Chapter 380: Playing Cards to Conquer the World
Chapter 380: Playing Cards to Conquer the World
The burning village presented a scene akin to hell on earth. Flames, like ravenous demon dancers, greedily devoured everything in their path, reducing the once lush green fields and rustic houses to ashes. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood, fabric, and anything else that struggled to survive the inferno.
People, resembling the walking dead, stumbled through this hellish landscape, their bodies twisted and deformed, their skin blistered and charred. Some had been reduced to little more than burnt sticks, yet these blackened figures continued to move forward mechanically.
A young boy sat on the ground, his vision blurred by tears. He stared at the scene before him in fear, wanting to speak but unable to utter a sound.
A man crawled slowly and arduously toward him, his skin charred black, his movements a struggle. The man's mouth hung open, and in his eyes, there was only a ravenous hunger, like that of a wild beast. ". "
The dream ended.
Loren, the last of the Three Musketeers of Doma, sat up, tears involuntarily sliding down his cheeks.
"That dream again?"
A voice sounded from beside him.
Loren stood up and bowed respectfully to the person behind him.
"Judge."
The Judge took the form of a handsome man, standing quietly beside Loren, watching him.
"Yes, another nightmare," Loren admitted, rubbing his temples.
"Don't worry, it will all be over soon. Once we defeat that guy," the Judge said reassuringly.
Loren glanced at his Duel Disk placed beside him, along with his Deck.
Yes, once we defeat that guy... Or if I'm defeated.
Either way, it wouldn't be so bad. No matter the outcome, he would finally be free of this nightmare.
"Get ready, the time has come," the Judge said, "The wheels of fate are turning, and a new era is about to begin. Nothing can stop it."
"Okay."
Loren nodded and stood up, determined.
Ryo Marufuji was the sixth to arrive at the registration area.
Although he seemed to be affected by his loss to Yuki Judai, Caesar quickly regained his rhythm. After the tournament resumed, he won the last piece of the puzzle card and secured the sixth spot in the quarterfinals.
"Oh, Caesar's here too!"
Judai, spotting a familiar face, greeted him enthusiastically.
"We might face each other in the later stages. This time, I won't lose," Judai said with a cheerful smile.
Ryo's competitive spirit ignited at Judai's words, and he smiled as he crossed his arms. "Good. But I don't plan on handing over victory so easily either."
"Heh, then let's give it our all and have a duel with no regrets," Judai said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Alright!" Ryo agreed, his enthusiasm matching Judai's.
Yuki joined them, adding, "Congratulations on making it to the quarterfinals, Ryo. I look forward to dueling you again in the knockout rounds."
"Ah?"
Ryo's enthusiasm dimmed slightly at the sight of Yuki.
"Yeah, sure," he replied, his tone lacking enthusiasm.
Although he agreed, his expression did not show any eagerness. In fact, it seemed to say, 'I just don't want to duel you specifically.'
Yuki didn't seem to mind and simply smiled in response.
"I don't have Judai's natural charm with people," he thought to himself. "But it doesn't matter. When it comes to dueling, winning is all that counts."
Yuki looked around.
As he surveyed the room, he realized that most of the quarter-finalists were familiar faces. However, there were still two spots left...
After a brief wait, the last two duelists made their appearance, drawing everyone's attention.
They were the two from Doma: the leader, the Judge, and the last swordsman, Loren.
Kaiba, who had been coldly waiting without a word, finally turned his gaze toward them and let out a meaningful chuckle.
"You're late," Kaiba remarked nonchalantly. "Lucky for you, there are just two spots left."
The Judge smiled but did not refute.
Only then did Kaiba notice the man standing beside the Judge, his gaze unwavering and seemingly fixed on him alone.
"The moment I've been waiting for has finally arrived, Kaiba Seto," he said coldly.
"And who are you?" Kaiba asked.
"My name is Loren, the last of the Three Musketeers of Doma, a vengeful spirit returned from hell," Loren glared at him coldly. "You took everything from me, and I am your avenging angel."
Perhaps Loren had expected his words to garner some attention, but unfortunately, they fell on deaf ears. Kaiba merely snorted in amusement and ignored him.
"Then you'll have to get in line. There are plenty of others seeking vengeance against me," Kaiba replied nonchalantly.
He didn't even bother to ask why Loren wanted revenge.
"You!" Loren's anger surged, and he stepped forward as if to attack.
Of course, with Kaiba's superhuman physical abilities, there were probably very few people who would dare to challenge him to a physical fight.
"Oh, do you intend to settle this here and now?" Kaiba narrowed his eyes.
"That wouldn't be a problem," the Judge said, narrowing his eyes as well.
It might have been an illusion, but as he spoke, dark clouds seemed to gather overhead, and the sunlight faded unnoticed. Thick, ashen gray clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled like the beating of a thousand drums, as if an ancient beast hidden within the black clouds roared in anger.
Even someone as oblivious as Judai noticed the strange turn of events.
"Why did it suddenly get so dark?" Judai asked, looking at the man in surprise.
Could this person be the cause?
Was it possible for someone to have the power to change the weather with just a glance? Could there truly be someone in this world with such extraordinary abilities?
"...Although we could settle this directly, we already made a pact before. I propose we resolve this through a duel. What do you say, Kaiba Seto?" the Judge said.
"My answer remains the same," Kaiba said, his arms crossed. "When it comes to duels, I accept challenges from anyone."
The Judge smiled faintly but remained silent. Suddenly, the dark clouds that had gathered in the sky dissipated, and the sky returned to its former clarity.
Both parties agreed that a duel was the best way to settle their differences.
Kaiba's reasoning was that a direct confrontation between their summoned creatures could result in unpredictable collateral damage. Additionally, if his opponent was the same serpent deity that had fought against the three mythical beasts in the past, he had more confidence in his own dueling skills than in a battle of summoned creatures.
As for the Judge...
He strolled away nonchalantly, appearing unconcerned, yet confident that everything was under control. However, as he passed by, he stole a glance at Yugi.
He paid little heed to Kaiba or his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. The only person among the gathered duelists who piqued his interest was the boy in yellow.
Or to be more precise, it was the entity that boy had unsealed.
As the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, one becomes wary of even the rope for years to come. The Judge still remembered the painful beating he had received at the hands of the three beasts, and if given a choice, he would rather not engage in a Pokemon battle again.
Relying on card games to conquer the world seemed like a more reliable option.
(End of Chapter)
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