Heroic Spirit Deck in Yu-Gi-Oh!
Chapter 386 - 386

"You actually summoned a Heroic Spirit monster!"

Jaden's eyes widened as he stared at Shiki, who had stepped onto the battlefield in her red jacket. His hands trembled with excitement. The scene he had dreamed of—using his Heroes against Heroic Spirits—had come true in just a few days.

"I've never seen this Heroic Spirit before, but... this monster is really beautiful!"

The kids in the audience began chattering again. Even Hoshino was using Shiki for the first time, so naturally, they had never seen her before either. But the combination of Shiki's short black hair and composed, cool aura instantly captivated the inexperienced children.

"But with only 1900 ATK, she still can't defeat Avian under the boost from Skyscraper!"

Even though he was amazed by Shiki's appearance, Jaden didn't back down in the slightest. Hoshino wasn't sure whether to call this fearless determination or just the recklessness of someone who relied purely on instinct.

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

And he even remembered to set some cards. It seemed Jaden was completely in the zone now. Was the impact of that one phrase about dueling bringing smiles really that strong?

[Jaden's: 2 Hand Cards | 2 Set Cards]

"Then it's my turn—draw! I summon [Heroic Spirit – Frankenstein] in Attack Position!"

Judai raised an eyebrow, his instincts on alert. "Another Heroic Spirit monster I've never seen before... and this strange big sister..."

[Heroic Spirit – Frankenstein ★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Psychic/Effect][ATK 1350/DEF 800]

Electric currents surged, and Fran materialized on the field, mumbling to herself: "Mmm... Secret mission... Fran must stay quiet..."

"Actually, Fran, you can talk as much as you want. Most people wouldn't understand you anyway."

Hoshino smiled warmly and placed an Equip Spell Card onto the Duel Arena.

"Next, I activate the Equip Spell Dōjigiri Yasutsuna and equip it to Frankenstein! This Equip Spell can only be equipped to LIGHT-Attribute Heroic Spirit monsters, and it increases the equipped monster's ATK by an amount equal to its DEF."

With Frankenstein's DEF at 800, her ATK would rise significantly, surpassing Avian's— even under Skyscraper's boost.

However, as Hoshino activated her Equip Spell, Jaden flipped one of his face-down cards:

"I won't let you get away with that so easily! Go, Avian! Counter Trap Activate—[Feather Wind]!"

[Feather Wind – Counter Trap Effect: When a Spell/Trap Card is activated while you control a face-up "Elemental HERO Avian": Negate the activation and destroy it.]

A swirling wind mixed with white feathers shredded the Equip Spell before it could reach Frankenstein's hands.

Jaden grinned triumphantly, rubbing his nose. "Now your Heroic Spirit won't have enough ATK to surpass my Hero!"

"Oh? You think you can relax just because you stopped one Equip Spell? Let me show you the power of a Heroic Spirit! Attack Avian, Shiki!"

Watching from the sidelines, Akasha sighed softly and muttered, "Hoshino-nee, even when dueling kids, you're still this hot-blooded. So uncool..."

"Didn't I already say your Heroic Spirit can't beat Avian? Under Skyscraper, Avian gains 1000 ATK during battle!"

[Elemental HERO Avian ATK 1000 → 2000]

[Ryougi Shiki ATK 1900]

"Watch closely, Jaden-kun. These are the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception! As long as it's something alive…"

At Hoshino's command, Shiki, wielding her knife, performed an impossible maneuver, her entire body tilting at a vertical angle to the towering Skyscraper. She darted directly toward Avian from below.

"—Even gods are no exception! Disappear from my sight!"

With a graceful spin of her blade, Shiki's strike landed before Avian could even counterattack, slicing through a line only her Mystic Eyes could see.

[If this card battles an opponent's monster with lower original ATK than this card: At the start of the Damage Step, send that monster to the Graveyard.]

Ignoring Skyscraper's boost, Avian—originally with 1000 ATK—was destined for the Graveyard the moment Shiki initiated battle.

[Elemental HERO Avian Destroyed]

"A Hero... was defeated under the effect of Skyscraper..."

As soon as Shiki destroyed Avian, a system notification popped up in front of Hoshino's eyes:

[Required defeated monsters: 1/2]

"You're incredible, Shiki. With an effect like this, if you reach a high enough level, you might even be able to kill a God Card~"

Who knew how powerful Shiki could become as she ranked up? Hoshino felt like she was playing an RPG and completing a progression quest.

"Shhh~ We're supposed to be on a secret mission, remember? Don't talk so much, Master."

Shiki mimicked Hoshino's earlier gesture, lightly pressing a finger to her lips.

"Ahem! My Battle Phase isn't over yet. Now, direct attack, Fran!"

"Ughya!"

Swinging her electricity-covered hammer, Fran mercilessly slammed it down toward Jaden, who had no monsters left on his field.

[Jaden LP 3500 → 2150]

"Dueling against kids really doesn't feel intense at all. I'll set one more card and end my turn~"

With her turn over, Hoshino looked completely at ease.

With Shiki on the field, the Hero deck's signature strategy of using Skyscraper to boost attacks was almost completely nullified. Now, all she needed was to destroy one more monster to complete the event mission.

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

"You're really strong, strange miss. My turn, draw!"

Still maintaining his smile, Jaden looked at the card he had drawn, and his excitement grew even more.

"Just as I thought! If you draw while smiling, your deck will respond to you! You weren't lying after all!"

The idea that smiling improves draw luck? That was something Hoshino had just made up on the spot.

The more accurate version would be: "I only smile because I draw good cards."

Hoshino scratched her head awkwardly, silently calculating, "Even though I just made that up, this kid actually pulled off back-to-back miracle draws. Does he have plot armor like Yugi?"

Slapping the monster he drew this turn onto the table, Jaden's newest Elemental HERO made its grand entrance.

"I summon—[Elemental HERO Clayman] in Attack Position!"

[Elemental HERO Clayman ★★★★ (Level 4)][EARTH][Warrior][ATK 800/DEF 2000]

Well, actually, it wasn't grand at all. The bulky and somewhat dopey-looking gray Clayman was just a normal monster with no effect. Its only notable feature was its high defense.

However, against Shiki, high defense was meaningless. As long as an opponent's original ATK was lower than hers, she could effortlessly sever their "lines of death" with her Mystic Eyes.

Jaden seemed to understand this as well and simply summoned Clayman in Attack Position. That way, thanks to Skyscraper's effect, its ATK would at least surpass Fran's.

"Go, Clayman! Attack the Frankenstein on the opponent's field!"

[Elemental HERO Clayman ATK 800 → 1800]

Just as Hoshino predicted, with Skyscraper's effect, Clayman's attack power increased by 1000 points, and its heavy body sent the petite Fran flying.

[Heroic Spirit – Frankenstein Destroyed]

[Mysterious Cloaked Duelist LP 3500 → 3050]

"I'll set 1 more card and end my turn."

A straightforward play. Since he couldn't defeat Shiki, Jaden simply ignored her.

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

"If you keep avoiding fights, you'll never claim victory, Jaden-kun~"

Drawing her card for the turn, Hoshino was now in a position to end the duel.

"That Clayman of yours is completely powerless against Shiki's attack! This turn, I summon [Golden Mini Nobu] in Attack Position!"

[Golden Mini Nobu ★★★ (Level 3)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 300/DEF 300]

"Nobu!" The adorable Golden Mini Nobu materialized on Hoshino's field, barely tall enough to reach Shiki's thigh.

"Golden Mini Nobu's effect activates! When successfully summoned, I can select 1 'Nobu' monster from my Graveyard, except for another 'Golden Mini Nobu,' and Special Summon it with its effects negated! I choose you—Chariot Nobu!"

With a wave of her hand, Hoshino now had three monsters on her field.

[Chariot Nobu ATK: 1500]

"Now, attack, Shiki! You don't even need the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception—just take down that Clayman!"

With an attack power of 1900, Shiki's strike would be enough to overpower Clayman, even after the Skyscraper boost. And with this, Hoshino would also complete the event mission.

"Hahaha! This is exactly what I was waiting for! I reveal my set card!"

Jaden, looking triumphant, flashed a wide grin.

"Clayman's attack power may not be that high, but in a pinch, his defense is among the best of all heroes! Trap Card, activate—[Clay Charge]!"

[Clay Charge – Trap Card Effect: When an "Elemental HERO Clayman" you control is targeted for an attack (even if it is face-down, but reveal it to your opponent in that case): Destroy the attacking monster and that "Elemental HERO Clayman", and inflict 800 damage to your opponent.]

"With Clay Charge's effect, my Clayman and your attacking Ryougi Shiki are both destroyed! And you take 800 points of damage!"

At the last moment, Clayman exploded, dragging Shiki into the blast with him.

[Elemental HERO Clayman destroyed.]

[Heroic Spirit – Ryougi Shiki destroyed.]

[Mysterious Cloaked Duelist LP 3050 → 2250]

"Damn brat, interfering with my event using some dumb trap."

Hoshino's perfect plan had crumbled. If this were a manga, an angry symbol would definitely be popping up on her head.

"In that case, don't blame me for showing no mercy. Direct attack, Chariot Nobu!"

"Nobu!" Chariot k Nobu, now in full combat mode, charged at Jaden. Even though its effects were negated and it couldn't enter Super Mode, its attack still wiped out most of Jaden's remaining Life Points.

[Jaden LP 2150 → 650]

"And now, the final direct attack! Quick-Play Spell [Nobu Radiance]—Go, Golden Mini Nobu!"

[Nobu Radiance – Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 monster with 'Nobu' in its name on the field. Its ATK increases by 500.]

Akasha sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Hoshino, getting angry over a duel with a kid? You're even more childish than I am."

[Golden Mini Nobu ATK: 300 → 800]

With a radiant glow, Mini Nobu launched itself like a falling star toward Jaden.

"Nobu! (Stella!)"

Faced with Mini Nobu's cosplay of a meteor attack, Jaden didn't just sit there and take it. "A hero doesn't go down that easily! Trap Card, activate—[Hero Blast]!"

[Hero Blast – Trap Card Effect: Target 1 "Elemental HERO" Normal Monster in your GY; add that target to your hand, then if your opponent controls any monsters with ATK less than or equal to that target's ATK, destroy 1 of them.]

"With Hero Blast's effect, I retrieve Elemental HERO Burstinatrix from my Graveyard! And I destroy your Golden Mini Nobu since its ATK is lower!"

A crimson pillar of fire erupted from the ground, blocking Mini Nobu's attack path. The tiny Nobu, swallowed by the flames, never reemerged.

[Golden Mini Nobu destroyed.]

"No——bu——!"

Watching its comrade perish before its eyes, Chariot Nobu let out a sorrowful wail.

Initially believing she had secured victory this turn, only to have her attacks completely blocked, Hoshino began to reconsider.

"I might have underestimated this kid... His skill might not be on Akasha's level yet, but his resilience is definitely at Yugi's level."

Realizing this, Hoshino suddenly became intrigued, wanting to see what kind of offensive moves Jaden could pull off next.

"Then I'll just end my turn~"

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

"My turn, draw! Then I'll summon [Elemental HERO Burstinatrix] in Attack Position!"

[Elemental HERO Burstinatrix ATK 1200]

"Attack, Burstinatrix! Thanks to Skyscraper's effect, when battling a monster with higher ATK, the hero's ATK increases by 1000 points!"

[Elemental HERO Burstinatrix ATK 1200 → 2200]

Scorching flames descended from the top of the Skyscraper, completely engulfing Hoshino's Mini Chariot Nobu.

"Nobu! (I'll be back!)"

[Chariot Nobu destroyed]

[Mysterious Cloaked Duelist LP 2250 → 1550]

"Finally, I'll activate the Spell Card [O – Oversoul]! This lets me Special Summon one Normal Elemental HERO monster from my Graveyard! I choose Elemental HERO Clayman in Defense Position!"

[Elemental HERO Clayman DEF 2000]

Hoshino praised, "You didn't let your fighting spirit cloud your judgment and rush in for more damage. Instead, you played it safe to protect your remaining LP. You might actually have real dueling talent!"

The watching kids were all in awe. "Jaden's Hero deck is amazing! He's even pressuring that really strong adult!"

[Partner, don't you think something seems a bit off?]

'Yeah, I've been thinking about that too.'

Even though Jaden had executed some impressive plays using Skyscraper and his HERO support cards, something still felt off to Hoshino.

"Did Pegasus really design the Elemental HERO deck with a playstyle like this, just inspired by magical girls?"

As Hoshino frowned in thought, Jaden concluded his turn.

"Turn end! It's your move, weird person!"

[Jaden's: 1 Hand Card]

"My turn, draw!"

Glancing at the card she drew this turn, Hoshino suddenly had an idea—she wanted to test her hypothesis.

"If my guess is right, the power of Elemental HERO shouldn't be limited to just this. I summon the monster card [Heroic Spirit – Queen Medb] in Attack Position!"

[Heroic Spirit – Queen Medb ★★★★ (Level 4)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]

Dressed in an alluring yet regal manner, possessing a goddess-like perfect physique, Medb materialized onto Hoshino's field with a seductive smile.

"What happens next might not be suitable for kids… Akasha-chan, you'd better not watch!"

Since this was her first time using Medb's card, considering her lore and Noble Phantasm effects, even Hoshino wasn't sure what would happen—it made her a bit nervous.

"I got it, Hoshino-nee!"

Akasha, however, stretched her fingers wide, making sure she wouldn't miss even a single frame of the "not suitable for kids" moment.

"Queen Medb's effect activates—"

[①: When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can target 1 Level 4 or lower Warrior or Spellcaster monster your opponent controls; take control of it until the End Phase.]

"Oh brave warrior~ Come serve me, now!"

Medb's delicate hands traced the fiery and curvaceous form of Burstinatrix. Her voice, laced with magical charm, made even a hero incapable of resisting.

"Ahem. Thanks to Medb's effect, I gain control of Burstinatrix until the end of the turn!"

The scene was rather suggestive—something Hoshino had mentally prepared for—but Akasha was more excited than she had ever been.

"It's no use! Even if you steal Burstinatrix temporarily, you can't break through Clayman's defense!"

"Don't be so hasty, Jaden! Medb's effect isn't over yet!"

[②: Once per turn, while this card is face-up: You can target 1 Warrior or Spellcaster monster in either player's GY; Special Summon it to your field in Defense Position. (It is sent to the GY at the end of this turn.)]

Jaden scratched his head in confusion. "Reviving a monster that can't attack? What's the point?"

Even if Hoshino revived Shiki, if the monster couldn't attack, then it wouldn't be a real threat to him.

"Now, let me teach you how to play a HERO deck, Jaden!"

The warrior Hoshino revived wasn't Shiki as Jaden had expected, but a familiar figure that soared through the Skyscraper's skyline.

"The Warrior-type monster I'm reviving is—[Elemental HERO Avian]!"

With two Elemental HERO monsters now on her field, Hoshino slammed her final card onto the table.

"And now, I activate the Spell Card—[Polymerization]!"

"By fusing Burstinatrix with Avian, I will now show you the true power and form of Elemental HERO! Engrave this into your heart!"

Fire and wind combined, piercing through the skyscraper. The fusion of elements, in this moment, created an even stronger hero.

Standing tall atop the city's tallest tower, a new hero emerged—one who would protect the battlefield of this nameless city in the name of justice.

"——Fusion Summon! [Elemental HERO Flame Wingman]!"

(*****)

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