Chapter 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 ★★★★ 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 ★★★★ 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 ★★★ 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 ★★★★ WIND][Winged Beast]

Special summon [Harpie Lady 2 ★★★★ WIND][Winged Beast]

Special summon [Harpie Lady 3 ★★★★ WIND][Winged Beast]

Special summon [Harpie Lady Sisters ★★★★★★ 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 → 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 → 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 → 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.

"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 → 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 → 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!"