"Ding!"
"Hidden achievement unlocked: Defeat Dark Yugi and destroy Obelisk the Tormentor in the duel!
Hidden reward: Obelisk the Tormentor! It has been sent to your deck, please check."
This caught Youyu by surprise.
He initially thought that this draw would make it impossible to achieve this final feat and obtain the last Egyptian God Card. He felt a little regret for not completing the "Hero of the Land: Obelisk" achievement.
But he didn't expect the system to be so lenient. It seems that although it was a draw, as long as Dark Yugi's LP hit zero, it counted as achieving the feat, so the system still spat out the mighty Obelisk.
Of course, it's still in its physical card form.
However, on the other hand, Yugi didn't technically win the duel either. According to Duel City's card wagering rules, the winner can take a rare card from the loser. But since no one won, neither side could take a rare card from the opponent.
At this moment, Yugi looked a bit hesitant, seeming to mull over things for a while before finally making up his mind to speak: "Um... Youyu, I know this is very self-centered and presumptuous, but I have a request..."
"It's about the Egyptian God Cards, right?" Youyu interrupted.
Yugi paused and then lightly nodded.
"You've won your way here, and indeed, the Egyptian God Cards are technically yours. But these three cards are really important to another me, so..."
The Spirit Body of the King was moved: "AIBO..."
Although Dark Yugi still couldn't remember who he was, he already knew that the Three Egyptian God Cards were the keys to recovering his memories and piecing together his life.
In fact, everything, including this entire Duel City Tournament, technically had nothing to do with Yugi. Up until now, their risking their lives and emerging victorious in the battles of the Egyptian Gods and Dark Games were all for recovering Dark Yugi's lost memories and life.
AIBO is indeed the best...
"It's okay, I understand." Youyu shrugged, "Whenever you need them, just come find me to borrow them."
Yugi's eyes widened: "Really?"
"No problem, just one condition." Youyu smiled slightly, "You're borrowing the Divine Cards to use them as keys to open Pharaoh's sealed memories, right?"
Yugi nodded: "Yes."
"Then when you're ready to head to Egypt and open the gate to memories, I want to go with you." Youyu said, "I also want to witness it personally."
This was actually supposed to be the greatest use of the original Egyptian God Cards for Youyu.
After all, he couldn't command these tsundere Egyptian Gods; trying to use them recklessly in duels would incur divine punishment, and carrying them in his pocket not only did he not get to use them, but he also attracted the attention of countless deities. Apart from sounding impressive when mentioned, they seemed kind of useless.
Yet beyond their practical value, these three cards were SSS-level mission items throughout the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! DM!
If Youyu had lost the Egyptian God Cards to Yugi in the tournament, the finale would likely be just like the anime—the game holding the Egyptian Gods would bring his companions along to Egypt to kick off the final chapter "King's Memory," marking the peak of the entire story.
Obviously, in that case, the final mission wouldn't have anything to do with a random bystander like Youyu.
But since the two Egyptian Gods are in Youyu's hands now, he naturally has a say.
These two cards may not be immediately useful, but they are his tickets to play a role in the final chapter's story.
Plus, through the Duel City Tournament journey, Youyu discovered a fact.
According to the anime setting, the Three Egyptian God Cards were unique, only one of each. In the Yu-Gi-Oh! DM finale, all three cards were taken by Dark Yugi to the Netherworld, and the God Cards vanished from this world's view.
But the cards disappearing didn't mean the gods ceased to exist.
For instance, in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, under very special circumstances, someone managed to summon The Winged Dragon of Ra with replica cards.
Or in the Dark Side of the Dimension movie, a year later, after the God Cards vanished to the Netherworld, President Kaiba wonderfully demonstrated his "floor imprint card" technique, summoning Obelisk the Tormentor.
This implies that even if the cards are gone, the Egyptian Gods never truly disappeared; they merely lost their medium of descent in this world.
But now it's different. Besides the original God Cards, Youyu also possesses God Cards awarded by the system. It has already been discovered through earlier duels that the cards rewarded by the system are likewise acknowledged by the Egyptian Gods, neither fake nor replicas, and can also serve as mediums for their descent.
So when Pharaoh carries the three original God Cards back to the Netherworld, the God Cards in Youyu's hand will become a unique presence worldwide.
By that time, the system-issued Three Egyptian God Cards might receive enhancement like the God bestowed in Youyu's hand—especially since they're system-produced cards, Youyu could probably wield them without risk, not being a priest nor having the lineage.
Therefore, from Youyu's perspective, propelling the plot will certainly benefit him, just a matter of how much benefit.
Strictly speaking, he did have self-serving motives.
However, the kind-hearted Yugi did not think so at all, smiling joyfully: "Thank you! Thank you so much! Jonouchi was right; Youyu, you really are a good guy!"
[Favorability +1 +1 +1 +1...]
Youyu: "..."
His words made Youyu feel a bit embarrassed, even prompting him to say no, no, honestly, I just crave your Egyptian Gods, yet they refuse to follow me for now...
"And you are incredibly strong in duels." Yugi beamed, "I've never seen another me being defeated until now..."
The Spirit Body of the King pouted, crossing his arms a bit annoyed: "It's just a draw; I didn't lose..."
(King's favorability towards Youyu decreased slightly)
"Indeed, you're the strongest duelist we've ever encountered." Yugi continued, "But we will continue to become stronger! Surely we'll have the chance to face each other again, and next time we'll definitely win!"
Before Youyu could respond, he suddenly felt an inexplicable chill from somewhere behind him, as if a strong sense of foreboding. He instinctively looked back and saw the President, with a sinister expression, glaring at him intensely...
He didn't know what was on the President's mind, but he could kind of guess.
The strongest duelist? Are you saying I, Kaiba Seto, don't count?
And...
...That damned Youyu, snatching away my Yu↑gi↓! Unforgivable!
Youyu: "..."
At this moment, Youyu suddenly realized this was quite a serious problem.
A question, in crossing into the Yu-Gi-Oh! DM world, being targeted by both BOSS No. 1 Dark Yugi and BOSS No. 2 President Kaiba, what should I do? Waiting online, it's pretty urgent...
Looking back now at Yugi's innocent face, even carrying a respectful look while gazing at him, Youyu couldn't help but think...
...This guy set me up!
In just a few words, he managed to have Youyu maximize the ridicule from the top two bosses; his level of deviousness is terrifying!
With this, the Duel City Tournament officially concluded.
President Kaiba stated generously that neither of the two people's prize money would be reduced by a penny. Originally, a single pure-gold championship trophy was prepared, he arranged urgently to make another identical one.
However, observing that this tournament neither sought an audience, sold tickets, nor broadcasted, it was evident that the President only cared about playing cards and was never interested in formalities.
Such that even such a grand event as Duel City lacked a proper award ceremony. The referee just announced it verbally, handed out some trophies and bouquets, and then was proclaimed by the Kaiba Group to declare the crowning of the Duel King.
Since the originally planned award was just for one champion, there was just one trophy and bouquet for now. So after some discussion, Yugi took the trophy home first, while Youyu got the Kaiba Group specially-designed champion bouquet from the flower arrangement master.
Though Youyu didn't mind such things, receiving such a big bouquet from the President... always felt a bit strange...