NOVEL NEXT Chapter 104: TST [104]
After Link Summoning Sera, Morgan planned to immediately set up the strongest Traptrix field possible. As long as Sera, the deck's core, was on the field, she could complete her Trap setup in the same turn—and she still had ways to continue her moves in hand.
"I activate the effect of Parallel eXceed from my hand!"
"If this card is in your hand, you can activate it when you successfully Link Summon."
"It Special Summons itself to your zone that the Link Monster points to."
Blue data models appeared on the field, gradually into a small, mechanical, butterfly-like dragon whose entire body gleamed with a metallic sheen.
[Parallel eXceed] Level 8 → 4│2000 ATK/2000 DEF → 1000 ATK/1000 DEF
Despite its high Level, its sole purpose was to serve as Xyz Material—specifically for Rank 4 monsters. Upon being Special Summoned, it could Special Summon another Parallel eXceed from the Deck.
Both monsters' Levels would then become 4, making it effectively a single card that produced a full Xyz monster.
"Next, I activate the other effect of Parallel eXceed!"
"If this card is Summoned—Normal or Special—you can Special Summon another Parallel eXceed from your Deck."
"The one Summoned by this effect becomes Level 4, and its original ATK/DEF are halved."
Seeing Morgan pull out two monsters at once, Rowe broke into a cold sweat. She was now certain Morgan had modified her build after their duel to summon monsters and gain board presence even faster.
Rowe had a good guess at what was coming next.
It was nothing more than using her monsters' immunity to Trap Cards to aggressively search for Traps, set them to the field, and then disrupt the opponent's plays during their turn—just like when Morgan used Ash Blossom earlier.
Remembering her duel against Morgan, Rowe ground her teeth in frustration… she hadn't been able to pull off a single successful combo.
Isla also kept an eye on Morgan's deck, though she had been too busy tutoring Jade to duel Morgan recently. She didn't know the exact build Morgan was using now, only that it heavily relied on Trap Cards.
No matter what deck Morgan played, one thing never changed… It was infuriating to deal with.
There were many kinds of infuriating decks; burn was just one. Traptrix was another.
Thinking this, Isla cast a look of pity toward the little girl Rare Hunter—she'd probably be dismantling her Deck soon.
Jade, on the other hand, grew more and more excited. Even if she couldn't follow Morgan's moves, she could easily read Morgan's intentions from her emotions and small gestures.
When Morgan was excited, she'd rub her thumb and forefinger together like she was counting money.
When she was about to go off, she'd smile like an angel—just as she was doing now.
Though Jade's dueling skills weren't on par with the other two, her understanding of Morgan's mindset far surpassed theirs.
And as Jade predicted, once the second Parallel eXceed appeared, Morgan was ready to Xyz Summon.
"Now, I have two Level 4 monsters on my field!"
"I overlay my two Level 4 Parallel eXceed to build the Overlay Network!"
"Xyz Summon! Traptrix Rafflesia!"
A golden data vortex opened from the Overlay Network, swallowing the two Parallel eXceed. Light flashed as a girl crowned with a big orchid appeared.
She lounged lazily atop a massive flower blossom, strips of bandages clinging to her figure, exuding a listless but irresistible allure, as if drawing her prey in.
[Traptrix Rafflesia] Level 4│ATK 300/DEF 2500
Like the other Xyz Traptrixes, she was unaffected by Trap Cards—so long as she had Xyz Materials.
Morgan summoned her to bolster her field's resistance. While Rafflesia was on the field, all other Traptrix monsters she controlled couldn't be destroyed by battle or card effects, nor could they be targeted by the opponent's effects.
After all, Traptrix monsters generally had low ATK and no protection outside of Trap Cards, making them easy to remove—Rafflesia's protection was thus crucial.
Additionally, Rafflesia could send a "Hole" or "Trap Hole" card from the Deck to the Graveyard, and her effect would become that card's—letting her activate Trap effects the turn they were sent.
However, this required Xyz Materials; once they were gone, Rafflesia's protection vanished, so they had to be used wisely.
"I Set two cards."
After completing her Xyz Summon, Morgan set two cards to the field.
Seeing this, Nina breathed a sigh of relief.
Typically, players only set cards when about to end their turn.
Morgan's monsters' ATK didn't come close to her Gigantic Sargas, so she'd probably do nothing else and end her turn, looking for an opening next turn.
That was Nina's chance to recover—Springans decks could recycle resources well enough for her to set up again.
Suddenly, just as she was feeling hopeful, she saw Morgan flip one of her freshly set Traps.
"I activate my face-down—The Phantom Knights of Shade Brigandine!"
'Huh?'
Nina froze. That card had just been set… how could she use it already?
Honestly, she wondered if she'd been hit by Mischief of the Time Goddess.
But no… this was still Morgan's turn.
Isla was equally surprised; normally, Spells and Traps couldn't be activated on the turn they were set—that was basic Duel rules.
Except when the card itself said otherwise.
Morgan, seeing Nina's confusion, smiled.
"Shade Brigandine's effect is: If you have no Trap Cards in your Graveyard, you can activate it the turn it's set."
"When activated, it becomes a Normal Monster (Warrior/DARK/Level 4/ATK 0/DEF 300) and Special Summons itself in Defense Position."
This card was perfect for Traptrix—it became Level 4, and with its same-turn activation, it served the same purpose as Parallel eXceed: quickly producing Xyz Materials.
Speaking of Rank 4 monsters, Morgan thought of another deck she played often—Utopia. While its boards could be broken easily, it was pure style.
Once Utopia was out in full force, winning or losing didn't matter.
What? How to play Utopia? Easy—just shout "Ya-Hah!" loudly. The louder, the better.
Since she'd activated a Trap, Sera's effect triggered, letting her Special Summon another Traptrix from the Deck.
"I activate Traptrix Sera's effect!"
"If a Normal Trap Card is activated, you can Special Summon 1 Traptrix monster from your Deck whose name isn't on your field."
Since she only had Xyz and Link Traptrix on the field, she could summon any other Traptrix from her Deck.
"I Special Summon Traptrix Mantis in Defense Position from my Deck!"
Another petite, alluring girl appeared, with crimson twin tails and scarlet petal tattoos on her pale thighs.
Mantis's Summon was another key link in the move—not only could she add a Traptrix monster from the Deck to the hand, she could also trigger Sera's second effect to set a Trap directly from the Deck.
And she could serve as Xyz Material—a triple benefit.
"I activate Mantis's effect!"
"When this card is Summoned, add 1 Traptrix monster from your Deck to your hand!"
"I add another Mantis to my hand!"
With Mantis's strong opening effect, Morgan took another copy. Now it was time to use the second Set card—prepared specifically for Mantis's second effect.
This effect returned a Set Spell/Trap to the hand, then let you Set another card.
It might seem pointless, but it triggered Sera's search effect, increasing the number of face-downs on the field.
"I activate Mantis's other effect!"
"Target 1 Set Spell/Trap you control; return it to the hand. Then you can Set 1 Spell/Trap from your hand."
Morgan pulled up her remaining Set card—then put it right back face-down.
Nina was dumbfounded, thinking Morgan was messing with her.
Only Isla saw through it—Morgan never toyed with opponents mid-duel. What seemed pointless was surely part of a bigger move.
And indeed, Isla was right—Morgan immediately used Sera's effect.
"Traptrix Sera's effect!"
"If a Traptrix monster's effect is activated, you can Set 1 'Hole' or 'Trap Hole' Normal Trap directly from your Deck."
Morgan's plan was now clear, and Nina had a bad feeling.
Her research told her Morgan loved Trap Cards—and now every play revolved around them… She suspected Morgan was digging a hole for her.
Too late to stop it.
Morgan shot her a look with the gaze of a victor toward the defeated.
Some people are already dead—they're just buried next turn.
"I Set 'Floodgate Trap Hole' from my Deck."
Morgan openly laid the pitfall in front of Nina, and there was nothing she could do.
Even a top-tier Mermail deck would have to wait a turn before making plays here.
Then came Morgan's final link—using her two remaining monsters for another Xyz Summon.
"I overlay Mantis and Shade Brigandine to build the Overlay Network!"
"Xyz Summon! Traptrix Allomerus!"
Another petite girl appeared. With three charming monsters together, Morgan's field suddenly radiated a rosy allure.
Allomerus had an amusing effect—she could steal monsters from the opponent's Graveyard or banished zone.
In short, send the opponent's monster to the Graveyard with a Trap Hole, then detach a material to Special Summon it to your own field.
Simple, crude, and very satisfying—and Morgan just so happened to have the perfect Trap Hole for it.
"I Set two more cards and end my turn."
Now, Morgan had three menacing face-downs and three dangerously enticing monsters.
Nina pressed her lips together. No matter what trap Morgan had set for her, she'd dive in eyes closed… this duel wasn't without stakes.
Feeling the immense pressure, Nina's eyes grew moist. She might be the boss to others, but she was still a youngster, and Morgan's relentless opening was overwhelming.
Still, Nina didn't give up—she believed in her Deck.
"My turn—draw!"
…
TL: Love Traptrix! Anyways, a note: Traptrix Mantis' effect to add from the deck only activates when it's Normal Summoned. However, you may consider that as an official version, and this Mantis, an exclusive alt version from this world.
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