Walking along the path in search of food, Yugen reflected on himself and thought that perhaps his approach was a bit off.
In other schools, like the electronic style in anime, progress is made through diligent practice, day and night, like training for a skill, drawing cards with sincerity that could move even the Electronic Ultimate Dragon to gain an elf's acknowledgment.
However, at this moment, the Silent Magician might be wondering how she ended up with such an odd-thinking master, whose way of summoning an elf was to be so annoying that she would beg for mercy...
Yet from another perspective, looking at the results, didn't he manage to summon her anyway?
It seems that he might need to reconsider the correct way to foster bonds in the future.
As Yugen walked, lost in thought, he suddenly noticed something was amiss.
The night alley was quietly hidden behind the glitz, a shortcut to the business district, only about six or seven hundred meters long, with the next street full of snacks and late-night food.
The air was filled with a damp smell mixed with some unknown odor. Under the dim light, the stone-paved road seemed bumpy, and the cool breeze rustling through the old trees at the mouth of the alley.
After walking a few steps, the dim light illuminated a wall ahead.
A dead end.
Yugen frowned.
That can't be right. According to the predecessor's memory, this road was open. Could the inherited memory be in disarray, and he took the wrong path?
Feeling puzzled, he turned back the way he came. Yet reaching the end, he discovered something else was wrong.
The dim light once again revealed a wall. He had clearly turned around, but the wall looked exactly the same as before. Upon closer examination, even the surroundings looked oddly familiar.
Could it be the legendary ghost wall?
Fear naturally gripped him, and every shadow seemed to hide deadly ghosts or grim demons.
But Yugen quickly forced himself to calm down.
If this had been some other dimension, such a supernatural event might have been life-threatening. But this wasn't elsewhere; this was in Yu-Gi-Oh.
In this world, no matter what gods, demons, or spirits want your life, could they avoid having a card battle?
Standing still, Yugen heightened his vigilance, suddenly noticing a deep, abyss-like growl in the darkness. It was followed by a dark flash piercing the darkness, and an invisible wave like a sharp blade rushed forth.
Startled, alarms rang in his mind. He instinctively took half a step back, raising the duel disc to shield himself. White light flashed on his duel disc, and a crystal-clear magic array spread out, solidly withstanding the invisible impact. The invisible shockwaves sliced through the ground and walls.
A transparent illusion materialized beside him. The Silent Magician's white robe was like snow, her magic staff sparkling with cold gleams whirling in her hand.
Yugen let out a long breath.
Once again, he was convinced that having an elf was essential for wellbeing, never daring to leave without a couple in the card deck.
"So, you're an Elf Racer?"
A gruff voice emerged from the darkness, as a hooded figure slowly stepped out of the mist-like surroundings.
"And a high-level Mage Elf... ha, today is indeed a big gain."
Yugen squinted his eyes. He couldn't see the person's face, only a faint green gleam in the eyes under the hood.
"Dark Duelist?" he tentatively asked.
Though he was quite certain this was a character not seen in the original work. After all, there were countless Dark Duelists in the Yu-Gi-Oh world, with only a fraction appearing in anime.
"Heh, you have some knowledge, kid."
The hooded man sneered and unfolded a duel disc. It was a design Yugen hadn't seen before, black-colored, with five square zones rotating down, forming a monster zone.
"Knowing the rules makes it easier. Yes, I'm a Dark Duelist, and..."
He slowly pulled back his hood, revealing a slightly worn face, faint green flashes glowing in his eyes. An aura of majesty spread like an invisible field.
"I am Genichiro Onizuka."
Yugen tried to recall but couldn't remember hearing that name, so he asked, "Sorry, should I know you?"
Genichiro Onizuka: "..."
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.
"Ahem." Genichiro frowned, "I made it to the top 64 in the third Duel City tournament in Tongshiyi, nicknamed 'Dinosaur Overlord,' does that ring a bell?"
Duel City tournament... Sorry, the anime only showed the first one, and Yugen admitted he hadn't seen the subsequent ones.
Moreover, speaking of dinosaurs, shouldn't Ryuzaki, who was just beaten, come to mind first...
"By the time I rose, the legendary Duelist Ryuzaki Kyoryu had retired and disappeared. Some ignorant ones say that if Ryuzaki were still around, I'd certainly not be his match... ha, utterly ridiculous."
Genichiro sneered coldly.
"I have acquired the power of darkness, a formidable force that won't lose to any Duelist. Upon hearing whispers of Ryuzaki's possible return, I immediately realized this was the opportunity I've been waiting for."
Genichiro declared loudly.
"I am the strongest Dragon Tamer! As for him, a relic from a previous generation, his fate is to be devoured by darkness and forgotten!"
Yugen: "..."
Then go find Ryuzaki, why stop me?
"Well, good luck with that, my friend," Yugen said, "I've got some things to do, so I'll be on my way..."
"It's no use, you cannot leave this domain. Only one of us can walk out alive."
Genichiro said coldly.
"I saw you defeat him in the arena, that Ryuzaki Kyoryu. And it was in absolute dominance, he couldn't even touch your LP throughout.
When I saw that, I changed my mind. You're more valuable than Ryuzaki Kyoryu to defeat, and more valuable to offer to the darkness. If I can engulf you into my darkness, I will undoubtedly advance on the path of a Dark Duelist!"
Yugen: "..."
"Enough talk."
Genichiro had already spread out his duel disc.
"Once a Dark Duel begins, it won't easily stop. The winner and survivor will be decided! Come, bet your soul as a Duelist!"
Indeed, from what Yugen knew of the original story, a Dark Duel wasn't entirely unstoppable. If someone with significantly stronger dark power intervened, they could forcibly terminate or even alter the rules of these dueling stakes. Like how the Pharaoh's Millennium Puzzle could.
Or say in special instances, like when a Riding Duel abruptly ends halfway by unscrewing a bolt, causing the vehicle to crash and the game to end...
Yet right now, running didn't seem like an option. Yugen took a deep breath and unfolded his duel disc.
"Duel!" x2