In the following few days, Yugen completed two subsequent battles in the WRGP preliminaries, and of course, there was no surprise in the results, as he effortlessly secured them.
During the WRGP preliminaries, Fujiki Yugen's name was like a drawn blade, showing its sharpness. Before the competition, Yugen had no record or fame, yet in just a few days, he had become the most watched "newcomer" during the WRGP tournament.
The dazzling performance in the first battle against the Superpower Team was merely the beginning of his legend. In the next two preliminary matches, although Yugen's opponents were not as notable as the Superpower Team, they still couldn't stop his advance.
The two teams were named "Steel Gears" and "Gale Wings," and were just obscure second-tier teams in the dueling realm, with mediocre tactics and card decks lacking highlights. Their dueling style was conventional, lacking the rapid assault capability like the Superpower Team, and without any ace monster to reverse the battle...well, at least Yugen didn't let them summon any.
In fact, the six members of these two teams barely summoned any decent monsters, mostly trapped in Yugen's infinite trap hell.
The ranks of these two teams were generally low, their strength and fame were far behind the Superpower Team Yugen faced in his first match. When facing endless chain traps, they had no effective countermeasures and were basically trapped to death.
The dueling realm began to see a lot of so-called famous experts and commentators analyzing this abnormal phenomenon. Some experts claimed that Yugen's dueling style continues to be sharp and precise, dissecting opponents' tactical weaknesses like a surgical operation, then delivering a fatal blow in the simplest manner.
In these six duels, it may look like he was just endlessly trapping them, but in fact, based on the different card deck styles of the opposing six players, he made targeted adjustments for each individual to ensure everyone experienced a tailor-made chain trap perfectly fitting their style, rendering them motionless.
In the two matches, six duels, Yugen never allowed his opponents a single chance for a brilliant counterattack, ending all matches with overwhelming one-on-three victories.
Such a record is unprecedented in the team tournament history of riding duels.
Team tournament after all, is essentially about cooperation and tactical coordination, but Yugen alone forcefully turned the team match into a personal showcase.
His card deck construction was flexible and changeable, with a tight defensive line. More critically, in the three preliminary matches, he used different card deck themes in each battle.
Such a thing is quite rare in a competition. Although in the past some duelists have purposely not used their main card deck in earlier stages to reserve strength for the finals, changing card deck in every match like this is truly unprecedented.
This also made the teams scheduled to face Yugen later very troubled—based on the previous match reports, they have no reference at all. In fact, even Yugen himself probably doesn't know what card deck he'll use in the next match.
Sometimes he chooses a card deck just on a whim, he only knows about ten minutes earlier than the audience and opponents what he'll use this time.
As the preliminaries progress, Yugen's name starts causing a stir in the dueling realm. The media noticed this mysterious lone wolf, and given that this person already has the identity of the "Public Security Maintenance Bureau Chief," any media with a keen eye certainly seized the chance to praise wildly, reporting his achievements under titles like "Lone Wolf," "One-Man Legion," wanting to exalt him.
On forums, the discussion about him remains highly active—some speculate on his true identity, some analyze his card deck construction, and some begin researching his duel recordings, attempting to decode his tactical logic. The number of fans grows exponentially, the related social accounts of the Public Security Maintenance Bureau experienced an overnight surge in following, every post crowded with fervent supporters.
However, Yugen himself pays no heed to this clamor. He has not accepted any interviews nor posted victory speeches on social media, seemingly indifferent to the external frenzy.
But such a cold response instead adds a mysterious aura, further amplifying his charm among the uninformed spectators; many regard him as the "dark horse of the dueling realm," with some even predicting he'll stir up a greater storm in the main tournament.
As for Yugen, he didn't feign disinterest in external commotion and fans' fervor, but rather...
...is genuinely uninterested.
After all, he's merely a passerby, here in this dimension for business, and will leave once it's done; any more glory is nothing but illusion.
Moreover, in his own dimension, he is already the Duel King, always receiving universal admiration wherever he goes, long accustomed to it. Instead, it's the new titles like "newcomer," "dark horse" in this new dimension that make him slightly uncomfortable.
In his world, if he consecutively won three matches with three one-on-three victories, the outside world might just commend him with a simple "Well done." Neither opponents nor spectators would find it surprising, nor would it likely make him headline various media outlets.
Because he is the Duel King, achieving this is expected, no one would find it incredible.
Away from the WRGP tournament's hustle and bustle, Yugen's figure appears in a Card Research Institute under the Public Security Maintenance Bureau.
The corridor in the institute is spacious and bright, behind the glass walls on both sides are busy researchers, some calculating data, some adjusting complex instruments; occasionally someone glances up to see Yugen passing by, instantly nodding respectfully. Yugen slightly nods back and keeps walking straight to the central laboratory.
As he pushed open the door, inside a test of some card technology was underway. Several holographic projectors floated mid-air, simulating card energy flows, with researchers around recording various parameter changes. Yugen stood by, scanning the data panels and occasionally pointing out details for adjustment, encouraging the employees' hard work.
Immersing himself in the sea of research for most of the day, a phone call came through.
Yugen gestured to the researchers to continue working, then stepped to a corner to answer the call.
"It's me."
"Chief Yugen, sorry to bother, it's me... Sagiri." a restless female voice emerged.
Yugen nodded, "I know."
Sagiri Shinkage, a blue-haired, long-legged special investigation chief. Previously also serving as the equivalent of Officer Godwin's secretary, now naturally becoming Yugen's.
"Here's the thing, there's something I must report directly to you... concerning Jack Atlas." Sagiri Shinkage spoke anxiously.
"The Public Security Maintenance Bureau... is now considering arresting Jack Atlas." Sagiri urgently said.
Yugen: "Huh?"