The two monsters on Myura's field dissolved into streams of crimson light, striking the Link Arrows. From the Link Circuit, a striking figure emerged. She wore a dress as black as night, her long hair a blood-red cascade, and her emerald eyes gleamed like jewels, capable of stealing souls at a glance.
[Vampire Fascinator] Link-3│DARK│Zombie│2400 ATK
Seeing this monster, the onlookers widened their eyes, as though bewitched by her charm. She didn't seem like a projection but a living person. Snapping herself back with a sharp pinch, Isla frowned at the Fascinator. She had long heard of Myura's true identity.
As one of the oldest duelists, Myura was in fact a Duel Spirit herself—a vampire Duel Spirit. Having real spirits within her Deck was no surprise.
Yet the aura Fascinator exuded was ominous, unlike any ordinary Duel Spirit. Isla could only hope Morgan stayed cautious.
It was Hannah's first time witnessing a true Duel Spirit. To her eyes, the summoned monster only looked more vivid than a hologram. Beyond that, she saw nothing unusual.
She cared less about spirits and more about why Myura had chosen to summon this monster.
Meanwhile, An'er shivered in fear. Though she couldn't see the spirit, she could feel the terrifying aura radiating from Vampire Fascinator. It made her want to run.
She had sensed Duel Spirits before, such as Viviana's gentle companion.
However, this one radiated only violence.
Myura wasted no time.
"I activate Vampire Fascinator's effect!"
"When this card is Link Summoned: Target 1 monster in your opponent's Graveyard; Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position!"
Morgan's Graveyard held no House Dragonmaid, albeit Myura didn't mind. The card she had drawn earlier would bridge that gap. Soon, she would have Morgan's House Dragonmaid under her control.
Fascinator's second effect allowed her to Tribute 1 Vampire monster to take control of an opponent's monster until the End Phase.
Though she had no Vampires on the field now, the Spell she'd drawn—Vampire's Desire—was about to give her what she needed.
"I Special Summon Laundry Dragonmaid from your Graveyard in Defense Position!"
Seeing Morgan's monster stolen, Jade panicked. "What do we do? Morgan's monster got stolen!"
Isla calmly reassured her:
"Don't worry yet. It's just a low-level monster with weak Attack. The real question is what she plans to do with it."
"Most likely as Tribute for her own summon."
Indeed, Isla guessed right. Myura planned to use the stolen monster as a Tribute with her Spell.
"From my hand, I activate the Spell, Vampire's Desire!"
"Target 1 Vampire monster in your Graveyard. Send 1 monster you control to the Graveyard, and Special Summon the targeted monster."
The chosen Tribute was none other than the stolen Laundry Dragonmaid.
"I send Laundry Dragonmaid to the Graveyard to Special Summon Vampire Scarlet Scourge from my Graveyard!"
Scarlet Scourge returned once again. Though summoned multiple times this duel, it had only served as fodder—for Xyz, for Tributes—but now it was key to Fascinator's control effect.
With Scarlet Scourge on the field, Myura sneered. Now, Morgan would taste the power of an ancient Shadow Duelist. Genius or not, she could not match centuries of experience.
"I activate Vampire Fascinator's second effect!"
"I Tribute Scarlet Scourge and target your House Dragonmaid. I take control of it until the End Phase!"
Myura pointed directly at Morgan's monster.
The crowd tensed. So all those plays—baiting negates, the Link Summon—had led to this: stealing Morgan's monster.
Even the old man's eyes widened. He hadn't seen through Myura's scheme until now. Truly, she hid her killing blow for last.
He turned toward Morgan. The situation was dire—how would she respond?
Regardless, Morgan did not panic. She glanced at her Set card.
It was Dragonmaid Downtime. She had meant to use it to recycle House Dragonmaid, but now it was the perfect counter. Thanks to chain resolution, she could respond before Fascinator stole her monster, returning it first.
Smiling, Morgan declared:
"Chain: I activate the Continuous Trap, Dragonmaid Downtime!"
Myura's face darkened. She didn't know the Trap's effect; even so, Morgan's confident smile told her enough… this card was bad news.
As expected, Morgan shouted:
"Target 1 Dragonmaid monster I control; return it to the hand, and add 1 Dragonmaid card from my Deck to my hand, except Dragonmaid Downtime!"
"I return House Dragonmaid to my Extra Deck!"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]