"The outcome is decided!"
"The winner is Fujiki Yugen!"
"It's been eight years since the last Duel King emerged. At this historic moment, we've finally welcomed the second generation Duel King..."
"..."
The silent room was tightly enveloped by the heavy night, as if the air itself had solidified into a dark entity. The only source of light in this darkness came from the television, tirelessly rolling news broadcast, all showing similar content.
Professor Mackenzie sat on the sofa, tapping his fingers on the armrest.
"Duel King, that kid..."
He immediately recalled the two times he indirectly faced off against this new Duel King.
Once, on top of that town during a riding duel, his invincible King Tiger's summons locked down but instead fostered the opponent's infinite life burn, self-enclosed loop.
The second time, he personally possessed his subordinate, Mizuki Mackenzie, attacking with the Angel Race known for strong assaults, even using Venus from the Planet Series. The result was neither victory nor Venus was taken by the opponent to aid evil, returned with a Venus lock, which drove Little Lobster to rage quit.
And now, such a duelist has become the era's king...
Professor Mackenzie fell silent.
It's not that he was scared of this person. Little Lobster feared nothing, rushing into the Royal Palace back then, directly challenging the Pharaoh and Seven Divine Officials. He considered himself invincible and didn't believe he feared any opponent.
It's not fear, just thinking about possibly facing this Duel King again, considering the opponent's endless bizarre tactics, he feels a headache...
At this moment, his trusted aide, David Rapp, a student from the American Duel Academy like Mizuki, entered the room.
"How did it go?" Mackenzie asked without turning his head, speaking calmly.
"The person has been taken down, Rank Fifteen in the professional circle, Rena's chosen, using the Ice Card Deck." David stood straight behind him, said, "Her strength is indeed decent, even I had to make considerable effort."
"But already under control?" Mackenzie asked blandly.
"Of course, Professor, just as you instructed."
David smirked, his smile gradually becoming grotesque.
"That woman seemed quite unwilling, struggling hard to the end. But she's doomed to be ours, like prey caught in a spider web; the more she struggles, the tighter she gets bound. Yet that despairing process is intoxicating..."
He caught the professor's displeased gaze halfway through his speech, realizing he'd gone off-topic, quickly changed his tune.
"But now she's completely controlled, becoming a 'Planet Master'." David hurriedly said, "Professor's insight is admirable, seeing her potential immediately. She indeed has a very good affinity with 'Mercury' from the Planet Series."
Professor Mackenzie snorted heavily.
"Naturally," he said, "I wouldn't have directed you to find her if I hadn't seen her potential. Accepting Mercury, gaining my power, as a Planet Master, she might become stronger than you.
You should feel a bit of urgency, David."
A swirl of black energy surged from Professor Mackenzie, dark gleam flickering in his eyes.
"Anyone, even you... as long as you can't prove your worth, you'll be eliminated."
David felt a chill, lowered his head, repeatedly affirmed. But he concealed a fierce look in his eyes.
Eliminated... me?
Mackenzie didn't care for his reaction anymore, simply turned back to the television screen in front of him.
"Fujiki Yugen, the new Duel King," Professor Mackenzie said blandly, "Honestly, a bit beyond my expectations."
"A difficult opponent to deal with?"
David quickly composed himself, asked again.
"Not just that."
Mackenzie mumbled, only furrowing his brows without furthering his words.
He'd been very concerned before about the dark artifact Yugen held that resembled a Thousand-Year Divine Artifact, which carried the aura of the Pharaoh and priests he hated all his life.
During the finals, this aura peaked, even summoning the Phantom God that should no longer exist.
Mackenzie stared intensely at Yugen's image through the screen.
"Who is this guy... exactly?"
David suddenly said, "Speaking of, that troublesome duelist who was trailing us seems quiet lately. Has the professor dealt with him?"
Mackenzie quickly realized who he referred to.
During the United States championship night, when he nearly captured Hibiki Momiji, that troublesome individual suddenly appeared to interfere. For a long time after that, the person pursued his movements relentlessly, there'd been two indirect clashes, quite annoying.
"Hmm... sort of," Mackenzie vaguely replied.
"As expected of Professor, once personally acting, nothing is beyond reach, legendary duelists are no exception." David quickly flattered.
Yet Mackenzie remained silent.
Within reach...?
Only he knew inside, calling it that wasn't entirely accurate. He remotely controlled a puppet during two exchanges with that person, the result wasn't very ideal.
Discussing this, he recalled the duel scenes back then.
Mackenzie: "Attack using a monster!"
Opponent: "Activate Continuous Trap 'Monster Box'! When the opponent declares a monster attack, a coin flip decides heads or tails. If guessed wrong, the attacking monster's attack power becomes zero."
Opponent: "...ha ha you guessed wrong, your monster's attack power is zero!"
Mackenzie: "..."
"..."
Mackenzie: "Your hand is empty, life points flickering like a candle in the wind. Soon, your soul will be mine!"
Opponent: "You never know what might activate until the duel ends. Activate Trap 'Gamble'! When opponent's hand exceeds six cards and your hand is less than two, a coin flip decides heads or tails. If guessed right, draw up to five cards, guessed wrong skip your entire next turn!"
Opponent: "...ha ha guessed right, I draw five cards!"
Mackenzie: "......"
"..."
Mackenzie: "I activate 'Dark Warrior: Grayfa's effect. Once per turn, discard a Dark Attribute monster from hand, then send a Dark Attribute monster from the card deck to the graveyard."
Opponent: "Then at that moment, activate the effect of 'Lady of Judgment' on my field. When the opponent activates card effects, flip two coins. If both show heads, the effect is negated!"
Opponent: "...ha ha ha two heads, Dark Grayfa's effect is nullified!"
Mackenzie began rolling up his sleeves: "I'm going to tear apart that stupid coin..."
"..."
It's all not very good memories.
Little Lobster looked at the sky, lost in contemplation.
Three thousand years have passed, thinking now without Pharaoh or priests, surely he could roam the world freely. Yet didn't expect duelists of this era to be equally skilled, not easy targets.
However...
He snorted coldly.
"Just a reckless youth fighting purely relying on dumb luck, I've already taken care of him." Mackenzie heavily said, "He is no longer a threat."