Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh!-Chapter 113: Reflection After Reflection

Here's the extra Chapter!

Next Goal: 1000 PS.

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[Kira, LP 4000 → LP 2500]

Shell: "..."

Looking at Kira's surprise "Herald of the Abyss," his face twitched for a while but he was speechless.

Herald of the Abyss, by its effect, is a player-targeting effect, forcibly making the opponent send one of their monsters to the Graveyard, like a tribute.

In other words, it can deal with "unaffected by card effects" boss monsters.

They said dueling is a clash of hearts, a way to read each other's souls.

If you could read anything from his soul in this duel, it would be: "I don't care about any nonsense, I just want to win."

And if I can have some fun while winning, even better.

"But you think that alone can deal with Demise? Not so easy!" Shell declared. "Activate set card, Trap Card: 'Swamp Mirrorer'!

Declare an Attribute and Type, this card becomes a Normal Monster with those qualities and Special Summons itself!"

"I declare DARK Attribute and Fiend-Type, Special Summon 'Swamp Mirror' as a DARK Fiend Trap Monster!"

[Swamp Mirrorer, ATK 1800]

"Then, 'Herald of Abyss'' effect resolves! Now I have two DARK Fiend monsters on the field."

Shell calmly sent Swamp Mirrorer from the field to the Graveyard.

"So, I choose the DARK Fiend 'Swamp Mirrorer' to send to the Graveyard."

The newly summoned Swamp Mirrorer was immediately swallowed by the abyss.

"Ah, even this was countered," Jaden said with regret. "This guy is strong..."

Kira: "Then I Normal Summon 'D.D. Warrior Lady.'"

Shell: "!"

That card's effect...

He remembered, that after the battle, both monsters were banished. If it attacks Demise, he can't keep it.

"Another troublesome monster," Shell said darkly. "Then, activate set card, Trap Card 'Trap Hole'! When your opponent summons a monster with 1000+ ATK, destroy it!"

So D.D. Warrior Lady was destroyed before she could act.

But Kira didn't mind. He raised another card.

"Then I banish the LIGHT 'D.D. Warrior Lady' from my Graveyard and the DARK 'Old Vindictive Magician' that Morphing Jar discarded.

Light and darkness are offered in the chaos field, summoning the legendary warrior!

—Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, Summon!!"

Light and dark souls merged, chaotic energy exploded, and a mighty armored warrior appeared, golden patterns gleaming, sword slashing as if splitting heaven and earth.

[Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000]

"So, the legendary warrior spirit appears."

Shell muttered.

"Then I'll claim this spirit as well."

"If you can win, sure." Kira waved. "Battle Phase! 'Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning' attacks 'Demise, King of Armageddon'! Chaos Double Slash!"

Jaden held his breath.

He knew the BLS had the effect to attack again after destroying a monster. Shell's LP is 2500—if he destroys Demise and attacks again, Black Luster Soldier's sword could decide the duel!

But Shell was ready: "Activate set card! Quick-Play Spell 'Command Silencer!' (Anime card)

Described by Kaiba as a card that cancels an attack command—even Slifer can't attack if it can't hear the order.

'Command Silencer' prevents you from declaring an attack with Black Luster Soldier this turn!" Shell said. "BLS can't receive your command, so it won't attack.

And then I draw a card."

Though not an official card, its effect is like "Threatening Roar" for a single monster but can be used even after an attack is declared.

"So, Battle Phase ends, Main Phase 2," Kira said. "Since BLS didn't attack this turn, I can use its other effect: once per turn, banish a monster on the field!"

He targeted Demise again.

"Banish 'Demise, King of Armageddon'! Chaos Dimension Slash!"

BLS drew its sword, one edge light, one edge dark. The sword split space, leaving a rift. Even the King of the End was sucked into the void, unable to resist.

"Nice!" Jaden praised. "If it's banished, Demise is finished! That should snap you out of it, right?"

Sure enough, as the demon vanished, the blue flames on Shell faded. He staggered, panting heavily. novelbuddy.cσ๓

Kira drew two cards.

"I set two cards and end my turn."

Shell gathered himself for a few seconds as if recovering strength.

Then slowly raised his arm again.

"My turn. Draw." Shell said coldly. "I activate from my hand the Spell Card 'Pre-Preparation of Rites.'

Add one Ritual Spell from your Deck and one corresponding Ritual Monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand."

He drew a card from the deck and one from the graveyard.

"I add Ritual Spell 'End of the World' and Ritual Monster 'Ruin, Queen of Oblivion' to my hand."

Jaden persisted: "Why won't you face your heart? Deep down, you still love dueling, and want to trust your monsters—"

"Enough!" Shell said. "Even if I want to trust, so what? Trust only exists to be betrayed in the end.

Heroes are destined to be alone. As long as you wield the sword, those you care for and protect will only drift further away!"

He paused, looking at Jaden for a moment.

"You're right, dueling is a clash of hearts, letting us deeply understand each other. So, through this duel, I can understand you too.

What's your name?"

"Jaden Yuki."

"Jaden Yuki, huh... Maybe you are like me." Shell said. "You seem passionate, always willing to help others, treating everyone like a friend.

But in truth, you never let anyone get close to you, did you?"

Jaden was taken aback, frowning: "I don't get what you mean. I'm not like you—I have lots of friends I trust."

"Do you?" Shell said coldly. "I was like you once. I was chosen, the one in my generation to inherit the Phoenix's power.

I was always surrounded by friends. I helped them countless times, even willing to risk my life for them.

But in the end, when I sought power and entered darkness—when I finally had the power to protect them, fought, and bled for them—they'd all left me.

It's ironic, right? I sold my soul to the devil to protect them, but it only drove them further away. Afterward, rumors spread that I'd brought all the disasters and enemies upon us.

Those I'd thought of as closest, who I'd helped time and again, believed the rumors. In the end, it became like this."

Jaden: "How could that..."

"Later I realized, it wasn't just their fault—it was mine too. I treated everyone warmly, but never let anyone truly get close or understand me.

Maybe that's why they could leave so easily in the end."

Shell's voice was calm as if speaking of someone else.

"I can sense that you and I are alike. If you want to protect those around you, you must take up the sword, but in doing so, push them away.

That's the hero's fate. If you keep walking the warrior's path, maybe you'll end up like me one day."

"No, he won't."

Kira interrupted.

Shell frowned: "What?"

"I said you're wrong. That won't happen." Kira said calmly.

Shell pondered for a while, then squinted at him.

"You're not going to say, 'Because I'm here,' are you?"

"Guess."

"Heh... hahahaha!"

Shell threw his head back laughing, then his expression twisted.

"Ridiculous. You won't even last this turn—what can you do? This world is cruel. How long do you think your cheap 'friendship games' will last?

Fine, if you can, try to survive this turn and prove it!"

Shell revealed the two cards he'd just searched, along with another.

"Ritual Spell 'End of the World,' activate!

I tribute Level 8 'Beast King Barbaros' in my hand as the Ritual material for the summoning!

With the intertwining of destruction and rebirth, the goddess who governs all fate descends at the end of the world—

—Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, Ritual Summoned!!"

Amid apocalyptic ritual energy, the goddess strode forth, white hair flowing, every step a countdown to destruction.

[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 2300]

"And Ruin accepts the power of the Seal of Orichalcos—her ATK increases!" Shell almost screamed.

[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 2300 → ATK 2800]

Jaden steadied himself, focusing on the duel: "Even with the boost, she's still weaker than Kira's BLS—"

"My resolve is more than that!"

Shell raised another card.

"Equip Spell 'Psychic Blade'!

Pay Life Points in multiples of 100; the equipped monster gains ATK/DEF equal to the amount paid!"

He gritted his teeth.

"I'll use my blood, my soul... to gain final power!

Pay the full 2000 Life Points, all to Ruin's ATK!"

[Shell, LP 2500 → LP 500]

[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 2800 → ATK 4800]

Jaden: "4800 ATK..."

"That's right! This is my soul-burning, final attack!"

Shell steadied himself, barely able to stand.

"And Ruin's effect: when she destroys a monster by battle, she can attack again."

Jaden immediately realized the danger.

BLS's ATK is 3000; destroyed in battle, they'd take 1800 damage, leaving Kira with 700 LP. If the second attack connects, one of them will fall here.

"All these bonds, all this Friendship Game—nothing before power!" Shell roared. "Without power, all your fine words are empty!

If you have faith, show me this turn!

Battle! Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, attack 'Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning'!"

The power of destruction, mixed with the Seal of Orichalcos, surged into the goddess's hands. BLS stood ready, but clearly couldn't withstand this blow.

Kira: "Then, as you wish.

Activate the set card! Trap Card—Trap of Darkness!

If my LP is below 3000, pay 1000 LP, then banish another Trap Card in my Graveyard to gain its effect!"

A golden light rolled across the Trap Card, which transformed into another Trap in the Graveyard.

"The card I'll become is, of course—

—Trap Card 'Magic Cylinder'!"

[Kira, LP 2500 → LP 1500]

The trap of Darkness became Magic Cylinder, the deadly twin barrels appearing.

Ruin's fatal blow was reflected at Shell!

"So, this... is your answer...?"

At this point, Shell could barely stand, holding on through sheer will.

"But... it's not enough!"

Blue flames burned in his eyes, bloodshot.

"Activate set card! Trap Card 'Ring of Destruction'!

Destroy 1 monster on the field and inflict damage to both players equal to its ATK!

I choose... Ruin, Queen of Oblivion!"

[Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, ATK 4800]

[Shell, LP 500]

[Kira, LP 1500]

[Jaden, LP 1100]

"Trying to take us down with you?" Kira frowned.

"If you can't stop me, it means you're not determined enough!" Shell snarled. "You can't do anything!"

"Not necessarily."

Kira interrupted, flipping his last set card.

"Quick-Play Spell— Spell of Pain!

When your opponent activates a card effect that would inflict damage to you, you can banish another Trap from your Graveyard to make them take that damage instead!"

Shell's pupils shrank.

A damage reflection after an attack reflection!?

"According to 'Ring of Destruction,' both players take damage equal to the destroyed monster's ATK—Ruin's 4800 ATK, split between both.

In a team duel, the damage to our side is treated as AOE, but my share is reflected at you by 'Spell of Pain.' Thus, you take 9600 damage."

Kira: "You lose."

The explosion from Ring of Destruction swept the field, but the fire aimed at Kira and Jaden was intercepted by the Spell and bounced back at Shell.

Shell opened his mouth as if to speak, but at last, said nothing, quietly closing his eyes.

[Shell, LP 500 → LP 0]