Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"What... what is this?" The unusual situation before him made Rafiru, who was about to accept the spoils, stop in his tracks, looking at Yugi, who was once again enveloped in light, with a puzzled expression. When an ordinary person's soul is sealed by the [Orichalcos Barrier], although there will be some disturbance, it would never be as great as the disturbance Yugi was experiencing.

First, we can rule out the possibility that this is the game where the character enters phase two after having their health bar depleted. Although the nameless pharaoh is still qualified to be a boss, reality is not an online game.

Perhaps it's because the nameless pharaoh is the wielder of the "legendary dragon" feared by Lord Dartz that the [Orichalcos Barrier] makes such unusual noises when collecting souls? Rafael thought of that possibility and decided to stop and observe for the time being until something new happened.

Inside the barrier, Yami Yugi, who had already accepted that his soul would be taken by the [Orichalcos Barrier], was surprised to find a touch coming from behind him, as if someone had given him a small push.

"Aibo!?"

Turning around, Yami Yugi saw that Omote Yugi, who had disappeared after the activation of the [Orichalcos Barrier], was now standing behind him.

【Orichalcos Barrier】has the power to suppress the Millennium Items once activated, and can even allow users to use the Egyptian God Cards without the approval of the God Cards or the protection of the Millennium Items. Yugi knew this during his battle with Grimo, and when Yugi disappeared, he did not panic as he did the first time.

But now, seeing Omoyuki appear before him again, Yamiyuki felt a pang of guilt: "I'm sorry, Aibo, because of my stubbornness, I lost this duel."

Now, after his defeat in the duel, Yugi's mind, which had been corrupted by dark power, regained some clarity. He realized that something was very wrong with his performance in the duel. Although he suspected that he might have been affected by the power of Orichalcos, he had lost, and he didn't consider Orichalcos a reason for his defeat.

Looking at Yugi, Yami Yugi said with a guilty expression, "It seems my soul is about to be sealed by the [Orichalcos Barrier]. I may not be able to continue accompanying you on the road ahead. I'm so sorry for not being able to fulfill my promise and for not being able to continue helping you."

However, upon hearing Yami Yugi's self-reflection, Omote Yugi smiled gently: "Don't blame yourself so much, my other self. I've said before, you just need to keep being yourself, and I will always support you. Being able to reflect on your past inappropriate actions shows that you are still amazing."

"After this, you will definitely grow stronger and want to defeat Rafiru, defeat Doma, and defeat that person named Dartz. The stronger you will be able to exert your power more than the weak me."

The more Yami Yugi listened to the words of the other party, the more uneasy he felt: "What are you talking about, Aibo? What are you trying to do!"

“Yes, that’s what you think, the other me. I remember Malik did the same thing back then.” Holding the Millennium Puzzle that was emitting golden light, Omoyuki smiled slightly at Yamiyuki. “I believe in the other me, so even if you don’t have confidence in yourself, at least believe in the me who believes in you.”

The Eye of Ugato on the Millennium Puzzle shone brightly. Yami Yugi, who understood what Omogato meant, could not accept what Omogato had said. Unable to imagine what would happen next, Yami Yugi stubbornly reached out to stop Omogato's actions, even as he faced the blinding golden light that deprived him of his vision: "Wait, Aibo!"

“I am the one who did wrong. Rafiru and Doma’s goal was only to make me, the former Pharaoh who has lost my name. You should not be implicated!”

"Stop right there, Aibo!"

Dark Yugi reached out to try and grab Talking Yugi, but Talking Yugi, standing in the golden light, looked at his soulmate's outstretched hand and gave a gentle high five.

"Sorry, my other self, let me be willful once in a while and not hold your hand."

The high-five wasn't very forceful, but it was like the last drop of rain that broke a dam. Yami Yugi was pushed out and could only watch helplessly as Hide Yugi stood smiling in the golden light.

Back in Duel City, when Dark Malik, who possessed Malik's body, was defeated in the Dark Games, and faced with the Dark Games' punishment of taking his soul, Dark Malik used a trick to switch places with his own soul, which was that of the original Malik.

Right now, it's clear that the game is going to replicate that tactic, sealing away its own soul in place of the Dark Game.

The "switching" tactic, which was used to prevent the mind from being spied on when fighting Pegasus, will now be used in the game to protect your friends!

"Aibo!"

The final cry abruptly ceased after he was completely pushed out of the [Orichalcos Barrier]. Yami Yugi's soul was forcibly "switched" by Omoya Yugi, placed inside the [Millennium Puzzle] for protection, and fell into a coma.

As Yami Yugi's soul vanished before his eyes, the golden light of the Millennium Puzzle disappeared and dimmed. Standing within the Orichalcos Barrier, Yugi was once again enveloped in an ominous green light. The gentle and composed smile he had been forcing vanished, replaced by a regretful expression.

Although he had just put on that indifferent expression to reassure his other self, the game was, after all, just a child who hadn't reached adulthood yet, so it was impossible for him to say that he had no fear of the death that was about to come.

However, this is a necessary sacrifice.

Although Malik and Dark Malik are not the same person as those in the table above, the judgment of the [Orichalcos Barrier] is not as strict as the rules of the Dark Games, as it can be filled by any soul within the barrier.

The sealing of the Orichalcos Barrier is nearing its end. Since one soul must be sealed, let me go.

Taking a deep breath, Yugi's gaze hardened as he looked at the [Orichalcos Barrier] that had shrunk to his feet.

Even at the end of life, one must at least show some courage!

"Come on, [Orichalcos—]"

Halfway through the conversation, the game suddenly found itself lifted off the ground.

Was this ascension? No, it wasn't. I've seen the scene of the soul being sealed by the [Orichalcos Barrier] before. It should be that it was sealed into a card before ascending to heaven. Besides, I feel a choking sensation on the back of my neck.

Rather than ascending to heaven, it feels more like being lifted up by someone.

"There's no need for that!"

A very familiar male voice came from behind the game. When the game turned around, it saw an unexpected figure appear in the [Orichalcos Barrier].

Outside, Rafiru watched as the [Orichalcos Barrier] completely closed, encircling Yugi. The soaring green light thinned and dissipated, revealing Yugi lying helplessly with his eyes closed.

As Yugi collapsed to his knees, appearing as if his soul had been sealed away, just like other defeated duelists in Rafael's dueling career, Rafael felt somewhat relieved and continued forward.

Although the commotion just now was a bit strange, and the time it took to seal the soul seemed to be much longer than usual, it was probably because the nameless pharaoh's soul strength was exceptionally high. In short, I have completed Lord Dartz's task, and it can be said that I have completed it perfectly.

Although the scheming took a long time, he not only sealed the nameless pharaoh's superior soul, but also devised a way to have the nameless pharaoh abandoned by the "legendary dragon" during the duel. Thus, although he was the last of the Three Musketeers of Dorma to act, he was also the one who completed the mission most perfectly.

Approaching the fallen Yugi, Rafael carefully picked up each card with gentle force, making sure not to bend or damage them. He then carefully removed the small grains of sand from the rooftop that were stuck between the cards before placing them back into Yugi's Duel Disk.

What's strange is that Rafael clearly remembered that the card "Dark Knight Gaia" that Yugi used in the duel should have been in his graveyard, but Rafael found it behind Yugi.

Perhaps it was accidentally thrown out during the attack? Rafiru thought this because Ameruda frequently slandered the quality of Haima Group's products.

Although the most famous user of [Dark Knight Gaia] worldwide is Hayato, who has joined Doma but is still not trusted by Rafael, Rafael didn't pay much attention to why Yugi would use this card in this duel because he remembered that Yugi Muto's information also included this card in his deck.

After carefully placing the cards of the unconscious Yugi, Rafael opened the Duel Disk area and prepared to retrieve the [Orichalcos Barrier], which had sealed the soul of the nameless pharaoh.

Although Rafiru felt that the nameless pharaoh's soul might have been delivered to Lord Dartz along with the green light, he thought that since the soul was of such high quality it might have been sealed inside the card, he still needed to retrieve the [Orichalcos Barrier] card.

After taking out the card, he didn't examine it closely. After all, the soul seal had been completed right before Rafael's eyes, so there was absolutely no possibility of a mistake. Rafael then turned Yugi over, supporting him by the shoulder, and reached into Yugi's pocket, intending to also retrieve the "Orichalcum Fragment" that had fallen into Yugi's hands after Grimo's death.

However, to Rafiru's dismay, the "Orichalcum fragment," which should have been indestructible, was now a complete shred, impossible to recycle. But since it was shattered to this state, it was essentially unusable, and there was no point in recycling it.

Thinking this, Rafiru glanced at the fallen Yugi and sighed, "Speaking of which, what a coincidence, the nameless pharaoh. No, Yugi Muto."

“I have seen in your profile that you used to be a lonely person with no friends and only games for company.”

"It's just like me in the mirror."

Looking at the Millennium Puzzle that wasn't being crushed by the game, Rafael propped himself up on his knees and muttered to himself, "If you hadn't completed the Millennium Item that housed the soul of the nameless pharaoh, and hadn't gradually built bonds with your friends, would you have ended up like me, with only elves by your side?"

"Hmph, I'm really bored, making such pointless assumptions to someone like you who can't possibly respond. Is it because I've met someone so similar that I can't help but wonder how I would be different if I hadn't encountered such a cruel twist of fate?"

With a self-deprecating, helpless smile, Rafael turned and walked towards the elevator. Although the nameless pharaoh and his "legendary dragon" had been dealt with, there were still people standing in the way of Lord Dartz's plans. He couldn't rest yet for the sake of the new world's arrival.

Rafiru casually raised the [Orichalcos Barrier] in his hand and glanced at it, but with just that one glance, Rafiru's departing steps suddenly stopped.

The card did indeed contain an image of a soul sealed within it, but Rafael believed his ability to distinguish things was quite good and he would never mistake the green-haired, bespectacled brat in the card for the nameless pharaoh he had just fought!

Although the nameless pharaoh was dueling him using Yugi Muto's body, what mattered most was his aura! Just by looking at the card, you could feel the stench of that brat, which was even more disgusting than a rat dropping in a sewer. It was definitely not the kind of soul a noble duelist would possess!

What the hell is going on?!

Chapter 629 Daily Life in the Major Illness Ward - Ghost Cry

Rafael finally managed to get Yugi to give up and defeat him, but when he took the spoils of the duel—the card "Orichalcos Barrier" that was supposed to seal the soul of the nameless pharaoh—he discovered that the card he had sealed was not Yugi.

Meanwhile, downstairs at the Paradis Building, the group successfully evaded the pursuit of the Orichalco soldiers.

During this time, thanks to the efforts of many people, such as Isis constantly predicting the future and providing guidance, and Malik using the Millennium Scepter to interfere with the large number of trap cards carried by Lishid. In short, after the last relentless Orichalcos soldier was hit by the Falling Rock thrown by Ryuzaki and Honda and fell into the Pitfall, they were finally able to reach the Paradis Tower without any pursuers behind them.

"Finally got rid of all this trouble. I wonder how things are going on the game side." Pushing open the door of the RV, which was completely deformed, Ryuzaki, Honda, and Kyoko got out. Looking at the Paradis Building with its transparent glass doors closed, Honda muttered to himself.

In front of the three, Malik slowly brought the jeep to a stop and got out. Hearing Honda's words, Malik waved his hand: "You're worrying too much. Yugi Muto isn't some nobody. With the Pharaoh's soul residing in his Millennium Puzzle, he's not so easily in danger."

"I didn't have a chance just now, but now I remember, Honda, you sent me a message before saying that even when Pharaoh and that Katsuya Jonouchi teamed up, they were still defeated. Was that true or false? I still can't believe it."

Lishid, who was following Malik, chimed in, "The nameless pharaoh three thousand years ago was arguably at the pinnacle of duelists. It would be somewhat acceptable if he were defeated by someone like Hayato, but Mr. Honda, your information says that the one who defeated the nameless pharaoh was an unknown duelist."

“Even science fiction writers wouldn’t dare use such an exaggerated setting, would they?” Malik said, arms crossed, nodding with certainty.

Both men seemed skeptical of Honda's information, leaving Honda somewhat helpless. He couldn't very well tell Malik now that Hayato was the one who defeated Jonouchi and Yugi; they had agreed to tell Malik and Isis after rescuing Hayato from Doma.

"Yes, the result of that duel was indeed as Honda said, that Yugi and I lost."

To prevent Honda from being labeled as a "boaster," the person who stood up for him was Jonouchi, who got out of the car right after the group. Although he hadn't fully recovered and his steps were a little unsteady, Jonouchi still got out of the car firmly. "But at that time, I was the one who dragged Yugi down. If I hadn't dragged Yugi down, Yugi might not have lost."

Hearing what Jonouchi said, Malik nodded in satisfaction: "That makes sense. If just anyone could defeat the nameless pharaoh, wouldn't it make the dark personality that defeated me back then seem pathetic to be so easily defeated by the nameless pharaoh?"

"Moreover, you said in Ke Yi City that you were the one who dragged down the nameless Pharaoh in that duel. In that case, there's even less reason to worry about him now. The Pharaoh is perfectly safe, unless a reclusive figure like the sweeping monk in an Eastern martial arts novel suddenly appears in that Doma organization."

Malik was convinced by Jonouchi's reasoning, while Honda looked at Jonouchi with some surprise. Looking back, Jonouchi had grown a lot without anyone noticing.

Back when he first got involved with Duel Monsters, Jonouchi only stopped being a delinquent after becoming friends with the games. He was extremely eager to show off and very competitive, unwilling to fall behind anyone. Because of this, Kaiba could easily provoke Jonouchi into a rage with just a few words.

However, Jonouchi is now actively belittling himself. Although he didn't witness the duel between Yugi, Jonouchi, and Hayato, Honda believes that even if Jonouchi is inferior to the other two, he wouldn't be the one who drags the team down.

Honda's intuition proved quite accurate. In fact, the [Super Magic Knight - Red-Eyes Ryuki] that almost allowed Yugi and Jonouchi to turn the tide was summoned by Jonouchi after he awakened the Card Spirit.

As Mai, who had gotten out of the driver's seat, saw Jonouchi jump out of the car as well, she said helplessly, "Seriously, do you have to be so stubborn?"

"Ah, there's no way around it. After all, I'm not as smart as the others. Besides acting like a fool and relying on my 'stubbornness' and 'tenacity' to do things, I don't know anything else." Looking at Mai the Peacock, Jonouchi smiled. "So I definitely have to go too."

Seeing Jonouchi's determination, Mai, though knowing he was only putting on a brave face despite his discomfort, didn't try to dissuade him. She simply sighed, "Indeed, that's just the kind of person you are. In that case, I guess I'll have to take you with me. But don't push yourself if you can't hold on any longer!"

As she spoke, Mai tapped Jonouchi's chest quite seriously, staring at his face as she reminded him. Jonouchi smiled and met Mai's gaze: "Okay, I'll leave it to you to take care of me when I can't hold on anymore, Mai."

When Jonouchi said this, Mai suddenly withdrew her hand shyly, turned her head, and gave a soft "hmm" in response to Jonouchi's equally serious gaze.

Jonouchi smiled shyly, glanced at the towering Paradis Building, and his smile faded slightly.

Among his companions present, Jonouchi believed that he had the most information. Although the others did not have a deep impression of Rafael and were not too worried about Yugi, Jonouchi was the only bystander to the duel between Rafael and Yugi during the KC Cup, and knew that the opponent's strength was definitely not to be underestimated.

Furthermore, Jonouchi knew something else: ever since his crushing defeat at the hands of Hayato in that duel against two opponents at the International Illusion Society, Yugi—or more precisely, the other Yugi known as the "Nameless Pharaoh"—had been acting strangely. Jonouchi had sensed this while practicing the use of [Hermes' Claw] during his duel with Yugi.

Without the ability to read minds, Jonouchi didn't know what Yugi was thinking. However, during his duel with Yami Yugi, Jonouchi could sense that Yami Yugi always seemed to be being chased by something. He had felt this way before the duel with the International Illusion Society, but after being defeated by Hayato, that feeling became even stronger.

Although this does not affect the strength that Yugi can bring to his usual duels, Jonouchi knows that the higher one stands in Duel Monsters, the greater the influence of mental power on duels. No one knows when this abnormal mentality will become a hidden danger in Yugi's duels.

If someone deliberately uses psychological tactics, it could even cause the player to perform poorly in a duel and make a fatal mistake.

Therefore, Jonouchi was more worried about Yugi's current situation than the others. He had encountered that guy named Rafael in front of the Paradis Building. Rafael was also a very powerful duelist, and he wondered how their duel was going.

Just then, a roar of an engine was heard inside the city. However, the engine sound did not seem to be from a land vehicle such as a car or motorcycle, and the source of the sound seemed to be from the air.

Thinking of this, Jonouchi raised his head and heard Malik's voice beside him: "If my saintly eyesight of 7.1 hadn't become nearsighted from staying up late reading light novels lately, would there be 'KC' written on that helicopter above us?"

Honda and Kyoko also looked up. Although they also saw a helicopter flying in from a distance, their eyesight was only at the level of an ordinary person, not as good as the super vision of the other duelists—after all, they didn't usually need to look across half the arena to see what cards their opponents had discarded.

“KC?” Jonouchi was taken aback. Although this word, like other abbreviations, represented many things, the first thing that came to his mind was indeed “Kaiba Company”, which is the Haiba Group.

"It's that guy Kaiba! He's pretty fast." Like a special connection between Newtypes, Jonouchi's intuition told him that Kaiba was definitely on that approaching helicopter. Despite being a little weak just now, Jonouchi suddenly became excited. "Yosh, we can't let that guy Kaiba get there first, let's hurry up and set off!"

With that, he took the lead and walked up the steps toward the entrance of the Paradis Building. Honda, Kyoko, and Ryuzaki quickly followed, while Lishid followed Malik behind.

Watching Jonouchi's back as he suddenly started arguing about something boring whenever the topic of seahorses came up, like a child who hadn't grown up, Mai smiled slightly and was about to follow when she noticed Isis, who was also walking at the back, rubbing the [Millennium Jewelry] hanging around her neck with her fingers.

"What's wrong, Miss Isis?" Peacock Dance asked, her gaze fixed on the [Millennium Jewelry].

Kong Quewu wasn't a materialistic or vain woman, but the "Millennium Jewelry" was simply too large; no woman could resist such a beautiful, large piece of gold jewelry. However, on the other hand, even if such a large lump of gold were hollow, its weight wouldn't be light—a truly beautiful but "heavy burden."