Koizumi Ken was sitting dumbfounded on the side, having watched the entire showdown between the two generations of Duel Kings, and he was unable to snap back to reality for a long time.
He didn't really understand duels, only knowing the basics like "a Duelist can only Normal Summon one Monster per turn". To him, the duel between these two legendary figures was too high level; even the slightly more complex effect resolution processes left him bewildered.
Yet, even if he didn't understand, it didn't stop him from feeling a sense of shiver from this Dark Duel between the two top-tier masters.
The top Elemental Heroes, various forms of Masked Heroes, and even the Legendary Dragons, all were undoubtedly the elite among Duel Monsters.
Koizumi Ken wasn't sensitive to the practical effects and performances of cards. To him, this duel felt like a battle of spirits, both sides continuously Summoning powerful spirits whose auras sent shivers down his spine, and then quickly flattening each other's entire fields.
Despite not understanding the process, he felt fortunate that Youyu ultimately clinched the victory in the duel.
At the very least, he knew Youyu was on his side.
But Youyu couldn't stay optimistic.
Through the dark miasma contained in Hibiki Koyo's body and the Elemental Hero he Summoned during this duel, Youyu was quite confident that Hibiki Koyo was under the control of Tragoedia.
In other words, Tragoedia had already set sights here. Perhaps that top-secret mission at the time had something to do with Lobster, involving some important secret, and maybe Lobster didn't want Youyu to uncover this secret.
So, since Hibiki Koyo had already appeared in front of him, the Koizumi Keita he was looking for— the only member of the archaeological team left who knew the truth, might also be in danger.
Youyu immediately made a call to Mokuba, asking him to arrange for someone from Kaiba Group to come and search the mountain.
A day later, they finally found this gentleman on the mountain— unfortunate enough to have already fallen victim. Although Koizumi Keita was still alive, his consciousness had been stripped away in a very bizarre manner.
Kaiba Group arranged for him to be sent to the nearest hospital as soon as possible, and after the doctor announced that they were at a loss, he was quickly transferred to the highest standard medical facility under the Kaiba Group.
Unfortunately, the experts there were also powerless.
From the perspective of modern medicine, they couldn't even find the cause of illness— all examinations showed that Koizumi Keita's body was very healthy. He had long lived in a rural area, maintained good dietary habits and routine, his hobby of mountain climbing ensuring he never lacked sufficient exercise, and even most of the common modern hidden dangers were nonexistent in him.
If he were a machine, then this machine was undoubtedly very well-maintained. All the parts were functioning perfectly, and the entire system was effective. The only problem was he just didn't want to turn on to work.
A typical feature of a Darkness Game.
If there's any issue which the almighty Kaiba Group's technology is temporarily unable to resolve, the Darkness Game would certainly rank front and center.
The President was not unfamiliar with Darkness Games; over the years, he had spent a considerable amount of time researching this mystical system.
In the group's medical facilities, a number of Duelists defeated in Dark Duels, rendered unable to rise again for life, lay long-term. Over the years countless top experts and think tanks have exerted every effort, yet so far no effective progress had been made.
The second-generation Duel King, Hibiki Koyo, was also transferred to the relevant medical facilities, but his condition wasn't much better. After being defeated by Youyu, Hibiki Koyo also fell into an inexplicably deep slumber, which undoubtedly was also a consequence of the Darkness Game.
Counting on him to speak was evidently impossible as well.
A lead was broken, so Youyu had to find another way out.
"Someone in the D Department must know." Mokuba, who personally came to the scene, said helplessly, "I'll inform my brother of the situation. He's somewhat familiar with some people in the department, maybe they'll be willing to explain?"
"Ask Kaiba for help?"
Honestly, Youyu wasn't too keen on seeking help from that awkward guy Kaiba...
"Alright then." He eventually agreed.
He was still quite keen to know what had happened to Hibiki Koyo during the transportation mission back then, and what exactly that death-defying archaeological team had unearthed to interest the Lobster so much.
After all, owing President Kaiba a favor could be repaid by accompanying him in the Dueling Arena for one night.
It sounds simple enough, it's just that the process of repayment is too exhausting, especially liver-damaging, affecting sleep, even impacting health...
...
While Youyu was busy out there, things weren't peaceful over at the Duel Academy either.
The Seven Stars didn't fare well in their first battle, with Darkness swiftly defeated, but the challenge had already been issued, and subsequent challenges were inevitable.
And the second member of the Seven Stars ready to make a move was an alluring and enchanting lady, one of the few Vampires remaining in the world, Camilla.
The reason she joined the Seven Stars was simple, precisely for the sake of her already declined race.
She had witnessed firsthand the formidable power of the great one who recruited her. That great one painted a big, round picture for her, promising that with her own power and resources, plus the strong forces of the Phantasm, it could easily help her realize her dream of resurrecting her race.
Camilla believed— she had no other choice.
Reviving an already extinct race, the dream sounded so void and elusive, even smacked of absurdity. To achieve this dream, she had to seize upon any remote possibility.
Several days ago, that great one told her over the screen that if Darkness failed, she would have to be the next to take the stage.
At that moment, her heart skipped a beat, and it felt like a hundred men were drumming in the vast valley beginning of her bosom.
Admittedly, she had agreed to get on board back then, and she had reached a cooperation agreement with that great one. She was willing to offer her loyalty, to attack Duel Academy for him, and seize the cards of the Three Phantasm.
But the problem was, at the time when she agreed...
... There was no Duel King on the island!
To be honest, now Camilla slightly regretted agreeing so hastily back then. The reason she did not think much before agreeing to take the field was twofold: One, there was no choice but to revive her race, and two, reliable intel claimed that although Duel King Youyu was the honorary principal, he was rarely on the island.
But circumstances had now changed.
Now, it seemed as if this First Duel King had taken root on this damn island, had actually settled down without leaving!
Camilla was now slightly intimidated.
What if that Duel King personally entered the battle?
Her tiny arms and legs were completely no match!
She had long heard that Youyu's duel skills were extraordinarily profound, and his dark powers were equaled by few in the world. More importantly, he was ruthless and unrelenting; if caught and ravaged, even if she were lucky enough to survive, wouldn't she be ruined right away?
She'd just heard yesterday that the vanguard of the Seven Stars, Darkness, was already done for, and now it would be her turn next, making Camilla panic for half a day, even considering the possibility of getting off to flee and preserve her life.
But the boss timely contacted her then, changing the plan.
"The plan has changed." The boss behind the screen said coldly, "I need information on that Duel King Youyu, his origin, background, history, any intelligence at all.
Your new task is to get close to him, gather intelligence at all costs. I only need the results, any methods are fine."
The beautiful vampire's eyelids twitched, her delicate body trembling violently.
Could there really be such a good thing!?