For a while, Daode Temple truly thought he was already dead.
He felt like he was falling, endlessly falling, as if sinking into the deep sea. Darkness was all around, suffocating him with the heavy pressure of the water. He kept descending, descending until he reached the deepest bottom where he couldn't breathe.
So this is what death feels like.
He sighed lightly in his heart.
However, just as he accepted this fate, drifting toward the depths of hell, he suddenly felt the process halt. It was as if some invisible force caught hold of him, preventing his descent, and quickly pulled his consciousness upwards without any room for negotiation...
"Meow~"
It was the sensation of a cat licking his cheek.
Daode Temple groggily opened his eyes, and as his vision refocused, he saw the Pharaoh in front of him. The chubby cat licked his cheek and rubbed its furry head against him.
"Pharaoh?"
Daode Temple forced himself to sit up, looking around in confusion.
"Am I...still alive?"
The room was dilapidated, with various alchemy equipment covered in white cloth. He was lying on a filthy old table, the ceiling was covered with spider webs.
Turning his head to look carefully, he saw Yugen adjusting by the alchemy equipment that had just been activated.
Noticing Daode Temple had awakened, he turned and smiled at him.
"Sorry, teacher, it seems your exit is delayed a bit."
Daode Temple rose helplessly.
"Did you save me with alchemy? Your alchemy class wasn't in vain; you might be the most successful student I've ever taught... although it doesn't really mean anything."
He coughed again, straightened his body, and said.
"The issue lies in this body. You've seen what happened to my last flesh vessel; this body's lifespan has reached its end.
Even if you saved me for now, it would only extend my life for a few days."
"Although it's embarrassing to put it this way," Yugen said, "I hope that in the last few days, the teacher can help me with a small favor?"
Daode Temple squinted his eyes tighter, casually petting the cat with his hand.
"Haha, so there are still places where the teacher's help is needed... but I must say upfront, I'm almost done for, I'll help where I can, but the teacher can probably do little now."
"It's okay, it's not anything exhausting," Yugen smiled, "However my information is correct, isn't next week the time for the Seven-Star's next gathering?"
"Oh, you know quite well," Daode Temple nodded, "Then what do you need the teacher to do?"
"Not much," Yugen said, "Just thinking to resolve matters during that meeting, hoping the teacher can be there and help speak a few words.
Because the teacher, even among the Seven-Star, is the chairman's most trusted person, right?"
"Of course I can, but what do you want me to say?" Daode Temple asked, "I told you, the current chairman is no longer the same as before.
The chairman now sees no one, he won't show up even next week."
"Don't worry, I have a plan." Yugen smiled.
"Alright, then I'll leave it to your arrangement."
Daode Temple shrugged. He then glanced at the Duel Disc thrown aside on the ground and the card deck loaded in it.
Thinking to himself, he asked, "But that's a matter for next week. Is there nothing else before then?"
"Nothing," Yugen said, "Teacher can return to the Academy or continue to remain missing. I won't tell anyone."
"Haha, then I need to thank you for that."
Daode Temple laughed, bent down, picked up the Duel Disc, and put it back on.
"Does the teacher intend to make a move?"
"Yes. There are still a few students whose hearts aren't settled." He smiled slightly and said, "In the final moments, let the teacher give them a last lesson."
...
...
Evening.
The sunset, like molten gold, poured onto the boundless sea, dyeing the horizon and waves into a brilliant orange-red. A giant passenger ship gently sailed through this magnificent scene, leaving a long trail.
It was the ferry returning to Duel Academy.
Joey Wheeler was seated in the ferry's dining room, leaning on the table, faced with the communication terminal in hand. On the communication screen was his recently made friend, Judai.
Joey scratched his head.
"Sorry, I'm two days late... Hey, it's all because of that girl, Mai, she's such a handful, kept me occupied for two whole days without a moment's peace... But it's okay, I'm already on my way back. Once I'm back we'll start exploring."
But as he said this, the screen began to glitch, and the image of Judai started to flicker incessantly.
"Hey? Can you hear? Is this thing still on?"
Joey shook the communication terminal bearing the KC mark vigorously.
But even without shaking, the screen directly lost image, displaying "No Signal" in large letters.
"What the heck? Kaiba's product isn't reliable."
Joey muttered under his breath.
He figured he must have reached a signal-less area.
Thinking thus, he stood up. With about an hour left of the journey as estimated, he planned to return to his room for a nap, and by that time he should arrive.
But halfway through his walk, he started feeling something was off.
Where is everybody?
The spacious dining room, he was now the only one left, and not sure since when.
The current time was just around mealtime, and it certainly wasn't just him on this ship.
Even if other passengers were in their rooms, where had the dining staff gone?
He was quite sure when he entered, there was at least one attendant at the door. Inside the dining room, waiters occasionally came and went, and behind certain counters, he should have seen chefs.
But now the entire dining room was empty, not a soul to be seen.
Joey today was far from the reckless newbie...
...Okay, maybe slightly reckless still, but at least not a newbie. He had experienced numerous battles of varying magnitude, things like the Orichalcos' Snake God, Great Evil God Zok, he had faced extinction-level demons before, creeping peculiarity didn't faze him so much anymore.
After touring the ship, making sure it seemed as if he was the only person on board, he realized someone was causing trouble, growing calm instead.
"If you're trying to pick a fight with me, Lord Joey, stop hiding already." Joey said, "Come out."
As soon as he spoke, only seconds passed, and someone responded indeed.
"Hehe, truly worthy of the legendary Duelist, never a fluster despite such circumstances."
Joey turned around, seeing behind him was a silver-haired woman, distinct Western features, yet her face was cold as wrapped in frost.
"You shouldn't have returned to this world, Joey Wheeler."