Chapter 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 ★★★ 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 ★★★★★★★★ (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→3350]

"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!"

[①: 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! Luminosité Eternelle!!"

Holy light once again swept across the field, blocking the fierce bombardment of the Kinetic Soldier.

[Heroic Spirit – Jeanne][ATK 2500 → 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 → 1850] x2

"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 – 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!"

[②: 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 – 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★★★★★★★★ (8 stars)][Dark][Zombie/Effect][ATK2300/DEF1200]

(*****)

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