SWNOVELXO Chapter 40: DSMW [40]
Same black cloak, same fake Millennium Ring, same Shadow Game.
The only difference was—the Dark Duelist facing Irene was a woman.
Even the loose cloak couldn't hide her curvaceous, stunning figure. Her face, half-veiled under the hood, exuded a mature, seductive charm.
"Hehehe~" The black-cloaked woman chuckled, covering her mouth.
"My little red-haired cutie... I didn't expect you to last this long in a Shadow Game. You're making me feel both pity... and excitement. I bet that little white-haired cutie has already fallen~"
Panting heavily, Irene's chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath.
Anyone caught in a Shadow Game was constantly drained—both physically and mentally. Irene Austin was no exception.
"Where is Aisha? What did you do to her?!"
A sudden disappearance, a sudden duel, a sudden Shadow Game... Irene was completely lost.
"I separated you two with a barrier and sent that white-haired cutie to my companion. After all, I'm not just a Duelist... I'm also a Barrier Mage."
"Barrier Mage Megan"—that was the nickname of this lady Dark Duelist.
Barrier magic wasn't related to Duel Monsters; it was a separate branch of magic native to this continent—only those with special bloodlines could wield it.
To be both a Duelist and a Barrier Mage... she was someone with elite talents even on the Spirit Continent.
That someone like her would willingly fall to being a Dark Duelist shocked Irene.
"So you split me and Aisha with a barrier..."
In the past, Irene would've been frantic, worrying about Aisha's safety.
But now? Knowing Miles was with her, Irene surprisingly felt relieved.
"Ugh, as annoying as Miles is when he's glued to Aisha... he's actually pretty reliable at critical moments."
Muttering under her breath, Irene narrowed her eyes and stared at Megan.
"Don't get cocky, old hag. For all you know, your companion's the one losing right now."
"O-Old hag?!"
Everyone knew that magic could preserve one's youth, and most female mages looked forever in their prime.
But that didn't mean they liked being reminded of their age.
In fact, it was a taboo topic—deadly sensitive among women mages.
"Tch. Your mouth's as fiery as your hair, little cutie. But rather than worrying about others... maybe you should worry about yourself."
Current duel state—
[Megan, LP: 4000]
[Axe Raider] Level 4│DARK│Warrior│1700 ATK
A Level 4 Warrior with 1700 Attack, wielding a massive battle axe.
[Irene, LP: 2600]
[Elemental HERO Burstinatrix] Level 3│FIRE│Warrior│1200 ATK
On Irene's field stood a female Elemental HERO—but with only 1200 Attack, no match for [Axe Raider].
It was Irene's turn.
Panting... fingers trembling as they pressed against her Deck in the Spirit Eyes. For the first time, even drawing a card felt exhausting.
"So... this is the Shadow Game experience Edigo went through... He really was amazing to endure until the end."
'I can't give up now!'
Everything—becoming stronger, never backing down—had been for this moment. So that when facing a Shadow Game again... she could protect those she cared about.
If she ran now, how could she call herself a HERO?
"Don't underestimate my HEROES. My turn, draw!"
Drawing her card, a spark of joy flickered in her tired eyes.
"Perfect. I summon [Elemental HERO Knospe] in Attack Position, and activate the Spell Card—Rose Bud!"
[Elemental HERO Knospe] Level 3│EARTH│Plant│600 ATK
[Rose Bud Spell Card Effect: Tribute 1 face-up "Elemental HERO Knospe" you control; Special Summon 1 "Elemental HERO Poison Rose" from your hand or Deck.]
"Bloom and shine, Knospe! Show us your most beautiful form!"
Even in this darkness, Rose Buds flourished resiliently. Knospe transformed into her fully bloomed form—a new HERO took the stage.
"Special Summon—Elemental HERO Poison Rose!"
[Elemental HERO Poison Rose] Level 6│EARTH│Plant│1900 ATK
Draped in a flowing green gown of vines and leaves, this elegant HERO now stood with 1900 Attack—enough to overcome [Axe Raider].
"Let's fight, Lady of the Blossoms!—Rose Bud Cyclone!"
A whirlwind of radiant Rose Buds surged from the darkness, forming a tornado that shredded the giant ax-wielding monster.
[Megan, LP: 4000 → 3800]
It was chip damage, sure, but Irene successfully cleared the opponent's field.
"When [Elemental HERO Poison Rose] deals battle damage, her effect activates—she gains 200 Attack."
[Elemental HERO Poison Rose, ATK: 1900 → 2100]
Life energy surged into her, causing the blossom lady's graceful figure to stand even taller.
"Next—direct attack with [Elemental HERO Burstinatrix]! Let the darkness feel the flames of a HERO!—Blazing Shot!"
A direct attack followed. The flame in Burstinatrix's hands slammed into Megan's cloak.
[Megan, LP: 3800 → 2600]
"Yes!"
Even while her body was on the verge of collapse, the damage dealt this turn revived Irene's fighting spirit.
"Just a little longer... just a bit more and I can win..."
Her faith in victory let her push through the exhaustion.
"I set one card face-down. Turn end."
She slapped the card onto the field, breathing heavily, savoring a brief moment of rest.
"Little cutie... You told me not to underestimate you, but aren't you the one underestimating the darkness of this game? My turn, draw!"
Megan drew her card. Her slender fingers picked up a Spell Card and raised it slowly.
A massive, indescribable surge of magical energy condensed into a singularity on the field, as if compressing dark matter itself.
"Activate—A-rank Spell Card Dark Hole!"
...
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