NOVEL NEXT Chapter 54: TST [54]
Morgan looked at the card she drew and placed it on her Duel Disk without even glancing at it. She had Trickstar's chain combos committed to muscle memory.
"I activate the Field Spell from my hand, [Trickstar Light Stage]!"
Just like in any duel, only one Field Spell could exist at a time. The newly activated card would replace the previous one.
"What?!"
The fleshy gates behind Alban crumbled into stone and collapsed, while dazzling lights lit up the shadowy Duel Field.
The ground beneath them transformed into a radiant stage—the very battleground of the Trickstars.
"When [Trickstar Light Stage] is activated, I can add 1 [Trickstar] monster from my Deck to my hand."
As she spoke, a card ejected from her Duel Disk—a top-of-the-line model awarded to the top scorer of the midterm exam, far better than standard ones.
"I add [Trickstar Lycoris] to my hand!"
Now, with [Trickstar Candina] already in hand, the chain could begin.
"I Normal Summon [Trickstar Candina] in Attack Position!"
A cute girl dressed in a yellow stage costume appeared on the field, wielding a megaphone.
"When this card is Normal Summoned, I can add 1 [Trickstar] card from my Deck to my hand."
This effect was the basic ignition point of the Trickstar chain.
Abruptly, at that moment, Alban immediately activated his face-down card.
He hadn't watched many of Morgan's duels, but his instincts told him this was the moment to interrupt her play.
"In response, I activate my set card: [Dark World Punishment]!"
"When a monster is Normal or Special Summoned, negate the summon and destroy it. Then, discard 1 Fiend monster from your hand."
Alban pointed at her field. "I destroy your [Trickstar Candina]!"
Morgan was a little surprised at his readiness, but it wouldn't stop her chain. In fact, he had just handed her a critical link: chain count.
With that in mind, Morgan activated the effect of a monster in her hand.
"I activate the effect of [Trickstar Lycoris] from my hand!"
"Reveal this card in your hand, then target 1 face-up [Trickstar] monster you control, except [Trickstar Lycoris]; return it to the hand, and if you do, Special Summon this card."
She held the card up with two fingers and called out:
"I return [Trickstar Candina] to my hand to Special Summon [Trickstar Lycoris] in Attack Position!"
Lycoris, now dressed in a red stage outfit and wielding a sword, appeared on the field.
"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell from my hand: [Dark Room of Nightmare]!"
"Each time you inflict effect damage to your opponent (except during the Damage Step), inflict 300 more damage."
This was a powerful generic support card for the Trickstar strategy, enhancing every burn effect—like an endlessly reloading revolver.
So far, with Alban's Trap activation, three cards had been chained.
That was just enough for Morgan to trigger one more card she'd been waiting to play—a key part of her swarm.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell: [Chain Summon]!"
"Can only be activated if this is Chain Link 3 or higher. This turn, I can conduct 3 Normal Summons."
"What?!"
Alban's face twisted. According to the chain resolution order, [Trickstar Candina] would return to Morgan's hand before [Dark World Punishment] could resolve, nullifying its destruction effect.
And with [Chain Summon] now active, Morgan could repeatedly use Candina's search effect.
Worse yet, with no set cards left on his field, he had no way to stop her.
The chain resolved. [Trickstar Candina] returned to Morgan's hand.
Just as Alban feared, Morgan Normal Summoned Candina again, searched for another [Trickstar Lycoris], and continued the loop.
Eventually, she had three [Trickstar Lycoris] on the field. Only then did her cycle of plays come to a halt.
Instead of pressing further, she set two cards and ended her turn.
"I set two cards. Turn end."
Alban exhaled in relief. As long as [Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World] stayed on the field, he still had a chance.
Next turn, he would wipe out all her monsters and make her taste the torment of the electric shocks.
He grinned wickedly.
No duelist could fight properly after getting shocked. All he needed was to deal damage, and victory would be his.
"Hahaha! You're finished! My turn, draw!"
BZZZZZT—
The instant Alban drew a card, a massive surge of electricity coursed through his body, tearing through every nerve and muscle.
Blindsided by the jolt, his vision went black.
"AAAGHHH—!!"
...
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