"Then... I summon myself as usual... and offer my pain to you!"
From the shadows, she stepped quietly into the battlefield.
[Hassan of Serenity] Assassin ★★ ATK 1500
"Next, [Dagger Throw]! This effect can be activated once per turn, but only if a [Hassan-i-Sabbah] servant is on the field. Destroy a face-down card or a servant with less than ★★!"
Fully aware of the dangers posed by traps, Hassan of Serenity swiftly targeted the only face-down card Rin Tohsaka had.
"Too bad! You made a mistake!" Rin countered. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Explosive Ruby Magic]! Until the end of this turn, I select one [Tohsaka] servant to gain 500 ATK and prevent it from being destroyed by battle! Also, if it destroys an opposing servant in battle, I draw one card!"
By chaining her face-down card, Rin ensured its effect activated before it was destroyed.
[Tohsaka Tokiomi] ATK 1200 → 1700
"And since it's a new turn, my father's effect can activate again! Assassin, you have no chance of winning!"
Rin Tohsaka LP: 5500 → 6000Hassan of Serenity LP: 2500 → 2000
"It wasn't a mistake. Now that I've confirmed your back row, I can act freely... Entering the Battle Phase!"
"Trying to break through my formation with just one card?" Rin glanced at the field. With only 1500 ATK, Hassan of Serenity could barely break through anything.
"First, I attack [Tohsaka Tokiomi]!"
Despite the 200 ATK difference, Hassan of Serenity didn't hesitate. In a swift motion, she stabbed Tohsaka Tokiomi in the back, but in doing so, she was blasted into the graveyard by his protective gems.
Hassan of Serenity LP: 2000 → 1800
"Since [Explosive Ruby Magic] was used, and [Tohsaka Tokiomi] destroyed a card, I get to draw one!"
Rin refilled her hand to one card.
"A suicidal attack... Are you conceding?"
"Not at all. Due to [Hassan of Serenity]'s effect, any servant she battles is destroyed at the end of the Damage Step—unless it has effect destruction immunity."
This was her poison body's ability. Even if the battle didn't destroy the opponent outright, they would still succumb unless they were protected.
"Father!" Rin called out, unwilling to see him fall.
"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell [Pale Dance of Death]! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a [Hassan-i-Sabbah] from my graveyard or hand, then destroy one opposing servant! My target is [Atalanta]!"
Hassan of Serenity's spectral form danced before Atalanta, moving with a beauty both mesmerizing and deadly. The moment she made contact, poison spread from the point of touch, paralyzing Atalanta and sending her to the graveyard.
"Since I resummoned her... my attack resets. Now, I attack [Rin Tohsaka] directly!"
Hassan of Serenity dashed forward, embracing Rin with the scent of deadly poison. Before Rin could react, she was forced back into the main area.
Rin Tohsaka LP: 6000 → 5700
"And finally, the last effect of [Pale Dance of Death]! When the summoned servant destroys an opponent's servant this turn, it deals damage equal to that servant's original ATK."
Hassan of Serenity's presence loomed once more. This time, she caressed Rin's cheek. A tingling numbness quickly turned into a sharp, piercing pain, forcing Rin to clutch her face in agony.
Rin Tohsaka LP: 5700 → 4500
"Lastly, I set three cards. End turn."
"All traps, huh... That's just like an Assassin!" Rin muttered. "My turn, draw!"
Examining her hand, she made her move.
"I activate [Cursed Black Gem Magic]! I pay 2000 LP to select three [Gem] Magic cards from my deck (excluding [Black Gem Magic]), add one to my hand, and send the other two to the Graveyard!"
The dark magic stone surged with overwhelming power, but the cost was severe. Rin grit her teeth, refusing to cry out in pain.
Rin Tohsaka LP: 4500 → 2500
If Hassan of Serenity had a counter, she would have used it. With confidence, Rin continued:
"I'll take [Inherited Gem Necklace]! Next, I activate [Maintaining Elegance], banishing the top 10 cards of my deck to draw 2 cards!"
Her hand increased to three cards.
"Now, [Gem Necklace]'s effect! I resummon [Atalanta]!"
[Atalanta] ATK 2000
"Next, I activate the effect of [Jason] from my hand! If an [Argo] servant is on the field, I can Special Summon him! Come forth, the self-proclaimed most popular Greek hero!"
[Jason] Saber ★★ ATK 1200
"Ugh, only this much ATK? I should at least be ★★★★! Whatever. Thanks to my effect, all [Argo] servants besides myself gain 500 ATK!"
[Atalanta] ATK 2000 → 2500
"Do you not understand your own situation?" Atalanta scoffed, stepping away from him.
Though Jason had once been a respectable hero, he had long since fallen into debauchery. The fact that his Heroic Spirit form retained traces of his later years made him a disgrace in her eyes.
"Now, I activate [Jason]'s effect! By tributing himself, I Special Summon an [Argo] servant from my hand!"
Without hesitation, Rin sacrificed Jason mid-pose.
"W-Wait! I haven't even gotten a chance to shine yet! I can boost attack power, you know! Just look at our field control—!"
His protests were ignored. Golden light erupted from his body, expanding outward. From the radiance emerged a massive, dark figure.
[Heracles] Berserker ★★★★★★★★ ATK 3000
"Heracles' effect! If he is destroyed by battle or effect, he can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard during my next Standby Phase! Now, Battle Phase!"