Chapter 227

'And judging from what they said, they seemed to have high expectations for me and were paying special attention to me.'

"That said, both of the Dark Duel I started at school had Teacher Daidouji as an indirect factor."

The last time, it was because of the rumors that Daidouji mentioned in the ghost stories that piqued Judai's curiosity, which led him to go to the old dormitory and encounter Titan, resulting in Dark Duel with him.

This dangerous situation arose because of the extracurricular learning program organized by Daidouji.

Why do these dangerous things always happen when Daidouji is around? Is it just a coincidence, or is he deliberately orchestrating it?

Judai confidently observed Daidouji's expression.

"W-What's wrong, Judai?"

Daidouji's expression became somewhat uneasy under the intense gaze. 'Oh no, am I being suspected?'

Judai looked at it for a while, then looked away. "It's nothing."

However, in her heart she thought, 'This is very suspicious, and Teacher Daidouji is hiding Dark Power.'

The Dark Power was well hidden, yet he still sensed it.

Although he didn't know what Daidouji's purpose was, there was no evidence to prove that he had bad intentions, so Judai had no choice but to remain vigilant.

As they pondered, the three suns in the sky merged into one, and the green light around the stone archway flashed again, instantly engulfing everyone.

Judai suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils refocusing, and found that they had returned to the entrance of the dilapidated ruins they had been before.

At the same time, he felt a heaviness in his right shoulder.

He turned his head and saw Asuka leaning against him. Smelling the girl's faint fragrance, Judai felt a little distracted.

"We're back?"

Asuka also woke up at this moment and found herself pressed against Judai's body, but she did not show any shyness, as if she had gradually gotten used to the intimacy between the two.

Judai, understanding the unspoken agreement, didn't bring up the topic, but instead smiled and answered her question, "Yes, we're back, Asuka."

The two exchanged a glance, and the surroundings seemed to fall silent.

They didn't speak further; everything was understood without words, as if their relationship had been established long ago.

Inside a gloomy cave, clearly a gathering place for villains.

The group was listening to a dry, lifeless voice giving instructions, like those of a weak, dying old man.

"The time is ripe. Your strength, in accordance with our agreement, will allow you to move those three Cards of Destiny."

Who will lead the charge?

A man wearing a black mask and a black trench coat stood up inside the cave. "I'll go."

"Darkness... Okay, you're the one."

The aged voice called out the person's name.

School was in session as usual on a certain day.

After class, Judai was about to leave when Daidouji called him back, saying he needed to go to the Chancellor's office with him, and of course, he wasn't alone.

Even Asuka, Manjoume, and a certain passerby were called out, making Judai somewhat curious about what was going on.

In the blink of an eye, Judai and his group, having received the message, arrived at the Chancellor's office.

Looking around the room, he found that everyone there was a familiar face: Asuka, Manjoume, Misawa, Daidouji, Cronos, Kaiser Ryo Judai, and himself, a total of seven people.

Upon seeing Qi Ren, Principal Samejima coughed before slowly speaking, "Have you heard of the Three Phantom Demons Cards?"

Judai asked in confusion, "The Three Egyptian God Three Phantom Demons Cards Three Phantom Gods?"

The bald Chancellor nodded and continued, "Yes, in fact, according to legend, the Three Phantom Demons Cards were sealed on this island, and the three cards have been passed down since ancient times."

"Hey~, does this island have such a long history?"

"This school was originally built on the site where those three cards were sealed."

"Hey--!"

Everyone was shocked by the news.

Seeing their stunned expressions, Principal Samejima was pleased and continued, "The Wicked God slumber deep beneath the school."

"According to the island's legend, when those cards reappear on the surface, the world will be surrounded by monsters, chaos will cover everything, the darkness that has been corrupting people will be unleashed, and the world will be destroyed and reduced to nothingness."

Judai stroked his chin and asked, "So why did the Chancellor and teachers call us here? Is it related to these three cards?"

At this moment, the Chancellor's expression turned very serious. "I've received information that the people and organizations who want those cards have begun to take action, intending to seize the key that can unlock those cards."

Ryo Marufuji asked, "Who exactly are those people?"

"The Seven Stars, seven duelists known as the 'Seven Stars'."

Chapter Sixty VS Darkness

Shidai asked curiously, "Seven Stars, who are those seven people?"

Principal Samejima shook his head helplessly. "I don't know. They're seven completely mysterious people."

"However, one of them has already arrived on this island."

Misawa: "What did you say?"

Asuka: "But how do we break the seal?"

"This is the task I'm assigning to you five. Lu..." ×≌.=Two≡∴

As he spoke, the Chancellor placed a box on the table.

"The Three Phantom Demons Cards are sealed in the ruins beneath the school. To open the switch known as the Seven Stars Gate, these seven keys are needed."

"Now, I am handing these seven keys over to you, and I hope you will protect them."

After saying that, he lifted the lid of the box, revealing seven oddly shaped golden keys that could be perfectly arranged into a rectangle.

Manjoume, "Even if you say you'll protect me, how exactly will you do that?"

The Chancellor answered with certainty, "Of course, through a duel."

As expected, a duel was inevitable.

"At that time, the Seven Stars will challenge the person holding the Seven Stars Gate Keys through a duel. This is a ritual that has been passed down on this island since ancient times, and it cannot be done by force or other means alone."

"To ensure their safety, I've decided to entrust them to the best of you among the school's duelists."

He coughed. "Duelists who possess these seven keys, go and challenge them. If you are prepared to fight the 'Seven Stars,' then I hope you will accept these keys and become heroic young men who uphold world peace."

Apart from Judai, everyone else was clearly convinced by this inspirational message.

"Interesting. I never expected so many interesting things to happen on this island."

Judai was the first to take a key from the box and readily put it around his neck. "To be honest, I'm a little tempted. Saving the world like the King of Games wouldn't be bad at all."

Once one was chosen, another followed suit, and everyone else picked out a key and hung it around their necks.

"Very good, thank you everyone. From this moment on, the battle against the Seven Stars begins."

"Be prepared to fight them at any time, and make sure to protect the Three Phantom Demons Cards and the key to the Seven Stars Gate."

That night, Judai was fast asleep in his dorm room.

At the same time, Asuka was still worried about what happened during the day and decided to talk to Judai about it.

Just as she was about to reach the Red Dorm, she suddenly saw a strange purple beam of light shooting out from one of the rooms.

"Judai!?"

Seeing this, Asuka didn't have time to think and quickly ran over.

She quickly opened the door to the glowing room and barged inside.

"Judai!"

The moment she entered the room, she saw Judai standing in the inexplicably lit room.

"Asuka?"

Just as Judai was about to speak, a flash of white light appeared in the room, and the scene instantly changed.

"Here it is?"

Looking around at the scene, it resembled a volcanic crater.

They were standing on an energy platform that had inexplicably appeared above the magma.

Upon seeing this, Judai was wide awake.

Judai said solemnly, "This is the Dark Power. Someone has teleported us into the volcano on this island."

Asuka felt extremely uneasy. "Could it be someone from the Seven Stars?"

"The possibility is very high..."

Judai turned to look ahead. "Shouldn't they show themselves soon? Who brought us here on purpose?"

Just then, a fire dragon flew out of the magma and landed on the energy platform, turning into raging flames.

The next second, a figure emerged from the firelight. The person wore a black mask and a stylish black trench coat.

Judai stared intently at him and demanded, "Who are you?"

The man immediately replied, "My name is 'Darkness,' one of the 'Seven Stars.'"

"So, he really is one of the Seven Stars..."

"Yusei Fudo, you will be my first opponent."

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint golden light suddenly shone from Darkness and Judai's chests.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered to be the half of a pendant that the Gravekeeper Chief had given him earlier, and it was now glowing, seemingly responding to something.

So he looked across and noticed that the pendant on the other person's chest was the other half.

Could it be?

Judai realized something; perhaps this person was the Gravekeeper Chief had mentioned.

At this point, Darkness continued, "I was guided here by the light of this fragment."

"I don't know why, but what I want more is the Seven Stars Gate Keys on your chest. I'm here to take that key away from you."

'This person's voice sounds familiar.'

From the moment she started speaking, Asuka felt that she had heard the voice of the person in front of her somewhere before. However, since she couldn't remember whose voice it was, she didn't bother Judai.

Darkness: "Alright, let's begin our Dark Duel."

Judai clenched his fist. "So it really is another Dark Duel?"

"Yes, the Dark Duel has begun, and the loser's soul will be sealed within this card."

As he spoke, he held up a blank Normal Monster card. The card was entirely black, and a thick layer of darkness enveloped the card.

"We'll stake our souls... no, our lives, on this duel. This is my Dark Duel."

"Then let's settle this once and for all, Darkness!"

Judai sets up his deck on the Duel Disk and unfolds it.

"Duel!!" ×2

[Yusei Fudo: LP4000]

[Darkness: LP4000]

Darkness won the first round.

"I'll go first, draw a card!"

[Darkness Hand Cards: 5 → 6]