Chapter 362: The Gathering Place
Chapter 362: The Gathering Place
After a brief exchange, You Xuan learned that Mai Valentine hadn't arrived here much earlier than him, nor did she know much more than he did.
She had probably arrived here two days ago, intending to look for Joey Wheeler. However, she hadn't found him but had encountered the "warm hospitality" of the local residents instead.
"Are you sure Joey Wheeler is here?" You Xuan asked.
"Most likely," Mai replied casually.
"Why are you looking for him?" You Xuan inquired further.
But Mai chose not to answer this question and instead steered the conversation in a different direction.
"Over there, if we head out through this path, we'll reach the town. Though the situation there isn't much better," she said.
As they emerged from the forest, they indeed started to see buildings that belonged to a town. However, the streets were equally deserted, as if even the wind dared not disturb the pervasive silence. The streetlights emitted a faint, yellow glow, feebly flickering in the darkness.
There wasn't a soul in sight, but there was a sense that eyes lurked in every shadow and behind every window. You Xuan followed Mai down the empty street, their footsteps echoing off the cobblestones with each step.
"This way," Mai indicated a narrow path beside the road.
It was probably a shortcut to somewhere; You Xuan might have overlooked it if not for her guidance, as the space was so narrow that it barely resembled a proper path.
Especially for Mai, with her proportions, it seemed doubtful that she could squeeze through such a tight space.
Yet, she managed to do so without issue.
On the other side was what appeared to be an outline of a station. Looming behind it was an ancient clock tower, its clock hands frozen, no longer ticking.
Mai led You Xuan into the station, and the stale air of abandonment washed over them. The station was equally deserted, with dust covering the benches in the waiting area. Stepping into the station felt like entering a strange barrier, a place from which there was no escape.
However, as they made their way downward, a faint glimmer of light could be seen coming from the direction of the platform, like a lonely star lost in the night.
It was a train carriage, its body slightly worn with age. The light from within cast a soft glow on the damp platform, creating a hazy silhouette.
Unexpectedly, someone emerged from the carriage to greet them.
"You're back, Mai?"
The newcomer was also a woman, with messy black hair and a torn dress. Her face, though covered in dust and fatigue, still retained a hint of delicate features.
"Hmm?" She noticed You Xuan standing behind Mai and exclaimed in surprise, "Mai, you brought a man back with you?"
"Why do you make it sound so strange when you say it?" Mai walked past her without pausing.
"He's also a Duelist, and a strong one at that. He should be of help to us."
"That's wonderful!" The woman exclaimed enthusiastically.
"If he's not your man, Mai, then I won't hold back!" She said with a playful smile as she hurriedly approached You Xuan, offering her hand.
"I'm Mitsune," she introduced herself.
You Xuan, expressionless, shook her hand politely before following Mai, leaving Mitsune behind.
"What's going on here? It feels like some sort of survivor gathering place," You Xuan asked.
"Yes, it's the only place we know of in this town. Apparently, the remaining Duelists and some civilians they're protecting have gathered here," Mai explained as she led him into the carriage.
Mitsune, left behind, pouted, "She ignored me!"
A chubby boy beside her chimed in, "Mitsune, she ignored you! How can you stand for that?"
"I know, right?" Mitsune huffed.
But soon, a smile returned to her face. "Oh well, since he's good-looking and seems to be a strong Duelist, I'll let it slide this time."
"Huh?" The chubby boy was taken aback. "That's not how you reacted when I first arrived."
"Well, duh," Mitsune rolled her eyes.
Inside the train carriage, a burly man with a broad back and a bear-like stature rose from his seat, his eyebrows raised in surprise at the sight of the duo.
"This is Iwao, the leader of this temporary gathering place," Mai introduced them.
"I see, a Duelist," Iwao grunted. "What we need most right now is the strength of Duelists, but..."
He stepped closer to You Xuan, scrutinizing him doubtfully. Standing at over two meters tall, he was an intimidating figure, forcing You Xuan to tilt his head back to meet his gaze.
"You look young, like a student," Iwao remarked, his brow furrowed in suspicion. "With such a delicate and scholarly appearance, can you really fight?"
You Xuan couldn't help but find the situation amusing.
"It's not a brawl; I don't need muscles like yours to duel," he thought to himself.
Before he could say anything, Mai, with her hands on her hips, interjected: "If you had witnessed his duels, you wouldn't ask that question."
Iwao's curiosity was piqued. "Is he that remarkable?"
"It's not a matter of being remarkable or not," Mai mused. "His duels are just... unique. I can't quite explain it, but if you want to know, why don't you see for yourself?"
"Interesting," Iwao murmured, his gaze shifting to You Xuan. "However, I won't send an unarmed student to the front lines unless you can prove your capabilities to me."
With that, he held up his Duel Disk, gesturing towards You Xuan. "Tomorrow is the crucial moment for our plan. If you want to join the operation, prove your strength to me in a duel, and I will allow you to be a part of it. If not, stay here with the elderly, the weak, and the young."
Iwao paused, his fierce visage softening momentarily. "I don't want to see anyone else fall before my eyes."
You Xuan locked eyes with Iwao for a moment, sensing that he seemed like a traditional warrior at heart and probably a good person.
So, he nodded in agreement and activated his Duel Disk as well. As a sign of respect for this warrior, he decided to show him the joys of dueling.
"Duel!"
---
In just three minutes, after several exchanges...
"... Guardian Sphinx, flip summon. All monsters on your field return to your hand."
"And Sphinx's effect allows it to change back to face-down Defense Position once per turn."
You Xuan remained polite and composed.
"... The continuous trap, 'Traveler's Trial'. When your monster attacks, you must guess the card in my hand. If you guess wrong, the attacking monster returns to your hand."
"Unfortunately, you guessed wrong again. Mr. Iwao, your monster returns to your hand."
"... Guardian Sphinx's direct attack."
The massive palm of the golden guardian slapped Iwao, leaving him dizzy and disoriented as stars burst before his eyes. He stumbled and fell to the ground, his life points reduced to zero.
Iwao lowered his head, contemplating the cards he had been holding—cards that had been repeatedly returned to his hand, never getting a chance to play them.
You Xuan approached and politely inquired, "So, have I passed your test, Mr. Iwao?"
Iwao looked up, giving You Xuan a meaningful glance. Then, he grit his teeth.
"You've passed, you must pass! Now you have no choice but to come with us!"
He stood up, dusted off his backside, and gritted his teeth in determination.
"Keep up this momentum, and go take down those damned zombies for me!" he exclaimed, his eyes blazing with determination.
(End of Chapter)
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