Responses to Reviews
Thank you to HunterHQ, guardian of the aura Aurasoul, sanedimentio, Unnamed, Guest, Unknown, D3lph0xL0v3r, Hakai, electriuser, Portal, Fire Dragon, Lightning, savagemaster1999, Noobmaster, ThePLOThand, Ethan Kironus, SakushiRyu, DivadX, Guest, yuman28, Lindia Fullmoon, and Zero Shadow-01 for reviewing Chapter 45.
HunterHQ: Spiritcode Talker is meant to represent Yusaku's bond with Yasutake and is thus a Code Talker counterpart to Rapid Revolutionary. That's why it has guns.
Guest: I'm pretty sure Yusaku still has the original Firewall.
Fire Dragon: No.
Ethan Kironus: Amakusa Shiro was from Fate/Apocrypha, but he was also a Japanese Catholic from the 17th century.
And now, please enjoy Chapter 46!
Chapter 46: Gunwoman's Hunt
Masako looked around the corner and frowned. "You're sure this is the place, Tagoma?"
Tagoma, who was standing next to Masako while leaning against the side of the warehouse, rolled his eyes. "As sure as I can be, little girl. I may be good, but I'm still nowhere near that Junpei guy or whoever Playmaker has helping him."
Masako turned back and frowned at him. "That doesn't instill a lot of confidence, old man."
"Old man? I'm in my thirties."
"And I'm sixteen; anyone over twenty-five is old to me."
The man scowled. "Why did I agree to put up with you again?"
"Because you love me, and you know it."
Tagoma sighed as Masako smirked. Then she turned around to look back at the warehouse they were staking out. "Seriously though, are you sure? We missed him the last four times."
Tagoma nodded as the light mood turned serious. "One of my contacts spotted Kamakura in this area, or at least someone with an identical scar. Another got word of several parts being delivered to this warehouse. No idea what the parts were for, but knowing him…"
Masako scowled as Tagoma trailed off. He didn't need to suggest anything. Issei Kamakura was chaotic and unpredictable; he could be using those parts to build a bomb, or a new hacker lab, or anything in-between. It was one of the most frustrating things about chasing after Issei; even after all this time, Masako still couldn't understand his thought process.
There was a not insignificant part of her that was very glad she didn't understand him.
Three months ago, Masako and Tagoma had left Den City to chase after Issei Kamakura, or as he now called himself, Thaumiel. Picking up his trail had been difficult, but they had managed to track him to Sapporo in Hokkaido before he evaded them again. From there, it had been a game of cat and mouse as Masako and Tagoma chased Issei across Japan. From Sapporo to Nagoya to Hiroshima to Kyoto – where, to Tagoma's amusement and Masako's chagrin, they found out that Masako was banned from several clubs. And now, finally, they had tracked him here to Tokyo. Specifically, Warehouse G339, a privately-owned warehouse in the Port of Tokyo.
Perhaps Masako should have contacted the police. After all, Issei was a known terrorist whose actions had killed scores of people two years ago in Osaka, not to mention all the damage he'd done to corporations before that. But this whole thing with Issei was personal to her, and she wouldn't let anyone else catch him.
That, and if she did involve the police, his friends in high places, whoever they were, would likely impede the investigation or keep it from even starting in the first place.
In addition to hunting Thaumiel, Masako and Tagoma had also looked at the prison he was supposed to be held at. After nearly a month of careful hacking, they had found out how Issei had escaped; he hadn't. Someone had arranged for Issei to be transferred to a little-known prison on a small island far out in the Pacific Ocean. Officially, Issei Kamakura was being held at that island prison. But the duo hunting him knew the truth; that the transfer had been a smokescreen to get him out.
The real question Masako kept turning over in her head was who had done it. Issei was a national terrorist and probably one of the most wanted people in Japan. Even the Knights of Hanoi didn't come close to his record, if only because their actions hadn't actually killed anyone. For someone to be able to arrange a transfer as an excuse to get Issei out of prison… Whoever they were, they were definitely powerful. And Tagoma had been unable to find anything regarding that person.
"Whatever Issei's building, we'll put a stop to it," Masako said. "I'm tired of this cat-and-mouse game."
Tagoma smirked. "Looking forward to emailing your boyfriend?"
Masako rolled her eyes. "He isn't my boyfriend. But yeah. It will be nice to talk to him again."
That had been another annoyance she'd encountered in this hunt. For the first two weeks after leaving Den City, she'd been messaging Yasutake Narahiko. However, after Issei evaded them in Sapporo, she and Tagoma found out that her account had been hacked and had been broadcasting her location whenever she sent or received a message. To counter this, Masako had logged out of her account and had stayed logged out over the last two-and-a-half months. It had been upsetting that she couldn't tell Yasutake about her reason for lack of contact, but it was a small sacrifice to pay for shortening Thaumiel's lead.
Masako looked over the warehouse again. "No security cameras. At least none that I can see."
"He probably didn't want to draw attention to himself," Tagoma reasoned. "Installing security cameras would have done that. You got that thing I bought?"
"Yeah, I got it." Masako pulled the taser Tagoma gave her out of her back pocket. Given what happened in Osaka, he had insisted she start carrying a weapon for this hunt. She'd practiced enough with it that she was reasonably confident she could use it. "What about you?"
"Yeah, I'm good." Tagoma shifted his jacket to show the handle of the gun he carried. Tagoma had gotten a license to carry when he was younger, and while it was pretty difficult for anyone not in the military to get a gun legally in Japan, he'd managed. "Now let's get the bastard."
The duo kept to the edges of the warehouse and approached a side door, where Tagoma picked the lock. Opening it as noiselessly as possible, the two snuck into the building.
The warehouse's interior was lit by numerous overhead lights and filled with crates. Masako and Tagoma wove through them silently, ears pricked to hear the slightest noise. But they had yet to hear anything resembling movement except their own.
After casing the walls, they reached the center of the warehouse, were a portable table had been set up. A laptop sat atop it, along with another device.
Tagoma scowled. "Damn it," he muttered. "He must have skedaddled before we got here."
"Must have been recent if he left his laptop here," Masako noted. "Think you'll be able to find anything on it?"
"Probably, but…" Tagoma frowned at the other item on the table. "The hell is that?"
Masako frowned as well. "I don't know." The small machine was an antenna attached to a node. A blue light blipped at the tip of the antenna and a single red eye was on the node's base. "A receiver of some kind?"
"Looks more like something used to send a signal than receive it."
BEEP
The duo blinked as the blue light turned permanent and started pulsing. "What the-?" Tagoma pulled out his gun but he was too late. The light turned blinding and engulfed the two as they covered their eyes.
When the light faded, Masako uncovered her eyes and gasped. "Tagoma, we're…"
Tagoma opened his own eyes and blinked before looking around. "Oh hell."
The two of them were in a datascape, with blue squares going as far as the eye could see. Looking down, Masako saw that her appearance had changed to that of Lilith. The only change to Tagoma's look was the black cloak that covered his shoulders.
"What in the world was that machine?" Lilith wondered aloud.
"A Virtual Reality Inducer."
The duo tensed and spun around, with Lilith pulling both pistols out of their holsters. The person they turned to face chuckled at their reactions.
Thaumiel's appearance hadn't changed. He still wore the long white robes with purple lines along with golden boots and gloves. But he wasn't wearing the mask and he'd pulled the hood down, allowing them to see his pale face, black hair, and the long scar that crossed the left side of his face.
BANG-BANG
Thaumiel smirked as a defensive shield blocked Lilith's shots. "You've learned to shoot first, Masako. A pity I anticipated that."
"What did you do, Issei?" Lilith asked, her voice low.
The man chuckled. "I did nothing. Except send the signal to activate my little toy." He pointed to the side as a screen popped up. It showed the warehouse, where Masako's and Tagoma's bodies were wrapped in blue light. "Did you like it? As I said, it's called a Virtual Reality Inducer. It forces everyone within its range into a VR space. This one, to be exact."
"Why the hell would you make something like that?" Tagoma grumbled.
Thaumiel frowned in thought. "…Fun? Do I really need a reason?"
Lilith grit her teeth. "Where are you, Thaumiel?"
"Oh, I'm afraid I'm rather far away from you right now," he answered blithely. "Though you did catch up to me faster than I expected, so good job on that. Didn't keep you from walking into my trap."
Tagoma reached down to the black Duel Disk on his wrist and pressed a button. When nothing happened, he scowled. "I can't log out. Something's blocking us."
"That would be them."
Tagoma whirled back around as Thaumiel pointed behind them. Lilith shifted so that she kept one eye on Thaumiel and the other on the new arrivals.
She raised an eyebrow. "AI duelists?"
The two machines resembled the SOL AIs that Kitamura had used against the Knights of Hanoi, but their color schemes were different. Both had primarily white bodies, but one had purple shoulders with gold lining while the other had gold shoulders with purple lining.
"Do you like them?" Thaumiel asked snidely. "I took the liberty of copying Terminus's data on AI duelists that he stole from SOL Technologies and giving them a few upgrades. I call them Nahema and Adramelech."
Lilith growled. "What is it with you and demons?"
Thaumiel chortled. "Anyway, if you want out, you're going to have to defeat those two. Of course, if you lose, your consciousness data will be stuck in that VR inducer for all eternity." His smug smirk turned into a vicious leer. "So have fun you two. I have something else I need to attend to." He logged out, leaving the two alone with the AIs.
The two AI duelists circled the two hunters until they were across from each other, with the duo in the middle.
Lilith grit her teeth. "Looks like we don't have a choice here."
"No, we don't." Tagoma smirked. "Well, it's been a while since I've dueled. Hope I haven't gotten rusty."
"You'll do fine, old man," Lilith said, readying her own Duel Disk as she faced Nahema. Tagoma lifted his arm as he opposed Adramelech.
"Due!"
Lilith: 4000 LP
Nahema: 4000 LP
Tagoma: 4000 LP
Adramelech: 4000 LP
"I shall take the first turn," Nahema said. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Evil Eye Domain – Pareidolia. When this card is activated, I can add an 'Evil Eye' monster from my Deck to my hand. In addition, once per turn. when my 'Evil Eye' monster equipped with Evil Eye of Selene is attacked, you take the battle damage as well."
Lilith raised an eyebrow. Evil Eye? I've never heard of this archetype.
"I summon Serziel, Watcher of the Evil Eye." A fair-skinned white-haired man wearing red and purple robes with several yellow eyes on its body appeared.
Serziel, Watcher of the Evil Eye ATK 1600 DEF 1400 LVL: 4
"Serziel's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add one 'Evil Eye' card from my Deck to my hand." It took a card, then played a different one. "As I control an 'Evil Eye' monster, I can Special Summon Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye." A blue and black serpent appeared in Attack Position and hissed at Lilith.
Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye ATK 400 DEF 2000 LVL: 3
"Basilius's monster effect! Once per turn, I can send one 'Evil Eye' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send Evil Eye of Gorgoneio to the Graveyard." Nahema raised its right hand. "Circuit open! The summoning conditions are two monsters, one of which must be an 'Evil Eye' monster. I set Basilius and Serziel in the Link Markers!" Its monsters entered the top and bottom arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-2! Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed!" A white-haired monster wearing a black and purple dress covered by white and red armor emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone. A white mechanical device covered her left eye with a red lens.
Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 1900 LINK-2 ↑↓
"Gorgon gains 100 attack points for each 'Evil Eye' card with a different name in my Graveyard. There are three 'Evil Eye' cards, so Gorgon gains 300 attack points."
Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 1900→2200
"I activate the Equip Spell Card: Evil Eye of Selene and equip it to Gorgon." Another device, this one red and silver, covered Gorgon's right eye. "While Evil Eye of Selene is equipped, Gorgon cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and Gorgon cannot be targeted by your card effects. I Set two cards. I end my turn."
Lilith frowned. A solid setup for a first turn, she thought.
"It is my turn!" Adramelech declared as it faced Tagoma. "I activate the Field Spell Card: Void Expansion. During my Standby Phase, this card lets me Special Summon one Infernoid Token."
Tagoma grit his teeth. "Infernoid," he muttered. "Great."
"I activate the Spell Card: Reasoning. When this card is activated, you declare a Level. I then excavate cards from the top of my Deck until I find a monster that can be Normal Summoned or Set. If that monster is the same Level you declared, it and all other cards are sent to the Graveyard. If it is not, then that monster is added to my hand, and all other cards go to the Graveyard."
The AI duelist's opponent narrowed his eyes. "I declare Level 4."
"The first card I excavate is Infernoid Antra. Antra cannot be Normal Summoned or Set, therefore I continue drawing. The second card is Infernoid Seitsemas, which cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. The third card is Infernoid Harmadik, which cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. The fourth card is Foolish Burial, which is a Spell Card. The fifth card is Eye of the Void, a Trap Card. The sixth card is Electromagnetic Turtle, which can be Normal Summoned. However, it is Level 4, so it is sent to the Graveyard with my other cards."
Tagoma grit his teeth again. Great. Not only did it get a lot of material in the Graveyard, but it also has Electromagnetic Turtle. That monster could end the Battle Phase just by banishing itself. This won't be easy.
"I summon Infernoid Decatron." A purple fiendish machine with vials attached to its head, sides, and chin appeared.
Infernoid Decatron ATK 500 DEF 200 LVL: 1
"Decatron's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can send an 'Infernoid' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, then increase Decatron's Level by that monster's Level. I send the Level 5 Infernoid Piaty to the Graveyard." Decatron glowed as its Level changed.
Infernoid Decatron LVL: 1→6
"Since Seitsemas is in my Graveyard and the total Levels of all Effect Monsters I control are 8 or lower, I can Special Summon it by banishing two 'Infernoid' monsters from my hand or Graveyard," Adramelech continued. "But since Void Expansion is on the field, I can also banish 'Infernoid' monsters I control. I banish Decatron from my field and Antra from my Graveyard to Special Summon Infernoid Seitsemas!" A mechanical red and black bipedal demonic dragon appeared and spread its wings. It swung a staff in its right hand as it was summoned in Attack Position.
Infernoid Seitsemas ATK 2600 DEF 0 LVL: 7
"I Set one card. I end my turn."
Lilith looked over her shoulder and smirked. "Well you're in a pickle, old man," she said teasingly. "Infernoids have a lot of power. And some nasty effects."
"True enough," Tagoma chuckled before glancing over his own shoulder. "Your situation is just as bad, though; if Kamakura programmed these things, then they probably know your Deck pretty well."
"Probably," Lilith agreed. "I guess I'll just have to work around whatever counters it has planned. My turn! Draw! I summon Magical Musketeer Starfire!" A veiled woman wearing a dress consisting of a black top and a blue-and-white skirt appeared.
Magical Musketeer Starfire ATK 1300 DEF 1700 LVL: 4
"Magical Musketeer Starfire's effect allows Lilith to use 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards from her hand," Nahema said. "And if a Spell or Trap Card is activated in Starfire's column, Lilith can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster from her Deck in Defense Position."
"So Thaumiel did give you data on my Deck," Lilith noted.
"Gorgon's monster effect!" Nahema declared. "When Gorgon is equipped with Evil Eye of Selene, I can negate the effects of one monster you control until the end of the turn!"
Lilith's eyes widened. "What?"
"I negate Starfire's effects." The lenses covering Gorgon's eyes glowed and made Starfire dim. "The effect of the equipped Evil Eye of Selene now activates. When the equipped monster activates its effect, it gains 500 attack points and I lose 500 LP."
Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 2200→2700
Nahema: 4000→3500 LP
Lilith grit her teeth. "So this is its strategy," she muttered. "Its monsters can activate effects while equipped, and that same Equip Spell strengthens its monsters. Though it does come with a cost." Her grimace turned into a smirk. "I guess I'll just have to adapt. Appear, the circuit of the devil's bullet! The summoning condition is one Level 8 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster. I set Starfire in the Link Marker!" Her monster entered the bottom arrow. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-1! Magical Musketeer Max!" A man wearing black leather clothes wielding a golden machine gun emerged from the Link portal at the Extra Monster Zone.
Magical Musketeer Max ATK 1000 LINK-1 ↓
"Max's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, I can activate one of two effects. I activate the second one, which lets me Special Summon 'Magical Musketeer' monsters from my Deck, up to the number of Spell and Trap Cards you control. I Special Summon Magical Musketeer Caspar and Magical Musketeer Calamity!" A red-haired woman wearing a tight leather outfit and carrying a missile launcher appeared in Attack Position, as well as a blonde young man wielding two pistols in Defense Position.
Magical Musketeer Calamity ATK 1500 DEF 1300 LVL: 4
Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 3
"Trap activate!" Nahema declared. "Evil Eye Defeat! As I control an 'Evil Eye' monster and Evil Eye of Selene is in my Spell & Trap Zone, I can return up to two monsters on the field to the owners' hands."
Lilith's eyes widened. "What?"
"I return Caspar and Calamity to your hand." Lilith's two monsters disintegrated as two cards appeared in her hand. "Since there is another 'Evil Eye' card in my Graveyard, Gorgon gains 100 attack points. And as I activated an 'Evil Eye' Spell or Trap Card, Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates."
Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 2700→2800→3300
Nahema: 3500→3000 LP
Lilith growled. "Even without my monsters, Max's effect lets me activate 'Magical Musket' Spell and Trap Cards from my hand. I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Magical Musket – Crooked Crown!"
"That is pointless," Nahema said. "Counter Trap activate! Evil Eye Retribution! As you activated a Spell or Trap Card while I control an 'Evil Eye' monster, the activation of that card is negated, and it is destroyed. And as Evil Eye of Selene is in my Spell & Trap Zone, Evil Eye Retribution's activation and effect cannot be negated."
Lilith scowled as her Trap Card shattered. "A card that negates Spell and Trap Cards, negating my monsters' effects, and returning monsters to my hand." She smirked at the machine. "Not bad."
"As another 'Evil Eye' card was sent to the Graveyard, Gorgon gains 100 attack points. In addition, Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates."
Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 3300→3400→3900
Nahema: 3000→2500 LP
"Crooked Crown wasn't the only Trap Card I could use. I activate the Continuous Trap Card Magical Musket – Fiendish Deal from my hand! While Fiendish Deal is active, my 'Magical Musket' monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects. I Set two cards. I end my turn."
I'm not in a good position, Lilith thought. Thaumiel probably chose this Deck and strategy specifically to counter mine. Still, this "Nahema" still lost almost half of its Life Points for Evil Eye of Selene's effect. If I can last this turn, I'll have a chance!
"My turn! Draw!" Tagoma drew and smirked at his card. "I activate the Continuous Spell Card: Pinpoint Landing! When I Special Summon exactly one monster from my hand, Pinpoint Landing lets me draw a card. I summon Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire!" A humanoid rabbit wielding a sword appeared on his field.
Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire ATK 1200 DEF 500 LVL: 3
"The Fur Hire archetype," Adramelech commented. "An archetype that focuses on swarming and activating effects when others of their kind are Special Summoned."
"Seems you did your homework," Tagoma snarked. "Then you should know what's coming next. Beat's monster effect! During my Main Phase, I can Special Summon a monster 'Fur Hire' from my hand. Come, Helmer, Helmsman Fur Hire!" A humanoid aquatic monster with a tail wearing a sailor's outfit appeared in Attack Position.
Helmer, Helmsman Fur Hire ATK 0 DEF 2000 LVL: 3
"Beat's additional effect! Since a monster 'Fur Hire' was Special Summoned, I can add a monster 'Fur Hire' from my Deck to my hand. I'll add Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire. In addition, since I Special Summoned a monster from my hand, Pinpoint Landing's effect lets me draw 1 card!"
He drew, then declared, "Helmer's monster effect! I can Special Summon one monster 'Fur Hire' from my hand. Come, Filo, Messenger Fur Hire!" A yellow bird wearing a blue and white dress appeared in Attack Position.
Filo, Messenger Fur Hire ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1
"Helmer's additional effect! When a monster 'Fur Hire' is Special Summoned, I can discard one card 'Fur Hire' and draw a card." Tagoma discarded then drew. "Filo's monster effect! As with the previous two, I can Special Summon a monster 'Fur Hire' from my hand. Come, Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire!" A female humanoid raven armed with a rifle appeared in Defense Position.
Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire ATK 1200 DEF 2400 LVL: 5
"When Sagitta is Special Summoned, you take 500 damage for each monster 'Fur Hire' I control besides Sagitta. I control three, so you take 1500 damage!" Sagitta fired its rifle at Adramelech, who didn't react.
Adramelech: 4000→2500 LP
"And since a monster 'Fur Hire' was Special Summoned while Filo is on the field, I can Special Summon a monster 'Fur Hire' from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Resurrect, Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire!" A humanoid fennec wearing goggles and wielding a slingshot appeared.
Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire ATK 500 DEF 1000 LVL: 2
"Appear, my circuit for hire! The summoning conditions are three monsters with different Types. I set the Warrior Beat, the Winged-Beast Filo, and the Aqua Helmer in the Link Markers!" The monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!" A humanoid wolf in armor emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone and unsheathed a large katana.
Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
"Donpa's monster effect! Since a monster 'Fur Hire' was Special Summoned, I can target and destroy one face-up card on the field. Say goodbye to Seitsemas!" Donpa shot a rock at the demonic dragon as Adramelech gestured to its field.
"Trap activate!" it declared. "Skill Prisoner! I target Seitsemas for its effect. For the rest of the turn, when a monster effect that targets Seitsemas resolves, that effect is negated!" The rock disintegrated at the AI Duelist's words.
Tagoma frowned. "Well that sucks." His frown deepened. "And this thing can activate that effect from the Graveyard too later on." The frown turned into a smirk. "Still, I have a way around that. Folgo's monster effect! When it is Link Summoned, I can Special Summon a monster 'Fur Hire' from my Deck in Defense Position, so long as it's a different Type than the monsters I used to summon Folgo. I Special Summon the Beast-Warrior Dyna, Hero Fur Hire!" A large and muscular humanoid lion wearing armored pants and gauntlets appeared and roared.
Dyna, Hero Fur Hire ATK 2500 DEF 1400 LVL: 6
"Dyna's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned, I can banish cards from your Graveyard up to the number of different monsters 'Fur Hire' I control. I control four different monsters, so I'll banish Skill Prisoner, Electromagnetic Turtle, Infernoid Harmadik, and Infernoid Piaty from your Graveyard!"
Dyna roared as the cards disappeared. Tagoma's smirk widened. "Since they're banished, you cannot activate Electromagnetic Turtle's effect to negate my attacks, nor can you activate Skill Prisoner on your next turn." His face fell as he continued, "Even so, none of my monsters are strong enough to take on Seitsemas. I Set one card and end my turn."
Even without being able to attack, I'm far from defenseless, Tagoma thought. Dyna's effect prevents this thing from attacking my other monsters 'Fur Hire', while Sagitta keeps it from targeting my other monsters with card effects. Whatever happens, I'm ready.
"My turn! Draw!" Nahema declared. "I summon Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye!" A purple-haired girl wearing black and green clothes appeared.
Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye ATK 1400 DEF 1600 LVL: 4
"Medusa's monster effect! When it is Normal Summoned, I can add an 'Evil Eye' card from my Graveyard to my hand. I return Evil Eye of Gorgoneio to my hand."
Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed ATK 3900→3800
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Evil Eye Confrontation. As I control an 'Evil Eye' monster, I can destroy one Spell or Trap Card you control. And as I have Evil Eye of Selene my Spell & Trap Zone, that card is then banished."
Lilith winced as her Set Negate Attack card was destroyed. "Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates."
Gorgon ATK 3900→4400
Nahema: 2500→2000 LP
Lilith grit her teeth. Gorgon's attack will deal massive damage, then Medusa will finish the job.
"Battle! Gorgon attacks Magical Musketeer Max!" Gorgon's two lenses lit up and fired beams of red energy at Lilith's outlaw while the girl herself gestured to her field.
"I activate my Set Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Cross-Domination!" she declared. "Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, one monster on the field has its attack and defense points turned to 0 and has its effects negated until the end of the turn!"
"While Evil Eye of Selene is equipped to Gorgon, it cannot be targeted by your card effects," Nahema reminded her.
"I know," she replied. "My target will be Medusa!" The girl cried out in pain.
Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye ATK 1400→0 DEF 1600→0
The beams struck Max, destroying him and making Lilith cry out in pain.
Lilith: 4000→600 LP
A beeping noise came out of Nahema's head. "An error has occurred. Opponent has survived the turn. Prepare countermeasures for counterattack. Circuit open! The summoning conditions are two or more 'Evil Eye' monsters. I set Medusa and Link-2 Gorgon in the Link Markers." Its monsters entered the top, bottom-left, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed!" A red-and-gray armored man with large wings emerged from the portal at the right Extra Monster Zone. Giant yellow eyes opened at its knees, right arm, left shoulder, and chest and a red lens covered its right eye.
Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed ATK 2600 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
"As Zerrziel was Link Summoned using a monster that had more than 2600 attack points, it can attack twice during each Battle Phase. I activate the Equip Spell Card: Evil Eye of Gorgoneio and equip it to Zerrziel." A new red lens held in silver appeared, this one on Zerrziel's left eye. "Evil Eye of Gorgoneio's name becomes Evil Eye of Selene while it is in the Spell & Trap Zone. Zerrziel's monster effect! Once per turn, when it is equipped with Evil Eye of Selene, I can target and destroy one card you control. I destroy Fiendish Deal."
Lilith smirked as her card shattered. "Since Fiendish Deal was sent to the Graveyard by your card effect, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand. I'll add Crooked Crown from my Graveyard to my hand."
"I activate the effect of Evil Eye of Selene in my Graveyard," Nahema countered. "I banish Evil Eye Retribution and pay 1000 Life Points to Set Evil Eye of Selene on my field."
Nahema: 2000→1000 LP
"I activate my Set Evil Eye of Selene and equip it to Zerrziel." The lens over Zerrziel's right eye glowed in response to the AI Duelist's words. "I end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!" Adramelech declared. "During my Standby Phase, Void Expansion's effect Special Summons one Infernoid Token to my field." A silver lamp containing rainbow light appeared in Defense Position.
Infernoid Token ATK 0 DEF 0 LVL: 1
"I activate the Spell Card: Cup of Ace. This lets me flip a coin, and depending on the result, one of draws two cards." A coin appeared above Adramelech's hand, which it grasped and then flipped. When the coin landed in its hand, it said, "The result is heads, so I draw two cards."
Tagoma frowned. "Well that sucks. I coulda used some new cards."
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Burial from the Different Dimension. This lets me return up to three banished monsters to the Graveyard. I return Electromagnetic Turtle, Harmadik, and Piaty to my Graveyard. Now, by banishing Infernoid Token and Seitsemas from my field, along with Piaty from the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Infernoid Onuncu!" Adramelech's two monsters vanished, and in their pace, a massive red mechanical serpentine dragon with spread wings appeared and roared in Attack Position.
Infenroid Onuncu ATK 3000 DEF 3000 LVL: 10
"Onuncu's monster effect! When it is Special Summoned, all other monsters on the field are destroyed!"
Tagoma blinked. "Are you kidding me?!"
Onuncu breathed blue fire at Tagoma's field, destroying Donpa, Dyna, Folgo, and Sagitta. Tagoma grit his teeth as he shielded his eyes. Since the effect didn't target, Sagitta's effect was useless.
Even so… Tagoma's frown turned into a smirk. "It's not that easy!" he declared. "Continuous Trap activate! Training Fur Hire, Fur All Your Training Needs! Since my monster 'Fur Hire' was destroyed by your card effect, I can target one of my destroyed monsters and Special Summon a monster 'Fur Hire' from my Deck whose Level is lower than that monster's. I target Dyna and Special Summon Seal, Strategist Fur Hire!" A humanoid goat with a long mustache wearing robes appeared in Defense Position.
Seal, Strategist Fur Hire ATK 1600 DEF 1000 LVL: 4
"You're not beating me with that thing," Tagoma said derisively.
"I activate the Spell Card: Void Fusion," Adramelech replied. The card showed Onuncu and Infernoid Devyaty, colored blue and red respectively, swirling together. "This card lets me Fusion Summon 1 'Infernoid' Fusion Monster using monsters from my hand or field as material. However, as there is a Level 8 or higher 'Infernoid' monster on the field, I can also banish up to three monsters from my Deck as materials."
Tagoma's eyes widened. "You're Fusion Summoning from the Deck?!"
"I banish another Onuncu, Infernoid Devyaty, and Infernoid Pirmais from my Deck to perform a Fusion Summon!" Said monsters – a second copy of the serpentine dragon, another large mechanical dragon with purple armor instead of red, and a fiend made of scrap metal – appeared before disintegrating into red, blue, and green particles that swirled together into a vortex. Red, blue, and green tornados shot upward before merging into a single violet storm. "Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 11! Infernoid Tierra!" A massive mechanical serpentine dragon covered in black plates emerged from the whirlwind and roared from the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Infernoid Tierra ATK 3400 DEF 3600 LVL: 11
Tagoma grit his teeth. "Damn it. This isn't gonna be fun."
"Tierra's monster effect! When it is Fusion Summoned, I can apply a number of effects depending on the number of Fusion Materials. Since I used three monsters, each of us must send three cards from our Extra Decks to the Graveyard."
Tagoma's expression didn't change as he took another Folgo, Saryuja Skull Dread, and Reprodocus from his Extra Deck to the Graveyard. At the same time, Adramelech sent another Tierra and two copies of Duelitte Chimera to the Graveyard.
"Battle! Onuncu attacks Seal!" Onuncu blasted the old goat with blue flames, destroying it and making Tagoma wince. "Tierra now attacks you directly!" Tierra gathered black energy in its maw, which it launched at Tagoma. The man cried out as he was knocked off his feet and landed painfully on his back.
Tagoma: 4000→600 LP
"I end my turn."
"You alright, old man?"
Tagoma looked up at the smirking Lilith and smirked right back. "Yeah, I'm good. Just a little winded is all."
Lilith watched her guardian stand back up. "I hear you. I think it's about time we ended these duels, don't you?"
"Agreed. Let's stop messing around."
The duo placed their hands on their Duel Disks. ""My turn! Draw!""
Lilith looked at her card, then chose another. "I summon Caspar!" The blonde man armed with two handguns reappeared.
Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 3
"Zerrziel's monster effect!" Nahema declared. "I activate its effect to destroy Caspar!" Lilith winced as her monster disintegrated. "Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates."
Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed ATK 2600→3100
Nahema: 1000→500 LP
"As my Life Points are now lower than yours, Evil Eye of Gorgoneio's effect increases Zerrziel's attack points by the difference."
Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed ATK 3100→3200
Lilith frowned. "Even if I summon a monster stronger than Zerrziel, his Field Spell will also inflict the damage to me. So I need to get rid of it." She smirked. "In that case, I activate the Field Spell Card: Magical Musket Showdown!" The card showed a Wild West town at sundown, with Caspar and Zakiel facing off on either end of the town. "When Magical Musket Showdown is activated, I can add a 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand. In addition, it lets me Normal Summon one 'Magical Musket' monster in addition to my previous Normal Summon. Come, Magical Musketeer Calamity!" The red-haired woman armed with a missile launcher reappeared and winked at Nahema.
Magical Musketeer Calamity ATK 1500 DEF 1300 LVL: 4
"Calamity's effect lets me activate 'Magical Musket' Spell or Trap Cards from my hand. I activate the Continuous Trap Card: Magical Musket – Crooked Crown! Since a Spell or Trap Card was activated in Calamity's column, I can Special Summon a 'Magical Musket' monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position. Resurrect, Caspar!" The blonde man reappeared again.
Magical Musketeer Caspar ATK 1200 DEF 2000 LVL: 3
"I activate Crooked Crown's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a 'Magical Musket' monster from my hand. Come, Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel!" A large man in a trench coat with two red wings wielding two pistols appeared and laughed in Attack Position.
Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel ATK 2500 DEF 2500 LVL: 8
"Appear, the circuit of the devil's bullet! The summoning conditions are three 'Magical Musket' monsters. I set Calamity, Caspar, and Zakiel in the Link Markers!" Her monsters entered the bottom-left, bottom, and bottom-right arrows. "Link Summon! Appear! Link-3! Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar!" A fiendish man wearing a red and gold trench coat emerged from the portal at the Extra Monster Zone. White angelic wings spread from its back while it hefted two pistols.
Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar ATK 3000 LINK-3 ↙↓↘
"I activate the Trap Card: Magical Musket – Desperado from my hand!" Lilith declared. "Since I control a 'Magical Musket' monster, I can destroy one face-up card on the field. I'll destroy Pareidolia!" Nahema's Field Spell shattered. "Ottokar's monster effect! Since a Spell or Trap Card was activated in the column of a zone it points to, I can banish a Level 4 or lower 'Magical Musket' monster from my Graveyard and activate its effect as Ottokar's! I banish Caspar, whose effect lets me add 1 'Magical Musket' card from my Deck to my hand. I add Magical Musket – Steady Hands to my hand."
"As Pareidolia was destroyed, its effect activates," Nahema said. "I add one 'Evil Eye' monster from my Graveyard to my hand. I add Serziel to my hand."
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Magical Musket – Steady Hands!" Lilith proclaimed. "With this, Ottokar's attack points become double its original attack and defense points!"
Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar ATK 3000→6000
"Battle! Ottokar attacks Zerrziel!" Ottokar leapt into the air and charged its pistols. "Evil Eye of Selene's effect may prevent Zerrziel's destruction, but it won't prevent the battle damage!" Lilith's monster fired twin yellow beams at Zerrziel. And while the monster survived, the backlash from the attack continued towards Nahema and disintegrated it.
Nahema: 500→0 LP
Lilith sighed. "How troublesome." She turned around and smirked. "Well, well…"
"I summon Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire!" Tagoma declared. Another fennec with a slingshot appeared on his field.
Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire ATK 500 DEF 1000 LVL: 2
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Mayhem Fur Hire! This lets me Special Summon a monster 'Fur Hire' from my Graveyard in Defense Position."
"Onuncu's monster effect!" Adramelech declared. "Since a Spell Card was activated, I Tribute Tierra to negate the activation and banish your card!" The Fusion Monster disintegrated along with Tagoma's Spell Card.
The older man smirked. "I see; you know about Donpa's effect and have no way to counter it, so you stopped me from activating my Spell Card. And the next turn, Onuncu can just attack Donpa. Not a bad move. Too bad it won't matter. I activate the Spell Card: Ayers Rock Sunrise! This lets me Special Summon one Beast monster from my Graveyard! Resurrect, Folgo, Justice Fur Hire!" The humanoid wolf armed with a sword reappeared and howled.
Folgo, Justice Fur Hire ATK 2400 LINK-3 ↙↑↘
"Ayers Rock Sunrise then lowers your monsters' attack points by 200 for each Beast, Plant, and Winged-Beast monster in my Graveyard. There are two, so Onuncu loses 400 attack points!"
Infernoid Onuncu ATK 3000→2600
"But that effect won't matter. Since a monster 'Fur Hire' was Special Summoned, Donpa's effect activates, and I can target and destroy one face-up card on the field. I'll destroy Onuncu!" Donpa launched a rock with its slingshot and shattered the massive dragon.
Tagoma smirked. "Talk about David and Goliath. Now your field is empty. But I still have something to do. Folgo's monster effect! Since your card was destroyed, I can draw a card!" Tagoma drew and smiled. "I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! With this, I'll Special Summon Dyna, Hero Fur Hire!" The humanoid lion reappeared and roared in Attack Position.
Dyna, Hero Fur Hire ATK 2500 DEF 1400 LVL: 6
"Dyna's monster effect! Since it was Special Summoned, I can banish cards from your Graveyard up to the number of different monsters 'Fur Hire' I control. I banish Electromagnetic Turtle, Onuncu, and Tierra from your Graveyard!" Dyna roared and made the cards vanish from Adramelech's Graveyard.
"Battle! Dyna attacks you directly!" Dyna charged forward and punched the AI Duelist, shattering it into a million pieces.
Adramelech: 2500→0 LP
"Well, well." Tagoma turned to look at the smirking girl behind him. "You still got it, old man."
"Like I said, I'm only in my thirties, little girl." He looked at his Duel Disk and nodded. "Looks like we can log out now."
Lilith nodded and pressed her own Duel Disk.
Masako blinked as she and Tagoma returned to the real world. The VR Inducer and laptop were where they had last seen them, though the former had been deactivated.
Tagoma took out his handgun and looked around with a scowl. "Damn it. Kamakura must have fled before we got here."
Masako frowned at the machine in front of her. "He must have been transmitting from somewhere. But why leave a laptop here? Or this machine?"
"The machine was definitely a trap for us," Tagoma said, holstering his gun. "As for the laptop… well, only one way to find out."
Masako nodded as she grabbed the VR Inducer while her guardian took the laptop.
About thirty minutes later, the duo had returned to their hotel room on the edge of Tokyo, where Tagoma got to work on the laptop while Masako decided to look online for any news.
"Well, no wonder he abandoned it," Tagoma muttered. "The drive's been wiped clean. No files or programs, nothing."
"See if you can recover anything," Masako said, frowning to herself. "Ever since we started this, Issei's been approaching this like a game. It wouldn't surprise me if he left that there as a clue to his next location."
Tagoma grunted in acknowledgement. Even so, what is Issei planning to do with something like a VR Inducer? Masako thought. It was definitely a trap, and considering the tech involved, probably a test run, too. But why would he want to draw people into virtual reality?
Her frown deepened. He could use it on a building so that no one can stop him from breaking in and stealing something. But that would require a far greater range than the one that pulled us in. What's your game, Thaumiel?
Looking idly over her tablet, one of the headlines grabbed Masako's interest and she clicked it. On reading it more thoroughly, she stiffened. "Tagoma…"
The bald man looked up at her tone. "What is it?"
She held the tablet out to him so he could see the story. And when he saw what it was, he stiffened as well.
Famous bounty hunter Morningstar defeated by unknown assailant
The story continued by identifying the one responsible as a man with the ID Zahhak, and that he wore black and red armor head-to-toe. And that he won using a Deck of monsters called Cydemon.
"Cydemon," Masako muttered, turning her tablet back to glare at it.
Eight years ago, before her father and mother were killed, Dr. Hitomu Hirai had created three archetypes of Cyberse cards. The first had been the Cyspirits. They had been the only ones to be made into physical form, with the exceptions of Angelic Avenger and Superior Seraphim. After they were made, Hitomu sent them away. Masako had no idea where, but they'd eventually found themselves in the hands of Yasutake Narahiko, otherwise known as Morningstar. The second had been the Cyangels. They had been stored on a hard drive that Tagoma found while searching Masako's house after her parents' death. After cracking it open, Masako had given the Cyangel cards to Sachi Junpei, who she'd met when visiting Yasutake for the last time. She still wasn't sure why she did that; something about the girl just made her want to help her.
And the third archetype had been the Cydemons. According to the files and videos her father left on his laptop, they had been stored on a hard drive just like the Cyangels. However, Tagoma had failed to find it when he searched the house. His best guess was that the murderers found it and took it. Which meant…
Tagoma frowned at her. "It's possible he bought them on the black market," he reminded her softly.
"And if he did, then he has a lead to whoever sold it," Masako said, her voice just as low. "But if he didn't buy it, then that means he knows who killed my parents." Her eyes narrowed as she gripped the tablet even tighter. "This… Zahhak… is the best lead yet to whoever ruined my life."
"Hmm." Tagoma looked back at the laptop and narrowed his eyes. "Well, if he fought Morningstar, then that means he's in Den City. So we have another reason to go back."
Masako blinked and looked over at him. "Another?"
He nodded and turned the laptop around. "Kamakura was thorough in wiping this down, but he missed one thing. A receipt for a ticket on a ship, bought under a false name. A ship bound for Den City."
Masako blinked again before her eyes narrowed. "He's heading back to Den City? Why?"
"Not sure. Could be related to that VR Inducer thing of his. But does it matter why?"
She thought about it and shook her head. "No. It doesn't. If Issei's going back, then we'll just have to chase him." She smiled savagely. "Time to put an end to this hunt."
And I suppose it's time to say hello to Yasutake again, she thought to herself. Maybe this time, if he isn't too busy, he can give me a hand.
Lilith vs. Nahema
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Nahema
Nahema activates the Field Spell Card Evil Eye Domain – Pareidolia. As Pareidolia was activated, Nahema can add 1 "Evil Eye" monster from its Deck to its hand. It adds Serziel, Watcher of the Evil Eye to its hand. Nahema Normal Summons Serziel, Watcher of the Evil Eye (1600/1400/4). As Serziel was Normal Summoned, Nahema can add 1 "Evil Eye" card from its Deck to its hand. It adds Evil Eye of Selene to its hand. As Nahema controls an "Evil Eye" monster, it Special Summons Basilius, Familiar of the Evil Eye (400/2000/3) in Attack Position. Nahema activates Basilius's effect to send Evil Eye of Gorgoneio from its Deck to the GY. Nahema uses Basilius and Serziel to Link Summon Gorgon, Empress of the Evil Eyed (1900/2/↑↓) to the right Extra Monster Zone. Gorgon gains 100 ATK for each different "Evil Eye" card Nahema has in its GY (Gorgon: 1900→2200). Nahema equips Gorgon with the Equip Spell Card Evil Eye of Selene. While Evil Eye of Selene is equipped to Gorgon, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, and Lilith cannot target it with card effects. Nahema Sets 2 cards. It ends its turn.
Turn 2: Lilith
Lilith draws. She Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Starfire (1300/1700/4). As Gorgon is equipped with Evil Eye of Selene, Nahema activates its effect, targeting and negating Starfire's effects until the end of the turn. As Gorgon's effect was activated, Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates, and Gorgon gains 500 ATK and Nahema loses 500 LP (Gorgon: 2200→2700) (Nahema: 4000→3500 LP). Lilith uses Starfire to Link Summon Magical Musketeer Max (1000/1/↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. As Max was Link Summoned, Lilith can activate 1 of 2 effects. She chooses to activate the 2nd effect, which lets Lilith Special Summon "Magical Musket" monsters from her Deck, up to the number of Spell & Trap Cards Nahema controls. She Special Summons Magical Muskeeter Caspar (1200/2000/3) in Defense Position and Magical Musketeer Calamity (1500/1300/4) in Attack Position. As it controls an "Evil Eye" monster and has Evil Eye of Selene in its Spell & Trap Zone, Nahema activates its Set Trap Card Evil Eye Defeat, which lets it target and return up to 2 monsters on the field to the owners' hands. It returns Caspar and Calamity to Lilith's hand (Gorgon: 2700→2800). As Nahema activated an "Evil Eye" Spell/Trap Card, Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates (Gorgon: 2800→3300) (Nahema: 3500→3000 LP). While Max is on the field, Lilith can activate "Magical Musket" Spell/Trap Cards from her hand during either player's turn. Lilith activates the Continuous Trap Card Magical Musket – Crooked Crown from her hand. As a Spell/Trap Card was activated while Nahema controls an "Evil Eye" monster, it activates its Set Counter Trap Card Evil Eye Retribution, which negates the activation of Crooked Crown and destroys it, and as Nahema controls Evil Eye of Selene, Retribution's activation and effect cannot be negated (Gorgon: 3300→3400). Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates (Gorgon: 3400→3900) (Nahema: 3000→2500 LP). Lilith activates the Continuous Trap Card Magical Musket – Fiendish Deal from her hand, which prevents her "Magical Musket" monsters from being destroyed by card effects. Lilith Sets 2 cards. She ends her turn.
Turn 3: Nahema
Nahema draws. It Normal Summons Medusa, Watcher of the Evil Eye (1400/1600/4). As Medusa was Normal Summoned, Nahema can add 1 "Evil Eye" card in its GY to its hand. It adds Evil Eye of Gorgoneio to its hand (Gorgon: 3900→3800). As it controls an "Evil Eye" monster, Nahema activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Evil Eye Confrontation, which lets it target and destroy 1 Spell/Trap Card Lilith controls, and as Evil Eye of Selene is on its field, that card will be banished. It targets, destroys, and banishes Lilith's Set Negate Attack (Gorgon: 3800→3900). Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates (Gorgon: 3900→4400) (Nahema: 2500→2000 LP).
Gorgon attacks Max. Lilith activates her Set Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Cross-Domination, targeting Medusa, reducing its ATK/DEF to 0 and negating its effects until the end of the turn (Medusa: 1400→0/1600→0). The attack continues and Max is destroyed (Lilith: 4000→600 LP). Nahema uses Medusa and Link-2 Gorgon to Link Summon Zerrziel, Ruler of the Evil Eyed (2600/3/↙↑↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As Zerrziel was Link Summoned using a monster that had more than 2600 ATK, it can make 2 attacks during each Battle Phase. Nahema activates the Equip Spell Card Evil Eye of Gorgoneio, equipping it to Zerrziel. While Evil Eye of Gorgoneio is on the field, its name becomes Evil Eye of Selene. As Zerrziel is equipped with Evil Eye of Selene, Nahema activates its effect to target and destroy 1 card Lilith controls. It destroys Fiendish Deal. As Fiendish Deal was destroyed, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her Deck or GY to her hand. She adds Crooked Crown from her GY to her hand. Nahema activates the effect of Evil Eye of Selene in its GY, banishing Evil Eye Retribution from its GY and paying 1000 LP (Nahema: 2000→1000 LP) to Set Evil Eye of Selene on its field. It activates the Set Equip Spell Card Evil Eye of Selene, equipping it to Zerrziel. Nahema ends its turn.
Turn 4: Lilith
Lilith draws. She Normal Summons Caspar (1200/2000/3). Nahema activates the effect of Zerrziel, targeting and destroying Caspar. Evil Eye of Selene's effect activates (Zerrziel: 2600→3100) (Nahema: 1000→500 LP). As Nahema's LP are lower than Lilith's, Zerrziel gains ATK equal to the difference due to Evil Eye of Gorgoneio's effect (Zerrziel: 3100→3200). Lilith activates the Field Spell Card Magical Musket Showdown. As Magical Musket Showdown was activated, Lilith can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from her Deck to her hand. She adds Magical Musket – Desperado to her hand. Magical Musket Showdown's effect lets Lilith Normal Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster in addition to her Normal Summon/Set. She Normal Summons Magical Musketeer Calamity (1500/1300/4). Lilith activates the Continuous Trap Card Crooked Crown from her hand. As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in Calamity's column, Lilith can Special Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster from her GY in Defense Position. She Special Summons Caspar (1200/2000/3). Lilith activates Crooked Crown's effect to Special Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster from her hand. She Special Summons Magical Musket Mastermind Zakiel (2500/2500/8). Lilith uses Calamity, Caspar, and Zakiel to Link Summon Magical Musket Sovereign Ottokar (3000/3/↙↓↘) to the Extra Monster Zone. Lilith activates the Trap Card Magical Musket - Desperado, which lets her destroy 1 face-up card as she controls a "Magical Musket" monster. She targets and destroys Pareidolia. As a Spell/Trap Card was activated in the column of a zone Ottokar points to, its effect activates, and Lilith banishes Caspar to activate its effect as Ottokar's. Lilith adds Magical Musket – Steady Hands from her Deck to her hand. As Pareidolia was destroyed, Nahema can add 1 "Evil Eye" monster from its GY to its hand. It adds Serziel to its hand. Lilith activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Magical Musket – Steady Hands, targeting Ottokar and making its ATK equal to double its original ATK until the end of the turn (Ottokar: 3000→6000).
Ottokar attacks Zerrziel. Zerrziel isn't destroyed due to Evil Eye of Selene's effect (Nahema: 500→0 LP). Lilith wins.
Tagoma vs. Adramelech
This Duel is conducted as a Master Duel.
Turn 1: Adramelech
Adramelech activates the Field Spell Card Void Expansion. It activates the Spell Card Reasoning, which requires Tagoma to declare a Level. Adramelech then excavates cards until it finds a monster that can be Normal Summoned/Set. If that monster is the same Level as the one Tagoma declared, it and all the other cards are sent to the GY. If it is not, then that monster is Special Summoned, and the other cards go to the GY. Tagoma declares Level 4. Adramelech excavates Infernoid Antra, Infernoid Seitsemas, Infernoid Harmadik, Foolish Burial, Eye of the Void, and Electromagnetic Turtle. Electromagnetic Turtle is Level 4, so it and the previous cards are all sent to the GY. Adramelech Normal Summons Decatron (500/200/1). As Decatron was Normal Summoned, Adramelech activates its effect, sending Infernoid Piaty from his Deck to the GY to increase Decatron's Level by Piaty's, change its name to Piaty's, and replace its effect with Piaty's (Decatron: 1→6). Void Expansion's effect lets Adramelech banish "Infernoid" monsters it controls for the Special Summon of an "Infernoid" monster. It banishes Infernoid Decatron from its field and Infernoid Antra from its GY to Special Summon Infernoid Seitsemas (2600/0/7) from its GY in Attack Position. Adramelech ends its turn.
Turn 2: Tagoma
Tagoma draws. He activates the Continuous Spell Card Pinpoint Landing, which lets him draw 1 card if he Special Summons exactly 1 monster from his hand. Tagoma Normal Summons Beat, Bladesman Fur Hire (1200/500/3). He activates Beat's effect, letting him Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his hand. He Special Summons Helmer, Helmsman Fur Hire (0/2000/3) in Attack Position. As a monster "Fur Hire" was Special Summoned while Beat is on the field, Tagoma can add 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his Deck to his hand. He adds Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire to his hand. Pinpoint Landing's effect activates, and Tagoma draws 1 card. Tagoma activates Helmer's effect to Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his hand. He Special Summons Filo, Messenger Fur Hire (0/0/1) in Attack Position. As a monster "Fur Hire" was Special Summoned while Helmer is on the field, Tagoma can discard 1 card "Fur Hire" and draw 1 card. He discards Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire and draws. Tagoma activates Filo's effect to Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his hand. He Special Summons Sagitta, Maverick Fur Hire (1200/2400/5) in Defense Position. As Sagitta was Special Summoned, Tagoma can inflict 500 damage to Adramelech for each other monster "Fur Hire" Tagoma controls (Adramelech: 4000→2500 LP). As a monster "Fur Hire" was Special Summoned while Filo is on the field, Tagoma can Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his GY in Defense Position. He Special Summons Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire (500/1000/2). Tagoma uses Beat, Filo, and Helmer to Link Summon Folgo, Justice Fur Hire (2400/3/↙↑↘) to the right Extra Monster Zone. As a monster "Fur Hire" was Special Summoned while Donpa is on the field, Tagoma can target and destroy 1 face-up card on the field. He attempts to target Seitsemas, but Adramelech activates its Set Trap Card Skill Prisoner and targets Seitsemas for its effect. For the rest of the turn, any monster effect that targets Seitsemas is negated. As Folgo was Link Summoned, Tagoma can Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his Deck in Defense Position, so long as its Type is different than its Link Materials. He Special Summons Dyna, Hero Fur Hire (2500/1400/6) from his Deck. As Dyna was Special Summoned, Tagoma can banish cards from Adramelech's GY up to the number of monsters "Fur Hire" Tagoma controls. Tagoma banishes Skill Prisoner, Electromagnetic Turtle, Infernoid Harmadik, and Infernoid Piaty from Adramelech's GY. Tagoma Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.
Turn 3: Adramelech
Adramelech draws. During its Standby Phase, Void Expansion's effect Special Summons 1 Infernoid Token (0/0/1) in Defense Position. It activates the Spell Card Cup of Ace, which lets it flip a coin. Depending on the result, one player draws 2 cards. The result is Heads, so Adramelech draws. Adramelech activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Burial from the Different Dimension, which lets it return up to 3 banished monsters to the owners' GYs. It returns Electromagnetic Turtle, Harmadik, and Piaty to its GY. Adramelech banishes Infernoid Token and Seitsemas from its field and Piaty from its GY to Special Summon Infernoid Onuncu (3000/3000/10) in Attack Position. As Onuncu was Special Summoned, all other monsters on the field are destroyed. Donpa, Dyna, Folgo, and Sagitta are destroyed, with Donpa being placed on the bottom of Tagoma's Deck thanks to Filo's effect. As his monster "Fur Hire" was destroyed, Tagoma activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Training Fur Hire, Fur All Your Training Needs, which lets him Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his Deck, so long as its Level is lower than the Level of 1 of the destroyed monsters. Tagoma Special Summons Seal, Strategist Fur Hire (1600/1000/4) in Defense Position. Adramelech activates the Spell Card Void Fusion, which lets it Fusion Summon 1 "Infernoid" Fusion Monster from its Extra Deck by using monsters from its hand or field as Fusion Material. As there is a Level 8 or higher "Infernoid" monster on the field, Adramelech can also use up to 3 monsters in his Deck as Fusion Materials. Adramelech banishes a 2nd Onuncu, Infernoid Devyaty, and Infernoid Pirmais from his Deck to Fusion Summon Infernoid Tierra (3400/3600/11) to the right Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position. As Tierra was Fusion Summoned using 3 monsters, each player must send 3 cards from their Extra Decks to the GY. Tagoma sends 1 Folgo, 1 Saryuja Skull Dread, and 1 Reprodocus from his Extra Deck to the GY, while Adramelech sends 1 Tierra and 2 Duelittle Chimeras to the GY.
Onuncu attacks and destroys Seal. Tierra attacks Tagoma directly (Tagoma: 4000→600 LP). Adramelech ends its turn.
Turn 4: Tagoma
Tagoma draws. He Normal Summons Donpa, Marksman Fur Hire (500/1000/2). Tagoma activates the Quick-Play Spell Card Mayhem Fur Hire, which lets him Special Summon 1 monster "Fur Hire" from his GY in Defense Position. As a Spell Card was activated, Adramelech activates Onuncu's effect, Tributing Tierra to negate the activation of Mayhem Fur Hire and banish it. Tagoma activates the Spell Card Ayers Rock Sunrise, which lets him Special Summon 1 Beast monster from his GY, then lower the ATK of Adramelech's monsters by 200 for each Beast, Plant, and Winged Beast monster in Tagoma's GY for the rest for the rest of the turn. He Special Summons Folgo, Justice Fur Hire (2400/3/↙↑↘) (Onuncu: 3000→2600). As a monster "Fur Hire" was Special Summoned, Donpa's effect lets Tagoma destroy 1 face-up card on the field. Tagoma targets and destroys Onuncu. As Adramelech's card was destroyed, Folgo's effect lets Tagoma draw 1 card. He draws, then activates the Spell Card Monster Reborn, which lets him Special Summon 1 monster from the GY. He Special Summons Dyna, Hero Fur Hire (2500/1400/6) from his GY in Attack Position. As Dyna was Special Summoned, Tagoma can banish cards from Adramelech's GY, up to the number of monsters "Fur Hire" he controls. He banishes Electromagnetic Turtle, Onuncu, and Tierra from Adramelech's GY.
Dyna attacks Adramelech directly (Adramelech: 2500→0 LP). Tagoma wins.
Magical Musket Showdown Field Spell Card
When this card is activated: You can add 1 "Magical Musket" card from your Deck to your hand. During your Main Phase, you can Normal Summon 1 "Magical Musket" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)
Void Fusion Normal Spell Card
Fusion Summon 1 "Infernoid" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Material. If you control a Level 8 or higher "Infernoid" monster, you can also banish up to 3 monsters from your Deck as Fusion Materials. You cannot Normal Summon/Set the turn you activate this card.
Chapter Preview
Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS: Hidden Memories. Chapter 47 – Lightning. Ai and Cypher suddenly disappear. Learning that an Ignis was responsible, Playmaker, Morningstar, and Cassiel head to investigate. But while Playmaker forges ahead and meets unexpected foes, Cassiel and Morningstar encounter their own obstacle to overcome…
Question of the Chapter
What are your thoughts about the trailer for Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS?
Author's Notes
Happy New Years, everyone! Before I get into the chapter, let me say a few things about the announcement of Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS and the changes to the Master Rules. I'll start with the latter; this will have no effect on the story of Hidden Memories. For simplicity's and consistency's sake, Hidden Memories will follow the VRAINS Master Rules till the very end. For Fifth Circuit… well, I'll wait to comment on that, but they'll be using the VRAINS Master Rules for Master Duels for a while still, at least to the end of the Synchro and Xyz arcs. As for the SEVENS anime, I'm going to withhold judgment until I see it. Personally, I think it looks too much like Cardfight! Vanguard, but since the animation studio changed to the people who made Cardfight! Vanguard G: Z, I suppose I can accept it. I'll probably watch the whole anime anyway, just because I'm a hardcore Yu-Gi-Oh! fan/masochist, but I won't deny having a few trepidations about the next series.
Now, on to the chapter. I am reasonably proud of the duels, as Lilith got to show off the new Magical Musket cards, including Magical Musketeer Max. Some people requested a Fur Hire duel, so I decided to have Tagoma duel as well, and he used the Fur Hire Deck. I thought it an appropriate Deck considering his mercenary attitude. As for the AI duelists, I had them use Evil Eye and Infernoid, the former because I thought it would be a cool Deck to counter the Magical Muskets, and the latter for their connection to the Qliphort monsters.
Then we have the ending, and yes, Masako, Tagoma, and Thaumiel will all be coming back to Den City. What role will they play in the fight against Lightning? What role will the Enforcers? You'll have to wait and see.
Story aside, I have an announcement: I've decided that instead of alternating between my two stories, I will instead release the chapters at the same time from now on. This is in the hope that doing so will motivate me to finish them faster as well as reduce waiting times. I do want to finish season 2, and hopefully Fifth Circuit's Synchro Arc, before 2020 ends. I will also continue to update my profiles page whenever Hidden Memories is updated, so look forward to that too, please.
Lastly, I'd like to advertise a certain story. Some people already found it, but I thought I should advertise it. Back in November, I wrote a story with OPFan37 called Cross Memories, which is a one-shot crossover between my story Hidden Memories and his story Cross-VRAINS. I first approached OPFan37 with the idea for this back in November of 2018, and we were both really excited for it. So if you haven't seen it, you can access it from either my profile page or the VRAINS fanfic list. I hope you'll take a look at it, and I really hope you'll enjoy it!
Thank you for reading Chapter 46. Please tell me what you thought of it and please check out Cross Memories! OPFan37 and I both had a lot of fun making it, so please enjoy.