Chapter 39: A New Crisis

Boom!

"Damn You Tian!"

Back in his room, Malik remembered the scene of You Tian just leaving his sister's room, and punched the wall with a fist.

"Even if my relationship with my sister is strained, you can't flirt with her right in front of me!"

The more Malik thought about it, the angrier he became.

Of course, that wasn't the only reason for his rage right now.

Just moments ago, after Yuugi's group brought Mo Liang back to his room, they had stuck a note on the door: "Nam, Malik, and dogs forbidden entry!"

This infuriated Malik.

"Have I really been exposed?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Malik paced back and forth in his room.

After a moment, he picked up the Millennium Rod and sent a message to Rishid.

"Lord Malik, what is it?" Rishid asked.

Malik smirked wickedly.

"Rishid, I need everyone to believe you are Malik, so I have a card to give you!"

On Yuugi's side, after bringing Mo Liang back to his room, everyone gathered in Jonouchi's room.

Yuugi glanced at You Tian beside him and spoke first.

"Was that Isis in Room 8 just now?"

Hearing Yuugi's question, the others all perked up their ears for gossip.

You Tian nodded.

"Yes, she is Malik's biological sister, Isis Ishtar Clan. She possesses the Millennium Artifact that can foresee the future."

Then You Tian briefly explained some details about Malik to the others.

Of course, You Tian did not yet mention anything about Malik's later corruption—he only said Isis intended to defeat Malik herself and stop him from further sinking into darkness.

Yuugi and the others fell into quiet thought.

The room fell silent for a moment.

"By the way, Jonouchi. Isis said that, barring any surprises, your next duel will be against that fake Malik with the tattoo on his face."

Jonouchi turned his face toward them.

"Hmm…"

"Here, take this card. It might help you."

You Tian handed over Kongque Wu's 【Feather Sweep of the Demon Bird】.

This card was essentially Rishid's deck's counter—so long as it didn't face 【Anubis's Judgment】, it could single-handedly dominate.

Jonouchi stared at the card, momentarily stunned.

After a long silence, he gently pushed You Tian's hand away, his eyes firm: "You Tian, thank you for your kindness."

"But I want to see if the me of now, relying solely on my own strength, has truly become a real Duelist."

Jonouchi refusing the card didn't surprise You Tian at all.

Yuugi looked at Jonouchi and nodded.

Yuugi: Jonouchi, without realizing it, you've long since become a true Duelist.

You Tian: "Anyway, good luck!"

After a few more words, everyone returned to their respective rooms.

"Hmm~" You Tian lay lazily on the bed, lost in thought.

It's only been the second day since I crossed over into Yu-Gi-Oh! —how come it already feels like I've lived through enough to write a thirty-eight-and-a-half-chapter novel?

You Tian chuckled bitterly.

Hummm~

Just as You Tian was idling, the spirit of Nekroz of the Ritual Summon emerged from his deck.

"Hmm?" You Tian looked over.

Why did she come out?

You Tian shook his head.

"Sigh, I know you miss home, but it's only been two days! Don't worry—I'll definitely send you back to the International Illusion Society in ten days."

By then, I'll already have the ThreePhantomGods and be heading home.

Nekroz of the Ritual Summon's expression turned strange.

"Hmm, You Tian, I need to tell you something."

A question mark appeared above You Tian's head.

Why does this feel like a pure girl confessing her feelings?

"Actually, I feel for you…"

Ding!

Suddenly, the room's loudspeaker blared.

"All Duelists, please assemble in the Lottery Room—the second duel matchups will be drawn immediately!"

"What did you just say?"

Nekroz of the Ritual Summon's words were cut off by the sudden announcement; You Tian didn't catch the latter half.

Nekroz of the Ritual Summon looked flustered and annoyed.

"Nothing!"

Saying this, she darted back into her Deck.

You Tian: What the hell?

A moment later, everyone arrived at the Bingo Machine.

"Look, look—you didn't come this morning, so you haven't seen it yet! Kaiba's got this ridiculously showy Bingo Machine!"

As soon as he arrived, Jonouchi clung to You Tian and complained about Kaiba's taste.

You Tian: Oh wow, it's shaped like Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

Game: Is Isis still in her room?

"Bingo Machine, GO!" At Kawai's command, the balls inside the Bingo Machine began to spin.

No. 3: Jonouchi Katsuya, versus No. 7: Malik Ishtar (Rishid)

"Even a traveler from the Other World cannot shake the chains of fate"? Out of nowhere, You Tian remembered what Isis had said this morning.

Kawai: "Alright, everyone, head to the top-floor Duel Stage now!"

Under Kawai and Isono's direction, everyone filed out in order.

You Tian followed at the very back.

Huh?

Suddenly, he thought he saw a strange figure—but it vanished in an instant, leaving no trace.

N祭魔: You Tian, just now, some mysterious force was observing you!

You Tian's heart tightened.

On this Airship, aside from my own spirits, the only ones with mysterious power are Malik, Mo Liang, Game, and Isis.

Isis is holed up in her room; Malik and Game are walking ahead.

Could that figure just now be Mo Liang, awakened?

Shit~ I'm being watched by the avatar of the Evil God!!

Honestly, among everyone on this Airship, Mo Liang is the one You Tian least wants to get involved with.

That guy's alternate personality is the final boss of Yu-Gi-Oh! DM—the avatar of the Great Evil God Zorc. He wields the Millennium Gossip Wheel and can touch anyone to possess them.

Regardless of his dueling skill, in terms of cunning and danger, Dark Mo Liang gets a solid 12 stars from You Tian.

Since yesterday, he's deliberately avoided any contact with Mo Liang, terrified that one careless moment might make him the next vessel for Amon… damn it, Dark Mo Liang.

What should I do?

But that doesn't make sense! He just took a direct hit from Osiris's Thunder Force—how could he possibly recover so fast?

You Tian frowned.

Could it be… the person who promised in my memories to send me home?

No—I must focus only on obtaining the ThreePhantomGods. Any sudden, uncertain element like this must be identified in advance, or it could lead to major trouble later!

"Xuanming Elders! Dare you come fight with me?" You Tian asked the two spirits inside his Deck.

Death Guardian: "Master, from the bottom of my heart, I have no fear of following you!"

Death Guardian: "But… when our spirits fight, we might accidentally harm you! If you get hurt, how could I possibly live?"

You Tian: "Speak human!"

Death Guardian: "Uh, sorry, Master—I'm scared!"

You Tian: "Heh."

N祭魔: "I dare!"

Unexpectedly, N祭魔 agreed to You Tian's request without hesitation.

Death Guardian: "Hey! Nana, don't be reckless! If we fight and the Master dies, fine—but what if you get hurt?!"

You Tian:???

N祭魔: "You won't go? I will!"

Helplessly, the Death Guardian fell silent.

Oh wow, N祭魔 is being unusually obedient today?

You Tian nodded in satisfaction.

"Excellent! It seems our team's first meeting reached an unexpectedly unified decision!"

Saying this, You Tian strode off in the direction where the mysterious figure had appeared.

…

After some time had passed, a figure slowly materialized where You Tian had been.

The man wore a white ancient Egyptian robe, his head wrapped in a turban, and around his neck hung a Millennium Artifact shaped like a key—the Millennium Key!

Yes, this man was none other than Shadi, known as "Shi Dao" in DM!

Shadi gazed at the direction You Tian had left, murmuring to himself: "It's been a long time, You Tian."