Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

"Wow, it's this kind of card!?" Kagemaru, through the mechanical aid, also saw the effect of the [Raging Death Dragon] that Manjoume had Special Summoned. "What's the effect of that card—!?"

"Although the name of 【Raging Death Dragon】 also contains the word 'Dragon', unfortunately it is one of the few Zombie-type monsters in my deck, and it can only be Special Summoned by the effect of 【Secret Deal with the Demon】." Manjoume looked at the five monsters on Kagemaru's field and sneered, "And its effect is that it can attack each of the monsters on the opponent's field once."

"Old man, you're not so senile as to forget that we're still in my Battle Phase, are you? That means that the [Raging Death Dragon] Special Summoned during the Battle Phase can still attack, and can attack each of your five monsters once for a five-hit combo!"

"Crush those weaklings, [Raging Death Dragon]!"

"Defy the scales and strike! Summon lightning! Dragon King Mountain-Shattering Sword!"

With a move name that was neither meaningful nor cool, Manjoume's "Raging Death Dragon," a dead creature resurrected by demonic power, launched an attack on the gunners on Kagemaru's field. Although the combined firepower of the five gunners could easily annihilate some weak monsters, when Manjoume summoned the powerful Death Dragon, their guns, which had already run out of bullets, were no longer of any use.

The initial target of [Raging Death Dragon] was not [Magic Bullet Striker - Starr], the monster with the lowest attack power on Kagemaru's field and the one that Manjoume had been specifically targeting, but rather the two monsters on Kagemaru's field in defense position - [Magic Bullet Striker - Kid] and [Magic Bullet Striker - Doctor].

He said he wanted to give Kagemaru a complete defeat, so naturally he had to destroy all the monsters on Kagemaru's field before defeating him. A sudden crisis is not scary; what is scariest is the kind of terror that comes step by step, that you clearly recognize its existence but cannot get away from it even a little bit through your own efforts. And that is exactly what Manjoume is doing right now.

"Roar!"

Amidst the roar of the undead dragon, a breath mixed with the aura of the underworld engulfed [Magic Bullet Shooter - Kid] on Kagemaru's field, and then with a turn, it swallowed [Magic Bullet Shooter - Doctor] as well. Inside the life support pod, Kagemaru watched as two of his monsters on the field were reduced in the blink of an eye, and even while immersed in the constant-temperature life support fluid, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

Just a moment ago, I was in a completely dominant position, having completely suppressed the Manjoume family's little devil and emptied the opponent's cards during their battle phase. I even had a surveillance camera that allowed me to peek into their hand after adjusting my angle. It was clearly my absolute advantage. How did it suddenly become like I was about to lose?

He still had three cards in his hand. The Continuous Trap Card [Magic Bullet - Crimson Crown] could be activated, but the problem was that its effect had already been used once before Manjoume destroyed it and sent it to the graveyard. With the restriction that "the second effect of this card name can only be used once per turn", Kagemaru could not use its effect at all. Moreover, its effect was meaningless.

As for the activation of Spell & Trap Cards in the corresponding column, which can trigger the effects of the [Magic Bullet] monsters, the problem is that among the three [Magic Bullet] monsters remaining on Kagemaru's field, only [Magic Bullet Shooter - Starr] and [Magic Bullet Shooter - Calamity] can still trigger their effects. However, the problem is that the effects of these two female gunners are all Special Summoning of monsters, but the effect of [Raging Death Dragon] on Manjoume's field is not to add additional attacks but to attack all monsters, which means that summoning more monsters is meaningless.

Of the other two cards, only the Quick-Play Spell Card "Magic Bullet - Endless Endorphins" which he hadn't activated yet was somewhat meaningful. However, its effect was merely to double the ATK and DEF of a "Magic Bullet" monster.

Even when used against [Magic Bullet Shooter - Wild], which has the highest attack power on the field at 1700, it can indeed increase its attack power to 3400, which is even higher than the legendary [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]. However, it still cannot defeat the powerful [Raging Death Dragon]. No matter how you calculate it, although your own life points are still the maximum of 4000, they are already faintly like a candle in the wind!

"Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Manjoume, the young... no, Mr. Manjoume of the Manjoume family." Before Manjoume could unleash his [Raging Death Dragon] to attack the other [Magic Bullet Shooters] on his field, Kagemaru suddenly interrupted him. Even though it was a mechanically simulated voice, Manjoume could clearly hear a hint of panic in it. "I remember that Kagemaru Pharmaceuticals and the Manjoume Group have business dealings, so there's really no need for us to duel here, is there?"

"Hey. Is it possible to reconcile?"

Manjoume was stunned upon hearing this. He glanced at his own [Raging Death Dragon] and the three monsters on Kagemaru's field that looked like lambs to the slaughter. He had just been focused on defeating the mastermind behind the "Seven Stars" and securing the greatest achievement in the battle to protect the key to the "Seven Spirits Seal," but in an instant, he lost all interest and stared at Kagemaru expressionlessly.

When he had the upper hand, he kept calling himself "the evil Manjoume brat" and saying "I will cut off your hope." Now that he feels he's in trouble, he's starting to beg for mercy and reconcile with himself.

"At this very moment? Old man, you must be joking."

After a pause, Manjoume proudly said, "Moreover, in our Manjoume family, the three of us brothers have long ago divided our futures. Each of us is free to choose the path we want to take, but once we embark on that path, even brothers cannot lend a hand. Originally, my second brother wanted to take the path of a duelist, but it seems that he lost his ambition after being taught a lesson by Mr. Hayato in a duel, and disheartened, he embarked on the path of politics and became the mayor of Domino City."

"As for me, Mr. Manjoume, I did not become a duelist because of my brother's influence, but rather through my own free will, striving towards the title of Duel King. The affairs of the Manjoume Foundation are the path chosen by my elder brother, while my duel with you is my own affair. Do you think I would care about those trivial things outside of the duel and reconcile with you?"

"You born evil brat, Manjoume, what are you waiting for if you don't reconcile?" Hearing Manjoume say so much, just to express that he would not reconcile with him, Kagemaru could not keep his composure and said angrily, almost choking in the life support pod.

Looking at Manjoume with a cold gaze, Kagemaru hesitated for a moment, then, floating in the life support pod, he removed the ring with the "Eye of Ugato" relief on his right hand and coldly said to Manjoume, "Look, look, look, hurry up and do it, brat!"

Since Kagemaru has said so, what can Manjoume wait for? Immediately, he pointed to Kagemaru's highest attack power [Magic Bullet Shooter - Wild] and said, "Keep attacking! [Raging Death Dragon], start with that barbarian!"

A deadly dragon's breath swept towards [Magic Bullet Shooter - Wild], while Kagemaru, without hesitation, controlled his mechanical arm to insert a Quick-Play Spell Card from his hand into the Duel Disk, saying, "Then I will also activate this Quick-Play Spell Card, [Magic Bullet - Endless Endorphins], to double the ATK and DEF of the [Magic Bullet] monster on my field. I choose [Magic Bullet Shooter - Wild]!"

"At the same time, because this card is activated in the same column as [Magic Bullet Shooter - Starr], the effect of [Magic Bullet Shooter - Starr] is activated in a chain, Special Summoning one [Magic Bullet] monster with a Level of 4 or lower from my Deck in Defense Position!"

"I hereby specially summon [Magic Shooter - Caspar]!"

Another [Demonic Bullet] monster was summoned by Kagemaru, but this time the monster was not based on the historical gunslinger, but was based on a character from the opera "Demonic Bullet"—more precisely, the villain, the ranger Casper who made a deal with the devil and sold his soul.

【Magic Shooter - Casper】【3☆/Light】

[Demon Race/Effect]

[1200/2000]

However, the appearance of a new monster cannot change anything. It cannot help Kagemaru negate the attack, but can only delay the arrival of defeat. The [Magic Bullet Shooter - Kasper] with a defense of 2000 points is still no match for [Raging Death Dragon].

Even though the [Magic Bullet Shooter - Wild]'s physique suddenly swelled after being empowered by [Magic Bullet - Endless Endorphins], it was still no match for [Raging Death Dragon] and was killed by its death dragon breath, sending it to the graveyard.

[Magic Shotgun - Wild] [ATK 1700 → 3400]

[Kagemaru: 4000 → 3900 LP]

Although the monster's increased attack power still couldn't stop the [Raging Death Dragon]'s attack, it at least minimized the damage the [Raging Death Dragon] could inflict on it. The liquid in the life support pod where Kagemaru was located only swayed for a moment before quickly replenishing. However, even with only 100 points of combat damage, all Kagemaru felt was endless humiliation.

No matter how much care he received, his arm, soaked in the liquid, could never regain the strength it had in his youth. However, when humiliation seeped into his heart, the hand that Kagemaru had taken off the ring and was holding it inexplicably regained some strength. Ignoring the risk that moving his arm would affect the tubes inserted into his body, Kagemaru slowly and firmly raised the hand holding the ring.

Neither Manjoume, who was planning to unleash the [Raging Death Dragon] again, nor Daitokuji, who had been watching the duel from behind Kagemaru, noticed Kagemaru's actions at that moment.

"Don't stop, keep attacking, [Raging Death Dragon]!" Ignoring the newly appeared [Magic Bullet Shooter - Casper], Manjoume now only had two more attacks left to win. Without hesitation, he pointed at Kagemaru on the field and said, "Destroy the [Magic Bullet Shooter - Calamity] in attack position!"

The attack on [Magic Bullet Shooter - Calamity] is no longer a minor skirmish. If the attack goes smoothly, Kagemaru will suffer a full 2000 points of combat damage in one go, and he has no [Magic Bullet] to activate to prevent this outcome!

Chapter 1168 You're still 20,000 years short.

Before the attack of [Raging Death Dragon] arrived, in a chain of attack declarations, Kagemaru, who was suppressing his rage and raising his arm, manipulated his mechanical arm to draw a card from his hand and insert it into the Spell Trap Zone, activating: "Continuous Trap Card [Magic Bullet - Crimson Crown] activated!"

"Because this card is activated in the same column as [Magic Bullet Shooter - Caspar], it chain-activates the effect of [Magic Bullet Shooter - Caspar], adding a [Magic Bullet] card with a different name from [Magic Bullet - Blood Crown] to my hand. I choose [Magic Bullet Demon - Samir].

As if in a death throes, despite the fact that the cards played did not change the outcome, Kagemaru chained the attack declaration of "Raging Death Dragon" and played "Magic Bullet - Crimson Crown," a card that could be activated but whose effect could not be used. Using the effect of the newly appeared "Magic Bullet Shooter - Kasper," he searched for a card called "Magic Bullet Demon," which was slightly different from the previous "Magic Bullet Shooters."

However, while the chain reaction delayed the attack, it could not change the outcome. Based on the "Calamity Jane," who is always associated with calamity, the [Magic Bullet Shooter - Calamity] could not survive this calamity. The underworld aura in the death dragon's breath was more real than the name of calamity, and it instantly destroyed the [Magic Bullet Shooter - Calamity].

At the same time, a combat damage of up to 2000 points was deducted from Kagemaru's base score. Even though it wasn't Dark Game, due to the virtual projection system of Duel Monsters, the quadruped robot carrying the life support device couldn't help but take several steps back.

[Kagemaru: 3900 → 1900 LP]

His base score dropped again, this time by a whopping 2000 points. Kagemaru could no longer contain his humiliation, resentment, and anger. Looking at Manjou, who was controlling the [Raging Death Dragon], he declared: "I... will rule all things with endless life... the King of the World..."

"Absolutely not!!"

"I will never accept being outdone by a mere brat...!"

In his outstretched palm, which he raised to his head, the removed ring did not sink like a normal gold ring, but floated like a fake necklace on water, inside the life support pod where Kagemaru was, moving closer to Kagemaru.

At the same time, the ring released a black, unidentified substance that wrapped around it and twisted continuously, looking quite dangerous.

However, Manjoume paid no attention to the strange-looking ring. Instead, after hearing Kagemaru's voice restored by the mechanical device, he raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Is it that my ears are hallucinating because I've heard too much of your nonsense, or has that stupid-looking device finally broken down and started talking nonsense?"

"Leaving aside what kind of nonsense endless life is, an old codger like you wants to be the king of the world? You really dare to dream."

"You've lived for almost a hundred years, and all you've managed to create is 'Kagemaru Pharmaceuticals,' which doesn't even rank among the many conglomerates in the world. It's not as good as International Illusion Company or Kaiba Entertainment, and it can't even compare to our Manjoume Group. In terms of medical expertise, your 'Kagemaru Pharmaceuticals' is not even as good as the Kaiba Group."

"Even if you live another fifty years with that kind of life support pod, what can you do? In an era where a genius like Seto Kaiba exists, it's impossible for anyone to catch up with his progress."

After a pause, Manjoume also sighed. Although he was saying that Seto Kaiba was an unparalleled genius who led the times in the business world, in reality, which of the four legendary duelists who were once the top four in Duel City and are now shining in their own ways in various industries wasn't a genius who transcended their time?

Yugi Muto, who serves as the chief designer of International Mirage, has an unimaginable talent for game design. In just one year since he joined International Mirage, several popular games have been released, and they have also been continuously added to the Duel Monsters card pool through collaborations.

And then there's their school's principal, Hayato Kobayashi, who goes without saying. He's a legendary Duel King. Although his goal is to become the next Duel King, compared to Jaden, Manjoume has a clear understanding of himself and has never fantasized about actually being able to defeat Hayato. The other's talent in dueling has long surpassed his era.

—As for the remaining world champion, Mr. Katsuya Jonouchi? It's hard to say, but we can get a glimpse from the recent headline news photo of "A man spent nearly 100,000 yen to buy lottery tickets and won 220 million yen, and did not have to pay taxes because the single prize was too low," featuring the mysterious Mr. Katsuya and the unnamed Ms. Peacock traveling with him.

Although he couldn't understand the connection between what Kagemaru was saying and this ordinary duel, it didn't stop Manjoume from making a judgment about the future he imagined based on Kagemaru's abilities—he couldn't beat Hayato at cards, he wasn't as good as Muto in entertainment, he couldn't compare to Kaiba in business, and he was also crushed by Jonouchi in terms of luck.

A man like him, let alone living another fifty years, is still twenty thousand years away from ruling the world by simply living longer!

The ring floating beside Kagemaru gradually approached him, and Manjoume, who was only one attack away from ending the duel, waved his hand and gave the final attack command: "Target the opponent's [Magic Bullet Shooter - Starr] with the lowest attack power in attack position. Strike the five-hit combo to end the duel, [Raging Death Dragon]!"

"Soul Dance Sonic Boom!"

There has never been a rule that you have to clear all the monsters on your opponent's field to end the duel. The essence of Duel Monsters is still a game where the winner is determined by Life Points. With an attack power of 3500 points and the ability to attack all monsters at once, "Raging Death Dragon" is taking advantage of the "advantage" of Kagemaru's numerous "Magic Bullet" monsters to continuously reduce Kagemaru's Life Points, and at this moment it is about to deliver the final blow to end the duel!

【Magic Shotgun - Starr】【ATK1300】

[Rampaging Death Dragon] [ATK3500]

[Kagemaru: 1900LP, 3 cards in hand]

The attack power difference between the two monsters was as high as 2200 points. The moment the attack landed, it meant that Kagemaru would lose because his life points would reach zero. Knowing this, Kagemaru watched as Manjoume's [Raging Death Dragon] unleashed its dragon breath, and with a ferocious expression, he deliberately broke free of the mask on his face that was used to help him breathe while he was completely submerged in life-sustaining fluid.

Despite the risk of suffocation, Kagemaru surprisingly spoke in the oxygen-deprived life support fluid, the voice simulated by the mechanical device and his own weak voice forming a duet:

"The self and the body have become meaningless!"

"I'm going to drag you down to hell with me!!"

"Let this world meet its end in endless darkness!!"

As the attack of the [Raging Death Dragon] approached, Kagemaru opened his mouth and swallowed the ring floating in front of him in one gulp.

The next moment, the reinforced glass surrounding the life support pod where Kagemaru was located shattered in the blink of an eye. Even though the shattered reinforced glass was broken, it still maintained its general shape, which caused Kagemaru's figure to disappear from the sight of Manjoume and Daitokuji in an instant.

Meanwhile, on the field of Shadowmaru, where [Magic Bullet Shooter - Starr] was being watched and exploited by Manjoume several times and was about to be hit and destroyed, a huge black energy pillar suddenly rose up and shot straight into the sky!

"Cross the mountain of corpses and shatter the hopes of those who have turned their blades against me..."

"Revengeful spirit, use your supernatural powers to shake all things and become my servant!"

Special Summon!

It wasn't the voice of Kagemaru simulated by a mechanical device, nor was it the voice of the old and weak Kagemaru himself. A man's voice that Manjoume had never heard before suddenly came. A strong arm suddenly stretched out from the life support pod where Kagemaru was, punched a hole in the already shattered glass, took the card that the mechanical arm was holding, and slammed it onto the duel disk!

On Kagemaru's field, the attack of [Raging Death Dragon] continued to fire at the suddenly appearing pillar of light, but it was like a bullet that had been shot into gel. Although it was still moving forward, it was constantly slowing down and even approaching a standstill. As a strong hand of unknown owner placed the card on the Duel Disk, the pillar of light was torn apart by a pair of outstretched hands, revealing a red-haired monster.

It wasn't the kind of monster with "red hair and an ominous old age." Anyone who witnessed the beast's true form, like Manjoume, would only conclude that it was a monster. Its right wing was as white as an angel's feathers, while its left wing was the bat wing of a demon with a sharp claw. Its strange, pale purple flesh was unlike that of a human, and disgusting, grayish-white growths grew on it, coiled like tree roots.

What is most disturbing is its head. Although it has a human head and the same hairstyle as Pegasus, the cauldron of everything and the source of all evil, its hair color is not silver-white but blood red. The neck connected to its body is also covered with multiple layers of disgusting substances, which extend to its face to form an eye patch-like organ that covers its eyes.

Then, the organ it actually used to see people was the two pairs of red eyes on the gray flesh of the murderer, almost bigger than the face!

Even Manjoume felt a chill when he saw the new monster appearing on the field of Kagemaru, as if he had encountered something that was inherently incompatible with him, or even mutually exclusive with all of humanity.

What bothered him even more was—who was that muscular man who was smashing through the life support pod from the inside and crawling out? Where did that old man go?!

"Hehe, hahahahaha, it's been so long since I've felt this young!"

"Although the price was high, I finally regained my lost youthful body!"

Seeing the burly man leap out of the life support pod, Wan Zhangmu was stunned for a moment. He glanced at the familiar loincloth on the man's lower body and the flowing long hair that was different only in color. He couldn't help but widen his eyes and exclaimed, "Wait a minute, you're that old bastard from earlier!?"

(Using Pantene makes you confident (not really))

Comparing the gaunt old man who had just been struggling to breathe in the life support pod with the muscular man before him, Manjoume found it hard to believe that they were the same person.

Not only Manjoume, but even Daitokuji behind him was bewildered by the situation and exclaimed in surprise, "You are... Kagemaru?"

"Of course it's me, yes, I am!" Looking back at Daitokuji Temple, Kagemaru stood in the wind in the forest, feeling the long-lost vitality in this strong and youthful body. His voice was strong and powerful, "The breath of youth, this is it, this is what I've always wanted, it's finally back to me, no, it's finally back to me!"

"Amunaeru, you were a frail alchemist in your youth. Even if you were placed in a young body created through human transmutation, you would never understand my feelings. The more vibrant and youthful you are, the more resentful you feel when your body ages irreversibly. I want to live forever, but I want to stay young even more!"

Clenching his fist, he turned and removed the hand cards and duel disk from the robotic arm, putting them on his body. Kagemaru gave Daitokuji a sinister grin. "I've made far too many preparations for this. Going all-in on one plan is never my style. Your failed 'Philosopher's Stone' plan's backup plan was the Duel Academy's 'Phantom Demon' plan. And since we can't obtain the 'Phantom Demon' for the time being, I have no choice but to activate the backup plan for the 'Phantom Demon' plan, namely the 'Darkness' plan!"

Feeling the strong heartbeat in his chest and the power constantly being released from his abdomen, Kagemaru said proudly, "Most of the members who make up 'SevenStar' are non-human beings, and I brought them under my command by chance through a mysterious power called 'Darkness' that I contacted in my early years. In addition, I also obtained the ring that gave me my current status."

"I don't plan to use the power of that ring unless absolutely necessary, but if I had known that the ring could not only give me power but also restore my long-desired youth, I could have suffered much less for many years."

Looking at the vehicle that had previously carried him, Kagemaru's face showed a look of disgust: "And now, we don't need this kind of thing anymore!"