As Karthus finished speaking, the purple-robed skeleton's body suddenly expanded.
It towered like a colossal bone giant, looming over the clouds.
[ATK: 11000 / DEF: 0]
"Are you kidding me?!"
"11000 Attack Points?!"
Staring up at the skeletal titan, Marina's companions shouted in disbelief, while Marina herself furrowed her brow tightly. Even she would struggle in this situation.
"Heh, insects."
Karthus sneered, savoring their reactions.
This… this was what brought him joy!
"And my turn is far from over."
He revealed another card in his hand.
"I activate the effect of [Wightmare] from my hand."
"I discard it to Special Summon [The Lady in Wight] from the Banished Zone in Defense Position!"
An elegant skeleton woman draped in a tattered brown robe appeared, holding a teacup—though it held not a single drop.
[The Lady in Wight] Level 3│DARK│Zombie│2200 DEF
"I activate [The Lady in Wight]'s effect!"
"While she is face-up on the field, all Level 3 or lower Zombie monsters I control, except [The Lady in Wight], cannot be destroyed by battle and are unaffected by Spell/Trap effects."
"Also, [Wightmare] counts as a 'Skull Servant' while in the Graveyard."
"So, [King of the Skull Servants] gains even more power—now 12000 ATK!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"Tremble before this power!"
"Pathetic worms!"
The purple-robed skeleton grew even more massive as Karthus cackled.
[ATK: 12000]
It couldn't be destroyed by battle, was immune to Spells and Traps, and had 12000 Attack Points.
…Far beyond Marina's ace, [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon].
Marina bit her lip hard, her face drained of color.
Had she miscalculated?
Even if this was a Hidden Boss, this was way beyond what a Low-level Trial should allow!
If it were only the 12000 ATK, she still had ways to remove it.
For example, the powerful Spell Card [Raigeki], which could destroy all monsters on the opponent's field.
But with [The Lady in Wight] on the field empowering [King of the Skull Servants], it had become virtually untouchable.
…She couldn't think of a single way to defeat this 12000 ATK monster.
It looked like this was her end.
Yet seeing that unfamiliar figure standing ahead…
Marina took a deep breath and made her decision.
"Kai, crush the Phase Stone."
Kai, who had been staring down Karthus with contempt, turned around at her voice.
He saw Marina still pale, trying to stay composed now, her tone calm.
"Even with a Trial Boss's field effect interference, the Phase Stone still gives you a 40% chance of escaping."
Kai touched the Phase Stone in his pocket and finally understood.
So Marina's pale expression earlier wasn't because the stone couldn't be used…
It was because its success rate had dropped dramatically. She hadn't dared ask him to risk it.
"What about you all?"
Kai asked. He figured they assumed he couldn't handle this whiteboard boss and were gambling on odds.
He hadn't missed it: when Marina tossed him the Phase Stone, the others all looked shocked.
This kind of escape-tier item definitely wasn't cheap, and this Hidden Boss clearly wasn't going to spare the rest if he escaped.
No matter the outcome, Marina and her team were doomed.
And judging by her face, she didn't look like she had any hope left… She looked ready to die.
"We were prepared for this before we even came in."
Marina's voice was still calm, as if she'd already accepted death.
"But you're different. You entered by accident. So… Go. Even a 40% chance is better than certain death."
Did she regret giving away her lifeline?
Maybe.
Despite that, even if she could do it over, Marina would still have tossed it to Kai.
The way she was raised would never allow her to watch a civilian die while she stood idle.
Never.
The others had also settled into calm expressions.
What they were doing was no different than playing with fire.
And if you play with fire enough, you get burned.
Having dived into Trials many times, just like Marina said, they had long accepted this as part of the deal.
...
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