Chapter 158: The Cards Have Been Stolen Again
Chapter 158: The Cards Have Been Stolen Again
Late into the night, You Xuan sat in the laboratory, letting out a tired yawn and stretching his arms.
The vast laboratory was empty, and along the entire corridor, only his solitary lab remained illuminated. Moonlight bathed the deserted teaching building, and the flickering lights added to the eerie silence of the late hour.
Usually, he would have returned to his dormitory by this time, but today, inspired by his research, he had stayed a bit later.
After another insightful discussion with Asuka, he had subtly guided her towards potential enhancements for the Digitized Angel. You Xuan contemplated crafting a set for himself once it was perfected.
The enhanced Digitized Angel possessed incredible operational capabilities, although there weren't many formidable Terminal Brothers currently in the animated world to utilize it. Nonetheless, it was always wise to be prepared with such a powerful tool.
The Digitized Angel's true strength didn't lie in enhancements within its original system but in its ability to be integrated as an external plugin into other highly compatible decks, where it could unleash its full potential with devastating effectiveness.
However, once this deck was unlocked and evolved into its complete form, it would instantly gain an overwhelming power that would leap generations ahead.
Mitsuza was currently focused on developing the Undead tribe. You Xuan had already obtained one each of the real card versions of the Ox and Horse Head demons—they were undoubtedly the Undead tribe's ace cards and incredibly powerful in the current environment.
Although he didn't typically play Undead-themed decks, he would definitely invest in them if he acquired a formidable set in the future.
You Xuan leaned back in his chair, stretching his neck joints. As he turned his head, he was surprised to see a small hand holding out a mug towards him.
A cup of steaming coffee.
You Xuan subconsciously took the cup and, following the direction of the hand, looked up to find that the Silent Magician was the one who had offered it.
The silver-haired magician girl handed him the cup and immediately turned back into a spirit, looking away shyly.
Surprised, You Xuan smiled and took a sip from the mug, giving her a little nod of thanks.
"Thank you."
Silent smiled slightly and bowed before retreating back into the Duel Disk and merging with her card group.
Finishing the coffee, You Xuan checked the time again and saw that it was almost midnight.
"Let's call it a day for now."
He stretched his arms and got up from the chair, turning off the lights and the power before leaving the laboratory.
The path from the teaching building to the dormitory was a winding trail surrounded by dense foliage. The moonlight shone through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground as the leaves rustled softly in the breeze.
You Xuan didn't consider himself afraid of the dark, but even so, he felt that the atmosphere tonight was a bit uncanny. Every gust of wind through the trees seemed to carry whispers of ghosts and spirits.
Silent Magician, who had already returned to her card group, reappeared, her staff at the ready, her expression guarded.
You Xuan frowned, "A spiritual disturbance?"
Lately, You Xuan had been discovering that there was something rather mystical about Silent. Just like how his family, the Yus, could understand what Pikachu was saying, he felt that the longer he spent time with Silent, the more he could understand what she was trying to convey without the need for words.
Perhaps this was a sign of their deepening bond.
Silent nodded gravely.
You Xuan pondered, "Could it be like the last time, a rift to the spirit world?"
Just then, a sound emerged from the forest.
At first, it was faint, but it quickly grew louder, as if something was speeding through the trees, heading straight towards them.
Silent stepped in front of You Xuan protectively, her staff at the ready, blocking the direction from which the noise was coming. The leaves trembled, and the branches swayed as if the bushes and trees themselves were anxious.
Suddenly, a dark figure burst out from the undergrowth.
"It's me, don't shoot! Er, I mean, don't cast your spell!"
It was Judai.
Judai, breathless from rushing through the forest, had almost collided with Silent's outstretched staff, the tip of which glowed with magical energy, nearly poking him in the nose.
Judai quickly raised his hands in surrender. Silent arched an eyebrow, lowered her staff, and stepped back.
"Judai?" You Xuan asked in surprise. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
"It's a long story," Judai scratched his head. "A student from Obelisk Blue suddenly burst into our dorm, screaming for help."
As he spoke, Sho Marufuji, Hayato, and Professor Saido appeared from behind, panting heavily.
"Big brother, you're too fast! We couldn't keep up," Hayato exclaimed.
The three of them were clearly out of breath.
"Oh? You Xuan, what are you doing here?" Professor Saido asked in surprise.
"I stayed a bit late in the lab today," You Xuan replied.
Judai suddenly remembered something. "We don't have time for this! We need to save that person! Let's move, I'll explain on the way."
Although Judai hadn't said much, the situation was clear to You Xuan.
It seemed that they were at one of the early plot points of GX, where Judai would first encounter a Duel Monster spirit as an antagonist.
The creature in question was a Gadjiltron—a psychic puppet.
You Xuan thought for a moment and decided to follow. As expected, Judai's explanation aligned with what he remembered from the original story.
In short, there was a school club dedicated to researching Duel Monster spirits, and three daring students from that club had decided to play a version of the Ouija board game using Duel Monster spirits. However, instead of choosing a gentle and cooperative spirit like Dark Magician Girl or a low-star, docile spirit like Pikachu, they had, for some reason, selected the Gadjiltron.
Naively, the trio assumed that the sacrifices being asked of them were cards, and they readily agreed, patting their chests. "Of course, we can do it! Not just three, but even thirty is no problem!"
And so, Soga manifested according to the contract.
Two days passed, and two students from the Spirit Club went missing.
It was only then that the third student realized that the sacrifices Soga sought were themselves. Panicked, he fled in the middle of the night, eventually crashing into the Osiris Red dormitory and encountering Judai and his companions.
Just as the student finished explaining the situation to them, the power in the Red dormitory was abruptly cut, plunging them into darkness.
When the lights flickered back on, they witnessed the spirit of Soga materialize and lift the unconscious student before rushing into the forest.
Judai and his group had been chasing him, eventually leading them to this place.
You Xuan, recalling the anime's original plot, knew that Soga's escape route should be...
As expected, rushing out of the forest, they were confronted by a massive power facility surrounded by a fence.
"This is the Academy Island's power station, providing electricity for the entire campus," explained Professor Daideshi.
In the air, a cerulean arc of electricity crackled, resembling a thunderous dragon writhing amidst the power station. A bolt of lightning struck the ground, creating a semi-transparent silhouette—the renowned rare card monster spirit, the android Soga.
"Oh my god!" Daideshi screamed. "A spirit! It's really a spirit!"
You Xuan observed him with a blank gaze.
The senior's acting skills were as impressive as ever.
Hayato asked in confusion, "I thought you always told us that Duel Spirits were real, teacher?"
"Well, I knew it, but this is the first time I've seen it with my own eyes," Daideshi said, adjusting his glasses.
Judai took a deep breath and stepped forward, intending to initiate a conversation with Soga. However, You Xuan was quicker, stepping in front of him.
"The spirit of an android, is that right?"
Soga's figure flickered amidst the electrical lights of the power station, his form as elusive as a shadow, ignoring their presence.
The three missing students were unconscious nearby, but they seemed to be alive.
Seeing no response from Soga, You Xuan revealed a card.
It was the card he possessed—'Android - Psychic Oppressor'.
As expected, Soga reacted this time, taking a step closer to You Xuan, his desire for the card in the young man's hand apparent.
"Indeed, this card will aid in your complete resurrection, won't it? You want this card?"
Soga paused for a few seconds, seemingly contemplating You Xuan's motives.
Then, he spoke in a low voice.
"I want that card, but I won't give up on these three sacrifices." He shook his head. "They agreed to be my resurrection offerings."
He paused again, emphasizing his point.
"But I also want that card."
Yes, a mature spirit, knowing to ask for everything.
"You all seem to be duelists as well. So, let's resolve this in the duelist way."
Soga pointed to the Duel Disk on You Xuan's wrist.
"As expected, it comes down to a duel."
You Xuan nodded.
Exactly as expected.
"A duel is fine. If you win, the card will be yours, and I won't interfere in your matters.
But what if you lose? What then?"
For a spirit, a duel was an even more sacred affair than it was for humans, so naturally, the stakes had to be discussed.
Soga thought for a moment and said, "If I lose, I am willing to give up these three souls that were willingly offered to me."
You Xuan shook his head. "I don't know those three."
Soga: "?"
The rest of the group: "???"
Why aren't you following the usual script?
Don't you sound like a typical good guy?
Soga was taken aback for a few seconds before asking, "Then what do you want?"
"Each card is like a life to a duelist, irreplaceable. I'm offering my partner, who is like my soul, as a stake. Shouldn't you also offer an equivalent stake?" You Xuan said.
Soga hesitated. "So, you want... my soul?"
"As expected of a high-level spirit, your intellect is impressive."
You Xuan smiled.
"If I win, you can reside within this card from now on. You won't need any souls or sacrifices for your resurrection in the future. Is that alright?"
With this, if he won, it was only natural that the three students wouldn't need to be sacrifices anymore.
"Heh, interesting. A human duelist wants to become my master?"
Soga spoke in a deep voice, already assuming a dueling stance.
"Then you need to earn my recognition first."
"Then consider it a deal."
You Xuan also activated his Duel Disk.
"Duel!" x2
With the negotiations concluded, the next step was to settle things with a duel.
During the discussion, the others didn't have a chance to interject. It seemed that by the time they snapped out of their daze, the two had already fast-forwarded to the dueling segment.
Only then did Judai and his companions fully realize what was happening.
Wait a minute.
Wasn't it like... the card that came knocking was snatched away by You Xuan again?
(End of Chapter)
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