The atmosphere was a little awkward, so Kai decided to change the subject.
"By the way, didn't I already defeat the Boss? Why hasn't the Trial ended yet?"
Carefully putting away her cards and Phase Stone, Marina said, "What you defeated was a Hidden Boss, not the Trial Boss."
Seeing the confusion in Kai's eyes, Marina returned to the cool, aloof demeanor she had when they first met and began to explain.
"A Hidden Boss and a Trial Boss are two different concepts."
"A Hidden Boss only appears after meeting special conditions. They're usually very powerful and drop more luxurious rewards."
"The Trial Boss, on the other hand, is guaranteed to appear in every Trial. You must defeat the Trial Boss to exit the Trial."
Kai said, "So now we need to find the Trial Boss?"
Marina looked down at the item in her hand and shook her head.
"No need. It's already here."
As soon as she spoke, a massive army of skeletons appeared in front of the group, carrying a white bone palanquin. Seated atop the palanquin was a golden skeleton wearing a wizard's robe and holding a scepter.
Although it looked resplendent, everyone could tell… This golden skeleton's status and presence were worlds apart from the armored skeleton Kai had previously defeated.
It seemed more like a high priest of some kind; the two were completely incomparable. Moreover, the golden skeleton's eyes lacked any trace of wisdom.
Kai reached into his pocket, ready to finish this Boss off fast.
But Marina stepped forward before him, directly facing the golden skeleton.
"You've already had one duel, so take a break. Let me handle this."
Kai didn't feel tired, though he didn't mind either. He stepped back with a nod, giving her the space.
This battle gave Kai insight into the composition of her Deck.
She used a Blue-Eyes Deck—one from before the support for Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon—a casual Deck, yet surprisingly decent in strength.
Relying on high Attack stats, Jet's bounce effect, and built-in resistances, along with some generic Extra Deck support, it was more than enough to handle standard Decks.
However, it seemed Marina's Blue-Eyes build was a pure Blue-Eyes Deck. Not only that, it was also filled with all sorts of weird and quirky cards.
Kai even saw her activate a Trap Card called "Solemn Wishes."
As long as it remains in the Spell & Trap Zone, the player recovers 500 LP every time they draw a card.
In the modern Yu-Gi-Oh! environment, this kind of card was completely useless.
What good is 500 LP? Some Decks can spin their entire combo just off drawing a single "Gyroscope" card.
(Monsters that can be special summoned from your hand when you control no Monsters or only control special, specified Monsters)
What's 500 LP supposed to do for you?
And if you really want to recover LP, why not just run "Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring"?
Still, against a mindless Trial Boss, it was easy work.
With a sharp command from Marina, a dazzling white light engulfed the golden skeleton.
Everything around Kai began to recede like the tide.
In a flash of white light, Kai appeared in an unfamiliar place.
A crowd had gathered around. Their clothing and the architectural style of the buildings looked similar to his world,
Regardless, Kai could tell one thing.
"Heh..." Kai chuckled softly, the sound tinged with helplessness.
Though he'd been prepared for this, the realization still shattered his last bit of hope.
He really had crossed over to another world.
"Aren't you from Tenkai City?"
Marina had been secretly watching Kai. Normally, when a person exits a Trial and sees their familiar surroundings, their body would naturally relax, and their gaze would show relief.
But when Kai saw the cityscape of Tenkai City, his body subconsciously tensed up.
His eyes were full of wariness—exactly the same as when they first met in the Trial.
"Yeah."
Kai took a deep breath and accepted the truth. Since he was here, he might as well make the most of it.
"Then, why not come to my place and rest for a bit?"
"I can also give you your money."
Marina asked tentatively.
She had already guessed in the Trial that Kai probably wasn't a local since that kind of situation happened a lot.
Sometimes, Trials didn't just open in one area.
Especially with high-level Trials, they could activate across five or six regions at once.
In such cases, you had to guard not only against the monsters inside the Trial, but also the humans around you.
Kai seemed like a young master from a secluded noble family who had stumbled into the Trial by accident and ended up here.
Even if that wasn't the case, just from the skill he showed in the Trial, it wouldn't hurt to be on good terms with him.
"Then I'll trouble you."
Kai didn't decline and nodded right away.
Things were really looking grim now. He had actually crossed worlds.
No system, no identity, no currency for this world.
It looked like he'd have to stay at Marina's place for a few days.
…
"Yo, Miss Marina came back from the Trial and brought home a sweetheart?"
As they spoke, an unwelcome voice suddenly chimed in from the side.
Marina's gentle expression instantly turned fierce.
"Noir, shut your filthy mouth!"
"Oh? Did I say something wrong?"
The young man dressed in finery stepped up to them and extended his hand.
"Then let me apologize first. So, who is this?"
Kai looked at the hand extended toward him, then turned his gaze to Marina.
He didn't know what kind of relationship they had, so it was best to let Marina decide how to handle it.
Immediately, Marina pulled Kai behind her and stared Noir straight in the eye.
"None of your business. If you have nothing else to do, get lost."
Sparks flew between them.
In the end, Noir withdrew his hand, disgruntled.
"It may not matter to me, but plenty of people in Tenkai City are fond of you, Miss Marina. I'm just asking on their behalf."
Noir narrowed his eyes and smiled teasingly.
"I don't need your concern."
Marina couldn't be bothered to argue with Noir any longer. She opened the car door and got in with Kai.
The two of them quickly left the entrance to the Trial.
Noir watched Marina drive away, then glanced at the collapsed Wasteland of Bones.
He shook his head and also got into his car.
"Go investigate the guy around Marina. Also, send someone to test his strength."
"Yes, young master!"
Noir watched Kai disappear from view, a scheme forming in his mind.
...
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