"At least we've confirmed one thing," Mokuba said, brushing the sand off himself and trying to rally his spirits. "To cross that deadly desert, the key is to get the [Niwatori] card."
"Yeah, once we have a target, things get easier."
Yugi nodded, instinctively glancing around as he prepared to organize another round of scouting.
"Then let's split up and gather information about that card—"
"No need."
Yuto's voice cut him off, carrying the tone of someone who'd just had his suspicions confirmed. He raised his hand and pointed toward an old wooden board near the edge of the square, covered with tattered notices.
"Look there—the answer came to us."
Curious, the group hurried over. There, at the most prominent spot on the weathered board, was a card illustration of a comically fat bird—it was [Niwatori]!
Beneath the picture, bold, dramatic writing screamed out across the board.
Mokuba leaned in and read it aloud, word for word.
"'Brave challenger! Do you wish to risk your life for the glory of the ultimate championship?! At this very moment, the magnificent prize awaits—the key to cross the sea of sand, the [Niwatori] card! It rests atop the summit of victory, waiting for your conquest! The Dark Circular Arena… awaits your challenge!'"
"Heh…"
Yuto folded his arms and let out a short, knowing chuckle. "The Dark Circular Arena… and the essential prize to progress the story. Classic. This is textbook old-school RPG quest-board writing."
"Who cares what flavor it is!" Joey's blood was boiling with excitement. He slammed a fist into his palm, his eyes blazing. "Now that we know where the card is, what are we waiting for? Let's go! Kaiba's still out there!"
With a clear goal ahead, words were unnecessary. The group set off at once toward the place that reeked of danger and opportunity alike—the Dark Circular Arena.
They pushed open a heavy, grimy metal door. A foul mix of sweat, rust, and dust hit them instantly.
In the dim light, a lonely reception desk stood near the entrance—and behind it, a small creature with slimy green skin, pointed ears, and a flattened nose, looking for all the world like a goblin.
"Here to challenge the champion, ribbit? Hee-ya hee-ya! What brave young warriors, ribbit!"
Its shrill, piercing voice grated in their ears as its huge mouth split into a grin, revealing rows of needle-like teeth.
Yuto had just begun wondering what kind of species this thing was when the answer presented itself in a most disgusting way.
In a flash, its sticky, slimy tongue shot out and snatched a buzzing fly midair, retracting with a slurp before the creature began chewing noisily.
"…."
Yuto's face twitched. He understood instantly—it was a frog.
"All righty then, ribbit! Let's start the match right away, ribbit!"
The frog-man seemed completely unfazed by its own grotesque snack. It reached under the counter, rummaged quickly, then slapped two items onto the surface.
"Please wear the mask and cloak, ribbit! It's the rule, ribbit!"
The "equipment" it handed over was absurd—a crude pig-faced mask with two upturned nostrils and hollow eyeholes, and a tattered dark-gray cloak with frayed edges.
Yugi eyed the bizarre outfit, its mockery of seriousness matching the arena's ominous name. He couldn't shake the sense of danger and asked cautiously, "Excuse me… is this challenge truly dangerous?"
The frog-man glanced up with its bulging, expressionless eyes, licking its lips lazily before answering in a disturbingly cheerful tone.
"Dangerous? Not at all, ribbit! Rules are simple, ribbit! The duel ends when one side's Life Points hit zero, ribbit! Easy-peasy, ribbit!"
"Life Points… hit zero…" Mokuba repeated softly, his face going pale.
"Then I'll be the one to enter!" Joey declared without hesitation. He snatched up the ridiculous mask and cloak, his eyes firm, already resolved.
"Hey, Joey!" Yuto grabbed his shoulder, his tone serious and his eyes locked on the frog-man's deceptively harmless face. "Listen to the rule carefully—'Life Points hit zero.' In this kind of place, that could mean really zero. No coming back. Think this through!"
Joey hesitated for only a moment, then tightened his grip on the mask.
"Of course I know the risk!" His voice rang with conviction. "Still, scouting out the danger—that's my job! You and Yugi can follow up after. Even if I… well, if something happens to me, you'll find a way to save Kaiba! I'm taking point on this one!"
Before anyone could argue, he shoved the pig mask over his face, pulled up the hood of the ragged cloak, and strode toward the arena's dark entrance.
An overwhelming roar of cheers erupted from all directions the moment he stepped onto the sandy battlefield.
Joey squinted, adjusting to the dim light. Across the arena, another gate slowly lifted, and a cloaked figure stepped in with poised grace.
The first thing that caught his eye was a cascade of brilliant golden hair spilling through the gap of her cloak—gleaming like liquid sunlight.
A silver butterfly mask covered the upper half of her face, leaving only her shapely chin and faintly smiling lips visible. That figure… that hair…
Something about her felt unmistakably familiar.
Joey's gaze dropped to the outfit beneath her cloak—
At that exact moment, the figure halted. She tilted her chin slightly, and then—
A confident, elegant, and unmistakably flamboyant laugh echoed across the arena.
"Ohohohohoho~! Foolish challenger! I'll make you understand, in the most unforgettable way, just how reckless it is to face me!"
That voice! That tone!
"Mai Valentine?!"
Joey blurted out instinctively, ripping the pig mask from his face.
"Eh?!"
The golden-haired duelist froze mid-laugh, her eyes widening behind the mask.
"Joey?!"
She tore off her own mask, revealing her striking face—beautiful, and now utterly shocked. It was indeed Mai Valentine!
"It's Mai Valentine!" Yugi shouted from the stands.
"What?!"
Yuto and Mokuba were just as stunned.
The three vaulted over the railing, jumping straight onto the arena's sand-covered floor.
"Mai Valentine?!"
Yuto rushed up, eyeing her arena gear in disbelief. "Why are you here?!"
"Mai!" Yugi called out too, his voice full of concern and confusion.
Surrounded by her bewildered friends—especially Joey, still wrapped in that ridiculous pig-headed cloak—Mai blinked at them all. The shock in her bright eyes slowly faded, replaced by utter puzzlement.
"Yuto? Yugi? Mokuba?"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]