Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

"The King's Way? This is the King's Way! He was the Pharaoh of Egypt in his previous life... No problem! As for me, forget it!"

……

"Emmm..." Scratching his head, under Mahad's gaze, Yusei finally gave his answer with some hesitation: "My path... is 'My Way'!"

You can do whatever you want and associate with anyone.

A man who is free to do as he pleases, unrestrained, and as free as the wind.

This is the path I, You, have chosen!

"I... said..."

Repeating Yusei's words, a smile gradually appeared on Mahad's face: "My way... my way? To forge one's own path... to decide one's own future, to break free from fate, and to be unbound by anyone..."

"...This is the path you've chosen!"

"Well... more or less..."

Scratching his cheek, Yusei adopted an ambiguous expression.

“Very good…very good!”

Mahad, his smile fading, regained his placid expression and uttered words of appreciation: "...Young man, I acknowledge you!"

"You certainly qualify as a rival to the king!"

"Uh... well, thank you then?" Yusei tilted his head somewhat uncertainly, stunned by the praise from the black magician.

So... does this mean I've gained recognition?

……

"Damn it... they've been ignoring me ever since..."

"...I'll make you pay!"

Seemingly satisfied with the answer, the black magician withdrew his gaze and began to close his eyes to rest.

As a result, Kagurazaka, who was freed from his restraints, was finally able to speak again.

Kagurazaka cast a venomous yet fearful glance at the dark magician standing before him, then placed a card onto the Duel Disk: "I Normal Summon [Magician's Staff] (ATK 1600) in Attack Position! Then, I activate its effect, adding the Continuous Spell Card [Dark Magician Circle] from my Deck to my hand!"

A phantom of a blue magician holding a staff appeared in front of Kagurazaka, and with its appearance, a magic card was added to Kagurazaka's hand.

"Is it coming...? The familiar combination..."

Watching Kagurazaka's actions, Yusei muttered to himself.

"Next up is this card! Continuous Spell Card [Dark Magic Circle] activated!"

"As part of the effect processing when this card is activated, check the top 3 cards of your Deck. If any of them are Spell/Trap Cards with 'Dark Magician' listed in their name, or if any are 'Dark Magician', you can reveal 1 of them to your opponent and add it to their hand. Return the remaining cards to the top of your Deck in any order you like."

"This setup... is the same combination from before..."

The moment he saw the Magician's Wand, the memory of fear resurfaced in Marufuji Sho's mind.

After the appearance of the Black Magic Circle, this memory immediately became a reality.

Continuous Spell Card [Dark Magician Circle], Continuous Trap Card [Eternal Soul]...

In the last duel, I was defeated by this very combination...

The appearance of Red Daddy later was merely a finishing blow.

"Youxing..."

Looking at the silent Yusei, Jaden Yuki couldn't help but start thinking: "If it were you, what would you do next?"

Youxing: “…”

"Hehehehe...flip over three cards~~~"

Holding up three fingers, Kagurazaka, whose expression had turned into a "facial comedy," slowly said, "Three [Eternal Souls]... even with the chance of drawing them based on lifespan, there's still a probability of at least one in ten. Not to mention, there's also the field spell with a search effect—[The Magician's Rescue]..."

"...If I still can't get this, I might as well find a wall and kill myself!"

282 The Hero Arrives

If Kagurazaka can't pull the [Eternal Soul], she's planning to find a wall and kill herself...

"Hmm..." Regarding Kagurazaka's somewhat arrogant statement, Yusei offered his own opinion: "Well... don't be too certain... what if I don't get selected?"

"Hmph! I didn't win... I'll eat shit!"

After banging his head against a wall, Kagurazaka made another solemn vow to himself...

Everyone: "..."

"Hmph! Now you'll have nothing to say, won't you!"

With a disdainful snort, Kagurazaka pulled out the top three cards of his deck and spread them out in his hand.

The three cards are as follows:

Fusion Spell Card [Fusion Magic], Monster Card [Guardian Priestess Mana], and Monster Card [Magic Kuriboh].

No Continuous Trap Card [Eternal Soul]...

Even spell/trap cards whose effects include "Dark Magician" are not included...

"Tut (fuck dish fuck)..."

Looking at the three cards in his hand, Kagurazaka's previously slightly ferocious face immediately contorted into an expression as if he had just eaten shit...

The search effect of 【Dark Magician Circle】 can only search for Spell & Trap Cards whose names include 【Dark Magician】, or the monster 【Dark Magician】 itself. It is ineffective against other monster cards whose names are listed.

So in this round, Kagurazaka essentially searched for nothing...

Or rather, if he didn't draw the card he wanted, he'll have to put on a show for everyone by "getting a free meal and drinks"!

"My deck... Why? Why won't it answer my call!"

"...Unforgivable, unforgivable!"

Shaking his head wildly and roaring angrily, Kagurazaka, as if to vent his frustration, haphazardly shoved the three cards he had drawn back into the deck.

The effect of [Dark Magic Circle] allows him to freely decide the order of the cards.

However, Kagurazaka, who was in a trance, completely ignored this point.

"2333...Looks like I didn't get the card I wanted!"

Too lazy to correct Kagurazaka's problematic statement, Yusei let out a sympathetic sneer and looked in Kagurazaka's direction with a playful gaze: "So... when are you planning to go eat shit?"

{【*

"...Kaguzaka, it's time to show us your resolve! Hurry up!!!"

Marufuji Sho, who had been defeated earlier, joined in the commotion.

"...Stop talking nonsense!"

An awkward expression flashed across Kagurazaka's face as she waved her arms at the empty space in front of her, her expression twisted as she loudly rebuked, "...Whatever! We're still in the middle of a duel! That's the most important thing!"

"Ah……"

Having anticipated that Kagurazaka would renege on his promise, Yusei simply smiled dismissively at his answer.

By contradicting himself, Kagurazaka's position has become quite delicate.

Originally, the tide was not in his favor.

With his brilliant and insightful actions, he completely lost any remaining "reason."

"Then, please begin your performance!"

With one hand outstretched towards Kagurazaka, Yusei expressed his anticipation for Kagurazaka's upcoming performance.

"Hmph! Then you'd better open your eyes and watch!"

"...The duel continues, and my turn is not yet over!"

Kagurazaka's field has the [Dark Magician] with 2500 ATK, the [Magician's Staff] with 1600 ATK, and a face-up Continuous Spell Card [Dark Magician Circle].

Lacking synergy with his deck and failing to draw the Continuous Trap Card [Eternal Soul], Kagurazaka immediately made a new decision, forcefully inserting a Spell Card into the back row of the Duel Disk: "Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card from my hand—[Dark Magic's Ritual]!"

Two golden staffs descended from the sky and plunged into the shallows between Kagurazaka and Yusei, splashing up a large spray of water.

As these two magic staffs appeared, a strange phenomenon of celestial and atmospheric changes began to appear above everyone's heads...

A chaotic vortex of red and blue replaced the original Fusion Magic Card and appeared in everyone's sight.

At the center of that vortex was a constantly rotating black-gold magic circle engraved with countless Egyptian priestly characters, and a vortex of birth representing infinite possibilities!

-

The Secret Ritual of Black Magic

(quick attack magic)

Effect: You can choose one of the following effects to activate.

● Send a Fusion Material Monster that includes "Dark Magician" or "Dark Magician Girl" from your hand or field to the Graveyard, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.

●Ritual Summon 1 Ritual Monster from your hand by Tributing monsters in your hand or on the field that include "Dark Magician" or "Dark Magician Girl" until the total Level of the monster becomes a Ritual Summoned.

-

"What?! [The Ritual of Dark Magic]... Another new card!" Everyone exclaimed in surprise as they saw the magic card projection appear in front of Kagurazaka.

They initially thought that Kagurazaka, lacking [Eternal Soul] and unable to Special Summon [Dark Magician], would be stuck in an awkward situation with a dead hand...

However, to their surprise, Kagurazaka activated a completely new card.

It's also the first card in Yu-Gi-Oh! history to possess both Ritual and Fusion Summoning effects simultaneously...

"【The Ritual of Dark Magic】, this card can be used not only as a Ritual Summoning Spell Card, but also as a 【Fusion】 Spell Card for Dark Magic Monsters..."

At this point, Kagurazaka revealed a malicious and maniacal smile: "Hehehe... I don't need to say more about what to do next!"

Marufuji Sho: "Masaka (Could it be)?"