Let's play cards! In a fantasy world of swords and magic

The same black cloak, the same counterfeit Millennium Ring, the same Shadow Game.

The only difference was that the dark duelist facing Ilin was a woman.

Even the loose black cloak couldn't hide her curvaceous figure.

Her face, partially hidden by the hood, exuded the charm of a mature woman.

"Hehehe," the black-robed woman chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand, her laughter both alluring and unsettling.

"My fiery little darling, I didn't expect you to last this long in the Shadow Game. It really makes my heart ache and flutter. I think your little white-haired friend has probably already fallen by now~"

Breathing heavily, Ilin's chest, which was quite well-endowed, rose and fell rapidly with each labored breath.

For ordinary people trapped in a Shadow Game, every second drained their stamina and spirit, and Ilin Austin was no exception.

"What have you done with Little Ai?"

Aisha's sudden disappearance, the sudden appearance of the black-robed woman, and the sudden start of the Shadow Game—Ilin was completely lost.

"I used a barrier to separate the two of you and sent your little white-haired friend to my companion. After all, I'm not just a duelist—I'm also a barrier master."

Barrier Master Meigen was the title of this female dark duelist.

Barrier magic, unrelated to Duel Monsters, was a branch of magic that had existed on this continent for a long time.

Only those with special bloodlines could master barrier magic.

Being both a duelist and a barrier master, Meigen was considered a top-tier talent even in the Elven Continent.

That such a talented individual would willingly fall into darkness as a dark duelist left Ilin deeply puzzled.

"You used a barrier to separate me and Little Ai…"

If this had happened before, Ilin would have been extremely worried about Aisha's safety.

But now, knowing that You Ling was by Aisha's side, Ilin felt a sense of relief.

"Though he's usually annoying for sticking so close to Aisha, he's pretty reliable in critical moments, You Ling."

Ilin muttered to herself, feeling a bit reassured, before narrowing her eyes and looking at the barrier master, Meigen.

"Don't be so optimistic, old woman. Maybe your companion is the one who'll lose the Shadow Game."

"O-old woman!?"

It was well-known that practicing magic could preserve one's youthful appearance, so most female mages looked like they were at their most beautiful age.

But that didn't mean they didn't care about their age.

On the contrary, age was the most sensitive and dangerous topic among female mages.

"Your mouth is as fiery as your hair, little darling. But I suggest you worry less about others and more about your own safety."

Shadow Game, Current Duel State—

Meigen LP: 4000

[Axe Raider ★★★★ Dark]

[Warrior-Type ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200]

On Meigen's field stood a level 4 Warrior-Type monster, Axe Raider, wielding a massive battle axe with 1700 attack points.

Ilin LP: 2600

[Elemental Hero Burstinatrix ★★★ Fire]

[Warrior-Type ATK: 1200 DEF: 800]

On Ilin's field was a female Elemental Hero monster. However, Burstinatrix's attack power couldn't match that of Axe Raider.

It was now Ilin's turn.

"Huff… huff…"

Her fingers trembling as they rested on her deck, Ilin felt for the first time how exhausting it was to even draw a card in a Shadow Game.

"So this is the Shadow Game that Ed experienced back then. To think he managed to last until the end—Ed really is amazing."

She couldn't back down now!

All her efforts and growth up to this point had been for the sake of protecting those around her when faced with a Shadow Game.

If she didn't face this head-on now, what right did she have to call herself a hero?

"Don't underestimate my heroes! My turn, draw!"

With renewed determination, Ilin drew her card for the turn, and a glimmer of hope flashed in her tired eyes.

"It's here! I summon [Elemental Hero Blazeman] in attack position, and then activate the Spell Card [Blossom]!"

[Elemental Hero Blazeman ★★★ Earth]

[Plant-Type/Effect ATK: 600 DEF: 1000]

[Blossom Spell Card Effect: Tribute 1 "Elemental Hero Blazeman" on your field to Special Summon 1 "Elemental Hero Heat" from your hand or deck.]

"Bloom and flourish, Elemental Hero Blazeman. Show your most beautiful form!"

Petals grew and blossomed defiantly in the darkness. The fully evolved form of the not-so-strong Blazeman brought forth a new Elemental Hero monster on Ilin's field.

"Special Summon—[Elemental Hero Heat]!"

[Elemental Hero Heat ★★★★★★ (6 stars) Earth]

[Plant-Type/Special Summon/Effect ATK: 1900 DEF: 2000]

[This card cannot be Normal Summoned. This card can only be Special Summoned by the effect of "Blossom."]

Clad in a verdant plant-themed dress, the female hero, with 1900 attack points, successfully surpassed the 1700 ATK of Axe Raider.

"Battle! Heat, attack!—Blossom Cyclone!"

A dazzling whirlwind of petals formed a tornado in the dark environment, obliterating the axe-wielding monster on Meigen's field.

[Axe Raider] destroyed.

Meigen LP: 4000 → 3800

Though the damage was minimal, Ilin had successfully broken through Meigen's field.

"When battle damage is dealt, [Elemental Hero Heat]'s effect activates, increasing its attack power by 200 points."

[Elemental Hero Heat ATK: 1900 → 2100]

Drawing strength from the essence of life, Heat's already striking figure seemed to grow even more elegant.

"Next, [Elemental Hero Burstinatrix] will attack directly. Let the darkness feel the flames of a hero!—Burst Shot!"

Following up with a direct attack, Burstinatrix hurled a blazing fireball at Meigen's black robe.

Meigen LP: 3800 → 2600

"Success!"

Even though her body was on the verge of collapse, the damage dealt to Meigen this turn gave Ilin a small boost of morale.

"Just hold on a little longer… Just a little longer, and I can win…"

Her belief in hope kept the weakened Ilin fighting.

"I set one card and end my turn."

Slamming a card onto the field, Ilin ended her turn and took a moment to catch her breath.

"Little darling, you told me not to underestimate you, but haven't you also underestimated the depths of this darkness? My turn, draw!"

Drawing her card for the turn, Meigen's slender fingers lifted a Spell Card.

Then, an indescribable surge of magical energy gathered in the endless darkness, condensing into a single point on the field.

"A-grade Spell Card, [Black Hole], activate!"

To be continued...