Artificial Human Soga felt like he had a terrible nightmare.
In the dream, he was just one step away from resurrection. But just as he was about to cross that last step, a Demon suddenly appeared before him.
An unbelievably powerful Duelist. The duel with him not only made Soga realize what a chasm of power really means, but also the treacherousness of the world.
Elves really need to learn to protect themselves when out in the world. Otherwise, you'll end up getting NTR'd in a card game and disgusted by your own lockdown effect; it's simply a disaster.
Of course, the nightmare ended with his defeat, and he even died by his own signature move. As his Life Points hit zero, intense pain spread throughout his body, and for a moment, he felt as if he was sinking into the deep sea, adrift in a pitch-black vortex.
It was as if the chilling waters of the Netherworld swallowed him whole, dragging him into a dark, bottomless abyss. He struggled with all his might but was powerless, feeling his consciousness, only half resurrected, being devoured by the darkness again...
And then he woke up with a start.
That was close, thank goodness it was just a dream.
Soga Elf let out a long breath, gathering his wits.
Though it was a nightmare, it was a bit too horrifying. It took him a while to regain his consciousness and start looking around at his surroundings.
Hmm? Where is this?
Soga was stunned, realizing he seemed to be in some special space.
Because he was a Duel Monster Spirit, he seemed to recognize this as some sort of Subspace, a special realm where only spirits held by Duelists could reside, a camp for warriors not yet dispatched for battle.
It's colloquially called a "Card Deck."
However, Soga was just a half-dead spirit summoned by three reckless youngsters, a spirit without a master. How could he have a Card Deck space?
Feeling a bit bewildered, Soga tried to sneak out of this space, craning his head to take a look around.
Then instinctively shuddered, his whole body like falling into an ice cave.
It's him!
The Demon from the dream!
"You're awake."
Yugen, who was studying new cards he had just acquired, noticed the peeking Artificial Human and temporarily put down his work, turning around with a smile.
He considered himself to have a sunny and gentle smile, and should be a kind and friendly leader. But unexpectedly, the spirit's reaction was as if he had seen a ghost, suddenly shrinking back: "Wh-what did you do to me!?"
"Why say it like that? It makes people think I did something excessive to you."
Yugen muttered.
"Did you forget, the Dark Duel contract?"
Soga was dumbfounded.
Then the conversation before the card game floated in his mind.
"If you lose, you will become my card."
He couldn't remember the exact words, but in his imagination, Yugen seemed like a smirking Demon, waving that "Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator" card as he spoke.
Soga's body involuntarily trembled.
So the nightmare was real...
If there's anything more terrifying than the nightmare itself, it's waking up to find you're still in the nightmare.
He had scheduled a Dark Duel, wagering his own body. And evidently, he lost.
Soga Elf was very dejected.
In the nightmare, at least it was his clone that was defeated by the opponent. But upon waking, he found out the traitor was himself. It's hard to say which was scarier, the dream or reality...
Never mind, might as well make the best of it.
Actually, after calming down, Soga thought carefully about the card game he played last night and felt he didn't actually lose out.
If he set aside the personal grudges easily provoked in the duel, all in all, Soga felt that this person was quite strong among Duelists.
As a Duel Monster Spirit, encountering a powerful master is not necessarily a bad thing.
It's just that last night's game was extremely frustrating, and the more he thought about it, the more it annoyed him.
Unacceptable, at the very least, he had to reclaim some basic dignity.
So having accepted the situation, Soga crossed his arms, nodded slightly.
"Hmm, I acknowledge your strength, Duelist," he assumed a masterly air, "but I am a High-level Elf, and to harness my power, you must pay the appropriate price.
How about this, I won't require three offerings. One offering will buy my allegiance..."
Swish.
The sound of a sword being unsheathed.
Somehow, two ethereal figures appeared in the room.
Silent Magician and Chaos Warrior, one with a Magic Staff and the other with a Light and Dark Blade, both pointed at Soga's head.
Soga looked at the staff and sword pointed at his head, lost in thought.
But it didn't last long; his contemplation only took about a second.
Then he changed his stance and said.
"No offerings, allegiance will be given..."
His voice also became quieter.
MD, he dared not mess with either of them.
At this moment, the Artificial Human truly realized his situation... or rather, his junior position in the team.
One moment he thought he was a noble Six-Star, a High-level Elf. Turns out he was the weakest in the whole team.
A Silent Magician, who usually seems harmless enough, could change size freely, able to ascend or descend in stars, sometimes cute, sometimes majestic. At first glance, he seemed like just a Four-Star, but when provoked, he could easily take on two Sogas single-handedly.
The one beside him was even more a force to be reckoned with.
The legendary Chaos Warrior!
Who on earth could dare to provoke him?
"No need for that," Yugen said with a cheerful smile. "We're all going to be teammates now, so put away your weapons. It's not good to be so hostile, now is it?"
Chaos Warrior and Silent Magician exchanged glances and each withdrew their Long Swords and Magic Staffs, stepping back.
"That's the spirit, everyone must get along from now on, and no bullying the new team member."
Exactly, exactly, did you hear the master? No bullying the new team member.
Soga had unconsciously retreated behind Yugen, secretly observing the two emotionless spirits in front.
Chaos Warrior and Silent Magician exchanged glances again, nodded.
"Well then, let's happily duel together~"
Soga Elf quickly nodded in agreement, indicating that he would wholeheartedly cooperate with everyone in the future.
The dormitory was momentarily filled with a joyous atmosphere.
"By the way, your card deck from last night's duel was impressive," Yugen said.
Soga Elf waved it off, suggesting it wasn't worth mentioning. Didn't the master still crush it?
"No, no, it was quite impressive. Moreover, many cards specific to the Artificial Human deck I haven't even seen before. They're rare cards in our world, really impressive."
Yugen expressed his admiration.
Actually, after the duel ended last night, his first impulse was to loot the cards, but he found that Soga's card deck, just like in the animation, vanished into thin air after Soga got knocked out...
But it doesn't matter.
Since Soga has now joined their family, what's his is essentially the same as his own.
Soga Elf was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly caught on.
He flipped his palm, and a surge of electricity danced across it. Flickering lights quickly materialized into a card deck in his hand, which he handed to Yugen.
"Here! Here it is, right here!"