Chapter 3: Private Marufuji Ryo, Fall In!
So how had Yūrei been able to conclude on the spot that this Cyber Style struggling man on TV was from the game's plot rather than the original anime?
Simple. The answer had been right there in the news broadcast itself.
After that report about Marufuji Ryo's devastating losing streak, the news had immediately segued into other stories: "Popular Continental Duel Idol Blue Angel reported missing," followed by "Well-known Duelist Ryoga Kamishiro accused of cheating in professional matches."
Yūrei had recognized those names instantly. They came from completely different Yu-Gi-Oh! series—GX, ZEXAL, and VRAINS respectively. Characters from different shows, different timelines, all existing simultaneously in the same world.
That was the smoking gun. That was what told him this wasn't just the anime world—this was definitely the card god game world.
See, in the game, the developers had taken the most popular characters and classic storylines from across the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise and stitched them together into one cohesive world. They'd been assigned to different map locations based on their original series, creating a massive crossover universe that Card Game Enthusiasts had gone absolutely nuts for.
The structure was actually pretty elegant once you understood it.
Characters and plots from the first and second Yu-Gi-Oh! series—the original Duel Monsters and GX—were mostly placed in a map area called the [Academy] in the game world. Made sense, given that both shows featured academy settings prominently.
The plots and characters related to the third series, 5D's, were placed in the [City] map area. Once players arrived there, they'd unlock the [Satellite] storyline—the whole dystopian future motorcycle-dueling setting that 5D's fans knew and loved.
The map faction for the fourth series, ZEXAL, was positioned as opposed to the [Academy] faction from GX. Players could only unlock it after completing the Academy's main plot, which made for some interesting late-game content.
After transmigrating, the background information Yūrei had absorbed about his new identity had been specifically related to the [Academy] chapter of the game.
His full name in this life was Manjoume You Ling. He was about seventeen or eighteen years old—the exact age was a bit fuzzy in his inherited memories—and he was the heir to a family business known as the "Manjoume Conglomerate" in the game world.
The Manjoume Conglomerate. Yūrei had recognized that name immediately too.
It clearly originated from the background of Jun Manjoume—that male supporting character from the GX anime who'd started off as Jaden's rival before becoming... well, considerably less relevant as the show went on. The guy had family money and a serious inferiority complex about living up to his brothers' expectations.
In the card god game's plot, the developers had taken that family background and expanded it into an entire map area related to the [Academy] storyline. The [Manjoume Family] territory had become a legitimate location players could visit and interact with.
At the start of the game, players could usually choose their starting location based on personal preference. The options were pretty varied: corporate wage slave of the Kaiba Corporation, street kid surviving in the Satellite slums, or aspiring Duelist enrolled at Duel Academy. All classic starting identities that appealed to different player types.
The area where the Manjoume Conglomerate was located—the [Manjoume Family] territory—was specifically where players who chose the Academy start would begin their journey. Basically, it was the pure newbie village area. Tutorial zone. The place where you learned the ropes before heading out into the wider world.
Having transmigrated several days ago, Yūrei had spent that time almost completely integrating the memories of this new life. The process had been gradual but thorough, like two sets of memories slowly merging into one coherent whole.
For instance, he now knew that biologically speaking, he was likely the cousin of that Jun Manjoume character. Same family, different branch. The exact relationship was a bit complicated—wealthy families always had elaborate family trees—but they were definitely related.
And like Young Master Manjoume, Yūrei's family was absurdly wealthy. Stupid rich. The kind of money where you stopped counting zeros.
Since the day he'd transmigrated, he'd encountered maids, butlers, and various other household staff calling him "Young Master" more times than he could count. The house itself was massive—practically a mansion. Or maybe actually a mansion. The line was pretty blurry when your home had wings.
Currently, Yūrei was walking through said large house, making his way toward the drawing room with purposeful strides.
A moment ago, one of the maids had knocked on his door to report that a man who appeared to be a Duelist—someone named Marufuji Ryo—had come to see him and was waiting in the formal reception area.
Right on schedule, Yūrei had thought with satisfaction.
In the setting of the card god game, the Manjoume Family was fabulously wealthy, with business activities that were mostly related to Dueling. They covered a ridiculously wide range of industries—card manufacturing, tournament sponsorship, duelist management, arena operations, you name it.
They were basically a leading Duel enterprise with significant influence in the entire card god world. One of the major players. The kind of family that had a voice in how the professional dueling scene operated.
Part of their business involved the management and trade of professional Duelists—essentially, talent management and career representation. Which meant Duelists showing up at the family estate for business wasn't unusual.
From the maid's reaction when she'd announced the visitor, she clearly didn't recognize the name Marufuji Ryo. She'd probably assumed this "unknown" Mr. Marufuji Ryo was just another Duelist connected to the family's extensive Duel industry operations. Maybe someone looking for sponsorship, or trying to negotiate a contract, or any of the other hundred reasons Duelists might want to meet with the Manjoume family heir.
But in fact, that wasn't the case at all.
Marufuji Ryo had absolutely nothing to do with the Manjoume Family's business dealings. This wasn't a professional courtesy call or a networking opportunity.
No, it was Yūrei—the transmigrator with knowledge of the plot and a very specific system quest—who had taken the initiative to arrange this meeting. He'd set it up on the very night he'd figured out he'd transmigrated into the card god world, three days ago.
As for why Yūrei, a kid who should have been completely bewildered and disoriented after just transmigrating into a new world, would take the initiative to charge straight to Marufuji Ryo's doorstep that same day?
The answer was simple!
While walking through the corridor, Yūrei glanced at a floating light screen that only he could see—invisible to everyone else, projected directly into his vision by whatever mechanism made the system work.
Unable to resist, he chanted in his heart with the enthusiasm of a kid getting a new toy: System! Activate!
[Hello! Welcome to the Yu-Gi-Oh! world where Dueling is supreme.]
[Congratulations! You have successfully activated the "Rebirth of the King of Duelists: Recognize Me as Father - Strong, Invincible, Strongest Magnetic Field Godfather System."]
Yūrei swiped through the system interface—a standard transmigrator cheat, the golden finger that made isekai protagonists actually capable of surviving in their new worlds—examining the familiar options with satisfaction.
[Character], [Deck], [Quest], [Inventory]... the UI interface looked exactly like the card god game from his previous life. Same layout, same aesthetic, same everything.
God, it was reassuring. He couldn't properly express how reassuring this felt.
Two days ago, when he'd first transmigrated to this world, he'd been genuinely panicked. Disoriented. Scared, even, though he'd never admit it out loud.
New world, unfamiliar body, memories that weren't his own flooding his brain... it had been overwhelming.
But then—fortunately—along with a tentative mental call of "System, activate," the System had appeared. The various tutorial explanations on the screen had immediately cured his anxiety and existential dread, making him feel capable and confident again.
His mental state over the past few days could basically be summarized as:
[Day 1: Transmigrated to a Dueling world. Unfamiliar place, don't know where to get cards, feeling pretty panicked... Wait, what's this? A system?]
[Day 2: In this rebirth, I'm a freaking super card player! Deep Blue, add points!]
[Day 3: I am Superman.]
[Day 4: I'm super, man.]
[Day 5: I'm super at cards.]
In his previous life, when reading web novels occasionally during downtime, Yūrei had often felt that system settings were pretty dull and overdone. He'd subscribed to the philosophy of "if there's a system, I don't read it." Golden fingers felt like cheap shortcuts that removed all tension from stories.
But now that he'd actually transmigrated and this had happened to him personally?
He could only say: "System-bro, it's delicious! I love it! I want more! Please give me more overpowered cheats!"
Funny how your perspective changed when you were the one who needed the cheat codes to survive.
Upon arriving outside the drawing room, Yūrei swept his gaze over the system interface one more time. The [Deck], [Quest], and [Inventory] options were all pretty much at zero—he was starting from scratch, basically—but that was fine.
Finally, he locked his eyes on the [Quest] option, specifically the one labeled "In Progress."
There was only one active quest in the system's [Quest] menu right now. Its title alone was enough to make him snort with laughter every time he saw it:
[I Shaved. Then I Picked Up a Cyber Style Struggling Man]
Yūrei clicked on it, pulling up the full quest description.
The quest title alone is already setting off alarm bells. "I Shaved. Then I Picked Up"—that's literally referencing a light novel about a guy who picks up a high school girl and she moves in with him. The system is not even trying to be subtle about the romantic undertones here.
And this is just the first quest. The system already showed me the other available questlines: "Blue Angel's Ultimate Insult" and "The Duelist's Funeral." Knowing how these things usually go, those are probably going to involve female disciples too. Blue Angel's definitely a girl—I remember her from VRAINS.
So yeah. This is 100% going to turn into a harem situation if I'm not careful. The system basically admitted as much with all those warnings about 'beloved disciples' and romantic entanglements.
Well, at least the first one is a guy, so that should be straightforward... right?
[Quest Description: A fledgling young Duelist known as Kaiser—Marufuji Ryo—is facing the greatest challenge since he began Dueling. Shortly after stepping onto the professional stage with dreams of glory, he encountered an overwhelmingly powerful foe: Edo Phoenix, wielder of a HERO Deck, who soundly defeated him in their first match.]
[From that initial defeat, Marufuji Ryo has spiraled into a catastrophic ten-game losing streak. He's losing himself in one defeat after another, forgetting the joy of Dueling, forgetting why he started this journey in the first place. He's fallen to the lowest point of his life—and if nothing changes, he will descend into the Underground Duels, transforming into Hell Kaiser Ryo and embarking on a dark path of struggle and self-destruction.]
[Quest Requirements: NO! You can't let him go down to the Underground Duel Arena like this! If Marufuji Ryo falls that far, he'll transform into Hell Kaiser and walk a path of struggle that will destroy everything he once was! Whether it's through clever tricks, talk-no-jutsu, or even some kind of Shadow Duel—just hurry up and snap the lost boy Marufuji Ryo out of his downward spiral and lead him out of the darkness! Please, Mr. Magnetic Field Godfather! You're our only hope!]
[Reward: 5-Star Character · Marufuji Ryo ×1, 5-Star Character Marufuji Ryo Related Initial Deck ×1]
[During this quest, a 5-Star Character Marufuji Ryo Related Initial Deck ×1 is available for trial use. Remaining trial time: 29 days]
Yūrei heard footsteps approaching from the other side of the door. He quickly closed the system light screen and composed his expression, turning his gaze toward the entrance.
The door opened. A young man walked in—pale-faced, tense, his frown so tight it looked like it might become permanent.
Looking at this haggard figure approaching him with obvious reluctance and suspicion, Yūrei allowed a slight smile to curve the corners of his mouth.
There he is.
The young man walking toward him was precisely the struggling Duelist who'd been reported on TV earlier—Marufuji Ryo himself, currently in his period of absolute failure after consecutive devastating losses.
Or, to put it in terms that made Yūrei want to laugh: My first Pokémon. The cyber dragon struggling youth. You're finally here!
As the two approached each other, before Ryo could even open his mouth to speak, Yūrei looked at the slightly haggard young man with burning intensity in his eyes. His voice dropped to a deep, portentous tone—the kind of voice that suggested ancient mysteries and forbidden knowledge.
"Duelist," he intoned seriously. "Do you crave power? Do you want to understand the meaning of life? Do you want to truly... live?"
Marufuji Ryo blinked at him, clearly having no idea what the hell he was talking about.
"...What?"
Within the Manjoume Family territory, Yūrei was now walking in front, leading a confused and slightly annoyed Marufuji Ryo behind him through the estate grounds.
Several days ago—after fully accepting the fact of his transmigration and getting his bearings in this new world—Yūrei had gone to Marufuji Ryo's doorstep in the guise of that mysterious hooded person.
At that time, he'd done his homework. Thoroughly investigated the Marufuji Ryo of this world, learned everything he could about the guy's current situation. Naturally, he'd discovered that the current Marufuji Ryo was in exactly that state of frantic consecutive losses and extreme despondency that matched both the anime and game plots perfectly.
The timeline was clear. Next up would obviously be the classic tragic plot: poor Classmate Ryo would fall into hell after ten consecutive losses, get brutally crushed by some muscular Underground Duelist in that corrupt world, and finally awaken through sheer desperation—shouting dramatic lines about darkness and struggle as he was metaphorically resurrected from hell as the Hell Kaiser.
It was a compelling character arc, Yūrei would admit. Dramatic. Emotionally resonant. The kind of fall-and-rise story that fans ate up.
But that was only the plot in the game and anime.
In this world—the real, living version of that world—there was now the existence of Yūrei, the Magnetic Field Godfather and self-appointed life mentor.
Whether for the system quest rewards or just personal satisfaction at saving someone from a dark fate, Yūrei would absolutely not let that tragic storyline play out!
Upon seeing the quest issued by the system that first day, Yūrei had already made up his mind with absolute certainty:
Don't be afraid, Ryo-kun. Your Godfather is coming to save you right now!
So, after investigating Classmate Ryo's background in this world and getting a brief understanding of his situation—his losing streak, his financial troubles, his crumbling mental state—Yūrei had charged straight to his doorstep while Ryo was on his ninth consecutive loss.
The timing had been perfect. Right at the precipice, right before the tenth loss that would trigger demotion and send Ryo spiraling into the Underground Duels.
Of course, that first proposal had been flatly rejected by Classmate Ryo.
Yūrei had expected that, honestly. Although it had been clear Ryo was at least somewhat tempted by the mysterious offer—his eyes had flickered with desperate hope for just a moment—his guard had still been way too high to accept help from a complete stranger.
But even though Ryo had refused that initial approach, it didn't matter. Yūrei hadn't expected to succeed in one attempt anyway.
If someone like him—a mysterious hooded figure who suddenly popped up out of nowhere claiming they wanted to save you from your darkest moment—gained someone's full trust immediately? That would be absurdly naive. Dangerously gullible. Practically Yuki Judai levels of trusting anyone who showed basic kindness.
No, this kind of thing had to be done step by step, carefully and methodically. One bite at a time. Building trust through consistent action, not just mysterious promises.
Thinking of this progression, Yūrei silently glanced back at Marufuji Ryo, who was following behind him with obvious reluctance and confusion written all over his face.
The young duelist looked like he was about two seconds away from either bolting or demanding real answers instead of cryptic philosophical questions.
Yūrei's smile widened slightly.
Perfect. Everything's going according to plan.
Now he just had to execute the next phase of "Operation: Save the Cyber Dragon Boy from Becoming an Edgelord."
This was going to be fun.
Show Some By Powerstones
Next BONUS CHAPTER at 200 powerstones