Qin Youmu sat blankly on the bed, still reeling from the immense shock.
Before he transmigrated, he was celebrating getting into a top high school, but after transmigrating, he actually had to actively participate in a vocational high school exam. The disparity was too great, and Qin Youmu couldn't accept it for a while.
Beep beep beep
'Host, please actively learn knowledge related to Duel Monsters.'
'Tip: There is a Duel Center not far from the host in the electronics district.'
'Reward: Living expenses for today and tomorrow.'
Oh right — he had a place to stay but no money for food. He couldn't just sit around.
Qin Youmu shook his head. Vocational high school it is. As long as he completed the mission, he could...
Could do what?
This crappy system didn't seem to say, and he himself had forgotten.
Qin Youmu replied by email.
'If I complete the mission, can I return to my original world?'
Beep beep beep
'Host mission progress is too low, no permission.'
...
Although he didn't know why he came to this world, in his original world, common sense told him he'd be dead after being crushed by such a large barbell. Even though he didn't know what the reward for completing the mission was, it was better than being dead, right?
He could only take it one step at a time.
Qin Youmu put away his phone and, following the location indicated in the email, arrived at the entrance of the Duel Center.
It was actually very easy to find, because a crowd of people was gathered there.
The Duel Center was a silver-gray circular building, with a large white lizard-like promotional stand at the entrance displaying information about newly released card packs and the schedule for in-store tournaments.
Qin Youmu walked closer and saw several hollowed-out large characters above the main entrance — Kaiba Duel Center Store No. 25.
Store No. 25... that's quite a large enterprise, Qin Youmu thought, as he pushed the door open and walked in.
"Welcome, how may I help... serve you?"
The female clerk immediately put on her signature smile and greeted the customer who entered the store, though there was a subtle pause in the middle.
"Hello, this is my first time here."
"Is that so? Then allow me to introduce our services."
As expected of a professional clerk, she immediately adjusted and began introducing the Duel Center's offerings to Qin Youmu.
"The Duel Center primarily has three main services: card sales, card trading, and Duels.
Card sales are mainly in the left section of the first-floor hall. Here you'll find various newly released card packs. Customers wishing to purchase card packs can simply go to the left section to select them.
If a customer doesn't want card packs but instead wishes to directly purchase decks or single cards, please proceed to the right section of the hall, where staff will help you choose suitable cards.
Additionally, if customers have idle cards, they can also go to the right section. Our store will buy them back at a reasonable price, and for exchanging cards with others, the staff in the right section will assist with authentication.
If a customer wishes to Duel with others, please go to the second or third floor. The second floor is the tabletop Duel area, where no venue fee is charged, and customers can Duel freely. The third floor is the holographic-projection Duel area, where customers can experience Duels more immersively. If you wish to apply for a Duel, both parties will be charged 1,000 yen per Duel.
If a customer comes alone, they can also register on the second or third floor, and the system will match them with willing Duelists.
Does the customer have any other questions?"
It was explained very clearly, but Qin Youmu knew nothing about Duel Monsters, so he decided to browse around first.
"Thank you, I'd like to look around."
"Alright, it was a pleasure to serve you. Please take this."
Qin Youmu took the small booklet handed to him by the clerk. It turned out to be a map and guide for the entire Duel Center.
Following the guide, Qin Youmu first went to the card sales area.
Upon entering, he found the area divided into several shelves, each with a label bearing a code-like inscription. Could these be production batches?
Qin Youmu walked around. The various covers and promotional images were quite elaborate, but unfortunately, he didn't know anything about them and couldn't tell what was what.
There was a table next to the cashier where a group of people were gathered, seemingly opening card boxes.
"Another dud! Can't I just get one good card to break even?!"
"Yamada, give up. You're unlucky — don't even think about reselling."
It seemed their results weren't great.
The right section was probably similar, so he might as well go upstairs to look.
Recalling what the clerk had said, he decided to go directly to the third floor.
As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, Qin Youmu heard a roar.
"Go, Blade Knight, attack the opponent's monster!"
Two people stood on separate numbered platforms, each holding a few cards, and on the field in front of them were two things clearly not human.
So that's a holographic projection. It's quite realistic!
A warrior in armor raised his sword and brought it down, directly splitting a pink monster with small wings on the field in half.
Then the number on the platform on the pink monster's side immediately turned to 0, followed by a mechanical voice.
'Duel End. The winner is — Yamada Taro.'
So that's it. Duel Monsters are more spectacular than I imagined.
In any case, he had to find a kind person to teach him first.
Qin Youmu targeted the recent winner. Since he won, his dueling skill should be good, right?
"Um, could you Duel me?"
"Sure, I'm in the mood for..."
Yamada Taro, who was talking to his companion, heard the voice behind him and turned his head.
"Sorry! I surrender!"
He grabbed his companion and ran off.
...
Maybe I should dye my hair when I get some money.
The surrounding passersby also seemed to have noticed the commotion and were whispering while looking over.
But when Qin Youmu turned to look at them, everyone quickly walked away in tacit understanding, as if afraid of being entangled with a delinquent.
You guys judge by appearances! I refuse to believe it — I still can't find anyone to teach me!
After ten minutes of continuous rejections.
What the heck! Is the first mission that difficult?!
Also, aren't you Duelists? You're called Duelists, so why are you all such cowards?!
There's no other way — he could only ask the clerk to register him and arrange an opponent.
Just as Qin Youmu was thinking this, a voice suddenly called out to him.
"Is that you? The rotten delinquent who goes around threatening people into Duels!"
Who are you calling a rotten delinquent?!
Qin Youmu turned and saw a black-haired boy about his age.
His appearance was quite handsome, but he had an arrogant expression with flared nostrils and a hairstyle that clearly used too much gel.
He looks so punchable...
(No, no, how can I have such thoughts? I'm an upright, good young man.)
Qin Youmu walked toward him expressionlessly.
"You, what do you want to do? Are you going to just attack me?"
The boy opposite was clearly a little flustered and took a defensive stance.
About a meter away, Qin Youmu raised his hand. The other party became even more wary, and the surrounding passersby all craned their necks to watch.
"Hello, my name is Qin Youmu. Could you please teach me Duel Monsters?"
"Huh?"