Chapter 242

"Hmph, it's just transformed into a Spell Card—it doesn't count as a real monster."

Understanding the effect, Noah gave a faint smile.

"Oh? It doesn't count as a real monster? Then how about this!" Adjusting Waver's position on the field, Hoshino pressed the activation button for her set card.

"Quick-Play Spell: [Heroic Spirit—Emergency Summoning]!"

[Heroic Spirit—Emergency Summoning - Quick-Play Spell Effect: Activate when you control no Heroic Spirit monsters. Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Heroic Spirit monster from your Deck in Defense Position. This turn, you cannot Special Summon monsters that aren't Heroic Spirit monsters.]

"If I don't have a Heroic Spirit monster on my field, I can't activate Mash's Deck Master effect, and I'll lose the chance to draw a card. For me, that's a huge loss!"

"Using the card effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit – Medea Lily] in Defense Position!"

[Heroic Spirit – Medea Lily ★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1500]

"And now, I activate her effect! When Medea Lily is Special Summoned, I can add one Spell/Trap card with 'Medea' in its name from my Deck to my hand."

"In the face of a catastrophic prehistoric flood, you still display such resilience. I must commend you, Chiyuki!" Noah laughed heartily as he lowered his Duel Disk. "With that, I end my turn~."

Anzu gasped. "Ending the turn without monsters or set cards?!"

"This is your chance, Hoshino!" Shizuka exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.

"My turn! Draw!" Hoshino declared, drawing a card. "And now, Mash's Deck Master effect activates! During my Standby Phase, if I control a Heroic Spirit monster, I can add one Heroic Spirit monster from my Deck to my hand."

Hoshino recognized the opportunity before her. Whatever Noah was plotting, with an empty field, it was her best chance to strike.

"I activate Medea Lily's effect—once per turn, I can restore 1000 Life Points!"

"Hey~~" With an elegant twirl of her staff, Medea Lily unleashed her Noble Phantasm: Pain Breaker!

[Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 3000 → 4000]

"So, this is the second turn of Creation of Heaven and Earth? Then let me…" Placing the card retrieved by Mash's effect onto the field, Hoshino's shield gleamed golden once more.

"Year AD 0060—Eternal Madness Empire: Septem! Witness the magnificent dance of the Rose Emperor! I Tribute Medea Lily to Tribute Summon Heroic Spirit – Nero Claudius!"

[Heroic Spirit – Nero Claudius ★★★★★★ (Level 6)][FIRE][Warrior/Effect][ATK 2300/DEF 1900]

Scarlet rose petals filled the air, contrasting sharply against the desolate wasteland left in the wake of the flood.

"The glorious Emperor Nero has arrived! Umu!" declared Nero, her commanding voice filled with vigor, her crimson dress accentuating her regal form.

"Upon summoning, I activate Nero's special effect!"

[When this card is Normal/Special Summoned, if no other monsters are on your field, you can draw 1 card.]

"The prosperity of Rome! The wealth of Rome! Let it shine brightly in this moment!"

Hoshino drew a card and immediately played another. "Due to Nero's summoning, I activate the effect of [Heroic Spirit – Caligula] from my Deck, Special Summoning it to the field!"

[Heroic Spirit – Caligula ★★★★ (Level 4)][DARK][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1500/DEF 1200]

[If Nero Claudius exists on the field, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard or Deck.]

"Neroooo!"

Anzu observed the two summoned Heroic Spirits and analyzed aloud, "She summoned two monsters in one turn! Their combined attack power far exceeds Noah's remaining Life Points!"

Pointing dramatically, Hoshino taunted, "That's right, Noah! An empty field like yours is the perfect target for my all-out assault. Prepare to face the wrath of Rome!"

"Under the strategist Waver, their attack power increases! Go all out and strike with all your might!"

[Nero ATK: 2300 → 2600]

[Caligula ATK: 1500 → 1800]

As Hoshino declared her direct attacks, her Roman warriors charged toward Noah's defenseless field. "Behold the unstoppable might of Rome!"

"At the start of the Battle Phase, I activate the Deck Master effect of Shinato's Ark!"

Hoshino frowned. "A hidden effect, as expected. I knew it wouldn't be this simple."

"Absolute Defense!" Noah raised his hand, and the colossal Ark opened its hull once more.

[②: When an opponent's monster attacks while you control no monsters, you can Special Summon one monster equipped to this card in Defense Position for each face-up Attack Position monster your opponent controls.]

"This effect is ridiculous! Every time I attack, monsters are summoned to block?!" The airtight defense left Hoshino momentarily stunned.

"Come forth, my walls! Shield me from their wrath!" From within the Ark, previously contained monsters were "randomly" summoned.

[Jeanne d'Arc (Alter) DEF 2500]

[Kiyohime DEF 500]

"This is supposed to be random?! Who are you trying to fool?" Recognizing the familiar faces, Hoshino yelled in protest.

But hesitation was not an option.

Nero vs. Jeanne Alter – Jeanne is destroyed.

Jeanne Alter: "Why is my luck getting worse and worse every day?!"

Caligula vs. Kiyohime – Kiyohime is destroyed.

Kiyohime: "Master, you can't escape from me tonight~!"

"That was close. Without Waver's effect, I wouldn't have been able to destroy Jeanne Alter." Hoshino sighed in relief. Leaving Noah with a 3000 ATK Jeanne Alter on the field would've been disastrous.

"Since a monster was destroyed, Caligula's effect activates!"

[When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's Level × 200.]

[Hoshino Chiyuki LP: 4000 → 4600]

Noah smirked. "According to the Ark's effect, destroyed monsters aren't sent to the Graveyard. Instead, they're returned to the Ark~."

Even Anzu, grasping the sheer unfairness of the strategy, stomped in frustration. "This effect is outrageous! With that defense, he's practically invincible!"

"Set two cards. Turn end!" Hoshino declared with determination, though it was clear to everyone that Noah's Deck Master ability was bordering on outright cheating.

"Still, if even cheating can't save him, the humiliation of his defeat will be twice as great!"

[Hoshino: 3 hand cards | 2 set cards]

"My turn! Draw! Activating the Spell Card [Pot of Greed] to draw two cards from my deck."

As Noah drew his cards, patches of green life began sprouting across the previously desolate terrain.

"The third turn of creation—the land, scorched by the prehistoric flood, has cooled completely, paving the way for new life to emerge."

While narrating, Noah placed a card onto his Duel Disk.

"I summon [Worm Drake] in Attack Position!"

[Worm Drake ★★★★ (Level 4)][EARTH][Reptile][ATK 1400/DEF 1500]

A peculiar reptilian creature crawled across the newly verdant landscape.

Hoshino glanced at the unassuming monster and smirked. "This is the 'third turn of creation'? Doesn't look like much to me."

"Don't be so quick to judge, Chiyuki," Noah replied calmly. "Evolution takes time. Even a fragile creature like this, given enough energy, once ruled the Earth in ancient times."

Maintaining his composure, Noah activated another card.

"I play the Spell Card [Ultra Evolution Pill]!"

The Worm Drake greedily swallowed a suspicious capsule, its body grotesquely expanding and transforming.

[Ultimate Tyranno★★★★★★★★ (Level 8)][EARTH][Dinosaur/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 2200]

The massive black dinosaur let out a deafening roar, shaking the battlefield with a ferocity akin to the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

"What the—? It evolved into that? And you're telling me it switched species entirely?!" Hoshino exclaimed.

[Ultra Evolution Pill Spell Effect: Tribute 1 Reptile monster; Special Summon 1 Dinosaur monster from your hand.]

"The third turn of creation ushers in the Age of Dinosaurs!" Noah declared. "Using the effect of Ultra Evolution Pill, I tribute Worm Drake to Special Summon Ultimate Tyranno from my hand. The tributed Worm Drake is sent to the Ark."

On Noah's Duel Disk, the [Worm Drake] card silently vanished, replaced by the glowing symbol of Shinato's Ark.

"Attack, Ultimate Tyranno! Unleash your prehistoric rage!" The enormous dinosaur raised its tail, preparing to strike.

"Not so fast! I activate my Trap Card: [Poster Girl]! This allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower [Heroic Spirit] monster from my deck to intercept the attack. Come forth, [Heroic Spirit – Leonidas I]!"

[Heroic Spirit – Leonidas I★★★ (Level 3)][EARTH][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1400 → 1700/DEF 1900 → 2200]

A towering figure, clad in Spartan armor, materialized on the field. Wielding a massive shield, Leonidas braced himself against the dinosaur's incoming tail strike. The collision resounded, but the Spartan King held his ground.

"Muscles forged through relentless training will not yield to mere brute force!" Leonidas declared triumphantly.

[Leonidas I Effect: This card cannot be destroyed in battle by monsters with 2500 or more ATK.]

"Nice! That monster's tail swing has been defended!" Anzu cheered.

"Defend?" Noah smirked. "Hardly. Ultimate Tyranno's effect activates!"

[Ultimate Tyranno Effect: This card can attack all monsters your opponent controls, once each.]

"Continue your assault, Ultimate Tyranno!" The beast's tail swept across Hoshino's field.

"Ugh, this attack…" Nero, wielding her sword, was knocked back.

"Nerooo!" Caligula roared as he watched Nero get knocked back.

But Hoshino was prepared. "I activate the Deck Master effect of Mash to protect Caligula!"

"Yes, Senpai!" Mash raised her shield, her voice ringing with determination. "Transient Wall of Snowflakes!"

"And activate Nero's effect Once per duel, toss three coins. If at least one result is Heads, she avoids destruction!"

[Coin Toss Result: Heads, Tails, Tails]

Leaping back onto the battlefield, Nero elegantly brushed herself off. "Invictus Spiritus! Rome shall never fall! Umu!"

Despite the relentless assault, Hoshino's field remained intact, a feat akin to withstanding a beam of light from Goetia himself in FGO.

[Hoshino LP 4600 → 3000]

Clapping slowly, Noah grinned. "Well done, Chiyuki. You've managed to survive my onslaught without a single casualty."

"Now, I activate the Deck Master effect of Shinato's Ark!"

[Shinato's Ark Effect: Once per turn (each player's turn), you can banish any number of monsters equipped to this card and gain 500 Life Points for each banished monster.]

[Noah LP 2800 → 5800]

"Removing all monsters from the Ark effectively surrenders your defensive capabilities," Hoshino observed, her expression a mixture of concern and frustration as she watched Noah's Life Points climb rapidly. "I thought I had devised a counter to your defense."

Noah laughed, spreading his arms wide. "Counter my absolute defense? Show me if you can! I end my turn with one card set."

[Noah: 1 Hand Card | 1 Set Card]

"My turn! Draw! I activate Mash's Deck Master effect to search for a Heroic Spirit monster from my deck!"

Noah's sneer widened. "The Age of Dinosaurs is over. I activate my Trap Card: [Jurrac Impact]!"

A deafening roar echoed as a blazing meteor streaked through the sky.

"W-What is that?!" Shizuka cried out.

"The end of an era!" Noah raised his arm dramatically, as if orchestrating divine judgment. The meteor collided with the battlefield, obliterating everything in a cataclysmic explosion.

[Jurrac Impact Effect: If you control a Dinosaur-Type monster with 2500 or more ATK, destroy all cards on the field.]

"All cards on the field?! Even my set cards and Waver?!" Hoshino clutched her head, disbelief washing over her. It wasn't the loss of cards that upset her – it was the sheer audacity of Waver actually clocking out for the day.

"All destroyed cards are sent to the Ark, and my defense is back online," Noah declared smugly. "Now, show me your so-called strategy to overcome my defense."

Letting go of her head, Hoshino's gaze sharpened and focused. "Very well" she said. "Let me show you—the Third Singularity!"

"Sealed Ends of the Four Seas: Okeanos! The age of daring pirates who danced with gods and legends—summon in Attack Position, [Heroic Spirit – Mary Read]!"

[Heroic Spirit – Mary Read★★★ (Level 3)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000]

[When this card is Summoned, Special Summon 1 [Heroic Spirit – Anne Bonny] from your Deck.]

"Using Mary Read's effect, I Special Summon [Heroic Spirit – Anne Bonny]!"

[Heroic Spirit – Anne Bonny★★★ (Level 3)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1000]

Anne grinned. "Heh, we're a duo, you know!"

Mary smirked. "Together, we'll conquer the Seven Seas!"

"Finally, I fuse Anne and Mary together!" Hoshino declared.

"Fusion Summon—[Heroic Spirit – Anne Bonny & Mary Read]!"

(*****)

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