Chapter 258: Abiak

Dinner time.

As the host, Marik Ishtar prepared a quite sumptuous dinner for the three guests. The venue was decorated elegantly and solemnly, with a white tablecloth spread over the long dining table and exquisite silver tableware placed on it. Roses were inserted in crystal vases on the table, and the petals were crystal clear under the lights.

The host's enthusiasm quickly made Fujiki You Xuan feel that even if he just came to mooch this meal, it was worth the trip. Exquisite French foie gras, Italian ham, perfectly grilled steak, and fragrant pasta. It is said that Marik Ishtar invited a top chef to handle today's banquet, and every dish was carefully prepared by the chef.

"But Marik Ishtar, to think you're still using your old deck."

Mokuba chatted while eating, saying casually.

"I thought... um... I don't know, you would want to draw a line with the past or something."

Marik Ishtar smiled slightly.

"The past was once my shackles, and the first half of my life was lived for it. Of course, with your help, I realized that it was all just a lie. Dartz wove that set of lies for me carefully, making me willingly become his tool.

This deck of mine was born for this."

Many of the monsters used in Marik Ishtar's deck were created using Doma's technology, and they were also cards born from the darkness in his own heart.

For example, the Kaiba Corporation weapons that brought war to his hometown, the toy robot his brother loved most, etc. His past experiences, his darkest memories, those were the prototypes of his deck.

"But now I have walked out of it." Marik Ishtar smiled slightly and looked at the deck in his hand. "For me, this deck carries my past, it is a collection of my memories of my family and my brother, but at the same time, it is also the power that supports me to continue walking.

After all, people always have to move towards the future; indulging in the past will never gain a new life. Rather than always being immersed in what one has lost, it is better to look forward to what one can still gain in the future."

Marik Ishtar paused as he said this and glanced at Kaiba: "However, I believe President Kaiba has understood this long ago."

Kaiba: "..."

Although Kaiba didn't speak for a moment, the words of an old friend also appeared in his mind.

Kaiba has walked this way all his life. For him, the word "past" only carries pain and tragedy, and only the bright future he opened up with his own hands has meaning.

But it was in the arena in the sky, in the most unforgettable defeat of his life, that his rival said this to him.

"A person without a past will not be visited by the future." Dark Yugi said at the time. "No matter what kind of past it is, it will not be meaningless; the past is connected to the self of the present and the future."

This was said to Kaiba, and it was also what Dark Yugi said to himself at the time. Because he had no past then, and even if he looked to the future, it was pitch black for him who could not find his past.

Thinking of his old friend, Kaiba was a little distracted for a moment.

If that guy were still here, would he approve of the future he has connected now...

"Tch, speaking of which, the President has been alone for so many years until now, is that really okay?" Marik Ishtar crossed his legs and joked.

Kaiba was expressionless: "Boring."

After all, the President is a man who wants to become the Duel King; feelings and such are very obstructive, and it has always been a well-known rule that the King of Games does not take a partner.

Besides, he already has his White Bride.

Actually, in Fujiki You Xuan's view, the President belongs to the typical male lead rival type of player in early shonen manga, appearing with a high-profile posture, looking like he is on par with the protagonist, but in fact, he can't really win. Similar representative characters include the tragic Tower next door...

"Let's talk business." Kaiba said lightly. "You said you already have a clue. What did you find?"

Marik Ishtar also put away his smile and sat up straight.

"I received your clues, and we tracked down a company."

"A company?" Mokuba frowned.

"Correct."

While Marik Ishtar was speaking, he made a gesture. Two subordinates immediately appeared and projected an image on the screen behind the dining table.

An office building soon appeared in the picture. The firm and clear outline, every line seemed to be carefully carved, like a giant fortress built of glass curtain walls and aluminum alloy frames.

"... Abiak?" Mokuba frowned and read the name of the company.

"Abiak (ABIAK)." Fujiki You Xuan said softly. "The opposite side of the Kaiba (KAIBA) company."

Mokuba was then surprised: "Ah, really. Is this a coincidence or..."

"There is no such coincidence."

Kaiba Seto crossed his fingers and rested his chin on them, sneering.

"Interesting. Is this meant as a provocation?"

"Looking at this name, it's easy to make such an association, right?" Marik Ishtar said. "And my people conducted an investigation; on the surface, they are an internet company, but it is impossible to find out what they are specifically doing.

But these guys are indeed not to be underestimated."

"How so?" Mokuba asked.

"First is the armed force." Marik Ishtar said. "My people tried to contact them, and this company seems to possess extraordinary armed forces.

Firearms and ammunition, cutting-edge equipment, even better than the local official armed forces. But we can't figure out their background at all, nor do we know where their weapon channels come from.

Even..."

Marik Ishtar frowned and paused for a moment.

Mokuba: "What?"

"... They also possess some novel high-end equipment." Marik Ishtar said. "Currently, through actual contact, we know they possess new energy rifles that no one has ever seen before, weapons that cause shock to the central nervous system over a large range, etc.

What's even stranger is that many of the technologies look..."

He paused for a few seconds.

But there was no need to continue; Kaiba Seto had already calmly interrupted: "There are shadows of Kaiba Corporation technology, right?"

Marik Ishtar raised an eyebrow: "Are those your handiwork?"

"No, Kaiba Corporation hasn't built weapons for many years, as you know." Kaiba said lightly.

"But you know what's going on?"

"Perhaps. Everything will be clear after tomorrow."

Kaiba had no intention of continuing and instead asked.

"How are the arrangements?"

Marik Ishtar shrugged: "That building is completely closed to the outside, but our reconnaissance personnel still managed to find the only path to sneak inside."

With a wave of his hand, a detailed map was cut out on the screen.

"From the sewer system under that building, there is a hidden path that can mix into that building. Going up from there, there is a chance to contact Abiak's server room; perhaps there is what you are looking for."

Marik Ishtar turned his head and said seriously.

"But I still want to remind you that that Abiak is very strange. The layout of their building is simply like a military fortress; there may be deadly traps hidden at every step."

"Is that so." Kaiba sneered, looking indifferent.

"It seems you have a plan in mind, so I won't say anything more. Then I have already arranged the intrusion route; as for what happens after you get in, it depends on yourselves."

Marik Ishtar shrugged.

"However, I still have a question..." He looked at Kaiba seriously. "Why are you so insistent on going in yourself? I mean... with Kaiba Seto's resources and strength, there are other means to deal with it, right?"

Kaiba's face remained calm.

"Because this is the only thing I must settle myself."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 259 =====