"Is this Duel King Gold List based on height?"
"Incredible…"
"Hmph! Must be a trick to mislead people, right?"
...
Onboard a Helicopter
"There's another duelist from Eastern Tongshiye on the list!"
"But why does he look like Weevil Underwood? There's definitely some deceit involved!"
Jounouchi's face twisted with disgust at the mention of Weevil's name, his grudge still unresolved.
When You Feng heard this, he chuckled.
"In the original Duel Monsters era, how many fair duelists were there anyway?"
"Weevil Underwood, Bandit Keith, Panik, even Mai Valentine—all relied on underhanded tactics at some point."
"Only when we reached Duel Academy in GX did dueling ethics begin to improve."
"You'll get used to it eventually," You Feng said calmly.
"?????" Jounouchi was dumbfounded.
Why should he have to get used to that?
---
PS: It's 1 AM, and the third chapter has already dropped! Keep those flower and monthly tickets coming! A new month has begun—every ticket counts! If you're satisfied, we'll keep this going with even more explosive chapters! Quick question: do you only enjoy protagonist duels, or do you also like the epic side battles?
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Duel King Gold List: Ranked 43rd in Overall Strength
"Primary schooler?!" (4/5! Support with flower tickets!)
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Southern Duel Academy – Principal's Office
"There are some formidable duelists in Eastern Tongshiye, with three already on the list!"
"I wonder if any of them will enroll here?"
Principal Samejima fixed his gaze on the Duel King Gold List in the sky, seeing a chance for proactive recruitment.
In the past, finding talent was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But with the Duel King Gold List's exposure, he could now recruit duelists with proven ability directly.
It was a game-changer for the Southern Duel Academy.
"Hah! I think so too!"
"There's no formal dueling institution in Eastern Tongshiye, whereas we in the South hold an absolute advantage! Noney!"
Professor Chronos chuckled smugly.
---
Elsewhere on Campus
"Big Brother! Another duelist from Eastern Tongshiye made the list!"
"They're seriously strong!"
Sho Marufuji was practically bouncing with excitement.
"There are so many powerful duelists I can't wait to face!"
"I believe we could learn so much from dueling them!"
Judai Yuki laughed, enthusiastic about the challenge.
"If we're lucky, they'll arrive here soon. Maybe even the one who was ranked 44th earlier!"
"Southern Duel Academy will definitely see more intense competition!"
A pleasant voice joined in from nearby—it was Asuka Tenjoin, flanked by Junko Makurada and Momoe Hamaguchi.
"Ah! Asuka!"
Sho turned bright red the moment he saw her and quickly looked away.
"You? Duel someone from the Gold List? That's just wishful thinking!"
Junko snickered.
"Junko, that's uncalled for," Momoe frowned.
---
[Duel King Gold List: 43rd in Overall Strength!]
[Name: Rei Saotome]
[Identity: A mysterious elementary school student]
[Deck Archetype: Love-Struck Maiden]
[Yu-Gi-Oh Strength Metrics – Suppression: 60 / Disruption Resistance: 65 / Luck: 65 / Deck Building: 68 / Defense: 70 / Strategic Thinking: 72]
[Total Score: 400]
[Rewards: +7 Strategy / +7 Deckbuilding | Trap Card: Dusk Obliteration!]
---
The reveal of the 43rd-ranked duelist on the list caused shockwaves.
"What the heck! Another elementary school student? How is this happening?"
"This list is giving me an existential crisis. Am I really worse than a kid?!"
"I'm speechless! So many of these Eastern Tongshiye duelists look like elementary students. This Rei Saotome—is she another one of them?"
"She's even more mysterious than the last!"
---
Kaiba Corporation – Rooftop
Kaiba Seto stood silently, eyes fixed on the Gold List, his expression turning more serious with each update.
"Are these Duel King Gold List duelists even credible?"
None of them were known names. Many looked like children or complete wildcards.
But despite himself, Kaiba felt doubt creeping in.
If even kids were making the list and he wasn't yet among them—what did that mean for him?
If Kaiba Seto was anxious, imagine how the average duelist felt.
Excitement had turned into raw tension.
Everyone now desperately hoped to see their name on the next reveal.
---
Dark Signer Hideout – Altar of the Dark Mark
"Kiyanagi Kyosuke, if your name doesn't appear tomorrow, go challenge Southern Duel Academy!"
"Crush everyone on their list!"
"Show them the true power of the satellite region!"
"Besides, we need more souls of defeated duelists to feed the Earthbound Immortals! Hahaha!"
"If possible, recruit some of those ranked duelists into our Dark Signer ranks."
"They'd strengthen us considerably!"
"And of all the regions, Southern Battle Academy is the most visible target!"
"When you strike, be sure to livestream the duel for the satellite!"
"If you can't beat them, then we Signers are a disgrace!"
The black-robed man grinned wickedly.
"Just what I was planning!"
"These so-called Duel King elite? They're nothing to me!"
"Prepare for news of my victory!"
"And if they refuse to submit, I'll wipe them out!"
"Heh—HAHAHA!"
Kiyanagi's cloaked figure disappeared into the shadows.
With the Duel King Gold List unveiled, the three regions—Eastern Tongshiye, Southern Duel Academy, and the Satellite—were on a collision course.
Power struggles intensified.
Duelists in the Satellite region, in particular, had a dark objective: harvesting souls and uncovering the Dragon Signers.
---
PS: Fourth chapter drop! Keep those flower and monthly tickets coming—it's a new month and every vote makes a difference! Let me ask again: are you here for the protagonist duels, or do the legendary side battles interest you too?
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Chapter 21: "Apollo's Triple! ZONE Stirs the World!" (5/5! Flower ticket support!)
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Osiris Red Dormitory – Duel Academy
"What?! An elementary schooler ranked higher than me?"
"I'm going into full depression…"
Sho Marufuji sulked in the corner, drawing sad little circles.
Judai looked equally stunned. If it weren't for the public exposure of the Gold List, who would've believed so many unknowns could be so powerful?
"Sho, you might still be ahead," Judai tried to cheer him up.
"No way… If I can't even make the cut now, how could I in the future…"
The list had hit Sho hard.
"I wonder what rank Ryo might reach?"
Asuka Tenjoin smiled softly. She had full confidence in Ryo Marufuji.
She knew better than anyone how powerful he really was.
He was Southern Duel Academy's undisputed No. 1.
---
"Is Ryo really that strong?"
Judai asked curiously.
"Hmph! Of course he is! Lord Kaiser is the top duelist in the entire academy!"
Junko declared with pride.
"Got it!" Judai grinned.
"Then I'll challenge him next!"