After Morgan spoke, the crowd still hadn't reacted. The club managers were racking their brains trying to figure out which club she meant by "not planning to."
Only after a brief silence did everyone understand what Morgan meant.
Every gaze in the arena turned to her. Aside from Milo and Viviana, who already knew her intentions, the others stared in disbelief, as if they couldn't comprehend her words.
Was Morgan joking?
In this world, most duelists saw joining a club as their goal. How could someone not plan to join one?
Almost no one believed it. With her skill, joining a club would mean being groomed as a core member, showered with resources, free choice of any Deck, and perhaps even inheriting the position of club boss.
Who would turn down such a deal?
If she truly intended to refuse, then what was the point of going through all the trouble of competing in the Duelist League?
At first, they thought she was joking. But gradually, they realized from her expression that she was serious.
Nerissa noticed it too and shot Milo a surprised look. How did he know Morgan's choice? He used to be so oblivious about what women were thinking.
Isla also looked at Morgan in surprise. Being around her always brought unexpected turns, and this was no exception.
She had always assumed Morgan's goal in entering the league was to join a club, and had even considered inviting her to her own. That thought was shattered now… Isla could no longer see through her intentions.
Jade's reaction was different—her eyes sparkled. If Morgan didn't join a club, it meant there would be no distance between them. She could continue enjoying their time together, and best of all, she could keep slacking off.
Morgan's declaration quickly stirred discussion. It was the first time they'd heard of someone refusing to join a club—especially the Junior Division champion.
"Did I hear that right? Morgan said she doesn't plan to join a club? Why? Not enough money?"
"Probably. So many clubs approached her, but none reached a deal… must mean the offers weren't high enough."
"She's definitely worth top price. Barely a teenager and already undefeated in Platinum… she's pure gold!"
"But even if she thought the price was too low, she could negotiate privately. Why say it here?"
The woman host was just as shocked. She'd only hosted two award ceremonies this year—first encountering a Shadow Duelist who fled mid-event, and now someone openly declaring they wouldn't join a club.
What strange things she'd seen.
After a pause, the host said, "Morgan's words are… certainly shocking. May I ask why you don't plan to join a club? You could gain so many resources."
Morgan glanced at the suited managers standing in the corners, then smiled.
"The reason I don't plan to join a club is simple… I just don't like them."
Her answer stunned the crowd again.
…That was her top-tier reason? Just because she didn't like them, she'd give up enormous resources?
It was absurdly willful.
'But I like it!'
Most of the audience began chanting her name in support.
The managers, however, were slack-jawed. In all their years, they'd never heard such an incomprehensible reason. They deflated like punctured balls.
Jade laughed. She knew Morgan best—she'd never do something she disliked, no matter the opposition.
'Just because she doesn't like them?' Isla thought, smiling bitterly. She could never say something so willful. Raised to always obey elders, she had to be the "good child." Now she understood why she wanted to be friends with Morgan… she envied that free, self-willed spirit.
"That's… a very unique reason," the host said. "Can I ask why you don't like them? For many, entering a club is the goal."
Morgan's eyes grew distant, as if considering where to begin.
"Actually, I started Virtual Duels because of an accident during a Riding Duel that put me in the hospital," she said after a pause.
"With nothing else to do there, I played Virtual Duels."
"And before I knew it, I'd reached Platinum."
'What? By accident?'
The audience erupted. Many couldn't reach Silver despite all efforts, yet she'd casually hit Platinum?
Genius indeed.
"I didn't know it would cause such a stir," Morgan continued, her tone darkening. "I didn't know about being called the mysterious duelist, or the search events."
"Not until the auction incident."
The crowd fell silent. They all remembered—the uproar, the forum's half-month shutdown, the removal of the auction feature, and the internal mole hunt.
"If that auction had really ended with a one-hundred-million bid, it would've been disastrous," she said. "I was shocked to learn that important private information about duelists could be publicly auctioned."
"And that every major club participated."
"To you, are duelists just items to be bought and sold?"
"I resent how clubs treat duelists, so I won't join any for now."
"Winning this championship was to tell the clubs—you don't need to search for me. I'm right here."
Her heavy words echoed in the arena.
"Now that I've given you your answer, I hope you'll stop disturbing my life."
Silence followed. Who could have imagined that the mysterious duelist they admired was also a victim of that incident?
And no one could refute her—she'd spoken the truth. In recent years, clubs had gained more resources and influence, squeezing independents until joining became necessary to survive. Clubs became more important than duelists, and trading them like commodities became common.
Only after the auction incident did people realize how far it had gone.
No wonder she spoke out here.
Soon, voices rose in agreement, growing until the whole arena supported her and condemned the clubs.
"Morgan's right! Clubs have gotten out of control!"
"I'll always like the players, not the clubs!"
"I support Morgan—hope she paves her own way!"
"You clubs better back off, or else!"
In the stands, Nerissa bowed her head… Team Predator had made that one-hundred-million bid.
Milo knew and said nothing. He, too, disliked the state of the dueling world, though opposing it had left Haisen without strong newcomers.
The host was left speechless… she hadn't expected one question to spark this.
With her point made, Morgan handed back the mic and left the podium.
At the exit, a crowd of managers, still stunned by her speech, instinctively stepped forward as she approached. But she walked past them without hesitation, leaving the arena under everyone's gaze.
...
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