Viviana's home was huge—just the living room alone was the size of Morgan's entire house.
Beyond the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows stood a crystal-clear swimming pool, ready to be enjoyed at any time.
Just as Viviana had said on the way, "My house is pretty big."
Mena dragged Morgan by the hand straight into the living room, plopped onto the snow-white, soft sofa, and began chattering excitedly.
Despite the size of the villa, Viviana had no live-in staff. Other than a cleaning company that came once a month, it was just the two sisters.
When Viviana was out working, Mena was left home alone—a lonely routine.
Morgan's arrival brought a liveliness to the house it hadn't seen in a long time.
"I ordered dinner from a hotel nearby. Tonight, we're having authentic Shandong cuisine."
Viviana smiled. She and her sister preferred lighter flavors, and the balanced nature of Shandong dishes suited their taste.
At that moment, Mena pointed to the TV and piped up, "Morgan, you're famous! Everyone's looking for you!"
Morgan followed her gaze. On-screen, clubs were posting public bounties trying to locate her, some offering sky-high prices.
Morgan's expression darkened. Though she had never seen her information auctioned before, she imagined it looked a lot like this.
Viviana, recalling something, turned and asked, "You said before you didn't want to join a club. Can I ask why?"
Morgan shook her head. "You'll find out soon enough."
Viviana stared at her for a moment, then dropped the subject.
Before long, dusk fell. The dining table was now strewn with only scraps and leftovers.
Mena, still a child, quickly grew drowsy after dinner and fell asleep.
Viviana swirled a glass of wine and took a sip, her cheeks flushed.
"Thanks for looking after Mena tonight. She hasn't been this happy in a long time."
Morgan glanced down at the girl sleeping peacefully on her lap and shook her head. "It's fine. I like this little one."
"Mmm… Morgan, your lap smells nice… slurp."
"..."
Morgan was Speechless.
She had liked her… until now.
Why is everyone she knows like this?
Just then, Viviana's phone rang, saving Morgan from the awkward moment.
Viviana sighed. Since news had spread that she knew Morgan, people had been texting and calling her constantly. She turned them all down.
She had considered turning off her phone, but didn't want to miss anything important.
This time, it was her agent who handled her future engagements—Viviana could blow off most people, but not her agent.
"Hey, Ms. Helen, it's late. What's up?"
Her agent sounded unusually nervous and rushed.
"Viv, there's a new event proposal. You must review it ASAP. I already sent someone to your garage. Don't miss it!"
"Wait, this late at night? What are you even—"
Beep. Beep...
Viviana stared at her phone. Ms. Helen was usually calm and composed. What was with the panic?
Even stranger… she hadn't even asked about Morgan.
Oh, right. Ms. Helen had just gotten remarried…
Viviana suddenly understood and gave a knowing smile.
She had considered calling back to ask about the proposal, but decided not to. No need to interrupt their reunion.
'Absence makes the heart grow fonder,' she thought. Ms. Helen deserved her newlywed moment.
She turned to Morgan. "I'm heading to the garage for a moment. Watch Mena for me."
Morgan nodded. Hearing Viviana's voice, Mena stirred and snuggled deeper into Morgan's arms, as if seeking comfort.
"So soft, Morgan..."
"..."
…
Meanwhile, Viviana entered the underground garage—only to find it pitch-black and deserted.
"They haven't arrived yet?"
She muttered. But then, the Duel Spirits around her suddenly grew restless, growling in one direction like they had sensed a great threat.
"Who's there?!"
Viviana shouted in alarm. Her Spirits had never reacted this fearfully before.
From the shadows emerged a thin man in a tattered black robe. His hood concealed most of his face, but his jawline was covered in a scale-like carapace that reflected faintly under the emergency lights.
…
Back in the living room, Morgan sat stiffly on the sofa, careful not to wake Mena. Her eyes bored into the TV while her mind wandered back to the day's duel.
She hadn't expected opponents to adapt so quickly against Eldlich. However, when you use the same Deck over and over, counters are inevitable.
She had planned to reveal her Trickstar identity in the finals, but she needed another Deck until then.
Problem was, she was out of Duel Points. Plus, that guy she beat earlier only netted a few hundred.
As she stewed, her arm suddenly throbbed.
She lifted her sleeve—the Dragon Mark of the Red Dragon flared with radiant light.
Morgan straightened up, eyes gleaming with excitement.
A Shadow Duelist... nearby!
…
In the garage, Viviana eyed the strange man warily. Anything that could make her Duel Spirits react like this was no ordinary threat.
Only one explanation made sense:
A Shadow Duelist.
"So quick to spot me. As expected of a Spirit Duelist," the man said hoarsely. "It must've been your tools who sensed me, yes?"
He was indeed a Shadow Duelist—the one Hannah called "Old Snake." Before important duels, he hunted Duelists to vent his bloodlust.
This time, his target was Viviana. If he could bring her into the fold, their faction would grow stronger. Maybe even earn him a new Deck from the boss.
Old Snake grinned, voice rasping like a broken bellows, tongue slithering side to side like a real serpent.
"They aren't my tools. They're my friends!" Viviana snapped. "Why are you here, Shadow Duelist?"
"Why? Does a hunter need a reason to track prey?"
Old Snake extended a scaly hand adorned with a snake-headed Duel Disk.
"I've long wanted to see how strong a Spirit Duelist really is."
Viviana broke into a cold sweat. She was strong, sure… against kids. But a true expert? Especially a Shadow Duelist?
She wanted to refuse, but Shadow Duels were mandatory. Lose, and you were consumed by the shadows.
Mena's face flashed through her mind. For her sister, she had to fight.
Just as she braced herself, a brilliant red light pierced the garage.
Morgan rushed in, Duel Disk on her arm, the Dragon Mark glowing bright.
"Morgan, you—"
Viviana tried to stop her, but Morgan sprinted past, confronting Old Snake directly.
"Found you at last!"
Her eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement.
She had searched far and wide with no luck—only for the prize to come knocking.
Most saw Shadow Duelists as monsters. Meanwhile, Morgan saw them as walking Duel Points.
Old Snake squinted. Did he know this kid? She looked familiar… Anyways, she only cared for strong opponents. Who had time for a child?
He prepared to dismiss her when Morgan suddenly lifted her Duel Disk and grinned.
"Wanna have a thrilling, heart-pounding Shadow Duel?"
"Oh, absolutely! I specialize in this ki—Wait. Who are you?"
Old Snake recoiled. Any normal kid would be sobbing right now. This one was asking for it.
Was this a bluff?
Then he met her eyes and shivered.
Predator's eyes.
He'd seen them before… reflected in the eyes of his prey.
Was he being hunted... by a child?
Old Snake froze. Hannah's words echoed in his mind: "Keep flaunting yourself like that and you'll end up the hunted."
A prophecy come true.
Morgan smiled brightly.
"I'm Morgan. You could say... I'm a pro Duelist."
...
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