Duels should be played with a smile.

"Aetos, go and wake your master! Guardian's power!"

Without hesitation, the guardian wielding the holy sword charged toward its original master.

Rather than let my master be corrupted by evil forces, I'd rather wake him up with my own hands!

"At this moment, I must activate..."

"Muda! Chaos Warrior's effect: As long as this card is in the Monster Zone, your opponent cannot activate its effects during your Battle Phase!"

The Chaos Warrior hurled his weapon, the legendary sword plunging into the center of the battlefield, its chaotic power sealing everything outside the battlefield.

"Have nothing to worry about, and do what you want to do, Aetos!"

The guardian nodded silently, raised the holy sword, and slashed down at its master.

The sword flashed across Raphael's body, wiping out his last bit of LP.

The duel ends here.

However, it is not completely over yet.

Green light emanated, and the Orichalcos barriers of both sides emitted bursts of energy. The loser in the duel was identified by them and then began to perform his duties.

The mark on Raphael's forehead suddenly shone brightly, and the towering man instantly buried his head in his hands, kneeling on the ground as if he were roaring silently.

The two barriers locked onto Raphael and began to shrink, intending to take away his soul. The two guardians, Ethos and Desses, also returned to Raphael's side one after another, preparing to continue protecting their master who was about to regain his clarity but whose soul was about to be taken away.

"Hey..."

Atm slowly shook his head and sighed.

His hand touched his chest.

There was a plaque hanging there.

A name was engraved on the plaque—but when he came into this world, that name was also obscured by a strange force.

"You should do what you are supposed to do, instead of letting that person take your soul and make you a sacrifice."

He grasped the nameplate, clutching it tightly in his palm.

"My name is ***!"

"In the name of the Pharaoh, shatter this barrier!"

The words contain an irresistible will, and even though their true name cannot be revealed at this moment, the power they contain still exists.

A divine power, of unknown origin, descended upon Raphael, soothing his immense pain.

The evil barrier was shattered with ease.

"You should become a guardian to protect yourself, because you live not only for yourself, but also for your deceased family members. You must carry them on your back and live on together."

"You should become a guardian to protect the monsters that have always protected you. After your family members passed away, those who were with you day and night are also your family. You are not alone."

"You should become a guardian, to protect others. If you don't want others to lose their families like you did, then join your guardian and become a true guardian, striking down enemies and protecting your comrades..."

“I look forward to the day when you become a true guardian... Farewell, Raphael.”

After Atm left and the barrier was shattered, Raphael, regaining consciousness, slowly stood up after a moment of confusion.

The arena was filled with cheers, but those cheers belonged only to Atm, and had nothing to do with him, the loser who needed the winner's help.

"A guardian...?"

Looking down at the invisible bloodstains on his hands, Raphael gave a bitter smile.

"When will I be worthy of this title...? I didn't even manage to protect them..."

His consciousness was hazy, but when he regained consciousness, he remembered everything that had happened before, including those scenes from many years ago.

“Darz...I will seek revenge on you...but before that, I must first become a guardian, I must take that first step.”

"Make the time that you once stopped flow again."

"Aetos...are you willing to continue traveling with me?"

The noble guardian flapped its wings and embraced Raphael from behind, its warm wings enveloping him as well. The other guardians also appeared and nodded to him.

"Then... it's time to do what I should be doing!"

Chapter 152 Too humble, bro! Bounty pending (6/?)

"Please go out with me, Miss Peacock Dance!"

"Huh?! Who are you?! What do you mean by this?!"

The next match is the one in the castle, and the peacock dance is naturally indispensable.

But just as she was leaving the players' lounge to head to the stadium to cheer for Jonouchi, an unexpected figure blocked her way.

Unexpectedly—meaning having no idea who this person is.

I only vaguely remember that this person was one of the contestants.

"Miss Peacock Dance! I've fallen in love with you at first sight! Please go out with me!"

Baron is a straightforward person with no ulterior motives; he has always been direct and honest since childhood.

As a child, he would beat up anyone he disliked. Even after he went to prison, he would still beat up anyone who dared to challenge him. Even after acquiring a Duel Monsters deck, he continued to act in the same way.

Anyone who blocks your way, just use his invincible armor deck to crush them!

Few of those who have dueled with him have survived the duel unscathed!

Today, he maintained his straightforward style. After deciding on the peacock dance and confirming that no one else might come back to cause trouble, he went straight for it.

He never considered the possibility that the peacock ball might refuse him.

He himself couldn't resist wearing the armor, so how could anyone else possibly resist it!

His idea was that simple, pure—and a little silly.

"Let me check if you're feeling unwell. Do you need to see a doctor?"

Peacock Dance doesn't have much patience when dealing with strange men. Lacking a sense of security since childhood, she is wary of those who might approach her with ill intentions.

If she hadn't genuinely thought the person in front of her seemed a bit dull, she probably would have turned around and left.

"Miss Peacock Dance! I was captivated by your handsomeness the moment I first saw you!"

Balong poured out his heart to the peacock dance, but unfortunately his cultural level was not very high, and he couldn't find any sophisticated words to express himself. Why waste words when a duel can solve the problem?

Unfortunately, matters of the heart cannot be resolved through duels.

A duel might change feelings, whether for the better or for the worse, but the biggest prerequisite for any change in feelings is that there must first be feelings involved.

However, matters of the heart are indeed very complicated, and I imagine many people, like Baron, cannot easily understand them.

In short, under Balong's "harassment," Kongquewu finally couldn't bear it any longer and issued the simplest and most direct order to leave.

Peacock Dance turned her face to the side, slightly raised her head, and avoided Balong's direct and intense gaze.

She turned slightly, clasped her hands in front of her chest, lowered her eyes, and slowly said like a young girl in love: "I feel your feelings, but I'm sorry, I already have a boyfriend."

Having frequented casinos, Peacock Dance was no naive young lady who was unfamiliar with the ways of the world. She effortlessly and vividly portrayed the feelings of a girl in love, allowing even a naive young man like Baron, who had zero experience in love, to feel the emotions she wanted to express.

It doesn't matter whether I have a boyfriend now or not, it's all going to happen sooner or later anyway!

"what?!"

This news was like a bolt from the blue for Balong; the innocent young man's first crush was about to end.

But in that instant, the innocent boy's intuition kicked in.

"Who is it! Tell me!"

"A woman as cool and powerful as Miss Peacock Dance must be attracted to strong men!"

"And I! Without a doubt, am a strong one!"

"Miss Peacock Dance! Tell me who your boyfriend is! I'll go and defeat him right now!"

"I don't ask to date you immediately after defeating him. I only hope that you can see my strength and give me a chance to pursue you!"

In a world where playing cards can destroy or save the world, there's nothing that can't be solved by playing cards!

In ancient times, there were martial arts contests to choose a husband. So why can't Balong win Miss Peacock Dance's heart by showcasing his strengths through an overwhelming duel?

Balong was lost in his own world, while Peacock Dance could only offer an awkward yet polite smile.

Who is this person?!

Seeing Balong's excited gestures, a phrase she had once heard from Leyou came to mind: "A simp is truly awesome!"

"Um...you must have made a mistake...I..."

"Miss Peacock Dance, you don't need to say anything more. Just tell me who your boyfriend is!"

Baron interrupted Kong Quewu, completely unaware of the displeasure on her face.

If Leyou were here at this moment, he would definitely give Balong's performance a negative score.

After all, a simp won't get a house.

That's too pathetic, bro!

Moreover, this person can't even lick.

"Don't bother me anymore. I have no intention of accepting a stranger's advances."

"Also, my boyfriend is no pushover. Even if you were one of the contestants, you would definitely lose to him!"

Peacock Dance suddenly had an interesting and practical idea.

Since this person claims to be powerful, why not just let Jonouchi defeat him?

The evolved Jonouchi is not someone that just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can defeat!

At the very least, I cannot allow myself to lose to anyone else before I lose to her!

If he really loses, then... then what should we do? Should I go and help him defeat his opponent, to avenge him? That doesn't seem right... He has a very strong sense of pride...

Peacock Dance's thoughts began to wander, drifting into daydreams and envisioning the future. She started thinking about where to buy a house, that she didn't need a car—her own car would suffice—and what about her future children...

"Miss Peacock Dance?"