Somewhere in the city.
At the end of a narrow and dark alley, although it's in the middle of the city, it feels isolated from the world.
This is an area that only those who know the correct ways can enter.
A bar.
Soft lights cast mottled shadows around, the air mixed with the scent of alcohol and tobacco, along with a more heavy and murky atmosphere. An old-fashioned gramophone plays eerie melodies, each note seemingly integrating into the omnipresent shadows.
It's like an invisible darkness shrouding the entire space.
This is a gathering place for the Dark Duelists.
Though it's not the only one. Nowadays, for ordinary people, dark duels are still just rumors—like in the first season of GX anime where Judai still believed in science and refused to accept the reality of dark duels, yet actually, years after the DM era, dark duels have secretly established networks worldwide.
Dark Duelists are scattered across various places like unseen assassins.
Many are freelancers, taking assignments through the underground network, getting paid for jobs. Some related organizations also exist.
Such a development is inevitable. After all, dark dueling is extremely convenient and versatile, surpassing various traditional means of assassinations and espionage by a longshot.
You can eliminate targets through card games without leaving any trace, and if needed, when initiating a dark duel, you can add additional restrictions to completely obliterate the target, metaphorically even scattering their ashes into particles, leaving no trace at all.
Moreover, their capabilities extend beyond just assassination. As long as you win life bet cards against individuals in key positions or wielding significant power, you can easily pry open anyone's mouth to obtain any confidential information, or directly brainwash them into complete compliance, thereby influencing significant events in the business or even political realm.
Of course, where there's offense, there's defense; the emergence of these dark professions naturally draws attention from high society concerning their threats. So nowadays, important figures either possess top-notch card skills themselves or have duel bodyguards around them.
This bar named "Blood Moon" is exactly such an organization where Dark Duelists gather.
The bartender is a woman with crimson pupils, possessing an attention-grabbing MAX-level stunning curve, generously showcasing her extraordinary assets to her colleagues.
That's why during meetings, nine-tenths of the time, everyone's gaze is fixed on her—even though she hardly says anything.
At the bar counter, a man in a suit slowly sipped a drink, put down the glass, and casually said, "We've lost a colleague."
"Oh."
"Regrettable."
"A pity."
Colleagues expressed regret, but their gaze never wavered. The beautiful bartender elegantly and skillfully swirled the glass, the liquor spinning within, her arm movements causing the rest of her body to sway, prompting a chorus of "oh" from the audience below.
The suited man seemed displeased: "We've sacrificed a compatriot, can't you at least pretend to care a little?"
Someone remarked, "But aren't you looking over there while talking too?"
The suited man pondered for two seconds, righteously replying: "I couldn't help it."
Instantly, laughter erupted, the bar brimming with cheerful vibes.
"But seriously, Onizuka is my good brother," the suited man said solemnly. "We knew each other before joining the organization. I... can't pretend nothing happened."
A side-swept colleague advised: "We're all in the business, we know the rules. Win or die, so many duels, so much life and death...
Sometimes you win, sometimes you die, that's how it is. Onizuka knew this long ago."
"Moreover," chimed another beside him, "Do you know who did it? We've all made enemies in our line of work, haven't we..."
"Onizuka told me before he left for headquarters, he heard a rumor about the legendary duelist Ryuzaki returning to the scene the night before."
The suited man spoke gravely.
"Onizuka was very interested. As another dinosaur user, he'd often say he wanted to find that Ryuzaki for a match..."
"Wow, but that's a legendary duelist," said the side-swept colleague, "Are you sure about this, Fujimoto? Plus, Onizuka's dueling skills aren't bad, if even he couldn't win..."
"Onizuka never beat me either."
The suited man named Fujimoto smiled slightly, extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray, then gazed upwards in the swirling smoke at a forty-five-degree angle.
"A man must rise to the occasion sometimes. Besides, we duelists, if we consistently stay comfortable, never dare to challenge the strong, how can we improve?"
The side-swept colleague squinted at him: "If you're so motivated, why don't you challenge Muto Yuugi?"
Fujimoto, putting on airs, was instantly silenced, stiflingly opening his mouth after a few seconds.
"... Muto Yuugi is too strong."
After all, I'm referring to advancing beyond peaks from challenging strong opponents, not courting death.
Knowing the win probability is 0 yet still going for it isn't purely giving away oneself...
Fujimoto sighed deeply, reminiscing the past.
"Both Onizuka and I were abandoned by the Dueling Realm. We met through underground duels... I promised him back then, if anything happened to him, I'd take care of his family.
Yet I never expected he'd leave so abruptly without leaving descendants, only a gentle and pretty girlfriend waiting for me to care for...
Wouldn't that mean I have to personally find a way for my brother regarding children?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly, lamenting the hardships of life.
A large man beside him patted his shoulder: "Brother, don't be sad. Brother Onizuka will know he has such a reliable brother, and he'll comfortingly leave."
"You're right." Fujimoto patted his hand, nodded.
Suddenly, he felt an inexplicable chill on his back.
"Hmm? Did you suddenly feel a cold breeze pass by just now?"
The big guy blinked in confusion: "No, didn't feel anything."
"Strange... Could it be Brother Onizuka urging me for revenge?"
Fujimoto looked heavenward, seriously speaking.
"Brother Onizuka, rest assured, I'll soon find that punk Ryuzaki Kyoryu, pull his soul into the darkness, and avenge you!"
...
...
Elsewhere.
After a miserable defeat in the Moonlight Cup, Ryuzaki Kyoryu failed his comeback, returning to seclusion, once again thoroughly studying his card deck.
Originally confident in achieving greatness upon leaving seclusion, he didn't expect it to end in colossal failure. The king didn't return successfully, but instead handed a victory to a rookie.
Especially since the rookie had a completely blank resume prior to the event, it's imaginable that the first reaction from others whenever that guy appears would be: Damn, isn't that the one who crushed Ryuzaki?
In other words, the further that rookie goes and the more he appears, the more Ryuzaki would face endless posthumous humiliation...
After all these years of seclusion, failing to take off is one thing, but failing and becoming a mere background is intolerable.
"Fujiki Yugen... good, I'll remember you."
Ryuzaki murmured coldly to himself.
He has no choice but to find an opportunity for a rematch.
Until he regains his win against the rookie, he'll bear this stain until the joke spreads wider and wider.
Just as he thought of this, his nose suddenly tickled for no reason, letting out a sneeze.
"Strange, why do I suddenly feel a chill behind me?"
Ryuzaki wiped his nose inexplicably.
Feeling as if someone's keeping an eye on me, what's this about?