"Roar!!!"
David roared unwillingly.
Powerless rage.
Why?
Clearly, he could even consider the pain of a Dark Duel as enjoyment, unafraid of the fear of death, yet he still experienced such anger, such despair, such helplessness.
This was also the first time in his life he felt—
—that someone's duel in this world could be ten times darker than a Dark Duel!
In comparison, David suddenly felt that the pain he inflicted on his opponents in past Dark Duels, which he thought drove others to despair, seemed somewhat childish in an instant.
Real damage, physical torment, suddenly all felt tasteless, the lowest means.
Truly profound and terrifying darkness should be like this person. In a Dark Duel, stripping the opponent of dueling rights, letting them hold cards but remain powerless, only able to hear the countdown to death approaching bit by bit, watching themselves fall step by step into the abyss of destruction...
"This is... the King..."
David fell to his knees, speaking with great difficulty before his eyes lost focus.
In the end of his life, he finally felt he understood the true essence of darkness. The type of duel that tortures both physically and mentally, truly horrifying.
Unfortunately, realization came too late, and he would never have the chance to practice it again.
Darkness erupted from within him, and the twisted black energy briefly transformed into something resembling facial features, glaring at him full of resentment.
"Again."
It was the voice of Tragodia.
"Why is it always you?"
"What on earth are you... no, what thing are you?"
"As you can see, just an ordinary human," Yugen replied, "Just a passing Duelist."
Tragodia: "..."
You should listen to what you're saying?
Even we, as pure Dark Overlords, think you're a bit too dark, yet you have the nerve to call yourself just an ordinary human?
Who would believe that?
"It doesn't matter if you don't want to reveal it, I wasn't interested in your background to begin with," Tragodia said sinisterly, "But why do you obstruct me? Why oppose me?"
"Interesting, that's what I wanted to ask... Why do you keep circling around me?"
Yugen said.
"Me? Circling around you?"
Tragodia almost laughed in anger.
"Do you think I like you?"
"If it weren't for those damned Priests, their Feathered Elf, and Maut's Feather of Truth here, why would I bother coming to this desolate island?"
Tragodia grumbled, clearly quite frustrated.
Yugen's heart stirred.
Feathered Elf, Maut's Feather of Truth...
He quickly made connections, as if he understood.
"I see, coming for those two Elves?" Yugen smiled slightly, "That's too bad, it seems you can't seize those two Elves."
Tragodia: "!"
The face formed by the black energy of the Little Lobster grew even more abstract, its eyes glaring at Yugen as if trying to see through his soul.
This was Tragodia's greatest secret.
Back then, he died recklessly in the Pharaoh's Divine Hall, sealed by the Priests holding the Thousand-Year Divine Artifacts, all because he lost his heart due to being overzealous.
The Feathered Elf summoned by the Priests took his heart, placing it on one side of the Thousand-Year Balance to judge his sins. Meanwhile, the opposite tray held the Feather of Truth, which represented truth, justice, and order.
Three thousand years later, those Priests no longer exist, the Pharaoh's dynasty has toppled, and even the immortal Seven Thousand-Year Divine Artifacts have been lost in the long river of time.
But the detestable Feathered Elf, and Maut's Feather, still remain in reality, holding the key to his complete resurrection.
The Feathered Elf, now called "Feathered Chestnut Ball." It was originally pure white, hence named "Feathered." But after taking Tragodia's heart three thousand years ago, due to the heart being filled with unimaginable darkness, its white feathers were stained black.
And the Feather of Truth, now transformed into a Monster Card three thousand years later, is named "Light and Darkness," similarly existing in the form of an Elf.
After long-term investigation, Tragodia finally managed to locate the two Elves.
The good news was, the Feathered Elf and Maut's Feather were both conveniently gathered in one place, almost as if fate had guided them together. At least he didn't have to run around the world; their location was clear.
The bad news was, both were concentrated in the Duel Academy.
If it were in most other places in the world, with his capabilities and methods, he could easily break through and seize those two cards. But in the Duel Academy, there's this barrier he can't bypass.
That's this Duel King.
Tragodia gritted his teeth.
If he were in perfect condition, even the actual Pharaoh might not daunt him. But now, he hasn't even reclaimed his heart, and he has already witnessed the Duel King's prowess more than once, frankly lacking confidence in facing him head-on.
"So that's how it is, you've had a tough time then." Yugen chuckled softly, "Your heart... is it okay?"
Tragodia: "!"
His eyes widened further, staring at Yugen, almost doubting his own ears.
"How do you know!"
He screamed sharply.
Impossible, this is impossible.
Back then, only the Priests present knew about his sealing in the Divine Hall. It was a temple in Ancient Egypt storing Elves and monsters, absolute royal forbidden grounds, witnessed by none.
After realizing Tragodia was a monster born from the survivors of the village massacred for making the Thousand-Year Divine Artifacts, the Priests immediately swore to each other that no one must ever utter a word of that day, especially not to let the Pharaoh know.
For the Pharaoh was unaware of the bloody origins behind the birth of the Thousand-Year Divine Artifacts and the village massacre.
Therefore, that night was never recorded in history, and the few Priests who knew have long died over the past three thousand years. The events of that night have been buried in the annals of time, supposedly known by no one.
But this person before him, evidently someone from three thousand years later, seemed to know even the detail of his lost heart. How could anyone but an eyewitness that night possibly know?
Little Lobster was momentarily struck as if by a Thunder Strike, racking his brain to recall that night's events.
That night in the forbidden Divine Hall, besides himself and the Priests, who else was present?
"What on earth... are you?"
Before his form completely dissipated, Little Lobster couldn't help but ask once more.
Yet there was a hint of fear in his voice.
"I told you."
Yugen smiled at the gradually fading Tragodia, whose remaining power was exhausted within David.
"Just an ordinary human Duelist."
Tragodia: "..."