[Evil HERO Infernal Wing, ATK: 3600]
Empowered beyond Silent Swordsman LV7, the Evil HERO Infernal Wing burned with the force of Ren's overwhelming desire to crush everything.
"Burn Silent Swordsman LV7 to ashes—Inferno Blast!"
The hellfire explosion tore through the fog toward Silent Swordsman LV7.
Megan gritted her teeth and flipped her Set card.
"Trap Card, Shift, activate!"
[When a monster you control becomes the target of an opponent's Spell/Trap or attack: Target another appropriate monster you control; change the target to it.]
At the last second, she switched positions—Silent Swordsman took the hit instead of LV7.
[Silent Swordsman] destroyed.
[Megan, LP: 3000 → 900]
"Aaaagh!"
Enduring the burning pain of the Shadow Game, she took the hit to protect her stronger LV7, giving herself a chance to counterattack next turn.
Silent Swordsman also carried a brutal last will effect.
[If this card is destroyed by battle or opponent's effect: Special Summon 1 "Silent Swordsman" monster from your hand or Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions, except "Silent Swordsman".]
"When Silent Swordsman is destroyed, I can Special Summon a second Silent Swordsman LV7 from my Deck, ignoring Summoning conditions!"
"It's pointless, old hag!" Ren snapped. "No matter which you lose, the result's the same—Evil HERO Infernal Wing's effect activates!"
[If this card destroys a monster by battle: Inflict damage to your opponent equal to the higher of that monster's original ATK or DEF.]
A stronger version of Flame Wingman's burn—Infernal Wing could choose the higher stat.
"Effect damage, 1500—you're finished, Megan! Hell Backfire!"
Hellfire wrapped around Megan, scattering the fog.
"Not yet! Trap Card, Pikeru's Circle of Enchantment!"
[Until the End Phase, all effect damage to you becomes 0.]
A magic circle of ice radiated from her feet, blocking the lethal burn.
And giving her the perfect chance to counter.
"Fall here, fused Evil HERO! From my hand, I activate a monster effect!"
She threw her last card—manifesting midair, a silver-haired twin-tailed girl slapped a blue talisman on Infernal Wing's chest.
"When a monster activates its effect: Discard Ghost Ogre & Snow Rabbit; destroy that monster."
Freed from Villy Barrett's hand, Ghost Ogre's talisman burst, purging the Evil HERO.
"Your counter ends here. And with Silent Swordsman's effect—come forth, another Silent Swordsman LV7!"
[Silent Swordsman LV7, ATK: 2800]
Two swords meant double the Spell lock, keeping Mask Change useless in Ren's hand—not that she had a HERO left to transform.
"This Ghost Ogre is interesting. I'll be taking it as my prize for this Shadow Game."
"Prize? You think you can still win, Ren Austin?"
"Why not?"
Her heterochromatic eyes gleamed. Besides Mask Change, one card in her hand was special.
"I Set 2 cards and end my turn!"
The known, unusable Mask Change would throw Megan's reads—if Ren could topdeck something like Mystical Space Typhoon.
"My turn, draw!"
No Typhoon. Megan drew another Silent Swordsman LV5, useless now.
Ren had an empty field. Megan had two maxed-out LV7s.
"Only by kicking you to hell can I vent my rage! End this duel, Silent Swordsman LV7—Dispel Rend!"
Entering the Battle Phase, both LV7s charged the defenseless Ren.
"Yes, end it."
Ren's smirk spread.
"Repent in true hell, Megan! Trap Card, Trap of Darkness, activate!"
[If your LP is 3000 or less: Pay 1000 LP; target 1 Normal Trap in your GY, except "Trap of Darkness"; this card's effect becomes that target's effect. Banish that target.]
[Ren, LP: 2400 → 1400]
LP payment hurt even in a Shadow Game, but her eyes shone with the thrill of reversal.
"Trap of Darkness?"
"The Trap I'll copy is Necro Fusion! With it, I'll Fusion Summon from my GY!"
Banished from her GY: Evil HERO Infernal Wing and Evil HERO Malicious Edge.
"Fusing two Evil HEROes?"
Last turn's Evil HERO had hurt Megan badly—this one would be worse.
"Shatter everything you see—Fusion Summon, Evil HERO Malicious Fiend!"
[Evil HERO Malicious Fiend] Level 8│FIRE│Fiend/Fusion/Effect│3500 ATK/2100 DEF
['Evil HERO Malicious Edge' + 1 Level 6 or higher Fiend monster]
A massive black-winged demon with gleaming silver claws—more demon lord than hero.
"3500 ATK!"
Megan halted her attack instantly.
"With the number of monsters changed, by rule I can retract my attack. I end LV7's attack!"
"Nice try. I refuse!"
"Refuse? Attack retraction is a basic rule!"
"And my evil HERO crushes rules. Watch—Malicious Fiend's effect!"
[While on the field during your opponent's Battle Phase: All monsters your opponent controls must be in Attack Position and, if able, must attack this card.]
"During your Battle Phase, all your monsters must attack Malicious Fiend. There's no escape, Megan!"
Forced to fight, the LV7s readied their swords.
It was futile.
"Destroy them both, Malicious Fiend!"
Silver blades clashed in the mist—the storm of evil shattered both swords.
"End the duel—Edge Stream!"
[Silent Swordsman LV7] destroyed.
"Aaaagh!"
[Megan, LP: 900 → 200]
[Silent Swordsman LV7] destroyed.
"Aaaagh—!"
[Megan, LP: 200 → 0]
The twin kills tore through her remaining will. Even a magician's mental fortitude couldn't save her this time.
The Evil HERO's killing intent was real.
She collapsed in the mist, her robe slashed to shreds.
"So… it's over?"
Ren felt no relief—only restless excitement.
"No… it's just beginning."
Smiling, she took Ghost Ogre from Megan's Deck.
"If I have power, I can get anything I want… and there's only one thing I want now."
Through the Shadow Game, Ren had embraced her "desire" self.
Ignoring Megan, she stepped over fallen rice balls.
Her heterochromatic gaze seemed to pierce the fog straight to her target.
...
"Ren-chan!"
Aisha relaxed upon recognizing her from afar.
"You're okay?"
"Totally fine!"
Her voice was the same as ever… but Aisha noticed the change in her right eye's color.
"Ren-chan, your eye… mm!"
Before she could finish, Ren hugged her tight—soft warmth, her scent, and a hint of fried rice balls.
It was truly Ren.
"You came to find me, Aisha. I'm lucky to have you as my best friend~"
"Hehe."
Even Aisha blushed at the praise.
"As your friend, I couldn't just watch you in danger. Still, this isn't the time to relax—Professor Field!"
"Don't worry. He's the Iron Demon—no Shadow Duelist could hurt him. But you…"
Still hugging her, Ren's lips neared Aisha's ear. Warm breath made her knees weak.
"W-What about me?"
"You've been too careless!"
Letting go, Ren's fingers slipped to Aisha's neck, pulling free the Millennium Puzzle's chain.
When they parted, it was in Ren's hand.
"Protect what's important. As my best friend, you should have more awareness."
The thrill of taking the Puzzle made her lick it gently… it tasted better than rice balls.
...
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