"Th... Thirty Saint Quartz?!" Hoshino stuttered as she read the system message, her hands shaking. "That's enough for a whole ten-pull, just to max out one card?"
"It's all about choices, Hoshino-chan," Da Vinci said, observing from the sidelines. "In life, gaining something often means losing something else. If you want to grow stronger, you have to make sacrifices."
"Sacrifices, huh." Hoshino reflected on the deeper meaning of Da Vinci's words, her brows furrowing.
On one hand, there was the risk of a ten-pull yielding nothing. On the other, the untested max-out upgrade.
"Both options feel like a rip-off!" Hoshino concluded after analyzing.
"But if spending just thirty Saint Quartz can unlock unknown possibilities!" Despite her complaints, Hoshino decisively chose to max out the card. "When you think about it, it's quite cheap!"
"Initiating [Limited/Zero Over] max limit breakthrough!"
A brilliant golden light enveloped the card in Hoshino's hand, and she felt a gentle magical power flowing through her fingertips.
"Isn't it beautiful? This is the brilliance of Saint Quartz," Da Vinci said, her hands under her chin, watching contentedly.
"This is the brilliance of money!" Hoshino wanted to retort but then realized that in this world, Saint Quartz didn't cost money.
As the golden light faded, the familiar card face reappeared in Hoshino's hand, now with the card name [Limited/Zero Over] glimmering as if gilded.
<[Limited/Zero Over] max limit breakthrough successful. Remaining Saint Quartz: 55.>
[Limited/Zero Over (Max) Counter Trap Card Effect: This card can be activated when an opponent declares an attack, targeting one monster you control.
①: The attacking monster's ATK becomes 0, and this card is equipped for the targeted monster. For the rest of this turn, the opponent can only attack the equipped monster and must attack it if able. This effect cannot be countered by the opponent's card effects.
②: Once per turn, during either player's turn, when the equipped monster battles, it gains ATK equal to the original ATK of the monster it is battling.
③: During the End Phase of the turn, this card's ① effect is activated, destroy the equipped monster, and banish this card. The controller takes damage equal to the equipped monster's ATK.]
Staring in disbelief at the now golden-glowing [Limited/Zero Over], Hoshino was overwhelmed. "This card is so powerful. It could change the course of a battle with just one play. If I had this effect back then..."
"That's right. If you had this effect back then, you probably wouldn't have lost to Seto Kaiba," Da Vinci said, voicing Hoshino's thoughts. "The counter trap version of [Limited/Zero Over] can't be chained to by quick-play spell [Duel Fusion]. Even though the timing rules in this world are unclear, this basic rule still holds."
Hoshino, her thoughts anticipated by Da Vinci, could only silently contemplate the card.
"What's the matter, Hoshino-chan? Feeling reluctant?" Da Vinci smiled warmly, like an understanding elder sibling who could read Hoshino's mind.
"Of course, I'm feeling reluctant!" Hoshino clenched the card tightly, determination rekindling in her eyes. "I want to duel Kaiba again."
"Hehe, that's why you're still too naive, Hoshino-chan. Even with one strengthened card, your chances of beating Kaiba are slim." Da Vinci, pleased to see Hoshino's revived spirit, didn't want her to challenge an unbeatable opponent again. "Your goal now isn't to defeat Seto Kaiba but to win the Duelist Kingdom tournament."
"But I only have 55 Saint Quartz left. I can only strengthen one more card at most," Hoshino said, feeling the pinch of her limited resources.
"I haven't finished explaining yet," Da Vinci said mysteriously. "I mentioned the quickest way to strengthen your deck is by increasing the strength and synergy of your cards, right?"
"And the synergy of the deck, Da Vinci-sensei!" Hoshino, sitting upright, proudly raised her hand to answer.
"Good answer, Hoshino-chan." Da Vinci, playing along, adjusted her glasses like a teacher. "In a deck where each card is unique, you need a card that ties them all together. No, one card isn't enough; you need three to ensure you can draw it reliably."
"Da Vinci-sensei, where can I find such an incredible card?" Hoshino asked eagerly, looking at Da Vinci expectantly.
"Hehe, you don't need to find it yourself, Hoshino-chan. Your teacher has it right here." To Hoshino's surprise, Da Vinci pulled out three cards from under the table. "These are custom-made for you, Hoshino-chan. They will tie together the unique cards in your deck!"
Hoshino, not rushing to grab them, understood that she couldn't touch the cards Da Vinci held as they were just a hologram.
Seeing Hoshino's calm reaction, Da Vinci nodded approvingly. "Not being controlled by desire shows your mental strength, Hoshino-chan."
"I'll place these cards in your deck when you return. How you use them will be up to you." With a flick of her wrist, the cards disappeared from Hoshino's view like a magic trick. "It's getting late, Hoshino-chan. It's time for you to go back."
"Already?" Hoshino realized that between the 'celebration' and dueling with Da Vinci, a lot of time had passed. "I've been here quite a while."
Watching the still noisy Servants around her, Hoshino felt a sense of happiness. Initially resistant to the 'celebration of Master's first loss in the Duelist Kingdom,' the atmosphere now made her feel grateful.
Moreover, the negative emotions that had plagued her were gradually washed away by the familiar laughter of the Servants.
"Yes, there's no need to worry about how far I'll go. I just need to keep moving forward," Hoshino said, a smile of relief spreading across her face as she looked gratefully at Da Vinci. "Thank you, Da Vinci, for organizing this celebration for me."
Da Vinci smiled warmly and shook her head. "I only organized it. It was the collective will of all the Servants that made this gathering possible. Hoshino-chan, you are truly loved by everyone."
"Could you secretly send me off, Da Vinci?" Hoshino whispered, leaning close to Da Vinci.
"Why not say goodbye to everyone?" Da Vinci asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"No, if I do, I'll start crying again." Hoshino wiped a tear from her eye and took a deep breath. "I've decided I won't avoid things anymore. I won't cry or make everyone worry. No matter how tough the battles ahead are, win or lose, I won't get discouraged."
"But that doesn't mean I'll lose again!" Leaving those final words, Hoshino disappeared into a faint light.
——————
"Mm!" Hoshino awoke with a start, sitting up in bed. The familiar luxurious guest room and soft bed reminded her she was back in this world.
"Right, Da Vinci mentioned the key card!" Hoshino hurriedly reached for her deck, eager to see the card Da Vinci had described.
"..."
"Da Vinci, this card art gives me peace of mind." She looked at the card with a smile, seeing the cheerful faces of everyone. Carefully, she placed it back into her deck. "If only I could see you again in this world, Doctor."
[Chaldea Magical Support System Continuous Spell Card: Hoshino-chan, we will always be your strongest support.]
"But it's noisy outside. What's going on?" The castle, which should have been quiet, was filled with familiar explosion sound effects. Curiosity piqued, and Hoshino followed the noise.
"Ah! Chiyuki, you're awake?" Mai Valentine's tall, sexy figure appeared in Hoshino's view.
"Mai, what's happening? Why is it so loud?" Hoshino asked, noticing Mai's anxious expression.
"Kaiba is dueling Pegasus."
"Kaiba is dueling Pegasus?!" Hoshino instantly snapped out of her grogginess.
"Chiyuki, you..." Mai, noticing the difference in Hoshino, paused briefly before smiling warmly. "You've recovered quickly, Chiyuki."
"Sorry for worrying you, Mai." Feeling guilty for her previous despondency that worried her friends, Hoshino resolved, "I won't be downcast anymore. Let's go to the Duelist Hall."
Now, Hoshino was intensely curious about this duel. How would the match between the person who defeated her, Seto Kaiba, and the creator of Duel Monsters, Pegasus, unfold?
In the Duelist Hall, Pegasus's Castle
"Hoshino, Mai, you're here," Anzu called out as the two approached.
"Are you okay now, Hoshino?" Yugi, initially concerned, noticed Hoshino's renewed determination and smiled, relieved. "It looks like you're alright now."
"Sorry for making you worry, Yugi. What's the situation?" Hoshino nodded politely at Yugi before looking down at the duel platform.
Unlike the towering duel platforms on Duelist Kingdom island, the Duelist Hall in the castle had the audience seated above the duel platform, giving them a better vantage point.
"As you can see, Kaiba has already summoned Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon," Yugi explained.
"Summoned Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon?" Although it was hard to believe, the imposing presence of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon on the field was undeniable. "Did Kaiba even shuffle his deck?"
[Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ★★★★★★★★★★ (12 stars) Light][Dragon/Fusion Monster][ATK:4500 DEF:3800]
"Since Kaiba summoned Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, he should have an overwhelming advantage. Why does everyone still look so tense?" Hoshino wondered, observing the worried expressions of the onlookers.
"Because, Hoshino, look at Pegasus's field," Yugi said, shaking his head and pointing to Pegasus's side of the field.
"!?!" Hoshino, her attention previously drawn to the impressive Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, finally noticed Pegasus's field. "What's with the completely different art style here?"
Before seeing Pegasus, Hoshino's impression of him was shaped by others' descriptions—a sinister schemer wielding the dark power of Millennium Eye, the mastermind who sealed Yugi's grandfather's soul. Hoshino had imagined Pegasus's cards to be filled with dark, terrifying monsters.
"This... this is..." Hoshino finally expressed her thoughts. "This is too cute!"
Pegasus's field was filled with cartoonish castles and monsters, including a cute, cartoonish mermaid girl shivering in her clam shell in defense position.
[Toon Mermaid ★★★★ (4 stars) Water][Aqua/Effect][ATK:1400 DEF:1500]
"If they made merchandise of these, they'd probably sell a lot," Hoshino remarked, then continued analyzing the situation. "Although they're cute, I can't imagine these monsters defeating Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon."
"That's how it should be..." Yugi, unsure how to explain, gestured for Hoshino to keep watching.
"Go, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, unleash Neutron Blast!" Kaiba commanded, his voice echoing through the hall.
The familiar, earth-shattering energy of Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's three-headed attack, Neutron Blast, shot towards the Toon Mermaid.
But once the blast hit Pegasus's field, the style changed dramatically. The Toon Mermaid, hiding in its shell, emerged unscathed, though the shell turned bright red and teary-eyed from the heat.
"Is this a cartoon?" Hoshino muttered in astonishment.
"Hahaha, very astute, Hoshino-girl." To Hoshino's surprise, Pegasus addressed her directly from the field. "In delightful cartoons, the characters can recover from any injury instantly and never die. Toon monsters inherit this wonderful trait."
"Why does Pegasus know Hoshino?" Yugi and the others, startled by Pegasus's sudden address, turned to Hoshino. "Hoshino, have you met Pegasus before?"
"No, no!" Hoshino shook her head vigorously. "I've never met Pegasus!"
"Haha, it's true Hoshino-girl hasn't met me." Pegasus looked up at Hoshino, smiling with narrowed eyes. "But I'm your biggest fan."
A chilling feeling ran down Hoshino's spine. It was terrifying enough that this final boss-like character knew her; even more so that he claimed to be her biggest fan.
"Pegasus, how dare you lose focus while dueling me! Do you think I'm someone you can beat with cheap tricks?" Kaiba roared, angry at Pegasus's behavior.
"So why can't Toon monsters be destroyed?" Hoshino, despite being sidetracked by Pegasus's comment, still didn't have an answer to her question. "Don't tell me it's because they're invincible in cartoons."
"Hoshino, it's because of Pegasus's field spell..." Yugi pointed to the cartoonish castle on Pegasus's field. "It's a card that's never been released, only owned by Pegasus: [Toon Kingdom]."
[Toon Kingdom Field Spell Card Effect:
①: When this card is activated, banish the top 3 cards of your Deck face-down.
②: While this card is in the Field Zone, its name is treated as "Toon World".
③: Your opponent's card effects cannot target Toon monsters you control.
④: If a Toon monster you control would be destroyed by battle or card effect, you can banish the top card of your Deck face-down for each monster that would be destroyed, instead.]
"As long as this card is on Pegasus's field, his Toon monsters can't be destroyed," Yugi said with a frown. "As much as I hate to admit it, Pegasus's Toon monsters are practically invincible under these conditions."
"That's so unfair!" Hoshino exclaimed, outraged. "Printing a one-of-a-kind card just for yourself is cheating!"
"Hahaha, Hoshino-girl, you're so amusing." Pegasus laughed instead of getting angry at Hoshino's accusation. "By your logic, aren't we the same?"
(*****)
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