At the last moment, Shadow Blizzard seemed to finally realize who he was facing.
And until this very moment, he suddenly thought about the inexplicable feeling of powerlessness he had throughout this entire duel. Summons bounced back, effects were blocked, it seemed that every step he took, the path ahead had unknowingly been blocked; every move he made felt enveloped by the enemy on all sides, as if the opponent had woven an inescapable net, smiling at his struggle.
He remembered. This style he'd just recently seen, at the world-renowned arena that had just ended not long ago, on that rising star now in the spotlight, drawing heated discussions everywhere.
Duel King, Fujiki Yugen.
The new pinnacle of the dueling realm, post-match hailed by many experts as "the pioneer of a new era."
Behind such praise, it wasn't just his unfathomable strength, but the massive difference in his route and style compared to the current mainstream.
Compared to this Seto Kaiba-led world of duelists where everyone pursued absolute power, this Duel King apparently does not prefer winning through power. Rather than suppressing with strength, he prefers methods to thwart the opponent from exerting any force, leaving his opponent surrounded by pits and unable to move...
Naturally, such methods remind people of the First Generation Duel King, Muto Yuugi. While styles of two generations can't be said to be identical, there is still considerable individual difference in specific setups. But from a broader perspective, it's hard not to see the resemblance.
Both generations of Duel Kings follow a general strategy, perhaps coincidentally, but certainly enough to stir huge waves in today's dueling realm.
Shadow Blizzard, or rather the consciousness tainted by that Darkness, has started cursing.
Damn.
Picking any city at random, choosing an opponent randomly for a duel, and it happens to be the new Duel King, what kind of insane odds is this?
Dark duelists like him have considerable confidence; knowing it's the Duel King doesn't necessarily mean they wouldn't dare fight—otherwise the Game wouldn't always run into so many challengers.
But actively challenging is one thing, discovering after being beaten that it's the final boss is quite another.
You're already king, the highest status boss-level existence, yet you're wearing a guise, sneaking into these shadowy places to mess with people?
Can't you act decently?
Of course, now realizing it is too late. During the duel, he always felt an inexplicable frustration but never thought that way. Until the last strike from the Dragon Destruction Sword, he suddenly realized he had been tricked.
"You #%&!"
Finally swearing, perhaps with some intimate greetings. Shadow Blizzard then spread his arms, letting out a series of painful cries. Subsequently, the Black Dragon mask peeled off his face and crashed onto the ground.
Shadow Blizzard fell to his knees helplessly, lying on the ground, motionless.
Yugen stepped forward, leaned down to inspect the situation.
Blizzard's mask fell to the side, indicating that he should have returned to normal. Yugen knew that Blizzard's darkening depended entirely on this mask, him wearing it would be controlled by Darkness. Whenever someone helped him defeat the dark self in a Dark Duel, the mask would fall, allowing his true self to return.
Yet Yugen found it slightly odd. Despite winning the duel, he intended not to strike too hard.
He wanted to spare his opponent's life, using the power of the Dark Duel to manipulate the opponent for his own use. He was still waiting for Shadow Blizzard to introduce him into the Seven-Star to directly find President Kagemaru.
But even without attacking, it seemed the dark self had still perished.
Yugen pondered, picking up the mask to probe it with his own strength, as if understanding something.
It self-destructed.
This mask is linked to GX's ultimate boss, Darkness. The conscious within was originally derived from a trace of evil power from Darkness. After losing the duel, the dark self simply chose to self-destruct.
Yet it's likely temporary. Yugen could also sense that this is still a dangerous Dark Artifact. When he tried probing, he could faintly hear an alluring whisper from the darkness, enticing him to put on the mask.
For mortals, resisting this power should still be quite difficult. Back then, Fubuki Tenjouin was swallowed by the darkness of the mask, becoming its slave upon wearing it, dominated by the dark self derived from the mask, lasting until today with Yugen's help did he manage to remove it.
If Yugen had obtained such an item half a year ago, it might have been quite dangerous.
But now, the remaining trivial energy poses no threat to him.
He still retained this artifact. He knew it was still connected to the world of Darkness, being a key clue and item by the third school year when Darkness began to resurface in the anime's final season.
Sadly, the plan to infiltrate the Seven-Star seemed to have failed.
The one joining the Seven-Star had been the dark self, and now that it had self-destructed, only Fubuki Tenjouin remained. Ever since his consciousness was devoured by the mask's power, for two years, he had been in a muddle, unaware of his surroundings. Even after awakening, he might be of no help.
Moreover, though the darkness has been expelled, Blizzard has been occupied by it for two years; recovering won't be quick. In the anime, he also took half a term before finally regaining his sanity under his sister's calling.
Yugen waved his hand. The duel barrier enclosing them dissipated, the darkness gradually vanished, allowing those isolated outside to see the situation unfold inside.
"Boss!"
"Leader Revolver!"
His subordinates hurriedly closed in.
Inside the barrier, one was on the ground, one was standing; the outcome was self-evident. Seeing Leader Revolver easily securing victory, dealing with the Seven-Star Envoy effortlessly, their admiration grew deeper.
Yugen merely waved his hand.
"Alright, help me clean up and wrap it up."
His subordinates complied eagerly. Immediately, someone moved forward to prop up Blizzard.
Then Kurosaki approached, asking quietly: "Boss, do you want the body thrown into the sea, or buried in cement? All at your command!"
"Huh?"
Yugen glared at him puzzled.
"He's a distinguished guest. I asked you to get a car and send him to the hospital."
Kurosaki was instantly at a loss for words.
Distinguished guest indeed.
If a distinguished guest is beaten like this, if they are enemies, should we exterminate their clans or what?
He increasingly found himself unable to understand this Leader Revolver.
Of course, this was merely a thought; he dared not show it outwardly. Kurosaki quickly nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, I'll have the brothers handle it right away..."