Chapter 69: Two Legendary Cards Descend in a Single Day

“DARKNESS! Today, I’ll open your eyes! Witness it for yourself—the supreme power of the Divine Hero from the Earth!”

Within view, the colossal automaton’s two sturdy arms, thick with bulging muscles, began to pulse with a rhythmic thrum, beating like a living heart.

“Behold the automaton’s special effect! By offering two monsters as tribute and absorbing their soul energy, it can unleash an effect attack that deals 4000 points of damage to every monster on your field—including the player!”

DARKNESS: !!!

“Go! Divine Automaton! God Hand Crusher!”

With a thunderous roar, the Divine Automaton drew back its fist and struck out with all its might!

There was no flourish, no ostentation—just a single, unadorned punch, yet that solitary blow was enough to decide the fate of the entire duel.

“Perish beneath the fist of the gods! GX’s final boss—DARKNESS!”

BOOM!!!

The automaton’s special effect didn’t just win the duel—it also helped its master, Yugi, shatter the alternate dimension conjured by DARKNESS and return once more to the real world.

“I’m back…”

Gazing at the throngs of people coming and going in Domino City, then lifting his eyes to the blazing, familiar sun, Yugi murmured to himself.

“Master! Are you alright?”

The fiery Duel Spirit, voluptuous and sharp-featured, appeared in a blaze, hovering in midair as she gently stroked Yugi’s cheek, her voice tinged with concern.

“I’m fine! He may be the final boss of the GX era, but he’s still far from defeating me!”

Since his cards originated from the system—a golden finger granted to Yugi after transmigrating—he had no qualms mentioning the “GX era” before his Duel Spirit.

System: [Congratulations to the host for defeating the ‘GX era’s’ final boss, DARKNESS! Friendly reminder: DARKNESS’s next appearance is predicted to be in ten years.]

“Ten years from now? That would be…”

Could it be that DARKNESS’s graduation-day appearance in the original timeline was due to the injuries he’d suffered here?

No, that’s only plausible in this worldline—where Yugi existed. As for the “original animation worldline” where he didn’t, only the writers would know the reason.

Well, in any case, he’d resolved a world crisis this time. Whatever the cause, the result was good. As for the future—who could say?

“No point overthinking it. Let’s get back to the City Tournament.”

With that, Yugi gathered his cards and duel disk, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and began supervising the tournament matches around the venue.

…

After his conversation with Malik, Yugi contacted Jino at KaibaCorp headquarters, instructing him to assign extra patrols to the tournament. If anyone spotted members of the Ghouls in black robes, there was no need for questions or dueling—they were to be expelled by force!

What? You say everything in the world of Duel Monsters must be settled by a duel? Hmph! Don’t forget who he is: the new president of Illusion Inc., one of the organizers of the City Tournament! His orders are as binding as a “world rule!” Since the Ghouls cheated first by using counterfeit cards, the righteous side was justified in using forceful expulsion!

Even without resorting to violence, he could always have the tech department remotely control their duel disks, disabling all 3D projections except for official cards. Let’s see how they play then!

If they still wanted to duel, they could go buy official card packs or decks like everyone else! Playing with fakes—how utterly contemptible!

…

After making a circuit of the city, Yugi found no cheating duelists; everyone was following the rules. (Psychic interference? Keipei’s little brother is watching—no need for him to intervene.)

Just then, he overheard a lively discussion among passing citizens:

“Hey! I’ve spotted someone interesting!”

“Oh?”

“A bald man—with little iron rings in his nose and mouth.”

“Huh? There’s someone with such a bizarre look?”

“That’s not all! Since the tournament started this morning, he’s just been standing there without moving at all. I wonder if he’s a mannequin?”

“…”

Yugi’s brows furrowed as he listened to the passing conversation.

A bald man—with rings in his nose and mouth, looking like a clown, standing motionless as if he were a puppet.

This…seemed familiar…

Ah! He remembered now! The so-called “Traitor Dragon Courier” that fans joked about—Malik’s Silent Puppet!

“The Underworld Red Dragon among the Three Egyptian Gods—Slifer the Sky Dragon…”

Perfect! Having secured the Divine Automaton, acquiring a second God Card was both a collector’s passion and a system requirement.

…

After questioning the two bystanders and a good bit of searching, Yugi found the “puppet” they had described.

And as Yugi approached, the motionless figure’s eyes rolled and locked onto him.

SPLENDID!

A golden light burst forth, and a single golden eye symbol gleamed on the puppet’s bald head.

“President Yugi, we meet again!”

“Malik!”

This time, the voice was identical to Malik’s from the anime.

Was it because the mind of the mime actor had been sealed deep within by the power of the Millennium Rod, causing the voice that emerged to be Malik’s own?

“Come with me.”

Emotionless, Malik’s consciousness manipulated the puppet, slipping a duel disk onto its arm as it led Yugi away.

“A duel for the God Card…”

Recalling the anime battle against the puppet, Yugi followed with a smile—city streets were no place for a confrontation of this magnitude.

…

“Here we are.”

By the river that wound through Domino City, Malik’s puppet stopped. It seemed he intended to make this the battleground for the God’s descent.

“A scene straight from the anime!”

Yugi glanced at the river, the bridge above, and the sloping grassy bank—the very same setting for the original duel with the God Card! He hadn’t expected to find himself in the same place.

“President Yugi, before we begin, allow me a friendly warning,” the puppet said, turning to face him. Malik’s voice took on a “for your own good” tone:

“This puppet’s deck contains one of my two Egyptian God Cards. That is—”

“Slifer the…Sky Dragon?”

He nearly let the nickname slip.

“…I don’t know how you guessed that.”

He must have been guessing about Slifer’s presence.

“But next, you’ll suffer divine judgment! If you accept the proposal I made to you earlier, I’ll withdraw the puppet now and leave!”

With that, Malik forced the puppet into a stiff, expectant expression, hoping to see Yugi regretful, begging him to withdraw and avoid this duel of the gods.

Unfortunately, he was destined to be disappointed.

For Yugi, far from being afraid, was faintly excited!

Was it the prospect of witnessing the ultimate weapon—an Egyptian God—descend before his very eyes?

Malik supposed so. After all, the Three Egyptian Gods were the strongest cards in the world of Duel Monsters—every duelist dreamed of seeing them summoned at least once. Even Yugi, president of Illusion Inc., couldn’t be immune to such a desire.

“Very well. At least you’re a duelist.”

Though Yugi hadn’t agreed as he’d hoped, his response earned Malik’s respect as a duelist—this new president was no coward, but one who faced all challenges head-on.

So be it! Only such a man is worthy of being defeated by my God Card!