Chapter 195: Mokuba in Drag (77)
Although they were in the game, their bodies felt no fatigue, but due to physical limitations, their fastest speed was still only at a normal human level.
However, the `Labyrinth Tank` chasing them was a mechanical construct. Not only was it fast and tireless, but as it was specifically designed for traversing labyrinths, it understood the labyrinth's routes better than Hayato and the others. In no time at all, it was close to catching up to them.
Adding to their misfortune, Joey, running at the front, was horrified to find that another `Labyrinth Tank` was slowly emerging from an intersection ahead. "This is bad! We're blocked up ahead, quickly change routes!"
"It's the same over here!" Mokuba, though he had found another exit, saw that a `Labyrinth Tank` was blocking that path as well. It had already spotted them and was closing in on their position.
Three `Labyrinth Tanks` sealed off all their escape routes. Just as the `Tanks'` laser cannons were fully charged and about to fire, Yugi made a swift decision and activated the card he had just drawn: "Magical Hats!"
A giant magical top hat appeared out of nowhere above their heads, descending to cover them completely. In the next moment, three laser beams struck, incinerating the magical top hat. However, Yugi and his companions had already vanished.
Meanwhile, just a wall away, a magical top hat moved a short distance on its own. It then disappeared as it was no longer in combat, revealing Yugi and the others.
"Whew, we're saved. Good job, Yugi," Joey said, breathing a sigh of relief after their narrow escape.
Mai Valentine listened to the sounds of the `Labyrinth Tanks` from the next room. "But it seems those monsters won't let us off that easily. Unless we want to get surrounded again, we need to get out of here quickly."
"Easier said than done. This isn't a department store, it's a labyrinth," Mokuba said flatly, glancing at Mai. "We don't even know how to get out of the labyrinth. If we just run around blindly, we'll end up in a dead end."
Just then, Yugi seemed to sense something and looked up. He saw a familiar figure flying towards them, and it eventually stopped in front of him.
"You're the one from back then!" Yugi exclaimed in surprise, for the one who had appeared before them was the little fairy that had led them out of the forest before vanishing instantly!
The little fairy first looked fearfully at Hayato, then gathered its courage and chattered in incomprehensible words before flying off in a certain direction, waving for Yugi and the others to follow.
"Does that little guy mean he wants us to follow him?" Joey asked, a little uncertainly. "He wouldn't trick us, would he?"
"Probably not. While some fairies are worth dying ten thousand times over, others are kind," Hayato said with a helpless shrug. Seeing Yugi already following the little fairy, Hayato also started walking.
After many twists and turns, led by the little fairy, the group miraculously avoided the `Labyrinth Tanks` that were still searching for them. Several times, they brushed past them with only a wall separating them, yet they were still not discovered.
As they reached a corner, the little fairy's speed suddenly increased, as if it had found its target. Yugi and the others quickly followed. But as they rounded the corner, they were surprised to find a girl in a gorgeous dress standing with her back to them.
As if sensing the fairy's arrival, the girl turned around and called out to the little fairy flying towards her, "Aierlu!"
As the girl turned, she revealed a face that Yugi and the others knew very well.
"Mokuba?! Why are you wearing a dress!?" Joey and Yugi exclaimed in unison, instinctively calling out Mokuba's name.
Mokuba stepped out from behind them, also looking surprised. "I'm here. That's not me."
Mai Valentine walked up to the girl, now facing Mokuba, and compared their appearances with a strange expression. "It's not just similar; it's an exact match."
Whether it was height, build, facial structure, or features, the little girl dressed like a princess who appeared before them was an exact replica of Mokuba. The only differences were Mokuba's usual precocious demeanor, the little girl's gentle expression, and their attire.
"More importantly, little one, do you know where the labyrinth's exit is?" Hayato stepped forward, offering a friendly smile. However, he found the little girl in front of him showing a fearful expression and taking a step back.
"Ai, Aierlu says you're a very dangerous bad guy. I won't tell you!"
As she spoke, the little girl hid behind Yugi, as if she would be eliminated if Hayato saw her.
Seeing Hayato suddenly look crestfallen, Yugi asked, "So, you really know the labyrinth's exit? Can you tell me then?"
The little girl glanced at the little fairy hiding on her shoulder, then at Yugi, and nodded slightly. "Yes, Aierlu seems to like you, so you must be a good person. Okay, follow me, I'll lead you out of the labyrinth."
Seeing how easily Yugi gained the trust of this "Mokuba in drag," Hayato grumbled to Joey, "That Yugi guy definitely has something like 'Loli Affinity' or something. This is the second time."
"Huh? What's 'Loli Affinity'?"
"Never mind, you wouldn't understand, big dummy." Hayato glanced at Joey and Mai, sighed, shook his head, and followed Yugi.
Led by the "Mokuba in drag," the group soon arrived at the labyrinth's exit. As they were about to leave the labyrinth, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
But just then, a massive dark shadow appeared at the labyrinth's exit, blocking all possibility of escape.
"What is that!" Joey exclaimed, startled by the sudden giant monster, and quickly drew a card, `Panther Warrior`, preparing to Summon it.
Hayato and Yugi, however, seemed to have anticipated this. They exchanged a glance and simultaneously Summoned `Dark Magician` and `Performapal Sky Magician`.
"When I saw the labyrinth and the `Labyrinth Tanks`, I had a suspicion. It was indeed this monster at the end of the labyrinth."
Looking at the `Gate Guardian`, formed by the fusion of the Three Fiend Gods, Yugi activated his card: "Fusion!"
"Appear, `The Dark Magicians`!!!"
(end of chapter)