Chapter 994: Inner Demon
Chapter 994: Inner Demon
In the midst of complete darkness, not a single tangible thing could be seen, and even the sense of direction was lost. You Cheng Shidai walked through this darkness, surveying his surroundings.
"Youxuan?"
"Kaiba Seto?"
"Is anyone here?"
There was not a hint of an echo.
Shidai continued to move forward, a sense of unease growing within him.
Navigating and finding directions were never his strong suits. He recalled hearing someone say that in the desert, if you couldn't find landmarks to determine your bearings and kept walking in what you thought was the right direction, you'd likely end up going in circles.
So, that's how desert travelers get lost and die, wandering in circles.
"This is troublesome." Shidai scratched his head.
But as he took a few more steps, he caught a glimpse of a human-like silhouette in the darkness ahead. Without considering whether it was friend or foe, Shidai hurriedly rushed forward and caught up to the person.
"Youxuan?"
Shidai felt a sense of relief upon seeing Youxuan. With Youxuan around, he no longer felt afraid. Based on past experiences, the only concern when teaming up with Youxuan was the competition for kills.
However, when Shidai greeted him, Youxuan merely turned his head, giving him a blank look.
"Youxuan?" Shidai was taken aback.
He began to sense that something was off about Youxuan in front of him.
Youxuan didn't respond. He slowly turned back, speaking to himself.
"You're always like this, Shidai. Whenever something happens, you only think of me."
"I've tried, I really have. I know you have extraordinary talent, and I know you have potential. I want you to grow quickly, to become independent, but you keep disappointing me."
Youxuan shook his head, averting his gaze and refusing to look at Shidai directly.
"Of course, I never expected you to surpass me. I know that's impossible. Never mind."
He waved his hand, appearing somewhat weary and lacking the energy to say more.
"Perhaps I did have too high expectations of you."
Before Shidai could react, Youxuan had already turned and walked away.
Shidai hurriedly tried to catch up: "Wait, I didn't..."
But as he took two steps forward and reached out to grab him, he only grasped at thin air. The figure seemed to merge with the surrounding darkness, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
Shidai was startled and took two steps back. But as he retreated, he suddenly felt like he had bumped into someone behind him.
He turned around quickly and found Wan Zhang Mu behind him.
"Wan Zhang Mu?"
Shidai was surprised. However, he immediately realized that it wasn't just Wan Zhang Mu; Wan Tou Xiang, Ming Ri Xiang, and others were also there.
"This can't be real."
Shidai quickly realized the situation.
There was no reason for his classmates to be here.
"Is that so?"
Wan Zhang Mu spoke with a sinister tone.
"Or perhaps, one of your impulsive and irresponsible actions has finally gotten us killed."
Shidai frowned: "I didn't..."
Wan Tou Xiang said: "Big brother is always like this. How many times have we been dragged into dangerous situations by you?"
Ming Ri Xiang also spoke up: "Shidai is such a person, only caring about himself. Just like how your duels are only for your own pleasure, you never consider the risks you impose on others for your own enjoyment."
Shidai replied: "I didn't. I never intended to put anyone in danger..."
But no one listened to his explanation. Or rather, before he could explain, all the figures had already turned into nothingness and dispersed.
"No, none of this is real."
Shidai clenched his teeth, feeling the negative emotions that had latched onto his heart as he tried to shake off the attempt to disrupt his mind.
These were not the friends he knew, not their true selves, and none of their words were genuine.
It was just the enemy trying to mess with his head.
As expected, a gloomy voice seemed to echo in his mind, with a hint of amusement.
"Interesting.
The last time we met, I didn't realize that a mere human like you would harbor such immense darkness within. Haha, since you've ventured into my territory, it would be rude of me not to offer a proper welcome."
Jou quickly recognized the Dark God he had encountered not long ago.
God-Eater of the Left.
But the enemy did not reveal itself. Instead, Xiang Hong Ye appeared before him.
"The first time I met you, I thought I had found a gem."
Xiang Hong Ye adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, his eyes hidden behind the reflective lenses, making his expression even more grave and cold.
"But it seems I was mistaken."
Jou: "Mr. Hong Ye..."
Xiang Hong Ye spoke calmly, "All this time, you've only been a disappointment, to me and to everyone else."
"A hero should be someone who saves others and brings hope. But what about you?"
Xiang Hong Ye continued, "All you've done is cause harm. You've hurt those around you, betrayed those who trusted you, caused pain to those who loved you, and put people in danger."
"You are my disgrace, Jou. I regret ever having high hopes for you. You will never become a worthy Duelist."
Jou covered his ears and shook his head, dismissing these voices, "Mr. Hong Ye would never say such things. You're just playing games."
The Dark God's laughter echoed again, "Playing games? No, I don't know these people, and I didn't make them say those things. These are the voices in your heart, your own thoughts."
The Dark God paused, then grinned maliciously.
"You think this way because you know who you truly are."
Jou: "..."
"But that's not all. You're full of surprises, boy. There's an even greater darkness within you, one that's hidden deeper." The Dark God laughed, "Let me take a closer look."
The surrounding darkness transformed into a vortex once more, and Xiang Hong Ye's figure disappeared within it. Jou clenched his teeth and stood up.
What now?
But as the darkness condensed again and materialized before him, Jou was stunned.
He saw those golden eyes.
The heavy, pitch-black armor, the cold countenance, the tall and proud stature, and the cape fluttering behind.
"Stand up."
The Emperor's voice was as cold as ice, commanding.
Jou was taken aback, "Emperor? I thought..."
But he quickly realized.
This wasn't the real Emperor. Like the previous apparitions, this was a figment of his imagination.
With a sigh, Jou shrugged, "Alright, I'll guess what you want to say. You're ashamed of me, and you want to tell me you shouldn't have died for me, right? Well, guess what? I think you're right."
Jou looked down at his hands and spoke softly.
"Maybe that's what I truly think. Maybe everything they said was true. In the past, I only dueled for my own happiness. I never considered what my actions would mean to others or how they would be affected by my choices.
Maybe I am a failure. You were the Emperor's reincarnation, while I'm just an ordinary person. Maybe... if I had been the one to disappear as the price for Ultra Fusion, and you had stayed, things might have been better."
Silence filled the darkness for a moment.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor asked, "So, are you giving up?"
Jou was taken aback. He hesitated for a second, then shook his head, "No. No matter what, I will keep moving forward, even if it's just to live up to you."
"That's enough."
Strangely, a smile appeared on the Emperor's face, like an iceberg thawing.
Jou was certain that when the Emperor was alive, he had never seen even a hint of a smile on that face, so similar to his own.
"Whether you're a reincarnation or not doesn't matter. You are Jou, and that's all that matters."
(End of Chapter)
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