A realistic version of Lil-la appeared on the field, now dressed in a flashy stage outfit.
Beneath her short blue skirt shimmered silver tights, and bat-like wings hung from her waist.
[Evil★Twin Lil-la] Link-2│1100 ATK
Anneli began setting up for her next turn, aiming to blow up Morgan's cards. Once she brought out the Twins' boss monster, she'd have a reliable pop effect next turn—and if things went smoothly, a turn three kill.
This was her proudest combo. She'd beaten countless opponents with it in Virtual Duels. Despite that, would it work on Morgan?
Though nervous, Anneli couldn't wait to show her.
Jade, however, was confused. Anneli kept Link Summoning monsters, but their Attack was low, and the field didn't look threatening. What was she really doing?
Seeing Jade's doubt, Isla smiled.
"Jade, remember—whatever they do, the goal is always the same: to Summon their Deck's strongest monster. If the Summoning method looks odd, that shows the Deck's specialty. Like this Live☆Twin Deck."
"Its essence is two monsters summoning each other to trigger effects. Their boss must come out that way, too."
Jade's eyes widened. She realized she had gained a new perspective on Dueling, and Morgan's past teachings began to click.
Grateful, she shot Isla a thankful look. Without her, she'd still be lost.
Rowe also saw the danger of letting Anneli continue chaining. Why wasn't Morgan stopping her? She remembered that Morgan carried plenty of hand traps.
Rowe had played many matches but never streamed. In a stream, the Duel had to entertain to hold viewers. If Morgan hand-trapped every play and won instantly, what fun was that?
In truth, Morgan hadn't used hand traps simply because—she hadn't drawn any. She'd have to wait until Anneli's turn ended before she could play.
If she'd had Ash Blossom or Called by the Grave, the Duel would've been over already—Live☆Twins weren't just one-card starters. They were also one-card stops.
That's the charm of Yu-Gi-Oh: going second without a hand trap is already half a loss.
"I activate Evil★Twin Lil-la's effect!"
"Target 1 Ki-sikil monster in my Graveyard; Special Summon it!"
"I Special Summon Evil★Twin Ki-sikil!"
Now both Twins—red and blue in realistic form—stood on the field. Their appearance drew the chat's attention. Rare and striking, they gave the eerie sense of watching a stream within a stream.
"So cute! And silver tights too… what a sight!"
"Never seen a Deck this fun. What does the streamer even do?"
"There are thousands of cards. Probably just a gimmick Deck—after all that summoning, it's only two monsters."
"Yeah, and their ATK is tiny. No way she can match Morgan."
Focused, Anneli didn't notice the doubts in chat. She never expected her strength to be questioned. Regardless, instead of despair, she felt recognized.
When you're weak, no one doubts you. When you grow and make flashy plays, people start to doubt.
That means you've surpassed most others.
"Because of Evil★Twin Ki-sikil's effect:"
"When Special Summoned while you control a Lil-la, draw 1 card."
Anneli drew, her face tightening, sweat beading on her pale nose. Unlike Virtual Duels, speaking out effects in real life was tiring.
Now, she prepared the finale of her combo.
"I use Evil★Twin Ki-sikil and Evil★Twin Lil-la to set the Link Arrows!"
"Link Summon! Evil★Twin's Trouble Sunny!"
The field lit up in dazzling neon. Ki-sikil and Lil-la grimaced, then turned to red light, entering the circuit.
Two figures emerged: one, a cold, refined, dark-skinned girl with flowing white hair and alluring legs in white stockings. The other, a petite blonde with twin drills, a mischievous smirk like a little devil.
The contrast between the two immediately enthralled the viewers, who rushed to pick favorites and argue heatedly.
[Evil★Twin's Trouble Sunny] Link-4│3300 ATK
With Trouble Sunny on the field, Anneli's combo ended. Next turn, she could Tribute it to Special Summon both Twins, draw 1 card, and destroy a card—refilling her hand while disrupting Morgan.
Which card she'd target depended on Morgan's Deck. A year ago, she had three different ones. Who knew what she'd use now?
"I Set 1 card and end my turn."
Cautious, Anneli still set a card, then looked nervously at Morgan. Even with her strongest field, she felt unsafe against her.
The stream audience was too focused entirely on Morgan, waiting to see how she'd respond.
After a year away, was the Witch still the Witch?
Under their gaze, Morgan smiled. No hand traps didn't mean defeat. As long as she wasn't facing a five-negate board, she still had the right to play.
"My turn, draw!"
...
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