"Judai!"
Hibiki Midori was still the first to rush onto the stage when the duel ended. Judai was swaying, half-kneeling on the ground with his head hanging low, appearing uncertain of life and death.
But after being helped up by Hibiki Midori, he turned his head and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, sensei, I'm fine. It's just... sorry, I still lost..."
Only then did Hibiki Midori slightly relax and let out a sigh of relief. She patted Judai's head: "It's okay, you've done well enough. It's good that you're fine..."
Yet, she also felt something strange in her heart and couldn't help but glance at the opposite Judge.
Hibiki Midori now had a clear understanding of how frightening the concept of a Dark Duel was. In a Dark Duel, those who fall are mostly left in a coma, losing their soul.
Just now, her brother, Hibiki Momiji, had fallen into a coma after losing to this person in front of her.
But now, Judai seemed to be relatively unharmed.
Thinking about it, she realized that throughout the entire duel, the opponent hadn't used that clearly ominous "Orichalcos Barrier." Previously, it was mentioned that the souls of those who were defeated within that barrier would be extracted...
But why?
If one were to say that the opponent didn't use it due to a lack of confidence in this duel, she definitely wouldn't believe it. Although she didn't know the opponent's origins, even Hibiki Midori could see that this Judge was an extraordinarily powerful Duelist outside of conventional understanding.
From the duel with Judai just now, it could be seen that he maintained a composed state throughout. Though she was a bit reluctant to think so, she leaned towards believing that whether it was against Hibiki Momiji or Judai, this person was certain of victory from the start.
So, what reason did he have to intentionally spare Judai...
"Is it that he's after another soul of his?"
When the Judge stepped off the stage, Yugen, standing to the side, spoke out.
The Judge paused for a moment, squinting his eyes at Yugen.
"Oh?" The Judge said, "Fujiki Yugen, you're becoming more and more interesting to me. How much do you know about this?"
A few seconds of silent staring between the two.
"You're right."
The Judge nodded, glancing sideways at Judai on the field.
"This young boy is currently at best in a half-baked state. Even if I defeat him now, all I'd be getting is a fairly decent duelist's soul... But I no longer particularly need such souls."
The Judge said calmly.
"Rather, if I do so, I'd lose the medium to connect to that powerful soul, and that would truly be a waste."
As expected, Yugen realized it was just as he guessed.
His target is the Overlord.
In the Orichalcos Barrier, the defeated's soul is extracted, but it's just a single soul, like when Atom was defeated and the Tabletop Game voluntarily took the fall for him, allowing his soul to be extracted instead.
The Judge might think that even if he wins here, all he'd get is Yuki Judai's soul, which isn't worth it. Compared to this, he's more interested in the Overlord.
However...
"What do you mean by the medium to connect to the powerful soul?" Yugen asked.
Logically, the Overlord should be inside Judai's body, although deeply asleep, it should be akin to a subconscious personality. So if the Judge defeats Judai here, wouldn't it just facilitate the awakening of the subconscious persona?
That way, he could then duel the Overlord and, upon winning, absorb the Overlord's power as he wishes.
But he didn't do this, instead saying that defeating Judai here would make him lose the connection to the Overlord's medium.
So, by deducing from this statement, does it mean that the Overlord is not in Judai's body?
But the Judge did not explain, only gave an odd laugh a few times.
"This... well, who knows?"
He continued to walk on, passing by Yugen. But as he walked past, he paused for a brief moment.
"However, if I were you, I wouldn't have the time to worry about other people's issues now."
He half-turned his body, half of him seemed shrouded in shadow, speaking coldly.
"Soon, it'll be your turn. You, plus the Sealing Artifact you possess, once I gather these together..."
He chuckled gloomily a couple of times, said no more, and turned to walk away.
Yugen: "..."
But as the Judge walked away, immediately, another tall figure blocked Yugen's path.
Seto Kaiba President.
"You needn't worry about that part of the issue,"
Kaiba said faintly.
"Because in the end, it'll be me who defeats him."
Yugen naturally understood what the President meant.
The first match of the top four, the duel between Judai and the Judge has ended. Then, of those left, it would only be the two of them.
Indeed. If he loses to Kaiba here, then the final would have nothing to do with him. He wouldn't need to duel the Judge, saving the world mission or whatever could be left to the President to worry about.
If it were in the past, he might have thought this was a pretty good option.
"... I understand." Yugen looked at Kaiba, "But I won't hold back, President."
"Hmph."
Kaiba's lips curled up, a hint of approval in his eyes.
"It wouldn't be interesting otherwise. Half an hour later, right here on this field, I'll be waiting for you."
Saying so, he also headed towards the exit.
But after taking a few steps, he quickly stopped and turned to glance at Judai on the stage.
"Your friend... is also a proud duelist." He said, "Someday, he will reach the world's pinnacle stage too. You mustn't be left behind."
"I know." Yugen nodded.
Kaiba said no more and turned to walk out.
Only then did Yugen walk onto the duel field, coming over to Judai's side.
"How are you feeling?"
"Still got a headache."
Judai lay back on the ground, letting out a long sigh.
"Ah~ I'm still not satisfied, losing."
"I warned you earlier." Yugen shrugged.
"But... it was an interesting duel, wasn't it?"
Judai sat up, suddenly looking a bit lost.
"More importantly, that guy... I think what he said is probably true."
"What?"
"About me forgetting something important." Judai pondered for a moment, "I remember now. She was my first Elf, my favorite Monster.
But later... later due to unavoidable reasons, she was sent into the Cosmos, and now I don't know where she is..."
Yugen patted his shoulder: "No matter what, you remembered it now, right? As long as the bond with the Monster is there, you'll meet her again someday, won't you?"
"... Yeah, you're right. Okay!"
Judai patted his cheeks, regaining his spirits.
"Then before that, I must quickly grow into a more reliable duelist."
He jumped up from the ground with a quick maneuver.
"Alright, next it's time to cheer for Yugen," Judai said, "The opponent is Seto Kaiba! I'm so envious of Yugen, I didn't even get that opportunity..."
"..."