Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"But today's tickets were really worth it. Although it was the opening ceremony, there were so many wonderful performances. My friend who thought it was just an opening ceremony and didn't buy a ticket because he thought there wouldn't be many duels, really lost out, haha."

Although the venue is currently in a state of chaos due to the Quantum Cube, since Kaiba had used virtual projection technology to perform effects such as a plane crash at extremely close range before the GeneX competition started, most of the audience members now see everything that has happened since then as nothing more than an exceptionally realistic technology, whether it is the Quantum Cube turning into an open dimensional gate and releasing the monstrous Blue God, or the arrival of Atum.

As for what level of technology is needed to achieve such an effect, they don't care. Besides, doesn't Haima Group have enough incomprehensible cutting-edge technologies already?

The Duel Disk alone has stumped 99% of the world's research and development teams. Apart from the Schreid Foundation, which has been acquired by the Haima Group, no one has ever successfully developed it. Even the one released by the Schreid Foundation is inferior to the Haima Group's in actual use and can only be considered a stripped-down version.

"What an unexpected yet exhilarating entrance, Yugi." Kaiba's voice came from the speakers, attracting the attention of Hayato and the other two who were talking on the platform. "I'm almost tempted to duel you again. I really want to see if the gap between us has narrowed."

"During your absence, did you become lax and weak? And how strong can the [Blue Eyes] become, along with me? I really want to know the answer. However, the awe-inspiring battle aura emanating from you also provides an answer to the first question; it seems you've also gained new power?"

"Alright, brother, you've been talking too much. Let me get to the point." Guiping's voice rang out, as if he had snatched the microphone from Kaiba, who was getting into a card game and was becoming quite talkative. "Hayato-nii, there are two more games. The 'Plana Detection Device' that I temporarily made earlier has the ability to monitor the energy intensity inside that large cube in front of you."

"As that guy called Blue God was defeated, the cube's growth rate did indeed stop and approach zero, but the 'Planar Detection Device' detected that the energy inside that thing was constantly increasing, as if something was being conceived and about to be born!"

"So, we have to destroy this Quantum Cube again?" Hayato glanced at the giant cube that had started releasing dangerous black mist again after the pillar of light that Atum had shown disappeared. The crimson light on the Quantum Cube, which had become a dimensional gate, did not dissipate with the defeat of Blue God.

“No, it doesn’t necessarily have to be destroyed. We just need to close the dimensional gate that’s been opened.” Seeing Hayato turn around, Atum also turned around and walked side by side with Hayato toward the Quantum Cube. “But we need to destroy the outer shell formed by the dimensional power that’s piled up on the outside first. Besides, I don’t think that thing will let us destroy it.”

As the two approached, the Quantum Cube seemed to sense the threat, and the black mist emanating from it began to gather, instantly forming a gigantic, grotesque monster. This monster resembled a long snake, but it also had dark red cubes, similar to those of the monstrous Blue God, covering its entire body, each cube bearing a single, open eye.

"Tsk tsk, is this the kind of aesthetic that's common in other dimensions? It reminds me of Pegasus's [Thousand-Eyed Sacrifice Demon]." Hayato pulled out a card from his person, looked at the monster in front of him, and shook his head.

Atum, standing to the side, also pulled out a card, glanced at Hayato, and said, "[Thousand-Eyed Sacrifice Demon]... Looks like we've thought of the same place?"

Compared to the Blue God, the multi-eyed monster lacked sufficient intelligence to communicate. It merely glared fiercely at Hayato and Atum, who were approaching it and the Quantum Cube behind them, and let out a murderous roar.

However, the sound of Hayato and Atum playing their cards easily drowned it out.

"【Dark Knight - Gaia】!"

"【Guardian Priest - Mahad】!"

Seeing the enormous monster, Hayato and Atum simultaneously pointed at the target. The knight and mage launched an attack in unison, following their master's command. Atum, as if suddenly remembering something, turned to Hayato and said abruptly, "You're not going to bring up that again, are you?"

Hayato answered him with a perfect English sentence—

"Jackpot!"

Chapter 985 Guardian Priest

Compared to Blue God, the monsters released by [Quantum Cube] were not exactly weak, but rather utterly vulnerable. After Hayato and Atem joined forces to summon monsters to attack, they were defeated in the blink of an eye.

As the enormous thousand-eyed monster crumbled and disappeared, revealing the unsuspecting Quantum Cube, Hayato nodded in satisfaction and looked to his side: "Why isn't there any reaction at all, Atum? Didn't we always talk about this before?"

“I don’t recall ever having this habit before.” Atum shook his head with a wry smile, looking at the Quantum Cube, observing how to break its outer shell.

Although it appeared that the Quantum Cube was constantly expanding and growing, only its outer shell was actually changing. The source of this change was the accumulation of extradimensional power after the dimensional gate was opened. While maintaining the dimensional gate's opening, the redundant extradimensional power was also continuously expanding the size of the Quantum Cube's outer shell, which served as the dimensional gate.

Destroying the outer shell would be relatively simple, Atum had confidence in his companions. However, after the outer shell was destroyed, the dimensional power would be in a state of nowhere to be stored for a period of time until the Synchro [Quantum Cube] gained the right to use it and closed the dimensional gate to stop the dimensional power from flowing in. During this time, they needed to find a way to deal with the overflowing dimensional power.

In other words, at least one person needs to destroy the outer shell of the Quantum Cube, one person needs to synchronize with the Quantum Cube, and another person needs to intercept the dimensional power to prevent it from causing damage to the surrounding area.

However, this is not a difficult task; they have plenty of capable people here who can solve problems.

"Need me a hand, my other self?" As if sensing that Atum was thinking of him, Yugi walked up from behind both Hayato and Atum, his left wrist bare.

Because he had been watching the match from the stands, and then Atem suddenly appeared and brought him to this high platform, although he always carried his deck with him, he didn't have the ability to conjure up the Duel Disk out of thin air and put it on, so he couldn't help the two of them defeat the monster blocking their way.

However, Duel Monsters is not such an inconvenient thing. Although Yugi cannot fully utilize the offensive capabilities of the monsters even with the help of the card monsters without the Duel Disk, it is more than enough to use the card monsters to intercept the overflowing dimensional power. Atem will also be able to help after destroying the shell of the Quantum Cube.

Soon, the group agreed on their roles: Atum would be responsible for destroying the outer shell of the Quantum Cube, while Yugi would use his spirits to intercept the first wave of dissipating dimensional energy while waiting for Atum's help. Hayato's role was to contact the core of the Quantum Cube after Atum destroyed its outer shell and close the dimensional gate.

“I’m counting on you, Mahad, Mana.” Atum said, holding two cards in his hand, with two magicians dressed in ancient Egyptian priest robes appearing beside him.

Atem and Hayato shouted together, so Hayato's voice was drowned out when he shouted "Gaia" particularly loudly. It was only then that the game noticed that the male mage was clearly the "Dark Magician". However, Atem seemed to have been shouting "Mahad" just now, and the male mage in front of him was clearly the incarnation of the three-thousand-year-old priest Mahad.

【Guardian Priest - Mahad】【7☆/Light】

[Mage Race/Effect]

[2500/2100]

Although Atem can take advantage of the weakening and disappearance of the barrier between dimensions to come to the human world, that is only the privilege of the pharaoh. After all, there are legends in ancient Egypt that the pharaoh will gain eternal life in the underworld and that the pharaoh will return to the earth to restore his rule. However, Mahad, as a priest, does not have such privileges. It seems that he can only come to the human world with Atem in the form of a card spirit.

As for Mahad, the card spirit, he basically retained his attack power, defense power, race, and level when he fused with [Fantasy Magician] to become [Dark Magician]. The only difference is that his attribute changed from dark to light, which may be because he is not in a state of fusion with a spirit but exists as a dead person in the underworld.

Upon noticing Yugi and Hayato's gazes, Mahad bowed to them. Having retained memories of his time as a Dark Magician elf and his interactions with others in the human world, he naturally recognized the two.

The other female magician standing next to Mahad was of considerable importance:

Like Atum, her slightly brownish skin hadn't become rough from the sandstorms of the ancient Egyptian desert; instead, it remained smooth and delicate, like soft chocolate. The golden crown she wore on her head had numerous openwork patterns, the intricate craftsmanship of which revealed its immense value, not to mention the many expensive gemstones adorning it. A fitted black dress further accentuated the girl's impressive frontal armor, and the open sides of her legs, resembling a cheongsam, allowed glimpses of her shapely and powerful thighs, sparking the imagination.

Holding a short staff adorned with gold ornaments that was both ornate and practical, the short-haired mage girl waved to Yugi and Hayato and said, "Yo-ho, we meet again, Yugi-chan and Mr. Kobayashi, whom I really don't want to see."

This young mage is none other than Mana, the girl Hayato and his friends had met in the world of Memory of the King. At the same time, the spirit she awakened is the very familiar [Dark Magician Girl] from the game. Right now, like Mahad, she has come to the real world with Atem in the form of a card spirit!

【Guardian Priestess - Mana】【6☆/Light】

[Mage Race/Effect]

[2000/1700]

Like Mahad, Mana's stats as a card spirit are similar to those of [Dark Magician Girl]. The only difference is in the attribute, which has changed from dark to light.

but--

"Hey, what kind of Mr. Kobayashi do you not want to see? Am I that disliked?" Hayato said unhappily, looking at Mana who was making faces at him.

"Haha, because Mana also has those memories of [Dark Magician Girl] from her real life. [Dark Magician Girl] complained to Mana for a long time about how you always bullied her in duels, Hayato." Atum scratched his head a little embarrassedly. "But anyway, Mana, you were a bit rude."

"Eh, even you, Prince, are saying that about me? You're clearly mine..." Mana pouted, glanced at Atum, sighed, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and said to Hayato, "I'm sorry, Mr. Kobayashi, I was very rude just now."

Mana's sudden seriousness surprised both Hayato and Yugi, as their impression of Mana mainly came from the lively "Dark Magician Girl" who shared a similar personality with Mana, and the world of the King's Memories that recorded the past three thousand years ago. How could that mischievous and lively Mana also have such a mature demeanor?

Seemingly sensing their thoughts, Mahad, who had been silent, spoke up: "After the Pharaoh and I passed away, Mana continued to grow up and later took over Shada's position as a priestess."

Reminded by Mahad, Hayato and Yugi suddenly understood. The Mana they remembered was indeed still a child at heart, but in the past they hadn't seen, Mahad had sacrificed himself in the battle against Bakura, and Atum had lost his name while sealing the Great Evil God. After the departure of these two important people, Mana was still alive, and she continued to grow in order to protect the country that she was willing to sacrifice herself for, so as to protect the important people.

The innocent girl shouldered a heavy burden. Beneath her once pure smile lay a burden of pressure that she could no longer confide in. It was in this way that Mana honed herself to the level that her former teacher, Mahad, had reached, and took over the position of Pharaoh's guardian priest from the priestess Shada, continuing to protect the country that the person she loved loved.

Compared to Mahad and Atum, who remained in their early twenties, Mana, who died of old age and returned to the underworld, was actually older than the two of them combined. However, it was only before Atum and Mahad that the already mature Mana could revert to the teenage girl she once was and show her willfulness to the two of them.

Hayato waved to Mana, not paying much attention to what Mana had said earlier, and looked at Atum and said, "The master-disciple duo of two mages does indeed have the ability to precisely peel off, destroy and shatter the outer shell of the [Quantum Cube] without affecting other areas. I'll trouble Atum and Mahad to clear the way for me."

"If it's about intercepting the dissipating dimensional power, I'll give it my all." Yugi held several cards in his hand, and the non-physical spirits of [Destroyer Dragon - Gandora], [Kuriboo], and [Silent Magician] appeared and disappeared behind him.

Without physical form, the destructive power of a spirit is limited, but the burden on the duelist is much less. This state is more than enough to intercept dissipated dimensional energy.

Even if the three-body and four-body spirits are not enough to intercept all the dimensional power, Yugi has more than just one or two spirits. Although the number of spirits around him is not as many as Hayato's, it is still more than that of an ordinary person.

Atum nodded, glanced at the Quantum Cube, which had briefly fallen silent after the released monsters were destroyed, but might start resisting again after a while, nodded to Guardian Priest Mahad and Guardian Priest Mana to indicate that he was ready, and then said to Hayato, "Then, everyone, listen to my command and act together."

"Mahad, Mana, it's time to go!"

"Oh, I'm all ready, Prince~" [Guardian Priestess - Mana] winked mischievously, and with a flick of her short staff, a pinkish-purple magic ball quickly coalesced at the tip of her staff.

Meanwhile, [Guardian Priest-Mahad] extended his golden staff forward, and dark purple magic flowed into the sphere constructed by [Guardian Priest-Mana] to fill it with power. "My power is always at your disposal, Pharaoh."

“Although this isn’t actually the official name, I think it’s the most suitable name for the move right now.” Pointing at [Quantum Cube], Atum shouted, “Combined Attack! [Black Explosion Magic]!”

At Atum's command, the mage and his apprentice simultaneously raised their staffs, controlling the sphere of magic power gathered above their heads, and hurled it towards the Quantum Cube. As the magic projectile flew, the unrestrained magic power transformed into lightning, exploding with a deafening roar the instant it struck the surface of the Quantum Cube!

However, although the magic ball that seemed to have flown out lost the control of [Guardian Priest-Mahad] and [Guardian Priest-Mana], the rampaging magic power was controlled by a magic circle that suddenly opened. The lightning of the magic power precisely destroyed the outer shell of the [Quantum Cube] like lasers, quickly peeling it away and destroying it.

As the surface was opened, the dimensional power that had been confined within the Quantum Cube surged out like a burst dam, threatening to sweep it away like a storm.

"Everyone, please!" The game, which was in charge of dealing with these dimensional forces, was already prepared. It immediately stepped forward and had its elves stand in front of the overflowing dimensional forces, welcoming the dimensional forces that had turned into a storm.

During this process, some extradimensional power merged into the bodies of the sprites released by the game. Without the influence of the [Quantum Cube], this extradimensional power did not mutate these sprites into the ugly forms of the Blue God and the Thousand-Eyed Demon from before. It merely subtly strengthened the sprites of the game. However, the people present did not notice the changes, which were not very obvious.

Seeing that his spirits, though struggling, had successfully blocked all the overflowing dimensional power, Yugi turned his head and said, "Now's the time, go, Hayato!"

Even though the game didn't say so, Hayato had already started rushing towards the Quantum Cube. As its surface was destroyed by Atem and the dimensional power accumulated inside was blocked by the game, the true form of the Quantum Cube, which was hiding inside, was revealed to Hayato!

After completely peeling off the outer shell of the Quantum Cube, Atum quickly sent his mage apprentices to help Yugi relieve the pressure on his important Aibo. All that's left is for Hayato to close the dimensional gate opened by the Quantum Cube, and everything will be over.

Monsters such as [Half-Dragon Maid - Dragon Girl Butler], [Shadowy Midrash], and [Labyrinth Master of Silver Castle - Labyrinth] rushed to shield Hayato from the oncoming dimensional power, showcasing themselves while clearing a clear path for him. Hayato quickly traversed the already short distance and arrived in front of [Quantum Cube], reaching out his hand.

He held the Quantum Cube in his hand, and a golden inverted triangle mark that had appeared on Blue God and Sera suddenly appeared on Hayato's forehead. It was the mark of Prana!

Atem and Yugi sensed the dimensional power vanish instantly, seemingly indicating that Hayato had successfully connected to and synchronized with the Quantum Cube, gaining control and closing the dimensional gate. However, at the same moment, Sera, who had quietly moved away during Hayato's duel with Ayaka, suddenly sensed a new consciousness entering Prana's collective consciousness.

"Hoo hoo, is this Pranah's consciousness?"

Chapter 986 Atum: Here we go again, huh? (Sweating like soybeans)

As Hayato came into contact with the Quantum Cube, the dimensional power stopped overflowing and was re-contained. At the same time, the black mist that had previously enveloped the entire Kaiba Dome venue also quickly dissipated.

Unaware of the truth, the audience put down their fries and cola when the black mist disappeared and applauded the end of the performance. However, some people complained, "It would have been better if there had been some background explanation. Although the performance was very realistic and cool, I didn't understand the plot very well."

Game and Atem breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew the elves that had blocked their way, as the crisis was over.

"Hayato has succeeded, hasn't he? He's successfully obtained the Quantum Cube and closed the dimensional gate?"

Yugi looked at Atum beside him and asked, and Atum nodded: "It seems so. After all, it's Hayato. You can always trust Hayato when you're in trouble."

“Hayato is always trustworthy when there’s danger, but the second half of the sentence is, ‘Hayato is the greatest danger when there’s no danger,’ right?” Yugi said with a smile. “Isn’t that a joke that Jonouchi and Honda were talking about before?”

"Haha, although it's just a joke, Aibo, isn't that statement quite believable? Hayato has always been a partner we can trust." Atum joked lightly.

The two looked at each other and fell into a brief silence.

As Yugi watches Atum revert to his true form from three thousand years ago, as the original Pharaoh, a different form from when he remained in the mortal world, only able to reside within the Millennium Puzzle and use his own body, there is no doubt that he is still the partner he cherishes, even the most trusted friend, "another me."

Atum was also watching the game. Although only a little over a month had passed since the duel ended and he was defeated by the game, his soul returning to the underworld, Atum felt as if he hadn't seen the game for half a year. It was also the first time he was seeing Aibo in his own body. Compared to when they first met, Aibo had indeed grown a lot taller.

After a brief silence, the game spoke up: "If the dimensional gate closes, the barrier between the underworld and the human world..."

“Ah, things should return to how they were before the upheaval started, and the souls of the dead like me who escaped from the underworld should also be taken back to the underworld by the automatic correction forces of the two worlds.” Atum spoke with a calm mind. “After all, I am a dead person from the old era, and there is no vessel in the new era that can accommodate me.”

"It wasn't easy for us to meet again..." Yugi was a little sad, but he still put on an optimistic smile in front of his friend. "But it's okay. My other self, Hayato, had the idea of ​​opening other gates to the underworld so that you could return to the human world. With the Quantum Cube, you can come back to the human world whenever you want."

"The other gates to the underworld, are you referring to the gate of Ramses II? He did mention such a thing to me before." Atum smiled as he looked at the game. "But that's fine, Aibo. I am, after all, a soul of the underworld, and the underworld is where I belong."

“If Hayato frequently opens the gates between the underworld and the human world for me and returns to the human world for a long time, even I would probably not be able to help but feel nostalgic for the human world, and you would all be bound by me.”

While the term "bond" has gradually come to refer to emotional connections between people such as "friendship" and "love," the "bond" that Atum is referring to here means "binding" or "restraint" in its original sense.

Atem naturally missed his companions and friends, such as Hayato and Jonouchi, and the important Aibo game. He couldn't refuse the suggestion that he could freely return from the underworld to the mortal world to see them. However, his rational mind clearly knew that it was impossible. As a dead person, he had infinite life, but his companions did not.

Atum didn't want to see his companions, who should have been moving forward into the future, forced to stay put because of his own actions.

"Stop reminiscing about me, Aibo. You are a powerful duelist who was able to defeat the nameless pharaoh who once sealed away the Great Evil God. You should keep moving forward and let your light shine as brightly as possible."