Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

Is the man in front of me really the DD I know?

Instinctively, Edward adopted a wary stance as DD approached him.

"...In terms of the result, I won."

Observing Edward's subtle movements, DD stopped and smiled, saying, "Heh, I think there won't be any duelist in this world who can beat me anymore, right?"

"By the way, Dr. Craigetta... is dead."

Edward: "What...?!"

Dr. Craigetta was DD's opponent in the previous duel. The host even specifically introduced him as a criminal genius with an IQ of 200, who had a considerable degree of cooperation with the FBI.

But such a legendary duelist... just died like that?

627 The Truth of the Past

"...How is the situation at the scene?"

"I'm not entirely sure... During the World Championship tournament, a massive explosion suddenly occurred inside the Seahorse Dome, causing a huge fire in the main hall. The scene is now a sea of ​​flames. The exact number of casualties is still unknown, but it has certainly become a major tragedy..."

"What about DD and Dr. Craigetta, who fought against him? How are they doing?"

"We still don't know their situation... I'm really worried about their safety..."

"Understood. Please let us know if you have any further information. We will continue to maintain contact with the site..."

"I see……"

Move forward a little bit in time.

At this point in time, after DD summons Ultimate D and defeats Dr. Creggart, he leaves the arena.

Media outlets drawn to the fire are now outside the venue, reporting on the incident.

Only after hearing the sweet voice of the beautiful host did Youxing and the others, who were watching TV, learn what had happened after the signal was interrupted.

The giant dome where the competition was originally taking place is now engulfed in flames, and even the top of the arena, which is shaped like a blue-eyed white dragon, is now nearly half charred black by the fire.

Firefighters and police officers who arrived at the scene are currently busy maintaining order, extinguishing the fire, and rescuing the injured.

Judging from the scene, something significant must have happened that forced the live broadcast of the match to be interrupted.

"What on earth is going on...?"

"Explosion? Fire? What is this...?"

Those watching from behind the screen, seeing the horrific scene unfolding on the other side of the camera, couldn't help but show expressions of confusion.

What exactly happened?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"What... Dr. Craigetta... is dead?"

Back to the present, it's nighttime, on the sea near Duel Academy, aboard DD's luxury cruise ship.

Upon hearing the strange words coming from his guardian DD, Edward instinctively asked a question.

"...Well, maybe he died because of the fire at the venue, or maybe... he died because of my attack."

With his hands in his pockets, adopting a nonchalant attitude and a mocking sneer, DD looked at Edward, whose face showed surprise, and said, "Heh, it doesn't matter what happens to that kind of guy, he deserved it anyway. Compared to that insignificant thing, Edward... you've been searching for the trail of Ultimate D, haven't you?"

“…Ultimate D?!” Edward paused upon hearing this keyword, and subconsciously asked, “DD…Do you know where that card is?”

For many years, she had been searching for the existence of the Ultimate D card. Although she had obtained alternative cards, those cards did not have any special meaning and were not what she had hoped for. So, after several twists and turns, she finally handed them over to Yusei.

Seeing that card will subconsciously remind me of those unhappy memories from the past.

Therefore, Edward did not want to keep it with him.

"...You know? You actually ask me if I know or not? Hahahaha!!!"

Upon hearing Edward's question, DD, seemingly unable to suppress the laughter rising within him any longer, laughed wildly and mockingly addressed Edward, who was standing there dumbfounded: "Ed... in my opinion, you, in your ignorance, are truly adorably foolish!"

"Looking at you like this, a fleeting feeling of pity actually crossed my heart? Ha, how ridiculous! Should I call it crocodile tears, full of hypocrisy?"

With one hand pressed against his face, which was contorted with madness, DD spoke these words while simultaneously swinging his other arm and pressing the switch on the remote control in his hand.

As he moved, the open door behind Edward, and another closed door behind DD, both closed automatically at the same moment, followed by a loud locking sound.

This means that the road out of this place has been blocked, and this place will become a secret room unknown to anyone.

No matter what happens here, outsiders cannot know the specific details inside.

"What exactly did you mean by those words just now? What are you trying to do, DD?"

Ed, who instinctively hugged his body, which had clenched into a tighter embrace, sensed a certain malice and frowned involuntarily, voicing his question in DD's direction.

Although she already had a vague guess in her heart, she was still waiting, waiting for the answer to come from DD's mouth.

Only in this way can she truly convince herself to make a certain decision.

"Don't worry, Edward. Although you have grown up and become such an outstanding and charming person, I don't intend to do anything to you."

Adjusting his glasses, DD stepped to stand directly opposite Edward and put the Duel Disk he had prepared beforehand on his arm: "...Didn't I make a promise to you a long time ago? I would remain the champion until you grew up and wait for the day you would challenge me."

"...Now the time is ripe, and I have fulfilled the promises we made in the past. Now, it is your turn to fulfill the promises we made together."

Edward: "DD..."

In the world of card games, the principle of dueling is always upheld. Women are only seen as a factor in the speed at which duelists draw cards, and are generally avoided by men.

Therefore, although Ed is outwardly a very beautiful white-haired girl, stunning everyone who sees her and subconsciously harboring some erotic thoughts...

But clearly, DD, the champion and a high-ranking player, had no interest in this.

His reason for meeting Edward alone here was actually for another purpose.

After preparing for the duel and putting the Duel Disk on his arm, DD smirked and took out a card, showing it to Edward, who was standing opposite him, with his back turned: "Ed, let me tell you this, the card you've been searching for all this time, the one created by your father, 'Ultimate D,' has actually always been in my hands... Do you understand what I mean?"

"That card...could it be?!"

“That’s right, the one who killed your father and took that card from him was me!” DD’s eyes widened suddenly, revealing a deep, enigmatic smile. “Ed, I am the one you’ve been searching for all this time, your greatest enemy in this life!”

"...!!!"

To Ed's astonishment, DD, with a look of pleasure on his face, simply flipped the card that was facing away from Ed over.

Just as he himself said, the card that DD is holding between his fingers right now is the very card that Edward has been desperately searching for all along: the original Destiny Hero, the ultimate D—[Destiny Hero: Blood Demon-D].

The murderer who killed her father back then had the sole purpose of stealing this card.

Ed firmly believed that finding the existence of this card would be tantamount to finding his mortal enemy.

However, what Edward could never have imagined was that the person he hated most, the murderer who took his father away from him, the person who motivated him to become stronger, was someone who had always been a part of his social circle, someone he knew well...

Despite being his greatest enemy, he... treated him like family...

My life over the past ten years has almost become a joke?

DD... So you knew everything all along, so you did this on purpose, right?

So you cultivate a rival to complete your so-called final performance? To make your life complete?

This kind of thing... this kind of thing... I...

“DD…why? Why did you do these things? Why…why did you take my father away from me???”

After a brief moment of shock, what followed was a long-accumulated, overwhelming hatred, enough to overturn mountains and seas!

This intense hatred was so strong that a faint crimson light flickered in Edward's eyes.

Subconsciously, Ed asked for the answer to the question in a cold tone that surprised even herself.

The lone dark hero remains alone to this day; no one can take her place to shoulder the responsibility and obligation of revenge.

Unbeknownst to Ed herself, she was clenching her fists tightly, biting her teeth, and trying her best to suppress the anger surging within her.

She had never hated anyone so much, never experienced such intense emotions, not even the King of the West, with whom she had met her demise, could evoke such hatred in her heart.

In terms of attracting Edward's hatred alone, DD's taunt value is truly maxed out.

"...Why? What a stupid question."

As DD stuffed the card in his hand into the duel disk deck, he was questioned by Edward, who was looking at him with anger. He slowly replied in a matter-of-fact tone, "As a duelist, of course, it's to pursue victory. What other purpose could there be?"

"For... victory?"

"Yes, I want to be a hero, I want to change my life, I want to become that supreme being revered by all..."

Seeing the look of incomprehension flash across Edward's face, DD shrugged and continued, "That's why when I was young, I made the profession of duelist, which is the easiest way to gain glory and fame in the world, my goal."

"However, the world of professional duelists is not as easy as I thought, or rather... it's not an exaggeration to say that it's not easy at all. Back then, even if I tried my best, I was just cannon fodder in the dueling arena, with absolutely no presence."

"...Ed, not everyone has your talent and ability to become a dark horse and run rampant in this industry!"

With his hands back in his suit trouser pockets, DD looked away and glanced to the side, a reminiscent expression on his face: "Anyway, back then, when I was at my lowest point, I encountered a godsend opportunity, and the person who gave me that opportunity was none other than you, Edward!"

"……I?"

"Heh, it doesn't matter if you don't remember. Back then, I looked more like a homeless person, completely different from the champion I am now."

"The first draft of the Ultimate D, created by your father, happened to drift to me on the wind at that time, and the person who chased after that first draft was you, who was still young at the time."

Looking back at Edward, DD noticed a look of surprise on her face and continued, "That's when I seized the opportunity, followed you, and found your father's whereabouts!"

Edward: "...?!"

"...At that time, I found out that your father was a card designer at the International Fantasy Society, and that he was making a very mysterious card...At that moment, I decided that I must get my hands on that card."

"However, one night, as I secretly sneaked into your father's office and held the Ultimate D he had created in my hand, Nyan looked excited, feeling that a new chapter in my life was about to begin. But unexpectedly, your father noticed and caught me red-handed..."

"So, you chose to kill him to silence him, and killed my father, right?"

Speaking calmly, Edward inquired about DD's true intentions in an extremely composed tone.

"..."

Without directly answering Edward's question, DD continued his previous explanation: "...At that time, I believed that the card I held in my hand was the strongest Duel Monster. With its existence, I could escape that miserable life filled with misfortune and reach the pinnacle of my life..."

So even though your father discovered my theft, I had no intention of stopping there. Instead, I planned to take this opportunity to escape with the card.”