Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

"Ha, I'm not talking about something symbolic, but... the real demon!"

#【%

With a half-smile on his face, DD, enveloped in light, raised his head and looked at the audience inside the dome.

After that, he let out bursts of maniacal laughter.

As the eerie laughter rang out again, the white light enveloping DD's body spread outwards at the same moment, eventually transforming into a huge demonic phantom above his head.

"What...what is this?!"

Looking at the white phantom formed by holy light floating above DD's head, Dr. Creguta was shocked and subconsciously took a few steps back, his face uncontrollably showing a look of fear.

626 Ultimate D, appear!

"My turn...—Draw a card!!!"

His eyes were filled with a blood-red light, radiating a destructive aura of destruction. DD, whose personality had changed at this moment, swung his arm and fiercely drew a card from the top of his deck.

"...I activate two Spell Cards from my hand, [Sanctuary of Demons]. Based on their effects, I can Special Summon two [Metal Demon Tokens] to my field!"

-

The Devil's Sanctuary

(Normal Spell Card)

Effect: Special Summon 1 "Metal Fiend Token" (Fiend/DARK/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) to your field. This Token cannot attack, and battle damage to its controller from battles fought by this Token is taken by the opponent. The controller of this Token pays 1000 Life Points during each of its Standby Phases. Alternatively, the controller can destroy this Token without paying Life Points.

-

As DD inserted the two magic cards in his hand into the Duel Disk to activate them, two six-pointed star-shaped golden ring magic circles appeared on the field in front of him.

Two identical, faceless metallic derivatives floated above the magic circle, one on each side, under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

"……derivative?!"

At this moment, DD has gathered a total of three monsters on the field.

Feeling the inexplicable pressure emanating from his opponent, who was enveloped in white light, Dr. Craigeter shielded his face with one hand, a look of horror appearing on his face.

What...what exactly happened?!

DD, what the hell have you done?!

"Next... I'll activate this Spell Card!"

With its mouth twisted upwards at an unnatural angle, a misty white phantom floating behind it, and its eyes flashing crimson light, DD displayed its magic card to Dr. Creguta: "...[D-Power] Activated, Ultimate D, come into my hands!"

As DD added a card from his deck to his hand, the white phantom that had been hovering above his head expanded at the same moment, spreading across the entire field.

In that instant, as if subjected to some kind of EMP electromagnetic shock, all electronic devices, as well as the lights and power supply in the venue, fell into a strange state of paralysis and lost their original function.

Amidst the terrified and panicked screams of the audience, the light was extinguished in an instant, and darkness enveloped the entire arena in the next moment.

From Yusei and the others' perspective, all they could see was DD pulling out a card, and the TV screen suddenly turning into static; they didn't even have time to see the card's specific information.

As for what happened after that, only those inside the giant dome on the other side of the screen know.

"What happened? Why did the picture suddenly cut out? Is there something wrong with the TV? This is the most exciting part!"

"Huh? Is the TV broken? I'll kick it..."

"Stop it! Kenzan! What if you break it?"

"...There's no signal on my cell phone either, so it shouldn't be a problem with the TV..."

After a moment of confusion, the group immediately began to investigate the cause of the unusual phenomenon.

Even after taking out my phone and switching to the corresponding live stream channel, there was still no signal.

It was as if all information about this duel had been forcibly intervened and neutralized by some force, preventing the outside world from knowing any specific details...

"...Let me show you the true form of a demon!"

At this very moment, while the outside world was in chaos due to the anomaly, the duel continued inside the Seahorse Dome.

The center of the dueling arena was engulfed in flames caused by the explosion of the equipment, and fire alarms rang out throughout the venue.

In this chaotic, crowded situation, few people had the mind to pay attention to what was happening in the dueling arena.

Ignoring the crowd who were scattering and pushing each other in the darkness, their hearts filled with terror, DD stretched out his arm in front of him. His face, contorted even more by the flames, continued his actions: "I will release the three monsters on the field as tributes..."

"...Descend, Ultimate D!!!"

The white mist and flames that filled the arena obscured everyone's view of the dueling arena.

In the very center of the only unaffected duel arena, a pool of blood-red water appeared as DD finished speaking.

With the red moon as the altar and blood as the throne, the ultimate hero of destiny slowly rose from the lake, bringing with him overwhelming power, and arrived before DD.

"Alright, now everything can be over."

No one else would bother him anymore. On this final competition field, feeling the various panic and negative emotions permeating the surroundings, DD was quite satisfied. He looked in the direction of Dr. Craigita with his blood-red eyes, and then slowly raised his finger: "Dr. Craigita... you can die now!"

……

"Ughhhhhhh...!!!"

"Impossible! How could such a thing happen?!"

"...I have [Magic Valkyrie]'s attack blockade on my field! And [Torture Wheel]...Why, why aren't they working?!"

The confident, invincible combination was instantly broken by DD. Watching his monsters fall one after another under the attack of Ultimate D, Dr. Creguta couldn't help but let out a roar of unwillingness and confusion: "Why...why can your monsters still attack!"

Monster and trap cards all have the effect of blocking the opponent's attacks, but why are none of their effects working? Why is that?!

"...Hahahaha!!! You idiot, all your common sense is useless against Ultimate D!!!"

With a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, DD, having unleashed his true nature, cast a mocking glance at Dr. Craiget: "...It's useless. Whatever you want to do, it's too late now! All your methods are nothing but a ridiculous farce to Ultimate D!"

"Gulp... What... what exactly happened..."

A sense of incomprehension gripped his mind. Staring at the demonic shadow floating before him, Dr. Craigettar's vision went black as his health was emptied. He collapsed onto the cold ground, his body then engulfed by the spreading flames…

Watching his opponent engulfed in flames, DD curled the corner of his mouth, ignored the surrounding fire, and, guided by the white light, strolled leisurely toward the exit.

The original crowd inside had already fled or run away, so DD did not encounter any obstacles on the way.

After a pleased expression appeared on his face, DD thought for a moment, then took out his phone from his pocket and called Edward from his contacts: "Hello..."

"Hey! DD... are you okay? The live stream suddenly disappeared just now, I was worried something might have happened to you..."

Before DD could say anything, Edward, in a hurried tone, took the initiative to inquire about the safety of this nominal guardian.

There is a duel agreement between them waiting to be fulfilled, and before that day comes, Edward does not want DD to suddenly disappear from his world like his father.

"..."

Upon hearing Edward's words, DD, who looked slightly taken aback, glanced at the surrounding fire and the faint screams coming from afar before calmly saying, "I'm fine, Edward."

"……That's good."

Hearing DD's affirmative answer, Edward's tone softened somewhat.

After losing her father, Edward cherished those who cared about her. Even towards the King of Zai, who had made so many mistakes, she didn't really feel much resentment.

After all, as Mijuchi said, those things were not Saiō's original intention, but were committed by another personality born from him under the influence of the Light of Destruction.

"Ed, it's been a long time... I'll be making a trip to the Duel Academy myself soon, and I look forward to... your arrival..."

"...DD?"

After saying that, DD hung up the phone on his own initiative.

Ed, sensing a strange emotion in DD's words, raised an eyebrow in confusion but ultimately dismissed the thought.

……

That evening, DD, who had left the Seahorse Dome, arrived near the island where the Duel Academy was located.

He chose to meet Edward on a huge, luxurious cruise ship not far from the island.

This place is both his property, representing his prestigious status as a professional league champion, and the final stage he prepared for himself.

The duel promised to Edward ten years ago, the old stories from the past, and... the sins and entanglements that have long been associated with "Ultimate D"—all of this, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will come to an end tonight.

"DD...are you there?"

After receiving a message from DD, Edward sailed his yacht to the area where the luxury cruise ship was located. Alone on the deck, he began searching for his guardian.

Upon entering the cruise ship, stepping onto the deck, and walking through the deserted, dimly lit corridor, Edward frowned slightly at this unusual situation. After hesitating for a moment, he finally tentatively pushed open the door leading to the cabin and arrived at the banquet hall.

The space here is spacious enough, and with no one around to disturb it, it appears quiet and grand enough to host a grand duel.

As Edward was pondering these matters, a figure suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

Through the faint moonlight filtering through the window, Edward recognized the person as his long-lost guardian and world champion of the professional league—DD.

At this moment, he stood in the shadows with a smile on his face, waiting for Edward to arrive.

"It's been a long time, Edward... It's so nice to see you."

With a casual tone, DD initiated a conversation with Edward. At the same time, looking at the silver-haired girl opposite him who was giving him a friendly look, a pleasant smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

"DD...what's wrong? Who won today's match?"

Due to the sudden interruption of the live broadcast and the subsequent chaos in the venue, Edward was unaware of the final result of the championship match.

Upon seeing DD safe and sound, Edward tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and instinctively asked a question.

However, as Edward spoke, she also realized that the smiling man in front of her must be the ultimate victor.

"Really? You don't know?" Adjusting his glasses, DD stepped out of the shadows and into the light in front of Edward. "Do you want to know how that duel ended up?"

Under the moonlight, DD's face, so different from the past and now filled with madness, was completely revealed to Edward.

What appeared to be a smile in the shadows just now now looks more like a mocking sneer.

Seeing DD's changed aura and his completely different temperament, Edward frowned slightly, subconsciously took a few steps back, and couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt.

Why? He feels so unfamiliar.