Bonus Chapter
The pain lingered for several long moments before gradually subsiding, and even then, a dull ache remained somewhere beyond the reach of flesh.
Victor slowly lifted his head.
His attention never shifted toward the possessed youth; instead, his eyes settled upon the towering blue-skinned demon standing at the centre of the battlefield while thinking, 'Zoa... Something has changed.'
His gaze sharpened as he realised, 'No... Something has always been different.'
His thoughts rapidly retraced the duel, 'Mechanicalchaser... Makyura... Every monster that had appeared until now possessed the same quality. They were manifestations. Mostly constructs shaped by the Duel Field. Though impressive, they resembled extensions of the ritual itself more than independent beings. They obeyed. They fought. Then they disappeared without leaving behind even the faintest spiritual echo. But Zoa... isn't like them.'
Victor could feel it; his senses reached beyond the visible battlefield, brushing against something concealed beneath the ritual's orderly structure.
A real presence.
The blue-skinned demon radiated a spiritual pressure entirely distinct from every other monster summoned thus far, as it possessed identity, consciousness and will.
On top of that, he could "see" a faint spiritual thread extended from the monster's body.
Victor followed it with his eyes, and it connected directly to the young man standing opposite him.
Victor's eyes narrowed, and he said, "So..."
His voice remained as calm as ever as he declared, "...It is you."
For the first time since its appearance, Zoa moved without any command being given.
Its head tilted ever so slightly, and then it smiled.
The expression spread slowly on its face, and it wasn't the young man's smile; it belonged entirely to the monster as it said, "Indeed."
Its voice echoed across the battlefield like steel grinding against stone, "Huhuhu... The prey finally noticed the predator standing in front of him."
The possessed youth stood perfectly still as his expression had become strangely vacant, like a puppet whose strings had momentarily slackened.
Victor rose back to his feet; the lingering pain remained, but it no longer occupied his attention as he concluded, "You're a Duel Spirit."
The blue-skinned demon chuckled, making the sound reverberate throughout the barrier.
"No." Victor corrected himself almost immediately, his brown eyes never leaving the creature, "You're a Duel Spirit that was able to cross into this world."
For the first time since the Shadow Game began, the demon looked genuinely pleased as it commented, "Most perceptive."
Its glowing eyes studied Victor with renewed interest as it added, "I was beginning to wonder how long it would take."
"So the ritual does not merely separate us from the real world and make the cards have real magical effects," Victor continued, speaking more to himself than his opponent, "But it allows Duel Spirits like you to fully materialise and become alive..."
"Heh... Only to those lucky and capable of taking the chance appearing in front of them with their own hands." The blue-skinned spread one hand and added, "And only to those strong enough to survive. After all, Shadow Games are... dangerous!"
Silence settled between them as neither attempted to interrupt the other.
The Duel Field itself seemed to acknowledge the exchange, the currents of Spirit Energy flowing more slowly around the two confronting one another through the medium of cards.
Victor finally shifted his gaze toward the remaining face-down monster, as there was still a duel to finish and he could figure out the rest once he had won.
So, he raised his hand and commanded, "Meteor Dragon attack that set card."
The turtle-like dragon spread its wings.
A blazing meteor condensed within its jaws before streaking across the battlefield toward the hidden monster.
The face-down card flipped, and a metallic sphere emerged.
Its body unfolded with sharp mechanical clicks as dozens of crimson lenses focused upon the incoming dragon.
[Blast Sphere - 1400 ATK / 1400 DEF]
For the briefest instant, nothing happened, then the machine launched itself forward, but rather than intercepting the attack, it collided directly with Meteor Dragon's chest.
Metallic limbs unfolded from its surface.
With a loud clang, the sphere locked itself firmly around the dragon's body, making it roar as it struggled violently to free itself, but to no avail.
At the same time, the possessed youth, no, Zoa, laughed.
The sound was openly mocking now.
Victor silently observed the phenomenon as the Duel Field resolved the Monster's effect before commenting, "That's an elegant trap..."
The words carried genuine appreciation despite the situation.
His opponent's smile widened as it said, "You already understand. When the face-down Blast Sphere is attacked by an opponent's monster, it equips itself to the attacking monster."
It paused for a moment and then added with a malicious grin on its face, "Then, during your next Standby Phase, it destroys the equipped monster, inflicting damage equal to the ATK the destroyed monster had on the field."
Victor inclined his head slightly and declared, "That's unacceptable."
The Duel Spirit laughed again and asked, "And what exactly do you intend to do about it?"
Victor looked down at the cards still resting in his hand, and the answer came without hesitation, "Fortunately... the problem possesses another solution."
He entered his second Main Phase, and without the slightest trace of urgency, he placed a Spell Card upon the field while announcing, "I activate Polymerization."
The familiar vortex appeared in front of him, and Victor paid closer attention to the phenomenon because, unlike ordinary Spell Cards, Polymerization generated a remarkably stable current of Spirit Energy.
It did not destroy, nor did it revive, but it merged.
The ritual recognised two separate existences before carefully reconstructing them according to an entirely new pattern; that was an extraordinarily sophisticated yet delicate process.
But then he quickly focused back on the duel and said, "I fuse Meteor Dragon on the field with Versago the Destroyer..."
The turtle-like dragon looked toward Victor without resistance while a masked, shadow-like fiend with four purple wings emerged beside it.
Neither monster struggled against the gathering vortex, and instead, both willingly dissolved into streams of Spirit Energy.
Blast Sphere remained firmly attached to Meteor Dragon for only a moment as the dragon's body lost its physical form; the machine found itself with nothing left to bind and its clamps snapped shut on empty air.
Without a target, its effect collapsed, and Blast Sphere dropped harmlessly to the Duel Field before vanishing into the Graveyard.
Victor quietly observed the interaction and muttered, "As expected, the effect recognises only the original target... not the resulting Fusion Monster."
Above the battlefield, the vortex intensified, making Victor announce, "I Fusion Summon... Meteor Black Dragon!"
The combined streams of Spirit Energy twisted together into an enormous spiral before erupting skyward.
Then a deafening roar split the darkness as the swirling vortex exploded in a torrent of crimson and violet light.
From its heart descended an enormous dragon, its hulking frame cloaked in obsidian-purple scales streaked with glowing crimson fissures, as though molten fire coursed beneath its hide. Vast, bat-like wings unfurled with a thunderous snap, scattering the lingering Spirit Energy as they stretched across the battlefield.
Its massive claws flexed the instant they touched the ground, carving deep trenches into the stone. A crown of jagged horns framed its savage head, while brilliant emerald eyes burned with feral intelligence. The dragon slowly raised its neck, smoke curling from between rows of dagger-like fangs before throwing back its head and unleashing another earth-shaking roar that rippled through the Duel Field.
Meteor Black Dragon had arrived.
[Meteor Black Dragon - 3500 ATK / 2000 DEF]
The colossal dragon landed upon Victor's field with enough force to shake the entire arena.
Its wings spread wide behind it, and the pressure radiating from its body dwarfed every monster that had appeared thus far; even Zoa's expression became slightly more guarded.
At the same time, Victor looked at the dragon standing in front of him while thinking, 'This is the card Alexander gifted me this Christmas... I already knew that it was extremely powerful, but I have to admit that seeing it like this gives a whole other feeling...'
After that, Victor quietly set one card face-down.
The card settled into place without fanfare.
Only then did he raise his eyes and announced, "My turn ends."
Across the battlefield, Zoa's grin slowly returned as he said, "My turn."
The Duel Spirit spoke the words, and the possessed youth merely obeyed like a marionette following invisible strings; the young man's hand moved automatically toward his Deck.
He drew, and without hesitation, another card struck the field as the Duel Spirit said, "I summon Mechanicalchaser in ATK Position."
The familiar machine barely finished materialising before Victor spoke, "Hold it. I activate Bottomless Trap Hole."
His own face-down card flipped open.
The ground beneath Mechanicalchaser suddenly fractured, and a yawning abyss opened beneath the mechanical warrior.
It had only enough time to raise its weapon before countless chains of Spirit Energy burst upward from the darkness and wrapped around its limbs, its torso, and its weapons and then dragged the struggling machine into the void.
The chasm sealed immediately afterwards, leaving no trace behind.
Victor watched calmly while Zoa clicked its tongue and commented, "How annoying. You're just delaying the inevitable."
The Duel Spirit wasted no further time and announced, "I enter the Battle Phase."
Its glowing eyes shifted toward its remaining servant and commanded, "Makyura. Attack Meteor Black Dragon!"
The fiendish warrior snarled and, without hesitation, hurled itself toward Meteor Black Dragon.
The result had never been in doubt.
The Fusion Dragon lowered its head, and a torrent of black fire erupted from its jaws.
The inferno consumed the charging warrior completely, and when the flames finally dispersed, nothing remained.
The possessed youth recoiled violently.
A cry escaped his lips as the backlash struck him.
[Victor — 2800 LP]
[??? — 2100 LP]
Victor noticed the contrast immediately.
The vessel staggered, and his breathing became ragged, yet Zoa did not react in the slightest.
The Duel Spirit remained perfectly composed, watching the exchange unfold with detached amusement, making him realise, 'I see... The possession likely isn't complete. The pain belongs solely to the body that serves as its host. Zoa is merely inhabiting it. This is likely by design. How devious...'
As Makyura dissolved into Spirit Energy, the Duel Spirit smiled and said, "Excellent."
Its voice carried unmistakable anticipation as it continued, "Now I activate Makyura's effect. I can now activate 1 Trap Card directly from my hand this turn."
The possessed youth revealed a Trap Card from his hand while the Duel Spirit announced, "I activate Metalmorph. This Trap Card allows me to target 1 face-up monster on the field and equip it to that target, making it gain 300 ATK/DEF. And I target myself!"
Victor's eyes narrowed faintly as everything clicked neatly into place.
Makyura had never been summoned to win the battle; its purpose had been preparation, and by allowing it to perish, Zoa had gained the ability to activate Trap Cards directly from the hand during this turn.
"So that..." Victor murmured, "...Was the objective."
The Trap erupted into silver light.
Liquid metal poured over Zoa's massive body, flowing across every surface before hardening into polished steel.
The already imposing fiend seemed to grow even heavier beneath the metallic shell while its orange eyes gleamed from behind the steel-like skin.
[Zoa - 2900 ATK / 2200 DEF]
The Duel Spirit slowly lifted its arm and announced, "Battle Phase."
Its smile widened as it declared, "I'm going to destroy Meteor Black Dragon."
Victor frowned while Zoa moved to attack.
The enormous fiend crossed the battlefield with surprising speed despite the layers of enchanted metal now covering its body. Every step sent tremors through the Duel Field, its claws trailing arcs of orange Spirit Energy as it closed the distance.
Meteor Black Dragon answered with a thunderous roar.
The Fusion Monster spread its massive wings and met the charge head-on, black flames spilling from between its fangs as both monsters converged in the centre of the field.
Steel claws collided with fangs.
The impact shook the entire barrier.
A violent shockwave burst outward, sending waves of Spirit Energy racing across the arena. Even the currents forming the Shadow Game rippled under the force of the clash.
For a brief instant, neither monster yielded.
Victor's eyes never left the collision until a surge of silver light erupted from Metalmorph.
The liquid metal coating Zoa's armour suddenly came alive, flowing across the fiend's body before concentrating along the edge of its claws.
[Zoa - 4650 ATK / 2200 DEF]
Victor watched the phenomenon and immediately realised what happened, making him mutter, "Half the opponent's Attack..."
The Trap temporarily borrowed strength from its opponent, converting Meteor Black Dragon's overwhelming power into Zoa's own.
An elegant combat application.
With that, the balance shifted, and with a deafening roar, Zoa forced the dragon backwards.
Its claws cleaved through the torrent of black flames before crashing directly into Meteor Black Dragon's chest.
The Fusion Monster let out one final roar, then its body exploded into countless fragments of Spirit Energy.
The backlash struck Victor instantly.
The world lurched as an unbearable pressure slammed into his chest, hurling him bodily across the stone platform.
His back struck the ground with enough force to drive the air from his lungs, and for a moment he couldn't breathe.
Pain spread through every inch of his body, but once again, the true wound lay elsewhere.
It felt as though an invisible hand had reached into his chest and torn away a portion of his very existence.
His vision blurred as the Duel Field swam before his eyes, and only after several slow breaths did the haze begin to clear.
The translucent numbers beside him flickered.
[Victor — 1650 LP]
[Zoa — 2100 LP]
Victor rested one hand against the ground and slowly pushed himself upright.
His breathing remained controlled despite the pain.
His heartbeat had accelerated, but only slightly, as panic would solve nothing; neither would frustration; only analysis possessed value.
Across the battlefield, Zoa lowered its arm.
Its metallic armour slowly returned to normal as Metalmorph's temporary enhancement faded.
The Duel Spirit regarded Victor with open amusement as it commented, "You endure well. Most mortals would be screaming by now."
Victor brushed a layer of dust from his sleeve, "I'm not like most mortals... And the pain itself is... informative."
One of Zoa's brows rose as it asked, "Informative...?"
"It confirms the ritual's consistency and rules." Victor's voice remained perfectly even, "Every exchange obeys the same underlying principles."
His gaze drifted briefly toward the fading remnants of Meteor Black Dragon as he continued, "Predictable systems can be understood and understood systems can be mastered and overcome."
For a heartbeat, Zoa simply stared, then it laughed, a deep, genuine laugh that echoed throughout the barrier, "Huhuhu! I like you."
The Duel Spirit's glowing eyes narrowed with unmistakable interest, "You've suffered a wound that would break most duelists, yet you're still studying the rules."
Victor offered no response, and so the Battle Phase ended.
Ordinarily, that would have marked the conclusion of the turn.
Instead, Zoa calmly raised one armoured hand and announced, "I tribute myself."
Victor's gaze sharpened.
The enormous fiend did not hesitate.
Its body dissolved into countless fragments of dark Spirit Energy that spiralled upward, abandoning the vessel standing across the field.
The currents gathered high above the Duel Field and condensed, making the pressure within the barrier increase dramatically to the point that even Victor felt the difference.
This summon carried a far greater spiritual weight than the previous ones.
The swirling darkness abruptly exploded.
From the heart of the explosion, an immense figure descended.
Gone was the fiendish flesh that had clad Zoa moments before. In its place stood a monstrous body encased in layers of gleaming steel, every inch protected by thick, angular armour plates forged in shades of silver and dark teal. Jagged violet spikes jutted from its limbs and tail like deadly blades, while a crown of golden crests rose from its armoured head, giving the mechanical beast an imposing, regal appearance.
Brilliant azure eyes flared to life beneath its plated brow, their cold glow devoid of any trace of mercy. Its long, segmented tail lashed through the air with a metallic screech as massive claws flexed, the razor-sharp talons gouging the Duel Field beneath them.
Then golden energy coursed through the seams of its armoured body, gathering around one outstretched arm until it formed a blazing, blade-like aura. The surrounding Spirit Energy churned violently, unable to remain still in the presence of the machine fiend's overwhelming power.
The armoured monster slowly lowered its glowing weapon toward Victor, as though silently daring him to continue.
Metalzoa had descended.
[Metalzoa - 3000 ATK / 2300 DEF]
The Duel Spirit's presence remained unmistakable, but if anything, it had become even stronger.
Victor silently studied the newly evolved fiend, 'The differences extend beyond its increased strength; the Duel Spirit inhabiting the monster feels more stable, more complete. Almost as though the new body provides a superior vessel for its existence. It's like an evolution. Not merely in card mechanics but spiritually.'
The thought quietly settled into Victor's mind as Metalzoa announced, "With this I end my turn... Go on, I can't wait to taste your despair!"
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter