One of the black markets run by the dark web.
Just like Kira said, Snake River was indeed a nice guy—once in the interrogation room, he answered every question, holding nothing back, and was extremely cooperative.
But then again, Kira realized everyone he encountered was like this. Even those who started out tough and uncooperative usually became much more agreeable after dueling with him.
Maybe that's just the charm of dueling. No wonder everyone in the anime always says they make friends through duels.
Kira—now going by Revolver—arrived at the entrance of this underground market. This was the address Snake River had given, where he got the job.
This wasn't his first time at the dark web's black market; he was now experienced. Last time, he came to buy information; this time, he had a clear goal.
He was here to challenge the house.
Kira knocked hard on the thick door.
The door opened quickly.
A fierce-looking doorman appeared, sizing up the man outside—white trench coat, dark visor, a distinctive look.
The doorman's pupils shrank in shock.
"You're Revolver!?"
"Oh, I'm pretty famous now, huh?" Kira smiled. "Good, that makes it easier. I'd like to talk to your manager—let me in."
"They say you're a madman, and you really are." The doorman shook his head in disbelief. "You trashed one of the dark web's places; you're on the wanted list, man.
And yet you come knocking on the door yourself—really crazy. There's no way I can let you in. If I let someone on the wanted list in, my job's finished. Go home."
With that, he slammed the door, shutting Kira out.
Honestly, this doorman was already more polite than Kira expected.
So Kira decided to spare his life later.
"Fraulein, can you open this door for me?"
Vampire Fraulein floated out, shook her head, and then looked at him.
"If you let me try a bit of your blood, maybe I could."
Kira was taken aback, then realized she meant she was a weakling with only 600 attack points. But if her master let her drink blood, she could temporarily power up.
He'd assumed all spirits were like "girls next door who suddenly become super strong," but apparently not.
"Uh, okay. How about Jinzo?"
As soon as his name was called, the android appeared, puffed up with pride, and fired a psychic energy ball.
Boom!
The door was blasted open.
The doorman was knocked down by the shockwave. Through the dust, he watched Kira strut in, and after a few seconds, muttered,
"You really are a madman…"
…
Deep in the underground market—
A teenaged boy was tied to a chair, battered and bruised, obviously having suffered a lot.
A sharply dressed man paced around the chair, his voice gentle but full of menace.
This was the manager of the dark web market, Ryuusuke Kaihara.
"Your old man sure is tough, kid."
Kaihara walked behind the chair, resting his hands on the back, his head leaning out beside the boy's shoulder.
"The dark web values your old man's club—that's an honor for you. Normally, we wouldn't even deal with clubs at your level, and we're not interested in your local business.
The only reason you got this opportunity is that I personally respect your dad.
He built a name from nothing, set up a Shadow Duelist club, developed a black market business—quite admirable. I appreciate that fighting spirit.
But you keep turning down my offer. I just don't get it."
The battered boy shook his head.
"Dad says that's—cough, cough—a symbol of what he built with his original brothers, a mark of their bond. It's not about money—he can't sell…"
"Hah."
Kaihara gave a dry laugh, then shook his head regretfully.
"That's a shame. So he thinks his bond with us is less important than with his old friends?"
"No, that's not what he means. He just—aaaah!"
A surge of electricity shot through the chair, making the boy convulse.
When it stopped, he was pale and drenched in sweat, gasping for breath.
Kaihara dragged a chair over and sat in front of him, smiling.
"So, I'm sure you can help him change his mind, right?"
The boy, still struggling to recover, nodded desperately.
"I-I'll try…"
"Try?"
"No, I'll definitely, definitely persuade him," the boy said miserably.
"Oh? And what will you tell him?" Kaihara smiled.
"I'll tell him… that friendship with Mr. Kaihara is more important. From now on, the club is yours."
"Hahaha, see? You're pretty smart after all."
Kaihara laughed heartily, patting him on the back.
"From now on, your dad and I are brothers. Just call me uncle…"
At that moment, the door opened. A voluptuous woman in heels rushed in.
Kaihara frowned in annoyance: "What did I say? I'm talking to my nephew about something important. No interruptions."
"Sorry, sir, but we have a problem."
She handed him a tablet.
Kaihara glanced and saw it was a live feed from the market's security cameras.
A man had burst in through the main entrance, charging forward like a juggernaut, a spirit barely visible at his side. The resolution was too low to make out the spirit clearly, but he was mowing down the security team.
Several duelists tried to stop him, but were all instantly crushed within a few rounds. The man advanced without pause, screams echoing behind him.
Kaihara frowned. "Revolver?"
He'd heard of this guy—a new duelist, a madman. The last time he'd trashed another dark web facility, he'd landed on their blacklist.
The dark web wasn't even going to go after him, and yet here he was, boldly challenging them.
Pushing his luck, huh?
"Sir?" the woman asked nervously.
"Hmph."
Kaihara handed her back the tablet and glanced at the boy tied to the chair.
"Watch him. I'll deal with this Revolver myself."