I didn't expect to find a Mud Dragon King in such a place.
However, finding it was one thing, but Tenjo Hikari couldn't quite identify which Mud Dragon King it actually was.
The reason was simple—whether it was the Muddy Mudragon or the Mudragon of the Swamp, without looking at the card, just based on appearance, it was impossible to tell them apart.
They might even be representing different regional images after all.
So, facing this Mud Dragon King, Tenjo Hikari was clueless, unable to ascertain its identity.
Additionally, when Kagurazaka summoned its name, he merely called it "Mud Dragon King" without specifying further.
The Mud Dragon King flew ahead with a group of small offspring, observing Tenjo Hikari and the others.
At this moment, Tenjo Hikari noticed that these swamp creatures, some retained their dragon form while others constantly transformed, looking diverse with knights, warriors, mages, and beast-types, endlessly changing shapes.
It seems like these cards could replace other monsters as Fusion Material, all due to this distinct attribute?
"Before the duel, I need you to answer a few questions."
"Go ahead! Absolutely no problem!"
The Mud Dragon King flew backward, and then several small Mud Dragons appeared in front of him, slowly transforming into different shapes.
There were swordsmen, mages, and even a peculiar mechanical creature.
"How about it, do you recognize them?"
"Ha, of course, I recognize them. These monsters have been used by our department head—Flame Swordsman, Dark Magician, and the Fusion Monster Metal Dragon, right!"
Kagurazaka's memory was incredibly impressive, and his mimicry skills were outstanding, recognizing the monsters transformed by these Mud Dragons at a glance.
Then came the duel.
After answering the questions, Kagurazaka finally had the chance to duel once more against the "Beastking of the Swamps" he had his eyes on. As promised, once he won, it would be willing to leave with Kagurazaka.
They seemed to have dueled several times, hence were quite familiar with each other's decks and strategies.
To Tenjo Hikari's surprise, the King of the Swamp's deck also consisted of a mix, including a plethora of eccentric Fusion Monsters.
"It's pretty similar to your style," Tierra commented casually beside Tenjo Hikari as he watched Kagurazaka duel.
Tenjo Hikari nodded, although using different Fusion Monsters and Fusion Material, their styles primarily focused on hybrid fusion, so there were indeed similar elements.
However, Kagurazaka's deck was also like this.
After his duel with Tenjo Hikari, Kagurazaka had seen Tenjo Hikari duel against Phantasms, joined the Fusion Department, and had been trying to learn how to use a Fusion Deck.
His Fusion Deck wasn't simply composed based on personal preferences like other students; instead, he crammed in chains he found interesting all at once into the deck.
Indeed.
There were Tenjo Hikari's Ancient Gear and Gemstone, Judai's Heroes, Manjome's VWXYZ, and even Marufuji Ryo's Cyber Dragon.
Except for exclusive cards like "Cyber End Dragon" specific to Cyber Style, he had practically collected any card combination available from the Fusion Department's "veterans."
"Spell Card, Gem-Knight Fusion, fusing the Thunder Dragon and Gem-Knight Tourmaline in hand!"
This time, it was Gem-Knight Prismaura.
It's really puzzling where this kid managed to get them from, considering how hard it is for even Teacher Cronos to collect rare cards. Yet Kagurazaka effortlessly got ahold of cards outsiders couldn't buy at all.
That's talent indeed.
Mere moments later, the duel was over.
"Hmm, impressive, impressive." The Mud Dragon King floated before Kagurazaka, extending its claw towards Kagurazaka's emblem, then gently illuminating a strange liquid mark.
Star Level 3, an ordinary subordinate seal.
"Alright then, you're free to do as you please." It added, addressing the spirit who dueled with Kagurazaka.
"Yay!!!" Kagurazaka excitedly spun in circles hand in hand with the Beastking of the Swamps.
Over the days of dueling, Kagurazaka and this spirit had developed a substantial connection, thus upon receiving the Mud Dragon King's consent, not only Kagurazaka but even the Beastking was evidently very thrilled.
"Great!!" "Awesome!!" The other two Fusion Department students also cheered excitedly.
This took Tenjo Hikari by surprise.
Serena curiously asked, "Seniors, aren't you going to challenge them yourselves?"
She noticed many spirits nearby, roughly estimating there were dozens, indicating there were more opponents to challenge.
If that were the case, given the Fusion Department's love for fusion, wouldn't they challenge?
"We wanted to as well, but they said we're lacking in attributes..." The two students exchanged a look upon hearing Serena's question, then shook their heads regretfully.
The Mud Dragon King flew before Serena, lowered its head for a glance, and spoke, "If you wish to challenge, you may choose one of my offspring for a duel."
"Eh? I can too?"
"I see in your eyes, your pursuit of fusion." The Mud Dragon King turned around and hesitantly faced Tenjo Hikari, "As for you..."
It surprisingly hesitated.
"Human, I can't discern if you're truly capable of wielding our power as a warrior, nor can I foresee your potentiality."
Muddy Mudragon flexed its claws: "There are two possibilities."
One is that you are completely unsuitable for fusion, and should change your path as soon as possible.
The other is that you have surpassed ordinary humans and spirits, the fusion you embrace is far greater than I can observe..."
"Ha, the Director must be the second possibility!" Upon hearing Muddy Mudragon's words, the students present decisively replied almost instantly.
"That's right, the Director is a duelist pursuing extreme fusion, the most famous Fusion Master in our world, known as the Absolute Fusion Master!" Kagurazaka heard Muddy Mudragon's words, hugged the Beastking of the Swamps, and couldn't help but shout.
"Oh? Is that so?" Muddy Mudragon looked at Tenjo Hikari as if trying to see through him, while Tenjo Hikari faced Muddy Mudragon fearlessly, staring directly at it.
"Alright—he is your leader, isn't he? Then let me observe personally." Muddy Mudragon's body shook and suddenly transformed into a gigantic dragon-human creature carrying a dragon spear, "So, do you recognize this monster?"
Upon seeing this monster, the students from the Fusion Department and Serena were all stunned in place.
Tierra tilted its head, scratching its chin, having a vague impression but couldn't say it.
"Dragon Knight Draco-Equiste," Tenjo Hikari calmly stated, while Tierra suddenly realized and exclaimed "Oh oh oh."
"Oh!? Interesting—then…" It immediately began to twist again, gradually transforming into a fluorescent mage holding a huge magic staff glowing with green light, fully clad in purple armor, looking remarkably powerful, "How about this one?"
Even Tierra did not recognize this time.
A completely unseen monster.
"Supreme Arcanite Magician," Tenjo Hikari observed for a moment, nodded lightly, and said.
This made Muddy Mudragon fully realize that the duelist before it is no ordinary fusion duelist; unlike those who came to the cavern before, he possesses considerable fusion knowledge.
"Looks like I need to show some true skills," Muddy Mudragon was also spurred, "Then, let's use monsters that humans from your world could never see!"
Its form began to change again, gradually transforming into a gigantic squid, whose body was covered in strange purple patterns, clearly a three-dimensional monster, yet resembling an ancient and terrifying mark of the earth.
Not far away, a black orb watching in secret couldn't help but tremble slightly upon seeing this monster.
It's Yubel, a spirit of the past, tracking Tenjo Hikari, but not acting rashly, planning to confirm Tenjo Hikari's condition.
Even it felt a certain pressure seeing this monster, indicating that the humans facing it would be even more affected!
Because—
It appears to be some projection of an Otherworld God!
Yet upon close inspection, Tenjo Hikari showed no shred of fear, his body didn't flinch.
In its eyes, it could see that the Otherworld God beside Tenjo Hikari didn't set up any protection for him; Tenjo Hikari was confronting the monster relying solely on his own will!
This made it realize never to underestimate Tenjo Hikari, thus becoming more cautious and careful, ensuring the Otherworld God next to Tenjo Hikari wouldn't notice it.
Tenjo Hikari looked at the monster, mildly surprised, raising an eyebrow.
Indeed, this card is not one recognizable by humans of their world.
However—
Not excluding him!
"Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken."
"Oh!!" Muddy Mudragon exclaimed, and the surrounding little mud dragons all let out cries of amazement.
"Tian, really?" A little mud dragon shouted in surprise.
"I couldn't even pronounce all those characters." A little mud dragon rubbed its little head.
"So impressive—" More were simply in awe.
Muddy Mudragon's body twisted and returned to its original form, observing Tenjo Hikari with curious eyes full of odd brilliance.
"I've waited for a suitable partner for so long that I've forgotten my original goal, cozy here nurturing juniors." Muddy Mudragon opened its big mouth, speaking as it opened and closed, "But now, I feel my body has regained strength!"
Notably expressing its desire to leave despite being the leader of this region.
"Then, let me introduce myself, I am the third leader of this cavern, Muddy Mudragon, what's your name, human?"
"I am Tenjo Hikari, Tenjo Hikari of the human world."
Muddy Mudragon descended to the ground; the swamp on the ground slowly moved, flowing to its claw, and gradually transformed into a transparent Duel Disk, attached to its claw.
"So, will you challenge me, human?" Muddy Mudragon picked up a card, "My Duelist Star Level is 7."
Seven Star-Level, one higher than Marjoram. But this doesn't inherently mean it's lesser than the Female Emperor or Dinosaur Lyuzaki. Ultimately, the duel is judged based on real circumstances.
"Ha, this is truly unexpected."
Tenjo Hikari laughed, putting on the Duel Disk.
No one anticipated such a delightful surprise on their rescue path.
"Duel!"
Muddy Mudragon, LP: 4000.
Tenjo Hikari, LP: 4000.