Morgan's chain of Special Summons, without the support of her Field Spell, made it hard to burn through the Gravedigger's Life Points in a single turn. Her main tactic remained to take down his monsters and then go for direct attacks.
Fortunately, she had just the card for that in her hand.
On her field stood Trickstar Divaridis and Trickstar Holly Angel. Holly Angel's effect increased her Attack by the amount of effect damage inflicted.
She had already Summoned monsters to Holly Angel's Link Zone five times, boosting its Attack by 1000. Though still short of the Gravedigger's Supernaturalist's Attack, Morgan had a way to close the gap.
"I activate Trickstar Corobane's effect from my hand!
If I control only 'Trickstar' monsters, I can Special Summon this card from my hand."
Wearing the mask of resignation, the Gravedigger numbly watched her Special Summon again, unaware of the danger looming over him. Perhaps he had become numb from her long strings of plays, like listening to a storyteller for minutes on end, unsure when to cut in.
Morgan smirked and, before he could react, drew another card from her hand.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Trickstar Bouquet from my hand!
Target 1 'Trickstar' monster you control and 1 face-up monster on the field. Return your 'Trickstar' monster to the hand, and until the end of this turn, the other monster gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the returned monster."
Only when she mentioned Attack did the Gravedigger snap back, silently cursing, but it was too late.
"I return Trickstar Divaridis to my hand—Holly Angel's Attack increases by that amount!"
Divaridis had 1800 Attack. That meant Holly Angel now reached a terrifying 4800 Attack—easily surpassing his Supernaturalist!
Promptly, Morgan declared her attack.
"Battle! Trickstar Holly Angel attacks Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist!"
If the Supernaturalist fell, Necrovalley would be open to destruction.
The Gravedigger could only watch as Holly Angel's whip wrapped around his monster—
Snap!!
…
In the Duelist League arena, Hannah returned to the pit holding her helmet, her graceful figure drawing countless stares.
"So beautiful! Is this her first public appearance? I'm in love!"
"Attention everyone! From now on, she's my goddess!"
"Let's be honest—the only reason we're watching her is because she's gorgeous!"
"Anyways, seriously, what a strong team… crushed the Saint King Club and nearly took down Haisen's ace Milo."
On the track, Milo's eyes were fixed on Hannah's back, full of disbelief.
He never imagined the duelist he had just faced was the very person he'd been searching for.
He'd known Hannah for a long time… since childhood. They'd grown up together, played together, dueled together, and naturally fallen into a relationship. Everything had been so smooth.
Until the Shadow Duelist riot changed everything. He'd nearly fallen into darkness himself; Hannah had vanished entirely.
Milo had searched for her ever since, never imagining their first meeting in years would be here… and that she was now with the Shadow Duelists.
His heart ached, but he felt no anger toward her. If not for the Duel King's intervention back then, he might have ended up just like her.
All he felt now was longing. If it weren't for the match still ongoing, he'd already have gone to her side.
Still, seeing her so close eased him. Maybe this was his chance… his chance to bring her back from the Shadow Duelists.
Reinvigorated, Milo's heart burned with resolve.
Meanwhile, in the Shadow Duelists' pit, Hannah tossed her helmet onto the couch with a sigh.
In this duel, she'd felt strange… not only had she thrown away her advantage, but she'd even handed Milo the win. That wasn't like her.
And stranger still, she didn't feel regret or anger at losing. Just… calm.
She couldn't figure it out.
Then a flippant voice sounded behind her.
"Losing like that? That's not like you."
Frowning, she brushed away the hand that had reached for her without looking.
"Akiyama, don't get so close. I can smell your stench."
Behind her stood a handsome bald man, rubbing his reddened hand. He wore a robe like a monk's, his head covered in elaborate tattoos.
"Oh, but all I smell is your perfume," Akiyama said lightly.
Hannah shot him a disgusted look. "Get lost."
She despised him, but there was nothing she could do—he was the boss's proxy.
Akiyama was insufferable, always using his unusual looks to flirt and charm, and most of the women staff in the pit had fallen for his shining head.
Regardless, his dueling skill was undeniable. Thanks to him, they'd crushed the Saint King Club.
Just then, a lovestruck woman mechanic approached. "Lord Akiyama, your D-Wheel is ready."
He nodded, murmured something that made her blush, and Hannah almost gagged.
Then she realized something.
"Why do you need your D-Wheel? Isn't Zelo up next?" she asked.
She glanced at Zelo, who only spread his hands helplessly.
"You're too slow—you've wasted too much time," Akiyama said with a grin. "The boss's plan can't be delayed. The brothers outside the arena are likely ready with the conversion array. Once I defeat the entire Haisen team, we'll activate it and turn all the losers into Shadow Duelists.
That'll secure my ha—cough—our leadership position among the Shadow Duelists!"
Hannah rolled her eyes. He'd meant to say his harem.
His D-Wheel rolled up, and he mounted it, smiling at her before racing into the arena.
The crowd roared at the sight of a new duelist entering—it was duels they wanted, not just racing.
Unlike Hannah's team so far, he made no effort to hide his face, even flaunting it—and gaining a few fangirls in the process.
Screams rang out as he accelerated to catch up to Milo.
"Let's not waste time—let's duel," Akiyama said.
Milo glared. "Cut the act. You're a Shadow Duelist like Hannah. I'll defeat you and save her."
Akiyama froze, then grinned wider.
"What are we waiting for?
Duel!"
…
With Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist destroyed, the Gravedigger's Life Points plummeted.
Necrovalley was now vulnerable… if Morgan Normal Summoned Candina next turn, she could search her Trickstar Field Spell.
However, he wouldn't last that long.
Morgan still had Trickstar Corobane ready to attack.
"Continue—Trickstar Corobane, direct attack!"
The purple-haired girl in a Santa outfit swung her staff, wiping out his remaining Life Points.
Such was the straightforward charm of an idol's attack.
As his Life Points hit zero, the Gravedigger felt truly old… defeated outright by the younger generation.
In that instant, he realized a truth: the Underworld was the true path of dueling.
If there were a next life, he'd be an even dirtier duelist than Morgan.
The Shadow Game ended, the black mist fading as Morgan moved on. From the feel of the Dragon Mark, about half the Shadow Duelists remained. Morgan hoped they were all as strong as this old man.
Checking the time, she broke into a run.
She had to finish before the match ended—harvesting the remaining… Shadow Duelists.
...
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