[Heroic Spirit - Caligula★★★★ (4-star) Dark][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF:1200]
"That's a monster I've never seen Hoshino use before!" said Yugi, watching Caligula roar on the field, turning to his friends observing the duel.
"Making significant adjustments to your deck at this stage of the finals is a double-edged sword, Chiyuki," Mai Valentine murmured with a frown. Adding new cards to the deck can catch opponents familiar with your deck off guard, but the drawback lies in whether the user can skillfully use the new card.
———— Earlier that morning, in the dining room...
<[Saint Quartz Summon (Limited-Time Banner) Eternal Madness Empire: Septem Recommended Heroic Spirits Summon] Now Open!>
"A new banner opens?" Hoshino, after finishing breakfast, was in a dilemma looking at her remaining Saint Quartz.
<[Detected Duel Victory, Duelist Holmes, Duelist Rank A-, Reward 55 Saint Quartz, Remaining Saint Quartz: 110.]>
"Did I beat Mr. Holmes?" Hoshino's memory was extremely vague, as her consciousness was fading due to her fatigued body by the final duel. However, her dissatisfaction from losing many times and her persistent drive for victory still supported her in completing the final duel. "Mr. Holmes' rank is high, no wonder he was so tough to beat."
Currently, Saint Quartz can be used not only for gacha but also for breaking the limit of Craft Essence cards.
"It's such a dilemma; both offer unknown results! Can't there be a system that's a bit friendlier to unlucky players?" Hoshino, grabbing her head in frustration, once again faced Da Vinci's suggestion of making a choice.
"Then I'll do it half and half, I want it all!" Taking out a frequently used Craft Essence card from her deck, Hoshino clicked on the enhancement option.
<[Alternate Ending] Limit Break successful, Remaining Saint Quartz: 80.>
Satisfied with the golden glow on the [Another Ending], Hoshino opened the card shop again.
<[Use 30 Saint Quartz for 10 summons?]>
"Yes!"
———— Flashback Ends
"Today I'm super lucky, Jonouchi!" Hoshino declared, hands on her hips and a bright smile lighting up her face. The thrill of her successful gacha pulls still buzzed through her veins, giving her an extra boost of confidence. "Go, Caligula, attack Jonouchi's Armored Lizard!"
"Hey, Hoshino, your monster's attack is equal to my Armored Lizard's, do you want to end in a draw?" Jonouchi asked loudly, surprised at Hoshino's attacking move.
"Hmph, Caligula's special effect, activate!" Hoshino ordered, waving her hand at Caligula charging at Armored Lizard.
[Once per turn, pay 500 LP to activate. This card's DEF decreases by 500 points and ATK increases by 500 points.]
Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4000 → 3500
"Ugh, it still hurts a bit, but compared to a bubble-like illusion, it's much easier!" Complaining through gritted teeth, Hoshino watched her Life Points decrease.
[Caligula ATK 1500 → 2000 DEF 1200 → 700 ]
"Offer up... your soul!" Gathering all its life force, Caligula delivered a heavy punch at Armored Lizard.
"Use my soul as you wish, go Caligula!"
The punch exploded on the seemingly tough armor of Armored Lizard, destroying it as expected.
Jonouchi Katsuya LP 4000 → 3500
"Activate Caligula's effect again!" Hoshino commanded Caligula, not stopping her actions.
[When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, gain LP equal to the destroyed monster's level x 200.]
"Since Armored Lizard is a 4-star monster, I recover 800 LP!" Laughing happily, Hoshino absorbed the energy returned by Caligula, "How's that, Jonouchi, my new monster!"
Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3500 → 4300
"Not only did she recover LP, but her monster's ATK is now 2000," Yugi analyzed, observing Hoshino's sequence of actions, "It feels like Hoshino's monster is becoming more like Kaiba's power cards."
"Set one card face-down, ending my turn." Having gained a huge advantage, Hoshino did not become complacent like Jonouchi and ensured she set a card.
"Damn, my turn, draw!" Frustrated, Jonouchi looked at Hoshino's Caligula with its high ATK of 2000 and said, "Hoshino, where's your signature monster, Spartacus? I like that card better!"
"I already said it's not my signature card anymore!" Blushing as she retorted, Hoshino suddenly smirked and replied, "I've acquired new power, I won't use outdated cards anymore."
"What are you talking about, Hoshino? Spartacus has fought with you all this time!" Jonouchi responded angrily, "No matter how strong a card is, I won't acknowledge a duelist who doesn't understand the heart of the cards!"
"Enough with the nonsense! First, deal with my Caligula!" Annoyed but touched by Jonouchi's words, Hoshino suddenly paused.
"Alright! Summon monster card [Little-Winguard]!" Jonouchi placed the monster card on the table, determined to awaken Hoshino from her power obsession.
[Little-Winguard ★★★★ (4-star) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1400 DEF:1800]
The small but cute monster held a tiny shield and sword.
"You think this monster can defeat Caligula? Wake up, Jonouchi," Hoshino said disdainfully, looking at Jonouchi's monster.
"You're the one who needs to wake up, Hoshino!" Furious, Jonouchi slammed a spell card onto the table, "Activate spell card, [Shield & Sword]!"
"This card!" Yugi exclaimed, understanding Jonouchi's intention, "Hoshino's Caligula has high ATK but low DEF due to its effect, while Winged Guard has very high DEF!"
[Little-Winguard ATK:1800 DEF:1400]
[Caligula ATK:700 DEF:2000]
"Due to [Shield & Sword], the attack and defense of all monsters on the field are swapped until the end of the turn!" With his plan successful, Jonouchi launched his attack, "Go, Little-Winguard, Wind Slash!"
The cute little Winguard, wielding a now large sword, swung it at Caligula, destroying it.
Hoshino Chiyuki LP 4300 → 3200
"For you, that's not bad at all, Jonouchi!" Praising Jonouchi while watching her Caligula be destroyed and her Life Points decrease significantly, Hoshino said, "Activate trap card, [Ruthless]!"
[Ruthless Trap Card Effect: Activate only when a [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. Special Summon one [Heroic Spirit] monster from your hand or Deck with a level lower than the destroyed monster.]
"Due to Ruthless effect, I Special Summon from my deck, monster card, [Heroic Spirit - Spartacus]!"
[Spartacus★★★ (3-star) Earth][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1500 DEF:1500]
"Hoshino!" Despite Hoshino activating a trap card and summoning a monster, Jonouchi seemed even more excited, "I knew Hoshino wouldn't turn into someone like Kaiba! Using Spartacus suits you!"
"Hehe, I was just messing with you earlier." Hoshino smirked, speaking to the excited Jonouchi, "You asked for Spartacus, so don't regret it later!"
"Where is the oppressor, Master?" Spartacus made a dramatic entrance, scanning for the so-called oppressor. However, the only thing standing before him was the Little Winguard. "You're not the oppressor!"
"I set one card and activate Little-Winguard's special effect!" Finally remembering to set a card, Jonouchi commanded Winged Guard before ending his turn, "Switch to Defense Position!"
[This card can change its battle position once during your End Phase.]
Since the effect of [Shield & Sword] only lasts for one turn, Little-Winguard's defense returned to 1800 at the end of the turn.
"My turn, draw!" Hoshino glanced at her hand, then at Jonouchi's Little-Winguard in defense position. She couldn't help but praise, "Interesting, Jonouchi. That attack and defense switch was brilliant, and you even used Little-Winguard's effect to avoid the weakness period after the switch."
"But…" Hoshino drew a monster card and placed it on the field, grinning confidently. "For someone with new powers like me, this little trick is no threat at all!"
"Special Summon from my hand, monster card [Heroic Spirit - Gaius Julius Caesar]!"
[Heroic Spirit - Gaius Julius Caesar★★★ (3-star) Wind][Warrior/Effect][ATK:1300 DEF:1000]
Wielding a golden sword, Caesar appeared on the battlefield.
"Hoshino has such a monster in her deck…" Anzu murmured, her mouth twitching at the sight of Caesar. "I thought heroes were all supposed to be handsome, but that Caesar looks like….that?"
"That's why you shouldn't put me on the front lines; it's embarrassing for you, Master!" Caesar sighed, complaining about Hoshino summoning him.
"Hoshino, your monsters' attack power can't surpass Little-Winguard's defense this turn, so your attack will be wasted," Jonouchi said smugly.
"Hmph, don't underestimate Caesar. He's quite powerful despite his appearance!" Hoshino encouraged Caesar with a trusting look. "Go, Caesar, show them your real skills!"
"I can't refuse Master. Alright!" Knowing he couldn't avoid it, Caesar twirled his golden sword twice. "Even a golden sword needs to be swung from time to time!"
[As long as this card is in the Monster Zone, all your monsters gain 500 ATK and lose 400 DEF.]
"Ugh, getting power from the oppressor is annoying!" Spartacus grumbled, affected by the golden sword's light.
[Spartacus ATK 1500 → 2000]
[Caesar ATK 1300 → 1800]
"Surprised? Caesar can emit an aura effect too!" Hoshino declared her attack with confidence, seeing that her monster's attack power now exceeded Winged Guard's defense. "Crush them, Spartacus!"
"Assist the oppressor!" Spartacus shouted something incomprehensible as he prepared to smash Little-Winguard with his massive body.
However, just as Spartacus's attack was about to connect, Jonouchi flipped his face-down card. "Activate trap card, [Skull Dice]!"
"Oh no!" Hoshino thought, realizing the danger. "He's using that lucky dice."
[Skull Dice Trap Card Effect: Roll a six-sided die. All monsters your opponent controls lose ATK and DEF equal to the result x 100 until the end of this turn.]
As long as the die result is 2 or higher, Spartacus's attack would fail.
Dice result: 3
[Spartacus ATK 2000 → 1700]
"Of course, just my luck." Hoshino sighed, lamenting her unlucky fate.
Spartacus, who had been full of momentum, now collided with Little-Winguard as if hitting a wall.
Hoshino Chiyuki LP 3200 → 3100
"Looks like Luck is on my side today, Hoshino." Jonouchi breathed a sigh of relief after blocking the attack.
"Alright, I set one card and ended my turn." Accepting reality, Hoshino knew her attack this turn had been thwarted.
"Hehe, my turn again, draw!" Jonouchi glanced at his four cards, holding them in front of his face. Although his expression was obscured, his wicked grin was evident to Hoshino.
"I sacrifice Little-Winguard to Tribute Summon a monster from my hand!" Jonouchi declared with a sinister smile, slapping the card onto the table. "[Maximum Six]!"
"Maximum Six? What kind of monster is that?" Hoshino, never having seen Jonouchi use this monster, felt uneasy just from the name.
[Maximum Six★★★★★★ (6-star) Earth][Warrior/Effect: When this card is Tribute Summoned, roll a six-sided die. As long as this card is face-up on the field, it gains ATK equal to the result x 200.]
"Another gambling card!" Hoshino was speechless, knowing Jonouchi was about to showcase his luck again.
"Since Luck is with me, let's keep the momentum going!" Jonouchi clenched his fist and commanded, "Roll the dice!"
Dice result: 5
[Maximum Six ATK 1900 → 2900]
"An attack power of 2900, how troublesome." Hoshino, having anticipated the result, was not overly surprised.
"Hmph, attack, Maximum Six, on…" But Jonouchi suddenly hesitated.
"Jonouchi is deciding whom to attack," Yugi analyzed. "Hoshino has two monsters on the field, and deciding which one to attack to maximize his advantage is crucial."
"Attack Hoshino's Caesar!" Jonouchi concluded, opting to eliminate the aura-emitting Caesar first, which was indeed the right choice.
"Hahaha, just as I thought." Contrary to Jonouchi's expectations, Hoshino, who had been tense about Maximum Six's high attack power, suddenly burst out laughing. "I knew you'd attack Caesar! Activate trap card [Haori of Vows]!"
[Haori of Vows Trap Card Effect:①: Activate when a Wind-attribute [Heroic Spirit] monster on your field is targeted for an attack. Destroy the attacking monster.②: Then this card is treated as an Equip Card with the effect of increasing the equipped monster's ATK and DEF by 300. Once per turn, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle.]
(Sherlock Holmes: "Hoshino, dueling isn't just about managing your attacks. You must also consider your opponent's intentions and anticipate their next moves. Like in Chess, the one who reads more moves ahead gains the advantage!")
"Since Caesar is a Wind-attribute monster, Haori of Vows's effect activates!" Silently thanking Holmes for his guidance, Hoshino called out to Caesar, "The haori might not fit, but counterattack, Caesar!"
The green haori, originally meant for Okita Souji, now stretched comically over Caesar's plump figure, but it did not affect its functionality.
"Due to Haori of Vows's effect, Maximum Six attacking Caesar cannot destroyed!"
No one could believe it as Caesar's large body rolled nimbly, instantly reaching Maximum Six's back. "Making me fight is a waste of talent!"
Despite his complaints, Caesar's golden sword danced at a speed too fast to follow with the naked eye. "Take this, and be shattered, Yellow Death (Crocea Mors)!"
Amidst the sword dance, Maximum Six's muscular body disintegrated into dust.
"So tiring, I feel like I'm losing weight." In the end, muscles were no match for Dad bud...
(*****)
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