"This guy!" Jim couldn't help rubbing his fists together, his hands itching unbearably. "He's got so many powerful Cards, yet he's playing the Duel this cautiously!"
"When it's a matter of life and death, being cautious is only normal…" Amon let out a soft sigh. "Judai and Hikari-san must've been extremely on edge this whole time too. At the very least, we shouldn't be standing in the back complaining."
The few of them nodded, pondering what to do next, and whether there was any way they could help.
Judai clicked his tongue as he looked at his Hand Cards. But he didn't forget Midrash's effect, and hurriedly Recycled Tenjo Hikari's "El Shaddoll Fusion" from the Graveyard, then set it along with the others on the field.
"I Set three Cards, and activate the Continuous Spell Card, Mirage of Nightmare."
Luckily, even though he failed to attack, New Universe Overlord was still on the field. If the opponent sends a Monster to the Graveyard next turn, he can use New Universe Overlord's effect to seize control of Darkness Neosphere!
Of course, from the looks of it right now, that opportunity shouldn't be small.
"End turn…"
Final Countdown: 6.
Pa——
Judai jolted, shuddering, and hurriedly looked to the side.
If, before this moment, Earth under Final Countdown had still been slowly oppressed by dark clouds, then starting now, the world was like a desk lamp being switched off—someone pressed a button, and at a certain instant, it was snuffed out in a flash.
New Domino City. A man who'd been running around the city for ages, unable to find a single other person no matter what, finally stopped, slumping weakly against a wall.
His green trench coat was a little dirty and rumpled. Leaning on the wall, one hand pressed to his head, he looked somewhat dazed.
Ever since becoming a "Legendary Legend Duelist," Jonouchi Katsuya hadn't felt such terrifying helplessness in a long time. It was as if, in this very moment, he'd turned back into that weak, stray mutt.
He felt that if things went on like this much longer, he'd probably keel over and collapse.
What the hell happened?
Where is everyone!
Forget random civilians on the street—even the Duelists who'd been working alongside him had vanished without a trace!
What on earth…
Just then, he suddenly lifted his head and looked up at the sky.
The sky was making cracking sounds, "kacha, kacha."
He shot to his feet, eyes wide, staring at the shattering sky. The sky was splitting apart like a screen, then revealing a sliver of an image.
"What… exactly is happening?"
Industrial Illusions Company. Mr. Pegasus and the Maze Brothers were staring gravely up at the sky.
The Maze Brothers exchanged a look. "Mr. Pegasus, this is…?"
"Looks like it's time for us to say goodbye to each other…" Pegasus murmured softly.
Scenes like this were unfolding all across the globe. Along with brand-new omens, those beings who'd survived the first layer of "area-of-effect attack" were gradually beginning to sense the crisis.
Some people with connections and means even frantically started searching for Dimension Gates, trying to teleport to other Dimensions for safety. But when they attempted Dimension Travel, they found themselves arriving in a world that was almost identical.
Here, many people who should have disappeared were still present, panicking and bewildered.
Only, in "their" world, the sky also held a "screen"—but conversely, the screen in this world was far larger, and much clearer!
Kaiba Company.
In this deathly silent world, a tall man carrying a briefcase walked lightly down an empty corridor. As he happened to pass a window and saw the fractured sky, he paused slightly.
"So that's how it is…"
"So this is what's going on."
And so he stopped trying to leave, remaining where he was, quietly watching.
At that moment.
In the Post-apocalyptic World, Judai stared at the shattered image in the sky, his expression ugly.
"This…"
"The sixth turn—counting mine, it's already been seven turns. A third of the time has passed. Humans…" Darkness softly chanted, "precisely for that reason, these ignorant humans will, through the Duel, gradually come to understand everything that has transpired.
You will also gradually hear their voices through the Duel, and your voices will slowly be transmitted to them."
He looked up at the sky. A third of the area of that beautiful planet had already been claimed by Darkness.
He seemed to sense something.
Even though this Duel had been initiated by Tenjo Hikari, Yuki Judai, and himself, the way it had unfolded was beyond his expectations.
He hadn't imagined this Duel would actually bring "all of humanity" into it.
"Of course, if you lose, they'll disappear without pain. If you win, this Duel won't leave any imprint in their hearts; it'll just feel like some dreamlike experience." Darkness continued.
But he spoke of it lightly.
Everyone present felt a crushing weight.
Amon, who'd once snapped from too much pressure, quickly looked toward Tenjo Hikari.
Tenjo Hikari was breathing deeply, almost frantically.
He seemed… okay—
Amon let out a breath of relief.
"This is bad…"
Beside him, Ed's voice rang out.
What's wrong?
He looked the other way—and his pupils shrank.
This is bad—
Judai's breathing had gone uneven, and sweat was pouring off his jaw like rain.
As a Duelist, he seemed to be hearing voices, and it made the pressure on him immense.
"Hang in there!!!" Manjome was the first to react.
At a time like this, they couldn't let the ones actually Dueling feel even worse.
The others heard him and quickly started shouting along as well.