"Speaking of Yugen... doesn't this seem like a place we shouldn't be?"
At the Dark Star Club, Judai followed behind Yugen as they walked through the vibrant bar. The colorful lights blazed red, fresh green, and various colors intertwined like dazzling fireworks.
Girls danced in shimmering dresses as low, melodious music played constantly. The air was filled with a faint scent of alcohol and tobacco.
As they passed through the hall, someone noticed them, and a scantily-clad Female Bodhisattva's eyes lit up upon spotting them; she quickly approached, trying to run into them. Judai was startled, hurriedly avoided it, and quickened his pace to catch up with Yugen.
Yugen chuckled, "You've never been to a place like this before?"
"I'm not of drinking age yet," Judai mumbled.
Moreover, he felt puzzled by the people dancing and drinking here, as he couldn't quite grasp the fun in a place like this.
Mostly because he hadn't seen anyone playing cards...
What's interesting about a place without cards?
"The dueling place isn't here; it's in the venue downstairs," Yugen smiled and said.
"Oh oh!" Judai's eyes lit up, "Then let's go down and have a look..."
"That's not the purpose of our trip," Yugen chuckled, "But if you want, you can go ahead and take a look. I'll call you when I'm done."
"Forget it, forget it."
Judai waved his hand and followed, puzzled.
"Right, what exactly are we doing here? Is this that... Doma base?"
He looked around, only seeing people drinking or the scantily-clad young ladies, not quite what he imagined for the place.
"No. But the information from Kaiba Group indicates that this club also hides Dark Duels," Yugen said, "And they have an alliance with the local New Doma people.
Through this channel, we might find more clues."
"I see..."
While speaking, the two had already arrived deep inside. A sharply-dressed man with a scarred face appeared, glanced at their uniforms, and then nodded, "Lord King is already waiting."
Demon King...
Honestly, when first hearing this codename, Yugen felt a bit odd, like a monster who cultivated into a spirit and claimed the mountain as its king...
The two entered the door. It was a dimly-lit room, contrasting sharply with the hustle outside.
A young man lay trembling on the ground, his face pale, seemingly exhausted, mumbling weakly without knowing what.
Judai was startled, leaned down to support the man, "Are you alright?"
Yugen frowned slightly, looking up towards the desk behind.
The man called Demon King sat straight, seemingly examining the two with the dim light.
Then his lips curled into a cold smile.
"Hm... hmhmm... not bad, not bad," he nodded slightly, "Those scumbags didn't trick me this time, quite a good appearance..."
Then his gaze moved to Judai, showing an approving expression as well.
"This one is also okay, just looks a bit foolish."
Judai lifted the feeble young man, then stood up to question, "What did you do to him?"
"Want to know?"
The Demon King licked his lips expectantly.
"Then I'll let you experience it firsthand, okay? Don't worry, it's a very enjoyable thing..."
Judai was puzzled.
"Enjoyable thing... is it to duel?"
"Uh."
The Demon King was choked for a moment, then laughed twice.
"Haha, more thrilling than a duel."
Judai raised his eyebrows; although he didn't speak, he thought, I don't believe it, how could there be anything more thrilling and pleasurable than dueling...
"But you actually came looking for me personally, which I didn't expect..."
The Demon King stood up, put on the Duel Disc.
"However, you two seem to have some skills, otherwise the New Doma riffraff wouldn't beg me for help..."
"I see, they approached you," Yugen loosened up, "That's perfect. We're also looking for them, wonder if Lord King can be cooperative, guiding us to their location?"
"Heh, possible is possible, but information can't be given for free."
The Demon King spread his Duel Disc, chuckling softly.
Yugen nodded, "As expected, it's a duel?"
"Dark Duel, the rules underground. But I won't take your lives; that would be too wasteful," the Demon King laughed, "But if you lose, you'll have to obey me.
Hehe... hehehehe..."
As he spoke, his huge body trembled with laughter, adding a bit of lewdness.
"Alright. So in exchange, I also want the same terms," Yugen said.
"Hahaha, if you win, naturally you'll deal with me, any conditions I will unconditionally comply with... on the premise that you can beat the cards in my hand."
"Alright." Yugen also spread his Duel Disc.
"Duel!" x2
[Yugen, LP 4000]
[Demon King, LP 4000]
Judai, who hadn't been able to speak, opened his mouth, hesitated, puzzled by this unfolding.
Why didn't anyone ask for his opinion?
He obviously wanted to play cards, too...
"I'll go first, draw a card!"
The Demon King chuckled darkly.
"Not a bad starting hand... activate Magic Card 'Angel's Charity', draw three cards from the deck, then discard two cards from the hand."
He picked out two cards from his hand and sent them to the Graveyard.
"Then normally summon 'Minotaur'!"
[Minotaur, Attack Power 1700]
"Minotaur, huh." Yugen murmured.
He of course was familiar with this card, as it was one of their research achievements. But the opponent surely uses the anime world's original Minotaur, of the Demon Race.
The Undead Race Minotaur that was currently in Yugen's lab was a unique development, and no one else in this world owned it.
"Minotaur's effect, once per turn, sends a monster from the deck to the Graveyard!"
The Demon King retrieved a card from the deck, briefly showcased it, then swiftly sent it to the Graveyard.
"The card I want sent to the Graveyard is—
—Nine-tailed Fox!"
The phantom of the Nine-tailed Demon Fox appeared briefly in his field, lifting its head and letting out a high-pitched screech.
Nine-tailed Fox, huh...
Yugen wondered if this fox might unleash a Tailed Beast Ball...
Of course, he knew this Nine-tailed Fox also appeared in the anime, originally used by Mitsuzawa, one of the mascot cards of the manga-original Demon Race deck.
The reason the person before them was named Demon King was partly because of his use of the same Demon Race deck as Mitsuzawa in the manga.
Most of the manga-original Demon Race deck has been transformed into physical cards, and their effects mostly stay true to the original. But all monster races, and race-related effects, have altered the demon race to the Undead Race.
"Place a card face-down in the back field, turn ends."
The Demon King finished his operation, smilingly began to survey Yugen.
"Alright, now it's your turn. Let me see your duel."