Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

"And that's exactly what happened... With this power, I successfully escaped from that hell, returned to this world, and was reborn!"

"Once you've experienced this feeling, you'll never feel disgusted by Dark Duelists again!"

After saying this, Titan stopped talking and patiently waited for Asuka's reply.

Having personally experienced the exhilarating feeling of being brought back from the dead, he believed that Asuka would never refuse such a wonderful proposal.

Come join our Seven Stars camp and become the new King of the Seven Stars!

“Pathetic fellow… that’s not your power at all.” Upon hearing Titan’s confession, Yusei’s face showed a look of sudden realization.

It turns out that Titan voluntarily became a member of the Seven Stars and joined the dark side in order to escape from that world!

No wonder he was able to escape from that alternate dimension; he used the power of dark artifacts!

“I understand what you’re saying… but that has nothing to do with me becoming a Dark Duelist.” Shaking her head and denying Titan’s words, Asuka continued, “Building a deck using my own rationality, and then engaging in duels that push my intelligence to the limit—that’s the path I want to take!”

"Hmph! Is your brother like that?"

Hearing Asuka's righteous and awe-inspiring speech, Titan, who felt disdain from the bottom of his heart, glanced at Tenjouin Fubuki, who was being supported by Caesar, and revealed a mocking smile: "Isn't that guy just like me, who became a duelist in order to gain power?"

"Your brother is different from yours!"

With a sudden wave of her hand, Asuka, whose sore spot had been hit, let out a rebuttal shout.

Tenjouin Fubuki's memories have not yet returned, so Asuka has no way of knowing about his past experiences.

But... she believed in her brother, and believed that he could never be the kind of person who would willingly degenerate for the sake of power!

How could the guiding star that once led him forward, the Snow Prince who was as famous as Caesar, possibly be in cahoots with such a despicable creature as the Titan?

"Fubuki, tell Asuka your true thoughts!" Yusei placed his hand on Fubuki's shoulder and suggested, "Just as Asuka wants to help you, please become her strength! Hearing your voice, Asuka will do everything she can to win this duel!"

“Yusei…” Looking at the boy who was staring intently at her, Tenjōin Fubuki’s face showed a look of realization.

Unbeknownst to herself, Asuka had gathered so many companions around her.

The little girl who always followed behind her has now grown into a beautiful young woman.

Although I cannot clearly recall my past memories, these things imprinted deep in my soul are something that no seal can completely seal away!

“Asuka… Asuka… Asuka…” Nodding sharply, Tenjouin Fubuki released Caesar’s support and struggled to sit up, shouting encouragement to the girl standing alone in the dueling arena: “Go for it… Asuka… Don’t lose to… Titan… Don’t lose to… Dark Duel!”

"elder brother?"

"Asuka...you must come back...back to our side..." With her body taut, Tenjouin Fubuki finished speaking her last words, then squatted down and fell into a brief state of rest.

He was still a patient, and just saying those words had almost used up all his strength.

"Brother...I...won't lose!"

Encouraged by Fubuki Tenjōin, Asuka, now more determined, reached out and took out another card she had previously received from Yusei from her hand.

That's exactly the card best suited for this situation—[Infinite Impermanence]!

-

【Infinite Bubbles】

(Trap Card)

effect:

If you have no cards on your field, you can activate this card from your hand.

You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; negate that monster's effects until the end of the turn.

If this card is set face-down and activated, negate the effects of other Spell/Trap Cards in the same column as this card during this turn.

-

Activating her Trap Cards directly, Asuka pointed at the Ritual Monster on the field: "I activate the Trap Card 'Infinite Imperfection' from my hand to negate the effect of 'Demon Bullfighter' on your field until the end of this turn!"

The image on the Trap Card is of Cyber ​​Dragon Infinite, struck by lightning.

Just as it was about to activate its effect, it seemed to have been struck by divine punishment and lost the ability to resist.

Considering the card's name, in a sense, it can be considered the nemesis of one of Caesar's trump cards—[Cyber ​​Dragon Infinite]!

With this hand trap, Asuka, even when in a situation where she goes second, will no longer be able to passively watch her opponent unfold their moves without being able to put up any resistance!

"What?! Activating a trap card from her hand?" Titan's mouth gaped open involuntarily as he watched Asuka's mesmerizing maneuver.

Where are the monsters? Don't you summon any monsters?

And...aren't trap cards supposed to be set face-down on the field for one turn before they can be activated? What's the point of activating a trap card directly from your hand?

"The card 【Infinite Impermanence】 can be activated directly from my hand when I have no other cards on my field." He answered Titan's question calmly.

Asuka, who had already seen the dawn of victory, was filled with strong confidence.

"This is... just like the [Red Reboot] card that Caesar used before, a special trap card whose effect can be activated directly from the hand!"

"Why...did Asuka not activate this card's effect earlier?"

"Huh? What's the point of activating it before? What's the significance of negating Titan's monster last turn?"

"I think... this card must have been drawn by Asuka this turn, right? That's why she showed that knowing smile the moment she drew the card."

Everyone analyzed the situation on the field, and Yusei also had a new perspective on Asuka's next move.

Titan's back row was completely wiped out, and the monster with 0 attack power that seemed to have a terrifying effect was also sealed by the effect of [Infinite Bubble].

Titan's self-proclaimed invincible finale was reduced to nothingness by Asuka's magic card and trap card...

Now, he is like a lamb to the slaughter, and can only hope that Asuka won't summon a monster with attack power higher than his health.

"Spell Card [Fusion] activated! I send [Cyber ​​Star] and [Blade Skate] from my hand to the Graveyard to perform a Fusion Summon!"

"Varied……?!"

As Asuka placed her three cards into the graveyard one by one, Titan's eyelids, hidden beneath his mask, twitched suddenly.

Integration...represents infinite possibilities.

The being born from that vortex could very well deliver a fatal blow to him.

"...Come forth! [Electronic Ice Blade Hand] (Attack Power 2100)!"

-

【Electronic Ice Skate Player】

(Warrior/Earth/7-star/Attack 2100/Defense 800)

Effect/Fusion: "Blade Skate" + "Cyber ​​Star"

This card cannot be Fusion Summoned without the cards mentioned above.

The number of monsters your opponent controls grants this card the following effect.

●1: This card cannot be destroyed by battle.

●2 units: This card's attack power becomes doubled.

●3 cards: Negate the effects of cards activated by the opponent.

-

A graceful figure skater, spinning like a ballerina, appeared before everyone as Asuka's words faded.

This fusion monster, which appeared during Asuka and Yusei's duel in the "night intrusion into the girls' dormitory" incident at the beginning of the school year, has finally made its presence felt again after a long time, and was fused and summoned by Asuka.

Compared to the "Ice Barrier Dragon Trident Dragon," which has the effect of banishing one card from the hand, field, and graveyard respectively, this monster, which is equivalent to Jaden Yuki's "Elemental HERO Flame Wingman" for Asuka, is more suitable for the current situation.

400 The Truth (Bonus Chapter of 4000 Words)

"Attack power of 2100? Ha... For me, that's a completely insignificant attack!"

Seeing the monster Asuka summoned through fusion, the [Cyber ​​Ice Blade Hand] with an attack power of 2100... Titan's previously anxious heart finally settled down.

He can withstand a mere 2100 points of damage!

Even if it involves the true damage from the Dark Duel, it will still be far better than the pain I endured in the other world.

After enduring this pain, it will be his turn to fight back in his next round!

Then... darkness will descend once more!

Asuka will also be drawn into his dark camp, becoming a member of the Seven Star Kings like her brother, standing in opposition to these former comrades.

Asuka: "A true star uses their own light to illuminate the stage, and then continues to Butoh..."

Titan: "Hehehe... What can a star with only 2100 attack power do to me? Even if I take this attack head-on, it won't pose any serious threat to me!"

Asuka: "Oh? If 2100 isn't enough, how about this?"

Titan: "...What?"

Asuka: "The effect of [Cyber ​​Ice Blade] will change depending on the number of monsters your opponent controls. If you have two monsters on your field, her ATK will be doubled!"

As Asuka finished speaking, a white flame gradually appeared on the surface of the [Electronic Ice Blade Hand]'s body.

With this power boost, her attack power skyrocketed from 2100 to 4200 points!

(【Electronic Ice Blade Hand】Attack Power: 2100→4200)

The bonus from this effect is not double the original attack power, but rather double the current attack power!

In other words, Asuka could perform a second operation to further enhance the attack power of the [Electronic Ice Blade Hand]!

For example, just like before, equip her with the Equip Spell Card for Fusion Monsters of 6 stars or lower – [Fusion Weapon] – to increase her ATK by 1500!

However... against the [Demon Bullfighter] with an attack power of 0, an attack power of 2100, which is twice the value, is already enough.

Titan's health is 4000, but after receiving the doubled effect, the [Electronic Ice Blade]'s attack power also increases to 4200!

"Attack power...it's actually...4200 points!!!"

Seeing the [Electronic Ice Blade Hand]'s attack power increase exponentially, Titan could no longer maintain his composure and began to scream uncontrollably.

If there are still monsters on his field that haven't been negated or destroyed by previous Spell/Trap Cards, then he doesn't need to worry about this problem at all.