A raging fusion of madness and fury—transformed from toy to weapon, from angel to demon—the terrifying Frightfur Leo was the kind of monster that could make a child cry at first glance.
[Frightfur Leo, ATK: 2400]
"At this instant, I activate the effect of Fluffal Cat in my Graveyard!" Elina waved her hand again. "Once per turn, if this card is sent to the Graveyard as Fusion Material, I can target one Polymerization in my Graveyard and add it to my hand."
After retrieving Polymerization, Elina gazed at the twisted plush demon on her field with a crazed, intoxicated smile. "Hehehe... how about it, kouhai? This is my Fusion monster. Beautiful, isn't it? It's one of my favorites! Now I'll show you its true power!
"I activate Frightfur Leo's effect! Once per turn, I can target one face-up monster you control; destroy it, and inflict damage to you equal to that monster's original Attack! I target your Elemental HERO Flame Wingman! Destroy it and deal damage equal to its original Attack—Eightfold Blades!!"
Roar!!
The ferocious roar of the lion echoed through the Shadow Zone. Eight saw-blades—seven small, one large—shot toward Flame Wingman, yet Alicia didn't even flinch.
Boom!!
The explosion lit up the darkness. The eight spinning blades then rushed toward Alicia. Seeing this, Yuui instantly stepped in front of her, unleashing his power to form a violet barrier that absorbed the blast.
"Ugh!" The pain from the Shadow Duel made Yuui wince. Seeing him hurt, Alicia's empty eyes suddenly shook with emotion.
"Yuui-san!!"
The girl tried to check his injuries, but Yuui raised a hand to stop her. "Focus on the Duel. I'm fine. Your opponent is strong—be careful!"
With that, Yuui vanished from Elina's sight, returning to Alicia's body.
Alicia seized up for a bit. Seeing Yuui disappear, Elina licked her lips and sneered, "What a handsome little guy. So he's the Spirit who can sense the Three Sacred Beasts, huh? He's getting more and more interesting!"
Alicia's killing intent surged, while Elina remained unfazed. After all, she, too, walked in darkness. She'd seen many like Alicia—those who had fury, however, not yet the aura of a killer.
Elina giggled. "Even though your Spirit blocked that attack, the rules still apply. You'll take damage equal to Flame Wingman's original Attack—2100 points!"
Alicia's body was immediately engulfed by darkness.
[Alicia, LP: 4000 → 1900]
"How's that, kouhai? Surprised? This is a Shadow Duel—where the loser's soul is swallowed by darkness!" Elina's eyes burned with madness.
"Are you done talking?" Alicia's cold voice cut through Elina's laughter. "Then let's continue. I can't wait to tear your soul apart."
"Hehe, such an impatient girl. Men don't usually like that kind of temper!" Elina teased with a grin. "Anyway, since Frightfur Leo can't attack the turn, it uses its effect: you've been spared for now, kouhai. I Set two cards and end my turn!"
"My turn! I draw!" Alicia drew with a sharp motion, the card slicing the air with a black-and-gold trail.
At once, she slammed the card down.
"I Normal Summon Keeper of Dragon Magic!"
A white-haired warrior clad in blue draconic armor and wielding a spear emerged from a glowing magic circle.
[Keeper of Dragon Magic, ATK: 1800]
"I activate Keeper of Dragon Magic's effect! Once per turn, if this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can discard one card to add one Polymerization from my Deck to my hand."
"I discard Elemental HERO Clayman and add the Spell Card Fusion Substitute from my Deck to my hand."
She drew the card, then continued, "Next, I activate Keeper of Dragon Magic's other effect! By revealing one Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, I can Special Summon one of its listed Fusion Materials from my Graveyard in face-down Defense Position. I reveal Elemental HERO Rampart Blaster, and I Special Summon Elemental HERO Clayman in face-down Defense Position!"
[Face-down Defense Monster (Clayman), DEF: 2000]
"I end my turn!" Alicia lowered her Duel Disk, her gaze still cold as ice.
Elina chuckled mockingly. "Hehehe, that's all? I waited so long for this, and that's the best you can do? You can't even surpass a 2400 Attack monster? What a worthless Deck! Hahaha!"
After laughing for a while, she wiped a tear from her eye and sneered, "In that case, I'll end this Duel right now! My turn! I draw!!"
Right after, she raised her hand. "I activate Frightfur Leo's effect again! Once per turn, I target one face-up monster you control; destroy it and inflict damage equal to its original Attack! I target your Keeper of Dragon Magic—Eightfold Blades!!"
Eight saw-blades shot toward the draconic guardian. He glanced back at Alicia, then closed his eyes and charged forward, accepting his fate.
Boom!!
The explosion roared once again; however, as the flames surged toward Alicia, a violet barrier burst from within her body, shielding her from the burning impact.
Both Duelists went rigid for a second. It was Yuui's power again.
Elina licked her lips and even swallowed audibly. "So loyal… what a devoted Spirit. It makes me want to keep him for myself."
Alicia's darkness deepened, the X-shaped mark on her forehead glowing brighter. Her voice turned razor-cold. "Yuui-san is mine. No one will ever take him from my side!!"
"Hehe, we'll see about that soon enough, Alicia-chan!" Elina sneered. "Now, thanks to Leo's effect, you'll take damage equal to Keeper of Dragon Magic's Attack—1800 points!"
[Alicia, LP: 1900 → 100]
Half her body vanished into darkness again, leaving only her limbs and head visible.
Seeing this, Elina looked disappointed. "In just a few moments, your Life Points are like hanging by a thread. Seems your win against Kexi Arce was just a fluke. Well then, I'll finish this Duel!"
She raised her hand. "I activate my Set card—Trap Card, Meteorain! This turn, when my monsters attack Defense Position monsters, I inflict piercing battle damage! Now, Frightfur Leo, attack face-down Clayman! Beast King Rend!!"
Roar!!
The crimson energy surrounded the lion demon as its saws spun wildly. It charged, roaring in ecstasy, as all its blades whirled to shred everything before it.
Just then—
"I activate my Set card—Trap Card, D2 Shield!!"
Alicia's cold voice pierced through the chaos as a blue light enveloped Clayman. Before Elina's stunned eyes, Clayman swelled to towering height.
"What—!?" Elina gasped.
Alicia's calm voice followed. "D2 Shield's effect: I target one face-up Defense Position monster I control; its Defense becomes double its original value. I target Elemental HERO Clayman! His Defense becomes 4000!"
[Elemental HERO Clayman, DEF: 2000 → 4000]
"I told you—no one will ever take Yuui-san away from me!" Alicia's voice rang with fury as she raised her hand. "Teach her a lesson, Clayman—Clay Smash Fist!!"
...
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