Chapter 191 - 191

"—Maria 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 – Jack the Ripper ★★★★★★ (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!" [②: Once per turn, you can target one face-up monster your opponent controls. That monster is changed to a face-down Defense Position. ③: 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. ①: 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— "[Heroic Spirit – 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★★★★★★★★ (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 Rāma'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—! Rama stepped onto the Mirror Wall and pulled out his Brahmastra, knocking off some glittering fragments in the process. [Heroic Spirit – Rama's ATK 2800 → 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 → 2000 → 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 — 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; ●Gain 1200 LP. ●Inflict 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 → 2200] "And now I'll pay 2000 Life Points to maintain Mirror Wall!" [Rebecca LP 2200 → 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 — 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 ★★★★(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!" seaʀᴄh thё NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Come forth—[Darklord Desire]!" [Darklord Desire ★★★★★★★★★★ (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.] (*****) If you'd like to read 25 chapters ahead, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/ANeet. Your support means a lot. Thank you!