Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!-Chapter 303 -

[Penumbral Soldier Lady ATK: 2400 → 3400]

"Cut down the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

With her attack boosted, Penumbral Soldier Lady's ATK surpassed Kaiba's Blue-Eyes at the moment of battle.

"Counter Trap Card—[Negate Attack]! The opposing monster's attack is negated, and the Battle Phase ends immediately."

Kaiba activated his set Trap, conjuring a spiraling barrier in front of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, blocking Soldier Lady's attack.

"As expected of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it's not that easy to defeat. Then, Quick-Play Spell—[Soul Reversal]!" Despite his attack being thwarted, Rafael didn't hesitate, swiftly continuing his strategy.

[Soul Reversal – Quick-Play Spell Effect: Return 1 Flip Effect Monster from your Graveyard to the top of your Deck.]

"I'll never leave the monsters who fight alongside me in the Graveyard. Using Soul Reversal, I return Morphing Jar from my Graveyard to the top of my Deck!"

"You don't want to leave your monsters in the Graveyard, huh?" Hoshino muttered, carefully observing Rafael's duel strategy. "Kaiba, look at his hand. The cards are heavily worn."

Kaiba, arms crossed, nodded. "Indeed, it looks like these monster cards have been in use for a long time."

Hearing their discussion, Rafael held up his card. "Although my cards are worn due to time, I've re-backed them so there's no possibility of cheating by observing wear and tear."

Rafael's righteous, almost naive personality made it hard for Hoshino to dislike him. "I can see how much you treasure your monsters. But carrying such concerns into a duel might just hinder you."

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"No worries." Rafael smiled confidently. "These monsters are my comrades who stood by me during my darkest times, especially during those three solitary years on the island. The bonds I share with them define my dueling style."

"This guy's dangerous..." Hoshino thought, feeling uneasy. Rafael's demeanor resembled that of a shonen protagonist—always a sign of a formidable opponent.

"Since my attack was blocked, I'll activate the Spell Card—[Reinforcement of the Army], then end my turn."

[Reinforcement of the Army – Spell Card Effect: Add 1 Level 4 or lower Warrior monster from your Deck to your hand.]

Using Reinforcement, Rafael added a Warrior-type monster to his hand and shuffled his deck, ensuring he wouldn't draw Morphing Jar next turn.

[Rafael's: 3 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]

"You're not the only one who believes in the bonds with their cards! My turn—Draw!"

Finally, it was Hoshino's turn. After Morphing Jar shuffled away her hand and replaced it with five new cards, she could summon her first monster.

"Kaiba, your Blue-Eyes White Dragon can't match Rafael's monster anymore, so I'm going to borrow it!"

With a mischievous grin, Hoshino drew a card, already imagining Kaiba's reaction.

"By tributing your Blue-Eyes White Dragon..."

Kaiba's composed demeanor shifted instantly. "WHAT?! Using Blue-Eyes as a tribute?!"

Tributing the Blue-Eyes, a monster that symbolized the pinnacle of high-level ATK, was almost unthinkable. Yet Hoshino made the bold move.

The white dragon's body faded, its soul becoming a stepping stone as Hoshino summoned her own monster onto the battlefield.

"My apologies for using your treasured monster as a tribute..."

[Heroic Spirit – Dragon-Blooded Knight Siegfried ★★★★★★ (Level 6)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 3000]

"When this card is Tribute Summoned using a Dragon-type monster, its ATK becomes double the ATK of the tributed Dragon-type monster! It inherits the strength of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

[Siegfried ATK 0 → 6000]

"An ATK of 6000..." Although Kaiba was a bit displeased with Hoshino using his Blue-Eyes as a tribute, the resulting 6000 ATK turned the tide of the battle.

Hoshino smirked, pointing forward. "Rafael, this is going to hurt! Attack, Siegfried! Even though it's not an evil dragon, show them the might of the ultimate dragonslayer!"

Siegfried's massive sword descended with a devastating blow, kicking up a storm of sand and dust toward Moonlit Warrior.

"—Balmung!"

"Too naive, Hoshino! Trap Card activated—[Draining Shield]!"

[Draining Shield – Trap Card Effect: If an opponent's monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate that attack, and if you do, gain LP equal to that target's ATK.]

A soft barrier materialized in front of Rafael, redirecting Siegfried's energy into healing.

[Rafael LP 4000 → 10,000]

"This..." Hoshino, now at a loss for words, realized her cool move of sacrificing the Blue-Eyes had backfired horribly, giving Rafael a massive LP advantage. She could feel Kaiba's intense glare beside her.

Sure enough, when Hoshino dared to glance over, Kaiba's expression screamed, "You owe me 5 million."

Scratching her head awkwardly, Hoshino laughed nervously. "Pure accident, Kaiba! Haha, better luck next time~"

"Better luck continuing to heal the enemy, you mean?" Kaiba's tone was sharp and unforgiving, showing no mercy for his partner. Clearly, Kaiba hadn't forgotten his own first-turn blunder with Magic Cylinder.

Rafael, now revitalized, smiled confidently. "You're already arguing with each other? A temporary partnership like yours will never stand a chance."

However, Kaiba countered firmly, "Temporary or not, I understand this guy's dueling style better than you think!"

"Activating my set card—[Tyrant Wing]! When this card is activated, it becomes an Equip Spell to a Dragon-type monster, and since Siegfried was summoned using a Dragon-type monster, he's treated as one!"

Bright wings unfolded behind Siegfried, imbuing him with overwhelming energy. The Tyrant's power swirled around him, ready to pierce through even the heavens.

"A monster equipped with Tyrant Wing gains 400 ATK and can attack twice in a single Battle Phase!"

"Kaiba, you actually..." Hoshino, deeply moved by Kaiba's supportive move, felt her opinion of the man soften. Maybe Kaiba wasn't so annoying after all.

"Why are you just standing there? A monster equipped with Tyrant Wing can attack twice! Let's reclaim those Life Points!" Kaiba snapped impatiently.

"Got it! Siegfried, let's go for Round Two!"

Gathering even greater power than before, Siegfried unleashed another devastating strike.

"—Balmung!!!"

"It won't be that easy! I activate my set Trap Card—[Shadow Spell]!"

In response to Siegfried's attack, countless dark chains surged from the revealed Trap Card beneath Rafael's feet, binding the massive warrior in place.

[Shadow Spell Continuous Trap Card Effect: Activate this card by targeting 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses 700 ATK, also it cannot attack or change its battle position. When it leaves the field, destroy this card.]

[Siegfried ATK 6000 → 5300]

Hoshino clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tch, my attack got blocked again! Rafael sure has a ton of traps to counter attack declarations."

"Hoshino, your ace monster is now completely sealed. What's your next move?"

Even after blocking Siegfried's overwhelming 6000 ATK and boosting his own Life Points massively, Rafael remained perfectly composed.

Hoshino slid a card into her Duel Disk. "If you have ways to protect your monsters, then I have ways to keep attacking! I've already said, I won't lose when it comes to the strength of bonds! I'll set one Trap Card—"

"You're an idiot!" Kaiba interrupted, exasperated. "If you're setting a card, just set it! Why would you announce it's a Trap Card out loud for the opponent to hear?"

"Kaiba, as a CEO, your temper could use some improvement, you know~"

Ignoring Kaiba's outburst, Hoshino scratched her ear and then threw another monster onto the field from her hand.

"Tyrant Wings is powerful, but it destroys itself at the end of the turn. Instead of wasting its effect, why not put it to better use—by sending both set Trap Cards to the Graveyard to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit - Demon of Vengeance Edmond Dantes]!"

"Kuahahaha! Accomplice! You've finally called me forth—the very embodiment of vengeance, a dark flame of despair!"

Dark flames coalesced into a shadowy figure. Amid a maniacal laugh that resonated deep into the soul, the flames ignited and burned away the chains binding Siegfried.

[Heroic Spirit – Demon of Vengeance Edmond Dantes ★★★★★★★ (Level 7)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2400/DEF 2300]

[Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by sending 2 Trap Cards from your field to the Graveyard.]

"I send Tyrant Wings and my newly set Trap Card to the Graveyard, fulfilling the summoning conditions! Now I'll activate Edmond's special effect!"

[Once per turn: You can reveal 1 Trap in your hand or send 1 Trap from your field to the GY; target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls, and send it to the GY.]

"I reveal the Trap Card [Hero's Return] in my hand and destroy your [Shadow Spell]!"

Dark flames engulfed the cursed chains, incinerating them as they climbed toward Rafael's Continuous Trap Card.

[Shadow Spell destroyed]

"With the destruction of [Shadow Spell], Siegfried's ATK is restored!"

[Siegfried ATK 5300 → 6000]

Rafael glanced at the shattered remains of his trap and remarked, "Using your monster's effect to destroy my trap, huh? Unfortunately, you've already ended your Battle Phase, so you can't attack again this turn."

"But next turn, you'll be facing a double assault from Siegfried and Edmond! Do you have enough traps left to protect yourself?"

Edmond's ability to suppress Trap Cards combined with Siegfried's devastating 6000 ATK created a lethal combo. Even with Rafael's impressive 10,000 Life Points, Hoshino was confident they could break through.

"I'll set two cards and end my turn."

[Hoshino's: 1 Hand Card | 2 Set Cards]

"It's my turn! Draw! And thanks to [Guarded Treasure], I can draw two additional cards!" Rafael started his turn, replenishing his hand to five cards.

"Since the Equip Spell Butterfly Dagger - Elma is on the field, I can now summon [Guardian Elma]!"

[Guardian Elma ★★★ (Level 3)][WIND][Fairy/Effect][ATK 1300/DEF 1200]

[Cannot be Summoned unless you control a face-up "Butterfly Dagger – Elma".]

The scantily clad and elegant Guardian Elma materialized on Rafael's field, gracefully wielding the Butterfly Dagger passed to her by Moonlit Warrior.

[Guardian Elma ATK 1300 → 1600] [Penumbral Soldier Lady 2400 → 2100]

"Since Elma is now on the field, the [Butterfly Dagger] equips to her. When Elma is successfully summoned, I can equip 1 Equip Spell from my Graveyard to her. I choose [Power of the Guardians], which I sent to the Graveyard earlier due to Guarded Treasure's effect!"

A divine light enveloped Guardian Elma as the newly equipped spell granted her a holy aura. However, her visible ATK remained unchanged.

Rafael pointed toward Hoshino's field. "Elma, take out that monster!"

Just as Hoshino could communicate with her Heroic Spirits, Rafael's Guardians possessed their own sentient consciousness. Elma smiled confidently at her master before charging toward Edmond with her Butterfly Dagger.

[Power of the Guardians Effect: If an attack is declared involving the equipped monster: Place 1 Spell Counter on this card. The equipped monster gains 500 ATK/DEF for each Spell Counter on this card.]

[Spell Counter] x1

[Guardian Elma ATK 1600 → 2100]

Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "Even with that boost, Edmon still has higher attack power!"

A smirk appeared on Rafael's face as he activated another card. "I've been waiting for this moment! Even the slightest difference in attack can turn the tide of battle! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card—[Clashing Souls]!"

"Clashing Souls!" Kaiba's expression grew serious as he recognized the card's effect.

"[Clashing Souls] allows my monster to battle an opponent's monster with higher ATK. By paying 500 LP, I can boost my monster's ATK by 500 for this battle!"

Rafael clenched his fists, channeling his energy into Elma.

[Rafael LP 10,000 → 9500] [Guardian Elma ATK 2100 → 2600]

Fueled by her master's spirit, Elma's Butterfly Dagger glowed with a radiant light, surpassing Edmond's ATK.

"Of course, since it's Clashing Souls, you can also pay Life Points to boost your monster's ATK! Let's see whose soul burns the brightest!"

(*****)

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