Chapter 182: Incomplete Deck vs. Incomplete Deck

"Commander Goethe, can you give us a reasonable explanation for what has happened?"

Inside the Public Security Administration, Goethe slightly turned his head toward the screen beside him, where the highest layer of "city" showed the members of the City's Elder Council, who now sat before the screen, scrutinizing Goethe.

"Our first duel with an extradimensional being ended in defeat—this severely damages the prestige of our world," said a stern elder.

Though it was a trial duel and only two residents were sent, if the Satellite District duelists lose too many matches, the publicity will suffer.

"Why not send King directly? With him on the field, there's no way they could lose."

These people trusted Jack Atlas completely, for until now, Jack Atlas had never lost a single duel—he was unquestionably their world's "King."

Goethe stood with his hands behind his back, silently listening to his superiors' reprimands.

Externally, he was a tall, refined man, his hair meticulously styled, his suit perfectly pressed, his hands gloved; merely standing there, his face alone earned him admiration from many politicians.

It was a face naturally suited to deceive voters.

Though he had once risen to the rank of "Public Security Administration Commander," to the Elder Council, he was still insignificant.

Still just a young pup!

"Well, Commander Goethe, now that things have come to this, are you just going to stand there in silence?"

"No," Goethe replied calmly, "I am merely waiting."

"Waiting?"

"Waiting for our duelist to bring you victory."

Oh?

Several elders exchanged glances.

"You really trust those Satellite District types?"

"Of course—because the one currently on the field, Yusei Fudo, is King's old friend."

"Oh!?"

"That's truly worth looking forward to."

"Then let's see if this kid can deliver a victory—"

With that, they ceased their accusations and turned their curiosity toward the duel.

To the people of this world, dueling was a supremely noble and elite pursuit; because of the existence of the "Perpetual Motion Engine," dueling was the highest calling, as the energy generated by duels powered the engine's rotation, transforming this "city" into the world's most advanced metropolis and the pinnacle of existence—thus, even the elite of the Upper District and the Elders themselves were devoted spectators of dueling.

If he was King's friend, then indeed, he was worth watching.

Goethe stood with his hands behind his back.

His expression showed no change.

But the hands behind his back had clenched into fists.

He turned off the humming playback device and turned toward the window.

This was the highest floor of the Public Security Administration—here, the Satellite District duels were absolutely invisible—but his office had been deliberately placed here, so he could see from it a broken bridge and the dilapidated Satellite District.

Rex Goethe had a secret.

He was not a native of the Upper District; he had once ridden a D-wheel, "flying" across the broken bridge into the Upper District—the world-famous "Daedalus Bridge Legend" was his own creation—he single-handedly built the Daedalus Bridge, then, while being pursued by Public Security Police, rode his D-wheel over the half-finished bridge, becoming a legend of this world.

He had a plan, and through his own efforts, he became Commander of the Public Security Administration—but at this point, he discovered that even the Commander of the Public Security Administration was not the pinnacle of the city's power; above it, there was something called the "Elder Council"?

How ridiculous.

A group of corrupt, incompetent fools.

He turned his head toward the duel broadcast.

The arrival of the extradimensional beings had given him a new opportunity—and a new idea.

He casually pulled several cards from his sleeve, glanced at them, then extended his hand and clapped lightly.

At the sound of his applause, a shadow slowly rose from the ground, then transformed into a skeletal figure. He stared at this figure, fell silent for a moment, then smiled and handed him the cards.

"I've found an interesting one." He watched the image of Tenjou Hikari. "Since you don't want Duel Dragon's power to remain in this world, better to send it out—then it's completely safe."

He had no real interest in other worlds.

He was merely deeply disappointed in this one.

From the duel and declarations of Tenjou Hikari, he felt this man, at least, was trustworthy.

As for the rest.

He intended to use this moment, while everyone's attention was fixed on the extradimensional beings, to shift the highest-level guards to the Satellite District—and seize "true power."

Back to the Satellite District scene.

At this moment, the duel had reached a fever pitch.

The two opponents were John Anderson, representative of the Arctic Circle Branch's dueling students, and the mysterious Satellite District duelist, Yusei Fudo.

At this moment, Yusei's field held a crouching bird and a strange little aircraft, while John's field floated four differently colored Jewels, circling him protectively like family. Beyond them stood a massive mammoth, staring straight ahead.

Yusei glanced at his hand and summoned a card: "Normal Summon, Scrap Tuner."

"When this card is summoned, you can Special Summon one Level 3 or lower monster from your graveyard, and Special Summon Level 2 Speed Warrior."

"Tuning with the Level 2 Speed Warrior and the Level 3 Scrap Tuner."

"Gathered stars awaken new power—become the path illuminated by light!"

"Tuning Summon!"

"Appear, Scrap Warrior!"

A robot with red eyes, accompanied by stardust, flew from the card and split its legs forward, throwing a punch.

Scrap Warrior, Level 5, Dark Attribute, Warrior Type, ATK 2300.

"When this card is Tuning Summoned, its ATK increases by the total ATK of all Level 2 or lower monsters on the field. Speedy Crow's ATK is 300, Jet Tuner's ATK is 500—so its ATK becomes 3100!"

Scrap Warrior ATK: 2300 → 3100.

"Amazing, Yusei!" Though this was their first duel, John was already familiar enough to call Yusei Fudo by name.

Yusei Fudo gave a slight nod, then activated a card from his hand: "Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Scrap Fist!"

"Target one 【Scrap Warrior】 on your field. If that monster battles an opponent's monster this turn, you gain the following effects:"

"Your opponent cannot activate any Spell, Trap, or Monster effects until the end of the Damage Step!"

"Gain piercing!"

"The opponent takes double damage!"

"The targeted monster cannot be destroyed by battle, but is destroyed at the end of the turn—"

"Ah!" Watching this card activate, Judai immediately realized the danger: "Oh no! John's Amber Mammoth has only 1700 ATK—if this punch lands, even with 2500 LP, John will lose!"

"Amazing, Yusei. Then I won't just sit back—I activate a Trap Card: Rainbow Gravity! If I have seven types of Jewel Beasts on my field or in my graveyard, I can Special Summon one 【Ultimate Jewel God】 monster from my deck or graveyard, ignoring summoning conditions!"

"Is that your ace?" Yusei Fudo prepared himself.

He had a backup plan—if the opponent summoned a strong monster, he could Tuning again with Scrap Warrior, Jet Tuner, and Speedy Crow.

The seven Jewel Beasts on John's field and graveyard glowed brightly, their light soaring skyward as if awakening something—Judai stared at the sky, shouting "Ooooh!" while Yusei's expression grew grave, as if worried—

But when the light faded, only the mammoth remained on the field.

"Heh..." John scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, I really wanted to, but the Ultimate Jewel God card hasn't been excavated from the ruins yet—I don't have it..."

Wan Wan Zhangmu collapsed to the ground in disbelief; Judai's face froze, his hopes dashed.

To be honest, even Tenjou Hikari was startled.

In the original story, John's Jewel Beasts were gifts from Pegasus, each card unique worldwide; the most important "Rainbow Dragon" had never been excavated, so Pegasus never produced it.

He'd assumed this world's John, under the butterfly effect, had already obtained the Rainbow Dragon—but apparently, he hadn't.

Even the usually stoic Yusei couldn't help shaking his head and smiling slightly: "What a pity... If the chance arises, let's duel again—your complete self and my complete self..."

He meant their decks were both incomplete.

"Battle! Scrap Warrior, attack Amber Mammoth!"

The split-legged warrior leapt high, drew back his fist, struck the mammoth's head, shattered the gemstones on its body, and ended the battle with a final explosion.

This time, Yusei was not met with hostility from the police; for the winner, they were happy to offer a few kind words. Back inside the barrier, he saw Judai lying on the ground, frantically waving his cards.

"Oh man, if I'd done that earlier, maybe I'd have had another turn."

"No, you should've used the effect of Electric Emperor right away!"

"How was I supposed to know he could fuse even my graveyard cards? Fusion monsters—I've never even seen one before! I won't fall for that again!"

Yusei couldn't help laughing.

With such a junior and friendly extradimensional people, perhaps life still held hope.

"Hey, Yusei, why haven't you left yet? Didn't I call you?"

"It's over. I won."

"What? That was only a few minutes!"

"Hmm... Opponent's deck is incomplete."

He explained, but internally, he reflected on himself.

His own deck now held only "Stardust Dragon," while Stardust Dragon had been taken by Jack—otherwise, the duel with John might have been more satisfying.

In any case, on the first day, both sides had one win and one loss—a very good result for both.

Chapter Two, please vote~

2500-point activity pack, guaranteed two URs—thank goodness they're the big blue and red alternate art, otherwise I couldn't even write this.

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(End of Chapter)