flapped its wings and shot a doomsday-like breath of fire straight at Hoshino.


    The searing flames engulfed Hoshino on the wall in an instant.


    "Master, stop pushing yourself..." BB averted her gaze, unable to bear watching any longer.


    "If I give up, this world is doomed!" Hoshino''s figure emerged from the flames, her body glowing with the light of [Avalon].


    [Trap Card: Avalon Of The Radiant Path Effect: ¢Ù: Target one attack-position monster you control with [Heroic Spirit] in its name. As long as this card is on the field, the targeted monster cannot be destroyed. The monster also cannot change to defense position.]


    Gritting her teeth, Hoshino endured the pain, knowing that while [Avalon] protected her from destruction, the agony was very real. If she took a couple more hits, her mind might not hold up.


    As if things couldn''t get worse, after the Tyrant Dragon''s attack, both the [Serpent Knight Dragon] and [Blackland Fire Dragon] had noticed Hoshino and were eagerly preparing to strike.


    "Normally these guys are just trash mobs, but it seems like I''ve hit rock bottom here!" Hoshino muttered, smiling bitterly.


    "Hah! Our Master sure is reckless!" A man''s hearty laugh suddenly echoed from the top of the exit.


    "But after all the trouble I''ve caused, I guess I don''t have the right to say that!"


    "Beowulf!" Hoshino exclaimed in surprise as she spotted Beowulf''s sturdy figure crouching by the exit.


    "Yo, Master! Long time no see!" Beowulf grinned widely as he leaped into the Dragon God''s Domain. "Sorry for getting lost for so long!"


    As he descended, Beowulf kicked off the wall to alter his trajectory. With his red-handled sword, [Hrunting], he slashed through the [Serpent Knight Dragon] and [Blackland Fire Dragon] in a single stroke.


    "As payback for all the trouble I''ve caused you, I''ll handle these small fry!"


    "Beowulf..." Hoshino felt a wave of gratitude as she watched the man battle valiantly against the swarm of dragons. The entire domain echoed with the sound of their roars.


    ("Looking back now, every step I''ve taken, every mark left behind, was meaningful. Each experience has provided Lily with the strength to move toward the future.")


    "As an opponent, he''s a headache, but as an ally, he''s incredibly reliable. Beowulf!" Now reassured, Hoshino dashed toward the peak of the Dragon Domain.


    "It''s worse than I thought, Dragon God''s Domain!" Hoshino gasped in awe as she observed the situation from outside. The flaming Dragon Domain was plummeting at an alarming speed, like a countdown to the end of the world.


    "But this will all end soon!" Drawing her longbow with all her might, Hoshino silently recited the words in her heart, "After all, I inherited the will of the great hero who ended wars. I have to make sure this is done perfectly!"


    In terms of range, it was comparable to an anti-army Noble Phantasm.


    Both the Noble Phantasm and its user would be destroyed.


    "O sacred Lord."


    "O holy Lord. O radiant Lord who grants wisdom, majesty, and strength."


    "My heart, my thoughts, and all that I can see."


    "O Creator of stars and the moon, see my actions, witness my final moments."


    "With all my might, I shall release this one arrow and let my body be crushed upon this place!"


    As Hoshino muttered the incantation, cracks began to appear on her slender body.


    "How painful this is, and I haven''t even fired it yet! How does Arash endure blowing himself up so many times a day?" Hoshino thought as she gritted her teeth, barely keeping one eye open. "After experiencing this pain, I''ll never dare to use Arash to farm EXP ever again!"


    "But now, there''s no turning back. I''m not allowed to turn back!"


    After releasing this all-out attack, my sturdy body will immediately shatter to pieces!


    "Stella: Lone Meteor!!"


    In the endless desert kingdom, a bright light streaked across the dark night sky like a shooting star, representing the last hope for this world.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "Wow! A shooting star! How beautiful!" The radiant light that illuminated the night sky like dawn broke through the hustle and bustle of the desert night market, drawing everyone''s attention.


    "Granny, granny, there''s a rainbow after the aurora, and now a shooting star!" A child''s innocent voice clung to the elderly woman''s sleeve. "Tonight''s sky is so much more beautiful than usual!"


    "Ohhh!! Hero!" The old woman trembled, tears streaming down her face as she knelt on the hard, sandy ground.


    "The Hero has reversed the countdown to this world''s end!"


    ("Granny, I''ll bring back some souvenirs from the Dragon God''s Domain for you!")


    "This... this is the greatest souvenir I''ve ever received, Hero Hoshino!"


    "The legend of Hoshino Chiyuki the Hero will live on forever in this world."


    "A legend of a legendary Hero!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 126 - 126

    "What happened to me?" A severe headache clouded Hoshino''s mind as she barely managed to wake up, holding her head.


    "Master, you''re awake~" BB''s voice sounded both complaining and filled with concern.


    "This place is¡­" Hoshino recognized the familiar data space, somewhat resembling the one from the battle with the Five-Headed Dragons, but it felt different.


    "This is the road to the underworld," BB''s expression suddenly turned serious.


    "Liar. If this were the road to the underworld, I''d be greeted by Ereshkigal, not you, BB."


    "Tsk, no fun." BB, with her joke exposed, pouted. "This is the space between worlds, connected through data~"


    "The space between worlds... so that means¡­"


    Sharp as always, Hoshino quickly understood the hidden meaning in BB''s words, her expression becoming more excited. "That means I can go back! I knew BB wouldn''t let me down!"


    "Of course! I''m the number one top-class, invincible, super all-purpose AI of Seraph!" BB proudly puffed out her ample chest, looking completely self-satisfied.


    "You''re adding way too many prefixes!"


    "But as much as I boast, the truth is, in that last moment of crisis, it was almost a failure, even for me¡­" BB''s tone dropped, becoming more solemn.


    "Almost a failure? Just you? Was there someone else involved?" Hoshino tilted her head in confusion, suddenly recalling Beowulf, who had been fighting in the Dragon Domain until the last moment. He was probably blasted back into the deck too.


    "It was me. Hero Hoshino Chiyuki, I am deeply grateful to you for saving this world~" A familiar voice came from behind BB.


    "M-Mana?!" Hoshino''s face filled with disbelief as she looked towards the direction of the voice, but there was no one there besides BB.


    "Hero Hoshino, I no longer exist in this world. I ceased to exist a thousand years ago¡­" Mana''s tone held sadness, mixed with some lingering resentment towards her fate.


    "However, this world, my people, persevered for a thousand years. Under the weight of the world''s evil and the terror of the Five Great Dragons, they endured for a thousand years until your arrival."


    "I am truly grateful to you for saving this world."


    "So as a token of my gratitude, let me use the last of my strength to send you back to your original world."


    "I see¡­ Mana¡­" Hoshino''s previously excited expression slowly calmed down as she realized the situation. "It was you who saved me. Thank you."


    "No, it was you who saved me. You saved this world~"


    With Mana''s final words, the entire space lit up with a blinding light.


    "Master, if you''re this reckless again, BB won''t help you next time~"


    (***)


    Inside the VR gaming pod¡ª


    Hoshino opened her eyes, and the scene before her was exactly as it had been when she entered the game, except the mansion now appeared much darker due to the time of day.


    "Hoshino! You''re awake!" Mokuba, who had been watching outside the VR pod, immediately noticed Hoshino opening her eyes and quickly activated the external controls to open the pod.


    "Chiyuki, why did it take you so long to log out? You had me so worried! Jounouchi and the others logged out ages ago," Mai muttered in a slightly angry tone, hands on her hips as she scolded.


    "I thought maybe you couldn''t log out because you didn''t have your Duel Disk." Ever since earlier, Jounouchi had been worried about that, but Mokuba kept insisting it wasn''t the case.


    "Yeah, Hoshino, did something happen?" Yugi, who had logged out early, asked curiously.


    "Well, there was a bit of a situation, but nothing too major." I just casually saved a world¡ªno big deal, Hoshino thought to herself but didn''t voice it.


    "It''s getting so dark, we should probably head home. This place is kinda creepy at night," Hoshino said, changing the subject as she glanced around. The menacing Blue-Eyes White Dragon statues lurking in the shadows made her once again question Kaiba''s odd taste.


    As she placed her hands on the pod door to try and stand up, Hoshino suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed back into the seat.


    "Hoshino! What''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Mokuba asked urgently, noticing something was off.


    "I''m just¡­" Hoshino, now slumped in the pod, looked utterly defeated.


    "I''m too hungry to move¡­"


    Having not eaten a single bite since the morning, Hoshino had no idea what time it was now, but seeing the pitch-black sky outside, it was long past dinnertime. Once again, she had perfectly missed all three meals of the day. Despite being back in civilized society, it felt like she was still in the Duelist Kingdom, suffering from the hunger trials of that island.


    "Bahahaha!" Her friends couldn''t help but burst into laughter at the sight of Hoshino, lying limp in the VR pod. Their laughter echoed through the dim museum, making the already eerie place feel even more ominous.


    ...


    Back at Yugi''s house, Hoshino and Yugi faced a round of questioning from Yugi''s grandfather.


    Luckily, Yugi was there to take the brunt of it. As Hoshino stuffed her face with dinner, Yugi launched into a grand recounting of their day''s adventure, weaving in all sorts of wondrous details. When it came to Hoshino''s heroic moments, she paused from eating long enough to add her commentary.


    Their seamless back-and-forth storytelling, complete with embellishments, left Grandpa Sugoroku wide-eyed.


    "You kids are truly amazing!" Sugoroku finally exclaimed, tears streaming down his face after Yugi finished describing Hoshino slaying the final Five-Headed Dragon with the Hero''s Sword. "Grandpa, Grandpa is so proud of you!"


    "Was it really that impressive?" Though they had tried to make the tale sound exciting, Hoshino felt a bit embarrassed by Sugoroku''s overly emotional reaction.


    "Hoshino, you''re truly a wonderful girl. Grandpa knew it from the very beginning!" After blowing his nose, Sugoroku''s expression turned serious. "Today, Grandpa went to see an old friend."


    "An old friend? Grandpa, I didn''t know you had any friends in Domino City," Yugi said, curious since it was the first time he''d ever heard about this.


    "Of course I have friends! Yugi, don''t underestimate your grandpa! I''ve got some connections here in Domino City!" Sugoroku said in a slightly offended tone as if Yugi had implied otherwise.


    "An old grandpa who runs a toy shop¡­ has connections?" To Hoshino, "connections" meant something like her business-minded father''s relationships¡ªbased on mutual benefits. She couldn''t see how a toy shop owner could have much in the way of influential connections.


    "My old friend is a former colleague from my archaeology days, and now the principal of your school, Yugi!" Sugoroku said proudly, lifting his head.


    "Huh? The principal? I never knew you had a history like that, Grandpa!" Yugi, intrigued, had no idea the principal of his school had connections to his grandfather. "So why are you bringing this up now, Grandpa?"


    "Because I asked him to arrange for Hoshino to start attending school."


    "Me? School¡­" Hoshino''s eyes widened in disbelief as she pointed to herself. She had never imagined things would turn out like this.


    Hoshino Chiyuki hates two things the most: work and school! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    .


    ..


    ...


    ....


    Amidst the flames and ruins of explosions, a boy dashed swiftly, his anxious expression suggesting he was either searching for something or trying to avoid danger.


    "Kyu~!"


    "Don''t worry, Winged Kuriboh!" The boy in red smiled as he reassured the small Kuriboh with feathered wings, which had appeared behind him.


    "Even though this incident is perplexing, I believe the academy is already handling it."


    "Are you sure about that, Jaden?" A semi-transparent man with square glasses appeared next to Winged Kuriboh, his face full of concern. "The internet says explosions like this are happening all over the world. The academy must be in chaos too."


    "Professor Banner, this isn''t just a simple explosion!" Jaden, still running, responded firmly to Banner''s question.


    "This chaos is caused by Duel Monsters!"


    Boom!


    Another massive explosion echoed, kicking up a huge cloud of dust and blocking Jaden''s path.


    [Cyber Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)][Light] [Machine/Effect][ATK 2100/DEF 1600]


    A silver mechanical dragon emerged from the dust, staring down Jaden with a menacing gaze.


    "Damn, it''s Kaiser''s Cyber Dragon! What''s it doing here?"


    "Jaden, this is no time to be distracted, it''s about to attack!" Banner warned, panicking.


    The Cyber Dragon wasted no time, launching a direct attack on Jaden.


    Unfazed by the oncoming attack, Jaden quickly raised his duel disk, drawing a card from his deck and tossing it onto the field. "Summon! [Elemental HERO Spirit of Neos]!"


    [Elemental HERO Spirit of Neos ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    With the activation of the duel disk''s holographic projector, the physical form of Neos appeared, crossing its arms in front to deflect the Cyber Dragon''s assault.


    "If Kaiser''s Cyber Dragon is here, does that mean Duel Academy has fallen too?" Banner couldn''t help but wonder.


    "Impossible! The academy won''t be defeated¡ªespecially with ''that teacher'' around." Even in such a dire situation, Jaden forced a smile, as if his belief in his mentor kept him going.


    "Professor Hoshino will never lose!"


    ---


    "School, huh? What a hassle!" Lying on her bed, Hoshino stared at the ceiling, waving her pale hand in the light.


    "But since Grandpa Sugoroku went through all the trouble of arranging it, it would feel wrong to refuse him."


    After all, Hoshino was living under Sugoroku''s roof, eating his food and using his money. And now, with such a serious expression, Sugoroku had brought up this matter, insisting that children can''t skip school if they want a bright future.


    "I can''t even remember the last time I went to school." Hoshino closed her eyes, trying to recall, but quickly gave up.


    "School is so boring, and there aren''t any like-minded friends. Why do humans have to go to such a place?"


    "I''m not a normie! School is a place for normies!" Hoshino grumbled to herself.


    "As long as I have my waifu, that''s all I need!"


    "Wait, waifu?!" Startled, Hoshino sat up abruptly, quickly grabbing her phone and performing a series of swift, practiced actions.


    [Current Saint Quartz: 115.]


    [Saint Quartz Summon (Limited Banner) ¨C Sealed Ends of the Four Seas [Okeanos] Featured Servants Available for Summon]


    "I''ve saved up so much quartz without realizing it. Who would''ve thought that someone like me, who never saves past three quartz, would make it this far?" Looking at her stash of Saint Quartz, Hoshino felt a wave of emotion wash over her.


    "Truly, when it comes to waifus, a person can accomplish anything." In a world without microtransactions, where quartz was limited, a little restraint went a long way toward summoning more beloved characters.


    "My hard work will surely move my waifu to respond to my summon!" she muttered.


    No more hesitation¡ªten pulls!


    No more hesitation¡ªten pulls!


    No more hesitation¡ªten pulls!


    "Ugh..." Staring at the junk she had pulled after three consecutive ten-pulls, Hoshino felt conflicted.


    "How? How could this happen? Everything was going so smoothly when I pulled from the Roman banner. Why is it now just a pile of junk?"


    "Hey, Master, it''s a little harsh to call us junk, you know. I''m at least a silver card!" David''s disgruntled voice echoed from the pile of cards scattered across Hoshino''s bed.


    "Master, you used to call me a reliable three-star. Even if I''ve become a Duel Monster card, I''m still plenty capable¡ªvery capable!"


    "Sorry, David. I didn''t mean it that way." Feeling bad about her earlier outburst, Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly.


    "And don''t forget about me, the great Hector! I''m hurt too, you know," said another voice, this one lazier, coming from Hector. "I know I didn''t get much screen time before, alright¡ªfine, almost none at all¡ªbut when it counts, I''m really strong. As long as I put in the effort!"


    "Hehe, well, I''ll be counting on you, Hector~"


    "Right, right! And I, Blackbeard, am a legendary pirate! I''m not just some¡ª"


    "Real-life bronze cards should just keep quiet, okay?" Before Blackbeard could finish, Hoshino cut him off with a disdainful glare.


    "Huh?! That''s some seriously biased treatment! But Master, that look of contempt excites me! More! Show me even more disdain!!"


    "That being said, I''ll prove myself in this new world and change how you see me, Master. One day, you''ll say, ''Wow, Blackbeard, you''re so reliable! You''re my favorite!''"


    "No, I don''t think I''ll ever say anything like that in my life." Picking up Blackbeard''s card between two fingers, Hoshino sighed, shaking her head. "Have you even read your effect?"


    "Hm? My effect is perfectly fitting for someone like me! If I do say so myself, its utility is through the roof!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Edward Teach ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star)][Water][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2400]


    [This card''s ¢Ù effect can only be used once per turn.


    ¢Ù: If this card is in your hand or graveyard and a [Lily] monster on your field is targeted for an attack or effect, activate one of the following effects:


    Negate that attack, and Special Summon this card. If this card Special Summoned by this effect leaves the field, banish it.


    Negate that effect, and destroy the card. Then, banish this card.


    ¢Ú: If a [Lily] monster on your field is destroyed by battle or effect, you can destroy this card instead.]


    "You creepy, lolicon..."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 127 - 127

    Domino High School¡ª


    "Yo~ Yugi, good morning!" Jonouchi waved habitually at Yugi as he entered the classroom.


    "Good morning, Jonouchi. You''re not late today," Yugi responded with a smile.


    "Well, it''s the first day of school. Jonouchi even swore yesterday that he wouldn''t be late and made me wake up early to get him," Honda, who entered with Jonouchi, also waved at Yugi.


    "Of course! In this new semester, I, the great Jonouchi, will wash away my past reputation at school!" Jonouchi said with enthusiasm, clenching his fists. "After all, I, Jonouchi, am reborn! I''m no longer the delinquent I once was, but a dueling expert who made it to the top four in the Duelist Kingdom tournament!"


    "Can you call someone who relied on luck to get to the top four an expert~?" Anzu, standing behind Yugi, looked at Jonouchi with disdain.


    "Luck is a part of skill too, you know!"


    "Well, it''s good that Jonouchi has such a positive outlook," Yugi said, trying to mediate between them.


    "Women just don''t understand a man''s desire for glory!" Jonouchi, annoyed, turned his head toward the group of boys chatting at the front of the classroom.


    "Hey, any of you guys wanna hear about my heroic deeds at the Duelist Kingdom? I''ll start with how I defeated the national runner-up, Dinosaur Ryuzaki!"


    But no one paid him any attention...


    "Do none of these people care about the Duelist Kingdom tournament?" Jonouchi grumbled awkwardly.


    "No one cares about a top-four finisher, especially since the media only covered Hoshino, the tournament champion. Hardly anyone knows that Yugi was the runner-up," Honda poured cold water on Jonouchi''s excitement.


    "Is that true? Then did I get into the top four for nothing?"


    "It wasn''t for nothing, Jonouchi. Don''t forget..." Anzu reminded him, "Pegasus fully covered your sister''s surgery costs."


    "Oh yeah!" Honda suddenly remembered. "How''s she doing now?"


    As soon as Shizuka was mentioned, Jonouchi''s previously disappointed expression was replaced by a soft, gentle look.


    "Shizuka''s arrangements have been made for a hospital in Germany, and she''ll have the surgery soon. The doctors said that as long as she gets the surgery, she''ll recover, so there''s nothing to worry about."


    "That''s great news, Jonouchi!" Yugi beamed with joy, genuinely happy for his friend.


    "Hehe, when I think about it that way, my efforts didn''t go to waste after all!" Jonouchi laughed and scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.


    "I was wondering what all the noise was about this morning. Turns out it was just a bunch of nobodies making a fuss." With an annoying, arrogant tone, Seto Kaiba walked into the classroom, carrying his briefcase.


    "Kaiba!" Jonouchi snapped at Kaiba, glaring at him. "What''s the occasion today? Even the CEO of KaibaCorp remembered to come to school."


    Although Kaiba was in the same class as Yugi and the others, he seldom showed up at school. To him, attending classes was probably just a way to kill time or gain some life experience.


    "It''s the first day of the semester. I understand the significance of checking in," Kaiba replied, sitting straight in his seat with his arms crossed.


    "Kaiba, has the internal strife at KaibaCorp been resolved?" Yugi approached and asked with concern.


    "Hmph, the Big Five''s souls are now trapped in another dimension. The parasites within KaibaCorp have been eliminated," Kaiba said, unable to suppress a satisfied grin. "That''s what happens when you oppose me, Seto Kaiba."


    "Hey, Kaiba! We still haven''t heard your thanks yet!" Jonouchi insisted, determined to get something out of Kaiba.


    All he got in return was silence.


    "..."


    "By the way, have you guys heard? We''re getting two transfer students this semester!" Anzu changed the subject to ease the sudden awkwardness. "Yugi, did you know?"


    "Transfer students, huh..." Yugi scratched his face awkwardly, avoiding Anzu''s gaze without giving a direct answer.


    "Two transfer students? And they''re both joining our class?" Honda stroked his chin, puzzled. "It''s pretty rare for two transfer students to join the same class at once, isn''t it?"


    "Shh, the teacher''s here!"


    As the classroom quieted down, the previously scattered students quickly returned to their seats.


    "Ahem~" The homeroom teacher cleared their throat as they walked up to the podium.


    "A new semester, and I''m happy to see all of you again~" The teacher began with a typical introduction, followed by some routine greetings.


    "I''m sure you''ve all heard by now that we''ll have two new students joining us this semester. Please be kind to them and help them quickly integrate into the class so that we can all progress together."


    After saying that, the teacher waved toward the two students standing outside the classroom.


    "Wow, he''s so handsome!" The instant the transfer students entered the classroom, the girls erupted in excitement.


    The boy had a tall, slender build, sharp features, and hair that looked like he knew how to play card games. His aura of a rich boy immediately captured the attention of the girls.


    "Tch, you girls are so shallow!" Jonouchi clicked his tongue in annoyance, turning his head away from the scene.


    "Hello, everyone; my name is Duke Devlin. Please take care of me this semester." His warm, magnetic greeting caused the girls to squeal again.


    "You girls, can''t you calm down?" Jonouchi muttered in jealousy, keeping his voice low.


    "Didn''t they say there were two transfer students? I hope the other one''s a cute girl," Honda, though not as openly irritated as Jonouchi, was also not fond of characters like Devlin.


    "Hehe, hehe..." Yugi continued to smile awkwardly.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, you can come into the classroom now," the teacher called out to the other transfer student, seeing that only one had entered the classroom.


    "Hoshino? Who''s that?" The class froze in confusion.


    Outside the door, Hoshino, dressed in a pink school uniform, took a deep breath, preparing herself mentally.


    "I can do this. It''s just going to school. Besides, Yugi and the others are in this class, so I''ll get used to it quickly!" Encouraging herself, Hoshino took hesitant, mechanical steps into the classroom.


    "She''s so cute!!" The reaction from the boys was almost identical to when Devlin walked in, except the excited crowd was now made up of the boys.


    "Ugh, you boys are just as bad..."


    "Hey, Yugi, I''ve never heard anything about Hoshino coming to our school!" Jonouchi, sitting next to Yugi, asked in a low voice.


    "Hehe, that was a last-minute decision by my grandpa," Yugi replied with his usual awkward smile.


    "Not fair, Yugi, you''ve been keeping this from us all morning!" Anzu pretended to be angry as she also started to complain to Yugi quietly.


    In contrast to their hushed discussion, the rest of the class reacted with excitement.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki? That name sounds familiar!"


    "Isn''t that the Duelist Kingdom champion?!"


    "Huh? The Duel King transferred to our class?"


    "Oh my God, I can''t believe I''m seeing a celebrity in person!"


    "..."


    "Hello, I''m Hoshino Chiyuki. I look forward to studying with you all this semester~" Hoshino gave a stiff bow and recited the line she had practiced in front of the mirror a dozen times the previous night, sounding very robotic.


    "Whoa!!" Following her introduction, not only the boys but even some of the girls who were into Duel Monsters erupted in excitement.


    "Quiet down, quiet down! It''s class time!" The teacher waved her arms to calm down the excited students.


    "The Duel King..." For some reason, when Devlin heard that title, a dark glint appeared in his eyes. "This feels like fate, doesn''t it?"


    "Now then, let''s see where to seat Hoshino Chiyuki..." The teacher looked around the classroom, scanning for an empty seat. She adjusted her glasses.


    "Alright, you can sit next to Kaiba Seto."


    "Huh? Kaiba? There''s someone in this class with the same name as that Kaiba Corporation president?" Hoshino''s first thought when she heard the name was, "It must be hard sharing the same name as that Kaiba."


    Following the teacher''s gesture, Hoshino turned her gaze in the direction she pointed.


    "..."


    "It''s actually Kaiba Seto!" Hoshino couldn''t hold back her shocked exclamation as she stared in disbelief at Kaiba sitting upright in his seat, arms crossed, maintaining an arrogant posture even during class.


    "Yo~" Kaiba barely lifted two fingers in a greeting as he made eye contact with Hoshino.


    "Haha, don''t get too excited, Hoshino. Yes, Kaiba, the president of Kaiba Corporation, is quite famous," the teacher commented. While everyone reacted similarly the first time they saw Kaiba in class, it was the first time she had seen someone as shocked as Hoshino.


    "No need to be nervous. Even though he''s the president of Kaiba Corporation, here in school, Kaiba is just another student. You don''t need to feel any pressure, just get along," she reassured, though this was more of a formality. Even the teachers felt immense pressure when interacting with Kaiba on campus.


    However, the teacher''s concern was unnecessary. For Hoshino, Kaiba might have had a stern face, but he wasn''t any different from anyone else. Her earlier shock had only been because she didn''t expect to share a class with him.


    "I never would''ve guessed that the head of Kaiba Corporation would lower himself to attend a regular school like this," Hoshino teased lightly as she walked to her seat next to Kaiba and placed her bag on the desk.


    "Hmph, and yet, the Duel King has also transferred to this school," Kaiba retorted with a smirk. "Looks like this semester won''t be as boring as before."


    "Alright, alright, everyone!" The teacher clapped her hands once Hoshino was seated. "Next up is the part everyone''s been waiting for¡­"


    "The term-opening exams!"


    "Huh? Exams at the start of the term? I''ve never heard of this before!"


    "It was mentioned in the holiday message the school sent."


    "Holiday message? I didn''t notice anything like that!"


    The excited atmosphere in the classroom, stirred by the new transfer students, suddenly turned into groans of despair.


    "Those complaining clearly spent the entire holiday goofing off without studying!" The teacher adjusted her reflective glasses, a satisfied grin spreading across her face.


    "It''s time to give you all the punishment you deserve! Anyone who fails will have to attend remedial classes for the whole week!"


    "Remedial classes?! I''m doomed!" Jonouchi, slumping over his desk with his head in his hands, had already resigned himself to fail. "Having to stay behind for remedial classes in the first week, this is a nightmare!"


    "Exams, huh¡­ It''s been a while," Hoshino thought to herself as she looked down at the exam paper in her hands, reminiscing.


    The classroom was quiet the entire morning, the only sounds being the scratching of pens on paper and the sighs of those, led by Jonouchi, who were struggling.


    Lunch break¡ª


    "Ugh, having exams on the first day of school¡­ I forgot how tough school is," Hoshino stretched in her seat, her arm feeling sore from writing so much after such a long time.


    "How''d you do, Kaiba?" Since they were seated together, Hoshino naturally asked Kaiba how he fared.


    More importantly, the idea of the president of Kaiba Corporation being held back for remedial classes after school was just too amusing.


    "These questions were so simple I could''ve answered them with my eyes closed," Kaiba replied confidently, his tone full of disdain for the exam.


    "Hoshino, are you settling in okay?" With the lunch break underway, Yugi and the others naturally gathered around her.


    "Well, it''s only been half a day, so it''s hard to say if I''m settled in or not," Hoshino answered honestly, scratching her head. "But yeah, school''s exhausting, especially exams¡ªsuch a terrible thing."


    "Hoshino, I''m doomed!" Jonouchi, looking utterly defeated, lamented, "I won''t be able to walk home with you guys for a whole week!"


    "Heh, that''s too bad, Jonouchi," Hoshino said, though there wasn''t a hint of sympathy in her voice.


    "Hoshino, come with me." Unexpectedly, Kaiba''s voice interrupted their conversation, catching everyone off guard.


    "Huh? You want to talk to me?" Hoshino, utterly confused, tilted her head, unable to figure out why Kaiba wanted to speak to her.


    "The lunch break is long. Come to the courtyard." Without waiting for a response, Kaiba turned and walked out of the classroom.


    "Kaiba has no manners," Honda remarked, annoyed that Kaiba had left without giving Hoshino any chance to refuse or even explain.


    "Hoshino, are you going?" Anzu asked, looking a little worried.


    "Yeah, I''ll go. Who knows? It might be something important," Hoshino replied, though she doubted it would be anything significant. Still, her curiosity was piqued by Kaiba''s sudden invitation.


    As rumors tend to spread quickly and exaggerate, news of Kaiba''s invitation took the school by storm before Hoshino even made her move.


    Soon, the entire class¡ªand even nearby classes¡ªwere buzzing with a sensational story: Kaiba Seto, the president of Kaiba Corporation, had invited the transfer student Hoshino Chiyuki to the courtyard during lunch to confess his feelings...What a terrible misunderstanding.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 128 - 128

    If you were to ask what the most idle group is, high school students during lunch break would rank high.


    Even though Hoshino hadn''t even arrived at the school''s courtyard yet, the students eager for gossip had already filled the area. The courtyard, the nearby corridors, and the windows facing the courtyard had all been claimed as the best viewing spots.


    "Wow, it''s so lively here!" Hoshino, who had never been to the school''s courtyard before, looked up at the packed crowd around her, led by Yugi and the others. "Does everyone usually come here during lunch?"


    "Hehe, actually, not really..." Yugi, who had a hunch about what was going on, quietly laughed it off.


    Standing right in the middle of the courtyard was Kaiba''s tall figure. Probably due to his imposing aura, despite the size of the courtyard, no one was standing near him. It was as if he had the whole courtyard to himself. Even students who usually ate lunch there had been pushed to the surrounding corridors.


    "The main character has arrived!" someone in the crowd, quick to cause trouble, was the first to notice Hoshino.


    "That''s the transfer student who supposedly caught Seto Kaiba''s eye? She''s pretty cute," a guy with bleached hair leaning out the window commented to the blonde delinquent girl next to him.


    "Hmph, what''s so cute about that? She''s nowhere near as cute as me," said the girl, disgruntled, turning her head away in frustration.


    "KaibaCorp''s president and the King of Duelists, huh..." Devlin, who was also at a window, was thinking about something completely different than the other students.


    "Why do I get the feeling that a storm is about to brew?" Devlin murmured while biting his nails, his expression growing more serious.


    "Kaiba! What''s so urgent that you called me out here in the middle of lunch?" Hoshino, a bit annoyed with Kaiba''s attitude, shouted. She had come all the way here, but Kaiba was just standing there like a statue, not saying a word.


    "If I miss the chance to buy something from the snack shop later, you''re buying me lunch." After all, as Yugi mentioned, the bread from the school''s snack shop was a hot item. If you didn''t rush, it would be sold out quickly.


    Still, Kaiba remained silent, standing, as if waiting for something.


    "Is Kaiba just messing with Hoshino?" Jonouchi, watching the unmoving Kaiba from not far behind Hoshino, had a head full of questions.


    "I don''t think Kaiba''s the type to be that bored." Yugi shook his head, denying Jonouchi''s theory. "Let''s wait a bit longer."


    "Hmm? What''s that loud noise?" With so many students gathered in the courtyard, it was already very noisy. But a sudden sound from the sky drowned out the chatter of hundreds of students.


    "What the heck? Why is there a helicopter flying over the school?!" someone screamed, drawing everyone''s attention to the sky.


    A blue-and-white painted helicopter hovered right above the center of the courtyard, flaunting a wealth beyond ordinary standards.


    "No way, did they seriously remodel that thing to look like a Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Hoshino exclaimed as she shielded her hair from the wind, looking up at the familiar-colored aircraft. "I didn''t think you''d be such a Blue-Eyes fanboy on top of being a bro-con, Kaiba!"


    "President Kaiba, the items are ready and can be dropped at any moment!" a loud voice from the helicopter belonging to a KaibaCorp employee echoed down.


    "You kept me waiting long enough. Get on with it!" Kaiba''s commanding voice rang out in response.


    "Roger!"


    Two silver cases were tossed down from the helicopter with no protection, crashing heavily into the ground beside Kaiba. The weight and force of their fall sent a cloud of dust swirling around the courtyard.


    Without a word of explanation, Kaiba casually picked up one of the silver cases and threw it toward Hoshino.


    "Catch!"


    "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Hoshino was caught off guard, stumbled back two steps, and barely managed to catch the case, keeping her balance.


    "What is this? At least give me some kind of explanation, Kaiba!" Hoshino, puffing up her cheeks in anger, felt irritated by the whole series of events¡ªespecially by Kaiba''s barely three-word communication the entire time.


    "It''s for you. Just open it and see," Kaiba said without looking up as he opened his case.


    "For me? This thing?" Completely confused, Hoshino silently examined the silver case in her hands. It wasn''t heavy¡ªactually, it was quite light. From the outside, there was no telling what was inside.


    "If you''re just giving me something, was it really necessary to make such a big commotion?" With a resigned sigh, Hoshino bitterly smiled and opened the case after hearing Kaiba''s reason.


    "Huh? This is!!"


    Hoshino pulled out a strange-looking white object from the case. It looked familiar, but there were some subtle differences from her memory.


    "A Duel Disk?" Searching through her hazy memories, the word slipped out of her mouth.


    "That''s right. It''s the latest model Duel Disk. Put it on!" Kaiba, who had already strapped the Duel Disk to his left arm, displayed it to Hoshino.


    "Wait, you want me to wear it now?" Hoshino, sensing something was off, felt like she wouldn''t be able to avoid what was coming next...


    "Let''s duel, Hoshino!" Kaiba''s fierce gaze locked onto her.


    "I knew it!" Hoshino sighed deeply, her bad premonition instantly coming true.


    "Seriously, Kaiba? Do you have any common sense at all?! Calling me out here during lunch just to duel in front of the whole school?!" Hoshino shouted in frustration.


    "Because I''m skipping class this afternoon, and time''s tight!" Kaiba declared his intention to skip class without a hint of shame, completely missing the point of Hoshino''s complaint.


    "The condition for me giving you the latest model Duel Disk is that you help me test it. I want to see if this latest version can handle the power that even the Duel Arena couldn''t withstand from you."


    "Oh? So that''s your real motive, huh?" Hoshino finally understood why Kaiba would give her such an expensive-looking piece of equipment. Turns out, she was being roped into helping with his testing.


    "Well, the best way to teach someone like you, who''s obsessed with duels, a lesson is through a duel!" Mimicking Kaiba''s earlier move, Hoshino strapped the Duel Disk to her left arm as well.


    "I have to admit, it''s pretty cool. Whether in terms of design or practicality, it blows your old frisbee-like version out of the water."


    The angular white Duel Disk fit perfectly on Hoshino''s arm. Most importantly, even someone with Hoshino''s weak physique found it light and easy to handle, showing that a lot of effort had gone into the craftsmanship.


    Excitement surged within Hoshino as she slotted her Heroic Spirit Deck into the Duel Disk.


    "I just remembered¡ªthis is my chance for a rematch!"


    "Is Kaiba going to duel Hoshino? During lunch break? In front of so many people?" Finally understanding Kaiba''s intention, Jonouchi instinctively looked around. "To cause such a commotion on her first day after transferring, as expected of Hoshino!"


    "Jonouchi..." Anzu glanced at the oddly excited Jonouchi, not knowing what to say.


    "Tch, I thought Seto Kaiba was going to confess, but it turns out it''s just a duel. How boring!" Most of the girls who gathered to see the gossip started complaining in low voices.


    "Even if it''s not a confession, suddenly starting a duel is pretty interesting too." Contrary to the gossip-hungry girls, the boys became even more intrigued after Kaiba issued a duel challenge.


    "The president of Kaiba Corporation versus the King of Duelists¡ªyou don''t get to see a duel like this just anywhere!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000]


    [Seto Kaiba LP 4000]


    "Duel start!!"


    "I''ll go first! My turn, draw!" Who knows how many times Kaiba secretly practiced snatching the first turn, but he seized the moment when Hoshino was unfamiliar with the Duel Disk and quickly drew a card from his deck with lightning speed.


    "Damn, he got the first turn!" This was probably the first time Hoshino had her first-move advantage taken after understanding this world''s duel mechanics.


    "Kaiba, you take this seriously, even with card games!"


    Kaiba quickly scanned the card he drew, then chose one to place face down on the Duel Disk.


    With Kaiba''s move, a face-down card appeared on the previously empty courtyard floor.


    "I summon a monster in a face-down defense position!"


    "Wow, the cards appear! How do they do that?" one of the students watching exclaimed, clearly seeing a portable Duel Disk for the first time and filled with curiosity.


    "This new Duel Disk doesn''t need to be thrown? That''s so convenient," Jonouchi and the others, who had seen the old Duel Disks, also marveled at this latest high-tech version from Kaiba Corporation.


    "Kaiba has expanded the possibilities of dueling! It''s amazing!" Yugi was even a bit emotional at the sight before him.


    "Next, I set a card, and end my turn!" Kaiba inserted a spell/trap card into the Duel Disk slot, signaling the end of his turn.


    Kaiba''s hand: 4 cards remaining. (In the anime, duels start with 6 cards, while in the TCG. Players begin with 5 cards.)


    As the Duel Disk sensed the card being inserted, another card image appeared in front of Kaiba, representing the set spell or trap.


    Standing across from Kaiba, Hoshino watched his series of moves, starting to get a better feel for how to use the new Duel Disk. "The finished version is different from the prototype. Kaiba, you''re truly a genius!"


    "Hmph." Kaiba slightly smirked, silently accepting Hoshino''s compliment.


    "But... my Duel Disk seems to be a size smaller than yours." After closely observing Kaiba''s Duel Disk, Hoshino quickly noticed the difference. While the key areas for card placement were the same, the overall size was noticeably more compact.


    "Since it''s a gift, I had a special model made just for you." Kaiba''s previously haughty tone immediately softened as his secret was discovered.


    But he quickly recovered, "Someone as weak as you probably wouldn''t even be able to lift a normal Duel Disk! I, Seto Kaiba, always ensure perfection, even when giving gifts!"


    "Huh? I didn''t expect you to be so considerate about something like this, Kaiba." Hoshino squinted and smiled teasingly at Kaiba. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now she understood why her Duel Disk felt so light and convenient to use. It wasn''t just the manufacturing process¡ªit also involved considerable effort and expense to shrink down such a precision instrument.


    "Well then, I''ll gratefully use this Duel Disk to defeat you, Kaiba!" Hoshino suddenly fired back, mimicking Kaiba''s movement and dramatically drawing a card from her Duel Disk.


    "I activate the spell card [Voyage of the Flowers] from my hand!" Carefully selecting a spell card, Hoshino placed it into the Duel Disk slot.


    The Duel Disk''s advanced system detected the card''s effect in an instant.


    "Due to the effect of [Voyage of the Flowers], I special summon [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from my deck!"


    [Voyage of the Flowers ¨C Spell Card


    Effect: You can only activate one card with this name per turn. Special Summon one [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from your hand or deck.]


    A road symbolizing the journey of flowers appeared.


    As the Duel Disk''s holographic system activated, soft petals began to drift in the once plain courtyard. The petals quickly bloomed upon touching the ground, and soon, a pure and graceful girl appeared on the field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][Light][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 800]


    "We meet again, Master~" Lily''s warm smile seemed to heal all wounds.


    Seeing Lily materialize before her, Hoshino was almost moved to tears. Unlike the summoned monsters in the Duel Arena, the Servants materialized by the Duel Disk felt almost indistinguishable from their real selves. Standing by Hoshino''s side, Lily looked incredibly real.


    "What''s the matter, Master?" Lily tilted her head, concerned for Hoshino, once again displaying her angelic charm.


    "It''s nothing, I''m just... I''m just so happy." The thought of being able to interact with her beloved characters up close from now on made Hoshino''s hand tremble slightly as she gripped her cards.


    "Please lend me your strength, Lily!"


    "Yes, Master!" At Hoshino''s command, Lily raised her golden sword in front of her.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily) Effect: When this card is successfully Special Summoned, you can add one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your deck to your hand.]


    "The monster I''m adding to my hand is¡­!" Hoshino quickly searched her deck, soon finding her most cherished target. "It''s [Heroic Spirit ¨C Siegfried]!"


    "Last time, I lost to you because Siegfried was at the bottom of my deck. This time, I''m going to crush you, Kaiba!" Adding Siegfried to her hand, Hoshino silently rejoiced.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 129 - 129

    "Wow, it appeared! It''s way better than the effects you see at toy stores!"


    "That''s not all; even the pro dueling arenas on TV aren''t this impressive."


    "By the way, that transfer student''s monster is so pretty. Does she use a deck full of pretty monsters?"


    "How nice, the monster is both cute and powerful."


    "But this monster doesn''t seem that strong..."


    As expected, once Hoshino materialized her monster, the surrounding students burst into heated discussion. Many students with cell phones had already begun secretly taking pictures and uploading them. With this revolutionary duel disk, it was likely to go viral online in just one day.


    "Kaiba, you''re quite the business genius. Dueling me in front of the entire school¡ªyou don''t even need to spend on advertising anymore. I''m going to charge you a talent fee, you know?"


    "Hmph, a world-leading product like this doesn''t need any advertising."


    Though he said that, when KaibaCorp launched the Duel Arena years ago, they put in a lot of effort. But the results were undeniably impressive.


    "No more small talk. Go, Lily! Attack that face-down monster!"


    Even though Hoshino had another chance for a normal summon, she didn''t choose to summon Siegfried right away.


    First, because Lily''s attack power was too low, she wouldn''t be able to fully utilize Siegfried''s effect to double the attack power of a Dragon-type monster used as a tribute.


    Second, who starts a duel by dropping their trump card right away?


    "Yes, Master!" Lily gripped her golden sword tightly in her slender arm and charged forward in a probing attack.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily][ATK1200]


    At the moment Lily''s golden sword made contact with the face-down card, the monster''s hidden form was revealed.


    A massive purple toxic sphere shattered under the force of Lily''s sword.


    "I did it, Master! I succeeded!" Lily beamed with joy, turning to Hoshino.


    However, Hoshino didn''t look as relaxed as Lily.


    From the shattered virus ball, purple gas started gradually spreading into the air.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki''s LP: 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    [Giant Germ¡ï¡ï][Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK1000/DEF100]


    [When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent, then you can Special Summon any number of [Giant Germs] from your Deck in face-up Attack Position.]


    "Due to the effect of my Giant Germ, I will Special Summon two more Giant Germs from my deck in Attack Position!" Kaiba, pleased with his strategy, quickly searched his deck and placed two cards onto his duel disk.


    [Giant Germs][ATK1000] x2


    "Master, did I mess up?" Seeing Hoshino''s reduced Life Points and the two additional viruses on the field, Lily, who had been smiling moments before, now hung her head in shame.


    "It''s not your fault, Lily. If anyone''s to blame, it''s my bad hand."


    Indeed, Hoshino still had one more normal summon opportunity, but she had no low-level monsters in hand. Okita, Vlad, and Saber¡ªthree high-level monsters¡ªclogged up her hand completely.


    If she''d had even one low-level monster to summon, with two monsters on the field, even if Kaiba had set a Giant Germ, she could have made a solid attack.


    But instead, she was now leaving two germs on Kaiba''s field that could easily serve as tributes.


    While most people don''t drop their strongest monsters at the start of a duel, Kaiba was the exception. Hoshino didn''t need to guess what he was planning for the next turn.


    "I''ll set one card and end my turn." After drawing a card and smoothly placing it into her duel disk''s card slot, an image of a set card appeared on the floor in front of Hoshino, signaling the end of her turn.


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 5 cards, 1 set card


    "It''s my turn! Draw!!" With the same energetic motion, Kaiba drew a card, and just from his intense gaze, it was clear what was coming next.


    "I''ll use my two Giant Germ monsters as tributes to summon my monster from my hand!"


    A white light flashed, and the two germs hovering on the field were sent to the graveyard. Kaiba slammed a brand-new card onto his duel disk.


    "Let the world witness your new image, [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]!"


    The projection equipment roared to life, and even in the broad daylight of the courtyard, the radiant light of the dragon could be felt.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][Light][Dragon][ATK3000/DEF2500]


    The roar of the pure white dragon echoed through the courtyard. The massive white dragon''s wings nearly blocked out the sunlight shining onto the courtyard.


    "What is that? It''s terrifying!" Because of how lifelike and intimidating the white dragon was, some of the girls watching screamed in fear.


    "So this is the legendary monster, Blue-Eyes White Dragon? It looks way too real!" Even the boys who were familiar with Duel Monsters were seeing the Blue-Eyes in person for the first time.


    "Did Kaiba redesign the Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" Even though Hoshino had seen the Blue Eyes summoned many times before, this time was different. The lifelike dynamic projection was far from the stiff animations of the past; it was as if the real Blue-Eyes White Dragon stood before her.


    "Attack, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba dramatically pointed toward Lily. "Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    The energy gathering in the dragon''s mouth was unleashed in full force.


    "Kaiba really shows no mercy, huh? He''s attacking such a cute monster with everything he''s got." Some of the students, unaware of the situation, began to whisper complaints about Kaiba''s ruthlessness.


    "These people don''t understand Hoshino''s strength at all," Jounouchi sneered after overhearing their comments. "Hoshino is the Duel King! A couple of Blue-Eyes White Dragons are no big deal."


    Across from Kaiba, watching the Burst Stream of Destruction heading straight for her monster, Hoshino sighed softly. "As much as I hate to admit it, this effect is pretty useful."


    "I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - Edward Teach] from my hand!"


    Instead of flipping her set card, Hoshino swiftly threw a monster from her hand onto the field, and the holographic projection system sprang into action once again.


    "Blackbeard is here! To protect the cutest little girls, he''s rushed all the way over!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Edward Teach ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Water][Warrior/Effect][ATK1000/DEF2400]


    [If this card exists in your hand or graveyard, you can activate one of the following effects when a [Lily] monster on your field is targeted by an attack or an opponent''s card effect:


    - Negate the attack and Special Summon this card. If this card Special Summoned by this effect leaves the field, banish it.]


    "Since the Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily on my field was targeted by the attack from Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I Special Summon Heroic Spirit - Edward Teach from my hand in Defense Position!"


    Before anyone could see him, Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, made his presence known with his usual bombastic declaration.


    "Blackbeard is unbeatable when protecting little girls and lolis!" Blackbeard descended from the sky, gripping a silver blade with his fingers and slicing through the incoming burst of white light aimed at Lily.


    "The visuals and moves are impressive... if only you''d keep your mouth shut," thought Hoshino, shaking her head at the over-the-top character she summoned.


    "When Heroic Spirit - Edward Teach is Special Summoned by his effect, that monster''s attack is negated!" Hoshino pointed towards Kaiba. "So your Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s attack is ineffective this turn!"


    "The transfer student blocked it! That terrifying attack!" The crowd, which had been holding their breath, finally exhaled in relief.


    "How did she do that? Why did another monster suddenly appear?" The bystanders were confused.


    "And that monster... it looks kind of creepy..."


    "Oh no, this might affect my reputation..." Hoshino''s face darkened as she overheard the whispers around her, glaring at Blackbeard.


    "Huh? Are you talking about me being creepy?" Blackbeard asked innocently, pointing at himself.


    "Thank you for protecting me, Blackbeard..." Lily said timidly, unsure of how to deal with Blackbeard.


    "Cute! So cute!" Blackbeard shouted enthusiastically.


    Ignoring Blackbeard''s antics, Hoshino turned her focus back to Kaiba. "You managed to summon Blue-Eyes on your second turn... Looks like I''ll have to summon Siegfried next turn, even if I lose some attack power, or else I''ll be in trouble."


    "Hmph, Hoshino, you''re already planning to summon Siegfried next turn, aren''t you?" Kaiba smirked, having read Hoshino''s intentions. He pressed a button on his duel disk to activate his face-down card.


    "But I''m not going to let you do as you please. I activate my Trap Card, [Tyrant Wing]!"


    As Kaiba activated the card, the projection of the face-down card flipped, revealing its hidden effect.


    [Tyrant Wing - Trap Card Effect: Target 1 Dragon monster on the field; equip this card to it. It gains 400 ATK/DEF, also it can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase. Once per turn, during the End Phase, if the monster equipped with this card by this effect attacked an opponent''s monster this turn: Destroy this card.]


    "I equip Tyrant Wing to my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon][ATK 3000 ¡ú 3400]


    With the activation of Tyrant Wing, Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s already massive wings began to glow, expanding even further, doubling in size. The mighty white dragon''s roar echoed through the courtyard, its immense presence dominating the scene.


    "A Blue-Eyes White Dragon equipped with Tyrant Wing can attack twice in one turn!" Kaiba pointed forward with satisfaction.


    "Go, Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Attack Lily again!"


    "Kaiba''s determined to take down Lily this turn to stop Hoshino from summoning Siegfried next!" Jonouchi commented, realizing Kaiba''s plan. "If Hoshino doesn''t have a Dragon-type monster on her field, she won''t be able to unleash Siegfried''s full power."


    "Those wings look so cool! Is that the Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" The crowd marveled at the duel, not caring much for the strategic nuances. They could only see which monster looked more powerful and awesome.


    "I want one too! How much do you think it costs?"


    "Hey, that''s one of only four in the world! You couldn''t afford it even if you sold everything you own!"


    "No way! These toy cards are worth that much?!"


    While the spectators were having their minds blown, Hoshino could only force a bitter smile as she prepared to face the incoming attack. "It''s frustrating that Kaiba''s read all my moves."


    The brilliant white light from Blue-Eyes White Dragon once again consumed Hoshino''s field. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "As a pirate, I''ll never let a single tear fall from a loli''s eye!" With a steely gaze, Blackbeard declared as he stood firm against the overwhelming light.


    "Lily, don''t be afraid! This is the moment to fulfill my pirate''s duty!"


    "Alright, I''m counting on you, Blackbeard!" Hoshino said, bracing herself against the light as she took Blackbeard''s card from her duel disk.


    "I activate Blackbeard''s special effect! When a Lily monster on my field would be destroyed by battle or effect, I can destroy Edward Teach instead!"


    "To die for a little girl is the greatest wish I''ve ever had!" With those final words, Blackbeard charged headlong into the scorching light.


    "Ugh, he never shuts up, that pervert!" With no emotion, Hoshino coldly tossed Blackbeard''s card into the graveyard.


    "That creepy monster blocked the attack?"


    "As gross as he was, he was actually kind of cool at the end."


    The crowd, unaware of Blackbeard''s more unsavory tendencies, was surprisingly touched by his final sacrifice.


    "As expected from Hoshino, her monster effects are always a hassle." Kaiba frowned, clearly annoyed that his attempt to destroy Lily had been thwarted.


    "Even though you prevented Lily''s destruction, you still have to take 2200 points of damage!"


    As Kaiba finished speaking, the wind from Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s massive wings swept toward Hoshino.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3500 ¡ú 1300]


    "This feels even more real than the Duel Arena!" Hoshino gritted her teeth, struggling to withstand the windstorm that followed.


    "Master, I''m starting to get a little angry now!" Lily, having recovered from Blackbeard''s sacrifice, stared fiercely at the opponent with a growing determination.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 130 - 130

    Artoria, who drew the Caliburn and began her path toward becoming king¡ªstraightforward, positive, and always giving her all in everything. Though aware she''s not yet fully capable of standing on her own, this slight lack of confidence is a minor flaw in an otherwise perfect character.


    To become the ideal king, she trains herself every day as an ideal knight. Still somewhat inexperienced, she hasn''t fully rid herself of her girlish side, and her heart remains filled with dreams and hope.


    (***)


    "Master, I''m a bit angry now!" Lily, with a fierce look in her eyes, glared at the white dragon with shining wings before her.


    "The opponent isn''t someone you can defeat just by acting on impulse. This is the time to be patient, Lily."


    Though Hoshino didn''t feel particularly against Blackbeard, her natural concern for her waifu meant she didn''t want to see Lily upset.


    "If we can just endure this turn and summon Siegfried, we''ll have the strength to face Kaiba''s Blue Eyes."


    "It feels like this duel has turned into whether Hoshino can summon Siegfried or not," Jonouchi muttered, watching the back-and-forth struggle around Siegfried''s summoning. "Seriously, Hoshino, if you''d summoned Siegfried last turn, none of this would have happened."


    "No, if she summoned Siegfried directly, Kaiba would''ve traded it with his Blue-Eyes equipped with Tyrant Wing," Yugi quickly provided the answer with his usual impressive calculation speed.


    "Even if Lily summoned Siegfried, with its anti-dragon effect, its attack power would only reach 3400, the same as the Blue-Eyes equipped with Tyrant Wing. But Kaiba has three Blue Eyes, while Hoshino only has one Siegfried. That exchange wouldn''t be favorable."


    "Ah, I see¡­"


    Jonouchi, his analysis instantly debunked by Yugi, could only laugh awkwardly.


    "Once Tyrant Wing destroys itself at the end of the turn, then summoning Siegfried would be a guaranteed victory!"


    "That''s not a sure thing," Yugi shook his head, with no hint of optimism in his eyes.


    "Right now, Hoshino hasn''t even used her normal summon this turn, which means her hand is likely stuck. She''s probably holding at least three high-level monsters she can''t play."


    "I bet Kaiba knows that too¡­"


    "Hehehe." Before Yugi could finish speaking, Kaiba, standing across from Hoshino, suddenly chuckled. "Being so cautious about one monster doesn''t suit my style, does it?"


    "Oh? So you''re going to stop resisting and let me beat you?" Hoshino, confused, looked at Kaiba, who had started laughing.


    "No, if I let you summon Siegfried, it''ll be quite troublesome for me," Kaiba, now serious, drew a card and met Hoshino''s gaze.


    "I''m guessing you''re stuck with your hand too, Hoshino. How about we make a gamble¡­"


    "???" Hoshino looked even more confused.


    "Activate spell card, [Card Destruction]!"


    [Card Destruction ¨C Spell Card Effect: Both players discard as many cards as possible from their hands, and then each player draws the same number of cards they discarded.]


    "Damn, Kaiba had that card in his hand?" Yugi suddenly gasped as Kaiba threw down the card.


    "Hoshino''s plan to add Siegfried to her hand just backfired," Jonouchi also sensed the danger.


    "You can''t call it backfiring. This also frees Hoshino from her stuck hand. It''s a gamble on Kaiba''s part." Yugi''s eyes became even more serious as he saw through Kaiba''s intent.


    "He''s betting on which side''s new hand can tip the scales of victory!"


    "Interesting, Kaiba. Let''s see whose luck prevails!" Without hesitation, Hoshino discarded all four of her cards into the duel disk''s graveyard.


    Naturally, Saber, Vlad, Okita, and the key card Siegfried all went to the graveyard.


    "Kaiba, Siegfried isn''t the only card in my deck that can defeat you." Hoshino drew four new cards and glanced at Kaiba, who was also drawing.


    Everything should have been predictable¡ªuntil Kaiba drew his third card.


    A pressure far beyond anything before, like a lit bomb ready to explode, swept through the entire field. Even Kaiba''s expression became strangely complicated.


    "What the heck did Kaiba draw?" Even when the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon appeared, Hoshino didn''t feel this kind of pressure. Yet now, she was overwhelmed by the monster still unplayed in Kaiba''s hand.


    "Heh, Hoshino, it looks like the scales of victory are tipping in my favor now!" Kaiba, regaining his composure, wore an expression brimming with confidence as if he had already secured the win.


    "I''ll set one card and end my turn!" As Kaiba ended his turn, the glowing wings of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon disappeared.


    [Tyrant Wing: At the end of the turn in which the equipped monster attacks an opponent''s monster, this card is destroyed.]


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ATK 3400 ¡ú 3000]


    Kaiba''s remaining hand: 2 cards.


    "My turn, draw!"


    "I don''t know what you drew, Kaiba, but..." Hoshino, sweeping a glance over her refreshed hand, showed a confidence that was no less than Kaiba''s.


    "To think you can tip the scales of this duel with just one card¡ªisn''t that underestimating the Duel King a bit too much?"


    "It''s time to show them, Lily! There''s a time to be patient and a time to let them know just how strong we are!" With a commanding voice, Hoshino slapped a card onto the duel disk, and the field was instantly engulfed in golden light.


    "Yes, Master!" At the center of that golden light was Lily, holding the golden sword.


    No, it was now the legendary sword from the lake, Excalibur.


    "Activate the equip spell card, [Excalibur]!"


    [Excalibur ¨C Equip Spell Effect: Can only be equipped to a monster whose name includes [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon]. ¢Ù: The equipped monster''s effects are negated. ¢Ú: The equipped monster''s ATK increases by 500 for each monster on the field or in the graveyard whose name includes [Heroic Spirit].]


    "Counting both on my field and in my graveyard, I have 5 [Heroic Spirits], so Lily''s attack power is increased by 2500!" (Blackbeard was banished by his own effect.)


    "This is the will of the Heroic Spirits entrusted to the Holy Sword, and the girl''s body!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily][ATK 1200 ¡ú 3700]


    "The attack power surpassed Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" The golden light that swept through the courtyard stirred the crowd once more.


    "Oh no, I think I''m in love."


    "I want to buy it now! Don''t tell me this is also an ultra-rare card?"


    "I don''t know. I''ve never seen a monster like this before¡­"


    As expected, after revealing Excalibur, public opinion immediately swung toward Hoshino''s side. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Go, Lily! Destroy Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Riding the wave of public sentiment, Hoshino decisively declared the attack.


    "Yes, Master! Blackbeard, I''m avenging you now!"


    The girl, holding the golden light, charged toward the much larger white dragon with a determined look in her eyes.


    "Sword of Selection, grant me your power!"


    Her seemingly frail arm gripped tightly onto the hope for victory.


    The golden sword in the girl''s hand pierced directly into the massive body of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "It''s not over yet! I can do even better!"


    "By your power! Cleave the wicked! Caliburn!"


    With all her strength, Lily swung the golden sword embedded in the white dragon, leaving a giant golden-glowing wound across the dragon''s body.


    "Roar!!" The White Dragon''s painful scream echoed throughout the courtyard, its deafening sound forcing the crowd to cover their ears.


    "What kind of duel is this?!"


    "This is way more intense than a movie at the cinema!"


    The dying roar of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, combined with the golden light illuminating the entire courtyard, caused the duel disks on both sides to strain under the overload.


    "This thing... it''s not going to explode, is it?" Though Kaiba boasted that this was the most cutting-edge product, the overloaded sound coming from the duel disk on Hoshino''s left arm made her a bit concerned.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] Destroyed.


    [Kaiba Seto LP 4000 ¡ú 3300]


    Looking at his destroyed Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Kaiba offered his unique form of praise. "You never cease to surprise me, Hoshino."


    "It''s an honor to receive praise from the president of Kaiba Corporation." Pretending to be humble, Hoshino glanced at the smoking duel disk on Kaiba''s arm.


    Although her duel disk was also overloaded, it seemed to be of better quality since it was custom-made. At least, it wasn''t in the same condition as Kaiba''s.


    "Maybe this duel disk needs some more fine-tuning."


    Hoshino subtly hinted to Kaiba that if their first public duel ended with the duel disk exploding, it would certainly harm KaibaCorp''s future.


    "It''s fine. After all, this is just the testing phase. I''m curious to see what its limits are," Kaiba, unconcerned, was essentially encouraging Hoshino to push it even further.


    "Oh? Then don''t blame me later." Rolling her eyes at Kaiba, Hoshino drew another card and placed it in the duel disk.


    "I''ll set one card face-down and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 3 cards, face-down cards: 2.


    "The transfer student took the lead, huh? A monster with 3700 attack power."


    "Kaiba doesn''t have any monsters left now."


    "As expected, the King of Duelists is strong!"


    Among the crowd, Duke Devlin, who had been leaning against the window the whole time, no longer had the relaxed expression he had at the beginning. "Hoshino Chiyuki¡­ she has some skill."


    "However, if this is all she''s got, she definitely can''t defeat Pegasus. Just like Marik said, she must have done something to Pegasus to win the title of Duel King."


    "But what worries me more is the card Kaiba just drew. That familiar pressure¡­ it''s just like what Marik did at the time¡­"


    "My turn, draw!"


    "Hoshino, let me show you something interesting!" Glancing at the card he drew, Kaiba''s smile grew more arrogant.


    "At this moment, I will display the true power of a god!" After making his bold declaration, Kaiba, radiating a tremendous aura, slammed his card onto the duel disk.


    "The power¡­ of a god?" Sensing something seriously wrong, Hoshino realized that the card Kaiba drew the last turn carried an aura that rivaled, if not surpassed, that of Hercules.


    "And now, this turn, you''ll be defeated by the absolute power of a god! I activate the spell card [Premature Burial]!"


    [Premature Burial Spell Card Effect: Activate this card by paying 800 LP, then target 1 monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target in Attack Position and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, destroy the equipped monster.]


    [Kaiba Seto LP 3300 ¡ú 2500]


    "Revive, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" As the duel disk sensed the effect of the card, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon resurrected from the graveyard, bursting forth from the ground.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon][ATK3000]


    "So after all that talk, you just summon your Blue-Eyes White Dragon again?" Hoshino sneered at the resurrected white dragon on Kaiba''s field. "Now that Blue-Eyes White Dragon is no longer a match for Lily. No matter how many times you summon it, the result will be the same!"


    "Don''t be in such a rush to die, Hoshino. The final performance is just about to begin!" Kaiba retorted with a professional cold smile in response to Hoshino''s mockery.


    "I hope you can still laugh after seeing this card. I activate the spell card from my hand, [Soul Release]!"


    Kaiba once again slammed the spell card onto the duel disk.


    A gentle blue wind swept through as if it could bring peace to all restless souls.


    [Soul Release Spell Card Effect: Target up to 5 cards in any GY(s); banish them.]


    "The monsters I will banish are [Heroic Spirit ¨C Siegfried] and [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita S¨­ji] from your graveyard, and three [Giant Germs] from my graveyard, for a total of five monsters!" As Kaiba made his selection, the gentle blue wind blew through both graveyards, banishing the chosen monsters one by one.


    "I see! That''s Kaiba''s plan!" Yugi suddenly realized what was happening.


    "As long as Hoshino''s Heroic Spirits are banished from the graveyard, the attack power that Lily gained from Excalibur will naturally decrease!"


    "Exactly, as expected from the man I acknowledge, Yugi!" Kaiba glanced at Yugi with approval, nodding silently as he appreciated Yugi''s quick insight into his strategy.


    "Since two Heroic Spirits have been banished, Lily''s attack power drops by 1000 points!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Lily][ATK ¡ú 2700]


    "Blue-Eyes'' attack power is higher again!"


    "But why did Kaiba banish his own Giant Germs? Wouldn''t it be better to just banish all the Heroic Spirits from my graveyard for a stronger effect?"


    Feeling that things weren''t that simple, Hoshino kept a close eye on Kaiba''s last remaining card.


    (Okita: "QAQ As the ace, I didn''t even get to show my face before getting banished! Could this get any worse?!")


    (*****)


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 Chapter 131 - 131

    "Why did Kaiba banish his own three monsters as well?" Hoshino furrowed her brow, unable to figure it out.


    As if reading Hoshino''s confusion, Kaiba raised his duel disk and pressed the activation button for a set card.


    "You''ll find out why I banished my monsters soon enough!"


    "Activate the trap card, [Return from the Different Dimension]!"


    Sensing the activation of the trap card, the space in the courtyard began to twist and distort.


    [Return from the Different Dimension Trap Card Effect: Pay half of your Life Points to activate. Special Summon as many of your banished monsters as possible to your side of the field. During the End Phase, banish all monsters that were Special Summoned by this effect.]


    "Special Summon the monsters just banished!?" Seeing the card''s effect, Hoshino started to grasp what was happening.


    "Thanks to the effect of Return from the Different Dimension, I Special Summon my three Giant Germ monsters to the field!" From the distorted space, three large purple spheres emerged one by one.


    [Seto Kaiba LP 2500 ¡ú 1250]


    [Giant Germ][ATK1000] x3


    "Summoning three Giant Germs to his field... What the heck is Kaiba planning?" Jounouchi, who had been watching Kaiba''s strange moves from the start, still couldn''t figure it out.


    In contrast, Hoshino had already mostly pieced together Kaiba''s plan.


    "A god needs sacrifices, right?" The stronger the monster, the higher the cost to summon. A normal summon that requires three monsters as sacrifices is one of the highest costs in the game.


    "Exactly! This is the god that represents ultimate power!" With a wild smile, Kaiba slapped his last card onto the duel disk.


    As the card made contact with the disk, the entire school''s atmosphere grew tense.


    The power sealed within the card seemed to be unleashed like shackles being broken.


    The overwhelming aura of a destructive god flooded the courtyard.


    "When it descends, scorching winds will ravage the earth, and the living will turn to corpses!" Kaiba closed his eyes, chanting an incantation that Hoshino didn''t understand.


    "This... is the aura of a god." Hoshino looked up at the sky. What had been clear and sunny was now covered with dark clouds.


    "Is this some kind of holographic effect? Or is it the card itself? It''s changing the weather..."


    But regardless of the explanation, the sight was astonishing.


    "Szzzt¡ª" A spark of static electricity flickered across Hoshino''s duel disk.


    "!! Hey, Kaiba, this duel disk is sparking! Is this really okay?!" Startled by the spark, Hoshino was tempted to take the disk off.


    "Behold, and bow down before the true form of this god!"


    "Great, this guy''s gone crazy..." Hoshino muttered, glancing at Kaiba, who was completely absorbed in his delusional world.


    "By sacrificing the Giant Germs on my field, I summon [Obelisk the Tormentor]!" Finally completing the summon, Kaiba eagerly awaited the god''s arrival.


    Unlike the distorted summoning from Return from the Different Dimension, this one shattered space itself. A giant blue god emerged, punching through the void.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][Divine][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK4000/DEF4000]


    "A Divine attribute and Divine-Beast type monster..." Hoshino stared in awe at the god''s true form as it shattered the void.


    "Hahaha, Hoshino, Yugi! Do you see it now? This is my new power, the strongest god of destruction!"


    Kaiba, laughing maniacally, threw back his coat and waved his right hand forward.


    "Obelisk the Tormentor! Show these mortals your dominance over all Duel Monsters!"


    "Attack, Obelisk the Tormentor!"


    "This is bad. Hoshino''s Lily has 2700 attack points, but Kaiba''s Obelisk has enough attack power to deal exactly 1300 points of damage," Yugi observed, feeling the oppressive force of the god. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "1300 points of damage? That''s exactly Hoshino''s current Life Points!" Jounouchi realized the danger after Yugi pointed it out.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1300]


    "Damn you, Kaiba! Calculating your attack so precisely, huh?!"


    "Take this, Hoshino! Obelisk the Tormentor''s attack, Fist of Fury!" Against the giant blue arm of Obelisk, Lily''s form seemed so small and helpless.


    Without any exaggeration, the massive punch carried enough power to crush anything in its path.


    "Master, this might be bad if we take this hit!" Lily, who had been strong and resolute, now trembled with fear as the attack rushed toward her.


    "I can''t lose like this, not in my battle for revenge!" Hoshino couldn''t accept being defeated by a god''s punch.


    "Even if it''s a god, I have to try something! Otherwise, I''ll just be repeating my past failure!"


    Refusing to give up, Hoshino pressed the button to activate her set card, raising her final defense in the face of despair.


    "Activate the trap card, [Nagging Shopkeeper]!"


    [Nagging Shopkeeper Trap Card Effect: When a monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name is targeted for an attack, you can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from your deck in Defense Position to take the attack instead. The Defense Points of the Special Summoned Monster increase by 500.]


    "Thanks to the effect of my trap card, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight] from my deck!" In the nick of time, Hoshino quickly searched through her cards and placed Mash onto the duel disk at lightning speed.


    "Come out, Mash! Not even the god-crushing Fist of Fury can break through your unyielding shield!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][Light][Warrior/Effect][ATK1000/DEF2000 ¡ú2500]


    [Effect: ¢Ù: As long as this card is in face-up Defense Position, your opponent can only target this card for attacks. If this Defense Position card is attacked, it is forcibly changed to Attack Position. ¢Ú: This Defense Position card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects.]


    "Yes, Senpai!" Despite the duel disk running at full capacity, it still managed to materialize Mash onto the field.


    "It''s useless! Gods aren''t affected by trap cards or the effects of monsters below god-tier!" Kaiba scoffed at Hoshino''s trap card, his attack showing no signs of hesitation.


    "That means your trap and Mash''s attempt to redirect Obelisk the Tormentor''s attack will have no effect!"


    "What the hell, Kaiba?! The card doesn''t say anything about that! Isn''t this just you making up rules as you go?!"


    "Unaffected by trap cards and monsters below 10 stars? What kind of overpowered card is this?!" Hearing Kaiba''s claims, Jonouchi showed a face full of disbelief. "There''s no way this isn''t just something Kaiba made up to bluff, right?"


    However, as Kaiba said, the duel disk, which had anti-cheating measures just like the Duel Arena, recognized the effect Kaiba was claiming.


    Obelisk''s gigantic fist bypassed Mash''s shield and struck directly at Lily''s petite frame.


    "Ugh, how cruel!" The surrounding students couldn''t help but express their dismay.


    "A fist that big hitting such a girl."


    "Is the duel over now? The transfer student seems to be out of Life Points."


    "Turns out even the King of Duelists can''t compete with Kaiba, who buys super rare cards with money."


    "Hmph, such a shame, Hoshino. No matter how resilient your Heroic Spirit deck is, it''s still crumbled before the gods."


    Confident that he''d won, Kaiba began to put away his sparking duel disk.


    "But at least I got to thoroughly test my new duel disk. It seems it still struggles with processing complex effects when there are many at once."


    [Warning! Duel cannot be terminated prematurely!!]


    "??!!"


    "Kaiba, what gave you the confidence that you''ve already won?" From the smoke caused by Obelisk''s blow, Hoshino, holding a duel disk in critical condition, looked unfazed by the sparks flashing from it.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 500]


    "Heh, so that''s how it is, huh?" After glancing at Hoshino''s remaining Life Points, Kaiba quickly understood the situation. "You''re as persistent as ever. Only your refusal to give up makes you troublesome."


    "Huh? How did the transfer student survive that? Wasn''t all her Life Points supposed to be wiped out?"


    "Because Mash appeared on my field, Lily''s attack power increased by 500 points at the last moment, just barely allowing her to withstand Obelisk''s attack!" Reluctantly placing Lily''s card into the duel disk''s graveyard, Hoshino had narrowly clung to the last thread of survival.


    "I''m sorry, Senpai. I couldn''t block the attack for you this time." The once confident Mash now looked a little ashamed. "I still let Lily get destroyed."


    "Mash, if it weren''t for you, I would''ve lost already," Hoshino reassured her, reaching out to gently pat her shoulder. "You did great holding off Obelisk''s attack. At least now, we still have a chance."


    Mash looked up, her expression softening with relief. "Thank you, Senpai. I''m glad I could be of help."


    Hoshino turned her attention back to Kaiba, who was standing with his arms crossed, his duel disk still crackling with static. "Kaiba, you don''t have any cards left in your hand. So, it''s my turn now, right?"


    "Yes," Kaiba sneered, his usual arrogance unwavering despite his surprise at Hoshino''s survival. "I''ll admit, you barely survived in front of a god. Although my Blue-Eyes still hasn''t attacked, it can''t break through Mash''s shield on its own."


    He gestured grandly with his hand. "So I''ll give you one last turn. Try your best to struggle before the god."


    "A god that''s unaffected by traps and monster effects... It''s safe to assume spells won''t have much of an effect either." Hoshino thought aloud, her fingers hovering over her deck. "If Obelisk''s immune to everything... then the only way to beat him is with pure attack power."


    Hoshino replayed the previous turns in her mind. She had fought powerful monsters before, but nothing like this¡ªa god card with abilities beyond even her strongest Heroic Spirits. Her fingers tapped the edge of her deck thoughtfully.


    "In this situation, a monster capable of surpassing a god..." She hesitated, feeling the weight of the decision before her. Her thoughts swirled, replaying every battle against Kaiba, Pegasus, and even the Duelist Kingdom itself.


    "It''s truly difficult." After much deliberation, Hoshino smiled bitterly as her fingers rested on the top card of her deck.


    Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in her mind, cutting through her uncertainty. "Master~"


    "Huh?" Hoshino blinked in surprise. It was a voice she recognized well¡ªone that instantly brought a sense of warmth and reassurance. "Karna?"


    "Yes, Master." Karna''s voice was calm, yet filled with absolute confidence. "Please leave the rest to me. If not, we''ll lose."


    Hoshino couldn''t help but smile at the sheer certainty in his tone. "You''re so reliable, Karna! Well, I won''t hold back then!"


    She placed her fingers firmly on her deck, her determination renewed. "My turn, draw!"


    As if responding to her resolve, the warmth from Karna''s presence seemed to flood the field. The oppressive weight of Obelisk began to lighten, the shadows it cast fading as the golden light from Karna''s card began to push back against the darkness.


    "Has Hoshino found a way to deal with a god?" Even Yugi, who had been carefully watching the duel, couldn''t predict what Hoshino had drawn. In a situation like this, with Kaiba''s Obelisk dominating the field, even Yugi was unsure of how she could turn things around.


    Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon remained on the field, looming as a secondary threat, but it was clear that in the presence of Obelisk, even the Blue-Eyes was overshadowed.


    "Now! Let me use the strongest Heroic Spirit to surpass a god!" Hoshino declared, slapping the glowing card onto her duel disk.


    "Special Summon, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Karna]!!"


    The field erupted in golden light, brighter and stronger than before, completely dispelling the dark clouds that had been looming over the courtyard. The oppressive presence of Obelisk was momentarily pushed back as Karna''s radiance filled the air.


    "Huh, the weather cleared up all of a sudden?" One of the students in the crowd looked up in confusion, shielding their eyes from the sudden sunlight.


    The crowd murmured in awe. "That transfer student just summoned a monster that looks strong..."


    "But doesn''t a high-level monster like that need tributes?" another student questioned.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Karna ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)][Fire] [Warrior/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2500]


    [Effect: This card can Special Summon itself from the hand by banishing 3 [Heroic Spirit] monsters from the graveyard.]


    "I banish the last three Heroic Spirits from my graveyard¡ªArtoria, Artoria Lily, and Vlad III¡ªfrom the game!" Three gentle lights flashed from the graveyard as the banished Heroic Spirits left the field, fulfilling the summoning condition for Karna.


    "The true name Karna, responding to Master''s call, arrives to slay your opponent!" The golden-armored Heroic Spirit appeared, his spear raised high, flames dancing along its length. Karna''s eyes locked onto Obelisk with no sign of fear, despite the towering figure of the god.


    "Hahaha, is this your last desperate attempt, Hoshino?" Kaiba burst out laughing, though his arrogance had waned slightly as he observed Karna''s arrival. "A monster like this isn''t even worthy of standing before Obelisk. Even if it fights, it''ll be shattered by Obelisk''s Fist!"


    "Karna, show him what you''re made of!" Hoshino commanded, her confidence unwavering. The sunlight that bathed the field seemed to strengthen her resolve, and Karna''s presence beside her filled her with warmth and certainty.


    "I will not disappoint you, Master. With you and me together, this spear is invincible!" Karna declared, his voice steady and sure. With a flash of flames, he charged toward Obelisk, the heat from his spear leaving a trail of fire in his wake.


    "Because of Obelisk the Tormentor''s effect, when he''s on the field, any attack or effect targeting another monster can be redirected to him!" Kaiba shouted, his confidence surging as he declared the god''s seemingly invincible ability.


    "Kaiba, if you make up one more thing, I''ll have gramps shove Obelisk''s fist in your mouth!" Hoshino snapped, her eyes narrowing in irritation at Kaiba''s constant bending of the rules. (The Obelisk effect is inconsistent in the anime.)


    (*****)


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 Chapter 132 - 132

    "It doesn''t matter if we can only attack Obelisk. Let''s show him our determination!"


    "Yes, Master!" Karna answered faithfully, his fiery trajectory unwavering, as if his target had always been Obelisk the Tormentor.


    Boom! S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The collision between Obelisk''s giant divine fist and Karna''s spear echoed across the school courtyard. Despite the overwhelming size difference, Karna stood firm, not retreating an inch.


    "No way! She''s attacking a god with a weaker monster?"


    "It''s not weak! It''s just that Kaiba''s monsters are absurdly strong."


    "Hmph, Hoshino, you''re so obsessed with victory that you''ve lost sight of the situation!" Kaiba sneered, watching the clash between Karna''s spear and Obelisk''s fist, confident in his victory.


    "The one who can''t see the situation is you, Kaiba!" Hoshino shot back. "Stop worrying about the Duel Disk, Karna! Go all out!"


    "The Duel Disk?" Kaiba glanced down at his Duel Disk, finally noticing the alarming sounds it was making¡ªsparking and crackling.


    "Master, you should be careful. If we go all out, we might destroy the thing on your arm!" Karna warned.


    "Doesn''t matter! Kaiba''s got enough money to fix it. Right now, all we need to think about is winning!"


    "Understood!"


    With unshakable resolve, Karna summoned flames around him, channeling them into magical energy that surged into his spear.


    "Mana Burst! Flame!"


    [Effect: This card''s ATK and DEF increase by the combined total levels of the banished monsters x100.]


    "I banished Artoria (8 stars), Artoria Lily (4 stars), and Vlad III (8 stars)¡ªfor a total of 20 stars!"


    "So Karna''s final ATK increase is¡­!"


    [Karna ATK 2800 ¡ú 4800]


    Flames surged from Karna''s body, engulfing both him and Obelisk the Tormentor in a blaze of fiery energy.


    "Whoa! Those special effects are right out of a movie!"


    "Her monster just overtook Kaiba''s in attack power again!"


    "Kaiba, do you see this? This is my monster surpassing even a god!" Fueled by the power of Mana Burst, Karna''s blows now overwhelmed Obelisk, forcing the god to retreat.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Each clash of Karna''s blazing spear against Obelisk''s fists sent waves of heat rippling through the air.


    As Karna predicted, the duel had pushed the Duel Disks to their limits. Kaiba''s mass-produced Duel Disk was the first to crack under the strain, emitting a faint puff of smoke.


    While Hoshino''s custom Duel Disk held on, Kaiba''s standard-issue model was clearly on the verge of failure.


    "Give it up, Kaiba! You won''t beat Karna!"


    "Give up? The word ''give up'' doesn''t exist in Seto Kaiba''s dictionary. Keep going, Hoshino! I haven''t lost yet!"


    Judging by Kaiba''s expression, it was clear that even if his Duel Disk fried his arm, he wasn''t quitting.


    "Then let''s finish this, Karna!"


    "Master wants to end it, but this thing''s tougher than it looks!"


    With a powerful swing of his fiery spear, Karna knocked Obelisk back. The massive god staggered, nearly crashing into Kaiba.


    "So this is the end, Obelisk!"


    Unexpectedly, after pushing Obelisk back, Karna lowered his spear, though the flames around it still burned fiercely.


    "Weapons like these are unnecessary..."


    Karna covered his eyes, gathering the flames into his palms¡ªand his eyes.


    "A true hero slays his enemies with his gaze alone!"


    In an instant, the magical energy concentrated in Karna''s eyes exploded, engulfing Obelisk in a crimson inferno.


    "O'' Brahma, Cover the Earth! (Brahmastra)"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor] destroyed.


    [Seto Kaiba LP 1250 ¡ú 450]


    "Ahh, it''s so hot!"


    The virtual flames that filled the courtyard, despite not generating real heat, made some students scream in terror.


    "Wait, how is it hot?"


    "Because it feels so real!"


    Boom!


    Finally, after Kaiba''s Duel Disk failed, Hoshino''s custom Duel Disk on her arm also started to smoke.


    "Master! Senpai! Are you okay?" Mash and Karna immediately turned back, concerned as sparks flew from Hoshino''s Duel Disk.


    "It''s nothing, just a minor issue. Stay calm," Hoshino waved them off, gritting her teeth through the pain.


    "Kaiba, you''ve lost your god. You have no cards in your hand, no face-downs. This duel is over!"


    "No, I haven''t lost yet! I still have my Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field!" Kaiba, refusing to give up, placed his last hope on his Blue Eyes. "Cut the chatter, just continue already, Hoshino!"


    "Sigh, I don''t know whether to admire your persistence or call you stubborn." Hoshino shook her head helplessly. Though she wasn''t one to talk, Kaiba''s refusal to give up truly made him a tough opponent.


    "Sorry, Master. If I had the Spear, I could use my Noble Phantasm; that last attack could''ve ended this battle." Karna seemed a bit guilty as he noticed Hoshino''s troubled expression.


    "My luck''s just terrible today. Drawing the key equipment from my deck was tough enough, and under those circumstances, there was no way to gather three tributes on the field. Otherwise, I would''ve made Kaiba suffer!"


    What sounded like a discussion of their shortcomings was just the two subtly complimenting themselves, leaving Mash, who was listening nearby, speechless.


    "I''ll set one card face-down and end my turn!"


    Though Hoshino was in an overwhelmingly advantageous position, she still chose to place her final face-down card into her sparking Duel Disk.


    "Even with such a guaranteed victory, Hoshino''s still setting cards?" Jounouchi asked in confusion.


    "Jounouchi, no matter the situation, Hoshino always gives her all. That''s the highest form of respect she can show to the duel, and her opponent," Yugi explained.


    "They''re still going at it?"


    "Those things on their arms look like they''re about to explode!"


    "Could they be disposable?"


    "I can''t afford to play with something like that."


    Even the students watching from the sidelines noticed the fragile state of the Duel Disks and began to question the quality of KaibaCorp''s products.


    "My turn! Draw!" Kaiba roared, almost pulling his card through a haze of sparks. The crackling current trailed along the card as it carried Kaiba''s unyielding will.


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, lend me your final strength!"


    Kaiba looked at his Blue Eyes on the field with a complicated expression but then slammed the card he drew onto the Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Spell Card, [Advanced Draw]!"


    [Tribute 1 face-up Level 8 or higher monster you control; draw 2 cards.]


    With the activation of the Spell, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon that had once stood on Kaiba''s field turned into a golden light and entered the Graveyard, illuminating Kaiba''s deck.


    "Hahaha! I feel it! The will of the Blue Eyes and my final hope!"


    As his deck glowed with a golden light, Kaiba couldn''t help but laugh.


    "This is bad... something feels off..." Hoshino felt a bead of cold sweat trickle down her forehead.


    If Kaiba had simply used Pot of Greed to draw, she wouldn''t have been so worried. But the fact that Kaiba had sacrificed his Blue Eyes for one final gamble made it seem like his deck was bound to give him something powerful.


    "Watch closely, Hoshino!" Kaiba reached into the crackling current and drew his final two cards.


    "Let me show you the legacy of the Blue Eyes and the majesty of a god!"


    "I activate the Spell Card, [Monster Reborn]!" Kaiba proudly displayed the card he drew, his face lighting up with the joy of a comeback.


    "Rise again, Obelisk the Tormentor, the blazing wind that scours the earth!"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][Divine][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK4000/DEF4000]


    "Huh? Who turned on the BGM?" Hoshino muttered as she felt a background track titled [God''s Anger] playing in her ears. She stared at the enormous form of Obelisk, which had reappeared on the field thanks to Monster Reborn.


    "So Spell Cards work on gods, huh..." Hoshino thought. The fact that Monster Reborn could revive a god meant gods weren''t completely immune to Spell Cards. This gave her more ideas on how to counter them in the future.


    "But even Obelisk alone can''t defeat Karna!" Despite Obelisk''s return, Hoshino, standing behind Karna, remained calm.


    "If I beat you once, I can do it again!"


    "Heh heh, we''ll see about that!" Kaiba smirked, holding his final card between his fingers, pointing it confidently at Hoshino.


    "Hoshino, let me show you why gods stand above all Duel Monsters!"


    "I activate my final Spell Card, [Fires of Doomsday]!"


    [Special Summon 2 [Doomsday Tokens] (Fiend/DARK/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position on your side of the field.]


    Two shadowy figures flickered into existence on Kaiba''s field, dark flames emanating from their barely visible eyes.


    [Doomsday Tokens ¡ï][Dark][Fiend/Token][ATK 0/DEF 0] x2


    "Two monsters with no attack power? What''s Kaiba planning?" Jounouchi was puzzled by the appearance of the two flame creatures.


    "Only fools wouldn''t understand. This is the price one must pay to unleash the majesty of a god!" Kaiba sneered, not missing a chance to insult Jounouchi, as he raised his Duel Disk high.


    "Now, witness Obelisk''s ultimate power! I activate Obelisk the Tormentor''s effect!"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor''s Effect: Tribute 2 monsters you control; during this turn, when this card battles, its ATK becomes infinite. This effect can also be activated during your opponent''s turn.]


    "I tribute my two Doomsday Tokens! Awaken, Obelisk the Tormentor!"


    "Divine Energy MAX!!!"


    As though infused with the essence of the black flames, Obelisk''s already enormous arms ignited with dark energy, becoming enveloped in a terrifying power.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK 4000 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    "Infinite attack power?!" Hoshino''s mouth dropped open as she saw the unimaginable attack stat rise on Obelisk.


    "Does Duel Monsters'' rules even allow that?"


    Infinite attack power, as the name suggested, meant that no matter how many life points or attack power an opponent had, they would be instantly defeated.


    "So this is the true power of a god... terrifying." Even Yugi, who stood behind Hoshino, was stunned. "Though this is my first time seeing such a monster, why does it feel so familiar?"


    "This ends now, Hoshino!" Kaiba roared, his coat dramatically flaring as he pointed forward.


    "Crush Karna, Obelisk!"


    "MAX God Hand Crusher!!!"


    If ever there was a sight of divine fury laying waste to the earth, it would be Obelisk''s mighty fists swinging down. The overwhelming heatwave radiating from the attack made it difficult for anyone to keep their eyes open.


    Boom! The deafening explosion from Kaiba''s Duel Disk filled the courtyard as it finally overloaded, giving out under the weight of infinite attack power.


    Kaiba''s Duel Disk flickered off, its lights dimmed, and even his Life Points stopped displaying. Yet, despite the Duel Disk shutting down, Obelisk''s attack surged forward, as though it transcended the game''s rules.


    "Is this what it means to be a god, to surpass the Duel Disk and the rules of the game itself?" Hoshino murmured, watching the unstoppable force approaching her field.


    "Master!!" Karna called out, standing firm and ready for the final blow.


    "Even though gods may be rare in this world, in Chaldea, they''re everywhere!" Despite the pressure of Obelisk''s overwhelming power, Hoshino showed no signs of retreat.


    "Infinite attack power? I''ll face it head-on with the infinite flames of my burning spirit!" Hoshino raised her Duel Disk, which was sparking dangerously, and pressed the button to activate her final set card.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 133 - 133

    "Using this strike that breaks through all limits, I will face off against your infinite attack power!" Without hesitation, Hoshino pressed the activation button for her face-down card, revealing the double-edged sword of her strategy.


    "Activate the face-down card, Counter Trap [Limited/Zero Over]!"


    "Hmph, Limited/Zero Over, huh." Seeing the card Hoshino had just flipped, Kaiba couldn''t help but sneer. "Are you trying to recreate that old battle in front of the castle? It''s a pity...


    "Trap cards don''t work on gods!"


    "Kaiba, I''m not the same person I was back then!" Hoshino declared, pointing to the revealed Limited/Zero Over, her eyes filled with unshakable determination, a stark contrast to the confusion she''d shown in the past.


    "The effect of [Limited/Zero Over] doesn''t target Obelisk¡ªit targets my monster on the field!"


    "Huh? The effect is different this time?" Kaiba immediately sensed something was off. "And it''s a counter trap card?"


    "This is my new power¡ªthe breakthrough version of [Limited/Zero Over]!"


    [Limited/Zero Over Counter Trap Card Effect: When your opponent declares an attack, you can activate this card by targeting one of your own face-up Level 6 or higher [Heroic Spirit] monsters. ¢Ù The attacking monster''s ATK becomes 0, and this card is equipped to the targeted monster. For the rest of this turn, your opponent can only attack the equipped monster, and if they can attack, they must attack it. Your opponent cannot activate card effects in response to this card''s activation.]


    "I''ll target Karna on my field and equip him with [Limited/Zero Over]!" As magical circuits flashed across Karna''s form, his Saint Graph surged, instantly breaking through its previous limits.


    "It''s useless! Gods aren''t affected by trap cards. Obelisk''s attack power won''t drop to 0¡ªit''s still infinite!" Kaiba sneered, confident that Obelisk''s supremacy remained unshaken, even in the face of Hoshino''s trap.


    "That''s why I said I''ll use limitless destruction to counter infinite power! Activate [Limited/Zero Over]''s second effect!"


    "Hold on, Karna! This is going to be the strongest attack yet!" Hoshino called out.


    "Rest assured, Master! As long as my heart burns strong, this lance shall never taste defeat!" Karna responded, unwavering.


    [¢Ú Once per turn, when the equipped monster battles, its ATK increases by the ATK of the opposing monster. This effect can also be activated during the opponent''s turn.]


    "Go, Karna! Break through the limits and surpass infinity!"


    With a surge of magic that obliterated his final Saint Graph constraints, Karna''s body exploded with power. The flames surrounding him multiplied exponentially, standing in stark contrast to the scorching winds that Obelisk was unleashing across the battlefield.


    "Raaaah!!" Karna roared, thrusting his lance with all his might.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Karna ATK 4800 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    "Infinite attack power again! Now both sides are infinite!"


    "Hurry and upload this to YouTube! This is going viral!"


    "To think I could wield such tremendous power," Karna murmured, momentarily stunned by the overwhelming magic flowing through him. "Normally, I wouldn''t be able to obtain such strength from nowhere, Master. The cost for this must be immense."


    "Yes, Karna. This double-edged sword will be the final blow that determines the winner." The reason Hoshino had been hesitant to use this card earlier was because of its immense drawback.


    [¢Û At the end of the turn in which this card''s first effect is activated, the targeted monster is destroyed, this card is banished, and you take damage equal to the equipped monster''s attack.]


    This was a card that spelled doom for either side. Its severe side effect could easily deplete Hoshino''s life points¡ªeven if they were full¡ªby the next turn.


    It was essentially a card that could kill its user instantly.


    "But this power... it''s the real deal! I feel like I''ve already surpassed Arjuna!" Karna said, his excitement evident. With just a casual swing of his lance, a massive wave of fire surged forth.


    "What a thrilling battle of gods this is!"


    "Fight back, Karna!" Hoshino shouted, issuing her final command.


    "Understood, Master!" Karna replied, his form streaking like red lightning, colliding head-on with Obelisk''s scorching storm of a fist.


    "Right now, I am the final flash that will pierce the gods!"


    Boom!


    The collision of two infinite attack powers caused Hoshino''s Duel Disk to finally shut down. Just like Kaiba''s, it ceased to function, with the display of Hoshino''s life points vanishing along with it.


    On the battlefield, the two monsters had broken free from the constraints of the Duel Disks, clashing violently with one another.


    The scorching storm that swept the land and the blazing flames that consumed everything in their path erupted wildly in the courtyard.


    "I can''t even see what''s happening! What''s the outcome?!" Jounouchi exclaimed, squinting and shielding his face from the heat, unable to see the battlefield.


    "Is this just holograms? If this keeps up, the whole school''s going to be destroyed!" Yugi shouted, desperate to know the final result but unable to look directly at the raging battlefield engulfed in scorching winds and fire.


    "O'' Brahma, Curse Me! (Brahmastra Kundala)!!" Karna''s powerful roar cut through the whirlwind. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, from the center of the vortex, a beam of fire shot straight into the sky. A massive pillar of flame tore through the blazing storm on the battlefield.


    Karna, after unleashing his mightiest strike, sent an avalanche of destruction crashing down upon his foe.


    "Did we win?!" Hoshino gasped, watching in awe as the flames consumed the heavens and dissipated the scorching storm.


    As the whirlwind died down, Obelisk''s form was nowhere to be seen, leaving only the unyielding figure of Karna standing tall.


    "Infinite attack power versus infinite attack power... How is this possible? How could the invincible Obelisk disappear?" Kaiba stood frozen in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just occurred.


    "Kaiba, I can explain what happened!" Hoshino pointed arrogantly at him, offering her triumphant explanation.


    "Because my attack power was even higher! Karna''s final attack power was ¡Þ + 4800!"


    Both Duel Disks were destroyed, and the holographic projections had vanished. The school, which moments ago seemed on the verge of collapse, returned to its usual calm.


    Kaiba: "..."


    Hoshino: "..."


    After Hoshino gave her final explanation, the two stood in silence, staring at each other without speaking.


    The once noisy atmosphere around them faded into awkward silence.


    "Hmph, a draw, huh!" Kaiba was the first to break the quiet.


    "It wasn''t a draw. I won." Hoshino''s gaze remained firm.


    "To fight a god to a draw¡ªyou''re an interesting opponent, Hoshino." Kaiba insisted it was a draw.


    "It wasn''t a draw. I won!" Hoshino wasn''t backing down.


    "I''ve fully realized the limitations of the Duel Disk," Kaiba said, changing the subject. "Though its current performance level is high, it still can''t withstand the clash of two infinite attack powers."


    Kaiba looked down at his Duel Disk, which had completely crashed and was emitting smoke. "It needs improvement¡ªor else we''ll keep having these so-called ''draws'' in the future."


    "I already said it wasn''t a draw. I won!"


    Though Hoshino kept insisting she was the victor, her Duel Disk had shut down before the duel concluded, leaving no way to confirm life point counts.


    "Tsk, if Mash had stayed on the field, I definitely would''ve won!" Hoshino muttered under her breath in frustration.


    But with Kaiba''s pride, there was no way he would admit defeat after such an epic final strike¡ªespecially not in front of a crowd.


    Kaiba walked toward Hoshino, his height giving him an advantage as he looked down on her.


    "What''s going on?" Normally, Kaiba kept his distance from others, so his sudden approach made Hoshino uneasy.


    "Hand it over," Kaiba said, extending a hand in front of her.


    "Hand over what?"


    "Your Duel Disk. It''s broken, right?" Kaiba''s voice was firm but unreadable. "I''ll take it back and fix it. I''ll return it to you later."


    "Oh, that''s it? Makes sense."


    Hoshino realized what he meant and also noticed that the Duel Disk on her arm, now emitting smoke, was indeed in need of repair.


    "The customer service at Kaiba Corp is top-notch, huh? Having the president himself handle repairs!" Hoshino joked, relieved that Kaiba wasn''t there to lash out.


    "Ouch!" Hoshino winced as she tried to remove the Duel Disk, finding it too hot to touch after its high-performance use.


    "You''re helpless, aren''t you? Can''t handle a little heat as a duelist?" Kaiba, sounding slightly impatient, grabbed Hoshino''s arm and skillfully removed the overheated Duel Disk himself.


    "Oh~" Hoshino squinted at Kaiba, who was busy removing the Duel Disk from her arm.


    "Kaiba, even though you talk tough, you''re surprisingly gentle at times~"


    "Hmph, boring!" Kaiba retorted with his usual dismissive tone. Despite the Duel Disk still emitting heat, Kaiba removed it barehanded without flinching. He tossed the damaged Duel Disk into his silver briefcase without another word.


    "I''ll return it to you after I fix it. By then, the Duel Disk''s performance will be better than ever. Next time, we''ll settle this for real."


    With those final words, Kaiba grabbed his briefcase and turned on his heel, leaving the school grounds without looking back, clearly intending to skip the rest of the school day, much to the shock of the students still watching.


    "I said, I won!!" Hoshino shouted after him, but her voice was drowned out by the commotion of the students still buzzing from the intense duel they had just witnessed.


    (***)


    The lunchtime commotion had taken much longer than expected, and by the time Hoshino and the others returned to class, it was almost time for the afternoon lessons to begin.


    "Sigh, missed lunch again. Am I cursed when it comes to food?" Hoshino sighed deeply, her stomach growling loudly. It felt like ever since she arrived in this world, getting to eat three meals a day had become a luxury she could rarely afford.


    "Nothing we can do about it, Hoshino," Yugi said with a kind smile. "The bread from the cafeteria sells out way too fast. Let''s just try to get there earlier tomorrow."


    "Want to share my bento?" Anzu said mysteriously, pulling out a lunchbox from her bag decorated with cute bunny stickers.


    "Wow, I didn''t know Anzu could make bentos! That''s awesome!" Yugi''s eyes lit up as he looked at the neatly presented lunchbox.


    "I want some, I want some!" Hoshino''s eyes sparkled like a traveler finding an oasis in the desert.


    "Anzu, you''re a real lifesaver, making extra food for us to share!" Jounouchi and Honda, who had also missed out on lunch due to the duel, eagerly eyed the bento.


    "Hey! You boys can wait until after school!" Anzu snapped, swatting their hands away as she opened the bento box, revealing the contents.


    "Wait¡­ why is your bento full of greens?" Hoshino blinked in confusion, her excitement quickly deflating as she stared at the mass of broccoli neatly arranged inside the bento.


    "Of course, it''s for dieting! My dream is to study dance in America, so I have to maintain my figure!" Anzu said proudly, skewering a piece of broccoli and popping it into her mouth with satisfaction. "Besides, broccoli is delicious and healthy! I could eat it forever!"


    "Is that so¡­" Hoshino forced a smile, though she could hardly share Anzu''s enthusiasm. As a dedicated otaku, she lived on soda and snacks, not health food.


    Still, with Anzu sharing her lunch so generously, Hoshino didn''t want to seem ungrateful. She reluctantly picked up a piece of broccoli with her chopsticks and popped it into her mouth.


    "This must be what they mean by ''food that''s too tasteless to throw away, but too wasteful not to eat,''" Hoshino thought to herself, chewing slowly.


    (***)


    "Hey, check this out! The video I uploaded to YouTube already has over 100,000 views in less than an hour!" One of the students in the classroom excitedly waved their phones, drawing a small crowd around them.


    "Whoa! The views on my video are skyrocketing too!"


    "This is going viral! I bet my follower count will hit 100 soon!"


    The duel between gods, combined with the advanced Duel Disks, had set the entire classroom of Domino High School on fire with excitement. Students crowded around each other, watching their recorded footage on their phones, eager to see the moment when two infinite attack powers clashed.


    "Isn''t it obvious? Duel Monsters is ridiculously popular in this world." Hoshino had expected this outcome. She admired Kaiba''s genius for creating these high-stakes duels and knew they would capture public attention instantly.


    "But what I didn''t expect was that this world has YouTube¡­" Hoshino thought, surprised by the familiarity of the platform.


    Her eyes suddenly lit up with an idea. "I wonder if I could make money by creating an account and doing livestreams." She began daydreaming about the possibilities¡ªsuddenly, even the bland taste of broccoli in her mouth felt a little sweeter.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 134 - 134

    "Oh? Are you sure the God Card is in Seto Kaiba''s hands?" The man speaking on the phone in the darkness had an eerie look in his eyes.


    "I am Sure, Marik! I saw him use Obelisk the Tormentor in a duel with my own eyes," Duke Devlin reported seriously from the other end of the line.


    "In a duel at school, using Obelisk? Has Seto Kaiba gone mad?" Marik found it hard to believe, unable to imagine any school duel that would require a God Card. "Was it a duel against Yugi Mutou?"


    "No, it wasn''t against Yugi Mutou. That brings me to my second report," Devlin''s voice turned furious as he continued.


    "The Duel King, who caused Pegasus to disappear, has transferred to our school."


    "Duel King?!" Marik, somewhat surprised, raised an eyebrow and immediately understood.


    "So, the one who dueled Seto Kaiba was this Duel King? What''s their name again? Ho-Hoshi something?"


    "Yes, Hoshino Chiyuki. Today, under the pretext of testing the new Duel Disk, she dueled Kaiba and made him summon a God Card," Devlin recalled the events of that afternoon.


    "Made Kaiba summon Obelisk, huh? How unfortunate. She just became Duel King, and then she was crushed by a God in front of everyone." Marik, imagining the scene, couldn''t help but let out a twisted smile.


    "No, she didn''t lose."


    "She didn''t lose? Against a God? Did she defeat Kaiba, who wields a God Card?!" Marik''s twisted smile froze in disbelief.


    "It was a draw. There was no clear victor. The Duel Disks couldn''t handle the power of the Gods and malfunctioned."


    "A draw, huh? Interesting... She doesn''t have the power of a God Card, yet she managed to stand against one. It seems she has some skill."


    Marik''s smile returned, even more twisted and exaggerated than before. "Although I''m a little interested in this girl who can stand up to a God, my ultimate goal is still the God Cards. Duke Devlin, you handle the Duel King for now."


    "You don''t need to tell me. I''ve been planning to make my move anyway, to avenge Pegasus!"


    (***)


    Domino High School¡ª


    "Looks like Kaiba didn''t come to class after all," Hoshino muttered quietly, glancing at the empty seat next to her. "I''m so jealous. I wish I could skip class so openly, too."


    The teacher was droning on about something from the front of the classroom, but Hoshino wasn''t paying attention.


    "I''ve been transported to another world, became the Duel King, yet here I am stuck in this tiny classroom. Fate is unpredictable."


    She looked around at her classmates.


    Anzu and Yugi were listening attentively to the lesson. Honda was gazing out the window, lost in thought. Jounouchi was drooling on his desk, sounding asleep like a pig. And Bakura was secretly playing on his phone under his desk.


    "A phone, huh? That''d be nice. I wish I had one too." Broke as she was, Hoshino couldn''t bring herself to ask Grandpa Sugoroku for money to buy a phone. All she could do was envy Bakura, who was engrossed in his game.


    "That old geezer, raking in money with me as a mascot!" In recent days, the Kame Game Shop had been packed with customers daily, for reasons that didn''t need explaining.


    "If Grandpa paid me, the first thing I''d do is buy a phone! Then I could finally grind FGO!"


    As she thought of this, Hoshino suddenly realized that this world probably didn''t have FGO (Fate/Grand Order), or someone would''ve recognized her Heroic Spirit-themed card deck by now.


    "Well, even if I can''t play FGO on a phone, I still have the FGO system built into my deck."


    This was a classic case of daydreaming in class, starting with trivial thoughts and gradually drifting far from the lesson.


    Initially lamenting Kaiba''s absence, Hoshino now opened the card shop in her built-in system.


    [Duelist Level Evaluation Complete. Duelist: Seto Kaiba. Duelist Rank: A+. Duplicate rank rewards have been deducted. Victory reward: 10 Saint Quartz (70 - 60). Remaining Saint Quartz: 11.]


    "What does it mean by ''deducting duplicate rank rewards''?!" Hoshino almost shouted in frustration during class, quickly covering her mouth.


    Since the system had declared her the victor, it meant her final counterattack with infinite power had been effective. But what was up with the reward? She had expected a huge influx of Saint Quartz after defeating Kaiba, but instead, this was the result.


    "Does it mean because I''ve already farmed Kaiba once, I won''t get duplicate rewards?" Hoshino sighed, realizing that must be the case. "So I can''t farm the same opponent for infinite Quartz¡­"


    "Damn this strict system, stingy Da Vinci-chan, cheapskate!" Even though she cursed silently in her mind, Hoshino knew she had no choice but to accept the reality.


    "Kaiba''s rank has gone up from A in the Duelist Kingdom to A+. Same as Yugi. As expected from a duel addict, leveling up so fast."


    "Since I can''t farm the same person for Quartz, I''ll have to find new opponents to duel if I want more." As Hoshino schemed in her mind, she thought of the rowdy kids at the Kame Game Shop.


    "Hmph, it''s about time to reap another batch of newbies."


    "But Quartz is Quartz, even if it''s just 10. Let''s roll."


    [Summoning with Saint Quartz (Limited Summoning Pool) Okeanos Ending Selection Summon]


    [Time remaining: 83 hours.]


    "This summoning pool lasts a long time. Back in the Duelist Kingdom, there was a new pool every day."


    The system probably extended the duration of the summoning pool due to the current lower frequency and quality of duels compared to the Duelist Kingdom.


    "Sometimes I can''t tell if this system is generous or stingy."


    [Would you like to use 3 Saint Quartz to summon?]


    "Yes!"


    In an instant, golden light filled the air. Startled by the sudden glow, Hoshino hastily shoved the deck back into her desk. If the teacher saw it and confiscated it, it''d be a huge loss.


    Hoshino hadn''t expected a single tap to result in a golden card. After spending over 100 Quartz with no results, this sudden luck took her by surprise.


    Maybe it was the law of conservation of luck, or perhaps... it was the classic miracle of a single roll!


    "Next, I''ll announce the exam results."


    During the last period, the homeroom teacher entered the classroom with a stack of test papers and adjusted his glasses, which glinted under the light.


    "Anzu Mazaki, 83 points."


    "Ah, only 83? I feel like I messed up a bit." Anzu tapped her head and playfully stuck out her tongue.


    "Yugi Mutou, 86 points."


    "Great! Even though I didn''t study much during the break, I didn''t forget a lot either." Yugi was satisfied with his score.


    "Ryo Bakura, 72 points."


    "Phew! Just made it!" Bakura sighed in relief, patting his chest.


    "Honda Hiroto, 61 points."


    "Yes!" Honda was so excited he nearly jumped out of his seat. "Didn''t expect that, did you, Jounouchi? I studied during the break!"


    "Damn it, even Honda passed." Jounouchi, annoyed by Honda''s smug face, slapped his leg in frustration.


    "Duke Devlin, 95 points!"


    "Wow, the transfer student scored so high on his first test!" The classmates were instantly impressed.


    "Not only is he good-looking, but he also has great grades!" some of the girls began fangirling.


    "Well, I just performed slightly better than usual." Devlin brushed his hair back, though his modest words couldn''t hide his satisfaction.


    "Seto Kaiba, 97 points!"


    The class fell silent. Since Kaiba wasn''t attending class, there was no reaction, and everyone was already used to Kaiba always getting one of the highest scores.


    The teacher, feeling slightly awkward about Kaiba''s absence, cleared his throat before flipping to the next test.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, 99 points!"


    "99 points?!" The reaction was louder than for Devlin''s score, and the classmates collectively gasped.


    "A near-perfect score on her first test as a transfer student! She must''ve been a top student at her old school."


    "She even scored higher than Kaiba!"


    "As expected, you can''t become Duel King without being sharp."


    "Hoshino''s that smart?" Although her friends had never asked about her academic abilities, they didn''t expect such overwhelming results.


    "Damn it! I thought Hoshino would be my ally, but she''s a traitor!" Jounouchi, more desperate than when he dueled her, realized how far behind he was.


    "...How could I ever be allies with an idiot like you!" Hoshino made a disgusted face at Jounouchi, clearly not surprised by her stellar results.


    However, on the other side of the classroom, Devlin''s expression was slowly overtaken by a sinister shadow.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino!!" He muttered her name through gritted teeth, snapping the pencil in his hand in frustration.


    "I sense... killing intent..." Hoshino suddenly felt a chill run down her spine and shivered.


    "Any students who haven''t had their names called yet failed. Please stay after school for a supplementary lesson."


    The teacher''s voice snapped everyone back to reality, but it was quickly followed by Jounouchi''s name.


    "Katsuya Jounouchi, 47 points."


    "Yui Hirasawa, 23 points..."


    Jounouchi slumped forward dramatically, letting out a low groan as his classmates laughed sympathetically at his failure. He would have to endure the embarrassment of the supplementary class while the rest of the group enjoyed their afternoon.


    (***)


    After school...


    "Sorry, Jounouchi, but we''re heading out first!" Yugi waved sympathetically from the classroom door.


    Even though Jounouchi''s expression was one of frustration, he didn''t try to stop them. "It''s fine! Go ahead! Leave your dear friend Jounouchi here, alone, to suffer through supplementary lessons!" He tried to laugh it off, but there was no hiding the disappointment in his voice.


    "Even though I''d like to stay and keep you company, Jounouchi," Yugi said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, "both Hoshino and I need to help out at Grandpa''s toy store, so..."


    "Just go already!" Jounouchi sighed dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. "I''ll manage on my own!"


    Honda patted him on the shoulder, though his words weren''t exactly sympathetic. "Honestly, Jounouchi, you should''ve studied at least a little. This is what you get for messing around the whole break."


    As Yugi, Honda, and Hoshino left the classroom, Devlin lingered behind, eyeing Jounouchi with interest. He waited until the classroom had cleared out before approaching Jounouchi, making sure no one else was around to overhear them.


    (***)


    Outside Domino High School...


    "Isn''t it too much to help out at the toy store after school every day? Won''t you get tired, Hoshino?" Yugi asked as they walked, looking concerned. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Not at all!" Hoshino replied cheerfully. "Honestly, I think helping out at the store is fun."


    Even though she was supposed to be helping, Grandpa Sugoroku rarely let Hoshino do any real work. Most of the time, she was there to entertain the kids who visited the store, offering them advice on their decks and showing off her Duel King title. It felt more like socializing than working, and she even got paid for it.


    "By the way, did you hear that Pegasus has gone missing?" Bakura, who had joined them, suddenly dropped this unexpected piece of news.


    "Pegasus? Missing? How do you know that?" Hoshino asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "I came across it online while I was on my phone this afternoon," Bakura explained. "Apparently after the Duelist Kingdom tournament, Pegasus mysteriously disappeared. He canceled all his scheduled meetings and hasn''t been seen since."


    "Even a heavily guarded castle like that could be dangerous?" Yugi asked, sounding concerned. "Do you think something bad might''ve happened to him?"


    "It''s hard to say," Bakura said, shrugging. "There''s even a rumor going around that he might have committed suicide after losing to you, Hoshino."


    "What?! No way!" Hoshino shook her head vehemently, feeling the sudden weight of blame. "That''s ridiculous! Right after the tournament, he hosted a global live broadcast! He seemed perfectly fine."


    Anzu nodded in agreement. "Being famous always comes with a lot of crazy rumors. You shouldn''t let that kind of gossip get to you, Hoshino."


    "Yeah, I won''t..." Hoshino trailed off, though the unease in her gut didn''t fade. Something about the situation felt off. Pegasus'' disappearance, the ominous feeling she''d had since returning from the Duelist Kingdom, and Da Vinci''s cryptic warning¡ªeverything was starting to line up in a way that made her uneasy.


    ("Even if you do nothing, the darkness of this world will still come for you. It''s as if the world''s will itself is trying to reject your existence as an outsider. If all you do is run, you won''t be able to escape the dark fate of this world.")


    The memory of Da Vinci''s warning rang in her ears, making Hoshino frown.


    "All I wanted was a peaceful life," she muttered under her breath.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 135 - 135

    "Go, Obelisk the Tormentor!" In the enclosed room, Kaiba raised his newly repaired Duel Disk and shouted.


    Standing opposite Kaiba was a monster that resembled Karna.


    However, despite the similar appearance, a closer look revealed that it was stiff and lifeless.


    "What''s big brother doing?" Outside the room, Mokuba, puzzled, was watching the scene through a camera that monitored the sealed-off room.


    "Master Mokuba! President Kaiba is testing whether the newly enhanced Duel Disk can withstand the power of the gods," one of the staff members, expertly operating the system, succinctly answered Mokuba''s question.


    "I know he''s testing the Duel Disk, but that monster on the other side¡­" Mokuba''s expression became complicated, unsure how to describe it. "No matter how you look at it, that''s Hoshino''s monster¡­"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK 4000 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    "MAX God Hand Crusher!!"


    With a punch imbued with infinite attack power, the blow landed squarely on ''Karna.'' The machine using the ''Karna'' card on the opposing side immediately dropped to zero life points.


    "Simulation duel complete. The winner is Seto Kaiba."


    "Excellent, President Kaiba! You won, and the Duel Disk successfully withstood the burden of a god''s infinite attack power!" Seeing the result, the staff member gleefully and shamelessly praised Kaiba.


    "No, it''s far from enough!" Kaiba sternly rejected the staff''s conclusion, deep in thought.


    ("Counterattack, Karna!")


    ("This is my final radiance, piercing through the giant god!")


    "A Heroic Spirit card isn''t some lifeless puppet!" Kaiba''s tone was filled with disdain as he looked at the fake ''Karna,'' which had just been defeated without putting up any resistance.


    "Moreover, just taking Obelisk''s attack has already put the Duel Disk under extreme strain." Feeling the heavy load on the Duel Disk strapped to his arm, Kaiba''s dissatisfaction was obvious.


    "A Duel Disk like this can''t handle a battle between gods!" Kaiba muttered to himself. "After all, there are still two more God Cards waiting for me to claim."


    (***)


    "What''s going on? The store feels so empty today."


    When Yugi and Hoshino returned to the shop, they immediately noticed something was off.


    Usually, the store would be packed with kids just out of school at this time, but today, it was unusually quiet.


    "Did something happen, Grandpa?" Seeing Sugoroku slumped over the counter, looking dejected, Hoshino asked with concern.


    "Waaaaah, Yugi, Hoshino, you''re back! Grandpa is¡­" Despite his age, the moment he saw Yugi and Hoshino, Sugoroku put on a crying face.


    "Sugoroku Mutou, 70 years old, is facing the biggest crisis of his life today!"


    "What happened, Grandpa?" Yugi, who had never seen Sugoroku like this, asked anxiously. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The toy store¡­"


    "The toy store?"


    "Yes, a massive new toy store just opened across the street!" Sugoroku pointed miserably in the direction of the street.


    Following his finger, they could see the layers of buildings in the distance and a huge, luxurious sign towering above.


    "Huh? A new toy store? Could they be selling some kind of new game?"


    Hoshino, suddenly intrigued, had barely played any games other than Duel Monsters since coming to this world, so her curiosity was piqued.


    "Hoshino, how could you say that? Have you fallen out of love with Duel Monsters?" Sugoroku gasped, looking as though he''d just been betrayed.


    "Haha, no, not at all, I''m just a bit curious." Hoshino smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit guilty as she looked at Sugoroku''s accusing face.


    "To be honest, I''m a little curious too, Grandpa." Yugi, not missing the chance, joined Hoshino''s side of the argument.


    "Even Yugi¡­"


    "Why don''t we go scout out the competition and see if the new games are any fun?" Hoshino suggested.


    "That sounds like a great idea! Let''s check it out," Yugi agreed.


    "Yugi, Hoshino, aren''t you going to help out at the store today?" Sugoroku, with the air of a lonely old man, cautiously asked.


    "There are no customers today, so there''s no need for help, Grandpa."


    Cold and ruthless, Hoshino delivered the final blow to Sugoroku.


    (***)


    "It''s huge! No comparison to Kame Game Shop at all!" Hoshino marveled, gazing up at the massive structure.


    As the group walked toward the large sign, they quickly spotted the new toy store. Sometimes, it does help to spend extra money to make your sign bigger.


    "And it''s lively too." Anzu smiled as she looked at the children crowding the entrance.


    "Dungeon Dice Monsters?" Bakura, who had somehow gotten hold of a flyer, began reading to himself, "Let''s see, each dice contains a Duel Monster model. Not only do they retain the beauty of the Duel Monsters cards, but the 3D models also have high collectible value."


    "Huh? Models inside dice? That sounds like a gacha capsule toy." Hearing Bakura''s words, Hoshino''s interest grew even stronger.


    "But why do all the games in this world seem to revolve around Duel Monsters? Isn''t there any other IP here?" Hoshino wondered aloud.


    Tilting her head, Hoshino glanced at the flyer in Bakura''s hand and suddenly realized something.


    "I want to buy a Dark Magician Girl dice, now, now!!"


    If the models are based on Duel Monsters, then a Dark Magician Girl model would be super cute.


    "Calm down, Hoshino." Anzu, holding back the excited Hoshino, helplessly reminded her, "Did you forget? You don''t even have any money."


    "Yeah, Hoshino, and it says here¡­" Bakura pointed to a line on the flyer and read aloud, "Dark Magician Girl model, rarity is max stars, with a drop rate of¡­"


    "One in 500 dice."


    "1/500?" Upon hearing the exact drop rate, Hoshino immediately felt defeated. She thought FGO''s 1% rate was bad enough, but this Dungeon Dice Monsters game was even worse.


    "I bet this money-draining game won''t last beyond three chapters!" Hoshino complained.


    "Anyway, let''s head inside and take a look. We came to scout out the competition, didn''t we?" Yugi said, leading the group into the store.


    The massive toy store was several times the size of the Kame Game Shop.


    Inside, most of the people were eagerly opening their dice and chanting the names of the characters they hoped to get, almost like they were in a trance.


    "Dark Magician Girl, give me Dark Magician Girl!"


    "Cyclops, I want the Cyclops!"


    "Please, let me draw Jeanne Alter."


    There were also some people playing Duel Monsters. Unlike the mini duel tables at small toy stores, this store had professional duel arenas, like the ones used in the Duelist Kingdom.


    But even the dueling arenas didn''t have much of an effect on Hoshino and the others, who had already seen the latest Duel Disk special effects.


    "No wonder Grandpa''s toy store is empty. With a store this fancy and professional equipment, I''d come here too," Honda sighed, looking around.


    "Honda¡­" Anzu closed her eyes and spoke with a hint of displeasure in her voice, "Consider how Yugi feels."


    "Oh, sorry, sorry." Realizing he''d misspoken, Honda scratched his cheek.


    "It''s fine. Honda''s right, after all," Yugi admitted helplessly, a little overwhelmed by the lively atmosphere of the store.


    "No, I think Kame Game Shop is better." Surprisingly, after entering the store, Hoshino went against the grain.


    "Hoshino, you don''t have to worry about my feelings."


    "I''m not worrying about your feelings, Yugi, I mean it." Shaking her head, Hoshino continued, "Don''t you think this place has crossed the line from lively to just plain noisy?"


    The store was filled with a crisscross of different games, not just Dungeon Dice Monsters and Duel Monsters, but also slot machines, roulette, and more.


    "Rather than a toy store, this feels more like an amusement park, or even¡­"


    "Yes! I pulled a rare character! I''m going to sell this for big bucks!"


    "Damn it, I need to pull a rare one too! Let''s add 10 more dice!"


    "¡­more like a casino," Hoshino concluded.


    "You''re right, this place doesn''t seem very kid-friendly," Anzu agreed. "There are so many people, it''s overwhelming."


    "And why are there so many people gathered around that duel arena?" Bakura wondered. Even though Dungeon Dice Monsters was supposed to be the main attraction, most of the crowd was watching the Duel Monsters arena. Surprisingly, not many people were playing Dungeon Dice Monsters.


    "Damn, I''m offering two monsters as a tribute to summon my ace monster¡­"


    "Huh, that voice¡­" To everyone''s surprise, a familiar voice came from the dueling arena.


    "Come forth, Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    "Why is Jonouchi here?!" The moment they heard the unmistakable shout, the group immediately recognized it.


    "Jonouchi!! What are you doing here?" Hoshino pushed through the crowd, and sure enough, she saw Jonouchi standing in the dueling arena.


    Even more surprising, Jonouchi''s opponent was none other than Duke Devlin, the transfer student.


    "Hoshino? Why are you here?" Jonouchi was just as shocked to see Hoshino in the crowd. "And Yugi, Honda, you''re all here too."


    "Aren''t you supposed to be in remedial classes, Jonouchi?" Yugi, concerned for his best friend, asked worriedly.


    "Don''t ask, Yugi! I''m fighting for a man''s pride here!" Jonouchi turned back to the duel, his face serious. He clenched his fists, calling out to his Red-Eyes Black Dragon, "Go, Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Attack his Terrorking Archfiend!"


    [Terrorking Archfiend ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1500]


    "Black Flame!" Jonouchi commanded, as his dragon launched a black fireball at Devlin''s monster, engulfing the demon wielding a blood-stained blade.


    [Duke Devlin LP 1200 ¡ú 800]


    "See that, Devlin? That''s the pride of Jonouchi Katsuya!" Overjoyed by his successful attack, Jonouchi pumped his fist into the air.


    "Heh, not bad, Jonouchi. You are one of the top four in the Duelist Kingdom." Despite his life points dropping, Devlin remained unfazed, his smirk suggesting he still had control of the situation.


    "Let''s see how long you can last in front of my Red-Eyes Black Dragon. I end my turn!" Jonouchi declared confidently, feeling the tide of the duel turning in his favor.


    "Jonouchi, why are you dueling Devlin?" Hoshino asked, cutting through the excitement of the moment. She had no idea why Jonouchi was dueling Devlin in the first place.


    "Well¡­" Jonouchi scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed.


    "I''ll answer that for him, Duel King," Devlin said coolly, drawing his next card as he spoke. His voice was calm, but there was a hidden edge to it.


    "He''s dueling me to defend your honor."


    "My honor?" Hoshino''s eyes widened. She was completely confused by the statement. "What are you talking about?"


    "Men like Jonouchi, all brawn, and no brain, are easy to manipulate. A few simple provocations, and he was already jumping up and down, eager to prove something." Devlin''s voice was laced with condescension as he explained.


    "Win against me first before you call me easy to deal with! I''m the one with the advantage right now!" Jonouchi snapped, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment.


    "Oh? Beat you?" Devlin''s lips curled into a sinister smile. "That''ll be easy."


    With that, Devlin slowly played the card he had drawn, placing it on his hand with an exaggerated flourish. As he did so, a dark, oppressive aura seemed to fill the air around him. His once-calm demeanor shifted, and an unsettling darkness shadowed his eyes.


    "Let me show you a power that surpasses even the gods you witnessed in the Duelist Kingdom."


    "Jonouchi, that card doesn''t look good!" Sensing something was off, Hoshino shouted a warning to Jonouchi, her instincts kicking in.


    "Now, witness the power of an evil god," Devlin announced ominously.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 136 - 136

    "Let me show you the power of the evil god that surpasses even the gods¡ªthe power of fear!"


    As Devlin slammed the card heavily onto the table, an ominous aura erupted from it, as if anguished roars from the depths of hell had been unleashed, sending shivers down everyone''s spine.


    "I sacrifice my three monsters on the field to perform a tribute summon of the evil god!"


    "[The Wicked Dreadroot]!!"


    After sacrificing three fiend monsters, a massive figure shrouded in pale white bones, as though awakened from the depths of hell, materialized on the duel stage.


    "What¡­ kind of monster is that?!" Hoshino gasped as she stared at the evil god on the field. The dark, oppressive aura surrounding the monster made it hard to breathe. Its massive arms resembled those of the Egyptian God, Obelisk, but this creature felt even more suffocating.


    "Heh, even the Duel King is stunned, huh? This is the strongest card Pegasus created to suppress the gods¡ªan evil god!" Devlin''s madness grew more apparent after summoning the evil god.


    "Pegasus, to suppress the gods?" Yugi repeated in disbelief after hearing Devlin''s explanation. "Could it be that this evil god is stronger than the Egyptian Gods?"


    "Whether it''s stronger than the gods or not, witness it with your own eyes!" Devlin, brimming with confidence, pointed directly at Jonouchi.


    "You''re finished, Jonouchi! Attack the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Fear Crush!"


    The two massive arms of the evil god grabbed the body of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and crushed it. The agonizing cries of the shattered black dragon echoed throughout the space.


    [Jonouchi Katsuya LP 2600 ¡ú 0]


    "The duel is over. The winner: Duke Devlin."


    "He... he defeated Jonouchi in an instant. The Red-Eyes Black Dragon was like a toy in front of that monster." Honda''s face was filled with shock as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened.


    Jonouchi, standing on the platform, was equally dumbfounded.


    "I lost¡­ I had such a huge advantage just a moment ago..." Jonouchi, stunned, stared at the fading shadow of the evil god on the field.


    "In front of that monster, there was no way to fight back. All I could feel was deep fear."


    "Hahaha, fear! That''s right, Jonouchi!" Devlin, who had overheard Jonouchi''s muttering, laughed maniacally as he stepped off the stage.


    "No, I can''t call you Jonouchi anymore. I should call you my loyal dog."


    "What is going on here, Jonouchi?!" Though the appearance of the evil god was shocking, Hoshino was more concerned about why Jonouchi had even dueled in the first place.


    "I''m sorry, Hoshino... I lost..." Jonouchi, visibly dejected, slowly walked off the stage.


    "Who gave you permission to speak, dog? You should only bark!" Devlin, who was some distance away, tossed a dice-like object with precision, hitting Jonouchi squarely on the shoulder.


    "Ouch!" Jonouchi instinctively winced in pain as the sharp edge of the dice struck him.


    "What''s your problem, using violence like that?!" Honda, unable to stand it any longer, furiously grabbed Devlin by the collar.


    "Security!" Devlin, completely unfazed, snapped his fingers, and two men in security uniforms immediately restrained Honda.


    "Why are you stopping me? He hit my friend first!" Honda protested, struggling against the security guards.


    "Why? You''re hilarious! Because this is my store!" Devlin''s smug smile widened as he watched Honda''s futile efforts.


    "This toy store¡­ is owned by Devlin?" Yugi was shocked upon learning the truth.


    "So? Doesn''t it far surpass your family''s shabby toy shop?" Devlin spread his arms wide, proudly showcasing the store.


    "I don''t care how good the store is. The real issue here is Jonouchi..." Hoshino tried to bring the conversation back to what mattered.


    "Oh? That loser?" Devlin interrupted her mid-sentence, casting a disdainful glance at Jonouchi. "He lost a bet with me, and now he has to be my dog for a week, doing whatever I say."


    "What? Jonouchi, why would you make such a bet?" Hoshino asked, exasperated.


    "All I did was say that your title of Duel King was undeserved, and he got mad, wanting to defend your honor. He''s such a simple-minded guy."


    "For something so trivial¡­ wait, no." Hoshino suddenly realized something wasn''t right.


    "What gives you the right to say my title is undeserved?" She turned her frustration from Jonouchi to Devlin.


    "Why? Because you used dirty tricks to defeat Mr. Pegasus. Pegasus, the Duel Father who could read minds, is a genius among geniuses. If you hadn''t used dirty tricks, there''s no way you could''ve won."


    "I didn''t use¡ª" Hoshino tried to protest but suddenly recalled something. "Tricks..."


    "Nobu?"


    She had indeed used a somewhat trick to block Pegasus''s Millennium Eye from reading her mind.


    "Hmph, have you admitted it now?" Devlin sneered as if this reaction was exactly what he expected.


    "You don''t understand the situation at all! Pegasus''s mind-reading technique was far more underhanded!" Hoshino retorted.


    "Anyway, Jonouchi will be my dog for the next week. Say goodbye to your dear friend!" Devlin turned to leave, waving dismissively for Jonouchi to follow. "Let''s go, loser. Time to return to your kennel."


    "Duke Devlin!" Feeling responsible for Jonouchi''s predicament, Hoshino called out to him.


    After all, Jonouchi had stood up for her, and now things had turned out like this. She couldn''t help but feel partly to blame.


    "Let Jonouchi go..."


    "Hahaha, let him go just because you asked? What a joke!" Devlin tilted his head at a dramatic 45-degree angle, putting on a mocking expression.


    "Then name your terms. As long as they''re reasonable, I''ll accept."


    "Hoshino..." Jonouchi and the others looked even more worried after hearing her offer.


    "Hoshino, you don''t have to do this for me. It''s my fault for losing. A week will go by quickly."


    Though he appreciated Hoshino standing up for him, Jonouchi didn''t want her to suffer because of him. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh? Terms, huh? Then let''s duel for your title of Duel King!" Devlin''s ultimate goal had always been to lure Hoshino into a duel. His earlier exit was merely a ruse, and now that Hoshino had offered, there was no way he would pass up this opportunity.


    "If you win, I''ll let Jonouchi go. But if you lose, you''ll announce to the world that you cheated to defeat Pegasus and that you don''t deserve the title of Duel King!"


    "Duke Devlin, you''re going too far!" Yami, having taken over Yugi''s body, glared fiercely at Devlin.


    "Jonouchi is my dear friend too. Let me be the one to duel you."


    "Oh? Yugi Mutou, huh? I''m a bit intrigued, but you''re not my target." Devlin glanced at Yami with mild interest before turning his attention back to Hoshino. "So, what do you say? Can you accept these terms?"


    "No, the stakes don''t match. You''ll need to add something more," Hoshino responded, sensing her Millennium bracelet vibrating intensely as if Leonardo da Vinci was trying to send her a message.


    "I want you to wager that evil god card as well!"


    "Bet the Evil God card?!" The group was shocked, never expecting Hoshino to propose such a condition out of the blue.


    "How about it? I''ll wager my Duel King title against the Evil God card, along with the week-long rights to Jonouchi. Seems fair, right?" Hoshino repeated the terms, confident that Devlin would accept.


    "I''m¡­ just a side bet?" Jonouchi awkwardly pointed at himself, suddenly feeling far less important.


    "Hahaha, this is interesting. To use the Evil God card, you need to sacrifice your soul. Are you truly prepared for that?" Devlin, amused by Hoshino''s sudden proposal, responded with a grin.


    "So, does that mean you accept?" Hoshino pressed.


    "Interesting. I accept. But let me tell you, with the power of the Evil God in my hands, there''s no way I can lose!" Devlin, who had just stepped down from the platform, returned to the stage once more.


    "Hoshino, are you sure about this? Wagering your Duel King title¡­" Concerned that Hoshino was acting impulsively, Yugi quietly voiced his worries after Devlin left.


    "Don''t worry, Yugi. I wasn''t even afraid of Kaiba''s Obelisk. This is just an Evil God¡ªno big deal."


    "Hoshino, don''t underestimate the Evil God. When I faced it, I could feel the overwhelming sense of fear taking hold," Jonouchi warned, recalling his own experience. "You have to be careful. I''m certain this card''s power is no less than Obelisk''s."


    "I got it!" Hoshino confidently replied to Jonouchi as she drew her deck and stepped onto the stage.


    "Come, Hoshino Chiyuki, and feel the terror from the depths of hell."


    "Cut the nonsense. Be it gods or evil gods, I''ll crush them all!" Hoshino shot back confidently.


    "Let the duel begin!"


    "It''s my turn. Draw!" After learning from her duel with Kaiba, Hoshino was much more aware of the importance of seizing the first move. Her fingers were already poised on her deck before the duel had even started.


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit - Boudica] in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Boudica ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK900/DEF1200]


    "Master, leave this to me!" The manifested Boudica held her shield high. "Goddess Andraste, grant me strength!"


    "Another Heroic Spirit? How many Heroic Spirits does Hoshino have in her deck, anyway?" Honda muttered to himself. Every time Hoshino pulled out another Heroic Spirit, it felt like a new piece of the puzzle, and the group was left wondering just how many of these legendary figures Hoshino had collected.


    "If each of these cards represents a manifestation of a legendary Heroic Spirit, then Hoshino''s deck must be as endless as the stars," Yugi commented with a smile.


    "I''ll set one card face-down and end my turn," Hoshino declared calmly.


    It was a standard opening, and it was clear that Hoshino was in a better position than during her duel with Kaiba, as she at least had a low-level monster on the field.


    Hoshino remaining hand card: 4


    "My turn. Draw!" Devlin glanced at Hoshino''s field and then at his hand. His eyes gleamed as he quickly formulated a plan.


    "A monster in Defense Position¡ªshe''s trying to bait me into attacking, probably with a trap card. In that case¡­" Devlin threw a card onto the table with a flourish.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Mystical Space Typhoon] from my hand!"


    [Mystical Space Typhoon (Quick-Play Spell): Target 1 Spell or Trap card on the field; destroy that target.]


    "Thanks to Mystical Space Typhoon, your set card will be destroyed!" Devlin said with a grin. The blue whirlwind from the spell shredded Hoshino''s back row, wiping out her set card.


    Hoshino''s Trap Card [Nagging Storekeeper] was destroyed.


    "Tch," Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration as she watched her trap get obliterated.


    "Just as I thought, you planned to lure me into attacking with a trap. You''re a greedy one, Hoshino," Devlin said confidently. He drew another card from his hand and slapped it onto the table. "I summon [Terrorking Archfiend] in Attack Position!"


    [Terrorking Archfiend ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK2000/DEF1500]


    A fiend, heavily armored and wielding a blood-stained blade, appeared on Devlin''s side of the field. Its presence was as ominous as it was powerful.


    "This monster again?" Hoshino narrowed her eyes. This was the same monster Jonouchi had faced earlier, one with a high attack for a Level 4 monster.


    "A 4-star monster with such high stats¡ªthere''s got to be some kind of drawback," Yugi analyzed, frowning.


    "Yeah, there''s a price. This monster comes with a cost," Jonouchi chimed in. "Every turn during Devlin''s Standby Phase, he has to pay Life Points to keep the monster on the field."


    [During each of your Standby Phases, you must pay 800 Life Points.]


    "A monster that devours its own master¡ªtruly terrifying," Yugi remarked, still trying to understand Devlin''s strategy.


    "It doesn''t matter, Yugi," Jonouchi warned, shaking his head. "The real problem is if he gets that card¡­"


    Before Jonouchi could finish, Devlin revealed his next move.


    "I activate the Field Spell [Pandemonium] from my hand!" Devlin declared, placing a card into his Field Zone.


    Four massive statues depicting demons rose around the battlefield, casting long shadows over the duel arena.


    [Pandemonium (Field Spell): Fiend-type monsters with [Archfiend] in their name do not need to pay Life Points during the Standby Phase.]


    "Hahaha, how convenient!" Devlin laughed. "Now I can freely use the power of devils without having to sacrifice my life force!"


    Without the Life Point cost, Devlin was free to unleash the full power of his fiendish army without any drawback.


    "Go, Terrorking Archfiend! Attack Heroic Spirit - Boudica!"


    "Soul Shatter Strike!"


    A malicious grin spread across Devlin''s face as his Archfiend raised its blood-stained blade, ready to cut down Hoshino''s Heroic Spirit. The blade descended its dark energy aimed directly at Boudica.


    "Sigh," Hoshino let out an exasperated breath, clearly unimpressed by Devlin''s flashy move. "Just because you destroyed my Trap card doesn''t mean I''ll let you hit me for free."


    At the moment of impact, Hoshino signaled to her Heroic Spirit. "Boudica! Block that attack!"


    With a fierce look, Boudica raised her shield and deflected the blow. "Chariot of Boudica!"


    At the moment the fiend''s blade clashed with her shield, a glowing wheel from Boudica''s chariot spun around her, easily parrying the powerful strike.


    [As long as this card is in Defense Position, its DEF is increased by 1000.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Boudica][DEF 1200 ¡ú 2200]


    "Devlin, you may think you''re clever, but it doesn''t change the fact that you''re weak!" Hoshino taunted, unfazed by the attack.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 137 - 137

    [Duke Devlin LP 4000 ¡ú 3800]


    "Hell yeah! She blocked the attack!" Seeing that Hoshino managed to block the Terrorking Archfiend''s attack, even without a set card, Jonouchi''s mood greatly improved.


    "What? You called me weak?" On the other hand, Devlin, suddenly insulted by Hoshino, was a bit irritated.


    "You only gained a slight advantage by using the special effect of a rare monster. Don''t get too cocky!" he retorted.


    "You''ll soon see whether this is a slight advantage or not." Hoshino, as arrogant as ever, completely ignored his advice.


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    Duke Devlin''s hand: 3 cards


    "My turn, draw!"


    "Watch closely, and you''ll see how the balance of power shifts with this so-called slight advantage!" Hoshino declared confidently.


    "I summon a monster in attack position from my hand, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula]!"


    Throwing out a card from her hand, Hoshino successfully summoned another Heroic Spirit to counter the Terrorking Archfiend.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Dark] [Warrior/Effect][ATK1500/DEF1200]


    "Ah, Neroooo!" As usual, Caligula, the devoted Nero fan, screamed passionately.


    "That Caligula card of Hoshino''s!" Seeing the fierce monster Hoshino summoned, Jonouchi suddenly recalled something.


    "Yes, it''s extremely powerful and not inferior to Terrorking Archfiend!" Yugi, who vividly remembered Hoshino using this card during the Duelist Kingdom arc, reacted in agreement.


    "I activate [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula]''s special effect!"


    [Once per turn, pay 500 Life Points to activate. This card''s DEF decreases by 500 points, and its ATK increases by 500 points.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula][ATK 1500 ¡ú 2000/DEF 1200 ¡ú 700]


    "Strength is surging through me!" Caligula''s eyes grew even more crimson, and his attack power instantly matched that of Devlin''s Terrorking Archfiend.


    "Go, Caligula! Destroy that monster!" Without hesitation, Hoshino gave the attack command.


    "Heh, trying to trade blows with equal attack power? That''s not impressive," Devlin said. Initially worried about what tactic Hoshino might use, he relaxed when he saw Caligula simply charging toward his Terrorking Archfiend.


    "Who said anything about trading blows with a weakling like you?" Hoshino sneered, lightly tapping the card representing Boudica on the table. "I''ll leave the support to you, Boudica!"


    "Although I''m not thrilled about aiding Rome, since it''s the master''s command..." Boudica sighed quietly and raised her longsword.


    "Queen of Victory!"


    [As long as there are other Heroic Spirits on the field, all Heroic Spirit monsters on your field gain 200 ATK/DEF.]


    "Let the sword of victory shine upon my army!"


    The longsword glowed with a greenish light, and the gentle magic enveloped Caligula as he charged forward.


    [Caligula ATK 2000 ¡ú 2200]


    "Yes! The attack power is now higher!" Jonouchi cheered with excitement.


    "Duke Devlin, this is the critical point at which the so-called slight advantage tips the scales!"


    "Unleash your unrestrained assault, Caligula!" Hoshino shouted, though there was no need to urge the berserk Caligula to attack without hesitation.


    Caligula''s fist, swift as a bullet, pierced through the heavily armored body of the Terrorking Archfiend.


    "Rrrooommme! ROOOOOMA!"


    [Terrorking Archfiend] destroyed.


    [Duke Devlin LP 3800 ¡ú 3600]


    "Additionally, due to Caligula''s effect, when he destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, I regain Life Points."


    [When this card destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, you gain Life Points equal to that monster''s level ¡Á 200.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3500 ¡ú 4300]


    Enjoying the refreshing feeling of her rising Life Points, Hoshino glanced at Devlin, whose face had turned sour.


    "That''s why I said¡ªyou''re weak!"


    "Great, Hoshino has the upper hand!" Anzu cheered, clapping her hands with joy from the audience.


    "Yeah, if she keeps suppressing Devlin''s monsters like this, he won''t be able to gather enough sacrifices for the Evil God!" Jonouchi, having seen through Hoshino''s aggressive strategy, exclaimed excitedly. "As long as the Evil God can''t be summoned, it doesn''t matter whether it''s an Evil God or a Divine Beast¡ªthey''re just dead cards!"


    "Damn it! I activate the special effect of [Desrook Archfiend] from my hand!" Devlin, frustrated from being outplayed repeatedly, felt his pride take a severe hit.


    After all, the audience didn''t just include Jonouchi''s group; other duelists liked to watch duels at the store.


    As the store owner, being publicly beaten one-sidedly like this was a massive blow to his reputation.


    [Desrook Archfiend Effect: When [Terrorking Archfiend] is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard and Special Summon [Terrorking Archfiend].]


    "I discard [Desrook Archfiend], and due to its effect, I Special Summon the [Terrorking Archfiend] that was just destroyed!"


    A gigantic demon fortress materialized on the field, opening its massive mouth like a castle gate. From within, the Terrorking Archfiend emerged once more, standing in a kingly stance.


    [Terrorking Archfiend ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Dark] [Fiend/Effect][ATK2000/DEF1500]


    "Also, due to the effect of my Field Spell [Pandemonium], when an Archfiend monster on the field is destroyed, I can add a lower-level Archfiend monster from my Deck to my hand!"


    [When a Fiend-Type monster whose name includes [Archfiend] is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can add a lower-level [Archfiend] monster from your Deck to your hand.]


    After quickly searching through his deck, Devlin didn''t know how much pride he had saved with this series of moves, but for now, he had managed to stop her momentum.


    "I add [Darkbishop Archfiend] to my hand from the Deck."


    "You''re surprisingly resilient. It would''ve been too boring if I had just kept beating you one-sidedly," Hoshino commented after watching Devlin''s moves and finishing her battle phase. She then ended her turn. "I set one card and end my turn."


    Hoshino chose not to switch Boudica into attack mode to deal additional damage, opting instead to keep her in defense position, playing a more cautious strategy.


    At least for now, the revived Terrorking Archfiend, with 2000 ATK, couldn''t break through Boudica''s defensive chariot. As long as Boudica remained on the field, Caligula''s attack power would continue to surpass the Terrorking Archfiend.


    With the current field situation, Devlin''s revived Terrorking Archfiend alone wasn''t enough to turn things around.


    Hoshino''s remaining cards: 3 cards


    Set: 1 card


    "Why do I feel like Hoshino''s starting to sound more and more like a villain?" Jonouchi, feeling a bit uneasy, whispered, worried that Hoshino might overhear. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I heard you..." Hoshino, clearly annoyed, shot a glare at Jonouchi, who had been bad-mouthing her behind her back.


    "Hahaha." Embarrassed that Hoshino''s hearing was so sharp, Jonouchi awkwardly scratched his head.


    "Jonouchi, did you misunderstand something?" Hoshino''s tone was incredibly menacing.


    "???"


    "Do you think spending a week under me will be any better than spending a week under Duke Devlin?"


    "Yikes! Scary, Hoshino! What are you going to do to me?" Jonouchi, now suddenly shy, clutched his chest and acted bashful.


    "Jonouchi, you''re so gross," Anzu, unable to tolerate it any longer, mercilessly insulted him.


    "It feels like you''re expecting something, Jonouchi," Honda also couldn''t resist mocking him after seeing his disgusting behavior.


    "My turn! Draw!" Devlin''s angry shout as he drew his card interrupted everyone''s conversation.


    "I sacrifice my [Terrorking Archfiend] on the field to summon [Archfiend Giant]!"


    Though Devlin had preserved Terrorking Archfiend''s last turn using Desrook Archfiend''s effect, Terrorking Archfiend''s current battle power wasn''t enough to break through Hoshino''s defenses.


    Thus, Terrorking had only one remaining value: being offered as a tribute for a higher-level monster.


    A dark aura engulfed Terrorking''s body; a soul sold to the devil only ends in misery, no matter how much they''ve conquered in life.


    [Archfiend Giant ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][Dark][Fiend/Effect][ATK2400/DEF1600]


    The grotesque figure of the giant rivaled the golden statues standing in the Pandemonium field spell, its presence looming ominously over the battlefield.


    "Attack, Giant! Crush that insignificant monster!" Devlin, whose anger had now turned into cold malice, commanded his Archfiend Giant to attack Hoshino''s Caligula on the field.


    "2400 attack points, huh? It''s as strong as my Red-Eyes. And with only one tribute, that''s quite a powerful monster!" Jonouchi commented, showing envy as he admired the Archfiend Giant''s sheer power.


    "Whose side are you on, Jonouchi?" Honda scolded, knocking him on the head.


    While the two were talking, the giant''s enormous body smashed through Hoshino''s Caligula without resistance.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula] destroyed.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4300 ¡ú 4100]


    "Such a shame... Caligula has been destroyed!" Hoshino''s tone was tinged with regret as she observed the remnants of Caligula disappearing from the field.


    If only she had made it to her next turn, Caligula could have activated its effect to raise its attack by 500 points again. At that point, it would have been able to outmatch the Archfiend Giant.


    Devlin, even after being taunted by Hoshino earlier, had kept his composure.


    "Did you think I''d just let your monster keep growing?" Devlin, having slightly regained control of the duel, was now more composed than before.


    "Your move. End turn."


    Devlin''s hand: 2 cards; Set cards: 1.


    "My turn! Draw!"


    "Archfiend Giant, huh? It''s not too difficult to deal with." Glancing at her hand, Hoshino already had a strategy in mind.


    "But it''s not exciting," Hoshino sighed softly, feeling that compared to her duel with Kaiba earlier that afternoon, Devlin''s level was far inferior.


    "If only this could end peacefully... From the current state of things, Devlin hasn''t drawn his Evil God card yet."


    The reason Hoshino was so confident that Devlin hadn''t drawn the Evil God was because of the ominous aura those kinds of cards exuded.


    It was like when Kaiba had drawn Obelisk the Tormentor¡ªthe overwhelming sense of pressure was almost indescribable. Cards that transcended understanding carried a distinct fear when they were drawn.


    Even if she wasn''t sure about how the others felt, at least Hoshino felt that way.


    "I activate the Spell card [Mana Transfer] from my hand!" Hoshino began her counterattack by playing this card.


    [Mana Transfer (Spell Card): This card can only be activated once per turn. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your deck, then shuffle your deck. The turn this card is activated, you cannot Normal Summon or Special Summon non-[Heroic Spirit] monsters.]


    "I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from my deck!" After finishing the search, Hoshino dramatically placed the card on the table.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Light][Dragon/Effect][ATK1200 ¡ú 1400 / DEF800 ¡ú 1000]


    With a burst of blue particles, Lily appeared on Hoshino''s field.


    "We meet again so soon, Master!" As always, Lily greeted Hoshino with a radiant smile as pure as an angel''s. Even though she had appeared in the duel against Kaiba earlier that afternoon, Lily didn''t forget to greet Hoshino again.


    "To see you so many times in one day makes me very happy, Master~"


    "Normally, Master rarely brings me out. Spending time in Chaldea with Jeanne was so cold and lonely~"


    "Alright, alright, that''s enough, Lily. My conscience is starting to hurt," Hoshino clutched her chest. Although she knew Lily didn''t mean to, she wished the girl would adjust her slightly devilish innocent personality.


    While Hoshino and Lily were chatting, a commotion started to stir within the shop.


    "That monster looks familiar."


    "Isn''t that the one from that viral video on YouTube, where the Duel King went up against Kaiba Seto this afternoon?"


    "Wait, so that means this girl is the Duel King? No wonder she looks so familiar."


    "She''s even cuter in real life than in the video."


    "So, Devlin''s been dueling the Duel King all this time? No wonder he''s struggling!"


    Thanks to Lily''s summoning, after standing on stage for so long, Hoshino was finally recognized by the audience.


    "Is it the cards these people are seeing?" For some reason, Hoshino felt strangely annoyed that she was only being recognized now, thanks to Lily''s appearance.


    "When Lily is Special Summoned, her effect activates!" Hoshino slapped the table, venting her slight frustration.


    [When this card is successfully Special Summoned, you can add 1 monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from your deck to your hand.]


    "O heroic spirits who stand as an unbreakable wall, answer the call of the holy sword!" Lily, activating her effect, lifted her holy sword to her eyes and chanted softly.


    "The card I''ll add to my hand is¡­ [Heroic Spirit ¨C Lu Bu Fengxian]!"


    After finishing her search and setting down her deck, Hoshino immediately slammed the Lu Bu card onto the table.


    "Thanks to Lu Bu''s special effect, if your opponent has a monster on the field, he can be Special Summoned from my hand! So come forth, Lu Bu!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Lu Bu Fengxian ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK1600/DEF0]


    With a roar akin to a speeding train, Lu Bu''s towering figure, no less imposing than the Archfiend Giant, materialized on Hoshino''s field.


    "Show them the unstoppable power of the Warlord!"


    [Once per turn, you can pay 500 LP to increase this card''s ATK by 1000 until the end of the turn.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4100 ¡ú 3600]


    [Lu Bu Fengxian ATK 1600 ¡ú 2600]


    "God Force: The Five Soldiers of the War God!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 138 - 138

    "Attack the Archfiend Giant, Lu Bu!"


    Like a high-speed white bullet train, Lu Bu, wielding his halberd, charged toward the grotesque Archfiend Giant on the opposite side.


    "I''ll leave the support to you, Boudica!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    [Lu Bu ATK 2600 ¡ú 2800]


    With a resounding clash, the sharp point of the halberd lodged into the Archfiend Giant''s armor. The full force of Lu Bu''s attack sent sparks flying as the halberd scraped against the titan''s body.


    "Wow! A battle of gigantic monsters! So cool!" The audience, excited by the spectacle, erupted with enthusiasm.


    "Even though its attack power was lower, it wasn''t destroyed?" Unlike the excited crowd, Yugi immediately noticed that the Archfiend Giant, despite being attacked, remained on the field.


    "Hmph, Chiyuki Hoshino, I admit you have some skill. Both your strategy and execution are top-tier¡ªamong the best duelists I''ve ever seen." Surprisingly, Devlin praised Hoshino. "But I still refuse to believe that you could defeat Pegasus!"


    "Activate the special effect of the [Archfiend Giant]!"


    [If this card on the field is destroyed, you can pay 500 Life Points to prevent its destruction. This effect can only be used once while this card is face-up on the field.]


    [Duke Devlin LP 3600 ¡ú 3100]


    Although the destruction was avoided, the battle damage still applied.


    [Duke Devlin LP 3100 ¡ú 2800]


    "Pegasus is not only a master duelist but also a genius in game design and foresight." Devlin suddenly started monologuing.


    "Seriously? I didn''t know Pegasus had such dedication." Hoshino, puzzled, was a bit surprised by Devlin''s story.


    "My father and I spent years trying to develop a new game without success. In a last-ditch effort, I sought out Pegasus. With his extraordinary vision, he instantly recognized the potential of my Dungeon Dice Monsters. What seemed like a boring toy to everyone else, Pegasus saw value in it, and he helped me refine its rules. His genius mind was truly made for designing games."


    "Really? I had no idea Pegasus had such passion." Hoshino tilted her head, genuinely surprised by Devlin''s story.


    "Pegasus promised me that after the Duelist Kingdom tournament, he would use Industrial Illusions'' influence to promote Dungeon Dice Monsters worldwide!" Devlin''s voice grew bitter. "But because of you, Chiyuki Hoshino, Pegasus was dealt a massive blow and went missing! It was you who destroyed Pegasus, shattered my father''s dream, and crushed the future of Dungeon Dice Monsters!"


    "..."


    An enormous, invisible burden seemed to fall from the sky, landing squarely on Hoshino''s head. Hoshino, who was initially touched by Devlin''s heartfelt confession, now felt utterly speechless.


    "First of all, I followed the rules of the Duelist Kingdom tournament and defeated Pegasus. Secondly, Pegasus'' disappearance has nothing to do with me! Most importantly, the reason Dungeon Dice Monsters didn''t succeed is that you set the drop rates too low! If there was a 50% chance to pull Dark Magician Girl, there''s no way it wouldn''t sell!"


    Even after rebutting Devlin''s accusations, Hoshino felt that Devlin wasn''t in a state to listen.


    "So, let this duel prove once and for all whether I have the strength to defeat Pegasus!"


    A dispute sparked by a duel could only be resolved through another duel. Unknowingly, Hoshino had gradually started to understand and adapt to the way of thinking in this world.


    If duels could solve everything, then there would be no need for war.


    "Turn end!" Though her words were fierce, after Lu Bu''s attack was blocked, Hoshino had no monsters capable of defeating the Archfiend Giant on her field, leaving her no choice but to end her turn.


    Hoshino LP: 3600, remaining hand: 3 cards, 1 set card.


    "My turn, draw!"


    "You couldn''t defeat the Archfiend Giant last turn, and now the situation has completely reversed. It''s time for my counterattack!" Glancing at the card he drew, Devlin''s previous frustration vanished, replaced by a surge of confidence and rage toward Hoshino.


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Dark Hole]!"


    "!!"


    [Dark Hole Spell Card Effect: Destroy all monsters on the field.]


    "He activated Dark Hole? Doesn''t that mean his monster will be¡­?" Jonouchi was confused.


    "Just watch, loser!"


    A terrifying black vortex engulfed the entire field, sucking in Hoshino''s three Heroic Spirits and Devlin''s Archfiend Giant.


    "Damn it! Even my chariot can''t withstand such power!"


    "Lily didn''t even get to attack after being summoned! This is no different from when she stayed in the back row, gaining bonds!"


    "Roaaar!!"


    Though Heroic Spirits possessed the power of legendary heroes, against the overwhelming destructive force of Dark Hole, they were utterly helpless. In just a few seconds, the black vortex vanished, and there were no monsters left on the field.


    "One card wiped out the entire team I painstakingly summoned! This feels just like getting wiped by Ars Almadel Salomonis of Goetia during a raid," Hoshino muttered, wearing a complex expression as she glanced at her now-empty field. "At least his monsters were destroyed too."


    "Hmph, the only one cleared off the field is you!" Devlin sneered, pointing to the spot where the Archfiend Giant had once stood on his field. Though the Archfiend Giant had been destroyed, a glowing purple crystal remained where it had been standing.


    "Activate the effect of [Archfiend Giant]!"


    [¢Ú: When this card is destroyed by an effect and sent to the graveyard, you can activate this effect. Special summon 1 [Archfiend] monster from your hand.]


    "I special summon [Darkbishop Archfiend] in Attack Position!"


    [Darkbishop Archfiend ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 Stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK300/DEF1400]


    The black crystal left behind by the Archfiend Giant suddenly expanded, and with its overwhelming magical power, the figure of the Darkbishop Archfiend materialized on the field.


    "That''s the Archfiend from last turn that was added to your hand because of the field card!" Hoshino realized.


    "Exactly. Thanks to the effect of the field card Pandemonium, when Archfiend Giant was destroyed, I could add a lower-level Archfiend monster to my hand!"


    "The one I added is this: [Archfiend Heiress]!"


    "This constant barrage of Archfiends feels pretty overwhelming," Hoshino said with a twitch in her eye, feeling as if she was facing an entire army of demons.


    "If that''s tough for you, my strategy is far from over." Devlin, his excitement at its peak, played each card with such flair that it won him screams from the female fans in the audience.


    "Now, I activate my face-down continuous trap card, [Call of the Archfiend]!"


    [Call of the Archfiend Continuous Trap Effect: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher Fiend monster in your GY; discard 1 Fiend monster, and if you do, Special Summon the targeted monster.]


    "I discard the [Archfiend Heiress] I just searched to bring back [Archfiend Giant] from my graveyard!"


    With an eerie, chilling voice as if calling from the depths of hell, the Archfiend Giant slumbering in the graveyard was successfully revived.


    [Archfiend Giant ATK 2400]


    "Next, I activate the special effect of [Archfiend Heiress], which I just discarded to the graveyard!"


    [When this card is sent to the graveyard by an effect or destroyed in battle, you can add 1 [Archfiend] card, other than [Archfiend Heiress], from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Thanks to its effect, I add [Archfiend Cavalry] to my hand and immediately summon it!" After searching his deck, Devlin wasted no time in summoning the heavily armored knight riding a horse from the underworld.


    [Archfiend Cavalry ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK1900/DEF0]


    "He reversed the whole field in an instant!"


    "If Devlin had competed in the Duelist Kingdom Tournament, he definitely would''ve been the champion!"


    "How about that? Now the field is completely in my favor. I have three monsters on the field, and you have none!" With the setup complete, Devlin''s smug confidence was unmistakable in his voice.


    "This is bad. Hoshino doesn''t have enough Life Points to withstand all those attacks," Anzu worriedly muttered as she wrung her hands at the sudden reversal.


    "This duel is over!! Archfiend Cavalry, launch the final assault!"


    At Devlin''s command, the spectral horse of the underworld began to charge, carrying its rider forward with immense momentum, straight toward the defenseless Hoshino.


    "Hmph, what a flashy move!" For the first time, Hoshino, who had remained silent in the face of Devlin''s overconfidence, began to take action. While she would have liked to flip a Mirror Force, unfortunately, her deck didn''t have that card.


    "Activate my set trap card, [God Is Here With Me]!"


    [God is Here With Me - Trap Card Effect: This card can only be activated when your opponent declares an attack and has 3 or more attack-position monsters on the field. Special summon [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] from your hand or Deck.]


    "I''m not just a benchwarmer!" In a burst of holy light, Jeanne d''Arc shouted her innermost thoughts as she waved her banner, mercilessly striking down the Archfiend Cavalry.


    "..."


    Devlin stood there with his mouth wide open, watching as his Archfiend Cavalry was shattered by Jeanne''s holy flag. His once-soaring momentum instantly came to a screeching halt. Likewise, the female fans who had just been cheering for Devlin''s counterattack also fell into complete silence.


    The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.


    "It feels like Devlin lost control, going all out on summoning monsters like he was desperate to prove something," Yugi commented, observing the shift in the duel.


    With a slight smile, Yugi watched the interesting situation unfold on the stage, offering his analysis. "Trying too hard to pull off a flashy comeback, he overlooked the one-set card in Hoshino''s back row. Although Devlin didn''t visibly lose his cool in response to Hoshino''s taunt, deep down, it''s clear he was bothered."


    "Is that... part of Hoshino''s plan?" Jonouchi, shrinking back after hearing Yugi''s analysis, suddenly felt that Hoshino''s presence on the stage had taken on a more sinister, strategic air.


    "If I end up facing Hoshino next week, will I end up even worse off?" Jonouchi couldn''t help but wonder.


    "Who knows," Yugi replied with a knowing smile.


    "Thanks to God is Here With Me, I special summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from my deck!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 Stars)][LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK2500/DEF3000]


    The Archfiend Cavalry was immediately destroyed.


    [Duke Devlin LP 2800 ¡ú 2200] sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I told you, you''re too weak. Struggling like that will only make you look like a joke."


    Hoshino waved dismissively at Devlin, who wore a frustrated expression. "I think you''d be better off playing dice than cards."


    "It''s not over yet! Since [Archfiend Cavalry] was destroyed, I can activate its effect!" Devlin, trying to regain his footing, quickly composed himself.


    [If this card on the field is destroyed by card effect and sent to the GY: You can target 1 [Archfiend] monster in your GY, except [Archfiend Cavalry]; Special Summon it, but it cannot attack this turn.]


    "Revive, [Terrorking Archfiend]!"


    [Terrorking Archfiend ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][DARK] [Fiend/Effect][ATK2000/DEF1500]


    "And thanks to the effect of my field spell, I can add an Archfiend monster from my deck to my hand that''s lower in level than Archfiend Cavalry."


    "The one I''m adding is [Desrook Archfiend]."


    With Desrook Archfiend added to his hand, Devlin silently placed a layer of protection on his newly summoned Terrorking Archfiend.


    "Tch, these Archfiends are tough to deal with¡ªlike an endless grind," Hoshino muttered to herself, feeling exhausted by the constant summoning of Archfiends as if she were stuck farming a game event.


    "I set one card and end my turn."


    But Devlin wasn''t having an easy time either. The move that was supposed to turn the duel in his favor was blocked by the sudden appearance of Jeanne d''Arc. With no other option, he set his last card and ended his turn.


    Duke Devlin''s remaining cards: 1 in hand, 1 set card, 3 monsters on the field


    "My turn, draw!" Standing behind Jeanne, Hoshino felt an overwhelming sense of reassurance. After all, this Ruler¡ªhumanity''s ultimate fortress¡ªwas no joke.


    However, Hoshino once again found herself with a hand that wasn''t ideal.


    "Another turn where I can''t summon any monsters... I feel like my draws haven''t been as good lately. Maybe my card-drawing aura is off."


    "Well, let''s check out that set card first. Jeanne, prepare yourself!"


    "Yes, Master!" Jeanne, who had been seeking her Master''s guidance since the start of the turn, suddenly opened her closed eyes.


    [Once per turn, you can target 1 card in your opponent''s Spell/Trap zone (if the targeted card is face-down, reveal it). Then, send a card of the same type (Spell or Trap) from your hand to the graveyard and destroy the targeted card. Your opponent cannot activate card effects in response to this effect.]


    "God, show me the hidden truth! True Name Discernment!"


    Using her ability, Jeanne forced Devlin''s set card to be revealed, exposing its true identity.


    Trap Card: [Mirror Force]


    "Wow, Devlin, you really don''t seem the type to use such a trap with that serious look on your face," Hoshino couldn''t help but mock after seeing Mirror Force revealed thanks to Jeanne''s effect.


    "Hoshino, I think Mirror Force is a pretty normal card. It''s not as bad as you''re making it out to be," Yugi, who also frequently used the card, tried to defend it from the audience.


    "Normal, my foot! Yugi experience is awful!" Hoshino made a funny face at Yugi in the audience before pulling a similar-type trap card from her hand.


    "I discard the trap card [Gate of Ryuudou Temple] from my hand! Jeanne, destroy it!"


    "Understood, Master!"


    "God cast down your judgment upon the evil spirits wandering this world!"


    A flash of lightning struck precisely, shattering the image of Mirror Force.


    "Now that there''s nothing left to worry about, Jeanne, attack Darkbishop Archfiend!"


    [Darkbishop Archfiend ATK: 300]


    "With your last set card gone, you''re finished!" Hoshino clenched her fist, sensing victory was within reach.


    Devlin had 2200 Life Points left, and Jeanne''s attack would deal exactly 2200 damage.


    "Yosh! Hoshino''s gonna win!" Jonouchi cheered loudly, grabbing Yugi in a headlock. "It''s great the duel ended before Devlin could summon an Evil God!"


    "Archfiend, be purified before the Holy Banner!" With a powerful shout, Jeanne swung her flag, ready to physically (and spiritually) purify the frail body of the Darkbishop Archfiend.


    Though this was a critical moment, Devlin didn''t seem particularly panicked.


    "I activate the special effect of [Darkbishop Archfiend]. When a monster with Archfiend in its name that I control is targeted for an attack, I roll a die. If I roll a 1, 3, or 6, the attack is negated!"


    "A dice roll?!" Hoshino instantly felt uneasy upon hearing that effect.


    "You said it yourself¡ªI''m better at rolling dice than dueling! Honestly, I''m quite confident in my dice-rolling skills."


    As Devlin pulled a six-sided die from his pocket, the anxious look on his face gradually faded.


    "Only when rolling dice do I feel this calm."


    His eyes, which were locked onto the dice rolling across the table, held an unprecedented tranquility.


    Dice roll result: 1


    A transparent dark barrier blocked Jeanne''s attack with brute force.


    "That was close. I almost lost," Devlin said calmly as he pocketed the die. It was as if he had become a different person. "Let''s continue, Chiyuki Hoshino."


    "As expected from the creator of Dungeon Dice Monsters, your dice-rolling luck is impressive," Hoshino couldn''t help but lament the missed chance for victory, even though the odds had been 50-50.


    "Victory was so close, yet... I set one card and end my turn."


    Hoshino Chiyuki''s LP: 3 cards left in hand, 1 set card.


    "My turn, draw!" As Devlin slowly drew his card, it seemed as though he already knew what was coming.


    "Damn, it''s happening!" A wave of ominous energy radiated from the card Devlin had drawn, spreading throughout the field.


    "He drew it... the Evil God!" Hoshino''s eye twitched as she looked at the three demons on Devlin''s field, which could serve as sacrifices for the Evil God. "So, was everything I did just playing into his plan?"


    "Hmph, this duel is over, Chiyuki Hoshino!" Enveloped in darkness, Devlin''s gaze was now devoid of any trace of the earlier frustration caused by Hoshino''s taunts. It was as if everything up until now had been part of his plan.


    "I sacrifice my three demons on the field to summon the Evil God from my hand!"


    A dark and foreboding aura filled the arena, as Devlin''s monsters¡ªthe Terrorking Archfiend, Darkbishop Archfiend, and Archfiend Giant¡ªdisappeared in a swirl of shadow, their essence pulled into a single, monstrous card.


    "Descend, you who roar from the depths of hell! Show these foolish mortals the true source of fear!"


    With a heavy slam on the table, Devlin placed the card that emanated an overwhelming aura of dread, perfectly matching the eerie atmosphere created by the field spell Pandemonium.


    "Tribute summon: [The Wicked Dreadroot]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 139 - 139

    "Tribute Summon, [The Wicked Dreadroot]!"


    "Has it finally come? The Evil God?" Staring intently at the dark energy gathering on the field, Hoshino knew in her heart that what was meant to happen would happen eventually.


    "ROAR!!" The deep bellow of fear from the abyss echoed through the gathering darkness, filling the rather spacious room.


    [The Wicked Dreadroot¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    Draped in massive skeletal armor, its enormous bone wings symbolizing fear, the Evil God''s power rivaled that of Obelisk the Tormentor.


    A god had once again appeared before Hoshino.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, the moment the Evil God is summoned, your defeat is already decided!"


    Enveloped in an evil aura, Devlin''s words seemed oddly overlaid with two voices, even though he was speaking slowly and calmly.


    "What a strange feeling... it''s completely different from Obelisk."


    Though Jonouchi had warned her about the overwhelming fear one feels when confronting an Evil God, Hoshino felt something else now.


    A strong sense of unease, as if this monster shouldn''t exist in the world at all.


    "Feel it, the all-encompassing fear! Because of the effect of [The Wicked Dreadroot], all monsters other than this one have their ATK and DEF halved!"


    [As long as this card is face-up on the field, the ATK and DEF of all other face-up monsters become halved.]


    [Jeanne d''Arc ATK 2500 ¡ú 1250]


    "I see... this is the effect that instantly defeated Jonouchi''s Red Eyes."


    Now that she understood the Evil God''s effect, Hoshino also realized why Jonouchi, with 2600 Life Points, had been instantly knocked out.


    The Red-Eyes, reduced to just 1200 ATK, had suffered a single blow that inflicted 2800 points of damage.


    "What a troublesome ability..."


    "I''m sorry, Master." Just as Hoshino was lamenting the Evil God''s effect, Jeanne''s slightly tearful voice came from the field.


    "As a hero standing on the front lines, I should never feel fear, but..."


    Before the massive Evil God, Jeanne seemed so small.


    Her voice trembling with fear, Jeanne apologized to Hoshino behind her.


    "But I can''t help it. My hands won''t stop shaking. This fear... it''s something I never experienced while I was alive, not even when..."


    "Don''t say any more, Jeanne." Even though Jeanne herself probably didn''t mind, Hoshino didn''t want her to think of those painful memories.


    "It''s not your fault. It''s just that this monster is beyond reason, and the aura it emits makes it impossible not to feel an overwhelming sense of fear."


    "Master..." Jeanne''s frightened expression eased slightly, comforted by Hoshino''s words.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino! This is no time for you to be peacefully chatting with your monster swallowed by fear!" Devlin yelled, his voice still echoing in a strange, overlapping manner.


    "You... you can hear the Spirit talking?" Hoshino, barely managing to stay calm in front of the Evil God with her willpower, immediately picked up on the crucial point in Devlin''s words.


    Hoshino was sure that, at least before, Devlin had never reacted to any of the Spirits'' words.


    But just now, Devlin had responded to Jeanne''s complaint.


    "Who are you?"


    "That''s a question you should ponder after your defeat! Attack, Wicked Dreadroot!" Without further acknowledging Hoshino, Devlin gave the command for the Evil God to strike.


    "Evil God, Fear Crush!"


    The massive claw of the Evil God reached out toward Jeanne, showing no mercy.


    "Jeanne!" Hoshino called out urgently.


    "Don''t be afraid, don''t be afraid..." Jeanne clasped her hands in prayer before her chest, murmuring to herself.


    "If even I am afraid, there will be no one left to protect my Master!"


    "I am the heroic Spirit who stands alone against countless foes. How could an Evil God make me retreat?"


    "It''s useless! Just like the Red Eyes, you''ll be obliterated in the face of the Evil God''s attack!" Seeing that the Evil God''s attack was about to strike Jeanne, Devlin''s voice grew more excited.


    "O Lord, I beg of you¡­!"


    The sacred light reawakened, shining in the face of the Evil God''s claws.


    "What?!"


    "Grant me the strength to protect those precious to me. (Luminosite Eternelle)!!"


    [Once per turn, reduce your ATK by 1000 until the end phase. For the rest of the turn, none of your monsters can be destroyed, and you take no damage. This effect can also be used during your opponent''s turn.]


    [Jeanne d''Arc ATK 1250 ¡ú 250]


    In the radiant light, Jeanne raised her banner high. Like a divine messenger, she dispelled the dark aura that filled the room.


    "As the Ruler and final bastion of humanity, I cannot be defeated by the Evil God!"


    "Jeanne!" Seeing Jeanne regain her courage, Hoshino felt deeply moved.


    "Master, though I said that, we don''t have many options left." Though she had regained her courage, Jeanne reverted to her usual lecturing tone.


    "Because of the Evil God''s effect that lowered my ATK, I no longer have enough power to use my Noble Phantasm again."


    "But I believe Master will find a way out of this desperate situation. Don''t waste the opportunity I''ve fought for!"


    "Of course!" Nodding resolutely, Hoshino''s eyes became even more determined after Jeanne''s encouragement (and lecture). "After all, I''ve never known fear. I''ve defeated gods before; there''s no way I''ll fail in front of an Evil God!"


    "My turn now, draw!"


    "I may have talked big, but taking down an Evil God isn''t as easy as it sounds." Scanning her hand, Hoshino truly began to feel how troublesome the Evil God''s effect was.


    Even though the Evil God''s stats were on par with Obelisk''s 4000 ATK, to destroy the Evil God, Hoshino would need at least 8000 ATK to stand a chance.


    "Master, it''s time to swap me out."


    "Jeanne?"


    "With my current ATK, forget about the Evil God, I couldn''t even defeat a regular monster," Jeanne said, looking at her 250 ATK.


    "But if it''s Alter, she can do it. In Master''s deck, when it comes to sheer damage output, no other Heroic Spirit can surpass Alter!"


    "Jeanne Alter, huh..." Hearing the name of Jeanne Alter from Jeanne''s mouth, Hoshino was briefly stunned.


    "Yare yare, how rare to hear our goody two-shoes mention my name."


    Suddenly, the familiar voice of another Jeanne echoed in Hoshino''s mind, though this one carried a hint of malice (or pride).


    "Now isn''t the time to be stubborn, Master needs your strength."


    "Why are you speaking like an older sister? You know you''re the person I hate the most in all of Chaldea!"


    "It doesn''t matter if you hate me! You only hate me because I know you best."


    "Ugh, it''s that lecturing tone again, that''s why I..."


    "Why are you two suddenly fighting?!" At such a critical moment, the fact that both Jeannes started arguing left Hoshino speechless.


    Of course, Hoshino had considered that among all the Heroic Spirits, Jeanne Alter was the best candidate for achieving a single, overwhelming burst of attack power.


    However, even with Jeanne Alter, breaking through a defense as high as 8000 attack points wasn''t an easy task.


    "Master?" Jeanne d''Arc, with a questioning look, gazed at Hoshino, unsure if her suggestion was useful.


    "Well, it''s worth a try. If you don''t believe in your own Heroic Spirits, how can you as a Master, right?"


    "If the white one can''t do it, then we''ll blast through with the black one!"


    "Well, if Master needs my strength, then I suppose I''ll lend a hand. Hmph!" Jeanne Alter''s voice rang out proudly in Hoshino''s mind.


    "Come on, banish that saint first. That''s the only way to summon me~"


    "Don''t rush, Jeanne Alter. I''m very aware of your power in a single turn, but defeating the Evil God isn''t something you can do alone."


    Calming Jeanne Alter''s impatience, Hoshino drew a card from her hand and placed it horizontally on the field. "To defeat the Evil God, we need everyone''s combined strength!"


    "In defense position, I summon [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]


    In her adorable and protective posture, Mash trembled as she materialized on the field, her small figure retreating further behind her shield upon sensing the terrifying aura of the Evil God.


    [Mash DEF 2000 ¡ú 1000]


    "Hasn''t Hoshino figured out how to defeat the Evil God yet?" Yugi muttered under his breath, his face filled with worry as he watched the situation unfold on the field. "It looks like she''s summoning Mash to defend against the Evil God''s attack, trying to buy some time."


    "Even Hoshino can''t figure it out?" Jonouchi couldn''t believe what he was hearing.


    "Hoshino managed to defeat Obelisk, but even she''s struggling now? Could the Evil God be stronger than the gods?"


    The question of whether gods or Evil Gods were stronger was hard to answer, and Yugi continued to watch Hoshino intently on the stage. "Right now, all we can do is hope that Hoshino has a plan."


    "I''ll also change [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] to defense position."


    [Jeanne DEF 3000 ¡ú 1500]


    "Lastly, I set two cards face-down and end my turn!" Hoshino declared.


    Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 3600, remaining cards in hand: 1, set cards: 3.


    "Hoshino set so many cards at once. It''s obvious the situation is tough."


    Even an outsider like Anzu could tell that Hoshino was on the defensive, and the situation had become as passive as it could be.


    "My turn, draw!" Devlin grinned. "Hmph, it''s just a futile struggle, trying to block the Evil God''s attack by continuously summoning defensive monsters."


    Looking at Hoshino''s heavily fortified defenses, Devlin sneered coldly.


    "Did you forget? My deck isn''t just made up of the Evil God; there are other Archfiends, too!"


    With a malicious grin, Devlin slammed the card he had just drawn onto the table.


    "In attack position, I summon [Shadowknight Archfiend]!"


    [Shadowknight Archfiend ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][WIND][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1600]


    [Any battle damage this card inflicts to your opponent is halved.] S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With his blood-red crystal claws and sword, Shadowknight Archfiend materialized, standing next to the massive body of the Evil God.


    "Another 4-star monster with 2000 attack points," Jonouchi gritted his teeth. Now he was probably more nervous than Hoshino on the field.


    Just dealing with one Evil God was already overwhelming, and now Devlin continued to pressure her by summoning more monsters. Their power was beyond normal monsters'' strength...


    "This is an impossible combo to beat!"


    "Jonouchi, there''s no such thing as an unbeatable combination." Sensing Jonouchi''s anxiety from below the stage, Hoshino responded.


    "The Evil God''s effect applies to the whole field, including your monsters. Their attack power is halved, isn''t that right?"


    [Shadowknight Archfiend ATK 2000 ¡ú 1000]


    "So what?" Devlin, unbothered by this minor reduction in attack, pointed directly at Hoshino''s Mash on the field. "Your Mash may be great at defending, but if I remember correctly, she has a fatal flaw."


    "Attack Mash, Shadowknight Archfiend!"


    With a swing of his blood crystal sword, radiating dark energy, the attack aimed squarely at Mash''s giant shield.


    "Damn it!" Yugi''s eyes widened as he realized the situation. "If Mash is forced into attack mode and then hit by the Evil God, Hoshino''s life points will be nearly wiped out!"


    If Mash were forced into attack position and hit by the Evil God''s blow, it would inflict 3500 points of damage, while Hoshino only had 3600 Life Points remaining.


    "Come on, let me shatter your Life Points!"


    "As much as I appreciate your offer, I''ll have to decline," Hoshino said calmly.


    Placing the last card in her hand on the field, Hoshino called out the name of the man who symbolized ultimate sacrifice.


    "George, I''m counting on you!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Saint George ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1600]


    [¢Ù: When the opponent declares an attack, you can activate this effect from your hand, Special Summon this card in defense position. The DEF of this card increases by 500 points when summoned this way.]


    [¢Ú: As long as this card is on the field, the opponent can only target this card for attacks.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Saint George DEF 1600 ¡ú 2100 ¡ú 1050]


    "Alright! Just enough to block Shadowknight Archfiend''s attack by 50 points! She did it!" Jonouchi, who had been extremely tense, let out a sigh of relief when George appeared.


    The blood crystal sword clashed with George''s sword, and the attack was barely blocked.


    "Huh? I survived!" George, who had blocked the attack, had an expression of disbelief.


    "See? I told you I wouldn''t let you die this time, Saint George. I promised you''d survive at least one turn" Hoshino said with a nervous smile, feeling a little guilty seeing George''s doubtful expression on the field.


    "But it''s not over yet! Dreadroot, attack Saint George!" Devlin commanded.


    The claws of the Evil God once again reached for the innocent Saint.


    "Nmd, wsm!!" (What the Fuck)


    (*****)


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 Chapter 140 - 140

    "Am I really not going to survive until the second turn again? The difference between saints is way too big."


    Faced with the menacing claws, Saint George looked enviously at Jeanne d''Arc, who had been on the field for much longer.


    "But if my sacrifice can dispel the fear ahead and lead Master to victory, I have no regrets!"


    However, just as the crushing claws of the Evil God were about to make contact with Saint George...


    A wall of Camelot rose from the ground, and the evil claws embedded themselves deeply into it!


    "That which heals all wounds and grudges, our glorious homeland¡ª"


    "Sir George, I won''t let you die!"


    "Manifest yourself!"


    Using the central citadel of Camelot, the ultimate defense¡ªthe Round Table where the Knights of the Round sat. As long as the heart does not yield, the walls will never crumble.


    "¡ªLord of Camelot!"


    This was Mash''s heart transcending fear, a determination not to succumb to the Evil God''s dominion, manifesting the ultimate gates and the strongest defense.


    The gigantic walls, equal in size to the Evil God itself, isolated the source of fear outside.


    "What?! What is this?!"


    "Quick-Play Magic! [Lord Camelot]!" With a flip of the set card, Hoshino revealed it to the shocked Devlin.


    [Lord Camelot Quick-Play Magic Effect: If [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight] is face-up on your field, you can activate this card. ¢Ù: Until the end of the turn, all of your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle once.]


    "Devlin, this Camelot is the manifestation of humanity''s will and the proof that they do not fear the power of the Evil God!"


    "Master, to think you would go this far for me, to fulfill our promise," Saint George, who thought he was doomed, said with emotion from behind the gates.


    ("Sir George, next time you appear, I''ll make sure you survive one turn!")


    "It''s nothing more than delaying your inevitable defeat! What can you possibly change!" After his failed attack, Devlin decisively ended his turn.


    "It can change everything!"


    "In that very moment, the tides of battle have already shifted!" Drawing a card, Hoshino called out to the Heroic Spirit on the field.


    "Mash, activate the second effect of [Lord Camelot]!"


    "Yes, Master!"


    [¢Ú: At the start of your next turn, until the end of the turn, all of your monsters gain [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight]''s original DEF as an attack boost.]


    The radiant gates bestowed their brilliance upon the heroic spirits battling with all their might.


    "Right at this moment, there''s a change of players!" Jeanne d''Arc, who had been standing under the glow of the walls, suddenly vanished.


    "Activate the Quick-Play Magic [Spirit Origin Conversion]!" As the second set card was flipped, it shone brightly alongside Camelot''s.


    "Now, I''ll take care of the rest, you goody two-shoes!"


    "Mm, I leave it to you!"


    [Spirit Origin Conversion Quick-Play Magic Effect: Select 1 face-up [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. ¢Ù: Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster with a different attribute and name from your deck, ignoring its summoning conditions, then return the selected monster to the deck.]


    "Thanks to the effect of [Spirit Origin Conversion], I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter] from my deck!" Hoshino played the long-prepared Jeanne Alter card, and Jeanne Alter, with her black flag raised, gracefully descended into the radiant glow of Camelot.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "And due to the effect of Lord Camelot, Jeanne Alter and Saint George''s ATK both increase by Mash''s original DEF points!"


    [Jeanne Alter ATK 3000 ¡ú 5000]


    [Saint George ATK 1000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Look at that attack power!" The crowd, witnessing the sudden appearance of Jeanne Alter with her high attack, stirred with excitement.


    "The situation, which seemed so defensive, has been completely reversed in one move by summoning such a high-attack monster."


    "This is the strength of the Duel King?"


    Bathed in the brilliant light, Jeanne Alter grinned with a sinister expression that contrasted sharply with the holy glow.


    "Come, Master, lend me your Life Points! You won''t mind, will you?"


    "How could I mind, Jeanne Alter, if you''re willing!"


    "Then I''ll take it..."


    "Ephemeral Dream!"


    [Once per turn, by paying half of your Life Points, this card gains ATK equal to the amount paid. This effect can be activated even during the opponent''s turn.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3600 ¡ú 1800]


    Having become used to the sensation of Jeanne Alter siphoning her life force, Hoshino showed no discomfort this time¡ªquite the opposite, she felt oddly exhilarated. "It''s amazing how even this can become something to get used to."


    [Jeanne Alter ATK 5000 ¡ú 6800]


    Unbeknownst to Hoshino, Jeanne Alter had practiced countless times in secret to avoid causing her Master pain.


    "Her attack power has already soared to 6800." Seeing Jeanne Alter''s power surge, Jonouchi was just as excited as the surrounding crowd. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yeah, normally, that attack power would be enough to destroy everything, but against the Evil God..." Even with his arms crossed, Yugi frowned, "Hoshino, your strategy has to go beyond just this!"


    "Hahaha, how unfortunate! All that effort to increase attack power!" Standing behind the Evil God, Devlin laughed while covering his face. "But in the face of an Evil God, it''s all useless! I really love watching you ants struggle for a victory that doesn''t even exist."


    "Sorry to disappoint you, Devlin. That ''nonexistent'' victory is now right in front of me!"


    "Flip over the final set card, and take your Evil God to the grave along with you!" Hoshino furiously flipped the third set card, returning Devlin''s taunt with her own.


    "Trap Card, [Heroic Battle ¨C United Assault]!"


    "Let''s go, Master!!" x3


    [Heroic Battle ¨C United Assault Trap Card Effect: Select 1 face-up [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. Until the end of the Battle Phase, that monster gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of all other attack-position monsters you control, and the ATK of those monsters becomes 0.]


    "I select [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter] and combine the power of all the Heroic Spirits on the field!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight ATK 1000 ¡ú 0]


    "Take it, Jeanne Alter, my meager strength!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George ATK 3000 ¡ú 0]


    "For Master''s final victory, I entrust my lord''s will to you!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne Alter ATK 6800 ¡ú 10800]


    "Her attack power has exceeded 10,000!!" Devlin took a step back, trembling, feeling as if he were in a nightmare.


    "Finally afraid, are you, Devlin? No, you''re not Devlin at all!"


    "You''re a non-human entity hiding behind someone else''s body¡ªbehold the light of the Heroic Spirits that will pierce through your Evil God!"


    "In just one turn, she''s broken through the Evil God''s 8000-attack-point barrier!" Yugi, wide-eyed in admiration, recognized Hoshino''s ultimate strategy, deeply impressed. "This is more than just overcoming the Evil God. Hoshino has surpassed herself again!"


    "The battles against gods have made Hoshino even stronger!"


    Hoshino herself may not have realized it, but the two duels against divine beings had caused her to grow rapidly as a Duelist.


    "How strong does Hoshino plan to become before she''s satisfied?" Jonouchi, with his duelist spirit ignited, was also fired up. "Damn it, I really want to duel her again! I don''t want to get left further behind!"


    The fastest way to grow stronger is by constantly surpassing oneself in the face of desperate situations.


    "Such an awe-inspiring power, it''s terrifying!" Jeanne Alter, drawing her black sword, pointed it at the massive body of the Evil God. "Let all evil converge here..."


    "Although I wanted to say that, it doesn''t seem quite fitting!" Jeanne Alter shook her head, rejecting her previous words.


    "Gather all the wills that do not yield to fear! Transform them into the courage to break through despair! That''s what I should have said!"


    "Well said, Jeanne Alter!" Hoshino threw her final card onto the table, loudly declaring her imminent victory. "Courage is understanding fear, mastering fear, and overcoming fear!"


    "Thus, humans and Heroic Spirits are born from courage. The song of humanity is the song of courage, and the greatness of humanity is the greatness of courage!"


    "Only by conquering fear can one be called a hero of mankind!"


    "Activating the last Quick-Play Spell from my hand, [Hero Creation]!"


    [Hero Creation Quick-Play Spell Effect: You can activate this card by targeting one of your [Heroic Spirit] monsters on the field. That monster''s ATK and DEF increase by 1000 until the end of the turn. If it battles an opponent''s monster, the battle damage to your opponent is doubled.]


    Merlin: "Oh my, our Master has grown into someone who can utter such beautiful speeches. How interesting."


    "Allow me to lend you all a hand and resolve this like a dream!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne Alter ATK 10800 ¡ú 11800]


    "Thanks, Merlin. This is the final card to finish off the Evil God!"


    "Attack Wicked Dreadroot, Jeanne Alter! I leave the final blow to you!"


    Now completely unaffected by any fear from the Evil God, Hoshino pointed at the massive figure of the Evil God.


    "You don''t need to tell me, I was already going to do it!" Jeanne Alter gripped her sword tightly, slashing across the ground with a fiery trail.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne Alter ATK 11800 ¡ú 5900]


    "Grant flames to the beast, and grant the dragon to my hands! Break the commandments, tear apart the chains of life! This is the finishing strike!"


    The black flames gathered in Jeanne Alter''s hands, and with her overly dramatic and edgy chant, they transformed into a roaring black dragon.


    "Take this! My ultimate strike!"


    "La Grondement Du Haine!"


    The enormous black dragon, even larger than the Evil God, opened its terrifying maw and instantly consumed the god''s body in fiery destruction.


    The path of the burning black dragon obliterated everything, leaving no trace of the Evil God on the field.


    [Duke Devlin LP 2300 ¡ú 400]


    "It''s over, Devlin! Due to the effect of [Heroic Creation], when my monster battles yours, the battle damage is doubled!"


    "Did you see that, Evil God?! This is the united will of us Heroic Spirits, overcoming fear!"


    [Duke Devlin LP: 400 ¡ú 0]


    The duel ended.


    The winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!


    (*****)


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 Chapter 141 - 141

    "She won! That''s awesome!" The moment Devlin''s Life Points hit zero, Jonouchi felt an exhilarating sense of freedom, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "No more being someone''s dog for a week! Woohoo!"


    "Jonouchi, you''ve just switched to a different master," Honda said with a wry smile, not missing the chance to rain on Jonouchi''s parade.


    "Is it finally over?" Hoshino exhaled deeply, slowly releasing the tension from her body.


    Although Devlin wasn''t a particularly strong opponent, the power of the Evil God card, rivaling even the God Cards, made it a tough challenge.


    "It''s not over yet, Master!" Just as Hoshino started to relax, George''s anxious voice caused her to tense up again.


    "Something seems off with him!" Mash, still on the field, had also noticed something strange.


    Devlin, who had been lying motionless on the duel platform, now had his cards scattered across the table.


    "This looks just like someone who lost a Shadow Game," Hoshino muttered with a frown, a bad feeling creeping over her again.


    What troubled her even more was that, despite the scattered cards, Devlin was still tightly gripping The Wicked Dreadroot card.


    "Hehehe, hahaha!" Suddenly, Devlin started laughing while lying on the table, his behavior bizarre and unsettling.


    "Ugh, did he lose his mind after taking a blow to the head?" Jeanne Alter looked at Devlin with disdain, finding his laughter even more irritating than usual.


    "Chiyuki Hoshino, I won''t let you take the Evil God card from me!" Devlin suddenly shouted.


    "So that''s why he was lying there pretending to be dead, huh? He''s just trying to back out of the deal!" Jonouchi, now free from being anyone''s dog, had regained his usual cocky attitude. "You made a bet, so you have to honor it! We''ve all seen it!"


    "Jonouchi, stay quiet¡­" Hoshino quickly stopped Jonouchi from acting rashly, her eyes fixed on Devlin''s strange behavior.


    "I suspected it from the beginning. You''re not really Duke Devlin, are you?" Hoshino''s gut feeling was becoming more certain.


    "As expected of the Duel King, you''re much sharper than most," Devlin slowly stood up, the darkness in his eyes growing thicker despite the Evil God being defeated.


    "Duke Devlin is nothing more than my pawn, hahaha, but a very useful one at that."


    "You tricked Devlin, didn''t you? You made him believe that Pegasus''s disappearance was because of me," Hoshino began piecing the puzzle together.


    It explained why Devlin held such a grudge against her and how he came into possession of the Evil God card.


    If there was a mastermind pulling the strings, it all started to make sense.


    "Hahaha, that''s human nature for you. Foolish people only want to hear, and will choose to believe, what they most want to hear. I merely whispered a few things in his ear, and he believed it all. Or rather, it''s the truth he wanted to believe."


    "What surprised me, though, was the depth of his hatred for you. It drove him to bet the Evil God card."


    "Could you stop using someone else''s body to mock them? It''s really awkward to hear." Hoshino couldn''t resist pointing out the strange tone of "Devlin."


    "Pathetic¡­" Devlin''s body only responded with one word to her remark.


    "But what surprised me even more was that you had the power to defeat the Evil God card."


    "Duel King, you''ve become someone I can no longer leave unchecked¡­"


    His words were abruptly cut off.


    Suddenly, the scenery inside the room began to blur.


    "Huh? What''s going on? Who turned off the lights?"


    As the room grew darker, the crowd began to stir.


    "What the hell! My luck was just getting good! Who cut the power?"


    A man dressed extravagantly kicked the now-unresponsive slot machine in frustration.


    "Wahhh! It''s so dark! I want my mommy!" cried a child, frightened by the sudden darkness.


    "No, wait, it''s the middle of the day. How is it this dark?!"


    The crowd, slowly realizing the abnormality, started to understand that this wasn''t just a simple power outage.


    "This is¡­ Yugi!" Jonouchi, now on high alert, glanced at Yugi beside him.


    "That''s right, it''s a Shadow Game!" Yugi, with his experience from numerous Shadow Games, quickly confirmed the situation.


    "What? But the duel is over! How can there be another Shadow Game?" Anzu was clearly unsettled by the terrifying darkness, no doubt recalling the deep scars left by the Shadow Games during Duelist Kingdom.


    "The fact that he doesn''t have a Millennium Item yet can use a Shadow Game¡ªsomething''s really off here," Bakura said, eyebrows furrowed, noticing the glaring inconsistency.


    "But this is undeniably a real Shadow Game," Hoshino, who was facing "Duke Devlin" directly on the platform, knew more than anyone else that this was indeed a genuine Shadow Game.


    "The duel ended just moments ago, and now you want a Shadow Game? I don''t know who you are, but you must really enjoy losing!" she taunted.


    "I admit your strength as the Duel King. At least, with this deck, I can''t defeat you¡­"


    In the Shadow Game, the darkness surrounding "Duke Devlin" grew even thicker.


    "Let''s have a special Shadow Game!"


    "A special Shadow Game?"


    Without answering Hoshino''s question, "Duke Devlin" threw The Wicked Dreadroot card into the air.


    "In this dark space, every monster can materialize¡ªtruly materialize!"


    The Evil God card hovered in midair.


    Despite being defeated earlier, the ominous aura that had dissipated from the card suddenly surged once again.


    "Not confined to holograms or card effects, but showing the true power of the monsters within the cards!"


    As the Evil God card floated in the darkness, "Duke Devlin''s" laughter grew more maniacal.


    "O Evil God, whose true form slumbers in the abyss of hell, reveal your ultimate terrifying visage now!"


    "Grrraaaagh!" In the endless darkness, the real body of The Wicked Dreadroot began to emerge as black smoke poured from the card.


    "A-a monster!!"


    "What is that thing?! Why is it appearing out of nowhere?!"


    The real Wicked Dreadroot, far more massive than any hologram, appeared. Its enormous, pale white body immediately drew the attention of everyone trapped in the dark space.


    "Today, no one who witnesses this Shadow Game will leave here alive!"


    The fear from the abyss, and the despair from facing an unknown threat, spread like a virus among the crowd.


    "I just came here to make some money¡ªhow did I get caught up in this?!"


    Even the usually arrogant thugs were cowering in the face of true evil.


    "Help! I want to go home!"


    "What the hell is going on?!"


    "Cry, despair, scream!" With arms outstretched, "Duke Devlin" seemed to relish the chaos. "Your fear will provide even greater power to the Evil God."


    "This is bad. The rules of this Shadow Game are far too advantageous for him!" Yugi, surveying the growing fear in the crowd and the strengthening power of the Evil God, knew things were heading in a dangerous direction.


    "If what he says is true, this Shadow Game transcends data and rules, and instead focuses on the actual power of the monsters. The Evil God, already immensely powerful, is nearly invincible in an environment filled with fear."


    "Hehehe¡­Hahahahahahaha!!" However, Hoshino suddenly started laughing, completely out of sync with the despairing atmosphere.


    "A Shadow Game that pits the true power of monsters against each other? You''ve really chosen the worst possible way to die!"


    "Hoshino¡­" Her sudden laughter left her friends stunned and bewildered.


    "Has fear scrambled your brain? This Shadow Game guarantees my victory, with the power of the Evil God on my side!" "Duke Devlin" boasted, confident in his win.


    "Spreading despair, threatening innocent lives, stealing children''s smiles¡ªyou really are the worst duelist."


    Hoshino drew a card from her deck and, mimicking "Duke Devlin," tossed it into the air.


    The card, suspended in midair, emitted a light that was the complete opposite of the Evil God''s darkness.


    "Now, let''s tally up your sins!"


    "What monster did she summon?!"


    For some reason, despite her previous fear, Anzu felt a slight sense of reassurance when she saw the card Hoshino threw, radiating with a tricolor glow.


    "She only summoned one monster? At a time like this, to deal with the Evil God, Hoshino should summon more!" An impatient Jonouchi started acting like a backseat commander.


    However, on the stage, Hoshino remained silent, arms crossed, as she watched the card suspended in mid-air.


    The tricolor light that surrounded the card shot out like lasers, cutting through the giant body of The Wicked Dreadroot. Along with the light''s landing, the Evil God''s arm was severed.


    "What just happened?!" The previously smug "Duke Devlin" was now dumbfounded.


    "The power of the gods is in my hands!" The voice was calm and emotionless, yet strangely pleasant to the ears.


    "Summon, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera]!" Hoshino''s excited gaze locked onto Altera''s tall figure as she emerged at the end of the tricolor light.


    "No way! A monster that can injure the Evil God!"


    The Evil God''s arm, massive beyond belief, was cut off in an instant. Now, "Duke Devlin" realized he had likely messed with the wrong person.


    "In a Shadow Game, the damage transfers directly to the player, don''t forget that rule!" Hoshino''s confidence grew as she stared at Devlin, following the Evil God''s severed arm.


    The piercing pain, as if his own arm had been cut off, wasn''t physical but a deep wound to the soul, making the one possessing Devlin let out a pained wail.


    "Why? Doesn''t this monster feel the fear from the Evil God?" Devlin, clutching his shoulder, gritted his teeth. "Evil God, release your full terror!"


    Receiving the command, The Wicked Dreadroot¡ªlikely enraged by the loss of its arm¡ªlet out a deafening roar, more powerful than before.


    The cold wail from the depths of hell now had the intensity of a psychic assault.


    "Mommy, it''s so scary! Waaaaaah!"


    "Mommy, where are you? I want to go home!"


    While the adults, having become somewhat accustomed to the situation, managed to regain a sliver of calm from their fear, the children in the toy shop were entirely helpless.


    The enormous wail only served to further ignite their deepest fears.


    "Hahahaha! Cry all you want, cower in fear, and let the Evil God''s power grow even stronger!" Devlin, reveling in the atmosphere of terror, relaxed his grip on his arm as the Evil God''s severed limb regenerated due to the new surge of energy.


    "Fear is good civilization. Destruction brings fear, and I am the Great King of Destruction!"


    Altera raised the War God''s Sword high, her voice still calm but now tinged with unmistakable anger.


    "I destroy, I conquer, always and forever! But¡­"


    She paused, her eyes narrowing as she turned to look at the cowering children.


    "Making children cry is bad civilization! Bad civilization must be destroyed!"


    "Go, Altera! Protect the children and give that Evil God a lesson!" Hoshino''s battle cry accompanied her command to Altera.


    "Target: Destruction! Civilization: Eradicated!" Altera, following Hoshino''s order, flew straight towards the Evil God. "Let''s see if your arm regenerates faster than I can destroy it!"


    The tricolor light from the War God''s Sword continuously flashed over the Evil God''s massive body.


    "This was a huge miscalculation¡­ A monster that can match the power of the Evil God¡­" Devlin cursed under his breath and stealthily reached for his deck once again.


    "If the Evil God is held back, I''ll crush you with my Archfiend army!" While everyone''s attention was focused on the battle between Altera and the Evil God, "Duke Devlin" suddenly flung his entire deck into the air.


    "Answer my call, Archfiends of the underworld, heed my command and launch a direct attack on the player!"


    A large army of hideous, monstrous demons materialized on the battlefield, and with no room to react, they all charged toward Hoshino, their sole target.


    "This is unfair! There''s still a monster on the field¡ªhow can they directly attack the player?!" Jonouchi angrily shouted.


    "Are you an idiot? This is a Shadow Game, beyond the regular rules¡ªit''s real war!" Devlin, with a righteous expression, retorted while commanding his Archfiend army. "Get devoured by the wandering Archfiends!"


    "Taking down the commander, huh? It seems our opponent has a bit of a brain, but don''t underestimate me!" Holding his holy sword in front of him, Saint George smiled confidently. "Master, I''ll protect you!"


    "Guardian Knight!" The holy light from Saint George''s sword enveloped the entire field of Archfiends.


    Then, as if their minds had been altered, the demon army turned their attention toward Saint George instead.


    "Mr. George is so reliable!" Mash, who also had a taunt skill, admired his swift and precise judgment, though she lacked such ability herself.


    "You mentioned war, didn''t you?" Hoshino, with a mischievous smile playing on her lips, reached for her deck.


    "This is the war you started, so don''t regret it later!"


    Before she finished speaking, Hoshino grabbed her entire deck and tossed it into the air.


    The scattered cards, shining with dazzling light, illuminated the pitch-black space like stars in the night, driving away fear and despair, bringing the light of victory.


    "Now, Heroic Spirits, respond to the call of war!"


    "Yes, Master!" came the synchronized reply.


    "The Chaldea (Rogue) Squad has arrived!"


    The countless Heroic Spirits materialized in mid-air and, without hesitation, charged toward the demonic army.


    "Damn it! Lately, my screen time has been too little! I must redeem myself as the ace here!" Clutching her chest full of passion (and blood), Okita S¨­ji''s slender figure weaved through the demonic horde, creating a flurry of silver blades.


    "Hahaha! The Battle of Okehazama was nothing compared to this. Such a crushing victory feels more like child''s play!" Nobunaga floated in the air, leisurely pulling the trigger of her gun.


    "ORA ORA ORA! Such evil will be cleansed before the might of my fists (literally)!" Martha''s fists, wrapped in holy energy, were true one-hit kills for these evil demons.


    "ROAAAAAR!" Hercules, like a steel war machine, stormed into the battlefield, his pitch-black metallic body exuding pure dominance.


    "With love, let us resist the oppressors!"


    "Trace on!"


    "Sorry!"


    "Excalibur!"


    "¡­"


    The crowd, initially drowning in despair, was now utterly stunned.


    "Which side¡­ are the real evil here¡­?"


    (*****) S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


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 Chapter 142 - 142

    "What kind of one-sided war is this...?" Jonouchi''s eyes widened. Just a second ago, he was fuming over ''Duke Devlin''s'' attack, but now he actually felt a bit sorry for the Archfiend army on the other side.


    Was this a war? No, this was a massacre.


    Even though the Archfiends had all kinds of resurrection skills, each wave being wiped out and followed by another, it was clear that their numbers were rapidly dwindling compared to just a minute earlier.


    "These monsters can really fight!" Even though he was the one controlling the demon army, ''Duke Devlin'' shamelessly referred to the other side as the real monsters.


    "Damn it, hasn''t the Evil God taken care of that insect yet?" With no other options, ''Devlin'' once again pinned his hopes on the Evil God.


    However, his last hope was now also struggling to survive.


    Thanks to the arrival of the Heroic Spirits, the fear in the arcade was gradually dissipating, which meant the energy the Evil God relied on was also steadily decreasing.


    "Go for it, big sister with the glowing sword!"


    "Defeat that ugly monster!"


    "Ohhhhh!" Altera roared, and the three-colored flashes, which had severed the Evil God''s arm countless times, struck again.


    This time, the Evil God didn''t regenerate as it had before.


    "Finally, it''s all been drained¡ªthis bad civilization!" Altera, hovering above the Evil God''s head, raised the Sword of the War God high.


    "The voice of the stars fills me!"


    The Sword of the War God, originally made of three-colored light, was already a weapon capable of destroying all things on the earth.


    "I won''t take your life, but I will crush your civilization!"


    Now, the blade, glowing with three colors, emitted a rainbow-like magic.


    "Noble Phantasm! Photon Ray!"


    "This strike will end it!"


    Altera, having released the true power of the War God''s sword, rocketed forward like a meteor, crashing into the gigantic body of the Evil God.


    The normal range of the Noble Phantasm, which could annihilate up to 200 people, was now concentrated solely on the Evil God''s body, increasing its destructive power exponentially.


    The rainbow light mercilessly pierced through the Evil God.


    "Arrrghhhh!!" The Evil God''s final scream echoed as its body was completely consumed by the rainbow light.


    "Master, my task here is complete." There was no trace of joy in Altera''s voice as she reported her victory, as if she were simply stating a fact.


    "Well, we can''t take too long on our side either!" With a slight frown, Hoshino issued the final command for the ultimate weapon.


    "It''s your turn, Arash!"


    "Uh-oh!" The moment they heard Hoshino''s order, the Heroic Spirits still on the battlefield instantly knew something was wrong. "Retreat, it''s coming!"


    The violent storm suddenly stopped, and the Heroic Spirits quickly pulled back. The Archfiends, who had been on the verge of being slaughtered, finally got a moment to breathe.


    However, the Archfiends who caught their breath had no idea of the gruesome fate that awaited them.


    "Finally, it''s my turn..."


    Hiding in the back row, quietly shooting arrows, Arash hadn''t dared to make a sound, hoping Hoshino wouldn''t notice him.


    But he couldn''t avoid his fate.


    "As expected, there''s no escaping this... I''ll finish this quickly, then get Emiya to make me some food later as compensation!"


    Reluctantly, Arash drew his bow...


    The light of a falling star tore through the darkness, sweeping across the battlefield.


    "Stella!"


    "Wow, what beautiful fireworks¡­"


    (***)


    "Is it over? The Shadow Game?" Jonouchi, still somewhat dazed, suddenly realized that the dark surroundings had dissipated.


    "This is the first time I''ve seen such a completely one-sided Shadow Game..." Yugi, who had watched from the beginning, couldn''t help but twitch his eye. At first, he thought the rules of the Shadow Game were too advantageous for the Evil God, but now he realized he''d been too naive.


    "So, what exactly just happened?" The crowd, now free from the fear that had gripped them, began to grow rowdier.


    "Isn''t there a manager here to explain what''s going on?"


    "I only came to buy something! How are you going to compensate me for wasting my time?"


    "You owe me for emotional damage!"


    Without the oppressive atmosphere, human nature once again ran wild.


    Only the innocent souls, untouched by society''s corruption, knew how to express true gratitude.


    "Was it the girl who defeated the demon?"


    "Isn''t that Hoshino from Kame Toy Shop?"


    "It''s really the Duel King, amazing!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Wahhhh, Kame Toy Shop is still the best. I''ll never come to this scary store again!"


    And so, without realizing it, Hoshino once again won back business for Grandpa Sugoroku.


    "What... what am I doing?" Devlin, now free of the Shadow Game''s influence, looked at his hands in confusion.


    "This guy was playing dead a minute ago, and now he''s pretending to have amnesia? I''m going to beat him up!" Jonouchi, unable to bear it any longer, worried that this amnesiac act would cause more trouble, jumped onto the stage and grabbed him.


    "Jonouchi!" Honda called out as he saw Jonouchi dragging Devlin by the collar.


    "Honda, don''t you try to stop me! I don''t care who tries, I''m not stopping!" Jonouchi, fully fired up, had his fist ready to strike.


    "I was going to say count me in..."


    One not-so-friendly punch landed squarely on Devlin''s face.


    "Manager!!" The security guards, who had been bewildered by the Shadow Game, suddenly realized it was their manager who had just been punched.


    Their instincts told them that their jobs were now on the line, and they rushed over.


    "Don''t do anything rash, I''m fine!" To everyone''s surprise, Devlin, who had just been punched hard, stopped the guards from retaliating.


    "I''m sorry, I caused all this trouble," Devlin said, his tone filled with regret, a stark contrast to his earlier arrogance.


    He looked at Hoshino, who had stepped down from the platform, but hesitated to speak.


    "It seems that the entity possessing you has been dispelled," Hoshino, sensing the difference in Devlin''s demeanor, quickly understood the situation. "You lost the Shadow Game so badly. I wonder how the mastermind behind all this is feeling now."


    "Chiyuki Hoshino..." After a long moment of hesitation, Duke Devlin finally spoke.


    "Hmm?"


    "I''m sorry I wronged you before. I listened to someone else''s lies and mistakenly believed you caused Pegasus''s disappearance."


    "After dueling with you, I''ve come to understand. You truly deserve the title of Duel King."


    "Oh? So, you''re apologizing, huh?" Hoshino smiled slightly as she looked at the remorseful Devlin.


    Devlin nodded silently.


    "Just apologizing with words doesn''t feel very sincere," Hoshino smirked mischievously, clearly not planning to let Devlin off so easily.


    "If you want compensation, as long as it''s within my ability..." Devlin, showing genuine remorse, offered sincerely.


    "Then give me a Dark Magician Girl dice!" Hoshino shamelessly teased.


    "This is the Evil God card, huh~" Hoshino couldn''t help but raise the Evil God card she received from Devlin and examine it.


    "It seems like the ominous aura from before is completely gone. Now, it just looks like a normal card."


    The reason she made Devlin bet this Evil God card was entirely because of Da Vinci''s persistent hints before the duel.


    As for why Hoshino was able to understand Da Vinci''s hint through a simple vibration from her bracelet, it can only be attributed to her intuition.


    "Could there be some secret hidden within this card?" Knowing that Da Vinci wouldn''t do anything useless, Hoshino guessed.


    However, in the next moment, a message flashed before her eyes, and she completely understood Da Vinci''s true purpose.


    [System detection: Duelist No. 001, Hoshino Chiyuki, has obtained a God card. Special limited-time summoning pool opened, with increased chance for Heroic Spirit with divinity.]


    The message, visible only to Hoshino, left her momentarily stunned.


    "What''s wrong, Hoshino?" Yugi, noticing that she had been staring at the Evil God card with a strange expression, couldn''t help but ask, concerned.


    "Could it be that the Evil God card possessed her?" Jonouchi, suddenly alert, assumed a defensive stance. "Damn, if Hoshino''s been possessed, then I guess we''ll have to let Yugi handle it."


    "Idiot, you''re the one who''s possessed!" Despite his defensive stance, Hoshino didn''t hesitate to land an uppercut to his chin.


    "And don''t forget, you have to be my dog for a week! Go get me a bottle of ''gamer juice,'' and of course, use your own money."


    "Gamer juice?" Jonouchi asked, completely confused by the term.


    "It''s soda!"


    "Got it!" Jonouchi dashed off toward the vending machine.


    "So, Devlin, you really don''t remember who gave you the Evil God card?" Hoshino asked again.


    "Sorry, Hoshino¡­" Devlin shook his head, still unable to recall.


    "Forget it. I didn''t expect the mastermind to reveal themselves so easily anyway," Hoshino sighed, her expression softening slightly. She had already anticipated this outcome.


    Pawns are disposable, used without fear of consequences. The fact that Devlin had only lost part of his memory could be considered lucky. A more ruthless villain might have destroyed him outright.


    Whoever the villain was, Hoshino knew there was only one thing she could do: prepare for battle.


    Since Da Vinci had hinted this situation couldn''t be avoided, Hoshino would face it head-on. And that was her plan.


    Now that the Evil God card was in her possession, she could consider this a strategic advantage.


    "Well, that''s that. Don''t forget you promised me a Dark Magician Girl dice~" Hoshino waved her hand at Devlin, casually stuffing the Evil God card into her deck as if it were nothing special.


    Although Devlin had promised to give Hoshino a Dark Magician Girl dice, even as the shop owner, it was impossible to get such a rare item immediately. He could only promise to keep an eye out for her.


    Despite creating the game, Hoshino was reminded of the rumor that FGO staff were paid in Saint Quartz but still had to spend money like everyone else to get the characters they liked.


    "It''s getting late. We should head back~" Yugi looked outside and reminded them of the time.


    What had originally been a quick scouting trip had turned into a long, drawn-out ordeal.


    If they got back too late, Grandpa Sugoroku''s scolding would be unavoidable.


    "By the way, what''s taking Jonouchi so long to buy a drink!" Hoshino grumbled, realizing how late it had gotten after Yugi''s reminder.


    "Hey, guys, I''m back!" Speak of the devil¡ªjust as Hoshino finished complaining, Jonouchi came running back with a can of soda.


    "Jonouchi, you open that soda yourself later," Hoshino said coldly. Seeing how much the can had been shaken from his running, anyone with common sense would know what would happen when it was opened.


    "Why are you in such a rush, Jonouchi?" Honda glanced at him, sensing that his long absence wasn''t just about buying a drink.


    "Check this out, guys! Look what I got!" Jonouchi opened his hand dramatically. "Ta-da, it''s a Dragon Gate dice!"


    "You''re wasting money again, Jonouchi," Anzu scolded, seeing the obviously expensive dice in his hand.


    "It''s not a waste! I bought this as a thank-you gift for Hoshino, to thank her for saving me today!" Jonouchi handed the Dragon Gate dice to Hoshino.


    "I didn''t expect you to be so thoughtful¡­ though it''s only one dice¡­" Hoshino trailed off as she realized something.


    This was a dice Jonouchi bought.


    A strong premonition hit her¡ªshe had a feeling there was a rare monster model inside.


    "This feeling¡­ It must be Dark Magician Girl! I can''t believe my dream is coming true on the first day!"


    Eagerly tearing open the dice, Hoshino couldn''t wait to see the rare monster hidden within.


    "¡­"


    "Let me take a look¡­" Bakura glanced at the model in Hoshino''s hand, then flipped through the promotional flyer to check its rarity.


    "Here it is: Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Wow, that''s incredible! It''s a five-star rare, just like Dark Magician Girl! One in 500 dice!"


    "This is a rip-off!" Hoshino nearly smashed the ugly Red-Eyes Black Dragon model in her hand, but after considering its value, she reluctantly decided to keep it.


    "It''s money¡­ it''s all money. After all, we still need to eat."


    (***)


    Meanwhile¡­


    "Did Duke Devlin lose?" In a dimly lit room, Marik lounged arrogantly on a lavish sofa, a sly smirk on his face. "What a shame. He was quite useful."


    "A useful pawn? Don''t joke around! That fool lost my Evil God card. It''s¡ªcough, cough¡­" The white-haired man sitting across from Marik spoke with a mix of anger and frustration, his voice faltering.


    "Heh, looks like you''re not doing so well. Is it the side effect of the Shadow Game?" Marik raised an eyebrow, curious. "It was just a puppet Shadow Game, yet it left you in this condition. You must have lost badly."


    "Marik, don''t get too cocky. Don''t say I didn''t warn you¡ªHoshino Chiyuki is on a completely different level than those national tournament champions."


    "It''s rare to hear you speak so highly of someone¡­"


    (***)


    At Kame Game Shop¡­


    "Grandpa, we''re home!" Yugi''s voice echoed as he and Hoshino entered the shop.


    "Yugi, Hoshino, you''re back?" Sugoroku''s familiar voice greeted them warmly.


    "Yeah. Do we have guests, Grandpa?" Yugi asked, noticing two extra pairs of shoes neatly placed in the hallway.


    "Hmph, making me wait this long. You''ve got guts, Yugi."


    "Kaiba?!" Yugi exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 143 - 143

    Duel Academy¡ª


    "Damn it! I didn''t think the monster rampage would cause such a huge disaster!" A sexy girl in a blue uniform brushed the dust off her clothes as she spoke.


    "Alexis, this isn''t just a simple monster rampage. It''s clearly a premeditated event!" Atticus Rhodes, who had just put away his duel disk, frowned as he spoke.


    The two of them had clearly just gone through a battle, using their own Duel Monsters to defeat the rampaging monsters.


    "Kaiser seems to have lost..." The tone of Atticus, who greatly respected Kaiser''s abilities, indicated that this was no small matter.


    "You mean that Zane?!" Alexis''s eyes widened in disbelief, her expression filled with shock. "Are you joking, Brother? How could Zane possibly lose to a rampaging monster?"


    "This rampage is being controlled by someone. Kaiser lost to the one controlling the rampaging monsters, and his Cyber monsters were stolen." Although Atticus looked laid-back, being a once-in-a-century genius, his deductive abilities were also first-rate.


    "That''s why a Cyber Dragon appeared among the rampaging monsters earlier!" Alexis suddenly realized.


    "But if even Zane lost, it would be great if Jaden were here right now..." At that moment, the image of a boy in a red jacket, with an undefeatable smile and a knack for creating miracles, flashed through Alexis''s mind.


    "Roar!!" A deafening roar echoed from the distance.


    "Alexis, over there!" Following the direction of the roar, Atticus saw something alarming.


    "That''s... Rainbow Dragon?!" The enormous Rainbow Dragon emanated a powerful pressure, far greater than the usual monsters wandering around the academy.


    "Could it be that even Jesse...?" Alexis, covering her mouth, could hardly believe that their reliable companions were falling one by one.


    "No, this Rainbow Dragon is different from Jesse''s. Just look at its appearance." Atticus, analyzing the situation calmly, noted that while Jesse''s Rainbow Dragon represented the light of the rainbow, this one symbolized sin and darkness.


    "Also, the Rainbow Dragon seems to be fighting something..."


    "It''s Illya, Professor Hoshino''s Duel Monster!" Despite the distance, Alexis clearly recognized Illya, with her radiant wings shining behind her.


    "It looks like they''re battling in the courtyard. Let''s go, Brother!"


    "Isn''t that too dangerous? That dark Rainbow Dragon looks way too abnormal. The mastermind must be over there!" Atticus, concerned for his sister''s safety, was hesitant to proceed.


    "Are you kidding, Brother? If the mastermind is there, then Professor Hoshino must be fighting right now!" Scolding her brother, Alexis ran ahead, paying no mind to the blood seeping from the wound on her pale thigh.


    "If even Professor Hoshino loses, there''s no hope left for the academy..."


    (****)


    Sugoroku''s Residence¡ª


    "Kaiba?! What are you doing here?" Yugi exclaimed in shock.


    "Hmph, Yugi, you sure know how to make me wait."


    "Huh, Kaiba''s in Yugi''s house? What''s the deal with that?" Hoshino said as she walked into the living room, where she was greeted by Kaiba''s prideful and haughty presence.


    "Oh? So the unemployed bum who was rejected by KaibaCorp is now freeloading at Yugi''s house?" Kaiba glanced down at Hoshino with disdain. "You think I want to be here? I''m only here by invitation."


    "By invitation?"


    "Hoshino, Yugi, let me introduce you." Sugoroku cleared his throat with a cough and gestured to someone standing behind Kaiba''s tall figure. "This is an old friend I met back during my archaeology days."


    "Yugi, Hoshino, hello, my name is Ishizu Ishtar." A mature, gentle female voice spoke.


    "Whoa, she''s so beautiful!" Hoshino quietly gasped. Even though Ishizu wore a headscarf, her exquisitely delicate features could not be hidden. Her smooth, dark brown skin gave off an exotic charm.


    "I never knew you had such impressive friends back in the day, Grandpa!" Hoshino teased, nudging Sugoroku with her elbow. "You really surprise me sometimes."


    "Oh-ho-ho-ho!" Sugoroku laughed proudly, clearly pleased by Hoshino''s ''compliment.'' "And Ishizu is now an important figure in the Egyptian government!"


    "A person of such importance, coming all the way here, and with Kaiba no less?" Though the introductions cleared up her identity, Yugi still seemed confused about why she was here.


    "Allow me to explain." Ever since Yugi entered the room, Ishizu had not taken her eyes off him.


    "Recently, a large-scale Egyptian artifact exhibition has been planned for Domino City..."


    She paused after saying this, then continued, "Of course, the exhibition is just a cover. The real reason I''m here is because the God Cards have been stolen."


    "Report! I''ve solved the case already, Miss!" Hoshino proudly raised her hand, casting a scornful glance at Kaiba. "It''s this man! He''s stolen Obelisk the Tormentor!"


    "Ridiculous..." Kaiba turned his head away, ignoring her.


    "Ahem, Duel King Hoshino." Ishizu smiled awkwardly. "I''ve heard much about your feats, and Kaiba has also told me that you possess the power to stand against the God Cards. That Obelisk the Tormentor was a card I entrusted to Kaiba."


    "You''re so generous, Miss! Giving away such a precious card so easily," Hoshino said playfully, realizing she had wrongfully accused Kaiba. She tilted her head and put on an innocent face, trying to play it off.


    "But didn''t you just say the God Cards were stolen? Isn''t one of them in Kaiba''s possession?"


    "That''s because there are three God Cards." Ishizu''s tone grew serious again, and she turned her gaze back to Yugi.


    "Obelisk the Tormentor, Slifer the Sky Dragon, and The Winged Dragon of Ra. Altogether, these three are the rarest and most special cards in the world."


    "Many years ago, Pegasus, inspired by ancient tablets, created the God Cards based on their depictions. However, perhaps angering the gods by creating these cards, all those involved in their creation, except for Pegasus, mysteriously died. Pegasus himself realized the danger of the God Cards and entrusted them to us at the Egyptian Bureau of Cultural Preservation for safekeeping."


    "So the God Cards are really that terrifying?" Hoshino gasped, sucking in a breath upon hearing what sounded like an urban legend.


    "But if the God Cards are so dangerous, who would dare to steal them?" As always, Yugi quickly honed in on the key issue.


    "Because of their immense value and the power they represent. Even the God Cards can be used, but only by those like us, who are connected to the Millennium Items, Yugi Muto!"


    "Those connected to the Millennium Items... so, Ishizu, you also possess a Millennium Item?" Yugi was shocked.


    "No shit, Sherlock! She''s got that huge golden eye around her neck. Were you pretending not to see it or what?" Hoshino quipped in disbelief.


    "That''s right, I am the holder of the Millennium Necklace." As she spoke, Ishizu gently touched the accessory on her neck. The golden choker was adorned with the distinctive Eye of Wdjat, shared by all Millennium Items.


    However, what baffled Hoshino was the inhuman design, especially the sharp protrusions on both sides of the golden eye.


    "Wouldn''t it hurt your neck when you lower your head with those spikes?" Hoshino really wanted to ask, but it felt too impolite to joke about it with someone she just met, so she kept the question to herself.


    "The Millennium... Necklace?" Upon realizing Ishizu was the bearer of a Millennium Item, Yugi''s eye twitched slightly.


    Hoshino, who noticed this small reaction, knew Yugi was likely thinking the same thing she was.


    "Yes, the Millennium Necklace, which possesses the ability to foresee the future..." Ishizu stroked the necklace as though it were a part of her body.


    "Foresee the future? That sounds like such a convenient power!" Hoshino exclaimed in surprise. If it could really predict the future, this item would be even more terrifying than the Millennium Eye, like an EX-level clairvoyance.


    "Although it does allow me to see the future, it only shows events in the near future. Distant ones are quite vague." A slight blush appeared on Ishizu''s dark brown skin.


    "That''s still amazing!" Yugi said excitedly.


    "Wait a second..." Hoshino suddenly realized something was off.


    "If only people related to the Millennium Items can use the God Cards, then why is Kaiba able to wield Obelisk the Tormentor?" Hoshino astutely pointed out the flaw in the logic.


    "Hmph, I don''t believe in such pseudo-scientific nonsense," Kaiba scoffed, giving his own answer, as if to say whether you believe it or not is up to you.


    "The reason behind your connection to the God Cards is precisely why I''m here. Yugi, Kaiba, will you both accompany me to the Egyptian relic exhibit? I believe the ancient tablet will give you the answers you''re seeking." Ishizu''s expression turned serious once more.


    "Huh? You''re leaving already? At least stay for dinner," Sugoroku said reluctantly, glancing at the sky outside as he tried to persuade them to stay.


    "Thank you, Sugoroku, but this concerns Egypt and possibly the fate of the world, so I can''t afford any more delays," Ishizu politely declined Sugoroku''s offer.


    "Is that okay with you, Yugi? Kaiba?"


    "Yes!" Yugi nodded firmly, glancing thoughtfully at the Millennium Puzzle hanging from his neck.


    "Spare me the chatter. I''m only interested in knowing the whereabouts of the other two God Cards." Clearly, Kaiba''s reason for being here was to find the ultra-rare cards; nothing else could have brought him along.


    "Why does playing cards always have to be connected to the fate of the world?" Hoshino muttered to herself, feeling somewhat exasperated by how easily Yugi and Kaiba accepted Ishizu''s reasoning.


    "Excuse me, can I come too, Miss?" Hoshino wasn''t looking to join just for fun, but if things were as serious as Ishizu claimed, especially with Da Vinci''s previous warnings to her, it felt more advantageous to learn the truth rather than avoid the situation.


    "I''d be honored, Duel King!" Ishizu''s eyes gleamed, as though she had found an unexpected surprise. "Without a God Card, yet still able to fight against their power¡ªif you join us, our chances of reclaiming the cards will certainly increase!"


    "And you don''t need to call me ''Miss'' all the time, just Ishizu is fine~" Ishizu smiled warmly.


    "Alright, Ishizu..." Hoshino scratched her head, feeling a little shy about calling such an exotic beauty by her first name. "But please, don''t call me ''Duel King'' anymore¡ªjust call me Hoshino."


    "This idle chit-chat is a waste of time. Let''s get moving..." Kaiba, as direct and tactless as ever, was clearly uninterested in pleasantries.


    "Then let''s go, Yugi, Kaiba, Hoshino." Ishizu nodded slightly to Kaiba, signaling everyone to follow her. "The exhibit''s transport is already waiting for us."


    "Grandpa, we''re heading out now. Save some dinner for me, okay?" Hoshino called out, concerned that after skipping lunch due to the duel with Kaiba, her dinner might also be at risk.


    (***)


    Egyptian Artifact Exhibition Hall¡ª


    "Wow, wow, wow!" Hoshino couldn''t stop exclaiming as they entered the hall, her head swiveling as though she wished she could turn it 180 degrees.


    "Hoshino, is this your first time in a place like this? Domino City actually has quite a few museums too, we can visit them together next time," Yugi said, slightly infected by Hoshino''s enthusiasm. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This place... it''s filled with holy relics!" That was the real reason Hoshino was so excited.


    "Holy relics? What relics?" Yugi asked, confused.


    "This museum full of outdated junk doesn''t compare to my Kaiba Manor, showcasing the latest in cutting-edge technology!" Kaiba, for some reason, seemed intent on arguing with someone, looking at the exhibits with disdain.


    "Your manor, filled with Blue-Eyes White Dragons, is so terrifying at night, let''s not even mention it." Hoshino mercilessly pointed out the flaw in Kaiba''s argument.


    "You commoners and your lack of taste..."


    "We''re here," Ishizu interrupted, stopping at a downward staircase that led to the deepest part of the exhibit. "Below lies the legendary tablet that gave Pegasus the inspiration for the God Cards."


    "It doesn''t feel any different here," Hoshino muttered, looking around the underground-like space. Apart from it being slightly cooler, there wasn''t much difference from above.


    "Is that... the God Cards?" Kaiba immediately recognized Obelisk the Tormentor etched on the giant stone tablet displayed before them.


    "Indeed, this is the tablet of the Three Egyptian God Cards," Ishizu confirmed, pointing at the tablet while keeping her eyes fixed on Yugi¡ªor more specifically, the Millennium Puzzle on his chest.


    "The ancient Pharaoh, who commanded the strongest of the Three Gods, ruled over both the earth and the heavens, the greatest existence of all!" Ishizu''s voice grew louder and more imposing, radiating an inexplicable authority.


    "And the image of the legendary Pharaoh is carved right into this tablet!"


    "You''re saying the Pharaoh is depicted on this tablet?" Hoshino''s eye twitched as she processed Ishizu''s words about a Pharaoh who ruled over the heavens and the earth. A certain ridiculous laugh echoed in her mind:


    ("Hahahahaha! There''s nothing the Pharaoh cannot do on earth! All things in this world are under my control!")


    (*****)


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 Chapter 144 - 144

    "The Pharaoh is inscribed on the tablet..." After hearing Ishizu''s explanation, Yugi muttered to himself, noticing that the Millennium Puzzle on his chest had started to glow brightly.


    "That image of the Pharaoh!" Kaiba exclaimed, his eyes widening as he followed Ishizu''s pointing.


    "Is it referring to me?" The spirit of the Pharaoh, after switching bodies with Yugi, looked puzzled but seemed to be beginning to understand something.


    "O Pharaoh, I have been waiting for you." Ishizu, bowing respectfully, greeted the Pharaoh with a formal bow. "The nameless Pharaoh who has lost his memories!"


    At this moment, Hoshino finally understood why Ishizu had been staring intently at Yugi from the start. It turned out that the other Yugi, hidden within the Millennium Puzzle, was the Pharaoh.


    "But the Pharaoh engraved on this tablet... his hairstyle is identical to Yugi''s." Hoshino examined the tablet closely. Art from a thousand years ago was usually very abstract.


    Take the Slifer the Sky Dragon tablet they had seen earlier¡ªHoshino greatly admired Pegasus''s imagination for being able to depict such a detailed monster from the simple carvings.


    Similarly, the tablet representing the Pharaoh was just as abstract. While the figure didn''t have many distinctive facial features, the star-shaped hairstyle was so iconic that Hoshino thought she could recognize it even in ashes.


    "And the monster engraved above the Pharaoh¡ªcould it be the Dark Magician?" Hoshino asked as she inspected the tablet further, noticing another familiar shape. "It looks kind of cute~"


    If the tablet did depict the Dark Magician, it would make sense, as it was Yugi''s ace card.


    "Look at the other side of the Dark Magician!" Kaiba suddenly exclaimed, excited.


    "You were the one who didn''t want to come here in the first place, and now you''re all into it?" Hoshino looked at the haughty Kaiba with disdain.


    "That''s the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba said, pointing at the tablet.


    "That''s supposed to be a Blue-Eyes White Dragon? How could you even tell..." Hoshino sighed, feeling tired from constantly making remarks. Commenting on everything was exhausting, after all.


    From the Sky Dragon to this Blue-Eyes White Dragon, all the abstract depictions on the tablet were somehow instantly recognized by Kaiba. Hoshino figured that Kaiba must have some connection with these tablets.


    "Yes, it depicts the fateful duel between the Pharaoh wielding the Dark Magician and the priest wielding the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. This sacred event is inscribed on the tablet." Facing Kaiba and the Pharaoh (Yami Yugi), Ishizu spoke slowly, "Don''t you think this destined confrontation mirrors the current situation perfectly?"


    She was referring to the duel between Kaiba and Yugi.


    "The priest wielding the Blue-Eyes White Dragon... and the Pharaoh... their fateful duel..." Kaiba, clutching his head, seemed to be struggling to accept this revelation.


    "Seto Kaiba, now do you understand why you can wield a God Card?" Ishizu pressed, attempting to make Kaiba face the reality before him.


    "It''s just a coincidence! I believe in science above all else, and there is no explanation for such unscientific matters!" However, Ishizu had underestimated Kaiba''s stubborn and unwavering belief in science. Even when confronted with such evidence, he forcefully denied it.


    "I came here solely to learn the whereabouts of the remaining two God Cards, not to hear your stories!" Kaiba, frustrated, reiterated his purpose and urged Ishizu to get to the point. "If you only lured me here with tales of the God Cards, then I''m leaving."


    "Are you planning to run away, Seto Kaiba?"


    "..." Kaiba didn''t respond, turning to leave.


    "Rare Hunters! They have stolen Slifer the Sky Dragon and The Winged Dragon of Ra from Egypt!" Ishizu, perhaps realizing this was her last chance to stop the stubborn Kaiba, revealed the truth in hopes of keeping him there. "Their leader, Marik Ishtar, the wielder of the Millennium Rod..."


    "Ishtar?! That''s the same last name as yours, Ishizu..." Hoshino, half-gaping, seemed hesitant to continue.


    "Yes, Marik, the leader of the Rare Hunters, is my younger brother." Ishizu sighed deeply. It was clear she carried a heavy burden.


    "So I ask you to reclaim the God Cards and save my brother, who has lost his way. And, nameless Pharaoh, the God Cards are also essential to restoring your lost memories."


    "But if the God Cards are in the hands of Rare Hunters, how are we supposed to find them?" The Pharaoh, frowning, seemed increasingly concerned about his lost memories after learning more about his identity.


    "As for how to retrieve the God Cards..." Once again, Ishizu turned her gaze to Kaiba.


    "Hmph, Rare Hunters, huh? Interesting. If rare cards are their target, then we''ll use rare cards and the God Cards to bait them into coming to us!" Kaiba, who had initially been about to leave, seemed to have achieved his goal upon hearing the truth from Ishizu.


    "Hoshino, do you remember the Duel Disk we tested at noon? Well, the Duel Disk has been upgraded!"


    "Upgraded? And in just a short time?!" Hoshino, incredulous, marveled at Kaiba''s extraordinary genius. No wonder someone like him held such faith in science¡ªit wasn''t without reason.


    "That''s right, the perfect Duel Disk! It no longer relies on an internal computer to process data. Instead, it transmits data to a satellite equipped with supercomputers owned by Kaiba Corp!" With a dramatic flourish, Kaiba spun around, lifting his coat for no reason. "The data processed by the supercomputers is transmitted back, allowing even duels between gods to be perfectly simulated!"


    "So... what does this have to do with retrieving the God Cards?" Hoshino tilted her head, watching Kaiba with curiosity. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "With the Duel Disk''s portability, I''ll turn the entire city of Domino into a battlefield for Duel Monsters!"


    "Ohhhh!" Even though Hoshino didn''t understand what Kaiba was saying, she couldn''t help but feel that it sounded impressive.


    "And most importantly, the duels will follow the ante rule¡ªwhere the loser must hand over the rarest card in their deck to the winner." Kaiba continued explaining.


    "This rule!" The Pharaoh suddenly realized something.


    "That''s right. This rule will be irresistible to the Rare Hunters. Marik, the God Cardholder, will take the bait and deliver the God Cards right into my hands!" Kaiba, with his plan perfectly laid out, wore a look of confidence.


    "This citywide tournament, the largest in dueling history, will turn all of Domino into a dueling arena! I shall name it... Battle City!"


    "It''s truly a genius idea, this plan is flawless!"


    Hearing Hoshino''s unabashed praise, Kaiba, who intended to turn the entire city into a battleground, accepted the compliment. How could any duelist refuse such an exciting tournament?


    "My ultimate goal is still only the three Egyptian God Cards." With a satisfied expression, Kaiba pointed to Yugi.


    "Listen carefully, Yugi! It doesn''t matter if you''re a Pharaoh or whatever, or what ancient promises you carry! I want to defeat you based on my own current will. I will put an end to the conflict between us at this Battle City!"


    "Kaiba, I eagerly await our duel!" Yugi''s Duelist spirit was just as ignited, strongly responding to Kaiba''s challenge.


    Standing nearby, watching the two stare each other down, Hoshino smiled like a proud father.


    "So this is what it feels like to have fated rivals. Not bad~"


    Though Hoshino wasn''t a fangirl, she didn''t dislike the idea of fated enemies who pushed each other to grow.


    Finding a rival like this, who is both a companion and an enemy, would truly be a highlight in one''s life.


    "Both of you, do your best!" Without realizing it, Hoshino found herself cheering them on.


    "What are you talking about, Hoshino? You can''t just take a bystander''s attitude like this." Yugi turned and smiled slightly.


    "This Battle City is also my battle for revenge against you. Don''t think that just because you won in Duelist Kingdom you can rest easy!"


    "Hoshino, as the Duel King, I won''t allow you not to participate in Battle City!" Kaiba also turned his gaze to Hoshino with a hint of a threat in his voice.


    "Or are you afraid you''ll lose to me and forfeit your Heroic Spirit cards?"


    "You sure talk big, Kaiba. Don''t forget, I destroyed your God Cards. Our record is one win each, it''s time to settle this once and for all!"


    "It was one win and one draw."


    Oh, right, I already have a companion who is both a rival and a friend. Even though I''m in another world, the bond formed through duels is undeniably real.


    "You guys are truly reliable. With the three of you here, even though the Millennium Necklace cannot foresee the future clearly, I feel a great sense of relief." Ishizu gently touched her necklace, her exquisite face softening into a smile.


    "Hmph, enough idle chatter. I need to return and work with Mokuba on the specifics of Battle City. You two better prepare for the battle while I''m busy!"


    "We should head home for dinner too, right, Yugi?"


    "Yeah, we shouldn''t keep Grandpa waiting too long. Thank you, Ishizu, for telling me all of this today..." Yugi, eyes filled with determination, took one last look at the tablet with his engraved image. "I will retrieve my lost memories!"


    "Let''s go~"


    However, just as Hoshino was about to leave the underground chamber where the tablet was stored, her deck pouch suddenly felt like it had been struck by electricity, and her cards scattered everywhere.


    "Oops, that was careless of me," Hoshino mumbled as she crouched to pick up the cards. "Did I bump into something?"


    Ishizu, who had initially planned to help, suddenly tensed up. "This feeling... it''s a God Card!"


    "Why¡ªwhy do you have a God Card on you, Hoshino?"


    "Huh? A God Card?" Kaiba, who had already reached the steps and was about to leave, immediately turned back upon hearing the term. "The stolen God Cards from Egypt... could they be in your possession?"


    "Hoshino, have you had any contact with the Rare Hunters?" Ishizu scanned Hoshino with a sharp gaze. Hoshino, crouching and looking dumbfounded, seemed caught off guard.


    "Huh? A God Card? Contact with the Rare Hunters?" Completely confused, Hoshino was momentarily at a loss for words. "But I don''t have any God Cards..."


    "Hoshino, could it be that card?" Seeing Hoshino in a panic, Yugi suddenly realized.


    "The Evil God Card!"


    "Evil God Card?!" Both Ishizu and Kaiba frowned upon hearing the term.


    "The Evil God Card... could it really be in your hands, Hoshino?" Realizing Hoshino had no connection to the Rare Hunters, the sharp look in Ishizu''s eyes immediately disappeared, as if it had never been there.


    "Is there a legend about the Evil God Card too?" After gathering the scattered cards, Hoshino pulled out the one she had received from Devlin earlier that afternoon.


    [The Wicked Dreadroot]


    "Hoshino, where did you get that card?" Kaiba stared intently at the stats of the Evil God, which rivaled those of Obelisk, asking anxiously, his eyes filled with two emotions: curiosity and jealousy.


    "It''s just..." Holding the Evil God Card, Hoshino recounted the encounter with Devlin to Kaiba and Ishizu.


    "How could such a fortunate thing happen to you!" Kaiba''s tone implied his disbelief that something like this hadn''t happened to him instead.


    "Cards imbued with divine power are drawn to those with a fated connection." Now understanding that Hoshino possessed an Evil God Card, Ishizu seemed to grasp the situation.


    "In that instant, I felt the gods'' fear. That''s likely why the residual energy from the tablet attacked your deck."


    "Even gods feel fear? Could Devlin''s words be true?" Yugi murmured, deep in thought.


    ("This is the Evil God Card that can suppress the God Cards!")


    "There are many versions of the legend of the Evil God Cards, but no one has ever seen an actual one. Even the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, which sealed the God Cards, has never come across one." Ishizu, recalling the relevant information about the Evil God Cards, slowly explained it to the group.


    "That''s why the Evil God Cards have always been considered something akin to an urban legend. No one knows whether they truly exist."


    "You said ''they''?" Hoshino, holding the Evil God Card, quickly caught the key point. "Does that mean there''s more than one Evil God Card?"


    "Yes, according to legend, there are three Evil God Cards, corresponding to the three God Cards."


    "After creating the God Cards, Pegasus feared that their immense power might go out of control, so he created three Evil God Cards to suppress them."


    "Of course, this is just one of many versions of the story," Ishizu added.


    "The reason the Evil God Cards never appeared is that Pegasus realized in the end that using an even greater power to suppress another would only lead to a cycle of destruction. So it''s said that the Evil God Cards were never completed."


    "Unfinished cards, huh..." Hearing this, Hoshino started to feel a bit eerie about the card in her hand.


    Why would an incomplete card appear in this world and ultimately end up in her possession?


    Hoshino''s intuition was once again telling her that things were heading in a troublesome direction.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 145 - 145

    "If what you say is true, Ishizu, and there are three Evil God cards, then it''s very likely that the other two cardholders will come to participate in this Battle City," Hoshino muttered thoughtfully, staring at the Evil God card in her hand.


    "But the Evil God attached to the card should have already been destroyed by Altera. The ominous aura that originally radiated from the card has vanished. From what I can tell, this is just a rare card now."


    "Is the God card really afraid of the Evil God card? Or is there another reason?"


    Hoshino felt a headache coming on as she realized that, since arriving in this world, her deductive abilities were nearing Sherlock Holmes'' level.


    "Speaking of which, I haven''t seen Mr. Holmes in a while. That unreliable detective¡ªDa Vinci personally sent him to help me, and yet he''s been slacking off recently. I should report him to Da Vinci!"


    "Hmph, the Evil God card, huh? How interesting," Kaiba said, clearly pleased. "I thought I could only reel in the three Egyptian Gods, but now there are also three Evil Gods. What a big catch."


    With Kaiba''s wealth, only cards with mythic rarity¡ªcards that existed only in legend¡ªcould truly capture his full interest.


    "The three Evil Gods that can suppress the three Egyptian Gods, huh? These cards, which shouldn''t exist in this world, appearing now must mean something," Yugi (Yami) muttered, frowning. He didn''t believe the appearance of the Egyptian Gods and Evil Gods was merely a coincidence. "Perhaps this could be the key to retrieving my lost memories."


    ¡­


    Without speaking, the trio left the Egyptian relic exhibition hall, each immersed in their own thought''s


    (***)


    At Kame Game Shop, in Hoshino''s room¡ª


    It was another quiet night. Hoshino had been in this world for quite some time now and was gradually getting used to it.


    At first, there had been a sense of loneliness, like being in a foreign land, but with the friendship of her companions, she slowly integrated into this world.


    Sometimes, lying alone in her room, Hoshino would wonder: was life in her original world really better than this?


    Now, she attended school with friends, played Duel Monsters, worked at the toy shop, was admired by kids, and her days were filled with laughter¡­


    This kind of life was something the reclusive version of herself¡ªholed up at home all day¡ªcould never have imagined or even dared to dream of.


    The only thing she still worried about was probably her father, who was all alone in the original world.


    Slap! Slap!


    Hoshino lightly patted her soft cheeks and sat up in bed.


    "It''s late at night, and being alone makes you overthink. If this keeps up, I''ll end up shutting myself off," she muttered, trying to psych herself up. With that, she casually opened the Heroic Spirit Card system.


    "Doing something fun should cheer me up."


    [Duelist Level Assessment Complete. Duelist Duke Devlin, Duelist Level: D. Victory reward: 15 Saint Quartz. Total remaining Saint Quartz: 17.]


    [Duelist ID 001, Hoshino Chiyuki, won a Shadow Game. Victory reward: 1 SSR Summon Ticket.]


    "Devlin''s duelist level is low, but who would have thought I''d get an SSR Summon Ticket from that easy Shadow Game?"


    "An SSR Summon Ticket and the Evil God card¡ªDevlin really brought me some great stuff. If Kaiba knew, he''d be jealous."


    In high spirits, Hoshino opened the gacha, eager to see the new Heroic Spirit she''d pull.


    [Detected SSR exclusive ticket. Now accessing the SSR-exclusive Banner.]


    "Ah, the thrill of gacha¡ªthere''s nothing better for soothing a weary soul." Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this point, Hoshino had completely forgotten the introspection from earlier while lying in bed.


    "Select. Use the ticket to summon an SSR!"


    A golden light flickered between her fingers, just as blinding and radiant as ever. The spinning golden card meant that another formidable ally was about to join Hoshino''s Heroic Spirit deck.


    "Hahahahahah! Zasshu!"


    "That voice!" Hoshino tensed up, recognizing the familiar, brainwashing laughter and the insult that always made her blood boil.


    "You''ve got quite the nerve, summoning me in this small room!"


    The card gleamed with such brilliance that Hoshino could barely look at it. Coupled with the arrogant voice and sinister laughter, it was clear who had answered the summons.


    "It''s not like I intended to summon you! Gilgamesh, you''re the one who responded on your own!" Hoshino pouted, her tone slightly defiant.


    "How dare you, Zasshu! Who gave you permission to speak the name of a king so freely!"


    "However¡­ you''re not entirely wrong. It was I who answered your summons."


    "Hahahaha! Consider yourself fortunate to have summoned me, Zasshu!"


    Why is he laughing again? Is this really that funny?


    Unable to understand Gilgamesh''s odd sense of humor, Hoshino sighed softly.


    "But having the King of Heroes respond to the summons is reassuring. The battles ahead might not be as easy as the ones before," she said, her tone growing more serious as she considered the upcoming Battle City event, the lurking evil forces, and the stage set for a clash between the Egyptian Gods and the Evil Gods. She knew she''d need all the help she could get.


    "That''s right, Zasshu!" Gilgamesh suddenly adopted a more serious tone. "The battles ahead will likely be far more difficult than you can imagine. You had best prepare yourself."


    "Wait, Gilgamesh do you know about the current situation? Is that why you came?"


    "Zasshu, you dare speak my name again! But no matter. In times like this, feel free to rely on the power of the King. Be it the Egyptian Gods or Evil Gods, I''ll destroy them all!"


    "Then I''m counting on you, King of Heroes!" Hoshino said, nodding firmly as she carefully placed Gilgamesh''s card into her deck.


    Emiya: "Tch, is that annoying golden Archer here again?"


    "But this SSR ticket didn''t summon any waifus!" Hoshino suddenly realized, a note of disappointment in her voice as she finished adding Gilgamesh to her deck.


    Out of the four SSRs she''d summoned so far, only Okita S¨­ji was female. The others were Holmes, Karna, and Gilgamesh.


    "Am I going to end up summoning the entire Golden Trio of Archers?" The thought of this made Hoshino shudder, as the mocking laughter of Gilgamesh and Karna echoed in her mind.


    "Ugh, it seems only Saint Quartz earned by myself can be used to summon waifus. These shortcut methods just don''t work."


    Closing the SSR-exclusive shop, Hoshino switched to the regular summoning pool.


    [Special limited-time banner: Divine-Spirit Heroic Spirit featured with rate-up.]


    "Divine-Spirit, huh? It must be referring to Divine abilities."


    Following her "No More Than Three Saint Quartz" philosophy, even with only a handful of Saint Quartz in hand, Hoshino unhesitatingly decided to spend them all.


    [Use 3 Saint Quartz for one summon?]


    [Confirm]


    "When it comes to Divine-Spirit, the first person that comes to mind is that purple old¡ª"


    A chill ran down Hoshino''s spine, and she quickly corrected herself, "¡ªthat purple 17-year-old girl."


    "Though, most Divine-Spirit Heroic Spirits are gold cards, so they''re not easy to pull. Guess I''ll have to find time tomorrow to head to the shop, take down some kids in duels, and earn more funds for pulling waifus."


    Having made up her mind, Hoshino knew she couldn''t let such prime opportunities slip by without exploiting them.


    As expected, Hoshino''s initial summons didn''t yield any miracles. After tossing out four single pulls, it felt like throwing stones into the ocean¡ªno response at all.


    "Well, this is the usual outcome, after all." Having become accustomed to such disappointments, Hoshino remained quite calm.


    "Alright, let''s pull one last time before bed."


    With that thought, Hoshino casually tapped for the final summon and lay back down peacefully.


    Suddenly, radiant colors burst forth¡­


    Startled from her near-sleep, Hoshino abruptly sat up.


    "So, miracles from single pulls aren''t that rare after all! The internet wasn''t lying!"


    Now full of hope again, Hoshino eagerly awaited the surprise gift.


    "Enkidu, responding to my Master''s summon. Please, use me without hesitation, however you see fit."


    "Pffft¡­" Seeing Enkidu''s serious face, Hoshino couldn''t help but laugh. "You came along with Gilgamesh, didn''t you?"


    "Absolutely not, Master!" Enkidu firmly denied it, his expression still solemn. "I came here by my own will. I have nothing to do with Gil!"


    "Haha, sure, if you say so." Hoshino gave him a knowing look, finding it hard to believe his words.


    "I am a Heroic Spirit specialized in Anti-Divine abilities. Of course, I am merely a tool for Master to use. How you view a weapon is entirely up to you."


    "Oh, don''t use such cold words like ''weapon.'' You''re all my most precious Heroic Spirits." Hoshino smiled, carefully adding Enkidu''s card to her deck. "Alright, let''s head back to Chaldea and see if Gilgamesh is causing trouble."


    "Yes, Master!" Enkidu responded with a warm smile, his serious demeanor softening at Hoshino''s words.


    (***)


    The Next Day¡ª


    Sugoroku was in an exceptionally good mood today because he had just survived the greatest crisis of his 70-year-long life.


    For reasons he couldn''t understand, the customers that had been taken away by the new toy store yesterday had miraculously returned today.


    By the end of the school day, the front of the Kame Game Shop was once again packed with children, all eager to spend their pocket money on cards. They kept muttering about how they must pull "Altera."


    Sugoroku had no idea who or what "Altera" was, but as long as the children were happily buying cards (and spending money), he was just as happy.


    However, there was one strange thing¡­


    "Go, Emiya! Direct attack on him!" Without mercy, Hoshino issued the attack command, pointing at the bewildered child across from her.


    "Master, isn''t this a bit cruel to the child?" Emiya hesitated, feeling bad, but unable to defy the game''s rules. He reluctantly swung Kanshou and Bakuya, reducing the child''s remaining Life Points.


    "Ahhh!" The little kid cried out.


    LP: 800 ¡ú 0


    "Darn it, I lost!"


    [Duelist Level Evaluation Complete: Duelist Level E. Reward: 5 Saint Quartz. Total Saint Quartz: 32.]


    "Yosh, that''s six in a row. I''ve almost got enough for another ten-pull!" Hoshino grinned, practically counting her rewards like money.


    "Anyone else want to challenge me? Today, the Duel King herself is taking on all comers. Don''t miss your chance!"


    "Me, Hoshino-nee! I want to duel too!"


    "I''m in! I won''t lose this time!"


    "Sorry, losers can''t go again." After all, there''s no more quartz left to earn.


    "I''m so glad business is booming today!" Anzu, watching the lively scene from inside the shop, was genuinely happy for Yugi and his grandpa, especially after yesterday''s poor turnout.


    "Well, after what happened yesterday, it''s no surprise. Devlin''s toy store probably won''t have much business for a while." The kind-hearted Yugi was still worried about his competitor, despite everything.


    The Shadow Game that had trapped customers in terror yesterday had spread like wildfire, and now the whole city of Domino was abuzz with the news.


    With rumors swirling about the scary toy store, not many people dared to go there anymore. Especially those who had been trapped in the game¡ªthey likely wouldn''t return for the rest of their lives.


    "Hmph, he brought that upon himself!" Jonouchi, still holding a grudge, sneered at the mere mention of Devlin''s name.


    "By the way, don''t you have cram school today, Jonouchi? Didn''t you say it was a week-long course?" Honda asked, curious why Jonouchi was standing there instead of studying.


    "Of course, I skipped it. It''s just self-study, no teachers around. What''s the point of going?"


    "Go on, Boss! Use Iron Fist of Justice!" Hoshino''s commands once again left no mercy as she ordered a finishing blow.


    "Who are you calling ''boss''?" Martha grumbled, unwillingly raising her gauntlet.


    "Who would''ve thought I''d end up using my fists on such kids!"


    "Make sure to go easy on him, Tarasque!"


    Roar! Tarasque, happy to know he wouldn''t get hurt today, laughed cheerfully.


    "Here comes the gentle version¡ªIron! Fist! Of! Justice!"


    [Duelist Level Evaluation Complete: Duelist Akari. Duelist Level E. Reward: 5 Saint Quartz. Total Saint Quartz: 37.]


    "Not bad! Let''s keep it going!"


    "What is she even doing?" Jonouchi couldn''t help but comment, his face twitching as he watched Hoshino mercilessly take down one kid after another.


    "Hoshino said she was grinding, but¡­ I''m not sure what exactly," Yugi scratched his head awkwardly, equally clueless.


    "Damn it, if she needs a practice partner, she should come after me, Jonouchi-sama, instead of those kids!" Jonouchi flexed, clearly eager to duel her himself.


    "There''s my loyal dog, Jonouchi!" Hoshino called out playfully, referring to their one-week master-dog contract. "But you can sit this one out!"


    "Alright¡­"


    "That''s another victory down. Arash, Stella!"


    [Total Saint Quartz: 42.]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 146 - 146

    "Outfit, hmm, check!"


    Standing in front of the mirror, Hoshino carefully adjusted her appearance. Her silver-white hair complemented her eyes, which were as calm as water. Her pale arms extended from the short-sleeved shirt, gleaming seductively.


    "Main and sub Heroic Spirit decks, check!"


    Her white short skirt fully showcased her long, eye-catching legs. The card box hanging at her waist contained the strongest deck Hoshino had meticulously built over the past few days.


    To be prepared for all situations, Hoshino had even created a sub-deck to adjust her strategy based on her opponents.


    "New Duel Disk, check!"


    She accurately attached the custom-made Duel Disk, made by Kaiba, to her left arm.


    Though Kaiba had painted it blue, seemingly for his amusement, there was no denying that the custom Duel Disk was so lightweight that, with its internal data-processing computer removed, it felt like an extension of her own body.


    As for the two red bean buns (Anpan) that came as a bonus with the Duel Disk and were packed in a silver briefcase, Hoshino couldn''t figure out their meaning.


    "Could it be that he''s mocking me as a punching bag?" She almost laughed at her own thoughts.


    "All set! Hoshino Chiyuki is ready to go!"


    Slapping her soft cheeks gently, Hoshino energized herself.


    "Here I come, Battle City!"


    (***)


    Battle City Opening Plaza, Domino City¡ª


    "Look, Hoshino''s here!" From quite a distance, Jonouchi''s keen eyes spotted Hoshino running towards them.


    Hoshino had dressed up a bit for the occasion today, and her legs attracted plenty of attention as she ran.


    "That''s Hoshino Chiyuki, right? The one who won in the Duelist Kingdom."


    "She''s the Duel King? Wow, even someone like that is participating in Battle City."


    Her appearance and status inevitably sparked some chatter.


    In the middle of the vast plaza, duelists from all over the world gathered, each equipped with the latest Duel Disks.


    "Yugi, Jonouchi!" Hoshino greeted them. It seemed only these two from their group were participating in Battle City.


    "Where''s everyone else?" Hoshino asked, not seeing the other familiar faces.


    "Anzu should be here soon," Yugi said, explaining that, like Hoshino, she needed some extra time to get ready.


    "I haven''t been able to get in touch with Bakura all morning. Not sure where he went."


    "Honda''s at the hospital with Jonouchi''s sister, watching the tournament through live broadcasts."


    "Oh, has Shizuka already returned from Germany?" Hoshino asked, turning to Jonouchi after hearing the good news.


    "Yeah, the surgery went great, and she came back to Domino City last night," Jonouchi said, scratching his cheek, a bit embarrassed.


    "I gotta say, Jonouchi, you''re quite addicted to cards. Instead of spending time with your sister, you''re here for Battle City," Hoshino teased, knowing full well why Jonouchi felt shy.


    "Sh-Shut up!" Jonouchi tried to counter, swinging his Duel Disk arm for emphasis.


    "The soul of a duelist burns inside me, driving me to compete! This monumental tournament is the path I must walk to the top. Shizuka will understand!"


    "So, you left your sister with Honda, huh? You sure have no worries there," Hoshino said with a sidelong glance.


    Even though she was Jonouchi''s sister, Shizuka was nothing like him. She was a pure, gentle, and sweet girl, and Honda had long been hoping for an introduction.


    Now that he had this chance, Hoshino could easily imagine Honda''s smug smile.


    "Chiyuki, Yugi, Jonouchi!" A familiar voice called out to them from a distance.


    "Mai! Long time no see!" Hoshino greeted Mai Valentine, whom they hadn''t seen since the Kaiba VR incident. She hadn''t told anyone where she had gone since then.


    Wearing a sexy, midriff-revealing outfit, Mai also had the latest Duel Disk strapped to her arm.


    "Mai, are you here for Battle City too?" Hoshino''s spirits lifted at the sight of her.


    "Of course, darling. I couldn''t miss such a massive tournament!" Mai laughed, giving Hoshino a big hug.


    "You''re just as adorable as ever, but I''m here to take my revenge on you, sweetie."


    "Where have you been lately, Mai? We haven''t seen you at all," Jonouchi asked bluntly, getting straight to the point.


    "Working, of course. Unlike you kids, I have to earn my living," Mai replied with a helpless shrug after releasing Hoshino from the hug.


    "I''m a free duelist, after all. But freedom comes with its own costs."


    Her realistic response left the group momentarily speechless.


    It seemed that even the free-spirited Mai couldn''t escape the pressures of the real world.


    "Most of my paycheck went into buying this," she added, waving her Duel Disk, clearly pained by the memory.


    Kaiba sure knew how to do business. There was no entry fee for Battle City. As long as you had the latest Duel Disk, you could enter.


    The first batch of Duel Disks had sold out instantly at toy and weapons stores, and KaibaCorp had to pour in more funds just to keep up with the overwhelming demand.


    Thanks to the success of this Duel Disk, KaibaCorp had not only recovered from the bad press after Kaiba lost to Yugi but also reached new heights.


    "What''s with all these annoying voices gathering here? Isn''t that Yugi and Jonouchi?!" came a sneering voice from behind them.


    "Weevil, Rex?!" Two short duelists, clearly meant to be cannon fodder, wormed their way out of the crowd.


    "I can''t believe someone as lucky as Jonouchi made it to the Duelist Kingdom''s top four," Rex Raptor immediately began mocking Jonouchi.


    "You, the first to be eliminated in Duelist Kingdom, have the nerve to enter Battle City?" Jonouchi shot back without hesitation.


    "Yugi, my reborn Insect deck will easily crush you this time!" Clearly, Weevil still harbored deep resentment toward Yugi.


    "And my revamped Dinosaur deck will crush you all!"


    "Big words for has-beens like you," said another voice.


    "That voice?"


    "Yo, Hoshino! Long time no see! You''re cuter than ever~"


    "Yuta Kajiki?!"


    "Yuta, even you''re here to participate?"


    Hoshino, feeling a bit surprised, was facing the first opponent she had ever dueled with across the world, and she certainly wouldn''t forget him.


    "Of course! I, a man of the sea, couldn''t miss such a grand tournament where duelists can fully unleash their spirits!"


    With his thumb pointing confidently to himself, Yuta''s face was full of self-assurance. "Hoshino, I''m reserving your first duel. I''ll show you the strength I''ve gained since we last met!"


    "If that''s the case, you''ll probably end up being the first player eliminated in Battle City," retorted Jonouchi, equally confident in Hoshino''s abilities.


    "Ladies and gentlemen!!" A powerful voice, amplified by the airship''s speaker system, echoed across the plaza.


    "Look, that''s Seto Kaiba on the airship!" someone suddenly shouted, drawing the attention of all the duelists gathered in the square.


    "That voice¡­" Hoshino looked up in the direction of the sound and, sure enough, saw the extravagantly dressed Kaiba standing on the airship.


    "Having money is really something, being able to make a grand entrance," Hoshino muttered quietly in amazement. It seemed helicopters were no longer enough for Kaiba; he had now moved on to airships.


    "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Domino City, and thank you for gathering here to participate in the Battle City Tournament!"


    Kaiba, standing on the airship, began to speak loudly once the crowd''s attention was focused on him.


    "This unprecedented Duel Monsters tournament, thanks to the latest portable Duel Disks, will have an infinitely expanded battlefield! The entire city of Domino is your stage to display your duelist spirit!"


    "The rules are very simple: victory reigns supreme! The duels will follow a wagered card system, where the loser must hand over the rarest card from their deck to the winner. Also, the puzzle cards included with the Duel Disks will be handed to the victor as well."


    "Once a duelist has gathered six puzzle cards, the cards will guide them to the location of the final battle."


    "Now, let''s ignite this city of Domino with our duelist spirits as we battle for rare cards and puzzle cards!"


    "Whoa!!!" The crowd erupted in excitement.


    It had to be said that Kaiba certainly had leadership qualities. His passionate rule announcement had taken the tournament''s atmosphere to its peak.


    "Please proceed to the area indicated by your puzzle cards to begin the Battle City Tournament."


    As soon as Kaiba finished speaking, the crowd in the square eagerly dispersed.


    "So that''s what this thing is, a puzzle card." Hoshino, realizing, pulled out the puzzle chip that had been hidden in the field card slot of her Duel Disk.


    The golden chip reflected the blinding sunlight. After placing it back into the field magic card slot and activating the Duel Disk, an electronic map of Domino City was projected into her hand.


    "The red dots on the map must be the starting locations Kaiba mentioned."


    After glancing at the dispersing crowd, it was clear that everyone had different starting points, which prevented the disadvantage of all the players crowding together at the beginning. The flames of battle were truly being spread across the entire city.


    "This idea must have come from Mokuba," Hoshino mused. There was no way that Kaiba, with his head full of duel strategies, would have considered such small details.


    Since everyone had different starting points, the group had no choice but to split up. Unlike in Duelist Kingdom, where one person would duel while the others cheered them on, now it was truly every duelist for themselves.


    "Chiyuki, we''ll see you at the final battle!" Mai waved to Hoshino.


    "Six puzzle cards, huh? That''s much easier than collecting ten star chips in Duelist Kingdom."


    After parting with her friends, Hoshino followed the map''s guidance. It took about ten minutes to reach her designated starting point.


    Along the way, she saw several quick-footed duelists already engaging in duels using their Duel Disks.


    The monsters'' holographic projections, powered by a satellite supercomputer, were even more realistic and imposing. Passing by one such duel, Hoshino was almost startled by the powerful aura generated when the monsters collided.


    "Domino City''s library? Why is it such a strange location?" Hoshino muttered as she looked up at the shop''s sign. After stepping onto the designated area, her puzzle card emitted a green flash.


    Shortly after, the words "Puzzle Card Activation Complete" appeared on the map that guided her forward.


    "Alright, I guess that means I can officially start dueling now." With the card activated, Hoshino excitedly swung her slender arms, readying the Duel Disk on her arm.


    "Hoshino, it seems we are destined to meet again."


    A familiar face appeared in front of Hoshino once more.


    "Huh? Yuta! I didn''t expect your starting point to be here too!" Seeing the familiar face, Hoshino couldn''t help but feel a little excited.


    "It looks like I''m destined to take your first duel in Battle City," said Yuta, sounding slightly nervous as he placed his deck into his Duel Disk.


    "Yuta, don''t say I didn''t warn you¡ªI''m completely different from the last time we dueled." With a confident smile, Hoshino unhooked the Heroic Spirit deck from her waist and inserted it into the Duel Disk. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I know. You became the Duel King, after all. You really are the girl I set my sights on." Seeing Hoshino ready to duel, Yuta''s nervousness faded, his eyes now filled with determination.


    "But now, my duelist spirit has never burned brighter. Proving my strength in front of the girl I like¡ªthere''s nothing more exciting than that!"


    "The girl you like, huh¡­" Hoshino''s expression showed a hint of awkwardness at the mention of the word. "Sorry, Yuta. The only thing I can do is give my all in this duel¡­"


    "And give you yet another nice guy card!"


    "Duel!"


    "I''ll go first!" Hoshino was the first to draw a card from her Duel Disk.


    "I summon the monster card: [Heroic Spirit ¨C Kiyohime] in attack mode!"


    As Hoshino placed the Heroic Spirit card on her left-arm Duel Disk, the data from the disk was sent to the satellite computer, which quickly processed and projected the full holographic form of the monster before the two of them.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Kiyohime ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star)][Fire][Dragon/Effect][ATK 800/DEF 500]


    "Master!" Kiyohime''s voice carried a tone of complaint as she appeared on the field. "Master, you haven''t summoned me in such a long time."


    "I''ve been so lonely, so, so lonely. This feeling of sleepless nights, Master, can you understand it?"


    "Sorry, Kiyohime¡­" Hoshino, averting her eyes, didn''t dare lie to Kiyohime and could only apologize sincerely. "From now on, I''ll make full use of your power!"


    "Really, Master? You must use me properly, and no lying!"


    Kiyohime, who had been pouting just moments ago, now cradled her blushing face in her hands, speaking with a lovestruck expression.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 147 - 147

    "Oh? You''re not using your favorite muscle monsters anymore?" Yuta was slightly taken aback when he saw Hoshino summon Kiyohime.


    "What? My favorite muscle monsters?" Hoshino, recalling an unpleasant memory, shook her head hard.


    "I really have no idea what you''re talking about! I set two cards face-down." Denying that memory, Hoshino inserted two cards into the Spell and Trap Zone of her Duel Disk.


    In response to Hoshino''s actions, the images of two face-down cards appeared at her feet.


    "Turn ends!"


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 3 cards. 2 set cards.


    "Heh heh, compared to muscle monsters, these monsters suit you much better, Hoshino!" Yuta, drawing a card from his Duel Disk, glanced at Kiyohime on the field.


    "It doesn''t matter if you try to compliment me, my heart already belongs to Master!" Kiyohime snapped back, not at all flattered.


    "Huh?! Did... did that monster just talk to me?!" Yuta, who was in the middle of his move, was so startled that he almost dropped the card he''d just drawn.


    "Huh?" Hoshino was equally surprised. "You can hear the Spirit Monsters speak?"


    "Of course, I''m not deaf! It was pretty obvious!" Yuta''s expression shifted from "this monster is cute" to "this monster is creepy" as he stared at Kiyohime.


    "What in the world..." Hoshino was just as shocked as Yuta. So far, only those who possessed Millennium Items, like Yugi and Pegasus, could hear the Spirits of the Monsters.


    And Yuta clearly didn''t seem like someone who wielded that kind of power, so Hoshino could only think of one possible explanation.


    "Is this something Kaiba did with these special Duel Disks?" During her duel with Kaiba in front of the castle, after he disabled the Duel Platform''s systems, Kaiba was still able to perfectly recreate the Spirits, so this was the only explanation Hoshino could come up with.


    "So that''s why he sent me this special Duel Disk..."


    Although she didn''t know what Kaiba''s intentions were, from the looks of it, the conversations between the Spirits were no longer going to stay private.


    "Damn it!" She realized she wouldn''t be able to flirt with the Spirits so openly anymore.


    "Talking monsters don''t affect the duel! Come on, Yuta!" Hoshino, trying to act tough, urged Yuta to move on.


    "Oh! Right, my turn..." Snapped out of his bewilderment, Yuta regained his composure.


    "Hoshino, you''ve gotten stronger, but you''re not the only one who''s grown!"


    Regaining his confidence, Yuta drew a monster card and slapped it onto the field. "I summon Great White in Attack Position!"


    [Great White ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][WATER][Fish][ATK 1600/DEF 800]


    A bulky, massive shark appeared, floating in mid-air due to the lack of water.


    And as for why it was "bulky," this shark actually had a pair of thick, muscular arms.


    "Was this monster always this disgusting?"


    The first time Hoshino had dueled Yuta, there was a field spell, Umi, in effect, so most of Great White''s body was hidden underwater, leaving only its head visible, which explained why she hadn''t noticed how strange it looked.


    "Disgusting...?" Yuta, as if his worldview had been shattered, took a step back. "How can you say that? This ocean monster, a symbol of manliness, is disgusting? Hoshino, don''t tell me you don''t like muscular men anymore?"


    "I never liked them in the first place!" Hoshino retorted loudly, clearly annoyed.


    "I''ll change your mind! I discard [Warrior of Atlantis] from my hand and activate its effect!" Yuta, now fully fired up, discarded a monster from his hand into the graveyard slot of his Duel Disk.


    [Warrior of Atlantis Effect: You can discard this card to add 1 [A Legendary Ocean] from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Next, I activate the field spell card [A Legendary Ocean] that I just added to my hand!"


    Yuta placed the card into the extended Field Spell Zone of his Duel Disk.


    "Behold, Hoshino! My newfound power¡ªthe legendary city in the ocean, the magnificent Atlantis!"


    [A Legendary Ocean Field Spell Effect: (This card''s is always treated as "Umi.") ¢Ù: WATER monsters on the field gain 200 ATK/DEF. ¢Ú: The Level of WATER monsters in the hand and on the field is reduced by 1.]


    The Field Spell''s data, processed by the satellite supercomputer, was perfectly projected around Hoshino and Yuta. In an instant, the area within a ten-meter radius of the two was swallowed by water, and the grand underwater city of Atlantis rose out of nowhere in the middle of the street.


    As Hoshino was suddenly submerged in the waters of Atlantis, for a moment she felt a suffocating sensation but quickly realized it was just a hologram.


    Such a massive field change naturally drew the attention of passersby.


    "Whoa, what a field spell! What''s that?"


    "Isn''t that Yuta, the guy who won the regional championship back in the day? No wonder he''s got such an impressive Field Spell."


    "His opponent is done for. She''ll probably be the first to get eliminated."


    "Wait, do you know who his opponent is? Look at her closely..."


    "That''s the Duel King!"


    "No way! I can''t believe two such strong duelists are going at it right from the start."


    "Forget it, I''m not dueling. I''m watching this duel!"


    "Heh heh, see that, Hoshino? The crowd''s already in awe of my manly ocean spirit!" Standing in front of the grand palace of Atlantis, Yuta confidently pointed ahead.


    "Once I show you the true power of the Legendary Ocean, you''ll see me in a whole new light! Great White, attack the opposing monster!"


    [Great White ATK 1600 ¡ú 1800]


    Thriving in the water, Great White moved swiftly through the waters of Atlantis.


    "Shark Bite!" Despite having a pair of bulky, muscular arms, Great White still attacked with its teeth. "Prepare to be destroyed by Great White!"


    "I refuse! I already told you it''s disgusting!" Hoshino, discarding a monster from her hand, solemnly rejected Yuta''s attack. "I activate Kiyohime''s special ability!"


    [You can activate this effect by discarding one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand. Until the end of the turn, this card''s ATK and DEF increase by half of the discarded monster''s ATK and DEF values. This effect can also be activated during your opponent''s turn.]


    "I discarded the monster card, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita S¨­ji], so Kiyohime''s attack power increases by half of Okita''s!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Kiyohime ATK 800 ¡ú 2050]


    "Oh no¡­ Kiyohime''s body is getting all heated up. Master, you''ll have to take responsibility for this!" Kiyohime said, covering her chest with a bashful expression.


    Deep blue flames started burning in the water, unhindered.


    "Transform into the Dragon of Flames and soar, Kiyohime!"


    The blue dragon, burning within the water, instantly turned the tables and effortlessly defeated the Great White.


    "Tenshin Kash¨­ Zanmai!!!"


    [Great White] destroyed


    [Kajiki Yuta LP 4000 ¡ú 3750]


    "How did she do that? It seems like the Duel King didn''t even flip her face-down card and still managed to counterattack."


    "Is fire really burning underwater? That''s incredible."


    "Yuta, while I don''t dislike a man like you with strong convictions, to be honest, I like cute girls."


    After destroying the Great White, Kiyohime returned to her original adorable form. "That''s right, that''s right, Master prefers someone like me!" she said.


    "It''s not over yet! A man of the sea like me won''t retreat just because of one setback!" Yuta, unfazed, drew a card and placed it into his Duel Disk.


    "I set one card face-down and end my turn."


    Kajiki Yuta''s remaining hand cards: 3, 1 set card.


    [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime ATK 2050 ¡ú 800]


    "This is bad. Yuta doesn''t have a single monster on the field."


    "Is there really too much of a gap in power between him and the Duel King?"


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino briefly glanced at her hand but didn''t underestimate Yuta like the surrounding spectators.


    "Yuta leaving his field empty and setting just one card most likely means he''s trying to bait me into a trap."


    "But as the great detective Holmes said in life, traps are made to be sprung! Leaving that trap alone is a constant threat!"


    "I summon the monster card! [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll] in Attack Position!" Hoshino placed the carefully selected card into the Duel Disk, and a new monster materialized on her field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1350/DEF 800]


    "In this situation, for Master to summon me... it seems you''re a little wary of the face-down card," said Jekyll, who, upon materializing, immediately saw through Hoshino''s mindset.


    "Just when you summoned a monster, I activate my set trap card!" As expected, Yuta''s face-down card was indeed a trap designed to resist this turn''s attack.


    Yuta pressed the activation button on his Duel Disk, and the image of the set card appeared from the ground.


    "Trap card, [Torrential Tribute]!"


    [Torrential Tribute Trap Card Effect: When a monster(s) is Summoned: Destroy all monsters on the field.]


    Triggered by the card''s effect, the Duel Disk generated a torrent that engulfed the entire field. While the effect was a double-edged sword, Yuta had no monsters, so he wasn''t at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, Hoshino''s two monsters were swept away by the torrent, resulting in a full wipe on her side.


    [Heroic Spirit - Kiyohime] destroyed


    [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll] destroyed


    "Now the tables have turned, Hoshino." Yuta''s tanned face showed a triumphant grin as his plan succeeded.


    "Not quite. I activate [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll]''s special effect!" Hoshino raised the destroyed monster card, showing it to Yuta.


    [When this card is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, during your next Standby Phase, you can special summon one [Heroic Spirit - Hyde] from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard.]


    "Thanks to Jekyll''s effect, Hyde will be special summoned during my next turn!"


    Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 2 hand card, 2 set card.


    "As expected from Hoshino. You had a backup plan," Yuta remarked, beginning his turn, "But that doesn''t change the fact that your field is empty!"


    "My turn, draw!"


    Seeing the card he had just drawn, Yuta''s smile grew wider. "Hoshino, let me show you my ace card!"


    "Because of the effect of the Field Spell Card A Legendary Ocean, the levels of Water attribute monsters in both players'' hands are reduced by 1."


    "A level-reducing effect? That means¡­" Hoshino, seeing this card''s effect for the first time, widened her eyes.


    "That''s right! This means that a 5-star monster can now be summoned without a tribute!" Before Hoshino could fully comprehend, Yuta placed a newly drawn monster onto the Duel Disk.


    "I summon the 5-star Water attribute monster! Come forth, [The Legendary Fisherman]!"


    [The Legendary Fisherman¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5 stars)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK1850/DEF 1600]


    [While "Umi" is on the field, this card is unaffected by Spell effects.]


    "Even though its attack power isn''t very high, it has resistance to Spell Cards, huh?" Hoshino said, eyeing the Fisherman, who had materialized in the water. "Since it''s unaffected by Spell Card effects, even the attack boost from the Field Spell doesn''t apply, right?"


    "But that won''t stop me from launching a direct attack this turn! Go, Legendary Fisherman!" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Fisherman, swimming through the water, gathered a torrent into his spear and hurled it with all his might at Hoshino. "Tidal Spear!"


    "I''m not just going to stand here and take a hit without a fight. After all, I''m the Duel King; I have a reputation to uphold!" With that, Hoshino pressed the button to activate her face-down card.


    "Quick-Play Spell Card, [Heroic Spirit Bond]!"


    "It''s useless! Spell Cards have no effect on Legendary Fisherman!"


    "I never said it was targeting your Fisherman. Why are you so worked up? By discarding one Heroic Spirit monster from my hand, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card''s effect!"


    [Heroic Spirit Bond Quick-Play Spell Effect: By discarding one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand, shuffle your Deck, draw one card, and reveal it to your opponent. If it''s a [Heroic Spirit] monster, special summon it to your field.]


    "What kind of effect is that¡­" Yuta, now frowning, couldn''t understand why Hoshino was so confident. "Hoshino, are you so sure you''ll draw a monster card?"


    "Of course not!" Hoshino reshuffled her Deck into the Duel Disk and placed her pale fingers on the top of the deck.


    "But this card is called [Heroic Spirit Bond]! As long as I believe in the bond between myself and my Deck, the Deck will respond!"


    "Here we go, draw!" Even though it was a normal drawing motion, the sheer intensity behind it felt like a slap to Yuta''s face.


    "Heh, I''ve won this bet, Yuta. The card I drew is [Heroic Spirit - Leonidas I]!"


    After showing the drawn card, Hoshino immediately placed it horizontally on her Duel Disk. "Thanks to Heroic Spirit Bond''s effect, I summon it in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Leonidas I¡ï¡ï¡ï(3 stars)][EARTH][Warrior][ATK 1400/DEF 1900]


    "Muscles is¡­" Leonidas, wielding a massive Spartan shield, descended from the heavens, plunging into the water.


    Then, wielding his large shield, he forcefully deflected the Tidal Spear hurtling toward Hoshino. "Invincible!"


    [Kajiki Yuta LP 3750 ¡ú 3700]


    "To think you blocked my Legendary Fisherman''s attack with such a method... Hoshino, just what kind of duelist are you?" Yuta, finding the scene before him hard to believe, began to truly sense the gap between them.


    "And it doesn''t end there. Since the monster I discarded earlier was [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette], I can now search my Deck for one [Heroic Spirit] monster and add it to my hand."


    [Marie Antoinette Effect: When this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can select one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck or Graveyard and add it to your hand.]


    "You no longer have any chance to win, Yuta¡­"


    "To give you some sense of what you''re up against, the card I''m adding to my hand is [Heroic Spirit - Heracles]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 148 - 148

    "You''re getting strong, Hoshino," Yuta said, with a tinge of relief in his voice.


    The girl who once faced him in a duel used to appear timid, like a beginner duelist.


    But now, the person standing in front of him had insight, decisiveness, and the confidence of an elite duelist.


    "In such a short time, you''ve grown at an incredible rate. No wonder you became the Duel King, Hoshino," Yuta said quietly as he slotted another card into his Duel Disk.


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    Kajiki Yuta''s remaining hand: 2 cards, 1 set card.


    "It''s my turn, draw!"


    Drawing a fresh card, Hoshino also searched her deck for Hyde.


    "Thanks to the special effect of the [Heroic Spirit¨C Jekyll] destroyed by Torrential Tribute last turn, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hyde] is special summoned during this turn''s standby phase!"


    Responding to the maddening laughter from both the graveyard and her hand, Hoshino placed Hyde''s card onto her Duel Disk.


    "Come forth, special summon in attack position, [Heroic Spirit¨C Hyde]!"


    [Heroic Spirit¨C Hyde ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-star)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1450/DEF 800]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned by the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jekyll].]


    "Hahahaha!" Though he had the same appearance as Jekyll, the hunched, knife-wielding Hyde had more of a beast-like presence. "Die! Disappear! I''ll kill everyone, no matter who they are!"


    "This... is such an ill-tempered monster," Yuta''s eye twitched, taken aback by the stark contrast between the refined Jekyll and the ferocious Hyde.


    "What!? How dare you call me ill-tempered!" Hyde roared, licking his dagger as he glared at Yuta. "I simply... love the evil deeds of humanity!"


    "Hyde, show him a little taste of what you can do!" Hoshino, too distracted to care that Heroic Spirits could speak, didn''t bother warning him as she launched her attack.


    "From my hand, I activate the Equip Spell [Fou of the Sun]! The equipped monster gains 500 ATK!" Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Heroic Spirit¨C Hyde ATK 1450 ¡ú1950]


    "Hahahaha! Fou, you little bunny!" Hyde''s laughter became even more twisted as he glanced at Fou, whom Hoshino played from her hand.


    Meanwhile, Fou, now perched on Hyde''s shoulder, was trembling in fear.


    "Don''t be scared, Fou. Even though Hyde seems like this... he''s actually pretty gentle... probably?" Hoshino tried to comfort Fou, though she didn''t sound confident.


    "Next, I change [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I] to attack position and prepare for battle!"


    She rotated the Spartan card that had been laid horizontally on the Duel Disk, striking a battle pose.


    The Spartan, now lowering his shield, flexed his proud muscles. "Muscles, ready for attack!"


    "Now Hyde''s attack power surpasses that of the Legendary Fisherman! And because of Hyde''s card effect, he can attack twice in one turn!"


    [¢Ù: This card can attack twice during the same battle phase.]


    "Too bad, Yuta. Just obediently let me finish you off!" Hyde, brandishing his dagger, effortlessly moved through the Legendary Ocean palace.


    "What a shame. The Legendary Fisherman is invincible in the sea!" Yuta said with a straight back, his large hand gesturing forward.


    "The Legendary Fisherman''s special effect makes him untargetable while [Umi] is on the field."


    [While [Umi] is on the field, this card cannot be targeted for attacks, but does not prevent your opponent from attacking you directly.]


    Just as Yuta said, the Legendary Fisherman, standing in the ocean, easily dodged Hyde''s ferocious assault by leaping across the waves.


    "Yuta, are you crazy..." Hoshino murmured, confused by Yuta''s determined expression.


    The effect that makes the Legendary Fisherman untargetable seemed powerful, but with only the Legendary Fisherman on Yuta''s field, it was as if he had no defense at all.


    "Hahahaha! If I can''t attack your monster, I''ll just cut down your master!" Hyde, quick to react, shifted his target to Yuta the moment he realized he couldn''t attack the Legendary Fisherman.


    "Yuta, don''t forget Hyde can attack twice! Do you really think your Life Points can withstand it?"


    Two attacks of 1950 ATK would easily surpass Yuta''s current Life Points, not to mention there was still a muscular man eager to attack next.


    The gleam of the dagger reflected dangerously as it struck Yuta''s unguarded body.


    "This... how could this happen..." Hyde, who had successfully hit his target, was left with a stunned expression.


    "Men of the sea don''t go down from such a petty attack!" With a determined gaze, Yuta''s powerful, darkened hand tightly gripped the dagger that Hyde had stabbed into him.


    "Yuta?"


    "If you want to defeat me, you''ll need an attack strong enough to flip over tidal waves and cleave the sea!" Yuta brushed off Hyde''s dagger with his bare hand and activated his set card. "I activate my set trap card, [Tornado Wall]!"


    [Tornado Wall Continuous Trap Effect: Activate only if [Umi] is on the field. While [Umi] is on the field, you take no battle damage. If [Umi] is not on the field, destroy this card.]


    A massive tidal wave formed a terrifying tornado, shielding Yuta and completely blocking Hyde''s attempt at a second attack.


    "This combo from Kajiki Yuta!" Some of the more skilled spectators had already realized how well Yuta had set up his play.


    "The opponent can''t target the Legendary Fisherman, so they have to attack directly, but the direct damage is negated by the Tornado Wall."


    "This is a pseudo-invincible combo, so impressive!"


    "Hoshino, you''re not the only one who''s grown!" Yuta''s presence, standing tall behind the Tornado Wall, radiated with the energy of the hurricane swirling in the sea.


    "Interesting, Yuta! A duel that''s just one-sided isn''t any fun!" Hoshino grinned, not at all fazed by the pseudo-invincible combo, clearly enjoying the challenge.


    "You said I''d need to flip over tidal waves and cleave the sea, right? Then let me show you something!"


    Raising the Heracles card she had added to her hand last turn, Hoshino called out, "This is the mightiest hero who moves the earth and cleaves the sea with his axe!"


    "Thanks to Hyde''s card effect, when summoning a higher-level monster, Hyde can be used as two tributes!"


    [¢Ú: When Tribute Summoning a monster, this card can be counted as two tributes.]


    "I use [Heroic Spirit¨C Leonidas I] and [Heroic Spirit¨C Hyde] as tributes to summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Heracles]!"


    "Tribute summon, Heracles!"


    "A monster summoned with three tributes? That''s practically a god-level monster!" Yuta''s face was full of shock, as he found it hard to breathe under the overwhelming aura.


    Thanks to the duel video between Hoshino and Kaiba blowing up on YouTube, most people had a basic understanding of the God cards.


    At the forefront of that understanding was the high cost of needing three monsters as tributes for a God''s tribute summon.


    "Go, Berserker!" Hoshino placed the tribute monsters in the graveyard slot on the Duel Disk, slapping Berserker''s card onto the Duel Disk.


    "RRRRRROOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Heracles ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 stars)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2800]


    [If this card is Tribute Summoned using 3 monsters, including a [Heroic Spirit] monster, place 12 Valor Counters on this card.]


    [Valor Counters x12]


    A massive body of iron and steel plunged into the sea, the dark giant with an aura capable of tearing the heavens apart seemed as though he alone could crush Atlantis beneath his feet.


    "Hoshino... you really like muscular men, huh?" Yuta couldn''t help but gulp at the sight of Hoshino''s monster, its overly muscular physique leaving even a son of the sea like him feeling a bit intimidated.


    "Ugh, I''m tired of explaining to this fool!" Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration, pointing to Yuta''s side of the field where the Legendary Fisherman lurked.


    "Just like you said, let''s flip the waves, Heracles!"


    The steel giant roared, swinging his massive axe, which weighed thousands of pounds. The sheer force of the waves stirred up by his raw strength was equal to Yuta''s Tornado Wall.


    The destructive blue waves surged like a rampaging beast toward the Legendary Fisherman swimming in the waters.


    No matter how agile the Legendary Fisherman was, faced with this disaster-level attack, he seemed utterly powerless.


    "How can this be!" Yuta couldn''t believe what he was seeing. His Legendary Fisherman, who wasn''t supposed to be targeted by attacks, was swallowed up by the giant wave.


    "Even if it''s a strong monster, its attack shouldn''t be able to hit the Legendary Fisherman!" he exclaimed in disbelief.


    "Yuta, you said it yourself, only a wave strong enough to flip the tides could defeat you." Hoshino smirked, a teasing glint in her eyes.


    "Is this wave strong enough for you?"


    [Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can target 1 Defense Position monster or a monster with lower ATK than this card; remove 1 Valor Counter, destroy that monster.]


    [Valor Counters x11]


    "And since Heracles lost one Valor Counter, his attack power increases by 300 points!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Heracles ATK 3000 ¡ú 3300]


    "Is this the monster of the Duel King? So strong!" The onlookers were in awe of Heracles'' sheer strength, his ability to flip the tides leaving them all stunned.


    "No wonder she''s the Duel King. If I had a rare monster like that, I''d be Duel King too."


    "Even if you had a monster like Hoshino''s, you''d never become Duel King in a lifetime!" A familiar young voice suddenly called out from the crowd, shooting down the spectator''s assumption with full force.


    "You think having a rare monster is all it takes to become Duel King? At your level, entering Duel City would just be a waste of cards. I advise you to give up and go home. Otherwise, once you lose your rare cards, it''ll be too late to regret it." Like hitting a nerve, the sharp words brutally cut down the man''s pride.


    "You little brat!" The man, humiliated in front of the crowd by a kid, was clearly enraged.


    "Mokuba?!" Recognizing the familiar voice from the crowd, Hoshino turned toward the source, surprised and delighted.


    "Hoshino, I came to watch your duel!" Mokuba waved cheerfully at her, his menacing expression from a moment ago replaced with a bright smile.


    "Mokuba?! As in Kaiba Mokuba?!"


    "The younger brother of Kaiba Seto, the president of Kaiba Corporation?!"


    Upon realizing who Mokuba really was, the crowd began to buzz with excitement.


    "So, you still think I''m just a brat?" Mokuba taunted the now-cowed man, who had turned into a quivering wreck. "Weren''t you acting all tough just a minute ago? What, scared now?"


    It was clear to everyone that the man wasn''t scared of Mokuba himself, but rather the large, imposing bodyguards in black suits standing behind him!


    Hoshino couldn''t help but mentally comment on the scene unfolding in front of her.


    "So, did you come here specifically to find me, Mokuba?" Domino City wasn''t that big, but it wasn''t small either. The fact that Mokuba had found her right when the duel started seemed like too much of a coincidence.


    "You summoned Heracles, and it used so much data from the supercomputer, so of course I tracked your location right away." Mokuba waved around his device, which resembled a high-tech smartphone, looking rather proud.


    "My brother told me to monitor you and also check if the new Duel Disk has any overload issues."


    "He''s treating me like a product tester!" Hoshino grumbled in irritation, but she refocused on the duel at hand. "Well, keep watching, because I''m not going to hold back just because of a technical issue!"


    "Sorry about that, Yuta. This turned into a bit of a sideshow."


    "It''s... it''s fine..." Yuta, standing awkwardly on the sidelines, seemed a bit embarrassed. "I had no idea you knew the president of Kaiba Corporation. You''re really amazing! And I can''t deny, your monster Heracles does have the power to flip the ocean itself."


    "Oh? Getting scared already, Yuta? Have you run out of that sea man''s spirit?" Hoshino smiled faintly as she lowered her Duel Disk and gestured for Yuta to take his turn.


    "It''s your move."


    Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 2


    "Even though I acknowledge the strength of your monster, that doesn''t mean I''m afraid! My turn, draw!" Yuta, determined to hold onto his sea man''s spirit, regained his composure, though his eyes reflected a hint of sadness.


    "My Legendary Fisherman being swallowed by the wave... it reminded me of my father..."


    "Hoshino, do you want to know the dream I carried into Duelist Kingdom and Duel City?"


    "No, just play your card already!" Ruthless as always, Hoshino wasn''t interested in wasting time hearing Yuta''s life story.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 149 - 149

    "You... you really don''t want to hear it?" Yuta asked, embarrassed by Hoshino''s decisive rejection of his heartfelt confession. "Is it because you don''t think I''m worthy?"


    "I know from watching anime that characters power up if they tell their story," thought Hoshino, now on full alert.


    "Hmph, is that so? Then I''ll tell you my story after I defeat you..." Yuta rubbed his nose, quickly getting back into the duel.


    "Even though your monster is strong, it''s still powerless in the face of the sea." Yuta drew a card and confidently glanced at the Tornado Wall protecting him. "The proof is, even if you managed to destroy The Legendary Fisherman, you still can''t inflict any damage on me."


    As long as the Field Spell Card Legendary Ocean (Umi) remained on the field, Tornado Wall would negate all damage to Yuta. In other words, even if Hoshino''s Heracles attacked directly, Yuta wouldn''t take any damage.


    "Will this turn into a drawn-out battle..." Mokuba, observing the field, couldn''t think of any countermeasures. "But as long as the opponent can''t defeat Hoshino''s monster, it won''t be much of a threat to her either."


    "Your monster is strong, Hoshino, but I learned something from facing the sea! Humans cannot challenge the ocean. Attempting to fight against a natural force is a foolish act!" With that, Yuta placed a monster card on his Duel Disk.


    "I summon [The Legendary Fisherman II] in Attack Position!"


    [The Legendary Fisherman II ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2200 ¡ú 2400/DEF 1800 ¡ú 2000]


    [Effect: This card''s name becomes The Legendary Fisherman while on the field or in the GY. While Umi is on the field, this card is unaffected by other monsters'' effects.]


    Standing atop a small whale, The Legendary Fisherman II, with its familiar spiky hairstyle, materialized on the water''s surface.


    "Pffft, hahaha." Hoshino couldn''t help but burst into laughter, completely taken out of the moment by the sight of The Legendary Fisherman II.


    "Yuta, did you put yourself on a card? Why does The Legendary Fisherman II have the same hairstyle as you?" Hoshino laughed, pointing at the monster''s identical spiky hair.


    "I''ll take that as a compliment. If I could have the same spirit as The Legendary Fisherman, I''m sure I could ride the waves too!" Yuta, blushing, clearly didn''t get Hoshino''s joke.


    "But just having this monster won''t be enough to defeat my Heracles!" Wiping the tears from her eyes, Hoshino calmed down and spoke.


    "That''s true, it''s not enough with just the second-generation Fisherman. But what about this?" Yuta continued the flow of the duel and placed a spell card on his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Graceful Charity] from my hand!"


    [Graceful Charity Effect: Draw 3 cards, then discard 2 cards from your hand.]


    "I can''t believe that card isn''t banned here!" Hoshino, who had been laughing just moments earlier, suddenly became alert.


    "Thanks to this Spell Card, I draw three cards from my deck, then discard two cards from my hand." This powerful card allowed Yuta to quickly sift through his resources and optimize his hand for the duel.


    "I want it... I really want that card!" Hoshino''s eyes sparkled with envy as she watched Yuta draw three cards.


    "Hoshino, the final piece of the puzzle for my victory is now in place!" Yuta held his Duel Disk high, a confident smile spreading across his face.


    "I activate the effect of [The Legendary Fisherman III] from my hand!"


    "The Legendary Fisherman... III?" Hoshino had no time to joke about how many generations of The Legendary Fisherman existed anyway.


    Because at that moment, a dazzling blue light flickered in Yuta''s Graveyard, as if challenging the entire ocean.


    [Effect: You can tribute 1 The Legendary Fisherman you control to Special Summon this card from your hand.]


    "This is the ultimate fisherman, the strongest man to sail across all seas!" Yuta slammed the glowing blue card from his hand onto his Duel Disk, and in the place of The Legendary Fisherman II, a new monster appeared.


    [The Legendary Fisherman III ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500 ¡ú 2700/DEF 2000 ¡ú 2200]


    Standing tall on a whale embedded with a red rhombus-shaped gem, The Legendary Fisherman III gripped his harpoon firmly.


    "The strongest Legendary Fisherman, huh? I must admit, he''s got a certain aura to him." Even Hoshino couldn''t help but admire the man who now seemed to rule over the ocean.


    "This is my final trump card, Hoshino! I activate The Legendary Fisherman III''s special effect!"


    [Effect: When this card is Special Summoned, banish all monsters your opponent controls. This card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects and is unaffected by your opponent''s Spell and Trap effects.]


    Amidst the turbulent waves, the harpoon in The Legendary Fisherman III''s hand locked onto the massive body of Heracles. "Say goodbye to your muscular ace, Hoshino! Legendary Fisherman, Harpoon Barrage!"


    "Damn, banishment again..." Hoshino furrowed her brow. If there was one weakness her Heracles had, it was to effects that banished cards.


    "There''s no way I''ll let you succeed so easily!" Of course, Hoshino had prepared countermeasures for this rare weakness. "I activate my set Quick-Play Spell!"


    "Your Spell Card won''t affect The Legendary Fisherman III!"


    "I told you not to be so hasty!" Hoshino, recalling that she''d said the same line before, quickly pressed the activation button on her Duel Disk.


    "I target Heracles on my field to activate the Quick-Play Spell [Body of the Saint]!"


    A holy light enveloped Heracles''s massive body, deflecting the lethal harpoon fired by The Legendary Fisherman III.


    "Because of Body of the Saint''s effect, Heracles won''t be affected by card effects this turn." Hoshino, quietly relieved, wiped the nervous sweat from her forehead.


    If the Heracles she had summoned after using many of her cards had been banished, this duel would have been in serious jeopardy.


    "I knew you wouldn''t be defeated that easily, Hoshino. But banishing your monster wasn''t my real objective." With a smile, Yuta drew another card from his hand.


    "I mentioned this before, didn''t I? When facing the sea, I learned that humans have limits. Challenging something you can''t beat is a foolish act."


    "But we men of the sea always find a way to surpass the obstacles the ocean presents and catch our final prey. Do you know why?"


    With that, Yuta slammed his final card onto the Duel Disk. "It''s because we use our wits to overcome the impossible!"


    "I activate the Equip Spell [Shooting Star Bow ¨C Ceal]!"


    [Shooting Star Bow - Ceal Equip Spell: The equipped monster loses 1000 ATK but can attack your opponent directly.]


    "Star Bow?!" Although it was her first time seeing this card, with a name that included both ''Star'' and ''Bow,'' Hoshino instinctively felt that this Equipment Card had to be strong (and probably self-destructive).


    "A monster equipped with Star Bow can attack the player directly by lowering its attack points by 1000!" After playing the card, Yuta''s hand pierced through the wall of Tornado Wall in front of him.


    "Watch closely, this is how a man of the sea hunts! Legendary Fisherman III, attack Hoshino directly!"


    [The Legendary Fisherman III ATK 2700 ¡ú 1700]


    In response to the activated effect of the equipped card, the spear in the hands of The Legendary Fisherman III transformed into a bow.


    The humpback whale leapt high, carrying The Legendary Fisherman III, who drew the bow with his muscular frame, completely bypassing the massive body of Heracles standing on the sea''s surface.


    With the sun nearly at the same height as the whale''s leap, an arrow shot from the perfect blind spot struck with pinpoint accuracy.


    "Ugh..." Even though it was just a holographic projection, the high-impact damage dealt in one powerful blow made Hoshino feel a jarring shock.


    [Chiyuki Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 2300]


    "It''s not over yet. This is the unyielding spirit of a man of the sea! Now, activate the special effect of The Legendary Fisherman III!"


    [Once per turn, damage inflicted by a battle or effect becomes doubled, and all cards that were banished are returned to the Graveyard.]


    "Now, take this second meteor shot!"


    The Legendary Fisherman III swiftly drew another arrow from the bow, and just before landing back into the water, unleashed a second shot, striking Hoshino from another unexpected angle, once again bypassing Heracles.


    [Chiyuki Hoshino LP 2300 ¡ú 600]


    "Damn, have I used Arash too much in the past? Today I''m the one getting shot by a Star Bow..." As her Life Points rapidly dwindled, Hoshino wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling the tension.


    "This isn''t good; Yuta''s strategy is really dangerous for Hoshino!" Watching from the sidelines, Mokuba had assumed that after summoning Heracles, no monster could threaten Hoshino.


    But contrary to everyone''s expectations, Yuta had managed to seize a huge advantage with what felt like a sneak attack against Heracles, all in just one turn.


    "This is the strategy I devised while facing the sea." After delivering two direct attacks, Yuta lowered his cards, believing he had secured the victory.


    "Turn end."


    Kajiki Yuta''s Remaining Cards in Hand: 1


    "Yuta, I have to admit, your strategy is impressive." Hoshino sincerely complimented him. Facing Heracles, a monster thought to be nearly invincible, she had never imagined there could be such a tactic.


    "My turn, draw!"


    Moreover, there was indeed some truth to Yuta''s claim that his strategy was invincible. With the protection of Tornado Wall, the player wouldn''t take any damage, and it perfectly complemented The Legendary Fisherman III.


    The most critical factor was that, on top of this nearly invincible defense, Yuta''s lightning-fast assault left little time to react. In just two turns, he could decimate his opponent.


    This meant the opponent only had one turn to come up with a counter-strategy.


    "You think I''ve been cornered?" Tilting her head, Hoshino held a card between two fingers, flashing it toward him. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Isn''t that the case, Hoshino? Ever since I mastered this strategy, I haven''t lost." Yuta''s gaze was firm, fully confident in his unbeatable strategy.


    "Then, I must apologize. Today, you''ve encountered me." Hoshino, adopting a battle-ready stance, pointed the card in her fingers at Yuta.


    "If this is what it means to be cornered, then I would have never been crowned Duel King!"


    Before she finished her sentence, a brilliant red aura began to gather on the back of Hoshino''s hand, where her card was held.


    "Let me be the one to break your undefeated record!" With a flick of her wrist, she threw the card onto her Duel Disk. The command seals on the back of her hand glowed brightly.


    "Chaldea Mana Support System!"


    [Chaldea Mana Support System Continuous Spell Effect: When this card is activated, place 1 [Command Seal] counter on it. During your Standby Phase, place 1 [Command Seal] counter on this card.]


    [Command Seal] x1


    "Next, I activate the effect of the Command Seal targeting Heracles on the field!" Holding her glowing red hand high, Hoshino''s determined eyes locked onto Heracles standing on the water''s surface.


    [Remove 1 [Command Seal] counter, target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field, and add 1 Spell/Trap with that monster''s name from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Now, Heracles, let''s unleash our full power!" As red mana roared from her command seals, Hoshino swiftly drew a card from her deck.


    "The card I''m adding to my hand is this¡ª[Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads]!"


    "Let me show you the full power of Heracles!"


    With a sharp slap, she placed the retrieved spell card onto the Duel Disk, and the remaining traces of red mana left a mesmerizing arc in the air.


    "ROOOOAAAR!!" A deafening bellow erupted from Heracles'' black frame, like the howling of a train rushing by.


    Then, Heracles began swinging his massive battle axe.


    Through his martial prowess, whether wielding a weapon or just his bare hands, his skills had materialized into the Noble Phantasm known as Shooting the Hundred Heads. It unleashed the maximum potential of his weapon, displaying various forms from anti-personnel to anti-army, and even siege-level attacks depending on the situation.


    With one swing, the sea surged.


    With the second swing, the massive wave was cleaved in half.


    With ten swings, the tsunami''s towering whirlwinds destroyed the resplendent palace of Atlantis as if heralding the end of days.


    With a hundred swings...


    "If splitting the sea is the only way to defeat you, then Heracles, let''s part the ocean!"


    "ROOOAARR!!" Standing behind the colossal waves split apart by Heracles'' furious axe swings, Hoshino, with arms crossed, had already set her sights on final victory.


    "Wow, she wasn''t kidding around earlier..." Mokuba muttered to himself, watching in awe as the towering tsunami, generated by Herculean strength and skill, surged above even the tallest building in Domino City.


    "She''s taking up nearly half of the satellite supercomputer''s processing power on her own?" Looking at his terminal, Mokuba gave a helpless smile.


    "Brother, one satellite may not be enough."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 150 - 150

    "Weevil: "Ahhhh!!"


    [Weevil Underwood LP 4000 ¡ú 0]


    "Winner, Yugi Muto!"


    "Weevil, you''re too weak!" Standing opposite the agitated Weevil, Yugi wore a slight smirk on his face.


    "Damn it, damn it! I lost to Yugi again!" Just like in Duelist Kingdom, Weevil''s journey in Battle City ended as soon as it began.


    "Hey, look over there, what''s going on!" After taking Weevil''s puzzle card and rare card, Yugi finally noticed the commotion in the crowd around him.


    "What''s that? A tsunami?"


    "A tsunami? In the middle of the city?"


    The stunned passersby stared in disbelief at the massive wave surging out from the high-rise buildings of Domino City.


    "Could that be a duel hologram? Can Duel Monsters even create an effect like that?!"


    "Roar~~" Though faint due to the distance, a low growl reached Yugi''s ears.


    Yugi''s eyes widened, the sheer power contained within that roar making him quickly grasp the situation. "That sound, is it Heracles...?"


    "So, that means it''s Hoshino dueling over there... She really doesn''t know how to hold back." Yugi, frowning, figured that with Hoshino summoning Heracles so early in the Battle City, she must be facing a difficult challenge.


    "This tournament is truly full of strong duelists." Yugi retracted his duel disk, tidying up his deck. "I can''t slack off either. It''s time to find my next opponent."


    "...." Hidden within the crowd, a dark figure observed.


    "Yugi Muto, soon you won''t be smiling... I can''t wait to see you bow before the gods."


    (***)


    "The sea... the sea was split..." A moment ago, Yuta had been confident of his victory. Now, his eyes were wide with shock.


    "Yuta, this is the full power of Heracles!" Hoshino proudly displayed the [Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads] card she had just played.


    "Because of Shooting Hundred Heads''s effect, every card on the field except for Heracles is destroyed!"


    As Hoshino said, the field, which had been cleared by Heracles'' overwhelming power, was now left with only the Legendary Fisherman III, standing alone against the towering iron giant.


    The Field Spell Card Legendary Ocean and the spell Tornado Wall, which Yuta had prided himself on, had all been destroyed.


    "Yuta, you''ve already lost."


    "I haven''t lost yet! The Legendary Fisherman III can''t be destroyed by card effects. Even Heracles can''t defeat me. If I can just hold on until I draw my second Star Bow, I can turn this around!"


    Yuta, refusing to give up, continued to believe in his strategy.


    "Even though it can''t be destroyed, the damage still counts, right?"


    "Heracles can''t wipe out my remaining 3700 life points in one turn!"


    "I said it''s full power!" Hoshino sighed lightly and shook her head. "Heracles, show him your hidden strength!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Heracles ATK 6600]


    "No... No way..." The sudden shift from hope to despair hit Yuta like a storm, his wide eyes reflecting the trembling of his pupils.


    [Valor Counters] X0


    [Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads Card Effect: "If [Heroic Spirit ¨C Heracles] has more than six [Valor Counters], remove all of them and destroy all other cards on the field. Heracles cannot attack directly for the rest of the turn."]


    "Because of Shooting Hundred Heads''s effect, Heracles consumed all of his Valor Counters! But for each counter he loses, Heracles'' attack power increases by 300 points. So now, Heracles'' attack power is 6600!"


    Hoshino dramatically placed the card onto her duel disk, declaring her victory. "Though Heracles can''t attack directly, you''ve conveniently left a perfect target on your field!"


    "You... You even accounted for The Legendary Fisherman III''s immunity to destruction effects?!" Yuta shouted in shock, his gaze filled with fear as he looked at the girl standing behind the enormous figure of Heracles.


    "What kind of strategy... Are you the reincarnation of the God of War?"


    "Reincarnation of the God of War?" Hoshino tilted her head, confused. "If you''re talking about the God of War, my deck does have two... But I still prefer the title ''Duel King of Cute Girls.''"


    Extending her right hand forward, Hoshino gave Heracles the final attack command.


    "Heracles, attack The Legendary Fisherman III! This will be the last strike!"


    "Roar!!!" Heracles, responding enthusiastically, swung his giant axe with full force.


    Even though the ground beneath wasn''t the sea, the thousand-pound axe seemed to cleave through the earth as easily as cutting through water.


    The tremendous force tore apart the ground, sending layers of rock crashing forward in waves, swallowing everything in their path, including the defenseless The Legendary Fisherman III and Yuta standing behind it.


    [Kajiki Yuta LP 3700 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel over. The winner, Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    "Alright, I secured the first match!" Hoshino excitedly bounced in place as she put away her duel disk, her long, exposed legs reflecting an enticing shine that caught the crowd''s attention for a brief moment.


    "Congratulations, Hoshino!" Mokuba, just as excited, rushed over and grabbed her arm, grinning, "Let me check your duel disk! I want to see how much wear and tear that match caused."


    "It was just one match, is it really necessary to be that careful?" Hoshino scratched her head, though she still removed her Heroic Spirit deck, stowing it back into the deck case at her waist, and handed over the duel disk.


    "Here, take it. The battles ahead might get even more intense."


    "Even more intense?" Mokuba''s mouth twitched. The Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads card she just used had already affected the satellite computer''s performance.


    In the few seconds Hoshino used Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads, the entire server''s latency had spiked to several times its normal level.


    If the duels continued to get more intense as Hoshino predicted, and the satellite computer failed, causing all duel disks to stop working, then Domino City''s Battle City tournament would become the biggest joke in Kaiba Corporation''s history. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, preventing that from happening was Mokuba''s top priority.


    "Ah, I lost, I lost!" Realizing his defeat, Yuta simply sat down on the ground.


    "You''re still so strong, Hoshino. It feels like the gap between us is getting bigger and bigger." Sitting there, Yuta couldn''t help but show a hint of disappointment in his eyes.


    "This might be my last time challenging you. I was already planning to go back and focus on my dad''s fishing business if I failed in Battle City."


    "Yuta¡­" Seeing the once-spirited son of the sea so downcast, Hoshino felt a tinge of guilt in her heart.


    "Don''t feel guilty, Hoshino!" Yuta, perhaps sensing Hoshino''s current feelings, quickly forced himself to perk up and stand.


    "I was raised by my dad to be a fisherman since I was a kid, and becoming a duelist was just something I did for fun. Come on, take your puzzle card and rare cards!"


    With that, Yuta began dismantling his deck from the Duel Disk.


    "But Hoshino, I''m not sure which card you want? The Legendary Fisherman I, II, and III are the rare cards in my deck, and since I won''t need them anymore, I might as well give them all to you!"


    With the same carefree attitude as when he gave Hoshino Monster Reborn in the past, Yuta offered generously.


    "Yuta¡­" Hoshino spoke up suddenly.


    "Could you not give up on dueling?"


    "Hoshino?" Yuta was stunned, not expecting Hoshino to persuade him otherwise.


    "Yuta, you''re a very talented duelist. During Duelist Kingdom, I faced many duelists from all over the world. But through this duel, I realized you''re stronger than most of them."


    "Hoshino, you don''t have to comfort me." Yuta grinned as he pinched his nose.


    "I''m not comforting you. I just don''t want to lose a great opponent like you." Hoshino said, pulling out a card from her deck that was strapped to her waist. "Do you remember this card? You gave it to me during Duelist Kingdom."


    "This is¡­" Yuta stood there, stunned, looking at the Monster Reborn in Hoshino''s hand.


    "This Monster Reborn has saved me at crucial moments many times. Without it, I wouldn''t have become the Duel King."


    "Is that so? I''m glad I could help you."


    "That''s why I won''t take your rare cards. You already gave me a rare card long ago!" Hoshino spoke with determination in her voice, her eyes firm.


    "But in return, please don''t give up on dueling. Your Legendary Fishermen would be sad if you did. They''re all powerful cards!"


    "¡­.."


    "Hahaha, Hoshino, you''re such an interesting person!" After a brief pause, Yuta suddenly burst into laughter. "Even though your reasoning is ridiculous¡ªcards would be sad?"


    "But for some reason, after hearing you say that, I want to keep going."


    "That''s right! I want to continue fighting with my Legendary Fishermen! Both to conquer the sea and the ocean of Duel Monsters!"


    "Does that mean, Yuta¡­?" Hoshino''s face lit up with surprise.


    "That''s right, I promise you, I''ll keep dueling. And on top of that, Hoshino, you''ll have to keep accepting my challenges because I''m really starting to like you! I''ll defeat you and make you accept my confession!"


    "Con¡­ confession?!" Mokuba, who had been inspecting the Duel Disk nearby, suddenly exclaimed when he heard that word.


    "You think you can confess to Hoshino? You''re way out of your league!"


    "Hahaha, this kid''s got a sharp tongue." Yuta laughed heartily, not bothered by Mokuba''s snide comment. "That''s right, with my current skill, it''s far out of my reach! But in the future, I''ll become stronger. Just wait and see, Hoshino!"


    "I''ll be waiting for you to duel me again, but as for the confession¡­ I''m sorry, I like girls." Hoshino, at a loss, scratched her cheek and shifted her gaze to the side.


    "And rules are rules. Even if you don''t want my rare card, I insist you take it!" Yuta, completely ignoring Hoshino''s last remark, pulled out a card from his deck.


    "I think this card will be a perfect fit for your deck. Its effect will probably be as impactful as Monster Reborn."


    "This card is¡­"


    "Graceful Charity!"


    Hoshino covered her mouth, pretending to be surprised to hide the uncontrollable smile creeping across her face.


    She had just been thinking about wanting this card, and now it practically fell into her lap. Even though she wanted to politely refuse, there was no way she could¡­


    She just couldn''t resist. Adding this card to her Heroic Spirit deck would undoubtedly enhance the overall strength of the deck.


    "Hehe, are you shocked?" Yuta scratched his spiky hair, grinning with excitement. "Although it''s not as rare as the Legendary Fishermen, this card is incredibly valuable. More importantly, it''s extremely versatile, fitting into any deck, so it''s always in high demand."


    "No need for you to tell me that. Graceful Charity is one of the most famous cards!" Hoshino thought to herself, calculating how to politely and elegantly accept the card.


    But before she could think much further, Yuta grabbed Hoshino''s hand and placed the Graceful Charity card in it.


    "Take it. If Monster Reborn helped you win Duelist Kingdom, then I hope this Graceful Charity will help you win the Battle City!"


    "Thank you, Yuta. You''re such a nice guy¡­"


    "Alright, enough hand-holding. Let go already." Mokuba, sporting a deadpan expression, glared at Yuta in annoyance.


    "Hahaha, this kid''s got a sharp tongue!" Yuta, flustered by Mokuba''s glare, awkwardly pulled his hand back.


    "My journey in Battle City ends here. It was short, but it was fun!"


    The son of the sea, ever carefree, waved goodbye without looking back as he left.


    "Hoshino, I''ve finished inspecting the Duel Disk. Despite the heavy load on the satellite computer, it didn''t affect the Duel Disk''s performance. It seems that my brother''s method of offloading data to the satellite computer worked perfectly." Mokuba handed the Duel Disk back to Hoshino, looking proud.


    "Thanks, Mokuba. Now I don''t have to worry about the Duel Disk blowing up." After bidding Yuta farewell, Hoshino took her Duel Disk back from Mokuba.


    Recalling her duel against Kaiba, Hoshino still felt a bit nervous. It was fortunate that her Duel Disk only overheated and cracked slightly back then. Had it exploded, her arm might have been gone.


    But now, she didn''t have to worry about that problem¡­


    "Now I can continue competing. It''s time to find the next opponent!" Hoshino strapped the Duel Disk back onto her arm and scanned the nearby crowd of duelists who had gathered to watch.


    But Hoshino suddenly realized that there were no spectators anymore¡ªthey had all backed away.


    To the other duelists, dueling Hoshino seemed no different from handing over their rare cards for free.


    "Looks like finding the next opponent won''t be easy¡­" Hoshino smiled bitterly as she glanced at the now-empty street around her.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 151 - 151

    [Esper Roba LP 2200]


    [Katsuya Jonouchi LP 50]


    "Jonouchi, your life points are hanging by a thread, and you don''t have a single monster on the field. As for me..."


    [Jinzo¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 6)][DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 1500]


    [Reflect Bounder¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 4)][LIGHT][Machine/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1000]


    "My Jinzo not only has high attack power, but it also has the ability to seal your trap cards."


    With a smug expression on his face, Esper Roba had already locked in his victory.


    "Esper Roba is truly a strong duelist!" Rex Raptor, who was watching from the sidelines, had a bitter look on his face.


    "Honestly, Jonouchi, you''re completely out of your league against a duelist of this caliber. You should just surrender! Even I lost to him in no time!"


    Indeed, before dueling Jonouchi, Roba had already defeated Rex.


    At this point, all three of Japan''s top duelists had been knocked out of the tournament.


    "Shut up and watch!" Despite the nearly hopeless situation, Jonouchi, who couldn''t stand to lose, barked at Rex.


    "Huh? You don''t even have a hand. There''s no way you can turn this around!" Rex retorted as he looked at Jonouchi''s empty field and hand.


    "I can win, as long as I draw that card!" With a deep furrow in his brow, Jonouchi hesitantly placed his fingers on his deck.


    "Shizuka... Shizuka is definitely watching me from the hospital through the live stream. I can''t lose in the first duel!"


    Thinking of his little sister Shizuka, Jonouchi clenched his teeth and desperately drew his final card.


    "Yosh!!" As always, Jonouchi''s miraculous luck responded at the last moment.


    "Watch closely! I''ll show you how I can turn this duel around in one move!" Jonouchi, now filled with confidence, slammed the single card he had drawn onto the duel disk.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Roulette Spider]!"


    [Spin a wheel centered around the monster with the highest ATK on the field. After it stops spinning, that monster must attack in the direction [Roulette Spider] is pointing.] (Anime Effect)


    "The effect of Roulette Spider activates, forcing the strongest monster on the field to attack where the roulette spider is pointing!"


    "A... another luck-based card?" Rex muttered in disbelief, eyes wide with shock. "First, Time Wizard, then Graceful Dice and Skull Dice, and now Roulette Spider. Just what kind of deck does this guy have, filled with so many luck-based cards?!"


    With the effect of Roulette Spider triggered, a cartoonish spider climbed on top of Jinzo''s head. As the arrow on its tail began to spin, Jinzo''s body started to rotate rapidly as well.


    "Spin, Roulette of Destiny! The final moment of this duel is about to be decided!" Even Jonouchi couldn''t help but sweat nervously. "As long as it lands on Jinzo''s direct attack on Esper Roba, I win!"


    The tense atmosphere caused everyone present to hold their breath. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Final attack target: Reflect Bounder.


    "What a shame, Jonouchi. No direct attack," Rex, who had been just as tense, began to mock Jonouchi when he saw the gamble fail.


    "No, I''ve already won!" Jonouchi ignored Rex''s jeers and pointed forcefully at Jinzo. "You should know the effect of your Reflect Bounder better than anyone, Roba!"


    [Reflect Bounder Effect: If this card is in Attack Position and attacked by a monster, the attacking monster takes damage equal to its own ATK. After damage calculation, this card is destroyed.]


    "Since your Jinzo attacked Reflect Bounder, you''ll take damage equal to its ATK¡ª2400 points!"


    "There''s no way... no way this could happen..." Roba, consumed by rage, couldn''t believe such a sudden reversal.


    "Go, Jinzo, attack!" Jonouchi commanded.


    "Aaaaahhhh!"


    [Esper Roba LP 2200 ¡ú 0]


    "Heh heh, I''ll be taking your puzzle card and Jinzo as trophies, courtesy of the great Jonouchi!"


    (***)


    [Duelist Level Evaluation Complete. Duelist Yuta Kajiki, Level B+. Duplicated level rewards deducted. Victory reward: 25 Saint Quartz (55 - 30). Remaining Saint Quartz: 25]


    "Wow, you went straight from C rank to B+ in such a short time, Yuta. That''s pretty impressive," Hoshino remarked as she reviewed the system''s notification.


    "Huh? What did you say, Hoshino?" Although Hoshino had spoken softly, her companion, Mokuba, with his sharp ears, still managed to catch her words.


    "I was just wondering why we haven''t found a duelist willing to duel me yet."


    Though she gave a random excuse to brush off Mokuba, it was indeed something bothering Hoshino.


    Unlike Duelist Kingdom, which had strict competition rules, Duel City was much more relaxed, which led to a situation where other duelists, upon seeing Hoshino, the Duel King, would flee as if she were the plague.


    Every time Hoshino asked an opponent to duel, they would look as though they wanted to swallow their own duel disks.


    "Sigh, if I end up missing the finals because of this, you''ll have to help me explain to Kaiba." Hoshino sighed in frustration, ruffling Mokuba''s messy hair.


    "Hehe, hehe." All Mokuba could offer was an awkward chuckle.


    Thud...


    A shadowy figure bumped into Mokuba before he could even react.


    "Ouch..." Mokuba, who had been giggling just moments earlier, suddenly cried out in pain.


    "Hey! Watch where you''re going!" Angrily, Mokuba demanded an explanation, realizing the person had deliberately bumped into him.


    The cloaked man didn''t seem normal and ignored Mokuba''s complaint, quickly picking up his pace and leaving the scene.


    "Tch, I told you not to send your bodyguards away. If your men had been following us, they could''ve caught that guy and given him a good punch."


    Hoshino, swinging a little pink fist, was equally displeased with the rude behavior of the strange cloaked man.


    "I thought you wouldn''t feel comfortable having bodyguards follow you, Hoshino..." Mokuba mumbled as he reached into his inner pocket, feeling something strange.


    Instantly, his face darkened.


    "Hoshino, chase that guy! He stole my terminal!"


    "Your terminal?" Hoshino furrowed her brow, thinking back for a moment. "You mean that thing that looks like a smartphone you were holding earlier?"


    "Yeah, that''s the terminal that controls all the satellite computer data for the duel disks. If it falls into the wrong hands, Kaiba Corp will be in serious trouble!"


    "What!? I thought you''re a genius? You just kept something that important in your pocket?" Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hoshino lifted her head to look around.


    The strange cloaked man was still in sight but was walking even faster.


    "What are you waiting for? Let''s go!"


    Yanking Mokuba along, Hoshino suddenly realized something serious. Given her and Mokuba''s physical abilities, there was no way they''d be able to catch up if the person ahead was a regular adult male.


    "Something feels off, Mokuba..." But reality was the exact opposite of what Hoshino imagined. The man ahead was still only walking briskly, without showing any signs of trying to run away. It was as if he was deliberately keeping a certain distance between them.


    If someone had really stolen something, they would typically try to flee immediately after obtaining it, not casually stroll and wait for the victims to catch up.


    Maybe he had a leg injury?


    Impossible. Just moments ago, the way he bumped into them with that quick, almost arrogant stride¡ªit was even faster than Jonouchi''s usual walk. There was no way his legs were impaired.


    "Sigh~ I feel like I''ve been thinking more and more like Sherlock Holmes lately." Hoshino sighed lightly and slowed her pace.


    "Hoshino? What''s going on? Are we not chasing anymore?" Mokuba asked anxiously, worried about the stolen Kaiba Corp terminal in the hands of the mysterious figure.


    "No point in chasing. It''s clear he''s not trying to escape, and even if he was, we couldn''t catch up."


    Slowing down, Hoshino removed the deck from her waist and equipped it onto her Duel Disk.


    "His purpose is obvious by now. He''s using the terminal as bait to lure us somewhere. I bet he''s going to turn into the next alley." With a serious look, Hoshino kept her eyes locked on the cloaked man.


    "He turned! He really turned into the alley!" Mokuba exclaimed, both amazed by Hoshino''s deduction skills and increasingly concerned.


    "So... should we go in?" Mokuba asked timidly. If the man was deliberately luring them, then leading them to a secluded alley obviously meant he was expecting them to follow.


    "Hmph~" Hoshino sneered. "You know what they say, ''no guts, no glory.'' Contact your bodyguards, Mokuba, and tell them to be ready."


    "But the terminal is with him, so I can''t contact them..."


    "Oh, for real? So that thing really is a phone, huh?" Hoshino muttered in exasperation, feeling less and less confident in the self-proclaimed genius boy beside her.


    "Ugh, forget it. Let''s just go. I doubt he''ll try anything drastic in broad daylight."


    After all, both Yugi and Sugoroku had told Hoshino that the crime rate in Domino City was always quite low, making it one of the safest places in Japan.


    And while the alley might be a bit deserted, it was still connected to a main street outside. There shouldn''t be too much danger involved.


    "Let''s go..." Hoshino took a deep breath and signaled Mokuba.


    Once you''ve eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.


    This was also why Hoshino had equipped her Duel Disk. She had already figured out the only reason the man could be luring her.


    "Duel King, Hoshino Chiyuki! Duel me!" As expected, the cloaked man was already waiting for her inside the alley, Duel Disk ready.


    "You don''t have the option to refuse..." The man held up the stolen terminal, his voice all too familiar to Hoshino. "This thing is pretty important to Kaiba Corp, right? If you refuse, I can''t guarantee what''ll happen to it."


    "Old man, if you just wanted to duel me, there was no need to go through all this trouble. You know, I''m pretty famous for never turning down a challenge."


    Hoshino, frowning, was already racking her brain trying to place the annoying voice with a face.


    "Still as slick-tongued as ever, Hoshino Chiyuki!" But before Hoshino could think further, the cloaked man dramatically removed his hood, revealing a face full of arrogance and malice.


    "Bandit Keith?!"


    Hoshino was shocked. She never expected to see this face again.


    Once the American champion, he had been defeated by Hoshino in the cave battle. Back then, Martha had humiliated him with her scolding for three full pages.


    In the end, Keith had sealed the cave exit, trapping Hoshino and her companions in the labyrinth and forcing them to duel against the labyrinth brothers.


    "I never thought I''d run into you here, my punching bag!" Despite her surprise, Hoshino knew that she couldn''t let her opponent intimidate her.


    "Hahaha!" Hoshino''s taunt seemed to strike a nerve, as Keith''s bizarre laughter echoed from within his bulky, cloaked frame.


    "You have no idea how long I''ve waited for this moment, Hoshino. Crawling out of the dark abyss of hell, just so I could finally stand here and crush you underfoot!"


    "Now that you''ve accepted the duel, this thing is useless." Keith casually tossed the stolen terminal aside as if it were trash, his eyes focused only on Hoshino.


    "Hey! The terminal!" Mokuba hurriedly ran over to pick it up, distressed at seeing the Kaiba Corp creation treated so carelessly.


    "Damn it, Hoshino! Teach this guy a lesson for me!"


    "You don''t need to tell me. I''ll take care of this." Hoshino confidently responded to Mokuba, the sound of her Duel Disk clicking into place as she prepared for battle.


    "Of course, it''s not for Kaiba Corp. It''s for the purpose of settling things with a ghost from my past!"


    Hoshino Chiyuki VS Keith Howard


    "Let''s duel!"


    "I''ll take the first move!" Keith, the former American champion, wasn''t to be underestimated, as he actually won the right to go first.


    "Draw!"


    "This feeling...?!" To Mokuba, it seemed like a normal first draw, but Hoshino''s expression was full of shock.


    "Hmph, you sense it, don''t you? As expected of the Duel King." Keith''s smirk grew more sinister as he glanced at the card he''d just drawn.


    Hoshino''s expression turned serious, instantly wiping away her earlier carefree demeanor. "So the second Evil God card is in your hands... The ominous aura overflowing from that card is unmistakable."


    "So, you''ve encountered the other Evil God card, huh? Interesting!" Keith''s expression also turned intense, full of intrigue.


    "That means there''s a high chance you hold the other Evil God card. I''m really lucky today! Not only can I crush you, but I''ll also get my hands on another Evil God card."


    "Who knows?" Hoshino didn''t give him a direct answer, refusing to back down.


    "I''ve only seen one ending, and that''s you saying goodbye to your precious Evil God card."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 152 - 152

    Although Hoshino appeared confident, deep inside, she was feeling a little uncertain.


    Just think about someone like Devlin, a D-level duelist, who became so hard to deal with after using an Evil God card.


    And now, the opponent standing before her, wielding an Evil God card, was none other than the former U.S. champion, Keith.


    What''s worse, in such a crucial moment, she was suffering from a bad hand!


    "This feels great, this satisfaction of revenge." On the other hand, Keith, checking his hand, clearly had a near-perfect opening.


    "I summon a monster card in Attack Position¡ª[Zure, Knight of Dark World]!"


    [Zure, Knight of Dark World ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][DARK][Fiend][ATK 1800/DEF 1500]


    "A Dark World Knight, huh? Are all cards related to Evil Gods these gloomy monsters?" Hoshino mentally complained as she watched the shadowy knight materialize in front of her.


    The alley was already a place where sunlight hardly reached, and now with the appearance of such a dark and eerie monster, the air around them seemed to grow even colder. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The power I regained after falling into the darkness, this comes from the deepest parts of hell¡ªthe Dark World. Witness it for yourself, Hoshino!" Keith, having an ideal starting hand, clearly wasn''t planning to end his turn so easily.


    "I now activate the Spell Card [Dark World Dealings]!"


    Responding to Keith''s activation, a chilling and dark aura engulfed both his and Hoshino''s decks.


    [Dark World Dealings Spell Card Effect: Each player draws 1 card, then each player discards 1 card.]


    "First, I draw a card, and then I discard [Sillva, Warlord of Dark World] from my hand!"


    According to the Spell Card''s effect, Keith should have discarded the card to the Graveyard.


    However, he blatantly placed the discarded monster into his Duel Disk''s monster zone in front of Hoshino.


    "Hey, Keith, it was bad enough when you cheated secretly before. But now you''ve upgraded to blatantly playing dirty, haven''t you?" Having never encountered Dark World cards, Hoshino was completely puzzled.


    Keith''s smile grew even more sinister. "Just watch and see if it''s cheating."


    To Hoshino''s surprise, Keith''s Duel Disk acknowledged the monster that was supposed to go to the Graveyard and successfully summoned it, meaning it wasn''t a rule violation.


    [Sillva, Warlord of Dark World ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5 stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1400]


    [If this card is discarded to the GY by card effect: Special Summon this card.]


    The dark aura surrounding Sillva, Warlord of Dark World, was several times stronger than that of the Dark World Knight. Cloaked in heavy armor and wielding a bone blade, Sillva stood in the shadows, glaring at Hoshino with such a menacing stare that it felt as though he could claim her life at any moment.


    "He summoned two monsters on his first turn, and one of them is a high-level monster!" Mokuba, who had always been a little scared of ghosts and monsters, couldn''t help but shiver in the eerie atmosphere of the shadowy alley.


    "Hmph, how do you like it, Chiyuki Hoshino? My invincible dark¡ªughh..."


    Midway through Keith''s boastful speech, he suddenly felt a powerful impact from the holographic image, as though he''d been slashed by a sharp blade, cutting off his arrogant words.


    [Keith LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    "Wha-What?! How is this possible?!" Staring in disbelief at his reduced Life Points, Keith shouted.


    "Don''t be ridiculous! It''s the first turn! How did you attack me? Did you cheat with the Duel Disk?!"


    "Heh..." Hoshino smirked contemptuously. "Keith, shouldn''t we be a little more honest with each other? Constantly accusing your opponent of cheating makes dueling exhausting."


    "Don''t forget, thanks to Dark World Dealings, I also discarded a card." Hoshino, with a confident smirk, displayed the discarded card to Keith.


    "The card I discarded is this¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette]. You should know her effect, right? When Marie is sent to the Graveyard, she lets me search my deck for a Heroic Spirit monster and add it to my hand."


    "And the monster I added to my hand is this¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Ushiwakamaru]!"


    Mimicking Keith''s move, Hoshino threw Ushiwakamaru''s card onto her Duel Disk''s monster zone.


    [Heroic Spirit - Ushiwakamaru ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000]


    [Effect: ¢Ù: If this card is added to your hand by a means other than drawing, you can Special Summon it. ¢Ú: When Special Summoned by this effect, inflict 500 damage to your opponent.]


    "After Marie''s effect adds Ushiwakamaru to my hand, Ushiwakamaru is Special Summoned, triggering her damage effect. That''s how I was able to hit your Life Points on the first turn!"


    Smiling confidently, Hoshino raised her finger and pointed directly at Keith.


    "I''m Chiyuki Hoshino, and my favorite thing to do is to tell people who think they''ve got an unbeatable deck¡ªthey are stupid!"


    The visibly confident Ushiwakamaru, after delivering her initial strike, elegantly sheathed her katana at her waist. "Such an entrance¡ªdoes it please you, my liege?"


    "That was amazing, Hoshino!" Encouraged by Hoshino''s unexpected counterattack, Mokuba found that his fear had gradually faded away.


    However, Keith, who had just taken a direct hit, was now on the verge of boiling over in rage. "Damn it! That was just a weak little bug of a monster. Once it''s my turn to attack, I''ll crush her completely!"


    Since Keith was still in his first turn and unable to enter the battle phase, he could only swallow Hoshino''s taunts and endure the situation.


    "I''ll set one card face-down and end my turn!"


    Keith''s remaining hand: 4 cards, 1 set card.


    "My turn, draw!"


    Hoshino frowned slightly. Although she had made such a bold statement earlier, her hand was still a mess.


    The opening draw had brought Nobunaga and Okita into her hand, and it felt like they were showing off their affection for each other right in front of her, both stuck in her hand.


    "If you won''t cooperate, make sure you''re ready to receive punishment!" With a wicked smile, Hoshino slowly pulled out a Spell Card from her hand and threw it onto the Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Spell Card [First Premonition]!"


    [First Premonition Spell Card Effect: Discard one card to activate. Banish one Spell Card from your deck. During your next Standby Phase, the banished card is added to your hand.]


    "Hmm, time to decide who gets sent to the Graveyard..." Hoshino, raising her right hand dramatically, pondered her choices.


    Amusingly, when Hoshino''s fingers hovered over Okita''s card, she could sense the card trembling, with Okita seemingly glancing nervously at Nobunaga, silently hinting at Hoshino to discard the other card.


    Naturally, the same thing happened when she hovered over Nobunaga''s card.


    As the saying goes, "When trouble comes, even husband and wife will flee in different directions."


    "I discard [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga] from my hand, and then banish [Graceful Charity] from my deck."


    After ''careful'' consideration, Hoshino decided to discard Nobunaga, whose summoning conditions were more difficult, especially given the lack of a Field Spell on her side. Nobunaga''s requirements were just too harsh for the moment.


    Of course, once Graceful Charity returned to her hand, Okita would meet the same fate.


    "Tch, both of you blocking my hand, I''ll toss you out every time I see you from now on!"


    Pretending to threaten them with a harsh tone, Hoshino then drew two cards from her hand and placed them into her Duel Disk.


    Responding to her actions, the holographic images of the two face-down cards appeared at her feet.


    "I''ll set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 2 cards, 2 set cards.


    "Heh heh, finally, it''s my turn again." Keith, who had been fuming over the slash from Ushiwakamaru in the previous turn, was eager for his counterattack.


    "Draw!" Keith''s eyes were now full of killing intent, burning to tear Hoshino''s Ushiwakamaru to shreds.


    But anger didn''t cloud his judgment.


    Instead of rushing into the battle phase, Keith mysteriously played a Spell Card on his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Foolish Burial] from my hand!"


    [Foolish Burial Spell Card Effect: Send 1 monster from your deck to the Graveyard.]


    "Sending a monster straight to the Graveyard from the deck? That''s a pretty foolish move!" Mokuba, the self-proclaimed genius, scoffed when he saw the effect.


    "You''re the foolish one, brat! Watch as I show you the versatility of the Dark World!" Keith, brimming with confidence in his deck, quickly selected a monster to send to the Graveyard.


    "The monster I choose to send to the Graveyard is [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World]!"


    "!!" The moment Keith sent the card to the Graveyard, Hoshino felt as if the abyss was staring back at her.


    "Then, I''ll activate the special effect of [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World] from the Graveyard!" It wasn''t just a feeling¡ªKeith''s Duel Disk''s Graveyard area was indeed emitting a terrifying dark aura.


    "Of course it has a Graveyard effect." After seeing Keith''s various plays, Hoshino had already gotten a sense of the Dark World deck''s mechanics.


    Send to the Graveyard, trigger effects, and summon! It seemed like a simple chain, but running it effectively allowed the deck to gather immense resources.


    [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World: You can return 1 face-up [Dark World] monster you control to your hand, except for [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World], and Special Summon this card from your Graveyard.]


    "I''ll return my [Zure, Knight of Dark World] to my hand and Special Summon [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World] from the Graveyard!"


    The knight, Zure, who had been standing in the alley, suddenly vanished, replaced by an even heavier and more ominous dark presence.


    "Come forth, [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World]!"


    As Keith drew the card from his Graveyard and placed it on the field, the gathering dark energy exploded like it had been set ablaze, accompanied by the deafening roar of the dragon lord.


    [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(8-star)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 1800]


    "He summoned an 8-star monster without any tribute..." At this moment, Mokuba finally understood the versatility of the Dark World deck that Keith had been boasting about.


    Having successfully summoned the dragon lord, Keith was now grinning from ear to ear. "Finally, I''ll re-summon the [Zure, Knight of Dark World] that returned to my hand. Now I''ve got three monsters on my field, and each one could easily crush that pitiful excuse of a creature you call a monster!"


    [Zure, Knight of Dark World ATK 1800]


    "Try it if you can! My Ushiwakamaru is more than a match for your monsters!" Even though the enormous dragon lord loomed before her, Hoshino''s confidence remained unshaken.


    Hearing her bold claim, Ushiwakamaru''s expression softened into one of heartfelt loyalty. "My lord, for you to trust me, Ushiwakamaru, so completely! I will follow you to the ends of the earth, no matter the trial!"


    "Still spouting nonsense before you die!" Keith, blinded by his thirst for revenge, had apparently not noticed that Ushiwakamaru could talk. All he could remember was the sting of that attack from the previous round.


    "Attack that pitiful creature, Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World! Tear her apart in the most terrifying way!"


    Responding to Keith''s command, the dragon lord unleashed a low growl, beating its pitch-black wings before roaring a horrific burst of dark energy from its eerie maw.


    "I told you, your monsters aren''t even a match for my Ushiwakamaru! Why won''t you believe me?" Seeing Keith fall into her trap by choosing Grapha for the attack, Hoshino smirked, her plan falling perfectly into place.


    "Counterattack, Ushiwakamaru!"


    "As you command, my lord!"


    In a flash, Ushiwakamaru moved with such speed that it was almost impossible to track, dodging the terrifying attack of the dragon lord.


    "Nani?!" Keith''s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched his attack miss.


    "It''s not over yet! This is Ushiwakamaru''s counterattack!" With a fierce shout, Ushiwakamaru''s agile body shot forward, heading straight for the enormous dragon lord.


    "Nice work! Show those ugly monsters the power of your convictions!" At the same time as Ushiwakamaru''s cry of loyalty, Hoshino''s trap card revealed itself beneath her feet. "I activate the set trap card [Haori of Vows]!"


    [Haori of Vows Trap Card Effect: If a WIND attribute [Heroic Spirit] monster you control is targeted for an attack, destroy the attacking monster. Then, this card is equipped to the WIND attribute monster as an Equip Spell that increases its ATK and DEF by 300. Once per turn, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    "Due to the effect of Haori of Vows, the attacking Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World is destroyed!"


    "Now, take this, from my secret arts!" With zero hesitation, Ushiwakamaru drew the sword from her waist and, at point-blank range, struck Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World.


    "The Wandering Tales of Shana-oh, Act Two¡­ Usumidori: Heavenly Blade Steps! Right between your eyes!"


    In a flash of emerald light, there was no unnecessary flourish as the dark dragon lord''s terrifying form was sliced clean in half.


    [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World] has been destroyed.


    "Sorry about that! Even though you looked quite impressive, that dragon lord of yours still fell to my Ushiwakamaru!"


    Nothing felt better than taunting after a successful counterattack, and Hoshino was not one to let such a key moment slip by.


    However, in her hand, Okita appeared visibly downcast.


    Okita: "How tragic for me, Q^Q. Not only do I get tossed into the Graveyard, but someone else ends up wearing my Haori..."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 153 - 153

    "Whoa! Such a strong monster was taken down by Hoshino!" Mokuba, who had been suffocating under the oppressive aura of the dragon, finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    In contrast, Keith, who had been thirsting for revenge only to suffer another setback, looked as if he''d swallowed something disgusting.


    "A mere ant of a monster actually managed to counter my Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World..." Keith squeezed these words out through clenched teeth, his eyes brimming with even more fury.


    "But do you think your trap card can protect you twice? Don''t forget, I still have two other monsters on the field!"


    "Sillva, Warlord of Dark World! Attack Ushiwakamaru!" Blinded by rage, Keith declared another attack.


    "Hm?" Hoshino raised an eyebrow and replied, "Who said I can''t protect her twice?"


    Sillva, Warlord of Dark World, gripping its bone blade, roared as it lunged at Ushiwakamaru, only to find a thin, pale green haori hanging off its weapon.


    Just a simple, flimsy haori, and Ushiwakamaru was nowhere to be seen.


    [¢Ú: Afterward, this card can be used as an Equip Spell, increasing the equipped monster''s ATK and DEF by 300. Once per turn, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed in battle.]


    [Ushiwakamaru ATK 1200 ¡ú 1500]


    Hoshino proudly displayed her card to Keith. "Thanks to the second effect of Haori of Vows, Ushiwakamaru is immune to this battle''s destruction!"


    "But damage still counts!" Keith roared in frustration, unwilling to let Hoshino keep playing him for a fool.


    [Sillva, Warlord of Dark World ATK 2300]


    "No, no, no~" Hoshino shook her head with a smile. "You clearly don''t know how this will play out, so keep watching~"


    As Hoshino teased him, Ushiwakamaru vanished again, reappearing behind Sillva, Warlord of Dark World in the blink of an eye.


    "The Wandering Tales of Shana-oh, Act Two¡­!"


    This was the physical embodiment of the legends Ushiwakamaru, later known as Minamoto no Yoshitsune, had created throughout her life, from her growth to her death.


    "Usumidori: Heavenly Blade Steps!"


    Usumidori, Ushiwakamaru''s beloved sword, had cut down a giant spider, slain many monsters, and taken countless lives.


    With a brilliant slash, she used the Heavenly Blade Steps technique¡ªa strike so fast it was almost impossible to dodge.


    "!!!"


    In an instant, the massive form of the Dark World Warlord was cleaved apart by the green gleam of the blade.


    [Sillva, Warlord of Dark World] Destroyed


    "Impossible!!" Keith was in shock. His two most powerful monsters had both been felled by the seemingly fragile Ushiwakamaru. His worldview was now in shambles.


    "How can this be? My monsters were defeated by a bug like that!!"


    "Why would you call me a bug? If you''re going to compare me to something, I''d prefer to be called a loyal dog~," Ushiwakamaru responded calmly, her blade appearing even sharper than before.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ushiwakamaru ATK 2300]


    "Her attack power is the same as Sillva, Warlord of Dark World?!"


    "Surprised? Because of the Quick-Play Spell [Golden Sumo - Rocky Terrain], Ushiwakamaru''s attack power rose to match her opponent''s!"


    [Golden Sumo - Rocky Terrain Quick-Play Spell effect: Choose one [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field. When that monster battles an opponent''s monster with higher ATK, it gains ATK equal to the difference in their ATK.]


    "Even though monsters with equal attack power would normally destroy each other, you already know, thanks to the effect of Haori of Vows, Ushiwakamaru is immune to this destruction!"


    Hoshino revealed her final set card, showcasing how she''d managed to make a counterattack through clever combinations of her monster, spell, and trap cards, even with a poor starting hand.


    "Do I really need to repeat myself? Your monsters are no match for my Ushiwakamaru!"


    Keith, who had seemed to hold the upper hand, now had nothing left but a lone Zure, Knight of Dark World on his field.


    "Your taunts from the start of this duel were all to bait me into attacking with my strongest monsters, weren''t they?" Keith finally realized that he''d fallen into Hoshino''s trap from the very beginning.


    Hoshino''s eyebrows twitched slightly, and her bright eyes curved into a crescent moon. "Oh? So you finally saw through it¡ªmy trash-talking plan~"


    Indeed, this was Hoshino''s signature tactic: using trash talk to bait her opponents.


    From the moment Ushiwakamaru had landed that first blow, Hoshino''s provocations had never ceased. Her goal was to make Keith so mad that he''d attack Ushiwakamaru with his strongest monster.


    Had Keith chosen to attack with Zure, Knight of Dark World instead of Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World, Ushiwakamaru''s attack wouldn''t have increased, and the outcome of the battle could''ve been completely different.


    But that was just a hypothetical. There''s no such thing as a "What-if" in duels.


    Now, with the game all but decided, Keith''s lone 1800 ATK Zure, Knight of Dark World could only helplessly face Ushiwakamaru''s mighty 2300 ATK.


    "Not bad, not bad at all, Chiyuki Hoshino! Only a Duel King like you is worth defeating..." This battle, as perilous as walking a tightrope, had earned Keith''s respect for Hoshino''s daring and strategic prowess.


    At the same time, Keith''s words were also a reminder to himself¡ªto fight this duel with all his strength from here on out.


    The sudden tension in the air made Mokuba nervously swallow.


    "Since my Zure, Knight of Dark World can''t defeat your Ushiwakamaru, I''ll end my battle phase here."


    Having given up on attacking, Keith once again brought out Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World from his graveyard.


    "Then, I''ll activate [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World]''s graveyard effect, returning Zure, Knight of Dark World to my hand and Special Summoning him again from the grave!"


    [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK] [Fiend/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 1800]


    The Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World, which Ushiwakamaru had just defeated, once again appeared on the field with its ominous aura.


    At the same time, the Zure, Knight of Dark World returned to Keith''s hand.


    "I didn''t expect Zure, Knight of Dark World to play such an important role," Hoshino said.


    "But judging by the current situation, this Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World seems like it can resurrect endlessly." After venting her inner urge to make sarcastic remarks, Hoshino still slightly furrowed her brows.


    As long as Keith had a Dark World monster in his hand, no matter how many times Hoshino destroyed Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World, Keith could summon it back from the graveyard, and all it cost him was returning a monster to his hand¡ªa very small price to pay.


    On the other hand, for Hoshino to destroy Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World with an ATK of 2700, she would have to expend significant resources.


    If this kept going, Hoshino would eventually run out of cards and options.


    "So, are you starting to feel the terror of the Dark World?" Seeing Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World return to his field once again, Keith, who had repeatedly been humiliated, regained some of his momentum. "Though your counterattack seems perfect, it hasn''t dealt any substantial damage to me."


    "Finally, I''ll activate the face-down card from last turn!" Keith, with a mysterious smile, activated the face-down card, clearly up to something devious.


    "Trap Card, [Mind Crush]!"


    [Mind Crush Trap Card Effect: Declare 1 card name; if that card is in your opponent''s hand, they must discard all copies of it. Otherwise, you discard 1 random card.]


    "This card?!" Hoshino became alert, recognizing the effect from familiarity with Mata Hari.


    "But I shouldn''t have revealed any of my hand cards..." Hoshino felt uneasy as she looked at the mysterious smile on Keith''s face.


    If there was any chance she had revealed a card, it would have been the Spell Card Graceful Charity, which was banished due to First Premonition. However, that card was still in the banished zone and had not returned yet.


    "Go ahead, guess!" Confidently holding up her remaining two cards, Hoshino dared Keith to try his luck. "If you manage to guess correctly, I''ll eat this Duel Disk right here!"


    "Oh, then I''ll guess..." Keith, stroking his chin, grinned mischievously as he stared at Hoshino''s hand. "I''ll guess [Heroic Spirit- Martha]!"


    Perhaps traumatized by a past encounter with her, Keith thought for a while but ended up naming Martha.


    "Heh, sorry, wrong~" Hoshino casually revealed her hand, showing Okita S¨­ji.


    "So that''s why you needed Graceful Charity." Keith, now aware of Hoshino''s earlier disadvantage, deduced why she needed to use that card.


    "And now, since I guessed wrong, according to the secondary effect of Mind Crush, I have to discard a card from my hand!" Keith''s tone suddenly raised, clearly unbothered by the secondary effect.


    "You never intended to guess my card correctly, did you?" Hoshino caught on to Keith''s true intentions from his tone. "You just wanted to trigger the secondary effect to discard a Dark World card from your hand."


    Dark World monsters have powerful effects that trigger when discarded, but such effects can''t be triggered just at will; there are rules to follow.


    Thus, Dark World decks often include cards that can force hand discards, like Card Destruction.


    "You''ve guessed half of it..." Keith gave a creepy smile again as he discarded a card from his hand into the Duel Disk''s graveyard slot.


    Then, nothing happened.


    Although Hoshino expected a Dark World monster''s effect to activate upon being discarded, nothing actually occurred, which left her puzzled.


    "I''ll set two cards face-down and end my turn!" Keith said decisively, wrapping up his turn without much fanfare.


    Keith Howard LP 3500, Remaining Hand Cards: 2


    "My turn, draw! And because of the effect of First Premonition, the previously banished Graceful Charity returns to my hand!" Hoshino exclaimed.


    With this and her draw for the turn, Hoshino now had a total of four cards in her hand.


    "Next, I''ll activate the Spell Card [Graceful Charity], drawing three cards from my deck!"


    Hoshino quickly drew three cards from her deck, unable to suppress a comment, "It feels so good to play a banned card!"


    "Then, I''ll send two cards from my hand to the graveyard."


    After a big hand-refresh, Hoshino finally got rid of Okita and said goodbye to her bad hand.


    "You''ve been on the offensive long enough; now it''s my turn to counterattack, Keith!" Having dealt with her earlier issue, Hoshino''s aura grew more imposing by the second.


    Selecting a card from her hand, Hoshino dramatically slapped it onto her Duel Disk. "I activate the Spell Card [The Place I Will Arrive] from my hand!"


    [The Place I Will Arrive Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù Send 1 monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from your deck to the graveyard, then choose 1 of the following effects. ¡ñ Choose 1 monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name in your graveyard, except the one sent to the graveyard by this effect, and Special Summon it. ¡ñ Choose 1 of your banished monsters with [Heroic Spirit] in its name, and return it to the graveyard.]


    "I''ll send [Heroic Spirit ¨C Martha] from my deck to the graveyard!" After retrieving the Boss card from her deck and sending it to the graveyard, Hoshino chose one of the card''s effects.


    "I''ll revive a Heroic Spirit monster from my graveyard, other than Martha!"


    "Not so fast! I activate my face-down card!" Just as Hoshino was getting into her rhythm, Keith suddenly hit the activation button for his Trap Card.


    "You thought you could revive Okita, huh? I saw through your tactics long ago! Continuous Trap Card [Dark Smog]!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Dark Smog Continuous Trap Card Effect: Once per turn, target 1 monster in your opponent''s graveyard. Discard 1 Fiend-Type monster from your hand, and banish the targeted monster.]


    "I choose your monster card [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita S¨­ji] in your graveyard and discard my Fiend-Type monster [Broww, Huntsman of Dark World]."


    An eerie dark smog seeped out from Keith''s activated Trap Card, slowly creeping toward Hoshino''s Duel Disk''s graveyard slot.


    "Because of Dark Smog''s effect, Okita is banished, so your plan to revive her is ruined!"


    Poor Okita, always the underdog¡ªdiscarded, banished, and even having her haori stolen by Ushiwakamaru. Even Hoshino herself felt a bit bad about how things had turned out for her.


    "And because Broww, Huntsman of Dark World was discarded, I can draw one card from my deck!" Having disrupted Hoshino''s plans, Keith couldn''t hide his glee.


    However, the brilliant light of The Place I Will Arrive still resonated on Hoshino''s battlefield, accompanied by the sound of thousands of horses galloping.


    "You think Okita is the only powerful monster in my graveyard?" Responding to the glorious light, Hoshino dramatically pulled out the card hidden at the bottom of her graveyard.


    "Hahahahaha! You thought I was going to summon that sickly swordswoman, but I''m actually reviving the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 154 - 154

    "I summon from the graveyard, [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga]!"


    With slender fingers, Hoshino reached into the graveyard slot of her duel disk, pulling out Nobunaga, the card buried deepest beneath several others that had already fallen into the graveyard.


    "No matter how many times your Dragon Lord revives, it won''t stand a chance against Nobunaga!" Hoshino slammed the Nobunaga card down onto her duel disk with immense confidence.


    "Stuck with dead cards? Hard to summon? Not a problem!" With a dramatic sweep of her crimson cloak, Nobunaga, wielding her matchlock rifle, strode onto the battlefield.


    "The Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga, has arrived!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "Look at that attack power!" Mokuba''s eyes lit up as he watched Nobunaga''s crimson form march into the duel with awe.


    "It''s just like my brother''s ace, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "Hahaha, you''ve got a good eye for a kid!" Nobunaga grinned broadly, pointing her long rifle at Keith''s roaring Dragon Lord.


    "Remember this well¡ªI am the ace of this deck, the ace of all aces, a Heroic Spirit whose name echoes through history, deciding the outcome of every duel I appear in!"


    "Nothing but a bad hand¡­" Hoshino interrupted Nobunaga''s boast, mercilessly cutting through her pride with a casual remark.


    "Attack now, Nobunaga! It''s time for your first strike in the history of this Duel Monsters world!"


    "Go, Nobunaga, defeat that creepy dragon!" Mokuba, now completely captivated by Nobunaga just because her stats matched Blue-Eyes White Dragon, cheered for her enthusiastically.


    "Master, you''re so mean! But¡­" Nobunaga''s smile grew more sinister as she pulled her black hat down lower.


    "I can''t afford to disappoint my very first fan in this world!"


    Though Nobunaga was resurrected without the support of the "Nobus" (her loyal army), making her almost a vanilla monster with no additional effects, her high attack power alone made her formidable.


    As Mokuba had pointed out, with attack power equal to Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Nobunaga could sweep away most of the Duel Monsters in this world.


    And that included the terrifying Dragon Lord in front of her.


    "This is my invincible bullet¡ªThree Line Formation!!" Nobunaga''s matchlock rifles appeared out of thin air, floating in the air as she pulled the trigger. Simultaneously, a barrage of bullets shot forward, piercing through the thick body of the Dark World Dragon Lord with unparalleled speed.


    With a final, weak roar, the Dark World Dragon Lord once again dissipated into the ominous black mist.


    [Keith LP 3500 ¡ú 3200]


    "Continue the attack, Ushiwakamaru!" With Keith''s field now empty, Hoshino commanded a direct attack from Ushiwakamaru without hesitation.


    "As you command, my liege!" Spinning her sword hilt, the sharp gleam of Ushiwakamaru''s blade pierced through the dark atmosphere on the field, "Ushiwakamaru, charge once more!"


    "Hehehe..." Keith, however, didn''t look the least bit nervous, even though he was about to be directly attacked. "I''ve told you, no matter how many times you destroy my Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World, my immortal monster will rise again and crush you!"


    "Activate face-down card, Quick-Play Spell [Gateway to Dark World]!"


    [Gateway of the Dark World - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 "Dark World" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target. You cannot Summon monsters the turn you activate this card, except by this effect (but you can Normal Set).]


    After the Dragon Lord was destroyed, the lingering dark energy on the field gathered as the face-down card activated, slowly forming a dark orb radiating a purple glow.


    "This is the boundary between the graveyard and the battlefield, between Hell and the mortal realm!" Keith shouted as he drew the card he had just sent to the graveyard.


    "Break through the gateway, and return once more, [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World]!"


    [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World ATK 2700] S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For the third time in just a few turns, this Dragon Lord of Dark World once again returned to the battlefield. At this rate, if Hoshino didn''t come up with a solution, the Grapha would revive again and again.


    "Since you''ve already declared your attack, Ushiwakamaru''s attack cannot be stopped!"


    "Swoosh!" The sharp blade sliced through the air, producing a crisp collision sound. Without any preparation, Ushiwakamaru couldn''t easily cut down the Grapha as she had the previous turn.


    The 400-point difference in attack power was like an insurmountable chasm, knocking Ushiwakamaru''s blade away.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki''s LP 4000 ¡ú 3600]


    "Hahahaha!" Keith finally let out a maniacal laugh after making Ushiwakamaru suffer a setback.


    However, thanks to the Haori of Vows Ushiwakamaru was wearing, even clashing with Grapha didn''t result in her destruction.


    "Wow, so that sickwoman''s haori is that useful, huh?" Nobunaga, watching everything unfold from the back, showed a look of envy. "Man, I want equipment like that too."


    "A Nobunaga wearing a haori, huh?" Hearing Nobunaga''s muttering, Hoshino couldn''t help but imagine it.


    And then, a familiar figure popped into her mind.


    "Nobu?"


    "That would be the Shinsengumi, right?" Hoshino''s mouth twitched slightly at the thought.


    "However, with my strength, such an effect that prevents destruction in battle would be unnecessary anyway, hahaha!"


    "Haha, true that." Hoshino grinned alongside Nobunaga''s hearty laugh, turning her gaze toward Keith. "No matter how many times you revive your Grapha, it''ll just fall to Nobunaga''s firepower again."


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 1 card.


    "Although summoning such a powerful monster was a minor slip-up in my perfect plan, the overall flow is still under my control."


    Keith drew a card from his Duel Disk, his once sinister eyes now fully consumed by a dark aura.


    "It''s time to revive the evil god slumbering in my graveyard, to erase all that stands before me¡ªincluding your last shred of hope!"


    "From my hand, I activate [Premature Burial]." Keith threw the Spell card onto his duel disk, shouting maniacally.


    "Come forth, the ultimate evil god of destruction, [The Wicked Eraser]!"


    [Premature Burial Equip Spell Effect: Pay 800 Life Points, select 1 monster from your graveyard and activate this card. Special summon the selected monster in face-up attack position and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, the equipped monster is also destroyed.]


    [Keith Howard LP 3200 ¡ú 2400]


    "Rise again and display your overwhelming form that obliterates all!" Keith, now even more deranged, seemed to be in a similar state as Devlin when he summoned the Evil God.


    However, Hoshino was certain that this person was still Keith. Unlike Devlin, who had been controlled, Keith, despite his madness, remained the same person at his core.


    As the Evil God card activated, an overwhelmingly ominous aura filled the field, completely overshadowing the eerie dread brought by the Dark World.


    If Grapha exuded a chilling aura that caused the temperature around it to plummet, the Evil God''s presence brought an aura of annihilation that threatened all living beings.


    "ROAR!!" The sound, somewhere between a dragon''s cry and a beast''s howl, echoed through the narrow alley.


    [The Wicked Eraser ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)][DARK] [Fiend/Effect][ATK ???/DEF ???]


    "Attack power ???" Hoshino frowned deeply.


    The atmosphere shifted dramatically. Unlike the last duel with an Evil God, which took place indoors, Hoshino and the others could now feel the strange phenomenon clearly.


    It seemed that whenever a god appeared, it transcended the realm of holographic projections, exerting a tangible influence on the surrounding environment.


    Just like when Obelisk the Tormentor appeared, the previously clear skies were suddenly covered in dark clouds.


    The clouds, flashing with lightning, appeared as though they were threatening the mortals on the ground, churning with immense energy.


    From within the stormy clouds, a god that could annihilate all emerged, its long, slender body twisting, its dark wings and terrifying horns serving as proof of its identity as a demon from the depths of hell.


    "Hahaha, I''ve won!" Keith spread his arms wide, proudly showcasing his Evil God monster.


    "Summoning an Evil God through revival is indeed much easier than using tributes." Understanding Keith''s strategy, Hoshino analyzed, "But the effect of the God cards limits spells affecting them to only one turn. In other words, once the turn ends, the Evil God revived by Premature Burial will return to the graveyard."


    "One turn is more than enough! No one can defeat an Evil God, not even you, Hoshino!"


    "Oh? But I''ve already defeated one Evil God, haven''t I?" Hoshino retorted swiftly, her gaze toward the opposing field growing firmer. "And this time won''t be any different. I''ll defeat this Evil God as well!"


    "Evil God? Is that the card my brother mentioned? The one said to rival the God cards?" Ever since Seto Kaiba returned from the Egyptian exhibit, he had informed Mokuba of the existence of the Evil God cards. Mokuba had some knowledge of them, but this was his first time witnessing an Evil God in person.


    "What an ominous aura¡­ It''s nothing like my brother''s Obelisk the Tormentor¡­" Mokuba''s frightened expression betrayed his inner panic. "How can something like this even be god?!"


    "Just watch, kid!" Nobunaga''s commanding voice sliced through the atmosphere of despair like a blade.


    "Nobunaga?" Mokuba, stunned, finally realized something. "Wait¡­ why is a Duel Monster talking to me?"


    "As my first fan in this world, I shall show you how I conquer all mysteries and enemies on the battlefield!" With her usual confident grin, Nobunaga showed no fear despite the Evil God''s presence.


    "What a stubborn monster you are." Seeing Nobunaga''s refusal to yield, Keith''s laugh grew even more maniacal. "I can''t wait to see how that confident expression of yours will twist once you witness the true power of the Evil God!"


    With a grand gesture, Keith declared the hidden effect of his Evil God: "The Wicked Eraser, the time has come to reveal your true strength!"


    [This card''s attack and defense points are equal to the number of cards on the field x 1000.]


    "There are so many cards on the field that can empower The Wicked Eraser! Four monsters (Grapha, Evil God, Nobunaga, and Ushiwakamaru) and six Spell and Trap Cards (Hoshino''s two set cards and Haori of Vows, and Keith''s one set card, Premature Burial, and Continuous Trap Dark Smog). Therefore, The Wicked Eraser''s final attack points are¡­"


    [The Wicked Eraser ATK 10000]


    "10,000 attack points!?" Mokuba, stunned by the sheer power of the Evil God, froze in disbelief. "Is this the power of a god that destroys all?"


    "With such a high attack power, any monster can be crushed easily. But I''m always careful¡­" Not content with merely basking in the Evil God''s power, Keith discarded a monster from his hand to the graveyard. "I activate the effect of Dark Smog, discarding [Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World] from my hand, and I''ll banish [Heroic Spirit - Martha] from your graveyard!"


    Once again, the eerie black miasma stretched from Keith''s side to Hoshino''s Duel Disk, invading her graveyard.


    "It seems you''re really afraid of Martha, huh?" Hoshino let out a helpless chuckle as she watched her monster being banished again.


    "While Martha is indeed troublesome, banishing your monster wasn''t my main goal. Don''t forget, even though I summoned the Evil God, my deck is still a Dark World deck!" Keith discarded another monster, and the Duel Disk confirmed the special summon.


    [Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5 stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1400]


    [When this card is discarded to the graveyard by a card effect, you can special summon this card from the graveyard.]


    "I always go all out, even when squashing an insect. And since there''s now another card on the field, the Evil God''s attack power rises again!"


    [The Wicked Eraser ATK 10000¡ú11000]


    "Isn''t it an honor to have the champion of America going all out against me~" Hoshino teased, not missing the opportunity to lighten the mood.


    "I''ll shut that annoying mouth of yours for good!" Keith, veins bulging in anger¡ªlikely triggered by the mention of "champion"¡ªshouted as he declared his attack.


    "The Wicked Eraser, crush Oda Nobunaga!"


    The Evil God''s furious roar was accompanied by a death ray, shot from its grotesque maw, boasting an attack power of over 11,000. The beam surged toward Nobunaga.


    "There''s no way anyone could block that attack¡­" The sheer energy contained in the beam, as displayed on Mokuba''s terminal, far exceeded the limits of a normal monster.


    In other words, only a god could wield such terrifying power.


    "Huh? Who says it can''t be blocked!" With a fierce shout, Nobunaga thrust her gloved right hand forward, as though a burning red skull manifested behind her in the flames of her fighting spirit.


    "Now it''s time for me, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, to take center stage!" The white military glove she wore absorbed the annihilating death ray.


    With the dignity of a true ruler, Nobunaga held firm, clutching the fate of the duel¡ªand of everyone present¡ªtightly in her hands.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 155 - 155

    "She blocked it?!" Keith''s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he stared in disbelief at Nobunaga, whose hand was gripping the beam of light on Hoshino''s field.


    Nobunaga, gritting her teeth with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through all mystery, let out a roar capable of shaking the entrenched beliefs of the old era.


    "No gods or Buddhas can stand against me, the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!!!"


    As a hero of historical revolution, Nobunaga possessed the unique skill "Unifying the Nation by Force - Innovation." The stronger the opponent''s Divinity and Mystery ranks, the more they were Heroic Spirits tied to guardianship of the establishment, and the greater the advantage Nobunaga gained. This meant she had a decisive edge over spirits or Noble Phantasms tied to Divinity or Mystery.


    "Don''t be ridiculous! Duel Monsters is all about rules. Legends and stories have no place here!"


    "You''re right. No matter how strong a Heroic Spirit may be, if it''s not written on the card, it doesn''t matter." Hoshino, with a proud smile, glanced at Nobunaga, who was fending off the god''s attack with all her might. "But the whole point of this duel is to bring that legend to life, to recreate the strongest forms of Heroic Spirits! That''s my most important duty as a Duelist, as a Master!"


    Hoshino took pride in her title, as well as in her Heroic Spirits, and possessed the qualities most essential to being a true Master.


    "Master, enough with the chitchat! Hurry up and give me some support!" Nobunaga, struggling to block the god''s attack with no activated face-down cards, urged Hoshino.


    "My bad! I made you wait too long!" Realizing she had stalled a bit too much, Hoshino quickly pressed the button on her Duel Disk to activate a set card. "I''m activating my Trap Card!"


    "Hahaha! So in the end, you have to rely on a Trap Card. But Traps don''t work against a god!" Keith, seeing Hoshino''s revealed card, breathed a sigh of relief. "Your last struggle is really nothing special!"


    "Who said I was targeting your monster? Take a good look at the field around you, Keith!" Hoshino pointed forward with great force, directing attention to the flames engulfing the area.


    "This is the true Noble Phantasm of Oda Nobunaga! A Reality Marble and Continuous Trap Card: [Demon King of the Sixth Heaven]!"


    Responding to Hoshino''s Continuous Trap Card, the entire field was instantly consumed by raging flames.


    The Noble Phantasm of Nobunaga, the Demon King who destroyed Shinto and Buddhism, manifested as a blazing inferno¡ªa representation of the fear and awe held by later generations, drawn from his brutal acts in life, like the burning of Mount Hiei.


    [Demon King of the Sixth Heaven - Continuous Trap Card Effect


    ¡ñOnce per turn, you can target 1 Heroic Spirit monster in your Graveyard. Banish that monster.


    ¡ñAt the end of each turn, both players take damage equal to the number of "Heroic Spirit" monsters banished x 300.]


    "A Trap that deals continuous damage? What''s the point of using such a card at this stage?" Keith sneered, eyeing the seemingly fierce flames on the field with contempt. "Such a pathetic counterattack just lessens my satisfaction in defeating you!"


    "According to the effect of the Trap Card, I banish a Heroic Spirit monster from my Graveyard!" Hoshino ignored Keith''s shallow ridicule and continued her play.


    "You still have Heroic Spirits left in your Graveyard? I thought I banished them all!" Keith laughed.


    "Of course I have some left! Since you enjoy banishing my Graveyard monsters so much, I''ll help you out!" The blazing flames consumed the Graveyard area of Hoshino''s Duel Disk. "I banish the monster discarded by Graceful Charity, [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc Alter]!"


    "Graceful Charity, huh? I see." Keith, focused on Hoshino''s hand, had only noticed her Jeanne d''Arc Alter after she discarded it with Graceful Charity.


    Normally, a draw like that would have locked Hoshino''s hand, which is why Graceful Charity is considered a banned card.


    "Now I have three banished Heroic Spirits!"


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, are you seriously worried about a few hundred points of damage right now? My god has over 10,000 ATK, and you still owe me a whole bar of Life Points!"


    "Well, don''t start crying over those few hundred points of damage later, Keith!"


    Indeed, Nobunaga''s Noble Phantasm was only a mere flame for opponents with weak divinity. But for those with high levels of Divinity and Mystery, it was an absolute force, making it difficult for beings with high divinity to even maintain their existence in that space.


    "It''s time to counterattack, Nobunaga!" Hoshino shouted, flipping over another set card as Nobunaga''s fiery spirit intensified within the flames.


    "I activate the final effect of [Demon King of the Sixth Heaven] and my face-down Trap Card, [Heroic Battle - United Assault]!"


    [Heroic Battle - United Assault Trap Card Effect:


    Target 1 face-up Heroic Spirit monster you control. Until the end of this battle phase, that monster''s ATK increases by the combined ATK of all other face-up monsters you control, whose ATK becomes 0.]


    "I entrust my sword to you!" Ushiwakamaru declared.


    [Ushiwakamaru ATK: 2300 ¡ú 0]


    [Oda Nobunaga ATK: 3000 ¡ú 5300]


    "Not enough! I can burn even brighter!" Nobunaga, having absorbed Ushiwakamaru''s ATK, grinned ferociously. "Behold the true form of my Noble Phantasm, Demon King of the Sixth Heaven!"


    [Demon King of the Sixth Heaven Trap Card Effect:


    If [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga] battles a Divine-Type monster, its ATK increases during damage calculation by the combined ATK of all "Heroic Spirit" monsters in the banished zone.]


    "My three banished Heroic Spirits!" Hoshino raised three fingers, counting the situation Keith had unknowingly brought upon himself. "Heroic Spirit - Martha, Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc Alter, and Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji, with a total ATK of 7100!"


    Martha: "No matter how much evil tries to hide, divine punishment will eventually come down upon your head!"


    Okita: "This time, I''ll let Nobu take the spotlight. Though my contribution may be small, please don''t hesitate to use it!"


    Jeanne Alter: "Why am I being dragged into this? I was just passing by!"


    [Oda Nobunaga ATK: 5300 ¡ú 12400]


    "12400!" Mokuba, still in a daze but for an entirely different reason, exclaimed, "To think you could use monsters in the banished zone like that..."


    "Damn it!" Suddenly realizing something, Mokuba quickly glanced at the terminal in his hand.


    "Hoshino, can you tone down the power a bit? This might affect the holographic projection of duel disks in other regions."


    "Sorry, but at this point, I can''t control the power even if I wanted to!" Engulfed in flames, Hoshino could feel the earth-shattering clash between Nobunaga and the Evil God up close. The energy from the death ray and the heat from the flames seemed almost real as they lashed at her fair cheeks.


    "Ohhh! You''re finished, Evil God!" Nobunaga, driving the crimson skeletal demon behind her, pushed through the Evil God''s death ray step by step.


    "Nobunaga, are you a Stand user?" Watching Nobunaga move forward with the demon at her back, Hoshino couldn''t help but think of an anime she had once watched.


    "Get lost, vile creature! This place will soon become hell on Earth!" Stomping fiercely, Nobunaga finally reached the Evil God, raising her hand high and shouting with incredible momentum.


    Then, the crimson skeletal demon swung its bony fists, lifting Nobunaga''s cloak, and began pummeling the massive form of the Evil God in front of them.


    "The deities of the three realms shall all be nothing but ash! I am the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga!!!"


    "ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!!"


    With giant skeleton fists and a relentless barrage of attacks like a violent storm, the Evil God''s slender form was battered and bent¡ªthe scene truly brutal.


    "Keith, you''ve already lost! Due to the effect of United Assault, the Evil God''s attack points have dropped by 1000."


    [The Wicked Eraser ATK: 11000 ¡ú 10000]


    "And Nobunaga''s ATK is 12400. This 2400-point damage... Just take it already!" Seizing victory, Hoshino smugly pointed at Keith.


    "Keith''s remaining Life Points are exactly 2400. Hoshino managed to plan this all out in a single move!" Mokuba, now marveling at Hoshino''s skill, couldn''t help but admire her strategic prowess.


    "The only thing that can bring justice to you is my Demon King Nobunaga''s fists!"


    No matter how tough the Evil God''s body was, it was no match for Nobunaga''s relentless assault. The Evil God''s form was being pulverized by the vicious barrage of crimson skeleton fists.


    [The Wicked Eraser] Destroyed.


    "Victory is ours, Master!" After smashing the Evil God''s body, Nobunaga triumphantly flashed a V-sign at Hoshino.


    But after the Evil God was defeated, Keith, with his head hanging low, had a face that was difficult to read.


    "Too naive..." Keith muttered, his voice filled with venom.


    "Hmm?" Hoshino narrowed her eyes, sensing something was wrong.


    "Too naive, Hoshino, and your ignorant monster!" Keith''s eyes gleamed dangerously as he slowly raised his head.


    "The true terror of The Wicked Eraser... is about to begin!" Keith, whose Life Points should have been zero, showed no signs of defeat in his voice.


    "This isn''t good. It seems like we haven''t really finished it off." Hoshino''s eye twitched as she took a closer look at the field, noticing that Keith had somehow managed to summon another monster and activate a trap card in the chaos.


    [Call of the Haunted - Continuous Trap Effect


    ¢Ù: Target 1 monster in your Graveyard and activate this card. Special Summon that target in Attack Position. When this card leaves the field, destroy that monster. When that monster is destroyed, destroy this card.]


    [Sillva, Warlord of Dark World ATK: 2300]


    [Keith LP: 1000]


    "I see, so you took advantage of the chaos to use Call of the Haunted and pulled the Warlord from your Graveyard, increasing the number of cards on your field..." Realizing how Keith survived, Hoshino shivered involuntarily.


    Even though The Wicked Eraser had been destroyed and Hoshino had gained the upper hand, she couldn''t shake the feeling of impending doom.


    "The reason The Wicked Eraser can erase everything isn''t just due to its high attack points, but also because of its effect!" Keith, raising his head, grabbed the now dark and inactive Evil God card from his Duel Disk.


    "Let everything return to nothingness, Evil God!"


    [The Wicked Eraser Effect


    When this card is sent to the Graveyard, destroy all cards on the field.]


    "Damn it!" Nobunaga, also realizing something was wrong, noticed that the Evil God''s shattered body hadn''t disappeared like other monsters but was instead leaking a disgusting, viscous liquid from inside.


    "Hahaha, everything... erased!" Keith sneered as he tossed the Evil God card into his Graveyard.


    Then, the black liquid oozing from the Evil God''s body exploded, spreading across the entire field like a shockwave. The corrosive substance devoured everything in an instant, turning it all into nothingness.


    The cards on Hoshino''s Duel Disk all lost their glow, representing that all of Hoshino''s cards on the field had been wiped out by the black liquid. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So this is the power of the Evil God..." Mokuba, watching the field being devoured by the black sludge, was filled with despair. "How could this happen? We were supposed to have won."


    "There''s no need to despair, Mokuba!" Sensing the trembling in Mokuba''s voice, Hoshino shouted reassuringly. "This kind of clash, where everything is at stake, is what makes dueling so exciting. Besides, even though the Evil God wiped out the field, I haven''t lost yet. After all, there are no cards on the opponent''s field either."


    "The real battle... starts now!"


    "Hahaha, I really want to crush that optimism of yours, Hoshino!" Keith, having drawn his last card, though the field was empty, still had his turn. "Don''t forget, I''m using a Dark World deck, and I haven''t even performed a Normal Summon this turn!"


    "Therefore, I Normal Summon [Zure, Knight of Dark World] and activate the effect of [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World] in my Graveyard!" Throwing the card he had just drawn, Keith performed the same familiar move once again. "Revive, Dragon Lord!"


    [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World ATK: 2700]


    "How many times is this now!" Hoshino, with a wry smile, rubbed her temples. "This is so frustrating. If I don''t deal with this monster somehow, I''m going to get dragged into a loop."


    Now, with both players running low on cards, Keith having a 2700 ATK Grapha that could be revived every turn was undoubtedly a huge disadvantage for Hoshino.


    "Since the battle phase has already passed, I''ll end my turn." Keith''s remaining hand: 1 card.


    Hoshino, on the other hand, was running on empty. With just one card left in her hand, no set cards or monsters on the field, all she could do was hope for a miracle with her next draw.


    "Please, I''ve been stuck with bad hands this entire duel. Just let me draw something good this one time, please!" Desperate, Hoshino placed her hopes on the whims of fate, though she seemed to have forgotten about Nobunaga easily.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 156 - 156

    "I firmly believe that as long as a duelist believes in their deck, the deck will always respond to the duelist''s expectations!" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Here I go! Draw!" The smooth sound of the card sliding out, the crisp noise of the card brushing against the duel disk, filled the air.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Single Pull of Miracles] from my hand!" Without hesitation, Hoshino slammed the drawn card onto the duel disk.


    [Single Pull of Miracles Quick-Play Spell: The turn this card is activated, you cannot Special Summon monsters that are not [Heroic Spirit] monsters. ¢Ù: Declare a card type (Monster, Spell, Trap), draw 1 card, and if the drawn card is of the declared type, draw 1 more card.]


    "Oh, so you''ve reached the point of betting your life, Duel King!" With the advantage on the board, Keith seized the chance to mock Hoshino.


    "Really? Keith, you''ve been cheating your entire life, and now you''re scared of a gamble?" When it came to trash talk, Hoshino was undeniably one of the best among duelists. "You''re scared I''ll win the gamble. You''re scared this card will truly create a miracle, just as its name says."


    "Enough talk, make your declaration!"


    "I declare... Spell Card!" As if slapping Keith in the face, Hoshino swiftly drew the next card.


    "The card I drew is the Quick-Play Spell Heroic Bond! According to the effect of Single Pull of Miracles, I can draw one more card!"


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 3


    "And now, I activate the Spell card I just drew, [Heroic Spirit Bond]!"


    [Heroic Spirit Bond Quick-Play Spell: Discard 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand to activate this card. Shuffle the cards and draw 1 card, then reveal it to your opponent. If it''s a [Heroic Spirit] monster, Special Summon that monster to your field.]


    Hoshino discarded a monster into the graveyard and once again drew a card from her deck.


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 2


    After looking at the card she had just drawn, Hoshino couldn''t help but chuckle, "Heh, heh, the scales of victory have tipped in my favor!"


    "Because of Heroic Spirit Bond, I Special Summon the Heroic Spirit monster I just drew, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus], in Defense Position!"


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 1


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    "Alright! The comeback starts now, so you better be ready for it!"


    With spirited confidence, Spartacus made his dramatic entrance, loudly declaring the beginning of the reversal.


    "That''s the kind of fighting spirit I want, Spartacus!" Spartacus'' determined words deeply touched Hoshino, giving her a strong sense of security.


    "I''ll set my last remaining card and end my turn!"


    Remaining hand: 0, a true all-in from Hoshino, betting everything on this last move.


    "Hahaha, what miracle? What bond? That''s hilarious!" Keith burst into laughter, clearly unimpressed by the sight of Spartacus crouching in Defense Position.


    "After all that fancy talk, you''re pinning all your hopes on such a monster? Pathetic, truly pathetic!"


    "Spartacus is not a weak monster! He is the symbol of perseverance and resilience, a great hero who will bring me victory!"


    "Hoshino..." Mokuba, worried and confused, didn''t understand why Hoshino spoke so highly of this monster.


    "Then stay lost in your fantasies and lose to me completely, Hoshino Chiyuki!" Keith, irritated by Hoshino''s attitude, growled.


    "Let this final draw put an end to this duel. It''s my turn, draw!"


    Keith proudly showed the card he''d drawn to Hoshino, flashing a smug grin. "Take a good look, Hoshino. This is a real divine draw!"


    "This is the best card to send you to the afterlife this turn! I activate the Spell card [Monster Reborn]!"


    As Keith slammed Monster Reborn onto his duel disk, the familiar ominous aura spread across the field again.


    "Rise once again, [The Wicked Eraser]!"


    "Roar!!" The same terrifying roar that could strike fear deep into the human heart, draining sanity, echoed as the twisted, slender body of the Evil God once again coiled over the battlefield.


    "Because there are four cards on the field, The Wicked Eraser''s attack points are 4000!"


    [The Wicked Eraser ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    "This turn, I''ll clear all your life points in one fell swoop! I summon my last monster, [Zure, Knight of Dark World], and with that, the Evil God''s attack points rise even further!"


    [Zure, Knight of Dark World ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][DARK][Fiend][ATK 1800/DEF 1500]


    (This card returned to his hand because of the effect of Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World)


    [The Wicked Eraser ATK: 4000 ¡ú 5000]


    "This is bad. Keith has three monsters on the field, and even though Hoshino''s life points are still healthy, she won''t be able to survive such a powerful onslaught!" Mokuba, finally seeing his fears realized, was filled with despair as he analyzed the situation.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 3600]


    "Even the kid can see you''re doomed!" With victory in sight, Keith wasted no time in declaring his attack. "Zure, Knight of Dark World, attack Spartacus!"


    "Ha!" Having survived from the first turn to the last, this was the Knight''s first attack in the duel, and he seemed quite thrilled to finally act.


    With its sharp iron sword, the Knight effortlessly destroyed Spartacus in Defense Position.


    "Ugh... This joy you feel, I''ll return it a hundredfold!" Spartacus, his massive body being destroyed, let out a furious roar as he was defeated.


    "Embrace my radiance!"


    "Because Spartacus was destroyed, his effect is triggered! You take 500 damage, and I recover 500 life points!"


    Feeling the glory of Spartacus''s defiance, Hoshino''s determined gaze showed not even a hint of impending defeat.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 3600 ¡ú 4100]


    [Keith LP: 1000 ¡ú 500]


    "And because Spartacus left the field, The Wicked Eraser''s attack points decrease!"


    [The Wicked Eraser ATK: 5000 ¡ú 4000]


    "This is just your pitiful last struggle! How unfortunate, I still have 500 life points left!" Unfazed by Hoshino''s final counter, Keith laughed maniacally. "And you, even with more than 4000 life points, are no better than a flickering candle in the wind!"


    "Obliterate your opponent completely, Wicked Eraser!"


    Responding to Keith''s final attack command, The Wicked Eraser''s massive body began to writhe, its death beam charging for the decisive blow.


    Clang¡ª!


    But at the very moment Keith believed he had secured victory, countless chains appeared out of nowhere, binding The Wicked Eraser''s massive body tightly, leaving it immobile.


    The chains spread across the field, even restraining Keith''s Zure, Knight of Dark World, and Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World.


    At the end of the chains stood a pure, white figure who had silently taken her place on Hoshino''s field.


    "What a great tactic, Master!" Enkidu praised as they gracefully bent down, placing a hand on the ground.


    From Enkidu''s hand extended the Chains of Heaven, binding Keith''s three monsters tightly on the field.


    The seemingly chaotic but aesthetically pleasing arrangement of chains made it clear they were a true master of using chains.


    "If only it was the Dark Magician Girl being tied up¡­"


    "What strange thoughts are running through your mind, Master?" Enkidu turned to smile, but that warm, sunlit smile sent a chill down Hoshino''s spine.


    "N-nothing," Hoshino muttered, pouting, trying to play it off.


    "How could this happen?! My monsters'' attacks have been stopped!" Keith''s furious roar shifted the topic back to the duel.


    Hoshino proudly lifted the card she had revealed from the duel disk, showing it off with the already defeated Spartacus to Keith. "Keith, this is the hope for a comeback brought by the monster you belittled, Spartacus!"


    "Trap card, [Return of the Hero]!"


    [Return of the Hero Trap Card Effect: ¢Ù: When a [Heroic Spirit] monster you control is destroyed by battle or card effect, you can target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster in your graveyard and special summon it.]


    "At the moment Spartacus was destroyed, the strongest monster who inherited his rebellious glory has revived from the grave!" Hoshino slapped the card onto her duel disk, and with that, the duel disk, once dimmed by the lack of cards, began to shine once again.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Chains of Heaven, Enkidu ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)][Earth][Rock/Effect][ATK 2900 / DEF 2600]


    "Ten stars?!" Keith''s eyes widened as he stared at the beautiful girl (or boy?Neither) that suddenly appeared on the field.


    "Keith, you should know what ten stars mean!" Hoshino pointed at Keith''s The Wicked Eraser, now tightly bound by chains, as a confident smile spread across her face.


    "Ten stars mean it''s at a level that can influence even gods! Even a god card has to succumb to a monster of ten stars or higher!"


    "But Hoshino, when did such a monster get into the graveyard?" Mokuba, still confused, couldn''t grasp the sequence of moves Hoshino had pulled off, like magic, to turn the tables.


    "That''s all thanks to the Heroic Spirit Bond. Before drawing Spartacus, I discarded a monster from my hand, and that monster was Enkidu." Hoshino explained with a smile.


    "Hoshino, you''re so strong! You even use cards from the graveyard!" Mokuba''s eyes sparkled with admiration.


    "And thanks to Enkidu''s effect, you can no longer attack." Hoshino turned her focus back to the battlefield, making her declaration.


    [¢Ù: As long as this card is on the Field, if your opponent has more monsters than you, they cannot declare an attack.]


    Keith''s three monsters on the field clearly outnumbered Hoshino''s lone Enkidu. "That''s how I sealed your ability to attack, Keith!"


    "Why don''t you give me a good scream!" Enkidu tightened the chains around The Wicked Eraser, causing it to let out a deep howl of pain.


    "You''ve got a bit of a sadistic streak, don''t you, Enkidu?" Hoshino shivered again, watching Enkidu enjoy themselves.


    "Damn it!" Keith, who had thought victory was within his grasp, felt a wave of nausea in his stomach from the sudden turn of events. "Time and time again, even back then! Why can you always smile so confidently at the brink of despair?!"


    "Because girls who smile¡­ No, because duels bring smiles!" Hoshino raised her duel disk, her signature grin never leaving her face. "I''m sure even the Heroic Spirits don''t want to see me looking all gloomy."


    "Ugh..." Keith swallowed down his discomfort, setting down his duel disk and ending his turn.


    "Keith, I''m claiming victory with this next move! My turn, draw!" As Hoshino drew her last card, her gaze grew complicated as she glanced at Keith.


    "Right, with Enkidu''s attack on Zure, Hoshino will win!" Mokuba finally realized that with Enkidu''s attack power and Keith''s remaining life points, the duel was as good as over.


    "But he''s still hiding some secret weapon¡­" Holding the card up to her chin, Hoshino pondered silently.


    "Hoshino, what are you waiting for? Attack!" Mokuba urged, not understanding why Hoshino was hesitating.


    "He''s waiting, waiting for my last card." Hoshino chuckled coldly.


    Indeed, The Wicked Eraser''s field-wiping effect could activate during the opponent''s turn. But even in this situation, Keith hadn''t triggered the self-destruct; he was clearly wary of Hoshino''s final draw.


    If Hoshino had drawn a monster card, activating the self-destruct prematurely would still lead to Keith''s defeat.


    Keith''s best option now was to wait for Hoshino to play her last card before triggering The Wicked Eraser''s effect. That way, both sides would lose all their cards, and as long as Keith drew a monster on his next turn, he would secure victory.


    But Hoshino wasn''t sure¡ªshe was only guessing. If Keith had any remaining chance for a comeback, it would undoubtedly rely on The Wicked Eraser.


    "Still, when it comes to endgame gambles, I''ve never been afraid of anyone." Banishing the flickers of doubt from her mind, Hoshino trusted that Keith would act according to her predictions.


    "I set my final card!" Hoshino placed her last card in the spell and trap zone of the duel disk.


    "Hoshino, why are you¡ª"


    "Come on, Keith, I know you won''t pass up this chance!" Hoshino locked eyes with Keith, silently hoping her plan would play out as expected.


    "Hahaha! So, in the end, you didn''t draw a monster card. It seems your bond with your deck isn''t that deep after all!" Just as expected, after Hoshino set her last card, Keith burst into triumphant laughter.


    "Bet you didn''t know, The Wicked Eraser''s self-destruct effect can be used even during your opponent''s turn!" Keith waved his hand, immediately activating The Wicked Eraser''s effect. "I send The Wicked Eraser to the graveyard, annihilating everything on the field once again!"


    With Keith''s command, The Wicked Eraser let out one final roar before its massive body exploded. Black sludge once again flooded the field, consuming everything.


    "That god card is so broken! Twice we''ve been on the verge of winning, and twice it''s wiped everything out!" Mokuba stomped his foot in frustration, watching The Wicked Eraser wipe the field clean.


    "Hahaha." Despite her now empty field, Hoshino let out a relieved laugh.


    "That god card sure is tough, but I still won the gamble!" A drop of sweat ran down Hoshino''s forehead as she exhaled deeply.


    In the sea of black sludge, a faint light began to shine.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 157 - 157

    "What''s going on? Due to the god''s effect, there shouldn''t be any cards left on the field!" Keith, who had once again gained the upper hand thanks to the special effects of his Evil God card, furrowed his brows as he looked at the faint light flickering on Hoshino''s field.


    "Keith, let me correct you on two points." Hoshino turned slightly, holding up two fingers in a cool gesture.


    "First, the card I drew this turn wasn''t a Spell or Trap card, but an actual Monster card!"


    "What? That''s impossible! You clearly just placed the card in the Spell/Trap zone!" Keith was utterly confused.


    "Second, this card represents the bond I have with my deck! It''s the only card in my deck that could defeat you this turn, a small yet massive glimmer of hope!"


    "No matter what kind of hope it is, it will be erased by the Evil God. In the face of the Evil God, there is no hope!"


    "There is! Thanks to this card''s effect, I can Special Summon a monster!" Hoshino drew the card she had placed in the Duel Disk''s Spell/Trap zone and placed it onto the Monster Zone.


    "Because the set card [Heroic Spirit ¨C Andersen] was destroyed, I can now Special Summon him according to his effect!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Hans Christian Andersen ¡ï¡ï (2 stars)][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 200]


    [¢Ù: This card can be set as a Continuous Trap Card in the Spell/Trap Zone. ¢Ú: While this card is face-up on the field, all [Heroic Spirit] monsters gain 300 ATK and DEF. ¢Û: When this card in the Spell/Trap Zone is destroyed by an opponent''s effect, you can Special Summon this card. ¢Ü: If an effect that would destroy cards on the field is activated, you can release this card to negate that effect and destroy it.]


    "Why do I always get stuck cleaning up these messes?" grumbled Andersen in a deep voice that didn''t match his young appearance, as he materialized from the faint light on the field.


    "And what''s with all this disgusting black stuff everywhere?" He lifted his shoe to shake off the sludge with a look of disgust.


    "You finally get to work after such a long time, and you''re still complaining? What happened to the motivation you had when you overworked yourself to death?" Hoshino joked. In the past, when she hadn''t yet pulled Merlin or Waver, Andersen had been her go-to support in difficult battles.


    "A writer only gets that motivation when they''re on a deadline... but," Andersen shot a meaningful glance at the bewildered Keith, a mischievous smile forming on his face, "it''s sometimes good to vent frustrations with easy tasks like this!"


    "No way! You placed a monster card in the Spell/Trap zone?!" Keith waved his hand in disbelief, refusing to accept the reality before him.


    "Instead of summoning it directly, I set it..." Keith''s initial denial gradually gave way to horror. His eyes widened as he looked at Hoshino like she was some kind of monster. "Could it be¡­? Did you plan all of this? Did you even predict my Evil God''s effect and the exact timing of when I''d trigger its self-destruction?!"


    "Did you plan everything?!" Keith shouted in disbelief.


    "Exactly! I never play a card without knowing the outcome!" Hoshino seamlessly completed Keith''s despairing shout, as if reading from a script.


    "End this, Andersen. Let him feel the burning rage of an author!"


    Pointing toward Keith, Hoshino gave Andersen the final attack command.


    "Even an author has limits! You''ll all taste the despair of a writer being hounded on their deadline!" Andersen swung his hand, holding an empty book and a quill.


    Massive ice spikes formed across the battlefield, creating a frigid path that rushed toward Keith. The roaring ice, like a dragon, engulfed Keith''s body.


    "Muda, muda, muda!" Andersen, seemingly enjoying his rare chance to vent, shouted odd phrases as he furiously scribbled on the book''s pages.


    "This is the story I''ve written for you¡ªKeith''s Bizarre Adventure!"


    The narrow alleyway was completely filled, and a towering wall of ice froze Keith with a twisted expression on his face.


    Even though it was all just a holographic image, the experience felt so real that Keith''s brain, overwhelmed by the signals, shut down entirely.


    [Keith LP: 500 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. The Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki.]


    "Phew! Finally, it''s over. I feel like I haven''t had such a tough duel in a long time." The moment Keith''s Life Points hit zero, Hoshino''s nerves finally relaxed, and her legs nearly gave out from the tension.


    "You did it, Hoshino!" Mokuba, overcome with excitement, leaped toward Hoshino, inadvertently knocking her over since her legs were already weak.


    "Ouch, ouch!" Hoshino rubbed her sore bottom, giving Mokuba, who was lying on top of her, a light smack. "Don''t get so excited. It''s not like this is my first win, though this one was tough."


    "Still, I''ve finally secured the second Evil God card¡­" As she spoke, Hoshino quickly looked up, realizing something.


    "As I thought, that bastard''s trying to run again!" Keith had a history of trying to escape after losing. The last time he was defeated in the cave battle, he bolted without even leaving behind the Star Chip.


    Given the rarity of the Evil God card at stake this time, expecting Keith to stay put was wishful thinking.


    "Mokuba, where are the bodyguards you contacted?!"


    "They should be arriving any moment now. Damn it!" Mokuba cursed in frustration. Cheating after losing a duel was unacceptable in Battle City.


    If they had been on a main street, the patrol staff would have apprehended Keith on the spot.


    But Keith had cleverly lured them into a narrow alley, where no staff would pass by.


    "You brats! Don''t think you can rest easy yet. I will be back!" Even though he had lost the duel, Keith, now completely shameless, didn''t seem the least bit affected.


    But just as Keith was about to escape the narrow alley and make a break for it¡­


    Clang!


    The sound of chains echoed again. This time, the chains weren''t binding a Duel Monster¡ªthey wrapped around Keith himself, holding him tightly in place.


    "Humans as shameless as you are even worse than stones!" Enkidu, inexplicably materialized in the alley, placed a hand on the wall.


    From the opposite wall, the Chains of Heaven shot out, ruthlessly dragging Keith back.


    "Huh? Enkidu, why¡­?" Hoshino asked, utterly confused, as she looked at the now-physical Enkidu standing beside her.


    "Master, did you forget to retrieve my card?" Enkidu asked with a bright smile, dragging Keith along as they spoke.


    Watching Enkidu, who was smiling brightly while dragging Keith across the ground, Hoshino couldn''t help but swallow nervously.


    Come to think of it, she really had forgotten to take Enkidu''s card out of the Monster Zone of her Duel Disk.


    After the Evil God''s field-wipe effect, Hoshino had only pulled Andersen out from the Spell and Trap zone and played him onto the Duel Disk, without bothering to send the destroyed Enkidu to the graveyard. However, even if she hadn''t manually removed the card, the Duel Disk should have automatically recognized that Enkidu had gone to the graveyard.


    But this situation was definitely beyond Hoshino''s understanding¡­


    "How is this happening? The Duel Disk is only capable of holographic projection; it shouldn''t be able to do something like this!" Mokuba, sitting atop Hoshino, was even more shocked than she was.


    "Mokuba, could you get off me, please?" Even though Mokuba was just an elementary schooler and light as a feather, Hoshino still felt awkward having him on top of her.


    "Ah, sorry, Hoshino!" Realizing his impoliteness, Mokuba blushed and quickly jumped off.


    In the brief exchange that followed, Keith had already been dragged back to their side, scraping across the ground.


    "So, Master, what do you want to do with this man?"


    Looking at the dumbfounded Keith, Hoshino couldn''t help but recall his arrogant words when he tried to escape: "I''ll be back!" She couldn''t resist teasing him, "Wow~ You came back pretty fast!"


    "What is this? Why am I being restrained? Is this some kind of trap you set up beforehand?!" Keith, whose brain was spinning out of control, could only come up with this somewhat plausible explanation.


    "Could it be that all of this was part of your pla¡ª" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Enough! Stop it right there! You''re talking too much." Cutting off Keith''s frantic speculation, Hoshino''s eyes suddenly grew serious.


    "Now we''re entering the question-and-answer phase. I ask, you answer. Got it?"


    "Huh? Why should I listen to someone like you?!" Even while restrained, Keith''s twisted personality remained.


    "Oh, go ahead, Enkidu!" Bending down to stare Keith in the face, Hoshino snapped her fingers crisply.


    "Yes, Master!" With a blank expression, Enkidu tightened the Heavenly Chains.


    Even though the chains'' power was reduced against those without divinity, they were still more than enough to make a mere human like Keith suffer. The sound of the chains tightening against his skin filled the alley, making Keith scream in agony.


    "It hurts! My bones! My bones are going to break!" The chains dug deep into Keith''s flesh, their pressure unbearable.


    "That''s... that''s too cruel." Mokuba shivered involuntarily. As the younger brother of Seto Kaiba, he had seen his share of duels and intense moments, but this was far more brutal than he was used to.


    "So, Keith, are you ready to play the question-and-answer game?" Hoshino squatted down, a wicked grin on her face.


    "This girl''s a demon..." The extreme pain made Keith''s eyes glaze over, his bravado collapsing under the unbearable strain.


    "Enkidu, that''s enough... If you tighten any more, he''ll pass out." Noticing that Enkidu might have been going too far, Hoshino called for him/her to ease off.


    "Ah, too bad... Though he''s garbage, his screams were quite amusing~"


    Sadist! Hoshino thought to herself, shuddering. She was convinced now¡ªEnkidu might not be as overt as Gilgamesh, but deep down, Enkidu had a cruel streak.


    "Keith, where did you get that Evil God card?" Hoshino asked the question she was most curious about, now that Keith''s resistance had been broken.


    "Hmph, do you want to know where my Evil God card came from, or do you want to know the real reason a card like this, which shouldn''t exist, is in this world?"


    Smack! A loud slap landed on Keith''s face, hard enough to leave a stinging sensation.


    "This is the question-and-answer phase. You only answer what I ask, no counter-questions." After delivering the slap, Hoshino shook her hand, wincing. "Ugh, your face is prickly as hell¡­"


    Keith''s old, weathered skin, combined with his unshaven beard, had left her hand feeling raw. But the slap seemed to do the trick, as Keith finally started talking.


    "Rare Hunters," Keith muttered, clearly in pain but unwilling to resist any longer.


    "Rare Hunters?" Hearing the familiar name, Hoshino''s brow furrowed. She had heard about them before, mostly from Ishizu and her brother Marik.


    "I defeated a Rare Hunter who had the Evil God card, and I won it from him," Keith confessed, his voice dripping with frustration. It was clear that losing the card to Hoshino had stung deeply.


    "You beat some random Rare Hunter and got an Evil God card? That''s some pretty good luck," Hoshino commented, though she found it odd. "But being able to defeat someone with an Evil God card¡ªthat''s impressive. I guess your title as the former U.S. Duel Champion isn''t for show."


    "Hmph. Whatever my past titles were, it doesn''t matter now. I''ve been utterly defeated by you," Keith said, his voice losing all traces of arrogance. It seemed that the defeat had finally sunk in.


    "So how much do you know about the Rare Hunters?" According to Ishizu, the Rare Hunters were a shadowy organization connected to Marik, but Hoshino was curious about how deeply they were tied to the Evil Gods.


    Keith shook his head. "I don''t know much about their inner workings. I just know bits and pieces about the origin of the Evil God cards."


    "Oh? Interesting. Tell me more." Hoshino raised an eyebrow. If she could uncover the truth behind the Evil God cards, it might shed light on why they had appeared in the first place.


    "Tenma Yako, the child adopted by Pegasus."


    "Pegasus''s adopted child?" Hoshino''s mouth hung open in surprise. Of all the names she expected to hear, Pegasus wasn''t one of them.


    "Wait, are you sure you mean Yako Tenma? I''ve only heard of Gekko Tenma," Mokuba interjected. He had been quietly listening to the exchange, but now he couldn''t hold back his confusion.


    "Tenma Yako is the younger brother of Tenma Gekko. Both of them were adopted by Pegasus. Yako was utterly obsessed with Pegasus. To avenge the person who ''killed'' Pegasus¡ªnamely, you¡ªhe used his soul to complete Pegasus''s unfinished three Evil God cards."


    "Wait, hold up! When did I kill Pegasus?! I never did that!" Hoshino shouted in disbelief, feeling a familiar wave of unjust blame falling on her shoulders once again.


    "Hahaha, no, you didn''t kill Pegasus, but after he went missing, someone spread a rumor to Tenma Yako that it was you who killed him," Keith explained, chuckling darkly. "And given how much Yako worships Pegasus, he definitely sees you as the one who killed his father."


    "Keith, how do you know so much about this?" Realizing something was off, Hoshino began piecing things together. It didn''t add up that Keith, of all people, would know such personal details about Pegasus''s adopted child.


    "Hahaha, you''ve figured it out, huh? The one who spread the rumor to Tenma Yako... was me!"


    "YOU BASTARD! ENKIDU, DO IT!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 158 - 158

    "Ahhhh!!" Keith''s heart-wrenching screams echoed through the narrow alleyway.


    "Alright, that''s the second Evil God card in the bag!"


    After retrieving the puzzle card from the unconscious Keith and drawing out his Evil God card, Hoshino still felt unsatisfied and stomped on his face one last time.


    "Let''s go, Mokuba!" Hoshino called out to the trembling Mokuba, hiding nearby, as she stepped out of the eerie alley and back onto the sunny street.


    "Hoshino, wasn''t that a bit too harsh?" Mokuba asked timidly, glancing back at Keith, who lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth.


    "Who cares? He brought this on himself!" Hoshino huffed angrily. "This is just a little payback¡ªI''d say I was being pretty generous."


    She still hadn''t forgotten how Keith had trapped her group in a cave during Duelist Kingdom, not to mention how he was now spreading rumors that she had killed Pegasus. For a scumbag like that, simply leaving him alive was already a sign of her mercy.


    But in a society governed by law, Hoshino wasn''t about to take anyone''s life. "The rest is up to your bodyguards¡ªjust make sure he doesn''t sneak back into Battle City again."


    "Master, if you wish, I can make sure he never speaks again," Enkidu said calmly, following Hoshino out of the alley.


    Mokuba, tugging on Hoshino''s sleeve, nervously pointed at Enkidu. "Hoshino, what''s going on with him?"


    "Isn''t this your company''s product? Why are you asking me?" Hoshino chuckled helplessly, cleverly deflecting the question back to Mokuba.


    "Anyway, Enkidu, could you return to your card for now? Walking around like this feels a little odd." Though Enkidu''s outfit wasn''t exactly strange, it still felt out of place in modern society. His striking appearance and mysterious aura had attracted quite a few stares along the way.


    "You''re right. I am rather interested in this world, but it wouldn''t be good to cause trouble for you, Master." Realizing the attention he was drawing, Enkidu smiled and stepped into a quieter corner before gradually fading from sight.


    Enkidu''s appearance had given Hoshino a crucial insight¡ªusing the latest technology in the Duel Disks, it was possible to partially manifest a Heroic Spirit in physical form.


    "Great! I won''t have to sleep alone at night anymore!"


    This was the first thought that crossed Hoshino''s mind. Now she could pick a waifu to keep her company every night¡ªhow delightful!


    With that cheerful thought, the frustration Hoshino had felt earlier because of Keith vanished, and she practically started humming as she walked.


    [Duelist Level Assessment Complete: Duelist Keith Howard, Level B+. Duplicate level rewards deducted. Victory reward: 10 Saint Quartz. Remaining Saint Quartz: 35.]


    A sudden system notification interrupted Hoshino''s humming.


    "Looks like I''ve got enough for another ten-pull. But man, running into old acquaintances in the first two rounds of Battle City really cost me a lot of Quartz."


    Since both Yuta and Keith had dueled her before, she couldn''t claim the first rewards again.


    And both of them had been tough opponents. Thankfully, the rare cards she''d acquired from those duels were incredibly valuable.


    "Alright, time to Gacha!" Without worrying about Mokuba nearby, Hoshino quickly opened the card shop. After all, Mokuba had already seen Enkidu materialize, and he seemed too focused on his terminal device to notice anything else.


    [Saint Quartz Summon (Limited Pool): Featured Servants from the Mist City London]


    [Summon X1] [Summon X10]


    "Ten-pull summon, confirmed!" Hoshino, feeling flush with Quartz, completely disregarded the idea of single pulls and confidently opted for the quickest option.


    Just to note, the "The Sealed End of the Four Seas, Okeanos" pool had ended the day before Battle City started. Thanks to farming Saint Quartz from Toy Store Duels (taking advantage of kids), Hoshino had pulled plenty of gold cards from that pool. However, she had barely touched the "Divine-Spirit Special Pool" since pulling Enkidu, as she hadn''t gotten a single gold card from it and now feared it was cursed.


    The first ten-pull sparkled with a golden light.


    "Mommy! Jack''s coming to find mommy~"


    "Wow, it''s Jack!" Hoshino was thrilled to pull SSR Jack the Ripper on her first ten-pull. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Jack snuck out, not fair! Nursery Rhyme was supposed to be first!" A soft, adorable voice followed. "Meeting Master again¡ªit''s like a dream!"


    "Nursery Rhyme, too? This is amazing!" Hoshino was delighted by the back-to-back gold cards.


    "Don''t run ahead, everyone! We said we''d come together!" The third gold card flashing on the screen made Hoshino realize something was off.


    "I, Jeanne d''Arc Alter Santa Lily, have arrived¡ªugh, bit my tongue!"


    "Jeanne Alter Lily? How did you end up in this pool?" If Hoshino remembered correctly, Jeanne Alter Lily was supposed to be an event-exclusive Servant.


    "Eve-ry-one~! Wait for Paul, please~" The long, drawn-out voice of Paul Bunyan, though not a gold card, still made her presence known.


    "What''s going on? Why... are they all kids?!" Hoshino was completely confused.


    "Because mommy seems to really like children lately, so we all rushed over~"


    "Yeah, yeah! Nursery Rhyme also wants to play with Master like the other kids!"


    "Don''t get the wrong idea! Even though it''s still far from Christmas, I''m only here because I was worried about the other kids."


    "Paul doesn''t want to be left behind¡ªit would be so lonely!"


    "I really like children lately..." Hoshino furrowed her brow and tried to remember.


    ("Darn it! I lost to Hoshino!"


    "I can''t believe I lost so badly!"


    "This time it''s my turn to challenge Hoshino!"


    "Mommy, I don''t want to play anymore QAQ, it''s too scary!")


    "Could it be¡­ the kids have found out about my farming tactics?" Hoshino twitched as she recalled the fear she had instilled in the children back at the Kame Toy Store.


    "But since we''ve gathered the Kingdom of Children, there''s no need for the adult Servants to make an appearance anymore!" Jeanne Alter Lily puffed out her little chest proudly.


    "Yeah, yeah! We''re super strong, too!"


    "Mommy, go earn more Saint Quartz and summon even more kids~"


    Suddenly transitioning from being a Master to becoming a parent, Hoshino felt a bit at a loss, but the sweetness of being surrounded by these little girls...


    "Blackbeard, I think I understand you a little now!"


    "Next, let''s go find a new opponent and farm some Saint Quartz!" Feeling the sweet atmosphere, Hoshino waved her arm with the Duel Disk, full of energy.


    "Eh, what are you going to farm on, Hoshino?" Mokuba, walking next to Hoshino while playing on his device, actually managed to pay enough attention to ask a question.


    "Haha, of course, it''s on puzzle cards!" Realizing she was a bit too excited, Hoshino turned and played it off with a laugh.


    Then she curiously glanced at Mokuba''s terminal device. "Mokuba, you''ve been messing with that thing the whole time. What''s so interesting about it?"


    However, Mokuba, who was tapping his terminal non-stop, furrowed his brows tightly. "I''m wondering if this thing got broken when Keith threw it earlier. It''s showing that there are five locations in Domino City with energy levels comparable to a God Card''s."


    "Five energies comparable to God Cards, huh? If this thing isn''t broken, maybe there really are five God Cards being used simultaneously in Battle City!" Hoshino glanced around the area. Based on experience, the appearance of a God Card would always cause some form of natural anomaly.


    But likely due to the distance, Hoshino didn''t sense anything unusual in the environment around her.


    "Hoshino, where would there be five God Cards?" Mokuba, looking up from his device, gazed at Hoshino with a helpless expression.


    "Did you forget that two of the God Cards are currently in your possession, Hoshino?"


    "Huh?!" Mokuba''s reminder suddenly made Hoshino realize something was off.


    Right, where are these five God Cards coming from? Two of the Evil God Cards are already in her hands, and only one remains. Even if you count the three Egyptian God Cards, there should only be four God Cards left in the whole Battle City.


    "Looks like that device is broken." Hoshino looked at Mokuba''s terminal with a bit of regret. The downside of such advanced equipment was that it wasn''t just expensive, but also not very durable.


    "This is frustrating!" Mokuba grabbed his head, his face twisted in worry.


    "If this thing is broken, we won''t be able to accurately control the data for the super satellite. More importantly, I won''t be able to monitor you."


    "Huh? Monitoring me is more important than controlling the super satellite''s data?!" Annoyed, Hoshino lightly tapped Mokuba on the head with her fist.


    Instead of getting angry, Mokuba seemed to remember something. "Oh, right! Hoshino, why don''t you come back to KaibaCorp with me? I''m planning to switch to a new terminal device."


    "Me? No way, I''m a tournament participant. How can I let you waste my precious dueling time?"


    "You don''t have any precious dueling time! The small fry on the street get so scared when they see you that they probably want to eat their Duel Disks. Who even dares duel you?"


    "Still, I don''t want to waste time going to KaibaCorp. If I see Kaiba''s face, it''ll ruin my mood!"


    "Come on! My brother is definitely out dueling somewhere right now. He won''t be in the company, so you won''t see him!" Mokuba, now hanging onto Hoshino''s arm, began to act spoiled.


    "Hoshino, if you come with me, I''ll use the new terminal to help you locate high-ranked duelists. That way, you won''t have trouble finding opponents anymore!"


    Seeing that Hoshino was still resistant, Mokuba reluctantly pulled out his trump card.


    "Really?!" Hoshino, who had been looking at Mokuba with disdain, was suddenly tempted.


    In reality, it wasn''t that she disliked KaibaCorp, but rather the high concentration of corporate culture in the building that made her uncomfortable. The experiences she had as a child, witnessing the corporate woes in her father''s company, probably left some kind of psychological trauma.


    But if a quick trip to KaibaCorp could resolve her problem of not finding strong opponents, it seemed like a good deal after all.


    "Of course! I can definitely help you with something like that, Hoshino!" Mokuba patted his chest, guaranteeing his promise.


    "Then what are we waiting for? Let''s go!"


    "Excuse me..." Just as the two of them reached an agreement, a soft and tender voice suddenly spoke up from behind.


    Hoshino, in the middle of discussing such a sneaky strategy with Mokuba, jumped in surprise from the sound behind her. "Whoa! You scared me! When did someone start standing behind me?"


    "Um, excuse me, are you Hoshino Chiyuki-nee?" Hoshino turned to see the reason she hadn''t noticed the person earlier. Standing behind her was a little girl, even shorter than Mokuba, with a shy expression. She spoke in a soft, timid voice, and it seemed like she probably walked silently as well.


    Though she had been startled, Hoshino''s heart was immediately filled with affection for the little girl, who had a sweet, cute face and stunning blue eyes.


    As expected, cuteness is justice!


    "Yes, that''s me. What can I do for you, cute little girl?" Hoshino responded with a sunny smile and a gentle tone, completely different from the annoyed look she gave Mokuba earlier.


    "Ugh, betraying loyalty for beauty!" Mokuba clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and turned away, crossing his arms.


    "I want..." The little girl seemed nervous upon seeing Hoshino, her words coming out haltingly.


    "You want?" Hoshino, however, showed great patience toward this cute little girl.


    "I want to duel you. Is that okay?"


    "Huh?"


    Both Hoshino and Mokuba were equally surprised. They hadn''t expected this girl to be a participant in Battle City.


    Attracted by the girl''s delicate features and adorable demeanor, Hoshino hadn''t even noticed the Duel Disk strapped onto her arm, which she had been hiding behind her.


    Hoshino then turned with a face full of complaints toward Mokuba, "Hey, Mokuba, didn''t you guys have an age limit for Battle City registration?"


    "There''s no age limit! To promote the Duel Disks, anyone who buys one is eligible to participate in Battle City." Mokuba shrugged helplessly and then turned his gaze toward the Duel Disk the little girl was hiding behind her back. "But I didn''t expect a kid to afford a Duel Disk."


    "Where are your parents? Are you here all by yourself?" Hoshino asked, feeling that something was strange.


    "Akasha doesn''t have parents. I only have my brother." The small girl, who introduced herself as Akasha, answered softly, fidgeting as she spoke.(Akasha is OC Character)


    "No parents..." Upon hearing this, a fleeting sadness passed through Hoshino''s eyes, but she quickly replaced it with her usual kind expression.


    "So your name is Akasha, huh? That''s a lovely name! Where is your brother now?"


    "Marik-nii told me to find you and duel you so we could take the Evil God Card you''re holding."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 159 - 159

    "Marik?!"


    Upon hearing that name, Hoshino immediately became alert.


    "The Rare Hunters and Marik¡­" Although she was on guard, Hoshino still found it hard to believe as she stared at the seemingly harmless blonde little girl in front of her.


    "No way, this little girl is a Rare Hunter?" Mokuba, also in disbelief, stroked his chin as he observed Akasha.


    With her delicate yet slightly childish face and height shorter than Mokuba by half a head, Akasha seemed even younger than him. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But since she mentioned Marik, there''s no mistaking it!" Hoshino''s gaze grew more serious, confirming Akasha''s identity.


    There was no way this cute little girl would suddenly show up and pretend to be a member of the Rare Hunters as a prank.


    Moreover, the name "Marik" wasn''t something ordinary people would know.


    "So, will you duel with me, Hoshino Chiyuki-nee?" Akasha''s soft and timid demeanor showed no signs of the dominance one would expect from a Rare Hunter.


    "Of course! I never turn down a duel!" Without hesitation, Hoshino activated her Duel Disk. After realizing Akasha''s true intent, Hoshino no longer viewed her as just an ordinary blonde little girl.


    No matter how cute she was, the girl in front of her was a notorious Rare Hunter.


    As the Duel Disk emitted a crisp, pleasant mechanical sound, Hoshino retrieved her deck from her waist.


    But unlike before, this time the deck was drawn from a box where her side deck was usually stored.


    "I recently built a deck that''s perfect for dueling you. Let''s see how it performs!" As Hoshino inserted her deck into the Duel Disk, colorful lights flickered on its screen.


    "Is it really okay to use a new deck in this situation?" Mokuba asked with concern. In his understanding, a new deck usually needed numerous battles and adjustments before becoming solid.


    But Hoshino had no such luxury.


    In fact, Hoshino''s deck was constantly evolving and reshaping itself with every new card draw. Every duel was an opportunity to explore the deck''s possibilities.


    And it was precisely this endless potential that had brought her to this point.


    "Besides, we''re dealing with the Rare Hunters here, right? Until we defeat Marik and retrieve the stolen God Cards, the less we expose about our main deck, the better, right?"


    "Hoshino-nee can use any deck she likes. You won''t be able to beat Akasha either way," Akasha said, her words filled with confidence and arrogance despite her soft tone.


    "Oh, how interesting!" Although Hoshino had dueled countless children, it was her first time hearing such bold words from someone so young.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki vs. Akasha]


    "Let the duel begin!"


    "I''ll take the first turn, my draw!" Even though her opponent was a member of the Rare Hunters, Hoshino didn''t feel the need to fight over the first move with this little girl.


    "I summon the monster [Lemon Magician Girl] in Attack Position!" Akasha''s childlike voice and small frame looked completely mismatched with the enormous Duel Disk on her arm.


    But just like someone with vast experience in dueling, Akasha''s actions were smooth and practiced.


    The Duel Disk responded to Akasha''s command, glowing softly as she placed her card.


    [Lemon Magician Girl ¡ï¡ï (2 Stars)][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK: 800 / DEF: 600]


    "Hey~" A tiny wizard dressed in a yellow pointed hat materialized, fluttering in front of Akasha.


    "Summoning a weak monster in attack mode¡­ Is this little girl really a strong duelist?" Mokuba raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with doubt.


    Such a move was typical of beginners who had just started playing Duel Monsters. Based on her appearance, Akasha definitely seemed to fit the profile of a child new to dueling.


    "And now, I''ll set two cards face-down and end my turn!" Perhaps intimidated by Mokuba''s suspicious gaze, Akasha hastily inserted two cards into her Duel Disk, quickly ending her turn.


    Akasha''s remaining hand: 3 cards


    "What an adorable monster you''ve summoned, Akasha~" Hoshino, sensing Akasha''s nervousness after Mokuba''s scrutiny, spoke up to calm her down a bit.


    "But don''t worry, my monster won''t lose in cuteness either! My turn, draw!"


    Scanning her hand, Hoshino''s lips curled into a smile, and she quickly selected a card to place on her Duel Disk.


    "I summon [The Tale of Lilies] in Attack Position!"


    [The Tale of Lilies ¡ï][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 100 / DEF 400]


    An elegant, ornate book opened its richly illustrated pages, materializing in front of Hoshino.


    "Summoning a monster with 100 attack points in attack mode as well..." Mokuba couldn''t help but comment again. He had thought Akasha''s move was weak, but Hoshino summoned a book with no battle prowess whatsoever.


    "Hoshino, you''re not going easy on her because she''s cute, are you?" This childlike opening made Mokuba struggle to believe that this was the same Hoshino who had just faced an Evil God.


    "Don''t worry, Mokuba. I never take any duel lightly. You can ask the kids over at Kame Shop if you don''t believe me," Hoshino said with complete sincerity. Even when facing children, she could defeat them in the most brutal ways possible.


    "Besides, I have a lot of faith in this new deck~" With that, Hoshino waved her right hand forward. "I activate the special effect of [The Tale of Lilies]!"


    [Effect: By releasing this card on the field, you can Special Summon 1 [Lily] monster from your hand or deck.]


    "Thanks to the effect of the book, I''ll Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily] from my deck!" Drawing the chosen card from her deck, Hoshino replaced the magical book with it.


    "And I also activate Artoria Lily''s effect: when she is Special Summoned, I can add 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster to my hand!"


    Hoshino swiftly and skillfully searched for another card.


    "I''m adding [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme] to my hand!"


    "Are you ready, Akasha? Let''s have a duel straight out of a dream!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-stars)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200 / DEF 800]


    [When this card is Special Summoned, you can activate this effect: add 1 monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from your deck to your hand.]


    "Next, I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme], which was added to my hand due to an effect!" Twirling the card between her fingers, Hoshino flipped the Heroic Spirit card over to show it.


    [¢Ù: If there is a [Lily] monster on your field, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.]


    "Let the tea party of dreams begin! I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme] in attack mode!"


    After placing the card on her Duel Disk, it was as if countless fairy tale toys bloomed into existence before Hoshino, scattering all around her.


    [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 800 / DEF 800]


    [This card is also treated as a [Lily] card.]


    From the pile of tiny toys, the small body of Nursery Rhyme emerged.


    "Hehehe, this is so much fun, Master!" Nursery Rhyme''s voice was as clear as silver bells, her eyes shining as she looked at this new world. "To be summoned so quickly and be able to play with Master and the other kids ¨C this world is wonderful!"


    "Is this a new member of the Children''s Kingdom? Welcome to the Children''s Kingdom!" Nursery Rhyme, after surveying her surroundings, noticed the figure of Saber Lily holding a golden sword nearby.


    "Uh..." Saber Lily, caught off guard, blushed slightly before nodding her head softly. "I''m Saber Lily, an apprentice knight. Although I''m no longer a child, I still have many areas where I fall short, so for now, I''m still a ''Lily.''"


    "As long as you''re a ''Lily,'' you can join the Children''s Kingdom without any conditions! Will Saber Lily join us too? The Children''s Kingdom is full of joy!"


    "Um, okay." Saber Lily, not knowing how to respond to Nursery Rhyme''s pure and innocent smile, blushed and quietly agreed.


    "Alright, Nursery Rhyme, enough chit-chat. We''re still in the middle of a duel!" Cutting off Nursery Rhyme''s endless chatter, Hoshino thought to herself that it was typical of this Heroic Spirit, representing fairy tales, to be able to talk endlessly if not stopped.


    "Hoshino-nee, your monsters are all so interesting," Akasha, amused by the interaction between the two Lilies, chimed in. "I''m really jealous of Hoshino-nee''s cards. Unlike Akasha''s cards, which were all given by Marik-nii, mine have no soul." Akasha''s smile faltered slightly, tinged with sadness.


    "Cards without soul?" Hoshino, puzzled, tilted her head and looked at Akasha''s field, where the Lemon Magician Girl floated. "I think that monster suits you quite well, Akasha."


    "But I won''t hold back!" Though unclear on what Akasha meant, Hoshino wasn''t about to hesitate during the duel.


    "Unfold the fairy tale book, Nursery Rhyme. Let''s recreate the kingdom of dreams!" Waving her hand forward, Hoshino activated Nursery Rhyme''s special effect.


    [¢Ú: If this card is Special Summoned, you can add 1 Spell card with [Heroic Spirit] or [Lily] in its text from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Thanks to Nursery Rhyme''s effect, I''m adding this Spell card to my hand!" Hoshino swiftly drew out the card she had searched for and then unfolded the field zone on her Duel Disk for the first time.


    The field zone on a Duel Disk usually remained hidden and was only revealed when a Field Spell was needed.


    "Field Spell [Wonderland]!"


    As soon as Hoshino placed the Field Spell in the special slot of her Duel Disk, the Duel Disk responded by emitting bright holographic projections.


    "Rise, this kingdom of dreams!" With the activation of the Field Spell, the surrounding environment changed. What was once an ordinary street near a park transformed into a row of small, charmingly decorated houses. The simple street now had a more dreamy and whimsical feel thanks to the spell''s influence.


    "According to the effect of the Field Spell [Wonderland], the ATK and DEF of all Lily monsters on the field increase by 300."


    [Saber Lily ATK: 1200 ¡ú 1500]


    [Nursery Rhyme ATK: 800 ¡ú 1100]


    "I''m so happy, so happy to be in the Children''s Kingdom~!" Nursery Rhyme started joyfully running around the now-familiar field.


    "Hoshino, even with the Field Spell''s boost, these two monsters don''t have very high attack power," Mokuba noted, a little concerned. Although Hoshino''s chain of moves was impressive, the strongest monster on her field, Saber Lily, only had 1500 ATK. A monster with that kind of strength wouldn''t be able to launch any significant attacks against a more powerful opponent.


    Of course, fortunately, the opponent''s monster was even weaker.


    "Hold on, Nursery Rhyme! We''re entering battle!" With her field set up, Hoshino wasted no time in transitioning to the battle phase.


    "Nursery Rhyme, destroy Lemon Magician Girl!"


    "Yes, Master!" Nursery Rhyme, stopping her playful run, obediently opened the book in her hands. Much like Andersen, Nursery Rhyme fought using the power of the book, though she didn''t need to write anything herself.


    "Let''s play together, let''s be even happier!" With a wave of magic from the book, an ice block materialized and was hurled mercilessly toward the Lemon Magician Girl.


    There was something unsettling about a little girl happily shouting, "Let''s play," while blasting the opponent to pieces, Hoshino mused.


    "Uh, ah, I activate my face-down Trap Card!" Although Akasha appeared flustered from the attack, she still managed to precisely press the activation button on her Duel Disk.


    [Mirror Force Trap Card Effect: ¢Ù: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack, you can activate this card. Destroy all Attack Position monsters your opponent controls.]


    Due to the activation of the trap, a transparent blue barrier appeared in front of Akasha, blocking Nursery Rhyme''s ice block.


    "Akasha, you''re really something, activating a powerful trap..." In Hoshino''s experience, anyone who activated this trap usually did so with a smug attitude, waiting for their opponent''s monsters to be wiped out (She''s talking about Yugi!).


    "But I''m sorry, that trap won''t work on me!" A confident smile appeared on Hoshino''s face as she stared at the barrier that had blocked Nursery Rhyme''s attack.


    Soon after, the barrier that should have reflected Nursery Rhyme''s attack began to crack.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 160 - 160

    "What...?" Akasha''s blue eyes widened in disbelief as she watched the shield in front of her shatter. "I remember as long as I activate this card..."


    "As long as you activate this card, all attack position monsters on the opponent''s side of the field will be destroyed, right?" Hoshino, smiling, helped finish Akasha''s half-spoken sentence.


    Akasha bit her lip and nodded heavily, her gaze shifting toward Hoshino.


    "But unfortunately, Akasha-chan," Hoshino continued, "because of the effect of the Field Spell Card [Wonderland], Lily monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects!"


    [¢Ù: As long as this card is on the field, the ATK and DEF of your [Lily] monsters increase by 300, and they cannot be destroyed by card effects. Non-[Heroic Spirit] monsters on your field cannot be Special Summoned.]


    Hoshino pointed to her two monsters on the field. "And just by coincidence, both of my monsters are Lily monsters, so Mirror Force can''t destroy anything!"


    "Continue the attack, Nursery Rhyme!" With the barrier completely shattered, the ice block that Nursery Rhyme had fired continued flying toward Akasha''s Lemon Magician Girl.


    "Since Mirror Force had no effect, I''ll activate another Trap Card." Now that Akasha understood that Mirror Force had been nullified by the Field Spell''s effect, she seemed less flustered and pressed the button to activate her face-down card.


    The card at Akasha''s feet flipped open, blocking Nursery Rhyme''s attack once again.


    "I activate the Trap Card [Magic Cylinder]!"


    [When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate the attack, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK.]


    "What?! Another one of those nasty traps?" Hoshino exclaimed in frustration, unable to believe that such an adorable little girl would fill her deck with so many powerful traps.


    "Hoshino-nee, even if your monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects, they can still be countered by effects like Magic Cylinder that reflect damage," Akasha explained. Two red cylinders appeared in front of her. One absorbed the ice block fired by Nursery Rhyme, while the other reflected it, sending it hurtling back toward Hoshino.


    "Ouch!" Hoshino cried out, completely caught off guard as the reflected ice block struck her square in the head. Although it was just a holographic image, the overly realistic effect still sent a jolt of pain to her brain.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 2900]


    "I''m sorry, Master!" Nursery Rhyme, feeling ashamed, buried her face in her book, too embarrassed to look up.


    Rubbing her head, Hoshino furrowed her brow. "It''s okay, Nursery Rhyme. I didn''t expect two nasty traps in a row either. But don''t worry, we still have Saber Lily''s attack!"


    "Continue the attack, Saber Lily! Target Lemon Magician Girl! The opponent has no more face-down cards!"


    "Yes, Master!" Saber Lily responded firmly. With her golden sword in hand, she charged forward. "Let this attack decide the battle! Sword of Selection, grant me power!"


    The holy sword, glowing with golden light, was poised to easily slice through the fragile body of Lemon Magician Girl...


    At least, it was supposed to.


    "Hehe~" Lemon Magician Girl giggled as she fluttered her translucent fairy wings, skillfully dodging Lily''s attack.


    "What? How can this be?" Saber Lily exclaimed, shocked as she watched Lemon Magician Girl float into the air.


    "When Lemon Magician Girl is selected as an attack target, her special effect is triggered!" Akasha declared as she sorted through her hand, announcing the effect.


    [Once per turn, when this card is targeted for an attack, you can Special Summon 1 Spellcaster-Type monster from your hand, but its effects are negated. Then, the attack target is changed to that monster, and the attacking monster''s ATK is halved.]


    Though Akasha only had three cards in her hand, she hesitated for a moment before deciding. "Based on the effect, I''ll Special Summon a Spellcaster-Type monster from my hand!"


    A new Spellcaster monster materialized on the field as Akasha placed the card on her duel disk.


    "Hey~" A familiar, sweet voice and an adorable figure caused Hoshino to freeze.


    "The monster I Special Summon is [Dark Magician Girl]!"


    [Dark Magician Girl¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 Stars)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1700]


    The enchanting and adorable Dark Magician Girl, whose graceful form had long captivated Hoshino''s heart, now floated in front of Akasha.


    "Because of Lemon Magician Girl''s effect, Hoshino-nee, your attacking monster''s ATK is halved, and the attack target is switched to Dark Magician Girl!"


    [Saber Lily 1500 ¡ú 750]


    "Oh no!" Hoshino snapped out of her daze, realizing that now was not the time to be distracted by Dark Magician Girl''s cute appearance.


    "Counterattack, Dark Magician Girl! Dark Magic Attack!" In her childish voice, Akasha loudly called out the name of her signature move.


    A purple-red magic sphere shot out from Dark Magician Girl''s staff, exploding upon impact with Saber Lily.


    "Ugh, I guess I still have much to learn!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily] destroyed.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2900 ¡ú 1650]


    "What''s going on, Hoshino?!" Mokuba asked anxiously, his tone filled with worry. "Didn''t you say you were confident with this new deck? You''re completely overwhelmed!"


    After all, in the last duel against Keith, the former U.S. champion, Hoshino had ended the match with 4100 life points remaining. Although the duel had been tough, she had essentially won with a near-full health bar.


    But now, in just the first turn, her life points and field were already under heavy pressure.


    "This isn''t my fault!" Hoshino said seriously, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead.


    "This girl is strong!"


    The blonde loli, Akasha, might look harmless, but she possessed the skills of a top-tier duelist.


    And combined with her slightly ditzy personality, Hoshino found her completely unreadable.


    "If I had to choose, I''d rather face Keith again!"


    No wonder she was Marik''s sister, the leader of the rare hunters. Fortunately, from the looks of it, Akasha didn''t seem to possess any God Cards. Marik must have been extremely cautious.


    "But I''m not someone to be easily defeated either!" Hoshino regained her composure and continued her play.


    "After the battle phase, I''ll activate the special effect of the Field Spell Card [Wonderland]!"


    [You can target 1 [Lily] monster you control; return that [Lily] monster to the Deck, then Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck.]


    "Using the effect, I''ll return Nursery Rhyme to the deck and Special Summon a new monster!" Hoshino declared, slamming the retrieved card onto the field.


    "Go, Special Summon in Defense Position! [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000¡ú1300/DEF 1500¡ú1800]


    [This card is also treated as [Heroic Spirit - Medea].]


    "It''s been a while, Master~" Medea Lily elegantly appeared like a magical girl, twirling her petite body and speaking with an innocent expression.


    "Although I''m not very good at fighting, I''ll still accomplish what I need to!"


    "What a cute dueling monster." It seemed that Medea hit Mokuba''s soft spot, as his face blushed slightly after she appeared.


    After summoning Medea, Hoshino let out a slight sigh of relief. "Let''s fight together, Medea! First, let''s restore my Life Points!"


    "Activate [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily''s] special effect!"


    [This card''s ¢Ù¢Ú effects can each be used once per turn. ¢Ù: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can activate this effect. Add 1 Spell or Trap Card that lists [Heroic Spirit - Medea] in its text from your Deck to your hand. ¢Ú: You can activate this during your Main Phase. Gain 1000 Life Points.]


    "According to Medea''s effect, I add the Trap Card Rule Breaker to my hand. Also, recite the incantation, Medea!" Hoshino gestured toward Medea Lily, who had already closed her eyes and begun chanting on the field.


    "Leave it to me, Master!" With a determined voice that didn''t match her small frame, her cherry-like lips began the chant.


    "May this world be free of harm, and may no one suffer... Pain Breaker!"


    A gentle, starlight-like magic covered Hoshino. The warm feeling, like basking in sunlight, made her let out a long sigh of relief.


    "So beautiful!" Mokuba stood nearby, staring blankly at the radiant scene, muttering in awe.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1650 ¡ú 2650]


    "Ah, that was refreshing! Such a satisfying heal!" Hoshino, now comfortably above the danger line in Life Points, made a comment like someone soaking in a hot bath.


    Meanwhile, across from her, Akasha''s watery blue eyes seemed to hold a trace of frustration as she stared at Hoshino''s sudden recovery.


    "What''s wrong, Akasha-chan? Did my healing mess up your plans?" Hoshino, having keenly noticed Akasha''s subtle change in expression, raised an eyebrow with a knowing smile.


    "No." Akasha replied honestly in her usual calm tone, unaffected by Hoshino''s teasing.


    "Such an obedient little girl, I almost feel bad for teasing you~" Hoshino, slightly thrown off by Akasha''s straightforwardness, felt a bit awkward about her earlier taunt.


    "I''ll set three cards face-down and end my turn!" Hoshino said boldly, inserting three cards into the duel disk''s spell and trap zone.


    Hoshino''s remaining cards: 3


    It was only at this moment that Mokuba realized just how many moves Hoshino had pulled off during this turn, and yet by the end, she still had a full hand of 6 cards.


    "What... kind of strategy is this?" Mokuba, witnessing this for the first time, felt his worldview being shattered once again.


    "It''s Akasha''s turn now!" Even Mokuba had noticed the unusual flow of Hoshino''s strategy, so Akasha was undoubtedly aware of it too. "Draw!"


    After a quick glance at her hand, Akasha''s expression visibly relaxed, indicating she had drawn a good card.


    "I activate a Spell Card from my hand..." Akasha swiftly placed it on her oversized duel disk.


    "[Heavy Storm]."


    [Heavy Storm: Destroys all Spell and Trap Cards on the field.]


    "Damn, that card!" Mokuba bit his lip and exclaimed, "This is bad for Hoshino!"


    Though the effect of destroying all spells and traps on the field seemed double-edged, Akasha currently had no cards in her Spell or Trap Zone. On the other hand, Hoshino had three set cards plus the active Field Spell. If this card''s effect went through, Hoshino, with no backrow left, would be at a significant disadvantage.


    "By this effect, I destroy all of Hoshino-nee''s backrow." Akasha said calmly, awaiting the incoming storm. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "???" Akasha''s usually calm expression finally showed confusion.


    "Strange, isn''t it?" Meanwhile, Hoshino''s triumphant smile indicated that she had done something behind the scenes.


    "Dueling with you really requires constant vigilance, Akasha-chan." Holding up the already-activated card, Hoshino pointed at Medea Lily on the field.


    "No more hiding, Medea~"


    "Hehe, so I''ve been found out~" Medea playfully stuck out her little red tongue and revealed the hidden Noble Phantasm.


    "This is the Counter Trap [Rule Breaker] that I just added to my hand."


    [Rule Breaker Counter Trap Effect: If you have [Heroic Spirit - Medea] on your field, this card can be activated from your hand. ¢Ù: When a Spell/Trap is activated, if you control a [Heroic Spirit] monster, you can activate this card. Negate that activation, return it to the owner''s Deck, and during this turn, your opponent cannot activate cards with the same name as that card.]


    "What a useful card." Hoshino praised while looking at Medea''s twisted dagger-like Noble Phantasm.


    Although Rule Breaker is classified as a Noble Phantasm, its function as a weapon is virtually nonexistent. Instead, it nullifies the magic contracts or entities born from magic by resetting them to their pre-magic state.


    If it could break contracts and even magic-based lifeforms, countering a storm made of magic was child''s play.


    Even though this Counter Trap could be used from the hand as long as Medea was present, considering Akasha''s trap-heavy deck, Hoshino felt more secure by setting it on the field.


    "Now your plan to destroy my backrow has failed. Let''s see what else you''ve got, Akasha-chan!"


    "Hoshino-nee, don''t forget that I still have the upper hand in terms of monsters." Akasha quietly reminded her, pointing out that her monsters were currently stronger than Hoshino''s. Yet, Hoshino acted as if she held the advantage.


    "Akasha-chan, just having stronger monsters doesn''t give you that much of an advantage~" Hoshino''s mischievous smile clearly showed she had something up her sleeve.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 161 - 161

    "Akasha-chan, the so-called advantage doesn''t only refer to the monsters on the field. The number of cards left in hand, the set cards in the back row, and the synergy between spells, traps, and monsters all combine to decide the outcome of a duel."


    "At a time like this, you''re still lecturing your opponent on how to play cards?" Mokuba looked speechless.


    "Akasha-chan, your deck''s spells and traps are all set up to quickly gain field advantage, but have you ever considered the feelings of the Duel Monsters that you''re supposed to be working with?"


    "Cards without souls... How could I possibly know how they feel?" Akasha''s usually calm face showed a slight pout, revealing some of her hidden emotions.


    "Cards without souls? What do you mean?" Now it was Hoshino''s turn to frown.


    Why did Akasha keep emphasizing that her cards had no soul? Hoshino was completely puzzled.


    "Because they''re all rare cards..." Akasha timidly answered, still responding to every question Hoshino asked with the same straightforwardness.


    Given Akasha''s honest nature, it felt like if Hoshino asked her about her set cards, she might actually tell her. Of course, Hoshino, being honorable (because she''s cute), wouldn''t do such a thing.


    "But you can''t just deny the soul of a card based on its rarity." Rare cards, due to their value and powerful effects, were often highly sought after by players in the market.


    However, some people, seeing rare cards traded so often, began to think that these strong, rare cards lacked the kind of soul that comes from carefully considering how to build them into a deck.


    This mindset is similar to the notion that was once popular in FGO¡ªclaiming that people who liked powerful Servants didn''t truly love them. But that''s a twisted idea.


    Because whether a card is rare or a Servant is strong, those who truly love them won''t care about their strength or value.


    "Every member of the Rare Hunters has a lot of rare cards because Marik duplicates powerful rare cards infinitely, creating fake cards indistinguishable from the real ones."


    "Fake cards?!"


    This was bombshell information. Both Hoshino and Mokuba couldn''t help but gasp in surprise.


    Originally, they thought the Rare Hunters only did as their name suggested: rob rare cards from dueling enthusiasts worldwide. They had no idea they were also in the business of forging fake cards.


    "So, Akasha-chan, does that mean your deck..."


    "Yes, Akasha''s deck is full of powerful fake cards made for me by my Marik-nii."


    "I see..." Now Hoshino finally understood why Akasha referred to her cards as having no soul.


    "But for the sake of Marik-nii, I must defeat you here!" With her hidden thoughts finally out in the open, Akasha seemed to gain a bit more spirit.


    "I''ll use the Lemon Magician Girl on my field as a tribute to Special Summon a monster from my hand!"


    "A Special Summon? Not a Tribute Summon?"


    "Come forth, [Silent Magician]!"


    [Silent Magician ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000 / DEF 1000]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned by Tributing 1 Spellcaster monster.]


    A female magician clad in white starlight appeared with a stern expression, taking the place of the Lemon Magician Girl.


    "Silent Magician''s effect allows this card''s ATK to increase by 500 points for each card in my hand."


    "But Akasha-chan, you only have one card in your hand right now..." Hoshino glanced at Akasha''s small hand, clutching tightly to the only remaining card.


    [Silent Magician ATK 1000 ¡ú 1500]


    Without responding to Hoshino, Akasha seriously placed her final card on her Duel Disk.


    "I activate my last spell card, [Card of Demise]!"


    "That''s... a super rare card from brother''s deck!" Mokuba exclaimed, clearly more familiar with this card than Hoshino was.


    "A rare card from Kaiba''s deck?" Sensing something off, Hoshino became wary. With Kaiba''s wealth, any card included in his deck would undoubtedly possess genuine and powerful effects.


    [Card of Demise Spell Card Effect: Draw cards until you have 5 cards in your hand. During your 5th Standby Phase after activation, send all cards in your hand to the Graveyard.] (Anime Effect)


    "What?! That''s such a broken draw effect! It''s even more overpowered than Pot of Greed!" Drawing 5 cards in one go completely nullified the card advantage Hoshino had painstakingly gained over the past turns.


    "Thanks to the spell card, I replenish my hand up to 5 cards. And because my hand size increased, the ATK of Silent Magician also rises." Akasha''s small hands could barely hold onto the pile of cards she had just drawn.


    [Silent Magician ATK 1000 ¡ú 3500]


    "Battle phase. Attack, Dark Magician Girl!" After boosting her Silent Magician''s ATK by replenishing her hand, Akasha quickly launched her attack.


    "Ha~!" Once again, the Dark Magic attack shot out from the staff, locking onto Hoshino''s defense-position Medea Lily.


    [Dark Magician Girl ATK 2000]


    [Medea Lily DEF 1800]


    "There''s no way I''ll let you attack so easily. My set cards aren''t just for show!" Now that she knew the Dark Magician Girl was a fake card, Hoshino had completely lost interest and didn''t hesitate to activate her set card.


    "I activate my trap card, [Child''s Alarm]!"


    [Child''s Alarm Trap Card Effect: ¢Ù: When a [Lily] monster on your field is targeted for an attack or effect, you can activate this card. Special Summon a Level 6 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your deck, then switch the target of the attack to the Special Summoned monster.]


    The moment the trap was triggered, a siren echoed through the streets. Hoshino couldn''t help but wonder if the real police might show up due to the noise.


    However, despite her concern, the duel had to go on. After all, there''s no law saying you can''t duel with a blonde loli.


    "Since Medea Lily was targeted for an attack, according to the trap card''s effect, I''ll Special Summon a Heroic Spirit monster from my deck!"


    Quickly searching through her deck, Hoshino''s hands had become more skillful to keep up with the pace of this deck''s frequent searching mechanics.


    "To take the attack in Medea''s place, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Emiya] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Emiya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 Stars)][FIRE][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2200 / DEF 2000]


    "What an annoying alarm sound, Master. For the sake of your social standing, you should probably avoid using this card too often." Emiya appeared, frowning as soon as he arrived.


    "How could a girl like me suffer a hit to my social standing over something like this?" Hoshino pouted, retorting to Emiya.


    "This isn''t the time for jokes! The attack is coming!" Medea Lily, standing behind the broad and reliable back of Emiya, reminded him anxiously.


    "Hmph, Medea Lily, just watch safely from the sidelines!" Emiya snorted, crossing the two blades in his hands coolly. "A mere counterfeit dares to defeat me? Don''t get too full of yourself."


    As expected of a master of creating fakes, Emiya immediately saw through the fact that the Dark Magician Girl on the other side was a fake.


    "And it''s not like it''s my first time defeating a Dark Magician Girl." Back when he dueled against Yugi, Emiya had mercilessly cut down the real Dark Magician Girl while using his Unlimited Blade Works.


    In a swift counterattack, Emiya, moving faster than the eye could see, sliced through the incoming dark magic with the blade in his left hand. Simultaneously, the blade in his right hand had already pierced deeply into the small body of the Dark Magician Girl.


    [Dark Magician Girl] destroyed.


    "Wow, you''re an expert at stylishly defeating Dark Magician Girl!" Hoshino couldn''t help but applaud after seeing Emiya''s showy moves.


    [Akasha''s LP 4000 ¡ú 3800]


    "Silent Magician, attack Emiya!" There was no emotional response from Akasha when her Dark Magician Girl was destroyed. To her, these fake cards truly seemed like mere tools.


    Waving the wand of white starlight, the Silent Magician with an attack power of 3500 launched a dazzling attack.


    "Can you block this, Emiya?"


    "Heh, if I couldn''t, it''d be a headache for you, Master." Emiya smiled confidently. "After all, a Hero must show his coolest side in front of children."


    "Children? You mean me?" Medea Lily pointed at herself innocently.


    The dazzling starlight hit the spot where Emiya was standing.


    "Did it destroy him?" Akasha''s tone had a hint of urgency. Even someone as calm as her was clearly concerned about the result of her Silent Magician''s high-powered attack.


    "Heh heh, Akasha-chan, let me give you a piece of advice." Hoshino smiled, her eyes curving into crescents with a playful edge.


    "Whenever an attack creates a huge cloud of dust like this, and you hear someone say, ''Did it take him out?''..."


    ...


    "It definitely didn''t!" Emiya roared, somehow already in the air, right above the Silent Magician. The spot where Emiya had been standing was, as expected, completely empty.


    "Caladbolg!" In mid-air, Emiya fully drew the black bow projected in his hands, aiming directly at the Silent Magician below at a perfect 90-degree angle.


    [Emiya''s ATK 2200]


    [Silent Magician''s ATK 3500]


    "How is that possible..." Akasha was bewildered, unable to comprehend how Emiya, with an attack power of 2200, could counterattack the Silent Magician with 3500 attack power.


    "This is the heroic figure of the Hero of Justice! Engrave it into your memory!" Hoshino bragged, flipping over her set card.


    "I activate the trap card, [Hero of Justice]!"


    [Hero of Justice Trap Effect: If you control a monster with [Emiya] in its name, activate its effects: When your [Emiya] monster battles with an opponent''s monster, you can activate this card. Skip the Battle Phase and destroy the opponent''s monster directly. Then, inflict effect damage equal to half of the difference between the original attack points of the two monsters.]


    This exclusive Emiya trap card was the real reason why Hoshino had chosen to summon him out of all the 6-star or lower Heroic Spirit monsters in her deck.


    "Go, Emiya! Drop that nuke!"


    Calling it a "nuke" wasn''t an exaggeration at all. The spiral sword, Caladbolg, accurately pierced through the Silent Magician and exploded on contact with the ground. The resulting explosion of red magical energy sent out massive shockwaves. If this weren''t a holographic projection, Hoshino might have remarked, It''s another day of nuclear peace.


    "Wow!! So cool!" Mokuba was no longer paying attention to the warnings on his terminal, as the sight of Emiya''s figure completely captivated him.


    Because the explosion happened on Akasha''s field, the energy naturally swept over her due to her proximity. Her delicate body struggled against the wind pressure created by the hyper-realistic holographic effects.


    "Since the difference in attack power between Silent Magician and Emiya is 1200, you take half of that as effect damage!"


    [Akasha''s LP 3800 ¡ú 3200]


    "Yes! The tide has completely turned!" Mokuba, who had been worried about Hoshino''s field just moments ago, now saw how she had made a complete 180¡ã reversal of the situation with her three set cards and the perfect coordination with her Heroic Spirits.


    Now, Akasha had no cards left on her field.


    "You''re really strong, Hoshino-nee." Out of nowhere, Akasha started praising Hoshino. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You must be using rare cards to be this strong. I''ve never seen any of them before."


    "If you want to call them rare, they are pretty rare, yeah..." Hoshino scratched her face awkwardly, unsure how to respond to the sudden compliment.


    "Even though your rare cards don''t seem particularly powerful, how did you manage to counter Akasha''s cards?"


    Indeed, most of the monsters Hoshino had summoned didn''t have very high attack power, and the individual effects of her trap cards didn''t seem as potent as something like Magic Cylinder or Mirror Force. Even her strong trap cards had strict conditions to activate.


    Hoshino wanted to explain how the synergy between cards made 1+1 greater than 2, but she held back the words.


    "It''s probably the soul of the cards, the trust between the Heroic Spirits and my deck, responding to me." In the end, Hoshino decided to explain it to young Akasha with that statement.


    It wasn''t about power or technique; it was the spirit that a true duelist needed to have.


    "This is something you won''t experience using fake cards, Akasha-chan."


    "Master, that last card wasn''t a fake," to everyone''s surprise, the expert in fakes, Emiya, pointed out that Akasha''s Silent Magician was not actually a counterfeit.


    "Silent Magician is my favorite card. It''s the only card in my deck that belongs to me," Akasha said, her previously emotionless eyes now showing a slight determination as she looked at her field.


    "I can feel the response you mentioned just now from my Silent Magician, Hoshino-nee! I activate [Silent Magician]''s special ability!"


    [Silent Magician''s Effect: When this card is destroyed by battle or by your opponent''s card effect, you can Special Summon one [Silent Magician] monster from your hand or deck, except [Silent Magician]. You can ignore the summoning conditions.]


    "I Special Summon [Silent Magician LV8] from my hand!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 162 - 162

    "Go, [Silent Magician LV8]!"


    Receiving the starlight left behind by [Silent Magician], Akasha quickly placed the LV8 card from her hand onto the duel disk.


    "Can you really summon an LV8 monster directly?" Mokuba was incredulous. "I thought monsters with level descriptions could only level up gradually through the effects of lower-level monsters."


    With a serious expression, Akasha focused intently on her field, where her ace monster was about to appear. "Because the card says ''ignore the summoning conditions for a special summon,'' this summon is valid."


    [Silent Magician LV8 ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)] [LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK 3500/DEF 1000]


    [This card is unaffected by your opponent''s Spell cards.]


    Brighter than Silent Magician, the white-robed LV8 radiated an overwhelming presence, showcasing the powerful aura of a top-tier monster.


    "This monster doesn''t rely on any effects, and it already has an attack power of 3500," Mokuba said, visibly surprised, probably comparing it to Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "Hey, we just beat a 3500-point monster, and now there''s another one? Do these high-level monsters come for free or something?" Emiya grumbled, his face twitching with frustration.


    "Silent Magician LV8, attack Emiya on the opponent''s field!" Since Silent Magician LV8 was special summoned during the battle phase, it was allowed to declare an attack.


    Pointing her small hand forward, Akasha finally felt like she was fighting alongside her duel monster.


    "Silent Magic Burst!" The white magic gathered on LV8''s staff shot out, this time without flashy dust clouds, directly obliterating Emiya on Hoshino''s field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Emiya] destroyed.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2650 ¡ú 1450]


    The blast from LV8 not only destroyed Emiya but also shaved off most of Hoshino''s remaining Life Points.


    "I didn''t expect that move! You''re really strong, Akasha-chan," Hoshino complimented, shielding her arm to fend off the magical impact.


    Hoshino, who had thought her three set cards were enough to turn the tide of the battle, was caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Silent Magician LV8.


    "So, this is your true monster, huh? It''s a pretty good card."


    "It''s not over yet." After seeing Silent Magician LV8 successfully attack, Akasha quickly slapped another card onto her duel disk. "After the battle phase, I activate the Spell card [Final Flame]."


    [Final Flame Card Effect: Inflict 600 damage to your opponent.]


    "The effect of this card is so simple and brutal?!" Hoshino frowned slightly, sensing that things weren''t as straightforward as they seemed.


    Even though Hoshino reminded herself that these were just virtual images, when the realistic flames truly began to burn her¡­


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch¡ªwhat is this?!" Sure enough, it was hard for the brain to distinguish between reality and illusion.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1450 ¡ú 850]


    "And next, I activate the Spell card [Ookazi]." Without hesitation, Akasha activated another Spell card.


    [Ookazi Spell Card Effect: Inflict 800 damage to your opponent''s Life Points.]


    "!!!" A fiercer blaze than before enveloped Hoshino''s body.


    "Master, are you alright?" Even Medea Lily couldn''t help but turn around in concern after two consecutive fire attacks.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 850 ¡ú 50]


    "If it weren''t for your healing earlier, Medea, it would''ve been really dangerous!" Hoshino laughed after the flames subsided¡ªthough it was a bitter laugh from being in a tough spot.


    "No wonder Akasha-chan looked so frustrated when I restored my Life Points last turn; this deck''s true strategy is right here." Akasha''s deck was designed to deal massive damage through direct or indirect effects. As long as there were enough damage-dealing cards, she could defeat her opponent with effect damage without giving them a chance to react.


    Even more terrifying, Akasha''s deck not only pressured her opponent''s Life Points but also controlled the field. Normally, decks focusing on direct damage would mainly use defensive monsters, but Akasha had managed to do both, applying pressure to both Life Points and the battlefield.


    "These cards are banned! The duel disk shouldn''t even allow these cards to be activated!" Mokuba panicked even more than Hoshino after seeing the two cards played.


    "The rules of Battle City clearly prohibit using Spell cards that deal direct damage. The duel disk should automatically block the activation of such cards!"


    "Huh? There''s a ban list? I had no idea." Hoshino''s mouth opened in surprise; this was the first time she''d heard of a ban list in this world. She''d always assumed there wasn''t one.


    "It''s on Battle City''s official website! Don''t you check the web, Hoshino?"


    "The web? I don''t even have a phone, let alone a computer¡ªhow am I supposed to check?!" Hoshino retorted angrily, feeling wronged. "You rich kids should be more considerate of us poor people. At least find another way to inform us!"


    "I''ll set two cards facedown and end my turn." Amid their heated discussion, Akasha had already finished her turn.


    Akasha''s remaining hand cards: 0


    "At least the remaining cards aren''t direct damage spells, or I''d be done for already." Seeing Akasha end her turn, Hoshino let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    "This duel should be declared null and void. As the event organizer, I''m calling for an end to this duel." Clearly unwilling to accept a duel involving banned cards, Mokuba loudly tried to halt the match.


    "There''s no need for that, Mokuba. I''ll win, you''ll see." To Mokuba''s surprise, Hoshino stopped him from acting like a "Champion of Justice."


    "Make sure to fix this later. If the Rare Hunters can bypass the duel disk''s system to use fake cards, then they can certainly use banned cards the same way," Hoshino analyzed calmly. "But I''m not giving up this duel."


    "But, Hoshino, your Life Points?!"


    "Thanks for the concern!"


    "It''s my turn, draw!"


    "Medea!" As soon as she drew her card, Hoshino immediately called out to Medea on the field.


    "I''m ready!" With perfect coordination, Medea instantly unleashed her Noble Phantasm.


    [Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can activate this card to restore 1000 Life Points.]


    "Pain Breaker!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 50 ¡ú 1050]


    "Thank goodness you''re here, Medea..." With two healings barely pulling her back from the brink of defeat, Hoshino felt like she had narrowly escaped death.


    "Don''t let your guard down, Master!" After finishing her Noble Phantasm, Medea put away her magic wand and looked seriously at Akasha''s field.


    "There could be more direct damage attacks like before. If Master doesn''t find a way to heal more, another one of those attacks could finish you off, especially since..."


    Medea trailed off, realizing that Hoshino surely understood the situation better than anyone.


    Not only was her Life Point total dangerously low, but standing on the other side was the formidable Silent Magician LV8, who was unaffected by spell cards and boasted an attack power of 3500.


    "Medea, the last thing we need now is to panic. Let''s solve these troublesome problems one by one," Hoshino said, drawing a card with the calm authority of a seasoned general.


    "First, let''s deal with the critical issue of my Life Points."


    After all, in Duel Monsters, Life Points are the top priority. No matter how strong your field control is, once your Life Points hit zero, the duel is over.


    "First, I activate the Spell Card [Monster Reborn] to revive [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily] from the graveyard!"


    A radiant light of resurrection shone across the battlefield, revealing a road blooming with flowers and the dignified figure of the noble young knight.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)] [LIGHT] [Dragon/Effect] [ATK 1200¡ú1500/DEF 800¡ú1100]


    "I deeply apologize, Master. I was too careless and got defeated." The little angel, Saber Lily, apologized with a face full of regret the moment she reappeared on the field.


    "Victory and defeat are part of battle. Just give it your all again!" Seeing Saber Lily back on the field, Hoshino deftly began searching her deck.


    "According to Saber Lily''s special effect, when she''s successfully Special Summoned, I can add one Heroic Spirit monster from my deck to my hand. The card I''m adding is..."


    After a quick search, Hoshino selected a key card that would help her turn the tide.


    "Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc Alter Santa Lil...Oof, I almost bit my tongue! This name is way too long!" Hoshino, who had always found Jeanne''s tongue-twister name amusing, finally understood it wasn''t Jeanne''s fault¡ªit was the name itself that was hard to say.


    "Anyway, I''ll add [Jeanne Alter Santa Lily] to my hand!" Hoshino said, opting to use a shorter nickname rather than trying to say the full name again.


    "Next, I''ll Tribute [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily] on the field to Normal Summon [Heroic Spirit - Jack the Ripper] from my hand!"


    "Good luck!" With her hands clasped together, Medea quietly prayed as she vanished in a glowing light of tribute.


    [Heroic Spirit - Jack the Ripper ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)] [DARK] [Zombie/Effect] [ATK 800¡ú1100 / DEF 1000¡ú1300] S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [This card is also treated as a [Lily].]


    "Mommy, Jack is here to help!" The newly summoned Jack appeared, full of excitement.


    "Mommy?" Mokuba looked shocked at how Jack addressed Hoshino, then his expression quickly turned into one of disgust. "I can''t believe you have this kind of hobby, Hoshino..."


    Waving her knife playfully, Jack pointed toward Mokuba. "Mommy, should I cut him up?"


    "No need, I''ll handle him myself later." Hoshino shot Mokuba a sharp glare before continuing with her moves.


    "Since I sent [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily] to the Graveyard as a Tribute, I can trigger the effect of my Field Spell [Wonderland]!"


    [Wonderland Field Spell Effect: When a [Lily] monster you control is sent to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon one [Lily] monster from your Deck.]


    "Come forth, [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme]!" Hoshino summoned the card she had swapped into her deck with Wonderland last turn, bringing Nursery Rhyme back onto the field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)] [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK 800¡ú1100 / DEF 800¡ú1100]


    [This card is also treated as a [Lily].]


    "And since Nursery Rhyme was Special Summoned, I can add one Lily Spell Card from my deck to my hand. I''ll add the Spell Card [Voyage of Flowers]!"


    "Lastly, I''ll activate [Jeanne Alter Santa Lily]''s special effect that I just added to my hand!"


    [If you control two or more [Lily] monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.]


    "Come forth in Attack Position, [Jeanne d''Arc Alter Santa Lily]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc Alter Santa Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)] [LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect] [ATK 1000¡ú1300 / DEF 800¡ú1100]


    "Why did you skip part of my name? At least say it all!" Jeanne Alter Lily complained, pouting the moment she appeared on the field.


    "Wow! Jack and Jeanne are here! Even Saber Lily has been revived! This makes Nursery Rhyme so happy~!" With all the children filling up the field, Nursery Rhyme was starting to ramble excitedly again. "Come play! Come play with Nursery Rhyme~!"


    "Now''s not the time for playing, Nursery Rhyme!" Hoshino, placing her hand on Nursery Rhyme''s card, shot a glance at Jeanne Alter Santa Lily.


    "Please, Jeanne Alter Lily!"


    "Hmph, allow me to show you what a real Santa Claus can do!" Jeanne swung her silver lance gracefully, her eyes full of determination.


    "Sacred Night, a momentary and unstoppable lovely Miracle¡­ Sing elegantly, For that sacred birthplace is La Grace Fille No?l!"


    "Wow! So many gifts! So many gifts!" Nursery Rhyme''s eyes sparkled as she looked at the beautifully wrapped toys and snacks falling from the sky.


    [When this card is Special Summoned, you can recover Life Points equal to the number of [Lily] monsters you control x300.]


    "With four Lily monsters on the field, I recover 1200 Life Points!"


    "ShanShanShan?--ShanShanShan?--ShanShanShan?--ShanShanShan?" Jeanne''s lance radiated a warm, comforting magical energy as she raised it high.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1050 ¡ú 2250]


    "Bet you didn''t see that coming, Akasha-chan. I''ve returned from the brink of death!" Hoshino, finally able to breathe easier, no longer had to constantly worry about Akasha''s direct-damage cards.


    "Even small spirits can provide a lot of healing~," she said, smiling at her stacked field of loyal Heroic Spirits.


    Akasha blinked, slightly stunned by Hoshino''s swift recovery. She had thought the duel was all but over, but now it seemed that Hoshino had not only regained Life Points but also filled her field with powerful Lily monsters.


    Still, Akasha''s calm, stoic face didn''t show any signs of panic. Instead, she simply tightened her grip on her duel disk, determined to keep pushing forward.


    "This duel isn''t over yet, Hoshino-nee," Akasha said softly, her voice steady, eyes resolute.


    "Of course not," Hoshino responded with a grin, already planning her next move.


    The duel had taken several dramatic turns, but now both duelists were back in the game, ready to face whatever the next phase would bring.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 163 - 163

    "Hoshino, are you performing magic?"


    Mokuba, who was already in a daze, watched as Hoshino pulled off a series of moves that seemed to create something out of nothing¡ªgoing from one to two, two to four, and even healing herself along the way.


    What was scarier was that after all those moves, Hoshino had only used one card from her hand.


    "Basic, stay calm~" Hoshino waved her hand, signaling Mokuba not to make a big deal out of it.


    Her gaze then shifted back to Akasha''s field. "I''ve already solved one problem, and now I''ve realized something¡ªanother problem has also been resolved without me even noticing!"


    "Hoshino-nee, I don''t think these monsters of yours can defeat my Silent Magician LV8," Akasha said honestly, glancing at the lively children on Hoshino''s field.


    Although Hoshino''s moves were impressive, it didn''t change the fact that the highest attack power on her field was still only 1500 from Saber Lily.


    This was the weak aspect of the Lily deck¡ªalthough the kids had strong chaining abilities, they weren''t great at attacking. Well, except for one...


    "Mom, can I attack now?" Jack, crouching with her dual daggers, eyed the imposing Silent Magician LV8 on the other side, eager to strike.


    "Yes, you can go ahead now, Jack!" Raising her right hand, Hoshino waved it forward. "Quickly disassemble her!"


    "Hmm? You''re going to use Jack to attack Silent Magician LV8?" Although Mokuba quietly voiced his doubt, after seeing Hoshino use Emiya to take down Silent Magician in the last round, he was starting to believe more and more in Hoshino''s strategies.


    Even if the attack seemed irrational, Hoshino always managed to turn it into an excellent move.


    Of course, Akasha on the other side was also aware of this. Staring intensely at Hoshino with her sapphire-blue eyes, she cautiously watched, afraid to miss any subtle moves.


    But in the end, Akasha didn''t see Hoshino make any further moves¡ªno magic cards were activated, nothing.


    Hoshino stood still, with only her confident smile becoming increasingly blurred.


    "Mist?" It was then that Akasha realized Jack''s figure had disappeared from the field.


    What was even stranger was that the previously dream-like atmosphere of the Children''s Kingdom had now been enveloped by a thick layer of mist.


    "Using mist to block my vision, huh..." Faced with the increasingly dense fog that was reducing visibility, Akasha, though unsure of its purpose, couldn''t help but feel a growing sense of fear in her heart.


    Finally, the mist had thickened to the point where Akasha could no longer see her Silent Magician LV8 standing right in front of her.


    It was as if she had been transported to a quiet, otherworldly place where the only things present were Akasha herself and a faint rustling sound.


    "That...are footsteps?!" Alarmed, Akasha, now with her sight completely obstructed, could only rely on her hearing.


    The rustling, like the soft steps of a cat, grew closer and closer in the silent space.


    "Silent Magician, are you still in front of me?" Feeling her fear intensify, Akasha sought comfort from her monster.


    No matter how dense the mist was, her Silent Magician shouldn''t have moved unless she commanded it.


    Consoling herself with this thought, Akasha glanced at her duel disk and saw the glowing light of her Silent Magician LV8 card, which gave her a bit of reassurance.


    "Lurking in the shadows of the night..."


    "Who''s there?!" Like someone whispering in her ear, the already slightly calm Akasha screamed in fright once more.


    "Let the slaughter begin~"


    "It''s one of Hoshino-nee''s monsters, isn''t it?" Akasha finally recognized the voice, furrowing her brows even tighter.


    "It''s useless! Even if you block my vision, you can''t defeat my Silent Magician LV8 with your attack power!" Akasha shouted, trying to bolster her own courage.


    "Hell starts here. We are the fire, the rain, the power¡­"


    The chilling words, coupled with the misty surroundings and the cold killing intent, made Akasha shiver uncontrollably.


    "¡ªMaria the Ripper!!" (The Holy Mother of Dismemberment!)


    Even in the thick mist, the sharp flash of a blade could be seen clearly in front of Akasha.


    The sound of a body being torn apart was more brutal, more professional, and more hidden than any other technique.


    The infamous "Mist Night Murders"¡ªthe signature move of Jack the Ripper.


    "No way!" In disbelief, Akasha stared wide-eyed at her duel disk, focusing on the now-dimmed light of her Silent Magician LV8 card.


    [Silent Magician LV8] DESTROYED


    As the mist cleared...


    "How did this happen?" Akasha, legs weakened from the terrifying experience, collapsed onto the ground.


    "Mom, Mom!" Jack, walking back from Akasha''s field, twirled her daggers and eagerly looked up for praise. "Jack already took care of the enemy for Mom! Isn''t Jack amazing?"


    Akasha''s field was now devoid of any sign of the Silent Magician.


    "How did you do it, Hoshino?" Even as a bystander, Mokuba, who wasn''t trapped in the mist like Akasha, could barely make out Jack''s shadow. The only thing he could be sure of was that Jack had personally destroyed the 3500 ATK Silent Magician.


    "That''s because Jackie is super amazing, of course!" Hoshino proudly picked up Jack''s card and showed it to the collapsed Akasha.


    [¢Ú: Once per turn, you can target one face-up monster your opponent controls. That monster is changed to face-down Defense Position. ¢Û: When this card battles a Defense Position monster, at the start of the Damage Step, you can destroy that monster.]


    "First, I used Jack''s effect to change your face-up Silent Magician LV8 to face-down Defense Position. That allowed Jack to trigger her effect to destroy a Defense Position monster during battle!" Hoshino, after showing off her card, placed it back into the duel disk with a satisfied smile. "Your Silent Magician has already been one-shot by Jack~"


    "Though small in size and lacking powerful attack strength, Lilies have their own way of fighting!"


    "Akasha-chan''s strongest monster has been defeated..."


    "You''re really amazing, Hoshino-nee. You even defeated Akasha''s strongest Silent Magician LV8."


    Sitting on the ground, Akasha quickly accepted reality. Her tone, which had been fearful just moments ago, was now completely different, as if she had become a different person.


    "Even Marik-nii couldn''t defeat Akasha''s Silent Magician, but Hoshino-nee managed to do it."


    "Marik couldn''t defeat you either... It seems like the leader of the Rare Hunters isn''t very strong."


    In this world, the necessary condition to be a leader isn''t intelligence, a big-picture perspective, or leadership abilities, but simply the ability to play cards well.


    Otherwise, why do you think Kaiba Corporation''s stock and reputation plummeted after Kaiba lost to Yugi?


    The idea of a corporate giant losing a card game to a high schooler¡ªhow could we trust you after that?


    If you can''t even manage your own deck, how could you possibly run a company?


    This was more or less Hoshino just talking nonsense...


    "Let me tell you a secret, Hoshino-nee. Akasha is the best duelist in the Rare Hunters. No one has defeated Akasha yet."


    Hoshino''s eyebrows twitched slightly. She had already realized that Akasha was strong, but she had never expected this little girl to be the strongest duelist in the Rare Hunters.


    Indeed, for someone Akasha''s age to have this level of dueling skill, calling her a "genius" wouldn''t be an exaggeration. If you compare her to those brats at the Kame Toy Shop, they''re nothing more than punching bags in comparison.


    "Even so, I won''t go easy on you." Hoshino had no intention of holding back, especially now that she had the advantage. The ''cold and ruthless'' Hoshino wouldn''t hold back just to protect a little girl''s pride, even if that girl was a cute blonde loli.


    "I don''t need you to go easy on me. Akasha will win." Her voice was firm.


    "Then I''ll attack directly, Saber Lily!" Hoshino swung her hand, initiating the attack.


    "Yes, Master! I won''t fail this time."


    Saber Lily raised her golden sword and charged straight at Akasha.


    [Saber Lily ATK 1500]


    [Akasha LP 3200]


    If the remaining three Lily monsters hit Akasha directly, the duel would be over.


    However, knowing Akasha''s style, with two set cards in the back row, the chances of that happening were slim.


    "Activate my set card." As expected, without even standing up, still sitting on the ground, Akasha pressed the activation button on her trap card.


    "Trap Card [Dimension Wall]."


    In an instant, a superimposed space appeared, precisely between Akasha and the attacking Saber Lily, like a reflection on the water.


    Soon, Akasha''s figure behind the dimensional wall faded, and in her place appeared Hoshino''s reflection on the water''s surface.


    [Dimension Wall Effect: Activate only when an opponent''s monster declares an attack. Instead of you, your opponent takes the Battle Damage you would have taken from this battle.]


    "Lily, stop..." Instinctively, Hoshino tried to stop Saber Lily, but it was already too late. The attack had been reflected.


    "I can''t stop, Master! QAQ!" Saber Lily cried, her sword helplessly swinging through the air, hitting the reflection of Hoshino instead of Akasha.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2250 ¡ú 750]


    "I... I failed again." Saber Lily looked up at Hoshino with a pitiful expression, her eyes brimming with tears. The realization that she had just knocked off a huge chunk of her Master''s Life Points was clearly too much for her to bear.


    "Victory and defeat are part of battle..." Hoshino said gently, attempting to comfort Lily, but it was clear that the little knight was devastated.


    There was still one set card left on Akasha''s field, and based on repeated experience, Hoshino knew Akasha''s set cards were all dangerous¡ªwithout exception since the beginning of the duel. And with her current Life Points, stepping into another trap would likely end the duel.


    "This is really giving me a headache..." Hoshino muttered, biting her lip in frustration. Akasha''s duel style had been unpredictable and full of trap cards designed to turn the tide.


    "Akasha-chan, with this style of dueling, you probably don''t have many friends, do you?" Hoshino asked bluntly, her expression a mixture of pity and exasperation.


    "Akasha doesn''t need friends. I just need to complete the tasks Marik-nii gives me and keep winning with my deck. That''s my only purpose," Akasha responded, her voice cold but strangely vulnerable.


    "Even though you sound pretty determined, why are you still sitting on the ground?" Hoshino asked, somewhat exasperated by the contradiction between Akasha''s words and her actions.


    "Because my legs went weak and I can''t stand up." Akasha''s reply was matter-of-fact, without a hint of embarrassment.


    "..."


    Hoshino couldn''t decide if this little girl was mature or childish. But there was one thing she needed to correct.


    "If winning duels like this is your only purpose, then Akasha-chan, you''re truly pitiful," Hoshino said, her voice softer but still firm, cutting through the bravado.


    "I set two cards and end my turn!" Hoshino decided to play it safe, wary of Akasha''s final set card. She refused to fall into another trap.


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 2 cards


    "Akasha isn''t pitiful! The truly pitiful ones are those who lose!" Akasha''s sharp rebuttal seemed to touch a nerve, her tone suddenly laced with anger that hadn''t been there before.


    Pushing herself off the ground with her small hands, Akasha forcefully stood up. She slammed the card she had just drawn onto her Duel Disk, her determination renewed.


    "Akasha will win! Akasha never loses! I activate the Spell Card [Pot of Greed]."


    Akasha''s remaining hand: 2 cards


    After replenishing her hand, Akasha immediately flipped over the set card from her previous turn.


    "I activate the Continuous Trap Card [Call of the Haunted]. Using its effect, I revive [Dark Magician Girl] from my graveyard!"


    [Dark Magician Girl ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 Stars)] [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK 2000 / DEF 1700]


    Since Silent Magician LV8 in Akasha''s graveyard couldn''t be Special Summoned by other card effects, she had no choice but to revive the next highest ATK monster, Dark Magician Girl.


    "Dark Magician Girl...!" Hoshino''s heart skipped a beat at the sight of the iconic figure returning to the field. Though she knew this version wasn''t the real one, Dark Magician Girl always held a special place in her heart.


    However, even though it was Dark Magician Girl, Hoshino couldn''t help but break into a cold sweat. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luckily, she hadn''t continued attacking on the previous turn. Otherwise, in this era of unreturnable attacks, she would have undoubtedly lost.


    "And now I activate the Spell Card [De-Spell] from my hand," Akasha continued, her voice cold and precise.


    [De-Spell Effect: Target 1 face-up Spell, or 1 Set Spell/Trap, on the field; destroy that target if it is a Spell. (If the target is Set, reveal it.)]


    "I''m going to destroy the Spell Card [Wonderland]! Now, Hoshino-nee, your monsters won''t be immune to effect destruction anymore."


    As the field crumbled, Hoshino winced. The protective barrier that had kept her Lily monsters safe was now gone.


    "And now, I activate my final Spell Card [Raigeki]!" Akasha declared, a small yet triumphant smile curling on her lips.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 164 - 164

    "And now, I activate my final Spell Card [Raigeki]!" Akasha declared, a small yet triumphant smile curling on her lips.


    The collapsing scenery and the suddenly cloud-filled sky startled the Lilies on Hoshino''s field.


    "What''s happening, what''s happening..." Still somewhat excited amidst the chaos, Nursery Rhyme started running around on her little legs.


    On the other hand, Saber Lily appeared much more dejected. "This is divine retribution cast upon me for continuously failing and putting Master in a dire situation!"


    "Don''t be so pessimistic! Master will find a way to win." Although she looked much younger than Saber Lily, Jeanne d''Arc Lily, pretending to be mature, comforted the downcast girl.


    "That''s right! No matter what crisis she faces, Mommy never gives up! Compared to this lightning, Mom is the light of hope for Jack~" Jack moved her little face closer to the downcast Artoria and comforted her in her way.


    "Don''t be down, Saber Lily! You''re still a trainee knight! There''s still much to learn and grow from~" Thanks to her well-read nature, Nursery Rhyme''s comforting words carried more weight.


    "Don''t worry, everyone. Leave the rest to me..."


    [Raigeki Effect: Destroy all monsters your opponent controls.]


    "But this card''s effect is even more brutal than the last one!" Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration, looking up at the clouds filled with lightning.


    As the dense clouds collided and condensed, a bolt of lightning as thick as a pillar was hurled down in an instant.


    "I swear I''ll never say ''slim as a lightning bolt'' again..." Hoshino''s eye twitched as the enormous bolt, thicker than a door frame, struck down. Its sheer visual power was overwhelming. (What she means is that she no longer wants to use exaggerations or unrealistic statements.)


    Boom¡ª!


    The lightning that blasted Hoshino''s field had a force far exceeding a typical explosion, showing how powerless humans were against natural disasters.


    With the blast of the lightning, the four Lily monster cards on Hoshino''s duel disk began to dim one by one.


    "Hoshino-nee, all the monsters you worked so hard to summon were wiped out by just one of Akasha''s cards." Akasha flashed an innocent smile, clearly pleased with the effect of her Raigeki.


    "Is this girl secretly evil on the inside?" Mokuba, shocked by Akasha, muttered. Though he had seen decks like this before, Akasha was the first he had seen play it with such mastery, finishing the duel with an innocent smile on her face.


    "Akasha-chan, do you enjoy dueling like this?" Hoshino asked seriously, despite Akasha''s bright smile.


    "Enjoy? Isn''t dueling all about winning? Akasha duels only to claim victory in the end."


    "If that''s how you see it, you''ll never beat me, Akasha-chan!" Even though Hoshino now had no monsters on her field, she spoke with full confidence.


    "Hoshino-nee, you''re about to lose. All of your cards rely on monsters working together, right? Without any monsters for synergy, your cards are worse than fake ones; they have no soul."


    Raising her small arm, Akasha declared an attack with her Dark Magician Girl. "I bet you''re thinking, ''I wish I had a Magic Cylinder,'' right now, aren''t you?"


    "But it''s too late! Dark Magician Girl, unleash the final blow!"


    The lively figure of Dark Magician Girl, which looked nothing like a mere card, waved her staff, launching a purple-black magic spell straight at the defenseless Hoshino.


    "Draw!" Despite Akasha''s attack, Hoshino inexplicably drew a card from her deck.


    "Huh? Why are you drawing now?" Akasha and Mokuba were both dumbfounded...


    "Akasha-chan, dueling is so much fun! Every time I draw a card, I can feel the connection between me and my deck. So every draw excites me, just like a child receiving a new toy."


    "So... why exactly are you drawing?" Akasha still looked completely puzzled.


    "Because when Jeanne d''Arc Lily was destroyed, her effect was triggered!" Hoshino raised her duel disk, and the graveyard area began to glow with a holy light.


    [¢Û: When this card is destroyed by battle or effect, you can activate its effect. Add one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your deck to your hand.]


    "This light will guide the young girl in the graveyard, who refuses to accept defeat, into the blooming voyage, uniting her soul as she grows and leading to the final victory!"


    With a swirl of her slender fingers, Hoshino revealed the card she had just drawn to Akasha.


    "This is the monster I just added to my hand!"


    "But you didn''t search for it..." To Akasha, it looked like Hoshino had just drawn a card normally.


    "No, this is a true search by the soul! As long as you trust in your deck, the card that will respond to your victory will always be in your next draw!"


    With her spirits high, Hoshino placed the drawn monster onto her raised duel disk, then flipped over her set card from the previous turn.


    "And now, I activate the Quick-Play Spell I searched last turn with Nursery Rhyme''s effect, [Voyage of the Flowers]!"


    A warm breeze filled with the scent of spring wafted through, creating a path lined with blooming flowers.


    The girl''s determination, her frustration, and her desire to grow were all rewarded at that very moment.


    [Voyage of the Flowers Quick-Play Spell Effect: ¢Ù: If there are 3 or more [Lily] monsters in your graveyard, banish them from the game to activate this effect. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster of level 8 or below from your hand or deck.] (Looks like she upgraded this card, which is why the effect is different.)


    "By banishing all the Lily monsters in my graveyard, according to the card''s effect..."


    A pillar of golden light soared into the sky, dispelling the dark clouds that had gathered due to Raigeki.


    "Unveil the [Voyage of the Flowers]! Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon]!"


    With an aura of royalty, Artoria emerged from the golden light, her presence overwhelming.


    "I am the king of knights; there is no possibility of defeat!" Wielding her sword that gleamed with golden light, Artoria spoke with the confidence of a true ruler.


    "She... evolved?" Mokuba, who was stunned, realized that this monster was the same Saber Lily who had lost twice in a row just moments ago.


    "Artoria... Artoria?" Repeating the familiar name a few times, Mokuba suddenly smacked his palm as if he had an epiphany. "King Arthur is a girl!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)] [LIGHT] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    "Akasha-chan, because attacks can''t be reversed, you''ve already lost!" The sword in Artoria''s hand effortlessly cut through the purple-black magic fired by Dark Magician Girl.


    "Counterattack, Artoria!"


    "Yes, Master!" After cutting through the enemy''s attack, Artoria dashed forward, the Holy Sword in her hand tracing a brilliant path along the way.


    On the other side, Akasha, who was staring in fear at the blue figure rushing towards her and her Dark Magician Girl, kept shaking her head. "Impossible, Akasha still has 3200 Life Points. I won''t lose just like this... I won''t lose..."


    Though the truth was evident, Akasha''s instincts kept telling her that this attack was bad news, very bad news. Despite having so many Life Points, it felt like she was a ship caught in a storm, teetering on the brink of disaster.


    "It''s over, Akasha-chan..." Hoshino''s final declaration confirmed Akasha''s gut feeling, and like a tidal wave, it overturned the small boat in her heart that had been desperately trying to stay afloat.


    "Quick-Play Spell, [Hero Creation]!"


    [Hero Creation Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target one [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field. Until the end of the turn, that monster gains 1000 ATK/DEF. If it battles a monster, the battle damage it inflicts on your opponent is doubled.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria ATK 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    "Hmph, it''s Merlin again, huh." Sensing the rapidly increasing magical energy surging into her sword, Artoria smirked as she sprinted, gripping her sword even tighter. "As a king, I cannot lose to some mere mage!"


    "Mana Burst!" Along with the King''s shout, the magical energy gathered in the Holy Sword exploded again, amplifying even further.


    [¢Ù: Once per turn, during damage calculation when this card battles a monster, you can reveal any number of [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your hand. This card gains ATK/DEF equal to the number of revealed monsters x 500 until the end of the turn.]


    Hoshino flipped over the two remaining cards in her hand, her face bearing a half-smiling, half-smirking expression.


    "These are the two monsters I held in my hand, [Heroic Spirit - Okita S¨­ji] and [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga]... According to the effect, Artoria''s attack power increases by 1000 points!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria ATK 3400 ¡ú 4400]


    "OOOOOOH!" With a mighty roar, Artoria, now standing before Dark Magician Girl, raised her sword of promised victory high.


    "Take this! This is the strike of revenge for all the humiliation I''ve endured before!"


    The Holy Sword came crashing down with full force, and though her true name was not yet unleashed, the golden wave of the blade surged forth, sweeping over Dark Magician Girl and Akasha''s tiny form behind her.


    "Due to the effect of [Hero Creation], the battle damage is doubled!" Hoshino, turning slightly sideways, stretched out her hand powerfully, pointing towards the light of victory ahead.


    "Final damage: 4800 points! Sorry, Akasha-chan!"


    [Akasha LP 3200 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over! The winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    (***)


    "Odion, Akasha lost..." Inside the room, Marik, nervously gnawing on his nails, looked rather anxious.


    Standing beside Marik was a tall, dark-skinned man named Odion, who also wore a troubled expression. "Both Slifer and Akasha have failed... This turn of events is extremely disadvantageous for us."


    "I underestimated them..." Marik no longer showed his usual manic demeanor.


    "Yugi defeated Slifer, and the Duel King defeated Akasha..." Clearly, in Marik''s eyes, Akasha''s strength had already reached or rivaled that of a God Card.


    "Marik, should we change our plans?"


    "No need to worry!" Although his attitude was somewhat anxious, Marik''s gaze remained full of determination. "As long as Ra is in my hands, I will not fail."


    "What about our collaboration with Pegasus and Bakura?"


    "Proceed as planned. Because of Akasha''s appearance, it''s hard for others to recognize her as a member of the Rare Hunters. We can''t let Pegasus find out about my desire for the Evil God Cards that the Duel King possesses."


    "Does that mean you''re giving up on the Evil God Cards?"


    "Giving up? I''m simply letting them destroy each other. I''ll defeat the last one standing and take the Evil God Cards for myself."


    Marik chuckled, feeling particularly wise at that moment.


    (***)


    "Huh? Akasha lost?" Tilting her little golden head, Akasha looked utterly bewildered. "This must be a dream, right? Tell me it''s a dream!"


    Walking up to her, Hoshino bent down and pinched Akasha''s soft, bouncy cheeks.


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch QxQ." Akasha''s face was pinched so hard that it became a bit distorted.


    "Still think you''re dreaming, Akasha-chan?" Even though Hoshino''s expression returned to her usual sunny smile, she couldn''t stop playing with Akasha''s soft, springy cheeks due to how good they felt.


    "Mmmmf! Hosh-ne, stop, my face can''t take it!" Akasha struggled to form a coherent sentence through the squished mass of her cheeks, though her pleading tone was still clear to Hoshino.


    Akasha''s once pale face now bore a reddish swelling, and her eyes were starting to well up with little teardrops.


    "So, what will you do next, Akasha? Are you planning to return to the Rare Hunters?" Hoshino asked, releasing Akasha''s cheeks.


    "How can we just let a Rare Hunter member go like that? We should capture her and interrogate her about their organization and headquarters!" Mokuba suddenly interjected, his strong hatred for the fake card-producing organization quite evident.


    Hoshino shot a disdainful glance at Mokuba, who was getting overly excited. "Arresting a cute little girl like her for interrogation would make us the bad guys instead."


    Hoshino certainly wasn''t going to do something like that, and of course, she wouldn''t let Mokuba do it either.


    "Akasha can''t go back..." Wiping away the tears Hoshino had squeezed out of her eyes, Akasha lowered her head.


    "What do you mean, you can''t go back?"


    "Marik-nii only gave Akasha the order to defeat the Duel King. He didn''t order Akasha to return."


    "Do you need orders just to go home?"


    "Marik told us that no member of the Rare Hunters is allowed to return to the base until Battle City is over."


    "I see..." Hoshino stroked her chin, quickly understanding Marik''s intentions.


    After revealing their identities as Rare Hunters, returning to the base would likely lead to them being tracked. So, even if they lost, the Rare Hunters scattered across Domino City would continue to roam.


    "Like zombies, huh..." The comparison sent a shiver down Hoshino''s slender frame.


    If that was truly the case, then a troublesome problem now lay before Hoshino.


    She couldn''t just leave a little girl like Akasha wandering the city for two days, could she? According to the official schedule, the Battle City tournament lasted for 48 hours, two days, and two nights.


    Unlike those big, burly Rare Hunters, even if Akasha was fine during the day, was she going to let this little girl spend two nights wandering the streets of Domino City?


    "Akasha-chan, would you like to come home with me?"


    "Hello, police? There''s a child abductor here." Mokuba picked up his phone, pretending to call the police.


    "Hmm!" Akasha nodded vigorously, immediately agreeing to Hoshino''s suggestion.


    Huh? That worked so easily? Akasha agreed so quickly that it left Hoshino a bit dazed.


    [Hoshino has acquired one child.]


    "Akasha wants to know why Hoshino-nee is so strong. Akasha wants to become stronger too." Akasha extended her tiny, clenched fist and handed a puzzle card to Hoshino.


    Holding the soft little hand Akasha placed in hers, Hoshino smiled gently. "Sure, but I hope Akasha-chan will come to truly enjoy dueling, not just seek strength for the sake of winning."


    "Enjoy dueling?" Akasha tilted her head in confusion as she felt Hoshino stroking her small hand. She didn''t resist the touch but still looked puzzled.


    "Don''t rush. Take it step by step. When we get to my place, I will help you build a deck that''s truly your own."


    "Hello, police? It''s the same person again. Now she''s confirmed to be taking the child home." Mokuba continued to pretend to report her.


    With a deadly glare, Hoshino stared fiercely at Mokuba, who had been causing trouble from the start.


    "My room is inside Kame Toy Store. There are plenty of cards there, and we''ll put together a deck Akasha-chan will truly love."


    "A deck I truly love..." Akasha pulled out the deck she''d been using, a complex expression appearing on her face. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "All right! I''ll go, and Akasha will create a deck for my Silent Magician that I love!"


    "Hehe, Akasha-chan, don''t forget about Battle City''s rules. That Silent Magician already belongs to me~" Hoshino said with a mischievous grin.


    "Eh!?" Akasha''s mouth dropped open in shock, not expecting to lose the only monster that truly belonged to her right after making her resolve.


    "How about this? I''ll lend you that Silent Magician for now. Once you complete a deck worthy of it, I''ll return the card to you."


    "I really can''t figure out whether you''re kind or mean, Hoshino..." Mokuba shrugged helplessly.


    Beep, beep, beep~


    "Why is my brother calling all of a sudden?" Mokuba pulled out his phone as the ringtone sounded, looking at the picture of Seto Kaiba on the screen.


    So, that thing of yours really is a smartphone!


    "Mokuba! KaibaCorp headquarters has been breached! Get back here, now..."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 165 - 165

    On the helipad of KaibaCorp''s rooftop¡ª


    "Mokuba! KaibaCorp headquarters has been breached! Hurry, get back!"


    Jumping off the helicopter, Kaiba locked eyes with the white-haired man standing before him and, without hesitation, threw away his phone.


    "Seto Kaiba, have you said your final goodbye to your beloved brother?"


    "Hmph, I just told him to come home on time for dinner."


    "As expected from the president of KaibaCorp¡ªcalm and composed no matter the situation. But I wonder if you can stay that way after seeing this."


    The handsome, white-haired man standing tall on the rooftop snapped his fingers loudly.


    Suddenly, from seemingly nowhere, countless men in black suits appeared, surrounding Kaiba, who had just jumped off the helicopter.


    "Industrial Illusions? Now, this is quite unexpected." Kaiba immediately recognized that none of these men were from his own company.


    Their familiar uniforms were identical to those of the Industrial Illusions henchmen he had encountered on Duelist Kingdom.


    In mere seconds, Kaiba deduced the identity of the man standing before him.


    "Tenma Yako, I didn''t expect to meet you under these circumstances."


    After Pegasus went missing, his adoptive son and apprentice, Tenma Yako, temporarily took over Industrial Illusions.


    "I always thought it would be your older brother, Tenma Gekko¡ªthe one Pegasus praised as the perfect duelist¡ªwho would take over Industrial Illusions."


    Even though he was heavily surrounded by the men in black, Kaiba didn''t show the slightest sign of panic.


    "But from what I see now, while Tenma Gekko may excel at dueling, he''s not as shrewd as you are."


    "Taking advantage of my absence during Battle City, you infiltrated KaibaCorp, seized control of my employees, and tampered with the Duel Disk central system, rendering it incapable of identifying banned or counterfeit cards!"


    Kaiba furrowed his brows tighter and tighter, as if connecting all the dots to uncover the truth.


    "And considering the Rare Hunters'' blatant use of fake cards, it seems you and Marik are in a mutually beneficial relationship as well."


    "Tenma Yako, you''ve played quite the clever game!"


    His voice tinged with visible anger, Kaiba locked eyes with Yako.


    Clap, clap, clap.


    Tenma Yako applauded Kaiba''s analysis, unable to suppress his grin.


    "Brilliant deduction! As expected of the genius mind of Seto Kaiba." However, despite Kaiba seeing through his plans, Yako showed no signs of worry.


    "So, what''s your next move, Seto Kaiba? Planning to call the police? The moment you do, my men will destroy the entire Duel Disk holographic system. If the grand spectacle of the Battle City Tournament is forcefully shut down in less than a day, KaibaCorp will be finished for good!"


    The threatening tone in Yako''s voice grew more pronounced. If he was willing to commit a crime of this magnitude, he undoubtedly had a powerful backup plan in place.


    "Hmph, I never planned to rely on something as simple as the police to resolve this."


    With a cold chuckle, Kaiba extended his Duel Disk from his arm.


    "Pegasus'' adoptive son and apprentice, huh? Let me see just how strong you really are!"


    "Oh? How interesting!" Yako''s previously playful demeanor instantly turned serious as he signaled to his men with a nod.


    "Yes, Lord Tenma Yako!" Receiving Yako''s signal, one of the black-suited men kneeled respectfully, presenting a Duel Disk already loaded with a deck.


    Without hesitation, Yako accepted Kaiba''s challenge, and Kaiba confidently praised him for it.


    "You''re quite bold. Surely you must know that I have Obelisk the Tormentor. Charging headlong into danger despite knowing this¡ªyou must have a death wish! Anyone who dares to challenge the might of a god will be crushed by its divine fists!"


    Yako, who had also activated his Duel Disk, showed no fear in the face of Kaiba''s overwhelming presence. Instead, he smiled mysteriously.


    "Obelisk the Tormentor, huh? In my eyes, such a low-tier god is no different from ordinary trash."


    "What?!"


    "Let me show you the monster that reigns supreme over all gods¡ª[The Wicked Avatar] will crush your laughable confidence!"


    "Duel begins!"


    (***)


    "Mokuba! KaibaCorp headquarters has been breached! Hurry, get back¡­"


    "Brother! Brother!"


    After leaving this message, Kaiba had tossed his phone aside, leaving Mokuba completely bewildered by the situation.


    "In situations like this, when someone only says half of something important during a phone call..." Since Mokuba had the phone on speaker, Hoshino also heard Kaiba''s words and tried to analyze the situation.


    "They''re usually dead before finishing the conversation~"


    "Exactly, Hoshino-nee! Akasha has seen the same thing in movies." To Hoshino''s surprise, Akasha agreed with her analysis. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "In cases like this, they either get hit by a truck or are shot dead by the enemy."


    "What are you two even talking about..." Mokuba, now extremely anxious, looked helplessly at the two girls who seemed completely lacking in any sense of urgency.


    "When I saw that the Duel Disks'' system for detecting counterfeit and banned cards was malfunctioning, I had a suspicion. I never expected someone would really attack KaibaCorp during the Battle City Tournament."


    "Maybe it''s because your company has made too many enemies with your shady business?" Hoshino remarked casually.


    "There are no rival companies! KaibaCorp has always held a monopoly on Duel Monsters holographic technology!"


    Mokuba retorted in frustration, looking ready to rush off. "I can''t wait any longer, I''m heading back, Hoshino!"


    "Hey, hey, hey!" Just as Mokuba tried to leave, he felt his clothes being pulled from behind, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.


    "What the heck, Hoshino! That hurt!" Mokuba grumbled, rubbing his head.


    "What are you even planning to do?"


    "Of course, I''m going back to save my brother and KaibaCorp!"


    "And how do you plan to do that?" Hoshino calmly analyzed the situation. "Do you think you''re good at dueling or good at fighting?"


    "..."


    Mokuba fell silent, not denying Hoshino''s point. If he went back like this, he''d only be another person walking into a trap.


    "But what do I do? From the tone of my brother''s voice on the phone, it sounds like things are really urgent." Mokuba felt helpless, hating his own powerlessness.


    "You idiot, don''t you realize you have reliable allies standing right here?" Hoshino patted Akasha on the head, a confident smile spreading across her face.


    Hoshino had completely understood the world''s unwritten rule: even in life-or-death situations, dueling could still solve most problems.


    And if something could be solved through a duel, it was no problem at all for Hoshino and Akasha.


    Even in the worst-case scenario, if the opponent didn''t follow the rules and refused to duel, Hoshino still had the power of Duel Disk materialization. If it came to a physical fight, she wasn''t afraid at all.


    "So, what do you say? How about taking me along?"


    "Akasha, Akasha wants to come too!"


    Seeing that Hoshino was ready to act, Akasha naturally couldn''t sit still.


    "No, no, no, Akasha-chan, in situations like this, that''s not what you say." Hoshino shook her head, carefully teaching Akasha.


    "What you should say is¡­"


    "Give me a break~"


    (***)


    The most iconic symbol of KaibaCorp is undoubtedly the life-sized statue of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in front of the company building.


    "Kaiba really is a Blue-Eyes White Dragon fanatic," Hoshino sighed once again, gazing at the imposing presence of the dragon statue.


    However, Mokuba, standing beside her, didn''t look as relaxed. "It''s too quiet..."


    "Quiet? I think it''s fine~"


    Hoshino and the others were only standing outside the building. Normally, if you could hear activity from the inside at this distance, that would be the abnormal thing.


    "You''re not just scaring yourself, are you?"


    "Mokuba is a scaredy-cat," Akasha, who had become attached to Hoshino, started to echo her every opinion, fully becoming her little fan.


    "How is that possible? You have to understand that the first two floors of KaibaCorp are open duel arenas. On a holiday like this, it should be packed with people by now."


    "That is a bit odd," Hoshino admitted. She had never been to KaibaCorp before, so she didn''t know the building''s structure.


    But judging by the scene in front of her, not only was it not packed, but there wasn''t even a single person in sight.


    As it turned out, human perception of unfamiliar situations can easily shift based on what others say. What Hoshino had previously found unremarkable now seemed eerily silent, and even the expression on the Blue-Eyes White Dragon statue seemed more menacing.


    "Are we really going in...?" Hoshino swallowed nervously, feeling a little faint-hearted.


    "Of course, we''re going in! What are we going to solve just standing out here?" Mokuba said, not showing the same hesitation as Hoshino. To him, this was like being at home.


    "Wait, Mokuba..." Just as Mokuba took a step forward, Hoshino grabbed him again.


    But this time, Mokuba had learned his lesson. He stepped back quickly, keeping his balance.


    "What is it this time, Hoshino? Don''t tell me you''ve changed your mind again."


    "Shh, I hear something!" Hoshino frowned slightly, covering Mokuba''s noisy mouth and following the direction of the sound. She tilted her head upward toward the KaibaCorp building.


    KaibaCorp was probably the tallest building in Domino City. Hoshino didn''t know the exact number of floors, but it was nearly impossible for the average person to make out the top.


    However, Hoshino wasn''t an average person...


    "Someone''s dueling on the rooftop! And that shape... it''s Obelisk the Tormentor!"


    "No way, Hoshino! You can actually see that?" Mokuba, following her gaze, could only see the rooftop blending into the clouds.


    "Akasha can''t see anything either!" Akasha, jumping up and down in a futile attempt to see what Hoshino was talking about, thought she might get a better view by being higher off the ground.


    How cute...


    "What? You guys can''t see it?" Hoshino realized something strange.


    When did I gain the ability to see so far?


    Hoshino''s vision wasn''t bad, but it was far from exceptional. After all, as a shut-in who spent all day staring at screens, the fact that her eyesight hadn''t deteriorated was already a blessing.


    But now, while she couldn''t make out the people dueling on the rooftop, she could clearly see the massive form of Obelisk the Tormentor.


    It seemed that ever since she had returned from the VR world¡ªor rather, the otherworld¡ªher vision had mysteriously improved.


    Could it be that I retained some of Archer''s abilities? Hoshino mused.


    And indeed, her guess was correct. After summoning EMIYA''s spirit origin twice in the otherworld, Hoshino''s body had slowly adapted to some of his skills. This adaptation triggered a hidden potential within her body, allowing her to quickly master new abilities.


    It''s similar to learning to ride a bike. Once your body adjusts to the feel of it, you''re likely to retain that skill forever. People often say that once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget.


    And what Hoshino had retained wasn''t just Hawkeye. She hadn''t realized it yet, but she had gained several of Archer''s skills.


    "Wait a minute... why are there two Obelisks?"


    Hoshino, still watching the rooftop, suddenly cried out in surprise.


    "Hoshino, you must be seeing things." Mokuba, who had doubted Hoshino''s ability to see that far in the first place, became even more skeptical. "There''s no way there are two Obelisks. It''s a one-of-a-kind card."


    "I''m telling you, there really are two! But one of them is black!" Hoshino''s firm tone made it clear she wasn''t joking.


    "A black Obelisk...?"


    Mokuba seemed to recall something, quickly pulling out the terminal from his coat pocket.


    "It''s true! Hoshino, there are two God Card signals coming from the rooftop!"


    "They''re attacking! The black Obelisk is making a move!" Even from afar, Hoshino was visibly excited by the spectacle of the two God Cards battling.


    "What''s happening? I want to see too!" Akasha tugged at Hoshino''s clothes, trying to pull herself up to see what was going on. "Give me one too!"


    "Oh, they disappeared!" Hoshino said suddenly, her eyes wide as she looked at the rooftop again. "After the black Obelisk attacked, both of them vanished within seconds!"


    As if to confirm her words, Mokuba''s terminal also lost both God Card signals at the same time.


    At first, Mokuba thought the terminal had malfunctioned. But considering the situation, it seemed Hoshino was telling the truth, and the device wasn''t broken after all.


    If all of this were real, then it revealed a terrifying truth.


    The black Obelisk, and the seventh God Card hidden in Domino City, were both real.


    "This tournament has barely started, and we''ve already had so many incidents. What a disaster this Battle City Tournament is turning out to be." Rubbing her temples, Hoshino muttered to herself. Whether it was from information overload or simply staring up for too long, she felt a headache coming on.


    "I wonder if my brother won..." Mokuba''s face was filled with concern.


    The one dueling on the rooftop with Obelisk must be Seto Kaiba. The one wielding the black Obelisk was likely the intruder who had attacked KaibaCorp.


    "Hmph, just as I suspected, it all comes down to dueling in the end," Hoshino chuckled smugly, feeling a surge of confidence as she started walking ahead. "Let''s go! We''re going to raid KaibaCorp!"


    "Oh! We''re raiding KaibaCorp!" Akasha excitedly followed Hoshino''s lead.


    "Hoshino, this doesn''t count as a raid..."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 166 - 166

    "Hahahaha! Kaiba, your Obelisk the Tormentor is nothing compared to my Wicked Avatar!"


    In stark contrast to his previously calm and composed demeanor, Tenma Yako now laughed wildly, completely uninhibited.


    Kaiba''s field, which had been smoking from the immense attack just seconds ago, no longer had Obelisk standing on it.


    All that remained was the aftermath of the immense power that had torn through the area.


    "Obelisk the Tormentor was completely destroyed!"


    Kaiba, visibly frustrated, wore a look of utter disbelief.


    "Hmph, if I had to say, it''s because your god simply isn''t on the same level," said Tenma Yako, matching Kaiba''s twisted expression with unparalleled confidence.


    "My Wicked Avatar is the ultimate deity. Now, you and your Tormentor can go straight to hell!"


    As Tenma Yako''s madness increased, he waved his hand, giving his monster the final command to attack.


    "Tenma Yako! The one going to hell is YOU!" Even though Kaiba had no cards left on his field or in his hand, the fire of determination still hadn''t died in his eyes.


    "Hmph, you''ve lost, and yet all you can do is talk. How pathetic, Kaiba!"


    "This isn''t just bravado! I''ll admit your Wicked God has power that surpasses any other god. But if it''s her¡ªthe one even gods fear¡ªthen I guarantee she will crush the ''most powerful'' god you so arrogantly boast about!"


    "Then take that na?ve dream of yours to the grave, Kaiba!"


    The massive black shadow finally pierced through Kaiba''s body.


    [Kaiba Seto LP 100 ¡ú 0]


    "I''ll leave the rest to you, Mokuba... Hoshino..."


    Even the invincible Kaiba had fallen.


    (***)


    At the same time...


    "Let''s go in, we''re gonna raid KaibaCorp!"


    "Yeah!"


    Akasha bounced happily, following Hoshino''s lead up the steps in front of the building.


    "Wait, Hoshino! Don''t go through the front door..." This time it was Mokuba who tried to stop Hoshino.


    But Mokuba underestimated Hoshino''s impulsiveness, as well as the sensitivity of KaibaCorp''s automatic doors.


    The sleek, tech-filled doors sensed Hoshino''s steps as she reached the final step, and they smoothly slid open.


    Now, it''s time for a pop quiz¡ª


    If you were guarding a building to prevent intruders, where would you place the most guards?


    Obviously, the front entrance!


    As the doors opened, dozens of black-suited men sitting in the lobby immediately turned their eyes toward Hoshino, who stood frozen on the spot.


    "Uh¡ª!" Right behind her, Akasha, unable to stop in time due to her excitement, bumped her face right into Hoshino''s backside.


    "What''s going on, Hoshino-nee?" Akasha asked in a nasally voice, rubbing her nose.


    Though Hoshino''s soft rear wasn''t much of a threat, Akasha''s delicate nose didn''t have much defense either.


    "Ahahaha..." Ignoring the scene behind her, Hoshino scratched her head with a nervous smile while frantically thinking.


    "Today... Oh! Today''s not a business day, right? I was just thinking of bringing Akasha-chan here to play!"


    Hoshino quickly came up with an airtight excuse, feigning a sudden realization.


    If what Mokuba said was true, and the first and second floors of KaibaCorp were normally open for dueling, then she could pretend to be a customer and get away with it.


    "Maybe they''re closed today because of the Battle City tournament. That must be it, I get it now!" Hoshino, impressed with her own brilliance, wanted to give herself a thousand mental high-fives.


    "So, I guess I''ll just take Akasha-chan and leave. Sorry to bother you guys while you''re on duty!"


    The plan should have been foolproof. The black-suited men sitting in the lobby even looked relieved, with expressions saying, "Oh, you''re just passing through? Okay, get home safely." Now, Hoshino only needed to walk out with Akasha, regroup with Mokuba, and sneak in through a more hidden entrance.


    But life is unpredictable, and it only takes one coincidence to throw a wrench in the plan.


    "Wait! YOU!!" As Hoshino was about to leave, one of the black-suited men suddenly stood up, pointing at her with a look of shock.


    "Oh crap! YOU YOU YOU!!" Hoshino''s eyes widened in surprise as she pointed back at him with the same astonished tone.


    "You''re the Duel King, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "And you''re that extra who was guarding the gate at Pegasus''s castle! How have you not fire yet?!"


    Talk about running into a nemesis¡ªthis black-suited man was the same guy who had kidnapped Mokuba during the Kaiba impersonation incident on Duelist Kingdom, and later got beaten up by Honda and Jonouchi for not letting Anzu and the others into the castle.


    "Guys, we can''t let her go! If Duel King is here, then Kaiba Mokuba must be with her!"


    "That''s right! Lord Tenma said if we spot them, we should capture them immediately!" Reminded by the guard, the other black-suited men quickly stood up, ready to act.


    "To think you dared to come through the front entrance! You''ve got guts!"


    "No, really, I was just here to duel..." Hoshino tried one last time to plead her case.


    "Look at the Duel Disk on her arm! Who brings a Duel Disk just to duel in an arena?" With undeniable evidence, the black-suited men rushed at Hoshino all at once.


    CLANG! The familiar sound of chains snapped through the air, binding the arms and legs of the black-suited men charging at Hoshino.


    At some point, Hoshino had stealthily activated her Duel Disk and placed down the Enkidu card.


    "I told you I came to duel, didn''t I? Well, I''ll duel you right now!"


    Without being in a formal duel, the Duel Disk wasn''t bound by the usual rules. As long as the card was placed, Heroic Spirits could materialize. This was something Hoshino had deduced after Enkidu''s first appearance.


    And why summon Enkidu again this time? Well, because she was used to it.


    "Master, there are more suitable candidates. Why must I be the one to restrain these people?" Enkidu sighed deeply, holding the chains in his hands.


    "My Chains of Heaven were meant to restrain gods, not be degraded to this."


    "Well, in a law-abiding society, causing mass casualties wouldn''t be good, right?" Hoshino pressed her hands together apologetically and winked at Enkidu.


    "If I summoned Martha and had her beat them up, they''d all end up in the hospital. Cleaning up after that would be such a hassle."


    Since this was a civilized society, Hoshino considered herself a law-abiding citizen and couldn''t bring herself to break the rules.


    "Wow, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha''s eyes sparkled as she looked at the black-suited men bound in strange positions by the chains.


    "This is SM play, right?"


    Where did you learn that? That''s not civilized at all!


    "Hmph, all done!"


    After dusting off her hands, Hoshino wiped the non-existent sweat from her forehead.


    "Oh wow, Hoshino-nee, you''re amazing!" Akasha cheered.


    "What''s amazing about that?" Mokuba said, looking exasperated. "You didn''t even do anything; why are you acting like you worked so hard?"


    The dozen or so black-suited men who had initially lunged at Hoshino were no longer in their previous disorganized positions, tangled up by the Enkidu chains. Now, they were neatly tied up and stacked in a corner of the hall.


    "Master, what should we do with these people?" Enkidu, having handled everything by himself, turned to ask Hoshino.


    "Leave them. Someone else will deal with them eventually."


    Since it wasn''t their problem, how these people would be handled was something for KaibaCorp to deal with.


    "Then, I shall take my leave now~" With a hint of urgency in his tone, Enkidu slowly disappeared from sight.


    "No matter how many times I see it, I still think it''s unreasonable," Mokuba mused as he stared at the gradually disappearing Enkidu. "If the Duel Disk''s holograms could really interact with the real world like this, how would you explain it scientifically?"


    "I think it''s better if you don''t think too much about it, Mokuba," Hoshino said. "There are many things in this world that are beyond human understanding."


    "How dare you do this to us! Do you really think Lord Tenma will let you get away with this?" One of the black-suited men, clearly uncomfortable with the pile of bodies they were tangled up with, angrily shouted.


    "Wow, you instantly sold out your boss!" Hoshino remarked. "Lord Tenma, huh? You must be talking about Tenma Yako, right?"


    Hearing the name, Mokuba''s brows furrowed. Industrial Illusions employees and the name Tenma could only remind him of the information Bandit Keith had revealed¡ªthe man who had revived the Wicked Gods: Tenma Yako.


    "But according to the information Keith gave us, Tenma Yako''s target should be you, Hoshino. So why is he invading KaibaCorp?"


    "Don''t bring that up, it makes me angry just thinking about it," Hoshino said, rubbing her temples with a sigh. "That bastard sure loves to stir up trouble. Who knows what''s going on in Tenma Yako''s head, making such a mess of things."


    If Tenma Yako was truly after Hoshino, by this world''s logic, he should be seeking a duel with her directly. Why would he shift his focus to KaibaCorp?


    Mokuba, a bit worried, asked, "Could it be that Keith lied to us?"


    "I don''t think he lied to us. Spreading rumors to Tenma Yako seems like exactly the kind of thing Keith would do."


    "Wait!" A light bulb seemed to go off in Hoshino''s head, her expression brightening.


    "In times like this, how could I forget about that person!"


    "That person?" Mokuba asked, puzzled.


    With a grin, Hoshino raised her Duel Disk. "Just watch~."


    "Summon [Heroic Spirit - Sherlock Holmes]!"


    A familiar, calm voice greeted them as Sherlock Holmes casually stepped forward, pipe in hand. "Long time no see, Miss Hoshino~."


    "Hoshino-nee''s monster doesn''t seem very strong," Akasha tilted her head, looking at the slim figure of Holmes with innocent eyes.


    "Shh, watch out, or he might kick you!" Hoshino pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for Akasha to stay quiet.


    "Haha, what a cute little lady," Holmes chuckled, not taking offense at Akasha''s comment. He crouched down to examine her closely. "Hmm, looks like you bumped your nose into Miss Hoshino''s rear earlier," he said, stroking his chin, offering a lighthearted deduction.


    "Wow, Mister, how did you know that?" Akasha exclaimed, rubbing her nose again, surprised.


    "Haha, it''s common sense, my dear lady~." Holmes straightened up, taking a puff from his pipe, and tapped his temple with his finger. "As you can see, I''m just a famous detective. My greatest weapon is my mind, not swords or guns."


    "Mr. Holmes..." Mokuba hesitated for a moment.


    "Go ahead, young man. If you want an autograph, please have paper and pen ready." S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Smoking is prohibited in KaibaCorp."


    ...


    "I see."


    After listening to Hoshino''s explanation of the contradictions, Holmes raised an eyebrow.


    "So, Mr. Holmes, what do you think of Tenma Yako''s actions?" Hoshino asked.


    "At the moment, there''s too little information about Tenma Yako to make an accurate prediction about his goals. However, I can guess what''s bothering Miss Hoshino."


    "If you''ve figured it out, then spill it!" Hoshino urged.


    "It''s common sense, my friend~." Holmes, still feeling uncomfortable without his pipe, gestured as if holding it.


    "The question of why Tenma Yako, who should be targeting you, is attacking KaibaCorp instead¡ªthat contradiction likely isn''t caused by Tenma Yako himself..."


    "If you keep dragging it out, I''m gonna hit you!"


    "The cause is probably that man named Keith."


    "You mean Keith lied to us?" Hoshino asked, still doubting it. She couldn''t imagine why Keith would lie about such a thing.


    "No, Keith didn''t lie to you. He revealed part of the truth to you but withheld a key detail."


    "Hmm!" With Holmes'' reminder, Hoshino suddenly realized that someone like Keith wouldn''t easily reveal everything.


    "That does seem likely."


    "And that hidden key detail is probably the clue leading to the ultimate truth."


    "So what should we do, Hoshino? Should we capture Keith again and interrogate him?" Mokuba asked.


    "Hmph, there''s no need for such trouble." Hoshino shook her head, her lips curving into a smile.


    "Since we''re already here, we might as well go ask Tenma Yako directly!"


    "Going straight for the truth, huh? Miss Hoshino, you really aren''t cut out to be a detective, preferring the most straightforward method over the safest one." Holmes shrugged.


    "Who said I don''t like to think things through?" Hoshino stuck her tongue out at Holmes, then turned toward the central elevator in the hall.


    "I just prefer the most efficient way over the safest one, that''s all!"


    "Well, I suppose my job here is done. I won''t be sticking around~." Holmes gave a nod of approval at Hoshino''s decision as his figure began to fade.


    "Leaving already? Is Chaldea that busy lately?"


    Hoshino noticed that Holmes seemed rushed from the moment he arrived, and Enkidu had also left quickly after finishing the task.


    "Not really busy, no..." Holmes replied with a complicated expression.


    "Miss Nobunaga insisted on holding an event for her great victory..."


    "An event?"


    "Yes, she''s hosting the Chaldea Ultimate Duelist Tournament."


    "Oh, come on, you''re rushing back to play cards!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 167 - 167

    "Heh, looks like I won again, Yako..."


    When my brother flipped over the last face-down card, I knew I had lost once more.


    I''ve lost to my brother countless times, but I can clearly remember how many times I''ve won.


    Zero times¡ªnot a single victory, a completely defeated record.


    "As expected of Gekko-nii, no matter what I do, I can''t seem to win against you."


    Even though I pretended not to care, deep down, I wanted to win. I wanted to win so badly! I wanted to earn Lord Pegasus''s recognition!


    "That''s not true. I can feel that your dueling skills have become faster and more aggressive. At this rate, it won''t be long before you can defeat me."


    My brother is such a big liar. Every time he wins, he says that, but there''s no way I can ever beat him.


    ¡ª"If I were to compare Gekko-boy to a diamond, then Yako-boy, you would be the diamond in the rough."


    "Diamond in the rough?"


    "Yes, the raw form of a diamond before it has been cut and polished. Someday, Yako-boy, you''ll shine brilliantly too."


    That''s how Lord Pegasus evaluated me. I know he was just being considerate and didn''t want to say it directly.


    A diamond in the rough? Just a comforting phrase. In truth, I don''t have any talent at all.


    The perfect duelist... Why is it my brother and not me?


    I''ve always seen Lord Pegasus as a god, the one who saved us orphans wandering the streets and gave us a life free of worries. He''s a real god.


    Lord Pegasus is my everything. Why can''t I live up to his expectations?


    (***)


    "Lord Yako, Lord Yako!"


    "Hmm? Did I fall asleep?"


    Opening his eyes, Tenma Yako looked at the black-clad man who had woken him.


    "Lord Yako, you''ve been pushing yourself too hard. Ever since Lord Pegasus went missing, you''ve hardly had a proper night''s sleep."


    "Now is not the time to rest. The plan has progressed this far. I must see it through for Lord Pegasus''s sake!"


    On the huge monitor before him, the image of Hoshino and the others in the elevator was being displayed.


    "What should we do, Lord Yako? Should I arrange for someone to deal with them?"


    "No need. I''ve already sent the strongest duelist. Not even the Duel King could defeat..."


    (***)


    "Why, why is there no elevator past the 180th floor?!"


    Grumbling in frustration, Hoshino had thought they would easily reach the top floor where Tenma Yako was by taking the elevator.


    But the harsh reality was that the three of them were now laboriously climbing the stairs.


    "I can''t help it, Hoshino!" Mokuba replied without turning his head, focused on climbing the stairs. "The regular employees'' elevator only goes up to the 180th floor. To reach the top floor directly, you have to use the management-only elevator. But I just checked, and it''s been sealed off."


    "Sealed off, huh? That must be Yako''s doing."


    "He probably doesn''t want us to reach the top floor..."


    "No, it''s not that simple." Hoshino shook her head, dismissing Mokuba''s guess. "If Yako really didn''t want us to reach the top floor, he could have just sealed off the regular employees'' elevator too. That way, we''d have to climb 200 floors, not just 20."


    Hoshino''s stamina was now very different from when she first arrived in this world. Although climbing 200 floors would be impossible, she could still grit her teeth and make it through 20.


    "Hoshino, you mean..."


    "I think Yako must have set something up in these 20 floors!"


    "Hoshino-nee is so amazing, just like a detective!"


    Kids are easily influenced by the things around them, and ever since meeting Holmes, Akasha has become fascinated with detective work.


    "Let Akasha take a crack at it too!" Akasha, mimicking a thoughtful detective, stroked her small chin as she examined Hoshino.


    "Hoshino-nee looks so out of breath; she must be really tired~"


    "Isn''t that obvious!" Hoshino turned her head and playfully scolded Akasha with a smile.


    "Speaking of which, Akasha-chan, your stamina is impressive." When Hoshino glanced over at Akasha, she noticed that the girl was bouncing up the stairs without showing any signs of fatigue.


    "This kind of thing doesn''t even count as daily training for the Rare Hunters; it doesn''t take any energy at all~"


    Even a little girl like Akasha has to undergo such intense training... Is your group some sort of Olympic team?!


    Wait! Why do you even need stamina training just to play cards?


    Hoshino sighed deeply, feeling that continuing to make quips in this situation would only drain her energy twice as fast, so she decided to drop the matter.


    "Hoshino, we''ve reached the 190th floor!" reported Mokuba, who was leading the way.


    However, when they reached the 190th floor, there were no more stairs leading upward.


    "The stairs to go up from the 190th floor are on the other side of the hallway."


    A mechanical door separated the stairs from the hallway.


    "Oh? So that''s how it''s set up..."


    Frowning slightly, Hoshino unfolded her duel disk.


    "Hoshino-nee?" Akasha looked at Hoshino, puzzled as to why she had suddenly gone into battle mode.


    "If I were Yako, this hallway¡ªthe only turning point within these 20 floors¡ªwould be the best place to pull something!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With that, Hoshino pulled out her deck and loaded it into her duel disk. She then shouted toward the door, "Isn''t that right?"


    "Isn''t that right..."


    "Isn''t that..."


    The empty hallway echoed back Hoshino''s shout.


    "Awkward... Could there be no one here?"


    After that cool analysis, if it turned out she was just talking to thin air...


    Sweating from embarrassment, Hoshino could almost feel the suppressed laughter from Mokuba and Akasha behind her.


    "Let''s go, Hoshino. Pfft!" Mokuba patted Hoshino on the back, but ultimately couldn''t hold back his laughter.


    "Let''s go, Hoshino-nee. Pfft!" Akasha, like a little parrot, mimicked Mokuba''s words and even gave Hoshino''s bouncy bottom a playful pat.


    After passing through the mechanical door, the straight hallway stretched out, visible to the end, with not a soul in sight.


    "Could it be that Yako is an idiot after all?"


    After her reasoning had fallen flat, Hoshino resorted to the cheap tactic of passing the blame onto the other side.


    "Sorry, but I can''t let you go any further." Suddenly, a creepy voice echoed in the previously empty hallway.


    The three of them broke out in a cold sweat as they heard the voice of someone who wasn''t there.


    "Where''s that voice coming from?"


    The man''s eerie voice echoed down the corridor. Despite there being no visible sound equipment in the hallway, the voice was unmistakably real, as if the man were standing right in front of Hoshino and her companions.


    "A gh¡­ghost?"


    "Don''t scare me like that, Hoshino!"


    Mokuba, who was already prone to fear anything ghostly, felt a chill run down his spine.


    "Mokuba, you''re such a scaredy-cat~"


    "I sincerely apologize, but I can''t allow you to proceed any further, Duel King and her companions."


    The mysterious voice spoke again. Though eerie, it maintained a polite tone.


    "You sound so courteous¡ªwhy don''t you show yourself and talk to us, Mr. Ghost?"


    Hoshino cautiously suggested, scanning her surroundings.


    "Sorry, did I scare you? It''s just that I don''t have a body of my own, so¡­"


    "No body? So you really are an evil spirit!" Mokuba, nearly in tears, hid even further behind Hoshino.


    "Why would an evil spirit be lurking in KaibaCorp? We are a company that firmly believes in science supremacy!"


    "Calm down, Mokuba. Considering how polite this ghost is, it might not necessarily be an evil spirit."


    Hoshino tried to soothe Mokuba, though her eyes never stopped scanning for any clues.


    "You''re making me feel bad for not showing myself when you keep calling me an evil spirit."


    The voice, though polite, had a hint of helplessness in it, as if even spirits were concerned with their image.


    "Even though I don''t have a body, please allow me to borrow a fake image to communicate with you."


    As soon as the voice finished speaking, the air in front of them began to blur, much like a monster being summoned through a Duel Disk''s hologram. Gradually, the physical form of the mysterious voice appeared before them.


    "Wow, he''s handsome!" ¡Á2


    Looking at the handsome, white-haired man with his tall stature and refined demeanor, Hoshino and Akasha couldn''t help but exclaim in admiration.


    However, Mokuba''s reaction was quite unexpected.


    "Tenma¡­ Yako?!"


    "Huh? This guy is Tenma Yako?! He''s nothing like what I imagined."


    Hoshino had pictured the leader of the group invading KaibaCorp to be something like a rugged, terrifying terrorist leader.


    "That''s right. I checked the recent data from Industrial Illusions through the terminal in the elevator. This man''s photo has replaced Pegasus''s¡­ In other words, after Pegasus''s disappearance, this man took over as the new president of Industrial Illusions¡ªTenma Yako himself."


    "Why are you only telling us this now?! And why would the final boss suddenly appear here? This doesn''t make any sense¡­" Even with Mokuba''s confirmation, Hoshino still felt that the man in front of them couldn''t possibly be Tenma Yako.


    "Besides, since when did Tenma Yako become a ghost? He just said he doesn''t have a body¡ªhow can a ghost run Industrial Illusions?"


    "Heh, I''m impressed with how calm you are, Duel King," the man smiled appreciatively at Hoshino. "You''re right. I''m not Tenma Yako. I am his twin brother, Tenma Gekko."


    "Tenma Gekko¡­the one Pegasus called the perfect duelist¡­"


    It was no surprise Mokuba didn''t know of him. Despite being called the perfect duelist, Tenma Gekko had never appeared in the media, existing only as a rumor or legend.


    "So they''re twins¡­ That means Tenma Yako must be just as handsome."


    Even though the handsome guy in front of her wasn''t Tenma Yako, the reality was still far from the terrifying terrorist leader Hoshino had imagined.


    "So, Hoshino-nee and Mokuba, are neither of you questioning that this ghost in front of us is the real deal?" Akasha, looking bewildered, asked as she stared at the two. "He just appeared out of nowhere¡­"


    "Oh yeah, how can a human just appear out of thin air? Tenma Gekko is supposed to be a living person!" Realizing this, Mokuba began to panic all over again.


    "Mr. Tenma¡­ Gekko, if it''s not too much trouble, could you explain this to us?" Hoshino asked, equally curious.


    However, upon hearing this question, a fleeting sadness crossed Tenma Gekko''s face.


    "Sorry, I can''t answer that right now. But as I said before, I can''t let you proceed any further."


    "Oh? So a ghost without a body plans to stop us?"


    Hoshino, who had never feared anything ghostly, wasn''t about to be intimidated by his eerie entrance.


    "I don''t intend to stop you by force¡­"


    The sadness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by an air of confidence. White energy began to swirl around Gekko''s arm as if he were gathering the surrounding air.


    "I''ll decide whether you can pass through a duel!"


    His confident demeanor was completely different from just moments ago. As the white energy gathered, a standard white Duel Disk materialized on Gekko''s arm.


    "Interesting, a duel with a ghost¡­ No, a duel with the perfect duelist from legend."


    Hoshino, already having her Duel Disk at the ready, prepared herself for battle.


    "Are you sure about this, Hoshino? He''s the perfect duelist, personally recognized by Pegasus himself," Mokuba said, worried.


    "What''s there to fear? I''m the Duel King who defeated Pegasus!"


    "That''s right! Hoshino-nee will definitely win, she''s the Duel King who defeated Akasha!"


    So, Akasha, do you consider yourself on the same level as Pegasus?


    "Hm? That''s right¡­"


    [Opponent Level Assessment Complete. Duelist: Akasha. Level: A. Victory Reward: 60 Saint Quartz. Total Saint Quartz: 62.]


    Even though she wasn''t on Pegasus''s level, this little girl''s ranking was exceptionally high¡­


    Admiring Akasha''s potential, Hoshino turned her attention back to Tenma Gekko.


    "Are you ready, Duel King Hoshino?" Gekko asked politely.


    "I was born ready!"


    [Tenma Gekko vs. Hoshino Chiyuki]


    "Let''s duel!"


    "I''ll take the first move!" Gekko swiftly drew a card with remarkable speed, smiling all the while as he claimed the first turn.


    "I summon a monster in face-down defense position and set one card. Turn end."


    A textbook-perfect opening. The perfect duelist demonstrated flawless execution, whether in seizing the first turn or setting up his board.


    Tenma Gekko''s remaining hand: 4 cards.


    "My turn, draw!" Not wanting to be outdone, Hoshino placed a new monster on her Duel Disk.


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gilgamesh (Young)]."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 168 - 168

    [Heroic Spirit - Gilgamesh (Young)¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star)] [LIGHT] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 700/DEF 1000]


    "Moshi moshi, this is Gil-kun~" The young Gilgamesh materialized, his face full of innocent smiles.


    "What a cute monster!" Akasha''s eyes sparkled as she looked at the monster Hoshino had summoned.


    "What a sinful boy. He''s already captured the heart of my Akasha-chan," Hoshino teased the young Gilgamesh on the field, noticing Akasha''s excited expression.


    "Master, you''re so mean. Can''t you treat me like a little kid?" Gilgamesh pouted playfully.


    "Alright, alright. But even little kids have to fight!" Hoshino dismissed Gil''s comment as she drew another card and placed it onto her Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Equip Spell Card [Fou of The Sun] from my hand! Equipping it to Gil-kun, increasing his Attack Points by 500!"


    The adorable Fou appeared from the card and firmly perched on Gil''s shoulder with its tiny paws.


    "Though it looks cute, it hides tremendous power," Gil remarked with a satisfied smile, glancing at the Fou on his shoulder. "Yes, I''m very pleased. Just like me~"


    "And thanks to Gil-kun''s effect¡­"


    [This card''s ATK increases by 300 points for each Equip Card on the field.]


    [Heroic Spirit - Gilgamesh (Young) ATK 700 ¡ú 1500]


    "Ohh! My strength has recovered quite a bit!" Gil smiled excitedly, feeling the surge of his boosted attack power.


    "Then let''s press the attack and target the opponent''s face-down monster!" Hoshino commanded.


    "Yes, Master!" Receiving Hoshino''s command, Gil leapt high into the air, unfurling the golden ripples of his Gate of Babylon.


    "Here I go! Savagery is also a tactic, and treasures are meant to be used in this way!"


    "Gate of Babylon!"


    Though the number of treasures launched wasn''t vast, the dazzling golden swords and spears accurately pierced through the face-down monster on Tenma Gekko''s field.


    "Did we successfully destroy it? It seems it wasn''t a monster with high defense!"


    Hoshino''s probing attack had succeeded, indicating that Tenma Gekko wasn''t using a strategy of surviving one turn with a high-defense monster to summon a higher-level monster.


    Gil landed back on the ground with a triumphant smile. "Hehe, I had actually already seen through the opponent''s monster, but I didn''t want to tell Master~"


    "Oh? Then what kind of monster was it that you destroyed?"


    "It was just something like an arm, no real battle power, and no effect either," Gil answered honestly, unaware that things were not that simple.


    "An arm?"


    Just as they were talking, the true form of the monster Tenma Gekko had hidden on the field was revealed as it flipped over upon being destroyed.


    [Right Arm of the Forbidden One] destroyed.


    "Exodia!!" x2


    Seeing the real identity of the monster Tenma Gekko had been hiding, Hoshino and Mokuba instantly lost their composure.


    "The legendary monster card, one of the five parts of Exodia the Forbidden One!"


    Since Yugi once used it to defeat Kaiba, Mokuba was also very familiar with the card.


    "Tenma Gekko is actually a duelist who uses Exodia."


    Although Hoshino had never seen Exodia in action, she had certainly heard of it. In Duel Monsters, as a representative of victory, if you gather all five parts of Exodia in your hand, you win the duel outright.


    However, due to the extremely rare value of the card and the special nature of needing to gather all five parts to unleash its true power, very few duelists are able to use Exodia.


    Furthermore, Exodia cards are famously difficult to use, and as far as Mokuba and Hoshino knew, the only person who had ever gathered all five parts in a duel was Yugi Muto.


    "Hoshino-nee, is that monster really strong?"


    Seeing the shocked expressions on Hoshino and Mokuba''s faces, Akasha, who had never seen Exodia before, tilted her head and asked.


    "Yes, it''s very strong. Or rather, it''s supposed to be very strong¡­"


    However, Tenma Gekko''s move had left Hoshino utterly bewildered.


    "But why summon a part of Exodia by itself? Shouldn''t it be kept in the hand?"


    Tenma Gekko, who had been calmly smiling throughout, did not immediately answer Hoshino''s question.


    "I''ll set a card face-down and end my turn."


    "Tenma Gekko, what are you planning? Show me what you''re up to," Hoshino thought to herself, fully aware not to underestimate this duelist.


    Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 3


    "It''s my turn, draw!"


    "Hoshino, regarding the question you just asked, let me answer it for you now."


    Tenma Gekko, his smile becoming slightly more enigmatic, glanced at the card he had just drawn.


    "Exodia''s use isn''t limited to simply gathering all five parts in the hand. Facing different situations, using the most mysterious monster in legend with calm and flexible tactics is something a duelist must consider."


    "Calm and flexible tactics? Are you saying Exodia has other uses?"


    "It''s so much easier talking to someone smart. Now, let me show you Exodia''s other identity!"


    Placing the card he had just drawn onto the Duel Disk, Tenma Gekko''s smile took on an elusive, mysterious quality.


    Suddenly, a tremendous pressure swept across the entire arena¡­


    "Ugh, this feeling, is it a god card?!" Having battled divine monsters several times, Hoshino was familiar with the sensation that accompanied the summoning of a god card.


    "No¡­"


    But the monster before her, though possessing a godly pressure, felt completely different from the gods she knew.


    "If you want to call it a god, you wouldn''t be wrong." Agreeing with Hoshino''s suspicion, the space on Tenma Gekko''s field, previously empty, now began to gather a dark, mysterious energy.


    "But this is a sealed god, one that will gradually unlock its seal as the duel progresses, ultimately gaining the strongest power to overwhelm any god!"


    "Come forth! Special Summon from my hand! [Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord]!"


    From within the dissipating dark energy, a fearsome, pitch-black monster materialized onto the battlefield. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10-star)] [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK ? /DEF 0]


    "Exodius The Ultimate... Forbidden Lord?" The immense pressure emanating from this mysterious monster caused Hoshino''s pupils to quiver slightly. "Exodius?"


    "Anything with ''Dius'' in its name tends to be a tough opponent¡­"


    "Exodius The Ultimate Forbidden Lord?"


    Mokuba was equally stunned by the aura of the monster summoned by Tenma Gekko. "Summoning a 10-star monster in just the second turn? That''s just unbelievable!"


    Even though the star level of a monster doesn''t fully represent its strength, it does at least indicate one thing:


    This monster''s prestige is definitely not low!


    "Wow, how did he do it? Summoning a huge monster!"


    Akasha, though not as tense as Mokuba, was equally amazed at the monster''s immense size.


    "Because of the special effect of Exodius The Ultimate Forbidden Lord, you can Special Summon it when you return all the monsters in your graveyard to your deck."


    Showing Exodius on his Duel Disk to Hoshino, Tenma Gekko took the Right Arm of the Forbidden One from his graveyard and placed it back into his deck.


    "He''s putting it back in? So, after all, he still plans to win by drawing all five pieces of Exodia?"


    Watching Tenma Gekko''s move to return cards from his graveyard, Hoshino quietly speculated on Tenma''s strategy.


    "And then, I activate the Spell Card, [Graceful Charity]!"


    [Graceful Charity Spell Card Effect: Draw three cards from your deck, then discard two cards from your hand.]


    "Uh-oh, he''s already starting to filter his cards," Mokuba sounded the alarm.


    "I''ll draw three cards from my deck first, then discard [Left Arm of the Forbidden One] and [Right Leg of the Forbidden One] from my hand."


    "He discarded more pieces of Exodia? What is he planning?"


    Facing the immense pressure of Exodia and Tenma Gekko''s unpredictable moves, Hoshino seemed a bit anxious.


    "According to the effect of Exodius The Ultimate Forbidden Lord, its ATK increases by 1000 for each Normal Monster in your graveyard."


    [Exodius The Ultimate Forbidden Lord ATK 2000]


    "So it gains ATK by increasing the number of monsters in the graveyard. No wonder you said this card would gradually surpass even the gods as the duel progresses."


    "Hmph, the terror of Exodius doesn''t stop there. Release your fury on the opponent''s monster, Sealed God!"


    Entering the Battle Phase decisively, Tenma Gekko launched an attack on the Gilgamesh on Hoshino''s field.


    Holding dark flames that had already gathered in its hands, Exodius The Ultimate Forbidden Lord growled and hurled them forward in rage.


    However, just as the attack declaration was made, Tenma Gekko didn''t stop his moves.


    "At the moment of attack declaration, the other effect of Exodius is triggered!"


    [This card''s effect activates during the attack declaration. Send one monster from your hand or deck to the graveyard.]


    "According to the effect, I''ll send the [Right Arm of the Forbidden One], which I just returned to the deck, back to the graveyard."


    "Sending another piece of Exodia to the graveyard¡­" The more Tenma Gekko repeated this, the more Hoshino sensed something ominous.


    "Because the number of Normal Monsters in the graveyard increased, Exodius''s ATK rises again!"


    [Exodius The Ultimate Forbidden Lord ATK 2000 ¡ú 3000]


    "His attack power is now on par with Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" It seemed that in Mokuba''s mind, the unit of measure for combat power was still Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "Take this, the flames of divine wrath! Flame Strike!!"


    Due to the increase in attack power, the ferocity of the dark flames surged even higher, engulfing Hoshino''s field and Gil-kun completely.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 2500]


    "Hot, hot, hot!!" ¡Á2


    Feeling the heat of the demonic flames, both Hoshino and Gil-kun complained aloud.


    "But thinking you could defeat Gil-kun with that is still a bit lacking!"


    Shaking off the dark flames clinging to her (holographic image), Hoshino sent the equipped card, Fou, to the graveyard.


    "As a substitute for being destroyed by battle, I send [Fou Of The Sun] to the graveyard."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gilgamesh (Young) ATK 1500 ¡ú 700]


    "Sigh, I was hoping to be defeated quickly so I could go back and rest¡­"


    Looking up at the overwhelming presence of Exodius before him, Gil-kun sighed softly.


    "Finally, I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Heart of the Underdog], and end my turn."


    [Heart of the Underdog Continuous Spell Card Effect: During your Draw Phase, when you draw a Normal Monster(s): You can reveal it; draw 1 more card.]


    Tenma Gekko placed his cards down to end his turn, clearly satisfied with the results of this round.


    Tenma Gekko''s remaining hand cards: 3


    "My turn, draw!"


    Bracing herself against the immense pressure brought by Exodius The Ultimate Forbidden Lord, Hoshino slammed her monster card onto the Duel Disk.


    "It''s just Blue-Eyes White Dragon-level attack power. Do you think this can stop me?!"


    Although it sounded like she was just hyping herself up, Hoshino''s indomitable spirit did manage to stir up a counterattack on her field.


    "I''ll tribute Gilgamesh on my field to Tribute Summon a Monster Card, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Li Shuwen (Lancer)]!"


    "Time for a substitution. I''ll leave the rest to you~"


    Knowing he wasn''t a match for Exodius, Gil-kun obediently yielded the field.


    "Rest assured and leave it to me. I''ll use my spear, which has reached the realm of the gods, to bury the opponent!"


    Vigorously twirling his spear, Li Shuwen materialized on the battlefield in a battle-ready stance.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Li Shuwen (Lancer) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 Stars)] [WIND] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2000/DEF 1900]


    "Wow, it''s Li Shuwen!!" Akasha excitedly exclaimed upon seeing the dashing arrival of Master Li.


    "Akasha, you know Li Shuwen?" Mokuba turned his gaze to Akasha beside him.


    "No, I haven''t¡­"


    "What?! Then what are you getting excited about?"


    "So this is a martial artist, huh? It looks cool. I''ve seen it in movies before!"


    "Hahaha, what a cute little girl!" Li Shuwen laughed heartily, slinging his spear over his shoulder and looking at Akasha with a doting gaze.


    "Hey? Do you like kids?"


    Seeing this side of Li Shuwen for the first time, Hoshino curiously probed.


    "I wouldn''t say I dislike them. After all, young bodies represent the potential to reach even higher realms."


    "Isn''t this¡­ a bit too young, though?" Imagining Akasha wielding a spear, Hoshino couldn''t help but twitch her lips.


    "Well, no time to worry about that now, let''s attack!"


    "Attacking with a 2000 ATK monster?"


    "It''s here, Hoshino-nee''s signature move¡ªwinning with a weaker monster!"


    "Akasha-chan, this isn''t winning with a weaker monster; Li Shuwen was stronger than the opponent to begin with!"


    Waving her hand forward, Hoshino''s arm movement perfectly aligned with the trajectory of the spear''s swing.


    "Take this, one-hit kill spear!" ¡Á2


    [When this card attacks a monster with higher ATK, this card''s ATK increases by half of the attacked monster''s ATK during damage calculation only.]


    [Li Shuwen ATK 2000 ¡ú 3500]


    "Shen Qiang Wu Er Da!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 169 - 169

    "What a fascinating monster."


    The shimmering tip of the spear swayed before Tenma Gekko''s eyes, causing a bead of cold sweat to trickle down his white hair.


    "Oh? Could it be that the perfect duelist is scared?" Hoshino teased.


    Tenma Gekko smiled wryly. "No, it''s just that your generation of duelists is growing beyond my imagination..."


    Hoshino''s eyebrows arched slightly. "Your generation of duelists?"


    "Heh, I guess I said something unnecessary. Please, don''t mind me, continue!"


    As Tenma Gekko said this, he quickly pressed the activation button for the set card on his Duel Disk. Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord extended a giant barrier in front of it.


    "Zzzt¡ª!"


    The invisible clash between Li Shuwen and the transparent barrier produced a dazzling array of sparks. While it was impossible to trace the origin, the result was clear.


    "Ugh, blocked?"


    Despite the sparks, Li Shuwen could clearly feel the recoil from the spear tip failing to pierce the barrier.


    "I activate the Continuous Trap Card, [Defense Seal Wall]!"


    [Defense Seal Wall - Continuous Trap Card


    Effect: Activate only if you control a face-up [Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord] when an opponent''s monster declares an attack. You can negate the attack of an opponent''s monster and end the Battle Phase.]


    "This effect negates attacks, and it''s a Continuous Trap Card!"


    Seeing her attack blocked, Hoshino was slightly stunned.


    "If it''s a Continuous Trap Card, doesn''t that mean my attacks will never work?" she muttered.


    "This card is too unfair!" Mokuba exclaimed.


    "Even more unfair than Akasha''s traps..."


    The overwhelming effect not only earned Mokuba''s angry rebuke but also gained recognition from the trap expert, Akasha.


    Tenma Gekko glanced at the Continuous Trap Card under his control and smiled slightly. "This card establishes the invincible status of Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord!"


    "Even you, the Duel King, can''t penetrate this unbeatable barrier! And your time is running out..." he warned.


    "My time is running out?" Hoshino echoed, frowning.


    "As long as Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord remains on the field and I gather all five pieces of Exodia in the graveyard, I can declare victory in this duel."


    "A special victory condition?!" Hoshino, her mouth slightly agape, fixed her gaze on the towering Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord.


    "An attack power that increases each turn, a near-impenetrable Continuous Trap Card, and a special victory condition. No wonder you said this monster surpasses even the gods!"


    At least in terms of special victory conditions, Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord surpassed all the God cards.


    It was likely that the hidden signal of the seventh God card that Mokuba detected earlier came from this Exodius.


    "I set one card and end my turn!" Hoshino announced, with no attack options left thanks to the Defense Seal Wall.


    Hoshino''s Remaining Hand Cards: 2


    Set Cards: 2


    "How will Hoshino deal with Tenma Gekko''s cards?" Mokuba asked aloud.


    "If we let Akasha substitute, maybe there''s still hope," S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unlike Hoshino, who used various card effects to aid in attacks during her turn, Akasha believed her strategy of setting traps and waiting for the opponent to fall into them might be more effective against Tenma Gekko.


    However, Hoshino quickly dismissed Akasha''s idea. "You''re still too naive, Akasha-chan. Tenma Gekko''s deck is truly balanced in both offense and defense; you can''t win just by relying on traps."


    To defeat Tenma Gekko, she wouldn''t need him to fall into any traps; she had to disrupt his rhythm before he gathered all five pieces of Exodia.


    "We need faster and stronger attacks to disrupt his strategy!" Hoshino declared.


    Though Hoshino''s battle experience might not match Tenma Gekko''s, her extraordinary instincts always guided her to the best strategy at critical moments.


    At this moment, a brilliant spark ignited between perfect experience and innate intuition.


    "My turn, draw!" Tenma Gekko announced.


    Unlike usual, when Tenma Gekko finished drawing his card, the Heart of the Underdog on his field began to glow.


    "Heh, seems like I got lucky, drawing a Normal Monster. Now I can draw again!" Tenma Gekko revealed.


    By showing the drawn Normal Monster to the opponent, Tenma Gekko could use the effect of Heart of the Underdog to draw another card.


    "I drew this Normal Monster, [Right Arm of the Forbidden One]!" he declared.


    "A second Right Arm of the Forbidden One? Wait, aren''t Exodia''s five parts limited cards?!" Hoshino asked, sensing something was off.


    In return, Mokuba only gave her a confused look, as if to say, "What''s a limited card?"


    "Exodia''s cards are so rare; it''s hard to collect even a second set in a deck," Mokuba replied, interpreting Hoshino''s comment as a reference to rarity.


    "So you restrict cards based on rarity?!" Hoshino exclaimed, pondering the concept of "limited cards" in this world.


    Indeed, in this world, powerful cards that qualify as limited cards are extremely rare. Their scarcity alone serves as a limitation for most duelists.


    Of course, this kind of restriction wouldn''t apply to rich people like Kaiba... or those whose adoptive father is in charge of printing cards.


    While Hoshino was pondering the concept of limited cards, Tenma Gekko had already drawn his second card. This time, however, Heart of the Underdog didn''t activate, indicating it wasn''t a Normal Monster.


    "If it''s not a Normal Monster, then it must be..."


    "I summon [Exodia the Forbidden One] in Defense Position!" Tenma Gekko declared.


    [Exodia the Forbidden One ¡ï¡ï¡ï] [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    The head of Exodia, though somewhat comical in its singular form, is still the key piece of the legendary monster, Exodia.


    "Now, Exodius, attack!" Tenma Gekko commanded.


    The dark flames gathered in Exodius''s hand, ready to unleash their wrath upon Hoshino''s field once more.


    "And according to its effect, I''ll send [Left Leg of the Forbidden One] from my deck to the graveyard, increasing Exodius''s attack power!"


    [Exodius ATK 3000 ¡ú 4000]


    "With all the limbs in the graveyard, if the head enters the graveyard, Hoshino will lose!" Mokuba warned.


    "Fire¡ªGod Strike!!"


    The raging flames engulfed Hoshino''s field once again.


    "If you think I''ll just sit here and take this, you''re mistaken!" A confident voice echoed from within the black flames engulfing the field.


    "Li Shuwen, I''ll leave this to you!" Hoshino shouted.


    "Haha, such a petty trick, how could it harm me?" Li Shuwen''s voice rang out even more confidently as his spear, surrounded by a whirlwind, carved a path through the roaring flames.


    "What just happened?" Mokuba instinctively shielded himself, even though it was just a holographic image. His body naturally recoiled from the black flames.


    "Wow, so cool!" Akasha exclaimed, eyes fixed on the sharp wind dancing within the flames.


    "No way, the effect of Li Shuwen should only activate when he initiates the attack," Tenma Gekko muttered, his usual smile faltering slightly.


    "A monster with 2000 attack power actually counterattacks a monster with 4000 attack power?" Tenma Gekko added, still in disbelief.


    [Li Shuwen ATK: 2000]


    The rapidly spinning spear carved a path through the storm.


    Following the only clear trajectory amidst the black flames, the spear tip laced with silver light shot out.


    "Pierce through the fire with the power of the storm, pierce the body with the power of the steel spear!"


    Li Shuwen''s slightly deep shout merged with the spear, fusing the wielder''s soul into it.


    "Take this, the divine spear amidst the storm and flames¡ª"


    "¡ªWu Er Da!"


    This time, the spear tip, glinting with cold light, accurately pierced through Exodius'' massive body.


    "Tenma Gekko, could it be that you were too confident in your Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord?"


    With invincible defense and the strongest offense, anyone who wielded such power would unconsciously rely on it, even a perfect duelist like Tenma.


    "I admit, with the effect of [Defense Seal Wall], Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord is almost an unbreakable existence."


    However, contrary to Hoshino''s words, the sight before them told a different story. The Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord, supposedly unbreakable, was now disintegrating, the spear piercing its body.


    "When Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord attacks, it cannot deploy the barrier, right? After all, [Defense Seal Wall] only blocks incoming attacks."


    "Amazing, Hoshino! When direct attacks didn''t work, you seized the moment to counterattack!" Mokuba cheered.


    "But during a counterattack, Li Shuwen cannot activate his own attack-boosting effect. How did you manage to defeat my Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord?" Tenma Gekko asked, still puzzled. Despite his calm demeanor, the disbelief in his voice was clear. His unbreakable Exodius was now in pieces.


    "Could you tell me how you did it, young Duel King?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.


    "Stop calling me ''young Duel King,'' you''re not much older than me, right?" Hoshino quipped, noting Gekko''s youthful appearance. He couldn''t be more than eighteen or nineteen years old. She smiled, her confidence growing.


    "You keep focusing on my monster''s attack power, but aren''t you concerned about your Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord''s attack power?" Hoshino pointed out with a grin.


    "Hmm?" Tenma Gekko''s eyebrows twitched slightly in confusion.


    [Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord ATK 2000]


    "Because I activated this Trap Card [Necromancy] when Exodius attacked!" Hoshino revealed with a sly smile, pointing to the ground at her feet.


    There, hidden under the black flames, a red card rose, its effect triggering just in time to turn the tide of the duel.


    [Necromancy - Trap Card


    Effect: Select a total of two cards from either player''s graveyard, and return them to the owner''s deck.]


    "With the effect of the Trap Card, I return [Left Arm of the Forbidden One] and [Right Arm of the Forbidden One] from your graveyard to your deck!" Hoshino explained confidently. "Not only does this weaken your attack power, but it also breaks your win condition of gathering the five parts of Exodia in the graveyard!"


    "So instead of directly targeting my Exodius, you aimed at the parts in my graveyard!" Tenma Gekko''s eyes flashed with realization. "Impressive! No wonder you were able to defeat Mr. Pegasus!"


    "Oh? You don''t believe the rumors that I used underhanded tactics to defeat Pegasus?" Hoshino asked, curious.


    "Heh, as if Mr. Pegasus could ever lose to underhanded means¡­" Contrary to Hoshino''s expectations, Gekko''s response was surprisingly calm and respectful.


    "Mr. Pegasus once told me, ''If a duelist appears who can defeat me, that person must be a true Duelist, unafraid of darkness or fear.''"


    "Who would have thought Pegasus ever said something like that?" Hoshino mused aloud, surprised by the hidden depth in Pegasus''s words. She had no idea how many years ago Gekko was referring to when he said "once," but it gave her a new perspective on Pegasus.


    However, now wasn''t the time for reminiscing. Gekko pushed aside his nostalgia and focused back on the duel. "Now''s not the time to look back, Duel King. With both of our monsters having 2000 attack points, your monster should also be destroyed in the counterattack!" Gekko warned, trying to regain control of the duel.


    "Young man, it''s not so easy to drag me down with you," Li Shuwen interrupted confidently. As he forcefully withdrew his spear from Exodius'' massive body, he passed through the black flames, his crimson coat untouched by the dark fire.


    "The only one descending into hell is you, Exodius!" Hoshino declared, brimming with confidence.


    Suddenly, another Trap Card glowed on Hoshino''s side of the field.


    Mokuba, seeing the card activate, shouted in excitement. "It''s a Continuous Trap Card!"


    [Avalon of the Radiance Path - Continuous Trap Card


    Effect: Can only be activated by selecting a face-up [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. As long as this card is on the field, the selected monster cannot be destroyed.]


    "With Avalon of the Radiance Path protecting Li Shuwen, your ace monster is finished, Gekko!" Hoshino declared.


    With the protective effect of the Trap Card, Li Shuwen remained unharmed, and the towering Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord crumbled away, its immense form disappearing from the field.


    [Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord] destroyed.


    "Clap clap clap~"


    Without showing any extreme emotional reaction, Gekko suddenly began clapping. His applause echoed through the corridor, unnerving Hoshino. Although he wasn''t a physical being, the sound of his clapping was uncannily realistic.


    "That was a beautiful counterattack, Duel King¡­" Gekko said, smiling softly. His tone, though complimentary, had a strange edge to it.


    "But if you think Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord is the ace of my deck, you''re gravely mistaken."


    The tension in the air thickened as Gekko stopped clapping and drew a card from his hand.


    "What a beautiful card, so shiny~" Akasha said, wide-eyed, even before he placed it on his Duel Disk. The special card had already captured her attention with its otherworldly glow.


    "Watch closely, this is the other form of Exodia," Gekko said, his voice smooth and steady. "By offering [Exodia the Forbidden One] on the field as a tribute, I Special Summon!"


    "[The Legendary Exodia Incarnate]!"


    As Gekko''s Duel Disk activated, the air around them shifted. A massive, golden light burst from the card as the true form of Exodia began to materialize.


    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)] [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK: ? DEF: 0]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 170 - 170

    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)] [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK: ? DEF: 0]


    [This card is unaffected by other cards'' effects.]


    Unlike Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord, the golden Exodia Incarnate appears more traditional, almost as if it were the true form of Exodia.


    "Another form of Exodia? This is truly eye-opening." Hoshino couldn''t help but marvel, her expression frozen in astonishment.


    However, Hoshino''s stunned reaction seemed to displease her two spectators.


    "Hoshino, now isn''t the time to praise the enemy!" Mokuba reminded her.


    "Yeah, yeah, Hoshino-nee, you should be more aggressive!" Akasha chimed in.


    Hoshino turned back and jokingly scolded the two, "Even if I were aggressive, I couldn''t be more aggressive than this thing in front of me!"


    Exodia Incarnate''s appearance could easily scare children, and with a body even larger than Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord, its sheer presence completely overwhelmed Hoshino''s side of the field.


    "The Legendary Exodia Incarnate cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned by tributing one Forbidden One monster on your field."


    "So, you used Exodia''s head as a tribute..." Upon hearing this condition, Hoshino felt a chill down her spine.


    If it weren''t for the effect of Necromancy returning two pieces from the graveyard to the deck before Gekko attacked, all five pieces might have already been gathered in the graveyard this turn.


    "In my graveyard, I have the left leg, right leg, and head of Exodia. Exodia Incarnate''s ATK increases by 1000 for each Forbidden One monster in the graveyard."


    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ATK 3000]


    "This attack power is on par with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Mokuba shouted in astonishment. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Please stop comparing everything to Blue-Eyes..." Hoshino said with a helpless expression. "This thing completely outclasses Blue-Eyes in every way!"


    "Since my battle phase has ended this turn, I''ll set two cards and end my turn."


    Gekko ended his turn with only one card left in his hand, which had been revealed by Heart of the Underdog to be the Right Arm of the Forbidden One.


    "And at the end of the turn, the effect of [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate] activates!"


    "!!!"


    [At the end of your turn, you can select one [Forbidden One] monster from your graveyard and add it to your hand.]


    "I add the [Exodia the Forbidden One] from the graveyard to my hand!"


    Adding the head of Exodia from his graveyard to his hand, Gekko now had two cards in hand.


    "Are you trying to complete Exodia by gradually retrieving the pieces from the graveyard? But..." Hoshino, beginning to understand Gekko''s strategy, smiled faintly.


    "But there''s a flaw in this. As the pieces in your graveyard decrease, so does the attack power of Exodia Incarnate!"


    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ATK 3000 ¡ú 2000]


    "Unlike Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord, whose attack power gradually increases, the Exodia Incarnate''s power decreases. Even though it has the advantage of being unaffected by other card effects, do you think 2000 attack points can survive a turn?"


    Pointing out the flaws in Gekko''s monster without mercy, Hoshino drew a card from her deck with determination. "Now it''s time for my counterattack!"


    "Go, Hoshino! Show him what you''ve got!" Mokuba encouraged.


    "Go, Hoshino-nee! Give him one too!" Akasha chimed in again.


    Give him one...?


    "Anyway, first, I''ll activate the effect of my Continuous Trap Card, [Avalon of the Radiance Path]!"


    [¢Ú: During your Main Phase, you can send this card and the monster it targets to the graveyard to Special Summon a [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon] from your hand or deck.]


    Drawing out the Avalon of the Radiance Path from her duel disk, Hoshino placed it, along with Li Shuwen, into the graveyard.


    "Go forth!"


    The moment the cards entered the graveyard, the golden particles floating around the field explosively increased and condensed.


    "Special Summon, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon]!"


    Guided by the golden light, Hoshino drew the Artoria card from her deck and placed it on the duel disk.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars)] [LIGHT] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    With an imposing presence that could even sway the heavy curtains behind her, the King of Knights, wielding a golden holy sword, stepped onto the battlefield.


    "A monster modeled after King Arthur, huh? How interesting," Gekko remarked, clearly impressed by the fame of the legendary figure.


    "Hmm..." Akasha, who had been excited just a moment ago, now appeared significantly less enthusiastic.


    "That''s the monster that defeated Akasha. I don''t like it!" Akasha pouted, already showing signs of holding a grudge despite her young age.


    "Huh?" Artoria''s expression became suddenly complex. "A king who cannot earn the affection of children can hardly claim to understand the hearts of the people."


    "Ahem... Artoria, you slashed her with your sword just an hour ago, and now you expect her to like you? That''s asking too much!" Hoshino said, laughing.


    Though it seemed like Artoria had recently been putting a lot of effort into "understanding people''s hearts," Hoshino thought the first thing she should do was get rid of that giant blanket behind her.


    But that was something Artoria would have to figure out on her own...


    "Next, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit - Gilgamesh (Young)] in the graveyard."


    [If this card is in the graveyard, you can activate its effect to add one [Gilgamesh] monster from your deck to your hand.]


    "The card I''m adding to my hand is this..." Hoshino quickly searched her deck and revealed the card. "[Heroic Spirit ¨C Gilgamesh]!"


    "Hahahaha, who dares call upon the name of the King?"


    "You did!" Hoshino quipped. Despite not yet being summoned, the presence of this King was already undeniable.


    On the other hand, Artoria looked shocked. "Master! Even though you summoned me first, why do we need this golden Archer?"


    Because it''s free, Hoshino thought to herself, unwilling to say it out loud in front of Gilgamesh.


    "Since I haven''t performed a Normal Summon this turn, I''ll summon another monster from my hand!"


    After a moment of contemplation, Hoshino threw down a monster card.


    "[Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory]!"


    "How mean! Ever since we came back from the other world, you haven''t summoned me even once!!"


    "You''re so mean, manager-chan! I missed you so much!"


    Elizabeth, on the verge of tears, was clearly overwhelmed with emotion after being ''sealed'' in the deck for too long. The moment she appeared, her feelings were all over the place.


    "Sorry, sorry, it''s because..." Hoshino quickly came up with a plausible excuse, waving her hand dismissively.


    "It''s because you''re my secret weapon, Elizabeth-chan! I can''t just show you off all the time!"


    "Uh!" Elizabeth''s little dragon tail twitched slightly; she was obviously very pleased with Hoshino''s improvised explanation.


    "Oh, I see, that''s exactly right! After all, Elizabeth is super strong!"


    "Yeah, that''s right! Go, Elizabeth-chan, battle!"


    "Oh!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)] [FIRE] [Dragon/Effect] [ATK 1300/DEF 1000]


    Elizabeth: "So weak! It doesn''t feel strong at all, this stat!!"


    "Though the stats seem weak, Elizabeth''s effect is perfect for the current situation!"


    [This card''s ¢Ù effect can only be activated once per turn. ¢Ù: It can be activated when the opponent adds a card to their hand. One of those cards is returned to the deck and shuffled, and both players draw 1 card. ¢Ú: Once per turn, you can target 1 face-down card on the opponent''s field. That card is returned to the hand.]


    The ¢Ù effect could forcefully shuffle an Exodia piece back into the deck whenever Gekko added it to his hand from the graveyard, perfectly countering Exodia Incarnate''s assistance in assembling the five pieces.


    Assuming Elizabeth could survive one turn...


    "And now, let''s activate the ¢Ú effect, Elizabeth-chan! Target the rightmost set card in Gekko''s back row!"


    Since Gekko had ended his last turn by setting two cards on the field, Hoshino could only choose one of them.


    "Based on Elizabeth-chan''s effect, the selected set card returns to the hand!"


    "Ahem!" Elizabeth cleared her throat, smiling. "Then I won''t hold back!"


    "Lalala~~~!!!" Her ear-piercing ''singing'' made the set card at Gekko''s feet tremble.


    "That familiar song again, it''s so grating!"


    "Ugh, Akasha feels terrible!" Akasha complained, covering her ears.


    Both Mokuba and Akasha winced at Elizabeth''s performance, tightly pressing their hands over their ears. Even Hoshino grimaced a bit, despite knowing it was just a holographic effect.


    "Hehe, an interesting effect, but it''s just a little bit lacking..." Gekko didn''t bother returning the set card to his hand. Instead, he calmly pressed a button to activate it.


    "Activate the set card you just targeted, Continuous Trap Card [Obliterate!!!]!"


    "Darn, it was chained?!" Hoshino''s eyebrows shot up in realization.


    Gekko''s move left both spectators, Mokuba and Akasha, completely puzzled.


    Mokuba, sensing the song had stopped, cautiously lowered his hands from his ears and asked in disbelief, "Hoshino, didn''t you just bounce that set card? How could he still activate it? That''s cheating!"


    "Yeah, yeah! You''re cheating, white-haired mister!" Akasha shouted, glaring at Gekko.


    "No, this chain is valid, and the reason is that the Duel Disk acknowledges Gekko''s move," Hoshino said seriously.


    This was the first time since coming to this world that an opponent had used a chain to avoid a card leaving the field during a duel. "As expected of the so-called Perfect Duelist, Tenma Gekko. You''ve really surprised me."


    "So, what exactly is a chain, Hoshino?" Mokuba asked, still confused.


    "Gekko''s Trap Card [Obliterate!!!] chained Elizabeth''s effect. In the Duel Monsters rules, when resolving a chain of effects, it''s done in reverse order. The last card used is resolved first."


    "Which means!" Akasha, a naturally gifted child, quickly caught on after Hoshino''s brief explanation.


    "Exactly. In this situation, Gekko''s Trap Card''s effect will resolve first, followed by Elizabeth''s effect of returning the card to the hand," Hoshino finished.


    Gekko seemed impressed by how quickly Hoshino understood his move. "As expected of the Duel King. There''s no need for extra explanations, which is a huge help."


    "Hoshino, where did you learn this? Even I, who helped program the Duel Disk, didn''t know about it," Mokuba added.


    "From experience..." Hoshino''s mouth twitched slightly, recalling the countless duels she had endured during that night at Pegasus''s castle, where she engaged in a ''training'' session that felt more like torture with a certain detective.


    "Since you understand so well, I won''t make any more unnecessary explanations. I''ll go ahead and activate [Obliterate!!!]!"


    [Obliterate!!! Continuous Trap Card Effect¢Ù: You can target 1 monster on the field; send 1 [Forbidden One] monster or [Exodia] card from your hand or Deck to the Graveyard, and if you do, return that target to the hand.]


    "I''ll send [Left Arm of the Forbidden One] from my deck to the graveyard and target your [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory] to return her to your hand!"


    With two giant yellow hands outstretched, Exodia Incarnate aimed at Elizabeth on Hoshino''s field.


    "What? No!" Seeing the menacing Exodia hands reaching for her, Elizabeth''s voice trembled with tears. "I just appeared, and now I have to go back? That''s not how an idol should behave!"


    Though her plea was pitiful, the rules were absolute. Exodia''s hands shot forward, and in an instant, Elizabeth was sent flying back to Hoshino''s hand.


    The reason she was ''sent flying'' and not destroyed was that Obliterate!!!''s effect merely returned the monster to the hand.


    "How frustrating! I''ll be back! QAQ!" Elizabeth became a shining idol star disappearing into the sky.


    "But even if Elizabeth was returned to my hand, her effect has already been activated. Gekko, your Continuous Trap Card Obliterate!!! must also return to your hand!" Hoshino announced with a smirk.


    Even though Gekko chose to send back Elizabeth instead of the stronger Artoria, it showed how troublesome Elizabeth''s effect of disrupting Exodia''s piece-gathering strategy was for him.


    "At least it delayed his next Obliterate. Elizabeth-chan, your sacrifice wasn''t in vain." Hoshino gave a small nod of approval. Since Trap Cards need to be set for a turn before they can be activated, it meant that next turn, when Gekko set Obliterate!!!, Hoshino wouldn''t have to endure two consecutive firewave cannon blasts.


    "Now it''s a one-on-one, Gekko!" Hoshino declared confidently.


    The only remaining monsters on the field were Hoshino''s Artoria Pendragon and Gekko''s Exodia Incarnate.


    "It''s a pity, but when I activated [Obliterate!!!], Exodia Incarnate''s attack points surpassed your King Arthur! Since a new piece entered the graveyard, Exodia Incarnate''s attack power has increased!" Gekko countered.


    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ATK 2000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Hahaha, even a Perfect Duelist has miscalculations sometimes!" Despite Exodia Incarnate''s rising attack power, Hoshino showed no fear as she commanded her Artoria to attack.


    "Go, Saber!"


    The golden holy sword traced a brilliant arc in the air before slashing heavily at Exodia Incarnate.


    "The reason for your failure is simple: you sent back my beloved Elizabeth-chan!!" Hoshino shouted, her voice full of confidence.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 171 - 171

    "I won''t keep falling for your tricks!"


    Seeing Hoshino once again sending a low-attack monster to crash into him, Gekko seemed less calm than before.


    "Counterattack, flames of fury! Obliterate!"


    As Exodia Incarnate prepared to release a powerful blast of fire toward the airborne Artoria, who was about to strike with her holy sword, it opened its massive yellow hand and unleashed a fierce flame.


    The yellow flames and golden light clashed violently, creating a blinding heatwave.


    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ATK 3000]


    [Artoria ATK 2400]


    "Vanish in the flames of fury!"


    "You''re the one who''s going to vanish, Exodia!"


    Hoshino pulled out the Artoria card and displayed both of the monsters in her hand to her opponent.


    "This is Artoria''s counterattack, empowered by Elizabeth!"


    [¢Ù: Once per turn, during damage calculation when this card battles an opponent''s monster, you can reveal any number of ''Heroic Spirit'' monsters from your hand to your opponent. This card gains ATK/DEF equal to the number of revealed monsters x 500 until the end of the turn.]


    "The two Heroic Spirit monsters in my hand are [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gilgamesh] and [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory]. Based on the effect, Artoria''s attack power increases by 1000 points!"


    "Serves you right! That''s what you get for sending Hoshino-nee''s monster back!" Akasha made a face at Gekko, her expression filled with glee as if she were the one dueling.


    [Artoria ATK 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    "Mana Burst, Idol Star!"


    Shouting out a random special move name, Artoria swung her golden sword, the blade cutting through Exodia''s enormous body.


    "She did it! Hoshino defeated Tenma Gekko''s monster again!"


    "No, not yet..."


    Hoshino frowned, keeping her eyes fixed on Gekko, whose life points hadn''t decreased at all. She had no time to blame Mokuba for jinxing her earlier.


    "You really can''t let your guard down for a moment when dueling you, Tenma Gekko!"


    "Heh, I should be saying that to you, Duel King!"


    With a bitter laugh, Gekko flipped his last face-down card. "This is my last defense, though I didn''t expect to be forced to use it in just one turn."


    "Trap Card [Waboku]!"


    [Waboku - Trap Card Effect: You take no battle damage this turn. Your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.]


    Duelists who use traditional Exodia decks usually include defensive trap cards to buy time until they can draw all five pieces.


    Although Gekko''s deck clearly differed from the typical Exodia deck, he hadn''t abandoned this defensive strategy.


    "Hoshino''s attack failed this time, that''s a problem."


    Mokuba began to worry, not realizing he had jinxed Hoshino earlier.


    "Tenma Gekko already has the ''Head'' and the ''Right Arm'' in his hand, with the other three pieces in the graveyard. If he draws another piece with The Heart of the Underdog, Hoshino won''t have much time left."


    Of course, Mokuba didn''t dare to speculate about Gekko drawing two pieces in a row because that would mean Hoshino would lose immediately.


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    Interrupted by Gekko, Hoshino had no choice but to end her turn, now left with only two monsters in her hand.


    "My turn, draw!"


    Even though it was just a normal draw phase, all three pairs of eyes were glued to Tenma Gekko''s field, focusing on the face-up Continuous Spell, Heart of the Underdog.


    And then, the card they were all watching began to glow with a mocking light.


    "Don''t be so tense. While I did draw a normal monster..."


    Gekko flashed his signature smile as he revealed the card he drew. "It''s the [Right Arm of the Forbidden One]. Unfortunately, it''s a duplicate."


    "Whew..." (x3)


    All three sighed in relief.


    "But thanks to the effect of The Heart of the Underdog, I get to draw again."


    "!!!"


    Then, as if fate was playing tricks on them, the card under Gekko''s feet flashed with a taunting glow once more.


    "Looks like luck is really on my side today. This time, it''s the [Left Arm of the Forbidden One]."


    Gekko showed off the card he drew, a hint of joy flashing in his arched brow. "Sorry, but I get to draw again."


    "Damn it, am I going to lose just like that?" Hoshino, breaking into a cold sweat, was filled with helplessness. "I thought I''d finally left my bad luck behind."


    "Unfortunately, this time, it''s not a normal monster." Even though he didn''t draw both pieces immediately, Gekko was already confident in his victory.


    Tenma Gekko''s hand contained: the Head, Left Arm, and two Right Arms.


    "However, I''m sorry to say, Duel King, this duel is already over."


    Gekko placed the card he just drew onto his duel disk, calling it the final straw that would break the camel''s back. No, it should be called a feather.


    "Spell Card, [A Feather of the Phoenix]!"


    [A Feather of the Phoenix - Spell Card Effect: Discard 1 card, then target 1 card in your GY; return that target to the top of your Deck.]


    "I discard the extra [Right Arm of the Forbidden One] from my hand to return the [Right Leg of the Forbidden One] from my graveyard to the top of my deck."


    "No way..." Hoshino gasped in disbelief. Although Gekko hadn''t drawn both pieces in one go, drawing this spell card was almost as good as doing so.


    As long as Gekko ended his turn, he could use Exodia Incarnate''s effect to retrieve another piece from the graveyard, which would mean he''d have four pieces in hand, virtually locking in his victory.


    "Checkmate, Duel King Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Placing the Right Leg on top of his deck, Gekko''s expression was that of a victor, calm and collected.


    "And since the [Right Arm of the Forbidden One] was sent to the graveyard, Exodia Incarnate''s attack power increases once again."


    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ATK 3000 ¡ú 4000]


    "Let''s have one final battle. Although whether I attack or not won''t change the outcome, just to prevent any last-ditch effort from you..."


    Gekko pointed his card toward his opponent, initiating the battle phase.


    "Let''s celebrate victory with these flames that consume all, Exodia Incarnate! Attack the opposing monster!"


    "I thought you''d calculate everything perfectly from start to finish..."


    Hoshino forced a smile, her slightly raised lips filled with helplessness and resentment, but also with determination and resolve.


    "Thank you for giving me one last chance to struggle so I can drag you down to hell with me in this desperate situation! Tenma Gekko!!"


    "Even at this point, you still haven''t given up, Hoshino?!"


    Gekko''s victorious smile was tinged with doubt. He didn''t understand, nor could he comprehend, the reason for the girl in front of him to keep fighting. His victory was already assured; all he needed to do was draw a card. Nothing could be simpler.


    "Gekko, if you had ended the battle without doing anything, I might have truly lost hope. But you are a perfect duelist; every action you take aims for perfection. Because Exodia Incarnate is unaffected by other card effects, it doesn''t fear most traps. For you, defeating my Artoria this turn is the perfect move."


    "What are you trying to say?"


    "I''m saying that sometimes, a little mistake, a slight flaw, or an unexpected event¡ªthat''s what makes a real duel, a real life! Something perfect will never truly be perfect, Gekko!!"


    With a surge of energy from her heart, Hoshino tried to instill her otaku life philosophy into Gekko. While it might not make much sense upon closer inspection, it did shake Gekko to some extent in the current situation.


    "Watch closely, Mr. Perfect¡ªthis is the counterattack of an imperfect girl! I activate my face-down trap card [Nagging Shopkeeper]!"


    [Nagging Shopkeeper - Trap Card Effect: When a monster with ''Heroic Spirit'' in its name is targeted for an attack, you can activate this card. Special summon a Level 4 or lower monster from your deck in defense position to take the attack instead. The summoned monster''s DEF is increased by 500 points.]


    "It''s useless! Trap cards don''t work on Exodia Incarnate!" Even though the trap card was activated, Exodia Incarnate''s attack still landed squarely on Artoria.


    "When Artoria is attacked, I activate her effect! I reveal the monsters in my hand to increase her ATK by 1000 points!"


    [Artoria ATK 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    "Even with the increased ATK, she still can''t defeat Exodia Incarnate!"


    [Exodia Incarnate ATK 4000]


    "Master, the rest is up to you, and..."


    The blue figure of Artoria Pendragon gradually dissipated within the inferno of Exodia Incarnate''s flames.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon] Destroyed


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2500 ¡ú 1900]


    "You''re still trying to hold onto your life points at this stage?" Gekko asked, genuinely puzzled. He didn''t understand Hoshino''s insistence on struggling when the outcome seemed inevitable.


    "What do you mean, ''this stage''? I haven''t lost yet! Every move I''m making now is to defeat you in the end!"


    The girl who never knew how to give up continued to place card after card on her Duel Disk, doing everything she could to slightly increase her odds of victory¡ªeven if it was just from 0% to 1%.


    "Can she really win, Hoshino?" Mokuba asked, doubt creeping into his voice.


    "She will win! Hoshino-nee will win!" Akasha exclaimed. Perhaps it was Hoshino''s persistence that had inspired her, or maybe Akasha had never doubted her in the first place.


    "Because Hoshino-nee''s field is already glowing with a light. It''s weak, but at this moment, it outshines Akasha''s light."


    "A light...?" Mokuba, incredulous, turned his gaze back to the gradually dissipating flames on the field.


    "It''s our turn again, isn''t it?" A familiar voice rang out. Though it seemed more immature than before, it was unmistakably Artoria''s.


    "Because Artoria was destroyed, according to her effect, I can special summon [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from my deck in attack position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)] [LIGHT] [Dragon/Effect] [ATK 1200/DEF 800]


    "Yes, but the situation doesn''t seem too good right now," the smaller, younger Artoria admitted. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were filled with determination.


    "Next, I activate the special effect of [Nagging Shopkeeper] to special summon [Heroic Spirit - Medea (Lily)] from my deck in defense position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Medea (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)] [LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK 1000/DEF 1500 ¡ú 2000]


    "There are two Level 4 monsters on the field. Hoshino-nee is starting her magic again!" Akasha shouted excitedly, understanding what was coming next.


    "Let''s go, Saber Lily, Medea!" Hoshino, her momentum growing, gave the order to the two girls on her field.


    "Don''t hold back now, Master!" Medea twirled her staff, her lithe body spinning gracefully.


    "Oh! I won''t lose either!" Raising her golden sword, Saber Lily displayed the aura of a young king to the fullest. "A one-man army who can fight off a thousand foes¡ªHeroic Spirits, heed the call of your king!"


    "According to the effects of Medea Lily and Saber Lily, I add [Rule Breaker] and [Heroic Spirit - Atalanta] from my deck to my hand!"


    "And it''s not over yet¡ªI activate my final face-down card!"


    Hoshino, without any hesitation, continued her plays despite being in her opponent''s turn.


    "Quick-Play Spell, [Heroic Spirit Bond]!"


    [Heroic Spirit Bond - Quick-Play Spell Effect]: Discard 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand to activate this card. Shuffle your deck and draw 1 card. If that card is a [Heroic Spirit] monster, special summon it to your field.]


    "Using this card''s effect, I discard the [Heroic Spirit - Atalanta] I just added to my hand, then shuffle my deck..."


    As Hoshino sent the card to the graveyard, a green light emanated, accompanied by a faint chuckle.


    "Finally, I draw a card!"


    "Hoshino, did you draw a monster card?" Mokuba asked, even more nervous than Hoshino herself.


    "As long as you believe in your deck, it will surely respond to your expectations. That''s what Hoshino-nee said." Akasha''s voice carried a firm belief. Recalling the words Hoshino had said when she defeated her, Akasha believed without a doubt that Hoshino''s draw would trigger a miracle.


    "It''s over, Gekko. I''ve gathered all the pieces of my counterattack!" Hoshino declared with unprecedented confidence, slamming the drawn card onto her Duel Disk.


    "Now it''s time for me and the Heroic Spirits to shine! I''ll special summon the monster I just drew with [Heroic Spirit Bond] in attack position. Come forth¡­"


    "The Incarnation of Destruction, [Heroic Spirit - Altera]!"


    Three-colored light spread from a single point, instantly illuminating the entire battlefield.


    "I destroy, I conquer, from now until forever."


    The calm voice conveyed confidence in her power and an indescribable sense of ''emptiness.'' sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 stars)] [LIGHT] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 3350/DEF 2400]


    "I am Altera, descendant of the Huns and the God of War''s warrior,"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 172 - 172

    Mokuba swallowed hard, staring in disbelief at Hoshino''s field, which should have been scorched by flames.


    "Isn''t it Tenma Gekko''s turn? But Hoshino summoned three monsters?"


    "So cool!" Akasha''s eyes sparkled, her small body trembling with excitement.


    "Heh, the last move went a little off-track, huh?" Gekko chuckled helplessly, gazing at the radiant summoning light storming through Hoshino''s field.


    "Knowing it''s a duel you''re bound to lose, yet still persisting this far... It seems Mr. Pegasus was right¡ªHoshino, you truly are a duelist unafraid of darkness and fear."


    "Gekko, this truly is a duel destined for loss..." Hoshino''s confident smile radiated with infectious determination, her eyes brimming with desire.


    "But it''s you who''s bound to lose this duel!"


    That deep desire to grasp victory.


    "Let''s see if you can really create a miracle, Duel King!"


    Maybe the words of the girl in front of him were just too compelling. Though they were opponents in the duel, Gekko now found himself filled with curiosity¡ªhe wanted to see how she could possibly turn such a hopeless situation around.


    "Still, that said, I won''t make it easy for you! I set a card, end my turn, and activate the effect of [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate], returning one piece from the graveyard to my hand..."


    "I retrieve the [Left Leg of the Forbidden One]."


    The card Gekko set was undoubtedly the continuous trap card Obliterate!!!, which had been returned to his hand by Elizabeth in the previous turn. After retrieving a piece from the graveyard, Gekko now had four of the five Exodia pieces¡ª''Head,'' ''Right Arm,'' ''Left Arm,'' and ''Left Leg.''


    And the last piece, the Right Leg of the Forbidden One, was at the top of his deck.


    [Exodia, the Summoned God ATK 4000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Your turn, Hoshi..."


    Mid-sentence, Gekko, who was about to politely signal Hoshino, caught a glimpse of a sly, triumphant smirk on her face.


    Suddenly, a green flash shot out from Hoshino''s graveyard. Within that flash, an agile figure swiftly dashed along the walls of the hallway, circling behind Gekko.


    "What is that?!" Gekko turned his head to follow the light.


    The figure leaping into the air was a beautiful girl dressed in a green outfit, shaking her cute cat ears and swaying her cat tail.


    But in stark contrast to her adorable appearance were the longbow she aimed directly at Gekko and the sharp, focused look of killing intent in her eyes. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "At the start of this turn, I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta], which was just sent to the graveyard!"


    [¢Ù: If this card is sent to the graveyard, during your next standby phase, special summon it from the graveyard.]


    While everyone was distracted by the green figure, Hoshino quietly drew a card from her deck and placed it onto the duel disk.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star)]


    [WIND] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2000/DEF 1800]


    "So this is your card for a counterattack. I''m not sure what effect it has, but to prevent any mishaps..."


    Despite being surrounded from both sides, Gekko remained calm, activating his set card without hesitation. "Continuous trap card [Obliterate!!!]. No need for me to explain the effect, right?"


    "I send [Right Arm of the Forbidden One] from my deck to the graveyard and return your [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta] back to your hand!"


    Since Gekko had already gathered the necessary pieces, he casually selected one part as the cost to send to the graveyard.


    [The Legendary Exodia Incarnate ATK 3000 ¡ú 4000]


    The massive figure of Exodia Incarnate turned to Atalanta, who had been lurking behind Gekko, raising its hands and gathering the flames of the forbidden god once again.


    "I won''t let you get away with that, Medea, it''s your turn now!" Hoshino shouted as she threw the card [Rule Breaker] onto her duel disk.


    "Alright! Leave it to me, Master!"


    Despite her small frame, Medea Lily was filled with courage and determination beyond her size. Responding to the activation of the card effect, an oddly shaped dagger appeared in her hand.


    "I might not be good at fighting, but I''ll do the job properly for Master!"


    Her feet quickly danced across the ground as Medea''s purple hair flowed in the wind from her swift sprint.


    "Because Medea lily is on the field, I can activate the counter trap card [Rule Breaker] from my hand!"


    [Rule Breaker - Counter Trap Effect: If you control a [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea], you can activate this card from your hand. ¢Ù: When a spell or trap card is activated while you control a [Heroic Spirit] monster, you can activate this card. Negate the activation, return that card to the owner''s deck, and your opponent cannot activate the returned card or any cards with the same name this turn.]


    In stark contrast to Exodia''s enormous form, the petite Medea firmly gripped Rule Breaker and stabbed it into Exodia Incarnate''s back.


    "Magical providence, oh natural master of this world, return all to its origins¡ªRule Breaker!"


    A small wound erupted with an enormous burst of magical energy across Exodia Incarnate''s back.


    "Roar!" Exodia bellowed as the flames it had gathered to attack Atalanta instantly dissipated.


    "Yay! I did it, Master! >v<"


    "Now your [Obliterate!!!] can''t activate anymore, Gekko. You''ve got no way to stop me now!"


    After successfully interrupting the trap card, Hoshino drew another card from her deck and placed it down, "Now I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta]!"


    [¢Ú: When this card is successfully special summoned, equip it with a [Tauropolos: Bow of Heaven] from your deck or graveyard.]


    "Come to me, the ultimate weapon bestowed by the Moon Goddess Artemis..."


    [Tauropolos: Bow of Heaven - Equip Spell Effect: Equip this card only to [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta]. ¢Ù: When the equipped monster attacks a defense-position monster, inflict battle damage to your opponent equal to the difference between this card''s ATK and the DEF of the defense monster. ¢Ú: ...]


    "Gekko, this is my final card to create a miracle¡ªlet''s go! [Tauropolos: Bow of Heaven]!"


    "Bow?" Mokuba, still puzzled, repeated quietly to himself. "It''s just an equip card, can it really turn the tide in a situation like this?"


    Right now, it wasn''t just a matter of the field. With Gekko''s Exodia Incarnate boasting 4000 attack points and being immune to other card effects, the power boost from a mere equip card seemed rather limited.


    What''s more, this equip card didn''t appear to increase any stat.


    "Just watch, Mokuba. Try not to drop your jaw, okay?" Hoshino chuckled, snapping her fingers and gesturing towards Atalanta, who was positioned behind Gekko. "Go ahead, Atalanta!"


    "Yes, Master! Now it''s hunting time!"


    Atalanta''s brief but characteristic response was followed by a wink as she pulled back the Bow of Heaven, her aim locked tightly on Gekko.


    "Is she going for a direct attack on the player?" Mokuba wondered aloud, recalling the strategy used by Yuta, combining Legendary Fisherman III and Shooting Star Bow ¨C Ceal. "Does this have a similar effect? But Gekko still has 4000 Life Points."


    Without addressing Mokuba''s concerns, Hoshino merely focused her gaze on Atalanta as she drew back her bow. "Get ready to witness my attack!"


    "I won''t let the prey escape!" With Hoshino''s declaration, Atalanta released the bowstring, and two green arrows shot out from the Bow of Heaven, tracing beautiful arcs through the air.


    "Two arrows?!" Mokuba exclaimed.


    The Bow of Heaven could manipulate the trajectory of its arrows using magical power. As long as Atalanta had her target in sight, it was impossible for a normal target to escape.


    The arrows, bending through the air via magic, flew past Gekko''s body and struck¡­ not the player, but the only card left face-up in Gekko''s back row: the continuous spell Heart of the Underdog.


    Like a shattered mirror, the struck card crumbled into pieces of data before disappearing completely.


    [Heart of the Underdog] destroyed.


    "You''re still targeting my spell card at this point? It''s pointless," Gekko remarked, shaking his head as he watched his magic card get destroyed.


    His next draw would bring him the final piece of Exodia, and Heart of the Underdog was a card he wouldn''t be using again.


    "Hoshino¡­" Gekko trailed off.


    "Don''t be so hasty, Gekko. That was just the prelude!" Hoshino smirked.


    "That''s right, Hoshino just shot two arrows!" Mokuba suddenly realized, his eyes darting around in search of the second green star still hiding in the air.


    "!!!" But before Gekko could even process it, the second green arrow had already grazed his cheek, lifting strands of his white hair as it passed by.


    If it weren''t for the fact that these were holographic projections, Gekko''s face would likely be marked with a thin scratch from the arrow''s wind.


    "So it was a direct attack after all!" Mokuba shouted in surprise.


    "No, that''s not it! The target is¡­" Akasha, equally shocked, keenly sensed a difference.


    "The target is his hand!" she cried out.


    The second arrow''s true target was revealed as it struck Gekko''s hand, something no one had anticipated.


    In a flash, one of the four cards in Gekko''s hand was knocked down by the glowing green arrow.


    The sound of the arrow striking the ground reverberated, and the fallen card landed on Gekko''s side of the field.


    "This¡­ this can''t be happening!" Gekko''s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the card that had been shot from his hand.


    For Exodia''s victory condition to be met, all five pieces must be in hand. In the very last turn before victory, Gekko''s hand was suddenly disrupted, something he had never expected.


    "That was a good move, Hoshino."


    Grinding his teeth, Gekko''s wide-eyed shock was undeniable. Even if it was hard to believe, there was no denying that this situation had been orchestrated by the girl standing before him.


    "Care to explain how you pulled that off?"


    "Of course," Hoshino said confidently, flashing a smile and pointing at Atalanta''s card on her duel disk. "I activated [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta]''s effect!"


    [Effect ¢Û: Once per turn, you can destroy up to three face-up Spell/Trap cards you control. For each card destroyed, target that many Spell/Trap cards on your opponent''s field, and send them to the Graveyard. Then, if you destroyed two or more cards, you can add one [Complaint Message on the Arrow] from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.]


    "But your field only has one face-up Spell card¡­" Gekko furrowed his brows as he scanned Hoshino''s field.


    "Exactly!"


    "That''s right, the only face-up card on my field is the Bow of Heaven! I destroyed it with Atalanta''s effect, taking out your Heart of the Underdog in the process."


    "The first arrow did that, but the real issue comes from the second arrow, doesn''t it? It must have something to do with the Bow''s effect."


    "You''re quite sharp, Gekko." Hoshino raised an eyebrow, impressed that he was able to remain so composed even after being countered. It was likely due to his naturally calm demeanor, or perhaps his vast dueling experience.


    "This isn''t about staying calm. I''m actually quite agitated right now¡­" Gekko stretched out his trembling right hand, his fingers clutching his cards tightly from sheer emotion. "But my physical condition won''t allow me to show it."


    "What a strange person you are," Hoshino murmured softly, before removing the Bow of Heaven from her duel disk''s card slot.


    "When the Bow of Heaven is destroyed, its second effect activates¡­"


    [Effect ¢Ú: If this face-up card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, reveal your opponent''s hand, then select one monster from it. Special Summon the selected monster to your opponent''s field, with its effects negated.]


    After declaring the card''s effect, Hoshino raised the Bow of Heaven and pointed it towards the green arrow embedded in the ground. "The monster I choose is the [Exodia the Forbidden One] in your hand!"


    With a whoosh, the green arrow exploded, forcibly summoning the pierced card onto the field.


    [Exodia the Forbidden One ¡ï¡ï¡ï ][Dark][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    The comical head of Exodia, having been struck down by Atalanta''s arrow, stood defenseless in front of Hoshino.


    "Alright! Now that Gekko''s missing one piece of Exodia, he won''t be able to complete it next turn!" Mokuba cheered, feeling the momentum shift in Hoshino''s favor.


    "Hoshino, I think you''re forgetting something," Gekko interrupted, his voice calm but resolute. "I just used Obliterate to send the head back to the graveyard. Even if you force it out of my hand, next turn I''ll just return it to my hand with Exodia Incarnate, and I''ll still win!"


    "Heh, Gekko¡­ everything is going according to plan." Hoshino''s confident smile remained unwavering as she raised her arm and pointed toward Altera on the field.


    "If I were just trying to destroy your hand, I wouldn''t call this my final, decisive move!"


    "Destroy their civilization and bring them ultimate despair, Altera!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 173 - 173

    "Altera, destroy Exodia the Forbidden One!"


    "Yes!" Altera''s curt response came without unnecessary words. Already gripping the Sword of the War God, she readied herself. Her calm eyes locked onto her target.


    At some point, the three-colored glow of her sword had shifted into a rainbow-like light, signifying that Altera had unleashed her Noble Phantasm.


    "The prosperity of civilization ends here!" She stomped the ground and shot forward like a meteor, the rotating tip of her sword radiating a spiral of rainbow light.


    "The power of the War God is in my hands!"


    Altera charged, her long hair cloaked in the rainbow glow. The way she thrust forward like a shooting star, illuminated by the brilliance, was breathtakingly beautiful.


    It was a force meant to destroy everything on Earth, far removed from anything that could be called ''beautiful.''


    But the radiance in Altera''s hand, combined with the light against her dark skin, was so mesmerizing that the onlookers were nearly entranced.


    "Photon Ray!"


    The piercing strike of the shooting star collided with the target, and Altera''s final roar snapped Hoshino out of her thoughts.


    With only 1000 attack points, Exodia the Forbidden One stood no chance. Against Altera''s overwhelming 3350 attack points, it was easily pierced by the War God''s sword and vanished from the battlefield like any other destroyed monster.


    "Hmph, is it over?" Hoshino smiled contentedly, watching as the most crucial part of Exodia was destroyed by Altera.


    "Hoshino, is that your final act of resistance?" Unlike Hoshino''s expression, Gekko didn''t seem to think her last attack had any significant impact.


    To Gekko, Hoshino''s counterattack, although impressive, didn''t seem capable of changing the final outcome.


    "Hoshino, this isn''t resistance, but a requiem for you..." Hoshino gestured with a forceful slash downward, as if she were cutting the ties of fate.


    "This is Altera''s power, the strike that shatters civilizations, that destroys everything!"


    As Hoshino''s finger sliced through the air, the rainbow light shone in the place where Exodia the Forbidden One had been destroyed, and as if it were contagious...


    "What''s going on?" A surprised Gekko looked down at his Duel Disk.


    The graveyard section, the deck section, and the battlefield¡ªall were glowing with the same rainbow light.


    Though the seven-colored light appeared beautiful, it carried an indescribable sense of pressure. More accurately, it invoked the primal fear a living creature feels in the face of a natural predator¡ªthe terror of impending destruction and extinction.


    "This is the light that symbolizes Altera''s power to destroy everything! I activate [Heroic Spirit¨C Altera]''s special effect!"


    [Effect ¢Ù: When this card destroys an opponent''s monster in battle, that monster is banished instead of being sent to the graveyard. Afterward, all cards with the same name in your opponent''s hand, graveyard, and deck are banished. ¢Ú: This card cannot attack directly, and the battle damage it deals becomes 0.]


    "I won''t harm your Life Points, but I will destroy your civilization!"


    Boom¡ª! A soft explosion sound echoed as three cards were ejected from Gekko''s Duel Disk, all glowing with the same rainbow light.


    "Gekko, you know what this effect means, don''t you?" Hoshino asked, looking at the cards scattered at Gekko''s feet with a serious expression.


    Destroy one and banish three, as Altera had declared, erasing the significance of those cards from the duel. In a true sense, Altera had destroyed those cards.


    "Three cards of the same name, banished..." The sudden turn of events was so shocking that Mokuba, standing nearby, muttered quietly, "In other words..."


    "It''s a chain destruction strategy." Lowering his head, Gekko sighed softly, the victorious smile he had worn earlier now completely gone. "Yes, I know..."


    "I can no longer gather all five pieces of Exodia..."


    "Gekko has no chance of winning anymore!"


    In unison, Gekko and Mokuba both declared the outcome of this duel.


    "I knew it! Hoshino-nee! (/¨R¨Œ¨Q)/" Akasha, excited, raised her hands high. If the duel weren''t still ongoing, she would have probably run over to hug Hoshino already.


    Mokuba, resting his chin on his hand, began to ponder aloud, "If Hoshino used this effect against my brother''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon, what would happen?"


    Gekko''s resigned laughter echoed through the silent hallway, "Hahaha, I have to hand it to you, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "I can no longer assemble the five pieces of Exodia, so I truly have no way to defeat you! As you predicted, this is a duel I was bound to lose!"


    "This is what makes you the perfect duelist¡ªaccepting defeat."


    The sudden reversal of victory and defeat, going from heaven to hell in an instant, would be hard for most to accept. Yet, Gekko showed no excess emotional turmoil.


    "Please don''t keep calling me the perfect duelist. I''ve already lost to you, Duel King!"


    "And besides, that title doesn''t exactly bring me any joy..." Gekko muttered softly, a familiar melancholy flashing through his eyes once again. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, the gentlemanly smile returned to his face.


    "So, are you going to surrender now, Gekko?"


    Hoshino hadn''t heard Gekko''s final muttered words. Still, she held some fondness for this white-haired gentleman, who had maintained his gentlemanly demeanor throughout the duel. If he surrendered and cleared the way, she wouldn''t be forced to finish him off.


    "No, please let me duel until the end!"


    Despite his earlier admission of defeat, Gekko''s actions contradicted his words. His eyes now sparkled with an excitement he hadn''t shown before. "It''s been so long since I''ve felt this kind of fun from dueling. I want to fight to the very last moment!"


    "This fun? You mean you haven''t dueled in a long time?"


    "Yes, it''s been many years. I had forgotten this feeling, the thrill that makes my hands tremble. I just can''t give it up¡ªthe battle between Duel Monsters cards and the clash of Duelists'' souls!"


    "Don''t waste any more time, Hoshino. Let''s continue!" Gekko urged her, excitement brimming in his voice.


    "Hmph, interesting. Gekko, you are a duelist worthy of respect!" Raising her duel disk arm once again, Hoshino drew a card from her hand and placed it into her duel disk.


    "I accept your challenge¡ªlet''s duel until the very end!"


    "I set a card face-down, then summon [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth Bathory] in Attack Position."


    [Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth Bathory ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)] [FIRE] [Dragon/Effect] [ATK 1300/DEF 1000]


    "La la la~ Everyone''s favorite idol, Elizabeth-chan, is back on stage~"


    "Please don''t start singing just yet!" Hoshino hurriedly covered Elizabeth''s card, desperately buying a moment of peace for everyone present.


    "Ugh... I''ll hold it in, ugh..."


    "My turn ends!"


    Although the attack power of Exodia Incarnate was reduced to 3000 due to the removal of its head piece in the graveyard, with Altera already having attacked, the 3000 ATK still posed a formidable barrier.


    "My turn, draw!"


    Without even looking at the card he drew, Gekko knew that no matter what part of Exodia he drew, it was now just a useless card.


    "Exodia Incarnate, attack the Artoria Lily on Hoshino''s field!" Without any hesitation, Gekko declared the attack.


    The perfect duelist always makes the perfect choice, even at the end. With Saber Lily having the lowest attack on Hoshino''s field apart from the defense-position Medea Lily, her 1200 ATK was naturally overwhelmed by Exodia''s 3000, dealing 1800 battle damage to Hoshino.


    However, Hoshino''s current Life Points were 1900, exactly the amount she had managed to scrape together through the effects triggered last turn with Artoria''s mana boost.


    100 Life Points were all that separated Gekko from defeat.


    "Hahaha, Hoshino, maybe you''re the true perfect duelist!" Gekko smiled, a final, satisfied smile as he pointed forward.


    "Let this be the final attack! Obliterate!!!!"


    The fire roaring from Exodia''s hands surged toward the small frame of Saber Lily.


    Gekko set down his card, watching the scene unfold. Even if it wasn''t a complete victory, leaving Hoshino with only 100 Life Points wasn''t too bad...


    Swish!


    Just as Gekko was waiting for the flames to consume the field, a sound like the wind from a sword slash swept through, rustling his white hair.


    Amidst the raging flames, the knight holding a golden sword stood firm, her eyes filled with the determination of a king. She was just a trainee knight, yet...


    The battle should''ve been over, but no one could''ve predicted that the golden light from her sword would actually slice through the raging flames.


    A power that had never before been felt from the Holy Sword surged forth, as the immense mana stored in Artoria Lily''s dragon heart engulfed the field, forming a golden shield that completely neutralized the encroaching flames.


    "Gekko, even though I wanted to let you have this final attack, since you''re determined to fight to the end, it would be disrespectful of me not to give my all!"


    Hoshino flipped over the card she had just set in her Duel Disk.


    "This is the will of the King of Knights, as she rallies everyone''s hearts for a final counterattack!"


    "Trap card: [Heroic Battle ¨C United Assault]! According to the card''s effect, all the attack power of the Heroic Spirits on my field will be transferred to Saber Lily!"


    [Heroic Battle ¨C United Assault Trap Card Effect: Select 1 face-up [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field. Until the end of the Battle Phase, that monster gains attack points equal to the combined attack points of all other Attack Position monsters you control, and those other monsters'' attack points become 0.]


    "I''ll transfer the attack power of Altera, Atalanta, and Elizabeth Bathory to [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)]!"


    "The glory of the War God is now in your hands," Altera declared as she looked upon Saber Lily.


    "As the King of Knights, show us your purest smile, blessed by the Goddess," Atalanta encouraged.


    "Take Elizabeth-chan''s idol power! It''s super strong, so use it well!" Elizabeth chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ATK 1200 ¡ú 7850]


    With the infusion of mana from the other Heroic Spirits, the light from Saber Lily''s Holy Sword grew more dazzling by the second.


    "Thank you, everyone, for granting me your strength and empowering Caliburn!" Artoria Lily cried out as she raised the golden sword high.


    "Sword of Selection, grant me your power! Cleave the wicked! Caliburn!"


    The resounding shout of the King pierced through the roaring inferno, and the shining golden light shattered the Exodia Incarnate''s flames, casting its gentle radiance across the corridor.


    "I see, Duel King Hoshino Chiyuki," Gekko murmured, his voice soft yet filled with admiration.


    Bathed in the golden light, Gekko showed no regret, only a look of satisfaction as he closed his eyes.


    "...If it''s you, I know you can save Yako in my place..."


    [Tenma Gekko LP 4000 ¡ú 0]


    (***)


    "Gekko, you''ve already become the perfect duelist!"


    "Really? Mr. Pegasus?!"


    Being acknowledged by Mr. Pegasus, the person Gekko respected most, was probably one of the happiest moments of his life. But there seemed to be something hidden within Mr. Pegasus''s gentle smile...


    "Wow, Gekko, Mr. Pegasus is calling you the perfect duelist!"


    "Gekko-sama really is amazing, isn''t he?"


    "I''m so jealous of big brother. I want to be recognized by Mr. Pegasus too!"


    Unaware of the deeper meaning behind Mr. Pegasus''s smile, Gekko quickly became immersed in the flood of praise that came with the title.


    "Big brother, you''re amazing! I totally can''t beat you."


    "No way, Yako, you''ve gotten way stronger..."


    "Hehe, I feel like I almost beat you this time, Gekko~"


    "Yeah, that was really close..."


    "Congratulations on another tournament victory, Gekko-sama."


    But amidst all the celebrations, something began to change inside Gekko.


    Why did dueling start to feel like such a burden?


    It felt like everyone around him was getting stronger and stronger, but he...


    He hadn''t improved at all.


    ("Gekko, you''ve already become the perfect duelist!")


    Is that so, Mr. Pegasus...


    As Gekko stared at his trembling hands, he finally understood the deeper meaning behind Mr. Pegasus''s words.


    "I''ve reached my limit, haven''t I," he realized.


    Mr. Pegasus had the ability to see through everything, and he could tell at a glance that, as a duelist, Gekko had already reached his limit.


    Mr. Pegasus had kindly called him the perfect duelist, perhaps to give him a beautiful ending, or maybe to hint at something deeper.


    One day, Gekko would be surpassed by those around him¡ªthe other children raised by Mr. Pegasus, and even his beloved younger brother, Yako, would leave him far behind.


    He started to fear that day''s arrival. The deep sense of helplessness filled his entire being.


    "Mr. Pegasus, Yako-sama! Gekko-sama¡ªsomething''s happened to him!!"


    It hurt so much, yet somehow, amidst the pain, Gekko felt a sense of release.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 174 - 174

    The golden light drained all of Gekko''s Life Points, bringing the duel to an end.


    "It''s over, huh." Hoshino wiped her forehead out of habit and let out a long sigh of relief.


    "What a spectacular duel, Hoshino~"


    "Yeah, Gekko..."


    However, the empty hallway had no trace of Gekko, who had been blocking their way. Only the door at the far end of the hallway remained in sight.


    Tilting her head in confusion, Akasha asked, "Did Mister disappear?"


    Equally perplexed, Mokuba chimed in, "Did he... go to the afterlife or something?"


    "Would a duel really make a ghost go to the afterlife? That seems a bit of an exaggeration." Hoshino twitched her lips, then showed a thoughtful expression.


    "Tenma Gekko, what reason made you stand in our way?"


    ("I see, Duel King Hoshino Chiyuki¡­ If it''s you, I know you can save Yako in my place¡­")


    "You want me to save your brother? At least explain what the hell is going on with him!"


    Hoshino was growing increasingly aware of the seriousness of the situation. Based on Gekko''s final words, it was possible that the event wasn''t driven by Tenma Yako''s original intentions. Perhaps it was a twisted will, deviating from its original path.


    Realizing this, Hoshino suddenly recalled the information Keith had shared with her.


    (Keith: "Tenma Yako is the younger brother of Tenma Gekko. Both of them were adopted by Pegasus. Yako was utterly obsessed with Pegasus. To avenge the person who ''killed'' Pegasus¡ªnamely, you¡ªhe used his soul to complete Pegasus''s unfinished three Evil God cards.")


    "Used his own soul to complete the three Evil God cards."


    Hoshino''s eyes darted as she opened the card box at her waist and took out the remaining two cards.


    [The Wicked Dreadroot]


    [The Wicked Eraser]


    "Hoshino, those are the Evil God cards, right? Why are you bringing them out now?" Mokuba curiously leaned closer.


    "Ah?! So this is the Evil God card that Marik-nii ordered Akasha to steal from Hoshino-nee. So this is what it looks like!" Akasha examined it closely from side to side, then beamed with an innocent smile. "Gimme one~"


    "Heh, sorry, Akasha, but I''m afraid that''s impossible." Patting Akasha''s golden hair, Hoshino slid the two Evil God cards into her duel disk''s deck.


    "Because I have a feeling that we''ll need these two cards in the next duel."


    "Huh? Why?"


    "Just a hunch!"


    Never one to doubt her own intuition, Hoshino wasn''t making an exception this time.


    Moreover, when she looked at The Wicked Dreadroot, she was reminded of the abnormal Shadow Game she had with Duke Devlin, further deepening her suspicions...


    "Who exactly is waiting for us on the 200th floor? Is it the real Tenma Yako, or an Evil God that''s possessed his soul?"


    Swallowing hard, Hoshino felt like she was gradually peeling away the fog obscuring the truth. However, the closer she got, the more her instincts warned her of the increasing danger.


    "Heh, this is getting interesting! Whether you''re a human or a god, show me what you''ve got!"


    Rather than being intimidated by the terror lurking behind the fog of truth, Hoshino''s fighting spirit was stoked even further.


    "Anyway, Da Vinci-chan said these things can''t be avoided. Instead of sitting and waiting, why not take the initiative? Let''s see what kind of mask you''re wearing, Tenma Yako!"


    "Hoshino, why are you suddenly so fired up?" Mokuba shrank back a little, unable to hear Hoshino''s inner thoughts and thus unable to understand her sudden surge of emotion.


    "Hoshino-nee is even cooler now!" In contrast to Mokuba''s retreat, Akasha clung tightly to Hoshino.


    "Akasha''s absorbing the overflowing energy¡ªcan''t let it go to waste!"


    "Enough messing around, it''s time to move!"


    Stowing away the duel disk on her arm, Hoshino didn''t bother taking out her deck, knowing full well she''d be using it again soon.


    "Oh, target: the 200th floor!" x2


    (***)


    "Lord Yako, the targets are on the move again!"


    "What happened that made them stay so long on the 190th floor?"


    Tenma Yako, who had been watching the monitors intently, was puzzled as he noticed Hoshino and the others had stopped moving after entering the 190th-floor hallway.


    According to the map, the hallway on the 190th floor was just an empty corridor, with no reason for the three to stay there for so long.


    "Could it be that my ambush plan has been discovered?" Yako glared, pondering why Hoshino and her group had stopped.


    "But even if the plan has been exposed, there''s no way back now since the only remaining path leads to the 200th floor."


    "So, they''ve only delayed a bit, nothing major. Are the duelists I arranged already in position?"


    "Yes, Lord Yako. Everything has been set up. The strongest duelists from Industrial Illusions are ready!" The black-clad man reported respectfully.


    "Heh, Duel King Hoshino Chiyuki, let me see your strength..."


    (***)


    Growl~~~


    "I can''t take it anymore; I''m starving!" With her stomach loudly protesting, Hoshino slumped.


    "It''s already mealtime, so of course, you''re hungry." Mokuba, who checked the time on his phone¡ªno, his terminal¡ªsighed.


    "Why didn''t I bring food? I''m an idiot."


    Regretting her youthful mistake and imagining all the food she buy with her first salary in game shop, Hoshino began to drool uncontrollably.


    However, her muttering left Mokuba thoroughly confused. "What are you talking about, Hoshino?"


    "Akasha''s not hungry at all. Hoshino-nee, you two are quite spoiled, huh?" Akasha, who appeared no different from before, continued hopping around on the stairs.


    "When the Rare Hunters go on missions, we often can''t find food for a whole day, sometimes even two."


    "And people actually work for Marik under these conditions?!"


    Both were shady organizations, but at least those in the underground could enjoy good food and drink. The Rare Hunters, besides having rare cards, seemed to lack any perks.


    "Are the Rare Hunters made up of crazed card collectors who treat rare cards like food?"


    "Nope! The Rare Hunters are destined to conquer the world one day. Everyone''s just being patient for now."


    Akasha''s casual mention of world domination would sound like childish talk to most.


    "Conquer the world with rare cards, huh? That''s actually quite in line with the style of this world..." Hoshino, too exhausted to argue, even found it a little logical.


    "Hoshino!" The scout, Mokuba, who was walking in front, reported back with the latest intel. "The road ahead is blocked!"


    "Analyze the situation, Private Mokuba!"


    "Yes, ma''am! Report: I don''t know!"


    "You''re useless¡­" Hoshino shook her head, her expression full of doubt.


    "Are you really the genius of Kaiba Corp? You don''t even know your own company''s layout."


    "Fake Mokuba, imposter rich kid!" Akasha, the troublemaker, chimed in.


    "That''s not it!" Mokuba, feeling ridiculed, retorted irritably.


    "The stairs from the 190th to the 200th floor should be unobstructed, but look¡­" Mokuba turned to Hoshino and pointed behind him with his thumb, "Why is there a completely out-of-place door here in Kaiba Corp?"


    "A door that looks out of place?" Feeling a strange sense of familiarity, Hoshino lifted her head and looked in the direction Mokuba was pointing.


    "!!!" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What''s wrong, Hoshino?" Seeing Hoshino suddenly freeze like a statue, Mokuba curiously asked, "Do you recognize this thing?"


    "Snap out of it, Hoshino-nee¡ª!"


    [Akasha used a Stone Dissolving Potion, and it''s super effective.]


    "Familiar is an understatement!" Hoshino covered her mouth, feeling nauseous despite having eaten nothing.


    The thing in front of her was none other than the ''Maze'' and ''Palace'' doors from the Duelist Kingdom dungeon!


    "Mokuba, what floor are we on exactly, and what is this area used for?"


    Since the opposing party blocked their only path with the ''Maze'' door, it was clear their intention was to force Hoshino and her group to enter this floor.


    "Well, if I counted correctly, this should be the 199th floor. I remember this is where my brother would duel a supercomputer to test card decks and duel disk functionality."


    "Kaiba has a special testing area for deck performance, huh? Can a computer really test a deck?"


    Tilting her head, Hoshino imagined Kaiba smugly beating the machine in a duel, "Hmph, only losers would use a computer to secure a first win~"


    "But for them to dare block my way right before I reach my goal, they must have some nerve!"Rolling up her sleeves, Hoshino''s duel disk clicked into place, the mechanical sound crisp and clear, signaling her readiness for battle.


    "Them?" Mokuba asked, catching on to Hoshino''s sudden shift in energy.


    "You''ll see once we''re inside. If I''m not mistaken, their entrance should be pretty dramatic."


    Hoshino, fully aware of her opponents'' true identities, walked with a confidence completely different from when she entered the 190th-floor hallway. The loud thudding of her footsteps echoed, as if she wanted to make sure the enemy knew she was coming.


    "Hwah¡ª!"


    "Yah¡ª!"


    "Just as I thought..." Hoshino muttered, hearing those familiar sharp cries. She smirked knowingly, her suspicions confirmed.


    Not having Hoshino''s foresight, Mokuba, startled by the sudden noises, demanded, "Huh? Who''s hiding in there?!"


    "So, you finally asked that question, huh¡­" Hoshino said, rubbing her forehead in exasperation.


    "Hahaha, good question!"


    In response to Mokuba, two figures emerged from the shadows of the room, their movements fluid and theatrical.


    "We are¡­" The two bald men struck a series of exaggerated martial arts poses, punctuating their movements with sharp cries.


    "The strongest duelists of Industrial Illusions!"


    "The Labyrinth Brothers!"


    "Whoa, more kung fu!" Akasha, who had been watching the Labyrinth Brothers'' entrance without blinking, burst into laughter. "So lame!"


    "Let us see what prey has fallen into our trap today," one of the brothers declared confidently, crossing his arms as they both stood tall.


    After finishing their overly dramatic introductions, the Labyrinth Brothers, now back to their usual demeanor, turned their gaze toward Hoshino and her group.


    "It''s Hoshino Chiyuki, you idiots!" Hoshino pointed at herself with her thumb, her tone dripping with annoyance.


    On the other side, the Labyrinth Brothers turned their backs to Hoshino, whispering in hushed voices to each other.


    "Hey, hey, hey, I wasn''t told we''d be facing The Duel King."


    "Isn''t that Hoshino, the one who defeated us and then went on to beat Pegasus, winning the Duelist Kingdom Tournament?"


    "Didn''t Lord Yako say this opponent would be easy to handle? How is this easy?!"


    Though they had their backs turned, the cold sweat dripping from their smooth heads practically spelled out the word "fear" on the floor.


    "Mutter mutter¡­"


    "You two! What are you whispering about?! If it''s a duel you want, let''s get on with it! Don''t waste my time!" Hoshino snapped, her voice sharp with impatience.


    Shouting at the Labyrinth Brothers, Hoshino felt a rush of satisfaction, as if she''d just avenged some deep grievance, even though the duel hadn''t even started yet. Her mind flashed back to how they had tricked her during the final exit choice in Duelist Kingdom.


    "Ahem!" The Labyrinth Brothers awkwardly cleared their throats as they turned back around.


    "I knew you looked familiar. So, it''s Hoshino Chiyuki, the one we dueled before. I guess this is fate."


    "Although we couldn''t show our full strength back then due to certain circumstances, this time will be different," they continued with an air of determination.


    "You know the rules of dueling with us Labyrinth Brothers¡ªyou must have a tag-team duel! If you don''t have two duelists, we won''t accept the challenge!"


    "And of course, you remember the old rule: you can''t open the final door unless you win the duel."


    Yes, after whispering amongst themselves, the two bald brothers had pinpointed one fact: this time, Hoshino was alone. There was no sign of Yugi Muto or her previous allies.


    "Hmph, no matter how strong you are, you won''t be able to win when you''re dragging two brats along with you." The brothers silently celebrated what they believed was their insight into the situation.


    "Today will be the day we, the Labyrinth Brothers, wash away our humiliation! Hahaha!" they laughed, imagining their victory.


    "Ah~ So it''s a tag-team duel¡­" Hoshino''s expression turned dangerous, her eyes narrowing into sharp slits. She glanced sideways at Akasha.


    "No problem, Hoshino-nee!" Instantly understanding Hoshino''s signal, Akasha skillfully unfolded the duel disk on her small arm with surprising precision.


    "Leave it to me, Uncle Akasha! ©c(¨R¡õ¨Q)¥Î"


    This kid¡­ she''s been watching too many kung fu movies¡­


    (*****)


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 Chapter 175 - 175

    [Labyrinth Brothers vs. Hoshino Chiyuki & Akasha]


    "Duel Start!"


    "I''ll take the first move!" declared the ''Labyrinth'' brother as he drew his card.


    "Don''t say I didn''t warn you. With the Duel Disk system, you won''t be able to pull off tricks like using monster cards as field spells anymore!" Hoshino reminded them, recalling the Labyrinth Brothers'' previous tactics.


    As expected of Kaiba''s exclusive duel arena, the space was extravagantly large. The size of the area was vast enough that even placing a labyrinth inside wouldn''t be an issue.


    However, the Labyrinth Brothers'' reaction was unexpected to Hoshino...


    After drawing their cards, the brothers chuckled. "Don''t worry. With the strength we''ve gained now, we no longer need such flimsy tactics like the labyrinth!"


    What? They don''t need a labyrinth and still call themselves the Labyrinth Brothers?


    "I activate the spell card [Card Destruction], forcing all players to discard their hands and draw the same number of cards from their decks!" the brother declared.


    "Swapping hands right off the bat? Guess they didn''t like their opening hand," Mokuba thought to himself.


    Mokuba, standing nearby, had a strange feeling. He had watched Kaiba duel against AI here countless times. The space was huge, but Kaiba''s monsters were massive too. Everyone knew about the Blue-Eyes White Dragons and Obelisk the Tormentor. The arena''s size was specifically designed to fully showcase the grand scale of Kaiba''s monsters.


    "This stage originally belonged to my brother alone, but now, four people are dueling in a tag-team duel," Mokuba murmured quietly.


    "Well, I didn''t like my opening hand much either." Hoshino tossed her cards into the graveyard, happily drawing five new cards from her deck.


    "Huh? Akasha felt like her starting hand was pretty good," Akasha said, hesitating as she discarded her [Mirror Force], [Magic Cylinder], [Trap Hole], [Raigeki], and [Compulsory Evacuation Device] into the graveyard.


    "Akasha-chan, if you don''t change your deck, you might never make friends in your life¡­" Hoshino said with a sigh.


    "But this deck can help us win the duel, right? If you think of it that way, it''s not too bad, right, Hoshino-nee?" Akasha said, smiling innocently.


    After drawing five new cards, Akasha''s hesitation disappeared. It seemed she had already drawn into new traps.


    "Do you think I discarded my hand just to swap cards? How naive!" The brothers smirked as they slammed down their next card. "I activate the spell card [Premature Burial]!"


    [Premature Burial Equip Spell Effect: Pay 800 Life Points, then target 1 monster in your graveyard. Special Summon it in Attack Position and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, destroy the equipped monster.]


    [Labyrinth Brothers LP 4000 ¡ú 3200]


    "With this card, I''ll special summon [Suijin] from the graveyard!"


    [Suijin ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(7-star)][WATER][Aqua/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2400]


    [Once while face-up on the field, during damage calculation in your opponent''s turn, if this card is being attacked (Quick Effect): You can target the attacking monster; make that target''s ATK 0 during damage calculation only.]


    "So they''ve shifted away from stalling with their labyrinth tactics and are speeding up their deck with fast-paced strategies, summoning monsters right from the start," Hoshino thought, slightly surprised. "It feels like they''re stronger without the labyrinth."


    "And now, I summon [Kaiser Sea Horse] in Attack Position! Turn end!"


    [Kaiser Sea Horse ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-star)][LIGHT][Sea Serpent/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1650]


    [This card can be treated as 2 Tributes for the Tribute Summon of a LIGHT monster.]


    "Hahaha! Behold the terrifying power of the reborn Labyrinth Brothers!" they cackled arrogantly.


    "Let me take the first move, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha, who had been eager to duel since swapping her hand, volunteered.


    "Alright, I''ll let you have the stage this time." Hoshino waved Akasha on, lowering her hand that was about to draw.


    "Then, my turn! I draw! I summon [Silent Magician LV4] in Attack Position!"


    [Silent Magician LV4 ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-star)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    "She''s so cute! I didn''t realize the lower-level Silent Magicians were this adorable," Hoshino remarked, watching the tiny Silent Magician pop out on Akasha''s field. The miniature magician clutched a small, ornate staff, standing barely half the height of the LV8 version.


    "And then, I activate a spell card from my hand¡­" Akasha continued, throwing down a familiar card.


    "[Card Destruction]!"


    "Wait, wait, wait! Do you two have something against your hands or what?!" Hoshino complained as she looked at the spell card and then glanced at her own hand. She sighed heavily. "I''ve never discarded 10 cards before the duel even started¡­"


    Reluctantly, Hoshino threw her cards into the graveyard and reached for her deck...


    "!!!" But this time, something felt different.


    "What is this feeling¡­?" It was as if something had suddenly rushed into her brain, a dizziness overtaking her. Hoshino nearly lost her balance and stumbled backward.


    "Hoshino-nee, are you alright?" Akasha asked, noticing Hoshino''s unusual state while drawing her new hand.


    A faint dark aura, though subtle, had started to invade Hoshino''s eyes. Black strands of energy, barely visible, wove themselves around the edges of her crimson pupils like threads being drawn from the depths.


    "I''m fine. I think I know what''s going on¡­" Hoshino whispered, looking at the cards she had just drawn.


    "So this is what it feels like to use an Evil God Card¡­ The power is immense, but overuse would indeed erode one''s sanity," she mused to herself.


    "Don''t worry about me, Akasha-chan. Keep going." Even though her eyes had taken on an odd color, Hoshino gave Akasha a bright smile.


    "Alright¡­" Akasha still seemed a bit concerned but shifted her focus back to the duel, continuing her turn.


    "I activate [Silent Magician LV4]''s effect!"


    [Each time your opponent draws a card(s), place 1 Spell Counter on this card (max. 5). This card gains 500 ATK for each Spell Counter on it.]


    [Spell Counters X5]


    [Silent Magician LV 4 ATK 1000 ¡ú 3500]


    As the Spell Counters continued to accumulate, Silent Magician began to grow. In no time, the petite Silent Magician LV4 had matured into a much taller, more powerful figure resembling the LV8 version.


    "This growth rate is impressive¡­" Hoshino muttered, glancing at Silent Magician''s now noticeably enhanced form. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "And then I''ll set four cards and end my turn."


    Even though Silent Magician now had an attack power of 3500, with the Suijin on the Labyrinth Brothers'' field, it was pointless to attack.


    If Akasha''s Silent Magician attacked, its attack power would drop to zero due to Suijin''s effect. In such a situation, instead of charging forward recklessly, it was better to let it serve as a high-attack wall.


    As the Elite duelist among the Rare Hunters, Akasha knew this instinctively, even without Hoshino reminding her. She didn''t enter the battle phase. After setting the remaining cards in her hand, Akasha chose to end her turn.


    "Heh heh, with Suijin on the field, even a monster with 3500 attack points wouldn''t dare to attack. A bit of common sense would tell you that¡­"


    Continuing his turn, the Labyrinth Brother wasn''t surprised by Akasha''s understanding of the monster''s effects. The Suijin card wasn''t rare, and many duelists knew its effect. In fact, it was more unusual to see someone like Hoshino, who once had her Okita charge straight into it.


    "Why do I feel like I''m being mocked?" Hoshino raised an eyebrow.


    "It''s my turn! I draw!"


    The Labyrinth Brother glanced at the card he had drawn and couldn''t help but laugh.


    "You''ve done me a favor, little girl! Thanks to your Card Destruction, I''ve drawn the key card!"


    He slapped the drawn card down onto the table. "I sacrifice my Kaiser Sea Horse on the field! Thanks to Kaiser Sea Horse''s effect, I can use it as two tributes for summoning a Light attribute monster. I''ll tribute summon... [Sanga of the Thunder]!"


    [Sanga of the Thunder ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(7-Stars)][LIGHT][Thunder/Effect][ATK 2600/DEF 2200]


    The massive figure of Sanga, as heavy as a boulder, materialized and floated in the air without any scientific explanation.


    "Now we''ve got two gods on the field. But with Akasha-chan''s Silent Magician at 3500 attack and four set cards, it won''t be easy to break through."


    If this stalemate continued, the duel would likely become a prolonged battle of attrition.


    "Heh heh, you think a mere 3500 attack-point monster, which doesn''t even qualify as a wall, can stop the legendary duelist slayers, the Labyrinth Brothers? You''re too naive!" The Labyrinth Brother''s words dripped with confidence and arrogance as he played another card.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Hey, Trunade]!"


    [Hey, Trunade! Spell Card Effect: Return all Set Spells and Traps on the field to the hand.]


    A green tornado swept across the field, scattering the Spell and Trap cards that had been set.


    Mokuba, watching from the sidelines, was confused. "If all the Spell Cards return to the hand, won''t that destroy the Suijin equipped with [Premature Burial]?"


    Hoshino shook her head. "No, because [Premature Burial] states that if it is destroyed, the equipped monster is destroyed too. Since it''s returning to the hand, it won''t destroy Suijin. It can even be reused."


    "Exactly!" The Labyrinth Brother, holding Premature Burial back in his hand, grinned.


    Of course, the effect of Hey, Trunade didn''t just let the Labyrinth Brothers reclaim Premature Burial. Akasha''s four set cards were also blown back to her hand.


    Visibly irritated, Akasha pouted and reluctantly pulled the cards she had just placed back into her hand.


    "Now, I''ll activate [Premature Burial] again! With its effect, I''ll revive from the graveyard¡­"


    [Labyrinth Brothers'' LP 3200 ¡ú 2400]


    A green sphere of light stirred up a strong wind as it materialized on the field.


    "Could it be?!" Hoshino, now alert, furrowed her brows.


    "[Kazejin]!"


    [Kazejin ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(7-Stars)][WIND][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2400/ DEF 2200]


    "With all three Gods assembled, it''s time to call forth the ultimate monster!" The Labyrinth Brothers, having summoned all three gods, now wore expressions of madness.


    "Even a 3500 attack Silent Magician must kneel before the strongest gatekeeper! I offer the three gods as tributes for a special summon!"


    "[Gate Guardian]!"


    Though they claimed to be offering the gods'' bodies, the three gods merely combined together like puzzle pieces.


    [Gate Guardian ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(11-Stars)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3750/DEF 3400]


    "Attack power¡­ 3750?" Seeing the massive creature pieced together from the three gods, Akasha began to feel uneasy.


    "Attack Silent Magician LV4! Triple-Attribute Multi-Beam Attack!"


    From the mouths of the three gods, beams of different attributes shot out, striking Akasha''s Silent Magician. With her set cards all blown away by Hey, Trunade, Akasha had no traps to protect her.


    [Silent Magician LV4] was destroyed.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki & Akasha LP 4000 ¡ú 3750]


    "Sorry, Hoshino-nee." Feeling guilty, Akasha apologized. She had volunteered for battle, but not only did she fail to gain an advantage, she allowed the Labyrinth Brothers to summon Gate Guardian.


    "It''s fine. The Labyrinth Brothers specialize in tag duels, and they''re known as duelists who defeat team pairings. Losing a bit in the first turn against them is perfectly normal." Hoshino''s words, though comforting Akasha, were also true.


    The opponents had played Kaiser Sea Horse and Premature Burial in the first turn, and then followed up with Sanga of the Thunder and Hey, Trunade in the next. This level of cooperation was the result of countless duels.


    "Hahaha! Have you felt the power of the Labyrinth Brothers? Though we''ve summoned the Gate Guardian, we''ve used Premature Burial twice, so our Life Points are a bit low. So¡­"


    After completing his attack, the Labyrinth Brother slapped down another card. "I activate the Spell Card [Rain of Mercy]!"


    [Rain of Mercy Spell Card Effect: Increase the Life Points of both players by 1000 points.]


    Gentle raindrops, like thousands of silver threads, fell from the sky, washing over the four duelists.


    [Labyrinth Brothers'' LP 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki & Akasha''s LP 3750 ¡ú 4750]


    "With Gate Guardian summoned in the first round, we''ve practically won this duel! I set two cards and end my turn!"


    The Labyrinth Brother, so full of pride that his nose was practically in the air, placed down his cards, crossed his arms, and smirked. "Hoshino Chiyuki, let''s see how much of a storm you can stir up on your own."


    "Hoshino-nee¡­" Still feeling guilty, Akasha turned to Hoshino, who was now starting her turn.


    "It''s fine. They''re only this smug now, but once I... ugh!"


    Just as Hoshino was starting to boast and had drawn her card, that familiar sensation of a sudden shock hit her again.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 176 - 176

    "Ugh... this feeling!"


    With great effort, Hoshino pressed her left hand against her head and struggled to open her eyes to look at the card she had just drawn.


    "As expected, the second Evil God card has arrived."


    The black energy in her eyes was more intense than before. Previously, only a few black lines had appeared, but now those lines densely covered the whites of her eyes.


    "So this is the power of the Evil Gods... it''s terrifying."


    "Hoshino, are you okay?" Even Mokuba, who was watching from the side, noticed that something was wrong with her.


    "I understand now... it''s not that the Evil Gods corrupt someone''s heart directly. Rather, it''s the overwhelming power itself that''s the true poison that corrodes one''s heart..."


    "Hoshino?"


    "Sorry, but I''ve already won this duel!" Hoshino slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes, now filled with black streaks, brimming with a burning desire for victory.


    "Hoshino, you''re starting to look like Keith. Are you really okay?"


    The recognizable ominous look in her eyes immediately reminded Mokuba of Keith, who had once used the Evil God card.


    "I''m totally fine. I guess this is just something you have to endure when wielding the power of the Evil Gods."


    Having faced the Evil God cards twice now, Hoshino had a clear understanding of what she was going through. At the same time, she also realized that even though it looked frightening, the dark energy within the Evil Gods could be suppressed by the willpower of the duelist.


    The proof of this lay in the difference between Duke Devlin''s experience with an Evil God card and Keith''s. Devlin had been instantly taken over by the Evil God''s will and turned into its puppet, whereas Keith retained his will, despite the darkness in his eyes.


    The difference was that Devlin was not truly a skilled duelist, at least not at a high level. Keith, on the other hand, was a former American champion, and his strength of spirit as a duelist far surpassed Devlin''s.


    Naturally, the same applied to Hoshino. With the strength of her soul, suppressing two Evil God cards was well within her ability.


    At least, that''s what Hoshino believed...


    "Haha, did you just say you''ve already won this duel?! Are you dreaming?"


    Although the ominous aura in her eyes startled the Labyrinth Brothers, they weren''t about to accept defeat so easily. After all, they held a tremendous advantage on the field, and their pride wouldn''t allow them to back down.


    "We have the unbeatable Gate Guardian on our field!"


    "And you¡ªyour field is completely empty!"


    "If you can beat the two of us in one turn, we''ll eat our Duel Disks right here!" the brothers declared in unison.


    Hoshino added the Evil God card to her hand, raised a finger, and with a mocking smile on her face, she looked at the Labyrinth Brothers. Her blackened eyes were filled with disdain.


    "In one turn, I''ll show you how the power of the Evil Gods crushes your ridiculous pride."


    "Don''t look down on us! Just because you became Duel King doesn''t mean you''re invincible! Even Pegasus himself shows us respect at Industrial Illusions!"


    With a chuckle, Hoshino raised two fingers. "I only need two steps¡ª"


    "¡ªto end this duel!"


    "Hoshino-nee..." Akasha, who had been watching in a daze, was shocked. She had never seen this side of Hoshino before, but what really stunned her was Hoshino''s seemingly groundless claim that she could win in just one turn.


    "Watch carefully, you bald brothers!" Hoshino lifted her Duel Disk and dramatically played a card from her hand.


    "This is the first step! I activate the Spell Card [Graceful Charity], which lets me draw three cards..."


    Hoshino swiftly drew three cards from her deck, not even sparing them a glance before sending two cards from her hand to the graveyard.


    "The performance... begins!"


    As soon as Hoshino discarded her cards, a sinister aura exploded from her, enveloping the entire arena. A piercing wail emanated from her Duel Disk''s graveyard zone, shaking everyone to their core.


    "W-what is this?!" The Labyrinth Brothers, now panicking, looked at Hoshino, who was holding her Duel Disk high in the air.


    "This is¡ªThe Evil God!" Along with the haunting cries filling the space, a thin shadow emerged from Hoshino''s raised Duel Disk and began swirling above the field.


    "The Wicked Eraser will wipe out everything on the field, including your Gate Guardian!"


    "Roooar!" With a thunderous howl, the phantom exploded, raining a corrosive black liquid across the field.


    The Gate Guardian, once it stepped onto the blackened ground, seemed to sink into an endless abyss before disappearing completely.


    "The Wicked Eraser''s special effect! When this card is sent to the graveyard, it destroys all cards on the field!"


    This was the same effect that Keith had used to wipe out Hoshino''s field twice. Hoshino never imagined she''d be the one using this effect one day.


    "Now, all of your set cards, your monsters, everything is gone. Next comes the second step, and with it, the end of you both!"


    "Impossible, this can''t be happening..."


    Without the protection of the Gate Guardian, the Labyrinth Brothers became even more flustered. For the first time, they felt there might be truth to Hoshino''s one-turn victory claim.


    "We''re the strongest tag-team duelists from Industrial Illusions. There''s no way we could lose in just one turn... Ah!!"


    Frantically shaking their heads in denial, the Labyrinth Brothers suddenly froze in place, as if they had been turned to stone. Their trembling bodies betrayed their growing fear.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Monster Reborn]! Rise again from the depths of hell!"


    Hoshino slammed the card down on her Duel Disk, pulling out the second Wicked God card she had discarded with Graceful Charity. "Behold, The Wicked Dreadroot!"


    "Roaar!!"


    A chilling and fearsome roar echoed throughout the massive duel arena, resonating up through the 200 floors of Kaiba Corporation''s tower. The terrifying figure of the Wicked Dreadroot materialized on Hoshino''s field, draped in a ghastly shroud of white bones.


    [The Wicked Dreadroot ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    "W-what is that thing?!" Overwhelmed by the sheer presence of the monstrous figure, the Labyrinth Brothers collapsed onto the floor, not even bothering to pick up the cards scattered around them.


    With her thumb pointing down, Hoshino gave a mocking smirk and said, "This is what I meant earlier, the power of the Evil God that will crush your pride!"


    "Attack, Wicked Dreadroot!" Hoshino traced a thumb across her neck as she gave her final attack command.


    "Dread Crush!"


    The monster''s pale, skeletal claws reached out, one from the left and one from the right, closing in on the trembling, defenseless Labyrinth Brothers.


    "No, nooooooo!!"


    [Labyrinth Brothers LP 3400 ¡ú 0]


    (***)


    "Hahaha, Kaiba, is this the girl you said would make the gods tremble? How amusing!"


    In the control room on the 200th floor, Yako laughed out loud at Kaiba while watching Hoshino use the Evil God to defeat the Labyrinth Brothers on the screen.


    "She''s completely consumed by the power of the Evil Gods. No matter how strong a duelist''s soul is, it''s impossible to resist the corruption of two Evil God cards simultaneously. That Keith sure did a fine job completing the task I gave him."


    Kaiba, who had somehow appeared in the control room, leaned coolly against the wall without speaking, though his eyes were tightly focused on the screen, his brow furrowed.


    "Hoshino, you wouldn''t let yourself fall so easily into the temptation of this dark power, right..." Arms crossed, Kaiba silently ''hoped'' to himself.


    "Well, I suppose I should get ready to deal with this arrogant girl." Yako pressed his hands on his thighs and slowly rose from his chair.


    "Those who are corrupted by the power of the Evil Gods will only grow more dependent on them. A duelist like that could never defeat me, nor could they ever hope to overcome my strongest card, The Wicked Avatar!"


    ...


    "Yako Tenma!"


    A sharp voice suddenly rang out, startling Yako, who had been rising to his feet.


    "What???" The relaxed expression on his face instantly disappeared, and a disbelieving Yako turned his eyes back to the screen.


    Somehow, Hoshino, who had detected the position of the camera in the dueling arena, now had her eyes, burning with fiery determination, locked directly onto it. The black veins that had filled her eyes were rapidly fading, visible even to the naked eye.


    However, the strangest thing wasn''t that. What stood out the most was the dazzling golden glow coming from Hoshino''s bracelet.


    The indescribable golden light, as if it embodied the power of countless spirits, was not like the holy radiance that banishes demons, but could instead be called the light of heroic spirits. It instantly dispelled the ominous aura left behind by the two Evil Gods on the battlefield.


    "You''re watching, aren''t you, Tenma Yako!"


    Pointing at the camera she had locked her gaze on, Hoshino slowly raised her glowing right hand.


    "Did you think sending two small fry would reveal my true strength? How did you like that Evil God performance?"


    "But remember this: the one who will defeat you is neither the Evil Gods nor the Egyptian Gods..."


    "It''s me, Hoshino Chiyuki, Duel King, along with the heroic spirits that span time and history!"


    Bang¡ªZzzt¡ª!


    In an instant, both the camera on the 199th floor and the screen on the 200th floor shattered simultaneously, leaving Yako standing in the control room, gritting his teeth.


    "Hahahahaha!" At that moment, Kaiba''s loud, untimely laughter erupted from behind Yako.


    "How amusing! It seems your gamble, Yako, of sending both Evil God cards has failed miserably!"


    Indeed, this had all been Yako''s gamble. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After Hoshino obtained the first Evil God card, Yako had used Keith to send the second Evil God card into Hoshino''s hands, hoping that the combined power of the two Evil Gods would consume her soul.


    As for the Labyrinth Brothers, Yako had never expected them to defeat Hoshino.


    It was merely a cautious move on his part to further accelerate the Evil Gods'' corruption, or perhaps just to test her before the final confrontation.


    "To think there''s a human capable of controlling two Evil Gods..." Yako''s voice trembled with disbelief. Using the Evil God cards without succumbing to corruption meant she had fully mastered them.


    "What kind of person is capable of even using the Evil Gods for her own ends?"


    "Hahaha, the many secrets hidden within Hoshino, I still haven''t fully uncovered them myself!" Kaiba, clearly having nothing to do with it, displayed a proud expression anyway. "Yako Tenma, I''m getting more and more excited to see the look on your face when you lose!"


    (***)


    "Hoshino, were you just talking to Tenma Yako?" Scratching his head, Mokuba seemed surprised. He hadn''t known that Yako had installed a camera on the 199th floor. It seemed even he was unaware of its existence.


    "Hoshino-nee, what just happened?" Akasha, who had been in a daze ever since Hoshino summoned the Evil Gods, finally snapped back to reality.


    "You really beat those two small-time duelists in just one turn, Hoshino-nee! You''re way more amazing than I thought!"


    Though Akasha had come back to her senses, her cute little mouth was still open in astonishment, her red lips slightly parted like small cherries.


    "Hehe, that was just thanks to the power of the Evil God cards. It doesn''t mean I''m that amazing."


    "No wonder Marik-onii wants the Evil God cards so badly. If I had an Evil God card, would I become as strong as you, Hoshino-nee?"


    Shaking her head, Hoshino patted Akasha on the head. "Relying too much on such power won''t help a duelist grow. In fact, power that''s too great can make someone overly dependent on it, like a poison you can''t escape from."


    "So if you want to get stronger, Akasha-chan, you should focus on building your own deck!"


    Looking at Akasha''s slightly parted mouth and her adorable expression, Hoshino mischievously gave her a playful flick on the smooth surface of her forehead after patting her head.


    "Ow, it hurts¡ª!" Akasha covered her forehead. "Hoshino-nee is so mean! You must have been corrupted by the Evil Gods if you''re bullying me!"


    "Stop teasing her, Hoshino." Seeing the dark aura had completely faded from Hoshino''s eyes, Mokuba let out a small sigh of relief.


    "So, what are we going to do now?" Mokuba''s gaze shifted to the Labyrinth Brothers, who were lying on the ground unconscious and foaming at the mouth.


    "You''re asking me what to do..." Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly. Although she hadn''t been controlled by the Evil Gods, she had impulsively relied on their power to crush the duel.


    The result? Two knocked-out duelists, overwhelmed by the sheer power of the Evil Gods.


    "Maybe they have the key to the door. Mokuba, why don''t you check them?" Unceremoniously pushing Mokuba forward, Hoshino''s face donned a business-like smile. "Surely, you wouldn''t expect girls like me and Akasha-chan to do that, right~?"


    "Sigh~" Mokuba sighed deeply as he rolled up his sleeves, helplessly.


    As a guy who had already been outmatched by Hoshino and Akasha in dueling, if he backed out now, he''d really be the useless one.


    With that resolve in mind, Mokuba started searching the two unconscious men.


    "Got it! This must be it!" The gate blocking the passage to the 200th floor was clearly of Chinese design, so the matching key was also a distinct iron ring with Chinese elements.


    "It''s been a tough journey, but finally, we can meet the boss hiding behind all this!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 177 - 177

    "What kind of logic is this? How could they build such a strange door in such a short amount of time?"


    Stepping forward to inspect it, Mokuba noticed that even though the door, with the characters for "Maze" written on it, clashed with the surrounding high-tech style, the craftsmanship was so perfect that it fit seamlessly into Kaiba Corporation''s building.


    Creak¡ª!


    Like the sound of an old door opening, Mokuba easily pulled the door open after inserting the key with the bronze ring.


    "I''m so glad we don''t have to solve any riddles this time," Hoshino muttered softly in relief.


    "Riddles? Akasha loves riddles!" But no matter how quietly she spoke, it couldn''t escape Akasha''s rabbit-like sharp ears.


    "Then guess what color Hoshino''s panties are?" Mokuba asked casually.


    "White. I saw them when she was walking up the stairs just now!" Akasha proudly answered.


    Thud! Thud!


    Both of the little brats received a solid flick on the head. Blushing slightly, Hoshino took a few steps back, making sure Akasha wouldn''t walk behind her anymore.


    "We''re here, Hoshino," Mokuba said, his tone suddenly turning serious. It was only one floor up, so it hadn''t taken long.


    Unlike the previously out-of-place Chinese-style door, the one leading to Kaiba Corporation''s control room was full of futuristic flair.


    "This door is on par with the one at Chaldea''s cafeteria!" Hoshino marveled, stroking her chin.


    "Hoshino, this is Kaiba Corporation''s main control room! How could you compare it to a cafeteria?" Mokuba replied, confident in his family''s cutting-edge technology, even though he had no idea what "Chaldea" was.


    Proudly, Mokuba placed his hand on what seemed like a glass touch screen.


    [Verifying identity...]


    "The control room door can only be opened by my brother''s and my fingerprints. This is Kaiba Corporation''s highest level of security."


    [Verification failed. Access Denied.]


    The cold, mechanical voice struck Mokuba''s face like a brutal punch.


    "I could''ve told you that would happen. You said only you and Kaiba can enter the control room, but it''s already been hacked by Tenma Yako, right?" Hoshino laughed, patting Mokuba on the shoulder, her voice full of schadenfreude.


    "Hoshino, don''t laugh! If Yako''s altered the door data, we won''t be able to get in at all. This whole trip will have been for nothing!" Mokuba replied, a hint of frustration and urgency in his tone.


    "Don''t worry, leave it to me!"


    Gone was the playful tone; Hoshino''s eyes turned serious as the Duel Disk on her arm activated.


    "I was thinking about using this move earlier, if you hadn''t found the key on those bald brothers..."


    She pulled out a card and placed it onto her Duel Disk, a faint smile forming at the corner of her lips. "If you''re going to attack, you''ve got to show some spirit! Summon, [Heroic Spirit - Martha]!"


    As the light from the Duel Disk materialized, Martha appeared before them, donning iron gauntlets.


    "Master, have you been relying a bit too much on our powers lately?" Martha asked, sounding more like she was scolding Hoshino than anything else.


    "Huh? Really?" Feeling a bit guilty after being scolded, Hoshino scratched her face and looked away.


    "Of course! Why do you think Da Vinci turned our powers into cards in the first place?" Martha pressed, bringing her refined face closer to Hoshino.


    "Wh-why?" Hoshino asked, avoiding Martha''s stern gaze by looking up.


    "Because forcibly using powers not native to this world would have terrifying consequences!"


    "H-how terrifying?"


    "Let''s just say..." Martha slid two fingers out from her gauntlet and made a slicing motion across her throat with a menacing glare in her eyes. "Very terrifying!"


    "!!!" Terrified by Martha''s menacing aura, both Akasha and Mokuba instinctively bit their lips and stepped back.


    "Boss, you''re scaring the kids!"


    "I told you not to call me Boss!"


    "Please, just help me this one last time! We''re only one door away from the final boss. I''m begging you, O Saint Martha, help us open this door!"


    Hands clasped together in prayer, Hoshino closed her eyes and earnestly pleaded, "If the Lord were here, He would certainly lend a hand to helpless children like us!"


    "Ah! Fine. Since you asked like that, Master, I have no choice but to oblige," Martha sighed softly, though a hint of fondness crept into her eyes.


    "Alright, everyone, step back a bit. Don''t get caught in the crossfire!" Martha said, turning her attention back to the door, cracking her knuckles in anticipation.


    "Hoshino, how''s Martha going to open the door?" Mokuba asked, confused, as he glanced at Martha''s delicate arms. "It''s no use trying brute force. This is the highest grade of bulletproof door. Not even a fist could break it!"


    "Just watch and have faith," Hoshino said, completely confident in Martha.


    "I don''t really get what you mean by the highest grade of bulletproof, Mokuba, but at most, it''s probably resistant to missiles, right? Maybe even artillery shells," Hoshino said casually.


    "M-missiles?" Mokuba stammered. The door definitely couldn''t withstand missiles, but from Hoshino''s tone, it was as if even that wasn''t a big deal.


    "Watch carefully! Behold, the pinnacle of Martha-style martial arts, a divine miracle from the Bible! It could even part the Red Sea, so what''s a mere iron door to¡ª"


    "ORA!!"


    Before Hoshino could finish speaking, Martha let out a loud yell, driving her iron fist into the wall beside the door, then slamming it into the door itself.


    "Iron Fist!"


    The door flew off its hinges, smashing heavily into the corner of the wall. To avoid injuring anyone inside, Martha had chosen a side angle for her punch, calculating the trajectory to perfection.


    "A mere iron door... is no match at all," Hoshino finally finished her sentence, swallowing hard as she stared at the thick, heavy door lying in the corner. Even though she had been prepared, seeing the door fly off like that still made her gulp in awe.


    "Wow! Big Sis! Big Sis! Martha is amazing! (???)!" Akasha shouted excitedly, her eyes sparkling with admiration.


    Akasha, if you keep talking like that, you''ll end up like the door...


    (***)


    "Tenma Yako, after doing all this, do you think you''re worthy of Pegasus'' Industrial Illusions?"


    "Heh, you really don''t understand anything, Kaiba."


    Turning his head and glancing disdainfully at Kaiba, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, Yako''s eyes were filled with unprecedented determination. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The Industrial Illusions without Lord Pegasus is meaningless. It''s not a company that just makes Duel Monsters cards; it exists to serve Lord Pegasus."


    "Hmph, how boring." Kaiba snorted coldly, utterly unable to agree with such a twisted corporate philosophy.


    "Once I defeat Chiyuki Hoshino, I will undoubtedly be able to summon Lord Pegasus'' soul back."


    "There''s no value in such illogical methods."


    "This isn''t some illogical method, Kaiba. This is the power of science that you so revere!"


    Yako spread his arms, admiring the high-tech equipment that filled the control room.


    "As expected of a world-class technology giant. Using such advanced data processing equipment merely to materialize Duel Monsters is a huge waste. This system is capable of measuring and processing human souls!"


    Boom¡ª!


    Just as Yako was engrossed in admiring the control room, a sudden loud bang echoed through the room.


    The thick, heavily fortified door, which was embedded deeply into the wall, flew off as if hit by a cannonball.


    "!!!" Kaiba, who had remained calm until now, widened his eyes in shock. He was well aware of how sturdy the door to the control room was. For it to be blown off without warning was something only possible if a tank had been driven through it.


    "Big Brother, we''re here to rescue you!"


    With the door no longer obstructing their view, Mokuba immediately spotted Kaiba standing against the wall and shouted in excitement.


    "Mokuba?! How did you..."


    "Tenma Yako, did you really think that hiding in the control room would stop me? You''ve underestimated me way too much!"


    Pointing forcefully at the white-haired man in front of her, Hoshino recognized Yako instantly. Apart from the lack of a polite demeanor, Yako''s appearance was identical to Gekko''s, making it easy for her to identify him.


    "The Hero of justice, Akasha, is here to punish you!" Akasha struck a mysterious pose. When did she become a Hero of justice?


    "Hahaha, I never expected you to break in like this. Chiyuki Hoshino, you''re truly a person full of surprises!" Yako laughed heartily, having snapped back to his senses.


    "How did you guys manage to blow off the door...?"


    "Big Brother, it''s because the defense systems'' data were altered by the Industrial Illusions!" Mokuba replied honestly, with a hint of frustration toward Yako.


    "No, what I mean is..." Kaiba started, but was interrupted again.


    "Don''t worry, Kaiba. I know you''re shocked, but this is all thanks to the prowess of yours truly, Hoshino Chiyuki!" Hoshino waved dismissively, her expression radiating confidence, as if this was all just routine for her.


    "No, what I''m trying to say¡ª" Kaiba gritted his teeth, his eyebrows furrowing in exasperation as he continuously got interrupted.


    "¡ªDon''t you people understand the most basic thing, like knocking on the door?!"


    "..." The three outside were stunned into silence.


    "If you knew there were people in the room, shouldn''t a normal person''s first reaction be to knock and ask? Why would you choose to blow off the door instead? It''s completely illogical!" Kaiba''s voice was full of disbelief.


    "Oh no, we''re doomed. What if he asks for compensation..." Hoshino, who also realized Kaiba''s point made perfect sense, grew nervous, quietly calculating in her mind. "If Kaiba seriously holds me accountable, that door looks so high-end... Even selling myself wouldn''t cover the cost."


    "Well, the way you entered was a bit special, but it''s not a big deal."


    Surprisingly, the one who stepped in to smooth things over was none other than the final boss, Tenma Yako.


    "After all, after today, Kaiba Corporation won''t have any value left."


    Okay, maybe he wasn''t exactly smoothing things over¡ªmore like pouring fuel on the fire.


    "Tenma Yako!" Afraid that the conversation would circle back to compensation, Hoshino swiftly changed the topic.


    "I, the honorable Duel King Hoshino Chiyuki, will never allow your malicious actions to go unchallenged! For the sake of ''Kaiba Corporation,'' I will defeat you right here, right now!"


    Yes, for the sake of Kaiba Corporation. Hoshino made sure to emphasize that phrase, hoping Kaiba wouldn''t miss it. Since she had come for the safety of Kaiba Corporation, even if she had destroyed a very expensive-looking door, surely Kaiba wouldn''t be petty enough to hold her responsible.


    "Hahaha, to defeat me? You really dare to say that. Do you think just because you''ve tamed an Evil God card, you have the power to defeat me?" Yako''s laugh grew more unrestrained.


    "I know you once defeated an Egyptian God and even beat the Evil Gods..."


    "It was a draw!" Kaiba interrupted, not forgetting to correct the record.


    "But I hope you understand, the gods you''ve faced before aren''t in the same league as the ones I''m talking about!"


    "Oh? Is that so..." Catching a key piece of information, Hoshino shot a meaningful look at Kaiba.


    "It seems that our invincible Kaiba Corp president was too careless and suffered a loss, huh~"


    Kaiba, remaining silent, more or less confirmed Hoshino''s assumption.


    "Even Big Brother lost?" Though Mokuba had mentally prepared himself for this, it still felt unsettling when the truth was revealed.


    So that duel on the rooftop between Obelisk the Tormentor and Black Obelisk must have ended with Black Obelisk''s victory.


    "He might be hiding some truly terrifying power." Hoshino turned her gaze back to Yako, whose appearance was identical to Gekko''s, yet gave off a completely different vibe.


    "Now that all the players are here, shall we begin~?" Turning his back to them, Yako waved his hand at the group. "Come up to the rooftop. This cramped control room isn''t exactly the best place for a duel, is it?"


    "Hoshino-nee, should we follow him? That white-haired mister, even though he looks just like the one we met before, feels much scarier."


    "We''ve come this far; there''s no reason to back down now." Hoshino was now certain that the person who had manipulated the dark duel behind Duke Devlin was indeed Tenma Yako.


    "Even without a Millennium Item, he can still initiate a Shadow Duel... Is he even human?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 178 - 178

    "The wind on the rooftop is really cold =_=."


    Upon reaching the top of the 200-story building, Hoshino couldn''t help but shiver. It wasn''t because of fear, but because it was genuinely cold!


    "Why do we have to duel on the rooftop?! If the duel needs a spacious area, wouldn''t the duel arena downstairs be better? This bastard must have noticed that I dressed lightly today and is trying to use the cold wind to suppress my strength. How despicable! Truly the leader of terrorists."


    Hoshino muttered complaints about Yako in her heart while discreetly sniffing her nose, trying to prevent a runny nose.


    "Stop wasting time, Hoshino Chiyuki. Let''s begin." Raising his left arm, Yako calmly unfolded the duel disk on his arm. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That''s just what I wanted!" Hoshino, trying to bolster her spirit to fend off the cold (though it wasn''t very effective), unfolded her duel disk without showing any weakness.


    "Go for it, Hoshino! Just deal with Tenma Yako like you always do!" At this point, Mokuba probably saw Hoshino as an unbeatable duelist.


    "Hoshino-nee definitely won''t lose! After all, the guy we''re facing has the same hairstyle as the one Hoshino-nee just defeated, so their power can''t be that different, right?" Hair determines strength¡ªdespite being young, Akasha sure seemed to know a lot.


    Only Kaiba remained silent, keeping a stern expression since reaching the rooftop. He was still upset about losing to Tenma Yako.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki vs. Tenma Yako]


    "Duel start!"


    "Let''s begin the final shadow game as a ritual offering!"


    "Huh?!" Hoshino, who had been focusing on going first, was startled by the sudden phrase that slipped out of Yako''s mouth.


    Then, an eerie darkness began to envelop the rooftop. The temperature, already cold enough, dropped further as a black mist spread across the area, making everyone''s spines tingle.


    "Starting with a shadow game right off the bat? This is getting intense too fast!"


    The familiar dark energy and the glowing Millennium bracelet were unmistakable. Hoshino was sure Yako had initiated a real shadow game.


    However, it seemed that the spectators, like Kaiba and the others, weren''t affected by the dark energy spreading around them. It appeared that the shadow game Yako triggered was different from the one activated by Pegasus'' Millennium Eye, only enclosing the duelists within.


    That being said, the powerful dark energy was no weaker than that of the Millennium Items.


    "Even though he doesn''t have a Millennium Item, he''s still able to wield such dark power..." Hoshino murmured in awe, glancing disdainfully at her unreliable Millennium bracelet. Though it was a replica, it could never actively control dark energy and was always on the receiving end.


    "It seems someone''s talking trash about my perfect creation~." A familiar voice suddenly chimed in.


    "Da Vinci-chan! You''ve been offline for so long, but you''re finally back!" Hoshino exclaimed with joy, suddenly remembering that while her Millennium Bracelet couldn''t actively control dark energy, it did have the function of summoning the genius mind of Da Vinci.


    "Of course! How could I, the universal genius Da Vinci, miss such a critical shadow game~?" Like a guardian spirit, Da Vinci appeared behind Hoshino.


    "But it seems that in just a few days, Hoshino-chan''s dueling skills have surpassed mine. At this point, all I can do is cheer you on." In a tone akin to a parent watching their child grow up, Da Vinci pretended to wipe away non-existent tears from the corner of her eye.


    "Stop pretending, Da Vinci-chan. You showed up because this shadow game is dangerous, right?" Hoshino said seriously, knowing that Da Vinci didn''t appear during the almost one-sided shadow game against Devlin.


    "Hoshino-chan is a clever girl..." Da Vinci responded, her tone becoming more serious.


    "Tenma Yako is very dangerous. Even though he doesn''t possess a Millennium Item, the dark energy he commands is comparable to those who do. Also, how should I put it? His soul feels very unstable."


    "It''s my turn! I draw!" While Hoshino and Da Vinci were still analyzing the situation, Yako had already started his turn.


    "This isn''t just any shadow game, Hoshino. You''ll feel it with your own body!" Yako said, playing a card from his hand.


    "I summon the monster card [Beast King Barbaros] in attack mode!"


    In the darkened space, energy rapidly gathered at a point. Along with the projection effects of the duel disk, the shadow game made the monsters appear even more realistic than usual.


    [Beast King Barbaros ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(8-Star)][EARTH][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 1200]


    "Roar!" The lion-headed beast king, wielding a knight''s lance, roared as it appeared on the field.


    "No way... Summoning an 8-star monster with 3000 attack points without a tribute?! Are we even playing the same game?" Hoshino stared in disbelief at the massive creature in front of her.


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself, Hoshino Chiyuki. This is just the beginning..." As Yako spoke calmly, the Beast King slowly began to shrink, as if it had been hit by Doraemon''s shrink ray.


    [¢Ù: You can Normal Summon this card without Tributing, but its original ATK becomes 1900.]


    "A high-level monster with restrictions, huh? You almost gave me a heart attack..." Hoshino patted her chest in relief as she watched the Beast King shrink, losing its previous grandeur.


    [Beast King Barbaros ATK 3000 ¡ú 1900]


    "But 1900 attack points is still pretty high, Hoshino-chan," Da Vinci kindly reminded her, whispering into her ear.


    Indeed, a 1900 attack point monster summoned without tributes wasn''t something to take lightly.


    "I''ll set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    Tenma Yako''s remaining hand cards: 3


    "It''s my turn! I draw!"


    After thinking for a moment, Hoshino played the first card of the duel.


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Boudica] in defense mode!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Boudica ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK900/DEF 1200]


    "With Boudica''s effect, as long as this card is face-up on the field, its defense points increase by 1000!"


    "Come forth, Chariot of Boudica!" Boudica, equipped with a round shield, summoned the wheels of a chariot that began to revolve around her.


    [Boudica DEF 1200 ¡ú 2200]


    "Now, even the Beast King''s 1900 attack points can''t break through."


    Satisfied with her defensive move, Hoshino then placed two more cards into her duel disk.


    "I''ll set two cards and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 3


    Though this was a shadow game that could decide life and death, the opening was unexpectedly calm, like the calm before a storm.


    "A steady start, huh? That''s not like Hoshino''s style..." Kaiba, who hadn''t taken his eyes off the field, remarked as the duel proceeded peacefully through two turns.


    Kaiba, who always throws down Blue-Eyes White Dragon right away¡ªhow could you ever expect a peaceful start with him?!


    "An interesting monster, but!" Yako''s smile turned sinister as he pulled a card from his Duel Disk.


    "The real terror of this Shadow Game¡ªlet me show you this turn."


    "Summon monster card [Axe Dragonute] in attack mode!"


    [Axe Dragonute¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 star)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1200]


    [If this card attacks, it is changed to Defense Position at the end of the Damage Step.]


    A pitch-black dragon warrior wielding a crescent-shaped axe materialized on the battlefield.


    "That monster''s attack power can''t break through Boudica''s defense!" Hoshino pointed out.


    "Oh? Is that so? Attack Axe Dragonute!" Ignoring Hoshino''s words, Yako immediately launched the battle phase.


    "Dragon Axe Cleaving Strike!"


    Like it was infused with soul energy, a stream of pure white energy surrounded Axe Dragonute''s weapon.


    "Block it, Boudica!" Hoshino retaliated without hesitation.


    But just as Dragonute neared Boudica, the wheel of vows surrounding her suddenly stopped spinning.


    "What?! Could it be...?" Boudica''s face was filled with shock.


    [Boudica DEF 2200 ¡ú 1200]


    "The defense buff is gone!" Hoshino''s eyes widened as Axe Dragonute''s axe plunged deep into Boudica.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Boudica] destroyed


    "Heh heh, surprised, Hoshino Chiyuki? I activate the Continuous Trap Card [Skill Drain]!" Yako smirked and pointed to a face-down card that had flipped up.


    [Skill Drain Continuous Trap Effect: Activate this card by paying 1000 LP. Negate the effects of all face-up monsters while they are face-up on the field.]


    [Tenma Yako LP 4000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Because of Skill Drain''s effect, Boudica''s defense buff was negated!"


    "This is bad news!" both Akasha and Kaiba exclaimed from the sidelines.


    "That card is very unfavorable for Hoshino. The Heroic Spirit relies heavily on monster effects, but with their skills drained, their combat strength doesn''t just get reduced¡ªit collapses."


    "He came prepared for this!" Even though Da Vinci was still smiling, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.


    "Hahaha, Hoshino Chiyuki! Let me show you the true nature of this Shadow Game!" Yako didn''t continue his attack but focused on Boudica, who had just been destroyed.


    Suddenly, the white energy surrounding Axe Dragonute''s weapon, after destroying Boudica, rushed toward Hoshino''s chest.


    "Ugh!" Hoshino''s frail body shuddered as the energy pierced through her.


    "Hoshino-chan, are you okay?!"


    "This feeling..." Her trembling crimson eyes filled with confusion and fear.


    "It hurts, doesn''t it? That''s what it feels like when your soul is being torn away, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    "My... soul... being torn away?" Struggling to lift her head, Hoshino clutched her chest and stared at Yako, who was grinning wickedly.


    "Snap!" With a crisp sound, Yako snapped his fingers and pointed to the sky above the rooftop.


    At some point, a translucent sphere had started floating in the sky. The energy that had just pierced Hoshino''s chest was now being funneled into the sphere.


    "The rule of this Shadow Game is that when a Duel Monster is destroyed or banished, part of the duelist''s soul is torn away and injected into the soul container!" Yako declared, proudly spreading his arms as if showing off a prized possession.


    "When the soul container is full, that will mark the resurrection of Lord Pegasus! Hoshino Chiyuki, your soul will be the sacrifice for his revival!"


    "Soul container, resurrect Pegasus? What the heck is he talking about?" The three spectators were completely bewildered. Since they couldn''t perceive the Shadow Game, they also couldn''t see the soul container Yako had created.


    "I can''t believe this kind of weird Shadow Game exists..." Hoshino released her chest. Although the pain of having part of her soul ripped away was unlike anything she had ever experienced, it was still just a single monster''s worth of soul energy, and she could manage to recover slightly.


    "I''m not trading my soul to revive Pegasus!"


    "You don''t have a choice in the matter, Hoshino Chiyuki! Let''s continue this Shadow Game!" Yako resumed his dueling stance and continued his moves.


    "Don''t think that Skill Drain just seals your Monster effects. Since all face-up monsters on the field have their effects negated, Axe Dragonute doesn''t need to switch to Defense Position after attacking, and more importantly..."


    [Beast King Barbaros ATK 1900 ¡ú 3000]


    "With the monster effects negated, Beast King Barbaros''s attack power returns to 3000!"


    "Not only does it negate Hoshino''s monster''s positive effects, but it also nullifies the drawbacks of his monsters?!" Although Kaiba had already dueled Yako before, in the match against Kaiba, Yako hadn''t used this tactic.


    "At this rate, Hoshino-nee is going to have a hard time!" Akasha, no amateur at dueling herself, also realized how dangerous Yako''s strategy was, especially since it directly targeted Hoshino''s Heroic Spirit deck, which relied on effects.


    "Attack directly, Beast King Barbaros!"


    The white soul energy gathered on Beast King Barbaros''s lance. With the force of a fierce charge, the Beast King raised its lance and roared as it rushed toward Hoshino.


    "I don''t want to lose part of my soul to a monster''s destruction, but I don''t want to take this direct hit for 3000 points!" The incoming attack left Hoshino little time to think.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning]!"


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate when you control no [Heroic Spirit] monsters. Special Summon one Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck in Defense Position. This turn, you cannot Special Summon monsters that aren''t Heroic Spirit.]


    "Since all face-up monster effects are negated, I''ll have to pick a monster that can activate its effects from the Graveyard!" Having quickly selected her card, Hoshino threw it onto the field.


    "I choose you! Special Summon in Defense Position! [Heroic Spirit¨CJekyll]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 179 - 179

    "Go, Jekyll!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-star)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1350/DEF 800]


    "Yes, Master!" As soon as the card was placed, Jekyll''s figure leaped out to block the long spear of the Beast King, which was wrapped in spiraling energy, for Hoshino.


    But as expected, the spear with 3000 ATK easily pierced through Jekyll''s body.


    "My full strength could only block this one attack for you, Master. The rest is up to you, Hyde..."


    [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll] is destroyed.


    "Hmph, a desperate defense, huh?" Yako, seeing his attack blocked, seemed even more excited.


    "Since a monster has been destroyed, offer this pure, unblemished soul to Lord Pegasus!"


    The spiraling energy on the spear pierced Jekyll''s body, and just like when Boudica was destroyed, it passed through Hoshino''s body.


    "Ugh..." Hoshino clenched her teeth, her red eyes squinting shut from the pain of having part of her soul torn away. "I don''t think I''ll ever get used to this feeling."


    It felt as though part of her body was being ripped away. Though there were no visible wounds, the pain in her soul made it feel all too real.


    "Hoshino-chan, are you okay?" Da Vinci asked, her face full of concern.


    "I''m fine. I''ve already set up my next move. Even if my monster''s effects are sealed, I won''t let Yako win so easily," Hoshino said, regaining her composure and sending Jekyll''s card to the graveyard.


    "Hoshino-chan, you know I wasn''t asking about the duel, right? I''m asking if your body can handle this."


    "..."


    Hoshino fell silent, not knowing if her soul could truly withstand the strain. But no matter what, there was no turning back now.


    "My turn ends." Yako finished his turn without further action.


    Yako''s remaining hand: 3 cards.


    "At the start of my turn, I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll] from the graveyard!"


    [When this card is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, during your next Standby Phase, you can special summon one [Heroic Spirit ¨C Hyde] from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard.]


    Since Skill Drain only affects face-up monsters on the field, effects activated from the graveyard aren''t negated. This was why Hoshino chose to summon Jekyll.


    "Ha ha ha ha!" A wild laugh rang out, rivaling Yako''s.


    "Go, special summon from the deck! [Heroic Spirit - Hyde]!"


    [Heroic Spirit¨C Hyde ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-star)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1450/DEF 800]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned by the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jekyll].]


    A crouching figure wielding a dagger materialized on Hoshino''s field.


    "This sensation... the feeling of having my power sealed..." Hyde looked at his hands, seemingly less manic than usual due to the effect of having his skills sealed.


    "My turn, draw!"


    "Hoshino-chan, if the effects of your monster are sealed, you''ll have to summon a high-level monster to win through brute force!"


    "Exactly what I''m planning, Da Vinci-chan!" Hoshino confidently replied, playing a card from her hand.


    "I activate the spell card [Voyage of the Flowers]!"


    [Voyage of the Flowers ¨C Spell Card Effect: You can only activate one card with this name per turn. Special Summon one [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from your hand or deck.]


    "With the effect of this card, I special summon [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from my deck!"


    As Hoshino placed the Lily card on her Duel Disk, a pure flower bloomed on the battlefield, bringing a touch of life to the dark environment.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 800]


    "Good to see you again, Master!" Lily, who had been frequently summoned since becoming a Duel card, was in high spirits.


    "Which Heroic Spirit will we be summoning this time? I''m ready!" She raised her golden sword, eager to fight.


    "Lily, this time we won''t be summoning any Heroic Spirit..."


    "Huh? Why not?" Lily, still not grasping the situation, didn''t realize her skills had been negated.


    Refusing to believe it, Lily tried calling out, "Merlin, come to my side!"


    No response.


    "Even Merlin won''t come... looks like Master was telling the truth." Lowering her golden sword, Lily quickly accepted the reality.


    So Merlin is the kind of guy who responds every time he''s called?


    "Even though your effects are sealed, I still need your power!"


    Hoshino drew another card from her hand, and a brilliant light spread from the two monsters on the field.


    "If I can''t win with effects, I''ll rely on raw power! I tribute Lily and Hyde to summon a higher-level monster!"


    With a dramatic flair, Hoshino slammed the card onto her Duel Disk, making a crisp sound.


    "[Heroic Spirit- Okita S¨­ji]!"


    "Ahhh! We''ve almost reached Chapter 200! Even the third arc has already begun! But Okita is not Summon for a hundred chapters, And to make things worse, Nobu already got her big moment!"


    A voice full of complaints rang out from within the gathering green light.


    [Heroic Spirit-Okita Souji¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "Okita-san, making her triumphant return as the winner of Chaldea''s Most Moving Award!"


    "Wow, is this a brand-new monster for Hoshino-nee?" Akasha exclaimed excitedly.


    "It seems like it. I''ve never seen Hoshino use this one before," Mokuba mused, stroking his chin.


    "It must be a new Heroic Spirit card. I wonder how strong it is." Kaiba, with uncharacteristic confidence, gave his assessment.


    "Okita-san was Master''s first SSR, you know! Why are you all acting like she''s a new character?!" Okita indignantly questioned the three spectators.


    Well, it''s their first time seeing you in action, so they''re naturally excited.


    "Don''t sweat the small stuff, Okita. Just show them what you''re made of!"


    "Hmph, of course, Master!" Okita said eagerly, drawing her sword, Kiku-ichimonji, with a look of anticipation.


    "For some reason, I''m feeling particularly good right now, as if I could attack multiple times without coughing up blood!"


    Okita gained the Weakness effect, but thanks to Skill Drain being in play, her weakness was negated, leaving her feeling surprisingly healthy.


    "It seems that way..."


    "Go, Okita, attack Axe Dragonute!"


    Although her attack power didn''t match the Beast King Barbaros on Yako''s field, Okita''s attack power was more than enough to take down the Axe Dragonute.


    "Got it, Master!" With a light step on the ground, Okita''s figure disappeared for only a fraction of a second before reappearing behind the Axe Dragonute.


    "Take this, the Okita-ryu assassination sword!" Her strike was cold and emotionless, like a true assassin ¡ª clean and precise.


    So your true identity is Assassin, isn''t it?


    [Axe Dragonute] destroyed


    [Tenma Yako LP 3000 ¡ú 2500]


    "Master!" After destroying the opponent''s monster, Okita shouted excitedly, "Really! I didn''t cough up blood! Okita''s tuberculosis is truly cured!"


    "Let''s just say it is¡­" Seeing Okita''s expression of surprise, as if she had been reborn, Hoshino couldn''t bear to tell her that her debuff had merely been negated temporarily.


    "But Yako, according to the rules of the Shadow Game, your soul must be severed as well!"


    Although tearing away someone''s soul seemed cruel, Hoshino, who believed in retribution, didn''t care about such trivial matters.


    The white wind swirling around Okita''s blade swept toward Yako, piercing through his body without any resistance.


    "What¡­ is this?!" Okita, shocked, stared blankly at the magic flowing freely from her blade and Yako''s pained expression.


    "Is this a new ability Okita-san mastered after overcoming her sickness? Automatic attacks are so cool!!"


    "No, no, no, it has nothing to do with that." Hoshino waved her hand, cutting off Okita''s fantasy.


    "Haha, this is exhilarating. Offering my soul for Lord Pegasus''s resurrection is my greatest wish!" Despite the immense pain caused by his soul being ripped apart, Yako''s obsession with Pegasus made him fearless.


    "This situation seems tricky, Da Vinci-chan." Hoshino gulped nervously at Yako''s crazed remarks. "It''s not the smart enemies that are scary, it''s the ones with nothing to lose."


    "Can that soul vessel bring back Pegasus?" Da Vinci looked up at the increasingly intense color of the transparent container, her tone filled with doubt. "We don''t even know if Pegasus is alive or dead¡­"


    "No matter what Yako''s final goal is, all we can do now is give it our all!"


    With that, Hoshino inserted another set card into her duel disk.


    "I''ll set one card and end my turn!"


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 1 card, two set cards on the field


    "My turn, draw!" S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Glancing at the card he drew, Yako sneered, "Heh, I''ve drawn a good one. I activate the Spell Card, [Graceful Charity]!"


    "After drawing three cards, I discard two from my hand."


    "Is this card in everyone''s deck?" Hoshino began to doubt the words spoken by Yuta when he gave her this card. "Didn''t he say this was a rare card?"


    But Hoshino couldn''t deny that the legendary banned card was indeed incredibly useful.


    After reorganizing his hand, Yako casually tossed out a monster card. "I summon [Enraged Battle Ox] from my hand!"


    [Enraged Battle Ox ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-Star)][EARTH][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1000]


    Just as its name suggested, the Enraged Battle Ox was an aggressive beast-warrior, snorting heavily from its large nostrils as it appeared on Yako''s battlefield.


    "Finally, I''ll activate the special effect of [Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r] from my hand!"


    [This card can be Special Summoned from your hand by banishing 1 Beast-Warrior monster and 1 Machine monster from your field, hand, or graveyard.]


    "I banish the [Machine Lord ¨¹r] and [Caninetaur] I sent to the graveyard earlier with Graceful Charity. Come forth, my strongest beast god ¡ª Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r!"


    Energy flowed from Yako''s graveyard, combining the power of machinery and beasts. The mechanized version of the Beast God, towering over the battlefield, appeared.


    [Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-Star)][EARTH][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 3800/DEF 1200]


    [If this card attacks or is attacked, your opponent takes no battle damage. (This effect has been negated by Skill Drain.)]


    "3,800 attack power¡­" Mokuba and Kaiba, watching the battle, spoke in unison as they witnessed the terrifying presence of Barbaros ¨¹r, whose attack power even surpassed that of Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    Da Vinci, closely analyzing the towering mechanical beast, quietly stated, "Normally, this card wouldn''t deal any damage, but since its drawback has also been negated, it''s now just a strong monster with an overwhelming 3,800 attack points."


    "So, Hoshino-chan, how will you deal with it?"


    "Don''t worry, Da Vinci-chan, I''ve got a strategy!" Hoshino forced a smile, gripping her remaining card tightly.


    "Attack, Beast King Barbaros Destroy Okita S¨­ji!"


    Yako, having given the attack command, opted not to use his strongest monster, instead choosing the safer option of the 3,000 ATK Barbaros.


    "Hah, you''ve fallen for it, Yako!" Watching the white-swirling spear rush toward her, Hoshino smirked as she pressed the activation button for her set card.


    "Let me show you the Okita-style battle tactic! Quick-Play Spell, [Firefly''s Flame of Integrity]!"


    [Firefly''s Flame of Integrity Quick-Play Spell effect: This card can only be activated if you target 1 [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita S¨­ji] on your field. That monster returns to your hand, and then you reveal the top 3 cards of your deck. Add 2 of those cards to your hand, then return the remaining card to your deck.]


    "She fled!" The three spectators in the audience were wide-eyed, never expecting that Hoshino''s so-called tactic was to return her monster to her hand. "Can that even be called a strategy?!"


    "Sometimes, retreating is the key to victory. Okita-san knows that very well!" Hoshino replied confidently, though the truth was that Okita, seeing the fast-approaching spear, had panicked and retreated to the safety of Hoshino''s hand.


    "Staying in Master''s hand is much cozier, after all, ~" (contented expression)


    "Are you joking? With an empty field, are you just going to surrender?"


    "The word surrender doesn''t exist in my dictionary!" Raising her hand, Hoshino activated her new set card.


    "This is the light that repels all darkness!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 180 - 180

    "This is the light that repels all darkness! Trap Card: [God is Here With Me]!"


    [God is Here With Me ¨C Trap Card Effect: This card can only be activated when your opponent declares an attack and has 3 or more attack-position monsters on the field. Special summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from your hand or Deck.]


    The Holy Light shining in the darkness filled Hoshino''s once-empty field once again. Jeanne d''Arc, wielding her banner that stirred the hearts of all, slowly emerged from the radiant light.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 Stars)][LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK2500/DEF3000]


    "Jeanne d''Arc, I was summoned to be the sturdiest wall for your Master!"


    "Due to the effect of my Trap Card, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] in Defense Position on my field. And since Okita returned to my hand, your Barbaros has no choice but to attack Jeanne!"


    Screech¡ª!


    The clash between the Holy Banner and the long spear ignited sparks, a fierce battle between 3000 Attack Points and 3000 Defense Points, with neither side willing to back down.


    From within Hoshino''s hand, Okita''s voice of admiration was heard: "Wow, truly worthy of being the Holy Maiden Savior! She blocked such a fierce attack without even needing any buffs."


    "And because of Firefly''s Flame of Integrity effect, I flip the top three cards of my deck, and select two of them to add to my hand!"


    Hoshino''s slender fingers deftly drew three cards from her Duel Disk. This kind of 3-for-2 search provided much more flexibility than just drawing two cards directly, at least allowing her to choose the cards most needed for her current situation.


    "Master, make sure not to pick Graceful Charity!" Okita lightly reminded from within Hoshino''s hand.


    "Tch, you''re just a hand card, why do you have so much to say." Hoshino clicked her tongue softly. "Well, lucky for you, Graceful Charity wasn''t one of them."


    "But given the current situation, these two cards should be useful," Hoshino added two of the three revealed cards to her hand and shuffled the remaining one back into her deck.


    Hoshino''s current hand: 4 cards


    "All you did was barely block Barbaros'' attack. Such a strategy is only good for stalling!"


    With a furious shout, Yako continued to declare another attack.


    "Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r, attack! Feel the impact!"


    The charging aura, now twice as thick as before, combined with the grinding sound of mechanical movements. The gigantic Barbaros ¨¹r launched toward Jeanne on Hoshino''s field with an overwhelming presence.


    "This is bad, Master! In this shadow game, I can''t receive any divine guidance at all!" Jeanne''s expression became panicked as the enormous mechanical king charged at her.


    "Even though Hoshino''s Jeanne is a monster with very strong defense..." From the sidelines, Kaiba recalled how his three Blue-Eyes White Dragons were blocked by Jeanne for two consecutive turns in a previous duel. "That was only when her effect wasn''t sealed."


    "But what will Hoshino do now? The opponent''s monster has such high Attack Points, not even 3000 Defense Points can hold it off!" Mokuba anxiously asked Kaiba.


    Kaiba shook his head, indicating that he couldn''t think of a solution either. "Now we can only see how Hoshino handles this. If she continues to be suppressed by Yako like this, she might lose before she even has a chance to see his Evil God."


    "Hoshino¡­"


    In the face of such a massive difference in Attack and Defense Points, the attack of the Barbaros ¨¹r still inevitably destroyed Jeanne in Defense Position on Hoshino''s field.


    "I''m sorry, Master. I didn''t think I''d leave the field in just one turn¡­"


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] Destroyed


    After the scattering of holy light, Hoshino immediately drew a card from her hand without hesitation. "At the moment Jeanne is destroyed, I activate the special effect of the monster [Heroic Spirit - Gilles de Rais(Saber)] from my hand!"


    [If a Fairy-type monster on your field leaves the field, you can discard this card or Tribute it to activate this effect. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit - Gilles de Rais(Caster)] from your hand, deck, or graveyard.]


    "Jeanne!!!" A sorrowful roar filled with grief resonated from the card.


    "Such a strong emotional outburst¡­" Yako even found a trace of empathy within himself, a resonance with the sorrow of losing Jeanne, similar to how he felt when he lost Pegasus.


    "Due to the effect of Gilles de Rais, I Special Summon it in Defense Position from my deck!" Hoshino declared, slamming her new monster onto the field, her brows furrowed in concentration.


    "Go, [Heroic Spirit - Gilles de Rais(Caster)]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Gilles de Rais(Caster)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5 stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1500]


    "This sorrowful wail... now that is truly a melody worthy of the heavens!" The purple, shadowy figure of Gilles materialized on Hoshino''s field.


    "But it''s just another weakling! It poses no threat at all. Continue the attack, Enraged Battle Ox!"


    "Moo!" With a fierce roar, the Enraged Battle Ox''s heavy axe cleaved into Gilles de Rais''s body.


    [Heroic Spirit - Gilles de Rais(Caster)] Destroyed


    "And don''t forget the most important part¡ªsince two of your monsters were destroyed, offer up your soul!"


    "!!!"


    The repeated piercing of white currents through her chest caused Hoshino''s pupils to widen, the pain so intense that she couldn''t even make a sound.


    "This is hilarious, Hoshino Chiyuki. You keep summoning weaklings just to have them destroyed by me. It almost seems like you''re willingly offering souls to Lord Pegasus!" Yako laughed loudly.


    "Is this your way of apologizing to Lord Pegasus, the very one you killed?!"


    "No Yako, this is my conviction," Hoshino said with great effort. "Every Heroic Spirit that comes to the field isn''t useless. Each of them lends me their strength so that, in the end, I can defeat you!"


    "Nonsense. What can you possibly do now with an empty field and your monster effects sealed?" Yako sneered as he gazed upon the weakened Hoshino, her soul repeatedly torn apart.


    "I set a card face-down and end my turn!"


    Yako''s remaining hand: 1 card, 2 face-down cards


    "My turn, draw!"


    "Hoshino-nee..." Akasha''s voice trembled with worry as she noticed Hoshino''s weakened state.


    "Don''t worry, Akasha-chan. I won''t stay on the defensive forever!" Taking several deep breaths to regain her composure, Hoshino drew a card from her deck.


    "Yako, this is the trumpet of my counterattack! The light of the Heroic Spirit will pierce the darkness, and when our hearts unite as one, that is the true light of Humanity!"


    She threw down the card she had just drawn, and the Heroic Spirit in her graveyard began to shine with a radiant, unyielding light.


    "Activate the Spell Card [Guardian of Humanity] from my hand!"


    "My Heroic Spirit in the graveyard: Boudica, Jeanne d''Arc, Hyde, Jekyll, Gilles de Rais, and Gilles de Rais (Caster) ¡ª"


    "¡ª a total of six monsters. Lend your power to the [Guardian of Humanity]!"


    [Guardian of Humanity Spell Card Effect: It can only be activated when you have at least 5 [Heroic Spirit] monsters in your Graveyard. Draw 2 cards from your Deck. If there are no other cards on your field or in your hand at the time of activation, add 1 Spell Card with [Heroic Spirit] in its description from your Deck to your hand.]


    "So that''s it! You intentionally sent Gilles de Rais to the Graveyard at the last moment to meet the activation requirement!"


    Kaiba, eyes widening, quickly understood the significance of Hoshino''s persistence in the previous turn. "Interesting! Let''s see the light of humanity, Hoshino!"


    "According to the effect of [Guardian of Humanity], I draw two cards from my deck. Additionally, since there are no other cards on my field or in my hand, I can select one [Heroic Spirit] Spell Card and add it to my hand!"


    Hoshino, drawing and searching with smooth, practiced movements, was now completely in control.


    "Hoshino-chan, you''ve gotten much stronger," Da Vinci said, gazing at Hoshino with a warm, approving look. "You''ve become so proficient; I bet you''ve fought through many difficult duels, haven''t you?"


    "That''s right, Da Vinci-chan¡­ It''s been tough, you know? Do you have any idea how many duels I go through in a single day?" Hoshino, infamous for dominating toy shop duels, responded with a bit of sarcasm.


    "The card I''m adding to my hand is this: [Chaldea''s Mana Support System]!"


    "Nice, Hoshino-chan! That''s the card!" Da Vinci''s voice was filled with pride, as it was a card she had personally created and entrusted to Hoshino.


    "The light of humanity is shining here and now, at Chaldea! I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Chaldea''s Mana Support System]!"


    As Hoshino slotted the card into the Duel Disk, a glow of mana naturally emanated from the back of her pale hand.


    A bright red mana symbol appeared on the back of Hoshino''s hand, etched as if by a laser¡ª a Command Seal.


    [Chaldea Mana Support System Continuous Spell Effect: When this card is activated, place 1 [Command Seal] counter on it. During your Standby Phase, place 1 [Command Seal] counter on this card.]


    [Command Seal] x1


    "Then, I activate the effect of another [Chaldea''s Mana Support System] from my hand!"


    "Hoshino has two of the same card in her deck?" Mokuba, who had seen many of Hoshino''s duels, was surprised to discover that Hoshino''s deck contained duplicate cards.


    Mokuba''s suspicion wasn''t without reason. Due to the special nature of Heroic Spirit cards, only one copy of each card could exist in a deck. However, this card that Da Vinci had handed to Hoshino was the exception, and her deck was filled with three copies of it.


    [When a face-up card with the same name exists on the field, you can discard this card from your hand to place 1 [Command Seal] counter on that card.] S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once again, the red light flickered.


    [Command Seal] x2


    "Let''s finish this, Yako!" Fully prepared, Hoshino raised her hand, her Command Seal shining brightly.


    "Now, by the power of the Command Seal, I summon you once more! Jeanne d''Arc!"


    [Remove 1 [Command Seal] counter to Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Graveyard. The monster will be destroyed at the end of the turn.]


    A red light pierced through the dark fog, spreading a vast amount of mana across the field.


    "Jeanne d''Arc, return to the battlefield to lend the power of holy flag!" Though her body was still semi-transparent, Jeanne d''Arc responded to her Master''s call and returned to the field.


    Seeing Jeanne back on the field, Yako couldn''t help but laugh. "Hahaha, what can a ridiculous monster like this, with no effects, possibly do?"


    "It can open the path for those who come after!" To Yako''s surprise, before Hoshino could speak, Jeanne slammed her holy flag into the ground, sternly rebuking him.


    "A Heroic Spirit who can stand against thousands, invincible in battle! Answer the call of the holy flag and gather here!"


    "Hmm, answering the call of the flag doesn''t sound too bad!" A crimson figure began to appear beneath the fluttering flag.


    "Go, Nero!" Hoshino threw down a monster card. "By Tributing Jeanne d''Arc on the field, I Tribute Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius]!"


    "Now, I fight not only for Chaldea but also for Rome!"


    The golden-haired girl''s voice, filled with regal authority and infectious confidence, marked her majestic entrance as if bathed in the light of gold.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][FIRE] [Warrior/Effect][ATK2300/DEF1900]


    "And due to Nero''s successful summoning, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula] from my deck!"


    [If [Nero Claudius] exists on the field, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard or deck.]


    "Let''s go! It''s your turn!" Hoshino threw out another monster card.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1200]


    "Neroooooooo!!!"


    "Even if you summon more of these monsters with no effects, what can you hope to accomplish?" Yako was starting to feel uneasy at Hoshino''s rising momentum, but the overwhelming advantage on his field was undeniable.


    "It seems I''m being underestimated, Master~!" Nero smirked confidently.


    With her marked right hand extended once again, Hoshino returned Nero''s confident smile. "Let''s show this fool just how powerful the unbeatable combination of Rome and Chaldea is!"


    [Remove 1 [Command Seal] counter to target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. Add 1 Spell or Trap Card that mentions that monster''s name from your deck to your hand.]


    "The mana is flowing, Nero! We''re ready to begin!"


    "UMU~, there''s no problem on my end, Master!" Nero placed her elegant white hand on her passionate heart, closing her eyes and beginning to chant.


    "Behold my talent! Hear the applause of thunderous cheers! Feel the glory of the ruler! Bloom like a flower!"


    "By targeting Nero Claudius on the field, I add the Field Spell [Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius] to my hand! Then¡­" Hoshino activated the hidden field zone of her Duel Disk and placed the newly searched card inside.


    The luxurious structure, bathed in resplendent golden light, rose in stark contrast to the surrounding darkness, dispelling all despair from the field.


    Two voices spoke in unison¡­


    "Let the curtain rise! Welcome to Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius!!" x2


    (*****)


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 Chapter 181 - 181

    "Let the curtain rise! Welcome to Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius!!" x2


    The magnificent Golden Theater rose, enveloping all the monsters on the field.


    "So beautiful! Hoshino-nee''s field spell is amazing!" Akasha''s eyes sparkled as she spun around in awe, admiring the Golden Theater from every angle.


    "Akasha, if you keep spinning like that, you''ll get dizzy," Mokuba said, stopping her from spinning. "Still, it''s thanks to the satellite computer''s powerful processing abilities that we can see such a stunning effect."


    "Mokuba, do you think we need to launch another satellite computer as a backup?" Kaiba, the program developer, immediately recognized the complexity of the visuals being displayed.


    Mokuba scratched his head, thinking. "Based on the current data, one super satellite computer should barely be enough, but just in case later..."


    "We''ll begin preparations to launch a second satellite this afternoon!" Kaiba decisively made the final call in just a few seconds. "We can''t afford to risk such a large potential hazard just to save some minor resources... Besides, Hoshino, I bet your full power hasn''t even been revealed yet!"


    In the Golden Theater¡ª


    Hoshino raised her Duel Disk high, and the field spell card within the slot gleamed with an unusual light. "Take this, Tenma Yako! This is the full extent of my current strength!"


    [Golden Theater Laus St. Claudius Field Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù: Upon activation, [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius] on your field can attack each of the opponent''s monsters once.]


    "Go, Nero! Attack the Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r!" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Drawing her flame-clad sword, the Aestus Estus, Nero unleashed a deep crimson blaze.


    "Going straight for Tenma Yako''s strongest monster first?!" Mokuba was stunned, not expecting Hoshino to open her attack in this order. "Even with the boost from the field spell, Nero''s attack power isn''t enough. She should''ve started by attacking the Enraged Battle Ox..."


    "Finally losing your ability to think clearly from the pain in your soul? This duel is already over," Yako scoffed, shaking his head dismissively. "Seems I overestimated you, Hoshino. Keith was right¡ªyou''ll never defeat Lord Pegasus."


    "My mind has never been clearer!" Hoshino''s eyes burned with determination as she locked onto the Aestus Estus, which Nero was swinging. "Right now, I can see the path to victory as clearly as the flames Nero is wielding!"


    "¡ªGo, Nero!"


    "Umu~, Master!!" Nero''s powerful voice echoed across the stage as if the greatest play in history was being performed in the most extravagant theater.


    "Behold my talent and listen to the thunderous applause! Then praise me! Praise my Golden Theater!!"


    Laus St. Claudius¡ª!


    The mighty flames of Nero''s Aestus Estus traced a path of destruction, as if a nuclear bomb had struck Yako''s field. The inferno was so intense that Yako could feel the overwhelming heat of the Shadow Game scorching his face.


    "How futile! No matter how you attack, it won''t scratch my Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r!" Yako remained confident in his victory.


    "Oh? Is that really true? Take a good look at your monsters, Yako!" Hoshino countered confidently.


    "In the raging flames, all three of Yako''s monsters writhed in agony, including his strongest, Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r.


    "Raaaaargh!!" The high-temperature flames nearly melted the mechanized armor of Barbaros ¨¹r, forcing out a cry of anguish that shook the arena.


    Finally losing his composure, Yako''s face turned panicked. "Impossible! How could this be happening?!"


    "Why is it impossible?" Nero smirked proudly as she swung down her flaming sword. "In this world, there is no such thing as ''impossible'' for me!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius ATK 3800]


    "Nero''s attack power is matching Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r!" Kaiba exclaimed, equally surprised but quickly catching on to Hoshino''s strategy. "Haha, now I see! Hoshino, you really took a gamble, didn''t you?"


    "Heh, looks like you figured it out, Kaiba," Hoshino said, confidently holding up the glowing spell card in her Duel Disk. "But it''s not a gamble if you win, right? I''ve got Luck EX on my side!"


    "Quick-Play Spell [Golden Sumo: Rocky Terrain]!"


    [Golden Sumo: Rocky Terrain Quick-Play Spell Effect: Select one [Heroic Spirit] monster on your side of the field. When that monster battles an opponent''s monster with higher attack power, increase your selected monster''s attack by the difference in attack points.]


    "I needed to raise Nero''s attack power to the max! That''s why I targeted the strongest monster on your field first, Yako!"


    "Even with matching attack power, shouldn''t they destroy each other?" Yako waved his hand forward, refusing to believe Hoshino''s words.


    "It''ll take you a million years before you can drag me down!" Nero smiled softly, returning Aestus Estus to its place in the center of the theater. "Thanks to the field spell, Yako, your Continuous Trap Skill Drain has been neutralized!"


    [¢Û: [Heroic Spirit - Nero] on your field gains 300 ATK/DEF and is unaffected by the opponent''s spell/trap effects.]


    "That''s why Nero, immune to Skill Drain, naturally triggered her own effect!"


    [This effect can only be used once per Duel. ¢Û: When this card is destroyed, flip three coins. If at least one is heads, negate that destruction.]


    Coin flip results: Heads, heads, heads.


    "Invictus Spiritus: Thrice, Though I Welcome the Setting Sun!"


    "This is the final result¡ªI won the bet, Yako!"


    Yako, now retreating a step, cast a disbelieving gaze toward the girl standing opposite the flames. "Did you really come up with such a strategy in that brief moment?"


    "Is now really the time to be panicking, Yako?!" Hoshino sidestepped, drawing a card and pointing toward the monsters on Yako''s side, still howling in the flames. She spoke resolutely.


    "According to Golden Theater, every monster on your field is going to take an attack from Nero''s 3800 attack points. That means..."


    "Your proud monsters, enhanced by Skill Drain, have all been wiped out by the flames of the Roman Emperor!"


    "All of Tenma Yako''s monsters were wiped out in one hit?!" Mokuba''s jaw dropped, his face filled with disbelief.


    "Hoshino-nee is so strong!" Akasha exclaimed in admiration.


    "Hmph, Hoshino''s counterattack isn''t just about wiping out the monsters," Kaiba said, seeing through the move as he let out a cold chuckle.


    [Beast Machine King Barbaros ¨¹r] destroyed.


    In the flames, the Beast Machine King, the first to take the attack, was shattered into a pile of image data.


    "The real punishment is just beginning, Yako!" Hoshino, still holding a card and pointing toward the flames, declared confidently.


    [Beast King Barbaros] destroyed.


    "Because Barbaros was destroyed by a 3800 ATK strike, you''ll take 800 damage to your Life Points!"


    "!!!"


    [Tenma Yako''s LP 2500 ¡ú 1700]


    "Wait, what''s Tenma Yako''s remaining Life Points?!" Mokuba suddenly realized something.


    "That''s right, Hoshino''s move isn''t just a reversal; it''s the final blow!" Kaiba laughed.


    "This is it! The final strike, Yako!"


    [Enraged Battle Ox] destroyed.


    "Since Enraged Battle Ox was destroyed by Nero, you''ll take 2100 damage to your Life Points! You''re finished!"


    "Damn it!!!"


    From behind the wall of flames, Yako, now enraged, furiously activated the button for a set card. "I activate my trap card, [Nutrient Z]!"


    [Nutrient Z Trap Card Effect: During damage calculation, when you are about to take 2000 or more battle damage: Gain 4000 LP first]


    [Tenma Yako''s LP 1700 ¡ú 5700 ¡ú 3600]


    "To think that even I would be driven to such a desperate state by a little girl like you. Well done!" Yako, after flipping his last life-saving set card, had lost all his usual composure.


    "Do you think it''s over just because of that? ORA! Caligula!" Knowing that Yako wouldn''t go down so easily, Hoshino took a stance like a Stand user.


    "Neerrrrooo, ORA ORA ORA!" Following the command, Caligula rushed forward, his fists pounding Yako''s distorted face like a storm.


    [Tenma Yako''s LP 3600 ¡ú 2100]


    The white aura swirling around Nero''s blade struck Night Walker. According to the rules of the Shadow Game, it naturally tore away a third of his soul.


    "He finally got what he deserved," Hoshino thought, as she looked at him being beaten up and having his soul ripped apart, feeling as if a great vengeance had been fulfilled.


    "Hoshino-chan, that container seems to be filling up quickly," Da Vinci worriedly said, looking up at the transparent container that was now filled with Tenma Yako''s soul.


    "Can just the concentration of human souls bring the dead back to life? This feels like it''s touching the realm of the forbidden Gate of Truth."


    "The Gate of Truth? Does that really exist?" Hoshino tilted her head, feeling like she had stumbled into a certain anime plot.


    "I''m just speculating. I''ve been watching anime recently..."


    "Wait, are you serious? Is this Fullmetal Alchemist? Looks like you''ve had some free time lately," Hoshino couldn''t help but snark.


    "Anyway, given the current situation, it looks like you''ve turned things around, Hoshino-chan!" Although Da Vinci was worried about the soul container, the top priority in a Shadow Game was defeating the opponent.


    "Yeah, you''re right, Da Vinci. Let''s finish this in one go!"


    After ending her battle phase, Hoshino selected a card from her hand and inserted it into the Duel Disk.


    "I''ll set one card and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 2 cards, 1 set card.


    "Alright! Now even Tenma Yako can''t turn the tables, right?" Though Mokuba felt it was a pity that they couldn''t finish off Yako in one blow, the overwhelming advantage on Hoshino''s field made him too excited to care.


    "Mokuba... are you on the other side?" Finally unable to take it anymore, Hoshino scolded Mokuba, who kept jinxing her by raising flags.


    "Hoshino, what are you talking about? There''s no way I''d be on the other side..." Mokuba, confused by Hoshino''s sudden scolding, had no idea what was going on.


    "Am I wrong, though? Hoshino, you have Nero with 3800 ATK on the field, unaffected by spells and traps! There''s no way he, with an empty field, can beat you, right?"


    "Mokuba, you should stop talking now. Hoshino-nee''s back is practically full of your jinxes already," Akasha added.


    "It''s my turn. Draw!" Yako''s low, cold voice interrupted their conversation.


    "Hoshino, I thought I wouldn''t need to use the power of the Evil God against you. That would have made things easier for both you and me..." As he drew his card, having lost his earlier composure, Yako''s entire aura seemed to change.


    "Wait, no!" Hearing this, Hoshino immediately sensed something was wrong.


    "Of course, this is all your fault. Next, you will experience the terror of the ultimate Evil God. You will regret not letting me defeat you earlier!"


    Yako dramatically revealed the card he had just drawn. His expression, now twisted and sinister beneath his disheveled white bangs, was full of malice. "Spell Card, [Card of Sanctity]!"


    "I knew it! He drew exactly what he needed!" Hoshino''s worst fear came true. With only one card left in his hand, summoning the Evil God seemed nearly impossible. The thing she feared most was that Yako would draw a card that replenished his hand.


    [Card of Sanctity Spell Card Effect: Each player draws until they have 6 cards in their hand.]


    "At least it''s not Card of Demise," Hoshino sighed with some relief. Although Card of Sanctity replenished Yako''s hand and solved his immediate problem, it also allowed Hoshino to draw cards, making it a somewhat mutually beneficial situation.


    "Draw!" x2


    As a rain of coins scattered down, both players replenished their hands to six cards each.


    "Then, I summon the monster [Sangan] and activate my last set card, the Continuous Trap Card [Ultimate Offering]!"


    [Sangan ¡ï¡ï¡ï(3-star)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 600]


    [Ultimate Offering Continuous Trap Card Effect: During your Main Phase or your opponent''s Battle Phase: You can pay 500 LP; immediately after this effect resolves, Normal Summon 1 monster.]


    "I''ll use my own blood as the price to summon the strongest Evil God!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 182 - 182

    "According to the effect of Ultimate Offering, for every 500 Life Points paid, I can Normal Summon one monster!"


    "Could it be..." Hoshino was slightly stunned. "He''s trying to summon an evil god using such a reckless method?"


    "Is this guy out of his mind?!" Da Vinci was equally shocked. "With his soul already torn apart, if he uses this method to summon an evil god..."


    "Pay 500 Life Points and summon [Witch of the Black Forest]!" Before Da Vinci could finish, Yako had already summoned a second monster.


    [Tenma Yako LP 2100 ¡ú 1600]


    [Witch of the Black Forest¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-Star)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1100/DEF 1200]


    "It feels like I''m seeing a whole bunch of banned cards..." Hoshino muttered, her eye twitching as she watched the monsters materialize on Yako''s field.


    "Pay another 500 Life Points!" Yako''s strained voice showed the pain of draining his life force.


    "Da Vinci, are there consequences to just losing Life Points in this Shadow Game?" Hoshino asked. She thought the rules meant only the destruction of monsters would cause a soul to be torn apart.


    "Hoshino-chan, this is a Shadow Game. There will be some impact," Da Vinci explained patiently.


    The reason Hoshino wasn''t aware of this was because, since the beginning of the duel, despite losing numerous monsters, her Life Points hadn''t decreased at all. Da Vinci silently admired her. "Even after being countered by Yako''s Skill Drain, Hoshino has created such an impressive situation. She''s truly remarkable."


    [Tenma Yako LP 1600 ¡ú 1100]


    "Come forth, [Cyber Archfiend]!"


    [Cyber Archfiend¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-Star)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]


    "Yako already has three monsters on the field. With this, he has the sacrifices for the Evil God..." Mokuba glanced up at Kaiba. Of everyone present, only Kaiba had seen the true form of Yako''s evil god.


    "Yeah, this setup...!" Kaiba''s eagle-like eyes locked onto Yako''s field. "That card is coming. The ultimate monster of the evil gods, an invincible beast."


    "An invincible monster... even stronger than Obelisk the Tormentor?" Mokuba asked, nervous. This was the first time he had heard Kaiba refer to a monster as invincible.


    Mokuba had battled Obelisk the Tormentor countless times in practice duels, and it had perfectly embodied the overwhelming strength of a god in Duel Monsters. Could the evil god about to be summoned really be stronger than Obelisk?


    "Behold, this is the final Evil God!" Having set up the board for his ultimate summon, Yako raised the card in his hand, nearly overcome with madness.


    "In its primordial form, it becomes the strongest god! One that makes the heavens tremble and the earth bow! It can take on the form of any god, yet stands above all gods!"


    With a powerful slam, Yako placed the card on the field. A menacing, ominous energy surged forth like a fierce storm.


    "Sacrifice the three monsters on the field as tributes to summon the strongest Evil God¡ª[The Wicked Avatar]!"


    [Tenma Yako LP 1100 ¡ú 600]


    As if consumed by the storm of ill omens, the three monsters on Yako''s field began to distort and shatter, fragmenting into pieces. Unlike typical tributes, these felt more like a sacrificial live offering for the arrival of a god.


    Through cracks in the Shadow Game''s space, Hoshino could barely see outside and was certain that the sky beyond was as dark as the space they were in. Due to the height of the rooftop, everyone could feel the changes in the sky above.


    "Thunder''s rumbling, rain''s coming! Akasha''s gotta go home and grab her laundry! ©°(.§¥.)©´" Akasha ran around, whether from excitement or fear, it was hard to tell.


    "At least, based on the summoning effects, it is indeed a little more grand than a typical god," Hoshino mused, gazing up at the sky.


    "Tremble in fear, and bow before the most powerful form of god!" Yako, intoxicated by the malicious energy swirling around him, bellowed his proclamation.


    As the summoning sequence concluded, the final Evil God revealed itself before everyone.


    "This...!"


    But what shocked Hoshino wasn''t the god''s overwhelming aura or terrifying presence, but...


    [The Wicked Avatar¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK ?/DEF ?]


    "Why... why is it a sphere?!"


    Even though the atmosphere was deadly serious, Hoshino couldn''t suppress her urge to comment.


    "Why did that long, drawn-out summoning sequence end with a sphere?! How can this thing be called the strongest Evil God?!"


    The contrast between the terrifying appearances of the Wicked Dreadroot and the Wicked Eraser and the surprisingly cute black sphere was so jarring that Hoshino couldn''t help but feel that it was somewhat adorable.


    "Brother, is this really the strongest Evil God?" Mokuba, equally skeptical, turned to Kaiba.


    Kaiba''s clenched fists, trembling ever so slightly, provided the answer. "Be careful, Hoshino. This Evil God can''t be defeated by normal means..."


    "Before crushing you with the Evil God''s power, I''ll first activate the effects of Sangan and Witch of the Black Forest, which have been sent to the Graveyard." Yako calmly began searching his deck.


    [Sangan Effect: When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, add one monster with 1500 or less ATK from your deck to your hand.]


    [Witch of the Black Forest Effect: When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, add one monster with 1500 or less DEF from your deck to your hand.]


    "I''ll be adding [Cyber Jar] and [Goblin Attack Force] to my hand."


    In the brief few seconds Yako spent searching his deck, the Wicked Avatar, hovering over the field, began to transform. The enormous sphere shrank to human size and started taking on a new form.


    "This is...!!" Hoshino was more stunned than ever by the Evil God''s transformation.


    "It''s... Nero?!" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The black sphere had reshaped itself into the exact appearance of Nero standing on Hoshino''s field. The only difference was in color: while Hoshino''s Nero wore a red gown, the Evil God remained cloaked in its original black.


    "How dare it copy my appearance!" Nero''s displeasure was evident as she glared at the opposing god.


    "Hahaha!" Yet again, to Hoshino''s surprise, the evil Nero also laughed. "Come at me! I''ll show you what a truly great figure looks like!"


    "It even talks, and its tone is exactly the same! It feels like there''s just another Nero standing across from me!" Hoshino exclaimed.


    "Umu~!"


    Even the umu was perfectly mimicked!


    "Umu! This infuriates me! It even perfectly copied my cuteness!" The real Nero''s eyes grew even more serious.


    "So, Nero, you''ve always considered that verbal tic one of your charms?"


    "Isn''t it, Master...?"


    Her refined face, initially showing some anger, unexpectedly reddened a little. Nero shyly asked, "Does Master not like the way I talk?"


    "Oh no, I love it! The ''umu'' quirk is very cute!" Hoshino nodded vigorously, his eyes twitching slightly.


    Suddenly, Okita spoke up from his hand, "I see, I see! So, Master likes that sort of thing. Okita has learned something¡ªumu!"


    "Please don''t add unnecessary traits to yourself, Miss Failure =_=."


    "¦²(¤Ã¡ã§¥¡ã;)¤Ã So harsh, Master! That''s an even worse title than being the sick swordswoman!"


    "But is this what they call a Shadow Servant?" As Hoshino looked at the black Nero''s form, the term popped into his mind.


    However, the Nero on the opposing side didn''t just resemble a Shadow Servant¡ªit surpassed it in appearance and exuded a force far beyond that of a normal monster.


    It could be said without exaggeration: the opposing Nero felt stronger!


    "Attack, Wicked Avatar!" Yako raised his arm confidently, his simple words full of authority.


    "Let me see your power!" The Wicked Avatar raised its blackened Aestus Estus, charging forward with Nero''s exact tone.


    "How dare you mimic my way of speaking!" Nero, unwilling to be outdone, also rushed forward.


    Boom!


    The red and black flames surrounding their swords clashed heavily, sending shockwaves through the air.


    "To think a mere impostor possesses strength equal to mine?"


    Nero gritted her teeth as she felt the abnormal strength within her black doppelg?nger.


    "Equal strength? Don''t make me laugh~"


    The black figure smirked with a trace of malice. Even though its entire body was black, it retained the exquisite beauty shared with Nero.


    "How about this, then?" With an arrogant declaration, the black flames turned into roaring slashes, gradually pushing Nero back.


    "This is so fun! Let me enjoy it a little more!"


    The Wicked Avatar wore a joyful expression, savoring the thrill of battle while Nero struggled to hold her ground¡ªa stark contrast between the two.


    "To think I''d be completely overwhelmed by myself...how ironic!"


    Even as she barely managed to defend with Aestus Estus, Nero could clearly sense the power gap between her and the doppelg?nger.


    Slash!


    A streak of dark energy crossed, and a thin red line appeared on Nero''s flawless white face.


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius ATK 3800]


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 3801]


    "They''re separated by only 1 point?!" Mokuba shouted in surprise. "I''ve never seen monsters in a duel with such precisely close attack points!"


    "Just a difference of 1 point, and yet I''m being completely overwhelmed?"


    Nero let out a bitter laugh, feeling the blood trickle down her cheek, blending into her crimson gown.


    "Stop playing around. Finish her, Wicked Avatar." Yako frowned slightly, urging it forward.


    "When did you earn the right to order me around?" The Wicked Avatar''s calm tone sent a chill down Yako''s spine.


    Placing its black sword against Nero''s pale neck, the Wicked Avatar spoke with excitement. "Now, let me enjoy this a bit longer. You must have more strength, right?"


    Clash!


    Sparks flew as Nero deflected the black blade pressing against her neck, her body now glowing with a mysterious power.


    "Just a 1-point attack difference? Activate the set Quick-Play Spell, [Hero Creation]!" Hoshino activated his set card, unaware of the true nature of the Evil God.


    [Nero Claudius ATK 3800¡ú 4800]


    "Umu! Nice support, Master!" The flames on Nero''s sword reignited. "Let''s start our counterattack!"


    "How amusing!" Unfazed, the Wicked Avatar ignited its own black flames. "Let''s settle this on the golden stage you hold so dear!"


    "Aestus Domus Aurea!" x2


    Red and black flames erupted on the battlefield, creating a fiery tornado of scorching winds.


    "What happened?!" Shielding his face from the heat with his arms, Mokuba asked anxiously.


    "Careless!" Kaiba, in stark contrast, stood firm in the scorching winds, his coat flapping wildly. "Even though Hoshino''s Hero Creation greatly increased her attack power, that alone is useless against the Evil God in front of us."


    "Brother, what do you mean?" Mokuba tried to face the winds as Kaiba did but eventually gave up.


    "So what''s the outcome then?!" Mokuba shouted, frustrated, unable to see the battlefield clearly due to the fiery winds.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 3999]


    Unlike the spectators, who were blinded by the storm, Hoshino could see the battle clearly and realized that even with Nero''s boosted attack power, she had still lost.


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius] destroyed.


    "How did this happen...?"


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 4801]


    "Hahaha, do you see now? This is the true, invincible power of The Wicked Avatar!" The doppelg?nger laughed wildly as Nero was defeated, and its form began to change again.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, no matter how hard you struggle, there is no longer any hope of victory!" Now that the Evil God had finally defeated Hoshino''s Nero, Yako laughed maniacally.


    "The Wicked Avatar will always have the highest attack power on the field!"


    [This card''s ATK and DEF become the highest ATK of any other monster on the field, plus 1.]


    "So that''s how it works... No wonder even Obelisk the Tormentor was defeated." Finally understanding the Evil God''s mechanism, Hoshino felt cold sweat running down her temple.


    "A monster that cheats like this... Is there really any chance of beating it?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 183 - 183

    "Is this Evil God really that strong?" Even Da Vinci, who had remained calm when Skill Drain fully suppressed Hoshino''s field, now wore an expression of surprise.


    "With near-absolute resistance and the constant highest attack power on the field, defeating the Evil God head-on has become an impossible task."


    "What are we going to do, Da Vinci? Come on, help me out!" Hoshino''s furrowed brow showed her struggle as she tried to think of a way to defeat the Evil God. But deep down, she realized¡ªthere are limits to human ability.


    "Stop struggling. There''s no way in this world to defeat me." As if reading her thoughts, the Evil God, now in the form of Caligula after Nero''s defeat, spoke with a sinister smile.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 1501]


    "Now, surrender your soul!"


    Even after changing its appearance, it wore the same eerie smile. "Your soul looks delicious. Offer it up for my revival!"


    "Your revival?!" Hoshino barely had time to finish her question before an intense pain overwhelmed her, her soul feeling as if it were being torn apart.


    "Wasn''t your goal to resurrect Pegasus?" Hoshino questioned through gritted teeth, trying to withstand the pain. "This feels more like a ritual for the Evil God''s revival!"


    Yako''s frantic reaction was more unexpected than anything else. "How could this happen? Didn''t you say this ritual would revive Pegasus?! You lied to me, didn''t you?"


    "Don''t say it like that, Yako~" The Evil God tilted its head at a mocking 45-degree angle. "We''re in this together, remember? You''re the one who offered your soul to summon me. But, to be honest, your soul isn''t nearly enough. I still need quite a bit more before I can fully manifest!"


    Its tone grew more menacing, eyes filled with killing intent. "Keep going, Yako. Take that girl''s soul for me, and I''ll grant your wish."


    "Yako, this is the Evil God''s whispering! Don''t be deceived!" Hoshino suddenly recalled the message left by Gekko, realizing he had known all along that Yako was under the Evil God''s influence.


    "I''ve already¡­" Yako''s hand, holding his cards, trembled slightly.


    "It''s no use! When Yako summoned me, his body was already taken over by the Evil God. Now he can''t defy my orders."


    "I''ve already¡­ gone too far to turn back!" Yako continued his moves, playing cards from his hand.


    "Remember, when you stare into the abyss, the abyss also stares back at you!" The Evil God, now in Caligula''s form, let out a maniacal laugh, behaving more like a Berserker than Berserker itself.


    "I activate the Continuous Trap Card [Ultimate Offering] again and summon a monster from my hand face-down!"


    [Tenma Yako LP 600 ¡ú 100]


    "Then, I set a card and activate the Quick-Play Spell [Emergency Provisions]!"


    [Emergency Provisions Effect: Send any number of other Spells/Traps you control to the GY; gain 1000 LP for each card sent to the GY this way.]


    "I send Skill Drain, Ultimate Offering, and the newly set card to the Graveyard. I gain 3000 Life Points as a result!"


    [Tenma Yako LP 100 ¡ú 3100]


    "Oh no, this is really bad now, Hoshino-chan¡­" Da Vinci exhaled sharply. "I was just calculating the possibility of using direct damage to defeat Yako, but now that''s out of the question."


    "And since the Equipment Spell [Black Pendant] was sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates!" Yako pulled three cards from his Duel Disk and placed them in the Graveyard.


    [Black Pendant Effect: The equipped monster gains 500 ATK. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, inflict 500 damage to your opponent.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3999 ¡ú 3499]


    "Even the Spell Cards he sacrifices deal damage. What a terrifying obsession¡­" Though it wasn''t as painful as the soul-ripping earlier, Hoshino still felt uncomfortable from losing Life Points during the Shadow Game. Without thinking, she muttered Nero''s, "Umu."


    "Turn end!"


    Yako''s remaining hand: 1 card (Goblin Attack Force), set cards: 0


    "My turn, draw!"


    "Even though I can''t think of a way to defeat the Evil God, at least I still have plenty of cards in my hand. The situation''s not too bad."


    With the extra draws from Card of Sanctity, Hoshino''s hand had swelled to seven cards.


    However, even with so many cards, her words were more a way to comfort herself. The Evil God''s absolute resistance to card effects meant she couldn''t banish it or return it to the hand, and she was stuck with only a 1-point difference in attack power.


    "Hoshino-chan, the face-down monster Yako just summoned must be Cyber Jar!" Da Vinci whispered, fearing Hoshino might focus too much on the Evil God and overlook other threats.


    "You''re right, Da Vinci. Every jar monster is trouble. I''ll have to deal with it carefully."


    Without rushing to play any cards, Hoshino moved directly into the battle phase. "Go, Caligula! Attack that face-down monster!"


    "Nero!!" Caligula''s fist, filled with hatred from Nero''s loss, crashed down on the card.


    The attacked card revealed a jar-shaped mechanical monster, which shattered into dust with one punch.


    [Cyber Jar] destroyed S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Now, activate the Flip Effect of Cyber Jar!"


    [Cyber Jar Flip/Effect: Destroy all monsters on the field, then both players reveal the top 5 cards from their Decks, then Special Summon all revealed Level 4 or lower monsters in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position, also add any remaining cards to their hand.]


    "And since the Evil God is unaffected by monster effects, only Caligula will be destroyed!"


    The explosion from Cyber Jar engulfed the field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Caligula] destroyed


    "Now, reveal your cards and Special Summon any Level 4 monsters!"


    "Another five draws, huh? That''s a hand explosion if I''ve ever seen one." Unlike Yako, who was nearly empty-handed, Hoshino was now holding more cards than she could manage.


    "Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus] in face-up Attack Position!"


    [Spartacus ATK 1500] "With love, I will destroy the oppressors!"


    "Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette] in face-up Attack Position!"


    [Marie Antoinette ATK 1000] "Master seems troubled. Shall I heal you?"


    Of the five cards Hoshino revealed, only two were Level 4 monsters. She had to add the remaining three to her hand, bringing her total hand size to a staggering ten cards. If she didn''t use them this turn, she''d have to discard down to six at the end of her turn.


    "I have to find hope to defeat the Evil God in these ten cards¡­"


    Hoshino scanned her hand repeatedly, her eyes finally landing on Okita¡­ and¡­


    "Based on the effect of Cyber Jar, I''ll also Special Summon monsters with 4 stars or less."


    Yako flipped through five cards and placed the monsters in order.


    [Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-stars)][EARTH][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 0]


    [Goblin Elite Attack Force¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-stars)][EARTH][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2200/DEF 1500]


    Both had high attack power but switched to defense mode after attacking. Normally, they''d be summoned in combination with Skill Drain.


    But that wasn''t important now. Their main role was to provide attack power for the Evil God.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 2301]


    "What a vulgar body paired with vulgar power!" said The Wicked Avatar, now in the form of the Indomitable Fighter, clearly dissatisfied with its new appearance.


    "Hey, girl, don''t you have any stronger monsters?"


    "Damn, the two monsters on Yako''s field are stronger than any of Hoshino''s!" Despite being 4-star monsters, Yako''s had significantly higher attack power, preventing Hoshino from launching another offensive.


    "Stronger monsters? Of course, I have them!" Hoshino drew one of the ten cards from her hand and slapped it onto the Duel Disk. Right now, her biggest advantage was having plenty of resources.


    "There''s no way I''ll stop attacking here! Even if the advantage is slight, I must fight for it!"


    "I don''t dislike the struggles of the weak~."


    "Shut up, Evil God! How could someone like you, who relies on borrowed power, possibly understand? Victory is like the faint light of small advantages gathering together, forming a brightness even more dazzling than the sun! Quick-Play Spell [Heroic Spirit Summon]!"


    [Heroic Spirit Summon Quick-Play Spell Effect: You can only activate one of this card per turn. The turn this card is activated, you cannot perform a normal summon, and non-[Heroic Spirit] monsters cannot be special summoned. ¢Ù: You can activate this card by banishing 2 [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your hand or field. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand.]


    "I banish Spartacus and Marie Antoinette from the field to Special Summon!" Hoshino took out the card of Okita and slammed it down. "It''s your time to shine, ace!"


    In a flash of green light, Okita S¨­ji appeared, brimming with confidence. "Oh! The strongest and invincible Okita S¨­ji is here to bring Master the final victory!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Okita S¨­ji¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-Stars)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 2501]


    "Not bad. I like the feel of this monster," The Wicked Avatar smirked, fully transformed into Okita''s form. Its voice, now matching Okita''s, sounded noticeably pleased.


    "Though it''s not as impressive as that red one, this one is still quite good..."


    Hoshino''s eyebrow twitched. "What do you mean, ''not as good as the red one''? Okita-san is super strong too!"


    Drawing her sword, Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, Okita dashed forward with lightning-fast footwork, creating afterimages as she moved.


    "Thanks to Okita S¨­ji''s effect, after a normal attack, she can make additional attacks equal to the number of monsters on the opponent''s field! Go, Okita-san, destroy Indomitable Fighter and Goblin Elite Attack Force!"


    "This time, it''s not a sneak attack, but a direct and honorable fight! Okita Style True Assassination Sword... Double Slash!"


    Slash! x2


    Two clean sword slashes instantly severed the two monsters Yako had just summoned.


    [Indomitable Fighter Lei Lei] destroyed.


    [Goblin Elite Attack Force] destroyed.


    "Hmph, I knew those weaklings couldn''t be relied on." For some reason, the cold smile on The Wicked Avatar''s face, now wearing Okita''s form, felt unsettlingly out of place.


    "Now, let me..." The Wicked Avatar stopped mid-sentence, its expression shifting suddenly.


    Then...


    Cough! x2


    Okita S¨­ji''s notorious weakness activated twice.


    [Okita S¨­ji ATK 2500 ¡ú 2300]


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 2501 ¡ú 2301]


    "Why?! Okita-san''s illness should have been cured already!" Okita, shocked, looked down at the two pools of blood she had just coughed up, filled with confusion.


    "I forgot to tell you: with Skill Drain no longer on the field, your illness has returned." With a sympathetic look at the despairing Okita, Hoshino comforted her, "Well, rest in peace."


    "How can this be?! How could something like this happen!" On the other hand, The Wicked Avatar looked even more shocked than Okita, its worldview seemingly shattered.


    "I actually got hurt? The invincible me got hit without even seeing the enemy''s attack, and I coughed up blood!?"


    "Heh heh, how does that feel, Evil God?" Watching the Evil God, now in Okita''s form, take damage, Hoshino couldn''t help but feel proud.


    "This is the second stage of Okita''s battle style: sharing is caring!"


    "The fact that the Evil God also took damage... Hoshino-nee is so strong!" Akasha, not fully understanding but still impressed, looked up with admiration.


    "Does that... really count?" Kaiba''s mouth twitched, unable to fully process what he had just witnessed.


    "But don''t forget the rules of the Shadow Game, Yako. You''ve had two monsters destroyed this turn; make sure to savor the experience!"


    [Tenma Yako LP 3100 ¡ú 2700]


    Once again, white energy surged from Okita''s sword, striking Yako. "Ahh! Okita-san''s automatic follow-up attack is as cool as ever!" Hoshino cheered, satisfied.


    "Even though your soul isn''t that flavorful, it''s better than nothing," Okita in her black-clad form wiped the blood from her lips, her expression turning serious once again.


    "You''d better step it up, Yako, and harvest more souls from the opponent! Just a few more monsters, and the container will be full."


    "I''ll set three cards and end my turn." Even with Okita''s weakness active, her attack power remained lower than The Wicked Avatar''s, so Hoshino wasn''t going to recklessly launch another attack.


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 5 cards, set cards: 3.


    "My turn, draw!"


    "I''ll summon the monster [Gene-Warped Warwolf] in attack mode!"


    [Gene-Warped Warwolf¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-stars)][EARTH][Beast-Warrior][ATK 2000/DEF 100]


    Yako immediately played the drawn card. Instead of summoning the Goblin Attack Force from the previous turn, he chose the effect-free Gene-Warped Werewolf.


    Cough! Another familiar sound of Okita coughing up blood echoed as her frail body weakened further, split open by a pitch-black blade the moment the werewolf was summoned.


    "Heh heh, you talk big, but you''re just a weak monster."


    [Okita S¨­ji] destroyed.


    "My blade... has once again cut down something worthless."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 184 - 184

    "Okita¡ªsan¡ª!"


    Okita''s sudden demise happened so quickly that Hoshino didn''t even have time to react.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3499 ¡ú 3498]


    "The number on the Life Points... This doesn''t seem like something that would normally appear in Duel Monsters... but it does resemble the damage output of a certain pro player."


    "Oh no, Hoshino''s only monster on the field has been destroyed!" Now, the true power of The Wicked Avatar was revealed. No matter how high her monster''s attack power, it couldn''t stop The Wicked Avatar''s attacks. Although The Wicked Avatar couldn''t deal massive damage itself, it allowed other monsters on the field to attack without interference.


    "Attack directly, Gene-Warped Warwolf!" Yako declared, targeting Hoshino, who now had an empty field.


    "Awwoooo!" Although humanoid, the Warwolf howled like a lone wolf as it tore into Hoshino''s defenses.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3498 ¡ú 1498]


    "If this keeps up, I won''t last much longer..." The combined pain of losing Life Points and having her soul stripped away made Hoshino realize that if she didn''t end this duel soon, her soul might disappear before her Life Points hit zero.


    "Delicious, absolutely delicious! The taste of a young girl''s soul~" After Okita was destroyed, The Wicked Avatar, now transformed into Gene-Warped Warwolf, laughed.


    Yako drew another card and threw it down. "My attack isn''t over yet, Hoshino!"


    "After the Battle Phase, I activate the Spell Card [Linear Accelerator Cannon]!"


    [Linear Accelerator Cannon Spell Card Effect: Tribute 1 monster and inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster''s original ATK. If you activate this card, you cannot activate any other Spell Cards this turn.]


    "I tribute Gene-Warped Warwolf to activate Linear Accelerator Cannon! Fire the cannon!"


    Sensing the Spell Card''s activation, a giant cannon rose from the ground, swallowing Gene-Warped Warwolf. The energy beam shot straight toward the defenseless Hoshino.


    [Gene-Warped Warwolf] tributed.


    "Since Gene-Warped Warwolf''s ATK is 2000, you take half of that as damage!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1498 ¡ú 498]


    "Turn end." Yako made no unnecessary moves to set cards. As long as The Wicked Avatar remained on the field, he believed his position was invincible.


    "Not good, Hoshino-chan, this situation is very dire!" Da Vinci, usually optimistic, rarely voiced discouragement, but even she could see how bad things were. It wasn''t just the battlefield; Hoshino''s physical condition was also in serious jeopardy.


    "Just one more monster... and I''ll have all I need for my resurrection," muttered The Wicked Avatar, transforming back into a black orb. "I thought this Shadow Game would take many rounds to fully restore my soul, but you''ve far exceeded my expectations. The strength of your soul is almost godlike!"


    "By the most powerful god... I hereby bestow upon you the title ''Mortal Who Stands Equal to the Gods''!"


    "Spare me! I have no desire to stand equal to some third-rate god like you!" Hoshino spat in disgust, refusing the "honor" from the Evil God.


    "You dare call me, the greatest Evil God, third-rate...?"


    "My turn, draw!" Interrupting the Evil God''s ramblings, Hoshino quickly drew a card from her deck.


    "Hoshino-chan... you still haven''t activated Destiny Draw. This is really getting tough."


    "Destiny Draw? I''d almost forgotten about that..." A sly smile crept across Hoshino''s face, even in this dire moment.


    Before, Hoshino had relied heavily on Destiny Draw, but now, things were different. "Sorry, Da Vinci-chan, but I no longer need to depend on Destiny Draw."


    "Hoshino-chan?" Da Vinci''s puzzled voice held a hint of surprise as she caught sight of the confident smile hidden in Hoshino''s expression. "Could it be... Hoshino-chan?!"


    "That''s right, Da Vinci. I''ve already seen it. I''ve seen a future that''s even more distant and faint than Destiny Draw, but it''s a future that truly exists!"


    "In this duel, I''m going to surpass the gods and even transcend the predictions of Destiny Draw!"


    In Hoshino''s determined gaze, a light shone brighter than Destiny Draw, illuminating a future of victory that Destiny Draw had not foreseen.


    "This is the strategy I''ve been building since last turn¡ªto gather all the power of my Heroic Spirits in one place, the only way to defeat the Evil God!"


    Playing the card from her hand, Hoshino''s hidden smile of confidence finally blossomed.


    "Now, I will gather all the light of the Heroic Spirits from the start until now and use the strongest human brilliance to sever the Evil God''s immortality!"


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card, [The Place I Will Arrive]!"


    [The Place I Will Arrive Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù Send 1 monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from your deck to the graveyard, then choose 1 of the following effects. ¡ñ Choose 1 monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name in your graveyard, except the one sent to the graveyard by this effect, and Special Summon it. ¡ñ Choose 1 of your banished monsters with [Heroic Spirit] in its name, and return it to the graveyard.]


    "I send [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga] from my deck to the graveyard to revive [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita S¨­ji] from the grave!"


    "What?! Master, are you serious? You''re sacrificing someone to bring back that sick woman?!" Even though it hadn''t been summoned yet, Nobunaga''s voice of disbelief came from the deck.


    "Hahaha! Nobu, now you finally understand who the real ace of this deck is!" Okita''s carefree laugh echoed from the graveyard. "Just because you were the MVP in one game doesn''t mean you''re back on top! When it comes to turning the tide at the last minute, it''s always me, the strongest ace, Okita S¨­ji!"


    One''s in the deck, and the other''s in the graveyard, yet they''re still bantering. Quite the duo.


    "Stop messing around; you both are indispensable in this situation..." Hoshino didn''t immediately send Nobunaga''s card to the graveyard but instead activate the spell card her hand again. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Activate spell Card [Monster Reborn], Oda Nobunaga!"


    Placing Okita and Nobunaga''s cards on the Duel Disk simultaneously, their images quickly materialized.


    Looking at Okita beside her, Nobunaga, now in a semi-transparent state due to being revived by the Monster reborn, asked, "Master, are we doing that now?"


    "That''s right, Nobu! To turn this duel around, we''ll need to combine the power of the Heroic Spirits into one!"


    "Fusion... and call upon the light of the Final Battle!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 185 - 185

    "Activate the Spell Card from my hand, [Divine Three-Legged Race]!"


    [Divine Three-Legged Race Spell Card Effect: ¢Ù Send the monsters listed as Fusion Materials for a [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster from your hand or field to the Graveyard, then Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from the Extra Deck.]


    Kaiba''s eyes sharpened. "So it''s a Fusion card exclusively for Heroic Spirit monsters?! You intend to create a miracle through Fusion? But small chances like that don''t always come through, Hoshino!"


    "This isn''t a small chance, Kaiba!"


    Watching the radiant fusion glow envelop Nobunaga and Okita on the field, Hoshino replied confidently.


    "For me, this is a 100% guaranteed victory path! According to the card''s effect, I send [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita S¨­ji], [Heroic Spirit ¨C Oda Nobunaga], and [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne Alter] from my hand to the Graveyard for a Fusion Summon!"


    "Again, me?! I''m just passing through!" Jeanne Alter grumbled with a disgruntled look, echoing words she''d said before.


    "Are you ready, Okita?!"


    "Enough talk, just do it, Nobunaga!"


    This was already the third Fusion between the two of them, and their synchronization was flawless¡ªno need for extra theatrics¡ª


    ¡ªThey simply swung their fists toward each other!


    "Can''t you two find a more peaceful way to fuse?!"


    "No, this is the most fitting way! It''s the truest expression of the bond between Okita and me!"


    "Fusion!" x2


    A flash of lightning followed, and in an instant, a storm of fusion energy swept across the battlefield.


    "I really can''t handle these two!" Hoshino smiled warmly, then turned her gaze toward The Wicked Avatar and the swirling black energy on the field.


    "Evil God, this is the final battle!"


    Slamming down the card that triggered the fusion storm, Hoshino''s Duel Disk lit up with an unprecedented glow.


    "Fusion Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji (Alter)]!"


    Slash!


    A pitch-black blade sliced through the swirling energy on the field. Wielding the Rengoku greatsword, almost as tall as herself, Okita Alter pointed it forward.


    "I am the one who cleaves demons, pierces gods, and channels the prayers of men. Counter Force, Okita S¨­ji!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][DARK][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "According to Okitan''s effect, her ATK increases by 1000 for each [Heroic Spirit] monster I''ve banished! Since I''ve banished Spartacus and Marie Antoinette, her ATK rises by 2000 points!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 3000 ¡ú 5000]


    "5000 ATK?! Is this Hoshino''s trump card?" Kaiba, though unfamiliar with the card, knew Hoshino wasn''t bluffing when she claimed a 100% chance of success. That meant this wasn''t her first time summoning Okita Alter.


    "Can that monster really defeat the Evil God?" Mokuba wondered aloud.


    "With moves that cool, she''s bound to win! Go, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha cheered.


    Within seconds, a similar black spiral rose from Yako''s side of the field. "Interesting! So this is the final battle, huh? My Evil God will take it head-on!"


    From within the swirling energy, The Wicked Avatar took on an identical appearance to Okita Alter.


    "So this is the power to pierce the gods! You haven''t disappointed me!" Mimicking Okita Alter''s stance, The Wicked Avatar also sliced through the storm surrounding it.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 5001]


    "No good. The Evil God''s attack is still higher!" Kaiba gritted his teeth, locking his gaze on Hoshino. "Can your Heroic Spirit truly open a path to victory?"


    "Let''s go! Let''s fight! For this burning moment, let our blood ignite! Okitan!"


    Throwing all her cards from the Graveyard into the air, Hoshino scattered them skyward. The Heroic Spirit cards, glowing faintly, illuminated the dark space like stars.


    "This is the final strike, harnessing the light of all Heroic Spirits! Okitan, attack The Wicked Avatar!"


    "She''s launching a direct attack?!" Yako was shocked, never expecting Hoshino to make such a bold move.


    "Pierce the dust!"


    In a blink, the two Rengoku greatswords clashed dozens of times on the field. Without the trailing sparks in the air, no one would have seen the blindingly fast exchange of blows.


    "What level of battle is this? It''s like a collision of auroras!" Mokuba was awestruck, watching trails of black and golden light streak across the battlefield.


    "Even so, with its lower ATK, Okita Alter should already be destroyed!" Yako pointed at the clash in front of him, certain his victory was imminent.


    "Yako, this is the crucial move I''ve prepared to defeat you!"


    "!?"


    "The time has come! Now, everything falls into place!" Hoshino revealed the card she had set earlier, its brilliant light enveloping Okita Alter as she fought.


    "Trap Card! [Avalon of Radiance Path]!"


    [Avalon of Radiance Path Continuous Trap Card Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster in Attack Position on your field. ¢Ù: As long as this card remains on the field, the targeted monster cannot be destroyed.]


    "Thanks to Avalon''s effect, Okitan can''t be destroyed by battle!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 498 ¡ú 497]


    "So what? Even if it can''t be destroyed by battle, you still can''t defeat my Evil God!"


    "Oh, it has meaning! This is the Path of Radiance, the road that will annihilate evil!"


    "Because Okitan wasn''t destroyed, her effect activates!"


    [When this card''s attack does not destroy a monster, you can banish 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Graveyard. This card can attack again.]


    "I banish Boudica from my Graveyard. Keep attacking, Okitan!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 5000 ¡ú 6000]


    "Show him the unstoppable infinity!"


    "Yes, Master!" The aurora exploded once more, scattering across the field like a rainstorm.


    "Useless! No matter how much your ATK rises, you won''t defeat me!" As Okita Alter accelerated, The Wicked Avatar followed closely, refusing to be outdone.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 5001 ¡ú 6001]


    Due to Wicked Avatar''s continuous effect, its ATK is always 1 point higher than the highest on the field.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 497 ¡ú 496]


    "It''s not over yet! I banish Jekyll from my Graveyard! Keep attacking, Okitan!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 6000 ¡ú 7000]


    "Pierce the dust! Cut off the divine will with boundless light!" The golden aurora, capable of destroying even gods, expanded infinitely, engulfing the battlefield.


    "Interesting! I''ve never faced a battle like this! But it''s not enough; this power alone won''t defeat me!"


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 6001 ¡ú 7001]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 496 ¡ú 495]


    "One strike, if not stopped, leads to a second. A second strike, if not stopped, leads to a thousand strikes¡­" The Heroic Spirit cards that Hoshino had just cast from the Graveyard floated above her, glowing with power. "I banish Hyde from the Graveyard!"


    "If a thousand strikes continue, they become infinite!" Each time a monster was banished by Okita Alter''s effect, the radiance from the Heroic Spirit card transferred to her blade.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 7000 ¡ú 8000]


    The ground could no longer contain the fight. As the two clashed, wielding their great swords, sparks flew, pushing them higher, with the sky as their final battleground.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 7001 ¡ú 8001]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 495 ¡ú 494]


    "The moment of truth, Hoshino-chan! Will your light shine through?" Da Vinci asked, her eyes full of concern. The pain from the Shadow Game was far more than just the reduced LP.


    "To have fought to this extent, how could I give up now!" Though her body weakened, the fighting spirit in Hoshino''s eyes burned ever brighter, reaching toward victory within her grasp!


    "I''ll banish Jeanne d''Arc from the Graveyard!"


    The Jeanne card floating in the air sent its radiant holy light toward her.


    "Hold on, Master!" Jeanne''s gentle voice echoed from the light.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 8000 ¡ú 9000]


    "Akasha can feel it¡ªthe brilliance of the Heroic Spirits, the gathering strength of their souls!" Akasha exclaimed, watching the intense light. "This is what Hoshino-nee was talking about!"


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 8001 ¡ú 9001]


    "Useless, useless, useless! What can this meaningless persistence bring you?"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 494 ¡ú 493]


    "This persistence you call meaningless is what will bring me my final victory! I banish Gilles de Rais (Saber) from my Graveyard!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 9000 ¡ú 10000]


    "The attack power has reached 10,000?!" Mokuba, who had been dazed by the intensity of the battle, snapped back to reality as he realized the magnitude of the fight.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 9001 ¡ú 10001]


    This wasn''t just a battle between monsters with over 10,000 attack points¡ªthis was an endless power struggle between two forces constantly growing stronger, fighting an unprecedented duel atop the KaibaCorp tower.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 493 ¡ú 492]


    "I banish Gilles de Rais (Caster) from my Graveyard!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 10000 ¡ú 11000]


    "Brother, if this keeps up, the satellite won''t be able to handle it!" Mokuba warned urgently.


    Kaiba had already noticed. This battle, tearing through the sky, had long surpassed the Duel Disks'' capabilities. The only possible explanation, one Kaiba was reluctant to accept, was that this clash had transcended the Duel Disk''s limits¡ªjust like when Hoshino''s Karna faced Obelisk.


    "No matter!" Kaiba made his decision. "Shut down all resources from the Battle City Duel Disks and focus all available power here! This duel will ascend to even greater heights!"


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 10001 ¡ú 11001]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 492 ¡ú 491]


    "I banish Nero Claudius from the Graveyard. Don''t give up, Okitan!"


    "Umu! This is a battle so epic even Rome would be shaken! You must defeat that monster in my place!" Nero''s voice rang out.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 11000 ¡ú 12000]


    "You think you can defeat me? Dream on!" The Wicked Avatar, unfazed, remained confident in the face of the relentless attacks.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 11001 ¡ú 12001]


    "I banish Caligula from the Graveyard!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji Alter ATK 12000 ¡ú 13000]


    (***)


    In the Domino city¡ª


    "Hey, did the Duel Disk visuals just cut out? Did it break? This thing''s expensive!" Jonouchi slapped his Duel Disk, confused.


    "Look! Isn''t there some kind of fight happening on top of KaibaCorp?!" Since the Duel Disks had all stopped, duelists and spectators alike turned to look up at the KaibaCorp building.


    "It''s true! Although you can barely see two small figures fighting, they look like silhouettes!" A passerby with sharp eyesight squinted, managing to make out the faint, shadowy battle.


    "No way! Silhouettes fighting in the sky? And with effects like that?!"


    (***)


    Back on the duel¡ª


    "It''s connected!" Hoshino shouted, filled with excitement.


    "Hoshino, what do you mean connected?" Even Da Vinci was bewildered by Hoshino''s relentless attacks.


    "Da Vinci, the wills of the Heroic Spirits have connected!" Hoshino smiled, raising her arm toward the heavens. The Heroic Spirit cards, glowing like distant stars, were linked by an invisible silver thread. "This is their legacy, Da Vinci¡ªthe combined power of each Heroic Spirit, with the flame of hope growing brighter and breaking through limits!"


    "Broke through the limits?"


    "Heh heh, burn bright, Okitan! Channel the power of all Heroic Spirits into your blade and unleash your full strike!" Drawing a set card from her Duel Disk, Hoshino activated it with a triumphant shout.


    Boom¡ª!


    Flames erupted from Okita Alter''s blade, engulfing the entire battlefield in a wave of fire.


    "This is my final trump card, Yako! Evil God!"


    "¡ªGo to hell! Continuous Trap Card, [Demon King of the Sixth Heaven]!"


    [Demon King of the Sixth Heaven ¨C Continuous Trap Card Effect: Once per turn, you can target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster in your Graveyard. Banish that monster. At the end of each turn, both players take damage equal to the number of [Heroic Spirit] monsters banished x 300.]


    "Using the effect of this Trap Card, I''ll banish Oda Nobunaga from my Graveyard! This brings the total number of [Heroic Spirit] monsters in my banished zone to 11!"


    "What?!" Yako''s eyes widened, his shock evident as he processed the consequences.


    "In other words, at the end of the turn, both players will take (11 x 300) = 3300 points of effect damage!"


    [Tenma Yako LP: 2700]


    "Cut them down, Okitan, with your final flame strike!" Watching as Okita Alter raised her fiery blade, Hoshino''s lips curled into a confident smile.


    "End of turn!"


    "Eat this, Evil God!" Within the flames, Okita Alter roared as she swung her massive, flame-covered blade with all her might. "The sword lives up to its name¡ªthis is true purgatory!"


    "Impossible! How could something like this happen?" The Wicked Avatar, staring at the oncoming flames, frantically denied the inevitable. "I am invincible! I cannot lose!"


    "You''ve already lost, Evil God!" Hoshino pointed at the panicking Wicked Avatar, unleashing all her pent-up fury.


    "You dare drag the great me down with you?!"


    "Drag you down with me?! The only one dying here is you!" At that moment, a giant white figure appeared behind Hoshino, a gentle light enveloping her.


    "I will eradicate all poisonous and harmful things! I will do everything in my power to bring happiness to the people..."


    "This is my final set card! Trap Card [Nightingale Pledge]!"


    [Nightingale Pledge Trap Card Effect: Can be activated when you are about to take damage that would reduce your Life Points to 0. That damage becomes 0. Afterward, restore your Life Points equal to the number of [Heroic Spirit] monsters on your field, in your Graveyard, and in your banished zone x 200.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 487 ¡ú 3287]


    "This is truly the final blow, Evil God!"


    "Rengoku Absolute Sword¡ª"


    The black light, engulfed in flames from Okita Alter''s blade, obliterated everything in its path, burning all creation in its wake.


    "Zekken, Mukyusandan!"


    [Tenma Yako LP 2700 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel over. The victor: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 186 - 186

    "We... we won?!"


    Due to the suddenness of the final strike, Yako''s seemingly safe Life Points burned away like paper, leaving the three spectators no time to react.


    The scorching flames incinerated Yako''s Life Points and swept away the ominous aura on the field, breaking through the darkness that had veiled the sky.


    "Do you see it now, Yako? This is my ultimate trump card¡ªthe power of Okitan!" Though Hoshino''s body was shaky and exhausted, her voice was full of pride after securing the final victory.


    "Hoshino-nee is amazing!" Akasha, excited by the end of the duel, opened her arms and jumped toward Hoshino.


    "Ugh!! Hoshi¡ª" In the unexpected turn of events, Hoshino swiftly embraced the approaching Akasha. The sudden surge of enthusiasm left Akasha''s cheeks slightly flushed.


    Completely drained, Hoshino collapsed onto the rooftop floor, pulling Akasha''s petite frame down on top of her.


    "Hahaha, I won, I actually won!!" Hoshino laughed brightly, playfully holding the adorable Akasha in her arms.


    Though her rapid breathing indicated her fatigue, the unmistakable excitement in her voice was just as clear.


    "You were truly incredible, Hoshino-chan! At the last moment, you even exceeded the predictions of Destiny Draw!"


    "Hehe~ Da Vinci-chan, even though the Shadow Game has ended, why are you still¡ªhuh?!!" Lying on the ground, Hoshino suddenly noticed the transparent container of gathered souls above her wasn''t disappearing. Instead, it was expanding.


    "What''s wrong, Hoshino-nee?" Akasha, still nestled in Hoshino''s arms, was startled by her sudden scream.


    "Now''s not the time to be squeezing Akasha-chan! It seems the battle isn''t over yet..." Hoshino sighed and released her grip on Akasha''s small face.


    "But even though I say that, I can''t move at all!" Her body felt as if it were falling apart. Due to the extreme degree of soul separation, no matter how hard Hoshino tried, her unresponsive legs felt like they weren''t even hers.


    "What''s going on, Hoshino-nee?" Akasha asked again. Unable to see the Shadow Game, Akasha couldn''t perceive the nearly overflowing soul container above them.


    "Yako, your plan has completely failed! Release the Kaiba Corp. employees you''ve imprisoned!" Kaiba, equally unaware of the situation, angrily approached Yako, who stood frozen. His clenched fist seemed ready to strike.


    "This feeling... something''s wrong!"


    Zzz¡ª!


    In response to Hoshino''s uneasiness, cracks suddenly formed on the surface of the transparent container. The concentrated soul energy began leaking out.


    While the souls inside appeared pure white, the energy seeping through the cracks was thick and black.


    "Watch out, Kaiba!" Even though she couldn''t stand, Hoshino, dragging her unmovable legs, sat up and yelled a warning to Kaiba, who was stepping closer to Yako.


    !!!


    A familiar black mist condensed into a giant claw, filled with killing intent, and lunged at Kaiba.


    Boom¡ª!


    The impact was so powerful it almost shattered the rooftop floor. Fortunately, Kaiba instinctively jumped back the moment he heard Hoshino''s warning, barely dodging the sudden attack.


    "What the hell is this?!" Kaiba, drenched in cold sweat, stared in shock at the massive claw that had appeared out of nowhere. Without Hoshino''s warning, he might have been killed on the spot.


    Da Vinci furrowed her brow. "Even Kaiba can see it... It seems it has gained a physical form now. It''s The Wicked Avatar..."


    "The Wicked Avatar has a physical form? Why, Da Vinci? Didn''t I win?"


    "Hahaha, Hoshino Chiyuki, you won, but this world is already doomed!" The black soul energy leaking from the container began to coalesce. Starting from the claw, it slowly took shape, eventually forming a familiar figure¡ªeven more ominous than before.


    "The Wicked... Dreadroot?" Though the figure resembled The Wicked Dreadroot, its two massive arms were stripped of their skeletal covering, replaced by an oppressive black body that exuded even greater menace.


    As the blackened Wicked Avatar materialized, Yako''s lifeless body collapsed onto the floor.


    "Borrowing The Wicked Dreadroot''s form is just a more convenient way to wreak destruction. Hoshino Chiyuki, though you won the Shadow Game, the soul energy collected in the container is already more than enough. It''s just a tiny bit short, but I can easily substitute that with Yako''s life."


    "Yako''s... life?" Hoshino''s crimson eyes trembled slightly as she looked at Yako''s fallen form. "No way, we were just playing cards, and now someone''s actually going to die?"


    "Hmph, playing with fire and getting burned, Yako!" Kaiba sneered as he glanced at Yako''s fallen body, then pointed at the massive Evil God before him. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But Hoshino, what exactly is this thing? Give me a reasonable explanation."


    "Even if I gave you a reasonable explanation, you wouldn''t believe it." Hoshino knew all too well that, even if she explained it as a soul-condensed monster, Kaiba would find a thousand reasons to reject it. She decided not to waste her breath.


    "But there''s one thing you must believe¡ªif you let this thing rampage, your precious Kaiba Corp. might be torn apart."


    The massive claw that had originally struck at Kaiba had left a deep crater in the rooftop¡ªand that was just a strike from the Evil God in its incomplete form.


    "Even so, the current Kaiba Corp. has no armed forces to handle something like this!" Despite his disbelief, Kaiba couldn''t ignore the seriousness in Hoshino''s voice, nor the destruction caused by The Wicked Avatar.


    During Kaiba''s adoptive father Gozaburo''s reign, Kaiba Corp. was a military company. But now, it had fully transitioned into a toy company.


    "Only Duel Monsters can defeat Duel Monsters!" Though Hoshino wanted to fight, her soul had been so severely weakened that even lifting her Duel Disk was a challenge. Otherwise, she would have already pushed away Akasha''s head, which was buried in her chest.


    "The rest is up to you, Kaiba!"


    "Only Duel Monsters can defeat Duel Monsters, huh? Interesting!" Naturally, Kaiba wasn''t a fool. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have made it to where he was today.


    With a confident smirk, Kaiba spread open the Duel Disk on his arm in an outrageously arrogant manner. "This time, I won''t lose!"


    A scorching gale blew across the rooftop, accompanied by thunder rumbling in the sky once more. The massive form materialized instantly, and with a heavy punch, it struck The Wicked Avatar''s black body with precision.


    "Go, [Obelisk the Tormentor]!!"


    A powerful punch surged forth, smashing against the massive body of the Evil God. Without missing a beat, Obelisk followed up, his other fist already charging with immense force.


    "You''re just a loser, and yet you come out here!"


    Though the Evil God staggered from Obelisk''s unexpected blow, it regained its balance almost immediately.


    The Evil God''s massive claw, though slower to prepare, swung out at the same moment as Obelisk''s fist.


    The deep blue arm and the pitch-black arm clashed violently in midair, the two gigantic bodies exchanging blows powerful enough to shake the earth.


    Boom¡ª!


    The entire Kaiba Corp. building trembled. If not for its advanced earthquake-proof technology, the rooftop would have collapsed under the force of the collision.


    "Wow, this is like a battle of giants!" Akasha exclaimed, finally lifting her head from Hoshino''s chest, drawn by the sound of impact.


    "It''s not going to work. With Obelisk''s power alone, it''s too much to handle The Wicked Avatar." Hoshino frowned slightly, eyes fixed on the two giants exchanging blows before them.


    Though Obelisk had initiated the attack, he was gradually being overwhelmed by the Evil God''s sheer might, and retaliating was becoming noticeably difficult.


    "Damn it! Relying on Obelisk alone won''t be enough to fully suppress the Evil God..." Kaiba had hoped that, though Obelisk had lost to the Avatar before, an incomplete Evil God would give him a chance.


    But the gap between dreams and reality was often brutal.


    "In that case¡­" Kaiba drew four cards from his deck, refusing to lose again.


    "I''ll fuse my three Blue-Eyes White Dragons. Come forth, the ultimate emperor of destruction¡ª"


    "¡ª[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]!!"


    "Roar!" With a deafening triple dragon roar, three beams of destructive white light blasted from the sky, striking the Evil God''s body simultaneously.


    "Another insect, just when my soul hasn''t fully recovered!"


    The Evil God, seemingly unfazed by the Ultimate Dragon''s attack, let out a bone-chilling voice. The blackness of its back began to melt, morph, and reshape. Soon, a third arm emerged and ruthlessly reached for the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon soaring in the sky.


    "Ugh, what a grotesque creature, how disgusting!"


    The Evil God, without a fixed form, could transform into whatever shape was most convenient for battle. But its monstrous appearance made Hoshino feel nauseous just looking at it.


    "Roar~!" The Ultimate Dragon, wrapped in the Evil God''s giant claw, flapped its wings desperately. But the power difference was too great. No matter how hard it struggled, it couldn''t break free from the Evil God''s pitch-black grip.


    "Offer your monster along with your soul, Seto Kaiba!"


    Drawing another card from his Duel Disk, Kaiba grinned, "If you think you can take the soul of Seto Kaiba, you''ve got a hundred years to go!"


    Hey! Kaiba, how can you say such things? Souls aren''t scientific, you know _(?§¥?)?


    "Quick-Play Spell, [De-Fusion]!"


    Just as the Ultimate Dragon was about to be absorbed, Kaiba activated his spell card. Surrounded by white light, the Ultimate Dragon split into three separate dragons.


    "Roar!" Two of the Blue-Eyes White Dragons let out fierce roars of defiance.


    But only two were roaring¡ªthe third was still caught in the Evil God''s massive claw.


    "I''ve still captured one! This will be the last soul I need to complete my body!"


    "Hmph, drown in your disgusting delusions, Evil God!" Kaiba, with a confident smile, suddenly radiated an aura that overshadowed even the god before him.


    So, are you even human, Kaiba? You''re truly standing shoulder to shoulder with gods in a mortal body, aren''t you?¦²(¡ã¡÷¡ã|||)¦õ


    "I activate Obelisk the Tormentor''s special ability!" With a commanding shout, Obelisk spread his enormous hands, seizing the two remaining Blue-Eyes White Dragons in each of his powerful fists.


    "By offering two monsters as tributes, Obelisk the Tormentor''s attack power rises to infinity!"


    As Obelisk''s muscled arms glowed with the radiant light of the Blue-Eyes White Dragons, he became a towering force.


    "MAX Soul Energy!!!"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK: ¡Þ]


    "You''re finished, Evil God! This is the final blow!" Kaiba roared with all his might, his voice echoing beneath the darkened sky.


    "Perish under the divine might of the MAX God Hand Crusher!!"


    With a force that could scorch the earth and tear through the heavens, Obelisk''s double-fisted strike, enveloped in blinding white light, surged forward.


    A deafening explosion followed as the MAX God Hand Crusher landed squarely on the Evil God''s body.


    The overwhelming energy pierced through the Evil God''s thick form, shooting straight into the sky. If Kaiba Corp.''s building wasn''t the tallest in Domino City, the sheer power might have damaged several nearby structures.


    "It''s over!" Kaiba crossed his arms over his chest, grinning with satisfaction at the final blow he had unleashed.


    "Well done, Kaiba!" Hoshino sighed in relief, giving Kaiba a thumbs-up.


    "Brother, you''re super, super cool!" Mokuba exclaimed, admiration sparkling in his eyes.


    .


    ..


    ....


    Silence reigned for a moment, but then...


    "What a pity, Seto Kaiba!"


    Despair. That was the voice of true despair, chilling and dark, like it came from the depths of hell. The sense of relief that had begun to take hold vanished instantly, replaced by dread.


    "Impossible! How could this be!" Kaiba, unable to believe his eyes, took a step back as the black figure slowly emerged from the aftermath of the white light.


    "You''re scared, aren''t you, Seto Kaiba? I''ve captured the fear in your heart!" The Evil God''s voice, dripping with malice, seemed to pierce through Kaiba''s very mind.


    "If it weren''t for the souls of your monsters restoring me to my full form, that blow might have actually taken me down. But now¡ª"


    Raising his massive arm, the Evil God aimed his attack at... Mokuba, who was cowering in fear. "¡ªit''s my turn to strike back!"


    "Mokuba, get out of there!" Kaiba shouted desperately.


    "Brother, what do I do? My legs are shaking too much to move..." Mokuba, his voice trembling, looked helplessly at Kaiba and Hoshino.


    "Damn it, at a time like this, I can''t do anything to help." Hoshino gritted her teeth, feeling utterly powerless as she struggled to raise her Duel Disk.


    Biting her lip in frustration, Hoshino screamed out her last hope...


    "Akasha-chan, draw a card from my deck and place it on my Duel Disk!" Her final hope rested on the young girl sitting on her lap.


    "Huh? Draw a card?" Akasha''s face was blank with confusion. After all, she was younger than Mokuba, and it was impressive enough that she wasn''t crying in such a terrifying situation.


    "But Hoshino-nee, I don''t know which monster in your deck could..."


    "Just take the top card!" Hoshino''s eyes were filled with determination, hoping to pass that resolve to Akasha. "Remember, as long as you trust in the deck, it will always respond to your expectations."


    "Is that true, Hoshino-nee...?" Akasha bit her lip, recalling what Hoshino had once told her during their duel.


    "As long as you believe in your deck, the card that can turn the tide of the duel will always be in your next draw, right?"


    "That''s right. Now draw the card of destiny!"


    "Mm!" Akasha''s eyes, filled with newfound determination, sparkled with Hoshino''s spirit.


    "It''s Akasha''s turn. Draw!"


    "It''s pointless, pointless, pointless! Even if you summon a monster now, there''s nothing that can stop me!" The Evil God, undeterred, continued to stretch his vile claws toward Mokuba, who had his eyes shut tightly in terror.


    Snap¡ª! A crisp sound echoed.


    "Huh??" Expecting the worst, Mokuba opened his eyes cautiously.


    "Ah!!" Mokuba fell back in shock. The Evil God''s claw, inches from his brow, was completely immobilized...


    Bound by the Chain of Heaven!


    "You mongrel, didn''t you say nothing could stop you? Well, allow this king to enjoy this to the fullest!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 187 - 187

    "Gilgamesh!" Hoshino exclaimed in delight, looking at the golden figure floating in the sky.


    "I''ve told you not to call the King by his name, mongrel!" Gilgamesh scolded Hoshino with a snap of his fingers, but then added, "However..."


    "Though you''re in quite a pitiful state, your efforts to struggle until the end have indeed pleased me. This time, I''ll make an exception and grant you a reward from the King!"


    "Oh? Is that the reason?" Hoshino smirked as she glanced at Gilgamesh. "Or is it because a cute kid pulled you out?"


    "Insolent! Mongrel!" Gilgamesh barked.


    Sss--!


    The evil god, still struggling, slowly dragged the Chains of Heaven across his massive body, causing a shower of sparks as metal scraped against its pitch-black skin.


    "Hahaha! Ugly beast, keep struggling! Dance for the King''s amusement!" Gilgamesh laughed maniacally, enjoying the spectacle as though watching a circus clown.


    "Brother!" Seizing the opportunity while the evil god was bound, Mokuba ran over to Kaiba.


    "Mokuba, you''re safe! Thank goodness!" Kaiba sighed in relief, his heart having nearly leaped out of his chest a moment ago.


    "Kaiba now''s not the time to relax!" Hoshino shouted urgently. "Strike back while you still can!"


    "Hmph, you think I need you to tell me that?" Kaiba shot a glare at the evil god still tightly bound in chains, his eyes brimming with rage. "Go, Obelisk! Attack without any hesitation!"


    Boom¡ª!


    Without a moment''s pause, Obelisk''s punch landed squarely on the evil god''s face (or what resembled a face).


    What followed was...


    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Under Kaiba''s command, Obelisk unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, his massive arms swinging like the pillars of a gate, delivering blows with an "Ora Ora Ora" intensity.


    "Damn it!" The evil god''s roar, filled with unbridled rage, reverberated through the air, as though he could shatter his teeth if he had any.


    The mighty evil god was reduced to a punching bag.


    "The humiliation I suffer now! I will make you all pay for this!" The evil god howled, a screech so piercing it shook the very soul.


    "Gilgamesh, it won''t break free of the Chains of Heaven, right? Make sure to tighten them!" Hoshino, feeling uneasy, couldn''t help but shout. After all, even a god might lash out like a cornered beast.


    "Mongrel, do you underestimate the King? A god of this level and strength could never break free from the King''s Chains of Heaven, not for another million years!"


    Why do you use a million years as a measurement unit?


    "Insects! I''ll crush you! Obliterate everything!" The evil god, consumed by rage, leaned forward even as its bound body strained against the chains.


    The sound of the rattling chains mingled with Obelisk''s punches, forming a strange, unsettling rhythm.


    "Kaiba, your attacks don''t seem to be doing much damage!" Hoshino grumbled, dissatisfied with the apparent lack of injury on the evil god after all of Obelisk''s relentless strikes.


    Hoshino knew Gilgamesh''s character all too well. Just like his famous saying, "The King does not possess pride without just cause," the Chains of Heaven wouldn''t last anywhere near a million years. But with the evil god''s power, breaking free in the short term was still difficult.


    At least, for a short while. That''s why Hoshino urged Kaiba to increase his attack intensity. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It seems that without using several more Soul Energy MAX attacks, this battle won''t end!" Kaiba also realized that his regular punches weren''t cutting it, so he swiftly changed tactics, preparing to draw more monsters from his deck to sacrifice for Obelisk.


    Crack¡ª!


    The sickening sound of flesh and bone tearing made everyone''s skin crawl.


    "This evil god actually..." Hoshino''s eyes widened in horror, and she couldn''t stop herself from retching.


    The evil god, in its desperation, tore apart its own body to escape from the Chains of Heaven. Black blood splattered everywhere from its rupture.


    Recognizing the familiar appearance of the god''s blood, Hoshino quickly shouted, "That black liquid is really bad news!"


    It was the same substance as the Black Mud that had exploded all over the field when the evil god''s avatar, the Wicked Eraser, was sent to the graveyard.


    "Everyone, back off! Stay away from that stuff!" Hoshino yelled, though easier said than done. Obelisk, standing directly in front of the evil god, had no place to retreat, and his massive legs were swiftly corroded by the black mud.


    "Disgusting. Even the King wouldn''t want his treasures to touch this kind of thing." Gilgamesh wrinkled his nose in disgust and looked ready to retract the Chains of Heaven.


    "Gilgamesh! Don''t even think about retracting the Chains! If you do that, we''re all done for!" Hoshino exclaimed in panic.


    "Are you joking, mongrel?" Gilgamesh retorted with unexpected confidence. "Why do you think this beast is tearing its own body apart?"


    "!!"


    Thanks to Gilgamesh''s reminder, Hoshino realized the evil god''s true purpose wasn''t to spread the black mud. By ripping its body to shreds, it aimed to free itself from the Chains of Heaven.


    "This kind of enemy who doesn''t care about dying is truly terrifying..." Hoshino muttered, swallowing hard as she watched the scene unfold. The Evil God, capable of changing its form, would naturally regenerate from its torn body.


    "Relax, mongrel. The King has promised you a reward, and I won''t handle this battle half-heartedly." Gilgamesh''s previously sarcastic tone grew steady as he retracted the Chains of Heaven.


    "Now, it''s time for a confrontation, ugly beast. Witness the ''Pinnacle of human wisdom!''"


    A golden circle of rippling energy appeared in the sky, connecting to the King''s treasury, from which emerged a dazzling array of treasures in various forms.


    "Kneel before the treasure trove of the King!"


    Countless swords and spears, trailing golden light, shot toward the evil god''s regenerating body.


    "Grooaaah!!" The evil god howled in agony, a cry far more pained than when it had been pummeled by Obelisk.


    "This... This finally breaking through his defense?!" Hoshino exclaimed in joy, after what felt like a grueling battle finally showed signs of progress.


    "Hahahaha!" Gilgamesh cackled. "This is the King''s treasuries covering the earth! Gate of Babylon!"


    "It''s working, it''s working! Keep up the pressure, Gil!" Hoshino, overcome with excitement, forgot all about being formal with Gilgamesh.


    "You mongrel! Who are you calling Gil?!"


    Despite saying he wouldn''t be half-hearted in battle, his ears are sharper than anyone else''s when it comes to small matters like this.


    "I''m calling you ''Gil! Why are you adding ''Mongrel'' in your every sentence?" Hoshino, though not in the right, refused to back down in front of the King of Heroes'' tsundere attitude.


    "Sparkly-niisan, the opponent is coming!" Akasha reminded them while Gilgamesh and Hoshino were bickering over trivialities.


    Even as the bombardment from the Gate of Babylon rained down, the evil god''s limbs continued to regenerate without slowing, and a newly formed arm lashed out at Gilgamesh, who was in mid-air.


    "Oh? So this ugly beast still has some energy to fight left in it, even though it''s nothing more than a dying beast." Gilgamesh grinned, opening the gate of Babylon from the side. He struck the evil god''s arm at an angle, altering its trajectory just enough for the massive black claw to barely miss him.


    "Not only does it have high defense, but it''s also regeneration. What a troublesome beast." Although he appeared calm, Gilgamesh was only dodging with his immense experience.


    But that wasn''t the real problem here. The real issue was¡­


    "Gilgamesh, you''re running out of mana, aren''t you?" Hoshino sharply pointed out the hidden concern behind Gilgamesh''s maniacal grin.


    If Gilgamesh were at full strength, he wouldn''t waste time with drawn-out skirmishes using the Gate of Babylon. Though the bombardments from his treasury appeared effective, they weren''t decisive enough to change the tide of battle.


    The King of Heroes stopped his laughter, his brows furrowing slightly but offering no retort.


    "So that''s how it is¡­"


    "Hoshino-chan, the fact that Heroic Spirit cards are materialized into reality via holographic projections is already an unnatural phenomenon," Da Vinci explained.


    "Unlike the Obelisk of this world, the mana of Heroic Spirits summoned through cards and duel disks is severely limited."


    "Da Vinci, why are you only telling me this now?!"


    "I assumed this unreasonable king could break some of those rules."


    Indeed, Gilgamesh had always given the impression of someone unconstrained by logic, doing as he pleased. His overwhelming power allowed him to behave that way.


    But even the King of Heroes was finding himself a bit stifled this time.


    Hoshino, noticing the difficulty of the situation, glanced at the Obelisk beside them, its legs now corroded by the evil god''s blood.


    "Da Vinci, you just said the Obelisk is different because they''re part of this world. Does that mean they can use their full power here?"


    "In theory, yes." Though unsure of Hoshino''s intent, Da Vinci nodded in affirmation.


    "But even if they can use their full strength, the divine nature of an Obelisk still wouldn''t be enough to defeat the evil god."


    "It can be done! I''ve figured out a way to defeat it!" Hoshino''s eyes burned with renewed determination as she seized the opportunity.


    "Gilgamesh, follow my command! We need to change our attack!"


    "Hmph! A mongrel, think you can command me?" Gilgamesh flatly rejected her proposal, continuing his attack without turning back.


    "Command? You want to talk about command? My command is¡­"


    Undeterred by Gilgamesh''s rejection, Hoshino opened her palm, gazing at the faint red trace of a Command Seal on the back of her hand.


    It was a remnant from their earlier duel. Hoshino had still two Command Seals she still doesn''t use.


    Whether the Command Seal would still function after the duel was unknown, but at this point, Hoshino had no choice but to gamble on that last possibility.


    "I''m your Master! By the power two of my Command Seal,¡ª"


    "You''re planning to use a Command Seal to force my will? How uncute." Gilgamesh squinted and sneered.


    "¡ªI trust you King of Heroes Gilgamesh''s!"


    "!!!"


    As the red mark faded from Hoshino''s hand, a surge of mana radiated from Gilgamesh, confirming her gamble had paid off.


    "You mongrel, such an amusing action." Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, looking at Hoshino in surprise.


    "Oh? You didn''t think I''d use the Command Seal to force you, did you?" Hoshino smirked.


    As a Chaldea Master, she would never do something as forcibly bending a Heroic Spirit''s will. Using a Command Seal that way was not only excessive but also meaningless.


    "Your mana should be full now, Gilgamesh!"


    Though it was just a remnant of the Command Seal, the immense amount of mana it injected demonstrated the potency of Chaldea''s cutting-edge technology.


    "Now, increase your firepower!" This time, Hoshino didn''t bother seeking Gilgamesh''s approval. She issued her command outright: "Draw out the divine construct!"


    "Hmph, that was already my plan! Don''t think for a moment I''m following your orders!" The King of Heroes, ever the tsundere, was as stubborn as always, but the massive golden circles that appeared behind him signified that he had connected to the space holding some of his most powerful treasures.


    "Ig-Alima!"


    Also known as the Green Field Cutting Through the Thousand Mountains. An enormous, unparalleled, divine sword that not only cuts with its blade but also embodies the very concept of the "skyline," splitting heaven and earth itself.


    "Sul-sagana!"


    A sword paired with Ig-Alima, known as The Horizon of Dawn that Purifies the Seas. Its blade, a burning mass of molten rock, contains the concept of the "horizon" between sky and sea, purifying everything with unquenchable flames.


    The authentic divine Construct, incomparable to the projection once projected by Emiya and Hoshino, slashed down on the evil god with a cataclysmic force, tearing through space itself.


    BOOM¡ª!


    The massive twin swords, each rivaling the size of the evil god, carried the weight and concept of separating heaven and earth, incinerating all things as they struck its body, splitting the evil god into four sections. Black, sickening threads of energy tried to hold its severed body together.


    "It''s not enough! Even with such power, unless we destroy the evil god in one strike, it''ll keep regenerating!" Da Vinci''s voice showed clear concern as she noted that Gilgamesh had used up all the mana replenished by the Command Seal. If even this attack failed¡­


    "Now''s not the time to despair, Da Vinci." Hoshino''s confident smile radiated assurance.


    "Those divine swords have opened up the path to turn this situation around!"


    "Hoshino-chan?"


    Taking a deep breath, Hoshino shouted with all her remaining strength toward the other side of the battlefield.


    "Kaiba! How long are you going to just watch?! I''ve already sent you the weapon!"


    "The weapon?!" Kaiba was momentarily stunned by Hoshino''s sudden shout.


    "The only thing in this world capable of unleashing the full potential of the Obelisk!"


    Yes, those swords too massive for any human to wield were perfectly suited for Obelisk. This was Hoshino''s final strategy¡ªif the Obelisk could use 100% of their power in this world, let them wield those divine swords at full strength!


    "Interesting, very interesting, Hoshino!" Kaiba, ever the sharp tactician, grasped Hoshino''s plan in just a few seconds.


    His body trembled with excitement, a smile uncontrollably spreading across his face as he unleashed his full aura toward the giant soldier in front of him.


    "Draw your sword, Obelisk the Tormentor! This is the moment of your revenge!"


    Although its legs had been corroded by the evil god''s blood, the arms of Obelisk were still intact. With its massive blue arms, it pulled the Ig-Aligma and Sul-sagana from the ground.


    The legendary twin swords of Zababa, the war god of Mesopotamian myth, had once again revealed their world-ending power, wielded by the giant soldier in battle.


    "Go, Obelisk the Tormentor!! MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE!"


    Rather than sacrificing the swords, Obelisk fused their divine power into its own, creating a new, transcendent form.


    "Obelisk''s divine power is rising?!" Da Vinci immediately detected that Obelisk''s power had not only equaled but surpassed that of the evil god.


    "This is Obelisk in its ultimate form! Witness its might!" Kaiba thrust his arm toward the sky, commanding Obelisk''s power to break through the darkness overhead.


    "Behold the annihilating wind that scorches both mountain and sea! Ultimate Obelisk the Tormentor!!"


    "Go, Obelisk!" Even Mokuba, who had been trembling with fear moments ago, was now caught up in the fervor, cheering with renewed courage.


    "Evil god, this is your true end! Ultimate Obelisk, obliterate the evil god and reduce it to ashes!"


    "ROAR!" With a low, thunderous roar, Ultimate Obelisk swung the divine swords with all its might. The sheer weight and force of the swords'' movements were enough to scatter any lesser beings caught in the wind.


    "Impossible! I am immortal!!" As its life was threatened, the evil god finally regained a hint of sanity.


    "It''s too late to regret now, evil god! What''s waiting for you ahead is only hell!"


    With the power of the mountain-splitting sword that could cleave the heavens and earth, the body of the evil god was severed. With the power of the sea-burning sword that could incinerate entire oceans, the evil god''s body was dissolved.


    The sharp blades and scorching winds ravaged the land. On the battlefield, Obelisk stood like the god of war from human legend, annihilating the enemy before him into dust.


    "Enjoy your immortality in the depths of hell, evil god!" Kaiba, with his thumb pointing downward, expressed his fury toward the last remnants of the evil god''s body, reduced to a mere trace of black ash.


    [The Wicked Avatar] defeated!


    (*****)


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 Chapter 188 - 188

    "How dare you lend this king''s treasure to someone else! Such arrogance¡ªare you not afraid of death, you mongrel?!"


    "Hehe, it won''t happen again, my king~"


    Perhaps because the evil god was completely vanquished, Hoshino felt the weight of her soul gradually returning to her body. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmph, since you didn''t use the wrong title this time, I''ll be merciful and forgive you for using the treasure without permission," Gilgamesh huffed.


    "Thanks, Gil!"


    "You mongrel!"


    Akasha, sitting on Hoshino''s lap with a sweet smile, watched the two banter with great interest.


    "Hoshino-nee sure gets along well with her Duel Monsters."


    Finally regaining her energy, Hoshino waved her hand dismissively, "What makes you think we get along? I can''t deal with this moody king who''s only reliable in critical moments¡ªhe''s the oldest tsundere in human history!"


    Not one to be outdone, Gilgamesh turned his head away, "A woman who''s only slightly cute and good at using her brain but has no other redeeming qualities has no right to banter with this king."


    "You two... can''t you be a bit more honest?" Da Vinci, trying to mediate, realized the two were just complimenting each other and she had no room to speak.


    Kaiba, who had walked over, set his gaze on Hoshino, who had regained her ability to move.


    "Looks like it''s all been resolved." Judging by the satisfaction on his face, it was clear Kaiba was proud of his final strike.


    "Yeah, though it''s been a disaster for KaibaCorp." Hoshino glanced around. The once flat rooftop that could serve as a helipad was now full of craters from the intense battle. The most severe damage was the massive hole left by the Ig-Alima and Sul-sagana after they pierced the ground. Judging by the extent of the destruction, the control room below had probably suffered as well.


    "As long as you''re unharmed..." Kaiba started but quickly corrected himself, "As long as there are no casualties, the damage is only a financial loss, which isn''t a big deal."


    "You''re as rich as ever, Mr. CEO! Remember to cover my medical bills when we get back~" Hoshino joked. Although she mentioned medical bills, aside from a few scrapes from forcing herself to get up, she wasn''t seriously injured.


    "Hoshino, you saved me again this time..." Mokuba, who had come over with Kaiba, looked slightly embarrassed.


    Just as the evil god was about to strike, Hoshino successfully summoned Gilgamesh to stop it, allowing Mokuba to escape the god''s clutches.


    Ruffling Mokuba''s messy hair, Hoshino smiled, "You don''t need to thank me, Mokuba. The one you should thank..."


    Gilgamesh, arms crossed, nodded in satisfaction. "Hmph, though this king doesn''t need your gratitude, out of reverence for the king, you should at least be grateful."


    "The one you should thank is Akasha! She''s the one who drew the card!"


    "You mongrel!"


    Akasha proudly puffed out her chest, "Hehe, I told you I''m the Hero of justice!"©d(¨R¨Œ¨Q*)o


    "By the way, aren''t we forgetting something?" Although the atmosphere was lighthearted after the battle, Hoshino felt like she was overlooking something important.


    "Mongrel, are you talking about that?" Gilgamesh, still with his arms crossed, pointed behind him...


    He pointed at the peacefully unconscious Yako lying on the ground.


    "Oh no, we forgot about him!" Hoshino rushed over in a panic, quickly checking on him.


    "Kaiba, you said there were no casualties, but wouldn''t it be a bit hard to explain if the current CEO of Industrial Illusions died here?"


    Though the evil god had claimed it would use Yako''s life to replace its incomplete soul with the god''s defeat, it was uncertain whether his life had returned.


    Kaiba knelt down and professionally checked Yako''s pulse. "He''s alive¡ªbarely."


    Hoshino sighed in relief. "Hopefully, he learns his lesson after this. Selling your soul to an evil god... anyone with half a brain would know that''s a bad idea."


    "Speaking of the evil god..." Kaiba remained crouched, pulling the deck from Yako''s duel disk.


    "The evil god''s card¡ªthis must be it." He drew a card depicting a black sphere, and his expression grew serious. "This is the [The Wicked Avatar], the one at the pinnacle of the gods..."


    Not sensing the ominous aura from the card as she did during the duel, Hoshino speculated, "The evil god''s soul that was attached to the card must''ve been erased. Now it''s just a powerful monster."


    "A soul attached to a card? That''s impossible!" Kaiba sharply denied it.


    Hey, Mr. Kaiba, did you just forget everything that happened? Even if you have, can''t you at least look around at the surroundings? Your belief in science has gone way too far at this point.


    Though Hoshino had a million things she wanted to say, she held back since she still owed him a door.


    "That being said, the evil god''s card is indeed troublesome." Gripping the card tightly, Kaiba seemed to be struggling with some internal conflict.


    "However, by the rules of Battle City, this evil god''s card belongs to you now, Hoshino." After deliberating, Kaiba reluctantly handed the card to her.


    His right hand, which was gripping the card tightly, trembled slightly as he passed it over.


    "He wants this card! Kaiba seriously wants this evil god''s card!" Hoshino''s inner thoughts were in turmoil.


    "Should I take this card? If I give Kaiba a favor now, will my future be smooth sailing?"


    After weighing the pros and cons, Hoshino finally chose to accept the card.


    The terror of the evil god''s card lay not just in the malevolent soul once attached to it. Even without the soul, the card''s overwhelming power can still corrupt its wielder.


    Hoshino herself had used two evil god cards, and it was only thanks to the power of the Millennium bracelet that she had managed to suppress her inner desire for more power.


    However, a card could corrupt its owner¡ªif Kaiba were to get his hands on it, the effects would be exponentially worse.


    "I guess there''s no choice! For the sake of world peace, I''ll take this evil god card!"


    (***)


    At Kame Toy Shop¡ª


    Yugi pointed in surprise toward KaibaCorp: "Jonouchi, look! Look at the rooftop of KaibaCorp. It seems like the battle hasn''t stopped yet!"


    Jonouchi exclaimed, "Not only hasn''t it stopped, but it looks like the fight''s gotten even more intense! Who the heck would duel in a place like that?"


    Anzu, with suspicion, asked, "Could it be... Hoshino?"


    Whenever an unnaturally intense, non-scientific duel effect occurred, Hoshino was the first person to come to mind.


    Yugi, finding it hard to believe, said, "Even if it''s Hoshino, I don''t think she''d go out of her way to duel in a place like that. Don''t be fooled by how it seems like she jokes around with Kaiba; in reality, she''s quite reluctant to go to KaibaCorp, saying she has some kind of ''work environment'' phobia."


    Since the entire Duel Disk system power in Domino City had been concentrated on the duel at KaibaCorp, the Battle City tournament had to come to a temporary halt.


    With no other choice, the trio returned to the toy shop to regroup.


    "You''re talking like you''re so close! Yugi, you cheater! You''re cheating on me!"


    However, something unexpected happened when the three returned to the toy shop.


    "Hey, Yugi, who is this kid?" Jonouchi asked, face twitching as he pointed at a girl who suddenly jumped in and started hitting Yugi.


    The girl looked at Jonouchi with disdain and said in an annoyed tone, "Who are you calling a kid? How rude! And you''re supposed to be Yugi''s friend?"


    Yugi, with an awkward smile, introduced her to his friends: "This is Rebecca Hawkins from America. Her grandfather is an old friend of my grandpa''s from his archaeology days. It was from Rebecca''s grandfather that Grandpa received his Blue-Eyes White Dragon."


    "Yugi, you''re leaving out an important detail!" Rebecca said, clutching Yugi''s arm. "I''m also... Yugi Muto''s fianc¨¦e!"


    "Fi-fianc¨¦e?!" Jonouchi and Anzu both exclaimed in shock.


    After the initial shock, Anzu''s expression turned displeased as she put her hands on her hips and demanded, "Yugi, how come we''ve never heard about this before? Why have you been hiding the fact that you have a fianc¨¦e?"


    Yugi frantically waved his hands, trying to clear up the misunderstanding: "No, no, Anzu! It''s not like that at all! Rebecca decided that on her own!"


    Rebecca, puffing her cheeks, disagreed: "It''s not on my own at all!" Clutching Yugi''s arm even tighter, she continued, recalling fond memories: "Yugi is kind, and his dueling skills are amazing. Back then, he easily defeated me, the American champion! A man like that is a once-in-a-lifetime find~"


    "Wait, you''re the American champion? No way!" Jonouchi, mouth wide open, pointed at the girl who looked to be only about ten years old, completely in disbelief.


    Keith had left such a deep impression on Jonouchi that in his mind, the American champion would always be someone like Keith¡ªan older guy with sunglasses and a bandana.


    "Puh! You ignorant commoner!" Rebecca stuck her tongue out at Jonouchi, hitting him right where it hurt by calling him a "commoner."


    Yugi explained further: "Rebecca did indeed become the American Duel Monsters Champion at the age of twelve. As the youngest champion, she was quite a celebrity back then."


    Anzu, still impatient, pressed on: "So what''s the story with this fianc¨¦e business?"


    Rebecca, with a blissful look on her face, explained: "Because Yugi beat me, I went to our grandfathers and asked them to make me Yugi''s fianc¨¦e!"


    "Grandpa!" Anzu shouted, narrowing her eyes and angry. "Is this true?!"


    Grandpa Sugoroku, who had been hiding behind the register since the conversation started, finally scratched his head and sheepishly stepped out from behind the counter. "At the time, we just thought it was a child''s joke, so Rebecca''s grandfather and I didn''t take it seriously. We just casually agreed."


    "Old man, sometimes you''re irresponsible, you know that?" Jonouchi commented with a sigh.


    "But Rebecca never imagined something like that would happen!" Rebecca''s blissful expression darkened as she suddenly became upset. "Even though you already have a fianc¨¦e like me, Yugi, you still cheated on me! You cheater!"


    Letting go of Yugi''s arm, she began pounding on him again.


    "Yugi!" Anzu shouted angrily. "What''s this about cheating? I thought you were this shy, innocent guy, but now it turns out you have such a complicated love life!"


    "It''s about cohabitation! Yugi''s been living with another girl!" Rebecca pointed at Yugi as if she were telling on him.


    "It''s with a girl Hoshino Chiyuki! I already know everything about it!"


    (***)


    At KaibaCorp¡ª


    "You''re heading back, Hoshino?" Mokuba asked.


    Hoshino sighed deeply: "After all these consecutive intense duels, I''m almost completely drained. I don''t want to duel again for the rest of the day."


    Starting with Yuta, then Keith, Akasha, then Tenma Gekko, followed by the Labyrinth Brothers (?), and finally Tenma Yako¡ªnone of those duels could be considered easy.


    "Anyway, the time limit for the Battle City is 48 hours, right? I''ve already collected four puzzle cards. The remaining two should be a breeze!" Hoshino raised her Duel Disk with a confident smile.


    The great thing about Battle City, unlike the Duelist Kingdom, was that the tournament didn''t take place on some deserted island. If Hoshino wanted to rest, she could just go home and lock her door¡ªnobody would be able to find her.


    Thinking about it made her start to miss her simple little room.


    "It''s just a shame I didn''t get any puzzle cards during the duels at KaibaCorp. Otherwise, I''d already have enough to qualify for the finals." It was obvious that the people targeting KaibaCorp, like Tenma Yako, weren''t there for the Battle City tournament and didn''t have any puzzle cards to wager.


    "It''s only two puzzle cards. They won''t be hard for you to get." Kaiba coldly chimed in.


    "If you rest too much and don''t show up at the finals, you''ll regret it!" His tone was slightly threatening, and the look in his eyes held strong desire as he stared at Hoshino.


    "The God Card in your possession¡ªI''ll take it by force!"


    "Well, good luck with that, Kaiba" Hoshino patted Kaiba on the shoulder and stepped into the elevator without looking back. In the past, she would have been annoyed by Kaiba''s attitude, but surprisingly, she''d gotten used to it by now.


    "Come on, Akasha, let''s head to the toy shop and build you a deck. I''m not exaggerating¡ªmy luck with booster packs is amazing. It won''t take more than a few packs for me to help you build a strong deck."


    Akasha excitedly followed Hoshino: "Yay! Deck building time!"


    However, Hoshino had no idea that what awaited her at the toy shop was another kind of hell altogether.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 189 - 189

    On the way back, the energetic Akasha was bouncing around, while the exhausted and weak-footed Hoshino created a stark contrast.


    "I''m so envious of how kids seem to have endless energy. If I were 10 years younger, would I be like this too?" Hoshino mused, glancing at the lively Akasha, thoughts more fitting for an old lady creeping into her mind.


    "Hoshino-nee, are you hungry?" Akasha asked with concern.


    "It would be a lie to say I''m not."


    Though she had already missed mealtime, Hoshino no longer felt the intense hunger she had while climbing the stairs earlier. In simple terms, she had "Too hungry" for hunger and was now numb to it.


    "But right now, I just want to go back and rest, lie on my not-so-soft bed, and cuddle Akasha-chan and squish her all over."


    "Hoshino-nee, you''re such a perv! (¥Î>¦Ø<)¥Î"


    .


    ..


    ¡­


    "We''re almost there! Kame Toy Shop!" Hoshino perked up a bit and pointed ahead.


    Tilting her head, Akasha smiled and said, "It''s a very unimpressive store."


    "Akasha, you shouldn''t say that in front of Grandpa, okay? He''ll be heartbroken."


    Indeed, after just visiting Kaiba Corporation''s massive, over-the-top building, even Devlin''s toy shop seemed shabby, let alone the Kame Toy Shop.


    "Ah, this is the power of money~" Hoshino sighed softly, once again reminded of how important money is in every world.


    "Hoshino-nee, there''s a crowd in front of the toy shop!" Akasha said after closely observing the scene.


    "Huh? Really?" Hoshino hadn''t paid attention earlier. Since it was the day of the Battle City tournament, she thought there wouldn''t be many people at the shop.


    After all, Domino City was in a festival state. Not only were their duelists participating, but even kids who couldn''t afford Duel Disks had hit the streets to enjoy the Hollywood-level special effects brought by the new Duel Disks.


    Hoshino activated her "Hawkeye."


    "You''re right!"


    Recognizing the familiar faces, Hoshino waved excitedly and shouted, "Yugi, Jonouchi, Anzu!"


    Even though they had only seen each other that morning, Hoshino felt a nostalgic longing, as if it had been ages. Ignoring her fatigue, she ran over.


    However, the three friends didn''t share her excitement; their expressions were much more complex.


    "What''s going on, everyone? Why are you gathered at the toy shop? Have you all collected your six puzzle cards already?" Hoshino, unaware that the Battle City tournament had been paused due to her duels, made this assumption.


    After all, despite spending most of her time dealing with Yako and his crew, Hoshino had already collected four puzzle cards.


    So naturally, Hoshino thought her friends had easily secured their place in the finals. "I didn''t expect it¡ªYugi, sure, but even you, Jonouchi, managed to pull it off?"


    "Why is everyone so gloomy?" Hoshino finally sensed something was off with the group.


    "Hoshino-nee, what happened?" Akasha, who had followed her, was equally puzzled.


    "We''re busted! It''s been exposed!" The three had originally planned to stay silent, but now their eyes darted nervously toward the toy shop.


    "Someone just said ''Hoshino,'' right?" A girl''s unfamiliar, though youthful and angry, voice called out from inside the shop.


    Suddenly, a yellow blur rushed out like a hungry tiger, stopping right in front of Hoshino.


    "You''re Hoshino Chiyuki?" The girl staring at Hoshino had blonde hair, much like Akasha. But unlike Akasha''s smooth complexion, this girl''s face was dotted with freckles. Not that freckles are a bad thing¡ªfreckles can add a unique charm and highlight a different kind of cuteness.


    "Uh... yeah, that''s me," Hoshino replied, puzzled by the hostility from this girl, who hardly seemed the "cute" type.


    "Little girl, do you need something from me?"


    "How dare you call Rebecca a ''little girl''! Do you think being older is an advantage? Let me tell you, men only like younger girls!" the girl snapped.


    "Oh, so your name is Rebecca? Well, what can I do for you, Rebecca?" Hoshino asked, still unsure of what was going on.


    "Hmph!" Rebecca scoffed, scanning Hoshino from head to toe. "I guess you''re a bit pretty at first glance."


    "Pretty? You''re talking about me?" Hoshino frowned slightly, unsure whether she had been complimented or insulted, but feeling oddly irritated.


    "Yugi, what''s up with this kid? Why did she rush out of the toy shop like she was about to fight me?"


    Hoshino wasn''t stupid. She could sense the hostility in Rebecca''s tone. Combined with her friend''s strange behavior earlier, Hoshino was sure this girl wasn''t here for a friendly chat.


    "Actually, Hoshino..." Yugi tried to explain.


    "Yugi, don''t say a word!" Rebecca interrupted him before he could continue.


    Then, straightening her posture, Rebecca declared, "Hoshino, prepare to be shocked by my true identity!"


    "Oh?"


    "I, Rebecca, am the youngest Duel Monsters champion in U.S. history, and I am Yugi''s official fianc¨¦e!"


    "Wow, becoming the U.S. champion at such a young age? That''s impressive," Hoshino said, her compliment sounding incredibly insincere. After all, to her, being the U.S. champion didn''t seem like a big deal. Even Keith had held the title multiple times.


    "Wait, what did you just say at the end... you''re Yugi''s fianc¨¦e?! Yugi actually has a fianc¨¦e?" The news was so shocking that Hoshino''s brain took a moment to catch up.


    Rebecca smirked triumphantly. "Heh, heh! Surprised, aren''t you? I''m the official future wife of Yugi Muto!"


    "Wow, Yugi, you''ve got such a cute fianc¨¦e. I didn''t expect you to be so capable," Hoshino remarked sincerely this time, her expression one of genuine admiration.


    "No, wait¡ªwhy are you reacting like that?" Rebecca was taken aback, not expecting this kind of response.


    Tilting her head in confusion, Hoshino asked, "Huh? Was I supposed to react differently?"


    "Shouldn''t you be panicking and stammering, like some homewrecker caught by the girlfriend in those TV dramas?!"


    "Huh? Homewrecker?" Now it was Hoshino''s turn to be confused.


    "Yugi, your wife is saying some weird things!(???*)"Hoshino furrowed her brow, her gut telling her something was very wrong.


    "W-Wife?" Yugi''s face turned bright red, unsure whether it was from embarrassment or panic.


    Suddenly being referred to as Yugi''s wife, a slight blush also appeared on Rebecca''s face. But she quickly regained her composure.


    "You think flattering Rebecca will change the fact that you''re living with Yugi?"


    Standing nearby, Sugoroku awkwardly tried to mediate, "Rebecca-chan, as I said, Hoshino is just staying with us temporarily."


    "Yeah, exactly!" Hoshino quickly chimed in. "I''m squeezed into a tiny, rundown storage room in this inconspicuous toy store. How could you call that living together?!"


    "A t-tiny, rundown toy store (£þ¡÷£þ;)!" Sugoroku was deeply hurt.


    "You think such small tricks can deceive me!" Completely ignoring the explanation, Rebecca continued her interrogation.


    "Even if you claim you''re staying in this practically unprofitable toy shop..."


    "P-Practically unprofitable (¡ã¡÷¡ã|||)!" Sugoroku was heartbroken again.


    "Aren''t you eating most of your meals with Yugi?"


    "Uh, I guess that''s true," Hoshino admitted. She usually freeloaded breakfast and dinner at Sugoroku''s house, and lunch was typically handled with the group at school.


    "Don''t you spend most of your time with Yugi?"


    "Ugh, well, if you put it that way, I guess it''s true." Besides being together at school, Hoshino also spent after-school hours and weekends helping out at the toy store with Yugi.


    "And haven''t you dueled fiercely with Yugi?!"


    "Why does this question pop up all of a sudden?! How is that connected to the previous questions?!"


    "As I thought, Yugi has been cheating on me! Poor Rebecca, betrayed by Yugi, her fianc¨¦, while she''s far away!"


    Suddenly, Rebecca dramatically fell to her knees, looking skyward and crying. "I was first! Rebecca was first in everything¡ªdueling and the engagement! How did things turn out like this?!"


    "Hoshino-nee, I can''t believe you''re such a sinful woman." Akasha''s gaze turned complicated as she looked at a completely dumbfounded Hoshino.


    "But even so, Akasha will still support Hoshino-nee! I''ve seen it in movies¡ªwhen it comes to love, you can''t say who''s right or wrong! Besides, when it comes to appearance and age, Hoshino-nee wins!"


    "You little-, don''t make things worse! Can''t you see how tense things are?" Hoshino almost wanted to cover Akasha''s mouth to stop her from saying more.


    Feeling troubled, Yugi stepped forward to comfort Rebecca. "Rebecca, it isn''t what you think."


    Although the engagement had been one-sidedly decided, Yugi, being kind-hearted, didn''t want to see a girl cry because of him.


    "In that case!" Rebecca suddenly stopped crying. Tears still shimmered in her blue eyes as she glared fiercely at Hoshino.


    "A duel!"


    "Huh?"


    "Rebecca will duel you, wagering Yugi''s ownership¡ªlet''s have a duel of pride between women!"


    Rebecca wiped her tears and stood tall, her resolve firm.


    "Kotowaru!"(I refuse)


    "Hm?"


    "I said, I refuse!" Hoshino firmly responded.


    "Eh? Why?" Rebecca, completely stunned, looked like her fighting spirit had just been doused with cold water.


    "Yugi isn''t an object. We have no right to wager him in a duel." Even though Hoshino was well aware of this world''s duel-centric rules, she still refused to go along with it.


    "Hoshino..." Yugi, unsure of what he was feeling, looked at Hoshino, speechless. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino continued, "But if it''s just a duel, I accept! I just hope that after the duel, you''ll listen to my explanation calmly."


    "So cool!" Akasha''s face lit up with admiration. "This is what it means to be a confident woman! Hoshino-nee is charging ahead for love!"


    Hoshino''s words made even Rebecca realize that wagering Yugi in a duel might not be right. However, she still refused to back down. "Fine, if we can''t wager Yugi, then the loser of the duel has to leave him. That works, right?"


    "Whether you leave or not is your decision, but I''m not going to lose." Hoshino''s confidence showed. Even though Rebecca was the youngest Duel Monsters champion in America, there was still a significant gap in skill between her and Hoshino.


    Hoshino swiftly unfolded the Duel Disk on her arm.


    "Ahem... Hoshino." Jonouchi coughed awkwardly, finally finding an opportunity to speak up. "The Duel Disks aren''t working right now, you know."


    "Hm? Not working? Why?" Hoshino, surprised by this news, looked to Jonouchi for clarification.


    Jonouchi explained, "Kaiba Corp just made an announcement. Due to the overwhelming enthusiasm for Duel City, there were too many participants, and the satellite computer was overloaded. So, the tournament''s schedule is paused for today. It''ll resume tomorrow after the second satellite is launched."


    "Kaiba Corp made an announcement?" Hoshino, more confused than ever, murmured to herself.


    "How could they make an announcement? Kaiba Corp was under the control of Yako and his group when I was just there," she thought, unaware that she was the reason behind the chaos.


    "Well, it''s no big deal. If you want to duel, we can just use the mini duel arena in the store!" Seeing that the intense situation finally had a solution, Sugoroku quickly stepped in.


    Hoshino suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah, that thing! The mini duel arena! Even though it''s just outdated equipment..."


    "O-Outdated equipment (;¡ä¡Ð`)!" Sugoroku once again hurt.


    "But it should still get the job done."


    Hoshino walked into the toy shop and approached the mini duel arena. She placed her hand on the activation button and sighed. "Once Duel Disks become common, there won''t be any market left for such inconvenient devices."


    "N-No market left£¨;¡ä§Õ£à£©"


    "Hoshino, if you keep talking like this, Grandpa won''t be able to handle it anymore!" Yugi quickly intervened to stop Hoshino from saying anything more hurtful.


    "I know the store''s falling behind the times, but he''s still trying hard to keep it going!"


    "F-Falling behind the times!£¨¡õ`£©"


    Muto Sugoroku, dead¡ª


    "Yugi, you''re quite evil, aren''t you?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 190 - 190

    "Hoshino-nee, didn''t you just say earlier that you didn''t want to duel today? Are you okay with this?" Though Akasha was verbally supportive of Hoshino, deep down she was a little worried. After all, only Akasha knew how intense the duel Hoshino had just been through.


    "If it''s too much, Akasha can take your place! I won''t lose, I promise."


    Hoshino smiled as she affectionately ruffled Akasha''s obedient and cute head. "Akasha-chan, in life, there will always be duels you can''t avoid. At those times, instead of backing down, facing them head-on is the real display of a duelist''s pride."


    Akasha''s face turned red from the head pats. "Hoshino-nee, it''s cheating to say cool lines like that on purpose."


    "Are you underestimating me?!" Rebecca stood confidently across from Hoshino, brandishing her deck.


    Not backing down, Hoshino drew her Heroic Spirit deck from the cardholder at her waist. "I never underestimate any duelist, but if you think being an American Champion is enough, you won''t be able to defeat me!"


    "Then you are underestimating me!" Rebecca retorted.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki vs. Rebecca Hawkins]


    "Duel start!"


    In an instant, Hoshino focused intensely and drew a card from her deck.


    "I''ll take the first move! My turn, draw!" After having the first turn taken from her so many times, Hoshino finally got the advantage.


    "I summon a monster in defense position¡ª[Heroic Spirit¡ªSpartacus]!" She used to dramatically play her cards on the Duel Disk, but Hoshino found using the Duel Platform felt a bit awkward.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    "Oppressor, receive the baptism of love!"


    Rebecca frowned slightly. "A monster I''ve never seen before... Could it be a region-exclusive card from Japan?"


    "Then, I''ll set two cards and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s standard opening was solid and cautious.


    "Hmph, using rare cards doesn''t necessarily mean you''re strong!" Rebecca glanced at Spartacus'' imposing figure.


    "My turn, draw! Now let me show you the power of the American Champion!"


    Rebecca discarded a card from her hand. "I activate the special effect of the monster card [Hecatrice] from my hand!"


    [Hecatrice Monster Card Effect: You can discard this card to the GY; add 1 [Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen] from your Deck to your hand.]


    "By discarding this card to the graveyard, I can search my deck for the continuous spell card [Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen]!"


    Rebecca''s dexterity in handling her deck was far beyond her years, her movements as graceful as a casino dealer''s performance.


    "Then I''ll activate the [Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen] that I just added to my hand!"


    [Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen Continuous Spell Effect: Once per turn: You can Special Summon 1 Fairy monster from your hand. You must control no monsters to activate and to resolve this effect.]


    A majestic throne materialized on Rebecca''s side of the Duel Platform, responding to the activation of the spell.


    "Since I have no monsters on my field, I can use Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen''s effect to special summon a Fairy-type monster from my hand!"


    Before her words even finished, Rebecca threw a card from her hand.


    "I''m summon... [Guardian Angel Joan]!"


    "Joan?!" Hearing the familiar name, Hoshino''s delicate brows arched slightly. "This world''s version of Joan, huh? I wonder how strong she is."


    "Come forth, and shower the battlefield with your light!" Although she appeared as a young girl, Rebecca exuded an unexpected commanding presence when dueling.


    [Guardian Angel Joan ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7 stars)][LIGHT][Fairy/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2000]


    A warm golden light gently illuminated Rebecca''s field, as Joan materialized, spreading her pure wings as she floated in the air. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Huh, not bad at all," Hoshino remarked, admiring Joan''s dazzling effects and divine presence. "But my Jeanne is still cuter, after all."


    "I''m not done yet!" Rebecca declared, drawing another card from her hand and slapping it onto the field.


    "Since I haven''t used my normal summon yet, I''ll summon the monster card [Injection Fairy Lily] from my hand!"


    "Lily?!" Hoshino''s sensitive ears twitched twice again. "Oddly enough, Rebecca''s card names overlap quite a bit with mine."


    [Injection Fairy Lily¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][EARTH][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 400/DEF 1500]


    The summoned Injection Fairy, hugging a syringe almost as big as herself, certainly lived up to her name¡ªready to administer a shot at any moment.


    "Her attack power might be low, but that syringe is pretty intimidating," Hoshino muttered, reminded of a certain super AI.


    With her field set, Rebecca pointed at Hoshino. "Let''s move to the battle phase! I''ll have Guardian Angel Joan attack your monster!"


    "Hey!" Joan shouted as she spread her massive wings, projecting a beam of radiant light toward Hoshino''s monster.


    "Holy Light Purification!"


    "Ugh! So bright!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus] destroyed


    "That attack is so holy and cool!" Hoshino couldn''t help but compare this Joan to her own Jeanne, who would just whack enemies with a flagpole. In comparison, Jeanne seemed to only have the advantage of being cute.


    "But when Spartacus is destroyed, it triggers his special effect!"


    [When this card is destroyed by battle, inflict 500 damage to your opponent, then you gain 500 Life Points.]


    [Rebecca LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 4500]


    "Hmph, I''ll also activate Guardian Angel Joan''s special effect!" Rebecca pointed to her floating Joan.


    [When this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: Gain LP equal to that monster''s original ATK in the GY]


    [Rebecca LP 3500 ¡ú 5000]


    "Incredible!" Jonouchi exclaimed from the sidelines. "Both ended up with more Life Points after that exchange!"


    Rebecca''s lips curled into a smirk, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Heh heh, let''s keep going. Battle! Injection Fairy Lily, attack directly!"


    Upon receiving the attack command, the Injection Fairy lifted her giant syringe and then...


    Stabbed it into Rebecca herself?


    "??" Seeing this, Hoshino was completely stunned.


    Rebecca''s face twitched a little, clearly feeling some discomfort despite the holographic image. Even if it''s just a projection, getting jabbed with a needle that big still hurts a bit.


    "Hehe, while attacking, I activate [Injection Fairy Lily]''s special effect!" Despite the situation, Rebecca still wore a confident smile.


    [Injection Fairy Lily''s Effect: If this card attacks or is attacked during damage calculation (in either player''s turn), You can pay 2000 LP once per battle; this card gains 3000 ATK during that damage calculation only.]


    "I sacrifice 2000 Life Points to boost Injection Fairy Lily''s attack power!"


    [Rebecca LP 5000 ¡ú 3000]


    [Injection Fairy Lily ATK 400 ¡ú 3400]


    "Her attack power now exceeds the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Jonouchi exclaimed in shock.


    "This is the strength of the youngest American champion?" Anzu commented nervously, eyeing the massive syringe.


    Hoshino chuckled softly, "Using Guardian Angel Joan to accumulate Life Points, then draining them with Injection Fairy Lily for a powerful attack... A solid combo. But..."


    Calmly, Hoshino flipped over a face-down card, activating the field''s holographic system once more. "But it won''t work on me!"


    "I activate my set card, Quick-Play Spell [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning]!"


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate when you control no [Heroic Spirit] monsters. Special Summon one Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck in Defense Position. This turn, you cannot Special Summon monsters that aren''t [Heroic Spirit].]


    "Ouch!!" A flash of light illuminated Hoshino''s field as the emergency summoning was triggered, and a figure in a blue bodysuit took the hit from the enormous needle.


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Cu Chulainn ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4 Star)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1600/DEF 1600]


    "Master, this is too much! Suddenly calling me out to take such a hit!" Cu Chulainn yelled, rubbing his sore rear. "Don''t underestimate me just because of how I look¡ªI''m terrified of needles!"


    Hoshino blinked, then burst out laughing, "That''s some hidden trait you''ve got there. So why didn''t BB''s Noble Phantasm trigger your weakness?"


    Rebecca, still shocked that her finishing blow had been blocked so easily, gaped. "Another unfamiliar monster! How did a monster with such low defense block Injection Fairy Lily''s attack?"


    "Because Cu Chulainn is a survivor!" Hoshino proudly showed Rebecca the card.


    [Effect: ¢Ú When this card is destroyed, special summon it in defense mode. This effect can only be activated once per duel, and this card cannot change its battle position.]


    Akasha chimed in, "That''s sneaky, Hoshinoo-nee Now you''ve have 1500 Life Points advantage!"


    "Akasha-chan, if you don''t know how to compliment someone properly, maybe don''t try."


    "Darn it, how did you block my combo?!"


    In most of her matches, Rebecca''s combo would usually secure her victory. But now, she realized that the white-haired girl standing across from her was no ordinary duelist.


    "As expected, someone without real strength couldn''t capture Yugi''s heart."


    But rather than despair, this challenge only fueled Rebecca''s fighting spirit.


    "I''ll set one card and end my turn!"


    Rebecca''s remaining hand cards: 2


    "My turn! But first, I activate Spartacus''s special effect from the Graveyard!"


    [Effect: During your Standby Phase, if you control fewer monsters than your opponent, you can activate this effect. Special Summon this card from your Graveyard in Defense Position.]


    "Since I only have one dog on the field, I can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] from my Graveyard!"


    Jonouchi clenched his fist in excitement. "So Spartacus has such a useful effect! No wonder it''s Hoshino''s soul card!"


    Indeed, this was the new effect Hoshino gained after strengthening Spartacus with 30 Saint Quartz, bringing the soul card back into the spotlight.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    "The path of rebellion never ends! This is glory!" The mighty Spartacus once again roared as his bulky frame stepped onto the battlefield.


    "With two monsters on Hoshino''s field, she can now tribute them for a higher-level monster!" Jonouchi analyzed.


    "But Rebecca''s monsters both have high attack power, so it''s not like just any tribute monster can surpass them," Yugi added cautiously.


    Watching Yugi''s furrowed brow, Anzu wondered to herself, "Is Yugi worried about Hoshino? Could it be that Yugi likes her? And if that''s true, does the other Yugi also..."


    "Now, after my Standby Phase, I draw!"


    With four cards now in her hand, Hoshino surveyed the field. Just as Yugi pointed out, Rebecca had summoned two monsters as strong as Blue-Eyes White Dragon in her very first turn.


    "But they''re only on par with Blue Eyes! I tribute Spartacus to summon a new monster..."


    As Hoshino placed the new monster on the table, a thick fog spread across the battlefield.


    "That effect...!" Akasha trembled, remembering a scene that she would never forget in her entire life.


    "Huh? What''s happening?" Though the mini-arena couldn''t generate fog as realistically as a Duel Disk, the mist still engulfed the entire field.


    "From here on, it''s hell. We are fire, rain, and power¡ªbringing slaughter upon this land..."


    "Come forth, [Heroic Spirit - Jack the Ripper]! Target Guardian Angel Joan!"


    "¡ªMaria the Ripper!!!"


    [Guardian Angel Joan] destroyed


    (*****)


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 Chapter 191 - 191

    "¡ªMaria the Ripper!!!"


    After the scarlet flash of a knife in the mist, the Guardian Angel Joan on Rebecca''s side slowly dimmed.


    "Too easy!" Jack spun the still bloodstained dagger in her hand, returning to Hoshino''s field with a bright, innocent smile.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jack the Ripper ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)] [DARK] [Zombie/Effect] [ATK 800/DEF 1000]


    "Mommy, we did great, didn''t we~?"


    Anzu, watching Hoshino''s summoned Jack, wore a look of disbelief. "Such a cute monster... yet it''s the infamous killer, Jack the Ripper¡­"


    Rebecca, glaring at Jack with frustration, pounded her table. "How could a weak card destroy my Guardian Angel Joan?"


    "Rebecca, the effect doesn''t lie!" Hoshino twirled Jack''s card between her fingers and explained to Rebecca.


    "Even with a small body, there''s a sharp strategy at play. I activated Jack the Ripper''s effect!"


    [¢Ú: Once per turn, you can target one face-up monster your opponent controls. That monster is changed to a face-down Defense Position.


    ¢Û: When this card battles a Defense Position monster, at the start of the Damage Step, you can destroy that monster.]


    "By forcibly turning Guardian Angel Joan to face-down Defense Position, Jack can instantly take her out!"


    After hearing the explanation, Jonouchi gasped, "That''s a powerful effect... it could even one-shot Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Yugi finally relaxed a bit, "She did it! By destroying Joan, She also eliminated Rebecca''s way of restoring her Life Points! Now she won''t be able to recklessly use her Injection Fairy Lily''s effect."


    "Yugi¡­" Anzu, who had been feeling somewhat envious, now felt even more conflicted.


    "But my attack isn''t over yet!" Hoshino continued the offensive, throwing another card from her hand onto the field, summoning forth a radiant golden light.


    [Heroic Spirit Summon Quick-Play Spell Effect: You can only activate one of these cards per turn. The turn this card is activated, you cannot perform a normal summon, and non-[Heroic Spirit] monsters cannot be special summoned. ¢Ù: You can activate this card by banishing 2 [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your hand or field. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand.]


    "This is the end, Rebecca!" Hoshino''s white hair fluttered in the golden radiance. "I''ll banish Cu Chulainn and Jack to Special Summon a new monster from my hand!"


    From within the golden circle emerged a fiery, crimson figure¡ª


    "[Heroic Spirit ¨C Rama]!"


    The figure that stepped out was a young man with a sharp, clean-cut face, and hair as red as fire. His eyes, filled with conviction, searched for something important, exuding the aura of an absolute ruler.


    [Heroic Spirit - Rama¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 Stars)][FIRE][Zombie/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2000]


    "Hey there, Master, long time no see!" His crisp voice was accompanied by a confident smile.


    "I am the Great King of Kosala, Rama. Now that you''ve summoned me, no matter the enemy, I will defeat them and grant you victory."


    "You''re as reliable as ever, Rama," Hoshino replied. "It''s no wonder Geronimo said that in your full power, you could go toe-to-toe with Karna with a fifty percent chance of victory."


    With a soft chuckle, she pointed forward, "We''re still in the Battle Phase! Go ahead and finish this with your blade!"


    "Let''s show them our power!" Rama, gathering fiery magic into his sword, displayed tremendous force, his confidence unwavering.


    "No, Hoshino!" Yugi warned. "Even though Rama''s attack is powerful, if Rebecca pays Life Points, Injection Fairy Lily''s attack power will exceed his!"


    "You think I didn''t account for that, Yugi?" Hoshino clenched her hand as if grasping the intense energy in the air. "If she can overpower us, then let her try! Go, Rama, attack Injection Fairy Lily!"


    Rebecca, frustrated, raised her arm in defiance. "Don''t get cocky! You think just because Joan''s gone, I won''t spend 2000 Life Points?"


    "Fight back, Injection Fairy Lily! Draw my Life Points and power up your attack!"


    However, despite receiving Rebecca''s order, Injection Fairy Lily didn''t move.


    "What''s going on?" Rebecca, stunned, was unable to comprehend the situation. Hoshino''s lips curled into a victorious smirk.


    "I already told you¡­ if you think you can overpower us, go ahead and try!"


    "Why¡­ why can''t I activate her effect?!"


    Hoshino smiled and declared, "I activate Rama''s effect!"


    [When this card attacks, the effects of the opponent''s monster are negated, and the battle damage is doubled.]


    "Rebecca, this is the end for you! Witness the power of the unyielding blade, Rama''s ultimate strike!"


    The sword in Rama''s hand, the Brahmastra, spun into a searing red circle. Originally designed as an arrow to be fired from a bow, Rama had forcibly modified it into a sword to suit his Saber class desires. However, it hadn''t lost its ability to be thrown as a projectile.


    With the burning blade in hand, Rama prepared to hurl the blazing weapon at his foe.


    "Behold the immortal blade that vanquished the Rakshasa King! Feast upon my enemy! Brahmastra!"


    The scorching red circle flew through the air, accompanied by waves of heat, as it closed in on Injection Fairy Lily.


    "With Rama doubling the damage from this attack, Rebecca, your Life Points will be completely wiped out!"


    "Yosh!" Jonouchi couldn''t contain his excitement. "With that, Hoshino''s totally crushed her! Not even the youngest champion can stand a chance against her!"


    "Curse you! How dare you humiliate me like this, you''ll pay for this!" The frustrated little blonde girl shouted, clearly embarrassed.


    "I activate my Continuous Trap Card, [Mirror Wall]!"


    In the nick of time, a silver-white mirror appeared, blocking the path of R¨¡ma''s Brahmastra blade.


    The silver mirror blocked the trajectory of the Brahmastra. The spinning red-hot circle slammed hard against the crystal-clear mirror with a loud bang.


    [Mirror Wall Continuous Trap Card Effect: Halve the ATK of your opponent''s attacking monsters. Once per turn, during your Standby Phase, pay 2000 LP or destroy this card.]


    "Due to Mirror Wall''s effect, Rama''s ATK is halved!" Rebecca, hiding behind Mirror Wall, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    "You think a mirror can stop me?!" Rama yelled angrily as he stomped the ground and charged forward. His long, fiery red hair, blowing in the wind, was a beautiful sight.


    Screech¡ª!


    Rama stepped onto the Mirror Wall and pulled out his Brahmastra, knocking off some glittering fragments in the process.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Rama''s ATK 2800 ¡ú 1400]


    After retrieving his sword, Rama''s body swiftly bypassed the Mirror Wall and appeared in front of Injection Fairy Lily.


    "This is the strike that vanquished Ravana!"


    The flame-infused blade pierced through the small, seductive body of Injection Fairy Lily with tremendous force.


    "Now, scatter at once!!"


    [Injection Fairy Lily] destroyed.


    [Rebecca LP 3000 ¡ú 2000 ¡ú 1000]


    A mix of excitement and pity filled Jonouchi''s heart as he clicked his tongue, "It''s a shame she didn''t get wiped out in one blow, but Hoshino has already secured a huge advantage!"


    "So, Rebecca? What now?" Hoshino asked proudly, glancing at the massive lead she''d taken in a single turn. "Even if you barely survived, what''s your next move?"


    Refusing to give up, Rebecca, still trying to keep her pride, retorted, "The strength of the American Champion is more than this!"


    Hoshino raised her hand with a smile, "I''ll end my turn. Your move, Rebecca-chan~."


    Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 1. Face-down cards: 1.


    Rebecca felt a tinge of fear.


    "Am I going to lose?"


    She asked herself this question, feeling afraid not because she had never lost before. She had lost many times ¡ª to Yugi and many strong duelists.


    But she didn''t want to lose this duel, where her beloved was at stake. She couldn''t afford to.


    After boasting so confidently, losing so easily would leave her too ashamed to stay by Yugi''s side, even if Hoshino didn''t care.


    "Yugi Muto..." Rebecca quietly whispered the name of the person she loved, sneaking a glance at Yugi sitting in the audience below.


    Love often gives humans incredible strength. Even unrequited love can bring a bright color to a dark, lonely world.


    "I can''t give up here. If it were Yugi, he would hold on, no matter how desperate the situation."


    Slapping her cheeks to encourage herself, Rebecca, drawing a bit of courage from the one she loved, placed her fingers back on her cards.


    "I won''t give up so easily! I won''t let you take Yugi from me!" After a brief moment of doubt, Rebecca made up her mind.


    "Oh? Nice determination~," Rama smiled approvingly as he saw the newfound resolve in Rebecca''s eyes. It reminded him of his relentless search for his wife, Sita.


    "During the Standby Phase, I''ll pay 2000 Life Points to maintain the continuous trap card Mirror Wall!"


    "Huh? Rebecca, you don''t have enough Life Points to make that payment," Hoshino reminded her.


    "I know. That''s why I''ll activate the Quick-Play Spell [Poison of the Old Man] before making the payment!"


    [Poison of the Old Man Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate 1 of these effects;


    ¡ñGain 1200 LP.


    ¡ñInflict 800 damage to your opponent]


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow, pondering in her mind, "A card that can either restore Life Points or deal damage. This would have been banned in the Battle City."


    "Well, whatever~," Hoshino thought, not intending to stop her.


    Firstly, this duel had nothing to do with Battle City, so those rules didn''t apply. Secondly, and more importantly, seeing the burning fighting spirit in the girl''s eyes, Hoshino couldn''t bear to douse it with cold water.


    "Thanks to the effect of Poison of the Old Man, I''ll recover 1200 Life Points."


    [Rebecca LP 1000 ¡ú 2200]


    "And now I''ll pay 2000 Life Points to maintain Mirror Wall!"


    [Rebecca LP 2200 ¡ú 200]


    "That''s the only way. As long as Mirror Wall remains on the field, I still have a chance to win."


    At this moment, Rebecca fully realized how terrifying her opponent was. Hoshino was strong ¡ª very strong. She was stronger than any opponent Rebecca had ever faced. But it didn''t matter if she had to pay the cost of 2000 Life Points, as long as Mirror Wall stayed on the field, Hoshino''s monsters would be significantly weakened.


    "It''s my turn! draw!" Riding the momentum, Rebecca drew her next card.


    Originally, she only had two cards left in her hand. After using Poison of the Old Man, she was down to just one.


    This crucial draw would decide the outcome of the duel, as well as her ability to stay by Yugi''s side.


    "This is... a miracle of love!" Her eyes widened in excitement as she looked at the card she had drawn.


    "I''m about to counterattack! At the start of the turn, since I have no monsters on the field, I can activate the effect of the Continuous Spell Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen, to Special Summon a Fairy-Type monster from my hand!"


    The throne from which Guardian Angel Joan was Special Summoned last turn appeared once again on Rebecca''s field.


    "Come forth, Zolga!"


    [Zolga ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4 Star)][EARTH][Fairy/ Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1200]


    A mechanical monster draped in a black cloak materialized on Rebecca''s field.


    Glancing at the newly summoned Fairy monster, Hoshino couldn''t help but twitch an eye as she remarked, "Looks like anything can call itself a Fairy nowadays, huh?"


    "It''s not over yet! Next up is the ace monster of my comeback, the miracle of my love for Yugi!"


    Now full of confidence, Rebecca slammed her final card onto the table, "By Tributing a Fairy-Type monster, I can Tribute Summon my strongest monster!" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Come forth¡ª[Darklord Desire]!"


    [Darklord Desire ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][DARK][Fairy/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2800]


    [Cannot be Special Summoned. You can Tribute Summon this card by Tributing 1 Fairy-Type monster.]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 192 - 192

    "Come forth¡ªDarklord Desire!"


    [Darklord Desire ATK 3000]


    The Darklord Desire materialized on the field, its crimson wings spread wide. Clad in black and gold armor that hardly suited the word "angel," dark energy leaked from the armor, emanating an aura so intense it felt like it could crush even the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. It was no exaggeration to call it the strongest fallen angel.


    Jonouchi swallowed nervously, eyeing the nearly maxed-out star level above the fallen angel''s head. "She managed to summon a monster that this powerful at the very last moment!"


    "This is my trump card!" Rebecca pointed confidently at Darklord Desire, her eyes filled with the determination to turn the tide.


    "And because I tribute Zolga, I activate Zolga''s special effect!"


    [When this card is used as a Tribute for a Tribute Summon, you recover 2000 Life Points.]


    [Rebecca LP: 200 ¡ú 2200]


    "She kept Mirror Wall, summoned a high-level monster, and even recovered the Life Points she paid," Hoshino said, watching Rebecca''s impressive moves. "As expected of the American champion, she''s not bad at all."


    "Not bad?" Jonouchi chimed in. "The entire situation on the field has completely turned around in Rebecca''s favor!"


    Despite this, Hoshino remained calm, which made Rebecca''s eyes sharpen even more.


    "Don''t forget, thanks to Mirror Wall, all of your monsters'' attack points are halved!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Rama ATK 1400]


    Rama glanced at the crystal embedded in his sword and furrowed his brows. "This isn''t good. I don''t know what the principle is, but this thing is weakening my power."


    "Now it''s my turn to counterattack start the Battle Phase!"


    "Ha!" Darklord Desire, sensing the signal to enter combat, spread its crimson wings wide, ready to strike.


    "Target the Rama on the opponent''s field! Attack, Darklord Desire!"


    "¡ªFallen Strike!"


    "Hold it!" Hoshino, calm and composed, slowly revealed her set card. "I activate my Trap Card [Nagging Shopkeeper]!"


    [Nagging Shopkeeper Trap Card Effect: When a monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name is targeted for an attack, you can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower monster from your Deck in Defense Position to take the attack instead. The summoned monster''s DEF increases by 500.]


    "Yes! That Trap Card is perfect!" Jonouchi exclaimed. "If Hoshino summons Mash, even a 3000 ATK Darklord Desire won''t be able to break through!"


    "Good thinking, Jonouchi." Hoshino smiled at her before turning his gaze back to the field. "But this time, I''ll use a defensive strategy to go on the offense!"


    "Due to the effect of Nagging Shopkeeper, I''ll Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Heroic Spirit monster from my Deck in Defense Position to take the hit!"


    Though Hoshino''s deck-searching technique wasn''t as flashy as Rebecca''s, her speed was on par.


    "The monster I''ll Special Summon is¡­"


    Hoshino slapped a card onto the field.


    "[Heroic Spirit - Von Hohenheim Paracelsus]!"


    "That''s a long name!" Akasha groaned, feeling dizzy.


    [Heroic Spirit - Von Hohenheim Paracelsus ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000 ¡ú 500/DEF 1600 ¡ú 2100]


    Hohenheim, dressed in a white coat, calmly walked onto Hoshino''s field. "I summoned at your call, Master. Now, feel the power of the Five Elements Mage." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hohenheim, I don''t mind your calm demeanor, but I''d like to remind you¡­" Hoshino pointed to the Darklord charging toward her field. "The enemy is coming right for you~"


    "!!!" Before Hohenheim could react, Darklord''s black flash sliced through his frail form with ease.


    "Master¡­ you''ve tricked me!" Hohenheim left behind his final words before his pristine figure dissipated from the battlefield only seconds after arriving.


    Rebecca snickered. "So, this monster that my Darklord Desire destroyed¡ªwas that what you call your defensive strategy?"


    "Of course. Can''t you feel it? The lingering glow of the Philosopher''s Stone on the field?"


    Mourning Hohenheim''s quick demise for only a split second, Hoshino drew a new card. "I activate Hohenheim''s special effect!"


    [If this card is Summoned or Special Summoned, you can add one [Heroic Spirit] Spell Card from your Deck to your hand.]


    "The card I''m adding to my hand is this!" A graceful, glowing ring of laurel leaves appeared at Hoshino''s fingertips as she displayed the card.


    "Ritual Spell [Ring of Bay Laurel]!"


    Yugi''s eyes widened as he saw the Ritual Spell that Hoshino had searched. "If she''s adding a Ritual Spell now, that must mean she already has the Ritual Monster in her hand!"


    "A Ritual Monster¡­" Jonouchi echoed. "Could it be that Old Man of the Mountain?"


    The impact of Hassan''s appearance during the Duelist Kingdom finals had left such a strong impression on Jonouchi that he still couldn''t forget it.


    "If he''s planning to summon a Ritual Monster, it won''t be that easy!" Having grasped Hoshino''s strategy, Rebecca quickly pointed to her Darklord Desire.


    "If you can''t gather the necessary Tributes for the Ritual Summon, then even the strongest Ritual Monster is useless! I activate Darklord Desire''s special effect!"


    [Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; this card loses exactly 1000 ATK, and if it does, send that target to the Graveyard.]


    [Darklord Desire ATK 3000 ¡ú 2000]


    "It''s not a destruction effect but a forced send to the Graveyard?" Yugi realized the danger. "In that case, no destruction effects can trigger, and no other effects can be activated in response."


    "Exactly! That''s the terror of my trump card! Go, Darklord!"


    Dark energy gathered in Darklord''s hands, forming a massive, razor-sharp black blade.


    "¡ªFallen Slash!"


    The sharp, dark blade slashed through Rama''s body without any resistance.


    "Ugh! Even I was careless¡­" His crimson pupils reflected slight shock as his body, cut by the dark blade, soon began to dissipate into golden particles.


    "However, my will has been passed on. The rest is up to you."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Rama] Sent to the Graveyard.


    "Now, your field is empty. Just sit there holding your Ritual Spell and Ritual Monster, staring blankly!"


    Rebecca seemed very pleased with her comeback in a single turn. Not only had she cleared Hoshino''s field, but she had also disrupted her strategy.


    Yugi analyzed the situation seriously: "With Rama gone, if Hoshino''s hand only has a Ritual Monster and a Ritual Magic card, unless the monster drawn next has a very high level, it''s nearly impossible to meet the Ritual requirements."


    Most Ritual Monsters, except for a few special ones, require high levels. After all, summoning a powerful monster requires paying the corresponding price, just like the principle of equivalent exchange in alchemy.


    "You''re right, Yugi!" Rebecca smiled happily at Yugi, having gained the upper hand. "This is the miracle of love that I created~!"


    "Hahaha, the miracle of love?" Hoshino interrupted Rebecca''s attempt to ''express her love,'' unable to help but laugh.


    "Watch carefully, Rebecca. Now my field will show you a real miracle created by ''love''!"


    Anzu, who was shocked, trembled slightly. "I knew it, Hoshino likes Yugi too¡­"


    "H-Hoshino?" Yugi''s face briefly flashed with an awkward blush.


    "Is that true, Hoshino?" Jonouchi could hardly believe it.


    "Hoshino-nee finally found the courage to face love too! ?(????????)?" Akasha covered her face shyly.


    "I already guessed it. You''re finally admitting it!" Rebecca exclaimed, pointing excitedly at Hoshino.


    "Hey, hey? Are you all misunderstanding something?" Realizing the strange atmosphere, Hoshino felt she had said something wrong.


    Then, with a sigh, she rubbed her forehead. "The ''love'' I''m talking about is¡­"


    "With love!" a loud, energetic shout rang out.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3 stars)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500] (I made a mistake when translating it Spartacus changed attributes from Earth to Fire when she upgraded him)


    "¡ªCarving out the path of rebellion with love!"


    "Of course, I meant my beloved Spartacus!" Hoshino clarified loudly, pointing at Spartacus, who had revived due to his effect. "Did you all forget about his effect completely?"


    [During your Standby Phase, if your opponent has more monsters than you, you can Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.]


    "O-Oh, so that''s what it was¡­" The three of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief for some reason.


    "Enough with the jokes, it''s my turn. Draw!"


    Trying to break the awkward atmosphere, Hoshino quickly drew her card for the turn.


    "Alright, this completes it! I''ll activate my Ritual Spell from my hand!"


    Jonouchi raised an eyebrow. "Have you gathered enough levels for the required sacrifices?"


    Yugi added, "If you include Spartacus on the field, as long as it''s not a Ritual Monster like the Old Man of the Mountain that needs 12 stars, you should be able to summon something."


    "Impressive, as expected of Hoshino''s soul card!"


    Accompanied by the special effect of Ring of Bay Laurel swirling around her fingertips, Hoshino placed the card on the table, her lips curling into a smile as she looked at Rebecca.


    "Rebecca, what do you think is most important between two people who love each other?"


    Rebecca, caught off guard by the sudden question, looked surprised. "I-Isn''t it¡­ love?"


    "You keep talking about love, Rebecca, but love is a very vague concept."


    Shaking her head gently, Hoshino placed the card on her field, and countless beautiful flower petals began to scatter.


    "What you and Yugi are missing is something essential for two people in love¡­"


    "We''re not missing anything!" Rebecca retorted, her face flustered.


    "That''s trust, Rebecca!" Hoshino said seriously, her gaze sharp. "From the beginning, you haven''t been listening to what Yugi has been saying at all!"


    "I¡­ I haven''t¡­" Rebecca, unable to argue, fell silent.


    "Love means two different individuals trusting and supporting each other. Even if there are disagreements or quarrels, they don''t give up on each other. Even if they''re far apart, their hearts remain closely connected. Only those who have braved the toughest challenges together will eventually walk down the road lined with flowers!"


    Spreading her hand open, a silver ring engraved with a laurel crown descended alongside the falling petals, gently slipping onto Hoshino''s delicate ring finger.


    "Now, behold to my Ritual spell! [Ring of Bay Laurel]!"


    [Ring of Bay Laurel Ritual Spell Effect:" This card is required for the Ritual Summon of [Heroic Spirit ¨CNero Claudius-Bride]. ¢Ù: To Ritual Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius-Bride] you must Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose combined levels equal or exceed the level of the Ritual Monster.]


    "Per the Ritual Spell''s requirements, I Tribute Martha (6 Stars) from my hand and Spartacus (3 Stars) from my field, for a total of 9 Stars!"


    What''s that engraving on the ring, you ask? Isn''t it obvious?


    "To have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part, swear that you will care for me for eternity!"


    "Ritual Summon, come forth!" Hoshino solemnly placed the final card on the table.


    The Rose Emperor, clad in a pristine white wedding dress, appeared gloriously amidst the sea of flowers.


    "[Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius-Bride]!"


    "A bride?!" The three were once again shocked. "So does that mean the person Hoshino loves is a girl?"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius-Bride¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 Stars)][LIGHT][Fairy/Ritual/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "Umu!"


    It was still the familiar "Umu!" but in her new white attire, even Nero''s "Umu!" seemed more confident.


    "Stronger, more radiant, more dazzling!" The red blade of her original weapon, Aestus Estus, seemed to read the mood and automatically transformed into a silver blade that matched her white rose outfit.


    "I am the number one citizen of Rome as well as the Rose Emperor, and those who accept me shall receive even greater blessings! Umu, accept me with all your heart!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 193 - 193

    "So beautiful, she beautiful! (?v?)"


    Akasha, who was so excited she couldn''t speak coherently, had starry eyes full of anticipation, so much that they looked like they were about to fall to the ground.


    "Akasha wants to wear it too!"


    Hoshino gently smiled and said, "Akasha-chan, for you to wear this dress, you''ll have to wait another ten or twenty years~"


    "A... a bride..." Rebecca muttered to herself, stunned by the sight before her.


    "Rebecca, this is trust! The trust between me and my deck has opened this flower-filled path!"


    "Don... don''t try to fool me. Do you think using that excuse will make me forgive you for living with Yugi?"


    "Hmm? Why would I need forgiveness when I''ve done nothing wrong?" Hoshino''s expression turned serious again as she gently touched the Bride Nero card on the table.


    Feeling slightly guilty, Rebecca''s tone lost some of its force, "After all... trusting in just one card like that..."


    "It''s not just one card, it''s the whole deck! I trust my deck, my Servants, more than anyone else!"


    Hoshino spread her deck across the table, her deep red eyes revealing an unshakable determination.


    "Everyone¡ª is my wings!"


    "Umu!" Nero''s cheeks flushed red. "To make such a straightforward harem declaration in front of a bride, Master sure has some nerve!"


    "If I didn''t, I wouldn''t be able to win in the end, right, Nero?" Hoshino smiled, surveying the situation on the field.


    Because of the card Mirror Wall, even though Nero originally had a higher attack power than the Darklord Desire, she couldn''t break through with her weakened strength.


    [Nero Bride ATK 2500 ¡ú 1250]


    Feeling the restriction on her power, Nero nodded her head adorned with a flower crown. "Umu, it is as you say. If it''s just me, I could barely win. But since I''ve made my appearance, it wouldn''t be right not to achieve a glorious victory!"


    "Then let''s activate Bride Nero''s special effect!"


    [This effect can only be activated when this card is Ritual Summoned. Special Summon one Level 4 or lower [Lily] monster from your hand or deck.]


    Hoshino drew a card from the already-spread deck, utilizing the effect search. "According to the effect, I will Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nursery Rhyme] from my deck!"


    The field, already covered in falling petals due to the Ritual effect, now had an extra layer of strange dolls and books mixed in with the petals.


    "Ha... whew!" A small, cute figure popped out from a pile of toys and petals, breathing a sigh of relief.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nursery Rhyme ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 800¡ú400 / DEF 800]


    [This card is also treated as a [Lily] card.]


    "It even includes children now!" Jonouchi exclaimed, utterly confused upon seeing Nursery Rhyme for the first time.


    "Jonouchi, are you an idiot!" Anzu elbowed Jounouchi, annoyed. "That''s probably the flower girl at the wedding!"


    "So I''m the flower girl! It''s my first time being one!" Nursery Rhyme, not quite sure what was going on, became even more excited after hearing Anzu''s explanation.


    "Ah, I remember reading in a book that flower girls should..." Nursery Rhyme pressed her fingers to her tiny head, trying hard to think.


    "Well! I''ll just give a gift first!" She quickly gave up on thinking.


    [¢Ú: If this card is Special Summoned, you can add 1 Spell card with [Heroic Spirit] or [Lily] in its text from your Deck to your hand.]


    "This is the final chapter of the wedding march. The card I''ll add to my hand is..." Hoshino dramatically revealed the final searched card, shaking the entire arena.


    "The Field Spell Card [Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius]!"


    After playing the card, Hoshino looked at Nero on the field, "Are you ready, Nero?"


    "Leave it to me!" Nero placed her pale hand on her heart, full of emotion, and chanted loudly.


    "Sunlight of spring, dancing flowers! The winds of May that brush your cheeks! The blessed bells that ring all the way beyond Stella! Open, Nuptiae Domus Aurea!"


    Though it was a mini duel arena, the Golden Theatre, already showcasing the luxury and dignity of Rome, now transformed into an enchanting wedding venue, radiating even more overwhelming grandeur.


    "Thanks to the Field Spell Card, my [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius Bride] is now unaffected by your Spell and Trap effects, and her attack and defense power increase by 300 points!"


    "Umu, the strange force that was binding me is finally gone." Standing proudly at the center of the Golden Palace, Nero swung her white-silver sword, each stroke effortlessly slicing through the air with magical sharpness.


    [Nero Bride ATK 1250 ¡ú 2800]


    "Now she can defeat Rebecca''s Darklord!" Akasha became even more excited as the attack power surpassed that of the Darklord.


    "But I''m not just aiming to defeat the Darklord Desire!"


    Pointing at Rebecca across the Golden Palace filled with dancing flowers, Hoshino solemnly declared, "I''ve already claimed victory in this duel!"


    "Attack Darklord, Nero!"


    "I''ve been waiting for this! I''ll show you the most overwhelming wedding display with this stunning bridal outfit!"


    Nero raised her sword high. Though its blade had changed to silver to match the bridal outfit, the flames swirling around it still proclaimed the name of her ultimate sword technique.


    "Due to Nero''s special effect, her attack power will rise¡ª by 1000!"


    [Nero Bride ATK 2800 ¡ú 3800]


    "With a hundred flowers beneath me, let my noble stage echo throughout this sacred ground!" The swirling red petals formed a spiral of beautiful flowers around the flaming blade.


    "Sing, Fax Caelestis!!"


    The beautifully elegant sword strike, with petals and fire intertwining, struck the black armor of the Darklord with devastating force.


    "¡ªIts love¡­burns bright as the flame!"


    "Arrgh!" The deep roar of Darklord faded into nothingness as it disappeared into the fire, unable to resist Nero Noble Phantasm.


    [Rebecca LP 2200 ¡ú 400]


    "How could this happen, how could I lose..." Rebecca muttered to herself, unable to believe what she was seeing.


    "It''s your turn to finish it, Nursery Rhyme~"


    "Yes, Master~" Following her master''s final command, Nursery Rhyme opened her book.


    "The ripples of the pages will push the grass bookmark back¡ª every fairy tale is a friend!"


    "This is checkmate!" Hoshino snapped her fingers, her voice echoing through the toy shop.


    Nursery Rhyme''s remaining 400 attack points, halved, became the final move that ended Rebecca''s duel.


    [Rebecca LP: 400 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over, the winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    "I... lost..." Seeing her life points drop to zero, the greatly shaken Rebecca collapsed onto the duel arena''s table.


    There were no cheers of victory, nor regrets of defeat. Everyone was at a loss for words about the result of the duel.


    In the quiet toy shop, only the faint mechanical sounds of the arena could be heard.


    In the end, it was Sugoroku, who had remained silent from beginning to end, who finally broke the awkward silence.


    "Rebecca, you''re a good kid."


    "Grandpa Sugoroku..." Rebecca, looking dejected, slowly sat up, perhaps realizing that slumping over the table wasn''t very becoming.


    "You genuinely like Yugi, don''t you? I can see that. But have you tried to understand Yugi''s feelings?"


    "I..."


    With his hands behind his back, Sugoroku, usually cheerful, adopted a more serious expression. "Liking someone isn''t just about saying it or keeping them close. You need to understand and care for them."


    "Didn''t expect you to say something so wise, old man!" Jonouchi chimed in with a grin.


    "Yugi''s feelings, huh?" Reflecting on Sugoroku''s words, Rebecca cast her gaze at the boy in front of her. "Yugi, do you... dislike me?"


    Yugi scratched his head. "If we''re talking about whether I dislike you... I don''t dislike you, Rebecca."


    "Then do you like me?"


    "..."


    "See? Just as Hoshino said, something is missing between the two of you that should be there between lovers."


    "Rebecca?"


    "But no challenge can stop a girl''s love!" Far from being saddened by Yugi''s silence, Rebecca seemed to perk up a bit.


    "What''s missing can be found! If you don''t understand someone, you can try to understand them! Only those who have faced hardships together can walk the path of flowers in the end!"


    "Right, Hoshino?" With renewed energy, Rebecca shot a fervent glance at Hoshino.


    "Uh?" Caught off guard, Hoshino blinked. "Y-yeah, sure... that sounds right."


    Having never been in a real romantic relationship herself, Hoshino''s words during the duel had merely come from her experiences in games with various "waifu" characters. Yet now, she had somehow become a guide on Rebecca''s love journey.


    "So, the misunderstanding is cleared up, right? Rebecca, you know now that Hoshino doesn''t like Yugi, right?" Anzu finally found an opening to speak as the atmosphere began to ease.


    "Yes!" Rebecca nodded vigorously, glancing a little sheepishly at Hoshino. "Sorry, Hoshino. I was just acting out of jealousy because you got to spend so much time with Yugi..."


    Jonouchi teased, "We know you trust your deck, Hoshino, but to say, ''Everyone¡ª is my wings!'' ¡ª that''s pretty bold, huh~?"


    "But there''s still one thing I don''t understand." Akasha tilted her head as if pondering something.


    "What is it, Akasha-chan?" Hoshino asked.


    "I know Rebecca-chan likes Yugi-nii, and I think Hoshino-nee doesn''t like Yugi-nii that way. But..." Akasha blinked her innocent eyes, looking at Yugi.


    "But Yugi-nii, who do you like more, Hoshino or Rebecca?"


    Wow, Akasha! You''re truly the ultimate instigator!


    Sugoroku nearly choked in disbelief. He''d just been relieved that the atmosphere was finally calming down, only for Akasha to stir things up again with one question.


    Hoshino looked exasperated, Jonouchi was curious, and both Anzu and Rebecca were visibly nervous, rubbing their hands together.


    Caught in the middle, Yugi glanced left and right, at a loss for words, his face growing redder.


    Finally...


    The Millennium Puzzle hanging around his neck suddenly emitted a bright light...


    "That''s so unfair, partner! How could you push me out here!" Yami Yugi complained, bewildered, as he found himself suddenly switching places with Yugi, who had hidden inside the Millennium Puzzle.


    "Another Yugi?" Anzu''s face flushed slightly as she noticed the change in Yugi''s demeanor.


    "Hurry up and answer, Yugi!" Unaware of the second personality, Rebecca didn''t care about the glowing Puzzle and continued pressing Yami for an answer. "So, do you like Hoshino more?"


    "Uh..." The embarrassed Yami Yugi had no idea how to respond. "If we''re just talking about dueling skills, then yes, Hoshino is..."


    Rebecca pouted, "That''s not what I''m asking!"


    "..."


    "Hahaha, youth is such a wonderful thing." Suddenly, an old yet powerful voice came from outside the door.


    "That voice!" Sugoroku, who had been watching, suddenly trembled with excitement.


    "Grandpa!" Rebecca exclaimed, looking toward the door in panic.


    "Your grandpa?" Hoshino asked, also turning to the door. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Standing in the doorway was an elderly man in a suit, about the same age as Sugoroku but significantly taller, with a refined, gentlemanly demeanor.


    "Arthur!" Sugoroku called the man''s name in disbelief, overwhelmed with emotion.


    "Sugoroku, it''s been over ten years, hasn''t it? You haven''t changed a bit." The man called Arthur removed his hat and stepped inside.


    "Grandpa, what are you doing here?" Rebecca, who had been so assertive moments ago, suddenly became the picture of a little girl, shrinking back.


    With his sharp, elderly eyes, Arthur scolded her, "Did you think I wouldn''t notice when you secretly followed me from America to Japan?"


    He then bowed politely to everyone. "I sincerely apologize for any trouble my granddaughter has caused you. I am Arthur Hawkins, and as her grandfather, I offer my deepest apologies."


    "Arthur, why didn''t you tell me you were coming to Japan?" Sugoroku, still emotional from the reunion, wasn''t bothered by the children''s antics.


    "It was all very sudden, and I didn''t have time to make proper arrangements. If Rebecca hadn''t run off today, I probably would''ve waited a few more days to find you," Arthur explained.


    "It''s just that you were invited as a guest for the Egyptian Tour, right? Nothing important," Rebecca muttered under her breath, pouting.


    "Rebecca, how many times have I told you? Anyone who can''t take their work seriously can''t become a great person," Arthur reprimanded her again before turning his attention to Hoshino. "To think you defeated Rebecca, you''ve truly impressive"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 194 - 194

    "The fact that you were able to defeat Rebecca, has opened my eyes."


    After scrutinizing Hoshino, Arthur stroked his white beard and started laughing, "Hahaha, it''s true¡ªsince ancient times, heroes have come from young. It seems that old relics like us, Sugoroku, really need to exit the stage."


    "I already retired long ago. Only you, Arthur, with your stubbornness, are still fighting on," Sugoroku replied.


    "Maybe it''s because I once lost to you, Sugoroku. It made me more and more unwilling to just give up."


    Arthur glanced around the room and sighed, "To think that the once-mighty Sugoroku has now contented himself with this small, unremarkable toy shop."


    "Un... unremarkable... (¡ð¡ä?§Õ?)"


    Suddenly, Arthur''s eyes sharpened, his once casual gaze now intensely focused on Akasha.


    "Old man?" Akasha, noticing the gaze fixed on her, felt a little uneasy. "Is¡­ is something wrong?"


    "You resemble... you look so much like..."


    "Like what? What nonsense is this old man talking about?" Seeing Akasha''s uneasiness, Hoshino stepped forward to shield her.


    Arthur''s words immediately drew everyone''s attention to Akasha.


    "By the way, Hoshino, I''ve been curious about this for a while now," Jonouchi spoke up, "Who is this kid?"


    "Yeah, I''ve never seen her before. She''s not one of the kids who regularly come to Kame Game," Sugoroku chimed in, studying Akasha.


    "She''s really cute, and her blonde hair... is she a foreigner?" Anzu, now with a moment to observe, was instantly charmed by Akasha''s adorable appearance.


    "Ah, right! I haven''t introduced her yet!" Hoshino finally realized, slapping her forehead in acknowledgment.


    She then patted Akasha''s golden head, "Her name is Akasha-chan, and she''s..."


    "Mommy!" Perhaps feeling overwhelmed by all the stares, Akasha suddenly clung tightly to Hoshino.


    "Wait... she''s your daughter?!" Everyone was shocked, including Hoshino herself.


    "Akasha-chan, what nonsense are you saying?" Hoshino pinched Akasha''s cheeks and pulled her off of her.


    "Ouch! That hurts! QxQ" Akasha''s tender, delicate face quickly turned red where Hoshino had pinched her.


    "Hoshino, we know you don''t like to talk about your past, but who would''ve thought you''d already have a daughter," Sugoroku remarked, unsure how to react.


    "So that''s how it is, Hoshino," Yami Yugi, wearing the same shocked expression as Sugoroku, chimed in.


    "No! How could I possibly have a daughter this old!" Hoshino immediately protested, letting go of Akasha''s face.


    "Yeah, I just heard Akasha calling Hoshino-nee so she must be joking, right?" Jonouchi added, trying to reason it out.


    Hoshino gave Jonouchi a touched look, "I never thought Jonouchi, who usually seems the idiot, would be the only one making sense right now."


    "I was to call Hoshino ''big sister'' to avoid misunderstandings, but Akasha knows very well that Hoshino-nee is her mom!" Akasha declared seriously as if what she was saying was the absolute truth.


    "Oh, so that''s how it is!" Jonouchi suddenly understood.


    Hoshino let out a long, weary sigh. "Why did I ever think you''d make sense, Jonouchi? Clearly, I was being too optimistic."


    .


    ..


    ...


    "A Rare Hunter?!" After Hoshino''s thorough explanation, the group finally understood Akasha''s true identity.


    Although being part of the Rare Hunters was surprising, it didn''t shock them quite as much as when they mistakenly thought Akasha was Hoshino''s daughter. Compared to that, Akasha being a Rare Hunter seemed more plausible and easier to accept.


    This made Hoshino wonder whether this little troublemaker had staged the earlier act on purpose, so the group would more readily accept her.


    "A kid is part of the Rare Hunters?" Yami furrowed his brow, unsure how to respond to Akasha.


    Throughout the Battle City tournament, the Yami had dueled several Rare Hunters. Known for using counterfeit cards, were often like religious fanatics, crazily devoted to their leader, Marik. Some had even been brainwashed by the Millennium Rod, their personalities destroyed.


    "But Hoshino, isn''t it dangerous to have a member of Rare Hunters with you?" Jonouchi asked with concern.


    "Akasha-chan is different. Even though she''s part of rare hunters, she''s just a kid."


    Hoshino admitted that her initial reason for keeping Akasha around was simply because she found her too cute to leave wandering alone in Domino City at night. However, after spending some time with her, Hoshino could sense that Akasha was fundamentally different from the other crazed rare hunters. In fact, with proper guidance, Akasha could become a righteous and powerful duelist.


    "I agree with Hoshino," Anzu added in support. As a girl, she couldn''t help but feel a maternal instinct toward someone as cute as Akasha. After hearing Hoshino''s account, she, too, wasn''t willing to leave such a young child alone.


    "You girls..." Jonouchi still felt uneasy.


    "It''s alright, Jonouchi," Sugoroku spoke up, "If it''s just for one night, there shouldn''t be any problem. I also wouldn''t want to see a little girl like her left on the streets."


    "And besides, I heard Akasha doesn''t want to use the counterfeit cards from rare hunters. She wants to have her deck, isn''t that right? Our little Kame Game may not be much, but we''d never turn away a duelist who wants to improve themselves, especially a young one full of potential."


    "Grandpa..." Hoshino felt a wave of emotion wash over her.


    "Oh hohoho¡«(£þ¨Œ£þ¡«)" Sugoroku flashed a cunning merchant''s grin.


    "You crafty old man!"


    "Her appearance¡­ her name¡­ even her age¡­ No, this can''t be a coincidence," Arthur, who had been muttering to himself since earlier, seemed to be deep in thought.


    "What is it, Arthur? Is there something wrong?" Sugoroku asked, noticing that Arthur seemed distracted.


    "Sorry, Sugoroku, I have something urgent to attend to. I''ll come back to see you in a few days!" Arthur said, putting his hat back on and heading straight out the door.


    "Let''s go, Rebecca. Stop causing trouble for everyone!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But Grandpa, I still want to play with Yugi..." Rebecca glanced back at Yugi reluctantly, waving her hand at him as Arthur walked away. "I guess I''ll see you next time, Yugi."


    "Leaving in a hurry after not seeing me for over ten years," Sugoroku sighed lightly.


    "A little girl from Rare Hunters... Could it be..?" Yami, who had locked his gaze on Akasha, felt an indescribable unease, sensing something strange through the dark power of the Millennium Puzzle.


    (***)


    "Report to President Kaiba, the second satellite launch is a success!"


    "Good!" Kaiba showed a satisfied smile. With its enormous wealth, the Kaiba Corporation had once again launched a supercomputer into space via satellite, something that ordinary people could barely dream of achieving in a lifetime, all in less than an afternoon.


    "Test the full power compatibility of the supercomputer. If there are no issues, we can reactivate the Duel Disk''s holographic functions by tonight." Expertly directing his employees, Kaiba sat at the helm of Kaiba Corporation as its president, a true king ruling over countless people.


    "Big brother!" Mokuba, who had been operating the Kaiba Corporation''s main control equipment, spoke up, "The fake card data added by Yako into the Duel Disk database has mostly been cleared."


    Indeed, the reason why the Rare Hunters could brazenly use fake cards was that Yako had hacked into the Kaiba Corporation''s systems and altered the Duel Disk data.


    "I never thought that Yako would stoop so low as to cooperate with Rare Hunters." Kaiba clicked his tongue in irritation and continued questioning Mokuba, "You said ''mostly''¡ªdoes that mean some still haven''t been cleared?"


    "That''s right." Mokuba nodded while staring at the screen. "There are a few cards that have never appeared in the database. We can''t tell which ones are real and which ones are fake. Even the card descriptions are written in a language I can''t understand."


    "A language you can''t understand?" Kaiba furrowed his brows, immediately thinking of...


    "Could there even be counterfeit versions of the God Cards?"


    (***)


    Kame Game Shop¡ª


    "Akasha-chan, trust me, this pack is sure to have a super rare card!"


    Akasha tugged at Hoshino''s sleeve helplessly. "Hoshino-nee, why not give up? Let Jonouchi-nii try opening it."


    "No way, this is a battle of pride! I promised to help you build a deck, so there''s no way I''m letting Jonouchi steal the glory." Hoshino stubbornly insisted.


    "I''m not trying to steal your glory. How is that stealing?" Jonouchi sighed, having been banned from touching any more packs after he pulled two Magic Cylinders in one go from a single pack.


    To build a deck for Akasha, Hoshino borrowed a month''s salary in advance from Grandpa Sugoroku. However, assembling a decent deck wasn''t as easy as it seemed. Crucial cards such as Monster Reborn, Graceful Charity, and Pot of Greed were rare enough, and collecting support Spell and Trap cards for a Silent Magician-themed Spellcaster deck was proving just as difficult.


    "Go for it, Hoshino!" Yugi cheered from the sidelines, clearly interested in any conversation involving Duel Monsters, even though he was a bit clueless when it came to romance.


    "Could you let me see the remaining cards you don''t need?" Yugi asked as he picked up the cards Hoshino handed him. "Even if they''re not particularly powerful rare cards, they can still be incredibly useful if they fit well in the deck. Take this card you just gave me, [Lightforce Sword], for example. It''s very practical!"


    [Lightforce Sword Trap Card Effect: Banish 1 random card from your opponent''s hand, face-down. During your opponent''s 4th Standby Phase after this card''s activation, return that card to their hand.]


    Hoshino waved her hand dismissively. "This kind of card with random effects and no card advantage? Yugi, if you want it, just take it."


    "Really?" Yugi seemed a little happy as he quickly added Lightforce Sword to his deck.


    "This is the last pack, Hoshino." Sugoroku handed it over with a twinkle in his eye, a grin spreading across his face like a cat watching a trapped mouse. "Of course, if this pack doesn''t have what you''re looking for¡­ I''d be more than happy to give your next month''s salary in advance."


    "No, thank you!" Hoshino rejected Sugoroku''s ''kind offer,'' snapping her partially constructed deck shut as her deep red eyes began to swirl with thoughts.


    "I just realized... Why am I wasting my money in a small shop that sells cheap, low-quality cards? If I want rare cards now..."


    "A small shop that sells... low-quality cards (¡ã©`¡ã¡¨)?"


    "Hoshino, you''re not thinking of...?" Yugi''s expression became complex as he grasped what Hoshino was planning.


    "Tomorrow, when Battle City resumes, I''m going to hunt for rare cards too!"


    "Is that okay...?" Though it seemed somewhat reckless, Yugi couldn''t find a reason to object.


    "Anyone brave enough to enter the Battle City tournament must have already prepared themselves for the possibility of losing their rare cards, right?" With her target in sight, Hoshino''s determination only grew.


    "If anyone''s going to claim those rare cards, it should be me¡ªnot those Rare Hunter fanatics." Hoshino''s eyes sparkled with fierce determination. "I''ll make sure those rare cards end up in the right hands¡­ mine."


    "Hoshino-nee, you''re amazing! Only you could spin greed into something so¡­ noble," Akasha teased, her eyes gleaming with mischief.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki¡ªclass change: Rare Card Hunter]


    (***)


    Evening¡ª


    "I''m revived!" Hoshino patted her content stomach, wearing a blissful expression.


    "Grandpa Sugoroku''s cooking is delicious~" Akasha chimed in, smiling.


    Watching Hoshino, who had just devoured three bowls of rice, Sugoroku smiled meaningfully. "It''s good for a growing child to eat more. But it seems like we''ll need to prepare extra food from now on."


    "Hey, Hoshino..." Yugi glanced awkwardly at Hoshino''s stomach and asked, "Have you lost weight?"


    "Lost weight? Really? I didn''t notice."


    Yugi nodded confidently. "It feels like you''ve gotten slimmer since the first time we met."


    "The first time we met..." Hoshino tilted her head as she tried to recall.


    When Yugi first met her, she had been a shut-in who did nothing but stay home and play games all day. But ever since coming to this world, her physical activity had multiplied several times, and she often went without meals...


    "Yeah~ it''s hard not to lose weight." Sighing, Hoshino looked down and smiled bitterly. "I just hope I don''t lose weight in the wrong places."


    "Hoshino-nee, when are we going to your room?" Akasha tugged on Hoshino''s arm impatiently. "I want to see what Hoshino-nee''s room looks like."


    "Oh? Does Akasha-chan want me to smother her in bed?" With a mischievous grin, Hoshino stood up, waved to Sugoroku and Yugi, and left.


    "Smother... smother?" Caught in his imagination, Yugi''s face flushed bright red. Wow, Yugi, your face sure is turning red easily today.


    "Well then, Grandpa, Yugi, I''m going to take Akasha-chan back now. After dueling all day, I''m a bit tired, and I need to go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow''s rare card hunt."


    "Hoshino-nee, you''re acting just like a member of Rare Hunters now. They, too, are always eager to hunt for rare cards every day!" Surprisingly, Hoshino, the amateur rare card hunter, had received approval from Akasha, the professional.


    "That''s great to hear! But before that..."


    [System activated]


    [Duelist level evaluation complete. Duelist Tenma Gekko, Duelist Rank A, duplicate level rewards deducted, victory reward: 60 Saint Quartz, remaining Saint Quartz: 122.]


    "Not bad, as expected of a perfect duelist. But I still haven''t met Gekko... Could it be that he''s already going to the afterlife?"


    [Duelist level evaluation complete. Duelist Labyrinth Brothers, Duelist Rank C+, duplicate level rewards deducted, victory reward: 0 Saint Quartz, remaining Saint Quartz: 122.]


    "Useless..."


    [Duelist level evaluation complete. Duelist Tenma Yako, Duelist Rank B, victory reward: 45 Saint Quartz, remaining Saint Quartz: 167.]


    "A little bit lower than Gekko, huh? Must be because he relied too much on the Wicked God Cards."


    [Detected victory in a Shadow Game against Duelist ID 001 Hoshino Chiyuki. Awarding SSR-exclusive Summon Ticket.]


    "This... I sense the presence of a new waifu!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 195 - 195

    "Is the room small? There''s no bathtub, so you''ll have to use the shower. Is that okay?"


    Akasha gave a bright smile. "No problem at all! I''m just happy to have a shower to cool down~"


    "Then you go first, Akasha-chan. I''ll leave your change of clothes outside the door." Hoshino pointed towards the bathroom. "Though my clothes might be a bit big for you, they''re comfortable enough to sleep in."


    "Mm, thank you, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha nodded her golden head obediently, and barefoot, she dashed into the bathroom.


    "Want me to come in and lend a hand?"


    "If you dare come in, Hoshino-nee, Akasha will call the police, okay? =w="


    "Tsk, not cute >3<"


    Splash¡ª!


    The clear sound of water came from the bathroom.


    "Well, just in time..."


    Hoshino plopped herself down on the bed, and a wave of exhaustion washed over her.


    "What a day, but also quite productive. System, open the card shop."


    [Detected: You have an SSR summon ticket. Redirecting you to the SSR-specific banner.]


    "Emmm, how about I use up the rest of my Saint Quartz first?" Although Hoshino always used her SSR ticket eagerly, as her summoning experience grew, she developed her superstitions.


    "Using the SSR ticket first would mess with her ''luck balance,'' making her normal 10-pull less likely to give her anything good. She''d learned that the hard way after her Hokusai pull had ended in disaster."


    On the other hand, since an SSR is guaranteed anyway, saving it for last might provide psychological comfort even if she got unlucky at first.


    "Hahaha, I''m such a superstition master." Hoshino, grinning, navigated out of the special store.


    Now she faced two choices:


    [Special Limited Banner: Divine-Spirit Servants UP]


    [Saint Quartz Summon (Limited Pool): Featured Servants from the Mist City London]


    "167 Saint Quartz isn''t a small amount. I have to plan carefully." Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Hoshino squinted and thought hard.


    167 Saint Quartz¡ªif she were harvesting from the kids at Kame Game Shop, she''d have to squeeze 33.4 kids dry. With the little brats nearly all tapped out, this Quartz felt even more precious.


    Strategically, pulling from the Divine-Spirit Banner would provide the highest boost to her team''s combat strength, but just as she had mentioned before¡­


    That banner was a BAIT!


    Over 200 Quartz dropped, and not even one showed up. While that''s typical in FGO, in this world, with limited resources, Hoshino couldn''t help but suspect that Da Vinci had set this up just to scam her Quartz.


    "Guess I''ll have to use my tried-and-true Hoshino Superstition #2: ''Throwing Quartz to Test the Waters''!"


    Research shows that luck isn''t constant but fluctuates like a stock market chart. Hoshino''s technique used cheap summons (like the Friendship Summon in FGO) to check if she was in a lucky period. If she could pull a 3-star or a good Craft Essence, she would know she was in a lucky phase.


    Without a Friendship Summon here, though, she had to burn some valuable Quartz to test the waters.


    With that, Hoshino opened the London banner. "If I get something good early on, I''ll switch to the [Divine-Spirit] banner."


    [10 Summon Confirmed!]


    "I remember in Chapter 4, aside from Jack and Nursery Rhyme, the remaining Servants were¡­"


    Hoshino''s thoughts were interrupted by the flash of golden light.


    "Aaaah! It''s happening!"


    From within the golden light came a familiar voice.


    "Mmm...mmm..." The voice trailed off, hard to understand.


    "It''s Fran! Welcome!" Hoshino immediately recognized the summoned Heroic Spirit.


    "Mmm!" Fran''s tone carried obvious happiness.


    "To pull Fran on the first try¡ªit seems my luck is at its peak."


    Just as Hoshino thought this, another golden light appeared.


    "Yo~ Master!" A clear, spirited voice rang out. "I''m here to hang out!"


    "Ohhh! Mo-chan!" Pulling a 5-star was even more unexpected, affirming her peak-luck theory.


    "Don''t call me Mo-chan! I''ll punch ya..." Mordred''s gem-like green eyes glared, but then she softened. "Oh, whatever, Father would nagged me if I did. Speaking of which, Father''s here too, right?"


    "Yeah, Artoria is around. You two better get along and not cause trouble!" Hoshino warned.


    "Yeah, yeah." Mordred looked reluctant but obedient. "Even though it''s awkward with Father, I''m still happy to see ya, Master!" she added with a smile.


    "Mm, welcome back!"


    Satisfied with her pulls so far, Hoshino returned Mordred''s card to her deck. The remaining summons didn''t bring any big surprises, but Hoshino was already content.


    "''Testing the Waters'' worked perfectly. Now, for the main event!"


    Without hesitation, she switched to the Divine Spirit banner, her eyes burning with determination. "Today, I''m unstoppable! I''m going to crush this banner!"


    "Four more 10-pulls!!"


    ...


    "Failed... I failed!" Hoshino slumped on the bed, her once fiery gaze now empty and hollow.


    [Remaining Saint Quartz: 17]


    "This banner was a bait Da Vinci set up to scam me! Give me back my Quartz!!"


    Having no one to complain to, Hoshino stared blankly at the now-dimmed 10-pull option due to lack of Quartz.


    "Screw it. If I''m sinking, I might as well sink completely." With no choice left, she opted for a single summons.


    "Is this banner out of Servants or what? Is Enkidu the only Divine--Spirit? I thought that purple grandma should also be..."


    "What did you just say!" A sharp voice interrupted her.


    "I just said, the youthful and beautiful Shishou!"


    Success! At the last moment, Hoshino turned the tide by wagering her life!


    "Hehe, since Master has such a sweet mouth, I''ll pretend I didn''t hear your previous rude comment." Scathach''s furrowed brow gradually relaxed as she revealed a smile that could captivate the world.


    "Shishou, you''re finally here! Do you have any idea how much it cost me to summon you?!" With a face full of grievances, Hoshino finally found someone she could complain to.


    "Master, if losing a few quartz is too much for you to bear, it seems you''re still far from ready. I must train you even more. First, you need to start running every morning, and then..." Before she could finish, Scathach was already planning out a training regimen for Hoshino.


    "As expected from my Shishou!" Hoshino''s earlier complaints disappeared in an instant as her expression turned serious. "With just one sentence, you''ve made me realize that Saint Quartz is merely material and something I don''t need to worry about!"


    "Hmph!" Scathach smiled, satisfied, and said no more.


    Putting away her teacher''s card, Hoshino, with mixed feelings, exited the Divine-Spirit banner.


    "All in all, I guess this is a decent outcome," Hoshino consoled herself. Even though using up all the Saint Quartz was painful, her deck had greatly improved. With Scathach now on her team, she had enough confidence to face even god cards.


    "Now for the real finale. Let''s have a perfect ending so I can sleep soundly."


    [SSR Summon Ticket Exclusive Pool Activated]


    "Select: Use Summon Ticket to draw SSR!"


    The golden light filling Hoshino''s pale hand was brighter than ever, shining with 100% guaranteed summon probability.


    "Is this...?!" Feeling the radiant glow up close, Hoshino could tell that this card was unlike any other.


    It felt as though the card was somehow connected to the very gears that drove this world.


    "!!!"


    Normally, when Hoshino summoned an SSR, she would pause for a moment and then celebrate internally. But this time, something was different¡ªshe was only left with that brief pause, without any joy.


    "A... blank card?" A card with no markings, as blank as a sheet of paper, appeared in her hand.


    Completely bewildered, Hoshino had never encountered such a situation before.


    "System, you''re not trying to scam me, are you? You know I saved this summon for last, hoping to end the day on a high note, and now you''re sinking my ticket with this?"


    Though Hoshino didn''t understand the significance of the blank card, she at least knew it was unusable in duels. This meant she had to consider it a failed summon.


    "They sold me a defective SSR ticket! Yako... You bastard!"


    Somewhere, in his hospital bed, still unconscious, Yako had just been blamed for something he had no idea about.


    (***)


    At a certain location in Domino City¡ª


    "What is it, Marik?" Walking along a dimly lit street, Rishid noticed Malik suddenly stop in his tracks. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Marik, feeling his pocket, wore a look of confusion. "The God card suddenly became agitated."


    He pulled the God card from his deck, and sure enough, the radiant light emanating from it, as bright as the sun, illuminated the entire dark street in an instant.


    "Is it the Winged Dragon of Ra? What''s going on?" Rishid, also witnessing this for the first time, asked in confusion.


    Holding the God card tightly between his hands, Malik replied, "I can barely sense it... such intense emotion from Ra..."


    "Ra''s emotions? I didn''t know cards had feelings," Rishid remarked.


    "They do, especially God cards," Marik said with a slight smile.


    Marik, who trusted no one except Rishid, held nothing back from him.


    "Just a now, it felt as though the gears of history that drive this world were turned by someone."


    (***)


    "I''m done, Hoshino-nee!" came Akasha''s light voice from behind the wooden door of the bathroom.


    "Ah!" For reasons unknown, Hoshino panicked, and she quickly stuffed the blank card into her deck.


    "Need help drying off?" she asked.


    "No need, I''ve already dried off!" Akasha responded, pushing the door open. Swallowed up in Hoshino''s oversized shirt, Akasha looked like a doll, her delicate shoulders peeking out as her damp golden hair tumbled down her back.


    "Not bad, not bad at all," Hoshino complimented, looking at the porcelain-doll-like Akasha.


    "Hoshino-nee, you look awfully suspicious~" Akasha squinted at her with a mischievous smile. "Were you up to something naughty while I was in the shower? You sounded pretty flustered."


    This little rascal, she''s so sharp!


    "Ahaha~" Hoshino scratched her head, laughing awkwardly.


    Then she quickly changed the subject. "Let me dry your hair for you. You might catch a cold with it still wet~"


    "Okay!" Akasha obediently tilted her head forward, letting Hoshino dry her damp hair.


    As Hoshino stroked Akasha''s soft hair, the pleasant scent of the shampoo mixed with Akasha''s natural fragrance.


    "Smell good~"


    "You can''t eat me, Hoshino-nee! I''m still little, so there isn''t much meat."


    "I won''t, don''t worry. I''m not some kind of human evil~"


    If I had a little sister, she''d probably be like this, Hoshino thought, feeling a small sense of happiness.


    "Hoshino-nee, are your cards all rare?" Akasha asked suddenly.


    "Hmm? Why the sudden question?"


    "No reason, I was just curious! You''ve used so many cards, but I haven''t seen a single one like them before."


    Hoshino smiled smugly. "Heh, if we''re talking rarity, my deck is probably the rarest in the world~"


    "Oh? Is that so..." Without turning her head, Akasha slightly shifted her eyes, glancing at the two decks placed beside Hoshino''s bed.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "I''m turning off the light now~"


    After the lights went out, the exhaustion from the day''s events quickly overtook Hoshino, and she soon fell asleep while hugging Akasha.


    The night was deep and quiet. The streets, no longer filled with the noise of daytime duels, seemed to suggest that everyone had spent all their energy. Even the toughest duelists needed this moment of peace to soothe their weary souls.


    But in the stillness of the night, when all living creatures were at rest, a small figure quietly moved into Hoshino''s room...


    (*****)


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 Chapter 196 - 196

    A small figure, with eyes glowing in different colors, stared intently at the two decks placed on the table in the darkness.


    "These are Hoshino-nee''s decks. If what she said is true, then this should be the rarest deck in the world."


    "Do it, Akasha!" echoed Marik''s firm voice in Akasha''s mind, transmitted through the Millennium Rod.


    "No matter whether it''s truly the rarest deck or not, taking her deck back to us will significantly boost power and simultaneously eliminate the most unstable factor in this Battle City. This is a rare chance!"


    "Yes, Marik-nii!" The delicate, pale hand that could even reflect the faint moonlight in the dark was now about to commit a sinful act.


    "Akasha-chan¡­"


    The soft, sleepy voice suddenly calling from behind startled Akasha, making her small frame tremble.


    "Akasha-chan¡­let''s go to Battle City and duel together¡­" Hoshino, still asleep, tightly hugged her blanket as if it were Akasha, muttering incoherent words in her dreams.


    "Phew, it''s just a dream." Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, Akasha refocused her gaze on the decks on the table.


    "Don''t waste time. Do it, Akasha!" Marik''s urgent voice kept ringing in her mind.


    "Mhm."


    "Find opponents, win rare cards, and then form a deck that belongs solely to you, Akasha-chan~" Hoshino continued to mumble, now even smiling sweetly in her sleep, perhaps having a happy dream.


    "Hoshino-nee¡­" Akasha wasn''t frightened by the dream talk this time. However, another deck entered her sight.


    It was an unfinished deck. Hoshino had scraped together what little money she had to put together this scattered deck, which sat beside the world''s rarest deck. To someone like Akasha, who had seen countless rare cards and powerful decks, this incomplete deck seemed utterly low-tier, especially compared to the Servant deck.


    "That''s how it''s supposed to be¡­ That''s how it should be¡­" Yet, in Akasha''s heart, the weight of this low-tier deck gradually surpassed that of the Hoshino deck in the world.


    "Why did she insist on building a deck like this for Akasha, even though she has no money¡­"


    To outsiders, Hoshino''s actions might seem like classic stubborn pride. Insisting on proving herself in front of Akasha, she seemed to be acting out of sheer vanity.


    "Is that it?"


    However, Akasha knew full well that wasn''t the truth.


    Hoshino''s persistence was like someone reaching out with all their might, trying to pull a small soul trapped in darkness into the light. Even Hoshino herself knew that this small soul had been firmly imprisoned by the darkness.


    "What are you doing, Akasha? Hurry up!" Marik urged her again, more urgently.


    "..." This time, Akasha didn''t respond. She hesitated, her trembling hands unable to reach for Hoshino''s precious deck.


    "Marik-nii, is this really right? Aren''t rare card hunters supposed to win cards through duels, not stealing?"


    "You lost the duel yourself, and now you''re saying that!" Marik sighed in disappointment, his tone filled with frustration. "You disobeyed me now, Akasha. No matter, I''ll take over."


    Marik''s voice grew cold as he abandoned any attempt to persuade Akasha.


    "Millennium Rod, guide this lost soul to my side!"


    This was the safeguard that the cautious Marik had placed on Akasha. He had put similar safeguards on all members of Rare Hunters. The Millennium Rod, with its power to control minds, could manipulate the memories of the person under its spell and turn them into Marik''s puppet when needed.


    "Ah¡­ ah¡­" A golden eye appeared on Akasha''s forehead, and she could no longer even scream in pain.


    "Don''t¡­ Don''t erase Akasha''s memories¡­ the memories with Hoshino-nee¡­" Akasha tightly held her head, struggling desperately.


    Her memories of dueling with Hoshino, breaking into Kaiba Corporation together, teaming up to face the Labyrinth Brothers, battling evil gods, drawing cards together, and even blowing each other''s hair dry like sisters¡­


    But no matter how hard she struggled, an ordinary human could not resist the power of the Millennium Item.


    "Hmph, the brainwashing is complete." Satisfied that he no longer felt any resistance from Akasha, Marik let out a pleased laugh.


    Akasha''s hands, steady and precise under Marik''s control, swiftly picked up the duel disk and deck from the table. She slipped out of the room like a shadow, silent and swift. In less than a minute, Akasha had already stepped onto the dark streets outside the toy shop with Hoshino''s deck in hand.


    "Marik-nii, I''ve secured the deck," Akasha reported coldly, devoid of any emotion.


    In stark contrast to her cold tone, Marik could not hide his excitement. "Excellent. Return now, Akasha. You''re permitted to leave Battle City early and return to the base!"


    "Yes, Marik-nii. I''ll deliver the deck right away!"


    The quiet, dark streets were barely visible under the faint layer of moonlight.


    "This late at night, it''s not a good time for kids to be wandering around!" Suddenly, a voice echoed from the corner of the toy shop, shattering the silence of the night.


    "Who?!" Akasha was startled. She hadn''t expected anyone to be around the toy shop at such a late hour.


    "Forgot me already? We just had dinner together earlier tonight." Stepping out from the shadows was Yami Yugi, his expression stern as he stared intently at Akasha.


    "Yugi¡­ Muto?"


    "Oh?" Yugi raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised at being called by his full name. She had been calling him "Yugi-nii" before.


    "Heh, you were much cuter during the day~"


    "Is that so, Yugi-nii?" Akasha''s tone abruptly shifted back to her familiar playful tone. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I didn''t know Yugi-nii had a thing for little girls. Or are you here to sneak into Hoshino-nee''s room?"


    "Hmph, I''ve felt something strange about you since we first met," Yugi smirked coldly, clearly unfazed by Akasha''s words.


    "To think that behind such a pure and cute appearance lies a soul so dark and twisted."


    "Oh? So what is Yugi-nii planning to do?"


    "What am I planning to do? I''m going to make you return what doesn''t belong to you!"


    "What''s Yugi-nii talking about? Akasha doesn''t quite understand~" Akasha tried to play dumb, attempting to get away with acting cute.


    "Can''t understand, huh? Then I''ll make it even clearer!"


    Without wasting time explaining, Yami Yugi activated the Duel Disk on his arm, "Return the Deck you stole from Hoshino!"


    "Tch!" Akasha clicked her tongue in frustration, her once pure and innocent smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a dark and resentful expression in her eyes, as if she were a completely different person.


    "I''ve heard Yugi-nii is strong at dueling. Let''s see if Akasha can test that out!" Knowing she could no longer fool Yami Yugi, Akasha boldly accepted the challenge.


    "Akasha''s not as easy to beat as she looks!"


    [Akasha vs. Yugi Muto]


    Duel¡­


    [Warning! The Duel Disk has detected illegal cards in the deck, and the duel cannot proceed!]


    "What?!" Akasha stared in confusion at the flashing red warning lights on her Duel Disk.


    However, Marik, who could sense everything from afar, knew exactly what had happened. "Tch, looks like the virus Yako implanted into the Kaiba Corporation database has already been cleared. It didn''t even last a day¡ªhow disappointing!"


    "What do I do now, Marik-nii?" Akasha, now flustered by the Duel Disk''s warning, sought Malik''s guidance.


    "The data on banned and counterfeit cards has already been removed by KaibaCorp, meaning your original deck is now unusable." Though the situation was unexpected, Marik, the leader of Rare Hunters, wasn''t one to be shaken by such problems.


    "If your deck can''t be used, then use that one." Marik gave his next order.


    "That deck? Marik-nii, you mean¡­"


    "That''s right. Since you''ve stolen it, it''s now yours! Use Hoshino''s deck to face Yugi. You''ve spent the entire day by her side, so you should have a general understanding of the structure of her Deck!"


    "And here''s something very important! Hoshino''s deck has once defeated Yugi during the Duelist Kingdom!" Marik, confident in his plan, issued his command.


    "Yes, Marik-nii!" Akasha''s heart was full of confusion after having her memories altered. Her entire day felt like a dream. Even though she remembered everything, it felt as though those memories didn''t belong to her. The contradiction between these memories and her own made the young girl feel lost.


    The only thing she could do now, the only way to escape this confusion, was to follow Marik''s orders.


    "If I just follow orders¡­ if I just complete the tasks Marik-nii gives me, then I can live better!" Akasha removed the deck from her Duel Disk, silencing the alarm, and reached for the Hoshino Deck strapped to her body.


    But there were two decks¡­


    In addition to the usual Heroic Spirit Deck, there was another one¡ªa Lily deck that Hoshino had split off, the same one she used in her duel against Akasha.


    "So, what''s wrong? Lost your courage to duel after losing your banned cards?" Yami Yugi taunted, noticing Akasha standing frozen in place.


    "Not at all!" After hesitating for a moment, Akasha clenched her small fists and inserted one of the decks into her Duel Disk.


    [Akasha vs. Yugi Muto]


    Duel Start!


    "I''ll go first!" Yugi confidently drew a card from his Duel Disk.


    "My turn. I summon [Queen''s Knight] in Attack Mode!"


    [Queen''s Knight¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Warrior][ATK 1500/DEF 1600]


    The elegant knight in red armor materialized on the moonlit, dark street as the Duel Disk activated.


    "Then I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    Yugi''s remaining hand: 3 cards


    "It''s Akasha''s turn now. Draw!"


    Akasha glanced at the card she drew and her hand, all familiar faces she had seen today. Even though it was her first time using this deck, she felt she could handle the duel with ease.


    "I summon the [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea Lily] in Defense Mode!"


    After some hesitation, Akasha chose to use the Lily deck that Hoshino had employed in their duel. This deck excelled at gaining card advantage, had powerful healing abilities, and balanced offense and defense, making it more suitable for Akasha''s first time using it.


    "Hmm!" Yami Yugi''s eyes widened in surprise, clearly startled by the sudden monster Akasha summoned.


    "So, you chose to use Hoshino''s deck, huh?" His expression shifted into something more shocked.


    "What''s wrong? Is Yugi-nii scared?" Akasha smirked, noticing Yami Yugi''s shocked reaction. "Are you afraid of losing to Hoshino-nee''s deck again?"


    Yugi''s lips curled into a smirk. "No, I''m surprised you made a terrible choice."


    "You!" Now that she had the deck in her hands and was using it, Akasha finally understood the versatility of this deck. Just from her current hand, she could think of several possible combinations.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1500]


    [This card is also treated as [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea].]


    The holographic rainbow glow of the Duel Disk''s sensor illuminated the battlefield as the bare-footed Medea Lily materialized on Akasha''s side.


    "Since I successfully summoned Medea Lily, I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea Lily!]"


    But nothing happened.


    "What?"


    "Haha¡­" Yami Yugi couldn''t hide his pitying smile. "It''s not working, is it?"


    "How is that possible? She should have been able to search for a corresponding Spell or Trap card!"


    "You¡­ aren''t Master, are you?" Medea Lily tilted her head and glanced back at Akasha, providing the answer. "Without being my Master, you have no right to command me!"


    "How could this be¡­" For the first time, Akasha was confronted with such an impossible situation, her face filled with disbelief.


    "Just as I expected." Watching Medea Lily''s response, Yugi wasn''t surprised.


    Back during the Duelist Kingdom, when Hoshino added Medea to his deck and dueled against Bakura in a shadow game, Yugi had already noticed this.


    For some unknown reason, Heroic Spirit cards wouldn''t activate their effects unless used by Hoshino. They would simply act as normal monsters with stats.


    "Using a blank deck like that, do you think you still stand a chance of winning, Akasha"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 197 - 197

    "I underestimate it!" Akasha heard Marik''s nervous voice echoing in her head. "I didn''t expect the Heroic Spirit cards to be like the God Cards, choosing their masters!"


    Marik, who was well-versed in the qualities of the God Cards, knew that only those with Millennium Items could use them. It was a constraint imposed by the powerful card spirits that accompanied the cards.


    "Every card has a restriction? How can that be?" But applying this restriction to Hoshino''s deckled Marik to an unbelievable conclusion.


    "Could it be that every Heroic Spirit card contains a spirit comparable to a god?!" This shocking truth hit Marik, a rare card hunter, hard. The rarity of a card that housed a spirit was completely different from the expensive rare cards sold on the market. These cards represented not just Duel Monsters but also symbols of world history.


    "It''s fine! Even without card effects, I can still fight!" Akasha, snapping back to reality, recovered faster than Marik. In terms of dueling skills, Akasha was undoubtedly superior to Marik.


    "If we''re talking about normal monsters, then that one over there is just a normal monster too." Glancing at the Queen''s Knight on Yugi''s field, Akasha seemed to be confirming something.


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    Akasha''s remaining hand cards: 3


    "My turn, draw!" Yugi began his turn.


    "Did you just say normal monsters? Heh, let me tell you, Queen''s Knight is far from just a normal monster!" Yugi firmly denied Akasha''s earlier assumption.


    "Now, let me show you the true strength of the Royal Knights!" Yugi dramatically placed his card on the duel disk.


    "I summon [King''s Knight] in attack position!"


    [King''s Knight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1600/DEF 1400]


    A regal knight in golden armor materialized next to the Queen''s Knight through the holographic projection.


    "When Queen''s Knight and King''s Knight are on the field together, they can call forth a valiant ally!"


    Yugi pointed to the two knights standing side by side. "Now, I activate [King''s Knight]''s special effect!"


    [King''s Knight Effect: When this card is Normal Summoned while you control [Queen''s Knight]: You can Special Summon 1 [Jack''s Knight] from your Deck]


    "Come forth, the knight who protects the king and queen!" Yugi skillfully searched his deck and placed the final knight on the field.


    "I special summon [Jack''s Knight] in attack position!"


    [Jack''s Knight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (5 stars)][LIGHT][Warrior][ATK 1900/DEF 1000]


    A knight in shining silver armor appeared, standing guard before the King and Queen. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "He summoned two knights in a single turn?" Marik, observing from afar, clearly sensed that the situation was becoming dire.


    "Now that the Royal Knights have gathered in full, prepare to face justice!" Yugi stretched his hand forward, entering the battle phase. "Attack her Medea Lily, King''s Knight! Royal Slash!"


    With a loud cry, the gold-armored King''s Knight swung his sword heavily at the small figure of Medea Lily.


    "I will fight no matter what!" As the King''s attack approached, Akasha swiftly activated a set card, "At the moment of the attack, I activate my counter trap card, [Memory of Qualia]!"


    [Memory of Qualia Counter Trap Card Effect: ¢Ù: Can be activated when your opponent declares an attack. Until the end of the turn, your [Lily] monsters cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    "As expected, even if the monster effects can''t be activated, the spell and trap cards without spirit can still be used," Yugi muttered, slightly furrowing his brow. He had already guessed this outcome when Akasha chose to continue the duel.


    "But thinking you can beat me with just spell and trap is pure wishful thinking!" As Akasha activated her trap card, Yugi decisively pressed the activation button on his duel disk.


    "Counter Trap, [Solemn Judgment]!"


    [Solemn Judgment Counter Trap Card Effect: ¢Ù: When a monster(s) would be Summoned, OR a Spell/Trap Card is activated: Pay half your LP; negate the Summon or activation, and if you do, destroy that card.]


    "I pay half my life points to negate and destroy your Tactile Memory!"


    [Yugi''s LP 4000 ¡ú 2000]


    [Memory of Qualia] negated


    "Tch, using Solemn Judgment at this point, is aiming to break Akasha''s defenses while she can''t use monster effects." Marik clicked his tongue in frustration. He had seen a glimmer of hope when Akasha activated her trap, but it vanished in seconds.


    "Hehe, was it wise to waste your Solemn Judgment like that?" Akasha smirked as if she had expected this outcome all along.


    "Now you have no way to counter my second face-down card. What happens next... even I can''t guarantee!" she taunted with a mischievous smile.


    "Hmm?"


    With a grin, Akasha flipped her second face-down card. "I activate the trap card [Child''s Alarm]!"


    [Child''s Alarm Trap Card Effect: ¢Ù: When a [Lily] monster on your field is targeted for an attack or effect, you can activate this card. Special Summon a Level 6 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your deck, then switch the target of the attack to the Special Summoned monster.]


    "!!!" For the first time, Yugi, who had maintained a composed expression, was taken aback.


    As the trap activated, a loud alarm echoed across the previously quiet and deserted street.


    "Yugi, if you don''t want to get caught up in something troublesome, you better make a run~" Though Akasha had an angelic face, her smile was as devious as a devil''s.


    Just imagine, in the middle of the night on an empty street, a child''s alarm blaring. When the police or nearby residents arrive, they find a man standing with a little girl.


    "That would be a disaster no matter how you look at it!" Despite his advantageous position, Yugi broke out in a cold sweat, all because of a single trap card.


    "This is truly bad. If things escalate, it will cause trouble for my partner (Yugi)." Hearing the alarm blaring in his ear, Yami Yugi couldn''t help but think this. Although he was indifferent to things outside of dueling, he did possess basic common sense.


    Especially now, during the Battle City event, it was clear that there were far more police patrols at night than usual, to maintain the peace in Domino City.


    "So, is Yugi going to leave?" Akasha asked, her voice tinged with urgency. This was her final ploy. She wasn''t arrogant enough to believe she could defeat Yugi with her ineffective deck. If she could force Yugi to give up the duel, that would be ideal.


    "Akasha, you''re not in a great position either, are you?" Yugi in her voice and laughed. "If I don''t intend to leave, the one in real trouble is you. Rather than worrying about the police, you''d have a harder time if Hoshino woke up first."


    Right now, they were outside Kame Toy Shop, so unless Hoshino was a very heavy sleeper, she should arrive first.


    "Tch¡­" Akasha clicked her tongue, annoyed that her true feelings had been seen through by Yugi. "So, you''re betting on who gets here first? If I win, Yugi, you''ll face social death."


    "No, I''m not betting on either!" Unexpectedly, even in this situation, Yugi raised his duel disk, insisting on continuing the duel. "I''ll defeat you in this battle phase, right here and now!"


    "!!" Akasha was momentarily stunned. More than Yugi''s persistence in dueling, she was shocked by his confidence. "Yugi, do you think my alarm only sounds an alert?"


    "Because of the effect of the trap card Child''s Alarm, I''ll special summon a 6-star or lower Heroic Spirit monster from my deck to take the place of Medea Lily as your attack target!"


    With that, Akasha quickly placed a pre-selected card onto her duel disk. "Come forth, and special summon in attack position¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][WIND][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2300K/DEF 2000](Hoshino upgrade Emiya: changes From Fire to Wind and ATK From 2200 To 2300)


    A red figure swiftly moved through the dark streets, naturally placing himself between King''s Knight and Medea Lily.


    "Sigh¡­" Emiya sighed. "To think I''d be dragged into such childish games. What''s Master even doing?"


    "Even if I can''t use monster effects, Yugi, your Knights can''t break through Emiya''s defense! And by forcing King''s Knight to attack Emiya, he''ll destroy himself with his attack!"


    "Heh, do you think the knights'' strength ends here?" Yugi smirked, clearly having anticipated this outcome.


    "Next, I''ll show you the true power of the legendary trinity of knights!"


    Already foreseeing the situation, Yugi activated a set card from his duel disk. "Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Flash Fusion]!"


    [Flash Fusion Quick-Play Spell Effect: Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Material. Destroy it during the End Phase.]


    "I will send King''s Knight, Queen''s Knight, and Jack''s Knight on my field to the graveyard as Fusion Materials!" Raising the card high, Yugi''s three knights transformed into beams of light, converging into one point.


    "Now, the three knights unite their souls! In this glorious moment, I summon the name of the greatest knight!" As the light gathered in the card raised by the Pharaoh, he placed the final monster card onto his duel disk.


    "Fusion Summon¡ª[Arcana Knight Joker]!"


    [Arcana Knight Joker ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 stars)][LIGHT][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3800/DEF 2500]


    [Queen''s Knight + Jack''s Knight + King''s Knight. This card can only be Fusion Summoned by the listed Fusion Materials.]


    [Once per turn, when a Spell/Trap Card, or monster effect, is activated that targets this face-up card on the field (Quick Effect): You can discard the same type of card (Monster, Spell, or Trap); negate the effect.]


    The radiant light of the knight shone over the dark streets, dispelling the shadows like the light of a hero driving away the darkness.


    "A¡­ attack power of 3800?!" Akasha''s eyes widened in shock as she watched Yugi quickly summon this monster. It was now that she truly felt the terror of standing before a legendary duelist.


    "Continue the attack! Arcana Knight Joker, attack Emiya!"


    Responding to Yugi''s command, the Arcana Knight Joker gathered light into its sword and launched a swift attack toward Akasha''s Emiya.


    "Shining Divine Sword Strike!"


    With an incredible 3800 attack points¡ªenough to crush the Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ªthe attack easily broke through Emiya''s defense.


    [Akasha LP 4000 ¡ú 2500]


    The dazzling light that pierced the darkness was so bright that Akasha had to squint to see.


    She raised her small arm to shield her eyes and bit her lip. "Even though you''ve destroyed Emiya and reduced my Life Points by 1500, Yugi, your attack is over¡­"


    "My attack isn''t over yet!" Cutting her off mid-sentence, Yugi once again played a card from his hand onto the duel disk.


    "Quick-Play Spell¡ª[De-Fusion]!"


    [De-Fusion Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 Fusion Monster on the field; return that target to the Extra Deck, then, if all the materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in your GY, you can Special Summon all of them.]


    Surrounded by a white glow, Arcana Knight Joker split back into three.


    "Due to the effect of De-Fusion, King''s Knight, Queen''s Knight, and Jack''s Knight are specially summoned back to my field!" From the three beams of light, the familiar Royal Knights once again took form on the battlefield.


    [King''s Knight ATK 1600]


    [Queen''s Knight ATK 1500]


    [Jack''s Knight ATK 1900]


    "Akasha, this will be my final attack! Since the knights were Special Summoned during the Battle Phase, they can still attack!"


    Yugi swung his arm forward, declaring his final assault.


    "Jack''s Knight, attack Medea Lily! Royal Slash!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea Lily] destroyed


    "Finally, King''s Knight and Queen''s Knight, direct attack! Royal Cross Slash!"


    Both knights lunged forward, their swords slicing through the air, drawing a glowing cross across Akasha.


    [Akasha LP 2500 ¡ú 0]


    In just one turn, Yugi effortlessly fulfilled his declaration of victory before the battle. The whole process took only a few seconds.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 198 - 198

    "So, this is the true strength of Yugi Muto?"


    A one-turn knockout¡ªit was executed just like that. Even though Akasha wasn''t using her deck, she could feel the intense pressure radiating from the man standing before her.


    "Did Hoshino defeat someone like him? Just how intense was that duel?"


    "Return Hoshino''s deck. After that duel, you should understand that it''s beyond your control!" Yami Yugi stated, putting away his Duel Disk and giving Akasha a piercing gaze.


    "Akasha, run! Even if you can''t use it, you have to get that deck back!" Marik''s voice echoed urgently in her mind. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But¡­"


    "In this situation, as long as you run, he won''t chase after you!" Marik''s voice grew more urgent. "Even if you can''t use the deck, as long as we can create a copy, it''ll be fine¡­ The main thing is eliminating a troublesome opponent like Hoshino!"


    "I¡­" Akasha hesitated, but due to the power of the Millennium Rod, she couldn''t disobey Marik''s orders.


    Her legs shifted subtly backward, and she didn''t bother hiding her intent to flee.


    "Running after failing? That''s just like a thief," Yami Yugi scoffed, fully aware of Akasha''s intent but making no move to stop her.


    "Run!" Marik''s shout exploded in her mind, spurring Akasha to bolt at full speed.


    Despite her young age, Akasha had undergone rigorous training, and she had confidence in her ability to escape quickly.


    "Oof! >x<"


    "So, little girls running around late at night are going to get spanked by their Onee-san~" The voice was clear and calm, not showing a hint of complaint, as if It was just a casual conversation between siblings.


    Akasha''s eyes widened, trembling slightly. After colliding, she snapped back to reality, unsure of what expression to wear as she faced the girl before her.


    "Hoshino-nee¡­ When did you wake up?" Akasha forced a stiff smile, clinging to the slim hope that Hoshino hadn''t realized she had stolen her deck.


    Even with her memory altered by the Millennium Rod, Hoshino was the one person Akasha struggled to face.


    "I woke up the moment you took my deck, Akasha-chan~"


    As soon as Akasha had touched Hoshino''s Deck, the Millennium Bracelet on Hoshino''s wrist sent out a slight vibration that roused her from sleep. For Chaldea, an organization monitored 24/7, it was nearly impossible to tamper with Hoshino¡ªor her deck¡ªwithout her noticing.


    Had Hoshino not intervened immediately, even at the cost of draining the energy stored in the bracelet, Akasha would have been restrained by Gilgamesh before she could have even left the store.


    Looking down at the anxious Akasha, Hoshino squatted down slowly.


    Smack!


    Out of nowhere, Hoshino cupped Akasha''s cheeks firmly¡ªnot too hard, but enough to make her face flush. Then, still holding her cheeks, she gently lifted Akasha''s head.


    "I¡­" Akasha, her head lifted, mustered up the courage to look into Hoshino''s eyes.


    She expected to see anger, blame, or disdain¡ªemotions she often saw in Marik''s eyes after a failed mission. That''s what she braced herself for as she mentally prayed.


    But why was she praying? Because that''s not what she wanted to see¡­


    What she wanted to see was Hoshino''s usual gentle gaze¡ªserious during duels, blank when climbing stairs, greedy when drawing cards, but warm and tender when looking at her. Those deep red eyes, as if they had magic, always drew her in.


    Yes, just like the gaze Hoshino was giving her right now, filled with warmth and concern, reflecting the faint glimmers of moonlight on the dark street.


    "Akasha, why are you just standing there? Break free from that woman!" Marik''s voice echoed more intensely in her mind.


    "Why? Why do you look at me like that? When you look at me with those eyes, Hoshino-nee, I can''t find the strength to stand against you..."


    Hoshino smiled softly, "Then don''t worry about anything. Just follow me. I''ll keep you safe, Akasha-chan."


    Her words pierced right into Akasha''s soul. Though they weren''t loud, they drowned out Marik''s frenzied shouting in her head.


    "Really? Even after what I did, I can still stay by your side, Hoshino-nee?"


    "Of course!" Hoshino replied firmly, without even a millisecond of hesitation¡ªexactly the answer Akasha most wanted to hear.


    "Great! Then I¡­" Akasha, overjoyed, reached for the deck in her Duel Disk to return it.


    However, a golden eye suddenly appeared on her forehead, freezing her in place.


    "Damn it! How dare you interfere with my plans!" Marik, far away, raised the Millennium Rod, infusing it with dark power. "If altering memories doesn''t work, I''ll control her directly!"


    "Hoshino, it''s the power of the Millennium Rod!" Yami Yugi quickly warned. "Akasha is being controlled, it''s dangerous! Get away from her!"


    "It''s too late!" Malik''s voice echoed from Akasha''s small body as dark energy formed in her hands, aiming for Hoshino''s unguarded eyes.


    "Hoshino!" Yami Yugi rushed forward, but he knew he wouldn''t reach them in time to stop the attack.


    "Did you think I wasn''t prepared for this?" Hoshino''s expression remained calm, not a hint of panic, as she watched the attack approach.


    At that moment, a strong, tan hand firmly grasped Akasha''s wrist, stopping the attack just inches from Hoshino''s face.


    "Master, you should dodge in situations like this. It''s dangerous," Emiya sighed in exasperation.


    "Hehe, with a man like you who possesses ''Mind''s Eye,'' there''s no way you''d miss," Hoshino replied with a confident smile, looking at Akasha¡ªnow fully restrained by Emiya.


    "How is this possible? Why can a card spirit intervene?!" Marik, baffled, focused his gaze on the Duel Disk still active on Akasha''s arm, as well as the two Heroic Spirit cards still in play after Yami Yugi''s victory.


    "Now, it''s your turn, Medea!"


    Besides Emiya, the second Heroic Spirit card placed in the Duel Disk was none other than our beloved Medea Lily.


    "Hoshino, what are you trying to do?" Yami Yugi asked as he arrived beside Hoshino. Even though it was just a few steps away, he felt as if he had experienced the longest seconds of his life. If Emiya hadn''t intervened in time, he couldn''t imagine what the outcome might have been.


    "I want¡­" The determination in Hoshino''s eyes unexpectedly startled Marik, who was controlling Akasha''s body. "To save the small soul trapped in the abyss!"


    "Bastard?!" Even though his real body was in a safe place, Marik felt a tinge of fear¡ªan overwhelming feeling of helplessness in the face of the unknown.


    "Go, Medea!" Hoshino, steadying Akasha''s pale face in her hands, gave the command to Medea, who had been chanting her incantation in silence.


    "Magical providence, oh natural master of this world, return all to its origins¡ª Rule Breaker!"


    The purple, snake-shaped dagger tightly gripped in Medea''s hand plunged heavily into Akasha''s back, causing a massive surge of visible magical energy to burst forth.


    "Ahhhhhh!" Marik''s agonized wails echoed through the night.


    "Hoshino, what are you doing?" Yami Yugi, having never seen such a scene, asked with a mix of confusion and urgency.


    "Just watch!" Although the agonized screams came from Marik, seeing Akasha''s pained expression still caused Hoshino to feel a pang of sadness. "Ever since Ishizu told me about Marik, I''ve been thinking. Someone like Marik, who can use the power of the Millennium Rod, would not hesitate to use despicable methods beyond dueling."


    "Now! This is the trump card I prepared to counter the Millennium Rod, a power that can break all magic, all mysteries¡ªRule Breaker!"


    "To counter the Millennium Rod?!" Yugi''s eyes trembled slightly as he realized what Hoshino was getting at. Indeed, the Millennium Rod, with its ability to control people''s minds, might not have much effect on those like him who possess a Millennium Item, but it holds overwhelming power over ordinary humans.


    With Akasha being a former member of Rare Hunters, Yugi hadn''t fully grasped the gravity of the situation. But when he imagined, for a moment, what it would be like if the Millennium Rod were controlling his closest friends¡ªwhether Jonouchi or Anzu¡ªwould he still be able to remain so calm?


    While he had been focused solely on stopping Marik through duels, the girl in front of him had already thought ahead and devised such a detailed plan.


    "Hoshino, sometimes you can be very dependable," Yugi thought to himself.


    "What do you mean ''sometimes''!?" Hoshino, holding Akasha''s face, found time to retort to the King even in this critical moment. "I''m reliable all the time!"


    Marik''s wails had grown noticeably weaker, a clear sign that the power of the Millennium Rod was being gradually nullified by Rule Breaker.


    "Even though I wasn''t entirely sure it would work, it seems to be quite effective," Hoshino thought, quietly breathing a sigh of relief.


    "Hoshino! I will never forgive you! In the upcoming Battle City tournament, I will incinerate your foolish resolve with the flames of the strongest god!" Using his last breath, Marik struggled to issue his threat.


    "''Never forgive you''? That''s a phrase I should be saying, Marik! I originally had no interest in the God Cards, but now it''s different! Now, I have a mission I must complete¡ªto send scum like you, who use the power of darkness to manipulate people''s trust and twist people''s wills, straight to hell!"


    Crack!


    A sound like something shattering echoed, and the golden symbol that had been flickering on Akasha''s forehead disappeared. Her body, as if suddenly losing its support, collapsed weakly into Star''s arms.


    "Hoshino¡­ nee¡­" Akasha, lying in her arms, spoke in a faint, weak voice, but at least she was free from Marik''s control. "Can I ask you a question?"


    "Hmm, ask away. Anything except my measurements~" Hoshino teased.


    "Hmph, as if I''d ask something so weird¡­" Even now, Akasha couldn''t help but retort just like Hoshino. "I wanted to ask why you''re willing to keep me by your side?"


    Although Hoshino had already anticipated this question, hearing it asked so earnestly still made her pause.


    "Well, of course, it''s because you''re so cu¡ª"


    "If you just say it''s because I''m cute, I''ll never speak to you again."


    "Ah, I guess I can''t get away with that answer, huh." Hoshino shook her head with a wry smile.


    "It''s because I saw it in your eyes¡ªthat sense of justice that hasn''t been extinguished by Rare Hunters'' control¡­"


    This wasn''t some flimsy excuse. From the first time they dueled, Hoshino had noticed Akasha''s discomfort with fake cards, and during their rooftop battle at KaibaCorp, even when faced with the terrifying might of the Wicked God, Akasha''s spirit never wavered. All these moments convinced Hoshino that Akasha had a good heart.


    "With a reason as cool as that, I guess I''ll let it slide," Akasha said with a smile before finally drifting off to sleep in Hoshino''s arms.


    "Hoshino?" Yugi asked, somewhat concerned.


    "Don''t worry, she''s just asleep," Hoshino replied. "You should head back, too. After all the commotion we''ve caused, it''ll be a hassle if anyone shows up."


    "Yeah, you''re right," Yugi agreed. Between the sound of alarms going off and Marik''s earlier screams, it was likely that even the laziest of police officers would eventually notice.


    "Well, since everything''s settled, I''ll head home. Good luck in tomorrow''s Battle City, Hoshino. We both need to make it to the championship and take down Marik!" Yugi waved goodbye before heading back toward the Muto residence, next to the toy shop.


    "Alright, let''s go home too, Akasha-chan~" Hoshino said softly as she carried the small, not-too-heavy girl back to her room.


    (***)


    The next day¡ª


    Knock, knock, knock!


    At the break of dawn, an urgent knocking came from outside the toy shop.


    Still half-asleep, Hoshino grumbled as she rubbed her eyes. "Who is it this early in the morning?"


    Though she complained, she quickly dressed and dragged her tired feet to open the door.


    "Huh? Old man Arthur?" Hoshino, still groggy, barely recognized the familiar figure in front of her.


    "If you''re looking for Grandpa Sugoroku, he''s next door."


    "Ahem, actually, I''m not here for Sugoroku." Arthur coughed, his expression serious.


    "The situation will be explained by me." A familiar but unexpected male voice came from behind Arthur.


    "Y-you!" Seeing the man''s face, Hoshino stammered in shock, instantly wide awake. No, she even doubted whether she was still dreaming.


    Looking at the man''s golden hair and the bangs covering one of his eyes, Hoshino finally understood why his voice had seemed so familiar.


    "Ahhhhh!!¨CYou''re¡­ Robin Hood? How did you get out on your own?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 199 - 199

    "Robin Hood?" The man looked puzzled at Hoshino''s strange comment.


    "Uh¡­" Hoshino, still groggy from sleep, realized the words had slipped out before she could stop them.


    But you couldn''t entirely blame Hoshino. The man''s appearance was so similar to Robin Hood that even if he were the real one, Hoshino probably wouldn''t have doubted it.


    "May I ask who you are?" Feeling embarrassed after saying such nonsense, Hoshino timidly asked.


    The man placed his right hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and politely introduced himself, "Hello, Miss Hoshino. My name is Rowick Hawkins, and I am currently Professor Arthur''s assistant, working in Egyptian archaeology."


    "No wonder¡­ You both have names that start with ''Ro''¡­" Hoshino yawned, mumbling as she fought to stay awake.


    It took her a few seconds to realize, "Wait! Foreigners usually put their last names last, right? So, Hawkins¡­ does that mean this man is related to Arthur?"


    Seeing Hoshino''s sleepy demeanor, along with the faint shadows under her eyes, A hint of guilt flickered across Rowick''s face. "I''m sorry, Miss Hoshino, for disturbing your rest so early in the morning."


    Scratching her head, Hoshino probably felt that yawning repeatedly was a bit impolite. "There''s no need to be so formal. Just call me Hoshino."


    But Rowick''s apology was indeed necessary since they had come way too early. It wasn''t an exaggeration to say it was just barely dawn, and the street still had a faint fog.


    "So, why did Mr. Robin¡­ no, Mr. Rowick and Mr. Arthur come to this rundown toy shop so early?"


    "I''ll get straight to the point," Rowick''s eyes suddenly became serious. "I''m here to find Kashar."


    "Kashar? Who?" Hoshino tilted her head, and a little strand of hair on her head curled into a question mark.


    Arthur interjected, "I believe her current name is Akasha, isn''t it?"


    "Akasha¡­" Hoshino''s brows began to furrow. The turmoil from last night had just settled, and she thought the events surrounding this girl had concluded. Now, out of the blue, a man who looked like Robin Hood appeared, searching for Akasha. Of course, the ''looking like Robin Hood'' part was just Hoshino''s own added observation.


    "So, can you let me meet Akasha?" Rowick asked again, this time sounding more anxious than before.


    "No!"


    "Why?!" Rowick was slightly taken aback. He hadn''t expected such a firm rejection from Hoshino.


    "Because she''s still asleep. Kids need their rest to grow up healthy, you know? But that''s not the real issue¡­" Hoshino stared intently at Rowick outside the door, her brows furrowing even tighter. "Even as Mr. Arthur''s assistant, I can''t just let an adult man go into a young girl''s room."


    "!!!" Rowick was left utterly speechless, unable to refute the reasoning because it made so much sense.


    "Hahaha," Arthur laughed heartily. "I told you, Rowick, you''re just too impatient. If you don''t properly explain things to Hoshino, there''s no way she''d let you see her beloved little sister."


    "Sister, huh¡­" Hoshino blushed slightly. Arthur''s words were spot on, instantly reducing her wariness towards him.


    "If you can''t let us in your room, could we at least come inside the shop to talk? Think of it as an early opening," suggested Arthur.


    "I guess that''s fine." After all, Arthur was an old friend of Sugoroku, and Hoshino didn''t own the toy shop herself, so she had no authority to refuse. "Do you want me to call Grandpa Sugoroku? I heard older people wake up early. He might already be up by now."


    "No need to trouble yourself. Today, my purpose isn''t to see Sugoroku." Arthur took off his hat and walked into the toy shop. "I''ll explain directly. I believe you noticed something odd when I saw Akasha yesterday, right?"


    "Hmm? Something odd?" Hoshino recalled the moment Arthur had stared at Akasha and muttered to himself. "Yeah, it was strange. Hard not to notice."


    "Heh, I was just too shocked when I saw Akasha. Her hair color, her eyes, her features ¡ª they''re identical to my late niece."


    "Niece?"


    Rowick quietly added, "My wife, Leah."


    "Wait a minute, Mr. Rowick. You also have Hawkins as your last name, right? I thought you and Mr. Arthur were relatives?" Hoshino asked out of curiosity. If Rowick were related to Arthur, he wouldn''t be able to marry his niece, right?


    Rowick''s face showed a hint of embarrassment, but he quickly regained his composure. "You''re right. I wasn''t originally a Hawkins. I took on the name when I married into the family."


    "Rowick, there''s no need to feel ashamed of that," Arthur explained further. "The Hawkins family has a long history in archaeology, but Rowick''s talent surpasses anyone else in the lineage."


    "Oh, impressive, ''Robin Hood,''" Hoshino quipped. She hadn''t expected the ''Robin Hood'' of this world to also be a cultural figure.


    "After graduating, Rowick became my assistant in Egyptian archaeology. It was during that time he fell in love with my niece, Leah Hawkins. My brother and his wife died early due to an accident during an archaeological expedition, so I''ve always treated Leah as my daughter."


    "An accident during an expedition? So archaeology is dangerous, especially in pharaoh''s tombs, right?" Hoshino had only seen these things in movies, but tombs filled with traps seemed like places where one wrong step could get you skewered by arrows.


    "Yes, but thanks to the sacrifices of those who came before us, we''ve achieved what we have today. This includes the Duel Monsters, which has taken the world by storm." Arthur''s eyes filled with reverence as he spoke.


    "Right! I remember now; Pegasus used to be an archaeologist too."


    "Ahem, back to the point. Where was I¡­ Oh yes, after Rowick and Leah fell in love, I agreed to their marriage. Allowing their marriage not only honored their love but also promised to elevate the Hawkins legacy through Rowick''s talent."


    "A win-win! Mr.Arthur, it''s a shame you''re not a businessman."


    Arthur smiled and continued, "Six months after their wedding, they had a daughter, and her name was Kashar¡­"


    "Wait!!" Hoshino, suddenly connecting the dots, interrupted, "Are you saying this man¡­"


    She pointed at Rowick, then boldly speculated based on the earlier conversation and the story Arthur had been telling, "This man¡­ is Akasha''s father?!"


    "That''s my guess too!" Arthur nodded. "But this is all just speculation for now. When I saw Akasha yesterday, I told Rowick about my theory. He couldn''t sit still all night and insisted on coming here first thing in the morning."


    "So that''s why you showed up so early." Understanding the backstory now, Hoshino could sympathize with Rowick''s desperation as a father. After all, everyone''s daughter is precious.


    However, things weren''t likely as straightforward as they seemed. Considering Akasha''s affiliation with the Rare Hunters, it seemed hard to reconcile this with the story of Kashar. But Hoshino held back from asking more, knowing that it was inappropriate for an outsider to probe. She had to wait for Arthur to explain further.


    "Originally, everything should have fallen into place, and they would have lived happily as a family," Arthur lowered his head, sounding a bit sorrowful.


    "Professor, let me explain the rest," Rowick, who had remained silent until now, patted Arthur on the back, then, as if gathering his resolve, turned to Hoshino.


    "Hoshino¡­ I''m not just here to confirm Akasha''s identity today. I''m also here to confirm something else, something that concerns you."


    "Me?!" The little curl on Hoshino''s head twisted into two question marks. She couldn''t imagine why an archaeologist would have any business with her. Not to boast, but she had only been in this world for about ten days or so.


    "Yes." Rowick nodded affirmatively and reached into his jacket pocket. "Please take a look at this card."


    "A card?" The sudden mention of cards threw Hoshino for a loop, but she reached out and took the card Rowick handed her.


    "This is!!" Hoshino''s deep red eyes widened as she stared at the card. The card''s name and effect description were written in a language she couldn''t understand, but the familiar feeling made her blurt out:


    "Ramesseum!"


    Arthur was equally shocked that Hoshino had recognized the card so quickly.


    "As expected¡­" However, Rowick wasn''t surprised. His expression showed that he had been waiting for this confirmation.


    "I''ve been paying attention to you ever since the Duelist Kingdom, the girl who uses Heroic Spirit cards. But unfortunately, there''s very little information available about your duels¡­"


    "So what is this card?" Hoshino was now more


    Rowick said, "Ramses II has been the primary focus of my archaeological career. And this card was made from a stone tablet I discovered at the Ramses II ruins, which I then handed over to the Industrial Illusions for production."


    "Ramses II¡­ does he exist in this world?" Hoshino found it even more unbelievable after hearing Rowick''s explanation.


    If what Rowick said was true, Ramses II was different from other Heroic Spirits, whose existence was often loosely based on myths in this world. Ramses II, however, truly existed in this world as a Heroic Spirit, and the card Hoshino held was the best proof of that.


    The sudden influx of information was overwhelming, and Hoshino was momentarily speechless.


    Seeing Hoshino frozen in place, Rowick continued, "There were three stone tablets unearthed from the Ramses II ruins, and naturally, three cards were made from them. Because this was a significant archaeological discovery, and with the support of the Industrial Illusions, my career progressed smoothly."


    Though he was recounting a happy event, Rowick''s tone was filled with regret. "It should have been like that, but looking back now, I wish I had never found those three stone tablets¡­"


    "What happened?" Hoshino sensed that the story was about to take a darker turn.


    "A mysterious organization known as the Rate Hunter set their sights on the three cards and sent professional rare hunters after them."


    "Them again!" Hoshino couldn''t help but grit her teeth in anger upon hearing the name.


    "In the end, I failed. I lost the Shadow game, and not only did I fail to keep the two remaining cards, but even my two-year-old daughter, Kashar, was taken away by them while I was unconscious!" The fury in Rowick''s eyes was even more intense than Hoshino''s.


    "Kashar¡­ taken by them¡­" At this point, Hoshino was almost certain that Kashar and Akasha were the same person, unraveling the mystery of Akasha''s affiliation with the Rare Hunters.


    "At the time, I only had two of the Ramses II cards with me, so they took Kashar as a hostage, demanding I hand over the third card. But when they realized they couldn''t use the Ramses II cards themselves, they gave up asking for the third card and, of course, never returned Kashar to me."


    "I see¡­ now everything makes sense." Hoshino didn''t doubt Rowick''s story. Even if the story could be fabricated, the card in her hand couldn''t lie. Ramesseum, the card of Ramses II, indeed existed in this world.


    "So why did you think I knew anything about the Ramses II card?" This was the last remaining question Hoshino had.


    Rawick explained, "The two stolen cards had ancient inscriptions, but we managed to roughly translate their names. One of them was called, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias]!"


    "Heroic Spirit?!"


    "That''s right. The Ramses II card that was stolen is the same type of Heroic Spirit card that you use. And as far as I know, you''re the only one in the world using such cards."


    "I believe you Rowick!" After listening to the full explanation, Hoshino gave a definite response.


    "Thank you, Hoshino." Rowick let out a sigh of relief. From ancient stone tablets to the Shadow Game, even he felt these things were rather fantastical. But he didn''t expect Hoshino to believe him without any hesitation, saving him a lot of trouble.


    "So, can I go see Kashar now?" Rowick asked eagerly once again.


    Hoshino waved her hand. "I''m just an outsider. I have no right to stop a father from seeing his daughter."


    Rowick was overjoyed.


    Hoshino motioned for both of them to follow her as she took out a key and opened the door to the room. Inside the quiet room, only Akasha''s soft, even breathing could be heard.


    Since breaking free from the Millennium Rod''s control yesterday, Akasha had been sleeping peacefully. Her angelic, adorable face made Hoshino unable to resist taking a few extra glances every time.


    Rowick tiptoed carefully into the room, afraid of making any noise that might wake Akasha. His awkward, cautious movements revealed his unease as a father reuniting with his daughter.


    "It''s Kashar! That lovely face, the delicate features just like Leah''s¡­ Even after all these years, I could never mistake her!" Rowick, overwhelmed with excitement, was trying so hard not to raise his voice that his face was turning purple.


    "Wake up, Akasha-chan~ Wake up!" Squatting beside the bed, Hoshino gently patted Akasha''s soft cheeks and leaned close, whispering into her ear. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm?" Akasha stirred slightly, smacked her lips twice, and beneath her long eyelashes, she barely opened a tiny slit of her eyes.


    "What is it, Hoshino-nee?" came the soft, adorable reply.


    "Look who''s here," Hoshino said, barely containing her laughter, as she pointed to Rowick behind her.


    Following Hoshino''s finger, Akasha strained to open her eyes another millimeter.


    "Don''t know him," she muttered with a glance before falling back to sleep.


    No matter how much Hoshino poked and prodded her, Akasha showed no signs of waking up again.


    The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, and Rowick and Arthur, watching from behind, looked a bit unsure of what to do in such a situation.


    "Ah¡­" Hoshino sighed helplessly, grabbed Akasha''s ear, took a deep breath, and then yelled in a booming voice:


    "Akasha-chan, wake up!!!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "I said I don''t know him!" Akasha, finally awakened by Hoshino''s shouting, sat cross-legged on the bed, puffing her cheeks in anger.


    "How could that be? Even if you were only two years old, you should have some memory of it," Rowick, unwilling to give up, pleaded.


    "I told you, I''m not Kashar!" Akasha retorted seriously. "Since I can remember, I''ve always been with Rare Hunters."


    Hoshino, observing Akasha''s emotions, felt that the girl wasn''t just throwing a tantrum from being forcibly woken up; she genuinely seemed to have no memory of it.


    "Mr.Rowick, I think I have some idea of what''s going on." Hoshino tugged on Rowick''s sleeve, signaling for him to step outside.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "The Millennium Rod¡­ erasing memories? Is something like that even possible?"


    After leaving the room, Hoshino explained her theory to Rowick and Arthur, recounting the events with Akasha from the previous day.


    "No, if something as strange as the Shadow Game can exist, then it''s not impossible that the Millennium Rod could control memories." Rowick and Arthur, both seasoned veterans of Egyptian archaeology, had probably heard of similar items before, which made them more accepting of the idea.


    "Besides, from what I know, the only one in Rare Hunters capable of participating in the Dark Game is Marik." Hoshino had never met Marik, but based on the fact that he was Ishizu''s younger brother, she could guess his age. If Marik had the power to manipulate the Shadow Game and a twisted personality that involved stealing other people''s cards from a young age, then he truly was born a villain.


    "Rare Hunters¡­ Marik¡­ Marik!" Rowick repeated the name as he had finally learned the identity of his true enemy.


    "If Marik is defeated, will Kashar''s memories return?" he asked, his voice growing more agitated.


    Hoshino shook her head. "I can''t be certain. Whether the memories erased by the Millennium Rod can be recovered, no one knows for sure."


    Last night, Hoshino had used the Rule Breaker to neutralize Marik''s control over Akasha. According to the logic behind Noble Phantasms, any influence left by the Millennium Rod on Akasha should have been eliminated as well.


    But in this situation, if Akasha didn''t forget on her own, it would mean that the memories erased couldn''t be restored in such a way.


    "Not certain¡­ means it''s possible, right?" Rowick''s tone became increasingly excited. After learning of Marik''s existence, he seemed to change completely.


    "Mr. Rowick, you''re not thinking about going after Marik are you?" Seeing his state, Hoshino couldn''t help but suspect his intentions.


    "Why not? Even though I lost before, it''s different now! I''ve become stronger, and I''m confident I can beat Marik in a Shadow Game!"


    "Do you think you''re the only one who''s gotten stronger?" Hoshino reminded him helplessly.


    If her assumption was correct, Marik didn''t possess a God Card a few years ago. Now, God Cards provided such a massive boost in power that simple dueling skills wouldn''t be enough to bridge the gap.


    "Hoshino¡­" Arthur, who had been silent the whole time, gently patted Hoshino on the shoulder and sighed. "After hearing about what you and Akasha have been through, I can sense that Akasha truly sees you as family."


    "Arthur¡­?"


    "But what Rowick carries on his shoulders isn''t something that can be explained in a few words. Even my niece, Leah, died of grief after losing her daughter."


    Hearing this truth, Hoshino''s crimson eyes trembled. No wonder the name Marik could turn such a well-mannered gentleman like Rowick into this. Who could remain calm in the face of a man who had taken both wife and child?


    "Mr. Rowick, will you hear me out?"


    "Hoshino, please don''t stop me. Even if it''s you¡­" Despite his anger, Rowick still regarded Hoshino as his benefactor for rescuing his daughter from Marik, and so he tried to remain polite.


    "Then let''s settle this with a duel. If you win, I''ll believe you''re capable of taking on Marik."


    "A duel? Right now?"


    "On the contrary, if you lose, you''ll have to hand over that Ramesseum card to me."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 200 - 200

    Upon hearing this, Rowick began to grasp Hoshino''s intentions.


    "You want me to wager the Ramesseum, right? Haha, I was planning to give it to you anyway."


    After stating his intentions, Rowick looked at Hoshino again, "Even without a duel, I would give you the card. So, do you still want to duel me?"


    Hoshino nodded, "Mr. Rowick, you''ve also experienced the Shadow Games. There''s no need for me to explain the dangers of such a duel to you. Without the protection of the Millennium Items, losing again could mean you end up dead."


    "Are you saying that I can''t defeat Marik?"


    "I can''t say for sure, since I''ve never dueled Marik myself. You likely know him better than I do."


    Without any extra pretense, Hoshino spoke the truth. At least Rowick had once faced Marik, while her understanding of him was limited to knowing he had a God Card and the Millennium Rod. She didn''t even know what he looked like, let alone his dueling skills.


    "In that case, why are you trying to stop me?" Rowick asked.


    Hoshino shrugged, "Which is why I emphasized that it''s just a suggestion. It seems you misunderstood me."


    "Ah..." Rowick paused, realizing that Hoshino had never actually said she wanted to stop him or forbid him from going. His own anger had clouded his judgment. "Sorry, I made assumptions."


    Hearing Roivic''s apology, Hoshino raised her eyebrows slightly, as if she had caught onto something.


    "It''s just a suggestion. I have a rare card that Marik wants, and I''m participating in Battle City. If things go according to the normal tournament flow, it''s only a matter of time before I duel Marik."


    "Right," Rowick nodded, acknowledging his understanding of Battle City.


    "If you defeat me in a duel, I won''t have any objections to you seeking revenge on Marik. While I don''t know what his exact strength is, I''ve defeated several duelists who used God Cards. If you''re strong enough to beat me, you shouldn''t have much trouble against Marik."


    "You''ve defeated God Cards, and more than one..." Rowick''s mouth dropped open in surprise before he chuckled. "As expected of the Duel King. You may look like a young, but you hide incredible strength."


    "Don''t praise me just yet." Hoshino continued, "But conversely if you lose to me, all you need to do is wait for me to defeat Marik. When the time comes, I''ll help restore Akasha-chan''s memory."


    "!!" Rowick finally understood Hoshino''s ''suggestion.'' His eyes widened briefly before he laughed heartily. "Haha, that''s indeed a very sound proposal. Having the strong duelist face Marik is undoubtedly the safest plan."


    "Exactly! Of course, while it''s the safest option, we can''t rule out the possibility that both of us might get crushed by Marik," Hoshino said. Marik, who possessed the strongest God Card, The Winged Dragon of Ra, remained an unknown force, only to be understood after an actual duel.


    But one must stay optimistic, so Hoshino sometimes found herself thinking, "Maybe Marik is a weakling who couldn''t even beat Jonouchi and is just relying on his God Card and Millennium Item to cheat."


    "No problem, Hoshino!" Rowick''s expression gradually softened, his anger finally cooling off. "I accept this duel!"


    "Oh ho ho, Rowick is going to duel Hoshino, huh? This should be interesting," chuckled Arthur. "Rowick is quite strong, you know. I''d say he''s comparable to Sugoroku in his prime."


    "Sugoroku in his prime? Is that a new dueling power measurement unit or something?" Since Hoshino had never seen Sugoroku duel, she had no idea of his actual abilities.


    "Hoshino-nee, are you going to duel?" Akasha, seemingly hearing Arthur''s words, came running out excitedly.


    Dressed in proper clothes now, no longer wearing Hoshino''s oversized shirt, Akasha looked far more lively compared to her earlier sleepy self.


    Covering his mouth, Rowick almost teared up with excitement. "What is this? She''s so cute, like an angel! Am I seeing an angel?!"


    Hoshino shot Rowick a sideways glance. "Mr. Rowick, you''re really embarrassing yourself."


    "Why hasn''t this strange person left yet?" Akasha remarked mercilessly, staring at Rowick, who was still in his emotional bubble.


    "Str... strange person? (;¡ä¡Ð`)" Her sharp words cut Rowick down like a sword, chopping his health bar in half.


    "Akasha-chan, could I borrow your Duel Disk? If we''re going to duel, I''d prefer to use a proper Duel Disk. These mini duel arenas just don''t cut it for me." The difference, after all, was like playing a top-tier AAA game with full graphics and effects versus a bootleg web game.


    "You want to borrow Akasha''s Duel Disk? You''re not going to lend it to that weird person, are you?" Akasha asked, her tone full of disdain. "Won''t it get all smelly from his stink?"


    "S...s stink ©b¥í©b" Rowick had heard that daughters eventually start to dislike the way their fathers smell as they grow older, but he didn''t expect this day to come so suddenly. He had been taking good care of his hygiene!


    "Here, take it!" Though Akasha was reluctant, she dutifully retrieved her Duel Disk and handed it to Rowick at Hoshino''s request. "Handle it carefully! And don''t break it!"


    "Mhm!" Rowick nodded solemnly, accepting the Duel Disk as if receiving a sword from a queen.


    Stepping out of the toy shop, Hoshino stepped out onto the now fully-lit street. "Alright, let''s treat this as a warm-up duel before today''s Battle City!"


    "Hmph!" Rowick, still riding the wave of emotion from receiving Akasha''s Duel Disk, followed her. "With the Duel Disk Akasha gave me, I''m now unbeatable!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki VS Rowick Hawkins]


    "Duel!"


    "I''ll take the first move!" Contrary to Hoshino''s expectations, Rowick swiftly drew a card from his Duel Disk, as if there was some urgent reason for him to go first.


    "Are you familiar with how to use it, Mr. Rowick?" Hoshino had planned to show him how but now found herself taking the second turn.


    "Don''t worry. Even though this is my first time using it, I''ve watched your duel with Seto Kaiba on the Internet many times."


    The duel between Hoshino and Kaiba at school, using Duel Disks, had practically become the best advertisement for the new Duel Disk.


    With that, Rowick inserted two cards into the Duel Disk.


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    Rowick''s remaining hand: 4 cards.


    "Hmm, no monsters summoned? You rushed to take the first move, but don''t have any monsters to summon?"


    Pondering Rowick''s opening play, Hoshino drew a card from her deck.


    "In that case, I''ll attack without mercy!" You had to step into traps head-on; backing off just because the opponent didn''t summon a monster was a fool''s errand.


    Without a second thought, Hoshino placed her first card onto the Duel Disk. "Quick-play Spell, [Knight''s Pride]!"


    [Knight''s Pride - Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: During the turn this card is activated, you cannot Special Summon monsters that are not [Heroic Spirit] monsters. Choose one of the following effects:


    ? Special Summon one [Heroic Spirit - Okita S¨­ji] in Defense Position from your deck.]


    "Due to the card''s effect, I summon Okita from my deck in Defense Position!" Drawing Okita''s card from her deck, Hoshino placed it horizontally on the Duel Disk.


    "Come forth, Okita-san!"


    [Heroic Spirit-Okita Souji¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (7-star)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "Hahahaha!" With a gleeful laugh, Okita descended gracefully on the field.


    "You readers always hope for the invincible Okita-san to be sent to the graveyard! But you didn''t expect me, Okita-san, to be the first one to appear this time, huh? Kyaaaaaaah!¡ª"


    Just as quickly as her triumphant words, Okita''s voice faded into a scream, as if she was falling into a bottomless pit.


    "Trap card [Bottomless Trap Hole]," Rowick said expressionlessly, activating his set card.


    [Bottomless Trap Hole, Trap Card Effect: When your opponent Summons a monster(s) with 1500 or more ATK: Destroy that monster(s) with 1500 or more ATK, and if you do, banish it.]


    "Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!!¡ª" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Listening to Okita''s fading scream as she fell into the bottomless pit, Hoshino swallowed nervously, staring at the pit left by Rowick''s Trap card.


    "She didn''t last even a second before being sent off. So useless, Okita."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita S¨­ji] banished.


    "Seems like Mr. Rowick didn''t summon a monster earlier because he had traps set," Hoshino confirmed, glancing at Rowick. She realized something important: father and daughter¡ªthese two were related! Even their dueling styles were the same¡ªtrap-heavy!


    "If that''s the case, his second set card is probably a trap like Magic Cylinder or Dimension Wall to redirect the damage to me. So, in that case!"


    After thinking it over, Hoshino played another card from her hand, "I''ll summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn (Prototype)] in Attack Position!"


    The old version of C¨² Chulainn had an effect that prevented the opponent from activating cards during his attack, so even a trap-heavy deck couldn''t stop Hoshino''s offensive now.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn (Prototype) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1500]


    "Yo!, Master! Long time no see¡ªahhhhhhhhhh¡ª"


    Just like Okita, Cu Chulainn''s voice trailed off as he quickly disappeared.


    "Trap card [Trap Hole]," Rowick said with the same emotionless expression, flipping over another trap.


    [Trap Hole, Trap Card Effect: When your opponent Normal or Flip Summons a monster with 1000 or more ATK: Target that monster; destroy that target.]


    "Ahhhhhhhh¡ª" [Cu Chulainn] destroyed.


    "Cu Chulainn Ga shinda! Why do you keep picking on my poor dog? He hasn''t shown up in ages!" Hoshino wailed in frustration, peering over the edge of the bottomless pit where Cu Chulainn had been sent.


    "This stranger''s deck¡­" Akasha said, her disdainful look at Rowick deepening, "It''s full of traps!"


    Hoshino couldn''t help but mentally retort: You''re the last person who should be complaining! You and your dad are exactly alike!


    "This is the power granted by Akasha''s Duel Disk¡ªher gift to me!" Rowick proudly caressed the Duel Disk on his arm, a small smile appearing on his face.


    Hoshino thought: So Akasha gave him the power of traps? Well, technically, that''s not wrong.


    "Not bad. I wasn''t mistaken; Rowick''s level is just as good as Sugoroku''s back in the day." Arthur, rubbing his bearded chin, analyzed the situation with satisfaction.


    Hoshino: So even Sugoroku, who looks all innocent with his thick eyebrows, was a trap-heavy duelist back in his prime?!


    Why had Hoshino been making sarcastic comments internally?


    ¡ªBecause this turn left her with nothing to do. The monsters she summoned barely lasted a second before being crushed by traps, leaving the battlefield empty, so there wasn''t even a chance for a battle phase.


    "Sigh~" With a resigned sigh, Hoshino drew another card and placed it into the Duel Disk.


    For a brief moment, she feared her set card might also fall into a pit, but thankfully, it displayed properly under her feet.


    Hoshino: That''s nothing to be relieved about!


    "I''ll set one card, and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 3.


    "But why is it that, after using traps to stop me from summoning monsters, He hasn''t summoned any monsters of his own?" Hoshino wondered, looking at Rowick, who had already drawn his next card. Even though Rowick had wiped out her monsters with traps, his field was still empty. With only two Traps, he didn''t need to avoid summoning monsters just to lure her into attacking.


    "Heh!" Rowick grinned as he looked at the card he had just drawn. "Finally, I''ve drawn a monster!"


    Hoshino: So he simply didn''t have any monsters in his hand! Did he pack so many traps that he''s hardly got any monsters left in his deck?!


    "Now, Hoshino, let me show you my soul monster!" Unable to contain his excitement after drawing a monster, Rowick eagerly places the card onto his Duel Disk.


    "This is my first time summoning a monster with a Duel Disk. Come forth! [Traptrix Atrax]"


    As Rowick''s Duel Disk registered the card, the holographic projection slowly formed the monster on the empty street.


    "What is that?!" Hoshino''s eyebrow twitched.


    [Traptrix Atrax ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4 Star)][EARTH] [Insect/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 1000]


    The monster that materialized before her was a purple-haired, petite girl with a mischievous yet seductive smile.


    "So¡­ cute!" Hoshino blurted out, staring at the creature Rowick had summoned.


    "Hmph!" Akasha, standing nearby, puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Hoshino.


    "There''s even a cute loli-type Duel Monster. I thought only the Dark Magician Girl matched my taste," Hoshino ignored Akasha''s jealous expression and admired the monster in front of her.


    However, Rowick wasn''t going to stop his attack just because Hoshino was admiring his monster. "Go, Traptrix Atrax! Direct attack!"


    The Traptrix, despite its cute appearance, had a powerful 1800 ATK. The appendages, resembling both a skirt and long hair, coiled into sharp, spear-like tendrils and lunged toward Hoshino.


    "Even though 1800 ATK isn''t lethal, getting hit still hurts a lot!" Without hesitation, Hoshino activated her set card, flipping it over. "So, please take this attack instead!"


    "?!" Rowick was startled as a massive, solid red gate materialized before him.


    "I activate my Counter Trap, [Ryuudou Temple''s Gate]!"


    [Ryuudou Temple''s Gate - Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares a direct attack, special summon [Heroic Spirit - Sasaki Kojirou] from your hand or deck.]


    "Wow, the new Duel Disk even recreates the gate," Hoshino murmured, remembering that the duel arena effects weren''t nearly this impressive before. Following the rising energy, Hoshino threw the summoned monster onto the field. "Alright, thanks to the Gate''s special effect, come forth, Sasaki Kojirou!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Sasaki Kojirou¡ï¡ï][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK: 1000/DEF: 500]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned by the effect of [Ryuudou Temple''s Gate].]


    "An attack of 1000?" Akasha frowned, watching the graceful figure of Kojirou emerge from the gate, long blade in hand. "Hoshino-nee, with an attack like that, you can''t beat that little bitch-monster!"


    Where did this girl learn such crude language?


    "You shouldn''t speak ill of other people''s cards! Just watch closely!" Hoshino waved her hand forward, giving the order for a counterattack. "Use your Swallow Reversal, Kojirou!"


    [During the battle, this card''s ATK becomes 3 times its original ATK during damage calculation only. After the battle, its ATK becomes 0.]


    "Secret Sword!" Kojirou calmly raised his blade before him. As his soft voice echoed, three simultaneous sword strikes followed.


    "¡ªSwallow Reversal!"


    [Sasaki Kojirou ATK 1000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Mr. Rowick, now your only monster has been defeated!" Hoshino exclaimed.


    "Hmph, is that the case?" Rowick''s smile sent a chill down Hoshino''s spine.


    "!!" A few seconds later, the sharp tendrils of the Traptrix pierced through Hoshino''s body. "How?!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 2200]


    "The direct attack still went through?" Akasha, also surprised, had thought Kojirou''s increased ATK would take down the Traptrix.


    Rowick, drawing a card, explained, "At the moment Kojirou activated his effect, I triggered Traptrix Atrax''s special ability."


    [Traptrix Atrax Effect: You can activate "Hole" Normal Trap Cards from your hand.]


    "So, thanks to Traptrix''s effect, I activated this Trap from my hand," Rowick revealed the Trap he''d drawn. In front of the gate, Kojirou, having unleashed his three sword strikes, was suddenly restrained by white bindings emitted from the Traptrix.


    [Traptrix Trap Hole Nightmare ¨C Trap Card Effect: When a monster that was Special Summoned this turn activates its effect on your opponent''s field: Negate that effect, and if you do, destroy that card.]


    From behind the Traptrix, its tendrils slowly encased and consumed Kojirou.


    "He devoured Kojirou..." Hoshino covered her mouth, feeling a bit queasy despite the cute appearance of the Traptrix.


    The Traptrix, now with a satisfied smile, sensually licked its lips.


    [Sasaki Kojirou] Destroyed


    "End turn." Rowick placed his card down, leaving no cards set on the field.


    Rowick''s remaining hand: 3 cards


    "My turn, draw!"


    Hoshino began her turn but felt conflicted. Rowick hadn''t set any cards on the field, but that didn''t mean he didn''t have any to set. His remaining three cards were likely all Spells or Traps. After all, he had only drawn a monster this turn.


    However, with Traptrix''s effect, he didn''t need to set his Traps at all; he could just activate them from his hand. This rendered any Spell or Trap removal strategies ineffective.


    Hoshino praised, "It seems your skills aren''t just for show."


    Rowick humbly accepted the compliment. "To receive such praise from the Duel King is an honor indeed."


    But Akasha, watching the duel, was getting restless. "Hoshino-nee, don''t compliment him! Quickly beat up that loli-obsessed person like you usually do!"


    "Loli-obsessed?!" Rowick nearly spat out the blood at Akasha''s remark.


    Akasha, do you think every Duelist using a Loli monster is obsessed with Lolis? Isn''t that a bit too unreasonable...


    "I''m not sure if Mr. Rowick is a loli-obsessed person," Hoshino drew a card and answered Akasha''s cheer, "but I recognize the power hidden beneath the cute appearance of that Traptrix."


    "I''m not a loli-obsessed person!" Rowick emphasized again.


    "Hmm, it''s going to be tough for Hoshino now," Old Man Arthur analyzed the situation. "Rowick and his Traptrix have woven a web of traps like insects catching their prey in nature. Even if she summons a strong monster now, it will fall into one of the traps before it can stay on the field for even a second."


    "Hoshino-nee..." Akasha''s previous indignation faded, and her mood sank after hearing Arthur''s explanation.


    "Arthur is right. No matter how strong of a monster I summon, it''ll probably just end up in a pit," Hoshino realized that Rowick likely had at least one "Trap Hole" in his hand.


    "So, I''ll change my approach! I won''t summon a strong monster..." With a grin, Hoshino slammed her newly drawn card onto the Duel Disk, returning Rovik''s mysterious smile.


    "I''ll summon a weak monster instead!"


    "Huh?" X3 The three of them were bewildered by Hoshino''s unusual conclusion.


    "Now, I''ll summon the weakest Servant in the world! I activate the Quick-Play Spell, [Phantasmal Summoning]!"


    [Phantasmal Summoning ¨C Quick-Play Effect: Send materials for a Fusion Monster from your hand or field to the Graveyard, or banish them from the Graveyard as substitutes, and perform a Fusion Summon.]


    "According to its effect, I banish Sasaki Kojirou from my Graveyard and send Vlad III from my hand to the Graveyard! Fusion Summon¡ª"


    Two beams of light, one from the Graveyard and one from the hand converged on Hoshino''s field.


    "Fusion Summon! All the Evils of the World¡ªAngra Mainyu!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 201 - 201

    "Fusion Summon! All the Evils of the World¡ªAngra Mainyu!"


    Two beams of black light gradually converged on a single point on the Hoshino, forming a humanoid shape. However, it didn''t give off any of the overwhelming presence one would expect from a fusion monster.


    "I never thought I''d actually need to summon Angra..." Hoshino muttered with a hint of self-mockery as she placed the weak-looking monster on the field.


    "This is my counterattack! Come forth, [Anti-Heroic Spirit¡ªAngra Mainyu]!"


    [Anti-Heroic Spirit¡ªAngra Mainyu ¡ï][DARK][Zombie/Fusion/ Effect][ATK 300/DEF 300]


    "So weak! =_=!" After glancing at Angra''s stats, Akasha couldn''t help but exclaim, "It''s a fusion monster, and it''s weak?"


    "Hey, hey, what''s that girl there saying?" Angra raised an arm covered in runes, pointing at Akasha who was snickering on the side, "The one thing I can always count on? Just how utterly weak I am!"


    Proud of being weak¡ªnow that''s... something. Still, being self-aware is at least a virtue, I suppose. After all, within the concept of Heroic Spirits, Angra Mainyu truly is undeniably the weakest.


    Rowick blinked in disbelief. "To think... she went to all that effort just to summon something so feeble." His trap cards, at their lowest threshold, could only target monsters with at least 1000 ATK, not to mention the special traps that only affected monsters with 5 stars or higher. All of them were designed to deal with monsters that had at least some fighting capability.


    But a 1-star monster with 300 ATK, as Hoshino had planned, wouldn''t even trigger his traps.


    No, to put it accurately, it was so weak that there was no need to target it. At least, that''s what it seemed like to Rowick.


    "Mr. Rowick, it seems your trap-heavy strategy has a¡­" Hoshino pinched her thumb and forefinger together, grinning slyly, "tiny, overlooked flaw~"


    "Hahaha!" Rowick laughed, amused by Hoshino''s words. "A Heroic Spirit that''s weak¡­ that''s a first. You''ve surprised me. But really, what could such a pitiful monster accomplish?"


    "Attack, Angra Mainyu!" Before Rowick could finish speaking, Hoshino had already declared her attack.


    "Alright, let''s do this!" Despite his pitiful stats, Angra eagerly rubbed his hands together, visibly thrilled to be ordered into action.


    He dashed forward like a shadow in the night, so fast that it seemed too quick for the eye to follow, elegantly slashing the enemy''s throat in an instant.


    ¡üThe above was just Angra''s fantasy version of events.


    In reality, Angra merely jogged toward Traptrix at a mediocre pace, looking far less intimidating than he imagined.


    "Counterattack, Traptrix Atrax!" Rowick ordered, his confidence unfazed despite his curiosity about Hoshino''s plan. In normal circumstances, a 300 ATK monster attempting to attack the 1800 ATK Traptrix wouldn''t end well.


    The tendrils of Traptrix spread out in an instant, and this time, Hoshino could finally see the Traptrix''s attack. The sharp, spider-like tendrils slashed forward, lethal and precise. When considering how she wrapped prey in silk to finish them off, it made sense...


    "So that''s why it''s an Insect-type¡ªit''s actually a spider?" Hoshino thought with amusement. "A cute spider-girl? That surprisingly ticks a few of my moe boxes."


    However, Hoshino had already witnessed the terrifying power hidden beneath the cute exterior of Traptrix. The counterattack from those sharp tendrils easily pierced through Angra Mainyu''s body.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1500 ¡ú 700]


    "Wait, Hoshino-nee, this isn''t going according to your usual script!" Akasha exclaimed in shock, seeing Hoshino''s life points reduced. Normally, with her strategy, even a weak-looking monster would work in tandem with an effect or a spell card to turn the tables. "Could it be?! Is it just a weak monster?"


    "Heh, Akasha, I should''ve told you before¡ªweak monsters have their abilities too!" Hoshino wiped the sweat from her forehead. The holographic imagery was so lifelike that Hoshino could almost physically feel the sensation of being pierced by the tendrils.


    "Abilities?" Akasha''s attention snapped to Angra Mainyu, curious about what he could possibly do.


    "Gotcha now!" Angra Mainyu, skewered by the tendrils, clutched onto them with a wicked grin. "You''re not getting away from me!"


    Angra''s smile grew increasingly sinister, as the markings on his body gradually turned pitch black.


    "Here I go. You did this to yourself!" Angra Mainyu, now transformed into his black state, roared with the spirit of vengeance.


    "Falsely Transcribed Creation(Verg Avesta)!"


    The overwhelming power of revenge manifested into countless black spikes, which shot toward the enemy.


    "!!" The sudden counterattack caught Rowick completely off guard.


    "This is the ability of the weakest Heroic Spirit. I activate [Anti-Heroic Spirit ¨C Angra Mainyu]''s special effect!"


    [This card cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card is involved in battle and you take battle damage, inflict twice that amount as effect damage to your opponent.]


    Dark spikes pierced Rowick''s body without mercy.


    "I took 1500 damage, but you''re getting 3000 in return! Call it payback!"


    [Rowick Hawkins LP 4000 ¡ú 1000]


    Angra Mainyu, returning to his normal state, wiped the sweat off his brow and cheerfully said, "Successful counterattack! I gave it my all!"


    For the first time, Rowick felt the full impact of the Duel Disk''s holograms, and it took him a moment to steady himself. "Using a weak monster to sidestep my traps, followed by a damage-doubling effect to shift the duel. Such a bold, all-or-nothing move... I never thought I''d see it from a young duelist."


    "Heh, I''ll take that as a compliment," Hoshino replied, drawing a card from her remaining two and placing one face down in defense position. "I''ll summon a monster in face-down defense position and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s hand: 1 card remaining.


    "My turn, draw!" Rowick began his turn.


    "Hmm, another monster, huh? I''ll summon [Traptrix Nepenthes] in defense position!"


    Rowick placed his newly drawn card on the duel disk, and a new Traptrix monster materialized in front of him.


    [Traptrix Nepenthes ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][EARTH][Plant/ Effect][ATK 800/DEF 2000]


    As expected, the second Traptrix monster also had the appearance of a cute little girl. This time, she was a blonde loli, bearing a striking resemblance to Akasha.


    "Tch, ugh, this guy''s definitely got a loli obsession..." Akasha clicked her tongue in disgust and stuck her little red tongue out at Rowick.


    "_(?§¥?)? Akasha, I''m not a Loli-obsessed, okay! It''s just that the monsters I like happen to be Lolis!"


    Rovik once again tried to defend himself, but to be honest... his argument was not very convincing.


    Perhaps the pain of losing his daughter is what made Rowick so fond of the cute "Traptrix" monsters.


    Thinking this, Hoshino couldn''t help but feel a bit of sympathy.


    "He channels the love he had for his daughter into his cards. So even though he''s just an archaeologist, that''s how he became so strong. Mr. Rowick, I respect you are a man of culture!" Lost in her imagination, Hoshino almost moved herself to tears.


    "I''ll set two more cards," Rowick''s voice interrupted her emotional train of thought.


    "Oh great, not more traps¡­," Hoshino sighed as she snapped out of her reverie.


    "Wait, traps?" Suddenly alert, Hoshino''s intuition told her something was off.


    Rowick had the Traptrix Atrax on the field, meaning he could activate his trap cards directly from his hand due to its effect. But setting them now would only delay their activation by a turn.


    In duels, nothing is done without purpose. Especially a duelist like Rowick¡ªevery step he took had a deeper meaning.


    "Hoshino, even though your Angra Mainyu caught me off guard, this will be my counterattack to secure victory!" Rowick declared.


    He wasn''t about to attack Angra, as that would only result in mutual destruction. What he wanted was a complete victory, a win that would give him the courage to pursue his revenge on Marik.


    Rowick slammed his final card onto the duel disk, and the hologram in front of him began to distort. "Thanks to Traptrix Atrax, I can activate trap cards from my hand. And now, I activate the trap card¡ª[Zero Hole]!"


    "Zero Hole?!" Hoshino''s brows furrowed as she watched the scene in front of her twist and collapse into a single point.


    [Zero Hole Trap Effect: Activate only when you have no cards in your hand. Destroy all cards on the field.]


    Its effect was even more terrifying than Dark Hole. Zero Hole¡ªan immense force capable of tearing apart even dimensions. Once this card is played, everything returns to nothingness.


    "You set all your cards just to activate Zero Hole, didn''t you? But this will wipe out everything you have on the field too!"


    "Not everything! Zero Hole will tear open a path to my victory!" Amid the swirling chaos, only the two cute, unscathed lolis remained, untouched as if nothing had happened.


    "This is the shared special effect of all Traptrix monsters!"


    [Unaffected by the effects of [Hole] Normal Traps.]


    "So, only your monsters will be destroyed, Hoshino."


    Though Angra Mainyu was immune to battle destruction, he couldn''t withstand the effects that destroyed cards. This meant that once Zero Hole was activated, Hoshino would be left defenseless, without any monsters.


    "This is bad. That loli-obsessed person has some skill," Akasha commented. She had seen Hoshino in tight spots before, but the real problem this time was that Hoshino had no cards left on the field.


    "This is the end for you, Hoshino. With no means of counterattack, your remaining 700 life points are nothing against my Traptrix Atrax and her 1800 attack points!"


    The special effect of Zero Hole continued to expand, tearing through space and slowly closing in on Hoshino''s side of the field.


    "Is this really how it ends?!" Despite the impending catastrophe, Hoshino remained unnervingly calm. "Activate your special effect, Angra Mainyu!"


    Angra turned his head, seemingly in disbelief. "Huh? You''re betting on me, the weakest Heroic Spirit, in a critical moment? I''ll just let you down, you know!"


    "Even if you let me down, it''s fine! He''s already played his final move; all we can do now is fight till the end!"


    [Once per turn, you can banish 1 card from your hand to activate this effect. Return 3 banished cards (from either player''s side) to the deck, then draw 1 card. This effect can also be used during your opponent''s turn.]


    "Using Angra Mainyu''s effect, I''ll banish [Heroic Spirit ¨C Oda Nobunaga] from my hand, and return the banished Okita, Sasaki Kojirou, and Oda Nobunaga to my deck."


    Okita: "QAQ Nobu! Are you here to get me? Were you worried I was lonely in the banished zone, so you came for me?"


    Nobunaga: "Stop crying, Okita. Let''s go home."


    "Drawing another card at this point won''t change anything," Rowick said confidently. Even if she drew a spell or trap card, she wouldn''t be able to activate it in time. He believed this was just Hoshino''s futile struggle.


    "You never know what kind of miracle the next card might bring¡ªthat''s the charm of dueling!" Hoshino, with renewed determination, placed her fingers on the top card of her deck.


    "Fate or doom, one card to decide it all! Draw!"


    A flash of light, like a falling star, trailed behind Hoshino''s card as she drew.


    "Arash!" Holding the newly drawn card high, Hoshino called out the name of the hero known for ending wars. "Your NP is fully charged!"


    "Wha¡ª?!" Rowick and the spectators were stunned.


    "This is the card I drew¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash]! And I activate Arash''s special effect from my hand."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash Effect: When an effect that destroys cards on the field is activated, you can banish this card from your hand to negate that activation.]


    "Heh, looks like it''s my turn again!" Facing the terrifying power of Zero Hole, the manifested form of Arash smiled calmly.


    "Compared to using my Noble Phantasm to destroy enemies, I much prefer using it to protect others!"


    "I''m counting on you, Arash!" Hoshino entrusted him with full confidence.


    "Master, what''s with that expression? Don''t be nervous. Whether it''s a Dark Hole or a Zero Hole¡­"


    With a smile and eyes sharp as an eagle, Arash fully drew his longbow.


    "One arrow is all I need!"


    "This is my arrow, to protect what''s important!"


    "This arrow is for paving the way to Master''s victory!"


    "¡ªStella!"


    The arrow shot through the air like a meteor, piercing straight into the center of the Zero Hole. A strike powerful enough to shatter stars, an arrow that could end wars, now halted the catastrophe threatening to tear space apart. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Zero Hole]''s activation is negated.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash] is banished.


    "Your turn, Mr Rowick," Hoshino said calmly as the battlefield returned to normal, the Zero Hole incident seeming like nothing more than an illusion.


    "I wouldn''t want to waste the opportunity a great hero bought for me."


    "This is the resolve of a true duelist, Duel King?" Rowick couldn''t help but admire her. With that incredible comeback, Hoshino had shattered the hopeless situation, along with his supposedly unbeatable Zero Hole.


    "It''s not about being a Duel King. It''s because I have a reason to stop you after this duel."


    "???"


    "You won''t be able to defeat Marik."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 202 - 202

    Rowick hesitated slightly. "A reason why I need to be stopped? I''m curious, but I''ll have you prove it to me with your strength."


    "Time to attack, Traptrix Atrax!"


    Both sides now had the option to settle for a draw: Rowick could attack Angra with his Traptrix, or Hoshino could have Angra attack the Traptrix.


    However, Rowick had no intention of settling for a draw; he was certain he had the upper hand.


    Although Zero Hole''s effect had been blocked by Hoshino using Arash, Rowick''s two set cards were preserved thanks to the disappearance of the Zero Hole.


    "My two set cards, Bottomless Trap Hole and Void Trap Hole can block any attempt Hoshino makes to summon a powerful monster. All that''s left is waiting for a card like Raigeki to destroy Angra Mainyu."


    [Void Trap Hole''s Trap Card Effect: When your opponent Special Summons a monster(s) with 2000 or more ATK: Negate the effects of 1 of those monsters with 2000 or more ATK, and if you do, destroy it.]


    Confident in his plan, Rowick was certain he couldn''t lose "All I have to do is wait for the right moment, and I can defeat Hoshino. Once I defeat her, I''ll finally... have my revenge!"


    "Attack Hoshino''s face-down monster!"


    Unfazed by Traptrix''s attack, Hoshino calmly asked, "Mr. Rowick, are you scared? Afraid to face Marik?"


    "???" Rowick froze.


    However, the attack wouldn''t stop just because of their conversation. Traptrix''s sharp tendrils swiftly pierced through Hoshino''s face-down monster.


    [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll] destroyed.


    "Remember when I proposed this duel? I never said I wanted to stop you¡ªthat''s just what you assumed." Transferring Jekyll''s card to the graveyard, Hoshino''s gaze grew more intense as she looked at Rowick.


    Rowick frowned. "If that''s what this is about, I already apologized."


    "You just want someone to stop you, don''t you?"


    "That''s impossible!!" Rowick hastily denied her accusation, his heart resisting Hoshino''s insight. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You want revenge, your mind consumed by the flames of hatred. But deep down, you''re scared. You haven''t overcome the shadow of your defeat by Marik. If you chose a draw, at the very least, you''d prove you''re strong enough to challenge him."


    "I don''t refuse a draw out of fear; I simply have the confidence to defeat you!" Rowick shouted in protest.


    "Are you trying to find confidence through beating me?" Hoshino smirked, having already completely seen through Rowick''s intentions. "Do you think that by defeating me, you''ll have what it takes to beat Marik? Let me tell you the truth, you''ve misunderstood two important things!"


    "Enough talk, start your turn already." Not wanting to listen any longer, Rowick gestured for her to continue.


    Rowick''s field: 0 cards in hand, 2 set cards, and monsters [Traptrix Atrax ATK 1800] and [Traptrix Nepenthes DEF 2000].


    Without rushing to draw, Hoshino activated the effect of her monster in the graveyard during her standby phase.


    "I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - Jekyll] in my graveyard! On the standby phase of the turn, after it was destroyed, I can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Hyde] from my deck!"


    [Heroic Spirit¨C Hyde ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(4-star)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1450/DEF 800]


    [This card cannot be Normal Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned by the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jekyll].]


    "Damn, even this monster doesn''t meet the minimum requirements to trigger my traps." Rowick''s hand hovered over the button to activate his set cards, but he was forced to withdraw as Hoshino''s monster slipped under his trap''s activation threshold.


    "Haha!" Hyde''s wild laugh echoed, mocking Rowick''s overly cautious tactics.


    After summoning Hyde and shuffling her deck, Hoshino suddenly trembled, as though sensing a powerful force. She then smiled subtly and addressed Rowick, "Now let me tell you what the two things you''ve misunderstood are!"


    "The first thing you''ve got wrong: having given up your only chance for a draw, you now have no chance of defeating me!"


    "Hoshino, if you keep summoning these weak monsters to avoid my traps, all I see is you setting yourself up for a slow death." Though Rowick tried to keep up his confident front, the repeated failure of his trap activations made him increasingly anxious.


    "No rush." Hoshino calmly placed her fingers on her deck, in no rush to draw. Instead, a dark power began to swirl around her, shocking Rowick.


    "What is this aura?" The familiar sensation made Akasha''s eyes widen in surprise.


    "And now for the second thing you''ve got wrong, Mr. Rowick: your deck will never be able to defeat a god!" Unlike last turn''s radiant draw, Hoshino''s current draw felt as if she had just unleashed the floodgates of some sealed, dark power.


    "Due to Hyde''s special effect, I can use this card as two tributes for a tribute summon!" Dark energy poured from Hoshino''s hand, surging like an uncontrollable flood and enveloping the quiet street.


    "With three monsters as tribute, I will now summon the god from the abyss!" The moment her card hit the duel disk, the cold, heart-wrenching cries of agony echoed through the now-sealed space.


    "Come forth, [The Wicked Dreadroot]!"


    [The Wicked Dreadroot ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    The dark flood and chilling cries seemed to materialize at that moment. A gigantic beast formed from the essence of fear took shape before Hoshino. Draped in a cloak of white bones, the massive form of Wicked Dreadroot blocked the entire intersection, like a monstrous truck cutting off the road.


    "Good thing it''s early morning and there aren''t many people around, or this would cause a commotion." This was Hoshino''s first time summoning an evil god outside, and she couldn''t help but be concerned about its overwhelming presence and ability to stir fear deep within anyone''s heart. In any other situation, it would surely have caused a panic.


    "So this is... a god that surpasses all Duel Monsters?" Rowick, who was face to face with the terrifying visage of the evil god, felt his sanity slowly crumbling away.


    "However, this insanely high attack power plays right into my hands!" Struggling to gather his courage, Rowick wasn''t crushed by the god''s aura since he had his trump card ready.


    "I activate the set trap card [Bottomless Trap Hole]! When a monster with 1500 or more ATK is summoned, it is destroyed and banished!"


    The same trap that took down Okita at the start of the duel was once again triggered on Hoshino''s field. Corresponding to the evil god''s massive form, the trap hole this time was gigantic, splitting the entire street as if slicing it in two.


    "And the activation of this trap also triggers the special effect of [Traptrix Nepenthes]."


    [If you activate a [Hole] Normal Trap Card (except during the Damage Step): You can add to your hand, or Special Summon, 1 [Traptrix] monster from your Deck, except [Traptrix Nepenthes]. You can only use this effect of [Traptrix Nepenthes] once per turn.]


    "I Special Summon [Traptrix Dionaea] from my deck!"


    [Traptrix Dionaea ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 Stars)][EARTH][Plant/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1100]


    "Finally, I activate the special effect of [Traptrix Dionaea]!"


    [When this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 [Hole] Normal Trap in your GY; Set that target, but banish it during the End Phase of your next turn if it is still on the field. You can only use this effect of [Traptrix Dionaea] once per turn.]


    "I choose the [Traptrix Trap Hole Nightmare] in my Graveyard and set it back on my field!"


    After executing his flawless combo, Rowick exhaled deeply, his gaze fixed on Hoshino''s field. "Hmph, with my continuous traps, even a god can''t possibly win¡­!"


    But before he could finish, Rowick froze. The god in front of him didn''t fall into the Bottomless Trap Hole as he expected. Instead, the massive figure hovered impossibly above the dark abyss, defying logic.


    "Are you done?" Hoshino, cloaked in dark energy behind the god, smirked disdainfully. "Heh, a god that crawled up from the depths of the abyss wouldn''t willingly fall back so easily, would it?"


    "How? How is this possible?" Rowick, now utterly shocked, had lost all of his former composure.


    "Trap cards do not affect gods!" Hoshino pointed directly at Rowick. Under the god''s ominous presence, Hoshino''s eyes, lined with darkness, seemed even more sinister.


    "This is the reason I had to stop you. A deck that relies on traps, no matter how powerful, can never defeat the power of a god. Nor can it ever defeat Marik and his Winged Dragon!"


    "The power of a god that cannot be defeated¡­" With his last line of defense shattered, Rowick''s deep-seated fear surfaced under the oppressive presence of the god.


    "Attack, Wicked Dreadroot!" The god''s skeletal claws, pale and merciless, reached toward the small, delicate forms of the Traptrix on Rowick''s field.


    "Fear¡­ Is this the fear I''ve been hiding deep in my heart?" Watching his trembling hands, Rowick felt a sense of relief, as if some weight had been lifted. "So after all these years, I still haven''t escaped the shadow of that Shadow Game."


    That feeling of being swallowed by darkness, unable to see the surroundings, and battling alone while slowly realizing the duel was slipping out of control, ending in total despair.


    "Hoshino, I admit it. I''m afraid. I''m afraid of facing another Shadow Game where my life is on the line. I''m afraid of losing Kashar again."


    "Lolicon Mister¡­" Seeing Rowick''s defeated expression, Akasha unexpectedly felt a pang of sympathy.


    "Which is why, you don''t have to risk everything anymore. Leave the rest to me!" Even though Hoshino was controlling the power of a god and surrounded by darkness, she was not consumed by malevolence, staying true to her ideals. That was Hoshino''s resolve.


    [Rowick Hawkins LP 1000 ¡ú 0]


    [The duel is over! The winner is Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    As the duel-ending sound echoed, the massive shadow of the Evil God faded, and the dark energy surrounding Hoshino dissipated into the air.


    "This¡­ truly¡­" From the moment the Zero Hole was destroyed to the summoning of the Evil God, Arthur had been in a state of stunned silence, his mouth wide open. Now that the duel was officially over, he finally came to his senses a bit.


    "Amazing, Hoshino! Truly, you''ve opened my eyes." Arthur rubbed his chest and took a few deep breaths. "The legendary God Card¡­ this kind of excitement is a bit much for an old man''s heart."


    "Hmph, from now on, anyone who uses a trap deck against me will be crushed by my Evil God!" Hoshino smugly packed away her duel disk, already envisioning how she''d punish trap decks with the power of her evil god in future duels.


    "Haha, you''ve got me!" Rowick raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. Though he seemed a bit disappointed, his face showed no signs of bitterness over his loss. "To think you pulled out a God Card, something so far beyond the norm! If I had known, I would''ve just opted for a mutual destruction earlier."


    "Lolicon Mister, you did pretty well," said Akasha, her emotions complicated as she looked at Rowick. Surprisingly, she found herself offering words of comfort. It must have been that blood connection at play¡ªthough she refused to acknowledge Rowick as her father, seeing his dejected expression still tugged at her heartstrings.


    "Kashar?!" If there''s one thing guaranteed to heal a wounded soul, it''s comfort from one''s daughter.


    Rowick''s previously forlorn expression disappeared instantly. "Even though I lost, Kashar still noticed her father''s heroic duel, didn''t she!"


    "No, no, no, there''s no such thing as ''heroic duel'' here!" Akasha''s face flushed with embarrassment as she vehemently denied it.


    "Haha, how tsundere! Just like Leah~" Rowick teased.


    "Ahem!" Hoshino cleared her throat loudly, cutting off Rowick''s overly affectionate display.


    "Mr. Rowick, mind your image, please!" Hoshino, clearly feeling a bit of disconnect seeing Rowick''s behavior, commented. Though he had the face of Robin Hood, he was acting more like Lancelot, which felt somewhat jarring.


    "Ah, sorry." Rowick scratched his head, also realizing he''d gotten carried away.


    "Hoshino, as per our agreement, I''ll give you the card for Ramesseum.''" Rowick, having composed himself, spoke earnestly. "However, I''m still curious¡ªhow do you plan to use this card? I''ve tried countless methods over the years, but I''ve never been able to truly activate it. The card''s effect remains a mystery."


    "How to use it, huh¡­" Hoshino took the card and stared hard at the strange ancient text on its face. It looked similar to the markings on the God Cards but was still somewhat different.


    So, how exactly did Kaiba and the others manage to read the God Cards'' effects? If no one could understand them, wouldn''t that just leave everything up to their imagination? Can''t they be more like the Evil Gods and have their effects written out?


    "Sorry, I can''t give you an answer on how to use it either. I''ll just have to figure it out through duel." Hoshino admitted honestly.


    Rowick was shocked. "Figure it out through duel? Are you planning to add it to your deck, even though you don''t know what its effect is?!"


    "As for its effect¡­" Hoshino rested her soft face on her hand, pondering.


    To be honest, every time Hoshino looked at this card, the image that popped into her head was of Ozymandias dragging two pyramids around, clashing their peaks together, accompanied by that spiritually unsettling "HAHAHAHAHAHA" laugh.


    "If I had to guess, it probably destroys a specific monster on the opponent''s field or something," she said. Given it''s a buster single-target Noble Phantasm, that kind of design would be reasonable.


    "How did you come up with that?" Rowick''s mouth twitched. Not knowing FGO, he couldn''t even begin to imagine the scene in Hoshino''s head.


    "Of course, I''m not ruling out the possibility that it destroys all of the opponent''s monsters!" Hoshino added, knocking her palm as she suddenly realized something.


    If the Ozymandias in this world were a bit smarter and flipped the temple upside down to crash the pyramid''s base, it could very easily turn into a large-scale, mass-destruction Noble Phantasm¡ªa proper buster card.


    "..." Rowick, having no idea how to respond at this point, could only maintain a polite smile.


    "Oh ho ho ho, I didn''t expect the toy shop to be so lively this early in the morning." From the direction of the Muto residence, the elderly voice of Sugoroku chuckled as he approached, accompanied by Yugi.


    "Good morning, Grampa Sugoroku!, Yugi!" Bright and full of energy from having woken up early, Hoshino greeted them enthusiastically.


    "I never thought I''d see the day when you''d be up so early, Hoshino," Yugi commented in disbelief. "Normally, you only get up at the last minute before school, without even having breakfast."


    "Yeah, yeah," Sugoroku chimed in, "On your days off, you usually sleep until almost noon, only getting up because you''re hungry. You must be starving already, though you ate three bowls last night."


    Hoshino''s face flushed bright red as she shot a deadly glare at the two men. How dare they expose her like this in front of outsiders! A girl is supposed to care about her image!


    "Hahaha, I didn''t expect Hoshino to have such a childish side," Arthur said, stroking his beard with a smile.


    "Still, maintaining a healthy routine is good for work," Rowick advised.


    "Hoshino-nee, if you keep this up, you''ll turn into a sloth," Akasha added.


    "None of your business!" After waking up early and being treated like this, Hoshino was fuming. If she had known, she would''ve just gone back to bed until noon. Stomping her foot in frustration, she stormed off towards her room.


    "Is Hoshino-nee going back to sleep now? No breakfast?" Akasha asked, watching Hoshino suddenly walk away.


    "Oh, she''s gone," Sugoroku commented with a laugh.


    "She left," Yugi echoed with a grin.


    It seemed as if the grandfather-grandson duo had conspired to tease Hoshino.


    "By the way, Arthur, you said you''d come back in a few days, but here you are early the next morning. You must miss your old friend," Sugoroku remarked.


    "Haha, I had some business with the kids, but I''ll be busy later. Since I''m here, why don''t we grab some tea together?"


    "Morning tea! I want some!" Akasha exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. Though she didn''t know what "morning tea" was, she wanted to try it.


    "Akasha-chan, no time for tea! We''re leaving!" Hoshino suddenly burst back out of the house, looking ready to head out.


    "Hoshino-nee, what''s with that getup¡­?" Akasha stared blankly at Hoshino''s new look: a hat, mask, sunglasses, and only a pink cowlick peeking out¡ªshe looked like a celebrity sneaking out in disguise.


    "This way, none of the other participants in Battle City will recognize me!" Hoshino, confident in her disguise, proudly raised her arm with the duel disk attached. "No time for tea, Akasha-chan! Let''s go hunt for rare cards!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 203 - 203

    "Where did this girl come from, daring to challenge me, one of the ''Seven Bosses of the Southern District'' in Domino City?"


    .


    ..


    ¡­


    Boss Hachi was in unusually high spirits today. Yesterday''s Battle City Tournament felt like the peak of his luck. Even those well-known players fell to his critical draws at key moments.


    ''Boss Hachi'' was just a nickname. His real name was Tadashi, a university student. His greatest achievement was reaching the top 8 in the Duel Monsters Tournament preliminaries for Domino City''s Southern District. With his modest reputation in the area, he and the other top eight duelists were nicknamed the ''Seven Bosses of the Southern District.'' Embracing his new title, he began calling himself ''Boss Hachi'' after his ranking.


    What? You ask why there are eight people in the ''Seven Bosses''. Well, that''s just common knowledge, my friend.


    Yesterday''s string of victories won Boss Hachi many rare cards, and it also boosted his confidence as a duelist. Even in his dreams last night, he was imagining himself being the first to collect all 6 puzzle cards, making it to the finals, defeating Seto Kaiba, winning the Battle City Championship, and reaching the peak of his life.


    With an optimistic mindset of chasing his dreams, Boss Hachi naturally got up early today. However, it seemed he had overestimated other duelists'' ability to wake up early. After wandering the streets for half the morning, he still hadn''t seen another duelist as dedicated as him, out on the streets at 4 AM.


    "Have you ever seen Domino City at 4 AM?"


    But such a small obstacle couldn''t dampen Boss Hachi''s enthusiasm. After wandering around for two hours, people started to appear on the streets, though most were office workers on their way to their jobs.


    Just as Boss Hachi thought he''d have to wait a bit longer to find a duelist, he unexpectedly came across a strangely dressed girl with a duel disk.


    What made her outfit odd was the cap, sunglasses, and face mask ¡ª completely unnecessary for an early morning stroll. But despite her face being fully covered, her short skirt and white knee-high socks made it easy to tell she was a well-built girl.


    "Hm? A duelist spotted. Let''s duel!" Without hesitation, the girl unfolded her duel disk the moment she spotted Boss Hachi. With her face covered, it was impossible to tell what expression she wore.


    Boss Hachi was ecstatic. He thought he''d have to wander around for a bit longer, but here his prey was, delivered right to him. It seemed his luck from yesterday had continued into today. A victory in this duel would bring him to five puzzle cards. If he thought about it, his dream of collecting six puzzle cards and being the first to do so wasn''t just a dream, but a premonition of the future.


    "Where did this girl come from, daring to challenge me, one of the ''Seven Bosses of the Southern District'' in Domino City?


    (***)


    Hoshino was ecstatic. It seemed her disguise was working perfectly. No wonder celebrities loved going out like this; it saved a lot of hassle. Plus, a perfect disguise hid her expressions, making it harder for her opponent to read her.


    [Boss Hachi (Tadashi) VS Hoshino Chiyuki (Disguise Beta)] S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Duel Start ¡ª Duel!]


    "Hoshino-nee, even though they won''t recognize you in your disguise, won''t your deck give you away the moment you use it?" Akasha, who had been following behind Hoshino, quietly reminded her.


    Normally, records of duels from the Duelist Kingdom weren''t made public, and only a few people knew about the Heroic Spirit deck...


    ¡ª If it weren''t for that battle video that went viral on YouTube.


    "Hoshino-nee, it''s fine when there are fewer people around right now, but in future duels, you should lure your opponent to a deserted place. And after taking their rare cards, if you can, you should get rid of them to avoid exposing your identity." Akasha''s advice was as seasoned as one would expect from a former rare card hunter.


    As if! If I could get rid of them, the earlier steps wouldn''t even be necessary!


    It was only at that moment that Boss Hachi noticed the cute blonde girl, who looked like a porcelain doll, following behind the masked girl. Her mouth was constantly chattering, but none of that mattered to Boss Hachi. Right now, all he cared about was the duel, victory, and his passionate dreams!


    "My turn, draw!" Full of excitement for the future, Boss Hachi drew his card.


    "Perfect, I have the perfect opening hand! I, one of the Seven Bosses of the Southern District, Boss Hachi, will claim victory in this duel!"


    Five turns later, however¡ª


    Boss Hachi''s luck seemed to plummet off a cliff.


    "Why? How are these ridiculous-looking monsters beating me?" Boss Hachi could feel cold sweat trickling down his back. He had already summoned his ace monster, and no matter how he looked at it, the creatures on the other side were just a bunch of nobodies.


    "Nobu? (Did someone just call me a nobody?)" The alert Nobu Corp swung their tiny arms, waving their miniature swords, spouting some rather crude and vulgar words.


    [Nobu Corps ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][WIND] [Warrior/Effect][ATK:1900/DEF:100]


    "Attack, my ace monster, Luster Dragon!"


    [Luster Dragon #2¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(6 stars)][WIND][Dragon][ATK 2400/DEF 1400]


    Determined to win, Boss Hachi signaled his Luster Dragon to attack. "Luster Splash!"


    "Nobu! >x<"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3000 ¡ú 2500]


    Luster Dragon''s attack wiped out the last of Hoshino''s monsters on the field.


    "Turn end!" Boss Hachi, gritting his teeth, reluctantly ended his turn.


    Boss Hachi''s LP 4000, Monster: Luster Dragon #2, Set Cards: 0


    "Hmph, is all you got?" Beneath her mask, Hoshino''s voice sounded light and amused.


    "Then I''ll activate the special effect of 3 [Nobu Corps] cards in my graveyard!"


    "No way! Why? Why are these monsters that look like a bunch of nobodies completely unkillable!?" Boss Hachi yelled in frustration


    [Nobu Corps Effect: At the end of the turn, this card is sent to the graveyard; you can activate this effect. Special summon this card in face-up Attack Position.]


    Pulling three cards from her graveyard, Hoshino placed them onto her duel disk one by one. "Come forth, special summon ¡ª three Nobu Corps cards!"


    [Nobu Corps ATK 1900] x3


    "Nobu, Nobu, Nobu? Nobu!" The voices of three Nobu filled the early morning street like a maddening chant.


    Time after time, they were defeated, and time after time, they revived. These unkillable creatures, straight out of a gag manga, drove Boss Hachi to the edge of his patience. "It''s useless! No matter how many times your monsters revive, as long as I have my Luster Dragon, my defense is unshakable!" He thought the only thing he could be thankful for was the presence of his Luster Dragon on the field.


    "They''re nothing but a bunch of small fry monsters that can''t even serve as a proper wall. Stop your useless chatter!" Casting a disdainful glance at the Nobu standing proudly before his Luster Dragon, Hoshino sneered and placed down a Spell Card.


    "Quick-Play, [Nobu Radiance]!"


    [Nobu Radiance Quick-Play Effect: Target 1 [Nobu] monster on the field. ¢Ù: That monster''s ATK increases by 500.]


    "Nobu!" The chosen Nobu Corp felt a surge of power within their body, their muscles swelling dramatically.


    [Nobu Corps ATK 1900 ¡ú 2400]


    "Nani? Its attack is equal to the Luster Dragon!" Boss Hachi''s eyes nearly popped out in disbelief as he stared at the simplified, cartoonish monster that had grown in size, now rivaling the Luster Dragon''s bulk.


    "Launch a special attack, Nobu Corps! Target the Luster Dragon on the other side!"


    "Nobu!" The oversized Nobbu confidently responded to Hoshino''s command, drawing the blade from its waist and charging headfirst into the Luster Dragon.


    Why are you drawing your sword if you''re just going to headbutt it?


    [Luster Dragon] destroyed


    [Nobu Corps] destroyed


    "The remaining two Nobbu units, attack the player directly!"


    Swoosh¡ª!


    Two swift flashes of blades sliced past Boss Hachi.


    "Ugh!" [Boss Hachi LP 4000 ¡ú 200]


    "Unbelievable, I''ve been pushed to the brink by this ridiculous monster." Gritting his teeth in frustration, Boss Hachi glared at the masked Hoshino across from him. Who was this girl? To possess the strength to defeat one of the Seven Kings¡­


    "But it''s not over yet! Even in such a dire situation, as long as I still have life points, I always have a chance to turn things around!" Boss Hachi shouted grandly, determined to utter the protagonist-like line he''d always dreamed of saying.


    "No, you don''t have any more chances," Hoshino said, pointing at Boss Hachi''s feet with her thumb.


    The Nobu Corps, having finished their attack, didn''t obediently return to Hoshino''s side. Instead, they clung to Boss Hachi''s legs, one on each side.


    "W-What''s going on?! They''re just holograms! Why do they feel so real? This is disgusting!" Boss Hachi panicked, instinctively shaking his legs to get rid of them.


    "Nobu~" The Nobu Corps, hanging onto Boss Hachi''s legs, grinned creepily, their simple, cartoonish mouths curling into unsettling smiles.


    "And now it''s over! I activate the Quick-Play, [Big Explosion NOBU!]"


    [Big Explosion NOBU! Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: You can activate this if you control only [Nobu] monsters. ¢Ù: Destroy all [Nobu] monsters you control, and inflict 400 damage to your opponent for each monster destroyed.]


    "No! Impossible! I can''t be humiliated like this!"


    BOOM¡ª! A massive explosion silenced Boss Hachi''s final scream.


    [Boss Hachi (Real name: Tadashi) LP: 200 ¡ú 0 ]


    "And that takes care of you! Now hand over your rare cards and puzzle cards!" Hoshino said, glancing at the collapsed Tadashi while gesturing to the stunned Akasha behind her.


    "Hoshino-nee, I can''t believe you had such a deck hidden away all this time."


    Akasha''s adorable lips formed a round "O" in astonishment.


    "And those rare cards! Akasha has never seen cards this rare before!"


    She murmured, the instincts of a former rare card hunter kicking in. For a moment, Akasha felt tempted.


    "No, no, I can''t think like that. I need to stay a good girl!"


    Determined to stay on the right path, Akasha quickly slapped her soft cheeks with both hands.


    Seeing Akasha suddenly smacking her face, Hoshino, adjusting her sunglasses on the bridge of her nose, smiled and took hold of the girl''s smooth hands. "What are you doing? Are you tired from waking up so early?"


    "¡­" Akasha, feeling her cheeks burning from embarrassment, stared blankly at Hoshino''s eyes, which curved slightly with her smile. "I-I''m only blushing because I slapped my face, okay?"


    "No kidding, if you slap yourself like that, of course, your cheeks will turn red!" Hoshino chuckled as she gently rubbed Akasha''s cheeks. "Come on, help me pick out a rare card. You''re way better at this than I am."


    After all, the only rare cards Hoshino cared about were the practical banned ones. To her, the rarity of other cards was meaningless.


    However, as Hoshino flipped through Tadashi''s deck, her brows furrowed. Things weren''t as simple as she had imagined¡­


    A deck made almost entirely of weak normal monsters, with a pitifully small and seemingly pointless collection of Spells and Traps. Was this the strength of a top-eight finalist in the regional tournament? It was only marginally better than the decks of the kids at the toy shop.


    She''d assumed that Tadashi had just had a bad draw during their duel, but now it seemed like this was as good as his deck could get. It was practically a perfect hand, and it was still this weak. There was no way this deck could help Akasha at all.


    "Please, don''t take my Luster Dragon! I''ll give you all my puzzle cards!" Tadashi, whose dreams had been completely shattered, no longer cared about becoming the champion of the Battle City. Right now, all he wanted was to save his precious rare cards.


    "Oh?" A subtle smirk appeared beneath Hoshino''s mask. "Alright, I won''t take your rare cards. I won''t even take your puzzle cards."


    "R-Really?!" Tadashi''s voice trembled with disbelief, but as long as he could keep his priceless rare cards, he could always make a comeback (though, in reality, he couldn''t).


    "But there''s one condition!" Hoshino''s crimson eyes locked onto Tadashi''s anxious face. "There are seven of you, right? I want you to gather all of them for me as quickly as possible. Tell them someone''s come to crash them!"


    Gasping, Tadashi wasn''t dumb. He instantly understood Hoshino''s greedy plan.


    "You¡­ You want me to sell out my friends in exchange for my rare cards and puzzle cards?" The fear in Tadashi''s eyes was replaced with resolve as he regained the same determined look he had during their duel. "Do you think I am that kind of man?"


    "Yes"


    Tadashi straightened up. "Remember this! I''m not doing this to protect my rare cards! I''m calling them here because I believe my friends have the strength to defeat you!"


    (***)


    Domino City, Rare Hunters Hideout¡ª


    "Marik, you''ve been acting strange since last night." Odion once again caught Marik as he nearly collapsed. His voice was deep and calm, but Marik knew his faithful servant well enough to understand that Odion was worried.


    "My body¡­ is out of sorts." Marik pressed his hand to his forehead, his body swaying. He had lost count of how many times his legs had given out beneath him. If not for Odion''s timely support, he would have fallen long ago.


    Watching Marik, who could barely stand but still clutched the Millennium Rod tightly, Odion asked, "Could it be that you''ve overused the power of darkness? You''ve been controlling the entire group by yourself in Battle City these past two days. Even if your body can handle it, your mind could easily be overworked."


    "I''ve been in control of the Rare Hunters for quite some time now. Something this small wouldn''t cause a problem." Marik shook his head, dismissing Odion''s concern. "I have a good guess where the problem lies¡­"


    ("Magical providence, oh natural master of this world, return all to its origins¡ª Rule Breaker!")


    "Now! This is the trump card I prepared to counter the Millennium Rod, a power that can break all magic, all mysteries¡ªRule Breaker!)


    "You think it''s because of what happened last night?" Odion quickly connected the dots after hearing Marik''s words. After all, he was present when it happened and saw for the first time how the control of the Millennium Rod was forcibly severed by an external force.


    "Could it be that it wasn''t just a simple severing of the connection?" But back then, after losing the mark that controlled Akasha''s body, Marik hadn''t shown any unusual signs. Therefore, Odion didn''t give it much thought.


    "Since last night, I''ve felt my sense of self weakening," Marik said, covering his face with his hand as his eyes trembled uncontrollably. "If this keeps up, he will come out¡­"


    "He?!" Though Marik didn''t say the name, the implication alone was enough to make Odion, a man nearly two meters tall, show a look of sheer terror.


    "Yako sure picked a troublesome opponent!" Marik sneered. The events surrounding Hoshino, which had initially seemed unrelated to him, spiraled into chaos after sending Akasha to obtain the Wicked God cards.


    Hearing Yako''s name, Odion speculated, "By now, all three of Wicked God cards must have ended up in the hands of Hoshino Chiyuki, right?"


    When the copy cards failed last night, the Rare Hunters immediately realized that Yako''s plan had fallen through.


    Marik nodded, confirming Odion''s guess.


    "I recall that each Wicked God card is on par with the God Cards in terms of power!" Odion, growing increasingly unsettled after his theory was validated, continued, "Especially that one, The Wicked Avatar, which Yako himself held. It''s said to be on the same level as The Winged Dragon of Ra."


    "Ha, what good is having the strongest god? Yako was just a puppet, being toyed with by the Wicked Gods." Marik had long seen through the dark purpose hidden behind Yako''s plan. Even if the Wicked Gods'' resurrection succeeded, at most, one would possess a human body and manipulate the world''s darkness from the shadows.


    As long as it didn''t interfere with Marik''s goals, he couldn''t care less what chaos the Wicked Gods unleashed. As long as he could punish the amnesiac Pharaoh, nothing else mattered.


    "So the plan now is to use the Millennium Rod to control Yugi Muto''s friends, Jonouchi and Anzu, and make them fight each other to the death?" Odion asked.


    "Hahaha, that was the old plan. Now, we have a much better target, don''t we?" Marik forced a smile as he gripped the Millennium Rod tightly, his eyes growing more sinister.


    "No matter how strong a duelist may be, a mere mortal can never resist the power of a Millennium Item!"


    "You mean¡­ you''re going to use the Millennium Rod to control Hoshino?" Odion, suddenly realizing, asked.


    "Isn''t that the best choice? The only thing we need to worry about is her strange card effects. As long as she doesn''t get the chance to use them, we can easily eliminate this troublesome opponent. Once she becomes a puppet controlled by the Millennium Rod, our most dangerous enemy will turn into our greatest weapon against Yugi Muto!"


    "..." Odion chose to remain silent. He sensed that Marik was being too hasty. Though he couldn''t pinpoint the exact flaw in the plan, the numerous unknowns surrounding Hoshino made it feel too risky. In Odion''s view, controlling Jonouchi was still the safest move.


    But knowing Marik''s mental state was deteriorating, Odion understood his urgency.


    Therefore, Odion did not try to stop him.


    (***)


    "Heh heh, girl! Even though you''ve beaten the other seven, you''re no match for me, the leader of the South City Seven, ''The Boss''!" The man facing Hoshino boasted arrogantly.


    Hoshino had just fought seven consecutive duels, each one a landslide victory. However, her Nobu deck''s strategy had now been exposed.


    And unlike the others, this "Boss" was different¡ªhe had real skill. After analyzing Hoshino''s tactics, he knew exactly how to counter her weaknesses.


    "Your deck may be tricky with its continuous special summons and endless revivals from the graveyard, but you don''t have any monsters with enough attack power to land a decisive blow!" The Boss, thinking he had the duel in the bag, smugly pointed out the flaw in Hoshino''s deck.


    "It''s your turn, girl."


    The current field:


    The Boss: LP 2800, no face-down cards, monsters: [Alexandrite Dragon ATK 2000], [Luster Dragon ATK 1900], [Hyozanryu ATK 2100].


    Hoshino Chiyuki: LP 1400, no face-down cards, no monsters, Field Spell [GUDAGUDA Final Honnoji].


    Within the roaring flames of the field spell''s imagery, the three beautiful dragons representing different gemstones roared in unison, as if heralding their impending victory.


    "Looks like you''re not aren''t all complete pushovers after all. At least there''s one decent duelist." Hidden beneath her disguise, it was hard to tell if Hoshino was nervous or calm.


    "I was hoping to hold back and play nice, but all you did was take advantage of that and target me. I guess I have no choice but to reveal my hand now~"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 204 - 204

    "Hiding your strength? Are you still trying to bluff at a time like this?" the man taunted arrogantly. "No one will recognize you in that getup, so when you lose, just leave quietly. I don''t need your rare cards; in fact, you won''t be able to touch my friend''s cards either!"


    The Boss truly lived up to his reputation as leader of the Seven Bosses of Domino City''s Southern District. His rugged appearance matched his straightforward sense of loyalty¡ªquite unlike ''Tadashi,'' who would sell out his friends for a rare card. Hoshino, hiding her eyes behind her sunglasses, couldn''t help but feel a bit of admiration for him.


    "Because of what you just said, I''ll go easy and take fewer cards," Hoshino said. Admiration was one thing, but she still planned to take her share of cards.


    "Heh. Whether you can take any cards depends on your strength." From the look of the situation, the Boss didn''t believe the girl had the strength to turn things around. Female players in Duel Monsters were rare¡ªand top-tier female players were even rarer. No way would one waste her time battling a bunch of nobodies from the Southern District.


    "My turn!" Amid the burning ruins, Hoshino pulled out a Field Spell Card.


    "I activate the special effect of [GUDAGUDA Final Honnoji]!"


    [GUDAGUDA Final Honnoji Field Spell Card Effect: At the standby phase of your second turn after activation, this card is destroyed, and you can Special Summon up to two [Nobu] monsters from the graveyard.]


    As the fiery battlefield crumbled around them, the Boss sneered, "Sacrificing the Field Card for one last gamble, huh? Interesting!"


    "Wrong choice of words. This isn''t a gamble!''" Hoshino had no intention of reviving any monsters from her graveyard. Instead, she tossed the card in her hand onto the field.


    "This is my assured victory! Since Final Honnoji was destroyed, it triggered the special effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Oda Nobunaga] in my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Oda Nobunaga ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    [¢Ù: When your Field Spell Card is destroyed, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.]


    As the Honnoji Temple crumbled, Oda Nobunaga emerged with a fiery red cloak billowing like flames, a smirk on her face.


    "Man''s life of fifty years, against Heaven''s span, Like a dream, a phantom. Once granted breath, what being escapes its final fade? ¡ª Oda Nobunaga."


    "Hey, Nobu, you don''t have to add your name after quoting yourself." It was rare for her to say something so appropriate to the atmosphere, but adding ''¡ªOda Nobunaga'' at the end ruined it, making Hoshino unable to resist teasing her.


    "A-Attack power... 3000?!" The Seven Bosses of the Southern District gasped in unison, eyes fixed on Nobunaga amid the flames.


    "Attack power on par with the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon?" The Boss wiped the sweat from his brow, looking as if the surrounding flames had real heat. "I can''t believe I''m seeing such a powerful monster here."


    "Wait, did you see the prefix of that monster?!" Tadashi cautiously caught on to the key detail and shouted, "That unique prefix... it can''t be..."


    "That''s why I said I''m going all out. But now that you''ve realized it, it''s too late!" Hoshino waved her hand, causing the loose sleeve of her clean white arm to swirl with lingering sparks.


    "I activate [Heroic Spirit ¨C Oda Nobunaga]''s special effect!"


    [¢Ú: When this card is successfully Special Summoned by its ¢Ù effect, you can activate this effect. Destroy up to three monsters on your opponent''s field with different names and lower attack power than this card.]


    "Perish in the Three Line Formation!" Nobunaga''s cloak swirled violently as the effect was activated. Behind her, an innumerable number of muskets floated in the air in an impossibly organized manner.


    "¡ªShow your corpse to the Three Thousand Worlds!"


    A barrage of bullets, filled with the strong scent of gunpowder, rained down from the countless muskets, destroying the three Dragons on the opponent''s field.


    "According to the effect, all three monsters with lower attack power than Nobunaga are wiped out!"


    [Alexandrite Dragon] [Luster Dragon] [Hyozanryu] ¨C Destroyed.


    "The unique ''Heroic Spirit'' prefix... A masked girl with strength that ranks among the world''s top duelists..." The Boss, stunned by the destruction of his monsters, was far more shocked to realize the true identity of the masked girl in front of him.


    "The Duel King!"


    "Farewell!" Nobunaga held a specially made musket in both hands and with a firm pull of the trigger, a solid bullet accompanied by a golden magical beam pierced straight through the opposing player.


    [Boss LP 2800 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel over. Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki in disguise!]


    As the duel officially ended, the surrounding holograms naturally disappeared, and the once-burning battlefield returned to the peaceful street it had always been.


    "As I said, I''ve won this duel, and I''ll be taking all of your rare cards." Putting away her duel disk, Hoshino glanced at the eight men in front of her, all of whom had mixed expressions.


    In less than an hour, the Seven Bosses had all been defeated, even before the morning crowd had gathered.


    "To lose to the Duel King¡­ I accept it." Laughing heartily, the Boss carefully put away the cards on his duel disk. "A bet''s a bet. Let''s hand over our rare cards to the victor."


    Since the Boss had spoken, the remaining six men couldn''t afford to keep hesitating. After all, joining a tournament like Battle City meant accepting the risk of losing.


    Only Tadashi stood there dumbfounded, feeling conflicted. He had been the one to call his friends, yet he was the only one who didn''t have to give up a rare card. It felt like betraying his friends for his gain, like a coward during wartime who sells out his comrades for personal benefit. His face burned with shame.


    Gritting his teeth, Tadashi finally steeled his resolve and pulled out Luster Dragon #2 from his deck, handing it to Hoshino.


    "Ah, that card of yours is completely useless, so I don''t need it." Hoshino ''politely'' waved her hand, leaving Tadashi standing there awkwardly.


    But things weren''t quite as optimistic as they seemed...


    "Hoshino-nee, these cards are pretty much useless," reported Akasha, flipping through the decks with a disappointed look.


    "Is that so?" Hoshino didn''t doubt Akasha''s judgment, trusting her professional opinion.


    "U-Useless?" The Seven Bosses of the Southern District could never have imagined that their meticulously crafted decks wouldn''t contain a single card that caught Hoshino''s eye.


    "In that case, I won''t take your rare cards after all." With a magnanimous smile, Hoshino returned the card decks to the seven men without removing a single card. "But I will be keeping the puzzle cards!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki''s Puzzle Card Count: 5 ¡ú 12]


    Looking at the large number of puzzle cards in her hand, Hoshino mused, "I''ve collected two people''s worth of puzzle cards in an instant, but having too many doesn''t seem to be particularly useful."


    The Seven Bosses of the Southern District, holding their returned decks, were still in disbelief that Hoshino hadn''t taken a single card. They didn''t know whether to be happy or sad.


    "So that''s the difference in skill. My deck is worthless in the eyes of the Duel King." The Boss accepted this fact with a bitter smile, looking a little dejected.


    Perhaps sensing she had been too harsh, Hoshino tried to comfort him. "Actually, as the top eight in a regional tournament, you guys do have some strength (better than the brats in the toy shop)." S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She added, "It''s just that your deck coordination is awful. If you''re going to use a deck focused on normal monsters, you should at least add Heart of the Underdog cards!"


    "!!!" All seven Bosses stared at Hoshino in disbelief, mouths hanging open.


    "W-what? Did I say something wrong?" Faced with their suddenly heated gazes, the tuft of hair sticking out from under Hoshino''s cap curled up again instinctively.


    "Wait... we could''ve used that combination all along?" The Boss practically shouted, looking excitedly at his deck. "Yeah! By using Heart of the Underdog, we could draw cards continuously and overwhelm the opponent with monsters!"


    Hoshino''s confusion only deepened as she saw their reactions. "I just casually gave you the advice, why are you so excited?"


    "Advice that benefits us this much¡ªtruly worthy of a Duel King at the pinnacle of all duelists!" The Boss looked at Hoshino with grateful eyes. If it weren''t for the gender difference, he might have already reached out to shake her hand.


    "Not only did you not take our rare cards, but you also gave us, the losers, such practical advice. Big Boss, you''re the most generous person I''ve ever met!"


    "Big... Big Boss?"


    "That''s right, Big Boss! I have decided to follow you!" The Boss''s gaze grew intense as he voiced his intentions.


    "I want to follow Big Boss too!" Second Boss quickly echoed.


    "If the Boss has decided, then I''ll follow too!"


    The seven of them¡ªno, including Tadashi, it was now eight¡ªstirred once again, looking like they were about to swear loyalty to Hoshino right then and there.


    "No!" Hoshino crossed her arms in front of her chest, forming an X, and sternly rejected the eight men''s request.


    (***)


    "Odion, the spies in the City have already tracked down Hoshino''s whereabouts!" Marik, communicating through his Millennium Rod, relayed the information to Odion at his side.


    "You found her this soon?" Odion asked in disbelief.


    "They said they spotted a girl in South District summoning Heroic Spirit monsters. It has to be her!" Marik, trembling with excitement, knew he was one step closer to his plan''s success.


    "Take some of our men with you immediately and capture Hoshino! Make sure she doesn''t get a chance to use any cards!" Marik instructed.


    (***)


    "We won''t bother you, Big Boss!" The Boss, still unwilling to give up, pleaded, "Please, just let us stay by your side and watch you duel! Even observing a top-tier duelist like you would teach us so much!"


    "Trust me, you won''t learn anything just by watching." Hoshino, growing increasingly exasperated, thought that no matter which deck she used, it was so unique that they could, at most, pick up a few flashy lines but not much else.


    As Hoshino racked her brain for a way to explain this to her newfound ''followers,'' Several pairs of eyes watched her silently from the shadows...


    "Are you sure it''s the girl over there?" a man asked Odion, who stood behind him. Hoshino''s disguise covered her face completely, making it hard for them to confirm her identity.


    "It''s her," Odion replied.


    "Akasha''s with her too." Odion''s expression turned complicated as he glanced at the conspicuous blonde girl beside Hoshino. Though he knew Akasha was a traitor, Odion, being inherently upright, was reluctant to harm such a young girl.


    "Looks like there are a lot of people gathering around?" the third man pointed out.


    Following Marik''s orders, Odion had chosen two of Rate Hunter''s stronger members to join him. Including Odion, who stood 193 cm tall, their imposing presence would surely make any self-respecting group of kidnappers ashamed to admit they were here to abduct a high school girl.


    Fortunately, Odion didn''t need to care about appearances; he just had to complete the mission Marik had given him.


    "Those unfamiliar faces¡ªnot Hoshino''s companions. Probably just bystanders!" Waving his thick arm, Odion signaled to the other two.


    "We can''t delay any longer. Let''s move before more people gather!" The three large, figures charged forward with well-trained precision.


    .


    ..


    ...


    Of course, with their massive frames, they couldn''t approach without attracting attention.


    "Hoshino-nee, it looks like something''s coming our way!" Akasha, who noticed first, pointed at the three black silhouettes charging toward them like trucks.


    Seizing the opportunity to change the subject, Hoshino looked in the direction Akasha pointed. "What? Is that how people go jogging these days? These guys are intense."


    "No those outfits..." Akasha, realizing something was wrong, quickly raised the alarm. "It''s the Rare Hunters!"


    The dark cloaks were practically the uniform of the Rare Hunters, and all three were familiar faces, instantly recognized by Akasha.


    "What? Again¡­ Don''t tell me they''re here for another duel?" Hoshino shrugged with a smile. Even though she had just finished beating seven duelists in a row, it hadn''t drained her at all. She could easily handle a few more grunts.


    Handle them easily¡ªat least in a duel...


    She had assumed they would run up to her, politely activate their duel disks, and say something like, ''Hoshino Chiyuki, let''s duel for your rare cards and your honor!''


    "Well, I guess I have no choice but to duel as the Duel King... Wait! I''m still in disguise! How did they recognize me?" Hoshino suddenly realized something was wrong. Even though she was wearing a perfect disguise, they were still charging straight toward her...


    These guys were not here with good intentions!


    In a crucial moment, Hoshino''s intuition kicked in, and within seconds, she deduced the most likely scenario.


    ¡ªAfter yesterday''s incident with Akasha, Marik must''ve gotten desperate and decided to use force!


    Sure enough, as Hoshino suspected, the three men had no intention of dueling. Odion charged straight toward Hoshino, his massive hand reaching to grab her masked face. The first step in kidnapping was to incapacitate the target or at least prevent them from crying out.


    Although Marik had ordered Odion to take Hoshino back by force, the idea of knocking out a defenseless girl made Odion, as a man, feel somewhat resistant.


    So, Odion chose to cover Hoshino''s mouth with brute force to keep her from making any noise. With Hoshino''s small frame, he could easily tuck her under his arm, and no amount of struggling would help. This was the safest method Odion could think of to bring her back without causing any harm.


    "!!!" However, Odion''s eyes widened in disbelief as he realized he had failed at the very first step.


    Even if Hoshino had noticed him coming, his sudden move should have caught her off guard. Yet everything that was happening now had completely deviated from his original plan.


    To Odion''s shock, the seemingly frail Hoshino dodged his powerful grab with surprising speed. Then, the two men following up behind him met the same embarrassing fate as Odion.


    "Isn''t she supposed to be just an ordinary high school student?!" Odion, who had lived a life on the edge, developed a reaction speed beyond that of normal people. He was also keenly aware of others'' abilities.


    Judging by Hoshino''s evasive movements, her reaction speed far exceeded that of an ordinary human, even surpassing Odion''s. This level of intuition could only be developed after surviving numerous life-or-death situations.


    Hoshino frowned, surprised by her reflexes. She knew her capabilities well. In the face of such an overwhelming assault, the old her would have had no choice but to wait for death.


    But now, things were entirely different. The moment her attackers struck, it felt as though the entire world slowed down around her. Odion''s seemingly ferocious attack appeared in slow motion to Hoshino.


    Of course, Hoshino herself had no idea that this was all thanks to another inherent skill inherited from Emiya. Unlike her Hawkeye, which she''d noticed before, this skill hadn''t activated until now, so it went unnoticed.


    [Mind''s Eye (True): Capable of calm analysis of battle conditions even when in danger and deducing an appropriate course of action after considering all possibilities to escape from a predicament]


    "I thought this was all about dueling, but here you are attacking people out of nowhere," Hoshino complained, effortlessly dodging several more attacks, moving as if she had ''Evasion'' equipped.


    "Hoshino-nee, you''re so cool! (???)" Akasha''s eyes sparkled as she watched Hoshino''s skillful maneuvers. "I didn''t know you knew can move like that!"


    "Hey!" Finally, the Seven Bosses snapped out of their daze; their leader was being attacked on their turf


    "How dare you lay a hand on our Big Boss on our turf! Do you think we''re just going to stand by?" One of the rougher bosses roared. Though not as tall as Odion, his rugged appearance exuded an equally intimidating aura.


    "Let''s help the big boss beat them up!"


    "©»|£àO¡ä|©¿ Rawr~~" X7


    Although the Seven Bosses weren''t as physically imposing as the Rare Hunters, they made up for it in numbers. Even with two of them ganging up on each Rare Hunter, there were still two left to spare.


    "W-Wait, they''re not just random bystanders?!" Odion sighed as everything spiraled out of control. "Who would''ve thought Hoshino, would secretly be the leader of a gang!"


    "That''s why a plan with so many uncertainties is doomed to fail!" At this moment, Odion regretted not voicing his concerns to Marik earlier.


    "Phew, what''s going on here?!" Hoshino, panting heavily, finally had a chance to step back as her underlings took over. Though she had dodged the attacks with ease, the large movements had taken their toll on her stamina.


    To catch her breath quickly, Hoshino removed her disguise: a hat, glasses, and scarf. Her face, flushed from exertion, cheeks rosy, and lips parted, she greedily inhaled fresh air.


    Seeing this, the Seven Bosses paused their brawl for a few seconds, entranced by the sight, only to receive a few punches in the process.


    They had only ever seen the face of Duel King online, and now, seeing her in person, they realized she was even cuter than in the pictures.


    "Now that we''ve seen your true face, we''re ready to follow you for the rest of our lives, Big Boss!"


    Now that Hoshino had caught her breath, her gaze turned fierce. "Finally, my hands are free!" She dramatically unfolded the duel disk on her arm.


    "We''re doomed!" As soon as Odion saw her activate the duel disk, he felt all hope drain away. Every plan had failed so miserably, it felt like they had come here just to embarrass themselves.


    "Summon! You''d better prepare yourselves!" Hoshino scolded as she slammed three cards onto her duel disk.


    (What followed was too brutal to describe¡ªuse your imagination!)


    Seeing the Rare Hunters trio tightly bound by the Chains of Heaven, Hoshino clapped her hands in satisfaction.


    "Hoshino-nee, what do we do now?" Akasha, fully aware that Odion was Marik''s right-hand man, had already informed Hoshino of the situation.


    A mischievous grin spread across Hoshino''s face. "What should we do with them? Heh..."


    "We''ll wait for Marik to come and pay their ransom. Otherwise, we''ll tear them apart!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 205 - 205

    "Damn it!" Marik struck the wall, his laced with disbelief and anger.


    Through the Millennium Rod, Marik instantly learned of Odion and the others'' complete defeat.


    "Sorry, Marik. I was too careless," said Odion, who had his eyes closed, communicating with Marik through the mark of the Millennium Rod imprinted on his body.


    Listening to Odion''s explanation only deepened Marik''s confusion. An ordinary high school girl who could surpass Odion''s combat, along with eight strange minions, appeared out of nowhere¡ªnone of this was information Marik had previously known.


    If Marik didn''t trust Odion''s loyalty more than anyone else, he''d assume this was just a ridiculous story to make a fool of him.


    "Hey, you, Odion! I know you can contact Marik!"


    Hoshino, scowling, gave the tightly bound Odion a sharp kick.


    "Did you hear me? Tell Marik to bring the Winged Dragon of Ra himself within an hour, or I''ll kill you!"


    "K-kill!?" The two other bound men panicked at the word, standing in stark contrast to Odion''s calm demeanor.


    "Calm down. She''s just a high school girl¡ªWhat could she possibly do with a threat like that?" Odion said, observing his trembling comrades with mild annoyance.


    But after glancing at Martha, who was readying her fists beside him, even Odion''s calm tone held a flicker of uncertainty. "Probably¡­"


    "This time, we are relying on the boss~," Hoshino thought that Martha was perfect for this kind of work. Of all the Heroic Spirit, she was the best suited to handling things delicately. If Spartacus or Hercules were summoned, they''d probably just crush the enemies entirely.


    "Oh, fine, boss it is. I''m getting used to it," sighed Martha softly, accepting the nickname without argument this time, casually running her fingers through her smooth hair.


    Seven Bosses of the Southern District'' in Domino City were in shock. Today alone had shattered their worldview more than all previous experiences combined. Why did Duel Monsters suddenly start attacking people? And Why were their moves so cool and ruthless? And why did Hoshino call a Duel Monster "Boss"?


    "Big Boss has a Boss?" mumbled one of them, his eyes darting back and forth as if deep in thought.


    "Our Big Boss''s has a boss? that''s like the.....ultimate boss!" So, that was the profound insight he''d come up with?


    "What! The ultimate boss?" Martha''s face twisted in confusion. She''d already been gracious enough to accept being called "Boss," and now, suddenly, there was an even weirder title.


    "Oh! Ultimate boss ©»|£àO¡ä|©¿ X9!" cheered Akasha, joining in with the Seven Bosses.


    "You guys! Don''t push it too far!"


    (***)


    Marik was caught in a dilemma. He had thought his strategy would easily take out both Hoshino and Yugi, only to lose completely right at the start. The captor had become the captive¡ªa situation so absurd anyone else might laugh it off as a joke.


    And, of all people, Odion was the one Hoshino captured. If it had been any other Rare Hunters, Marik wouldn''t even hesitate to abandon them. But Odion was different. Odion was an exception¡ªMarik couldn''t bear to let anything happen to him.


    Although Odion was just an orphan taken in by the Tombkeeper family, he and Marik had shared the same family tragedies, forming a bond even closer than blood. Odion is, without a doubt, Malik''s most trusted ally.


    But if he lost the Winged Dragon of Ra here, his last trump card against the Pharaoh would be gone, and he''d have no choice but to watch the centuries-old sorrow of the Tombkeeper continue endlessly.


    "What should I do? What should I do?" Hoshino had only given him an hour, making Marik even more anxious.


    "It looks like you''re in trouble?" Said a familiar, irritating voice from behind, startling Marik out of his thoughts.


    "Bakura? I''m surprised you managed to find this place," Marik said with mild surprise as he turned to face the white-haired man who had appeared suddenly.


    The Dark Bakura, the holder of the Millennium Ring, had been sealed in the Shadow Game''s graveyard by Yugi and Hoshino during the Duelist Kingdom. But they underestimated the survival skills of the ancient evil spirit who had lived for millennia.


    "Hiding out in a shabby warehouse with all your rare cards¡ªdon''t you think the mighty leader of Rare Hunters deserves better?" Bakura remarked, surveying his surroundings with a smirk.


    Before Battle City began, the Millennium Ring, which could locate other Millennium Items, had already sensed Marik''s presence. Marik, who sought to kill Yugi, and Bakura, who wanted to seize the Millennium Puzzle, were a perfect match. Bakura became another collaborator for Marik in this city besides Yako.


    However, since the start of Battle City, this collaborator has remained in hiding.


    "You disappeared all day yesterday, and now you show up because you want something?" Marik said, a hint of irritation in his voice, clearly annoyed by Bakura''s lack of action since their partnership began.


    "No need to get worked up, Marik," Bakura replied with a shrug, picking up on Malik''s dissatisfaction. "I may be able to get close to Yugi easily because of my connection with his friends, but taking direct action has been complicated. Besides, I''m here to help you now, aren''t I?"


    "Help me?" Marik raised an eyebrow.


    "Hit a wall, didn''t you, Marik" Bakura sneered. "That wall called Hoshino Chiyuki."


    .


    ..


    ¡­


    Hoshino rubbed her chest, feeling inexplicably annoyed. "Why does it feel like someone''s talking bad about me?"


    .


    ..


    ¡­


    "!!!" Marik''s eye twitched, unable to conceal his nervousness. Just minutes had passed since Odion was captured, and yet Bakura somehow already knew.


    "That woman is hard to deal with, right?" Bakura, who had first faced Hoshino and suffered, was practically a senpai in Marik''s world of defeat.


    "If you know how tough she is, then what exactly do you plan to do to help?" Marik asked curiously.


    "Hand over the Millennium Rod to me!" Bakura''s sudden and blunt demand was backed by an indescribable surge of dark power.


    "Hoshino isn''t someone who can be dealt with by ordinary means. Give me the Millennium Rod, and I''ll combine its power with the Millennium Ring to initiate a special Shadow Game!" sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A special Shadow Game?" Marik repeated, his confusion evident.


    Bakura''s goal wasn''t limited to just seizing the Millennium Puzzle; any Millennium Item was fair game for him, including Marik''s Millennium Rod. Marik suspected this sudden suggestion was just Bakura''s ploy to get his hands on the Millennium Rod.


    "A regular Shadow Game won''t cut it, right? A girl who wields all three Evil Gods and a Spirit deck strong enough to rival a god. I''m not exaggerating¡ªif we play by normal rules, neither of us stands a chance."


    "..." Marik, at a loss for words, couldn''t immediately refute Bakura''s logic. Even with his confidence in the Winged Dragon of Ra, Hoshino''s strength was daunting¡ªespecially now that she wielded all three Evil Gods.


    "You want to save your men without losing your God Card, right? But help doesn''t come free." Bakura patted Marik''s shoulder, sensing Marik''s reluctance to hand over the Millennium Rod.


    "I''ll take on all the risks of the Shadow Game. All you have to do is lend me the Millennium Rod, and I''ll handle the rest. Once I defeat Hoshino, I''ll hand over the three Evil Gods and her deck to you."


    For Bakura, all that mattered were the Millennium Items ¨C rare cards like the God Cards meant little to him.


    But for Marik, the God Cards had a far deeper significance. If he could command the power of all three Evil Gods, defeating Yugi would be a certainty.


    Bakura''s words echoed in Marik''s mind like a devil''s whisper, tempting him.


    "If I lend you the Millennium Rod, how sure are you that you can beat Hoshino?" Marik asked, his resolve begins to waver.


    Lend? Bakura caught the slight hesitation in Marik''s words. Although Marik phrased it as a loan, once the Rod was in Bakura''s hands, whether he returned it was another matter.


    "I won''t lose!" Bakura''s absolute confidence served as the strongest assurance for Marik''s wavering resolve.


    "As long as I can initiate this twisted Shadow Game, I''m guaranteed to defeat Hoshino!"


    "Twisted rules?"


    (***)


    South District, Domino City ¨C


    Hoshino paced back and forth, her expression growing more impatient. "It''s been almost an hour now. I must have overestimated Marik."


    To avoid drawing attention, Hoshino and her team moved the three bound Rare Hunters to a deserted park early in the morning. After all, three tied-up men were bound to draw some awkward stares.


    But as time ticked by, even this remote park started seeing more people. Hoshino couldn''t ignore the curious looks from occasional passersby, which added to the awkwardness of the situation.


    "Given Marik-nii''s bond with Odion-nii, he shouldn''t just abandon him," Akasha said, puzzled, knowing how important Odion was to Marik.


    As time passed, the expressions of the two other Rare Hunters grew increasingly fearful, genuinely worried that they might be "disposed of." Only Odion''s stern expression seemed to relax. He didn''t want Malik to risk exposing himself and sacrificing the God Card just to save him.


    Ever since Battle City started, Marik had remained cautious, never even revealing his face to Yugi and his friends. Appearing in person and handing over the God Card would undo all his efforts. Odion would rather Marik abandon him as a pawn than jeopardize their entire plan.


    "Is Big Boss waiting for someone important?" One of the Seven Bosses asked, curious but too nervous to pry.


    "Yeah, someone very important." Hoshino''s gaze grew serious as she recalled what Marik did to Mr. Rowick last night, as well as his schemes. "A despicable scoundrel who toys with people''s lives without a shred of guilt."


    "Toying with... lives?" The Seven Bosses murmured among themselves, Curious but too cautious to ask for details.


    "Is this guy, like, Big Boss''s ex or something?"


    "Maybe he did something terrible to her? That would explain why she''s so angry."


    "Big Boss''s so pretty! And this guy wronged her? What a total jerk!"


    "When the time comes, if it''s really like that, we''ve got to back her up."


    "Absolutely. With us looking this good, showing support''s the least we can do."


    ...


    "Hoshino-nee, someone''s coming." Akasha''s voice interrupted, noting a slender figure approaching.


    Hearing this, Hoshino perked up. "Finally. Marik, the mastermind behind all this¡ªlet''s see what you look like."


    But as the figure drew closer, Hoshino was taken by surprise.


    "Yo~ Long time no see!" Bakura greeted her with a harmless smile, one hand casually in his pocket.


    "Bakura? What are you doing here...?" Hoshino was surprised to see him, as she hadn''t seen him since the start of Battle City. But it was only a slight surprise.


    "Wow, he''s handsome!" Akasha said, admiring Bakura''s sunny smile.


    "Dang, he''s so good-looking ¨C so he''s Big Boss ex, huh?"


    "So it was a lover''s quarrel all along?"


    "Backing her up isn''t gonna be easy, not with a guy this handsome..."


    "Bakura, what are you doing here?" Hoshino asked, feeling a bit nervous. Although the Rare Hunters were outlaws, bumping into an acquaintance while involved in a "kidnapping" was a bit unsettling.


    "Me?" Bakura scratched his cheek and smiled, "Oh, just here to retrieve something for a friend."


    "Retrieve something? In a park?" Hoshino found it strange that mild-mannered Bakura would show up here for something like this.


    "Yeah, something very important." Bakura''s tone grew darker as he lowered his head.


    Hoshino''s brow furrowed. "Something... important? In a park?"


    Bakura abruptly lifted his head, his face twisting into a sinister grin, a stark contrast to the friendly facade from moments ago.


    "That very important thing... is your life!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 206 - 206

    "This expression... could it be?" Hoshino recognized Bakura''s theatrical grin instantly.


    "The Millennium Ring! Weren''t you sealed in the Shadow Game?"


    "Hmph! A place like that could never seal someone as invincible as me!" Dark Bakura sneered.


    Akasha glanced at Bakura''s exaggerated expression and recoiled slightly. "Whoa, I take back what I said¡ªhe''s not handsome at all."


    Hoshino positioned Akasha behind her, keeping her gaze fixed on Dark Bakura. Hoshino quickly guessed that Dark Bakura''s showing up here was no coincidence¡ªit likely had something to do with Marik.


    "So, Marik decided not to come?"


    "As I said, an important friend asked me to come. He was too busy to do it himself!" Bakura''s theatrical smile faded slightly, but he didn''t hide his hostility, revealing the Duel Disk mounted on his left arm.


    "Oh? A Duel Disk, huh? I was wondering why you hadn''t been around these past few days, Bakura. Turns out you were secretly participating in the Battle City." Since he was here to cause trouble, Hoshino no longer felt embarrassed about capturing the Rare Hunters.


    "Wait... is she dueling her boyfriend?" The bizarre situation left her subordinates baffled.


    "Did I just hear something serious? He said he''s here to take Hoshino''s life?"


    "Yeah, I heard it too. Are relationship fights this extreme?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So, it''s going to end with a duel. Big Boss is too cool!"


    Hoshino had never actually dueled Dark Bakura herself; the Shadow Game from the Kingdom days had only allowed her to take over the final round from Yugi. Her understanding of Bakura''s deck was almost nonexistent.


    But she was still confident¡ªand where did that confidence come from?


    (Evaluation complete: Duelist Bakura, Duelist Rank C)


    Her confidence came from the system''s assessment of Bakura''s duelist ranking¡ªjust a mere C. For Hoshino, who had already defeated A+ ranked duelists like Yugi and Pegasus, such a level was hardly a threat.


    But there was one crucial factor Hoshino hadn''t accounted for.


    "Let the nerve-wracking Shadow Game begin!" The scene shifted instantly as a strange darkness spread at an indescribable speed.


    "A Shadow Game in a place this crowded?!" Hoshino never expected Dark Bakura to be this reckless. Not only were her people present, but others had also begun to filter into the park, given it was a holiday morning when the park was busier than usual.


    And so, this unexpected Shadow Game unfolded under the curious eyes of the crowd¡ª


    (***)


    Half an hour earlier...


    "A Shadow Game with twisted rules?" Marik looked at Bakura skeptically, hearing the term for the first time.


    "You know the conditions of a Shadow Game," Bakura said. "You can bet your strength, your memory, your soul, even your life. But no matter what, both sides must share the risk. And there''s one fundamental rule..."


    "Fundamental rule?" As someone who could also initiate Shadow Games, Marik had never noticed any fundamental rule.


    "Normally, you wouldn''t notice¡ªit''s just too obvious," Bakura replied with a smile.


    "And that is, in a Shadow Game, one side will inevitably lose something they staked. This is the true meaning of ''Shadow'' in a Shadow Game. Like an offering in a ritual, whether you wager your soul or your life, it must be sacrificed as tribute."


    Marik nodded slightly; what Bakura said was indeed the most basic rule, one so basic that it didn''t even need attention.


    "So, what''s this twisted-rule Shadow Game you''re talking about?"


    "Hahahahaha!" At this point, Bakura laughed, clutching his face. "A reversal! Completely flipping the rules of the Shadow Game!"


    "A reversal?" Marik struggled to understand, baffled by Bakura''s sudden outburst.


    "Using the conflicting powers of two Millennium Items, like the poles of a magnet, we reverse the rules of the Shadow Game." With that, Bakura rotated the Millennium Ring on his chest 180 degrees, and the sharp points on the ring jingled ominously.


    "Instead of sacrificing something, we''ll inject shadow into the duelist''s soul! The overwhelming shadow will shatter their personality, leaving them as an empty husk, a mere puppet."


    Marik''s breath caught. "Reversing the rules of a Shadow Game... is that even possible?"


    "It''s because it''s possible that I sought you out! All you have to do is hand over the Millennium Rod." Bakura guaranteed, though it seemed only someone like him, who sought to gather the Millennium Items, could discover such effects by combining them.


    "No, there''s still one problem." Tempted though he was, Marik kept his head clear.


    "In a Duel Monsters Shadow Game, even if we inject dark energy instead of sacrificing something, if you lose to Hoshino, won''t that shadow destroy you instead?"


    "Hahahahaha! I said it was a completely reversed Shadow Game!" Bakura burst into a crazed laugh as if he''d just heard the world''s funniest joke.


    "In a fully reversed game, the one who receives the shadow is, of course, the winner!"


    (***)


    "Starting a massive Shadow Game like this could cause a commotion." Hoshino watched as darkness spread, covering nearly the entire park.


    Already positioned to duel, Bakura said, "No need to worry. This space is isolated now. But Hoshino now''s not the time to worry about your surroundings. Worry about yourself first."


    As the darkness enveloped the space, Hoshino felt the eerie silence closing in. If anyone had sensed something wrong, panic would have erupted instantly. "An isolated space, huh? You can pull that off?"


    "I went to great lengths for this." Bakura retrieved the Millennium Rod from his back, his expression darkening.


    "Now, let''s begin! This will be the most powerful Shadow Game ever¡ªconducted with two Millennium Items!"


    [Dark Bakura vs. Hoshino Chiyuki]


    [Duel Start!]


    "I''ll go first¡ªdraw!"


    Hoshino didn''t know exactly what Bakura meant by ''the strongest Shadow Game ever,'' but one thing was clear: in a Shadow Game, holding back wasn''t an option.


    "Even with Bakura''s aggressive Shadow Game, Da Vinci-chan hasn''t shown up." She shook her Millennium bracelet, but there was still no response, and she frowned. "Is she slacking off? Well, knowing Da Vinci-chan, she probably has her reasons."


    "What''s the holdup? Scared already?" Bakura taunted.


    "Just a C-rank Millennium Ring and you''re already this cocky?" Hoshino shot back, quickly drawing a card and placing it on her Duel Disk.


    "I summon in Attack Position, [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn (Caster)]!"


    In the oppressive darkness, a faint glow appeared on Hoshino''s field.


    [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn (Caster)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][FIRE][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1300/DEF 800]


    C¨² Chulainn appeared, wielding a wooden staff, his form illuminated by the Duel Disk''s light amidst the darkness.


    "This environment is downright uncomfortable," C¨² Chulainn muttered as he took in the darkness cloaking the area. "The dark energy here is so intense it''s sickening. How can you even duel in a place like this, Master?"


    As the ''Child of Light'' in Ireland, C¨² Chulainn seemed more sensitive to darkness than others.


    "Looks like Bakura''s claim about this being ''the strongest Shadow Game ever'' wasn''t just empty words," Hoshino thought, growing more cautious in the duel.


    "Since it''s the first turn, I can''t attack. I''ll end my turn by setting two cards face-down." The thick darkness spread, partially obscuring the two cards she''d just set on her Duel Disk.


    Hoshino''s Remaining Hand: 3 cards


    "Now, it''s my turn¡ªdraw!" Bakura drew his card slowly, a smug expression suggesting victory was already his.


    "I summon a monster in face-down Defense Position and end my turn."


    With no extra moves, Bakura''s turn lasted barely three seconds from start to finish.


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "What kind of move is that? No attack, no set cards¡ªit''s like he''s dueling like Jonouchi!"


    Hoshino didn''t know what Bakura was planning, but she wasn''t about to let this chance slip away.


    "It''s my turn again, draw!"


    Her fingertips stood out against the darkness, and as she twirled them, she thought she saw a layer of dark mist covering her skin.


    "If that''s how you''re playing, don''t mind if I do! I activate the Spell Card, [Graceful Charity]! I draw three cards from my deck and then discard two from my hand."


    With the card''s effect, Hoshino swiftly drew three cards, "I discard the Spell Cards [Divine Three-Legged Race] and [Art of Death]."


    Alongside Graceful Charity, she tossed the three Spell Cards into her graveyard, causing the glow from C¨² Chulainn''s staff to shine even brighter.


    "Because there are now three Spell Cards in the graveyard, [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn (Caster)]''s attack increases by 300!"


    [This card gains 100 ATK for each Spell Card in the graveyard.]


    [C¨² Chulainn ATK 1300 ¡ú 1600]


    "Next, I Normal Summon a monster, [Heroic Spirit - Frankenstein]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Frankenstein¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Psychic/Effect][ATK 1350/DEF 800]


    "Urgh!" With a flash of electricity, Frankenstein materialized into the darkness.


    "Let''s attack! Prepare yourself, Bakura!" She swung her hand, signaling C¨² Chulainn to attack.


    "Attack Bakura''s face-down Defense Position monster, C¨² Chulainn!" Flames from C¨² Chulainn''s staff coalesced into a fireball, hurtling toward Bakura''s face-down monster.


    "Heh heh, it''s you who should be prepared, Hoshino!" Bakura sneered, flipping over his face-down monster.


    "The monster I set is [Granadora]!"


    A bizarre monster with a huge belly and mouth materialized as Bakura revealed his card on the field.


    [Granadora¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WATER][Reptile/Effect][ATK 1900/DEF 700]


    With only 700 DEF, it was no match for C¨² Chulainn''s fireball. Granadora''s bloated form vanished in the flames.


    Hoshino frowned. "A monster with 1900 ATK, but you set it in Defense Position? You''re playing like a rookie."


    "Ha ha ha! You attacked it, Hoshino!" Bakura laughed suddenly, catching her off guard.


    "Granadora''s effect activates. When this card is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, its controller takes 2000 points of damage."


    [Dark Bakura LP 4000 ¡ú 2000]


    "What?" From the start, Bakura''s moves had seemed amateurish, yet his actions made Hoshino uneasy.


    "The true darkness has begun to spread; you have no way out now!" Sliding his destroyed Granadora card into the graveyard, Bakura looked at Hoshino with a wicked grin.


    "With each step of this duel, darkness will creep deeper into your heart."


    As his card entered the graveyard, the surrounding black mist seemed to come alive, drifting toward Hoshino.


    "Feel it¡ªdarkness born from your power!" Bakura pointed sinisterly, an eager look in his eyes.


    "What is this?!" Hoshino watched in horror as the dark mist encircled her, instinctively waving her arms to dispel it.


    But even in a reversed Shadow Game, the rules couldn''t be broken. Just like in a standard Shadow Game, where losing Life Points or having monsters destroyed inflicted spiritual damage, this reversed version made it impossible to resist the darkness encroaching on her body.


    Sadness, jealousy, greed, anger¡ªthese dark emotions surged into her mind like a tidal wave.


    Whispers of darkness echoed in Hoshino''s mind.


    "Why do you have to go through this? You''re the Duel King, yet every time you face life-threatening Shadow Games. Doesn''t that make you sad?"


    "You''re the strongest duelist, the one who should be at the top of the world. Why watch Kaiba strut around with arrogance? Doesn''t it make you jealous?"


    "With your power, you could easily command wealth and authority. Don''t you deserve more?"


    "The world is so unfair to you! Hate it! Let the rage at this injustice consume you and burn everything down!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 207 - 207

    "Da...nger¡­" Sensing something was wrong, Fran struggled to warn her master.


    "This is bad!" Cu Chulainn, who had sensed something was off from the start, finally understood the purpose of the pervasive darkness.


    "So it was aimed at Master all along, huh?!" Cu Chulainn glared at Bakura, who grinned back and clicked his tongue in frustration.


    "How boring¡­" Enveloped in darkness, Hoshino suddenly spoke.


    "Hmm?!" Bakura''s cold grin faltered.


    "So, this is your plan, Bakura? This level of brainwashing isn''t even as annoying as Emiyamama''s nagging."


    "Even after your Life Points took a direct 2000-point hit, it still didn''t work?" Bakura sighed, watching Hoshino, who looked almost unaffected. "As expected of you, Hoshino¡ªyour soul''s resilience isn''t something an average person can compare with."


    Hoshino pointed across the field, accusing, "Your moves have been strange from the start. All this talk about the ''strongest Shadow Game''¡ªjust a cover to hide the real rules, isn''t it?"


    "Tch. Smart people are a headache." Bakura clicked his tongue, somewhat surprised that Hoshino saw through his plan so quickly.


    But surprise or not, Bakura had no intention of changing his plan. "And so what? Once a Shadow Game begins, there''s no stopping it halfway through."


    "Fine by me! I''ll keep fighting until you regret ever starting this!" Hoshino raised her duel disk, fully aware of the rules but showing no sign of backing down.


    "Go ahead! I activate the Quick-Play Spell, [Heroic Spirit Summon]!"


    [Heroic Spirit Summon Quick-Play Spell Effect: You can only activate one of these cards per turn. The turn this card is activated, you cannot perform a normal summon, and non-[Heroic Spirit] monsters cannot be special summoned. ¢Ù: You can activate this card by banishing 2 [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your hand or field. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand.]


    "I banish Cu Chulainn and Frankenstein from the field to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 Stars)][LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK2500/DEF3000]


    A divine light, like a faint star in the night sky, descended onto Hoshino''s field.


    "A saint, huh? Do you think this tiny light will pierce through the ultimate darkness? Aren''t you being a little naive?" Bakura, familiar with Jeanne''s abilities, wasn''t fazed. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If light alone can''t break through, I''ll use a dark power to tear it apart!" Surrounded by the dark mist, Hoshino took another card and placed it on her duel disk.


    "Come forth, [Spirit Core Conversion]!"


    [Spirit Origin Conversion Quick-Play Magic Effect: Select 1 face-up [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. ¢Ù: Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster with a different attribute and name from your deck, ignoring its summoning conditions, then return the selected monster to the deck.]


    Like a magical girl transforming, Jeanne''s golden hair gradually darkened to white, and her attire shifted to black, blending seamlessly into the dark surroundings.


    "With Spirit Core Conversion, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne Alter] from my Deck!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    As Hoshino swapped Jeanne''s card for the Jeanne Alter card, Jeanne Alter materialized, wielding her cursed flag and wearing a wicked grin, "Did you think the saint''s weak light had returned? Too naive! Feel this hatred that will burn the world to ashes!"


    "If my guess is right, this Shadow Game''s rule means that every time I lose Life Points, darkness engulfs my opponent!" Hoshino''s smile matched Jeanne Alter''s as she easily deduced the twisted rule from Bakura''s strange actions.


    "Are you planning to¡­" Bakura finally showed a hint of panic.


    "Let''s see what happens if I send that dark energy straight into your soul." With a wicked smile, Hoshino pressed Jeanne Alter''s card on the duel disk.


    "Go ahead, Jeanne Alter! Forget about holding back for me¡ªshow him Ephemeral Phantasms!"


    [Once per turn, by paying half of your Life Points, this card gains ATK equal to the amount paid. This effect can be activated even during the opponent''s turn.]


    "Just don''t start crying on me!" Jeanne Alter gripped her black sword, her eyes blazing with anticipation. "This hatred isn''t going to settle down so easily!"


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 2000]


    [Jeanne Alter ATK 3000 ¡ú 5000]


    "Enjoy it, Millennium Ring! This darkness you created!" Hoshino, fueled by rage, channeled the stolen Life Points¡ªnow like black sludge from the Holy Grail¡ªstraight into Bakura''s soul.


    "Ahhh!" Bakura, who had looked so confident, was now writhing in agony.


    Even with the combined darkness of two Millennium Items, Bakura found the assault overwhelming, his personality nearly erased by Hoshino''s burning spirit.


    "Is your soul invulnerable?" Bakura groaned, struggling against the pain consuming him.


    "Invulnerable? Hardly," Hoshino replied with a smile.


    "I do feel sadness¡ªbut it''s from giving my all against Seto Kaiba and still losing."


    "I feel jealousy too¡ªbut that''s from seeing Jounouchi pull four 5-stars in a row like a total luck god."


    "I also feel greed¡ªbut it''s the desire to beat Yugi and earn those precious stones for drawing my favorite character."


    "Yes, this world is full of injustice. But that''s not why I''d ever resent a world that has welcomed me! Any anger I feel is directed only at those like you and Marik, who play Shadow Games and mess with other people''s lives!"


    Bakura''s brow furrowed. This distorted Shadow Game had indeed achieved its intended effect, especially after he felt it, recognizing the depth of its darkness. But he hadn''t counted on one thing: darkness couldn''t penetrate a heart that held no fractures.


    "Are you¡­invincible? Don''t be ridiculous!" Steadying himself from the intense pain, Bakura still couldn''t shake the feeling of a crack forming.


    "There has to be something¡ªa crack, deep within your soul." Bakura thought frantically, seeking any chance for the darkness to break through Hoshino''s defenses.


    Though Bakura hadn''t known Hoshino for long, they had come through the Duelist Kingdom together. But even through all that, he had never once seen any hint of negative emotions from her. Even when Pegasus''s Shadow game had left her clinging to her last 100 LP, she''d shown no fear or hesitation.


    "There it is!" Bakura''s eyes widened as he recalled a single moment¡ªthe opening he''d been searching for.


    It was the one time she''d shown, in front of everyone, a fleeting glimpse of something hidden deep in her heart. Her trembling eyes and a single tear rolling down her cheek had frozen the world around her.


    (***)


    "I want to go home¡­"


    "At this moment, you are the true protagonist. Just express what you want to express the most."


    "What I want to express the most¡­"


    "I want to go home."


    "I just wanted to go out and play, but I never intended not to return. I don''t want to leave Dad alone. What should I do to get back?"


    At that moment, the whole world watched Hoshino Chiyuki win the highest honor in dueling, becoming the Duel King. Then, she tearfully expressed her desire to go home¡­


    "Miss Hoshino¡­" Even Holmes, who had been somewhat excited earlier, felt a pang of guilt upon hearing Hoshino''s words. Despite being the crystallization of the ''detective'' concept, he had no clue about this particular case.


    (***)


    "Hoshino just said... she wants to go home..." Recalling her words and her final remarks at the Duelist Kingdom, Bakura wondered: if Hoshino wanted to go home, why hasn''t she? Pegasus or Kaiba could easily give her a ride. This is just one of the many mysteries surrounding Hoshino¡ªher unique Heroic Spirit deck, the eighth Millennium Item that doesn''t belong to this world¡­


    "No way¡­ could Hoshino be from another world, like the Pharaoh who lost his memory?" Staring at Hoshino in shock, Bakura realized the Millennium Ring''s power¡ªits wisdom¡ªwasn''t just for causing mischief. Bakura was at least 80% sure about his theory.


    "Turn end!" While Bakura was reeling from his deduction, Hoshino calmly ended her turn without making any further moves.


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 1 card, 1 set card, [Jeanne Alter ATK 5000]


    "Is that all? I don''t care what world you''re from!" Feeling ever more confident in his deduction, Bakura''s smug smile returned. "As long as I''ve found your weak point, that''s all that matters! Darkness¡­ can seep into any crack!"


    "My turn. Draw!"


    Glancing at his hand, Bakura said, "Hoshino, even though you surprised me by dropping your Life Points by 2000, your deck still isn''t as suited to losing as mine!"


    He threw out a card, and a strange white cube-like creature appeared on Bakura''s field.


    "And don''t forget, you have a monster with 5000 Attack Points on your field. If I just nudge it a bit¡­ hahahahaha!" Embracing the joy of his destined defeat, Bakura let out a burst of laughter. In his wildest dreams, he''d never have imagined he''d one day revel in losing.


    "I summon a monster in Attack Position: [Mokey Mokey]!"


    [Mokey Mokey ¡ï][LIGHT] [Fairy][ATK 300/DEF 100]


    "With just one hit, my Life Points will drop to zero! Mokey Mokey, attack Hoshino''s monster!"


    The tofu-shaped creature, with a comically determined expression, leaped at Hoshino''s Jeanne, who had 5000 Attack Points.


    "I won''t let you have your way! I activate my Trap Card: [Nagging Storekeeper]!" Unfazed by the mere 300 Attack Points, Hoshino flipped her set card. With the rules of the game now in play, this bizarre duel became even stranger.


    [Nagging Shopkeeper Trap Card Effect: When a monster with [Heroic Spirit] in its name is targeted for an attack, you can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower monster from your Deck in Defense Position to take the attack instead. The summoned monster''s DEF increases by 500.]


    "I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash] in Defense Position!" Hoshino hesitated briefly before choosing the Hero with the lowest DEF in her deck.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash ¡ï ¡ï][LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK 300/DEF 300 ¡ú 800]


    In a flash like a shooting star, Arash appeared, looking panicked. "I''m done for! I heard that when this card''s effect summons you, you die in the most tragic way! Does that mean I won''t even need to self-destruct this time?"


    "Boing!" Mokey Mokey bounced off Arash with a comically soft thump."


    "Am I¡­ still alive?!" Arash fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.


    "Tch!" Bakura grunted in frustration, his self-destruction plan foiled by Hoshino''s bizarre strategy.


    [Dark Bakura''s LP 2000 ¡ú 1500]


    "Even with the Nagging Shopkeeper''s boost defense, he still ended up taking Life Points damage, huh?"


    Likewise, seeing Bakura''s Life Points drop, Hoshino complained, "Arash, why did you need so much defense? Couldn''t you just stay at zero attack and defense? You should have a minus sign in front of that 300 DEF!"


    "Master, are you some kind of demon?" Even Jeanne Alter was impressed by her Master''s ruthlessness.


    "Only 500 points, but it''s enough¡ªthe darkness has found a way in, Hoshino!" With a snap of Bakura''s fingers, a black mist responded and surged toward Hoshino again.


    Hoshino shrugged, unfazed. "I told you, this darkness isn''t enough to¡ªugh!"


    Mid-sentence, Hoshino froze, her expression as if caught in time.


    "So it worked after all! Just as I thought¡ªeven someone with a soul as strong as hers will break if the right weakness is found!" Though slightly taken aback, Bakura hadn''t anticipated the plan''s success unfolding so smoothly.


    "Master, are you okay?" Arash asked with concern.


    "There''s no way she''d fall to such a little dark influence after resisting a much stronger force earlier, right?" Jeanne Alter, though trying to sound skeptical, couldn''t hide her worry.


    (***)


    "Dad, what''s wrong?"


    "Today''s your mother''s birthday, Chiyuki¡­ I just really miss her."


    "Mom?" Hoshino tilted her head, feeling a strange distance from the name.


    "She was beautiful and kind, just like you, Chiyuki."


    "Just as beautiful as me? Dad, you''re so lucky!"


    "Hehe¡­Having you and your mom, my two angels, has been the greatest blessing of my life."


    "Then why are you crying, Dad?"


    "That''s a good question¡­ why am I crying? Maybe because both you and your mother left me. I''m so lonely¡­ Why did you both have to leave me behind? I''ve tried so hard, given everything I had¡­ but everyone important to me keeps leaving!"


    "No! I didn''t! I didn''t abandon you!"


    "Life in another world must be fun, huh? New friends, a new life¡­ you must be happy, right, Chiyuki?"


    Her father''s once-kind face twisted into something fierce, His weathered hand gripped Hoshino''s slender wrist tightly. "Did you ever think about how I felt? I lost everything¡ªthen I lost my last reason to go on."


    "No way, Dad. You''ve always been so optimistic. Even when work''s pressure was unbearable, you''d always brush it off with a smile. You''d never break over something like this." Wincing at his grip, Hoshino forced a comforting smile.


    "It was you who killed me, Chiyuki! When you left, vanished without a word¡­ that was the final blow. It crushed me."


    "No, I didn''t kill you! I didn''t mean to disappear. I didn''t want to leave¡­" Shaking her head desperately, Hoshino stumbled a step back.


    "I just¡­ didn''t know how to come back!" At that moment, her father felt like a stranger, distant and unreachable.


    "The Egyptian God Cards hold the power to open a door to another world! Go defeat Seto Kaiba and Yugi Muto, and gather the cards of the Three Egyptian Gods!"


    "Then¡­ I can go back?" Dazed and bewildered, Hoshino could no longer tell what was real.


    Her father''s life and death¡ªand how he knew about the Egyptian God Cards¡ªonly deepened the mystery.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 208 - 208

    Hoshino stood motionless, the Millennium Bracelet on her wrist emitting an eerie glow.


    "That was easy," Bakura said with a dismissive wave, though he secretly exhaled in relief. "Made me break a sweat, but it was easier than I thought."


    "What did you do?" Arash shouted angrily, his eagle-like gaze now brimming with killing intent.


    Jeanne Alter was taken aback¡ªnot by their shared white hair, but by Arash''s sudden, fierce aura, so unlike his usual kind demeanor.


    "Oh? She has lost consciousness, yet her monster remains. How rare," Bakura said, shrugging indifferently as he met Arash''s unyielding stare.


    "So this is the power of a card spirit, huh? Oh well, it doesn''t matter. She is already sent to the depths of darkness! Hahahaha!"


    Bakura''s maniacal laughter echoed through the endless, lifeless darkness. His twisted grin stretched unnaturally as if pushing the limits of human expression.


    "What''s got you laughing like that?"


    "?!" Bakura''s laughter froze, and cold sweat dripped down his back. Despite the chill of the dark space, he felt a bone-deep cold.


    "I asked you, what''s so funny?" Hoshino''s gaze and tone were icy to the extreme.


    "How?! You fell into the darkness¡ªit should be impossible for you to awaken!" Bakura, whose many lifetimes had never seen anyone return from the abyss, began to doubt reality.


    "No one consumed by darkness should be able to retain consciousness!"


    "Darkness? You mean this thing?" Hoshino raised her wrist, displaying the Millennium Bracelet. Originally glowing gold, the bracelet now shimmered an eerie purple.


    "What a trivial trick. The Millennium Bracelet is practically useless¡ªit can''t start Shadow Games, control minds, or swap souls. Its only purpose is to store dark energy."


    The Millennium Bracelet absorbed small amounts of dark energy after every Shadow Duel. Besides summoning a Heroic Spirit in critical moments or being wasted by Holmes, Hoshino hadn''t found much use for it.


    "Da Vinci, I know you''re here¡ªstop hiding and show yourself!" Hoshino shook the bracelet, her voice commanding.


    "Boo hoo hoo, Hoshino-chan, you''re so cold¡ªyou didn''t even add ''Chan'' when you called my name," Da Vinci whined playfully, her semi-transparent figure flickering into view.


    "Answer me. Do the Egyptian God Cards have the power to open a door to another world?" Ignoring Da Vinci''s antics, Hoshino got straight to the point.


    "¡­"


    "So you know something, don''t you, Da Vinci?" The unusual silence confirmed Hoshino''s suspicions.


    With a sigh, Da Vinci replied, "If I must say, yes. According to records, the Egyptian God Cards serve as a key to guide souls to another world. But whether they can lead to your previous world is entirely unknown."


    "That''s enough!" With her answer, Hoshino turned her sharp gaze back to the sweat-drenched Bakura and raised her Duel Disk. "This duel is over. Your Shadow Game and your tactics are meaningless¡ªpathetic, even."


    "Two Millennium Items'' powers absorbed by a fake artifact?!" Bakura was incredulous. If what Hoshino said was true, then this girl wielding a counterfeit artifact now possessed dark energy surpassing that of any previous Item wielder.


    "My turn¡­" The dark energy flowed into her deck as if finding its true home, consuming it greedily. "Draw!"


    With the card she drew, Hoshino pointed at Bakura again. "If the Millennium Rod is with you, then you must have encountered Marik! Tell me, where is he?"


    Now that her goal had become the Egyptian Gods, she not only needed Kaiba, who held Obelisk the Tormentor, and Yugi, who somehow acquired Slifer the Sky Dragon, but Marik, who wielded the Winged Dragon of Ra, was also essential.


    "Marik¡­ is¡­"


    "Three¡­" Hoshino suddenly began a countdown, unsettling Bakura.


    But Bakura didn''t know where Marik went after handing over the Millennium Rod. He might still be at the base or secretly watching the situation.


    "Two!"


    "Don''t get cocky! Even if you win this Shadow Game, it doesn''t affect me in the slightest!" Realizing he''d been afraid for no reason, Bakura dismissed his anxiety. Even if Hoshino won, the Shadow Game''s reversal rule would protect him.


    "One¡­ Forget it. Looks like you won''t answer." Hoshino sighed, setting down her card and issuing her final command to Jeanne Alter.


    "At last, the time for revenge has come! Hear the roar of my soul, forged in hatred¡ªLe Grondement de la Haine!"


    Jeanne Alter pointed her sword, crimson flames easily overwhelming Bakura''s insignificant monster, Mokey Mokey, and surging toward Bakura himself.


    [Dark Bakura''s LP: 1500 ¡ú 0]


    "Hahaha, I''m fine! As expected, I''m fine. My Shadow Game rules don''t make mistakes!" Feeling his fear was wasted, Bakura affirmed the reversed Shadow Game wouldn''t harm him.


    "True, but this is beyond a Shadow Game''s reach! I told you, I''d beat you until you regretted it!" Hoshino showed no intention of stopping, and her Heroic Spirit on the field shared her resolve.


    "Oh no!" Grabbing the Millennium Ring and Rod, Bakura tried to end the Shadow Game and return to their original dimension.


    "Trying to run after losing? Not a chance!" Hoshino raised the Millennium Bracelet on her right hand, its vast reserves of dark energy locking the space in place. "It''s your turn, Arash! Pin him down."


    "Pin him down? That''s beyond me; this arrow could level a mountain!" Never underestimate the great hero¡ªArash''s ordinary arrows were as powerful as his Noble Phantasms.


    Releasing his fully drawn bowstring, Arash''s eyes burned with an eagle''s killing intent.


    "Daring to harm Master¡ªnow I''m really angry!"


    The swift arrow tore through the air, piercing Bakura''s arm with precision.


    "Ahhh!" Bakura let out an agonized scream, as though his very soul had been shattered, and the Millennium Rod slipped from his grip.


    "A useless trinket anyway; better leave the Millennium Rod!" With its power to locate the other Millennium Items, the Ring could pinpoint Yugi''s current location, while Marik would certainly retrieve the Rod, making his escape impossible.


    Bakura''s pupils trembled as he stared at his numb arm. He finally understood his fear. The girl before him was no longer the Hoshino he had previously known. Her presence exuded an absolute confidence that saw everything beneath her.


    "Heh, I''m not done yet," Hoshino smirked, and although the duel was over, she seemed to toy with the suffering Bakura as if it were merely entertainment.


    "Quick-Play Spell, [Phantasmal Summoning]! I fuse Jeanne Alter, Arash, and Artoria Pendragon from my hand!"


    Three beams of light¡ªeach a different color¡ªconverged into a single point, twisting into a darkness as deep as an abyss.


    "Fusion Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X Alter]!" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the dark light emerged Mysterious Heroine X, cloaked in black. Her expression was blank, but the crimson lightsaber in her hand seemed to pulse with warmth.


    "Just as I thought¡ªthis dark energy allows access to all Alter-class servants." Hoshino finally showed her first genuine smile of the duel.


    "Take him down, X Alter!"


    "Five seconds is all I need!" Mysterious Heroine X assumed a professional stance, her gaze sharp as she locked onto her prey.


    "No, please¡ªno!" Overwhelmed by the dark, indescribable power radiating from the creature before him, Bakura felt sick with fear.


    "Alter-reactor, critical limits exceeded. Even if you beg, there''s no stopping it now!" Mysterious Heroine X''s final reply shattered any last hope for Bakura.


    "At a time like this, rather than begging pathetically, repent for your foolishness in hell." Hoshino taunted, the dark energy of her Millennium Bracelet intensifying to emit a black glow.


    Mysterious Heroine X rushed toward Bakura, her lightsaber trailing a crimson arc. "Under the light of our darkness, return to subatomic particles!"


    The crimson slash carved through the dark space like a flower blooming in a swamp¡ªbeautiful yet deadly to anyone caught in its path.


    "Cross Calibur¡ª(Black Dragon Twinblade of Victory)!"


    Her final X-slash unleashed an explosive sound, merging with Dark Bakura''s scream and shattering the fragile dark space.


    [Duel Over. The victor: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 209 - 209

    The shattered dark space, obliterated by Mysterious Heroine X Alter, slowly dissipated, separating Hoshino and Bakura from the Millennium Item and returning them to the quiet park at dawn.


    Thud¡ª!


    As Dark Bakura''s consciousness faded, his body collapsed to the ground, limp like a puppet with its strings cut.


    "Hoshino-nee!"


    As soon as Hoshino returned to reality, she heard Akasha''s worried shout.


    "Where did you go? You scared me to death!"


    "I went to figure out what I should really be doing." Walking over to the unconscious Bakura, Hoshino noticed the Millennium Ring dangling from a thin cord around his neck.


    "The Millennium Ring. If it''s so fond of causing trouble, I''ll borrow it for a while." Hoshino snapped the cord effortlessly, the Millennium Ring slipping into her hand.


    "What happened to the white-haired guy?" Akasha asked, her curiosity piqued as she looked at the unconscious Bakura.


    "Hah." Hoshino glanced at the Millennium Ring in her hand, a cryptic smile curling her lips. "If you act recklessly, you''ll pay for it."


    "Oh, I almost forgot." She pulled Bakura''s deck from his duel disk without hesitation.


    "Tch. Just as I thought¡ªcomplete garbage." She clicked her tongue, disappointed after rifling through it. Hoshino had hoped to find some rare cards, only to discover that his deck was full of weak monsters and spells that inexplicably drained life points, seemingly designed to lose.


    To her surprise, she found six Puzzle Cards in Bakura''s pocket, baffled at how he''d managed to collect so many with such a terrible deck.


    "Big Boss, are you guys alright?" The Seven Bosses of the Southern District approached cautiously, their concern etched on their faces.


    "Stop calling me Big Boss¡ªI''m not your boss." Coldly rejecting them once again, Hoshino handed the Millennium Rod back to the tied-up Odion. "Take this back to Marik and tell him this: I''ll find him, and he''d better be ready."


    "You?!" Odion''s eyes widened, completely unable to understand. Returning the Millennium Rod to her enemy right after obtaining it¡ªwhat was this person thinking?


    "Well then, time to get on with the real business, Akasha-chan!"


    She gestured to Akasha, fixing her gaze on the Millennium Ring in her hand. Although the Millennium Ring could sense the location of other Millennium Items, Hoshino had no idea how to activate it.


    She shook it near her ear, hearing only the faint chime of its pointed ornaments but nothing else.


    "What a useless trinket. Maybe I should just melt it down for cash!"


    Buzz¡ª


    The Millennium Ring suddenly emitted a faint light, and its pointed ornaments aligned like a compass, pointing toward the docks.


    "The docks? Why would Yugi be there?" Hoshino frowned, realizing the Ring was likely pointing toward the Millennium Puzzle¡ªit hadn''t reacted to the nearby Millennium Rod, after all. Given it was the Millennium Ring, it made sense for it to be more selective.


    "Hoshino-nee, what do you mean by ''real business''? Weren''t we here to hunt for rare cards today?"


    "That''s right, rare card hunting." Hoshino gave a sly smile, glancing toward the distant docks. "Now, let''s go hunt the rarest card in existence."


    "You guys should leave too. Staying here any longer might cause trouble." She reminded her henchmen, knowing Marik would not spare them if he returned.


    After all, she had warned them. Whether they chose to leave was no longer her concern.


    (***)


    Domino City Docks


    [Tag Duel]


    [Yugi Muto & Seto Kaiba VS Rare Hunters Masked Duo]


    Current Field:


    Yami Yugi: [Alpha The Magnet Warrior] in Defense Position


    Seto Kaiba: [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] in Attack Position


    Remaining LP:


    [Yami Yugi & Seto Kaiba: 700]


    [Masked Duo: 2200]


    "See that? That''s the unbeatable power of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba declared triumphantly, clenching his fist with fierce intensity.


    The opponents'' empty field, still shrouded in dissipating smoke, was clear evidence of Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s recent rampage.


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the legendary ultra-rare powerhouse, huh? Quite a challenge."


    The Masked Duo, one large and one thin, were known as the Light Mask (the larger one) and Dark Mask (the thinner one). They were the most formidable tag team among the Rare Hunters, specializing in tag duels and having pushed Kaiba and Yugi to the brink.


    But Kaiba turned the tables at the last moment with Blue-Eyes White Dragon and its Burst Stream of Destruction.


    Light Mask: "Quite a challenge¡­"


    Dark Mask: "But before the might of our ultimate team¡­"


    "You''re still no match!" Speaking in perfect sync like a comedy duo, their words showed they''d been working together for quite some time.


    "It''s my turn." Dark Mask began his turn, casually drawing a card from his deck.


    "It''s time to show them our trump card." The plump Light Mask suggested.


    Glimpsing at the card he''d just drawn, Dark Mask gave a wicked grin. "Yes, that puny Blue-Eyes White Dragon is no match for us!"


    "I activate the Ritual Spell Card [Advanced Ritual Art]!" Dark Mask tossed the card onto his duel disk, and a mystical circle glowing with an unusual light appeared before him.


    Kaiba furrowed his brow, thinking, "Advanced Ritual Art? A Ritual Spell¡­ He''s summoning a Ritual Monster!"


    "Behold the most powerful masked monster, a beast capable of defeating even the Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Advanced Ritual Art''s effect activates..."


    [Advanced Ritual Art Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon any 1 Ritual Monster. You must also send Normal Monsters from your Deck to the GY whose total Levels equal the Level of that Ritual Monster.]


    "I send two Level 4 Normal Monsters, [Grand Tiki Elder], from my Deck to the Graveyard, totaling 8 stars! I now Ritual Summon the strongest masked monster at Level 8!"


    As the ritual was completed, countless masks materialized on the field, merging into one grotesque, monstrous form.


    [The Masked Beast ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Fiend/Ritual][ATK 3200/DEF 1800]


    A hideous beast cloaked in a sea of grotesque, lifeless masks appeared, radiating malice.


    "3200 Attack Points? A Level 8 monster surpassing even the mighty Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba folded his arms, his expression betraying his astonishment.


    "See now, your Blue-Eyes White Dragon is nothing before the unstoppable Masked Beast!" Dark Mask laughed as he declared the attack.


    "Masked Beast, obliterate the Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Masked Death Beam!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Countless beams shot from the faces of the beast, piercing through the massive Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] Destroyed


    [Yugi & Kaiba LP 700 ¡ú 500]


    "With the only threat to us destroyed, I''ll set two cards and end my turn!"


    "Did you think Blue-Eyes was the only monster here? You''ve underestimated me."


    Kaiba smirked as he folded his arms, watching Yami take his turn. "Hmph. Yugi¡ªthe only man I respect! Take my Blue-Eyes'' fury and obliterate them!"


    Brimming with confidence, Yami drew his card with a flourish. "You won''t get another chance. This turn will end the duel! My turn, draw!"


    The Masked Duo exchanged a glance, their confidence unshaken.


    "You''re staring down a monster stronger than Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and you still think you can win?" Dark Mask sneered.


    Yugi smiled, holding up two cards. "Are you so sure about your ''invincible monster''? Take a look at these two cards!"


    "Huh?"


    "I''ll combine my hands [Gamma The Magnet Warrior] and [Beta The Magnet Warrior] with the [Alpha The Magnet Warrior] on the field! Together, they form the ultimate Magnet Warrior!"


    Yugi sent the three Magnet Warriors to the Graveyard, their holographic images merging into a single new monster.


    "Arise! Special Summon [Valkyrion the Magna Warrior]!"


    [Valkyrion the Magna Warrior ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][EARTH][Rock/Effect][ATK 3500/DEF 3850]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must first be Special Summoned (from your hand) by Tributing 1 [Alpha The Magnet Warrior], [Beta The Magnet Warrior], and [Gamma The Magnet Warrior] from your hand and/or field.]


    "A monster with an Attack even greater than our Masked Beast?!" Light Mask staggered back, the terrifying aura of Valkyrion making him sweat.


    "What''s there to fear? A mere 3500 Attack!" Dark Mask wiped the sweat from his brow, quickly regaining his composure. "I activate the Trap Card [Mask of Weakness]!"


    [Mask of Weakness Effect: Target 1 attacking monster; that target loses 700 ATK until the end of this turn.]


    A grotesque mask appeared, latching onto Valkyrion.


    [Valkyrion the Magna Warrior ATK 3500 ¡ú 2800]


    "With your monster weakened, there''s no way you can defeat our Masked Beast!"


    Yugi scoffed, mocking them. "The strongest tag team in the Rare Hunters, and this is all you''ve got?"


    "What did you say?!"


    "I said you''re weak! Watch this¡ªValkyrion''s special effect activates! By sacrificing it, I summon three Magnet Warriors from my Graveyard!"


    Valkyrion split into its components, and the three Magnet Warriors reappeared on the field.


    "With three monsters on my field¡ªand my Normal Summon still unused¡ªdo you know what comes next?" Yugi''s eyes gleamed with victory as he drew a card from his hand.


    Kaiba smirked, already realizing Yami''s strategy. "Yugi, you never disappoint."


    "Witness the wrath of the gods!" Yugi placed a bright red card onto his Duel Disk, calling out the name of a divine beast.


    "When the thunder roars and the ancient scriptures align, an infinite power is unleashed! I sacrifice my three monsters to summon... [Slifer the Sky Dragon]!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK ???/DEF ???]


    Slifer''s massive, fiery red form loomed over the battlefield, crackling with a storm of lightning.


    "This¡­ This is a god..." The Masked Duo trembled, their confidence crumbling under Slifer''s overwhelming presence.


    "Slifer''s effect: its Attack and Defense are equal to the number of cards in my hand times 1000!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ATK ??? ¡ú 1000 per hand card]


    Hearing Slifer''s effect, the Masked Duo let out a sigh of relief.


    "Haha! With just one card in hand, Slifer''s power is pitiful¡ªwhat are you planning, Yugi?"


    "Sore wa dou kana?! (We''ll see about that.)" Yami replied, placing his last card onto the Duel Disk.


    "Here it is¡ªmy final Spell Card: [Card of Sanctity]!"


    "What?! No way!!"


    "Card of Sanctity lets both players draw until they have six cards in hand. Slifer the Sky Dragon''s final Attack is..."


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ATK 1000 ¡ú 6000]


    "This¡­ This can''t be happening!" The Masked Duo stared in horror as Slifer''s Attack soared.


    "Let''s end this! Slifer the Sky Dragon!" Yugi''s cape billowed in the fierce winds as he commanded his godly beast.


    "Thunderforce Attack!"


    "It''s no use¡ªI still have a face-down card!" Dark Mask desperately flipped his Trap Card. "I activate the Trap Card [Sakuretsu Armor]!"


    [Sakuretsu Armor Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; destroy that target.]


    "Your Trap Cards are powerless against the gods!"


    Ignoring the Trap''s futile attempt, Slifer unleashed a devastating lightning blast, engulfing and annihilating the grotesque Masked Beast.


    [Masked Duo LP 2200 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. Victory: Yugi Muto & Seto Kaiba]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 210 - 210

    With the puzzle cards taken from the Masked Duo, Kaiba, and Yugi now had the six pieces they needed to advance.


    "Kaiba, why do you think Marik lured us here? What''s his real motive?" Yugi asked, glancing around the deserted port. Even at this time of day, there were no ships, and the only people present were themselves.


    "Hmph. I never trusted Marik from the start," Kaiba said, his voice dripping with disdain.


    Half an hour earlier, Marik, through one of his Rare Hunter agents, had sent Yugi and Kaiba a cryptic message during the Battle City tournament: "I have Hoshino in my hands right now. If you want to save her, come to Domino City''s port."


    The moment he received the message, Yugi rushed to the port without hesitation, calling Jonouchi and Honda on the way.


    Kaiba, on the other hand, dismissed the message with a skeptical sneer. But after a moment''s hesitation, he, too, made his way to the port, instructing Mokuba to try tracking Hoshino''s Duel Disk.


    Unfortunately, since Hoshino had been in the Shadow Game dimension at the time, her Duel Disk wasn''t emitting a traceable signal. This made Marik''s message seem disturbingly credible.


    When they arrived at the empty port, they found no sign of Hoshino¡ªonly the Rare Hunters'' Masked Duo lying in wait. Brimming with frustration, Kaiba had reluctantly teamed up with Yugi to give the Rare Hunters a thorough thrashing¡ªthrough a duel, of course.


    "I can''t believe I fell for that. Marik, you''re such a dull person..." Even though they''d been tricked, Kaiba didn''t consider the trip a waste; after all, they had finally completed their puzzle cards.


    "Let''s leave. There''s nothing more to see here," Kaiba said, turning sharply to leave.


    Seeing no sign of Hoshino anywhere, Yugi finally felt relieved. "Looks like it was really just a ploy to lure us here. I should contact Jonouchi and Honda to tell them not to come."


    The sudden roar of Blue-Eyes White Dragon shattered the silence.


    "?!?" Yugi flinched in surprise.


    "It''s my phone," Kaiba said calmly, unfazed by the sound, as he reached into his coat pocket to answer.


    "T-That was a ringtone...?" Yugi''s mouth twitched as he struggled to process what he''d just heard.


    "Big Brother, I picked up a signal from Hoshino''s Duel Disk!" Mokuba''s urgent voice rang through the phone.


    "Don''t panic, Mokuba. Tell me slowly."


    "She''s not exactly at the port like Marik said, but she''s definitely moving in this direction and is almost here."


    "Oh?" Kaiba paused mid-step, intrigued by Mokuba''s report.


    "What''s Marik planning now?" Yugi frowned, unable to decipher Marik''s true intentions.


    "Who cares what he''s planning? We''ll figure it out soon enough." Kaiba folded his arms and struck a confident pose, standing tall against the sea breeze.


    (***)


    "Hoshino-nee, you''ve been acting strange for a while now," Akasha said, finally voicing her thoughts.


    "Strange? Have I?" Hoshino replied curtly.


    "Your tone¡ªit''s different! It''s like..." Akasha trailed off, scratching her head, searching for the right words.


    "If you don''t know how to explain it, then don''t say it."


    "That''s exactly it! It sounds like you''re deliberately trying to act cool, even lowering your voice on purpose!"


    "Cough, cough¡ª!" Hoshino choked on her spit, caught completely off guard by the observation.


    Wiping her mouth, she glanced at Akasha and asked, "Is it... really that obvious?"


    "It''s so obvious! Are you trying to change your image? Are you copying Kaiba or something?"


    "Kaiba, huh..." Hoshino chuckled bitterly, picturing Kaiba''s arrogant, haughty personality.


    "It''s just¡­ I don''t know how to face this world anymore," Hoshino admitted quietly, her expression darkening as she recalled the vision she''d seen in the Shadow Game.


    Is it okay for her to be so happy here, while her father was left behind in her original world? Hoshino, who had almost convinced herself that living here wouldn''t be so bad, had been jolted back to reality by the image she''d seen.


    Whether the vision was real or a deception¡ªand whether her father was still alive¡ªHoshino couldn''t and didn''t dare, to discern. She was terrified it might be true... and if it was, she''d never forgive herself.


    Although the Millennium Bracelet absorbed most of the dark energy, sparing Hoshino from Bakura''s intended fate, the lingering darkness had found a crack in her heart. Through that crack, guilt crept in and festered, widening the rift.


    "Hoshino-nee, you really a strange person, huh?" Akasha tucked her hands behind her back, smiling as she glanced up at Hoshino. "But no matter how you change, I''ll never dislike you, you know?"


    "Thanks~" Hoshino gently patted Akasha''s head, feeling a faint warmth seep into her cold heart.


    But her expression quickly sharpened as she looked toward the ominous sky ahead. The lightning-lit heavens signaled the presence of a summoned God Card, distinct from Obelisk the Tormentor. With the Millennium Ring pointing straight ahead, there was no doubt that the summoned god was Yugi''s Slifer the Sky Dragon.


    "There''s something I must confirm," Hoshino said firmly.


    Gathering the three God Cards¡ªcould they open a path back to her original world? Whether the answer was yes or no, it was her only hope.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "They''re here!" Kaiba, who had just struck his dramatic pose, caught sight of two familiar figures approaching in the distance.


    "Only Hoshino and Akasha? No sign of Marik." Yugi let out a sigh of relief, realizing Hoshino hadn''t been taken hostage by Marik after all.


    "Kaiba? You''re here too?" Hoshino asked, momentarily taken aback by his presence beside Yugi.


    "Well, how convenient," she muttered, a sly smirk hinting that it was all part of fate''s plan.


    "Hoshino, why are you here?" Yugi asked.


    "Why am I here? I''m here to duel you, of course!" Wasting no time, Hoshino activated her Duel Disk, slotting her deck¡ªstill laced with dark energy¡ªinto place.


    "A duel?!" Kaiba''s brow furrowed. "With me? Or Yugi?"


    Hoshino''s eyes gleamed with supreme confidence as she sneered. "Both of you¡ªat the same time!"


    "A duel? Together with Kaiba?" Yugi repeated, taken aback by Hoshino''s bold challenge.


    "We agreed that we''d duel each other in the finals of Battle City, didn''t we? Don''t forget, we still have the goal of taking down Marik together."


    "It''s too late¡ªI can''t afford to wait any longer," Hoshino declared, her tone sharp and unyielding.


    Still trying to dissuade her, Yugi searched for a reason to delay. "If it''s a matter of puzzle cards, there''s still time to gather more..."


    Swoosh!


    Hoshino tossed a full 18 puzzle cards from her pocket, scattering them across the ground. It was enough for three people to qualify for the Battle City finals.


    "So, you''ve made up your mind?" Yugi''s eyes turned serious as he took in her determined expression.


    "Unless, of course, you''re willing to hand over the God Cards without a duel," Hoshino added, her voice cutting through the tense air.


    The God Cards were split between the three of them. According to Battle City rules, winning a duel allowed the victor to take one rare card from the loser. If either Kaiba or Yugi lost to Marik, Marik would end up with two God Cards, and retrieving them later would be nearly impossible without resorting to force.


    Consumed by negativity, Hoshino found herself unable to trust even Yugi and Kaiba. To her, the safest option was to keep the God Cards in her own hands.


    "So, the God Cards are your goal? Even with three Evil Gods in your possession, you''re this greedy?" Kaiba''s sharp instincts picked up on her intentions, and his expression darkened.


    Expecting Kaiba to hand over his precious God Cards willingly was a lost cause.


    "Just to be safe, let me confirm: you''re not brainwashed by Marik, are you?" Kaiba asked, narrowing his eyes. While unaware of the Millennium Rod''s mind-control powers, Kaiba had seen enough brainwashed Rare Hunters to suspect foul play.


    "Marik? That shadow-obsessed fool doesn''t have what it takes to control me," Hoshino said coldly. "After I reclaim the God Cards from you, I''ll deal with him myself."


    "Hoshino-nee, was your plan to hunt the rarest cards... actually about the God Cards?" Akasha gasped, piecing together Hoshino''s true purpose. Her mouth fell open in shock.


    "Please, no way! Even if you gave me the God Cards as a proposal gift, I still wouldn''t marry you!"


    "Reclaim? The God Cards were never yours to begin with!" Kaiba sneered, activating his Duel Disk. "If you want them, come and take them yourself!"


    "Hoshino, I don''t know why you suddenly need the God Cards, but they''re essential to me, too." Yugi''s voice was firm, his resolve unwavering. The three Egyptian God Cards were the key to unlocking the mystery of his past as the Pharaoh, and he wouldn''t let them go so easily.


    "Determining the ownership of the God Cards through a duel¡ªI believe no one would object!" Yugi, like Kaiba, quickly activated his Duel Disk.


    "Hmph. If Yugi wants to join, so be it," Kaiba muttered, making no effort to stop him. He knew Hoshino wielded the three Evil Gods, while he and Yugi together held only two Egyptian Gods. Though confident, Kaiba wasn''t reckless. Teaming up with Yugi was the logical choice.


    "So, you''ve steeled yourselves already?" Hoshino''s cold, refined smile hinted at her confidence as she watched them prepare for battle.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki VS Yugi & Kaiba]


    [Duel Start!]


    "I''ll go first! Draw!" Yugi declared, his tone brimming with determination as he drew his first card.


    "I''m not the same duelist I was during Duelist Kingdom, Hoshino!" His desire for revenge against his past defeat lit a fire within him, filling Yugi with excitement.


    "I activate the Spell Card, [Ancient Rules]!"


    [Ancient Rules Spell Card Effect: Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from your hand.]


    "Oh? Going all out from the start, are we?" Hoshino chuckled as the glowing blue seal on Yugi''s field began to unfold.


    "Using Ancient Rules, I Special Summon a Level 7 Normal Monster from my hand! Come forth, my most powerful servant, [Dark Magician]!"


    [Dark Magician ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Spellcaster][ATK 2500/DEF 2100]


    With a soft grunt, the Dark Magician materialized, leaping from the glowing scroll and landing gracefully on Yugi''s field.


    "Next, I Normal Summon [King''s Knight] in Attack Position!"


    [King''s Knight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1600/DEF 1400]


    The golden-armored knight stood resolutely beside the Dark Magician, creating a formidable formation.


    "To finish, I''ll set a card face-down and end my turn!"


    Yugi''s Remaining Hand: 2 cards


    "As expected of Yugi¡ªwhat an imposing start!" Kaiba nodded approvingly, acknowledging the strength of Yugi''s opening. "Exactly. This way, you won''t hold me back!"


    "My turn! Draw!" Unfazed by Yugi''s strong opening, Hoshino began her turn calmly, a faint smirk on her lips.


    Though the Shadow Game wasn''t active, the Millennium Bracelet on her wrist flickered with an ominous purple light, visible even under the bright sun.


    "I activate the Spell Card, [Graceful Charity]! I''ll draw three cards and discard two."


    She glanced at her hand and chose her discards. "I send [Marie Antoinette] and [C¨² Chulainn] to the Graveyard."


    As her cards entered the Graveyard, Marie''s effect activated, filling the air with a faint glow.


    [When this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can add 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.]


    "Thanks to Marie''s effect, I can add one Heroic Spirit monster from my Deck to my hand."


    "Huh? Discarding Marie and¡­ C¨² Chulainn?" Yugi frowned, immediately sensing a shift in Hoshino''s usual tactics. Discarding Marie made sense, but abandoning C¨² Chulainn¡ªher go-to monster for early-game offense and defense¡ªwas highly unusual.


    "The monster I''m adding is¡­" Hoshino revealed her chosen card, her voice brimming with confidence.


    "¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn Alter]"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 211 - 211

    "The monster I''m adding is¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn Alter]!"


    "C¨² Chulainn Alter?! Another new monster?" Yugi exclaimed, his eyes narrowing. He had encountered Heroic Spirits with the "Alter" suffix before, and without exception, these cards possessed extraordinary power.


    "How many more secrets are hidden in your deck, Hoshino?" Yugi''s wariness grew with each move she made. Only someone like her could summon a card and immediately shift the atmosphere of the duel.


    After adding the blackhound to her hand, Hoshino drew another card and sent it to the graveyard. "Now, I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn Alter] in my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn Alter Effect: This card cannot be Set/Normal Summoned. You can Special Summon this card from your hand by sending a [C¨² Chulainn] monster from your hand to the Graveyard.]


    "I discard [C¨² Chulainn (Caster)] from my hand to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn Alter]!" With a commanding motion, Hoshino placed C¨² Chulainn''s card onto her Duel Disk, unleashing a surge of dark energy that coiled around her arm before plunging into the graveyard. The energy consumed both C¨² Chulainn cards as it coursed through the field.


    "Mad King C¨² Chulainn shows the power that can ravage the land!"


    Enshrouded in a torrent of black mist, the new Heroic Spirit emerged.


    [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 stars)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2000]


    C¨² Chulainn, his armor transformed and appearance darkened, held a blackened spear that radiated an aura of malice. The intense killing intent in his eyes sent a shiver through Yugi''s Dark Magician.


    "Master, you are outrageous," C¨² Chulainn Alter growled. His voice dripped with a mix of contempt and grudging respect. "But just this once, I''ll go along with your antics."


    "This isn''t just a show¡ªwe''re here to win!" Hoshino replied, her voice filled with determination.


    Pointing toward Yugi''s field, she commanded, "Time to attack! Strike the Dark Magician!"


    The blackhound swiftly gathered mana into his spear. "That weak-bodied monster? Let''s end this quickly!"


    "¡ªCurruid Coinchenn (Beast of Crunching Deathtusk)!!"


    The spear, thrown with full force, shot across the field like a crimson missile.


    "I won''t let you break through so easily!" Yugi''s cape billowed in the fierce wind generated by the spear, but he stood firm. "Activate face-down card¡ªTrap Card, [Mirror Force]!"


    A transparent shield materialized, covering the Dark Magician and blocking the deadly spear in its path.


    "According to Mirror Force''s effect, when your monster attacks, all face-up Attack Position monsters on your field are destroyed!"


    "Heh heh~" Hoshino and C¨² Chulainn Alter shared a wicked grin, perfectly in sync.


    "Yugi, did you think I''d enter this duel without a plan to counter that card?"


    "Could it be?!" Yugi''s eyes widened as the shield began to crack.


    Crack! The spear''s impact splintered Mirror Force''s shield, the sound echoing across the field as fractures spread outward.


    "No shield can withstand the wrath of the Mad King! I activate [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn Alter]''s special effect!"


    [If this card would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish 1 [C¨² Chulainn] monster or 2 [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your Graveyard instead.]


    "So that''s why you used Graceful Charity to send C¨² Chulainn to the graveyard?" Yugi muttered, now understanding her strategy.


    "I banish C¨² Chulainn from my Graveyard. Now, nothing will stop your defeat! Go, C¨² Alter¡ªstrike them down!"


    As Mirror Force shattered completely, the unblocked G¨¢e Bolg pierced through the Dark Magician, leaving a blood-stained trail of red and black mana.


    [Dark Magician] destroyed.


    [Yugi & Kaiba LP: 4000 ¡ú 3700]


    "I can''t believe she defeated Yugi''s ace monster so easily," Kaiba noted in astonishment, watching the scene unfold. Even his mighty Blue-Eyes White Dragon had often fallen to Mirror Force, but in Hoshino''s hands, the card seemed powerless and fragile.


    "Yugi, if this is how you''re different from the Duelist Kingdom, I''m going to be disappointed,"


    After finishing her battle phase, Hoshino summoned another monster. "I banish Marie Antoinette from the Graveyard to Special Summon the monster in my hand¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette Alter] in ''Defense Position''!"


    Black rose petals swirled in the air as the dark queen descended onto the field, her presence both regal and foreboding.


    [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 2000]


    "Master, you''ve been such a naughty child," Marie Alter said with a bewitching smile. "After this battle, Marie will have to discipline you~"


    "Hoshino-nee''s monsters all seem so unfamiliar¡­" Akasha muttered, her voice tinged with unease. She had grown used to the colorful variety of Heroic Spirits Hoshino summoned, but the "Alter" versions seemed like entirely different entities. Pouting, she added, "Don''t you think the bridal versions of these monsters were so much prettier?"


    C¨² Chulainn in a wedding dress? Now that would be odd¡­


    "Activating Marie Alter''s special effect¡ªWhen Marie alter successfully special Summoned I send one [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck to the Graveyard!" Strategically scanning her deck, Hoshino selected her next piece for the duel.


    "Then I''ll set one card face-down and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s Remaining Hand: 3 cards


    "Heh heh, finally my turn." Kaiba chuckled confidently, casting a glance at Yugi, who was still processing everything that had happened.


    "Surprised by these unfamiliar monsters, Yugi? This isn''t like you at all¡­" Kaiba taunted.


    Gathering his strength, Kaiba dramatically drew his next card. "My turn, draw! I''ll make you regret challenging me, Hoshino! I won''t hesitate to take your Evil God cards!"


    "Over there! I see them!" Familiar voices and quick footsteps echoed from the distance.


    "Slow down, Jonouchi, Honda!" Anzu panted heavily, struggling to keep pace with the two boys racing ahead of her.


    "Jonouchi, Honda¡­ and even Anzu!" Yugi turned to see his friends approaching, his expression complex.


    "Huh?! Why are Yugi and Kaiba dueling Hoshino?!" Jonouchi shouted confusion etched across his face.


    "Heh, the riffraff have arrived¡­ Another mutt barking where it doesn''t belong," Kaiba sneered, barely sparing Jonouchi a glance.


    "This turn, I''ll finish you, Hoshino!" Kaiba slammed a card onto his Duel Disk with enough force to make it tremble.


    "I activate the Spell Card¡ª[Polymerization]! I''m fusing the three [Blue-Eyes White Dragons] in my hand!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wow, Kaiba, talk about shameless¡ªno one''s worse about not shuffling than you!


    "I''ll fuse my three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my hand to summon the ultimate emperor!"


    Sending his Fusion card and three Blue-Eyes White Dragons to the Graveyard, the three dragon phantoms on Kaiba''s field overlapped and merged into a fearsome entity.


    "Kaiba, fusing your three Blue-Eyes White Dragons like that feels like outright cheating!" Hoshino couldn''t help but complain as she witnessed Kaiba Fusion Summon Ultimate Dragon on his very first turn. Then again, it''s his family business producing Duel Disks.


    "Unstoppable! Unrivaled! The ultimate dragon! Behold my perfect Blue-Eyes!"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion][ATK 4500/DEF 3800]


    With an earth-shaking roar, the three-headed Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, its 4500 ATK surpassing even Obelisk the Tormentor, descended onto Kaiba''s field.


    "Starting with Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon right away, huh?" Jonouchi, who had just been full of questions, was instantly awed by the dragon''s presence.


    "Wait¡ªno way!!" Jonouchi exclaimed, his frustration mounting. "Are you two seriously ganging up on Hoshino?!"


    The rare three-person Duel format, combined with Kaiba and Yugi seemingly allied against Hoshino on the opposite side, quickly caught Jonouchi''s attention.


    "Is that really what''s happening?" Anzu, who had just arrived, glanced between the determined expressions of Yugi and Kaiba and the confident smirk on Hoshino''s face as she stared down the Ultimate Dragon.


    "Hey, you two, of all Duelists, teaming up to bully a girl?" Honda chimed in, scolding Kaiba and Yugi.


    Girl? Jonouchi and Honda''s accusations hung in the air. Were they talking about her¡ªthe same "girl" who had shattered Yugi''s Mirror Force and obliterated his Dark Magician in one move?


    "Attack now, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! Target Hoshino''s Marie Alter!" Kaiba ignored the accusations entirely, his focus locked on the duel. Even if it meant ganging up on her, Seto Kaiba wasn''t one to hold back.


    "Going after Marie in Defense Mode? Doesn''t that waste Ultimate Dragon''s high attack power?" Yugi asked, glancing at Kaiba in confusion.


    "Have you been fooled by such a cheap trick, Yugi? If you can''t stay focused, you''ll just hold me back!" Kaiba shot back, his disdain cutting through the air.


    "Tsk, he saw through it..." Hoshino clicked her tongue in annoyance.


    "You say you''re Special Summoning in Defense Mode, but Marie''s clearly showing signs of a changing position¡ªI wasn''t going to fall for that," Kaiba said coldly. "I''m guessing Hoshino''s field has some penalty effect that requires her monsters to remain in Attack Mode. Were you hoping to bait me into misdirecting my attack? Don''t underestimate me."


    [C¨² Chulainn Alter''s Effect: All face-up monsters on the field must switch to Attack Mode.]


    [Marie Antoinette Alter ATK 1800]


    "Don''t expect me to hold back just because this is a tag duel. I, Seto Kaiba, approach everything with full force!" Kaiba waved his hand dramatically, and the three dragon heads merged their beams of white energy into a single blinding blast aimed at Marie Alter.


    "Take it head-on¡ªthis world-ending attack! Ultimate Burst Stream!"


    "It''s just a little joke! Why so serious?" Scratching her head, Hoshino''s expression was tinged with resignation. "If I let you destroy Marie, it''ll be a real hassle for me."


    She quickly activated her Trap Card, creating a mysterious barrier that deflected Ultimate Dragon''s blast.


    "Activate the Trap Card¡ª[Mature Gentleman]!"


    [Mature Gentleman Trap Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field. This turn, that monster won''t be destroyed by battle, and damage taken is halved.]


    "Thanks to the Trap Card''s effect, Marie won''t be destroyed by Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, and the 2700 battle damage is halved!"


    Marie Alter pouted in protest, crossing her arms. "Hmph, did you think Marie would be grateful to you for that? It would have been better to use Sakuretsu Armor to destroy that monster outright!"


    "Marie''s sharp tongue strikes again," Hoshino muttered with a wry grin. "But watch carefully¡ªI''ve got a plan."


    The intense white light from the barrier still seared through, hitting Hoshino directly.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 4000 ¡ú 2650]


    "That hurts even with the damage halved?" Akasha muttered, watching the duel. Her voice carried a hint of envy. "Using three of the rarest cards in existence to pull off a fusion like that¡ªsuch a rich guy move. You can practically feel the luxury! o(£þ¨Œ£þ)£ä"


    "Hmph, did you think that was my last move?" Kaiba''s confident smirk deepened as he placed another card on the field.


    "Quick-Play Spell¡ª[De-Fusion]! I''ll de-fuse Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Special Summoning three Blue-Eyes White Dragons!"


    Pointing to the sky, Kaiba''s field lit up, and three Blue-Eyes White Dragons emerged, their roars shaking the battlefield.


    "Under the relentless chain attacks of my invincible Blue Eyes, prepare to be obliterated!"


    Jonouchi clenched his teeth in frustration. "Kaiba is serious this time! We need to stop this Duel!"


    "Quiet, Jonouchi."


    Hoshino''s crimson eyes locked onto him, her sharp gaze silencing him instantly. Jonouchi, startled, took an involuntary step back.


    Meanwhile, Kaiba encountered an unexpected obstacle. "Why... Why can''t Blue-Eyes attack...?"


    "Trying to launch multiple attacks while the Mad King stands on the field? That''s disrespecting the king of single combat!" Hoshino said coolly.


    C¨² Chulainn Alter''s Madness of the Spirits skill caused the mighty Blue Eyes to falter beneath his murderous gaze.


    [C¨² Chulainn Alter''s Effect: While this card is face-up on the field, each player can only attack with one monster per Battle Phase.]


    "Now, tremble before the Mad King!" Under the oppressive aura of the black hound, even the mighty White Dragons hesitated.


    "Such overwhelming power, even my Blue Eyes hesitates..." Kaiba, his offensive strategy thwarted, smiled bitterly. "Who could command such terrifying monsters and still be called a girl?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 212 - 212

    "You undid the fusion of Ultimate Dragon, but now you can''t add more attacks! Feeling frustrated, aren''t you?" Though Jonouchi had been told off by Hoshino earlier, he couldn''t resist taking this rare chance to mock Kaiba.


    Kaiba, as usual, seemed to have activated a "Jonouchi-ignore" mode, not even sparing him a glance or an eyebrow twitch.


    "Well, since I can''t continue attacking, I''ll end my Battle Phase," Kaiba said coolly.


    Facing the oppressive presence of C¨² Alter, Kaiba knew his plan for an OTK (One-Turn Kill) had slipped away. But he wasn''t about to give up yet.


    "However, my turn is far from over!" Kaiba declared, throwing out his final move of the turn.


    "All-in on turn one?" Hoshino remarked, her tone laced with mockery. "Go too hard too fast, and you might burn out before the finish line." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Don''t be ridiculous! If I was worried about pacing myself in a duel with you, I''d lose for sure!" Kaiba snapped, his sharp gaze meeting hers. Deep down, he understood her skill level all too well. She wasn''t just another duelist¡ªshe was rapidly climbing to the pinnacle of dueling, the very place he had always aspired to reach.


    Back during the Duelist Kingdom, she had been just another rookie duelist. But after witnessing her triumph over Pegasus, Kaiba saw her quickly evolving into a terrifying opponent, one who could rival even him.


    "All I can do now is give it my all! I activate the Spell Card [Card of Demise]!" Kaiba''s voice carried absolute confidence as he replenished his hand to five cards.


    [Card of Demise Effect: Draw cards until you have 5 cards in your hand. During your 5th Standby Phase after activation, send all cards in your hand to the Graveyard.]


    "Wow, so that''s why he went through his cards so fast!" Hoshino said, her crimson eyes narrowing. "A starting hand of three Blue-Eyes, two Fusions, and a Card of Demise? And you''re telling me you shuffled? I''ll take apart your Duel Disk after this match to see if you''ve installed some kind of ''Lucky Shuffle System'' in there!"


    Kaiba ignored her jab, continuing his move. "Next, I activate the Continuous Spell¡ª[Different Dimension Gate]!"


    [Different Dimension Gate Continuous Spell Effect: Activate this card by targeting 1 monster on each field; banish those targets. When this card is destroyed and sent to the GY: Return those banished monsters to the field in the same battle positions they were in.]


    As a massive barrier formed on the field, Kaiba glanced briefly at Yugi. "Yugi, I''ll be borrowing your monster. I''ll banish both King''s Knight and C¨² Chulainn Alter!"


    "Damn it!" Hoshino clicked her tongue as the black dog vanished from the field, swallowed by the other dimension.


    [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn Alter] Banished


    [King''s Knight] Banished


    "And lastly, I activate the Continuous Spell¡ª[Non-Spellcasting Area]!"


    [Non-Spellcasting Area Continuous Spell Effect: All face-up monsters, except for Effect Monsters, are unaffected by other Spell effects.]


    The protective shield shimmered on the field, enveloping his Blue-Eyes White Dragons in an impenetrable aura. "Your C¨² Alter might have been hard to destroy, but it won''t be coming back now. Let''s see how you handle this!"


    Kaiba''s three Blue Eyes stood tall, their brilliant light radiating from the field. "My turn is over!"


    Kaiba''s remaining hand: 3 cards.


    Though he hadn''t managed to take Hoshino down in one blow, he had removed her most dangerous monster and fortified his position with his dragons. With three Blue-Eyes White Dragons still on the field, Kaiba felt secure in his advantage.


    "This situation is so tough; even you''ll have a hard time turning it around, Hoshino!" Kaiba taunted, his voice brimming with unshakable confidence.


    "Tough? What''s tough for you might not be tough for me," Hoshino replied, her tone calm but sharp. Her Graveyard zone began to glow faintly as she prepared to make her move.


    "Kaiba, are you so overconfident that you don''t even set cards anymore? Are you underestimating me?"


    Kaiba scoffed. "Why don''t you try breaking through the wall of my invincible Blue Eyes before worrying about anything else?"


    "Those monsters? Hardly walls," Hoshino remarked with a scoff as she began her turn. "In my Standby Phase before the Draw Phase, I''ll activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta], which was sent to the Graveyard by Marie Alter!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta Effect:


    ¢Ù: If this card is sent to the Graveyard, during your next Standby Phase, Special Summon it from the Graveyard.]


    As her Duel Disk emitted a green light, Hoshino raised it high. "Special Summon¡ªAtalanta!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6-star)][WIND] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2000/DEF 1800]


    "And upon a successful Special Summon, Atalanta equips herself with the [Tauropolos: Bow of Heaven] from the Deck!"


    [Tauropolos: Bow of Heaven Equip Spell Effect: Equip this card only to [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta].]


    Atalanta readied her stance for battle, the Bow of Heaven shimmering in her hands. "Alright, the hunt begins!"


    Kaiba folded his arms, unimpressed. "A monster with only 2000 Attack thinks it can stand against my invincible Blue-Eyes?"


    "The performance is about to start, so keep your eyes open, Kaiba!" Hoshino drew her next card with a flourish. "My turn¡ªdraw!"


    Adding the drawn card to her hand, she wasted no time playing another. "Here''s my counter, Kaiba! Continuous Spell¡ª[Chaldea Mana Support System]!"


    [Chaldea Mana Support System Continuous Spell Effect: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can banish 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Graveyard; draw 1 card.]


    A glowing Command Seal appeared on Hoshino''s hand, its intricate lines glowing red. She held it up confidently, the mark adding an air of authority to her already commanding presence.


    "Feels like Hoshino''s whole aura has changed," Anzu said, watching her intently. "She''s different."


    "Yeah, yeah, I noticed it too!" Jonouchi nodded enthusiastically. "That scolding earlier? Totally regal! I wouldn''t mind getting told off by her again~"


    Honda gave him a look of pure disgust. "Jonouchi, please don''t tell me you''re awakening some kind of weird kink here..."


    Seeing the familiar mark, Yugi frowned. "A Command Seal... This could be trouble."


    He still remembered the Duelist Kingdom finals, where this red mark had caused him no small amount of trouble.


    However, the Command Seal on Hoshino''s hand abruptly shattered, scattering fragments of magical energy across the field. Along with its destruction, the card "Tauropolos: Bow of Heaven" was also shattered.


    "A Command Seal must also be sacrificed at critical moments! I activate Atalanta''s special effect!"


    [Effect ¢Û: Once per turn, you can destroy up to three face-up Spell/Trap cards you control. For each card destroyed, target that many Spell/Trap cards on your opponent''s field, and send them to the Graveyard. Then, if you destroyed two or more cards, you can add one [Complaint Message on the Arrow] from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.]


    "I destroy the Continuous Spell Card, Chaldea Mana Support System, along with the Equip Spell, Tauropolos: Bow of Heaven. Ready, Atalante?"


    "Target locked, Master. I won''t miss!" Atalanta, her cat ears twitching, smiled with fierce confidence.


    Atalanta drew her bowstring taut, releasing two emerald arrows that streaked across the sky in flawless arcs, shattering Kaiba''s two Continuous Spell Cards with pinpoint precision.


    Different Dimension Gate and Non-Spellcasting Area were sent to the Graveyard.


    "With Different Dimension Gate destroyed, the banished C¨² Alter and King''s Knight returned to the field!"


    With a resounding thud, a shadowy figure landed on the battlefield, its aura of malice even stronger than before.


    "You''ve got guts, locking me away with that old man!" C¨² Alter snarled, his wicked grin so menacing it made the newly freed King''s Knight visibly tremble.


    [C¨² Chulainn ¨C Alter ATK 2800]


    Kaiba flinched as his Continuous Spell Cards were obliterated, but he quickly recovered. "It doesn''t matter! Your C¨² Alter still falls short of my Blue Eyes in raw attack power!"


    "Is that so?" Hoshino smirked, discarding Tauropolos, Bow of the Heavens into the Graveyard as she turned her attention to Kaiba''s hand.


    "The moment it was destroyed, the effect of Tauropolos activates."


    [Effect ¢Ú: If this face-up card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, reveal your opponent''s hand, then select one monster from it. Special Summon the selected monster to your opponent''s field, with its effects negated.]


    Kaiba reluctantly revealed his hand, which included two unfamiliar Machine-type monsters, as well as¡­


    "Just as I expected." With a satisfied smile, Hoshino signaled to Atalanta.


    At some point, the green figure had moved behind Kaiba and fired an arrow that pierced one of his cards, pinning it firmly to the ground.


    Soon after¡­


    "Roar¡ª!" A familiar dragon''s cry echoed as Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, its effects negated, appeared on Kaiba''s field.


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "Even if its effect is negated, Alternative White Dragon still has its attack intact!" Jonouchi muttered, confused as he eyed the four imposing White Dragons on Kaiba''s field.


    "Now it''s time for judgment! With Atalanta''s effect, I add [Complaint Message on the Arrow] to my hand from my Deck or Graveyard!"


    With the selected card in hand, Hoshino glanced over the five monsters now crowding Kaiba''s field. "Now that Non-Spellcasting Area is gone, your Blue-Eyes are no longer shielded from Spells! Get ready¡ªhere comes my Spell Card, [Complaint Message on the Arrow]!"


    "An offering to the gods!" Atalanta, resonating with the Spell''s power, raised her bow, gathering immense magical energy as she aimed towards the heavens. Her bow, blessed by Artemis, sent forth an arrow in a plea to the sun god Apollo and moon goddess Artemis.


    "Phoebus Catastrophe!" In answer to her prayer, the god of destruction rained calamity upon the enemy.


    [Complaint Message on the Arrow Effect: Target one monster on your opponent''s field, then Tribute one [Atalanta] you control; banish all monsters on your opponent''s field with the same Attribute or Type as the targeted monster.]


    "With the effect of Complaint Message on the Arrow, all Light monsters on the field are banished! And every monster you have, Kaiba, is a Light Attribute!"


    The light arrows engulfed not only Kaiba''s four White Dragons but also Yugi''s King''s Knight, sweeping them away in a blinding storm.


    Empowered by the god of destruction, the arrows ripped through the battlefield, erasing every trace of "light" and leaving only the lingering "darkness" of the Alter.


    [Atalanta] tributed.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon X3, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, King''s Knight] banished.


    "This duel of light and darkness¡ªit''s darkness that has prevailed!" Hoshino''s voice echoed as she gained the upper hand.


    "And as your monsters are banished, I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Holy Devotion]!"


    [Holy Devotion Quick-Play Effect: Once per turn, when a monster on the field is banished, gain 1000 Life Points per banished monster. When activated, add one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Since five monsters were banished, I recovered 5000 Life Points!" As seven-colored meteors streaked across the sky, their warm glow gently illuminated the battlefield.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki''s LP 2650 ¡ú 7650]


    This absolute reversal seemed to turn the world upside down.


    Jonouchi finally understood something. "Hoshino isn''t just dueling for fun¡­ She''s aiming to defeat both Yugi and Kaiba!"


    Her relentless offense and overwhelming power made her feel both familiar and entirely different. This wasn''t the Hoshino Jonouchi once knew.


    "The monster I added to my hand is [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta Alter]!" Hoshino took the selected Heroic Spirit and entered her Battle Phase decisively.


    "Attack the player directly, C¨² Alter! Unleash all the hatred you''ve built up!"


    "I''ve been waiting for this moment!" C¨² Alter''s voice, deep and commanding, resounded across the field. With his attack power at its peak, he roared, "Let the slaughter begin!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 213 - 213

    "Let the slaughter begin!" Cloaked in a dark aura, C¨² Alter charged forward, his spear cutting through a violent whirlwind.


    [Yugi & Kaiba LP 3700 ¡ú 900]


    Their life points plummeted, leaving a staggering 7,000-point gap in just one turn.


    "To think the two of them together could be pushed this far... Is she really this strong now?" Even though Anzu couldn''t analyze the duel like a pro, she could clearly see the overwhelming gap from the life points, field, and hand count alone.


    Yugi winced from the virtual damage, his strained gaze locking onto Hoshino. "You''ve completely surpassed your usual level. Is the reason you''re pushing yourself so hard really just a desire for the God Cards?"


    The onlookers were shocked. They had never heard of Hoshino aiming for the God Cards.


    "The God Cards?" Jonouchi repeated in disbelief. "Does she really want them? But why?"


    "Hmph, what a pointless question!" Kaiba sneered, breaking his silence. "For a true duelist, coveting rare cards is only natural. She''s simply kept her ambitions hidden¡ªuntil now."


    "Huh? Isn''t this for building Akasha''s deck?" Akasha asked, confused.


    Little girl, you''re flattering yourself too much.


    "If she wants them, why not just give them to her?" Jonouchi said, his tone oddly serious.


    "Jonouchi!" Anzu scolded, elbowing him for speaking without thinking.


    "If I recall correctly, the God Cards are also important to Yugi," Honda reminded them.


    "Indeed, I have a reason for collecting all three God Cards!" Yugi, regaining his composure from the virtual pain, found his fighting spirit reignited by Hoshino''s relentless attack.


    "Even if it''s you, I can''t hand over the God Cards without reason. As I said earlier, let''s put everything into this battle and let the duel decide the fate of the Gods!"


    "Haha, before you start spouting noble lines, take a good look at the field!" Hoshino pointed at the empty field on the other side.


    With a barren field, only two cards in hand, and nearly a 7,000-point life difference, Yugi and Kaiba were facing overwhelming odds.


    "Dueling isn''t won on sheer spirit alone!"


    "A barren field is the perfect chance for a comeback!" Even though it was Hoshino''s turn, Yugi placed a card from his hand onto the duel disk.


    "Now, I''ll use this card to carve a path to victory! I Special Summon [Gorz the Emissary of Darkness] from my hand!"


    A white mist swirled across the field, coalescing the energy from C¨² Alter''s spear into a towering figure.


    [When you take damage from a card in your opponent''s possession: You can Special Summon this card from your hand. You must control no cards to activate and to resolve this effect.]


    [Gorz the Emissary of Darkness ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 2500]


    Hoshino studied the dark warrior with a sharp gaze. "A high-level monster, summoned from my attack? That''s Yugi¡ªfighting with everything he''s got when it counts most."


    "Heh, the Emissary''s power doesn''t end there!" Yugi waved a hand, and beside Gorz, another figure materialized as its energy coalesced.


    "Activating Gorz the Emissary of Darkness''s second effect!"


    [When this card is Special Summon 1 "Emissary of Darkness Token" (Fairy/LIGHT/Level 7/ATK ?/DEF ?). Its ATK and DEF are each equal to the amount of battle damage you took.]


    "Since I took 2,800 points of direct damage, I summon an Emissary of Darkness Token with 2,800 ATK!"


    Beside Gorz, a silver-armored warrior materialized, her sword gleaming as if ready to strike.


    [Emissary of Darkness Token ATK 2800]


    "Matching C¨² Alter''s attack power, huh?" With the appearance of another Emissary, Hoshino''s eyebrows slightly furrowed. "But even so, C¨² Alter''s immunity to destruction makes him invincible to monsters with the same attack power!"


    Yugi remained silent, crossing his arms, signaling that his turn was over.


    "Are you finished? Then I''ll proceed." Without missing a beat, Hoshino played the card she''d prepared.


    "Activate Atalanta Alter''s special effect! By banishing Atalanta from the graveyard, I Special Summon her from my hand!"


    A dense aura of darkness flowed from Hoshino''s fingertip to the graveyard, covering Atalanta''s card. Soon, a familiar yet noticeably different figure emerged on the battlefield.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Atalanta Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 2400]


    Atalanta emerged, her green attire replaced by a dark, ominous cloak. Her silver hair glimmered like starlight as she growled, "I''ll burn everything, devour all¡­ with this boiling power!"


    "Is that even the same monster?" Jonouchi gasped, his eyes widening at Atalanta''s ominous transformation. "Even with the same attack power, she''s way more intimidating now!"


    "Finally, I activate the effect of Mature Gentleman from the graveyard, banishing it¡­ hehe." A mischievous smile played on Hoshino''s lips as she pulled a card from her graveyard.


    [Mature Gentleman Trap Cards Effect: During your turn, you can banish this card from your Graveyard. Look at the top three cards of your opponent''s Deck and place them back in any order.]


    "Since you don''t shuffle your deck, I''ll take care of it for you!" Hoshino grinned, her confidence unmistakable.


    Since Yugi and Hoshino were far apart, they wouldn''t hand each other their decks physically. Instead, the top three cards of Yami Yugi''s deck materialized in front of Hoshino as a holographic display. From Yugi''s perspective, he could only see the backs of the cards, not their contents.


    "This card¡­!" As she examined the three cards, Hoshino''s eyes widened slightly.


    "Slifer the Sky Dragon!"


    The brilliant crimson card stood out sharply among the other two. What''s more, Slifer was stacked with Pot of Greed, a card that would replenish Yugi''s hand.


    "As expected of Yugi¡­ If I hadn''t intervened, he would likely have summoned a God next turn." For a brief moment, Hoshino felt the weight of the nameless Pharaoh''s immense power.


    After a moment''s consideration, Hoshino rearranged Yugi''s deck: Pot of Greed went to the bottom, Slifer the Sky Dragon to the middle, and Elf Swordsman to the top. While this would only delay Yugi from drawing his God card by a single turn, it was still better than letting him get it immediately.


    "Why would you even keep something like Elf Swordsman in your deck?" Hoshino muttered, adjusting the deck order. Then, she set a card face-down on her duel disk, ending her turn.


    Hoshino''s remaining hand: 1 card; face-down cards: 1


    "My turn. Draw!" Knowing that Hoshino had adjusted the order of his deck, Yugi merely glanced at the drawn Elf Swordsman with a subtle expression.


    Hoshino smirked to herself, thinking, "Now he must regret keeping such a useless card in his deck."


    As if reading her thoughts, Yugi smirked. "Do you think such a minor trick could stop me, Hoshino? You''re too naive! I''ll prove that there isn''t a single useless card in my deck!"


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Magical Stone Excavation]!"


    [Magical Stone Excavation Spell Card Effect: Discard 2 cards, then target 1 Spell in your GY; add it to your hand.]


    With just three cards in hand, Yugi sent all of them to the Graveyard as the cost.


    "Is there a Spell Card in his Graveyard worth that much?" Hoshino frowned, contemplating.


    "Hoshino, you seem to have forgotten something important¡ªthis is a tag duel," Yugi said, exchanging a meaningful glance with Kaiba.


    Immediately understanding Yugi''s intention, Kaiba scoffed. "Hmph, I''ll lend you a hand!" Kaiba then drew a card from his Graveyard and flicked it toward Yugi.


    "Thanks!" Yugi deftly caught the card Kaiba tossed his way and promptly placed it on his duel disk.


    "The card I''m adding to my hand is Card of Demise! Its effect allows me to draw until I have five cards in my hand."


    "So in this tag duel, Yugi can access Kaiba''s Graveyard as well?" Hoshino frowned as Yugi played Card of Demise, the unease settling in. "Drawing up to five cards¡­ Does that mean¡­"


    As Yugi saw the familiar red card in his hand, he remarked, "I see you shuffled the God card''s position. Well done."


    "Why am I not surprised anymore?"


    "From my hand, I activate Pot of Greed and Monster Reborn!" With Pot of Greed among the cards Hoshino had adjusted, Yugi naturally drew it after Card of Demise.


    "Revive, Elf Swordsman!" The modest warrior Yugi had discarded earlier returned to the field, bathed in a pillar of light.


    Though only a normal monster, Elf Swordsman seemed determined to leave its mark on this duel.


    "Now, I have three monsters on the field!" Yugi threw down the red card in his hand, and thunder rolled across the sky, like the earlier intense battle with the Masked Duo.


    "When lightning roars and chaos brews, the boundless power of the ancient magic awakens! I offer these three monsters as tribute, and with this, witness the wrath of the Gods!"


    Yugi raised his hand toward the sky. Amidst lightning and dark clouds, a massive red shape began to emerge.


    "Arise, my trump card¡ª[Slifer the Sky Dragon]!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK: X000/DEF: X000] S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Roar!" The enormous red dragon materialized on Yugi''s field, its lightning-wreathed form coiling ominously in the stormy skies. Strangely, this monstrous creature had two mouths.


    "Slifer the Sky Dragon''s effect sets its original ATK and DEF based on the number of cards in the controller''s hand, multiplied by 1000!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ATK 4000]


    Jonouchi stared in awe at Slifer the Sky Dragon''s towering form. "So this is Yugi''s God¡­"


    Hoshino frowned. "So Slifer the Sky Dragon raises its attack based on the number of cards in hand? This could be troublesome."


    "Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack Marie Antoinette Alter!" Yugi commanded as the massive dragon coiled, its larger mouth crackling with a terrifying bolt of electricity.


    "Thunder Force!"


    "I activate my face-down Trap Card!" Though she hesitated for a moment, Hoshino firmly pressed her duel disk''s command button.


    "Trap Card¡ª[Poster Girl]! Choose a Level 4 or lower Heroic Spirit monster from the deck and Special Summon it in Defense Position, boosting its DEF by 500! Come forth, [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily]!"


    (I changed the nagging shopkeeper to Poster Girl)


    Before the thunderous lightning, a small figure trembled as she stepped onto the battlefield.


    [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily DEF 1500 ¡ú 2000]


    "And thanks to Medea Lily''s effect, I add one Spell or Trap card with ''Medea'' in its name from my deck to my hand upon Special Summon!"


    Yugi smirked as Medea Lily appeared on the field. "It''s futile. The instant you summoned that monster, Slifer''s lightning already sealed its fate!"


    "What?!"


    "Activate Slifer the Sky Dragon''s special ability!"


    [When the opponent summons, flip summons, or Special Summons a monster, reduce that monster''s (ATK/DEF) by 2000. If the ATK or DEF becomes zero, destroy that monster.]


    "Attack, Slifer the Sky Dragon! Thunder Force!"


    Slifer''s second mouth opened, releasing a devastating ball of lightning that struck Medea Lily.


    [Medea Lily DEF ¡ú 0]


    "Due to the effect, the monster with 0 DEF is destroyed!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily] destroyed


    "Slifer isn''t done yet! Let its blazing lightning destroy you!"


    The lightning erupted across Hoshino''s field, engulfing the delicate figure of Marie Antoinette Alter.


    [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette Alter] destroyed


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 7650 ¡ú 5450]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 214 - 214

    "Even with Medea destroyed, her effect still lets me add a card to my hand!" This small advantage Medea Lily had secured for Hoshino against the fierce assault of the Sky Dragon was not something she''d let Yugi dismiss so easily.


    Hoshino''s remaining cards in hand: 2 cards.


    Kaiba, deep in thought, analyzed the situation. He''d never seen this hidden effect of Yugi''s Sky Dragon before: "An effect that reduces 2000 ATK and DEF, huh? Against Slifer the Sky Dragon, any monster with less than 2000 ATK or DEF can''t even survive being summoned. Even if it''s above 2000, it would still be heavily weakened."


    As a fellow wielder of a God Card, Kaiba couldn''t help comparing it to his own Obelisk the Tormentor: "In terms of versatility, it truly surpasses my Obelisk."


    "I''ll set another card face-down and end my turn!" Yugi carefully placed a card onto his Duel Disk, his mind calculating every possible move. However, with fewer cards in his hand, Slifer''s attack power diminished.


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ATK 4000 ¡ú 3000]


    "My turn, draw!" Facing the combined onslaught of both Kaiba and Yugi, even Hoshino was starting to feel the immense pressure of this duel.


    "Facing two of the world''s best duelists alone, not only am I starting five cards short, but they''ve each used Card of Demise twice! It''s like I''m battling an entire deck on my own."


    Noticing Hoshino''s hesitation, Kaiba smirked. "Are you finally scared? Surrender now, and I might not hold a grudge against you."


    Even Jonouchi, who usually jumped at the chance to bicker with Kaiba, didn''t argue this time: "Yeah, Hoshino, maybe you should stop. Kaiba''s a jerk, but Yugi''s your friend, right?"


    "Loser! If you have nothing useful to say, don''t open your mouth!" Kaiba''s sharp tone made Jonouchi flinch.


    "Surrender? Who do you think I am?" Crimson lips curved into a sly smile as Hoshino responded to their "suggestions" with amusement. "If I challenged you two, I came prepared for the consequences!"


    Yugi''s expression grew serious. "Are you really determined to resist the power of a god until the end?"


    "Yugi, aren''t you mistaken?" With a pale, elegant hand holding a card, Hoshino glanced up at the roaring Sky Dragon on the field. "A god''s strength is undeniable, but its wild, uncontrollable power is also its greatest weakness!"


    "Defeat a god?" Yugi raised an eyebrow, clearly doubting her claim. "Don''t forget that with Slifer''s effect, you can hardly summon any other monsters."


    "There''s no need for more power. It''s time to attack, Atalanta Alter!" Hoshino wasted no time, commanding Atalanta Alter to strike.


    "Target: Slifer the Sky Dragon!"


    "Hmph, you''ve finally given up." Kaiba barely looked up, dismissing it as Hoshino''s last desperate move.


    A blinding purple energy gathered at the tip of Atalanta''s dark longbow. The silver-haired girl glared murderously at the enormous Sky Dragon towering above her, undeterred by its divine presence.


    "I''ll destroy¡­everything! I''m going to kill¡­everything!" Atalanta''s voice dripped with venom, her bloodlust almost tangible in the air.


    Even though Atalanta Alter''s ATK was 1000 points lower than Slifer''s, Yugi''s instincts flared with danger.


    "Die!" With Atalanta''s enraged roar, a black arrow shot directly at the massive Sky Dragon.


    Despite his unease, Yugi refused to back down: "Just an attack with 2000 points? Counter it, Slifer the Sky Dragon¡ªSuper Conductive Thunder Force!"


    The clash between the black arrow and the bright thunderbolt created an ear-piercing explosion, the battlefield shaking under the intense energy.


    At first, Slifer''s thunder gradually gained the upper hand, overpowering the arrow. Yugi let out a slight sigh of relief. "Looks like I was just spooked for no reason. Keep pressing, Slifer!"


    "Roar¡ª!" Responding to Yugi''s call, Slifer poured its full force into its attack, overwhelming Atalanta''s black arrow and swallowing her slender form in a burst of lightning.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 5450 ¡ú 4450]


    "So, it was just a reckless attack after all." Kaiba''s tone was smug as he watched Atalanta Alter disappear in the aftermath.


    Believing Hoshino had made a simple mistake, Yugi saw it as further proof of her faltering composure. "Surrender, Hoshino. There''s no point in dragging this out."


    Unfazed, Hoshino simply stared at the roaring Sky Dragon in the lightning-filled sky. "Yugi, let''s go for round two!"


    Following Hoshino''s gaze, Yugi realized something was wrong: "What? She wasn''t destroyed?!"


    "Calydon¡­give me your strength!" Struggling against the onslaught, Atalanta Alter muttered through gritted teeth, refusing to be defeated.


    "At this moment, I activate Atalanta Alter''s special effect!"


    [This card cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card battles an opponent''s monster and you take battle damage, increase this card''s ATK by the amount of damage you took. Also, negate the effects of the opposing monster, and this card can make an additional attack during the same Battle Phase.]


    "Since I just took 1000 points of damage, Atalanta Alter''s ATK increases by 1000!"


    [Atalanta Alter ATK 2000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Ohhh!" With her power surging, Atalanta Alter''s sharp claws ripped through the surrounding lightning, her form radiating an even more ferocious aura.


    Yugi''s worst fears came true as Atalanta Alter''s shadows began to engulf her. "She''s matched the Sky Dragon''s attack power, and she can attack again!"


    "Blazing shadows¡­arrows of the hidden moon¡­accept my hatred!" The enormous darkness swirling around her petite form made Atalanta Alter''s presence feel larger than life, her aura now rivaling the divine might of Slifer.


    "This is my final card to push her power to its peak!" Hoshino''s voice rang out as she played the card she had been holding back. With a dramatic flourish, she activated her Spell Card.


    "Quick-Play Spell [Mad Enhancement EX]!"


    [Mad Enhancement EX Quick-Play Spell Effect: ¢Ù Select 1 monster you control with [Heroic Spirit] in its name to activate. The selected monster gains 800 ATK until the End Phase. ¢Ú If the selected monster destroys a monster in battle and sends it to the Graveyard, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster''s original ATK.]


    [Atalanta Alter ATK 3000 ¡ú 3800]


    "End the god, Atalanta Alter! Deliver the earth-shattering blow!"


    With a powerful leap, the silver-haired girl launched herself forward, her form a dark meteor streaking toward Slifer.


    "¡ªTauropolos Skia Thermokras¨ªa!"


    With her entire body engulfed in violent darkness, Atalanta Alter charged at the Sky Dragon, explosive magical energy swirling around her and devouring the god''s massive form from head to tail. The black aura, as sharp as a blade, slashed through the Sky Dragon''s immense body. The god''s wrath twisted into a desperate wail, echoing across the battlefield.


    Yugi''s eyes widened as he stared at the scene in disbelief. "Risking it all by sacrificing your own life points, huh? Quite the desperate play!"


    Tauropolos Skia Thermokras¨ªa¡ªAtalanta Alter''s Noble Phantasm, a double-edged attack that unleashed devastating power at the cost of her master''s life points. If Hoshino hadn''t raised her life points by 5000 with Holy Devotion earlier, she would never have dared to use such a reckless move at this stage of the duel.


    Hoshino''s gaze remained fixed on the Sky Dragon, its massive form dissolving into the air after Atalanta''s attack. She spoke in a firm tone, her voice carrying over the battlefield: "Though the price was high, that was the blow to decide this duel. Due to Mad Enhancement EX''s effect, Yugi, you''ll take not only 800 battle damage but also Slifer the Sky Dragon''s 3000 attack points as effect damage!"


    Jonouchi gasped at the terrifying amount of damage. "That''s 3800 points of damage in total¡ªhow much life does Yugi have left?" he asked, barely able to process the duel''s intensity.


    Honda quickly answered, his voice serious, "If I remember correctly, only 900¡­"


    Jonouchi''s eyes widened further. "Doesn''t that mean Hoshino won?!"


    However, Yugi''s expression remained calm despite the dire situation. "Almost¡­ but not quite," he muttered cryptically.


    "?!" Hoshino narrowed her eyes in suspicion.


    Yugi smirked. "Slifer, show them your resilience!"


    "Roar¡ª!" In a final act of defiance, the Sky Dragon unleashed a brilliant beam of lightning that erupted from its fading form, slicing through the darkness and hitting Hoshino directly.


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon] Destroyed


    "What''s going on? Even as it''s being destroyed, Slifer fights back?" Hoshino exclaimed, gritting her teeth as her body tingled from the virtual damage.


    [Yugi & Kaiba LP 100]


    "As I said, that was way too close. If there had been even 100 more points of damage, it would''ve been over for us!" Yugi revealed the trap card he had set earlier. "But Slifer''s final counterattack gave us the chance for a comeback!"


    "Activate the trap card, [Barrel Behind the Door]!" S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Barrel Behind the Door Trap Card Effect: When a Spell/Trap Card, or monster effect, is activated that would inflict damage to you: Your opponent takes the damage instead.]


    "Thanks to Barrel Behind the Door, I only took the 800 battle damage, while you''ll take the remaining 3000 effect damage!" Yugi declared confidently.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 4450 ¡ú 1450]


    Jonouchi''s jaw dropped in shock. "They actually turned it around, dropping Hoshino from over 7000 life points to just 1450!"


    "And thanks to C¨² Alter''s effect, only one monster can attack per turn, so you can''t attack again!" Yugi added.


    C¨² Alter''s effect, which limited the number of attacks per turn, had been a double-edged sword throughout the duel. It had protected Hoshino from Kaiba''s initial onslaught but now worked against her.


    "It''s all up to you now, Kaiba!" Yugi said, stepping aside for his partner to finish the turn.


    Kaiba smirked, his confidence undeterred despite their precarious life point total. "Hmph, only 100 life points left, but that''s all I need!"


    Even with only two cards in hand and an empty field, Kaiba''s composure remained unshaken. The smirk on his face was enough to rattle even the most confident opponent.


    "Tch, I was so close!" Hoshino muttered under her breath, frustration creeping into her tone. Although she had dominated the early game, Yugi and Kaiba had steadily turned the tide with their teamwork and resourcefulness.


    "I''ll set one card, and end my turn!" she declared.


    Hoshino''s hand: 1 card; face-down cards: 1


    Her unease deepened as she glanced at her dwindling cards. While the Alter Heroic Spirits were undeniably powerful, they consumed resources at an alarming rate. Each Alter required precise setups and constant sacrifices, leaving her with fewer options as the duel wore on.


    "Hoshino, the more you crave victory, the easier it is to let rage and darkness consume you," Yugi said solemnly, the Millennium Puzzle glowing faintly as he sensed the turmoil within her heart.


    But Hoshino wasn''t in the mood to listen. "You''re worrying about me when you''ve got an empty field and only 100 life points? Focus on yourself."


    "Wait! Hoshino, what''s that thing on your back?!" Jonouchi suddenly exclaimed, breaking the tense atmosphere.


    Unlike Kaiba and Yugi, who faced Hoshino head-on, Jonouchi had a clear side view and noticed something strange¡ªthe Millennium Ring hanging from her back.


    "Why is the Millennium Ring attached to you?" he asked, his tone filled with both confusion and concern.


    "Jonouchi-nii, are you checking out Hoshino-nee''s backside?" Akasha shot him a look of disdain, as if accusing him of something inappropriate.


    "The Millennium Ring?!" The mention of the artifact immediately put Yugi on high alert. "Hoshino, why do you have Bakura''s Millennium Ring?"


    Though the others knew little about the artifact''s dark powers, Yugi was all too familiar with the spirit that resided within it. A sinking feeling settled over him. "Is this the reason for the darkness in your heart, Hoshino?"


    "Darkness, light¡ªthere''s no scientific basis for any of this nonsense!" Kaiba interrupted, his skepticism cutting through the tension. "My turn! Draw!"


    "Activate the spell card, [Magical Mallet]!"


    [Magical Mallet Spell Card Effect: Shuffle any number of cards from your hand into the Deck, then draw that same number of cards.]


    "I''ll return both cards in my hand to the Deck and draw two new cards," Kaiba declared, shuffling his hand back with calm precision.


    "Draw!" Despite the high stakes, Kaiba''s demeanor was unnervingly composed as he looked at the two new cards in his hand.


    "Then I''ll activate the spell card, [Monster Reborn]!"


    Hoshino''s eyes narrowed. "You actually drew Monster Reborn at the last second, huh? Its effect is powerful, but I don''t think there are any monsters in your Graveyard that can surpass my Alter Heroic Spirit."


    Kaiba smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Heh, I told you¡ªthis is a tag duel."


    Instead of selecting one of his own monsters, Kaiba turned his gaze to Yugi. "I''ll be using one of Yugi''s monsters!"


    "The monster I''m reviving is Chaos Magician!" The light of revival burst forth, and from it emerged the shadowy, imposing form of Yugi''s legendary spellcaster.


    [Dark Magician Of Chaos ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8-star)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2600]


    "When did that monster end up in his Graveyard?!" Hoshino exclaimed, her confident facade slipping slightly as she faced the revived Chaos Magician.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 215 - 215

    The only opportunity Yugi had to discard a card was with Magical Stone Excavation, where he discarded a card along with Elf Swordsman. At that point, he could have opted to tribute summon Dark Magician of Chaos, retrieving Kaiba''s Card of Demise from the graveyard with its effect. Yet, he chose not to.


    He saved that one chance for an uncertain future¡ªtwo turns later.


    And now, that single chance has become the key for Kaiba to turn the tide in this desperate situation.


    "I activate [Dark Magician of Chaos]''s effect!"


    [When this card is Normal Summoned or Special Summoned successfully, you can add 1 Spell Card from your Graveyard to your hand.]


    "The card I''m adding to my hand is Card of Demise from the graveyard!" Kaiba flicked the card with the same confident gesture as before, only this time, it was Yugi''s foresight that had made it possible.


    "Enough is enough! Don''t push your luck too far!" Hoshino growled through clenched teeth. They had managed to retrieve Card of Demise three times in one duel¡ªa maddening feat. If it had been Card of Sanctity, at least Hoshino could have replenished her own hand. But Card of Demise gave Kaiba and Yugi the upper hand exclusively, with no apparent drawbacks.


    Without hesitation or apology, Kaiba placed his remaining cards into his Duel Disk. "I set one card, then activate [Card of Demise] to replenish my hand to five cards!"


    With his hand replenished, Kaiba turned his gaze toward Hoshino, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "You''re done for, Hoshino!"


    Kaiba activated his Duel Disk. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Mystik Wok]!"


    [Mystik Wok Quick-Play Spell Effect: Tribute 1 monster. Select either its ATK or DEF and gain that many Life Points.]


    "I tribute Dark Magician of Chaos on the field to recover 2800 Life Points!"


    [Yugi & Kaiba LP: 100 ¡ú 2900]


    Hoshino''s voice was steady as she retorted, "Even if you''ve barely stabilized your Life Points, you still have no monsters on the field."


    Kaiba sneered, his confidence unshaken. "That''s exactly how I like it because now, I can reclaim everything you owe me! I activate the Spell Card [Dimension Fusion]!"


    [Dimension Fusion Spell Card Effect: Pay 2000 LP; each player Special Summons as many of their banished monsters as possible.]


    [Yugi & Kaiba LP: 2900 ¡ú 900]


    "You''re merging the banished zone with the battlefield..." Hoshino''s voice trailed off in astonishment as the space around her began to warp and twist. From within the distortion, familiar figures emerged.


    Roar¡ª! Four thunderous roars shattered the sky.


    Kaiba''s three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, previously banished by Complaint Message on the Arrow, reappeared on the battlefield alongside Yugi''s King''s Knight, instantly filling their side of the field.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] x3, [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon], [King''s Knight]


    With his Duel Disk once again brimming with monsters, Kaiba pointed dramatically toward Hoshino. "Summon your monsters! Don''t forget, the banished zone wasn''t mine alone!"


    Hoshino, matching Kaiba''s confidence, placed her own cards onto her Duel Disk. "I Special Summon the banished Marie Antoinette, C¨² Chulainn, and Atalanta!"


    Marie twirled joyfully, her voice bright and carefree. "So lively! Is there a celebration happening?"


    The Light Dog and the Dark Dog exchanged glances, their expressions both wary and curious. "Standing side by side like this... Feels strange..."


    Atalanta, her expression contemplative, glanced at her Alter counterpart. "Fighting alongside myself... This truly is a world where anything is possible."


    "When it arrives, the scorching winds shall scour the earth, and the living shall become mere bones."


    Having steeled herself for the final moment, Hoshino watched as Kaiba slammed a blue card onto his Duel Disk. "It''s here!"


    The skies, which had only just calmed after Slifer the Sky Dragon''s departure, were once again consumed by turbulence.


    "By offering Blue-Eyes White Dragon and King''s Knight as tributes, I summon Obelisk the Tormentor!"


    The enormous blue fist shattered the dimensional distortion, igniting the air and raising the tension of the duel to its peak.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10-Star)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    The towering blue figure loomed over the battlefield, its oppressive aura silencing all opposition.


    Jonouchi''s voice was filled with awe and disbelief. "Even Kaiba summoned a god..."


    Kaiba, raising his arm in perfect sync with Obelisk, declared loudly, "Hoshino, whether or not you''re controlled, I don''t care! The truth I believe in lies in the clash of souls between duelists! Now, I''ll use this soul''s fist to wake you up!"


    "Obelisk the Tormentor, attack Atalanta! ¡ª Divine Fist of Fury!"


    The enormous blue fist, several times larger than Atalanta''s petite form, tore through the air, blazing with destructive energy.


    "If this attack lands, Hoshino-nee''s LP will...''" Akasha, watching anxiously, could feel the weight of the moment. For the first time, Hoshino''s seemingly invincible presence felt vulnerable.


    Just as the devastating blow approached, a soft, healing light emerged from the battlefield, halting the attack and reversing the tide.


    "Although I''m not great at fighting, protecting my Master is something I must do," a tender, childlike voice declared. A small blue figure, frail but resolute, stood before Hoshino.


    Her young eyes shone with determination as she whispered, "A long time ago, I vowed my staff would only be wielded for my Master''s future. I must protect her!"


    As the attack surged forward, Medea Lily dissolved into radiant stardust, spreading across the battlefield and soothing the raging winds.


    "This is the card of hope Medea Lily left me!" Hoshino flipped her last set card, its glow illuminating her side of the field.


    "¡ª[All Wounds Must Be Repaired]!"


    [All Wounds Must Be Repaired Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate only during the opponent''s Battle Damage Calculation. This Battle Damage is reduced to 0.]


    Medea Lily''s final act of devotion transformed into hope, her light spreading across the battlefield and dispelling the shadows lingering in Hoshino''s heart. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reaching out, Hoshino grasped the glowing light, her expression softening. The relief in her eyes was akin to a parched wanderer finding an oasis in the desert.


    "She blocked it?!" Kaiba''s final attack, which had seemed assured of victory, failed to land, leaving him with a huge sense of disillusionment. His clenched fists trembled slightly, unable to believe what had just happened. "Then I''ll continue to¡ª"


    "C¨² Alter!" Hoshino''s shout pierced through the field, cutting Kaiba off and stopping the roaring Blue-Eyes White Dragon in its tracks.


    The Black Dog stood firm, his blood-red spear in hand, exuding an overwhelming pressure. He smirked, his voice low and dangerous. "Heh, it seems like I don''t even need to step in. Your little dragons are already trembling."


    "Because of C¨² Chulainn Alter''s effect, your attack is over!" Hoshino declared, her voice sharp and steady.


    "The effect¡­ again," Kaiba muttered, clenching his fists, his tone laced with frustration.


    Twice now, he had pushed Hoshino to the brink, only to be thwarted by C¨² Alter alone. Though C¨² Alter''s attack power wasn''t as high as Blue-Eyes White Dragon, his defensive capabilities had made him the MVP of Hoshino''s deck, allowing her to fight off both Yugi and Kaiba singlehandedly.


    "But even if my Battle Phase is over, my turn isn''t!" Kaiba declared, his piercing gaze burning with determination. "[Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon], activate your effect and target Hoshino''s C¨² Chulainn Alter!"


    The majestic white dragon, under Kaiba''s command, lifted its noble head and unleashed a piercing roar.


    "Once per turn, it can target an opponent''s monster and destroy it."


    "Go, Burst Lightning Blast!" Kaiba commanded with ferocity as Blue-Eyes Alternative charged a powerful sphere of energy and hurled it at C¨² Alter, the sheer force of the blast rippling through the air.


    "How petty," C¨² Alter smirked, sidestepping and lifting his dark right arm, effortlessly catching the incoming attack mid-air.


    "I activate [C¨² Chulainn Alter]''s special effect, banishing C¨² Chulainn (Caster) from my Graveyard to make him immune to destruction!"


    With a snap, the sphere of lightning disintegrated in C¨² Chulainn Alter''s hand. "Weak attacks¡­ they won''t do a thing!" he scoffed, his blood-red spear gleaming menacingly.


    "Then feel the wrath of a god''s attack! Let''s see if you can handle this!" Kaiba''s Duel Disk trembled as he raised his arm, his voice booming with authority.


    "[Obelisk the Tormentor], activate your effect, and sacrifice the two Blue-Eyes White Dragons on my field!"


    "!?" Hoshino gasped, instantly recognizing the devastating effect that would increase Obelisk''s attack to infinite power.


    "Your Battle Phase is already over, Kaiba! Even with infinite attack power, it won''t matter!" Hoshino countered, though her voice betrayed a flicker of doubt.


    Kaiba smirked coldly. "In the face of a god, all monsters are insignificant!" With a sweeping motion, Obelisk seized the massive forms of the two Blue-Eyes White Dragons, crushing them in his enormous hands like mere playthings.


    "This is the second effect of Obelisk: by sacrificing two monsters on the field, I destroy all monsters on your field!"


    As Kaiba''s spirit surged, Yugi couldn''t help but marvel. "So Obelisk has such a powerful hidden effect¡­ Its offensive capabilities far exceed even Slifer''s."


    "This is the fist of a god that shatters all! Prepare yourself!" Kaiba roared.


    With energy gathered from the sacrificed dragons, Obelisk''s mighty fists descended upon Hoshino''s field, unleashing shockwaves that tore through the ground, sending debris flying and waves crashing against the nearby pier.


    "Fist of Destruction!"


    The devastating force obliterated Hoshino''s entire field, her cards disappearing in the destructive storm one by one.


    "In the face of Obelisk, you have no chance left!" Kaiba declared, his confidence surging. Though he hadn''t fully defeated her yet, his divine strike had stripped Hoshino of all defenses.


    "Darkness or whatever you want to call it can never overpower absolute strength!" he added triumphantly.


    Seizing the moment, Kaiba slammed another card onto his Duel Disk. "And I possess that absolute strength! I activate the Spell Card, [Dragon''s Mirror]!"


    "By banishing the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons from my Graveyard, I can summon the ultimate emperor once more! Come forth, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    Two colossal monsters now stood on Kaiba''s field. Their overwhelming presence crushed the atmosphere, embodying the absolute strength Kaiba had just proclaimed.


    "Master might lose this time¡­" Hoshino stared at her ruined field, the relentless assault leaving her seemingly powerless.


    "You''ve already failed, Hoshino!" Kaiba declared with an uncharacteristic sincerity, echoing her earlier taunts when she had used Complaint Message on the Arrow to wipe out all of his "light" monsters.


    "I don''t fully understand the power of the Millennium Ring," Kaiba admitted, his tone softening ever so slightly. "But I don''t want you to be trapped by such an unknown force."


    With his final cards set, Kaiba prepared for the endgame, knowing the duel likely wouldn''t reach his next turn.


    Kaiba''s hand: 0 cards. Set cards: 3.


    "¡­" Hoshino stood silently amidst the wreckage, her expression unreadable.


    "Hey, your expression looks strange, Master!" A familiar voice broke through the tension, ringing out unexpectedly from the ravaged battlefield.


    "Huh?"


    "Don''t tell me¡­ You forgot about me? I know my Alter form is pretty strong, but come on¡ªlook closer. I''m still here!"


    "C¨²?" Hoshino''s eyes widened in surprise as C¨² Chulainn emerged from the rubble, battered but still standing. With a cheeky grin, he gave her a confident thumbs-up.


    "That punch was something, but I just barely made it!"


    [C¨² Chulainn''s Effect: Once per Duel, if this card is destroyed, it can be Special Summoned in Defense Position and can''t change its battle position.]


    Kaiba''s eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. "Tch, someone survived even that?"


    "Master," C¨² Chulainn continued, his smirk fading into a serious expression. "Are you really so caught up in this whole light-and-darkness debate? Even I don''t mind my Alter form all that much. In the end, it''s just two sides of the same coin. No matter how much someone leans toward the light, they''ll always carry shadows within."


    "Hmph, you can still talk even when you''re barely holding together," Hoshino replied, her voice softening slightly despite her attempt to remain aloof.


    Though she scoffed, hearing C¨² Chulainn''s words stirred something deep within her. Perhaps the faint light Medea had left in her heart was starting to shine once more.


    "Hahaha! Light and darkness? How trivial!" A booming voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, tearing through the moment of introspection.


    With a look of disdain, C¨² Chulainn glared at the source of the laugh. "That voice¡­ I hate it already."


    "Listen up, you mongrels!" the voice bellowed, sharp and commanding. "Whether it''s darkness or light, good or evil¡ªeven if I stand against the whole world¡ªI alone shall bear your burdens!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 216 - 216

    Hoshino shouted excitedly, "Gilga¨C"


    "Do not dare to call the king by his name!"


    "Golden Archer!"


    "Insolent!"


    C¨² Chulainn scratched his head, sighing in mock defeat. "Seriously, it was supposed to be my moment just now, but that golden Archer stole all the spotlight."


    "Whether it''s darkness or light, they''re merely forms of power," Gilgamesh proclaimed, his voice filled with absolute authority and pride. "As long as it is power, wield it without hesitation! That is the decree of a king."


    The golden Archer''s tone burned with confidence, emanating a majesty that made even the gods feel insignificant.


    "Now, mongrel, show this so-called ''god'' some real power!"


    Seeing Hoshino pause, Kaiba raised an eyebrow, his tone sharp. "It''s too late to hesitate now, Hoshino. Begin your turn and accept defeat!"


    Hoshino smirked, her usual confidence returning. "Heh, calm down, Kaiba. I just need to prepare for something."


    Before anyone could react, a gentle, heavenly voice drifted across the battlefield, its sweetness at odds with the tense atmosphere. "Please, don''t forget about me~"


    "I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette] from the Graveyard, destroyed by Obelisk!"


    [When this card is sent to the Graveyard, select one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck or Graveyard and add it to your hand.]


    "At this moment, the glory of France shall forever protect you~" Marie''s blessing filled the battlefield like a magical charm, her sincerity radiating power.


    "Ooh! Akasha is so jealous..." Akasha clapped her hands together in admiration, eyes sparkling.


    "Akasha feels so much power, real and ancient heroic spirits that truly exist, and would give anything to protect Hoshino-nee!"


    "Thanks to Marie''s effect," Hoshino said, holding her head high as she reached for her deck. "I add this card to my hand¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C King of Heroes Gilgamesh]!"


    The card glowed golden at her fingertips, its brilliance lighting up the field like a beacon of hope. Standing amidst the ruins like a warrior in the world''s final hour, Hoshino''s every move signaled the impending shift in the duel.


    "King of Heroes?!" Yugi''s voice tightened with seriousness as realization dawned.


    "My turn, draw!" Adding the Gilgamesh card to her hand, Hoshino locked eyes with her opponents, her expression fierce.


    "Kaiba, Yugi, this will be my final counterattack! I activate the Field Spell [Evenings by the Euphrates] from my hand!"


    Sliding the card into the Duel Disk''s field slot, the chaotic ruins beneath her began to dissolve, replaced by a serene riverbank. Gentle lights floated over the water, and the bright moon illuminated the night sky with a soothing, otherworldly glow.


    ¡ªThis fleeting moment is an irreplaceable golden time.


    "Wow, it''s beautiful!" Jonouchi and the others couldn''t help but exclaim, their voices full of wonder. Just moments ago, the battlefield had resembled a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Now, it had transformed into a tranquil riverside. The sheer contrast was mesmerizing, like the harmony of a song that soothed the soul.


    "I activate the special effect of [Evenings by the Euphrates]!"


    [Evenings by the Euphrates Field Spell Effect: ¢Ù: Upon activation, select up to 3 [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your Graveyard with combined levels of 10 or less to Special Summon. Monsters summoned this way have their effects negated, and their ATK and DEF become 0.]


    "I''ll Special Summon Atalanta and Marie Antoinette from my Graveyard, with a combined level of 10, in effect-negated positions!"


    "Hoshino now has three monsters on the field!" Jonouchi gasped. "Could she be planning to summon a God Card too?"


    Perhaps seeing two God Cards summoned in succession had given Jonouchi the impression that everyone should have one. Well, in Hoshino''s case, she actually had three.


    "A God? No need for that. Now, I offer the souls of these three Heroic Spirits on my field and call upon the name of the King of Heroes!"


    [Evenings by the Euphrates Field Spell Effect: ¢Ú: Discard 1 card from your hand. Offer monsters on your field until the combined level matches a [Heroic Spirit] Ritual Monster, then perform a Ritual Summon from your hand or Graveyard.]


    "I discard Okita from my hand to activate the Ritual effect! I offer C¨² Chulainn, Marie, and Atalanta on the field as sacrifices, with a combined level of 14 stars!"


    C¨² Chulainn chuckled, his voice filled with grit and pride. "Heh, backing up that annoying golden guy, huh? But still..." His lips curved into a mischievous grin. "As a Celtic warrior, failure is never an option!"


    Beams of blue, green, and white light intertwined, blending with the starry night sky over the Euphrates. The radiant display was breathtaking, but Kaiba''s sharp gaze remained locked on Hoshino.


    "So, even now, you insist on futile resistance?" he scoffed. "You think you can match my power with your flimsy strength?"


    "Kaiba, it doesn''t matter if it''s the power of darkness or light!" Hoshino shouted, her voice carrying across the transformed battlefield. "As long as I don''t waver in my beliefs, I can wield even divine retribution in my hands!"


    "Divine retribution!" Gilgamesh laughed from beyond the golden light. "Hahaha, this king approves! Now, mongrel, punish a god!"


    Snap¡ª The sound of Hoshino placing the Ritual card on her Duel Disk echoed like thunder. A golden light erupted from her Duel Disk, its brilliance overpowering the dark energy that had bound her bracelet, her deck, and even her heart.


    "Ritual Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C King of Heroes Gilgamesh]!"


    Amidst the spreading light, Gilgamesh, clad in gleaming golden armor, descended from the starry heavens above the Euphrates. His presence was overwhelming, his sheer aura dwarfing even the gods standing against him.


    "Mongrel, I will bear your darkness, I will forge your victory, and I will guard your future!" Gilgamesh''s voice thundered, his regal tone brimming with authority.


    With just his words, his overwhelming presence silenced even the colossal forms of Obelisk and Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Rising above them, his form exuded an aura of dominance.


    "As my possession, there''s no reason to fear the curse brought on by a mere toy!"


    Crack¡ª


    The Millennium Ring on Hoshino''s back trembled violently before splitting in two, the crack running down its middle. Then, as if terrified of the king''s presence, the ring disappeared entirely, vanishing from sight.


    "Tch, it escaped." Floating midair, Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping into a mutter only he could hear.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C King of Heroes Gilgamesh¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][EARTH][Warrior/Ritual/Effect][ATK ???/DEF ???]


    [Can only be Ritual Summoned by using 3 [Heroic Spirit] monsters on your field with a combined level of 10 or more from your hand.]


    "No displayed attack power?" Yugi observed, his expression a mix of curiosity and unease at the overwhelming energy radiating from the card.


    "Who allowed you to look down on a king?" Gilgamesh snapped, his piercing gaze slicing through Obelisk and Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon alike. Rising higher until he towered over them both, the golden king made his move.


    "I activate Gilgamesh''s special effect! Upon successful summoning, I send my Field Spell to the Graveyard and equip him with as many [Heroic Spirit] Equipment Spell cards from my Deck as possible, ignoring their equip conditions!"


    "Behold, the power of a king!"


    As Gilgamesh raised his arm, the dark night sky filled with countless treasures, each shimmering like stars in the heavens, illuminating the battlefield.


    [Fou of the Sun] - Equip.


    [Piercing Thorns Spear] - Equip.


    [Hunter of the Red Plains] - Equip.


    [O Sun, Abide by Death (Vasavi Shakti)] - Equip.


    [Key of the King''s Law] - Equip.


    [This card''s ATK and DEF increase by 1000 for each equipped card. This card cannot be affected by your opponent''s monster effects as long as it has an equipped card.]


    "Even though I can''t activate the active effects of the equipped items, any passive effects they have will still be inherited by Gilgamesh!"


    [Fou of the Sun ATK +500], [Piercing Thorns Spear ATK +300], [Hunter of the Red Plains ATK +400], [Key of the King''s Law ATK +500]


    [Gilgamesh ATK/DEF 6000]


    "Lastly, with the effect of [O Sun, Abide by Death], the equipped monster''s DEF is converted into its ATK!"


    [Gilgamesh ATK 13300/DEF 0]


    "An attack power surpassing ten thousand in an instant?!" Jonouchi''s jaw dropped. "Even Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, the strongest monster on the field, doesn''t even come close!"


    The revelation was beyond anything Yugi had anticipated, and the sheer magnitude of Gilgamesh''s strength left even Kaiba stunned.


    "Roar¡ª!" Perhaps sensing an existential threat, the Ultimate Dragon raised its three marked heads and let out a fierce roar, its blue eyes blazing with primal fury as it stared down Gilgamesh.


    "To dare roar so disrespectfully at the King¡­" Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes in irritation, his voice cutting like steel. "It seems you are prepared to die!"


    With a subtle flick of his wrist, three golden treasures materialized and arced through the air like streaks of light, striking each of the Ultimate Dragon''s heads with crushing precision.


    The dragon''s roar transformed into a guttural cry of pain as its massive form shuddered. Despite its famed resilience, the invincible Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon seemed powerless against the King of Heroes'' arsenal.


    "Oh?" Gilgamesh''s crimson eyes gleamed as he surveyed the damage. "It''s surprisingly sturdy. Let''s see how many more hits it can take!"


    With no pity in his voice, Gilgamesh unleashed a storm of golden weapons from the Gate of Babylon. His treasures rained down mercilessly, overwhelming Kaiba''s field in an onslaught of raw power.


    "Activate [Gilgamesh]''s special effect!"


    [During either player''s Main Phase, you can send one equipped card on this card to the Graveyard to target and destroy one face-up card on your opponent''s field.]


    "I''ll send the Equip Spells, Piercing Thorns Spear, and Hunter of the Red Plains to the Graveyard, destroying Obelisk the Tormentor, and Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the field!"


    "HAHAHAHAHA!" With a chilling laugh that echoed like thunder, Gilgamesh''s rain of treasures obliterated Kaiba''s two most powerful monsters.


    The battlefield, once dominated by Kaiba''s near-unstoppable forces, was left defenseless.


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon] destroyed.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor] destroyed.


    [Gilgamesh ATK 13300 ¡ú 7800]


    Akasha clasped her hands over her mouth, her voice trembling. "Such powerful monsters¡­ wiped out so easily! This is terrifying!"


    Jonouchi shook his head in disbelief. "Kaiba doesn''t even have any monsters left to use as shields anymore! How did it come to this?"


    With the field card destroyed upon Gilgamesh''s summoning, the serene beauty of the Euphrates dissolved into the desolate wasteland from before. The scene, littered with shattered weapons and debris, looked like the aftermath of a cataclysmic war.


    But it wasn''t a battle¡ªit was a massacre.


    Snap! Hoshino raised her hand and snapped her fingers sharply, her expression calm yet commanding. "You''re out of monsters now. Are you ready to accept defeat, Kaiba? Yugi?"


    Whether intentional or not, Gilgamesh seemed to respond to her signal. The treasures floating in the air shifted, aligning themselves into a menacing array of golden blades, each aimed directly at Kaiba and Yugi.


    "This is the final blow!" Entering the battle phase, Hoshino pointed forward, her voice ringing with finality. "Gilgamesh, finish this duel!"


    Two golden swords launched from the Gate of Babylon, streaking toward the defenseless Kaiba and Yugi.


    Kaiba, undeterred even in the face of imminent defeat, smirked. "The one who needs to prepare is you, Hoshino!"


    Yugi, his voice firm and unwavering, followed immediately. "Activate the set Trap Card!"


    "[Return from the Different Dimension]! X2!"


    [Return from the Different Dimension Trap Card Effect: Pay half your LP; Special Summon as many of your banished monsters as possible. During the End Phase, banish all monsters that were Special Summoned by this effect.]


    [Yugi & Kaiba LP 900 ¡ú 450]


    The battlefield''s space warped violently, and Kaiba wasted no time, swiftly placing three cards on his Duel Disk. "I''ll Special Summon the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons that were banished by Dragon''s Mirror!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amidst the chaos, Yugi added to the spectacle by summoning from his own banished zone. A familiar figure stepped forth, shrouded in darkness. "I''ll Special Summon [Dark Magician of Chaos], banished by its own effect!"


    [If this face-up card would leave the field, banish it instead.]


    "And I''ll activate Dark Magician of Chaos''s effect, adding a Spell Card from the Graveyard to my hand upon its Special Summon!"


    Without hesitation, Yugi retrieved the Spell from his Graveyard. "The card I''m adding to my hand is Monster Reborn!"


    "Even now, you''re still relying on Monster Reborn?" Hoshino frowned, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and awe.


    Kaiba''s fighting spirit reignited, blazing brighter than ever. "Hmph, this will be the ultimate counterattack from me and Yugi! I''ll activate Obelisk the Tormentor''s final effect from the Graveyard!"


    [If this card is in the Graveyard and your opponent declares an attack, you can send a Monster Reborn from your hand to the Graveyard to activate this effect. Special Summon this card, then redirect the attack to this card.]


    (Author''s Note: This effect was indeed in the anime!)


    (TL:This the actual author note.)


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK 4000]


    "Obelisk, turn their strength into nothingness! Effect activate!" Kaiba roared, sacrificing two of his Blue-Eyes White Dragons to boost Obelisk''s power to infinite levels.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK 4000 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    "No matter how high your attack points are, they can''t compete with infinity!" Kaiba''s voice was filled with unshakable determination as Obelisk''s glowing fist cracked the earth beneath it.


    "Yugi and Kaiba truly aren''t ones to back down¡­" Hoshino muttered, her head lowered. Her delicate face, obscured by her bangs, concealed her thoughts as the air grew heavy with anticipation.


    "Disappear into oblivion before infinite power!" Kaiba bellowed, Obelisk''s fist surging forward with earth-shattering momentum toward Gilgamesh.


    Seeing the duel reach its crescendo, Jonouchi finally let out a breath, his long-suspended heart beginning to relax. "Even if she pushed Yugi and Kaiba this far, it looks like this is it for Hoshino¡­ She''s incredible, but this might be her limit."


    Yet, the scene that followed sent a shockwave through everyone present.


    Obelisk''s attack, charged with infinite strength, stopped mid-swing.


    Standing firm in its path was a serene yet unyielding figure. With nothing but her own strength, she had halted Obelisk''s infinite counter.


    "¡ªO'' Humans, Let Us Restrain the Gods."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 217 - 217

    "¡ªO'' Humans, Let Us Restrain the Gods."


    The Chains of Heaven, true to their name¡ªchains capable of binding even the gods¡ªtightly restrained Obelisk the Tormentor, immobilizing its massive frame. Not even its infinite power could free its body from the unyielding bind.


    "Gil, being careless could lead to your downfall, you know!" Enkidu''s calm yet serious voice cut through the chaos as he tightened his hold on the Chains of Heaven extending from his wide sleeves. His gaze shifted toward Gilgamesh, where a giant fist hovered just an inch away from his face.


    Gilgamesh replied with unshakable confidence, "My friend! I didn''t act because I believed you would come. After all, nothing brings more peace of mind than entrusting my back to you."


    Enkidu, ever blunt, scoffed, "Don''t flatter yourself, Gil. I''m only here because I responded to Master''s summons. You''re already shining plenty on your own."


    "Why¡­ How did Hoshino, with only one card in hand, manage to summon a monster that can affect Obelisk¡­?" Yugi''s incredulous gaze fixed on Enkidu, who held the divine beast at bay. The Chains of Heaven, glimmering with divine authority, seemed to sap even Obelisk''s infinite power.


    It should be noted that to influence a God Card, a monster must be at least Level 10. With Hoshino''s dwindling resources, summoning such a powerful force seemed impossible in Yugi''s eyes.


    "You''re right, Yugi." Hoshino raised her Duel Disk, showing the card placement area. "I can''t directly summon a Level 10 monster like Enkidu under these circumstances¡­ but using it as an Equip Card is another matter!"


    Sure enough, on Hoshino''s Duel Disk, only Gilgamesh occupied the monster zone. Enkidu, who now restrained Obelisk, was in the magic and trap zone, treated as an Equip Card.


    "Quick-Play Spell Card¡ª[Enuma Dingir]!" A radiant green magic lit up on Hoshino''s fingertip¡ªher final card.


    [Enuma Dingir Quick-Play Effect: When you control fewer monsters than your opponent, activate one of the following effects:


    ¡ñ Equip [Heroic Spirit - Enkidu] from your hand, deck, or graveyard to a [Gilgamesh] on your field. The equipped [Heroic Spirit - Enkidu] cannot be Special Summoned this turn.]


    "Fight by my side, my friend!"


    "The spirit of the stars that have been awakened¡ªI will move forward with humanity!" Enkidu''s voice, serene and steady, echoed as his form transformed. Surrounded by shimmering starlight, his essence coalesced into the divine weapon of binding¡ªThe Chains of Heaven.


    "Activate the effect of [Enkidu]!" Hoshino commanded.


    [Enkidu Effect: This card can be treated as an Equip Card to a [Gilgamesh] monster, or be summoned in face-up attack position if the Equip status is released. When this card becomes an Equip Card, the equipped monster''s ATK and DEF increase by 400 and gain the following effect:


    ¡ñ Once per turn, select 1 monster on the opponent''s field. Until the end of the turn, the selected monster cannot attack or activate effects. This effect can be used on the opponent''s turn as well.]


    The unbreakable chains wound around Obelisk''s colossal body, nullifying its overwhelming might. The once-unstoppable god was rendered powerless.


    "Due to Enkidu''s effect, the Tormentor''s abilities cannot activate! Your so-called infinity attack power is nothing more than an illusion!" Hoshino declared, her voice sharp and commanding.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK 4000]


    Meanwhile, Kaiba''s sacrificed White Dragons, as if granted a second chance at life, returned to the field, roaring defiantly.


    [Gilgamesh ATK 7800 ¡ú 10700]


    "Continue the attack! Go, Goldie (Gil), Enkidu! Pierce the Tormentor with the Chains of Heaven!" Hoshino''s voice rang with finality.


    One, two, ten¡ªcountless chains erupted from the sky, spiraling together until they formed a single radiant spear aimed at Obelisk''s core. The divine light pierced the heavens, eclipsing even the stars.


    "Let''s do this, Gil!"


    "Hahahahaha, be erased from existence!" Gilgamesh roared, his laughter filled with regal authority.


    "¡ªEnuma Elish!!" x2


    The divine weapon, forged from countless Chains of Heaven, descended with terrifying precision, shattering the godly might of Obelisk.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor] destroyed.


    "The battle damage from Obelisk''s destruction point ends the duel!" The aftermath was absolute. The battlefield lay in ruins¡ªshattered monsters, countless Noble Phantasms, and a massive crater of divine destruction. Even as a virtual image, the intensity of the clash felt profoundly real.


    Anyone witnessing this could immediately tell that both sides had truly given their all, staking everything on this duel.


    "It''s not over yet, Hoshino!" Yugi''s voice boomed across the battlefield like a thunderclap, sending a shiver down her spine.


    A hellish warning bell echoed in her mind. She froze as Yugi revealed his counter.


    "I discard [Kuriboh] from my hand to nullify the battle damage this time!"


    "Yugi, you''re being a bit too mean!" Hoshino exclaimed, frustration evident in her tone. For a moment, she looked like she might cry. "I can''t believe you''d pull something like that now!"


    Yugi, caught off guard by her sudden complaint, stammered, "I¡­ I didn''t mean to be mean¡­"


    "It''s just that when I duel you, Hoshino, I want to savor every moment to the fullest," Yugi admitted, his sincere smile softening the tension.


    Jonouchi, whose emotions had been yanked around like a yo-yo, muttered, "Wait¡­ If Hoshino''s attack is stopped here, won''t Gilgamesh lose his Equip support and become vulnerable?"


    Akasha chimed in, correcting him, "No, Jonouchi-nii! With Enkidu''s effect, even if Yugi summons another monster, it''ll just get bound again."


    "Ah¡­ I guess that makes sense." Jonouchi scratched his head, embarrassed at being out-analyzed by the young girl.


    "And it doesn''t seem like Hoshino-nee is ready to give up yet!" Akasha added with excitement.


    Boom! The relentless sound of clashing weapons reverberated across the field as Gilgamesh unleashed a relentless barrage from the Gate of Babylon.


    "Gilgamesh, throw out everything except Enkidu!" Hoshino commanded. The rain of Noble Phantasms poured down like a golden tempest, the wails of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon echoing in its wake.


    "Stop your pointless outbursts! With the effect of [Return from the Different Dimension], any monsters summoned will be banished at the end of the turn!" Kaiba, clearly annoyed, snapped at Hoshino.


    "Outburst?" Hoshino raised an eyebrow, her voice resolute. "I would never waste my energy on something so meaningless!"


    Raising her arm to the sky, she pointed at the golden storm, her voice ringing loud and clear, "This is the resolve I''ve sown across the land!" S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Golden treasures were densely embedded in the ground, so much so that there wasn''t a single space left to stand.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] Destroyed x3


    [Gilgamesh ATK 1400]


    If there were a prize for the most battered monster in this duel, it would surely go to Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Known as the world''s rarest and most powerful monster card, it should embody qualities like strength, perfection, and invincibility. Yet, in Hoshino''s eyes, it had gradually transformed into "a sacrifice, fodder¡ªnot even good enough as a wall."


    Kaiba''s expression turned sour. "Your so-called ''resolve'' is to send all these Blue-Eyes, which should be banished at the end of the turn, straight to the graveyard?"


    "Well, that''s why, Kaiba, you''ll never defeat Yugi," Hoshino taunted, her sudden remark striking Kaiba right where it hurt, causing him to pause in surprise.


    ("Miss Hoshino, the Millennium Puzzle, which embodies the ultimate mystery of this world, possesses an indescribable power. In critical moments during a duel, Yugi Muto can draw any card he desires¡ªeven if that card doesn''t exist in his deck."


    "Then why am I even playing? I should just surrender!"


    "Miss Hoshino, your only choice is to find the single path to victory among countless failures.")


    With her voice steady, Hoshino continued, "Finding the one path to victory hidden among countless failures. Now, let me show you the purpose behind my actions."


    The metallic clink of three Equipment Spell cards being sent to the graveyard echoed across the battlefield.


    "When the Equipment Spell [Key of the King''s Law] is sent to the graveyard, its true effect activates!"


    [Key of the King''s Law Equip Spell Effect: Once per turn, if this card is sent to the graveyard, choose one of the following effects to activate:


    ¡ñ Equip this card and one other Equipment Spell from the graveyard to one [Gilgamesh] on your field.


    ¡ñ Draw one card.]


    "Thanks to [Key of the King''s Law]''s effect, I retrieve this card and [Fou of the Sun] from the graveyard, re-equipping them to Gilgamesh! And the true attack power increase of [Key of the King''s Law] is¡­"


    [Equipped monster''s ATK/DEF increase by 500 for each Equipment Spell on the field and in the graveyard.]


    [Gilgamesh ATK 6900]


    The Gate of Babylon opened once more, its dazzling treasures shrouding the sky in golden light.


    Akasha''s jaw dropped in awe. "The attack power is back up again! Things are looking really tough for those two now."


    Kaiba, now understanding Hoshino''s intent, let out a begrudging smirk as he glanced at the familiar golden radiance gathering in the sky. "So, that''s why you sent those Equipment Spells to the graveyard¡­ clever."


    His brow furrowed slightly as his gaze flicked to his remaining set cards from the previous turn. Of the three face-down cards, one had already been used¡ªReturn from the Different Dimension. The remaining two would determine the outcome of this duel.


    Sliding Key of the King''s Law into a spell slot, Hoshino activated her Duel Disk. "Now, I can activate the special effect of [Key of the King''s Law]!"


    Yugi''s eyes narrowed, his expression sharpening. "A special effect?"


    "Once per turn, I can discard one card to activate it¡­"


    "Wait, Hoshino¡ªwhere''d you get a card to discard?" Yugi raised his hand, stopping her as he asked. "I recall Enuma Dingir was your last card."


    "Didn''t anyone notice?" Hoshino smirked, pointing to the monster she had chosen as a tribute during Gilgamesh''s ritual summoning.


    A playful voice echoed from the graveyard. "It''s me, Marie, ~"


    "Even if Marie was Special Summoned and her effect negated by Evenings by the Euphrates, her effect still activates upon entering the graveyard!"


    "Master, accept this final spark of France''s soul!" Marie''s voice carried a mischievous warmth, her presence still offering support even in death.


    "I send [Oda Nobunaga] from my hand to the graveyard, activating the special effect of [Key of the King''s Law]!" With a confident motion, Hoshino discarded the card, the sound of the metallic key resonating as it activated.


    [Once per turn, you can discard one card to activate this effect. View the top five cards of your or your opponent''s deck and rearrange them in any order. If viewing your own deck, you may add one of the revealed cards to your hand.]


    Hovering in mid-air, Gilgamesh smirked. "Then I shall lend you my wisdom, mongrel!"


    "Yugi, reveal the top five cards of your deck!" Hoshino commanded. Using his Sha Naqba Imuru: The Omniscient Omnipotent Star, Gilgamesh revealed the top five cards of Yugi''s deck. Once these cards became a fixed result, not even the mystical power of the Millennium Puzzle could alter them.


    Rearranging these five fated cards was Hoshino''s only chance to seek victory, mirroring the effect of Mature Gentleman. But this time, five cards floated before her, shimmering in golden light.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me!" Hoshino''s eyes widened, a bead of sweat trailing down her temple despite her intense focus. The revealed order of Yugi''s top five cards was¡­


    [Card of Sanctity], [Soul Exchange], [Dark Magician Girl], [Dark Burning Magic], [Black Luster Soldier ¨C Envoy of the Beginning]


    Without intervention, she could already envision the triumphant scene: Yugi summoning Dark Magician Girl, unleashing a devastating Dark Burning Magic, and turning the entire duel on its head with his signature flair.


    "But fate is different now!" Without hesitation, Hoshino moved Card of Sanctity to the bottom of the stack, placing the least threatening Black Luster Soldier at the top. After all, no matter how strong the Black Luster Soldier was, it would be immediately restrained by the Chains of Heaven, rendering it powerless.


    Having simulated all possible outcomes in her mind, Hoshino was confident her choice was flawless.


    "End turn. Your move, Yugi!" she declared.


    Hoshino''s hand: 0


    "Heh, that took quite a bit of time, Hoshino," Yugi chuckled, drawing the rearranged card. His brow twitched slightly upon seeing Black Luster Soldier, as though he understood Hoshino''s plan.


    "It seems you''ve prepared carefully¡­ but it''s unfortunate, Hoshino." Without playing a single new card, Yugi activated one of Kaiba''s remaining set cards.


    "No new cards are necessary¡ªlet''s end this duel with Spell card Activate¡ª[Pot of Avarice]!"


    [Pot of Avarice Spell Card Effect: Target 5 monsters in your GY; shuffle all 5 into the Deck, then draw 2 cards.]


    "According to its effect, I shuffle [Slifer the Sky Dragon], [Dark Magician], and three [Blue-Eyes White Dragons] back into my deck, then redraw!"


    "A shuffle?!" Hoshino''s expression faltered in disbelief. Kaiba, of all people, had anticipated her countermeasure and set up a counterattack from the very start. "To think Kaiba would set such a Normal Spell card face-down¡­ you planned this?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 218 - 218

    "Draw!" As he drew his card, a flash of light accompanied it.


    "Wait, that draw just flashed, didn''t it? You lucky draw dog!" Before Yugi could even play a card, Hoshino couldn''t hold back her jab, her voice carrying a mixture of irritation and playful disbelief.


    With an innocent look, Yugi feigned ignorance. "That was just a normal draw."


    But as his eyes lingered on the card he''d drawn, a small, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Like I said, no new cards needed¡ªI''ll settle this battle with the ones I already have!"


    With a dramatic flourish, Yugi flipped his cloak behind him and slapped a card onto the Duel Disk. True to his word, it wasn''t the newly drawn card he played, but two cards that were already in his hand.


    "I''ll summon a monster face-down, then activate my final Spell Card, [Monster Gate]!"


    [Monster Gate Spell Card Effect: Tribute 1 monster on your side of the field. Pick up cards from your Deck until you pick up a monster that can be Normal Summoned, and Special Summon it. Send any other cards picked up to the Graveyard.]


    A massive, golden gate materialized, swallowing the face-down monster he''d just summoned. In response to the card''s effect, Yugi''s deck began flipping from the top, sending card after card streaming into the Graveyard.


    "There it is!" Jonouchi, sweating with tension, locked his eyes on the deck as it stopped flipping.


    "Fate still favors me!" Yugi declared triumphantly. The last card revealed shone with an unmistakable crimson glow, appearing like a king returning to reclaim its throne.


    "From my deck, I Special Summon [Slifer the Sky Dragon]!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]


    As lightning flashed and thunder roared, the colossal, crimson dragon burst onto the field with a deafening roar, its serpentine body coiling around the battlefield.


    "Yugi, even if you summoned the Sky Dragon, you can''t beat Gilgamesh!" Despite the overwhelming presence of the summoned god, Hoshino''s confidence remained unshaken. As long as Gilgamesh stood by her side, she believed her victory was certain. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Turn end!" Yugi announced abruptly.


    "Huh?!" Hoshino blinked, confused by his sudden and unexpected move. Poised for battle, her rhythm was thrown completely off-balance.


    But before she could draw to begin her turn, Yugi raised his hand dramatically, his voice booming. "My turn ends, and now... prepare for the stage of the ultimate showdown!"


    Without warning, the ground beneath them cracked and split apart, sending countless Noble Phantasms scattering from their resting places. A fierce storm rose, carrying debris high into the air and forming an impenetrable wall around the battlefield.


    "Activating my last set Trap Card, [Last Turn]!"


    [Last Turn Trap Card Effect: This card can only be activated during your opponent''s turn when your Life Points are 1000 or less. Select 1 monster on your side of the field and send all other cards on the field and in their respective owners'' hands to their respective Graveyards. After that, your opponent selects and Special Summons 1 monster from their Deck in face-up Attack Position and attacks your selected monster. (Any Battle Damage from this battle is treated as 0.) The player whose monster remains alone on the field at the End Phase of this turn wins the Duel. Any other case results in a DRAW.]


    "My selected monster is, of course, Slifer the Sky Dragon!" Yugi commanded, and the dragon roared in response, taking center stage in the final arena.


    "So, it''s a victory-condition-based card, is it? Since I have to summon from my deck..." Hoshino gritted her teeth in frustration as Gilgamesh, despite his immense power, was barred from the battlefield by the card''s effect.


    "Hahaha! There''s no way I''d step into such a primitive arena myself!" Laughing boisterously, Gilgamesh took a step back, joining Hoshino on the sidelines. "I''ll simply find the best viewing spot and watch this final act unfold!"


    Akasha tilted her head in confusion. "Doesn''t this actually work in Hoshino-nee''s favor? If she summons a monster with 3000 or more ATK, she should win easily, right?"


    "Hah, it''s not that simple! This is precisely the moment where Slifer''s effect shines brightest," Kaiba said, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips. "Whatever monster Hoshino summons, it''ll have to withstand Slifer''s effect!"


    [When a monster is summoned to your opponent''s side of the field in Attack or Defense Position, decrease its respective ATK or DEF by 2000. If this reduces that card''s ATK or DEF to 0, destroy that card.]


    Jonouchi''s eyes widened in shock. "So basically, she needs a single monster with at least 5000 ATK to defeat Slifer! Does Hoshino even have a Heroic Spirit that strong?"


    As Hoshino contemplated her next move, Gilgamesh placed a firm, reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Mongrel, this isn''t the time to hesitate. Since you''ve committed to this, give it your all! Light and darkness alike¡ªconsider them both as part of your treasury."


    "Is Gil really saying that...?" Enkidu, watching nearby with a faint smile, narrowed his eyes at Hoshino.


    "I quite like you too, Master! No one else embodies the spirit of a living person so fully. You hold your own beliefs, never shirk responsibility, and possess kindness yet also a touch of wickedness. This complete Master is what makes you so captivating!"


    "And what about me?" Gilgamesh interjected.


    "If you could control your temper a bit, you''d be perfect, Gil."


    "How could I be king if I were not proud?"


    Though they bickered, Hoshino could feel their unwavering encouragement. She smiled faintly. "Goldie, Enkidu..."


    "I told you, don''t call me by such a ridiculous nickname!"


    "Goldie, does this mean even the darkness in the abyss is mine to use?" With the Millennium Ring''s influence gone, Hoshino still hesitated to wield the darkness around her. Unlike the darkness of an Alter Heroic Spirit, this was raw, malicious power.


    "Do I need to say it again, Mongrel?" Gilgamesh''s confident smile met Hoshino''s uncertain gaze. "The King acknowledges, the King permits, and the King shoulders the world! With me beside you, charge forward without hesitation!"


    "Mm!" Reassured, Hoshino felt there was no greater support than the King of Heroes standing at her back.


    "I''m going for it, Yugi¡ªthis is my final card!" Dark, ominous energy surged from the card Hoshino drew. This was the one card she had always been afraid to use¡ªthe deepest, most dangerous darkness of this world.


    "Has Hoshino chosen a monster that can beat Slifer?" Jonouchi''s voice trembled with anticipation.


    "Is she really going to use...?" Akasha whispered, eyes wide.


    Kaiba''s expression tightened, his sharp gaze fixating on Hoshino. "No... this can''t be!"


    "Yugi, let''s make this the final battle! Due to Last Turn''s effect, I Special Summon...!"


    The pitch-black lightning that erupted across the battlefield roared louder than the heavens themselves. The dark aura that followed overwhelmed even Slifer''s immense presence.


    "This... this can''t be happening!" Yugi''s voice faltered as his eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the figure emerging onto the battlefield.


    Under the eerie glow of black lightning, another Slifer the Sky Dragon descended¡ªits body wreathed in shadow, its presence as ominous as it was powerful.


    "A black Slifer the Sky Dragon?!" Yugi''s eyes widened in disbelief. He had never heard of Hoshino holding a second Slifer in her deck.


    Clenching his teeth, Kaiba growled, "That''s no ordinary Slifer. It''s the strongest Evil God! I underestimated her¡ªnever thought she''d actually include that monster in her deck."


    In Kaiba''s mind, he recalled the ultimate battle atop KaibaCorp''s roof, where the terrifying figure of the Evil God had left a vivid impression. That card, forged from the deepest depths of evil, was powerful enough to manipulate even Yako, its previous owner, with ease.


    He had assumed that, even if Hoshino had acquired the Wicked God, she wouldn''t dare use such an unstable and unpredictable card. After all, the risks were immense¡ªif its power spiraled out of control, she could end up like Yako, consumed by the very darkness she wielded.


    "Looks like I underestimated your resolve, Hoshino," Kaiba admitted, his voice tinged with grudging respect.


    Guiding the black Slifer on the battlefield, Hoshino''s presence radiated confidence. Beneath the ominous lightning, she seemed even more commanding than Yugi. "Let''s begin, Yugi¡ªthis final battle!"


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 3001]


    "Are you kidding me? It has just one more attack point than Yugi''s Slifer?" Jonouchi exclaimed, bewildered by the Evil God''s unusual power. To him, this was either some absurd coincidence or the most calculated move possible.


    Pointing to his authentic Slifer, Yugi commanded, "It''s useless! Now that you''ve summoned a monster, even a god must take this¡ªThunder Force!"


    The second, otherworldly mouth of Slifer opened, unleashing a crackling torrent of lightning. The immense force of the Summon Thunder Force surged directly toward the black Slifer.


    BOOM¡ª!


    The blast collided with the black Slifer, engulfing it in lightning. But as the smoke cleared, the dark god remained unfazed, roaring even louder in defiance.


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 3001 ¡ú 3001]


    Yugi stared in shock. "How can this be? It didn''t lose any attack points... even after taking Slifer''s effect?"


    "Did you really think I hadn''t accounted for that, Yugi?" Hoshino''s voice was firm, brimming with quiet confidence. "Let me tell you¡ªthere''s no way Slifer alone can defeat the Wicked Avatar!"


    The Wicked Avatar, one of the Evil Gods created by Pegasus himself, had been specifically designed to suppress the Egyptian Gods. But trying to suppress divine power with even greater evil only opened the door to chaos.


    "The Wicked Avatar will always have the highest attack on the field!" Hoshino declared.


    "Roar¡ª!" The black Slifer howled, asserting its dominance as the ultimate being. Its presence seemed to mock Slifer''s inability to overpower it.


    "If that''s the case, how do you even defeat such a creature?!" Yugi muttered, shaken by the realization. It wasn''t just the Wicked Avatar''s near-invincible effect that unsettled him¡ªit was the fact that this girl had already defeated it before.


    "When did you become so powerful...?" Yugi''s voice was low, tinged with disbelief. This wasn''t the Hoshino he had dueled before. Facing her now, he felt an unfamiliar sense of inadequacy, a quiet loss.


    A duel is full of variables, Yugi thought. Winning or losing a single game doesn''t mean everything. Change the deck, start a new duel, and the tides can turn again. That''s the beauty of Duel Monsters. It''s why Kaiba kept challenging him, even after countless defeats. But this... this felt different.


    For the first time, Yugi felt something beyond the cards themselves. He couldn''t help but wonder what kind of battles¡ªwhat kind of despair¡ªHoshino had endured to stand here now, commanding the same monstrous Evil God that once struck fear into him.


    "What kind of cruel trials, how much adversity, did you face to get here?" Yugi''s gaze softened, unfamiliar emotions stirring within him. The girl before him, who looked more fragile than Anzu, had fought and survived through challenges he could only imagine. Alone in a foreign place, without family or close friends to lean on, she should have been weaker than anyone. Yet, in reality, she was stronger than anyone he had ever known.


    "I''m sure there''s a reason you desire a God Card, even if you can''t put it into words," Yugi said softly, a calm smile crossing his face as he found his resolve once more. His heart, which had been turbulent moments before, now felt steady.


    "This is the final blow, Yugi! Attack, Wicked Avatar!" Hoshino''s voice rang out with authority as she pointed toward the heavens, signaling the end of the duel.


    "Counter, Slifer!" Yugi shouted, his voice unshaken. "Though our time together was brief, thank you for everything."


    As if bidding farewell, Yugi''s tone carried a bittersweet weight, one that spoke of acceptance.


    "Summon Lightning Impact!" x2


    Blinding lightning and dark thunder collided violently at the center of the battlefield, intertwining light and darkness in a chaotic dance. The explosive godly wrath consumed everything in its path, igniting the world in a deafening crescendo of power.


    "And so, it''s over, Yugi, Kaiba!" With a fierce yell, Hoshino''s dark power surged forward, piercing Slifer the Sky Dragon''s massive form without hesitation or mercy.


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon] Destroyed


    Special win condition achieved: Winner, Hoshino Chiyuki!


    "Yugi, you actually...!!" Kaiba''s eyes widened in astonishment, staring at the empty battlefield where Slifer had stood moments before.


    "Sorry, Kaiba. I wasted the opportunity you gave me, and I still lost." Though Yugi''s voice carried a hint of apology, his eyes remained resolute, devoid of regret.


    Kaiba''s gaze narrowed as he read Yugi''s calm demeanor. "So, this was your choice..." he muttered, his tone devoid of anger. "Since I left the final decision to you, I have no complaints about the outcome."


    Kaiba didn''t press further, nor did he blame Yugi for not activating the effect of the [Electromagnetic Turtle] that had been sent to the Graveyard by [Monster Gate].


    [Electromagnetic Turtle''s Effect: During your opponent''s Battle Phase (Quick Effect): You can banish this card from your GY; end the Battle Phase. You can only use this effect of "Electromagnetic Turtle" once per Duel.]


    Yugi had accounted for every contingency. With the Turtle supporting [Last Turn], even the Wicked Avatar could have been neutralized, leading to a draw. Yet, Yugi had chosen otherwise.


    "Hmph! Next time, I''ll beat both of you with my own power!" Kaiba declared, his voice regaining its usual confidence.


    "Heh, I don''t plan to lose to the two of you either," Yugi replied, his tone carrying a mixture of exhaustion and determination.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 219 - 219

    As the dark lightning of the Wicked Avatar pierced through the Sky Dragon, the onlookers stood frozen in stunned silence.


    "She¡­ she actually did it. Hoshino won¡­ she defeated Yugi and Kaiba!" Jonouchi''s voice quivered with excitement, his wide eyes glued to the aftermath of the duel. "That¡­ that was the ultimate battle, wasn''t it? The kind of duel every duelist dreams of!"


    "It was incredible!" he finally exclaimed, the words spilling out after a long pause.


    Honda, equally awestruck, nodded. "God vs. God¡ªthat''s a level of intensity I didn''t know Duel Monsters could reach. Makes me want to start playing myself."


    "Yeah, right, Honda," Jonouchi shot back, rolling his eyes. "Even if you did start playing, there''s no way you''d get a God Card."


    Honda frowned but didn''t argue. "Fine, but still¡­ what about Yugi? Is he okay?" he asked, glancing toward Yugi with concern.


    To their surprise, Yugi didn''t appear disappointed at all. If anything, there was a calm satisfaction in his expression as he stepped back from the Duel Disk.


    "I knew Hoshino-nee would win!" Akasha cheered, leaping up and down in excitement. "She''s the strongest! I wonder how she''ll use the God Card now¡­"


    Meanwhile, Gilgamesh, still lingering on the battlefield, crossed his arms and smirked. "Mongrel, you did well. Better than I expected."


    Standing beside him, Enkidu sighed, tugging lightly on Gilgamesh''s wrist. "It''s time to go, Gil. Staying any longer would just make things more complicated for Master."


    Gilgamesh chuckled, casting a final glance at Hoshino, who stood still, lost in thought. "Indeed. It seems she''s found her own light now. From here on, she''ll carve her own path forward."


    With a shared look of pride, the King of Heroes and his companion from Uruk began to fade, their forms dissolving into golden light.


    As the remnants of the duel settled, Yugi and Kaiba walked toward Hoshino in unison, their duel disks folding shut with a crisp, mechanical snap. Their synchronized steps echoed across the battlefield like the final punctuation to the epic clash.


    "Hoshino," Yugi began, but before she could say anything, he reached into his deck and drew out Slifer the Sky Dragon. "You won."


    Without hesitation, Yugi extended the card toward her. "Although it hasn''t been with me for long, this card has saved me in countless battles. But now, it belongs to you."


    Hoshino stared at the card, her hand trembling slightly as she hesitated to take it. The weight of what this meant wasn''t lost on her. She knew the God Cards weren''t just powerful¡ªthey were deeply tied to Yugi''s journey to reclaim his memories as the nameless Pharaoh. For over a millennium, this had been his mission, his purpose.


    As the darkness clouding her heart faded, Hoshino couldn''t ignore the guilt gnawing at her. Was it truly right to sacrifice Yugi''s thousand-year destiny for her own goals? Could she take this card, knowing what it meant to him?


    "What are you hesitating for?" Kaiba''s sharp voice cut through her thoughts as he thrust Obelisk the Tormentor toward her. "You won the duel. According to the Battle City rules, the winner takes the rare card! If you can''t follow the rules, why do you think I made them in the first place?"


    It was startling to see Kaiba¡ªnormally so possessive of his rare cards¡ªhanding over a God Card without a shred of reluctance.


    Kaiba continued, his gaze fierce. "Take it now, because when I beat you next time, I''ll take all the God Cards back without hesitation."


    "All of them? So you''re not planning on following the rules, huh?" Hoshino thought, suppressing a wry smile.


    Before she could respond, Yugi gently took her hand and placed Slifer firmly in her palm. "I don''t know why you need the God Cards," he said softly, "but I trust it must be for something important. That''s what you showed us in this duel¡ªthe resolve in your heart. I believe in you."


    "Yugi¡­" Hoshino''s chest felt warm, a rare sense of comfort spreading through her as she met his gaze. For once, she felt understood.


    [System Notification: Due to Duelist No. 001 Hoshino Chiyuki acquiring a God Card, a special limited-time banner is available¡ªDivine Heroic Spirit UP.]


    The sudden system alert snapped Hoshino out of her emotional moment. "A God banner?" she murmured in surprise. Thrilled by the unexpected bonus, she remembered how obtaining an Evil God Card had similarly unlocked a unique banner. The legends about the Evil Gods being created to counter the Egyptian Gods suddenly felt all the more plausible.


    Kaiba, noticing Yugi still holding Hoshino''s hand, interrupted gruffly by thrusting Obelisk closer to her. "Enough sentimental nonsense. If we''re done here, let''s head to the final showdown in Battle City. Don''t forget, only the top eight duelists who collect all the puzzle cards and reach the final stage will qualify for the finals."


    In other words, even with six puzzle cards, arriving late meant disqualification. It was Kaiba''s subtle way of reminding them all to stay focused.


    "You all go ahead. I''ve got some unfinished business with Marik," Hoshino said, carefully placing both God Cards into her card case. She reached for the Millennium Ring strapped to her back¡ªbut froze.


    "Huh?!" Her hand met nothing but her own back. "Where is it? I put the Millennium Ring there earlier! How could it just disappear?"


    Having been so absorbed in the duel, Hoshino hadn''t noticed when the artifact slipped away. "This is bad. Without the Millennium Ring, how am I supposed to find Marik?"


    "You were going to use the Millennium Ring to track Marik?" Yugi asked, raising an eyebrow. He quickly pieced together her plan: the Millennium Ring could locate anyone holding a Millennium Item, including Marik''s Millennium Rod.


    "I''m not surprised," Yugi said. "That''s just like you to come up with a plan like that."


    "Even the best plan is useless without the Millennium Ring," Hoshino muttered, frustrated. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But why did Bakura''s Millennium Ring end up with you in the first place?" Yugi asked, the question lingering from earlier.


    Hoshino explained briefly, though she couldn''t resist embellishing her heroics against the Rare Hunters a bit.


    "That''s awful!" Jonouchi burst out, his fists clenched in anger. "Attacking you like that¡ªI''ll never forgive Marik!"


    "It''s outrageous that the Rare Hunters were able to cause such violence during Battle City," Kaiba said, his usual scowl deepening. He glanced at Hoshino. "It''s a relief nothing worse happened."


    "Don''t worry about the Millennium Ring," Yugi reassured her. "I tried to get rid of it once, but no matter what, it always returned to Bakura. I''m sure it''ll go back to him eventually."


    "Well, if you''ve lost your way of tracking Marik," Kaiba interjected, "then join us on the way to the finals!"


    He unfolded his duel disk, slotting five puzzle cards into the Monster Card slots and the sixth into the Field Zone. The puzzle cards lit up, their combined glow forming a holographic map that revealed the final duel location.


    "As long as Marik still wants a God Card, he''ll show up at the finals. So let''s settle everything there¡ªno excuses!" Kaiba declared, his usual determination blazing in his eyes.


    [Duelist level assessment complete. Duelist Rebecca Hawkins, rank C+, awarded 40 Saint Quartz.]


    [Duelist Rowick Hawkins, rank B, awarded 45 Saint Quartz.]


    [Duelist Seven Bosses of the Southern District, rank E, awarded 5x8 = 40 Saint Quartz.]


    [Duelist Yami Bakura, rank C, duplicate rank bonus deducted, awarded 0 Saint Quartz.]


    [Duelist Seto Kaiba, rank A+, duplicate rank bonus deducted, awarded 0 Saint Quartz.]


    [Duelist Yugi Muto, rank A++, duplicate rank bonus deducted, awarded 70 Saint Quartz.]


    [Remaining Saint Quartz: 195, 1 SSR Summoning Ticket.]


    "What''s with this A++? Yugi, you actually reached the world''s highest duelist rank?" Hoshino couldn''t help but smile as she spoke, a mix of astonishment and amusement in her voice. If Saint Quartz had a physical form, she imagined herself gleefully hoarding a glittering pile right now.


    "Huh? What did I raise?" Yugi, sitting in the passenger seat, turned his head, looking genuinely confused.


    At that moment, Hoshino and the others were riding in an unbranded (advertising space available) luxury car that Kaiba had arranged to transport them to the final battle site marked on the map. Their driver, a dark-suited man with sunglasses and an expression as sharp as his attire, fit perfectly into the mold of a Kaiba Corporation employee. Yugi sat up front, while Hoshino, Akasha, and Anzu occupied the back. As for Jonouchi and Honda, they had split off for the time being, mentioning they needed to pick someone up.


    "It''s nothing, just talking to myself," Hoshino waved it off casually, though she now found herself looking at Yugi with a new kind of admiration. Maybe this starfish-haired duelist could truly be the first in this world to reach EX rank. If that ever happened...


    Her thoughts spiraled as she indulged in the fantasy, and, somehow, Yugi''s starfish-shaped hairstyle merged with the image of a giant Saint Quartz crystal in her mind. Soon, she envisioned an absurd creature¡ªYugi''s body with a Saint Quartz head¡ªbeaming like a deity.


    "Knock, knock." Hoshino tapped her temple twice, dragging herself back from the bizarre daydream. "What am I even thinking? Yugi isn''t just some Saint Quartz farming tool. Besides, if he did reach EX rank, I''d never be able to beat him."


    Still, an idea nagged at her. "But if he were EX rank... how many Quartz would that reward?" she muttered under her breath, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.


    "Oh? So, that''s how those strange spirits are born, huh?" A soft, girlish voice suddenly whispered into her ear, its tone gentle yet oddly playful.


    Hoshino turned toward Akasha, who sat beside her, confused. "Huh? Akasha-chan, did you say something?"


    "Zzz¡­ zzz¡­" Akasha''s sleepy breathing was the only response she received. The girl must have been exhausted after being dragged around by Hoshino all morning.


    But that voice¡­ it wasn''t Akasha''s tone, nor did it sound like Anzu''s. And judging by the lack of reaction from Yugi or Anzu, they hadn''t heard it either.


    Eliminating all other possibilities, the most unlikely answer had to be the truth.


    "Mister Driver," Hoshino joked, tapping the back of the driver''s seat, "I didn''t know someone with such a rugged appearance could have such a cute, girly voice."


    "Huh? Me, a girly voice?" The driver''s deep, gruff tone matched his rugged appearance perfectly.


    "Sorry for bothering you." Hoshino leaned back, her brow furrowing slightly. Could it have been her imagination? No, the voice had felt too real, almost as though it had a magical quality lingering near her ear. Thinking back on it, the memory sent a shiver down her spine.


    "Getting flustered already? You didn''t seem so fragile when you summoned me during that duel," the soft, teasing voice spoke again, its childlike charm sending another chill through her.


    It wasn''t her imagination¡ªthere was no doubt about it now. The voice didn''t belong to anyone in the car, and judging by the lack of reaction from her companions, it seemed only she could hear it.


    The voice had mentioned dueling and spirits¡­ Could it be a new Heroic Spirit? But she hadn''t summoned anyone.


    "Who are you?" Hoshino whispered, lowering her voice to avoid catching Yugi or Anzu''s attention.


    "So cold and heartless. Weren''t you just using me so freely a few minutes ago?" A faint vibration came from the card box on Hoshino''s waist, and then, to her shock, a card slipped out of it on its own.


    "No way..." Hoshino''s jaw dropped as she looked down at the card that had fallen onto her lap.


    It was the Evil God ¨C The Wicked Avatar.


    "So, you''re not just some ominous sphere? I didn''t know you had such a cute voice." Searching her memory, Hoshino recalled how the Wicked Avatar had always been associated with monstrous, otherworldly sounds during her duel.


    The Wicked Avatar''s voice took on a smug tone. "I don''t have a fixed form. But as the greatest Evil God, taking on a human appearance is as simple as lifting a finger."


    To prove its point, the Evil God emitted a faint, dark aura. Suddenly, a petite figure materialized right onto Hoshino''s lap.


    A gothic-style black-haired girl now sat on her legs, facing her directly. Her appearance was striking: snow-white skin contrasted sharply with her pitch-black hair, eyes, and intricately designed dress. Though her form was small, her presence was anything but.


    "A goth loli as the Evil God? That''s... not what I expected," Hoshino murmured, blinking in surprise. Despite the girl''s dark and eerie appearance, she radiated a certain mischievous charm.


    The Wicked Avatar smirked. "This is merely a form I chose. Humans are such lowly creatures, so easily shaken by appearances."


    Hoshino sighed. "I should''ve known. Judging by how you transformed into female Servants like Nero or Okita during our duel, I guess you have a taste for theatrics."


    At first, she''d thought Wicked Avatar might just be a cross-dresser with a flair for drama. But now, hearing its feminine tone and seeing its chosen form, the ambiguity only deepened.


    "So, what''s going on now?" she asked, glancing around. None of her companions seemed to notice the gothic girl sitting on her lap. Not even Yugi, who could normally sense card spirits, had reacted¡ªhe hadn''t turned around.


    The Wicked Avatar smiled slyly. "I''m here, of course, because you used my card."


    "You''re saying the card summoned you here?"


    "Precisely. Using the power of an Evil God isn''t something one does lightly. The moment you activated my card, you entered a contract with me. And as with all contracts, there''s always a price to pay."


    Its dark eyes glimmered as it leaned in closer, a predatory smile spreading across its face. "After all, the power of an Evil God doesn''t come for free¡­"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 220 - 220

    "Payment?" A gothic lolita radiating a dark aura sat delicately on Hoshino''s lap, rubbing her fingers together in a coy, playful gesture¡ªas if she were asking for money. The act was oddly... enticing?


    Lowering her voice, Hoshino replied with a deadpan tone, "Let me make this clear: when it comes to being broke, I''m second to none." Her sharp words carried a mix of sarcasm and self-deprecation. Translation: If you''re hoping to squeeze a penny out of me, forget it. Never mind the fact that she was currently riding in a luxury car.


    "Please don''t lump me in with those lowlife humans." The loli leaned in closer, her breath ghosting near Hoshino''s ear. The soft, teasing sensation sent shivers racing down her spine.


    "This is merely a greeting," the loli whispered, her voice laced with both mischief and authority. "When we''re alone, we''ll have a more¡­ intimate discussion."


    Clearly, even the loli found it inconvenient to speak openly in the car. After leaving Hoshino with a charmingly eerie smile, she vanished without a trace.


    The faint warmth of her lingering presence remained by Hoshino''s ear, causing her cheeks to flush. Glaring down at the card now resting on her skirt, Hoshino muttered, "Calm down... it''s just a sphere... just a sphere..."


    But inside, she couldn''t help thinking, I never expected you to be that kind of sphere!


    ---


    Domino City''s Open-Air Stadium ¨C The Semi-Final Battle City Venue


    "So this is the place the puzzle cards pointed to, huh?" Yugi scanned their surroundings with quiet awe. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The stadium, usually bustling with life during sports events, was eerily silent. Located on the outskirts of the city, the vast venue was devoid of people. Its emptiness felt almost unsettling, as though the air itself carried a sense of foreboding. With its towering stands and wide-open field, the stadium was surprisingly plain for a location meant to host the semi-finals of Duel City.


    "Wow, all that hype, and we get... this?" Hoshino muttered, crossing her arms. "Way to kill the vibe."


    Having dozed off in the car, Akasha now bounced alongside them with recharge energy, her steps light and cheerful. "Hoshino-nee, look! It''s just us. We''re the first ones here! An empty stadium feels like it''s all ours~ So fun!"


    "Is it?" Anzu crossed her arms, shivering slightly as a chilly breeze swept through the open-air venue. The vastness of the deserted space made her uneasy, and she rubbed her arms for warmth. "Yugi, Hoshino, are you sure Marik will show up here?"


    The thought of finally confronting the mastermind behind everything filled her with both dread and anticipation.


    "If he still wants the God Cards, this tournament is his last shot," Hoshino replied with a hint of determination, though her words seemed to reassure herself as much as Anzu. After all, if she wanted to gather all three God Cards and defeat Marik, this was her last chance too.


    "Someone''s coming!" Yugi''s sharp gaze turned toward the stadium''s entrance.


    Alerted by his warning, Hoshino immediately tensed. "No way... speak of the devil?"


    "Hoshino-nee, who''s this ''devil'' you''re talking about?" Akasha tilted her head, curious.


    "A certain ''satellite'' that hasn''t landed yet, but if my guess is right¡­ it''s probably a girl."


    The three of them turned their attention to the stadium entrance, holding their breath as steady footsteps approached. None of them dared to blink, afraid the figure might disappear if they looked away.


    The confident clicks of heels on concrete drew closer until, finally, a familiar figure strode into the stadium.


    "Oh? Chiyuki, Yugi, Anzu¡ªyou''re here already?" A graceful, confident smile lit up Mai''s face as she waved to the group.


    "Mai!" Hoshino exclaimed, her voice tinged with joy. Of all the potential semi-finalists, she hadn''t expected to see her friend, whom she hadn''t seen for almost 20 chapters.


    It wasn''t surprising that someone with Mai''s skills had advanced to this stage of the tournament, but seeing her here still felt like a small miracle.


    Mai tossed her bag to the side and grinned. "I thought I''d be the first one here with all six puzzle cards, but once again, you two beat me to it."


    "You''re amazing for making it here so fast, Mai," Yugi said with his usual kindness. "Let''s both do our best in the finals."


    "Wow, such a beautiful, elegant onee-san!" Akasha''s eyes sparkled as she admired Mai, practically radiating awe.


    Mai bent slightly to get a closer look at Akasha, her smile softening. "And who''s this adorable little cutie? Sweet as honey~"


    "She''s my¡ª" Hoshino began, but Akasha cut her off with an excited chirp. "I''m her daughter!"


    "Huh? Chiyuki''s daughter?" Mai blinked, tilting her head in thought. "Well, no wonder she''s so cute."


    "Wait, Mai¡ª" Hoshino started again, but Mai interrupted once more, this time with a playful grin. "Wait a second... so she''s Chiyuki and Yugi''s daughter?"


    "No way!" Anzu blurted out, her face flushing with embarrassment.


    Meanwhile, Yugi flustered beyond words, turned bright red and lowered his head to avoid everyone''s gaze.


    "Mai, you''re such a tease," Hoshino said, exasperated but amused. She gently grabbed Akasha''s cheeks and gave them a light squeeze. "And you, stop spouting nonsense!"


    "Ow, ow, ow! QxQ!" Akasha squealed, her round cheeks turning pink from Hoshino''s scolding pinch, now matching Yugi''s rosy hue.


    Mai chuckled, clearly entertained by the chaos. "Hehe, with you all around, I feel like I''ll never be bored."


    Yugi''s head suddenly snapped up. "Someone else is coming."


    This time, instead of footsteps, the roar of an engine broke the quiet atmosphere.


    "Oh yeah! Your man is here!" Jonouchi''s familiar voice echoed as he waved enthusiastically, perched on the back of Honda''s motorcycle.


    "Jonouchi, Honda¡­" Anzu sighed in relief at the sight of their friends. The growing crowd made the vast, empty stadium feel less intimidating.


    "Mai? No way¡ªyou made it too?" Jonouchi exclaimed as he hopped off the motorcycle, clearly surprised.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?" Mai asked, narrowing her eyes. "Honestly, I''m more surprised that a novice like you managed to scrape through the prelims."


    "Hey! Don''t underestimate me!" Jonouchi shot back, puffing his chest out. "I''m twice as strong as I was during Duelist Kingdom!"


    Mai turned her back to him, unimpressed. "Well, considering you started from zero, doubling your power still leaves you at¡­ zero."


    As the two bickered, Hoshino couldn''t help but smile. "By the way, Jonouchi, weren''t you and Honda supposed to be picking someone up? Who''s the mystery guest?"


    "Oh, uh¡­ that¡­" Jonouchi scratched his head awkwardly.


    "Hello there!" A sweet voice chimed in as a girl stepped out from behind him. She wore a pink top and had an air of shy elegance. "I''m Shizuka Jonouchi, Katsuya Jonouchi''s little sister. It''s nice to meet you all."


    Hoshino''s gaze softened at the sight of the girl''s gentle demeanor. Jonouchi... after meeting your sister, I''ve decided¡ªyou''re definitely a friend worth keeping around.


    "You''re kiddin'' me!" Hoshino was the first to react, her voice filled with disbelief. She pointed a finger at Jonouchi, eyes narrowing. "No way! I''ve seen enough of your weird face to know there''s absolutely no chance you could have such an adorable sister!"


    Shizuka, standing before them, looked completely out of place compared to Jonouchi. She appeared to be a middle schooler, shorter than Hoshino and about the same height as Yugi. Her soft demeanor, sweet smile, and gentle eyes made it hard to believe she was related to one of the "delinquents" of Domino City.


    "You''re Chiyuki Hoshino-san, right?" Shizuka asked, her voice delicate and polite. A faint blush rose to her pale cheeks as she spoke, her shyness only amplifying her charm.


    Hoshino blinked, momentarily stunned by the sheer sweetness of the girl addressing her. Recovering, she smiled warmly. "Just call me Hoshino. We''re probably around the same age."


    "Thank you so much, Hoshino!" To everyone''s surprise, Shizuka suddenly bowed deeply, a perfect 90 degrees, catching Hoshino completely off guard.


    "Eh?!" Hoshino''s eyes widened, her cheeks reddening. "W-Why are you bowing? What''s going on?" She waved her hands nervously, flustered by the sudden display of gratitude.


    With her head still lowered, Shizuka continued, "Hoshino-san is my lifesaver. I have to thank you properly."


    Hoshino quickly helped her straighten up, her confused expression now aimed directly at Jonouchi, who was scratching his head with a sheepish grin.


    "Don''t look at me like that!" Jonouchi laughed awkwardly. "It''s true, though! Thanks to your wins in the Duelist Kingdom, Shizuka was able to go to Germany for her surgery."


    "But the surgery fees were covered by Industrial Illusions," Hoshino replied, waving her hand dismissively, trying to downplay her role.


    Yugi stepped forward, shaking his head. "You can''t brush it off like that, Hoshino. You were the one who defeated Pegasus and freed him from the Millennium Eye''s curse. Without that, Industrial Illusions wouldn''t have been able to help people like Shizuka."


    Jonouchi nodded, gently patting Shizuka''s head. "Her condition wasn''t just blindness. If we didn''t act fast, it could''ve risked her life. You saved her, Hoshino, plain and simple."


    "Amazing, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha chimed in, her eyes sparkling with awe. "You''re the coolest!"


    "Nicely done, Chiyuki," Mai added with a teasing grin. "Didn''t think you had it in you. I''m starting to see you in a whole new light!"


    Honda, now standing beside his motorcycle, folded his arms with a grin. "Yesterday, after helping with her discharge papers, she wouldn''t stop saying how much she wanted to thank you in person. She''s been dying to meet you and watch you duel."


    Hoshino''s gaze softened as she looked at Shizuka, her chest tightening with emotion. Seeing the girl''s sincerity and hearing everyone''s words of praise filled her with a deep sense of fulfillment. For the first time in a while, she truly felt like her presence in this world mattered.


    "Thank you, Shizuka..." Hoshino whispered, her voice tinged with emotion.


    Shizuka tilted her head in confusion, her big, round eyes blinking in surprise. "Hoshino-san, why are you thanking me?"


    For a moment, Hoshino was at a loss for words. The surgery must''ve been top-notch to restore Shizuka''s sight so well, but it wasn''t just her vision¡ªit was the warmth and light in her eyes that struck Hoshino deeply.


    Suddenly, a loud, booming laugh echoed through the stadium, shattering the heartfelt moment.


    "Whoa! What the heck is that thing in the sky?!" Jonouchi exclaimed, pointing upward as a colossal airship descended toward the stadium.


    Yugi''s expression grew serious. "That''s the KaibaCorp airship¡ªthe one they used to promote the Battle City!"


    "Behold, lowly duelists!" A familiar, commanding voice rang out from the airship''s deck. Standing at the edge, arms folded and cape billowing dramatically, was none other than Seto Kaiba. "Gaze upon the ultimate, most magnificent, most intense battle stage¡ªthe Duel Tower in the Sky!"


    "The Duel Tower in the Sky?!" Hoshino muttered, her jaw dropping slightly. "So we''re actually going to duel on an airship? Forget what I said about the venue being plain¡ªKaiba''s on a whole different level."


    The massive airship landed gracefully in the center of the stadium. Its sheer size and presence were even more intimidating up close. A staircase extended from the airship''s exit, and Kaiba descended with the air of a king stepping into his court.


    Trailing just behind him was a much smaller figure, sprinting down the steps with unrestrained enthusiasm.


    "Hoshino! I''m here to cheer you on!" Mokuba shouted, leaping down the final few steps and racing toward her.


    Kaiba scanned the growing crowd, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Why are there so many people here? Did you all mistake this for a tourist attraction?"


    Hoshino chuckled, unfazed by his attitude. "Come on. The more people, the better the atmosphere¡ªit''s a tournament, not a funeral."


    Kaiba scoffed. "Tch. Whatever. I''ll pretend I didn''t see it."


    Jonouchi crossed his arms, counting on his fingers. "So, uh, with Kaiba here, that makes five finalists. More than half. We''re missin'' three, though."


    Yugi and Hoshino exchanged a glance, their expressions growing serious. "The real question is: when will Marik show up?" Yugi muttered.


    The early rush of arrivals gradually slowed, and as the hours ticked by, the sun began to dip below the horizon. The stadium lights flickered on, casting a soft glow over the arena as the sky darkened.


    "Alright! Red-Eyes Black Dragon, direct attack!" Jonouchi shouted, his voice echoing through the stadium.


    "Activate Trap Card¡ª[Dimensional Wall]!" Akasha countered, her playful tone contrasting Jonouchi''s intensity. "You take the damage instead, Jonouchi-nii!"


    "Arrrghhh!" Jonouchi groaned dramatically as his Life Points hit zero. Slumping to the ground, he covered his face in exaggerated despair. "I can''t believe it¡ªI lost to a kid!"


    Shizuka giggled behind her hand. "Onii-chan, how many times have you lost now? Isn''t this, like, the fifth time?"


    Grabbing his head, Jonouchi groaned louder. "Stop rubbin'' it in!"


    Yugi, watching from the sidelines, was equally stunned. "Akasha''s, I had no idea you were a strong duelist. Why not join the Battle City?"


    Akasha, beaming with pride, shook her head. "I can''t¡ªI''m still working on completing my deck!"


    Honda smirked. "So, with an incomplete deck, she''s still mopping the floor with this guy? Ouch."


    "Jonouchi, you''re such a loser!" Mai chimed in, delivering the final blow with a teasing laugh.


    The stadium erupted into laughter, the lively energy of their banter filling the once-empty arena. Amid the noise, Hoshino quietly observed, her gaze fixed on the glowing interface hovering in front of her.


    [Banner System Updating. Please remain connected to Wi-Fi to avoid high data charges.]


    Her eyebrow twitched in irritation. "What is this? Are you a mobile game or something?!"


    [Update Progress: 98%. After updating, a ''Special Summoning'' for Heroic Spirits will be unlocked.]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 221 - 221

    [System Update Progress: 100%. System is now starting.]


    "Finally, it''s done!" Hoshino groaned, slumping back as the interface loaded. "I just wanted to pull some cards during my break, but this whole thing feels like I''m updating a mobile game. What''s Da Vinci scheming now?"


    Anytime Hoshino thought of Da Vinci''s smile in relation to Saint Quartz, it sent a chill down her spine. That sly grin carried the unmistakable energy of a seasoned con artist¡ªa charming merchant who knew exactly how to make wallets cry in despair.


    "What even is this ''special summoning system''? It already sounds shady as hell."


    [Would you like to open the Special Summoning Shop?]


    "Sure, why not? Let''s see what kind of scam you''ve cooked up this time." Hoshino tapped [Yes].


    [It''s your first time using the special summoning feature. Would you like to view the tutorial?]


    "A tutorial?" Hoshino''s eyebrow twitched. "Why does pulling a card need a tutorial?"


    Despite her complaints, she let out a sigh and hit [Yes] "Fine. Might as well see what nonsense you''ve prepared."


    Boom! Cheap sparkles exploded across the screen in a low-budget fireworks display, and then...


    "Ta-daaa! Say hello to your assistant, the super cute genius chibi Da Vinci-chan!"


    From the sparkles popped a pint-sized, chibi-fied version of Da Vinci, complete with a massive head, tiny body, and way too much smug energy.


    Hoshino stared blankly. "Da Vinci...chan?"


    "No, no, no! I''m not Da Vinci; I''m the super cute genius, chibi Da Vinci-chan~" The chibi figure wagged a tiny finger, puffing up her chest with exaggerated confidence.


    "Uh-huh... sure." Hoshino pinched the bridge of her nose, resigning herself to Da Vinci''s antics. There was no point arguing with her; it would only prolong this. "Okay, fine. Chibi Da Vinci-chan, explain this ''Special Summoning'' thing."


    "Hehehe, great question!" Chibi Da Vinci beamed, sparkling with smugness. "This is the most generous gacha system, specially designed to help Hoshino-chan summon more efficiently!"


    Hoshino immediately squinted. "Did you just say ''generous'' and ''gacha'' in the same sentence? That''s sus."


    Chibi Da Vinci ignored the comment, continuing cheerfully, "So, I''ve noticed that Hoshino-chan has been working super hard to collect Saint Quartz and summon Servants. However..."


    Her tiny hands conjured a pair of glasses from nowhere, which she pushed up dramatically. Her face turned dead serious. "However, Hoshino-chan, you are horrendously unlucky."


    Hoshino recoiled as if struck. ""E-excuse me?! What do you mean ''unlucky''? My pulls have been decent lately! I''ve been getting SSRs every four or five ten-rolls. Compared to before, that''s amazing!"


    Chibi Da Vinci leaned in closer, her tiny face just inches from Hoshino''s. "That''s a probability issue, Hoshino-chan! The pull rates in this world are three times higher than in your previous one!"


    "Wait, wait, wait¡ªthree times?!" Hoshino''s jaw dropped. She''d thought her luck had finally turned around. "So if the rate was 1% before, that means..."


    "Exactly! Here, you should be getting an SSR on average every three ten-rolls. But you? You''re way below the average rate."


    "How could this happen?!" Hoshino slumped forward dramatically, practically sliding off her chair. "I thought... I thought I finally escaped the land of bad luck!"


    Chibi Da Vinci grinned, her smugness dialed up to maximum. "Don''t worry, Hoshino-chan. That''s why I''m here¡ªto save you!"


    "Save me? How?"


    "Hehehe! Introducing¡ªthe Special Summoning Shop! (Cue dramatic TV-ad voiceover!)"


    Chibi Da Vinci waved her arms, conjuring a glittery banner that read Special Summoning Shop in bold, exaggerated letters.


    "In this shop, you can find Heroic Spirits that aren''t available in the regular gacha pool. And here''s the best part: no RNG! No pull rates! Everything is guaranteed!"


    Hoshino blinked. "Wait... no RNG? Is this just... a trade shop?"


    "Kind of!" Da Vinci replied with a cheeky grin. "It''s based on the Rare Prism Exchange, but adjusted for this world''s rules. Since you can''t get duplicates here, there''s no need for Rare Prisms. Instead..." She smirked. "You use Saint Quartz directly to ''purchase'' Heroic Spirits!"


    Hoshino crossed her arms, eyeing the tiny Da Vinci warily. "Sounds too good to be true. What''s the catch?"


    "No catch! Why don''t you take a look?" Chibi Da Vinci hopped up and tapped the interface with her tiny hand.


    [Entering Special Summoning.]


    [Special Summoning Shop: 3/3 Heroic Spirits available. Next refresh: 24 hours.]


    [SSR Zhuge Liang (Waver)¡ªExchange cost: 100 Saint Quartz]


    [SSR Iskandar¡ªExchange cost: 100 Saint Quartz]


    [SR Lancelot¡ªExchange cost: 50 Saint Quartz]


    "You can... actually buy Heroic Spirits with Saint Quartz?!" Hoshino''s eyes widened as she stared at the list.


    But after a moment, her expression hardened. "Da Vinci, this is robbery. You''re putting a price tag on Servants just to drain my Quartz! I refuse to support this money-grabbing scheme!"


    "Because it''s too expensive!"


    If Da Vinci''s claims were true, 100 Saint Quartz for one SSR was a rip-off. Even with her bad luck, regular gacha pulls still gave her SRs or magic/trap cards. The trade-off didn''t seem worth it.


    Chibi Da Vinci smirked. "Think carefully, Hoshino-chan~ The Heroic Spirits in the Special Summoning Shop are limited edition. Once the shop refreshes, they''re gone! This is your only chance to summon them."


    "Scammer!" Hoshino pointed an accusing finger at the chibi figure. "You''re just trying to empty my quartz!"


    "Hoshino-chan," Da Vinci pressed on, her chibi face leaning in closer, "if you want to reunite all the Servants from Chaldea, this is a step you have to take eventually." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But it''s just... so expensive," Hoshino muttered, her resolve weakening.


    "And!" Da Vinci raised a tiny finger, her eyes sparkling. "If you buy all three Servants in a bundle, you get a 30% discount!"


    "How much?" Hoshino asked weakly.


    "250 Quartz, discounted to 175 Quartz¡ªa perfect match for your current balance!" Da Vinci''s smile practically glowed with triumph.


    Planned. The prices were too perfectly calculated to be a coincidence. Da Vinci must''ve designed this system specifically to drain every last bit of Hoshino''s Saint Quartz.


    "This..." Hoshino hesitated, her hand trembling over the confirmation button.


    "Just think, Hoshino-chan," Da Vinci whispered, her tiny hand brushing against Hoshino''s cheek. "The King of Conquerors, Zhuge Liang(Waver), and Sir Lancelot¡ªall yours for the taking. Don''t you want them?"


    "I want..." Hoshino''s voice cracked, her resistance slipping.


    "Say it out loud," Da Vinci purred, her tone dripping with smug victory. "Your words may protest, but your body says otherwise~"


    "I want it QAQ!" Hoshino finally broke, throwing up her hands in defeat.


    "Thank you for your purchase!" Chibi Da Vinci announced gleefully as a confirmation screen popped up.


    [175 Saint Quartz deducted. Remaining balance: 20.]


    [SSR Zhuge Liang, SSR Iskandar, SR Lancelot successfully added to your roster.]


    "Congrats, Hoshino-chan! You''ve made a very smart investment!" Da Vinci chirped, her smugness dialed up to 11.


    Hoshino slumped back, clutching her head. "Da Vinci... you''re a menace. The ultimate scammer."


    "And the cutest!" Chibi Da Vinci winked before vanishing in a cloud of sparkles.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Hahaha! No face-down cards? This one''s in the bag!" Jonouchi''s grin stretched ear to ear, a rare look of triumph on his face after losing so many times. Finally, a chance to prove himself.


    "Someone''s coming!" Yugi''s voice cut through the moment like a sharp blade. His gaze locked on the entrance, his body tense.


    "Huh? Someone''s coming? Guess that makes this round a tie~ (¨R?¨Q)?," Akasha chimed in, scooping up the cards off the table like a sneaky squirrel. "Let''s call it even, shall we?"


    "Wha¡ªHEY!" Jonouchi practically threw himself onto the table. "You can''t just call it a tie! I was about to crush you!"


    "Hehe!" Akasha with a teasing grin, flicking one of the cards at him like a playful jab.


    But as the air around them shifted and the atmosphere grew heavier, Jonouchi quickly caught on. This wasn''t the time to argue about their little duel.


    Hoshino''s eyes narrowed, laser-focused on the two figures striding through the door. Her fists clenched as the realization hit. "Finally... it''s him¡ªMarik."


    To be honest, most of them hadn''t seen the real Marik before, except Akasha. But Hoshino recognized Odion immediately¡ªthe tall, stoic man in the black Rare Hunters cloak. And the dark-skinned young man walking next to him? There was no mistaking it¡ªthis was Marik.


    "Marik, huh¡­" Kaiba muttered under his breath, his cold eyes trailing the two as they approached. Without missing a beat, he turned to one of his suited staff standing nearby.


    "That makes seven participants. Open the blimp''s doors. Let everyone board. We leave in ten minutes."


    "But, Mr. Kaiba," the staff member stammered, clearly hesitant, "we''re still missing the eighth participant¡ª"


    "Doesn''t matter," Kaiba snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut steel. "The final prey has already taken the bait. We''re not wasting time waiting around."


    It was crystal clear¡ªKaiba didn''t give a damn about the other duelists. His only goal in hosting Battle City was to collect the God Cards. Everyone else? Is extra.


    "The owner of the strongest God Card... the Winged Dragon of Ra," Kaiba muttered to himself, his gaze briefly flicking toward Hoshino. A competitive fire burned in his voice as he spoke, almost as if to himself. "Whether it''s Egyptian Gods or Evil Gods, I''ll defeat them all."


    "Let''s go, Chiyuki. Time to board." Mai''s voice pulled Hoshino back to the present. With a wave of her fingers, she gestured Hoshino to follow. "No matter how hard you glare at him, it won''t do a thing to him."


    "She''s right," Yugi added, his tone calm but firm. "Since we''re duelists, we settle things through duels¡ªnot staring contests."


    "Hoshino-nee, come on!" Akasha tugged at her sleeve gently, her voice filled with concern. Hoshino had been unusually quiet since Marik''s arrival, her unease obvious.


    "You''re right, let''s go," Hoshino said, snapping out of it with a small, determined smile. The heavy weight in her chest wasn''t gone, but her friends'' encouragement helped her refocus. The Shadow Games had already put enough strain on everyone¡ªshe wasn''t going to make them worry more than they already were.


    Still, if Hoshino had her way, she''d march right up and punch Marik square in the face for everything he''d done to ruin Akasha''s family. But, like Yugi said, this was a duel. She''d take him down fair and square first.


    The punching? That could come after the duel.


    "Wow! Hoshino-nee, look!" Akasha''s mood instantly lifted as they stepped inside the blimp. "This place is crazy fancy!"


    Jonouchi''s jaw hit the floor as he stared at the pristine walls and high-tech interiors. "Whoa, this is nuts! So this is what rich people live like, huh?"


    Mokuba popped out of nowhere, proudly puffing out his chest. "The fridge is stocked with self-serve drinks and snacks! Take whatever you want!" He then turned to Hoshino, a concerned look crossing his face. "Hey, Hoshino, you didn''t eat anything earlier, did you? Want me to take you to the dining hall?"


    Hoshino shook her head, offering him a small smile. "Thanks, Mokuba, but I''m not really hungry right now."


    Mai raised an elegant brow as she glanced at Hoshino. "Chiyuki, you okay? You''ve been acting off ever since those people showed up."


    Hoshino stretched, letting out a fake laugh. "I''m fine! Just tired from dueling all day. I think I''ll go rest in my room for a bit."


    Each of the eight duelists had their own private rooms to prepare for the finals. Typical Kaiba¡ªeverything had to be top-tier. Privacy and focus were key, after all.


    "I''ll come with you¡ª" Akasha began, but Mai cut her off, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Why don''t you come with me instead, Akasha-chan? Will eat something delicious~"


    "Hmm, okay¡­." Akasha glanced at Hoshino, reluctant but willing. "I''ll go hang with the beautiful onee-san for now."


    "Ara~!" Mai chuckled, covering her mouth as she led Akasha away.


    Once inside her room, Hoshino locked the door, taking a deep breath. Finally alone.


    Or not.


    "Not bad. You actually caught onto my hint," a familiar voice drawled.


    Hoshino whipped around to see the Evil God sitting comfortably on the edge of her bed, the little gothic lolita swinging her legs casually. She had already slipped off her shoes, revealing her sock-clad feet, as if she owned the place.


    "You''re kidding me," Hoshino deadpanned. "You called me back here for this? So you could chill on my bed?"


    The Evil God yawned dramatically, stretching like a cat. "What can I say? It''s been ages since I moved in physical form. Gotta enjoy it, right?"


    Hoshino rolled her eyes, exasperated. "So what''s the deal? You drag me away from everyone just so you can lay on the bed?"


    "As if." The Evil God leaned back, resting her head against the pillows. "I brought you here to warn you, obviously."


    Boom¡ª


    The low rumble of the blimp''s turbines roared to life, shaking the room slightly as they ascended into the skies.


    The Evil God''s expression shifted, her tone growing serious. "When that guy walked in, I felt it¡ªan enormous power, equal to mine."


    Hoshino frowned, her arms crossing. "The Winged Dragon of Ra, right? For you to say it''s on your level¡­ that''s not exactly comforting."


    The gothic girl gave her a sly smirk, her dark eyes glinting. "Oh, I never said it was comforting. I''m just here to make sure you''re not underestimating them."


    Hoshino leaned against the wall, her fingers drumming patiently. "What do you think? Can you beat it?"


    The Evil God shrugged lazily, but the glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement. "That''s all on you. It''s your job to figure out how to use me."


    Hoshino snorted. "Great. Thanks for the motivational speech."


    The Evil God sat up, her expression suddenly turn serious. "That''s not all. The power I felt wasn''t just from one card."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 222 - 222

    "The power isn''t just one¡ªcould it be that Marik''s has more than just the Winged Dragon of Ra?"


    Hoshino''s mind spun as she mulled over the idea. Up until now, she''d never fully grasped how this world defined its so-called "gods." If Yugi''s Exodia the Forbidden One could be considered a god, then maybe anything flashy and powerful with "god" slapped onto its name got the same VIP status.


    "Since they''re not one of my own kind, I can''t define them for you," the Evil God chimed in, her voice laced with a playful chuckle. She seemed to thrive on Hoshino''s confusion. "The idea of gods here has always been¡­ vague, to say the least. If we''re measuring godhood by history and tradition, then tell me, girl¡ªdoesn''t that make me a god as well?"


    Hoshino glanced at the goth lolita perched on her bed, legs swinging like a smug child. She didn''t look remotely like a god. Honestly, the Evil God was more like a power-hungry creation dreamed up by Pegasus to mess with the Egyptian Gods¡ªno history, no mythology, just raw chaos in cute packaging.


    The Evil God smirked and tilted her head. "But if we''re talking about raw, overwhelming power¡ªwell, I''d argue I''m far more deserving of the title than some glorified golden chicken."


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow. If she hadn''t seen the Evil God''s strength firsthand, she''d probably write her off as just another eccentric duel monster with delusions of grandeur. But she had seen it, and she wasn''t dumb enough to dismiss the goth''s bold words completely.


    "So, what''s you want?" Hoshino asked, folding her arms. "You wouldn''t be dropping all these without a price tag, right?"


    The Evil God grinned like a cat about to pounce. "Of course! Let''s talk business¡ªthe price you''ll pay to wield my power. If you want to take down someone wielding the strength of multiple gods, I''m the only ace you''ve got."


    "Here we go¡­" Hoshino scratched her head, letting out a long sigh. "Alright, hit me. You''re after my soul, aren''t you?"


    The goth''s eyes lit up with delight, practically sparkling at the mention of it. "Not bad, you catch on quick!" Her tongue darted out to lick her lips in a disturbingly eager way. "Your soul is so deliciously tempting. I''ve already had a taste, and now I want more~"


    "Ah, so you want me to sign my soul away and end up as your puppet? Like Yako, right? You wanna turn me into your mindless little puppet?" Hoshino''s words were sharp, her voice calm but edged with defiance. She wasn''t about to let her guard down, not even for a second. No matter how cute the Evil God looked, Hoshino knew she was a wolf in lolita clothing.


    After all, it had taken the full might of Obelisk the Tormentor to force her true form to back off last time. If this little goth ever got back to full power, Hoshino doubted the rematch would go in her favor.


    The Evil God leaned in closer, her nails tracing light lines over Hoshino''s hand. "Oh, don''t be so dramatic, girl. It''s not that kind of contract. It''s simple¡ªequivalent exchange." She smiled sweetly, though the glint in her eye was anything but innocent. "You borrow my power, you give me a tiny slice of your soul. That''s all."


    Hoshino yanked her hand back like she''d been burned. "Yeah, no thanks. I''m good."


    "Huh?!" The goth lolita''s mouth hung open, her eyes wide with disbelief. She looked like someone who had just been told Santa Claus wasn''t real.


    Hoshino smirked and rubbed the spot where the Evil God''s nails had grazed her. "You''re missing two things here, ''God.''"


    The goth blinked. "Two things?"


    Hoshino raised one finger, flicking the girl''s forehead with enough force to make her flinch. "First, I''m confident I can beat Marik without your help."


    The goth pouted, rubbing her forehead with exaggerated drama. "Confidence? That''s cute, but don''t underestimate what you''re up against. You got lucky before¡ªfacing someone who holds power equal to mine isn''t a game, girl."


    Raising a second finger, Hoshino''s smile turned icy. "Second, you''re forgetting your place. You''re on my turf."


    Before the goth could respond, glowing chains shot out of nowhere, binding her arms and legs. She yelped in surprise, struggling futilely against the restraints.


    "Master, don''t you think you''re being a bit harsh?" Enkidu''s soft, amused voice echoed through the room as he stepped forward, the Chains of Heaven taut in his hands. "Let''s hope you don''t end up as Gil."


    Hoshino crossed her arms, letting the Millennium Bracelet''s energy pulse faintly around her. At this point, summoning Heroic Spirit didn''t even require a duel disk anymore¡ªjust a flick of her will. "Sorry, but someone needs to teach this little ''God'' some manners."


    The goth thrashed against the chains, growling under her breath. "Ugh, again these damn chains!" She clearly hadn''t forgotten how the Chains had neutralized her during their rooftop battle. She gritted her teeth, knowing full well she couldn''t break them in her current weakened state.


    Hoshino grinned as she stepped closer. "You thought you could get a deal with me? Let''s just say I''m about to give you a crash course in duel monster etiquette." Her voice was almost sweet, but her intentions were anything but.


    "W-wait, no¡ªplease, let''s talk about this!" the goth stammered, her tough demeanor crumbling in an instant.


    "Talk? Of course, we talk," Hoshino replied with a devilish glint in her eye. "But first, let''s see how you''re body...."


    (Due to an overly harmonious scene, please imagine it yourself.)


    The goth lolita lay sprawled on the bed, her hair a mess and tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Her breathing was ragged, and she trembled as if she''d just survived a battle.


    "To think¡­ you''d tickle me¡­ Such humiliation¡­" she muttered weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Hoshino tossed the feather she plucked on Wavers fan aside, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "Well, that was surprisingly effective. I should''ve done this sooner."


    "You''re a monster!" the goth squeaked, sitting up and clutching her sides protectively. She eyed Hoshino with a mix of fear and grudging respect. "Y-you are a demon in human skin¡­"


    "Oh, don''t be so dramatic. As long as you behave, we''ll get along just fine," Hoshino replied, her smile as sharp as a knife. The unspoken threat in her tone made the goth shrink back a little.


    [Announcement: All eight finalists, please gather in the main hall. The final duel of Battle City is about to begin.]


    "So, it''s starting already?" Hearing the announcement blaring outside her room, Hoshino scrambled, feeling a pang of panic.


    Man, time flies when you''re disciplining a cheeky Evil God.


    "Saved¡­ I''m saved!" The goth lolita Evil God collapsed dramatically on the bed, wiping away imaginary sweat from her brow. "Finally, freedom from your madness."


    Meanwhile, Hoshino had her hands on her system interface, sighing loudly. "All because of you, Evil God-san. You distracted me, and I almost forgot the most important thing¡ªmy deck!"


    "Hold up¡ªhow is this my fault?" The Evil God glared, but Hoshino ignored her completely, already swiping through the system.


    "Alright, alright," Hoshino muttered, her finger hovering over her last summon ticket. "Let''s just do this. Time for some backup." She hit confirm, and as the summoning animation kicked in, the room exploded with golden light.


    Out from the light stepped the golden man himself: Kintoki, decked out in all his flashy, golden glory. "Yo, Boss!" he grinned, throwing up his trademark peace sign. "We hittin'' the stage, or what? Let''s ride!"


    Hoshino laughed, reaching up for a high-five. "You''re damn right we are. Let''s show ''em how it''s done!"


    "Hell yeah!" Kintoki smacked her hand with a grin so bright it could''ve rivaled the summoning light. "This feels right, y''know? Me, you¡ªtearin'' it up together again. Damn, this is the kinda reunion I live for!"


    (***)


    Main Hall ¨C


    "Chiyuki, you''re here!" Mai called out as Hoshino walked in, Akasha trotting along beside her with her cheeks stuffed full of snacks. "Did you get some rest?"


    Hoshino ruffled Akasha''s hair gently before replying. "I did. Feeling completely refreshed. It''s like all the exhaustion just melted away."


    "Good. You''ll need that energy for what''s coming," Mai said, though her tone was light. Akasha, still chewing, gave Hoshino a thumbs-up.


    "Is everyone here?" Kaiba asked, stepping forward impatiently. He barely waited for the staff to approach him before pressing for answers.


    "Uh, Kaiba-sama," one staff member said cautiously. "The eighth contestant boarded the airship just before takeoff, but they haven''t arrived in the hall yet¡ª"


    "Doesn''t matter," Kaiba cut him off, waving a hand impatiently. "The final prey''s already trapped. We''re not wasting time waiting."


    Hoshino couldn''t help but mutter under her breath, "He''s always so calm and patient, isn''t he?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.


    Yugi, standing nearby, gave her a small smile. "You ready for this?"


    "Yeah," Hoshino replied, straightening her posture. Her confidence shone through her words as she added, "I was born ready."


    Kaiba took center stage, his booming voice commanding the room''s attention. "We''ll now draw lots to determine the match order! This lottery machine will decide the pairings fairly."


    The staff dramatically unveiled the lottery machine, and the room collectively froze in silence.


    "What¡­ the hell is that?" Hoshino asked, her face twisting in disbelief.


    Standing before them was a machine shaped like a three-headed chibi Blue-Eyes White Dragon. The middle head held a transparent container filled with small, numbered yellow balls. The two side heads drooped downward, as though they were ready to spit out the results.


    Jonouchi squinted at the lottery machine. "Uh, is it just me, or does that look kinda ridiculous?"


    Kaiba, unbothered, folded his arms. "It''s the lottery machine of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Obviously."


    "Obviously?" Hoshino deadpanned. "This thing screams fanboy. I mean, come on¡ªwhy does it even need three heads? Shouldn''t this be called the Ultimate Blue-Eyes Lottery Machine?"


    Kaiba ignored her snark, continuing like nothing happened. "Numbers 1 through 8 represent each contestant. The machine will spit out two numbers at a time, and those contestants will duel. The next draw will happen after each match."


    Yugi nodded thoughtfully. "So we won''t know who we''re up against until our number is drawn. That makes sense."


    Mokuba ran over, handing out numbered cards to everyone. "Here, Hoshino¡ªthis is your number."


    Hoshino glanced at her card. "Number four, huh? Doesn''t feel particularly lucky, but I''ll take it."


    Kaiba raised his hand, signaling for the machine to begin. The staff turned the lever and the three chibi Blue-Eyes heads lit up with flashing lights. After a few seconds, the machine emitted a comically exaggerated blorp sound, spitting out two yellow balls.


    "Ugh¡­" Hoshino cringed as the machine let out a guttural blorp sound, spitting out two yellow balls. "Did it just sound like it threw up? Who designed this thing?"


    The staff ignored her commentary, reading the numbers aloud. "The first match of the Battle City elimination round will be between contestant number 4¡­"


    Hoshino checked her number again. "That''s me."


    The room immediately grew tense. Everyone watched as the staff continued.


    "¡­and contestant number 7!"


    "Who''s got number 7?" Jonouchi asked, glancing down at his card. "Not me."


    Yugi shook his head. "Not me either."


    "It''s me." The deep, steady voice came from Odion, who had been leaning silently against the wall. His calm demeanor was unsettling, his presence commanding attention as he stepped forward.


    Kaiba barely glanced at him before muttering, "A Rare Hunter. How disappointing."


    "The elimination round will take place in the special arena¡ªSky Duel Field¡ªat the top of the airship!" a staff member announced dramatically, pointing toward the ceiling.


    "The Sky Duel Field?" Hoshino tilted her head slightly.


    Kaiba smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "It''s the ultimate stage, built for the ultimate showdown. Nothing less would suffice."


    "Contestants, please take the designated elevator to the Sky Duel Field," the staff member instructed. "Spectators may take the stairs to the viewing area."


    "Alright, let''s head up there!" Jonouchi shouted, already jogging toward the staircase.


    Inside the elevator, Hoshino stood quietly beside Odion. The confined space made the silence between them feel heavier than it should.


    "Thank you," Odion said suddenly, breaking the tension with his low, steady voice.


    Hoshino blinked, caught off guard. "Thank me? For what?"


    Odion didn''t answer right away, and the silence returned, even thicker than before.


    Hoshino tried to puzzle it out. Was he thanking her for sparing him during their earlier encounter? Or maybe for returning the Millennium Rod to Marik? Whatever his reason, it remained a mystery.


    Then, in the back of her mind, the Evil God''s soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "Girl, that man¡­ he carries a god."


    Hoshino''s brow furrowed. "Wait, Odion has a god card? But isn''t the Winged Dragon of Ra with Marik?"


    (****)


    Hey, this is just a draft of my fanfic. It''s not finished yet, but I''d like to get your opinions on what to add or if I need to work on the plot. It''s basically a mashup of anime worlds with a slice-of-life feel. Nothing too serious, I just had this idea bouncing around in my head for the past two weeks and wanted to write it down.


    PS. I don''t know what I will title about this


    (***)


    My name''s Aoki Rin. I''m a 16-year-old guy, and my family just moved back to Japan from the US because of my dad''s job. Today''s my first day at high school, and, well¡­ let''s just say it''s already shaping up to be one hell of a day.


    "Mom!" I yelled, practically at the top of my lungs. "Help!"


    It only took her a few seconds to storm into my room, her apron still on and a spatula in hand, like she was ready to fight someone.


    "What''s wrong? Why are you shouting? And why the hell aren''t you dressed yet? It''s your first day! You''re gonna be late!"


    Mom stood in the doorway, eyes sharp, her hair tied up in that messy bun she always wore while cooking. She looked like your typical Japanese mom¡ªexcept, honestly? She was kinda a level above. Good genes, I guess.


    "I don''t know where my uniform is," I said, already bracing myself for the inevitable scolding.


    Her eyes narrowed like I''d just told her I lost a winning lottery ticket.


    "Are you blind? It''s hanging right there," she said, pointing.


    "That''s not my uniform."


    She blinked. "What do you mean it''s not your uniform? We bought it last week, remember?"


    She frowned now, gripping her spatula tighter, like she was debating whether to throw it at me.


    "Yeah, I remember," I said, shaking my head. "But that is not the one we bought."


    "What are you even talking about?" She tilted her head, her expression shifting from irritation to confusion.


    "Just look at it."


    I pointed at the uniform hanging on the rack. It was a black suit with sleek silver linings on the edges, way too fancy-looking for a normal high school. And then there was the logo embroidered on the blazer: Tokyo International Academy. The whole thing screamed money, like something straight out of a drama about elite private schools.


    Now, I''m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but even I knew that wasn''t the school I''d enrolled in.


    "¡­And what''s the problem? It doesn''t fit you?"


    "No! That''s not my school!" I snapped, running a hand through my hair.


    We''ve only been in Japan a month since moving back, so yeah, I''m still figuring out the area. But one thing I do know? My school is just a regular high school. No fancy "Academy" in the name, no expensive-looking uniforms. It''s supposed to be simple¡ªlike the ones you''d see in Japanese movie.


    "That is your school," Mom said, waving me off like I was wasting her time. "Now quit whining and get ready. Your dad''s gonna give you a ride."


    "Mom, I''m serious."


    I looked her dead in the eye. There was no way she actually believed this.


    She stared back, and then¡ªout of nowhere¡ªwalked up to me, grabbed my shoulders, and said, in the most serious tone imaginable:


    "¡­Are you on drugs?"


    Her nails dug into my shoulders, sharp enough to hurt.


    "No, I''m not!" I shouted, shrugging her hands off.


    She started laughing. "Relax! I''m joking! Jeez, calm down. You''re probably just nervous or something, and now you''re saying weird stuff. Go put the uniform on already¡ªyou don''t wanna screw up on your first day."


    And just like that, she patted my shoulder and walked out of the room.


    "Hah¡­"


    I let out a long sigh, staring at the door after she left. What a bizarre way to start the day. Figuring it wasn''t worth fighting about, I decided to just wear the uniform. Better to play along than risk Mom hitting me with that damn spatula.


    ¡­


    I stood in front of the mirror, turning side to side. Okay, I''ll admit¡ªit wasn''t bad. The material was high-quality, smooth against my skin, and it fit perfectly. Whoever designed this thing knew what they were doing.


    I checked myself out in the mirror. Not to sound narcissist or anything, but I didn''t look half-bad. Above average, at least. My hazel eyes, which I got from Dad, always stood out, especially against the sharp black of the uniform.


    "Hmm. Not bad," I muttered. For some reason, wearing this made me feel¡­ I don''t know, classy. Rich, even.


    "Rin! Get down here and eat! You''re gonna be late!" Mom''s voice echoed up the stairs.


    "Coming!" I shouted back, grabbing my bag. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And then, bam!


    My foot slammed right into the doorframe. Pain shot up my leg, and I almost dropped my bag.


    "Fuck!" I hissed, clutching my foot.


    "What the hell was that!?" Mom yelled from downstairs.


    "Nothing!" I shouted back, gritting my teeth through the pain.


    This day was cursed, I swear.


    ....


    By the time I got to the table, Dad was already sitting there, sipping coffee and watching the morning news. Mom was busy refilling his cup while munching on some egg rolls.


    "So," Dad said, glancing at me over the rim of his mug. "Your mom says you''re acting nervous and saying weird stuff about school."


    I ignored his comment and asked, "Dad, what''s the name of my school?"


    He raised an eyebrow at me but didn''t look away from the TV.


    "Tokyo International Academy," he said casually.


    Motherf¡ª!


    I stared at him, waiting for some sign that he was messing with me. But no. His face stayed completely neutral, and his lips didn''t even twitch. That''s how I knew he wasn''t lying¡ªDad''s a terrible liar.


    "See? I told you it''s your school," Mom chimed in, popping another egg roll into her mouth like she hadn''t just turned my whole life upside down.


    "I¡ª" I started, but before I could say anything else, the TV cut me off.


    [Breaking News: A 27-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a high school boy on the train.]


    I stared at the screen, my jaw dropping. What the hell was this morning? First my school, now this?


    "Hah, the woman these days," Mom said, clicking her tongue. "If they frustrated, they should just hire an escort or something."


    "Yeah," Dad agreed, as if this was a normal thing to talk about over breakfast.


    I choked on my rice. "Mom, don''t take the news so seriously! And Dad, why are you agreeing with her!?"


    I tried to steer the conversation back to the school situation. "Anyway, just listen to what I''m saying about the sch¡ª"


    Bam!


    Mom slammed her hands on the table, making me jump.


    "Rin! What the hell are you saying!?" she barked, leaning over until her face was inches from mine. "All women are beasts, Rin!"


    I blinked at her, unsure if she was joking or not. She looked dead serious.


    "¡­Mom. Are you on drugs?"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 223 - 223

    However, Hoshino wasn''t buying it. No way Marik would hand over something as powerful as the Winged Dragon of Ra to anyone, even if they were his right-hand man.


    Still, before the duel kicked off, there was something she needed to clear up.


    "Hey, Odion," she called, craning her neck to look up at the mountain of a man in front of her. Seriously, the guy was over 1.9 meters tall¡ªher neck was already complaining. "I don''t really get why you thanked me earlier, but can I ask you something in return?"


    Odion didn''t speak, just gave her a slow, deliberate nod.


    "Do you know anything about Akasha''s origins?" Hoshino''s voice dropped as she studied his reaction. She needed to know if this seemingly loyal and quiet man had been involved in taking Akasha from Rowick.


    Odion''s massive frame stiffened, the question hitting him like a bolt of lightning. His long-held composure cracked ever so slightly.


    "I don''t know," he answered, his voice serious and steady.


    "Oh? Really?" Hoshino wasn''t entirely convinced. The answer felt too clean, too easy, but she couldn''t figure out why he''d lie about something like this.


    Unwilling to let it slide just yet, she pushed further. "You''ve been with Marik from the start, right? Ever since the Rare Hunters started collecting rare cards?"


    "That''s correct." Another short, direct response.


    "In that case, you must recognize this card." Hoshino plucked a card from her deck, raising it high so Odion could see it clearly.


    "That card!" Odion visibly flinched, his massive body trembling as his eyes locked onto the card.


    "So you do know it¡ªthis Ramesseum card!" Hoshino''s voice carried urgency now, her tone pressing him for answers.


    "So it''s fate¡­" Odion sighed heavily, his gaze lifting toward the ceiling. "The thousand-year curse of my family¡­ it seems it cannot be escaped so easily."


    "Hey!" Hoshino cut in, her patience thinning. "Answer me!"


    Ding!


    The elevator doors slid open, revealing the Sky Duel Arena.


    Without another word, Odion stepped out, his long strides carrying him toward the platform. He glanced back over his shoulder. "Hoshino, if you want answers, defeat me in a duel."


    "Fine by me!" Hoshino shot back, her face set with determination as she followed him into the open-air arena, the night sky stretching endlessly above them.


    Resolving things through duels¡­ it was such a convenient system in this world, Hoshino thought wryly.


    The Sky Duel Arena, perched atop the airship cruising through the cold night sky, unfolded dramatically before them. The massive platform, illuminated by lights, stood ready for battle. Yugi and the others were already in the spectator area, having climbed up via the side staircase.


    "Go for it, Hoshino-nee! It''s just Odion-nii¡ªyou''ve got this!" Akasha''s energetic cheer echoed from the stands, her confidence lighting up the chilly atmosphere.


    Hoshino smirked, glancing at the stoic figure across from her. "Heh, looks like Akasha-chan''s really underestimating you," she teased.


    Odion, unbothered, extended his arm and calmly loaded his deck into his duel disk. "I''m just glad Akasha could be saved. After all¡­ she doesn''t belong to this world."


    Hoshino''s smile faded. "So, you''re saying taking Akasha-chan wasn''t your idea?"


    "A crime from long ago can no longer be judged," Odion replied cryptically as his duel disk lit up, signaling he was ready. "Now, let''s settle everything with this duel!"


    Matching his intensity, Hoshino slid her deck into her duel disk with a satisfying click. The clash of their duel disks echoed in the cold night air.


    Cold. Why did it have to be so cold? Dueling outside on a flying airship at night? Who thought this was a good idea?


    "Achoo!" She sneezed loudly, her nose turning red from the chilly wind.


    Rubbing her nose, she muttered, "If I''d known, I wouldn''t have worn a skirt today. Seriously, whose genius idea was it to put a duel arena up in the sky?"


    Down below, a black-clad staff member, stationed near the field, stepped forward and announced in a booming voice, "Now, for the first match of the Sky Duel Arena: Hoshino Chiyuki versus Odion! Let the duel begin!"


    [Duel Start!]


    Odion, taking the first turn, drew a card with a fluid motion. "I''ll go first! I set two cards face down!"


    Without hesitation, he activated the field zone on his duel disk.


    "Then, I''ll activate the Field Spell [Temple of the Kings]!"


    With a low hum, the duel disk projected the field spell''s holographic image, transforming the entire arena. A majestic, ancient Egyptian temple materialized, its towering Anubis statues casting long shadows under the lights.


    "My turn ends." Odion lowered his duel disk, his hand still holding three remaining cards.


    "No monsters? That guy must have a bad hand!" Jonouchi exclaimed from the stands, his excitement barely contained. "Hoshino, hit him while he''s wide open!"


    But Hoshino didn''t see it that way. Her gut told her to stay cautious.


    "No monsters, huh?" She muttered under her breath, narrowing her eyes at the two face-down cards on Odion''s field. "This could get tricky."


    Memories of a past duel with Rowick surfaced¡ªwhere her opponent didn''t summon a single monster, only to spring a devastating trap hole when she overconfident. Yeah, she wasn''t falling for that again.


    "Better play it smart. My turn! Draw!"


    Hoshino pulled a card and slapped it onto her duel disk. "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Charles-Henri Sanson] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Charles-Henri Sanson ¡ï¡ï¡ï (3-star)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1100/DEF 1000]


    From the holographic light, Sanson emerged, his long sword gleaming ominously. His voice, calm yet chilling, echoed across the platform. "Your time is up. Are you ready?"


    "Battle phase! Sanson, attack Odion directly!" With no monsters on Odion''s field, Hoshino wasted no time seizing the opportunity.


    "Execution begins." Sanson dashed forward, his sword dragging against the ground with an eerie screech.


    But just as the attack closed in, Odion flipped one of his face-down cards. "I activate the Trap Card [Metal Reflect Slime]!"


    [Metal Reflect Slime Continuous Trap Effect: Special Summon this card in Defense Position as an Effect Monster (Aqua/WATER/Level 10/ATK 0/DEF 3000). This card cannot attack.]


    In a flash, a massive, shimmering slime coated in metallic spikes appeared on Odion''s field, standing tall in defense.


    [Metal Reflect Slime ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][WATER][Aqua/Token][ATK 0/DEF 3000]


    "He summoned a monster with 3000 defense points!" Mokuba exclaimed, eyes wide. "Not even Blue-Eyes could break through that!"


    Mai frowned, crossing her arms. "If she keeps attacking, she''ll take a heavy hit to her Life Points."


    Hoshino stared at the towering metallic slime, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a sly grin crept across her face.


    "Heh. Should I call this coincidence¡­ or fate? Sanson, keep attacking!"


    "What?!" Odion''s eyes narrowed as Hoshino pressed on.


    Sanson raised his blade, a deadly glint in his eye. "Death is Hope For Tomorrow (La Mort Espoir)."


    In one swift motion, Sanson''s blade sliced cleanly through the Metal Reflect Slime, shattering it into glittering particles.


    "It''s not about killing; it''s about severing their crimes from their being," Sanson said solemnly, sheathing his blade.


    [When this card attacks a Defense Position monster that was Special Summoned, it inflicts no battle damage and destroys the target directly.]


    "So it just happened to counter that trap, huh?"


    Odion didn''t even flinch as his Metal Reflect Slime got sliced apart by Sanson, who had a measly 1100 attack points. His calm, stone-faced expression didn''t waver.


    "I''d heard your cards have all sorts of strange effects. Now I see it for myself," Odion said flatly.


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow. Honestly, she hadn''t expected that attack to work, but hey, she''d take it. "Looks like I''ve got a little bit of luck tonight. Maybe freezing out here isn''t for nothing after all."


    But Odion wasn''t done. His voice turned sharp, and he slapped the activation button on his duel disk. "Don''t think this gives you the upper hand! I activate my Trap Card!"


    As if on cue, the remains of the Metal Reflect Slime that Sanson had just slashed began to move, its liquid metal body knitting itself back together.


    "Continuous Trap Card¡ªTiki Soul!"


    [Tiki Soul Continuous Trap Effect: Special Summon this card as an Effect Monster (Rock-Type/LIGHT/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1800). (This card is also still a Trap Card.)¡­]


    Jonouchi leaned forward in the stands, eyes wide. "Another one of those weird Trap Monsters! That explains why he didn''t summon any regular monsters¡ªthey were all hiding as traps!"


    Odion played the card horizontally into the Monster Zone. The hologram projected a giant, ominous stone statue holding a shield and sword, towering over the field.


    [Tiki Soul ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Rock][ATK 1000/DEF 1800]


    Hoshino tilted her head. "Alright, I get the summoning part, but why''s the Metal Reflect Slime putting itself back together?"


    Odion gave a faint smile. "It''s the special effect of Tiki Soul!"


    The stone statue''s glowing eyes flickered ominously as it activated its ability.


    [While this card is an Effect Monster, if another Trap Card you control that is a monster would be destroyed by your opponent''s card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to your Graveyard, you can Set it in the Spell & Trap Card Zone instead.]


    "Ah, so you''re saying Metal Reflect Slime wasn''t really destroyed," Hoshino muttered, watching the slime reset itself in Odion''s Spell & Trap Zone. "It''s just... reloading?"


    The previously shattered Metal Reflect Slime reappeared as a set card in Odion''s back row, like nothing had ever happened.


    Odion reset the trap and crossed his arms, his calm confidence radiating. "It''s the power of my Trap Monsters working together. You can break through my defenses."


    Hoshino smirked. "A Trap Monster combo, huh? That''s a new one for me. I gotta admit, it''s kinda cool."


    "Cool or not," Odion said, his voice low and cold, "you''ll find this battle won''t be as easy as you think."


    "Yeah? We''ll see about that." Hoshino casually slipped two cards into her duel disk. "I set two cards and end my turn."


    Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 3


    Meanwhile, Akasha, munching on snacks in the stands, tilted her head. "Was Odion-nii''s deck always this... trap-heavy?"


    Back on the field, Odion''s turn began. "Draw!"


    Without missing a beat, he activated the Metal Reflect Slime he''d just reset. "I''ll summon Metal Reflect Slime again!"


    The giant metallic slime materialized back onto the field, its 3000 defense points looming like a fortress.


    [Metal Reflect Slime ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][WATER][Aqua/Token][ATK 0/DEF 3000]


    But Odion wasn''t done. "Next, I''ll activate the Field Spell Temple of the Kings!"


    [Temple of the Kings Field Effect: You can activate 1 Trap Card the turn it was Set.]


    "This means I can activate traps the moment I set them! I activate the Continuous Trap Tiki Curse!"


    [Tiki Curse Continuous Trap Effect: Special Summon this card as an Effect Monster (Rock-Type/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1800/DEF 1000). (This card is also still a Trap Card.)¡­]


    In a burst of dark energy, a second statue emerged¡ªa sinister figure holding two staffs.


    [Tiki Curse ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Rock][ATK 1800/DEF 1000]


    Jonouchi groaned, scratching his head. "Another one of those Trap Monsters? How she supposed to get through all this?"


    Yugi frowned, analyzing the board. "If Hoshino doesn''t take out Tiki Soul first, the Trap Monsters will just keep coming back. And I bet that Tiki Curse has some effect we haven''t seen yet."


    Odion raised his hand dramatically. "Now, I''ll tribute Metal Reflect Slime for a Tribute Summon!"


    The giant metallic slime dissolved into light, vanishing from the field as Odion brought out his next move. "I summon Mystical Beast of Serket!"


    [Mystical Beast of Serket ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][EARTH][Fairy/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    A massive red scorpion materialized, its blood-red carapace glinting under the arena lights.


    Hoshino grimaced at the sight of the monstrous creature. "Seriously, this thing''s a Fairy? I mean, come on¡ªhow''s that not a Zombie? Calling it a Fairy feels like an insult to cute little fairies everywhere."


    "Serket, attack!" Odion commanded, pointing at Sanson.


    The scorpion lunged, its fangs dripping with venom. In one swift move, it swallowed Sanson whole, leaving only shattered light in its wake.


    [Sanson] banished.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki''s LP 4000 ¡ú 2600]


    Hoshino winced¡ªnot from the Life Point hit but from the downright brutal animation. Blood and bits of Sanson scattered everywhere as the scorpion chewed its prey. "What the heck? That''s to graphic?"


    Odion smirked. "I activate Mystical Beast of Serket''s effect!"


    [Banish any monster destroyed by battle with this card. If this card destroys a monster by battle: It gains 500 ATK.]


    As Sanson''s remains disappeared, Serket started to change, its form evolving into something more humanoid and terrifying.


    [Mystical Beast of Serket''s ATK 2500 ¡ú 3000]


    Kaiba scowled from the stands. "A Level 6 monster that can match the attack power of a Blue-Eyes and just keeps getting stronger? Hmph. Interesting."


    "You''re out of monsters now!" Odion declared. "Tiki Curse, direct attack!"


    The sinister statue raised its twin staffs and charged at Hoshino.


    But Hoshino wasn''t fazed. "Who said I''m out of monsters?" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You dare treat Sanson like that? Oh, I''m mad. Really mad."


    A flash of crystalline light erupted from the night sky, and with a fierce cry, a warhorse appeared, galloping straight into the Tiki Curse, shattering it and itself in the process.


    "Glory to the Crown of Lilies(Guillotine Breaker)!"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 224 - 224

    "How could this happen?" Odion finally let his composure slip, staring at the shattered remnants of his Tiki Curse.


    "That''s what happens when you mess with Sanson!" Hoshino shot back, holding up Sanson''s card for effect. "Activating Sanson''s special effect, triggered upon destruction!"


    [Effect: If this card is destroyed by battle: You can Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette] from your Deck.]


    "Thanks to Sanson''s effect, I''ll Special Summon Marie in Attack Position!" Hoshino flicked her card into play. Amid shimmering crystal fragments, a dignified woman with a stern expression materialized.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4 stars)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK1000/DEF1400]


    "With this card on my side, Marie''s fiery wrath is about to turn the tide and take out your Tiki Curse!" Hoshino declared, pointing to the Quick-Play Spell card [Hero Creation] glowing on her field. Power surged around Marie, her presence intensifying as crimson light engulfed her.


    [Marie ATK 1000 ¡ú 2000]


    "And, oh, by the way¡ªthanks to Hero Creation, whatever damage she deals is doubled!" Hoshino grinned.


    [Odion LP 4000 ¡ú 3600]


    "Tch, just a minor damage!" Odion grumbled, sliding his defeated Tiki Curse back into his Duel Disk''s set zone. "With Tiki Soul''s effect, the destroyed Trap Monster resets face-down! And thanks to my Spell, [Temple of the Kings], set Traps can activate right away. So rise again, Tiki Curse!"


    As Odion spoke, the shattered remnants of Tiki Curse reassembled on his field.


    Hoshino groaned, scratching her head. "Ugh, this is such a pain. If I don''t take out Tiki Soul, these things are gonna keep bouncing back, but if I leave that creepy scorpion thing alone."


    "Finally feeling the pressure, huh?" Odion sneered.


    "Pressure? Pfft, as if!" Hoshino waved him off. "Activating Marie''s special effect! When she''s successfully summoned, I can change the position of one face-up monster on the field!"


    Marie raised a commanding finger, directing her ire toward Serket. "You, sit down and behave!"


    Despite its menacing appearance, Serket shrank back under Marie''s glare.


    [Mystical Beast of Serket DEF 2000]


    "Hmph, Another weird effect no matter." Odion shrugged, setting a card. "I''ll end my turn."


    Odion''s remaining hand: 1 card


    "My turn! Draw!" Hoshino swept the card from her Duel Disk with a flourish. "Alright, time to turn this whole duel around! I Tribute Marie for a Tribute Summon!"


    A radiant beam pierced the night as Hoshino held her card aloft.


    "In Attack Position, I Tribute Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya]!" The red-clad figure materialized in midair, his twin blades Kanshou and Bakuya already in hand.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 stars)][WIND][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 2000]


    "Alright, Emiya, let''s show them what we''ve got!" Hoshino declared, slamming down a Spell Card. "I activate [Salem of the Heresy]!"


    [Salem of the Heresy Spell Card effect: You can only activate 1 card with this name per turn.


    Select 1 of the following effects:


    ¢Ù: Add 1 [Heroic Spirit] Field Spell from your Deck to your hand....]


    Hoshino smirked, brandishing her choice. "I''m adding [Unlimited Blade Works] to my hand!"


    Yugi''s eyes widened. "A Field Spell¡­ Emiya¡­ Could it be!?"


    "That card!" Jonouchi exclaimed, remembering its power during the Duelist Kingdom tournament. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even Kaiba''s gaze sharpened. "By playing this Field Spell, she''ll destroy Odion''s Temple of the Kings. A bold move."


    But from the shadows, Marik chuckled darkly. "Fools. They underestimate Odion."


    Hoshino confidently slid [Unlimited Blade Works] into her Field Slot. "Activating Field Spell¡ª"


    "MUDA DA!" Odion roared, triggering his Trap Card. "I activate [Dust Tornado]!"


    [Dust Tornado Trap Card effect: Target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy that target, then you can Set 1 Spell/Trap from your hand.]


    A whirlwind burst forth, ripping Hoshino''s Field Spell off the board.


    [Unlimited Blade Works] destroyed


    "Seriously?!" Hoshino threw her hands in the air, looking utterly deflated. "Come on, I even had a pose ready! This is just embarrassing!"


    "That''s awkward, huh, Master?" Emiya muttered, stifling his disappointment.


    Kaiba scoffed. "Heh. Ridiculous."


    Odion smirked as he reset a card in his Spell & Trap Zone. "Thanks to Dust Tornado''s effect, I can set one card from my hand.


    "No matter! Emiya, attack Tiki Soul!" Hoshino pressed forward.


    Emiya''s blades shattered Tiki Soul in a flurry of sparks.


    [Tiki Soul] destroyed


    Odion smirked. "Foolish move. By destroying Tiki Soul, you''ll trigger Tiki Curse!"


    [While this card is an Effect Monster, if another Trap Card that is a monster battles an opponent''s monster, after damage calculation: Destroy that opponent''s monster.]


    A sinister glow enveloped Tiki Curse. "As per its effect, the monster that destroyed Tiki Soul will be destroyed. Face the wrath of the gods!"


    Hoshino''s grin widened. "Ahem." She cleared her throat. Then, imitating Yugi''s tone, she finally said the line she''d been wanting to say for ages. "Sore wa doukana!"


    "Aaaah!"Emiya clutched his head, a guttural scream tearing from his throat¡ªnot from the curse, but from a surge of dark energy erupting from Hoshino''s Bracelet.


    "This power!" Yugi and Kaiba, both at the same time, recognized the familiar sight¡ªa darkness strong enough to change everything.


    "Only fools gather here on the battlefield!" Emiya, or rather Emiya Alter, sneered coldly after breaking through the darkness and transforming into his altered state.


    [Heroic Spirit - Emiya Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (8 stars)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2600]


    "As expected, it''s an Alter monster!" Kaiba clicked his tongue, visibly annoyed. Maybe it was because he''d lost to this deck before, but the sight of Alter transformations seemed to rub him the wrong way.


    Jonouchi blinked in disbelief. "Wait, so Hoshino''s still usin'' cards like that?"


    Yugi, however, remained calm, his expression understanding. "I think it''s fine. Hoshino said it herself¡ªlight or dark doesn''t matter. What matters is staying true to what''s in your heart."


    Meanwhile, Odion, thoroughly baffled, exclaimed, "Impossible! Emiya should have been destroyed by Tiki Curse''s effect. How did he return¡ªstronger than before?!"


    Hoshino smirked, her confidence unshaken. "You''re absolutely right, Odion. Emiya was destroyed. But the monster now on my field isn''t the same one¡ªit''s something entirely new!"


    While the attention had been on Emiya''s transformation, Hoshino had smoothly swapped cards on her Duel Disk without missing a beat.


    "This is [Heroic Spirit - Emiya Alter], a new monster that was searched when Marie''s effect activated after going to the Graveyard. And when Emiya was destroyed, I triggered his effect from my hand."


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned. Must be Special Summoned (from the hand) by banishing 1 [Emiya] from your GY.]


    "According to Emiya Alter''s effect, I Special Summon him to the field in Defense Position!" Hoshino rotated the card on her Duel Disk as Alter materialized, blade in hand.


    [Heroic Spirit - Emiya Alter DEF 2600]


    Odion scoffed, though a hint of unease flickered in his eyes. "Hmph. Laughable. Even if you summon a new monster, it changes nothing. Such desperation is futile."


    Hoshino waved him off, unbothered. "Futile? Don''t be so sure. You thought switching Serket to Defense Position was just for show?" She gestured dramatically toward Alter. "Emiya, handle that thing!"


    With a deadly precision, Emiya Alter raised his blade, locking his sights on the scorpion-like Serket. His tone was ice-cold, devoid of empathy. "I don''t hold beliefs, but I will end this."


    Boom!


    A magic-infused bullet tore through the air with pinpoint accuracy. The sound reverberated through the arena as the dark projectile found its mark.


    The shot pierced straight through Serket''s open maw, exiting its tail in a flash of light. The beast writhed in agony, its massive body twisting and screaming before finally collapsing in a heap of rubble.


    "Such a disgusting creature. How dare you call yourself a fairy," Emiya Alter sneered, his glare filled with disdain.


    [Mystical Beast of Serket] destroyed.


    "Impossible!" Odion''s normally stoic composure cracked into visible shock. "Your monster couldn''t even attack this turn. How did Serket fall?!"


    Hoshino grinned smugly, sliding Emiya Alter''s card forward on her Duel Disk. "Who said you have to attack to destroy? Emiya Alter''s got plenty of ways to take care of your monsters, and the choice is all mine!"


    "When Emiya Alter is Special Summoned, his effect activates¡ªdestroying all face-up Defense Position monsters on your field. You thought I made Marie switch Serket to Defense Position for fun?"


    Odion''s eyes widened as realization hit him. "From Sanson to Marie, then Emiya, and now Emiya Alter¡­ Each move you made was deliberate. You planned all of this from the start, didn''t you?"


    Yugi nodded in admiration. "She set this entire strategy in motion the moment the duel began, patiently layering her moves until she delivered that decisive blow with Alter."


    Even Odion''s gaze softened, tinged with respect. "I see now¡­ You''re a truly formidable duelist, Hoshino."


    "Glad you noticed!" Hoshino shot back with a wink. Drawing her next card, she continued her turn, confident as ever. "Turn end! And now, activating Emiya Alter''s secondary effect!"


    [Once per turn, during your End Phase: You can add 1 Spell Card with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from your GY to your hand.]


    Hoshino''s fingers deftly sifted through her Graveyard before plucking out her chosen card. "Naturally, the card I''m retrieving is this: [Unlimited Blade Works]!"


    She slid it into her hand, grinning. "Don''t think you''re getting off easy, Odion. The next round is mine."


    Hoshino''s Remaining Hand: 2 Cards, 2 Set Cards


    Yugi stroked his chin, intrigued. "She recovered Unlimited Blade Works again. That''s supposed to be Emiya''s exclusive Field Spell. Does that mean Emiya Alter can use it too?"


    "It''s my turn. Draw!" Odion declared, his tone firmer than before.


    "Stop wasting time!" Marik''s impatient voice boomed from the spectator area. He rapped the Millennium Rod against his palm, visibly frustrated. "Odion, play the card. If you don''t, she''ll completely overpower you!"


    Under Marik''s command, Odion clenched his jaw, visibly struggling. His hand hovered over his cards as if weighed down by invisible chains. "Marik¡­ this pain¡­ It isn''t just from my body¡ªit''s from my heart."


    "What''s wrong, Odion?" Hoshino teased. "Thinking about throwing in the towel?"


    Odion raised his Duel Disk sharply, his eyes filled with determination. "Hoshino Chiyuki, I shall play my card of destiny this turn! I will do everything I can to block your path to victory!"


    Slamming a card onto his Duel Disk, Odion activated his next move. "I activate the Continuous Spell [Card of Safe Return]!"


    [Card of Safe Return Continuous Spell Effect: When a monster(s) is Special Summoned from GY You can draw 3 card.](Anime effects)


    "And next, I activate the Continuous Trap [Call of the Haunted]!" Odion tapped his Duel Disk, flipping over the Trap he had set earlier. "Revive from the Graveyard, [Mystical Beast of Serket]!"


    [Mystical Beast of Serket ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][EARTH][Fairy/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "Thanks to Card of Safe Return, when I Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard, I draw three cards!"


    Odion''s Remaining Hand: 3 Cards


    Hoshino grimaced as Serket reappeared. "So you brought that creepy thing back again. But its attack is reset to 2500¡ªit''s not strong enough to beat Alter''s 2600 DEF!"


    Odion ignored her, raising his Duel Disk toward the sky. "Now, watch closely. I activate the final effect of [Temple of the Kings]!"


    [Temple of the Kings Effect: You can send 1 [Mystical Beast of Serket] in your Monster Zone and this card you control to the Graveyard; Special Summon 1 monster from your hand or Deck, or 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.]


    "I offer up [Temple of the Kings] and [Mystical Beast of Serket] as tributes! In exchange, I summon a name worthy call the sun themselves!"


    The temple crumbled, and Serket''s grotesque form dissolved into light. Odion''s voice rose with fervor as a magnificent aura filled the arena.


    "From my Extra Deck, I summon the Fusion Monster¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Ozymandias]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 225 - 225

    "From my Extra Deck, I summon the Fusion Monster¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias]!"


    "Huh?!" Hearing the name, Hoshino''s expression twisted into a mix of disbelief. Beside her, Emiya Alter, still on the field, furrowed his brows as if sharing her sentiment.


    The spectators were equally stunned; this was the first time someone other than Hoshino had pulled out a Heroic Spirit card.


    "A Heroic Spirit?" Kaiba muttered, his tone laced with suspicion. "I didn''t expect the Rare Hunters to have one too, but the power a single Heroic Spirit card can exert is still limited."


    For some reason, though, Kaiba couldn''t shake a faint sense of familiarity with this Heroic Spirit, even though it had yet to fully materialize on the field.


    "O great Pharaoh, please lend the power of your sun to the Tombkeeper clan!" Odion''s voice was filled with reverence as Temple of the Kings crumbled, its effect allowing him to summon the Fusion monster Ozymandias to the field.


    Seeing the card played, Hoshino''s anger surged. Her hands clenched tightly, and her gaze burned with fury as she glared at Odion. "So you do have it! You destroyed Akasha-chan''s family for this card, and now you have the nerve to use it right in front of me?!"


    "How naive, Hoshino!" Odion fired back without hesitation, his expression unwavering against her accusations.


    "Justice in this world cannot be measured by a single life! Protecting the legacy of the Pharaohs has always been the duty of the Tombkeeper clan. The sacrifices my clan has made¡ªdon''t they count as justice too?!"


    "This isn''t justice¡ªit''s madness!" Hoshino snapped, raising her Duel Disk like a weapon, aiming it directly at him. Her voice carried a cold resolve. "If this endless cycle of blood and suffering is what you call justice, then today, I''ll stand proudly on the side of evil!"


    Odion roared in response, his voice echoing across the airship. "Then prepare yourself¡ªto face the brilliance that rivals even the Sun God himself!"


    A blinding, radiant light shot into the night sky, illuminating the entire platform of the airship until it looked as though day had broken.


    "HAHAHAHAHA!!"


    "You actually summoned him?" Hoshino muttered, her irritation barely concealed. By now, she''d grown almost used to seeing familiar faces appear unannounced. And that eerie laugh¡ªyes, it was unmistakably him.


    Still, unease prickled at her. "Rowick once said the Rare Hunters gave up on seizing the last of the three cards because they couldn''t figure out how to use it."


    But Odion''s words earlier doesn''t make sense¡ªif protecting the Pharaoh''s legacy was the duty of the Tombkeepers, they would never have let Ramesseum slip through their fingers. This was their way of using it, even if it wasn''t the proper method.


    Although Ozymandias was a Fusion monster, it hadn''t been properly Fusion Summoned; instead, it was brought out through the effect of another card. Technically, it wasn''t a legitimate summon.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10-Star)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Fusion][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]


    "I am Ozymandias, King of Kings! To dare summon me¡ªsurely, you are prepared to die!" Slowly descending onto the battlefield, Ozymandias cast a haughty gaze at Odion, clearly sizing him up.


    Odion immediately dropped to one knee, bowing low in submission. "Yes! If the great Pharaoh lends his power to us Tombkeepers, I am willing to offer my life!"


    "HAHAHAHA!" Ozymandias let out a deep, hearty laugh, apparently pleased by Odion''s display of devotion. "Then allow yourself to bask in a mere fraction of my radiance. Any who stand against me shall be burned to nothingness by the heat of my sun!"


    "Fantastic! We can''t lose now!" Marik exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. His tense grip on the Millennium Rod loosened as confidence replaced his earlier anxiety.


    "Let me see the faces of those who dare defy me¡ªbeings without light, who will soon crumble beneath my power!" Ozymandias declared, lifting his head high as he surveyed the field.


    "Yo~ Ozy, you''re on the wrong side of the field!" Hoshino quipped, raising her hand in a playful wave. Her grin carried a dangerous edge, as though silently warning him, Wait until we get back to Chaldea¡ªyou''re in trouble.


    "HAHAHAHAHA!"


    Upon seeing her, Ozymandias threw his head back, roaring with laughter, his voice echoing like thunder.


    "....."


    "Farewell."


    "What, leaving already? Why not stay, reminisce a little, and maybe incinerate me with your ''radiance'' while you''re at it?" Hoshino taunted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She had no intention of letting him off so easily.


    "HAHAHA, don''t joke with me. I take back my earlier words¡ªthere''s no way I''m fighting this battle!" Ozymandias''s form began to fade as though he were ready to abandon the fight entirely.


    "What''s happening?! Why is he retreating?!" Marik''s voice cracked as his initial confidence crumbled. He stared at the scene with wide, disbelieving eyes.


    Odion, equally stunned, turned to the half-transparent form of Ozymandias. "Great Pharaoh?! Didn''t you vow to incinerate the enemy with your sun''s radiance?"


    Abruptly, Ozymandias realized that leaving after making such bold claims would harm his majestic image as Pharaoh. he fully rematerialized, standing tall once more.


    "Since I''m already here, I might as well exert myself a bit!" he said with exaggerated nonchalance, gripping his scepter in a battle-ready stance.


    Hoshino smirked, mirroring his posture with her own Duel Disk. "That''s more like it. If you''d run away, I wouldn''t even have a reason to kick your royal ass!"


    According to Da Vinci''s theory, when a Heroic Spirit card is used by someone other than a her, it''s nothing more than a blank card with no effect. A Fusion monster with 3000 attack points might seem powerful, but if it lacks any abilities, it''s no more intimidating than a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Hoshino had no reason to be afraid.


    "Tch, what a hassle I''ve gotten myself into," Ozymandias grumbled, quietly muttering complaints as he waved his scepter.


    Seeing Ozymandias ready for battle, Odion''s confidence surged again. "O great Pharaoh, let your sun''s radiance shine upon the enemy!"


    "Then witness the valor of the Pharaoh!" Ozymandias bellowed, raising his scepter high. The night sky lit up once more, transformed into a blazing day by his power. "Let my radiance burn you to ash!"


    A massive pillar of light descended from the heavens, accompanied by a deafening crack that reverberated across the battlefield. Its target: Emiya Alter on Hoshino''s field.


    "If that''s the best you''ve got, Ozy, I''m gonna be disappointed!" Hoshino retorted, smirking as the blinding light bore down on her field.


    But just before it could land, the attack was intercepted, completely neutralized by a seven-layered, shimmering shield shaped like cherry blossoms.


    "Activate the face-down Trap Card¡ª[The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens]!"


    At the moment Hoshino revealed her set card, the Emiya Alter on the field raised his right hand toward the sky. A calm, steady voice echoed across the battlefield: "Rho Aias!"


    [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens - Continuous Trap Effect: If [Emiya] is on your field or in your GY: Activate this card by placing 7 Ring Counters on it.]


    [Ring Counter] x7


    A seven-layered, sakura-like ring shield materialized, encasing Hoshino''s side of the field in a spinning, protective barrier. The outermost layer instantly cracked, pierced by the radiant power of the sun.


    "And instead of Emiya Alter being destroyed in battle," Hoshino continued with a confident smirk, "I remove one Ring Counter and send the top card of my deck to the Graveyard."


    [¢Ú: Once per turn, if a Heroic Spirit monster you control is destroyed by battle or card effect, you can: Remove 1 Ring Counter from this card, then send the top card of your deck to the GY.]


    [Ring Counter] x6


    The attack dissipated harmlessly, and the battlefield fell silent once more. Odion stood firm, his expression unreadable, before carefully switching his Tiki Curse to Defense Position. He drew a card and placed it face-down.


    "I set one card and end my turn," Odion declared coolly.


    [Odion''s hand: 2 cards; Set cards: 1; Continuous Spell: Card of Safe Return; Monsters: Tiki Curse (DEF 1000), Ozymandias (ATK 3000)]


    Watching the sakura shield shimmer and rotate around Hoshino''s field, Jonouchi scratched his head. "Man, that shield looks cool and all, but doesn''t it cost a lot to keep up? Odion must have something big planned."


    "I''m not so sure," Yugi replied, frowning in thought. "We''ve never seen anyone but Hoshino use Heroic Spirit cards before. No one knows what Ozymandias is really capable of."


    Kaiba sneered, folding his arms. "Even if it doesn''t have special effects, that attack power alone is enough to pressure Hoshino. 3000 ATK rivals my Blue-Eyes White Dragon."


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow at Kaiba''s remark, a smirk tugging at her lips. Please. Since when have I ever been scared of a Blue-Eyes?


    "My turn! Draw!" Hoshino announced, her confidence undimmed.


    She turned Emiya Alter, previously in Defense Position, upright on her Duel Disk. "I switch Emiya Alter to Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter ATK 2400]


    Odion''s eyes narrowed, his tone dismissive. "It''s pointless. Your monster with 2400 attack points is no match for the Pharaoh''s divine power!" sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "HAHAHAHA!" On the opposite side of the field, Ozymandias himself began laughing boisterously, his voice booming across the airship.


    Hoshino''s brow twitched in irritation. "Oi! What''s so funny, Egyptian Dio?"


    Ozymandias tilted his head back, still chuckling. "You, of course. Facing you reminds me of battles fought long ago¡ªentertaining, but ultimately futile." He smirked and absently touched his neck.


    Hoshino''s expression darkened, her smile sharp as a blade. "Oh, yeah? Well, this time, you won''t have the Ramesseum Temple Complex to keep your head on straight."


    Her words struck a nerve. Odion flinched slightly, his sharp eyes catching a glimpse of the card Hoshino was twirling casually between her fingers.


    "That card¡­!" Odion muttered, realizing what it was.


    "Ding-ding-ding! You guessed it," Hoshino said, holding the card up triumphantly. "This is Unlimited Blade Works, the card I pulled from my Graveyard last turn using Emiya Alter''s effect!"


    In the spectator area, Yugi leaned forward. "But isn''t Unlimited Blade Works exclusive to Emiya? Emiya Alter shouldn''t be able to activate it, right?"


    "That''s technically true," Hoshino admitted with a grin, sliding the card back into her Duel Disk. "But Unlimited Blade Works isn''t just a move¡ªit''s a concept. And concepts? Oh, they''re flexible."


    Instead of playing the Field Spell, Hoshino pointed toward Odion''s field. "Alright, Emiya Alter¡ªattack Ozymandias!"


    "Mana supply engaged." Raising his gunblade, Emiya Alter took aim, his steely gaze locking onto Ozymandias.


    "I am the bone of my sword.


    Steel is my heart, and fire is my mind.


    I have created over a thousand blades.


    Unknown to hope, nor known to meaning.


    Having accepted pain, embraced futility,


    I am lost to the world and myself.


    My despair is¡ª"


    With a flash, a bullet infused with immense mana erupted from the barrel of the gunblade, tearing through the air and striking Ozymandias directly in the chest.


    "Nani?! You actually wounded me?" Ozymandias gasped, staring down at the fresh wound as crimson seeped through his golden armor. He looked more surprised than pained.


    Still, the self-proclaimed King of Kings refused to falter. "HAHA! Not bad. To scratch the Pharaoh''s divine body¡ªcommendable."


    Emiya Alter''s voice was as cold as the edge of a blade. "A scratch? No. The sun has already fallen."


    "!?"


    "Unlimited Lost Works!"


    The bullet lodged in Ozymandias''s chest began to glow with a deadly light. Within seconds, the full destructive force of Emiya Alter''s ability was unleashed.


    Unlimited Blade Works was a form of magecraft focused on forging blades¡ªa realm only attainable by a mage who has dedicated their life to it. Within this Reality Marble lies every sword that Emiya has ever seen, possessing the concept of "Sword."


    "Unlimited Blade Works isn''t just a field¡ªit''s a weapon!" Hoshino declared, her voice brimming with confidence. "Activating [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter]''s effect!"


    Rather than manifesting the Reality Marble externally, Emiya Alter had implanted it within Ozymandias''s body. Inside the Pharaoh, countless blades materialized, slicing outward with devastating precision.


    [Discard 1 Field Spell Card. Destroy 1 monster your opponent controls. If that monster is in Defense Position, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its DEF.]


    "I''ll send Unlimited Blade Works to the Graveyard to activate Emiya Alter''s effect!" Hoshino declared triumphantly.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias] destroyed


    As the explosion of swords tore Ozymandias apart, Hoshino raised her Duel Disk. "Odion, you could never wield Ozymandias''s full power. This duel is over!"


    Odion remained silent, his head bowed as his eyes closed in concentration. Then, with quiet reverence, he whispered, "O great Pharaoh, may your sun''s radiance shine once more!"


    Hoshino''s confident smirk faltered. "No way¡­ that card shouldn''t have any effects left!"


    But Hoshino overlooked¡ªor perhaps missed¡ªa final card created from Ozymandias''s stone tablet.


    Odion revealed his card¡ªa trap card imbued with the Pharaoh''s will.


    "Activating my face-down Continuous Trap: [Ramesseum]!"


    As the trap activated, the battlefield shifted. A grand temple rose from the ruins, its magnificence rivaling even a Field Spell. From its depths, the light of the sun reignited.


    [Ramesseum Continuous Trap Card Effect: You can Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias] from your GY or banished zone, ignoring its Summoning conditions.]


    With a triumphant laugh, Ozymandias reappeared on the field, completely restored.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10-Star)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Fusion][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]


    "HAHAHA! Nothing is impossible for the Pharaoh!" Ozymandias declared, his presence as commanding as ever. "The sun rises and sets at my will. Everything is within my grasp!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 226 - 226

    "I actually forgot the third card. What a blunder." Smacking on her forehead, Hoshino glanced at the smug Ozymandias, who stood confidently with the Ramesseum behind him.


    [Ramesseum Continuous Trap Effect: (2) While [Ozymandias] is on your field, it cannot be destroyed by effects and cannot be tributed.]


    Thanks to this card, Ozymandias not only gained an extra layer of protection but also immunity to destruction by card effects. In other words, even if Emiya Alter fired another Unlimited Lost Works, it would be ineffective.


    As Ozymandias returned to the field, Odion declared, "Since the Pharaoh was specially summoned from the graveyard, the effect of my Continuous Spell, Card of Safe Return, activates, allowing me to draw three cards from my deck."


    [Odion''s remaining hand: 5 cards]


    Akasha pressed two fingers to her forehead, deep in thought. "So he resurrects his monster and replenishes his hand. When did Odion get strong?"


    "Attack, Emiya Alter! Attack the Tiki Curse!" Hoshino, knowing that while Ozymandias couldn''t be destroyed, eliminating one of Odion''s monsters would still weaken his field.


    [Tiki Curse] destroyed


    After the attack, Hoshino didn''t summon any new monsters. Instead, she slid a card into her duel disk.


    "I''ll set one card and end my turn. I also activate [Emiya Alter]''s special effect to retrieve a spell card with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from my graveyard to my hand."


    She declare. "The card I''m adding is the spell, [Salem of the Heresy]!"


    [Hoshino''s remaining hand: 3 cards Set cards: 2


    Field: Continuous Trap [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens] (6 Ring counters), [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter (ATK 2400)]


    Odion sneered. "An ineffective counterattack! My turn¡ªdraw!"


    He discarded Tiki Curse without hesitation, treating it as a mere pawn.


    "Exactly! While I''m on the field, every other monster is merely a trash for the sun!" Ozymandias laughed, clearly enjoying himself.


    Hoshino took a deep breath. "Di-Ozy''s trap card provides great immunity, but Emiya Alter will be difficult to defeat as well, especially with Rho Aias'' protection."


    Odion smirked, drawing a card. "You think you can hide behind your defense? Too na?ve, Hoshino. Spell card: [Remove Trap]!"


    [Remove Trap Spell Effect: Select 1 face-up Trap Card on the field and destroy it.]


    "By this effect, I''ll destroy [The Seven Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens]!"


    The six remaining rings shattered in an instant. The sakura-like shield, which had held off even the sun''s rays, dissolved with a simple spell.


    Odion continued, "Next, I''ll set one card and activate the Equip Spell [Mage Power]! I''ll equip it to the Pharaoh!"


    [Mage Power Equip Spell Effect: The equipped monster gains 500 ATK/DEF for each Spell/Trap you control.]


    "With Card of Safe Return, Ramesseum, Mage Power, and my set card, the Pharaoh gains 2000 ATK!"


    Ozymandias''s power surged, his laughter growing louder.


    [Ozymandias ATK 3000 ¡ú 5000]


    Odion raised his fist triumphantly. "Absolute immunity and absolute power! This is the Pharaoh''s undefeated stance upon the earth!"


    "With 5000 ATK! That''s stronger than Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Mokuba gasped.


    "This is dangerous! Hoshino has only 2600 LP, and Emiya Alter''s ATK is just 2400," Yugi calculated. "If this attack goes through, she''ll lose!"


    Kaiba frowned but thought to himself, You''re not someone who would lose here, are you, Hoshino?


    "This ends here, Hoshino!" Odion shouted. He pointed at her. "Pharaoh, bring down your divine judgment!"


    Ozymandias raised his scepter and ascended, surveying the battlefield. "Witness the power of the Pharaoh and accept your defeat!"


    A pillar of light as brilliant as the sun descended, crashing into Emiya Alter. Without Rho Aias, he was defenseless against Ozymandias''s overwhelming power and was instantly destroyed.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter] destroyed


    The searing heat brought a surprising warmth to Hoshino, though it felt excessive.


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch!" Shielding her face with her arms, she squinted at Ozymandias floating in the sky.


    "You really went all out, didn''t you, Ozy?"


    Ozymandias smirked. "If you cannot endure even this level of radiance, you might as well give up now. The battles ahead will be far more intense."


    "Who''s giving up?" Hoshino retorted, her voice ringing out against the brilliant light.


    Suddenly, a large white figure appeared, enveloping her in a protective embrace.


    "I will purge all that is toxic, all that is harmful! For as long as I have this power, I shall lead everyone to happiness!"


    Hoshino shouted, "I activate my set Trap card, [Nightingale Pledge]!"


    [Nightingale Pledge Trap Effect: If you would take damage equal to or greater than your LP, negate that damage. Then, gain LP equal to 200 times the number of [Heroic Spirit] monsters you control, in your GY, and in your banished Zone.]


    "Since I have four [Heroic Spirit] monsters in my graveyard and banished zone combined, I recover 800 LP!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2600 ¡ú 3400]


    "Didn''t expect my LP to go up instead, did you?" Snug in Nightingale''s arms, Hoshino stuck her tongue out at Ozymandias and Odion other side of the field.


    "You''re really struggling, aren''t you, Hoshino? Look at your empty field!" Odion said ignoring Hoshino''s expression.


    "The justice and resolve of my family are things you will never overcome!"


    Hearing Odion''s boast, Hoshino put away her tongue, her expression turning serious.


    "I''ve already told you¡ªthis so-called justice, stained with blood and tears¡­ I''m going to crush it to pieces by standing on the side of evil!"


    "Are you serious, Hoshino? You don''t even have a monster left to fight with!"


    Odion couldn''t fathom where the girl in front of him drew her confidence. The gap between their fields was enormous, yet there wasn''t even a hint of despair in her eyes.


    "I set a card and end my turn. And since I added a card to my back row, the Pharaoh''s attack power increases!"


    [Ozymandias ATK 5000 ¡ú 5500]


    Odion, after much deliberation, set his last defensive trap: Mirror Force. Though he knew filling his back row with five cards would limit his ability to use other spells, Hoshino''s confidence make him feel uneasy.


    "Whoa, that''s a powerful monster! It''s got both attack and defense! How''s Hoshino gonna top that? She''s gotta have something up her sleeve!" Jonouchi groaned, clutching his head.


    Seeing Jonouchi''s distress, Shizuka also felt uneasy. "Onii-chan, could Hoshino be about to lose?"


    "Jonouchi, you''re scaring Shizuka!" In a panic, Honda karate-chopped Jonouchi''s head, then smiled gently at Shizuka.


    "Don''t worry. Hoshino won''t lose so easily! She''s pulled through even tougher spots than this. We just have to believe in her!"


    "Honda!" Shizuka looked gratefully at him and refocused on the field, watching carefully. She wanted to see the girl who saved her life display her undefeated spirit in the Duel Arena.


    "My turn! draw!" With everyone''s emotions gathered, Hoshino made her move.


    Her sharp gaze locked onto Ozymandias, who smirked confidently.


    "Get ready, because I''m going to beat you down, Egyptian Dio!"


    "HAHA¡­ HAHAHA." Ozymandias''s laughter began to falter as he sensed her resolve.


    "I activate the spell card [Salem of the Heresy], which I retrieved thanks to Emiya Alter''s effect!" Hoshino declared, tossing the card decisively.


    [Salem of the Heresy Spell Effect: Can only be activated once per turn. Choose one effect to activate: Special summon a 4-star or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from the deck, then shuffle the deck. During this turn, you cannot perform a normal summon.]


    "With Salem of the Heresy, I special summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Paracelsus von Hohenheim]!"


    In a burst of light, Paracelsus''s card was drawn from her deck and materialized on the field.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Paracelsus von Hohenheim ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1600]


    "When Hohenheim is summoned, his effect triggers, letting me add a [Heroic Spirit] spell card from my deck to my hand!"


    A trail of blossoming flowers illuminated the night sky, and at the end of the path appeared a new card in Hoshino''s hand.


    "¡ªThe card I add is [Voyage of the Flowers]!"


    [Voyage of the Flowers ¨C Spell Card Effect: You can only activate 1 card with this name per turn. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from your hand or Deck.]


    "With flowers blooming beneath her, a young girl steps forward, wielding her holy sword!" Hoshino declared.


    "The heroic spirit who can face a thousand foes¡ªrespond to the call of the holy sword!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 800]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily) Effect: When this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck to your hand.]


    The pure maiden''s summoning filled the field with radiant light, and her decisive movements answered Hoshino''s call.


    "The card I add to my hand with Lily''s effect is¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Alter]!" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jonouchi''s frown turned into anticipation. "Whoa, dude! A brand-new Alter monster? Is this Hoshino''s secret weapon to turn the tide?!"


    "It''s pointless! The Pharaoh''s power can''t be surpassed so easily!" Odion scoffed, confident in Ozymandias''s superiority.


    "No, this is my true trump card!" Hoshino said, slamming her hand onto the duel disk to reveal her set card.


    "Quick-play spell¡ª[Phantasmal Summoning]!"


    Yugi''s eyes widened. "I remember this card! It''s a Heroic Spirit exclusive¡­"


    "That''s right. Fusion time! I''ll fuse Artoria Alter in my hand, Paracelsus on the field, and Emiya Alter in the graveyard!"


    Three beams of dark light shot from Hoshino''s hand, field, and graveyard. They intertwined, condensing into a pitch-black dot that seemed to devour everything.


    "This is darkness powerful enough to swallow the sun itself¡ªFusion Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X Alter]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (9 stars)][DARK][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]


    Making her debut entrance, MHX Alter struck a idol pose. Then, shivering, she muttered, "Brr! So cold! Don''t you have the heater on in here?"


    Hoshino chuckled. "Look around. Does this place look like it has heating?"


    MHX Alter''s expression turned serious. "No choice then. I''ll finish this in five seconds, and then we''re going home!"


    Odion sneered. "After all that, 3000 ATK is your limit? That monster couldn''t even touch the Pharaoh''s feet!"


    MHX Alter''s tone sharpened, though her expression remained calm. "Master, is the target that Egyptian guy up there?"


    Hoshino smirked. "Exactly."


    Ozymandias laughed. "What a fun idea¡ªdarkness that can swallow the sun! Come then, show me this clash of sun and darkness!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 227 - 227

    Mokuba said worriedly, "Hoshino''s new monster may not have low attack power, but the gap is still huge¡­"


    Crossing his arms, Marik, already confident in his victory, mocked from the sidelines, "Is that all she''s got? To be honest, I''m disappointed."


    "You''re disappointed too soon, Marik-nii." Surprisingly, Akasha spoke to Marik for the first time since their encounter.


    The fear Akasha had felt earlier was fading as she watched Hoshino battle courageously. "Hoshino-nee will win¡ªjust like always, she''ll make a beautiful comeback!"


    "Well said, Akasha-chan! That was just the warm-up. Now I''ll show you my true power!" Hoshino declared, reaching forward and clenching her fist as red lightning crackled in her grasp¡ªor rather, in MHX Alter''s hand.


    "This is the Sovereign''s Invisible Hand! Activating [Mysterious Heroine X¡¤Alter]''s special effect!"


    [Target 1 face-up monster on the field to activate. That monster''s level decreases by up to 2 stars. This effect can be activated during the opponent''s turn.]


    The red lightning, like a force field, bound Ozymandias in the sky without him even realizing it.


    [Ozymandias: Level 10 ¡ú Level 8]


    "What a peculiar sensation¡­" Ozymandias remarked, sensing the strange sealing force and evaluating the magic power within himself. "It''s a minor disruption, but it doesn''t affect my strength at all."


    "This forced reduction in monster level¡ªit''s the first time I''ve seen such an effect," Kaiba muttered, briefly pondering before shaking his head. "What''s the point?"


    "There is a point!" Hoshino shouted excitedly, pointing at Ozymandias, bound by the force field in the sky.


    "Attack, MHX Alter! Show these ignorant fools that only those who can turn the tide deserve the title of Heroine!"


    MHX Alter''s crimson lightsaber vibrated with a sharp tone in the night sky. Taking a battle stance, MHX forced a smile onto her otherwise expressionless face and said, "Of course! As the heroine, heh heh heh!"


    "Battle!!"


    Hoshino''s declaration was like the gunshot signaling the start of a war.


    With a crimson comet-like sprint, MHX dashed forward, dragging her lightsaber and leaving a dazzling red trail against the dark backdrop. "Alter-reactor, critical limits exceeded!"


    "HAHAHA! You dare challenge the sun with a mere mortal body? Then don''t expect mercy!" Ozymandias laughed wildly as countless thin beams of light aligned at a 45¡ã angle and swept forward. The blinding solar assault dispelled the darkness from the battlefield in an instant.


    The clash between sun and darkness began¡ªMHX, wielding her dual lightsaber, slashed through the beams of light with precise, graceful movements. Though she appeared slender, her crimson swordplay was a mesmerizing display of elegance and ferocity.


    "To think you could cut down the radiance of my sun?!" Ozymandias frowned unconsciously, watching MHX stride through his attack with ease.


    Marik, visibly shaken, exclaimed, "Impossible! With such a huge difference in attack power, her monster should have been destroyed instantly!"


    "Attack power difference? You must be joking! I''ll show you the true purpose of the Sovereign''s Invisible Hand!" Hoshino shouted. MHX''s fierce attacks and vivid swordplay were all part of her calculated plan.


    "Even a small 2-star difference matters¡­ MHX Alter''s level has now surpassed Ozymandias'' by one star!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mysterious Heroine X Alter: Level 9]


    [Heroic Spirit - Ozymandias: Level 10 ¡ú Level 8]


    Odion''s low voice echoed, "Level difference? It doesn''t affect attack power. What does it change?"


    Hoshino smirked. "Under normal circumstances, it wouldn''t matter. But MHX Alter is different! The level suppression has activated her special ability!"


    [If this card battles a monster with a Level equal to or lower than its own, this card gains ATK equal to its original ATK until the end of the Battle Phase.]


    MHX unleashed a circular wave of energy, shattering the remaining beams of light. "With the brilliance of my darkness, be reduced to elementary particles!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Heroic Spirit - Mysterious Heroine X Alter: ATK 3000 ¡ú 6000]


    "What?!" Kaiba stumbled, unable to hide his shock as MHX''s attack power doubled.


    "She actually surpassed it!" Shizuka exclaimed in excitement, witnessing such a dramatic reversal for the first time.


    Hoshino, reveling in her triumph, raised her hand in sync with MHX, who leaped high. "See this? This is my full power! Take him down, MHX Alter!"


    "The Duel King¡­ your confidence isn''t unwarranted," Odion admitted grudgingly. "But I anticipated your move. I activate my trap card: [Mirror Force]!"


    [Mirror Force Trap Card: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack, destroy all Attack Position monsters they control.]


    "This is bad! He set a perfect counter!" Yugi exclaimed, recognizing the trap''s threat.


    "At this crucial moment, if her attack is blocked, the reversal will collapse," Kaiba analyzed calmly.


    The shield of light separated MHX from Ozymandias, seemingly sealing Hoshino''s fate.


    ZZZ¡ª!


    As the crimson lightsaber cut through the shield, the huge reflected energy bounced back toward Hoshino''s field, swallowing the defenseless Saber Lily.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Lily] destroyed.


    "The battle is over. Stop struggling Hoshino." Odion, now at ease, lowered the arm he''d used to activate the trap.


    But instead of despair, MHX tightened her grip on her lightsaber and struck the shield with all her strength.


    "No, you''re the one who should stop struggling!" Hoshino''s defiant shout echoed as the shield shattered. The shards reflected the fiery brilliance of MHX''s blade, encircling her like starlight.


    Odion, stunned, demanded, "Why wasn''t your monster destroyed?"


    "If I couldn''t counter basic traps, my title as Duel King would mean nothing! This is darkness capable of swallowing the sun!" Hoshino explained.


    [Fusion Effect: [Artoria] Monster + [Heroic Spirit] Monster + DARK Attribute Monster ¢Ù: If this card is Fusion Summoned using only DARK Attribute monsters, it cannot be targeted by the effects of other cards.]


    "That''s why I fused three DARK monsters! This boundless darkness cannot be stop!" Hoshino raised her duel disk high as MHX unleashed a surge of power, overwhelming Ozymandias.


    "It''s over! Unleash the final strike, MHX Alter! Give him an ''Muda Muda'' for three whole pages!"


    In a flash, MHX unleashed a thousand strikes at lightspeed, crimson slashes erupting across Ozymandias'' form.


    "This is it! Take this final blow!"


    With a powerful X Slash, MHX Alter shattered the radiant sun.


    "¡ªCrosscalibur!!"


    "On earth, nothing is impossible for a pharaoh¡­ but we''re on an airship, bleh¡ª!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Ozymandias: Destroyed]


    [Odion LP: 3600 ¡ú 3100]


    "Did... did it work?!"


    After the intense clash, the only sound left on the silent battlefield was the hum of MHX''s lightsaber.


    Pointing forward, Hoshino declared, "It''s over. The tables have completely turned. I have the monster with the strongest attack and the greatest resistance, while you have no monsters left!"


    Odion looked on in disbelief. "The Pharaoh has been defeated? The sun has been swallowed by darkness? Has my clan''s righteousness failed¡­?"


    "Ugh¡­ she actually this strong!" Marik clutched his head tightly, his mental state beginning to unravel from the drastic shift from victory to defeat.


    "Damn it, we were so close! Damn it!"


    Seeing Marik muttering to himself, Jonouchi asked in confusion, "What''s with this guy? Does he get this worked up over losing a duel?"


    "Could it be...?" Odion''s expression shifted as he realized something was wrong with Marik. His face turned pale.


    Remembering that Marik had mentioned before how his own personality was becoming increasingly unstable, Odion felt a cold sweat trickle down his back. Not even when Hoshino had destroyed Ozymandias did he look this anxious.


    "Lord Marik, I won''t lose!" Odion shouted, attempting to stabilize Marik''s mind. "I decided long ago to devote my life to you and your goals! Now is the moment to stake my life. I will offer my body to summon the Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    "The Winged Dragon of Ra?!" The group gasped collectively.


    Kaiba became alert. "Did he just say the Winged Dragon of Ra? Does this mean he not only possesses a Heroic Spirit card but also the Winged Dragon of Ra?"


    "I thought the loli god was referring to Ozy with that divine power... I didn''t expect this guy to have the Winged Dragon of Ra as well."


    Frustrated, Hoshino had assumed that Odion was just a mid-boss-level opponent. But after summoning Ozymandias and now possibly the Winged Dragon of Ra, Odion seemed more like a final boss than Marik.


    Taking on Ozymandias had already been a challenge, and summoning MHX had nearly depleted Hoshino''s resources. If the Winged Dragon of Ra was summoned now, things would get tricky.


    With that in mind, Hoshino set her last two cards. "Set two cards, end turn!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki''s Remaining Cards: 1 card in hand, 2 set cards, [Heroic Spirit - Mysterious Heroine X Alter ATK 6000 ¡ú 3000]


    "My turn, draw! Then I activate the Spell Card [Monster Reborn]!"


    Since he had used his trap card last turn and the Equip card was destroyed when Ozymandias left the field, Odion now had room in his back row to activate a Spell.


    "The monster I''m reviving is... the Pharaoh, Ozymandias!"


    Hoshino laughed. "Looks like he hasn''t had enough yet."


    Without the support of the Equip Card, the plain Ozymandias stood no chance against MHX.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10-Star)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Fusion][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]


    Surprisingly, Ozymandias didn''t reappear with his usual maddening laughter. The silence was so unusual that it made Hoshino feel uneasy.


    "Hey, hey, aren''t you supposed to be the kind of handsome guy who''s a bit too talkative?" Hoshino muttered, noticing something strange on Odion''s duel disk. The Ozymandias card was starting to fade, as if it were disappearing.


    "So that''s how it is¡­" Hoshino realized what was happening.


    "Since a card was special summoned from the graveyard, Card of Safe Return activates, letting me draw three cards from my deck!" At this point, Hoshino wasn''t even keeping track of how many cards Odion had in his hand. Card of Safe Return had already replenished nine cards for him.


    "Then I activate the Spell Card [Magical Stone Excavation], discarding two cards from my hand to retrieve [Monster Reborn] from the graveyard. I''ll use it to revive [Behemoth the King of All Animals]!"


    [Behemoth the King of All Animals ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][EARTH] [Beast/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 1500]


    "Roar¡ª!" The enormous beast materialized on the field with a fierce growl.


    "Thanks to Card of Safe Return, I get to draw three more cards!" Drawing another set of three cards, Odion''s eyebrows twitched slightly. "It''s here¡ªI finally drew it!"


    Jonouchi, watching nervously, grabbed Honda in a headlock. "Don''t tell me he just drew the Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    Honda choked. "Ugh..Jonouchi, just because Shizuka smiled at me doesn''t mean you should take me out!"


    Odion, with unwavering eyes, flipped his final set card. "I activate [Remove Trap] to destroy [Ramesseum] on the field, and then activate the Continuous Trap Card [Embodiment of Apophis]!"


    [Embodiment of Apophis Continuous Trap Card Effect: During the Main Phase: Special Summon this card as a Normal Monster (Reptile/EARTH/Level 4/ATK 1600/DEF 1800). (This card is also still a Trap.)]


    [Embodiment of Apophis ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][EARTH][Reptile][ATK 1600/DEF 1800]


    Despite its name, the creature was merely a black serpent wielding a curved blade.


    After all his maneuvers, Odion''s field was now full of monsters. "Since the Ramesseum was destroyed, Ozymandias can be use as a tribute! Now I have all three sacrifices I need to summon the Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    "It''s happening!" The intensity of the moment made Yugi clench his fists involuntarily.


    "Oh, Lord Marik, witness my resolve! I offer my body and my life to the great sun, to pave the path of victory for my clan!" shouted Odion with all his might, pouring his emotions into his declaration.


    Odion knew well that this would likely be the last card he played. If he successfully summoned the Winged Dragon of Ra, divine retribution would surely follow. The card in his hand wasn''t the true Winged Dragon of Ra, but a replica. Using a fake God card would invoke the god''s wrath, consuming him entirely.


    "By offering the three monsters on my field as sacrifices!" Yet, Odion harbored no hesitation. He believed this was the fate he had to bear.


    "All mighty protector of the sun and sky. I beg of thee, please heed my cry. Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight. I beseech thee, grace our humble game, but first, I shall call out thy name: Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    With determination, Odion played the replica of the Winged Dragon of Ra.


    As the three monsters on his field vanished, flames erupted across the dueling arena. Amid the surging waves of fire, a golden divine bird rose, lifting its head high and soaring into the sky. The previously peaceful night was now consumed by fire and lightning.


    [Winged Dragon of Ra ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK: ??? DEF: ???]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 228 - 228

    "Is this heat for real?"


    Feeling the intense flames burning on the field, beads of sweat rolled down Hoshino''s cheeks. The sky was alive with swirling flames and lightning, as if a disaster were about to descend.


    "This¡­ is impossible!" Kaiba was the first to break his composure. "There''s no way projections could produce this level of heat!"


    You should have noticed this by now; there''s nothing worth complaining about! Kaiba, always one to selectively forget, seemed to reset every time he faced something scientifically implausible.


    "I did it! I summoned the Winged Dragon of Ra!" Odion, almost oblivious to the searing flames at his feet, gazed up at the sky with excitement.


    "No, a replica God card just won''t work!" Marik''s mental state, however, only grew more chaotic, even after Odion successfully summoned Ra. "I can feel it¡ªthe wrath of the God descending!"


    Mokuba suddenly turned to Marik. "Did you say a replica card?! So that means he''s using a fake card!"


    Then Mokuba remembered: when removing the counterfeit card data implanted by Yako in the Duel Disk''s central system, there were a few card files that couldn''t be read due to unreadable characters. He hadn''t dealt with them at the time.


    "So those files really were replicas of the God cards!" Mokuba realized, understanding why the script was unreadable if the cards were indeed replicas of the God cards.


    Even Jonouchi could feel the intense heat. "You guys really dared to copy the Gods, huh? That takes some guts."


    "Run!" Marik shouted at the field, ignoring the others. "The wrath of the Winged Dragon is coming! Get out of there, Odion!"


    The Winged Dragon of Ra, its wings spread wide, let out a piercing cry as it soared through the flaming, lightning-filled sky.


    "It really is furious," Hoshino muttered, wiping sweat from her face as she looked up with difficulty.


    "Give up! If this continues, we''re both in danger! These flames are way beyond the effects of virtual projection; if the temperature rises any further, this airship might be destroyed."


    "No, let''s continue the duel, Hoshino!" Standing at the center of the flames, Odion, who should have been in the greatest danger, showed no intention of surrendering.


    "I''ll bear the wrath of the God alone!" He tore off the dark cloak he had been wearing, revealing his upper body covered in intricate runes that extended from his face down his torso.


    "These markings carved in ancient script embody the tragic fate of the Tombkeeper. Each generation of the clan has to endure a harsh ritual, carving the Pharaoh''s sacred texts onto their bodies and guarding them until death! Marik created the Rare Hunters to break this cycle!"


    As soon as he exposed the runes, the flames around Odion seemed to come alive, converging onto his marked body.


    "Hoshino, with your God cards, you''re the greatest obstacle to Marik''s plans, so I have to stop you here!" Enduring the searing pain of the divine flames, Odion raised his Duel Disk again.


    "So this is your resolve, huh." Hoshino''s gaze shifted to a serious expression as she looked at Odion, cloaked in flames, with a touch of respect. "With a fighting spirit like that, it would be a disrespectful to retreat! Let''s continue the duel!"


    "Then face the power of the Winged Dragon of Ra! Its effect: this card''s ATK and DEF become the total ATK and DEF of the monsters sacrificed for its summoning!"


    [Winged Dragon of Ra ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK 7300/DEF 6300]


    "They''re still going to continue?" Jonouchi couldn''t believe they would continue dueling in this situation. "With an attack power of 7300, isn''t it already stronger than Hoshino''s monster?" sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ra''s power is not just about attack strength," Yugi said, frowning. "Because Ra is a God, it''s unaffected by the effects of monsters below level 10. In other words, Hoshino''s level-9 Mysterious Heroine X Alter won''t be able to reduce Ra''s level."


    Honda quickly understood. "Then Hoshino''s monster won''t be able to double its attack power!"


    "One hit will end this duel!" Odion decisively entered the Battle Phase. "Show your greatest power, Winged Dragon of Ra, and burn the opposing monster with the fury of the Sun God!"


    Following the command, the golden body of the Winged Dragon dived down, its massive wings carrying the flames and lightning from the clouds toward Hoshino''s field.


    "Sorry for complaining about it being too cold earlier!" MHX stammered as Ra charged, muttering to herself in shock. "Compared to this, a bit of cold would be way better!"


    "Now''s not the time to panic! Prepare for the counterattack, MHX Alter!" Hoshino urged sternly.


    MHX shook her head frantically. "Impossible! If you say to counterattack, Master, this thing is massive!"


    "Trust me; it''ll be okay!" Hoshino pressed down on a set card in her Duel Disk, eyes fixed on the descending Winged Dragon. "This set card will protect you; everything depends on this moment!"


    "....Fine, I''m going in! Here I go!" Half giving in to desperation, MHX leapt, her glove striking the ground to propel her straight toward the flaming Winged Dragon.


    "Instant Shadowless Sword!!"


    "Now, activate the set Trap Card!"


    Odion countered with a shout. "It''s useless! Trap cards don''t affect¡ª"


    "I know that already! You think this is my first time dealing with a God?" From beneath Hoshino, a card flipped up, releasing a gust of wind toward the flames in the sky.


    [Mature Gentleman Trap Card Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. During the turn this card is activated, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle. Any battle damage you take this turn is halved.]


    MHX''s small figure collided head-on with the enormous Winged Dragon. Her black hood caught fire instantly.


    "Ouch! Ouch! You''re a liar, Master¡ªI''ll never forgive you!"


    Thanks to MHX''s resistance to other card effects, Mature Gentleman''s inability to destroy wouldn''t affect her. Sorry, but Hoshino''s a bit ruthless.


    MHX''s figure gradually faded in the flames. "If you don''t buy me ten strawberry Daifuku, I''ll never forgive you!©c£¨¨R¡õ¨Q£©¥Î"


    [Mysterious Heroine X Alter] destroyed


    However, the effect directed at Hoshino was different; the gust of wind blew away the encroaching flames. "Because of the Trap Card''s effect, I''ll only take half the battle damage this turn!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3400 ¡ú 1250]


    Odion was in awe of the girl''s resilience. "To withstand the Winged Dragon''s attack in such a situation¡­"


    "The Winged Dragon''s power¡ª is that all it''s got? Don''t embarrass yourself!" Standing in the dissipating flames, Hoshino''s white hair flickered with lingering embers.


    "Now I''ll show you what a true power of the Sun looks like!" Brushing the embers from her hair, Hoshino flipped over her final set card.


    "Activating the last set trap card¡ª[Holy Maiden Leading Chaldea]!"


    The card activated from beneath Hoshino''s feet, summoning three radiant figures from the graveyard.


    [Holy Maiden Leading Chaldea Trap Card Effect: If you take 2000 or more battle damage, you can activate this effect. Special Summon as many Level 6 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your GY to your field. Those monsters are banished during your next End Phase.]


    "Since I just took 2150 damage, the activation condition is met. Thanks to the Trap Card, I will Special Summon all Level 6 or lower Heroic Spirit monsters from my graveyard!"


    The three beams of light from the graveyard drove away the flames covering the field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette]


    "Back on the field again~"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Paracelsus von Hohenheim]


    "Need to wield the power of the Philosopher''s Stone?"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily]


    "Master, did I just die to some unidentified AOE attack?"


    "Summoning low-level monsters in a situation like this¡ªthere''s no way they can stand up to the Winged Dragon of Ra!" Odion, standing in the heart of the flames, began to burn and blister. Even his strong resolve couldn''t entirely withstand the searing heat.


    "End turn!" Despite paying such a heavy price, Odion still couldn''t utilize the full power of the Winged Dragon of Ra.


    At this point, if Hoshino wanted to, she could just stall for time, and Odion would probably pass out from the pain, ending the duel.


    "My turn, draw!" But Hoshino would never stoop to something that would insult a duelist''s spirit.


    "I will defeat you in this turn, Odion!"


    "Bring it on!" Odion roared, his consciousness slowly peeling away from his body, driven only by his determination to duel¡ªor perhaps, by his defiance of fate.


    "Thanks to Hohenheim''s effect, I can also treat this card as Light attribute while it''s on the field."


    Hoshino raised her Duel Disk, her fingers, now tinged with sparks, sweeping over the monster zones. As her fingers crossed over the three monster cards on the Duel Disk, they linked together in a radiant light.


    Marie, Hohenheim, and Saber Lily on Hoshino''s field glowed with a soft, brilliant light.


    "Now, I have three Light attribute Heroic Spirit monsters on the field! I''ll use their combined brilliance to defeat the sun!"


    Kaiba''s eyes twitched slightly. "Combined?"


    "By using my three Light attribute Heroic Spirit monsters, I will Fusion Summon!" The three luminous Heroic Spirits gradually faded, leaving behind a dazzling light on the field.


    "Master of all things, ruler of the physical and spiritual realms, descend here through the guidance of the light!" The light condensed to a single point, becoming even more radiant. It rose into the sky, meeting the Winged Dragon of Ra.


    "A...sun?" Odion, dazed, thought he was hallucinating from the intense pain.


    But it was no illusion¡ªthe brilliance had ascended to rival the sun itself!


    "Fusion Summon!" Raising her right hand toward the sky, Hoshino pointed to her own sun above.


    "No way!" Her companions were dumbfounded by Hoshino''s Heroic Spirit summoning, disbelief written across their faces.


    "Is something like this even possible?" Jonouchi rubbed his eyes, repeatedly confirming what he was seeing.


    Mokuba was equally shocked. "Can this really be happening?"


    Kaiba responded seriously, "If the Duel Disk acknowledges it, then it''s a valid move!"


    Yugi agreed, "To pull off something like this¡ªit really is typical of Hoshino, isn''t it?"


    "HAHAHAHAHA! To be beaten and then re-summoned by you every time¡ªsuch is the fate of your Master!" Amid the blazing radiance, Ozymandias reappeared.


    The monster originally under Odion''s control, Ozymandias, had now been Fusion Summoned by Hoshino, leaving everyone astounded.


    "Though summoning Ozymandias this way is surprising, can it really defeat the Winged Dragon of Ra?" Akasha wondered aloud.


    "Hmph, this isn''t the incomplete Ozy from earlier..." With pride, Hoshino pointed to the sky and declared loudly:


    "This is the true embodiment of the sun, the greatest Pharaoh, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]


    [You can Special Summon this card (from your Extra Deck) by sending 3 LIGHT [Heroic Spirit] monsters with different names from your field to the GY (Fusion Spell is not required).]


    "This is how the true Ozymandias is meant to be summoned!"


    "I am the Sun, illuminating all things!" Ozymandias in the sky was a completely different presence from when he was on Odion''s field. This radiance, comparable to the sun itself, was in no way inferior to the wrathful flames of the Winged Dragon.


    "Let my brilliance shine even brighter! With the Light of the Sun, burn all enemies to ashes!"


    "Activating Ozymandias''s special effect!"


    [¢Ù: When this card is Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, you can activate 1 [Ramesseum Tentyris] from your hand or Deck.]


    "Mr. Rowick, the power you left behind will open the path to victory for me!" Whispering to the card as she placed it before her, Hoshino slapped it onto the Duel Disk with all her strength.


    "Destiny, resentment, sorrow! I shall crush through them all! Field Spell activated¡ª[Ramesseum Tentyris]!"


    The colossal pyramid rising from the flames extinguished the fiery wrath, leaving only a majestic, otherworldly miracle behind.


    "This is the final blow, Ozymandias!" With the Field Spell in play, Hoshino issued her final attack command to Ozymandias in the sky.


    "O'' Monument of the Sun... O'' Pyramid which rules the universe!!"


    Amid Ozymandias''s powerful chant, the massive pyramid rose from the earth, engulfing all the flames on the field as it surged toward the sky.


    "This is my trump card! Activating Ozymandias''s ultimate effect!"


    [Ozymandias Effect: Discard 1 [Ramesseum Tentyris] from your hand or Field. Negate the effect of 1 face-up card on the field, then destroy it. If the destroyed card is a monster, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its original ATK.]


    "I''m sending the Field Spell [Ramesseum Tentyris] to the graveyard. This is the sun''s final blow!"


    Suddenly, another gigantic pyramid appeared in the air. The twin pyramids converged, their massive weight combining to release devastating force.


    "¡ªThe Sun descends here¡­ in our unlimited brilliance! Fall¡­ Ramesseum Tentyris!!"


    The Winged Dragon of Ra, compressed by the enormous mass from above, let out a piercing, agonized wail.


    "One sun is enough¡ªas long as that sun is me!"


    Ozymandias declared loudly, watching the Winged Dragon disintegrate into flames.


    "This world does not need two suns!"


    [The Winged Dragon of Ra] destroyed.


    "It''s over. This duel, and your mission." Hoshino spoke softly as she put away her Duel Disk, looking at Odion, who lay unconscious in the fire.


    His towering figure was completely engulfed by the flames. Even in unconsciousness, his unyielding will kept him from falling.


    [Duel Ended.]


    [Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 229 - 229

    "Did¡­ did she win?" Jonouchi asked, looking a bit confused. "Wasn''t the duel supposed to still be going?"


    According to the effect of Ramesseum Tentyris, Ra''s effects were negated, and it was subsequently destroyed. At that moment, Ra''s attack power dropped to zero, so Odion didn''t suffer damage equivalent to Ra''s original 7300 attack points.


    "Jonouchi¡­" Mai tugged on his sleeve, gesturing in Odion''s direction.


    "Thud¡ª!" With a heavy sound, Odion collapsed, his towering body now unconscious, crumpling like a puppet with its strings cut. The moment he launched the attack with the replica Winged Dragon of Ra, he endured divine punishment severe enough to tear his body apart. Holding on for an extra minute was a testament to extraordinary willpower.


    In a duel, losing consciousness and being unable to continue means an automatic loss according to the rules.


    But even if Odion hadn''t collapsed, without the Winged Dragon as a shield, Hoshino''s next direct attack would have drained his Life Points completely.


    Yugi looked at Odion with a hint of respect. "Even though he''s from the Rare Hunters, he''s still a duelist with real resolve."


    In contrast, Kaiba regarded Odion with disdain. "It''s just trauma caused by the Duel Disk''s powerful effects. Divine wrath? That''s nonsense."


    "Anyway, it means that Hoshino won, right?" Shizuka exclaimed, clenching her fists in excitement. Watching her first-ever duel, such a grand spectacle had her slender frame trembling with excitement.


    "Yeah, Hoshino won¡­" Jonouchi, looking over at Hoshino on the duel field, suddenly froze, as if someone had hit the pause button on him.


    "Whoosh¡ª!" The flames around her vanished with the duel''s end, and Hoshino finally let out a long breath. Her white shirt, soaked with sweat from the intense heat, clung to her skin, revealing a hint of her soft, pink complexion underneath.


    Hoshino, oblivious to this, simply closed her eyes, relishing the cool night breeze after finally escaping that fiery hell. It was as refreshing as stepping into an air-conditioned room from a scorching 40-degree summer day.


    "Th-this¡­" Yugi stammered, blushing.


    Mai sighed and, seeing the flustered boys staring unblinkingly, yelled, "Come on, can''t you look away?"


    The reliable big-sister figure, Mai climbed up to the platform without hesitation, taking off her denim jacket and draping it over Hoshino. "Chiyuki, if you stay in the wind after sweating so much, you''ll catch a cold."


    "Thank you, Mai~" Hoshino, having enjoyed a moment of coolness, now felt a slight chill and instinctively wrapped Mai''s jacket tighter around herself.


    Kaiba walked onto the platform as well. "According to the Battle City rules, the victor can take one card from the defeated opponent." He then briskly removed the deck from the unconscious Odion''s Duel Disk.


    "There must be a card you need to take," he said, handing the deck to Hoshino, his gaze deliberately avoiding her translucent shirt.


    "Yes, there is!" Without hesitation, Hoshino took the deck from Kaiba, retrieving the card Ramesseum. With that, along with Ramesseum Tentyris and the blank card she had drawn last night¡­


    The blank card now bore the image of the proud Ozymandias.


    "Welcome back~" Now in possession of all three powerful Ozymandias cards, Hoshino couldn''t help but smile mischievously.


    After Kaiba handed over the deck, he gestured to his employees. "Take the unconscious player to the infirmary in the ship''s cabin."


    "Yes, Mr. Kaiba!"


    Odion''s tall frame was so heavy that even Kaiba Corp''s burly bodyguards needed two people to carry him.


    Watching Odion being carried away, Kaiba sighed. "Finally, it''s over. For the first duel to cause such a commotion¡­ this is just tiresome!"


    But the true storm of Battle City was only just beginning.


    "No, don''t take Odion away!" Marik screamed, clutching his head, "Aaaahhh!"


    Jonouchi looked over with a smirk. "What, you that upset about your lackey losing?"


    Seeing Marik''s nearly deranged state, Shizuka took a frightened step back, hiding behind Jonouchi. "Nii-san, this guy seems really dangerous."


    Akasha, never having seen Marik in such a state before, also huddled behind Shizuka.


    "What''s going on?" Honda asked, standing next to Jonouchi to shield Shizuka.


    "Marik''s dark personality is coming out!" a mature female voice called from the entrance, drawing everyone''s attention away from the struggling Marik.


    "Ishizu! Why are you here?" Yugi asked in surprise, seeing the elegantly dressed Egyptian woman.


    Kaiba turned to his staff and demanded, "Why is this woman on the ship?"


    "S-sir, this¡­" The burly bodyguard stammered, instantly cowering under Kaiba''s sharp glare.


    Ishizu stepped forward, answering for him. "I''m here because I am the eighth participant in the Battle City finals."


    "So, the one who boarded the ship at the last minute was you." Hoshino, who had previously met Ishizu, had a good impression of this beautiful, exotic woman.


    "Hoshino," Ishizu replied, her gaze shifting to Hoshino, whose clothes were soaked through. "You managed to gather all the God cards except for Ra. Truthfully, you''ve already surpassed the future foreseen by my Millennium Necklace. But precisely because of that, the future this Battle City tournament was meant to follow is now beyond control."


    Uneasily, Yugi glanced at the unstable Marik. "So what is this ''dark personality'' you''re talking about?"


    "With Odion unconscious, there is no one left to suppress the spirit within the Millennium Rod!" Ishizu explained, looking at Marik with intense seriousness.


    Marik stopped screaming and slowly lowered his hands from his head, his entire demeanor shifting. "At last, I''m free¡­ long time no see, sister."


    "A spirit within the Millennium Rod, huh? Isn''t that similar to the one in the Millennium Ring?" Remembering the twisted expressions of Dark Bakura and comparing them to Marik''s equally unsettling expression now, Hoshino seemed to realize something.


    Marik grinned wickedly at her, saying, "Hoshino Chiyuki, I really have to thank you for taking care of Odion for me."


    Jonouchi shouted, "Taking care of Odion? Aren''t you two supposed to be on the same side?"


    "HAHAHAHA!" Marik only responded with a maniacal grin.


    Ishizu''s expression grew worried as she looked at Marik, now fully under the control of his dark persona. "Odion''s loyalty has always been a restraint on Marik''s other personality," she explained.


    Hoshino tilted her head, saying, "So that''s the relationship between Odion and Marik? I thought they were just close allies."


    "In his youth, Marik broke a clan rule, and Odion willingly took the punishment in his place, nearly losing his life. That incident triggered the awakening of Marik''s other persona. Only Odion, who awakened it, could keep it in check."


    "So¡­ did I cause trouble by accident?" Hoshino muttered awkwardly, glancing at Ishizu. After all, Odion had lost consciousness because of their duel.


    "Hahahaha, silly sister! Did you really think he could keep me suppressed forever?" Marik sneered.


    "It was only a matter of time before I gained control of this body. But without his influence, it''s really freeing," he added.


    Ishizu reassured Hoshino, "As he says, there''s no need for guilt, Hoshino. According to the future shown by the Millennium Necklace, Marik''s dark personality would have awakened regardless."


    Kaiba abruptly interrupted, "Whether it''s split personalities or mental illness, the tournament must go on! All participants, return to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon random selector to determine the next duelists!"


    "Yeah, Chiyuki, don''t stand around in the cold wind like that," Mai said, concerned. "Wearing those soaked clothes, you''ll catch a cold easily. You''ve made it to the semifinals, so don''t let something like this affect your condition."


    Mokuba added, "Hoshino, there''s a bathroom and laundry machine in the participants'' rooms. You should change and rest a bit. Since you''ve won the quarterfinals, you won''t have to duel again until tomorrow, after we reach the next destination."


    "No, I want to watch the remaining duels," Hoshino replied, shaking her head. She didn''t want to rest while her friends were still battling. Besides, watching more duels could help her gather information.


    "Heh heh, but you can''t just stand around in those clothes," Ishizu said with a smile. "Come to my room. I have spare clothes for you. You should wash your clothes as soon as possible."


    Mai, who initially planned to bring Hoshino to her own room, was a bit peeved by Ishizu stepping in first. "Don''t you need to go for the random selection? You might be next." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No, you''re up next," Ishizu replied, offering a polite smile. "With the Millennium Necklace, I can glimpse the immediate future. I''ll be dueling last."


    "Who believes in that fortune-telling nonsense!" Mai scoffed.


    Just then, the announcement rang out: "Sky Duel Arena, second round ¨C Mai Valentine vs. Yugi Muto!"


    Jonouchi''s jaw dropped. "Whoa, she was right!"


    "Well, I guess there''s no helping it¡­" Mai, narrowing her eyes, gave up on the idea of taking Hoshino to her room and resigned herself to the upcoming duel.


    "Good luck, Mai! I''ll be back soon," Hoshino said, waving as she followed Ishizu quickly, eager to get out of her wet clothes.


    "Don''t lose too quickly!" Hoshino teased.


    "I won''t!" Mai shot back, though the thought of facing Yugi did make her a bit nervous.


    "Let''s both give it our all, Mai," Yami Yugi said as he stepped confidently into the arena elevator.


    ¡­


    In Ishizu''s Room¡ª


    "Hoshino, I left a change of clothes outside," Ishizu called.


    As expected of a mature, lady-like figure, Ishizu was gentle and reliable in every way.


    "Thank you!"


    Under the warm shower, Hoshino enjoyed the sensation of the water washing away the sweat from her skin, relieving her tired body.


    "Heh heh, even though it was just a replica card, you managed to defeat the Winged Dragon of Ra with ease," came a familiar, mischievous voice as the evil god of chaos seized the opportunity to pop up.


    "Please! That version of the Winged Dragon barely had half your power," Hoshino said while lathering shampoo in her hair. "Inheriting the attack and defense of three tribute monsters is probably Ra''s most trivial effect."


    "Oh?" The evil god looked surprised. "So even you humans can understand the power of the gods?"


    "No, it''s just intuition."


    "How amusing. Tell me, what else does your intuition say?"


    "My intuition says a sneaky evil god watching me bathe is going to suffer dearly."


    "Eep!"


    ¡­


    "It suits you well, Hoshino~" Ishizu said, admiring the girl dressed in her spare clothes.


    "Haha, really?" Hoshino laughed sheepishly, scratching her head. This exotic style was new to her, though it was probably ordinary attire in Ishizu''s homeland, Egypt.


    "Thanks for lending me your clothes. Let''s hurry back and watch Mai''s duel against Yugi!"


    Ishizu shook her head. "No need. I''ve already seen the outcome of that duel ¨C Yugi will be the victor."


    "I see." Although she knew Mai had little chance of winning against Yugi, Hoshino still felt a bit disappointed hearing the confirmation. "Even if I know the result, I still want to cheer for her¡­"


    "Don''t waste time on such meaningless things~"


    Removing her veil, Ishizu revealed her long, sleek black hair. "Since it''s just the two of us, let''s do something more worthwhile."


    "Something¡­ more worthwhile?" Hoshino swallowed, recalling Ishizu''s assertive demeanor when she''d led her back to the room. She began to feel a bit expectant.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, duel with me."


    "Ishizu, you destroyed my hopes and dreams."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 230 - 230

    "Duel? In this room? Right now?" Hoshino threw out a triple question.


    Why was Ishizu asking her to duel? Hoshino racked her brain for a reason.


    Lightly stroking the Millennium Necklace around her neck, Ishizu replied, "The reason, of course, is to restore the future that has veered off its original course."


    Hoshino asked, "The future that has deviated from its path¡ªare you referring to the one your Millennium Necklace foresaw?"


    "As I said earlier, you collecting all the God Cards except for The Winged Dragon of Ra has completely surpassed the future that the Millennium Necklace originally predicted."


    Hearing this, Hoshino couldn''t help but grow curious. "So, what exactly was the future you originally foresaw?"


    "You didn''t even participate in the Battle City finals," Ishizu answered seriously.


    "I didn''t even make it past the preliminaries? That''s ridiculous." Hoshino found it hard to believe.


    "You weren''t supposed to be here, Hoshino. The Millennium Necklace foresaw Bakura in your place, and the God Cards would still belong to the Pharaoh and Kaiba. Your presence has disrupted everything."


    Ishizu''s tone was so serious that Hoshino felt she wasn''t lying. And indeed, it was true¡ªwhen Hoshino defeated Bakura, she did take six puzzle cards from him.


    "Let me be honest with you," Ishizu seemed to have made up her mind, and her tone became even more solemn.


    "I cannot see anything about your future! Neither your cards nor the three Evil God cards have ever appeared in the futures I''ve observed."


    Hoshino scratched her head helplessly. "But even if you seem troubled by this, the fact remains that I''m here, and I''ve made it to the finals."


    "That''s why I''m saying¡ªduel with me! If you drop out of the tournament here and hand over the three God Cards to the Pharaoh, the future will return to its correct course, and I''ll have a chance to stop Marik!"


    "A chance?" Hoshino latched onto the critical word. "So even if the future goes back to what you call its correct path, you''re still uncertain whether you can defeat Marik?"


    Ishizu clearly hesitated at Hoshino''s pointed question.


    The Millennium Necklace could see only limited glimpses of the future, far from the all-encompassing abilities of something like a clairvoyant EX-level skill.


    Distant or pivotal futures could not be observed through the Millennium Necklace.


    Watching Ishizu''s reaction, Hoshino firmly refused. "I''m sorry, but I don''t want to drop out of the tournament here. If, as you say, there''s no guarantee you can defeat Marik even if the future returns to its so-called rightful path, then I''d rather trust myself and the future I create with my own hands."


    "Forgive me, Hoshino. To save Marik, I have no choice but to do this." Ishizu, stroking her Millennium Necklace, grew increasingly cold-eyed.


    Suddenly, the brightly lit room was engulfed by a dark energy.


    "Hey, are we doing a Shadow Game again?!" Looking around at the familiar darkness, Hoshino was no longer surprised.


    Tossing Hoshino her Duel Disk, which had been removed for her shower, Ishizu extended her own Duel Disk as well. "In the Shadow Game, you no longer have the right to refuse."


    "Ishizu, haven''t you heard the saying, ''You can''t rush good things.''?" Grabbing the Duel Disk reluctantly, Hoshino noticed her deck was still loaded from her earlier duel. "Do you really think a Shadow Game will help you beat me?"


    "I won''t lose. I''ve never seen a future where i lose!"


    (***)


    Sky Duel Arena¡ª


    Leaning against the wall and watching the duel between Yugi and Mai, Dark Marik suddenly furrowed his brow.


    "Hm? This feeling¡­ Has she activated a Shadow Game? This is getting interesting. Hahaha!" Feeling the dark energy emanating from within the airship, Marik couldn''t help but laugh.


    "Ishizu''s deck, Exchange of the Spirit, is nearly invincible. The other me has never once won against her with that deck."


    With this realization, Marik suddenly lost interest in the duel before him. Though Mai''s attacks seemed strong, the flow of the duel was clearly under Yugi''s control.


    "Only I have a way to defeat Ishizu''s deck. Looks like Hoshino won''t make it to the semifinals after all."


    (***)


    "Let''s begin, Hoshino!" Ishizu, who had been standing with her Duel Disk ready for some time, urged.


    "Even though it''s a Shadow Game, it''s merely one that drains your stamina. If you lose, you''ll probably just end up sleeping for a whole day. By the time you wake up, the Battle City tournament will be over."


    "That''s not okay! If I oversleep the match, Jonouchi will tease me to no end!" Just imagining Jonouchi''s smug, taunting face made Hoshino''s scalp tingle.


    "And like I said before, I''d rather believe in the future I create than leave my fate in someone else''s hands!"


    [Duel start]


    "Girl, draw!"


    The urgent voice of the Evil God echoed in Hoshino''s mind, almost like a reflex.


    "It''s my turn¡ªdraw!"


    Before her brain could catch up, Hoshino''s fingers instinctively drew a card from her Duel Disk.


    "You scared me! What''s the rush, Evil God-san?"


    Realizing she''d already secured the first move, Hoshino glanced at her hand and smiled.


    "Well, getting the first turn is always a good thing. It feels like ages since I''ve gone first." Surveying her opening hand, Hoshino felt lucky¡ªat least Okita wasn''t clogging her draw.


    "I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus] in Attack Mode!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 3)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    "Back on the battlefield again!"


    Perhaps due to his absence from play, Spartacus seemed unusually excited.


    "Then I set two cards and end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s remaining hand cards: 3 cards; Set cards: 2.]


    A textbook opening, but drawing Spartacus in the first hand felt like a heavenly start for Hoshino.


    "It''s my turn¡ªdraw!"


    Placing the drawn card in front of the Millennium Necklace, Ishizu murmured softly, "I''ve seen it¡ªthe future of this duel. My victory is inevitable!"


    "Oh? Weren''t you saying earlier that you couldn''t see my future?" Hoshino, completely unfazed, dismissed Ishizu''s so-called prophecy as mere trash talk.


    Placing a card on her Duel Disk, Ishizu calmly stated, "I cannot foresee your future, but the outcome of this duel is clear."


    "Activate the Spell Card, [Card Destruction]!"


    [Card Destruction Spell Card Effect: Both players discard as many cards as possible from their hands, then each player draws the same number of cards they discarded.]


    Activating the Spell Card, Ishizu discarded her entire hand into the Graveyard. "I send five cards to the Graveyard and then draw five more cards from my Deck."


    "Wow, a full reshuffle right off the bat? Doesn''t seem like your ''guaranteed victory'' future started with a great hand," Hoshino teased, discarding three cards herself as a result of the effect.


    After completing her draw, Ishizu immediately placed a monster card on the Duel Disk. "I summon the monster, [Mudora]!"


    [Mudora ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 4)][EARTH][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1800]


    A creature wearing an eerie Egyptian headdress and holding a dagger emerged from the card.


    "And I activate [Mudora]''s special effect!" Ishizu made a graceful gesture as a white mist emerged from the Graveyard and enveloped Mudora''s dagger.


    [Effect: This card gains 200 ATK for each Fairy-Type monster in your GY.]


    "Since three Fairy-Type monsters were sent to the Graveyard by Card Destruction, Mudora gains 600 ATK!"


    [Mudora ATK 1500 ¡ú 2100]


    Hoshino murmured, slightly impressed by Ishizu''s maneuver: "Using Card Destruction to load the Graveyard and then boost your monster''s attack¡­ not bad."


    "Now, Mudora, attack Spartacus on the opponent''s field!"


    "Sa-va!" With a mysterious roar, Ishizu''s monster charged directly at Spartacus.


    "Your attack power may be high, but compared to Kaiba summoning Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the first turn, this is nothing!" Hoshino, utterly calm, flipped over a face-down card on her field.


    "Activate the Trap Card, [Poster Girl]! I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my Deck in Defense Position to take the hit instead!"


    Quickly searching her Deck, Hoshino placed a new monster on the Duel Disk in defense position. "I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Zhuge Liang (Waver)]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Zhuge Liang ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 4)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000 ¡ú 1500]


    Despite not having pulled any late nights recently, the physical form of Waver appeared with noticeable dark circles under his eyes.


    "Waver, you look like you haven''t had much rest lately," Hoshino commented curiously.


    Waver, puffing on his cigarette, grumbled, "Gaming all night! That idiot Rider and I pulled an all-nighter. I was hoping to rest during the day, but somehow, I got summoned to this duel!"


    Hoshino twitched awkwardly. "Uh¡­ I see."


    Looking at the newly summoned Waver, Ishizu said, "It''s useless. Even with a defensive boost, it can''t stop Mudora''s attack!"


    "The attack is coming! Stay sharp!" Hoshino reminded him hastily.


    "Don''t worry. I never slack off when it comes to work within my responsibilities!" Tossing his cigarette aside, Waver''s eyes gleamed with the resolve of a dedicated overtimer.


    Snap!


    With a sharp snap of his fingers, Waver teleported to the backline just as he was about to be destroyed, evading the attack entirely.


    "In the instant Waver was destroyed, his special effect activated!"


    [Effect: When this card is sent to the GY from the Monster Zone: You can place this card face-up in your Spell & Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell.] sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Picking up Waver''s card, Hoshino placed it in the Spell/Trap Zone.


    Although Ishizu had technically destroyed a monster, the still-standing Waver gave her no sense of accomplishment. "Another strange monster effect¡­ But no matter how many tricks you use, you cannot alter your destined defeat."


    After finishing her attack, Ishizu set two cards. "I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    [Ishizu''s remaining cards: 2 | Set cards: 2]


    "It''s my turn! Draw!"


    Without hesitation, Hoshino discarded Nobunaga to the Graveyard. "Because Waver is in the Spell/Trap Zone, his effect activates!"


    [Effect: Once per turn, during your Main Phase: You can discard 1 card; add 1 Spell/Trap with [Heroic Spirit] in its name from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Feel the power of a grand strategist!"


    Hoshino quickly retrieved a Spell Card from her Deck. "I add the Equip Spell [Fou of the Sun] to my hand and equip it to Spartacus!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus ATK 1500 ¡ú 2000]


    "Hehehe!" Hoshino beamed happily, staring at the Fou now perched on her shoulder. "The Rebel Army grows stronger!"


    Ishizu remained calm. "Even with the support of an Equip Spell, your monster still cannot surpass Mudora''s attack power."


    "It seems your ''vision'' only sees the outcome, not the process, Ishizu." Hoshino smirked, pointing to her backline. "Activate Waver''s final effect!"


    [Effect: As long as this card is in the Spell & Trap Zone, all [Heroic Spirit] monsters you control gain 300 ATK/DEF.]


    Waver declared: "Discerning Eye! Advice of the Strategist! Command of the Strategist!"


    [Spartacus ATK 2000 ¡ú 2300]


    "Take this, oppressors!" The massive figure roared and charged forward. Empowered by the enhancements, Spartacus crushed Mudora in one decisive strike.


    [Mudora destroyed]


    [Ishizu''s LP 4000 ¡ú 3800]


    "Yosh! Spartacus wins again!" Overjoyed, Hoshino summoned another monster in face-down defense position. "I end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s remaining cards: 2 | Set cards: 1]


    "So much for your ''destined victory,'' Ishizu~" Hoshino shrugged nonchalantly.


    Ishizu gently ran her fingers over her Deck, smiling. "With my Graveyard prepared, the moment of reversal is inevitable. Let''s see how long you can defy fate, Hoshino."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 231 - 231

    "My turn, draw!"


    Seeing the card she had drawn, Ishizu revealed a satisfied smile. "Hoshino, the outcome of this duel is already decided."


    "Hmm?" Hoshino raised an eyebrow slightly. Judging by Ishizu''s reaction, it seemed she had drawn a key card.


    "I summon one monster in face-down defense position and end my turn."


    [Ishizu''s remaining cards: 2 Hand | Set cards: 2]


    "Uh? That''s it?"


    Despite her bold declaration of victory, Ishizu simply set a monster and ended her turn, leaving Hoshino confused. "Are you messing with me?"


    "Heh, rest assured. Every card I draw and every step I take aligns perfectly with the future I have foreseen." Ishizu gestured for Hoshino to proceed, her confidence unshaken.


    "As long as I follow this path, the victor will undoubtedly be me."


    Hoshino scratched her head in irritation. "Always going on about the future¡ªbeing able to predict what you''ll draw is basically cheating!"


    Maintaining her polite smile, Ishizu said no more.


    "Alright, then I''ll go all out this turn. Draw!"


    Drawing, examining, and discarding a card in one fluid motion, Hoshino declared, "I activate Waver''s special ability! I discard Okita to add one Spell Card with ''Heroic Spirit'' in its name from my deck to my hand."


    "Master, if your hand is this bad, maybe don''t include cards like these in your deck next time," Waver commented, tracing magical sigils with his fingers.


    "Well, you can''t say that. They come in handy at key moments~" Hoshino replied casually, already adding the searched Spell Card to her hand.


    "The card I chose is this: the Quick-Play Spell [Hero Creation]! Then, I flip-summon the monster previously set in defense position¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1400 ¡ú 1700 / DEF 1900 ¡ú 2200]


    "Oh! Long live muscles!" exclaimed Leonidas, roaring with excitement as he materialized on Hoshino''s field.


    "Oh! Long live rebellion!" echoed Spartacus, the two muscle-head warriors standing side by side. Their combined presence rivaled that of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "Battle phase begins! Ishizu, get ready to be overwhelmed by the dual might of muscle-head assaults!" Hoshino commanded her two warriors into action.


    "Spartacus, attack her face-down monster!"


    With Spartacus''s attack power at 2300, he could easily destroy Ishizu''s defending monster, allowing Leonidas to follow up with Hero Creation for double battle damage, potentially depleting Ishizu''s remaining Life Points.


    "Before your attack lands, I activate my set Trap Card: [Absolute End]!" Ishizu revealed her first trap.


    [Absolute End Trap Card Effect: Activate only during your opponent''s turn. This turn, your opponent''s monsters'' attacks become direct attacks.]


    "Are you insane? Even if you''re trying to protect your monster, using such a trap will only let me deplete your Life Points in one shot!" With the trap activated, Hoshino no longer needed Hero Creation to clear Ishizu''s Life Points.


    "Heh, of course, I have another countermeasure." Watching Spartacus bypass her defending monster and charge straight at her, Ishizu flipped over her second set card.


    "Trap Card: [Drowning Mirror Force]!"


    A deep-blue barrier, reminiscent of Mirror Force, materialized in front of Ishizu, responding to the attack.


    [Drowning Mirror Force Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares a direct attack: Shuffle all your opponent''s Attack Position monsters into the Deck.]


    Spartacus''s hulking frame slammed into the shield, only for its energy to be absorbed and reflected back as rippling waves.


    "Muscles are indestructible!"


    "Rebellion is eternal!"


    With a burst of energy, the two muscle-head warriors were sent flying into the air, becoming glittering stars of muscle.


    "Now, all your monsters have been returned to your deck, leaving you unable to continue your attack," Ishizu said with a composed tone, as though everything had gone as predicted. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Tch, I''ll set one card and end my turn." Frustrated by the counter, Hoshino was left with no monsters and low resources.


    However, the Trap she had just set¡ªRyuudou Temple''s Gate¡ªcould stall Ishizu''s next attack if necessary.


    [Hoshino''s remaining cards: 1 Hand | Set cards: 2]


    "My turn, draw."


    Without even glancing at her drawn card, Ishizu flipped over the monster she had set in the previous turn.


    "I flip-summon the monster card: [Morphing Jar]!"


    [Morphing Jar Flip Effect: Both players discard as many cards as possible from their hands, then each player draws 5 cards.]


    "I discard my three hand cards and draw five from my deck."


    Hoshino''s face lit up. "I only had one card in my hand! Discarding it and drawing five is a huge win for me!"


    "Apologies, but your battle ends here." Ishizu poured cold water on Hoshino''s excitement without hesitation.


    "The five cards I drew perfectly align with the predictions of the Millennium Necklace. This turn, I will reverse the world of life and death!"


    "Reverse the world of life and death?" Hoshino repeated, perplexed by Ishizu''s bold proclamation.


    "Due to Morphing Jar''s effect, I discarded three cards to the Graveyard. I activate the Spell Card Graceful Charity! I draw 3 cards and discard 2."


    [Ishizu''s Graveyard Cards: 12]


    "Now I activate the monster effect from my Graveyard: [Makyura the Destructor]!"


    [Makyura the Destructor Effect: During the turn this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can activate Trap Cards from your hand.] (Anime Effect)


    "Thanks to Makyura''s effect, I can activate traps directly from my hand. First, I''ll activate two Normal Traps: [Reckless Greed]!"


    [Reckless Greed Trap Card Effect: Draw 2 cards and skip your next 2 Draw Phases.]


    "Thanks to these traps, I''ve drawn four additional cards."


    [Ishizu''s Graveyard Cards: 14]


    Hoshino finally noticed Ishizu''s plan. Despite her full hand, she wasn''t attacking¡ªher focus was entirely on building up the number of cards in her Graveyard.


    "And now, this trap will sever your final retreat!" After frantically cycling through her deck, Ishizu drew the key card she was waiting for.


    "Trap Card: [Fiend Comedian], activated directly from my hand!"


    [Fiend Comedian Trap Card Effect: Toss a coin and call it. If you call it right, all cards in your opponent''s Graveyard are removed from play immediately. If you call it wrong, send a number of cards equal to the cards in your opponent''s Graveyard from your Deck to your Graveyard.]


    Hoshino immediately tensed up. "A coin toss? So that''s what this trap is about."


    "No, I already know the outcome of this toss. The coin will land on heads!" Ishizu boldly declared the result.


    [Coin Toss Result: Heads]


    "Now all cards in your Graveyard are banished!"


    [Hoshino''s Graveyard Cards: 0]


    "This is cheating! I''m reporting you!" Hoshino''s heated protests were futile.


    The sinister hand of Fiend Comedian reached into Hoshino''s Duel Disk and wiped it clean of every card in her Graveyard.


    "Now, the number of cards in my Graveyard has reached 15!" Ishizu raised her Duel Disk high, causing the entire dark space to tremble.


    "Hoshino, this is the end foretold by my visions of the future! Using Makyura''s effect, I activate the Trap Card [Exchange of the Spirit] directly from my hand!"


    [Exchange of the Spirit Trap Card Effect: Activate only while there are 15 or more cards in your Graveyard. Pay 1000 Life Points. Both players swap the cards in their Graveyard with the cards in their Deck, then shuffle their Decks.] (Anime Effect)


    "The game is over. With no cards left in your Graveyard, you will face defeat next turn when you''re unable to draw any cards."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 232 - 232

    [Ishizu LP: 3800 ¡ú 2800]


    "This is the end. With no cards left to draw next turn, you''ll lose by the rules!" Ishizu declared confidently, her voice resonating with finality. The activation of Exchange of the Spirit had set the stage for the victory she had foreseen.


    "Exchange of the Spirit, huh? So that''s how this card works¡­"


    Hoshino glanced at her thick deck, now entirely sent to the Graveyard. She couldn''t help but marvel. "A strategy that forces a victory by bypassing Life Points¡­ no wonder you called it unbeatable."


    "Are you ready to surrender, Hoshino?"


    Hoshino shrugged with mock helplessness. "The Millennium Necklace letting you see the future¡­ Honestly, that feels so unfair. It''s even more OP than the Millennium Eye."


    "This is the power granted to the bearers of the Millennium Items, along with the heavy fates they carry. Just as some duelists possess great luck(Jonouchi) or exceptional intellect(Kaiba), I don''t see this ability as cheating or unfair," Ishizu replied, addressing Hoshino''s persistent complaints with calm poise.


    "Well then, let me ask you something." Hoshino''s tone shifted from casual to serious, her eyes locking onto Ishizu''s with determination.


    "You said this is the end. But, Ishizu, you''ve never actually seen a future where you claim victory, have you?"


    Ishizu faltered, her confident demeanor cracking ever so slightly. "Hoshino, do you truly believe you still have a chance to win in this situation?"


    "I knew it. If you''re not answering directly, then your predictions only extend this far!"


    Hoshino''s eyes glinted with resolve as she gazed at the neatly stacked cards in her Graveyard. "From here on out, I''ll carve out my own future!"


    Ishizu stepped back involuntarily, shaken by the sheer determination radiating from Hoshino. For the first time, Ishizu realized her foresight, empowered by the Millennium Necklace, had reached its limits.


    "Summoning the monster Mudora in Attack Mode!" Ishizu declared, a note of urgency creeping into her voice.


    [Mudora¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][EARTH][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1800]


    "That monster again?" Hoshino commented, recognizing the card.


    "This Mudora is entirely different!" Ishizu''s tone grew resolute as a massive surge of energy flowed from her Graveyard into the monster.


    "Because I sent my entire Deck to the Graveyard, there are now 10 Fairy-Type monsters in it! Due to its effect, Mudora''s ATK increases by 2000!"


    [Mudora ATK: 1500 ¡ú 3500]


    "A Level 4 monster with enough ATK to crush Blue-Eyes White Dragon? That''s pretty insane," Hoshino admitted, eyes widening slightly.


    "But this just proves you''re scared, Ishizu! The strategy of Exchange of the Spirit isn''t about relying on monsters for victory. Yet here you are, relying on brute force because you''re afraid exploiting the rules alone won''t defeat me."


    "Mudora, attack directly!"


    "Not happening! I activate the Counter Trap card Ryuudou Temple''s Gate!"


    [Ryuudou Temple''s Gate Counter Trap Effect: If an opponent''s monster declares a direct attack: Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit - Sasaki Kojirou] from your hand or Deck in Attack Position.]


    "Special Summon Sasaki Kojirou!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sasaki Kojirou (¡ï Level 1)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 500]


    "When this card battles, its effect activates at the start of the Damage Step. Its ATK triples until the end of the Damage Step. Battle, Sasaki!"


    "No matter how much it triples, it still won''t surpass my Mudora''s ATK!" Ishizu countered sternly.


    "Oh? You really can''t see even that much? Ishizu, you''re far too reliant on the Necklace''s power."


    "Secret Sword!"


    Kojirou raised his long blade to eye level, his voice calm as three strikes flashed simultaneously.


    "¡ªTsubame Gaeshi!"


    Three slashes struck Mudora at once, destroying the monster as it charged toward Hoshino.


    "How¡­ How is this possible?" Ishizu gasped, stunned as her Mudora, boasting an ATK of 3500, was easily defeated.


    "Lady, did you forget about me?" Waver flicked ash from his cigarette, smirking. The traces of mana at his fingertips hadn''t yet dissipated.


    [Sasaki Kojirou ATK: 1000 ¡ú 1300 ¡ú 3900]


    [Mudora] destroyed


    [Ishizu LP: 2800 ¡ú 2400]


    The sound of Kojirou''s long blade breaking echoed as his ATK dropped to zero due to his own effect.


    "So, do you still want to keep attacking? You''ve got a Morphing Jar on the field, don''t you?" Hoshino taunted.


    "No, this attack ends here."


    Kojirou''s three consecutive slashes unexpectedly calmed Ishizu. "If the Necklace guided me to this point, acting recklessly would dishonor the power of the Millennium Necklace."


    "Using the effect of Makyura, I activate the Trap Card [Supernatural Regeneration] from my hand!"


    [Supernatural Regeneration Trap Card Effect: Activate only during the End Phase. Gain 1000 Life Points for each Psychic-Type monster sent to the Graveyard this turn.]


    "There are five Psychic monsters in my Graveyard, so I restore 5000 LP."


    [Ishizu LP: 2400 ¡ú 7400]


    "You''ve really packed your deck with some strange cards," Hoshino quipped. "The more you do this, the more you reveal your fear. Without the Millennium Necklace guiding you, you''ve completely lost your confidence." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''ll end my turn here, Hoshino. Show me how you''ll break through this situation, having no cards in your Deck." Ignoring Hoshino''s remark, Ishizu took a deep breath, regained her composure, and gestured for Hoshino to proceed.


    "So, it''s my turn now? Alright, I draw¡­"


    Hoshino shook her head and smiled. "Nope, no cards left to draw."


    Suddenly, the Graveyard on Hoshino''s Duel Disk, containing her entire deck, began to emit a gentle light.


    "Let this card take me beyond the future you predicted, Ishizu!" Raising her Duel Disk, the corners of Hoshino''s cherry-pink lips curved into a confident smile.


    (''Total of 175 Saint Quartz, thank you for your purchase~ You''ve received three Heroic Spirit cards along with their accompanying Spell and Trap cards. Please check your inventory!'')


    (''Huh? Wait a minute, Da Vinci-chan, this card?'')


    (''Oh, that one? Just consider it a lucky charm from the kind and generous Da Vinci-chan. You''ll definitely need it someday!'')


    "The kind and generous Da Vinci-chan''s lucky charm, huh?" Feeling the light emanating from her Graveyard, Hoshino smiled knowingly. "This card really does feel incredibly kind."


    "¡ªI activate the Spell Card in my Graveyard, [Fate/Grand Order Memories I]!"


    [Fate/Grand Order Memories I - Spell Card Effect: ¢Ú You can activate this card from your Graveyard by targeting yourself. Instead of your Draw Phase this turn, add this card to your hand.]


    Revealing the Spell Card she had drawn from the Graveyard, Hoshino boasted, "With this, I don''t need to draw from my deck anymore!"


    Ishizu stared in disbelief at the radiant, miraculous light emanating from the card. "A card that disrupts the Draw Phase¡­ she actually has one¡­"


    "The tide has completely turned, Ishizu! Do you understand what sending my entire deck to the Graveyard means?"


    "Impossible! there''s no way you can defeat me, especially with this much LP remaining!"


    Hoshino raised her Duel Disk high. "Feel it! This is a future you never foresaw! I activate the special effect of the Spell Card Divine Three-Legged Race from the Graveyard!"


    [Divine Three-Legged Race - Spell Card Effect: ¢Ú During your Standby Phase, you can banish this card and 4 other cards from your GY; return the Fusion Materials specified for 1 [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster from among the banished [Heroic Spirit] monsters to the GY, and Fusion Summon that monster.]


    "I banish this card along with four other Heroic Spirit monsters from my Graveyard. Then, from the banished monsters, I return Okita, Nobunaga, and Spartacus to the Graveyard as Fusion Materials to Fusion Summon!"


    Okita and Nobunaga, who had been waiting in the banished zone, descended back onto the battlefield.


    Nobunaga: "Who was it that bad-mouthed me to Master and got me benched?!"


    Okita: "A ace is one that can save the day at a critical moment and secure final victory!"


    Spartacus: "This is¡­ the final battle of rebellion!"


    "Fusion!!"


    "Fusion Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji (Alter)]!"


    A swirling black vortex enveloped the field, coalescing into a single point of energy before Hoshino.


    Screeeech¡ª!


    Then, in an instant, a blade of endless light severed the black spiral.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][DARK][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    Drawing her massive sword, Rengoku, the Okitan spoke coldly. "With the power to sever even the void itself, I will end this battle!"


    "According to Okitan''s effect, her ATK increases by 1000 for each Heroic Spirit monster banished! I have five Heroic Spirit monsters in my banished zone!" (Leonidas and four others due to the effects of Divine Three-Legged Race.)


    [Okita Alter ATK: 3000 ¡ú 8000]


    "And thanks to the effect of Waver on the field, her ATK increases by another 300."


    [Okita Alter ATK: 8000 ¡ú 8300]


    Although the 300-point boost seemed minor, it was enough to deliver the decisive blow to Ishizu.


    [Morphing Jar ATK: 700]


    [Ishizu LP: 7400]


    "Impossible¡­ something like this¡­" Staring at the overwhelming attack power of Okita Alter, which perfectly surpassed her remaining LP, Ishizu couldn''t hide her panic. "This is an impossible future¡­ The Millennium Necklace never foresaw this¡­"


    "It''s because the future is full of countless variables and possibilities that it''s so fascinating to anticipate!"


    Reaching toward the sky, Hoshino issued her final command to Okita Alter. "End this duel, Okitan!"


    "Special Move¡ª!"


    Black radiance surged forth from the Rengoku sword. The piercing light cut through Morphing Jar on the field and struck Ishizu''s Millennium Necklace, severing the incomprehensible future it symbolized.


    "¡ªMajin BEAM!!!!"


    "The future that cannot be predicted¡­ is the true future!"


    [Ishizu Ishtar LP: 7400 ¡ú 0]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 233 - 233

    "The future... is now unpredictable..." Ishizu''s pupils widened, and her alluring body trembled slightly. Being struck by a massive 7000+ life point blow in the Shadow Game was a mental shock beyond words.


    "The course of this Battle City tournament and the fate of everyone on this airship... are inevitably heading toward destruction..."


    As the darkness dissipated, Ishizu collapsed to the ground. Just as she had said, while her life was not in danger, the Shadow Game had taken its toll. Defeat meant she would likely remain unconscious for an entire day.


    "Exchange of the Spirit, huh? What a terrifying strategy." Hoshino finally began to grasp the true horror of Ishizu''s Exchange of the Spirit as she put away her Duel Disk. Without the card Da Vinci had handed her before boarding the airship, she would undoubtedly have lost to Ishizu.


    She carefully moved the unconscious Ishizu onto the bed. Even though the Shadow Game was initiated by Ishizu herself, Hoshino couldn''t bear to leave such a beautiful woman lying on the floor for an entire day. Ishizu''s tall figure was lean and devoid of excess fat, so even someone like Hoshino could just barely manage to carry her.


    "The Millennium Necklace, capable of predicting the future, huh? If it can''t foresee my future, does that mean I''m about to leave this world?" Hoshino mused as she gazed at the unconscious Ishizu lying on the bed.


    After all, she didn''t belong to this world. If she forcibly altered its trajectory, would it lead to irreversible consequences? Just like Ishizu''s warning before fainting¡ªa future of inevitable destruction.


    "Girl, stop overthinking everything." The evil god, who had suddenly appeared behind her, seemed to sense her turmoil. "Even if everything is moving toward destruction, that is the future predetermined for this world. It has nothing to do with you."


    "No, it does!" Hoshino retorted firmly as she turned to face the evil god. "I won''t let it end in destruction! Saving the future is the most important task of us Chaldea Masters!" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The evil god was taken aback by her unexpected response but soon displayed a look of intrigue. "Hehe... interesting! If you''re willing to share your soul with me, I wouldn''t mind helping you¡ªeven with something like saving the world."


    "Come on, when that time comes, evil god-san, you wouldn''t just sit back and do nothing, would you?" Hoshino replied with a radiant smile as she reached out to pat the little Gothic Lolita''s head.


    "Tsk, don''t treat me like some kid who''d be satisfied with head pats!"


    After briefly enjoying the attention, the evil god approached the bedside and gazed at Ishizu with a greedy grin.


    "I remember the Battle City rules state that the loser must surrender their rarest card to the victor," the evil god remarked.


    "Huh? This match actually counts as part of the official Battle City rules?" Hoshino seemed to have completely forgotten about this rule.


    "What does it matter? She''s unconscious anyway..." The evil god''s grin grew even more sinister. "And we''re only following the rules of the tournament."


    With that, the evil god promptly plucked a card from Ishizu''s deck. "Even though your deck can''t fully utilize this card, its potential goes far beyond mere ''rule-breaking.''"


    [Exchange of the Spirit - Trap Card Effect: Activate only while there are 15 or more cards in your Graveyard. Pay 1000 Life Points. Both players swap the cards in their Graveyard with the cards in their Deck, then shuffle their Decks.]


    "Moreover," the evil god continued, "this card''s rarity is at least on par with Blue-Eyes White Dragon."


    Reminded of this, Hoshino''s eyes lit up. After the Exchange of the Spirit, cards whose effects only activate in the Graveyard could now run wild. Just like in the final turn, where she easily fused into Okita Alter, the strategic possibilities were endless if the Graveyard had enough cards.


    The fleeting guilt in her heart was swiftly drowned by the sheer power and potential of Exchange of the Spirit. Accepting the card from the evil god, Hoshino grinned mischievously. "Evil god-san, you''re so clever! Since this duel took place on the Battle City airship, it''s natural for us to adopt its rules."


    "Hehehe, I knew we''d get along well!" The two partners in crime exchanged wicked smiles.


    After ensuring Ishizu was settled in, Hoshino left the room and headed to the arena on the airship.


    "The duel should have ended by now. If Ishizu''s prediction is accurate, I need to console Mai a little," she thought as she pushed open the arena doors.


    However, what awaited her was an eerily familiar darkness that made her heart skip a beat.


    "Again? Shadow Game?! No way!" The environment was unmistakably the same as the Shadow Game she had just experienced.


    "Hoshino-nee!" Akasha called out upon spotting her. "Huh? Why are you dressed like that?"


    Hoshino was no longer wearing her previous short-skirt and blouse combo. Now clad in Ishizu''s Egyptian outfit, Hoshino, while lacking Ishizu''s exotic bronze skin, exuded a unique charm with her fair complexion paired with the exotic attire.


    "It suits you, Hoshino!" Mokuba, who had been intensely focused on the duel moments ago, now couldn''t take his eyes off her.


    But Hoshino had no time to dwell on their opinions. A quick glance at the audience, where Yugi and Mai were seated, told her the second duel had already ended.


    "Chiyuki, you''re back." Mai''s tone carried a hint of melancholy, making it clear how the second duel had concluded.


    "Mai, are you alright...?"


    Mai smiled wryly. "You don''t need to worry about me. I only lost a duel. But Jonouchi, he..."


    "Marik has started a Shadow Game!" Yugi interjected, his voice tense.


    Hoshino''s expression turned serious. "So it really is a Shadow Game."


    "So, what''s the situation now?" Hoshino''s attention was immediately drawn to a massive, molten-red monster on Jonouchi''s field. She couldn''t see the life point scores on the Duel Disks but was captivated by the creature''s overwhelming presence.


    "Wait, does Jonouchi even have a monster like that in his deck?"


    "That''s Lava Golem, summoned onto Jonouchi''s field by Marik''s," Yugi explained grimly, his tone brimming with concern.


    On the field, Jonouchi roared, "Attack, Lava Golem! Use Jonouchi Fire!"


    "Jonouchi Fire?(~¥Ø~?)"


    [Lava Golem ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)]


    [FIRE][Fiend/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "Damn it! He actually forced my Jinzo and Baby Dragon to be Tributed to summon this thing," Jonouchi growled.


    While Lava Golem''s stats, were undeniably powerful, sacrificing an already formidable monster like Jinzo to summon it was clearly disadvantageous. Moreover, the card inflicted 1000 points of damage to its controller each turn.


    Locked inside the metaphorical cage created by Lava Golem, Jonouchi roared in frustration, "If you''re going to put a monster on my field, I won''t hesitate to use it against you!"


    Entering the Battle Phase decisively, Jonouchi pointed forward with great momentum, only to suddenly pause mid-action and exclaim, "Crap! I don''t even know this monster''s attack name!"


    Dark Marik chuckled coldly, crossing his arms. "The attack name of my Lava Golem is Lava Strike."


    "I won''t use a name you came up with! Since it''s now my monster, I''ll name it myself!" Jonouchi adamantly rejected Marik''s suggestion, waving his arm in defiance.


    "Attack, Lava Golem! Use Jonouchi Fire!"


    "Jonouchi Fire?" Just as Hoshino turned her attention to the battle, she heard Jonouchi shout out the explosively corny attack name.


    "It''s so cool, Oniichan! Fighting!''" Shizuka cheered excitedly from the stands.


    "Fight back with Jonouchi Fire! Show Marik your determination!" Anzu and Honda joined in, passionately cheering.


    Wait, I''m the weird one here? This name is actually getting positive reaction? Hoshino was baffled. Could this world have a unique aesthetic for naming attack moves?


    "Should I start naming my attack moves, like Hoshino Beam or Chiyuki Cyclone?" Hoshino muttered, seriously considering the idea as she rested her chin on her hand.


    The roaring magma flames, backed by Lava Golem''s immense attack power, surged toward Marik''s only Attack Position monster¡ªLegendary Fiend.


    [Legendary Fiend ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)]


    [DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1800]


    "If Jonouchi''s attack succeeds, Marik, left without monsters on his field, will take a series of direct attacks," Hoshino analyzed. She noticed that, besides Lava Golem, Jonouchi also had Rocket Warrior and Flame Swordsman on the field.


    [Rocket Warrior ATK: 1500]


    [Flame Swordsman ATK: 1800]


    "This will end the duel!" Hoshino concluded confidently, inadvertently raising a flag.


    "I activate my Trap Card¡ª[Relieve Monster]!" Marik smirked as the face-down card at his feet flipped up.


    [Relieve Monster - Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target 1 monster you control; return that target to the hand, then Special Summon 1 Level 4 monster from your hand.]


    "I return Legendary Fiend to my hand and Special Summon [Viser Des] in Defense Position!"


    With Marik slapping another card onto his Duel Disk, the targeted monster was replaced with a strange-looking machine.


    [Viser Des ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)]


    [DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 500/DEF 1200]


    "When this is Special Summoned, I can select 1 monster on your field and clamp it for punishment! After my third Standby Phase, that monster is destroyed!" Marik declared as the bizarre mechanical contraption clamped onto Flame Swordsman.


    "I select Flame Swordsman for punishment!" The trapped Flame Swordsman let out a pained scream.


    "Ah¡ªow, ow, ow!" Strangely enough, Jonouchi, still mid-attack, cried out in pain as well.


    Hoshino quickly understood the situation, her earlier analysis clicking into place. "This must be the rule of the Shadow Game, right?"


    "Exactly!" Marik sneered, spreading his arms arrogantly. "In this Shadow Game, any pain suffered by monsters is fully transferred to the Duelists themselves. And Viser Des''s punishment is particularly excruciating!"


    "A pain like this? It''s nothing compared to Honda''s punches!" Jonouchi gritted his teeth, enduring the torment and continuing his attack. "Besides, your monster is about to be engulfed by Jonouchi Fire!"


    "It''s useless! A monster equipped with Viser Des can''t be destroyed by battle! Your attack is nullified, and now it''s my turn!"


    Jonouchi lowered his Duel Disk, grumbling, "What a dirty tactic!"


    [Jonouchi''s Status: Remaining Hand Cards: 0 | Set Cards: 0 | LP: 2800]


    "Hey, Jonouchi, you didn''t even declare your turn''s end, and your opponent already took over! At least show some reaction!"


    "My turn, draw! I activate the Spell Card¡ª[Machine Duplication]!"


    [Machine Duplication - Spell Card Effect: Target 1 Machine monster you control with 500 or less ATK; Special Summon up to 2 monsters from your Deck with the same name as that face-up monster.]


    "Using Machine Duplication, I copy my Viser Des!" As the spell activated, two additional copies of the strange machine appeared on Marik''s field.


    "If you could barely handle one, how about three?! Ahahaha!" Marik''s face contorted into a crazed, almost maniacal expression, exuding pure villainy.


    Yugi''s expression darkened. "Jonouchi!"


    "Ahhhhhh!" Jonouchi screamed as his three monsters suffered triple the electrocution punishment. Thanks to the Shadow Game, the pain was fully transferred to him.


    "Oniichan!" Shizuka cried, almost in tears as she watched her brother writhe in agony.


    Hoshino clenched her fists in anger. "This isn''t even a duel anymore¡ªthis is torture!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 234 - 234

    "I take my dueling very seriously, you know~," Marik casually countered Hoshino''s words, lowering his Duel Disk and turning to Jonouchi. "See? I''m already close to winning!"


    [Marik''s Status: 3 cards in hand | 1 set card | LP: 1300]


    "Turn end! Activating Lava Golem''s effect¡ªdeal 1000 damage to the opponent!"


    Trapped within Lava Golem''s iron cage, Jonouchi''s already weakened body was once again scalded by the golem''s molten lava. The sound of sizzling heat rose from Jonouchi''s shoulder, a harsh reminder of his dire situation.


    [Jonouchi''s LP: 2800 ¡ú 1800]


    "In just two more turns, Jonouchi will lose to Lava Golem''s effect!" Marik gloated, his twisted grin widening as he reveled in his strategy.


    "If he even lasts that long," Marik sneered, observing Jonouchi, who had gone completely silent, unable to even cry out in pain.


    "You''re so despicable, Marik," Yami Yugi rebuked sternly.


    Kaiba shook his head in disappointment. "As expected, a loser like him can''t even push Marik to bring out The Winged Dragon of Ra. A completely worthless defeat."


    "Onii-chan, don''t lose!" Shizuka cried, her hands clasped together as she shut her eyes and prayed. Seeing Shizuka endure such a distressing duel for the first time made Hoshino''s heart ache.


    Taking a deep breath, Hoshino shouted at the field, "Don''t give up, Jonouchi! Show Shizuka the unyielding spirit of a true duelist!"


    "Hoshino..."


    "Don''t worry, Shizuka. Your big brother might seem unreliable at times, but when it really matters, he always comes through!"


    Shizuka nodded firmly. "I know. Onii-chan has always been reliable¡ªfrom the very beginning until now, he''s always dependable!"


    "What are you talking about, Hoshino... I am a true duelist!" From within the iron cage, Jonouchi slowly lifted his head, determination sparking in his eyes.


    Honda clenched his fists excitedly. "That''s the spirit, Jonouchi! I knew you wouldn''t give up so easily! Don''t let Shizuka down!"


    Marik sneered. "Even if he gets back up, what''s the point? With zero cards in his hand, he''s guaranteed to lose next turn!"


    Yami Yugi, seeing Jonouchi''s unwavering determination, eased his furrowed brows. "Jonouchi, show them the bond between a duelist and their deck!"


    "I still have promises to fulfill!" Jonouchi declared, his voice growing stronger. "I vowed to face Yugi and Hoshino again in the finals of Battle City. I won''t let someone like you stop me!"


    Mai frowned, arms crossed. "But with all three of Jonouchi''s monsters restrained, can he really turn the tide with just one card?"


    "This is the ultimate draw of my soul!" Bathed in a golden light, Jonouchi drew the decisive card from his Duel Disk. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino rubbed her eyes in disbelief. "No way¡ªis this a Destiny Draw? How can Jonouchi, without a Millennium Item, pull that off? I must be seeing things."


    "Watch closely, Marik! Here''s my counterattack!" Jonouchi slammed the card onto his Duel Disk with all his might. The massive Lava Golem prison began to crumble as he declared, "I tribute my Rocket Warrior, Flame Swordsman, and Lava Golem¡ªa total of three monsters¡ªfor a Tribute Summon!"


    Kaiba''s eyes widened slightly. "He sacrificed all three monsters restrained by Viser Des. How audacious."


    "Come forth, my deck''s strongest warrior¡ª[Gilford the Lightning]!


    Hoshino threw up a fist in celebration. "So he drew Gilford the Lightning! That kind of luck is so like you, Jonouchi!"


    Freed from Lava Golem''s cage, Jonouchi now had only one monster on his field¡ªthe radiant warrior clad in lightning, holding a thunderous blade aloft.


    [Gilford the Lightning ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 1400]


    "When Gilford the Lightning is Tribute Summoned using three monsters, it activates its special effect: destroy all monsters on the opponent''s field!"


    Raising his arm to the sky, Jonouchi roared, "Marik, this is the final blow to defeat you¡ªGilford the Lightning''s effect: Thunderbolt Destruction!"


    In a flash, thunder rained down upon Marik''s field, instantly annihilating the three Viser Des restrained in Defense Position.


    "This is the end! Direct attack, Gilford! Sky Thunder Electric Slash!"


    "That''s so cool, Jonouchi! Sky Thunder Electric Slash!" Honda and Anzu cheered enthusiastically for Jonouchi''s dramatic attack name.


    Wait¡ªso even such cheesy move names are acceptable by your standards?


    Marik clicked his tongue in frustration as the thunderous blade approached him. "To think a third-rate duelist like you could push me to this extent! Trap Card, activate¡ª[Unified Front]!


    [Unified Front - Trap Card Effect]


    [Discard 1 monster, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; its ATK and DEF become the discarded monster''s ATK and DEF until the end of this turn. Monsters you control cannot attack directly during the turn you activate this card.]


    "The monster I discard is The Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    Kaiba stiffened. "He was actually forced to discard his God Card? Jonouchi, this nobody, managed to accomplish that much?"


    "The Winged Dragon of Ra''s original ATK is 0, so Gilford the Lightning''s ATK is also reduced to 0!"


    [Gilford the Lightning ATK: 2800 ¡ú 0]


    The decisive attack passed harmlessly through Marik, causing no damage.


    "Tsk! So close!" Jonouchi stomped his foot in frustration.


    "You''ve done well, Jonouchi!" Yami Yugi praised. "Not only did you destroy all his monsters, but you also forced Marik to discard The Winged Dragon of Ra!


    "Heh heh, is that so?" Rubbing his nose proudly, Jonouchi grinned. "Then I''ll end my turn here. You''re dead next round!"


    "Draw!" Marik drew his next card, his sinister smirk returning. "Did you really think I discarded The Winged Dragon of Ra out of desperation? Sending a God Card to the graveyard is merely to summon it more efficiently!"


    "The fact that I even have to use a God Card against you is an utter disgrace! As compensation, be incinerated by the flames of the divine!" Marik declared with murderous intent.


    Kaiba smirked slightly. "He''s finally summoning Ra. The more of Ra''s hidden abilities that are revealed, the worse it will be for him in future battles. For a fool to achieve this much, it''s already quite commendable."


    "I activate [Monster Reborn] to revive [The Winged Dragon of Ra] from the Graveyard to the field!"


    Scorching flames engulfed the entire arena. From the grave, Ra rose, reborn in fire, roaring mightily. The entire Shadow Game''s space was illuminated by crimson flames.


    [The Winged Dragon of Ra ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    "This is the real Ra? The pressure is completely different from that fake one," Hoshino murmured, staring at the genuine Winged Dragon of Ra soaring in the sky.


    Yugi sensed something amiss. "Even though Ra has been summoned, a Ra revived with Monster Reborn has no inherited attack points from tributes¡ªit has no combat strength."


    "No combat strength? Don''t make me laugh. Let me show you Ra''s ultimate form!" Marik declared, activating the God''s effect and pointing at the roaring Ra in the sky.


    "I pay 1000 Life Points to transform Ra into Immortal Phoenix!"


    [Marik LP 1300 ¡ú 300]


    The flames surrounding Ra''s golden body gathered together. Draped in a fiery mantle, Ra transformed into an immortal phoenix engulfed in raging flames.


    "So this is Ra''s ultimate form?" Jonouchi stared in astonishment at the transformed Ra¡ªImmortal Phoenix.


    "Once Ra enters Immortal Phoenix, all monsters on your field are destroyed!"


    Jonouchi scowled and retorted, "Huh? Just destroying my Gilford? Even so, your attack power is still zero! As long as I draw a monster on my next turn, your 300 Life Points won''t stand a chance!"


    "Heh heh, don''t forget, this is a Shadow Game!" Marik tilted his head downward, hiding his expression. Only his eerie laughter could be heard. "Can you really withstand this? A strike from the divine?"


    Ra''s fiery explosion engulfed Jonouchi''s Gilford and consumed him as well.


    "Offer your life to the god!"


    "Ahhhhhh!" A scream of agony, unlike anything heard before, erupted from Jonouchi as he was consumed by the divine flames.


    "Onii-chan!"


    "Jonouchi!"


    Unable to bear it any longer, Hoshino turned to Kaiba. "Kaiba, this isn''t a normal duel! Stop this, now!"


    Kaiba, arms crossed, sternly replied, "A true duelist, once they step onto this battlefield, would consider calling a halt to be the ultimate insult."


    "What''s wrong with the people in this world?!" For the first time, Hoshino began to despise the absurd rules of this world. She could feel it clearly: the intense divine energy was far beyond what any human could endure.


    This was different from the duel with Odion¡ªthis was the full force of the real Winged Dragon of Ra. If Marik continued to attack, Jonouchi could very well die.


    "Girl, calm down..." sensing Hoshino''s emotional turmoil, the evil god whispered, "Your friend hasn''t given up yet. Now''s not the time to lose your composure."


    "Ahhhhhh!" Struggling with all his might within the flames, Jonouchi clenched his fists so tightly that blood seeped between his fingers, only to be instantly dried by the fire.


    "Burn! Burn to ashes!" Marik''s manic laughter echoed, his expression twisting further.


    Finally, unable to withstand the searing heat, Gilford shattered and was destroyed.


    [Gilford the Lightning ¨C Destroyed]


    As Gilford was destroyed, the flames surrounding Jonouchi''s body slowly dissipated.


    "It''s over. An Immortal Phoenix''s attack is not something a mere mortal can endure!" Marik smirked confidently, removing his Duel Disk as if victory were assured.


    [Warning! Forcefully removing your Duel Disk during a duel will result in an automatic loss!]


    "What?!" Marik froze for a moment and then looked across the field. "Could it be...?"


    As the divine attack ended, the entire arena was shrouded in white smoke from the intense heat, including Jonouchi''s charred body. Yet, despite everything¡ªeven with his body steaming from the heat and his spirit nearly shattered¡ªJonouchi remained standing.


    "Surviving a God''s attack?" Kaiba''s eyes were filled with disbelief.


    "Jonouchi, well done!" Honda and Anzu, nearly in tears, cheered loudly.


    "What kind of willpower is this?" Hoshino trembled, seeing him still standing after such a devastating assault.


    "Impossible! This can''t be happening!" Marik, sweating profusely, showed signs of panic for the first time.


    "Why?! Could his willpower really surpass the power of a God?"


    "Hah... hah... hah..." Jonouchi, his body still smoking, mustered the last of his strength to let out a laugh. "I...Draw!"


    "... And summon... [Gearfried the Iron Knight]..."


    "Go for it, Jonouchi!"


    "Show him the spirit of a true duelist!"


    "Deliver the final blow to Marik!"


    "Do your best, Onii-chan!"


    Amid the crowd''s fervent cheers, Kaiba finally realized, "This fool is actually about to defeat Marik... and defeat a God?"


    "Gearfried... Final attack..." As Jonouchi gave the final attack command, he exhaled deeply.


    ".. I did it... I finally won... I can finally duel you two properly..."


    As Gearfried''s attack neared, Marik''s expression twisted further. "Me? Lose to a nobody? Impossible! This can''t be happening!"


    "No, girl, it''s no use! He''s at his limit!" the evil god urgently reminded. "Your friend''s willpower can''t hold on any longer. If this continues, he''ll die!"


    At that moment, Jonouchi collapsed, and the card of Gearfried the Iron Knight slipped off his Duel Disk.


    "Damn it! We were so close!" Hoshino clenched her fists in frustration. She had wanted to intervene and stop this duel long ago. But Jonouchi had shown her the true resolve of a duelist. Even as a so-called ordinary person, he had stood against the might of a god.


    Swiftly brandishing the Millennium Bracelet, Hoshino traced a golden arc through the air. "Medea Lily, hurry!"


    "Yes, Master!" The materialized Medea immediately sensed the dire state of Jonouchi''s life force. Without waiting for further instructions, the petite blue figure cast her Noble Phantasm.


    "Pain Breaker!"


    A soothing light of restoration gently enveloped Jonouchi''s fallen form. Pulled back from the very edge of death, he was saved by this tender radiance.


    "Onii-chan!" Shizuka, crying, rushed to her brother, joined by the others who surrounded the unconscious Jonouchi.


    "Urgh¡ª!" On the other side of the field, Marik retched uncontrollably. The thought that he had almost lost to Jonouchi¡ªan unbearable humiliation¡ªwas more than he could handle.


    "Damn it! Just a nobody! Don''t get too cocky!"


    "Marik!" Hoshino, who had stayed back instead of rushing to Jonouchi, knew that after Medea''s Noble Phantasm, his life was no longer in danger.


    Smack!


    A crisp, heavy slap landed on Marik''s twisted face. Hoshino, standing in front of him, couldn''t think of another way to vent the anger boiling inside her. This slap was the only way she could express it.


    "I swear, I will never, ever forgive you!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 235 - 235

    "Hoshino Chiyuki?" Marik tilted his head, momentarily stunned by the unexpected slap.


    Despite the stinging blow, Marik didn''t appear angry. Instead, his expression twisted into something far more unnerving.


    "Thank you," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. The idea that Ishizu''s strategies couldn''t defeat Hoshino had been beyond his expectations.


    "Heh heh... hahaha! You''re truly fascinating. First, you helped me get rid of that annoying Odion, and now you''ve eliminated my troublesome sister. I really don''t know what to say¡ªthank you!"


    Hoshino rubbed her numb hand, her gaze filled with contempt. "Being thanked by scum like you is nothing short of an insult."


    "An insult?" Marik chuckled darkly, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "Heh, I''m starting to see it now¡ªyou and I are the same. A so-called accomplice. Gahahaha!"


    Marik laughed as he turned and walked off the platform, feeling Hoshino''s furious glare boring into his back. He left her with one final remark:


    "You think you''re fighting the darkness, but you''re merely walking alongside it."


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Jonouchi, wake up! Hey! Jonouchi!" Honda shook Jonouchi by the collar, calling out anxiously.


    Anzu quickly grabbed Honda, trying to calm him. "Honda, stop! Don''t shake him like that!"


    Although Anzu understood Honda''s feelings, shaking an injured person could only make things worse. "Let''s wait quietly for the medics to arrive. Mokuba has already contacted the medical team."


    The fact that a dueling airship had onboard medics almost felt like Kaiba Corporation indirectly admitting that Duel Monsters was a high-risk game.


    "Onii-chan! QAQ!" Shizuka knelt beside Jonouchi, tears streaming down her face.


    Quietly approaching, Hoshino crouched down to examine the unconscious Jonouchi.


    Instead of using the Duel Disk as a medium, Medea had directly summoned her Noble Phantasm through the Millennium Bracelet. A single Pain Breaker should have been enough to save even someone on the brink of death.


    ¡ªNo matter the curse or magical injury, it could be healed. It didn''t reverse time but restored the recipient to their original state through precise calculations. To onlookers, it appeared as if time had rewound. Anything but death could be overcome.


    After examining him closely, Hoshino concluded: "You''re already awake, aren''t you, Jonouchi?"


    Yugi blinked in surprise. "What are you saying, Hoshino?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? He''s just too embarrassed about losing so badly and is pretending to be unconscious to avoid facing everyone."


    "Hoshino?" Shizuka, though hesitant to believe it, desperately hoped Hoshino was right. Pretending to be unconscious out of embarrassment was far less concerning than truly being unresponsive.


    "Is that true, Jonouchi?" Mai asked tentatively, pinching Jonouchi''s arm lightly.


    The faint flutter of his eyelashes immediately gave him away.


    "Jo¡ª¡ªnou¡ª¡ªchi!" His friends'' pent-up frustration exploded as they swarmed him, delivering a "discipline session" with no mercy.


    "I''m gonna die, I''m really gonna die this time!" Jonouchi cried out, springing to his feet in desperation.


    "Thank goodness, Onii-chan is okay!" Shizuka, the little angel, burst into laughter through her tears upon seeing her brother standing.


    Anzu scolded him, "Why would you pretend to be unconscious and worry us like that? Honestly, Jonouchi, you''re such an idiot!" Despite her words, her face radiated relief rather than anger.


    Jonouchi scratched his head awkwardly. "I thought I was really dead."


    "Dead?" Shizuka tilted her head in confusion.


    "When I fell, I saw this really wide river, and there was an old man on a boat telling me it was the River Styx, and that it was time to move on."


    "You''re lying, aren''t you, Jonouchi? You''re just making this up!" Honda exclaimed, unconvinced.


    "I''m telling the truth!" Jonouchi insisted.


    "Then, just as I was about to step onto the boat, an angel in strange clothes pulled me back. And she said..."


    "What did she say? Don''t keep us in suspense!" Anzu urged, her curiosity piqued.


    "She said... ''You''re already awake, aren''t you, Jonouchi?'' And then I woke up."


    "Liar! Get him!" Honda promptly chopped Jonouchi on the head, convinced he''d made up the story after overhearing Hoshino.


    Jonouchi clutched his head in protest. "I''m not lying, I swear!"


    When he glanced at Hoshino, his eyes widened in shock. "Wait! The angel with the strange clothes¡ªit''s her! Oh, wait... it''s just Hoshino."


    With a smirk, Hoshino lifted the hem of her ridiculously long dress and twirled gracefully. "So, do I really look like an angel?"


    Jonouchi replied earnestly, "Not really, but your clothes are weird."


    Hoshino immediately joined the group in pummeling Jonouchi.


    "Enough of this nonsense!" Kaiba, who had been watching silently, finally stepped in. "The tournament isn''t over yet!"


    Yugi nodded. "He''s right. There''s still Kaiba and Ishizu''s duel!"


    "Ishizu..." Hoshino suddenly remembered. Ishizu was likely still passed out in her room.


    Pouting, Hoshino lied, "Ishizu told me earlier she''s forfeiting and won''t be participating anymore."


    "Good. That means I win!" Although Hoshino''s expression clearly suggested she was hiding something, Kaiba didn''t question her and immediately declared himself the victor.


    "And with that, the Battle City quarterfinals are officially over! The semifinals will take place tomorrow when the airship arrives at the next destination!"


    "Why is Kaiba so lucky? He didn''t even have to fight!" Jonouchi grumbled, still battered and bruised.


    Kaiba raised his head proudly, gazing at the endless night sky with his usual arrogance. "Even if we had dueled, the victor would have been me!"


    "No, if you had dueled, you probably would have lost miserably," Hoshino muttered to herself.


    (***)


    [Duelist ranking evaluation complete. Duelist Ishizu Ishtar, Duelist Rank: A. Saint Quartz Reward: 60 pieces. Remaining Saint Quartz: 80 pieces.]


    [Detected: Duelist No. 001, Hoshino Chiyuki, has won a Shadow Game. Reward: 1 SSR Exclusive Summoning Ticket.]


    "That rating for Ishizu feels a bit underwhelming," Hoshino mused, resting her chin on her hand while sitting on the bed. Considering the power level of Exchange of the Spirit, it did feel a bit low. However, it might have been due to Ishizu not fully utilizing the card''s potential in the duel.


    "Well, for now¡­ Gacha time."


    [Detected: SSR Exclusive Summoning Ticket in possession. SSR Banner.]


    "Use the ticket to summon!"


    [Confirming¡­]


    With practiced ease, Hoshino completed the sequence: spend currency, draw cards, and prepare for the worst-case scenario. Although with an exclusive SSR summoning ticket, there was no risk of a "bad pull." Even her previously blank card had ended up imprinting itself with the design of Ozymandias, originally existing in this world. An SSR ticket was, without a doubt, reliable.


    "Bwahahahahahaha!"


    "Not again with this laugh¡­" Hoshino''s eye twitched. It felt like her surroundings had recently been overrun by these infectious, maniacal laughs.


    From Gilgamesh in the day to Ozymandias in the evening, and now this before bed. Hoshino was confident she''d have nightmares tonight¡­


    ¡ªA nightmare where she was surrounded by the Smiling Servant of Chaldea, forced to endure their laughter on repeat.


    The card in Hoshino''s hand depicted the now silent Count of Monte Cristo, his face stern. "An accomplice!? That sort of person dares call themselves your accomplice¡­ How preposterous!"


    "An accomplice?" Hoshino tilted her head, trying to recall. "Oh, you mean Marik, right?"


    "Listen carefully! On this path of revenge burning with hatred and resentment, I am your only rightful accomplice!"


    Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly. "Um¡­ Is ''accomplice'' that important of a title?"


    "Of course it is!"


    "Fine, fine. From now on, I''ll recognize you as my one and only accomplice!"


    "Kuahahaha! Then, accomplice, let us send that person on their way together next time¡ªwith the lethal, poisonous black flames!"


    As expected of an Avenger-class Heroic Spirit, holding grudges seemed to be standard behavior¡­ as well as the tsundere attitude.


    After storing the Count''s card, Hoshino decided to exit the Banner despite still having remaining Quartz.


    "Now then¡­"


    Due to the constant duels during Battle City, Hoshino had summoned quite a few new Heroic Spirits recently. However, no matter how much her roster expanded, a single deck could only hold around 40 cards in a duel.


    With the finals approaching, while summoning new "waifus" was certainly tempting, the priority had to be strengthening the deck overall.


    [Open Card Strengthening System¡ª] sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This rarely-used system, created by Da Vinci under the guise of "assisting" Hoshino, was really just a clever way to drain her resources. Cough¡­ Correction: it was designed to help her enhance her cards for further breakthroughs when used as Duel Monsters.


    For just 30 Quartz, she could reliably boost a card''s power. While the degree of improvement was RNG, it was certainly better than risking a bad gacha pull, making it ideal for this "unlucky" Master to enhance her deck before the finals.


    "Alright, time to choose which card to strengthen¡­" Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Hoshino swayed slightly as she thought it over.


    The sound of running water from the bathroom signaled Akasha was finishing her bath. Judging by the time, she was probably lathering shampoo over her petite, egg-white, silky skin.


    "Gotta hurry~" Hoshino had already decided on the perfect candidate: a frequently used card in her duels that lacked the necessary strength, making it a prime choice for a breakthrough.


    "It''s decided! Limit Break!"


    ...


    "You spent such valuable resources on me, Master!"


    Saber Lily looked on, her face touched, as the name on her card shone with a newly gilded finish.


    "Even though I''m still just an inexperienced knight, thanks to you, I now have the confidence to believe in my sword! To repay your expectations, I''ll make sure to grow stronger! Fight!"


    Seeing Lily psych herself up, Hoshino couldn''t help but feel she was an angel incarnate. Such a pure-hearted waifu was truly soothing for the soul.


    Hoshino let out a small sigh. "Compared to those Servants who go ''HAHAHA!'' all the time, you''re definitely way more adorable, Lily~"


    "Hoshino-nee, I''m coming out! If you''re doing anything weird, you''ve got five seconds to wrap it up!" Akasha''s dreamy voice echoed from the bathroom.


    Hurriedly stashing her cards, Hoshino, despite having done nothing wrong, found herself inexplicably flustered.


    "Why is it every time I come out, you''re staring at your cards?" Akasha, hair wrapped in a towel, gave a puzzled look. Staring at the backs of cards absentmindedly was definitely odd behavior.


    Akasha''s question made Hoshino recall how her father used to barge into her room, prompting her to instantly minimize her computer window.


    ("Why are you always staring at your computer wallpaper, Chiyuki?"


    "Because¡­ it''s nice to look at¡­")


    "You''re not up to something pervy, are you, Hoshino-nee?" Akasha teased as she leaned closer, her shampoo-scented presence overwhelming Hoshino. "Blow-dry my hair for me!"


    Knock, knock, knock¡ª!


    Suddenly, a gentle knock on the door interrupted Akasha''s whining.


    "This late at night? Who could it be?"


    Hoshino, ever vigilant, gestured for Akasha to stay quiet as she tiptoed to the door to peek through the peephole.


    "This¡­ doesn''t make sense." A nervous sweat formed on her brow as Hoshino recognized Ishizu waiting anxiously outside.


    "She was supposed to be unconscious all day. How is she already awake?"


    But after a moment''s thought, Hoshino realized there was nothing to fear if it was just Ishizu.


    After all, all she had done was secretly take Ishizu''s card, Exchange of the Spirit, and, oh, lied about her to forfeit her last match in the quarterfinals.


    "¡­Okay, that''s pretty bad. Maybe I should just pretend to be asleep."


    Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock¡ª!


    The soft knocking grew increasingly urgent. Judging by Ishizu''s persistence, feigning sleep wasn''t going to work.


    Swallowing nervously, Hoshino cracked the door open, poking her head out timidly.


    "Heh, heh¡­ Oh! Ishizu, you''re up so early! Wouldn''t it be better to rest a bit longer?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 236 - 236

    "Can I come in and talk, Hoshino?"


    Seeing Hoshino''s head peeking through the crack in the door, Ishizu asked softly.


    "Uh, Sure...come in."


    Feeling guilty, Hoshino couldn''t muster any confidence and reluctantly withdrew her head, opening the door completely.


    Ishizu nodded slightly as she stepped inside, her expression calm and devoid of anger.


    "Wow, it''s the pretty lady who looks a lot like Marik-nii! Good evening!"


    Akasha, sitting on the bed, greeted Ishizu enthusiastically as she entered.


    "Good evening," Ishizu replied with a gentle smile, then turned her gaze to Hoshino. She paused for a moment before speaking slowly.


    "Hoshino¡­"


    "I''m sorry!"


    Hoshino clasped her hands together in front of her, preemptively apologizing.


    "I''m so sorry for saying that you forfeited. I really thought you wouldn''t wake up today."


    Ishizu was momentarily taken aback by Hoshino''s sudden and rapid apology.


    "I wasn''t planning to blame you for that," Ishizu said, shaking her head. "I lost the Shadow Game. Even though I used some tricks to wake up earlier, I wouldn''t have made it to the final duel in time anyway. Besides¡­"


    Her smile turned slightly mischievous. "Without Exchange of the Spirit in my deck, there''s no way I could have beaten Kaiba, right?"


    "Cough, cough, cough!" Busted. Everything was exposed¡ªeven the part about secretly taking her card. It seemed tonight''s visit really was about settling scores.


    It was all that little evil god''s fault, whispering things like, "Take it¡ªshe lost, so why not take it?" And now the consequences had arrived. Feeling guilty, Hoshino hung her head low.


    "Pfft~" Ishizu chuckled, amused by Hoshino''s guilty and adorable demeanor. Her gaze softened as she looked at her.


    "Hoshino, I hope you always stay this way and never lose that kindness in your heart."


    "Huh?" Hoshino cautiously lifted her head and saw Ishizu gazing at her warmly.


    "I''m not here to ask for the card back. I hope you''ll use it well¡ªit will definitely help you in future battles."


    "Eh? Then why are you here?"


    Now that her wrongdoings had been forgiven, Hoshino no longer felt the need to put on the pitiful act.


    Ishizu''s expression turned serious as she placed her hands over the Millennium Necklace around her neck.


    "After the duel ended, I completely lost the ability to see the future. Even the vague visions I could previously perceive have disappeared entirely."


    "Lost the ability to see the future? Did it break?"


    Hoshino thought back to the duel''s conclusion. The beam from Okitan''s move had pierced through the Millennium Necklace. But she didn''t believe a virtual projection could actually damage a Millennium Item.


    (Unless it was Grandpa destroying the Millennium Eye¡ªthat was on a whole other level.)


    Ishizu shook her head. "There shouldn''t be anything wrong with the Millennium Necklace. The issue lies with me¡ªthe wielder. I''ve lost my clarity and the qualification to foresee the future."


    "You''ve lost your clarity?"


    Resolving herself, Ishizu removed the Millennium Necklace from her neck and handed it to Hoshino.


    "This¡­"


    Hoshino blinked, a strand of hair on her head curling into a question mark as she stared at the artifact in her hands.


    "Hoshino, please¡­ I beg of you, save my brother!" Ishizu clasped Hoshino''s hands, her voice trembling.


    "?!"


    Remembering Marik reignited a fiery anger within Hoshino.


    "After everything he''s done, you still expect someone else to save him?"


    Pulling her hands free, Hoshino sternly continued, "Aren''t you being way too lenient as an elder sister?"


    "It''s not like that. Marik isn''t inherently evil. He''s just been rebelling against the fate of the Tomb Keepers," Ishizu explained, her tone carrying a hint of grievance.


    "At the cost of innocent lives?"


    Hoshino thought of Rowick, Akasha, Jonouchi, and all the others whose lives had been destroyed by Marik''s darkness. If that was Marik''s idea of rebellion, then who was fighting for the people he hurt?


    "It''s not like that! He was influenced by his dark personality¡­"


    "Sorry, Ishizu, but your request is selfish, and I can''t agree to it," Hoshino interrupted firmly.


    If it was just about being influenced by the dark personalities of the Millennium Items, Hoshino had seen others who carried the same burden¡ª


    Bakura, despite his mischief, still had his limits.


    Pegasus, even under the Millennium Eye''s influence, had cared for homeless children.


    By comparison, Marik''s inner and outer personalities were equally dark. The only difference was that the inner one didn''t bother hiding it.


    "I''ll defeat Marik and stop his plans. But saving him isn''t my responsibility."


    Considering the strength of Marik''s Shadow Games, Hoshino suspected they''d be like the last one against Jonouchi¡ªlosing meant death.


    "This is a battle where people stake their lives. So please, go back."


    Hoshino''s resolute attitude left no room for further argument. Reading the atmosphere, Ishizu''s eyes glistened with tears.


    "I see¡­ I was too na?ve. Such an immature request insults the life-risking duels you all undertake."


    "Then, Hoshino, please stop Marik. Even if my brother cannot be saved, I don''t want to see his sins deepen further." Leaving the Millennium Necklace behind, Ishizu wiped the corners of her eyes, turned, and walked out of the room.


    "Marik''s dark personality has no purpose or plan, only a pure desire for destruction. His soul resonates more closely with the dark resentment of the Millennium Items, allowing him to fully unleash the true power of the Winged Dragon of Ra. Hoshino, you must be very careful." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With this final warning, Ishizu left Hoshino''s room.


    Holding the now dim Millennium Necklace, Hoshino reflected on the decision she had made in anger.


    "Akasha, do you think my choice was the right one?"


    "What kind of answer does Hoshino want to hear?" Akasha, wearing an innocent smile that seemed to see through everything, responded.


    "You''re just a kid¡ªwhy do you talk like an old lady?"


    Laughing, Hoshino lightly patted Akasha on the head before rolling into bed.


    "Sleep, sleep! I need to recharge for tomorrow~"


    "Ugh, dry my hair for me, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha pouted, tugging at Hoshino''s arm.


    "Mature ladies like Akasha-chan should learn to dry their own hair~" Hoshino teased, lying back on the bed with her eyes closed.


    "You''re so mean!" Akasha grumbled, hopping off the bed to obediently pick up the hairdryer.


    "But no matter what answer Hoshino-nee wants, I will always say I believe in your choice!"


    (***)


    Morning


    The sun hadn''t yet fully risen above the horizon. The once-dark ocean was slowly transforming into a clear blue, reflecting the faint rays of sunlight.


    "You guys, stop laughing already!"


    Even in her sleep, Hoshino''s expression was one of extreme distress.


    "Hoshino, you''re holding on too tight!"


    Similarly, Akasha''s face contorted in discomfort, though she seemed to still be dreaming.


    Boom!


    Without warning, the airship shook violently, sending both of them tumbling out of bed.


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch!"


    Having landed hard on the floor, Hoshino rubbed her head in confusion. Then she noticed Akasha, who was using her as a cushion, still sound asleep.


    Boom! Bang! Duang!


    A series of intense tremors followed. If they weren''t on an airship, Hoshino would have sworn they were experiencing an earthquake.


    "Clap, clap!" She lightly patted Akasha''s soft cheeks rhythmically, calling out, "Akasha-chan, wake up! Something''s wrong!"


    "Five more minutes¡­" Akasha mumbled softly, shifting her position slightly on Hoshino and continuing to sleep.


    Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!


    "That''s so mean, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha, now awake with a flushed face, looked up at her with a gaze full of resentment.


    Using the bedframe for support, Hoshino struggled to stand as the unnatural shaking continued. "If I didn''t wake you up, you might never wake up again."


    To be honest, this was Hoshino''s first time on an airship, and she had no idea about its safety. Still, assuming the worst, if the airship was really about to crash, it was best to prepare to survive.


    "Seriously, if this thing goes down, I''m never dealing with Kaiba again!" she muttered. "Why insist on creating something as outrageous as the Sky Duel Arena? Now it''s backfired. Better to stay away from someone with such reckless ideas."


    Carefully leaning against the wall for balance, Hoshino opened the door to find her companions already gathered in the hallway.


    .


    ..


    ...


    Yugi: "What''s going on?"


    Anzu: "Is the airship going to crash?"


    Mai: "Kaiba! Does he even know what he''s doing?"


    It seemed no one understood the situation. Amidst their complaints, the airship''s violent shaking gradually subsided.


    Finding his balance, Jonouchi immediately dashed off. "I''m heading to the control room to see what kind of nonsense Kaiba''s up to!"


    "Wait, Jonouchi, it''s dangerous to go alone!" Anzu, supporting Shizuka, shouted after him.


    "He''s right. Let''s follow him!" Hoshino surprisingly agreed with Jonouchi''s impulsive decision. "Better than standing around clueless. Besides, giving Kaiba a piece of our mind sounds good right now."


    .


    ..


    ...


    Control Room


    "Kaiba! Get out here!" Jonouchi roared as he kicked open the door.


    "Shizuka and Hoshino are still on this airship! What if they got hurt from all that shaking?!"


    "Shut up, loser!" Kaiba, arms crossed, stared out the window with a scowl.


    "What''s going on, Kaiba? Did we reach our destination?" Hoshino asked, following his gaze.


    Without turning, Kaiba replied, "We should''ve arrived by now, but the airship''s control system was just hacked."


    "Hacked? Wait, what''s that outside?!"


    Hoshino gasped. Outside the window was an island littered with ruins. In stark contrast, a pristine tower stood tall in the center of the island.


    "That''s Death-T Island, the site of my foster father, Gozaburo Kaiba''s, weapons manufacturing business under Kaiba Corporation. After Gozaburo''s death, I inherited Kaiba Corporation and shifted its focus to games and toys."


    "Wow, we just asked what that was, and you go into an info dump. But¡­" Hoshino tilted her head. "Switching to games and toys is great¡ªit''s a much better business than weapons."


    "Hmph," Kaiba smirked slightly. "And that tower on the island? It''s my proof of surpassing Gozaburo Kaiba and stepping over his legacy."


    "But why is this happening now¡­" Kaiba muttered, frowning. "Could it be Gozaburo''s ghost trying to stop me from approaching the island?"


    "Well done, Seto!"


    "Ah!"


    The sudden voice from the airship''s monitor startled Mokuba, who had been inspecting the control systems.


    The previously inactive monitor flickered to life, displaying a green-haired boy with a hairstyle similar to Kaiba''s.


    "Who are you?!" Kaiba shouted angrily, realizing this was the culprit.


    Unfazed, the boy on the monitor spoke calmly, "How cold, Seto. You''re just a stand-in, yet you dare act so arrogant in front of the true heir of Kaiba Corporation."


    "The true heir?" Hoshino tilted her head in confusion.


    "I am Noah Kaiba! Gozaburo Kaiba''s biological son¡ªcompletely different from you, a mere adopted child!" The boy, Noah, glared at Kaiba with murderous intent.


    "Hmph, Gozaburo''s son died at age 10. You can''t fool me!" Kaiba scoffed, dismissing the idea of ghosts as unscientific nonsense.


    "Yes, I should''ve died. But Father transferred my consciousness into Kaiba Corp.''s military AI system. Now, I exist only as data."


    "What?!"


    Kaiba''s usual confidence wavered as he grasped the scientific plausibility of Noah''s claim.


    "Hahahahaha! Don''t be nervous! Soon, I''ll invite all the duelists on this airship to my undersea fortress for a thrilling and exciting game!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 237 - 237

    "Again?!"


    Another familiar tremor hit, causing Hoshino to stumble. She looked on in disbelief at Kaiba, who stood perfectly still with his arms crossed, his stance synchronized with the shaking as if it were nothing.


    Mokuba frantically worked the control panel, his fingers flying over the keys, but nothing seemed to help. "Big Brother! The airship¡ªit''s heading towards¡­"


    "The ocean!"


    "What do you mean, heading towards the ocean?!" Hoshino couldn''t help but retort. "If we''re going to crash, just say so! Who are you fooling with this nonsense?"


    "No, look at the ocean, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha, somehow still able to jump up and peer out the window despite the violent shaking, pointed outside.


    Hoshino, realizing her earlier worry about Akasha had been unnecessary, followed her gaze. Emerging from the sea was a massive structure, throwing up towering waves as it rose.


    The pitch-black building, reinforced with thick outer armor, looked exactly like the fortress Hoshino had imagined in her worst nightmares.


    "So this is the underwater fortress Noah mentioned?"


    "To think such a huge base was hidden beneath the waters near Death-T Island¡­ Noah Kaiba!" Kaiba growled through clenched teeth, helplessly watching as his airship was slowly guided into the fortress through a massive opening.


    .


    ..


    ...


    Inside the Fortress


    The spacious interior of the fortress was coated with barnacles and seaweed, clear evidence of its prolonged disuse in the damp underwater environment. It hardly seemed like a place where anyone could live, and Hoshino refused to believe otherwise.


    Noah''s voice echoed once again:


    "Welcome to my abode~ Though I lack a physical body, the facilities here have gone unused."


    "What''s going on now?" Jonouchi asked, scanning their surroundings as the airship finally came to a halt.


    This time, Noah''s voice emanated from the fortress itself rather than the airship.


    "Now, I ask everyone to disembark~"


    "You think we''ll just get off because you said so?!" Jonouchi, frustrated, raised his fist toward the empty fortress.


    Whirr¡ª


    The sound of mechanical movement echoed ominously through the space.


    "Look out, Jonouchi!" Hoshino, sensing danger, shouted a warning.


    A burst of gunfire erupted as mounted guns inside the fortress fired in Jonouchi''s direction. The bullets shattered the control room''s glass with ease.


    Jonouchi, having stepped back just in time thanks to Hoshino''s warning, stared in shock at the bullet holes riddling the spot where he had been standing moments earlier.


    "Oniichan!" Shizuka cried out in fear.


    Jonouchi quickly reassured her, "I''m fine! Don''t come over here, Shizuka!"


    "Jonouchi, it''s better not to act recklessly in this situation. Let''s follow his instructions for now and get off the airship," Hoshino suggested, her tone steady as she lightly shook her wrist, where a bracelet was secured.


    If things spiraled out of control, she wasn''t sure how much power remained in the bracelet, but she knew she would act if necessary.


    Though Noah ordered everyone to disembark, only those gathered in the control room complied. Marik, Ishizu, and the unconscious Odion were notably absent.


    "Now, let me introduce some old friends who''ve been eagerly awaiting you."


    Blinding lights illuminated the cavernous space, dividing the abandoned fortress into two starkly contrasting worlds.


    "Hahaha! Long time no see, Seto Kaiba!"


    The voice, dripping with sly malice, was eerily familiar to Hoshino.


    "The Big Five?! You''re still alive?!" Kaiba''s expression hardened in shock as he recognized the voices.


    "The Big Five?!" Hoshino echoed, the name resurfacing in her memory after Kaiba''s reaction. "Aren''t they the ones who sacrificed their souls to the Five-Headed Dragon in the VR world? Weren''t they sealed away in that place?"


    Five middle-aged men of varying builds stepped out from the illuminated space. Their leader spoke smugly:


    "Thanks to Lord Noah, of course. Though our bodies were completely destroyed, our consciousness was extracted and digitized."


    "So your bodies were destroyed¡­" Kaiba began.


    "Exactly," Noah interrupted smoothly. "This is the virtual projection system you pride yourself on, Seto, but it''s far more advanced than you think~"


    As Noah continued, the Big Five chimed in: "Next, we''ll invite you into a world that surpasses the system you designed¡ªa true virtual world!"


    Kaiba''s eyes widened. "A true virtual world?!"


    The space around them warped and twisted, transforming the abandoned fortress into an entirely new environment. Sunlight, beaches, and lush vegetation suddenly appeared, creating the illusion of a deserted island.


    "This¡­ is a virtual projection? It feels like a real world!" Hoshino marveled, noting the stark difference from the VR game chambers they had used in the past. Unlike those chambers, this environment didn''t require external devices¡ªa complete world had unfolded before their eyes.


    "Now we''ll play a fun little game," Noah declared, his voice still disembodied. "Seto, your favorite: Duel Monsters!"


    "Duel Monsters?" Kaiba smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Noah, do you seriously think these pathetic lackeys of yours can defeat me, Seto Kaiba, in a duel?"


    "Ha! You''ll find out after the duel!" The Big Five grinned smugly, their sinister intentions evident.


    "In this virtual world, we''ll be using the Deck Master rules. The details will be explained during the duel!"


    The Big Five added, "But one thing must be clear: everyone must duel, and if you lose, we''ll take your body in the real world!"


    "Our bodies will be taken?!" The thought of her body being possessed by these grotesque men made Hoshino recoil in horror.


    "Now, enjoy this death game where you gamble your bodies!"


    At Noah''s command, the scenery shattered like glass. The virtual world seemed to expand infinitely, and Hoshino felt the distance between her and her companions growing wider.


    "What''s happening?!" Hoshino exclaimed as the fractured space reassembled itself. Though she hadn''t physically moved, it felt as though she had been transported to a completely different location.


    Looking around, she realized only Anzu and Shizuka were with her.


    "Hoshino, where are we?" Shizuka asked nervously.


    "And where are the others?" Anzu added, her voice trembling slightly.


    Hoshino carefully observed their surroundings before answering. "It seems they grouped us together. Was it intentional or just a coincidence?"


    "That''s great, with Hoshino here!" Anzu let out a sigh of relief, clearly reassured to have Hoshino by her side.


    The surroundings had shifted from a deserted island to a vast, snow-white ice field. Despite the icy appearance, the virtual world''s oddity made it so they couldn''t feel the cold.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll protect you both!" Hoshino declared, thumping her chest in a gesture of confidence. Though she hadn''t fully grasped the situation herself, she could see that Anzu and Shizuka, who lacked combat abilities, were feeling far more uneasy.


    Playing the role of a knight in shining armor wasn''t too bad for once, though Hoshino figured she could probably count herself as part of the "damsel in distress" she was protecting.


    "Good, my deck''s still here," Hoshino muttered, relieved as she patted the card box at her waist before inserting her deck into the duel disk mounted on her arm.


    Wait¡ªwhere did the duel disks come from? Just like last time in the VR game world, as soon as they entered the virtual realm, duel disks had automatically appeared on their arms. This wasn''t unique to Hoshino¡ªeven Anzu and Shizuka had them.


    "Oh? You brought your own deck? How interesting," an aged, steady voice echoed, and one of the Five Great Executives appeared before the trio.


    "Lord Noah even went to the trouble of gathering card data from the KaibaCorp archives to provide decks for those without one, ensuring everyone could duel."


    Seeing the first opponent finally make an appearance, Hoshino quickly activated her duel disk, ready for battle. "No need for that¡ªI can take down a small fry like you all by myself!"


    The man before her, appearing to be the eldest of the Big Five, seemed close to a grandfatherly age. For some reason, Hoshino felt an immediate and inexplicable aversion to him¡ªprobably because...


    "Humph, humph! As long as I can take your body, my years-long dream can finally come true," the old man said with a disgusting laugh, confirming Hoshino''s suspicions.


    "Ugh..." A shiver ran down Hoshino''s spine as she instinctively took a step back. That was exactly why she found this old man so repulsive.


    "At long last, I can have the wonderful body of a high school girl!"


    Yep, that was it. Deliberately grouping the three high school girls together and targeting their bodies could only mean this old man was a complete and utter creep. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I am Adrian Randolph Crump III, former head of HR at KaibaCorp, age 55! I''ve dreamed of being reborn as a cute high school girl, and I am forever grateful to Lord Noah for giving me this chance!"


    "Disgusting! Go away!" Shizuka screamed in horror, clinging to Anzu, utterly unprepared to deal with such high-level perversion.


    Hoshino and Anzu weren''t exactly seasoned at handling this kind of situation either.


    "I won''t let you get away with this, you disgusting old creep!" Hoshino exclaimed, stepping forward to shield Anzu and Shizuka.


    "I will risk my life to stop you!"


    This wasn''t an exaggeration¡ªshe''d rather die than let her body be taken over by someone so vile.


    "Very well, then let''s duel! Deck Master Mode, activate!" Crump declared, powering up his duel disk.


    "Deck Master?" Hoshino asked, puzzled. Although Noah had mentioned the Deck Master rules earlier, he hadn''t elaborated on how they worked.


    "First, designate your Deck Master!" Crump drew a card from his deck and held it up.


    "My Deck Master is: [Nightmare Penguin]!"


    A massive penguin in a suit and bowler hat materialized behind Crump, exuding an ominous presence.


    Looking at her own deck, Hoshino scratched her head. "Designate a Deck Master, huh?" Without understanding what a Deck Master even was, she had no idea how to choose.


    "Alright, I''ll leave it to fate!" With no other choice, Hoshino drew the top card from her deck. At times like these, it was best to trust in her deck.


    "Master, I''m just a second-rate knight. Are you sure I''m fit to be the Deck Master?" The newly materialized Saber Lily looked nervously at Hoshino after being chosen.


    Hoshino clenched her fists encouragingly. "It''s fine! I trust you, Lily! Didn''t you say last night that you wanted to grow stronger? This is your golden opportunity!"


    "If you believe in me that much, Master..." Lily tightened her grip on her holy sword, her gaze firming with determination.


    "I''ll make sure not to let you down as your Deck Master!"


    "Ah, what a cute choice for a Deck Master¡ªvery fitting for a high school girl," Crump sneered, his gaze lingering unpleasantly on the serious Saber Lily standing protectively behind Hoshino.


    "But my Nightmare Penguin is no slouch either. Let''s begin the duel!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki VS Adrian Randolph Crump III]


    [Duel!]


    Crump drew his cards first. "Allow me to explain the effects of Deck Masters as I take the first move!"


    "First, I summon [Flying Penguin] in Attack Position!"


    [Flying Penguin ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WATER][Aqua][ATK 1200/DEF 1000]


    A penguin with oversized, floppy ears flapped them, hovering awkwardly in mid-air.


    Looking at the monster in front of her, Hoshino couldn''t help but smirk. "Bringing out such a weak monster with no effects... seems like the Big Five aren''t all that impressive."


    "Next, I activate [Nightmare Penguin]''s Deck Master effect to Special Summon it in Defense Position!"


    Without any visible action from Crump, another penguin appeared on his field.


    [Nightmare Penguin ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WATER][Aqua/Effect][ATK 900/DEF 1800]


    "This is one of the features of Deck Masters!"


    [¢Ù: Deck Masters can be Special Summoned directly to the field.]


    "So that''s how it works," Anzu commented, a bit regretfully. "If Hoshino had picked a high-level monster as her leader, it would''ve been even better."


    "Don''t worry, Anzu! I have full confidence in Lily''s ability to be a great Deck Master!" Hoshino said confidently. If her opponent hadn''t chosen a high-level monster either, then Deck Leaders must have unique traits that went beyond raw power.


    "Here''s the second feature of Deck Masters!"


    [¢Ú: Deck Masters have unique abilities, different from the original card effects.]


    "The Deck Master ability of Nightmare Penguin increases the ATK and DEF of all WATER monsters on the field by 500 points!"


    [Flying Penguin ATK 1200 ¡ú 1700]


    [Nightmare Penguin DEF 1800 ¡ú 2300]


    "The effects are not written on the card itself..." Hoshino murmured, finally grasping what made Deck Masters unique.


    "So it''s basically a duel of who can come up with the best nonsense!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 238 - 238

    "And because of the original effect of [Nightmare Penguin], all WATER attribute monsters on the field gain an additional 200 ATK!"


    [Flying Penguin ATK 1700 ¡ú 1900]


    Crump chuckled smugly, "Do you understand now? This is the overwhelming power of my Deck Master!"


    "Overwhelmingly lame, you mean!" Hoshino stuck her tongue out mockingly.


    "All this hype about Deck Masters, and yet you couldn''t even break 2000 ATK? Honestly, the problem isn''t the rules¡ªit''s your pathetic penguin. Even double Merlin couldn''t salvage that thing."


    A vein visibly bulged on Crump''s already thinning scalp. "How dare you insult my adorable penguins! Penguins... penguins have been my only companions throughout my long life!"


    Anzu''s face turned complicated. "This guy... is a penguin fanatic?"


    Shizuka timidly added, "But penguins are pretty cute..."


    "Not when it''s a grandpa-level guy obsessing over them! That''s just creepy," Hoshino said bluntly. Sorry, but the world does judge people by appearances.


    "That''s why I must be reborn as a cute high school girl!" Crump declared passionately. "Then I can openly love penguins, and everyone will think it''s adorable!"


    "Urgh¡ª!" Hoshino gagged. Please don''t do a cutesy pose out of nowhere.


    So this old geezer wanted to take over a high school girl''s body... just to love penguins openly? What kind of twisted logic was that?


    "Hoshino Chiyuki!" Crump pointed dramatically. "Once I take over your body, I''ll turn you into the world''s most penguin-loving high school girl!"


    Ending his turn, Crump lowered his Duel Disk with a flourish.


    "Turn End!"


    [Crump: Hand Cards: 5 | Set Cards: 0 | Field: [Flying Penguin ATK 1900], [Deck Master: Nightmare Penguin DEF 2300]]


    Hoshino drew her card with flair, sneering. "Weak monsters, no back row... You think you can beat me like this? Dream on, grandpa. You can just keep drowning in your 55-year-old fantasies!"


    "Go, Hoshino!" Shizuka cheered softly from behind.


    "Crush that creepy penguin man!" Anzu added, throwing a couple of air punches for good measure.


    Turning back to them with a confident grin, Hoshino gave a thumbs-up. "Don''t worry, I''ll protect your bodies!"


    "Master, that phrasing is a little... inappropriate," Saber Lily said, narrowing her eyes.


    "Don''t sweat the small stuff~" Hoshino waved it off with a laugh. Turning to Lily, she asked, "So, Lily, what do you think your Deck Master ability might be?"


    The rules for Deck Masters sounded suspiciously like a free-for-all, but Hoshino figured the actual effects would be tied to the specific card''s characteristics.


    Lily tilted her adorable head, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "To be a worthy leader, I think... I''d need to grow even more!"


    "Growth, huh?" Hoshino murmured.


    Lily suddenly brightened. "And of course, if Merlin supported me, I''d feel much more confident in leading!"


    Hoshino''s eyes sparkled. "Merlin, you say? Yoshi! I think I''ve got it now!"


    Pointing forward with dramatic flair, Hoshino declared, "Go forth, Saber Lily! I Special Summon my Deck Master: [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily]!"


    "I''m ready, Master!" Lily said with determination, stepping boldly onto the field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 800]


    Crump burst into laughter. "Ha! You criticized my penguins, and yet your so-called Deck Master is even weaker! What a joke!"


    "Don''t you dare compare my Lily to your penguins! I activate Lily''s effect: Upon Special Summon, I can add 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster to my hand!"


    Lily raised her golden sword high. "A valiant warrior, answer the call of the Holy Sword!"


    "I''m adding [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight] to my hand!" Hoshino announced. Yet, she didn''t summon it immediately.


    "Now, it''s time to reveal Lily''s Deck Master ability! Lily, take the stage!"


    Still gripping her golden sword, Lily steadied her breathing and called out, "Merlin, lend me your strength!"


    [Deck Master Effect: Once per turn, add 1 [Hero Creation] from your Deck or GY to your hand. This effect can only be activated by targeting the Deck Master.]


    Under the holy light of her sword, the semi-transparent figure of Merlin began to manifest, his hood obscuring part of his face.


    "My, my," Merlin chuckled. "Master and Artoria, huh? Though my power is limited here, allow me to offer the blessing of flowers on your path forward!"


    "Thanks to Lily''s effect, I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Hero Creation]!" Hoshino slammed the card down as golden energy surged through Lily''s blade.


    [Hero Creation Quick-Play Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. Until the end of this turn, that monster gains 1000 ATK and 1000 DEF. If that monster battles an opponent''s monster, inflict double battle damage to your opponent.]


    [Artoria Lily ATK 1200 ¡ú 2200]


    Pointing forward, Hoshino entered the Battle Phase. "Attack, Lily! Target Flying Penguin and show them the resolve of the Holy Sword!"


    "Oooooooh!" Lily charged forward, her blade gleaming with golden light as she aimed at Flying Penguin soaring overhead.


    "Sword of Selection, grant me your power! Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cleave the wicked!


    Caliburn!!!"


    A radiant beam of golden light shot forth, engulfing Flying Penguin, whose plump body tumbled dramatically to the icy field below.


    [Flying Penguin] destroyed


    [Crump LP 4000 ¡ú 3700 ¡ú 3400]


    "I did it, Master!" Lily turned back, beaming with pride.


    "Great work, Lily!" Hoshino praised. "Next, I summon [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight] in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]


    "Senpai! I believe I can lead too!" Mash said as her form materialized, holding her massive shield. However, there was a trace of sadness in her eyes.


    Noticing the shift, Hoshino frowned slightly. "Mash, is something wrong?"


    "Well..." Mash hesitated, looking down. Her voice trembled slightly. "Lately, you haven''t summoned me as often, Senpai. I feel like... I''m not needed anymore now that you''ve gotten stronger."


    "Wha¡ªNo, no, that''s not true!" Hoshino hurried to reassure her.


    Back during the Duelist Kingdom arc, when her deck was far from complete, Mash had been Hoshino''s most reliable protector, tanking countless attacks.


    "I just feel like... if I could be your Deck Master, I''d be able to help you again..." Mash admitted softly, her tone laced with longing.


    "Alright, alright, I''ll definitely make you the Deck Master in the next duel, Mash~"


    Faced with the sulking eggplant who looked as though she might burst into tears while chewing on a lemon, Hoshino could only choose to soothe her.


    "It''s a promise, for sure!" Mash, holding her shield at the ready, kept glancing back to confirm. "You won''t lie to me, right, Senpai?"


    Behind her, Hoshino nodded rapidly, like a chick pecking at feed.


    "I''ll set two more cards and end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s LP: 4000 | Hand: 4 | Set cards: 2]


    Hoshino, who deliberately chose not to go all-out this turn, had her reasons. Judging by the old man''s sly demeanor, his Deck Master likely held hidden effects.


    By playing cautiously and studying the rules of this Deck Master system through his weak penguin deck, she could gain a strategic edge in future duels.


    "It''s my turn! Draw!" Crump exclaimed gleefully, a creepy grin spreading across his face as he eyed the field. "Hehe, so many cute girls on the field¡ªwhat an enjoyable duel!"


    "Senpai, what kind of attack is this? It actually bypassed my shield!" Mash said uneasily, disbelief evident in her tone. "I feel so uncomfortable... It''s like I''ve been inflicted with some negative status effect!"


    Hoshino''s eye twitched, unsure how to explain. "Mash, whatever you do, don''t look at disgusting things like this, or you''ll go blind."


    "A visual debuff? Got it!" Mash quickly adjusted her shield''s angle, blocking Crump entirely from view.


    "This turn, I''ll demonstrate the next characteristic of a Deck Master, as well as the ultimate effect of Nightmare Penguin!" Crump declared dramatically, raising his arm and slamming a card onto the field.


    "I tribute Nightmare Penguin to summon [The Great Emperor Penguin] in Attack Position!"


    [The Great Emperor Penguin ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)][WATER][Aqua/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 1500]


    As Nightmare Penguin vanished, an enormous Emperor Penguin¡ªseveral times larger than a regular penguin¡ªcrashed onto the icy battlefield, the impact cracking the ground beneath it.


    "You can use the Deck Master as a tribute?!" Hoshino exclaimed, stunned.


    "That''s the third characteristic of a Deck Master!" Crump proclaimed triumphantly.


    [¢Û: Monsters summoned using the Deck Master as tribute, or monsters that replace the Deck Master upon removal, inherit the Deck Master''s position, status, and abilities.]


    "Because of this rule, The Great Emperor Penguin becomes my new Deck Master and perfectly inherits Nightmare Penguin''s status¡ªincluding its 700 ATK boost, as well as the ATK and DEF boosts for all Penguin monsters!"


    The already formidable Great Emperor Penguin swelled with power, its massive form looming over the icy arena.


    "Total ATK power: 3000!"


    [The Great Emperor Penguin ATK 1800 ¡ú 3000]


    From the sidelines, Anzu gasped. "You can stack ATK boosts like that? He''s actually turning penguins into powerhouses!"


    Shizuka looked at Hoshino nervously. "This feels dangerous, Hoshino."


    "In my youth, only penguins were there to keep me company!" Crump suddenly shifted into flashback mode, his voice trembling with emotion.


    "To bring the beauty of adorable penguins¡ªmy childhood spiritual support¡ªto more children, I worked tirelessly to establish the Penguin Pool at Kaiba Land..."


    "Old man, no one cares about your flashbacks! Just keep dueling!" Hoshino cut in impatiently, exasperation written across her face.


    "But that wretched Seto Kaiba dared to say¡ª" Crump''s eyes blazed with fury as he recalled the insult.


    (Kaiba Seto: "No one cares about penguins!")


    "Wow, that''s harsh." Though Hoshino initially had no interest in his sob story, she couldn''t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. With Kaiba''s infamous personality, it did sound plausible.


    "That''s why I must seize the body of a cute high school girl! Then I''ll exact revenge on that bastard who trampled on the dignity of penguins¡ªand me!"


    Hoshino immediately retorted, "What does taking over a high school girl''s body have to do with revenge? Admit it¡ªyou''re just a perverted old man!"


    "Silence! You, who enjoy the luxury of a youthful, adorable appearance as a high school girl, could never understand the suffering of an ugly old man like me!" Crump roared, slamming another card onto his Duel Disk.


    "Feel the flames of my revenge! I activate the Equip Spell [Megamorph]! Since my Life Points are lower than yours, The Great Emperor Penguin''s ATK is doubled!"


    [The Great Emperor Penguin ATK 3000 ¡ú 6000]


    "Hold up¡ª isn''t that cheating?! Megamorph only doubles the original ATK!" Hoshino objected immediately.


    "Heh! Thanks to the Deck Master''s rules, even the ATK boosts are treated as the monster''s original ATK!" Crump cackled, the now-gargantuan penguin looming menacingly as the icy battlefield cracked beneath its weight.


    "Attack the opposing Deck Master! Go, Great Emperor Penguin! I''ll be taking your lovely body without hesitation! And before your defeat, let me reveal the final Deck Master rule."


    [¢Ü: If a player''s Deck Master is destroyed, they lose the duel.]


    "Perish in the icy storm of Emperor Penguin''s Blizzard Strike!" Crump commanded. The massive penguin flapped its enormous, razor-sharp wings, unleashing a ferocious blizzard toward Saber Lily.


    "Watch out, Miss Lily!" Mash cried, leaping in front of Lily and planting her shield¡ªwell, dining table¡ªfirmly into the ground.


    "Even if my strength has waned, I''ll give my all to protect Master and everyone else!"


    Facing the oncoming storm, Hoshino countered, "I activate [Heroic Spirit¡ªMash Kyrielight]''s special effect! While Mash is face-up, the opponent can only target her for attacks, and she cannot be destroyed in Defense Position!"


    "Ho-oh-oh-oh! Obscurant Wall of Chalk!!" Standing resolute against the icy blizzard, Mash''s shield absorbed the deadly 6000 ATK strike without faltering.


    "Futile! I activate The Great Emperor Penguin''s Deck Master ability¡ªit can attack twice per turn! And after the first attack, your Mash is forced into Attack Position!"


    Crump laughed maniacally. "I''ve studied every one of your duels in preparation for this moment! No escape!"


    "Oh? After studying my duels so thoroughly, did you reach any conclusions?" Hoshino asked, a sly grin forming on her face.


    "Huh? Conclusions about what?" Crump blinked, confused.


    A massive castle gate rose behind Mash, its form radiating with impenetrable brilliance.


    "The conclusion that no one has ever broken through Mash''s defense!" Hoshino declared triumphantly.


    "Noble Phantasm¡ªLord Camelot!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 239 - 239

    "Noble Phantasm¡ªLord Camelot!" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the radiant walls of Camelot unveiled, the combined power of Hoshino''s two set cards blocked the second attack of the deck master, Emperor Penguin.


    Lily''s eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, "Wow! It''s Camelot~! Amazing!"


    "Thanks to the Quick-Play Spell [Lord Camelot], it grants one monster on my field immunity from being destroyed by battle once! That means Emperor Penguin''s attack can''t break through my deck master, Lily!"


    Crump bellowed in protest, "Don''t be ridiculous! Even if it can''t be destroyed by battle, Emperor Penguin''s 6000 attack points are enough to reduce your Life Points to zero!"


    Hoshino smiled casually and replied, "That''s true. With Emperor Penguin''s attack power, my Life Points would indeed be wiped out. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have been able to activate this set card."


    "Trap Card: [Nightingale Pledge]!"


    [Nightingale Pledge Trap Card Effect: Activate only when you would take damage that would reduce your Life Points to 0. Negate that damage. Afterwards, restore your Life Points by 200 times the number of [Heroic Spirit] monsters on the field, in your Graveyard, and in your Banished Zone.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 4400]


    Behind the gates of Camelot, a pure white phantom nullified the fatal damage. The absolute defense, born from the combined powers of warmth and gentleness, severed Crump''s ugly desires.


    Crump clenched the cards in his hand, roaring in frustration. "Damn it! I thought I had finally realized my dream of obtaining a youthful, beautiful body!"


    "I told you I wouldn''t let you succeed. Don''t think slapping the word ''dream'' onto your perverted actions makes them any less revolting!"


    Hoshino shouted decisively, her words cutting through Crump''s delusions. Having fully grasped the rules of the deck master system, she no longer found any value in the old man before her.


    "Hmph, you''ve only blocked one attack from my deck master. Don''t get cocky."


    Now calm after Hoshino''s scolding, Crump glanced at his hand cards, quietly strategizing.


    ''Even though my Emperor Penguin with 6000 attack points fears nothing, I''ll set this card¡ª[Sakuretsu Armor]¡ªjust in case. As soon as she uses her deck master to attack, victory will be mine!''


    "Hmph. I''ll set one card and end my turn!" Confident in his perfect plan, Crump smugly lowered his Duel Disk.


    [Crump''s | Hand Cards: 3 | Set Cards: 1]


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Pointing the card she drew at the old man across from her, Hoshino declared, "This turn, I''ll thoroughly crush your so-called dream¡ªwhich is nothing but perverted behavior!"


    Shizuka, still uneasy, glanced nervously at the gigantic penguin on the opposing field and timidly asked, "That deck master has 6000 attack points... Is Hoshino really okay?"


    Anzu, steadfast in her trust, replied firmly, "If Hoshino says it''s fine, then there''s nothing to worry about!"


    "Activate the effect of [Lord Camelot]! At the start of my turn, all [Heroic Spirit] monsters on my field except Mash gain attack points equal to Mash''s defense!"


    "Go, Saber Lily!" Mash transferred her strength with encouragement.


    [Saber Lily ATK 1200 ¡ú 3200]


    Shizuka clutched Anzu''s delicate hand nervously. "It''s still not enough... Even with 2000 more points..."


    Swinging her holy sword to produce a dazzling golden light, Lily said with determination, "I can''t rely solely on Mash''s strength. I must push myself, grow stronger, and strive harder!"


    Responding to Lily''s resolve, Hoshino said, "That''s right! Growth, effort¡ªthat''s the final effect of Lily as my deck leader!"


    [¢Ú: During your Standby Phase, your deck master gains 1000 attack points.]


    [Saber Lily ATK 3200 ¡ú 4200]


    "And thanks to Lily''s deck master effect, I can add the spell card [Hero Creation] from my Graveyard to my hand¡ªand activate it!"


    [Saber Lily ATK 4200 ¡ú 5200]


    "Ohhh! Master, I feel it¡ªthe flowers'' magic and the path opening before me!" Lily exclaimed, her body surrounded by immense magical power. "To think I could grow this much... It''s incredible!"


    "Is that your limit? Boosting your attack by 4000 points is commendable, but it''s still not enough!"


    Confident in his dual-layered defense of monster and trap, Crump began mocking her again.


    "Limit? Someone like you isn''t qualified to witness it~" Hoshino retorted easily, throwing down a third monster card. "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Paracelsus von Hohenheim] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Paracelsus von Hohenheim ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1600]


    "And I activate [Paracelsus]''s effect to add a spell card with [Heroic Spirit] to my hand!" Drawing the retrieved card, Hoshino immediately slapped it onto her Duel Disk.


    "Checkmate, you penguin-obsessed pervert! Activate Quick-Play Spell: [Phantasmal Summoning]! I fuse the three monsters on my field!"


    The previously gloating Crump froze in disbelief. "What?! Fusion Summon?!"


    On Hoshino''s field, the three Heroic Spirits turned into beams of light, converging to form a new warrior of radiant power.


    "Thanks to the deck master''s rules, the new monster summoned by fusing the deck master inherits the position of deck master!"


    Raising her arm to the sky, Hoshino called forth dazzling light that pierced the icy winds, descending onto the frozen battlefield.


    "Fusion Summon! Come forth, my new deck leader¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Mysterious Heroine X]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mysterious Heroine X ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 9)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]


    Holding her holy sword, X adjusted her tilted cap, caused by her dramatic entrance, and declared with determination, "Codename: Heroine X. Reporting for duty to annihilate all Sabers!"


    "And as per the deck master''s rules, the new master perfectly inherits the state of the original! This means [Mysterious Heroine X] gains 5200 attack points!"


    [Mysterious Heroine X ATK 3000 ¡ú 8200]


    "8200 attack points!" Despite her trust in Hoshino, the moment overwhelmed Anzu and Shizuka with excitement.


    "So much power! What amazing energy!" X marveled, feeling her own immense strength.


    "With power like this, even Golden Great Emperor Cosmo Gilgamesh could be slain!"


    "Hmph, let''s get started!" Waving her hand towards the massive Emperor Penguin, Hoshino issued the final battle command. "X-san, target that saber penguin! Swing your sword with all your might!"


    "Ohhh! So that big thing is also a saber, huh? It really does give off that overwhelming saber vibe!"


    X spread her arms wide, and through some mysterious power, a second black holy sword materialized out of thin air in her hand.


    "Now, gaze upon the fellowship of light and dark! Cataphract Shift! Know the power of the Royal Road!"


    Wielding dual blades, X launched herself into the air, dragging two trails of light¡ªone black, one white¡ªtoward the Emperor Penguin.


    "To think this is her first time using the deck master rules, yet she''s able to adapt and utilize the master''s abilities so flexibly," Crump marveled at Hoshino''s overwhelming counterattack, deeply impressed by the terrifying capabilities of a Duel King.


    "Still, it''s a good thing I saved this card! I activate my trap card: [Sakuretsu Armor]! Your attacking deck master will be destroyed!"


    With a manic grin, Crump flipped over his set card, his excitement almost overwhelming him as victory loomed close.


    "This duel is mine! My dream, my wish, is finally¡ª"


    "I already said I''d crush your dream, which is nothing more than perverted behavior! Activating [Mysterious Heroine X]''s effect!"


    Hoshino swiftly interrupted Crump''s crazed rant, just as X''s sword slashed through the explosive flames before her.


    [Fusion Material Requirements: 1 [Artoria] monster + 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster + 1 LIGHT monster.]


    [¢Ù: If this card is Fusion Summoned using 3 LIGHT monsters, it cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects.]


    "Thanks to Paracelsus''s effect, he can be treated as a LIGHT, WATER, FIRE, EARTH, or WIND monster! That satisfies the fusion requirements for [Mysterious Heroine X]! A mere trap? Did you really think it could stop me? How delusional!"


    Breaking through the flames of the shattered explosion, X''s radiant dual swords carved a brilliant light pattern, striking the enormous Emperor Penguin with elegance.


    "Impossible! My dream¡ªmy long-cherished wish to become a high school girl¡ªis ruined by a high school girl?!"


    "OHHHH! Secret Calibur Sword of Unsigned Victory!!"


    X''s signature slashing move struck the Emperor Penguin with explosive precision, destroying the deck master entirely.


    [With the deck master''s defeat, the duel ended. The victor: Hoshino Chiyuki.]


    "Being a high school girl is hard too, you know!!!"


    (***)


    In a sealed space filled with multiple screens, Noah sat in a chair equipped with control buttons, propping his chin with one hand as he watched one of the images with great interest.


    Each screen in front of Noah displayed real-time footage of the Big Five dueling the group to seize their bodies. Despite being seasoned duelists, even Yugi found himself struggling under the newly introduced Deck Master rules. However, there was one exception¡­


    "Oh? She figured out the Deck Master rules in just two turns and easily defeated Crump. Hoshino, is it? There are records of her dueling Seto Kaiba once, and he personally gifted her a customized Duel Disk¡­"


    With a few button presses, Noah zoomed in on one of the screens, displaying a close-up of Hoshino''s face.


    "Never thought Seto would be into this type, huh? Hahaha, how interesting."


    As if some intriguing scheme had come to mind, Noah burst into laughter.


    "Just imagining Seto''s despair face makes me ridiculously happy!"


    (***)


    "She won! Hoshino actually won!"


    Watching Crump''s virtual body shatter into pieces like a defeated monster, the three companions felt immense satisfaction deep within their hearts.


    Hoshino, putting away her Duel Disk, sighed. "I''ve fought in so many duels, but this is the first time it feels like I''m genuinely ridding the world of evil."


    Anzu looked around at the unmoving surroundings. "So, does this mean we can leave now since that boy Noah said this was a game of Duel Monsters?"


    "Probably not¡­" Hoshino''s tone suddenly grew serious.


    As they conversed, a door that seemed completely out of place in the icy environment appeared where Crump had once stood.


    "It seems they want us to enter. Where it leads, though, is anyone''s guess."


    Even after winning the duel, Hoshino knew that in Noah''s virtual world, she and her companions remained at an absolute disadvantage.


    "So, Hoshino, should we go in?"


    Uncertain about what to do, Shizuka sought Hoshino''s judgment.


    Without hesitation, Hoshino pushed open the door and answered, "Of course. If we want to advance in the game, we need to meet the next boss."


    Creak¡ª


    Surprisingly, despite the door looking brand-new, it opened with the creak of an old wooden door.


    "This is¡ª!"


    Before them lay a scene that was the polar opposite of the icy plains outside. Inside the door was a space adorned with luxurious decorations and elegant designs, resembling the opulent castle of a noble. It was even more splendid than Pegasus''s castle from Duelist Kingdom.


    "Welcome to my residence, beautiful ladies~"


    A voice, youthful yet speaking words far beyond its apparent age, echoed through the hall.


    As the green-haired boy descended the grand staircase, the three couldn''t help but gape in surprise.


    "Noah?" Hoshino, who had mentally prepared herself for mid-tier or high-tier bosses, was shocked to find the final boss appearing before her the very next moment.


    "Leaving beautiful ladies to freeze out on the ice plains is truly impolite," Noah remarked as he approached them. He snapped his fingers with a crisp sound.


    In response, a fireplace in the corner of the room spontaneously lit up, its flames giving the illusion of warmth.


    But, of course, it was only an illusion. Neither the icy plains nor the fireplace exuded any sense of reality or warmth.


    "Noah¡­"


    Looking at the boy before her, whose expression was brimming with confidence, Hoshino was at a loss for words.


    As if reading her thoughts, Noah laughed at himself mockingly. "Hahaha, funny, isn''t it? Yes, this is the life I''ve been living all these years! A virtual world, virtual data. No warmth, no substance¡ªnothing but my ''consciousness.''"


    "Is that the reason you want to seize a body?" Anzu asked bluntly. Compared to the perverted penguin fanatic earlier, this boy at least seemed more reasonable.


    "I have no interest in your bodies. My goal is one and only one¡ªSeto Kaiba!"


    The mere mention of Kaiba caused Noah''s previously mild gaze to fill with an indescribable coldness.


    "If you''re not interested in us, does that mean you''ll let us go?" Shizuka asked quickly.


    "Letting you go isn''t impossible. However, your friends are still fighting."


    With a wave of his hand, several screens floated in the air, each showing a different duel location.


    "Our friends?!"


    The familiar faces on the screens immediately captured their attention.


    "Yugi, Akasha-chan!"


    In a jungle setting, Yugi was dueling while Akasha watched from the sidelines. Seeing the two together, Hoshino finally relaxed a little. If Yugi was around, Akasha was undoubtedly safe.


    "Jonouchi, Mai?!"


    In what looked like a courtroom, Jonouchi stood protectively in front of Mai, dueling against one of the Big Five.


    "Honda??"


    In a factory-like setting, Honda was alone, facing a duel by himself.


    "Honda¡­ can duel?"


    The other two scenes didn''t worry Hoshino much. Leaving aside Yugi, even Jonouchi''s strength was more than enough to defeat the Big Five. Honda, however, seemed to be in the most danger.


    "Honda is amazing!"


    To everyone''s surprise, the usually timid Shizuka expressed unexpected confidence.


    "Honda told me he was the one who taught Onii-chan how to duel! He must be even better than Onii-chan!"


    Hoshino and Anzu couldn''t help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.


    "Shizuka, that''s probably just Honda boasting to impress you."


    "That idiot Honda!"


    Anzu facepalmed. Even she could tell Honda was only a step away from defeat.


    Noah''s smug laughter filled the room again. "Hahaha, while the Big Five aren''t exactly strong duelists, the Deck Master rules are enough to push the duelists of Battle City to their limits!"


    "So, Honda''s body will end up hosting some middle-aged man? Honestly¡­ it''s not like that''s completely unacceptable," Hoshino muttered, almost indifferent at the thought, given Honda''s usual lack of presence.


    "As the first duelist to defeat the Big Five, I have decided to reward you, Hoshino Chiyuki¡ªwith the opportunity to challenge me!"


    Hoshino frowned. "Challenge you?"


    "If you win, even if your companions lose, their bodies won''t be taken."


    Hoshino didn''t trust Noah''s offer. For someone in absolute control, there was no reason for him to propose a condition unfavorable to himself.


    "What kind of scheme are you plotting this time?"


    "Hahaha, it''s such a pleasure to talk to someone smart."


    With a wave of his hand, the castle''s scenery began to shift.


    "But if you lose, your consciousness will be under my control, to do with as I please. And when Seto Kaiba sees the woman he fancies obeying my every command¡­ Hahahahaha! I can''t wait to see his expression!"


    "The woman he fancies? I think you''re mistaken. I''m not a Blue-Eyes White Dragon."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 240 - 240

    "The woman he fancies? I think you''re mistaken. I''m not a Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Hoshino, baffled by Noah''s inexplicable words, scratched her head in confusion.


    Hoshino silently retorted in her mind: Honestly, you''d be better off summoning a Blue-Eyes White Dragon to get Kaiba''s attention. I''d bet anything that if you had a Blue-Eyes flying around in front of him, he''d have a heart attack on the spot.


    Clearly, Noah didn''t understand Kaiba as well as Hoshino did. If their positions were reversed, Kaiba would have been obliterated by Noah''s plans in no time.


    "For the sake of your friends, will you accept this proposal, Hoshino Chiyuki?"


    Unnoticed, Noah had already equipped his Duel Disk and once again posed the question.


    "Of course, refusing it is completely within reason. I can simply assume you trust your friends not to lose, or¡­ that you value your own interests over so-called friendship."


    Noah''s words sounded smooth, but anyone could see through them: there was no way Honda could win.


    "Friendship or self-interest, huh?" Hoshino muttered to herself.


    "Hoshino-san..."


    "Hoshino¡­"


    Anzu and Shizuka both wanted Honda to avoid having his body taken over by that strange old man. However, they also knew they had no right to ask Hoshino to put herself on the line to save Honda.


    "You two shouldn''t look so conflicted." With a sigh, Hoshino replied, "Honda''s my friend too. Of course, I''m not going to abandon him."


    "Hoshino!" Shizuka''s expression brightened immediately upon hearing Hoshino''s answer.


    However, Anzu''s worry didn''t lessen. Her furrowed brows remained. "Hoshino, is this really okay?"


    Noah was clearly the final boss of this game, wielding absolute authority in this virtual world. Even for someone like Hoshino, defeating him seemed nearly impossible.


    "Yes, I know, Anzu¡­" Sensing Anzu''s concern, Hoshino turned to face the young boy who seemed barely older than ten. From what Noah had shown so far, it was evident that he wielded immense power in this virtual world.


    "But even so, that''s no reason to sit back and watch a friend''s body get taken by some middle-aged man." With her resolve steeled, Hoshino swiftly activated her Duel Disk. At the same time, the unstable visual field manipulated by Noah stabilized into something clear.


    This time, the group found themselves whisked away from the opulent castle to a vast, barren wasteland. The yellow earth stretched endlessly, with sparse patches of stubborn greenery dotting the landscape.


    "This vast area should be more than enough for our duel," Noah said, spreading his arms as if savoring the artificial air and sunlight.


    Scanning the surroundings, Hoshino remarked, "Going so far as to change the battlefield, huh? What a VIP treatment."


    "Of course," Noah replied earnestly. "You managed to fight Seto to a draw. I wouldn''t dare underestimate you. But precisely because you could only manage a draw, there''s no way you can defeat me!"


    "A draw? With Kaiba¡­" Hoshino tilted her head, thinking back. "You mean that time he insisted it was a tie? If that''s how you''re gauging my abilities, you might end up regretting it, kid."


    "K-kid?!" For the first time, Noah''s composed expression faltered, his face showing a rare hint of frustration. "Don''t call me kid! My growth has only been halted because of this virtual world!"


    "Well, if you can''t grow, then you''re just a kid to me!" Though Noah tried to appear mature, his flustered reactions were unexpectedly amusing, prompting Hoshino to tease him further.


    "Enough nonsense! Declare your Deck Master already!" Noah, having realized Hoshino was merely toying with him, quickly regained his composure.


    "Alright, alright~" Drawing her cards, Hoshino let out a confident laugh. "My Deck Master, of course, is my adorable eggplant, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight]!"


    The materialized Mash blinked in surprise. "E-eh?! Senpai, you''re really choosing me as your Deck Master?"


    Hoshino blinked back, confused. "Didn''t you say you wanted to be the Deck Master?"


    "But¡­" Mash lowered her head and nervously tapped her fingers together. "I thought the second duel would be against someone as weak-looking as the last opponent. Who knew you''d jump straight to the final boss!"


    "Uh¡­ fair point." Mash wasn''t wrong. Even Hoshino hadn''t expected the plot to jump from 1 to 100 in an instant.


    "Wouldn''t choosing Lily, whose abilities you''re familiar with, or the always-reliable King of Heroes be a better choice?" Mash suggested timidly, though a trace of unspoken anticipation flickered in her eyes.


    But Hoshino saw right through her and shook her head resolutely. "No, I want Mash as my Deck Master!"


    "Really, Senpai?!" The hope in Mash''s eyes grew brighter.


    "Of course! When have I ever lied to you, Mash?" Hoshino wasn''t making this choice lightly.


    Though Saber Lily had powerful offensive capabilities as a Deck Master, her abilities were better suited for weaker opponents like the Big Five. As for Gilgamesh, a Ritual Monster, he couldn''t even be summoned through normal means, making him unsuitable as a Deck Master.


    "I trust Mash the most to have my back!" Hoshino added.


    Besides, since losing the Deck Master meant losing the duel, choosing the defense-oriented Mash was the wisest option against an unknown opponent like Noah.


    "Have you made your choice? Then it''s my turn." With Hoshino''s Deck Master standing by her side, Noah calmly drew a card.


    "This is my Deck Master, the Ritual Spell Card [Shinato''s Ark]!"


    "Eh? You can use a Ritual Spell Card as a Deck Master?!" Noah''s unexpected choice left Hoshino utterly dumbfounded. Typically, one would think of a Monster Card as the go-to Deck Master, but there was no rule against using other types of cards.


    "Isn''t this unfair? How am I supposed to beat a Spell Card?"


    Shrugging, Noah replied, "Unfair? This is simply sound strategy. Besides, most people don''t summon their Deck Master into play anyway. Its abilities are usable whether it''s summoned or not."


    "Uh¡­ that''s¡­ true¡­" Scratching her head, Hoshino realized Noah had pointed out a major oversight on her part. After all, summoning a Deck Master right away was practically begging for defeat.


    "Then let''s begin this world-shaping duel!"


    "World-shaping duel?" Hoshino repeated, raising an eyebrow.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki VS Noah Kaiba]


    [Duel Start!]


    With the sounding of the duel horn, the yellow wasteland ground began to quake violently.


    "Huh? What''s going on?"


    Caught off guard by the sudden tremors, Hoshino nearly lost her footing.


    "Senpai, are you alright?" Mash, noticing Hoshino swaying along with the ground, called out in concern.


    "Haha, I''ll take the first turn. Draw!"


    Completely unfazed by the earthquake, Noah calmly drew his first card.


    "That''s cheating!" Hoshino shouted angrily. "Using something like this to steal the first turn!"


    With such a move at the start, Hoshino could already foresee how tough this duel was going to be.


    "Don''t be so impatient, Hoshino¡ªno, actually, I prefer calling you Chiyuki."


    Standing firmly on the trembling ground, Noah seemed to be in a fantastic mood. "Snow is so pure and untainted, much like the Earth when it was first born."


    "The Earth when it was first born? What are you talking about... Whoa! What''s happening now?!"


    By steadying herself and focusing on the environment, Hoshino finally realized it was just virtual imagery, nothing real. With that in mind, she managed to stay as composed as Noah.


    But the trembling grew worse. The yellow wasteland began to crumble beneath Hoshino''s feet, wide and dense cracks exposing flowing red magma. The dusty, barren wasteland disappeared entirely, replaced by a shattered landscape dyed crimson by molten lava.


    "Anzu! Shizuka!" Hoshino quickly turned to check on her companions and saw that they were safely standing on unbroken ground. "Phew. It''s just virtual imagery. What was I even worried about?"


    "Even if it''s just virtual imagery, this world is everything to me! This duel begins on an Earth reborn from its primordial chaos!"


    Having prepared the scene, Noah officially began his turn. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I summon [Giant Soldier of Stone] in defense mode and set one card face down. Turn end!"


    Smoothly placing his two cards on the Duel Disk, a massive stone statue materialized on one of the few patches of land not swallowed by lava.


    [Giant Soldier of Stone ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][EARTH][Rock][ATK 1300/DEF 2000]


    [Noah''s Hand cards: 4 | Set cards: 1]


    "Wow, all that yapping yet your opening move is surprisingly straightforward and practical, kid~." Drawing a card, Hoshino, unfazed by the flowing lava at her feet, couldn''t resist teasing him.


    Unmoved, Noah seemed immune to Hoshino''s banter.


    "Tch, no fun!" Realizing Noah wasn''t taking the bait, Hoshino got serious. "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Kiyohime] in attack mode!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Kiyohime ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE][Dragon/Effect][ATK 800/DEF 500]


    Similar to the Giant Soldier of Stone, Kiyohime materialized on one of the intact patches of ground. Even though she was capable of swimming in magma, this wasn''t the time to showcase such skills.


    "Ohhh~ Such a burning environment! It''s almost as passionate as my love for my Master!"


    "As fiery as magma? Please, that''s just dangerous." While tossing a card from her hand to the graveyard, Hoshino quipped back.


    "I activate Kiyohime''s special effect, discarding [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from my hand."


    [Effect: Discard 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand. This card''s ATK and DEF increase by half of the discarded monster''s ATK and DEF until the end of the turn. This effect can be activated during your opponent''s turn as well.]


    "Thanks to this effect, Kiyohime''s ATK increases by half of Jeanne''s ATK¡ª1250 points!"


    [Kiyohime ATK 800 ¡ú 2050]


    "Go, Kiyohime! Transform into a dragon and attack!"


    "Ahhh, Master''s presence makes my body hotter than even magma~!" Blushing furiously, Kiyohime clutched her chest.


    A fiery blue dragon emerged, its heat visibly more intense than the red magma.


    "Tenshin Kash¨­ Zanmai!"


    The dragon roared and engulfed the Giant Soldier of Stone in its blue flames. Under the intense heat, the soldier slowly melted, its remains sinking into the magma.


    [Giant Soldier of Stone] destroyed


    Seeing his monster disintegrate, Noah remarked, "To think you''d destroy my 2000 DEF Giant Soldier so easily in the first turn. Truly impressive, Chiyuki."


    "If you''re trying to negotiate, kid, you should''ve done that before the duel started, not during it." With the battle phase over, Hoshino set one card face down and lowered her Duel Disk.


    "Once the duel starts, I don''t hold back¡ªnot even for a kid. Turn end!"


    [Hoshino''s Hand cards: 3 | Set cards: 1]


    "My turn! Draw! I summon [Chiron the Mage] in attack mode!" Ignoring Hoshino''s teasing, Noah began his turn by summoning a new monster.


    [Chiron the Mage ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][EARTH][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 1000]


    The centaur wielding a ruby-tipped staff stepped onto the molten terrain.


    Hoshino chuckled, "Haha, my Chiron is way cooler. I win on aesthetics!"


    "I activate Chiron the Mage''s special effect!" Noah''s Chiron aimed his glowing staff at Hoshino''s face-down card.


    [Effect: Once per turn: You can discard 1 Spell, then target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy that target.]


    A brilliant beam shot out, shattering Hoshino''s face-down card after Noah discarded a Spell card.


    "Now your monster is left defenseless. Attack, Chiron the Mage!"


    Chiron raised his staff, hurling three powerful magic blasts toward Kiyohime.


    "Master! It''s dangerous!" Kiyohime cried out. "Quick, discard Okita to boost me again!"


    "Sorry, Okita didn''t make it to this duel¡­" Hoshino muttered.


    "But it''s fine! I activate my deck master''s special ability: [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight]!"


    Standing tall behind Hoshino, Mash finally received her orders.


    "Thanks to the deck master ability, Mash can use her effects without being summoned to the field!" Hoshino pointed dramatically. "Go, Mash! Show them your strength!"


    "Yes, Senpai!" Mash raised her shield, a gentle radiance spreading across the battlefield.


    [Effect: Once per turn, during either player''s turn: Target 1 monster you control. Until the end of this turn, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    "Obscurant Wall of Chalk!"


    A divine shield of light surrounded Kiyohime, neutralizing Chiron''s three magic blasts.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 241 - 241

    "Defensive-oriented deck master, huh? Unlike before, you''re surprisingly cautious this time, Chiyuki~."


    When Noah referred to "before," he was alluding to their last duel, where Hoshino had recklessly summoned her deck master, Lily, to attack aggressively in the very first turn. Noah had viewed that move as outright reckless.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 3000]


    "Sorry, Senpai. Even though I managed to protect Kiyohime, our Life Points still took a hit."


    "It''s fine~." Hoshino smiled and gently patted Mash''s head as the younger girl approached. "We''ll win this steadily, step by step!"


    "Steadily? There''s no time for that, Chiyuki. Starting this turn, the Seven Turns of Creation will erase any possibility of your victory!"


    Noah gestured arrogantly at the molten terrain beneath him. "This is the First Turn of Creation¡ªThe Primordial Earth!"


    "Seven Turns of Creation?" Hoshino tilted her head, dismissing the declaration with a wave of her hand.


    "Kid, you keep saying your growth stopped because of this virtual reality, but your Chuunibyou personality really matches your appearance."


    "Once you experience the true power of my deck master, let''s see if you can keep being so smug, Chiyuki."


    With a cold snort, Noah ended his turn.


    [Noah''s Hand Cards: 3 | Set Cards: 1]


    "Heh, before that happens, why don''t you experience Mash''s power first? My turn¡ªdraw!" Hoshino smirked and beckoned Mash over with two fingers.


    Taking a deep breath, Mash planted her shield on the ground, a shy but determined expression on her face. "It''s starting now, Senpai."


    "Alright, let''s summon a Heroic Spirit... I mean, draw one!"


    Three glowing white summoning rings appeared on Mash''s shield.


    "This is the second effect of my deck master, Mash!"


    [¢Ú: During your Standby Phase, if a [Heroic Spirit] monster exists on your field, you can select one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck and add it to your hand.]


    "Senpai, doesn''t calling this ''summoning'' feel a bit too much like rolling for gacha?" Mash muttered, clearly embarrassed.


    "Gacha? This is the official Chaldea Summoning System, Mash. Don''t let Da Vinci-chan corrupt your thinking!"


    Mash paused, then nodded. "As expected of Senpai, you see things so clearly!"


    Drawing the searched card, the summoning circles on Mash''s shield glowed a brilliant gold.


    "Noah!" With golden light behind her and magma below, Hoshino pointed fiercely at her opponent, making her declaration. "Seven Turns of Creation? Then I''ll counter it with humanity''s Seven Singularities! Let me show you the unyielding will of mankind that survives even when the world is torn apart!"


    "The Seven Singularities? Even with all my vast knowledge, I''ve never heard of that. Did you just make it up, Chiyuki?"


    "The real world is vast. It''s nothing like this virtual world you think you control."


    Slamming the card onto her duel disk, Hoshino''s golden light intensified, revealing the Heroic Spirit she had summoned.


    "Hundred Years'' War of the Evil Dragons: Orleans! A time of burning battlefields where the Holy Maiden of Salvation and the Dragon Witch clashed! By banishing [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from the graveyard, I Special Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter]!" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] from your Graveyard. This card is also treated as a Fairy-Type.]


    "Hey, Master, are you sure about this? I''m the villain, you know." Emerging from the golden light, Jeanne Alter held her cursed banner and spoke with a hint of disdain.


    "All this talk about humanity... Wouldn''t it be better if humans were just wiped out already?"


    "If humanity gets wiped out, I''d die too~." Hoshino teased, unfazed by Jeanne Alter''s tsundere tendencies.


    Jeanne Alter''s demeanor changed instantly. "You''re different, Master! You''re the kind who''d survive even if a comet hit the Earth!"


    Noah chuckled coldly. "Flirting with your Duel Monsters, Chiyuki? It seems you''ve started to appreciate the wonders of a digital world like I do."


    "Like you? Don''t make me sick. Unlike you¡ªa selfish shut-in trapping others in this virtual space¡ªthese waifus fight to save the world."


    "Save the world? Can they match the grandeur of my Seven Turns of Creation? Feel its power! Witness the terrors of Earth''s formation!"


    With that, Noah flipped over the set card beneath him.


    "Trap Card¡ª[Earthshaker]!"


    The magma flowing through the cracks in the ground began to surge violently.


    [Earthshaker Trap Card Effect: Select 2 Monster Card Attributes. Your opponent then selects 1 of the 2 Attributes and destroys all face-up monsters with that Attribute on the field.]


    "I choose DARK and FIRE Attributes. Chiyuki, now it''s your turn to choose!"


    "DARK or FIRE..." Hoshino tensed. If she chose DARK, Jeanne Alter would be destroyed. If she chose FIRE, it would mean sacrificing Kiyohime, summoned last turn.


    "This is such a dirty move!" Forced into an impossible choice, Hoshino hesitated before finally speaking. "I choose FIRE..."


    Kiyohime gasped in shock, her voice trembling. "Master... abandoned me? Impossible! Kiyohime, I..."


    "It''s the logical choice, Kiyohime!" Jeanne Alter smirked mischievously. "In this situation, it''s obvious she''d choose to keep the strong."


    Hoshino nodded, agreeing with Jeanne Alter''s harsh truth.


    "Even so, Kiyohime is still furious!" Hiding her grin behind her folding fan, Kiyohime let the erupting magma engulf her. "Tonight, Kiyohime will visit Master''s bed and unleash this fiery anger!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Kiyohime] destroyed.


    "Damn it! How are you going to compensate me for this? I might not even dare go to bed tonight!" Hoshino shouted in mock rage at Noah''s "despicable" actions.


    Noah, unfazed, simply shrugged.


    "Attack, Jeanne Alter! Show them the howl of a soul filled with hatred!"


    Unsheathing her cursed sword, Jeanne Alter sighed. "Master, that''s my line. Why are you stealing it?"


    "Because¡ªI''m furious!"


    With Hoshino''s roar, Jeanne Alter unleashed a powerful blast of black energy from her sword, obliterating Noah''s Chiron.


    [Chiron the Mage] destroyed.


    [Noah LP 4000 ¡ú 2800]


    (***)


    In the Forest¡ª


    "Oh no, Yugi-nii is about to turn into an old man!"


    Gansley, one of the Big Five, chuckled darkly. "Heh heh. So the legendary Yugi Muto, the one who once defeated Kaiba, is no big deal after all. In the face of my Deck Master, Deepsea Warrior, you can''t even counterattack!"


    [Deepsea Warrior Deck Master Effect: When the opponent declares an attack on your monster, you can tribute two monsters on your field. The attack target is redirected to the attacking player.]


    [Gansley LP: 2100 | Field: Injection Fairy Lily, Catapult Turtle]


    [Yugi Muto LP: 100 | Deck Master: Kuriboh]


    "With two monsters on my field, my Deck Master''s effect ensures that if you attack, your LP will be wiped out. Even if you don''t attack, my Catapult Turtle will finish you off next turn. It''s checkmate!"


    Yugi''s lips curled into a confident smirk. "Sore wa dou kana?"


    Despite having no monsters on the field and only a sliver of LP left, Yugi remained calm. He drew his card and glanced at it, his smirk growing wider.


    "Don''t worry, Akasha-chan. I''ll protect you. Otherwise, Hoshino would never let me hear the end of it."


    Akasha quickly catching on. "Yugi-nii, you printed another card, didn''t you!"


    "I summon my Deck Master, Kuriboh, and activate its effect!"


    "Kurri, kurri!"


    Kuriboh began to glow with a radiant, seven-colored light as it floated protectively behind Yugi.


    [Kuriboh Deck Master Effect: Once per duel, during your turn, your monsters'' attacks can target your opponent directly.]


    "The effect of Deepsea Warrior can only activate against monster attacks! Now I summon Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight from my hand!"


    [Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 2100]


    [If this is the only card in your hand, you can Normal Summon this card without Tributing.]


    The radiant light from Kuriboh formed a shimmering rainbow bridge, connecting Gaia directly to Gansley.


    "Ride the Rainbow Bridge, Swift Gaia! Direct attack!"


    The dark knight galloped along the dazzling arc, bypassing Gansley''s monsters and delivering a devastating blow.


    "I-I... impossible!!"


    [Gansley LP: 2100 ¡ú 0]


    "Wow! Yugi-nii''s printed card and trash talk led to a stunning comeback!"


    Yugi calmly deactivated his Duel Disk, his demeanor exuding confidence. "Now''s not the time to relax, Akasha-chan. That tremor earlier felt ominous. We need to regroup with everyone."


    (***)


    Back in the Duel¡ª


    "I summon a monster in face-down Defense Position, set one card, and end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s Hand Cards: 2 | Field: 1 Set Monster]


    "Now, behold the second Turn of Creation of Heaven and Earth!"


    Noah drew his card as the ethereal glow of his Deck Master, Shinato''s Ark, shimmered faintly behind him.


    "Next comes the great disaster that nearly wiped out the Earth during its formation: the Giant Flood!"


    With a dramatic flourish, Noah activated a card on his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Giant Flood]!"


    A massive wave of water erupted from behind Noah, cascading forward like a towering horizontal waterfall, threatening to engulf everything in its path.


    "What is this¡ªhelp!" Anzu and Shizuka screamed as the monstrous wave surged toward them.


    "Don''t worry; it''s just a hologram... probably," Hoshino said, though her pale expression betrayed her doubt.


    The flood washed over the field, leaving Hoshino gasping for air, her lips slightly purple. The once-molten ground had dulled to a lifeless gray.


    As for Jeanne Alter, her virtual representation is less fortunate. Swept up in the flood, she yells, "Why am I the only one being swept away?!"


    [Giant Flood Spell Card Effect: Activate only during your Main Phase 1. Send all monsters on the field and in both players'' hands to the Graveyard.](Anime only card)


    "So even monsters in my hand get destroyed? Lucky for me, I didn''t have any," Hoshino said happily, looking at her two Spell Cards.


    Unaffected, Noah discarded one monster card from his hand and then smirked cryptically.


    "Life during the flood can only continue aboard the Ark. I activate the effect of my Deck Master, Shinato''s Ark - Containment!"


    "Containment?" Hoshino asked, narrowing her eyes.


    The massive Ark opened its hull, swallowing the rushing waters and every monster caught within them.


    [Shinato''s Ark Effect: Every monster sent to the Graveyard is trapped in the Ark. Any monsters sent to the Graveyard afterward are also sent directly to this zone.](Anime Effects)


    "From now on, no monsters will remain in the Graveyard. All of them are sealed away within the Ark."


    "No monsters in the Graveyard? This is a bad." Hoshino muttered, scratching her head. A lot of her Heroic Spirits had effects that triggered in the Graveyard, and now that option was off the table.


    "Furthermore, who knows what will happen to those monsters inside that Ark? Considering it''s Noah''s Deck Master, it''s certainly not beneficial for me."


    "With neither player having a monster on their field, the first to summon one would gain a significant advantage!"


    "Hold on, that''s not entirely true, Anzu," Shizuka interjected, tugging on Anzu''s sleeve and pointing towards Hoshino. "Look closely, Hoshino still has a monster on her field."


    "Impossible! After the Flood, a monster still remains?" Noah exclaimed in disbelief.


    Standing defiantly, drenched but unharmed, was a man in a soaked suit, smoking a soggy cigarette.


    "Ugh, even my cigarettes got wet. What a nuisance," he grumbled.


    "How can this be? A monster survived the Great Flood?" Noah repeated, bewildered.


    "Heh, getting Waver to take a break isn''t that easy!"


    Hoshino flipped over her face-down Defense Position monster, revealing Waver. Sliding his card into the Spell/Trap Zone, she explained, "Thanks to Zhuge Liang''s effect, if he''s sent to the Graveyard from the Monster Zone, I can instead place him in the Spell/Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell Card."


    [Zhuge Liang Effect: If this card would be sent to the Graveyard from the Monster Zone, you can place it in the Spell/Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell Card instead.]


    "Before your Ark could contain him, Waver relocated himself to the Spell/Trap Zone! I''m sorry, but it seems you''ll have to continue working overtime, Waver~"


    "You, sorry? Hah, you''ve never apologized for making me grind endlessly or for constantly using Arash NP!" Waver retorted.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 242 - 242

    "Hmph, it''s just transformed into a Spell Card¡ªit doesn''t count as a real monster."


    Understanding the effect, Noah gave a faint smile.


    "Oh? It doesn''t count as a real monster? Then how about this!" Adjusting Waver''s position on the field, Hoshino pressed the activation button for her set card.


    "Quick-Play Spell: [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning]!"


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate when you control no Heroic Spirit monsters. Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Heroic Spirit monster from your Deck in Defense Position. This turn, you cannot Special Summon monsters that aren''t Heroic Spirit monsters.]


    "If I don''t have a Heroic Spirit monster on my field, I can''t activate Mash''s Deck Master effect, and I''ll lose the chance to draw a card. For me, that''s a huge loss!"


    "Using the card effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea Lily] in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1500]


    "And now, I activate her effect! When Medea Lily is Special Summoned, I can add one Spell/Trap card with ''Medea'' in its name from my Deck to my hand."


    "In the face of a catastrophic prehistoric flood, you still display such resilience. I must commend you, Chiyuki!" Noah laughed heartily as he lowered his Duel Disk. "With that, I end my turn~."


    Anzu gasped. "Ending the turn without monsters or set cards?!"


    "This is your chance, Hoshino!" Shizuka exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.


    "My turn! Draw!" Hoshino declared, drawing a card. "And now, Mash''s Deck Master effect activates! During my Standby Phase, if I control a Heroic Spirit monster, I can add one Heroic Spirit monster from my Deck to my hand."


    Hoshino recognized the opportunity before her. Whatever Noah was plotting, with an empty field, it was her best chance to strike.


    "I activate Medea Lily''s effect¡ªonce per turn, I can restore 1000 Life Points!"


    "Hey~~" With an elegant twirl of her staff, Medea Lily unleashed her Noble Phantasm: Pain Breaker!


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 3000 ¡ú 4000]


    "So, this is the second turn of Creation of Heaven and Earth? Then let me¡­" Placing the card retrieved by Mash''s effect onto the field, Hoshino''s shield gleamed golden once more.


    "Year AD 0060¡ªEternal Madness Empire: Septem! Witness the magnificent dance of the Rose Emperor! I Tribute Medea Lily to Tribute Summon Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1900]


    Scarlet rose petals filled the air, contrasting sharply against the desolate wasteland left in the wake of the flood.


    "The glorious Emperor Nero has arrived! Umu!" declared Nero, her commanding voice filled with vigor, her crimson dress accentuating her regal form.


    "Upon summoning, I activate Nero''s special effect!"


    [When this card is Normal/Special Summoned, if no other monsters are on your field, you can draw 1 card.]


    "The prosperity of Rome! The wealth of Rome! Let it shine brightly in this moment!"


    Hoshino drew a card and immediately played another. "Due to Nero''s summoning, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula] from my Deck, Special Summoning it to the field!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1200]


    [If Nero Claudius exists on the field, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard or Deck.]


    "Neroooo!"


    Anzu observed the two summoned Heroic Spirits and analyzed aloud, "She summoned two monsters in one turn! Their combined attack power far exceeds Noah''s remaining Life Points!"


    Pointing dramatically, Hoshino taunted, "That''s right, Noah! An empty field like yours is the perfect target for my all-out assault. Prepare to face the wrath of Rome!"


    "Under the strategist Waver, their attack power increases! Go all out and strike with all your might!"


    [Nero ATK: 2300 ¡ú 2600]


    [Caligula ATK: 1500 ¡ú 1800]


    As Hoshino declared her direct attacks, her Roman warriors charged toward Noah''s defenseless field. "Behold the unstoppable might of Rome!"


    "At the start of the Battle Phase, I activate the Deck Master effect of Shinato''s Ark!"


    Hoshino frowned. "A hidden effect, as expected. I knew it wouldn''t be this simple."


    "Absolute Defense!" Noah raised his hand, and the colossal Ark opened its hull once more.


    [¢Ú: When an opponent''s monster attacks while you control no monsters, you can Special Summon one monster equipped to this card in Defense Position for each face-up Attack Position monster your opponent controls.]


    "This effect is ridiculous! Every time I attack, monsters are summoned to block?!" The airtight defense left Hoshino momentarily stunned.


    "Come forth, my walls! Shield me from their wrath!" From within the Ark, previously contained monsters were "randomly" summoned.


    [Jeanne d''Arc (Alter) DEF 2500]


    [Kiyohime DEF 500]


    "This is supposed to be random?! Who are you trying to fool?" Recognizing the familiar faces, Hoshino yelled in protest.


    But hesitation was not an option.


    Nero vs. Jeanne Alter ¨C Jeanne is destroyed.


    Jeanne Alter: "Why is my luck getting worse and worse every day?!"


    Caligula vs. Kiyohime ¨C Kiyohime is destroyed.


    Kiyohime: "Master, you can''t escape from me tonight~!"


    "That was close. Without Waver''s effect, I wouldn''t have been able to destroy Jeanne Alter." Hoshino sighed in relief. Leaving Noah with a 3000 ATK Jeanne Alter on the field would''ve been disastrous.


    "Since a monster was destroyed, Caligula''s effect activates!"


    [When this card destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, you can gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster''s Level ¡Á 200.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 4000 ¡ú 4600]


    Noah smirked. "According to the Ark''s effect, destroyed monsters aren''t sent to the Graveyard. Instead, they''re returned to the Ark~."


    Even Anzu, grasping the sheer unfairness of the strategy, stomped in frustration. "This effect is outrageous! With that defense, he''s practically invincible!"


    "Set two cards. Turn end!" Hoshino declared with determination, though it was clear to everyone that Noah''s Deck Master ability was bordering on outright cheating.


    "Still, if even cheating can''t save him, the humiliation of his defeat will be twice as great!"


    [Hoshino: 3 hand cards | 2 set cards]


    "My turn! Draw! Activating the Spell Card [Pot of Greed] to draw two cards from my deck."


    As Noah drew his cards, patches of green life began sprouting across the previously desolate terrain.


    "The third turn of creation¡ªthe land, scorched by the prehistoric flood, has cooled completely, paving the way for new life to emerge."


    While narrating, Noah placed a card onto his Duel Disk.


    "I summon [Worm Drake] in Attack Position!"


    [Worm Drake ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][EARTH][Reptile][ATK 1400/DEF 1500]


    A peculiar reptilian creature crawled across the newly verdant landscape.


    Hoshino glanced at the unassuming monster and smirked. "This is the ''third turn of creation''? Doesn''t look like much to me."


    "Don''t be so quick to judge, Chiyuki," Noah replied calmly. "Evolution takes time. Even a fragile creature like this, given enough energy, once ruled the Earth in ancient times." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Maintaining his composure, Noah activated another card.


    "I play the Spell Card [Ultra Evolution Pill]!"


    The Worm Drake greedily swallowed a suspicious capsule, its body grotesquely expanding and transforming.


    [Ultimate Tyranno¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][EARTH][Dinosaur/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2200]


    The massive black dinosaur let out a deafening roar, shaking the battlefield with a ferocity akin to the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "What the¡ª? It evolved into that? And you''re telling me it switched species entirely?!" Hoshino exclaimed.


    [Ultra Evolution Pill Spell Effect: Tribute 1 Reptile monster; Special Summon 1 Dinosaur monster from your hand.]


    "The third turn of creation ushers in the Age of Dinosaurs!" Noah declared. "Using the effect of Ultra Evolution Pill, I tribute Worm Drake to Special Summon Ultimate Tyranno from my hand. The tributed Worm Drake is sent to the Ark."


    On Noah''s Duel Disk, the [Worm Drake] card silently vanished, replaced by the glowing symbol of Shinato''s Ark.


    "Attack, Ultimate Tyranno! Unleash your prehistoric rage!" The enormous dinosaur raised its tail, preparing to strike.


    "Not so fast! I activate my Trap Card: [Poster Girl]! This allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck to intercept the attack. Come forth, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1400 ¡ú 1700/DEF 1900 ¡ú 2200]


    A towering figure, clad in Spartan armor, materialized on the field. Wielding a massive shield, Leonidas braced himself against the dinosaur''s incoming tail strike. The collision resounded, but the Spartan King held his ground.


    "Muscles forged through relentless training will not yield to mere brute force!" Leonidas declared triumphantly.


    [Leonidas I Effect: This card cannot be destroyed in battle by monsters with 2500 or more ATK.]


    "Nice! That monster''s tail swing has been defended!" Anzu cheered.


    "Defend?" Noah smirked. "Hardly. Ultimate Tyranno''s effect activates!"


    [Ultimate Tyranno Effect: This card can attack all monsters your opponent controls, once each.]


    "Continue your assault, Ultimate Tyranno!" The beast''s tail swept across Hoshino''s field.


    "Ugh, this attack¡­" Nero, wielding her sword, was knocked back.


    "Nerooo!" Caligula roared as he watched Nero get knocked back.


    But Hoshino was prepared. "I activate the Deck Master effect of Mash to protect Caligula!"


    "Yes, Senpai!" Mash raised her shield, her voice ringing with determination. "Transient Wall of Snowflakes!"


    "And activate Nero''s effect Once per duel, toss three coins. If at least one result is Heads, she avoids destruction!"


    [Coin Toss Result: Heads, Tails, Tails]


    Leaping back onto the battlefield, Nero elegantly brushed herself off. "Invictus Spiritus! Rome shall never fall! Umu!"


    Despite the relentless assault, Hoshino''s field remained intact, a feat akin to withstanding a beam of light from Goetia himself in FGO.


    [Hoshino LP 4600 ¡ú 3000]


    Clapping slowly, Noah grinned. "Well done, Chiyuki. You''ve managed to survive my onslaught without a single casualty."


    "Now, I activate the Deck Master effect of Shinato''s Ark!"


    [Shinato''s Ark Effect: Once per turn (each player''s turn), you can banish any number of monsters equipped to this card and gain 500 Life Points for each banished monster.]


    [Noah LP 2800 ¡ú 5800]


    "Removing all monsters from the Ark effectively surrenders your defensive capabilities," Hoshino observed, her expression a mixture of concern and frustration as she watched Noah''s Life Points climb rapidly. "I thought I had devised a counter to your defense."


    Noah laughed, spreading his arms wide. "Counter my absolute defense? Show me if you can! I end my turn with one card set."


    [Noah: 1 Hand Card | 1 Set Card]


    "My turn! Draw! I activate Mash''s Deck Master effect to search for a Heroic Spirit monster from my deck!"


    Noah''s sneer widened. "The Age of Dinosaurs is over. I activate my Trap Card: [Jurrac Impact]!"


    A deafening roar echoed as a blazing meteor streaked through the sky.


    "W-What is that?!" Shizuka cried out.


    "The end of an era!" Noah raised his arm dramatically, as if orchestrating divine judgment. The meteor collided with the battlefield, obliterating everything in a cataclysmic explosion.


    [Jurrac Impact Effect: If you control a Dinosaur-Type monster with 2500 or more ATK, destroy all cards on the field.]


    "All cards on the field?! Even my set cards and Waver?!" Hoshino clutched her head, disbelief washing over her. It wasn''t the loss of cards that upset her ¨C it was the sheer audacity of Waver actually clocking out for the day.


    "All destroyed cards are sent to the Ark, and my defense is back online," Noah declared smugly. "Now, show me your so-called strategy to overcome my defense."


    Letting go of her head, Hoshino''s gaze sharpened and focused. "Very well" she said. "Let me show you¡ªthe Third Singularity!"


    "Sealed Ends of the Four Seas: Okeanos! The age of daring pirates who danced with gods and legends¡ªsummon in Attack Position, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mary Read]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mary Read¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000]


    [When this card is Summoned, Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit ¨C Anne Bonny] from your Deck.]


    "Using Mary Read''s effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Anne Bonny]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Anne Bonny¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000]


    Anne grinned. "Heh, we''re a duo, you know!"


    Mary smirked. "Together, we''ll conquer the Seven Seas!"


    "Finally, I fuse Anne and Mary together!" Hoshino declared.


    "Fusion Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Anne Bonny & Mary Read]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 243 - 243

    "Fusion Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Anne Bonny & Mary Read]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Anne Bonny & Mary Read¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 6)][WATER][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 1500]


    [Fusion Materials: "Anne Bonny" + "Mary Read"]


    [Special Summon this card from your Extra Deck by banishing the above Fusion Materials from your field. You do not use [Polymerization] or [Fusion Spell] for the Fusion Summon of this card.] Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anzu tilted her head, puzzled. "So... this is a Fusion?"


    Shizuka mirrored her confusion, cocking her head. "It just looks like two people standing a little closer together."


    "Ahem!" Hoshino cleared her throat awkwardly. "If the card says it''s a Fusion, then it''s a Fusion!"


    Noah scoffed. "So this is the monster you claim can break through my Ark''s defense? With just 1800 Attack Points? If I summon either Tyranno or Leonidas as my shield, it''ll just give me another monster on the field."


    "Don''t worry about that," Hoshino smirked, sliding a new card into her Duel Disk. "I activate the Equip Spell, [Fou of the Sun]!" A fluffy Fou leaped out from Anne''s ample bosom, wriggling around in delight.


    Anne giggled. "Hahaha! That tickles!"


    "Thanks to the Equip Spell, Anne & Mary''s Attack increases by 500 points."


    [Anne & Mary ATK 1800 ¡ú 2300]


    "With this, even Tyranno''s 2200 DEF can''t stop me! Attack, Anne & Mary!" At this moment, Noah''s Ark contained only the five monsters destroyed by Jurrac Impact.


    "I activate the effect of Shinato''s Ark!" The Ark opened, and a familiar weary figure appeared on the battlefield.


    [Heroic Spirit - Zhuge Liang DEF 1000]


    "Even after work, you still have to take a hit? Chaldea''s employee benefits really are the worst!" Mary''s curved sword slashed through Waver''s black suit in a flash.


    "Hey, hey, just pretend you''re doing something! I''ll leave willingly; no need to hit me!"


    [Zhuge Liang] destroyed.


    Due to Shinato''s Ark, the Graveyard effect couldn''t activate, preventing Waver from moving to Noah''s Spell and Trap Zone.


    "You talked big, but your attack was still blocked by my Deck Master," Noah sneered.


    Hoshino grinned mischievously. "Oh, really? Are you sure you''re not missing someone?"


    "Huh?! M-Masaka...!"


    Using the cover of Mary''s attack, Anne leapt high into the air. Her tall, sultry figure landed behind Noah, her rifle¡ªnow with Fou perched on it¡ªaimed squarely at his back.


    "Don''t underestimate pirates!" x2


    [This card can attack twice in one Battle Phase.]


    "Now, you''ve got no monsters left as shields!" Hoshino pointed dramatically, issuing another attack declaration.


    Anne & Mary: "¡ªCaribbean Free Bird!!"


    With a blazing flash of bullets and sword strikes, their combined attack pierced through Noah.


    [Noah LP 5800 ¡ú 3500]


    "Even after a direct attack like that, Noah still has this many Life Points left?" Anzu said worriedly. What should have been a devastating blow instead felt like a minor inconvenience.


    "Your Absolute Defense cheat has already been completely dismantled by my pirate team-up tactics!" Hoshino flashed a smug grin, savoring Noah''s humiliated expression.


    "Damn it... To think you''d actually look down on me like this!" Frustration boiled over as Noah clutched the spot where the attack had struck.


    "Hoshino!!"


    Multiple voices suddenly called out from a distance.


    "That voice... Yugi and Jonouchi?" Turning her head, Hoshino spotted familiar figures running toward her.


    It wasn''t just Yugi and Jonouchi¡ªAkasha, Kaiba, Mokuba, Mai, and even Honda were with them.


    "Honda? Is that really you? You''re not a weird old man, right?" Hoshino asked incredulously.


    "Of course it''s me! 100% genuine Honda inside and out!"


    Shizuka blinked in disbelief. "Honda, even you managed to beat the Big Five?"


    "Uh... well..."


    Kaiba smirked coldly. "I found a monkey who was about to lose and lent a hand."


    "Who are you calling a monkey?!" Honda snapped.


    "Ah, so Kaiba saved Honda! That way, Honda didn''t have to turn into an old man. You''re a real lifesaver, Kaiba!" Hoshino said.


    "Hmph." Kaiba snorted, though he seemed slightly embarrassed. "So, what''s the situation here?"


    "Can''t you tell?" Hoshino thumbed at Noah. "I''m dragged up to your company''s mess again, obviously."


    "Ugh, leaving the hardest part to Hoshino again?" Mokuba looked sheepish. Kaiba Corporation owed Hoshino more than a few favors by now.


    Hoshino shrugged. "But now that Honda''s safe, I don''t think I have any reason to keep dueling."


    "No reason to duel? Heh heh heh!" Noah''s face twisted with anger. Humiliated and ignored, his fury reached a boiling point.


    "In that case, I''ll give you a reason to duel! The fourth round of Earth''s creation begins! After the giant meteor struck, the immense dust cloud covered the skies, blocking out the sun..."


    "You''ve forcibly ended my turn?!" Hoshino exclaimed, noticing that the turn progression indicator light on her Duel Disk had already gone out.


    "Not that it matters. I''ve already attacked anyway."


    [Hoshino''s: 3 Hand cards]


    "With sunlight blocked, the temperature plummets, and the Earth plunges into an Ice Age!"


    A white snowstorm instantly covered the once-green ground, freezing it solid.


    "Shizuka?! What''s going on?!" Suddenly, behind Hoshino, anguished cries from Jonouchi and Honda rang out.


    Shizuka, caught in the icy blast, was frozen along with the earth beneath her, even though she was just a virtual image.


    "This, Chiyuki, is my gift to you¡ªa reason to continue this duel. Are you satisfied?"


    "You bastard! What did you do to Shizuka?!" Jonouchi and Honda, enraged, charged straight at Noah.


    "Oh? Even after witnessing such a sight, you dare to attack a god like me?" Before they could take more than two steps, both were frozen in place, their bodies encased in ice like Shizuka.


    Noah, his grin growing wider, gestured at Hoshino. "Come on, let''s continue this duel. Only by defeating me, the god of creation, can you save your friends."


    "God of creation? Don''t make me laugh. You''re nothing but an immature brat." Hoshino''s voice betrayed no emotion, but her eyes burned with fury at Noah''s despicable actions.


    "Let me fix that twisted personality of yours, brat. Don''t come crying when it hurts!"


    Anzu covered her mouth, her delicate eyes trembling. "How¡­ how could this happen?" Watching their once-lively friends frozen in the icy wasteland was almost too much to bear.


    "My turn, draw!" For the fourth time, as Noah drew his card, the Ark behind him glowed faintly.


    "I knew it!" Hoshino thought. Earlier, she might have believed it was a coincidence, but four consecutive turns of perfect draws? And each one aligning seamlessly with the narrative of his ''duel of creation''? There was no way it was mere chance.


    Unlike Hoshino, who relied on Mash''s Deck Master effect to summon Heroic Spirits tied to the singularities, Noah''s draws alone consistently enabled him to execute the turns of creation flawlessly.


    "Noah, you''re rigging your draws, aren''t you?" Hoshino accused sharply.


    At her words, Noah smirked. "Don''t make it sound so bad, Chiyuki. In this world, my world, I am the rules. Adjusting my deck''s order isn''t breaking any laws, now is it?"


    Kaiba, arms crossed, scoffed coldly. "Hmph, this is nothing more than a coward''s form of cheating."


    Noah''s tone grew venomous. "Is it any more despicable than you stealing KaibaCorp from me and my father, Seto? Once I finish with Chiyuki, you''re next. I''ll make you suffer, starting with the woman you care about at my mercy!"


    "The woman my brother cares about?!" Mokuba stammered. "Y-you¡­ What are you even talking about? Hoshino isn''t¡ª"


    But Kaiba ignored Noah''s taunts entirely. "Do you know why I allowed this ridiculous duel to continue?" he said coldly. "Because you''ve already lost. A weakling, even with cheating, remains a weakling."


    "You dare call me weak?!" Noah snapped. "I''ll show you the fourth turn of creation¡ªactivate Spell Card, [Ice Age Panic]!"


    [Ice Age Panic Effect: Activate only while you control no monsters. Special Summon 1 EARTH monster from your Deck.](Anime only Card)


    "Arise, ruler of the Ice Age! Special Summon [Last Tusk Mammoth]!"


    [Last Tusk Mammoth ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][EARTH][Dinosaur/Effect][ATK 800/DEF 700](Anime only Card)


    From the frozen wasteland emerged a hulking mammoth, its size rivaling that of a prehistoric behemoth.


    Hoshino frowned, eyeing its low stats. "I''ve seen this in Ice Age. Don''t tell me you''re about to evolve it into something ridiculous again?"


    Noah glanced at the single card remaining in his hand. Even if it were an evolution pill, the mammoth didn''t seem capable of using such effects.


    "No, this is its final form," Noah said confidently, inserting his last card into his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Equip Spell [Mist Body] and equip it to Last Tusk Mammoth. Now, attack!"


    [Mist Body Effect: The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    Mary smirked. "An attack this weak? You''ve gotta be kidding me."


    Anne laughed, raising her gun. "Leave this to me. It''ll be easy!"


    Bang! A fiery bullet shot through the icy air, melting the snow as it pierced the mammoth''s massive body.


    "Thanks to [Mist Body], Mammoth cannot be destroyed by battle," Noah declared smugly. The mammoth turned translucent, letting the bullet pass harmlessly through.


    "But battle damage still applies, right?"


    Noah grinned darkly. "Of course¡ªto you, Chiyuki!"


    The bullet that passed through the mammoth made a sudden 180-degree turn and shot directly at Hoshino.


    "Last Tusk Mammoth''s effect: Your opponent also takes any Battle Damage you would take from battles involving this card!"


    Yugi frowned. "An effect like that? No wonder he equipped it with Mist Body!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 3000 ¡ú 1500]


    "Sorry, Master~" Anne stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "I messed up, didn''t I?"


    Clutching her chest, Hoshino gritted her teeth. "With that indestructible equip card, you''re just whittling my Life Points down. One more hit like that, and I''m in real danger."


    "And now," Noah continued, "I activate the Ark''s Deck Master effect: banish all five monsters from the Ark to recover 500 Life Points for each one!"


    [Noah LP: 3500 ¡ú 6000]


    "How is this fair?!" Anzu exclaimed. "Hoshino worked so hard to bring his Life Points down, and now they''ve recovered just like that!"


    "It''s your turn, Chiyuki," Noah said smugly.


    [Noah''s field: 0 Hand Cards | 0 Set Cards]


    "My turn, draw! Activating Mash''s Deck Master effect¡­"


    Hoshino clenched her fists. Even with the Ark empty for now, its ability to replenish itself whenever monsters entered the graveyard made normal attacks completely ineffective.


    "I''ll have to find another way to win!" Determined, Hoshino returned Anne Bonny & Mary Read to her Extra Deck.


    "Activating Anne & Mary''s special effect!"


    [Effect: Once per turn, you can return this card to the Extra Deck and target 2 of your banished [Heroic Spirit] monsters. Special Summon those monsters in Defense Position. You can also activate this effect during the opponent''s turn.]


    "Master''s mad at us for shooting her!" Anne whimpered as they vanished.


    "Idiot," Mary retorted. "Master must have a plan."


    "Using their effect, I Special Summon [Medea Lily] and [Jeanne d''Arc] in Defense Position from the banished zone!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Medea Lily DEF: 1500]


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc DEF: 3000]


    "Then I activate Medea Lily''s effect! Upon being Special Summoned, I can add one Spell or Trap that mentions ''Medea'' to my hand.And then I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Elixir of Rejuvenation]!"


    [Elixir of Rejuvenation Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster on the field whose name does not include [Lily]; return it to the Deck. Special Summon 1 [Lily] monster from your Deck.]


    "Jeanne, I''ll need your help. Please drink this~" Hoshino said with an innocent smile.


    Jeanne tilted her head skeptically. "This looks super suspicious. Besides, if you''re going to summon my younger self, shouldn''t Alter be the one drinking this?"


    "It''s just a card effect! It won''t actually turn you younger. This is a crucial moment, and we need the Holy Maiden to come through!" Hoshino coaxed her, half-pleading and half-persuading.


    Jeanne sighed, her sense of responsibility winning over. "Oh, fine! If this is what it takes to protect Master, I''ll step up!" With one swift motion, she gulped the elixir. Her face twisted into a dramatic "x<" expression.


    "This is so bitter!" Jeanne cried.


    "Perfect! The fourth singularity is now open¡ªA.D. 1888, Death World in the Demonic Fog City!" Hoshino announced. As she spoke, a thick fog rapidly enveloped the frozen wasteland.


    "The Mist City: London, a symphony of knights and thunder under the shadow of terror!"


    Due to the effect of Elixir of Rejuvenation, Jeanne was returned to the deck, replaced by a new Heroic Spirit.


    "Now, Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Jack the Ripper]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 244 - 244

    "¡ª¡ªCome forth, Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Jack the Ripper]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jack the Ripper ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)] [DARK] [Zombie/Effect] [ATK 800/DEF 1000]


    "And now, I activate Medea Lily''s special effect¡ªduring the Main Phase, recover 1000 Life Points!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 1500 ¡ú 2500]


    The dense fog that cloaked the frozen wasteland made Noah falter slightly. "This isn''t part of the Creation script."


    "Of course not, because this is my counterattack''s script!" With a sly smile, Hoshino gave her order to the materialized Jack. "Jack-chan, it''s up to you¡ªactivate your effect!"


    "Yes, Mommy!" Jack''s petite figure crouched, her crimson eyes glowing ominously through the thick fog.


    "Jack''s effect allows me to change one of your monsters from face-up to face-down Defense Position!" The creeping fog slithered toward Last Tusk Mammoth, enveloping its massive form entirely.


    Even with the fog obscuring the battlefield, Kaiba''s sharp gaze saw through the action. "Forcing it into face-down Defense Position means¡ª"


    "Exactly! According to the rules, a face-down monster cannot remain equipped, so Mist Body is destroyed!" Hoshino declared. As if on cue, the hologram of Noah''s Equip Spell shattered into fragments of useless data.


    "This means your Last Tusk Mammoth has lost its indestructible effect. Jack-chan, attack now!"


    Jack''s eerie voice echoed through the mist. Her small form darted forward, brandishing razor-sharp daggers that gleamed like streaks of silver light piercing through the darkness.


    "Hell is starting. We are flame, rain, power¡­ Let there be a slaughter¡­ Maria the Ripper!!"


    [Last Tusk Mammoth] Destroyed


    Last Tusk Mammoth was annihilated, its form crumbling into data.


    "Due to the Ark''s effect, Last Tusk Mammoth is sent to the Ark!" Noah shouted as the remains of the Mammoth were absorbed into the Ark''s glowing core.


    Hoshino swiftly slid a new card into her Duel Disk. "Even though your monsters in the Ark will replenish later, during the Battle Phase, you can''t activate Ark Defense to summon monsters!"


    Ark Defense''s effect summons wall-like monsters equal to the number of monsters on Hoshino''s field at the start of the Battle Phase, but it can''t be activated mid-battle.


    "Activating the Quick-Play Spell [Heroic Spirit Summon]!"


    [Heroic Spirit Summon Effect: Banish 2 [Heroic Spirit] monsters from your hand or field. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand.]


    "I banish Jack the Ripper and Medea Lily to Special Summon the monster I retrieved earlier with Mash''s effect!"


    Akasha''s eyebrows twitched with excitement. "Hoshino-nee summoned a monster like this?! She bypassed Ark Defense, and by banishing her tributes, they won''t enter the Ark. Amazing!"


    Even though Medea Lily couldn''t attack, Hoshino didn''t hold back her offensive.


    "You think Ark Defense is enough to stop me? Brat, your cheats aren''t nearly strong enough!" With a confident grin, Hoshino slammed the retrieved card onto her Duel Disk.


    "This is the thunderbolt that pierces through fog and calamity¡ªSpecial Summon [Heroic Spirit - Sakata Kintoki]!"


    A golden lightning bolt tore through the heavens, shattering the frozen wasteland and splitting the icy ground beneath their feet.


    "Golden''s here! Let''s wreck him, Boss!" The electrifying presence of Kintoki lit up the battlefield, evoking the image of a scene straight out of The Terminator.


    [Heroic Spirit - Sakata Kintoki ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)] [LIGHT] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2700/DEF 1500]


    "All right, don''t hold back¡ªstrike that arrogant little brat!" Hoshino commanded, raising her arm dramatically.


    BOOM! Lightning surged into Kintoki''s massive golden axe, radiating with unrestrained power.


    "Time to let loose! Let me go wild for a bit!" Kintoki roared, leaping high into the air. His axe, glowing like molten gold, cleaved toward Noah in a dazzling arc.


    "Blow ''em away, Lethal Gooolden Spaaaark!!"


    The impact shattered the frozen ground, carving jagged cracks beneath Noah''s feet.


    [Noah LP: 6000 ¡ú 3300]


    Dazed and trembling, Noah tried to retort. "Calling me, the Creator God, a brat?! You barely scratched me¡ªdon''t get too cocky, Chiyuki!"


    "Scratched you? Noah, my attack isn''t over yet!" Amid the thunderous crackle of electricity, Hoshino inserted another card into her Duel Disk.


    "Kintoki, get ready to transform!"


    "Roger that, Boss!" Kintoki grinned and pulled a golden belt from seemingly nowhere, strapping it on.


    "Quick-Play Spell [Phantasmal Summoning]! Fusing Emiya from my hand with Sakata Kintoki on the field!"


    "What?! Fusion?!" Noah''s calm mask cracked further. A Fusion during the Battle Phase meant Hoshino could keep attacking.


    "Fusion Summon [Heroic Spirit - Sakata Kintoki (Rider)]!"


    "Transform¡ªRider Kintoki!" Golden light enveloped Kintoki as his attire transformed, and a sleek black motorcycle materialized beside him.


    "Climbin'' mountains? Breakin'' the sound barrier? Pfft, that''s child''s play! I could wrestle a bear, swim a raging river, and still have time for a nap!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Sakata Kintoki (Rider) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)] [WIND] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect] [ATK 2500/DEF 1500]


    [Fusion Materials: Sakata Kintoki + 1 WIND-attribute [Heroic Spirit] monster.]


    [This card can attack directly.]


    "This is my golden tempest''s counterattack, you arrogant brat!" Hoshino shouted, her adrenaline spiking as Kintoki revved his motorcycle''s engine.


    "Race forward, Golden!"


    "Hold on tight, Boss! Though, like, you''re not even ridin''!" Kintoki teased with a wide grin, revving his bike to its limit.


    "Let''s hit the road then! Bear Howling!¡ªGOLDEN DRIIIIVE!!!"


    "Nooooo!" Noah''s panicked scream echoed as the golden flash streaked across the battlefield, leaving thunderous destruction in its wake.


    [Noah LP: 3300 ¡ú 800]


    "GOODNIGHT!!!"


    "My Ark''s Absolute Defense was completely breached by such a monster!"


    Noah was grinding his teeth in frustration. In this world, where he wielded absolute control, this was the first time he had suffered such humiliation.


    Seeing Noah''s defeated expression, Kaiba smirked smugly. "Hmph, I told you¡ªweaklings remain weaklings, even when they cheat! The outcome of this duel is already decided."


    "Noah, it seems your Seven Turns of Creation won''t reach completion!" Hoshino joined in Kaiba''s taunts, her confidence unshaken. Rider Kintoki had a straightforward ability¡ªdirect attacks on players. Against him, Ark Defense was completely useless.


    "It''s your turn, kid. The next draw will be your final chance to complete the Seven Turns of Creation!" Sliding her final card into the Duel Disk, Hoshino ended her golden whirlwind of a counterattack.


    [Hoshino''s Field: 0 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    "My turn¡ªdraw!" Both duelists were now running on fumes, with no cards in hand. At this point, Noah no longer bothered concealing his manipulation of the card order. As he drew, the Ark behind him glowed brightly, illuminating his deck.


    "Activate Spell Card: [Card of Demise]!"


    "I knew it!" Yugi smirked, as if the move had been completely within his expectations. In this situation, with the ability to control the order of his draws, Card of Demise was undoubtedly Noah''s best option to replenish his hand.


    "As expected!" Hoshino echoed Yugi''s words with a confident laugh.


    "Why are you laughing, Hoshino?! This is a serious crisis!" Anzu fretted nervously.


    Hoshino''s tone, however, remained calm and assured. "Relax, Anzu. If he really can manipulate his draws, this must be the card he values most right now. Do you think I wouldn''t be prepared for this?"


    "Could it be...?" Kaiba''s sharp eyes narrowed. From Hoshino''s unwavering confidence, he seemed to sense a hidden countermeasure.


    "It''s exactly as you suspect, Kaiba. Activate the Trap Card!"


    The card revealed by Hoshino had to be the one retrieved earlier through Medea Lily''s effect¡ªa Spell/Trap card with "Medea" in its text.


    "Counter Trap Card: [Rule Breaker]!"


    [Rule Breaker Counter Trap Effect: If you control a [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medea], you can activate this card from your hand.


    ¢Ù: When a Spell or Trap Card is activated while you control a [Heroic Spirit] monster, you can activate this card. Negate the activation, return that card to the owner''s deck, and your opponent cannot activate the returned card or any cards with the same name this turn.]


    "Thanks to Rule Breaker, your Card of Demise is negated and returned to your deck!" Purple lightning erupted from Hoshino''s revealed card, shattering Noah''s freshly activated Spell.


    Akasha cheered excitedly. "She did it! Hoshino-nee just stopped that kid''s last chance to draw extra cards!"


    "Noah, replacing the potential of Duel Monsters with preordained outcomes¡­ it completely ruins the fun of the game!" Hoshino drew the used Rule Breaker from her field, pointing directly at Noah.


    "After all, dueling against someone as predictable as you makes it easy to anticipate every move!"


    Leaning casually against his golden motorcycle, Kintoki whistled. "Cool! Cooler! Coolest! That was Golden-tier awesome, Boss!"


    "He has no cards in hand and no monsters on the field! Hoshino''s Rider Kintoki can bypass Absolute Defense without a hitch!" Mokuba practically jumped with excitement. "To win against such blatant cheating¡ªHoshino, you''re amazing!" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Enough with the racket!" Noah roared. Having taken loss after loss since the previous turn, his fury could no longer be contained.


    With a dramatic wave of his hand, a snowstorm erupted, engulfing the room and freezing Mokuba solid in an instant. "You''re all just ants! How dare you think you can defeat a god of creation!"


    "Mokuba!" Kaiba''s voice trembled with rage. "Noah, you dare lay a hand on Mokuba?! This is unforgivable!"


    "Calm yourself, Kaiba, or you''ll get frozen too!" Yugi held back the seething Kaiba, his brows furrowing in determination. "Trust Hoshino. This duel is almost impossible for her to lose now. Just watch."


    "Chiyuki, I admit your Seven Singularities surpass my Seven Turns of Creation in some respects." Freezing Mokuba seemed to calm Noah''s mood somewhat. His mercurial temperament underscored his immaturity despite his self-proclaimed divinity.


    "Admitting defeat already? But the real fun is just beginning~" Hoshino teased. In just four turns, her Seven Singularities had dismantled Noah''s so-called Seven Turns of Creation, even against his cheat-like [Ark Defense].


    "Admit defeat? Don''t make me laugh." Noah sneered. "I''m just bored of this Seven Turns of Creation nonsense. Activate the Ark''s effect: banish all monsters in the Ark!"


    Currently stored in Shinato''s Ark were Last Tusk Mammoth and the Fusion Materials used for Rider Kintoki¡ªa total of three monsters, restoring 1500 Life Points.


    [Noah LP: 800 ¡ú 2300]


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "Even if you recover LP, you still can''t withstand an attack from Rider Kintoki. Why give up your defense?"


    "Such effects are no longer necessary!" Noah declared. With a grand gesture, the Ark began to tremble violently. "I Special Summon my Deck''s Master: [Shinato''s Ark]!"


    "Huh? How can a Ritual card be summoned like that?" Hoshino''s unease grew as a foreboding chill crept up her spine.


    "Hahaha! In this very moment, the ritual for Shinato''s Ark has been completed. Activate the final effect of Shinato''s Ark Deck Master!"


    The surface of the Ark began to glow with intense golden light before shattering completely.


    [When the number of monsters banished by the Deck Master effect reaches 12, or the game enters the 8th turn, the Deck Master is sacrificed. Ritual Summon and replace the Deck Master with [Shinato, King of a Higher Plane.]]


    From the broken Ark emerged a six-winged, godlike entity, its radiant golden wings spreading wide.


    "Kneel before the ultimate Deck Master of my deck¡ªRitual Summon [Shinato, King of a Higher Plane]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 245 - 245

    [Shinato, King of a Higher Plane¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Fairy/Ritual/Effect][ATK 3300/DEF 3000]


    A massive, golden, six-winged angel hovered in the center of the field, its eerie smile exuding an indescribable sense of oppression.


    "So, this is Noah''s true Deck Master?" Anzu muttered, instinctively leaning closer to Yugi as a faint unease crept over her.


    Kaiba''s pupils contracted slightly as he muttered, "Could it be that the effects of the Ark were merely preparatory steps for summoning this Deck Master?"


    "Shinato, King of a Higher Plane¡ªthis is your ultimate trump card, Noah?" Hoshino said, her voice strained but steady as she locked her gaze on the massive creature floating above. "It only seems slightly stronger."


    "Come, Chiyuki! Let''s finish this duel once and for all!" Noah spread his arms wide, his face alight with a joy that radiated absolute control.


    "Although, you really don''t stand a chance anymore! Attack, Shinato, King of a Higher Plane¡ªSix Paths Reincarnation!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shinato''s clasped violet hands suddenly opened, releasing a terrifying surge of energy that condensed into a blinding ring of light. The energy wheel hurtled forward, targeting Hoshino''s Sakata Kintoki (Rider) on the field.


    "Shinato''s effect activates¡ªwhen it attacks, it deals damage equal to half of the opponent''s current Life Points!"


    The shockwave from the light ring struck Hoshino directly, sending her stumbling slightly as her Life Points fell sharply.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 2500 ¡ú 1250]


    "Mash, activate the Deck Master''s effect! Don''t let Kintoki be destroyed!" Hoshino commanded firmly, undeterred by the sudden drop in her Life Points. As long as she could survive Noah''s turn, Kintoki''s direct attack in the next turn would secure her victory.


    "Yes, Senpai!" Mash responded resolutely, raising her shield once more. "Shield of Rousing Resolution¡ªugh!"


    Mash''s movements abruptly froze, as if an invisible force had bound her in place.


    "You want to activate your Deck Master''s effect? There''s no chance, Chiyuki! Shinato''s Deck Master Effect¡ªSix Paths Curse Seal Wheel!"


    With a light wave of Noah''s finger, dense layers of glowing purple runes materialized, wrapping tightly around Mash, who was standing behind Hoshino with her shield raised.


    [¢Ù: When this Deck Master is on the field, the effects of all cards other than the opponent''s Deck Master are negated.]


    "Your Mash may be a Deck Master, but without being summoned to the field, her abilities can''t be activated!"


    The energy shield protecting Kintoki instantly shattered into pieces.


    "And with this, it''s checkmate! Sakata Kintoki, destroyed¡ªwahahaha!" Noah''s maniacal laughter echoed as the sharp light wheel tore through Kintoki''s sturdy frame.


    "Sorry, boss, I''m outta gas..."


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªSakata Kintoki (Rider)] Destroyed


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 1250 ¡ú 450]


    "And don''t forget Shinato''s other effect¡ªany damage it deals is restored to my Life Points."


    [Noah LP: 2300 ¡ú 3100]


    Basking in his restored Life Points, Noah''s grin grew even more deranged. "The tables have completely turned now, Chiyuki! See? No one can defeat the god who created this world!"


    Displeased, Anzu retorted, "Just stacking overpowered effects onto your Deck Master doesn''t make you a god!"


    "Who gave you permission to talk back to a god?" With a cold glare, Noah didn''t even raise his hand as Anzu was instantly frozen in place, encased in a glittering icy field.


    "Anzu!!" Yugi shouted, his fists trembling in fury as blood seeped from his tightly clenched hands.


    "My turn ends. It''s your move, Chiyuki!"


    [Noah''s: 0 Hand Cards | 0 Set Cards]


    "This is bad. Without Mash''s effect, I can''t easily add Heroic Spirits to my hand," Hoshino muttered, her voice low. Noah''s ultimate trump card, the oppressive Deck Master ability of Shinato, had completely caught her off guard.


    If the Ark had been an impenetrable defense, then Shinato was an absolute lockdown.


    "My turn, draw!" Hoshino glanced at her drawn card, her expression tightening as she analyzed her options.


    "Feeling despair after drawing your last card, Chiyuki? Take your time¡ªponder the inevitability of your defeat!" Noah mocked, his voice dripping with condescension.


    "If only Deck Master effects remain active, then it''s all up to you, Mash!" Resolving herself, Hoshino summoned her Deck Master to the field.


    "I understand, Senpai. If I retreat now, I don''t deserve to be a Heroic Spirit or a Deck Master!" Mash raised her shield, stepping forward with determination.


    "I Special Summon Deck Master [Heroic Spirit¡ªMash Kyrielight] and set one card. Turn end!"


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªMash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (4-star)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]


    [Hoshino''s: 0 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    Akasha tugged on Yugi''s arm. "Hoshino-nee set a Spell or Trap card at the end, right?"


    Yugi frowned. "But with Noah''s Deck Master effect, she can''t activate it. This is bad."


    "Hahaha, Chiyuki! So you''ve finally summoned your Deck Master. But no matter what you do, this will be your final turn!"


    Instead of drawing a card at the start of his turn, Noah slowly ascended into the air, merging with the massive, radiant form of Shinato.


    "This turn, I''ll personally take the form of an absolute god to obliterate you!"


    "You''re fusing yourself with that hideous monster? That''s your so-called divine form?" Hoshino sneered, her tone dripping with disdain as she watched the grotesque transformation.


    "You mortals will never comprehend the majesty of a god!" Noah''s voice boomed as the blinding ring of Six Paths Reincarnation appeared once again.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 450 ¡ú 225]


    "It''s useless! Mash in Defense Position won''t be destroyed!" Hoshino declared. Thanks to her Deck Master status, Mash''s own effect remained active. Even the sharp light wheel of Six Paths Reincarnation couldn''t pierce her stalwart shield.


    "I know that much," Noah replied smugly, his expression tinged with delight. "But I''m also fully aware of Mash''s post-attack transformation ability~"


    After the attack, Noah extended Shinato''s thin, elongated finger toward the sky, as if beckoning forth divine retribution.


    "Can you withstand this divine thunder? I activate the Spell Card I just drew: [Raigeki]!"


    [Raigeki Spell Card Effect: Destroy all monsters your opponent controls.]


    As thunder gathered at his fingertips, Noah exuded an aura of immense magical power, his imposing figure now embodying the presence of a god.


    "It''s over, Chiyuki!" he declared triumphantly.


    With a dramatic wave of his hand, the thunderbolt lashed out like a celestial blade, roaring toward Mash, who had shifted into Attack Position on Hoshino''s field.


    "This is bad!" Kaiba shouted, his voice laced with rare alarm. "If her Deck Master gets destroyed..."


    Akasha gasped, her grip tightening on Yugi''s arm. "Hoshino-nee... Does this mean she''ll lose?"


    Yugi''s brows furrowed deeply as he muttered, "Hoshino... Even you might not be able to defeat Noah now."


    .


    ..


    ...


    "I will block it for you, Senpai! No matter the time, no matter the attack, I will always stand in front of you!"


    Facing the earth-shattering thunder, Mash once again raised her shield, unflinching even in Attack Mode.


    "Mash¡­ You¡­" Hoshino murmured, her voice trembling as she looked at Mash''s determined figure.


    That slender yet stalwart form reminded her of another time¡ªwhen Mash had faced Goetia''s Noble Phantasm with the same unyielding resolve.


    "So, please¡­ win, Senpai!"


    The roaring thunder showed no mercy as it crashed into Mash''s shield, engulfing her entirely in a blinding explosion of light.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight] Destroyed


    "I''ve won! Hahaha!" Noah''s laughter boomed across the field, the vibrations from his massive form reverberating through the air. "No matter how noble your words, divine lightning triumphs in the end!"


    "Noah," Hoshino spoke softly, her voice steady yet tinged with icy anger. "Never has anyone made me this angry before. You''re the first."


    The unexpected intensity in her tone caused Noah to falter slightly, a flicker of doubt creeping into his expression. "What... Why hasn''t the duel ended yet?"


    "Mash''s final Deck Master effect activates!" Hoshino raised her right hand as an immense crimson magical energy ignited, glowing fiercely on the back of her delicate hand.


    [When this card is destroyed: You can target 1 other card you control; that target becomes the Deck Master. The effects of the new Deck Master are reset.]


    "A card on the field? Wait... could it be..." Noah''s eyes darted to Hoshino''s back row, his gaze locking onto the last card she had drawn and set. The card was now glowing, its radiant energy signifying its transformation into her new Deck Master.


    "This is my final Deck Master¡ª[Chaldea Mana Support System]!"


    As crimson Command Seals appeared on the back of Hoshino''s hand, their radiant patterns intertwined to form a stunning, intricate crest.


    [Deck Master Effect: Once per duel, place three [Command Seal] counters on this card.]


    Kaiba was momentarily stunned. "She used a Continuous Spell Card to inherit the role of Deck Master?!"


    Yugi couldn''t help but smile faintly, shaking his head in admiration. "If Noah can use a Ritual Spell as a Deck Master, then of course Hoshino can use a Continuous Spell. It''s only fair."


    "Only she could''ve come up with this..." Kaiba muttered, though his clenched fists betrayed his excitement at the sudden turn of events.


    "Passing on the role of Deck Master, is it?" Noah sneered, his massive form trembling with irritation. "Did you plan this all along, Chiyuki? Is that why you set Mash as the Deck Master in the first place?"


    "No," Hoshino said, her gaze fixed on the Command Seals glowing on her hand. "It''s just pure faith in my adorable k¨­hai."


    Turning her sharp eyes back to Noah, she smirked. "Now continue, brat. I can''t wait to punch you until you cry!"


    "You think you can make a god cry? With that insignificant Continuous Spell? Prove it if you can! Turn end."


    [Noah''s remaining cards: 0]


    "You think it''s just an insignificant Continuous Spell? You couldn''t be more wrong!" Hoshino raised her glowing Command Seal high, its crimson light blazing across the frozen battlefield like a beacon of defiance.


    "This is the ultimate Deck Master, forged from Chaldea''s wisdom and Mash''s unyielding spirit!"


    Noah laughed dismissively, his booming voice echoing across the field. "The ultimate Deck Master? The ultimate Deck Master is my Shinato, King of a Higher Plane!"


    "Activating the Deck Master effect of Chaldea Mana Support System!" Hoshino tightened her fist as one of the Command Seals flared, its blazing red light brighter than ever.


    [Command Seal] x3 ¡ú [Command Seal] x2


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 225 ¡ú 1]


    Yugi gasped. "She reduced her LP to just 1?! She''s going all in for one final strike!"


    The Command Seal''s activation unleashed a torrent of crimson magic, forming countless threads that wrapped around Noah''s colossal form, binding him in place.


    The other ends of the threads converged into Hoshino''s hand, making it appear as if she had cast a crimson net to ensnare Shinato itself.


    "What is this?!" Noah roared, his massive form writhing helplessly. "What are you doing?!"


    Gripping the magical threads tightly, Hoshino smirked. "A so-called god making such a pathetic face¡ªdon''t you know the real fun is about to start?"


    With a sharp tug, Hoshino began reeling in the massive form of Shinato, dragging it closer with seemingly little effort, like a predator pulling in its prey.


    "Why can''t I resist?! What are you planning?!" Noah''s voice grew increasingly frantic as he was pulled closer.


    "What am I planning?" Hoshino''s tone turned steely, the glow on her Command Seal reaching its peak. "Didn''t I already say?"


    Clenching her glowing fist, she took a step forward, her piercing gaze burning into Noah.


    "I''m going to punch you until you cry, you stupid arrogant brat!"


    Although her slender, fair arms appeared fragile, the enhancement of the Command Seal''s power transformed them into weapons of overwhelming force, rivaling even Saint Martha''s strength.


    "Clench your teeth! This is Hoshino Chiyuki''s custom-made Twisted Personality Correction Punch!"


    Her fist, wrapped in crimson magic like a flaming comet, slammed into Noah''s merged form with Shinato.


    "Blugh¡ª!" Noah''s face twisted in pure shock and pain. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that in this virtual world of his creation, he could be struck down like this.


    "I won''t let you escape, Chiyuki! Even if you win this duel, I won''t let you leave this world alive!" Overwhelmed with humiliation, Noah''s anger exploded, his threats echoing hollowly.


    Hoshino let the crimson magic dissipate from her fist as she replied, utterly unfazed. "If you think you can, then try it¡ªassuming you still have the power to control this world!"


    "Jonouchi, Shizuka, Anzu, Honda!" Yugi cried out in astonishment as his previously frozen companions returned to normal.


    Not only were his friends recovering, but the frozen wasteland around them began to thaw. The surroundings reverted to the desolate wilderness they had first arrived in.


    "Mokuba!" Kaiba trembled as he saw Mokuba restored to his original state, his long-held anxiety finally easing.


    Mokuba looked at his frost-free hands and blushed. "Could it be that Hoshino saved me again?"


    [Chaldea Mana Support System Effect: Discard 1 Command Spell Counter. Reduce your Life Points to 1. Negate the effects of your opponent''s Deck Master. Your opponent''s Deck Master''s ATK becomes 0.]


    [Shinato, King of a Higher Plane ATK 3300 ¡ú 0]


    "My power... My power is completely gone!"


    Feeling Shinato''s attack power drop to zero and his control over the virtual world vanish, Noah screamed in disbelief. "This is impossible! How could a mere Duel Monsters override my control?!"


    Hoshino''s lips curled into a sly grin. "Finally scared, are we? This is the crystallization of Chaldea''s wisdom¡ªthe Command Seal!"


    (***)


    Meanwhile, at Chaldea¡ª


    Da Vinci: "Setting the Command Seal cards I designed as Deck Masters to connect this virtual world to Chaldea? Hoshino-chan really pulled off something incredible~."


    BB, slumped over her keyboard, sighed dramatically. "The real amazing is me, BB! Modifying the entire control program in the few seconds I was connected was no walk in the park, you know!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "In conclusion, you''re finished, brat!" The two remaining Command Seals on Hoshino''s hand flared brightly.


    "Removing two [Command Spell] counters to Special Summon two Heroic Spirits from the Graveyard!"


    The only monsters left in Hoshino''s Graveyard were the ones sent there after the Ark''s containment effect had ended.


    "Golden, Mash! I''m counting on you for the final blow!"


    [Sakata Kintoki (Rider) ATK 2500]


    "Boss, you''re a legend! That punch was so sick, I almost cried tears of pure hype!"


    [Mash Kyrielight ATK 1000]


    "Senpai! I knew you could do it! I''ve always believed in you!"


    Devoid of power, Noah was mentally shattered. "I am a god! The god of this world cannot lose!"


    "I told you, I''d punch you until you cried!" Hoshino declared, pointing forward with force.


    "NO! Help me!!!" Noah''s voice broke as tears welled up in his eyes, his regret palpable as he realized the folly of merging with his Deck Master.


    "Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh¡ª!"


    [Noah LP 3300 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Ended. Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 246 - 246

    "It''s finally over~," Hoshino sighed, deactivating her duel disk and slumping to the ground.


    Before this duel, she had never imagined a day would come when she''d have to fight someone herself. Even though it was within a virtual world, the aches and pains she felt in her body were all too real, making them hard to ignore.


    She glanced at Noah, who lay sprawled flat on the ground ahead of her, staring blankly at the sky with lifeless eyes¡ªa look of complete defeat, as if he had been utterly broken.


    "Did I go too far?" Hoshino scratched her head uncertainly.


    "Not at all!" Jonouchi''s voice rang out as he swaggered over, grabbing Noah''s arm and effortlessly hauling his small frame into the air.


    "How dare you harm Shizuka and my friends like that! Did you think I''d let you off the hook?" Without another word, he delivered a merciless punch, sending Noah''s body flying across the ground.


    "Onii-chan, stop fighting!" Shizuka protested, seemingly oblivious to Jonouchi''s reputation as a former school delinquent.


    Cracking his knuckles with a satisfied grin, Jonouchi shrugged. "What''s the big deal? It''s just a virtual body anyway. But even so, if I don''t get a few punches in, I won''t feel any better!"


    "Gah!" Noah spat out a mouthful of blood, wiping the corner of his mouth as he struggled to stand. He knew if he stayed down, another beating was sure to follow.


    Kaiba approached with his signature icy glare. "You''ve lost, Noah."


    The others chimed in from behind him. "Yeah! Let us out of here already!"


    "Let you out? Heh..." Noah''s aura darkened, and his hollow eyes fixed on the ground. "I''ve already lost control of this virtual world I created. I have nothing left."


    Yugi quickly pieced the situation together. "If Noah lost his power over the world, then Jonouchi and the others were able to recover. That means... the current master of this world is¡ª"


    "No way..." All eyes turned to Hoshino, who was still sitting on the ground. Their gazes were a mix of curiosity and disbelief.


    "Huh? Me?" Hoshino pointed at herself in confusion. Although she had shattered Noah''s control over the world with a single punch, she didn''t feel any different.


    "That means you''ve become the god of this world, Hoshino-nee!" Akasha exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "So cool! If you''re a god, doesn''t that mean you can do anything?"


    Hoshino awkwardly scratched her cheek. "Becoming a god isn''t that simple, you know. Besides, I don''t feel like I''ve gained any special powers."


    "Give it a try, Hoshino! If you don''t, we might be stuck in this virtual world forever," Mokuba urged, clearly worried.


    "Alright, I''ll give it a shot~," Hoshino said, raising a finger and pointing at Jonouchi. "Turn into a monkey!"


    BOOM¡ª


    With a puff of smoke and a dramatic explosion, the spot where Jonouchi had stood was now occupied by a golden-furred monkey with a hairstyle strikingly similar to his own.


    Hoshino stared at her finger, then at the monkey version of Jonouchi in disbelief. "No way, it actually worked?"


    "Screech, screech!" Monkey Jonouchi scratched his head frantically, his panic evident.


    "This is Onii-chan? How cute!" Shizuka crouched down and patted the monkey''s head with a smile.


    "Enough messing around, Hoshino," Anzu said, placing her hands on her hips and sighing at Jonouchi''s ridiculous state. "Try to see if you can get us out of here."


    "Right, right~," Hoshino replied, sticking out her tongue apologetically.


    "Screech, screech! (Turn me back first!!)"


    Hoshino turned her attention to Noah, who still looked utterly defeated. With a serious expression, she declared, "Noah, as someone who''s already dead, you shouldn''t linger here in this form. I''ll help you put an end to everything."


    "So, it''s over... all that I''ve been holding onto for so many years." Resigned, Noah shifted his gaze to Kaiba. "Seto, I''ll never admit it. Even if I lost to Chiyuki, I''ll never acknowledge that I''m inferior to you."


    Kaiba scoffed coldly. "Hmph. You''re nothing more than a ghost in a virtual world. Your acknowledgment means nothing to me."


    "Goodbye, Noah!" Raising her hand to the sky, Hoshino commanded, "As the god of this world, I declare¡ªend it all!"


    The dark sky responded as if the lights of the virtual world had been abruptly turned off. The entire world began to collapse, and the infinitely stretched space reverted to the appearance of the underwater fortress.


    "If this world collapses like this, I''ll be in big trouble!" A deep, commanding voice echoed from the darkened sky.


    "What''s happening?!" Everyone looked up in shock.


    Kaiba''s body stiffened, and a strange smirk spread across his face. "That voice¡ªI''d recognize it anywhere!"


    "Kaiba Gozaburo! So, you transferred yourself into this virtual world too?"


    A middle-aged man materialized in the sky, descending slowly. Although clearly of the same age as the Big Five, his imposing presence far surpassed theirs.


    "Kaiba Gozaburo? Is that your adoptive father?" Hoshino asked, bewildered. She had just commanded the destruction of the world, but the collapse had been interrupted halfway.


    Kaiba nodded grimly. "I suspected it from the start. That sly old fox¡ªif he could transfer Noah''s consciousness into this world after his death, he could certainly do the same with his own."


    "Father?! How are you here?!" Noah stammered, stunned. He could hardly believe his father had been in the virtual world all along yet had never revealed himself.


    Gozaburo''s gaze at Noah was icy. "You''ve disappointed me. I preserved your consciousness thinking you''d contribute to KaibaCorp, but now I see you''re completely useless."


    Hoshino clicked her tongue in irritation. "What a terrible father¡ªto say that about his own deceased son."


    Gozaburo turned to Hoshino, his tone sharp. "Hoshino Chiyuki, is it? I didn''t expect you to defeat Noah and seize half of this world''s control." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Half the control? No wonder..." Hoshino muttered, finally understanding why the world had only partially collapsed.


    Gozaburo waved dismissively. "That''s right. The other half of the control lies with me. Of course, I''m not foolish enough to duel you and risk losing it."


    "So you''re here just to keep us trapped in this world?" Kaiba''s expression grew darker. From his childhood to now, he''d never dared to underestimate his ruthless adoptive father.


    "Seto, duel me. Though you''ve found a capable woman, you still need to prove your own worth to me!"


    A duel disk materialized on Gozaburo''s arm.


    "If you lose, I''ll deem KaibaCorp unnecessary. Hundreds of missiles stored in this underwater fortress will launch, obliterating KaibaCorp Tower and Domino City."


    "The missiles from the underwater fortress... destroying Domino City?!" Yugi was visibly shaken. "Do you even realize what you''re saying? That would cost tens of thousands of lives!"


    Gozaburo responded with a cold, "And what does that have to do with me?" He extended his Duel Disk with a flourish. "Come, Seto. Show me if you have the grandeur worthy of being the emperor of Kaiba Corporation!"


    Kaiba smirked. "You want to duel me? Haven''t you lost to me enough already?"


    Kaiba''s adoption by Gozaburo was prompted by the boy''s defeat of him in chess¡ªa game Gozaburo had mastered. At just ten years old, Seto meticulously studied all of Gozaburo''s strategies and triumphed against the national chess champion. This display of genius, combined with Gozaburo''s grief over the loss of his biological son, led him to adopt Seto and Mokuba, hoping to mold them into heirs who would strengthen Kaiba Corporation.


    But in the years that followed, Gozaburo was consistently outplayed by Seto, who ultimately wrested control of the corporation away from him.


    Gozaburo sneered. "Hmph. Just as you used my mastery of chess to defeat me back then, today, I will use your beloved Duel Monsters to reclaim my honor! And don''t worry, there''ll be no need for absurd rules like Deck Master here."


    "Enough talk¡ªlet''s get started!" Kaiba declared, his sharp gaze locking onto his opponent.


    [Seto Kaiba vs. Gozaburo Kaiba]


    [Duel Start!]


    "Wait, they''re dueling already?!" Hoshino tilted her head in confusion.


    The situation was escalating rapidly. Neither Kaiba nor Gozaburo were ones for excessive conversation. Before anyone could process Gozaburo''s chilling declaration to launch missiles at Domino City, he had already drawn his first hand.


    "I''ll take the first turn, Seto!" Gozaburo announced, glancing at his cards. A sly smirk crept across his face, causing his thick mustache to twitch.


    Gozaburo slid a card into his Duel Disk. "As a leader, one must often make tough decisions. Let''s see if you''re prepared to face such challenges!"


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Painful Choice]!"


    [Painful Choice Spell Card Effect: Select 5 cards from your Deck and show them to your opponent. Your opponent selects 1 card among them. Add that card to your hand and discard the remaining cards to the Graveyard.]


    "I''ll choose these five cards from my Deck!"


    The five selected cards materialized before Kaiba, arranged neatly in a row for him to inspect. His expression instantly darkened.


    "Those cards¡ª!?" Yugi, equally alarmed, tensed beside Kaiba.


    "Chitter chitter!!" Even Monkey Jonouchi seemed distressed.


    The five cards before them were none other than the pieces of Exodia the Forbidden One.


    "You¡ª!" Kaiba''s teeth clenched in frustration, fully aware of his opponent''s ploy.


    Stroking his mustache, Gozaburo chuckled. "What''s wrong, Seto? Does this remind you of a certain failure from your past? Just as you studied all my chess strategies to defeat me, I''ve thoroughly analyzed your duels!"


    He was clearly referring to the legendary moment when Yugi had used Exodia to secure an unbelievable comeback against Kaiba¡ªa duel that had nearly destroyed Kaiba Corporation''s reputation.


    "Do you think I''d let my past failures weigh me down?" Kaiba retorted. He jabbed a finger forward. "I choose Right Arm of the Forbidden One!"


    "The Right Arm will join my hand, while the rest are sent to the Graveyard," Gozaburo stated, sliding the selected card into his hand. "Next, I activate [Graceful Charity], drawing three cards and discarding two."


    As Gozaburo sent two cards from his hand to the Graveyard, Hoshino frowned. "He''s dumping cards into the Graveyard like crazy. This feels off."


    And sure enough, one of the discarded cards was the Right Arm of the Forbidden One.


    "Hohohoho!" Gozaburo''s laughter was filled with triumph. "And now, I activate the Spell Card [Contract with Exodia]!"


    "Contract with Exodia?" Kaiba''s brow furrowed. He had never seen such a card before.


    "Contract with Exodia allows me to summon Exodia Necross from my hand if all five pieces of Exodia are in my Graveyard!"


    Five enormous tombstones materialized on the battlefield, each one engraved with an Exodia piece. The tombstones shattered, their fragments converging to summon a colossal, shadowy creature¡ªExodia Necross.


    [Exodia Necross ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4) [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK: 1800 / DEF: 0]


    "Such a dramatic display... for a mere 4-star monster?" Kaiba sneered. "Necross? How fitting for a ghost like you, Gozaburo."


    "You underestimate its power, Seto," Gozaburo growled. "Exodia Necross cannot be destroyed by Spell, Trap, or monster effects! Furthermore, its attack power increases by 1000 points every time it battles!"


    Mokuba''s eyes widened. "An invincible monster with unlimited attack growth?! How can we beat that?!"


    "Turn end, Seto. Let''s see how you struggle against the power of Exodia!" Gozaburo declared confidently, leaving his field wide open without even setting a card.


    Kaiba smirked as he drew his card with a flourish. "You''ve always underestimated me, Gozaburo. But unlike you, I am not shackled by the past. Whether it''s Exodia or your lifeless self, I will crush them both!"


    "Then try!" Gozaburo roared. "Show me you can surpass me¡ªsurpass Exodia!"


    Without hesitation, Kaiba discarded four cards from his hand. "From my hand, I activate [Polymerization] to fuse the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my hand!"


    The three dragons roared as they combined in a brilliant surge of light.


    Hoshino blinked in disbelief. "Again with this move? Kaiba, I know you say it''s your bond with the Blue-Eyes, but summoning it this easily feels way overpowered."


    Kaiba ignored her, instead locking eyes with Gozaburo. "And it''s thanks to Noah that I could acquire even greater power¡ªaccess to a card from the Kaiba Corporation database that has finally been completed! Prepare yourself, Gozaburo. I will show you the ultimate form of my Blue-Eyes!"


    Gozaburo''s confident smirk faltered. "What are you talking about?"


    Kaiba placed a new card into his Duel Disk. "Witness the pinnacle of my power: Fusion Summon¡ª[Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 247 - 247

    "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon?! I''ve never heard of such a thing," Hoshino muttered, momentarily stunned. Adding the word "Neo" to the name might seem like a simple change, but it carried far more weight than just sounding cooler.


    "Kaiba''s new power, huh..." The fact that the already powerful Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon could evolve further left everyone in awe.


    With arms crossed and a slight smile, Yugi nodded approvingly. "So even Kaiba has attained new strength? This is truly exciting." The way he said it almost made it sound as though he, too, had undergone some kind of upgrade.


    So after all of Noah''s scheming, it just turned into a stage for you two to show off your power-ups, huh?


    While everyone marveled at the new monster, the image of three white dragons overlapped on Kaiba''s field. The roar of this newly evolved Ultimate Dragon shook the heavens, its sheer intensity dwarfing everything before it.


    "Behold! This is the ultimate Blue-Eyes that transcends the past, surpasses the gods, and forges the future with ultimate radiance!" Kaiba proclaimed, slamming the fusion card onto his Duel Disk with dramatic flair.


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 4500/DEF 3800]


    "Roooar!!" The massive Neo Ultimate Dragon was no less imposing than Exodia Necross. Reborn as the king of dragons, it let out a deafening roar, as if to erase the humiliation of its past defeats.


    The sheer presence of Neo Ultimate Dragon made Gozaburo instinctively step back, his hand no longer stroking his thick mustache. "Summoning a monster with 4500 attack points straight away? This is absurd!"


    "Right? I completely agree!" Hoshino nodded, sharing the sentiment. But since she wasn''t the one facing Kaiba, she couldn''t help but enjoy the spectacle.


    "Attack now, Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon! Obliterate Exodia Necross into dust!" Kaiba commanded, his voice filled with fury.


    "¡ªUltimate Jet White Lightning!!"


    The blazing white light from the dragon''s three heads tore across the barren wasteland, ripping through the earth and air. The destructive beam engulfed Exodia Necross''s colossal form.


    "Ahhhhhh!!" Gozaburo screamed as the blinding light swallowed him whole, his pupils dilating in terror.


    [Gozaburo LP 4000 ¡ú 1300]


    Clutching his chest, Gozaburo gasped for breath. "Unbelievable... it only took one attack to cut down so much of my Life Points! But Exodia Necross''s attack power increases after surviving the battle!"


    [Exodia Necross ATK 1800 ¡ú 2800]


    "Even an immortal specter like Necross cannot withstand the might of Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Kaiba declared. "Now, I activate its special ability¡ªby sending Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon from the Extra Deck to the Graveyard!"


    As Kaiba sent the Ultimate Dragon card to the Graveyard, Neo Ultimate Dragon absorbed its energy, condensing even more destructive power.


    "No way! Impossible!" Gozaburo panicked.


    "This is the effect of the True Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    [Effect: At the end of the Damage Step, if this is the only face-up card you control and it attacked: You can send 1 [Blue-Eyes] Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck to the Graveyard; this card can attack again in a row.]


    "Your Necross belongs where all specters do¡ªback in the afterlife!" Kaiba''s commanding presence was amplified as he prepared to deliver the coup de grace. "This will end it! Blue-Eyes, attack again!"


    "¡ªUltimate Burst Stream of Destruction!!"


    The dragon''s three ferocious maws unleashed a second wave of relentless light that struck Exodia Necross''s dark form.


    "No!! This can''t be! My ultimate Exodia Necross, defeated without resistance?!"


    [Gozaburo LP 1300 ¡ú 0]


    "That''s right. I''ve overcome my past failures¡ªwhether it''s Exodia or the shackles of your control!" Kaiba declared, retracting his Duel Disk and pointing at the defeated Gozaburo, who was visibly shaken.


    "I will never be bound by the past! I will destroy anyone who stands in my way and carve out the future with my own hands!"


    [Duel End. Winner: Seto Kaiba.]


    When Kaiba launched his second attack with Neo Blue-Eyes, Hoshino was completely dumbfounded. "He actually pulled off a first-turn kill! A literal OTK! And that''s with a 4500-attack monster capable of multiple attacks¡ªwho can possibly counter this?"


    Yugi crossed his arms with a satisfied grin. "Kaiba''s newfound power... it''s strong enough to instill fear even in the gods themselves."


    As Gozaburo regained his composure, his frustration boiled over. "To think I''ve lost to you again, Seto!"


    Kaiba shot back, "Then fulfill your promise, Gozaburo. Release us from this twisted world!"


    "Hahaha! How naive you are, Seto! You truly think that defeating me in a mere game would compel me to acknowledge you?"


    "Ugh, old fox!" Kaiba spat, already expecting this betrayal.


    "You will all remain trapped in this virtual world forever, wallowing in your loneliness!" Gozaburo declared, laughing maniacally.


    Hoshino shot him a disgusted look. "Gozaburo, as both a father and a person, you''re nothing but a complete failure. No wonder Kaiba and Mokuba feel ashamed to even mention you."


    "Does that mean... we''re really stuck here?" Anzu asked worriedly.


    "Chirp chirp! (Look over there!)" Jonouchi, in his monkey form, excitedly pointed toward the horizon.


    The virtual world, which had only partially collapsed earlier, began disintegrating again from the edges.


    Gozaburo frowned deeply. "What''s happening? I already halted the collapse of the virtual world!"


    "It''s over, Father..." Noah''s soft voice broke the tension. "We''ve lost. In the final battle, Seto showed me his undeniable brilliance and determination to face the future."


    "You betrayed me, Noah?!" Gozaburo roared.


    Raising his hand, Noah emitted a bright white light that illuminated the darkened skies. "At the moment you were struck by Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, I transferred control back."


    "You..." Even Hoshino was surprised. The one who saved everyone in their moment of crisis turned out to be the twisted Noah.


    "Wait... does this mean my ''Twisted Personality Correction Punch'' actually worked? That was just a name I made up!"


    "Chiyuki, since I created this world, it''s also my responsibility to destroy it." Tossing the glowing light into the sky, Noah watched as the virtual world began crumbling from the center outward.


    "You were right¡ªthose of us who are already dead have no place lingering here. Seeing Father again made me realize that we''re not gods. We''re merely vengeful spirits clinging to the past."


    "Curse you! If that''s the case..." Betrayed and humiliated, Gozaburo pulled out a strange device from his pocket. "Then I''ll launch the cruise missiles and destroy Domino City along with us!"


    "Damn it!" Yugi exclaimed. No one expected Gozaburo to resort to such desperate measures.


    Whoosh¡ª!


    A flash of golden light darted past Gozaburo, snatching the device from his hand.


    "Chirp chirp! (I did it! Jonouchi-sama has saved the world!)"


    The monkey version of Jonouchi leapt around in excitement, clutching the missile control device triumphantly.


    "Nice work, Jonouchi! Just as planned!"


    "Eh? Oni-chan actually pulled it off!" Shizuka gasped as Jonouchi, still holding the controller, jumped onto her shoulder.


    Mai, surprised, asked, "Did you predict this would happen, Hoshino? Is that why you turned Jonouchi into a monkey?"


    "Ahem, who knows?" Hoshino scratched her face with a sheepish grin.


    How could that be? Hoshino had turned Jonouchi into a monkey purely for fun long before Gozaburo had even appeared.


    Anzu stroked the fur of monkey-Jonouchi with a fond smile. "You did an amazing job, Jonouchi. You were the savior of Domino City."


    "Hmph. You''re more useful as a monkey," Kaiba sneered smugly before glaring sharply at Gozaburo. "Gozaburo, your life, your plans, and your schemes¡ªall have failed! You''re finished!"


    "No! It''s impossible! Me? Defeated by you twice? I won''t accept it!" Gozaburo roared in frustration, now reduced to a hysterical old man.


    "It''s over, Father," Noah said. After destroying the virtual world he had created, his gaze looked clearer than ever.


    The shattered virtual world, Gozaburo''s shattered dreams, and Noah''s shattered self¡ªall lay in ruins.


    From birth to death, and even with his consciousness transferred into a computer, Noah had been nothing more than a tool for Gozaburo to expand KaibaCorp.


    "Hoshino, in my existence as nothing but a tool, the most meaningful moment was the ten minutes I dueled against you," Noah said, his voice tinged with gratitude. "No wonder Seto is so obsessed with card games. The tension of this clash of wits and souls made me feel truly alive."


    Hoshino smiled. "If you can promise not to cheat next time, I wouldn''t mind playing with you again."


    "There won''t be a next time," Noah replied wistfully. "But thank you. Now, I''ll take control of the underwater fortress and send you all out as my final compensation."


    As the virtual world completely collapsed, it revealed the seaweed-filled, dilapidated interior of the underwater fortress.


    Kaiba issued a loud command, "Everyone, return to the airship and prepare to leave!"


    Jonouchi instinctively looked at his hands, which now appeared human again, and touched his head in delight. "I''m back to normal!"


    Mai crossed her arms and smirked. "We''ve left the virtual world; of course, you''d turn back. Or do you prefer staying a monkey?"


    "Watch your tone! I am the savior of Domino City!" Jonouchi declared, his ego inflating the moment he regained his ability to speak.


    "Not good! The control system for the underwater fortress has been damaged!" Noah''s urgent voice echoed. Since they''d left the virtual world, Noah could no longer manifest a physical form and could only communicate through the fortress''s systems.


    "Wait, are you saying we''re not the only ones who left the airship?"


    "Of course not. There are other contestants... oh no, we completely forgot about Marik!" Hoshino exclaimed, realization dawning on her.


    After the group had left the airship, the only contestants left onboard were the Egyptian trio. Ishizu was likely in the infirmary caring for Odion, leaving the unrestrained, wild-spirited Dark Marik free to wreak havoc¡ªtrue to his nature.


    Noah''s voice trembled with anxiety. "Not only has the fortress''s ascent system malfunctioned, but the only escape pod has also been taken. Moreover, there''s extensive internal damage and flooding."


    It was obvious who had taken the escape pod¡ªMarik himself. Not content with escaping, he had added insult to injury by sabotaging the fortress, forcing the group into a desperate situation.


    "In such a short time, he caused this much destruction? Is he some kind of king of troublemakers?!" Hoshino muttered, reminded of Ishizu''s warning the night before:


    "Marik has no plans or goals, only a pure desire for destruction."


    Jonouchi pounded his fist against the airship wall in frustration. "Damn it! We barely escaped death, and now we''re trapped again!"


    "No, I don''t want to die here!" Anzu cried, overwhelmed by the rollercoaster of events, collapsing onto the ground in despair.


    Everyone else felt the same. Even Kaiba, who had remained silent since the flooding began, was clearly tense.


    Suddenly, Hoshino looked up. "Noah, you said the ascent system is malfunctioning, but can the fortress still open up, like when it let our airship inside?"


    Noah hesitated. "I can open it, but you must know: if we open the fortress without surfacing, it won''t just leak¡ªit will flood completely in an instant."


    "Then we''ll take the gamble!" Hearing Noah''s response, Hoshino''s eyes lit up with a spark of hope.


    "Kaiba, get the airship into standby mode and prepare to take off."


    Kaiba looked at Hoshino as though she had lost her mind. "Are you daydreaming? Take off? We''re underwater! Without surfacing the fortress, opening the gate will drown the airship!"


    Jonouchi snapped, "Why doesn''t your airship have a submarine mode, Kaiba?!" Though, admittedly, the request seemed extreme.


    Ignoring them, Hoshino calmly wiped her wristband and fixed Kaiba with a serious look. "Do you want to sit here and wait to die, or do you want to trust me? Your choice."


    "Ugh..." Pressed by Hoshino''s question, Kaiba had no immediate retort.


    When faced with certain death or the faintest chance of survival, even a fool knew which to choose.


    "Tch!" Clicking his tongue in frustration, Kaiba reluctantly seated himself at the airship''s controls. "Mokuba, get the airship ready for takeoff at any moment!"


    "Got it! Leave it to me!" Mokuba responded enthusiastically, his unwavering faith in Hoshino shining through.


    "So, what''s the plan, Hoshino?" Mai was the first to ask. Everyone else onboard, aside from Hoshino, looked utterly baffled.


    "We''re going to carve a path to survival!" Flashing a confident smile, Hoshino grabbed Yugi''s wrist.


    "Yugi, come with me to the platform. Everyone else, for safety''s sake, stay inside the airship."


    Suddenly yanked along by Hoshino, Yugi was momentarily taken aback. "The platform? What can I do there?"


    "Of course, you''re crucial to the plan!" Winking at him, Hoshino pulled him into the elevator leading to the platform.


    "I''m going to borrow your dark powers, Yugi¡ªto split the ocean!"


    (*****) S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


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 Chapter 248 - 248

    "Split the Ocean? Hoshino, are you joking?"


    In a short amount of time, Yugi considered countless possibilities, but splitting the ocean was absolutely impossible¡ªhe wouldn''t even entertain the thought.


    Hoshino shrugged. "Of course, I''m not going to split it myself. That''s way beyond my abilities. Have you heard the story of Moses parting the sea?"


    "Uh¡­ If it were the other me, maybe he''d know about it," Yugi replied, feeling a little embarrassed by Hoshino''s sudden question. He probably spent all his time thinking about card games, so his knowledge of study and entertainment was rather lacking.


    Yugi''s rare moment of awkwardness was unexpectedly cute, and Hoshino couldn''t help but smile. "No need to get so nervous. It''s not like this is a test question; you won''t lose points even if you don''t know the answer."


    "So, what does the story of Moses have to do with this situation?"


    Hoshino cleared her throat and began explaining, "The legend says that Moses used a staff to borrow divine power, causing the waters of the Red Sea to recede, splitting the sea and revealing dry land. It looked as though the sea had been parted."


    Hearing this story for the first time, Yugi seemed genuinely intrigued. "So borrowing divine power can part the sea? That''s incredible."


    "That''s just one version of the legend. The truth might be even more impressive. There''s a rumor that Moses split the sea with a single punch."


    "A single punch¡­ to part the sea?" Yugi, hearing this, seemed to have guessed what Hoshino was planning to do.


    Ding!


    The elevator arrived, and outside was the familiar Sky Duel Arena. Opening the fortress''s exit would likely cause seawater to pour in instantly.


    If the sea was to be split, the Sky Duel Arena¡ªthe highest point of the airship¡ªwould be the perfect stage.


    "It''s decided¡ªI choose you, Boss!" Arriving at the arena, Hoshino raised the Millennium Bracelet high and called out.


    "Seriously, don''t summon me like I''m a Pok¨¦mon! A regular summoning will do just fine."


    Manifesting in physical form, Martha''s expression was more serious than ever. "Also, stop calling me Boss. What we''re about to do requires unwavering faith, or it won''t work."


    Hoshino nodded firmly. "Even though you fight people, curse, and got the nickname Boss, I believe you''re a great saint!"


    Yugi''s voice was filled with excitement. "A Duel monster spirit, huh? If that''s the case, this might actually work!"


    "Being around you, Master, makes it hard to feel nervous. But let me say upfront: even in my prime condition, I''ve never succeeded in something like this¡ªsplitting the sea with a punch."


    As Martha cracked her knuckles, she continued, "Also, even if the bracelet''s energy is abundant, there''s no guarantee it''ll be enough. Who knows how much mana splitting the sea will actually take?"


    "If anyone can do it, Boss can! You don''t have to split the sea entirely¡ªjust separate the water between here and the ocean surface long enough for the airship to escape. As for energy¡­"


    Hoshino turned to Yugi. "I brought a giant power bank!"


    Yugi tilted his head, puzzled. "A power bank? What''s that?"


    Hoshino extended her fair wrist. "Yugi, just grab my bracelet and pour in as much dark energy as you can."


    "Got it!" Yugi nodded and gently held Hoshino''s bracelet, being careful not to touch her directly.


    The golden glow of the Millennium Puzzle resonated with the light of the Millennium Bracelet. A vast surge of dark energy poured into the bracelet like a spring, transferring to Martha.


    "What an immense amount of dark power! The Millennium Puzzle really is extraordinary," Hoshino exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.


    "With this, it''s definitely possible! Go for it, Boss! Strike before the energy is wasted!"


    After all, maintaining the spirit''s physical form also consumed energy. The sooner Martha acted, the better their chances.


    "ORAA!" Stomping her foot, Martha''s determined gaze sharpened as she channeled all her power into her right fist.


    "Ready when you are, Master!"


    "Alright, this is the critical moment!"


    Hoshino shouted toward the airship cabin, "Kaiba, start the engines!"


    Whooosh¡ª!!!


    In response, the airship''s massive turbine roared to life. Through the control room monitors, everyone in the cabin understood Hoshino''s plan.


    "Can this really work?" Shaking her hands nervously, Anzu was full of doubt.


    In contrast, Jonouchi and Honda were brimming with excitement. "Of course it''ll work! With Boss Martha, I''d believe it even if they split the earth!"


    "Noah, open the fortress exit!"


    Once the exit above opened, seawater would surge in like a ravenous blue wildfire. If they failed, they''d all be fish food.


    "What a reckless plan, Chiyuki," Noah remarked with exasperation¡­ and barely concealed excitement. "But it''s your only chance. Though our time together has been short, I wish you all the best of luck!"


    "¡ªUnderwater Fortress Exit: OPEN!"


    As expected, the moment the steel walls parted, a deluge of seawater crashed down like an unstoppable blue inferno.


    "This is the moment of truth! Do it, Martha!" Hoshino roared with all her might.


    "OOORRRRRAAAA!!! JACOB Ultimate Technique¡ª" Channeling all the stored energy in the bracelet and the maximum output of the Millennium Puzzle, Martha unleashed a glowing punch.


    "Iron Fist!!!"


    With a single punch, she carved a path between life and death! The holy energy collided with the onrushing seawater, splitting the torrent in two with the ultimate Jacob technique.


    "She did it! She actually split the water!" Jonouchi and Honda cheered wildly.


    Kaiba commanded with a sweeping gesture, "Engines at full power! This is our only chance¡ªcharge through!"


    The engines ignited at full blast, propelling the airship with explosive force. On the airship''s top deck, Yugi tightly gripped Hoshino''s wrist, ensuring she wouldn''t be flung off by the inertia.


    "Success! I knew we could do it!" exclaimed Hoshino, overwhelmed with excitement as the airship sailed through the parted walls of seawater.


    The open blue pathway was a glimmer of hope created by everyone pouring all their strength into a moment of despair.


    "Did we really succeed?" Yugi, gazing at the mesmerizing blue corridor, still found it hard to believe.


    "Not good, Master! My strength isn''t enough!" Martha, having unleashed her full power, realized that while her punch had split the seawater, it hadn''t reached the very top of the surface.


    Only a few meters from the surface, but unless the seawater was completely parted, crashing into it at this speed would be no different from slamming into an iron wall.


    "It''s all over!" Kaiba, sweat dripping from his forehead, clenched his teeth as he stared at those final few meters of seawater¡ªa seemingly insurmountable barrier of divine wrath separating life from death.


    Buzz...


    A faint vibration from her pocket made Hoshino instinctively reach in.


    "This is...!" Staring at the object in her hand, Hoshino''s eyes reignited with hope.


    "The Millennium Necklace!"


    Yugi was shocked. "Why do you have the Millennium Necklace, Hoshino?"


    "This isn''t the time to dwell on that!" Mimicking Ishizu''s movements, Hoshino quickly placed the Millennium Necklace around her neck.


    "Destiny works in mysterious ways. If this is what Ishizu foresaw, then to prevent that future, this is the Millennium Necklace''s way of fighting back!"


    Defeating Ishizu, obtaining the Millennium Necklace, and then breaking through this desperate situation¡ªit was as if, in countless futures of destruction, the Necklace had chosen Hoshino as the beacon of hope.


    "Take it, Martha! This is all the energy I have left!" The golden eye on the Necklace gleamed, dyeing Hoshino''s white hair with a radiant starlight glow.


    "It may not be much, but it''s enough, Master!" Martha, once again assuming her stance, unleashed her iron will upon the final seawater barrier ahead.


    "If there''s nowhere left to retreat, then... Iron Fist Judgment!"


    Her fist collided, unleashing an explosive wave that shattered the seawater''s surface. For a few fleeting seconds, the completely parted seawater allowed the airship, at full speed, to burst through.


    Like a dragon emerging from the sea, soaring amidst the clouds, or an eagle breaking free of the waves¡ªthe miraculous sight etched itself into the hearts of everyone, transforming into their triumphant cry.


    "Boss is amazing!!"


    ....


    "We did it! We made it out!" Mokuba cheered joyfully, his face lighting up at the sight of the long-lost sky.


    Kaiba narrowed his eyes and smirked. "Hmph, she actually pulled it off... That gamble was one in a million."


    "That was so awesome! I''m moved to tears! Waaaaah!" Jonouchi and Honda clung to each other, sobbing uncontrollably¡ªa spectacle all the more embarrassing for two grown men.


    "Boss was incredible, especially in that final moment when she punched through the surface! I, Jonouchi, vow to follow her for life!"


    Anzu, casting a sideways glance at the two fools, sighed in exasperation. "What are you even talking about? She''s just Hoshino''s card spirit."


    ....


    Aboard the Sky Duel Arena


    "For a moment there, I really thought we were done for," Hoshino admitted, relief evident on her radiant face.


    Yugi released her wrist and nodded in admiration. "You did great, Hoshino."


    "What are you saying? This was a path we carved together."


    Without the immense dark power of the Millennium Puzzle, they likely wouldn''t have managed to part even half the seawater. It was no wonder Da Vinci claimed the Puzzle to be the most potent source of mysticism in the world.


    As Yugi gazed at Hoshino, now wearing the Millennium Necklace, her snow-white hair shimmering under the spray of seawater and her smile as bright as the sunlight, he found himself momentarily captivated.


    Struggling to avert his gaze, he turned toward the distant Duel Tower that loomed high into the clouds. "Finally, it''s time for the finals. I''m looking forward to our duel, Hoshino. This time, I won''t lose!"


    Leaning against the railing, Hoshino focused her gaze on the towering ruins ahead. The faintly glowing Millennium Necklace seemed to point toward the land of destiny.


    "I won''t lose either. Not to you, and certainly not to Marik. I have my own reasons for winning." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    .


    ..


    ....


    After a brief flight, the airship landed safely on the ruined, weapon-littered island without further incident.


    Stepping off the airship, Kaiba glared at the opulent tower rising incongruously from the decrepit ruins. "Gozaburo, I''ve completely surpassed your shadow. All that remains is to conquer this Duel Tower, built atop your rotten soul, and claim the title of the true Duel King."


    Hoshino hopped off the airship and surveyed her surroundings. "I had a feeling from afar, but up close..."


    "This really is just a pile of garbage, Hoshino-nee," Akasha remarked bluntly. Though Hoshino might let the comment slide, wasn''t the little girl afraid of getting punched by Kaiba for being so direct?


    "Well, well. I didn''t expect you all to make it out alive," a loathsome voice echoed from the ruins.


    "?!" Everyone froze, then flared with anger.


    "Marik, so it really was you!" Hot-headed Jonouchi shouted, ready to charge at the figure emerging from the shadows.


    Marik, however, feigned innocence. "What do you mean, ''it was me''? Don''t accuse me without proof. I merely discovered that the underwater fortress was damaged and escaped first."


    "You''re the one who destroyed the fortress!"


    Jonouchi, on the verge of rushing forward, was forcibly restrained by Honda. "Calm down. We don''t have any evidence."


    Though it was blatantly obvious Marik had sabotaged the fortress, no one had witnessed the act since they were all trapped in the virtual world at the time.


    "Well, since we''re all alive, the semi-finals of Battle City should proceed as planned, right?"


    With a sinister smile, Marik turned his attention to Hoshino. "To be honest, I was quite worried that the God Cards might sink to the bottom of the sea. That would''ve been far more troublesome to retrieve than taking them from you."


    Hoshino removed the Millennium Necklace and pocketed it, her tone unyielding. "Do you know what kind of future I saw through the Necklace?"


    Marik froze slightly. "My sister''s Millennium Necklace¡­ and it''s in your hands!?"


    "I saw a future where you were filled with concrete and sunk to the bottom of the sea."


    Akasha interjected with a smirk, "Hoshino-nee, are you a yakuza heiress or something?"


    Kiddo, have you ever heard of the Chaldea Gang? Way scarier than any yakuza.


    "The semi-finals will proceed as scheduled!" Kaiba declared coldly. "The four remaining contestants, enter the Duel Tower now!"


    "Straight to the match without any further explanation¡ªso like Kaiba," the group remarked as they followed his lead.


    While the exterior of the Duel Tower resembled a junkyard, its interior was the complete opposite.


    Filled with advanced machinery and cutting-edge aesthetics, the tower seemed like Kaiba''s way of flaunting KaibaCorp''s prosperity over the grave of Gozaburo.


    On a vast, open platform, Kaiba unfolded his Duel Disk. "This tower has three dueling platforms, one on each level. We are now on the first and lowest level. Let''s start the duel."


    "Wait!" Hoshino, startled by Kaiba''s sudden activation of his Duel Disk, protested. "What do you mean, ''let''s start the duel''? Even if you''re impatient, you can''t just skip setting up the duel order!"


    Kaiba gave a mysterious smile. "That''s what we''re determining now. This will be a four-way free-for-all. The first two duelists whose Life Points hit zero will face each other in the first semi-final match. The other two will compete in the second semi-final."


    "I see!" Yugi smiled in understanding, activating his Duel Disk. "Using a free-for-all to decide the matchups while also warming up. Classic Kaiba!"


    Marik activated his Duel Disk with a sneer. "What a pointless charade, but I''ll play along. It doesn''t matter who my opponent is¡ªthey''ll lose anyway."


    Hoshino activated her Duel Disk as well, calculating silently. "For those with strong control over the battlefield, this is a chance to choose their semi-final opponent. Kaiba must have some plan in mind."


    Anzu, watching from the sidelines, grew nervous. "So, it''s a duel where it doesn''t really matter if you lose, right?"


    Mai, observing the four duelists, replied seriously, "Not necessarily. Look at their eyes. They''ve probably already decided who they want to face in the semi-finals."


    Kaiba: Even with the power of the Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, it''s too reckless to directly challenge Hoshino and her evil god. The best strategy is to defeat Marik in the semi-finals and claim The Winged Dragon of Ra, the strongest of the Egyptian Gods. That''s the only way to counter her ultimate evil god.


    Yugi: Same.


    Hoshino: If I can take down Marik first, that would be ideal!


    The three locked fiery gazes onto Marik, who now stood awkwardly by himself.


    Marik: Tch, why do I feel like I''m about to get ganged up on...?


    (*****)


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 Chapter 249 - 249

    [Seto Kaiba VS Yugi Muto VS Chiyuki Hoshino VS Marik Ishtar]


    [Duel Start!]


    "I''ll take the first move! Draw!" Kaiba declared as the duel began. Following clockwise order, Yugi was next, then Hoshino, with Marik going last.


    "I summon [Kaiser Sea Horse] in Attack Position. Then, I set two cards face-down. Turn end."


    [Kaiser Sea Horse¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Sea Serpent/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1650]


    For Kaiba, this was a conservative opening¡ªquite uncharacteristic given his usual preference for summoning powerful monsters like Blue-Eyes White Dragon right out of the gate.


    "My turn! Draw!" Yugi declared. "I activate the Spell Card [Dark Magic Curtain] from my hand!"


    [Dark Magic Curtain ¨C Spell Card Effect: Pay half your LP; Special Summon 1 [Dark Magician] from your Deck. You cannot Summon other monsters the turn you activate this card.]


    With a flash of black light, the iconic Dark Magician emerged from the ominous curtain.


    [Dark Magician¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Spellcaster][ATK 2500/DEF 2100]


    "I''ll set two cards face-down and end my turn," Yugi announced.


    Since this was a free-for-all duel, no player could enter their Battle Phase during their first turn.


    "My turn! Draw!"


    When Hoshino''s turn arrived, she drew her card and carefully considered her strategy. If she wanted to ensure Marik would be her opponent in the semifinals, she had two options:


    1. Defeat both Kaiba and Yugi, leaving Marik as the other survivor.


    2. Reduce Marik''s Life Points to zero, then allow herself to be eliminated.


    The second option was far easier to execute. Simultaneously defeating both Kaiba and Yugi in this kind of duel was nearly impossible. Prioritizing Marik was the more viable approach.


    "I summon [Fairy Tales of the Lilies] in Attack Position!"


    [Fairy Tales of the Lilies¡ï (Level 1)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 100/DEF 400]


    "Now, I activate its effect! I tribute Fairy Tales of the Lilies to Special Summon a Lily monster from my Deck!"


    After searching through her deck, Hoshino placed a new card on her Duel Disk. "I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme] in Defense Position and activate its special effect!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 800/DEF 800]


    Nursery Rhyme spoke cheerfully: "Round and round the door never stops, right into the bubbling pot!"


    [Effect: Once per turn, if this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 [Heroic Spirit] or [Lily] Spell Card from your Deck to your hand.]


    "I add the Spell Card [The Glorious Path to Santa Claus] to my hand! Lastly, I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    Marik smirked. "Finally, my turn! Draw!"


    "Gahaha! I summon [Viser Des] in Defense Position!"


    Jonouchi paled. "That card again!" he groaned, clutching his head as if reliving a nightmare.


    Marik pointed at Yugi''s Dark Magician and sneered. "Exactly! My favorite torture tool. I target Dark Magician¡ªlet the interrogation begin!"


    [Viser Des Effect: If this card is Normal Summoned: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; during your third Standby Phase after this effect''s activation, destroy that monster. This card cannot be destroyed by battle while the targeted monster is on the field.]


    "Urgh!" Electric chains snaked around Dark Magician, but since this duel wasn''t a Shadow Game, the pain didn''t transfer to Yugi as it had with Jonouchi.


    "As long as Dark Magician stays on the field, my Viser Des cannot be destroyed by battle. I set four cards face-down and end my turn," Marik concluded, leaving only one card in his hand.


    "My turn! Draw!" With the second round underway, Kaiba was ready to unleash his offensive.


    "I tribute Kaiser Sea Horse! Its effect allows me to treat it as two tributes when summoning a LIGHT monster!"


    As expected, Kaiba summoned his signature monster.


    "Come forth, my strongest monster¡ªBlue-Eyes White Dragon!" A dazzling beam of light heralded the appearance of Kaiba''s legendary dragon.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "Next, I activate the Spell Card [Dark Core] from my hand!"


    [Dark Core ¨C Spell Card Effect: Discard 1 card, then target 1 face-up monster on the field; banish that target.]


    "I discard a card to target Dark Magician¡ªbanish it!" Kaiba declared, his sights set on Yugi''s most powerful monster.


    Hoshino frowned. "Kaiba''s targeting Yugi?"


    Initially, Kaiba had planned to target Marik. However, seeing Yugi reduce his own Life Points significantly in the first turn prompted a shift in his strategy. Eliminating Yugi and Hoshino first now seemed the better approach.


    "Trap Card, activate¡ª[Black Illusion]!" Yugi countered.


    [Black Illusion ¨C Trap Card Effect: Until the end of this turn, all DARK Spellcaster-Type monsters with 2000 or more ATK you currently control cannot be destroyed by battle, their effects are negated, and they are unaffected by your opponent''s card effects.]


    The Dark Magician shimmered, dodging the Dark Core and rendering it useless.


    "Since Black Illusion is active, Dark Magician is unaffected by card effects this turn and cannot be destroyed by battle," Yugi explained.


    "Then take this¡ªBlue-Eyes White Dragon, attack with Burst Stream of Destruction!" Kaiba commanded. A surge of white lightning slammed into Dark Magician, leaving it unharmed but reducing Yugi''s Life Points.


    [Yugi LP: 2000 ¡ú 1500]


    "I set one card face-down and end my turn," Kaiba concluded.


    Yugi drew his next card. "My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card [Thousand Knives] from my hand!"


    [Thousand Knives ¨C Spell Card Effect: If you control [Dark Magician]: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy that target.]


    "My target is Viser Des! Go, Dark Magician!" The magical knives rained down, destroying Marik''s monster along with its torturous grip on Dark Magician.


    "Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card [Magic Formula] and equip it to Dark Magician! Dark Magician, attack Marik directly!"


    [Magic Formula ¨C Equip Spell Card Effect: Equip only to [Dark Magician] or [Dark Magician Girl]. It gains 700 ATK. If this card is sent from the field to the GY: Gain 1000 LP.]


    [Dark Magician ATK: 2500 ¡ú 3200]


    Matching Hoshino''s plan, Yugi aimed his full assault directly at Marik.


    Dark Magician, attack directly!


    A devastating spell of destruction, carrying a massive 3200 points of damage, hurtled toward Marik.


    "Hahaha! I activate my face-down trap card¡­" Without hesitation, Marik flipped one of his set cards.


    At that moment, Yugi''s boldness came into question. Marik still had four face-down cards in his back row. Was Yugi fearless, or simply reckless?


    "[Metal Reflect Slime]!"


    Seeing the familiar card, Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "That''s Odion''s trap monster!"


    "Indeed! Metal Reflect Slime''s effect allows me to summon a token with 3000 DEF to my field!" Twisted liquid metal formed a menacing barrier before Marik.


    [Metal Reflect Slime DEF: 3000]


    Yugi declared, "It''s futile! Dark Magician''s ATK is 3200¡ªyour slime can''t withstand it!"


    "Oh, I know that~" Marik sneered. "But what about this? I activate the trap card¡ª[Magic Arm Shield]!"


    [Magic Arm Shield - Trap Card Effect: When your opponent declares an attack, take control of one of their other face-up monsters and redirect the attack to it. The monster is returned at the end of the Battle Phase.]


    "Hahaha! Thanks to Metal Reflect Slime, I met the activation condition. And the shield I''ll use¡­ is Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Kaiba''s eyes widened. "What?!"


    In a free-for-all duel, every opponent''s monsters were fair game. Like a claw machine, Marik grabbed Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon and placed it in the line of Dark Magician''s attack. The majestic dragon could only roar helplessly before being destroyed.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] Destroyed


    [Marik LP: 4000 ¡ú 3800]


    Kaiba seethed. "How dare you use my Blue-Eyes as a shield?!"


    Honestly, Kaiba, your Blue-Eyes usually can''t act as a proper shield anyway.


    "And now, my third trap¡ª[Raigeki Break]!" Marik activated another face-down card, ensuring maximum chaos.


    [Raigeki Break - Trap Card Effect: Discard 1 card; target 1 card on the field and destroy it.]


    "I''ll discard my last card to destroy Dark Magician!" Crimson lightning erupted, striking down Yugi''s ace monster.


    [Dark Magician] Destroyed


    Mai gaped. "He just took out Yugi''s and Kaiba''s aces with traps alone?! I thought this guy only relied on his God cards, but he''s actually good!"


    Yugi calmly sent Dark Magician and its Equip Spell to the Graveyard. "Since Magic Formula was sent to the Graveyard, I regain 1000 Life Points."


    [Yugi LP: 1500 ¡ú 2500]


    "And now, I activate the trap¡ª[Soul Rope]!"


    [Soul Rope - Trap Card Effect: If a monster you control is destroyed, pay 1000 LP to Special Summon a Level 4 monster from your Deck.]


    [Yugi LP: 2500 ¡ú 1500]


    "I Special Summon [Magician''s Valkyria] in Attack Position!"


    [Magician''s Valkyria ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster][ATK 1600/DEF 1800]


    "Since this is a Special Summon during the Battle Phase, I can still attack! Magician''s Valkyria, attack Kaiba directly!"


    With Hoshino''s monsters in Defense Position, Kaiba''s empty field made him the perfect target.


    "Heh!" The Valkyria''s staff unleashed a brilliant light at Kaiba.


    [Kaiba LP: 4000 ¡ú 2400]


    "I set one card face-down and end my turn!"


    Chaos erupted as Yugi, Marik, and Kaiba clashed fiercely. Meanwhile, Hoshino...


    Well, she quietly observed, her Nursery Rhyme tucked safely in Defense Position, practically invisible amidst the chaos.


    "Master, I want to play too~!"


    "No, Nursery Rhyme. If you join in, you''ll probably get vaporized¡­" Hoshino sighed, drawing her card. "Anyway, my turn¡ªdraw!"


    Marik smirked. "Hoshino, now''s your chance to eliminate Kaiba in one move. Don''t waste it~"


    "Eliminate Kaiba first? Marik, your suggestions are always self-serving!" Hoshino assessed the field. Kaiba''s back row of three face-down cards was dangerous, and targeting him would leave her vulnerable to Marik and Yugi.


    "Forget it. Dream on!" Hoshino locked eyes with Marik. "Don''t think a 3000-DEF wall can stop me from wrecking you this turn!"


    With Marik''s defenses intact and LP almost untouched, he seemed the hardest to defeat. However, the others had exhausted significant resources. Now was Hoshino''s moment.


    "I activate the Ritual Spell Card¡ª[The Glorious Path to Santa Claus]!"


    Marik''s sneer faltered. "A Ritual Spell?"


    "To summon a Ritual Monster, I tribute monsters from my hand or field whose combined Levels equal the monster''s Level. From my hand, I tribute [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jack], totaling six stars, to Ritual Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera the San(ta)]!"


    As Hoshino''s Ritual Spell resolved, holy light and snowflakes enveloped the battlefield.


    Akasha squinted. "Altera the Santa? Isn''t that the same Altera who fought Gekko and sliced off one of Exodia''s arms? Why does her name have ''Santa'' in it?"


    Akasha''s confusion grew as the Heroic Spirit descended. Instead of the cold, commanding Altera she expected, a new, ridiculous figure appeared.


    Draped in a seductive red outfit masquerading as Santa''s attire, this Altera wore a fake beard and rode a massive, fluffy sheep. With an exaggerated old man''s laugh, she declared: S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Altera the San(ta) has arrived! Ho ho ho, my soft and fluffy Master and children, your long-awaited Santa Claus is here!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 250 - 250

    "Ritual Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera the San(ta)]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera the San(ta) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][LIGHT][Fairy/Ritual/Effect][ATK 2200/DEF 1000]


    "And at the same time, I activate the Ritual Spell [Year End Present]! When I use a [Lily] monster to perform a Ritual Summon, I can draw one card from my deck!" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A Ritual monster with only 2200 attack points?" Marik sneered disdainfully. "It''s useless against my defenses."


    Drawing a card, Hoshino countered with a smirk, "Then how about this? I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera the San(ta)]! When this card is successfully Ritual Summoned, I can Special Summon one [Lily] monster from my Graveyard or banished zone to my field."


    Raising the rainbow candy-like Sword of Mars, Altera chanted softly, causing her fake white beard to slip off.


    "Christmas effect activated¡ªcandies, cookies, and cake for everyone to enjoy!"


    "Eat! We wants to eat!" Jack appeared from the mist, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Altera.


    Placing Jack''s card back on her Duel Disk, Hoshino declared, "Thanks to Altera''s effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jack the Ripper], which was sent to the Graveyard by my Ritual Spell!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jack the Ripper ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][DARK][Zombie/Effect][ATK 800/DEF 1000]


    "No defensive monster can stand in Jack''s way, but..."


    Satisfied by the sight of Jack licking Altera''s sword, Hoshino drew another card from her hand.


    "Altera the San(ta)''s second effect allows me to banish a [Heroic Spirit] monster from my hand, then add a [Lily] monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand."


    Discarding the freshly drawn Okita, Hoshino quickly summoned the [Lily] monster she retrieved.


    (Okita: "Why?! I also wanted to celebrate Christmas! That Sword of Mars looks delicious!")


    "The monster I summon is [Heroic Spirit ¨C Euryale]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Euryale ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1000]


    [This card is treated as [Lily]]


    The materialized Euryale crossed her arms with a dissatisfied expression.


    "I''m a goddess! How can I be lumped together with these children? I object, Master!"


    Resting her chin on her hand, Hoshino pretended to think.


    "Maybe it''s because you''re just too adorable, Euryale¡ªso small and cute~."


    Euryale''s face turned slightly red as she froze for a moment.


    "Of course, I know I''m beautiful and cute... Really, Master, you''re so sly!"


    "Haha, now I activate Euryale''s special effect. Once per turn, I can target one of your monsters to change its battle position."


    Pointing at Marik''s Metal Reflect Slime, Euryale''s goddess arrow, adorned with a heart-shaped charm, traced a pink path as it struck the solid wall.


    Upon impact, the once-imposing Metal Reflect Slime collapsed into a shimmering pink puddle.


    "Even a slime can be charmed, huh? How should I put this..."


    Hoshino looked away with a teasing expression.


    "This feels like something out of a... doujinshi."


    Euryale blushed furiously and protested, "You''re the one who ordered me to activate my effect, Master! You pervert!!"


    "Anyway..." Hoshino chuckled, her gaze fixed on Marik''s now-powerless defense.


    "Your high-defense wall has ironically become your greatest weakness!"


    [Metal Reflect Slime ATK 0]


    "Tch!" Marik clicked his tongue, visibly annoyed.


    Extending her hand, Hoshino confidently declared, "I promised to make your life bloom like a flower this turn. Let''s show you why flowers are so red! Everyone, attack Marik with everything you''ve got!"


    "Yeah!" (x4)


    "Let me teach you a lesson!" With her slender arms, Euryale nocked an arrow into her golden bow, perfectly sized for her petite frame. Her rapid shots were almost invisible to the naked eye.


    [Metal Reflect Slime - Destroyed]


    [Marik LP: 3800 ¡ú 2300]


    "Now it''s your turn, Jack!"


    "Mm, let him experience the might of the Lily Kingdom!"


    The clash of frost and flame intertwined with dazzling flashes of Jack''s blades, striking Marik relentlessly.


    [Marik LP: 2300 ¡ú 700]


    "And for the final blow¡ªlet''s go, Zerco~!" Riding her fluffy Zerco, Altera leaped into the air, brandishing her candy cane¡ªor rather, the Sword of Mars.


    "Candy Star Photon Ray! Baaa... Baaa... Baaa baaa? Baaa baaa baa!!!"


    Seven-colored holy light, accompanied by dazzling special effects, descended upon Marik.


    "Tch, I was waiting for this! I activate my Trap Card¡ª[Zoma the Spirit]!" Marik flipped his final set card.


    A grotesque black entity emerged, intercepting Altera''s attack.


    [Zoma the Spirit - Continuous Trap Effect: Special Summon this card in Defense Position as an Effect Monster (Zombie/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1800/DEF 500) (this card is also still a Trap).]


    With only 500 DEF, the Trap Monster was instantly obliterated by Altera''s attack.


    Marik smirked sinisterly. "Take this¡ªmy revenge-filled grudge! When Zoma the Spirit is destroyed by battle, it inflicts damage equal to the attacking monster''s ATK."


    "Ugh?!" The spiritual entity pierced Hoshino with blinding speed.


    [Hoshino LP: 4000 ¡ú 1800]


    Mai remarked softly, "He not only blocked her decisive blow but counterattacked. He doesn''t falter, even under pressure."


    "Hmph, but that was your last card."


    Had Hoshino acted alone, Marik''s traps might have been insurmountable. But now, with Marik drained of resources, Hoshino was ready to end it.


    "I reveal my set Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Phantasmal Summoning]! I fuse the three [Lily] monsters on my field!"


    The three small companions converged into a radiant light.


    "Three Lily monsters combined!" Akasha exclaimed, anticipation in her voice. "What kind of cute new monster will it be?"


    The next moment shattered her dreams. Instead of a delicate figure, a towering giant emerged, its sheer size dwarfing the battlefield.


    "Fusion Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Paul Bunyan]!"


    Akasha''s small mouth opened and closed, her hesitation evident, before she twitched twice in resignation. "Well... it is cute, but... it''s just so intimidating."


    [Heroic Spirit - Paul Bunyan ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][EARTH][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2600/DEF 1000]


    [Requires 3 [Lily] monsters as material]


    "I want to play with you guys too~ but..." Paul pouted, scratching her head. "The ceiling is so low here. It needs to be rebuilt."


    Kaiba scoffed. "Rebuilt? This is the Duel Tower, a masterpiece designed by KaibaCorp! A Duel Monster like you has no right to make such demands!"


    Why are you even arguing with a Duel Monster? That''s not scientific at all...


    Hoshino pointed at Marik across the field. "Marik, hold onto your head tight! This is Paul''s direct attack!"


    "So this is the enemy? Leave it to me!" Paul looked down at the tiny Marik beneath her massive feet and slowly lifted her leg.


    "You''re in the way. I''ll tear this place down along with you¡ªMarvelous Exploits!"


    Paul''s enormous stomp, though only a virtual image, gave everyone the illusion that the entire Duel Tower trembled with its impact.


    [Marik LP 700 ¡ú 0]


    Veins bulged on Marik''s forehead, and it was clear that Paul''s crushing blow had inflicted more than just damage to his life points¡ªit had bruised his spirit.


    "What a boring duel!" Marik sneered after a moment of silence. His life points at zero, he withdrew his Duel Disk. "Do your best to survive; just hope you don''t face me in the first round."


    Hoshino smirked. "I set one card face-down and end my turn."


    However, the thoughts of the other players were entirely different from Marik''s. With him eliminated by Hoshino, both Yugi and Kaiba were now scheming to lose as quickly as possible to ensure they faced Marik in the tournament''s first round.


    "It''s my turn. I draw!" Kaiba, the player with the highest remaining life points (LP 2400), was in the least favorable position in this "Marik chase."


    Despite this, Kaiba''s confident smile betrayed no sign of concern. His advantageous starting position after Marik''s defeat offered significant tactical opportunities.


    "I summon [Granadora] in Attack Position!"


    [Granadora ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WATER][Reptile/Effect][ATK 1900/DEF 700]


    Seeing the pudgy dragon materialize, Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "This is the same card Dark Bakura used for his suicide move! Kaiba, you scoundrel¡ªyou modified your deck ahead of time, knowing the rules!"


    After all, Hoshino had never seen this card in Kaiba''s deck before. It was unlikely he would include such a seemingly unimpressive card compared to his prized Blue-Eyes.


    "Hmph." Kaiba smirked, not denying her accusation. "Granadora''s effect restores 1000 life points when summoned, but it also inflicts 2000 damage to me if it''s destroyed."


    [Kaiba LP 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    Kaiba summoned his monster but refrained from moving to the Battle Phase immediately. Instead, he activated a set card: "Quick-Play Spell [Shrink]! I target Granadora!"


    [Shrink Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target one face-up monster on the field; its original ATK becomes halved until the end of this turn.]


    Granadora rapidly shrank in size, its ATK halved.


    [Granadora ATK 1900 ¡ú 950]


    "So, you plan to lower your monster''s ATK and crash it into one of Hoshino''s monsters to destroy it and take yourself out? You''re targeting Marik too," Yugi speculated, a knowing smile on his face.


    But Kaiba''s next move caught Yugi off guard.


    "Next, I''ll equip [Granadora] with the Equip Spell [Gravity Axe - Grarl]!"


    [Gravity Axe - Grarl Equip Spell Effect: The equipped monster gains 500 ATK. Monsters your opponent controls cannot change their battle positions.]


    [Granadora ATK 950 ¡ú 1450]


    The now-miniature Granadora hefted a comically oversized battle axe, a sight both absurd and strangely amusing.


    "And finally, I activate my Trap Card [Ring of Destruction]!" Kaiba flipped over his set card, revealing the true depth of his strategy. "I''ll destroy my own Granadora, dealing damage to all players equal to its ATK!"


    [Ring of Destruction Trap Card Effect: Target one face-up monster on the field. Destroy it, and both players take damage equal to its ATK.]


    A black, circular explosive device latched onto Granadora''s neck.


    "This means everyone takes 1450 damage from Granadora''s ATK. And since its effect triggers upon destruction, I''ll take an additional 2000 damage, totaling 3450!"


    [Yugi LP 1500]


    [Hoshino LP 1700]


    [Kaiba LP 3400]


    "What?! That guy wants to lose on purpose?!" Jonouchi exclaimed, realizing Kaiba''s plan to ensure he faced Marik.


    From the sidelines, Marik sneered. "Fool. So eager to be my first victim?"


    As the flames from the Ring of Destruction surged, Hoshino reacted swiftly. "I won''t let you! Altera, it''s your turn!"


    "Understood, Master!" Altera''s voice was firm as she emerged from the flames. Gone was her red Santa outfit. Now, wielding the true Sword of Mars, she unleashed a powerful strike, dispelling the explosion.


    "Whoa! She transformed! So cool!" Akasha exclaimed, marveling at Altera''s stoic and commanding form.


    "Using the Quick-Play Spell [Spirit Origin Conversion], I banish Altera San(ta) from the field and Nobunaga from my hand to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Altera]!"


    Standing tall at the center of the battlefield, Altera radiated the presence of a war goddess, nullifying the devastating damage that would have consumed the field.


    "Master taught me this: These hands, meant for destruction, can also protect what''s important¡ªand embrace children with love."


    [Heroic Spirit - Altera ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3350/DEF 2400]


    [As long as this card is on the field, all effect damage becomes 0. This effect cannot be negated.]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 251 - 251

    Jonouchi, who had a rare moment of clarity, suddenly froze in confusion again. "Hoshino actually blocked Kaiba''s Ring of Destruction damage? Why?"


    Mai, hands on her hips, scolded him impatiently. "You idiot! Obviously, Chiyuki wants to target Marik first too!"


    Kaiba was momentarily stunned that Hoshino had used Altera to counter his self-destruction strategy.


    "Hmph. So we have the same goal, huh? Even though you already hold five God Cards, you''re still unwilling to let go of The Winged Dragon of Ra. Greedy people are truly terrifying."


    Lowering his Duel Disk, Kaiba acknowledged his defeat. With his field empty, there was no room left for more clever plays. "Turn end."


    "My turn! Draw!" Picking up where Kaiba had left off, Yugi took a surprisingly direct approach.


    "I summon the monster card Kuriboh in Attack Position!"


    [Kuriboh ¡ï ][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 300/DEF 200]


    "Kuriii!?" The tiny, wide-eyed Kuriboh looked utterly bewildered. A card usually reserved for hand-trap duties was now marching boldly onto the battlefield in Attack Position.


    "Sorry about this, Kuriboh! Help me out just this once!" Yugi, apologetic in tone, pointed toward Hoshino''s Paul Bunyan. "Attack Paul Bunyan, Kuriboh!"


    Jonouchi gasped in horror. "Even Yugi?! Stop this madness already! This isn''t dueling at all!"


    The trio''s cycle of self-sacrifice was purely a strategy to compete for the chance to face Marik in the next round. Moments ago, Marik had been spitting venomous threats. Now, he was reduced to the "soft target" everyone was racing to take down.


    "Good, excellent!" Marik snarled, his clenched teeth betraying his fury as veins bulged across his temples. Being completely disregarded by these three duelists was a humiliation that burned deeply.


    "So, all of you are volunteering to die first? Fine! My Winged Dragon of Ra won''t spare a single one of you who dares face me!"


    On the field, the tiny Kuriboh fearlessly charged toward the towering Paul Bunyan, who sat crouched on the ground, hugging her knees. The size difference was so comical that Paul didn''t even seem to notice Kuriboh''s existence.


    Hoshino grinned slyly and revealed her counterplay. "So that''s your plan, Yugi! If Kuriboh manages to hit Paul Bunyan, your Life Points will be wiped out in an instant."


    ¡ªThe Reverse Kill! By turning her opponent''s attack against them, Hoshino had devised a gambit on the fly to increase her own chances of losing.


    Yugi''s eyes widened. "You¡ª!" His tense expression showed that he fully understood the destructive potential of her move.


    "This is what I''ve been waiting for, Yugi! I activate my face-down counter trap card, [Limited/Zero Over]!" Hoshino flipped the card beneath her feet, and red, lightning-like energy surged out, flowing into Altera''s body.


    Kaiba, watching from the sidelines, couldn''t hide his admiration. "So, it''s this card, huh? Impressive." The moment Hoshino activated her trap, Kaiba''s memories reignited¡ªof the titanic clash between Karna and Obelisk, where infinite attack points collided.


    [Limited/Zero Over Counter Trap Card Effect: Target 1 Level 6 or higher [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field; equip this card to it.


    ¢Ù: The attacking monster''s ATK becomes 0, and it must attack the equipped monster this turn.


    ¢Ú: Opponents cannot activate effects in response to this card''s activation.]


    [Kuriboh ATK 300 ¡ú 0]


    Due to Limited/Zero Over''s effect, not only was Kuriboh forced to attack Altera, but even Yugi''s Magician''s Valkyria was compelled to charge toward her.


    "I will destroy the target!" With both hands gripping her radiant, rainbow-hued blade, Altera locked her gaze onto the approaching monsters.


    "I don''t destroy lives. I turn civilizations to dust. Photon Ray!"


    Leaping high into the air, Altera delivered a spiraling, rainbow-charged strike. The energy from her blade collided with the approaching monsters in a brilliant explosion, reducing them to fragments.


    [Kuriboh DESTROYED]


    [Magician''s Valkyria DESTROYED]


    Jonouchi scratched his head. "That counterattack was amazing, sure, but destroying Yugi''s monsters just means he''s lost the duel like he wanted!"


    Proudly tapping her Duel Disk, Hoshino declared, "That''s the beauty of Altera! Though she''s unmatched in strength, she''s also unmatched in kindness!"


    [This card cannot attack directly. All battle damage inflicted by this card becomes 0.]


    "So, Yugi, your self-sacrificial strategy won''t work anymore. I suggest you surrender gracefully."


    Placing his Duel Disk aside, Yugi smiled in relief. "Indeed, it seems the prey will inevitably fall into the hands of its hunter. Turn end."


    "And at the end of your turn, Limited/Zero Over''s final effect triggers!"


    [¢Û: During the End Phase of the turn this card was activated, the equipped monster is destroyed, and this card is banished. You take damage equal to the equipped monster''s ATK.]


    "Because Altera is destroyed by Limited/Zero Over, her ability to nullify effect damage no longer applies. I take damage equal to her ATK of 3350!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1700 ¡ú 0]


    Retracting her Duel Disk, Hoshino smiled contentedly. "Sorry, everyone! Well then, Marik, I''ll be taking you on first!"


    Marik, seething at being treated as a stepping stone, fumed. "Decided on the order you''ll die, have you, Hoshino? In the next duel, I''ll show you the true despair of unrelenting darkness!"


    With that, Marik stormed off the duel platform without looking back.


    Yugi turned to Kaiba. "Shall we continue our duel, Kaiba?"


    Kaiba coldly retracted his Duel Disk, dismissing the notion. "Pointless. When the Battle City semifinals officially begin, that''s when I''ll settle the score with you, Yugi!"


    Battle City Semifinals Duel Order Confirmed:


    1. Hoshino Chiyuki vs. Marik Ishtar


    2. Yugi Muto vs. Seto Kaiba


    "Battle City Tournament semifinals. The first match is scheduled to begin in 30 minutes on the second-floor duel platform of the Duel Tower. Although we''ve had quite a warm-up from morning till now, take some time to adjust your condition."


    Leaving these instructions and advice for the semifinalists, Kaiba headed back to the contestants'' lounge on the first floor.


    The second-floor duel platform, located at the heart of the Duel Tower, was specifically designed for the four-person semifinals. Only the winner of the semifinals would earn the right to ascend to the top of the Duel Tower, where the ultimate battleground¡ªthe pinnacle of duelist glory¡ªawaited.


    The construction of such a lavish tower, built purely to honor dueling, clearly reflected how much Duel Monsters meant to Kaiba. Of course, the entire tournament was being broadcast globally. With Kaiba''s shrewd business acumen, even if the event didn''t turn a profit, it certainly wouldn''t incur much of a loss.


    Amid the cheers of her friends, Hoshino returned alone to the lounge in the Duel Tower. No matter how strong Marik was, this would undoubtedly be the most important match for her in the entire Battle City tournament.


    [Duelist level assessment complete. Duelist Adrian Randolph Crump III: Level D. Victory reward: 15 Saint Quartz. Current Saint Quartz total: 15.]


    [Duelist level assessment complete. Duelist Noah Kaiba: Level B. Victory reward: 45 Saint Quartz. Current Saint Quartz total: 60.]


    "Finally, the ultimate showdown. Feeling nervous?" The mischievous evil god materialized again, unwilling to miss any opportunity to remind Hoshino of her presence.


    Hoshino''s expression was unreadable. "To be honest, I wasn''t feeling nervous at first, but¡­"


    [Duelist level assessment complete. Duelist Marik Ishtar: Level ??, strength evaluation unavailable.]


    "This is the first time something like this has happened. At first, I thought it might be because of the four-person battle format¡­ but that doesn''t seem to be the case." Hoshino recalled her past experiences with four-player free-for-alls¡ªwhen she used to toy with kids at her grandfather''s card shop to harvest easy victories.


    Such scenarios had never resulted in an unrankable evaluation before. Most opponents back then were Level E.


    This time, though, Marik was an exception. "My gut tells me this isn''t a good sign."


    Sitting snugly on Hoshino''s lap, the evil god tilted her head back to stare at her. "So you''re scared? Even with me here to watch over you~"


    Hoshino pinched her cheek, leaving a red mark. Lost in thought, she said, "Ishizu mentioned that the dark soul sealed within the Millennium Rod awakens another persona within Marik, granting him full control of The Winged Dragon of Ra."


    The evil god rubbed her cheek with her small hand, grumbling. "What we currently know about Ra''s effects includes inheriting attack points and paying 1000 Life Points to destroy all monsters on the opponent''s field. Inheriting attack points isn''t particularly scary¡ªthe real issue is that Phoenix Mode¡­"


    "Phoenix Mode¡­ you mean the form that burned Jonouchi into unconsciousness?" Prompted by the evil god, Hoshino began considering what she would do if Marik used the same technique against her.


    "You and I seem to be concerned about different things. While Phoenix Mode does have tremendous destructive power over the soul and psyche, your spiritual strength has far surpassed that of ordinary humans, almost approaching divine levels. You should be able to withstand one or two hits."


    Hoshino''s soul had once been powerful enough to almost completely revive the evil god. Because of this, the godly entity had a deep understanding of her spiritual fortitude.


    "What I wanted to remind you of is that even I cannot stop an attack in Phoenix Mode, as much as I hate to admit it."


    "Eh?" Hoshino was surprised. "Even you can''t handle it? But I thought you were immune to monster effects."


    "That should be the case, but the moment I saw that attack, I felt it. That destructive force seems to stem from a rule-based annihilation¡ªit bypasses all resistances. So whatever you do, don''t try to counter Phoenix Mode with immunity-based effects."


    "It''s impressive that you could figure that out." The warning was invaluable; Hoshino might have otherwise fallen into a fatal trap.


    "That''s all the advice I can give. The rest is up to you, girl."


    The evil god seemed to recall something else as she finished speaking. "Oh, one last thing. That guy probably also has fake God Cards on him."


    "More fake God Cards? Doesn''t he fear divine retribution?" Thinking of what happened to Odion, Hoshino couldn''t help but shiver.


    The evil god, still enjoying the soft warmth of Hoshino''s lap, didn''t respond. Perhaps even she couldn''t extract any further information about Marik.


    "No point in overthinking. I''d better adjust my deck first." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino activated the system, directly accessing the card shop.


    [Da Vinci-chan''s friendly tip: New items have been added to the Special Summon Shop! Fair pricing, act fast!]


    As soon as she opened the interface, a chibi Da Vinci popped up, advertising cheerfully.


    "Restocking so quickly¡­ but I barely have time to earn Saint Quartz," Hoshino sighed over her impoverished state and entered the Special Summon Shop out of habit.


    Even if she couldn''t afford anything, window shopping was still a way to stay motivated.


    [Special Summon Shop accessed.]


    [Special Summon Shop: Remaining Servants: 3/3. Next refresh in: Over 1 day.]


    [SSR Minamoto no Raikou ¨C Exchange Cost: 100 Saint Quartz]


    [SSR Shuten Douji ¨C Exchange Cost: 100 Saint Quartz]


    [SR Ibaraki Douji ¨C Exchange Cost: 50 Saint Quartz]


    "An Oni theme, huh? Interesting!"


    Hoshino chuckled. She hadn''t expected the chance to openly exchange Saint Quartz for her favorite characters. With her current funds, she could just about afford Ibaraki Douji.


    If she exchanged for Raikou and Shuten as well, life at Chaldea for Kintoki would probably take a turn for the worse.


    "No discount this time, huh? Feels like last time''s 30% off deal was something Da Vinci-chan came up with on the fly to clear out my Quartz stash." Musing on this, Hoshino instinctively clicked the option to redeem Ibaraki.


    [Ibaraki Douji redeemed. Remaining Saint Quartz: 10.]


    "The Oni leader of Mount ¨­e, Ibaraki Douji, has arrived!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 252 - 252

    "It''s finally starting, huh?!"


    The companions gathered around the second-level dueling platform in the Duel Tower seemed even more nervous than Hoshino.


    Although the platform was inside the tower, the surrounding walls were made of transparent material. With only a few steel pillars at the edges for support, combined with the exceptionally high ceiling and the airflow circulating through the semi-open space, the dueling arena felt almost like an open-air venue.


    Standing opposite each other on the battlefield, Hoshino and Marik were already locked in a tense standoff. Through hundreds of cameras installed on this floor, the duel was being broadcast live to viewers all around the world.


    "Oh, it''s about to start?"


    At the Kame Game Shop, Grandpa Sugoroku chuckled, stroking his beard as he turned on the television. Behind him, a group of bright-eyed, restless kids practically bounced with excitement.


    "It really is Hoshino! She''s so cool!"


    "I knew it! With her strength, Hoshino was bound to win all the way here."


    "The Duel Tower, huh? I wish I could stand up there too."


    "One day, I''ll fight for the highest honor of duelists, just like Hoshino."


    Hoshino''s relentless battles had sparked dreams in the hearts of the children.


    On a rickety boat, Yuta tapped on the old television. "So she really made it all the way, huh? With her skills, there''s no way she''d lose. Still, Hoshino is just as adorable as ever, no matter when you see her."


    In a bar, the already-drunk Keith glanced at the live broadcast the bar owner had turned on. "Tch, so she really made it to the finals, huh? Yako is totally useless."


    Some patrons who didn''t care for Duel Monsters began complaining. "Change the channel! Who cares about this boring card game?"


    Thud! Keith slammed his glass heavily onto the wooden table, silencing the whiners instantly.


    "I wanna watch this. Anyone got a problem?!"


    "Master Yako, the doctor says you''re not supposed to get out of bed yet."


    The personal nurse at Pegasus Castle looked at the young man on the bed with concern.


    "It''s fine~" Yako smiled warmly, a demeanor entirely unlike the manic arrogance he displayed when controlled by the Evil God. His current gentle manner was strikingly similar to that of his brother, Gekko.


    A massive screen on the wall was already tuned to the live broadcast. "I just wanted to stretch a little and witness the duel of Hoshino."


    "Rebecca, it''s about to start!" Arthur, sitting on a sofa, called out to the girl in the other room. Beside him was Rowick, sitting stiffly, his hands clenched on his knees in an overly serious posture.


    Rebecca''s nonchalant reply came from the other room. "What''s the rush? It''s not Yugi''s duel. Let me finish burning through my stamina here first."


    "Marik!" Rowick''s tone betrayed his anger as he glared at the screen, fixated on the man''s face.


    Arthur, noticing this, lightly patted Rowick''s shoulder and pointed to Akasha in the corner of the screen and Hoshino standing opposite. "The girls are still fighting hard. You, as a father, shouldn''t lose your composure now."


    "Yes..." Catching sight of Akasha''s adorable form on the screen, Rowick instantly softened. "Even on TV, she''s just so endearing. Akasha~"


    On the streets of Domino City, Kaiba Corporation had monopolized every prominent advertisement screen to broadcast the duel.


    Duelists gathered across the city. Although their campaigns had ended, their enthusiasm for dueling burned brighter than ever.


    Amid this crowd of avid fans, however, an unusually conspicuous group stood out.


    "Boss made it to the semifinals!"


    "Boss is incredible!"


    "Following the boss is the greatest honor of my life!"


    "On the big screen, boss''s dignity and cuteness are both maxed out!"


    The Seven Henchmen''s roars of excitement drew disdainful stares from others, who instinctively distanced themselves from the group.


    At this moment, duelists worldwide focused on the Duel Tower, eager to witness the opening duel of the Duel City semifinals.


    Hoshino herself, however, was entirely unaware of this.


    "Why hasn''t it started yet? And honestly, this cold wind blowing through the semi-open space is kinda chilly," she muttered, rubbing her arms.


    As if on cue, the familiar black-clad host appeared.


    "The first match of the Duel City semifinals is about to begin! Hoshino Chiyuki versus Marik Ishtar! Now, both duelists, please shuffle your decks!"


    "Please shuffle your decks!!"


    The host emphasized the deck-shuffling process multiple times, as if it were a critical step, keeping a sharp eye on the duelists.


    Hoshino, of course, had no reason to slack off. She always shuffled her deck thoroughly¡ªafter all, how else could she consistently draw her "Comedy Duo" cards, Okita and Nobunaga? Then again, maybe her ability to consistently draw them from a 40-card deck was a skill in itself.


    While shuffling, Hoshino kept a close eye on Marik. Only when she saw him shuffle his deck properly did she feel half-relieved.


    Why only half? Well, what if he had the card-shuffling skills of a gambling legend? The kind that not only avoided randomizing the deck but set up a godly draw order¡ªlike putting an unnamed high-level fusion monster and its required components right at the top.


    "Now then¡ª"


    The referee stepped off the stage, announcing loudly:


    "Hoshino Chiyuki versus Marik Ishtar, let the duel begin!"


    [Duel!!]


    "I''ll take the first move! Draw!"


    Hoshino, taking the initiative, exuded a commanding presence.


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Mana Transfer]! This allows me to Special Summon one Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck. However, I can''t Normal Summon this turn after activating it."


    Under the radiance of Mana Particles illuminating the field, Hoshino selected the perfect monster for her opening play.


    "I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    "Yes! It''s Spartacus!"


    Jonouchi, overcome with excitement, stomped the floor in a classic theatrical outburst. "Victory is ours!!"


    "Overthrowing oppression is my mission!" Spartacus''s radiant smile grew even brighter in response to Jonouchi''s enthusiasm.


    Hoshino continued, inserting two cards into her Duel Disk. "I''ll set one card face-down and activate the Continuous Spell [Chaldea Mana Support System]!"


    A crimson Command Seal glowed vividly on her hand.


    [Command Seal] x1


    Satisfied, she waved her hand to show off the Command Seal and placed her Duel Disk down. "Turn end."


    [Hoshino''s: 3 Hand Cards]


    Yugi gave a slight smile. "Hoshino''s opening is well-executed. With the Command Seal and Spartacus, she''s maintaining both offense and defense while ensuring proper resource management."


    Jonouchi grinned. "Looks like I passed my good luck to Hoshino! You''ve gotta beat Marik in my place!"


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Marik''s expression twisted into his signature sinister grin as his turn began.


    "So noisy. Do you really think this is just an ordinary game? What follows is a Shadow Game¡ªa battle of life and death!"


    A surge of darkness erupted from Marik, instantly enveloping the entire floor. What had been a bright, open arena transformed into a deep, ominous void in the blink of an eye.


    "To unleash such immense darkness, he''s clearly going all out this time," Yugi said, his tone grave. This Shadow Game felt far more perilous than the one with Jonouchi¡ªor any other he had witnessed before.


    Kaiba, standing nearby, remained unfazed. "Still resorting to such childish tricks? If he thinks these scare tactics will work a second time, that''s truly laughable."


    "Now we can properly enjoy the game, Hoshino," Marik declared, cackling as he played his first card. "I summon [Dark Jeroid] in Attack Position and activate its effect!"


    [Dark Jeroid¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1500]


    [Effect: If this card is Summoned: Target 1 face-up monster on the field; it loses 800 ATK.]


    "I choose your Spartacus¡ªreducing its ATK by 800!"


    [Spartacus ATK 1500 ¡ú 700]


    "Ugh, this... this is what oppression feels like!!" Spartacus groaned as his strength diminished.


    "Now the ATK difference is reversed! Experience the thrill of a life-or-death Shadow Game, Hoshino!" Marik declared, entering the Battle Phase.


    "Attack, Dark Jeroid! Death Impale!"


    The Dark Jeroid stretched its sharp claws, piercing through Spartacus''s sturdy form.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    Hoshino clutched her chest. "Yep, that definitely hurts. I''m starting to admire Jonouchi for enduring all this."


    It was becoming clear¡ªeven a "noob" like Jonouchi had extraordinary physical and mental endurance.


    The attack ended, but Marik''s sinister grin only deepened. His gaze gleamed with wicked excitement.


    "This Shadow Game isn''t just about pain. Along with the Life Points you lose, parts of your body will also be consumed by darkness!"


    "Eh?!!" Hoshino stared in shock as the creeping darkness began devouring parts of her body.


    As Marik described, the sections of her body swallowed by darkness seemed to vanish entirely, leaving her partially transparent, as though chunks of her physical presence had been erased.


    "My... my chest is gone?!!" Hoshino exclaimed, looking down in disbelief.


    To clarify¡ªit wasn''t just her chest. Losing 500 Life Points resulted in one-eighth of her body vanishing into thin air.


    "Isn''t it amusing? This Shadow Game! Gahahahaha!" Marik''s laughter grew increasingly deranged as he stuck out his tongue.


    "Although your body won''t feel any pain during the erasure, once your Life Points reach zero, your entire existence will vanish from this world completely!"


    Losing in this Shadow Game meant total annihilation¡ªthere would be no chance of recovery, unlike the duel with Jonouchi.


    Yugi''s brows furrowed deeply. "Marik is willing to use such extreme methods. Controlled by the Millennium Rod, all he desires is absolute destruction."


    Hoshino, recovering quickly from the initial shock, sent her destroyed monster to the Graveyard. "If it''s a fight to the death, bring it on!"


    "However, the next to lose a piece of themselves will be you! I activate the effect of [Spartacus]!"


    [When this card is destroyed in battle: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent, then gain 500 Life Points.]


    From the Graveyard, Spartacus''s roaring voice echoed: "Triumphant Return of the Sword!!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3500 ¡ú 4000]


    As her Life Points were restored, the parts of her body that had vanished reappeared.


    "Thank goodness, it''s back." Hoshino touched her chest in relief. Even though she hadn''t felt anything missing, not seeing it was deeply unsettling.


    [Marik LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    "Arghhhh!" Marik let out a low growl of pain as his right leg was consumed by darkness.


    "Well done, Hoshino. It wouldn''t be fun otherwise!" Marik sneered, still standing steadily despite losing his right leg. The erasure appeared to be purely visual for now; only at the moment of defeat would the consequences become real.


    "I set one card face-down and end my turn."


    [Marik''s: 4 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card] S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "My turn! Draw!"


    [Command Seal] x2


    "I activate the effect of [Spartacus] in my Graveyard. During the Standby Phase, if the opponent has more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon it back to the field!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    "Rebellion never rests!"


    Pulling Spartacus''s card from the Graveyard, Hoshino inserted another card into her Duel Disk. "From my hand, I activate the Continuous Spell [Vive la France]!"


    [Vive la France Continuous Spell Effect: Each time a [Heroic Spirit] monster is Summoned or Special Summoned: Place 1 Glory Counter on this card (max. 6).]


    "Next, I tribute Spartacus on my field to summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius]! I also summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula] from my Deck! Placing two Glory Counters!"


    A series of glowing lights pierced through the darkness, shining brilliantly within the void.


    [Glory Counter] x2


    (*****)


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 Chapter 253 - 253

    "Umu~!!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1900]


    As Nero''s summoning was completed, Hoshino immediately drew a card from her deck.


    "Nero''s special effect allows me to draw one card when she''s summoned, provided no other monsters are on the field!"


    "Neroooo!!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1200]


    "And with Caligula''s effect: once per duel, if Nero is on the field, this card can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard or Deck!"


    As the Roman Heroic Spirits continued to appear, the radiance of Hoshino''s Continuous Spell Card, Vive la France, became even more dazzling.


    "According to Vive la France''s effect, summoning two monsters adds two Glory Counters to the card. I''ll remove those counters to add Marie Antoinette from my deck to my hand!"


    After adding Marie Antoinette to her hand, Hoshino raised her Command Spell, its light cutting through the oppressive darkness.


    "Now comes the main event. I target Nero Claudius and remove one Command Spell counter to search for the Field Spell Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius from my deck, then activate it!"


    Hoshino inserted the card into her Field Spell Zone, causing the floor to tremble as the Golden Theater ascended in a radiant display.


    Standing at its center, Nero grew visibly more excited:


    "Open the gates! Raise the curtains for the soloist! Behold my talent and listen to the thunderous applause! Then praise me! Praise my Golden Theater! Umu!"


    "Due to the effect of the Field Spell Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius, Nero''s ATK increases!"


    [Nero Claudius ATK 2300 ¡ú 2600]


    Jonouchi stared in awe.


    "Hoshino''s offensive pace is crazy¡ªshe brought out the Golden Theater on the second turn!"


    Yugi nodded, analyzing the field.


    "She''s not just advancing her offense¡ªshe''s maintaining a solid hand size and balancing her offense and defense. A very calculated move."


    "Hoshino is amazing!" Shizuka exclaimed, her voice filled with hope. She silently prayed that Hoshino could avenge her brother, who had fallen to Marik''s underhanded tactics.


    "Prepare yourself! Witness Nero''s splendid strike!" Hoshino declared, commanding Nero to attack. Nero raised her Aestus Estus high, leaving a fiery trail in her wake as she charged forward.


    Unfazed, Marik activated a Set card on his Duel Disk.


    "Heh-heh-heh! I activate a Trap Card!"


    "It''s useless! Nero inside the Golden Theater is unaffected by your Spells and Traps!"


    Marik''s grin widened.


    "Did I say it was targeting Nero? The Trap I activated is [Relieve Monster]!"


    [Relieve Monster Trap Card Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target 1 monster you control; return that target to the hand, then Special Summon 1 Level 4 monster from your hand.]


    Jonouchi realized the danger.


    "Oh no! I remember that card¡ªit''s meant to swap in one of his Torture monsters! Can Hoshino hold her ground?"


    Having felt the pain of Marik''s Shadow Games himself, Jonouchi couldn''t help but worry for Hoshino, who, in his eyes, was strong at dueling but still an ordinary girl physically and mentally.


    "Do you understand my strategy now? The pain of darkness has already etched itself into your body, Jonouchi!" Marik taunted as he swapped monsters on his field.


    "I return Dark Jeroid to my hand and, in Defense Position, Special Summon [Holding Arms]!"


    [Holding Arms¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 500/DEF 1200]


    [Effect: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; while this card is face-up on the field, that face-up monster cannot attack, also its effects are negated. While that face-up monster is on the field, this card cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects.]


    The golden-eyed, metallic creature materialized, quickly clamping its pincers onto Nero''s wrists, lifting her arms and exposing the curves hidden beneath her crimson dress.


    "How dare you use such a thing to restrict my actions!" Furious, Nero struggled to break free, but her resistance only left red marks on her pale wrists.


    Marik smirked.


    "As long as the targeted monster remains on the field, Holding Arms cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. Your turn''s attack ends here, Hoshino."


    "A monster effect instead of a Spell or Trap to bypass the Theater¡­ What a clever move," Hoshino admitted reluctantly, lowering her Duel Disk.


    "Turn end."


    [Hoshino''s: 4 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    "My turn! Draw!" Marik cackled as he looked at his drawn card.


    "Gahaha! It seems fortune favors me. I activate the Spell Card [Pot of Greed]!"


    With a flick of the card, Marik drew two additional cards, bringing his hand count to six.


    "Next, I activate [Machine Duplication]!"


    [Machine Duplication Spell Card Effect: Target 1 Machine monster you control with 500 or less ATK; Special Summon up to 2 monsters from your Deck with the same name as that face-up monster.]


    "I target Holding Arms on my field to Special Summon two more copies from my Deck!" Marik declared, placing the two new monsters on his Duel Disk.


    With three monsters now on his field, Marik raised a card high above his head. Lightning and thunder roared in unison as darkness swirled around him.


    Kaiba''s eyes narrowed.


    "He''s summoning a god? But if he sacrifices those monsters for The Winged Dragon of Ra, it''ll only have 1500 ATK!"


    Marik laughed maniacally.


    "Gahaha! Who said I''m summoning Ra? Watch closely! A true powerhouse can command the wrath of the gods! Behold!"


    Raising his arms to the heavens, Marik offered his three monsters as sacrifices. Their forms dissolved into the darkness, replaced by a blinding light that engulfed the field.


    "I tribute my three monsters to summon [Slifer the Sky Dragon]!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK ???/DEF ???]


    Yugi''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Slifer the Sky Dragon?! Impossible! I remember handing Slifer to¡ª"


    Marik''s laughter echoed, filled with malice. "Ha ha ha ha! You handed Slifer to Hoshino, didn''t you? But do you think that alone is enough to defeat me?"


    Amidst the grinding, explosive lightning, Marik''s face twisted into a grotesque grin. "I am the one who can truly command the three Egyptian Gods and rule this world! Allow me to show you!"


    A massive lightning bolt struck down from the heavens, crashing through Marik''s body and splitting the lavish Golden Theater in half.


    "My theater! How infuriating! Absolutely infuriating!" Nero shouted, now freed from the provocative restraints of the Holding Arms.


    Hoshino''s gaze turned sharp as she felt an ominous presence. "This Sky Dragon feels¡­ off. Such abnormal anger!"


    Though the Egyptian Gods were always known for their temperamental rage, Slifer''s manifestation was different. The dragon hadn''t even fully materialized from the storm clouds above, yet bolts of furious lightning were already raining down relentlessly on the battlefield.


    Kaiba, observing with a calculating glare, pieced the situation together. "Marik, you didn''t just create the Winged Dragon of Ra. You''ve forged additional counterfeit God cards!"


    Jonouchi''s eyes widened as he turned to Kaiba in shock. "What?! Another fake God card? But isn''t using counterfeit God cards supposed to bring divine punishment?"


    Marik sneered, activating his Duel Disk. "I''ve said it before: a true master will command even the wrath of the Gods! Witness my moment of divine domination!"


    "I activate the Field Spell Card [Mound of the Bound Creator]!"


    The ground shook violently as the rule preventing two Field Spells from coexisting forced the Golden Theater to collapse completely. Slifer''s lightning tore through the cracks in the crumbling stage.


    [Golden Theater! Laus St. Claudius] Destroyed


    Thick, black chains erupted from the ground, reaching toward the stormy skies. They latched onto the clouds, dragging out the colossal form of Slifer the Sky Dragon.


    [Mound of the Bound Creator - Field Spell Effect: Level 10 or higher monsters on the field cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects.]


    "Now the God is under my control! With three cards in my hand, Slifer''s ATK and DEF are both set at 3000!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon | ATK: 3000 | DEF: 3000]


    The chains wrapped around Slifer''s massive body intensified the dragon''s anguished, furious roars. Yet, beyond the deafening cries of rage, Yugi and Hoshino sensed something deeper¡ªpain and sorrow.


    Yugi clenched his fists. "To think you''d stoop so low as to use such a method to forcibly control a God!"


    "The Gods are restless¡­ I can feel the genuine wrath of the true God cards," Hoshino murmured, her Duel Disk heating up unnaturally. Her deck began to tremble¡ªa phenomenon she''d never experienced before.


    "Marik, do you even realize the danger you''re unleashing?"


    "Ha ha ha! Do you still have time to lecture me? This is a Shadow Game¡ªwhere the loser truly loses their life!" Marik extended his hand dramatically, issuing a command to the chained Slifer above.


    "Unleash divine lightning and obliterate them! Slifer, attack Caligula with Superconductive Wave Thunder Cannon!"


    "Roooooaaaaarrr!" The terrifying dragon roared, forced into action. A colossal bolt of lightning erupted from its maw, hurtling toward Caligula.


    Amid the blinding flash, Caligula''s form disintegrated into nothingness.


    "Nero! Nooo!!" Caligula screamed.


    [Caligula Destroyed]


    Nero gritted her teeth, gripping her sword tightly as flames erupted from its blade, burning brighter and redder. "You destroyed my theater, and now you even dare target my uncle?!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki | LP: 4000 ¡ú 2500]


    Marik smirked. "It''s not over yet. When Slifer destroys a monster, my Field Spell Mound of the Bound Creator triggers its secondary effect!"


    [Effect: If a Level 10 or higher monster destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY, the player who controlled the destroyed monster takes 1000 damage.]


    More black chains burst from the ground, piercing Hoshino''s figure and draining her life points further.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki | LP: 2500 ¡ú 1500]


    "Now let the darkness consume you!"


    Hoshino''s body began to vanish into shadow, starting from her thighs. More than half of her form, including her arms and torso, turned translucent as the darkness crept over her.


    Mai called out in alarm. "Chiyuki, are you okay?!"


    Hoshino replied calmly, "Aside from looking unsettling, I''m fine." Though she felt no pain, it was disconcerting to watch her own body disappear.


    Marik''s grin widened maliciously. "Death is creeping closer, Hoshino. Struggle if you dare, but it will be futile!" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a flourish, Marik inserted a card into his Duel Disk. "I set one card face-down and end my turn!"


    [Marik: 2 Cards in Hand | 1 Set Card]


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon | ATK: 3000 ¡ú 2000]


    Seeing Marik''s move, Jonouchi leaned forward. "He didn''t try to keep Slifer''s attack high? He set a card instead? What a mistake!"


    Mokuba joined in. "This is your chance, Hoshino! Attack now!"


    However, both Yugi and Kaiba frowned, remaining silent. Marik wouldn''t overlook Nero''s remaining attack power of 2300, even without the theater. That set card had to be a trap designed to bait her into attacking.


    "My turn! Draw!" As her turn began, one of the Command Spells on Hoshino''s arm reappeared. However, with her field matching Marik''s in monsters, she couldn''t Special Summon Spartacus from the Graveyard.


    [Command Spell ¡Á2]


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight] in Defense Position!" Hoshino declared. Faced with the overwhelming power of Slifer, Mash was her best option.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4) | LIGHT | Warrior/Effect | ATK: 1000 | DEF: 2000]


    Marik chuckled darkly. "The moment you summon, Slifer''s effect activates! Summon Lightning Sphere!"


    A spherical bolt of lightning shot out from Slifer''s secondary mouth, striking Mash''s shield directly.


    [When a monster is summoned to your opponent''s field, reduce its ATK or DEF by 2000. If this reduces it to 0, destroy that monster.]


    [Mash DEF: 2000 ¡ú 0]


    "Though her DEF has dropped to 0, Mash can''t be destroyed while in Defense Position," Hoshino said, using Mash''s shield to barely stave off Slifer''s devastating attack.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 254 - 254

    "Since Mash in Defense Position cannot be destroyed by effects, even Slifer''s Thunder Force is useless!" As the lightning dispersed, Mash''s sturdy figure remained in front of Hoshino, shielding her with her massive shield.


    Marik smirked. "For a Level 4 monster to withstand an attack from a god¡­ Mash, is it? I must admit, I''m impressed."


    Mash, however, wore a look of disdain. "I don''t need praise from someone like you¡ªit would give me nightmares!"


    "You''re absolutely right! My beloved Mash only needs my praise to shine! Since Mash was summoned, the Continuous Spell Vive la France gains one Glory Counter!"


    [Glory Counter: ¡Á1]


    "Next, I''ll use one Command Spell to revive a monster from the graveyard in Attack Position: Caligula! Another Glory Counter is added!"


    [Command Seals: ¡Á2 ¡ú ¡Á1]


    [Glory Counter: ¡Á2]


    Magical energy flowed from Hoshino''s hand into the graveyard slot of her Duel Disk, summoning Caligula, who had just been destroyed by Slifer''s attack.


    Drawing a card from the graveyard, Hoshino placed it on the field with solemnity. "To defeat the false god before me, lend me your strength¡ªlend your power to your beloved Nero! I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Caligula¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1200]


    Marik scoffed. "Weak monsters like that, no matter how many times you revive, can''t stand before Slifer! And since you summoned a monster, prepare yourself for another Thunder Force!"


    The second Thunder Force emerged from Slifer''s eerie maw, crashing directly onto the recently revived Caligula and engulfing him completely.


    [Caligula ATK: 1500 ¡ú 0]


    Marik pointed to the fading figure in the light. "With his ATK reduced to 0, he will be destroyed by the effect. Say farewell under the thunder of Slifer!"


    Straining against the lightning, Caligula let out a desperate roar. "Nerooooo! My beloved niece! Accept my final will¡ªwin glory for Rome!"


    [Caligula: Destroyed]


    "Fight, Nero¡ªnow is truly the moment to slay a god!" With Caligula destroyed, Hoshino decisively entered the Battle Phase.


    "Yes, Master!" Nero''s eyes burned with determination, rivaling the blazing crimson of her sword.


    Jonouchi looked puzzled by Hoshino''s actions. "She could''ve attacked directly. Why waste a Command Spell to summon a monster she knew would be destroyed?"


    Yugi responded solemnly, "Hoshino wouldn''t make such a pointless move. The problem lies in Marik''s face-down card."


    "Hahaha! You mentioned ''battle,'' right? Then you''ve fallen into my trap!" Seeing Nero, trailing fiery arcs as she slashed toward Slifer, Marik grinned wickedly and activated his face-down card without hesitation.


    "I can''t believe you fell for such a simple trap! Truly naive! I activate the Trap Card [Reckless Greed]!"


    [Reckless Greed Trap Card Effect: Draw 2 cards and skip your next 2 Draw Phases.]


    Jonouchi gasped in realization. "He set a card to replenish his hand as a trap to lure Hoshino into attacking!"


    "Thanks to Reckless Greed, I draw two cards from my deck. As a result, Slifer''s ATK increases to 4000!" Marik declared, drawing two cards and making a slitting gesture at Hoshino.


    "This ends now. Lose all your Life Points during your own attack and succumb to the darkness, Hoshino!"


    "If it were that simple, wouldn''t that mean I''m not even as good as Jonouchi?"


    Jonouchi scratched his head. "Why did you have to drag me into this? Though, yeah, I didn''t notice the face-down card¡­"


    Pointing to the Trap Card already activated at her feet, Hoshino replied sternly, "Take a closer look, Marik. The one being destroyed in this battle is your Slifer!"


    Marik froze. "Nani?! When did you activate a trap? Traps don''t work on gods!"


    "While you were basking in the might of your Thunder Force and the false power of your god, the tides of battle had already turned!" With Hoshino''s sharp voice, Nero''s blazing sword slashed deeply into Slifer''s massive dragon head.


    "This is Caligula''s legacy. When I revived Caligula using the Command Spell, I also activated the Trap Card [Love is Not Here]!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Love is Not Here Trap Card Effect: Can only be activated if there are 2 or more face-up Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monsters on your field. Discard up to 2 cards from your hand. Then, your opponent discards the same number of cards. For each [Heroic Spirit] sent to the Graveyard by this effect, inflict 300 damage to your opponent.]


    ¡ªDevour My Soul, Moonlight (Flucticulus Diana)!!


    "Thanks to Love is Not Here, I discarded two cards from my hand. As a result, you must discard two cards from your hand, reducing Slifer''s ATK by 2000!"


    Discarding two cards from her hand to the Graveyard, Hoshino confidently faced Marik''s field. Nero, now elegantly leaping across the massive body of the false Slifer, slashed countless fiery marks onto the dragon''s crimson scales.


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ATK: 4000 ¡ú 2000]


    [Nero Claudius ATK: 2300]


    "The Rome I rule, the will I inherit, the flames of wrath I wield! Feel it all with your own body!"


    From head to tail, Slifer''s colossal body ignited like an inferno, its black chains glowing red-hot under the flames, ready to snap at any moment.


    Hoshino pointed forward resolutely. "If you think you can defeat me with a fake god, then you''re the truly naive one here!"


    ¡ªAestus Domus Aurea!! Nero roared her final declaration, and the fiery marks across Slifer''s body erupted into countless explosions. The wailing Slifer disintegrated in the sea of flames.


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon: Destroyed]


    [Marik LP: 3500 ¡ú 3200]


    The searing pain of the flames, transmitted through the shadow duel, caused veins to bulge on Marik''s forehead once more.


    The spectators erupted in excitement. "She defeated a god in one turn! And that''s with the Field Spell Mound of the Bound Creator in play! She is incredible!"


    But the excitement wasn''t limited to just her friends. The moment Slifer was cleaved apart, the entire world seemed to boil over.


    "What kind of battle is this? It''s so dazzling!"


    "That''s a god! The legendary strongest monster! And it was defeated in a single turn!"


    "She''s the Duel King! Even gods can''t stand in her way!"


    Pegasus''s assistant, Croquet, murmured, "Mr. Pegasus, the duelist you recognized might truly be capable of overcoming the god you feared¡­"


    With its attack power of 4000 and the synergy provided by Mound of the Bound Creator, Slifer the Sky Dragon was a force to be reckoned with, possessing near-perfect resistance.


    "Defeating Slifer by reducing my hand cards¡­ A simple combo using low-level monsters, yet it achieved such a significant result." Mimicking Hoshino''s motion, Marik discarded two cards from his hand.


    Due to the timing and effect of Love is Not Here, Marik was forced to discard the two cards already in his hand. He could not discard the two additional cards he had just drawn using the effect of Reckless Greed.


    "We did it, Senpai!" Mash excitedly turned to Hoshino, her expression glowing with anticipation. As one of the Level 4 monsters on the field, she was instrumental in activating Love is Not Here.


    Nero nodded, radiating satisfaction. "Umu! I have demonstrated the glory of Rome to the world! Surely, there will be more duelists who admire Rome after this!"


    Whether there would indeed be more admirers of Rome was uncertain, but this duel marked the beginning of Nero''s fan club¡ªcomposed of earnest duelists who admired her fiery resolve.


    "You both did wonderfully! As expected of my girls!" Hoshino praised with a wide grin.


    "Senpai, I''m getting mad now!" Mash pouted, clearly dissatisfied with Hoshino''s playful tone. Nero, however, smiled knowingly.


    "But now is no time for jokes; the duel isn''t over yet!" Hoshino''s expression shifted to one of focus as Love is Not Here activated again.


    "According to its effect, for every Heroic Spirit monster I discarded, I inflict 300 points of damage to you. Among the two cards I discarded was the [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette], which I had added to my hand earlier using a Continuous Spell card!"


    [Marik''s LP: 3200 ¡ú 2900]


    The dark corruption on Marik''s body spread further, as if reacting to his diminishing Life Points.


    "And now, I activate the effect of Marie, which I just sent to the Graveyard! I add one Heroic Spirit monster from my Deck to my hand." The radiance of Marie''s glory illuminated Hoshino''s field as she searched her Deck for a card.


    Simultaneously, she placed two cards face-down on her Duel Disk. "I''ll end my turn by setting these two cards!"


    [Hoshino''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    "My turn!" Marik declared. "Due to the effect of Reckless Greed, I skip my Draw Phase this turn." His field remained empty, leaving him with only the two cards he had drawn previously using Reckless Greed.


    The ongoing duel had drained both players'' resources severely. Even Hoshino, who had paced herself carefully throughout the match, was down to a single card in hand. Marik''s situation appeared even worse.


    "It seems neither of us has enough resources for the next stage of this duel," Marik said, inserting a card into his Duel Disk with a sly grin.


    Recognizing the familiar play, Hoshino smirked. "What if I told you my hand is sufficient? Don''t tell me you''re about to activate Card of Sanctity?"


    Marik''s grin widened as his ruse was exposed. "Hahaha! You''ve seen through me! Indeed, I activate [Card of Sanctity]! Both players draw until they each hold six cards in their hands!"


    Both duelists replenished their hands. Marik drew six cards, while Hoshino drew five, bringing her hand total to six as well.


    "Ahahaha! My luck is extraordinary today!" Marik exclaimed, immediately activating another card. "I activate the Spell Card [A Feather of the Phoenix]!"


    [A Feather of the Phoenix Spell Effect: Discard 1 card, then target 1 card in your Graveyard; return that target to the top of your Deck.]


    Marik discarded a card and retrieved a crimson card from his Graveyard. "Using A Feather of the Phoenix, I return Slifer the Sky Dragon to the top of my Deck!"


    Seeing this, Yugi''s frown deepened. "He''s retrieving Slifer again? Such mockery of the gods will not go unpunished!"


    "Mockery? The gods are under my command now!" Marik boasted as his Duel Disk lit up ominously.


    "Behold the power of the gods bowing before me! I activate the Spell Card [The True Name]!"


    [The True Name Spell Effect: Declare 1 card name; excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is the declared card, add it to your hand. Then, you can add to your hand or Special Summon 1 DIVINE monster from your Deck. Otherwise, send it to the Graveyard.]


    "I declare Slifer the Sky Dragon!"


    Yugi''s eyes widened. "He used A Feather of the Phoenix to ensure the top card of his Deck is Slifer. Now, he not only regains Slifer but can summon another god from his Deck!"


    Feeling the intense aura growing stronger, Kaiba''s expression hardened. "Could it be¡­ Marik is summoning¡ª?"


    Marik spread his arms theatrically. "Yes! Witness the scorching winds and crushing might of Obelisk the Tormentor, summoned directly from my Deck!"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    The battlefield was swept by a scorching gale as the colossal blue giant materialized, its body bound in black chains from Mound of the Bound Creator.


    Kaiba clenched his fists. "Even Obelisk¡­ Marik''s Deck includes all three Egyptian God Cards, though as replicas!"


    Suddenly, Hoshino, who had been silent, spoke with unwavering confidence. "Marik, do you feel the wrath of the gods? Not your fake creations, but the true gods, whose fury will soon break these chains!"


    Marik scoffed. "Divine punishment? Divine wrath? None of that matters. With Mound of the Bound Creator, all divine power is mine to control!"


    Marik''s taunt ceased as his gaze fixed on a card Hoshino revealed from her hand.


    "The real Obelisk the Tormentor has answered my call! To punish the fake on your field, the power of the true gods now belongs to me!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 255 - 255

    "To entrust you with divine power? Don''t make me laugh. What possible use could drawing a god card now have?"


    Marik was momentarily startled by Hoshino''s sudden reveal of the god card. However, after thinking it through, he smirked, convinced it was nothing more than a bluff.


    Throwing a monster card onto his Duel Disk, Marik sneered mockingly, "Summoning a god? Forget it. You can''t even withstand a single blow from my Obelisk!"


    "I summon from my hand the monster card, [Phantom Skyblaster]!"


    [Phantom Skyblaster ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)]


    [DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 1100/DEF 800]


    A mechanical fiend with blue wings and gun barrels on its back materialized on Marik''s field. Compared to the towering Obelisk, its small frame seemed almost insignificant.


    "Upon summoning, Phantom Skyblaster''s effect activates!"


    [Phantom Skyblaster Effect: When this card is Normal or Flip Summoned: You can Special Summon any number of [Skyblaster Tokens] (Fiend/DARK/Level 4/ATK 500/DEF 500), up to the number of monsters you control.]


    Marik gestured grandly to his field. "With Obelisk and Phantom Skyblaster, I control two monsters. Therefore, I Special Summon two [Skyblaster Tokens] in Defense Position!"


    [Skyblaster Token ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)]


    [DARK][Fiend/Token][ATK 500/DEF 500] x2


    The battlefield filled with shadows as two small fiend tokens appeared alongside the Phantom.


    With his field now prepared, Marik pointed at Nero and declared, "Let''s end this duel! Obelisk, attack Nero!"


    Because gods are unaffected by effects from monsters below Level 10, Mash''s defensive ability couldn''t redirect the attack.


    Jonouchi shouted in alarm, "This is bad! If Obelisk''s attack lands on Nero, Hoshino''s Life Points will drop to zero!"


    Marik, his crazed grin widening in anticipation of victory, burst into maniacal laughter. "Hahahaha! Rome''s glory? Rome''s legacy? Utterly ridiculous!"


    The colossal blue fist of Obelisk descended with earth-shattering force, bypassing Mash''s defenses and targeting Nero directly.


    Marik sneered as the ground trembled beneath Obelisk''s wrath. "If the divine power entrusted to you and your monsters is real, then show it now¡ªtake this Fist of Obliteration!" sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jonouchi''s voice was grim. "Not even Nero can survive this. Even if she''s not destroyed, the damage from Obelisk''s attack will end this duel!"


    "Hoshino!" Kaiba, his voice filled with urgency, shouted at her. Or rather, at the card in her hand. "If Obelisk has entrusted its divine power to you, don''t disappoint me!"


    Hoshino raised her arm to the chaotic skies and shouted, "If this were the normal Nero, she couldn''t withstand this blow. But this time, it''s different! At this moment, transcend the gods, Nero!!"


    "I feel it! Such overwhelming magic, Master!" Nero exclaimed as her body erupted with explosive energy.


    "With this power, I can recreate and even surpass the Proof of the Emperor from the Singularity!"


    A radiant divine light engulfed Nero''s crimson dress. Her Aestus Estus vanished, replaced by colossal golden gauntlets that mirrored Obelisk''s Fist of Obliteration. Behind her, a massive spectral figure of Obelisk the Tormentor, unbound and unchained, stood as proof of its divine power passing to her.


    Kaiba, stunned, could only mutter, "Obelisk¡­ has answered her call?" Though Hoshino couldn''t summon Obelisk under normal circumstances, the god''s power was undeniably on display.


    "This is the dignity of a true god," Kaiba admitted, "distinct from those replicas."


    "This is the ultimate counterattack, imbued with divine power!" Hoshino declared, flipping over one of her set cards.


    "Quick-Play Spell [Phantasmal Summoning]! I fuse the Obelisk the Tormentor in my hand with Nero Claudius on the field!"


    Nero''s transformed figure now bore massive golden gauntlets, radiating Obelisk''s divine energy. "Witness this¡ªmy ultimate form!!"


    The entire Duel Tower trembled as a devastating collision erupted between Obelisk''s massive fist and Nero''s empowered gauntlets.


    Marik, in utter disbelief, muttered, "An ordinary monster¡­ has withstood a god''s attack? Twice?!"


    Not only had Slifer failed, but now even Obelisk''s power couldn''t crush Nero.


    "My power doesn''t end here!" Nero declared boldly, her strikes sending shockwaves through the battlefield.


    "ORA ORA ORA ORA!!"


    Nero''s relentless flurry of punches began overwhelming Obelisk''s strikes, her golden storm slowly overpowering the god''s blue energy.


    Hoshino pointed confidently at the battlefield. "An ordinary monster? Look again, Marik! Nero has transcended the gods!"


    [Saber Regalia Nero Claudius¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 11)


    [DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Fusion/Effect][ATK 5000/DEF 5000]


    [Nero Claudius + Obelisk the Tormentor]


    [This card is also treated as a [Heroic Spirit]. (1) This card is unaffected by other card effects and cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    Kaiba''s eyes widened in shock. "A monster that fused with divine power¡­ Her attack power completely surpasses the god she inherited it from."


    Marik, now more serious than ever, acknowledged her strength. "You''ve truly surprised me, Hoshino. To fuse Obelisk at such a critical moment and surpass the gods¡­ Your potential is terrifying."


    "But this duel isn''t over!" Marik shouted, sacrificing his two Skyblaster Tokens, which dissolved into radiant light and empowered Obelisk.


    "Even if your attack surpasses Obelisk''s, how will you handle this? I activate Obelisk''s special effect! By sacrificing two monsters on my field, Obelisk''s attack power becomes infinite!"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK 4000 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    Unleashing infinite attack power, Obelisk prepared to crush Nero with absolute force.


    "Interesting." Nero smirked, her golden gauntlets glowing with crimson energy. "Then I won''t hold back, either!"


    "Let''s finish this, Master!"


    Ignited by the Primordial Flame, Nero unleashed a torrent of scarlet flames, roaring from her burning gauntlets.


    Raising her right arm high, she faced the colossal destructive power of Obelisk the Tormentor with unwavering composure.


    "This is infinity, and so am I. A clash that transcends the dimensional barriers of this world¡ªonly a true king can emerge victorious!"


    "Saber Regalia Nero Claudius''s special ability activates!" Hoshino declared, seizing a card from his Duel Disk as the flames and winds around him raged in chaos.


    [Effect: During either player''s Battle Phase, by Tributing all monsters on your field except this card that include [Heroic Spirit] in their name, this card''s ATK becomes infinite.]


    Grasping Mash''s card, Hoshino spoke with conviction: "Mash, I''m counting on you to deliver the power to overcome this peril!"


    "Yes, Senpai!" Mash nodded resolutely, her form transforming into a beam of light that merged into Nero''s raised gauntlet.


    "Using Nero''s special ability, I Tribute Mash from the field¡ªraising Nero''s ATK to infinity!"


    As Mash''s card entered the Graveyard, an inferno erupted from Nero''s gauntlet, its intensity nearly blotting out the sky itself.


    [Saber Regalia Nero Claudius ATK 5000 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    Shizuka, utterly stunned, stammered, "Even Hoshino''s monster has infinite attack power now... What happens when infinity collides with infinity?"


    Nobody could answer. In a previous duel, such a clash caused the Duel Disk system to malfunction, leaving the true outcome shrouded in mystery.


    Kaiba, his sharp gaze locked on the battlefield, turned to Mokuba. "Mokuba, can the Duel Disk handle this level of power?"


    During the preliminary tests, the Duel Disk barely managed to contain the energy. A malfunction during this globally televised semi-final could spell disaster¡ªnot only for KaibaCorp''s reputation but also for the duel itself.


    Mokuba checked the system and nodded confidently. "No problem, big brother! Hoshino''s Duel Disk is an enhanced version you personally designed. Combined with the super satellite computer, it''ll handle the duel flawlessly!"


    Kaiba grunted, satisfied. "Good."


    "Now, Nero!" Hoshino commanded.


    "Maxed-out soul energy? Then this must be my maxed-out Roman energy!" Nero declared, charging forward with her blazing gauntlet.


    The fiery gauntlet collided with Obelisk''s massive fist, unleashing a clash of infinite power. The resulting shockwave surged straight to the tower''s peak, enveloping the massive Duel Tower in a fiery whirlwind.


    Though merely virtual imagery, the sheer magnitude of the energy created a scene that resembled a natural disaster.


    .


    ..


    ...


    Elsewhere


    Keith spat out his drink, completely stunned. Even as America''s champion, he couldn''t comprehend duels on this scale.


    Before he could react further, the bar''s old television shattered with a loud crack.


    "Damn it, barkeep! I was just about to see the climax!" Keith yelled, slamming his glass onto the counter in frustration.


    The barkeep, equally dumbfounded, stammered, "I-I''ve seen TVs black out, but shattering like that? Never!"


    Keith stood, muttering to himself as he left, "Forget it. I''ll find another place to drink and watch this."


    "Sir, you haven''t paid yet..." the barkeep called out weakly.


    .


    ..


    ...


    Back at the Duel Tower


    Jonouchi instinctively stood in front of Shizuka, shielding her as if the apocalyptic scene unfolding before them were real.


    "Onii-chan, you''re blocking me! What''s the result?!" Shizuka asked anxiously, peering around him.


    On the battlefield, Nero''s golden gauntlet and Obelisk''s massive blue fist remained locked in place, neither side giving an inch.


    "The result..." Kaiba and Yugi smirked simultaneously.


    "The result is that Hoshino won!"


    Both duelists, with their sharp eyes, had noticed it¡ªa faint crack spreading across Obelisk''s massive fist. In a battle of infinite power, even the smallest detail could decide the outcome.


    "Even if I were to use Invictus Spiritus, I would secure victory for my Master!" Nero roared defiantly.


    [This card is unaffected by other card effects and cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    "Infinite versus infinite¡ªNero won''t be destroyed by an equal attack! Marik, the only ones defeated are you and your fake god!"


    Hoshino thrust her arm forward, the Duel Disk generating a hot gust toward the battlefield. "Finish it, Nero!!"


    "Oooooohhh!" Nero''s golden gauntlet, now blazing fiercer than ever, channeled crimson flames into the cracks spreading across Obelisk''s form.


    The scorching fire surged into Obelisk''s core, turning its blue form a searing red.


    Boom!


    The flames reached critical mass, obliterating Obelisk the Tormentor like a detonated nuke.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor] destroyed.


    "It''s over!" Hoshino''s teammates, who had been holding their breath, finally exhaled in relief as the mighty Obelisk fell.


    Akasha jumped with excitement. "To think Nero defeated two gods in a row¡ªshe''s truly an ace monster like no other!"


    Hoshino pointed at Marik. "Since Nero destroyed Obelisk, it triggers the effect of Mound of the Bound Creator!"


    [Effect: If a Level 10 or higher monster destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY, the player who controlled the destroyed monster takes 1000 damage.]


    [Marik LP 2900 ¡ú 1900]


    The encroaching darkness consumed more of Marik''s body. In this shadow game, losing Life Points meant losing one''s physical form. Over half of Marik''s body had already vanished.


    Marik''s usual maniacal grin was gone, replaced by calm resolve. "I understand now, Hoshino. A fake god cannot defeat you. I cannot afford carelessness when dueling you."


    Raising his hand, he declared with newfound intensity, "Now, allow me to incinerate you with the flames of the Sun God!"


    Hoshino''s eyes sharpened as the atmosphere grew tense. From Slifer to Obelisk, the final god had arrived.


    "So it''s finally here¡ªthe strongest Egyptian God Card: The Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 256 - 256

    "The strongest God, The Winged Dragon of Ra! Though I''d love to summon it now and reduce you¡ªand this world¡ªto ashes, it seems I can''t summon it this turn."


    Even for someone like Marik, whose deck was meticulously designed to summon the Egyptian Gods, summoning two in the same turn was nearly impossible.


    After placing a card face-down, Marik lowered his Duel Disk.


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    [Marik''s: 3 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    "At the end of the turn, the effect of Saber Regalia Nero Claudius activates!" Hoshino declared. As Marik''s turn ended, the golden armor adorning Nero gradually faded, reverting her outfit to her original red dress.


    "This card is sent to the Graveyard at the end of the turn, and the Nero monster used as Fusion Material is Special Summoned."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1900]


    Looking at her hands, Nero sighed emotionally. "Umu, has the duration ended already? But I am satisfied¡ªI bloomed like a beautiful firework, illuminating this world in all its brilliance."


    "It''s my turn! Draw!"


    [Command Spell x2]


    After drawing her card, Hoshino smirked arrogantly. "The Winged Dragon of Ra, huh? Then I''ll return your words from the last turn back to you, Marik."


    Marik froze in surprise. "!?"


    "Your words were¡­" Mimicking Marik''s exaggerated expressions and tone, Hoshino repeated with a grin, "Gahaha! Summoning a god? Forget it. You can''t even withstand a single blow from my Obelisk!"


    Her impression was laughable¡ªfar from capturing Marik''s mannerisms, it only imitated the surface.


    However, Marik trembled. "Obelisk?! Impossible!"


    "Indeed, it''s this impossible!" Hoshino exclaimed. Channeling Kaiba''s dramatic energy, she slammed her card onto the Duel Disk.


    "When it descends, a scorching gale will ravage the land, leaving the living as mere corpses! From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Monster Reborn]! Revive, [Obelisk the Tormentor]!"


    Responding to Hoshino''s summon, the true form of Obelisk the Tormentor descended. Its menacing visage glared directly at Marik.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    "She actually summoned it..." At this moment, Marik''s gaze toward Hoshino grew increasingly complex. The Egyptian God cards, said to respond only to those connected to the Millennium Items, now stood beside a seemingly ordinary girl.


    "Next, I''ll use one Command Spell to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette] from the Graveyard. I activate her effect to add one Glory Counter to my field." S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Command Spell: 2 ¡ú 1]


    [Glory Counter: 2 ¡ú 3]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1400]


    [Effect: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, select one face-up monster on the field; that monster''s battle position is changed.]


    "Vive la France~" Marie cast her radiant love, forcing Marik''s Phantom Skyblaster from Defense Position into Attack Position.


    [Phantom Skyblaster ATK 1100]


    Seeing Obelisk''s overwhelming presence and Marik''s now-exposed monster, Jonouchi jumped excitedly. "Go for it, Hoshino! Use Obelisk to finish him off in one move!"


    "Exactly! Prepare yourself, Marik! Here comes Obelisk''s attack¡ªFist of Destruction!"


    The once-dominant wielder of the Egyptian Gods now commanded her own God. Following Hoshino''s command, Obelisk raised its massive arm and brought it crashing down toward Marik''s Phantom Skyblaster.


    "Damn it! Activate Trap Card!" Marik reacted just in time.


    "A Trap Card against a God won''t work... Oh, never mind. It always does." Hoshino muttered, recalling every time a Trap Card somehow thwarted her God''s attacks.


    "Trap Card, [Waboku]!"


    [Waboku Trap Card Effect: You take no battle damage this turn. Your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.]


    Most defensive Traps don''t work against Gods, but effects like Waboku, which target oneself or one''s monsters, are exceptions.


    This card was Marik''s trump for battles involving Gods¡ªa safeguard specifically designed for the finals of Battle City. The light-blue protective barrier absorbed the full force of Obelisk''s devastating punch.


    "What a shame, it was blocked!" Jonouchi lamented.


    "Then, I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I] in Defense Position and add another Glory Counter!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1400/DEF 1900]


    [Glory Counter: 3 ¡ú 4]


    "Lastly, I set two cards and end my turn! Since monsters summoned by Command Spells are destroyed at the end of the turn, Marie returns to the Graveyard, triggering her effect. I search my deck for one Heroic Spirit monster and add it to my hand."


    Hoshino glanced at her deck briefly, then decisively chose a card¡ªa monster capable of countering The Winged Dragon of Ra and Marik''s synergies with the Egyptian Gods.


    "The monster I''m adding to my hand is [Heroic Spirit ¨C Scathach]!"


    Jonouchi tilted his head. "Scathach? Is this another new Heroic Spirit monster?"


    Kaiba shared Jonouchi''s confusion. "Where does she keep getting these cards? It seems like the Heroic Spirit archetype is limitless."


    Meanwhile, Hoshino''s friends, who had experienced Duelist Kingdom with her, scratched their heads awkwardly. Even they couldn''t explain where Hoshino obtained her cards¡ªthough some had witnessed it firsthand.


    Especially Jonouchi, who had helped her pull a gacha himself, though he still didn''t fully understand how it worked.


    "Wait, why hasn''t Obelisk disappeared?" Yugi suddenly noticed.


    When summoned with Monster Reborn, Gods are supposed to last only one turn. Yet Obelisk stood tall like an unshakable guardian, resolutely protecting Hoshino.


    "The effect of Monster Reborn should only last for one turn. Why hasn''t Obelisk the Tormentor disappeared? She must have done something again, right?"


    Kaiba glanced downward with a confident smirk. For the God Card that once fought by his side, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of camaraderie.


    "Huh? Why hasn''t the god gone to the graveyard =_=?" Hoshino muttered.


    Kaiba''s confidence was immediately shattered as even Hoshino herself appeared baffled by the situation.


    Initially, her plan was to use the revived Obelisk to deliver a finishing blow to Marik. Keeping Obelisk on the field for longer had never crossed her mind.


    "Heh, why hasn''t the god disappeared? Take a look at the surroundings!" Marik''s eerie laughter echoed as he gestured toward the field.


    Lightning crackled across the sky, and powerful winds whipped through the air. A dark, ominous backdrop was punctuated by three towering stone pillars emanating from the Field Spell ¨C Mound of the Bound Creator.


    Hoshino suddenly caught on. "Could it be the effect of Mound of the Bound Creator!?"


    "That''s correct! The field that binds the gods doesn''t merely control fake gods. Once on this divine battlefield, a revived god cannot leave, even at the end of the turn!"


    "Why does that sound like a totally made-up effect?" Hoshino shot a suspicious glare at Marik, who seemed all too pleased with his explanation.


    "But why are you laughing? Clearly, this Field Spell''s effect is working in my favor."


    Since Mound of the Bound Creator ensured Obelisk wouldn''t leave the field, Hoshino had no complaints about receiving a free God Card.


    "Just Obelisk? Soon, the godly power of The Winged Dragon of Ra will show you what true despair looks like!"


    Starting his turn, Marik didn''t draw due to the lingering effect of Reckless Greed, though he appeared unfazed. Calmly, he activated one of his Set cards.


    "Activating the Continuous Trap Card [Call of the Haunted]! I choose a monster from my Graveyard to Special Summon to my field!"


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow, quickly countering, "Continuous Traps can''t affect God Cards, so don''t think you can revive your gods this way."


    "Of course I know that!" Marik snapped, grinning as he retrieved a card from his Graveyard.


    "The monster I''m reviving is [Ra''s Disciple], sent to the Graveyard last turn by A Feather of the Phoenix!"


    [Ra''s Disciple¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1100/DEF 600]


    A humanoid figure clad in golden armor reminiscent of Ra materialized on the field.


    "The moment Ra''s Disciple is successfully Summoned, I activate its special effect!"


    [When this card is Summoned: You can Special Summon up to 2 Ra''s Disciple from your hand and/or Deck.]


    Drawing two cards from his Deck, Marik placed them on the Duel Disk. "Special Summon, Ra''s Disciple!"


    Three identical golden figures now stood silently on his field.


    Akasha''s small mouth fell open. "With three disciples on the field, does this mean¡­"


    "Hahahaha! Witness true power! By offering my three Ra''s Disciple as Tributes¡­" Marik raised a card high, flames resembling the sun swirling around him.


    "Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry. Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight! Envelope the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe! Unlock your powers from deep within so that together we may win. Appear in the shadow game as I call your name: The Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    [The Winged Dragon of Ra¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK ?/DEF ?]


    Above the sacrificed disciples, a blazing sun-like orb manifested.


    And why sun-like entity, you ask?


    When the flames dissipated, a golden sphere floated ominously on the battlefield.


    "Why did you summon a sphere too?!" Hoshino quipped, unable to resist sarcasm despite the tense atmosphere.


    And why too, you ask?


    "As the highest-ranked divine entity, even its initial form is awe-inspiring! Girl, this opponent won''t be easy to deal with," declared of the Evil God, appearing suddenly behind Hoshino and wearing an exceptionally serious expression.


    "So gods just like playing with balls?!" Hoshino groaned internally. During a prior duel, a terrifying Evil God had also appeared in orb form.


    Marik smirked, his gaze fixed on the battlefield. "Don''t rush, Hoshino. This is merely Ra''s initial form, summoned without chanting the ancient incantation. It''s completely different from that counterfeit version!"


    "Initial form?" Hoshino frowned, recalling her battle against Odion. The fake Ra he had summoned had appeared in its fully-formed, dragon-like state.


    Raising the Millennium Rod, Marik began to chant, "The Winged Dragon of Ra combines the power of its three sacrifices, but the god only obeys one who offers the ancient words to them!"


    Even if Hoshino summoned Ra herself, the chant would allow Marik to reclaim its control.


    As the chant reached its climax, the golden sphere began to shift, unfolding into the iconic, fearsome form of Ra. Its high-pitched roar sent searing flames cascading across the battlefield.


    "Ra''s first effect activates: its ATK becomes the sum of its three sacrifices!"


    [The Winged Dragon of Ra ATK 3300]


    Seeing the transformation, Anzu sighed in relief. "Looking at it this way, Ra''s ATK isn''t higher than Obelisk''s after all!"


    Clutching the Millennium Rod tighter, Marik smirked maliciously. "It''s time to deliver despair, Hoshino. Let''s hope you don''t end up like Jonouchi!"


    Yugi''s eyes widened. "End up like Jonouchi?! Marik must be planning to¡­"


    "Witness the power of the chant! When the time comes, Ra transforms into the Phoenix, and the chosen monster shall sleep forever beneath the earth!"


    Suddenly, Ra''s golden body was engulfed in flames, evolving into its fiery Phoenix form.


    "Egyptian God Phoenix!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 257 - 257

    Burning flames made Jonouchi''s back unconsciously soaked with sweat. "As expected, it''s the Winged Dragon of Ra! Could it be that he''s planning to use such despicable means to deal with Hoshino?!"


    Honda followed suit, his tone heavy with concern. "We can''t let him get away with this! Hoshino is nothing like you, Jonouchi! She''s much weaker and definitely can''t endure that kind of attack!"


    "What are you two planning to do?" The previously silent referee suddenly interjected, stopping them in their tracks. "If you interfere with the duel now, Hoshino Chiyuki will automatically be declared the loser!"


    "Huh?! How can this be allowed?! Kaiba, aren''t you going to do something about your employee?!" Blocked by the referee, Jonouchi turned his frustration toward Kaiba.


    Kaiba stood with his arms crossed, frowning deeply but remaining silent. However, the tapping of his fingers against his arm betrayed his inner conflict.


    "Believe in Hoshino!" Yugi''s resolute gaze stayed fixed on the field. "This duel is just as important to her! Hoshino must find the strength to overcome this adversity!"


    On the battlefield, Marik raised his arm dramatically. "Feel the flames of the gods! The effect of the Egyptian God Phoenix activates¡ªby paying 1000 Life Points, I enter Immortal Phoenix mode, ignoring all resistances and breaking the rules to destroy all monsters on your field!"


    [Marik LP 1900 ¡ú 900]


    Accompanied by the piercing cry of the phoenix, Ra surged toward Hoshino''s field, engulfing it in blazing flames that consumed all of her monsters.


    The Evil God quickly spoke. "Girl, this is the rule-breaking effect I warned you about. Under these circumstances, not even Obelisk relying on the resistance of Mound of the Bound Creator, nor Nero''s effect, can withstand it!"


    The monsters Obelisk and Leonidas, consumed by Ra''s flames, let out agonized roars.


    Hoshino gritted her teeth, visibly straining against the onslaught. "I know¡­ I can feel it. These flames, reaching directly into the soul, can''t be resisted by external forces alone!"


    Anzu almost screamed in panic. "If Hoshino has three monsters on her field, won''t she suffer three times the pain Jonouchi endured?!"


    Jonouchi, spurred on by Anzu''s words, was once again unable to sit still. "This is unacceptable! Let me stop the duel now!"


    "No, Oniichan!" Shizuka''s voice rang out as she grabbed Jonouchi''s arm. "Calm down! Look at the field!"


    A miracle occurred¡ªjust moments after the flames enveloped Hoshino, the fire surrounding her body suddenly dissipated. The oppressive heat subsided, and Hoshino''s pained expression softened noticeably.


    In the flames, Nero, enduring the torment, forced a smile. "Having inherited everyone''s strength and fought so gloriously until now, I am deeply satisfied! But for master''s victory, I must entrust my power to you!"


    Amid the inferno, Nero''s radiant hand emitted a brilliant light that enveloped Hoshino''s body. "This is my final act of willfulness¡ªeven the flames of the gods must obey me. This is the Imperial Privilege EX!"


    With her last strength, Nero transferred her power, disappearing into Ra''s flames alongside Obelisk and Leonidas I.


    [Nero Claudius Destroyed]


    [Obelisk the Tormentor Destroyed]


    [Leonidas I Destroyed]


    The protective light shielding Hoshino gently protected her soul from the damage by the Shadow Game.


    "As expected of an EX rank!" Hoshino clenched her fist, feeling her strength return. "I''ll gladly accept your gift, Nero. I promise¡ªI''ll win this for sure!"


    Seeing Hoshino still standing, Marik''s expression twisted in disbelief. "Impossible! That attack was completely nullified!"


    Hoshino smirked confidently. "Marik, if you think you can beat me like this, I can only say one thing¡ªyour plan has failed!"


    "Failed? While it''s surprising you survived, take a good look at your empty field, Hoshino!" Marik gestured arrogantly toward her now-monsterless side of the battlefield.


    "Next, I''ll use the final form of the Winged Dragon of Ra to end this duel!"


    Hoshino raised her Duel Disk, her gaze serious. "The final form of the Winged Dragon? So this is its ultimate effect." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Listen closely, Winged Dragon of Ra! I offer my final incantation, along with my body!"


    Reciting the longest incantation yet, Marik''s murmurs coincided with Ra''s transformation back from its Phoenix form. A green beam of light emanated from the dragon''s head, shining down on Marik.


    "Ra merges with me, reducing my Life Points to 1 and gaining ATK equal to my Life Points lost!"


    Bathed in the green light, Marik began to ascend, his lower body merging completely with Ra''s golden head.


    [Marik LP 900 ¡ú 1]


    [Winged Dragon of Ra ATK 3300 ¡ú 4199]


    With his Life Points reduced to 1, Marik was nearly engulfed by shadow, leaving only a single visible eye. Yet Ra''s divine power recreated his figure perfectly in the dragon''s head.


    "Additionally, when activating this effect, if there are other monsters on the field, all monsters aside from the Winged Dragon are released. Ra''s ATK and DEF then increase by the total ATK and DEF of the released monsters!"


    As Marik spoke, the Phantom Skyblaster on his field was absorbed into Ra''s body.


    [Winged Dragon of Ra ATK 4199 ¡ú 5299]


    Kaiba frowned. "He''s paying an enormous price to gain attack power surpassing even the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon¡ª"


    Mokuba, however, was confused. "But Marik could have attacked directly to win. Why take such a dangerous route just to boost attack power?"


    Hoshino narrowed her eyes. "If Marik isn''t an idiot, it means Ra''s effect has an even greater purpose."


    Now fully merged with Ra, Marik laughed maniacally. "Magnificent! To become one with a god''s power! Witness the destructive flames I unleash with my own hands, Hoshino!"


    "Attack, Winged Dragon of Ra¡ªBlaze Cannon!"


    Golden flames surged toward Hoshino''s empty field.


    But Hoshino remained calm. "Marik, the last person who merged with their monster ended up crying after I defeated them. I''m looking forward to your conclusion too!"


    Flipping over a Set card, a vibrant green figure appeared, shielding Hoshino. "Activating Quick-Play Spell [Firefly''s Flame of Integrity]! Now it''s time to show the true power of my ace!"


    [Firefly''s Flame of Integrity - Quick-Play Spell Effect: For the turn this card is activated, non-[Heroic Spirit] monsters cannot be Special Summoned. Choose one of the following effects to activate:


    ? Special Summon a [Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji] in Defense Position from your Deck.]


    A seemingly delicate green figure appeared before Hoshino, standing resolutely despite the overwhelming flames.


    Yet, the resolve didn''t last long¡ª


    "Waaah! Nooo! QAQ!" Okita wailed loudly even before the attack landed.


    Though her stance was meant to exude bravery, Okita''s complaints echoed across the battlefield. "Why is it always me?! Can''t someone else take over for once?"


    From behind her, Hoshino called out cheerfully, "Okita-san, didn''t you say yesterday, ''The ace always saves the day when it matters''? Well, here''s your time to shine!"


    Gripping her sword tightly, Okita sighed and muttered under her breath, "How is this saving the day? I''m just a glorified shield! Shouldn''t this be George''s job?"


    The divine flames surged forward, consuming Okita''s figure entirely.


    "Hot! Hot! HOT! Medium-rare Okita-san is officially ruined!"


    [Okita Souji destroyed]


    Marik, perched atop the Winged Dragon of Ra, sneered. "Hmph. Defeated so easily by divine flames. For all that boasting, you''ve only managed to summon cannon fodder."


    Hoshino smirked, flipping a set card. "Cannon fodder? You underestimate a true ace! Activating Trap Card¡ª[The Cute Girl Seated Behind Me]!"


    Okita''s destruction triggered a ripple of light from the Graveyard, shattering her card and unleashing its latent power.


    [The Cute Girl Seated Behind Me - Trap Card Effect: If a [Heroic Spirit] monster you control is destroyed by battle or your opponent''s card effect, you can activate this card. Banish Fusion Materials for a [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster that includes the destroyed monster from your hand, field, Deck, or Graveyard. Fusion Summon that monster from your Extra Deck. Then, take 400 damage per banished material.]


    "Thanks to Okita''s destruction, I''ll banish her and other Fusion Materials to summon a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck!" Hoshino declared, placing the new Fusion card onto her Duel Disk with confidence.


    "Watch closely, Marik! This Fusion Monster will change the tide of the duel!"


    "A Fusion Monster using Okita? Could it be¡ª?" Yugi''s eyes widened with familiarity. "Is it Okita Alter¡ª"


    "Yo, thought it''d be Okitan? Nah, it''s me, Kintoki!"


    A thunderous roar echoed as a motorcycle engine ignited, and Sakata Kintoki, in his Rider form, charged onto the field, lightning trailing behind him.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sakata Kintoki (Rider) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)]


    [WIND] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF1500]


    [Fusion Materials: [Sakata Kintoki] + 1 WIND-attribute [Heroic Spirit] monster]


    [This card can attack directly.]


    [Glory Counter: 5 ¡ú 6]


    "I''ll take 800 damage from my Trap Card''s drawback," Hoshino continued, wincing slightly as her Life Points dropped.


    [Hoshino LP: 1500 ¡ú 700]


    Thanks to Nero''s Imperial Privilege, the Shadow Game''s damaging effects seemed nullified. Still, Hoshino wasn''t keen on testing her limits further.


    Marik crossed his arms and scoffed. "Another weakling? It won''t save you. I set one card and end my turn."


    [Marik: 1 hand card (Slifer the Sky Dragon), 1 set card.]


    Hoshino drew her next card. "My turn! Draw!"


    [Command Spell: 2]


    Her gaze sharpened, crimson light radiating from the Command Spell etched on her hand.


    "Battle! Let''s finish this, Kintoki!"


    "Right on, boss!" Kintoki revved his motorcycle, charging full throttle into the fray.


    Marik frowned at Hoshino''s bold declaration. "Attacking a god head-on with that weak monster? Foolishness!"


    Kintoki, however, bypassed the Winged Dragon of Ra with lightning speed, appearing directly above Marik.


    "¡ª¡ªNight Wolf Deadly Nine ¨C Golden Dash!"


    Realizing the true nature of the attack, Marik''s eyes widened. "Impossible! Counterattack, Winged Dragon! Burn that insect to ashes!"


    The Winged Dragon of Ra unleashed a golden blaze, but Kintoki, engulfed in flames, emerged unscathed.


    "This card can attack directly," Hoshino explained, her smirk widening. "And your LP is just 1."


    With a triumphant yell, Kintoki struck Marik directly. "GOLDEN DRIVE!!!"


    The battlefield erupted in flames and lightning as Kintoki''s attack connected with Marik, sending him tumbling from atop the Winged Dragon of Ra.


    Marik''s twisted expression reached new heights of distortion as he rolled across the ground.


    "I told you, Marik," Hoshino said, her voice steady and confident. "The last guy who fused with their monster ended up just like you."


    Marik staggered to his feet, his face a mix of pain and fury. "I¡­ separated from the Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    But something was amiss. Despite the attack, Marik stood tall, his Life Points no longer at 1.


    Hoshino''s smile faltered. "Separated from the Winged Dragon? Then why¡ª"


    Marik revealed his Set card.


    "Quick-Play Spell¡ª[De-Fusion]! And the Winged Dragon of Ra''s effect activates! Upon separation from its controller, all of its ATK converts into my Life Points!"


    [Winged Dragon of Ra: ATK 0]


    [Marik LP: 5300 ¡ú 2800]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 258 - 258

    "Even after being kicked to the ground and rolling around, you still refuse to give up. Marik, your perseverance is surprisingly impressive~." Despite the failed attack, Hoshino couldn''t resist the chance to deliver a taunt.


    The fusion dissolved, and the Winged Dragon of Ra, now with its attack power reduced to zero, had lost the fiery majesty it once held. Its golden body, once ablaze with divine energy, now appeared hollow and lifeless¡ªbereft of battle strength.


    "Haha! Thanks to the Winged Dragon''s effect, my Life Points have mostly recovered. Even if I take a direct attack, it won''t matter at all!"


    Marik, though nearly kicked into spitting blood by Kintoki earlier, stubbornly smirked through the pain. "As for you, with your pitifully low Life Points, a mere scratch from divine power will be enough to wipe you out completely!"


    Sliding a card into her Duel Disk, Hoshino cast a glance at the Winged Dragon of Ra, now resembling a fragile, golden bird on the verge of collapse. "With this near-dead chicken left on your field, those words don''t carry much weight~."


    "I set one card face-down and use a Command Spell to revive Marie from the graveyard. That''s it for my turn!"


    [Command Spell] x2 ¡ú x1


    Marie, summoned for the third time in rapid succession, puffed her cheeks in indignation. "Master, you''re so mean, making me do this over and over again!"


    "Hahaha! I promise this is the last time!" Hoshino laughed while using Marie''s graveyard effect once more to search for another Heroic Spirit card from her deck.


    "The card I add to my hand is [Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette Alter]!"


    Mokuba furrowed his brow. "Hoshino isn''t summoning any monsters? She still has one normal summon left."


    Kaiba observed sharply. "If she summons a monster, it''ll just be burned by the Winged Dragon of Ra. Hoshino must have realized this, so she''s not wasting her resources pointlessly."


    Marik''s Life Points were still high enough to fuel Ra''s God Phoenix Mode, a form that ignored resistances and decimated opponents. Facing such overwhelming divine power, Hoshino knew better than anyone the danger of rushing in recklessly.


    "My turn! Draw!" Marik declared, a triumphant gleam in his eyes as he examined the card. Despite being knocked around earlier, his confidence was back in full force.


    "Fate smiles upon me once again! I activate the Spell Card [Pot of Avarice]!"


    [Pot of Avarice - Spell Card Effect: Target 5 monsters in your GY; shuffle all 5 into the Deck, then draw 2 cards.]


    "Drawing a Pot at such a critical moment? How annoying," Hoshino muttered under her breath.


    Marik selected five cards from his graveyard¡ªthree Holding Arms and two Ra''s Disciple¡ªand shuffled them into his deck. After a dramatic shuffle, he drew two cards, his grin widening dangerously. "Hahahaha! Truly delightful!"


    Anzu shivered at Marik''s unsettling laugh. "What kind of card did he draw this time?"


    Marik eagerly slotted the two cards into his Duel Disk. "I activate the Continuous Spell [Card of Safe Return] and the Spell [Premature Burial]! With this combo, Slifer the Sky Dragon shall rise again!"


    [Card of Safe Return - Continuous Spell Effect: When a monster(s) is Special Summoned from your GY: You can draw 3 card.]


    Hoshino''s grip tightened on her cards. "Damn it. He actually managed to pull off that combo."


    Marik continued with fervor. "By activating [Premature Burial], I pay 800 Life Points to revive [Ra''s Disciple] from my graveyard, triggering [Card of Safe Return] to draw three cards!"


    [Marik LP: 2800 ¡ú 2000]


    [Ra''s Disciple¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1100/DEF 600]


    Upon its return, Ra''s Disciple activated its effect, summoning the other two copies that Marik had shuffled back into his deck.


    "Faithful heralds, offer your souls to the gods! I sacrifice my three [Ra''s Disciple] to Tribute Summon [Slifer the Sky Dragon] from my hand!"


    Three beams of radiant light shot upward, piercing through a dark storm cloud. From the heavens, a massive, crimson serpent descended, its body crackling with divine energy.


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK ???/DEF ???]


    Honda counted on his fingers. "Wait... Marik just drew three cards, right? So Slifer''s attack points should be..."


    Yugi nodded grimly. "Three cards in his hand. Slifer''s attack power is 3000!"


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ATK: 3000]


    Shizuka tugged at Jonouchi''s sleeve, her voice trembling. "With only 3000 attack points, Hoshino might still survive this turn, right?"


    Marik sneered, "A glimmer of hope? Let me shatter it completely! Witness my final move!"


    Sliding another card into his Duel Disk, thunder roared as the ground trembled.


    "I activate [Monster Reborn]! Arise once more, [Obelisk the Tormentor]!"


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    "All three Egyptian Gods have gathered on my field!" Marik proclaimed. The battlefield itself seemed to bow under the overwhelming presence of Slifer, Ra, and Obelisk.


    Though two of them were replicas, the sight of all three Egyptian Gods together was legendary. Marik stood triumphant, basking in the awe of the spectators.


    "No one can stand against the combined might of three Egyptian Gods! Victory is mine!"


    Even Kaiba felt his heart waver. "Even you, Hoshino, can''t defeat all three Gods at once... right?" He muttered, almost disappointed at the thought.


    Drawing yet another card thanks to Card of Safe Return, Marik''s hand swelled, pushing Slifer''s attack power to 5000.


    "Now, let the wrath of the gods annihilate you!"


    The combined assault of lightning, flames, and tempest shook the very heavens. The crowd looked on in stunned silence, fear etched on their faces.


    "It''s over," Yugi muttered as beads of sweat rolled down his face. "There''s no way to survive that..."


    "It''s not over yet!" Hoshino''s voice cut through the chaos like a sharp blade. Reaching out her hand, she revealed her last card.


    "I activate the Trap Card [God Is Here With Me]!"


    [God is Here With Me Card Effect: Activate only when your opponent declares an attack while they have 3 or more monsters in Attack Position on the field. Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] from your hand or Deck to your field.]


    The overwhelming force of the three gods tearing through the heavens was abruptly stopped by a sacred brilliance emerging from the darkness.


    "Because all three Egyptian God Cards are in Attack Position, I activate the effect of God is Here With Me to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc] from my Deck in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK2500/DEF3000]


    Standing firm against the combined assault of thunder, wind, and flame, Jeanne thrust her banner heavily into the ground without a single tremor. "Oh flag of mine, protect our comrades! Luminosit¨¦ Eternelle!!" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Jeanne''s special effect activates¡ªreducing her ATK by 1000. For the rest of this turn, no monsters on the field can be destroyed, and all battle damage becomes 0!" The sacred brilliance of Luminosit¨¦ Eternelle severed the battlefield between Marik and Hoshino with divine power.


    [Jeanne ATK 2500 ¡ú 1500]


    "Just a means of clinging to life. Since you summoned a monster, take this¡ªSlifer''s Thunderforce!" Marik, confident and composed, showed no reaction despite his attack being thwarted. As long as the three Egyptian God Cards were on his field, he believed victory was assured.


    The blinding Thunderforce pierced through the barrier of light, striking Jeanne''s body. However, since Jeanne was summoned in Defense Position, it only reduced her formidable DEF points.


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc DEF 3000 ¡ú 1000]


    Having blocked the combined assault of the three gods, Hoshino forced a faint smile. "Even if it''s just a means of survival, it''s still crucial. Haven''t you heard the saying, ''You can only deal damage if you''re alive''?"


    "''Only alive to deal damage''? Blocking the gods'' attack is the limit for that monster. Do you truly think you can survive before the Egyptian God Cards?"


    Jonouchi, who had just calmed down after Jeanne''s dramatic intervention, tensed up again. "No way, is Marik going to¡ª?!"


    "I pay 1000 Life Points! Winged Dragon of Ra¡ªEgyptian God Phoenix! Not even Jeanne''s ability can withstand this destruction that bypasses resistances!"


    Once again enveloped in flames, the Winged Dragon of Ra rebirthed in its fiery form, unleashing an unstoppable attack that annihilated Hoshino''s field, including Kintoki and Jeanne.


    [Heroic Spirit - Jeanne d''Arc Destroyed]


    [Heroic Spirit - Sakata Kintoki (Rider) Destroyed]


    As the battlefield burned once more, Marik laughed maniacally. "Hahaha! There is no monster in this world that can stand against the gods!"


    Mokuba stomped in frustration. "Damn it! Hoshino''s monsters were all destroyed again. Could the Egyptian God Cards really be invincible?"


    "Next, I activate [De-Spell] from my hand to eliminate your annoying Command Spells!"


    [Spell Removal Spell Card Effect: Target 1 face-up Spell, or 1 Set Spell/Trap, on the field; destroy that target if it is a Spell. (If the target is Set, reveal it.)]


    With Chaldea Mana Support System destroyed, the remaining Command Spell in Hoshino''s hand also shattered.


    "Tsk, so I can''t keep using Marie for repeated shenanigans anymore." Despite her words, Hoshino clearly hadn''t given up on tormenting poor, adorable Marie whenever she had the chance.


    After inserting a card into his Duel Disk, Marik twisted his neck in a bizarre motion. "I set one card and end my turn."


    [Marik: 3 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    [Slifer the Sky Dragon ATK 3000]


    Yami Yugi''s gaze was filled with complicated emotions. From the moment the three Egyptian God Cards were summoned, he had felt a stirring deep within his bloodline. Now, he was certain the three gods held the key to his lost memories.


    "But compared to the outcome of Hoshino being consumed by the Shadow Game, retrieving those memories is meaningless!"


    Gripping the Millennium Puzzle tightly against his chest, Yugi fixed his eyes on the girl fighting the three gods. Friendship and bonds held far greater value in his heart than the key to the god cards.


    "Don''t lose, Hoshino! If defeating all three gods simultaneously is a miracle, then you are surely the one who can create that miracle!"


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Even though Hoshino faced the dire situation of the three Egyptian God Cards, there were two blessings she could count on. These two factors would become her path to victory.


    "I activate the effect of the Continuous Spell [Vive la France]!"


    [Vive la France Continuous Spell Effect: Send this card, with 1 or more Glory Counter placed on it, to the Graveyard: Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Graveyard whose Level is equal to or less than the number of Glory Counters on this card.]


    The first blessing was the six Glory Counters on the field.


    "These luminous traces left by the battles and determination of the Heroic Spirits gather together to break through this dire situation. I send this card with six Glory Counters to the Graveyard to Special Summon a Level 6 or lower Heroic Spirit from my Graveyard!"


    "I return in with fashion!" Nero, tossing a handful of crimson rose petals, was summoned from the Graveyard in a glorious light.


    Seeing Nero, who had previously defeated two of his gods, revived, Marik''s composed demeanor showed faint signs of wavering. "Slifer, fire Thunderforce!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius ATK 2300 ¡ú 300]


    Jonouchi clutched his head in frustration. "This won''t work! Even Nero only has 300 ATK under Slifer''s suppression!"


    "As long as she can survive, it''s enough. If I can''t summon monsters, I''ll really be in trouble." Hoshino knew that even Nero couldn''t stand against the three gods.


    But her purpose in summoning Nero wasn''t for battle.


    The second blessing was a card Hoshino had prepared two turns ago¡ªa safeguard against the gods.


    "I banish [Heroic Spirit - Oda Nobunaga] from my hand, [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius] on my field, and [Heroic Spirit - Sakata Kintoki (Rider)] from my Graveyard to Special Summon a monster from my hand!"


    Yugi was astonished. "A monster summoned by banishing three monsters from different zones? This is the first time I''ve seen Hoshino summon this way."


    At least in his memory, Hoshino had never summoned a monster like this before. "Then the monster Hoshino is summoning must be the brand-new Heroic Spirit she searched for last turn!"


    Slamming the monster card into her Duel Disk, a chilling darkness filled the battlefield once again.


    "Come forth, Special Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Sc¨¢thach]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 259 - 259

    "Come forth, Special Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Sc¨¢thach]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sc¨¢thach ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)] [DARK] [Zombie/Effect][ATK 3300 / DEF 2500]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand, 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your field, and 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Graveyard.]


    "The Queen of the Land of Shadows, Sc¨¢thach, answers the call. When peril looms, I shall turn the tide!" she declared, twirling her crimson spear with elegance. Even in the presence of three towering Divine Beasts, Sc¨¢thach''s tone remained calm and unwavering.


    "You think you can take on the three Egyptian Gods? Keep dreaming! Slifer, unleash Thunderforce!" Marik commanded, directing Slifer''s wrath toward Sc¨¢thach.


    A circular bolt of lightning shot out from Slifer''s maw, hurtling toward Sc¨¢thach with deadly precision.


    But the attack, infamous for weakening its foes'' power, was effortlessly deflected. With a swift, elegant motion, Sc¨¢thach intercepted the bolt with her crimson spear. The lightning exploded harmlessly at its tip, not even grazing her. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The one who can kill me... doesn''t exist!" she declared, her confidence absolute.


    Marik''s composed demeanor faltered. "She blocked Slifer''s effect? How is that possible?"


    "Slifer the Sky Dragon? Ha! It''s no match for the invincible and beautiful Sc¨¢thach!"


    [This card is unaffected by the effects of monsters Level 10 or higher.]


    Yugi stared in awe. "Is this Hoshino''s trump card against the Egyptian Gods? A monster capable of defeating the gods themselves?"


    Clad in her sleek, form-fitting black outfit, Sc¨¢thach''s tall, perfectly proportioned figure might seem frail compared to the colossal Egyptian Gods. Yet her presence exuded such dominance that even the gods appeared to hesitate before her.


    Her crimson spear moved with a deadly rhythm, less like a wild dance and more like the deliberate, precise bloom of a deathly flower¡ªa stark contrast to her apprentice C¨² Chulainn''s ferocity.


    "I leave it to you, Shish¨­!" Hoshino raised her Duel Disk, its lights flickering faintly as Sc¨¢thach''s card resonated with her will.


    A faint smile graced Sc¨¢thach''s lips. "Normally, I''d scold you for your weakness, but not this time. To fight through such dire circumstances and make it this far... Master, you''ve done remarkably well."


    "Shish¨­, it wasn''t just me! Everyone lent me their strength, allowing me to challenge the Egyptian Gods!"


    Hoshino had fought tooth and nail alongside her Heroic Spirits, overcoming unimaginable odds. Every step was fraught with danger, like walking a razor''s edge above a bottomless abyss.


    Sc¨¢thach nodded approvingly. "Courage alone isn''t enough. Only those who face despair head-on and wield both wisdom and strength earn my respect. You, Master, have done just that."


    "Hehe, I knew Shish¨­ cared about me the most! Now, let''s fight side by side¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Sc¨¢thach]''s monster effect activates!"


    [Once per turn, during your Main Phase: You can Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand or Graveyard.]


    "First, we need to deal with that Field Spell!" Sc¨¢thach''s sharp gaze fell on the Mound of the Bound Creator, its dark chains binding the gods to the battlefield.


    Tracing glowing runes in the air, she summoned immense magical energy. "Primordial Rune, carve a miracle and summon the valiant warrior to my side!"


    Hoshino retrieved a card from the Graveyard and placed it on her Duel Disk. "Using Sc¨¢thach''s effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)] [LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK 2500 ¡ú 500 / DEF 3000]


    Jeanne raised her sacred flag, shielding herself from Slifer''s Thunderforce. With eyes closed, she whispered, "This time, I won''t fall so easily. Lord, grant me the strength to sever this domain''s hold!"


    "[Heroic Spirit ¨C Jeanne d''Arc] activates her effect! I target one Spell or Trap on the opponent''s field and discard a card of the same type from my hand to destroy it!"


    Marik''s eyes widened. "True Name Discernment?!"


    "That''s right! True Name Discernment targets Mound of the Bound Creator! I discard my Spell Card¡ªgo, Jeanne!"


    Jeanne''s eyes snapped open, and she pointed her flag at the towering pillars of dark chains binding the gods. "Lord, unleash your judgment upon this twisted domain!"


    Unlike Slifer''s destructive lightning, Jeanne''s sacred thunder struck swiftly, shattering the dark chains and towering pillars in a single stroke.


    [Mound of the Bound Creator destroyed]


    With the Field Spell gone, the Egyptian Gods lost their immunity to effects. Their once-mighty forms now wavered, vulnerable and unstable.


    "With Mound of the Bound Creator destroyed, the Egyptian Gods have lost their resistance to destruction effects. Now''s the time to strike!" Hoshino declared, activating another card.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Triple-Linked Crane Wings], targeting Sc¨¢thach!"


    [Triple-Linked Crane Wings Spell Card Effect: Target 1 face-up "Heroic Spirit" monster on the field. Halve that monster''s ATK. During this turn, that monster can attack up to 3 times.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sc¨¢thach ATK 3300 ¡ú 1650]


    Jonouchi looked baffled. "Why cut her attack power? She won''t even be able to take down Slifer, let alone Obelisk!"


    Kaiba''s eyes narrowed in thought. "It doesn''t matter if her power is halved. If she can bypass Obelisk''s wall, she can target the others."


    Kaiba referred to Obelisk''s effect: when it was on the field, it could only be targeted for attacks.


    Hoshino smirked. "The Egyptian Gods are powerful, but in front of Shish¨­, they''re nothing but paper tigers. Sc¨¢thach''s effect activates¡ªwhen this card battles a Level 10 or higher monster, it doesn''t calculate battle damage. Instead, it destroys the monster outright!"


    With the Field Spell gone, the three Egyptian Gods stood defenseless against Sc¨¢thach''s absolute god-slaying power.


    "With Crane Wings, Sc¨¢thach can attack three times this turn. None of the Egyptian Gods will survive!"


    Each thrust of her spear carried the precision of a god-slayer. With a flick of her wrist, Sc¨¢thach hurled her spear, splitting it into countless crimson projectiles.


    "Stab and penetrate... thrust and drill! G¨¢e Bolg Alternative!!!"


    Without holding back, Sc¨¢thach unleashed a relentless barrage of countless death-spears. The sharp spear tips, brimming with immense magical energy, rained down upon the massive forms of the three Egyptian God Monsters.


    Marik''s expression was more pained than the gods themselves. With the destruction of Mound of the Bound Creator, he could no longer suppress the gods'' wrath. The torment of feeling countless spears piercing his body, amplified by the Shadow Game, left him in visible agony.


    It was as if Sc¨¢thach''s spears had pierced the heavens themselves, bringing about a dramatic reversal. Kaiba, watching intently, muttered with a complex expression, "Even the three Egyptian God Cards can be defeated? Just how far does your power extend, Hoshino?"


    Marik, despite his pain, roared defiantly, "You think I''ll let you destroy the Egyptian Gods so easily? Obelisk''s effect activates!"


    "It''s useless, Marik!" Hoshino shot back. "Without Mound of the Bound Creator, you can''t command your counterfeit Obelisk to activate its effects. The only thing waiting for you is divine punishment!"


    "Hahaha! A counterfeit Obelisk? Punishment? Don''t be so naive, Hoshino. The Obelisk on my field is no fake¡ªit''s the genuine article!"


    The shattered forms of Slifer the Sky Dragon and The Winged Dragon of Ra were crushed in Obelisk''s massive fists.


    "When I used Monster Reborn, I didn''t revive the counterfeit card in my hand. I resurrected the real Obelisk the Tormentor, slumbering in your Graveyard! Even without Mound of the Bound Creator, Obelisk''s special ability¡ªSoul Energy MAX¡ªcan still activate!"


    As the wielder of the Millennium Rod, Marik had the qualifications to command the true God Cards.


    [Obelisk the Tormentor ATK 4000 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    "Not only that," Marik sneered, "but the moment Mound of the Bound Creator was destroyed, I tributed Slifer to further empower Obelisk. Did you really think I wouldn''t anticipate your moves, Hoshino?"


    When the storm of death-spears cleared, the only monster left standing on the field was Obelisk, its infinite attack power emanating an overwhelming presence.


    "Oh? An attack power that surpasses all limits? Now that''s a worthy opponent. But even that can''t kill me!" This time, Sc¨¢thach didn''t throw her spears. Instead, she charged head-on. Her crimson spear clashed directly with Obelisk''s massive fists, creating a shockwave that rippled through the field.


    Hoshino smirked, raising her Duel Disk. "Even if you raise Obelisk''s attack power to infinity, it''s meaningless against Shish¨­''s effect!"


    In the world of Duel Monsters, countermeasures often reigned supreme. Sc¨¢thach''s special ability, which allowed her to destroy Level 10 or higher monsters outright, rendered even an infinitely powerful Obelisk powerless.


    In a single strike, Sc¨¢thach''s spear pierced through Obelisk''s massive fists. Its colossal arms crumbled away, disintegrating as though consumed by flames.


    Taking advantage of the opening, Sc¨¢thach leapt into the air. Her spear, spinning like a crimson whirlwind, tore apart Obelisk''s massive form in an instant.


    "Hah! That''s it for Obelisk, isn''t it?" Hoshino exclaimed, standing with her hands on her hips as she watched the shattered remains of Obelisk fade away.


    However, Sc¨¢thach returned to Hoshino''s side with a grave expression. Instead of pressing the attack to reduce Marik''s Life Points, she lowered her spear.


    "Master, be cautious. Something feels off. The sensation wasn''t right when I destroyed it. This god didn''t feel like it died¡ªit felt more like it willingly disappeared."


    Hoshino frowned, puzzled. "Willingly disappeared? Are you saying gods surrender when they know they can''t win?"


    "Of course not, Hoshino!" Marik''s sinister laughter echoed across the battlefield, his face contorted in a triumphant sneer. Even the damage inflicted by the Shadow Game had seemingly vanished from his body.


    "Tributed Obelisk?" Hoshino felt a surge of unease as she noticed Marik''s restored condition.


    Marik held up the card he had just activated, his smug grin widening. "This is why you''ll never defeat me, Hoshino. The moment the Egyptian Gods entered this duel, your defeat was inevitable. Destroying a god? Impressive, I''ll admit. But ultimately, meaningless!"


    "Quick-Play Spell Card¡ª[Mystik Wok]!"


    [Mystik Wok Quick-Play Spell Effect: Tribute 1 monster. Select either its ATK or DEF and gain that many Life Points.]


    Kaiba stepped back in shock. "Sacrificing a monster with infinite attack power¡­ does that mean¡ª?!"


    [Marik''s LP 1000 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    With his Life Points soaring beyond measure, Marik''s confidence surged. "With infinite Life Points, I''ve achieved immortality! Attack me all you want¡ªit''s completely futile!"


    Hoshino stared, dumbfounded, her mouth slightly agape. "That''s allowed? I can understand infinite attack power being part of Duel Monsters, but infinite Life Points?!"


    Marik spread his arms wide, his expression exuding smugness. "Go ahead, Hoshino. Attack me. If you manage to deal even a single point of damage, I''ll admit defeat!"


    Jonouchi groaned in frustration. "So, what now? Wait for Marik to run out of cards in his deck?"


    Yugi shook his head gravely. "That won''t work. Hoshino''s deck draws cards faster because of Marie''s effect, and Marik used Pot of Avarice to recycle his deck. In a deck-out scenario, Hoshino would lose first."


    Jonouchi''s shoulders slumped. "Then what? Are you saying Hoshino''s already doomed?"


    Yugi''s gaze remained steady. "There''s one card in Hoshino''s deck that can break this stalemate. If she realizes it, there''s still a chance."


    "My turn ends," Hoshino said, clenching her fists in frustration. "For now."


    "Gahaha! Finally realizing how pointless your efforts are? Why not surrender and save yourself the humiliation?" Marik taunted as he casually drew his next card. "This duel is so one-sided, I don''t even feel like summoning a monster. I''ll set one card and end my turn."


    [Marik: 3 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    "Sorry to disappoint, Marik, but it''s you who''s finished!" Hoshino''s troubled expression vanished, replaced by fiery determination.


    "I banish Marie Antoinette from my Graveyard to Special Summon Marie Antoinette Alter from my hand! When she''s summoned, I can send one Heroic Spirit monster from my deck to the Graveyard!"


    Yugi''s eyes widened as his earlier suspicion was confirmed. "As I thought. Hoshino has realized the key to breaking this stalemate. That card¡­"


    "I''ll send [Heroic Spirit ¨C Vlad III] to the Graveyard!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 260 - 260

    Marie Alter''s lips curled into a sultry smile as she fixed Hoshino with a teasing gaze. "Master, you enjoyed making the other me jump back and forth repeatedly just now, didn''t you? As a reward, I''ll make you feel even better~"


    Her dangerously suggestive tone was accompanied by black rose petals swirling ominously around Hoshino''s deck. The card being searched was caught in the whirlwind and pulled into the graveyard, carried away by the roses'' mystical power.


    "It''s execution time, Marik! The effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sc¨¢thach] activates! Once per turn, it allows me to Special Summon a Heroic Spirit monster from my hand or graveyard!"


    Sc¨¢thach extended her hand gracefully, tracing delicate patterns in the air with her fingers. Her voice carried an air of solemnity as she said, "This will be the final primordial rune of this battle. Let this victory, born of courage, echo as a triumphant cry, oh legendary heroes!"


    Hoshino reached for the top card of her graveyard pile, a wave of intense bloodlust radiating from her as the energy in the dark arena grew thick and foreboding.


    "I''m reviving the monster sent to the graveyard earlier by Marie Alter''s effect¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Vlad III]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Vlad III¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Zombie/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1200]


    "Now, it''s time for darkness to take the stage¡ªa feast of blood~"


    As Vlad III materialized on the field, a swarm of dark bats spiraled around him, their presence more menacing than ever. His crimson eyes glowed fiercely, brimming with an even deeper, more terrifying killing intent.


    "Vlad III... isn''t that the card with that effect?!" Jonouchi exclaimed, trying to recall its power. The memory of Hoshino summoning it in a duel flashed vividly in his mind.


    Yugi''s voice rose with excitement as he explained, "Exactly! This card''s effect is the key for Hoshino to turn the tables and finish this duel!"


    Slamming Vlad III''s card onto the field with confidence, Hoshino turned to the now visibly rattled Marik. "Do you hear it, Marik? The sound of flowing blood¡ªit marks your doom! Vlad III''s effect activates!"


    "Offer your blood! The violent power coursing through countless lives shall be mine to command!"


    [If your Life Points are lower than your opponent''s, this card gains ATK equal to the difference.]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 700]


    [Marik LP: ¡Þ]


    Hoshino''s voice was resolute as she declared, "The infinite difference between your Life Points and mine fuels Vlad III''s endless power!"


    A blood-red mist erupted across the arena, condensing at Vlad III''s fingertips. The malevolent energy surged as Vlad III chuckled darkly. "Such immense and marvelous magical energy¡ªit far exceeds the limits I ever reached in life! To think a soul sealed for a thousand years would break through its boundaries in this battle!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Vlad III ATK 2300 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    "To raise its ATK to infinity?!" Marik gasped, his previously smug demeanor giving way to stunned disbelief.


    Amid the swirling mist, Hoshino extended her arm forward, her gaze unwavering. "Prepare yourself, Marik! This is the price of your own vile deeds¡ªa direct attack that will obliterate your infinite Life Points in this Shadow Game!"


    "Amazing turnaround, Hoshino-nee¡ªgo for it!" Akasha cheered, her excitement so overwhelming that she accidentally punched Jonouchi in the jaw.


    "Battle! Vlad, attack directly!" Hoshino commanded.


    In response, countless blood spikes erupted from the ground, forming a crimson trail as they surged toward Marik with lethal precision.


    "Let me offer my blood-soaked life¡ªKazikli Bey!"


    With no monsters on Marik''s field to defend him, the blood spikes struck unopposed, annihilating his infinite Life Points in an instant. Even if he had defenses, Vlad III''s piercing effect would have rendered them meaningless.


    "Using the difference in Life Points... Truly impressive, Hoshino!"


    But Marik wasn''t done yet. His dissolving body radiated a sinister aura as he activated his set card. "Trap Card activated¡ª[Graverobber]!"


    [Graverobber Trap Card Effect: Select 1 Spell Card from your opponent''s Graveyard. You can use it as if it were in your hand until the end of the turn. If you use it, take 2000 points of damage.]


    "Graverobber?!" Jonouchi exclaimed in shock. He often relied on the card himself but hadn''t expected Marik to use it here.


    "But most of the Spell Cards in Hoshino''s graveyard are exclusive to Heroic Spirit monsters, right?" Jonouchi reasoned.


    "You''re not wrong," Yugi responded, his tone growing serious. "But there''s one exception... and Marik knows it."


    Marik''s lips twisted into a wicked smile as the trap card transformed into the image of Monster Reborn.


    Kaiba''s eyes narrowed, his tone tense. "If Marik''s using Monster Reborn, then his plan must be..."


    Marik cackled triumphantly. "The god''s effect activates! The slumbering sun in the graveyard reignites its flames and returns to the battlefield!"


    [The Winged Dragon of Ra¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DIVINE][Divine-Beast/Effect][ATK ?/DEF ?]


    By sacrificing the stolen Monster Reborn, Marik summoned the radiant form of The Winged Dragon of Ra. Its phoenix-like flames blazed with overwhelming divine energy as it descended upon the battlefield.


    "The Winged Dragon of Ra''s effect activates! I pay Life Points until only 1 remains, merging with the dragon to raise its ATK and DEF to match the points paid!"


    As the energy consumed him, Marik''s body disintegrated entirely, leaving only a single glowing eye suspended above Ra''s fiery form. His soul had been hollowed out by the immense cost, but his resolve remained unwavering.


    [Marik LP: ¡Þ ¡ú 1]


    [The Winged Dragon of Ra ATK: ¡Þ]


    "By sacrificing my infinite Life Points, I''ve raised Ra''s attack power to infinity!"


    "This... he''s truly insane!" Hoshino muttered, her gaze fixed on the floating eye atop The Winged Dragon of Ra.


    The odds had shifted once again. Despite Vlad III''s power reverting to its original ATK, Hoshino faced an infinite-ATK Winged Dragon of Ra¡ªa near-impossible challenge.


    "Damn, I didn''t expect Marik to have one last trick up his sleeve!"


    Marik''s counterattack, reckless to the point of being suicidal, caught everyone completely off guard.


    With its attack power raised to infinity, The Winged Dragon of Ra transcended its limits. Its scorching flames, akin to the blazing sun itself, instantly vaporized the blood spikes hurtling toward it.


    [Vlad III ATK: ¡Þ ¡ú 2300]


    Bathed in the fiery light, Yugi''s expression turned unusually grim. "He reduced his Life Points to 1, preventing Vlad III from increasing its attack power. However, the attack that has already been launched cannot be taken back!"


    In this era where attacks couldn''t be canceled, a declared attack was as irreversible as spilled water. The Winged Dragon of Ra, having effortlessly incinerated Vlad''s blood spikes, spread its blazing wings wide, ready to strike back and consign its opponent to the depths of despair.


    Kaiba, watching the events unfold, couldn''t suppress a strange mix of emotions. "The strongest form of The Winged Dragon, only to fall during its own attacking turn? How ironic."


    "Marik, if this is the ultimate form of the Winged Dragon you''ve created by forsaking your humanity and soul, then I''ll respond with my ultimate!" Hoshino declared, her voice filled with resolve. As the fiery storm surged toward her, she decisively flipped over the final set card on her field.


    "Let the final act begin! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: [FGO THE STAGE]!"


    [FGO THE STAGE ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effect: Tribute Summon 1 monster from your hand. If a [Heroic Spirit] monster is Tribute Summoned by this effect: You can target 1 or more [Heroic Spirit] monsters in your Graveyard that were used as Tribute for this Summon; return them to your hand.]


    "I Tribute Vlad III from my field. This halts the attack!"


    A cold, ominous sacrificial aura, darker and more menacing than Vlad''s blood, spread across Hoshino''s field.


    Drawing a card from her hand, Hoshino continued, her voice ringing out through the arena. "Marik, this will be the final battle of the gods! I Tribute Vlad III, Jeanne, and Marie Alter from my field to Tribute Summon a monster from my hand!"


    Kaiba, who had already believed the battle to be decided, stared in disbelief at this unexpected development. "Tributing three monsters? Is she summoning a god at the last moment?"


    Yugi, unable to contain his excitement, nodded vigorously. "That''s right. If Hoshino has a god stronger than anything else she possesses, it must be this one!"


    Behind Hoshino, a black flame, no less brilliant than The Winged Dragon of Ra''s golden light, erupted furiously. From within the churning inferno, a monstrous figure bearing the same silhouette as Ra spread its dark wings and soared onto the battlefield.


    "I Tribute three monsters to summon [The Wicked Avatar]! Let this ultimate Wicked God face off against The Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    The Wicked Avatar ascended in a spiral of darkness, exuding the aura of a malevolent sun, its presence heralding the end of all things.


    [The Wicked Avatar¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (10 Stars)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK ?/DEF ?]


    "Once again, you''re relying on me to save the day, aren''t you, girl?" The dark Winged Dragon roared in the sky. Though its words were incomprehensible, Hoshino could sense its arrogance and relish for victory.


    "Arghhhh!" Marik, clinging to the last vestiges of his consciousness, roared in primal rage. Fused with The Winged Dragon of Ra, his voice was nothing more than a guttural cry of hatred aimed at Hoshino.


    "Behold the most powerful Wicked God that reigns supreme! Counterattack!" Hoshino shouted, raising her Duel Disk high as the golden and black gods charged toward each other.


    Their clash unleashed an inferno of crimson and ebony flames that melded together, generating heat so intense it seemed poised to melt the entire Duel Tower.


    Across the world, duelists held their breath, captivated by this climactic showdown. This battle, destined to be etched into the annals of Duel Monsters history, would become a legendary moment never to be surpassed.


    As the gods'' final strikes collided, Hoshino''s voice resounded over the battlefield. "The effect of The Wicked Avatar Its ATK is always 1 point higher than the monster with the highest ATK on the field besides itself! Even an infinite attack power must fall before the strongest Wicked God!"


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK: ¡Þ + 1]


    The Wicked Avatar''s attack power surged to surpass Ra''s by a single point. This single point symbolized Marik''s remaining 1 Life Point, flickering like a candle on the verge of being extinguished.


    Pointing toward the heavens, Hoshino''s gaze burned with unshakable determination. "Marik, your life, steeped in darkness and destruction, has long been beyond redemption. This Shadow Game you initiated is your ultimate punishment!"


    Yugi encouraged her firmly, his voice filled with admiration. "Hoshino, after everything you''ve endured, you''re the one most qualified to deliver Marik''s judgment. Use this Wicked God''s ultimate strike to shatter destiny''s chains and end it all!"


    "Let''s finish this! Wicked Avatar¡ªfinal strike!"


    The Winged Dragon of Ra unleashed its ultimate attack, a blazing torrent of fiery energy. But the dark cannon fired by The Wicked Avatar easily overpowered it, engulfing Ra''s massive body in its consuming darkness. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A sharp screech pierced the skies as The Wicked Avatar spread its black wings fully. Its surging flames devoured the golden light, reducing The Winged Dragon of Ra to ashes within the Shadow Game''s space.


    The once-invincible divine beast writhed helplessly in the black inferno. Its grotesquely distorted eye¡ªthe last vestige of Marik''s corrupted soul¡ªtwisted violently before being consumed entirely.


    "It''s over, Marik. Whether it''s the twisted desires of your dark half or the rebellion of your light side, they will all vanish into nothingness in these flames," Hoshino declared.


    As The Winged Dragon of Ra fell, its massive body disintegrating, Marik''s existence was erased forever.


    [The Winged Dragon of Ra Destroyed]


    [Marik LP: 1 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 261 - 261

    "She did it¡ª!!"


    As the black flames faded with the end of the duel, an explosive wave of enthusiasm ignited across the world. Not only passionate duelists, but even spectators who had never touched a card game before, found themselves swept up in an unprecedented fervor for dueling.


    If Duel Monsters had merely been a popular game before, this Duel City tournament served as undeniable proof of its allure, propelling it to the pinnacle of global culture.


    "This is the level of dueling in the Duel City finals? It''s like a whole different dimension compared to our everyday matches!"


    A wide-eyed child stared at the screen, captivated by the fearless, dignified girl with flowing white hair battling with unwavering determination. He declared resolutely, "I''ve decided. One day, I''ll become the strongest duelist! I''ll challenge the Duel King with my own Hero deck and stand at the pinnacle of Duel Monsters!"


    His friend chuckled nearby. "Jaden, your deck is the weakest among us. And you''re dreaming of being the strongest?"


    Despite the teasing, the boy named Jaden remained steadfast, his eyes burning with determination. "I''ll do it! Starting now, I''m building my ultimate Hero deck!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Hoshino Chiyuki won!"


    As the referee announced the results, Hoshino''s friends rushed to her side, their cheers filled with excitement.


    Akasha hugged her tightly around the waist. "I knew it! I just knew Hoshino-nee wouldn''t lose! Even against the three Egyptian God cards, you totally crushed it!"


    Yugi nodded approvingly. "That was a magnificent comeback, Hoshino. Congratulations on reaching the finals! I''ll do my best too so I can duel you next!"


    "Man, Hoshino, that last counterattack was something else!" Jonouchi exclaimed, his voice brimming with admiration. "You finally made Marik taste the pain of getting burned himself."


    At the mention of Marik, Anzu''s expression turned thoughtful. "So¡­ is Marik really gone from this world after losing the Shadow Game?"


    Mai, though equally skeptical, nodded. "Probably. In that situation, there was nowhere left for him to escape to."


    Everyone had witnessed Marik''s desperate struggle as he was swallowed by darkness, his last vestige of humanity erased. Everyone, that is, except for one person¡­


    "Marik ran away because he didn''t want to be humiliated!" Kaiba, as ever, remained steadfast in his skepticism of anything beyond the realm of science.


    Scoffing, Kaiba approached the scattered remains of Marik''s deck. "A loser running away doesn''t matter, as long as the God Card is left behind."


    The Winged Dragon of Ra, its golden card border glinting among the scattered cards, immediately caught Kaiba''s eye. He picked it up, his fingers brushing against its surface.


    Holding the Winged Dragon card, Kaiba could feel the immense power it radiated¡ªa power distinct from Obelisk''s, the ultimate force of the Sun God. His gaze, filled with desire for rare, powerful cards, was unmistakable.


    The last time Kaiba had touched a card of such unparalleled power was when he took The Wicked Avatar, the strongest of the Wicked Gods, from Yako.


    And now, just like back then, Kaiba found himself handing over an ultimate card to the same person.


    "According to Duel City''s ante rule, this Winged Dragon of Ra now belongs to you."


    "Kaiba¡­" Hoshino''s expression was conflicted as she looked at him. Kaiba''s gaze was averted, his right hand trembling slightly as he held out the card.


    Kaiba, firming his resolve, spoke forcefully. "I said the Winged Dragon is yours, so take it! Even though you now have all three Wicked Gods and are greedy enough to want the three Egyptian Gods too, winning rare cards in Duel City isn''t against the rules. What, are you going to take it or not?!"


    "Kaiba, if you''re really going to give me the card, can you stop holding it so high?"


    Hoshino grimaced as Kaiba, standing over six feet tall, held the Winged Dragon card aloft like the Statue of Liberty. At barely five feet three, reaching for it was a daunting task.


    "Gimme that already, quit posturing!" Jonouchi snatched the card from Kaiba''s hand with a smirk and handed it to Hoshino.


    As she took the card, a faint, whispering voice echoed in her ears, so soft only she could hear:


    "Heh, heh, heh. So, the three Egyptian Gods are finally together. Looks like your true intentions are about to be realized, girl."


    Hoshino smiled faintly, responding quietly, "True intentions? You make it sound like I''m up to something bad."


    Seeing Hoshino suddenly lower her head, Mai looked at her with concern. "What''s wrong, Chiyuki? Are you tired from the duel? Do you want to rest?"


    "Yeah, keeping the duelist''s condition in mind is really important. Plus, Hoshino, you still have the finals coming up!" Jonouchi added, before calling out to the referee. "Hey, there''s a break before the next match, right?"


    The black-clad referee nodded. "That''s correct. As per the tournament rules, there''s a one-hour interval between each duel to allow duelists to rest."


    "Yeah, I''m a bit tired," Hoshino admitted truthfully. Her matches¡ªagainst Noah in the morning and Marik just now¡ªhad both been intense, high-stakes duels that exceeded normal limits.


    But in her heart, another thought stirred, one she couldn''t suppress. With the three Egyptian God cards finally in her possession, the truth she sought was now within reach.


    "Well, since the tournament is so considerate of its participants, I''ll go rest up now~" Stretching her arms casually, Hoshino accepted her friends'' and the tournament staff''s goodwill, knowing it was the wisest course of action.


    Noticing something, Yugi instinctively reached out to stop her, but his hand froze mid-air.


    "No, Partner," a gentle voice belonging to Pharaoh''s spirit spoke to Yugi.


    Yugi''s normally resolute eyes wavered slightly. In their deep, dark depths, a mix of emotions flickered as he watched Hoshino''s retreating figure.


    "Hoshino, I''ll defeat Kaiba and face you in the Duel City finals!" he called out firmly, lowering his outstretched arm.


    Kaiba crossed his arms, a cold smirk on his face. "Talking about winning before the duel even starts, huh, Yugi? This time, I''ll absolutely crush you with my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "Well, you two better give it your all~" Waving casually over her shoulder, Hoshino strode away, her friends'' gazes following her until she disappeared from sight.


    (***)


    "Ta-da~! Your beautiful and reliable all-purpose assistant, Da Vinci-chan, reporting in~!"


    The moment Hoshino returned to the resting room, she immediately called out to Da Vinci, who had been conspicuously absent during the Shadow Game. Complaining, she said, "Da Vinci-chan, where have you been slacking off? It feels like you''ve been missing during the Shadow Games a lot recently."


    Da Vinci, who had previously manifested as a spirit by harnessing the dark energy stored in Hoshino''s bracelet, had indeed been absent during the climactic duel. Not only that, but she had also been missing during the Shadow Game against Bakura.


    Now, with the bracelet barely recharged after the duel with Marik, Hoshino had enough energy to summon Da Vinci¡ªand give her a piece of her mind.


    "Still acting like a child, Hoshino-chan?" Da Vinci teased with a faint smile, her tone brimming with amusement.


    "I noticed it during the duel with Yako¡ªyour dueling skills now completely surpass mine. If I were to interfere at this stage, I''d only disrupt you," Da Vinci explained with a sigh of mock helplessness.


    "How can you say that, Da Vinci-chan? You''re the universal genius, after all! And I am still a kid!" Hoshino retorted indignantly.


    "The sense of assurance that comes from having you there is what gives me the courage to go all out!"


    Da Vinci shook her head knowingly, a meaningful smile curving her lips. "Hoshino-chan, you already have trustworthy friends in this world who support and believe in you. Even without my oversight, you''ve shown the courage to face challenges head-on. Today''s duel proved that." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her tone, unexpectedly filled with warmth and pride, was like that of a parent watching their child grow.


    "Da Vinci-chan..."


    "That''s enough of that," Da Vinci interrupted, swiftly shifting the mood. "Just because I didn''t appear in the Shadow Games doesn''t mean I''ve been slacking off." She raised a finger, her expression suddenly turning mysterious.


    "If you weren''t slacking, then you must have been goofing off or bullying Holmes!" Hoshino quipped, crossing her arms.


    "That''s so mean! Slacking off and goofing around aren''t the same thing! But unfortunately for you, there was no slacking, no goofing off, and no bullying Holmes this time," Da Vinci replied with mock indignation before growing serious.


    "I''ve finally finished my analysis. The answer to the question Hoshino-chan has been most concerned about."


    "My most important question... You mean the possibility of using the three Egyptian God cards to return to my original world?" Hoshino asked eagerly. Without a doubt, this was the issue closest to her heart.


    Da Vinci nodded lightly, her trademark confident smile returning. "That''s right. And the answer, Hoshino-chan, is good news. The legendary Egyptian God cards truly possess the power to transcend space and time. If you wish, it is possible to return to your original world."


    "It''s really possible?!" Hoshino''s eyes widened in disbelief. Though she had initially felt determined to challenge both Yugi and Kaiba to achieve this goal, doubts had crept in after the emotional toll of Bakura''s Shadow Game.


    Calming down, she had begun to question the feasibility of using Duel Monster cards to cross dimensions. It sounded... absurd.


    "Of course! This is a conclusion based on the calculations of the great Da Vinci!" Da Vinci boasted, clearly enjoying Hoshino''s astonished reaction.


    "Normally, crossing worlds wouldn''t be so simple. The mysteries of this world aren''t limited to the Egyptian God cards; there''s also the matter of the seven Millennium Items."


    "The Millennium Items? I have one of those!" Hoshino pulled the Millennium Necklace out of her pocket with a grin. "And it''s not one of those fake replicas you made, Da Vinci-chan¡ªit''s the real deal~"


    "I''m well aware that you possess the Millennium Necklace, Hoshino-chan. But it''s not enough. With the power of just one Millennium Item, it''s far from sufficient."


    "The Egyptian God cards, symbols of radiant creation, and the seven Millennium Items, embodiments of darkness, represent the light and dark sides of this world''s mysteries. To cross worlds, the power of both light and darkness is indispensable."


    Hearing Da Vinci''s analysis, Hoshino''s excitement faded into frustration. "So, you''re saying I need to gather all seven Millennium Items to travel between worlds? How long is that going to take?"


    Suddenly, a thought struck her. Hoshino jumped to her feet. "Wait! Didn''t Gramps destroy the Millennium Eye?! By your logic, it''s impossible for me to go back, isn''t it?"


    To cleanse the evil spirit within Pegasus'' Millennium Eye, King Hassan had destroyed both the Shadow Game and the Millennium Eye itself during the final battle at Duelist Kingdom, securing Hoshino''s ultimate victory.


    "Great. Gramps, you''ve ruined everything! Maybe Pegasus can stick the Millennium Eye back together? Or should we melt it down and reforge it instead? That might work better." Hoshino''s muttering quickly devolved into nonsensical rambling as she paced the room.


    Watching her antics, Da Vinci couldn''t help but laugh. "Alright, alright. I''ll stop teasing you. Actually, Hoshino-chan, you already meet the conditions for combining the forces of light and darkness."


    "Da Vinci-chan, this isn''t teasing¡ªit''s straight-up messing with me!" Hoshino pouted, shooting her assistant a glare.


    "But the Millennium Items... I only have the Necklace. Even if I add Yugi''s Puzzle and the Millennium Rod left behind by Marik, that''s still less than half."


    "True, you don''t have all the Millennium Items," Da Vinci said with a sly smile. "But you do possess three cards that are the antithesis of the Egyptian Gods, representing ultimate darkness and malevolence."


    With Da Vinci''s reminder, Hoshino instantly understood. "The three cards that oppose the Egyptian Gods... the Evil God cards..."


    "Did someone call for me~?"


    The mischievous Evil God took the opportunity to manifest, her voice dripping with malice. After the duel, she had been itching for an opportunity to show off.


    "Girl, not only do you use my power to win duels, but now you''re planning to use the Evil Gods'' strength to traverse time and space?"


    The Evil God licked her lips with a devilish grin. "Such a favor comes at a steep price! If we''re talking about the value of your soul... I''d say at least half will do."


    Drool trickling down her cheek, the Evil God looked ready to strike a deal.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 262 - 262

    "Ah, so this is how the cards should be arranged. Quite ceremonial, actually."


    Stroking her chin thoughtfully, Hoshino admired the neatly arranged cards before her. The three Egyptian God cards formed a radiant triangle, mirrored by the three Evil God cards to create a six-pointed star glowing with an eerie light.


    "How dare you treat me like this! I just helped you win the duel!"


    The Evil God, now bound in her human form, squirmed against the restraints that held her. Tossed unceremoniously onto the bed, she glared at Hoshino, who was busy toying with the cards that symbolized her essence.


    Having used the last reserves of dark energy stored in the bracelet to subdue the Evil God, Da Vinci''s voice sounded faint, almost distant.


    "Hoshino-chan, are you absolutely certain about this?" Da Vinci asked, her tone laden with concern. "If you leave, you may never be able to return to the life you''ve built here. That includes your friends, your routines, and all the things you''ve come to cherish in this world..."


    Hoshino nodded solemnly, her expression firm. "I''ve thought about it countless times, especially on those nights when I''m alone. I can''t deny how much I''ve enjoyed living here, but this world... it isn''t truly mine. In my world, there are people waiting for me to come back."


    She glanced at her Duel Disk, the deck already loaded and ready. A soft smile crossed her face, tinged with bittersweet emotion. "This fleeting, dreamlike experience will become a treasured memory¡ªsomething I''ll carry with me to keep moving forward once I''m back home."


    Seeing Hoshino''s resolve, Da Vinci sighed softly. "Since you''ve made your decision, I won''t try to stop you. But are you sure you don''t want to say goodbye to your friends?"


    "If I do that, knowing them, it''ll be almost impossible to leave." Despite her words, Hoshino took a moment to jot down a brief note and placed it carefully on the table before continuing her preparations.


    "Alright, the process is ready whenever you are," Da Vinci said. Her tone shifted to a brisk, professional cadence. "It''s simple¡ªonce the pathway opens, it''ll feel just like the Spiritron Transfer you used to enter Chaldea in your dreams."


    Adjusting the energy flow from the glowing six-pointed star, Da Vinci continued, "Just focus on where you want to go. Strong thoughts of that place will reflect onto the cards, and they''ll respond in kind. The collision of these energies will inevitably open the pathway to your miracle."


    "Picture where I want to return to, huh..."


    Closing her eyes, Hoshino reached out instinctively toward the dazzling star of light and shadow. She concentrated on the image of home¡ªthe place she had known for sixteen years, the world she longed to see again.


    "The first thing I''ll do when I get back," she murmured to herself, "is change my lifestyle¡ªno more being a shut-in."


    "The pathway is opening¡ªget ready, Hoshino-chan!" Da Vinci''s warning rang out, filled with urgency.


    "I''m ready..."


    As Hoshino''s voice faltered with determination, a sudden, unexpected glow emanated from the Millennium Necklace. Previously dormant, it now shone with a brilliance that rivaled the Egyptian God cards, bathing the room in divine light.


    In that instant, Hoshino''s vision was filled with a startling image: a man wearing a Duel Disk, standing amidst the ruins of a shattered, post-apocalyptic world. His eyes burned with despair and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance, piercing through the vision like a dagger to her soul.


    .


    ..


    ...


    Meanwhile, the second match of the Battle City tournament carried on without her.


    "She''s probably just exhausted and wanted to rest a bit longer," her friends speculated, unconcerned. Their focus shifted entirely to the destined duel between Yugi and Kaiba.


    The second duel was every bit as intense as the first, lacking none of the drama or precision of Hoshino''s climactic battle against Marik.


    While there were no overwhelming displays of infinite attack powers, the calculated strategies and the clash between Yugi''s Dark Magician and Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ªlight against shadow¡ªembodied the essence of a true duel.


    In the end, Yugi fused Dark Magician and Buster Blader to summon Dark Paladin. With a decisive move, Dark Paladin Slash, he obliterated Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, securing his victory in the second semifinal match.


    The audience erupted into cheers, thoroughly exhilarated. The air buzzed with anticipation for the grand finale, while online discussions exploded into fervent debate.


    Successor of the Legendary Fisherman: "Of course, the Duel King will win! Cute equals justice¡ªdon''t you understand?"


    Blonde Beauty Who Sinks Boats with Money: "Obviously, Yugi will win! I''m a professional, and as a former U.S. champion, my insight is unmatched!"


    Drunken Uncle: "Who''s this supposed ''U.S. champion''? I''m the reigning champion, and even I can tell Yugi''s chances are slim!"


    Toy Shop Grandpa: "Hohoho, it doesn''t matter who wins, as long as the duel is exciting. It''s all great for publicity. Please continue supporting Yugi and Hoshino, the faces of Kame Toys~"


    My Daughter Is the Cutest: "Who let this shameless advertiser in? Shut up!"


    Yet amid all the excitement, the highly anticipated grand finale... never took place.


    Without warning, KaibaCorp announced that the tournament was postponed indefinitely. No new date was provided, and the company ignored the avalanche of inquiries and criticism, choosing instead to remain silent.


    No one understood the true reason. The abrupt halt, despite the immense hype and the financial losses KaibaCorp would endure, baffled both fans and experts alike.


    .


    .. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    In the quiet of Hoshino''s empty room, Yugi picked up the Egyptian God cards left on the table. His expression was somber as he read the brief note she had written:


    [Yugi, consider the God cards my parting gift. They mean a lot to you, after all.]


    The note confirmed what Yugi had already suspected.


    "Leaving the God cards as a farewell gift¡ªit''s just like Hoshino," he murmured softly.


    Standing by the window, Yugi gazed out at the endless expanse of sea. His hand brushed the cards before he carefully slid them into his deck.


    "I promised we''d face each other in the Battle City finals," he said quietly, his voice resolute. "No matter how long it takes, I''ll be here, waiting for you."


    (***)


    The familiar sensation of dimensional travel enveloped Hoshino. Traveling between worlds¡ªwhether to Chaldea, a VR game, or now back to her own¡ªwho would''ve thought they all used the same system for dimensional transit?


    Blurry lights and shadows swirled together, forming a deep blue tunnel that stretched endlessly ahead. There was no solid ground beneath her, only the strange, weightless feeling of floating along with the flow. She couldn''t turn back to glimpse the place she had just left, nor could she see the destination waiting at the other end. All she could do was close her eyes and silently pray.


    "Domino City, huh? I was only there for a little over a month, but it was really fun~." Bathed in the surreal atmosphere of this shifting corridor, Hoshino''s thoughts turned nostalgic, memories of her time in that world playing in her mind like a wistful slideshow.


    "This isn''t some near-death montage!" she protested aloud, snapping herself out of it. If her first few crossings had filled her with tension, she had since grown so accustomed to the process that now it only bored her. Muttering to herself had become her way of passing the time.


    "But why does this trip feel so much longer than the last one? I vaguely recall the first time being quicker... Da Vinci, are you there?"


    Silence greeted her. It was clear her connection to Chaldea had been severed the moment she entered this space.


    Hoshino frowned, trying to piece together her memories. Truthfully, she couldn''t remember how long her initial journey had taken. Back then, she''d been too overwhelmed¡ªpanicking over the sudden transition and mourning the loss of her complete Servant collection. The details were a blur.


    Time dragged on, an unending expanse of light and shadow. Just as Hoshino began to fear she might be trapped in this strange limbo forever, a faint glimmer appeared at the end of the tunnel.


    Finally, the light of hope symbolizing her destination flickered into view.


    "Finally! We''ve reached the stop~." Adopting a casual tone, as if she were on a train ride home, Hoshino eagerly strained to see through the approaching light.


    Then, without warning, a high-speed object zipped past her.


    The moment was so brief she barely registered it, catching only the vaguest impression of a human-like silhouette.


    Rubbing her eyes in disbelief, she muttered, "What the heck? Did someone just pass by me? On this dimensional highway? Was that... some kind of train?"


    Before she could process the bizarre occurrence, her feet landed on solid ground. The swirling lights and shadows vanished in an instant, replaced by the sights and sounds of the "beautiful world" she''d been expecting.


    Except...


    "It''s... not beautiful at all!"


    Smoke rose from a nearby building, its structure visibly damaged, as if moments away from collapsing. Crowds of people scattered in every direction, their panicked shouts filling the air as they fled for their lives.


    Hoshino froze, her mind blank as she took in the unfamiliar yet oddly nostalgic surroundings. Chaos unfolded before her, stark and unavoidable.


    Then came the monster.


    From the smoky wreckage of the building emerged a grotesque, dragon-like creature, its monstrous form towering over the destruction it had caused. Its guttural roars sent waves of terror through the fleeing crowd.


    "What is this? A movie? A Godzilla show? Even in those, giant monsters like this are added with CGI in post-production!"


    Amid the chaos, a man noticed Hoshino standing stunned in the middle of the street, the duel disk still strapped to her arm catching his eye.


    "Hey! Are you a duelist?" he shouted desperately.


    Hoshino blinked, snapping back to reality as the man pointed to the duel disk. "If you''re a duelist, please fight it!"


    "A duelist? Fight that thing?"


    Her mind raced, scrambling to make sense of the situation. "So this thing is a Duel Monster, huh? But why is a Duel Monster materializing and destroying buildings?!"


    Even though she''d never encountered a creature quite like this, the duel disk and the context were enough to jog her instincts. The creature bore an uncanny resemblance to the holographic projections from duel disks¡ªexcept this one was unnervingly real.


    "If it''s a Duel Monster, I just need to summon one to fight it, right?" Hoshino muttered, thinking quickly. Chaos was no stranger to her, and she decided this situation wasn''t too different from her rooftop battle with the Evil God atop KaibaCorp Tower.


    With a determined grin, she dismissed her doubts. "Don''t worry, mister! Leave it to me¡ªHero of Justice!"


    Confidently entering her element, Hoshino struck a dramatic pose and drew a card from her duel disk. Since the monster''s strength was unknown, she decided to summon her strongest ally:


    "Let''s go¡ªKarna!"


    Even without Siegfried''s specialized anti-dragon abilities, Karna should be more than enough to deal with a dragon.


    Why not summon Siegfried directly, you ask?


    Well, what if the monster turned out to be some random reptile instead of a dragon? Siegfried might start apologizing again.


    ...


    But nothing happened.


    The duel disk remained inactive, the card failing to materialize into the powerful Servant she had summoned countless times before.


    "Don''t tell me it broke!" she exclaimed, staring at the device in dismay.


    "That duel disk model was discontinued years ago," an unfamiliar yet sarcastic voice called out behind her.


    Startled, Hoshino spun around to see a tall blond man standing confidently in the middle of the street. His posture exuded arrogance, and his tone dripped with mockery. "Even the KaibaCorp supercomputer that supported it has been decommissioned. Where did you even dig up such an antique?"


    Before Hoshino could retort, the man activated his own duel disk¡ªa sleek design unlike any she''d ever seen. Without hesitation, he placed a card into play.


    "Go, Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Show that wannabe monster who''s boss!"


    A massive black dragon roared to life, its sleek, imposing form overshadowing the grotesque beast. With a single command¡ª"Attack with Black Flame!"¡ªthe Red-Eyes unleashed a devastating torrent of fire.


    The monstrous dragon was obliterated in an instant, reduced to nothing more than ash. Clearly, it hadn''t been much of a threat.


    Triumphant, the blond man smirked, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Hoshino. "Cutie, wandering the streets with an outdated duel disk is pretty dangerous these days. Lucky for you, you ran into the world''s top duelist¡­"


    "Jonouchi! You''re Jonouchi, aren''t you?!" Hoshino exclaimed, pointing at him in shock.


    Though his appearance had matured, the distinctive blond hair, cocky attitude, and unmistakable Red-Eyes Black Dragon confirmed her suspicions.


    Jonouchi blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? I didn''t think someone like me would still be popular with high school girls!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 263 - 263

    "It''s really you, Jonouchi!" Confirming her suspicions, Hoshino felt an inexplicable wave of relief wash over her, despite the chaos surrounding them.


    "So why do you look so... mature? Or old?" she asked, squinting as she scrutinized the man before her, struggling to find a less awkward way to phrase it.


    With a confident pose, Jonouchi deliberately lowered his voice, attempting to sound suave. "What''s wrong, little girl? Smitten by the charm of the world''s top duelist, Katsuya Jonouchi? Sorry to break it to you, but I''ve already got a girlfriend. Try not to be too heartbroken."


    "Wait, you have a girlfriend? Since when?" The revelation hit Hoshino like a bolt out of the blue, leaving her momentarily speechless.


    But then a thought struck her, and her expression shifted to a frown. "Wait a second. Why are you calling me ''little girl''? Don''t you recognize me?" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jonouchi scratched his head, now the one looking puzzled. "Now that you mention it, you do look kind of familiar. Have we met before, little girl?"


    "Stop calling me ''little girl''! It''s weird!" Hoshino huffed, pointing at herself. "It''s me! Hoshino! Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    The outdated duel disk, Jonouchi''s unexpectedly mature appearance, and the slightly unfamiliar yet vaguely nostalgic environment all clicked into place in Hoshino''s mind. She must have traveled in the future.


    Da Vinci, you''ve betrayed me!


    Jonouchi blinked, her words sinking in. "Wait, you''re saying you''re Hoshino Chiyuki? Well... now that I look closely, I guess you kind of look like her..."


    "Kind of? What do you mean, kind of? I am her!" Hoshino shot back, her glare sharp enough to pierce.


    Jonouchi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his gaze wandering¡ªthen stopping somewhere it definitely shouldn''t have. "Well, you seem... smaller than I remember."


    Hoshino''s face turned bright red. Her teeth clenched, and she launched a swift kick to his shin.


    "Ow!" Jonouchi stumbled back, clutching his leg.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "So, you''re from the past. That explains the outdated duel disk and, uh, your... smaller frame," Jonouchi said after Hoshino reluctantly explained her situation.


    Thankfully, his easy-going nature made him surprisingly quick to accept the bizarre truth. Most people would''ve struggled to believe something as outlandish as time travel.


    "I''m not smaller! Stop adding unnecessary comments!"


    From Jonouchi''s account, Hoshino learned she had arrived ten years after the Battle City tournament.


    "At first, I was wondering why you weren''t at Duel Academy right now. Guess it makes sense now¡ªyou''re not the Hoshino from this time!" Jonouchi said, looking pleased with his deduction. The cool fa?ade he''d tried to maintain earlier had completely crumbled.


    "Duel Academy? What kind of academy is that?" Alarmed, Hoshino leaned closer. "Are you telling me that ten years in the future, I''m stuck in school? That''s such a depressing life!"


    (I, Hoshino Chiyuki, hate two things: school and work!)


    The thought of spending her future tied to a mundane institution felt like the cruelest betrayal¡ªher dreams and ambitions reduced to nothing.


    Seeing the familiar look of despair cross her face, Jonouchi scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Heh, a lot happened in between, but it wasn''t all bad. At least... not until recently."


    His gaze shifted toward the destruction around them¡ªthe fleeing crowds, the smoldering wreckage. His expression turned grim, a seriousness born of years of growth and hardship.


    "So, what''s going on?" Hoshino asked, her tone matching his. "Why are monsters going berserk and destroying everything? Don''t tell me this is some new shenanigans of Kaiba''s."


    Her first thought was of Seto Kaiba, the eccentric, science-obsessed inventor of the duel system. If anyone could push the limits of technology to dangerous extremes, it was him.


    Jonouchi shook his head firmly. "Kaiba may be a pain to deal with, but he''d never resort to something like this. This isn''t just happening in Domino City¡ªit''s a global disaster. Cities all over the world are facing destruction because of Duel Monsters coming to life."


    Even after all these years, Jonouchi''s animosity toward Kaiba hadn''t faded. But he also knew Kaiba''s character well enough to understand this went beyond even his eccentricities.


    "The Kaiba Corporation and Duel Academy must be working themselves to the bone trying to manage the crisis," Jonouchi added.


    "Wait, what exactly is this ''Academy'' you keep mentioning? Isn''t it just a regular school?" Hoshino asked, growing more confused.


    "That''s a long story¡ª"


    "ROOOAAAARRR!"


    A deafening roar interrupted him, followed by a blinding flash of white light. Hoshino turned in time to see the familiar figure of Red-Eyes Black Dragon dissolve into nothingness.


    "That roar...?" Hoshino''s heart sank as she turned toward the source. Her expression darkened. "Jonouchi, I''ll ask you again: Are you sure Kaiba has nothing to do with this?"


    Before them stood a massive Duel Monster, its form unmistakably that of Blue-Eyes White Dragon. But this wasn''t the Blue-Eyes Hoshino remembered¡ªit had a half-blackened face and wings, an aura of corruption surrounding it.


    "Damn it, it found us!" Jonouchi cursed, his voice sharp with urgency. "That''s Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "Malefic? What kind of monster is that?" Hoshino asked, her sharp eyes studying the corrupted version of Kaiba''s iconic dragon.


    "This thing''s no joke. My temporary deck doesn''t have anything strong monster enough to beat it. For now, we need to run!" Jonouchi grabbed Hoshino''s wrist, pulling her with him as he broke into a sprint.


    But her shorter legs struggled to keep up, and she was practically dragged along. The thunderous roars of the Malefic Blue-Eyes grew louder behind them, filling her with frustration and helplessness.


    To think I''d be hunted by Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ªthe very monster I once used as a benchmark for strength.


    ...


    "Wait, this isn''t right! Why am I running from a Duel Monster? I''m the Duel King, for crying out loud!" Digging in her heels, Hoshino yanked her wrist free and skidded to a stop.


    "It''s just a monster! Jonouchi, give me your duel disk, and I''ll take care of it!" she declared.


    "You''re being reckless, Master," a lively, cheerful voice interjected suddenly.


    "Summoning a Heroic Spirit across time requires immense energy. Right now, you wouldn''t be able to pull it off," the voice explained calmly. She stepped forward, her confidence unwavering.


    "But for a Heroic Spirit who can travel through time and space on her own? That''s another story!"


    With dazzling skill, Musashi charged toward the Malefic Blue-Eyes, her blades slicing through the air.


    "I''ll show you the true essence of the Five Rings!"


    "¡ªSix Realms Five Rings: The Divine Figure of Kurikara!"


    Hoshino was caught completely off guard by the sudden appearance of her unexpected guest.


    "Musashi-chan?!"


    It was Musashi Miyamoto¡ªthe Heroic Spirit of Chaldea, a legendary figure known for her unique ability to traverse time and space without the need for spirit particle transfer.


    "It''s been a while, Master. Did you miss me? But catching up will have to wait for now!"


    Standing firm in her dual-sword stance, Musashi unleashed a wave of energy from her swords, countering the Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s advance with overwhelming force.


    "Daijou-ten!" she declared, her voice ringing clear. Her powerful slash shattered the dragon''s momentum.


    The immense presence of Ni¨­ emerged behind her¡ªa towering manifestation wielding four swords, its colossal size rivaling that of the Malefic Blue-Eyes. Its ferocious visage exuded an aura of divine power.


    "Namu, Tenman Daijizai Tenjin! Ni¨­ Kurikara! Shoutenshou!"


    The Ni¨­''s swords, representing "Earth," "Water," "Fire," and "Wind," struck the Malefic Blue-Eyes in succession. Each blow exploded magnificently upon the massive dragon''s body, forcing it to stagger and crash into the ground. A massive crater formed where it fell.


    The clash lasted only an instant, but its effects far surpassed the virtual imagery of Duel Monsters.


    "Come hither, my roaring sword, now unsheathed!" Following the chaotic flurry of the Ni¨­''s strikes, Musashi gathered her sword energy into a single glowing blade. With a leap, she ascended high into the air, her silhouette framed against the blazing backdrop of the city.


    "¡ªIshana, Daitenshou!!"


    With an earth-shaking impact, her blade''s radiant energy cleaved through the dragon and the street below. The Malefic Blue-Eyes let out an agonized scream as the light engulfed it, carving a massive rift into the already devastated street. When the light faded, the dragon was no more, vanquished by Musashi''s strike.


    Hoshino, still processing the scene, stared at the battlefield. Unlike a normal Duel Monster battle, where damage would fade once the duel concluded, the destruction here was real and permanent. The crater and scars left behind were undeniable proof of the clash''s impact.


    "So¡­ this really isn''t just some virtual projection," she murmured, the weight of the situation settling on her.


    "That''s right, Master," Musashi said, resting her sword casually on her shoulder. "Both I and that monster are beings capable of directly affecting this world."


    While Hoshino wore a troubled expression, Jonouchi seemed exhilarated.


    "That was incredible! You took down the Malefic Blue-Eyes in one go! It''s been so long since I''ve seen one of Hoshino''s Heroic Spirits, but they''re as cool and reliable as ever!"


    "Cool and reliable? Are you talking about me?" Musashi tilted her head, her expression betraying slight embarrassment. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she scratched at them shyly.


    "Hehe, I''m just a humble swordswoman of some fame. There are plenty of others better at dragon-slaying than me~"


    Hoshino cut in, her tone sharp. "Musashi-chan, earlier you mentioned I couldn''t summon Heroic Spirits. What did you mean by that? Wasn''t the failed attempt to summon Karna because my Duel Disk was outdated?"


    Musashi grew serious, her playful demeanor fading. "I don''t know much about Duel Disks, but I do have a message from Da Vinci to deliver to you, Master."


    Hoshino sighed in exasperation at the mention of Da Vinci. "A message from Da Vinci-chan? She''d better have a good explanation for dumping me in this place."


    "It''s directly related to why you''re here," Musashi said. "Da Vinci explained that opening a tunnel through world''s requires vividly recalling the destination you want to reach. Strong emotions and clear memories serve as the anchor."


    "Yeah, I know that much," Hoshino replied, crossing her arms. "But I swear, the place I envisioned was my home¡ªnot ''Domino City'' from ten years later."


    "That''s where things get strange," Musashi continued. "Before you crossed over, did you notice anything unusual? Da Vinci observed the Millennium Necklace emitting unprecedented power right before your jump."


    Hoshino''s eyes widened as she recalled a fleeting memory¡ªa brief vision of a man standing amidst a desolate wasteland, his Duel Disk gleaming on his arm. His eyes burned with despair and vengeance.


    "Are you saying I ended up here because of what the Millennium Necklace showed me?" Hoshino asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.


    First, Hoshino didn''t recognize the man in the vision. According to Ishizu, the Millennium Necklace could only show glimpses of a future closely tied to its wielder.


    Second, while this Domino City from ten years later had suffered damage from rampaging Duel Monsters, it was still far from the desolate ruins she had seen in her vision.


    Musashi shook her head, her expression serious. "This is all the information we have right now. Even Da Vinci and Holmes can''t deduce anything more." Then, with an optimistic smile, she added, "So our next goal is clear¡ªto protect Master and gather as much intel as possible in this world!"


    Jonouchi, looking thoroughly confused, interrupted. "Wait, I''m completely lost here. Da Vinci, Holmes? I haven''t met them before, but they sound like Duel Monsters, right? Why do they feel like real people? And this beautiful swordswoman¡ªshe''s supposed to be the Miyamoto Musashi, right? So why is she a girl?"


    He bombarded them with a stream of questions, his face a mix of confusion and disbelief. From the Duel Monster rampages to Hoshino''s time travel and the sudden appearance of this so-called "Miyamoto Musashi," it was clear that Jonouchi''s worldview had taken more hits in the past minutes than in the last several years combined.


    "There are some things I can''t explain, even if I wanted to~" Hoshino replied with a shrug. "And as for Musashi-chan¡ªif King Arthur and Oda Nobunaga can be girls, why not Miyamoto Musashi?"


    Jonouchi stared at her, clearly unsatisfied, but Hoshino brushed him off with a casual wave. Spending time clarifying such questions seemed pointless when there were far more pressing matters to address.


    Unfazed, Jonouchi pressed on. "So you''re planning to investigate the Duel Monster rampages, Hoshino? But isn''t it dangerous to act alone when you can''t even use your Duel Disk or deck?"


    "With me protecting Master, there''s no danger at all~" Musashi interjected confidently, thumping her chest with pride. The gesture caused her "giant assets" to bounce slightly, though she seemed completely unaware of the effect.


    "No, I don''t intend to act alone," Hoshino clarified, her tone serious as she laid out her next plan. "If possible, Jonouchi, I''d like your help."


    Jonouchi blinked in surprise. "My help?"


    "Yes," Hoshino replied firmly. "I want you to take me to the ''Academy.'' I need to meet the Hoshino Chiyuki of this world."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 264 - 264

    "Huh? Hoshino, you''re going to meet the Hoshino of this world? You''re going to meet yourself?"


    Hoshino''s peculiar logic momentarily left Jonouchi struggling to wrap his head around the idea.


    "Wait... Master wants to meet this world''s Master? Then who would be my Master when you meet each other?" Musashi, equally perplexed, fixated on a question that wasn''t particularly relevant.


    "That''s right," Hoshino confirmed, analyzing the situation with a calm demeanor despite their stunned reactions. "If the me of this timeline exists, she should be in contact with this timeline''s Chaldea. That would make gathering information much easier."


    Of course, what Hoshino cared about most right now wasn''t the cause of the Duel Monster riots but figuring out how to return to her original Domino City.


    What? You''re asking why she didn''t just focus on returning to her original world? Please¡ªif even the Hoshino from this future hadn''t managed to go back, how could she hope for such a thing? The current Hoshino had completely abandoned that hope.


    Well... maybe not entirely. Deep down, she still clung to a sliver of optimism. Since worldlines branch into countless variations from even the smallest of influences, perhaps her arrival in Future Domino City could somehow open up a new worldline where she returned to her original one.


    "I don''t know what this ''Chaldea'' is supposed to be," Jonouchi admitted, scratching his head apologetically. "But I really want to help solve this incident with you, Hoshino. It''s just... Shizuka and the others are waiting for me to return. I only came here because I heard Duel Monsters were causing trouble in the streets."


    So that was it. Jonouchi was playing the role of a protector of Domino City. Despite being just a "rookie," he was safeguarding his family while shouldering the city''s safety. Though he still seemed as clueless as ever, the future Jonouchi had undeniably grown into a true man.


    Hoshino was touched by Jonouchi''s words but quickly realized a key issue. "Speaking of which, what about Yugi and Kaiba? They should still be around, right?" It seemed odd for Jonouchi to be the only one fighting.


    "Yugi''s been in America for the past few years, and Kaiba''s always jetting around the globe. It''s pretty rare to see them here these days," Jonouchi explained, his tone tinged with melancholy. The companions who once spent so much time together had been scattered far and wide by the demands of life.


    "I see..." Though she hadn''t experienced it herself, imagining it left Hoshino with a bitter taste. Those cherished times from the past were now just sealed memories, while growing up meant confronting the realities of life.


    "In that case, I won''t push you, Jonouchi. Musashi and I will go together."


    "No, Hoshino, you probably won''t be able to go today," Jonouchi said, glancing at the fading sunlight.


    "The academy is located on an island, and due to the current circumstances, the ferry only runs twice daily, in the morning and at noon."


    Hoshino followed Jonouchi''s gaze to the sky, realizing that she had lost track of time since her arrival. The setting sun confirmed that the last ferry had already departed. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "An island, huh? I guess there''s nothing I can do, then," Hoshino sighed lightly. Standing amidst the ruined street, with smoke still rising from the destruction, she couldn''t help but feel agitated. But moments like these often called for a pause to regroup¡ªespecially since she couldn''t use her deck and hadn''t eaten all day.


    Grrr~


    Hoshino''s empty stomach made its dissatisfaction loudly known.


    "Hahaha!" Jonouchi laughed, the sound hearty and familiar. "Hoshino, you really haven''t changed at all. Let me guess¡ªyou haven''t eaten anything all day again. Perfect timing, though¡ªI''m hungry too. Let''s head back and have Shizuka make us something delicious!"


    At the mention of food, Musashi''s eyes lit up. "Free food, Master! What''s there to hesitate about? I didn''t eat before coming here either. If there''s udon, even better~"


    Servants didn''t need to eat to sustain themselves, so if Musashi wanted food, there was only one reason¡ªshe was craving it. Seeing Musashi''s expectant expression, Hoshino sighed. "Looks like someone else has been spoiled by Emiya''s cooking."


    With Jonouchi''s invitation, Hoshino and Musashi decided to stay the night. The Future Domino City was unfamiliar to Hoshino. Forget her old, small apartment¡ªeven Kame Game Shop might no longer exist.


    Of course, since Jonouchi didn''t bring it up, Hoshino refrained from asking too many questions. Knowing about the future wasn''t always as wonderful as it seemed¡ªit could often be quite cruel.


    On the way, Hoshino fiddled with Jonouchi''s new Duel Disk under Musashi''s curious gaze. As expected, summoning Servants across timelines wasn''t something that could be done easily, even with Jonouchi''s upgraded Duel Disk.


    In other words, without Musashi''s intervention, Hoshino might have been killed by the Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon. The realization sent a shiver down her spine.


    "Master, you don''t need to worry too much. I''m here with you, after all," Musashi reassured her, her voice brimming with confidence.


    "I do trust your skills, Musashi." But Hoshino knew all too well that this world wasn''t one where power alone could solve everything. Without a usable deck, she couldn''t help feeling uneasy.


    "Wait... let''s check the system!" Hoshino suddenly remembered something important. When she''d crossed into the VR game world before, the system (or rather, Da Vinci) had cleverly enabled her to use Heroic Spirits via Install. Maybe Da Vinci had a solution this time too.


    [System detected Duelist ID #001, Hoshino Chiyuki. Victory in the Shadow Game achieved. Awarding 1 SSR Summon Ticket.]


    [System detected Duelist ID #001, Hoshino Chiyuki. Singularity Repair: Battle City of the Bound Gods¡ªcompleted. Awarding 300 Saint Quartz. Current total: 310 Saint Quartz.]


    "W-what?!" Hoshino gasped in shock. Both the 300 Saint Quartz and the so-called singularity repair left her utterly speechless.


    [Limited-time banner: Bonds Beyond Time¡ªAll of your current Heroic Spirits are featured. Fight for your future and claim it!]


    "As expected, Da Vinci came through," Hoshino muttered.


    Looking at the banner featuring all Heroic Spirits, Hoshino instantly understood Da Vinci''s plan. If she couldn''t summon across timelines, she''d just have to summon them again in this one.


    "Who are you trying to fool? Isn''t this just a ploy to drain my Quartz?!"


    Knowing full well it was a trap to drain her quartz, Hoshino had no choice but to jump in. Without a proper deck¡ªeven a low-tier card like Spartacus¡ªhow was she supposed to duel?


    "Still the same old Hoshino, huh? Even when you''re quiet, your expressions say it all," Jonouchi chuckled, watching as Hoshino cycled through a range of emotions¡ªsurprise, joy, and frustration¡ªall in rapid succession.


    "Alright, let''s start with a ten-pull!" With 300 Saint Quartz in her possession, Hoshino felt wealthier than ever before. Yet, without a single usable Heroic Spirit at her disposal, she was also poorer than she''d ever been.


    Caught in this contradiction, Hoshino knew there was no time to delay. If some villain suddenly appeared to challenge her to a duel, she''d be nothing more than a sitting duck with no cards in her hand.


    And since the banner promised "All of your current Heroic Spirits are featured," it basically guaranteed she''d only pull duplicates of the ones she already had. A sneaky ploy by Da Vinci to activate some hidden pay-to-play mechanic. Truly, it was the height of capitalist genius.


    "Well, even if I only pull silver or bronze cards, it''s not a total loss!"


    Sometimes, though, when you least expect it, hope sneaks up on you. The first roll of the ten-pull shimmered with a golden light, catching Hoshino completely off guard.


    "No way... Could it be?!" she gasped, the excitement of pulling her first golden card, Siegfried, during the Duelist Kingdom days flooding back to her.


    "Sorry, it''s just me again..."


    History¡ªor the future¡ªrepeated itself. Hoshino''s first gold card was, once again, Siegfried.


    Siegfried wasn''t weak by any means, but holding his familiar card in her hand immediately sapped all her earlier excitement.


    ¡ªWhat was so thrilling about pulling duplicates, anyway?


    Mechanically continuing her gacha pulls as they walked, Hoshino burned through all 300 of her quartz. By the end, she had restored her deck to a serviceable state, though it was still missing some rare SSRs.


    "Whatever. If gold cards are scarce, I''ll just rely on silver and bronze cards. We FGO players are built for this!"


    Even so, she had one ace left¡ªher SSR summon ticket. It had never failed her before and wouldn''t give her a duplicate, no matter the circumstances.


    [Would you like to use one SSR-exclusive summon ticket?]


    "Confirm!"


    Gold light burst forth¡ªa guaranteed, bona fide SSR. This one wouldn''t be from Da Vinci''s sneaky duplicate-laden banner.


    "Come on, come on¡ªmy first real SSR of the future!"


    Musashi: "Sorry to disappoint you, Master¡ªit''s just me~"


    Looking bashful, Musashi glanced between Hoshino and the card in her hand. "Master, could you stop staring at the stats like that? Having my power exposed feels kind of embarrassing~"


    Since Musashi was one of the rare Heroic Spirits capable of traveling through time, it made sense that she''d appear as Hoshino''s SSR in this world. After all, pulling a different Heroic Spirit¡ªone she couldn''t bring back to her original timeline¡ªwould''ve been even more awkward.


    "Well, yeah, I get that, but¡­ I still feel like my emotions have been toyed with¡­"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "We''re here!"


    Jonouchi had matched Hoshino''s slow pace as she pulled cards, turning what should''ve been a 10-minute walk into nearly half an hour.


    "This might be a familiar place for the Hoshino of this time, but for you, this should be your first time here."


    Indeed, Hoshino had never been to Jonouchi''s house before. The modest two-story home wasn''t anything remarkable. Simple and unassuming¡ªjust like its owner.


    "At this time, Shizuka and the others should be cooking. I wonder how surprised they''ll be to meet the Hoshino from the past," Jonouchi chuckled as he jogged to the door.


    "Shizuka and the others? You mean your parents?" Hoshino guessed. But Jonouchi didn''t seem like the type to still live with his parents at his age.


    "Coming, coming! Geez, you''ll knock the door off its hinges at this rate!"


    A soft, mature voice responded to Jonouchi''s frantic knocking. The tone was gentle but too youthful to belong to a parent. Oddly familiar, too.


    "You''re back already? Did you take care of the commotion? You didn''t get hurt, did you, Katsuya?"


    When the door opened, a stunning, elegant woman greeted them.


    "Easy-peasy! ¡­Well, not that easy. Hoshino here was a big help¡­"


    "Mai?! What are you doing here?" Hoshino exclaimed, instantly recognizing Mai Valentine, whose appearance hadn''t changed much despite the passing years.


    Spotting the unfamiliar girls behind Jonouchi, Mai raised a brow. "What''s going on, Katsuya? You went out for a fight and came back with two girls? You''ve been busy, huh?"


    "Haha! It''s a long story, Mai. Let''s head inside first." Jonouchi rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly.


    "Oniichan, is that you? Are you back?"


    A softer voice chimed in from the kitchen as a young woman peeked out. More elegant and beautiful than before, Shizuka''s delicate features carried an air of maturity. Her face turned red upon noticing Hoshino and Musashi.


    "Oh, I didn''t know we had guests! Good evening. Please, make yourselves comfortable~"


    In the middle of the dining table¡ªa simple square design¡ªdeliciously aromatic dishes were already laid out. The sight made Hoshino''s grumbling stomach roar to life again.


    "Alright, Katsuya¡ªspill it. What''s the story here?" Mai asked, pulling out a chair with casual ease.


    "Heh, don''t freak out, Mai, but doesn''t this one look familiar?" Jonouchi grinned, gesturing to Hoshino before recounting the events that had brought them here.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "What?! This is Hoshino¡­ from ten years ago?!" Mai''s shock was tinged with unexpected delight.


    Hoshino, meanwhile, could barely keep up. "Wait, Jonouchi, when you mentioned a girlfriend earlier¡­ you meant Mai?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 265 - 265

    "Something good has been wasted on someone who doesn''t deserve it."


    "Something beautiful is stuck in an awful place."


    "Someone is bragging..."


    Carrying a dish to the table, Jonouchi glanced at Hoshino, who had been muttering with a sour expression for some time. "Hey, Hoshino, what are you grumbling about? If you''re hungry, just start eating already."


    At the table, Musashi''s skill with chopsticks rivaled her swordsmanship. Even though it wasn''t dual-wielding, chopsticks were still two sticks, so her dexterity was impressive. "This is so good, Master! It''s no less delicious than what Miss Tamamo makes!"


    "So Duel Monsters really can eat food, huh? Today''s been full of surprises," Jonouchi remarked, staring in disbelief at Musashi, who was shamelessly enjoying the meal.


    "Whether it''s Duel Monsters or Heroic Spirits, food that''s both delicious and filling is a gift from heaven," Musashi replied earnestly, her face glowing with happiness.


    Sitting beside her, Mai spoke softly, "Chiyuki-chan, don''t be shy. Think about what kind of relationship we have~" Since Hoshino was technically younger, Mai instinctively added the "chan" suffix to her name.


    Ten years seemed to have left little mark on Mai. If there was any change, it was the softening of her once fiery sensuality into a gentle elegance.


    Sigh. Hoshino sighed quietly, gradually coming to terms with the reality of Mai being with Jonouchi. After all, if Mai could accept something as absurd as her traveling into the future, what right did Hoshino have to interfere with their happiness?


    So sour¡­ another lemon to eat.


    With the last dish brought to the table, Shizuka took her seat as well. "Hoshino, you''ve really had it tough, huh? Traveling all the way to the future, only to get caught up in a Duel Monster rampage."


    Why does it sound like she''s saying I came here for a vacation¡­


    "By the way, Jonouchi, since Chiyuki-chan is heading to the academy tomorrow, why don''t you go with her? The Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon is defeated, so the leftover minor monsters shouldn''t cause too much trouble," Mai suggested.


    Jonouchi nodded, understanding her concern. "I was planning on it. Even with Musashi protecting her, letting two girls travel alone in times like these is too dangerous."


    Now, in their eyes, Hoshino seemed no different from a teenage runaway¡ªsomeone who needed protection.


    "Let''s not talk about such serious topics while eating. Hoshino must be hungry," Shizuka said warmly.


    Hearing her stomach growl¡ªperhaps the lemons had only increased her hunger¡ªHoshino relented. "A soldier with an empty stomach can''t fight. Let''s deal with the troublesome stuff after we eat!"


    Clasping her hands together, Hoshino picked up her chopsticks. "Alright, time to dig in¡ª"


    BOOM!


    An untimely explosion, accompanied by a dragon''s roar, interrupted Hoshino just as her chopsticks were about to reach her first bite.


    Jonouchi, Mai, Musashi, and Shizuka immediately stood and turned toward the window.


    "This can''t be..." Unlike the others, who reacted instantly, Hoshino hesitated, debating whether to continue eating. If she didn''t eat now, she might not get another chance.


    "Just one bite¡ªlet me have just one bite!" The piece of fried chicken in front of her looked too tempting, holding its own against the weight of impending danger. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn''t have worried about table manners earlier when Jonouchi told her to eat.


    Sensing murderous intent, Musashi grabbed Hoshino''s hand just as the chicken was about to reach her mouth. "Master, what are you doing? The enemy is already attacking! This is no time for eating!"


    Musashi, you traitor! After drinking and eating your fill, now you abandon your master?


    Outside the house, darkness engulfed the street. A pitch-black dragon merged with the night, its crimson eyes gleaming like ominous stars in the sky.


    "Red-Eyes Black Dragon?! How is this possible?!" Jonouchi exclaimed as he stepped outside.


    "Hahaha! Katsuya Jonouchi! One of the world''s top five duelists, as recognized by Duel Monsters'' creator, Pegasus J. Crawford¡ªyet this is the extent of your perception? How disappointing!"


    A wild, arrogant laugh echoed as a man stepped out from the shadows beside the dragon. "Take a closer look at your precious Red-Eyes Black Dragon. It now belongs to me!"


    "My Red-Eyes?! Stolen?!" Jonouchi gasped, pulling out the card only to see the image of his once-proud monster fade away, leaving behind a pitch-black void.


    "Damn it, when did this happen¡­ Could it be?!" Jonouchi''s eyes widened as he recalled the moment his Red-Eyes had been destroyed by the Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "By defeating others'' monsters, you can steal them and make the once-virtual Duel Monsters materialize for destruction¡­ So, you must be the mastermind behind all this chaos."


    With deliberate, forceful steps, a masked man emerged from the darkness. "Jonouchi, an undeniable force in Duel Monster history. To achieve the great goal of erasing Duel Monsters from existence, I, Byakuya, must make you disappear tonight!"


    The man, Byakuya, extended his arm, revealing a strange black duel disk unlike the ones Hoshino and Jonouchi used.


    "Wait, did he just say Jonouchi is one of the world''s top five duelists?! When did that happen?" Hoshino''s expression was one of utter disbelief as her image of "Rookie Jonouchi" crumbled.


    "Oh? A woman not in the records. Why is she with Jonouchi?" Byakuya noticed Hoshino, momentarily surprised.


    "But since she isn''t in the records, she must be an insignificant weakling¡ªnot even worth eliminating."


    Jonouchi activated his duel disk without hesitation. "A duel? I''m game. Let me show you what happens when you challenge Jonouchi the Great!"


    Mai looked concerned. "Jonouchi, without your Red-Eyes Black Dragon, can you even¡ª"


    "Don''t worry, Mai!" Jonouchi interrupted, his eyes burning with determination. "In front of my friends, my sister, and the woman I love, how could I, Katsuya Jonouchi, retreat over something so trivial?!"


    "That''s a nice speech, but..." Hoshino suddenly interjected, strapping on a duel disk she had somehow acquired.


    "But stealing someone else''s ace monster and then picking a fight? Isn''t that a bit shameful for a mastermind?"


    "Wait, is that my duel disk?!" Mai asked in confusion. "When did you get that?"


    "I had Musashi grab it just now. Anyway, I''ll return it later, Mai~"


    Standing beside Jonouchi, Hoshino spread her duel disk wide. "Let this so-called insignificant weakling join the fray too. What do you say?"


    "Hahaha, it doesn''t matter how many weaklings join forces! In the face of the absolute power bestowed upon me by Lord Paradox, you outdated duelists stand no chance!"


    The masked man, Byakuya, didn''t seem fazed by Hoshino''s sudden intervention. Instead, his arrogance only grew.


    Jonouchi frowned, staying on alert. "Paradox? So, you''re not the mastermind behind the monster rampage?"


    Hoshino furrowed her brow as well. "Outdated duelists..."


    Byakuya''s words struck a chord, stirring a memory in Hoshino''s mind¡ªthe humans she had seen passing by during her journey through the tunnel.


    "Could it be¡­ this guy came from the future?"


    After an entire day of chaos, Hoshino felt her brain nearing its limit. The tangled web of causes and effects occasionally revealed faint threads of clarity, teasing her curiosity.


    Raising his uniquely designed Duel Disk, Byakuya sneered. "Those about to die have no need for further knowledge. Let''s begin the duel!"


    Jonouchi grinned, brimming with confidence. "Fine by me!"


    Hoshino nodded. "Let''s settle this with a duel!"


    [Byakuya vs. Jonouchi & Hoshino]


    [Duel Start!]


    "I''ll go first. Draw!" Jonouchi swiftly drew a card and slapped a monster card onto his Duel Disk.


    "I summon [The Black Stone of Legend] in Attack Position!"


    [The Black Stone of Legend ¡ï (Level 1)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    A black gem materialized on Jonouchi''s field, its crimson glow strikingly vivid in the dimly lit street.


    Despite its ominous appearance, the monster''s combat power was non-existent.


    Hoshino couldn''t help but marvel. "Summoning a monster with 0 attack points in Attack Position... Jonouchi, your dueling style has gotten a lot bolder!"


    She recalled their first tag duel against Kaiba, where Jonouchi had been mocked for summoning a 1500-ATK monster in Attack Position during his opening move.


    Jonouchi smirked confidently. "Heh, I''m not the same guy I was back then. Watch carefully, Hoshino, and witness the true power of my deck! I activate [The Black Stone of Legend]''s special effect!"


    [You can Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 Level 7 or lower "Red-Eyes" monster from your Deck.]


    The black gem began to crack, releasing crimson waves of energy from its core.


    "A Level 7 or lower Red-Eyes monster?" Hoshino tilted her head, intrigued. "But your Red-Eyes Black Dragon was stolen, wasn''t it?"


    "You think that''s my only ace?" Jonouchi grinned and confidently slapped a card onto his Duel Disk.


    "I Special Summon from my Deck [Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon]!"


    From the swirling crimson energy emerged a black dragon, its icy aura chilling the air. It briefly vanished into the shadows before reappearing in its full, menacing form.


    [Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Zombie/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    Despite the dragon''s terrifying presence, Hoshino''s excitement bubbled over. "That''s amazing! Summoning such a powerful monster in just one turn¡ªyou''ve really improved!"


    "The battle''s just begun, Hoshino. Don''t get too comfortable just yet." Jonouchi''s calm, determined demeanor exuded the confidence of a top-tier duelist. For a fleeting moment, Hoshino was tempted to believe the claim that he was one of the "world''s top five duelists."


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    [Jonouchi''s Hand: 3 Cards | Set Cards: 2]


    "Hmph. Done with your little show? Then it''s my turn. Draw!" Byakuya remained unbothered by the chilling presence of Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon. Activating a hidden mechanism on his Duel Disk, he sneered.


    "Now, it''s time to unveil the arena I''ve prepared for you. Don''t think you''ll walk away unscathed! I activate the Field Spell [Malefic World]!"


    The surroundings twisted and distorted, transforming into a surreal, chaotic realm of swirling colors.


    As the spell took effect, Hoshino felt a wave of unease wash over her. "This isn''t quite like a Shadow Game, but¡­ this space definitely harms the soul."


    Byakuya shot her a sinister grin. "Impressive. For a no-name duelist, you''re surprisingly perceptive. That''s right¡ªanyone who loses in Malefic World will be erased from existence entirely."


    Jonouchi''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Erased from existence? You mean¡ª?"


    "Your very being will vanish. No one will remember you ever existed. Only by erasing you so completely can we purge Duel Monsters from history!"


    Hoshino narrowed her eyes, her tone sharp. "Why do you hate Duel Monsters so much? You''re playing the game yourself¡ªdoesn''t that make you a hypocrite?"


    "Enough talk! Prepare for judgment! I activate the effect of [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon] from my hand!"


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must first be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" from your Deck.]


    Byakuya''s Duel Disk automatically ejected a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from his Deck, banishing it instantly.


    "Come forth, the resurrected emperor of Malefic World! I Special Summon [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon]!"


    [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    The dragon emerged, its black-accented wings and head radiating malevolence. It was unmistakably the same Malefic Blue-Eyes that had wreaked havoc earlier.


    Hoshino''s curiosity flared. "Wait, aren''t all three Blue-Eyes White Dragons supposed to be in Kaiba''s hands? How do you have one?"


    Jonouchi''s jaw dropped. "If you''ve got a Blue-Eyes, does that mean Kaiba lost again?!" S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why did you have to add "again"? Did Kaiba lose another duel?


    "Hahaha, who knows~" Byakuya''s cryptic response dripped with mockery. "Kaiba, one of the world''s top five duelists, is naturally a prime target. Perhaps your ally has already fallen!"


    As Malefic Blue-Eyes let out a blood-curdling roar, its gaze locked onto Jonouchi''s Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon.


    "Follow in your comrade''s footsteps, Jonouchi Katsuya! Malefic Blue-Eyes, attack!"


    Jonouchi''s instincts kicked in. Seeing the incoming attack, one of his face-down cards flipped open.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Flash Fusion]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 266 - 266

    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Flash Fusion]!"


    As the Malefic World field spell activated, the entire space was sealed off. Mai, Shizuka, and Musashi¡ªwho had been outside the duel¡ªvanished without a trace.


    Now, in this surreal realm filled with swirling, vibrant colors, only three people and their dragons remained, locked in a life-or-death battle.


    Jonouchi''s Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon, summoned during the first turn, stood ready. Yet it was clear that Byakuya''s Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon was the greater threat. Even so, Jonouchi''s confidence surged as he revealed his next move: the Quick-Play Spell Flash Fusion.


    [Flash Fusion Quick-Play Effect: Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Material. Destroy it during the End Phase.]


    "The true potential of the Red-Eyes will now be unleashed! Using the effect of Flash Fusion, I''ll perform a Fusion Summon with monsters from my hand and field!" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jonouchi sent Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon from his field and another monster from his hand to the Graveyard. The icy dragon, braced for Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s incoming attack, dissolved into beams of black light, merging with another dragon.


    "I''ll fuse Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon on my field with Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact from my hand!"


    Dark energy erupted as the fusion completed, its aura completely overshadowing the light of Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon. A new, formidable dragon descended onto the battlefield.


    "Fusion Summon¡ª[Meteor Black Comet Dragon]!"


    [Meteor Black Comet Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3500/DEF 2000]


    [Fusion Materials: 1 Level 7 "Red-Eyes" monster + 1 Level 6 Dragon monster]


    Shrouded in flaming crimson energy, the massive dragon spread its enormous wings across the warped landscape of Malefic World, its presence as intense as a meteor streaking through the atmosphere.


    "And now, your attack will backfire!" Jonouchi declared. As Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s devastating light approached, Meteor Black Comet Dragon roared and retaliated.


    "Counterattack, Meteor Black Comet Dragon¡ªBlack Inferno Meteor Blast!"


    A barrage of fiery meteors erupted from the dragon''s maw, overwhelming the destructive white light and obliterating the corrupted form of Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    [Byakuya''s LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    "It''s not over yet!" Jonouchi said, pressing his advantage. "The effect of Meteor Black Comet Dragon activates upon Fusion Summon!"


    [Meteor Black Comet Dragon Effect: If this card is Fusion Summoned: You can send 1 "Red-Eyes" monster from your hand or Deck to the GY, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half the original ATK of that monster.]


    "I''ll send Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard and inflict damage equal to half its ATK!"


    Jonouchi retrieved a card from his deck and sent it to the Graveyard. As he did, the wings of Meteor Black Comet Dragon ignited with blazing crimson flames.


    "Take this¡ª1200 points of direct damage from the Crimson Meteor Burn!"


    Flames erupted from the dragon''s wings, engulfing Byakuya''s defenseless field.


    [Byakuya''s LP 3500 ¡ú 2300]


    "Awesome move, Jonouchi!" Hoshino exclaimed, awestruck by the sudden counterattack. She could barely believe the power and skill Jonouchi now displayed. This was far beyond the carefree duelist she once knew.


    Jonouchi rubbed his nose confidently. "It''s not about me being awesome; it''s about him being terrible! At this level, there''s no way he could''ve beaten that arrogant Kaiba!"


    Over the years, Jonouchi had grown into a powerful duelist. Hoshino couldn''t even begin to fathom how strong Kaiba must have become.


    "That said, I never believed he could beat Kaiba in the first place," Hoshino remarked. "Think about it¡ªif what he says is true, that defeated duelists are erased from existence, then if he really beat Kaiba, we wouldn''t even remember who Kaiba is, right?"


    Jonouchi blinked, then grinned. "Hah! That actually makes sense! That guy''s too stubborn to disappear anyway.""


    Hoshino''s logical reasoning provided irrefutable evidence that Kaiba had not been defeated, much to Jonouchi''s relief.


    But Byakuya wasn''t fazed. Despite losing half his Life Points and his monster, he smirked. "Impressive, Jonouchi. But thanks to Flash Fusion, your Meteor Black Comet Dragon will be destroyed at the end of this turn!"


    With a dramatic flourish, Byakuya revealed his next move.


    "Furthermore, my Malefic World allows me to summon powerful monsters in succession! Watch as your efforts are crushed! I banish Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my Deck to Special Summon [Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon]!"


    [Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    A corrupted version of Jonouchi''s ace monster appeared on Byakuya''s field, its white-accented wings and head glowing malevolently.


    Jonouchi''s fists clenched. "Damn it! He''s using my Red-Eyes against me!"


    Byakuya chuckled. "I set three cards face-down and end my turn! And now, due to the effect of Flash Fusion, your Meteor Black Comet Dragon is destroyed!"


    As predicted, the mighty dragon disintegrated, vanishing from the field.


    But Jonouchi smirked as he slid the card into his Graveyard. "Even though Meteor Black Comet Dragon is gone, the will of the Red-Eyes remains! I activate its final effect!"


    [Meteor Black Comet Dragon Effect: If this card is sent from the Monster Zone to the GY: You can target 1 Normal Monster in your GY; Special Summon it.]


    "I''ll bring back the monster I sent to the Graveyard earlier¡ª[Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon]!"


    From the Graveyard, the mighty dragon reappeared, its crimson eyes glowing with determination.


    [Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Dragon/Gemini/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    [This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the Graveyard.]


    The battlefield grew tense as Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon and Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon, both with equal attack power, glared at each other. Their fierce standoff embodied the will of their duelists¡ªneither side willing to back down.


    "Such tenacity, Jonouchi, but it''s still futile in the face of Malefic!"


    Breaking the intense standoff between the two black dragons, Byakuya activated a card from his duel disk.


    "Face-down Trap Card, activate¡ª[Malefic Claw Stream]!"


    [Malefic Claw Stream Trap Card Effect: Activate only if you control a face-up "Malefic" monster. Select 1 monster your opponent controls and destroy it.]


    A terrifying energy emanated from the claws of Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon, wrapping around the opposing Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon and crushing it.


    [Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    Byakuya sneered. "What did I say? Now the one with an empty field is you! Hah!"


    As the flames of the destroyed dragon extinguished, Jonouchi scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, Hoshino... I couldn''t leave you a better field to work with. All that bravado earlier, huh?"


    Hoshino smiled, shaking her head. "No need to apologize. That was already incredible. Honestly, you''re the most dependable Jonouchi I''ve ever seen."


    "Leave the rest to me!" she added confidently.


    Although Hoshino wasn''t at her prime¡ªhaving lost some of her key cards since her duel with Marik¡ªshe knew she had to be cautious against a duelist from the future.


    Byakuya scoffed. "Teaming up with such a no-name duelist, Jonouchi? She''s probably just dragging you down!"


    His dismissive attitude made it clear he underestimated Hoshino. His use of Malefic Claw Stream earlier was proof¡ªhe didn''t see her as a threat.


    But instead of getting angry, Hoshino smiled inwardly. Why waste energy on a dead man?


    In this duel, only the winners would leave alive.


    She drew her card with confidence, studying the duel disk''s unfamiliar design.


    "Let me figure this thing out," she muttered, adjusting to the newer model.


    Though unfamiliar, the duel disk''s purpose was clear: to enable duels. After a few moments of fiddling, she nodded in satisfaction.


    "Alright. My turn¡ªdraw!" Hoshino declared, her voice filled with resolve. "A ''no-name duelist,'' huh? Then get ready to see what this no-name can do!"


    Her gaze flicked to the Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon looming on the opponent''s field, then to Jonouchi.


    "Hey, remember the first time we tag-teamed in a duel?"


    Jonouchi scratched his head, embarrassed. "Kinda? The details are a little fuzzy, though."


    It had been just a month ago for Hoshino, but for Jonouchi, it was a memory buried ten years in the past.


    "We had the same monsters on the field back then: Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and..."


    With a dramatic flourish, she slapped a card onto her duel disk. Her tone shifted, commanding and determined.


    "And this one¡ªthe Dragon-Slaying Hero, Siegfried!"


    Jonouchi''s eyes widened in recognition. "Siegfried? But Hoshino, didn''t Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon just get destroyed by that trap? How can you summon it now?"


    Even after ten years, Jonouchi vividly remembered Siegfried. "If I recall, Siegfried''s effect lets it double its ATK by using a dragon as tribute, right? But it still needs a tribute to summon..."


    Hoshino smiled confidently. "Blue-Eyes and Red-Eyes have evolved¡ªso why shouldn''t I? Watch closely. This is the power of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Dragon-Blooded Knight Siegfried]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Dragon-Blooded Knight Siegfried ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 3000]


    "You''re summoning a Level 6 monster without a tribute? No... wait..." Byakuya faltered, realization dawning.


    Pointing to Byakuya''s field, Hoshino interrupted, her voice cutting through his confusion. "Who says I didn''t tribute a monster?"


    Siegfried''s massive sword cleaved through Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon, slicing it cleanly in half.


    "Your dragon''s been tributed. Siegfried''s effect¡ª"


    [This card can be Tribute Summoned by using 1 Dragon-Type monster from either player''s field as Tribute. When Summoned this way, this card''s Type is also treated as Dragon.]


    "No! That... Heroic Spirit... This is...!" Byakuya''s eyes widened in panic.


    "Siegfried..." Jonouchi murmured, astonished.


    "The Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon was tributed, so now Siegfried gains double its ATK!" Hoshino declared.


    [Siegfried ATK 0 ¡ú 4800]


    "Not only does Siegfried surpass Blue-Eyes White Dragon in strength, but it''s also your worst nightmare!" Hoshino smirked.


    "You called me a no name¡ªnow prove your strength by surviving this sword!"


    Panic overtook Byakuya as he realized his overconfidence had cost him dearly. He braced himself as Siegfried raised its glowing blade.


    "Dragon blood stains this sword, granting it unmatched power!" declared Siegfried.


    "End this¡ªdirect attack!" Hoshino shouted.


    The blade struck with devastating force, shaking the battlefield. Byakuya was left stunned.


    "Wait... you said your name is Hoshino?" Byakuya stammered, his confidence shattered.


    "Could it be... the one Lord Paradox warned about... the duelist hidden in time¡ªHoshino Chiyuki?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 267 - 267

    "¡ªThe evil dragon must be destroyed. Balmung!"


    "Alright! If this direct attack lands, we win!"


    Jonouchi shouted with excitement, his facial muscles twisting into an almost comical expression. Despite the ten years that had passed, his exaggerated reactions still felt familiar to Hoshino.


    "No way! Why are you even here, and why do you look so much younger than the data...?" Byakuya stammered as the attack bore down on him.


    Yet, even amidst his panic, his hands didn''t remain idle. He quickly flipped over a card set on his field to counter Siegfried''s strike.


    "¡ªActivate Quick-Play Spell, [Malefic Divide]!"


    [Malefic Divide Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 "Malefic" monster in your GY; Special Summon it, ignoring its Summoning conditions, but its effects are negated. Banish it during the End Phase.]


    A black cross exploded onto the field, its center housing the unblinking, terrifying eye of a dragon, glaring as if judging the sins of the world.


    "I Special Summon Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Graveyard in Attack Position!"


    Byakuya retrieved the card from his Graveyard, slamming it onto his Duel Disk. The shadow of a white dragon emerged from the black cross, its presence domineering.


    [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "No use! Even with Malefic Blue-Eyes, it can''t stand up against Siegfried!" Jonouchi exclaimed, raising his arms in triumph, as if patting Hoshino on the back in celebration.


    "Ha! Let''s see about that," Byakuya countered, regaining his composure. His hand flipped over another card:


    "Trap Card, [Fiery Fervor], activate!"


    The final card on Byakuya''s field ignited, bathing Malefic Blue-Eyes in roaring flames. The dragon now appeared even more menacing, its aura searing the battlefield.


    [Fiery Fervor Trap Card Effect: Target 1 face-up monster you control; equip this card to that target. If your opponent controls a monster with ATK higher than that monster''s original ATK, the equipped monster''s ATK becomes double its original ATK during the Damage Step only.]


    "Equipping Fiery Fervor to Malefic Blue-Eyes! Since Siegfried''s 4800 ATK exceeds Malefic Blue-Eyes'' original ATK, its power doubles during the Damage Step!"


    [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon ATK 3000 ¡ú 6000]


    The dragon''s blazing white aura collided violently with the energy radiating from Siegfried''s sword.


    "Increase output, Siegfried!" Hoshino commanded, unwavering. "Activate your effect!"


    [Siegfried Effect: Gain 1000 ATK for each face-up Dragon monster on your opponent''s field.]


    "Ohhh! The power to slay dragons has returned to me! Now is the time to bring the evil dragon to its knees!"


    [Siegfried ATK 4800 ¡ú 5800]


    Byakuya smirked, refusing to back down. "Even with that boost, my Malefic Blue-Eyes still has higher ATK! Your resistance is futile! Malefic Blue-Eyes, annihilate them!"


    "Is that so?" Hoshino retorted. "Check this out!"


    With determination, she flipped over her final card.


    The card was a remnant of Jonouchi''s turn, as Hoshino hadn''t had the time to set anything herself.


    Jonouchi, brimming with enthusiasm, chimed in: "Behold the power of our teamwork! Quick-Play Spell, [Graceful Dice], activate!"


    [Graceful Dice Quick-Play Spell Effect: Roll a six-sided die. All monsters you currently control gain ATK/DEF equal to the result x 100, until the end of this turn.]


    "Now, Hoshino! Roll the die and deliver the final blow!"


    "Leave it to me, Jonouchi!" A shimmering six-sided die materialized on Hoshino''s field, rolling rapidly as tension filled the air.


    "The difference between Siegfried and Malefic Blue-Eyes is only 200 ATK. A roll of 3 is all we need!"


    Hoshino thought back to Jonouchi''s legendary luck, recalling how he''d consistently rolled 5s or higher in her memories.


    The result: 2.


    Hoshino: "...=_=?"


    The reality of Hoshino''s bad luck struck hard. Her hubris had underestimated her own streak of misfortune.


    [Siegfried ATK 5800 ¡ú 6000]


    The white beam of light from Malefic Blue-Eyes met Siegfried''s sword, their clash resulting in a massive explosion that engulfed the battlefield. Both monsters were obliterated in the chaos.


    [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    [Siegfried ¨C Destroyed]


    "To face an evil dragon head-on and still fall... Forgive me, Master..." Siegfried murmured, his form dissipating from the battlefield.


    "No, I should be the one apologizing, Siegfried," Hoshino replied, her heart heavy as her Heroic Spirit vanished into the light.


    With the clash over, the field was left barren. Unable to summon any additional monsters, Hoshino ended her turn.


    "I set 3 cards and end my turn."


    [Hoshino: 2 Hand Cards | 3 Set Cards]


    "My turn, draw!"


    Byakuya''s face was a mix of unease and determination.


    The previous turn''s fierce exchange had brought him dangerously close to defeat. If Hoshino''s luck had been slightly better, the duel would already have been over.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki... Could she really be the duelist Lord Paradox spoke of? But why does she look so much younger than the data? Could it just be someone with the same name? And yet..."


    Byakuya recalled Paradox''s words when entrusting him with this deck.


    (With your abilities, defeating the world''s top five duelists should be no problem. But as for Hoshino Chiyuki... I handle her personally.)


    A duelist significant enough for Paradox to intervene himself¡ªyet here she was, standing before him.


    "But I won''t lose. If I defeat Hoshino Chiyuki, it will be a massive victory for Lord Paradox''s plans!"


    Despite his earlier panic, Byakuya took Hoshino''s final roll of 2 as proof of fate favoring him.


    What he didn''t realize, however, was that Hoshino''s poor roll wasn''t fate at work¡ªit was her notoriously bad luck.


    And the one truly blessed by fortune stood across the field: none other than Katsuya Jonouchi.


    "For Lord Paradox, I must win! Activate Spell Card: [Pot of Greed]!"


    Byakuya adhered to the sacred rule of "empty hand, must draw Pot of Greed," sending the card to the Graveyard and drawing two cards from his deck.


    "Next, I activate the Spell Card [Malefic Selector]!"


    [Malefic Selector Effect: Banish 2 "Malefic" cards from your GY; add 2 "Malefic" cards from your Deck to your hand, except "Malefic Selector," with different names from each other and from the banished cards. You can only activate 1 "Malefic Selector" per turn.]


    "By banishing two Malefic cards from my Graveyard, I retrieve two more from my deck."


    With a sleek motion, Byakuya''s Duel Disk retrieved the cards automatically, ejecting them into his hand with style. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino muttered enviously, "Man, what a convenient Duel Disk. It even fetches the cards for you¡ªhow cool is that? Even after ten years, the Duel Disks in my time still don''t have that feature."


    "Next, I activate the Spell Card [Trade-In]. By discarding a Level 8 monster from my hand, I draw two cards. I''ll discard the Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand!"


    Unlike the previously banished card, this must have been the second Malefic Blue-Eyes in Byakuya''s deck. Sacrificing it for a draw made Hoshino uneasy.


    This only suggested one thing: Byakuya had a card in hand even stronger than the Malefic Blue-Eyes.


    With three cards now in his hand, Byakuya confidently played the card retrieved with Malefic Selector and placed it onto his Duel Disk''s Monster Zone.


    "Allow me to introduce my trump card! I activate the effect of [Malefic Cyber End Dragon] from my hand! By banishing [Cyber End Dragon] from my Extra Deck, I Special Summon it to the field!"


    A massive surge of electronic energy flooded Byakuya''s field. Even before the new Malefic monster fully materialized, Hoshino knew from its familiar aura that it was a cybernetic version of Blue-Eyes.


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 2800]


    [Other monsters you control cannot declare an attack.]


    The white, triple-headed cybernetic dragon emerged, a terrifying fusion of machine and dragon. Its towering presence sent a chill down Hoshino''s spine.


    Her lips twitched. "Cyber End Dragon... Though it has 500 less ATK than Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, summoning it with a single card is so broken."


    Comparing it to Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, which required perfect conditions and multiple cards to summon, this Malefic Cyber End Dragon was an order of magnitude more practical. Once a monster reached over 4000 ATK, the extra 500 points didn''t matter much anyway.


    "Even though your Life Points are still intact, you won''t survive even a single attack from my Malefic Cyber End Dragon!" Byakuya said confidently.


    He revealed another card from his hand. "Finally, I activate the Spell Card [Dimension Fusion]! By paying 2000 Life Points, I can summon as many monsters as possible from the Banished Zone!"


    [Byakuya''s LP: 2300 ¡ú 300]


    "Since I can only control one Malefic monster, I will summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Red-Eyes Black Dragon in Defense position, and Cyber End Dragon in Attack Position!"


    The field was now populated with colossal monsters, including a Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon in Defense Position, along with Cyber End Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon in Attack Position.


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon DEF 2000]


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon DEF 2500]


    [Cyber End Dragon ATK 4000]


    Hoshino and Jonouchi had no banished monsters to summon.


    "Now, let''s finish this! Malefic Cyber End Dragon, attack directly with Malefic Cyber Flash!"


    The triple-headed dragon unleashed a blast of destructive electronic energy, aimed directly at Hoshino and Jonouchi''s empty field.


    Jonouchi yelled in disbelief, "No way! Summoning a 4000 ATK monster with just one card? This deck is completely busted!"


    He stared at the oncoming attack in despair. All of his Set cards were used up, and there was no hope left unless Hoshino could defend them.


    But Hoshino awkwardly scratched her head. "Sorry, Jonouchi. I didn''t expect such an OP move, so I didn''t set any defensive cards last turn."


    Jonouchi screamed, "What?! No defense, no monsters?! We''re done for!"


    Hoshino wiped the sweat from her forehead and forced a grin. "Relax, I''m not panicking, so why are you, Mr. Top 5 Duelist? Even without Set cards, I still have this!"


    She dramatically tossed down a card from her hand. The upgraded Duel Disk began to process the card''s effect.


    "I have the invincible Saint George! Activating the effect of my monster card [Heroic Spirit - Saint George] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Saint George¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1600 ¡ú 2100]


    [When your opponent declares an attack: You can Special Summon this card from your hand in Defense Position. If this card is Special Summoned this way, its DEF increases by 500 until the end of your opponent''s next turn.]


    Saint George appeared with a serene yet determined expression, sword in hand, ready to defend with honor.


    "Bring it on! Whatever dragons you are, I''ve seen them all!" Saint George said stoically, preparing to sacrifice himself if necessary.


    The massive wave of electronic energy collided with Saint George''s resolute stance.


    [Heroic Spirit - Saint George - Destroyed]


    "GEORGE! NOOO!" Jonouchi cried out, overwhelmed by the noble sacrifice of their hero.


    Hoshino solemnly placed the card into the Graveyard, her expression one of righteous grief.


    "Your will, George, I will carry it forward! Activating Saint George''s effect!"


    [When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; change that target''s monster Type to "Dragon" until the end of your opponent''s next turn.]


    "The effect of Saint George changes Malefic Cyber End Dragon to a Dragon-Type!"


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon - Machine ¡ú Dragon]


    Byakuya sneered. "A meaningless effect from a weak monster."


    Hoshino smirked back. "Meaningless?"


    With a flourish, Hoshino revealed her final Set card. "Behold the Trap Card [Hero Returns]!"


    [Hero Returns Trap Effect: If a ''Heroic Spirit'' monster you control is destroyed by battle or card effect, Special Summon one ''Heroic Spirit'' monster from your Graveyard.]


    "Return Dragon Slayer¡ªSiegfried!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 268 - 268

    "Return Dragon Slayer¡ªSiegfried!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Dragon-Blooded Knight Siegfried ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 3000]


    Siegfried materialized on the battlefield, gripping his massive greatsword as a fierce blaze ignited in his eyes. "I regret that Saint George''s sacrifice was necessary to summon me, but the saint''s dragon-slaying resolve now fuels my blade!"


    "With Malefic Cyber End Dragon now a Dragon-Type, you have three Dragon-Type monsters on your field," Hoshino announced confidently. "Thanks to Siegfried''s effect, his ATK increases by 3000!"


    [Siegfried ATK: 0 ¡ú 3000]


    Byakuya smirked despite the growing threat. "A meager 3000 ATK? That''s hardly enough to challenge the might of my field!"


    Hoshino grinned knowingly. "Don''t underestimate Siegfried. He thrives where dragons reign, and your field is a buffet of scaly targets!"


    Still, Byakuya''s confidence didn''t falter. "No matter. Even if Siegfried stands against me, my strategy remains unbeatable. I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Mystik Wok]!"


    Hoshino''s jaw dropped. "That''s the card Marik used to deep-fry the Winged Dragon of Ra! You''ve got to be kidding me!"


    [Mystik Wok ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effect: Tribute 1 monster. Select either its ATK or DEF, and gain that many Life Points.]


    Byakuya''s Malefic Cyber End Dragon disintegrated, its energy absorbed into the swirling wok.


    "By tributing Malefic Cyber End Dragon, I recover 4000 Life Points!"


    [Byakuya LP: 300 ¡ú 4300]


    Jonouchi slammed his hand on the duel disk in frustration. "So that was your safety net, huh? No wonder you were so reckless with your LP earlier!"


    Byakuya chuckled, raising his arms theatrically. "Exactly. And now, with my Life Points restored, my remaining monsters are free to attack! Prepare for annihilation!"


    [Siegfried ATK 3000 ¡ú 2000]


    Byakuya''s field still held his defensive Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon, while Cyber End Dragon stood poised for attack.


    [Cyber End Dragon ATK 4000]


    "Some dragon-slaying hero," Byakuya taunted. "Cyber End Dragon, incinerate him with your flames! Attack¡ªUltimate Evolution Burst!"


    From its three cybernetic heads, Cyber End Dragon unleashed a roaring inferno of blinding red flames.


    "Trap Card, activate!" Hoshino declared, flipping her card with impeccable timing.


    Jonouchi blinked in confusion. "Wait a second! Didn''t you say there weren''t any defensive cards set? Where did this come from?"


    Hoshino sighed dramatically. "When I said I had no defense, that was before I had monsters on the field! Pay attention, Mr. Top 5 Duelist!"


    "Activate Trap Card¡ª[Mature Gentleman]!"


    [Mature Gentleman ¨C Trap Card Effect: Target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. This turn, that monster won''t be destroyed by battle, and damage taken is halved.]


    A shimmering barrier surrounded Siegfried, deflecting the flames as the Cyber End Dragon''s attack crashed into it.


    [Hoshino & Jonouchi LP: 4000 ¡ú 3000]


    Though the flames subsided, Siegfried remained standing, his eyes blazing with renewed determination.


    "I wasn''t protecting myself," Hoshino explained, her voice steady. "The only thing I needed to defend was Siegfried." She turned to Jonouchi with an encouraging nod. "The rest is up to you. If you really are a champion of luck, draw the card that''ll end this duel!"


    As Byakuya ended his turn, lowering his duel disk, he sneered. "You''re prolonging the inevitable. My monsters stand undefeated. This world will erase you completely, and no one will even remember you existed." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Byakuya: 0 Hand Cards | 0 Set Cards]


    Jonouchi cracked his knuckles, his expression fierce. "I get it, Hoshino!"


    The two exchanged a glance filled with unspoken resolve¡ªa bond forged through countless duel.


    With a dramatic motion, Jonouchi drew his card. The light in his eyes intensified as a confident smile spread across his face. "This is it! Let''s take this guy down together!"


    He raised his card high. "First, I activate the effect of [The Black Stone of Legend] in my Graveyard!"


    [The Black Stone of Legend Effect: If this card is in your GY: You can target 1 Level 7 or lower "Red-Eyes" monster in your GY; shuffle it into the Deck, and if you do, add this card to your hand.]


    "I shuffle Red-Eyes Zombie Dragon back into my Deck and return The Black Stone of Legend to my hand!"


    Byakuya scoffed, unimpressed. "A weakling reviving another weakling. What an insult to this duel."


    Jonouchi laughed, unshaken by the insult. "Weaklings, huh? I''ve been called that a thousand times. But it''s through those struggles that I made it to the top!"


    Slamming his card onto the Duel Disk, Jonouchi''s voice filled the field. "Hoshino, remember our first tag duel ten years ago? The details are fuzzy, but one thing stands out¡ªthis card!"


    Dark energy erupted from his Duel Disk, intertwining with Siegfried''s form.


    "This is the miracle we created together¡ªthe bond between Red-Eyes and Heroic Spirits! I activate [Polymerization], fusing [The Black Stone of Legend] in my hand with Siegfried on the field!"


    Siegfried raised his blade, merging with the black energy of the stone. His form transformed, wings of crimson fire unfurling as he took on the power of a dragon.


    Hoshino''s voice rang out. "The dragon-slayer becomes the dragon, yet the justice in his heart remains pure!"


    Jonouchi shouted, his spirit ablaze. "Together, we summon the ultimate monster¡ªthe strongest fusion across time and space! Fusion Summon¡ª[Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter]!"


    [Crimson Demon Dragon ¨C Siegfried Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]


    [This card is also treated as a "Heroic Spirit" monster.]


    The newly summoned monster roared, its presence overwhelming. "I am the ultimate sin dragon, and I have no apologies to offer!"


    "Siegfried Alter''s effect gathers the souls of all dragons on the field and in the graveyards!"


    With a commanding declaration, Jonouchi unveiled the ultimate ability of Siegfried Alter, the mightiest demonic dragon, signaling the duo''s final counterattack.


    [Effect: This card gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-Type monster on the field and in both players'' Graveyards.]


    Hoshino began counting Byakuya''s Dragon monsters aloud: "Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    Jonouchi followed, grinning confidently: "And our side has four Dragon-Type monsters, plus Siegfried Alter!"


    "That''s a total of eight Dragon monsters across both the field and graveyards!" Hoshino pointed dramatically at Siegfried. "That means Siegfried Alter''s ATK increases by 4000 points!"


    The battlefield crackled with energy as Siegfried''s greatsword began to pulse with blinding, otherworldly light. The cursed holy blade, Gram, surged with the combined power of the dragons it had slain and those it sought to destroy. Once a weapon of purity, the blade now glimmered jet-black, the mark of its transformation into the ultimate demonic sword.


    [Siegfried Alter ATK 3000 ¡ú 7000]


    "Seven¡­ seven thousand ATK?!" Byakuya''s voice cracked, his disbelief evident.


    He stumbled backward, sweat dripping down his forehead. The air around Siegfried Alter grew oppressive, charged with a suffocating aura. Byakuya''s confidence wavered, his mind racing between fear of Hoshino, the supposed Heroic Spirit wielder, and Jonouchi, the duelist he had sought to eliminate.


    These two outdated duelists¡ªrelics of the past, in his view¡ªhad somehow summoned a power that rivaled even the Malefic World bestowed upon him by Lord Paradox.


    Jonouchi smirked. "Brace yourself! Ready for your final defeat at the hands of Jonouchi-sama?"


    Hoshino rolled her eyes. "Don''t hog the credit! This is a team effort, Jonouchi!"


    "No, it''s my attack!" Siegfried Alter growled, his voice deep and commanding as he soared high into the sky, dragging a black streak of death behind his cursed blade.


    "Slaying dragons is but a simple task! Split apart the intertwined worlds of light and shadow! Holy dragons, demonic dragons, all shall fall¡ªBALMUNG!"


    The jet-black streak of energy descended like a judgment from the heavens, cleaving through the defending Blue-Eyes White Dragon in an instant. The once-proud emperor of the battlefield shattered into shimmering fragments, disintegrating under the might of Siegfried''s demonic blade.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon destroyed]


    Hoshino pointed to the next target: "When Siegfried Alter destroys a Dragon-Type monster by battle, it can attack again!"


    "That makes two!" Siegfried''s blade flashed once more, slicing through the slender form of Red-Eyes Black Dragon, reducing it to nothing but a fading memory.


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon destroyed]


    Calm and composed, Siegfried hovered above the battlefield, his demonic wings unfurling like a shadow that blanketed the warped landscape. His crimson eyes locked onto the final opponent: Cyber End Dragon.


    "This one''s different¡ªit''s not a Dragon-Type, but that just makes the victory sweeter," Siegfried said with a smirk, channeling all his energy into a single, devastating strike. The cursed blade tore through the air, leaving a black-and-crimson arc in its wake as it obliterated Cyber End Dragon with ease.


    [Cyber End Dragon destroyed]


    [Byakuya LP 4300 ¡ú 1300]


    "Damn it¡­ to think they could push me this far," Byakuya muttered, clutching his chest. The force of Siegfried''s attack felt like a physical blow, rattling his body and mind.


    But his desperation fueled his resolve. He couldn''t lose. He wouldn''t lose. Malefic World, the deck entrusted to him by Paradox, was supposed to be invincible.


    "Malefic World is unbreakable! There''s no way outdated duelists like you can defeat me!" Byakuya shouted, his voice laced with both rage and desperation.


    "Then let me escort you and your ''invincible'' Malefic World straight to the end!" Hoshino retorted, flipping her Set card.


    "Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Buddhism of Emptiness]!"


    A massive, fearsome Nio statue materialized behind her, its oppressive aura filling the battlefield with the promise of judgment.


    Byakuya staggered back, visibly shaken. "What¡­ what''s happening?!"


    The battlefield crackled and fractured, colors swirling chaotically as the apex of Malefic World¡ªthe radiant singularity where all light converged¡ªbegan to crack. A thunderous CRACK echoed through the space, like the heavens themselves splitting apart.


    "My Blade, My Sword! Slicing through void is my destiny!"


    Through the fissure, beyond the confines of the Malefic World, a familiar red-and-blue figure descended elegantly, her twin swords gleaming like polished steel.


    [Buddhism of Emptiness Quick-Play Spell Effect: Tribute 1 monster on the field; Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit - Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu" from your hand or Deck. If this card is Special Summoned this way, its ATK is increased by half the original ATK of the Tributed monster.]


    Hoshino grinned. "I''ve Tributed Siegfried Alter to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu] from my hand! She gains 1500 ATK from Siegfried''s original ATK!"


    The Nio statue merged with Musashi as she landed gracefully on the battlefield. Her twin swords radiated a fierce, elemental energy, while a four-blade giant Nio loomed behind her, radiating pure destructive force.


    "Namu, Tenman Daijizai Tenjin! With my blade, I shall sever your essence! This sword is my path to the void, my very life!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000 ¡ú 4500/DEF 2900]


    Musashi''s twin blades gleamed as she leaped forward, slicing through the air with unparalleled speed and precision.


    The devastating slash of the Four Blades of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind tore through the remnants of Malefic World, shattering Byakuya''s final defenses.


    "This feeling of landing the final blow¡ªso thrilling, Master!" Musashi laughed joyfully, her twin blades flashing once more as she delivered the decisive strike.


    "ISHANA, DAITENSHOU!!!"


    The flash of light was blinding, and the battlefield erupted in a cascade of energy that obliterated Byakuya completely. His scream echoed one last time before fading into nothingness.


    [Byakuya LP 1300 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. Winners: Katsuya Jonouchi & Chiyuki Hoshino!]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 269 - 269

    "Yay~ Musashi great victory~! Yes~!"


    With a bright smile, Musashi flashed a cheerful V-sign (V(^?^*)) toward Hoshino, her energy radiating as brightly as ever.


    Please stop, I beg you. If you keep stealing Okita-san''s lines, she''ll lose all sense of purpose!


    "How... How could this be?" Byakuya stared at his trembling hands in disbelief. "I should have been erased entirely after losing."


    Byakuya wasn''t shocked by his defeat; he had already accepted it the moment Hoshino''s final blow landed. The overwhelming power she displayed made it clear¡ªByakuya wouldn''t have stood a chance, even in a one-on-one duel.


    Jonouchi, tucking away his Duel Disk, tempered his earlier excitement and looked at Byakuya with an uncharacteristically stern expression. "It''s just a duel loss. Are you really so ready to throw your life away over it?"


    The Malefic World began crumbling from the spot Musashi had sliced open, the destruction rippling outward. The distorted colors dissolved into fragments, and the world reverted to the dimly lit, quiet street of Domino City.


    "Yeah, it''s kind of cheating," Hoshino admitted with a sly grin, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve. "But I used Musashi''s effect at the last second to destroy the Malefic World card." Her tone turned smug. "Even if I had lost, I wasn''t about to let myself get erased so easily."


    "Onee-chan!"


    "Chiyuki!"


    The voices of relief came from Mai and Shizuka, who had been anxiously waiting outside the battlefield.


    As Mai pulled Hoshino into a warm embrace, Hoshino felt a soothing softness that almost erased the tension of the duel. Glancing toward Jonouchi¡ªwho stood with Shizuka clinging to his arm¡ªshe flashed a triumphant grin.


    Byakuya, piecing together what had happened, spoke in his usual cold tone, his mask hiding whatever expression might lie beneath. "Naive... You even want to save your enemy?"


    Jonouchi ruffled Shizuka''s hair, his resolve unwavering. "I''ve seen too many people hurt because of Shadow Games. I''ve always believed dueling should be about having fun¡ªnot risking your life. That''s why I agreed with Hoshino''s plan to destroy the Malefic World."


    Reluctantly stepping out of Mai''s embrace, Hoshino faced Byakuya head-on. "But sparing you doesn''t come free. You''re going to tell us everything¡ªabout Paradox and this so-called ''great plan'' of yours."


    Based on Byakuya''s words, it wasn''t hard to deduce that his group had systematically targeted the world''s top duelists for elimination. Their ultimate goal? Erasing Duel Monsters from history itself, with Paradox leading the charge.


    As for the group''s motives, identities, or reasoning, those remained shrouded in mystery¡ªfor now.


    Byakuya threw his head back and laughed, wild and unrestrained. "That''s why I called you naive! You think sparing me will make me betray Paradox-sama? I''m not afraid to die!"


    As his laughter rang out, the ominous screech of Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon shattered the night. The dragon swooped down, its massive claws gripping Byakuya and lifting him effortlessly into the air.


    "Jonouchi Katsuya," Byakuya called out, his voice fading as he was carried away, "as your reward for defeating me, I''ll return this Red-Eyes Black Dragon to you..."


    The shadowy figure of the dragon and its rider disappeared into the clouds, Byakuya''s voice echoing faintly until it vanished entirely.


    Jonouchi looked down at the Red-Eyes Black Dragon card in his hand. Once drained of color, it was now restored to its original, fiery glory. "So, we''re heading to the Academy in the end, huh?"


    "No problem," Hoshino replied casually, though a glimmer of determination shone in her eyes. "When I meet the ''other me,'' I''ll figure out most of the truth behind this."


    For a brief moment, Hoshino hesitated, the words another me feeling strange on her tongue.


    But before she could dwell on it, a wave of exhaustion hit her like a freight train. Her vision swam, and her knees buckled slightly.


    Musashi was at her side in an instant, her concern palpable. "Master! Are you hurt? Did something happen during the duel?"


    Hoshino, barely mustering the strength to speak, looked at Musashi with a deadpan expression and rasped: "Give me back my fried chicken!"


    (***)


    The Academy, officially known as Duel Academy, was founded by none other than Seto Kaiba.


    Riding in the passenger seat of Jonouchi''s jeep as they headed toward the harbor, Hoshino listened to his explanation with growing disbelief.


    Her jaw dropped slightly, and she stared out at the road ahead, wide-eyed¡ªsave for the moments the jeep jolted over bumps, snapping her out of her daze.


    "An entire school... for dueling?" she muttered.


    Jonouchi smirked. "Yeah, and it''s not just any school. It''s a Kaiba school. That means it''s ridiculously over-the-top. Most classes are about dueling, but they still throw in standard academics so parents don''t riot."


    Crossing her arms, Hoshino leaned back against her seat. "Let me guess¡ªKaiba ranks the students by their dueling skills, doesn''t he?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You know it." Jonouchi chuckled, raising a hand to tick off the dorms on his fingers. "The dorms are ranked too: Obelisk Blue for the best, Ra Yellow for intermediates, and Slifer Red for..." He trailed off with a grin.


    "For the ones Kaiba doesn''t think deserve to be there," Hoshino finished for him, rolling her eyes.


    Jonouchi laughed. "Bingo."


    Hoshino groaned. "Classic Kaiba. Ranking students based on his own biased ideas of ''strength.'' I mean, come on¡ªhow does The Winged Dragon of Ra rank below Obelisk?!"


    Jonouchi shrugged, still grinning.


    Hoshino''s expression darkened. "Wait, you''re not about to tell me I had something to do with this, are you?"


    Jonouchi''s grin widened. "Actually, yeah, you kind of did."


    Her eyes narrowed. "What did I do? Invest in it? Fund it with money I don''t even have?"


    Jonouchi leaned back, resting one arm casually on the steering wheel. "Not directly. After your duel with Marik ten years ago, Duel Monsters exploded in popularity worldwide. Kaiba made a fortune off the craze. That money? It''s what funded Duel Academy."


    Hoshino''s jaw dropped. "That bastard... He''s making money off me again!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Ugh... We finally made it, Master!" Musashi wobbled as she stepped out of the jeep, leaning heavily on Hoshino for support. Her normally confident demeanor was nowhere to be seen as she clutched her stomach, looking utterly dazed.


    Why is a Servant getting carsick? Do you think you''re some kind of Dragon Slayer Wizard?


    "What?! The ferry''s not running today?! It always leaves at this time!"


    Ahead of them, Jonouchi was locked in a heated argument with the ferry captain, his frustration as clear as his booming voice.


    "Sir, please calm down..." The old captain wiped sweat from his brow, his nerves visibly fraying under Jonouchi''s imposing presence. Despite his decade of mellowing out, Jonouchi''s brash energy still made him intimidating when riled up.


    "How can I calm down? We''ve got urgent business at Duel Academy!" Jonouchi snapped, his tone just shy of grabbing the poor man by the collar.


    The old captain shifted uncomfortably before glancing toward Hoshino and Musashi, who stood nearby. Spotting Hoshino''s curious gaze, he hesitated before speaking. "You''re duelists, aren''t you? Heading to Duel Academy right now is... extremely dangerous."


    Hoshino frowned. "Dangerous? You mean because of the monster rampages?"


    The captain nodded, seemingly relieved to have someone more reasonable to talk to. "Yes, that''s right. The rampages are worst on the island itself. Even though there are duelists there, most of them are still students. To keep the situation from spiraling further out of control, many professional duelists have already gone to assist."


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "Professional duelists, huh?"


    In this timeline, Duel Monsters had become a full-fledged industry. Professional duelists enjoyed lucrative careers and fame, a far cry from the days when someone like Bandit Keith had to scrape by entering tournaments for cash. It was like the evolution of esports¡ªa niche hobby turned global phenomenon.


    Jonouchi''s frustration grew. "If pros can go, why can''t we? I''m just as good, if not better!"


    The old captain pressed his hat lower, his voice cautious. "It''s not just the academy anymore. Monsters have started appearing in the surrounding seas. Two ferries were attacked just yesterday. Thankfully, there were no casualties, but it''s too risky to sail."


    "Monsters in the ocean, too? That''s... unsettling." Hoshino shivered slightly as images of giant sea monsters lurking beneath the waves filled her mind. Aquatic threats were always the worst in disaster films¡ªthey struck when you least expected it.


    Still, all signs pointed to Duel Academy as the focal point of this Singularity. If they couldn''t reach it, things would become far more complicated.


    "Even so, we have to get there somehow! Can''t you make an exception?" Hoshino''s tone softened as she switched tactics, her expression morphing into one of pure innocence. She clasped her hands together, her big, watery eyes glancing pleadingly at the captain.


    Musashi, catching on, added her own twist to the persuasion. Striking a confident pose, she declared, "Come on, old man, cut us some slack! Don''t judge by appearances¡ªI''m great at fishing! If a big one shows up, I''ll handle it!"


    Fishing? Really, Musashi? How is that remotely relevant?


    The captain, however, remained firm. "I''m sorry, kids, but I have a family to think about too."


    Rejected, the trio stood by the pier, completely out of ideas.


    Kicking Jonouchi''s second-hand jeep in frustration, Hoshino muttered, "What''s the point of this car, Jonouchi? It''s practically useless. Why didn''t you get one of those amphibious cars?"


    Jonouchi let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. "Amphibious cars? Do you think I''m made of money? Even this second-hand jeep took a lot of convincing to get from Mai!"


    "Hey! You folks trying to catch a ride?"


    A rough, hearty voice called out from the water. "If you''re heading to Duel Academy, how about taking my boat?"


    Hoshino''s eyes lit up with hope. There were always people who specialized in risky ventures for a price.


    "Of course we want to go. How much for the three of us?" Jonouchi asked, bracing himself for the inevitable price gouging.


    "No charge!"


    The man pushed his straw hat back, revealing his face. "What, don''t recognize me, Jonouchi?"


    Hoshino recognized him before Jonouchi did. "Wait... Ryota?!"


    Even with some stubble and a more rugged appearance, his dark tan and unmistakable energy gave him away instantly.


    Jonouchi''s eyes widened in recognition. "Ryota?! No way! Talk about good timing!"


    "What, even this girl knows me?" Ryota''s gaze shifted to Hoshino, his curiosity piqued. But as he got a better look at her, his expression froze.


    "Perfect! Let''s head to the academy, Hoshino!" Jonouchi''s excitement prompted him to leap onto Ryota''s boat.


    But Ryota grabbed his arm, his eyes still fixed on Hoshino. "Jonouchi... did you say her name was Hoshino?"


    Musashi stepped in front of Hoshino protectively, her hand resting on her sword hilt. "Master, this guy''s staring at you funny!"


    "She looks just like her... Exactly the same..." Ryota muttered, his voice barely audible. "Is she her daughter?"


    Hoshino stumbled, nearly toppling into the water. "D-daughter?! Seriously?!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Hahaha! So, you''re a time traveler?" Ryota laughed awkwardly after hearing Hoshino''s explanation.


    "What nonsense! Do you think I''m an idiot?!" His incredulous reaction was predictable.


    Hoshino glared at him, her cheeks puffing with indignation. "And you thought I was someone''s kid from ten years ago! Who''s the idiot here?!"


    Ryota scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "So you''re really... the Hoshino from ten years ago?"


    Climbing aboard the boat, Hoshino smirked. "You said it yourself¡ªI''m the spitting image, aren''t I?"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 270 - 270

    "It''s hard to believe something like this actually exists," Ryota muttered, his grip on the boat''s wheel tightening. After considerable persuasion from the trio, he had finally come to terms with the reality of time travel¡ªthough his skeptical expression showed he was still wrestling with the idea.


    "Then again," he continued, as if trying to rationalize his disbelief, "considering incidents like Duel Monsters materializing and rampaging, the idea of time travel doesn''t seem entirely impossible." Despite his words, he kept sneaking glances at Hoshino, his tanned face faintly flushed with embarrassment.


    What''s with this pure-hearted reaction from a man in his twenties...? Hoshino thought, exasperated.


    "Stop wasting time, Ryota! Let''s get moving!" Jonouchi barked, showing zero concern for politeness despite being a guest on someone else''s boat.


    Snapped out of his daze, Ryota straightened, regaining his sharp and determined demeanor. "Just so we''re clear, the waters around the academy are swarming with Duel Monsters. Luckily, all three of us are duelists, so if anything happens, we should be able to handle it."


    Hearing this, Musashi puffed up indignantly, her arms crossed. "What do you mean, ''the three of us''? Don''t ignore my combat abilities! I''ll have you know I''m the strongest here, and protecting Master is my job!"


    Having recovered from the initial shock of Hoshino''s time-travel revelation, Ryota finally turned his attention to the oddly dressed Musashi. His brow furrowed. "By the way, I''ve been meaning to ask... is she a cosplayer or something? A friend of yours, Hoshino?"


    "Let''s just go with that..." Hoshino muttered wearily. After dealing with so many problems since the morning, she no longer had the energy to explain.


    "Alright, everyone hold on tight! We''re setting sail!" Ryota''s voice carried a note of pride as the engine of his old fishing boat roared to life. Despite its weathered appearance, the vessel moved swiftly, cutting through the water with surprising ease.


    Ryota stood at the helm, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The pride and poise of a seasoned sailor radiated from him as he expertly navigated the open sea.


    "Urgh! Why am I getting seasick? I never used to!" Musashi groaned, her face pale as she clung to the railing for support.


    "She''s probably useless for now," Hoshino sighed, shaking her head. Some protector. If anything happens, she''ll probably be the first one eaten by a fish.


    .


    ..


    ...


    About ten minutes into their journey, with nothing but endless blue in every direction, the initial excitement of the boat ride began to fade. Both Jonouchi and Hoshino found themselves growing restless.


    "So, Ryota," Jonouchi finally said, breaking the silence, "what are you heading to the academy for at a time like this?"


    Ryota didn''t take his eyes off the water as he answered. "The academy sent out a call for help to all professional duelists. I was delayed by some business, but it seems like fate that I ran into you at the dock."


    Jonouchi smacked his fist into his palm. "Oh, right! You''re a pro now!"


    "Only semi-pro," Ryota clarified modestly. "Fishing''s still my main job. I just enter tournaments occasionally for extra cash. But honestly, Jonouchi, with your skills, it''s a waste not to go pro. The professional scene has plenty of strong duelists, but top-tier talents like you are rare."


    Jonouchi scratched his head, his expression sheepish. "I just don''t like the idea of being tied down by the title of a ''professional duelist.'' I''d rather keep Duel Monsters as something special¡ªa hobby tied to my most precious memories with my friends."


    Ryota smiled, his respect for Jonouchi evident. "Everyone has their own path, I guess."


    Jonouchi quickly changed the subject. "But if the academy''s calling for all pro duelists, things must be worse than we thought."


    Ryota nodded, his tone serious. "I''ve got a bad feeling about it too. I just hope this doesn''t hurt the future of Duel Monsters."


    Duel Monsters rampages had only been occurring for a few days, causing varying degrees of damage across the globe. However, no government had issued any official statements regarding these incidents.


    If these events led to Duel Monsters being classified as dangerous, it could have catastrophic consequences for the game''s future


    Meanwhile, at Duel Academy''s Chancellor''s office...


    "Sending students to the frontlines is absolutely absurd, Professor Crowler!"


    The voice belonged to a silver-haired woman with black-rimmed glasses, her delicate features contorted in anger as she slammed her hands on the desk. Her sharp glare was directed at the flamboyant man standing beside her.


    Crowler, visibly uncomfortable, averted his gaze and stammered in his peculiar accent, "Signora Hoshino, you musta understanda, these-a da extraordinary times! To protec-ta da academy from da ''Beast Wave,'' everyone musta contributa~!"


    The "Beast Wave" was the academy''s term for the relentless swarms of rampaging Duel Monsters attacking the island. The sheer volume of creatures justified the ominous name.


    Chancellor Sheppard, sitting behind the desk, tried to mediate with a nervous smile. "Now, now, let''s not argue. After such a long night of battles, we should use this brief reprieve to recover our strength."


    "Shut up, Chancellor!" Hoshino snapped, glaring at him with such intensity that he instinctively ducked. "Do you even realize how many students were hurt because of Crowler''s orders?"


    Sheppard wiped the sweat from his bald head with a handkerchief and shot Crowler a sympathetic glance. He knew better than to intervene further. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite her outburst, Hoshino Chiyuki wasn''t just any teacher.


    Known among the students as the "Shining Star Magician," she was undefeated in duels since joining the academy. Even alumni who had gone on to become professional duelists had suffered crushing defeats at her hands during their school days.


    More importantly, she had a mysterious connection to the academy''s real boss, Seto Kaiba. Her fearlessness in treating Kaiba himself like an equal often left others questioning who truly held the reins at Duel Academy.


    Though her blunt attitude and fiery temper were a constant headache for Sheppard and Crowler, Hoshino''s dedication to her students made her beloved among them. She was a rare combination of beauty, strength, and unshakable resolve.


    You''ve got to respect her... even if she''s terrifying.


    "In any case, students are absolutely forbidden from going to the frontlines of tonight''s ''Beast Wave,'' even Obelisk Blue students!" Hoshino declared, her voice sharp and resolute. Her glare pierced through Crowler, leaving no room for negotiation.


    Crowler bristled, his bright attire fluttering slightly as he shifted in discomfort. It wasn''t easy being openly criticized by someone so much younger. Yet, he couldn''t deny the reality¡ªhis prior decisions had resulted in numerous student injuries during the last incident.


    "Signora, from Beast Wave, she''s getting stronger by the day." Crowler countered, his thick accent both dramatic and genuine. "If we keep dilly-dallyin'' like dis, you wanna see da academy vanish from da history books?"


    Hoshino''s expression hardened. "Professor Crowler, dueling was never meant to be cruel. The academy''s purpose is to teach students the joy and perseverance of dueling¡ªnot to throw them into life-threatening battles that leave them with nothing but fear and resentment toward Duel Monsters."


    Debating wasn''t Crowler''s strong suit, and he was keenly aware of his guilty conscience in this matter. Yet, he had earned his position through skill, not appearance, and he wasn''t about to back down so easily.


    "Youse empty idealism ain''t gonna save us, Signora. If tonight''s Beast Wave grows too strong¡ªeven for da pro duelists¡ªhow ya gonna take responsibility for that, huh?"


    Hoshino''s unwavering gaze met his, brimming with conviction. "I will. I''ll fill the gap left by withdrawing the students myself."


    Crowler faltered, his confidence shaken. The idea of replacing the combined strength of hundreds of students with just one person was absurd. Either this woman had unfathomable strength, or she was entirely delusional.


    "M-Master, is this really okay?" Illya, semi-transparent and floating behind Hoshino, materialized from her deck. Her soft voice was laced with concern. Naturally, in her spirit form, she was invisible to both Chancellor Sheppard and Crowler.


    "You were already exhausted from last night''s fight! If you overwork me again tonight, I''ll break down for sure, QAQ!" Illya''s expression mirrored that of an overworked office worker on the verge of collapse.


    Unable to speak aloud, Hoshino reached back and gently pinched Illya''s soft cheeks, silently apologizing for the burden she was about to place on her.


    Crowler''s accented voice broke through the moment. "Don'' ge'' so full-a yaself, Signora Hoshino!" His tone was both passionate and unintentionally comical. "Youse t''ink you alone can replace da academy''s forces? Youse t''ink you''re da Yugi Muto or somethin''?"


    At the mention of that familiar name, Hoshino blinked before a sly smile spread across her face. "Yugi might not be able to, but I can. Also, Professor Crowler, you''re unusually bold today¡ªare you looking to be taught a lesson?"


    "Mamma mia!" Crowler yelped, instinctively taking a step back. Realizing how ridiculous he looked, he quickly tried to compose himself.


    Sensing his hesitation, Hoshino leaned forward with a devilish grin. "How about this? Let''s stop arguing and settle this with a duel. If you win, you can decide the students'' role tonight."


    Turning to Chancellor Sheppard, she added with a radiant smile, "What do you think of this resolution, Chancellor?"


    "F-Fine! Fine! I think it''s a wonderful idea," Sheppard stammered, dabbing his sweat-soaked forehead with a handkerchief. If this duel could bring an end to the heated dispute, he''d gladly allow it.


    Crowler''s face turned an even more vibrant shade as he realized he had no choice. Hoshino''s seemingly harmless smile now looked like the grin of a predator about to pounce.


    "Fine! Justa don'' regretta it later, Signora Hoshino! Da strengtha of a professore at thisa accademia ain''t somethin'' to be underestimat-ed!" Cornered, Crowler resorted to bluffing his way through.


    Meanwhile, on the ocean¡ª


    "Now I finally understand why even other boats with duelists onboard are avoiding the academy''s waters!" Jonouchi shouted, gripping the boat''s railing as a massive sea beast emerged from the depths, nearly capsizing Ryota''s vessel.


    The ambush came without warning, leaving the duelists onboard scrambling to react.


    Ryota grinned wildly, his hands steady on the helm. The old fishing boat roared to life, leaving a trail of white foam as it sped across the waves. "Yah-ho! You think you can catch Ryota, son of the sea? You Duel Monsters have another thing coming!"


    Clinging tightly to the railing, Hoshino shouted over the chaos, "Why is this tiny boat so fast?! This makes no sense!"


    "Of course it doesn''t!" Ryota replied with pride. "I used all the prize money I earned from tournaments to modify this boat¡ªmy father''s legacy. After all, I''m a man who''s going to conquer the seas!"


    "You spent your tournament winnings... on this boat?" Hoshino muttered, baffled by his logic. Once again, this man''s thought process defied reason.


    Still, thanks to Ryota''s absurdly fast boat, the pursuing sea beasts began falling behind, granting the group a brief reprieve.


    "Sorry, but I don''t have any powerful water monsters in my deck," Jonouchi admitted, scratching his head sheepishly. His Red-Eyes deck wasn''t exactly designed for aquatic combat.


    Struggling to activate the duel disk gifted to her by Mai, Hoshino muttered, "Monsters suited for aquatic combat, huh? In that case¡ªMartha Ruler!"


    From the waves beside the boat, a figure emerged. Martha, effortlessly standing atop the churning waters, ran toward the massive sea beast with supernatural grace. Her expression was calm, her movements fluid and deliberate.


    [Holy Maiden of the Waterside B+: A skill representing Martha''s deep connection to water. Her attack power increases near watersides, reflecting her spiritual ties and mastery over aquatic combat.]


    With a fierce battle cry, Martha leaped into the air, her fist glowing with divine energy. "Iron Fist of Judgment!"


    Her punch landed squarely on the sea beast''s head, sending a shockwave rippling through the water. The monster roared in pain before retreating beneath the surface.


    "Did she just punch a sea monster?!" Jonouchi exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    "Of course she did," Hoshino replied dryly, her tone a mix of pride and resignation. "That''s just Martha for you."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 271 - 271

    Duel Academy, Indoor Duel Arena¡ª


    "Eh? Professor Crowler and Professor Hoshino are dueling? At a time like this, why?" Alexis Rhodes, the Academy''s goddess, asked, her voice tinged with surprise. A full night of battling the "beast wave" had left her looking tired, though her poise and natural elegance remained undiminished.


    Standing nearby with arms crossed, Chazz Princeton tried to appear nonchalant, though his curiosity was evident. "They probably got into another argument. But honestly, having the energy to duel now is impressive in itself."


    "Want to watch?" Alexis asked, offering a faint smile. Despite the dust and scuffs on her Obelisk Blue uniform, her presence was as radiant as ever.


    Chazz quickly turned his face away, hiding the faint pink creeping into his cheeks. "Sure, why not? Not like we''ve got anything better to do."


    Following the previous night''s monster rampage, classes had been suspended, and most students were recovering in their dorms. The few who had gathered in the arena were either curious or too restless to stay away.


    Adjusting her sleek black glasses, Hoshino stood confidently on one side of the arena, her gaze fixed on Crowler. "Let''s not drag this out. Make it quick, Professor Crowler."


    "Ah, I''m-a ready when-a you are, Signora Hoshino!" Crowler replied, his usual flamboyance matched only by his determination. He activated his duel disk, an unusual chest-mounted design that he insisted was "elegant" but which no student had ever willingly accepted as a reward.


    "Curse it all! Today''s the day I reclaim my dignity as-a professor!" he vowed silently, gripping his opening hand with resolve.


    "I''ll take da first move! Draw!" Crowler''s exaggerated accent was as colorful as ever. "I activate da Field Spell [Geartown]!"


    As the card materialized, the arena transformed into a sprawling cityscape of towering gears grinding in unison, the mechanical hum filling the air.


    "Next, I''ll set these two cards and activate da Spell Card¡ª" Crowler paused dramatically as the storm-like effect began swirling around the field. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "¡ª[Heavy Storm]!"


    [Heavy Storm Spell Card Effect: Destroy all Spell and Trap Cards on the field.]


    Gasps echoed through the few gathered spectators.


    "Wait, what''s he doing?" a Slifer Red student asked, scratching his head. "He just destroyed his own cards. Is he giving up already?"


    Another chimed in, "Yeah, I heard Professor Hoshino is crazy strong. Maybe he knows it''s hopeless?"


    Leaning against the railing, Chazz smirked. "Rookies. You''ve never seen Crowler duel, have you?"


    The two red-uniformed students shook their heads.


    Chazz gestured toward the field. "Just watch. This is classic Crowler."


    From beneath the crumbling Geartown, the sound of grinding metal intensified as a colossal mechanical dragon tore through the ground. Its steam-powered joints hissed, and its glowing eyes radiated menace.


    "[Geartown]''s effect activates! When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one ''Ancient Gear'' monster from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard!"


    Crowler pointed dramatically at the newly summoned behemoth. "From my Deck, I Special Summon [Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon]!"


    [Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][EARTH][Machine/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]


    [If this card attacks, your opponent cannot activate any Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step.]


    The towering Gadjiltron Dragon loomed over the battlefield, its weathered metal frame and glowing red core exuding raw power.


    "Not bad," Alexis remarked, her tired eyes gleaming with interest. "Summoning such a powerful monster on the first turn is impressive."


    But Crowler wasn''t done. "And that''s not all! Da two set cards I destroyed were Trap Cards¡ª[Statue of the Wicked]!"


    [Statue of the Wicked (Trap Card Effect): If this Set card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon 1 "Wicked Token" (Fiend/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1000/DEF 1000).]


    "Since-a two Statues of-a the Wicked were destroyed, I can-a summon two Wicked Tokens!"


    [Wicked Token: ATK 1000 (x2)]


    "And now, I tribute my two Wicked Tokens to Tribute Summon¡ª[Ancient Gear Golem]!"


    As the two tokens disintegrated into light, a second mechanical titan appeared beside the Gadjiltron Dragon.


    [Ancient Gear Golem¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][EARTH][Machine/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 3000]


    Crowler field was now dominated by two massive Ancient Gear monsters, their combined attack power a staggering 6000.


    "Wow! Professor Crowler summoned two Ancient Gear ace monsters in his first turn!" Alexis exclaimed, her admiration clear.


    Chazz smirked knowingly. "Sure, it''s a strong start, but Alexis, you and I both know it''ll take more than this to beat Hoshino."


    Crowler, however, was brimming with confidence. With such a perfect opening hand, he couldn''t imagine losing. ''And to protect my monsters, I''ll set one last card. My ace-in-the-hole, Magic Cylinder! Mamma mia, there''s no way I''ll lose!''


    He ended his turn with a flourish, his confidence radiating across the field.


    [Crowler: 0 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    Hoshino adjusted her glasses, her calm expression unchanged. "Not bad, Professor Crowler. It seems you''ve finally decided to take this duel seriously."


    Every time Crowler lost to her, he would claim he wasn''t taking the duel seriously. Of course, no one ever believed him.


    Crowler puffed up, pointing dramatically at her. "You better believe it! Today, I''m gonna teach you some-a respect, Signora Hoshino!"


    Unmoved by his theatrics, Hoshino drew her card with deliberate grace. "Then let''s dazzle the crowd with a little magic. Prepare to see your precious monsters reduced to scrap."


    She raised her duel disk. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Daily Life at the Beyond]!"


    Watching Hoshino''s latest move, Chazz whistled, a mix of amazement and mischief in his tone. "Oh, here it comes! Professor Crowler is in trouble now~"


    [Daily Life at the Beyond Quick-Play Spell Card Effect: If you control no monsters: You can Special Summon 1 "Magical Girl - Illya" from your Deck or Banished zone.]


    "Summoning the radiant star of miracles! Calling forth the magical girl of love and justice! Special Summon¡ª[Magical Girl - Illya]!"


    As the card materialized, a colorful meteor streaked across Hoshino''s field. From the radiant burst emerged a girl clad in a school uniform, wielding a ruby staff that glimmered under the arena''s lights.


    [Magical Girl - Illya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    The moment she appeared, Illya''s cheeks flushed a faint pink. "Master, didn''t I tell you a hundred times to stop using that embarrassing summoning chant? ''Love and justice magical girl''¡ªugh, it''s just too much¡­"


    Before Illya could finish her complaint, her staff, Ruby, chimed in with a cheerful yet mischievous tone. "What''s wrong with that? Love and justice are essential magical girl themes! Honestly, Hoshino gets it¡ªbet they''ve watched a ton of magical girl anime~"


    For context: Ruby is a talking wand with an adorable voice but a highly questionable personality.


    Of course, Hoshino, sharing Ruby''s eccentric humor, seized the chance to tease Illya. "Exactly! Magical girls fighting for love and justice are the absolute best. In short¡ªmagical girls are just the best!"


    Illya gave her Master a skeptical side-eye and muttered, "Master, I think you just said something that could get you arrested¡­"


    Having had her fun, Hoshino pressed on. "Upon Special Summon, I activate Illya''s effect! When this card is summoned, I can add one [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)] from my Deck to my hand!"


    As the Duel Disk smoothly ejected the key card into her hand, Hoshino wasted no time continuing her turn.


    "And now, I''ll Normal Summon [Magical Girl - Miyu]!"


    [Magical Girl - Miyu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    A black-haired girl clad in a similar school uniform appeared beside Illya, holding a sapphire wand. She glanced up at Hoshino with calm, intelligent eyes. "Fighting again today, Master? After all the battles last night, you''re really dedicated."


    Meanwhile, Illya pouted, her voice dropping to a grumble. "Why doesn''t Miyu have an embarrassing summoning chant? Master is so unfair¡­"


    "Stop grumbling, Illya," Hoshino said with a teasing smile. "It''s time to battle!"


    "¡­Got it, Master!"


    With a playful yet resolute tone, Illya drew a card from the white thigh strap beneath her uniform as Hoshino activated another card from her hand.


    "I activate [Polymerization]! I''ll fuse [Magical Girl - Illya] on the field with [Heroic Spirit ¨C Fuuma Kotarou] from my hand!"


    At the same time, Illya deftly swiped her transformation card past Ruby''s glowing tip. Her body shimmered with radiant light as her voice echoed through the arena.


    "Class Card Assassin, Install, Fuuma Kotarou!!"


    "¡ªFusion Summon! [Magical Girl ¨C Fuuma Kotarou Illya]!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Fuuma Kotarou Illya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1000]


    [Fusion Materials: Magical Girl - Illya + Heroic Spirit - Fuuma Kotarou]


    [This card is also treated as a [Heroic Spirit] card.]


    Illya now stood transformed, her outfit replaced by sleek ninja attire. Her hair was tied up, and she wielded a kunai in one hand, her pose exuding both charm and competence.


    Hoshino pointed dramatically at Crowler''s two towering mechanical monsters. "I activate the special effect of [Fuuma Kotarou Illya]! When this card is Fusion Summoned, all monsters your opponent controls lose 800 ATK! Go, Illya!"


    "On it, Master!" Illya leapt high into the air, hurling kunai etched with explosive seals toward the Ancient Gear monsters.


    "Sabotage! Take a little rest, will ya?"


    The seals detonated with precision, forcing the mechanical behemoths to stagger under the assault.


    [Ancient Gear Golem ATK 3000 ¡ú 2200]


    [Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon ATK 3000 ¡ú 2200]


    With a satisfied smirk, Hoshino played her next move. "Now, I Special Summon a [Fuuma Token] to my field!"


    Landing gracefully, Illya formed a hand sign. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" In a puff of smoke, a clone resembling Illya appeared beside her.


    [Fuuma Token¡ï¡ï DARK][Warrior/Token][ATK 500/DEF 500]


    "Hmm, it''s kind of weak¡­" Illya remarked, scratching her head awkwardly.


    Watching from the stands, Alexis couldn''t help but chuckle. "Professor Hoshino is amazing. She always finds ways to make Illya cosplay something new."


    Chazz, however, narrowed his eyes. "Even with reduced ATK, Crowler''s monsters still have the upper hand."


    Adjusting her glasses with a confident glint, Hoshino smirked. "Don''t think I didn''t notice. That set card of yours¡ªit''s Magic Cylinder, isn''t it?"


    "M-Mamma mia! She guessed it!" Crowler stammered, his voice cracking slightly.


    "Doesn''t matter if you confirm it or not," Hoshino said. "This turn, I''m sealing that card! I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)]!"


    [Phantasmal Summoning (Install) Quick-Play Spell Effect: When a "Magical Girl" Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned: You can use only 1 listed material from your field to Fusion Summon another Fusion Monster.]


    "Using [Phantasmal Summoning], I''ll banish [Magical Girl - Miyu] from my field to summon another Fusion Monster that lists Miyu as material! Let''s go, Miyu!"


    Miyu nodded, her serene demeanor unwavering. "Of course, Master. Let me fight alongside Illya in this battle!"


    Slamming the new card into her Duel Disk, Hoshino initiated the transformation. Miyu was engulfed in a dazzling light as her voice rang out.


    "Class Card Rider, Install, Medusa!"


    "¡ªFusion Summon! [Magical Girl - Medusa Miyu]!"


    Miyu emerged atop a magnificent white Pegasus, her chain weapon gleaming as it wrapped gracefully around her hand. Her majestic aura lit up the battlefield, her presence both regal and commanding.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 272 - 272

    "Fusion Summon! [Magical Girl ¨C Medusa Miyu]!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Medusa Miyu ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1000]


    [Fusion Materials: Magical Girl ¨C Miyu + Heroic Spirit ¨C Medusa]


    [This card is also treated as a [Heroic Spirit].]


    "Another brand-new magical girl, huh?" The Slifer Red freshmen, witnessing such an unusual dueling style for the first time, were brimming with excitement.


    "Wait, does this really count as a magical girl?"


    The Miyu before them, astride a majestic white pegasus, wearing an eyepatch, and wielding an iron chain, looked less like a magical girl and more like¡­


    "She looks more like an SM queen, especially with that sexy eyepatch¡­"


    Smack!


    Hearing this comment from the crowd, Miyu blushed furiously, ripped off her eyepatch, and flung it to the ground.


    Sapphire, her staff, piped up in an indignant tone. "Miyu-sama, don''t let the opinions of rabble bother you! Only those with pure hearts would see a magical girl for what she truly is! Master, for instance, would never think such impure thoughts!"


    "Cough, cough!" Hoshino choked on her saliva and turned her head away, coughing violently. "Y-Yes! Transformation is merely a tool for battle. Now, Medusa Miyu, activate your effect!"


    Recovering her composure, Miyu straightened herself on the pegasus, her expression now resolute. "Understood, Master! Noble Phantasm Deployment¡ªMystic Eyes of Petrification!"


    Purple magic radiated from Miyu''s eyes, rippling outward like an energy wave.


    "Oh ma gawd! My set card! What''s happening?!" Crowler shrieked, clutching his cheeks as his backup card, Magic Cylinder, began to turn to stone. In moments, the trap card solidified into an unyielding slab.


    [When this card is Fusion Summoned, target one card on the field; that card cannot be activated or used for the rest of the turn.]


    "Mamma mia! As expected from Signora Hoshino¡ªtruly a formidable opponent!" Crowler growled, angrily kicking the now-petrified trap card. Though merely a projection, it unnervingly felt solid.


    Seizing the momentum, Hoshino extended her hand toward the battlefield. "Now that your scrap metal has no defenses, it''s time to dismantle them! Miyu, attack!"


    "With pleasure, Master! Noble Phantasm Deployment¡ª" Astride her pegasus, Miyu charged forward like a streak of white light hurtling toward Crowler''s Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon.


    "¡ªBellerophon!"


    The white pegasus collided violently with the mechanical beast, shattering it into pieces. Rusted gears and components clattered to the ground in a heap.


    [Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon ¨C destroyed]


    [Crowler LP 4000 ¡ú 3900]


    "You may have destroyed one of my ace monsters, but my Ancient Gear Golem is still standing strong!" Crowler declared, refusing to back down.


    Hoshino plucked Medusa Miyu''s card from her duel disk and sent it to the Graveyard. "Do you really think your metal can survive my turn? Miyu''s effect, activate!"


    [By sending this card from the field to the Graveyard or banishing it from the Graveyard: Target 1 "Magical Girl" monster on the field; it gains 1500 ATK until the end of this turn. This effect can also be activated during your opponent''s turn, but only once per chain.]


    "Miyu''s sacrifice powers up [Fuuma Kotarou Illya] by 1500 ATK!"


    "Let''s fight together, Illya!" Miyu turned her pegasus mid-air, returning to Illya''s side. "Here, take my power!"


    Illya leapt onto the pegasus, effortlessly landing on its back. Her hands moved in rapid succession, forming intricate seals.


    [Fuuma Kotarou Illya ATK: 2000 ¡ú 3500]


    Ruby, the staff, chimed in dramatically. "Oh, how moving! The teamwork between magical girls is truly a sight to behold!"


    "Shut up, Ruby!" Illya snapped, her hands completing the final seal. A fiery aura ignited around her, the air shimmering with heat as sparks flickered.


    "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!"


    Hoshino blinked in disbelief. "Illya, where did you learn that jutsu?! I didn''t know Kotarou''s spirit origin came with iconic techniques!"


    A massive fireball erupted from Illya''s mouth, engulfing the Ancient Gear Golem in flames. The golem crumbled, its scorched remains collapsing onto the field.


    [Ancient Gear Golem ¨C destroyed]


    [Crowler LP 3900 ¡ú 2600]


    "Mamma mia! My ace monsters!" Crowler cried, staring in horror at the smoldering debris.


    "It''s over for you, Crowler!" Hoshino declared, reaching into her banished zone and retrieving a card.


    "Using the effect of [Magical Girl - Miyu], banished earlier by Phantasmal Summoning¡­"


    [If this card is banished as Fusion Material, it can be returned to your hand.]


    She held up the card for all to see. "I activate Miyu''s second effect! By discarding this card, I can return a Heroic Spirit Fusion Monster to the Extra Deck and immediately Fusion Summon another using at least one duplicate material!"


    Crowler staggered back. "No! Don''t tell me¡ª!"


    "That''s right! This duel ends now!" Hoshino shouted, returning Fuuma Kotarou Illya to the Extra Deck. She slammed a new Fusion Monster card onto her Duel Disk with flair.


    "By returning Kotarou Illya, I summon a new magical girl fused with Illya! Arise¡ª[Magical Girl ¨C Heracles Illya]!"


    Drawing a class card from her thigh holster, Illya leapt from the pegasus and performed a mid-air summon. "Class Card: Berserker¡ªInstall Heracles!"


    Bathed in light, Illya transformed. When she landed, her attire was wild and beastly, her petite frame wielding a battle axe far larger than she was.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Heracles Illya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][EARTH][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 1000]


    "This¡­ this doesn''t even look like a magical girl anymore!" one Slifer student exclaimed, his disbelief echoed by the murmurs of the crowd.


    Even Alexis, despite anticipating the outcome, couldn''t hide her shock. "I thought Professor Crowler''s strong opening would at least buy him some time. But he didn''t even last a turn¡­"


    Resting his chin on his hand, Chazz grumbled, "Tch, what a monster she is¡­"


    Raising her Duel Disk, Hoshino gave her final command. "Illya, finish this! Direct attack!"


    Illya grinned, her voice now feral, fitting of her Berserker form. "Got it, Master! Prepare yourself!"


    With her colossal axe raised high, Illya brought it crashing down, obliterating the field beneath Crowler''s feet.


    [Crowler LP 2600 ¡ú 0]


    "Mamma mia! Impossible¡ªI lost in just one turn!" Crowler wailed in disbelief as the match ended.


    [Duel End¡ªVictory: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    "Thank you for the match, Professor Crowler~" Hoshino said with a polite smile, sliding her duel disk back into its case.


    Crowler, still reeling from his crushing defeat, clutched his head in despair. "It''s ova! I tole ya, I wanted ta get my dignity back, but now I been one-turn-killed! Dis is a total humiliation!"


    "As per our agreement," Hoshino reminded him, her tone firm but not unkind, "if the ''Beast Wave'' attacks again tonight, the students are absolutely forbidden from fighting."


    The purpose of their duel had been to decide whether students would be allowed to join the defense effort against the rampaging Duel Monsters. Secretly, Hoshino had also wanted to toy with Crowler a little.


    Crowler could only nod reluctantly, utterly defeated.


    Satisfied, Hoshino turned to address the students who had gathered to watch. Her voice rang out across the arena, stern and commanding: "Listen up, you brats! If the Duel Monster rampage happens again tonight, stay in your dorms and tremble like scared little kittens! Anyone caught sneaking out will have their legs broken!"


    "Is she serious?" Chazz muttered under his breath, staring at her in disbelief. "Without the power of hundreds of students, can they really hold the line?"


    The memories of the previous night''s battle still haunted him. Despite his pro-level dueling skills, he knew how terrifyingly overwhelming the "Beast Wave" had been. For most students¡ªObelisk Blue included¡ªfacing another onslaught like that could be catastrophic.


    "Professor Hoshino will figure something out," Alexis said softly, her voice filled with quiet faith. She rested her chin in her hand, her expression weary but resolute. Like Chazz, she had endured the brutal fight, but her trust in Hoshino never wavered.


    "If only I could become as mature and dependable as Professor Hoshino..." Alexis murmured, her gaze filled with admiration.


    Chazz, hearing this, shuddered. "Think carefully before wishing to become like her, Alexis!"


    For some reason, Hoshino was incredibly popular among the female students. Her maturity, charm, and unparalleled dueling skills made her a role model. Among the male students, however, she inspired a mix of awe and dread.


    Hoshino''s "disciplinary measures" were infamous. Random dorm inspections often resulted in the confiscation of limited-edition anime Blu-rays or rare game cartridges¡ªitems she claimed were "distractions" but clearly kept for herself. During dueling practice, her patience with female students was legendary, but her treatment of male opponents was ruthless. Even the academy''s top student, Zane Truesdale, had suffered a humiliating loss against her.


    Despite her often-questionable methods, Hoshino''s dedication to the academy and its students was undeniable. Her strength and leadership had saved the school from countless crises, and if you asked anyone whether they loved or hated her, few would dare choose "hate."


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Ah~~ it turned out like this after all," Illya said with a sigh, materializing beside Hoshino as the students dispersed. Floating lazily, her expression was a mix of worry and exasperation.


    "So, Master, if the ''Beast Wave'' really does come tonight, what''s your plan?"


    Illya''s tone betrayed her unease. As a teacher, Hoshino felt it was her responsibility to shield the students. However, Illya couldn''t help but feel anxious about Hoshino''s insistence on taking on such a dangerous task alone.


    "After all," Illya continued, "since yesterday, you haven''t been able to use any of your Heroic Spirit cards!"


    This was the heart of the problem. Without her Heroic Spirit cards, Hoshino had lost access to some of her most powerful allies. Even Da Vinci, who had been investigating the cause of the rampages, had lost contact.


    Thankfully, Illya and Miyu, as Magical Girl cards outside the Heroic Spirit system, could still be summoned and used for Phantasmal Summoning. But these two magical girls were now Hoshino''s last line of defense.


    "We''ll cross that bridge when we get to it~" Hoshino replied cheerfully, brushing off the concern.


    Illya''s eye twitched. This was exactly the answer she had been dreading.


    "Master!" Illya puffed out her cheeks indignantly, clearly wanting to complain but unsure where to start.


    Hoshino, unfazed, looked up at the sky, her expression turning serious. "I have a feeling... tonight will be the final battle."


    (***)


    "Finally, Duel Academy!" Ryota exclaimed, stretching his arms as he let go of the boat''s wheel, allowing it to drift on autopilot. "All those obstacles forced me to take a huge detour!"


    The "obstacles" Ryota referred to were, of course, the Duel Monsters infesting the waters around the island. After countless evasive maneuvers and battles, what should have been a 30-minute journey had stretched to over an hour.


    The one who had suffered the most, however, wasn''t Ryota, nor was it Hoshino or Jonouchi. No, it was poor Musashi, who had been seasick from the start and now looked like a shadow of her former self.


    "I can''t¡­ I can''t go on. Master, are we at land yet¡­?" Musashi whimpered weakly, her voice barely audible.


    "You can''t give up now, Musashi-chan!" Hoshino grabbed her Servant''s cheeks and shook them vigorously. "If you fall asleep now, you''ll never wake up!"


    "Master, I''m seasick, not stranded in the snowy mountains. Stop slapping me¡­" Musashi groaned, her cheeks reddened by Hoshino''s "encouragement."


    "Hey, I can see the island!" Jonouchi called from the bow, standing with one foot on the railing as he squinted into the distance.


    Dropping Musashi unceremoniously, Hoshino hurried to join him. "So this is Duel Academy Island? It looks... wait, is that smoke?!"


    The most striking feature of the island wasn''t the massive academy building but the plume of smoke rising ominously from the top of its tallest volcano.


    "Why on earth would anyone build a school next to an active volcano?!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jonouchi shrugged. "You''d have to ask Kaiba about that. Who knows what he was thinking when he established the academy here?"


    As the boat approached, the island''s details became clearer. The striking contrast of modern structures nestled within lush greenery painted a picture of harmony between civilization and nature.


    "Hey, is someone sitting on the dock?" Hoshino asked, her sharp eyes spotting a blonde girl in a blue uniform sitting by the water''s edge.


    "Probably a student from the academy," Jonouchi guessed, though the figure was barely visible to him.


    Hoshino tilted her head curiously. "Just a student? She looks... familiar for some reason."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 273 - 273

    The boat slowly approached the harbor, and Musashi, as if seeing the dawn of salvation, scrambled and crawled toward the ground.


    "Reviiiivvveee!" The moment her feet touched solid ground, the previously lifeless Musashi seemed to transform into a completely different person, throwing her arms high in triumph like a victorious hero.


    Her dramatic behavior startled the blonde girl sitting idly on the dock, causing her to flinch and nearly slip into the water.


    As they drew closer, Hoshino noticed that the girl, dressed in a crisp blue uniform, had her delicate white arm wrapped in a conspicuous bandage. The injury, combined with her slightly sulky demeanor, made it clear her mood wasn''t great.


    "Sorry about that," Hoshino apologized as she approached, offering a disarming smile. "Our dumb Musashi probably scared you just now."


    The girl glanced up, her clear blue eyes scanning Hoshino curiously. Her expression betrayed a flicker of surprise at being addressed so casually. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s fine," the girl replied after a pause, her voice calm but carrying a hint of annoyance. "There are plenty of overly-energetic idiots like her all over the academy."


    "Wow, so you''re a student here, huh?" Hoshino said brightly. "Wearing the blue uniform means you''re part of Obelisk Blue, right? That''s amazing¡ªgetting into the elite dorm at such a young age!"


    The girl arched an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Young? You don''t look much older than me. What are you even doing here at the academy? Are you some kind of pro duelist or something? Because, no offense, you don''t look like one."


    "Ah, sorry," Hoshino said, scratching the back of her neck sheepishly. She realized she''d blurted her comment out without thinking. "I just meant you seem really accomplished. Obelisk Blue isn''t easy to get into, after all."


    "Master, that''s so mean! I''m not dumb!" Musashi, who had been busy savoring the fresh air, pouted as she rejoined the group, her cheerful smile returning in full force.


    At the sight of Musashi''s vibrant energy, the blonde girl stiffened. Her hand instinctively moved behind her back to hide her bandaged arm.


    "Master?" she asked, her tone sharpening with suspicion as her gaze flickered between Hoshino and Musashi.


    Noticing the girl''s tense reaction, Hoshino sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "Musashi, you''re scaring her again! Don''t worry," she added, turning back to the girl, "she might look a little weird, but she''s actually a good person."


    Musashi gasped in mock indignation. "Ugh! A ''good person card'' out of nowhere? What a failure for me!"


    The girl''s eyes narrowed as she focused on Musashi. "You said ''Master,'' didn''t you? You¡­ aren''t human, are you?"


    Musashi froze, her jaw dropping in shock. "Oh no, I''ve been exposed!" She looked genuinely baffled, as though her identity had been uncovered despite her "perfect disguise."


    "What do we do? Should I silence her?" Musashi''s hands moved toward the hilts of her swords, and for a brief moment, a flash of lethal intent radiated from her.


    "Silence who?! We''re not assassins, Musashi!" Hoshino exclaimed, half amused, half exasperated. Despite her playful tone, she was intrigued by how quickly the girl had seen through Musashi''s true nature.


    As the boat finally docked, Jonouchi and Ryota jumped ashore, tying the boat to a nearby post.


    "Wow, chatting up a schoolgirl the moment you land, huh? Classic Hoshino," Jonouchi teased with a knowing smirk.


    The blonde girl turned toward the two men, her pink lips parting slightly in surprise. "You''re¡­ Jonouchi-nii?"


    Jonouchi froze, clearly caught off guard. Then, puffing up his chest, he nudged Ryota. "See? I told ya. Yours truly, Jonouchi Katsuya, is super popular with high school girls!"


    "Popular, my foot!" the girl retorted with a scowl. "Nobody''s talking about you!"


    Then, her expression brightened as she pointed to herself excitedly. "It''s me! Don''t you recognize me, Jonouchi-nii?"


    Jonouchi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, squinting at her. After a moment, his face lit up as realization struck. "Wait a second¡­ Akasha?! Is that really you?!"


    "That''s right! It''s me!" Akasha exclaimed, spreading her arms in triumph. Her mood seemed to lift instantly at being recognized.


    Jonouchi laughed heartily. "Wow, not only did you get into Duel Academy, but you made it to Obelisk Blue? That''s impressive, kid!"


    On the sidelines, Hoshino stood frozen in shock. The elegant young woman before her was the same Akasha who had once clung to her side like a shadow?


    Sure, people grow up, but this much? The chubby-cheeked little girl she remembered had blossomed into a confident, striking teenager. Her refined features, short blonde hair, and radiant smile made her almost unrecognizable.


    "Master, snap out of it!" Musashi waved a hand in front of Hoshino''s face, failing to elicit a response. With a resigned sigh, she reached into her travel pouch and pulled out a small bottle.


    [Musashi used Anti-Petrification Potion! It was super effective!]


    "Akasha-chan, you''ve grown into such a beautiful young lady!" Hoshino finally managed to say after shaking off her daze.


    Akasha tilted her head, confused. She glanced at Jonouchi, who immediately stepped in to explain the situation.


    ---


    "So, Hoshino-nee traveled here from the past? And that''s why you''re called Master? That actually makes sense!" Akasha concluded after hearing the full explanation. She seemed completely unfazed, her adaptability shining through¡ªunlike Ryota, who was still grumbling about wanting to conquer the seas.


    Blinking her bright, curious eyes, Akasha leaned in with a playful grin. "It''s kinda amazing, though. I just said goodbye to older Hoshino-nee, and now I get to see the younger version! How lucky am I?"


    As she leaned closer, Hoshino noticed the bandage Akasha was trying to hide behind her back.


    "Akasha-chan, your wrist¡ªis it injured? Why is it bandaged?" Hoshino asked, her voice filled with concern.


    Akasha raised her arm, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, this? It''s the power of demonic energy sealed by the Shadow Garden, an evil organization! If I remove the bandage, the seal will break, and the world will plunge into chaos!"


    "Is that so?" Hoshino replied dryly, clearly unimpressed. She lightly poked the bandage with her finger.


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch! It hurts, it hurts, QAQ!" Akasha yelped, clutching her arm.


    "So it''s really an injury," Hoshino said, frowning. "Was it from the academy''s battles?"


    Akasha''s playful demeanor faded as she looked down. "Actually¡­" Her voice grew quieter.


    "This morning, I¡­ had a fight with Hoshino-nee."


    "A fight¡­ with me?" Hoshino''s brain stalled for a moment, her confusion evident.


    Akasha quickly waved her hands. "Not with you, Hoshino-nee. With... Hoshino-nee."


    Both of them froze, tangled in confusion. The sight of Akasha clutching her head in frustration, looking utterly adorable, sent Jonouchi and Ryota into fits of laughter.


    "She means the current Hoshino, while you''re the Hoshino from the past," Jonouchi explained, lightly tapping Hoshino''s head.


    "Yes, yes, exactly what Jonouchi said! Sorry, I''ve been thinking about it so much it''s all muddled," Akasha admitted, sighing.


    She had been sitting on the pier all morning, her brow furrowed, unsure of how to face the situation.


    For Akasha, Hoshino was an incredibly important person. She had spent years in America with her father, Rowick, but resolutely left him behind to apply to Duel Academy just to reunite with her beloved Hoshino.


    Her father must''ve been heartbroken when she left¡­


    "So, why did you argue?" Hoshino asked gently, a strange discomfort tugging at her. Though technically this situation had nothing to do with her, the sight of Akasha''s worried face made her feel oddly guilty, as though she were somehow to blame.


    Then again, in a way, it was her fault.


    "Don''t worry," Jonouchi said, trying to comfort Akasha. "Arguments are normal. I still throw punches with Honda now and then, but we''re as close as ever!"


    "Please don''t compare your brawls with Honda to this¡­" Hoshino muttered, exasperated.


    "Originally, Hoshino-nee didn''t want any students involved in the ''Beast Wave,''" Akasha explained, her voice tinged with frustration. "But last night, the number of monsters was overwhelming. Even with pros supporting us, it was incredibly dangerous."


    "What''s the Beast Wave?" Ryota interjected, unfamiliar with the term.


    "It''s what the Academy calls the waves of rampaging Duel Monsters that attack us," Akasha clarified. "To protect the Academy, I joined the fight last night, but¡­ as you can see, I got hurt. This morning, Hoshino-nee found out and got furious."


    "Hoshino, you''re so strict~" Jonouchi teased, shaking his head at the Hoshino standing beside him.


    "That wasn''t me being strict¡ªit was the future me¡­ Oh, never mind." Hoshino sighed, already feeling the headache of having to differentiate between herself and her future self.


    "But Akasha-chan, if it were me now, I''d also be upset if you snuck into such a dangerous battle and got hurt," she added, her tone softening.


    "That''s completely different!" Akasha snapped, her frustration bubbling over. "I just wanted to help protect the Academy and you, Hoshino-nee! I''m not a child anymore, so why does she have to be so mad? Besides¡­"


    Crossing her arms, Akasha turned away, pouting. "From where I''m standing, you''re the child now, Hoshino-chan! You''re even shorter than me!"


    Hoshino, reluctantly comparing their heights, realized Akasha was indeed slightly taller than her. Somehow, it felt like a personal defeat.


    "Not to mention, I''m already in my third year and about to graduate! You should start treating me like an adult!"


    But venting to me won''t change anything¡­


    Hoshino, now fully serving as Akasha''s outlet for complaints, could only sigh helplessly. And to make matters worse, as a third-year student, Akasha wasn''t just taller¡ªshe was technically older than the younger Hoshino standing before her.


    Jonouchi placed a hand on Akasha''s shoulder, gently steering her away from her frustrations. "Come on, Akasha, don''t throw a tantrum. At this rate, you''re just arguing with another Hoshino."


    "Ugh¡­" Akasha groaned, but Jonouchi''s words helped her cool down. "Fine. I guess you have a point."


    Meanwhile, Ryota, who had been silently absorbing the conversation, furrowed his brows in thought. "If even professional duelists couldn''t hold the line and students had to step in, then the Academy''s situation must be far worse than we realized."


    Recalling her purpose for coming, Hoshino turned to Akasha, now calmer. "Akasha-chan, do you know where the ''me'' from this time is? I came to the Academy specifically to find her."


    As soon as she said it, Hoshino felt a wave of awkwardness. I''m looking for myself. It sounded ridiculous.


    But Akasha immediately understood.


    "After our argument this morning, she stormed off to the Chancellor''s office," Akasha explained. "You probably won''t be able to see her for a while."


    Of course, Akasha had no idea that Professor Hoshino had already gone to the dueling arena and annihilated Professor Crowler in a single turn¡ªa display of power that was the true source of her foul mood. Poor Crowler had merely been a punching bag for venting her frustrations.


    "But if you want to find her, you should head back to the Academy first," Akasha suggested. "Knowing Hoshino-nee''s shut-in tendencies, she probably won''t leave campus. Once she''s done, she''s likely hiding in her room, napping."


    No one objected. Jonouchi and Musashi were here to escort Hoshino, Ryota was here to support the Academy, and none of them knew the school''s layout. With Akasha as their guide, it would be much easier.


    However, as they entered the Academy grounds, their expressions grew grim.


    "The damage is worse than I expected¡­" Hoshino muttered, surveying the destruction.


    From the gates to the inner buildings, nearly everything was in ruins. Some structures still smoldered faintly, suggesting the fires had only recently been extinguished.


    Jonouchi and Ryota, who had once seen the Academy in its prime, were especially disheartened. It was no wonder the school had called for reinforcements from professional duelists.


    It was clear that Paradox, unlike the smaller skirmishes in Domino City, had aimed for the Academy''s total annihilation.


    Given Paradox''s goal of erasing Duel Monsters'' history, targeting such a renowned institution made perfect sense.


    Akasha sighed. "The most severely damaged areas were just auxiliary facilities. Thanks to everyone''s efforts, we managed to protect the main teaching building and dormitories."


    But the undertone of her words carried a heavy sense of powerlessness, unbecoming of an Obelisk Blue student.


    "With so many people injured, I''m afraid we won''t be able to hold out against tonight''s attack. If we have to abandon the Academy¡­ where would we even go?"


    Her words hung in the air like a dark cloud, echoing the helplessness of war.


    Nowhere to run.


    Without warning, the flames of destruction had engulfed the world, like rain from hell.


    The Duel Academy, a beacon of hope for duelists everywhere, now stood on the brink of collapse¡ªa testament to their unwavering will, but also to the horrors they faced.


    War brought no smiles. Across the world, countless others were likely enduring the same pain, losing their homes, their loved ones, and their futures.


    Black clouds loomed overhead, blotting out the sky. And in the darkness, hope seemed like a distant dream.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 274 - 274

    "This is the Obelisk Blue girls'' dormitory. If Hoshino-nee is back, we might find her here~"


    The ornate European-style building with its signature blue roof stood proudly before them. At the center of a fountain out front was a stone statue of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its sleek and flowing form radiating an almost gentle elegance. Unlike the ferocious and intimidating version Kaiba Corp had showcased in the past, this statue seemed to exude a strange warmth.


    Staring at the distinctly artistic rendition of Blue-Eyes, Hoshino couldn''t help but twitch at the corner of her mouth. "What exactly has Kaiba been through all these years? His love for Blue-Eyes White Dragon is getting... stranger."


    "Shall we head inside?" Jonouchi casually patted Ryota on the shoulder. The two exchanged a glance and began walking straight toward the dormitory doors.


    SLAM!


    "What the heck are you two thinking?!" Akasha delivered a flying kick that sent them stumbling back. "Even in times like these, men like you have no business entering the girls'' dormitory!"


    Hoshino crossed her arms and shot Jonouchi a look of disdain. "You already have Mai as your girlfriend, and you still want to barge into the girls'' dorm? I''ll be sure to report this to her, you know~"


    "Please don''t!" At the mention of Mai, Jonouchi immediately wilted. "If my allowance gets docked again, I won''t even have enough to buy card packs this month!"


    What a disgraceful member of the world''s top duelists, being so tightly controlled over his card pack budget by his girlfriend.


    "Forget it, Jonouchi. Let''s just wander around and kill some time," Ryota laughed, clapping him on the back. "If we run into any familiar pro duelists, I''ll introduce you!"


    The professional dueling circuit was both vast and small. It was vast because skilled duelists spanned the globe, from local city tournaments to world-class competitions. Yet, it was also small, as only a handful achieved legendary status¡ªnames like Jonouchi and Yugi Muto being among them.


    As Ryota dragged him away, Jonouchi muttered under his breath, "But I''d rather visit the Obelisk Blue girls'' dormitory than meet more duelists¡­"


    "Alright, Hoshino-chan, let''s head in and look for Hoshino-nee." Akasha grabbed Hoshino''s hand, then tilted her head thoughtfully. "This is so confusing. How about I just call you ''Hoshino'' and call the other one ''Sensei''? That''s what I call her in class anyway~"


    "''Sensei''?" Hoshino repeated, feeling an odd sense of awkwardness. It wasn''t that she disliked the title, but she doubted she could live up to the weight of it.


    "By the way, am I allowed in?" Musashi pointed to herself, a questioning look on her face.


    "Of course! You''re a girl, right~?" Akasha replied without hesitation, then mischievously added, "Unless¡­ you''re the same species of Astolfo?"


    Musashi puffed out her chest proudly. "I''m 100% a genuine women! If you don''t believe me, feel free to check!"


    And how exactly am I supposed to check? I kind of want to know¡­ Hoshino thought silently.


    The interior of the Obelisk Blue dormitory mirrored its luxurious exterior. The European-style decor featured bold colors, intricate designs, and an air of opulence that felt more like a five-star hotel than a student dormitory. Hoshino couldn''t help but marvel at Kaiba Corp''s seemingly bottomless budget.


    However, the lavish surroundings couldn''t mask the tension hanging over the dorm. The usually radiant and polished Obelisk Blue girls looked like battle-worn soldiers, their faces tired, their spirits dampened.


    Injured students were everywhere. Those walking the hallways were likely lightly wounded, while the severely injured were confined to their rooms.


    "Akasha, you''re back~" A gentle voice called out. The speaker was a black-haired girl with one eye wrapped in gauze. Her otherwise cute face looked a bit awkward with the bandage.


    "Yeah~" Akasha nodded. "Have you seen Sensei? I have something to discuss with her."


    "Not yet," the black-haired girl replied, a flicker of worry in her uncovered eye. "But, Akasha, you mustn''t argue with her again. Everyone''s already so anxious."


    "Don''t worry, I won''t argue with her again~" Akasha reassured her with a grin, then quietly muttered, "Probably¡­" Though she hadn''t figured out how to face her teacher, her kind heart made her prioritize easing others'' concerns.


    The girl visibly relaxed at Akasha''s assurance, smiled, and excused herself, giving a polite nod to Hoshino and Musashi as she left.


    "It seems she''s not back yet~" Akasha turned to Hoshino. "How about taking a break in my room first? My bed is super big and soft!"


    I know you''re just showing off, but that still sounded weird.


    After walking down several hallways, Akasha stopped in front of a door marked Room 4396.


    "Come on in, Hoshino, and make yourself at home. Sorry for the mess¡ªI didn''t really clean up this morning~" Akasha chuckled nervously as she opened the door.


    The room''s decor matched the luxurious style of the dorm, but its grandeur was completely overshadowed by the chaos inside.


    Hoshino stepped in, took a deep breath, and sighed. "Akasha-chan, do you live in a dumpster?"


    Despite the elegant furniture, the floor was littered with clothes and personal items. Half-eaten snacks and soda cans cluttered the table, and the sink was overflowing with dishes. Duel Monster cards were strewn across every surface, creating a minefield of holographic doom.


    "How is anyone supposed to sit down without getting stabbed by a card?"


    Musashi, both stunned and slightly impressed, muttered, "This¡­ This is amazing. In every possible way. It''s like a training ground."


    "It''s not a training ground!" Akasha pouted indignantly. "Come on, it''s no big deal! Humans are adaptable creatures who can overcome anything with a bit of effort!"


    Like a bulldozer, Akasha quickly cleared a space big enough for three people to sit.


    Proudly plopping down, she patted the empty spot beside her. "See? Problem solved! Have a seat~"


    "Yeah, totally solved," Hoshino replied with a strained smile, her crescent-shaped eyes radiating eerie calm. "Solved, my foot! Stand up!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Hoshino is so strict, even stricter than Sensei~~ sob sob," Akasha whined as she reluctantly began cleaning her room under Hoshino''s stern supervision.


    Despite being a self-proclaimed shut-in, Hoshino was surprisingly meticulous about keeping her space tidy. Back in her old home, her wall of figurines was arranged with surgical precision and kept spotless, and even her room in Domino City was cleaned daily without fail.


    "Living in a mess like this would put anyone in a bad mood," Hoshino commented matter-of-factly as she surveyed the chaos.


    Since Akasha was injured, Hoshino couldn''t bear to watch her clean up alone. Besides, the state of the room was far beyond what one person could handle. With nothing better to do, the three of them¡ªHoshino, Akasha, and Musashi¡ªworked like a whirlwind to restore order.


    Finally, after clearing most of the trash, the room began to resemble a proper Obelisk Blue dorm room.


    Collapsing onto the now-cleared sofa, Akasha looked completely drained. "I''m telling you, Hoshino, even if it''s clean now, it''ll only stay this way for a few days at most. I''m very confident about that."


    Please keep that confidence to yourself, thank you, Hoshino thought dryly as she tossed Akasha''s last pair of panties into the washing machine.


    Musashi, nodding in approval, added sagely, "Inner peace is crucial for peak performance. A tranquil mind is essential for achieving excellence, especially in skills that require precision, control, and mental clarity, like swordsmanship."


    "But I''m not a swordsman~" Akasha retorted lazily as she slid from slouching to lying face-down on the couch, her chin resting on the armrest. She glanced at Hoshino with a playful smirk. "By the way, no matter the situation, you''re always so particular about certain things, Hoshino."


    "Hmm? I feel like I''m a pretty laid-back person," Hoshino replied.


    "Hehe, maybe it''s exactly because of your personality that you were destined to become a teacher~"


    "Destined to become a teacher¡­" Hoshino murmured, her voice tinged with uncertainty.


    Having seen her future self, Hoshino couldn''t help but feel the weight of self-doubt pressing on her. Could she really live up to the responsibilities of being a teacher?


    "Akasha-chan, do you think I''m a qualified teacher?" she asked softly.


    Akasha instantly saw through Hoshino''s unease. Her crafty eyes sparkled with mischief as she jumped off the couch.


    "Hoshino, just sit here for a moment. I''m going to get something great for you!" Akasha pressed Hoshino back onto the sofa before diving into her cluttered cabinet with great enthusiasm.


    "What''s this girl up to now?" Hoshino muttered, baffled.


    "This sofa is so big and soft¡­ Definitely worthy of the Obelisk Blue dormitory!" Relaxing despite her confusion, Hoshino began to enjoy the luxurious comfort.


    "Found it! Whew~" Akasha finally emerged, holding an old, dusty item she''d pulled from the bottom of a box. She blew off the dust with gusto.


    "Try this on! It''ll definitely suit you~"


    "What is it? Uh¡­" Hoshino''s question trailed off as Akasha gently lifted her long white hair and placed a pair of black, non-prescription glasses on her face. The simple frames exuded an intellectual vibe and surprisingly complemented Hoshino''s deep red eyes, as though they were made for her.


    "See? I knew it would suit you! Oh, by the way, I think these glasses originally belonged to you," Akasha said with a playful grin.


    Hoshino touched the glasses, intrigued. "Really? Do they look good? I want to see!"


    "Pfft~" Musashi burst into laughter. "You kind of look like Mash now, Master~"


    "Do I? Mash is adorable, and glasses definitely make her even cuter," Hoshino thought, realizing the transformative magic of glasses.


    "Don''t move yet! Let me tie up your hair." Producing another mystery item from her seemingly bottomless bag, Akasha started styling Hoshino''s hair.


    Hoshino''s soft, wavy white locks were naturally beautiful and rarely needed much effort to style. Curious about what Akasha was planning, she sat still and let her work.


    ¡­


    "All done! It''s perfect¡ªabsolutely spot-on!"


    After Akasha''s handiwork, Hoshino found herself wearing an Obelisk Blue uniform, complete with platform insoles Akasha had ordered online.


    "So that''s why you seemed taller than me¡ªit was these insoles!" Hoshino exclaimed, glaring accusingly at Akasha.


    Akasha giggled. "So, what do you think? You asked me if you''re a qualified teacher, right? Well, why don''t you experience it for yourself?"


    "Huh? What do you mean?"


    Before Hoshino could process what was happening, Akasha pushed her out into the hallway.


    "Take care of the room, Musashi! We''ll be back soon!" Akasha called over her shoulder.


    "Have fun, Master! Be careful~" Musashi, fully at home, flopped onto the sofa and munched happily on Akasha''s leftover snacks.


    Pushed into the dormitory hallway, Hoshino looked panicked. "So suddenly?! Where are we even going?"


    "Nowhere far! Just around the dorm, hehe~" Akasha replied nonchalantly.


    As they strolled through the hallways, Hoshino noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The students, who had seemed downcast earlier, now wore curious and hopeful expressions. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Sensei? You''re back!"


    "Looks like you made up with Akasha! We were so worried about you two~"


    "Are you feeling better now?"


    "I heard you dueled Professor Crowler again! If you still have the energy to duel, you must be doing just fine, Sensei!"


    "If you''re feeling strong, then the Academy must be safe! I feel so much more reassured now!"


    Hoshino quickly realized Akasha''s scheme. Her current outfit mimicked that of her future self, making it impossible for the students to notice any difference.


    More importantly, the mere presence of "Hoshino" seemed to lift the students'' spirits. In the midst of crisis and despair, she symbolized hope and stability.


    "Hoshino, you asked if you''re a good teacher, right? Well, this is your answer~" Akasha said softly.


    "I see¡­ That''s such a relief," Hoshino murmured. The students'' warm smiles seemed to wash away her anxiety.


    However, the crowd of students began to grow, bombarding her with questions. Nervous about being exposed, Hoshino didn''t dare say a word.


    "What''s going on here? Why is everyone gathered together?"


    A voice rang out from the end of the hallway¡ªa voice Hoshino knew better than any other.


    One of the students gasped, their eyes wide in shock.


    "Huh?! Imposter?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 275 - 275

    "Two Senseis?!"


    "How is this possible? Am I dreaming?"


    "This is... double the joy!"


    The bizarre scene before them naturally caused a commotion among the female students.


    "Although, looking closely, this Hoshino Sensei seems a little smaller compared to usual~."


    Even with Akasha''s height-boosting insoles, Hoshino was still shorter than her future self. This left her feeling oddly conflicted¡ªneither like a victory nor a loss.


    "This is bad... We''ve messed up big time..." Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Akasha quickly ducked her head, trying to slink away into the crowd.


    Of course, before leaving, she grabbed Hoshino''s wrist, dragging her along.


    "Anyway, let''s retreat first, Hoshino-chan! Back to the room to prepare for battle! The enemy''s counterattack will definitely be ferocious, and there may even be sacrifices!"


    So... is my future self some sort of terrifying monster? Hoshino thought, confused, as Akasha dragged her down the hallway.


    That said, if sacrifices were indeed necessary, she secretly hoped Musashi would step up for the role.


    Bang!


    Akasha slammed the door shut with all her might, transforming it into an imaginary barrier between time and space.


    "Yo~ You''re back so soon. What''s with the terrified expressions?" Musashi greeted them nonchalantly, still lounging on the sofa, having merely swapped her previous snack for a new one.


    "We saw... me!" Hoshino blurted, still in shock.


    Musashi casually tossed a peanut into the air, catching it in her mouth. "Crunch, crunch~. So what? Isn''t meeting yourself the whole reason you came here?"


    Hoshino: (._.)?


    "Yeah, why am I freaking out like this?" Hoshino realized she had completely fallen into Akasha''s panicked rhythm.


    But while the thought seemed simple enough, the actual experience of meeting oneself was entirely different. It wasn''t something anyone could truly prepare for.


    Akasha, still jittery, crossed her arms in righteous indignation. "With so many people around, of course, Hoshino-chan, as the fake, had to escape first! Otherwise, it''d be super awkward!"


    "Why are you so quick to call me the fake? I''m also the real Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Knock, knock, knock~


    Gentle yet rhythmic knocking came from the door. But to the two hiding behind the sofa, it sounded like the ominous chime of impending doom.


    "They''re here! What do we do?!" Hoshino, who had just resolved to stay calm, was now trembling behind the sofa with Akasha.


    Sure enough, meeting oneself wasn''t something ordinary people could handle. Especially when it was your future self¡ªthe version of you that held all the answers to the next ten years while you knew nothing. It felt like facing an invisible enemy.


    Musashi, on the other hand, looked at the two of them with utter disbelief. "What''s wrong with you two? It''s just someone knocking at the door."


    With a nimble flip, Musashi stood up and dusted off her hands. "If you''re both so scared, let me handle this~."


    "Musashi?" Hoshino hesitated, remembering Akasha''s earlier dramatic talk of sacrifices. Should she stop her?


    But Musashi waved dismissively. "Don''t worry. I''m not afraid of anything~."


    The crisp sound of the lock turning echoed ominously, and the barrier between time and space was breached.


    "Ahhh!!!"


    Hoshino: "It''s over¡ªMusashi-chan has been sacrificed!"


    Akasha: "Wahhh! It''s all our fault, Musashi!"


    "I''m not sacrificed!" Musashi retorted, annoyed. She turned toward the two Hoshinos now standing in the room, one by the door and one still peeking nervously from behind the sofa.


    "There really are two Masters. How fascinating! So you''re the Master from the future?"


    "Musashi? Future?" The Hoshino at the door tilted her head slightly. "I don''t remember summoning you yet."


    Musashi''s cheerful expression turned stormy in an instant. "So cruel! Ten years and you still haven''t summoned me?! Master, you don''t love me at all!"


    Hoshino facepalmed. "You''ve never been in the banner! How could I summon you? Anyway, if Musashi is here, that confirms my suspicion."


    Future Hoshino¡ªHoshino-Sensei¡ªcalmly stepped into the room and locked the door behind her. "Nice job cleaning the room, Akasha-chan. Looks like you actually listened to what I said this morning."


    So, the fight you two had wasn''t just about last night''s injuries¡ªit was also because of this yellow-haired girl''s messy room?


    No response.


    Hoshino-Sensei adjusted her glasses and placed her hands on her hips. "Stop hiding, you two. Your ahoge is sticking out."


    "Eep! Hehe~. Hello, Sensei!" Resigned, Akasha forced a nervous smile as she stood up, scratching her head sheepishly.


    "And the other one?"


    Peeking out from behind the sofa, Hoshino stared at her future self. "This is future me? Surprisingly calm and cool¡ªtruly worthy of being me..."


    Hoshino-Sensei sighed, meeting her gaze. "And this is me from the past? Surprisingly cute and youthful¡ªtruly worthy of being me..."


    The awkward first meeting left both Hoshinos oddly captivated by each other.


    .


    ..


    ...


    After recounting her experience since crossing over, Hoshino finally sighed in relief.


    "So, you''re from ten years ago? It''s hard to believe, but..." Hoshino-Sensei gently removed the black-rimmed glasses from Hoshino''s face. "With this level of cuteness, it''s not something easily faked."


    Blushing furiously, Hoshino''s heart raced. "This is bad¡ªI''m feeling charmed by myself?! Calm down, Chiyuki! Being moved by your own cuteness is way too narcissistic!"


    After removing the glasses, Hoshino-Sensei continued. "But I can say for certain, I''ve never time-traveled."


    Hoshino blinked, puzzled. "Never time-traveled? Not even after collecting the Egyptian God Cards?!" With her personality, there was no way her future self wouldn''t have taken advantage of that opportunity.


    Hoshino-Sensei gave a wry smile. "I never collected the Egyptian God Cards. I lost to Yugi during the Battle City Finals. And as for using the cards to travel through time, this is the first I''m hearing of it."


    "How is that possible? This is completely different from my experience..." Hoshino stared at the calm, serious expression of her future self. It didn''t seem like she was joking.


    Hoshino-Sensei adjusted her glasses, her tone analytical. "It actually makes sense. Have you ever heard of parallel worlds? Depending on choices made at certain moments, two entirely different futures can arise."


    "Ah! So I ended up in the wrong timeline, Sensei?"


    "That''s right, Chiyuki-chan. You''re quite the little scatterbrain, aren''t you~."


    The two spoke in sync, their identical tones making Akasha and Musashi stare in silent disbelief.


    Akasha interjected, "So, that means this version of Hoshino-chan not only collected all the Egyptian God Cards but also defeated Yugi! She''s way better than Sensei here!"


    Playfully hooking her arm around Hoshino, Akasha stuck her tongue out at Hoshino¨CSensei, still clearly holding a grudge from their earlier argument.


    Hoshino scratched the back of her head with a sheepish laugh. "I wouldn''t say I defeated him exactly... at the time¡ª"


    Back then, Yugi could have forced a draw but chose not to.


    "If that''s the case, then the crucial decision that split the timelines must have been this event?" Hoshino asked thoughtfully.


    Hoshino¨CSensei waved dismissively, looking incredulous. "No, no, no. What you''re describing is something I''d never do. Challenging both Yugi and Kaiba on my own? That''s just reckless. The timeline must''ve diverged long before that."


    Hoshino flopped onto the sofa with a groan. "Ugh, it''s impossible to figure out where it all went wrong. So many things happen every day¡ªhow am I supposed to know the exact moment that changed everything?"


    This would definitely be a job for Sherlock Holmes.


    Hoshino¨CSensei gently patted Hoshino''s head, her tone soothing. "Even if we can''t figure it out, it''s okay. The timelines have already split. What''s important now is finding a way to send you back."


    "Wow, you''re so reliable, future me!" For once, Hoshino felt she could depend on someone other than her Servants. It was strange but comforting to entrust everything to herself¡ªor rather, her future self.


    This person might just replace me as the protagonist!


    "Master, have you already figured out a way to send her back?" Musashi asked curiously.


    "Haha, who do you think I am?" Hoshino¨CSensei adjusted her glasses confidently, then sighed with a wry smile.


    "I''d love to say I have, but sorry, I don''t have any leads. Like I said, this is the first I''ve heard of the Egyptian God Cards being able to cross time."


    Hoshino slumped even further into the sofa. It made sense, though. If the timelines were different, her future self not knowing about this wasn''t surprising.


    "Does this mean I''ll have to use the last resort¡ªcollect the Egyptian God Cards again?" It was the only idea Hoshino could come up with, though it would be a hassle. At least she still had the three Wicked God Cards in her possession.


    "About that..." Hoshino¨CSensei''s expression turned awkward. "Unfortunately, that won''t work either. The Egyptian God Cards no longer exist in this world."


    Hoshino froze, as if struck by lightning. "What do you mean they don''t exist anymore? How is that possible?"


    "Because Yugi¡ªno, the Pharaoh¡ªhe''s already..."


    BOOM!


    A deafening explosion rattled the room, as if a bomb had detonated nearby.


    "Ahhh!!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Screams of terror and despair echoed throughout the dormitory.


    Musashi immediately drew her blades, her entire body tensing. "Careful, Master. This is the densest concentration of killing intent I''ve ever felt."


    "Outside!" Akasha stammered, pointing a trembling finger at the window before collapsing to the floor in fright.


    A massive black mechanical dragon was barreling straight toward the Obelisk Blue dormitory¡ªits trajectory aimed directly at their room.


    "An enemy attack?" Musashi declared, leaping through the shattered window.


    "Then let me, Shinmen Musashi, face you! Niten Ichi-ry¨±¡ª"


    The clash between Musashi and the mechanical dragon was over in seconds. With incredible speed, her twin blades slashed into the dragon''s metallic head, sparks flying from the impact.


    "¡ªIshana, Daitenshou!!"


    Musashi''s technique was sharp and precise, cleaving the dragon cleanly in half. Its segmented body crashed heavily to the ground, split in two.


    Hoshino let out a sigh of relief. "Musashi really is reliable in critical moments. If it weren''t for her, we might''ve been turned into a Hoshino pancake just now."


    "Master, now''s not the time to relax," Musashi warned, her gaze fixed on the blackened sky. Her eyes trembled slightly. "In fact, you might want to tense up even more."


    Daylight had turned to darkness¡ªthe sky completely obscured. The only explanation was...


    "A monster swarm? Why is there another monster swarm?!" Despairing cries echoed from outside.


    The blackened sky was teeming with Duel Monsters, so densely packed they blotted out the sun. Only now did Hoshino and Musashi understand why the academy called it a "beast wave."


    It was a true, unrelenting tide of Duel Monsters, their numbers beyond comprehension.


    "What the hell is this?!" Hoshino''s jaw dropped at the sight. "I thought the Duel Monster attacks here would only be slightly worse than the ones in Domino City..."


    If the incidents in Domino City were like monster brawls, then this was a full-scale war.


    To put it in perspective, this was the difference between facing 20 monsters and facing 20,000. Hoshino had no way of counting the swarm.


    Hoshino¨CSensei clicked her tongue, her brows furrowed. "I knew it. The previous attacks at night were just to mislead us into thinking the monster swarms only happened after dark."


    Hoshino felt a chill. "If this is all being orchestrated by Paradox, then..."


    "Then he''s not pulling any punches. He waited until the academy was at its weakest to launch his final attack. Looks like this is the real deal."


    The sheer scale of this assault made it clear: Paradox was ready to sound the final trumpet of war.


    Akasha clutched her injured arm, trembling uncontrollably. "Sensei, what''s going to happen to us? There''s no way we can win this, right?"


    "Mm, normally it would be impossible to win." Hoshino¨CSensei activated her Duel Disk, glancing at her younger self with a sly smile.


    "But Paradox made a miscalculation. Our hope has traveled through time to stand with us!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 276 - 276

    "Are you talking about me?" Hoshino asked, stunned.


    Musashi puffed up proudly. "That''s right, it''s me!"


    What are you doing stealing the spotlight? Can you focus on fighting the beast?


    Hoshino¨CSensei quickly took charge. "Akasha, take the students and evacuate immediately. Absolutely no one is allowed to join the battle." She grabbed Hoshino''s wrist and pulled her toward the door.


    Unlike Musashi, normal people couldn''t just leap out of windows, especially from the second floor.


    Hoshino sighed inwardly. Why do I keep getting dragged around by everyone? But there was something oddly comforting about being led by her future self. Their footsteps naturally fell in sync as they ran.


    "Whoa?! It really is Hoshino-sensei¡ªand there are two of her!" S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The hallway was crowded with students who had come out of their rooms, startled by the commotion. After all, who could sleep through an attack like this?


    "I didn''t think we''d be attacked during the day! What should we do?"


    "Is there really no hope for us?"


    Panic, anxiety, and fear spread rapidly among the students, threatening to spiral into chaos.


    "Everyone, calm down!" Hoshino¨CSensei shouted, positioning herself at the front of the dormitory doors. "Are you really proud Obelisk Blue students if you panic at a scene this small?"


    To call a massive beast wave that blotted out the sky a "small scene" with a straight face¡ªHoshino couldn''t help but admire her future self''s composure.


    Wait, does this count as charisma? If it does, even an E-rank would be nice.


    "The boys'' dormitory is being handled by Professor Crowler. No one is allowed to step outside this dormitory today!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei''s stern tone carried the weight of command. She knew the outside world was a brutal battlefield. Anyone without unshakable resolve would meet their end the moment they stepped out.


    "But¡­ there are so many strong monsters outside...What if you lose?"


    Their worry was valid. This beast wave far surpassed previous attacks in both size and intensity.


    "Nah, I''d win." Hoshino¨CSensei smiled confidently, tightening her grip on Hoshino''s hand.


    "Now, this is my war to fight!"


    (***)


    Elsewhere on the battlefield¡ª


    "Go, Red-Eyes Black Dragon¡ªFire Blast!"


    "Fortress Whale¡ªHarpoon Cannon!"


    The sudden eruption of battle engulfed Duel Academy in chaos. The professional duelists, still recovering from the previous night''s fight, were caught off guard. Only a few, including Jonouchi and Ryota, managed to retaliate immediately.


    "So this is the beast wave? It''s on a completely different scale from before." Jonouchi wiped the sweat from his brow as the sheer number of monsters pressed down on them like a tidal wave.


    "In theory, Duel Monsters can be summoned infinitely, but humans have limited stamina." Ryota, already analyzing the situation, realized their greatest disadvantage. In such a relentless battle, even the smallest mistake could mean death.


    A flash of black light streaked across the battlefield. One moment, Jonouchi''s Red-Eyes Black Dragon was holding its ground; the next, it was pierced and destroyed.


    "Damn it!" Jonouchi gritted his teeth, his hand already reaching for his next card. "What kind of dragon is that? I''ve never seen it before!"


    Ryota stared at the enemy, his eyes wide. Beneath the dark wings of the dragon, faint black stars fell like glittering dust.


    [Malefic Stardust Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "Who cares what kind of dragon it is¡ªcome on out, [Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon]!" Jonouchi shouted, summoning his next monster.


    [Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2400]


    The armored black dragon unleashed a torrent of dark flames, its might enough to tear through the heavens.


    But war is rarely fair. Countless lesser monsters swarmed toward the Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon like moths drawn to a flame.


    Despite its strength, even the Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon couldn''t withstand the relentless assault. Its scales began to crack, and it faltered under the weight of the onslaught.


    "Damn it! There are too many of them¡ªif each one spit once, we''d drown!" Jonouchi cursed as his monster crumbled.


    "Jonouchi! Now''s not the time to complain! Summon another monster!" Ryota shouted, summoning a new beast of his own. But no matter how quickly they fought, the swarm pressed closer.


    The duelists, unable to regroup or strategize, were left summoning monsters one by one¡ªonly for them to be destroyed almost instantly.


    (***)


    At a distant vantage point¡ª


    "The plan is progressing smoothly, Lord Paradox," said Byakuya, the masked duelist previously defeated by Jonouchi and Hoshino. He stood overlooking the battlefield, flames and chaos stretching as far as the eye could see.


    Paradox, his face obscured by an ominous black-and-white mask, chuckled darkly. "Not only is Hoshino Chiyuki here, but Jonouchi Katsuya has joined the fray as well. This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate them all in one stroke."


    Hearing Jonouchi''s name, Byakuya tensed, the sting of his earlier failure still fresh.


    Paradox, sensing his subordinate''s unease, waved a hand dismissively. "There''s no need to worry. The result will be the same. The storm of destruction brought forth by the restless souls of the Malefic monsters will ensure the realization of our wish¡ªto reshape this world."


    (***)


    "If this keeps up, we''re done for," Jonouchi muttered, frustration etched into his voice as he stared at the relentless wave of monsters.


    The mournful cry of his Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon signaled its defeat, the mighty beast succumbing to the relentless swarm tearing through its defenses.


    "Mamma mia! My Ancient Gear Golem got smashed to bits!" Professor Crowler''s shrill voice echoed from the boys'' dormitory, his despair ringing clear.


    Jonouchi clenched his fists. "This is hopeless. I came here to help, but instead, I''m stuck watching the academy crumble!" Even as he voiced his frustration, his hands never stopped drawing cards, searching for a way out.


    "Jonouchi, fall back and regroup!"


    A clear voice rang out across the battlefield, cutting through the chaos like a beacon of light.


    "Listen up, duelists! Don''t lose your rhythm! I''ll buy you time to recover¡ªbring out your strongest monsters and turn this around!"


    "That voice¡­" Jonouchi''s eyes darted toward the sky, where a white pegasus streaked through the air like a shooting star.


    "Illya, clear the way!"


    "Yes, Master!" Illya, now transformed with the Class Card Rider¡ªMedusa, gripped the reins of her pegasus tightly.


    "Noble Phantasm Deployment¡ªBellerophon!"


    A brilliant light tore through the monster horde, momentarily halting their advance as if the creatures themselves feared the radiant power.


    "It is Illya! Then the voice just now¡ªit was Hoshino!" Jonouchi exclaimed, his spirits lifting at the realization.


    The fleeting moment of respite allowed him to summon new monsters and stabilize his deck. Each second bought by Illya''s charge was a precious gift.


    "It''s not enough¡ªthey''re regrouping!" Ryota shouted, panic edging his voice as the monsters began surging forward once more.


    "It''s fine!" called a second voice. Standing side by side, two identical Hoshinos surveyed the battlefield.


    "The path is clear. Your turn, Hoshino!" Hoshino¨CSensei declared.


    Jonouchi blinked in disbelief. "Wait¡ªtwo Hoshinos?! Am I losing it?"


    Hoshino ignored the confusion and activated her duel disk with renewed determination. "Leave it to me, Sensei!"


    She slammed a card onto her duel disk, and a brilliant light erupted from her field.


    "Arash, fire your Noble Phantasm!"


    "Stella!!"


    A radiant meteor tore through the swarm, splitting it in two. The force of the explosion lit up the battlefield, bathing the academy in golden light.


    "Yosh! Counterattack time¡ªlet''s show them what duelists are made of!" Jonouchi roared, rallying the professional duelists. Summoning five powerful Red-Eyes Dragons, he unleashed a fiery barrage, burning a path through the horde.


    "The power of Arash is as incredible as ever¡­" Hoshino murmured, staring at the glowing card in her hand. The sheer destructive force felt like it could turn the tide of the war.


    "Let''s fire another shot! Reload Arash''s¡ªI''ll shoot you for a brighter future!"


    "H-Hold on!" Illya interjected, horrified. "Master, even ten years ago, you were this ruthless?! Forcing Arash-san to fire again after that?!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei stepped in, clearing her throat. "Ahem, Chiyuki-chan, you can''t use Heroic Spirit cards like Duel Monsters. Duel Monsters are native to this world, but Heroic Spirits channel their power through the cards."


    Hoshino nodded, recalling Da Vinci explaining something similar.


    "While using Arash''s Noble Phantasm is exciting, it''s not something that can be used repeatedly," Hoshino¨CSensei continued. "He''s likely exhausted after just one use."


    "I see. If his body''s all worn out, there''s no way he can¡­ fire again," Hoshino admitted reluctantly.


    Illya''s cheeks flushed as she spluttered, "Master! The way you two talk about Heroic Spirits sounds so inappropriate!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei chuckled. "It''s fine. There are plenty of Heroic Spirits ready to fight. Paradox likely didn''t anticipate that even in a distorted history, the Heroic Spirits of Chaldea would still stand with us."


    With her Heroic Spirit cards unusable, Hoshino handed out the remaining five cards to the duelists around her. Normally, others couldn''t wield the power of her cards, but this was no ordinary situation.


    "This time, it''s in your hands," Hoshino said, handing a card to her future self.


    Hoshino¨CSensei examined the cards she''d received.


    [Darius III]


    [Leonidas I]


    [Eric Bloodaxe]


    [Edward Teach]


    [Saint George]


    "¡­Chiyuki-chan, are you an F2P player?" Hoshino¨CSensei asked, her expression twitching.


    "What''s wrong with these cards?" Hoshino replied, feeling a bit defensive.


    "Not a single silver or gold card? Where''s Nobunaga? Where''s Okita?"


    "It''s not my fault!" Hoshino protested. "I spent 300 Saint Quartz on this banner, and this is all I got!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei sighed, patting her younger self on the shoulder. "Even in a different timeline, I had such terrible luck. But Da Vinci must''ve foreseen this situation. She truly is a genius."


    "What makes you say that?" Hoshino asked, puzzled.


    Hoshino¨CSensei smirked and pulled out her own duel disk. "Let me show you the fruits of my Academy saving. Open your system!"


    The familiar interface appeared, but to Hoshino''s shock, her system activated simultaneously, overlapping with her future self''s.


    [Limited-Time Banner: Bonds Beyond Time¡ªAll of your Heroic Spirits are featured. Fight for your future and claim it!]


    [Remaining Saint Quartz: 23,950 pieces]


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 277 - 277

    A streak across the sky¡ªthe meteor arrow that tore through the beast horde¡ªmade Paradox tremble from afar.


    "Lord Paradox, is that...?" Byakuya''s voice was heavy with unease.


    Paradox''s tone held a faint tremor. "That power... it is indeed the power of a Heroic Spirit. it seems your information was correct. Not only have we traveled through time¡­"


    Faced with undeniable evidence, Paradox recalled the fleeting image of a young girl who had passed him by in the time tunnel.


    "So, interference between travelers was inevitable. Is this coincidence, or is it fate¡­?"


    (***)


    "Waaaaahhhhh~!" Hoshino''s jaw dropped so wide it resembled a malfunctioning recorder stuck on an endless loop.


    Twin swords danced through the air, cutting down monsters. Musashi landed gracefully in front of Hoshino and the others. "Master, what''s wrong? Did you eat something bad?"


    Illya scratched her cheek, looking awkward. "Um, I think she''s just... overwhelmed."


    "A sugar mommy! A super-rich sugar mommy! Please adopt me! I''ll do anything!" Hoshino, staring at the mountain of Saint Quartz before her, was so overwhelmed she nearly clung to her older self''s slender thighs, ready to become a human leg ornament.


    Hoshino¨CSensei chuckled at her younger self''s antics. "It''s all yours to begin with. Don''t forget:What''s mine is yours."


    "What''s¡­ yours is mine?" Hoshino repeated, her disbelief evident. Was this person an angel in disguise?


    "In any case, Chiyuki-chan, use this Saint Quartz to build a deck that truly belongs to you!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei activated her Duel Disk, slapping down five cards. Towering warriors materialized, their roars forming a shield that repelled the incoming monsters.


    "Let them witness the power of money!"


    "Yes, Hoshino-sensei!"


    [10-Pull Summon]!!


    [10-Pull Summon]!!


    [10-Pull Summon]!!


    ...


    Countless golden flashes broke through the odds, sheer repetition bending fate to their will.


    Money really can rewrite destiny!


    "Go forth, Heroic Spirits who transcend time and space! This is our war for the future¡ªa battle to reclaim the world!"


    Hoshino-sensei flung newly drawn cards onto her Duel Disk. A fearsome aura shook the battlefield, echoing across the war-torn grounds.


    Money really can solve anything.


    "Hahahahahaha!" ¡Á4


    "Summon¡ªJeanne d''Arc (Alter)!"


    "Hahaha! Gather all the world''s evils here! dragons of the skies, heed my call!"


    Emerging from the flames of vengeance, Jeanne Alter raised her sword high. The dragons circling in the sky immediately turned against their former allies, tearing them apart.


    "Summon¡ªEdmond Dant¨¨s!"


    "Hahaha! The path I tread is revenge¡ªburn bright!"


    Darting through the monster horde with unimaginable speed, the Count of Monte Cristo left nothing but destruction in his wake, each strike sending enemies to the depths of hell.


    "Summon¡ªOzymandias!"


    "Hahahahaha! Bow before the Pharaoh! The brilliance you see is my glory!"


    Ozymandias rose into the sky, unleashing the scorching heat of the sun. His radiance burned through the horde, clearing the battlefield.


    The once-darkened skies, illuminated briefly by Arash''s meteor arrow, now shone brilliantly as Ozymandias''s light pushed back the monsters.


    "Summon¡ªGilgamesh!"


    "Hahahahaha! Not bad, mongrels! With two sources of mana at my disposal, I shall grant you the privilege of witnessing something extraordinary!"


    Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, emerged amidst laughter, his piercing gaze locking onto Paradox in the distance.


    "Judgment is upon you. Behold the crushing might of my Sword of Rupture."


    Gripping the legendary weapon that predated heaven and earth, Gilgamesh unleashed its overwhelming power.


    "¡ªEnuma Elish!!"


    A devastating wave of energy tore through the sky, creating a rift in space itself. The sheer force obliterated the horde, scattering monsters in all directions. The attack surged far beyond the battlefield, its path aimed directly at Paradox''s location.


    "This isn''t good, Lord Paradox! They''ve discovered our position!" Byakuya shouted, his voice filled with urgency.


    Removing his mask, Paradox activated his Duel Disk. "It seems I''ve underestimated you, Hoshino Chiyuki. But let''s see how long your resolve lasts."


    .


    ..


    ...


    "What kind of power is this?!"


    Inside the dormitory, students who had been watching the battle were left speechless.


    "Is this really Hoshino-sensei''s strength? It''s terrifying!"


    The quartet of Heroic Spirits had unleashed attacks that completely redefined the students'' understanding of power.


    "To fight thousands of monsters alone¡­ Is that even human?"


    "Stop spouting nonsense! Hoshino-sensei is Hoshino-sensei! No matter how strong she is, she''s using her strength to protect us!"


    With 70-80% of the monster horde destroyed, the remaining creatures no longer posed the same overwhelming threat. Victory was finally within reach.


    "Mamma mia, she actually did it!"


    Professor Crowler, his worldview entirely shattered, recalled Hoshino''s words from earlier that morning: that she would fight alone to fill the gap left by evacuating the students.


    It seemed unbelievable, but now, it wasn''t just filling a gap¡ªshe had single-handedly turned the tide of the war.


    "We did it! We actually did it!" Hoshino cheered, marveling at the power of their summoned Heroic Spirits.


    Hoshino-sensei patted her younger self''s fluffy white hair with pride. "Yes, we did it. Together, we''ve stopped the beast wave!"


    "No, it wasn''t me¡ªit was us, Sensei! Together!" Hoshino insisted, shaking her head vigorously.


    "Haha, but aren''t you just me? There''s no need to be so formal."


    The two Hoshinos exchanged a glance. The bond they shared¡ªa connection beyond family, friends, or lovers¡ªwas something only they could understand.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki," a deep voice interrupted their moment.


    Descending slowly from the sky, a man landed before them. "I must admit, I underestimated you. Even the combined forces of monsters from the age of destruction couldn''t bring you down."


    The two Hoshinos spoke in perfect sync:


    "Of course, after clearing the minions, it''s time for the boss to show up!"


    "If it''s a Spirit-user like you," the man said with cold confidence, "then it seems I''ll have to deal with you personally."


    His exaggerated hairstyle and bizarre black-and-white mask, combined with his dramatic entrance, made it clear he wasn''t an ordinary opponent.


    "You must be Paradox, the one aiming to erase the history of Duel Monsters as mentioned by Byakuya, right?" Hoshino pointed accusingly.


    The man removed his mask, revealing a surprisingly ordinary, even handsome face¡ªno scars, no mechanical modifications¡ªjust an unassuming expression.


    "Yes, that''s correct," he replied coolly. "And since you seem to know that, I assume you''re prepared to face the consequences of your interference."


    Hoshino-sensei raised an eyebrow. "You don''t look like the usual deranged villains we deal with. So, why go to all this trouble to erase Duel Monsters?"


    Paradox spread his arms, gesturing to the ruined academy grounds and the flames still raging in the sky. "Why? Look around you! The destruction caused by Duel Monsters is everywhere. Isn''t it obvious?"


    Hoshino shot back, "You caused this destruction yourself! How dare you blame Duel Monsters for your actions? You''re just a typical villain trying to justify your twisted goals!"


    Paradox shook his head, a grim smile on his lips. "You mortals don''t understand. Left unchecked, Duel Monsters will lead the world to chaos and destruction. The age of ruin is inevitable unless drastic action is taken."


    With a sinister smile, the duel disk on his arm began to glow. "And it seems I''ll have to show you the truth myself. Replace it¡ªMalefic World!"


    The surroundings shifted violently, the ruined academy replaced by a surreal, kaleidoscopic landscape. The colors swirled unnaturally, creating a disorienting and oppressive atmosphere.


    Hoshino narrowed her eyes. "Malefic World... the dimension where losers are erased from existence."


    Paradox corrected her, his voice calm yet chilling. "No, this isn''t simply a realm of death. It''s the absolute space of judgment, created by the will of the world itself to reshape reality."


    In this space, all the previously summoned Heroic Spirits vanished, their forms dismissed. Even Gilgamesh faded into nothingness, leaving only the two Hoshinos standing amidst the distorted battlefield.


    Paradox smirked. "Come, Hoshino Chiyuki. Let this duel decide the fate of the future! I will erase you both from existence!"


    [Paradox VS Hoshino Chiyuki X 2]


    [Duel Start!]


    Without giving them a moment to react, the duel began.


    "You''re starting a duel against the two of us?" Hoshino asked mockingly. "The last guy who tried a 2v1 in Malefic World got wrecked!"


    "And you''ve already walked into a trap with no escape," Hoshino-sensei added, a smug smile on her face. "You''re done for."


    The two Hoshinos activated their duel disks in perfect sync. The ultimate showdown, deciding the future''s fate, was about to begin in the surreal realm of Malefic World.


    "Since I''ve activated the Field Spell [Malefic World], I''ll take the first turn," Paradox declared confidently. He slammed a card onto his duel disk.


    "I summon [Malefic Rainbow Dragon] by banishing one Rainbow Dragon from my deck!"


    A magnificent dragon emerged, its kaleidoscopic form glowing brilliantly within the distorted world.


    [Malefic Rainbow Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 0]


    "An opening move with a 4000 ATK monster? Not bad," Hoshino-sensei admitted, impressed by the sheer strength of the Malefic World deck.


    Paradox responded coldly. "This is merely the beginning. You haven''t even glimpsed the true power of Malefic World yet."


    He placed two cards face-down onto his duel disk. "I set two cards and end my turn."


    [Paradox: 2 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    Hoshino-sensei gestured toward her younger self. "The next move is yours."


    "Understood, Sensei!" Hoshino nodded and drew her next card.


    "My turn! I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1600/DEF 1600]


    Despite facing a 4000 ATK monster, Hoshino showed no hesitation. Using C¨² Chulainn''s ability to survive battle destruction, she aimed to stall for time.


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    [Hoshino: 3 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    Paradox smiled as he drew his next card. "My turn! Draw! Now, Malefic Rainbow Dragon, attack C¨² Chulainn!"


    A torrent of prismatic energy erupted from the dragon''s maw, aimed directly at C¨² Chulainn.


    "C¨² Chulainn''s effect activates! Once per turn, he cannot be destroyed by battle, and I take no battle damage!" Hoshino declared confidently.


    The agile spear-wielding warrior dodged the devastating rainbow blast with ease.


    "Hmph. Impressive. I end my turn," Paradox said, folding his arms. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Paradox: 3 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    Hoshino-sensei smiled knowingly as she drew her next card. "It''s my turn. Draw!"


    Looking at her hand, Hoshino-Sensei''s expression remained calm, even though the key Fusion card for her Magical Girl archetype had yet to appear. Instead, she smirked, signaling a hidden advantage.


    "Chiyuki-chan, I''ll be borrowing your dog for a bit!" Drawing a card from her hand, Hoshino-Sensei inserted it into her duel disk. Instantly, a dazzling magical sigil appeared beneath C¨² Chulainn''s feet.


    "Shining with starlight, the magical girl of love and justice! From my hand, I activate the Continuous Spell¡ª[Phantasmal Summoning (Install) - Fusion]!"


    [Phantasmal Summoning (Install) - Fusion Continuous Spell Effect: This card''s name is treated as "Phantasmal Summoning" in the rules. ¢Ù: Once per turn, you can send the materials listed on a Fusion Monster from your hand or field to the GY to Fusion Summon that monster from your Extra Deck. If you Fusion Summon a "Magical Girl" Fusion Monster this way, you can also use 1 monster from your Deck as material.]


    "Using the effect of [Phantasmal Summoning (Install) - Fusion], I fuse [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn] on the field with [Magical Girl ¨C Illya] from my deck!"


    From both the field and deck, two radiant beams of light shot forth, converging and fusing within the magical sigil beneath C¨² Chulainn.


    "Class Card: Lancer, Install¡ªC¨² Chulainn!"


    Illya emerged from the brilliant glow, her school uniform transforming as the light enveloped her.


    "¡ªFusion Summon! [Magical Girl ¨C C¨² Chulainn Illya]!"


    Illya, now clad in C¨² Chulainn''s iconic blue bodysuit, brandished a gleaming crimson spear pulsating with intense energy.


    [Magical Girl ¨C C¨² Chulainn Illya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][WIND][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1600]


    [Materials: Magical Girl Illya + Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn]


    Watching the stylish fusion of C¨² Chulainn''s armor and Illya''s presence, Hoshino''s jaw dropped. "So you can even use Heroic Spirits like that? That''s incredible, Sensei!"


    "Hehe, this is the power of a Magical Girl¡ªcombining strength and elegance!" Hoshino-Sensei pointed toward the massive Malefic Rainbow Dragon, declaring, "Show him what we''re capable of! Attack, Illya!"


    Wielding her crimson spear with a flourish, Illya dashed forward at blinding speed, her petite frame defying expectations. "Here I go, Master! With this spear that pierces the heart!"


    Paradox raised an eyebrow. "Your monster has 2000 less ATK than my Malefic Rainbow Dragon, yet you still choose to attack? ...Fine, then. I''ll counterattack!"


    Once again, the Malefic Rainbow Dragon unleashed a radiant, dark beam aimed directly at Illya.


    However, Illya deftly somersaulted, evading the destructive ray with ease. "Thanks to C¨² Chulainn''s power, an attack like this is useless against me!"


    [¢Ù: When this card is Special Summoned: It cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn. Any battle damage inflicted on your opponent this turn becomes 0.]


    "Hmph. Another monster that clings to survival," Paradox scoffed. "But mere survival won''t help you defeat a Malefic monster."


    "Who said anything about just surviving?" Hoshino-Sensei smirked, raising her hand dramatically. "Show him the true power of a Magical Girl! Illya, it''s time!"


    "Yes, Master!" Illya''s crimson spear glowed even brighter, pulsating with immense magical energy as she took aim at the towering dragon.


    "¡ªNoble Phantasm Deployment: G¨¢e Bolg!!"


    The scarlet spear, thrown with devastating force, descended like a meteor and struck the massive form of the Malefic Rainbow Dragon. The difference in attack points was rendered meaningless as the spear''s overwhelming magical energy engulfed and obliterated Paradox''s monster.


    "This can''t be¡­" Paradox stood frozen, watching as his seemingly invincible dragon was effortlessly annihilated.


    [Magical Girl ¨C C¨² Chulainn Illya Effect: If this card is Special Summoned: If this card battles an opponent''s monster, and that monster would not be destroyed by battle, destroy that monster instead and send it to the Graveyard.]


    Proudly displaying her Fusion card, Hoshino-Sensei boasted, "With the effect that prevents destruction during the turn it''s summoned, this card can bypass raw strength and achieve a clean one-shot kill. Learned something new?"


    Hoshino''s eyes sparkled with admiration. "That''s so strong¡ªand so cool, Sensei! I want to learn how to transform into a Magical Girl too!"


    Hoshino-Sensei smiled warmly and replied, "Don''t rush, Chiyuki-chan. Someday soon, you''ll gain this power too."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 278 - 278

    "Even with your Heroic Spirit cards sealed, you can still pull off such impressive plays. Truly remarkable, Hoshino! But now, I''ll..."


    After Malefic Rainbow Dragon was destroyed, Paradox flipped over a set card from his first turn.


    "I activate the Trap Card [Malefic Tune]!"


    [Malefic Tune Trap Card Effect: If a face-up "Malefic" monster(s) you control is destroyed by battle or an opponent''s card effect: Draw 2 cards.]


    "Since my Malefic Rainbow Dragon was destroyed, I''ll draw 2 cards from my deck." Despite losing his only monster, Paradox maintained his composure, calmly replenishing his hand to five cards.


    Hoshino-Sensei furrowed her brow. Something Paradox had just said caught her attention. "Sealed? I had my suspicions before, but now I''m certain¡ªit was your doing, wasn''t it?"


    Paradox smirked, his tone icy. "The title of Heroic Spirit strikes fear even in my time. If I didn''t take precautions to deal with the future you, I probably wouldn''t have even had the chance to travel through time."


    Hoshino looked startled, her eyes wide. "The future me? You mean... a future even further ahead from now? By then, won''t I already be an old hag?!"


    While Hoshino reacted with incredulous surprise, Hoshino-Sensei remained calm, her voice resolute. "I don''t care what happens to me in the future. What matters now is defeating you¡ªhere and now!"


    "I''ll set two cards and end my turn!"


    [Hoshino''s: 3 Hand Cards | 4 Set Cards, Continuous Spell [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)]


    "It''s my turn," Paradox declared. He didn''t draw during his Draw Phase. Instead, he activated the effect of his Field Spell Malefic World.


    [Malefic World Field Spell Effect: During your Draw Phase, you can add 1 random "Malefic" Monster Card from your Deck to your hand instead of conducting a normal draw.]


    "I replace my normal draw to add [Malefic Cyber End Dragon] from my deck to my hand." The duel disk''s automatic search system ejected the card Paradox needed.


    Witnessing the system for the first time, Hoshino-Sensei couldn''t hide her amazement. "An auto-search duel disk? That''s so cool! I wonder when we''ll get to use those!"


    "You won''t live long enough to find out," Paradox retorted coldly. "I activate the effect of [Malefic Cyber End Dragon], which I just added to my hand!"


    [Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by sending 1 "Cyber End Dragon" from your Extra Deck to the Graveyard.] (Anime Effect)


    Hoshino narrowed her eyes. "Wait a second! I recall Malefic monsters needing the original monster to be banished to summon them. Why is it being sent to the graveyard instead?"


    Paradox chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "That''s the difference between the imitators and the true wielder of Malefic power. What Byakuya used was but a fragment of my Malefic World''s will. I wield the genuine article, imbued with unparalleled strength!"


    As he spoke, a colossal, three-headed black-and-white dragon materialized, dominating the battlefield.


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 2800]


    [Effect: When this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict Piercing Battle Damage to your opponent.]


    The sheer oppressive aura of Paradox''s version of Malefic Cyber End Dragon was leagues above Byakuya''s.


    "And now, I activate the effect of [Malefic Stardust Dragon] from my hand!"


    [Effect: This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by sending 1 "Stardust Dragon" from your Extra Deck to your Graveyard.] (Anime Effect)


    From a void filled with shimmering black stardust, a sleek and elegant dragon emerged, its glowing body radiating ominous power.


    [Malefic Stardust Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "Sensei, have you seen this monster before?" Hoshino whispered.


    Hoshino-Sensei shook her head. She was familiar with countless monsters through her life, including the Malefic Rainbow Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon, which Paradox had summoned earlier, both of which had ties to Jesse Anderson and Zane Truesdale. But the Stardust Dragon before her was entirely new. "No. This one''s unfamiliar to me. It must be a monster from the future."


    "We''ll need to be extra cautious," she added, her tone grave.


    Paradox raised his hand, signaling his next move. "Battle Phase! Attack, Malefic Stardust Dragon! Obliterate the enemy and send them to the farthest reaches of the galaxy!"


    Dark particles rained down as Malefic Stardust Dragon unleashed a devastating attack on Magical Girl ¨C Cu Chulainn Illya.


    "Hoshino! It''s no longer the turn Illya was summoned¡ªher immunity to destruction is gone!"


    The blast consumed Illya, her petite frame disappearing within the attack''s impact.


    [Hoshino''s LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    [Magical Girl ¨C C¨² Chulainn Illya ¨C Destroyed]


    Hoshino-Sensei solemnly sent Illya''s card to the graveyard but smiled faintly. "Even so, Illya''s effect activates upon destruction."


    Before fading, Illya hurled her crimson spear with incredible force, striking Malefic Stardust Dragon and sending it to the graveyard alongside her.


    [Malefic Stardust Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    Despite her resolve, Hoshino-Sensei bit her lip. "I managed to destroy the Malefic Stardust Dragon, but with Illya gone and the Malefic Cyber End Dragon still on the field..." S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What a dangerous situation, Master~"


    However, as the dark particles of the attack faded, the petite form of Illya, now back in her school uniform, stood defiantly on the battlefield.


    "Huh?! Illya''s?" Hoshino-Sensei turned to her younger self, astonished.


    Hoshino grinned smugly, flipping over a face-down card. "Of course, Sensei! I made sure to protect her with [Hero Returns]!"


    [Hero Returns Trap Card Effect: When a "Heroic Spirit" monster you control is destroyed by battle or card effect: You can target 1 "Heroic Spirit" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target.]


    "When C¨² Chulainn Illya was destroyed, I activated this to Special Summon Magical Girl ¨C Illya from my graveyard!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    "Nice job, Chiyuki-chan! Even in the past, I was already so reliable!" Hoshino-Sensei praised enthusiastically. As long as Illya was on the field, her deck held infinite possibilities.


    "Ehehe, being praised by myself makes me so happy!" Hoshino scratched the back of her head, grinning sheepishly, before continuing her move.


    "Since Magical Girl ¨C Illya was Special Summoned to my field in Defense Position, I can activate her effect to add 1 [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)] from my deck to my hand!"


    Paradox chuckled, his tone condescending. "The teamwork between the two of you is amusing, but against Malefic Cyber End Dragon, all your moves are nothing more than cannon fodder!"


    The three-headed mechanical dragon, brimming with energy, locked its deadly sights on Illya, the seemingly defenseless girl standing on Hoshino''s field.


    Illya''s face turned pale as panic overtook her. "E-Eh?! If that kind of attack hits me directly, it''s going to hurt like crazy! Masters, do something!"


    The Malefic Cyber End Dragon showed no mercy. Empowered by Illya''s panic, the mechanical dragon charged up its devastating attack.


    "Attack, Malefic Cyber End Dragon! Turn her to ash in the sparks of sin!" Paradox commanded triumphantly.


    The dragon roared as it unleashed a powerful triple beam of energy directly at Illya.


    "¡ª¡ªMalefic Termination Flash!!"


    "Don''t worry, Illya. Since I summoned you, I''ll protect you!" Hoshino declared confidently, flipping over one of her set cards.


    "I activate the Trap Card [Poster Girl]! This card lets me Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck in Defense Position. It also increases the summoned monster''s DEF by 500 while substituting itself as the attack target!"


    Hoshino quickly searched her deck and selected a suitable defensive Heroic Spirit to shield Illya.


    "Special Summon in Defense Position¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Lily]!"


    Amid the fiery destruction, a glowing path of blooming flowers revealed the steadfast figure of a young knight-in-training. Her chosen sword gleamed as she stood protectively in front of Illya.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Lily¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000 ¡ú 1500]


    "Upon her summoning, Saber Lily''s effect activates. I can add 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck to my hand! I''ll add [Heroic Spirit ¨C Von Hohenheim Paracelsus]!"


    Illya blinked at Lily''s slender form shielding her from the dragon''s deadly attack. "I''m sorry, Saber Lily... I''m too weak. If only my base stats included 4000 ATK, you wouldn''t have to sacrifice yourself."


    Lily turned to Illya with a soft smile, her youthful determination shining through. "It''s okay. Even though I''m just a trainee knight, if I can shield you from this attack, it will greatly increase the odds of our Master winning this duel."


    With a radiant smile, she added, "Because you''re an SSR card with infinite potential!"


    Their heartfelt exchange in the face of danger was brimming with trust and courage, the intertwining of their resolve making the moment all the more poignant.


    Paradox''s laughter cut through the tension. "You''ve miscalculated, Hoshino! Malefic Cyber End Dragon inflicts piercing damage to Defense Position monsters. That means you''ll still take 2500 points of damage!"


    Hoshino gasped. "Piercing damage?! That''s not the effect it had when I dueled Byakuya!"


    Paradox sneered. "What you fought before was nothing but a diluted version of the Malefic archetype. What I wield is the true power of the Malefic World!"


    Hoshino clenched her fists, frustrated by this unexpected twist. She cast an apologetic glance at Hoshino-Sensei, knowing the situation looked dire.


    If this attack landed, their Life Points would be reduced to just 1000.


    Hoshino-Sensei, however, placed a reassuring hand on her younger self''s shoulder. "You''ve done well, Chiyuki-chan. Every move you make creates new possibilities, even if the odds seem overwhelming!"


    "New possibilities?" Hoshino echoed, confused.


    "Leave the rest to me!" Hoshino-Sensei declared, flipping over her own set card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Flash Fusion]!"


    [Flash Fusion Quick-Play Spell Effect: Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters you control as Fusion Material. Destroy it during the End Phase.]


    "By fusing Saber Lily and Magical Girl ¨C Illya on the field, it''s time for a counterattack!"


    The radiant light of Fusion enveloped both Lily and Illya. As their forms merged, Ruby chimed in mischievously, "Class Card Saber, Install¡ªArtoria Pendragon Lily!!"


    "The possibilities within a young girl''s heart are limitless! Arise¡ªFusion Summon [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Lily Illya]!"


    The new card hit the Duel Disk with a forceful slam. The dazzling brilliance of the chosen sword illuminated the battlefield as the magical girl''s transformed form emerged with regal elegance.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Lily Illya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 1000]


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illya + Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Lily]


    [This card is also treated as a [Heroic Spirit] card.]


    Paradox laughed derisively. "After all that effort, you summoned something with only 2500 ATK? Pathetic!"


    Hoshino-Sensei''s gaze hardened. "What defines a powerful monster, Paradox? High ATK? Invincibility? Pure strength?" Her voice rang with conviction. "A truly powerful monster is one that turns the tide of battle and brings victory!"


    Illya raised her sword high, its golden light intensifying. "Sacred sword, grant me the strength to carve a path toward hope and the future!"


    [¢Ù: When this card is Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Magical Girl" monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.]


    "I add [Magical Girl ¨C Miyu] to my hand and activate her special effect!"


    [Effect: Discard this card. Target 1 "Heroic Spirit" Fusion Monster on the field; return it to the Extra Deck. Then, Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit" Fusion Monster with a different name from the returned monster, using at least 1 of the same Fusion Materials.]


    "Using Miyu''s effect, I return [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Lily Illya] to the Extra Deck and summon [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Illya] in her place!"


    As the knight trainee''s form evolved into the King of Knights, Illya''s new transformation radiated unmatched brilliance. The battlefield was hers to claim.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 279 - 279

    With momentum decisively shifting, Illya, now transformed into King Arthur, held Excalibur aloft. The radiant starlight enveloping her merged with the sacred sword''s brilliance.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Illya¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 1000]


    Paradox''s disdain deepened. "Such futile resistance. No matter how hard you try, your monsters will never surpass Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"


    "Fight back, Illya! Use your sword to cut them down!" Hoshino¨CSensei commanded, pointing directly at Paradox. The dazzling radiance of Illya''s presence seemed to dull even the ominous aura of the Malefic Cyber End Dragon.


    "I won''t lose!" Illya shouted, gripping Excalibur tightly. The stellar energy roaring to life around her mirrored her unwavering determination.


    [Effect: During damage calculation, when this card battles an opponent''s monster: You can reveal any number of "Heroic Spirit" monsters from your hand to your opponent. This card gains ATK/DEF equal to 1000 x the number of revealed monsters until the end of this turn.]


    "Look closely at the monsters in my hand! These cards represent the willpower proudly imbued into Excalibur!" Hoshino¨CSensei declared as she revealed a card from her hand¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Okita Souji].


    Even after ten years, Okita Souji''s reputation for being an unfortunate draw hadn''t changed. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Paradox sneered. "Pathetic. One Heroic Spirit card isn''t enough. Even with that, her attack power is still below mine."


    "Did you forget about me?"


    "Huh?!"


    Hoshino, already holding a card, mirrored her future self perfectly. Their synchronization was so precise it felt as though they were one person.


    "Even though we''re both Hoshino Chiyuki, you''re dueling against not one but two genuine duelists! I reveal the card I just searched for¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Von Hohenheim Paracelsus]!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei smiled, clearly pleased. "Paradox, you''re facing the world''s strongest duo, with maxed-out synergy. By revealing these cards, Artoria Illya''s ATK increases by 2000!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Illya ATK 2500 ¡ú 4500]


    With excitement, Hoshino exclaimed, "Now her attack power surpasses it! Illya-chan, do it!"


    Illya swung her sacred sword downward, golden radiance surging forth to meet the three-headed mechanical dragon''s deadly sparks. "Noble Phantasm Deployment¡ªExcalibur!"


    The intertwined wills of the two Hoshinos finally shattered the destructive assault. The radiant blade cleaved through the electronic tide, severing the massive body of Malefic Cyber End Dragon.


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon destroyed]


    [Paradox LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    Caught in the dazzling light, Paradox''s composed expression finally faltered. "I didn''t expect you two to be this troublesome!"


    For the first time, doubt crept into Paradox''s voice. He had defeated a far-future version of Hoshino Chiyuki¡ªher supposed peak form.


    If the younger Hoshino was still growing, and the current Hoshino represented her maturity, then the Hoshino of his era should have been her ultimate version.


    Yet here stood these two earlier iterations, pushing him harder than ever.


    "Due to Artoria Illya''s effect, I can select a [Artoria]-named Spell or Trap card from my Deck and set it on the field," Hoshino¨CSensei declared, searching her deck.


    Paradox, however, flipped his final set card. "When Malefic Cyber End Dragon was destroyed, I activate the Trap Card [Malefic Tune], allowing me to draw two cards."


    "Replenishing his hand again? He''s clearly aiming to wear us down," Hoshino muttered, analyzing his strategy.


    With his hand now refilled to six cards, Paradox''s demeanor shifted. "I''ll admit I underestimated you earlier. But now, allow me to confront you with the strongest Malefic monster, summoned using a method that transcends this era!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei furrowed her brow. "Transcends this era?"


    Paradox raised his duel disk dramatically. "Feel the power born from dimensional rifts! On this stage transcending time, let the curtain rise on destruction! I Normal Summon [Malefic Paradox Gear] and activate its effect!"


    A small black mechanical gear monster appeared on the field, starkly contrasting the imposing Malefic monsters summoned before it.


    [Malefic Paradox Gear ¡ï (Level 1)][DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    [Effect: If a face-up Field Spell is on the field: You can Tribute this card; Special Summon 1 "Malefic Parallel Gear" from your Deck, then, add 1 "Malefic" monster from your Deck to your hand, except "Malefic Paradox Gear". If a "Malefic" monster would banish a monster to Special Summon itself by its own way, you can banish this card you control or in your GY instead.]


    "I Tribute Malefic Paradox Gear to Special Summon [Malefic Parallel Gear] and add [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon] to my hand!"


    The gear transformed into its sleek parallel counterpart.


    [Malefic Parallel Gear ¡ï¡ï (Level 2)][DARK][Machine/Tuner/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    "Next, I activate the special effect of [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon]! By banishing Malefic Paradox Gear from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon it to the field!"


    A streamlined, hybrid black-and-white version of Blue-Eyes White Dragon roared onto the battlefield.


    [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    Hoshino crossed her arms confidently. "A Malefic Blue-Eyes won''t be enough to defeat Illya, who''s now transformed into King Arthur!"


    Raising his hand dramatically, Paradox roared, "Then witness the darkness born from dimensional rifts! On this stage transcending time, let destruction take form! Synchro Summon¡ª!"


    "Synchro Summon?!" Both Hoshino''s eyes widened in shock.


    The gentle light of Synchro Summoning enveloped both Malefic Parallel Gear and Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon, merging them into a new Malefic monster. Another dimension of chaos unfolded before Hoshino''s eyes.


    "Using Malefic Parallel Gear and Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I Synchro Summon for a total Level of 10! Appear, [Malefic Paradox Dragon]!"


    [Malefic Paradox Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Dragon/Synchro/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    ["Malefic Parallel Gear" + 1 non-Tuner "Malefic" monster]


    The enormous dragon materialized, towering over the battlefield. Its sheer size and ominous presence made Hoshino unconsciously take a step back. "Whoa! It''s huge! How did he even summon this thing?"


    "Did you notice the card he just placed on his duel disk?" Hoshino-Sensei''s sharp eyes caught the anomaly.


    "A card with a white frame... Cards like that don''t exist in this era."


    Paradox smirked at their curiosity. "What you''ve just witnessed is Synchro Summoning. By using a Tuner monster and other monsters as materials, their combined levels allow the summoning of a Synchro Monster from the Extra Deck."


    Raising his hand dramatically toward the massive dragon, Paradox declared, "Behold the strongest Synchro monster of Malefic World! [Malefic Paradox Dragon], activate your effect!"


    [Effect: When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can select 1 Synchro Monster in either player''s Graveyard and Special Summon it.]


    Hoshino tilted her head, puzzled. "A Synchro monster in the Graveyard? Wait, aside from this one, was there another Synchro monster earlier?"


    Paradox retrieved a card from his Graveyard, displaying it with theatrical flair. "Revive, shining star dust of light! Special Summon [Stardust Dragon]!"


    As the majestic Stardust Dragon emerged, its elegant radiance stood in stark contrast to the corrupted Malefic Stardust Dragon they had previously faced.


    [Stardust Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][WIND][Dragon/Synchro/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "So that''s the original version of Malefic Stardust Dragon," Hoshino-Sensei murmured. "I see now. It was originally a Synchro Monster too."


    Paradox smirked triumphantly. "But I''m not done. I activate [Monster Reborn] to bring back [Malefic Cyber End Dragon] from my Graveyard!"


    The massive, three-headed mechanical dragon reformed amidst arcs of electricity, returning to the field with its imposing presence.


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Machine/Effect][ATK 4000/DEF 2800]


    "With Stardust Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon both on my field, I now activate the special effect of [Malefic Paradox Dragon]!"


    The roar of the Malefic Paradox Dragon filled the battlefield, scattering particles of stardust that seemed to suppress all opposition.


    [Effect: All face-up monsters your opponent controls lose ATK equal to the total ATK of all other face-up Synchro Monsters you control.]


    Caught in the storm, Illya, clad in her Saber armor, struggled to maintain her grip on Excalibur. "Master, this is bad¡­ I feel my strength draining away. I can barely move¡­"


    Paradox sneered. "Thanks to Malefic Paradox Dragon, all your monsters lose a total of 6500 ATK¡ªthe combined ATK of Stardust Dragon and Malefic Paradox Dragon!"


    [Magical Girl - Artoria Illya ATK 4500 ¡ú 0]


    "A permanent 6500 ATK reduction?! That''s absurd!" Hoshino-Sensei exclaimed, her composure faltering slightly. "This Synchro Summoning is more troublesome than I expected."


    Hoshino, however, rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "No wonder some Heroic Spirit monsters mention ''Tuner'' in their text. If we can figure out how this works, we might be able to use this summoning method too!"


    Hoshino-Sensei couldn''t help but smile. "Impressive, Chiyuki-chan. Even in a tight spot, you''re already thinking ahead. But don''t forget¡ªthis turn is critical. If we don''t act now, his next attack could end the duel!"


    Hoshino puffed out her chest confidently. "Don''t worry! I can''t keep relying on future me to carry the fight. I''ll show you my cool side this turn!"


    Paradox interrupted with a smirk. "Enough chatter. I activate the Continuous Spell [Field Barrier] to protect Malefic World from being destroyed, and I set two cards. Your move!"


    [Field Barrier Continuous Spell Effect: Field Spells on the field cannot be destroyed. Neither player can activate a new Field Spell Card.]


    [Paradox''s | Hand: 1 | Set Cards: 2]


    Hoshino drew her card with determination. "My turn! Draw! During my Standby Phase, I activate the effect of [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)]!"


    [Effect: Once per turn, during the Standby Phase: You can target 1 Level 4 "Magical Girl" monster in your GY or banished; Special Summon that monster with its effects negated.]


    "Return to the field, [Magical Girl - Illya]!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000 ¡ú 0/DEF 1000]


    Appearing beside her knightly counterpart, Illya muttered, "This feels so awkward, standing next to myself¡­"


    "And I''ll Normal Summon the card I searched last turn: [Heroic Spirit ¨C Von Hohenheim Paracelsus]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Von Hohenheim Paracelsus ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000 ¡ú 0/DEF 1600]


    Paradox mockingly questioned, "So your plan is to summon more monsters with zero attack? That''s the best you can do?"


    "Just watch, Synchro Boy! The real counterattack begins now!"


    Paradox twitched. "Synchro Boy¡­?"


    Hoshino smirked. "Activating Hohenheim''s effect! When summoned, I can search my deck for a Spell Card with ''Heroic Spirit'' in its name. While on the field, he can also be treated as a LIGHT monster!"


    Hoshino¨CSensei''s eyes widened in realization. "Three LIGHT monsters, including Artoria Illya¡­ You''re planning to¡ª!"


    "That''s right!" Hoshino declared. "Activating the effect of [Phantasmal Summoning (Install)]! I''ll fuse the three monsters on my field!"


    The three monsters¡ªMagical Girl - Illya, Hohenheim, and Artoria Illya¡ªtransformed into radiant streams of light, merging into a new, awe-inspiring form.


    "Fusion Summon! Appear, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 280 - 280

    "Fusion Summon! Appear, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X]!"


    The counterattack Hoshino had hinted at took the form of this heroic spirit from the future¡ªa self-proclaimed strongest Saber-class servant. Wielding an anti-Saber weapon crafted for duels, she fought with pride, even stooping to ambush Saber-class opponents.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 9)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]


    [Fusion Material Requirements: 1 [Artoria] monster + 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster + 1 LIGHT monster.]


    "Facing Saber, I cut Saber. Facing gods, I cut gods! Especially those gods who keep adding Sabers¡ªoff with their heads!" she declared boldly. Her outfit was lightweight and rough, far from a servant''s traditional attire. The blue scarf around her neck symbolized her resolve, and her hat was meant to conceal her true identity and ahoge.


    Unfortunately, her ahoge pierced through the hat, defiantly sticking out.


    MHX slashed through the stardust light emitted by Malefic Paradox Dragon, her blade causing Paradox to scowl. "So you''re stacking Fusion Summons on top of Fusion monsters? You''re as relentless as ever. Some things truly never change."


    "Don''t act like we''re close!" Hoshino snapped. "Past, present, or future, I won''t stop fighting until the final moment!"


    "Even so," Paradox replied with a smirk, "due to Malefic Paradox Dragon''s effect, your newly summoned monster''s attack power will also be reduced by 6500!"


    Another roar echoed as the oppressive miasma exhaled by Malefic Paradox Dragon swept across Hoshino''s field once more.


    "Muda-da!" MHX''s blade flashed, instantly dispersing the miasma as she confidently stood her ground.


    [Heroic Spirit - Mysterious Heroine X ATK 3000]


    "[Mysterious Heroine X] has a special effect. When this card is Fusion Summoned using three LIGHT monsters, it becomes unaffected by other card effects! That means her attack power won''t decrease, no matter what!" Hoshino explained. "But that''s not all..."


    The sword light condensed into a crescent-shaped blue blade that slashed past Paradox''s body at imperceptible speed.


    [When this card is Fusion Summoned: You can negate the effects of all monsters your opponent controls until the end of this turn. Inflict 500 damage to your opponent for each monster whose effects were negated by this effect.]


    "You have three monsters on your field, so I''ll deal you 1500 damage!"


    [Paradox LP 3500 ¡ú 2000]


    "Tsk, troublesome resistance. But perfect immunity can be a double-edged sword." Paradox''s frustration was evident.


    However, his observation wasn''t without merit. With such high resistance, Mysterious Heroine X couldn''t gain attack power from any card effects. Her attack remained a flat 3000¡ªenough to defeat Stardust Dragon, but not much more.


    The Stardust Dragon, seemingly aware of its imminent fate, trembled nervously.


    "Prepare yourself, Saber!!" MHX cried, leaping into the air. Her glowing blue sword (purchased online) tore through the majestic form of Stardust Dragon with a single, precise strike.


    [Stardust Dragon destroyed]


    "With my blade, yet another dull Saber falls!"


    [Paradox LP 2000 ¡ú 1500]


    "Magnificent counterattack, Chiyuki-chan!" Hoshino-Sensei cheered. Breaking through Malefic Paradox Dragon''s oppressive effect and defeating Stardust Dragon in one move was no small feat.


    Hoshino grinned. "Hehe, I can''t keep dragging you down in this tag duel, so I had to step up!"


    "You''ve exceeded all my expectations! Totally reliable¡ªworthy of being called the world''s most dependable duelist!" Hoshino-Sensei showered her younger self with praise.


    "I''ll set two cards and end my turn!"


    [Hoshino: 3 Hand Cards | 4 Set Cards]


    Paradox''s expression darkened. "So, you''re getting cocky after barely defeating Stardust Dragon? My turn! Draw!" Surprisingly, this time Paradox opted not to activate Malefic World''s effect to replace his draw.


    "Attack! Malefic Cyber End Dragon¡ªCyber End Spark!" Skipping any buildup, Paradox directly entered the Battle Phase. His massive Malefic Cyber End Dragon fired its triple beams directly at Mysterious Heroine X.


    "Gotcha!" Hoshino exclaimed, flipping over one of her set cards with an excited grin. "I was waiting for this! Trap Card activate¡ª[Heroic Spirits Showdown: Targeted Assault]!"


    Bathed in intertwining light and darkness, MHX''s hands materialized a matching black Holy Sword to complement her original blade.


    "Although MHX''s attack power can''t increase due to her immunity, I can still reduce your monster''s attack power! Activating [Heroic Spirits Showdown: Targeted Assault]!"


    [Heroic Spirits Showdown: Targeted Assault ¨C Trap Effect: Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls and 1 "Heroic Spirit" monster you control. Until the end of this turn, the targeted monster your opponent controls loses ATK/DEF equal to the ATK of the targeted "Heroic Spirit" monster. If the targeted monster''s ATK becomes 0, destroy that monster.]


    "Oh Sword of Starlight. The red ones, black ones, and white ones must be destroyed!" Dual-wielding her holy swords, MHX dashed toward Malefic Cyber End Dragon, leaving trails of multi-colored light in her wake.


    "Since MHX''s attack is 3000, your Malefic Cyber End Dragon loses 3000 ATK!"


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon ATK 4000 ¡ú 1000]


    "Incredible, Chiyuki-chan!" Hoshino-Sensei cheered, punching the air triumphantly. "This counterattack will wipe out Paradox''s remaining Life Points!"


    "Now, witness the fellowship of light and dark! Cataphract Shift! Keep this a secret, everyone!!"


    With dazzling swordsmanship, MHX''s holy swords unleashed a flurry of explosive strikes upon Malefic Cyber End Dragon''s massive body.


    Though her swords didn''t fire beams, the strikes radiated energy bursts, accompanied by a satisfying hum with every swing.


    "Excalibur!"


    A cross-shaped final strike cleaved through Malefic Cyber End Dragon, marking its ultimate defeat.


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon destroyed]


    The once-mighty Malefic Cyber End Dragon, feared for its raw power, met its demise for the second time in the duel¡ªboth times at the hands of holy swords.


    Or, perhaps more fittingly: Malefic Cyber Ended Dragon.


    "The counterattack was successful, which means Paradox''s life points should..." Hoshino-Sensei''s eyes were glued to the life point display, eagerly awaiting the number 0 to flash.


    [Paradox LP 2500 ¡ú 500]


    The ahoge on both Hoshinos'' heads twisted into question marks. "Huh? How did he gain 1000 life points out of nowhere?"


    Paradox, breathing heavily and visibly shaken, looked as though he had just crawled out of the River Styx. After all, under the effects of Malefic World, losing this duel meant erasure from existence itself.


    "Quick-Play Spell Activate¡ª[Emergency Provisions]!"


    [Emergency Provisions ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effect: Send any number of other Spells/Traps you control to the GY; gain 1000 LP for each card sent to the GY this way.] S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "By activating Emergency Provisions, I sent one of my Set cards to the Graveyard during damage calculation, recovering 1000 life points!"


    Instead of chaining his Set cards'' effects, Paradox had opted to sacrifice one directly. Clearly, this was a desperate maneuver to survive Hoshino''s attack, which had nearly ended the duel.


    "Ah, so close!" Hoshino-Sensei clicked her tongue in frustration. "We were literally one step away. Still, if he''s resorted to cannibalizing his own Set cards, we''ve disrupted his strategy!"


    Paradox had sent Emergency Provisions and Mirror Force to the Graveyard. Though Mirror Force could have been a lifeline, its utility was meaningless against Mysterious Heroine X, who was immune to card effects.


    "Even now, using such outdated combos to pressure Malefic World this effectively... Hoshino, no matter the time, you''re always such a frustrating opponent to face! But! My field still has a monster!"


    Paradox raised his hand dramatically as the massive Malefic Paradox Dragon roared, its overwhelming presence filling the battlefield.


    "Burn everything in the darkness of time! Malefic Paradox Dragon, attack!" The dragon''s ominous energy surged from its maw, targeting Mysterious Heroine X.


    Though Malefic Paradox Dragon couldn''t weaken its opponent''s attack power due to its effect, its sheer strength of 4000 ATK was more than enough to destroy X.


    Wiping sweat from her forehead, Hoshino muttered, "This is bad. I thought my counterattack would clinch the duel, but I didn''t anticipate how tenacious this guy would be."


    "You''ve done an amazing job, Chiyuki-chan!" Hoshino-Sensei clenched her fist, determination lighting up her eyes. "Not only did you destroy all of his monsters except Malefic Paradox Dragon, but you''ve set me up for this!"


    Stepping into the flames of the battle, Hoshino-Sensei revealed the card her younger self had searched and set during the previous turn. "You''ve shown me how cool you can be¡ªnow let me handle it from here! Quick-Play Spell Activate¡ª[Phantasmal Summoning (Install)]!"


    [Phantasmal Summoning (Install) ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effect: To Fusion Summon a "Magical Girl" Fusion Monster, you can banish 1 listed material from your field instead of using all required materials.]


    "With its effect, I''ll banish MHX from the field to Fusion Summon!" Enveloped in light, MHX, who was about to be destroyed by Malefic Paradox Dragon, vanished.


    "From the starlit sky, let the light illuminate the path to victory! Fusion Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Illyasviel von Einzbern]!"


    Donning her magical girl outfit, Illya descended gracefully, radiating with celestial starlight.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Illyasviel von Einzbern ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (6 Stars)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    [This card is also treated as a ''Magical Girl.]


    "Another form of Illya, huh~?" Hoshino remarked, watching the petite figure holding her ruby staff aloft. "Illya-chan, you''ve made so many appearances in this duel. Aren''t you exhausted yet?"


    "Ugh, I''m so tired!" Illya groaned, venting her frustrations.


    Hoshino-Sensei''s tone turned firm. "Illya, there''s no time to complain! If we lose this duel, it''s all over!"


    Startled by the scolding, Illya tightened her grip on the ruby staff. Her frustration gave way to resolve. "You''re right, Master. No matter how exhausted I am, this is a fight we can''t afford to lose!"


    Paradox sneered. "What good is resolve when your monster only has 1000 ATK? Are you surrendering already?"


    Compared to the earlier MHX, Illya indeed appeared weaker, her petite figure hardly an imposing presence against Malefic Paradox Dragon''s ferocity.


    "They''re underestimating us, Ruby!" Illya declared, raising her staff high. "Let''s unleash our full magical energy!"


    Ruby''s voice chimed in with enthusiasm. "Leave it to me! Crank that power up to max!"


    "[Illyasviel von Einzbern]''s special ability activates!"


    [¢Ù: Once per turn, if this card is not equipped with an Equip Card: You can target 1 banished monster; equip it to this card. You can also activate this effect during your opponent''s turn.]


    "With this effect, I''ll equip MHX, who was banished!"


    Equipped: [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X]


    As Illya raised her ruby staff, the magical energy surged, gathering into her small hands. "The magical energy has gathered! Now, let''s go all out!!"


    [This card gains ATK and DEF equal to the ATK and DEF of the equipped monster.]


    "Since MHX has 3000 ATK, Illya''s attack power increases by 3000!"


    [Illyasviel von Einzbern ATK 1000 ¡ú 4000]


    Ruby cheered, "Perfect form achieved! Let''s finish this with the flashiest final blow!"


    "It''s not a final blow!" Illya retorted instinctively, though her determination didn''t waver. Wrapped in starlight, she soared directly toward Malefic Paradox Dragon, ready to strike.


    Hoshino gasped. "Their attack powers are both 4000! Illya and the Malefic Paradox Dragon are equally matched!"


    "Rooooar!!" The Malefic Paradox Dragon, seemingly provoked, unleashed a thunderous roar, preparing for a decisive clash.


    Illya gripped her staff tightly. "This is my strongest attack! Let''s end this¡ªRuby Flash!"


    The celestial energy from Illya''s staff collided head-on with the dark energy of the Malefic Paradox Dragon, the battlefield erupting in radiant light and chaos.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 281 - 281

    "An attack with equal strength?!" Paradox''s pupils trembled slightly, clearly surprised that Hoshino had managed to boost Illya''s attack power to match that of Malefic Paradox Dragon.


    Hoshino-Sensei pointed toward Illya, who was unleashing her full power in the sky. "Thanks to Chiyuki-chan''s efforts in destroying all of his monsters except Paradox Dragon, we were able to create this opportunity for a counterattack!"


    If it hadn''t been for Hoshino enduring the 6500 ATK debuff imposed by Paradox Dragon''s effect to destroy Stardust Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon, there would have been no way for Illya to stand a chance against Paradox Dragon.


    "No matter the era, we will never abandon the hope for survival! Get this through your head, Paradox!"


    With a roar, Illya''s explosive magic clashed with the dark energy of Paradox Dragon''s attack, igniting a brilliant explosion of starlight and shadow that engulfed the entire battlefield.


    The swirling smoke wreaked havoc within the confined space of Malefic World, making it nearly impossible to see the outcome clearly.


    "Wouldn''t attacks with equal strength result in mutual destruction?" Shielding her eyes with one arm, Hoshino squinted toward the origin of the energy storm in the sky.


    "No, it''s our victory, Chiyuki-chan!"


    "Sensei?!..."


    As the chaotic energy gradually dissipated, Illya hovered in the sky, her face smudged with soot, her hair slightly ruffled. But none of that mattered¡ªwhat mattered was that she had not been destroyed.


    [Malefic Paradox Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    "The special effect of Illyasviel von Einzbern: When this card would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can send one of its equipped cards to the Graveyard instead!"


    [Equipped Card - Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X - Sent to the Graveyard]


    [Illyasviel ATK 4000 ¡ú 1000]


    Now fully understanding, Hoshino''s eyes widened as she exclaimed in delight, "So that''s it! By sacrificing the equipped card instead, Illya survives and wins against Paradox Dragon!"


    "That''s right. And after the substitution effect is activated, I can set one Spell/Trap from my hand onto the field." Hoshino-Sensei nodded, then turned to Hoshino. "Chiyuki-chan, I don''t have any cards left in my hand, so I''ll leave this to you."


    "Huh? You want me to do it?" Momentarily startled, Hoshino glanced at her hand, then looked up at Illya in the sky. A grin spread across her lips. "In that case, I''ve made my decision! I''ll set this card!"


    [Hoshino''s Set Cards: 2 ¡ú 3]


    Through the fading smoke, Paradox''s figure became faintly visible. "Your strongest Synchro monster, Paradox Dragon, has been destroyed. With no monsters left on your field, are you still planning to struggle?"


    Unexpectedly, a crazed, maniacal laugh echoed from within the smoke. "Me, struggling? Don''t make me laugh! The ones truly cornered right now are you!"


    "Master, this isn''t good! There''s something terrifying on the other side..." Hovering midair, Illya could feel the overwhelming surge of energy emanating from Paradox.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki, as a teacher, you shouldn''t go around making baseless statements!" From within the swirling smoke, Paradox''s Duel Disk glowed with the unmistakable light of a summoning.


    "Allow me to correct two mistakes in your previous statement. First, Paradox Dragon is not my strongest monster. And second, my field is far from empty!"


    The massive surge of energy made both Hoshinos feel an overwhelming sense of dread.


    "Even now, he still has another move? Just how terrifying is this guy?"


    Despite their pride, both of them silently acknowledged that teaming up against Paradox was the right call. With his strength on full display, neither could deny that facing him one-on-one would likely have led to the same fate as the defeated Hoshino he had mentioned¡ªa crushing loss.


    "Activate the set Trap Card¡ª[Malefic Paradigm Shift]!"


    [Malefic Paradigm Shift - Trap Card Effect: Activate only when a "Malefic Paradox Dragon" you control is destroyed (by battle or card effect). Pay half your LP. Special Summon 1 "Malefic Truth Dragon" from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard.]


    "With the effect of Malefic Paradigm Shift, I pay half of my Life Points to summon my ultimate monster!"


    [Paradox LP: 500 ¡ú 250]


    As soon as Paradox paid the cost, his Duel Disk automatically ejected a card from his Deck¡ªthe very trump card he had been waiting to unleash.


    "This is my final and strongest Malefic monster! With this card, I will end everything! Special Summon¡ª[Malefic Truth Dragon]!"


    [Malefic Truth Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12)]


    [DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 5000/DEF 5000]


    With terrifying arcs of yellow lightning, a gigantic dragon descended, its sheer size nearly twice that of Paradox Dragon. Summoned at the cost of half of Paradox''s Life Points, this dragon was connected to his very life force through the power of Malefic World.


    When the smoke finally cleared, Paradox was no longer standing in his original position. Instead, in his place was the massive head of Malefic Truth Dragon, fused with Paradox himself.


    This fusion of man and monster reminded Hoshino of Marik and his fusion with The Winged Dragon of Ra.


    "Seriously, what''s with all these bosses fusing with their monsters? Is this a requirement or something?"


    "An ATK of 5000... A Level 12 monster that surpasses even Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Incredible."


    Hoshino couldn''t help but once again use Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon as her power benchmark, but there was no denying that a 12-star monster like this even surpassed the raw strength of Obelisk the Tormentor, whose ATK was 4000.


    "Hahahahaha!" Paradox, now fused with Truth Dragon, let out another maniacal laugh. "A devastating attack power of 5000! How can your feeble monster, with only 1000 ATK, possibly withstand this? This is the end!"


    Illya started to panic again. "Master, think of something quickly¡ª"


    "Sorry, I wasn''t prepared for this either." Hoshino-Sensei, ever direct, wasted no time dousing Illya''s hopes with cold water.


    Perched atop Malefic True Dragon''s massive head, Paradox raised his arm and commanded, "Now, vanish forever into the darkness! Attack, Malefic True Dragon¡ªMalefic Burst Obliteration!"


    The colossal dragon unleashed a blinding light, accompanied by searing heat, aimed directly at Illya, leaving no room for escape.


    [Illyasviel von Einzbern ¨C Destroyed]


    "Now, take this 4000 damage and disappear from this world forever!"


    "I refuse! I love nothing more than saying NO to people who think they have the game in the bag!"


    "Hm?!"


    Hoshino-Sensei sternly rejected Paradox''s claim, as a gentle curtain of light unfolded before her. Within this barrier, a beautiful vision, distinct from the darkness of Malefic World, began to emerge.


    "I cannot lose here. The limitless potential of a young girl has brought us this far. Giving up now would be an insult to everyone''s efforts!"


    "Potential... Sensei, are you referring to...?"


    Hoshino''s gaze landed on the card she had set earlier thanks to Magical Girl ¨C Altria Illya''s effect¡ªthat card.


    "The limitless possibilities within a young girl extend infinitely into the future! And this card embodies that very potential! Activate Trap Card¡ª[Garden of Avalon]!"


    The reflection on the shimmering screen of light was none other than the towering stronghold within Avalon¡ªthe alias of the planetary soul sanctuary known as Earth. The ground was adorned with blooming flowers, and despite the overwhelming darkness of the Malefic World, warm sunlight illuminated the land.


    [Garden of Avalon ¨C Trap Card Effect: For the rest of this turn, all damage you take becomes 0. Afterward, add 1 [Altria] monster from your Graveyard to your hand.]


    A lone magician watched over the world through a solitary window. This was such an ordinary tale¡ªone about the end of the world.


    "From the stars of the inner sea and the tower of insight... From the four corners of paradise, let them know: Their story is filled with blessings. Only those free of sin may pass... Garden of Avalon!"


    The radiance of Avalon nullified the fatal damage Malefic Truth Dragon was about to inflict. Within the glowing barrier, the faint image of a white-haired man appeared on the screen of light, his lips curling into a gentle smile.


    "This is my final blessing for the battle to reclaim the future. Did you receive it well, Master?"


    "Again and again, over and over!" Paradox, still perched atop the Truth Dragon''s head, trembled with rage.


    "Why do you keep resisting?! What value is there in a future doomed to destruction?!"


    "Of course there''s value in fighting for the future!" Hoshino-Sensei''s voice rang out with conviction. Though reasoning with Paradox in his current state seemed futile, she still chose to voice her belief.


    "The future you claim is destined for ruin is simply one you abandoned!"


    Hoshino glanced at her older self. The unwavering determination reflected in her crimson eyes made it clear¡ªno matter how many years passed, she would always make the same choice.


    Paradox let out a furious roar. "Then prove it! Stand before Malefic Truth Dragon and use the ''hope'' you cling to as your weapon against the strongest Malefic beast!"


    "Gladly! This is where we settle things, Paradox! Trap Card, activate¡ª[Unforgettable One]!"


    [Unforgettable One ¨C Continuous Trap Card Effect: Target 1 "Heroic Spirit" monster sent to the Graveyard this turn; Special Summon it. If the monster Special Summoned by this effect is a "Magical Girl" monster, you can also Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit" monster from your Graveyard. When this card leaves the field, destroy the monsters Special Summoned by this effect.]


    "With the effect of Unforgettable One, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Illyasviel von Einzbern], who was just sent to the Graveyard!"


    Once again, the magical girl''s figure shimmered back into existence.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Illyasviel von Einzbern ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    "Phew, I''m exhausted." Illya rubbed her cheeks with both hands, trying to pep herself up. "Come on, Illya! Everyone''s fighting their hardest too! Just a little more!"


    "Since a Magical Girl monster was Special Summoned, I can also revive a Heroic Spirit from my Graveyard! Return to the field¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X]!"


    "Huh? What just happened?" MHX blinked as she reappeared, looking completely disoriented. "Was I defeated earlier? Impossible! I''m the strongest! This must be a dream¡ªyeah, definitely a dream!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mysterious Heroine X ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 9)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]


    Despite the dramatic resurrection, Paradox remained unimpressed. "Summoning monsters that were already defeated¡ªwhat good will that do? You''re clinging to the past, Hoshino! You''ll never grasp the true future that way!"


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    [Paradox''s Hand: 0 | Set Cards: 1]


    "Abandoning the past to try and remake the world? You''ll never understand the strength drawn from precious memories!" Hoshino-Sensei declared. "My turn¡ªdraw!"


    She drew her next card, her fingertips glowing with the light of possibility¡ªan unwavering hope that stretched toward the future.


    "This turn, We will defeat you, Paradox! With this star-crossed bond that transcends time, I will awaken the power of the cosmos!" She pointed toward Illya and MHX, her crimson eyes shimmering with celestial light.


    "This is my ultimate Magical Girl Fusion! I banish Illyasviel von Einzbern and MHX from the field to Fusion Summon the strongest Magical Girl!"


    "What?! You''re fusing MHX and Illya? Even after all that?!"


    Hoshino''s eyes widened. A Fusion that stacked upon previous ones¡ªfusing two already-fused monsters into yet another.


    "That''s right, Chiyuki-chan!" Hoshino-Sensei affirmed. "Born of intertwined fates, forged in a battlefield shared by past and future¡ªthis is a Bond Beyond Time!"


    The sealed sky of the Malefic World suddenly shifted, revealing a breathtaking expanse of deep, starry night.


    "This is the final transformation¡ªtake flight, Illya!"


    "Yes, Master!" Illya soared toward the starlit sky, her body radiating twin streams of brilliant light. "I will never... give up on anything again!!"


    Ruby: "Muscle system, nervous system, vascular system, lymphatic system¡ªsuspected magic circuit transformation, complete!"


    Illya: "This is all of me...!!"


    "The radiance of the stars illuminates the future¡ªanswer the wishes of hope that traverse earth, sky, and the universe! Fusion Summon¡ª[Magical Girl ¨C Illya Zwei Form]!"


    Wings of multicolored light unfurled behind her, her burning life force forming an aura befitting the ideal Magical Girl¡ªone born from the prayers of countless stars.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illya Zwei Form ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 11)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    [1 "Illya" Fusion Monster + 1 Fusion Monster]


    [This card is also treated as a "Heroic Spirit" while on the field. Must be Special Summoned by banishing the listed monsters from your field (Fusion Spell is not required).]


    Bathed in starlight, the girl clad in celestial armor stared down at the towering Malefic Truth Dragon.


    "This is it¡ªthe final battle!"


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 Chapter 282 - 282

    "This is the final battle. Let''s finish this, Illya!"


    The countless stars in the sky aligned behind Illya, their radiant trails illuminating the battlefield. Channeling the power of the cosmos, the magical girl unleashed a dazzling light that violently shook the protective barrier of the Malefic World.


    "The special effect of [Magical Girl ¨C Illya Zwei Form] activates! When this card is successfully Special Summoned, destroy all Spell and Trap Cards on your opponent''s field!"


    As celestial energy clashed against the darkness of space, Hoshino''s eyes widened in realization.


    "Destroy all Spells and Traps? Sensei is trying to take down the Malefic World! But Paradox still has Field Barrier, so at best, this will only break the barrier itself¡­"


    Hoshino-Sensei focused on the transparent shield protecting the Malefic World, watching it withstand the impact.


    "Even if I can only destroy the barrier, that''s more than enough¡­"


    Paradox smirked, as if everything was proceeding exactly as planned.


    "So this is your grand strategy? Trying to erase the Malefic World? How futile! Before you destroy anything, I activate my Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Malefic Divide]!"


    [Malefic Divide - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Select 1 "Malefic" monster in your Graveyard. Special Summon that monster, ignoring its Summoning conditions. Banish that monster during the End Phase of this turn.](Anime Effect)


    "Let the dark stardust disrupt your constellation''s path! I Special Summon¡ª[Malefic Stardust Dragon]!"


    From the terrifying cross-shaped rift that tore through space, Malefic Stardust Dragon emerged, black stardust particles scattering in its wake.


    "Now, Malefic Stardust Dragon''s effect activates! Offering itself as a tribute to protect the stars, its power nullifies and destroys effects that attempt to destroy cards on the field!"


    [Malefic Stardust Dragon - Effect: During either player''s turn, when a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card(s) on the field, you can Tribute this card to negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.]


    The black stardust swirled toward Illya, ready to engulf her before she could complete her spell. Her face tensed.


    "This is bad¡­ I wasn''t expecting such a counter! At this rate, my attack will be stopped¡­"


    "Don''t hesitate, Illya-chan!" Hoshino suddenly shouted toward the sky. "I''ll cover you¡ªwith that man!"


    "That man?" Illya blinked in confusion.


    BANG¡ª!


    The sharp crack of a gunshot echoed through the battlefield.


    "Leave this to me."


    A man stood beside Hoshino, exhaling a trail of smoke from the cigarette between his lips. He aimed his gun at [Malefic Stardust Dragon] with deadly precision.


    "Kiritsugu!!" Illya gasped in shock and joy.


    Hoshino pointed at the face-down card she had set earlier. "This is the trap I was waiting for¡ªthe ultimate counter-trap, [Origin Bullet]!"


    "Because of your perseverance, Illya, I was able to make it here! So, for the sake of your mother, for the future you believe in, let me lend you my strength!"


    The curling smoke from Kiritsugu''s gun carried the sharp scent of gunpowder¡ªevidence that the bullet had already been fired. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Paradox''s expression twisted in confusion. "What¡­ what''s happening?!"


    Everything seemed to freeze. The drifting starlight slowed, the swirling black stardust halted, and even the air felt still.


    Kiritsugu calmly put out his cigarette. "No need to rush¡­"


    "¡ªLet the bullet fly for a while."


    ROOOOAAARRR!!


    The agonized cry of Malefic Stardust Dragon erupted across the battlefield as the Origin Bullet pierced its body. The black particles around Illya dissipated instantly.


    [Origin Bullet - Counter Trap Effect: When your opponent Special Summons a monster, you can activate this card. That monster''s effects are negated, and it cannot declare an attack until the end of the third turn.]


    "Thanks to Origin Bullet, Malefic Stardust Dragon''s effect is completely negated!" Hoshino declared triumphantly.


    "I knew you had a plan, Chiyuki-chan!" Hoshino-Sensei cheered.


    Kiritsugu raised his voice toward Illya. "Go, Illya! Show them the will of the Emiya family¡ªthe will to protect the world!"


    Illya''s eyes burned with determination. "Kiritsugu¡­ Master¡­ I will win. Watch me¡ªthis is my full power!"


    A shockwave of energy burst outward as the Field Barrier protecting the Malefic World shattered into pieces.


    [Field Barrier - Destroyed]


    Paradox, still fused with Malefic Truth Dragon, finally showed a flicker of panic. "Damn you! What is your goal?!"


    "My goal?" Hoshino-Sensei smirked. "It''s simple¡ªto end this war!"


    She activated the field spell she had just drawn. "With Field Barrier gone, I can now play my own field spell! I''ll erase the Malefic World completely!


    The space around them shimmered, the ominous void of the Malefic World dissolving like shattered glass.


    "Field Spell Activate¡ª[Oath Under the Snow]!"


    As the dark world vanished, Hoshino and the others found themselves back at Duel Academy.


    They returned to a world still engulfed in battle. The sky was filled with duel monsters, professional duelists locked in combat. Everyone had been waiting for this moment¡ªthe final duel that would determine the future.


    "Hoshino! Are you okay?!"


    Jonouchi''s voice was the first to break the silence.


    The students, who had been ordered to stay inside, rushed out despite the danger.


    "Hoshino-sensei is back?!"


    "What happened? Did she win?!"


    Hoshino-Sensei groaned. "You idiots! Didn''t I tell you to stay inside?!"


    Akasha crossed her arms. "Hoshino-sensei, you''re risking your life in a duel. How could we just sit still?!"


    "That''s right! You''re being too selfish, Sensei!"


    "We wanted to help too¡ªeven if it''s just cheering you on!"


    Hoshino sighed. "These fools never let me have any peace¡­"


    Hoshino smirked. "But aren''t these the fools you love the most?"


    Hoshino-Sensei clenched her fist. "Exactly! And for these fools I love so much, I''ll end this war!"


    "Illya, activate your effect!"


    [¢Ú: This card gains ATK/DEF equal to the total Levels of the Fusion Materials used for its Summon x 300.]


    "Illya Zwei Form was Fusion Summoned using Illya (Level 6) and MHX (Level 9), for a total of 15 Levels! That means her ATK increases by 4500!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illya Zwei Form: ATK 1000 ¡ú 5500]


    Illya''s rainbow-like wings unfurled, illuminating the battlefield.


    "Illya''s effect¡ª"


    [¢Û: During the turn this card is Special Summoned, it can attack all opposing monsters once each during the Battle Phase.]


    "All targets locked in! Attack target¡ªevery dueling monster wreaking havoc in this world!"


    "This is my all-or-nothing move¡ªQuintett Feuer Multi-Instrumental Saturation Bombardment!"


    The rainbow light, infused with the power of the stars, struck and destroyed all the dueling monsters causing havoc, instantly extinguishing the flames of war that engulfed the world.


    The flag that symbolized the indomitable spirit of duelists worldwide¡ªthe Duel Academy¡ªfinally proclaimed ultimate victory at that moment.


    "Aaaaaahhhhhhh!!" Paradox howled in agony, enveloped by the radiance of the stars. Beneath him, the Malefic Truth Dragon''s body began to dissolve.


    [Paradox LP: 250 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. Winner¡ªHoshino Chiyuki!]


    "It... is over!!"


    As the radiant rainbow light from Illya''s hands faded, the battlefield fell silent. The rampaging Duel Monsters that had darkened the sky just moments ago were completely eradicated.


    Whoosh¡ª!


    Exhausted beyond her limits, Illya''s small frame went limp, plummeting from the sky. Just before she could hit the ground, Musashi sprang into action, gracefully leaping up and catching her with ease.


    "Ouch, ouch, ouch~" Illya winced as she lay in Musashi''s embrace, her expression twisted in discomfort.


    The cost of entering Zwei Form had pushed her body past its limits. Every part of her¡ªnervous system, blood vessels, lymphatic pathways, even her muscles¡ªhad been forcibly transformed into pseudo-magical circuits. The aftermath of the overload coursed through her like molten fire, leaving her wracked with pain.


    Hoshino knelt beside them and gently patted Illya''s head. "You did great, Illya-chan! Truly worthy of being the magical girl who saved the world~"


    Illya, despite her pain, giggled foolishly at the affectionate praise. "Ehehe~ Not only did Master see my reliable side, but Kiritsugu did too! Totally worth it!"


    Thud¡ª!


    Unlike Illya, who had been caught with care, Paradox crashed onto the ground with a heavy impact, flat on his back. The fading light of Malefic Truth Dragon dissipated above him as he lay there, staring at the sky still illuminated by the lingering rainbow glow.


    A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. "If you had the power to wipe out all the monsters in an instant, then why spare me?" His voice was low, hoarse. "Even without destroying Malefic World, you could''ve erased Malefic Truth Dragon... and me along with it."


    Hoshino-sensei''s expression hardened. "I decided a long time ago: duels are not tools for killing or waging war. I''ll never use duels to take someone''s life again. Even for someone like you, a madman trying to reshape the world, that''s no reason to erase you through a duel."


    Paradox was silent for a moment.


    Then, suddenly¡ª


    "Hahaha!"


    Lying on the ground, he burst into laughter, his voice sharp with derision. "Naive. Even in this time, you''re still naive, Hoshino! That''s why you lose to me in the future! You lack the resolve to truly save it!"


    "But right now, you''ve lost to us, Paradox!" Hoshino shot back, eyes blazing with defiance. "I don''t care if you defeat my future self! At least at this moment, we''ve seized the future with our own power!"


    Paradox smirked, struggling to prop himself up on his elbows. "That''s just wishful thinking on your part." His breath was labored, but his arrogance remained intact. "I lost, but only in this era! With the ability to travel through time, we have countless ways to achieve our goal!"


    Jonouchi, his patience long gone, stormed forward with clenched fists. "What did you just say?! Even now, you''re still refusing to give up?!"


    VROOM¡ª!


    A deafening engine roar tore through the battlefield.


    "Jonouchi! Move!" Hoshino-Sensei shouted, eyes widening as a sleek, futuristic motorcycle sped toward them at blistering speed.


    A sharp turn, the screech of tires, and a skilled rider skidded to a stop.


    "Lord Paradox!"


    Byakuya barely brushed past Jonouchi as he expertly maneuvered the bike, stopping in front of Paradox in a perfect arc.


    "The energy for the Duel Runner has partially recovered!" he reported, his voice sharp with urgency. "We may not be able to leap centuries anymore, but with the stored energy, we can still travel a few years!"


    Paradox''s smirk widened. "Well done, Byakuya." He pulled himself onto the bike, adjusting the black-and-white mask on his face.


    Hoshino-sensei narrowed her eyes. "So this is how they travel through time... The future really does have some cool stuff."


    Hoshino clenched her fists. "He''s going to escape! Musashi, we can''t let him get away!"


    "Understood, Master!" Without hesitation, Musashi launched forward, blade drawn.


    But Byakuya was ready.


    "I''ll handle this, Lord Paradox!" he declared, raising his Duel Disk. A bright summoning glow ignited.


    A deafening roar shook the battlefield.


    From the light emerged a Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its massive, corrupted form spreading its wings wide to block Musashi''s advance.


    Paradox wasted no time.


    "If I travel ten years into the past, no one will be able to stop me!" He revved the Duel Runner''s engine, the space around him beginning to distort. "I''ll erase Maximillion Pegasus before he can ever create Duel Monsters! History will be rewritten!"


    Jonouchi grit his teeth. "Running away just because you lost!" he spat.


    As the time-space portal fully opened, Hoshino''s mind raced.


    (If he''s going back ten years¡­ should I try to hitch a ride?)


    But just saying that to Paradox felt humiliating. And it wasn''t like he''d agree anyway.


    Byakuya, standing guard before the portal, lowered his Duel Disk. He already knew Hoshino and the others had no way of stopping Paradox now.


    "Lord Paradox," he said solemnly, "I wish you great success. I can only accompany you this far."


    The Duel Runner sped forward, vanishing into the shimmering portal.


    Paradox was gone.


    "Damn it..." Hoshino-Sensei clenched her fists, her voice trembling with frustration. "He still got away... If he really erases Pegasus, then what happens to our time?"


    Hoshino herself felt the weight settle in her chest. Everything they fought for¡­ was it meaningless in the end?


    "...Was it all for nothing?"


    A soft, familiar voice whispered in her ear.


    "It wasn''t meaningless, girl."


    Hoshino froze. Her breath hitched.


    "...Evil God-san?"


    Before her eyes, the Evil God materialized into a human-like form, standing confidently before them, her presence undeniable.


    "Who said your battle was meaningless?" She smirked. "At the very least, the portal is still open, isn''t it?"


    Hoshino-Sensei''s gaze flickered to the tiny figure. "Chiyuki-chan, who is this super cute little girl? Why did she suddenly appear? Is she your Duel Monster?"


    Hoshino, realizing this timeline''s version of herself had never encountered the Evil Gods, let out a small sigh.


    "Ahem, it''s... complicated. Let''s just say she''s something similar to the God Cards."


    "The strongest Evil God beyond the God Cards, thank you very much!" The tiny body deity puffed up her cheeks indignantly. "Properly acknowledge my status! Bow before me!"


    Hoshino sweatdropped. "...Anyway. Why didn''t you show up all this time, Evil God-san?"


    The Evil God flicked her tiny black locks. "Because as long as I was in the same era as that man, I couldn''t materialize or awaken." She grinned mischievously, licking her lips. "But now that he''s gone through the portal..."


    Hoshino''s eyes sharpened. "So what do you mean when you say the portal is open?"


    The Evil God''s smirk widened. Her crimson eyes gleamed with wicked delight.


    "Simple. We hitch a ride, intercept him midway, beat the shit out of him, and steal that cool stuff(Duel Runner) for ourselves."


    A heavy silence followed.


    Then¡ª


    "¡­Wait. What?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 283 - 283

    "Catch a ride? How exactly?" Hoshino frowned, skepticism clear in her voice.


    "Obviously, the same way we got here~" The Evil God grinned, waving a tiny hand dismissively. "Slip in while the portal is still open!"


    "¡­That sounds completely unreliable."


    "Will that even work? It feels dangerous¡­" Hoshino-Sensei asked warily. The small girl before her looked undeniably cute, but something about her presence was unsettling, as if she radiated an overwhelming power just beneath the surface. Judging from the confused expressions on Jonouchi and Akasha''s faces, it seemed only Hoshino and herself could perceive this so-called Evil God.


    Meanwhile, the Evil God was practically drooling, her eyes gleaming as she stared at the two Hoshinos before her. "It''s not dangerous at all. As long as you offer your soul to me¡­ slurp¡­ I can take you through the portal."


    Hoshino''s brow twitched. "You just slurped, didn''t you? That was way too obvious!"


    The Evil God wiped the corner of her mouth and turned her gaze away. "N-no, of course not~"


    "Offering my soul is just your excuse to satisfy your own desires, isn''t it?"


    "Absolutely not!"


    Hoshino crossed her arms, ignoring the blatant lie. "Now''s not the time for jokes! The past is in danger! In a situation like this, we need to set aside personal desires and work together!"


    The Evil God''s expression twitched. Work together? She wanted to scoff. Ever since Hoshino got the Evil God cards, she had been doing all the work while Hoshino reaped the benefits!


    But despite her complaints, the girl had a point. If they wasted too much time, the portal would close, and they''d lose their only chance to stop Paradox.


    "Fine, fine." The Evil God sighed. "Crossing through the portal itself isn''t dangerous. Even traveling with your physical body won''t have any side effects. This was already proven by her." She nodded toward Hoshino.


    "Really no danger?" Hoshino-Sensei glanced at her younger self.


    "Mm. It''s true," Hoshino confirmed. The sensation of traveling through time was still fresh in her mind. Honestly, it wasn''t painful or disorienting¡ªmore like watching a change in scenery while being swept along by an unseen force.


    It was like¡­


    "A train ride!" The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.


    Back when she first passed through the rift, she had briefly caught sight of a figure speeding past her¡ªsomeone with an absurd hairstyle and an over-the-top outfit. It had to be Paradox!


    "That''s it!" Hoshino clenched her fist. "We''ve already crossed paths in the portal before! If that''s the case, then you''re right, Evil God¡ªwe can intercept Paradox in the rift and return to our time!"


    Hoshino-Sensei''s eyes widened. "If that''s the case, how do we open the portal now? After all, we don''t have that bike thing¡­"


    By now, the rippling distortion left behind by Paradox''s departure had all but vanished, sealing the rift.


    "Forget all that fancy tech. Let''s go old school!" The Evil God smirked, placing her hands on her hips triumphantly. "We''ll use the power of the Gods and Evil Gods to rip the time rift back open!"


    "But we don''t have the Egyptian God cards¡­" Hoshino muttered. According to her future self, the God cards no longer existed in this world.


    The Evil God scoffed. "You still have me, don''t you? It''s not the first time I''ve imitated those three." Her grin stretched wider, and in the next instant, her small form erupted into a cascade of black flames.


    A monstrous shadow loomed over the academy ruins.


    A massive black Winged Dragon of Ra spread its dark, fiery wings, sending tremors through the ground.


    "What is that monster?! Why did it suddenly appear?!"


    The crowd erupted into chaos.


    "This is¡­ the Winged Dragon of Ra?!" Jonouchi gasped. "How the hell is it here?!"


    Hoshino placed two cards onto her Duel Disk. "The Wicked Eraser, representing Slifer the Sky Dragon! The Wicked Dreadroot, the counterpart of Obelisk the Tormentor! And The Wicked Avatar, mirroring The Winged Dragon of Ra! With the intertwining of light and dark, we will open the path!"


    The moment she spoke, the three colossal Evil Gods manifested, their towering forms blotting out the sky. It was like a scene from a kaiju disaster movie, the sheer presence of the entities sending shivers down everyone''s spine.


    A deep shrrrip echoed through the air as reality itself split apart.


    "They¡­ actually tore open the time rift?!" Byakuya, still battered from his defeat, stared in disbelief as the glowing blue portal reignited in the spot where Paradox had vanished.


    As the rift stabilized, two of the Evil Gods faded, leaving only the Winged Dragon of Ra in its transformed, blackened state. The massive dragon lowered its head, peering down at Hoshino with gleaming golden eyes.


    "Climb aboard, girl. Time to give chase. I''ll even let you ride on my head¡ªjust this once."


    Hoshino blinked. "Eh? Ride on your head?"


    "Are you seriously hesitating right now?!" The Evil God, now fully in dragon form, huffed.


    Hoshino-Sensei stepped forward. "Take me with you."


    But before Hoshino could respond, the Evil God growled, "No. One of you will disappear in the rift."


    The weight of the statement hit hard.


    "¡­Disappear?"


    "The convergence of worldlines won''t allow two identical beings to exist in the same timeline. If both of you enter, one of you will cease to exist."


    Silence hung in the air.


    Jonouchi clenched his fists. "Then let me go instead!"


    "Me too!" Akasha stepped forward. "I''ve gotten a lot stronger! I can help!"


    "No. I''ll go alone."


    Hoshino sat atop the dragon''s head, her gaze unwavering.


    "This is a one-way trip. That''s why someone who belongs to the past¡ªsomeone like me¡ªhas to be the one to go."


    Illya, still weak from battle, forced out, "But¡­ can you really win alone¡­?"


    Hoshino took a deep breath.


    "This isn''t about whether I can win. It''s about the fact that I have to!"


    The dragon reared back, flames coiling around its enormous frame as it prepared to launch into the rift.


    "Time to go, girl!"


    "No problem!" Hoshino shot a final glance at her future companions.


    "Jonouchi, Akasha! See you in the past~"


    She turned to face her older self.


    "And to the me from the future¡­"


    "Hm?"


    "Sayonara, Sensei."


    (***)


    Inside the Time Rift


    The roar of a Duel Runner''s engine cut through the eerie silence of the temporal tunnel. Paradox sped forward, his dark cloak fluttering wildly behind him. He had crossed this rift countless times, each journey becoming more familiar.


    But this time¡­


    Something was wrong.


    A deep, chaotic noise rumbled through the tunnel¡ªan unnatural, violent wind mingled with the crackling of flames. It was coming from behind him.


    Then, a thunderous voice split the void¡ª


    "PA-RA-DO-X¡ª¡ª!!"


    Paradox whipped his head around¡ª


    And what he saw nearly stopped his heart.


    A black-winged Ra, wreathed in infernal flames, was hurtling straight toward him, tearing through the rift like a blazing meteor.


    Perched atop its head, a girl''s silhouette stood tall, her eyes locked onto him with a burning intensity.


    Paradox''s breath caught.


    "What the hell is going on?!"


    "Stop right there, Paradox!"


    Within the temporal rift, the massive Winged Dragon of Ra¡ªits body wreathed in black flames¡ªswung its tail with titanic force. The sheer impact sent shockwaves rippling through the space-time tunnel, abruptly halting Paradox''s speeding Duel Runner.


    Forced to a sudden stop, Paradox''s narrowed eyes fixated on the girl standing atop the dragon''s back. His voice carried a hint of disbelief.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki¡­ and the younger one at that. I never expected you to possess a God Card."


    Even as a duelist from a future era, Paradox knew of the legendary God Cards, Duel Monsters'' ultimate power. But what he didn''t realize was that the divine beast before him wasn''t the real Winged Dragon of Ra¡ªit was merely a transformation of the mischievous Evil God.


    From atop her fiery steed, Hoshino stood tall, arms crossed, her presence exuding authority. "I won''t let you take even one step forward, Paradox!"


    However, a certain detail made her commanding stance a little less¡­ dignified.


    Why was she standing on the dragon''s back instead of its head?


    Well, when they were racing through the time rift, she had lost her balance and been flung backward.


    The pale-blue barriers of the temporal tunnel shimmered like flowing water, yet they weren''t liquid¡ªthey were time itself, condensed into an ever-shifting, luminous pathway. As Paradox''s gaze flicked around the space, he quickly noticed something: the older Hoshino was nowhere to be seen.


    A smirk curled on his lips. "In a place where the concept of timelines doesn''t exist, only one Hoshino Chiyuki can remain. Even if both of you entered together, the time flow would collapse into one singular presence. So tell me¡­ do you really think you can stop me alone?"


    Hoshino scoffed. "Man, for someone who just lost a duel, you sure yap a lot." She patted the dragon''s back, deliberately mocking Paradox''s arrogance.


    Seated on his Duel Runner, Paradox activated his Duel Disk with a confident grin. "Talk all you want. Time may not exist here, but I''d still like to finish you quickly."


    The voice of the Evil God echoed beneath Hoshino, high-pitched yet oddly menacing. "Do your best, kiddo! This is your final battle!"


    Hoshino rolled her eyes. "I don''t need you to tell me that." Her Duel Disk flickered to life. Unlike the futuristic models Paradox used, this was an older Duel Disk from her timeline, a loaner from Mai. It lacked modern satellite processing but was still a refined piece of dueling technology¡ªsimplistic yet powerful.


    Locking eyes, the two duelists squared off in the flowing, endless abyss of time. One on a Duel Runner. The other atop a blazing dragon.


    The tension thickened.


    "Do you think a God Card alone is enough to challenge my Malefic deck?" Paradox taunted. "I won''t even give you the chance to summon it!"


    Hoshino smirked. "That''s for me to decide!"


    [Paradox vs. Hoshino Chiyuki]


    [Duel Start!]


    "I''ll take the first turn! Draw!"


    Without hesitation, Hoshino played a monster and set two face-down cards. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] in Defense Position! Then, I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    A crimson glow flickered as Spartacus took the field, his armor gleaming with the heat of battle. He crossed his gladius over his chest, standing in defense as Hoshino reinforced her position with hidden traps.


    Yet, Paradox merely chuckled. "How outdated. Do you really think that will be enough to stop me?"


    Hoshino sighed dramatically. "I''ve never met anyone this full of himself before."


    Paradox ignored her jab. "My turn. Draw!" He wasted no time in activating a Spell Card from his hand.


    "I activate [Terraforming]!"


    [Terraforming ¨C Spell Card Effect: Add 1 Field Spell from your Deck to your hand.]


    Hoshino quirked an eyebrow. "Oh? Didn''t expect you to run something as basic as a Field Spell searcher. I figured you''d just rely on your no-shuffling trickery."


    "Hmph. Enough talk. It''s time you witnessed despair!" Paradox held up the card he retrieved. "I add [Mound of the Bound Creator] to my hand!"


    Hoshino''s expression darkened. "What?! Not Malefic World? That Field Spell was used by Marik to suppress the God Cards¡­!"


    She quickly pieced together the implications. Marik''s possession of that card had always been odd, given that the Egyptian Gods were supposed to be under strict seal by Pegasus. And now Paradox had it too?


    Something wasn''t right.


    Could some unseen force have been guiding the course of history, shaping events in ways beyond their control?


    A wry smile crossed her lips. "So Marik having that card was an anomaly too, huh¡­?"


    "Malefic monsters don''t require Malefic World," Paradox sneered. "Any Field Spell suffices. And with Mound of the Bound Creator, my Level 10 or higher monsters gain immunity to effect destruction!"


    As the spell took hold, three towering stone pillars erupted from the void, each etched with hieroglyphs¡ªsymbols of dominion over divine creatures.


    "Now, I send [Rainbow Dragon] and [Cyber End Dragon] from my Deck to the Graveyard! Come forth¡ª[Malefic Rainbow Dragon] and [Malefic Cyber End Dragon]!"


    [Malefic Rainbow Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)] [DARK] [Dragon/Effect] [ATK 4000/DEF 0]


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)] [DARK] [Machine/Effect] [ATK 4000/DEF 2800]


    Two colossal beasts materialized, their sinister energies warping the very fabric of the rift. The rainbow-hued dragon, now tainted in darkness, unleashed an eerie, distorted screech. The mechanical behemoth Cyber End Dragon stood tall, its metallic body crackling with corrupted power.


    Hoshino felt the sheer weight of their presence. Two Level 10 monsters, each with 4000 Attack Points¡ªan overwhelming force backed by a Field Spell that made them virtually indestructible by effects.


    "Battle!" Paradox declared. "Malefic Cyber End Dragon¡ªattack Spartacus! Cyber End Spark!"


    A brilliant beam of destructive light surged forward, obliterating Spartacus instantly.


    "And don''t forget¡ªMalefic Cyber End Dragon inflicts piercing damage!"


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 1500]


    "Mound of the Bound Creator''s effect activates! When a Level 10 or higher monster destroys another monster, you take an additional 1000 damage!"


    [Hoshino LP 1500 ¡ú 500]


    The impact sent a shockwave through the rift. Hoshino clenched her fists, her body trembling from the residual force.


    The Evil God''s voice rang out with concern. "You''re already on the verge of losing! Are you sure you''ve got this?"


    Hoshino exhaled, steeling herself. "I don''t know yet if I''ve got this¡­" She now fully grasping just how formidable Paradox truly was.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 284 - 284

    "Because Spartacus was destroyed, I activate its effect! I recover 500 life points and deal 500 damage to you!"


    [Hoshino LP: 500 ¡ú 1000]


    [Paradox LP: 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    Paradox scoffed. "Heh, what a futile struggle. This duel is utterly meaningless. Malefic Rainbow Dragon, deliver the finishing blow!"


    The Malefic Rainbow Dragon''s dark, prismatic glow pulsed with lethal intent as it locked eyes on Hoshino, its energy surging into a destructive blast.


    "¡ªMalefic Prismatic Stream!"


    The Evil God beneath Hoshino''s feet, despite its intimidating form, sounded more exasperated than worried. "Girl, if you get one-turn-killed here, I swear I''ll laugh at you for the rest of my existence!"


    Hoshino narrowed her eyes. "Me? One-turn-killed? Yeah, right! I activate my set Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning]!"


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate when you control no [Heroic Spirit] monsters. Special Summon one Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from your Deck in Defense Position. This turn, you cannot Special Summon monsters that aren''t [Heroic Spirit].]


    Paradox sneered. "It''s pointless, Hoshino. Even if you summon a monster in response, the effect of Mound of the Bound Creator will still inflict 1000 damage. Checkmate!"


    Hoshino smirked. "There''s no such thing as checkmate on turn one. Watch closely¡ªSpecial Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Leonidas I¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1400/ DEF 1900]


    With a defiant battle cry, the Spartan warrior materialized, slamming his shield into the ground as he braced for impact. Malefic Rainbow Dragon''s attack crashed against him, but he remained unshaken.


    "Leonidas I''s effect: This card cannot be destroyed by battle with monsters that have 2500 or more ATK!"


    The overwhelming power of Paradox''s 4000-ATK monsters proved to be their own downfall, as they lacked the finesse to bypass the Spartan''s impenetrable defense.


    The Evil God sighed in relief. "Phew, that was close."


    To emphasize its exasperation, it wiped imaginary sweat off its bird-like head with a claw¡ªan oddly comical sight given its fearsome form.


    Paradox clicked his tongue. "Tch. Your stalling tactics are as irritating as ever. My monsters might not be able to destroy him now, but next turn, Malefic Cyber End Dragon will deal piercing damage and wipe you out just as easily."


    Though Leonidas''s presence disrupted Paradox''s OTK attempt, he remained unfazed. "A worthless card is still worthless. I set two cards and end my turn."


    [Paradox''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    The Evil God nudged Hoshino. "Alright, girl, you''ve got a plan, right? No way you''re letting him run the show the whole time."


    Hoshino hesitated. "Honestly? It''s not looking great."


    Summoning two 4000-ATK monsters alongside Mound of the Bound Creator on the first turn? This was worse than dealing with Kaiba''s No-Deck-Shuffling Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.


    Paradox''s smirk widened. "Finally realizing the gap between us? Too bad. I have no intention of letting you walk away from this."


    Then¡ª


    "Hahaha~"


    A soft, melodic laugh echoed from deep within the temporal rift.


    No¡ªit wasn''t distant. Not in the way sound should be. In a place where time was expressed as space, ''distance'' had no meaning.


    Paradox''s grip on his Duel Disk trembled. His entire body stiffened. "That voice... Impossible!!"


    The laugh carried an eerie distortion, as if interference crackled through its soundwaves. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Evil God suddenly turned back toward the source. Then, without warning, it shifted from its divine form into its human appearance, an unreadable smirk tugging at its lips.


    "Well, well¡­ This is unexpected."


    Hoshino barely had time to register what had happened before the Winged Dragon beneath her vanished. With nothing beneath her feet, she plummeted¡ªbut instead of falling, her body simply drifted within the temporal currents, caught in the pale-blue barriers that composed the rift.


    "Paradox-kun~ You''re as ruthless as ever. Right, Chiyuki-chan?"


    The voice was familiar to Paradox, yet completely foreign to Hoshino.


    The Evil God, now in human form, turned toward the approaching presence¡ªan ethereal figure, glowing softly as she moved against the flow of time. Given her arrival point, she had to be from the future.


    Hoshino furrowed her brows. "You¡­ know me?"


    The figure giggled. "Hehe~ You could say I do¡­ or you could say I don''t~"


    As she stepped into clearer view, the dim glow of the time rift revealed a girl dressed in a pristine white uniform, her silver hair flowing like strands of moonlight.


    Hoshino''s breath hitched. She had never seen this girl before.


    "So? Do you know me or not?" she asked, more confused than ever.


    Paradox, however, looked like he had seen a ghost. His expression contorted into something between rage and fear. "No¡­ No, no, NO! This is impossible! I erased you! I ERASED YOU COMPLETELY!"


    His voice cracked as he ranted, a stark contrast to his earlier arrogance.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki! I defeated you! I wiped you from existence! How¡ªHOW are you standing here?!"


    Hoshino''s eyes darted between the panicked Paradox and the serene white-haired girl. "Huh? Wait¡­ Hoshino Chiyuki? You''re saying¡­ you''re me?"


    The girl laughed softly. "That''s why I said I might know you, or I might not~ We know each other so well, yet this is our first meeting, isn''t it? Another me~"


    Hoshino''s jaw nearly dropped. "Hold on, you''re saying you''re me from another future?"


    Her focus, however, quickly shifted to something far more pressing.


    "Wait, wait, wait¡ªwhy do you look younger than me? Did I age backwards?!"


    The white-haired girl giggled. "Now''s not the time to worry about that! Isn''t eternal youth every girl''s dream?"


    Hoshino groaned. "That''s¡­ not the point!"


    But before she could question further, the white-haired girl gently reached out, her fingertips brushing against the deck in Hoshino''s Duel Disk.


    Then, she turned her gaze to Paradox.


    "Paradox-kun~ I deliberately lost to you back then, betting everything on this moment. To change our destroyed future, I entrusted all my hopes to the correct timeline."


    Paradox grit his teeth. "The correct timeline¡­?"


    The moment the white-haired girl''s fingers touched Hoshino''s deck, a brilliant light erupted from within it, illuminating the time rift in radiant splendor.


    Hoshino''s heart pounded. In that instant, she felt herself transcend time itself¡ªher very being resonating with something beyond centuries.


    The white-haired girl withdrew her hand, her expression turning solemn.


    "I entrust all my power to you, Chiyuki-chan." She met Hoshino''s gaze, eyes gleaming with unshakable resolve.


    "Now¡ªcrush this fool blinded by his own delusions!"


    "Giving your power to me?"


    From the radiant deck, Hoshino felt an immense weight¡ªan unwavering resolve forged over centuries of battle to save the world.


    Paradox, having regained his composure, pieced things together. "Two individuals from different timelines can''t coexist in the Temporal Shift. If they do, the convergence of timelines will absorb them..."


    "Exactly¡ªabsorbed by the convergence of timelines," the white-clad girl interrupted. "That''s why this moment is my last in this world."


    Her gaze shifted to Hoshino. Though her words carried a tinge of sorrow, her voice, faint and trembling, remained filled with optimism. "The timeline will merge us into one. Since my existence was already erased, I have nothing to lose. It won''t have any physical effect on you either."


    "You... will disappear?"


    Looking at this smaller version of herself from another future, Hoshino felt a deep sense of surrealism. This wasn''t like imagining herself ten years ahead¡ªthis girl, from an era beyond her reach, felt so distant that Hoshino didn''t even know how to address her.


    "I won''t disappear. We''ll simply become one as the timeline corrects itself." The girl''s small figure was already beginning to blur, her shadow fading along with the dying echoes of her voice.


    "This way, I can witness a future unlike the one I knew¡ªa future where everyone can smile together."


    The hope reflected in her crimson eyes became a radiant light that sank deep into Hoshino''s heart.


    Perhaps someday in the distant future, that feeling buried deep within her would resurface, and she''d think to herself: Look, I finally did it.


    "So, she vanished in the end."


    Paradox lowered his head, his expression obscured. His voice was calm, but the storm of emotions within him had clearly settled into something resolute.


    "If you had cooperated with me, reshaping the world would have been effortless. Instead, you chose to stand against me. Now, I''ll prove that my path was the only correct choice! Let''s continue the duel, Hoshino Chiyuki!"


    Hoshino raised her now-glowing deck, fire burning in her eyes. "A man blinded by his own foolish dreams¡ªyou really do live up to that name, Paradox. At this point, right or wrong doesn''t even matter anymore. Right now, all I want is to beat you to a pulp on her behalf!"


    "My turn¡ªdraw!"


    As she drew, the card in her hand radiated with white light, and the remnants of the girl''s strength surged into her fingers.


    "During my Standby Phase, I activate the effect of Spartacus in my graveyard! If my opponent controls more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon this card!"


    Currently, Paradox had Malefic Rainbow Dragon and Malefic Cyber End Dragon on his field, while Hoshino had only the shield-bearing Leonidas holding the line.


    "Come forth, in Defense Position¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Spartacus]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    The materialized Spartacus grinned widely. "With love and rebellion, let''s create a future free from oppression!"


    Retrieving Spartacus from her graveyard, Hoshino wasted no time activating another effect.


    "At the moment Spartacus is Special Summoned, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit - Meltryllis Lily] from my hand! If I successfully Special Summon a Heroic Spirit monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Meltryllis Lily, ¡ï (Level 1)][DARK] [Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    With a graceful spin, the petite, elegant Lily materialized on the field. "As the beginning of Master''s new power, let me usher in a new era~"


    "I set two cards and Tribute Spartacus to perform a Tribute Summon..."


    Within moments, Hoshino had played four cards, clearing out her hand in an instant.


    "¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Li Shuwen (Lancer) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][WIND] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 2000/DEF 1900]


    The glimmering spear in his hands shone brightly against the azure battlefield.


    "With my spear and fists, I shall witness this path to a new future!"


    "I activate Li Shuwen''s effect! When this card is Normal or Special Summoned and I have no cards in my hand, I can draw two cards and send one to the graveyard!"


    Hoshino had deliberately emptied her hand earlier to trigger Li Shuwen''s effect. Drawing two new cards, she carefully examined them before sending one to the graveyard.


    As summon after summon illuminated her field, Paradox scoffed. "You''re certainly skilled at summoning weak monsters. But even if you add up the attack points of everything you''ve played, it still wouldn''t come close to either of my Malefic monsters."


    Hoshino smirked, her crimson eyes gleaming. "Paradox, it''s time to show you my new power. Honestly, I should thank you..."


    "Thank me?"


    "Yeah. For demonstrating Synchro Summoning earlier!"


    Paradox''s confident expression faltered as unease crept over him.


    [If this card is used as Synchro Material, you can treat it as Level 4.]


    Hoshino pointed to her two monsters. "I''ll tune [Heroic Spirit - Meltryllis Lily] (Level 4 Tuner) with [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen] (Level 6) to perform a Level 10 Synchro Summon!"


    White rings of light surrounded Li Shuwen and Lily, their forms dissolving as they transcended time itself.


    "Let the bonds that defy time awaken a new hope! The souls of Heroic Spirits spanning the ages will open the path to the future! Synchro Summon! [Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen of No Second Strike]!"


    The pure white Synchro card appeared in Hoshino''s hand for the first time.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Li Shuwen of No Second Strike ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK] [Warrior/Synchro/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    [Heroic Spirit Tuner + Heroic Spirit - Li Shuwen]


    An elderly Li Shuwen materialized, his spear absent, yet his martial aura at its peak. His sharp gaze held the weight of a lifetime''s mastery.


    "Tsk, even I have to step in at this point? What a hassle~" He sighed, cracking his knuckles. "Well then, let this old man have a little fun!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 285 - 285

    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Li Shuwen ATK 3000]


    In his youth, Li Shuwen possessed peak physical strength. However, it was in his later years that he truly mastered martial arts. He came to understand that true mastery wasn''t merely about physical power but the strength derived from unwavering conviction and belief.


    Locked in the killing intent emanating from Li Shuwen, Paradox felt a chill run down his spine, a bead of sweat trailing along his back.


    "A Synchro Monster I''ve never seen before¡­ So this is your new power, Hoshino. Very well, let''s see if it''s enough to challenge me!"


    Beside Hoshino, the mischievous young form of the evil god chuckled, her lips curling in amusement.


    "When did you learn this summoning method, girl? It''s way too cool! And that chant¡ªdid you make it up on the spot? You''ve got to write one for me too!"


    "Just sit back and watch!" Hoshino''s ruby eyes darted to the two monsters on Paradox''s field.


    "Li Shuwen, battle! Target: Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"


    "Yang governs life, Yin governs death. Yang opens paths of life, while Yin seals the gates of demise!"


    Assuming his stance, Li Shuwen activated the Intersect of Yin-Yang. Though his later years leaned more toward yang, he hadn''t lost the fierce claws of yin¡ªready to switch at an instant and cut down his enemies effortlessly.


    "Challenging my Malefic Cyber End Dragon with only 3000 ATK against its 4000¡­?" Despite the apparent numerical disadvantage, the suffocating pressure of Li Shuwen''s killing intent sent a sense of impending doom through Paradox.


    "Now, let''s break through¡ª"


    "Li Shuwen''s special ability activates!"


    [Once per turn, when this card declares an attack on a face-up monster, its ATK increases by half the ATK of the target monster until the end of the turn.]


    "Since Malefic Cyber End Dragon has 4000 ATK, Li Shuwen gains an additional 2000!"


    [Li Shuwen ATK 3000 ¡ú 5000]


    "To exert one''s power while utilizing the opponent''s strength¡ªthat is martial arts, that is the way of life!" This ability, mirroring his younger self''s, had evolved with a higher base power to unleash devastating attacks.


    Li Shuwen''s refined skill had ascended to the level of a Noble Phantasm. With a light step, he closed the distance in a flash, bringing Malefic Cyber End Dragon into his range.


    "My Bajiquan needs no second strike¡­ Bleed from every hole in your head! One Strike!"


    His peerless punch carried an indescribable destructive force. In the blink of an eye, Malefic Cyber End Dragon''s mechanical body erupted into internal flames, unable to withstand the immense impact.


    [Malefic Cyber End Dragon destroyed]


    "Due to Li Shuwen''s effect, any battle damage dealt to the opponent is doubled! Furthermore, since Li Shuwen is a Level 10 monster, he benefits from the Mound of the Bound Creator field spell, inflicting an additional 1000 damage upon destroying a monster in battle!"


    The evil god exclaimed excitedly, "Nice! Girl, that''s a whopping 3000 damage! Now your Life Points are even!"


    [Paradox LP: 3500]


    Hoshino frowned slightly. "Why hasn''t his Life Points decreased?"


    "Interesting!" Paradox clapped his hands, an amused smile forming on his lips. "Your first Synchro Summon, and it''s already this impressive. Your dueling talent is undeniable, Hoshino. But unfortunately, you''re still one step short¡­ Trap Card, activate!"


    As Malefic Cyber End Dragon was destroyed, Paradox revealed all his set cards: Malefic Tune and Rainbow Life.


    [Malefic Tune: If a face-up "Malefic" monster(s) you control is destroyed by battle or an opponent''s card effect: Draw 2 cards.]


    [Rainbow Life: Discard 1 card; until the end of this turn, each time you would take damage, gain that amount of LP instead.]


    "I discard my remaining card from the previous turn. Instead of taking 3000 damage, I gain that amount instead!"


    [Paradox LP: 3500 ¡ú 6500]


    The evil god sighed in frustration. "What a reversal¡ªdouble damage ended up giving him even more Life Points!"


    "Haha!" Li Shuwen, standing with his hands behind his back, laughed heartily. "A resilient young man, indeed. I wonder how many more punches you can withstand."


    "So, it won''t be that easy to end things, huh?" Far from discouraged, Hoshino''s excitement only grew, the fire of challenge blazing in her crimson eyes.


    "Don''t give up too quickly, Paradox. I''m not even fully accustomed to this new summoning yet." Her taunting words were a clear provocation, and Paradox''s expression darkened¡ªshe was treating him like practice fodder for refining her new deck.


    "Turn end."


    With her hand emptied at the start of her turn and no further actions available after battle, Hoshino ended her turn.


    [Hoshino''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 3 Set Cards]


    "My turn, draw!"


    Paradox examined his newly drawn card, a confident smile returning to his face.


    "Don''t get too cocky¡ªSynchro Summoning isn''t exclusive to you! I activate the Spell Card: [Malefic Selector]!"


    [Malefic Selector Effect: Banish 2 "Malefic" cards from your GY; add 2 "Malefic" cards from your Deck to your hand.]


    "By banishing Malefic Cyber End Dragon and Malefic Tune, I add Malefic Paradox Gear and Malefic Stardust Dragon to my hand!"


    Hoshino''s eyes narrowed. "Malefic Paradox Gear¡­ So it''s finally coming."


    "I discard Paradox Gear to Special Summon Malefic Parallel Gear, and at the same time, I add Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon to my hand!"


    [Malefic Parallel Gear ¡ï¡ï (Level 2)][DARK] [Machine/Tuner/Effect] [ATK 0/DEF 0]


    "Next, I Special Summon Malefic Stardust Dragon and Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand. Then, I Synchro Summon using Parallel Gear and Malefic Blue-Eyes!"


    He raised his hand toward the sky.


    "Arise, the darkness that transcends space and time! Synchro Summon¡ª[Malefic Paradox Dragon]!"


    [Malefic Paradox Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK] [Dragon/Synchro/Effect] [ATK 4000/DEF 4000]


    With precise execution, Paradox effortlessly brought Malefic Paradox Dragon onto the field.


    "As long as Malefic Paradox Dragon is on the field, your monsters'' attack power will be¡ª"


    "I knew you''d summon that thing!" Hoshino cut him off, a sly smile forming as her finger hovered over her set cards.


    "It''s exactly what I was waiting for!"


    "Trap Card, activate¡ª[Origin Bullet]!"


    She pointed forward.


    "It''s your turn, Kiritsugu!"


    Kiritsugu''s shadow flickered across the battlefield. Accompanied by the deafening roar of a fired bullet, the Origin Bullet struck the wings of Malefic Paradox Dragon. Its "origin" was severance and connection¡ªcutting away and discarding countless things while desperately seeking to connect even more.


    "The effect of Origin Bullet nullifies Paradox Dragon''s abilities for three turns, starting from this one!"


    "ROARRR!!"


    The newly Synchro-summoned Paradox Dragon let out a furious roar as the bullet burrowed deep into its core, fully enraging the mighty beast.


    "Even with Paradox Dragon''s effect nullified, do you think your monsters stand a chance? Battle Phase!"


    On Paradox''s field stood two formidable monsters with 4000 ATK, with Malefic Stardust Dragon providing a protective shield against effect destruction¡ªa near-perfect offense and defense.


    "Attack, Malefic Rainbow Dragon¡ªDark Rainbow Stream!"


    The Malefic monster''s attack power far exceeded Leonidas I, whose defense mode prevented its destruction in battle. Naturally, the real target was Li Shuwen.


    Li Shuwen''s effect allowed him to destroy monsters with up to 6000 ATK during his own attack declaration, but not during the opponent''s turn.


    "Your Life Points are like a flickering candle. Against the power of Malefic Rainbow Dragon, they''re as good as gone!"


    "Paradox, while your deck may be powerful, you lack actual dueling experience!" Hoshino smirked mischievously, flipping over one of her set cards.


    "You just uttered the ultimate taboo phrase in a duel! Quick-Play Spell, activate¡ª[Buddhism of Emptiness]!"


    Paradox frowned, confused. In his era, these so-called "taboos" had long been forgotten.


    Before his eyes, Li Shuwen vanished from the field, replaced by a strikingly beautiful female swordsman. She wielded dual blades, yet her aura carried the same suffocating killing intent.


    [Buddhism of Emptiness ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effects: (1) Tribute 1 monster on the field; Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit ¨C Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu" from your hand or Deck. If this card is Special Summoned this way, its ATK increases by half the original ATK of the Tributed monster.]


    "Emptiness is Void, severing even thoughts and desires!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 3000 ¡ú 4500 / DEF 2900]


    "Counterattack, Musashi! Show him your prowess!"


    "Ahhhhhh!!"


    With a single movement, Musashi''s dual blades sliced through space itself, severing light. Her sword aura transformed into a dragon, its radiant energy tearing Malefic Rainbow Dragon apart.


    [Malefic Rainbow Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    [Paradox LP: 6500 ¡ú 6000]


    Musashi marveled at her own blades. "That old man''s power is impressive, isn''t it?"


    Hoshino, standing firm, sneered. "Paradox, you can neither defeat my Musashi nor break through Leonidas I. My so-called flickering Life Points are completely out of your reach!"


    Caught off guard by Musashi''s unexpected strength, Paradox narrowed his eyes. "In that case, I''ll end the Battle Phase." He extended his hand, revealing a new card. "Then I activate the effect of [Malefic Selector] in my hand¡ªbanishing Malefic Paradox Gear and Malefic Parallel Gear from my Graveyard to add Malefic Claw Stream and Malefic Paradigm Shift to my hand!"


    The nearby Evil God gnawed at her fingers instinctively. "This guy just searched for two troublesome cards."


    Paradox confidently inserted three cards into his Duel Disk. "Finally, I set all my remaining cards and end my turn!"


    [Paradox''s Hand: 0 | Set Cards: 3]


    "My turn, draw!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino drew her next card, eyes sharp with determination. She pointed forward. "Attack, Musashi! Target¡ªMalefic Stardust Dragon!"


    Paradox smirked. "Hmph, as expected, you wouldn''t dare attack Paradox Dragon." His arrogance irritated Hoshino.


    "But I won''t let you attack so easily! Trap Card, activate¡ª[Malefic Claw Stream]!"


    [Malefic Claw Stream ¨C Normal Trap Effect: Activate only if you control a face-up "Malefic" monster. Select 1 monster your opponent controls, and destroy it.]


    "Since Musashi is only Level 8, she doesn''t benefit from Mound of the Bound Creator!"


    Dark energy surged toward Musashi like clawing talons, seeking to rip her apart.


    Musashi exhaled sharply, sheathing her blades mid-charge. "Unfortunate, huh? But¡­" Her aura flared with divine light. "I have my own way of fighting!"


    "Namu, Tenman Daijizai Tenjin! Hayagr¨©va!!"


    She didn''t need to unsheathe her swords. Her sheer killing intent alone invoked the image of a divine warrior. A colossal four-armed Buddha, wielding glowing blades, shattered the energy wave from Malefic Claw Stream.


    "So, you were targeting Musashi¡ªjust as I expected." Hoshino lifted her Duel Disk with a smug smile. "The effect of [Buddhism of Emptiness] in my Graveyard activates!"


    [Buddhism of Emptiness Effect: (2) If "Heroic Spirit ¨C Shinmen Musashi no Kami Fujiwara no Harunobu" on your field would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish this card from your Graveyard instead.]


    Musashi''s eyes gleamed as she raised her sword. "Tenman Shrine, deity of absolute freedom. Had¨­kannon, use my rage to sever all evil. This one blade is my path of emptiness, the culmination of my life! ¡­ Ishana, Daitenshou!!"


    A blade imbued with the power to sever karma, curses, and even fate emerged. The four-armed Buddha, now wielding radiant weapons, cleaved through Malefic Stardust Dragon in a dazzling display of swordsmanship.


    [Malefic Stardust Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    [Paradox LP: 6000 ¡ú 4000]


    "It''s not over yet! Musashi''s effect activates¡ªwhen she destroys a monster in battle, you must choose: send one card from your field to the Graveyard, or allow her to attack again!"


    Sword energy gathered, forming a blade so brilliant it seemed to pierce the very fabric of space-time.


    "Make your choice, Paradox!!"


    Paradox bared his teeth, roaring defiantly. "Go ahead and attack if you dare, Hoshino Chiyuki!!"


    That was his answer.


    "Niten Ichi-ry¨±¡ª!"


    The luminous blade descended.


    A single strike.


    Malefic Paradox Dragon was cleaved apart.


    [Malefic Paradox Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 286 - 286

    [Malefic Paradox Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    Hoshino smirked. "Musashi''s second attack deals half battle damage, so you''ll only lose 250 Life Points."


    [Paradox LP: 4000 ¡ú 3750]


    Paradox sneered. "You had the audacity to attack, knowing I have Malefic Paradigm Shift set? I won''t hold back¡ªTrap Card, activate! [Malefic Paradigm Shift]! When the Malefic Paradox Dragon is destroyed, I pay half my Life Points to Special Summon¡ª[Malefic Truth Dragon]!"


    [Paradox LP: 3750 ¡ú 1875]


    "Descend, [Malefic Truth Dragon]!"


    [Malefic Truth Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 5000/DEF 5000]


    A dark vortex erupted on Paradox''s field as the colossal Malefic Truth Dragon emerged, its eyes gleaming with an overwhelming, oppressive aura.


    Yet, despite the monstrous presence before her, Hoshino remained unfazed. "Boring~. If that''s all you''ve got, you''d better prepare yourself to lose."


    Paradox scoffed. "Lose? You''ll be the one facing defeat! With [Malefic Truth Dragon]''s attack power far exceeding Musashi''s, your next turn will be your last!"


    Hoshino''s smirk widened. "That''s only if you survive this turn! I activate the Graveyard effect of [Meltryllis Lily]!"


    [If this card is in the Graveyard: You can discard 1 card; Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.]


    "I discard Marie Antoinette to Special Summon [Meltryllis Lily]! And since Marie was sent to the Graveyard, her effect activates¡ªadding [Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash] to my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Meltryllis Lily ¡ï (Level 1)][DARK] [Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    A delicate yet energetic figure twirled onto the battlefield Meltryllis Lily had arrived.


    "For my Normal Summon¡ªcome forth, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash]!"


    The towering warrior materialized beside Lily, a knowing smile playing on his lips.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Arash ¡ï¡ï (Level 2)][LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect][ATK 300/DEF 300]


    Arash chuckled. "Master, am I going to self-destruct again?"


    Hoshino gave him an innocent smile. "Arash, what are you saying? As a kind and gentle Master, how could I ever do something so cruel?"


    The Heroic Spirits on her field collectively shuddered.


    "Don''t worry! This time, you won''t need to self-destruct! I tune Arash with Meltryllis Lily¡ªSynchro Summon!"


    Paradox narrowed his eyes. "A Synchro Monster?"


    "¡ªCome forth, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Summer Robin Hood]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Summer Robin Hood ¡ï¡ï (Level 2)][WATER][Warrior/Synchro/Tuner/Effect][ATK 1600/DEF 1200]


    The laid-back archer emerged from the Synchro light, a cigarette dangling lazily from his lips. "Yeah, yeah, time for work. Let''s get this over with."


    Paradox scoffed. "Summoning weaklings on top of weaklings, only to bring out another weakling¡ªthat''s typical of you."


    Hoshino''s eyes gleamed. "We''ll see who''s weak! Robin Hood is both a Synchro Monster and a Tuner! And monsters that combine those two properties often hold the key to unlocking ultimate power!"


    She raised two cards from her Duel Disk¡ªSummer Robin Hood and...Musashi.


    "I tune Level 2 Summer Robin Hood with Level 8 Musashi Kam¡ªSynchro Summon!"


    The Evil God watching from the sidelines murmured, "She''s even using Musashi as Synchro Material...?"


    "Watch closely!" Hoshino declared as brilliant light engulfed the field, turning the underground tunnel into a dazzling expanse of pure white.


    "Synchro Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Shi Huang Di]!"


    A divine emperor descended onto the battlefield, his presence exuding absolute authority and regal beauty.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shi Huang Di ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][LIGHT][Dragon/Synchro/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    [1 Tuner Synchro + 1+ non-Tuner [Heroic Spirit] monsters]


    The first Emperor of China stood tall, his eyes scanning the field with a mixture of nostalgia and solemnity. "It has been some time, my people." His gaze landed on Hoshino, his expression unreadable. "Have you already concluded your battles and entrusted the future to others?"


    "No..." For the first time, Hoshino faltered under his overwhelming presence. "That''s not..."


    "It matters not." Shi Huang Di''s voice carried undeniable authority. "From this point onward, I shall once again oversee the path you must tread. Therefore¡ªexpress your gratitude to me."


    Hoshino, regaining her composure, grinned. "Yes! I activate Shi Huang Di''s effect!"


    Shi Huang Di raised a hand, his voice echoing through the cavern. "I am the Emperor who surpasses the Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors. None can defy Qin Shi Huang¡ªthat is me!"


    [When this card is Synchro Summoned: This card gains ATK equal to half the combined ATK of the Synchro Materials used for its Summon. Also, all monsters your opponent controls have their ATK reduced to 0.]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Shi Huang Di ATK: 0 ¡ú 3050]


    "Bow before me!"


    An immense force swept across the battlefield. Malefic Truth Dragon, which had stood as an indomitable colossus, suddenly faltered as its power was stripped away.


    [Malefic Truth Dragon ATK: 5000 ¡ú 0]


    Even the Evil God shuddered. "Such a terrifying monster... Bringing such an unreasonable force into this time¡ªcan that really be allowed?"


    Hoshino sneered. "Paradox, tell me¡ªwhose monster is the real weakling now?"


    Paradox clenched his fists, glaring at Shi Huang Di with disbelief. "Even if Malefic Truth Dragon is reduced to zero attack, you already ended your Battle Phase! You can''t attack again this turn!"


    Shi Huang Di, still composed, merely tapped his forehead with amusement. The Duelists'' Graveyards began to glow ominously.


    "Between Heaven and Earth, mortals persist. Now, I enact a new order¡ª!"


    [Once per turn, during your Main Phase: Banish all monsters from each Graveyard, and if you do, inflict 200 damage to your opponent for each card banished.]


    An unseen force swept through both Graveyards, purging every lingering soul from existence.


    Shi Huang Di''s eyes gleamed. "An Emperor''s power knows no bounds¡ªeven after the Battle Phase, I still attack!"


    The weight of absolute authority bore down on Paradox.


    "This is the end for you!"


    The Duel Disks'' Graveyard Zones glowed as all monster cards were ejected.


    "A total of 11 monsters!" Hoshino declared. "That means you''ll take 2200 points of effect damage! And after paying half your Life Points to summon Malefic Truth Dragon, you''re down to just 1875!"


    Behind Shi Huang Di, Hoshino pointed triumphantly at Paradox.


    "Your strongest Malefic monster didn''t turn the tide¡ªit ended up being the final straw that breaks you!"


    The Evil God let out a satisfied chuckle. "Well done, girl. Now we can get that bike!"


    Shi Huang Di lowered his glowing hand and laughed.


    "Hahaha! Amusing! Even against My attack, you still choose to resist? How uninteresting!"


    Paradox smirked as a shimmering barrier materialized, refracting the Emperor''s golden light.


    "You think this is over? I won''t be defeated here! I activate my face-down Trap¡ª[Damage Polarizer]!"


    [Damage Polarizer ¨C Trap Card Effect: Activate only when an effect that inflicts damage is activated. Negate its activation and effect, and each player draws 1 card.]


    A dome of energy expanded, nullifying Shi Huang Di''s ability.


    "Because of my Trap, your effect damage is negated, meaning the monsters in the Graveyard won''t be banished! And as a bonus, we both draw one card!" Hidden behind his shield, Paradox let out a quiet breath of relief.


    "Tch! What a shame¡ªI was hoping to end things in style!" Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration.


    Shi Huang Di chuckled. "Hahaha, no need to rush~" His gaze settled on her with warmth.


    "This way, you can spend a bit more time with Me. Or... do you not want to?"


    "Of course not!" Hoshino declared, puffing her chest. "I spent seven hundred Saint Quartz to get you! How could I not want to spend time with you?"


    Shi Huang Di''s amused smile twitched slightly.


    "¡­I don''t understand what you''re talking about, but you''re always so entertaining~"


    Hoshino raised her Duel Disk.


    "I''ll draw one card!"


    The moment she saw it, her breath hitched.


    This wasn''t one of the white-haired girl''s cards. It was one she had received from Hoshino-Sensei¡­


    (***)


    "Chiyuki-chan, I can''t go with you, but take this card. It might come in handy when you need it most!"


    "Wait, is this¡­ Illya''s card?"


    "Of course not~"


    (***)


    Hoshino smirked, her momentary hesitation vanishing.


    "Of course, I know myself best! This card came at the perfect time!" Without hesitation, she slid it into her Duel Disk.


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    [Hoshino: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    Paradox''s eyes sharpened. "My turn¡ªdraw!"


    Now, with only a single Malefic Truth Dragon at 0 ATK and two cards in hand, he glanced at his new draw.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki¡­" He exhaled slowly. "I''ll admit it. You weren''t fighting at full strength when I first defeated you. But¡ª"


    He held up his card, and Malefic Truth Dragon shattered into black fragments.


    "That doesn''t mean even at full power, you can defeat me! This is my final trump card! By offering Malefic Truth Dragon as a tribute, I Tribute Summon¡ª"


    "You still have another play?" Hoshino groaned. "A person who refuse to give up are so annoying!"


    The shattered remains of Malefic Truth Dragon dissipated into darkness, and from within, a massive silhouette emerged. Its oppressive presence rivaled even that of Shi Huang Di.


    "¡ª[Great Maju Garzett]!!"


    A monstrous fiend stepped forward, its enormous arms crossing as it loomed over the battlefield.


    [Great Maju Garzett ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    "Attack and defense points are both zero¡­?" Hoshino muttered, suddenly uneasy. Her own Shi Huang Di also had 0 ATK and DEF, yet this new monster gave her a bad feeling.


    "Great Maju Garzett''s effect activates!" Paradox declared. "Its ATK becomes twice the original ATK of the monster used for its Tribute Summon!"


    Malefic Truth Dragon''s dark essence surged into the fiend, its power being completely devoured.


    "The final ATK of the Great Maju Garzett is¡ª"


    [Great Maju Garzett ATK: 0 ¡ú 10,000]


    "10,000 ATK?!" Hoshino gulped. "That''s your trump card? Careful¡ªit''s not healthy to gorge yourself on such a big dragon!"


    Paradox''s eyes gleamed. "You''ve still got time to joke? Let me show you¡ªabsolute power is the key to ultimate victory!"


    Great Maju Garzett raised a single clawed finger, condensing a massive sphere of pure destruction.


    "Great Maju Garzett, attack¡ªLightning Catastrophe!"


    A thunderous blast erupted toward Shi Huang Di.


    "Trap Card¡ªActivate!" Hoshino shouted, raising her arm.


    One of her set cards flipped open.


    "¡ª[Garden of Avalon]!"


    [Garden of Avalon ¨C Trap Card Effect: For the rest of this turn, all damage you take becomes 0. Afterward, add 1 [Altria] monster from your Graveyard to your hand.] S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A golden field of flowers materialized, absorbing the massive attack completely.


    Paradox''s eyes widened. "That card¡ª!"


    Hoshino smirked. "D¨¦j¨¤ vu, huh? Looks familiar, doesn''t it?"


    The devastating energy dissipated harmlessly into the air.


    "Once again, your attack is stopped by this very card!" She pressed the resolved Trap against her forehead, taking a deep breath.


    Hoshino-Sensei had known exactly what she needed to win this duel.


    (With this card, I can give myself an extra layer of defense when I''m at low LP¡­)


    She lowered the Trap and pointed directly at Paradox.


    "Paradox, the deck you''re facing contains the combined will of three different timelines! A bond that spans across time will always forge the true future!"


    Paradox''s grip tightened around the last card in his hand.


    "Even if the damage is negated¡­ your ace monster was still destroyed by Great Maju Garzett!"


    Hoshino''s eyes sparkled with excitement.


    "That''s exactly what I was waiting for!" She grinned. "Now, witness the true form of Shi Huang Di!"


    Her final set card flipped open.


    "Trap Card¡ª[Emerald Float]¡ªActivate!"


    [Emerald Float ¨C Trap Card Effect: When a Synchro Monster you control is destroyed by battle: Banish that monster; Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit" Synchro Monster from your Extra Deck with the same Type as the banished monster, but 2 Levels higher, in Defense Position.]


    "I banish Shi Huang Di to Synchro Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang]!"


    A brilliant light engulfed the field as a new ruler descended.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 287 - 287

    "Synchro Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang]!"


    A crystallized form of the ultimate cyber-spiritual technique, a "True Human"¡ªan entity that embodies the pinnacle of symmetry and capability achievable by the human body.


    A supreme creation of the Chinese Lostbelt''s technology¡ªan artificial immortal.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Lostbelt King Qin Shi Huang ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12)]


    [LIGHT] [Dragon/Synchro/Effect] [ATK 4000 / DEF 4000]


    "To think you would dare challenge Me after feasting upon the sins of darkness¡­ Such ignorance is beyond redemption." Wielding a radiant sword in his new form, Qin Shi Huang stood before the monstrous beast with an air of haughty confidence.


    "The special effect of [Qin Shi Huang] activates!"


    [¢Ù: When this card is successfully Synchro Summoned, activate 1 ''The Great Wall'' from your Deck or GY. Your opponent cannot activate card effects in response to this effect.]


    There was no need to search¡ªblinding light radiated from the deck as the emperor''s chosen card emerged.


    "Activate the Continuous Spell¡ª[The Great Wall]! While this card remains on the field, Qin Shi Huang cannot be destroyed by battle, and no other monsters you control can be targeted for attacks or effects!"


    An endless wall materialized, extending far beyond the boundaries of the space-time rift. Though only a fraction of its splendor could be summoned here, paired with Qin Shi Huang''s commanding presence, its majesty overshadowed even the immense Great Maju Garzett.


    "As long as My empire stands, so shall My throne. This is the Emperor''s legacy¡ªan immortal pride that endures as a wonder of the world!"


    Paradox scoffed. "Do you think a mere wall can withstand the attacks of the Great Maju Garzett? It is as feeble as your dwindling life points." With a smirk, he placed his last card face-down. "I end my turn!"


    [Paradox: 0 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    Qin Shi Huang''s golden eyes glowed as he raised his hand. The Great Wall rumbled with power. "How bold of you to challenge the Emperor of All Under Heaven. Allow Me to entertain you a little longer¡ªso that you may witness the true splendor of My empire."


    "My turn! Draw!" Hoshino declared.


    "I activate [The Great Wall]''s effect¡ªonce per turn, I can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my GY! The summoned monster gains 500 ATK and DEF!"


    With a dramatic flourish, she retrieved a long-buried card from the graveyard.


    "Special Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Traveling Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Traveling Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ¡ï]


    [LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect] [ATK: 0 ¡ú 500 / DEF: 0 ¡ú 500]


    Mozart materialized and gave a graceful bow. "If you''d like a song, I''m ready. A fitting piece for this duel''s climax, perhaps?"


    Hoshino grinned. "Oh? Then how about ''Passionate Duelist''? Activate [Mozart]''s effect¡ªwhen the BGM is playing, I become unbeatable!"


    [Once per turn, you can declare a Level and target 1 Synchro Monster you control; that monster''s Level becomes the declared Level.]


    "I''ll target Qin Shi Huang and change its Level to 9! Now, I''ll Synchro Summon using Mozart and Qin Shi Huang¡ªtuning my Level 1 Tuner with my Level 9 Synchro Monster!" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Evil God gasped. "You''re using Qin Shi Huang as Synchro material?!"


    Qin Shi Huang rose into the air as the Great Wall radiated divine light.


    "Behold¡ªthe invincible army of Great Qin reborn in this moment!"


    Hoshino thrust her final Synchro Monster into her Duel Disk.


    "Let''s go¡ªSynchro Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C Xiang Yu]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Xiang Yu ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)]


    [WIND] [Machine/Synchro/Effect] [ATK 3000 / DEF 2500]


    [Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner [Heroic Spirit] Synchro Monsters]


    A towering war machine, rivaling even the Great Maju Garzett in size, emerged. Blades infused with radiant energy extended from its arms.


    The tiny Evil God recoiled in fear. "What is that monstrosity?!"


    Xiang Yu''s deep voice resonated through the battlefield. "I am Xiang Yu. Your fate is sealed."


    Qin Shi Huang''s ethereal presence lingered, nodding in approval. "As expected of My finest general. You are ever reliable."


    Paradox narrowed his eyes. "Why is Qin Shi Huang still on the field after being used as Synchro Material?"


    Hoshino smirked. "Because of [The Great Wall]''s final effect!"


    [You can banish this face-up card to Special Summon 1 [Qin Shi Huang] monster from your GY.]


    The Great Wall faded away, and in its place stood Qin Shi Huang, regal as ever.


    "This is the end, Paradox! [Xiang Yu]''s effect activates¡ªit gains ATK equal to half the combined ATK of its Synchro materials! And it cannot be destroyed by battle!"


    [Xiang Yu ATK: 3000 ¡ú 5250]


    Hoshino pointed forward. "Xiang Yu, attack!"


    Paradox sneered. "Heh¡­ you can barely reach half the battle power of the Great Maju Garzett. A futile struggle."


    "You can keep your worthless commentary! Xiang Yu, charge!"


    A storm erupted as the colossal warrior surged forward.


    Paradox roared. "Great Maju Garzett, counterattack!"


    However, the fiendish beast did not move. Before Xiang Yu''s sheer presence¡ªlike an unstoppable tidal wave¡ªit felt, for the first time, the terror of impending destruction.


    "Xiang Yu''s effect activates! Any monster that battles this card has its effects negated until the end of the Battle Phase!"


    [Great Maju Garzett ATK: 10,000 ¡ú 0]


    Paradox''s breath hitched. "¡­ No¡­ Impossible¡­!"


    But his fingers twitched toward his final card.


    "I activate my set Trap Card¡ª[Storming Mirror Force]!"


    [Storming Mirror Force - Trap Effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Return all Attack Position monsters your opponent controls to the hand.]


    A powerful storm surged forth, attempting to repel Xiang Yu''s charge.


    Paradox grinned. "Be blown away, back to the Extra Deck!"


    But then, a calm yet absolute voice shattered his hopes.


    "Cease your ugly resistance. Before the Emperor, all mysteries are but illusions."


    [Once per turn, when your opponent activates a card effect: Negate the activation, and if you do, this card gains 500 ATK.]


    With a mere flick of his hand, Qin Shi Huang unleashed a pulse of energy¡ªannihilating the trap.


    "Qin Shi Huang''s effect negates Storming Mirror Force! And with it, Xiang Yu''s attack will land!"


    "NOOOOOO¡ª!"


    The impact was cataclysmic.


    [Great Maju Garzett - Destroyed]


    [Paradox LP: 1875 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    "You did it, girl! I knew you had it in you~ Didn''t lose a single Life Point after the first turn¡ªclassic ''immortal defense'' strategy in action!"


    Hoshino put away her Duel Disk and faced Paradox head-on. "So, Paradox, the power that transcends three timelines has prevailed! Even if I can''t prove which future is the right one, at the very least, I can refute your dream of reshaping the world!"


    Paradox stood motionless, murmuring to himself, "I see¡­ With power like this, I never stood a chance. You deliberately lost to me before because you already knew¡ªthe future was beyond saving."


    Seeing him in a daze, Hoshino tilted her head. "Wait¡­ did I break him? Is he completely out of it?"


    The Evil God chuckled. "His belief has been shattered. The man before you now is little more than an empty shell¡ªa dreamless husk, you might say~"


    Paradox let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I''ve never truly defeated you. Even my final gamble with the future ended in complete failure. You really are something, Hoshino~"


    "Paradox¡­"


    "I give up. I won''t interfere with the past anymore, nor do I have the strength to erase the history of Duel Monsters."


    Spreading his arms wide, Paradox triggered the flow of the temporal tunnel, accelerating the currents of time. "I''ll return to my era and stand amidst the ruins, waiting for the end of the world. And then¡­"


    For the first time, an unfamiliar emotion surfaced in his gaze¡ªhope.


    "Then I''ll wait with anticipation for the correct future you risked everything to create."


    "The wasteland¡­" Hoshino recalled the vision she had seen through the Millennium Necklace when she crossed time using the three Egyptian God Cards.


    "So, the man standing alone on the endless ruins, gazing into the distance with a duel disk¡ªthat was you, Paradox."


    As she pieced the sequence of events together, realization struck her. Her journey and Paradox''s simultaneous travel ten years into the future hadn''t been a coincidence¡ªit was guided.


    But why had Ishizu given her the Millennium Necklace, leading her to such a distant future?


    Hoshino pondered, but no immediate answer came to her. She decided to set it aside for now¡ªperhaps Da Vinci would have some insight back in her own time.


    "Huh? Paradox?"


    Snapping out of her thoughts, Hoshino looked around. Paradox was gone. Only his still-running Duel Runner remained in the temporal tunnel.


    The Evil God smirked knowingly. "Losing his dream allowed him to see the truth. Reality can be cruel like that. A man who has denied his very purpose¡­ simply returns to where he belongs."


    Paradox''s sudden disappearance left Hoshino bewildered. "So, what now?"


    "Well, he left this cool bike behind, didn''t he?" The Evil God shrugged. "Our original plan was to steal it and return to our own time. Let''s just stick to the plan."


    Hoshino''s era wasn''t merely ten years before this timeline¡ªthe temporal tunnel Paradox created had caused her to cross not just time, but dimensions.


    Returning to her rightful time required the use of Paradox''s Duel Runner¡ªthe only means of traveling through time.


    "But¡­ but¡­" Hoshino hesitated.


    "What''s with the ''but''? Don''t you want to go back?"


    "I¡­ I don''t know how to ride a bike¡­"


    Not even able to ride a bicycle, the idea of piloting a high-speed Duel Runner was utterly daunting.


    The Evil God sighed. "..That''s not the issue here. The important thing is figuring out how this thing works. Leave the driving to me¡ªI picked up some skills in Hawaii back in the day~"


    Hawaii? Since when do card spirits take vacations? What is this, Detective Conan?


    The Evil God, now in her petite form, confidently climbed onto the Duel Runner¡ªonly to realize her legs were too short to reach the pedals.


    "Pfft¡ª" Hoshino barely managed to stifle a laugh.


    "You just laughed, didn''t you? You totally laughed!"


    Embarrassed, the Evil God released a burst of dark energy, enveloping herself in its aura.


    "If you dare mock me, I''ll make you regret it!"


    In the next moment, she transformed into a tall, elegant beauty with long legs and a striking figure. With a confident smirk, she swung one leg over the Duel Runner and settled into the seat with practiced ease. The black shorts she now wore accentuated her toned legs, exuding an effortless allure akin to a top-tier model.


    The Evil God licked her fingertip seductively. "So? How about this? This is my true form~"


    Isn''t your true form just a ball?


    Hoshino stared in shock. If the loli form had a subtle charm, this adult form radiated an overwhelming presence.


    "What''s the matter, girl? You were laughing just a moment ago." The Evil God leaned in closer, her teasing voice making Hoshino blush furiously.


    "S-shut up¡­" Hoshino turned away, flustered. How was she losing her composure over a Duel Monster spirit¡ªone whose true form was literally a sphere?


    Desperate to regain her dignity, she quickly changed the subject. "A-anyway! Evil God-san, did you figure out how to operate this thing?"


    The Evil God tapped the dashboard with confidence. "Got it all figured out the moment I touched it~" She then patted the seat behind her. "Hop on, girl. Let''s go home~"


    Hoshino hesitated for a moment before settling onto the Duel Runner, wrapping her arms around the Evil God''s slender waist. A rare, content expression crossed her face.


    "Evil God-san, can I ask you for a favor?"


    "What is it?"


    "Can you stay in this form from now on?"


    "Ehehe, no chance~"


    "Eh!Why?!"


    ---


    Elsewhere¡ª


    "Master Dartz, we, the Doma, have obtained the Egyptian God Cards for you!"


    Three figures, clad in strange robes, knelt on one knee before their leader. The one in the center held out three cards¡ªthe legendary Egyptian God Cards.


    "The only regret is that our follower used The Seal of Orichalcos and still lost to the Nameless Pharaoh."


    "It seems the Nameless Pharaoh''s power is truly formidable," Dartz mused, his face obscured beneath a white cloak. "But no matter¡ªas long as we have the Egyptian God Cards."


    Accepting the cards, he placed them into the mouths of three massive serpents looming before him.


    "The divine power of the Egyptian Gods should not be limited to reviving the Nameless Pharaoh''s memories! Behold, my people''s supreme deity¡ªaccept the power of these three gods and descend upon this world by opening the Forbidden Gate!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 288 - 288

    "¡ªOh, our exalted god, with the power of the three divine beasts now offered, open the Forbidden Gate and descend into this world!!"


    (***) sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside the Temporal Tunnel


    "Say, Evil God-san, even though you said you completely understand how this works¡­"


    Hoshino, tightly hugging the slender waist of the goddess-like Evil God, asked nervously,


    "Is this bike really capable of taking us back to our time?"


    The Evil God, racing stylishly through the temporal tunnel, gave Hoshino a thumbs-up without even looking back. "Do you doubt me? My power and wisdom far surpass that of you mere humans. Don''t worry¡ªnot only can I precisely target the time, but I can also lock in the exact location where we''ll arrive!"


    "Even the location? Wow, the technology of the future is really something," Hoshino replied, her earlier worries easing slightly.


    Her mind lingered on how she had first traveled from Duel Academy to Domino City. This new leap felt just as unpredictable, and she couldn''t help but wonder what kind of place they''d end up in this time. If it turned out to be an isolated island or some remote wilderness, survival could be a real challenge.


    "This bike seems to set its destination based on the targeted Duel Monster Card. Paradox had set Toon World as the target, which clearly meant he intended to erase Pegasus."


    It made sense¡ªsince Toon World was a card uniquely owned by Pegasus, it was a logical focal point for Paradox''s scheme. Clearly, he had done his homework.


    "Then that means Pegasus was just hiding all along, and nothing actually happened to him," Hoshino sighed in relief.


    She recalled how Yako Tenma had once falsely accused her of driving Pegasus to despair and suicide. Though the situation had been resolved, being misunderstood like that still left a sour taste in her mouth.


    "Pegasus is crafty¡ªthere''s no way he''d go down so easily," the Evil God remarked with a chuckle. There was a faintly complicated emotion in her voice when speaking of Pegasus¡ªthe man who had created the Evil God Cards and, by extension, her.


    "So, Evil God-san, does this mean we''ll appear directly near Pegasus? That would be better than landing somewhere random, but it still sounds like it could get messy," Hoshino mused.


    "Of course not. Do you even know who I am? I already changed the target card for our destination."


    "Changed it?! To what Duel Monster Card?"


    Grinning triumphantly, the Evil God declared, "To the only existing set of Egyptian God Cards! This way, we''ll arrive directly in Domino City, near that human, Yugi."


    The realization dawned on Hoshino, and her face lit up. "Of course! Using the Egyptian God Cards guarantees a perfect destination. You''re a genius!"


    "Mehahaha~~" x2


    (***)


    Elsewhere¡­


    "Only a chosen Duelist can heal the wounds of the Nameless Dragon and awaken the power within¡ªa power born of legend!"


    The Dark Magician Girl gazed at the Pharaoh with her wide, innocent eyes, pleading earnestly.


    "Master, I believe in you! Please, save the world of Duel Monsters and the human realm!"


    Ten thousand years ago, three legendary dragons had led the Duel Monster army against the King¡ªDartz, the ruler of Atlantis, who wielded the power of the Orichalcos. Though they ultimately lost, Dartz''s power had been greatly diminished. However, the three dragons were cursed and sealed within crystals in the Duel Monsters world, awaiting their destined master to awaken them for one final battle against the forces of darkness.


    The Pharaoh and Yugi, whose souls had been summoned to the Duel Monsters world, stood before the three dragon statues, deep in thought.


    "So the recent appearance of Duel Monsters in the real world, wreaking havoc, is a sign of the Orichalcos power reviving?"


    Yugi added, "Partner, the Doma who attacked Grandpa and stole the Egyptian God Cards used The Seal of Orichalcos, didn''t they?"


    "Indeed, partner. The encroaching darkness is upon us. Against the overwhelming power of The Seal of Orichalcos, which seals the souls of the defeated, we must gain new strength¡ªeven without the Egyptian God Cards."


    Dark Magician Girl cheered them on, "Master, draw the sword that seals the Nameless Dragon! Call upon its legendary name!"


    "The Nameless Dragon, I know your name!!"


    Together, the Pharaoh and Yugi grasped the sealing sword embedded in the crystal dragon''s eye.


    "¡ªTimaeus!!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    Doma Member Alister vs. Seto Kaiba


    "You''re finished, Kaiba! Once I defeat you within The Seal of Orichalcos, I''ll finally avenge my brother¡ªthe only family I had, destroyed by the wars fueled by Kaiba Corporation''s greed!"


    Hearing Kaiba being falsely accused, Mokuba immediately jumped to his defense.


    "That''s not true! Selling weapons was our stepfather''s doing! My brother turned Kaiba Corp into something that brings happiness to children by creating games!"


    "Enough, Mokuba," Kaiba interrupted coldly, dismissing his brother''s plea. "The moment I took over Kaiba Corp, I also inherited all of Gozaburo''s sins."


    Trapped with no clear way out, Kaiba instinctively closed his eyes.


    And then¡ª


    He saw them. The legendary dragons, sealed in the Duel Monsters world.


    "Where am I? Why?!"


    Kaiba, a staunch believer in science, was deeply shaken¡ªnot by the fantastical world before him, but by something far more unnerving¡­


    "Why do I know the Nameless Dragon''s name?!"


    Drawn irresistibly, he reached out and pulled the sealing sword from the dragon''s mouth.


    "¡ªCritias!!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    Mai vs. Jonouchi


    "Why, Mai?! Why are you using The Seal of Orichalcos and bowing to the Doma?!" Jonouchi shouted as he struggled against Mai''s relentless attacks.


    "Isn''t it obvious? To win!" Mai''s face twisted with malice as she pointed to the seven Harpie Lady monsters dominating her field, exploiting The Seal of Orichalcos''s ability to use Spell/Trap Zones as Monster Zones.


    Jonouchi, defenseless, could only prepare to draw his next card.


    "Chosen Duelist, awaken the ultimate power of the Nameless Dragon!"


    Jonouchi''s vision blurred, and in the next moment, he found himself in the Duel Monsters world.


    He gritted his teeth, gripping the sword embedded in the crystal dragon''s claw.


    "I know your name, Nameless Dragon!!"


    With all his strength, he drew the sword.


    "¡ªHermos!!"


    (***)


    Inside the Temporal Tunnel


    "It feels like we''re almost there, Evil God-san~" Hoshino commented as a familiar glow¡ªsignaling their destination¡ªappeared ahead. The surrounding scenery of the temporal tunnel began to shift rapidly.


    The mischievous Evil God suddenly revved up her newly stolen bike. "Hold on tight, girl! Let''s burst out and give those mortals a real surprise!"


    The Duel Runner, powered by an unknown energy source, roared as it sped into the light, tearing through the rift that bridged the worlds.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "Oh, exalted deity, I beseech you to descend upon this moment¡­ Whoa!!"


    Dartz, who was in the midst of offering the power of the three Sacred Beasts as a sacrifice, chanting an incantation atop a ceremonial platform, was abruptly interrupted.


    Out of nowhere, a mysterious object suddenly materialized¡ªand ran him over mid-chant.


    "Lord Dartz?!"


    The three members of the Doma, kneeling on one knee in anticipation of Dartz''s next command, froze in shock and disbelief at the sudden turn of events.


    "Oh, exalted deity of our¡­ ugh!!"


    Dartz, crushed under the wheels of the speeding Duel Runner, struggled to complete his summoning incantation. But the sheer weight and velocity of the vehicle left him unconscious before he could finish.


    "How dare you! What have you done to Lord Dartz?!" Alister, one of the Doma, demanded furiously, glaring at the two figures atop the Duel Runner.


    "We''re screwed, Evil God-san. We totally messed up!" Hoshino whispered anxiously, hiding behind the glamorous Evil God. "Weren''t you supposed to lock onto the location of the Egyptian God Cards? Then where the hell are we?!"


    Though equally flustered, the Evil God maintained her composure. As a deity, she couldn''t afford to show the same panicked expression as Hoshino. In a low voice, she replied, "It''s not my fault, girl. Look behind us¡­"


    On the ceremonial platform, three massive stone serpents slowly opened their blood-red maws, their elongated bodies stretching up toward the enormous stone wall behind them.


    Inside their mouths¡ªglowing ominously¡ªwere the very objects the Duel Runner had locked onto.


    The Egyptian God Cards¡­


    "Seems like something troublesome happened while we were away," the Evil God mused.


    Hoshino, noticing the cards behind her, turned back to the people before them. Their eccentric outfits and hairstyles, the eerie, enclosed surroundings, and the ominous chanting from the man now unconscious beneath their vehicle¡­


    Could it be¡­ we''ve landed straight in the enemy''s base?!


    Rafael, the most composed of the Doma, quickly checked Dartz''s condition before calmly reassuring the others. "Lord Dartz is fine. He just lost consciousness."


    Valon, the goggle-wearing Doma member, stared intently at the sultry Evil God atop the Duel Runner. "Could they be assassins? But wow¡­ what a beautiful assassin. This is a first for me."


    "Don''t jump to conclusions, Valon. Alister!" Rafael reprimanded them, his mind racing. "Before he lost consciousness, didn''t Lord Dartz refer to them as ''our exalted deity''? Could it be¡­"


    "You mean they''re¡­ the legendary Orichalcos?" Alister and Valon, though initially skeptical, couldn''t help but consider the possibility. Dartz had indeed been calling out to an "exalted deity," and their dramatic entrance¡ªripping through space to emerge within a sealed underwater ruin¡ªwas far beyond human capability.


    Suddenly, Valon pointed at Hoshino, his eyes narrowing in recognition. "Wait a second! That one looks awfully familiar¡­"


    "Bow your heads, mortals! Who gave you permission to gaze upon your exalted deity?!" the Evil God bellowed, startling Hoshino.


    Striking a commanding pose, she rested one long leg on the platform steps, exuding an overwhelming queenly aura. Black flames materialized behind her, filling the room with an oppressive, suffocating divine power.


    The sheer presence she emitted completely overpowered even the Egyptian God Cards.


    The divine pressure surged toward the Doma members, solidifying their belief¡ªthis woman, despite her human appearance, was undoubtedly the Orichalcos deity summoned by Dartz. The sheer force of her power left no room for doubt.


    "O mighty and exalted deity, please forgive our insolence!"


    The trio, still kneeling, had long envisioned the return of the Orichalcos deity. To see their fabled Atlantean guardian¡ªone from ten millennia ago¡ªmanifest before them as a modern, stylish figure left them completely awestruck.


    "Considering that you''ve awakened me, I shall graciously forgive this one instance of your insolence¡­"


    Hoshino couldn''t help but admire the Evil God''s performance. The regal tone, the divine flames¡ªit was all so convincing that even she almost believed it herself.


    "Exalted deity," Rafael asked directly, ever the pragmatic one. "Is the person behind you also a follower of Orichalcos? Has she pledged herself to our grand cause of erasing human history?"


    Hoshino resisted the urge to groan.


    What''s with these villains and their obsession with erasing history? Whether it''s human history or Duel Monsters history, what did history ever do to them?!


    The Evil God, without missing a beat, declared, "Indeed. Using my divine power, I have brainwashed this duelist into serving as my loyal follower. She now obeys my every command."


    Seeing no other option, Hoshino reluctantly played along. "Y-yes¡­ my great and exalted¡­ deity¡­" Her tone, however, was filled with reluctance and irritation.


    The Evil God, dissatisfied with Hoshino''s lackluster performance, shot her a sharp, disapproving look.


    Noticing the Doma trio''s skepticism growing, she discreetly extended one long leg¡ªand pressed her foot down on Hoshino''s.


    "Eep! I mean¡ªYES, my great and exalted deity!!" Hoshino yelped, her voice far more convincing this time.


    So now I''m supposed to be a cultist?Great¡­


    (*****)


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 Chapter 289 - 289

    "Truly worthy of being the exalted deity, capable of turning the Duel King into one of her subordinates!" Rafael''s tone brimmed with reverence as he knelt, his speculation confirmed.


    Valon chimed in, "With the exalted deity now descended and allied with the Duel King, there''s no need to fear even the Legendary Dragons."


    "Duel King, huh¡­" Hearing that title used to address her, Hoshino was almost certain she had returned to her original timeline. Only in this timeline did she retain her title as the Duel King¡ªshe had never dueled Yugi in the Battle City Finals.


    "But what''s this Legendary Dragon?" Hoshino asked aloud.


    It was clear that even the "deity" had no idea what the so-called Legendary Dragon was, but given her current role as the omniscient, omnipotent Orichalcos deity, asking too many questions might expose the act.


    "The Legendary Dragons are cards possessed by the chosen duelists¡ªYugi Muto, Seto Kaiba, and Jonouchi Katsuya. When awakened, these dragons can unleash the latent power within their cards, a force capable of rivaling even the power of Orichalcos," Rafael explained honestly, treating Hoshino as a true ally under the deity''s immense pressure.


    "Well, they''re all familiar names," Hoshino mused. "Yugi and Kaiba aside, even Jonouchi. It seems that the Jonouchi of this timeline is slowly rising to the ranks of the future world''s top duelists."


    "So, the God Cards¡ªdid you defeat Yugi to claim them?" Hoshino pressed on. Setting aside the unknown power of the Legendary Dragons for now, she needed to confirm how they had managed to seize the God Cards. If Yugi, even with the God Cards, had lost to these three, then the power of Orichalcos was indeed formidable.


    "No, we followed Lord Dartz''s prophecy and took them from that old man, Sugoroku Muto," Valon replied smugly.


    "That''s outright robbery!" Hoshino exclaimed inwardly. "To steal something as priceless as the God Cards... this could''ve been reported to the authorities!" She was surprised, though, to learn that they hadn''t dueled Yugi to claim the cards. Whether it was clever or reckless remained to be seen.


    Their intelligence was evident in using force to seize the God Cards¡ªa move both devious and effective for villains. After all, dueling to claim rare cards only to end up losing everything was the hallmark of foolish villains.


    Recklessness, on the other hand, lay in blatantly violating the unspoken rules of the duel-centered world. Villains who broke these rules often met even worse fates than those who simply lost duels.


    At least this confirmed that they hadn''t defeated Yugi despite his God Cards. This realization relieved Hoshino, though she did feel an urge to challenge these three with her newfound strength and settle things quickly.


    "Ahem, my loyal followers!" The mature deity feigned a cough, seemingly sensing Hoshino''s battle-lust, and intervened to calm her.


    Casting a glance at the unconscious Dartz at her feet, she declared, "Take Dartz, who has exhausted himself summoning me, to rest. Afterward, you shall join Hoshino to defeat the chosen duelists as soon as possible."


    How could she lie so naturally about Dartz being drained from the summoning when he''d been knocked out by the motorbike? The tire mark on his face was a dead giveaway!


    "Yes, exalted deity of Orichalcos!" The three Doma duelists agreed in unison. As the oppressive black flames dissipated with the deity''s apparent disappearance, only Hoshino and the unconscious Dartz remained before the ritual platform.


    Hoshino understood the deity''s reasoning. This was enemy headquarters; acting recklessly without sufficient information was dangerous. Even though the summoning ritual had been interrupted, any deity summoned by sacrificing the power of the God Cards would be no trivial opponent.


    Fortunately, the trio misunderstood the situation, and with Dartz incapacitated, it was a good time to infiltrate their ranks. When they brought her to Yugi, Kaiba, and Jonouchi, she could defect at the right moment and turn the tables.


    "Sorry, I''m actually an undercover agent!" Thinking this, Hoshino couldn''t help but find the situation amusing and somewhat cool¡ªa strange excitement at the prospect.


    "Phew, finally gone," Alister muttered in relief, daring to exhale now that the oppressive black flames and deity had vanished.


    Valon stretched out his leg, stiff from kneeling too long. "That''s the deity from ten thousand years ago? What a terrifying presence. But to think the deity would appear as such a stunning and elegant woman¡ªit kind of explains the people''s faith back then."


    "Stop saying such things," Rafael warned, ever the strict and disciplined one. "The exalted deity may have merely concealed her true form and might still be present."


    "She hasn''t left at all~" Hoshino chuckled to herself. The so-called disappearance was simply the deity returning to her Duel Monsters card.


    Ignoring Rafael''s warning, Valon, noticing Hoshino''s smirk, curiously approached. "So you''re really the Duel King? You''re even cuter in person than the rumors say. Honestly, you don''t look like such a strong duelist."


    Valon''s laid-back attitude matched his punkish outfit, complete with motorbike goggles.


    "Hah! Interested in cute duelists, are you, Valon? You were like this with Mai Valentine, too," Alister sneered.


    "Mai Valentine?!" Hearing that name here startled Hoshino.


    Valon, however, suddenly turned serious. "Mai is different. She''s like me. I''ve already decided to protect her."


    "Oh, that''s why you recklessly broke the Seal of Orichalcos during her duel against Jonouchi, just to stop the match," Rafael rebuked.


    "What''s this Seal of Orichalcos you''re talking about?" Although curious about Mai''s situation, Hoshino prioritized gathering intel.


    Valon was shocked. "What? The exalted deity didn''t grant you the power of Orichalcos? The Seal of Orichalcos is a field card that not only powers up your monsters but also traps the souls of defeated duelists as offerings to the exalted deity."


    "A field card that boosts monsters while sealing souls? Isn''t that basically Malefic World but with a soul-stealing bonus?! Why do all you villains have such similar aesthetics?" Hoshino muttered in exasperation.


    Based on the information gleaned from the trio, the term "Doma Three Swordsmen" refers to Doma, an organization under Daz''s command. It is a secretive group that has shaped human history for over 10,000 years.


    Even major historical events¡ªsuch as the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Industrial Revolution, the Italian Renaissance, and Napoleon''s unification of Europe¡ªwere orchestrated behind the scenes by Doma. Their influence spans the entire globe, extending even to law enforcement and military forces.


    If what the trio said is true, then Doma is likely the most powerful force in the world. With such overwhelming strength, they could easily rule it outright. Not even Kaiba''s immense wealth would be enough to challenge them.


    The evidence supports this: Paradius, established in Doma''s name, is the largest and most powerful global enterprise. It possesses immense wealth, comparable to the reserves of the entire United States. Their influence is so vast that they can blackmail world leaders and manipulate global stock markets. Through economic control, they even acquired 51% of KaibaCorp''s shares from Seto Kaiba.


    "I feel like I just stumbled upon some earth-shattering secret..." Knowing nothing would have been easier. Now fully aware, Hoshino couldn''t help but feel a chill of fear.


    If she betrayed an organization this powerful¡ªone with such deep global influence¡ªuttering the words, "Sorry, I''m a spy," could mean spending the rest of her life being hunted down.


    Alister rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Should we change our name now? Since we''ve added a new member, one personally chosen by the god."


    Prompted by Alister''s remark, Valon clapped his hands as if realizing something. "So, we''re the Doma Four Swordsmen now! Sounds good!"


    "No matter the title, adding strength is always a good thing," Rafael remarked as he finished securing the unconscious Daz. "At the very least, it gives us a strong backup in case we lose another duel to the Legendary Dragons."


    Alister''s face suddenly darkened. "Rafael, what do you mean by that? Are you implying I lost to Kaiba?"


    "I''m just stating the facts," Rafael replied bluntly, unfazed by Alister''s reaction. "You didn''t defeat Seto Kaiba, even after using the Orichalcos Barrier, did you?"


    (***)


    [Alister VS Seto Kaiba]


    [Seto Kaiba LP: 700]


    [Alister LP: 1500]


    "Kaiba, all the monsters you rely on have been destroyed under the Seal of Orichalcos! And my monsters each have at least 2000 ATK!"


    [The Seal Of Orichalcos Effect: ¢Ù: The attack power of the monsters on your field increases by 500. ¢Ú: Your own magic/trap card area can also be used as a monster area. ¢Û: If there are cards in your monster area, monsters in the magic/trap area cannot be targeted for attack. ¢Ü: This card will not be destroyed.]


    Thanks to the field''s effect, Alister had filled his field with seven monsters, including tokens. The overwhelming numbers pushed Kaiba, with an empty field, into a dire situation.


    "You claim to have no ties to Gozaburo Kaiba''s war profiteering? The food you ate, the clothes you wore, even the cards you wield¡ªaren''t they all tainted by blood money?"


    "I''ve said before¡ªI''ll bear the sins of Gozaburo. But that doesn''t mean I''ll lose to you!"


    Kaiba drew a card, his eyes locking onto an unfamiliar Dragon card in his hand. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How is this card in my deck? What were those hallucinations I just saw? And why do I instinctively know its name and how to use it?"


    "Still clinging to reason, Kaiba? Within the Seal of Orichalcos, duelists who lose have their souls sealed! Repent for your bloodstained sins!"


    Kaiba''s grip tightened around the card. His hesitation vanished as his determination solidified.


    "A sealed soul? Do you think such nonsense could shake me? The unexplainable is merely what science hasn''t uncovered yet!"


    He raised the card high.


    "Let me show you my new power¡ª[The Fang of Critias]!"


    The Dragon card featuring Critias bore no description, only its image.


    "The Legendary Dragons awaken the true power of Duel Monster cards!" Kaiba declared, placing Fang of Critias on the field and flipping his only Set card¡ªCrush Card Virus.


    "Using Fang of Critias'' effect, I fuse it with my Trap Card, Crush Card Virus! Witness the true form of the Legendary Dragon¡ª[Doom Virus Dragon]!"


    The materialized Critias combined with the virus. The colossal dragon twisted and fused with the trap, morphing into a new, menacing shape.


    [Doom Virus Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 4)][DARK] [Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 1900/DEF 1500]


    [Must be Special Summoned with "The Fang of Critias", using "Crush Card Virus".]


    "Doom Virus Dragon''s effect activates! When this card is Special Summoned, all monsters on your field, in your hand, and drawn in the next three turns with 1500+ ATK are destroyed! Your field is clear, Alister!"


    The virus, unleashed from the dragon''s body, wiped out all seven of Alister''s high-ATK monsters, even those empowered by Orichalcos. The power of the Legendary Dragon had turned the tide of the duel in an instant.


    "It''s over! Attack directly, Doom Virus Dragon¡ªPlague Burst!"


    "Not yet! Quick-Play Spell, activate¡ª[Contagion of Madness]!"


    [Contagion of Madness Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate only when an opponent''s monster declares a direct attack. Inflict damage to your opponent equal to half that monster''s ATK at the same time you take Battle Damage.]


    The plague erupted from the dragon''s attack, its infection spreading uncontrollably¡ªeven breaking through the Orichalcos Barrier itself.


    [Alister LP: 1500 ¡ú 0]


    [Seto Kaiba LP: 700 ¡ú 0]


    (***)


    "A draw doesn''t count as a loss!" Alister snapped indignantly. Already harboring deep resentment toward Kaiba, being mocked for failing to win with the Seal only stoked his anger further.


    From Alister''s account, Hoshino pieced together several key facts:


    First If a duel ends in a draw, neither duelist''s soul is sealed by the Seal Of Orichalcos.


    Second.....Legendary Dragons are absurdly overpowered, capable of fusing with any card! These things are even more broken than the Egyptian God Cards!


    (*****)


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 Chapter 290 - 290

    "Don''t worry too much about it, Alister~"


    Hoshino patted Alister on the shoulder with a resigned smile, trying to reassure him. Since she was now part of Doma, she figured it was best to build good relationships with her new comrades.


    "Kaiba''s not an easy opponent to deal with. Getting a draw against him is already pretty impressive! Well done!"


    Is that how you''re supposed to comfort someone?!


    Valon, fully aware of Alister''s deep grudge against Kaiba, looked on awkwardly as Hoshino''s so-called "comfort" came off more like pouring fuel on the fire.


    "Oh, oh! The draw you''re talking about must be the duel with the God Card, right? That match was incredible!"


    Valon quickly tried to smooth things over, but with Rafael''s tactless remarks and this newcomer''s unintentionally provocative "encouragement," he suddenly felt like the responsibility of keeping the group together had doubled.


    "So, you once fought Kaiba to a draw?" Alister''s tone turned serious as he brushed Hoshino''s hand off his shoulder.


    "Then duel me. I''d like to see for myself the strength of the so-called Duel King."


    The sudden challenge caught everyone off guard¡ªValon, Rafael, and even Hoshino herself.


    I was just trying to get along with my new comrades! How did this suddenly turn into a duel?!


    Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly, completely baffled.


    Rafael, ever the responsible one, stepped in to put a stop to it. "Alister, Hoshino is the Duelist chosen by the God. Challenging her so abruptly is highly disrespectful. Besides, Doma members are forbidden from using the Seal of Orichalcos to initiate internal conflicts."


    "It''s fine if we don''t use the Seal, isn''t it?" Alister countered, sounding almost self-righteous. "I just want to test the strength of Hoshino Chiyuki, the so-called Duel King. Even if the God chose her, I can''t entrust my back to a stranger without understanding her true power!"


    "Great, now it''s getting out of hand~" Valon sighed, raising his hands in surrender. "If Lord Dartz and the Goddess scold us later, Rafael, you better testify that I had no part in this!"


    "Or are you afraid to accept the challenge, Duel King?" Alister taunted, fully extending the black Doma-made duel disk on his arm. "If you truly want to be one of us, surely something this minor doesn''t scare you."


    Even Rafael, who had initially tried to intervene, seemed swayed by Alister''s reasoning. Among the three of them, they were all familiar with each other''s strength, but Hoshino, being new, was still an unknown variable.


    "A duel, huh? As long as the Seal isn''t involved, I don''t mind~" Hoshino accepted the challenge. It seemed she''d have to prove her strength before fully integrating into this mysterious dueling cult.


    On the bright side, demonstrating her power would earn Doma''s trust more quickly. Not a bad trade-off.


    "Alright then, to prove I''m worthy of being part of Doma, I accept this duel!"


    Fully embracing her role within Doma, Hoshino planned to gain their trust and leave with them as soon as possible to find Yugi and the others. Otherwise, once Dartz woke up, explaining things would be a nightmare.


    And most importantly, with the power of Synchro Summoning, there was no way she could lose!


    [Duel Start!]


    [Alister vs. Hoshino Chiyuki]


    "I''ll go first. Draw!"


    Drawing six cards from her duel disk, Hoshino confidently scanned her hand.


    However¡­


    Huh? Where are my Tuner Monsters?


    Her Synchro deck, supposedly filled with Tuners, was nowhere to be found!


    "What? Was that power a one-time thing? But I was told all that power was handed over to me!"


    She recalled how her deck had transformed after being touched by that white-haired girl, shifting into a specialized Synchro deck.


    But now¡­ where had her original deck gone?


    After thinking it over, Hoshino could only come up with one plausible explanation: both decks were actually one and the same¡ªrather, they shared the same cards as their foundation.


    Under normal circumstances, she used her original Heroic Spirit deck. However, under certain conditions, that deck would evolve into the Synchro Heroic Spirit deck.


    Like when the white-haired girl touched her cards, activating that brilliant light¡ªthat light must have triggered the deck''s transformation.


    Through her anime-like reasoning, Hoshino convinced even herself. It wasn''t entirely baseless either¡ªshe couldn''t ignore the sensation of inheriting power back then. Though she didn''t yet know how to activate it, she believed that power still lay dormant, waiting to awaken.


    "Even if my deck doesn''t evolve into the Synchro form, this duel isn''t beyond my ability to win."


    Although slightly disappointed that she couldn''t rely on her overpowered Synchro abilities, Hoshino still trusted in the bonds and strength of her original Heroic Spirit deck.


    "Then, I activate the Spell Card¡ª[Divine Three-Legged Race]! I send the Fusion Materials listed on a [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon that monster!"


    Hoshino slid the Spell Card into her duel disk, selecting two monsters from her hand as Fusion Materials and sending them to the Graveyard.


    "Oh, starting with a Fusion, huh? Interesting," Alister remarked, intrigued by Hoshino''s opening move and the unique design of her duel disk¡ªunlike anything made by Kaiba Corporation or Doma.


    "What an interesting Duelist~ I wonder if she has the strength to defeat Alister." Even Rafael, usually serious, was drawn in, his curiosity piqued by the special charm in Hoshino''s every card play.


    "You''ll see my strength firsthand, so there''s no need to just talk about it!" Hoshino declared confidently. "With the effect of my card, Fusion Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory: Brave]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Brave)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2500]


    [Materials: Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory + Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Caster)]


    "Manager, it feels like it''s been ten years since I''ve seen you!"


    The newly summoned Brave Elizabeth appeared and immediately began lamenting to Hoshino.


    "It hasn''t been that long, okay? Don''t just throw around time units after a mere time-travel experience!" Hoshino mercilessly shut her down before inserting another card into her duel disk. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    [Hoshino: 2 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    "Grrr, my sympathy-gaining strategy failed! Looks like I''ll have to show my full power as a brave idol to win your heart, Manager!"


    "Rawr!" Elizabeth struck a heroic pose, raising her sword high.


    "¡­Are these two idiots?" Alister muttered, exasperated, before activating his duel disk and playing a card.


    "Spell Card activated¡ª[Onslaught of the Fire Kings]!"


    [Onslaught of the Fire Kings - Spell Card Effect: If only your opponent controls a monster: Special Summon 1 FIRE Beast, Beast-Warrior, or Winged Beast monster from your Deck, but its effects are negated, also destroy it during the End Phase. You can only activate 1 ''Onslaught of the Fire Kings'' per turn.]


    Without warning, flames engulfed Alister''s field, taking the form of a fiery bird.


    "Using the effect of Onslaught of the Fire Kings, I Special Summon [Fire King High Avatar Garunix]!"


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][FIRE][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 1700]


    "Wow! Alister summoned a Level 8 monster right away!" Valon whistled in surprise.


    "And with higher attack than Elizabeth''s," Rafael analyzed seriously. "Looks like Alister has more plays in store."


    "Next, I summon [Fire King Avatar Barong] from my hand!" Alister declared. Another burst of flames erupted, revealing a beast-faced warrior wielding dual weapons.


    [Fire King Avatar Barong¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][FIRE][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 200]


    Valon groaned and facepalmed. "Seriously, Alister? I told you to stop using the monster with a name that sounds like mine. It''s embarrassing!"


    Alister ignored him and raised his hand dramatically. "Battle! Fire King High Avatar Garunix, attack Elizabeth with Blazing Inferno!"


    The fiery bird spread its wings, summoning a towering wall of flames that surged toward Elizabeth.


    "Well, we''re not going down that easily!" Hoshino countered with a confident smirk. "This is the crimson legend of the Gambler King! [Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Brave)]''s effect activates!"


    [Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Brave) - Effect: When this card battles, draw 1 card. Reveal the drawn card to both players, and this card gains the following effect based on the card type drawn:]


    Elizabeth raised her shield against the approaching flames, the crimson jewel on her sword gleaming brightly in the heat.


    "So that''s how she plans to recover her resources," Rafael noted, nodding. "Drawing cards during battle is a clever way to maintain hand advantage."


    Alister scoffed. "It doesn''t matter. Your monster will still be destroyed, and the card you draw won''t change that. You''re making a bad trade here, Hoshino!"


    "Like hell I am! Watch this!" Hoshino drew her card and revealed it with a flourish. "The card I drew is [Heroic Spirit - Zhuge Liang (Waver)]! This activates Elizabeth''s monster effect!"


    [¡ñ Monster Card: This card gains 1000 ATK during this turn.]


    [Elizabeth B¨¢thory (Brave) ATK 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    "Elizabeth, go full power¡ªHero Slash!"


    Elizabeth leaped high into the air, taking a deep breath before exhaling with all her might.


    "Oh no, here it comes!" Hoshino quickly covered her ears.


    Valon tilted his head in confusion. "What''s coming?"


    "La~?¡­ Get! ''B¨¢thory Brave Erzs¨¦bet!''"


    A devastating soundwave, accompanied by a crimson tornado, tore through the battlefield, paralyzing Alister''s monsters. Elizabeth then unleashed a high-speed spinning strike, shattering Fire King High Avatar Garunix in a deafening explosion.


    At that moment, the three Doma members finally understood why Hoshino had covered her ears¡ªthe sound was excruciating.


    Even the usually stoic Rafael looked stunned. "To think a Duelist could harness such power through their cards¡­ Truly, Hoshino Chiyuki is a Duelist chosen by the God."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 291 - 291

    [Alister LP: 4000 ¡ú 3300]


    "The Fire King High Avatar Garunix has been destroyed, Alister. And with Brave Elizabeth''s attack power soaring to 3400, you won''t be able to attack this turn either."


    Elizabeth sheathed her sword at her waist and proudly patted her nonexistent chest. "What a glorious victory! Now I''m a bona fide hero too!"


    "Tch, what kind of ridiculous Duel Monster is that, capable of using a sound-based attack like that?" Alister muttered, recovering from the sonic barrage. He glanced at the shattered Fire King Garunix on his field.


    "When Fire King High Avatar Garunix is destroyed in battle and sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates!" Flames erupted from the Graveyard Zone on Alister''s black, custom Duel Disk.


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix - Effect: When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Fire King" monster from your Deck, except "Fire King High Avatar Garunix."]


    "Since this effect activates in the Graveyard, it''s unaffected by Onslaught of the Fire Kings'' negation!" Alister explained as he retrieved a card from his Deck.


    "¡ªI Special Summon [Fire King Avatar Yaksha]!"


    [Fire King Avatar Yaksha ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 4)][FIRE][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 200]


    Flames coalesced into a humanoid form, revealing a tiger-headed warrior wielding a long spear as he stepped onto the battlefield.


    "Even with Yaksha on the field, I can''t defeat your monster with its enhanced attack power this turn, so I''ll end the Battle Phase."


    With Brave Elizabeth''s attack power reaching a level capable of taking down even a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Alister felt increasingly cornered.


    "After ending my Battle Phase, I activate the Spell [Circle of the Fire Kings]!" Alister slotted another card into his Duel Disk.


    [Circle of the Fire Kings - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 FIRE monster you control and 1 FIRE monster in your GY; destroy the monster you control, and if you do, Special Summon the other monster from your GY.]


    A blazing ring of fire linked the field and the Graveyard, triggering an explosion.


    "I destroy my Fire King Avatar Barong on the field to resurrect Fire King High Avatar Garunix from the Graveyard!"


    Within the fiery explosion, Barong vanished¡ªreplaced by the resurrected flaming bird.


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][FIRE][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 1700]


    Tilting her head, Hoshino analyzed the situation. "Destroying your own monsters to revive others? Feels like just running a Monster Reborn would be simpler."


    "Hmph, seems even the Duel King can be na?ve," Alister sneered, flames still flickering around his Duel Disk''s Graveyard Zone.


    "All Fire King monsters have effects that trigger when they''re destroyed! I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    [Alister''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    "So they trigger upon destruction, huh?" Hoshino mused, now understanding Alister''s strategy. "Your Barong hasn''t activated yet, but Garunix did summon another monster when destroyed."


    "My turn¡ªdraw!"


    "During your Standby Phase, [Fire King Avatar Barong]''s effect activates from the Graveyard!" Timing his move perfectly after Hoshino''s draw, Alister raised his fiery Duel Disk.


    [Fire King Avatar Barong - Effect: Once per turn, during the next Standby Phase after this card was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: Add 1 "Fire King" card from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Thanks to Barong''s effect, I add this Fire King card from my Deck to my hand¡­!"


    "¡ª[Fire King High Avatar Garunix]!"


    "A second Garunix, huh?" Hoshino muttered, now grasping Alister''s intent. "Seems like that''s the ace of your Deck."


    Sliding the drawn card into her hand, she smirked.


    "But no matter how many times your phoenix rises, it''s no match for my Brave Elizabeth!"


    Placing another card into her Duel Disk, Hoshino''s confidence soared.


    "This sword will sever the flames of hell, Elizabeth! Equip Spell, activate!"


    Elizabeth hopped excitedly. "Finally, a new weapon?! All that grinding has paid off! Is it a new Hero Sword? It must be perfect for me!"


    "Equip Spell, activate¡ª[D¨­jigiri Yasutsuna]!"


    A deafening thunderclap echoed as a magnificent katana descended from the sky, embedding itself into the ground before Brave Elizabeth.


    "This isn''t right, Manager! This is clearly not a Hero Sword!" Elizabeth exclaimed, staring at the katana in bewilderment.


    "This is obviously the blade that busty samurai used to slay that alcohol-loving oni!"


    "Elizabeth, a true hero masters all weapons!" Hoshino said, adopting an absurdly serious expression, clenching her fist in encouragement.


    "Even a slingshot, when wielded by a hero, can proudly be called the Ultimate Hero Sword!"


    "Ooooh! I see now! Your hero philosophy runs even deeper than mine, Manager!"


    Easily swayed by Hoshino''s nonsense, Elizabeth gripped the katana''s hilt without hesitation.


    "Then I''m going in!"


    Hoshino smirked inwardly. With such a gullible little dragoness, she could probably scam her way to a whole flock.


    [D¨­jigiri Yasutsuna - Equip Spell Effect: Equip only to a LIGHT "Heroic Spirit" monster. The equipped monster gains ATK equal to its DEF (max 2000).]


    "This is truly¡­ an incredible power!"


    Drawing the blade from the ground, Brave Elizabeth was instantly imbued with thunderous energy. With her 2500 DEF fully utilized, she unleashed the katana''s true potential.


    [Brave Elizabeth ATK: 2400 ¡ú 4400]


    "Amazing, Manager! I feel like I could defeat anyone now!"


    Overcome with overconfidence, Elizabeth raised the blade and called upon the power of thunder.


    "¡ªVengeful Lightning of the Ox-King!!"


    Stop! That''s not even your Noble Phantasm!


    Bravely raising the D¨­jigiri Yasutsuna high, Brave Elizabeth summoned four bolts of lightning that coalesced into distinct figures beside her.


    "Elizabeth ¡¤ Lancer!"


    "Elizabeth ¡¤ Caster!"


    "Mecha Eli-chan!"


    "Mecha Eli-chan Mk. II!"


    The four Elizabeths encircled Brave Elizabeth and declared in perfect unison:


    "The ultimate mascot, the strongest event Servant, and the best friend of F2P players! We are the Four Heavenly Kings of Elizabeth!"


    ¡­When did they even rehearse that? Wait¡ªwasn''t one of them not even an event Servant?


    Brave Elizabeth leveled her blade at her opponent.


    "Take this! Elizabeth B¨¢thory''s ultimate attack! Heroic Power (Sonic Attack) Quintuple Ensemble!"


    "No way?!" Realizing something dreadful was about to unfold, Hoshino instinctively clutched her head.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me! Is it going to be five times as bad as before?!"


    The three Doma, who had already suffered through one of Elizabeth''s sonic attacks, reacted on pure instinct. Mirroring Hoshino, they clamped their hands over their ears in terror.


    "La~?¡­ Get! Crimson Tornado (Deluxe Version), Witch B¨¢¨¦bet!!" x5


    The quintuple sonic bombardment obliterated Fire King High Avatar Garunix on the spot, reducing its fiery body to ash before it even had a chance to act.


    "[Brave Elizabeth]''s effect activates! When this card battles, I draw one card!"


    Struggling to withstand the aftershock of Elizabeth''s devastating performance, Hoshino managed to draw a card with trembling hands.


    "The card I drew is the Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Vessel of the Saint]! And thanks to Brave Elizabeth''s effect, its secondary ability activates as well."


    [¡ñ Spell Card: Restore 1000 LP.]


    [Hoshino''s LP: 4000 ¡ú 5000]


    "Why does recovering life points feel more like taking damage right now?"


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix destroyed]


    [Alister''s LP: 3700 ¡ú 1600]


    As the sonic assault finally subsided, Alister hesitantly removed his hands from his ears, though his face was still pale from nausea.


    "Ugh¡­! The destroyed [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] triggers its effect¡ªwhen destroyed by battle, it Special Summons another [Fire King] monster from the Deck!"


    Though still reeling, Alister pressed forward with the determination of a true duelist.


    "I Special Summon [Fire King Avatar Barong]!" S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Fire King Avatar Barong¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][FIRE][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 200]


    "Barong again?" Hoshino instinctively glanced at Doma''s Valon.


    Valon scowled."Oi! Why are you looking at me? I''m Valon, not Barong!"


    With Barong now on the field, Alister immediately activated a face-down card.


    "And at this moment, I activate my Set Trap¡ª[Torrential Tribute]!"


    [Torrential Tribute ¨C Trap Card Effect: When a monster(s) is Summoned: Destroy all monsters on the field.]


    A violent surge of water erupted from the field''s center, its high-pressure torrents slicing through every monster like a thousand blades.


    "You''re sacrificing your own monsters just to take Brave Elizabeth down with them? That''s quite the play!"


    Alister smirked."Hmph. Don''t forget¡ªwhen Fire King monsters are destroyed, their effects activate!"


    The moment he spoke, the cards in Alister''s hand and Deck ignited with flames.


    "I activate the effect of the recently destroyed [Fire King Avatar Yaksha]! When it''s destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can destroy one card in my hand or on my field!"


    Hoshino frowned."You can even destroy cards in your hand?"


    "Exactly. And the card I''m destroying¡­ is the Fire King High Avatar Garunix I just searched!"


    "Not a bad strategy," Hoshino admitted, "but I seem to have better luck!"


    Grinning, she swiftly played the card she had just drawn.


    "In response to Torrential Tribute, I activate the Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Vessel of the Saint]!"


    [Vessel of the Saint ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 "Heroic Spirit" monster you control; this turn, that monster is unaffected by your opponent''s card effects.]


    From within the swirling torrents, a golden light burst forth as Jeanne''s voice resonated.


    "Oh, unyielding hero, receive the Lord''s blessing and rise anew!"


    ¡­Are you some kind of priest NPC in an RPG specializing in resurrection?


    "Take this!"With a single, powerful slash, Brave Elizabeth cut straight through the raging waters of Torrential Tribute.


    You''re actually getting used to that sword, aren''t you?


    "Thanks to Vessel of the Saint, Brave Elizabeth is completely unaffected by Torrential Tribute! That means the only monsters destroyed¡­ are yours!"


    Seeing Brave Elizabeth still standing, Alister was momentarily speechless. Then, sighing in defeat, he muttered:


    "Destroying my Fire King monsters serves my strategy¡­ but honestly, I really don''t want to hear another one of her attack."


    Hoshino smirked."Sorry, but Brave Elizabeth''s concerts don''t allow mid-performance dropouts!"


    She placed another card into her Duel Disk.


    "Ending the Battle Phase, I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Zhuge Liang] in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Zhuge Liang ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 4)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    As he materialized on the field, Waver Velvet sighed in resignation.


    "Concerts don''t allow dropouts, but latecomers are fine? Master, double standards aren''t good, you know."


    "Not listening, not listening~!" Hoshino cheerfully covered her ears.


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    [Hoshino''s: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    Utilizing Brave Elizabeth''s effect to replenish her resources, Hoshino had once again secured the upper hand.


    But Alister wasn''t finished yet.


    "At the end of your turn, I activate the Continuous Trap¡ª[Call of the Haunted]!"


    "I''ll use it to revive the [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] that was just destroyed!"


    A surge of flames erupted as Garunix was resurrected from the Graveyard, its wings ablaze with newfound vigor.


    Observing the duel unfold, Rafael nodded seriously.


    "It''s starting now¡ªAlister''s unbreakable chain. This duel is about to get interesting."


    Alister smirked, the fire in his eyes burning just as fiercely as the flames surrounding his Duel Disk.


    "My turn! Draw!"


    As he declared his turn, a towering inferno erupted from his Duel Disk.


    "During the Standby Phase, the true power of Fire King High Avatar Garunix shall be revealed!"


    Soaring high above, Garunix spread its blazing wings, its flames intensifying.


    "Incinerate the sky and scorch the earth!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 292 - 292

    "Activating the effect of [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] from my Graveyard!"


    [Once per turn, during the next Standby Phase after this card was destroyed by a card effect and sent to the GY: Special Summon this card from the GY.]


    As the two Garunix crossed paths in the sky, Hoshino suddenly realized something:


    "So that''s why you destroyed it from your hand last turn¡ªto fulfill the condition for Special Summoning it from the Graveyard. Fire Kings are more interesting than I thought."


    However, judging by the serious expressions on Rafael and Valon''s faces, Hoshino could tell that this Fire King beast, bearing the title of "Avatar," wouldn''t be so simple.


    As expected, Alister pointed toward the Garunix soaring above.


    "When this Garunix is Special Summoned by its own effect, it destroys all monsters on the field!"


    The Garunix circling high above suddenly spread its wings wide, unleashing waves of flames that surged across the entire Monster Zone.


    Hoshino''s eyes widened as she realized one crucial fact:


    "Destroying all monsters on the field means..."


    "That''s right!" Alister declared smugly. "The other [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] on my field will be destroyed as well! This way, the second Garunix will revive during the next Standby Phase, wipe the field again, and the cycle will repeat endlessly! It''s an infinite loop!"


    Rafael, watching intently, explained with a serious tone:


    "This is Alister''s chain of infinite field wipes. While technically infinite, most duelists won''t survive more than one or two cycles."


    Valon let out a low whistle.


    "Pulling off a full Garunix loop by Turn 2? Looks like Hoshino-chan is in some real trouble."


    Apparently, Valon had started calling her "Hoshino-chan," signaling that he already considered her one of their own. After all, nothing bonds duelists¡ªor even spectators¡ªbetter than a good duel.


    "Burn it all to the ground!" Alister roared.


    The flames engulfed the field, scorching every monster in sight.


    "Well, Hoshino? Your field is as good as empty now!" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Empty? What nonsense is he spouting?" Hoshino teased, turning toward her own monsters.


    Once again, the flames were sliced apart by Brave Elizabeth, who tilted her head cutely and remarked:


    "Daydreaming in broad daylight? Does this guy even have eyes?"


    Using the lingering flames from Garunix as a makeshift lighter, Waver casually lit a cigarette and muttered:


    "This is why I keep telling you: stop playing StarCraft. You should try strategy games instead."


    Alister rubbed his eyes in disbelief.


    "Not a single monster left the field? How is that possible?!"


    Though the second Garunix had indeed been destroyed, the monsters on Hoshino''s field remained untouched.


    "The effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Zhuge Liang] activates! When this card is sent from the Monster Zone to the Graveyard, I can place it in my Spell & Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell instead."


    Hoshino slid Waver''s card into her back row as he took a symbolic step back on the battlefield.


    "Next, I activate the effect of [Vessel of the Saint] from my Graveyard!"


    [Vessel of the Saint Effect: When an opponent''s monster effect activates, banish this card from your Graveyard and target 1 [Heroic Spirit] monster you control. That monster is unaffected by your opponent''s monster effects this turn.]


    Jeanne d''Arc: "O steadfast warrior, accept the Lord''s blessing and rise again!"


    "I''ll target Brave Elizabeth, making her unaffected by Garunix''s effect!"


    Elizabeth, fidgeting in her barely-there outfit, shyly glanced over.


    "So reliable, Manager! Protecting me so carefully¡ªit must be true love!"


    Come on, you''re the only one on the field who can fight! Who else would I protect?!


    Of course, Hoshino, the self-proclaimed "Dragon Girl Whisperer," didn''t voice her true thoughts. Instead, she gave Elizabeth a firm thumbs-up, making the little dragon girl blush even more.


    "Since [Heroic Spirit ¨C Zhuge Liang] is now a Continuous Spell, his effect activates¡ªwhile he''s in the back row, all my monsters gain 300 ATK/DEF!"


    [Brave Elizabeth ATK 4400 ¡ú 4700]


    Elizabeth raised her katana with excitement.


    "Woo-hoo!!"


    Alister clicked his tongue.


    "Futile resistance."


    He gestured toward his Graveyard.


    "I activate the effect of [Fire King Avatar Barong], which was destroyed last turn¡ªduring my Standby Phase, I can add one ''Fire King'' card from my Deck to my hand."


    Alister searched his Deck, adding a card to his hand. With his normal draw included, his hand was now up to three cards.


    "And since [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] was destroyed by its own effect, I can Special Summon [Fire King Avatar Kirin] in Defense Position from my hand!"


    [Fire King Avatar Kirin ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE][Beast/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 200]


    [If a face-up "Fire King" monster(s) you control is destroyed by a card effect: You can Special Summon this card from your hand.]


    Bathed in emerald flames, Kirin emerged onto the battlefield. Now that his Standby Phase had ended, Alister moved into his Main Phase.


    "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card [Pot of Greed]!"


    He swiftly drew two more cards, bringing his hand back to three.


    Amelda nodded approvingly.


    "Even though the field wipe will continue next turn, I''m not just sitting around waiting for it."


    Without hesitation, Alister placed two more cards onto his Duel Disk.


    "I Summon [Fire King Avatar Arvata] in Defense Position and equip [United We Stand] to Garunix!"


    [Fire King Avatar Arvata¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][FIRE][Beast-Warrior/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 200]


    A beastly warrior with an elephant''s face and twin flaming axes appeared on the field.


    [United We Stand Equip Spell Effect: The equipped monster gains 800 ATK/DEF for each face-up monster you control.]


    "With three face-up monsters, Garunix gains 2400 ATK!"


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix ATK 2700 ¡ú 5100]


    With an enormous power boost, Garunix now surpassed even Brave Elizabeth in Attack Power.


    "Attack, Garunix! Let the flames of the Fire Kings consume everything before you!"


    Alister commanded as his Garunix, now boasting an overwhelming 5100 ATK, soared high above. The majestic firebird looked more imposing than ever, its blazing wings illuminating the battlefield.


    "¡ªFire King''s Extinguishing Blaze!"


    Hoshino raised her Duel Disk, ready to counter.


    "5100 ATK? That may not be enough to defeat Elizabeth! Activating the effect of [Brave Elizabeth]¡ªduring the Battle Phase, I draw 1 card from my deck!"


    Alister smirked.


    "I expected that! Activating the effect of [Fire King Avatar Arvata]!"


    The elephant-headed warrior, wielding dual fiery axes, hurled one straight at Elizabeth.


    [Effect: When a monster effect is activated while this monster is on the field (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy 1 other FIRE monster in your hand or face-up field.]


    Boom!


    As the flames clashed against Elizabeth''s crimson aura, her ability to draw was forcibly suppressed.


    "Your monster''s effect is now nullified! As a cost, I destroy the FIRE monster [Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys] in my hand!"


    Alister tossed his last card into the Graveyard, and the firestorm raged on, consuming Elizabeth.


    "Now, perish before the flames of the Fire King!"


    "Not so fast!"


    Though Elizabeth''s effect had been negated, Hoshino confidently flipped a card from her back row, unveiling it amid the inferno.


    "Activating my face-down Trap¡ª[Mature Gentleman]! This turn, my monsters cannot be destroyed by battle, and I take only half the battle damage!"


    [Hoshino LP 5000 ¡ú 4800]


    Alister narrowed his eyes but quickly smirked.


    "Of course, you wouldn''t go down that easily. But I''ve already achieved my goal."


    Hoshino frowned.


    "Achieved your goal? Are you saying that attack was just to destroy the monster in your hand?"


    Alister''s grin widened.


    "Exactly. Witness the devastating combo of Fire King High Avatar Garunix and Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys! With this, your downfall is inevitable. Turn end!"


    [Alister: 0 Hand | 0 Set Cards]


    "This will be the final showdown! Draw your card, Hoshino!"


    His Duel Disk radiated intense heat, as if locking onto her battlefield.


    Hoshino clenched her fist.


    "There''s no way I''m losing momentum now! My turn¡ªdraw!"


    The moment she drew, twin pillars of flames erupted from the field, intertwining into a brilliant inferno that shot skyward.


    Alister raised his fiery hand as his custom Duel Disk glowed a fierce crimson.


    "During your Standby Phase, I activate the effects of [Fire King High Avatar Garunix] and [Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys] from my Graveyard! Rise again¡ªeternal birds of fire!"


    From the depths of the Graveyard, a brilliant roc and a golden phoenix soared into the sky, their dazzling flames scorching the battlefield.


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][FIRE][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 1700]


    "When Fire King High Avatar Garunix is revived by its effect, it destroys all other monsters on the field!"


    [Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 8)][FIRE][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 1600]


    Dancing beside Garunix, the golden phoenix flared its wings, unleashing flames toward the back row.


    "And [Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys], when revived by its effect, destroys all Spells and Traps on the field!"


    The combination was devastating. With Garunix''s effect wiping out all monsters and Nephthys clearing the Spell & Trap Zones, the battlefield was on the verge of total annihilation.


    Valon scratched his head and sighed.


    "That''s it. Even if she''s tough, Hoshino-chan is no match for us, the Doma. And Alister didn''t even need The Seal of Orichalcos!"


    But then¡ª


    "Don''t count me out so soon!"


    Hoshino stood firm amidst the inferno, her expression unwavering.


    "I really didn''t want to use this card¡­ but you''ve forced my hand. Prepare yourself, Alister!"


    "?!?!"


    "Activating my Trap Card¡ª[Joint Recital]!"


    As the Trap Card was revealed, a dazzling figure emerged from the flames¡ªNero Claudius, adorned in an elegant white gown. With an air of imperial grace, she stepped forward, her radiance cutting through the inferno.


    "Oh, dragon maiden! Without my graceful song, your duet would have ended prematurely!" Nero declared.


    Elizabeth''s eyes sparkled with excitement.


    "No more words¡ªlet''s begin a grand duet! I''ll show you how much I''ve been practicing!"


    "Though this stage is humble, these blazing flames perfectly reflect my fiery passion! Let the ultimate duet begin!"


    Fulfilling a promise made in North America, Nero and Elizabeth joined their voices.


    Their melody soared across the battlefield, shaking heaven and earth. Passionate, transcendent, and irresistible¡ªtheir song left everyone breathless.


    [Joint Recital Trap Effect: If you control a "Heroic Spirit - Elizabeth" monster: Add 1 "Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius" monster from your Deck to your hand. This turn, your opponent cannot activate the effects of Special Summoned monsters.]


    The roaring inferno was pierced by their resounding performance, the sheer force of their voices causing cracks to form in the rock beneath them.


    Mid-air, Garunix and Nephthys faltered, their mighty wings trembling as their flames flickered and faded.


    Valon, nearly collapsing from the spectacle, muttered in awe.


    "I take it back, Hoshino-chan¡­ I underestimated you. With strength like that, you don''t even need to duel to handle most opponents."


    Meanwhile, the duelists on the field looked utterly drained, as though they had just emerged from a Shadow Duel.


    Hoshino, barely able to lift her Duel Disk, pressed on.


    "Due to Joint Recital, the effects of Special Summoned monsters cannot activate this turn. And..."


    Drawing a new card from her deck, her resolve remained unwavering.


    "I add [Heroic Spirit - Nero Claudius Bride] to my hand!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 293 - 293

    "I add [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius Bride] to my hand!"


    Alister, struggling to manage the two revived monsters on his Duel Disk, let out a breath before responding.


    "Even without their field-wiping effects, the attack power boost from [United We Stand] has reached its peak!"


    Ever the strategist, Alister shifted both of his revived monsters to Defense Position, leaving only Fire King High Avatar Garunix in Attack Position with United We Stand still equipped.


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix ATK 5100 ¡ú 6700]


    Elizabeth frowned slightly, her earlier confidence wavering.


    "An attack power over 2000 higher? That''s a bit troublesome," she muttered.


    Hoshino, however, remained unfazed, flashing a playful grin.


    "What''s there to fear? If one concert isn''t enough, we''ll just go for an encore!"


    She glanced around, searching for a particular ally.


    "Waver, are you still alive?"


    The exhausted Waver¡ªpractically smoking in reverse¡ªlet out a deep sigh.


    "Let me make this clear: if she sings again, I might not survive."


    "Fantastic! As long as you''re breathing, you can work overtime!"


    Ignoring his protests, Hoshino discarded Okita from her hand.


    "Activating the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Zhuge Liang]! Once per turn, I can discard one card to add a Spell or Trap with ''[Heroic Spirit]'' in its name from my Deck to my hand."


    With the card gained from Okita''s sacrifice, she swiftly inserted it into her Duel Disk. The once-blazing battlefield transformed¡ªshimmering with falling white roses and a radiant silver laurel ring.


    "I add the Ritual Spell [Ring of Bay Laurel] to my hand!"


    [Ring of Bay Laurel ¨C Ritual Spell Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon "Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius Bride." You must Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster.]


    "I Tribute [Oda Nobunaga] from my hand¡ªa total of 8 stars! Ritual Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius Bride]!!"


    Slipping her fingers through the gleaming silver ring, Nero descended, adorned in a resplendent white bridal gown. Wielding a dazzling silver blade, she arrived beneath the cascading white roses.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nero Claudius Bride ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Fairy/Ritual/Effect]


    [ATK 2500 ¡ú 2800 / DEF 2000 ¡ú 2300]


    "Umu! Our previous recital was quite exhilarating, was it not? I''m still brimming with energy! Let''s give an even grander performance!"


    Elizabeth, reignited with determination, grinned.


    "As expected of my greatest rival! I can''t afford to lower my guard for even a second!"


    "Activating Bride Nero''s effect! Upon being Ritual Summoned, she can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower ''Lily'' monster from the Deck! Come forth, Saber Lily!"


    Following the path of blooming white roses, a youthful knight stepped forward¡ªher presence both radiant and reserved.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Dragon/Effect]


    [ATK 1200 ¡ú 1500 / DEF 800 ¡ú 1100]


    Lily looked around hesitantly, as if silently questioning why she had been summoned into this chaotic concert.


    "Next, activating Bride Nero''s second effect! Once per turn, I can select one [Heroic Spirit] monster to gain 1000 ATK!"


    Scattering petals with a graceful toss, Nero flashed a blissful smile.


    "For you, my dearest~! Attack power, up!"


    [Brave Elizabeth ATK 4700 ¡ú 5700]


    Alister furrowed his brows, calculating his next move.


    "So you''re boosting your attack power with Ritual Monsters... Impressive, but you''re still 1000 short!"


    Hoshino''s grin widened.


    "Is that so? Then take a closer look! This is the encore of our [Joint Recital]! Take the stage¡ªNero, Elizabeth, and Lily!"


    With an exuberant flourish, she unveiled her final move.


    "This is the grand finale: Joint Recital ¨C Act II! Activating my set Trap Card¡ª[Heroic Battle ¨C United Assault]!"


    [Heroic Battle ¨C United Assault ¨C Trap Card Effect: Target 1 face-up "Heroic Spirit" monster you control. Until the end of this Battle Phase, that monster gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of all other Attack Position monsters you control, and those other monsters'' ATK become 0.]


    "Rome!!"


    "La~!"


    Elizabeth and Nero harmonized with confidence. Meanwhile, Lily, caught completely off guard, looked around nervously.


    "W-What''s this¡­? Uh, um...!"


    In a panic, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind¡ª


    "Merlin!!"


    "This is the final strike! Pour all our strength into it! The sword of a hero, surpassing all limits!"


    [Brave Elizabeth ATK 5700 ¡ú 10,000]


    Valon''s jaw dropped.


    "10,000 attack points?! Is this real?!"


    With a resounding battle cry, Nero and Elizabeth''s united blades¡ªempowered by their song¡ªdelivered a devastating dual slash. The sheer force of their final attack shattered everything in its path.


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix ¨C Destroyed]


    [Alister LP 1600 ¡ú 0]


    Rafael sighed as he closed his eyes.


    "So, it''s finally over... What an ear-shattering duel."


    Hoshino grinned triumphantly, raising her [Brave Elizabeth] card.


    "Who said I couldn''t beat the Doma? That was a flawless victory!"


    She glanced at her remaining 4800 Life Points.


    However¡ª


    Without warning, scorching flames erupted from Alister''s Duel Disk graveyard zone, engulfing Hoshino in a blazing inferno. Her crimson eyes widened in shock.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4800 ¡ú 0]


    Alister calmly retracted his black Duel Disk, smoke still rising from its surface. The final wave of searing flames had emerged from the depths of the Graveyard.


    Hoshino''s breath caught.


    "Impossible..."


    She stared at her now-empty Life Points in disbelief. Victory had been within her grasp¡ªonly to be ripped away in an instant.


    Unfazed, Valon gave her a casual thumbs-up.


    "Brilliant entrance test, Hoshino-chan! Welcome to the Doma!"


    "Valon''s right. Managing to end in a draw with me without using the Seal of Orichalcos proves that your strength is worthy of joining Doma," Alister remarked, putting away his Duel Disk.


    At that moment, Hoshino noticed that the monster zones, previously occupied by Alister''s cards, now held only three remaining monsters.


    "Confused? Honestly, you went a bit overboard with that last turn." Noticing Hoshino''s pouty expression, Alister explained, "Check the top card of your deck."


    "Huh?" Following his suggestion, Hoshino drew the top card of her deck¡ªCu Caster.


    "During Brave Elizabeth''s final attack, you triggered a draw effect, and the next card you drew was a monster. That increased your attack power by 1000 points. However, Artoria Pendragon (Lily)''s Special Summon effect was negated by my Fire King Avatar Arvata, which also destroyed my Fire King High Avatar Kirin. As a result, with fewer monsters on my field, the attack boost from United We Stand decreased, dropping Fire King High Avatar Garunix''s attack to 5800. That means your attack actually dealt 5200 damage."


    "No wonder Lily didn''t activate her search effect!" Realizing her oversight, Hoshino exclaimed. "But how does reducing your monster''s attack relate to me losing all my Life Points?"


    Alister pulled two cards from his Graveyard and displayed them: Sacred Phoenix Beast Kirin and Volcanic Counter.


    "Of course, it''s related. When Fire King Avatar Kirin was destroyed, its effect sent one FIRE monster from my deck to the Graveyard. I chose [Volcanic Counter]."


    [Volcanic Counter Effect: When you take battle damage while this card is in your Graveyard: Banish it from your Graveyard, then if there is a FIRE monster other than "Volcanic Counter" in your Graveyard, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the amount of battle damage you took.]


    "Because of Volcanic Counter, the 5200 battle damage I took was reflected right back at you. That single attack didn''t just wipe out my remaining Life Points¡ªit also depleted yours. A perfect ''double knockout,'' if I do say so myself."


    Alister''s tone was calm, yet there was an unmistakable hint of amusement¡ªan unspoken acknowledgment of Hoshino''s skill.


    Hoshino, on the other hand, clenched her fists in frustration. "You traitorous dog! If I had known, I wouldn''t have flexed with a 10,000 ATK stat! And now I''ve wasted the rewards I was about to earn!"


    Though this was just a practice duel where winning, losing, or drawing didn''t matter, for Hoshino, the stakes were very real. She needed the Saint Quartz to roll for rare Servants in the special shop¡ªespecially Raikou and Shuten, as a gift for Kintoki.


    [Remaining Saint Quartz: 0]


    [Special Summon Shop: Available Heroic Spirits: 2/3]


    [Next Reset: More than 1 day.]


    [SSR Minamoto no Raikou ¨C Cost: 100 Saint Quartz]


    [SSR Shuten Douji ¨C Cost: 100 Saint Quartz]


    It was cruel. Even after receiving an absurd amount of Saint Quartz from her future self, she had burned through it all. And no matter how many duels she fought afterward, including against Paradox, the system refused to reward her with any more. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I wish my future self would just adopt me already." Hoshino sighed wistfully. Living even for a moment as a Quartz-spending tycoon had been addictively blissful. If other gacha banners had been available at the time, she would have rolled through them all without hesitation.


    But alas, the system wasn''t about to let her exploit any loopholes.


    Valon clapped Alister on the back. "You drew against Kaiba, and now you drew against Hoshino. Alister, you''re really the king of draws!"


    Alister shot him a look that clearly said, You idiot, but didn''t bother responding.


    Rafael chimed in, "If you had destroyed your own Attack Position monster instead, you could''ve avoided defeat and extended the duel another turn."


    "It wouldn''t have made a difference. Even if I dragged the duel out, I''d most likely have lost in the end. And while I didn''t use the Seal of Orichalcos, I could tell my opponent wasn''t going all out either."


    Alister shook his head slightly. This brief clash had been enough for him to see Hoshino''s true potential.


    "Like us, she possesses strength forged in life-or-death battles."


    Valon, feeling somewhat left out of the conversation, awkwardly redirected his attention to Hoshino. "Well then, let''s move out for our first mission as Doma members! Our god has tasked us with hunting down the duelists who wield the Legendary Dragons!"


    "I''m in!" Hoshino raised her hand without hesitation. She had already wasted enough time in this dreadful place¡ªit was about time things got moving.


    Rafael checked his watch and nodded. "It''s about time. Let''s depart from the island. If everything has gone according to plan, Professor Hawkins should already be in our custody."


    Island? Professor Hawkins?


    Hoshino followed the trio, her mind swirling with questions as they exited the dim, confined space.


    Outside, the night sky stretched endlessly above, its faint starlight reflecting upon the vast ocean surface like a black galaxy beneath their feet. A welcome relief after being stuck indoors for so long.


    Good thing I played along with this whole ''undercover agent'' act.


    The island was surrounded by an endless expanse of dark waters. Alone, there was no chance of escaping this place.


    But Doma, with its wealth and resources, could seemingly do anything.


    As soon as they stepped outside, the sky was illuminated by dazzling lights. Moments later, a fleet of military helicopters descended, landing in formation before them.


    Hoshino''s eyes widened. "Doma can even mobilize a military force? This organization is no joke!"


    She glanced at the neatly arranged units of armed soldiers. "With power like this, why are you even bothering with duels? Just take whatever you want!"


    From the lead helicopter, a fully armed officer stepped out and saluted Rafael.


    "Master Rafael, as per your instructions, we have captured Professor Arthur Hawkins and destroyed his laboratory, along with all his research on Atlantis."


    Arthur Hawkins... I knew that name sounded familiar.


    At first, she hadn''t given it much thought¡ªforeign names often blurred together in her mind. But now she was certain.


    Arthur Hawkins was the close friend of Sugoroku Mutou, the grandfather of Rebecca.


    Research on Atlantis, huh? Looks like you stepped on a landmine this time, old man. But lucky for you... you''ve got me now.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 294 - 294

    "Lord Rafael, would you like to confirm Professor Hawkins'' status?" The reporting officer gestured toward the helicopter behind him, indicating that the professor was being held there.


    Rafael shook his head. "No need. Destroying the research data is sufficient."


    "Let me! Let me confirm it!" Eager to approach Professor Hawkins, Hoshino feigned an intense curiosity about the famous scholar.


    The armed personnel exchanged wary glances. "Who is this?"


    Valon stepped in with an authoritative tone. "Doma''s newest member¡ªHoshino!"


    Rafael nodded in silent confirmation, instantly dispelling any doubts the guards might have had.


    "Our apologies, Lady Hoshino!"


    Realizing her status, the soldiers immediately adjusted their attitudes, treating her with newfound respect as they escorted her to the aircraft where Professor Hawkins was detained.


    Inside the dimly lit cabin, the elderly professor sat slumped in a corner, bound and gagged. It was unclear whether he was asleep or unconscious.


    Seeing the once-spirited old man from Kame Game Shop in such a pitiful state, Hoshino felt a twinge of sympathy.


    "Is this how you treat an elder? Don''t you have grandparents at home? Show some respect! Release him immediately!"


    The guards hesitated at her sudden command. "Releasing him might be¡ª"


    The military officer accompanying Hoshino snapped, "Lady Hoshino gave an order. Do you think you have the authority to defy a member of Doma?!"


    Flustered, the guards quickly complied. "Apologies! We''ll release him at once!"


    "Being part of Doma is incredibly useful!" Hoshino marveled at how effortlessly her new position intimidated fully armed soldiers.


    Her thoughts briefly drifted to Dartz, the leader of Doma¡ªwhom she had knocked unconscious during their previous encounter. As a man of immense influence, she could only hope he wouldn''t hold a grudge. Otherwise, she might find herself encased in cement at the bottom of the sea.


    "Old man, you''ve got a visitor." One of the guards rudely addressed the now-freed professor, his tone a stark contrast to the deference he had shown Hoshino.


    Arthur Hawkins lifted his head stubbornly and growled, "I have nothing to say to you people. If you have the guts, kill me now. As long as I live, I''ll uncover the truth behind the destruction of Atlantis!"


    "Professor Hawkins, haven''t you heard the saying, ''He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day''?"


    The moment Hoshino spoke, her familiar voice caught the professor''s attention.


    "You''re¡ª?!" Arthur''s expression shifted from defiance to shock. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.


    Squatting down to meet his gaze, Hoshino smirked faintly. "If you were to die here, your granddaughter would be heartbroken, wouldn''t she?"


    Mindful of the armed guards, she kept up her pretense, masking any real connection between them.


    Arthur studied her warily. "Are you saying you''re part of Doma?"


    The thought of this gentle girl from the game shop aligning herself with an organization bent on reshaping the world was hard to believe.


    "I''ve read your papers, Professor. Unfortunately, your research touches on matters far too dangerous. Doma and the truth behind Atlantis aren''t things an ordinary archaeologist should meddle with."


    Arthur narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to say?"


    "As Rafael mentioned, destroying your research data is enough. If you promise to stay away from Atlantis''s history, I might be able to let you go."


    Hoshino, lacking Dartz''s flair for theatrics, could only attempt her best imitation of a benevolent villain.


    "Letting him go doesn''t seem appropriate, Lady Hoshino," the guard leader interjected hesitantly. "Lord Rafael ordered his capture. If we release him just because you said so¡­"


    "Do as Hoshino says," came a deep voice from behind.


    Rafael''s imposing figure filled the cabin, his head nearly brushing the ceiling.


    "Our real objective was to lure Yugi Muto into a trap. That''s already in motion."


    "Yugi came to the U.S.?" Arthur asked, clearly startled.


    This is the U.S.? Hoshino blinked, only now realizing their location. Then again, Professor Hawkins was American, so it made sense.


    "I''ve arranged a duel with Yugi Muto before sunrise in the Valley of the Kings, using the professor as bait," Rafael continued. "According to reports, Yugi is already en route. Therefore, the professor has served his purpose."


    "Wait¡ªwhy is Yugi in the U.S.?" Hoshino asked, still trying to piece things together.


    "Apparently, he received a distress signal from Maximillion Pegasus and flew here. He also acquired a unique card specially designed for the Legendary Dragons."


    "Pegasus?" Hoshino frowned. "Does that mean something happened to him?"


    "Indeed." Rafael''s voice carried a note of satisfaction. "During Yugi''s journey here, Pegasus was defeated by a member of Doma. His soul was sealed by the Seal of Orichalcos."


    The pride in his tone was unmistakable. Defeating the creator of Duel Monsters was no small feat¡ªit was yet another testament to Doma''s strength.


    "Even Pegasus was taken down¡­"


    Hoshino grew increasingly wary. Her system had rated Pegasus as an A+ duelist, second only to Yugi''s Pharaoh persona.


    "And next, it''s Yugi Muto''s turn!" Rafael declared, turning toward the exit before pausing to glance back at Hoshino.


    "Valon and I will face Yugi Muto and Jonouchi Katsuya, while Alister will challenge Seto Kaiba. Hoshino, who do you wish to accompany? The choice is yours."


    "Of course, I''ll go find Yugi and the others. Who cares about that arrogant Kaiba? Let him fend for himself! Besides, doesn''t he believe in science? Can a materialist even have their soul sealed?"


    Of course, this was only Hoshino''s inner thought, something she would never say aloud. Facing the three Doma members, her actual response was:


    "I think with Alister''s strength, he shouldn''t lose to Kaiba. So, to be safe, I''ll go with you two to deal with Yugi and Jonouchi."


    And so, with a figurative flag placed firmly on his back by Hoshino, Alister set off on his lonely mission.


    (***)


    Valley of the Kings


    Leaping out of the descending helicopter, Hoshino landed on the fractured, uneven terrain, scanning her surroundings.


    "So this is the Valley of the Kings, huh? Rafael, you sure know how to pick a place."


    The group stood atop one of the few natural rock platforms flat enough to host a duel. But Hoshino''s comment wasn''t just about the duel location¡ªit was also about the valley''s name.


    Dueling the Pharaoh in a place called the ''Valley of the Kings''?


    Valon crossed his arms, voicing his doubts. "We already let the old man go. Will Yugi really show up?"


    Standing tall with his Duel Disk equipped, Rafael nodded confidently. "We released Professor Hawkins after Yugi had already set out. Besides, as long as Yugi is a true duelist, he won''t back down from a challenge." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino found his reasoning solid. This wasn''t just about the professor being taken hostage¡ªDoma was making a statement. If Yugi ignored their challenge, they would continue targeting the people closest to him.


    There was no way Yugi would avoid this duel. He would fight to protect his friends in his own way.


    "But there''s still some time before sunrise, right? Are we just going to stand around and wait?" Hoshino stretched, feeling mentally exhausted from everything that had happened in a single day¡ªstarting at Duel Academy in the future and somehow ending up in the United States.


    But glancing at Rafael, who stood motionless in a dramatic pose, Hoshino had a feeling he intended to maintain this cool guy posture until Yugi arrived.


    Adjusting his goggles, Valon smirked. "I''m not waiting around. I''ve got my own work to do. If you''re bored, Hoshino-chan, you can come with me. I''ll introduce you to the one who defeated Pegasus."


    "The one who defeated Pegasus?" Hoshino blinked in surprise. "Wait, you mean it wasn''t one of you three?"


    Valon grinned mischievously. "You''ll understand when you see for yourself."


    With a mysterious smile, he rolled out a sleek, black three-person motorcycle from the helicopter. While not as flashy as Paradox''s Duel Runner, it was clearly a top-tier machine fit for a biker gang.


    "But..." Hoshino hesitated. She was curious about the person who had defeated Pegasus, but she also wanted to witness Rafael''s duel against Yugi.


    Seeing her reluctance, Valon reassured her. "Don''t worry, we''ll be back before the duel starts. Hop on!"


    "Alright, I''ll be back soon!" Driven by curiosity and reassured by Valon''s promise, Hoshino climbed into the motorcycle''s small side seat. Her slender frame curled up in the compact space, giving her an unexpectedly adorable appearance.


    But the next moment, she regretted it.


    The Valley of the Kings was full of uneven terrain, with sheer drop-offs and treacherous paths¡ªhardly the ideal place for a motorcycle ride.


    "Ah! Slow down! Let me off this crazy ride! This isn''t a school bus!"


    "Yeehaw!" Valon, grinning behind his goggles, yelled back, "The doors are locked, no getting off now! And stop screaming, or you''ll bite your tongue!"


    "Mmgh~!"


    And then, both passengers promptly bit their tongues.


    .


    ..


    ...


    After an exhausting, bone-rattling ride, they finally arrived at their destination. Hoshino slumped over, half-dead, her head tilted back as if her soul had nearly left her body.


    "I shouldn''t have trusted you... I should''ve just waited with Rafael." She groaned, reaffirming that, among the members of Doma, Rafael was the only remotely reliable one.


    "Chiyuki?! What are you doing here?"


    A familiar, soft female voice¡ªfilled with surprise and just a hint of awkwardness¡ªsnapped Hoshino out of her daze. She practically jumped out of the motorcycle in excitement.


    "Mai?!"


    Standing before her, dressed in her signature stylish outfit with her usual elegance and pride, was none other than Mai Valentine.


    Hoshino had heard Doma mention Mai before, but with everything going on, she hadn''t had the chance to ask about her. Eventually, she had forgotten all about it¡ªuntil now.


    "Huh? You two know each other?" Valon asked, puzzled by their mutual shock. Hopping off the motorcycle, he smirked. "Hoshino-chan, the one who defeated Pegasus is none other than Mai Valentine."


    "Mai defeated Pegasus?" Hoshino was stunned.


    She remembered Mai from Duelist Kingdom¡ªa skilled duelist but ranked only at a B-level. Yet, in just a month, Mai had skyrocketed to A+ level. No, if she had defeated Pegasus, her rank might be even higher than that.


    "I can''t believe you joined Doma, Mai..." Hoshino muttered in disbelief. During Battle City, Mai had been a cheerful companion to everyone. Why would she join Doma? She couldn''t wrap her head around it.


    Could she be an undercover agent, like me? No, that seemed too far-fetched.


    "And what about you, Chiyuki?" Mai, having recovered from her shock, smiled faintly. "Rather than me joining Doma, isn''t it more accurate to say you were part of Doma all along?"


    A mysterious girl with extraordinary dueling skills, suddenly appearing in Duelist Kingdom, her origins unknown.


    Neither Industrial Illusions nor KaibaCorp could trace her background.


    Then, disappearing from T-Island during the Battle City finals¡ªjust as the shadowy Doma organization began to move.


    If this girl had been with Doma all along¡­


    Everything suddenly made sense.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 295 - 295

    Realizing something, Valon quickly tried to smooth things over. "Ah, ah! Since we''re all in Doma now, why don''t we just get along like before, yeah?"


    The exalted god had once said that Hoshino had been brainwashed into joining Doma. If Mai found out about this¡ªespecially given her prior connection with Hoshino¡ªthings might become awkward in more ways than one.


    "I must have disappointed you, right, Chiyuki?" Mai sighed, her expression tinged with a mix of regret and awkwardness. "I''m just a woman who craves power. I don''t want to keep being a runner-up. I want to win and keep winning. My desire for victory far outweighs any joy I find in dueling."


    Mai''s self-deprecating remark carried a trace of melancholy. Despite her determination to face herself honestly¡ªeven when dueling Yugi or Jonouchi without hesitation¡ªshe still couldn''t bring herself to want Hoshino''s disappointment.


    "Not at all~" Hoshino shook her head casually. "Playing the game is only fun if you win! Losing duels isn''t fun at all!"


    This wasn''t just a platitude¡ªHoshino genuinely understood Mai''s feelings. Putting herself in Mai''s shoes, she knew that constantly losing would be frustrating, pushing her to seek greater power.


    Because if you keep losing, there won''t be any Saint Quartz left!


    "Heh, that does sound like something a Doma member would say." Mai lowered her gaze with a soft chuckle, seeming relieved.


    "With the power of the Orichalcos, I defeated Pegasus¡ªsomeone even you had a hard time against, Chiyuki. And just when I was about to defeat Jonouchi..." Mai shot a disgruntled glance at Valon. "This guy interrupted my final move."


    "Ahaha, didn''t we agree not to bring that up, Mai~" Valon scratched his head, clearly trying to change the subject.


    But Hoshino recalled that Doma had previously mentioned Valon forcibly stopping the duel with the Orichalcos'' power to prevent Mai from losing to Jonouchi.


    It seemed Mai herself hadn''t realized she was about to lose, and out of respect for her pride, neither Valon nor the others had told her.


    "Whatever!" Mai huffed at Valon. "Next time, I''ll deal with Jonouchi myself, and if you stop me again, you''ll regret it!"


    Mai, Jonouchi is going to be your future boyfriend! You''ll regret treating him like this later!


    Hoshino internally lamented, watching the love-hate dynamic unfold between them. It stirred indescribable, stifling feelings within her.


    She decided to just treat it like watching a drama. So sour, though!


    But even more sour than Hoshino¡ªwho felt like she was eating lemons¡ªwas Valon, who practically gulped down a bottle of old vinegar. His face twisted with subtle jealousy.


    "Mai, I don''t know why you''re so hung up on Jonouchi, but since he''s one of the chosen Legendary Dragons, leave defeating him to me¡ªthe fourth sword of Doma."


    This guy, Valon, is so obvious about his feelings for Mai. Too bad it''s not mutual.


    Knowing the harsh truth, Hoshino internally mourned for Valon for approximately 0.2 seconds.


    "Fourth sword of Doma? What is fourth sword of Doma...?"


    A puzzled Mai turned to see Hoshino grinning proudly as she pointed to herself.


    "I see, the fourth swordsman of Doma, huh? Even with the Orichalcos'' power, I wasn''t promoted¡­ It seems you''re quite gifted in dueling, Chiyuki. That''s really impressive."


    Mai''s unreserved praise made Hoshino blush slightly.


    "It''s because you''re so skilled that I feel I''ll never surpass you." Mai''s expression grew serious as she locked eyes with Hoshino.


    "If this keeps up, I''ll be stuck in your shadow forever!"


    As expected, the black Doma Duel Disk on Mai''s arm activated with a sharp snap.


    "So, Chiyuki, let''s duel¡ªright here, right now. Ever since we met in Duelist Kingdom, we haven''t had a proper duel. I need to show you how much I''ve grown!"


    Faced with Mai''s fiery challenge, Valon exclaimed, "Mai, you''re dueling Hoshino-chan here? But we were just¡ª"


    Yes, Valon had only come here to check on Mai and remind her not to seek out Jonouchi again. Technically, taking time out of work just to meet his crush was already a form of slacking off.


    Originally, as long as they returned before Rafael''s duel, everything would''ve been fine. But now, a duel was about to start.


    "Doma members are forbidden from using the Seal of Orichalcos for internal battles! This has been emphasized many times!" Valon reminded them.


    "As long as we don''t use the Seal, there''s no issue~"


    The excuse sounded all too familiar¡ªit had been used in another situation recently.


    But Valon knew Mai''s strength. Without the power of the Orichalcos, even beating Pegasus had been a challenge¡ªlet alone Hoshino.


    Unable to stop Mai, Valon had no choice but to pin his hopes on Hoshino. "Hoshino-chan, look, the sun''s about to rise. If we miss Rafael''s duel¡­"


    "This brings back memories, Mai. We haven''t dueled in so long!"


    Ignoring Valon''s pleas, Hoshino eagerly activated her Duel Disk, leaving Valon speechless.


    Mai had been the second person Hoshino dueled after arriving in this world. Back then, she had barely any experience with her deck. But now, both of them had grown.


    More importantly, if Mai truly possessed the strength to defeat Pegasus, she was at least A+ rank.


    That meant another substantial deposit of Saint Quartz!


    "This time, I''ll definitely get Mama Raikou and unleash the true power of the OX King!"


    The trauma caused by Elizabeth''s Four "Wave Quintet" had left a deep impression on Hoshino. She''d never let her equip D¨­jigiri Yasutsuna again in this lifetime.


    "Then let''s begin, Chiyuki!"


    [Mai Valentine VS Hoshino Chiyuki]


    [Duel!]


    Mai drew her starting hand. "I''ll go first, Chiyuki! Against you, I can''t afford to hold back for even a moment!"


    "I summon the monster card [Cyber Harpie Lady] in attack position!"


    [Cyber Harpie Lady¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 4)]


    [WIND] [Winged Beast/Effect] [ATK 1800 / DEF 1300]


    As Mai slammed the card onto her black Duel Disk, a strikingly beautiful Harpie Lady clad in a cybernetic bodysuit materialized on the field.


    "Ugh, that cyber suit reminds me of unpleasant memories¡­"


    EMIYA: Not me. I never wore that!


    Mai was still using her Harpie deck, but it had improved significantly since her last duel with Hoshino.


    "And now, I activate the Continuous Spell Card¡ª[Hysteric Sign]!"


    [Hysteric Sign ¨C Continuous Spell Effect: When this card is activated: Add 1 "Elegant Egotist" from your Deck or GY to your hand].


    "I add [Elegant Egotist] from my Deck to my hand!" Mai swiftly retrieved the card before placing two more from her hand onto her Duel Disk.


    "I activate not one, but two copies of [Elegant Egotist] from my hand! As long as there''s a ''Harpie Lady'' on my field, I can Special Summon one ''Harpie Lady'' or ''Harpie Lady Sisters'' from my Deck or hand!"


    With practiced precision, Mai drew two cards from her Deck and placed them onto her black Duel Disk.


    "With these two Elegant Egotist, I Special Summon [Harpie Lady 1] and [Harpie Lady Sisters]!"


    [Harpie Lady 1 ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WIND][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 1300/DEF 1400]


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][WIND][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 1950/DEF 2100]


    "And thanks to [Harpie Lady 1]''s effect, all WIND monsters on my field gain 300 ATK!"


    [Cyber Harpie Lady ATK 1800 ¡ú 2100]


    [Harpie Lady 1 ATK 1300 ¡ú 1600]


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK 1950 ¡ú 2250]


    A whirlwind of feathers and wind magic surged as Mai''s field filled with her signature monsters. Despite her Duel Disk only displaying three monsters, the imposing presence of Harpie Lady Sisters made it feel as though five had appeared.


    Valon''s eyes widened slightly. "Mai''s strategy is as aggressive as ever¡­ even more than when she faced Jonouchi."


    Finally, Mai slid two more cards into her Duel Disk''s Spell/Trap zone, her confidence unwavering as she met Hoshino''s gaze.


    "Chiyuki, I''ll show you just how much I''ve grown! I set two cards and end my turn!"


    [Mai''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    Hoshino grinned. "Mai, if it''s about filling the field with monsters, I won''t lose! My turn¡ªDraw!"


    Without hesitation, Hoshino summoned a monster to her Duel Disk.


    "I Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medusa] in Attack Position!"


    A flash of dark energy swirled as Medusa materialized, her chains coiling around her.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medusa ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000]


    Hoshino''s fingers moved swiftly through her Deck. "When Medusa is successfully summoned, I can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Stheno] from my hand or Deck!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Stheno ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)][DARK][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1700/DEF 1500]


    [This card is also treated as a ''Lily''.]


    The petite and elegant Stheno covered her mouth with a soft laugh. "Oh hoho! My adorable Medusa, you and our Master summoned me together? Then I shall..."


    Before she could finish, Hoshino placed another card on her Duel Disk.


    "And when Stheno is Special Summoned, I can also Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Euryale] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Euryale ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1000]


    [This card is also treated as a ''Lily''.]


    Euryale''s expression softened. "All three of us, together? How delightful~"


    "Sister..."


    Among the legendary Gorgon sisters of Greek mythology, Medusa stood out¡ªtaller and more imposing than her petite, dainty siblings. Deep down, she envied their "cute and small" appearances, often feeling out of place.


    Now, with her field assembled, Hoshino flashed a confident smile at Mai.


    "Mai, your proud Harpie Ladies are about to face the Gorgon Sisters¡ªwatch as they tear through your defenses! Medusa''s effect activates!"


    [Once per turn: You can target 1 face-down Spell/Trap in your opponent''s Spell & Trap Zone; that card cannot be activated this turn.]


    Medusa''s eyes shimmered with a mystical glow. "Prepare yourself¡ªMystic Eyes!"


    A faint aura of petrification spread across one of Mai''s set cards, locking it in place.


    Mai chuckled softly. "Even if you seal one of my cards, my Harpie Ladies still outmatch your monsters in strength, Chiyuki."


    "Oh? What about this?" Hoshino smirked, sliding a card into her Duel Disk''s Spell Zone.


    "I activate [Polymerization]! I fuse Medusa and Euryale from my field!"


    A surge of energy engulfed the two sisters as their forms intertwined.


    "Fusion Summon! Appear now¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Medusa Lily]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Medusa Lily ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Fairy/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1500]


    [[Heroic Spirit ¨C Medusa] + 1 ''Lily'' Monster]


    As the light faded, a younger version of Medusa stood proudly, now in a petite, adorable form, her hood resembling cat ears.


    Medusa Lily''s face lit up with joy. "To be just like my sisters¡ªsmall and cute¡ªit''s wonderful! I''m so happy!"


    "Upon a successful Fusion Summon, Medusa Lily can Special Summon 1 ''Lily'' Monster from the Graveyard!"


    Hoshino placed a card back onto her Duel Disk. "Return to me¡ªEuryale!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Euryale ATK 1500]


    Euryale smirked playfully. "Though your tall form has its charm, Medusa, this petite look suits you too~" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino pointed at Mai''s remaining face-down card. "[Medusa Lily]''s effect activates¡ªMystic Eye! I seal your other set card!"


    A second wave of petrifying energy surged forward, rendering Mai''s last set card useless.


    "Mai, with both of your Set cards neutralized, get ready for the Gorgon Sisters'' onslaught!"


    Stheno''s elegant smile remained unwavering. "Prepare yourselves, my dear sisters. Let''s showcase the elegance of our combined efforts."


    Euryale and Medusa Lily responded in unison. "Let''s go!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 296 - 296

    "Gorgon Sisters, deploy! No one moves without my permission today!" Hoshino declared. "[Euryale]''s special effect¡ª"


    [Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; change its battle position.]


    Euryale''s short bow, perfectly suited to her petite and adorable figure, gleamed in the dawn light. Drawing the bowstring with her delicate arms, she took careful aim.


    "Pierce your heart! Eye of the Euryale!!!"


    Two pink arrows shot out simultaneously, curving elegantly through the air before striking Cyber Harpie Lady.


    The first arrow didn''t deal any damage. Instead, upon impact, it burst into a pink heart, forcing Cyber Harpie Lady into Defense Position.


    [Cyber Harpie Lady DEF 1300]


    Though Cyber Harpie Lady boasted an impressive 2100 ATK, its defense of 1300 left it vulnerable.


    "Time to knock you down~?" Euryale hummed sweetly as the second pink arrow pierced straight through Cyber Harpie Lady''s armor.


    [Cyber Harpie Lady - Destroyed]


    "Your turn, Stheno!" Hoshino called out, signaling for the next attack.


    Stheno chuckled seductively, her voice laced with an irresistible charm. "A mere mortal daring to command a beautiful goddess like me? How bold~ But I must admit¡­ serving a human is such a curious sensation~"


    [Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses 300 ATK and DEF, and if it does, this card gains 300 ATK, and you gain 300 LP. This effect can be activated during either player''s turn.]


    Stheno''s enchanting smile, as captivating as a rose covered in thorns, cast an ominous glow over the battlefield.


    "Fufu~ Sink into despair before my beauty! ¡ª ''Smile of the Stheno!''"


    That hypnotic smile was as beautiful as it was dangerous. Its seductive charm washed over Harpie Lady 1, making her lithe figure tremble.


    [Harpie Lady 1 ATK 1600 ¡ú 1300]


    [Stheno ATK 1700 ¡ú 2000]


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 4300]


    Under Stheno''s spell, Harpie Lady 1 hardened into stone before shattering into countless fragments.


    Stheno''s mischievous grin widened. "Oh my, how tragic~ She didn''t even stand a chance."


    [Harpie Lady 1 - Destroyed]


    "With Harpie Lady 1 gone, your WIND-attribute attack boost vanishes! That means Harpie Lady Sisters'' ATK drops!"


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK 2250 ¡ú 1950]


    The once-mighty Harpie Lady Sisters were now an easy target for Medusa Lily.


    "Medusa! Finish them off!" Hoshino commanded.


    With a graceful twirl of her purple scythe, Medusa Lily''s white over-the-knee socks shimmered under the dawn''s light, drawing attention.


    "If you insist on standing in my way, I''ll deal with you!" She flung her scythe forward, controlling its trajectory with the chains wrapped around her fingers. The weapon slashed cleanly through the floating Harpie Ladies.


    "Now¡­ let''s end this! Her fingers are iron, her hair is a cage, and her whisper is a sweet poison¡­ this is who I am! Caress of the Medusa!!"


    A beam of violet light radiated from Medusa Lily''s glowing eyes, engulfing the last remaining Harpie Lady in a dazzling flash.


    [Harpie Lady Sisters - Destroyed]


    [Mai LP 3300 ¡ú 3250]


    "And now, [Medusa Lily]''s effect activates! When this card destroys a monster in battle, I can add 1 ''Lily'' monster from my Deck to my hand!"


    With a devastating three-pronged assault, the Gorgon Sisters had completely wiped Mai''s field clean, leaving her utterly defenseless.


    Valon''s eyes widened in shock. "Unbelievable! Mai''s full-power opening play was completely dismantled! Hoshino''s strength¡­ it''s just as Alister said¡ªshe wasn''t even going all out before!"


    Hoshino smirked. "How about that, Mai? This is the power of the Gorgon Sisters! Your Harpie Ladies alone won''t be enough to stop me."


    With her Battle Phase concluded, she slid two cards into her Duel Disk.


    "I set two cards and end my turn. Your move, Mai!"


    [Hoshino: 2 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    Mai, however, remained composed. "During your End Phase, the cards you petrified return to normal."


    As Hoshino''s turn ended, the two stone-like cards slowly regained their original form.


    "And now, I activate my Continuous Trap¡ª[Hysteric Party]!" Pressing the activation button on her black Duel Disk, Mai''s Trap Card flipped face-up.


    [Hysteric Party Continuous Trap Effect: Activate this card by discarding 1 card; Special Summon as many copies of ''Harpie Lady'' as possible from your GY. When this face-up card leaves the field, destroy those monsters.]


    Discarding her last card, Mai''s lips curled into a confident smirk. "Thanks to my Trap Card, my Harpie Ladies return in full force!"


    Once again, summoning lights illuminated the battlefield as the five elegant and alluring Harpie Ladies emerged in all their glory.


    [Cyber Harpie Lady ATK 1800 ¡ú 2100]


    [Harpie Lady 1 ATK 1300 ¡ú 1600]


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK 1950 ¡ú 2250]


    At the same time, Mai''s Duel Disk emitted a radiant glow from its Graveyard Zone.


    "And I activate the effect of [Hysteric Sign], which I discarded!"


    Hoshino''s eyes narrowed. "Hysteric Sign?!" She recognized it as the Spell Mai had used earlier to search Elegant Egotist.


    [If this card is in the GY because it was sent there from the hand or field this turn: Add up to 3 ''Harpie'' cards with different names from your Deck to your hand.]


    With a swift draw and precise searches, Mai swiftly replenished her hand with four new cards, creating an advantage akin to a power draw engine.


    Hoshino clenched her fist. "No wonder she defeated Pegasus... Mai''s strength has reached a whole new level."


    Sliding a card into her Duel Disk, Mai''s smirk deepened.


    "This turn, I''ll end this Duel, Hoshino! I activate the Spell Card¡ª[Harpie''s Feather Duster]!"


    As the Harpie Ladies flapped their wings in unison, a violent gust of wind surged toward Hoshino''s back row, threatening to wipe out her set cards.


    The violent winds generated by the five Harpie Ladies flapping their wings tore through Hoshino''s back row, obliterating both of her face-down cards.


    [Harpie''s Feather Duster ¨C Spell Card Effect: Destroy all Spells and Traps your opponent controls.]


    A straightforward yet devastating effect, requiring no cost or conditions¡ªcapable of wiping out an opponent''s entire back row in a single move. Even outside a Harpie-themed deck, its power remains unparalleled.


    Mai smirked triumphantly as the gusts died down, revealing the now-empty field.


    "Compared to your little petrification tricks, isn''t it much more efficient to just destroy your set cards outright?"


    She confidently extended her hand, preparing to seize the momentum.


    "This time, you''re the one left defenseless, Chiyuki! Now, behold the ultimate power of my Harpies¡ªSpell Card, [Harpie Lady Phoenix Formation]!"


    As Mai activated the Spell, the five Harpie Ladies soaring through the sky merged together, their bodies engulfed in roaring flames, forming a majestic, burning phoenix. Its fiery aura illuminated the early morning battlefield.


    [Harpie Lady Phoenix Formation ¨C Spell Card Effect: Destroy monsters your opponent controls, up to the number of "Harpie Lady" you control. Then, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the total ATK of the destroyed monsters.](Anime Effect)


    "This is the Harpie Ladies'' ultimate form¡ªPhoenix Formation!" Mai declared, pointing dramatically toward the flaming bird circling above. Her confidence surged.


    "Since I control three Harpies, I can destroy up to three of your monsters, Chiyuki! And on top of that, you''ll take direct damage equal to their total ATK!"


    Valon''s eyes widened in shock. "Three monsters wiped out at once, and she takes all their ATK as direct damage?! With Hoshino completely exposed, this could be an instant knockout!"


    "Burn, Phoenix Formation! This is the proof of my resurgence¡ªthis duel is mine!" Mai commanded.


    The blazing phoenix shrieked, diving toward Hoshino''s Gorgon Sisters with lethal intent.


    Yet, despite the imminent danger, Hoshino merely smiled.


    "You really are amazing now, Mai¡­ but there''s one thing you got wrong."


    Suddenly, an icy chill swept across the battlefield. Unbeknownst to anyone, a creeping frost had spread across the ground. Before the flames could reach their target, a massive pillar of ice erupted from below, freezing the phoenix solid.


    CRACK!


    The frozen bird shattered into glittering shards, the Harpie Ladies scattering as their fusion was forcibly undone.


    Mai''s eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! You¡ªYou expected my Harpie''s Feather Duster?!"


    Hoshino flipped over one of her destroyed cards, revealing its identity.


    "A well-known staple like Feather Duster? Of course, I saw it coming."


    The image of a man dressed in blue, pen in hand, shimmered on the card''s surface.


    "Time to shine, Andersen!"


    The diligent author¡ªHans Christian Andersen¡ªmaterialized onto the battlefield, grumbling all the while.


    "I haven''t even been gone a month, and you''re already overworking me?!" he huffed. Yet, despite his complaints, his quill moved effortlessly, tracing icy runes in the air.


    [Hans Christian Andersen ¨C Card Effect: ¢Ù: This card can be Set as a Continuous Trap in the Spell/Trap Zone.


    ¢Û: If this card in the Spell/Trap Zone is destroyed by an opponent''s effect, you can Special Summon this card.


    ¢Ü: If an effect would destroy cards on the field, you can tribute this card to negate that effect and destroy the activating card.]


    The moment Andersen shattered free from his frozen state, the flames of Phoenix Formation were extinguished.


    "And finally," Hoshino continued, "when a card effect would destroy one or more of my monsters, I can Tribute Andersen to negate that effect and destroy the activating card!"


    Sending Andersen''s card to the Graveyard, she watched as Mai''s Harpie Lady Phoenix Formation flickered before vanishing into nothingness.


    "Just like that, Mai¡ªyour ultimate attack is nullified."


    For the first time, uncertainty crossed Mai''s face. "To think¡­ you anticipated and blocked my strongest move¡­" She clenched her fist, then exhaled sharply, her gaze steady. "Chiyuki, you''re as terrifying as ever."


    Valon let out a low whistle. "Damn¡­ What an insane duel. It''s a good thing both of them are on our side. If we had to face them as enemies¡­" He shook his head. "Nah. Wouldn''t want to be on the receiving end of that."


    But Mai wasn''t done. With a fierce flick of her wrist, she slid another card into her Duel Disk.


    "Even without Phoenix Formation, my attack isn''t over yet!" she declared. "From my hand, I activate the Spell Card¡ª[Triangle Ecstasy Spark]!"


    The three Harpie Ladies realigned into a perfect triangular formation, surging with newfound power.


    [Triangle Ecstasy Spark ¨C Spell Card Effect:Until the end of this turn, the ATK of all "Harpie Lady" currently on the field becomes 2700. Your opponent cannot activate Trap Cards, and all Trap effects they control are negated.] (I''m not sure if this is a China-exclusive effect.)


    [Cyber Harpie Lady ATK 2100 ¡ú 2700]


    [Harpie Lady 1 ATK 1600 ¡ú 2700]


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK 2250 ¡ú 2700]


    With a burst of energy, all three Harpie Ladies reached their peak strength.


    "Even without Phoenix Formation," Mai smirked, "my Harpies will tear through your monsters head-on! Attack, my beautiful Harpies!"


    But Hoshino wasn''t defenseless yet. "Stheno''s effect activates!"


    [Stheno ATK 2000 ¡ú 2300]


    [Hoshino LP 4300 ¡ú 4600]


    Despite the boost, the Harpie Ladies were too strong. Their coordinated assault ripped through Hoshino''s remaining Gorgon Sisters, leaving her field empty.


    [Hoshino LP 4600 ¡ú 2300]


    Mai flipped her golden hair confidently, a victorious gleam in her eyes. "This turn belongs to my Harpie Ladies, Chiyuki!"


    With a flourish, she set her last remaining card. "I set one card face-down and end my turn."


    [Mai''s Field: 0 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    Hoshino wiped a bit of dust from her sleeve, completely unfazed.


    "Oh, Mai¡­ battles between women don''t end that easily." She lifted her hand to her deck. "My turn¡ªdraw!"


    As the top card slid into her grasp, a brilliant golden light burst from her Graveyard, soaring into the sky.


    "The true form of the Gorgon, slumbering in my Graveyard, is about to awaken!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 297 - 297

    "What is that light?" Valon frowned, watching the radiance shoot into the sky from Hoshino''s Duel Disk.


    Though dawn had barely begun to break, the sheer brilliance of the spectacle made it clear¡ªwhatever monster Hoshino was summoning now was on an entirely different level from anything seen before.


    "My turn! Draw! And then¡­"


    At the start of her turn, Hoshino reached into the Graveyard slot of her Duel Disk and pulled out five cards at once.


    "One of the cards destroyed by Harpie''s Feather Duster earlier was Andersen, but the other was this¡ªSpell Card [Divine Three-Legged Race]! While this card is in the Graveyard, during my Standby Phase, I can banish five cards, including this one!"


    She revealed the five cards she had chosen. Upon seeing them, Mai''s finely shaped eyebrows twitched twice in visible shock. Among the banished cards were Divine Three-Legged Race itself, the Spell Card Fusion, and the three Gorgon Sisters that had been destroyed last turn.


    "Then, from my banished monsters, I return the Fusion Materials specified for a [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster back to the Graveyard¡ªallowing me to Fusion Summon!"


    From Hoshino''s Graveyard, three orbs of light¡ªeach a different color¡ªshot into the sky, merging together beneath the morning glow.


    By returning the three Gorgon Sisters to the Graveyard, she had seamlessly turned the effect of Harpie''s Feather Duster against Mai, setting up a counterplay that left even the spectators speechless.


    "I fuse Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale¡ªFusion Summon!"


    The three goddesses became one, their combined Spirit Origin transforming into something monstrous¡ªsomething straight out of legend. What emerged now was no longer a mere Heroic Spirit but a Beast Goddess, a figure both divine and terrifying.


    "Descend¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Gorgon]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gorgon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Fairy/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3300 / DEF 2000]


    [Fusion Materials: Heroic Spirit - Medusa + Heroic Spirit - Stheno + Heroic Spirit - Euryale]


    Her overwhelming presence magnified her already alluring yet fearsome aura, making it impossible to look away from her monstrous yet mesmerizing form.


    "I am Gorgon, the Avenger. Use me well, and let''s see who walks the path of destruction first!"


    A heavy pressure filled the air, making it difficult for Mai to breathe. "You¡­ You actually used Harpie''s Feather Duster to summon a monster even stronger than Blue-Eyes White Dragon?! Hoshino, I can''t keep up with your dueling skills¡­"


    "This is just the beginning, Mai! When Gorgon is successfully Fusion Summoned, the effects of all face-up cards on your field are negated!"


    At Hoshino''s command, Gorgon''s eyes glowed with an ominous radiance, unleashing a petrifying magic unlike anything seen before.


    "Thousand Demon Eyes¡ªRelease! You can''t escape!"


    [Cyber Harpie Lady ATK 2100 ¡ú 1800] sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Harpie Lady 1 ATK 1600 ¡ú 1300]


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK 2250 ¡ú 1950]


    "All of your Harpies have reverted to their original stats! Attack, Gorgon!" At Hoshino''s command, the enormous serpents entwined in Gorgon''s hair stirred in unison.


    "Entering the Battle Phase¡ªtargeting Harpie Lady Sisters! Gorgon, strike!"


    Spreading her golden wings, Gorgon''s massive form lunged toward Mai''s field.


    "Hoshino, I may admit your dueling skills surpass mine, but that doesn''t mean I''m going to lose!" Without hesitation, Mai flipped over her set card, and once again, the five Harpies on her field burst into flames.


    "¡ªI activate the Trap Card [Harpie Lady Sparrow Formation]!"


    Following the Phoenix Formation, a new power took shape¡ªSparrow Formation. The Harpies transformed once more, fusing into a blazing phoenix, its size and presence rivaling even Gorgon.


    "This will decide the duel, Hoshino! My Sparrow Formation will crush your trump card!"


    The flames blazed even brighter as the morning sun began to rise over the battlefield.


    [Harpie Lady Sparrow Formation Trap Effect: Can be activated when 2 or more Harpie monsters are on the field. Send 1 Spell/Trap card you control to the Graveyard to destroy all monsters on the opponent''s field.] (Anime Exclusive Card)(I''m not sure if this also a China-exclusive effect.)


    Watching the horizon brighten, Valon muttered, "So the sunrise is finally here¡­ I bet Raphael and Yugi''s duel has already begun. But¡­ there''s no way I can focus on that now."


    The duel before him¡ªan intense clash between two top-tier duelists¡ªhad completely captured his attention. "What a match¡­ Even though it''s just a friendly duel, the intensity is unbelievable."


    "I swear I won''t lose anymore, Chiyuki! Not to anyone!" Mai declared, the fierce determination in her eyes unshaken as she commanded the blazing sparrow to strike.


    The inferno engulfed Gorgon, seeking to incinerate her completely.


    "Mai, I won''t lose either!"


    Countless beams of light shot forth, piercing through the flames. Hoshino''s calm, unwavering gaze reflected the image of Gorgon breaking free from the firestorm, tearing the burning phoenix apart with sheer divine power.


    "[Gorgon]''s effect¡ªthis card cannot be destroyed by effects!"


    The once-mighty Sparrow Formation crumbled into embers, leaving only the scattered Harpies falling back onto the field. Gorgon''s piercing gaze immediately locked onto her original target.


    "You''re not a sacrifice. Merely my prey¡ªreturn it in full!"


    Despite her massive size, Gorgon moved with unearthly speed, her serpents lashing out and devouring Harpie Lady Sisters in an instant.


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ¨C Destroyed]


    [Mai''s LP 3250 ¡ú 1900]


    As the battle concluded, Hoshino lowered her Duel Disk with a composed smile. "Mai, both your Phoenix Formation and Sparrow Formation have been neutralized. Do you still want to continue?"


    Mai''s resources were exhausted¡ªher hand was empty, and her two remaining Harpies stood powerless before Gorgon''s overwhelming might.


    "Set one card face-down. Turn end."


    [Hoshino''s: 2 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    Valon exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Just as expected. Mai has gotten stronger, but she still can''t match Hoshino''s level¡­"


    "I will not lose, Chiyuki! Not anymore!" Mai suddenly raised her head, her eyes burning with defiance.


    In that moment, a sinister mark appeared on her forehead, radiating an ominous energy.


    "Field Spell¡ª[The Seal of Orichalcos], activate!"


    "Mai?" Hoshino''s eyes narrowed with concern as she sensed a drastic shift in Mai''s demeanor.


    "?! Mai, you actually used it!!" Unlike Hoshino, Valon was visibly shaken at the sight before him.


    Although Hoshino had not encountered it firsthand, Valon understood all too well the terrifying power of this card. Once The Seal of Orichalcos was activated, the duel could not be stopped, and the soul of the losing duelist would be sealed within the Orichalcos¡ªoffered as a sacrifice to the god.


    Mai had started her turn without drawing a card, meaning the Seal of Orichalcos was likely the very card she had drawn. To have it appear at such a critical moment¡­ it felt as if the dark power of the Seal had read her desires, offering overwhelming strength to tempt her deeper into the abyss.


    A pale green light spread beneath them, etching a glowing insignia onto the ground. The Seal''s eerie energy formed a barrier that isolated them from the outside world¡ªseparating Valon, who had been watching, from the duel entirely.


    "This is bad. With the Seal activated at this moment, and with both Rafael and Alister absent... this is going to be a disaster."


    As one of Doma''s Three Swordsmen, Valon had been granted a single opportunity to cancel the Seal of Orichalcos, but it had come at a steep price¡ªand he had already used it in Mai''s duel against Jonouchi.


    Hoshino, standing firm inside the glowing barrier, frowned slightly as she felt the power radiating from beneath her feet. "This seal¡­ It''s just like Paradox''s Malefic World¡­ No, it might be even more sinister."


    Unlike a standard Shadow Game, where defeat didn''t always mean death, the stakes of this duel left no room for mercy¡ªthe loser would be erased entirely.


    Gilgamesh had once advised her: Light and darkness are merely forces. As long as your will remains unshaken, you may wield either without hesitation.


    Had he foreseen this moment?


    Mai''s current state mirrored Hoshino''s own fall into darkness once before. The difference was that her unwavering desire for victory had become her guiding principle¡ªher light within the abyss.


    "Mai, I have no right to condemn you for using such power." Hoshino exhaled, steadying herself. She and Gorgon assumed a battle-ready stance inside the Seal. "But I won''t allow you to wager lives on a duel like this."


    "If you can stop me, then go ahead and try!"


    Bathed in the Seal''s eerie glow, the sigil of Orichalcos burned into Mai''s forehead, amplifying her already commanding presence.


    "The effect of The Seal of Orichalcos¡ªall my monsters gain 500 ATK!"


    The moment she declared it, the sinister energy spread like a wildfire. The Harpie monsters on her field trembled with newfound power, their foreheads marked with the same eerie insignia as their master.


    [Cyber Harpie Lady ATK 1800 ¡ú 2300]


    [Harpie Lady 1 ATK 1300 ¡ú 1800]


    Hoshino remained unfazed. "Even with the ATK boost, your Harpies still can''t overpower Gorgon. Plus, you don''t have any cards in your hand."


    "Oh? Is that what you think?"


    Crossing her arms, Mai smirked with absolute confidence.


    "Don''t forget, Chiyuki. During my last turn, I activated Sparrow Formation¡ªwhich required me to send one Spell or Trap Card I controlled to the Graveyard. And the card I sent was [Hysteric Sign]!"


    Hoshino''s eyes widened slightly. That was the Spell Mai had placed on her field at the very beginning, which had searched for Elegant Egotist. And now¡­


    "Since Hysteric Sign was sent to the Graveyard, I can add three different ''Harpie'' cards from my Deck to my hand!"


    With a single move, Mai''s once-empty hand was replenished with three cards.


    "First, I summon [Harpie Perfumer]! When this card is Normal Summoned, I can add one Spell or Trap from my Deck that mentions Harpie Lady Sisters in its effect!"


    [Harpie Perfumer ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WIND][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 1400 ¡ú 1900 / DEF 1300]


    "Next, I activate [Elegant Egotist]¡ªallowing me to Special Summon Harpie Lady Sisters from my Deck!"


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK 1950 ¡ú 2450]


    "And since I now control a Level 5 or higher Harpie monster, I can Special Summon [Harpie Oracle] from my hand!"


    [Harpie Oracle ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WIND][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 1300 ¡ú 1800 / DEF 1400]


    Unlike the usual striking elegance of the Harpies, Harpie Oracle exuded a playful charm¡ªher expression both cunning and endearing.


    Hoshino barely concealed a blush as she covered her mouth. Oh no¡­ She''s right in my strike zone¡­ I didn''t know Harpies could be this adorable¡­


    "With the Seal of Orichalcos and my elegant Harpies at full power, it''s time to unleash my ultimate strength!"


    Mai''s voice rang with absolute authority as she revealed her final Set card.


    "Trap Card activated¡ª[Harpie Lady Elegance]!"


    [Harpie Lady Elegance ¨C Trap Card Effect: Shuffle 1 "Harpie Lady Sisters" from your Monster Zone into the Deck, then Special Summon 3 "Harpie" monsters with different original names¡ª1 each from your hand, Deck, and Graveyard.]


    Hoshino furrowed her brows. "But Mai, even if you return Harpie Lady Sisters, you already have four monsters on your field. There''s no space for three more. The Monster Zones are limited to five, aren''t they?"


    Mai''s smirk deepened. "Chiyuki, that''s the true power of the Seal of Orichalcos! While inside the Seal, my Spell and Trap Card Zones can also be used as Monster Zones! In other words¡­ I can summon up to ten monsters!"


    "Up to ten?!"


    With an elegant wave of her hand, Mai placed three additional cards onto her Duel Disk.


    "I return Harpie Lady Sisters to my Deck in order to Special Summon Harpie Lady Sisters from the Graveyard, Harpie Dancer from my hand, and Harpie''s Pet Dragon from my Deck!"


    [Harpie Lady Sisters ATK 1950 ¡ú 2450]


    [Harpie Dancer ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][WIND][Winged Beast/Effect][ATK 1200 ¡ú 1700 / DEF 1000]


    [Harpie''s Pet Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][WIND][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2000 ¡ú 2500 / DEF 2500]


    With a total of seven Harpie monsters now on the field, the battlefield transformed into a storm of swirling feathers. Their mesmerizing figures radiated a beauty both elegant and deadly¡ªso much so that Hoshino had to force herself to stay focused.


    "The effect of Harpie''s Pet Dragon¡ªthis card gains 300 ATK for each ''Harpie Lady'' monster on the field!"


    [Harpie''s Pet Dragon ATK 2500 ¡ú 4300]


    The monstrous dragon let out a deafening roar, its wings unfurling as the Seal of Orichalcos amplified its power beyond natural limits.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 298 - 298

    "This is your strategy with Orichalcos, Mai¡­"


    Hoshino struggled to keep up, her eyes darting between the Harpie Ladies soaring through the air and Harpie''s Pet Dragon, whose attack power had now surpassed Gorgon''s thanks to the relentless swarm of Harpies.


    "It''s a true swarm strategy that breaks all limitations¡ªonly possible within the Seal of Orichalcos."


    Having played all her cards, Mai''s smile took on a sinister edge under the eerie glow of the Seal.


    "This is the end, Chiyuki. Don''t blame me. In this world, only the strong survive, and the victors decide everything."


    The Harpie Ladies launched their frenzied assault, descending like a raging storm. With the deafening roar of her dragon and the synchronized flight of her Harpies, their combined onslaught, infused with the dark power of Orichalcos, seemed unstoppable¡ªcapable of tearing everything apart.


    "Attack, my beautiful Harpies! Within the Seal, monster effects cannot be negated!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gorgon destroyed]


    Empowered by both Orichalcos and the Harpies, Harpie''s Pet Dragon''s attack had risen beyond Gorgon''s. With its mighty wings stirring up a hurricane, the Harpies rode the gusts, executing a perfect joint assault. The overwhelming force of Orichalcos made it seem like nothing could withstand them.


    "You''ve lost, Chiyuki. Against the combined strength of seven Harpie Ladies, no amount of life points can save you!"


    "Being surrounded by six beautiful Harpies might sound painful¡­ but oddly enjoyable. Still, I''m sorry, Mai. I''ll have to decline."


    Hesitating for only a second, Hoshino gritted her teeth and flipped over her sole set card.


    A radiant barrier of light emerged, stopping the Harpies from toying with her any further.


    "¡ªI activate the Trap Card [Garden of Avalon]! While this card is active, all damage I take this turn becomes 0!"


    From within the glowing barrier, Merlin''s voice rang out playfully, "Master, a duel this intense¡ªnon-human beauties and a multi-play setup¡ªmight be a bit much for someone your age~"


    Frustrated by the unexpected defense, Mai''s expression darkened. "Still resisting, Chiyuki? I''ve already made up my mind! Can''t you just accept defeat gracefully?!"


    Hoshino smiled faintly. "If I were to lose so easily, Mai, what would you do if you regretted it later?"


    "I won''t regret it! I end my turn and activate [Harpie Oracle]''s effect¡ªI can add one ''Harpie Lady Sister'' Spell from my Graveyard to my hand!"


    Retrieving a Spell from her Graveyard, Mai set it into her hand. "I''ve added [Harpie Lady Phoenix Formation] to my hand. With seven ''Harpie'' monsters on my field, this will ensure my victory next turn!"


    [Mai: 1 Hand Card | 0 Set Card]


    Standing outside the barrier of the Seal, Valon observed the duel through the greenish glow. "To master the power of the Seal of Orichalcos so quickly¡­ Mai, your talent as a duelist is second to none."


    "My turn! Draw!"


    With an empty field and no set cards, Hoshino stood alone inside the barrier, staring down the overwhelming swarm of Harpies filling the sky.


    "Hoshino''s chances of winning seem slim now. If her soul gets sealed¡­ how am I supposed to explain this¡­" Valon muttered, feeling his anxiety grow. But all he could do was wait.


    "Mai, if we can destroy the Seal, wouldn''t that prevent the worst-case scenario?"


    A thought sparked in Hoshino''s mind as she looked at her drawn card.


    Mai sneered. "Unfortunately, the Seal of Orichalcos cannot be destroyed by any effects. Breaking it isn''t that simple."


    "It doesn''t need to be destroyed. Instead, I''ll overpower it with a stronger Field Spell¡ªcompletely dispelling its influence!"


    Hoshino recalled her past encounters with Malefic World, where replacing the Field Spell had turned the tide of battle.


    With renewed determination, she clutched the card tightly. "Let me put an end to this turn, Mai! I activate the Spell Card [Guardian of Humanity]!"


    [Guardian of Humanity ¨C Spell Card Effect: If you have 5 or more "Heroic Spirit" monsters in your Graveyard: Draw 2 cards. If you have no other cards on your field or in your hand when this card is activated, you can also add 1 Spell Card with "Heroic Spirit" in its name from your Deck to your hand.]


    "Thanks to its effect, I draw two cards! And since my field is empty, I can also search for a Spell Card with ''Heroic Spirit'' in its name from my Deck!"


    Drawing two cards, Hoshino swiftly retrieved another from her Deck. "I''ll add [Call of the Guardian Spirits II ¨C FATE] to my hand!"


    "A Ritual Card?!" Mai''s finely arched brow twitched slightly. She remembered even Pegasus had been defeated by the mysterious Ritual Monster Hoshino had summoned before.


    "Next, I activate the Spell Card [Purely Bloom]¡ªSpecial Summoning [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Lily] from my Deck!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon (Lily)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4) [LIGHT] [Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 800]


    "Entrust everything to your Lily, and call forth the Conqueror King with the Holy Sword! [Artoria Lily''s] effect activates!"


    The pure maiden raised her sword, and in response, the soul of a king resonated.


    "For the final victory, answer the call of the Holy Sword!" S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I add the Ritual Monster [Heroic Spirit ¨C King of Conquerors Iskandar] from my Deck to my hand! Then, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Nursery Rhyme] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Nursery Rhyme¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4) [DARK] [Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 800/DEF 800]


    [¢Ù: If you control a [Lily] monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.]


    Toys and candies bloomed like flowers around Nursery Rhyme, creating a dreamlike battlefield fitting for Lily''s theme.


    "[Nursery Rhyme''s] effect activates! When this card is Special Summoned, I can add one Spell Card with ''Heroic Spirit'' or ''Lily'' in its name from my Deck to my hand!"


    Opening her storybook, Nursery Rhyme tilted her head, searching for a tale of courage.


    "Mai, this is the key card that will shatter Orichalcos and turn this duel around! A battlefield where a king''s charge will be forever etched into history!"


    "I add the Field Spell [Ionioi Hetairoi] to my hand!"


    "This completes the preparation for my victory!"


    With Ionioi Hetairoi now in her hand, Hoshino wasted no time, slotting her ritual spell card into her Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Ritual Spell¡ª[Call of the Guardian Spirits II ¨C FATE]!"


    Within the oppressive darkness of the Seal of Orichalcos, a new light was born¡ªa glimmer of hope strong enough to overturn fate itself.


    [Call of the Guardian Spirits II ¨C FATE Ritual Spell Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon a "Heroic Spirit" Ritual Monster. You must also Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose combined Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster you are Ritual Summoning. Ritual Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit" Ritual Monster from your hand. This turn, that Ritual Summoned monster cannot be targeted or destroyed by your opponent''s card effects.]


    "I Tribute Saber Lily, Nursery Rhyme from the field, and Waver from my hand to fulfill the summoning requirements! Now¡ªarise!"


    Hoshino raised her card high, unleashing a deafening roar of conquest that rippled across the battlefield.


    "To conquer without destruction, to rule without disgrace¡ªthe sound of Okeanos'' surging tides calls to me! Ritual Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C King of Conquerors, Iskandar]!"


    "AALALALALALALAI!!"


    With a resounding war cry, Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, thundered onto the field, his massive Gordius Wheel crashing down like a storm. His overwhelming presence stood as an unshakable bastion before the swarm of Harpies.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C King Of Conquerors Iskandar¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][Earth]


    [Warrior/Ritual/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]


    [Must be Ritual Summoned by a "Heroic Spirit" Ritual Spell Card. Cannot be Special Summoned by other means.]


    "Oh-ho! Master, choosing to summon me, King of Conquerors Iskandar, was undoubtedly the right decision!"


    Standing proudly atop his chariot, Iskandar lifted his sword, his voice brimming with confidence. "I will answer your call with all my might and carve the path forward for you."


    Mai scoffed. "Chiyuki, even if you summon a Ritual Monster, its attack still doesn''t surpass my Harpie''s Pet Dragon! And as long as it''s on the field, you can''t target my other Harpies for attacks."


    But Hoshino smirked, her expression playful yet dangerous under the eerie glow of Orichalcos.


    "Your Pet Dragon is indeed formidable, Mai. But now¡ªit''s mine~!"


    [Iskandar''s Effect: If this card is Ritual Summoned: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; take control of that monster until the end of this turn.]


    "Oooooh!!" Iskandar roared, pointing his sword skyward. "Dragon or Harpy, it matters not¡ªall shall bow before the King!"


    The sheer force of Iskandar''s presence spread across the battlefield, overwhelming Mai''s Harpie''s Pet Dragon and bringing it under his command.


    [Harpie''s Pet Dragon ATK 2000]


    Mai narrowed her eyes. "Tch¡­ Taking my Pet Dragon¡­ But without the Harpies and Orichalcos'' boost, it''s lost its power! And don''t forget¡ªbecause of the Seal of Orichalcos, you still can''t attack my back-row Harpies until you break through the ones in front!"


    Indeed, Mai had positioned her strongest Harpies at the frontline, each boasting over 2000 ATK, while her back row consisted of effect-based Harpies supporting her strategy. A solid formation, fully optimized for Orichalcos'' power.


    But unfortunately for Mai¡ªher opponent was a master of breaking through the impossible.


    "If you can''t breach my defenses this turn, Chiyuki, next turn my Phoenix Formation will wipe out everything!"


    Hoshino chuckled. "I already told you, Mai¡ªthis turn, I''m ending this duel! Now, let me show you what a true army looks like!"


    She held up a long-prepared card and met Iskandar''s gaze with unwavering resolve.


    "Let''s go, Iskandar!"


    Standing atop his chariot, Iskandar folded his arms, his magical energy surging. "Though I march to the ends of the earth, you, Master, strive for the ends of time. Even among my retainers, none have displayed such ambition!"


    Revealing a hidden slot on her Duel Disk, Hoshino laughed.


    "Endless progress¡ªthat is the joy of life! Field Spell, activate¡ª[Ionioi Hetairoi]!"


    "Then let us charge, together! No matter the obstacles¡ªthe King''s Army shall trample all in our path! Forward!!"


    The Seal of Orichalcos, a symbol of dark power, cracked¡ªthen shattered. But it wasn''t just destroyed. It was completely replaced by a stronger domain.


    A Reality Marble, vast and boundless. The battlefield of a King.


    Barren lands stretched beneath a blazing sun. The sounds of thundering hooves and the whistling wind echoed across rolling plains¡ªa realm born from the very soul of Iskandar himself.


    [Ionioi Hetairoi ¨C Field Spell Effect: Upon activation, Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C King''s Army Tokens] equal to the number of monsters on your opponent''s field.]


    "I Special Summon six [Heroic Spirit ¨C King''s Army Tokens]¡ªone for each of your Harpies, Mai!"


    Mai''s eyes widened. "Six?! But your field¡­"


    "Expanding monster zones isn''t exclusive to Orichalcos! As long as Ionioi Hetairoi is active, my Spell & Trap Zones become additional Monster Zones!"


    Staring at the endless army before him, Valon muttered in shock, "A field effect like Orichalcos¡­ No, it''s even stronger! Hoshino wasn''t bluffing¡ªshe really found a way to overcome the Seal!"


    "This is my answer to the Orichalcos, Mai! Even your Harpies can''t stand against this Noble Phantasm!"


    Standing at the head of the unstoppable legion alongside Iskandar, Hoshino radiated an aura befitting a commander leading an army.


    [Heroic Spirit - King''s Army Token¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Earth]


    [Warrior/Token][ATK ???/DEF ???] X6


    "With Pet Dragon and six King''s Army Tokens, my field is overflowing with eight monsters!"


    "Each King''s Army Token gains 500 ATK for every monster on my field. With eight monsters, their final ATK becomes¡ª4000!"


    [Heroic Spirit - King''s Army Token ATK 4000]


    "Each token has 4000 ATK?!" Valon gasped. "This isn''t just combat power¡ªthis is warfare!"


    "Now¡ªcrush them all! Advance!"


    With an earth-shaking charge, Iskandar led the unstoppable stampede, an army surging forward like a tidal wave.


    "Raise the cry of victory¡ªIonioi Hetairoi!!"


    "AALALALALALALAI!!!"


    The battlefield was swallowed by the relentless onslaught.


    [Mai''s LP 1800 ¡ú 0]


    [DUEL END]


    [Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 299 - 299

    An overwhelming counterattack shattered Mai''s Seal of Orichalcos, and with the sheer might of Ionioi Hetairoi, the battlefield was completely subdued.


    The surrounding scenery gradually reverted from a barren desert to its original state, and the deafening sound of galloping hooves faded into silence. Valon exhaled deeply in relief.


    "It seems the God''s decision to brainwash and recruit Hoshino into Doma wasn''t baseless. It''s not just her absurd strength but also that ridiculous card, which completely nullifies The Seal of Orichalcos."


    The Seal of Orichalcos revolved around swarming the field with monsters and boosting their strength collectively. But no matter how many monsters Mai summoned, Hoshino only needed to activate Ionioi Hetairoi to shatter the barrier and turn the tables effortlessly. The more monsters summoned, the stronger Ionioi Hetairoi became¡­


    Realizing this, Valon couldn''t help but shudder. Fortunately, not only was Hoshino fighting on Doma''s side, but thanks to her breaking the Seal, neither of their souls had been taken.


    As the Conqueror King trampled through the barrier, the glowing symbol on Mai''s forehead faded away, and her demeanor gradually calmed. "Even with the power of the Orichalcos, I still can''t beat you, Chiyuki?"


    "Mai, you''ve already become really strong. Even without relying on the Orichalcos¡ª"


    Halfway through her sentence, Hoshino caught herself. She was technically still a member of Doma, and badmouthing the Orichalcos wouldn''t sit well with them. Quickly, she changed her tune.


    "Even with just your Phoenix Formation and Sparrow Formation, you''re already incredibly formidable! You don''t need to seek more power!"


    Her praise was genuine. Those formations, paired with Harpie Ladies, had truly pushed them to their full potential and made the duel a tough challenge. Evaluating purely on skill¡­


    [Duelist Level Assessment Complete: Duelist Mai Valentine, Level A+. Duplicate level rewards deducted. Issuing Saint Quartz: 25 pieces. Current Saint Quartz total: 25 pieces.]


    "So she''s reached the same A+ level as Pegasus, huh? At this rate, she could be the protagonist of another series." But Hoshino sighed, feeling let down. "The rewards are too stingy¡­"


    Ordinarily, an A+ duel would grant 70 Saint Quartz, but since she had already dueled Mai before, she only received a fraction of that amount.


    "At this rate, when am I ever going to gather enough Quartz to summon Mama Raikou back to Chaldea¡­?"


    However, in the next moment, a system notification reignited her hope.


    [Detected: Duelist No. 001, Hoshino Chiyuki, has defeated The Seal of Orichalcos. Issuing double Saint Quartz rewards. Remaining Saint Quartz: 95 pieces.]


    "Double rewards?!" Hoshino''s heart pounded as she did the math. "An A+ rank duel gives 70 Quartz, and doubled, that''s 140! Even after deducting the previous 45, I still have 95 left!"


    The sudden windfall nearly made her scream in joy, though the current atmosphere wasn''t exactly appropriate for celebrating.


    But realizing she was just 5 Quartz away from summoning Mama Raikou¡­


    Noticing Hoshino''s trembling shoulders and the barely contained grin on her face, Mai sighed deeply, turned on her heel, and walked away coldly. "I''m going to rest."


    "Did I¡­ make Mai mad again?" Hoshino muttered, frozen in place. She recalled their first duel¡ªback then, her inability to hide her excitement over earning Saint Quartz had also seemed to hit a nerve.


    History, it seemed, had repeated itself.


    "Mai, about Jonouchi¡­" Watching Mai''s cold silhouette fade into the distance, Valon sighed. Given her current state of mind, it didn''t seem like she''d be giving up on him anytime soon.


    The two exchanged helpless glances before Dartz shrugged. "Well, let''s head back. If we hurry, we might catch the end of Rafael''s duel with Yugi."


    But Hoshino shook her head furiously. "I''d rather face Mai''s icy stare than ride back on your bike."


    That earlier motorcycle ride had completely drained her courage for another round. Besides, no matter how skilled Rafael was, Hoshino didn''t believe he could defeat Yugi.


    "Idiot, there''s no way we''d make it back in time on a bike. We''re taking¡­" Valon smirked mysteriously, pointing to the sky.


    Just then, the sound of massive rotor blades approached.


    "¡­a helicopter!"


    (***)


    Valley of the Kings


    Leaning lazily against the helicopter window, Hoshino glanced down, relieved that¡ªunlike Natsu from Fairy Tail¡ªshe wasn''t prone to motion sickness. The noise was loud, but it was leagues better than Valon''s reckless motorcycle ride.


    "We''re almost there!" Valon pointed ahead, where the familiar green glow of The Seal of Orichalcos shimmered in the distance.


    "So they''ve activated a barrier¡­ I guess it''s inevitable if they''re targeting Yugi''s soul. That means after this duel, one of them¡ªYugi or Rafael¡ªwill lose their soul."


    As the helicopter drew closer, Hoshino once again felt the oppressive, domineering energy of the dark seal. Although Rafael seemed like a good person, she could only hope Yugi wouldn''t lose.


    The helicopter''s landing didn''t interrupt the ongoing duel. Rafael merely spared them a brief glance before returning his focus, drawing a card from his Duel Disk.


    "Let''s head down and give Rafael some moral support!" Valon, satisfied that they had arrived just in time, gestured for Hoshino to follow before leaping decisively from the helicopter.


    "Wait¡ª" Hoshino stiffened, panicking. Even though she was technically undercover within Doma, her sudden reappearance¡ªleaping from a helicopter alongside Doma''s forces¡ªwas bound to be wildly misunderstood.


    A sudden idea struck her as she noticed a military helmet left nearby.


    "Alright¡­ here goes!"


    With some effort, Hoshino donned the oversized helmet. On her petite frame, it looked utterly ridiculous, with her long white hair spilling awkwardly from the ill-fitting headgear. The sight was undeniably amusing, yet it didn''t hinder her movement. Most importantly, it concealed her identity while allowing her to observe the duel.


    "Yo, Yugi! Long time no see!" Valon greeted with a casual salute, tapping his forehead with two fingers.


    Yami Yugi''s brow furrowed slightly. "Doma¡­ It seems Rafael isn''t the only one here."


    Since the trio typically operated as a unit, Yugi instinctively glanced at the third figure descending from the helicopter. However, the petite frame and long white hair spilling out from the comically large helmet looked nothing like Alister.


    His eyes narrowed in realization.


    "¡­Hoshino?! Why are you here?"


    "Wait, you recognized me?!"


    Hoshino angrily tore off the utterly useless helmet from her head. "I can''t believe I got recognized! All those times Superman became unrecognizable just by wearing glasses? Lies, all lies!"


    Yugi''s mouth twitched slightly. While he had identified Hoshino with ease, her sudden appearance was completely unexpected, and he couldn''t make sense of her motives.


    But as Hoshino removed the helmet, she noticed something even stranger¡ªthe faint green mark she had seen earlier was now etched onto Yugi''s furrowed brow.


    "Why is Yugi using the Seal of Orichalcos?!" Startled, she blurted out, her gaze shifting to the field, where Dark Magician Girl stood with the same Orichalcos symbol imprinted on her forehead.


    Ending his turn, Rafael smugly answered her question. "So, the great Pharaoh of legend is only capable of this much¡ªsuccumbing to the darkness by willingly using the magic card Exchange to place The Seal of Orichalcos into his own hands¡­ and then playing it himself."


    Hoshino still couldn''t piece it together. "Giving him the Seal means losing the support of its immense power. Wouldn''t that put you at a disadvantage, Rafael?"


    Valon, wearing a slightly awkward expression, interjected, "Hoshino, even though we''re both part of Doma, I gotta admit¡ªRafael''s strength is leagues above mine or Alister''s. He''s never relied on the Seal to defeat his opponents. Instead, he focuses on listening to the voices of his Duel Spirits."


    "The Seal of Orichalcos is something I can take or leave. But you, Pharaoh¡ªyou''re different!" Rafael, having ended his turn, pointed dramatically at Yugi.


    "The Legendary Dragons are fundamentally incompatible with the Orichalcos! By playing The Seal of Orichalcos, you''ve banished their power from the field. And the Legendary Dragons were the only thing I feared. Now, you have no chance of defeating me!"


    As his turn began, Yugi''s expression twisted into the same desperate craving for victory that Hoshino had just seen on Mai''s face when she played the Seal. Even Yugi wasn''t immune to its influence.


    "My turn! Draw! Rafael, if you have time to preach, you should focus on your dwindling, flickering Life Points instead!"


    [Rafael LP: 800]


    [Yugi LP: 4000]


    "With one more use of Catapult Turtle, your Life Points are done for!"


    [Catapult Turtle¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 5)][WATER][Aqua/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]


    [Effect: Once per turn: You can Tribute 1 monster; inflict damage to your opponent equal to half the Tributed monster''s ATK on the field.]


    "I''ll tribute Dark Magician Girl to deal damage equal to half her ATK!"


    [Dark Magician Girl ATK 2800]


    [Orichalcos boost: +500, Bonus for Graveyard Magicians: +300]


    The Dark Magician Girl turned to face her master, shock and disbelief written across her face, as though she couldn''t believe Yugi would make such a decision.


    "Wait, you''re launching Dark Magician Girl? Isn''t that a bit cruel, Yugi?" Hoshino exclaimed. To her, Dark Magician Girl was undoubtedly the No. 1 monster in terms of cuteness and charm. Using such a lovely creature as a projectile was too much to stomach.


    "Let''s finish this, Dark Magician Girl! We''re just one step away from victory!" At Yugi''s urging, the petite sorceress reluctantly stepped onto the firing platform of Catapult Turtle.


    Her delicate feet scraped against the launch pad as the turtle''s cannon activated, firing her diminutive form straight at Rafael. She transformed into a streak of energy, locking onto him with pinpoint precision.


    "Yugi, by relying on Catapult Turtle to chip away at my Life Points over and over again¡­ Have you not heard the cries of your Duel Monsters?" Rafael shouted, spreading his arms wide to meet the incoming attack. At the same time, he activated his set card.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Shrink]! I target your Dark Magician Girl, halving her ATK! This also halves the damage I take!" (Anime Effect)


    Even though her ATK was reduced, the sheer impact of the Seal-enhanced attack still struck Rafael, sending his massive frame stumbling backward. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Rafael LP: 800 ¡ú 100]


    "You''re doomed now, Pharaoh!" Rafael, struggling to his feet, glanced at his remaining 100 LP and exhaled a long breath of relief.


    Hoshino sensed disaster. "Yugi, you''re setting up such an obvious death flag here¡ªyou''re practically asking to lose!"


    The battlefield grew increasingly grim as Yugi continued sacrificing his monsters with Catapult Turtle, leaving only the lone Catapult Turtle in Defense Position. The only small consolation was that his Life Points remained untouched.


    Gritting his teeth, Yugi said, "As long as I draw a monster next turn, I can still win! Turn end!"


    "There is no next turn, Pharaoh!" Rafael shouted as he drew his card, his voice brimming with confidence. "I activate the Equip Spell [Celestial Sword ¨C Eatos]!"


    Though Rafael activated an Equip Spell, the silver-white sacred sword didn''t attach to any monster. Instead, it descended from the heavens and plunged into the rocky ground.


    "This is the call of the Duel Spirits! I can hear their voices, and we will fight together! I activate the effect of [Guardian Eatos] in my hand! When Celestial Sword ¨C Eatos is on my field, I can Special Summon this card!"


    [Guardian Eatos¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 8)][WIND][Fairy/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    With an eagle headpiece adorning her, Guardian Eatos appeared on the field, grasping the sacred sword embedded in the earth.


    "I activate Guardian Eatos'' effect! By destroying Celestial Sword ¨C Eatos, I can banish cards from the top of your Graveyard until a non-monster is revealed. For each monster banished, Guardian Eatos gains their combined ATK!"


    Yugi''s expression darkened. "Banish cards from my Graveyard until a non-monster is revealed?! This is bad!"


    Rafael continued mercilessly. "Pharaoh, the sorrowful spirits of the monsters you sacrificed to Catapult Turtle will now empower my sacred sword and exact their vengeance!"


    [Dark Magician Girl ¨C Banished]


    [Dark Magician ¨C Banished]


    [Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast ¨C Banished]


    [Gaia The Fierce Knight ¨C Banished]


    "Guardian Eatos gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of the banished monsters!"


    [Guardian Eatos ATK 2500 ¡ú 11400]


    Rafael drew his final card. "It''s over, Pharaoh! I activate the Spell Card [Stop Defense]! This forces your Catapult Turtle into Attack Position!"


    [Catapult Turtle ATK 1000]


    Infused with the anguished spirits of Yugi''s monsters, the sacred sword came crashing down with devastating force, shattering Catapult Turtle and piercing Yugi''s soul.


    [Yugi LP: 4000 ¡ú 0]


    Hoshino''s crimson eyes trembled in disbelief. "No way¡­ Yugi actually¡­ lost."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 300 - 300

    "It''s unbelievable! He really defeated Yugi? Is Rafael really that strong?" S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A reversal kill with over 10,000 attack points¡ªdespite all the flags being raised¡ªit felt like Yugi would print a Mirror Force from his Duel Disk at the last moment.


    However, reality was undeniable. Without that Mirror Force, Yugi, now lost to Doma, had indeed lost this duel.


    With the duel concluded, the green glow of the Orichalcos field shrank, and the massive Orichalcos symbol carved into the ground began to compress, encasing the stunned Yugi in its light.


    Seeing the bizarre scene before her, Hoshino gradually emerged from the shock of the duel''s result, realizing something even more dire¡ªYugi, having lost within the Orichalcos field, would have his soul sealed and sacrificed to the Orichalcos God.


    And this Orichalcos God wasn''t just some false deity¡ªit was the genuine guardian god of Atlantis.


    "Pharaoh, accept the punishment of your defeat and offer your lost soul to Orichalcos!" Rafael closed his Duel Disk and drew out the Field Spell The Seal of Orichalcos from its hidden compartment.


    "Partner, don''t give up now. We still have a chance!" As the green light surrounded them, Yugi, in his soul form, shoved the paralyzed Pharaoh aside at the last second, taking his place in the center of the Orichalcos field.


    The change happened in an instant, and it seemed no one noticed¡ªexcept the Pharaoh himself.


    "Partner! You¡­"


    In Rafael''s hand, the Seal of Orichalcos card now displayed the iconic spiky-haired boy. Much like how Pegasus sealed souls using the Millennium Eye, the soul trapped by the Orichalcos field appeared on the card.


    Mission accomplished, Rafael looked at the card in his hand with a satisfied smile.


    "Yugi! Are you okay?" On the opposite side of the gorge, Jonouchi and the others finally arrived, shouting anxiously.


    Across the chasm, they saw Yugi kneeling motionlessly on the ground, triggering a wave of dread in Anzu.


    "Yugi? No way¡­"


    Rafael shouted toward Jonouchi and the others on the other side, "Yugi has been defeated! Even if you take him back, all that remains is an empty shell without a soul."


    Jonouchi''s eyes widened in disbelief. "There''s no way Yugi would!"


    Beside him, Valon glared with hostility. "Jonouchi, you''re next! I swear on my pride as a man¡ªI''ll defeat you!"


    "Let''s go, Valon, Hoshino. It''s time to leave." Paying no attention to Jonouchi and the others, Rafael held up the soul-sealing card and turned decisively to head for the helicopter.


    Hearing Rafael''s words, Jonouchi and the others turned their gaze sharply, finally noticing the familiar figure of a girl standing beside Valon.


    "What? That''s Hoshino! Why is she with Doma?"


    Why, indeed? It was purely an incredibly tragic coincidence.


    Hoshino hesitated. With both Yugi and Jonouchi present, this would have been the perfect opportunity to reveal her undercover identity and leave Doma.


    But just moments ago, when Rafael waved the card sealing Yugi''s soul, Hoshino''s eyes had caught something. The person imprinted on the Seal of Orichalcos card wasn''t the Pharaoh¡ªit was the harmless, kind Yugi she usually knew.


    "So that''s it. Yugi, you sacrificed your soul to save the Pharaoh?"


    Understanding the truth, Hoshino''s expression turned melancholic.


    "That really is something the gentle Yugi would do."


    Though it was just daily life, that ordinary Yugi¡ªhelping out at Kame Game Shop, walking to and from school together, sharing dinner prepared by Grandpa Sugoroku¡ªwas a truly kind and strong duelist.


    Suppressing her sorrow, Hoshino glanced at her distant friends but followed Rafael and Valon onto the helicopter.


    "Sorry, Jonouchi, Anzu, Honda. It seems my ''undercover'' mission isn''t over yet."


    As the loud sound of helicopter rotors filled the air, the aircraft carrying Hoshino, Rafael, and Valon rose slowly, leaving behind the motionless Pharaoh still kneeling on the wide rocky platform.


    "Other Yugi¡­" Watching from the helicopter''s window, Hoshino made a silent promise in her heart.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure to get your soul back."


    "I didn''t expect it to be this easy to win, Rafael!" Leaving the Valley of the Kings, Valon patted Rafael''s broad shoulder in praise.


    Rafael calmly glanced at his watch. "It was indeed faster than planned. Judging by the time, Alister must''ve just begun dueling Kaiba. But you two disappeared for a while¡ªwhere did you go?"


    "Uh¡­" Put on the spot, both Valon and Hoshino awkwardly scratched their cheeks in sync.


    As part of Doma, their job wasn''t just to cheer from the sidelines. If Rafael had lost to Yugi, either Valon or Hoshino would''ve been required to step in immediately.


    "Well, well, since you''ve already won, it doesn''t really matter where we went!" Valon, too lazy to make up an excuse, gave Rafael another hearty slap on the shoulder.


    "So, are we heading back to the island or going to find Alister?"


    Rafael thought for a few seconds before answering, "To be safe, I suggest delivering the Pharaoh''s soul to the ritual platform first. Also, Lord Dartz, who exhausted himself in the last ceremony, should have awakened by now."


    "Spit¡ª!" Hoshino, who had just taken a sip of soda from the helicopter''s fridge, sprayed it out completely.


    If Dartz had really woken up after being run over, her entire cover might soon be blown.


    Covered in a spray of soda, Valon shot Hoshino a disgusted look. "Gross, Hoshino! Stop spitting everywhere! My clothes are all sticky now."


    Wiping the corners of her mouth where soda still dripped, Hoshino''s eyes darted quickly in thought.


    "I think we should go find Alister first to make sure he can defeat Kaiba. That way, that loser Jounouchi won''t pose any threat."


    Sorry, Jounouchi. I don''t mean to look down on you... but if I meet Dartz now, I might trigger the boss fight too early.


    "Hmph. I still don''t understand why Mai is so hung up on someone as pathetic as Jounouchi. She must''ve been tricked by him," Valon added, seizing the chance to badmouth his rival now that Hoshino had started.


    Rafael, deep in thought, muttered, "Hoshino''s suggestion isn''t without merit. Although Alister is strong, his previous duel against Kaiba ended in a draw. Fully mastering the power of the Legendary Dragon... who knows how strong Kaiba could become?"


    Valon scoffed. "Are you saying Alister might lose? But didn''t Hoshino just say earlier that Kaiba is no match for Alister?"


    Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly. "Huh? Did I really say something so irresponsible before?"


    [Flashback to an irresponsible statement: "I think with Alister''s strength, he shouldn''t lose to Kaiba. So, to be safe, I''ll go with you two to deal with Yugi and Jounouchi."]


    That was then!


    Back then, I had to choose between snarky Kaiba and my friends. Now, it''s between Dartz and snarky Kaiba. No matter how irritating Kaiba is, he''s still a better choice than Dartz under a car wheel... right?


    "Anyway, let''s check in on Alister first. Otherwise, if we head back now, we''ll look too indifferent. After all, a family should stick together, right?"


    Rafael froze for a moment before a rare smile formed on his lips. "Heh, you''re quite interesting, Hoshino. But you''re right. In a sense, our organization, Doma, is like a family. And we are no exception."


    Seeing Rafael''s improved mood, Valon chimed in cheerfully, "Alright then! I''ll locate the flight Kaiba took to America right now!"


    Hoshino raised a brow. "A flight? Didn''t you say Alister already dueled Kaiba? Why is he still on a plane?"


    While fiddling with his equipment to pinpoint Kaiba''s location, Valon replied, "Since Doma orchestrated a takeover of KaibaCorp, all of Kaiba''s signature eccentric vehicles are out of commission."


    Hoshino''s mouth twitched. "Those vehicles... you mean things like the Blue-Eyes White Dragon jet and his helicopter, right?"


    "Exactly. So, the only way Kaiba can reach HQ in the U.S. is by taking a regular commercial flight. Of course, what Kaiba doesn''t know is that Doma has already chartered every available flight."


    "Wait... you''ve chartered every commercial plane? No, hold on. You took over KaibaCorp just to force him onto a passenger plane? That''s way too extravagant just for a duel!"


    At that moment, Hoshino once again realized just how obscenely wealthy Doma was¡ªand how recklessly Dartz squandered his resources.


    Rafael explained, "We must ensure that Kaiba has no way to escape. Being prepared for every eventuality is how Doma operates."


    "Kaiba''s such a duel addict. Even if you told him to run, he wouldn''t. What you''re doing is basically playing chess against yourself," Hoshino muttered, but she kept her thoughts to herself. It wasn''t her money, after all.


    (***)


    Above California¡ª


    "W(©b§¥©b)w?" Hoshino''s current expression said it all.


    As they reached the coordinates Valon had tracked, the trio peered out of the helicopter''s windows to observe the Doma-controlled flight. On top of the plane, Kaiba and Alister were locked in a heated duel.


    "Let me ask one thing... those two..." Hoshino''s mouth hung open as she pointed at Kaiba and Alister. "How are they dueling on top of the plane?!"


    Not inside the cabin¡ªon the very top of the plane, duel disks activated, Kaiba and Alister faced off within the Seal of Orichalcos.


    Normal people can''t pull this off, right? This is a moving airplane! Even if Doma slowed it down a little, dueling on the roof is insane! And how did they even get up there?!


    Valon waved dismissively, wearing a "this is standard stuff" expression. "Once the Orichalcos is activated, if the surrounding space doesn''t meet the requirements, it automatically relocates the duelists to a suitable arena."


    So, the Orichalcos decided that the best space for a duel... was the plane''s roof? What kind of idiotic card is this?!


    Rafael interrupted with a serious tone. "Alister''s about to win! Kaiba has no way to fight back."


    On Alister''s field, two revived monsters burned the battlefield: Fire King High Avatar Garunix, which destroys all monsters upon revival, and Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, which wipes out all Spells and Traps. Only the Orichalcos, immune to destruction effects, remained on the field.


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix ATK 2700 ¡ú 3200]


    [Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys ATK 2400 ¡ú 2900]


    [Alister LP: 4000] [Seto Kaiba LP: 4000]


    At the start of his turn, Alister prepared to attack. "Kaiba, the moment of my revenge has finally arrived. You''ve accepted the sins of Kaiba Gozaburo¡ªnow taste the flames of my hatred! Phoenix, direct attack!"


    Surrounded by flames and suspended between sky and plane, Alister''s vengeful fire surged toward Kaiba. The explosive force knocked Kaiba into the Seal''s wall, hitting him hard.


    [Seto Kaiba LP 4000 ¡ú 1100]


    Hoshino held her breath. "No way... is even Kaiba going to lose?"


    If Kaiba followed Yugi in defeat, it would mean no one could beat Doma. And unlike Yugi, Kaiba didn''t have an alternate soul willing to sacrifice itself for him.


    "This ends here! At last, I can avenge my brother, who was killed by war and KaibaCorp! Finish him, Garunix!"


    As if sensing Alister''s seething rage, Garunix''s flames burned hotter than ever.


    "You''re so childish." For the first time since being slammed into the wall, Kaiba spoke, his tone ice-cold. "This is why someone like you has no business competing with me."


    "The person you should really blame is the one who failed to protect your brother¡ªyourself! If it were me, I would have sacrificed my life to protect Mokuba!"


    "Someone like me... couldn''t have done anything in a war that brutal! I was just an ordinary civilian!"


    "That''s why I climbed to the top¡ªso that no one could ever harm Mokuba again! That''s the difference between us. And it''s also why you will never defeat me!"


    Raising his arm with great difficulty, Kaiba activated the searing-hot duel disk on his arm.


    "¡ªI activate the effect of [Necro Gardna] from my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can nullify one attack this turn!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 301 - 301

    "I activate the effect of [Necro Gardna] from my Graveyard! By banishing it, I can nullify one attack this turn!"


    [Seto Kaiba LP: 1100]


    Kaiba barely managed to block the lethal flames, staggering back into position before he could be blown away. His voice remained steady, filled with absolute resolve. "I will never lose to someone who couldn''t even protect their own brother."


    Always one to strike where it hurt the most, Kaiba''s words cut deep, mercilessly targeting Alister''s deepest pain.


    Alister clenched his teeth so hard it seemed they might crack. "You barely managed to block one attack, with no monsters on your field, and you still dare to talk big?"


    "That''s the difference between us¡ªwe''re on entirely different levels!" Kaiba interrupted, drawing a card from his Duel Disk. "This duel ends here and now, with me and my Blue-Eyes White Dragon securing victory!"


    "He... He''s forcing the turn to end?!"


    Hoshino pressed her face against the helicopter window, eyes wide with anticipation. She needed to see how this duel would unfold. If Kaiba truly could turn things around, then teaming up with him later to take down Doma and reclaim Yugi''s soul might actually be possible.


    "From my hand, I activate [Card of Demise]! This lets me draw until I have five cards!"


    Step one of the comeback: card draw mastery.


    With nothing left on his field or in his hand, Kaiba dramatically activated the game-changing spell.


    After replenishing his hand with five new cards, his smirk grew more confident. "Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Silver''s Cry]! This lets me target one Normal Dragon-Type monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it!"


    A deafening roar echoed through the sky as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon materialized atop the plane, its massive form making the passenger aircraft seem like a mere toy.


    "The monster I summon is, of course, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ATK: 3000]


    Hoshino muttered under her breath, "This guy... It''s been just a few days since I last saw him, and he''s already figured out a new way to summon his Blue-Eyes. Seriously, who''s really printing these cards? Pegasus or him?"


    Alister sneered coldly. "Your Blue-Eyes White Dragon may be powerful, but it''s still no match for my Fire King High Avatar Garunix, empowered by the Orichalcos!"


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix ATK: 3200]


    "Is that so? Then what if I add this card to the mix?" Kaiba revealed two more cards from his hand. The Seal of Orichalcos flickered ominously, as if sensing the power about to be unleashed.


    "[The Fang of Critias]! Combined with the Trap Card [Tyrant Wing]! I fuse these two cards to awaken the true power that lies within!"


    As the Seal trembled, a new dragon descended onto the battlefield, merging with the Tyrant Wing to form a powerful new entity.


    "¡ªSpecial Summon! [Tyrant Burst Dragon]!"


    A majestic dragon with radiant golden wings materialized, its aura overwhelming.


    [Tyrant Burst Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2900/DEF 2500]


    "So this is a Legendary Dragon, huh? My first time seeing one up close~" Hoshino, captivated by its form and incredible effect, couldn''t tear her eyes away.


    Despite momentarily being awestruck, Alister remained defiant. "Even if it''s a Legendary Dragon, its Attack Points still don''t surpass my Garunix!"


    "I already told you, I''ll use my Blue-Eyes to shatter your childish revenge!" Kaiba declared, pointing dramatically. "Tyrant Burst Dragon''s effect allows it to equip itself to a Dragon on my field, increasing its Attack Points by 400!"


    Both dragons roared in unison, their sheer presence overwhelming Alister''s flaming beasts. Tyrant Burst Dragon transformed into an enormous pair of wings, equipping itself onto the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ATK: 3000 ¡ú 3400]


    "Now my Blue-Eyes surpasses your monster!"


    The Blue-Eyes, now empowered by Tyrant Burst Wings, dominated the battlefield, its size and power eclipsing the flames below.


    "Attack, Blue-Eyes! Deliver the decisive blow!" Kaiba commanded.


    "¡ªTyrant Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    A devastating energy blast obliterated Garunix, consuming it in blinding white light.


    "Futile, Kaiba! Even if Garunix is destroyed, it will revive and summon another Fire King from my Deck! My Life Points are still far from depleted!"


    Alister was confident his monster''s cycle of resurrection would stall Kaiba out.


    "Hmph!" Kaiba sneered, his coat flaring dramatically in the wind. "Who said I destroyed your Garunix? If it''s going to revive endlessly, I might as well leave it stuck on the field forever!"


    "What?!"


    As the light faded, Garunix remained, battered but undestroyed.


    Kaiba revealed two cards. "I activate the Equip Spell [Mist Body]! The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle! And I also activate the Quick-Play Spell [Shrink]! This halves the Attack Points of one monster!"


    [Fire King High Avatar Garunix ATK: 3200 ¡ú 1600]


    "Even if it can''t be destroyed, battle damage is still calculated! Now your monster is stuck on the field, serving as the perfect target for my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    [Alister LP: 4000 ¡ú 2200]


    "I''ll make your Garunix truly ''undying''! But eternal life comes with eternal pain!" Kaiba taunted.


    With his Blue-Eyes still radiating power, Kaiba continued. "Tyrant Burst Dragon''s special ability allows the equipped monster to attack three times during the same Battle Phase!"


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Launch your second attack! Tyrant Burst Stream of Destruction!!"


    [Alister LP: 2200 ¡ú 400]


    "Once more! Tyrant Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    [Alister LP: 400 ¡ú 0]


    The duel ended in a spectacular display of power.


    [Duel Winner: Seto Kaiba]


    "So, he actually managed to turn the tables? Are the effects of these Legendary Dragons really that overpowered?"


    Seeing the Legendary Dragon''s effect for the first time, Hoshino was completely stunned. If you could just draw a random card and fuse it with The Fang of Critias to create something so powerful, then forget the Orichalcos barrier¡ªeven the three Egyptian God Cards might not stand a chance.


    "Damn it, I want to be a chosen Duelist too!" Thinking this, Hoshino hugged Lemon and gave it a couple of licks for comfort.


    The collapsing Seal of Orichalcos constricted around Alister''s body, just as it had when Yugi lost his duel against Rafael. Even as its wielder, Alister''s soul was now doomed to be sealed within the Orichalcos.


    Wait, the Seal is gone, but they''re still standing on top of the plane! Is this really okay?!


    Valon and Rafael exchanged a tense glance. "This is bad. I can''t believe Alister actually lost. It''s a good thing we came to check things out."


    Kaiba, as indifferent as ever to the fate of a sealed soul, turned his back on the duel without a second thought after securing victory.


    "Hmph, Kaiba. Do you really think you''ll walk away from here alive, even after winning this duel?" With the last shred of his consciousness, Alister sneered at Kaiba''s back.


    Honestly? I doubt it. Hoshino certainly couldn''t see any way for Kaiba to get off the top of the plane safely.


    Boom!


    A sudden explosion¡ªone with enough force to feel utterly real¡ªshook the plane violently. It wasn''t a mere duel effect. The shockwave nearly sent Kaiba plummeting thousands of meters through the sky.


    "I''ve finally avenged you, brother..." Alister muttered, discarding his Orichalcos Duel Disk. His eyes, now devoid of light, marked the sealing of his soul.


    From their helicopter, the trio of Valon, Rafael, and Hoshino saw smoke billowing from the airplane cabin. It dawned on them that Alister''s so-called resolve hadn''t been mere talk.


    "He never intended to come back alive, did he?!"


    The pre-set explosives ensured that, win or lose, both Alister and Kaiba would perish together in this sky-high duel. The unexpected development left Hoshino and the others completely unprepared.


    And no one was more caught off guard than Kaiba, who struggled to maintain his balance on the violently shaking plane.


    "Damn it! If you want to die, don''t drag others into it!" Kaiba gritted his teeth, but even he had no immediate solution.


    "That fool acted on his own!" Rafael growled, visibly angered. "Even if his soul is sealed, destroying his body too means there''s no way to bring him back!"


    As Rafael had previously said, despite their use of dark powers, the bond among Doma was as real as family. Watching a comrade sacrifice himself was not something he could accept.


    "What do we do, Rafael? You''re the one with the invincible Card Spirits! Think of something!" Valon exclaimed anxiously.


    But Rafael was just as helpless as Kaiba. Even with the power of Cards, stopping an entire falling airplane was beyond their capabilities.


    "Roarrr!" sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Blue-Eyes White Dragon, still equipped with the Tyrant Burst Wings, let out a deafening roar. Even though the duel had ended, the dragon, seemingly possessing a will of its own, began to act.


    "Blue-Eyes... you...!" Kaiba''s eyes widened in shock as he watched his dragon desperately grip the wing of the plane, trying to hold it steady.


    "How is this even possible? This doesn''t make sense..."


    "Kaiba, is now really the time to talk about science?!" Hoshino yelled, completely exasperated as she opened the helicopter door.


    "Hoshino? What are you doing here?" Kaiba asked, looking up at the windswept figure of the girl, her hair whipping wildly in the high-altitude breeze.


    Even Valon was startled by her sudden action. "Hey, Hoshino, what are you doing? Don''t fall out!"


    "The Blue-Eyes'' strength is too focused¡ªit''ll crush the plane!" Rafael shouted, observing how the dragon''s claws were digging into the wing, threatening to tear it apart.


    "That''s why I''m coming up with a solution!" Hoshino yelled back, activating her own Duel Disk. The energy from her cards began to resonate with the Tyrant-equipped Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "Summon¡ªEnkidu, Goldy!"


    Slamming two cards onto her Duel Disk, Hoshino materialized two glowing figures¡ªone green, one golden¡ªbeside her in mid-air.


    "Mongrel! How many times must I tell you not to call me that?!"


    "Master, I and Gilgamesh have arrived at your command," the green-haired Enkidu said, smiling calmly as always.


    "Enkidu, you''re such a natural at this! Look, you''ve already made Gilgamesh turn as green as your hair!" Hoshino teased with a laugh.


    Enkidu''s smile twitched, and he replied, "Master, you''re just as much a natural at provoking him, you know."


    "You really can summon Card Spirits..." Rafael muttered, no longer even surprised as he watched Hoshino''s new allies appear.


    Gilgamesh crossed his arms and turned his crimson gaze away disdainfully. "Is this really the time for idle banter? If we don''t act now, there won''t be anything left to save."


    "Goldy and Enkidu! I''m counting on you!"


    "Stop calling me that, mongrel!" Despite his anger, Gilgamesh allowed himself to be pulled into action by Enkidu''s calm demeanor.


    "Let''s go, Gil! You know what to do!"


    "Of course! Such a trivial task could never trouble the King!"


    As they fell through the air, Enkidu and Gilgamesh exchanged a brief glance of understanding before unleashing their magic.


    Chains shot forth from the heavens, intertwining in a dazzling web of metal. The sound of clashing links rang out as the chains locked onto the airplane''s frame and connected to the Tyrant-equipped Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    "So that''s their plan¡ªto harness the Blue-Eyes'' power to hold the plane aloft!" Valon realized, his eyes lighting up in understanding.


    With the Blue-Eyes'' immense strength now redirected through the chains, the plane''s descent slowed significantly.


    "¡ªHoshino!" Kaiba shouted, regaining his composure as he realized the situation. The chains extended upward, stabilizing the plane and giving him a brief moment of relief.


    Seeing the falling plane finally stop, Hoshino pushed off the helicopter with both feet, leaping into the air. "Goldy, catch me!"


    Sorry, but I''m switching to the other side now!


    (*****)


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 Chapter 302 - 302

    "Goldy, catch me!"


    Deciding to defect on the spot, Hoshino took a leap of faith directly from the helicopter, leaving Valon and Rafael nearly frozen in shock.


    "This mongrel''s guts just keep growing," Gilgamesh muttered, but he still extended the Chains of Heaven, catching the free-falling Hoshino and pulling her safely into his arms.


    Thus, Hoshino landed on the plane''s roof in Gilgamesh''s princess carry. Grinning, she flashed a V-sign at Kaiba while baring her teeth.


    "Quite the grand re-entrance, huh? Looks fancy, doesn''t it?"


    Kaiba, still reeling from the series of shocking events, blurted out the question Hoshino was thoroughly sick of hearing by now.


    "Why are you here?"


    Jumping down from Gilgamesh''s arms, Hoshino gave Kaiba an exasperated look.


    "Why am I here? Why am I here? Always the same damn question! Can''t you ask something easier for me to answer? If I weren''t here, you''d already be light particles by now, got it?"


    Kaiba, momentarily stunned by Hoshino''s sudden outburst, found himself at a loss for words.


    . .. ...


    Two minutes later, the powerless plane finally landed safely, thanks to Blue-Eyes'' Herculean efforts. The Doma helicopter landed alongside it.


    "You actually jumped onto the plane? That''s gutsy, Hoshino! Are you really that eager to avenge Alister?" Valon exclaimed, having followed closely behind.


    Meanwhile, Rafael immediately located the card containing Alister''s sealed soul, which had been discarded midair.


    Midair. And he found it. Does this guy live life in cheat mode or what?


    "Valon, stay back," Rafael said cautiously, carefully pocketing the card.


    Hoshino, hands on her hips, smiled at Rafael''s wariness.


    "As expected of the eldest of Doma. You''re sharp."


    "I must thank you for saving Alister''s body¡ªthat much is undeniable. But Hoshino, are you a friend or a foe?"


    Valon looked baffled.


    "Huh? What do you mean? Hoshino''s not under Orichalcos control¡­"


    "Valon, you''re as much of a blockhead as Jonouchi."


    Hoshino, while feeling a little guilty for deceiving such a simple soul, had to admit it had its advantages.


    "Depending on your answer, even the identity of the so-called God will need to be reassessed." The overwhelming divine power they had felt before hadn''t left room for suspicion at the time.


    "Tell Dartz I''m sorry¡ªit was all a tragic accident. If his face got damaged from the wheel running over it, feel free to bill KaibaCorp for cosmetic surgery. Oh, wait, Doma isn''t strapped for cash, are they~?"


    Her teasing tone left no doubt about where she stood.


    Rafael''s frown deepened.


    "So you''re aligned with KaibaCorp after all! That explains why you went all-out to save Kaiba."


    "Nope, I''m not aligned with KaibaCorp either¡ª" Hoshino struck what she considered a cool pose.


    "I stand for light and justice!"


    Kaiba sighed, his exhaustion clear in his tone.


    "Whatever happened, just don''t underestimate her."


    Now that her stance and situation were clear, Rafael responded seriously,


    "Even if you deceived us, it''s true you saved Alister, and you didn''t harm Doma. I won''t hold this betrayal¡ªno, this deception¡ªagainst you. As long as you don''t hinder Doma."


    This had been Hoshino''s main concern: whether her exposure would lead to Doma hunting her relentlessly. Rafael''s principled and fair approach seemed to offer reassurance.


    But she wasn''t here to reconcile¡ªshe was here to reclaim Yugi''s soul.


    "No harm? Can you still say that after seeing this?" Hoshino''s grin widened as she pulled three cards from her deck case.


    Rafael and Valon froze in shock.


    "The God Cards?! When did you¡­?"


    "Even with all three Doma present, you let someone snatch the God Cards off your ritual platform. Talk about bad luck! Then again, it''s not stealing if they weren''t yours to begin with. You stole them first!"


    In her hands were the source of so much chaos and calamity: the God Cards. During the ritual, while the Evil God''s oppressive divine power occupied Doma''s focus, Hoshino had discreetly pocketed the cards from the platform.


    Seeing her play her trump card, Rafael''s expression turned grave.


    "So, you''ve been planning to oppose Doma from the very beginning. Consider what I said earlier about ''not pursuing this'' revoked. Those God Cards are critical to Lord Dartz."


    Naturally, Hoshino wouldn''t back down. This was Doma''s strongest member, the one who had defeated Yugi. She would need to go all out.


    "If you want the God Cards back, duel us! And we''ll wager the card containing Yugi''s soul!"


    From Alister''s use of self-destruction tactics to Rafael''s anger and his immediate retrieval of Alister''s soul card, Hoshino was confident¡ªthere was a way to restore souls even after they were sealed.


    Kaiba, still bewildered, interjected,


    "Yugi''s soul card? What in the world is going on here?"


    "I don''t feel like explaining¡ª" Hoshino crossed her arms in an "X" in front of her chest. After all, Kaiba wouldn''t believe in soul-sealing magic anyway.


    "I''ll keep it brief: Yugi lost. To this man right here¡ªRafael got it."


    Kaiba''s jaw dropped, his disbelief etched on his face.


    "Yugi¡­ lost to one of Doma''s?!"


    To him, the idea of Yugi losing was as incomprehensible as magic itself.


    "Exactly, Kaiba. But we haven''t lost yet! There''s still a chance!" Hoshino raised her arm, summoning her duel disk. She glanced meaningfully at Kaiba.


    "This is our best shot to defeat Doma in one fell swoop. Let''s team up for a tag duel, just this once!"


    "Why, Hoshino? Do you want to duel us? Aren''t we allies?"


    In stark contrast to Rafael''s calm acceptance of the situation, Valon still refused to believe Hoshino had turned against them.


    Understanding Valon''s straightforward nature, Rafael sighed softly. "Valon, you should step back. Ever since you forcibly disrupted the seal to rescue Mai, your body hasn''t recovered. Leave this one to me."


    Using the authority to tear apart the seal exacted a heavy toll on the body. That''s why Valon had been delaying his duel with Jonouchi. Despite his usual cheerful demeanor, the pain he endured was likely unimaginable to most.


    "So, you''re going to face the two of us alone?" Hoshino had no intention of playing by the chivalric rules of a one-on-one duel. In a situation where one misstep could lead to irreversible consequences, why not take advantage of a numbers game?


    Kaiba, unsurprisingly, had no objections to teaming up with Hoshino for a duel. "So, he''s the one who defeated Yugi? The strongest of Doma. Let me see your strength for myself."


    [Rafael vs. Hoshino & Kaiba]


    "Duel!"


    Rafael drew his card first. "Since it''s a tag duel, I''ll take the first move! I activate the Continuous Spell [Guarded Treasure]!"


    [Guarded Treasure ¨C Continuous Spell Effect: Activate this card by discarding 5 cards; draw 2 cards. While this card is on the field, draw 2 cards instead of 1 during your Draw Phase.]


    Rafael confidently discarded his remaining five cards. "Thanks to Guarded Treasure, I discard five cards and draw two. Additionally, during each of my Draw Phases, I''ll draw two cards instead of one."


    Hoshino glanced at the glowing Continuous Spell beneath Rafael''s feet. "Exchanging your current hand for future advantage? Feels like a bit of a gamble."


    "Next, I set one monster face-down in Defense Position and place one card face-down. Turn end."


    In the very first turn of the duel, Rafael had used up his entire hand without gaining any immediate field advantage.


    Kaiba sneered. "This man... Did he really defeat Yugi? My turn! Draw! I activate the Ritual Spell [Advanced Ritual Art]!"


    [Advanced Ritual Art ¨C Ritual Spell Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon any 1 Ritual Monster. You must also send Normal Monsters from your Deck to the GY whose total Levels equal the Level of that Ritual Monster.]


    "By using Advanced Ritual Art, I send the Level 4 Normal Monster [Vorse Raider] from my Deck to the Graveyard. Ritual Summon!"


    Kaiba slammed a card onto his Duel Disk. A white glow materialized in front of him. "Come forth, [Paladin of White Dragon]!"


    [White Dragon Paladin¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Dragon/Ritual/Effect][ATK 1900/DEF 1200]


    A knight clad in white armor, riding a miniature Blue-Eyes White Dragon, materialized on Kaiba''s field.


    Kaiba immediately ordered an attack. "Battle! Paladin of White Dragon attacks the face-down Defense Position monster! When this card attacks a face-down Defense Position monster, it destroys it without calculating damage!"


    In this era, monsters summoned in face-down Defense Position often had flip effects. Kaiba''s Paladin of White Dragon perfectly countered such strategies.


    The paladin charged forward, its radiant sword slashing toward Rafael''s face-down card.


    "A splendid calculation, perfectly targeting my set monster. However..." Rafael smirked as his face-down card activated. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Trap Card [Magic Cylinder]! Your attack is negated, and you take damage equal to your attacking monster''s ATK!"


    The paladin''s radiant sword was deflected by the twin cylinders on Rafael''s field, redirecting its energy back toward Kaiba.


    [Hoshino & Kaiba LP: 4000 ¡ú 2100]


    "Kaiba, can you not mess up this early? We''ve already lost half our Life Points before I even got to play!" Hoshino chastised Kaiba mercilessly.


    Kaiba scowled. "Shut up and watch! Paladin of White Dragon''s effect activates. I tribute this card to Special Summon [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] from my hand or Deck!"


    A surge of light replaced the paladin, and the iconic Blue-Eyes White Dragon descended onto Kaiba''s field with a deafening roar.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "However, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon Special Summoned by this effect cannot attack this turn. I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    [Kaiba''s Hand: 2 | Set Cards: 2]


    Glancing at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon on Kaiba''s field, Hoshino shrugged. "Your non-shuffling strategy is slipping. No first-turn Fusion for Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon? Tch, disappointing."


    Of course, it was probably a good thing Kaiba didn''t Fusion Summon the Ultimate Dragon this early. Otherwise, Rafael''s Magic Cylinder would''ve obliterated them.


    "My turn! Draw! Thanks to Guarded Treasure, I draw two cards during my Draw Phase!"


    Rafael replenished his hand to two cards and immediately played them. "I set two cards face-down and Flip Summon [Morphing Jar]!"


    [Morphing Jar Effect: FLIP: Both players discard as many cards as possible from their hands, then each player draws 5 cards.]


    "Due to Morphing Jar''s effect, both players discard their hands and draw five new cards!" Rafael''s hand skyrocketed from zero to five, while Kaiba''s went from two to five. Meanwhile, Hoshino discarded her hand of five cards, forced into a complete reshuffle.


    Hoshino felt the pressure mount. "This guy... With Guarded Treasure still active and now a replenished hand... And Kaiba''s already wasted half our Life Points..."


    "Next, I tribute Morphing Jar to Tribute Summon [Penumbral Soldier Lady]!"


    The grotesque jar shattered, replaced by a golden-haired warrior wielding a sword and shield.


    [Penumbral Soldier Lady¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2100/DEF 1400]


    "I activate the Equip Spell [Butterfly Dagger - Elma], increasing the equipped monster''s ATK by 300!"


    [Penumbral Soldier Lady ATK: 2100 ¡ú 2400]


    "Battle! Penumbral Soldier Lady, attack the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Kaiba frowned. "Even with the Equip Spell, your monster is no match for my Blue-Eyes."


    "The Penumbral Soldier Lady, a symbol of darkness, devours all light! When battling LIGHT monsters, its ATK increases by 1000!"


    [Penumbral Soldier Lady ATK: 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    "Cut down the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 303 - 303

    [Penumbral Soldier Lady ATK: 2400 ¡ú 3400]


    "Cut down the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    With her attack boosted, Penumbral Soldier Lady''s ATK surpassed Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes at the moment of battle.


    "Counter Trap Card¡ª[Negate Attack]! The opposing monster''s attack is negated, and the Battle Phase ends immediately."


    Kaiba activated his set Trap, conjuring a spiraling barrier in front of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, blocking Soldier Lady''s attack.


    "As expected of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it''s not that easy to defeat. Then, Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Soul Reversal]!" Despite his attack being thwarted, Rafael didn''t hesitate, swiftly continuing his strategy.


    [Soul Reversal ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effect: Return 1 Flip Effect Monster from your Graveyard to the top of your Deck.]


    "I''ll never leave the monsters who fight alongside me in the Graveyard. Using Soul Reversal, I return Morphing Jar from my Graveyard to the top of my Deck!"


    "You don''t want to leave your monsters in the Graveyard, huh?" Hoshino muttered, carefully observing Rafael''s duel strategy. "Kaiba, look at his hand. The cards are heavily worn."


    Kaiba, arms crossed, nodded. "Indeed, it looks like these monster cards have been in use for a long time."


    Hearing their discussion, Rafael held up his card. "Although my cards are worn due to time, I''ve re-backed them so there''s no possibility of cheating by observing wear and tear."


    Rafael''s righteous, almost naive personality made it hard for Hoshino to dislike him. "I can see how much you treasure your monsters. But carrying such concerns into a duel might just hinder you."


    "No worries." Rafael smiled confidently. "These monsters are my comrades who stood by me during my darkest times, especially during those three solitary years on the island. The bonds I share with them define my dueling style."


    "This guy''s dangerous..." Hoshino thought, feeling uneasy. Rafael''s demeanor resembled that of a shonen protagonist¡ªalways a sign of a formidable opponent.


    "Since my attack was blocked, I''ll activate the Spell Card¡ª[Reinforcement of the Army], then end my turn."


    [Reinforcement of the Army ¨C Spell Card Effect: Add 1 Level 4 or lower Warrior monster from your Deck to your hand.]


    Using Reinforcement, Rafael added a Warrior-type monster to his hand and shuffled his deck, ensuring he wouldn''t draw Morphing Jar next turn.


    [Rafael''s: 3 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    "You''re not the only one who believes in the bonds with their cards! My turn¡ªDraw!"


    Finally, it was Hoshino''s turn. After Morphing Jar shuffled away her hand and replaced it with five new cards, she could summon her first monster.


    "Kaiba, your Blue-Eyes White Dragon can''t match Rafael''s monster anymore, so I''m going to borrow it!"


    With a mischievous grin, Hoshino drew a card, already imagining Kaiba''s reaction.


    "By tributing your Blue-Eyes White Dragon..."


    Kaiba''s composed demeanor shifted instantly. "WHAT?! Using Blue-Eyes as a tribute?!"


    Tributing the Blue-Eyes, a monster that symbolized the pinnacle of high-level ATK, was almost unthinkable. Yet Hoshino made the bold move.


    The white dragon''s body faded, its soul becoming a stepping stone as Hoshino summoned her own monster onto the battlefield.


    "My apologies for using your treasured monster as a tribute..."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Dragon-Blooded Knight Siegfried ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 3000]


    "When this card is Tribute Summoned using a Dragon-type monster, its ATK becomes double the ATK of the tributed Dragon-type monster! It inherits the strength of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    [Siegfried ATK 0 ¡ú 6000]


    "An ATK of 6000..." Although Kaiba was a bit displeased with Hoshino using his Blue-Eyes as a tribute, the resulting 6000 ATK turned the tide of the battle.


    Hoshino smirked, pointing forward. "Rafael, this is going to hurt! Attack, Siegfried! Even though it''s not an evil dragon, show them the might of the ultimate dragonslayer!"


    Siegfried''s massive sword descended with a devastating blow, kicking up a storm of sand and dust toward Moonlit Warrior.


    "¡ªBalmung!" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Too naive, Hoshino! Trap Card activated¡ª[Draining Shield]!"


    [Draining Shield ¨C Trap Card Effect: If an opponent''s monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate that attack, and if you do, gain LP equal to that target''s ATK.]


    A soft barrier materialized in front of Rafael, redirecting Siegfried''s energy into healing.


    [Rafael LP 4000 ¡ú 10,000]


    "This..." Hoshino, now at a loss for words, realized her cool move of sacrificing the Blue-Eyes had backfired horribly, giving Rafael a massive LP advantage. She could feel Kaiba''s intense glare beside her.


    Sure enough, when Hoshino dared to glance over, Kaiba''s expression screamed, "You owe me 5 million."


    Scratching her head awkwardly, Hoshino laughed nervously. "Pure accident, Kaiba! Haha, better luck next time~"


    "Better luck continuing to heal the enemy, you mean?" Kaiba''s tone was sharp and unforgiving, showing no mercy for his partner. Clearly, Kaiba hadn''t forgotten his own first-turn blunder with Magic Cylinder.


    Rafael, now revitalized, smiled confidently. "You''re already arguing with each other? A temporary partnership like yours will never stand a chance."


    However, Kaiba countered firmly, "Temporary or not, I understand this guy''s dueling style better than you think!"


    "Activating my set card¡ª[Tyrant Wing]! When this card is activated, it becomes an Equip Spell to a Dragon-type monster, and since Siegfried was summoned using a Dragon-type monster, he''s treated as one!"


    Bright wings unfolded behind Siegfried, imbuing him with overwhelming energy. The Tyrant''s power swirled around him, ready to pierce through even the heavens.


    "A monster equipped with Tyrant Wing gains 400 ATK and can attack twice in a single Battle Phase!"


    "Kaiba, you actually..." Hoshino, deeply moved by Kaiba''s supportive move, felt her opinion of the man soften. Maybe Kaiba wasn''t so annoying after all.


    "Why are you just standing there? A monster equipped with Tyrant Wing can attack twice! Let''s reclaim those Life Points!" Kaiba snapped impatiently.


    "Got it! Siegfried, let''s go for Round Two!"


    Gathering even greater power than before, Siegfried unleashed another devastating strike.


    "¡ªBalmung!!!"


    "It won''t be that easy! I activate my set Trap Card¡ª[Shadow Spell]!"


    In response to Siegfried''s attack, countless dark chains surged from the revealed Trap Card beneath Rafael''s feet, binding the massive warrior in place.


    [Shadow Spell Continuous Trap Card Effect: Activate this card by targeting 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses 700 ATK, also it cannot attack or change its battle position. When it leaves the field, destroy this card.]


    [Siegfried ATK 6000 ¡ú 5300]


    Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tch, my attack got blocked again! Rafael sure has a ton of traps to counter attack declarations."


    "Hoshino, your ace monster is now completely sealed. What''s your next move?"


    Even after blocking Siegfried''s overwhelming 6000 ATK and boosting his own Life Points massively, Rafael remained perfectly composed.


    Hoshino slid a card into her Duel Disk. "If you have ways to protect your monsters, then I have ways to keep attacking! I''ve already said, I won''t lose when it comes to the strength of bonds! I''ll set one Trap Card¡ª"


    "You''re an idiot!" Kaiba interrupted, exasperated. "If you''re setting a card, just set it! Why would you announce it''s a Trap Card out loud for the opponent to hear?"


    "Kaiba, as a CEO, your temper could use some improvement, you know~"


    Ignoring Kaiba''s outburst, Hoshino scratched her ear and then threw another monster onto the field from her hand.


    "Tyrant Wings is powerful, but it destroys itself at the end of the turn. Instead of wasting its effect, why not put it to better use¡ªby sending both set Trap Cards to the Graveyard to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Demon of Vengeance Edmond Dantes]!"


    "Kuahahaha! Accomplice! You''ve finally called me forth¡ªthe very embodiment of vengeance, a dark flame of despair!"


    Dark flames coalesced into a shadowy figure. Amid a maniacal laugh that resonated deep into the soul, the flames ignited and burned away the chains binding Siegfried.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Demon of Vengeance Edmond Dantes ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2300]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by sending 2 Trap Cards from your field to the Graveyard.]


    "I send Tyrant Wings and my newly set Trap Card to the Graveyard, fulfilling the summoning conditions! Now I''ll activate Edmond''s special effect!"


    [Once per turn: You can reveal 1 Trap in your hand or send 1 Trap from your field to the GY; target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls, and send it to the GY.]


    "I reveal the Trap Card [Hero''s Return] in my hand and destroy your [Shadow Spell]!"


    Dark flames engulfed the cursed chains, incinerating them as they climbed toward Rafael''s Continuous Trap Card.


    [Shadow Spell destroyed]


    "With the destruction of [Shadow Spell], Siegfried''s ATK is restored!"


    [Siegfried ATK 5300 ¡ú 6000]


    Rafael glanced at the shattered remains of his trap and remarked, "Using your monster''s effect to destroy my trap, huh? Unfortunately, you''ve already ended your Battle Phase, so you can''t attack again this turn."


    "But next turn, you''ll be facing a double assault from Siegfried and Edmond! Do you have enough traps left to protect yourself?"


    Edmond''s ability to suppress Trap Cards combined with Siegfried''s devastating 6000 ATK created a lethal combo. Even with Rafael''s impressive 10,000 Life Points, Hoshino was confident they could break through.


    "I''ll set two cards and end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    "It''s my turn! Draw! And thanks to [Guarded Treasure], I can draw two additional cards!" Rafael started his turn, replenishing his hand to five cards.


    "Since the Equip Spell Butterfly Dagger - Elma is on the field, I can now summon [Guardian Elma]!"


    [Guardian Elma ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][WIND][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1300/DEF 1200]


    [Cannot be Summoned unless you control a face-up "Butterfly Dagger ¨C Elma".]


    The scantily clad and elegant Guardian Elma materialized on Rafael''s field, gracefully wielding the Butterfly Dagger passed to her by Moonlit Warrior.


    [Guardian Elma ATK 1300 ¡ú 1600] [Penumbral Soldier Lady 2400 ¡ú 2100]


    "Since Elma is now on the field, the [Butterfly Dagger] equips to her. When Elma is successfully summoned, I can equip 1 Equip Spell from my Graveyard to her. I choose [Power of the Guardians], which I sent to the Graveyard earlier due to Guarded Treasure''s effect!"


    A divine light enveloped Guardian Elma as the newly equipped spell granted her a holy aura. However, her visible ATK remained unchanged.


    Rafael pointed toward Hoshino''s field. "Elma, take out that monster!"


    Just as Hoshino could communicate with her Heroic Spirits, Rafael''s Guardians possessed their own sentient consciousness. Elma smiled confidently at her master before charging toward Edmond with her Butterfly Dagger.


    [Power of the Guardians Effect: If an attack is declared involving the equipped monster: Place 1 Spell Counter on this card. The equipped monster gains 500 ATK/DEF for each Spell Counter on this card.]


    [Spell Counter] x1


    [Guardian Elma ATK 1600 ¡ú 2100]


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "Even with that boost, Edmon still has higher attack power!"


    A smirk appeared on Rafael''s face as he activated another card. "I''ve been waiting for this moment! Even the slightest difference in attack can turn the tide of battle! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card¡ª[Clashing Souls]!"


    "Clashing Souls!" Kaiba''s expression grew serious as he recognized the card''s effect.


    "[Clashing Souls] allows my monster to battle an opponent''s monster with higher ATK. By paying 500 LP, I can boost my monster''s ATK by 500 for this battle!"


    Rafael clenched his fists, channeling his energy into Elma.


    [Rafael LP 10,000 ¡ú 9500] [Guardian Elma ATK 2100 ¡ú 2600]


    Fueled by her master''s spirit, Elma''s Butterfly Dagger glowed with a radiant light, surpassing Edmond''s ATK.


    "Of course, since it''s Clashing Souls, you can also pay Life Points to boost your monster''s ATK! Let''s see whose soul burns the brightest!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 304 - 304

    "Of course, since it''s Clashing Souls, you can also pay Life Points to boost your monster''s ATK! Let''s see whose soul burns the brightest! That is... if you''re sure your soul''s strength surpasses mine!"


    Amid Rafael''s thunderous declaration was an undeniable confidence in his own soul. And rightly so¡ªhis 10,000 Life Points vastly outmatched the mere 2,100 shared by Hoshino and Kaiba.


    They weren''t even on the same playing field.


    Seeing that Hoshino showed no intention of countering, Kaiba quickly spoke up.


    "Hoshino! The effect of Clashing Souls means that while the loser won''t take battle damage, all their monsters on the field will be destroyed! Even if only your Edmond is defeated, Siegfried will also be wiped out!"


    "Damn it! This guy even brought AoE destruction!"


    With Kaiba''s warning, Hoshino immediately grasped what Rafael had meant earlier by "piercing through everything." Using a minor attack difference to trigger Clashing Souls would not only take down Edmond but also erase Siegfried in the process.


    "... I can''t afford to let my guard down for even a second!" Gritting her teeth, Hoshino chose to retaliate¡ªnot by clashing their Life Points, as she simply didn''t have the resources for that.


    "I was planning to hold this back, but if I don''t go all out now, I''ll lose the duel! Trap Card activate¡ª[Heroic Battle ¨C United Assault]! I''ll transfer all of Siegfried''s attack power to Edmond! If you want a clash of souls, let''s make it a real one!"


    [Siegfried ATK 6000 ¡ú 0]


    Black flames erupted around Edmond, forming countless shadowy figures¡ªphantoms of his vengeful will. Not just a prison of flesh, but a prison of the mind, transcending time and space.


    [Edmond ATK 2400 ¡ú 8400]


    Thanks to United Assault, Siegfried''s attack power was fully transferred to Edmond. Initially, Hoshino had hesitated to use the Trap, fearing that Siegfried, left with zero attack power, would become an easy target for Rafael.


    But now, the battlefield had changed. In this clash, only the victor had the right to remain standing!


    "Rafael! Show me the strength of your soul!!"


    "As expected of the Duel King, but I will not shrink from this challenge!"


    Rafael''s voice boomed with unwavering resolve. His presence alone radiated an unstoppable energy.


    "Ohohoho! Take it all, Elma¡ªthe weight of my soul! Break through your limits!!"


    [Rafael LP 9500 ¡ú 3500]


    [Guardian Elma ATK 2600 ¡ú 8600]


    Empowered by Rafael''s soul, Elma lunged forward at incredible speed. The gleam of her Butterfly Dagger slashed through the space itself, keeping pace with Edmond''s "time-stopping" movements.


    "That''s not enough! Your soul isn''t burning hot enough yet! I activate the effect of Clashing Souls¡ªI''ll pay Life Points to boost my monster''s attack!"


    Hoshino roared, pouring everything into Edmond.


    "Watch closely! A true clash of souls is a head-on collision with nothing held back!"


    [Hoshino & Kaiba LP 2100 ¡ú 100]


    "Are you insane?!" Kaiba practically shouted. At this moment, he felt Hoshino had completely abandoned reason, consumed by passion.


    After all, no matter how much she sacrificed, their 2,100 Life Points could never hope to match Rafael''s 10,000.


    [Edmond ATK 8400 ¡ú 10400]


    "Kuhahaha! Truly admirable, accomplice! I acknowledge you as one of indomitable will. At this moment, mercy is unnecessary. Let us press forward together¡ªuntil we reach the shores of vengeance!!"


    "What kind of duel is this?!" Even Valon, who had been silent and brooding throughout the match, couldn''t help but be stunned by the all-out clash.


    "Hoshino! What is the justice in your heart? False justice is nothing more than a mask for a corrupt society! Even if I stand in darkness, even if I fight for Doma, my resolve will never waver!"


    Raising his Duel Disk high, Rafael unleashed a surge of energy that seemed to tear through the air itself.


    "I continue the effect of Clashing Souls¡ªI''ll pay my remaining Life Points to surpass your attack!"


    [Rafael LP 3500 ¡ú 1500]


    [Guardian Elma ATK 8600 ¡ú 10600]


    "You''ve lost, Hoshino!!" Rafael declared as Elma''s dagger slashed through all of Edmond Dant¨¨s'' phantoms.


    [Edmond Dantes DESTROYED]


    "Though the Spell prevents battle damage, all your monsters will be destroyed due to your defeat in this clash! Explode¡ªthis final battlefield!"


    A fiery explosion engulfed Siegfried.


    [Siegfried DESTROYED]


    "Hoshino, the one who truly lost... is you!"


    As Rafael''s triumphant voice echoed, the flames on Hoshino''s Duel Disk reignited, spreading across the battlefield toward Rafael.


    "I activate the effect of the Trap Card [Pure Destruction], which was sent to the Graveyard last turn for Edmond Dant¨¨s'' summoning!"


    [Pure Destruction Trap Effect: If a face-up "Heroic Spirit" card you control would be destroyed: You can banish this card from your GY; destroy all monsters on the field instead.]


    "With Pure Destruction, the effect that would have destroyed Siegfried is altered to wipe out all monsters on the field! That means your monsters are going down too!"


    The flames surged toward Rafael, consuming his field in a fiery blaze.


    Struggling against the impact, Rafael glared at Hoshino. "So you planned this mutual destruction from the start, sacrificing everything to weaken my Life Points!"


    "Mutual destruction? Even someone like you, Rafael, can be naive!"


    Amidst the inferno, Hoshino revealed her set card.


    "Did you forget the Trap Card I showed last turn? Trap Card activate¡ª[Hero''s Return]! When Siegfried is destroyed, I can revive Edmond Dantes from the Graveyard!"


    From the explosion, a figure cloaked in black flames emerged. The vengeful fire of the Avenger burned brightly once more.


    "Kuhahahaha! A true avenger always repays his grudges! Even if I''ve reached the shores of vengeance, the fire that yearns for hell shall never be extinguished¡ªRise!!"


    "The only monsters completely wiped out are yours, Rafael. And with your Life Points dropping from ten thousand to a mere 1,500, can you withstand the Count''s attack now?"


    [Penumbral Soldier Lady DESTROYED]


    "It''s not a total wipeout yet. I activate the effect of the Equip Spell Card [Power of the Guardians]! When the equipped monster is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can remove one Spell Counter as a substitute!"


    A radiant shield formed around Guardian Elma, absorbing the fiery explosion.


    [Spell Counter: x0] [Guardian Elma ATK 2,100 ¡ú 1,600]


    Since the attack boost from Clashing Souls only applied during that battle, the terrifying 10,000 ATK did not persist beyond the Battle Phase.


    "Even so, Hoshino, you used a strategy to take down Penumbral Soldier Lady, and that''s commendable in itself. But with only 100 Life Points left, how much longer can you hold on?"


    Hoshino waved nonchalantly. "Right back at you. Sure, my Life Points are barely hanging by a thread, but yours aren''t much better. One or two attacks, and it''s over for you. Plus, the field is still in my favor."


    Clever as ever, Hoshino wasn''t above setting herself up with a flag. Yet, in terms of sheer attack power and resilience, Edmond was undeniably overwhelming compared to Guardian Elma.


    Rafael closed his eyes, attuned to the emotions of the monsters in his Graveyard. "I won''t let my companions remain in the cold grave. I''ll liberate her soul right now!"


    "¡ªI activate the Spell Card [Soul Release]!"


    [Soul Release Effect: Target up to 5 cards in any GY(s); banish them.]


    "I''ll release my Penumbral Soldier Lady from the Graveyard along with four of your Spell and Trap cards, Kaiba¡ªincluding Tyrant Wing!"


    The spirit of Penumbral Soldier Lady, freed from the Graveyard, gently rested on Rafael''s shoulder, as if cheering him on. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing Rafael banish yet another monster from his Graveyard, Kaiba frowned. "This odd insistence of yours is just holding back your dueling pace. Spirits of Duel Monsters? Ridiculous¡ªthey don''t exist!"


    "This persistence isn''t meaningless. Now, let me show you the power of our bond! I activate the Equip Spell Card [Celestial Sword - Eatos]!"


    Hoshino suddenly grew wary. "It''s the card that defeated Yugi!"


    "Huh? This Equip Card defeated Yugi?" Kaiba sounded incredulous.


    "No, to be precise, it was the monster wielding the sword¡­"


    Rafael continued confidently. "That''s right! When [Celestial Sword - Eatos] is on the field, and I have no monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon the strongest Guardian from my hand¡ª[Guardian Eatos]!"


    The Guardian warrior, adorned with angelic wings, materialized on Rafael''s field, drawing the sword from the ground.


    [Guardian Eatos¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][WIND][Fairy/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    "To activate her effect, I''ll destroy Celestial Sword - Eatos. Guardian Eatos can then banish cards from your Graveyard, starting from the top, until she banishes a non-monster card."


    Kaiba''s eyes narrowed as he realized Rafael''s intent. "So, having no monsters in the Graveyard was the condition for Special Summoning her. And to maximize her effect, you used Soul Release to clear out everything except my monsters?"


    "Exactly! Now, let''s count the souls in your Graveyard! Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Paladin of White Dragon¡ªVorse Raider! Eatos'' effect will then add the combined attack points of the banished monsters to her own!"


    [Guardian Eatos ATK 2500 ¡ú 9300]


    Shining brilliantly, Eatos, now infused with the spirits of Kaiba''s fallen monsters, radiated overwhelming might.


    "Now, the tide has completely turned, Kaiba, Hoshino! I end my turn."


    Confident after summoning his ace monster, Rafael lowered his Duel Disk with satisfaction.


    "A monster with nearly 10,000 attack points¡­ Kaiba, can you handle that?"


    Hoshino wasn''t so sure. Even Kaiba''s Ultimate Dragon equipped with Megamorph would only reach 9,000 ATK. Given Kaiba''s usual strategy of brute force, Eatos was like an unbreakable wall in his path.


    Kaiba, however, remained calm. "Relax. I''m not the same as I was before! The power of cards is important, but I''ve come to realize that victory isn''t determined by brute strength alone!"


    Through his numerous duels with Hoshino and Yugi, Kaiba had evolved. The once power-obsessed duelist had been subtly but surely transformed by their influence.


    "My turn! Draw! And now, let''s go¡ªLegendary Dragon, [The Fang of Critias]!"


    "Summoning the Legendary Dragon now? Kaiba, what are you planning¡­?"


    "Watch closely, Hoshino. My new monster, The Fang of Critias, can awaken the hidden potential of cards and turn the tide with legendary power! I''ll fuse [The Fang of Critias] with [Heroic Spirit ¨C Demon of Vengeance Edmond Dantes] on my field!"


    Hoshino''s eyes widened. "Fuse¡­ with Edmond? Is that even possible?!"


    "Of course it is! You''re the one who showed me this potential with your own cards! By fusing Heroic Spirits, dragons, and even gods, you''ve demonstrated the path to ultimate power! Now it''s my turn¡ªto fuse a Heroic Spirit with a Legendary Dragon!"


    Kaiba raised the card high, and the energy from his Duel Disk resonated with Hoshino''s, creating an electrifying surge.


    "Huh?! Edmond, even you agree this can work?"


    The Count grinned wickedly. "Kuhahaha! What an audacious idea. Infuse my power of vengeance into a dragon? It''ll create the mightiest dark dragon imaginable. The resulting spectacle will rival the depths of hell itself!"


    A dark aura enveloped Kaiba''s fingers as the fusion of the legendary dragon and the avenger reached its climax.


    "Behold¡ªthe dragon of vengeance, shrouded in the flames of hell¡ª[Black Dragon, Avenger Dragon]!!"


    A pitch-black dragon, cloaked in searing black flames, roared onto the battlefield, towering over all.


    [Black Dragon, Avenger Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 2500]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Demon of Vengeance Edmond Dantes + The Fang of Critias]


    Summoning the ultimate form of the Legendary Dragon, Kaiba smirked arrogantly at Rafael. "You''re finished, Rafael!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 305 - 305

    "Behold¡ªthe dragon of vengeance, shrouded in the flames of hell¡ª[Black Dragon, Avenger Dragon]!!"


    "Roooooar!!"


    The dark, vengeful form of Critias roared fiercely in the direction Kaiba pointed.


    Hoshino''s face twitched slightly, unsure how to express their current feelings.


    "This Kaiba¡­ he really pulled it off, huh. An ''Avenger Dragon''... I don''t know whether to praise Kaiba''s creativity or The Fang of Critias'' OP ability."


    [Black Dragon, Avenger Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï(Level 10)][DARK][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2700/DEF 2500]


    [¢Ù: As long as this card remains face-up on the field, the effects of Trap Cards on the opponent''s field are negated.]


    Kaiba immediately initiated the attack phase, targeting Rafael''s Guardian Elma.


    [Guardian Elma ATK 1600]


    "That nonsense about not sending monsters to the graveyard¡ªdueling isn''t your platform to preach beliefs! It''s a cruel battlefield where honor is at stake. Turn to ash under the flames of vengeance! Attack, Avenger Dragon¡ªInfernal Hellfire!!"


    The fiery attack tore through the ground, blazing a destructive path and consuming Rafael''s Guardian Elma.


    [Rafael LP 1500 ¡ú 400]


    "Now your graveyard has monsters in it, Rafael!"


    Kaiba, smirking mischievously after the attack, seemed like he''d vented some pent-up frustration. It was clear that Rafael''s defeat of Yugi still weighed heavily on Kaiba''s mind.


    Rafael, however, showed no signs of anger despite Kaiba''s provocation. On the contrary, he remained unusually calm.


    "Childish. Was that your final counterattack, Kaiba? Then I''ll just say this duel ends here. The God Cards must come with me."


    "Of course, it''s not over! The Avenger Dragon''s effect allows me to reveal a Trap Card from my hand, enabling it to attack again once per turn. But that''s not the effect I''m relying on."


    Kaiba raised his duel disk high, its glowing lights processing a complex calculation.


    "The Avenger Dragon''s victory-determining effect¡ªduring battle, it flips cards from the top of my deck until a Trap Card that meets activation conditions is revealed. That Trap Card is immediately activated, and the remaining flipped cards are sent to the graveyard."


    Even Hoshino was seeing this effect for the first time. Although the dragon was fused with Edmond, this specific ability was quite different, focusing on traps rather than Edmon''s usual showcase effects.


    "Flipping cards until a trap that meets the conditions appears... that''s quite difficult to pull off."


    After all, most traps in this era required activation in response to an opponent''s actions, such as declaring attacks or summoning monsters. With Kaiba initiating the attack, finding a suitable trap seemed nearly impossible.


    As expected, Kaiba''s duel disk dramatically flipped cards one by one from his deck, sending them to the graveyard. Nearly half of Kaiba''s deck was now depleted, yet he showed no concern, instead savoring the crisp sound of cards hitting the grave. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Rafael, you claim that not leaving monsters in the graveyard will bring you victory? Let me tell you¡ªso long as victory is possible, I''ll send my entire deck to the graveyard if I have to!"


    "You actually¡­"


    For the first time, Rafael''s expression wavered. For someone like Rafael, who viewed the graveyard as a cold and desolate place, seeing Kaiba recklessly deplete his deck was a direct challenge to his principles.


    Hoshino sighed softly. "Still such a terrible personality, Kaiba..."


    [Trap Card [Crush Card Virus] ¨C Activation conditions not met ?]


    [Trap Card [The Ultimate Creature of Destruction] ¨C Activation conditions not met ?]


    [Trap Card [Sakuretsu Armor] ¨C Activation conditions not met ?]


    "How many useless traps did you even bring, Kaiba?! What kind of nonsense traps are these?!"


    After Hoshino''s quiet complaint, Kaiba''s deck-flipping finally ceased.


    [Return from the Different Dimension | Trap Card Effect: Pay half your Life Points. Special Summon as many of your monsters as possible that were removed from play. These monsters are banished at the End Phase.]


    At last, the Return from the Different Dimension trap card activated through the Avenger Dragon''s effect, reducing Kaiba''s and Hoshino''s already razor-thin Life Points to nearly nothing.


    [Hoshino & Kaiba LP: 100 ¡ú 50]


    Hoshino exclaimed, "You''re literally at the limit, Kaiba! Is this the possibility you were talking about for achieving victory!?"


    Thanks to Return from the Different Dimension, the previously banished Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Paladin of White Dragon, and Vorse Raider filled the field, a sight so dazzling that even Hoshino couldn''t help but be amazed.


    "Tch, setting one card face-down. Turn end!"


    After Hoshino''s brief admiration, Kaiba clicked his tongue in frustration and slammed down his duel disk, watching as the monsters summoned were banished again.


    "That wasn''t the one after all..."


    Hoshino dropped their head in disappointment.


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Drawing his card, Rafael''s usually calm tone betrayed an unusual trace of anger.


    "Kaiba, are you mocking me with this clownish behavior? This time, because of Hoshino''s presence, I won''t activate the Seal, but don''t think for a second that you, chosen by the Legendary Dragons, can escape Orichalcos'' judgment!"


    Wielding the Celestial Sword - Eatos, Rafael''s Guardian Eatos, summoned in the previous turn, finally unleashed its attack. With nearly 10,000 ATK, the sword of light pierced the darkness, slashing toward the blazing Avenger Dragon.


    "Along with your foolish behavior, meet your defeat, Kaiba!"


    "The foolish one is you, Rafael!"


    As Kaiba shouted in confident defiance, the Avenger Dragon spread its wings and soared high.


    "I know my deck better than anyone. With Return from the Different Dimension out of the way, only the path to victory remains! During battle, Avenger Dragon''s effect activates again¡ªkeep flipping cards until a suitable trap appears!"


    Kaiba''s deck, now almost empty, was flipped at lightning speed, with every card sent to the graveyard. Finally, Kaiba''s last remaining card in the deck revealed itself, activating¡ª!


    "The final Trap Card in my deck is activated¡ª[Ring of Destruction]!"


    Placing the last revealed card into his Duel Disk, Kaiba''s deck zone was now completely empty.


    "Your foolish ideals will perish alongside this vengeful flame! End this duel, Black Dragon, Avenger Dragon!"


    Responding to Kaiba''s victorious roar, the Avenger Dragon soared high, encircled by a ring of black flames that exploded like a fiery halo.


    Hoshino froze momentarily before recalling the effect of Kaiba''s Ring of Destruction.


    "Select one monster on the field to destroy, and both players take damage equal to its ATK, huh? Let me remind you, Kaiba, our Life Points are already hanging by a thread."


    The black-flamed halo plummeted, engulfing the field in a blazing inferno centered on Guardian Eatos. Trapped within, Eatos could only await its impending destruction.


    "Kaiba, to think you would go so far, sacrificing every monster in your deck just for victory!"


    Feeling the fire of vengeance before him, Rafael''s emotions boiled over, his anger ignited by Kaiba''s ruthless actions.


    "For someone like you to be chosen by the Legendary Dragons¡­! This world''s so-called light is exactly as Lord Dartz foretold¡ªa fake, hideous illusion!"


    Kaiba scoffed and flipped his face-down card with disdain. "That''s just the wail of a loser. Quick-Play Spell activated¡ª[Ring of Defense]! Thanks to its effect, I take no damage from Trap Cards. Drown in your naive delusions, Doma scum!"


    [Ring of Defense Effect: Reduce the effect damage to you from a Trap Card to 0.]


    Judging from its placement in his hand earlier, this was a card Kaiba had drawn at the start of the duel. Yet, he hadn''t set it until the last possible moment.


    "Kaiba, so you deliberately took the damage from my Magic Cylinder earlier!"


    Hoshino''s realization hit her like a bolt. In the first turn, Kaiba could have used Ring of Defense to negate Magic Cylinder''s reflected damage but chose to endure it instead, waiting for the perfect moment to execute his decisive play. No wonder his expression had been so peculiar when she complained about him taking unnecessary damage.


    Kaiba smirked, his gaze steely. "Hmph. This is a duel I absolutely cannot afford to lose. If we fall here, the God Cards will return to Doma, and KaibaCorp will have no chance of recovery."


    Clenching his fist tightly, his voice trembled with rage. "So even if I have to sacrifice my entire deck, even if I have to give up all my Life Points, I will protect KaibaCorp. I will protect Mokuba!"


    "You can protect nothing," Rafael interjected coldly, his previous anger now replaced with an abyssal darkness. "In the face of Doma''s absolute power, your world''s ugly facade will be obliterated, just as Lord Dartz foretold!"


    Before Hoshino and Kaiba could react, Rafael activated the Quick-Play Spell Card he had just drawn.


    "When monsters on both sides are battling, I activate [Forbidden Scripture]!"


    [Forbidden Scripture Effect: Negate all other card effects on the field until the end of the Damage Step.]


    "With this, your Ring of Destruction''s effect is negated. My Eatos will not be destroyed by your Trap Card!"


    The sudden reversal left Hoshino and Kaiba stunned¡ªnot just by Rafael''s endurance, but by the unsettling shift in his demeanor.


    "However," Rafael continued coldly, "when Forbidden Scripture is activated, damage calculation is conducted using the monsters'' original ATK."


    [Guardian Eatos ATK 9300 ¡ú 2500]


    Hoshino remarked, "With its original attack power, Eatos still can''t defeat the Avenger Dragon."


    [Black Dragon, Avenger Dragon ATK 2700]


    Despite Ring of Destruction being negated, the battle concluded with Eatos engulfed in the Avenger Dragon''s infernal flames. Trapped in the fiery storm, the Guardian let out a desperate cry before being reduced to ashes.


    [Guardian Eatos destroyed.]


    [Rafael''s LP 400 ¡ú 200]


    Hoshino frowned. "Knowing Eatos couldn''t win, why would Rafael make that move? That''s not like him at all."


    "Vengeance, darkness, false justice..." Rafael''s voice was chilling. "Hoshino, tell me, what truly is the right path?"


    "Rafael, you¡­"


    The oppressive atmosphere thickened as the flames of vengeance dissipated, leaving only scorched earth and the Avenger Dragon descending to claim its victory.


    "This tension..." Hoshino muttered. "Why does it feel so ominous?"


    Kaiba''s sharp eyes scanned the field. "Be cautious. Something is coming."


    Like a scene from a nightmare, the charred ground where Guardian Eatos had fallen began to churn. Wrapped in bandages, a pair of pitch-black hands clawed their way out of the dirt.


    "When Guardian Eatos is destroyed by battle or effect and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card from my hand," Rafael declared.


    Placing a monster onto his Duel Disk, Rafael''s once-righteous gaze was now cold and hesitant, yet unwavering.


    "This is the vengeful spirit of Guardian Eatos. Kaiba, Hoshino, behold the pinnacle of monsters'' resentment from the depths of the graveyard! I Special Summon [Guardian Dreadscythe]!"


    [Guardian Dreadscythe ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Fiend/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    Clawing its way onto the battlefield, the masked Dreadscythe radiated none of Eatos'' former light. Instead, it exuded a freezing malice and an overwhelming sense of dread.


    "With the same ATK and DEF as Eatos, it still can''t defeat the Avenger Dragon!" Hoshino pointed out.


    "Kaiba," Rafael declared, "you''ll regret abandoning all your monsters. Their resentment will tighten around your throat! I activate the effect of Guardian Dreadscythe¡ªwhen this card is Special Summoned, I equip it with Reaper Scythe - Dreadscythe from my Deck or Graveyard!"


    A massive, sinister scythe materialized in Dreadscythe''s bandaged hands, its very presence unsettling Hoshino.


    "Reaper Scythe - Dreadscythe can only be equipped to Guardian Dreadscythe. It increases its ATK by 500 for each monster in both Graveyards! Kaiba, prepare for your ultimate punishment!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 306 - 306

    Hoshino''s lips formed a large "O."


    "An attack boost of 500 for every monster in both graveyards! Kaiba''s entire deck is now in the graveyard, which means¡­"


    "Prepare yourself, Kaiba! The resentment of every monster you''ve abandoned is now channeled into this scythe!"


    [Guardian Dreadscythe ATK 2500 ¡ú 18000]


    "Hiss¡ª!" Hoshino couldn''t help but gasp.


    "18,000¡­ That''s the highest I''ve seen, aside from infinite attack power! Wait, this isn''t the time to be impressed¡ªKaiba, you¡­"


    In the mere seconds Hoshino marveled at the situation, the terrifying scythe, imbued with the icy resentment of 31 monsters, had already swung down toward Kaiba''s dragon.


    But even as the horrifying attack loomed, Kaiba had no set cards remaining. If this attack landed, it would be a crushing defeat, like owing the opponent several lives'' worth of damage.


    "Hmph, the resentment of monsters I''ve discarded? Laughable!"


    Clang! A sharp metallic sound rang out as Kaiba, completely still, blocked the attack at the last possible second.


    "The idea that monsters in the graveyard are abandoned or resentful¡ªit''s all in your head. If my monsters truly hated me, why would they defend me?"


    Rafael furrowed his brow.


    A heavily armored knight, manifesting from Kaiba''s graveyard in physical form, dragged its battered body in front of Guardian Dreadscythe, blocking the attack.


    "Since my entire deck is now in the graveyard, this card¡ª[Necro Gardna]¡ªis naturally there as well. And you''ve already seen its effect: by banishing it, I can nullify one of your monster''s attacks this turn!"


    Seeing the attack deflected at the last second, Hoshino breathed a sigh of relief and nodded vigorously.


    "I think Kaiba has a point! Sometimes, discarding important monsters to the graveyard is unavoidable if it improves the situation!"


    Yeah, and those monsters just had to show up in my hand every time, didn''t they?


    [Guardian Dreadscythe ATK 18000 ¡ú 17500]


    With the banishment of Kaiba''s Necro Gardna, the attack boost granted to Dreadscythe decreased by 500 points.


    "Even so, your monsters in the graveyard chose to protect you? This is when you should be repenting the most!"


    Rafael scolded Kaiba sternly while lowering his Duel Disk to end his turn.


    "But don''t think nullifying this one attack lets you off the hook. The current situation is truly desperate for you!"


    This wasn''t just empty talk. Hoshino now faced a monster with nearly 20,000 attack points while holding only one card in hand. Worse yet, there was no room for retreat.


    To win this duel, Hoshino had to defeat Rafael this turn. Failing to do so would mean Kaiba''s loss due to the mandatory draw rule next turn, as his deck was empty.


    "Kaiba, you really left me the worst endgame scenario!"


    While drawing her card, Hoshino shot Kaiba a sidelong glare and muttered under her breath. But upon seeing the Equip Spell she drew, a glimmer of hope returned to her eyes.


    "Even though this is the worst endgame, you still left me a way out. Now''s the time to prove which of our convictions is stronger!"


    "You''re still thinking of a way to escape this situation? What a terrifying woman."


    Seeing Hoshino''s upturned lips, Kaiba squinted slightly, a faint smile forming as he made up his mind.


    "Even if the odds are slim, I''ll put everything on you for this duel''s outcome¡ªeverything, including KaibaCorp. Perform a miracle like you always do, Hoshino!"


    "Rafael, while I respect your dedication to your monsters and the bond you share with your companions, as I said at the start, I will never lose when it comes to bonds with cards. Not to you, not to anyone!"


    Declaring her unshakable resolve, Hoshino pulled one card from her hand and inserted it into her Duel Disk.


    "Even if I discard my most important monster to the graveyard, it doesn''t diminish the bond we share! That''s just how we fight! Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Phantasmal Summoning]¡ªactivate!"


    Kaiba raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You''re fusing monsters from the graveyard? But your graveyard¡­"


    The only monsters Kaiba had seen Hoshino summon thus far were Siegfried and Edmond.


    Hoshino smirked confidently, extending her slender fingers into her graveyard to pull out two cards buried at the very bottom.


    "You didn''t expect this, did you? These are my aces, hidden since the very beginning. On my first turn, before I even made a move, these two cards were sent to the graveyard by Morphing Jar¡ªOkita and Nobunaga!"


    Okita: "Oh, Nobu! I didn''t think we''d get a chance to appear this chapter!"


    Nobu: "Finally! After all the effort it took to claim a spot in her hand, we''re finally getting our moment, Okita!"


    Retrieving three cards from her graveyard, Hoshino placed them into her Duel Disk''s banish zone. Kaiba now noticed that her Duel Disk wasn''t the custom model he had made for the Duel City tournament (which lacked a banish zone) but an entirely new design he had never seen before.


    "By banishing Okita, Nobunaga, and Siegfried from my graveyard, I''ll perform a Fusion Summon to decide the duel!¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji Alter]¡ªdescend!"


    Black spirals swirled across the battlefield, merging with radiant beams of infinite light, severing the chains of inevitability.


    "With the power to cut through the void, this duel shall end here! Take the stage, Master!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Majin-Okita S¨­ji Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    "This monster!" Kaiba couldn''t forget the battle at the top floor of KaibaCorp, where this very monster had clashed against Wicked Avatar. The intense showdown had pushed the Duel City satellite systems to their limits.


    "Indeed! But now, this Heroic Spirit shall surpass any previous version and become the strongest!"


    Throwing down the Equip Spell she had just drawn, Hoshino''s card revealed a gleaming silver blade. It flew directly into Okitan''s grasp, radiating a menacing aura.


    ¡º"At the edge of distant time, the gods, demons, and human prayers all intertwined to create this fragment of light. It stands here, in the land of eternity."¡»


    "Equip Spell activate¡ª[The Extremity of Endlessness]!"


    The massive blade landed perfectly in Okitan''s hands, its razor-sharp edge slicing through the air, stirring her cascading white hair.


    "Let''s finish this, Rafael! This is the final act of our duel! Let our resolve as duelists decide the outcome!"


    Though trembling slightly, Hoshino clenched her fists and resolved to face the final clash head-on, with no cards left in hand.


    "Okitan''s effect activates! Her ATK increases by 1000 for every Heroic Spirit monster in the banished zone!"


    [Okitan ATK 3000 ¡ú 6000]


    "And because monsters were banished from the graveyard, Dradscythe''s ATK decreases!"


    [Guardian Dreadscythe ATK 17500 ¡ú 16000]


    Kaiba furrowed his brow. "Hoshino''s banished monsters are too few. Even with Okita Alter''s boost, her ATK can''t surpass Dreadscythe!"


    Hoshino''s hands trembled faintly as she clenched them tighter, muttering, "That''s why we''re betting on this... putting all hope on the monster you left behind, Kaiba!"


    "The monster I left behind?"


    Stretching out her trembling fist toward the battlefield, Hoshino''s voice carried a trace of desperation.


    "The outcome will be decided with this strike! Legendary Dragon¡ªAvenger Dragon, attack Dreadscythe!"


    Kaiba, shocked but seemingly catching on, exclaimed, "You''re using Avenger Dragon to collide with Dreadscythe? That would activate its effect..."


    "Exactly! Avenger Dragon''s effect: During battle, it flips cards from the top of the deck to the graveyard until a trap card that can activate is revealed! That means my graveyard will overflow with monsters!"


    The dragon, its maw brimming with black flames, charged forward, fully aware of its seemingly suicidal attack.


    Simultaneously, Hoshino''s duel disk began working at full speed, sending card after card from her deck into the graveyard.


    "Foolish! Hoshino, by continuously sending monsters from your deck to the graveyard, you''re only increasing the ATK of Deathscythe''s blade!"


    The attack initiated, and the Guardian''s overwhelming scythe cleaved through the flames, straight through the Dragon''s enormous body.


    [Guardian Dreadscythe ATK 16000 ¡ú 21000]


    "Surpassing 20,000?!"


    Watching the Guardian effortlessly annihilate his Legendary Dragon, Kaiba clutched his chest as though he could physically feel the destruction. "Does this mean Hoshino just sent 10 monsters to the graveyard?! Then the revealed trap card is¡ª?"


    Rafael sneered dismissively. "It doesn''t matter what trap card she revealed. Damage from an ATK over 20,000 far exceeds the meager 50 LP you two have left!"


    "Not so fast! This final gamble¡­ is my victory!"


    From within the shroud of black flames and destruction, Hoshino heaved a sigh of relief and smiled as she looked skyward. The once-dim sky now shimmered like a dreamscape, soothing every ache in her soul.


    "¡ªThis is the trap I revealed from my deck: [Garden of Avalon]! Its effect makes all damage I take this turn become 0!"


    This card, entrusted to her by her Sensei from the future, had repeatedly saved her in moments of despair, steadfastly guarding her precious 50 LP.


    Under the radiant light of her trap, the battlefield transformed into a breathtaking utopia. Its dreamlike scenery reflected Hoshino''s unwavering resolve, as though it were her very own reality marble.


    Amid the shining glow, Valon found himself staring in awe. "Even now, she persists¡­ Are mere cards¡ªthose fragments of a bygone era¡ªtruly that important to you, Hoshino?"


    Rafael froze for a moment. Watching Hoshino pull that single trap card amidst countless cards was like witnessing her entire deck respond to her will.


    "So this is the bond you share with your cards. Impressive, Hoshino! But even if you''ve nullified the damage this turn, next turn Kaiba will lose the duel due to a deck-out!"


    "There is no ''next turn''! It''s over now!" With the trap activated and victory in sight, Hoshino turned toward Okitan.


    Okitan, prepared for the final clash, gripped her sword tightly. All she awaited was Hoshino''s final command.


    Raising her duel disk, Hoshino''s crimson eyes glinted with determination as the blade''s golden edge reflected the light of triumph.


    "Finish this, Okitan! Use Rengoku to sever the threads of fate!"


    With unparalleled precision, the blade unleashed a radiant strike, clashing with Dreadscythe in a brilliant collision of light and shadow.


    "Infinity! Sever the skies with boundless radiance!"


    Blinded by the overwhelming light, Rafael squinted. "Even with its abilities, Okita Alter''s ATK is far below Dreadscythe''s! She can''t destroy it!"


    "[The Extremity of Endlessness] effect: The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle or banished by card effects! So go all out, Okitan!"


    "But Dreadscythe still holds the advantage with its ATK! You can''t outlast it!"


    Kaiba smirked. "Rafael, you fail to understand the true terror of Hoshino''s Heroic Spirit. As long as Okita Alter doesn''t destroy the opposing monster in battle..."


    Not wanting Kaiba to steal the moment, Hoshino quickly interjected. "If Okitan fails to destroy a monster in battle, she can banish Heroic Spirit monsters from my graveyard to attack again!"


    With all the cards in her graveyard now floating into the air, Hoshino flung them skyward. The shimmering gold of the banished cards formed an endless trail of light, a reflection of Okitan''s limitless strikes. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "With each banished Heroic Spirit, Dreadscythe weakens! This endless radiance is my ultimate strike. All 10 Heroic Spirits in my graveyard will be banished for this! Rafael, let our duelists'' faith clash and decide the victor here and now!"


    "Raaaagh! Don''t lose, Dreadscythe! Channel every ounce of resentment in your scythe to cut through this attack!!"


    [Okitan ATK 6000 ¡ú 16000 ]


    [Guardian Dreadscythe ATK 21000 ¡ú 16000]


    Valon, watching in disbelief, was utterly stunned. "With all 10 monsters banished from the graveyard, their ATK ended up equal!"


    The clash between blade and scythe sparked violently as they collided, neither side giving an inch. Just like their perfectly matched ATK, it was an improbable yet evenly matched struggle.


    "So this is your full power, Hoshino!"


    Though their ATK was equal, unlike Okitan, who couldn''t be destroyed by battle, Rafael''s Dreadscythe was destined to be destroyed by this final strike.


    Crack!


    The sharp sound of metal shattering rang out as Rengoku clashed with Dreadscythe. Cracks began to spread from the tip of the sword.


    Lowering her head, Hoshino trembled, gripping the shattered Rengoku.


    "¡ªThe one who''s truly about to lose¡­ is you!"


    "[The Extremity of Endlessness]''s effect activates! When destroyed, Okitan''s can Attack again and it''s ATK doubles! It''s over, Rafael! This is the ultimate strike that surpasses infinity itself!"


    "End this duel, Okitan!"


    "Vastness, freedom, and boundlessness...!"


    [Okitan ATK 16000 ¡ú 32000]


    "Zekken, Mukyusandan!!!"


    Black radiance, ablaze with fire, erupted from the sword''s tip as it clashed with the Dreadscythe. With momentum to sever the skies and surpass all limits, it annihilated everything in its path.


    [Rafael LP 200 ¡ú 0]


    Having endured nearly 20,000 points of damage, Rafael, with only 200 LP left, was sent flying by the sheer force of the impact, rendering him unconscious.


    [Duel ends. Victory: Hoshino & Kaiba!]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 307 - 307

    "Did... did Rafael lose?!" "Hoshino actually won?!"


    Valon and Kaiba both exclaimed in shock. The final, earth-shattering strike and the unforeseen turnaround brought about by the shattering of The Extremity of Endlessness left them stunned. With 30,000 ATK, the strongest duelist of Doma, Rafael, and his ace monster had been utterly defeated.


    Rafael lay motionless on the ground, silent, seemingly drained of all energy.


    "Ra¡ªfael¡ªl!!"


    Valon held Rafael''s massive frame in his arms, shouting dramatically toward the sky.


    Hoshino stared at him like he was an idiot. No, more accurately, Valon was just as much of a fool as Jonouchi. "Hey, he didn''t activate the Orichalcos or anything. He just passed out from the shock, right?"


    To the three watching, it seemed like Rafael had been launched back by the sheer force of the final blow. But the true cause lay deeper¡ªRafael''s shaken convictions.


    Days of non-stop action¡ªstealing the God Cards, hunting down legendary duelists, and defeating Yugi¡ªhad pushed him to the brink.


    Then, he had faced Kaiba and Hoshino in a state of extreme exhaustion, ultimately losing to a strategy that went entirely against his beliefs¡ªsacrificing almost his entire deck to achieve victory.


    More troublingly, he had used the dark counterpart to Guardian Eatos, Guardian Dreadscythe, given to him by Dartz, and sent his cherished companions to the graveyard to summon the vengeful spirit.


    "I didn''t want to lose anyone else. I only wanted to protect what was important... That''s how it was supposed to be. But if I''m willing to sacrifice my own monsters for victory, does that mean my convictions are this weak?"


    Haunted by his doubts, Rafael sank into a deep sleep.


    Hoshino turned to the lone member of the Doma trio still standing¡ªValon¡ªher expression serious. "Valon, return Yugi''s soul and take Rafael and Alister with you."


    "Hoshino, so you''ve chosen to betray Doma after all..."


    "What betrayal?! I was never one of you in the first place! Say one more word, and I''ll hit you!"


    Though her tone was fierce, Hoshino''s heart was conflicted. Despite the short time they had spent together, she didn''t hate the Doma trio. In fact, their camaraderie had been somewhat enjoyable. They weren''t truly bad people¡ªjust individuals fighting for different causes.


    The true villain was Dartz, the madman intent on destroying and remaking the world.


    Hoshino took the card containing Yugi''s sealed soul from Valon. The image of Yugi''s soul, trapped within the green Orichalcos Seal, resembled a prison locking away his spirit.


    "Valon, why did you follow Dartz and choose to destroy and remake the world?"


    Watching Valon carry Rafael and Alister''s unconscious bodies, Hoshino couldn''t help but ask.


    She could understand why Alister and Rafael were swayed by Dartz''s promises¡ªeach had lost loved ones and hoped the world''s recreation might bring them back. But Valon? He had never shared much about his past. This na?ve, straightforward guy baffled her.


    "I have no choice but to keep fighting. Abandoned by my family, betrayed by my friends, and eventually sent to juvie... Lord Dartz was the one who discovered me and gave me a reason to exist¡ªto keep winning duels."


    "That''s not right, Valon. If dueling is your purpose, then what about Mai?"


    At the mention of Mai, Valon faltered.


    "I liked her because she''s like me¡ªa person with nothing but dueling, someone whose only reason to exist is to keep winning."


    "So Mai is like that too..."


    Hoshino thought of Mai leaving alone after their duel at dawn. Somehow, she couldn''t help but see Valon''s departing figure overlap with Mai''s lonely silhouette.


    If anyone could save their hearts¡ªValon''s and Mai''s¡ªit had to be that fool...


    "What do we do now?"


    After watching Valon''s helicopter disappear into the distance, Hoshino put away Yugi''s soul card and realized something¡ªKaiba was still standing silently beside her.


    "Wait." Kaiba, arms crossed, uttered the single word coldly and remained silent.


    Though Hoshino had teamed up with Kaiba to defeat Rafael, it now hit her that she was in the same predicament as him¡ªa crash survivor.


    I''m stranded too!


    With no civilization nearby and only the wreckage of a burning plane, their situation was dire.


    The good news: the fire meant warmth at night and might ward off wild animals.


    The bad news: the plane could explode at any moment.


    "I think we should get out of here, like, now..."


    "ROOOAAAR¡ª!!"


    Before Kaiba could answer, a terrifying roar echoed through the area.


    "It''s here!! Why are wild beasts attacking in broad daylight?!"


    Startled by the roar, Hoshino instinctively raised her duel disk, ready to use it as both a summoning tool and a blunt weapon.


    "Wait a second. Why does that roar sound so familiar...?"


    Getting into a combat stance, she suddenly recognized the sound.


    "Isn''t that... Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s roar?!"


    Kaiba reached into his pocket, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It''s a call. Mokuba and the others are catching up."


    "Wait, that''s your ringtone?! Who uses Blue-Eyes''s roar as a ringtone?! You''re such a ridiculous Blue-Eyes fanboy!"


    The moment Kaiba answered the call, the roaring stopped. Realizing what had happened, Hoshino erupted into a storm of complaints.


    "Why didn''t you answer sooner?! You just let me panic like an idiot for fun, didn''t you? And you were laughing just now, weren''t you?! You smug, repressed jerk!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    ....


    "So this is the Blue-Eyes White Dragon Jet!"


    Seeing the sleek, extravagant design of the aircraft, Hoshino couldn''t help but marvel.


    "The Blue-Eyes White Dragon helicopter looked kind of silly, but I have to admit, a jet shaped like Blue-Eyes White Dragon is actually pretty cool!"


    Kaiba''s brow furrowed slightly. "Silly?"


    "But I heard rumors from Doma that you''ve gone bankrupt~ Didn''t you have to sell off all these weird toys to pay your debts?"


    Kaiba''s frown deepened. "Bankrupt? Debts? Weird toys? Hoshino, you''ve become quite bold in the short time we''ve been apart!"


    "Ah, it really is Hoshino!" Mokuba, who had just leapt down from the jet, interrupted Kaiba before he could explode, running straight toward Hoshino. "Long time no see! I missed you so much!"


    Hoshino ruffled Mokuba''s soft, surprisingly fluffy hair and asked curiously, "Has it really been that long? Feels like it''s only been a few days to me."


    For Hoshino, who had just returned from a time-travel adventure, only a few days seemed to have passed. But the actual timeline she returned to was uncertain.


    "A few days?! It''s been over a month since Battle City ended! Where have you been all this time, Hoshino? Your duel disk''s tracker couldn''t even find you!"


    A whole month?! Hoshino realized she''d somehow skipped forward in time. That "evil god" had claimed to fully understand how the D-Runner worked, but clearly, it hadn''t pinpointed the timeline correctly! Now she wondered whether her little warehouse at Grandpa Sugoroku''s shop had been cleared out during her absence.


    "Get in. We''re going to find Yugi and the others." Kaiba, already seated in the cockpit, urged her impatiently.


    The Blue-Eyes Jet''s interior was much smaller than the helicopter''s, with only two seats¡ªone in front and one in back. Judging by the circumstances, Mokuba must have piloted the jet here alone. Quite impressive for a kid.


    "Guess we''ll have to squeeze into the back seat together, Hoshino!" Mokuba grinned cheekily.


    ...


    "It''s still a bit cramped!" Hoshino complained as the narrow space barely accommodated both her and Mokuba.


    "Mokuba, sit still and don''t move!"


    Mokuba looked aggrieved. "I am sitting still! The seat wasn''t designed for two people, you know."


    Apparently, much of KaibaCorp''s transportation assets had been seized, leaving Mokuba no choice but to rely on this jet. Given its military origins, it must have been a relic of Gozaburo''s weapons-market dealings.


    With the transparent canopy sealed, Kaiba asked, "Enough chatter. Where are Yugi and the others, Hoshino? You should know."


    "Probably at a place called the Valley of the Kings. That''s where Yugi lost to Rafael. As for where they went after that, I''m not sure."


    Hearing that Yugi had lost, Mokuba was shocked. "Even Yugi lost? Doma must be really strong!"


    In Mokuba''s mind, Yugi¡ªwho had once defeated Kaiba¡ªwas the world''s second-strongest duelist, second only to Hoshino herself.


    Kaiba shook his head. "The Valley of the Kings is remote, with nowhere to stay. Yugi and the others wouldn''t linger there. Do you have any other leads?"


    Hoshino tilted her head and thought hard. "Other leads... Oh! Arthur!"


    "Arthur?"


    "Arthur Hawkins, the professor! After Pegasus'' soul was sealed, Yugi and the others, originally invited to America by Industrial Illusions, probably stayed at Arthur''s house. That''s why Doma kidnapped Professor Hawkins¡ªto force Yugi into a duel!"


    Mokuba caught on. "Professor Arthur Hawkins? He''s quite famous. Hang on, let me look up his exact location."


    He fiddled with a smartphone-like device, inputting the professor''s details into a search engine.


    "Found him! Last night, Professor Hawkins'' research lab had a major fire. All research materials were destroyed, but thankfully, there were no casualties."


    "A fire? That''s obviously Doma''s doing! They''ve infiltrated everything¡ªmilitary, media, even the news industry!"


    "Brother, I''ve sent you the coordinates!" Mokuba announced.


    "Buckle up. We''re taking off."


    The Blue-Eyes Jet roared to life, flames shooting out from its engines, propelling it forward at breakneck speed. From an outside perspective, it probably looked like a Blue-Eyes White Dragon had eaten too much spicy food.


    In the cramped rear seat, Mokuba had no choice but to sit on Hoshino''s lap.


    "Hoshino, what are you doing? I thought you said no moving around!" Mokuba asked as she poked his head repeatedly.


    "That rule''s for you. I''m busy with something important," Hoshino replied absentmindedly.


    What was that important task?


    Obviously, summoning cards!


    [Summoning Store: Opening...]


    Hoshino''s focus wasn''t on Mokuba; it was on her interface, conveniently overlapping with his head.


    [Duelist Level Evaluated: Duelist Rafael, Level A++. Saint Quartz Reward: 140. Remaining Quartz: 235.]


    [Summoning Store: Remaining Servants 2/3. Next refresh: >1 day.]


    [SSR Minamoto no Raikou¡ªExchange Cost: 100 Quartz]


    [SSR Shuten-Douji¡ªExchange Cost: 100 Quartz]


    "Jackpot! Rafael, you didn''t disappoint me!"


    An A++ duelist''s reward was double that of A+, granting her a hefty sum of quartz.


    "If Rafael had used the Orichalcos Seal, I could''ve gotten three times the reward¡ª460 quartz!"


    Although tempted, Hoshino quickly dismissed the idea. Using such a soul-stealing Seal to earn quartz would be crossing a moral line, even for her.


    "Raikou and Shuten acquired! Prepare for the end, Kintoki!"


    Grinning wickedly, Hoshino confirmed her summons, poking Mokuba''s head to finalize the exchange. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 308 - 308

    Golden light gently descended into her hands. The two new cards Hoshino drew from the top of her deck radiated an unmistakable aura.


    "Ah, ara, ara~! We meet again, Master. You really are just a child who can''t grow up¡ªalways clinging to me, hmm~?"


    "Heh, so you summoned me again. Do as you like¡ªbut don''t come crying later~."


    Raikou''s expression, which had been warm and indulgent just moments ago, instantly shifted to one of contempt¡ªlike a flawless mask-changing performance.


    "Oh, I see now¡ªthere''s an insect here. Filthy little oni, stop polluting the air with your breath! If you can''t, I''ll gladly help you stop for good."


    Not to be outdone, Shuten''s smile turned sharp, her fangs glinting mischievously.


    "Oh, how annoying. What''s a reeking milk cow doing here, trying to seduce Master? Old hag, please retire already!"


    What a headache these two are.


    With a wry smile, Hoshino quietly put the two cards away. "I''ll leave this mess for Kintoki to handle. I believe in you¡ªdie a glorious death, buddy!"


    Now then¡ª


    [Remaining Saint Quartz: 35]


    [Banner Loading...]


    "Ouch! Hoshino, if you''re going to poke me, at least be gentle!" Mokuba grumbled.


    "Ah, sorry, sorry! Got a little too excited~."


    "Mokuba''s not your toy, Hoshino. Even you can''t bully him too much, or I''ll get angry."


    Kaiba, piloting the jet, still managed to spare a moment to defend his little brother¡ªsounding every bit the protective older sibling.


    "Don''t be mad, Big Brother¡ªit''s not that bad..."


    [Divine Realm of the Round Table: Camelot - Featured Knights of the Round Table Summoning Banner!]


    Ignoring Kaiba''s warning entirely, Hoshino''s attention was completely drawn to Da Vinci''s latest cash-grabbing scheme.


    "Knights of the Round Table, huh? I remember..."


    Pulling out her backup deck box, Hoshino spread out the cards stored inside, searching for two specific ones.


    "Of course! Cards with both [Heroic Spirit] and [Round Table] traits."


    The two Round Table Knights currently in her possession¡ªMordred and Lancelot¡ªwere part of a specialized Round Table archetype derived from the broader Heroic Spirit deck. Their synergy would only truly shine once she gathered more knights.


    "Well, there''s only one thing to do¡ªdraw! Ten-pull!"


    [Confirm!]


    But thinking an "up" banner actually guarantees better luck? Laughably naive.


    Despite the "Knights of the Round Table" label, nearly none of the summons were related to the knights. Seeing the last pull fail to produce even a single golden glow, Hoshino let out a disappointed sigh and lightly bonked Mokuba on the head.


    "That''s uncalled for, Hoshino!" Mokuba protested.


    "What''s wrong, Master? You don''t look too happy. Did my arrival displease you?"


    A soft, gentle male voice suddenly cut through Hoshino''s despair.


    "Bedivere of the Round Table has come once more to offer my sword to you, Master!"


    Bedivere! Oh, right¡ªhe''s the only Round Table Knight who isn''t a gold card!


    To avoid drawing Kaiba and Mokuba''s attention, Hoshino kept her reaction internal, though her heart swelled with relief.


    Reading the meaning behind her gaze, Bedivere scratched his face awkwardly.


    "Apologies for not being a rare card, Master."


    Not rare? That''s great! At least you''re not ignoring me like some others. Bedivere really is the kindest.


    Hoshino shook her head emphatically, hoping Bedivere would understand her gratitude.


    True to her hopes, Bedivere smiled warmly. "I understand, Master. Don''t worry¡ªI''ll bring the rest of those unruly knights here, even if it takes a bit of... persuasion."


    That might be going too far... but if it works, I won''t complain.


    (***)


    Dartz stood silently before the now-empty ritual platform, his expression unreadable.


    Kneeling before him, Rafael and Valon had no words to explain losing the God Cards.


    "Lord Dartz, the situation is..." Valon hesitated, trying to explain.


    "No need¡ªI already know." Dartz cut him off, turning toward them with a calm yet chilling demeanor.


    The truth behind Dartz''s identity was astonishing: he was the last survivor of Atlantis. Thousands of years ago, Atlantis had fallen into corruption and sin. Disgusted by humanity''s darkness, Dartz had used the power of the Orichalcos to destroy the kingdom entirely.


    Now, 10,000 years later, Dartz had seen the same corruption spread across the modern world. Determined to cleanse it once more, he sought to revive the Orichalcos and annihilate humanity.


    In other words, Dartz¡ªthe mastermind behind Doma¡ªwas no mere man. He was a true, immortal monster who had lived for 10,000 years.


    "...This is a tire mark, right?" Dartz murmured, touching his still-red cheek. "A literal tire mark on my face. It''s... kind of ruining my image."


    Hoshino Chiyuki.


    Dartz muttered the name of the duelist responsible, his gaze darkening.


    "As someone not chosen by the Legendary Dragons, she should have had no impact on our great plan or our divine god. And yet..."


    From knocking him out with some bizarre technique, infiltrating the organization, stealing the Egyptian God Cards, and finally teaming up with Kaiba to defeat Rafael and reclaim Yugi''s soul¡ªHoshino had done nothing but dismantle their efforts step by step.


    Even Dartz could no longer deny it¡ªthis supposedly "unimportant" duelist had become a legitimate threat.


    "Dartz, I''ve made up my mind!" Rafael declared resolutely. "Please grant me another chance. I will defeat Hoshino and retrieve the God Cards, even if I must use the Seal of Orichalcos!"


    Having been defeated by Hoshino, Rafael had come to a grim realization:


    The more he clung to the idea of protecting everything he held dear, the more he failed to protect anything at all.


    If sacrificing part of his beliefs meant achieving his ultimate goal¡ªreviving his family in Dartz''s remade world¡ªthen he was willing to go through with it. Even if it meant corrupting his Guardians.


    Dartz, however, raised a hand to stop him.


    "Do not lose focus, Rafael. The God Cards are no longer important. The resurrection of our divine god is inevitable¡ªit''s only a matter of time. Your task now is to defeat the Pharaoh and claim his soul."


    At this revelation, Rafael''s eyes widened.


    It was no longer the Pharaoh''s soul they had in their grasp... but the soul of his host, Yugi.


    "As for Hoshino Chiyuki..."


    Dartz''s voice turned cold as he rubbed his bruised cheek.


    "I will personally make her pay."


    (***)


    Hawkins Research Institute


    "Wow, they really burned it to the ground, huh? Not even a trace of it being a research lab left."


    Hoshino pressed her face against the transparent window of the Blue-Eyes jet, gazing down at the charred remains of the institute.


    "Weren''t we supposed to be locating Arthur''s residence? Why''d we come straight to the research facility instead?"


    Mokuba scanned the area, nodding as if something had clicked. "It seems Professor Hawkins and his granddaughter lived at the research institute. There''s no mention of another residence, but¡ªoh! Found it!"


    A large white RV was parked near the burnt ruins. It wasn''t hard to spot.


    "The professor must be there. As for Yugi and the others..."


    "We''ll find out once we land," Kaiba interrupted coolly, finally cutting the jet''s thrusters.


    The loud engine noise immediately drew the attention of everyone in the RV. Though it was broad daylight, the group emerged looking exhausted, their faces weary with worry. Even Rebecca stepped out, her red glasses giving her a slightly more mature look compared to before.


    But one figure was conspicuously absent: Yami Yugi.


    "This bizarre-looking thing must be Kaiba''s!" Jonouchi scoffed. "Even in a time like this, he''s gotta flaunt his weird sense of style!"


    Rebecca looked confused. "Kaiba? You mean Seto Kaiba, the president of KaibaCorp? The one who invented Duel Disks?"


    Anzu nodded. "That''s him. But why would he know where to find us?"


    Kaiba was the first to jump down from the jet, landing smoothly while completely ignoring the group. Behind him, Hoshino and Mokuba were struggling to disentangle themselves from the cramped single-seat setup.


    "Where''s Yugi? He''s not here?" Kaiba cut straight to the point, his tone as cold as ever.


    Anzu stepped forward. "Yugi''s inside resting. He''s... been exhausted. Did you come here for him?"


    Her concern wasn''t just for Yugi''s physical state but for his other self. The sight of the Pharaoh''s defeated and lonely expression had left a sharp ache in her heart.


    Kaiba frowned. "Exhausted? Just because he lost a duel to Rafael, he''s already breaking down? As my rival, he''s really letting me down."


    "Wait a second, Kaiba," Honda interrupted. "How do you even know about Yugi losing the duel?"


    Ever since their return from the Valley of the Kings, the group had been trapped in a heavy fog of defeat, unable to take even a single step forward.


    Kaiba smirked dismissively. "Is that supposed to be a secret?"


    "I told him."


    Finally managing to climb out of the jet, Hoshino dusted herself off and hopped down to the ground. Unlike Kaiba''s dramatic entrance, she had to awkwardly slide off the side of the jet''s sleek frame.


    Jonouchi, Honda, and Anzu were collectively stunned at the sudden appearance of Hoshino.


    "Hoshino... you..."


    "Traitor¡ª!"


    Without warning, Rebecca, who had been silent until now, suddenly erupted, catching everyone off guard.


    "I heard from Jonouchi! You''re the traitor who stood by and did nothing while my dear''s soul was taken away!"


    Unlike Anzu, who hid her feelings, Rebecca openly adored Yugi and pursued her love without reservation. Learning that Yugi''s soul had been taken¡ªand that Hoshino had allegedly stood idly by¡ªonly deepened Rebecca''s pain. Pain that likely surpassed anyone else''s there.


    Jonouchi scratched his head awkwardly, glancing at Rebecca and then at Hoshino, whom he hadn''t seen in a while. "Rebecca, I don''t think I said Hoshino was a traitor. All I said was that I saw her with the people from Doma..."


    "Standing with Doma and watching as my darling''s soul was taken away. Isn''t that evidence enough?"


    Rebecca''s voice quivered with the weight of her emotions. She pointed angrily at the RV behind her.


    "Grandpa told me in secret when he came back. He said that when Doma took him away, he saw it too! Hoshino is one of Doma''s! If you''re innocent, explain yourself!"


    Hearing this revelation for the first time, the group''s expressions grew increasingly conflicted.


    "I don''t believe it!" Jonouchi immediately stepped forward. "Hoshino would never do something like that! She''s saved us so many times! Remember when we were trapped in Noah''s underwater fortress? Or during my Shadow Game with Marik..."


    Kaiba, surprisingly, gave Jonouchi an approving smirk. "For a third-rate duelist, you''re unexpectedly insightful."


    Honda and Anzu nodded in agreement. "Hoshino would never do such a thing. Even if Professor Hawkins said he saw her, there must be an explanation."


    Though Hoshino''s sudden reappearance in Doma''s ranks had been unintentional, the unwavering trust of her friends¡ªdespite the overwhelming evidence against her¡ªmade her nose sting with emotion.


    With a flick of her wrist, Hoshino pulled a card from her belt''s card case and tossed it toward Rebecca.


    "Rebecca, I know you''re worried about Yugi. But before you decide if I''m the ''traitor'' you think I am, take a look at this first."


    Rebecca caught the card, her small frame trembling as she held it in both hands.


    "This is...?!"


    Her eyes widened in shock. "This is... my darling''s soul?"


    Jonouchi gasped. "That''s... the card that sealed Yugi''s soul! Hoshino, how did you get this?!"


    "Partner!" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before anyone could respond, the RV''s metal door was flung open with a loud crash. The Pharaoh stumbled out, his movements unsteady, his expression unlike anything the group had ever seen before. The usual confidence in his face was replaced with exhaustion and despair, and the sight of him made Hoshino''s heart ache.


    Snatching the soul-sealed card from Rebecca''s hands, the Pharaoh stared at it with wide, revitalized eyes.


    "Partner... I won''t lose you again! I won''t let anything hold me back anymore. I won''t lose again!"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 309 - 309

    Rebecca was furious as Yami snatched Yugi''s soul card from her hands.


    "Why did you take my darling away?! It''s all your fault for losing the duel! His soul was sealed in that card because he took your place!"


    "Rebecca..." Anzu''s heart ached as she looked at Yami. Speaking softly, she continued, "The other Yugi didn''t want to lose either. If anyone is hurting the most from this, it''s him."


    Rebecca clutched the soul card tightly to her chest, tears streaming down her freckled cheeks.


    "My darling... He''s such a kind and strong person!" she cried. "Why is someone like him trapped in such a cold, lifeless card?!"


    Moved by Rebecca''s raw emotions, the Pharaoh deeply understood her love and concern for Yugi. It was a warmth he himself had never experienced¡ªone that only Rebecca could offer.


    "Rebecca," he said solemnly, "I promise I will find a way to free my partner''s soul from this card."


    Clenching his fists with newfound resolve, he continued, "For now, you should keep the card. Until I defeat Rafael, I am not worthy of taking my partner''s soul back."


    Hoshino smiled in relief as she saw the Pharaoh regain his fighting spirit.


    "That''s wonderful, Kaiba! Even if we don''t yet know how to break the seal on Yugi''s soul, reclaiming the card wasn''t pointless after all," Hoshino said cheerfully.


    Kaiba, however, scowled in disbelief. "What ''soul-sealing card''? Are you messing with me, Hoshino? Yugi''s standing right here, isn''t he?"


    Oh no, Hoshino thought. She had forgotten that Kaiba didn''t believe in such things.


    The Pharaoh turned toward Hoshino, his gaze filled with gratitude.


    "Hoshino, you defeated Rafael and reclaimed my partner''s card? It seems that even though we never finished the Battle City finals, the gap between us remains."


    Hoshino scratched her cheek awkwardly. "If it were just me, I wouldn''t have been able to defeat Rafael. It was only by teaming up with Kaiba and using the power of the Legendary Dragon that we barely managed to win. He really was a terrifying opponent."


    "The Doma are really that powerful?" Jonouchi shivered at the thought.


    First, they had defeated Yugi. Then, they had pushed both Hoshino and Kaiba to their limits¡ªeven with a combined effort. For duelists like them to have never appeared in Duelist Kingdom or Battle City meant only one thing: Doma didn''t consider ordinary duelists worthy of their time.


    Anzu tilted her head. "But Hoshino, you haven''t told us why you disappeared suddenly, only to reappear later... with Doma."


    The group perked up, curiosity lighting their expressions. Even Kaiba, ever the aloof one, subtly leaned in to listen.


    "If it weren''t for Hoshino, I likely wouldn''t have made it back from Doma," came an elderly voice.


    Arthur Hawkins emerged from the RV, his frail figure carrying an air of wisdom.


    Rebecca looked stunned. "Grandpa, didn''t you say Hoshino was one of Doma''s? Even their military listened to her!"


    Jonouchi''s eyes lit up. "Whoa! Is that true, Hoshino? You were commanding their army? What''s that like?!"


    Sorry, Hoshino thought. The only army I''ve ever commanded is in a mobile game.


    Arthur adjusted his glasses and sighed. "At first, I thought Hoshino was merely trying to keep me from investigating the ancient Atlantis civilization further. But now..."


    His gaze lingered on the soul card in Rebecca''s hands.


    "Now, it''s clear that my safe return is thanks to Hoshino''s efforts. I owe you a sincere apology for misjudging you back then."


    Arthur bowed deeply, leaving Hoshino flustered.


    "Professor, there''s no need for that..."


    Jonouchi''s eyes suddenly gleamed as if he had solved a great mystery. "I get it now!"


    Honda rolled his eyes. "What could a blockhead like you possibly ''get''?"


    "Hoshino was undercover!" Jonouchi declared with pride. "She infiltrated Doma to figure out their plans! With her skills, she probably became one of their top duelists and used her position to uncover their secrets. That''s how she got Professor Hawkins and Yugi''s soul card back!"


    Hoshino blinked, her mouth slightly agape.


    Jonouchi... you actually figured it out?! Even the part about becoming one of Doma''s?!


    She could only nod silently as Jonouchi''s triumphant smirk grew wider.


    "So I was right! I knew it!" Jonouchi exclaimed.


    The Pharaoh''s gaze softened. "Hoshino, you risked so much to infiltrate Doma. Was it because you sensed their schemes from the start?"


    Even Mokuba chimed in. "Then what exactly is Doma trying to do? And why did they target Kaiba Corp?"


    Hoshino sighed, preparing to explain. "Honestly, it''s pretty clich¨¦. Their goal is the usual villain shtick: world destruction¡ª"


    Before she could finish, the sky suddenly darkened. Light faded as an oppressive blackness swallowed the heavens.


    Jonouchi scratched his head. "Huh? Did it get dark already? Does night fall this early in America?"


    "That''s impossible!" Rebecca shouted, her voice tinged with panic.


    Everyone turned their gazes skyward, unease settling in their hearts.


    Anzu let out a scream and stumbled back. "A snake! A giant snake''s shadow is floating in the sky!"


    The immense, serpentine silhouette twisted and coiled across the blackened firmament. Its body was so massive that its tail was nowhere in sight. It didn''t merely float¡ªit slithered through the night like a predator in an endless sea of stars.


    All across the world, people bore witness to this unsettling phenomenon.


    The shadow''s gaping maw opened, devouring stars one by one. With each consumed star, the world grew darker¡ªthe light of hope fading as terror crept in.


    (***)


    "Devour the light and bring the world to ruin with darkness! Descend, almighty Orichalcos God, and awaken the lost souls of Atlantis!"


    Despite Hoshino''s attempt to interrupt, Dartz had completed the ritual, fueled by the power of the Egyptian God Cards. His plan to drive the world toward ultimate destruction¡ªjust as he had done to Atlantis 10,000 years ago¡ªwas now in motion.


    "All that remains are the souls of the chosen duelists to fully resurrect the Orichalcos God. The hour of destruction has arrived..."


    (***)


    Hawkins Research Site


    As the group stared at the sky, perplexed by the sudden phenomenon, Professor Arthur Hawkins abruptly rushed back into the RV. Moments later, he returned with a handful of photographs and glanced up at the sky, comparing the images to the serpent devouring the stars.


    "This is it! The legendary Orichalcos God from the Atlantis¡ªthe Grand Dragon Leviathan!"


    Everyone gathered around Arthur, peering curiously at the photographs¡ªrelics salvaged from his burned-down research facility.


    Hoshino studied the image, a realization dawning on her. "This tablet... it looks so familiar!"


    The Pharaoh quickly turned to her. "Hoshino, is something wrong? Did you notice something?"


    "This Atlantis stone tablet is incredibly detailed!" Hoshino leaned in for a closer look. "Way more intricate than those abstract Egyptian God tablets from the museum!"


    The Pharaoh''s eye twitched in annoyance. "I apologize if ancient Egyptian craftsmanship was too abstract for your tastes!"


    Still, as he begrudgingly compared the civilizations, he couldn''t deny that Atlantis'' technological and artistic advancements might rival those of the modern era.


    Kaiba, unimpressed, scoffed. "Pointless. Only those chained to the past waste their time on such things." Without waiting for an invitation, he casually stepped into the RV.


    "If there''s research material here, there''s bound to be a computer. I''ll use it."


    Jonouchi frowned. "Hey! You can''t just walk into someone else''s place like that! And why not go back and use your company''s supercomputers, huh?"


    Hoshino tugged at Jonouchi''s sleeve, whispering, "Psst, Jonouchi... Kaiba can''t do that anymore. He''s bankrupt. All his fancy equipment is out of reach now."


    Jonouchi''s jaw dropped. "Bankrupt?! Seriously?!" After seeing Hoshino''s solemn nod, he burst into uncontrollable laughter.


    "Haha! So he''s not the president of Kaiba Corp anymore? He''s just like me now¡ªa regular ol'' commoner!" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino facepalmed. "Did you really just admit you''re a ''commoner''? And now you''ve said it loud enough for Kaiba to hear... I''m doomed to get the cold shoulder from him forever."


    Jonouchi proudly puffed out his chest. "Well, as a fellow commoner, I''ll show him how tough we are! Let''s see how Mr. Former President handles the commoner life!"


    .


    ..


    ...


    Half an Hour Later


    Despite the ominous shadow looming over them, Kaiba remained glued to the computer like a stubborn gamer. Suddenly, his face lit up with triumph.


    "I knew it! Dartz... no matter how well you hid your tracks, I''ve uncovered your secret."


    Hoshino perked up. "Wait, Kaiba! Are you investigating Doma? You''re telling me you tracked down a secretive organization like that just by searching the internet?"


    Kaiba smirked, spinning his chair to show her the computer screen.


    "I can''t trace Doma directly, but the company that maliciously acquired Kaiba Corp¡ªParadius Inc.¡ªis undoubtedly their front. And their CEO is..."


    "Oh! Oh! Oh!" Hoshino exclaimed as Kaiba pointed at the screen, revealing Paradius'' CEO.


    "That''s him! Dartz! I didn''t recognize him clearly before because of that tire mark on his face, but it''s definitely him!"


    Kaiba''s voice was steely. "With financial power capable of blackmailing presidents and armies, and the ability to manipulate global markets, Doma''s reach is terrifying. But their arrogance exposed them¡ªthey underestimated me."


    Hoshino clenched her fists, her resolve burning. "Exactly! Their blatant takeover of Kaiba Corp only led us straight to them. Now that we know who they are, it''s time to strike back!"


    Rebecca suddenly called out, her voice tinged with unease. "Guys, look outside! There''s a crowd heading toward us!"


    Alarmed, the Pharaoh rushed to the window. His sharp gaze locked onto the approaching figures, his expression darkening.


    "Rebecca... that''s not a crowd of people. Look closely."


    In the darkness, an army of blue-armored skeleton soldiers emerged, their hollow eyes glowing with eerie, ghostly light.


    "The undead soldiers of Atlantis!"


    The Pharaoh had witnessed this terrifying scene before¡ªthrough the memories granted by The Eye of Timaeus. These same undead hordes had slaughtered all life in Atlantis during the battle against the Orichalcos God.


    Hoshino''s sharp vision focused on the skeletal army. "So the snake in the sky is summoning them."


    Jonouchi''s voice wavered. "The people of Atlantis... coming after us from 10,000 years ago?!"


    Hoshino smirked, drawing a card from her Duel Disk. "Well, if they''re so eager to meet us, it''d be rude not to greet them back. Let''s show them what modern duelists are capable of. Let''s go, Medea!"


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 310 - 310

    "Are we really just abandoning the fighter jet? Kaiba, you''re okay with leaving behind your ''wife''?"


    Hoshino couldn''t believe it. Wasn''t this jet modeled after his beloved Blue-Eyes White Dragon?


    Kaiba responded with a pained yet resolute tone, "Flying the jet into Doma territory would make us an easy target. A civilian RV like this is far more discreet!"


    Even with the sky darkened by the Leviathan, the forces surrounding Doma HQ were unlikely to let Kaiba''s fighter jet approach without shooting it down.


    Sitting in the driver''s seat, Rebecca stomped on the gas pedal and shot Kaiba a look. "This isn''t just any RV! This is a high-end luxury model, mind you!"


    Arthur''s reputation in academia had granted him the financial means to afford a state-of-the-art RV¡ªone equipped with both comfort and advanced capabilities.


    Meanwhile, outside the vehicle, Hoshino''s summoned army of dragon-tooth soldiers¡ªcrafted by Medea''s magic circles¡ªclashed against the encroaching undead.


    "I helped too, Master~" Medea Lily added cheerfully, faint traces of magical energy still lingering on her fingers.


    To counter the sheer numbers of the undead, Hoshino had summoned both Medea and Medea Lily. The dragon-tooth soldiers, though fragile, were ideal for this battle due to their low mana cost and ability to swarm the enemy.


    The battlefield was pure chaos: bone weapons clashing, undead groaning, and shattered skeletons reassembling as quickly as they fell. Watching the skirmish through the RV windows, Jonouchi let out a whistle. "Hoshino, your magic tricks always come in clutch!"


    Inside the RV, Rebecca skillfully weaved through waves of undead, but before long, one of the skeletons leaped onto the side of the vehicle.


    "Agh! Get it off, get it off!" Anzu shrieked, backing away from the window in panic.


    Medea Lily stepped forward, her small hand glowing with magic. Pressing her palm against the glass, she conjured a purple sigil that erupted in a blast, reducing the clinging undead to bits.


    "Nice work, Medea Lily!" Hoshino sighed in relief. But just as she spoke, another undead lunged at the RV from the front. Rebecca swerved hard, barely avoiding a crash, yet the creature clung to the windshield.


    "These guys just don''t quit!" Jonouchi yelled. Frustrated, he rolled down a window and punched the skeleton square in the face, shattering it into bone fragments.


    Seeing the bewildered expressions of her companions, Hoshino smirked. "Maybe we should just toss Jonouchi out there. He could clear a path for us!"


    Kaiba nodded curtly. "Finally, a practical use for this mediocre duelist. I approve."


    Rebecca, however, was not amused. "Enough joking! Someone cover the front already! These things are everywhere!"


    Despite the dragon-tooth soldiers holding off most of the undead, the RV''s path was quickly becoming overwhelmed. Rebecca''s expert driving could only delay the inevitable.


    The Pharaoh observed the endless sea of skeletons ahead. "The undead army is larger than we anticipated. Even if we reach Doma, there''s no guarantee we''ll shake them off."


    The undead weren''t targeting Hoshino''s group specifically¡ªthey were spreading worldwide as the Leviathan''s influence grew.


    "No choice¡ªwe''ll break through the front!" Hoshino declared, activating her Duel Disk. She drew a card from her Extra Deck and slammed it onto the disk. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jonouchi''s eyes lit up as he noticed the sleek design of the Duel Disk. "Whoa, Hoshino! That Duel Disk is awesome! Where''d you get it?"


    Hoshino smirked. "Wouldn''t you like to know? Let''s just say it was a... special gift."


    With a roar of an engine, a golden motorbike burst forth from the summoned card. A leather-clad figure sat atop it, exuding an aura of pure confidence.


    "Go, Kintoki! Clear the way!"


    The rider, Kintoki, saluted lazily as he revved up his golden bike. "Hey, Boss... Alright, let''s do this!"


    Golden energy surged at the bike''s wheels as Kintoki unleashed its full power. The engine roared like thunder, and in a flash, the golden machine plowed through the undead horde, leaving a blazing trail in its wake.


    "Let''s ride! Golden Drive!" Kintoki shouted, his voice full of fiery determination.


    The RV followed closely behind, using the path carved by Kintoki''s relentless charge. The undead scattered like leaves in a storm, unable to withstand the sheer force of his golden machine.


    "Hold on, everyone! We''re breaking through!" Rebecca yelled, flooring the gas pedal as the RV sped toward Doma headquarters.


    Thanks to Kintoki''s charge, Hoshino and the others finally escaped the dense swarm of undead.


    As they entered the city, organized military forces were already evacuating civilians and mounting a defense against the undead army. The pressure on Hoshino''s group eased somewhat, allowing Medea to stop endlessly crafting dragon-tooth soldiers.


    Among the wreckage, a few dragon teeth from Baby Dragon were salvaged¡ªa useful resource for emergencies.


    The towering, foreboding silhouette of Paradius Inc. stood before them, merging almost seamlessly with the darkness of the Leviathan looming above. The oppressive atmosphere around the building made it feel like the very heart of the calamity.


    "This place feels even creepier than the streets outside. Are we really going to find answers about Doma here?" Jonouchi shuddered, staring up at the ominous skyscraper.


    Hoshino took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering despite the nerves creeping up her spine. "No matter how eerie it feels, this is our only lead. If Dartz truly needs the souls of legendary duelists to complete his ritual, there''s no way he''ll sit idly by."


    Her time as a "double agent" for Doma hadn''t been wasted¡ªit had given her valuable insights into their plans and methods.


    "Although..." she smirked, turning teasingly to Mokuba. "There might be a trap inside¡ªmaybe undead duelists waiting to ''invite'' us to a game."


    Mokuba flinched, his face paling. "Stop messing with me, Hoshino! There''s no way the undead play Duel Monsters!"


    "Oh, but there was that time we met a ''Kaiba'' ghost who was dueling." Hoshino''s mischievous grin widened.


    Kaiba shot her a sharp glare. "Enough of your nonsense."


    Without waiting for the others, he stepped out of the RV. "Let''s not waste time. I''ll see for myself how Dartz managed to create such a massive projection of holograms."


    Mokuba and Pharaoh quickly followed, both concerned about Kaiba''s impulsive actions.


    "Wait, Kaiba! It''s too dangerous to go alone!" Pharaoh called, while Mokuba hurriedly climbed out to catch up.


    Hoshino sighed, watching the trio charge ahead. "They''re acting like classic cannon fodder characters. In any other story, they wouldn''t survive past Episode 3."


    Jonouchi turned to Honda, cracking his knuckles. "I''ll back them up. Honda, you stay here and protect the RV and the others."


    Honda gave a resolute nod. "You can count on me!"


    Hoshino, however, had other plans. She gestured for Jonouchi and Honda to lean in. "Hey, you two... I''ve got an idea."


    Inside Paradius Inc.


    The ominous first floor greeted them with exactly what Hoshino had anticipated¡ªan ambush. From the shadows, undead soldiers emerged, eager to "welcome" their uninvited guests.


    Hoshino smirked, reprimanding the reckless trio. "This isn''t your Kaiba Corp HQ, Kaiba! Wandering around aimlessly like this is just asking for trouble."


    But instead of dwelling on their mistake, she snapped her fingers confidently. "Good thing I came prepared. Alright, guys¡ªunleash the secret weapon!"


    "AAHHHHHH!!!"


    A war cry echoed through the hall as Jonouchi charged forward with unnatural speed and strength, taking down the nearest undead soldier with a single punch. His strike not only shattered the creature but sent its weapon clattering uselessly to the ground.


    Kaiba, Pharaoh, and Mokuba froze in shock.


    Jonouchi, now a one-man army, tore through the enemy ranks with ease, his punches reducing the undead to piles of bones. The sight was both awe-inspiring and surreal.


    "Hoshino''s secret weapon¡ªJonouchi on steroids!"


    Medea''s reinforcement magic had amplified Jonouchi''s strength. Against the brittle undead, he was practically unstoppable.


    Mokuba watched in disbelief. "Jonouchi... Is he even human anymore?!"


    After clearing the first wave, Jonouchi struck a triumphant pose. "That''s it? You gotta be kidding me¡ªthere''s no way that was all they had! Hoshino, can I keep this ''power-up'' going? Maybe get a monthly subscription or something?"


    Hoshino rolled her eyes. "What''s next? Entering the Holy Grail War?!"


    Of course, Jonouchi wasted no time flaunting his newfound prowess to Kaiba, who responded with his usual disdain. "Borrowed strength won''t make up for your lack of skill. Typical mediocrity."


    Hoshino cut their bickering short, ushering everyone forward. "Save it for later. Jonouchi, you''re on point for the second floor."


    To Jonouchi''s disappointment, the second floor was eerily quiet. The wide, dimly lit space seemed tailor-made for a duel arena.


    A familiar, authoritative voice echoed from the shadows. "As Lord Dartz predicted, you''ve come. Legendary duelists... and you, Hoshino Chiyuki."


    Pharaoh''s eyes narrowed, his body tensing. "Rafael?!"


    The Doma enforcer stepped into the dim light, flanked by Valon. Rafael''s presence radiated menace, his resolve sharpened by his prior defeat.


    "Pharaoh," Rafael sneered. "It seems you''ve regained your fighting spirit. But this time, you won''t escape. Your soul will be sealed!"


    Valon stepped forward, his predatory grin locking onto Jonouchi. "And you, Jonouchi... Don''t think you''ll get away either. You''ll join him in your graves!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 311 - 311

    "Rafael, Valon..."


    After a floor full of mobs, what awaited them on the second floor was a double boss battle.


    It was no surprise that Doma would target the duelists chosen by the Legendary Dragons. However, the fact that Rafael and Valon were specifically waiting for Pharaoh and Jonouchi proved that every move they made had been anticipated.


    This also meant that Kaiba''s investigation into Paradius Inc. was something Dartz had foreseen. Truly befitting of a schemer who had lived for thousands of years¡ªcalculating and cunning beyond imagination.


    "Prepare your Duel Disks and show us the resolve of the duelists chosen by the Legendary Dragons!" Rafael''s sharp command reverberated through the room.


    The man standing before them now seemed like an entirely different person from before¡ªhis gaze was like an eagle''s, locked on its prey: Pharaoh and Jonouchi.


    Beside him, Valon''s glare was no less intense, his jealousy and anger burning as he faced Jonouchi¡ªthe man he saw as a rival for Mai''s affection.


    Jonouchi, however, didn''t waver, smirking confidently. "A duel? Are you challenging me and Yugi¡ªthe unbeatable dream team? Let me tell you, when it comes to teamwork, no one can beat us!"


    Hoshino silently groaned. No, you''re definitely just boasting. Let''s be honest¡ªif you two teamed up, Yugi would be doing all the heavy lifting.


    Pharaoh readied his Duel Disk, then turned to Hoshino and Kaiba. "Since Doma is targeting us, leave this to us. You three focus on finding a way to stop all this and track down Dartz."


    Hoshino hesitated. "But¡­ won''t it be dangerous for us to go up alone?"


    Valon chuckled. "Don''t worry, Hoshino. There won''t be any more monsters beyond this floor."


    Mokuba let out a sigh of relief. "Really? That''s great~"


    Rafael sneered, adding ominously, "But don''t think it will be easy. Waiting for you upstairs are duelists far stronger than us."


    Hoshino froze. Far stronger than Doma? Just who could they be?


    Kaiba, unbothered by the threat, turned on his heel. "Let''s go, Hoshino, Mokuba. There''s no time to waste." sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he walked away, he left a parting remark for Atem. "Yugi, as my rival, I won''t allow you to lose to Doma a second time."


    Hoshino smirked. What a tsundere. Trying to encourage him, but too proud to say it outright.


    Pharaoh nodded firmly. "This time, I won''t lose. I''ll win this battle of revenge!"


    "You should hurry up too, Hoshino." Jonouchi gave her a thumbs-up. "Leave it all to me! No matter what, I won''t lose to Doma, and I''ll help Yugi win this rematch!"


    Hoshino''s expression softened, but her tone was less reassuring. "Jonouchi..."


    "What? Touched by how cool I am?"


    Hoshino shook her head. "No, I just feel like you''ve raised a really big flag. Good luck with that."


    Without another word, she turned and followed Kaiba and Mokuba up the stairs.


    [Duel Start!]


    [Rafael & Valon VS Yugi & Jonouchi]


    Rafael went first, activating his Duel Disk''s hidden compartment with a cold expression.


    "Field Spell¡ª[The Seal of Orichalcos]!"


    "What?! He¡­ he activated the Orichalcos?!" Pharaoh exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.


    (***)


    On the Third Floor¡ª


    The deeper they ventured, the darker their surroundings became, their footsteps unconsciously quieting.


    Hoshino shivered slightly. "For being the world''s richest company, they sure are stingy with the lighting. Kaiba, go find the switch."


    Mokuba, clinging tightly to Hoshino''s arm in the pitch black, muttered nervously. "Hoshino, don''t joke around¡­ This place gives me the creeps."


    Kaiba shook his head. "There are no lights here. In fact, this entire building is practically empty¡ªjust a hollow shell of a company."


    For a corporation supposedly holding the global economy in its grip, the revelation that Paradius Inc. was nothing more than a front was unsettling. It was clear that Doma''s financial power didn''t come from legitimate business operations but from millennia of accumulated resources.


    Suddenly, Hoshino froze, pressing a finger to her lips. "Shh¡­ Do you hear that? It sounds like crying."


    Mokuba''s grip tightened. "Don''t scare me like that, Hoshino! There''s no way¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the sound grew clearer¡ªa faint, eerie sobbing echoing through the dark hallways.


    Mokuba''s voice quivered. "Okay, maybe there is something¡­"


    "Enough. Show yourself!" Kaiba commanded, activating his Duel Disk''s built-in light.


    ¡ªWait, what?! Duel Disks can double as flashlights? Why didn''t you mention this earlier?!


    The beam illuminated a small figure crouched in a corner, dressed in a pink floral dress. Her long white hair gleamed like silver in the Duel Disk''s light. She was sobbing softly, her face hidden behind her hands.


    Hoshino''s curiosity piqued. "A little girl? In a place like this? What luck!"


    "Hoshino, are you crazy?! There''s no way a girl could just show up in a place like this! This is definitely not normal!"


    Mokuba desperately clung to Hoshino, trying to stop her from getting any closer to the mysterious figure.


    Kaiba, keeping his Duel Disk''s flashlight trained on the corner, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "This is clearly a trap meant to lure Hoshino in. It seems Doma is well aware of your weaknesses. We''ll need to be extra cautious."


    Hoshino shot them both an annoyed glare. "Why do you two look so certain I''d fall for this? I know how to read a room, okay?"


    Still, she had to admit¡ªa silver-haired girl crying alone in a dark, creepy place was straight out of a horror movie.


    "But are you seriously suggesting we just ignore her? That could make things even worse!" Hoshino argued, gesturing emphatically. "It''s like in a duel¡ªif your opponent sets a Trap Card, you have to take the risk of triggering it, or you''ll never make any progress!"


    Kaiba and Mokuba both winced at her metaphor. So after all that rationalizing, you''re still going to fall for it, huh?


    Switching to her gentlest tone, Hoshino stepped forward. "Hey there. What are you doing all alone in such a dark place?"


    The girl sniffled, her soft, bell-like voice trembling. "I¡­ I got lost¡­ It''s so dark outside, and there are monsters everywhere, so I ran in here..."


    Hoshino''s heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice.


    "That makes sense," she replied, her guard lowering slightly as she moved closer. "Poor girl, you must have been so scared. Let me help you find your way out, okay?"


    But just as she reached out, Kaiba and Mokuba shouted in alarm.


    "Hoshino, step away! She''s clearly lying!" Mokuba cried.


    "Idiot! Did you not catch the obvious flaw in her story?" Kaiba snapped.


    Hoshino froze, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. "What... flaw?"


    Kaiba''s tone was sharp. "The first floor was crawling with monsters¡ªfar more than outside. How could a little girl have made it past all that and up to the third floor?"


    "!!!"


    "Heehee¡­ Gotcha!"


    The girl''s voice abruptly shifted from a pitiful sob to a chilling giggle as she turned to face Hoshino. Her small, delicate hand clamped onto Hoshino''s wrist with unnatural strength.


    Hoshino tried to pull away, but her body refused to cooperate¡ªher strength drained the moment the girl''s face came into view.


    Instead of the adorable features Hoshino had expected, the girl''s face was a horrifying skull, red muscles exposed beneath patches of rotting flesh.


    Hoshino''s heart skipped several beats as sheer terror paralyzed her. Her legs gave out, and she couldn''t even summon the strength to scream.


    Even Kaiba, who prided himself on his skepticism, flinched at the sight. "This¡­ this is impossible!"


    But despite his disbelief, he instinctively moved forward, reaching out to grab Hoshino.


    Before he could touch her, a green, translucent barrier materialized in front of him, flinging him backward with force.


    Trapped inside the glowing Orichalcos, Hoshino could only stammer incoherently. "D-don''t eat me! I swear I don''t taste good! If you''re looking for a meal, that guy back there has way more meat on his bones!"


    She turned to Kaiba with pleading eyes. "Sorry, boss. Please take one for the team!"


    The skeletal figure laughed, her silver-bell voice eerily contrasting with her ghastly appearance. "How amusing! Such a delightful reaction for just a little teasing."


    Her tone was unexpectedly mature and calm, devoid of any childlike innocence.


    "Hoshino Chiyuki. You infiltrated Doma, disrupted our ceremony, and stole the Egyptian God Cards. But now¡­ look at you."


    Hoshino''s mind raced as she tried to process the situation. "Who¡ªwhat¡ªwhat the hell are you?!" she stammered. "And why do you know me?! Are you trying to soften me up before¡­ eating me?"


    The figure chuckled, her voice dripping with amusement. "Oh, this? Just a little disguise. But it seems to have worked wonders."


    With a dramatic flourish, she removed the skeletal mask, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face.


    Hoshino stared, utterly dumbfounded. The stark contrast between the grotesque mask and the angelic features beneath left her completely speechless.


    "Oh, thank god! She''s a normal loli!" she blurted, collapsing to the floor in relief.


    Kaiba, however, wasn''t amused. "This is no time to relax, Hoshino!" He pounded on the barrier in frustration. The green glow beneath Hoshino''s feet formed a familiar symbol¡ªthe Orichalcos Seal.


    "The Orichalcos Seal?!" Hoshino gasped, her fear returning.


    The girl''s lips curled into a sly smile, her ruby-red eyes gleaming with mischief. "What''s wrong, Hoshino Chiyuki? Where''s that confidence you had when you ran me over with your motorcycle?"


    "Ran you over¡­ with my motorcycle?!" Hoshino''s voice trembled as she pieced it together. Her finger shakily pointed at the silver-haired girl.


    "Y-you''re¡­ Dartz?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 312 - 312

    "You''re telling me you''re Dartz?! No way¡ªdid the motorcycle shrink you or something?"


    The silver-haired girl standing before Hoshino, still wearing a skeletal mask, bore almost no resemblance to the Dartz she had seen before¡ªaside from the hair color. But Hoshino was confident in one thing: as a law-abiding citizen, she was absolutely certain she hadn''t run over anyone else except Dartz.


    The girl¡ªapparently Dartz in a youthful form¡ªtwitched slightly, her expression complex. "Do you feel no guilt for what you did to me?"


    Hoshino immediately shook her head. "If it had been someone else, I might feel bad, but running over you? My only regret is not reversing and running you over again."


    The silver-haired Dartz let out a sigh and began explaining. "This is just one of my forms. You see, I have lived for over ten thousand years. My original body no longer exists, but using the power of Orichalcos, I have replicated every stage of my life.


    "The boy I once was, the youth, the man, the elder¡ªall of them exist as independent entities. This is the power I possess, a miracle worthy of being called godlike!"


    "Wait, wait, wait¡ªtime out!" Hoshino''s genuine shock made her cry out. Dartz, misinterpreting her reaction, smiled smugly.


    "Ah, even someone as ordinary as you can sense a glimmer of my greatness, can''t you?"


    "So you''re a trap?!" Hoshino blurted out, her shock shifting gears.


    The youthful Dartz''s delicate and androgynous appearance completely threw her off. His silver hair and refined features made him look even cuter than most actual young girls.


    Dartz''s expression soured slightly. "This is not ''Dartz taking on the form of a boy''; this is the boyhood form of Dartz."


    "Each version of Dartz from different stages of my life exists independently, with its own thoughts and equal power. This way, we regulate ourselves, ensuring that no single iteration of Dartz succumbs to madness after ten millennia."


    Hoshino tilted her head, pretending to be impressed. "Ah, so you''re like a Pok¨¦mon with every evolution of yourself in your party. Got it. Must be tough."


    Meanwhile, Mokuba''s jaw dropped. "So there are multiple versions of Dartz out there? That''s... incredible."


    Dartz ignored Hoshino''s sarcasm and continued. "You truly are an enigma, Hoshino. I can''t tell if you''re too smart or just incredibly foolish."


    Hoshino grinned. "I''ll take ''too smart,'' thanks. And if I''m right, your next words are¡­"


    "Let''s duel!" Dartz declared, smirking.


    The Orichalcos beneath their feet flared to life, encasing them in a glowing barrier.


    "So, you understand your predicament, Hoshino. Though you are not one of the chosen duelists, I shall grant you the ''honor'' of becoming a sacrifice for the revival of the Great God!"


    "I refuse!" Hoshino shot back, drawing her starting hand. "If you''re challenging me to a duel, then fine. Just know¡ªI won''t hold back."


    Dartz casually drew his first card. "As the one who activated the Seal of Orichalcos, I''ll take the first turn. I activate the Spell Card, [Enchanting Fitting Room]."


    [Enchanting Fitting Room ¨C Spell Card Effect: sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Pay 800 LP; excavate the top 4 cards of your Deck and Special Summon all excavated Level 3 or lower Normal Monsters. After that, shuffle the rest back into your Deck.]


    [Dartz''s LP: 4000 ¡ú 3200]


    Revealing the top four cards of his deck, Dartz smiled. "I can Special Summon three monsters. All of them will be summoned in Defense Position."


    [Mokey Mokey ¡ï [LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect] [ATK: 300 ¡ú 800 / DEF: 100 ¡ú 600]


    [Gigobyte ¡ï [WATER] [Reptile] [ATK: 350 ¡ú 850 / DEF: 300 ¡ú 800]


    [Bunilla ¡ï [EARTH] [Beast] [ATK: 150 ¡ú 650 / DEF: 2050 ¡ú 2550]


    The three small, cutesy monsters materialized on Dartz''s field, their innocent designs clashing with the dark energy of the Orichalcos Seal.


    "Of course, thanks to the Seal of Orichalcos, all my monsters gain 500 ATK and DEF."


    Despite their boosted stats, the monsters still seemed laughably weak¡ªthough their newfound aggression was evident from the glowing Orichalcos marks etched onto their foreheads.


    Hoshino couldn''t help but blink. "Uh¡­ they''re still pretty¡­ adorable. Are we sure they''re not just plushies?"


    Dartz ignored the comment, ending his turn with a sly smile. "Finally, I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    With that, Dartz concluded his first turn. Aside from activating the Seal of Orichalcos, he had only summoned three seemingly weak monsters that looked more like cannon fodder than an actual threat.


    [Dartz''s Field: 2 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Just as Hoshino prepared to launch her offensive, something felt off.


    She glanced at Dartz''s field and noticed a glaring anomaly.


    "Wait a second... why does that rabbit have such ridiculous defense stats? A Level 1 monster with 2050 DEF? Did someone accidentally add an extra zero during printing?!"


    The adorable monsters, which Hoshino had initially written off as harmless, suddenly seemed a lot more threatening.


    She squinted at Dartz. "I see what you''re doing here. You''re trying to bait me into attacking! Using something this cute as a trap... as expected of Dartz!"


    Dartz simply smiled, his calm demeanor unwavering.


    Mokuba, unimpressed, chimed in. "It''s just a high-DEF Normal Monster, Hoshino. There''s no need to overthink it."


    Hoshino shot him a glare. "Typical rookie mistake, Mokuba. Sometimes, overconfidence is the greatest trap of all. I''m just playing it safe."


    "Alright, then. I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Charles-Henri Sanson] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Charles-Henri Sanson ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)] [EARTH] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1100 / DEF 1000]


    Hoshino smirked. "Sanson''s effect allows me to bypass the DEF stat of any monster Special Summoned in Defense Position and destroy it outright. Even your steroids rabbit is no exception!"


    Sanson, gripping his executioner''s blade, stepped forward. "Leave it to me, Master! Decapitation is my specialty."


    Hoshino chuckled nervously. "You don''t have to take it so seriously, Sanson. It''s just a rabbit."


    She continued her turn, playing a Spell Card from her hand.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Triple-Linked Crane Wings]! This card halves Sanson''s ATK but allows him to attack three times this turn!"


    [Sanson''s ATK: 1100 ¡ú 550]


    "Alright, Sanson! Take out everything on his field!"


    Sanson hurled his massive guillotine-like sword, striking down Dartz''s monsters one by one, ignoring their DEF stats and wiping the field clean.


    "Death is Hope for Tomorrow (La Mort Espoir)."


    [Bunilla ¨C Destroyed]


    [Gigobyte ¨C Destroyed]


    [Mokey Mokey Adrift ¨C Destroyed]


    Watching from the sidelines, Kaiba scoffed. "Hmph. Cannon fodder is cannon fodder, no matter how much you try to dress it up with Orichalcos buffs. Not even worth one turn."


    Hoshino smirked. "I''ll set two cards and end my turn." She decided not to overextend, preferring to observe Dartz''s strategy before committing further.


    [Hoshino''s Field: 2 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    [Sanson''s ATK: 550 ¡ú 1100]


    Dartz, however, showed no concern. If anything, his innocent face lit up with a sinister smile.


    "You really did live up to my expectations, Hoshino. You wiped out my monsters in one turn... just as I planned."


    Hoshino''s stomach sank. "Planned?!"


    "I activate my Trap Card, [Human-Wave Tactics]!"


    [Human-Wave Tactics ¨C Continuous Trap Card Effect:


    Once per turn, during the End Phase, if your Level 2 or lower Normal Monster(s) was destroyed by battle this turn: Special Summon Level 2 or lower Normal Monsters from your Deck, equal to the number of your Level 2 or lower Normal Monsters destroyed by battle this turn.]


    Dartz gestured dramatically to the now-empty field before him. "Since three monsters were destroyed, I can summon three more from my Deck during the End Phase!"


    This time, instead of Defense Position, Dartz chose to summon them in Attack Position.


    Hoshino squinted as the new monsters materialized, her curiosity piqued. "Let me guess... more adorable critters?"


    Dartz''s smile turned wicked. "Oh, not this time. The monsters I summon are Skull Servants!"


    [Skull Servant ¡ï [DARK] [Zombie] [ATK 300 ¡ú 800 / DEF 200 ¡ú 700]X3


    The field filled with three terrifying skeletal monsters crawling out of the ground, their sinister forms a stark contrast to Dartz''s initial wave of cute creatures.


    Mokuba shivered. "Those things are disgusting! And strong, thanks to the Orichalcos buff... What are you planning to do with them?"


    The childish expression on Dartz''s face twisted into something far more sinister as he raised a card.


    "Now... it''s my turn to counterattack."


    "My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card [Fusion Substitute], fusing two of my Skull Servants!"


    Two of the skeletal monsters were engulfed in a vortex of energy, merging into something far more sinister.


    Mokuba scoffed. "What could you possibly fuse from two Level 1 monsters? Fusion Summons are supposed to be flashy! At least my brother uses dragons for his!"


    Dartz''s crimson eyes glinted behind his skeletal mask. "You underestimate me. Allow me to educate you on what real terror looks like."


    "Fusion Summon! [Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon]!"


    A monstrous dragon emerged from the swirling darkness, its skeletal body radiating an aura of death as its bony wings spread wide.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 313 - 313

    [Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000 ¡ú 3500/DEF 0 ¡ú 500]


    A suffocating deathly aura radiated from Dragonecro, its skeletal form exuding pure menace. Even with its fearsome presence, it was hard to believe this monstrosity had been created from just two Skull Servants.


    Kaiba and Mokuba were stunned.


    "Dragonecro''s attack power..."


    Dartz, in his youthful form, smirked. "Thanks to the Seal of Orichalcos, Dragonecro''s attack now surpasses even your Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Kaiba."


    Kaiba clenched his fists. "Weakling bones fused into a monstrosity... how utterly audacious!"


    Hoshino studied the situation carefully. "So the fusion material was two Zombie-type monsters. Even level 1 cards like Skull Servants qualify. Clever move."


    "You seem impressed, Hoshino," Dartz said, his youthful voice carrying an eerie undertone. "But admiration won''t save you. Dragonecro, attack her monster!"


    The dragon released a surge of deathly miasma, filling the arena with an oppressive purple fog. The choking air made Hoshino cough and struggle for breath.


    "Cough! Cough! I activate my Trap Card¡ª[Poster Girl]! This lets me Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Heroic Spirit from my Deck in Defense Position to take the hit instead!"


    With a swift motion, Hoshino placed her countermeasure on the field.


    "Shield me, Mash!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]


    The Shielder materialized, raising her massive shield to deflect the incoming attack.


    "Senpai! Transient Wall of Snowflakes!"


    A brilliant light momentarily illuminated the arena as Mash''s shield negated the attack, dispersing some of the miasma.


    "Mash''s effect prevents her from being destroyed in battle or by effects while in Defense Position. However, after taking an attack, she''s forced to switch to Attack Position."


    The light faded, and darkness reclaimed the battlefield.


    [Mash ATK 1000]


    "Impressive, Hoshino," Dartz admitted. "But you''re not out of the woods yet. Dragonecro''s effect activates!"


    He pointed to Mash, whose energy flickered in the oppressive air.


    "A monster that battles Dragonecro won''t be destroyed, but its attack power is reduced to zero at the end of the Damage Step. Furthermore, I can Special Summon a [Dark Soul Token] with the same stats and level as the targeted monster!"


    Dark energy coalesced into a card in Dartz''s hand, which he slammed onto the field. The summoned token bore an unsettling resemblance to Mash herself.


    [Dark Soul Token (Mash)¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][DARK][Zombie/Token][ATK 1000 ¡ú 1500/DEF 0]


    Hoshino flinched. "Even you, Mash? Have you betrayed me?"


    Mash shook her head vehemently. "Never, Senpai! I''m still here for you!"


    The token, however, opened its mouth, speaking in a hauntingly familiar voice. "I''m so resentful, Senpai... Why do you always leave me out of battles just because I don''t give bond points?"


    Mash''s face turned bright red with embarrassment. "Don''t read my thoughts, you fake!"


    Hoshino scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "So... that''s how you feel..."


    Dartz laughed heartily. "This is priceless! Watching you squirm like this is almost better than defeating you. Perhaps I''ll keep your soul as a personal memento instead of offering it to the Orichalcos."


    Hoshino shot him a glare. "Over my dead body! If you want my soul, you''ll have to beat me first!"


    Dartz''s smile widened. "If you insist. My empowered Mash token will destroy your real Mash!"


    He motioned to the token, which obeyed his command.


    "Attack!"


    The dark Mash lunged forward, her corrupted energy shield crashing into Sanson, obliterating him in a single strike.


    [Charles-Henri Sanson ¨C Destroyed]


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 3600]


    Hoshino winced. "Even if it''s just a copy... Mash would never hurt me like that. You''re nothing but a cheap imitation, Dartz!"


    Dartz remained relentless. "Your real Mash is powerless now. Her attack power is zero. Even my weakest monster can finish her off. Skull Servant, attack Mash!"


    The skeletal warrior rattled forward, its rusted blade raised.


    Mash, however, stood firm. "Senpai, I''ll protect you!"


    Her shield glowed briefly, repelling the Skull Servant''s attack with ease and sending it flying backward.


    [Mash Effect: Once per turn, when targeted by an attack, Mash''s position can be changed to Defense Position.]


    Hoshino smirked. "That''s my Mash. The original can never be beaten by a fake!"


    Kaiba frowned. "When did Mash gain that effect? I''ve never seen Hoshino use it before."


    Hoshino smirked confidently, raising the card. "Kaiba, did you think you were the only one who unlocked new powers when you revealed your Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon back then?"


    "Back then?"


    Mash''s new effect wasn''t tied to the usual [Heroic Spirit] mechanics that required 30 Saint Quartz for upgrades. Instead, it had unexpectedly unlocked itself after the battle with Noah.


    Even Da Vinci couldn''t explain it.


    Perhaps it was something far simpler¡ªthe sheer will of a steadfast junior striving to support her Master, manifesting a fraction of her power. Just enough to awaken new strength as the Deck Master of Hoshino''s deck.


    Hoshino continued her explanation.


    "Mash''s effect allows her to shift a monster into Defense Position once per Battle Phase. So when your Skull Servant attacked, Mash switched herself to Defense Position!"


    [Mash DEF 2000]


    Her enormous shield deflected the Skull Servant''s attack with ease. The force of the rebound sent the creature staggering backward, its blade ricocheting just enough to leave a faint red scratch on Dartz''s cheek.


    "Since Mash''s DEF is 2000, your monster suffers 1200 points of reflection damage! Enjoy a taste of your own twisted sense of humor, Dartz!"


    [Dartz''s LP 3200 ¡ú 2000]


    Dartz visibly tensed at the unexpected counterplay, though he quickly regained his composure.


    "An impressive move... I underestimated you."


    Hoshino pressed on. "And I''m not done yet! When you destroyed Sanson, I was able to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette] from my deck!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1400]


    "Let brilliance bloom amid the darkness!"


    Marie''s elegant form shimmered onto the field, casting radiant light that made even the ominous Dragonecro recoil slightly.


    [Marie''s Effect: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Target 1 face-up monster on the field; change its battle position.]


    Hoshino pointed at Dartz''s dragon.


    "Because of Marie''s effect, your dragon is forced into Defense Position! And its DEF is... laughable."


    [Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon DEF 500]


    Mokuba''s eyes widened.


    "That''s it! Even if its ATK rivals Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its DEF is pitiful. That makes my brother''s Blue-Eyes the superior monster!"


    Dartz remained unfazed, calmly placing a new card onto his Duel Disk.


    "Impressive, Hoshino! A true Duelist should at least possess this level of skill."


    A glint of something unsettling flickered in Dartz''s eyes¡ªamusement, or perhaps a deeper, darker satisfaction.


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Before he could proceed, Hoshino seized the moment.


    "Now, you''ll see my hidden ace in action! I tribute Mash and Marie to Tribute Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]


    A vibrant flash of green heralded the arrival of the legendary Shinsengumi swordswoman. Her lithe figure radiated an intense, cutting presence that seemed to slice through the very air.


    "A pleasure to see you again, Master," Okita said before coughing into her hand, revealing traces of blood.


    Hoshino''s expression shifted to concern. "Okita-san, are you okay? Maybe you shouldn''t push yourself."


    Okita smiled sheepishly, waving off the worry. "Don''t worry, Master. I''ve got this under control! It''s not even affecting my ATK."


    Hoshino sighed. "Why do I feel less reassured...?"


    Dartz scoffed. "This is your ace? How amusing! She looks frail enough to keel over mid-battle."


    Hoshino shot back, "She''ll outlast you!"


    She raised her hand. "Okita, wipe them all out! Her effect allows additional attacks for every remaining monster on the field!"


    With a flash of her blade, Okita moved with blinding speed, her strikes swift and merciless.


    [Skull Servant ¨C Destroyed]


    [Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    [Dark Soul Token (Mash) ¨C Destroyed]


    As the final blow landed, Okita smoothly sheathed her blade, standing amidst the shattered remains of Dartz''s field.


    "It''s over... so fleeting, this battle," she murmured.


    Hoshino chuckled. "Okita-san, I appreciate the drama, but let''s keep the theatrics to a minimum."


    However, before she could celebrate, her Duel Disk suddenly lit up with an alert. Her expression fell.


    [Weakness] X3


    Okita staggered, coughing violently. Blood splattered onto the ground as her ATK sharply dropped.


    [Okita ATK 2500 ¡ú 2200]


    "Why must my condition act up now?" she lamented, attempting to steady herself.


    Dartz burst into laughter. "You call this your ace? And you think you''ve already won?"


    He flipped a Trap Card on his field.


    "My Trap Card, [Spirit Barrier], ensures I take no battle damage as long as I control a monster!"


    Hoshino''s eyes narrowed. "Tch... I should''ve known you''d pull something like this." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dartz, now back in control, smirked. "It''s my turn now, Hoshino. Let''s see if your so-called ace can handle what''s coming next!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 314 - 314

    "Because of my Continuous Trap Card [Spirit Barrier], I take no battle damage as long as I control a monster!" Dartz declared.


    A golden barrier layered itself over the shimmering Orichalcos Seal, nullifying the devastating impact of Okita''s triple strikes.


    "Damn it! Hiding behind such a cowardly shield... Give back the blood that I¡ªcough!" Okita''s frustrated outburst was cut short as she doubled over, coughing.


    Dartz''s use of Spirit Barrier had disrupted Hoshino''s plan. Without the ability to deal damage through battle, even Okita''s multiple attacks couldn''t achieve a decisive triple-KO.


    Hoshino adjusted her strategy. "Then, I''ll activate the Graveyard effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette]. When she''s sent to the Graveyard, I can add one [Heroic Spirit] monster from my Deck to my hand. At the same time, I''ll remove the three [Weakness] counters from Okita and add the Quick-Play Spell [Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust] to my hand!"


    [Weakness 3 ¡ú 0]


    [Okita ATK 2200 ¡ú 2500]


    Okita''s strength visibly returned. "Huh? My power''s back? I almost forgot I even had this effect¡ªit''s been so long since I last fought!"


    Hoshino set two cards to her back row and concluded, "I''ll end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s Status: 1 Card in Hand | 3 Set Cards]


    Dartz grinned and activated his Trap. "At the end of your turn, my Continuous Trap [Human-Wave Tactics] activates! Since one of my Level 2 or lower Normal Monsters was destroyed this turn, I can Special Summon [Mokey Mokey Adrift] from my Deck in Attack Position!"


    A familiar, tofu-like creature materialized on Dartz''s field, its comical expression as unreadable as ever.


    [Mokey Mokey ¡ï [LIGHT] [Fairy] [ATK: 300 ¡ú 800 / DEF: 100 ¡ú 600]


    Okita eyed the creature, tilting her head. "What kind of monster is this? Would it taste good grilled?" she muttered, wiping the last traces of blood from her lips. To her, the Mokey Mokey looked more like a mochi than a Duel Monster.


    Dartz smirked and flipped over a card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Inferno Reckless Summon]! Since I Special Summoned a monster with 1500 or less ATK, I can summon all remaining copies from my Deck or Graveyard!"


    Two more Mokey Mokey appeared alongside the first, their identical blocky forms aligning perfectly like a game of Tetris.


    [Mokey Mokey ATK 800] ¡Á3


    "And thanks to Inferno Reckless Summon, you can also Special Summon any additional copies of a monster already on your field."


    Okita perked up. "That means Master can summon two more copies of me? These three little blocks won''t stand a chance against three invincible ace!"


    Hoshino sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "That would be great... except I only have one in my deck."


    A stunned silence followed. Even Mokuba and Kaiba were taken aback.


    Kaiba frowned. "Hoshino, you don''t run duplicates of your Heroic Spirits?"


    For someone who built a deck around three copies of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the idea of not having multiple copies of a key monster was unfathomable.


    Dartz''s grin widened. "Only one copy of each? What a stroke of luck for me!"


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Dartz''s three Mokey Mokey stood proud on his field, their strange, enigmatic expressions oddly more imposing than before. He slid another card into his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Continuous Spell Card [Mokey Mokey Smackdown]! Now, entering the Battle Phase¡ªMokey Mokey, attack Okita!"


    Before Hoshino could react, Okita had already unsheathed her sword, slicing through the tiny creature with a single, clean strike.


    [Mokey Mokey ¨C destroyed]


    Okita smirked. "Tch, it''s just mochi! What did you expect? Challenging the invincible Okita was your mistake!"


    Dartz chuckled darkly. "Did you forget? Thanks to [Spirit Barrier], I take no battle damage as long as I control a monster. And your attack just triggered [Mokey Mokey Smackdown]."


    The remaining Mokey Mokey on Dartz''s field suddenly began to swell, their neutral expressions twisting into furious, reddened faces. Their blocky bodies doubled in size, and the question marks floating above their heads morphed into exclamation marks.


    "Uh... What''s happening?" Okita took a step back warily. "Are they finally cooked through?"


    Dartz''s eyes gleamed. "When a Fairy-type monster is destroyed in battle, Mokey Mokey Smackdown increases the ATK of all remaining Mokey Mokey to 3000 until the end of the turn! And thanks to The Seal of Orichalcos, they each gain an additional 500 ATK!"


    [Mokey Mokey ATK: 3500] ¡Á2


    Even Kaiba looked momentarily stunned. "You''re telling me... those ridiculous creatures are now as strong as my Blue-Eyes White Dragon?"


    Okita''s shoulders slumped, and she dropped to her knees, her head hung low. "...Even a Level 1 monster is stronger than me...?"


    Dartz pointed at Okita with a flourish. "This is the end, Hoshino! Mokey Mokey, attack Okita!"


    One of the enraged Mokey Mokey charged forward, its glowing exclamation mark radiating power. In one swift motion, it obliterated Okita in a devastating strike.


    [Okita ¨C Destroyed]


    [Hoshino LP 3600 ¡ú 2600]


    Dartz sneered. "I still have one more Mokey Mokey left, and you have no monsters remaining. The next attack will end this!"


    But Hoshino remained unfazed. She swiftly flipped over one of her Set Cards.


    "Not so fast! The true power of my ace only activates when she''s sent to the Graveyard! I activate the Trap Card [The Cute Girl Seated Behind Me]! When [Heroic Spirit ¨C Okita Souji] is destroyed by battle, I banish [Heroic Spirit ¨C Oda Nobunaga] from my Deck along with Okita to perform a Fusion Summon!"


    Dartz paused mid-action, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.


    "Fusion Summon? Are you bringing out that Okita Alter that defeated Rafael? It''s powerful, but with my Spirit Barrier, it''s useless against me."


    Protected by Spirit Barrier, Dartz took no damage from battles involving his monsters. And since Okita Alter couldn''t attack directly, this seemed like the worst possible matchup.


    Hoshino smirked confidently.


    "I know that¡ªbut seeing your Dragonecro gave me inspiration. It''s time for a new Fusion Summon!"


    A spark ignited at her fingertips, quickly engulfing her Duel Disk in a crimson blaze as a new Fusion Monster began to take shape.


    "By fusing two Level 7 or higher Warrior-type [Heroic Spirit] monsters¡ªFusion Summon! [Heroic Spirit ¨C True Samadhi Fire Mordred]!"


    Crimson flames erupted from the ground, taking the form of a knight cloaked in fiery brilliance. Unlike her usual rebellious form, this Mordred appeared draped in dragon-like fire, her eyes gleaming ominously in the burning glow.


    "But when The Cute Girl Seated Behind Me activates, I lose 800 Life Points due to its side effect." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2600 ¡ú 1800]


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C True Samadhi Fire Mordred ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 9)][FIRE][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2000]


    [Fusion Materials: 2 Level 7 or higher [Heroic Spirit] Warrior-Type monsters]


    "Heh, Master~ Whatcha think of this look? Feels like I can totally char everything now! Burny-burny''s a blast, y''know?" Mordred''s mischievous grin only cemented her fiery, troublemaker personality.


    Hoshino chuckled. "Alright, Mordred, let''s turn those two angry blocks into a nice barbecue! I activate your special effect!"


    Flames erupted from Mordred''s hands, sweeping across the field and engulfing Dartz''s Mokey Mokey monsters.


    "I am the Sage King, master of the Fire-Cloud Cave! And more than anything¡ªthe heir of the Ox-Demon King!"


    [¢Ù: When this card is Fusion Summoned: Change the ATK of all non-FIRE monsters on the field to 0.]


    The scorching flames dissipated, leaving Dartz''s once-furious, glowing Mokey Mokey monsters charred black and utterly deflated. Their once-bold "!" marks reverted to the familiar confused "-_-" expressions.


    [Mokey Mokey ATK 3000 ¡ú 0]


    Kaiba''s eyes narrowed.


    "So this is Hoshino''s new Heroic Spirit? Her deck''s evolution even mid-duel is remarkable. That effect is strong."


    "Looks like we turned them into burnt offerings..." Mordred muttered awkwardly, scratching the back of her head as she eyed the two charred Mokey Mokey.


    "It''s fine, Mordred. Just control the heat a bit better next time," Hoshino reassured her with a wave of her hand.


    Hoshino turned her gaze to Dartz, her smirk widening.


    "You thought breaking Okita would weaken me, but all it did was make me stronger! Was that part of your plan too?"


    A soft but audible "tsk" escaped Dartz as he furrowed his brow. His gaze shifted toward the fiery knight now standing on Hoshino''s field.


    "I end my Battle Phase."


    With the Mokey Mokey monsters'' ATK reduced to zero, Dartz couldn''t launch an effective counterattack. And while Spirit Barrier protected him from battle damage, sacrificing his monsters recklessly wouldn''t benefit him.


    "Next, I activate the Spell Card [Pot of Avarice]! I shuffle five monsters from my Graveyard back into my Deck¡ªSkull Servant x3, Mokey Mokey Adrift, and Gigobyte. Then, I draw two cards."


    With his Graveyard replenished, Dartz restored his hand to two cards. Upon seeing his new draws, a wicked grin spread across his face.


    "Hoshino, the real despair is just beginning. It doesn''t matter how powerful your Heroic Spirits are¡ªthey will all bow before the true might of the Orichalcos."


    Hoshino tilted her head, puzzled.


    "The Orichalcos? You''re just talking about that 500 ATK boost, right? That''s hardly enough to tip the scales."


    Dartz''s grin widened.


    "The Seal of Orichalcos you''ve seen so far is merely the first layer of its power¡ªa fragment designed to empower monsters and trap souls. Now, you''ll witness its true form!"


    "First...?" A chill ran down Hoshino''s spine.


    Raising his Duel Disk, Dartz unveiled a hidden field slot.


    "I activate the Field Spell [Orichalcos Deuteros]!"


    A surge of energy erupted from the Duel Disk as the original green Orichalcos circle expanded, morphing into a larger, deeper blue ring. The oppressive atmosphere thickened, engulfing the battlefield in an even more suffocating darkness.


    "This new Field Spell replaces the original [Seal of Orichalcos], inheriting its effects while adding new, terrifying powers. And of course, it ensures that no other Field Spells can ever overwrite it!"


    Hoshino grimaced. "So you''ve eliminated the Orichalcos Seal''s one weakness¡ªthe ability to counter it with another Field Spell."


    Dartz chuckled, his voice dripping with malice.


    "Now, let''s unveil its new ability! I activate [Orichalcos Deuteros]''s effect!"


    [¢Ù: During each of your Main Phases, you gain LP equal to 500 x the number of monsters on your field.]


    "With two Mokey Mokey on my field, I recover 1000 Life Points!"


    [Dartz LP 2000 ¡ú 3000]


    The bluish glow emanating from the seal seeped into Dartz''s body, invigorating him. At the same time, the energy seemed to drain the life force from his Mokey Mokey monsters, leaving them even weaker and more lifeless.


    Hoshino clenched her fist.


    "This seal¡­ It''s not just a card effect¡ªit''s siphoning the life force of your monsters! You''re using their energy to empower yourself!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 315 - 315

    "Orichalcos Deuteros is activated, and with the turn''s end, my Continuous Trap Card, Human-Wave Tactics, triggers! Since one Mokey Mokey was destroyed this turn, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Normal Monster from my Deck!"


    Dartz''s hand hovered over his deck before retrieving a familiar card."¡ªI summon another Mokey Mokey, which was reshuffled back into my deck by Pot of Avarice!"


    Hoshino frowned. "These pesky blocks of tofu are really troublesome. They may look harmless, but they just refuse to go away."


    For a brief moment, she found herself staring at the simple, blank expressions of the Mokey Mokey monsters. Strangely, a hidden wisdom seemed to lurk within their deceptively innocent faces.


    [Dartz''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 0 Set Cards]


    "My turn! Draw!"


    As Hoshino faced down the ever-resilient Mokey Mokey army, it felt as though every attack she made was like hammering an iron mallet against a marshmallow¡ªsoft, yet unyielding.


    "What now, big brother? Even if Hoshino has powerful monsters, as long as Dartz''s Orichalcos Deuteros keeps healing his Life Points, this will drag on forever!" Mokuba exclaimed.


    Kaiba, however, remained focused. "The Duelist who defeated the Gods wouldn''t lose to a bunch of silly monsters like these."


    Dartz smirked. "What''s wrong, Hoshino? Weren''t you so confident when summoning your Mordred? What happened to that fire? It seems to have burned out rather quickly."


    He gestured toward the field. "And with Mokey Mokey Smackdown, every time you destroy one of my Mokey Mokey, the remaining two will have their Attack Points raised to 3000!"


    Hoshino suddenly grinned. "Oh? So that''s how it works!"


    Dartz blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Has she gone insane...?"


    Hoshino''s Duel Disk beeped as she activated a Spell Card. "If I can''t deal battle damage, then I''ll just make you experience the wrath of your own Mokey Mokey! I activate the Spell Card¡ª [Purely Bloom]! This lets me Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily)] from my deck!"


    A burst of light filled the field as petals fluttered through the air. The pure, radiant form of Artoria Lily materialized beside Mordred.


    Mordred, upon seeing her, was momentarily stunned, unable to look away from the younger Saber''s serene smile.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon (Lily) ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)] [LIGHT] [Dragon/Tuner/Effect] [ATK 1200/DEF 1000]


    "Hello~," Artoria Lily greeted cheerfully, flashing a dazzling smile.


    Mordred''s flame-reddened cheeks deepened as she stammered, "F-Father¡ªer, I mean, in your younger days, you''re like an angel! So¡­ so cute¡­! My heart''s racing so fast!"


    Hoshino cleared her throat. "Ahem! Now, Lily''s effect activates! With the light of her Holy Sword, she calls forth another Heroic Spirit to pierce through the darkness!"


    She revealed the card drawn through Lily''s effect, her voice filled with resolve. "The chosen Heroic Spirit is¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Martha]! I tribute Lily to summon her!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Martha ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)] [LIGHT] [Fairy/Effect] [ATK 1600/DEF 1300]


    As Martha appeared on the field, a mighty dragon''s roar echoed, heralding the arrival of a new companion.


    "And upon boss summoning, her effect activates!"


    Martha squinted and jabbed a finger at Hoshino. "Master, don''t you dare call me ''boss'' again, or you''re dead meat."


    [¢Ù When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 ''Tarasque Token'' (Dragon/FIRE/Level 4/ATK 1500/DEF 1500).]


    The fearsome dragon Tarasque flapped its wings before affectionately nuzzling Martha. The stark contrast between its intimidating form and gentle behavior made even the onlookers chuckle.


    [Tarasque Token ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)] [FIRE] [Dragon/Token] [ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    Dartz eyed the newly strengthened field with mild amusement. "A buy-one-get-one-free Tribute Summon, huh? If you think numbers alone will overwhelm my army, you''re sorely mistaken¡ªafter all, my monsters are Mokey Mokey."


    Hoshino smirked. "Exactly! And because of that, I''ve devised a strategy specifically for them!"


    She pointed forward, entering her Battle Phase.


    "Lead the charge, Tarasque! Attack one of the Mokey Mokey!"


    The dragon lunged, snapping its jaws around one of the fluffy creatures.


    [Mokey Mokey ¨C Destroyed]


    Despite losing one of his monsters, Dartz remained unfazed. "Destroying a Mokey Mokey won''t affect my Life Points thanks to Spirit Barrier. But in doing so, you''ve activated Mokey Mokey Smackdown!"


    The remaining two Mokey Mokey suddenly turned crimson with rage, their Attack Points skyrocketing.


    [Mokey Mokey ATK 300 ¡ú 3000]


    Dartz crossed his arms. "You''re digging your own grave, Hoshino."


    Hoshino only grinned wider. "Am I? Let''s see who''s really digging whose grave!"


    She tapped on her Duel Disk, activating Martha''s ability.


    "Let''s make you experience the wrath of the Mokey Mokey firsthand! I activate Martha''s effect!"


    [When this card declares an attack: You can Tribute 1 Dragon monster; destroy the attack target, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK.]


    Hoshino turned to Tarasque. "You''ve done great, but I need your help one last time. I tribute Tarasque to activate Martha''s ability!"


    Martha clenched her fists as a divine glow surrounded them. "Lord, please avert your gaze¡ªIron Fist of Judgment!"


    The holy fist of iron smashed down, obliterating not only Tarasque but also the enraged Mokey Mokey it was pinning. Incidentally, Tarasque seemed to suffer the worst of it every time it fought alongside Martha.


    "How is this possible?! You actually turned the wrath of my enraged Mokey Mokey against me?!" Dartz''s expression faltered, his confidence shaken by Hoshino''s clever reversal.


    Seeing Dartz''s reaction, Hoshino pumped her fist in triumph. "We won! Not even your strengthened Orichalcos could stop us!"


    "Heh heh, fooled you~" Dartz''s panicked expression suddenly vanished, replaced by a sly grin. His previous demeanor had been nothing more than a ruse.


    "Well, Hoshino, did you enjoy that fleeting moment of victory? A pity it will be your last."


    His cherubic, innocent face and soft smile might have resembled an angel''s, but Dartz''s twisted personality painted him as anything but pure.


    The deep blue light of Orichalcos Deuteros suddenly constricted, forming a smaller sub-seal beneath Martha''s feet. The sigil of Orichalcos appeared once more, trapping her within a binding prison of light.


    Mid-celebration, Hoshino froze, lowering her victorious fist. "What''s going on? Why is the seal activating again?"


    Dartz grinned wickedly. "The effect of Orichalcos Deuteros activates! During an opponent''s attack declaration, I can tribute one of my monsters to nullify that attack and destroy the attacking monster!"


    The deep blue sub-barrier beneath Martha erupted with power, its chaotic energy binding her movements. Just as Hoshino suspected, Orichalcos Deuteros wasn''t just for defense¡ªit was feeding on the lifeforce of Duel Monsters.


    "The Mokey Mokey you just destroyed wasn''t taken down by Martha¡ªit was sacrificed to my Orichalcos Deuteros!" Dartz declared gleefully.


    "As a result, your attacking Martha is destroyed! Now witness the true terror of Orichalcos power, Hoshino¡ªand all of you so-called Heroic Spirits!" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a deafening crack, the seal shattered, taking Martha down with it in a burst of blue light.


    "Boss¡ªMartha!!" Hoshino''s voice trembled as she watched one of her strongest allies be erased so suddenly. Martha, who had never failed to deliver a decisive blow, was outmatched by the merciless seal.


    Hoshino clenched her fists in frustration. What should have been the finishing blow was nullified, and her card was lost. Even Kaiba, observing the duel intently, couldn''t help but frown. "The Orichalcos Deuteros... its effects are far more dangerous than I thought."


    Dartz tilted his head mockingly. "So, Hoshino, are you ready to attack again? Why don''t you try having Mordred take down my last Mokey Mokey? Maybe you''ll pull off a miracle~"


    "Like hell I''m gonna trade myself for a stupid piece of tofu!" Mordred snapped.


    Hoshino weighed her options. With the Mokey Mokey in its enraged state, boasting 3000 ATK, even Mordred would only result in mutual destruction, which would trigger Dartz''s Human-Wave Tactics and set her back even further.


    "I switch True Flame Mordred to Defense Position and end my turn!"


    [True Samadhi Fire Mordred ¨C DEF 2000]


    Hoshino chose to play cautiously, unwilling to give Dartz any more opportunities to capitalize on her monsters'' destruction.


    [Hoshino''s: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    "Aww, what''s the matter, Hoshino? Being cautious doesn''t suit you!" Dartz teased. "Anyway, since your Tarasque devoured one of my Mokey Mokey earlier, Human-Wave Tactics triggers again!"


    From his deck, Dartz summoned yet another monster, this time Cloudian ¨C Smoke Ball, in Attack Position.


    [Cloudian - Smoke Ball ¡ï][WATER][Fairy][ATK 200¡ú700/DEF 600¡ú1100]


    "Pop!" A bubbly sound accompanied the appearance of a tiny, spherical creature made of mist.


    "C-cute!" Hoshino and Mordred exclaimed in unison.


    The Smoke Ball wasn''t just adorable¡ªit was downright irresistible with its wobbly, cheerful demeanor.


    "That Smoke Ball is mine once I win this duel!" Hoshino declared.


    Dartz stuck out his tongue. "Dream on!"


    Drawing his next card, Dartz immediately played it. "I activate the Spell Card [Tri-Wight]!"


    [Tri-Wight ¨C Spell Card Effect: Target 3 Level 2 or lower Normal Monsters in your GY; Special Summon them.]


    "Using this effect, I revive two Mokey Mokey and one Bunilla from my Graveyard, summoning them all in Attack Position!"


    Dartz''s field was now fully occupied with his low-level monsters, his side brimming with cartoonish creatures.


    [Bunilla ATK 150¡ú650] [Mokey Mokey ATK 300¡ú800]


    Dartz wasn''t done. "With the power of my Orichalcos, I can also treat my Spell and Trap Zones as additional Monster Zones. So, I Normal Summon Volcanic Rat to my back row!"


    [Volcanic Rat ¡ï FIRE][Pyro][ATK 500¡ú1000/DEF 500¡ú1000]


    A tiny mouse, its fur blazing with fiery embers, appeared on the field. Its tiny squeaks were accompanied by little bursts of flame as it darted around mischievously.


    "This is my ultimate army! You''ll never break through this formation, Hoshino!" Dartz declared, his field overflowing with a menagerie of adorable yet formidable creatures.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 316 - 316

    "Even though your monsters are cute, the number of them doesn''t determine their battle power!"


    Hoshino, who had just spoken, suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity. It was as if, during her duel with Pegasus, he had once told her, "A duelist who uses weak monsters to flood the field."


    But today, fate had turned the tables¡ªshe had encountered someone even better at flooding the field. Dartz''s 1-star monsters already extended beyond the monster zone.


    "Did you forget the effect of Orichalcos Deuteros, Hoshino?"


    Dartz spread his arms, and with a low hum, a blue barrier shimmered, siphoning the life force of her Duel Monsters once again and infusing it into his own body.


    "Because I have six monsters on my field, the Seal restores 500 Life Points for each of them, totaling 3000 points!"


    [Dartz LP: 3000 ¡ú 6000]


    Watching from the sidelines, Mokuba stomped his foot anxiously.


    "If we keep letting Dartz recover and strengthen himself like this, Hoshino''s chances of winning will get slimmer and slimmer!"


    Kaiba stood with his arms crossed, frowning in silence. Even though the monster designs were deceptively cute, this was still a duel within the Seal of Orichalcos. He couldn''t help but feel uneasy for Hoshino.


    But there was no other choice. The overwhelming defensive power of Orichalcos Deuteros loomed over them. A reckless attack would only lead to heavy losses.


    "Hoshino is waiting for the right moment. Summoning more of these weakling monsters won''t determine the outcome."


    "Is that really the case, Kaiba?"


    Midway through his turn, Dartz suddenly addressed him.


    "Someone like you, who worships card power, must look down on weak monsters like these, huh?"


    Mokuba immediately jumped in.


    "Monsters like yours couldn''t even touch my brother''s Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Dartz only smirked.


    "But my so-called ''weak'' monsters are about to defeat the Duel King¡ªa feat even Kaiba himself couldn''t achieve."


    As he waved his finger mockingly at Mokuba and Kaiba, a faint glow flickered in his Graveyard.


    "I activate the effect of [Fusion Substitute] in my Graveyard! By banishing it, I return Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon from my Graveyard to my Extra Deck. Then, I draw one card from my deck!"


    With no cards left in his hand, Dartz relied entirely on the strategic setup he had orchestrated from the start of the duel. As if mocking mere mortals, he casually pulled off what seemed like a miraculous draw.


    "I activate the Spell Card I just drew..."


    The last available slot on Dartz''s Duel Disk opened, allowing him to launch his next move.


    "¡ªthe Equip Spell Card [Amulet of Ambition]! I equip it to Volcanic Rat!"


    At the center of the battlefield, a golden eye suddenly appeared, fully opening and emitting a dazzling glow upon Volcanic Rat, which had remained protected in the backline until now.


    "Roar!!!"


    The Volcanic Rat, as if mutated by an unknown force, broke through its biological limits. Its body expanded exponentially, its once-cute fangs elongating into massive, razor-sharp weapons radiating fiery menace.


    "Attack and crush Mordred, my adorable Volcanic Rat!"


    To be fair, the creature before them had long since ceased to resemble anything adorable. The monstrous transformation wasn''t just for show¡ªits newfound ferocity carried devastating power.


    "Only Normal Monsters can be equipped with Amulet of Ambition. When the equipped monster battles an opponent''s monster of a higher level, it gains ATK equal to the level difference ¡Á 500!"


    [True Samadhi Fire Mordred ¨C Level 9]


    "With a level difference of 8, Volcanic Rat gains 4000 ATK!"


    [Volcanic Rat ATK: 1000 ¡ú 5000]


    Under the combined influence of the Orichalcos'' power and the Amulet of Ambition, the Volcanic Rat¡ªnow boasting an ATK surpassing that of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon¡ªhad transformed into a ferocious behemoth.


    Mokuba panicked.


    "This is bad! If Hoshino''s last monster is destroyed, she''ll be left defenseless against the remaining five!"


    Even though those five monsters were only Level 1, the Orichalcos'' effect granted them all a 500 ATK boost. Their combined attack would be more than enough to wipe out Hoshino''s remaining Life Points.


    "We need a way to stop this berserk Rat''s attack! Activating my face-down Quick-Play Spell Card¡ª[Phantasmal Summoning]!"


    The Spell instantly activated, ejecting two Heroic Spirit monsters from Hoshino''s Graveyard.


    "With Phantasmal Summoning, I banish two monsters from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon!"


    Kaiba narrowed his eyes.


    "Does Hoshino even have the right materials in her Graveyard to summon a Fusion Monster that can turn this around?"


    With Okita and Nobunaga already banished, the number of available monsters in Hoshino''s Graveyard could be counted on one hand. Surviving under such limited resources wouldn''t be easy.


    "As long as I can block this attack, there''s still hope! Using a new fusion method I''ve learned¡ªI''ll banish two Warrior-type Heroic Spirit monsters from my Graveyard as Fusion Materials!"


    A radiant light burst forth. The brand-new card in Hoshino''s hand, forged in the face of crisis, awakened an unyielding wall of defense.


    "Block it!! Fusion Summon in Defense Position¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight Ortenaus]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight Ortenaus ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)]


    [Earth] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect] [ATK 1000 / DEF 2000]


    [Materials: 2 Warrior-type Heroic Spirit monsters]


    "Ortinax, all systems green. Spirit Origin excitation rate... maintaining 60%. It''ll be okay... I can fight!"


    Now clad in a Spirit Origin exoskeleton, Mash''s heavily armored form exuded a mechanical, battle-ready aura.


    "I banished Mash Kyrielight and Sanson from my Graveyard as Fusion Materials to summon this new Mash! And now, I activate her effect!"


    [If this card is Fusion Summoned using Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight as a material, it cannot be destroyed by your opponent''s attacks or effects. Also, your opponent cannot target other monsters for attacks.]


    The Ortenaus¡ªoriginally designed to compensate for Mash''s loss of Galahad''s support¡ªwas now reinforced by the remnants of Galahad''s strength, further amplifying her abilities.


    "True Name... frozen deployment! This is the castle of fantasy that holds many paths and wishes... Answer my call¡ªMold Camelot!"


    The reinforced shield linked to Ortenaus fully expanded, forming a protective barrier in front of Mordred.


    The rampaging Volcanic Rat, now a massive, frenzied beast, charged at full speed. However, Hoshino''s impenetrable defense, forged at the last possible moment, remained unwavering.


    Under normal circumstances, Mash''s shield might have wavered under such an impact. But with Ortenaus'' support, the shield remained embedded in the ground¡ªunmovable, unshaken, a bastion of unyielding defense.


    "Dartz, now we''re on equal footing!" Hoshino''s voice carried newfound confidence as she stood behind the shield.


    "The Orichalcos Deuteros and Mash Ortenaus''s absolute defense¡ªif neither can break through the other, this duel''s outcome might need to be re-evaluated," someone remarked. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For once, Dartz bit his lip in frustration, showing a rare expression of displeasure. "Such extraordinary resilience... Just as Rafael reported. Even without being chosen by the Legendary Dragons, Hoshino, your existence is still a threat to Doma''s plan."


    "Plan? What''s so great about destroying and remaking the world? Those are just pretty excuses! Ignoring humanity''s will to survive and deciding their fate for them¡­"


    Hoshino''s fingers curled into fists, her knuckles cracking under the pressure. Having experienced the future firsthand, she had witnessed the struggles and efforts of humanity and duelists from different timelines fighting to survive.


    Even her future selves¡ªone from ten years ahead and another from a distant timeline¡ªhad chosen to entrust their power to the present Hoshino, even if they could never share the same future.


    "This world, this timeline¡ªI absolutely won''t let you destroy it!"


    Dartz blinked in slight surprise at Hoshino''s sudden determination. "Hoshino, you¡­"


    "It''s my turn! Draw¡ª!"


    Seizing the moment, Hoshino used a technique she had learned from Kaiba, cutting Dartz off before he could regain momentum.


    "I was wrong earlier¡ªI take back what I said about ''neither of us being able to break through the other''s defenses''!" As she drew her card, she simultaneously adjusted the positions of her defending monsters on her duel disk.


    "I switch Mordred and Mash to Attack Position! Then, I enter the Battle Phase!"


    The battle commenced with Hoshino''s spirited attack declaration. Within the Seal, the scorching flames of Mordred ignited once more.


    "Go, Mordred! Target Mokey Mokey¡ªand this time, don''t burn it to ashes!"


    Mordred grinned menacingly, her eyes gleaming with ferocity. "No problem, Master! This time, there won''t even be ashes left! These blazing flames can scorch the heavens themselves¡ªlet it all burn to nothing!"


    A sea of flames surged forward, crashing toward Dartz''s monsters with overwhelming force.


    "Fool. An attack like that will never breach Orichalcos Deuteros!"


    The barrier beneath Dartz''s feet stirred. With a smirk, he offered Mokey Mokey as a tribute to the graveyard.


    As expected, the circular sealing barrier reacted, transforming into a prison that not only contained the flames but also ensnared Mordred within.


    "Orichalcos Deuteros''s effect activates! By tributing Mokey Mokey, I negate Mordred''s attack and destroy her!"


    A single tap of Dartz''s finger triggered the Seal''s power. Blue flames erupted, engulfing Mordred completely.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C True Samadhi Fire Mordred destroyed]


    Dartz laughed triumphantly. "Hahaha! That was reckless, Hoshino. Duels aren''t won with brute force and enthusiasm alone!"


    "Playtime is over. Just as I planned, your reliance on the Seal''s effects will ultimately lead to your downfall. You''ll never defeat me!"


    Reckless? No. Hoshino never dueled without a plan. Every step, from her attack to her opponent''s counterplay, had been carefully calculated.


    "True Samadhi Fire Mordred''s effect activates! When she''s destroyed by an effect, I can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Knight of the Round Table Mordred] from my deck in Defense Position, ignoring its summoning conditions!"


    If Dartz hadn''t used the Seal''s effect to destroy Fire Mordred, Hoshino wouldn''t have been able to execute this move.


    "Oh my¡ª!"


    A crimson sword light cut through the dissipating blue flames. The next moment, a new Mordred emerged¡ªthis time clad in the armor of a Knight of the Round Table. Her sword, Clarent, gleamed with a violent red glow as she twirled it in her grasp.


    [Heroic Spirit - Knight of the Round Table Mordred¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][Fire][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2200/DEF 2000]


    Dartz scoffed. "Even if you summoned a new Heroic Spirit, it doesn''t change anything. I still have five monsters to serve as sacrifices for defense. You''ll never break through Orichalcos Deuteros!"


    "Get real, Dartz. They''re nothing more than weaklings! No matter how much you strengthen them with the Seal or your Equip Cards, there''s one thing you can''t change!"


    "Knight of the Round Table Mordred''s effect activates!"


    A surge of crimson lightning gathered at the peak of Clarent, shrouding it in destructive energy.


    "Mordred''s effect lets me destroy one ''Artoria''-type monster from my hand or field. Then, I can destroy monsters on your field whose combined Levels are less than or equal to the destroyed monster''s Level!"


    "Levels... lower than the destroyed monster¡­"


    Dartz''s face twisted in realization, and he instinctively stepped back.


    Hoshino held up a card from her hand, her smile full of confidence. "Figured it out, didn''t you? No matter how much you strengthen them, you can''t change their Levels!"


    "I destroy the Level 8 [Heroic Spirit - Artoria Pendragon] from my hand! Your entire field only has a total of five Levels combined!"


    Clarent''s crimson lightning surged to its limit. Mordred''s helmet split open, revealing her golden hair flowing with energy. Her piercing gaze locked onto her target.


    "This is the cursed sword that felled my Father¡ªClarent Blood Arthur!"


    The crimson lightning cleaved through the Seal''s inscriptions, obliterating every monster on Dartz''s field in an instant.


    "With no monsters left, you can''t activate Orichalcos Deuteros! And since Spirit Barrier requires at least one monster on your field, that effect is now void. It''s checkmate!"


    "Checkmate? Don''t be ridiculous!" Dartz scoffed. "Mordred is in Defense Position! The only monster you have left to attack with is Mash, and her ATK is only 1000! My LP is still at 6000!"


    Even with his monsters gone, the Seal''s healing had left Dartz with a significant buffer. He clung to that fact desperately.


    "Stop lying to yourself, Dartz. You''ve already lost!"


    Hoshino slid her final card into the duel disk. In response, Mash''s Ortenaus began radiating a dazzling glow, activating at full power.


    "Senpai! Spirit Origin Awakening Rate surpassing 90%! If it''s now, we can do it!"


    "Then let''s go all out! Strike with your ultimate shield bash!"


    "Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Hero Creation] activates! Mash gains 1000 ATK!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight Ortenaus ATK 1000 ¡ú 2000]


    "Jet propulsion system, engage!" The mechanical systems on Mash''s shield roared to life, boosting her speed to unprecedented levels.


    "Shockwave Impact Plate¡ªloaded! Initiating assault!"


    [When this card declares an attack, its ATK is doubled until the end of the Battle Phase.]


    [Mash ATK 2000 ¡ú 4000]


    "OOOOOOH! Fall before this strike!"


    Jet-propelled, Mash launched herself at Dartz with overwhelming force.


    "AAAAAAAHHHHH!" Dartz let out a final, agonized scream as the shield crashed into him.


    "Due to Hero Creation''s effect, this attack deals double battle damage! That''s 8000 damage in total! Do you have enough Life Points left for this?"


    With Hoshino''s victory declaration, the Seal of Orichalcos finally shattered.


    [Dartz LP 6000 ¡ú 0]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 317 - 317

    "Aaaaaahhh!!"


    The devastating impact of the shield strike shattered the Orichalcos, and the overwhelming 8000 points of damage sent the petite Dartz flying out of the barrier, crashing hard against the wall.


    [Duel Over. Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki.]


    The super-critical hit that drained all of Dartz''s Life Points in a single blow left Kaiba momentarily stunned. Just moments ago, he had been concerned for Hoshino''s chances, yet now, he could only stand there, speechless.


    "This woman¡­ still as unpredictable as ever."


    "Mash, you really didn''t hold back, huh~"


    Hoshino glanced at Dartz, who had been sent flying by the force of the attack. For a brief moment, she almost felt bad for him.


    "Wait a second¡ªsent flying?"


    Something felt off. Based on everything she had seen before, a duelist defeated within the Orichalcos should have been sealed the moment their Life Points hit zero. Their soul should have been trapped within the Orichalcos itself.


    "Hahaha, how amusing. You truly are an interesting one, Hoshino~"


    Yet instead of being sealed, Dartz, who was still plastered against the wall, let out a crisp laugh.


    "As I suspected, someone like you¡ªa controller of Orichalcos¡ªwouldn''t be sealed by it upon losing."


    Hoshino had considered this possibility earlier. If even the Three of Doma had been able to bypass the Orichalcos'' effects once, then it made no sense for someone like Dartz, who wielded the Orichalcos'' power directly, to be sealed after losing.


    In other words, the only one who had truly been risking their life in this duel was her.


    "I was prepared for this," she muttered, her frustration growing. "But seeing it happen for real is still more infuriating than I expected!"


    Peeling himself off the wall, Dartz brushed off the dust and once again flashed his trademark harmless smile.


    "Don''t be so mad, Hoshino. I already told you, even if you lost, I wouldn''t sacrifice your soul. Wouldn''t it be better to become one of my collectibles instead?"


    This kid had absolutely no self-awareness when it came to how insufferable his personality was. Just because he had a cute face didn''t mean he could get away with everything. After all, he had lived for ten thousand years¡ªhe wasn''t some innocent "shota." Not even close, considering he didn''t even have a clearly defined gender.


    With the duel over, Hoshino deactivated her Duel Disk. "In the end, you''ve already lost. Whether it''s as a collectible or a soul sacrifice, it''s all just empty talk now."


    "Heehee, you may have defeated me, Hoshino, but the true battle is just beginning~"


    "The true battle?"


    Wearing a mysterious smile, Dartz took small steps toward the window, his gaze shifting toward the night sky.


    "The power of the Great Leviathan has nearly reached its peak. This world will likely meet its end today~"


    Dartz''s eyes remained fixed on the massive serpent-like shadow above, its enormous body continuously devouring the faint starlight. Compared to when it first appeared, the entity had nearly doubled in size.


    "So that giant snake in the sky¡ªwhat exactly is it?"


    Every time she looked up into the dark night sky, Hoshino felt an indescribable pressure, an instinctive repulsion, as if her mind was being forced to avoid dwelling on it too deeply. But now that she was face-to-face with the one responsible, this was the perfect opportunity to ask.


    "It''s a concept beyond human understanding. Just think of it as the vessel for the revival of the God of Orichalcos. Right now, that vessel is absorbing nutrients in preparation for the god''s grand arrival~"


    Kaiba scoffed. "A vessel, huh? So, it''s basically just a shedding snake. Do you really think an oversized reptile is going to destroy the world? Don''t underestimate humanity!"


    Dartz giggled. "What an interesting interpretation, Kaiba~"


    Pleased by Kaiba''s unique perspective, Dartz climbed onto the windowsill and pushed open the large pane of glass, which was nearly as big as his small frame. The night wind rushed into the room, carrying with it an eerie, chilling darkness.


    "When the time comes, the earth will collapse, the seas will rise, and the sky will be torn apart, unleashing a rain of death. In the face of higher-dimensional forces, human civilization will appear just as powerless as Atlantis did ten thousand years ago."


    Kaiba''s expression hardened. "Atlantis¡­?"


    With Arthur''s research into ancient civilizations as his foundation, Kaiba had always viewed the existence of Atlantis as something within the realm of science. If even a super-ancient civilization like Atlantis had been destroyed so easily, how much better could modern civilization fare?


    "That''s why I said the true battle starts now~"


    The night breeze tousled Dartz''s silver hair, the strands fluttering messily around his face. Beneath them, his eyes glimmered with a strangely unreadable expression.


    "If you want to stop Dartz and the God of Orichalcos, you''ll need the strength of the three Legendary Duelists and the power of the Nameless Dragon. That is the last hope remaining for this world."


    "Wait¡­" A sudden realization struck Hoshino. "Aren''t you ''Dartz'' yourself? Why are you telling us this?"


    His words, his demeanor¡ªeverything about this version of Dartz seemed as if he wanted Hoshino and her group to stop the world''s destruction.


    "I already told you, to prevent the special existence of ''Dartz'' from going astray, different versions of me from various points in time act as separate entities to regulate each other. But now, that balance has been broken."


    "Balance¡­ broken?"


    Even someone like Dartz, who had lived for ten thousand years, had his own struggles. Everyone had their own "difficult books to read."


    "The younger version of me¡ªthe CEO of Paradius¡ªhas spent the past century accumulating multiple Orichalcos powers by any means necessary, recklessly pushing forward this plan to destroy and remake the world. With the balance of power broken, none of the other versions of me can restrain him."


    Hoshino narrowed her eyes. Was this kid seriously trying to excuse himself? This explanation sounded far too convenient.


    "If world destruction was just a whim of ''Dartz,'' then why do you look so entertained by it?"


    Dartz simply shrugged. "Because the world''s destruction has nothing to do with me~ Even if the balance is broken, I''m still immortal. If this world is destroyed, a new civilization will eventually rise from the ashes. For me, it''s just a matter of waiting a few thousand more years¡­"


    His gaze flickered toward Hoshino and Kaiba, his expression unreadable.


    "But you know what? I''d much rather see you reverse fate and prevent the world''s destruction. That would be much more interesting!"


    Ah.


    So he wasn''t trying to absolve himself at all. From start to finish, he was just a pure sadist who enjoyed watching events unfold from the sidelines.


    Just then, a sorrowful dragon''s roar echoed through the building, cutting their conversation short.


    Hoshino frowned and glanced at Kaiba with mild disdain.


    "Kaiba, your phone''s ringing again."


    Hoshino, having been fooled once before, wasn''t about to fall for it again. A Blue-Eyes White Dragon ringtone? Ha, you''re not even trying to hide who your "wife" is, huh?


    But this time, something felt... off.


    "Unfortunately, it''s not." Kaiba pulled out his phone and held it up, revealing a pitch-black screen¡ªproof that the dragon''s roar wasn''t coming from his device.


    "This sound... it feels familiar." The petite Dartz hopped off the windowsill, turning his gaze toward Kaiba''s duel disk.


    "The wail of the Legendary Dragons is an omen of disaster. Something bad must''ve happened¡ªperhaps the duel downstairs..."


    Kaiba flipped through his deck and pulled out a faintly glowing card. Fang of Critias. "Could this card be the source of that sound?"


    "No way! Could it mean Yugi and Jonouchi lost?!" Hoshino suddenly remembered the duel taking place below¡ªYugi and Jonouchi versus Rafael and Valon.


    Dartz shrugged, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "If the duelists chosen by the Legendary Dragons lose here, even the loss of a single dragon''s power would make defeating the God of Orichalcos impossible. That means the show I was looking forward to won''t happen~"


    Whether he was exaggerating or not, Mokuba, growing increasingly anxious, urged, "Hoshino, we should go check! If they really lost..."


    "That''s impossible! Yugi would never lose to those opponents again!" Kaiba clenched his fists, his words filled with conviction. Yet despite his certainty, his body unconsciously moved toward the staircase.


    "Go ahead, go ahead. Seeing the truth might just leave you even more hopeless~" Dartz''s tone shifted, now laced with schadenfreude.


    "You''re coming with us!" Losing her patience, Hoshino grabbed Dartz''s wrist.


    "You''re not getting away! We finally caught someone who knows the true location of the sacrificial island¡ªno way I''m letting you escape!"


    "Hey, hey?! What are you doing? Why are you using force now?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dartz, small as he was, had no way to resist as Hoshino effortlessly dragged him along. She wasn''t particularly strong, but handling someone of his size was easy enough.


    "I already told you, seeing the truth will only make you more desperate! Without the power of the Legendary Dragons, even if you reach the sacrificial island where Dartz resides, you won''t stand a chance against the Orichalcos'' power."


    Without looking back, Hoshino continued forward without hesitation. "That''s exactly why I''m taking you to see it! Not to witness despair¡ªbut to show you the infinite possibilities humanity can create in the face of survival!"


    (***)


    Five Minutes Earlier¡ª


    "Valon¡ª!!"


    "Jonouchi¡ª!!"


    Though fought with monster cards, the duel between Jonouchi and Valon had long since turned into a genuine fistfight.


    Mai, who had arrived unnoticed, stood watching with a conflicted expression. "Why, Valon? Jonouchi is my prey! Why would you risk your soul to duel him?!"


    Valon, clad in his blue mechanical armor, smirked. "I finally get it, Mai. I understand why you''re so obsessed with this guy. Dueling Jonouchi is just too fun! I wouldn''t give up this heart-pounding moment for anything!"


    "That''s right, Mai! This is a real fight for a man''s pride! Not even you can interfere!" Jonouchi, clad in his own armor, swung his blazing fist toward Valon.


    [Lord of the Red¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][FIRE] [Dragon/Ritual/Effect] [ATK 2400/DEF 2100]


    "I activate Lord of the Red''s special effect! When two or more Spell Cards are activated in the same chain, after the chain resolves, all other monsters on the field are destroyed!" (Anime Effect)


    Jonouchi''s Lord of the Red, a Ritual Monster resembling Red-Eyes Black Dragon, had transformed into armor to match his battle-focused instincts, awakening a miracle.


    "With Lord of the Red''s effect, all five of your armor pieces are destroyed!"


    Valon''s Power Armor Deck was unique¡ªhis monsters formed helmets, chest plates, and arm pieces. Only he could wield such a deck.


    Yugi, Jonouchi''s teammate, cheered, "Well done, Jonouchi! With all of his monsters gone, you can attack directly with Lord of the Red and win!"


    "Pharaoh, shouldn''t you worry about your own situation?" Rafael interjected. "Because of Lord of the Red''s effect, all monsters on our field are destroyed as well."


    The flames from Jonouchi''s right fist engulfed the field, consuming Yugi''s Dark Magician and Rafael''s Guardian Dreadscythe.


    "However, by discarding one card, I can summon Guardian Dreadscythe again."


    "Even so, Rafael, losing your teammate makes this duel a lot harder for you!"


    "I''m not going down that easily!" As Jonouchi''s fiery punch closed in, Valon''s arm armor released a burst of blue energy, meeting Jonouchi''s attack head-on.


    "I activate Jet Gauntlet''s effect! By tributing it to the Graveyard, all other Armor Monsters on my field can''t be destroyed by effects this turn!"


    Their fists collided, and Valon''s Jet Gauntlet shattered, leaving his hand unarmored.


    "Sacrificing part of your armor to survive, huh? Even so, Red King can still attack!" Jonouchi swung his other fist to follow up.


    "Then I''ll counter again! I activate Buster Knuckle''s effect! When your monster attacks, this card becomes the target, and its ATK increases by 600 for each Armor Monster I control!"


    [Buster Knuckle ATK: 0 ¡ú 2400]


    The relentless exchange left Mai trembling. "Armor with ATK equal to Lord of the Red... Jonouchi, Valon..."


    The punches clashed once more, triggering a massive explosion that stripped both duelists of their armor, leaving only Valon''s helmet intact.


    "Finally, I activate Double Cloth Armor''s effect! When an Armor Monster is destroyed by battle, it inflicts damage to your opponent equal to half its ATK!"


    [Jonouchi LP: 600]


    [Valon LP: 900]


    With their armor gone, the duel came down to a classic headbutt¡ªa pure contest of endurance.


    Confident in his helmet''s protection, Valon charged forward. Jonouchi, armorless, did the same.


    "Ohhh! Take this! This is the power left behind by Hoshino!" Jonouchi grit his teeth, delivering a headbutt strengthened by Medea''s magic. Valon''s Psychic Helmet shattered upon impact.


    "Trap Card¡ªBarrel Behind the Door!" Jonouchi roared. "I redirect the effect damage back at you! This duel is mine, Valon!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 318 - 318

    "Is that so? In the end, I still couldn''t defeat this man..."


    Valon, his Psychic Helmet shattered by Jonouchi''s headbutt, felt his consciousness begin to fade.


    Like a slideshow of memories, his monotonous life of endless battles in the dark flashed before his eyes¡ªfollowed by the faint light he glimpsed after meeting Mai, and finally, the surge of burning passion he experienced during his duel with Jonouchi.


    "I guess... I''m still not satisfied... That last duel... If only I had met you sooner, Jonouchi..."


    "Valon! Don''t you dare fall so easily! Don''t forget, this is a battle for the two of us!"


    Rafael''s furious shout jolted Valon from the brink of unconsciousness.


    "¡ªI activate the face-down Quick-Play Spell [Ring of Defense]! This card negates all damage from Trap effects, meaning the damage from Barrel Behind the Door is nullified!"


    Originally brought along by Rafael to counter Kaiba''s Ring of Destruction, even he hadn''t expected it to be used in a situation like this.


    Reawakened by Rafael''s intervention, Valon''s leg-mounted Armor kicked in, stabilizing his body and preventing him from collapsing.


    "Thanks, Rafael! Looks like I get to enjoy this duel a little longer. Come on, Jonouchi!"


    Not to be outdone, Yugi played his own card.


    "Since this is a tag duel, I can''t afford to fall behind! I activate the Continuous Trap [Call of the Haunted] to revive Lord of the Red from the graveyard! Go, Jonouchi!"


    [Lord of the Red - ATK 2400]


    Once more, Jonouchi''s body was enveloped in the Lord of the Red, its searing flames radiating with newfound intensity.


    "Thanks, Yugi!" He flexed his fiery arm plates and locked eyes with Valon. "Since Lord of the Red was revived during the Battle Phase, I can attack with it again! So, Valon, how''s your armor holding up?"


    Yugi blinked in surprise. "Jonouchi, since when did you start talking like that?"


    "Mai! Open your eyes wide and witness the clash of our souls in this final moment!"


    With a battle-hardened roar, Valon crouched slightly, adjusting his Armor into an offensive stance.


    "This is the last piece of armor I have left on my field, meaning your attack can only target it!"


    [Big Bang Blow - ATK 0]


    Valon smirked bitterly. His Armor Deck, primarily composed of low-ATK pieces that were meant to be sacrificed after use, had never been fully depleted in a single duel cycle¡ªuntil now.


    "Battle¡ª!"


    Fist met leg armor in a powerful collision. Valon unleashed a spinning kick with remarkable precision, intercepting Lord of the Red''s flaming punch.


    "Heh, Big Bang Blow''s effect activates! When this card is destroyed by battle, the battle damage is divided evenly between both players. That means this ends in a double KO, Jonouchi!"


    Having anticipated this outcome, Valon smiled in relief.


    "The Orichalcos ensures that when both players lose simultaneously, no souls are sealed. This is the best ending¡ªbecause if your soul was taken, Mai would''ve been devastated."


    [Big Bang Blow - Destroyed]


    [Jonouchi LP: 600 ¡ú 0]


    [Valon LP: 900 ¡ú 0]


    Mai''s tense heart finally eased, though her trembling lips could only manage a soft murmur.


    "Valon... you..."


    "I''m afraid it''s not that simple, Valon."


    Rafael shut his eyes, unwilling to witness what was about to happen.


    "In a four-person duel, a double KO condition can''t occur."


    A sinking feeling washed over Valon as Rafael continued.


    "We have no way out. To fulfill Doma''s plan, we must seal the souls of the Legendary Duelists. This is Lord Dartz''s command."


    To eliminate any chance of failure, Dartz had ordered Valon and Rafael to fight as a team. The implication was clear¡ªeven if it cost the lives of Doma''s own duelists, the mission had to succeed.


    "Jonouchi¡ª!"


    As soon as Jonouchi''s Life Points hit zero, the sealing ritual of the Orichalcos activated, dragging his soul into its barrier for eternity.


    "This... can''t be happening..."


    Valon stared at his trembling hands as his vision darkened. His body collapsed onto the cold floor as his soul was extracted.


    "Jonouchi!"


    Mai rushed forward, catching Jonouchi''s lifeless body just before it hit the ground.


    Fortunately, Valon passed out before he could see it¡ªspared from a fate worse than soul sealing itself.


    "Ah, just in time for the grand finale~ Satisfied now, Hoshino?"


    Dartz, still being dragged along by Hoshino, maintained his irritatingly smug tone, even as he watched the soul-sealing ritual unfold.


    Jonouchi''s lifeless body, now devoid of its soul, rested against Mai''s tear-streaked cheek. His ice-cold hand instinctively reached up, wiping away her tears in his final moments of fading consciousness.


    "Mai... you don''t have to keep pushing yourself to fight. Even if you can''t always win... there are still meaningful things in life..."


    Completely ignoring the somber mood, Dartz scoffed.


    "What a touching farewell. But let''s be real¡ªthe world''s ending anyway, so¡ªow! Hey!"


    Hoshino flicked Dartz on the forehead.


    "If you can''t say anything nice, don''t say anything at all!"


    Dartz rubbed his sore head, pouting.


    "I''m just stating the facts. Without the souls of the Legendary Duelists, you can''t defeat the Orichalcos."


    Suddenly, another dragon''s roar echoed through the space.


    This time, it wasn''t just Kaiba''s Fang of Critias¡ªYugi''s Eye of Timaeus also responded. The twin cries reverberated through the air, piercing hearts and shaking souls.


    But the most heartbreaking sight was Mai, clutching Jonouchi''s lifeless body as tears streamed down her face, falling onto his cold hand.


    Then¡ªa new roar erupted.


    This one was different. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It wasn''t a cry of sorrow.


    It was defiant. Unyielding.


    A final, desperate cry of resistance.


    The source of this roar?


    Jonouchi''s Claw of Hermos.


    Mai gently took the glowing card from Jonouchi''s hand.


    The faint light radiating from it seemed to carry the unbreakable spirit of the Legendary Dragon¡ªand the will of its chosen duelist, Jonouchi, who refused to surrender to darkness.


    Wiping away her bitter tears, Mai followed the light''s guidance¡ªand hurled the card forward.


    "This world can''t end like this, Hoshino. I''m entrusting Jonouchi''s spirit to you!"


    From the Claw of Hermos, Mai could feel it¡ªthe last chance for this world.


    A chance that existed only because the destined Duel King, absent from this timeline, had left this final opportunity behind.


    "Legendary Dragon... Claw of Hermos..."


    As Hoshino took the Legendary Dragon card from Mai''s hand, her consciousness was instantly drawn into the world of Duel Monsters, where she found herself standing before the towering crystalline statues of the three Legendary Dragons.


    "A nameless dragon... capable of awakening the hidden power within Duel Monster cards, transforming them into new forms to combat the Orichalcos..."


    A voice echoed in her mind, conveying the essence of the Legendary Dragons and, more importantly, the method to unlock the hidden potential within the cards.


    "I see now. I completely understand!" Hoshino''s eyes lit up as she gazed up at the massive crystalline dragon statues. "This is your power!"


    The Claw of Hermos¡ªa dragon with the ability to fuse with monsters, awakening their latent forms through its legendary power, transforming them into ultimate Equip Cards.


    "So I can fuse Heroic Spirit monsters into Equip Cards?" Hoshino mused. From this perspective, Claw of Hermos seemed like the most fitting Legendary Dragon for her.


    After all, most Heroic Spirits had their own corresponding Noble Phantasms. If these Noble Phantasms¡ªtoo vast in concept to be fully realized through Duel Monster mechanics¡ªcould be unlocked, they might manifest entirely new possibilities, capable of shaking the world itself.


    Hoshino stroked her chin thoughtfully. "If the possibilities are limitless, maybe I can even create weapons that never existed before!"


    Having twice witnessed Kaiba''s Fang of Critias create completely new forms in battle, Hoshino was keenly aware of the Legendary Dragons'' boundless potential. As long as her imagination was wild enough, there was nothing her opponents could do to stop her.


    The only regret was...


    "If only I hadn''t obtained the Legendary Dragon''s inheritance under these circumstances."


    Returning to reality, Hoshino saw that the process of sealing souls within the barrier had been completed.


    The massive green seal, originally encompassing the entire four-person duel, had now shrunk, enclosing only Yugi and Rafael.


    Without hesitation, Rafael drew his next card.


    "Pharaoh, your chance for a two-on-one advantage is gone. And thanks to Lord of the Red''s effect, your field is completely empty!"


    Activating the effect of Guardian Dreadscythe, Rafael discarded a card to Special Summon it from the Graveyard, equipping it with Reaper Scythe - Dreadscythe. With this, his field had become overwhelmingly dominant over Yugi''s.


    [Guardian Dreadscythe ATK 2500 ¡ú 8000]


    "Even though Valon lost, the Armor Monsters in his Graveyard still power up my Reaper''s Scythe! And now, I activate the Equip Spell [Twin Swords of Flashing Light - Tryce]! The equipped monster loses 500 ATK but gains the ability to attack twice during each Battle Phase!"


    Rafael slid his final card into his Duel Disk and pointed forward.


    "Pharaoh, you''re not the only one who inherits the will of his allies! You will never defeat me!!"


    The Reaper''s Scythe cut through the air, unleashing a devastating soul-cleaving strike against Yugi''s defenseless form.


    [Yugi Muto LP 4000 ¡ú 0]


    "Yugi... you..."


    Watching Yugi''s Life Points drop instantly to zero, Kaiba clenched his fists in frustration.


    "How could you lose to this guy twice?!"


    "No, Kaiba, it''s not over yet!" Hoshino interrupted, her sharp gaze fixed on the battlefield.


    If Yugi had truly lost, the barrier would have immediately begun to contract, sealing his soul. Yet, it remained unchanged.


    Lowering his head slightly, Yugi spoke with quiet determination.


    "Rafael, I will not lose to you again¡ªnot for the sake of saving the world, but for the souls of my friends. I cannot afford to fail."


    "¡ªI activate the Trap Card [Relay Soul]!"


    [Relay Soul - Trap Card Effect: Activate only when your Life Points reach 0. Special Summon 1 monster from your hand. You lose the Duel if the Special Summoned monster is destroyed.] (Anime Effect)


    [Yugi LP: 0]


    "Zero Life Points?! That''s brutal!" Hoshino exclaimed, staring at Yugi''s Duel Disk. "That''s basically locking your Life Points at death''s door!"


    Dartz smirked. "It''s meaningless. Rafael''s monster can attack again thanks to its Equip Effect. With that much ATK, not even a god could survive the next hit."


    Yugi, unfazed, continued.


    "Due to Relay Soul''s effect, I Special Summon¡ª"


    The monster that carried Yugi''s final hope raised its gleaming sword, intercepting the reaping scythe with unwavering resolve.


    "¡ªI Special Summon [Obnoxious Celtic Guard] in Attack Position!"


    For a monster often considered mere cannon fodder, the Obnoxious Celtic Guard stood firm, gripping its sword with unshakable determination. Though small in stature, it radiated the aura of an immovable warrior, refusing to yield even a single step.


    [Obnoxious Celtic Guard ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1400/DEF 1200]


    [Cannot be destroyed by battle with a monster that has 1900 or more ATK.]


    "So that''s his plan..."


    Hoshino marveled once again at Yugi''s strategic brilliance. Using Celtic Guard''s battle immunity as the ultimate safeguard for Relay Soul, Rafael''s Dreadscythe had now been rendered completely ineffective.


    The real issue was that while Guardian Dreadscythe was an overwhelmingly powerful monster, it had a critical drawback¡ªits controller could not Summon additional monsters while it was on the field. Without another way to attack, Rafael would never be able to break through Yugi''s last line of defense.


    "Dragging the duel into a war of attrition... Is that your strategy, Pharaoh?" Rafael''s tone grew tense as he realized that Yugi had completely locked him out of victory.


    "Turn end!"


    "It won''t last long..."


    Drawing his next card, Yugi''s expression shifted into a confident smile.


    "In fact, this duel will end right now. I activate the Spell Card [Monster Reborn]! Return to me, my most loyal servant¡ª[Dark Magician]!"


    The holy light of revival enveloped Dark Magician, pulling it back from the Graveyard, where it had been sent by Red King''s effect the previous turn.


    "Next, I activate the effect of the [Eye of Timaeus]! By sending Dark Magician to the Graveyard as Fusion Material, I Special Summon a Fusion Monster that mentions Dark Magician by name!"


    "What?! It''s not a direct fusion with the Legendary Dragon?"


    Even Hoshino, witnessing Yugi''s Eye of Timaeus for the first time, was taken aback.


    "This monster was born from the memories of my battles alongside Jonouchi!" Yugi declared, gripping his Fusion card tightly. "With the burning will of my dear friend, I will summon the strongest knight engulfed in black flames!"


    Glancing solemnly at Jonouchi''s unconscious body, Yugi''s voice grew firm.


    "I''m going, Jonouchi! This ultimate warrior, born from your strength, will carve the path to victory!"


    "¡ªFusion Summon! [Dark Flare Knight]!


    [Dark Flare Knight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][DARK][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2200/DEF 800]


    [Dark Magician + Flame Swordsman]


    A warrior clad in jet-black armor, its sword burning with crimson flames, emerged in a storm of magical energy¡ªmarking the beginning of Yugi''s counterattack!


    "The Dark Flare Knight, which normally requires Flame Swordsman as Fusion Material, can now be summoned directly thanks to Timaeus'' power! Rafael, this is my final card!"


    Hoshino blinked in disbelief, thinking she must have misread the situation. "A Fusion Monster using Dark Magician as material... and it''s weaker than Dark Magician?"


    "Attack, Dark Flare Knight! Black Flame Slash!!"


    Yugi commanded, sending his Dark Flare Knight¡ªwith only 2200 ATK¡ªcharging headfirst into Rafael''s Guardian Dreadscythe, which loomed over the battlefield with a staggering 7500 ATK.


    Rafael scoffed. "A reckless move¡ªwhat a waste of the Legendary Dragon''s power!"


    As the Reaper''s Scythe cleaved through Dark Flare Knight, shattering it instantly, Rafael expected Yugi''s defeat. However, despite Yugi''s Life Points being at zero, they remained unchanged.


    Hoshino twitched, staring at the Duel Disk in disbelief. "This is one heck of a stubborn lock! As long as Celtic Guard survives, taking damage doesn''t even matter..."


    But Yugi remained composed, arms crossed as the dissipating black flames swirled around him.


    "No, Rafael, you''ve already lost."


    At that moment, an overwhelming aura filled the battlefield.


    [Dark Flare Knight Effect: When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon 1 Mirage Knight from your hand or Deck.]


    Yugi raised his hand toward the sky.


    "Come forth¡ªthe knight who stands at the pinnacle of all warriors! Special Summon from the Deck¡ª[Mirage Knight]!"


    [Mirage Knight ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2000]


    From the light emerged a radiant knight wielding a golden scythe, its brilliant armor standing in stark contrast to the darkness of Rafael''s Guardian Dreadscythe. Within the barrier, the ultimate clash of light and darkness was about to begin.


    Feeling the sheer intensity of the moment, Hoshino swallowed nervously¡ªthen instinctively pinched Dartz''s cheek.


    "Ow! If you''re nervous, pinch your own face, not mine!"


    Ignoring him, she turned her attention back to the battlefield.


    Yugi extended his hand forward. "Battle, Rafael! This is the final duel!"


    The Mirage Knight raised its gleaming weapon.


    "Target Guardian Dreadscythe¡ªstrike it down!"


    "Counterattack, Dreadscythe! Your opponent''s monster doesn''t even have half your attack power! Banish it to the void!"


    The two scythes clashed, sending dazzling sparks scattering across the battlefield. Then¡ª


    A crisp sound echoed.


    The unmistakable sound of metal shattering.


    Rafael''s eyes widened in shock. "Impossible...!"


    Before him, the Reaper''s Scythe had been completely destroyed, shattered into fragments by the sheer force of Mirage Knight''s radiant blow.


    "Special effect of Mirage Knight¡ªduring battle, this card''s ATK becomes the sum of its original ATK and that of the opposing monster!"


    [Mirage Knight ATK 2800 ¡ú 10,300]


    Kaiba, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, eyes locked on the field.


    "An attack power over 10,000...?"


    Watching Yugi turn the duel around from zero Life Points to an overwhelming counterattack reignited Kaiba''s competitive spirit.


    "Rafael, this is the victory of the Knight of Light¡ªthe will of Jonouchi and me!"


    With Guardian Dreadscythe obliterated and no remaining cards in Rafael''s hand, he had lost the ability to revive it.


    [Rafael LP 4000 ¡ú 1200]


    Yugi pointed toward his final monster.


    "End this duel, Celtic Guard!"


    The Obnoxious Celtic Guard¡ªonce dismissed as a mere fodder card¡ªdashed forward and slashed its sword across Rafael''s chest.


    "Aaaahhh!!!"


    [Rafael LP 1200 ¡ú 0]


    As Yugi stood victorious, faint tears shimmered in his eyes.


    "I did it, Partner... Jonouchi... Did you see that?"


    [Duel Over]


    [Winners: Yugi Muto & Katsuya Jonouchi]


    (*****)


    If you''d like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

 Chapter 319 - 319

    "So he actually pulled off a comeback from zero LP... I''ve lived for ten thousand years, and this is the first time I''ve seen something like this!"


    Dartz''s mouth opened and closed like a goldfish¡ªa rather unique way of expressing his shock.


    Meanwhile, the contracting Orichalcos Seal encased Rafael, the price he had to pay for staking his soul in battle.


    "Rafael, you are one of the strongest duelists I have ever faced, in both dignity and conviction."


    Despite Rafael standing as an enemy on Doma''s side, Yugi still respected him as a fellow duelist and offered him the highest praise.


    Encased within the seal, Rafael shook his head. "I abandoned my conviction to protect my monsters and relied on the Orichalcos, all for the sake of bringing back my family... I am not worthy of your praise, Nameless Pharaoh."


    Yugi clenched his fist. "Rafael, the only one truly at fault here is Dartz. I will defeat him and save all of your souls!"


    Dartz, regaining his usual smug demeanor, let out a casual hum. "Why does this sound like some dramatic farewell? This is just a first-level Orichalcos, you know~"


    Raising his hand, purple light flickered in his palm before a sharp cracking sound echoed through the air. In the next moment, the barrier surrounding Rafael shattered, preventing his soul from being sealed.


    Hoshino''s jaw nearly hit the floor. "Wait, WHAT?! You could stop the Orichalcos from sealing souls this whole time?! Then why didn''t you save Jonouchi and Valon earlier?!"


    A mischievous smile played on Dartz''s lips. "Did I ever say I was obligated to save them? Hoshino, just because you beat me in a duel doesn''t mean you get to order me around~"


    Smack!


    "Ow!"


    Hoshino flicked Dartz''s forehead with all her strength, her expression filled with disdain. "So that''s how it is, huh? If you could have saved Jonouchi back then and chose not to, then we have nothing more to talk about."


    "Alright, alright~" Dartz rubbed his forehead, realizing that Hoshino was genuinely angry and decided to stop joking around.


    "If I had intervened sooner, I might have been able to save them. But by the time I got there, their souls were already fully bound. All sealed souls are transmitted to the ''Dartz'' on the sacrificial island¡ªbeyond my control."


    Hoshino''s expression softened slightly. "If that''s really the case... I hope you''re not lying to me."


    Dartz shook his head vigorously, like a rattle drum.


    Then, a thought struck him. "Actually, now that I think about it, I am the one who''s confused here. I''ve never heard of four chosen duelists before!"


    Distracted earlier by the intense duel, Dartz had only now realized the anomaly.


    "There are three Legendary Dragons, and they''ve always corresponded to three duelists. That was true ten thousand years ago, and it remains true ten thousand years later. There has never been a case where a fourth human duelist was chosen..."


    Dartz poked Hoshino''s pale hand.


    "Hoshino, you''re not human, are you?"


    "Stop joking! Who could be more human than me?!"


    Meanwhile, Yugi, still processing the sudden breaking of the Orichalcos Seal, frowned in confusion. Only now did he notice the unfamiliar girl standing beside Hoshino.


    "Why is it that every time I see you, you''ve picked up another girl?"


    Hoshino sighed, tilting her head. "Yugi, the way you said ''another'' makes it sound so bad!"


    Then, shaking her head, she changed the subject. "Anyway, let''s get out of here. There''s a lot to explain, but I''ll keep it brief..."


    (***)


    Hawkins'' RV


    After Kaiba and Yugi carried Jonouchi''s unconscious body back to the vehicle, Hoshino explained the situation to the others.


    "Jon-ou-chi!! You idiot!"


    Honda and Anzu hovered over Jonouchi''s motionless form, tears streaming down their faces.


    Honda wailed, "He was just telling me to protect everyone in the RV, and now he''s gone and sacrificed himself!"


    So that''s why... Hoshino thought to herself. Jonouchi''s soul was sealed because of the flag he set before the duel.


    "Hoshino, are you saying this little girl¡ªno, boy¡ªis Dartz?"


    Yugi''s brows furrowed, reluctant to believe it. But given the circumstances, Hoshino had no reason to lie. Besides, the fact that Dartz could shatter the Orichalcos Seal before it took Rafael''s soul was proof enough.


    The 12-year-old genius American champion, Rebecca, furrowed her brows. "Different ''Dartz'' entities? Even I''m having a hard time wrapping my head around this..."


    Mai crossed her arms. "If you really are Dartz, then give me back Jonouchi''s soul right now!"


    Dartz shook his head. "I''ve already told you¡ªunless you defeat the Dartz on the sacrificial island, there''s no way to save the sealed souls. Besides, if you can''t stop Doma''s plan, does saving one or two souls even matter if the world is destroyed?"


    "So, how do we get to this sacrificial island?" Yugi asked.


    Before Dartz could answer, Rafael suddenly interjected, his tone serious.


    "It''s impossible. No one can approach the sacrificial island except for the military."


    Having narrowly escaped having his soul sealed, Rafael refused to abandon Valon''s body and accompanied the group to help transport him back to the RV.


    Hoshino''s brows furrowed. "The military...? Are you talking about the group that kidnapped Arthur?"


    She recalled how she had left the sacrificial island¡ªescorted away in a military helicopter.


    Kaiba, staring at the ever-expanding Great Leviathan in the sky, clenched his fists. "If we can''t reach the island and stop Dartz, are we just supposed to sit here and wait for the end of the world?"


    "Not at all~" Dartz shook his head confidently. But instead of looking at the Great Leviathan, his gaze was fixed elsewhere.


    "If humanity still has the will to survive, they won''t sit back and do nothing."


    Following his gaze, Hoshino''s eyes widened as she spotted a fleet of helicopters approaching, their blinking lights forming a faint glimmer of hope amidst the oppressive darkness.


    Realizing what Dartz meant, Hoshino muttered, "If humanity really is that stupid... then maybe this world does deserve destruction, just like Dartz claims..."


    The helicopters landed around them, and from one of them emerged a familiar figure¡ªa minor military leader Hoshino had encountered during Arthur''s kidnapping.


    But now, there was no trace of the subservience he had shown before.


    "Chosen duelists of legend, you are this world''s only hope. We will escort you to the island. Please¡ªdefeat Dartz and stop this!"


    The soldiers all bowed in unison.


    "Please¡ª!"


    No, humanity wasn''t foolish. At the brink of destruction, with the end looming near and the truth revealed, Dartz would now face the collective will of an entire world that refused to perish.


    "Then it''s time to head out, troops!"


    "Ooohhhh!!"


    Hoshino raised her arm, savoring the thrill of rallying the group. Carrying the hopes of saving the world, the Chaldea Master was on the move once again.


    "Who are you calling ''troops''?"


    As Kaiba passed by on his way to the armed helicopter, he flicked Hoshino''s white-haired head.


    "Let''s go, Hoshino. This will be the final battle!"


    Yugi, on the other hand, was much gentler, simply placing a reassuring hand on Hoshino''s shoulder.


    "I''m coming too, brother!"


    "Take me along as well! I won''t abandon my Darling''s soul!"


    "As a man, I, Honda, will personally retrieve my best friend''s soul!"


    Seeing her companions respond without hesitation, Hoshino caught a faint, peculiar smile on Dartz''s lips.


    "Humans... They may not be stupid, but they sure are a bunch of hotheaded fools."


    Hoshino turned to the motionless Dartz. "Aren''t you coming too? This is the exciting development you were hoping for, isn''t it?"


    As if performing magic, a purple barrier unfolded beneath Dartz''s feet, his petite figure beginning to blur.


    "You humans can stick to these primitive means of transport. I''ll be waiting for you on the island~" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The barrier contracted, and Dartz''s small figure vanished into thin air.


    "So he really isn''t human, huh..." Honda muttered, surprised at Dartz''s sudden disappearance.


    Anzu tilted her head, her gaze falling on Hoshino. "But don''t you think that kid seemed a bit like you, Hoshino?"


    "Like me?" Hoshino pointed to herself, puzzled. "Anzu, are you talking about the hair?"


    Admittedly, both had long silver hair, so there was a resemblance from a distance.


    Anzu shook her head and laughed. "No, I guess it''s just my imagination. I just wondered if you might have been like that when you were a kid..."


    Please, I was a proper little girl back then. How could I have looked like a bratty little boy? Hoshino grumbled internally before her companions ushered her onto the armed helicopter.


    Meanwhile, Anzu and Mai stayed behind to care for the unconscious Jonouchi and Valon.


    [Duelist Rank Evaluation Complete. Duelist: Dartz. Rank: A++. Reward: 140 Saint Quartz.]


    [Detected: Duelist ID #001 Hoshino Chiyuki defeated Orichalcos. Triple Saint Quartz reward granted. Total: 425 Saint Quartz.]


    "I''M RICH!"


    While Kaiba and Yugi spent the journey refining their decks for the final battle, Hoshino opened her system to check the results of her previous duel¡ªand was greeted with an astonishing surprise.


    "Quality over quantity really pays off. This one duel is worth days of farming against kids!"


    [Divine Realm of the Round Table: Camelot ¨C Featured Knights of the Round Table Summoning Banner!]


    Overjoyed, Hoshino remembered her ultimate goal for collecting Quartz.


    "Today, I''m going to clear out every single one of the Round Table knights!"


    [Summon x10 Confirmed]


    As the summoning animation began, glowing particles stirred in the air, carrying the anticipation of something great.


    "Oh, right..." Hoshino suddenly recalled. "Didn''t Bedivere say he''d bring all of them by force next time?"


    Sure enough, golden sparks began to dance.


    "Fair and noble Master, I, Gawain of the Round Table, have come to assist you!"


    With his princely aura and blond hair, Gawain, the first golden card of the ten-roll, entered Hoshino''s collection.


    But that was only the beginning. As if responding to Bedivere''s earlier promise, another golden glow flickered, revealing a second knight.


    "Tristan of the Round Table, at your service. I hope I can be of use to you."


    The second knight, with his melancholic demeanor and flowing red hair, exuded an air of refinement.


    "Sorry if I''m not as flashy, but I''m here to support my king! Agravain of the Round Table reporting for duty!"


    The third knight, Agravain, with his slightly raspy voice, materialized.


    "Wait, aren''t you supposed to be in NPC Prison? How''d you end up in the summoning banner?" Hoshino quipped, staring at him.


    "I can''t believe it... They really crammed the rest of the Round Table knights into one roll. Bedivere, you''ve outdone yourself!"


    Hoshino had expected to burn through hundreds of Quartz to summon the entire Round Table. Instead, she achieved her goal at lightning speed.


    "Hah, what an easy battle. Victory is mine!" Hoshino grinned smugly, reveling in the fruits of her "Luck."


    [Hoshino Chiyuki has evolved into ''Lucky Hoshino Chiyuki.'']


    But before she could celebrate, a composed and familiar voice cut through her excitement.


    "Now is not the time to rejoice. The upcoming battle will undoubtedly be fierce!"


    Thinking the ten-roll had ended, Hoshino froze in surprise as a majestic card appeared.


    "Artoria Pendragon, Lion King of the Round Table! I will lead the knights to vanquish the darkness threatening this world!"


    "Wait, FGO doesn''t have this!" Hoshino exclaimed. Though the figure resembled the Lancer Altria she knew, this was the Goddess Rhongomyniad herself.


    "Two NPCs in one roll? I''m thrilled, but this feels... complicated."


    After organizing her four new Round Table knights, Hoshino glanced at her remaining 395 Quartz. For the first time, she felt an unfamiliar sensation¡ªexcess.


    "So much Quartz and nothing to spend it on... What a rich problem to have."


    With no other summoning pools available besides the Round Table banner and the shop''s limited offerings already redeemed, Hoshino turned to her current deck for upgrades.


    For 30 Quartz, she could strengthen a Spell, Trap, or Heroic Spirit Monster card.


    As always, she hesitated. Every card in her deck was precious¡ªher trusted allies. Playing favorites might risk internal disputes, or worse, a disastrous "harem fire."


    Just as Hoshino agonized over the decision, two cards "accidentally" slipped out of her deck.


    The cards featured Okita and Nobunaga, glaring at each other. Their intentions were as obvious as the scheming expressions on their faces.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 320 - 320

    The sight of the sacrificial island was all too familiar¡ªthis was the place where Hoshino had once stood as a "high-ranking officer" of Doma. But now, inheriting Jonouchi''s will and chosen by the Legendary Dragons, she returned, leading her comrades and the military in a fight to reclaim the world.


    "You''re so slow! I''ve been waiting so long I could''ve grown a garden!"


    Standing on the island, overlooking the sea, Dartz was already waiting. He had swapped his usual attire for a sporty top and casual shorts, his hands cockily stuffed into his pockets. Though his long silver hair retained a certain delicate beauty, his overall appearance now leaned more toward that of a mischievous little boy.


    The commander of the armed forces that had escorted Hoshino and the others down from the helicopters offered them a solemn military salute.


    "The powers Dartz wields are beyond anything we can handle. All we can do is bring you here. So, for the sake of this world¡­ may fortune be with you in battle!"


    "What a grand display! If duels let you gain LP based on how many supporters were cheering for you, you might actually stand a chance~," Dartz quipped mockingly, plugging his ears to drown out the deafening cheers.


    Looking at him in his new outfit, Hoshino chuckled. "Dressing the part, huh? You must be looking forward to this. But this time, we will win!"


    With their decks refined and loaded into their duel disks, the three duelists exchanged a look of silent understanding before stepping into the island''s only structure¡ªthe ritual temple.


    "Three chosen duelists¡­ Just like the war ten thousand years ago~," Dartz mused, watching their departing figures. For a moment, their silhouettes overlapped with those of three knights in his mind.


    "So, will they save the world this time, or will the cycle of destruction repeat? This is going to be so interesting~"


    "Welcome, Legendary Duelists~"


    A familiar voice, slightly more mature than that of the little Dartz, rang through the temple, carrying a hint of softness. Standing calmly on the ritual platform was a white-haired man, his presence exuding an eerie sense of expectation.


    "Dartz!"


    Yugi and Kaiba exclaimed in unison, their voices brimming with hostility. This was the man responsible for sealing Yugi and Jonouchi''s souls, the mastermind behind Kaiba Corporation''s takeover.


    Meanwhile, Hoshino, sweating slightly, found her focus elsewhere. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This guy¡­ the tire marks on his face are way too obvious."


    Her gaze locked onto the glaring red tire-like imprint across Dartz''s face.


    "Seriously, aren''t you supposed to be the King of Atlantis? You don''t know a single healing spell? Showing up as the final boss looking like that is a disgrace to your image."


    Of course, she dared not voice her thoughts aloud. Seeing that no one else seemed to care, she decided to let it slide.


    "You''ve got some nerve showing up like that!"


    Shota Dartz, however, had no such restraint, clutching his stomach as he burst into laughter.


    Ah, I forgot about him...


    The corner of the older Dartz''s mouth twitched, his once-calm expression tinged with irritation. "So you''ve betrayed me, huh? Guiding them here¡ªare you planning to defeat me?"


    Shota Dartz''s laughter abruptly ceased. His expression turned uncharacteristically serious as he met the gaze of his older counterpart.


    "Betray? Don''t make me laugh. You''re the one who betrayed us. You used despicable means to gather power, consuming every other ''self'' except for me. You''ve long strayed from the true will of Atlantis."


    Hoshino suddenly understood and turned to the smaller Dartz. "So you''re the only two left in this world? Aren''t you worried he might just eliminate you?"


    "He won''t~," Shota Dartz replied with a confident smile. "If all the Dartz were to merge into one again, the original will would split us apart once more. In other words, he has to keep me¡ªthe weakest one¡ªaround as insurance."


    Hoshino sighed, lowering her head. "This is the first time I''ve heard someone proudly call themselves ''the weakest.''"


    "But I''ve had enough of your noisy personality..."


    Dartz raised a hand, the blue energy of terror swirling at his fingertips. His gaze was filled with cold intent.


    "Since you reject my vision, you''re a traitor to the Orichalcos and Atlantis."


    The same blue energy appeared beneath Shota Dartz, forming a barrier at his feet.


    "Through the Great Leviathan, I''ve foreseen it: a separate ''self'' has escaped to another world. In other words, even if I eliminate you now, the insurance won''t be triggered. Your existence has lost its value."


    "Wait, you''re joking, right?"


    Shota Dartz''s confident smirk vanished, replaced by unease as his small body was lifted into the air by the barrier''s force.


    "Hold on, let''s talk about this..." His voice trembled as he felt the strange energy surrounding him.


    "Ten thousand years of coexistence has been far from pleasant. Farewell."


    "Oh, shit¡ª!"


    With a sinister grin, Dartz snapped his fingers. The barrier collapsed, erasing the small figure within it into nothingness.


    Hoshino''s eyes widened, her crimson irises trembling. The mischievous brat who had been joking around just moments ago was gone in an instant.


    "What¡­ What did you just do?!"


    A fire ignited in her chest¡ªan anger she couldn''t explain.


    "It''s simple," Dartz replied dismissively. "I merely removed a bothersome ''self'' from this world. I suggest you stay out of other people''s family matters."


    "You''re scum¡­ absolute scum..."


    Facing someone far more despicable than Shota Dartz could ever hope to be, Hoshino was at a loss for words to express her fury.


    Kaiba and Yugi stepped forward simultaneously, flanking Hoshino and leaving the center position to her. With a sharp metallic sound, they activated their duel disks.


    Yugi: "There''s no point in talking to someone like this, Hoshino!"


    Kaiba: "Let''s duel! We''ll crush his ambitions with our power!"


    "Yeah, I''m really angry now!"


    Inspired by Yugi and Kaiba''s determination, Hoshino activated her futuristic duel disk and stepped between them.


    "Prepare yourself, you tire-marked loser!"


    At last, she found the perfect term to describe this version of Dartz.


    [Dartz vs. Hoshino, Yugi, and Kaiba]


    "Duel!!"


    "My turn, draw!" Dartz declared, drawing the first card. In a three-on-one duel like this, it was customary for the solo player to take the first turn.


    With a smirk, Dartz placed a familiar card into the hidden zone of his duel disk. "This duel within the barrier will wager the souls of you three. Your Life Points will be calculated separately."


    [Hoshino LP 4000]


    [Pharaoh LP 4000]


    [Kaiba LP 4000]


    "Field Spell¡ª[The Seal of Orichalcos]¡ªactivate! When your Life Points reach zero, your soul will be sealed. The souls of the Legendary Duelists are the key to reviving the Orichalcos God!"


    A large, pale green seal expanded beneath them, covering most of the ritual platform. Those outside the duel were, of course, barred from entering the barrier.


    "Damn it! This is the same thing that sealed Jonouchi''s soul!" Honda pounded his fists against the barrier in frustration, but it didn''t budge.


    Clutching Yugi''s soul card tightly, Rebecca prayed, "Please¡­ bring back my Darling and Yugi''s soul!"


    Kaiba scoffed. "Such arrogance. Calculating Life Points individually¡ªdo you really think you can defeat us with your puny total against ours combined?"


    "Oh? Kaiba, chosen by Critias. You once saw Yugi as your rival, yet you lost to him again in the Battle City. That must make you the weakest of the three, right?"


    "You¡­!"


    Dartz''s taunt struck a nerve, precisely targeting Kaiba''s pride.


    Hoshino sighed. "Don''t let yourself get riled up so easily, Kaiba. He''s obviously just using trash-talking tactics." Though, admittedly, she often used similar strategies herself.


    Dartz chuckled. "Hehe, Hoshino, your presence truly surprises me. I thought you were just an annoying small fry, but to inherit the power of a Legendary Dragon and become the fourth chosen Duelist? That''s unheard of."


    Shifting his attention to Hoshino, Dartz drew a monster card and placed it onto his duel disk.


    "I summon [Orichalcos Gigas] in Attack Position!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Effect][ATK 400/DEF 1500] (Anime Exclusive Card)


    Hoshino squinted slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile, showing no reaction to Dartz''s provocations.


    "An annoying small fry, huh? Well, I''m honored to be a bother to someone as important as you. Besides, your 400 ATK monster in Attack Position looks more like the real small fry here."


    A massive humanoid titan emerged from the card. Unlike regular monsters, Orichalcos creatures lacked both attribute and type¡ªa trait exclusive to Dartz''s army. Despite its imposing figure, it had a measly 400 ATK.


    "Don''t forget the effect of my Field Spell,¡ª[The Seal of Orichalcos] grants all my monsters 500 ATK and DEF."


    With a wave of Dartz''s hand, the eerie green sigil of the Orichalcos engraved itself onto the titan''s forehead, flooding it with dark energy.


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 400 ¡ú 900]


    Hoshino didn''t even blink. "Yeah¡­ still a small fry."


    "Next, I activate the special effect of [Orichalcos Kyutora] from my hand. By paying 500 Life Points, I can Special Summon this card."


    Without acknowledging Hoshino''s jab, Dartz placed another monster onto his duel disk, this time in the back row.


    [Dartz LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    "According to the effect of Orichalcos, my back row zones can also function as Monster Zones. Furthermore, as long as there''s a monster in my front row, my back row monsters cannot be targeted by attacks or effects."


    It was clear¡ªany monster Dartz summoned to his back row held significant importance.


    "I Special Summon [Orichalcos Kyutora] in Attack Position in my back row!"


    [Orichalcos Kyutora ¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][Effect][ATK 500 ¡ú 1000/DEF 500 ¡ú 1000](Anime Exclusive Card)


    A strange, sea-urchin-like creature materialized on Dartz''s field, its spiked body and single glaring eye radiating ominous energy. Even with the Orichalcos boost, its stats were unimpressive.


    "Finally, I set two cards and end my turn."


    [Dartz''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    Kaiba sneered at Dartz''s field. "Using such pathetic monsters and expecting to win? I''ll crush¡ª"


    "My turn, draw!"


    Hoshino cut him off, casting him a glance that said, If you have time to talk, you might as well start playing.


    "From my hand, I activate the special effect of [Heroic Spirit¡ªKnight of the Round Table Bedivere]. If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"


    Without wasting a moment, she flipped Bedivere''s card. Unlike Dartz, she didn''t drag out her turn¡ªher only focus was defeating the enemy.


    "Go, Bedivere! Special Summon in Attack Position!"


    A brilliant light flared from her duel disk as a silver-armored knight emerged onto the field.


    [Heroic Spirit¡ªKnight of the Round Table Bedivere ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1400/DEF 1200]


    Bedivere placed a hand over his chest and gave a polite bow. "Bedivere, at your service, Master. I trust you''re satisfied with the results of the summoning?"


    Hoshino muttered under her breath, remembering her recent summon results. "Of course, it was your doing¡­"


    Yugi, ever cautious, called out. "Be careful of your opponent''s monster effects, Hoshino! Orichalcos monsters fueled by dark power won''t be as weak as they seem."


    Hoshino nodded. "I agree, Yugi." She gestured toward Bedivere. "Now, activating Bedivere''s special effect!"


    [When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Knight of the Round Table" monster from your Deck to your hand.]


    Bedivere tightened his grip on his sword, his voice trembling with emotion. "Knights of the Round Table¡­ I''ve always dreamed of¡­" His eyes burned with resolve. "I''ve always dreamed of fighting alongside my comrades like this once more!"


    Hoshino raised her duel disk. "I add [Heroic Spirit¡ªKnight of the Round Table Gawain] to my hand!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 321 - 321

    Taking the Gawain card into her hand, Hoshino felt the weight of its raw, gorilla-like power before summoning another monster onto the Duel Disk.


    "Since Bedivere was Special Summoned, I still have my Normal Summon available. Prepare yourself! I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    A muscular warrior materialized on her field, his imposing physique radiating sheer defiance. Spartacus glared at Orichalcos Gigas across the field, as if challenging it to a contest of raw strength.


    "Time to attack! Bedivere, strike down Gigas!"


    Wasting no time, Hoshino launched an assault, aiming to test the hidden effects of Dartz''s monsters.


    "Yes, Master!" Bedivere tightened his grip on his sword, stepping forward with a flawless stance. His refined swordplay cleaved through Orichalcos Gigas, which had 500 less ATK.


    [Orichalcos Gigas destroyed]


    "The special effect of [Orichalcos Kyutora] activates."


    Before any Life Point damage could register, the grotesque, sea-urchin-like monster in Dartz''s back row absorbed the impact entirely.


    "As long as this card remains on the field, all battle damage from my monsters is reduced to 0."


    [Dartz LP: 3500]


    Dartz''s Life Points remained untouched. Though his monster had been destroyed, Kyutora''s effect had completely nullified the damage.


    "That monster negates all battle damage?" Yugi observed warily. "No wonder Dartz placed it in the back row!"


    Hoshino pressed forward. "Then let''s shut that ugly eyeball up for good! Spartacus, attack Kyutora!" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Spartacus charged like an unstoppable force, aiming directly for Kyutora¡ª


    "Do you really think Gigas is gone for good? Don''t underestimate the power of the Orichalcos!" Dartz smirked, raising his Duel Disk. The recently destroyed Gigas returned to the field once more.


    "The special effect of [Orichalcos Gigas]¡ªwhen destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, it Special Summons itself back to the field!"


    "ROARRR!" The titan emerged once again, halting Spartacus mid-charge.


    "And each time [Orichalcos Gigas] revives, its ATK increases by 500!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 900 ¡ú 1400]


    "Even so, Spartacus still has the higher attack power! Crush it, Spartacus!"


    "Destroy the oppression!" Spartacus roared, trampling over the titan and shattering it into fragments once again.


    [Orichalcos Gigas destroyed]


    "And once again, Kyutora negates all battle damage!"


    The shockwave from the attack was greedily absorbed by the eerie eye-like creature.


    "And of course, [Orichalcos Gigas]''s effect activates once more. When destroyed, it Special Summons itself and gains another 500 ATK!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 1400 ¡ú 1900]


    "!!!"


    Hoshino''s attempt to gauge Gigas'' effect had revealed the worst-case scenario.


    Kaiba gritted his teeth. "That effect isn''t once per turn?! A monster that revives infinitely and keeps getting stronger?!"


    "This is beyond unfair, you monster!" Hoshino snapped. "Even Pegasus wouldn''t dare create such a broken card!"


    Kaiba sneered. "Of course not. Pegasus might design cartoon gimmicks, but he''s not reckless enough to allow something this ridiculous."


    An infinitely reviving offensive monster combined with an impenetrable defense that negated all battle damage¡ªDartz had built an unbreakable cycle of offense and defense.


    "Sorry, I couldn''t gain an advantage in the first attack..." Hoshino muttered, slightly frustrated. She quickly set three cards on her Duel Disk.


    "I set three cards face-down and end my turn!"


    Yugi reassured her. "Hoshino, just uncovering the Orichalcos'' effects is a victory in itself. You did well!"


    "Aww, thanks, Yugi. You''re such a sweetheart~"


    "..."


    [Hoshino: 2 Hand Cards | 3 Set Cards]


    "My turn! Draw!" Dartz declared, unfazed by the developments. Despite Hoshino''s aggressive first turn, he had suffered no real losses. Instead, his Gigas had only grown stronger.


    "Hoshino, the existence of a fourth Duelist chosen by the Legendary Dragons is unprecedented. Are you simply a coincidence... or an anomaly? What a fascinating specimen you would make. If the world weren''t nearing its end, I might have studied you further~"


    Hoshino shuddered slightly. "No thanks! I have no interest in being anyone''s lab rat. And I''m sure as hell not letting you end the world!"


    "If you can withstand the power of the Orichalcos, then by all means, try!" Dartz raised another card. "I summon [Orichalcos Malevolence] in Attack Position!"


    [Orichalcos Malevolence ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Effect][ATK 1500 ¡ú 2000/DEF 1000 ¡ú 1500]


    A crimson-scaled dragon materialized, its body wreathed in molten flames.


    "Time to battle! Malevolence, attack Spartacus!"


    The blazing dragon gathered the Orichalcos'' dark energy before unleashing a torrent of fire, reducing Spartacus to smoldering embers.


    [Spartacus destroyed]


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 3500]


    "Spartacus'' effect activates! When destroyed in battle and sent to the Graveyard, it inflicts 500 damage to my opponent and restores 500 Life Points to me!"


    "Wahahaha! Behold my rebellion, burning in defiance!" Spartacus bellowed from within the flames, his spirit erupting into an explosion that scorched Dartz.


    [Hoshino LP 3500 ¡ú 4000]


    [Dartz LP 3500 ¡ú 3000]


    "Finally managed to damage you, Dartz!" Hoshino smirked, sounding as if she had already secured victory.


    "Tch, such trivial effects." Dartz clicked his tongue, irritated that his perfect defense had been breached. "Orichalcos Gigas, destroy her remaining monster!"


    Now strengthened by two revivals, the towering Gigas turned its full might toward Bedivere.


    Bedivere stood his ground, unwavering even before the empowered titan. "This is the time to uphold our loyalty! In the name of the Knights of the Round Table, we shall carve through the battlefield!"


    "Bedivere''s special effect activates!"


    [You can Tribute this card to activate this effect. Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit - Knight of the Round Table" monster from your hand or Graveyard. This effect can also be activated during your opponent''s turn.]


    "I Tribute Bedivere! Now, arise¡ªKnight of the Sun! [Heroic Spirit¡ªKnight of the Round Table Gawain]!!"


    The card representing Bedivere was sent to the Graveyard, and in its place, Gawain''s card emerged, retrieved through Bedivere''s effect.


    "Hahaha¡ªhahaha!" A bright and rhythmic laugh echoed through the battlefield, accompanied by a flash of fiery sword light. A gallant blonde knight materialized on Hoshino''s field.


    [Heroic Spirit - Knight of the Round Table Gawain ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 2300]


    "As long as I stand before my Master, none shall break through! The place I guard is the unbreachable gate of the sacred capital!"


    With a powerful swing of his spinning sword, ignited in crimson flames, Gawain intercepted the massive Gigas charging toward Hoshino, slicing it cleanly in half. The blazing flames continued to scorch the severed remains.


    [Orichalcos Gigas destroyed]


    "Though I''d love to commend you for such a beautiful counterattack, the truth is, it''s nothing more than a futile struggle, Hoshino~" Dartz sneered, spreading his arms wide in his usual carefree manner.


    "Kyutora, absorb the damage! And Orichalcos Gigas, rise once more!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 1900 ¡ú 2400]


    Once again, Gigas crawled out of the depths, now even larger than before. Its endless revivals made it all the more imposing.


    "However, a Gigas special summoned by this effect cannot attack this turn. So, I''ll end my turn."


    With his unbreakable spear and impenetrable shield, Dartz continued to toy with Hoshino and her allies, like a predator savoring the moment before striking the final blow.


    [Dartz: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    Kaiba, watching Dartz''s arrogance, clenched his fists in irritation. "Dartz, don''t underestimate the world''s strongest duelists. The so-called power of Orichalcos¡ªlet me show you how¡ª"


    "My turn! Draw!"


    Before Kaiba could finish, Yugi unceremoniously drew his next card.


    Kaiba froze, his eye twitching as he glared at Yugi, his expression practically screaming, Are you messing with me?


    "This turn is mine, Kaiba," Yugi declared firmly. "Using the strength Hoshino left us, I''ll show him the consequences of underestimating us!"


    After drawing his card, Yugi turned to Hoshino. "Since my opponent controls more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus] from the Graveyard!"


    "Well played, Yugi!" Hoshino responded enthusiastically, slamming the card onto her duel disk. "Then, in Attack Position, I Special Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit - Spartacus]!"


    [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus ATK 1500]


    "Next, I Tribute Spartacus on the field to Tribute Summon¡ª[Dark Magician Girl]!"


    A flash of tribute energy enveloped Spartacus, and in his place appeared a graceful and lively girl.


    [Dark Magician Girl ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 1700]


    "Heh~" Dark Magician Girl twirled her delicate staff before adjusting her wide-brimmed magician''s hat, hovering gracefully beside Gawain.


    "What a beautiful woman," Gawain mused, his knightly soul visibly stirred. Standing even taller than before, he adjusted his stance in admiration.


    Dartz sneered, unimpressed. "Two monsters with only 2000 ATK each? Pharaoh, the so-called combined strength of you and your companion is laughably weak in my eyes~"


    "What''s the plan, Yugi?" Hoshino asked, her concern evident. While the presence of Dark Magician Girl lifted her spirits, the reality of their dire situation remained unchanged.


    "Heh, the plan is simple," Yugi smirked, inserting a key card into his duel disk. "We''ll combine our strengths to break through Orichalcos'' defenses!"


    "¡ªI activate the Spell Card [Cross Attack]!"


    [Cross Attack - Spell Effect: Target 2 face-up Attack Position monsters you control with the same ATK; this turn, one of them can attack your opponent directly, while the other cannot attack.]


    "Since Dark Magician Girl and Gawain both have 2000 ATK, they fulfill the activation conditions for Cross Attack! I designate Dark Magician Girl as the attacker¡ªmeaning she can attack directly this turn!"


    Hoshino''s eyes lit up. "A direct attack... of course! That''s the way! Nicely done, Yugi!"


    Dartz''s Orichalcos Gigas would endlessly revive and grow stronger, while Orichalcos Kyutora absorbed all battle damage from monsters. The only way to break through was to bypass them entirely and strike directly at Dartz himself.


    And with Gawain''s 2000 ATK perfectly matching Dark Magician Girl''s, Yugi had seized the moment, taking action before Kaiba''s turn.


    "Gawain, assist Dark Magician Girl!"


    "Leave it to me, Master! Supporting such a charming lady is a knight''s honor!"


    Yugi swiftly played another card. "Next, I activate the Equip Spell¡ª[United We Stand], equipping it to Dark Magician Girl! Since there are two monsters on my field, she gains 1600 ATK!"


    [Dark Magician Girl ATK 2000 ¡ú 3600]


    Gasps echoed from the onlookers.


    "A direct attack with 3600 ATK?!"


    "Go, Dark Magician Girl! Deliver hope and shatter despair!" Yugi commanded, thrusting his hand forward. Ignoring Dartz''s monsters, he declared a direct attack.


    With perfect agility, Dark Magician Girl leapt onto Gawain''s outstretched sword, which he had positioned horizontally to assist her.


    "Oh, dear lady, use my strength to strike them down! This is the knight-and-magician''s ultimate Cross Attack!"


    A surge of magic exploded around them as Dark Magician Girl, propelled by Gawain''s strength, shot forward like a comet. Flames from Gawain''s sword trailed behind her, painting a fiery arc across the battlefield.


    "Take this¡ª3600 damage, Dartz!"


    With a single, decisive strike, Yugi and Hoshino had turned the tide.


    The once-complacent Dartz, who had been leisurely toying with them, suddenly found himself on the brink of defeat¡ªhis arrogance shattered in an instant.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 322 - 322

    "Pharaoh from a thousand years ago in ancient Egypt... As the originator of Duel Monsters, you truly are formidable."


    With his Life Points hanging in the balance, Dartz finally shed his relaxed demeanor, his tone growing serious.


    "I activate my set Trap Card¡ª[Metaverse]!"


    Faced with the blazing assault of Dark Magician Girl, Dartz naturally wouldn''t sit back and accept defeat. As his set card flipped open, the surrounding environment began to shift¡ªthe very air itself seemed to warp.


    "Due to Metaverse''s effect, I can activate a Field Spell directly from my Deck!"


    The Seal of Orichalcos expanded further, its pale green hue darkening to a deep, ominous blue. Drawing a new Field Spell from his Deck, Dartz spread his arms wide, revealing a hidden section of his Duel Disk as he layered another barrier over the first.


    "I activate from my Deck¡ª[Orichalcos Deuteros]!"


    Kaiba''s eyes narrowed slightly. He muttered grimly, "This is bad. He actually managed to activate it now."


    "Orichalcos Deuteros?" Yugi echoed in confusion. Though he had never seen this card before, Kaiba''s reaction alone was enough to tell him it wasn''t good news.


    "The Orichalcos Deuteros can only be activated atop The Seal of Orichalcos," Hoshino explained, her voice heavy with concern. "It draws out the life force of Duel Monsters!"


    With the Field Spell successfully activated, a smaller conjured seal materialized around Dark Magician Girl, who had been aiming directly at Dartz. The glowing blue sigil intercepted her attack, then unleashed a powerful magical explosion, engulfing her petite frame.


    "The effect of Orichalcos Deuteros¡ªwhen an opponent''s monster attacks, I can Tribute one of my own monsters to negate the attack and destroy the attacking monster! I Tribute [Orichalcos Malevolence]¡ªDark Magician Girl, be destroyed!"


    "Eek¡ª!"


    With a final, pained cry, Dark Magician Girl was swallowed by the seal''s devastating power.


    [Dark Magician Girl ¨C Destroyed]


    Gawain scowled. "To treat such a beautiful lady so cruelly¡­ That is utterly unchivalrous!"


    Dartz sneered. "Dark Magician Girl is gone, and thanks to [Cross Attack]''s effect, Gawain is unable to act! Your plan has failed, Pharaoh!"


    Though his voice still carried its usual arrogance, there was now an unmistakable edge to it. The once-leisurely predator, who had been toying with his prey, had been forced to acknowledge a genuine threat.


    For the first time in this duel, Dartz had felt the pressure of being backed into a corner.


    Yugi''s counterattack had denied his seemingly inevitable victory, forcing him to play more cautiously.


    "I set one card and end my turn!"


    [Yugi: 3 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    "My turn¡ªDraw!"


    Dartz swiftly pulled his next card, then smirked.


    "Due to the Seal''s effect, I can Special Summon a monster to my back row¡ª[Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom]!"


    [Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Effect][ATK 0 ¡ú 500 / DEF 0 ¡ú 500](It''s OC Card I think.)


    A shadowy, ghost-like figure emerged behind Dartz. Its small, insignificant form starkly contrasted with the towering Orichalcos Gigas still standing on his field.


    Hoshino''s eyes narrowed as she studied the eerie silhouette. "Summoning a monster with 0 ATK and 0 DEF into the back row¡­ That''s bad news."


    If Dartz had deliberately protected this Orichalcos monster, then it had to have a hidden effect. After all, in duels like these, low-stat monsters were often the most dangerous.


    "Next, I activate the effect of [Orichalcos Deuteros]¡ªfor each monster on the field, I gain 500 Life Points!"


    [Dartz LP 3000 ¡ú 4500]


    Mokuba, watching from the sidelines, frowned. "The damage Hoshino worked so hard to deal with Spartacus¡­ it''s already been recovered?"


    Inflicting damage on Dartz had been a challenge from the start. And now, with an effect that kept restoring his Life Points, landing another decisive strike like Yugi''s last turn would be even harder.


    "Now, Orichalcos Gigas, attack! Tear Gawain apart!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 2400]


    The battle phase commenced. After multiple revivals, Orichalcos Gigas had finally surpassed Gawain''s ATK, albeit by a slim margin.


    Facing the monstrous onslaught, Gawain''s determined eyes burned with unwavering resolve as he gripped his spinning Victory Sword.


    "A mere grotesque monster like you¡­ Don''t even think about besting me!"


    "Wait, Gawain! Don''t use your Noble Phantasm!"


    Seeing Gawain poised for action, Hoshino hurriedly shouted to stop him.


    "If you use your effect to defeat the Gigas, it will just revive even stronger! Please, hold back this time!"


    Gawain glanced at Hoshino, meeting her sincere gaze before smiling softly. The flames surrounding his sword slowly faded.


    "Well, if that is my Master''s wish¡­ then as a knight, how could I possibly refuse?"


    Instead of unleashing his power, Gawain met the incoming attack using only his sheer swordsmanship¡ªan elegant display of refined skill.


    "I shall not invoke the Sun''s Blessing. With only my knightly strength, I will hold the line against you, beast!"


    "[Gawain]''s effect¡ªhe cannot be destroyed by battle!"


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 3600]


    Though she took 400 points of damage, Hoshino knew it was a worthwhile trade¡ªpreventing Orichalcos Gigas from reviving even stronger was the priority.


    "Hoshino, I shall take your blood as tribute!"


    Dartz''s lips curled into a cryptic smile as he noticed her Life Points decrease ever so slightly. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The damage you''ve taken shall awaken the dormant power within [Bloodshade Phantom]!"


    "?!


    Only now did Hoshino realize that the seemingly insignificant shadow monster had begun shifting unnaturally.


    A single drop of crimson seeped into its pitch-black form¡ªthen, as though reaching a boiling point, its body began violently distorting.


    "[Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom]''s effect¡ªits ATK increases by the combined ATK of the two monsters involved in this turn''s battle!"


    "Watch closely, Hoshino! This is the power born from your very own blood!"


    The black shadow continued to morph, its shifting mass suddenly settling¡ªbefore taking on a disturbingly familiar form.


    Hoshino''s eyes widened.


    The creature standing before her was an exact replica of herself.


    It had her slender build. It wielded dual blades, spinning acrobatically through the air. Its long, shadowy hair flowed behind it, mimicking her every movement¡ªyet there was something deeply wrong about it.


    [Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom ATK 500 ¡ú 4900]


    "No way! When did I ever do moves like that?!"


    "Now isn''t the time to be distracted, Hoshino! The attack is coming!"


    The shadowy figure, now mirroring Hoshino''s form, looked weak and unassuming, its daggers appearing completely harmless. Yet, despite its frail appearance, it boasted an overwhelming attack power of 4900.


    Realizing the imminent danger, Hoshino pointed to Gawain. "Gawain, you have my permission to use your Noble Phantasm! There''s no way I''m taking that kind of damage. Besides, this blatant copyright infringement is seriously pissing me off..."


    "Understood, Master!" Gawain grinned. "Though it pains me to strike such a lovely form, I swear upon my honor as a knight¡ªI will not fall here!"


    The flames that had once receded surged back onto Gawain''s sword. Bathed in sunlight, he wielded Excalibur Galatine, a blade said to be the sister sword of Excalibur. Sealed within its hilt was a pseudo-sun, granting it power on par with the King''s holy sword.


    "Activating [Gawain]''s special ability¡ªHoly Numeral of the Saint! Rolling a die..."


    According to legend, Gawain possessed a unique trait¡ªduring the three hours before and after noon, his power would triple, embodying the sacred number "3."


    [Once per turn, when this card battles: Roll a six-sided die.


    ¡ñ 1, 3, 5: This card''s ATK triples during the Damage Step only.


    ¡ñ 2, 4, 6: This card''s ATK is halved until the end of this turn.]


    The die spun rapidly, its result set to determine whether Gawain could withstand the attack.


    "Wait, Hoshino! If you fail, your LP will¡ª" Yugi clenched his fists in concern.


    Since Gawain''s effect was a gamble, failure would halve his attack power. If Hoshino took a direct hit of 3900 damage, her LP would be nearly wiped out.


    But Hoshino simply nodded. She had a backup plan, of course¡ªbut more importantly¡ª


    "Relax, Yugi. Don''t forget, the reason I can stand here today is because I inherited Jonouchi''s spirit! I trust that Lady Luck will smile upon me!"


    The spinning die finally landed¡ª


    "Holy sword, drawn!!"


    With Gawain''s battle cry, the sky blazed like midday. An immense surge of magical energy erupted, splitting the heavens apart.


    [Roll result: 1]


    It was an unexpected outcome. Given Hoshino''s usual luck, rolling a "1" wasn''t surprising. But if she truly carried Jonouchi''s spirit, then this "1" was the "1" of absolute victory!


    Hoshino raised her hand, commanding the attack. "Go, Gawain!!"


    "Your will. My holy sword is the embodiment of the sun. Under the king''s command, I will burn all on the surface to the ground!!"


    If Excalibur concentrated the planet''s radiance into a single point, then Galatine manifested the blazing brilliance of the sun itself. While Excalibur was a pinpoint city-leveling Noble Phantasm, Galatine was meant to sweep away entire enemy forces with a single horizontal arc.


    "¡ªThe blade of this holy sword is a fragment of the sun itself. Holy sword of the stars¡ªExcalibur Galatine!!!!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Knight of the Round Table Gawain ATK 2000 ¡ú 6000]


    The light from his sword extended like a radiant crescent, stretching far beyond sight as the pseudo-sun ignited. A massive, unavoidable sweeping attack cleaved through the battlefield, tearing Orichalcos Deuteros apart and consuming Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom in its blazing path.


    [Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom ¨C Destroyed]


    "A counterattack at the risk of your own life, huh? How unfortunate, Hoshino." Dartz smirked, raising his hand toward Kyutora. The scorching energy was swiftly absorbed by its all-seeing eye.


    "Dartz!" Hoshino called out sharply.


    "Did you really think you could gamble and not pay the price? Why do you think I wagered everything¡ªrisking all my LP¡ªfor this one, all-out solar strike?!"


    "Oooohhhhhh!!" Even after delivering the attack, Gawain''s battle cry continued, his flames only growing more intense.


    Yugi''s eyes widened as he noticed a key detail¡ªHoshino''s field, more specifically, the card she had just flipped over in the midst of the counterattack.


    "I see now¡­! Hoshino, you staked everything on this final blow!"


    "¡ªQuick-Play Spell: [Mad Enhancement A+]!"


    [Mad Enhancement A+ Quick-Play Spell Effect: When a Heroic Spirit monster you control destroys an opponent''s monster by battle, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the destroyed monster''s original ATK.]


    Still engulfed in berserk flames, Gawain refused to relent. With one final, decisive swing, the fiery arc that had shattered the barrier came crashing down again.


    "Because of Mad Enhancement A+''s effect, you''ll take damage equal to Bloodshade Phantom''s ATK! This is the price of your defeat, Dartz!"


    "Damn you¡­! To think you would push me¡ªAtlantis'' ruler¡ªto this point!" Dartz growled, his lips trembling with fury.


    Though Orichalcos Deuteros had restored his LP earlier, Hoshino had driven him back to the brink. His arrogant composure was gone.


    "Legendary Duelists... I acknowledge your strength! But I won''t fall so easily! Trap Card¡ª[Destruct Potion]!"


    [Destruct Potion Trap Card Effect: Select 1 monster you control. Destroy it, and gain Life Points equal to its ATK.]


    "With Destruct Potion, I destroy my Orichalcos Gigas and regain LP equal to its ATK!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 2400]


    [Dartz LP 4500 ¡ú 6900 ¡ú 2000]


    As the Gigas was destroyed, Dartz absorbed its life force, barely managing to withstand Gawain''s overwhelming strike. However, his expression betrayed his exhaustion.


    "Furthermore, Orichalcos Gigas''s effect activates! When destroyed and sent to the GY, it revives on my field¡ªthis time, with increased attack power!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 2400 ¡ú 2900]


    Rebecca adjusted her glasses in frustration. "Seriously?! He destroyed his own monster just to heal himself? Dartz is unbelievably shameless!"


    Honda, however, pumped his fist in excitement. "Even so, Hoshino''s attack dealt some serious damage! If we keep this up, victory is within reach!"


    "But still¡­ Hoshino is seriously incredible!" Mokuba, eyes wide with admiration, pointed out a crucial fact. "Every time Dartz has lost LP, it''s been because of her attacks!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 323 - 323

    "How does it feel to be the so-called King of Atlantis and keep getting knocked down?"


    Having long been irritated by Dartz''s arrogance, Hoshino wouldn''t pass up the chance to taunt him now that she had shaved nearly 5000 Life Points off his total.


    "Impressive. Even though you''re merely a substitute, Hoshino, the strength you wield far exceeds my expectations."


    Dartz''s unexpected praise caught Hoshino off guard.


    "Ahaha, it''s nothing special~" Hoshino scratched her head, feeling slightly embarrassed.


    If her opponent was being arrogant, she would never back down. But when she was complimented, she unexpectedly became shy¡ªthat was just how Hoshino was.


    "However, precisely because you are so strong, leaving you unchecked would be a great threat to my plans. So, I''ll be having you exit this turn¡ª[Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom]''s special ability activates! When destroyed in battle, it Special Summons another copy from the Deck!"


    The shadowy figure that had been incinerated by Galatine''s flames reformed on Dartz''s field, pulsating as it took shape.


    [Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Effect][ATK 0 ¡ú 500 / DEF 0 ¡ú 500]


    "Another monster that revives after being destroyed?" Rebecca scoffed. "Unlike the Gigas, this one has a limited number of revivals. They just need to destroy all copies in his deck!"


    "Oh, little girl, things aren''t that simple~"


    Dartz extended a finger, and a drop of crimson formed at its tip before falling onto the card of [Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom] on his Duel Disk.


    "Though the battle damage was absorbed by Kyutora, the fact that battle damage occurred hasn''t changed! Bloodshade''s effect activates¡ªits ATK increases by the combined ATK values of both monsters involved in the damage calculation!"


    Hoshino''s expression stiffened as she instinctively took a step back. "Wait, if it absorbs all that power from that battle just now..."


    [Orichalcos Bloodshade ATK: 500 ¡ú 1140]


    The shadow distorted violently, reshaping itself. This time, instead of copying Hoshino''s form, it absorbed Dartz''s features. The dagger in its hand morphed into a massive greatsword as long as its entire body.


    "It already looks way stronger than when it was copying me..." Hoshino muttered.


    Kaiba''s voice cut in, irritated. "Now''s not the time for jokes, Hoshino! Even Gawain with his triple attack power can''t stand against this!"


    Gawain, having reverted from his berserk state, still held Galatine, its flames raging wildly. His triple ATK boost would remain active until the Battle Phase concluded.


    "Now, Hoshino, it''s time for you to exit this turn~" Dartz commanded Bloodshade to attack Gawain.


    "Heh, not so fast!" Yugi flipped over a set card. "I won''t let you eliminate Hoshino that easily¡ªTrap Card activate! [Triggered Summon]!"


    [Triggered Summon ¨C Trap Card Effect: Activate only when a monster is Special Summoned to your opponent''s side of the field. Each player can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from their hand.]


    "Yugi!"


    Grateful, Hoshino cast him a glance. Though this wasn''t a Mirror Force-style defensive trap, she could feel Yugi''s intent to protect her.


    "A Level 4 or lower monster, huh..."


    Dartz glanced at his hand and smirked. "Sorry, I don''t have any monsters in my hand, so I can''t summon."


    "But we can!" ¡Á3


    In perfect unison, the three of them slammed their monster cards onto their Duel Disks.


    "I Special Summon [Kuribandit] in Defense Mode!"


    "I Summon [Lord of D.] in Defense Mode!"


    "And my most steadfast shield¡ªDefense Mode Summon! [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight]!"


    The activation of Triggered Summon sparked a chain reaction. Dartz''s single summon had inadvertently allowed Hoshino and her allies to unleash a storm of Special Summons.


    [Mash Kyrielight DEF 2000] sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I won''t let you take down Senpai that easily!"


    Brandishing her massive shield, the materialized Mash stepped forward bravely, standing firm in front of the three monsters.


    "How reliable~ As long as Mash is on the field, you can only attack her while she''s in Defense Mode, Dartz!"


    Dartz hesitated briefly at the sudden shift but quickly recovered, swinging Bloodshade''s massive sword down onto Mash''s shield.


    "Summoning a bunch of Level 4 or lower weaklings? Against my Bloodshade, whose ATK exceeds ten thousand, you''re nothing more than fish on the chopping block!"


    "Fish on the chopping block, huh? Don''t get ahead of yourself¡ªSet Trap Card, [Divine Realm of the Round Table], activate!"


    Even after the sudden summoning blitz, Hoshino didn''t stop. It was as if she had completely taken over Dartz''s turn for herself.


    [Divine Realm of the Round Table ¨C Trap Card Effect: Target 1 "Knights of the Round Table" monster in your GY; Special Summon it.]


    Retrieving a card from her Graveyard, she placed it onto the Duel Disk. A tall, silver-haired knight materialized once again on the battlefield.


    "I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit¡ªKnight of the Round Table Bedivere]! And I activate Bedivere''s effect¡ªwhen Special Summoned, I can add 1 ''Knights of the Round Table'' monster from my Deck to my hand!"


    Holding his sword to his forehead in solemn resolve, Bedivere declared, "Even if I fall, my loyalty will never waver! This is the moment to embody the Round Table''s beliefs and turn them into hope!"


    "¡ªThanks to Bedivere''s effect, I add [Heroic Spirit - Knight of the Round Table ¨C Lancelot] to my hand!"


    ¡­


    As Bloodshade''s sword neared Mash''s shield, a streak of blue light flashed across the battlefield. A figure intercepted the attack, striking with fierce precision.


    With an intense glare, Lancelot swung Aroundight, repelling the incoming attack with raw force.


    "As long as I still draw breath, I won''t let anyone lay a hand on Mash!"


    Even against an opponent with over ten thousand attack points, Lancelot stood firm, his sheer presence suppressing the battlefield with unwavering intensity.


    "...Father?!" Mash gasped, eyes widening as she looked at the dashing, white-armored knight before her.


    Leaving only his reliable figure behind, Lancelot''s radiant sword gleamed with a calm, lake-like glow.


    "I''ll handle things here, Mash!!"


    "Father!!"


    Unlike her earlier uncertain and surprised call, this time Mash''s voice rang out with absolute excitement.


    Lancelot''s expression tensed immediately. "Mash, please¡­ stop calling me that. It''s not good for my heart."


    As Lancelot blocked Bloodshade''s greatsword, Dartz''s displeasure became evident. "So, the Round Table Knight you just searched for can be summoned immediately, and he even managed to intercept my attack perfectly. That monster isn''t ordinary, is it?"


    "Of course not! A knight never perishes unarmed¡ªLancelot''s special effect activates!" Hoshino declared. "I can return one Level 4 or higher ''Heroic Spirit'' monster on the field to my hand to Special Summon ''Heroic Spirit - Knight of the Round Table Lancelot'' from my hand!"


    Retrieving Mash, who had been summoned earlier, Hoshino placed Lancelot''s card in her place.


    [Heroic Spirit - Knight of the Round Table Lancelot ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2100 / DEF 2000]


    "With this effect, I return Mash to my hand and Special Summon Lancelot in Defense Position! And when Lancelot is Special Summoned this way, he inherits Mash''s original name and effect until the end of the turn!"


    Knight of Owner: A Knight Does Not Die with Empty Hands.


    This ability, originally a Noble Phantasm rather than a skill, allows Lancelot to claim any weapon he wields as his own, turning even iron pillars or fighter jets into D-rank Noble Phantasms.


    "That means your Bloodshade can only attack Lancelot, Dartz!"


    With a confident gesture, Hoshino took full command of the battlefield. "The strongest knight¡ªshow them your might!"


    Bloodshade Phantom''s greatsword came crashing down again, its blood-red energy surging with vengeance. But due to Mash''s inherited taunt effect, Lancelot remained its only possible target.


    "Vile creature, disappear beneath the unbroken radiance of this lake!"


    Magic surged beyond its limit, concentrating along the sword''s edge. Lancelot gripped the indestructible Aroundight and forced it to its very limit, causing an overflow of magic power that condensed into a single, devastating slash.


    "Arrive at the farthest end. Cross the boundary. O distant king, witness this light!"


    A streak of pure azure brilliance split the air, shattering Bloodshade Phantom''s greatsword before tearing through its body entirely.


    Lancelot''s Noble Phantasm, an overcharged strike that released his overflowing magic upon impact, unleashed a blue radiance as vast as a lake¡ªthus, its name:


    "¡ªArondight Overload!!"


    [If you control another ''Knight of the Round Table'' monster: You can activate this effect at the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles an opponent''s monster; destroy that opponent''s monster.]


    Bloodshade Phantom let out a piercing cry as its form was consumed by the lake-like radiance. The shadowy mass disintegrated into the void, leaving Lancelot standing tall, sword gleaming¡ªproof of his title as the strongest knight.


    [Orichalcos Bloodshade Phantom - Destroyed]


    As the glow of Arondight faded, Hoshino smirked, pointing at Dartz. "Since Lancelot''s destruction effect counts as effect destruction, your monster''s ability won''t trigger! No more revivals this time, Dartz!"


    "Amazing! Hoshino is amazing!" Mokuba, now her biggest fan, cheered with excitement. "She actually managed to counter all of Dartz''s attacks perfectly!"


    "This is the power of the Round Table, Dartz! Looks like you''ve hit a wall!" Hoshino grinned, looking at the three knights standing on the field.


    Dartz''s expression remained unreadable. "To push me this far against Orichalcos¡­ You all truly fight with remarkable strength."


    "Of course!" Honda chimed in. "Like hell we''d let you destroy the world we live in!"


    Dartz''s gaze darkened. "You ignorant humans understand nothing of the true nature of this world." His voice turned cold. "No matter how much you struggle, this world is already beyond salvation."


    With that ominous declaration, Dartz drew his next card and inserted it into his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Spell Card¡ª[Orichalcos Impact]!"


    As the card activated, the entire ceremonial platform began to shift. The surroundings transformed into an intricate, breathtaking holographic projection¡ªa vision of a vast, endless blue sky.


    And then, the landscape below changed.


    "Behold, beneath your feet¡ªthis is Atlantis, ten thousand years ago."


    Lush greenery stretched far and wide. A grand city stood in the distance, filled with laughter and joy. The air itself seemed to hum with peace and prosperity.


    "Atlantis was once a sacred civilization, living in harmony with spirits, deeply connected to nature. It was rich in productivity, its people free from hunger and suffering. There was no greed¡ªonly simple, fulfilling lives. Until that fateful day arrived."


    "A fateful day¡­?" Hoshino, momentarily mesmerized by the utopian scene, suddenly felt an ominous chill run down her spine.


    A second later, a glowing green meteor streaked across the sky, missing them by mere inches before slamming into the ground.


    "The meteor of Orichalcos fell from the heavens, bringing with it an unknown power¡ªan energy unlike any before. At first, it propelled Atlantis into an age of unprecedented advancement."


    Dartz''s voice turned grim. "But it also carried with it the seeds of our destruction. The people began using the Orichalcos to fuel their ambitions, and soon, corruption took root."


    Hoshino''s fists clenched. "So, just because of that, you used Orichalcos'' power to destroy your own country¡ªalong with your people?"


    "No," Dartz replied, his voice eerily calm. "It was not I who destroyed Atlantis¡ªit was the darkness within human hearts. If it had been mere corruption, I might have turned a blind eye¡­"


    For the first time, his voice wavered ever so slightly.


    "But one day, humans reached the pinnacle of their greed and evolution. The people of Atlantis began to mutate into mindless, monstrous creatures¡ªbeings that knew nothing but destruction and plunder. In that instant, the great Atlantis collapsed completely."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 324 - 324

    "Mutating into monsters¡­ could it be¡­?"


    Hoshino''s crimson eyes trembled slightly as realization dawned. The skeletal monster clad in blue armor that had attacked her earlier¡ªbelieved by Arthur to be the lingering spirits of Atlantis¡ªwasn''t a remnant of the past. It was the final stage of evolution for the people of Atlantis themselves.


    "¡­That''s just too tragic."


    Beneath their feet, the once lush and vibrant landscape rapidly shifted, depicting Atlantis''s advancements after acquiring the power of Orichalcos. Breaking free from natural constraints, towering structures and advanced facilities emerged¡ªtechnology so refined that it surpassed even modern standards.


    But what followed was a scene of horror.


    Flames raged across the city. The people of Atlantis, now twisted into monstrous forms, turned on those who had yet to change. With bloodstained blades¡ªonce wielded to protect their loved ones¡ªthey now butchered their own families and friends in an indiscriminate massacre.


    "Faced with a world that had lost all hope, I accepted the guidance of the god and used Orichalcos''s power to destroy Atlantis." Dartz''s voice remained eerily calm, yet there was an unmistakable trace of sorrow beneath it. "In those final moments, the last unmutated humans resisted with the power of Duel Monsters, led by the three Legendary Dragons. But in the end, they, too, fell before Orichalcos''s might, and the Legendary Dragons were sealed away."


    "The Legendary Dragons¡­ lost?"


    Hoshino had already suspected as much. The nameless dragon sealed in crystal was proof of the terrible price they had paid in defeat.


    "And now, history shall repeat itself. You¡ªthree duelists chosen by the Legendary Dragons¡ªwill fall as they did!"


    As Dartz''s Spell Card completed its effect, the illusionary scene beneath them froze, capturing the moment Atlantis was obliterated by Orichalcos''s impact.


    "Spell Card¡ª[Orichalcos Impact] activates!" Dartz declared. "If Orichalcos is on the field and my opponent controls five or more monsters, I can activate this card to draw until I have the same number of cards in hand as their monsters!"


    With Yugi and Kaiba''s trigger effects summoning monsters alongside Hoshino''s three Knights, the total count reached exactly five. Dartz replenished his hand from one card to five.


    "Additionally, when Orichalcos Impact is activated, all marked monsters on my opponent''s field will be destroyed at the start of my next turn!" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The ground beneath them cracked open as five glowing seals emerged, marking each of their monsters for impending destruction.


    Hoshino watched as the glow of her cards in the Duel Disk began to dim. She furrowed her brows and groaned. "These effects are way too overpowered! Why not just print a card that outright banishes all of your opponent''s cards at this point?"


    Dartz merely smirked coldly in response. "Heh, heh¡­ I set three cards and end my turn."


    Despite Hoshino''s successful counterattack, her three Knights were now doomed to be wiped out by Orichalcos Impact at the start of Dartz''s next turn.


    "Don''t panic, Hoshino," Yugi reassured her as he sent Kuribandit from his Duel Disk to the Graveyard. "Let''s keep moving forward at our own pace and take him down step by step!"


    "I activate [Kuribandit]''s effect! At the end of the turn, I can send this card to the Graveyard to reveal the top five cards of my deck. Then, I can add one Spell or Trap card among them to my hand, while the rest are sent to the Graveyard."


    A spectral image of Kuribandit floated from the Graveyard and sneakily approached Hoshino''s deck.


    "I''ll let you take this one, Hoshino."


    "Wow, so generous, Yugi! I won''t hold back, then!"


    Now wasn''t the time to be modest. Flipping over the top five cards of her deck, she carefully considered her options. Not only could she search for a Spell or Trap, but she also had the opportunity to send four other cards to the Graveyard¡ªan incredibly valuable play.


    "So, it''s finally my turn, huh?"


    Kaiba''s cold smirk widened as he stepped into his turn. "Dartz, now you will witness¡ª"


    Hoshino: "My turn, draw¡ª"


    "Don''t overstep your bounds!!"


    Kaiba''s furious roar cut her off mid-action.


    Hoshino playfully stuck out her tongue and scratched her head. "Hehe, just kidding, just kidding~ I was just trying to lighten the mood a little¡­"


    The overwhelming presence of Orichalcos Impact had left a suffocating pressure hanging in the air¡ªeven the spectators behind them could feel the weight of the impending disaster. Perhaps for the first time, everyone truly grasped the stakes of this battle. If they lost, the world would fall.


    "We don''t need your silly antics to ease the tension," Kaiba snapped. "I''ll be the one to take down Dartz!"


    He drew his card.


    His eyes gleamed with satisfaction¡ªafter failing to draw it twice before, he had finally pulled the card he wanted.


    "Orichalcos Gigas¡­ a monster that continuously revives and grows stronger each time it returns from the Graveyard." His gaze sharpened. "But in the presence of the ultimate Blue-Eyes, it''s nothing more than a joke!"


    "Kaiba, you figured out how to stop it?" Hoshino asked, her excitement rising.


    Without a doubt, Orichalcos Gigas was Dartz''s most troublesome monster. Not only did it revive endlessly, increasing in strength each time, but it also stood in the frontline, shielding Orichalcos Kyutora¡ªa monster capable of absorbing all battle damage.


    "Of course I did! Watch closely! I''m not interested in some cheap tactic to chip away at Dartz''s Life Points¡ªthat would be meaningless!"


    Kaiba had a point. Direct damage effects were a clear weakness in Dartz''s strategy, and as an Orichalcos user, he would have naturally prepared counters. Even though both Hoshino and Yugi had landed solid direct hits, they had still failed to bring him down.


    "Instead, I''m going to crush [Orichalcos Gigas] head-on!"


    Kaiba''s voice brimmed with confidence as he dramatically slammed a card into his Duel Disk.


    "Spell Card activated¡ª[The Melody of Awakening Dragon]!"


    [The Melody of Awakening Dragon Spell Card Effect: Discard 1 card; add up to 2 Dragon monsters with 3000 or more ATK and 2500 or less DEF from your Deck to your hand.]


    The Lord of D. on Kaiba''s field suddenly pulled out a guitar, unleashing a fierce, heavy metal riff¡ªa sound akin to the roar of dragons.


    "I discard 1 card and add 2 Blue-Eyes White Dragons from my Deck to my hand!"


    Hoshino twitched at the absurdity of the card''s conditions. "A Dragon-Type monster with 3000+ ATK and 2500 or less DEF? You might as well just write ''Add two Blue-Eyes White Dragons to your hand'' directly."


    "Next, I activate the Spell Card¡ª[The Flute of Summoning Dragon]! If Lord of D. is on the field, I can Special Summon up to two Dragon-Type monsters from my hand!"


    The two Blue-Eyes White Dragons Kaiba had just added to his hand were immediately slammed onto the field. Within the Orichalcos''s oppressive atmosphere, two mighty dragons let out synchronized, earth-shaking roars.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Dragon][ATK 3000/DEF 2500] ¡Á2


    "Roar¡ª!"


    The moment the twin dragons appeared, an overwhelming pressure filled the battlefield. Though often treated as mere combat units, no one could deny the sheer oppressive force of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.


    Dartz smirked in disdain. "Kaiba, do you truly believe that summoning the Blue-Eyes White Dragon will turn the tide of this battle? It seems you''re still a step behind the other two."


    Kaiba thrust his arm forward, pointing directly at Dartz as the two Blue-Eyes behind him let out another fearsome roar. "Your cheap provocations won''t work on me! This is no longer a matter of who''s stronger or weaker. The three of us are standing here for one reason only¡ªto defeat you, Dartz!"


    "If you think you can, then show me¡ªusing the so-called ''strongest'' Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "Then bear witness to its true power! Blue-Eyes White Dragon!!"


    Without unnecessary movement, Kaiba simply crossed his arms and stood firm. The two dragons on the field began to merge, releasing a surge of energy that engulfed the battlefield.


    "I fuse my two Blue-Eyes White Dragons! Appear now¡ªthe form that surpasses all limits¡ª[Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon]!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][LIGHT][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2500]


    ["Blue-Eyes White Dragon" + "Blue-Eyes White Dragon"]


    [Must be either Fusion Summoned or Special Summoned by sending the above monsters you control to the GY.]


    "ROOOOAAARRR!!"


    The twin-headed dragon let out a deafening roar, shaking the ritual platform itself. Its razor-sharp gaze locked onto the Orichalcos Gigas on Dartz''s field.


    "It''s Twin Burst Dragon!" Hoshino exclaimed in surprise. It had been a long time since Kaiba used this particular form of Blue-Eyes. While its ATK remained unchanged, its overwhelming effect had caused plenty of trouble in past duels.


    "Show him what you''re made of, Twin Burst Dragon!" Without hesitation, Kaiba immediately commanded his monster to attack.


    "¡ªTear through space, Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    Twin beams of piercing white light erupted from the dragon''s twin mouths, converging into a single devastating blast that vaporized Gigas, which had an ATK of 2900.


    "Futile struggle! Kyutora, absorb the damage! Then, Gigas¡ªrevive and surpass that Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"


    Once again, the massive Gigas emerged from beneath the battlefield, its already enormous frame growing even larger.


    "ROOAAAAR!!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas ATK 2900 ¡ú 3400]


    Having survived yet another destruction, Gigas''s ATK now surpassed Twin Burst Dragon''s. Seeing this, Dartz sneered confidently.


    "What a fleeting moment of glory, Kaiba. Your counterattack is already over~"


    "This isn''t just a fleeting moment¡ªthis is the ultimate white light that will tear through the darkness and eliminate your Gigas once and for all!"


    Despite having already attacked once, Twin Burst Dragon showed no signs of stopping. Its twin mouths began gathering energy once more.


    "Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s effect! This card can attack twice on monsters during the same Battle Phase! Now take this¡ªTwin Burst Jet Stream!"


    Unlike before, the second attack wasn''t a straight beam. Instead, it was a barrage of devastating energy blasts that rained down upon the towering Gigas.


    [Seto Kaiba LP 4000 ¡ú 3600]


    Dartz scoffed. "Reckless¡­ so you took battle damage yourself."


    "This battle damage is nothing more than a parting gift for you on your trip to the afterlife!" Kaiba roared, raising his Duel Disk and clenching his fist tightly.


    Then, something unexpected happened. Despite seemingly withstanding the attack, Gigas''s chest suddenly split open, radiating an intense white glow. Its triumphant roar shifted into a wail of agony.


    "Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s effect! This card cannot be destroyed by battle! Furthermore, if it attacks a monster that is not destroyed by battle, that monster is banished instead!"


    The white light within Gigas intensified, resonating with the name of Twin Burst Dragon''s attack¡ªbefore consuming the supposedly indestructible monster, sending it to another dimension.


    "What?! It actually banishes monsters that survive battle?!"


    For the first time, Dartz''s smug expression wavered.


    "¡­You deliberately used your first attack to increase Gigas''s ATK. Once it revived, its ATK would surpass Twin Burst Dragon''s, allowing you to trigger its banishing effect¡ªthat was your true plan all along!"


    Watching the events unfold, Mokuba cheered excitedly, "He even accounted for Gigas gaining more ATK! Big Brother is amazing!"


    "The invincible Blue-Eyes will never lose in a head-on fight against any monster¡ªnot even against gods!"


    [Orichalcos Gigas BANISHED]


    "You really pulled it off, Kaiba!" Yugi praised. The biggest obstacle standing in their way¡ªthe infinitely reviving Gigas¡ªhad finally been removed from the field.


    Hoshino grinned. "Now this is the Kaiba I know¡ªfully mastering the power of Blue-Eyes! Chasing after divine power never really suited you, after all~"


    Kaiba shot both of them an annoyed glare. "If you two hadn''t hogged all the turns, I would''ve taken that damn thing down ages ago!"


    Of course, he was just venting his frustration. Without the groundwork laid by Yugi and Hoshino in the previous turns¡ªreducing Dartz''s Life Points and forcing Gigas to gain more ATK¡ªKaiba wouldn''t have been able to execute his strategy so flawlessly.


    "¡­At first, I thought you were the weakest among the legendary duelists. But now¡­ I see things differently."


    From Yugi''s Dark Magician Girl and Gawain''s assault to Hoshino''s Knights of the Round Table, and now Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon banishing Gigas¡ªDartz finally understood.


    Facing three powerful duelists at once, even with the power of Orichalcos, was proving to be an incredibly difficult battle.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 325 - 325

    "Dartz, your only line of defense¡ªthe Gigas¡ªhas been destroyed! And now, the Kyutora you''ve been hiding behind is completely exposed!"


    After Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon''s consecutive attacks, Kaiba had no monsters left to attack with. But this wasn''t a typical one-on-one duel¡ªthis was a full-scale three-on-one battle.


    Hoshino smirked, his Round Table Knight card ready on his Duel Disk. "I''m all set. Just say the word, Kaiba!"


    The Battle Phase was still under Kaiba''s control, meaning he dictated the pace and attack order.


    "Hmph. Of course, we''re going in with maximum firepower! Gawain, attack the back-row Kyutora and activate your effect!"


    Kaiba''s fighting spirit burned just as intensely as the flames roaring from Gawain''s sword.


    Hoshino understood Kaiba''s intent. To avoid any unnecessary complications, they had to finish this in one decisive strike.


    "If Kyutora is destroyed, it won''t be able to absorb this battle damage! Go, Gawain! Strike directly at Dartz''s remaining Life Points!"


    [Dice roll result: 5]


    [Gawain ATK 2000 ¡ú 6000]


    Honda slammed his fist into his palm. "Yes! That''s two successful effect triggers in a row! Dartz, you''re so screwed!"


    "¡ªExcalibur Galatine!!"


    Once again, blazing sunlight split the battlefield in half. Gawain''s sweeping flame arc slashed toward Dartz''s only remaining monster¡ªthe Kyutora.


    "Trap card activated¡ª[Orichalcos Division]! I can Special Summon one Kyutora Token with 0 ATK in Attack Position to my front row to take the attack instead." (OC Card)


    [Kyutora Token ¡ï] [Effect][ATK 0 ¡ú 500/DEF 0 ¡ú 500]


    Like a grotesque form of mitosis, the monstrous sea-urchin-like creature strained as its massive eyeball bulged and split, forming a miniature, spiky copy of itself in front of it.


    "The Kyutora Token takes double battle damage, but in return, I regain Life Points equal to the attacker''s ATK!"


    Taking double battle damage and recovering the same amount of Life Points¡ªordinarily, this would just cancel out. But with the original Kyutora still preventing Dartz from taking damage, it functioned as an impenetrable energy absorber.


    [Dartz LP 2000 ¡ú 7500]


    Kaiba''s brows furrowed as Dartz grinned smugly. "I expected no less from you, Kaiba. You went straight for the strongest attack target to land the finishing blow. Thanks for the gift!"


    Dartz''s Life Points surged thanks to Gawain''s 6000 ATK, and his confidence visibly returned.


    But something was off.


    The Kyutora, now bloated from absorbing over 10,000 points of damage, trembled unnaturally. Its massive eyeball bulged, veins pulsating as though it were on the verge of bursting.


    "This thing doesn''t look good¡­"


    Orichalcos monsters were always grotesque, but the eerie, quivering state of the Kyutora unsettled Hoshino.


    "Has anyone actually kept track of how much damage this thing has absorbed?"


    Yugi, calculating instantly, answered, "Including the doubled battle damage just now, it''s over 10,000 points." S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He narrowed his eyes. "It''s strange. That card specifically chose to take double damage. It''s as if it''s deliberately storing energy for something¡­"


    Kaiba clenched his fists in frustration. "So what? Are we supposed to hesitate now, afraid to deal battle damage?!"


    Gritting his teeth, he swung his arm forward. "We finally have an opportunity! No matter what, we must destroy that Eye Monster this turn¡ªotherwise, we''ll never reach the finish line called ''victory''!"


    "Then I''ll take care of it!"


    With his silver arm glowing, Bedivere charged forward, his sword tip radiating magical energy as he plunged it straight into the center of the massive eyeball.


    "WRYYYYYYY¡ª!!"


    The attack landed. The giant eyeball burst open, and the Kyutora let out an ear-piercing screech, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present.


    [Orichalcos Kyutora destroyed]


    "Finally took it down¡­"


    Watching the monster disintegrate under Bedivere''s blade, Hoshino exhaled in relief.


    Yugi nodded. "Dartz''s last monster is gone. That means from now on, all battle damage should go through!"


    But Dartz sneered. "Kaiba, you''ve just triggered your own downfall! Now, you shall witness the true wrath of Orichalcos!"


    As he sent the destroyed monster card to the Graveyard, Dartz''s field erupted with three overlapping magic circles¡ªone large, two small.


    "¡ªWhen Orichalcos Kyutora is destroyed, I can Special Summon one [Orichalcos Shunoros] from my Deck or hand!"


    A massive energy gateway connected to Dartz''s Deck. The stored power from the destroyed Kyutora coalesced into a gargantuan entity materializing on the battlefield.


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][Effect][ATK ?/DEF 0]


    "So he had a backup plan¡­"


    The sheer size of Shunoros dwarfed the battlefield, stretching toward the very ceiling of their battleground. The oppressive aura it emitted was leagues beyond any previous monster.


    "Orichalcos Shunoros''s ATK is equal to the total amount of battle damage absorbed by Kyutora!"


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 12,900]


    Hoshino took a deep breath. "So it absorbed all that damage and transformed it into a monster with an ATK exceeding 10,000¡­ This must be Dartz''s ace card!"


    But it wasn''t over yet.


    "When Shunoros is Special Summoned, I can also Special Summon [Orichalcos Aristeros] and [Orichalcos Dexia] from my Deck or hand!"


    The two smaller summoning circles expanded, giving birth to floating left and right arms, completing the monstrous entity.


    [Orichalcos Aristeros ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Effect][ATK 0/DEF ?]


    [Orichalcos Dexia ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][Effect][ATK ?/DEF 0]


    Everyone tensed.


    Hoshino exhaled slowly. "It absorbed all that damage and converted it into an attack power surpassing 10,000. This is it¡­ the final showdown."


    After all their struggles, the colossal Orichalcos Shunoros now stood before them¡ªthe true endgame of this battle.


    "Dartz, you''ve finally revealed your ace!"


    With Kyutora destroyed, Kaiba''s battle phase was still ongoing.


    Yugi warned, "Be careful, Kaiba. Forget that Shunoros has over 10,000 attack points¡ªthose two monsters have unknown ATK and DEF values. Attacking recklessly could be dangerous."


    "I already told you¡ªI won''t let mere uncertainties stop me from pressing forward!"


    Kaiba drew a card from his hand and swiftly inserted it into his Duel Disk. The Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon on his field split into its original forms.


    "¡ªQuick-Play Spell, [De-Fusion]! Return to your original forms, Blue-Eyes White Dragons!"


    "ROAR!!!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ATK 3000] ¡Á2


    With its fusion undone, the two Blue-Eyes White Dragons reappeared, standing on either side of Kaiba, glaring at the monstrous Shunoros.


    "Rather than waiting for you to act, I''ll strike first! Go, Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Attack Orichalcos Dexia!"


    Dexia was in Attack Position, meaning its ATK remained unknown, while Aristeros was in Defense Position, keeping its DEF a mystery.


    A beam of white energy shot forward, aimed directly at Dexia¡ª


    "Still too naive, Kaiba. Your aggressive dueling style may win you the upper hand now and then, but if you keep blindly attacking, you''ll only end up suffering for it. That''s exactly why you can never defeat Yugi~"


    Suddenly, Aristeros moved, stepping in front of Dexia in a defensive stance, taking the full brunt of Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s attack.


    "[Orichalcos Aristeros]''s effect activates! While Orichalcos Shunoros is on the field, this card cannot be destroyed. If an opponent''s monster declares an attack, the attack target is switched to this card, and during battle, its DEF becomes the attacking monster''s ATK + 300!"


    [Orichalcos Aristeros DEF 3300]


    [Kaiba''s LP 3600 ¡ú 3300]


    "Its DEF rises by 300 more than the attacking monster''s ATK? That''s basically a stronger version of The Wicked Avatar!" Hoshino exclaimed in shock.


    Unlike The Wicked Avatar, which always had 1 more ATK than the strongest monster on the field, Aristeros gained an extra 300 DEF, making it an even greater wall.


    Dartz grinned. "Of course, infinitely growing power comes with a price~"


    As the Shunoros''s eerie green eyes gleamed, Dartz gestured toward his field.


    "Orichalcos Aristeros''s DEF boost is deducted from Orichalcos Shunoros''s ATK!"


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 12,900 ¡ú 9,600]


    "So, what will you do now, Kaiba? If you''re willing to sacrifice more Life Points, you can keep chipping away at Shunoros''s attack power~"


    Kaiba scoffed. "That effect is just a cheap imitation of Hoshino''s strategy. If I can''t destroy the Arms, then I''ll just destroy that grotesque body directly!"


    Ending his battle phase, Kaiba inserted another card into his Duel Disk, launching his counterattack.


    "I activate the Spell Card [Advance Draw]!"


    [Advance Draw ¨C Tribute 1 face-up Level 8 or higher monster you control; draw 2 cards.]


    Sensing the spell''s activation, one of Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes White Dragons was engulfed in golden light and sent to the Graveyard.


    As his Deck illuminated, Kaiba drew two cards, then pointed directly at Dartz.


    "Dartz, don''t underestimate a Duelist chosen by a Legendary Dragon¡ªnor the power of my Fang of Critias!"


    "The Fang of Critias?!" Yugi and Hoshino exclaimed simultaneously.


    As one of the three keys to defeating the Orichalcos, no one had expected Kaiba to be the first among them to draw a Legendary Dragon.


    "[Fang of Critias]''s effect activates! I fuse it with the Trap Card [Ring of Destruction]! Awaken, dragon sleeping within these cards¡ªmanifest your true power!"


    The fusion of flames and explosive energy merged with the Fang of Critias, giving birth to the tyrannical form of the Legendary Dragon.


    "Fusion Summon in Attack Position¡ª[Destruction Dragon]!"


    [Destruction Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)] [FIRE] [Dragon/Fusion/Effect] [ATK 2000/DEF 3000]


    [Must be Special Summoned with "The Fang of Critias", using "Ring of Destruction".]


    "Go, Destruction Dragon! Use your overwhelming force to shatter this millennium-old cycle of fate!"


    Kaiba''s newly summoned black dragon became engulfed in flames, locking onto its target as it charged toward Orichalcos Shunoros.


    "[Destruction Dragon]''s effect activates! Once per turn, I can destroy one card on my opponent''s field!"


    A blinding light burst forth, crashing into the massive body of Shunoros, consuming it in an inferno.


    "And if Destruction Dragon destroys a monster, it inflicts damage equal to that monster''s ATK! That''s 9,600 damage, Dartz¡ªthis is your end!"


    Kaiba''s final strike, carrying the hope of the Legendary Dragons, detonated within the Seal of Orichalcos.


    "Well done, Kaiba! That was quite the counterattack. If not for the Seal''s power, I would have already lost to you."


    As the explosion subsided, the Shunoros, Destruction Dragon, and Dartz himself remained completely unharmed.


    "Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Demise of the Land]!"


    [Demise of the Land ¨C When your opponent Special Summons a monster(s): Activate 1 Field Spell Card directly from your Deck.]


    Hoshino''s eyes widened in shock. "Another Field Spell activation? But the Orichalcos is already¡ªdon''t tell me¡ª"


    "The moment you Special Summoned Destruction Dragon, I activated [Demise of the Land] to play [Orichalcos Tritos]! I sent Orichalcos Deuteros to the Graveyard, inheriting all its effects while also making my monsters immune to your card effects!"


    "So there really is a third one!"


    As Hoshino had feared, the Seal of Orichalcos expanded once more, its triple-layered structure fully forming. The intricate magical patterns intertwined, creating the final form of the Orichalcos.


    Watching Dartz use the Seal''s power to nullify yet another attack, Yugi''s expression darkened.


    "Not only did he stop Destruction Dragon''s effect, but he also activated Orichalcos Tritos¡­ Even with the power of the Legendary Dragons, defeating the Orichalcos is still this difficult?!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 326 - 326

    "You''re still relying on Field Spells? Turn end!"


    With his final counterattack completely nullified by Orichalcos Tritos and his hand emptied, Kaiba had no choice but to end his turn.


    "Then it''s my turn. Due to the effect of Orichalcos Impact from the previous turn, all marked monsters will be destroyed!"


    As Dartz began his turn, he gestured toward the glowing sigils beneath the feet of the knights.


    The monsters that had been on the field when Orichalcos Impact was activated¡ªHoshino''s three Knights and Kaiba''s Lord of D.¡ªvanished silently within the barrier.


    "Now, all that remains is to erase the monsters on your field, Kaiba. Once that happens, your final means of resistance will be gone. Just like the war ten thousand years ago, neither the Legendary Dragons nor the duelists could change anything!"


    With Orichalcos Impact''s effect resolving, Dartz drew a card and swiftly inserted it into his Duel Disk.


    "I Normal Summon [Orichalcos Sacrificer] in Attack Position!"


    [Orichalcos Sacrificer ¡ï] [LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK 0 ¡ú 500 / DEF 0 ¡ú 500] (OC)


    A new figure materialized behind Dartz. Unlike the grotesque Orichalcos monsters that came before, this one exuded an entirely different presence.


    A girl knelt on the ground, hands clasped in prayer, an aura of divinity surrounding her. Her long, white hair, eerily similar to Dartz''s, cascaded over her flawless form, glowing with an ethereal light.


    Dartz''s expression softened, a rare gentleness appearing in his eyes.


    "Orichalcos Sacrificer''s effect activates! It can only be summoned while Orichalcos Tritos is active. When this card is Normal Summoned, it can be Tributed to restore 3,000 Life Points!"


    ''¡ªMy King, please accept my final prayer. Save Atlantis from its destruction!''


    With those final words, the girl''s form dissolved into radiant light.


    [Dartz LP: 7500 ¡ú 10500]


    "And when Orichalcos Sacrificer is Tributed by a card effect, it can Special Summon itself from the Graveyard. However, since it was Special Summoned, its effect does not activate again¡ªso I won''t be infinitely recovering my Life Points."


    The girl''s body reappeared, kneeling once more. But something had changed.


    Her once radiant presence had vanished. The divine glow was gone.


    Only a skeleton remained. Still clad in the same white garments, still locked in the same prayerful posture¡ªyet now nothing more than a grotesque husk.


    Hoshino shuddered. A chilling sensation ran down his spine.


    "¡­!!!"


    Dartz merely looked upon the transformation with a knowing smirk.


    "Dartz¡­ I''ve had my suspicions for a while now," Yugi spoke, his sharp gaze locked onto Dartz. "But now I''ve confirmed it."


    His voice was grave as he voiced the truth:


    "The monsters you''ve been summoning¡­ they''re the former people of Atlantis, aren''t they?!"


    "Oh?" Dartz raised an eyebrow, amused. His smirk widened as he examined Yugi.


    "As expected of a fellow king¡ªyou can sense this sorrowful fate, can''t you? That''s right. These hideous creatures were once the loyal subjects of Atlantis. They refused to watch their empire fall. So even after their bodies were twisted into these grotesque forms, they entrusted their power to me¡ªto the Orichalcos!"


    Hoshino clenched his fists. A surge of fury boiled in his chest.


    "But instead of honoring their trust¡­ instead of using the power they gave you to protect them, you used them to destroy Atlantis and bring about the world''s destruction?!" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kaiba scoffed. "Hmph. What a pathetic excuse for a leader. Dartz, you''re a failure."


    Yugi grasped the Millennium Puzzle hanging from his chest, his voice commanding:


    "Dartz, it is your heart that is truly corrupted! You have no right to decide this world''s fate!"


    "A Pharaoh who wields the power of darkness dares to lecture me? A dead man who has slumbered for 3,000 years, awakening only now¡ªwhat greater proof could there be that the world is already at its end?"


    Dartz let out a laugh, then held up a card.


    "Just like this spell¡ª[Monster Reborn]! Rise once more from the grave, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "ROOOOOOAAAAR!!!"


    The Blue-Eyes White Dragon, which had just been sent to the Graveyard by Kaiba, was forcefully pulled back onto the field.


    An Orichalcos mark was branded into its forehead.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ATK 3000 ¡ú 3500]


    "NTR right in front of him and branding it¡­ that''s just cruel," Hoshino muttered, sparing a glance at Kaiba.


    As expected, Kaiba was grinding his teeth in pure rage, his jaw nearly shattering from the force.


    "You dare defile MY Blue-Eyes?! DAMN YOU!!!"


    "And now, I activate Orichalcos Tritos''s effect! Since I control five monsters, I recover 2,500 Life Points!"


    [Dartz LP: 10500 ¡ú 13000]


    "His Life Points are over 13,000 now¡­" Yugi clenched his fists. "At this point, burn damage strategies won''t be enough."


    Hoshino knew it, too. Back when he fought Pegasus, he had used Okitan to burn away The Wicked Avatar''s last Life Points¡ªexploiting its inability to be destroyed.


    But against Dartz, whose Life Points now surpassed 10,000¡­ that strategy was useless.


    "And now, this will be your final battle, Kaiba!" Dartz declared. "Attack, Orichalcos Dexia!"


    Entering the Battle Phase, Orichalcos Dexia lunged forward, its metal palms opening as it advanced toward Destruction Dragon.


    "Orichalcos Shunoros cannot attack, but as compensation, whenever Orichalcos Dexia battles, its Attack Points become equal to the opposing monster''s ATK +300 during the Damage Calculation Step!"


    [Destruction Dragon ATK 2000]


    [Orichalcos Dexia ATK 2300]


    "And, of course, this increased power will be deducted from Orichalcos Shunoros''s total Attack Power."


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 9600 ¡ú 7300]


    The mighty Destruction Dragon, one of Critias''s strongest forms, was crushed helplessly in Orichalcos Dexia''s grip.


    [Destruction Dragon Destroyed]


    [Kaiba LP: 3300 ¡ú 3000]


    Dartz smirked as he flipped over his final face-down card.


    "And now¡­ it''s over, Kaiba!"


    His voice was filled with finality.


    "I activate the Trap Card Martyr''s Grudge! When a monster is destroyed by battle, I can force another battle between two monsters of my choosing!"


    Kaiba''s eyes widened.


    The massive form of Orichalcos Shunoros began to move.


    Normally unable to attack, it now opened its mouth, gathering a sinister green energy.


    "The two monsters I choose are Orichalcos Shunoros and your last remaining Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    A colossal green energy beam shot forth.


    With only 3,000 Attack Points, Blue-Eyes White Dragon stood no chance.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon Destroyed]


    [Kaiba Seto LP: 3000 ¡ú 0]


    The invincible(?) Seto Kaiba¡­ had fallen once again.


    "Kai¡ªba¡ª!"


    The sudden, devastating defeat¡ªbrought about by Dartz''s Trap Card, which forced a battle between Orichalcos Shunoros and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ªcompletely wiped out Kaiba''s remaining Life Points.


    Kaiba''s wide-open eyes glared at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon on Dartz''s field, the very monster he had lost to Monster Reborn. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but an overwhelming sense of powerlessness left him unable to speak.


    "It''s over! Kaiba, Duelist chosen by the Legendary Dragons¡ªfall into the depths of despair alongside your Critias Fang! The effect of the Seal of Orichalcos activates! When a duelist''s Life Points drop to zero, their soul is sealed away!"


    The overwhelming fatigue that consumed Kaiba was the sealing power of the Orichalcos. The moment his Life Points hit zero, the shrinking seal beneath his feet rapidly drained his strength¡ªhis very soul.


    "Brother!" Mokuba''s voice was filled with disbelief. Just last turn, Kaiba had been attacking aggressively¡ªyet now, in a single counterattack, he had lost everything.


    "When facing an opponent like Dartz, even a single misstep means losing your soul..."


    Rebeca clutched the Soul Card containing Yugi''s spirit even tighter, her hands trembling. "This duel is so dangerous that every second, they''re literally gambling with their lives."


    Dartz''s triumphant laughter echoed through the battlefield, but he didn''t give them time to grieve¡ªhe waved his hand and pressed forward.


    "Don''t think it''s over yet. I still have Orichalcos Sacrificer and Blue-Eyes White Dragon on my field, while your field is empty."


    "This is bad!" Sensing Dartz''s overwhelming advantage, Yugi turned toward Hoshino.


    With Hoshino wide open, Orichalcos Sacrificer extended its skeletal fingers, firing a beam of energy straight through Hoshino''s chest.


    [Orichalcos Sacrificer ATK 500]


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3600 ¡ú 3100]


    "And now, it''s your turn to fall, Hoshino! Take this final attack from Blue-Eyes White Dragon and be completely erased!"


    The Blue-Eyes White Dragon, tainted by Orichalcos''s power, gathered a terrifying black energy beam within its maw, locking onto Hoshino''s defenseless field.


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s attack power is 3500 after being enhanced by the Orichalcos!" Honda shouted in panic. "If Hoshino takes this direct attack, he''ll be eliminated¡ªjust like Kaiba!"


    "Blue... Eyes...!!!"


    "Kaiba?!" Dartz''s expression showed rare surprise. "A lifeless body, already stripped of its soul¡ªhow could it possibly make a sound?!"


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon... You are a proud and beautiful Dragon... How could you possibly submit to this?!"


    With hollow eyes, Kaiba used his last ounce of strength to cry out before collapsing completely.


    "Seriously!? You can break the rules with the power of love?" Hoshino, who had nearly forgotten to breathe from sheer tension, watched as Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ªupon hearing Kaiba''s voice¡ªactually hesitated, its attack stopping mid-charge.


    "A Duel Monster''s attack should never stop just because a soulless person spoke! Kaiba, what did you do?!"


    Dartz, who had been completely confident in finishing off Hoshino, was now clearly puzzled by Blue-Eyes'' sudden halt.


    "Heh¡­ heh¡­ Lose my soul? I, Seto Kaiba¡­ will never be stopped by something as ridiculous as losing my soul..."


    Even when faced with undeniable reality, Kaiba refused to accept it. It was that sheer stubbornness¡ªthe strength of his will¡ªthat allowed him to retain a fleeting moment of consciousness even after losing his soul.


    "Hoshino¡­ I''ve already stopped the attack for you¡­ Don''t you dare lose now!"


    And in that fleeting moment of awareness, Kaiba activated the final card in his Graveyard before passing out completely.


    "I activate the effect of [Necro Gardna]! Since it was sent to the Graveyard last turn via The Melody of Awakening Dragon, I can banish this card to negate an opponent''s attack!"


    The Blue-Eyes White Dragon''s devastating attack was nullified. Kaiba had succeeded in stopping it. But the moment the effect resolved, his soulless body was ejected from the barrier¡ªlifeless, unmoving.


    Seeing Kaiba''s soul sealed away while also confirming the truth of the situation, Dartz merely shrugged.


    "So it was just an effect stopping Blue-Eyes'' attack? Hah¡ªlasting so long even after losing his soul¡­ I suppose I should praise you, Kaiba."


    "It wasn''t just an effect!" Hoshino snapped, eyes burning with fury. "What stopped Blue-Eyes White Dragon was Kaiba''s unyielding will¡ªand the bond between him and his dragon!"


    Looking at Kaiba, now lying motionless outside the barrier, Hoshino''s voice rang with unwavering determination. "Thanks to Kaiba''s resistance, Orichalcos Shunoros''s attack power has dropped to 7300! Next turn, I swear¡ªI''ll defeat both your Shunoros and YOU, Dartz!!"


    "Oh? How amusing, Hoshino. But can you still be so confident after seeing this?" Dartz, finishing his Battle Phase, slotted his last hand card into his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Continuous Spell¡ª[Orichalcos Energy Recharge]! Once per turn, this card increases Orichalcos Shunoros''s ATK by an amount equal to my Life Points!" (OC)


    [Dartz LP 13000]


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 7300 ¡ú 20300]


    "Over 20,000 ATK?!" Yugi inhaled sharply, staring at Dartz''s absurdly high attack power and Life Points.


    With both the strongest offense and the strongest defense in play, Dartz was ecstatic. "Hahahaha! Now, do you still think you can defeat my Orichalcos Divine Shunoros, Hoshino Chiyuki?!"


    "I can!" Yet Hoshino''s gaze did not waver in the slightest.


    "Tch. Where do you even get that confidence?" Clicking his tongue, Dartz, irritated by Hoshino''s defiant attitude, placed his hand over his Duel Disk.


    "I end my turn!"


    [Dartz''s Hand: 0 | Set Cards: 0]


    "It''s my turn¡ªDraw!"


    As his turn began, Hoshino wasted no time flipping over his final face-down card.


    "Dartz! This is my counterattack¡ªthe one that will cut through the darkness and summon hope! Trap Card¡ª[Knights of the Round Table], activate!!"


    [Knights of the Round Table ¨C Trap Card Effect: If you have 3 or more "Heroic Spirit - Knights of the Round Table" monsters in your Graveyard: Add 1 "Lion King - Artoria Pendragon" and 1 Ritual Spell Card that lists "Heroic Spirit" in its name from your Deck to your hand.]


    A golden light erupted from the Trap Card as Hoshino raised his Duel Disk high.


    "¡ªLion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon! Leading the Knights of the Round Table, we shall strike down the darkness that threatens to destroy the world!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 327 - 327

    "A Ritual Spell? Are you planning to summon a Ritual Monster?"


    Yugi turned to Hoshino, his tone carrying a hint of doubt. "But Hoshino, do you have enough monsters in your hand to fulfill the Ritual''s requirements?"


    With Dartz''s monster exceeding 20,000 ATK and being granted effect immunity by the Seal, defeating such an opponent head-on would require an incredibly powerful Ritual Monster¡ªone with an exceptionally high Level.


    "If you squeeze hard enough, you can always find a way. For example, with this card..."


    Hoshino''s fingers reached into the Graveyard section of their Duel Disk, pulling out a card buried at the very bottom.


    "¡ªI activate the effect of Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus in my Graveyard! When my opponent controls more monsters than I do, this card can Special Summon itself during the Standby Phase!" S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Spartacus¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 3)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1500]


    The man who never bowed to oppression, with a firm and reliable smile, returned to Hoshino''s field once again.


    "And next¡ªhere''s a Spell Card I retrieved earlier with your Kuribandit¡ªMonster Reborn!"


    "Monster Reborn again?"


    Dartz furrowed his brows. He had just used Monster Reborn himself, and now, in the very next turn, Hoshino was playing the exact same card. It was likely just a coincidence, but at this moment, to Dartz, it felt like destiny colliding head-on.


    Honda suddenly recalled something.


    "Wait, I remember now! This Monster Reborn¡ªit''s the one Ryota gave to Hoshino back in Duelist Kingdom! I can''t believe she''s kept it in her deck this whole time!"


    "With Monster Reborn, I revive Heroic Spirit ¨C Knight of the Round Table Bedivere! And now, I activate Bedivere''s effect¡ªwhen Special Summoned, I can add Heroic Spirit ¨C Knight of the Round Table Agravain from my Deck to my hand!"


    Summoning Agravain, reviving Bedivere, and searching for Agravain¡ªin an instant, the number of monsters at Hoshino''s disposal had surged. Drawing the Ritual Spell from their Deck, they inserted it into the Duel Disk. A storm of divine light crashed down upon the field.


    "Dartz, this is your downfall! Ritual Spell¡ªSummoning of the Guardian Heroic Spirits ¨C FATE!


    "I offer Bedivere (Level 5), Spartacus (Level 3), and Agravain (Level 5) as Tribute¡ªbringing their combined Levels beyond 11!"


    [Summoning of the Guardian Heroic Spirits ¨C FATE]


    As Hoshino raised their card in response to the descending storm of light, their crimson eyes began to change¡ªshifting into the radiant, emerald hue of a flawless gemstone.


    "¡ªRitual Summon! Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon!"


    "Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon?!"


    Both Dartz and Yugi could feel the overwhelming presence of the ruler descending within the storm of radiance¡ªan existence distinct from humanity, one that approached divinity itself.


    Through the storm''s brilliance, golden hair swept past an immaculate face. Riding atop the white warhorse Dun Stallion, clad in silver-white armor and a pure white fur-lined cape, Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon emerged. Her emerald eyes, devoid of any discernible emotion, mirrored those of Hoshino.


    [Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 11)][LIGHT] [Fairy/Ritual/Effect][ATK 3500/DEF 3000]


    [This card is also treated as a "Heroic Spirit ¨C Knight of the Round Table" card. It cannot be Special Summoned unless Ritual Summoned from the hand using at least 1 "Knight of the Round Table" monster on your field.]


    "King of distant Atlantis¡ªyou who claim to have seen the corruption and ugliness within the human heart¡ªdid you never recognize the hidden light of hope within it? The darkness you seek to cast over the world will be shattered by my spear!"


    Dartz''s gaze sharpened.


    "Oh? Interesting¡­ So, Lion King, you too have acknowledged the inescapable corruption within humanity''s soul. If both darkness and light exist within the human heart¡ªthen let us see, once and for all, which side is stronger!"


    "I activate the effect of Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon!"


    Hoshino''s voice carried newfound majesty, as though they themselves had been consumed by the divinity of the Lion King.


    [¢Ù: When this card is Ritual Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Knight of the Round Table" monster from your Deck.]


    "Knights of the Round Table! Answer my call!!"


    Hoshino retrieved two cards from their Deck, setting one onto the field while adding the other to their hand.


    "Due to Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon''s effect, I Special Summon Heroic Spirit ¨C Knight of the Round Table Tristan! And then, I activate the effect of Agravain, who was just sent to the Graveyard¡ª"


    [If this card is sent to the GY: You can target 1 "Knight of the Round Table" monster in your GY; add it to your hand.]


    "With Agravain''s effect, I return Heroic Spirit ¨C Knight of the Round Table Mordred to my hand! Now, the Round Table is complete!!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Knight of the Round Table Tristan ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1900/DEF 2000]


    Rebecca analyzed the situation.


    "Even with the Lion King''s attack power, it''s impossible to clear all of Dartz''s 20,000 ATK in a single turn. Could it be that Hoshino plans to win by overwhelming him with numbers?"


    Yugi glanced at Hoshino with concern.


    "That won''t work, Hoshino. Attacking in numbers alone won''t be enough to break through Dartz''s Seal! Because of Orichalcos Sacrificer, Dartz can repeatedly Tribute it to activate his Field Spell''s effect and destroy attacking monsters!"


    "Heh... Don''t forget, Yugi¡ªI was also chosen by the Legendary Dragons!"


    With a confident smirk, Hoshino played the card they had drawn at the start of their turn. A furious dragon''s roar echoed across the field, awakening the dormant power within their Knights of the Round Table.


    "This turn, I shall harness the power of Kaiba, of Yugi, and of Jonouchi¡ªthe combined strength of legend gathered here! Come forth, The Claw of Hermos!"


    A crimson dragon materialized, soaring through the sky, its earth-shaking roar resonating with the power within Hoshino''s deck.


    "The effect of The Claw of Hermos can awaken a hidden power within my monsters, transforming them into a brand-new form and equipping them with legendary might!"


    Hoshino lifted Mordred and Tristan high into the air. Bathed in the power of the Legendary Dragon, their forms fused, reshaping into a weapon that could shatter the very earth and pierce the heavens¡ªa brilliant holy lance, impaling the floor beside the Lion King.


    "Go forth, Legendary Dragon, Hermos! Fusion Summon! Awaken the miracle of my Noble Phantasm¡ªRhongomyniad, The Lance That Shines to the End of the World!!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 328 - 328

    "Awaken, miraculous Noble Phantasm¡ªRhongomyniad!!"


    [Rhongomyniad ¨C The Lance That Shines to the End of the World ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][LIGHT][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 0]


    ["Claw of Hermos" + 1 or more "Knight of the Round Table" monsters]


    A dazzling light engulfed the field as Mokuba turned toward the scene, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    "Fusion into an Equip Card?! I didn''t even know that was possible, Hoshino..."


    Hoshino''s expression remained steady as she raised her arm high.


    "This is the power of the Claw of Hermos¡ªthe crimson blood of Britannia, reborn! Draw your lance, Lion King!!"


    [¢Ù: When this card is Special Summoned: You can target 1 "Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon" on the field; equip this card to that target.]


    "Holy lance, releasing restraints!"


    A silver-armored hand reached out, grasping the lance embedded in the battlefield. In that moment, it was as if the weapon had always been a part of her. The Lion King clutched the shaft tightly, her divine radiance fusing seamlessly with the brilliant lance in her grasp.


    "Rhongomyniad''s effect¡ªThe equipped monster gains 500 ATK for each ''Knight of the Round Table'' monster used as Fusion Material! Since I used Mordred and Tristan, the Lion King gains 1000 ATK!"


    [Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon ATK 3500 ¡ú 4500]


    Dartz scoffed at the sight, forcing himself to maintain his composure.


    "A mere 1000 ATK boost? Against my Orichalcos Shunoros, that''s laughable! If this is your so-called ''Lion King,'' what a joke!"


    But Hoshino''s emerald eyes gleamed with certainty. Slowly, she raised her hand and pointed toward the sky. Unbeknownst to Dartz, the enclosed ruins and the ceiling of the Seal had already transformed into an endless, brilliant sky, erasing the darkness of The Great Leviathan.


    "Attack, Lion King ¨C Artoria! Use your lance to shatter this Seal!"


    High above, the Lion King leaped into the sky, her sacred lance raised to its peak. An overwhelming energy gathered in her grasp, prepared to tear through the heavens and sunder the earth.


    Dartz''s gaze sharpened as he activated the Orichalcos Field at his feet, motioning toward his backrow.


    "Na?ve! I won''t let you attack so easily! I activate ''Orichalcos Tritos''! By releasing ''Orichalcos Sacrificer'' on my field, I nullify your attack and destroy your monster!"


    A deep blue seal manifested above Dartz, surging to intercept the descending judgment¡ªbut the Lion King showed no hesitation.


    "¡ªThis lance is the phosphorescence of the stars, the radiance at the world''s end! Nothing can stop it!!"


    As the sacred light clashed against the Orichalcos Seal, the barrier shattered like a fractured mirror, overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of the descending judgment.


    Amid the glowing fragments and cascading radiance, Hoshino made her declaration.


    "Rhongomyniad''s effect¡ªWhile the equipped monster is battling, my opponent cannot activate Spell or Trap Card effects! Your Orichalcos cannot trigger before the sacred lance!!"


    The battlefield trembled, but Dartz remained undeterred. A sinister smirk crossed his lips as he commanded his God-Idol''s left arm:


    "Then let your so-called ''divine judgment'' be blocked by my absolute defense¡ªOrichalcos Aristeros!"


    [Orichalcos Aristeros''s effect: When an opponent''s monster declares an attack, change the attack target to this card, and its DEF becomes equal to the ATK of the attacking monster + 300 during the Damage Step only.]


    [Orichalcos Aristeros DEF 4800]


    The sacred lance, its light capable of piercing the sky itself, struck against the metallic arm of Aristeros. Sparks rained down across the battlefield.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3100 ¡ú 2800]


    Seeing that he had successfully defended against the strike, Dartz exhaled and began to applaud mockingly.


    "Not bad, not bad! Hoshino, your strongest attack actually managed to pierce my Seal and strike my Shunoros. That''s quite the feat! But as a reward, the value absorbed by my Aristeros from blocking the Lion King''s attack will now be deducted from my Shunoros''s ATK."


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 20300 ¡ú 15500]


    Yugi clenched his fist.


    "Even if Hoshino bypassed the Seal, the difference in attack power is still too large! The damage from that slight reduction will just be restored on Dartz''s next turn through ''Orichalcos Energy Recharge''..."


    Dartz sneered.


    "Exactly, Yugi! If that was your all-out counterattack, then I can only say¡ª"


    But before he could finish his sentence, Hoshino smirked. Her emerald-green fingertips traced a glowing arc through the air before swiftly slicing downward¡ªsignaling the next strike from above.


    "¡ªLion King! Judgment, Second Strike!!"


    "A radiance blooming at the world''s end... that which rends the heavens and connects the earth!!"


    Following Hoshino''s command, the Lion King soared high once more, unleashing another devastating wave of sacred light upon the battlefield. The second strike crashed down, colliding with the defending Aristeros.


    "Impossible?!"


    Dartz, moments ago basking in his own confidence, was visibly shaken by the unexpected second attack.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2800 ¡ú 2500]


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 15500 ¡ú 10700]


    "This is Rhongomyniad''s true power!!"


    Hoshino turned toward the now-staggered Dartz, her voice brimming with absolute certainty.


    "A ''Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon'' equipped with the sacred lance can attack a number of times per Battle Phase equal to the total number of ''Knight of the Round Table'' monsters on the field and in the Graveyard!"


    Dartz''s eyes widened in shock.


    "S-She can do that?!"


    The once-overconfident king of Atlantis now stood frozen in disbelief.


    "At last... I''ve finally seen that expression from you."


    Having endured Jonouchi and Kaiba''s sacrifices, Hoshino had reached this moment. Beneath her now-expressionless face¡ªunshakable in the presence of the Lion King''s divine will¡ªburned an unwavering fury.


    "On my field and in my Graveyard, including the Lion King herself, there are seven ''Knight of the Round Table'' monsters! So tell me, Dartz¡ªhow many times can you block this?!¡ªLion King, Judgment, Third Strike!!"


    As if endowed with limitless magical energy, the Lion King had fully transcended into divinity. Wielding the sacred lance, she unleashed her radiance again. A third impact shattered the battlefield, shaking Dartz to his core. His once-proud demeanor crumbled beneath the relentless assault.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2500 ¡ú 2200]


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 10,700 ¡ú 5,900]


    "Impossible! My Shunoros is actually being completely overpowered!"


    "I won''t give you another chance to replenish its attack power! I told you¡ªI will completely destroy Shunoros this turn! Judgment, Fourth Strike! Go forth, Lion King!!"


    Once again, the battlefield was engulfed by the radiant brilliance of the Holy Lance. Each successive attack surged with even greater intensity, shaking the very foundations of Dartz''s domain. The dazzling energy swept through Hoshino''s silver-white hair, illuminating it with a golden glow, as if she had ascended beyond mortality.


    "Hoshino¡­ Hoshino, she¡­" Mokuba watched in stunned awe from the sidelines, barely able to find his words. "Right now, she looks just like a goddess!!"


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 2200 ¡ú 1900]


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 5,900 ¡ú 1,400]


    After enduring four consecutive strikes, the once-majestic Orichalcos Shunoros¡ªan entity brimming with solemnity and overwhelming might¡ªnow flickered weakly. Its enormous, oval-shaped eyes dimmed erratically, its energy nearly depleted.


    "Prepare yourself, Dartz! This is the final attack¡ªJudgment!"


    Hoshino extended her arm toward the sky, calling forth the decisive strike. "Finish it, Lion King!"


    In response, unlike the previous attacks that had torn through the heavens, the Lion King, Artoria Pendragon, surged downward. Atop her steed, she became one with the sacred lance, her descent wrapped in a luminous trail¡ªan unyielding pillar of light, a beacon of divine retribution ready to pierce through the battlefield itself.


    "Light, be released from the ends of the world! Split the heavens and tether the earth¡ªanchor of the storm! Rhongomyniad!!"


    The Holy Lance''s final, full-powered strike obliterated Dartz''s defenses. It tore through Orichalcos Aristeros, shattered the last vestiges of Shunoros''s waning strength, and ruptured the ground beneath Orichalcos Tritos.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 1900 ¡ú 1600]


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ATK 1,400 ¡ú 0]


    With Shunoros''s attack power reduced to zero, it was instantly destroyed. And, as a consequence, the two arms summoned through its effect¡ªAristeros and Dexia¡ªwere obliterated as well.


    [Orichalcos Shunoros ¨C Destroyed]


    [Orichalcos Aristeros ¨C Destroyed]


    [Orichalcos Dexia ¨C Destroyed] S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I have fulfilled my vow from the last turn¡ªto completely annihilate your Shunoros! And now, Dartz, all that remains is you!"


    After unleashing five consecutive attacks, the Lion King landed gracefully, her divine radiance undiminished. The Holy Lance now pointed directly at Dartz''s last two remaining monsters¡ªBlue-Eyes White Dragon and Orichalcos Sacrificer.


    Yet, instead of despair, Dartz burst into laughter¡ªwild, unhinged laughter. His eyes glowed with manic fervor as he stared at Hoshino, whose very presence now radiated an aura of divinity.


    "Hahahaha¡­ Hahahaha!! Hoshino, do you truly intend to replace me? To surpass the Orichalcos and become this world''s new god?! You are far too na?ve! As long as darkness lingers in the hearts of humanity, the Orichalcos will never die!"


    Hoshino remained unfazed. "I don''t want to be a god. Nor do I seek to control the fate of humanity or this world. My only purpose here¡­ is to fight for the will of humanity. To defeat you!"


    "Even now, with that power in your grasp, you still cling to such foolish ideals?!" Dartz''s voice dripped with disdain. "You would rather waste such strength on defending this corrupt, dying world?! Then drown in your delusions, Hoshino!"


    In a frenzied motion, he grabbed the remaining monsters on his Duel Disk¡ªincluding those that had not yet been destroyed¡ªand sent them all to the Graveyard.


    "The effect of Orichalcos Shunoros¡ªwhen this card is destroyed, if my Life Points are 10,000 or more, I can activate its effect! I send all my monsters on the field and in my hand to the Graveyard, set my Life Points to 0¡­ and then I Special Summon one ''Divine Serpent Geh'' from my Deck!"


    [Dartz LP 13,300 ¡ú 0]


    "Divine Serpent Geh?" Yugi''s sharp eyes narrowed as the oppressive aura spread across the battlefield. "So that was Dartz''s true trump card all along?"


    Dartz drew a single card from his Deck and slammed it onto the field with absolute conviction.


    "Behold, legendary Duelists! Witness the ultimate embodiment of Orichalcos¡ªthe avatar of the abyss, the serpent god that is the Orichalcos itself! Special Summon¡ªDivine Serpent Geh!!"


    [Divine Serpent Geh ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 12)][DARK][Reptile/Effect][ATK: ¡Þ DEF: ¡Þ]


    From the depths of darkness, an incomprehensibly massive serpent emerged. It ripped through the remnants of the Orichalcos Seal, its presence consuming the battlefield in an ominous, suffocating aura.


    As the beast slithered forward, the holy radiance of the Lion King and the Holy Lance began to waver.


    Mokuba''s voice cracked in outrage. "Infinite attack and defense power?! What kind of cheat is this?! That''s ridiculous!!"


    Trembling from the suffocating pressure, Rebecca stammered, "But¡­ but Dartz''s Life Points are already zero¡­ Shouldn''t he have lost instantly?"


    Shrouded in shadow, Dartz let out a slow, cold chuckle. "Heh¡­ As long as Divine Serpent Geh is on the field, even if my Life Points are at zero, I cannot lose!"


    Hoshino''s gaze remained unwavering. "Then all I have to do is slay that monster. That should finally put an end to this, Dartz."


    Seeing her unwavering resolve, Dartz''s fury exploded. "This time, I will shatter your confidence!! Just you wait, Hoshino! You have no more means of attack¡ªit''s my turn! Draw!"


    Now having locked his Life Points at zero and forcibly ended Hoshino''s turn, Dartz launched a counteroffensive with the infinite might of Divine Serpent Geh.


    "Devour everything, Divine Serpent Geh! That infinite power represents the darkness lurking within all mankind!"


    From the gaping maw of the colossal serpent, a swirling black mist surged forward¡ªthe embodiment of absolute despair. Anything it touched withered instantly, its very existence erased.


    But Hoshino did not falter. She raised her hand high, unwavering in the face of the abyss.


    "If your attack symbolizes the darkness within humanity¡­ then my counterattack is the exact opposite¡ªthe unyielding hope that shines throughout history, guiding mankind toward the future!"


    The moment the black mist surged toward her, the Lion King, Artoria Pendragon, remained steadfast. At the tip of her Holy Lance, a barrier of radiant light unfolded¡ªdefying the oncoming abyss.


    Standing beside her, their forms emerging like phantoms from the past, were six valiant figures¡ªBedivere, Gawain, Lancelot, Tristan, Agravain, and Mordred.


    Yugi''s eyes widened in disbelief. "The Knights of the Round Table¡­ But why?"


    "I activate the effect of my Trap Card¡ªKnights of the Round Table¡ªin my Graveyard!" Hoshino declared. "When ''Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon'' is attacked, I can banish six ''Knights of the Round Table'' from my Graveyard to activate its effect!"


    "King of Atlantis, watch closely! This is the power of the Knights who vanquish darkness!"


    In the hands of the Lion King, the holy spear shone brighter than ever before. The radiance, once suppressed by the overwhelming darkness of Divine Serpent Geh, now surged forth once more, breaking through its limits. It pierced through despair, defied destruction, and reclaimed the battlefield.


    "¡ªRhongomyniad, Seals Released! Pillar of Light that upholds the world''s surface, reveal your true form!"


    [Knights of the Round Table ¨C Trap Effect ¢Ú: If "Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon" is targeted for an attack while this card is in your GY: You can banish 6 "Knights of the Round Table" monsters from your GY; until the end of this turn, "Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon" gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of all monsters your opponent controls.]


    "Due to the effect of Knights of the Round Table, the Lion King''s attack power rises by the total attack power of Divine Serpent Geh!"


    [Lion King ¨C Artoria Pendragon ATK 4500 ¡ú ¡Þ]


    Dartz staggered backward, his expression contorting in disbelief. "Her attack power... has reached infinity?!"


    But Hoshino pressed forward mercilessly. "Though both possess infinite attack power, the Lion King''s ability prevents her from being destroyed in battle! Which means the only one truly doomed to destruction... is your so-called manifestation of human darkness!"


    The sacred spear, now fully unleashed, illuminated the abyss. The "Pillar of Light", capable of encompassing all that exists, reappeared in the heart of this corrupted domain. At its core, the Lion King''s right hand glowed with an unparalleled radiance, gathering all of the boundless light into a single, condensed point¡ªtransforming into the light of the world''s end.


    "It''s over, Dartz! The embodiment of human darkness¡ªDivine Serpent Geh¡ªwill be vanquished by this light of hope! Counterattack, Lion King! This is the final strike that will save the world!"


    "¡ªFinal Judgment! Vanish into the light of the world''s end!"


    The Lion King, fully merged with the sacred spear goddess Rhongomyniad, unleashed her ultimate, unrestrained strike. "Rhongomyniad" pierced through the abyss, obliterating all traces of the darkness that had taken form on Dartz''s field.


    [Divine Serpent Geh ¨C Destroyed]


    [Dartz¡ªDefeated.]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 329 - 329

    "They won! Since Dartz was only surviving by relying on Divine Serpent Geh, he should be completely finished now!"


    Beyond the crumbling barrier, the three spectators cheered excitedly, unable to contain their joy.


    Yugi smiled at Hoshino. "You did an incredible job, Hoshino! Now, our friends¡ªand this entire world¡ªare saved!"


    As the duel disk''s projection faded, so did the divine assimilation of the Lion King. The golden hue that had overtaken Hoshino''s silver-white hair, tinted by the Holy Light particles, gradually faded, returning to its original color. Her emerald-green eyes also regained their natural shade.


    "So¡­ we actually saved the world? It doesn''t feel real at all~"


    Hoshino picked up the still-glowing Lion King card from her duel disk, but something nagged at her¡ªa lingering unease, as if she had forgotten something important.


    BOOM!!!


    A massive black shadow crashed into the ruins, and in that instant, Hoshino realized what she had overlooked.


    "¡ªThe Great Leviathan!"


    If Divine Serpent Geh had already been colossal¡ªso large that it nearly filled half the battlefield¡ªthen The Great Leviathan, whose semi-transparent, shadowy body now loomed over them, utterly shattered any previous concept of "gigantic."


    The impact was so overwhelming that, from Hoshino''s perspective, it didn''t feel like the serpent had invaded the ruins. Rather, it felt as if the ruins themselves¡ªlike stars being consumed by the void¡ªwere being swallowed into the Leviathan''s monstrous form.


    "What the hell is happening now?!"


    Struggling to maintain her balance, Hoshino voiced her exasperation. Inside The Great Leviathan, the familiar scenery vanished entirely. Even the ground beneath her feet lost its substance, as if she were plunging into an abyss of darkness.


    In the boundless void, the only sound piercing the eerie silence was Dartz''s chilling, manic laughter¡ªa sound so unhinged, it sent shivers down their spines.


    "Hoshino!"


    Amidst the confusion, Yugi steadied himself and reached out toward her. The Millennium Puzzle on his chest radiated an eye-searing golden light, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding darkness.


    "Yugi!"


    Acting on instinct, Hoshino extended her right hand. In this overwhelming darkness, the golden glow of the Millennium Puzzle was the only visible beacon¡ªthe only thing she could orient herself by.


    The moment their fingers made contact, the golden energy intensified exponentially. Expanding outward from Hoshino and Yugi, the brilliant light slowly pushed back the surrounding darkness.


    As the scenery reassembled, the sensation of free-falling vanished, and at last, solid ground returned beneath their feet.


    "Where¡­ are we?"


    But what unfolded before them was beyond comprehension.


    The sealed ruins from earlier were gone. In their place stood an enormous, open space, filled with crumbling ancient structures¡ªruins that seemed to belong to an era long forgotten.


    From the rolling waves ahead, Dartz''s voice echoed once more.


    "This is Atlantis, the legendary empire! What you now behold is the end of the world as it was ten thousand years ago."


    "Dartz! You lost the duel, and you still refuse to give up?!"


    Seeing Dartz still standing, Hoshino angrily shouted toward the sea.


    "This is my contingency plan. If I cannot claim the souls of the legendary duelists through a duel¡­ then I shall offer my own soul to the Orichalcos and complete the final step of its resurrection!"


    "Ugh¡­ where are we?!"


    Weak groans came from Mokuba and the others. Having failed to stabilize themselves in the void, they had crashed to the ground. After a brief moment of unconsciousness, they slowly regained their senses.


    Surprisingly, Kaiba, whose soul had been sealed during the duel, also awakened.


    "Yugi, Hoshino?!"


    Though slightly disoriented, Kaiba quickly pieced together the situation upon seeing them still standing.


    "Hmph. So you really didn''t disappoint me¡ªyou won the duel. Now, where the hell are we?"


    "You''re alive again! That''s great!"


    Relieved to see Kaiba back, Hoshino felt a surge of reassurance¡ªtheir combat strength had slightly recovered, though Dartz''s next scheme remained unknown.


    Yugi furrowed his brows slightly. "Dartz just claimed this is Atlantis from ten thousand years ago... Could it be that we''ve been transported back in time?"


    At that moment, a circular seal unfolded before them, and from within stepped a white-haired boy, hands tucked into the pockets of his shorts.


    "This is Atlantis. But it''s not ten thousand years ago."


    His gaze was calm as he explained.


    "To be precise, this is a manifestation of the Orichalcos God''s consciousness¡ªan illusory world that never should have existed."


    Hoshino stared at the boy in shock.


    "Even you came back to life? I was fighting that duel thinking I''d be avenging you!"


    Scratching his head, the boy¡ªShota Dartz¡ªglanced at Hoshino with a complicated expression.


    "I thought I was dead for sure. I mean, I even blurted out ''oh SHIT'' at the end¡ªtotally out of character for me. But¡­ turns out that guy saved me."


    "That guy?"


    "¡ªIt''s coming!"


    Yugi, who had been watching the sea, suddenly shouted. His voice cut off Hoshino''s question as the ocean''s turbulent waves suddenly froze¡ªa stillness so unnatural, it was as if time itself had stopped.


    Anyone could tell¡ªthis was the brief calm before the storm.


    "ROOOOAAAARR!!!"


    A nightmarish roar shattered the ocean''s surface. Water spiraled into towering, dragon-shaped torrents as an unimaginable force ascended.


    Having absorbed Dartz''s soul, The Great Leviathan had amassed enough power. Rising from the ocean, it was no longer a mere shadowy silhouette but a terrifying, fully-formed colossal entity.


    A massive serpent with an abyssal black dragon''s head.


    Its gigantic body coiled in the sky, eclipsing the entire ocean beneath it.


    A presence that dwarfed any monster they had ever encountered. A divine being whose oppressive might stood at the pinnacle of all existence.


    "W-Wait a second¡­ This is totally unfair."


    Hoshino''s lips twitched.


    She had thought that Divine Serpent Geh, obliterated by the full power of the Lion King, was the pinnacle of darkness.


    But compared to this...


    That thing was barely even its tail.


    Shota Dartz''s expression darkened.


    "Hoshino¡­ while I was gone, that guy told me something important. It might just be the key to deciding the outcome of this battle."


    Even Shota Dartz seemed taken aback by Dartz''s willingness to sacrifice himself for the Orichalcos God''s resurrection.


    "Ten thousand years ago, the last of Atlantis''s royal family fought alongside the Legendary Dragons in a desperate final stand to save the world."


    He locked eyes with Hoshino.


    "¡ªSo do you know why you were chosen as the fourth Legendary Duelist?"


    "Eh? Are you saying I wasn''t chosen because of my outstanding dueling skills?"


    Shota Dartz''s statement was so abrupt that Hoshino momentarily struggled to process it. Besides, if even Jonouchi could be chosen, then she definitely met the qualifications to be a Legendary Duelist.


    Pressing his forehead, Shota Dartz sighed. "No, no! I''ve already explained before¡ªonly three Duelists can be chosen by the Legendary Dragons. You weren''t selected¡ªyou were born with the power to command them."


    "Enough talk! The attack is coming!"


    Although Kaiba was also curious about the revelation regarding Hoshino, he prioritized the immediate danger. Seeing the enormous Leviathan''s head drawing closer, he opted to issue a warning instead.


    Already in battle stance, Yugi swiftly drew a card. "Let''s counterattack! If we combine our strength, even that thing can be defeated!"


    "Come forth¡ªDark Magician!"


    "Reveal your imperial majesty¡ªBlue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    "Then I''ll call on my ace¡ªOkita-san!"


    The three signature monsters burst forth from their Duel Disks, surging toward the Leviathan with unrelenting force.


    However, trying to fight the supreme deity of this world with mere Duel Monsters was clearly futile. Dark Magician and Blue-Eyes White Dragon¡ªpowerful as they were¡ªlasted less than a second under the Leviathan''s murderous gaze before being obliterated.


    Okita, on the other hand, sensed the incoming devastation and swiftly utilized Shukuchi, retreating just in time to avoid the destructive shockwave.


    Reappearing beside Hoshino, Okita wore an uncharacteristically serious expression. "Master, forget fighting it¡ªwe can''t even get close! I''ve never faced an opponent this troublesome before!"


    "Are you sure it''s not just that you''re too weak, Okita-san?"


    Hoshino nearly blurted out the question, but seeing how even Yugi''s and Kaiba''s ace monsters had been wiped out instantly, she knew the problem wasn''t with Okita¡ªit was with the opponent itself.


    Shota Dartz added grimly, "It''s useless. Regular Duel Monsters can counter Orichalcos creatures, but the Leviathan is on an entirely different level! The only force capable of affecting it in this world is the power of the Legendary Dragons!"


    "The power of the Legendary Dragons, huh? In that case¡­"


    Realizing there was no alternative, the three Duelists instinctively drew their cards and slammed them onto their Duel Disks in unison.


    "Go forth¡ªThe Eye of Timaeus!"


    "Descend¡ªThe Fang of Critias!"


    "Take it down¡ªThe Claw of Hermos!"


    "ROAR!!" x3


    Three deafening dragon roars echoed across the battlefield as the Legendary Dragons emerged, fusing with their respective Duel Monsters to assume new, more powerful forms.


    Holding the Dark Magician Girl card aloft, Yugi called out, "The Eye of Timaeus¡ªmanifest a miracle and carve out hope! Fusion Summon¡ª[Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight]!"


    Dark Magician Girl''s magician robes transformed into a silver knight''s armor. Gripping a longsword, she leaped onto Timaeus''s back, prepared for battle.


    "Attack, Dark Magician Girl the Dragon Knight¡ªDragon Slash!!"


    "Oooooooh!!"


    With a sharp battle cry, the silver longsword sliced through the air, releasing a blinding arc of energy that slashed across the Leviathan''s dark scales¡ªleaving behind a glaring wound.


    "It worked!" Honda cheered from the sidelines.


    "GRAAAAH!!"


    The Leviathan let out an enraged, guttural roar. A jet-black energy beam began condensing in its mouth before it fired directly at the Dragon Knight.


    "Leave this to me and the Fang of Critias! Support me, Yugi!"


    Taking a step forward, Kaiba crossed the Legendary Dragon card in his hand with the Trap Card Mirror Force that Yugi had drawn.


    "Become a divine shield and reflect the destruction of darkness! Fusion Summon¡ª[Mirror Force Dragon]!"


    Now infused with divine energy, the dragon''s entire body turned into a smooth, reflective surface. Spreading its wings, it positioned itself between the Dragon Knight and the Leviathan''s attack.


    The barrier-like wings absorbed the incoming black energy before instantly dispersing and reflecting it. The dark beam shattered into a rain of black projectiles that rained down upon the Leviathan''s massive serpentine body.


    The combined damage¡ªblade wounds from earlier, followed by the reflected energy¡ªmade the Leviathan tremble for the first time. It no longer seemed as invincible as before.


    "A weakness has finally appeared! Now''s our chance, Okita-san!"


    Spinning the newly drawn card between her fingertips, Hoshino activated the burning power of fire, resonating with the mysterious force of The Claw of Hermos.


    "Lend us your power, Nobu! From a distant land, the eternally burning sword of the Demon King! Fusion Summon¡ª[Beyond the Aeons]!"


    Combining the Oda Nobunaga card with The Claw of Hermos, Hoshino used the dragon''s power to awaken a new force¡ªmanifesting in a brand-new form.


    A sword, burning eternally in a distant wasteland, shattered the bonds of space and time, appearing once more.


    "Take this, Okita! Wield this sword, forged from Nobu''s very essence, and slice through the darkness!!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh! Understood, Master! This time, I''ll definitely succeed!"


    Leaping high into the air, the slender and agile Okita caught the burning sword mid-flight.


    "So strong¡­ I can feel it. This is the power drawn forth by Nobu!"


    Suspended in midair with the blazing sword in hand, even Okita''s usual green haori had transformed into the Sixth Heaven Demon King''s crimson robes.


    "Go, Okita-san! Roast that giant snake for me!"


    With morale at its peak and the Leviathan finally showing signs of vulnerability, Hoshino commanded the finishing strike.


    Raising the sword before her eyes, Okita dashed forward, seemingly stepping through thin air. The unparalleled sword genius¡ªnow wielding a blade beyond myth¡ªunleashed an unfathomable secret technique.


    "First step¡ªswifter than sound...!"


    With each step, Okita''s silhouette momentarily disappeared.


    "Second step¡ªeternal suffering..."


    The fiery blade''s trajectory flickered, appearing as though segments of reality had been cut away by sheer speed.


    "Third step¡ªthe absolute sword!!"


    Yet, this did not hinder the execution of the three-stage thrust. The First Thrust, Second Thrust, and Third Thrust overlapped in perfect synchrony, distorting the very fabric of space.


    Piercing directly into the Leviathan''s head, the attacks ignited the wounds inflicted by Yugi''s and Kaiba''s previous assaults.


    At the exact moment and exact location, the compounded three-stage thrust exploded upon impact.


    "¡ªMumy¨­, Sandanzuki!!!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 330 - 330

    "¡ªMumy¨­, Sandanzuki!!!!"


    Okita''s triple-thrust attack pierced through the Leviathan''s head, the force ripping down its spine and into the sea behind it. The ensuing fiery explosion painted the sky in a brilliance that outshone even the most dazzling energy blasts.


    "Yeah! Even without a swimsuit, Okita-san still claims a great victory!"


    Descending gracefully, Okita landed with her crimson haori fluttering in the wind. She even flashed a V-sign toward Hoshino.


    "This is Okita-san''s ultimate form¡ªDemon King Ver. 2.0! A spectacular light show that puts those so-called ace monsters to shame!"


    Hoshino shifted her gaze toward the dissipating black mist, watching the Leviathan''s remains scatter into nothingness. "Dartz must have perished alongside it. A fitting end for him."


    But Shota Dartz shook his head. "It''s not that simple. The Leviathan feeds on the darkness of this world. In other words¡­"


    "¡­as long as darkness exists, the Leviathan is immortal and will keep reviving!"


    From within the swirling black mist, Dartz''s eerie voice echoed once more. The colossal serpent, which had been reduced to ashes by Okita''s attack, began reconstructing itself at an unnatural speed, as if time itself had reversed.


    "No matter how many times you destroy it, it''s useless. Ten thousand years ago, the Legendary Dragons failed. And ten thousand years later, they are still powerless to save this world."


    Within the Leviathan''s reforming body, Dartz could be seen fusing with its dark scales. The exposed half of his body had already transformed into something grotesquely inhuman.


    "So this is what you''ve been striving for?" Hoshino sneered. "Not only has your heart been consumed by darkness, but even your body has succumbed to it. You are unworthy of being called a king!"


    With a sharp motion, she drew three cards in quick succession.


    "You think you can dictate this world''s fate without the resolve of a true king? What a joke!"


    A golden light flared, and the figures on her newly drawn cards materialized onto the battlefield.


    "Hoshino, even the power of the Legendary Dragons couldn''t defeat the Orichalcos God. No matter how many monsters you summon, they won''t even leave a scratch on its divine form!"


    "Is that so, you mongrel?"


    A barrage of golden Noble Phantasms rained down, piercing straight through the Leviathan''s body. Thunderclaps roared in their wake as the very sky trembled beneath the rolling sound of divine chariot wheels.


    "LALALALALA! Via Expugnatio!!"


    With a thunderous battle cry, the King of Conquerors charged forth on his chariot. The violet lightning trailing behind him crashed into the Leviathan''s black horns with divine force.


    CRACK¡ª!


    The massive horn shattered instantly. The Leviathan''s supposed invulnerability crumbled¡ªnot only under the sheer force of the Noble Phantasms but also due to the divine lightning imbued with Zeus'' authority. The combined onslaught broke through its defenses.


    "Impossible! How could mere Duel Monsters, without the power of the Legendary Dragons, harm the great Orichalcos God?!"


    "Hahahaha! Impossible? When a Pharaoh stands on this earth, nothing is impossible!"


    From both the sky and the sea, two colossal pyramid-like temples materialized. With overwhelming force, they crashed down upon the Leviathan, striking precisely at its weak point¡ªits vital seven-inch spot. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Strike the serpent at its weak point¡ªRamesseum Tentyris!!"


    As expected of the Pharaoh¡ªhe had even mastered this practical little technique!


    Standing before Hoshino were three mighty figures: Gilgamesh, Ozymandias, and Iskandar, each exuding an aura of absolute kingship. They gazed down upon the writhing Leviathan and the grotesquely deformed Dartz, who had lost all remnants of humanity.


    "Dartz, this is the difference in the caliber of a true king! You who abandoned your people and destroyed Atlantis with your own hands lost the right to be called a king long ago!"


    Shota Dartz hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice tinged with something akin to admiration. "Incredible, Hoshino. You managed to shake the mightiest god of Orichalcos without even relying on the Legendary Dragons. That guy was right to place his hope in you."


    Hoshino frowned, irritation creeping into her voice. "That guy, that guy¡ªyou keep mentioning ''that guy'' over and over. Who the hell are you talking about?!"


    Dartz faltered, realization dawning upon him. He had been taking it for granted all this time, only now noticing that Hoshino had no idea who he was referring to.


    "The other Dartz¡ªthe one who saw through your Dartz''s plan to consume and absorb others. The one who fled to another world long ago. There, he took on a different name¡­ Hoshino Ryuichi."


    For a brief moment, Hoshino''s mind went blank. "Wait¡­ that name sounds familiar. Hoshino¡­ Ryuichi¡­"


    "He''s your dad!"


    "No way! My old man looks nothing like Dartz, aside from the hair color!"


    If her father and Dartz were the same person, she should have recognized the resemblance immediately upon meeting him.


    "Ryuichi abandoned his original name, appearance, and status when he fled this world, seeking a fresh start in another."


    "So you''re telling me¡­ I ended up here because my old man dragged me into this mess?!"


    Shota Dartz shook his head, looking at the dumbfounded Hoshino with a newfound seriousness.


    "No. The other world has no Orichalcos. Ryuichi, who only wanted to live in peace, could never have imagined that his own daughter would one day stand here, battling against the very darkness of this planet¡ªthe Orichalcos God."


    Hoshino furrowed her brows, puffing her cheeks in frustration. "Then why didn''t my dad just use his power to send me back to my original world sooner?!"


    "Because Ryuichi is gambling." Dartz''s expression grew heavier. "Whether it''s me, Dartz, or Ryuichi, we are all just lingering remnants of this world¡ªlike the undead of a bygone era. Ryuichi is betting on whether your arrival here was a mere accident¡­ or if, as the last surviving Atlantean, you were always meant to bear this destiny, Hoshino!"


    Hoshino''s breath hitched. "So¡­ I''m the last Atlantean in this world?"


    "There''s no time to hesitate, Hoshino!"


    Observing the Leviathan preparing another attack, Kaiba swiftly commanded Mirror Force Dragon to shield Hoshino.


    "Whether you''re Atlantean or not, right now, you stand here as one of the Duelists fighting against the darkness!"


    Just as Hoshino reeled from the revelation of her father''s true identity, the Leviathan, having recovered from the Three Kings'' assault, once again began gathering energy.


    "So even if we land a hit, we still can''t change the fact that this thing is immortal?" Kaiba commanded Mirror Force Dragon to take a defensive stance, its transparent wing membranes spreading wide in preparation for impact.


    But this time, Mirror Force Dragon failed to absorb and reflect the attack as it had before. The Leviathan''s energy blast, laced with an eerie miasma, instantly unraveled the fusion between Critias'' Fang and the Trap Card Mirror Force upon contact.


    "It can even counter our defense? Tch¡ªthis thing may look like an overgrown snake, but it really is a god¡­"


    If their opponent were just a mindless beast, then even if it could endlessly revive, their side wouldn''t be in too much danger as long as they could hold the line.


    But, of course, things were never that simple. The Leviathan clearly possessed intelligence. By targeting their defenses directly, it had forcibly severed the Legendary Dragon''s fusion¡ªeliminating their only means of countering its attack.


    "Kaiba, look out!"


    Yugi''s warning came just as the Leviathan''s energy blast tore through Mirror Force Dragon.


    "In the name of the Sun God¡ªMesektet!"


    At the last moment, a massive solar barge erupted from the solid ground, lifting Kaiba and the others high into the air, barely avoiding the Leviathan''s attack. The shockwave from the blast grazed the ship''s stern, causing it to tremble violently.


    "Are you alright, old man? A human body isn''t suited for standing at the front lines," Ozymandias remarked, floating beside the vessel as he turned to Kaiba.


    "Wait¡­" Hoshino furrowed her brows, staring at Ozymandias in confusion. "Did you just call Kaiba old man? Does he really look that old?"


    Sure, Kaiba always had a scowl¡ªlike he was constantly chasing down debtors¡ªand combined with his role as KaibaCorp''s CEO, it definitely made him seem more mature than a typical high schooler. But old man? That was pushing it. Especially coming from Ozymandias, a Heroic Spirit who was literally ancient.


    "Hahahaha!!"


    Ozymandias suddenly burst into laughter, looking between the bewildered Hoshino and Kaiba.


    "That face¡ªit''s unmistakable! He looks just like old man Set! Those perpetually furrowed brows, as if the whole world owes him money¡ªeven if he were reduced to ashes, I would still recognize him!"


    Hoshino was convinced.


    If Ozymandias had given any other reasoning, she might have hesitated. But the mention of those debt-collector brows? That was a solid argument.


    Adding that to the ancient stone tablet they had seen at the exhibition¡ªdepicting a priest and a Pharaoh, Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Dark Magician, Kaiba and the Pharaoh¡­ So this guy, who prided himself on his belief in science, was actually connected to a Heroic Spirit?


    Meanwhile, Kaiba''s expression practically screamed: What the hell is this guy talking about?


    "Oh, right! If you know Kaiba, take a look at this one too~"


    Hoshino casually nudged Yugi forward. "This guy''s also a Pharaoh, but he seems to have amnesia."


    For some reason, as she said it, the complicated feelings swirling inside her suddenly settled.


    In this group¡ªconsisting of a Pharaoh, a high priest, and herself, an Atlantean¡ªher presence didn''t seem all that strange anymore.


    Yugi, now under everyone''s scrutiny, looked a little embarrassed. No one had expected that, in the middle of a crisis, they would somehow gather a whole Pharaoh''s table.


    "Hm? I don''t recall seeing this one before," Ozymandias mused, glancing at Yugi. "A Pharaoh who has even forgotten his own great name¡­ How pitiful."


    "HAHAHAHA! I haven''t seen him before either!" Iskandar laughed heartily. "Though I count as a Pharaoh due to my conquest of Egypt, I never got to know many personally."


    Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly before shooting Yugi an apologetic look. "So that''s how it is¡­ Guess I can''t cheat my way into finding out your real name after all."


    "Listen up, mongrels!"


    A commanding voice cut through their conversation.


    Gilgamesh, his red eyes sharp with irritation, scowled at them.


    "I''m not interrupting your little tea party because I feel left out for lacking a Pharaoh title. It''s because¡ª"


    He suddenly roared:


    "Could you all at least pick a better time for casual chit-chat?! We''re still dealing with this damn snake! In this world, its status is on par with Tiamat!"


    Despite the Mesektet''s supersonic speed, their once-precise evasions were becoming increasingly difficult as the Leviathan''s attacks intensified.


    Ozymandias nodded. "The golden one is right. This creature¡ªunworthy of being called a true god¡ªis growing stronger. My solar barge won''t hold out much longer."


    "That''s bad news! Use your Sha Naqba Imuru to come up with a plan, Goldy!"


    Gilgamesh scoffed, as if to say, Oh? Now you finally remember my power?


    [Sha Naqba Imuru EX: A Noble Phantasm symbolizing Gilgamesh''s omniscient insight¡ªallowing him to devise the optimal course of action in battle.]


    "Of course! If this thing is the god of this world, then we must counter it with the power of this world. Mongrel, the Legendary Dragon in your hands¡ª!"


    "The Legendary Dragon?"


    Hoshino''s eyes widened as she turned to Okita, who had faded into the background ever since the Three Kings joined the fray.


    Okita, looking relieved, held out her sword.


    "Hmm? Master, do you need the Sword? Here, take it! Honestly, holding onto it for too long is kinda hot."


    "The dragon isn''t in its true form¡ªthat''s why it always relies on other cards in battle! If we want to win this fight¡­"


    Gilgamesh, now fully taking command of the strategy, turned to Yugi with a piercing gaze.


    "You¡ªstarfish one! You have it, don''t you? The key card that can summon a miracle! Be grateful that I will awaken this god-slaying power!"


    "The card!?"


    Realization dawned on Yugi.


    Reaching into his Deck, he pulled out the card they had obtained after their journey to Industrial Illusions in America¡ª


    Legend of Heart.


    "Excellent! Now we have a chance to win!"


    Gilgamesh''s eyes burned with resolve as he signaled to Yugi.


    "With my power as the catalyst¡ªlet us transform the Legendary Dragon into the ultimate Legendary Knight!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 331 - 331

    The Heart of Legend¡ª


    With the heroic spirits of legendary warriors, awaken the nameless dragon''s ultimate form!


    As Yugi drew the Heart of Legend card, he felt the three Legendary Dragon cards begin to resonate with one another.


    "I''ll leave it to you then, Gilgamesh¡­ sir?"


    "Watch your tone! Call me King Gilgamesh, starfish!"


    "¡­Understood! Then, I leave it to you, King Gilgamesh!" Yugi straightened his posture, raising the card high.


    "By the power of heroic spirits, transform¡ªnameless dragons, reveal your ultimate forms to vanquish the darkness!"


    Holding the trembling Beyond the Aeons Sword in her hands, Okita''s eyes sparkled with excitement.


    "Master, the sword is moving on its own! Is it finally activating full-auto battle mode?!"


    "¡ªLegendary Knights! Descend upon this battlefield and carve a path to the future!"


    The Legendary Dragons transformed into radiant energy, converging at a single point. Above the speeding Mesektet, the knights representing Courage, Wisdom, and Conviction emerged. Breaking free from their dragon forms through Gilgamesh''s power, they arrived for the final battle.


    "Legendary Knight Timaeus!"


    "Legendary Knight Critias!"


    "Legendary Knight Hermos!"


    Clad in armor that matched their dragon forms, the three knights stood firm before them.


    Timaeus, a scar running across his right eye, spoke sternly:


    "Legendary Duelists, bearers of courage! Your determination to wage war against the darkness¡ªwe, the Three Knights, shall accept it!"


    The Leviathan let out a furious roar, hatred burning in its pitch-black eyes. The arrival of the Legendary Knights had clearly enraged it.


    A voice echoed from the darkness.


    "Have you still not learned from your defeat ten thousand years ago? That right eye of yours, wounded by the Orichalcos God, never fully recovered, did it, Timaeus?"


    Timaeus bellowed in response.


    "A knight''s scars are a badge of honor! Dartz, King of Atlantis¡ªtoday marks your end!"


    The Leviathan''s power surged with rage. What had once been barely manageable attacks against the Mesektet were now intensifying, growing more precise and relentless.


    Hovering in the air, Ozymandias channeled his mana into the ship.


    "Master¡ªmy Mesektet cannot withstand these attacks head-on much longer! We must find a solution!"


    The blue-armored Knight Critias stepped forward, drawing his longsword as he turned to Kaiba.


    "This is the Sword of Wisdom. It absorbs Trap Card powers and makes them my own. It''s your move, Kaiba!"


    Kaiba smirked, instantly understanding Critias'' intent.


    "Is that so? Then let''s strike back, Critias! Trap Card, activate¡ªDraining Shield!"


    A shimmering blue barrier materialized. As Critias leaped forward, his blade pulsed with energy, absorbing the attack''s power.


    Kaiba''s eyes gleamed.


    "Kaiba, you are a man of wisdom. Now, the Sword of Wisdom shall respond to your tactics¡ªaccept this power!"


    The radiant blue shield expanded, neutralizing the Leviathan''s assault. Warm, flowing mana spread across the battlefield.


    Okita clapped her hands in excitement.


    "Wow, Master! Such rich mana! I feel like it could cure my illness¡ªpffft!"


    ¡­Don''t get ahead of yourself, Okita.


    Apparently, she wasn''t the only one getting carried away.


    "Hahahaha! Turning darkness into light¡ªyou remain as brilliant as the sun itself, Old Man Set!"


    With the mana surge, Ozymandias accelerated the Mesektet once more.


    ¡­Wait. Since when did he get so chummy with Kaiba?


    "With Old Man Set''s wisdom, even I can strike back! Mesektet¡ªunleash the blazing radiance of the sun!"


    Golden magic rained down, its sheer power sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The Leviathan, caught in the divine blast, was once again reduced to shreds.


    Okita wiped the blood from her lips and sighed in relief.


    "Yes! It worked! My efforts weren''t wasted!"


    ¡­You did absolutely nothing. Why are you acting so exhausted?


    A sinister voice rang out.


    "Even if you manage to land a hit, in this Heart of Atlantis, the Orichalcos God will keep reviving."


    The red-armored Knight Hermos turned to Hoshino, drawing his sword.


    "Hoshino¡ªyou may not be one of the chosen Duelists, but as the last surviving royal of Atlantis, you carry a fate spanning millennia. As I did ten thousand years ago, I shall lend you my Sword of Courage, which absorbs the power of Duel Monsters!"


    "Hermos¡­!"


    Feeling the knight''s unwavering trust, Hoshino clenched her Duel Disk.


    "If the Leviathan can infinitely revive in this space¡ªthen we''ll just fight elsewhere! Iskandar, Hermos¡ªit''s on you!"


    Standing atop his divine war chariot, Iskandar bellowed with laughter.


    "Leave it to me, lass! Fighting alongside brave warriors like you¡ªthis is among the greatest joys of conquest!"


    With a crash of thunder, Hermos leaped down, his blade absorbing all of Iskandar''s might. He charged toward the Leviathan below.


    "Hoshino! You possess courage¡ªnow, the Sword of Courage shall answer your call! It will carve open a new space and forge the path to victory!"


    With an earth-shattering strike, Hermos'' blade cleaved through the Leviathan''s head, cutting through both the monster and the very fabric of space itself.


    "OOOOHHH¡ª!"


    Hermos roared, admiring his handiwork.


    "This is Space Severance! A sword imbued with Iskandar''s power¡ªit will sever your connection to the darkness and banish you to the farthest reaches of conquest!"


    The spatial rift expanded, swallowing the crumbling Heart of Atlantis. The ruined cityscape dissolved, replaced by an endless golden desert¡ªan open plain of scorching sunlight and shifting sands.


    They had been transported into Ionioi Hetairoi¡ªIskandar''s Reality Marble!


    "Outside of Atlantis, the Orichalcos God can no longer revive. This shall be our final battleground!"


    As the battlefield shifted, Timaeus¡ªwho had been waiting for this moment¡ªfinally stepped forward. Standing alongside Critias and Hermos, he raised his sword high. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "O Pharaoh, you are a man of unwavering conviction! Now, the Sword of Conviction shall answer your resolve!


    We, the Legendary Knights, shall forge your future¡ªtogether!"


    "Legendary Knights, even after ten thousand years, you still stand against me?!"


    Dartz''s voice was filled with hysteria. With the infinite supply of darkness severed, the Orichalcos God''s ability to regenerate its wounds¡ªinflicted by Ozymandias''s bombardment and Hermos''s slash¡ªhad significantly weakened.


    "It''s time to end this ten-thousand-year-old grudge, Dartz!"


    Planting the Sword of Conviction firmly into the golden sands, Timaeus channeled the power of the two knights beside him.


    "This sword unites Wisdom and Courage, merging our strength into one¡ªthe ultimate force capable of opposing absolute darkness! Get ready, Critias, Hermos!"


    Critias smirked. "I''ll leave it to you, Timaeus!"


    Hermos nodded, his expression resolute. "Our final wish, our last strength¡ªwe entrust it to you!"


    Golden energy surged from the Sword of Conviction, illuminating the battlefield as it enveloped the three Legendary Knights.


    "Pharaoh, call forth the final form of the Legendary Knights!"


    Feeling the knights'' unwavering resolve resonate through his Duel Disk, the Pharaoh locked eyes with the monstrous Orichalcos God and roared:


    "Conviction, Wisdom, Courage¡ªunite as one! Take form and sever the darkness of the Orichalcos! Ultimate Legendary Knight¡ªDivine Dragon Timaeus!"


    Absorbing the power of Critias and Hermos, Timaeus''s form grew exponentially. His armor, bathed in radiant energy, transformed into a brilliant golden hue.


    [Timaeus the Knight of Destiny ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][LIGHT] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect] [ATK ?/DEF ?]


    [Materials: "Legendary Knight Timaeus" + "Legendary Knight Critias" + "Legendary Knight Hermos"]


    "This is the divine dragon form that will vanquish the Orichalcos! Prepare yourself, Orichalcos God!"


    Gripping a massive golden sword, the colossal Timaeus now stood as an equal to the Leviathan looming in the sky.


    Dartz, still in stunned silence, finally found his voice. "A form never seen even ten thousand years ago¡­ It seems you three have truly awakened a miracle."


    Then, his expression twisted into a sneer. "But even with this new form, you will never surpass the Orichalcos God!"


    With Dartz''s furious cry, the massive serpent lunged downward, its fangs bared toward Timaeus.


    "Fool! Be vanquished beneath the blade of hope!"


    Timaeus swung his massive golden sword, clashing with the jet-black energy spewing from the Leviathan''s maw. Sparks erupted as the radiant blade cut through the darkness, shearing across the Leviathan''s tough scales, sending dazzling embers flying¡ªalmost as if the entire desert would be set ablaze.


    "ROAAAAAAAR!!!"


    A pained, ear-splitting screech echoed across the battlefield. In a blinding flash of steel and light, one-third of the Orichalcos God''s body was severed. Its enormous, mangled tail¡ªradiating a chaotic mix of light and darkness¡ªplummeted to the ground, sending sand billowing into the sky.


    "The combined power of the three Legendary Knights has finally inflicted real damage on the Leviathan. Well done, Timaeus! But¡­"


    Dartz, in stark contrast to the Orichalcos God''s furious shrieks, smirked.


    "Was that your last strike? In the end, the Orichalcos God still wins!"


    As the dust settled, the contrast between the two combatants became clear.


    If the Orichalcos God had suffered a grievous wound from losing its tail, then Timaeus had sustained an even more catastrophic blow¡ªnearly half of his body had been torn away by the serpent''s fangs.


    "No way¡­"


    Hoshino stared at the battlefield in disbelief. Timaeus, missing an entire shoulder and nearly half his torso, struggled to keep hold of his massive golden sword with his remaining arm.


    Kaiba clenched his teeth. "Damn it! Even the fusion of all three Legendary Knights couldn''t finish it?!"


    "No, this is enough!"


    Yugi furrowed his brow and took Timaeus''s card from his Duel Disk.


    "As long as we''ve inflicted a critical wound, Timaeus has fulfilled his purpose! After all, in this space, the Orichalcos God''s wounds can''t regenerate!"


    "That may be true, but¡­"


    Hoshino''s voice wavered. "Was it really necessary to sacrifice all three Knights just for this one attack¡­?"


    "They weren''t sacrificed at all."


    [When this card is destroyed by battle: You can Special Summon 3 "Legendary Knight" monsters from your hand, Deck, and/or GY, ignoring their Summoning conditions.]


    As Timaeus''s massive form dissolved into shimmering light, the three Legendary Knights reappeared, leaping back to Hoshino''s side.


    Hermos grinned. "Were you worried about us, Hoshino? I knew it¡ªyou truly have both bravery and kindness in your heart."


    Critias, ever composed, nodded. "A magnificent strike, Timaeus. However, the Orichalcos God''s resilience has exceeded our expectations."


    Timaeus exhaled deeply, his lone visible eye filled with complex emotions. "Even after gathering ten thousand years'' worth of magical energy¡­ this was the best we could do. Honestly, this doesn''t look good."


    His plan had been for their strongest strike to at least cripple the Orichalcos God, if not completely annihilate it. But looking at the battlefield now, all they had managed was to sever its tail¡ªnot enough to claim victory.


    "It''s¡­ even stronger than it was ten thousand years ago."


    As the knights processed this grim realization, Dartz''s laughter rang through the battlefield.


    "So, you finally understand, Legendary Knights?"


    His voice dripped with mockery.


    "The Orichalcos God of today has completely surpassed its power from ten thousand years ago! Do you know why?"


    Hoshino''s eyes widened. "The Orichalcos God feeds on the darkness of the planet¡­ and draws power from the darkness in people''s hearts¡­ If it''s stronger now than it was ten thousand years ago, then that must mean¡ª"


    Dartz grinned triumphantly.


    "That''s right, Hoshino!"


    "It means that the darkness in humanity''s hearts today far exceeds that of Atlantis ten thousand years ago! The world is doomed to destruction¡ªno matter what you do, it''s inevitable!"


    Hoshino fell silent, deep in thought. Then, an image flashed through her mind¡ªa man standing amidst the ruins, gazing at the endless wasteland before him.


    "Even if this world is headed for destruction, there are still those who have never stopped fighting to prevent that fate. Isn''t that right, Paradox?!"


    [System Notification: Special Summon Store¡ªReset]


    [SSR Arthur Pendragon¡ªExchange Cost: 1000 Saint Quartz]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 332 - 332

    [Special Summon Shop: Remaining Servant Quantity: 1/1. Time Until Next Refresh: 5 Minutes]


    [SSR Arthur Pendragon ¨C Exchange Cost: 1000 Saint Quartz]


    "Damn it! Is there really no other way to take this monster down?!"


    Hoshino clenched her fists, eyes locked on the Leviathan, which was still struggling to recover from the loss of its tail.


    [SSR Arthur Pendragon ¨C Exchange Cost: 1000 Saint Quartz]


    She pretended not to notice the prompt, deliberately ignoring it.


    [SSR Arthur Pendragon¡­!!!]


    Okita glanced sideways at Hoshino, who was feigning intense concentration. "Master, your system notification is so loud that even I can hear it. Just stop ignoring it already!"


    Neither Yugi nor Kaiba reacted, meaning only the Chaldea group could hear the system''s prompt.


    "But 1000 Saint Quartz is way too much! That scammer Da Vinci is totally taking advantage of the situation!"


    [Duelist Rank Evaluation Complete: Duelist Dartz ¨C Rank EX. Awarding 200 Saint Quartz.]


    [Detected: Duelist No. 001 Hoshino Chiyuki''s defeat of Orichalcos Tritos. Awarding 4x Saint Quartz. Remaining Saint Quartz: 1015.]


    "This is robbery! That scammer definitely set this price with my wallet in mind!"


    Hoshino''s trembling right hand hovered over the "Exchange" button. Pressing it would instantly bankrupt her.


    Yugi drew a Spell Card. "Even if we don''t have a surefire way to win, we have to give it everything we''ve got! Otherwise, all our efforts will be meaningless!"


    "That''s right, Pharaoh! Even if we can''t fuse into the Knight of Destiny anymore, we Legendary Knights won''t back down!"


    Timaeus raised his sword, absorbing the magic from Yugi''s card.


    "¡ªSpell Card: Multiply!"


    Originally meant to infinitely copy and summon Kuriboh, this iconic Spell now merged with Timaeus''s sword, causing him to multiply at an astonishing rate as he charged toward the Leviathan.


    "Master, what are you hesitating for?!" Okita urged anxiously. "If the world is destroyed, what''s the point of saving Quartz? Even I, the great Okita-san, understand that much!"


    "I know! Of course, I know that!"


    Hoshino fully understood the logic¡ª"Saint Quartz is useless if you''re dead"¡ªbut suddenly being asked to spend such a massive amount on an SSR still made her heart ache.


    "Wait¡­ isn''t this exactly what Dartz was talking about? The greed in human hearts fueling the Orichalcos God..."


    Hermos once again lifted his sword before his eyes. "Hoshino, I must go as well. I won''t let Timaeus fight alone! I''m counting on your support!"


    "The sword, right? I got it!"


    With a resolute nod, Hoshino grabbed Okita, who had been distracting her this whole time.


    "Take Okita with you! She''s my ace, so she''ll answer the call of Beyond the Aeon!"


    Fusing with the power of the Duel Monsters, the sword transformed into a beacon of hope, its blade glowing with a brilliant emerald light as it merged with Okita.


    "As expected of your ace, Hoshino! My body feels so much lighter¡ªwait, wha¡ª?!"


    One moment, Hermos marveled at the agility Okita''s power granted him. The next, he stared blankly at the blood inexplicably dripping from his hand.


    It seemed the Weak Constitution skill wouldn''t disappear, even when fused with the sword.


    Hoshino scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Uh¡­ sorry about that. Just think of it as a harmless little side effect. Get ready, Hermos! Assist Timaeus!"


    Kaiba and Critias exchanged a knowing glance.


    "Kaiba, this is the last of the magic power we Knights have left. This is our final gamble!"


    Though Fusion had unleashed a god-tier attack, it had drained the Legendary Knights significantly. Unable to fuse again, they had to rely on their duelists'' strategies. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kaiba drew a Trap Card, his gaze sharp as ever. "Then we''ll go all out! Take this ultimate Trap Card''s power, Critias! Let''s end this in a final showdown!"


    "¡ªTrap Card: [Last Turn]!"


    The battlefield for the decisive duel was set. The Trap Card gathered the force of the game''s rules, empowering Critias. The unleashed storm of slashes formed a barrier, trapping both the Leviathan and the three Legendary Knights inside.


    Yugi turned to Hoshino. "Hoshino, this is the final moment the Knights can buy us. The rest is up to you!"


    "Eh? Yugi, how do you know...?"


    Hoshino was momentarily stunned. Logically, Yugi shouldn''t have been able to hear the system''s summon notification.


    Kaiba crossed his arms, speaking firmly. "Your expression makes it obvious that you''re hiding a trump card. I don''t know what you''ve been hesitating over, but I''ve seen firsthand the strength you unleash in dire situations."


    That was precisely why he activated Last Turn¡ªto ensure they had one final chance at victory. The duel stage was set. Even if the Legendary Knights'' remaining power wasn''t enough to defeat the Leviathan, as long as the battle inside the storm barrier continued, even the god itself couldn''t escape.


    "Alright, alright! I get it already!"


    Faced with their unwavering trust, Hoshino gritted her teeth and made up her mind.


    "This isn''t the time to be stingy with Saint Quartz!"


    She opened the Special Summon Shop, her eyes locking onto the "Exchange" button¡ªwhich might as well have been labeled "Bankruptcy."


    "I see now! If the greed in human hearts fuels the Orichalcos God''s power, then Da Vinci''s hidden message is clear¡ªI have to sever my own greed!"


    [Exchange!!]


    "If I throw away my savings and still lose, Da Vinci, you''re dead meat!"


    [Exchange Successful. Remaining Saint Quartz: 15.]


    The moment the exchange was complete, golden light erupted from Hoshino''s hand, illuminating the sandy battlefield.


    The light of hope that would save the planet pierced through the heavens.


    "Prepare yourselves, Leviathan and Dartz! This is the ultimate trump card of the justice-loving Hoshino Chiyuki¡ªpurchased with my entire life savings!"


    Tears welled up in Hoshino''s eyes. According to her, they were tears of excitement¡ªnot heartbreak.


    "Come forth, Arthur¡ª!"


    The Last Turn stage dissipated, revealing the massive serpent that had torn through the Three Knights. Though its body was covered in wounds, the ominous aura it exuded remained undiminished.


    Meanwhile, on the Duel Disks of Hoshino, Yugi, and Kaiba, the glow of their Legendary Dragon cards dimmed.


    "To risk their own lives for a chance at victory¡­ The legendary Three Knights, who upheld their convictions to the very end¡ªthey are truly worthy of respect."


    A voice as gentle as a spring breeze answered Hoshino''s summons. Clad in blue and white garments, the golden-haired knight appeared before them.


    There were no dazzling special effects to announce his arrival. His solemn gaze shone softly, like the morning sun¡ªwarm yet radiant. In his hand, he gripped a blade that gleamed brighter than anything else, a sword capable of purging all evil and injustice from the world.


    "Arthur! If it''s you, I know you can do it¡ªthe Holy Sword, savior of the planet!"


    "What are you saying, Master?"


    Arthur responded with a gentle smile, his gaze meeting Hoshino''s pleading eyes.


    "This isn''t something I can accomplish alone. It''s something that all of you have already done. You fought until the bitter end, weakened the monstrous evil that sought to destroy the planet, and carved open a path of hope through the darkness of despair!"


    The seal''s power had severed the cycle of infinite regeneration. The Fusion Timaeus had gravely wounded the enemy, and the Three Knights had delayed it, worsening its injuries. Just as Arthur said, it was Hoshino and her allies'' relentless battle that had cornered Leviathan.


    "Arthur!" Hoshino called out with excitement, watching as Arthur raised his holy sword.


    "And now, all I must do¡ª" Arthur declared, "¡ªis follow the crack of hope you have carved open and pour in the light of the stars!"


    Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory¡ªthe holy blade that saves the planet. Forged to defeat the enemies of the world, its golden radiance was capable of repelling nearly all evil.


    "Roooaaaar¡ª!"


    Sensing the overwhelming threat of the Holy Sword, Leviathan¡ªbattered and broken by the Three Knights¡ªlunged toward Hoshino and the others, determined to annihilate them before Arthur could unleash his sword''s full power.


    "This is bad! It still has this much strength left?" Yugi exclaimed. "Without the power of the Three Knights, our regular Duel Monsters can''t harm it!"


    "Let me handle this, Master. If Saber is the hero who wields the Holy Sword as the final beacon of hope, then I, too, must live up to my name as the Pharaoh¡ªMesektet, Full Barrage!"


    Stepping forward to shield Arthur, Ozymandias unleashed a torrent of golden light toward the charging serpent.


    "Muda! Muda! Muda!"


    Dartz shouted wildly from within the serpent. "Such attacks¡ªperhaps in the past, the God might have been cautious about preserving its divine body¡ªbut now? They''re nothing more than an itch!"


    Having already suffered severe injuries, the Orichalcos God and Dartz had abandoned all caution. Their sole objective was to break through and escape this space. As long as they could flee, the darkness would heal them, even if their bodies were destroyed.


    "Oh? Is that so?"


    Hoshino''s lips curled into a smirk. Hidden within Ozymandias'' golden light, a colossal golden bird spread its wings and shot toward Leviathan''s head.


    "This sun barrage was never meant to bring you down¡ªit was just to let Ra get close to you!"


    Drawing the Winged Dragon of Ra''s card, Hoshino roared, "Take this! A point-blank Flame Cannon from the Winged Dragon of Ra!"


    Divine flames erupted forth. If ordinary monsters couldn''t deal damage, then she would fight gods with gods.


    Yugi''s eyes widened. "No way¡ªthe God Cards that were stolen by Doma¡­ You had them, Hoshino?"


    "Ah¡­ I totally forgot to mention that¡­" Hoshino chuckled awkwardly. Only Kaiba knew that she had stolen the three Egyptian God Cards from the ritual platform.


    "Impossible!" Dartz growled in fury. "The God Cards were used as sacrifices to revive the Orichalcos God¡ªtheir energy should have been completely drained!"


    Ozymandias grinned proudly, pointing to himself. "Hahaha! As a fellow Sun God, I simply used my immense magic power to reignite its slumbering light!"


    "Hoshino, always with your little tricks! But don''t think that mere Egyptian Gods can halt the march of the Orichalcos God!!"


    Charging through Ra''s flames, its charred body unyielding, the Orichalcos God pressed forward.


    "In that case, how about this?!"


    Hoshino had played every last card in her arsenal to buy time for Arthur to gather the vast magical energy needed for the Holy Sword.


    "Wicked Avatar!!"


    "Hah¡­ I knew I couldn''t avoid this battle," a small, black-haired girl sighed. "Against such a dangerous opponent, my soul might suffer severe damage¡­"


    "Now''s not the time to worry about that, Evil God-san! As long as you can hold that thing back, I don''t care what you do with my soul after this!"


    "Oh? You said it yourself, girl¡ªdon''t start crying later!"


    With Hoshino''s promise, the Evil God''s battle spirit flared. Dark energy expanded from her, reshaping itself.


    "Then let me see just how it feels to wear the strongest god''s form!"


    The black serpent, born from the Evil God''s power, roared and clashed against the blazing giant, sinking its fangs into the Orichalcos God''s burning body.


    Though they shared the same form, the gap in divine power was immense. The Evil God''s Incarnation couldn''t perfectly replicate the Orichalcos God''s abilities, but the combined assault of the Egyptian God and the Evil God was enough to keep the wounded Orichalcos God at bay.


    "Wow, Hoshino! How many trump cards do you still have?!" Shota Dartz shouted in amazement.


    At the final moment, Hoshino alone had halted the Orichalcos God''s desperate counterattack, forcing her way into the battle of gods and even overwhelming the divine entity.


    "Ryuichi was right¡ªHoshino, you truly are the destined savior of the world, the final hope of Atlantis!"


    "I don''t have any more tricks left! That was everything I had!"


    Hoshino''s gaze locked onto the radiant holy sword¡ªnow brimming with the light of the final battle.


    "You''ve done enough, Master. Now, leave the rest to me¡ªthe Holy Sword that will save this world."


    A single hero was not enough to wield the Holy Sword.


    The sword that severed the enemies of the world was not meant to be used as a mere weapon. It was too powerful to be treated as a personal armament. That was why the King of Knights and their twelve knights had placed a strict decree upon the blade.


    The Thirteen Seals.


    Only when multiple warriors fulfilled their noble duties and missions together would the true form of the Holy Sword be revealed.


    "Seal¡­ Thirteen¡ªDecision Start!!"


    "This is it!"


    Seeing Arthur''s sword overflow with blinding radiance, Hoshino swiftly retracted her two God Cards from her Duel Disk.


    Kaiba looked at Hoshino in confusion as she withdrew the two God Cards.


    "Why are you putting them away, Hoshino? This is a critical moment¡ªyou can''t afford to be careless!"


    Hoshino''s gaze remained resolute as she stared into the dazzling golden light ahead.


    "Don''t worry, Kaiba. I know what I''m doing. The sins committed by Dartz, the darkness he''s fallen into... In the end, it will be the light of this planet that delivers judgment!"


    Even though the King of Knights and the Round Table were no longer of this world, the seals they had established remained in effect. When the current wielder of the Holy Sword sought its liberation, the decision of the Round Table would be automatically invoked.


    Merlin: Approved¡ª!


    Bedivere: The enemy must be more powerful than oneself. Approved!


    Kay: The battle must be fought to survive. Approved!


    Lancelot: The enemy must not be an elemental. Approved!


    Mordred: The battle must be one against evil. Approved!


    Galahad: The battle must not be for personal gain. Approved!


    Gawain: The battle must be fought in the name of justice. Approved!


    Palamedes: The battle must be one-on-one. Approved!


    Gaheris: The battle must not be against Humanity. Approved!


    Agravaine: The battle must be for truth. Approved!


    The battle must be to save the world. Approved!


    One''s comrades-in-arms must be courageous. Approved!


    The battle must be an honorable one. Approved!


    The battle must be to defend human order!!


    Final restriction lifted!


    As Orichalcos God and Dartz stood as true enemies of the planet, they had fulfilled all thirteen conditions required for the Holy Sword to recognize them as a threat beyond the stars.


    The sword''s restraints shattered, and an explosion of light erupted, far surpassing anything seen before. Bathed in the radiance of hope, Hoshino raised her hand, pointing toward the darkness ahead.


    "All thirteen restrictions have been lifted! Dartz¡ªyou are the evil that threatens this planet! You must be eliminated! Go, Arthur! This is..."


    Arthur & Hoshino: "¡ªThis is a battle to save the world!"


    Ex¡ª¡ªcalibur!!


    With a full-force swing, the light of the world roared forth from the sword''s edge. Though it possessed the power to rend the earth and pierce the heavens, it was undeniably the raging light of justice¡ªmeant to eradicate great evil.


    "Impossible!!"


    Dartz''s anguished wail echoed as the colossal entity¡ªthe Orichalcos God, the Leviathan¡ªwas completely engulfed in the light of planetary salvation.


    "Dartz, this is the light of hope within humanity! No, not just humanity¡ªthe will of this entire planet to survive! Evil like you will inevitably meet its end!"


    [Orichalcos God defeated]


    (*****)


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 Chapter 333 - 333

    "It''s finally over, right?!"


    Kaiba kept his eyes locked on the shattered Leviathan, his expression tense¡ªwary that Dartz might have one last desperate move hidden up his sleeve.


    But just as Hoshino had said, the Leviathan did not resurrect or regenerate as before. The evil that had threatened this planet''s existence had been vanquished, dissolved in the radiant light of the Holy Sword.


    "To think that the Orichalcos was truly destroyed¡­ As expected, even the Orichalcos God couldn''t withstand an attack fueled by the will of the entire planet."


    Though Shota Dartz had already foreseen this outcome the moment Arthur swung his sword, witnessing it firsthand still left him deeply shaken.


    "Hoshino, that was so cool!"


    Mokuba, unable to hold back any longer, jumped up and clung to Hoshino''s arm, finally releasing the tension he had been carrying since the beginning.


    Hoshino smiled, but her lips twitched slightly as she muttered with mixed emotions, "Of course, it had to be cool¡­ That finishing move cost me 1,000 Saint Quartz to pull off."


    Once "wealthy beyond measure," she now had only a pitiful 15 Saint Quartz left in her pockets.


    "Ugh~ At most, I can only roll five more SSRs now~"


    ¡­Though even that was just wishful thinking.


    As the space around them gradually faded away, a gentle illusion took shape before them. The figures of the Three Legendary Knights emerged before the group.


    Timaeus: "Well done, all of you! With this, our ten-thousand-year grudge against the Orichalcos has finally come to an end."


    Hermos: "Hoshino, you''ve truly given it your all. Not just as a descendant of Atlantis, but as a duelist¡ªas a human¡ªyou have done your absolute best."


    Critias: "That said¡­ To think that, beyond our power, this planet held a force capable of gravely injuring and completely eradicating the Orichalcos God. A Wielder of the Holy Sword, huh? This world still holds many secrets¡­ But those are no longer ours to uncover."


    Realizing what this meant, Yugi''s expression darkened. "Are you leaving?"


    Timaeus smiled. "Yes. We''ve exhausted the last of our strength, and with our mission complete, we have no reason to remain or interfere in this world any longer. This is the best outcome for us."


    Surprisingly, Kaiba set aside his pride and said, "Critias, thank you for your support. You''ve saved me multiple times at the most critical moments."


    This rare show of gratitude was so unexpected that Hoshino couldn''t help but think, Is the world ending?


    Critias chuckled. "Kaiba, I''ve told you before¡ªyou are a man of true wisdom, and your intelligence will undoubtedly change this world. Even without my presence, you possess enough strength to stand on your own."


    Hoshino hesitated before speaking. "Hermos¡­ You''re leaving too? You haven''t even said goodbye to Jonouchi yet¡­"


    After all, she wasn''t the true wielder of Legendary Knight Hermos¡ªshe had only borrowed Jonouchi''s power to help save the world.


    Hermos shook his head. "This is enough. The fact that I failed to protect my original master is my own failing as a knight. If anything, I should be the one thanking you¡ªfor giving me one last chance to fight for the world. As a token of gratitude¡­"


    Still in his phantom form, Hermos bowed politely, a gesture full of knightly grace. He reached out and touched the deck in Hoshino''s duel disk, smiling gently.


    "As thanks, I leave the power of the Nameless Dragon within your deck. As the last surviving heir of Atlantis, you will undoubtedly face many more difficult battles. I hope this small power can aid you, even if just a little."


    "Hermos¡­" Hoshino was deeply moved. So this is what a true knight''s grace feels like¡­


    Timaeus and Critias nudged Hermos playfully with their elbows.


    "You''re always worrying too much, huh?" Timaeus smirked.


    "Or is it that you just can''t resist stopping for a girl?" Critias teased.


    Hermos shrugged. "Even if I can''t resist, it''s time for us to go. We''ve fought for a long time¡ªit''s finally time to rest."


    "¡ªThus, the Three Legendary Knights bid their eternal farewell. Chosen Duelists, may you never forget the courage, wisdom, and conviction engraved upon your souls!"


    (***)


    The Ritual Platform¡ªRuins of the Sacrificial Island


    The golden sands and harsh sunlight of their surroundings faded, and instead of returning to the ruins of Atlantis, the group found themselves back at the very starting point¡ªthe ritual platform used for their duel.


    With the Orichalcos God vanquished, the version of Atlantis created by its will had also disappeared. There was no longer any need to return.


    Hoshino looked up at the sky, where Arthur''s strike had shattered the ceiling. The once-massive Leviathan had faded, and the sky had returned to its original brilliant blue.


    "Sigh¡­ Is it finally over? It feels like I''ve been running around non-stop ever since I returned from the future. I haven''t had a single moment to rest¡­ I¡­"


    She had been on the move for nearly an entire day and night since returning¡ªand even in the future world, she had been engaged in high-intensity battles with no breaks at all. The overwhelming dizziness and exhaustion nearly caused her to collapse on the spot. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''m so hungry!"


    "Oh no! Hoshino is back to her old habits!"


    "This idiot¡­"


    "Stop acting like everything ended perfectly just because of that!"


    "?!"


    Even in her fatigue, Hoshino''s mind snapped back into full alertness.


    "Dartz!"


    At some point, Dartz had appeared at the ritual platform. However, he looked even worse than Hoshino. His once-flowing white hair was now disheveled and covered in dust, and his haggard appearance no longer resembled the once-mighty hidden boss of Doma¡ªthe King who had lived for ten thousand years.


    Shota Dartz clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Since the Orichalcos God was destroyed, all the sacrificed souls have been returned¡­ I guess that means even you barely managed to survive."


    "The souls¡­ returned?!"


    Rebecca, trembling with excitement, quickly pulled out the card that had sealed Yugi''s soul. Just as she had hoped, the trapped image of Yugi had vanished from the card.


    Yugi nodded. "Yes. I can feel it¡ªmy partner has returned to his body!"


    Hoshino, however, sharply assessed Dartz''s condition.


    "Even if you survived, Dartz, you''re nothing but a dying ember now."


    Having been slashed by the Holy Sword alongside the Orichalcos God, Dartz had only survived due to unique circumstances. However, his complete erasure was only a matter of time¡ªand not much time at that.


    Dartz let out a dry, bitter laugh. "To think that I would end up like this¡­ Defeated by a fellow Atlantean¡ªthe last one left in this world. I refuse to accept it! I, who have lived for ten thousand years, who have ruled the world from the shadows, was beaten by a mere girl like you?!"


    "So you''re just here to throw a tantrum, Dartz?"


    Dark red blood dripped from his lips as his gaze burned with pure malice, locking onto Hoshino.


    "I curse you! As the King of Atlantis, I condemn you for betraying our people¡ªmay you suffer the most vile and wicked of dark curses!"


    True evil¡ªthe deepest darkness within the human heart. If all beings carried even a fragment of darkness, then Dartz''s darkness was the abyss itself, strong enough to shake the very course of the world.


    A deep and intense grudge, unlike anything she had ever felt before, emanated from Dartz, leaving Hoshino momentarily at a loss, unsure of how to respond.


    "You bastard, even after falling to this state, you''re still trying to pull something?!"


    Standing protectively in front of Hoshino, Yugi and Kaiba assumed battle-ready stances, their eyes locked onto Dartz, who was teetering on the edge of complete mental collapse.


    Shota Dartz''s expression darkened. "That guy has already been consumed by darkness and fury, losing all reason. Even though the power of the Orichalcos has disappeared, if this kind of curse locks onto Hoshino..."


    "Falling so low, yet still rambling about the betrayal of Atlantis? You''re truly a disgrace to the title of King!"


    A sealing barrier suddenly unfolded beneath Dartz''s feet, and a deep, mature male voice rang out. The familiar, reassuring tone sent a wave of relief through Hoshino, reaching deep into her heart.


    "I won''t let you lay a single finger on my precious daughter, you bastard!"


    A white-haired man in a tailored suit appeared out of nowhere, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The years had etched themselves onto his face, yet he exuded an air of unwavering strength.


    "Ryuichi?!"


    "Dad?!"


    Both Shota Dartz and Hoshino exclaimed in astonishment.


    "Yo~ My precious Chiyuki-chan! It''s been, what, two months? I missed you like crazy~"


    Turning to Hoshino, Ryuichi''s expression shifted in an instant¡ªlike a sudden mask change in a traditional play¡ªgoing from serious to utterly doting.


    "Dad, why are you here¡­?"


    Hoshino could hardly believe her eyes. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined their long-awaited reunion would happen under such circumstances.


    Ryuichi grinned and ruffled Hoshino''s soft, snowy-white hair. "Come on, it''s a rare father-daughter reunion. Don''t ask those headache-inducing questions. Let your old man take a good look at how much you''ve grown."


    Then, his gaze drifted to Hoshino''s chest.


    His disappointment was entirely unmasked.


    "As expected, still a bit lacking¡­ Even with your mother''s strong genes, you''ve completely failed to utilize them, huh~"


    "Dad¡­"


    Furious, Hoshino clenched her fist, inputted ¡ú¡ý¨K+A, and unleashed a full-powered Shoryuken straight into Ryuichi''s chin.


    "You left your daughter stranded in another world for two months without a word, and now all you care about is borderline sexual harassment?! You''re the worst!"


    The others stood by, whispering among themselves in disbelief.


    Mokuba: "Is this guy really Hoshino''s father?"


    Kaiba: "Since Hoshino admitted it herself, there''s no doubt about it."


    Rebecca: "He looks mature and dependable, but he actually seems surprisingly frivolous¡­"


    Yugi: "Let''s stay out of other people''s family matters."


    Honda: "This is way different from the emotional father-daughter reunion I imagined¡­"


    Shota Dartz interrupted the comedic scene. "Ryuichi, since you''re here in this world, does that mean everything over there is settled?"


    "Oh, thanks to my hard work, everything''s been wrapped up perfectly!" Casually flicking away his cigarette, Ryuichi''s eyes grew serious again as he turned to face the deranged Dartz, now sealed within his barrier.


    A bad feeling crept into Hoshino''s heart. "Dad, what do you mean by ''everything over there is settled''? That sounds like¡­"


    Ryuichi gave her a warm smile. "Well, when the president of such a big company suddenly resigns, there''s a mountain of things to handle. Even though I started a month ago, I was working nonstop until just now to get everything in order."


    "Eh?! Why did you resign, Dad?!"


    "Relax, I''ve saved up plenty for you, Chiyuki. Even if you decide to be a shut-in for the rest of your life, you''ll be completely set~"


    "That''s not the point! I''m asking why you¡ª"


    "Although I joked earlier that you haven''t grown at all, the truth is, you''ve become an incredibly strong and reliable young woman, Chiyuki. If you keep clinging to your dad, your friends will laugh at you, you know?"


    The look in Ryuichi''s deep red eyes carried an emotion Hoshino couldn''t quite decipher.


    "To put it simply, we are nothing more than spirits who have wandered this world for thousands of years. Thanks to you and your friends, the only remaining Orichalcos darkness left in this world¡­ is the tiny fragment in my hands."


    The sealing power he used to trap Dartz was a residual remnant of the Orichalcos'' power, preserved only because Ryuichi had been in another world when the Holy Sword cut down the Orichalcos God.


    "So, as the former King of Atlantis¡ªno, as your father¡ªI can''t just leave all the responsibility to my daughter, can I?"


    Once again, the sealing energy expanded. Identical formations appeared beneath both Ryuichi and Shota Dartz.


    "So the last thing I can do¡­ is use this remaining power to erase the existence of ''Dartz'' from this world completely."


    Shota Dartz hesitated. "Are you really okay with this, Ryuichi? I''ve already made peace with it, but you''re different. You started a new life¡­ Are you truly ready?"


    "I''ve lived for ten thousand years. There''s no ''getting ready'' left for me. Or rather, it''s precisely because I got to enjoy a new life that I can leave without a single regret~"


    The emotions in Ryuichi''s gaze as he looked at Hoshino were complex¡ªpride and sorrow interwoven in a way she couldn''t yet understand.


    "Dad, don''t go! This is too selfish! I haven''t even had time to prepare myself!"


    Refusing to accept that their reunion was turning into a final farewell, Hoshino''s trembling hands reached out to grab Ryuichi¡ªbut the barrier blocked her from getting any closer.


    "Chiyuki, in my aimless years of existence, the only thing that truly gave me purpose was meeting your mother, witnessing your birth, and watching you grow. Those few short years were more precious than anything¡ªthey filled my empty soul completely~"


    "Dad¡­"


    "So now, your future is yours to decide, Chiyuki. Whether you return to the world you were born in or stay in this one¡ªthe world you fought to protect¡ªboth are equally valid choices, and they are yours to make with pride."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 334 - 334

    "Farewell, Chiyuki~"


    The sealing formation beneath their feet slowly contracted. There were no extravagant special effects in this final farewell¡ªjust a serene stillness, like walking through a quiet town in gentle rain. Even Dartz''s frenzied roars had faded into silence. When the three beams of light converged into a single point, there was no longer anyone named "Dartz" in either world. And, of course, there was no longer anyone named Hoshino Ryuichi.


    At the spot where Ryuichi had vanished, a card materialized out of thin air and gently floated into Hoshino''s hand. Its blank surface revealed no useful information¡ªexcept for a single line of text at the bottom. At that moment, the tears she had been holding back finally broke free.


    [The time of farewell has come, for they are the ones who let go of the world.]


    To protect what was most important, he had been willing to sacrifice everything.


    "You... you''re all such idiots..."


    [This card can open the gate to another world or create a miracle... But remember, no matter what, you only have one chance.]


    (***)


    With the battle concluded, the sealed souls returned one by one to their original bodies¡ªJonouchi, Valon, Alister, Pegasus. To them, it felt as though they had simply woken from a dream¡ªa dream of Atlantis as it had been ten thousand years ago.


    With Dartz defeated and gone, the organization known as Doma¡ªonce entirely under his control¡ªwas now nothing more than an empty shell. Its complete collapse was only a matter of time.


    Meanwhile, KaibaCorp, with the full backing of Pegasus'' Industrial Illusions, swiftly reclaimed all the shares that had fallen into Doma''s hands, pulling Kaiba out of his financial crisis. In the end, the only one still at risk of bankruptcy seemed to be Hoshino herself.


    After leaving the island and reuniting with their companions, the group boarded a ridiculously extravagant private jet arranged by Pegasus¡ªso opulent that it practically screamed wealth¡ªand made their way back to Domino City. During the flight, Mai seemed embarrassed to face the others, but a blushing Jonouchi, ever the simple-minded one, pulled her onto the plane without hesitation.


    As for the former members of Doma, they had each chosen their own path, setting out to start new lives.


    From the outside, it seemed like a perfect, happy ending.


    But only on the surface¡­


    (***)


    Just before his disappearance, there had been a moment when Dartz briefly regained his sanity. And in that instant, he realized something¡ª


    There was no need for him to curse Hoshino personally.


    "Hoshino, don''t forget¡ªthe final stage of Atlantis'' evolution is for one''s heart to be consumed by darkness, transforming into a monstrous abomination. You, who bear the fate of Atlantis, carry that darkness within your very blood. From the moment you were born, it has been growing inside you. One day, just like me, it will awaken."


    (***)


    Domino City¡ª


    "Waaaaah, Hoshino! My heart aches for you, it really does!"


    Hearing the full story from Yugi, Grandpa Sugoroku dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief.


    "From now on, consider this your home! We''re your family now, Hoshino! Even while you were gone for a month, I kept your room clean, waiting for you to come back!"


    "Thank you, Grandpa..."


    Deep down, Hoshino was truly grateful to the old man. Even though he often used her for business schemes, when it really mattered, he had taken her in and treated her like his own granddaughter, fulfilling the role of a proper guardian.


    But the grief of losing her father made it impossible for her to muster any enthusiasm.


    "I''m a little tired... I''m going to rest in my room."


    "Hoshino, are you leaving?"


    The air suddenly grew heavy.


    Finally, the question that everyone had been too afraid to ask was spoken aloud¡ªby none other than the straightforward Jonouchi.


    Ever since he had heard the full story from Honda, Jonouchi had been forcing himself to hold back his emotions. But seeing Hoshino turn away, a sudden fear gripped him¡ª


    The fear that, just like last time, she would disappear without a word.


    And this time, she might never come back.


    "We''ll talk about it tomorrow~ Don''t worry, even if I do leave this time, I won''t just disappear without saying anything. At the very least, I expect you guys to throw me a grand farewell party!"


    Forcing a small smile at her companions, Hoshino dragged her exhausted body back to the simple but cozy warehouse room.


    "So¡­ the time of farewell has come?"


    Lying on her bed, she raised the blank card her father had left her, lost in thought.


    On one side was the world where she had been born and raised¡ªthe world where her father had left behind a massive inheritance, enough for her to live a carefree life exactly as she had always dreamed.


    On the other side was the world her father had originally belonged to¡ªthe world she had fought to protect, the world where she had shared battles and laughter with her friends. A world full of uncertainties, of an unpredictable future.


    "Both are unique, both are choices I can be proud of."


    Perhaps it was the exhaustion weighing down her body, but Hoshino soon drifted off to sleep, even before the last rays of red sunlight had fully faded beyond the horizon.


    That night, she felt as though she had slept for an eternity, dreaming of a journey that stretched far and wide.


    She dreamt of boarding the luxurious cruise ship that had carried countless duelists chasing their dreams to Duelist Kingdom. She saw Jonouchi, leaping into the sea to retrieve a card, and Yugi, moved to tears.


    Scenes both familiar and distant played before her like a film reel.


    She dreamt of the moment she threw down Gramp''s card, cutting off the Millennium Eye, and used Spartacus to defeat Pegasus.


    In that moment, the world hailed her as¡ªDuel King.


    Then, that victorious moment, forever carved into history, began to fade.


    She saw Battle City¡ªthe clash of Wicked Avatar and Okitan at their absolute limits, their relentless sword strikes lighting up the rooftop of KaibaCorp Tower and the skies above Domino City.


    She saw the Duel Tower¡ªthe spectacle that had captivated the entire world¡ªwhere Nero shattered the infinite attack power of Obelisk the Tormentor, while the Winged Dragon of Ra, burning with the flames of the sun, clashed with the Evil God engulfed in pitch-black fire.


    A decade later, she saw herself as a teacher at Duel Academy, still mercilessly tormenting her students'' precious card collections, while Illya, having inherited Waver''s teachings, looked increasingly exhausted.


    A century later, in an age of ruin, she saw herself¡ªnow an immortal loli, her Atlantean blood causing her to grow younger instead of aging¡ªriding a Duel Runner through the desolate wastelands, locked in a desperate battle against fate itself.


    ...


    ¡­


    ¡­


    "These are all the things you have experienced¡­ or are yet to experience. But not anymore. These lives¡­ they belong to me now."


    As the visions stretched further and further away, Hoshino suddenly noticed something¡ª


    A shadow lurking in the darkness.


    It had been there in every scene, unnoticed and insignificant, with almost no presence at all.


    But now, in this dream, that dark shadow was approaching her¡ªlike a child who had been suppressed for too long, finally breaking free.


    "From now on¡­ your life¡­ belongs to me!"


    A voice, filled with resentment, darkness, and ominous malice, whispered in her ear.


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    The warm morning sunlight, reminiscent of Ozy''s laughter, spilled onto Hoshino''s face, forcing her awake after sleeping since the previous evening.


    Clutching her head, she felt a sharp, buzzing pain¡ªjust for a moment, it was as if her skull was about to split open.


    "What''s going on? Did I sleep too long?"


    Still groggy, she stared blankly at the ceiling.


    "I feel like I had a really strange dream¡­ but I can''t remember it at all¡­"


    Forgetting dreams upon waking was common. After a brief attempt to recall it with no success, Hoshino simply chose not to dwell on it.


    Gurgle~~


    Just as she was about to get up, a faint sound from her stomach left her feeling weak, her body slumping back down onto the bed.


    "I''m so hungry¡­ Oh, right. I haven''t eaten in almost two days."


    Yesterday, overwhelmed by her father''s departure, she hadn''t had the appetite or energy to eat. She had gone straight to her room and collapsed into sleep. At first, waking up had dulled the sorrow somewhat, but now, as the memories rushed back, she felt a sharp sting in her nose.


    Gurgle~~


    "No, I can''t take this anymore. I need food now. Dad wouldn''t want me starving to death in this world, right?"


    Sadness was one thing, but hunger was another. Even if her body felt weak and drained, she had to muster the strength to drag herself to the dining table. Survival instinct at its finest.


    A glance at the clock showed it was around 7 AM. Since older people typically slept less, Grandpa would definitely be up by now. Breakfast should already be ready.


    Desperate to regain her energy, Hoshino couldn''t be bothered with trivial things like grooming. She had fallen asleep in her outerwear from sheer exhaustion, and even changing clothes felt like an unnecessary drain on her limited strength.


    The early morning streets were already bustling with people. Clutching her stomach and dragging her NP-depleted body along, Hoshino was incredibly thankful the house was right next to the toy store. If she had to cross even a single street, today might have been the anniversary of her demise.


    Knock... knock... do...


    "I''m coming, I''m coming~"


    With a toothbrush in his mouth, Yugi groggily opened the door after hearing the weak knocking.


    "Save me, Yugi¡­ I can''t go on¡­ Has Grandpa made breakfast yet?"


    Yugi''s drowsiness vanished in an instant. His eyes widened in shock.


    "H-Hoshino? You¡ª"


    "No time for greetings when my life is on the line! Let me in already!"


    Barging inside, Hoshino made a beeline for the dining room. Even from the hallway, the fragrant aroma of freshly cooked rice nearly made her knees buckle.


    A simple yet exquisitely prepared breakfast¡ªsteamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and refreshing pickled vegetables.


    "Grandpa, I''m digging in!"


    Before Sugoroku, still busy in the kitchen, could even finish preparing, Hoshino had already pressed her hands together in thanks and picked up her chopsticks.


    "Oh? You''re here early today, Hoshino. Did you sleep well last night?"


    Sugoroku''s warm voice carried over from the kitchen. Perhaps knowing she had skipped dinner the night before, he had generously filled her rice bowl to the brim.


    "Mm! It''s as delicious as ever¡­ I feel alive again!"


    As she savored her meal, warmth spread through her exhausted body. Never had food felt more like a blessing.


    Sugoroku stepped out of the kitchen with a teapot in hand, his face full of kindness.


    "Heh, you must''ve been starving. No need to rush¡ªthere''s more if you want it¡­"


    But then, as his gaze fell upon Hoshino, who was happily devouring her meal, his expression abruptly shifted. His hands trembled, and he nearly dropped the teapot.


    "Hoshino¡­ is that really you?"


    Having freshened up in record time, Yugi rushed over in his pajamas.


    Munch, munch¡­


    Hoshino, her mouth full, looked at the two of them in confusion.


    "What''s with you guys? Why do you look like you''ve seen a ghost?"


    Yugi sighed, shaking his signature star-shaped hair.


    "I should be asking you that! Didn''t you even look in the mirror this morning?"


    Hoshino suddenly felt uneasy. Oh no¡­ did they figure out I was too lazy to wash up?


    Wait¡­ do I have eye crust or something? That would be mortifying¡­


    Unlike Yugi, who openly gawked, Grandpa quickly composed himself. Though momentarily surprised, he sat down slowly, his expression filled with concern.


    "Hoshino, do you feel anything unusual? If you do, please tell Grandpa."


    Hoshino shook her head, still puzzled. "Other than being hungry, I don''t feel anything off."


    Then she recalled the brief, splitting headache she''d had upon waking up. But since it had lasted only a moment with no lingering effects, she dismissed it as nothing more than the consequence of oversleeping.


    After a short pause, she resumed eating. Yugi, sitting beside her, hesitated before speaking carefully.


    "Hoshino¡­ if you don''t mind¡­ could you look at the color of your skin? Does it seem strange to you?"


    "Huh? My skin? What about it?"


    Following his suggestion, she glanced down at the arm holding her chopsticks¡ª


    And immediately choked.


    "Ghhk! Water¡ªwater!!"


    "Here, have some tea!"


    Sugoroku''s reflexes were sharp as ever. He quickly poured some green tea and handed it to her.


    Gulp, gulp, gulp¡ª


    "Hahh¡­ that was close¡­ Wait, NO! What the hell is going on!?"


    Her voice echoed louder than Yugi''s earlier exclamation. Staring at her hands as if they belonged to someone else, she paled¡ªwell, metaphorically.


    "Why are my arms suddenly brown!?"


    "Not just your arms¡ªyour whole body has changed color, Hoshino!"


    Finally, after holding it in all this time, Yugi let out everything he had been thinking.


    "Excuse me, I need a mirror¡ªNOW!"


    Dropping her chopsticks, Hoshino bolted toward the washroom.


    Because she had skipped her morning routine out of hunger, she hadn''t so much as glanced at a mirror all morning. There had been no chance to notice the blatantly obvious change.


    The moment she saw her reflection¡ª


    "¡ªI¡­ I''m b-b-beautiful!"


    Her once-fair skin had darkened significantly in the mirror''s reflection. Though not pitch-black like Darius, she now had a very deep tan.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 335 - 335

    Swinging her arm back and forth, Hoshino stared at her reflection in the mirror, lost in thought. After the initial shock, the first thing she considered was surprisingly practical.


    "How should I put this... Tan skin looks a bit too sexy. I should probably change out of this short skirt..."


    Yes, very practical indeed.


    Yugi awkwardly peeked his head in from outside the room, hesitantly asking, "So, Hoshino... any clues yet?"


    "I have no idea. Well... I wouldn''t say none, but I need to head back to my room first."


    Reluctantly setting down her half-finished breakfast, Hoshino hurried back to her room.


    Truth be told, saying she had a clue was a complete lie. This kind of bizarre situation was something no one could have predicted. The only thing she could do was consult a certain all-knowing individual who hadn''t shown up in a while.


    Back in her room, her now tan arms felt incredibly out of place. However, she had to admit¡ªthey actually paired quite well with her golden Millennium Bracelet.


    "Rub the Millennium Bracelet three times, all-knowing one, please appear~ I''m counting on you, Da Vinci-chan!"


    Like rubbing a genie''s lamp, Hoshino vigorously massaged the bracelet on her wrist while chanting some strange incantation with her eyes shut.


    But contrary to her expectations, the all-knowing Da Vinci didn''t respond at all. That''s when Hoshino suddenly realized¡ªever since she returned from the future, Da Vinci hadn''t appeared even once, not even when the world was on the brink of destruction.


    "Could it be... she feels so guilty about tricking me into going to the future that she doesn''t dare face me?"


    ***


    Meanwhile, at Chaldea''s cafeteria¡ª


    "Emiya, the omelet rice isn''t enough! Can you hurry it up a little? Move those hands faster!"


    At the stove, flipping fried rice in a pan, Emiya''s expression twitched subtly. If anyone else had spoken to him like that, he might have immediately projected an omelet rice and smacked it onto their head.


    "Just wait a little longer, Master..." Emiya forced a smile. Clearly, he wouldn''t do such a thing to Hoshino.


    Okita, who for once hadn''t overslept and had come early to enjoy Emiya''s breakfast, had been stuck in line this entire time.


    The reason?


    The mountain of empty plates stacked up in front of Hoshino.


    "Master, since when did you start eating like a Saber? Can''t you at least share a little with me?"


    Hoshino shot a glare at the drooling Okita. "If you''re hungry, go steal some food from Hijikata''s!"


    "QAQ That''s so mean, Master! I didn''t know you were such a cold person!"


    Artoria, who always arrived at the cafeteria on time¡ªor even early¡ªlooked at Hoshino with some concern.


    "Master, while having an appetite is a sign of good health, overeating like this will put a strain on your body..."


    "You, who can eat a restaurant out of business with just one bite, have no right to say that to me!"


    Hoshino shot back mercilessly, causing Artoria''s signature ahoge to droop slightly.


    Hearing the commotion, Mash arrived with a puzzled expression. "Senpai, you seem a lot more... sharp-tongued than usual. Also, how did you even get to Chaldea without Da Vinci being around?"


    The last two times Hoshino had come to Chaldea, it was always thanks to Da Vinci. Not only did she have to be asleep or unconscious, but the process itself was extremely complex.


    So, it should have been impossible for either Chaldea''s staff or Hoshino herself to come here at will.


    But this time, something was clearly different. A few days ago, Da Vinci had locked herself in her workshop, researching something mysterious, and hadn''t been seen since.


    "I should go get Mr. Holmes!"


    Mash, unable to come up with an answer no matter how hard she tried, decided to call in Chaldea''s acting second-in-command.


    "Okita, give me a shoulder massage. I''ve been eating for too long, and I''m getting tired."


    As expected, eating was a physically demanding task.


    "Got it~"


    .


    ..


    ...


    "So, Mr. Holmes, have you figured anything out?"


    Mash asked hesitantly as she stood beside Holmes, who had been silently observing Hoshino with a deep frown.


    Holmes finally spoke after a long pause, stroking his chin.


    "¡­She sure can eat."


    Mash frowned. "Mr. Holmes, could you please take this seriously?"


    "This appetite is completely unlike Miss Hoshino. Based on her profile, it''s already a miracle if she manages to eat a single bite. The current situation is simply too illogical."


    "Mr. Holmes, if you keep joking like that, I''ll get mad..."


    "I''m not joking, Miss Mash~"


    Holmes put away his pipe, took a few gentlemanly steps forward, and spoke in a low voice.


    "Though the appearance is flawless, based on behavioral details and habitual actions, you are not actually Miss Hoshino, are you?"


    "Huh? It''s not Senpai? What''s going on?!" Mash gasped.


    She had only brought Holmes here to ask why Hoshino had suddenly appeared in Chaldea. But instead, Holmes had launched into an analysis and dropped a bombshell.


    Hoshino, now full, leaned back in her seat with a toothpick in her mouth, exuding a cocky aura.


    "What are you talking about, Holmes? I am me. Not just in appearance¡ªon the inside, too, I''m the real Hoshino Chiyuki~"


    Still massaging Hoshino''s shoulders, Okita tilted her head in confusion. "This really does feel like Master, Mr. Holmes. Could it be that being a detective for too long has made you overly paranoid?"


    "What your eyes see is not always the truth."


    Holmes suddenly switched to a playful tone. "With an appetite like this, maybe Hoshino has actually been replaced by Artoria in disguise."


    "Um, I''m right here, though..." Artoria quickly clarified.


    "If you still doubt me, Holmes, feel free to ask any question you want. Go ahead, test me. Ask something only Hoshino Chiyuki would know."


    "Alright then. What are Miss Mash''s three sizes?"


    "How the hell would I know that?!"


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    Mash stomped her foot in frustration, stepping on Holmes'' shoe. "Can''t you ask something serious?!"


    "It wouldn''t make a difference," Holmes shrugged. "Miss Hoshino''s behavior has already given me the answer. Even if I asked the most obscure, specific questions, she would still be able to answer them."


    Hoshino casually stretched her legs and leapt up with agility. "So, Holmes, does that mean you''re dropping your suspicion now?"


    Holmes narrowed his eyes into slits, a subtle smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.


    "No. If you agree to my next request, then I''ll consider letting go of my doubts."


    "Your next request?"


    "¡ª¡ªHow about we settle this with a long-overdue duel?"


    Hoshino was slightly taken aback¡ªshe hadn''t expected Holmes to make such a request so suddenly.


    "A duel, huh¡­"


    "If you are truly Miss Hoshino, then you hold a firm belief in accepting all duel challenges. Or are you planning to refuse?"


    Sensing a hint of hesitation in ''Hoshino,'' Holmes pressed the issue relentlessly.


    "You sound pretty confident, Detective. But this time, your calculations might be off."


    Pulling out her deck from her pocket, Hoshino''s gaze sharpened instantly. "Let''s just call this a post-meal workout. But a simple duel would be too boring¡ªwhy don''t we make a bet?"


    Holmes'' brow furrowed slightly. The fact that Hoshino had agreed so readily was unexpected.


    His initial hypothesis was simple¡ªif this ''Hoshino'' before him was an imposter, then logically, they wouldn''t be able to summon her Heroic Spirit deck. Yet, the moment she produced her deck, that assumption was shattered.


    "Sigh¡­ Looks like we''ve found ourselves in quite the predicament, my dear Master."


    With a soft sigh, Holmes raised an eyebrow and, as if performing a magic trick, produced a deck of his own. "Very well, Miss Hoshino. What shall we wager?"


    "If I lose, I''ll tell you everything¡ªno holding back, no dodging the question, no secrets."


    Selecting a clean, sturdy table, Hoshino smacked her deck onto it. "But if you lose, your deck is mine."


    "I accept. No matter the means, as a detective, I must go all out to uncover the truth."


    Holmes placed his deck onto the table as well, snapping his fingers. Instantly, translucent light projections formed, creating a glowing boundary field atop the smooth tabletop.


    "This is a special Chaldea-style duel arena, something Da Vinci modified on a whim after the last Chaldea Duel Monsters Tournament. The effects it generates should be on par with the Duel Disks from that world."


    "A Duel Monsters tournament in Chaldea, huh?"


    Hoshino lowered her head in thought. She vaguely recalled Holmes mentioning something about it during Battle City¡ªa competition held on a whim to commemorate Nobunaga''s grand debut.


    "Well, as long as it can materialize projections, it should be more interesting than a plain card game."


    [Hoshino Chiyuki vs. Sherlock Holmes]


    "Duel!!"


    Just then, Holmes seemed to remember something and called out to Mash behind him. "Oh, right, Mash¡ªseal off the restaurant doors. Other than those already inside, don''t let anyone else in."


    The current attendees were: Mash, Emiya, Okita, Artoria, Hoshino, and Holmes.


    Mash looked puzzled. "But, Mr. Holmes, it''s breakfast time¡­"


    "Servants don''t actually need to eat, and there aren''t any human staff around right now, so it won''t be a problem."


    Since this special Chaldea was linked to Hoshino through her Heroic Spirit summoning, theoretically, only Servants she had summoned in this world should exist here¡ªexcluding Da Vinci, the administrator.


    "How cautious of you, Holmes. Afraid of losing and having people find out?" Hoshino teased as she drew her hand.


    "This is merely to maintain order and prevent unnecessary disruptions. Now, allow me¡ªthe runner-up of Chaldea''s Duel Tournament¡ªto put you to the test!"


    Without hesitation, Holmes drew his first card and immediately placed a monster in face-down defense position.


    "I set a monster in defense position¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Formal Dress Sherlock Holmes]!"


    A burst of light and shadow surged across the field. Though the projected monster was relatively small, its detailed rendering and lifelike effects were just as Holmes had described¡ªon par with the Duel Disks from that other world.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Formal Dress Sherlock Holmes¡ï¡ï (Level 2)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 1900]


    Clad in a crisp white dress shirt and holding a violin, this version of Sherlock Holmes looked different from the one standing across the table. Yet, despite the slight visual change, Hoshino couldn''t shake the odd feeling of watching Holmes summon¡­ himself.


    "I''ve always wanted to ask¡ªdoesn''t using your own card in a duel feel a little embarrassing, Holmes?"


    Back at Pegasus'' castle, their previous training duel hadn''t used holographic projections, so it hadn''t been an issue. But now that the projections were active, it felt like there were two Holmeses standing in the same room.


    "I''ve long since grown accustomed to it. Given how many novels, films, and animations have been made about me, simply using my own card is nothing. Compared to those fanfiction stories where I marry Watson, this is child''s play."


    There was even a hint of pride in his tone.


    "Now, I activate Formal Dress Sherlock Holmes'' effect! When this card is summoned, I can add one Spell or Trap card that mentions ''Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes'' from my Deck to my hand."


    As the elegant sound of a violin solo filled the air, the holographic projection of Holmes plucked the strings gracefully.


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn."


    [Holmes: 4 Hand Cards]


    Mash analyzed the situation earnestly. "Even though Mr. Holmes'' Formal Dress version has no attack power, its 1900 defense is only 100 points lower than mine. Breaking through on the first turn won''t be easy for Senpai."


    Mash, your stat panel might say 2000 DEF, but we all know it''s actually infinite¡­


    "It''s my turn! Draw!"


    As Hoshino drew her card, a rare, mischievous smirk curled on her lips.


    "Thanks for locking the doors, Mash. If anyone else saw what''s about to happen, things would''ve gotten very chaotic."


    "Senpai?"


    "I activate the Field Spell¡ª[All the Evils of This World]!"


    Slapping the card onto the table, Hoshino''s voice echoed through the restaurant.


    Without warning, the ceiling cracked open, revealing a deep, dark void. A thick, black liquid began oozing down, seeping into the floor and spreading across the entire room¡­


    (*****)


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 Chapter 336 - 336

    "This feeling¡­ is it the black mud?"


    Feeling the familiar yet repulsive sensation beneath their feet, Artoria and Emiya''s expressions grew increasingly serious. Among those present, only the two of them had truly encountered the black mud before.


    "It''s just a holographic projection, yet it manages to replicate the texture so realistically," Artoria observed.


    "And now, I activate the effect of my Field Spell¡ªonce per turn, by discarding a card from my hand, I can banish monsters from my deck whose total levels are equal to or greater than the level of an ''Alter'' monster in my hand, then Special Summon that ''Alter'' monster, ignoring its summoning conditions."


    Placing a card into the Graveyard area, Hoshino drew out a monster from her hand and placed it onto the table. At the same time, the black mud on the field began to twist and morph into a familiar shape.


    "I banish [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya] (Level 6) and [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn] (Level 4) from my deck for a total of 10 levels! Now, I Special Summon¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2600]


    "And now, Emiya Alter''s effect activates! When he is Special Summoned, he destroys all monsters on the opponent''s field that are in Defense Position!"


    Condensing from the black mud, Emiya Alter raised his twin guns¡ªmanifestations of Kanshou and Bakuya¡ªand fired. Sparks flew as bullets pierced through Formal Dress Sherlock Holmes, which had been in Defense Position.


    [Formal Dress Sherlock Holmes destroyed.]


    Curious, Okita turned to Emiya. "As an interview question from Okita-san, how does it feel to see your own Alter form in person, Emiya-san?"


    In truth, Okita had always struggled with how to face her own counterpart, Okita Alter. If she could get some insight from "Emiya the Mom Friend," that would be ideal.


    Emiya stroked his chin, his sharp eyes narrowing in thought.


    "Those dual guns¡­ they''re ridiculously cool. Should I start projecting that form from now on?"


    Okita clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Hmph. Men really are such simple creatures!"


    Having successfully cleared Holmes'' field, Hoshino smirked. "You should''ve known that even with 1900 DEF, it wouldn''t be enough to stop me. Don''t go easy on me now, Holmes~"


    "Miss Hoshino, you know that going easy isn''t my style¡ªespecially not at a time like this. That monster was meant to be destroyed." Holmes adjusted his gloves slightly. "And because of that, Formal Dress Sherlock Holmes''s effect activates!"


    [¢Û: If this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can add 1 card with "Heroic Spirit - Sherlock Holmes" in its name from your Deck or GY to your hand. Then, you can add 1 Equip Spell that mentions "Heroic Spirit" in its text from your Deck to your hand.]


    A sly one-for-three trade. By sacrificing one monster, Holmes had gained three cards in return. He had once mentioned that his combat strength as a Duel Monsters card was hardly worth considering, but his strategy focused on resource advantage and card retrieval. He was proving to be a tricky opponent.


    "Necessary sacrifices are sometimes made to secure more resources. If you''re really the Miss Hoshino, you should remember¡ªI taught you that, didn''t I?"


    "Of course I remember. In fact, I''ve kept it close to heart, Holmes." Hoshino playfully tapped her Graveyard area. "Proof of that is¡­"


    "The card I just sent to the Graveyard for my Field Spell''s effect¡ªHeroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette¡ªallows me to add a ''Heroic Spirit'' monster from my Deck to my hand!"


    When it came to sending cards to the Graveyard for value, Marie was unmatched. Okita and Nobunaga might have effects related to the Graveyard too, but they lacked the ability to generate extra resources as efficiently.


    "I add [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette Alter] from my Deck to my hand! Then, I banish Marie Antoinette from my Graveyard to Special Summon her Alter form!"


    Once more, the black mud stirred¡ªblooming into the form of a darkly elegant Marie Alter.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Marie Antoinette Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][DARK][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1800/DEF 2000]


    "And when this card is Special Summoned, I can send 1 ''Heroic Spirit'' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard!"


    Through the continuous summons fueled by the black mud, Hoshino had already brought forth two Alter monsters and completely wiped out Holmes'' field¡ªall in her very first turn.


    "Finally, my Field Spell ¨C All the Evils of This World grants all ''Alter'' monsters on my field an ATK boost of 300 times the number of banished ''Heroic Spirit'' monsters. Since I''ve banished three so far, my monsters gain 900 ATK."


    [Emiya Alter: 2400 ¡ú 3300 ATK]


    [Marie Alter: 1800 ¡ú 2700 ATK]


    Mash marveled. "Senpai''s offense is incredible! To set up such a strong board on the very first turn¡­ can Holmes-san really withstand this?"


    With Hoshino''s two monsters ready to strike, and Holmes having no monsters left on the field, the situation looked grim.


    "However, such a powerful effect also comes with a drawback," Holmes observed. "As long as this Field Spell is active, you cannot Special Summon non-''Alter'' Heroic Spirit monsters, Right?"


    Hoshino smirked. "That''s right. Meaning, for this duel, I''m putting my faith solely in Alter monsters. But even so¡ªcan you withstand this?"


    "Holmes, just like you, I don''t go easy on my opponents. If you can''t defend against this next attack, your Deck will belong to me!"


    Hoshino commanded Emiya Alter to attack directly. With a crisp loading sound, the magic-enhanced bullets fired straight at Holmes, who had no defenses left!


    "If you take this hit, then there''s a high chance you''ll lose this duel outright."


    Holmes narrowed one eye, adopting a deliberately mysterious stance.


    "However, since I already told you that the first monster was meant to be destroyed, of course I have a way to deal with this¡ªQuick-Play Spell: [Heroic ¨C Quest for the Truth]!"


    Even when activating a set card, he couldn''t resist indulging in a bit of dramatic flair. That was simply Holmes'' nature.


    [Heroic ¨C Quest for the Truth Quick-Play Spell Effect: (1) Special Summon 1 monster with "Sherlock Holmes" in its name from your hand.]


    "With this effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes] in Defense Position from my hand! This will block your attack, Miss Hoshino!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1800]


    This time, it was the familiar "Detective" version of Holmes who appeared on the field. However, after taking one of Emiya Alter''s bullets, he vanished without much fanfare¡ªclearly, he was just there to take the hit.


    [Sherlock Holmes destroyed.]


    "Holmes-san¡­ died again," Okita muttered.


    "Indeed, that makes it two times now," Artoria agreed.


    Holmes sighed, raising an eyebrow. "You two, please refrain from spreading such misleading information¡ªit could cause unnecessary trouble for investigators."


    "Alright then¡ªMarie, continue the attack!"


    The bullet being blocked didn''t mean Hoshino''s Battle Phase was over. The black rose blooming at Marie''s fair fingertips was breathtakingly beautiful¡ªyet just as capable of dragging one into the abyss.


    "I activate my Set Trap Card¡ª[Heroic Visit]!"


    This time, Holmes activated his Set card quickly, without any of his usual excessive commentary.


    [Heroic Visit Trap Card Effect: Activate only when an opponent''s monster declares an attack. Your opponent randomly chooses 1 card from your hand. If it is a monster, Special Summon it to your field. Otherwise, send it to the GY.]


    "Make your choice, Miss Hoshino. If you manage to pick a non-monster card from my hand, you''ll be able to deal a massive blow to my Life Points."


    Hoshino responded, "Conversely, if I pick a monster, you''ll get a new wall to block my attack, right? This kind of gambling doesn''t seem like your usual style, Holmes."


    Holmes had four cards left in his hand. One of them had definitely been added via Formal Dress Sherlock Holmes''s effect¡ªan Equip Spell. The remaining three could very well be monsters.


    "Then, I''ll choose the leftmost card!"


    Holmes smirked, flipping the chosen card over with confidence.


    "Miss Hoshino, a true gamble is one where there are no clues¡ªonly luck. But in a game where I can predict your thinking and adjust my hand accordingly¡­ well, that''s what I call psychological warfare."


    The revealed card''s artwork stood out starkly from the rest of Holmes''s deck. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "¡ªThis is the card you chose. Too bad¡ªit''s a monster: [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty]!"


    James Moriarty¡ªHolmes''s greatest nemesis, his sworn enemy. And yet, here he was, appearing in Holmes''s deck, aiding him in blocking a fatal attack. Fate had a strange sense of humor.


    "Now, according to Heroic Visit''s effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty] in Attack Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)]


    [DARK] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1800/DEF 1200]


    A stylishly dressed elderly gentleman materialized on Holmes''s field. Adjusting his glasses, he smirked.


    "Heroic, huh? Do I look like a hero to you?"


    Holmes chuckled. "As a hologram, I suggest you keep quiet and obediently fulfill your role as a pawn."


    Moriarty scoffed. "Hmph. If it weren''t for the game''s rules, I''d switch sides immediately!"


    Ignoring Moriarty''s complaints, Holmes swiftly activated another effect.


    "When James Moriarty is Special Summoned, I can add one ''Heroic'' Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose [Heroic Crime of the Century]!"


    Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "Searching for a Trap Card now? Isn''t it a little late for that?"


    Marie''s attack was already in motion. With all of Holmes''s Set cards used up, even if he added a Trap Card to his hand now, he wouldn''t be able to use it immediately to stop Moriarty from being destroyed.


    "No, the timing is just right!" Holmes declared, drawing the Trap Card from his Deck while signaling to Moriarty.


    "Even as a detective, I must admit¡ªwhen it comes to crime and setting traps, there''s no one more skilled than him."


    Moriarty smirked. "Why, thank you for the heartfelt compliment!"


    With an agility that defied his age, Moriarty leaped into the air, his form blending seamlessly with the surrounding darkness.


    "I activate James Moriarty''s effect! As long as he is on the field, once per turn, during either player''s turn, I can activate a ''Heroic'' Trap Card from my hand!"


    Holmes dramatically slammed the Trap Card onto the table, triggering a surge of energy that enveloped the battlefield, sealing off Marie''s movements.


    "The Trap Card I choose to activate is¡ª[Heroic Crime of the Century]!"


    Moriarty burst into theatrical laughter. "Superb! The world is brimming with destruction! Here and now, I shall prove my ultimate theorem¡ª''The Final Crime''!!"


    [Heroic Crime of the Century Trap Card Effect: Return 1 "Heroic Spirit - James Moriarty" you control to your hand, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; negate its effects, also it cannot attack. If you do, destroy that target during the End Phase.]


    Returning Moriarty''s card to his hand, Holmes gestured toward Marie, now surrounded by a web of explosive energy.


    "Thanks to Heroic Crime of the Century''s effect, Marie Alter''s attack and abilities are sealed¡ªand she''ll be destroyed at the end of the turn."


    Hoshino smiled, unfazed. "How unexpected. Two sworn enemies, yet they teamed up for a counterplay."


    Even after losing Marie to Holmes''s tactics, Hoshino didn''t seem the least bit shaken. If anything, she looked even more intrigued by the game¡ªby the seamless cooperation between master detective and master criminal.


    Holmes studied her carefully. "It seems that not even this counterplay can shake you, Miss Hoshino. Compared to our battles back in Duelist Kingdom, your skills have improved tremendously."


    "Of course. If I had stagnated, I wouldn''t even have the chance to stand here now."


    Ending her Battle Phase, Hoshino took a card from her hand and placed it face-down.


    "I Set one card and end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s Hand: 2 Cards]


    "At the end of your turn, due to Heroic Crime of the Century''s effect, Marie Alter is destroyed."


    A faint smirk played on Hoshino''s lips. "I was waiting for this moment. Even though her effects were negated while on the field, once she''s sent to the Graveyard, her effect will still activate!"


    [¢Û: If this card is sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Alter" monster from your GY, except "Heroic Spirit - Marie Antoinette Alter," ignoring its Summoning conditions.]


    "And the monster I''ll be summoning¡ª"


    The black mud on the battlefield churned once more, twisting and coalescing into another figure¡ªthis time, an alternate version of a familiar Heroic Spirit.


    "¡ªHeroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Alter!"


    Unlike the drastic transformation between Emiya and Emiya Alter, Artoria Alter retained most of her original appearance. The key differences were her jet-black armor, paler skin, and the ominously darkened Holy Sword in her hands¡ªExcalibur Morgan.


    ¡ªAnd, of course, the inexplicably missing ahoge.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 337 - 337

    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2400 ¡ú 3300/DEF 2100]


    Contrasting sharply with the regal blue of her quilt-like armor, her reversed, form-fitting black dress accentuated her fair, delicate skin¡ªalmost mesmerizing to behold.


    "Okita-san''s Interview, Part Two! Artoria-san, how do you feel about your Alter?"


    Artoria carefully examined herself from head to toe, contemplating for a long moment before giving her verdict:


    "I win."


    Okita tilted her head. "Win? Win what?"


    "Whether in terms of level, defensive capabilities, or the sheer thickness of my armor¡ªI have the advantage!"


    Setting aside the level difference, there was no way Artoria''s thick quilt armor could outmatch the alluring elegance of her opponent''s outfit.


    Holmes lightly drew a card from his deck. "To see you making such skillful use of your deck''s resources¡ªtruly commendable. As expected from my top disciple."


    "It was just a whole night of you crushing me in card games. I hardly deserve the title of ''top disciple,''" Hoshino said, waving a hand dismissively, feigning humility.


    Holmes ignored her modesty, smoothly drawing a card from his hand. The field lit up with a summoning glow.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning]! If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower ''Heroic Spirit'' monster from my Deck in Defense Position."


    He flicked the chosen card onto the field, and from the glowing projections, a familiar figure materialized.


    "¡ªI Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes]!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes ¡ï][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK: 500 DEF: 400]


    Now clad in a brand-new, more casual travel outfit, Holmes appeared on the field, sporting his signature detective hat and a large backpack, exuding an air of effortless confidence.


    Hoshino''s eye twitched. "Holmes, how many different versions of yourself did you put in your deck? If I didn''t know better, I''d swear you were a narcissist. Actually, I''m starting to suspect it anyway¡­"


    What should have been a serious duel was turning into a fashion showcase, with Holmes swapping outfits as if he were challenging Artoria''s record for the most alternate forms.


    "A detective must be prepared for all possible disguises," Holmes replied smoothly. "Now, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes] that was previously sent to the Graveyard!"


    The original Holmes, sent to the Graveyard earlier by an attack from EMIYA Alter, hadn''t triggered any effects at the time, making it seem like nothing more than a disposable shield¡ªuntil now.


    "While [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes] is in my Graveyard, once per turn, I can declare a card type¡ªMonster, Spell, or Trap."


    Holmes'' gaze deepened, as if he could see straight into Hoshino''s mind.


    "After declaring the card type, I reveal the top card of your Deck. If it matches my declaration, I can Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes] from my Graveyard."


    Hoshino smirked. "Interesting. Even I don''t know what''s on top of my Deck. No matter how good you are at mind games, Holmes, this time, you can only rely on luck."


    With only a one-in-three chance of guessing correctly, the odds weren''t in his favor. But the unreadable depth in Holmes'' eyes sent a shiver down Hoshino''s spine.


    Holmes'' lips curled into a confident smile.


    "Then, I declare that the top card of your Deck is¡­ the Quick-Play Spell Hero Creation!"


    Hoshino''s instincts flared with alarm. "Wait, you''ve got to be kidding!"


    She quickly flipped over the top card of her Deck¡ª


    And just as she feared¡ª


    "No way! Even if you claim to be a legendary detective, it''s already ridiculous enough that you can deduce the card type. But to predict the exact card itself?! That''s just absurd!"


    After all, even Hoshino herself had no idea what the top card of her Deck was.


    "This is just my basic deduction, my friend~"


    The summoning glow reappeared. Since Holmes had correctly identified the card type, Sherlock Holmes was Special Summoned from the Graveyard.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1800]


    Hoshino was far from convinced. "Don''t try to brush this off with a casual remark! If you don''t give me a proper explanation, I''m going to assume you''re cheating!"


    Holmes simply winked. "Such a lack of humor, Miss Hoshino~ This was just a little warm-up joke. In truth, before my declaration, I had already activated the effect of Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes."


    He tapped the Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes card on the field with a smirk.


    [When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Look at the top 3 cards of your opponent''s Deck, then return them to the top of the Deck in any order.]


    Okita nodded seriously. "I see now! I was just about to bring down the hammer of justice on you for dueling misconduct, but it turns out your victory at the last tournament wasn''t just luck after all."


    Emiya calmly interjected, "Okita, your deck only has one monster¡ªyourself. Forget luck, even Darius could beat you."


    "One monster is enough for me! After all, I am the ace!" Okita declared with unfounded confidence.


    Compared to Okita''s unwavering self-belief, Hoshino''s expression was far more complicated.


    "So, you manipulated the top three cards of my Deck beforehand. That means, besides Hero Creation, you also got a sneak peek at two other cards. You know, Holmes, peeking at a lady''s deck without permission is hardly gentlemanly behavior!"


    "Hardly gentlemanly, you say¡­"


    Despite his lighthearted response, the sharp glint in Holmes'' eyes never faded.


    "It''s not just that, is it, Miss Hoshino? There''s a card in your Deck you didn''t want me to see, isn''t there? Let me guess¡ªcould it be related to the origin of this whole incident?"


    Hoshino''s expression turned serious. "Is that another one of your deductions, or have you already seen it?"


    "Hmm, who knows?¡ªthis part, I''m afraid, is classified. I must refuse to answer."


    Earlier, even Hoshino hadn''t known what her top card was. But now, Holmes had knowledge that even she lacked. No matter how minor, this kind of information asymmetry still counted as an advantage in a duel.


    "What are they even talking about? I''m completely lost..."


    Okita''s head was practically steaming from overexertion, as if she were listening to some celestial being speak in riddles.


    "Then, I continue by activating the effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes]. Since I guessed correctly and successfully Special Summoned him, I can discard one card from my hand to Set the declared card onto my field."


    Casually tossing Moriarty''s card into the Graveyard, Holmes smirked as he deftly stole the top card of Hoshino''s Deck.


    "I discard the now ''useless'' Moriarty from my hand and set a card on my field."


    The old man, now lying in the Graveyard, sounded rather disgruntled.


    "Master, hurry up and fetch me a tomato! I''m going to chuck it at him!"


    Hoshino frowned. "How could he be useless? If we''re talking about Moriarty''s effect, wouldn''t it be incredibly useful in this situation?"


    Holmes raised an eyebrow.


    "As expected of you, Miss Hoshino. Even though I put on a fa?ade of absolute distaste toward Moriarty, you weren''t fooled by such a shallow trick. Now then, I activate the Equip Spell I searched for last turn¡ª[The Vaunted One]!"


    More commonly known as "Strad." It was Holmes'' pride and joy¡ªa rare treasure crafted by Antonio Stradivari, the greatest luthier in history. Holmes had once managed to purchase it from a pawn shop for a mere fifty-five shillings.


    [The Vaunted One ¨C Equip Spell Effect: Target 1 ''Heroic Spirit'' monster in your Graveyard. Special Summon that target and equip this card to it.]


    "A ''Premature Burial'' exclusively for Heroic Spirits, huh? You sure have some handy cards stashed away, Holmes."


    "With the effect of The Vaunted One, I Special Summon the Moriarty I just sent to the Graveyard in Attack Position. Then, I activate Moriarty''s effect to add a second copy of Heroic Crime of the Century from my Deck to my hand."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)]


    [DARK] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1800/DEF 1200]


    "As long as Moriarty is on the field, I can activate Heroic Crime of the Century to reliably destroy one of your monsters, Miss Hoshino. Given that, wouldn''t it be strange for me to call him useless?"


    "Miss Hoshino, did you think I called him useless simply because I dislike him? No, the reason he''s useless is obvious¡ªyou''ve already prepared a countermeasure for any effect I might activate. Your set card."


    Hoshino''s eyes widened slightly. In that instant, she felt as if Holmes had seen straight through her.


    "The card you set is the Quick-Play Spell Vessel of the Saint, isn''t it? Its effect makes a monster immune to your opponent''s card effects, meaning that even if I activate Heroic Crime of the Century this turn, it won''t affect you at all."


    Hoshino sighed in resignation.


    "I expected this, but it still stings to be read so completely..."


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes'' effect: Once per turn: You can look at 1 Set card your opponent controls.]


    "This card, Heroic Crime of the Century, is essentially my ammunition for destruction, while your strategy, Miss Hoshino, is to preserve your monsters and deplete my ammunition. Am I wrong?"


    "I won''t deny it. But even if you''ve seen through my set card, you still summoned Moriarty. That tells me you don''t have any other means to break through my Alter monster''s defenses."


    For monsters with over 3000 ATK, breaking through with sheer force was difficult.


    Hoshino shrugged.


    "A battle between a genius detective and a criminal mastermind, huh? Their card effects are definitely troublesome, but as long as I prepare in advance, their lack of raw power is a fatal weakness."


    "It would seem, Miss Hoshino, that you are correct. A detective and a criminal mastermind alone may not be able to overcome the defenses of a powerful Alter monster. However, there is a solution..."


    Moriarty scoffed, visibly annoyed.


    "Hah. You just called me useless a moment ago, and now you want my help?"


    "But what if the detective and the criminal joined forces? With the greatest minds in human history working together, perhaps they could find¡ªor even create¡ªa way to break through overwhelming power!" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hoshino looked puzzled.


    "Can two people who despise each other really fight together?"


    Mash turned to Hoshino, surprised.


    "Even if they bicker all the time and never back down from petty arguments¡­ deep down, aren''t Holmes and Moriarty actually on good terms? Didn''t you once tell me that yourself, Senpai?"


    Holmes'' sharp eyes glimmered.


    "You finally slipped up, Miss Hoshino!"


    "Even if you have Hoshino''s appearance, deck, and even memories, the way you treat the Heroic Spirits is subtly different. That kind of disconnect¡ªof living a life that isn''t truly your own¡ªwill inevitably lead to contradictions!"


    Hoshino''s expression turned awkward.


    "What are you talking about, Holmes? I just forgot for a moment, that''s all... Now that I think about it, you and Moriarty do actually get along quite well, don''t you?"


    "No, our relationship is terrible. The only reason we put aside our differences in front of you, Miss Hoshino, is because we prioritize our Master''s feelings above our own grudges."


    Holmes picked up two cards from the field and shuffled them back into his deck.


    "I return [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes] and [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty] to the Deck as Fusion Materials to perform a Fusion Summon¡ªwithout the need for a Fusion Spell!"


    "¡ªSpecial Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock & James]!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 338 - 338

    "¡ªSpecial Summon [Sherlock & James]!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Sherlock & James¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)]


    [LIGHT] [Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect] [ATK 2500/DEF 2500]


    ["Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes" + "Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty"]


    [Must be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by returning the monsters listed on this card to the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization.") This card is also treated as a "Heroic Spirit" card.]


    "Here it comes!" Okita''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Another Fusion monster that just moves from two spaces into one and calls it a ''Fusion''!"


    While that was technically true, having these two stand together peacefully without bickering was already a rare miracle in itself.


    "When [Sherlock & James] is successfully Special Summoned, I can reveal all of my opponent''s Set cards. The cards revealed this way cannot be activated for the rest of the turn."


    The combined intellect of two great minds¡ªSherlock, the solver, and Moriarty, the problem setter¡ªsealed away Hoshino''s defensive measure, Vessel of the Saint, locking it in chains.


    Looking at her now-restricted Set card, Hoshino remarked, "Holmes, isn''t this Fusion actually working against you? You sealed my Set card, but in doing so, you lost Moriarty¡ªthe key requirement for Heroic Crime of the Century."


    Heroic Crime of the Century could only be activated while Moriarty was on the field. Even though Sherlock & James was a Fusion of the two, and they were essentially just standing closer together, the rules were the rules. Without Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty, the Trap couldn''t be used.


    "You don''t need to worry about that. Instead of using Heroic Crime of the Century to break your field, I have a better option¡ªso long as I first seal away your troublesome Vessel of the Saint."


    Holmes placed a card onto the table, and two wooden doors marked with strange symbols suddenly appeared on both his and Hoshino''s field.


    "¡ªI activate the Spell Card [Magic Door of Miracles]!"


    [Magic Door of Miracles ¨C Spell Card Effect: You can activate this effect if you control 2 or more Spellcaster-Type monsters. Select 1 Attack Position monster on your opponent''s field and change it to Defense Position. Then, gain control of that monster. Monsters gained by this effect cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    "Since I control both Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock & James, I meet the activation requirement. I choose to take control of your [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter], Miss Hoshino."


    The wooden door warped reality, shifting Emiya Alter to Holmes''s field like a magic trick. His stance was forcibly altered from an aggressive posture to a kneeling defensive one.


    [Emiya Alter ¨C DEF 2600]


    "Now the situation has changed, Miss Hoshino. If I hadn''t sealed away your Vessel of the Saint, things wouldn''t have gone this smoothly."


    Mash looked at Emiya with a complicated expression. "Even Emiya-san has become a traitor..."


    Emiya sighed and rubbed his temple. "Mash, please don''t pick up that kind of word from Master."


    "Next, I activate Sherlock & James''s effect¡ªI declare the type of the top card in your deck."


    Holmes pointed at Hoshino''s deck. "After Hero Creation, the top card of your deck should be a Monster Card¡ª[Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn]."


    Hoshino didn''t even bother checking. With Holmes using monster effects to manipulate the order of her deck, it was only natural that he could deduce its contents.


    "If I correctly declare the card type, I can add one ''Heroic'' Trap Card from my Graveyard to my hand. Now, I have two copies of Heroic Crime of the Century in my hand."


    Hoshino couldn''t help but tease, "Holding onto that many crime-themed cards... Holmes, are you sure you''re still a detective and not a criminal?"


    "Is what you see with your eyes truly the truth?"


    Holmes gave another one of his signature enigmatic smiles as he Set two cards.


    "With that, I Set two cards and end my turn. At the End Phase, the control of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Emiya Alter] reverts, and since his effect activates at the End Phase, I can add one ''Heroic Spirit'' Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hand."


    Using Emiya Alter''s effect, Holmes retrieved the Quick-Play Spell Heroic Spirit ¨C Emergency Summoning from his Graveyard.


    "Finally, at the end of the turn, the Fusion Monster Sherlock & James returns to the Extra Deck, and I retrieve the Fusion Materials, Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty, from my Deck back to my hand."


    By sacrificing Sherlock & James, Holmes replenished his hand with three new cards.


    [Holmes''s Hand: 5 cards | 3 Set cards]


    A stunned Artoria remarked, "I suppose this is what makes him a detective. Even his deck is far more complicated than others''."


    "Okita''s deck is just as complicated!"


    Regardless of complexity, one truth remained¡ªOkita''s deck was indeed difficult to play... even for herself.


    "My turn¡ªdraw!"


    Hoshino drew her card and took a quick glance¡ªit was indeed C¨² Chulainn, just as Holmes had predicted.


    "So you deliberately placed C¨² Chulainn second, meaning you believe he poses no threat to you even if I draw him?"


    With his reputation as a survivor rather than an attacker, C¨² Chulainn wouldn''t be much of a threat in a game where Holmes already had a near-indestructible traitor [Emiya Alter] on his field.


    Emiya scoffed, his bias clear. "Hmph. Just another blue Lancer. All he does is survive¡ªhe''s got no real combat power."


    "Now, now, Emiya, you shouldn''t speak in absolutes~"


    A smirk played on Hoshino''s lips as the thick black mud beneath her feet churned once more.


    "The effect of the Field Spell [All the Evils of This World] activates¡ªI banish a ''Heroic Spirit'' monster from my hand to add one ''Alter'' monster from my Deck to my hand."


    Holmes''s eyes narrowed. "Not good!"


    "I banish Spartacus from my hand and add [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn Alter] to my hand!"


    "I activate its effect¡ªby discarding one ''C¨² Chulainn'' monster from my hand, I can Special Summon it to the field!"


    Unlike other "Alter" monsters that require banishing their original forms from the Graveyard, this summon method demanded a direct offering from the hand. As the black mud gathered and solidified, a fearsome warrior clad in brutal, jagged armor emerged¡ªhis very presence exuding an aura of pure destruction.


    [Heroic Spirit - C¨² Chulainn Alter ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 9)]


    [DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2800/DEF 2000]


    [Cannot be Special Summoned except by sending 1 "C¨² Chulainn" monster from your hand to the GY.]


    Emiya scowled. "That damn dog... His normal form has a lower level and weaker stats than me, but once he turns black, he completely outclasses me? I know it''s not a fair comparison, but I still feel like I lost somehow."


    With C¨² Alter now on the field, the black mud beneath their feet churned even more violently.


    "Because of All the Evils of This World, the ATK of all ''Alter'' monsters on my field increases by 300 for each banished Heroic Spirit!"


    [Artoria Alter ATK 3600]


    [C¨² Chulainn Alter ATK 4000]


    Holmes narrowed his eyes. "I initially assumed C¨² Chulainn wouldn''t be a threat, but I underestimated just how versatile your Field Spell is."


    Even without prior experience with the black mud, he could clearly sense its eerie, oppressive aura¡ªan ominous power that only deepened with the arrival of C¨² Alter.


    Normally, materialized cards in Chaldea were distinct from their real counterparts¡ªthey had no independent consciousness.


    Yet, despite remaining motionless, C¨² Alter radiated a silent, beast-like killing intent that made everyone uneasy.


    Hoshino followed his gaze and pointed at Holmes'' field. "C¨² Chulainn Alter''s effect: as long as he remains on the field, all face-up monsters must switch to Attack Position!"


    [Emiya Alter ATK 3600]


    [Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes ATK 500]


    Holmes twitched. His defensive setup was now completely shattered, leaving his weaker monsters vulnerable to an overwhelming assault.


    "Your defenses have been torn apart, Holmes! I don''t even have to worry about Emiya Alter¡ªthe monster you stole from me. I just need to target your weakest link!"


    With a confident grin, Hoshino slammed her final card onto the table. A surge of energy erupted between her three Alter monsters, intertwining and amplifying their power.


    "¡ªI activate the Spell Card [Alter ¨C Malevolent Energy Surge]!"


    [Alter ¨C Malevolent Energy Surge: Draw 1 card for each different ''Alter'' monster face-up on the field.]


    "With three different Alter monsters in play, I draw three cards from my deck!"


    The swirling, malevolent energy fueled her hand, reinforcing her strategy as she prepared her counterattack.


    "You''ve had your fun with all those flashy plays, Holmes. Now it''s my turn!"


    Clenching her pale hands around the pitch-black holy sword¡ªExcalibur Morgan¡ªArtoria Alter''s presence grew even more overwhelming. It was as if she were siphoning endless magical energy from the black mud beneath her feet.


    Mash tilted her head. "She''s attacking with Artoria Alter? But C¨² Chulainn Alter has higher ATK..."


    Even tainted by darkness, a holy sword remained the ultimate authority in battle. Artoria Alter converted her mana into raw destructive power, producing not a brilliant light, but a shadowy radiance that matched the darkened steel in her grasp.


    "As long as C¨² Chulainn Alter is on the field, I can only declare one attack per turn. Since that''s the case, I''ll naturally choose my strongest attacker!"


    "I activate Artoria Alter''s effect¡ª"


    [¢Ù: Once per turn, during the Battle Phase (Quick Effect): You can discard 1 card; this card gains ATK equal to 300 x the number of "Heroic Spirit" monsters in your GY until the end of this turn.]


    "I discard Gilgamesh from my hand, activating the power of Excalibur Morgan! Currently, my Graveyard contains four Heroic Spirits¡ªMarie Alter, C¨² Chulainn, Gilgamesh, and Karna!"


    A darkened version of Excalibur''s light¡ªmore akin to a dragon''s breath than a sword strike¡ªerupted from her blade.


    Holmes furrowed his brows. "Karna? When did you send Karna to the Graveyard?"


    Hoshino lifted Artoria''s card, smirking. "Last turn, when I summoned Marie Alter, I sent him there. Artoria Alter''s own effect allowed me to bury him in the darkness alongside her."


    [¢Û: When this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can send 1 ''Heroic Spirit'' monster from your Deck to the Graveyard.]


    Holmes muttered to himself. "Why specifically Karna...? What are you planning, Miss Hoshino...?"


    Among the many Heroic Spirits, why had she chosen to send Karna¡ªa top-tier Servant¡ªto the Graveyard? Her behavior, combined with this move, hinted at a deeper strategy.


    "Is now really the time to be thinking about that, Holmes?"


    Hoshino''s smirk widened. The black energy surrounding her intensified, and the cursed mud began to boil violently, as if responding to her will.


    "With four Heroic Spirits in my Graveyard, Artoria Alter''s ATK increases by 1,200!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Artoria Pendragon Alter ATK 3600 ¡ú 4800]


    Mash gulped. "4,800 ATK... That''s incredibly strong! If Holmes takes this hit, he''ll be wiped out instantly!"


    Okita closed her eyes and spun her fingers in small circles near her temple, pretending to think deeply.


    "Hmm... How do I put this? Holmes made all those fancy plays, but in the end, Master is just going to one-shot him."


    Emiya sighed. "You''re trying to say ''raw strength trumps a thousand strategies,'' aren''t you? In the face of overwhelming power, all tactics are meaningless."


    Okita''s eyes lit up. "Yes, yes! That''s exactly what I meant!"


    As they spoke, Artoria Alter had already swung her sword downward. The energy from Excalibur Morgan¡ªno longer a light of hope, but a force of absolute destruction¡ªerupted across the battlefield.


    "¡ªExcalibur Morgan!!!"


    The blast of darkness wasn''t just an attack¡ªit was an all-consuming force, like the breath of a dragon, a cataclysm powerful enough to engulf Britain itself.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 339 - 339

    "Forcing all monsters into Attack Position and then using overwhelming attack power to break through in one go? As expected of Miss Hoshino¡ªher decisiveness and destructive force are both top-notch."


    Facing the impact of the black light, Holmes didn''t hesitate to offer his praise.


    "But, Miss Hoshino, don''t forget¡ªI set a Card last turn. Now, I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Heroic Creation]!"


    [Traveling Holmes ATK: 500 ¡ú 1500]


    A red magical aura enveloped Traveling Holmes, forcibly increasing his ATK by 1000. Though it seemed insignificant in the face of Artoria Alter''s overwhelming strike, it was just enough to let Holmes barely survive the impact of the dark light.


    [Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes - Destroyed]


    [Holmes LP: 4000 ¡ú 700]


    Okita instinctively shivered. "Whoa, Holmes got completely wrecked! Master really showed no mercy with that attack!"


    Hoshino smiled with satisfaction. "I already accounted for that. I knew you''d activate some trick at a crucial moment, Holmes. But even though you managed to reduce the damage, I still came out ahead from that attack!"


    "You might have gained a little, but I''ll never take a loss!"


    As his monster was destroyed, Holmes activated another card in response.


    "I activate the face-down Trap Card¡ª[True Mastermind]!"


    [True Mastermind - Trap Effect: If a "Heroic Spirit - Sherlock Holmes" you control is destroyed and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Heroic Spirit - James Moriarty" from your hand or Deck.]


    "That Traveling Holmes was just bait. I intentionally left it on the field for you to destroy as part of my plan. Though, I must admit, I didn''t expect you to force it into Attack Position and deal this much damage to me."


    He had miscalculated Hoshino''s move to summon C¨² Alter and forcefully change his monster''s battle position, which led to him losing more LP than expected.


    "But it doesn''t matter! Thanks to True Mastermind, I Special Summon Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty from my hand! And at the same time, I activate the Trap Card Heroic Crime of the Century!"


    A manic laugh echoed across the battlefield, followed by an explosion of gunfire.


    "Crime of the Century returns Moriarty to my hand. And at the End Phase of this turn, your Artoria Alter will be destroyed!"


    Hoshino''s expression turned slightly curious. "You sacrificed your own monster just to create an opening for Moriarty''s effect? Since when did you become this selfless, Holmes?"


    Although Holmes and Moriarty were willing to set aside their rivalry in Hoshino''s presence, their constant bickering and need to outshine each other were obvious to anyone. Even Hoshino found this play a bit unusual.


    Mash sighed, rubbing her temples. "First Senpai, now Holmes... Why is everyone acting so out of character today?"


    "Because C¨² Alter is on the field, only one monster can declare an attack per Battle Phase. Even though I''d love to finish this, I can''t attack anymore this turn."


    Hoshino set one of the remaining two cards in her hand face-down and ended her turn.


    [Artoria Alter - Destroyed]


    "When Artoria is sent to the Graveyard, I activate her effect¡ªsending Heroic Spirit ¨C Ozymandias from my deck to the Graveyard!"


    Holmes frowned. "Another top-tier Servant sent to the Graveyard... Just what exactly are you planning, Miss Hoshino?"


    [Hoshino''s Field: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    "My turn¡ªDraw! From my hand, I activate the effect of Sherlock Holmes! If I control a Set card, I can Special Summon him from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 4)]


    [LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK 1200/DEF 1800]


    "Then, I activate the effect of James Moriarty in my hand! If a Sherlock Holmes is on my field, I can Special Summon him!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)]


    [DARK][Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1800/DEF 1200]


    Using a seamless combo, Holmes managed to return both of his previously recovered monsters to the field without even using his Normal Summon.


    "Next, I activate the effect of the Quick-Play Spell Heroic ¨C Quest for the Truth from my Graveyard!"


    [Heroic ¨C Quest for the Truth - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Banish this card from your GY; add 1 "Heroic Spirit" Equip Spell from your GY to your hand.]


    Retrieving a card from the Graveyard, Holmes showed it with a smirk and immediately played it on the field.


    "The card I recovered is my beloved Stradivarius. And using its effect, I revive Heroic Spirit ¨C Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes from my Graveyard!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Traveling Outfit: Sherlock Holmes ¡ï]


    [LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect] [ATK: 500 DEF: 400]


    Holmes grinned. "Now that he''s back on the field, I get to rearrange the top three cards of your deck again, Miss Hoshino."


    Hoshino scoffed playfully. "Pfft, whatever. You''ve already seen them all anyway, you perverted detective~ So, are you going to use Crime of the Century again? Don''t forget, this turn I still have Vessel of the Saint protecting me!"


    "Nope. This time, thanks to Moriarty''s ability, the Trap I''m activating from my hand is this¡ª"


    Using Moriarty''s once-per-turn effect, Holmes immediately played the card he had drawn that turn.


    "I activate the Trap Card¡ªHeroic Spirit ¨C United Assault! All ''Heroic Spirit'' monsters on the field have their ATK reduced to 0, and all that power is transferred to Emiya Alter!"


    [Emiya Alter ATK: 3600 ¡ú 7100]


    "A solid play, Holmes. You''re gathering all the attack power onto one for a single, decisive strike... But I won''t let you have your way that easily!"


    "Miss Hoshino, are you ready to take my attack?"


    The attack, infused with the power of Unlimited Blade Works, fired straight at C¨² Alter like a bullet carrying the combined might of all the monsters on the field.


    "Since this is a battle of Heroic Spirits, I can''t back down either! Trap Card activate¡ªHeroic Spirit ¨C Holy Grail War!"


    Facing Holmes'' all-out attack, the moment Hoshino''s Trap Card was triggered, the black mud beneath her feet began to boil once more.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Holy Grail War Trap Card Effect: During either player''s Battle Phase: Target 1 "Heroic Spirit" monster you control; destroy all other cards on the field except the targeted monster.]


    Cu Alter''s crimson spear swept across the ground, stirring up a wave of searing black mud that surged across the field like a tide of destruction.


    The clash between Emiya Alter and Cu Alter was set to ignite amidst the sea of evil.


    Artoria hesitated slightly, puzzled. "Master''s effect will destroy all the cards on the field, right? That means even her own Field Spell, All the Evils of This World, as well."


    Emiya nodded solemnly. "She''s sacrificing her field advantage for an all-in counterattack."


    Okita clenched her fists in excitement. "Ohhh! A full-powered clash of Trap Cards! Emiya-san and Cu Chulainn-san''s fated duel¡ªthis is really getting intense!"


    Heroic Spirit ¨C Holy Grail War¡ªone of the three cards Holmes had deliberately placed at the bottom when manipulating Hoshino''s deck¡ªwas now revealed as the most troublesome of all. However, Hoshino had drawn it early thanks to Alter ¨C Malevolent Energy Surge.


    "Now all your last countermeasures are gone, Holmes!"


    The black mud engulfed everything in its path, an apocalyptic wave erasing all in its wake.


    But at this critical moment, Holmes remained completely unfazed, pressing his hands together. His piercing gaze, capable of seeing through all mysteries, gleamed sharply.


    "¡ª¡ª!!"


    In that instant, the cascading black mud seemed to freeze in place, halting midair just before touching anything living.


    "What did you do, Holmes?"


    "Miss Hoshino, did you really think that when I foresaw you using this Trap Card, I wouldn''t have prepared a countermeasure?"


    Slamming his card onto the table, the field''s Sherlock Holmes erupted with a dazzling glow, forcing Hoshino to squint. The light piercing through the black mud was none other than the manifestation of his Origin¡ª''Revelation''¡ªelevated into a Noble Phantasm.


    "This is all part of my fundamental deduction! Quick-Play Spell activate¡ª[Elementary, My Dear]!!"


    [Elementary, My Dear Quick-Play Spell Effect: When your opponent activates a card or effect: Return 1 "Heroic Spirit - Sherlock Holmes" you control to the Deck; negate that activation.]


    By returning Sherlock Holmes to the Deck, the world seemed to rewind¡ªCu Alter''s crimson spear had yet to unleash its devastation.


    "Because of my Quick-Play Spell Elementary, My Dear, your Heroic Spirit ¨C Holy Grail War is negated! The battle continues!"


    With the black mud''s erasure undone, it was as if the curtain of battle had been lifted. Emiya Alter''s bullet and Cu Alter''s spear clashed in an instant, sending sparks flying.


    "Beautiful! In a head-on clash, my attack power is higher!" Emiya, intently watching the battlefield, couldn''t contain his excitement.


    [Emiya Alter ATK: 7100] [Cu Alter ATK: 4000]


    Hoshino pressed down on Cu Alter''s card. "Even if my ATK is lower, his effect allows me to banish either 1 ''Cu Chulainn'' monster or 2 ''Heroic Spirit'' monsters from my Graveyard to prevent his destruction!"


    By combining his heightened offensive power with his original tenacity, Cu Alter had ascended to the rank of a top-tier practical Heroic Spirit.


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 900]


    "If I survive this turn, your monsters won''t stand against my next attack, Holmes!"


    "I''ve been waiting for this moment, Miss Hoshino. Don''t you think something is missing?"


    Holmes gently placed his gloved fingertip over his final Set Card.


    "First question: Last turn, I searched two copies of Crime of the Century. After using one from my hand, where do you think the other one is?"


    "Holmes, I told you already! This turn, I have Vessel of the Saint protecting me¡ª"


    "Second question: Miss Hoshino, take a closer look. Do you have any Set Cards left on your field?"


    Hoshino reached back to touch her back row¡ªonly to find nothing. "Impossible! There''s no way¡ª"


    "The effect of The Vaunted One¡ªI can send this card and the equipped monster to the Graveyard to return 1 Spell/Trap on your field to the top of your Deck! If you don''t believe me, go ahead and check your Deck!" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Drawing her top card, Hoshino found herself holding the Vessel of the Saint she had counted on for protection all along.


    "Then¡ªMoriarty!!"


    Soaring high once more, Moriarty''s figure was silhouetted against a sky of raining gunfire. The Set Crime of the Century was revealed once again, sealing Cu Alter''s fate.


    "Crime of the Century doesn''t just destroy its target at the end of the turn¡ªit also negates that monster''s effect! Now that Cu Alter has been bombarded by the rains of sin, his effect to replace destruction is nullified!"


    Crack¡ª!


    The cursed spear shattered. With his abilities nullified, Cu Alter could no longer match Emiya''s onslaught. The first bullet that shattered his spear was followed by an endless storm of gunfire.


    [Cu Alter DESTROYED]


    Holmes showed no signs of stopping his offensive. "Now for my final Quick-Play Spell¡ª[FGO THE STAGE]! This is checkmate, Miss Hoshino!"


    [FGO THE STAGE ¨C Quick-Play Spell Effect: Tribute Summon 1 monster from your hand. If a [Heroic Spirit] monster is Tribute Summoned by this effect: You can target 1 or more [Heroic Spirit] monsters in your Graveyard that were used as Tribute for this Summon; return them to your hand.]


    "I tribute my last monster, Emiya Alter, to Tribute Summon Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty, which was returned to my hand!"


    Having preserved his Normal Summon throughout the turn, Holmes finally placed Moriarty back onto the field. The ATK reset, and the stage was set for the final strike.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 5)] [DARK] [Warrior/Effect] [ATK 1800/DEF 1200]


    "This is the final blow, Miss Hoshino! Enjoy the beauty of your inevitable downfall!"


    "You''re not Holmes at all!!"


    Hoshino had been suspicious for a while now. This ''Holmes'' displayed the same intelligence as always, but his mannerisms had felt... off.


    "You''re Moriarty, aren''t you, you damn old man!?"


    Holmes¡ªno, Moriarty¡ªsmiled cryptically.


    "Are you sure your eyes perceive the truth?"


    Without directly answering her accusation, he merely smirked.


    "I am both Holmes and Moriarty¡ªtwo souls inhabiting the same body. A recent experiment by Ms. Da Vinci. Much like your current situation, Miss Hoshino!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 340 - 340

    "Two souls sharing one body? What are you talking about, Mr. Holmes?"


    The sudden revelation left Mash''s mind in disarray, making it difficult for her to grasp what ''Holmes'' had just implied.


    Okita interrupted, "Forget about the complicated stuff for now! Isn''t Master about to lose?"


    Emiya waved his hand dismissively. "No, no, no! More than the duel''s outcome, what Holmes just said is the real issue here!"


    On the field, Moriarty''s coffin-like cannon was aimed directly at Hoshino''s neck, pressing against her skin through the now-empty battlefield.


    "Miss Hoshino, as per our agreement, if I win this duel, you must reveal everything you know¡ªwithout exception."


    Hoshino swallowed hard, feeling the weight of impending defeat. "Holmes¡­ and Moriarty? When did you notice?"


    Since Da Vinci had gone to such lengths to conceal this experiment¡ªtesting the coexistence of two souls in one body¡ªChaldea must have been aware of it even before the duel began.


    "Monitoring Master''s physical condition is one of our duties. Do you really think something this significant would go unnoticed?"


    Mash''s eyes widened in surprise. "So Mr. Holmes, you already knew something was happening? Then¡­ back when I went to wake you up, was that reluctance to get out of bed just an act?"


    "No, that was real. I''ve been staying up way too late these past few nights."


    Holmes answered honestly, then turned his gaze toward Hoshino, pressing her for an answer.


    "Now it''s your turn to answer! Don''t think we''ll go easy on you just because you look like Miss Hoshino!" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Faced with Holmes'' interrogation and Moriarty''s gun barrel at her throat, Hoshino shrugged helplessly.


    "If I insist that I really am Hoshino Chiyuki, are you going to torture me for a confession? Besides, Holmes, don''t you think you''re being a little too hasty¡­?"


    "What?!"


    At that moment, the black mud beneath their feet, which had previously settled, began to stir and surge in an unprecedented frenzy.


    "What makes you so sure you''ve already won? Holmes, Moriarty¡ªuntil the final trigger is pulled, victory is never certain!"


    Artoria was visibly shaken. The disturbing sensation underfoot forced her to acknowledge reality.


    "This¡­ this substance is starting to manifest physically! It''s no longer just a hologram¡ªit''s invading reality!"


    Holmes'' expression darkened. "Impossible! How can the Field Spell still be activated when there are no monsters or set cards in play?! No more delays¡ªMoriarty, attack directly!"


    ¡ªBang!


    The gunshot rang out, but the attack did not pierce Hoshino as expected. Instead, sparks scattered upon striking a black blade.


    "Even without monsters or set cards, I still have my field and my last remaining hand card! I activate the monster effect of [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George Alter] from my hand!"


    Clad in black dragon armor, George Alter planted his feet firmly into the black mud, his longsword intercepting Moriarty''s decisive strike.


    "When the Field Spell [All the Evils of This World] is active, I can Special Summon George Alter from my hand when my opponent declares a direct attack!"


    Hoshino flipped the card in her hand and placed it onto the field.


    "I''m counting on you this time, George. I swear I won''t let you die again!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Saint George Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2000/DEF 3000]


    Holmes'' shock was evident. "Impossible! George shouldn''t have an Alter form!"


    The corrupted Saint George gazed upon them with cold, abyssal eyes, his sword glowing with the power of destruction.


    "Behold the truth of the Ascalon tainted by sin! You are all but evil dragons before me¡ªThe Absolute Sword of Annihilation!"


    The black blade swept across the battlefield, scattering black mud and severing Holmes'' field in a single, decisive stroke.


    "When George Alter is successfully Special Summoned, he destroys all monsters on the opponent''s field! This card''s attack power increases by 1000 for each monster destroyed!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C James Moriarty DESTROYED]


    [Saint George Alter ATK 2000 ¡ú 3000]


    Okita clenched her fists in excitement. "Amazing! That was an incredible strike!"


    Mash, still in disbelief, whispered, "George¡­ was always so kind. He would sacrifice himself time and again to protect Master. I never imagined he had this kind of form¡­"


    The battlefield had shifted. Hoshino smirked at her opponent.


    "What''s wrong, Holmes? The victory you spoke of never arrived. Which means¡ªI don''t have to tell you anything. Oh, wait! Given your intellect, you must have realized something by now, haven''t you?"


    Holmes'' expression grew increasingly grim. "This¡­ this isn''t right. It''s not just the impossible concept of a Saint''s Alter form¡ªthere''s no record of this version of Saint George in Chaldea''s Spirit Origin database!"


    He had suspected something when he checked her deck earlier but had been unable to pinpoint the anomaly. Now, there was no need for Hoshino to hide it anymore.


    "Let''s keep dueling, Holmes. Moriarty. This duel isn''t over yet!"


    Holmes narrowed his eyes, drawing his last remaining card.


    "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Heroic Spirit¡ªEmergency Summoning]! This lets me Special Summon the [Heroic Spirit ¨C Sherlock Holmes] I shuffled back into my deck last turn, in Defense Position. Turn end!"


    Holmes, now without offensive options, could only defend. But even if his defense was weak, there was still one glimmer of hope¡ªHoshino''s top-decked card was the Vessel of the Saint he had returned earlier, meaning she had no immediate way to summon another monster for a decisive blow.


    "You''re just betting that I can''t summon a second monster this turn, huh? Well then¡ªmy turn! Draw!"


    Hoshino pulled the very card Holmes had placed atop her deck, then curved her lips into a mischievous smile.


    "Hey, Holmes, Moriarty¡ªwant to see something interesting? Something you''ve never seen before?"


    She discarded the drawn card without hesitation. At the same time, George Alter plunged his sword deep into the black mud.


    "George Alter''s effect activates! Once per turn, I can discard one card to add a Dragon-type monster from my Graveyard to my hand! I''m retrieving Artoria Pendragon Alter!"


    As soon as the card reached her hand, the black mud beneath them trembled violently.


    "Next, I activate my Field Spell All the Evils of This World! By banishing Artoria Pendragon Alter from my hand, I can add [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gilgamesh Alter] to my hand!"


    Hoshino raised her newly acquired card.


    "This duel is mine! Perish beneath the roars of the sword that rends the very sky!"


    In the void, the accumulated black mud energy condensed into a tangible form. A Heroic Spirit, molded from an unfathomable amount of the world''s evils, stepped onto the tainted ground.


    "¡ªI banish Gilgamesh from my Graveyard to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gilgamesh Alter] from my hand!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Gilgamesh Alter¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 10)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK ?/DEF?]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 1 "Heroic Spirit ¨C King of Heroes Gilgamesh" from your GY.]


    Gilgamesh Alter stood before them. Though his usual arrogance remained, a new, unreadable sinister smile played upon his lips.


    "Gilgamesh Alter''s special effect¡ªwhen Special Summoned, he equips as many Equip Spells from my Deck as possible, negating their effects. Each equipped card increases his ATK by 1000!"


    [Gilgamesh Alter ATK 5000]


    Outmaneuvering Holmes'' calculations, Hoshino had successfully summoned a monster, shattering his last line of defense.


    "It''s over, Holmes! Moriarty! Attack, George, Gilgamesh! Witness the countdown to this era''s end!"


    A blade and a Noble Phantasm cut through the air, obliterating Holmes'' defending monster and piercing through his frail body.


    [Holmes'' LP: 700 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. Winner: Hoshino Chiyuki!]


    "This is truly troublesome¡ªa Heroic Spirit Alter unrecorded in the database, along with an evil force capable of corrupting both a Saint and the King of Heroes. It seems the situation is far worse than Ms. Da Vinci predicted."


    Hoshino grinned mischievously at Holmes. "Hehe, I win. So, as per our agreement, I''ll be taking your Deck now~"


    Feeling the black mud constricting even tighter around his feet, Holmes forced out a small smile. "Heh¡­ Miss Hoshino, I doubt what you truly want is just my Deck, isn''t it?"


    "Holmes, are you okay?" Mash''s voice carried a hint of panic as she noticed Holmes'' strained expression. More concerningly, even after the duel had ended, the black mud and the Altered Heroic Spirits showed no signs of dissipating.


    Hoshino licked her lips seductively. "As expected of you, Holmes. You see right through me¡ªI don''t just want your Deck. I want you as well~"


    "Miss Hoshino, under normal circumstances, I might find that quite flattering. But in this situation, I''m afraid I must refuse!"


    Holmes firmly rejected her, then quickly turned to Mash. "Miss Mash, report the situation to Ms. Da Vinci immediately! Emiya, Okita, Artoria¡ªcover the retreat!"


    Swinging his cane to break free from the black mud''s grip, Holmes managed to regain some mobility.


    "Understood, Mr. Holmes!"


    Boom¡ª!


    Just as Mash attempted to activate the door''s unlocking mechanism, a black Noble Phantasm shot through the air, striking the control panel and triggering an explosion.


    "Oh my dear kouhai~ Leaving already? Come play with your senpai a little longer~"


    Under Hoshino''s command, the corrupted Gate of Babylon rained down its darkened treasures, blocking Mash''s escape route.


    "Step aside, Mash! I''ll clear the way!"


    Artoria materialized Excalibur in her hands, unleashing a full-powered slash imbued with Magic Burst. The black Noble Phantasms, along with the Chaldea cafeteria door, were obliterated in a single strike.


    Standing ready for battle, Emiya projected Kanshou and Bakuya, intercepting the follow-up barrage from the corrupted Gate of Babylon midair. "So we''re fighting now, huh? Tell me, Alter King of Heroes, do you have enough treasures stocked up?"


    Unlike Emiya and Artoria, who had instantly adapted to battle, Okita¡ªstill unfamiliar with the black mud¡ªwas visibly confused. "Wait, wait, wait! Why is everyone suddenly acting like this is a life-or-death fight? Didn''t the duel just end?"


    A black sword light flashed. Without hesitation, George Alter swung his blade at Okita. Yet even in her confusion, Okita''s instincts as a genius swordswoman allowed her to evade the attack just in time. In the same motion, she drew her blade from her waist.


    "Oh? So we''re really doing this? Well then, let''s have a little match, shall we, George Alter?"


    Hoshino watched the scene unfold with amusement, her lips slightly parted. As she glanced toward Mash¡ªwho had already escaped under the cover of Emiya, Okita, and Artoria¡ªshe sighed dramatically.


    "Ah, truly impressive. You people of Chaldea are as battle-hardened as expected¡ªadapting so quickly to the situation."


    Holmes, gripping his cane tightly, warned her sternly, "Miss Hoshino, don''t forget where you are¡ªthis is Chaldea. If you continue this madness, Master or not, you will be severely punished!"


    Hoshino smirked, making no attempt to hide the sinister delight in her expression. "This isn''t just madness, Holmes. No one knows Chaldea''s combat strength better than I do. However¡­"


    Casually, she drew two cards from her deck and tossed them into the black mud beneath her feet. "If it''s raw battle power you''re talking about¡ªI''ve already perfectly outmatched you all."


    The black mud greedily absorbed the cards, surging with even greater energy as two new dark silhouettes emerged from its depths.


    "¡ªCome forth, Karna Alter, Ozymandias Alter!!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 341 - 341

    "Yoshi, this looks much better now~"


    Standing in front of the mirror, Hoshino adjusted her outfit. She had swapped out her skirt for jeans, finally toning down the overt sensuality brought on by her darker skin tone and shifting it toward a more stylish, sexy look instead.


    "But still¡­ Da Vinci ignoring me is one thing, but now I can''t even summon any other Heroic Spirits..."


    Unable to summon Da Vinci through the Millennium Bracelet, Hoshino had tried using her Duel Disk to summon Holmes for answers. Yet, unexpectedly¡ªfor the first time¡ªthe Duel Disk failed to summon any Heroic Spirits.


    No, she couldn''t say it was the first time. This had happened once before, in that future.


    "Ugh, can''t rely on anyone when it really matters. Seriously!"


    With no way to determine the reason behind her transformation, Hoshino could only sigh in frustration. After finishing changing and freshening up, she left her room.


    Ding-dong¡ª!


    The sound of the toy shop''s door opening rang out. While Hoshino had been lost in thought, Grandpa Sugoroku had already arrived and flipped the sign to "Open."


    Seeing a customer this early in the morning was unusual¡ªespecially considering the chaos from last night. After Da Vinci''s summoning, the undead of Atlantis had invaded the real world. Even though the government had issued a safety notice by nightfall, most people had chosen to stay indoors.


    Stepping through the door were Jonouchi and the others, their gazes immediately locking onto Hoshino. Unexpectedly, even Mokuba was with them.


    Jonouchi furrowed his brow in confusion. "Where''d this foreigner come from?"


    "Who are you calling a foreigner?!" Hoshino shot back, lifting her leg in a kick. One good thing about swapping her skirt for jeans was that she no longer had to worry about exposing herself while doing high kicks.


    A simple question from Jonouchi, yet it felt as if a smug-faced gacha luck god had just activated a taunt effect.


    "Hoshino? You''re Hoshino, right?!" Among the group, Anzu''s keen observation skills stood out. Despite the drastic change in skin tone and completely different fashion sense, she still managed to recognize Hoshino.


    "Eh? No way?!" Jonouchi, Honda, and Bakura were all stunned.


    Speaking of which, ever since Hoshino had taken the Millennium Ring from Bakura during Battle City, he had been gone for so long that she had nearly forgotten he even existed.


    Jonouchi squinted at Hoshino. "Now that I take a closer look, aside from the skin tone, you really do look like Hoshino. What, are you changing your image to debut as an idol?"


    Mokuba, unimpressed, gave him a side glance. "Jonouchi, it''s rude to stare at a girl like that."


    Honda chimed in. "So, Hoshino, did you sneak off for a tanning session last night or something?"


    "How would that even work?! Idol debut, tanning¡ªcan you two at least try to think before speaking?!"


    Hoshino clutched her forehead, exasperated at the two blockheads before her.


    Jonouchi and Honda shook their heads in unison. "Nah, see, if we really think about it, none of this makes sense, so we might as well start guessing randomly."


    Honestly, she couldn''t blame them. A transformation like this overnight was beyond comprehension.


    "Ah, whatever. No point in dwelling on something I can''t explain." Accepting her current reality, Hoshino decided to move on.


    "So, why are you all here so early in the morning?"


    On days off from school, it was common for them to hang out at the shop, but for them to all show up right as it opened? That was unusual.


    "Ahem¡ª" Jonouchi turned away, scratching his face awkwardly.


    "Hoshino, you mentioned you''d be deciding today whether to leave and return to your world. Everyone''s really worried, so even though we didn''t plan it, we all ended up coming early."


    "Huh? Oh, that." Hoshino tilted her head, recalling how she had said last night that she''d think about whether to go back.


    "So, Hoshino, have you decided yet?" Mokuba swallowed hard, clearly nervous. He had gone out of his way to leave KaibaCorp early in the morning just to be here¡ªhe must be genuinely concerned.


    "Whether to stay or go, huh?" Surrounded by worried gazes, Hoshino felt a little self-conscious. But looking at the current state of her body, it didn''t seem like the best time to return.


    Testing the waters, she answered, "¡­I guess, for now, I''ll stay¡­"


    "YES¡ª!!"


    An explosion of cheers erupted in the store. Hoshino hadn''t even finished her sentence before the group had already started celebrating on their own.


    "Awesome! Hoshino''s staying! I gotta call Brother right away!" Mokuba, tears welling up in his eyes, excitedly dialed Kaiba''s phone.


    "Even though he had to rush to meet Pegasus, he specifically told me to inform¡ª"


    Mokuba suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth. "Oh no! Brother told me not to tell anyone about this¡­!"


    Jonouchi scowled. "Tch, that Kaiba. Always so busy with his CEO duties. After everything Hoshino''s done for him, and at such a critical time, he runs off to deal with some company business?"


    Though, knowing Kaiba, even if he weren''t at Pegasus, he probably still wouldn''t have come in person.


    Hoshino placed a hand on Jonouchi''s shoulder to calm him down. "Well, if Kaiba actually went to see Pegasus in person, it must be something important. Otherwise, after the whole Duelist Kingdom, I doubt he''d ever want to meet Pegasus again."


    Mokuba looked slightly guilty. "Brother didn''t tell me exactly why, but last night, he spent the whole night using the Duel Simulation system¡­ running simulations against you, Hoshino."


    A shiver ran down Hoshino''s spine. "Ugh? What''s that Duel Simulation thing? Why does it sound so creepy when you say it like that?"


    "¡­Uh, could Kaiba going to Industrial Illusions have something to do with this morning''s news?"


    For the first time, Bakura spoke up, pulling out his smartphone and opening his browser history.


    Curious, the group crowded around to look, including Grandpa Sugoroku behind the counter.


    [Shocking Discovery!! Industrial Illusions'' archaeology division recently unearthed an ancient artifact in an Egyptian tomb¡ªits shape resembles a white crystal pyramid.]


    Below the headline was a blurry photograph of the so-called "ancient artifact."


    "Wait, isn''t that¡­ the Millennium Puzzle?!" In perfect sync, everyone turned to compare it with the golden puzzle hanging from Yugi''s neck.


    Hoshino stared at the image a little longer, then shook her head. "No, the color''s different. It looks really similar, but this white one doesn''t seem like it would be a Millennium Item."


    However, amid the group''s shock, only Grandpa Sugoroku''s expression grew more and more serious.


    (***)


    [Duel Over. The Winner: Seto Kaiba.]


    "Oh no!! I actually lost to Kaiba-boy!"


    With an expression of utter disbelief, Pegasus suffered a crushing defeat under Kaiba''s Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s full-powered assault.


    "How could this be? In just two short months, you''ve become this strong, Kaiba-boy?"


    As the former strongest duelist, the father of Duel Monsters, and once at the pinnacle of the game, Pegasus naturally found it hard to accept such a devastating loss.


    "Duel Monsters cards are meant to create the future! Pegasus, you''re stuck in outdated, stale tactics from the past, unable to move forward. Even in just two months, I have already left you far behind!"


    Pegasus''s expression turned serious as he said, "Kaiba-boy, with your current strength, you could probably defeat anyone you wish. Even after attaining such power, you''re still unsatisfied. What exactly are you pursuing?"


    "It''s still far from enough! Because there are people in this world whom I can never defeat through mere dueling skills and tactical adjustments alone¡ªthat''s why I continue to seek greater power!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    .


    ..


    ...


    Last Night ¨C Kaiba Corporation''s Duel Simulation Room


    "Mr. Kaiba, the AI simulation for Chiyuki Hoshino''s dueling style has been completed. By integrating all known duel data related to her, we''re confident this AI will perfectly replicate her skills in battle!"


    A staff member respectfully reported to Kaiba, who stood at the center of the simulation arena, duel disk at the ready.


    Kaiba ordered sharply, "Enough talk, just start it already! I must develop a strategy to perfectly defeat Hoshino tonight¡ªthere may not be much time left..."


    If Hoshino decided to leave tomorrow, then Kaiba had to duel her before she left and claim victory. His pride and unwavering duelist spirit demanded nothing less.


    "Initiating the simulation duel system! First, rendering the simulated avatar..."


    As the staff quickly adjusted the control panel, the entire arena was flooded with the glow of a holographic projection.


    "Yeah¡ª¡î~"


    The projected Hoshino jumped up on one foot and made a playful V-sign over her eye.


    Kaiba''s expression twitched, and he furiously demanded, "What the hell is this?! Is this your so-called perfect simulation? Are you all trying to get fired?!"


    Seeing Kaiba explode with rage, the staff members shrank back in terror. "S-Sorry, Mr. Kaiba, but the design of Chiyuki Hoshino''s avatar and animations was entirely created by Young Master Mokuba..."


    "Mokuba did this?" Kaiba pinched his brow in frustration. Although he found it extremely irritating, since it was his younger brother''s work, he had no choice but to let it slide.


    Seeing Kaiba''s anger subside, one of the staff members nervously tried to flatter him. "Additionally, Young Master Mokuba designed multiple outfits for the avatar. We have her casual clothes, school uniform, sportswear, and even a maid outfit¡ªMr. Kaiba, would you like to select¡ª"


    "Just use the most normal one! Start the duel already! If this simulation is even slightly inaccurate, you can kiss your job goodbye!"


    For some reason, Kaiba felt an inexplicable surge of irritation. Since he couldn''t blame Mokuba, he could only vent his frustration on his innocent employee.


    However, it turned out this innocent employee''s job was safe¡ªfor now. Because once the simulation duel began, Kaiba found himself embarking on a nightmarish losing streak.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "¡ªFusion Summon! [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]! Then I activate the Equip Spell [Megamorph] to double its attack power!"


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ATK: 9000]


    "This is the ultimate Blue-Eyes, surpassing even the gods! Its effect allows it to attack three times per turn! Take this world-shattering Ultimate Burst Stream!"


    Even in a simulation duel, Kaiba couldn''t resist shouting every move at the top of his lungs. And he had repeated this for ten duels in a row without fail.


    "I activate my Set Quick-Play Spell Phantasmal Summon! I fuse Mash Kyrielight and Spartacus from my Graveyard to Fusion Summon [Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight Ortenaus] in Defense Position!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight Ortenaus DEF 2000]


    "When Mash Ortenaus is Fusion Summoned using Mash Kyrielight as a material, she cannot be destroyed by battle or effects! Also, all attacks must target her!"


    Clad in her Spiritron armor, Mash stood firm before the massive Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, taking all three Ultimate Burst Stream attacks head-on.


    "It''s useless, Kaiba! Even if you fire off ten thousand Burst Streams, you''ll never break through Mash''s defenses!"


    The simulated Hoshino, designed by Mokuba, even perfectly recreated her taunts and trash talk.


    "Tch, that annoying Shielder again¡­ Turn end!"


    [Seto Kaiba LP 2000]


    "My turn! Draw! I tribute my three monsters to Tribute Summon¡ª[The Wicked Avatar]!"


    A surge of black energy engulfed Hoshino''s three monsters, transforming into the ultimate Evil God¡ªa massive, dark sphere that slowly took on the form of Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.


    "The Wicked Avatar''s effect! Its ATK becomes the highest ATK on the field +1!"


    [The Wicked Avatar ATK 9001]


    "ROOOOAR!!!"


    The black Neo Blue-Eyes roared at its counterpart on Kaiba''s field, its presence even more oppressive.


    "Then I activate the Spell Monster Reborn! I revive Heroic Spirit ¨C Mash Kyrielight Ortenaus from the Graveyard!"


    [Mash Kyrielight Ortenaus ATK 1000]


    "Battle! Incarnation of the Divine, destroy Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    A black Burst Stream was unleashed, directly striking Kaiba''s massive dragon and shattering it into pieces.


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon Destroyed]


    [Seto Kaiba LP 2000 ¡ú 1999]


    "Mash, deliver the finishing blow! Her effect doubles her ATK when attacking!"


    [Mash ATK 1000 ¡ú 2000]


    Her jet-powered shield activated, striking Kaiba with immense force and instantly wiping out his remaining Life Points.


    "AAAAAAAAH!!"


    [Seto Kaiba LP 1999 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. The Winner: Chiyuki Hoshino (Simulated).]


    A ten-match losing streak. An all-nighter wasted. Kaiba had failed to develop a strategy to defeat Hoshino using the simulation system. Instead, he had only confirmed the sheer gap in strength between them.


    .


    ..


    ...


    "So, Pegasus, since you created the God Cards¡­ after all this time, surely you''ve developed a new card that surpasses even the Gods!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 342 - 342

    "So, Pegasus, since you were the one who created the God Cards, you must have developed a card that surpasses even the Gods. According to our agreement, hand it over!"


    Pegasus wasn''t particularly surprised. This was something they had agreed upon before the duel began. Under the wager duel rules, Kaiba had staked his three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, while Pegasus had put up a card capable of defeating the Gods.


    "Kaiba-boy, I did agree to hand over the card if I lost, but I hope this serves as a warning about the consequences of pursuing power excessively..."


    Lifting his bangs to reveal his left eye, Pegasus looked at Kaiba with a smile filled with indescribable bitterness.


    Kaiba''s expression flickered with a hint of fear. The hidden outcome behind Pegasus''s smile¡ªa fate awaiting those who pursued power to the extreme¡ªmanifested before his eyes. The unusual vision before him triggered an instant sense of resistance, even within his own heart.


    Pegasus, lowering his bangs once again, turned silently and pointed to the transparent glass container on the table. "If you are truly prepared for this, Kaiba-boy, the card that surpasses the Gods is within that deck over there. Take it if you wish~"


    CRASH!


    Shattering the glass container barehanded, Kaiba hesitated for only a moment before choosing power.


    "I don''t believe in fate! No matter how much I pursue power, my life will not be dictated by something like that, nor will I walk the so-called ''path to ruin''!"


    Flipping through the deck stored in Pegasus''s container, Kaiba barely spared a glance at the rare cards within. Ordinary rare cards wouldn''t catch his eye. A card that truly surpassed the Gods¡ªsuch a thing would stand out even if hidden among hundreds.


    "Hmph, so you actually made two of them? Even if your dueling skills haven''t improved, at least you still live up to your title as the father of Duel Monsters."


    With a cold smirk, Kaiba drew two chosen cards from the deck and left Pegasus''s estate without looking back.


    "Wait, two cards?"


    A puzzled Pegasus tried to call out to him, but Kaiba had already vanished.


    "But the only card I wagered was Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon... How did Kaiba-boy end up picking two cards?"


    (***) S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Domino City, Kame Toy Shop¡ª


    "No good, my brother isn''t answering his phone. He told me to notify him immediately¡ªdid he run into some kind of trouble?"


    Hanging up after another failed call, Mokuba looked worried.


    Hoshino ruffled Mokuba''s hair. "Don''t worry. With Kaiba''s strength, Pegasus definitely wouldn''t be a match for him. He''s probably just too absorbed in dueling to pick up the phone."


    "Grandpa..."


    After seeing the news report about the crystal pyramid, which bore a striking resemblance to the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi felt an inexplicable unease.


    "Grandpa, do you know anything about the crystal pyramid?"


    As a seasoned archaeologist, Sugoroku Muto had encountered countless artifacts over the years. Perhaps he knew something about the mysterious relic. Seeing the old man deep in thought, Yugi made a hopeful guess.


    After a moment of contemplation, Sugoroku nodded. "It was a long time ago, but I once unearthed a stone tablet that described a similar object¡ªthe Pyramid of Light, wielded by the King of Light."


    "The Pyramid of Light?" the group echoed in confusion.


    Sugoroku looked at Yugi''s Millennium Puzzle. "The tablet also mentioned the Millennium Puzzle, held by the King of Darkness. It recorded a fateful battle between the King of Light and the King of Darkness, in which the King of Light emerged victorious in the end."


    "Wait, so Yugi lost?"


    Jonouchi looked surprised.


    Anzu frowned and lightly punched him. "That''s not about Yugi! If it''s an ancient stone tablet, it must be talking about another person from thousands of years ago!"


    "But the tablet had more to say¡ªafter the King of Light claimed victory, the King of Destruction would descend upon this world..."


    As Sugoroku continued, he suddenly faltered, scratching his head awkwardly. "Ah, sorry, I can''t remember the rest. It''s been so long~"


    Yugi slumped in disappointment. "Grandpa, why do you always forget the most crucial part?!"


    Hoshino tried to comfort him. "Regardless, that was something recorded thousands of years ago. It probably doesn''t have much to do with our time."


    "By the way, Yugi, speaking of the other ''you''¡­ I should return the Egyptian God Cards to you. I remember that for the other ''you,'' they were the key to recovering his lost memories, right?"


    Previously, Hoshino had sought to gather the Egyptian God Cards in an attempt to open a portal back to her original world. However, now that her Father had given her a card capable of returning, she no longer needed the God Cards.


    Yugi didn''t immediately take the cards. Instead, he shook his head gently.


    "Hoshino, I think what the other me wants from you isn''t the Egyptian God Cards, but something even more important."


    Hoshino was puzzled. "Something more important?"


    A golden glow flashed across the Millennium Puzzle. The kind expression on Yugi''s face was instantly replaced by the confident smile of the Pharaoh.


    "Hoshino, the final duel of the Battle City tournament¡ªthis is what I truly want from you!"


    Their duel, meant to be the finale of Battle City, had been cut short due to Hoshino''s sudden departure. And after her return from the future, she had immediately been swept up in the Dartz incident. Now, after overcoming countless obstacles, Yami Yugi finally had the chance to bring up their unfinished match again.


    "Then let''s duel, Hoshino! It''s time to put an end to the Battle City finals!"


    With his Duel Disk activated, Yugi looked eager and ready for battle.


    Jonouchi and the others got excited as well. "Ohhh, it''s finally happening! And today''s been so slow¡ªwe''ve got no customers at all, so we can watch without any distractions!"


    Sugoroku sighed. "Ahh, no customers at all... (;¡ä¡Ð`)"


    Mokuba was in disbelief. "Wait, wait! The finale of Battle City¡­ is happening in this tiny toy store?! Isn''t that way too underwhelming?"


    Sugoroku sighed again. "Tiny toy store...£¨;¡ä§Õ£à£©©g"


    Honda defended the shop''s honor. "It''s not underwhelming at all! Even if it''s held in some obscure little store, as long as the duelists are Hoshino and Yugi, this match will go down in the history of Duel Monsters!"


    Sugoroku sighed a third time. "Obscure little store©b¥í©b..."


    Sugoroku Mutou, died.


    Despite everyone''s enthusiasm, Hoshino looked a little sheepish.


    "Uh... My deck isn''t working properly today¡­ I can''t use it..."


    .


    ..


    ...


    "I summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C C¨² Chulainn] in Attack Mode!"


    Just like Hoshino''s attempts earlier that morning, the Duel Disk¡ªclearly powered on¡ªremained unresponsive. There wasn''t even the faintest sign of projection activation.


    "Ugh, so it really is malfunctioning? This has never happened before..." Hoshino muttered, shaking the Duel Disk strapped to her arm.


    Seeing this, Yugi lowered the perfect opening hand he had just drawn. "It can''t be helped. Under these conditions, a duel is impossible. What a shame."


    Jonouchi leaned in. "Hey, Hoshino, could it be that your Duel Disk is busted? I''ve been meaning to ask since yesterday¡ªwhat''s the deal with that weird-looking Duel Disk of yours?"


    I already told you it was a gift from your girlfriend. How are you still this oblivious?


    But Jonouchi''s words did remind Hoshino of something. Ever since returning from the future, she had been using this Duel Disk in intense battles without ever performing maintenance or charging it.


    Not that she hadn''t wanted to¡ªit was just that this futuristic Duel Disk was far too advanced for her to even figure out how.


    Seeing the troubled look on her face, Mokuba immediately stepped forward, confidently patting his chest. "I''ll help you out, Hoshino! No matter how it looks on the outside, it''s still a Duel Disk, right? Leave it to me!"


    "Then I''ll be counting on you~" Hoshino said with a smile, removing the Duel Disk to reveal her tanned arm before handing it over to the eager boy.


    Bakura suddenly chimed in with a suggestion. "If we can''t summon using the Duel Disk, why not just duel with the cards directly? Like we do when playing during break time. We don''t actually need holograms to play Duel Monsters."


    Oh wow, look at you finding the obvious answer!


    Jonouchi''s eyes lit up as he smacked his palm. "That''s right! We don''t have to use Duel Disks! Duel Monsters was originally a card game, after all!"


    With that, he excitedly grabbed one of the old-fashioned dueling platforms from inside the shop¡ªone that lacked any kind of projection technology. Having been spoiled by the advanced systems of this era, modern duelists had nearly forgotten the game''s true origins as a tabletop card game.


    "Gramps'' shop may not have much, but when it comes to outdated duel platforms, we''ve got an endless supply!"


    Jonouchi, stop rubbing salt in the wound! Gramps still hasn''t recovered from the last few hits!


    "Come on, come on! The duel between Yugi and Hoshino is back on~"


    Anzu tilted her head, looking a little conflicted. "So in the end, the Battle City Finals¡­ are going to be decided on a tiny table with no holograms? This feels¡­ kind of underwhelming."


    Hoshino turned to Yugi, meeting his gaze. "So, Yugi, are we doing this?" she asked softly.


    "Anzu has a point," Yugi admitted. "We can duel like this, but Duel Disks have become an integral part of Duel Monsters. They''re a crucial tool for duelists to ignite their passion and pour their souls into the game."


    Naturally, he didn''t want to settle his duel with Hoshino in such a makeshift manner. Besides¡­ whenever he looked at Hoshino''s skin, he felt an inexplicable urge to avert his gaze¡ªlike something was stirring deep within his memory.


    "Also, Hoshino¡­ you''re not quite yourself today. Neither your deck¡­ nor you."


    For some reason, the sight of this darker-skinned Hoshino caused fragmented memories to surface in the Pharaoh''s mind¡ªvisions of another girl with the same complexion. A familiar yet distant, adorable figure. Even if he couldn''t recall her clearly, just the thought of her filled his heart with warmth.


    "Yugi, you''re overthinking things. If that''s the case, let me take over! I''ll finally get my rematch from Duelist Kingdom!" Jonouchi declared.


    Seeing that Yugi wasn''t keen on a no-hologram duel, Jonouchi¡ªwho never sweated such details¡ªexcitedly placed his deck on the table.


    "Ah, Hoshino, this Duel Disk of yours¡­!"


    Mokuba''s voice suddenly interrupted the moment. It had taken the genius boy quite a bit of effort just to dismantle this unfamiliar device.


    "The projection system, the mini supercomputer¡ªmost of the components in here are made of cutting-edge KaibaCorp technology! Some of them haven''t even entered production yet!"


    Mokuba''s eyes sparkled like he''d just uncovered a hidden treasure. "Where did you get this Duel Disk? It''s incredible!"


    It''s a Duel Disk from the future, so of course it uses future tech.


    But even knowing that, Hoshino obviously couldn''t say it out loud. She just scratched her cheek and laughed awkwardly. "Wow, that''s amazing! Haha, I don''t really know either~"


    Jonouchi scowled. "Hey, don''t interrupt, Mokuba! I was in the middle of challenging Hoshino!"


    Hoshino shrugged, glancing at the self-assured Jonouchi. "Going from dueling Yugi to dueling you¡­ kind of kills the tension."


    "Don''t underestimate me! In the month you were gone, my skills have improved drastically!"


    Yugi, arms crossed, nodded in agreement. "I can vouch for that. Jonouchi''s growth over the past month has been nothing short of phenomenal. If you take him lightly, you''ll regret it."


    "Wow, even Yugi''s backing you up? In that case¡­"


    For a brief moment, Hoshino saw something behind Jonouchi¡ªan illusion of his future self, standing at the pinnacle of the dueling world.


    ¡ªYou''ll never know just how strong you''ll become in the future.


    "Yeah¡­ even against Jonouchi, I have to give it my all."


    Fueled by sudden excitement, Hoshino didn''t mind the lack of a Duel Disk anymore. She was eager for battle.


    "Alright then¡ªDUEL!!"


    Hoshino VS Jonouchi


    "I''ll take the first turn! Draw¡ª"


    Just as Hoshino confidently drew her opening hand, preparing to execute her strategy, the Millennium Bracelet around her wrist began to tremble violently. A faint heat radiated from it.


    Then, without any warning, a certain swordswoman materialized right in front of everyone.


    Hoshino''s eyes widened in shock. "Okita?! How are you here? I haven''t even sent you to the Graveyard yet¡ªwhy did you just summon yourself?!"


    But she quickly noticed Okita''s expression was anything but playful. Her fingers clenched tightly around a katana tainted with black mud. Draped in her signature green haori, she stood before them, covered in wounds.


    Even so, upon seeing Hoshino, Okita managed a faint, relieved smile.


    "Master¡­ I''m so glad¡­ you''re safe¡­"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 343 - 343

    "Master, I''m so glad you''re safe¡­ Pwah!!"


    "Blood! Blood! She''s coughing up blood!" Sugoroku panicked at the sight, having never seen Okita before and unaware of her inherent condition.


    Recognizing Okita immediately, Yugi reassured him, "Grandpa, don''t worry. This should be one of Hoshino''s card spirits, though she rarely appears."


    "Don''t worry, Okita. Just take your time¡­ What happened?" Hoshino asked, concern in her voice as she watched the heavily wounded swordswoman.


    Okita smiled weakly. "Master, you''re so kind¡­ comforting me to take my time coughing up blood¡­ Wait, no! That''s so hurtful!"


    "If you still have the strength to complain, I guess you''re not in too bad of shape," Hoshino remarked.


    "I''m absolutely in bad shape, Master!" Okita clutched her chest, enduring the pain as her materialized form flickered unsteadily. "After that battle, even with my maxed-out stats, my mana is almost completely drained!"


    "Okita, with your already low mana, wouldn''t you be used to running on empty by now? But what kind of battle could have injured you this badly?"


    Hoshino''s instincts told her something was seriously wrong when she noticed the black liquid slowly dripping from Okita''s sword.


    "A battle broke out in Chaldea! The black mud absorbs Servants'' mana, putting us all in a desperate fight!"


    "Black mud? A desperate battle? Who are you fighting?"


    Okita''s words were too vague for Hoshino to understand.


    "Could this be why I can''t summon my Heroic Spirit cards today?"


    But seeing Okita''s unstable form made it clear¡ªher mana exhaustion was no joke. In this state, she could disappear at any moment.


    "Master, Da Vinci told me¡­ The final defense system of Chaldea in times of crisis must be entrusted to you!"


    Struggling to lift her left hand despite her injuries, Okita finally placed the item she had fought so hard to protect into Hoshino''s palm.


    "Okita-san?"


    "Though it''s frustrating, consider this my final gift as your ace. To overcome this crisis, you must rely on this power and conquer the darkness in your heart."


    Okita''s voice and figure grew fainter. Without mana to sustain her, she could not remain in this world much longer. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "One last thing¡­ Master, you look so good with darker skin¡­ Pwah!!"


    With one final spurt of blood, Okita''s briefly materialized body vanished.


    "OKITA¡ª!!"


    Opening her hand, Hoshino looked at what Okita had left behind¡ªthe so-called final defense system of Chaldea: a pink, crystal-like star.


    The others had stayed silent the entire time, sensing the heavy atmosphere. Given Okita''s usual comedic personality, this was probably the most serious she''d ever been.


    Yugi hesitated before asking, "I don''t fully understand what just happened, but something serious must be going on, right?"


    The names Okita had mentioned¡ªChaldea, black mud¡ªwere completely foreign to them.


    "I''m just as confused¡­ but I have a bad feeling about this."


    Hoshino tightly clenched the pink star in her palm. No matter what crisis she had faced before, she had always had Chaldea behind her.


    Just like the saying, "As long as the universal genius Da Vinci is here, everything will be fine," had always given her confidence in the worst situations.


    "Open the system¡­"


    [Error! System connection interrupted!!]


    Now, not only could she not summon her Heroic Spirit cards, but even the system was completely down. All she had left was this pink crystal star.


    Letting out a sigh, Hoshino muttered to herself, "Okita, if you had the time to make jokes, couldn''t you have told me how to use this thing instead?!"


    Mokuba handed her the now-repaired duel disk. "Hoshino, I checked your duel disk¡ªthere''s nothing wrong with it. The battery was just about to die, so I replaced it. I also linked it to KaibaCorp''s satellite system, so you''ll save over 80% on energy consumption now."


    "Thanks." As she strapped the duel disk onto her arm, an image suddenly flashed through Hoshino''s mind.


    She remembered someone else who had worn this duel disk¡ªsomeone who had also lost the ability to summon Heroic Spirit cards.


    Yet, that person still fought with all their strength, using a dazzling, star-filled finale to defeat Paradox and save the world.


    Realizing this, Hoshino looked at the pink crystal star in her hand and gasped, "Wait¡­ Could this final defense system of Chaldea actually be¡­ Illya?!"


    [Keyword ''Illya'' recognized. Chaldea''s Final Emergency Defense System¡ª"Magical Girl" activated!]


    The pink crystal star in Hoshino''s palm began to glow warmly, spinning and floating into the air. The energy it emitted shifted into a familiar form¡ªa wand with a red gemstone¡ªbefore settling back into her hand.


    A lively voice rang out. "Long time no see, Hoshino! I can''t believe you tanned to match Kuro''s skin tone~!"


    "Ruby¡­ It really is Ruby! That means I was right¡ªif Illya is here, even without summoning Servants, I can still fight!"


    Ruby chuckled. "Hehehe, too bad! Right now, it''s just me~ If you want to fully activate the Magical Girl system, you''ll have to use me to summon Illya yourself."


    Hoshino frowned. "Use you to summon Illya? How?"


    "Isn''t it obvious?" Ruby wiggled proudly in the air. Though she was a magical wand, she somehow looked¡­ suspiciously smug.


    "You must stand tall and proud and call forth love and justice¡­ like a true magical girl!"


    Hoshino froze, then glanced awkwardly at her companions. A faint blush spread across her tanned cheeks. "W-Wait¡­ You mean I have to do it here? A magical girl transformation¡­?"


    Ruby''s voice suddenly became serious. "Hoshino, is this really all the determination you have? With that kind of attitude, you''re still a thousand years too early to unleash a magical girl''s full power!"


    "Ugh¡­" Left speechless, Hoshino had to admit that Ruby''s sheer energy was overwhelming her.


    "Alright, alright! I get it! I just have to call for love and justice like a magical girl, right?! I''ll do it!"


    As a girl, one of the must-do things in childhood was standing in front of a mirror and imitating the classic magical girl transformations seen on TV. For Hoshino, who had once been a middle-schooler obsessed with anime, this was hardly the first¡ªor even second¡ªtime she had done it. She was practically a pro.


    With no way out, Hoshino did her best to ignore her companions'' gazes, took a deep breath, and began spinning the Ruby wand in her hand at high speed with practiced ease.


    "¡ªKey that hides the power of the stars, show your true form before me! I command you in my name!"


    "Whoa! That was so professional!"


    Her flawless performance left her companions speechless, and they couldn''t help but start clapping. Even without changing into a fancy outfit, at this moment, Hoshino truly looked like a real magical girl.


    "¡ªRelease the seal!!!"


    The spinning wand slowly descended, and the star-shaped tip lightly tapped the Deck placed on the table.


    Then, just like ripples spreading across water from a drop of magic, the power of light surfaced on the deck. A real, fully materialized magical girl¡ªher face flushed with embarrassment¡ªtook the mischievously grinning Ruby from Hoshino''s hand.


    "The magical girl who upholds love and justice, Illyasviel von Einzbern, has arrived!!"


    "Whoa! That was amazing!!"


    The applause around them grew even louder, leaving a flustered Hoshino and Illya standing together.


    "Master, it''s all your fault for summoning me in such an embarrassing way! Now I feel all weird too!"


    Illya pouted. A line like "a magical girl who upholds love and justice" was something she would never normally say.


    "Actually, Master, you just needed to use Ruby to establish a connection between the Magical Girl Power and the deck¡ªyou didn''t need to do any weird poses¡­ By the way, why do you have the same skin tone as Kuro now?"


    "I knew it! I was tricked!!"


    Overcome with embarrassment and anger, Hoshino grabbed Ruby from Illya''s hand, ready to snap it in half.


    "Ahh! It''s gonna break! This feeling of being about to leave this world in the hands of a tanned beauty¡­ I never expected it to be so thrilling!"


    There was no saving this one. Ruby''s pervy personality was already maxed out, reaching a level on par with Blackbeard.


    Anzu looked at the petite Illya with envy and said, "So this is the final defense you were talking about, Hoshino? She''s so cute¡­ Magical girls are the best¡­"


    Tossing the battered Ruby aside, Hoshino nodded. "Illya, since Da Vinci designated you as Chaldea''s final defense, do you know what''s happening over there right now?"


    "I don''t know..." Illya shook her head apologetically. "I was summoned directly from my original world, so I didn''t pass through Chaldea on the way."


    Ruby, now slightly bent from Hoshino''s grip, floated back into Illya''s hands. "Actually, I do have some information, but in exchange, I need to know the color of Hoshino''s underwear¡­"


    Hoshino''s gaze instantly turned ice-cold. "Tomorrow will be your death anniversary, Ruby."


    Ruby shivered. "Sorry! I got carried away!"


    Illya, nervous that Hoshino might actually snap Ruby in half, held onto it tightly. "Ruby, if you know something, you should just say it¡­ For your own good."


    "Ahem, fine~" Ruby actually coughed to clear its throat before speaking.


    "The Pyramid of Light and Seto Kaiba! That''s all the information I managed to receive due to time constraints."


    "!!!" The entire group was shocked.


    Mokuba''s jaw dropped, unable to process what he had just heard. "Brother? Why did you suddenly mention Brother? Did something dangerous happen to him?"


    Hoshino frowned in thought. "The Pyramid of Light and Seto Kaiba, huh¡­ Mokuba, you were trying to contact Kaiba earlier, but you couldn''t reach him, right?"


    "Yeah, Brother said he was going to find Pegasus to collect his debts, so he flew off on his private jet this morning. He hasn''t answered my calls either."


    "If it''s Kaiba, no matter how arrogant or troublesome he can be, he shouldn''t be able to affect Chaldea. So the issue must be the ''Pyramid of Light.''"


    Additionally, the moment she heard "Pyramid of Light," Hoshino felt as if she had seen it somewhere recently.


    "Master! Since you''ve activated the Magical Girl System, according to protocol, I have to give you this~"


    Illya timidly lifted her pink skirt, revealing a card case strapped to her snow-white thigh. "These cards, related to magical girls, should be a form of usable power in this world."


    "Huh? Illya, shouldn''t you be carrying your Class Cards for Phantasmal Summoning? Since when did they become Duel Monsters cards?"


    Holding the real Duel Monsters cards from Illya, Hoshino felt a strange sense of unease.


    Illya scratched her head and laughed. "Ehehe~ Different worlds have different rules. To fight in this world, these cards are essential."


    As she flipped through the cards Illya handed her, Hoshino''s expression grew more serious. "That makes sense, but¡­ Illya, your deck is way too weak to fight with directly."


    "Eh?! I can''t use it? Then what should I do?" Illya panicked.


    "No, it''s not that you can''t use it. It''s just that if you used this deck as-is, you wouldn''t stand a chance against anyone¡­" Hoshino stated bluntly.


    Although the deck revolved around magical girls, it consisted only of cards related to that theme. With her experience, Hoshino could immediately tell that the deck lacked crucial power.


    "We need to rebuild this deck!" Without hesitation, Hoshino grabbed her currently unusable Spirit Card Deck from the table.


    "I remember that Hoshino-sensei''s strategy was to combine magical girls with Heroic Spirits, using Phantasmal Summoning to fully unleash the power of Illya and Miyu."


    Recalling her own duels from the future, Hoshino quickly pieced together the direction for the adjustments. Merging the two decks into one, she created a brand-new deck centered around Illya''s fusion abilities.


    "Talking about it is easy, but even if I have the right idea, my future self must have gone through countless adjustments and practical tests before perfecting the ultimate magical girl deck."


    A deck refined through time and experience was something present-day Hoshino couldn''t simply recreate on the spot. However, what she could do now was optimize it as much as possible with the limited time available.


    "Jonouchi, you said that you wanted to duel me, right? Then do me a favor and help me test my new deck!"


    (*****)


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 Chapter 344 - 344

    "It''s over, Hoshino. Victory ultimately belongs to me! Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, unleash your direct attack to claim victory!"


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ATK 6000]


    Shining with a radiance surpassing even the gods, Kaiba''s Neo Blue-Eyes gathered a blinding, terrifying energy and launched it straight at the defenseless Hoshino.


    "¡ªDestructive Burst!"


    The devastating attack bombarded Hoshino''s field, its overwhelming light engulfing her slender frame.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 ¡ú 0]


    [Duel Over. Winner: Seto Kaiba!]


    "Amazing! The President has secured his fifth consecutive victory!"


    Despite their stunned expressions, the staff at the control panel wouldn''t miss such a golden opportunity to flatter Kaiba.


    "In just one morning, the President has completely surpassed the Duel King. At this rate, even if we go for another five rounds, he will still claim total victory!"


    At that moment, Kaiba was at peak arrogance.


    "This is the true power I strive for¡ªPERFECTION! SUPREME! INVINCIBLE! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"


    (***)


    "Huh? You want me to test your new deck?"


    Hearing Hoshino''s proposal, Jonouchi pointed at himself, confused.


    "Yeah, I think you''re the perfect choice. It has to be you, Jonouchi¡ªno one else will do!"


    Feeling the sincerity in Hoshino''s words, Jonouchi''s face suddenly flushed, and he scratched his head with a sheepish grin.


    "I see... So that''s how it is. I didn''t realize I held such an important place in your heart, Hoshino! Alright, let the dashing Jonouchi help you test your deck!"


    Indeed, no one else was suitable. If she tested an unfinished deck against Yugi, it would be like walking into a nightmare. Bakura''s dueling skills were a mystery, and the other duelists weren''t even worth mentioning.


    All things considered, Hoshino''s words¡ª"It has to be you, Jonouchi."¡ªwere entirely reasonable. As for how Jonouchi himself interpreted it¡­ well, that was his problem.


    "No time to waste! Let''s begin!"


    Inserting her prototype Magical Girl deck into her Duel Disk, Hoshino prepared for the duel.


    "Oh? We''re using Duel Disks? Now I''m really fired up!"


    For Jonouchi, who didn''t even mind dueling with just cards, the chance to duel using full-fledged holograms against Hoshino was too good to pass up.


    [Hoshino Chiyuki VS Jonouchi Katsuya]


    "Duel!!"


    Jonouchi was the first to draw.


    "I''ll take the first move! Time to show you the results of my month-long training!"


    Instead of summoning a monster right away, Jonouchi activated a Continuous Spell.


    "¡ªI activate the Continuous Spell, [Dangerous Machine Type-6]! It won''t take effect immediately, but starting from my next Standby Phase, it''ll activate based on a dice roll!"


    Hoshino sighed.


    "Opening with a luck card, huh? Don''t tell me you spent an entire month just practicing your dice rolls?"


    "Of course not! I''ve got more tricks up my sleeve!"


    After playing his Spell, Jonouchi finally summoned a monster.


    "I Normal Summon [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon] in Defense Position!"


    Placing his card on the Duel Disk, a small, pitch-black dragon materialized before him. Its deep crimson eyes shone brightly.


    [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon ¡î¡î¡î (Level 3)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 700]


    "I''ll also set one card face-down and end my turn!"


    [Jonouchi''s: 3 Hand Cards | 1 Set Card]


    "My turn, draw!"


    Hoshino glanced at her hand and immediately realized a serious problem.


    "I didn''t draw Illya, huh? Just as I expected."


    Her deck revolved around Illya as the core, but if she only had one copy of Illya, the chances of drawing her were too low. Unlike Kaiba, Hoshino wasn''t the type to shamelessly stack her deck, so the only way to mitigate this fatal flaw was¡­


    "I activate the Spell Card¡ª[First Premonition]!"


    [First Premonition ¨C Spell Card Effect: Discard one card to activate. Banish one Spell Card from your deck. During your next Standby Phase, the banished card is added to your hand.]


    "Using its effect, I discard Marie Antoinette from my hand and banish Phantasmal Summon Install from my Deck. During my next turn''s Standby Phase, that card will be added to my hand."


    To compensate for inconsistencies, she had no choice but to run plenty of search cards¡ªwhether they were meant to fetch Monsters or Spells, anything that could enhance the Magical Girl deck''s consistency was crucial.


    "Now, I activate the effect of Marie Antoinette from my Graveyard! I can add 1 ''Heroic Spirit'' monster from my Deck to my hand¡ªcome forth, Illyasviel!"


    By using Marie''s effect, Hoshino finally secured Illya in her hand, allowing her to begin her full offensive strategy.


    "Now, I Normal Summon [Magical Girl ¨C Illyasviel] in Attack Position!" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illyasviel ¡î¡î¡î¡î (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    [This card is also treated as a ''Heroic Spirit'']


    Unlike the magical girl attire Illya usually wore, her physical manifestation as a Duel Monster took the form of a cute elementary school outfit¡ªthough she still held the gentlemanly Ruby Magic Wand in her hands.


    Illya scratched her cheek with a sheepish smile.


    "Ehehe, this is my first time materializing as a Duel Monster. I''m a little nervous~"


    Ruby: "There''s nothing to be nervous about! Just fight the way you normally do¡ªseductively!"


    "I don''t fight seductively!"


    "Now, I activate the effect of Illyasviel! When this card is successfully Normal or Special Summoned, I can add 1 ''Phantasmal Summon Install'' card from my Deck to my hand!"


    Ruby''s wand gleamed brightly, guiding Hoshino''s hand as she retrieved her search card and immediately proceeded with her battle phase.


    But as Illya attacked, a massive black dragon suddenly loomed over her.


    She froze instantly.


    "Oh no¡­ I think I messed up¡­ QAQ"


    Jonouchi, whose monster had just been destroyed, grinned triumphantly with an exaggerated expression.


    "Heh heh, you fell for it, Hoshino! That Red-Eyes Baby Dragon was meant to be destroyed on purpose¡ªbet you didn''t see that coming!"


    Seeing Jonouchi''s cocky attitude, Hoshino gave a helpless smile.


    "No, I saw through it right away. Honestly, it was way too obvious¡ªit''d be strange if I didn''t notice."


    "Ah¡­ is that so¡­?"


    Jonouchi''s confidence wavered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.


    "Even if you saw it coming, Red-Eyes Baby Dragon''s effect still activates!"


    [When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 Level 7 or lower "Red-Eyes" monster from your Deck.]


    "I Special Summon in Attack Position from my Deck¡ª[Red-Eyes Black Dragon]!"


    A massive black dragon soared into the sky and let out a thunderous roar. Drawn by the desperate cry of its fallen offspring, the Red-Eyes Black Dragon locked its piercing crimson eyes onto Illya.


    Illya trembled in fear.


    "I''m doomed¡­ I think I really messed up¡­ The dragon''s mom is here for revenge! QAQ"


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Dragon][ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    Hoshino observed the Red-Eyes Black Dragon and commented.


    "Hmm¡­ this one does look a bit meaner than usual. Could it actually be mad?"


    Jonouchi retrieved his destroyed Red-Eyes Baby Dragon and placed it into his Spell & Trap Zone.


    "Heh heh, when Red-Eyes Baby Dragon''s effect is used to summon a monster, it equips itself to that monster as an Equip Card, boosting its ATK by 300!"


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ATK 2400 ¡ú 2700]


    "ROOOOAAR¡ª!"


    Hoshino smirked.


    "Not bad, Jonouchi. At the very least, you''ve got the theatrics down."


    "Of course! As one of the top duelists in Battle City, I''ve been constantly challenged by duelists from all over this past month! After going through all those battles, I have been reborn!"


    Without ending the Battle Phase, Hoshino immediately placed a newly searched card into the Duel Disk.


    "And yet, just a little praise and you''re already getting cocky. Looks like your evolution isn''t complete yet! I activate the Quick-Play Spell¡ª[Phantasmal Summon Install]!"


    The card Hoshino had searched using Illya''s effect was a Quick-Play Fusion Summon exclusive to "Heroic Spirits." But its true potential lay in fusing Magical Girls.


    "It allows me to Fusion Summon a ''Magical Girl'' Fusion Monster by banishing just one of its listed materials from my field!"


    Receiving the card''s effect, Illya quickly retrieved a Class Card from the deck box strapped to her thigh.


    "Using Phantasmal Summon Install, I banish Magical Girl ¨C Illyasviel from my field to Fusion Summon a monster that requires Illya as material!"


    She drew a Class Card labeled Berserker. The card briefly passed over Ruby''s wand before a radiant white light engulfed Illya''s small body.


    "¡ª¡ªMagical Girl ¨C Heracles Illyasviel!!"


    With her first use of Phantasmal Summon, Illya''s entire style underwent a drastic shift. Gone was the soft and cute magical girl¡ªher petite frame was now draped in a wild fur cloak, and she wielded a massive stone axe that was even larger than her body with just one hand.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Heracles Illyasviel ¨C ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][EARTH][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2800/ DEF 1000]


    Watching Illya''s transformation sequence, Anzu initially looked on with admiration¡ªuntil her expression turned incredibly complicated.


    "H-Huh? So this is what magical girl transformations look like¡­?"


    Somehow, it felt quite different from the magical girls she had idolized in her childhood.


    Hoshino continued.


    "Now I activate the effect of the banished Illya! When this card is used as Fusion Material and banished, I can Special Summon it back to the field!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illyasviel ATK 1000]


    As Illya reappeared on the field, she glanced at her new Berserker form standing beside her and muttered.


    "Master, using this form for my very first transformation¡­ I have mixed feelings about this."


    Her Berserker self, however, confidently swung her massive stone axe.


    "A battle must be fought with full force! We''re still in the Battle Phase, so I can still attack, right?" Berserker Illyasviel asked.


    "Of course! Why else do you think I activated a Quick-Play Spell during the Battle Phase?"


    Pointing toward the enraged Red-Eyes Black Dragon on Jonouchi''s field, Hoshino issued the attack command.


    "Attack, Illya!!"


    "OOOHHH!!"


    Overcome with Berserker''s furious strength, Illya let out a battle cry, lifting the stone axe and leaping high into the air. She swung down fiercely at the dragon''s head.


    "A family should stay together! You''re going to the graveyard too!"


    The sheer brute force of the attack shook the ground. The axe, with enough power to split mountains, shattered Jonouchi''s powered-up Red-Eyes Black Dragon into pieces.


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon Destroyed] [Jonouchi LP 4000 ¡ú 3900]


    Yugi, watching from the sidelines, nodded in admiration.


    "With just a 100 ATK point advantage, she managed to take down Jonouchi''s Red-Eyes Black Dragon?¡­ I can''t even tell that Hoshino is using this deck for the first time."


    Jonouchi sent his destroyed card to the Graveyard and activated another effect.


    "I activate Red-Eyes Baby Dragon''s special ability! When the equipped monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can add 1 Level 1 Dragon-Type monster from my Deck to my hand!"


    Jonouchi retrieved a new card from his Deck and added it to his hand.


    But the battle wasn''t over.


    "This duel isn''t finished yet! Since Illya was resummoned, she can attack again! And Jonouchi¡ªyou''ve got no more monsters on your field. Illya, direct attack!"


    Illya grinned.


    "A breakthrough, huh? Alright, ready, Ruby!"


    Repositioning herself, Illya gathered magical energy into Ruby''s wand, unleashing another wave of pink light.


    "¡ª¡ªMagic Slash!"


    With a sweeping motion of the wand, a razor-sharp wave of pink magic cut through Jonouchi''s body.


    [Jonouchi LP 3900 ¡ú 2900]


    Clutching his chest, Jonouchi managed a strained smile.


    "Damn¡­ First time using this deck, and you''re already overwhelming me? Hoshino, you''re a real dueling monster."


    Hoshino''s expression grew serious.


    "I''m taking this very seriously, Jonouchi. My Final Defense System Illya¡ªif my last-resort deck isn''t strong enough, I won''t be able to handle the trouble that''s coming."


    (*****)


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 Chapter 345 - 345

    Ending the Battle Phase, Hoshino selected two cards from her hand and inserted them into the Duel Disk.


    "I''ll set two cards and end my turn."


    [Hoshino''s: 2 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]


    "My turn, draw!" Jonouchi drew his card excitedly. "Then, during my Standby Phase, it''s finally time for my Continuous Spell Card¡ªDangerous Machine Type-6¡ªto activate!"


    Jonouchi pointed to the mechanical roulette-like device that had materialized on his field.


    "I almost forgot about that thing..."


    Realizing the setup Jonouchi had laid in the previous turn, Hoshino gritted her teeth. "Damn lucky bastard, trying to regain the advantage with this kind of card again. I swear, you better land on the self-destruct result!"


    As they entered the Standby Phase, the roulette machine activated, and the display began cycling randomly through numbers from 1 to 6.


    Dice Roll Result: 5


    "Alright!" Jonouchi pulled off a smug, exaggerated expression, making it obvious that he had rolled a beneficial result.


    "When the result is 5, I can destroy 1 monster on my opponent''s field!"


    Mokuba pouted in frustration. "He totally abuses his insane luck by stacking his deck with these kinds of cards just to bully unlucky duelists like Hoshino!"


    "Sorry for being unlucky..." Hoshino muttered bitterly.


    "Now, using Dangerous Machine Type-6''s effect, I choose to destroy your Heracles Illya!"


    The machine spun rapidly before releasing an overloaded surge of electric energy, striking Berserker Illya on Hoshino''s field.


    "Ahhh~~!" A pained cry rang out as Illya was engulfed in the electric discharge.


    Ruby, the sentient wand, quickly provided commentary. "There it is! This is exactly the kind of ''seductive'' battle I was talking about earlier!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Heracles Illya destroyed]


    "Heracles Illya''s effect activates! When this card is sent to the Graveyard, I can retrieve Phantasmal Summon Install from the Graveyard and add it to my hand!"


    Hoshino retrieved the card she had previously used to summon Berserker Illya. As the electrical discharges faded from the field, Jonouchi''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "No way!"


    When the sparks finally cleared, Heracles Illya was still standing on Hoshino''s field. However, deep, ghastly wounds had been etched into her skin¡ªyet they were already healing at an astonishing speed, restoring her to perfect condition before their very eyes.


    "Heracles Illya''s special effect activates!"


    Illya, now fully recovered, had an even stronger determination in her gaze than before.


    [Effect: You can only use this effect once per Duel. If this card is sent to your Graveyard by an opponent''s card effect: Special Summon it. This card becomes unaffected by the card type (Monster, Spell, or Trap) that activated that effect.]


    God Hand¡ªan ability that renders attacks ineffective after being experienced once. No matter how powerful a Noble Phantasm is, once it has been used to defeat Heracles, it will never work on him again.


    "Thanks to your Dangerous Machine Type-6 and your ridiculous luck, Heracles Illya is now immune to Spell Cards!"


    Jonouchi clutched his head in frustration. "Damn it! I didn''t expect that! Now she''s even harder to deal with!"


    Honda encouraged, "Come on! If you lose to Hoshino when she''s using a brand-new deck for the first time, you can kiss that ''Battle City Quarterfinalist'' title goodbye!"


    "Shut up! I''m still in this fight!" Snapping back into focus, Jonouchi revealed two cards from his hand to Hoshino.


    "I activate the special effect of Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon! By tributing 1 ''Red-Eyes'' monster from my hand or field, I can Special Summon it!"


    The two revealed cards were Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon and the tribute target¡ªa "Red-Eyes" monster.


    "I tribute Red-Eyes Wyvern and Special Summon [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon]!!"


    [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 7)][DARK][Dragon/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2000]


    [Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must first be Special Summoned (from your hand) by Tributing 1 "Red-Eyes" monster from your hand or field.]


    "ROOOOAR!!"


    A deafening roar echoed across the battlefield. Compared to the previous Red-Eyes Black Dragon, this alternative form radiated an even more menacing aura. Its body was engulfed in dark flames, and its wings were razor-sharp like blades.


    Illya instinctively took a step back. "This one... looks even scarier than the last one..."


    "I''m not done yet! I activate the effect of Black Metal Dragon from my hand!"


    Jonouchi inserted another card into his Duel Disk''s Spell & Trap zone, just like he had done earlier with Red-Eyes Baby Dragon.


    [Effect: You can target 1 "Red-Eyes" monster you control; equip this monster from your hand or field to that target. It gains 600 ATK]


    Black Metal Dragon transformed into sleek black armor that attached itself to Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon, enhancing its already fearsome presence.


    [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon ATK 2400 ¡ú 3000]


    "Now my Black Dragon''s attack power is stronger! Get ready, Hoshino!"


    With a dramatic gesture, Jonouchi declared his attack phase.


    "Target Heracles Illya¡ªattack! Black Dragon Inferno Blast!!"


    A massive fireball of pure black flames formed within Alternative Black Dragon''s mouth before launching straight at Illya.


    "Even if your Illya is immune to Spells, she still has to take battle damage head-on!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Heracles Illya destroyed]


    [Hoshino LP 4000 ¡ú 3800]


    But as the smoke cleared, Hoshino smirked mischievously. "I''ll take the battle damage this time¡­ but just like before, it won''t work again! Heracles Illya''s effect activates!"


    [Effect: If this card is destroyed by battle: You can Special Summon it. (Quick Effect): You can only use this effect once per Duel. This card Special Summoned by this effect cannot be destroyed by battle.]


    As the smoldering flames dissipated, Heracles Illya still stood firm on the battlefield. The charred burns covering her fair skin began to heal rapidly, restoring her to pristine condition in seconds.


    Honda stared in disbelief. "Oi, oi¡­ is that thing immortal?! This is just straight-up bullying at this point¡­"


    "That''s not quite right, Honda!"


    Unexpectedly, Jonouchi denied Honda, who had been speaking up for him.


    "If Hoshino isn''t fighting at full strength, then even if I win, it''s meaningless. Since Illya, inheriting Heracles'' effects, is immune to battle destruction¡­"


    Despite Heracles Illya''s immovable presence on the battlefield, Jonouchi didn''t back down. Instead, he flipped over the only Set card from his previous turn. From the claws of Red-Eyes Black Dragon, a black, dragon-shaped chain shot out.


    "In that case, I''ll use the trump card I prepared last turn to settle this! Trap Card, activate¡ª[Red-Eyes Fang with Chain]!"


    [Effect: Target 1 "Red-Eyes" monster you control; equip this card to it. It can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase.]


    "With this Trap Card''s effect, I equip it to Red-Eyes Black Dragon, allowing it to attack one more time!"


    Changing his attack target¡ªsince he couldn''t destroy Heracles Illya through battle¡ªJonouchi instead set his sights on the regular Illya.


    "Go! Double Dragon Black Inferno Blast!!"


    The pitch-black flames surged once more across Hoshino''s field, ruthlessly incinerating the elementary school form of Illya.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illyasviel destroyed]


    [Hoshino LP 3800 ¡ú 1800]


    Jonouchi clenched his fist excitedly. "Now I have more Life Points than you!"


    "That''s just chipping away at Life Points. As a Battle City Top 8 duelist, do you not understand the importance of reaching the lock-in threshold earlier, Jonouchi?"


    Hoshino countered with mysterious game logic. At the same moment Illya was destroyed, she flipped over the Set Trap Card at her feet.


    "¡ªTrap Card, activate! [The Cute Girl Seated Behind Me]!!"


    [Effect: If a [Heroic Spirit] monster you control is destroyed by battle or your opponent''s card effect, you can activate this card. Banish Fusion Materials for a [Heroic Spirit] Fusion Monster that includes the destroyed monster from your hand, field, Deck, or Graveyard. Fusion Summon that monster from your Extra Deck. Then, take 400 damage per banished material.]


    "I banish Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera and Magical Girl ¨C Illyasviel from my Deck as Fusion Materials to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit ¨C Illyasviel von Einzbern]!"


    A dazzling starlight pierced through the dark flames on Hoshino''s field, slicing through the darkness and extinguishing the terrifying energy of Alternative Black Dragon''s destruction.


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Illyasviel von Einzbern ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)][Light][Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]


    ["Magical Girl ¨C Illyasviel" + 1 Effect Monster]


    [This card is also treated as a "Magical Girl."]


    No longer clad in her usual elementary school attire, Illya now wore her transformed magical girl outfit, wielding her ruby staff as she gracefully emerged from the starlight.


    Excitedly watching Illya''s transformation, Anzu finally couldn''t hold back, her eyes sparkling as she exclaimed, "This is it! This is what a magical girl transformation should be¡ªit''s so cute!"


    Yugi gave Anzu a curious look. "I never expected you to enjoy these kinds of characters."


    "Ah¡­" Realizing she had gotten too excited, Anzu quickly reined in her expression, awkwardly twirling a strand of her hair with her finger. "Magical girls are every girl''s childhood dream. Even I used to admire them. Don''t think I''m childish, Yugi."


    Yugi smiled warmly. "Not at all. I think this side of you is refreshing and very cute."


    Anzu''s face turned even redder. "Yugi¡­"


    "As a side effect of The Cute Girl Seated Behind Me, I take 400 damage for each banished Fusion Material. However, since Magical Girl ¨C Illya was banished as a Fusion Material, she returns to the field due to her own effect."


    [Hoshino LP 1800 ¡ú 1000]


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illya DEF 1000]


    Mokuba looked stunned. "That means there are now three magical girl monsters on the field! By continuously Fusion Summoning magical girls and recovering Illya, she can keep expanding her advantage. This is Hoshino''s new deck¡ªit''s completely different from before."


    Bakura nodded in agreement. "And with Heracles Illya on the field, unable to be destroyed, can Jonouchi really withstand Hoshino''s offensive next turn?"


    Jonouchi responded confidently, "So what if I can''t destroy it? I''ve already come up with a strategy! I''ll use Red-Eyes Fang with Chain!"


    Unfazed by Hoshino''s chain of summons, Jonouchi pointed to the black dragon-shaped chain equipped to his Red-Eyes Black Dragon.


    "If I send Red-Eyes Fang with Chain to the Graveyard, I can activate its effect to forcefully turn 1 monster on the field into an Equip Card and equip it to Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    Roaring, Red-Eyes Black Dragon swung its pitch-black chains. The chain''s blade, as if alive, wrapped tightly around Heracles Illya''s body.


    "Now, Hoshino, your monster is mine!"


    "Ugh¡­" The black dragon''s chains tightened, binding the berserker Illya. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn''t break free.


    Ruby, watching from the sidelines, commented mischievously, "This kind of bondage pose is quite exciting, isn''t it? No matter how much you resist, it''s useless, Illya~"


    "Ruby, whose side are you even on?!" The two remaining Illyas on the field simultaneously shouted. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ruby replied matter-of-factly, "I stand on the side of desire!"


    In the end, with no way to resist, the bound Berserker Illya was forcibly turned into an Equip Card and imprisoned in Jonouchi''s back row.


    "When Heracles Illya becomes an Equip Card and is equipped to Red-Eyes Black Dragon, its ATK increases from 2400 to 2800, matching Illya''s original ATK. Plus, with the effect of Black Metal Dragon¡­"


    [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon ATK 3400]


    "I didn''t expect you to come up with such a counterattack strategy, Jonouchi. You''ve really gotten stronger compared to before. But I have to say, from a purely emotional standpoint, this feels kind of frustrating."


    Having her monster¡ªimmune to battle destruction¡ªtaken by Jonouchi and used to boost his own power left Hoshino with a subtle feeling¡­ almost like she had been NTR''d.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 346 - 346

    After dealing with Hoshino''s troublesome Heracles Illya, Jonouchi, now holding the upper hand, inserted his remaining two cards into the Duel Disk.


    "I set my remaining two cards and end my turn! And since I haven''t conducted a Normal Summon this turn, I can activate the effect of the [Red-Eyes Wyvern] I sent to the Graveyard earlier!"


    [Effect: Once per turn, during your End Phase: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 "Red-Eyes" monster in your GY; Special Summon that target. You cannot Normal Summon/Set during the turn you activate this effect.]


    Jonouchi took a card from his Graveyard and placed it face-up on the field, summoning a small, black dragon.


    "I Special Summon [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon] in Defense Position!"


    [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon ¨C DEF 700]


    "Not summoning Red-Eyes Black Dragon, but instead going with Baby Dragon? What is he planning now¡­"


    Hoshino narrowed her eyes at Jonouchi, who was smirking to himself, and sighed.


    "Ugh, it''s way too obvious. This guy would be terrible at playing Old Maid."


    Noticing her hesitation, Jonouchi grinned, adjusting his posture with a smug expression.


    "What''s wrong, Hoshino? Too scared to make a move now that I''ve got the advantage?"


    "Don''t get cocky, you commoner!" Hoshino shot back, mimicking Kaiba''s voice as she drew her card for the turn with dramatic flair.


    "My turn¡ªdraw! Then, I activate the effect of [First Premonition]! During my Standby Phase, I return the banished Spell Card [Phantasmal Summon Install] to my hand!"


    Recovering her previous investment, Hoshino wasted no time in activating Illya''s Fusion ability.


    "The monster on my field, [Heroic Spirit ¨C Illyasviel von Einzbern], has a special effect¡ªonce per turn, if she is not equipped with a card, she can equip 1 monster from my Banished Zone!"


    Hoshino took the only banished card and placed it in her Spell/Trap Zone. Illya, clad in her magical girl attire, raised her Ruby staff, which transformed into a tricolor sword.


    "¡ª¡ªNoble Phantasm deployment! ''Sword of the War God!''"


    "I equip the banished Altera to Illya! Her ATK increases by Altera''s ATK!"


    [Heroic Spirit ¨C Altera ATK 3350]


    [Illyasviel ATK 1000 ¡ú 4350]


    As one of Hoshino''s highest-stat Heroic Spirit monsters, Illya now wielded the full power of the Sword of the War God, her strength surging to new heights.


    "My ATK is higher now, Master!" Illya beamed proudly, looking at her sword-wielding form with admiration.


    Hoshino locked onto Jonouchi''s [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon], which had been restraining Berserker Illya, and shouted her command.


    "No need to hold back¡ªattack, Illyasviel! Target Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon and destroy it!"


    "Got it, Master!"


    Illya raised the Sword of the War God, its rapidly rotating tricolor blade emitting a dazzling rainbow light.


    "You won''t keep me bound any longer! With my ''Sword of the War God ¨C Photon Ray,'' I''ll annihilate you completely!"


    Cloaked in brilliant, seven-colored radiance, Illya shot forward like a comet. The blinding blade tore through the dragon''s dark flames, cleaving both it and the chains that had imprisoned Berserker Illya.


    [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    [Jonouchi LP: 2900 ¡ú 1550]


    Despite the dragon''s destruction, the Berserker Illya that had been forcefully turned into an Equip Card didn''t return to Hoshino''s field¡ªit was sent to the Graveyard instead.


    Jonouchi''s expression turned serious.


    "...That was a fierce attack, Hoshino. But Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon won''t go down so easily!"


    He pointed to the scorched ground where his monster had just fallen. Black flames still lingered there, now flaring even more violently.


    "[Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon]''s effect activates¡ªwhen it''s destroyed, I can Special Summon 1 Level 7 or lower ''Red-Eyes'' monster from my Graveyard, except itself!"


    Jonouchi raised his Duel Disk as the flames surged around it, and a piercing roar echoed into the sky.


    "I Special Summon [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]! And since it was summoned by Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon''s effect, its ATK is doubled!"


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ¨C ATK 2400 ¡ú 4800]


    "ROOOOAR!!"


    The emperor of black flames returned to the field¡ªthis time, stronger than ever. For the first time, Red-Eyes Black Dragon surpassed even the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.


    "How about that, Hoshino? This is proof I''ve surpassed who I used to be¡ªthe strongest Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    Jonouchi smirked proudly, rubbing his nose. It had taken him everything to get here¡ªto overcome the shadow of the Blue-Eyes that crushed him back in Duelist Kingdom and unlock the true strength of his Red-Eyes.


    "That''s incredible, Jonouchi. You really brought out the full potential of your Red-Eyes! But the Duel''s not over yet. Strength and potential alone won''t be enough to make me lose!"


    Hoshino pressed on with her Battle Phase. She directed the normal-form Illya to bypass the newly summoned Red-Eyes Black Dragon and go for the [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon] in Defense Position instead.


    Illya hesitated.


    "Are you sure, Master? I''ve got a really bad feeling about attacking that one... No¡ªsomething bad will happen!"


    She hadn''t forgotten how destroying Baby Dragon last turn had triggered the appearance of [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon]. Doing it again would definitely summon something just as troublesome.


    Hoshino reassured her with a smile.


    "Don''t worry, I''ve got a plan! Just attack, Illya!"


    "If you say so, Master¡­ Here goes¡ªMagical Splash!"


    Illya fired a beam of magical energy, and the starlight effortlessly pierced through the tiny dragon.


    [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon ¨C Destroyed]


    Jonouchi''s smug grin vanished in an instant.


    "You fell for it, Hoshino! You thought I''d use Baby Dragon to summon another monster, but that was just bait! The real trap is this¡ªTrap Card, [Red-Eyes Burn]!"


    [Effect: If a face-up "Red-Eyes" monster(s) you control is destroyed by battle or card effect: Target 1 of those monsters; both players take damage equal to its original ATK.]


    "Due to the effect of the Trap Card [Red-Eyes Burn], both players take damage equal to the original ATK of Red-Eyes Baby Dragon, which is 1200 points!"


    Like a detonating bomb, the black flames exploded from the shattered Red-Eyes Baby Dragon, splitting in two and racing toward both Hoshino and Jonouchi.


    [Jonouchi LP: 1550]


    [Hoshino LP: 1000]


    Yugi was shocked. "So this was Jonouchi''s real reason for summoning [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon]! That 1200 points of damage hits right at the threshold of both duelists'' remaining Life Points!"


    Honda looked baffled. "Since when did Jonouchi get so smart?! He actually managed to outplay Hoshino!"


    Watching the black flames close in on her Master, Illya looked like she was about to burst into tears. "I told you we shouldn''t have attacked! From now on, I swear I''ll never attack those little black dragons again!"


    First, attacking the baby dragon last turn led to the summoning of Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon. Now, it had nearly cost them the duel. That Red-Eyes Baby Dragon was quickly becoming Illya''s worst nightmare in this battle.


    Hoshino quickly reassured her, "Don''t panic, Illya! As Chaldea''s Final Defensive System, you need to stay calm, no matter what kind of crisis we face!"


    She drew a card and slammed it into the Duel Disk. The red gemstone in Illya''s staff lit up once again.


    "And besides, I told you¡ªI was ready for this! Quick-Play Spell, activate: [Phantasmal Summon]!"


    It was the same Quick-Play Spell she had recovered last turn using Berserker Illya''s effect. The synergy between Phantasmal Summon and Illya was one of the cornerstones of her deck¡ªallowing her Magical Girls to manifest infinite possibilities.


    "With Phantasmal Summon, I banish [Magical Girl ¨C Illya] from the field to Fusion Summon a Fusion Monster that includes Illya as material!"


    "I have to stay calm, right? Got it, Master!"


    Illya nodded, steeling herself, and reached for the Class Card strapped to her thigh.


    "In this situation, the Class Card I need is¡ªClass Card: Saber!"


    A dazzling starlight flared, and the radiant transformation sequence of [Phantasmal Summon] completely overwhelmed the oncoming black flames rushing toward Hoshino.


    "¡ªInstall! Artoria Pendragon Lily!"


    "¡ªFusion Summon! [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Lily Illya]!"


    Bathed in dreamlike light, a brand-new fusion form emerged. The brilliance of the Sword of Selection cleaved apart the deadly black fire, illuminating the transformed Illya''s graceful, knightly features.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Lily Illya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)][LIGHT][Warrior/Fusion/Effect][ATK 2500 / DEF 1000]


    Jonouchi stared in disbelief. "Why does that one monster have so many different Fusion forms...? But even if you Fusion Summon something new, the damage from [Red-Eyes Burn] isn''t battle damage¡ªit''s effect damage! You can''t stop it!"


    Hoshino smirked, "Unlimited forms mean unlimited possibilities! You think the title of ''Grand Cosplayer'' is just for show? [Magical Girl ¨C Artoria Lily Illya]''s effect activates¡ª!"


    [While this card is on the field, all effect damage received by its controller becomes 0.]


    "O light of the Sword of Selection¡ªplease guide us to victory!"


    The black flames that had nearly reached Hoshino were completely snuffed out. Thanks to Artoria Lily Illya''s effect, she negated the fatal effect damage entirely.


    After watching several rounds unfold, Yugi finally grasped the full scope of Hoshino''s new deck and analyzed it inwardly.


    "At first, I thought Hoshino''s deck was just built for easy Fusion Summons and recycling Fusion materials for value. But now I see¡­ The true strength lies in its extreme adaptability and complete unpredictability!"


    "Whew... That was way too close, Master!" Illya lowered the Sword of Selection and wiped her brow with a deep sigh of relief.


    But Hoshino grinned mischievously. "Oh, I didn''t just block the damage, Illya! Remember¡ªArtoria Lily Illya only negates effect damage for me. Jonouchi just blasted himself!"


    [Jonouchi LP: 1550 ¡ú 350]


    "Ow ow ow ow ow¡ª!" Jonouchi cried out as he frantically tried to pat down the black flames burning through his Life Points.


    Honda seized the moment to roast him. "You moron! That''s what you get for trying to be sneaky! A real Duelist fights fair and square!"


    Naturally, Jonouchi wasn''t about to admit fault. "What are you talking about?! This was all part of my plan!"


    It clearly wasn''t. But there was no way he''d confess that in front of everyone¡ªhe''d look like a total fool!


    "Ah! That''s right! This is... a Life Point Lock strategy!"


    It was an obviously made-up excuse, but Hoshino only shook her head with a smile. She reached for her banished pile and pulled out a card.


    "[Magical Girl ¨C Illya]''s effect activates! If she''s banished as a Fusion Material, I can Special Summon her back to the field!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Illya | DEF 1000]


    This time, Hoshino placed her Illya in Defense Position. With both duelists at dangerously low Life Points, she couldn''t afford to leave a vulnerable attacker exposed.


    Returning from the banished zone for the third time, Illya looked visibly drained. "Ugh... I''m exhausted... Why does this duel feel harder than an actual fight?!"


    Illya, you better get used to it. Your life of overwork is just beginning.


    "And when Artoria Lily Illya is Fusion Summoned, I can activate her effect to add one ''Magical Girl'' monster from my Deck to my hand..."


    Hoshino drew her newest card¡ªa crucial piece of her strategy.


    "¡ª[Magical Girl ¨C Miyu]!" S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    (*****)


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 Chapter 347 - 347

    "I add the ''Magical Girl'' card to my hand¡ª[Magical Girl ¨C Miyu]!"


    Hoshino had successfully retrieved the second core of her Magical Girl deck.


    Not to be outdone, Jonouchi drew a monster card from his deck and slammed it onto his Duel Disk.


    "Then I''ll activate Red-Eyes Baby Dragon''s effect! When it''s destroyed, I can Special Summon a Level 7 or lower ''Red-Eyes'' monster!"


    Black lightning surged across Jonouchi''s field as an unexpected ''Red-Eyes'' monster materialized¡ªnot in the form of a black dragon, but something entirely different.


    "Come forth, my new power¡ª[Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning]!"


    [Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 6)] [DARK] [Fiend/Gemini/Effect] [ATK 2500 / DEF 1200]


    [This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the Graveyard.]


    The massive Archfiend of Lightning¡ªreminiscent of a dark version of ''Summoned Skull''¡ªgripped a bolt of lightning as it stepped onto the battlefield.


    "And now, I activate Red-Eyes Baby Dragon''s secondary effect! I equip it to my Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning, increasing its ATK by 300 points!"


    [Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning: ATK 2500 ¡ú 2800]


    Sugoroku nodded in approval at Jonouchi.


    "Even while facing such a strong offensive from Hoshino, he was able to summon a powerful monster for a counterattack. Jonouchi has truly grown from the beginner he once was."


    Yugi agreed.


    "Yeah, and while Jonouchi''s Life Points are low, in terms of overall battle strength, he currently holds the advantage over Hoshino."


    Jonouchi scratched the back of his head with a smug grin.


    "Eh heh heh, don''t flatter me so much! You''re makin'' me embarrassed~"


    But Hoshino couldn''t help feeling irritated at the sight of Jonouchi''s arrogant smile, as if she were staring at the infuriating face of an overpowered lucksack.


    "Don''t get too cocky, Jonouchi! So far, I''ve only shown half of my deck''s power. Now, it''s time for my full-force attack!"


    Hoshino''s words were half bluff to keep Jonouchi from getting ahead of himself¡ªbut the other half was absolutely true. With Miyu now in play, her deck had finally reached its near-perfect state.


    Jonouchi responded seriously.


    "Alright! Come at me with everything you''ve got! Let''s settle this¡ªyour full power versus my Red-Eyes Dragon!"


    "Now, I activate Magical Girl ¨C Miyu''s special effect from my hand!"


    As the second core of the deck, Miyu could not only fuse with Heroic Spirit cards like Illya to create new forms via Phantasm Summon, but also serve as a powerful support unit, greatly enhancing the deck''s flexibility.


    "I discard Miyu from my hand to return one of my Fusion Monsters from the field to my Extra Deck, then Special Summon a different Fusion Monster that includes at least one of the original materials! This effect can even be activated during the Battle Phase!"


    Miyu''s voice resonated:


    ¡ºIllya, you can do it!¡»


    Sensing the familiar magic from the Holy Sword, Illya''s eyes burned with determination.


    "If Miyu''s power is with me, then I can fight with everything I have!"


    Hoshino picked up the card of Artoria Lily Illya from her Duel Disk and returned it to the Extra Deck. In response, Illya''s Phantasm Summoned equipment glowed with starlight¡ªtransforming into a new form.


    "Class Card: Lancer!"


    Scarlet flames erupted from Illya, engulfing the entire battlefield in intense heat¡ªmomentarily suppressing even the black flames of Red-Eyes Black Dragon.


    "¡ªInstall! Karna!"


    "¡ªFusion Summon! [Magical Girl ¨C Karna Illya]!"


    With Karna, a Heroic Spirit known for his overwhelming combat power, as the fusion material, the flames now rivaled the brilliance of the sun itself¡ªflames that had once bested even the Egyptian God, Obelisk the Tormentor.


    [Magical Girl ¨C Karna Illya ¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï (Level 8)] [LIGHT] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect] [ATK 2800 / DEF 2500]


    ["Magical Girl ¨C Illya" + "Heroic Spirit ¨C Karna"]


    [This card is also treated as a ''Heroic Spirit''.]


    Reappearing amidst a golden firestorm, Illya had now transformed into Karna''s most powerful form¡ªafter relinquishing his golden armor. The young girl''s delicate hands gripped a divine spear powerful enough to slay gods.


    "With this power¡ªI won''t lose!"


    "[Magical Girl ¨C Karna Illya]''s effect activates!"


    [When this card is Fusion Summoned: You can banish 1 monster from your field or GY; this card gains ATK equal to the banished monster''s ATK.]


    Hoshino retrieved a monster from her Graveyard and moved it to the Banished Zone. In that instant, Karna Illya''s flames surged exponentially, and even her crimson eyes gleamed with an alluring, fiery glow.


    "I banish Heracles Illya from my Graveyard! Based on the effect, Karna Illya gains ATK equal to the banished monster''s ATK!"


    [Magical Girl ¨C Karna Illya: ATK 2800 ¡ú 5600]


    "Her ATK just surpassed Jonouchi''s Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    The spectators shouted in unison. After Jonouchi''s Red-Eyes Black Dragon had powered up, Hoshino countered by summoning Karna Illya¡ªwho instantly outclassed it.


    "Are you kidding me?! That kind of power?!"


    Jonouchi could hardly believe it. His strongest Red-Eyes Black Dragon had been outmatched before it even got the chance to fight.


    "This is my full-power strike! Tear through the strongest black dragon¡ªconsume the searing black flames! Take this, Jonouchi!"


    The fiery array behind Illya flared in the shape of a blazing sun. Floating into the air, she pointed her divine spear at Red-Eyes Black Dragon, its tip radiating with devastating incandescence.


    "Targeting Red-Eyes Black Dragon¡ªdon''t hold back, Illya! Full mana release!"


    Still mid¨CBattle Phase, Hoshino pointed a snow-white finger to guide the scorching flames, unleashing a bombardment upon Jonouchi''s Red-Eyes Black Dragon.


    "Annihilation¡ªthis strike decides everything! Burn completely¡ª¡ºVasavi Shakti¡»!!"


    Mokuba, Hoshino''s number one fanboy, couldn''t hide his excitement as he watched the battlefield reflected in his eyes, illuminated by the flames.


    "Hoshino''s attacking! Jonouchi barely has any Life Points left¡ªthere''s no way he can withstand this! I can''t believe she''s already this strong using this deck for the first time. Hoshino really is a genius at dueling!"


    Hoshino''s second fanboy¡ªwho also happened to be a Jonouchi anti-fan¡ªHonda, narrowed his eyes with a satisfied smile.


    "No, considering Jonouchi''s level, just being able to fight Hoshino to this extent is already impressive. He deserves some praise! But now, he should just accept his defeat."


    "You two, don''t just assume I''ve already lost!" Jonouchi shot back, exasperated.


    Even so, with the searing heat pressing down on him¡ªeven though it was just a virtual projection¡ªbeads of sweat rolled down his temples.


    "I can still struggle a bit longer! I activate my set Trap Card¡ª[Skull Dice]!"


    Hoshino''s eyes widened slightly. "Damn, I got careless¡­"


    [Roll a six-sided die. All monsters your opponent currently controls lose ATK/DEF equal to the result ¡Á 100 until the end of this turn.]


    A tiny black imp materialized on Jonouchi''s field, sneering as it tossed a crimson die into the air.


    Letting this luck-sack roll a die¡­ Hoshino was instantly filled with regret. She''d let Jonouchi''s shonen-type speech distract her and had aimed her attack at his most powerful Red-Eyes Black Dragon, completely overlooking the other potential weak point¡ªArchfiend of Lightning.


    Of course, attacking Red-Eyes Black Dragon wasn''t necessarily a mistake. In a duel filled with unpredictability, there were no absolutely correct choices. If Jonouchi''s set card had been something like a power-up, his Red-Eyes Black Dragon would''ve posed an even greater threat next turn.


    [Dice Result: 5]


    [Magic Girl ¨C Karna Illya ATK 5600 ¡ú 5100]


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ATK 4800]


    The flames from her spear shot out, sweeping across Jonouchi''s field without giving his dragon any chance to resist, burning the massive Red-Eyes Black Dragon to cinders.


    Even with the high dice roll weakening her monster''s attack, it wasn''t enough for Jonouchi''s dragon to survive. The only thing Skull Dice accomplished was letting him barely cling to life.


    [Jonouchi LP: 350 ¡ú 50]


    A perfect last stand¡ªexactly what you''d expect from an ultra-lucky duelist. Rolling a 5 in that situation to survive with just 50 LP¡­ Hoshino could feel her scalp tingling in frustration.


    As the flames finally dissipated, Jonouchi wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a relieved sigh.


    "Whew~ Barely made it! That was way too close. Good thing my luck''s holding up today."


    ''Holding up just today?!''


    Hoshino raged internally. ''Can you at least be self-aware of your ridiculous god-tier luck, you damn gacha god?!''


    Even after throwing everything she had at him, Jonouchi still managed to survive with a sliver of LP. Begrudgingly, Hoshino ended the Battle Phase.


    "I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"


    [Hoshino''s: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]


    "Finally, it''s my turn! Draw!"


    Jonouchi welcomed his turn with gratitude. He was backed into a corner, with only one monster left standing on his field¡ªRed-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning¡ªand one¡­


    "Standby Phase¡ªI activate Dangerous Machine Type-6''s special effect!"


    "Oh, right, that thing is still in play¡­" Hoshino furrowed her brows. Two consecutive gambling effects? She had a bad feeling about this.


    "That machine isn''t about to roll another effect that destroys my monsters, is it¡­? But even if it does, he can''t turn the duel around with just that."


    Hoshino still had a dual-core setup on her field, with both Illyasviel and Magic Girl ¨C Karna Illya standing as powerful threats. Even if Jonouchi destroyed one, the other would still be more than enough to finish him off next turn.


    [Dice Result: 3]


    "When I roll a 3, I get to draw one card from my deck!"


    Just as expected, it was a beneficial effect for Jonouchi. That extra draw might help him more than simply destroying one of Hoshino''s monsters.


    Jonouchi glanced at his now two-card hand, steeling his expression before selecting one and sliding it into his Duel Disk.


    "I activate the Continuous Spell¡ª[Card of Safe Return]! Whenever one of my monsters is revived from the Graveyard, I can draw three cards!"


    "¡­Deja vu¡­"


    Hoshino''s instincts screamed danger.


    Back in Duelist Kingdom, she had almost beaten Jonouchi, only for him to flip three busted cards in a row and turn the duel around.


    "¡­Don''t tell me you''re about to play Monster Reborn?! I''ll report you for cheating!!"


    However, Jonouchi hesitated¡ªproving that his other card wasn''t Monster Reborn. If he had it, there''d be zero reason to delay using it. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Even if it''s not Monster Reborn, I can still activate the special ability of my Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning!"


    Regaining his momentum, Jonouchi pointed to his lone monster still standing on the field.


    Anzu tilted her head in confusion. "Gemini¡­ What does it actually do?"


    Yugi patiently explained, "Gemini Monsters have effects. Normally, they act as Normal Monsters, but if you use your Normal Summon on them again, they gain their full power."


    "Exactly!" Jonouchi grinned. "I use my Normal Summon for the turn to give my Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning its true power!"


    A blinding surge of black lightning erupted from his field. The already intimidating Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning transformed, becoming even more menacing.


    [Once per turn: You can destroy all face-up monsters your opponent controls with DEF lower than this card''s ATK.]


    "Even if your monsters have sky-high attack power, their DEF isn''t high enough to survive my Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning! Now take this¡ªCursed Demon Lightning Storm!"


    A barrage of black lightning crackled through the air, surging toward Hoshino''s monsters with terrifying force.


    "Like I''d let you take them down so easily! Illya, counterattack with the power of the Heroic Spirit!"


    "Yes, Master!!"


    Facing Jonouchi''s raging thunderstorm, Illya took her spear and hurled it with all her might. The blinding avalanche of destructive light tore through the black lightning, shattering it completely.


    "¡ª¡ª''O Vritra, Curse Me''!!"


    (*****)


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