RESPONSE TO REVIEW
Big thanks to tsukikami02, Elfianna, HunterHQ, Ulrich362, kaiser Younes, Guests for reviewing the previous chapter!
tsukikami02: Glad that you like Fumito. Since I decided that this chapter should be about them taking a break, I purposely did not let the Duel go for long.
Elfianna: In VRAINS anime episode 4-5, it was implied that Yusaku enjoyed his Duel against Go and that's why he didn't escape when Kusanagi opened the path for him. But yeah, the anime hardly showed Yusaku just enjoying the Duel, that's why I added this. I do plan on adding romance, but it won't be a focus and it's still very much much later in the story.
HunterHQ: Putting aside how he picked and kidnapped the victims, Dr. Kogami is a genius researcher working for SOL Technologies, so I'm sure he had huge amount of salary and funding enough to set up his own personal facility without rousing suspicion.
It was already explained that Bohman's claim about backup and whatnot during his Duel against Playmaker was only a false memory implanted by Lightning because he was still not stable.
If you're talking about Dr. Kogami's assistants' identities, their identities must've already been exposed along with Dr. Kogami when the incident came to light. They knew Dr. Kogami was the culprit, no way they didn't know about the assistants, since it was mentioned, they were detained for a few years before released, so there's no point in Lightning blackmailing their identities since SOL Tech already knew anyway.
If you're talking about the victims' identities, Windy's partner was already attacked, Lightning already infected Miyu with virus, and Specter doesn't even bother keeping his identity a secret, so there isn't any point in blackmailing them with their identities. Lightning is pleased that Earth is killed because it's obvious that Earth would never join him after what he did to Aqua But that doesn't mean that Lightning considered SOL Tech to be a potential pawn to use. Besides, Lightning's superiority complex compels him to prove himself superior to humans (and other Ignis), winning against Playmaker and the others will prove that A.I.s can rule over humanity. Also, there's Akira in SOL. Akira, despite his position, is willing to go against orders if the situation demands him to, so he'd do his best to stop Lightning from interfering. There's no way Lightning didn't have Akira in mind. So, Lightning getting SOL Tech to do his dirty work is not going to happen.
It's not luck, again, it's a matter of numbers and Bohman was not in a stable state at that time, so it's risky for Lightning's team to go to the real world like before. And Revolver also gave Yusaku and the others the protection program, so they can't be attacked in the real world even if Lightning wants to. That's why Lightning had to force Kusanagi to log in by himself to blackmail him. And prior to that, Lightning's main objective was to complete Bohman before facing Playmaker and the others, that's why he hardly took action unless the possibility of team-up like Revolver attempted to with Blood Shepherd happened.
No, there won't be any Integration Summon. The use of Real Solid Vision for Duels would be limited here since the focus is still LINK VRAINS.
Kazue had arranged for them to have the room for themselves so nobody could watch the Duel unless they went inside the room. I forgot to add that explanation when I first uploaded the chapter, but I already added that detail now. Yusaku is still new to the Deck, so there are things that he didn't think of.
For the rest, I won't answer to avoid spoilers.
Ulrich362: I know, I also prefer stories that are more like DM-VRAINS. SEVENS and Go Rush are more comedic, I much prefer more serious stories like the previous YGO. And yeah, you're being pessimistic, I already told you that the girls will get their moments to shine. (^_^)
kaiser Younes: Exactly. They could've spared one or two episodes to have the characters taking a break like normal people are.
Guest 1: I never played God of War, but yes, there'll be more monsters based on the Olympian gods.
Guest 2: I'm sorry, but I don't understand your question. Which part of chapter 3 that you mean? Because I don't remember addressing someone to stop bothering me in that chapter.
Guest 3: Thank you for pointing that out, I've fixed it.
Guest 4: Thank you.
Guest reviewers, please write a name instead of just Guest to make it easier for me to know whether this is the same Guest reviewer or not.
CHAPTER 10:
Menacing Scent
脅迫的な香り
(Kyōhaku-tekina Kaori)
Kazue's Room – Hibiki Research Facility – Outskirt of Den City
Kazue opens her eyes. Waking up comes real slow and relaxed, as if the day was kind enough to come softly into focus. She takes a moment to shed the sleep from her brain, to allow the visions of the night to give way to the sunny day. From the window, she heard birds chirping, their tiny voices bring a calmness to mind, a soothing melody. She sits up, stretching her stiff arms while letting out a soft yawn that's barely audible.
She looks at the clock hanging on the wall across from her. It's already 08.00 AM, two hours later than her usual schedule. Normally, her body will wake up on her own at 06.00 AM. She unexpectedly has a good night's sleep. Very comfortable that she woke up late. Fortunately, there's no school today and there's still one hour until her father arrives.
After their conversation yesterday, she thought she'd have trouble sleeping or having a dream about Fumito. Before, whenever the topic about Fumito came up, she always had trouble sleeping from thinking so much about him. When she did sleep, she'll dream about him, both good and bad. Because of it, she avoided talking much about Fumito.
Strangely, yesterday, she and Kento were able to talk about Fumito. They shared their memories about him with their new friends without trouble. And after that, she could sleep well. What made yesterday different from usual?
Kazue reaches her mobile phone, opening the folder containing photos and picks the photo showing herself with Fumito. It was a picture taken on their first date.
"I still miss him... I still yearn to be with him... So why yesterday I was fine?" Kazue wonders. That was the first time in a long while that she could talk so freely, so happily about Fumito. Before, she couldn't help but kept thinking about his last moments whenever she remembered or spoke about him.
"Was that it...? Because yesterday I only think of our happier days with him without recalling my sadness?" Kazue deduces. Thinking about it again, Takeru and the others kept the conversation going without delving into Fumito's death itself but urging them to think of the many fun and joyful days she and Kento had with Fumito that didn't leave a room for them to think about the void in their hearts.
"But is that okay...? Isn't that no different from running away? If I do not have intense pain over him being gone, I do not miss him..." Kazue clutches her chest. The pain of grief is gut wrenching, but then so does the anticipation of not having grief over someone so loved.
All was quiet until a jolting, but steady thumping sprang from the door of her room.
"Ms. Kazue, are you awake?"
A male voice calls from the other side of the door. Kazue recognizes his voice as one of the staff working in the laboratory.
"Yes. Please, wait a minute." Kazue stands up from her bed, reaching for her jacket to cover her sleeveless night gown before unlocking the door and opening it, facing the staff member. "Is there something you need?"
"My apologies for disturbing you in the morning. But President Hibiki has just called to inform us that he'll be late due to an emergency meeting." He told her.
"There's something else, isn't it?" Kazue asks. Judging from how he went out of his way to personally wake her up, there must be another thing that he feels the need to inform her. And it must be something important that requires her to be awake at this moment.
"Yes. He also said there'll be someone from SOL Technologies coming here in two hours to discuss the progress of our joint work." He relayed the most important message.
Kazue stiffens at the message. She wouldn't have minded if it's only her or Kento here, but right now, Yusaku, Kusanagi, Takeru, Ai, and Flame are in this facility. Her intuition insistently tells her that letting them meet with whoever this person sent by SOL Technologies won't be a good thing.
No time to waste.
"I'll get prepared now. Gather everyone at the living room."
Guest Room – Hibiki Research Facility – Outskirt of Den City
After taking a quick warm shower and changing to her casual formal attire, Kazue quickly brings food, snacks, and drinks to the guest room where Kento and the others are staying. She brought enough amount to last until night. They need that much to not starve while waiting in their room the whole day.
The guys were surprised when Kazue slammed open the door of their room so suddenly, waking up some of the occupants who were still sleeping. She explained the reason why she woke them up so quickly and brought the food and drink into their room.
"To summarize the whole thing, someone from SOL Technologies will arrive in two hours?" Kusanagi asks after listening to Kazue's explanation.
"Yes. I'm sorry, but Fujiki-kun, Homura-kun, Kusanagi-san, just in case, please stay in this room until they leave. I think it's better that way to protect your identities and hide Ai and Flame." Kazue tells them. Kento is exempt from this because he had met with some people from SOL Technologies before, so they are already familiar with him.
"Why? It's not like we're going to expose ourselves out in the open." Ai asks, confused. All this time he has accompanied Yusaku to wherever he goes. When they're outside, he made sure to stay inside the Duel Disk until there's nobody else in vicinity. It shouldn't make any difference even if Yusaku and the others meet someone from SOL Technologies now.
"True, but whoever is coming from SOL Technologies may get interested in Yusaku-kun and ask questions if they learn you're helping us with the testing. You don't want to catch their attention, right?" Kento points out the possibility. Hibiki Enterprise is one of the biggest companies in Den City, only no. 2 after SOL Technologies. Usually, Kazue's father would ask people to become testers after a thorough investigation of their background. Everybody knows this. She managed to vouch for Yusaku and the others so that he won't pry further about them, but if SOL Technologies learn about them, it's likely they won't stay quiet.
"Well..." Ai can't object with that.
"Better be safe than sorry. We'll stay here as you said." Yusaku agrees. Kusanagi and Takeru also nods. There's no harm done since the room provided their daily needs.
Kazue is grateful for their understanding. She feels bad that this has to happen when they were supposed to have one more fun time before going back home. She'll compensate them by providing them with the best machines for Kusanagi's truck.
Living Room – Hibiki Research Facility – Outskirt of Den City
Kento thought he was ready to meet with the person or people sent by SOL Technologies. This won't be the first time after all, he had already met some of them several times since he was employed by Kazue's father. He thought he had gotten used to meeting them. Alas, he was sorely mistaken.
There are four people who came here.
First is Takahashi Matsumoto, the Chief of Science Department that he and Kazue met before when they visited SOL Technologies' main HQ.
Second is a tall and slim woman with brown eyes and glasses. She has shoulder-length strawberry-blond hair that she kept tied up in a bun. Her attire consisted of a black suit and pants with a white shirt underneath and a black ribbon.
Third is the lime-green haired young man he met when he got lost looking for Saint Kuriboh.
Last but not least, the person that Kento is the least happy to meet is Shion Amagi, the person he met together with his lime-green haired assistant when Kento was looking for Saint Kuriboh.
Kento still has a sense of discomfort when facing Shion. He feels terrible for having this kind of feeling even though he could tell that Shion is not a bad person. Why is he so wary of this guy while he doesn't feel the same with the others from SOL Technologies? Still, Kento tries his best not to show it on his face.
Now, they're facing each other, sitting on the sofa in the living room. Kazue takes the lead on the conversation, starting with how her father is going to arrive late due to an urgent matter, so she'll be the one to act as a guide for them until her father arrives. Fortunately, Matsumoto is not showing objection with Kazue guiding them despite her young age.
"I've seen what you're capable of when you came to visit last time, Kazue-kun. I trust that you'll guide us well." Matsumoto tells Kazue.
"Thank you, Matsumoto-san. Then, shall we go to the lab to look at our current android prototype?" Kazue proposes.
"That would be great. Let us go, Amagi. Eguchi, Toriumi, please wait here for us." Matsumoto instructs them as he stands up from the sofa, gesturing Shion to do the same.
Shion stands up without a word and follows Matsumoto and Kazue towards where the lab is, leaving Kento with their assistants. Kazue nods at Kento, trusting him to keep company the two assistants. Kento knows that this would be an opportunity to pry some information from them. Fortunately, he's not facing Shion, so he feels more comfortable.
"I think we haven't introduced ourselves properly. My name is Kento Hijiri, I'm a freelance programmer currently employed by Hibiki Enterprise. It is a pleasure to meet you." Kento introduces himself politely.
"My name is Bashira Eguchi. I am Chief Matsumoto's personal assistant. It is nice to meet you, Hijiri-kun." The woman, Bashira, introduces herself.
"My name is Isamu Toriumi. I am Chief Amagi's personal assistant. It's been a while since we last met, Hijiri-kun." Isamu greets Kento, still remembering the boy.
"You've met before?" Bashira asks.
"Yes. When I visited SOL Technologies, I got lost when my pet robot ran away. Toriumi-san and Amagi-san helped me." Kento answers. This is a good start to a conversation. "Thank you for your help back then, Toriumi-san."
"It's nothing. I'm glad you found your pet robot. About that robot, did you make it yourself?" Isamu asks back, a bit curious.
"No. Kazue made it for me. I only helped a bit in its programming." Kento answers smoothly. It was half a lie. Kazue did make the robot as a container for Saint Kuriboh.
"Then, you're here to help with the android's programming?" Bashira asks this time, now interested to know the boy.
"Yes. I checked the prototype yesterday. It still needs a lot of work, but I think we are close in completing the android with more tweaks." Kento explains. This isn't a lie. He did check the android and helped with the programming before going to bed.
"You must be very diligent to develop a professional skill. You're still in high school, yet you already employed by the Enterprise." Bashira fixes her glasses as her attention to Kento sharpens, fully assessing the boy, which is obvious for the said boy.
"B-both of you are assistants for Matsumoto-san and Amagi-san. Does each chief have their own personal assistants?" Kento turns the subject to them, avoiding further questions towards him. Fortunately, it work out.
"Yes. There are three chiefs managing SOL Technologies. Chief of Science, Chief of Security, and Chief of Marketing." Bashira begins to explain. Her eyes glint upon hearing the question.
Kento listens carefully. It was a question that he asked reflexively, but he hopes this would be useful somehow for them.
According to Bashira, there are three chiefs responsible for managing SOL Technologies. And each chief
Chief of Science. This position is held by Takahashi Matsumoto. He oversees managing every project development within SOL Technologies. Every project submitted must first be checked and gained his approval before he delivers the proposal to the CEO.
Chief of Security. This position is held by Shion Amagi. He oversees SOL Technologies' security. The security system, the team working to maintain the security, everything is decided by him.
"But, what about Zaizen-san? Is he not in charge of security?" Kento asks. From what he heard, Akira has always been the one who's giving orders. The bounty hunter team also moves according to his direction.
"Manager Zaizen may have the command to the security team, but the formation of the team and the plan of operation that Manager Zaizen comes up with must receive approval from Chief Amagi." Isamu answers in Bashira's place, being Shion's assistant.
Isamu often meets Akira because of their respective position and connection to Shion. The Chief of Security has high expectations for Akira. There was a time he demoted Akira, but that was only because he followed the Queen's order. Afterwards, Shion reinstated him and once said that he is sure that Akira will eventually succeed in his position as the Chief of Security. And Isamu agrees. Akira Zaizen has proven himself more than competent in his job. Not to mention, he is very attentive to his subordinates, which makes Isamu envious of Hayami who works under him.
Lastly, Chief of Marketing. This position is held by Satoshi Mikami. He is in charge of marketing research and making the marketing plan to promote SOL Technologies' products. He often accompanies SOL Technologies' CEO, that's why he's hardly present. He also has his own personal assistant, whose name is Subaru Ogawa.
"Is that also why Mikami-san didn't come here today? Because he's busy attending the CEO's need?" Kento wonders since Matsumoto and Shion are the only ones who would meet them directly so far.
"Yes. They have a lot of work to do that even Ogawa, his assistant, must also come with him instead of coming here as his representative." Bashira says. Usually, when meeting their business partner, if the Chief is unable to be present, then they send their assistant to represent them, listening to and taking notes of the meeting.
"Is it difficult? Working as assistants I mean." Kento asks, trying to keep the conversation running without being directed at him. At his question though, Bashira's face frowns, her gaze briefly flashes to the stiffen Isamu before looking back at Kento.
"Hijiri-kun, you shouldn't-" Bashira is already late to stop the question coming out from Kento's mouth.
"It's hell." Isamu says, surprising Kento and makes Bashira sigh while covering her face with her hand.
"Chief Amagi... He sometimes likes to ditch his work to me and when he's in a bad mood he challenges me to a Duel with training as an excuse to beat me up. Just trying to keep with him is exhausting because he's freakishly strong. Also, he loves weird-tasting food and always shoves it into my mouth for taste-testing first. He has no idea how to go easy on someone!" As if a switch has been turned on, Isamu starts to ramble his exasperation that he has
"I'm sorry, Hijiri-kun. But please refrain from asking him about his duty next time. He has...some pent-up frustrations." Bashira internally shakes her head at Isamu's behavior, feeling shameful for her inability to stop Isamu and Isamu's non-stop complaints, which is improper and unprofessional for someone of his position.
"Some? More like a lot." Kento thinks silently, sweat dropping at the Chief of Security who looks like he is on the verge of tears. He genuinely feels sorry for Isamu, "Isn't that a problem? It's like a workplace harassment, right?"
Contrary to Kento's expectations, Isamu quickly straightens up himself and smiles embarassedly, "Well, about that... Despite everything I said, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. There were times I wished I had a nicer boss and everything..."
Isamu's expression gradually turns determined.
"But I respect Chief Amagi. When he puts his mind to it, he never skips out even the smallest details. He never skips his training either, always polishing his skill both as the Chief of Security and as a Duelist. It's hard to keep that mindset. If that's the example he's setting, I can endure some unreasonableness." Isamu admits, genuine admiration and respect are clear in both his expression and tone, as if all the rambling he did never happened.
"Oh, and thanks to him training me, I do have to admit that I've grown much stronger. Plus, he is very nice towards children and animals." To his surprise, the chief he is assisting has soft spot for children and animals. He still remembered how, during one of his weekends, he was gawking when he saw his superior was playing basketball with children at the park and then helping take care of an injured dog that belonged to one of the children. It was purely a coincidence he came across that scene. He never told this to Shion himself though. He had a feeling that he'd lose his neck if he ever told him.
"Then you two do get along. He must be an amazing person despite his personality." Seeing the expressions Isamu was making, Kento can tell that Isamu was only telling facts without any deceit. That the Chief of Security is truly not a bad person.
"Why do I feel that way towards him then?" Kento wonders if something is wrong with him. When he's near Shion, he has the feeling that he's looking at him over and possibly judging him. Did he instinctively figure he was a higher-up of SOL Technologies and that's why he became wary? And learning he is the Chief of Security increases his discomfort?
"Wait..." Kento blinks, realizing something.
Shion is the Chief of Security and Akira's superior. The formation of the security team and planning are approved by him. That means he has a hand in the formation of the bounty hunters' team and approve of people assigned to capture the Ignis and steal the Divine Deck.
That means...
[INTRUDER ALERT]
A shrill, high-pitched buzzing startles Kento, Isamu, and Bashira that the three of them instantly stand up from the sofa.
"I-intruder?!" Bashira looks at their surroundings nervously after being alerted by the alarm.
[INTRUDER ALERT]
"No. This alarm alerts that someone is breaching this facility's security system." Kento tries his best to stay composed and calms down the two assistants who are with him. Yusaku and the others must be surprised as well. Fortunately, Kazue already had someone ready to explain things to their friends waiting in the guest room.
BRRRRRRRR
He feels his phone vibrating in his pocket shirt. He quickly takes out his phone and answers the call, already knowing who's calling him without having to see the name shown on the screen.
"Kazue! What's happening?!" Kento asks immediately.
"There's someone breaking through our security system!" Kazue answers from the other side of the phone, "Kento, please help our technicians to stop the intruder online. I'll be there too."
"Got it!" Kento ends the phone call and then faces the two assistants. "I'm sorry, but I must go help with the security system. Please follow our staff's direction."
Kento hurriedly goes to the computer room, entrusting Isamu and Bashira to one of the staff on standby for their safety.
Computer Room – Hibiki Research Facility
When Kento arrived at the room, everybody already had their hands full with the intruder breaking through their security system. Kento takes one of the empty seats and starts working on the facility's system.
The intruder already broke through the firewall. In response to this, Kento and everyone else activates the defense program in all ten layers of the system. But not too long after they activated it, the program is cracked as the intruder proceeds. The fact that it was cracked almost immediately after the program was activated means that there's someone from the outside who assists the intruder.
"We're dealing with two people...!" Kento grits his teeth. The hacker who cracked the defense was no joke either. No amateur or average-level hacker can break the defense program so quickly. They might be even more skilled than he is.
It's already annoying enough to have to deal with SOL Technologies during their break, and now they're dealing with intruders. Yesterday and today were supposed to be the time they could play to their hearts' content while deepening their bonds. Whoever these intruders are, he won't let them get away so easily. They're going to pay for ruining their long-awaited break.
Kazue then comes in.
But she goes straight to a door on the other side of the room. Kento doesn't question her. He knows what she's planning to do if she's going into that room. In that case, his job is to delay the intruder for as long as possible before they reach the facility's database.
"I'm leaving the rest to you, Kazue."
Hibiki Research Facility Server – Network
Once Kazue entered the small room inside the computer room, she quickly logged online. The room she entered was not an ordinary room. It's a special room that had been designed to prevent outside interference. She won't have to worry logging in from this room. And it's better for her to log in instead of Kento since Holysaber was already widely known in Den City. If he appears here to protect the database, SOL Technologies would suspect that he has a connection with Hibiki Enterprise. Kento is aware of this. That's why he didn't say anything when Kazue entered the room and instead focused on recovering the security system.
The database of the facility has the appearance of a spacious white room with walls showing digital displays of document symbols pertaining to their projects. There is a decoration on the ceiling made of clockwork, and the "desktop" within the digital display features a swinging pendulum. There is also a row of futuristic candlesticks and pillars. Across from where Ryuki is standing is a big white door.
The door then starts to open.
The intruder has arrived.
Ryuki's eyes widen at the sight of the intruder entering the room, fully revealing herself.
She has pink hair and wears a long flamboyant dress of green and jade blended colors with white edge cuff-lines, half pull-up sleeves up to beneath the lower shoulder and wrist, and a collar cloth. She also wears braids around her left leg, thigh-high stockings, dark-brown string tie shoes, a thin jewel-line necklace and blossom bud ornament on the right side of her head. Her face is entirely covered by a golden Thalia mask.
This isn't the first time someone has tried to steal Hibiki Enterprise's data. However, the intruder in front of her looks different from all the previous intruders. She is not scary-looking or mean-looking like the other brutes. Beautiful in fact. But despite not doing anything, Ryuki feels an invisible pressure coming from her. She radiates a hostile presence that exalts herself rather than imposing intimidation upon her.
Regardless, Ryuki is not the type to judge by looks alone.
"Are you the one who made a mess of our security program?" Ryuki questions her.
"It is an honor to meet thee. Chloris is my name." The intruder, Chloris, raises the hem of her skirt up as she bows, formally greeting Ryuki. "Naught have I against Hibiki Enterprise. However, my master is interested in this project thy art working on. Thus, I came to retrieve thine data."
Not only appearance, but her manner of speaking is also unusual, very much unlike the previous intruders.
"I know thou hast no intention to give thine data freely. Therefore, I challenge thee to a Duel." Chloris activates her Duel Disk.
"It doesn't look like you're a mere petty thief hired by a rival company." Ryuki narrows her eyes. People aiming for
Ryuki activates her Duel Disk, forming the field for both her and her opponent, beginning the Master Duel.
"Duel!"
Ryuki LP: 4000
Chloris LP: 4000
"I shall take the first turn. I activate Field Spell: Aroma Garden." Chloris activates a Field Spell, changing the pure white floor into a grassy green field, decorated with bushes and various kinds of colorful flowers.
"From mine hand, I summon Aromage Jasmine." Chloris summons Aromage Jasmine to the Main Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Aromage Jasmine (PLANT/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK: 100/DEF: 1900/LV: 2)
"At this moment, Aroma Garden's effect is activated. Once per turn, if I control Aroma monster, I gain 500 LP, and all my monsters gains 500 ATK and DEF until the end of my opponent's next turn." Chloris reveals, increasing her LP and Aromage Jasmine's ATK and DEF by 500.
Chloris LP: 4000 = 4500
Aromage Jasmine ATK & DEF: 100 & 1900 = 600 & 2400
"When I gain LP, Aromage Jasmine's effect activates. Once per turn, I can Draw 1 card. And during mine Main Phase, whilst mine LP art higher than my opponent's, I can Normal Summon 1 Plant monster in addition to my Normal Summon or Set." Chloris draws one card from the top of her Deck before she turns to Aromage Jasmine.
"I Release Aromage Jasmine to Advance Summon Aromage Bergamot." Chloris Advance Summons Aromage Bergamot in Attack Position to the zone there Aromage Jasmine used to, with his ATK and DEF increased due to Aroma Garden's effect.
Aromage Bergamot (PLANT/FIRE/EFFECT/ATK: 2900/DEF: 2300/LV: 6)
"If my LP is higher than mine opponent's, I can Special Summon Aromage Laurier from mine hand." Chloris summons Aromage Laurier to the zone next to Bergamot in Attack Position, with her ATK and DEF increased due to Aroma Garden's effect.
Aromage Laurier (PLANT/EARTH/EFFECT/ATK: 1300/DEF: 500/LV: 1)
"Bloom, the circuit of spring and magic!" Chloris summons the Link Portal to her field in front of her.
"Arrowheads confirmed. The summoning condition is 2 Plant Monsters. I set Lauriel and Bergamot on the Link Markers. Circuits combined." Chloris sets Lauriel to the Bottom-Right Link Marker and Bergamot to the Bottom-Left Link Marker.
"Link Summon! Come forth, Link 2, Aromaseraphy Jasmine!" Chloris summons her Link Monster to the Extra Monster Zone, with her ATK increased due to Aroma Garden's effect.
Aromaseraphy Jasmine (PLANT/LIGHT/LINK/ATK: 2300/LM: Bottom-Right, Bottom-Left/LNK: 2)
"When Laurier is sent to the Graveyard, I gain 500 LP." Chloris increases her LP again by 500.
Chloris LP: 4500 = 5000
"If mine LP is higher than my opponent's, I can Special Summon Aromage Laurier from mine hand." Chloris summons a second copy of Laurier to the zone pointed by Aromaseraphy Jasmine's Bottom-Right Link Arrow in Attack Position, with her ATK and DEF increased due to Aroma Garden's effect.
Aromage Laurier (PLANT/EARTH/EFFECT/ATK: 1300/DEF: 500/LV: 1)
"I activate Aromaseraphy Jasmine's effect. I can Release the Plant monster pointed by this card to Special Summon 1 Plant monster from mine Deck in Defense Position." Chloris Releases Laurier that she just summoned to Special Summon Aromage Rosemary in Defense Position in Laurier's place, with her ATK and DEF increased due to Aroma Garden's effect.
Aromage Rosemary (PLANT/WATER/EFFECT/ATK: 2300/DEF: 1000/LV: 4)
"I set a card and end mine turn." Chloris finishes her turn.
A Field Spell that once per turn increases Chloris' LP and her two monsters' ATK and DEF until her next turn. Chloris' two monsters will be in their powered-up state for three turns in total starting from the first turn. 500 LP increase per turn is quite concerning because if it keeps continuing, not only will Chloris' LP be higher than hers that it makes it difficult to deplete it, but it'll also trigger the activation of the effect of her monsters.
It'll be more favorable if Ryuki can destroy her Field Spell. Unfortunately, it's not possible at the moment because she doesn't have the necessary card in her hand. That leaves her to use another way that she has with her current cards.
"My turn. When my opponent controls a monster while I'm not, I can Special Summon Hieroglyphic Dragon – Tfeni Dragon from my hand." Ryuki summons Tfeni in Attack Position to the Main Monster Zone.
Hieroglyphic Dragon – Tfeni Dragon (DRAGON/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1400/LV: 6)
"By Releasing a Hieroglyphic monster, I can Special Summon Hieroglyphic Dragon – Shiyu Dragon from my hand." Ryuki summons Shiyu to the zone next to Tfeni in Attack Position.
Hieroglyphic Dragon – Shiyu Dragon (DRAGON/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK: 2200/DEF: 1000/LV: 6)
"When Tfeni Dragon is Released, I can Special Summon 1 Dragon Normal Monster from my hand." Ryuki summons Guardragon Justicia in Attack Position to the zone next to Shiyu.
Guardragon Justicia (DRAGON/WATER/NORMAL/ATK: 0/DEF: 2100/LV: 2)
"From my hand, I summon Hieroglyphic Dragon – Dragon Geiv." Ryuki Normal Summons Geiv to the zone next to Justicia in Attack Position.
Hieroglyphic Dragon – Dragon Geiv (DRAGON/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK: 1800/DEF: 400/LV: 4)
"Appear, the circuit of protectors!" Ryuki opens the Link Portal, Setting Tfeni to the Bottom-Right Link Marker and Shiyu to the Bottom-Left Link Marker, combining the circuit.
"Link Summon! Appear, Link 2, Hieroglyphic Seal of the Celestial Spheres!" Ryuki summons Celestial Spheres to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Hieroglyphic Seal of the Celestial Spheres (DRAGON/LIGHT/LINK/ATK: 0/LM: Bottom-Right, Bottom-Left/LNK: 2)
"For the second time, the circuit of protectors!" Ryuki Sets Justicia to the Left Link Marker.
"Link Summon! Appear, Link 1, Guardragon Elpy!" Ryuki summons Elpy to the zone pointed by Celestial Spheres's Bottom-Right Link Arrow in the Main Monster Zone.
Guardragon Elpy (DRAGON/DARK/LINK/ATK: 1000/LM: Left/LNK: 1)
"For the third time! The circuit of protectors!" This time, Ryuki Sets Pisty to the Right Link Marker, Setting Elpy to the Right Link Marker.
"Link Summon! Appear, Link 1, Guardragon Pisty!" Ryuki summons Elpy to the zone pointed Celestial Sphere's Bottom-Left Link Arrow in the Main Monster Zone.
Guardragon Pisty (DRAGON/DARK/LINK/ATK: 1000/LV: Right/LNK: 1)
"I activate Guardragon Elpy's effect. During my Main Phase, I can Special Summon 1 Dragon Monster from my hand of Deck to the zone pointed by 2 or more Link Monsters. "Two-headed dragon who commands the wind, ascend and blow away the fog that led people astray! Come forth, Guardragon Andrake!" Ryuki summons Andrake from her Deck to the zone pointed by Elpy and Pisty's Link Arrows.
Guardragon Andrake (DRAGON/WIND/EFFECT/ATK: 2000/DEF: 600/LV: 4)
"When Guardragon Andrake is Special Summoned from hand or Deck, I can double this card's original ATK and DEF until the end of the next turn." Ryuki doubles Andrake's ATK and DEF.
Guardragon Andrake ATK & DEF: 2000 & 600 = 4000 & 1200
"I activate Magic Card: Dragon's Trade. I banish three Dragon monsters in my Graveyard and draw three cards." Ryuki banishes Tfeni, Geiv, and Shiyu from her Graveyard and then draws three cards from the top of her Deck.
"Battle! I attack Aromaseraphy Jasmine with Andrake!" Ryuki declares her Battle Phase.
Andrake spread its wings. The gem on its chest glowed brightly, filling the two-headed dragon with energies sparkling like gemstones. The winds gathered around Andrake in whirlwind motion.
Seconds before Andrake could open its wings, Chloris opens her Reverse Card.
"Trap Card: Aroma Healing. I gain 1000 LP for each Aroma monster with a different name." Chloris controls Jasmine and Rosemary, so she gains 2000 LP in total. White magic cirlce is formed above Chloris, showering her with white sparks that increases her LP.
Chloris LP: 5000 = 7000
"At this moment, I activate Aromage Rosemary's effect. Once per turn, if I gain LP, I can change the battle position of 1 monster on the field." Chloris points to the incoming Guardragon Andrake. Rosemary raises her wand and then knocks it down, summoning a big water bubble that traps Andrake, immobilizing the dragon back to its place before the bubble pops out, dropping the now drenched dragon to Defense Position.
"Cancelling my attack by forcing Andrake to Defense Position. This is not good. Andrake's DEF is lower than any of her monsters, and so does my Link Monsters' ATKs." Ryuki knows that the next turn won't be pretty for her.
"And then, I activate Aromaseraphy Jasmine's effect. Once per turn, if I gain LP, I can add 1 Plant monster from mine Deck to my hand." Chloris adds one Aroma Monster to her hand.
"I set two cards and end my turn." Ryuki finishes her turn.
As Chloris begins her turn, due to Aroma Garden's effect, Chloris' LP is increased by 500.
Chloris LP: 7000 = 7500
"I change Rosemary to Attack Position." Ryuki changes Rosemary's previously defensive position to offensive.
"I activate Aroma Healing's effect from mine Graveyard. I can banish it to Special Summon 1 Aroma monster in the Graveyard and Special Summon it and gain 500 LP." Chloris revives Bergamot in Attack Position to the zone pointed by Jasmine's Bottom-Left Arrow along with an additional 500 LP for her.
Chloris LP: 7500 = 8000
Aromage Bergamot ATK & DEF: 2400 & 1800 = 2900 & 2300
"I also activate Aromage Bergamot's effect. When I gain LP, 'tis card gains 1000 ATK and DEF until the end of my opponent's turn." Chloris reveals. Bergamot raises his wand, powering up his ATK and DEF at the same time.
Aromage Bergamot ATK & DEF: 2900 & 2300 = 3900 & 3300
"Battle! I attack Guardragon Andrake with Bergamot!" Chloris declares her Battle Phase.
Bergamot points his staff towards Andrake, forming a large fire ball and shoots it at the weakened dragon.
"While my LP is higher than my opponent's while I control this card, when a Plant-Type monster I control attacks a Defense Position monster, I can inflict piercing battle damage. And due to Rosemary's effect, my opponent cannot activate monster effects until the end of damage step!" Chloris reveals.
Ryuki tenses up, not expecting the effect. Chloris changed Andrake into Defense Position not just to stop her attack, but also so that she can destroy Andrake while still inflicting damage.
Still, though an unexpected move, Ryuki won't let Chloris have her way.
"I activate Quick-Play Spell: Dragonic Preservation! I can choose a Dragon monster I control, that Dragon monster cannot be affected by my opponent's monster effect until the end of this turn!" Ryuki activates one of the three cards she has drawn. She picks Celestial Sphere, protecting the dragon from Rosemary's monster effect negation, and thus, allows Ryuki to use the dragon's effect.
"I activate Celestial Sphere's effect! Once per opponent's turn, if this card is in the Extra Monster Zone, I can Release 1 monster from my hand or field; and return 1 face-up card on the field to the hand!" Ryuki Release Celestial Sphere and then return Andrake back to her hand.
Ryuki is fully aware that she'd still suffer huge damage from this, but this damage is lesser than if she kept Celestial Sphere with 0 ATK in her field. Had she insisted on keeping Celestial Sphere, her life would've ended.
"Then, I attack Guardragon Elpy !" Chloris shifts her target to Elpy. The fireball thrown by Bergamot shifts direction towards one of the remaining two dragons. The flame covers the dragon's entire body, incinerating it until not even its ashes remains.
Ryuki LP: 4000 = 1300
"Ugh...!" Ryuki holds her ground as the blow from her monster's destruction pushes her. She straightens herself before pointing at one of her Reverse cards.
"Trap Card: Dragon Aid! When my dragon monster is destroyed by Battle, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Dragon Monster from my hand and until the end of this turn, my opponent can only attack that Dragon monster and it cannot be destroyed!" Ryuki summons Aset Dragon in Attack Position.
Hieroglyphic Dragon - Aset Dragon (DRAGON/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK: 1900/DEF: 1200/LV: 5)
"But thou still receive damage." Chloris reminds the dragon user as she orders Aromage Rosemary to attack next. The blue-dressed Aromage monster lit up the candle of her staff and moves her staff in a dancing motion, forming dozens of butterfly-shaped waters that assault the purple-skin dragon.
Ryuki LP: 1100 = 900
And lastly, Chloris attacks with Aromaseraphy Jasmine, who summons a storm of white flowers, cutting Aset Dragon's body with its sharp petals.
Ryuki LP: 900 = 500
"Turn end." Chloris concludes.
Kento watches the Duel with other staff worriedly. The intruder was stronger than he expected. To think that Kazue would be cornered like this. A skilled hacker and a powerful Duelists, a dangerous combination to have as enemies. He wants to log in and help her at any moment now, but there'll be a big consequence if Holysaber appears, especially when there are people of SOL Technologies here.
"Wait... That's right. I still have my Tsurugi avatar. If I use that avatar, then I can..." Just as Kento contemplates that and ready to log in to help,
"How is the situation?"
Matsumoto comes in together with Bashira, asking the situation at hand.
"Matsumoto-san?! Weren't you escorted out?!" Kento asks in surprise.
"I don't think it's right for me to stay still. This also concerns our side. It'd be troublesome if the intruder steals the data of our joint project." Matsumoto reasons. Kento can't refute that.
"Where are Amagi-san and Toriumi-san?" Kento asks, expecting that the Chief of Security and his assistant also follows them, but they're nowhere to be seen.
"They're relaying the situation to our CEO. It just so happens she's calling us to hear the update of our progress." Matsumoto answers before looking at the screen that shows Ryuki Dueling against the intruder.
"Is this Ryuki fighting for us? She's in a difficult situation." Matsumoto asks.
"As long as she still has LP, she can still fight." Kento says firmly. He'll bet on the little chance that Ryuki has even if it seems hopeless.
"Ms. Ryuki, won't thee surrender?" Chloris asks Ryuki. "'Tis dost not need to end in a painful way."
Ryuki looks at Chloris incredulously. Shockingly, when Chloris asked, it wasn't said as mockery or sarcasm. She is sincerely asking out of concern for her well-being. What kind of thief she is to go as far as showing sympathy to the person getting in her way. Perhaps she's actually a nice person but is forced to steal their database? Or is there another reason she's hiding?
"You said that your master wants to see the data stored here. For what purpose?" Ryuki asks. It won't a change a thing regardless of her answer, but Ryuki couldn't help wanting to know.
"I'm sorry. But even I know not of mine master's intention. He gives me the order and I obey." Chloris answers.
It doesn't look like Chloris was lying. She's truly clueless of whatever her master is planning after stealing their data. From the way she referred to her master, she's not someone who is hired only for one time like most intruders Ryuki encountered. From the way she spoke of this master of hers, she's doing this out of pure unquestionable loyalty. It's difficult to discern whether Chloris belongs to a rival company or a small group that likes to cause mischief.
Nevertheless, Ryuki won't concede. She cannot. It's unlike her Duel against Soulburner, the stake of this Duel is big. If she lost, her father's company would suffer. Even though she knows her father wouldn't blame her should the worst happen, losing is not an option that she would take. Everybody in the enterprise worked hard to create all these projects. She won't let all their hard work becomes nothing.
"Thou art strong. Even in 'tis situation, thou still continue to fight. Mine master would be pleased." Chloris smiles softly at Ryuki.
"Your master would be pleased? Why?" Ryuki inquires. Chloris' master knew her? Does that mean that the person behind this is someone she had met before?
"That is only mine master can tell thou." Chloris shakes her head.
"Very well. I'll have to drag your master out by defeating you. My turn. Draw!" Ryuki begins her turn. She looks at the card she drew, the card she has in her hand, and then the field.
"There is a way to win by taking advantage of Chloris' monsters... But that all depends on how Chloris will play her next turn..." Ryuki is a bit nervous. But it's not like she has any other choice than with the cards available in her hand and field.
She must take this small chance in front of her. Now or never.
"I activate Magic Card: Hieroglyphic Seal of Supremacy. I can Special Summon 1 Hieroglyphic Monster from my hand." Ryuki summons Hieroglyphic Seal of the God Dragon to the Main Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Hieroglyphic Seal of the God Dragon (DRAGON/LIGHT/NORMAL/ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 8)
"I activate Aset Dragon's effect. Once per turn, I can target 1 face-up Dragon Normal Monster on the field and then change the Levels of all face-up Hieroglyphic monsters currently on the field become the Level of that monster until the End Phase." Ryuki targets Seal of the God Dragon's Level, changing Aset Dragon's Level to the same as Seal of the God Dragon.
Hieroglyphic Dragon - Aset Dragon LV: 5 = 8
"I Overlay Level 8 Seal of the Dragon God and Level 8 Aset!"
Ryuki holds out both of her arms, palms flat and facing downward representing two monsters that she declares, before placing her hands over one another, causing her Duel Disk to shine and yellow-colored sparks shoots above her, opening the Overlay Network. Seal of the God Dragon and Aset became particles of data and enters nodes on the Overlay Network. Energy flows in four beams past Ryuki creating a portal in front of her from which her Xyz Monster emerge.
"Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank 8, Hieroglyphic Heavenly Dragon – Ennead!" Ryuki summons Ennead to the Extra Monster Zone in Attack Position.
Hieroglyphic Heavenly Dragon – Ennead (DRAGON/LIGHT/XYZ/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2400/ORU: 2/RNK: 8)
"Battle! I attack Aromaseraphy Jasmine with Ennead!" Ryuki immediately declares her Battle Phase.
Following her declaration, Ennead shot a stream of fiery purplish red blast from its mouth straight towards the Aroma Link Monster.
"Aromaseraphy Jasmine's effect! If mine LP is higher than my opponent's, 'tis card and any Plant monsters it points to cannot be destroyed by battle." Chloris exclaims, directing her Link Monster to form a barrier of flower to protect them from the dragon's blast.
"But you still take damage!" Ryuki reminds the Aroma user.
The blast pushes back Chloris and her monster, almost causing Chloris to lose her footing from the impact, but she manages to keep standing.
Chloris LP: 8000 = 7300
"I set a card and end my turn." Ryuki concludes, surprising everyone.
"Thee just ends thy turn? Surely you jest?" Chloris questions Ryuki's decision to finish her turn with just that one attack. She thought that Ryuki would do more. But seeing Ryuki doesn't answer her question, she has no intention to do more.
Chloris doubts that Ryuki has given up. The blaze in Ryuki's eyes doesn't diminish. She's planning to Duel to the end. But what can she do with her current situation?
With the end of Ryuki's second turn, Aroma Garden's effect also ends, reverting Chloris' monsters' ATKs and DEFs to normal.
Aromage Bergamot ATK & DEF: 3900 & 3300 = 2400 & 1800
Aromaseraphy Jasmine ATK: 2300 = 1800
Aromage Rosemary ATK & DEF: 2300 & 1200 = 1800 & 700
However, the return of the ATK and DEF numbers is only brief. Just as Chloris begins her turn, Aroma Garden's effect once again increases the Aroma monsters' ATKs and DEFs along with Chloris' LP.
Chloris LP: 7300 = 7800
Aromaseraphy Jasmine ATK: 1800 = 2300
Aromage Rosemary ATK & DEF: 1800 & 700 = 2300 & 1200
Aromage Bergamot ATK & DEF: 2400 & 1800 = 2900 & 2300
"I activate Aromage Bergamot's effect. When I gain LP, this card gains 1000 ATK and DEF until the end of my opponent's turn." Chloris reveals. Bergamot raises his wand, powering up his ATK and DEF at the same time.
Aromage Bergamot ATK & DEF: 2900 & 2300 = 3900 & 3300
"At this moment, I activate Aromage Rosemary's effect. Once per turn, if I gain LP, I can change the battle position of 1 monster on the field." Chloris changes Ennead's battle position to Defense like she did with Andrake in the previous turns.
Watching from the real world, Kento is confused. Ryuki could've used Ennead's effect to negate Aromage Rosemary's effect and then destroy it. Why did she just let Ennead to be on Defense despite knowing Aromage Bergamot's piercing damage inflicting effect?
"'Tis is thy end! I attack Ennead with Aromage Bergamot!" Chloris declares her attack immediately. Bergamot prepares his fire ball again following his master's command.
However, in that moment, Ryuki opens one of her Reverse Cards.
"Trap Card: Staunch Defender! When my opponent declares an attack, I can target 1 face-up monster on my field. During this turn, my opponent can only attack that monster and my opponent must attack that monster with all their face-up monsters!" Ryuki reveals her first Trap, choosing Ennead as her target, making the Xyz dragon the sole target of this attack until the end of this turn.
"What?!" Chloris is shocked beyond belief.
Everyone who is watching the Duel in the real world is equally shocked.
"Ryuki only has 500 LP left. Ennead only has 2400 DEF while Bergamot has 3900 ATK. She won't survive 1500 damage that would be inflicted. Why would she bother activating that Trap?" Matsumoto wonders out loud in bewilderment.
"Has she lost it?" Bashira deduces.
"No." Kento interjects, staring at Ryuki with unbreakable faith. "She must have a plan."
"I activate Dragon's Aid's effect from my Graveyard! I banish this card and a Dragon Monster from the Graveyard to increase the ATK and DEF of a Dragon Monster I control equal to the banished monster's ATK and DEF until the end of this turn!" Ryuki banishes Dragon's Aid together with Guardragon Justicia, increasing Ennead's ATK by 0 and DEF by 2100, equal to the latter dragon's ATK and DEF.
Hieroglyphic Heavenly Dragon – Ennead ATK & DEF: 3000 & 2400 = 3000 & 4500
"DEF of 4500?!" Chloris gasps at the sudden turn of event.
"If I cannot defeat you by destroying your monsters and cannot attack because you force me into Defense... Then I'll have you destroy yourself." Ryuki tells Chloris. Her plan is a success.
Kento smiles as he figures out Ryuki's intention.
She expected Chloris to use Rosemary's effect to change Ennead into Defense Position so that she can inflict bigger damage due to Ennead's DEF is lower than its ATK. Ryuki takes advantage of that switch to instead inflict bigger damage on Chloris by forcing all her monsters to attack Ennead whose DEF became higher than their ATKs thanks to Dragon's Aid's effect.
"Excellent, Ryuki!" Kento cheers internally.
Bergamot throws his fireball at Ennead, but the dragon reflects the fireball back with a flap of its wings, blasting back Bergamot and Chloris together.
Chloris LP: 7800 = 7200
Rosemary summons her water butterflies to swarm at Ennead. However, much like Bergamot's fireball, Ennead flaps its wings to unleash a powerful blow of wind, blowing away the butterflies and almost sending Chloris flying.
Chloris LP: 7200 = 5000
Lastly, Aromaseraphy Jasmine unleashes her floral storm, but again, Ennead deflects the storm with a single swing of its wings, dispersing the flowery storm.
Chloris LP: 5000 = 2800
Chloris stares dumbfoundedly at Ryuki. She's speechless. She was so close to winning, confident that all she needed was to deliver the finishing blow, but Ryuki defies her expectations by turning the tide to her favor by taking advantage of her own combo. It's hard to believe...
"...Yet it's amazing..." Chloris looks at Ryuki in astonishment.
"I end my turn." Chloris concludes. She briefly closes her eyes. She knows what's going to come next. Despite her impending outcome, she's not upset.
Following the end of Chloris' turn, Ennead's ATK and DEF turn to normal.
Hieroglyphic Heavenly Dragon – Ennead ATK & DEF: 3000 & 4500 = 3000 & 2400
"My turn. I change Ennead to Attack Position." Ryuki changes back Ennead's battle position to offensive. She's not going to waste any more time. She will put an end to this now.
"Battle! I attack Aromage Rosemary with Ennead!" Ryuki declares her first attack.
Ennead shoots a stream of purplish flame from its mouth, burning the Aromage monster.
Chloris LP: 2800 = 700
"At this moment, I activate Trap Card: Dragon's Rebirth! I target 1 Dragon monster I control and banish it to Special Summon 1 Dragon monster from my hand or Graveyard!" Ryuki opens her Reverse Card, banishing Pisty.
With her current situation, she actually didn't really need to activate this Trap. She'll still win by having Pisty deliver the finishing blow. However, she doesn't feel it's right to end this without her ace monster.
"Appear once more, Andrake!" Ryuki summons back Andrake that she returned to her hand in the previous turn. Since it was Special Summoned from hand through a card effect, Andrake's ATK is doubled.
Guardragon Andrake ATK: 2000 = 4000
"Go, Andrake! Serpentine Squall!" Ryuki declares her final attack.
Andrake spread its wings. The gem on its chest glowed brightly, filling the two-headed dragon with energies sparkling like gemstones. The winds gathered around Andrake in whirlwind motion until the dragon's wings closed momentarily before spreading it wide open along with a roar, sending gust of winds at Aromaseraphy Jasmine, blowing away the Aroma Link Monster along with Chloris.
Chloris LP: 700 = 0
Both Duelists' Duel Disk deactivates following the end of the Duel. Chloris is kneeling on the floor; her body still trembles from the impact of the final blow. Ryuki is also shaking, but it doesn't take long for her to recover. Ryuki walks towards Chloris, ready to interrogate the intruder's identity...
"Look out!"
Ryuki gasps when someone suddenly pushes her down. Just as her body hits the floor, there's an explosion coming from the wall on their side. The person who pushed her is still holding her down protectively until the shaking stops. She looks at the person who protected her and is surprised to see who it was.
Knight.
The Duelist whom she saw fighting against Holysaber just a few days ago when they were on their way to Windy's world.
"Knight...!" Kento tenses up at Knight's appearance.
"Another intruder?!" One of the staff looks at Knight on screen warily.
"Rest assured. He is one of our men." Matsumoto calmly tells the staff. This brings relief to them, knowing that their boss' daughter is in safe hands.
Kento looks at Matsumoto suspiciously and then back at Knight who helps Ryuki stand up.
"You're..." Ryuki looks at Knight uncomfortably despite her feeling of gratitude towards the latter.
"I will explain later. We must first deal with them." Knight turns to the direction where Chloris is.
The thick smoke from the explosion momentarily covers Chloris' form. When Ryuki gets a hold of her vision, she sees two silhouettes behind the smoke. One is Chloris. The other one is...
When the smoke disperses, the other figure is revealed to be none other than the Duelist that Ryuki had met before. That prosthetic arm and that golden mask. She remembers clearly a Duelist with those features. That Duelist left too much of an impression to be forgotten.
It's the mysterious assailant that she and Kento encountered in the ruins of the Cyberse World where they first met Ai, Saint Kuriboh, and Linkuriboh.
"You're from before...!" Ryuki finally utters as she recognizes him.
"You know him?" Knight asks, looking at the new intruder and then back at Ryuki.
"Sort of. We only met once before. I don't know anything about him." Ryuki answers without removing her gaze from the mysterious assailant who attacked her and Kento before. To think he is affiliated with Chloris. And if he is here, a partner-in-crime of Chloris, that means the master Chloris talked about was the same person as the one behind the mysterious assailant.
The mysterious assailant takes Chloris by her hand and shoulder, helping her back to her feet. He then faces Knight and Ryuki, who seem more than ready to fight him. He raises his left arm in response, but Chloris holds his arm back down.
"Forebear, Ganymede. 'Twas unfortunate but it is a loss. Hie withdraw." Chloris tells him. It would spell a disaster if they keep staying here for long with the situation against them. They must return to their master and report their failure.
"Understood." Ganymede replies, relenting to Chloris' instruction.
He shoots the ceiling above with his prosthetic hand, opening a hole for both him and Chloris to escape using their D-Boards. To make sure Ryuki and Knight won't follow them so quickly, Ganymede shoots more parts of the ceiling, causing the ceiling to fall, stopping Ryuki and Knight from chasing them as they're busy avoiding the fallen debris above them.
"Wait!" Ryuki intends to stop them from escaping by following them with her D-Board, but Knight holds her back, holding her by the arm.
"It's too late. And there's no telling what will happen if we leave the security system like this." Knight tells her, reminding her that restoring the security system to protect the database is her main priority.
Ryuki is reluctant, but he is right. All that matters is that she stopped them from stealing the data stored here. It's possible that they'd be back, so she must make sure they not only restore but also reinforce the security system and defense program. The intruders are far stronger than the intruders they had ever encountered previously. They must double their efforts in their protection.
Kento watches Knight. He appears here under Matsumoto's order while Shion and Isamu are outside. Even if SOL Technologies informed the CEO about this attack, there's no way they could send a Duelist within a short time, even through the network. Not with how far the distance between this facility and Den City. That means, Knight must be nearby, in the perimeter. Or to be precise, inside this facility. Right at this moment.
"I'll make this clear for you, so you won't misunderstand. I am not a bounty hunter. Let's just say that I am one of high executives of SOL Technologies."
A high executive of SOL Technologies who participates in capturing the Ignis and Divine Deck who is not part of the bounty hunters' team but has the privilege to take part in that mission. People who participate in the hunt must receive approval from the Chief of Security, the one in charge of SOL Technologies' security team.
Everything fits.
There's no doubt in Kento's mind.
Shion Amagi is Knight.
Unknown Domain – LINK VRAINS
"You failed, Chloris."
Chloris and Ganymede are standing behind a figure hiding in the curtain of the window, watching the fake moon illuminating the dark sky of LINK VRAINS.
"My apologies." Chloris apologizes, bowing her head down.
"It was just something I wanted to see out of curiosity rather than necessity. But I appreciate your effort. You did well." The figure thanks her for her work, still admiring the moon above. "If our current plan progress smoothly, we wouldn't need the backup plan."
"How is Ryuki? You Dueled her, correct?" The figure asks, tone filled with interest at the Duelist he mentioned.
"She is strong. She will continue becoming stronger the more she Duels." Chloris reports. She still can't let go of the astonishment she felt when she Dueled Ryuki. The dragon user has the wit and strong will to stand her ground.
"I see." The figure hums in satisfaction before asking his second question, "What of Holysaber?"
"Based on his Duel against Haru, I believe he hast gotten a good grasp in using the Divine Deck. However, Haru didst ignore my warning and let his guard down." Chloris recalls the Duel Holysaber had against Haru back at Windy's world. She left him a warning as instructed by her master before the boy confronted Holysaber, but the boy looked too irritated to heed the given warning.
"The little fool. For an A.I. with free will, he follows his master without question like a puppet. No different from the other emotionless A.I.s" The figure turns to Ganymede when he said so. The A.I. with Melpomene mask is standing still quietly. "Ganymede, has there been any movement from Knights of Hanoi?"
Ganymede silently presses the screen of his Duel Disk and then shows a certain news article. Reading at the news, the figure sounds pleased.
"They freed Baira. Finally, they're going to join this war of ours."
The figure turns away from the moon, his gaze now turns to a board game placed on the table next to him.
"Shall we give them a little greeting?"
Next Chapter Preview
Chapter 11: Hanoi's Return – The Knights of Hanoi were discussing the current situation at LINK VRAINS, specifically the Ignis that have scattered and hiding within the network, and Playmaker's group who had teamed up with two of the seven Ignis.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
This chapter introduced another OC I created for this fanfic, Chloris. I have fondness for female antagonist characters, and since VRAINS only has Baira as female antagonist character, I created Chloris. I had a hard time deciding her name at first, but after deciding that she'll use Aroma archetype as her Deck, I thought she should be given a name related to nymph or fairy. I originally wanted to name her Titania, after the fairy queen from Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night Dream to fit her way of speaking. But after including Ganymede into consideration, I decided to give her Greek name to match with Ganymede. And yeah, Ganymede, the mysterious attacker from chapter 1, whose name I finally revealed in this chapter.
What is your first impression of Chloris? I hope I wrote her well. And what do you think of Ryuki and their Duel in this chapter? I hope it's fun and enjoyable for you to read.
PLEASE REVIEW THIS CHAPTER~ YOUR REVIEWS GIVE ME MOTIVATION!
LIST OF ORIGINAL CARDS
Ryuki's Cards
Dragonic Preservation (Quick-Play Spell) – Choose one Dragon monster that you control; that monster cannot be affected by your opponent's card effect until the end of turn.
Dragon's Trade (Magic Card) – Banish 3 Dragon monsters in your Graveyard and then draw 3 cards.
Dragon's Aid (Trap Card) – When all your monsters are destroyed by Battle, you can Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Dragon Monster from your hand and until the end of this turn, that Dragon monster cannot be destroyed (Quick Effect). When this card is in Graveyard, you can banish this card and a Dragon monster in the Graveyard, add that Dragon's ATK to the Dragon monster that you control.
TRIVIA
1. The name Chloris is based on a nymph who was associated with spring, flowers and new growth in Greek mythology.
2. The name Ganymede is based on a divine hero who was abducted by the gods to serve as Zeus's cupbearer in Olympus in Greek mythology.
3. The mask that Chloris used, Thalia mask, is the pair to Melpomene mask, making the two of them together Comedy and Tragedy masks. In Greek culture, Thalia mask is the laughing mask, named after the Muse of comedy. Thalia also comes from the Greek thallein meaning to flourish or be verdant.