Chapter 1174: It's Time for a Raise
## Chapter 1174: It's Time for a Raise
"Indeed, this dimension has been invaded several times."
Zone continued.
"Whether it's Godwin or Rudger, that entity behind the scenes seems skilled at using enemies from outside this dimension to invade the current one, maliciously disrupting its temporal continuity."
"These hostile invasions have occurred multiple times, and my people have named them 'Anomalies.'"
Youxuan recalled that Placido had also referred to himself as an "Anomaly", and now he understood what it meant. Perhaps Taichi had also realized that he, who had replaced Godwin, was an invader from another dimension and thus also an "Anomaly."
Zone: "You must have encountered 'Anomalies' as well, King of the Other World?"
"Yes", Youxuan replied.
Zone: "I observed your actions and realized our goals align—both of us are trying to prevent this dimension from falling into darkness."
Youxuan pondered for a moment and said, "So, making a world fall into darkness—based on what you've said, does killing Yusei Fudo cause the dimension to lose control?"
Zone: "No, it's not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. However, Yusei Fudo is the closest to being a king in this dimension and is destined to become the savior. The fate of this dimension is largely tied to him and his companions. If he were to die, the world would be more likely to spiral out of control."
Pausing, Zone added, "Conversely, Yusei Fudo's evolution can make this dimension more stable. If he successfully ascends to become a king, a dimension with a Duel King will have a more stable fate trajectory, making it much harder for external invaders to disrupt."
Youxuan said, "Because a king's power makes it difficult for ordinary 'Anomalies' to do anything?"
Zone shook his head. "It's not just that. The term 'Duel King' not only describes a duelist reaching a certain level of strength but also represents a crucial qualitative change in their evolution. Once a duelist ascends to king, even a mundane person can undergo a transformation. A Duel King with the power of a king is protected by fate, automatically avoiding danger and misfortune, making it extremely difficult to harm them outside of a duel."
Youxuan noted that Zone mentioned "outside of a duel", implying that methods like the dark games Yusei was skilled at early on could also work. However, in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, duels were still the primary method.
"And the king's fate is also tied to their timeline", Zone continued. "Once a king is born in a timeline, it becomes almost impossible for that timeline to fall into darkness before the Duel King is defeated."
At this point, Youxuan fully understood.
Though he was a king, he was an outsider, a Duel King from another dimension. Regardless of when he would leave, his fate was not tied to this dimension, and he could not protect this timeline.
However, if this timeline produced its own Duel King, it would have its guardian, making it more resilient and unbreakable against external forces.
In other words, the best way to thoroughly resist invasion and prevent this dimension from losing control was to accelerate the birth of its own king.
As Zone had said, the current 5D's timeline had no king yet. But the one closest to becoming a king was Yusei Fudo.
"The Lucky Cup tournament brought the Dragon Signers together, allowing them to clash and promote each other's evolution."
Zone explained.
"Subsequently, the united Dragon Signers faced the Dark Signers in life-and-death duels, further evolving. You did a great job with all of this. Thanks to you, the Dragon Signers, who carry the fate of the world, have continuously grown."
Indeed, Zone had been watching everything.
However, Zone had not intervened at all, even when Placido confronted Youxuan. Placido had acted on his own without Zone's permission.
It was likely because Zone saw that Youxuan's actions aligned with his own plans. Youxuan had eliminated the "Anomaly" Godwin, prevented Yusei's death, hosted the Lucky Cup, and gathered the Dragon Signers for battle.
Perhaps these actions had led Zone to conclude that Youxuan was on his side.
"But it's not over yet", Zone said.
"The battles with the Dark Signers are not complete. The Dragon Signers have each grown through their trials, but it's not enough. The Dark Signers they've defeated so far are still at a lower level. They still need the final, and most crucial, battle."
Youxuan immediately understood what Zone meant.
Rex Goodwin.
In the anime, the final battle of the Dark Signer arc featured Rex Goodwin, who possessed the power of both the Red Dragon and the Dark King, fighting against Yusei, Crow, and Jack in a three-on-one duel.
In that battle, Crow, who was not originally a Dragon Signer, gained the Dragon Tail Mark and became one of the main group's Dragon Signers. Yusei, who originally had the Dragon Tail Mark, gained the Dragon Head Mark and became the leader of the Dragon Signers.
That battle was crucial for the growth of the 5D's main characters.
Now that Goodwin was gone, the position of the final boss seemed vacant.
And coincidentally, Youxuan had taken Goodwin's place.
Zone did not continue, only staring intently at Youxuan through his mask.
Youxuan, under his gaze, remained silent for a few seconds.
Then, with a sigh, he said, "You want me to step in, don't you?"
Zone slowly replied, "If you could, I would be grateful. Yusei Fudo, along with Jack Atlas and Crow Hogan, are duelists with immense potential. While the other two are still far from the realm of a king, they have that potential. With the right stimulus, they might even surpass Yusei."
Youxuan took a deep breath. "You're not suggesting I fight all three of them at once, are you?"
Zone remained silent, but his silence seemed to be an answer in itself.
Of course, it was a request, not an order. They had just met, and they were discussing a collaboration in the face of their respective dimensions' destruction. Zone had no intention of giving commands, only suggestions.
Zone then explained, "Of course, I can also step in personally. But if possible, I hope not now. I will do so in the future, at a more appropriate time."
What was the right time? Naturally, it would be the final battle of 5D's, when the Arc Cradle descended, and Zone personally fought Yusei for the survival of New Domino City. That was the battle where Yusei finally mastered "Ultimate Speed Synchro" and reached his full potential.
Youxuan put on a resigned face. "These three are no pushovers; they are the top duelists in this dimension. Asking me to face all three at once is quite a compliment."
"They are still far from the realm of a king, but you have already ascended to that level. Even among Duel Kings, you are no longer a weakling, so it should be fine", Zone said calmly.
"Of course, as a king from another world offering assistance, we will show our gratitude."
Youxuan smiled.
Zone was indeed quick-witted, understanding Youxuan's unspoken meaning in a single sentence.
Youxuan hadn't finished speaking, but he was indeed trying to convey that message.
Fighting all three, helping them level up, no problem. But there was one condition.
It's time for a raise.
Thanks to you, the Dragon Signers, who carry the fate of the world, have continued to grow."
Indeed, Zone had been watching everything.
However, Zone had not intervened at all, even when Placido confronted Youxuan. Placido had acted on his own without Zone's permission.
It was likely because Zone saw that Youxuan's actions aligned with his own plans. Youxuan had eliminated the "Anomaly" Godwin, prevented Yusei's death, hosted the Lucky Cup, and gathered the Dragon Signers for battle.
Perhaps these actions had led Zone to conclude that Youxuan was on his side.
"But it's not over yet", Zone said.
"The battles with the Dark Signers are not complete. The Dragon Signers have each grown through their trials, but it's not enough. The Dark Signers they've defeated so far are still at a lower level. They still need the final, and most crucial, battle."
Youxuan immediately understood what Zone meant.
Rex Goodwin.
In the anime, the final battle of the Dark Signer arc featured Rex Goodwin, who possessed the power of both the Red Dragon and the Dark King, fighting against Yusei, Crow, and Jack in a three-on-one duel.
In that battle, Crow, who was not originally a Dragon Signer, gained the Dragon Tail Mark and became one of the main group's Dragon Signers. Yusei, who originally had the Dragon Tail Mark, gained the Dragon Head Mark and became the leader of the Dragon Signers.
That battle was crucial for the growth of the 5D's main characters.
Now that Goodwin was gone, the position of the final boss seemed vacant.
And coincidentally, Youxuan had taken Goodwin's place.
Zone did not continue, only staring intently at Youxuan through his mask.
Youxuan, under his gaze, remained silent for a few seconds.
Then, with a sigh, he said, "You want me to step in, don't you?"
Zone slowly replied, "If you could, I would be grateful. Yusei Fudo, along with Jack Atlas and Crow Hogan, are duelists with immense potential. While the other two are still far from the realm of a king, they have that potential. With the right stimulus, they might even surpass Yusei."
Youxuan took a deep breath. "You're not suggesting I fight all three of them at once, are you?"
Zone remained silent, but his silence seemed to be an answer in itself.
Of course, it was a request, not an order. They had just met, and they were discussing a collaboration in the face of their respective dimensions' destruction. Zone had no intention of giving commands, only suggestions.
Zone then explained, "Of course, I can also step in personally. But if possible, I hope not now. I will do so in the future, at a more appropriate time."
What was the right time? Naturally, it would be the final battle of 5D's, when the Arc Cradle descended, and Zone personally fought Yusei for the survival of New Domino City. That was the battle where Yusei finally mastered "Ultimate Speed Synchro" and reached his full potential.
Youxuan put on a resigned face. "These three are no pushovers; they are the top duelists in this dimension. Asking me to face all three at once is quite a compliment."
"They are still far from the realm of a king, but you have already ascended to that level. Even among Duel Kings, you are no longer a weakling, so it should be fine", Zone said calmly.
"Of course, as a king from another world offering assistance, we will show our gratitude."
Youxuan smiled.
Zone was indeed quick-witted, understanding Youxuan's unspoken meaning in a single sentence.
Youxuan hadn't finished speaking, but he was indeed trying to convey that message.
One-on-three, helping them level up, no problem. But there was one condition.
It's time for a raise.
(End of Chapter)
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