Chapter 84: Dartz's Probing
KC Building.
Kaiba wiped the sweat from his face with a towel.
"Brother, have some water." Mokuba handed over a sports drink.
Kaiba took a few sips, then told Mokuba to initiate a video conference.
The video connected quickly.
A literal "shadowy figure" appeared, opening eyes of two distinct colors—one green, one blue—that were startling to behold.
For the first phase of Battle City, Kaiba had originally planned to use 6 locator card to filter duelists.
Once enough pieces were gathered, the location for the KC second phase would be revealed.
However, right at that moment, Paradius Inc. proactively contacted KC Corporation!
This powerful company was willing to join Battle City, even offering to provide advanced technology and substantial funding as conditions for their participation.
Paradius Inc. had only one condition: they wanted Seto Kaiba to extend the screening mode of Battle City's first phase.
Seto Kaiba was not just a duelist; he also had to consider the future of KC Corporation.
On the surface, Paradius Inc.'s inclusion seemed to have no downsides; in fact, their participation would make Battle City even grander.
After weighing the pros and cons, and given a prior successful collaboration, Kaiba agreed to Paradius Inc.'s condition.
This was what led to the change in KC Corporation's first-phase rules.
"Our two collaborations have been very pleasant, Kaiba. I am quite satisfied with you," the shadowy figure with heterochromatic eyes said in a low voice through the video.
"Hmph, KC Corporation has suffered no losses. And you should understand one thing clearly," Seto Kaiba retorted with an aloof demeanor. "It was your Paradius Inc. that actively begged to join. I merely gave you this opportunity."
The shadowy figure fell silent for a few seconds, perhaps not expecting Kaiba to be so arrogant.
"If Paradius Inc.'s involvement made Battle City difficult to proceed with, I would never have agreed to your participation, no matter what."
"I hope Paradius Inc. is just here to join the excitement."
"Mokuba, end it."
As soon as Kaiba finished speaking, Mokuba immediately terminated the video conference.
"Brother..." Mokuba looked at Kaiba, seeming to have something to say.
Earlier, Kaiba had asked Mokuba to investigate Paradius Inc.'s background, but the information he could gather was extremely limited.
"Hiding in the shadows, too cowardly to show his face," Kaiba said with clear dissatisfaction toward the shadowy figure. "A person with two different eye colors—looks like a sneaky troublemaker."
A wine glass was gently placed on the table.
Dartz snorted coldly. This was the first time he had been so bluntly rebuffed.
This Seto Kaiba was more of a thorn in his side than he had imagined.
"But no matter, the objective has been achieved."
"Come in."
As Dartz spoke, the door opened, and a man and a woman walked in.
Judging by their hairstyles alone, they looked like skilled duelists!
"Raphael isn't here, so this task falls to you two."
"Go to Battle City and test that Yu Miao as much as possible. Try to probe this man's depths."
Hearing their mission objective, the two knelt simultaneously to accept the order.
"There is a kind of snake that continuously bites its own tail, eventually forming an infinite loop symbol..."
"Your team name shall be... 'Origin' (O)."
As Dartz's voice fell, the Mark of the Orichalcos appeared on both their foreheads.
Then, waiting, silence once again filled the entire room.
Dartz gazed at a painting above him, deep in thought.
Why had that man, Yu Miao, not been bewitched by the Orichalcos Seal? Why had his Orichalcos Seal lost its connection?
What exactly had Yu Miao done?
These questions forced Dartz to shift his attention to Domino City ahead of schedule, compelling him to probe further.
"Yu Miao, are you a fellow traveler... or an enemy?"
Valon had lost largely because he was countered and due to that Machine-type bane card.
The "Origin" duo's strength should not be a problem, but Dartz's intuition told him something would still go wrong.
"Better add another layer of insurance."
***
"Please collect your Sacred Beast Material Mark."
"Get away, I was here first."
"I was clearly here first!"
"Better be sensible and let me, collect first, or you won't survive in Battle City."
"Why did you give me your locator card? Are you implying I have no skill?"
In a large forest, there are all kinds of birds, and the duelist community is no different.
Since each participant could initially collect one random locator card, the chaotic scene before them unfolded.
Yu Miao even saw scalpers outside selling locator card—though their authenticity was questionable, as one such scalper had already been hauled away by KC's black-suited bodyguards, likely to face a grim fate.
After collecting his mark, Yu Miao received his locator card.
Suddenly, a prompt appeared.
*[Advanced Mission: Who is the Duel King?]*
Details: Battle City has begun. As a duelist, this is a feast you cannot afford to miss. Please give your all to attain the supreme title...
Objectives:
1st Objective (Successfully advance to the second phase of Battle City.)
2nd Objective (Become one of the top 4 advancing to the second phase.)
3rd Objective (Successfully reach the finals!)
4th Objective (Successfully win the championship and earn the title of "Duel King.")
Rewards:
1st Objective: Gems ?, Pre-Built Deck Coupon ?
2nd Objective: Rainbow Card Pack * ?, New Shop Card Box, ?
3rd Objective: Card Dust * ?, ?
4th Objective: ?, ?
Penalty: Unknown
Time Limit: None
---
Impressive. Yu Miao now had an advanced mission: the climb to the top within the Rare Hunters.
Battle City was indeed significant.
A second advanced mission had also appeared.
And this mission required little thought from Yu Miao—he only needed to focus on one thing: winning.
Keep winning until there were no more opponents left ahead of him.
Yu Miao clapped his hands together, his gaze sharp as he looked ahead.
Good, the hunt begins!!
***
Half an hour after the official start of Battle City.
On the bustling streets, distinguishing ordinary people from duelists was simple—just check if they had a Duel Disk on their arm.
Since everyone started with only one locator card, the first duel was crucial.
Pick the right duelist, and you soar.
Pick the wrong one, and you pack up and leave.
In short, it boiled down to one rule: pick the softest target.
So, at the beginning of Battle City, the competition wasn't too fierce yet. Duelists were all sizing up their first opponents.
At that moment, Yu Miao walked down the street with a dark expression, watching the duelists around him avoid his gaze. He felt utterly frustrated!
Because no one challenged him!
When he tried to challenge others, they simply fled.
All because of Yu Miao's handsome face.
"Isn't that Yugi Muto?"
"I swear on my life, that's Yugi Muto, the champion of Duelist Kingdom."
"Ugh, terrifying. I heard Pegasus was so thoroughly beaten by Yugi Muto that he still can't get out of bed..."
"Run, run fast. Don't duel Yugi Muto."
For a moment, Yu Miao was like some unspeakable plague; all the weaker duelists stayed far away from him.
This made Yu Miao feel terrible.
He wanted to duel! He wanted to duel!!
Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept by.
A blonde, big-waved beauty appeared in front of Yu Miao, her curves making it hard to look away.
"Mmm, Yu Miao, we meet again."
"Looks like no one wants to play with you."
Indeed, the duelist before him was Mai Valentine.
Yu Miao's expression remained unchanged as he countered, "So, do you want to play with me?"
Mai Valentine didn't answer with words; she answered with action.
The blonde beauty opened her Duel Disk.
Ever since the duelist assessment during the school festival, Mai had been brooding over it.
Why were Yugi and Yu Miao rated the highest, while she was only at Level 25?
Mai Valentine refused to accept this; in the realm of dueling, she bowed to no one.
There was also a smaller reason: Joey Wheeler's "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" had been won by Yu Miao.
If Mai could win it back now, perhaps she could make that blockhead understand her feelings.
Yu Miao looked at Mai and asked only one question: "Do you only have one locator card?"
Mai nodded. Yes, she only had one.
In this duel, the loser would be immediately eliminated.
Yu Miao tilted his head and revealed a cruel smile. "Perfect. Let's duel."
Eliminating Mai Valentine here would save her from being bullied by Yami Marik later.
Joey, I took your Black Dragon, but I saved your future wife's life.
We're even now!
**Duel!**
Yu Miao: 4000 LP
Mai Valentine: 4000 LP
This duel attracted quite a few onlookers.
After all, this was the charm of Battle City.
Duels could happen anytime, and passersby could freely watch.
A feast for duelists, entertainment for the masses.
"My turn, draw!" Mai Valentine swung her arm, drawing a card from her deck.
Normal Summon!
Come forth, "Amazoness Paladin"!
Ding~
A monster wielding a sacred sword entered the field—this was the power of the Amazoness.
[Amazoness Paladin, 1700 ATK, Warrior]
"For each "Amazoness" monster card on my field, this card's Attack Points increase by 100."
[Amazoness Paladin: 1700 → 1800 ATK]
"I set two cards and end my turn." Mai Valentine smiled slightly, even licking her lips. Clearly, she was very satisfied with this field.
Yu Miao scanned Mai Valentine's two set cards. Her front row had only an Amazoness Paladin, posing no threat.
But her back row exuded a dark aura...
Mirror Wall?
"Hmph, no matter what, the power of Silence fears nothing." Yu Miao activated the Spell Card, Reinforcements of the Army!!
The effect of Reinforcements of the Army: Add one Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster from your Deck to your hand.
Yu Miao drew Silent Swordsman LV3.
Ding~
[Silent Swordsman LV3, 1000 ATK, Warrior]
"Oh ho, a rare LV Monster, but with only 1000 Attack Points."
"Such a weakling won't do."
Mai Valentine knew the characteristics of LV Monsters.
These monsters needed turns or specific conditions to level up into higher forms, which was why she dared to tease like this.
"Not necessarily. Activate the Spell Card, Level Up!" Yu Miao played the god-tier card among the LV series.
(End of Chapter)
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
Please support the original author: 纯爱战神l
Raw: 我在游戏王里不当人
please also support the artist: @kanari981 on twitter/X