Raye, revived from the Graveyard, was unstoppable now. Yula could only pray Herald of Perfection would survive. With Linkuriboh on the field, she didn't fear battle destruction; nevertheless, Morgan's freshly searched Spell was another matter. Knowing Linkuriboh's effect, Morgan would surely pick a Spell that destroyed monsters by effect.
Raye appeared once more. Morgan wasn't worried about Linkuriboh—it could only reduce ATK once. All she needed to do was bait it with Raye's attack, then transform into Hayate for a direct strike.
"Battle! Sky Striker Ace - Raye attacks Linkuriboh!"
Raye lunged. Even without its effect, Linkuriboh would be destroyed, dealing Yula damage. She had no choice except to use it. The tables had turned.
"I activate Linkuriboh's effect!"
"Raye's ATK becomes 0!"
As Yula resolved the effect, Isla sighed with closed eyes. "Yula's going to lose. Morgan has all the resources, and she can't fight back."
Jade blinked. "But the turn isn't over. Why say that?"
Isla didn't look away. "Linkuriboh reduces Raye's ATK, but Raye can transform mid-Battle Phase. Once she shifts into Hayate, Linkuriboh's effect is meaningless. And Hayate can attack directly."
Jade nodded slowly—Isla's experience alongside Morgan made her insights clear.
That said, Isla knew Morgan wasn't done. Next, she'd deal with Herald of Perfection, using the Spell she'd searched.
Linkuriboh left the field. Raye's ATK dropped to 0.
"At this moment, I activate Sky Striker Ace - Raye's effect!"
"I tribute her to Special Summon Sky Striker Ace - Hayate from the Extra Deck!"
Yula's expression darkened. She knew Hayate's direct attack could end her. Linkuriboh's effect had bought nothing.
Morgan pressed on.
"Battle continues! Sky Striker Ace - Hayate, direct attack!"
A green beam lanced across the field. Yula's LP plummeted. She staggered.
Hayate's effect also triggered. Morgan sent her field Spell to the Graveyard.
"Because she dealt battle damage, I activate Hayate's effect!"
"I send Sky Striker Airspace - Area Zero from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
Yula's eyes narrowed. She didn't yet know why Morgan had done that, anyhow, surviving the Battle Phase gave her a sliver of relief.
Morgan wasn't done. In Main Phase 2, she set Upstart Goblin face-down instead of playing it, preparing for Sky Striker Maneuver - Jamming Waves.
"I Set 1 card. Then, I activate Sky Striker Maneuver - Jamming Waves from my hand!"
"If I control no Main Monster Zone monsters: target 1 Set Spell/Trap on the field; destroy it."
Yula froze. Only Morgan's Set existed. Was she really going to destroy her own card?
Morgan answered by action.
"I destroy my own Set card!"
"Then, since I have 3 or more Spells in the Graveyard, I also destroy 1 monster on the field!"
Yula's face fell. So that was Morgan's plan all along: sacrifice her own Set to take out Herald.
"I destroy your Herald of Perfection!"
A flash of light engulfed the angel. Herald shattered, leaving Yula empty-handed once more.
She glared at Morgan. All her work undone by one perfect chain. Again, nothing left—no hand, no monsters, no resources.
"My turn ends."
Morgan didn't turn Shizuku—she was out of copies in her Extra Deck. Still, she didn't care. She had another Raye in hand as backup.
All eyes turned to Yula again. Twice now, the duel had come down to her next draw. Even among pro duelists, such tension was rare.
She drew with a deep breath.
"My turn—draw!"
Peeking at the card, she exhaled in relief. It was Drytron Zeta Aldhibah. She could keep going.
Morgan raised an eyebrow. Could she really top-deck perfectly twice?
Yula studied her card. Her Ritual Monsters were nearly gone, especially with Meteonis banished. Ritual Summons were impossible. Regardless, she could still Special Summon from the Graveyard to make Link plays.
Her plan was clear: use Zeta as a stepping stone to revive others, just like last turn. However, this time, instead of Herald, she'd aim for a generic Link.
"I activate Drytron Gamma Eltanin's effect in my Graveyard!"
"I tribute Drytron Zeta Aldhibah from my hand; Special Summon Gamma in Defense Position! Then, I revive Drytron Mu Beta Fafnir!"
Two monsters returned to the field. The crowd felt déjà vu.
"She top-decked again? This duel is pure luck now!"
"Still, she's almost out of Rituals. What's she going for?"
"Drytron's strongest boss is Herald of Ultimateness, but with her resources, no way she makes it."
Yula pressed on.
"Next, I activate Drytron Alpha Thuban in my Graveyard!"
"I tribute Mu Beta Fafnir; Special Summon it, and add a Ritual Monster from my Deck to my hand!"
"I add Cyber Angel Natasha!"
Three monsters now filled her field. The spectators buzzed. Natasha couldn't be Ritual Summoned, but it didn't matter. Yula had her Link material.
"I use my three monsters to set the Link Circuit!"
The three turned into streams of light. A golden unicorn appeared.
Morgan grimaced. She knew this monster well.
"Link Summon! Knightmare Unicorn!"
...
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