"Oh, really, something like this happened in Qingshui Town..."
Keihei muttered.
"Yes, some ancient creature has been resurrected and is seemingly collecting nutrients everywhere now," Yugen said.
"What ancient creature again..."
Keihei rubbed his temples.
"Again?" Yugen noticed that it seemed like this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
"Yes." Keihei said helplessly, "With the advancement of Duel Monsters development in recent years, not only are more and more slate relics being unearthed, but various ancient strange creatures are also emerging.
Just two months ago, the branch in Greece reported digging up something claiming to be Hades, god of the Netherworld or something, apparently possessing a local official and even forming a force...
"Demon King Hades of the Netherworld?" Yugen asked.
"Uh, possibly, do you know him?" Keihei asked.
"No..." Yugen's expression was complicated.
It's not about knowing or not knowing; it's also a Yu-Gi-Oh! card.
Six-star Demon Race, Attack Power 2450, with the effect of nullifying the monster effect that destroys Demon Race monsters on one's own field by battle. He even thought it was somewhat useless...
"And then what happened?" Yugen asked.
Keihei shrugged, "Nothing special. The Kaiba Group's Duel Task Force was dispatched and dismantled that organization. But supposedly, that monster called Hades turned out to be quite difficult to handle, and they only barely defeated it in a two-on-one duel with the Task Force members...
That six-star weak monster could actually gain traction?
Though he hadn't seen it directly and didn't know the elf's strength, Yugen figured if it was the "Demon King Hades of the Netherworld" card, even if it came to his elf team, it would probably only serve as a bottom-tier member.
"Couldn't find Joey?" Keihei asked.
Yugen shook his head, "I think he probably went there, but by the time I arrived, he was gone."
"I see... Well, thank you for your efforts." Keihei nodded, "We know the situation now, so you don't have to worry about the rest. We'll have someone handle it."
Yugen didn't ask further. Anyway, the Little Lobster's clone in Qingshui Town had already been dealt with by him. Although the remaining mess was a bit of a hassle, it was nothing that couldn't be handled with extra effort. For Kaiba Company's resources, it shouldn't be an issue.
"But still, be a bit cautious about the matter of the creature." Yugen advised, "I think this time, it might not be just any ordinary Dark Elf. This time, it might not be something an average Duelist can handle."
Keihei laughed, "Don't worry. Members of the Task Force are all elites from the Dueling Realm, and they all have professional standards."
Professional standards...
Yugen pondered for a moment.
He felt it was an understatement, but now the so-called professional Duelists in his eyes were akin to the upper-level ninja from the neighboring Ninja Village. They made a good backdrop for boasting but weren't really fit for a real fight...
"Why, isn't that right?" Keihei noticed his unusual expression.
"Well... not to brag, but I think this time, that monster, within the Kaiba Group... only Seto Kaiba might be able to handle it."
"That formidable?" Keihei was surprised.
Yugen nodded seriously.
He really wasn't exaggerating.
The upper limit of Tragodia's power is unknown because in the end of the GX manga, it was killed by Judai, who was endowed with Supreme Authority by the Priest Maut. Before that, it displayed overwhelming power on a level completely unmatched by any characters in the storyline. However, it never faced off against any Legendary Level Duelists directly, so its true strength is unknown.
But judging from its background, its origins are indeed quite significant.
Three thousand years ago, when the astrologer possessed by Tragodia was caught by the priests, he revealed the darkest secret that even the Pharaoh didn't know, which the priests were hiding.
It concerned the birth of the Seven Thousand-Year Divine Artifacts, where the Ancient Egyptian Royal Palace slaughtered an entire village of Klay Elner residents, using the blood of the entire village as a sacrifice for the Divine Artifacts.
The final BOSS of DM, the Great Evil God Zok, had its earthly vessel as the sole survivor of Klay Elner Village, later known as the Thief King. The kid Thief King witnessed the massacre of the villagers and harbored intense darkness in his heart.
And in the GX manga extension, it is supplemented that the survivor of Klay Elner Village was not just the Thief King.
Within the Ancient Egyptian Palace, an astrologer under the Pharaoh, was also a hidden Klay Elner villager. He managed to avoid disaster by working away from the village in the palace. Upon learning the truth of his fellow villagers' massacre, he fell into deep despair, thus fostering a terrifying creature like Tragodia in his heart.
This is also why Tragodia commands darkness strong enough to contend with the Thousand-Year Divine Artifacts.
"I understand. Since even Yugen said so..."
Keihei nodded solemnly.
"I'll inform the investigation team to be cautious and will relay the information to my brother. Thanks."
While they spoke, the two had already walked through the Kaiba Company's lobby and reached the entrance.
"Today's competition is back on, and at this rate, the top eight should be decided by the end of today," Keihei said.
"Oh? How many now?"
Yugen had already gathered the Puzzle Cards needed to qualify before the competition was suspended. Aside from himself and the inevitably qualified Seto Kaiba, the only one who had smoothly advanced was Hibiki Momiji, the Hero Card Deck user known as the world's strongest.
"Five so far... Oh, by the way, your good buddy has also advanced." Keihei smiled, "He's someone Yugen recommended, after all. I was a bit surprised at first to hear he was a student from Osiris Red... didn't expect him to be unexpectedly strong."
"Judai?"
Yugen wasn't too surprised.
After all, Judai was with him clearing out New Doma's club, and they were just two cards short at the time.
"Oh, and speaking of which... something interesting seems to be happening at the gathering point for the advancing competitors, involving your good buddy. Want to take a look?"
"What?"
Yugen was taken aback.
But upon arriving at the gathering point with Keihei, Yugen understood.
Right along the coastline of the city, two people stood with their backs against each other, evidently playing cards.
On one side was the classic Osiris Red school uniform and Jellyfish Head, undoubtedly Judai.
And on the other side...
"Hibiki Momiji?"
Yugen was surprised.
Had Judai already engaged the world champion?
"But haven't the two of them already advanced?"
Yugen asked Keihei.
"Yes." Keihei shrugged with a helpless smile, "But your classmate enthusiastically declared his admiration at the onset, and the two of them started chatting enthusiastically, getting more and more excited. Then it seemed like they couldn't wait for the match any longer, and impromptu decided to duel right away..."
Yugen: "..."
What kind of card enthusiast exchange meeting is this?