Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!-Chapter 313

[Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon ★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)][DARK][Dragon/Fusion/Effect][ATK 3000 → 3500/DEF 0 → 500]

A suffocating deathly aura radiated from Dragonecro, its skeletal form exuding pure menace. Even with its fearsome presence, it was hard to believe this monstrosity had been created from just two Skull Servants.

Kaiba and Mokuba were stunned.

"Dragonecro's attack power..."

Dartz, in his youthful form, smirked. "Thanks to the Seal of Orichalcos, Dragonecro's attack now surpasses even your Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Kaiba."

Kaiba clenched his fists. "Weakling bones fused into a monstrosity... how utterly audacious!"

Hoshino studied the situation carefully. "So the fusion material was two Zombie-type monsters. Even level 1 cards like Skull Servants qualify. Clever move."

"You seem impressed, Hoshino," Dartz said, his youthful voice carrying an eerie undertone. "But admiration won't save you. Dragonecro, attack her monster!"

The dragon released a surge of deathly miasma, filling the arena with an oppressive purple fog. The choking air made Hoshino cough and struggle for breath.

"Cough! Cough! I activate my Trap Card—[Poster Girl]! This lets me Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Heroic Spirit from my Deck in Defense Position to take the hit instead!"

With a swift motion, Hoshino placed her countermeasure on the field.

"Shield me, Mash!"

[Heroic Spirit - Mash Kyrielight ★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 2000]

The Shielder materialized, raising her massive shield to deflect the incoming attack.

"Senpai! Transient Wall of Snowflakes!"

A brilliant light momentarily illuminated the arena as Mash's shield negated the attack, dispersing some of the miasma.

"Mash's effect prevents her from being destroyed in battle or by effects while in Defense Position. However, after taking an attack, she's forced to switch to Attack Position."

The light faded, and darkness reclaimed the battlefield.

[Mash ATK 1000]

"Impressive, Hoshino," Dartz admitted. "But you're not out of the woods yet. Dragonecro's effect activates!"

He pointed to Mash, whose energy flickered in the oppressive air.

"A monster that battles Dragonecro won't be destroyed, but its attack power is reduced to zero at the end of the Damage Step. Furthermore, I can Special Summon a [Dark Soul Token] with the same stats and level as the targeted monster!"

Dark energy coalesced into a card in Dartz's hand, which he slammed onto the field. The summoned token bore an unsettling resemblance to Mash herself.

[Dark Soul Token (Mash)★★★★ (Level 4)][DARK][Zombie/Token][ATK 1000 → 1500/DEF 0]

Hoshino flinched. "Even you, Mash? Have you betrayed me?"

Mash shook her head vehemently. "Never, Senpai! I'm still here for you!"

The token, however, opened its mouth, speaking in a hauntingly familiar voice. "I'm so resentful, Senpai... Why do you always leave me out of battles just because I don't give bond points?"

Mash's face turned bright red with embarrassment. "Don't read my thoughts, you fake!"

Hoshino scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "So... that's how you feel..."

Dartz laughed heartily. "This is priceless! Watching you squirm like this is almost better than defeating you. Perhaps I'll keep your soul as a personal memento instead of offering it to the Orichalcos."

Hoshino shot him a glare. "Over my dead body! If you want my soul, you'll have to beat me first!"

Dartz's smile widened. "If you insist. My empowered Mash token will destroy your real Mash!"

He motioned to the token, which obeyed his command.

"Attack!"

The dark Mash lunged forward, her corrupted energy shield crashing into Sanson, obliterating him in a single strike.

[Charles-Henri Sanson – Destroyed]

[Hoshino LP 4000 → 3600]

Hoshino winced. "Even if it's just a copy... Mash would never hurt me like that. You're nothing but a cheap imitation, Dartz!"

Dartz remained relentless. "Your real Mash is powerless now. Her attack power is zero. Even my weakest monster can finish her off. Skull Servant, attack Mash!"

The skeletal warrior rattled forward, its rusted blade raised.

Mash, however, stood firm. "Senpai, I'll protect you!"

Her shield glowed briefly, repelling the Skull Servant's attack with ease and sending it flying backward.

[Mash Effect: Once per turn, when targeted by an attack, Mash's position can be changed to Defense Position.]

Hoshino smirked. "That's my Mash. The original can never be beaten by a fake!"

Kaiba frowned. "When did Mash gain that effect? I've never seen Hoshino use it before."

Hoshino smirked confidently, raising the card. "Kaiba, did you think you were the only one who unlocked new powers when you revealed your Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon back then?"

"Back then?"

Mash's new effect wasn't tied to the usual [Heroic Spirit] mechanics that required 30 Saint Quartz for upgrades. Instead, it had unexpectedly unlocked itself after the battle with Noah.

Even Da Vinci couldn't explain it.

Perhaps it was something far simpler—the sheer will of a steadfast junior striving to support her Master, manifesting a fraction of her power. Just enough to awaken new strength as the Deck Master of Hoshino's deck.

Hoshino continued her explanation.

"Mash's effect allows her to shift a monster into Defense Position once per Battle Phase. So when your Skull Servant attacked, Mash switched herself to Defense Position!"

[Mash DEF 2000]

Her enormous shield deflected the Skull Servant's attack with ease. The force of the rebound sent the creature staggering backward, its blade ricocheting just enough to leave a faint red scratch on Dartz's cheek.

"Since Mash's DEF is 2000, your monster suffers 1200 points of reflection damage! Enjoy a taste of your own twisted sense of humor, Dartz!"

[Dartz's LP 3200 → 2000]

Dartz visibly tensed at the unexpected counterplay, though he quickly regained his composure.

"An impressive move... I underestimated you."

Hoshino pressed on. "And I'm not done yet! When you destroyed Sanson, I was able to Special Summon [Heroic Spirit – Marie Antoinette] from my deck!"

[Heroic Spirit – Marie Antoinette★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1400]

"Let brilliance bloom amid the darkness!"

Marie's elegant form shimmered onto the field, casting radiant light that made even the ominous Dragonecro recoil slightly.

[Marie's Effect: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: Target 1 face-up monster on the field; change its battle position.]

Hoshino pointed at Dartz's dragon.

"Because of Marie's effect, your dragon is forced into Defense Position! And its DEF is... laughable."

[Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon DEF 500]

Mokuba's eyes widened.

"That's it! Even if its ATK rivals Blue-Eyes White Dragon, its DEF is pitiful. That makes my brother's Blue-Eyes the superior monster!"

Dartz remained unfazed, calmly placing a new card onto his Duel Disk.

"Impressive, Hoshino! A true Duelist should at least possess this level of skill."

A glint of something unsettling flickered in Dartz's eyes—amusement, or perhaps a deeper, darker satisfaction.

"My turn! Draw!"

Before he could proceed, Hoshino seized the moment.

"Now, you'll see my hidden ace in action! I tribute Mash and Marie to Tribute Summon [Heroic Spirit – Okita Souji]!"

[Heroic Spirit – Okita Souji★★★★★★★ (Level 7)][WIND][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2500/DEF 2000]

A vibrant flash of green heralded the arrival of the legendary Shinsengumi swordswoman. Her lithe figure radiated an intense, cutting presence that seemed to slice through the very air.

"A pleasure to see you again, Master," Okita said before coughing into her hand, revealing traces of blood.

Hoshino's expression shifted to concern. "Okita-san, are you okay? Maybe you shouldn't push yourself."

Okita smiled sheepishly, waving off the worry. "Don't worry, Master. I've got this under control! It's not even affecting my ATK."

Hoshino sighed. "Why do I feel less reassured...?"

Dartz scoffed. "This is your ace? How amusing! She looks frail enough to keel over mid-battle."

Hoshino shot back, "She'll outlast you!"

She raised her hand. "Okita, wipe them all out! Her effect allows additional attacks for every remaining monster on the field!"

With a flash of her blade, Okita moved with blinding speed, her strikes swift and merciless.

[Skull Servant – Destroyed]

[Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon – Destroyed]

[Dark Soul Token (Mash) – Destroyed]

As the final blow landed, Okita smoothly sheathed her blade, standing amidst the shattered remains of Dartz's field.

"It's over... so fleeting, this battle," she murmured.

Hoshino chuckled. "Okita-san, I appreciate the drama, but let's keep the theatrics to a minimum."

However, before she could celebrate, her Duel Disk suddenly lit up with an alert. Her expression fell.

[Weakness] X3

Okita staggered, coughing violently. Blood splattered onto the ground as her ATK sharply dropped.

[Okita ATK 2500 → 2200]

"Why must my condition act up now?" she lamented, attempting to steady herself.

Dartz burst into laughter. "You call this your ace? And you think you've already won?"

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He flipped a Trap Card on his field.

"My Trap Card, [Spirit Barrier], ensures I take no battle damage as long as I control a monster!"

Hoshino's eyes narrowed. "Tch... I should've known you'd pull something like this."

Dartz, now back in control, smirked. "It's my turn now, Hoshino. Let's see if your so-called ace can handle what's coming next!"

(*****)

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