Professor Daitokuji—this time, he's not deep within the caverns of the Shadow Riders.
He stands right here, at the mouth of the abandoned mine.
Manjoume Jun had just been defeated before his very eyes.
Professor Daitokuji calmly steps forward to examine him.
"Hm? Where's the key?"
"It's not even on him?"
His eyes narrow, deep in thought.
"Was my guess wrong?"
"Did I track the wrong person for the key?"
Suddenly, a taunting voice echoes from the shadows.
Daitokuji turns his head slowly and murmurs, "You're here… You Feng. So, you really do hold one of the keys."
You Feng walks forward, shrouded in a cloak trimmed with silver and white. His pace is calm, confident.
He reaches for the necklace hanging around his neck—and reveals a gleaming, golden key.
"You want the key?"
"Then duel me for it."
With a sharp grin, You Feng raises his arm. The Duel Disk of the Phantom God activates with a whirr. He slides his deck into place.
"Fine," Daitokuji replies. "Rarely does a challenger walk willingly to the edge of shadow."
"Let's make it a Shadow Game."
"The loser won't just lose their cards—they'll be sealed into this very realm."
He gestures toward the trapped Manjoume.
"You want to save him?"
Daitokuji sneers.
"I don't care about him," You Feng says coolly.
"I'm not dueling for friendship."
That moment stuns Daitokuji. This wasn't like Judai or the other idealistic duelists. This one… was different.
"Fascinating. Then let's begin."
"DUEL!!"
A sharp electronic chime rings out—Ding—
"I'll go first," You Feng states calmly.
"I activate the Spell Card: [The Emperor's Resentment]!"
"By revealing one monster with 2400 ATK/1000 DEF or one with 2800 ATK/1000 DEF from my hand, I can add 1 'Emperor' Spell or Trap Card to my hand, excluding this card."
He holds up his card and selects his target.
"I choose the Continuous Spell Card: [March of the Monarchs]!"
"And now, I activate it immediately!"
Why didn't You Feng choose [The Monarchs Stormforth] as his opening move?
Because he knows Daitokuji's deck is filled with cards that force destruction.
Most cards in his opponent's arsenal will blow up their own field.
And while [March of the Monarchs] protects Tribute Summoned monsters from being targeted or destroyed by card effects, it doesn't guard against being banished or sent to the Graveyard indirectly.
Therefore, You Feng had to think several steps ahead—and avoided overcommitting.
"Let's continue!"
He draws his next card with precision.
"I activate [Reinforcement of the Army]!"
"This allows me to add one Level 4 or lower Warrior-type monster from my deck to my hand."
"I choose—[Edea the Heavenly Squire]!"
He flicks the card from his deck and swiftly places it on the Duel Disk.
"I summon [Edea the Heavenly Squire] in Attack Position!"
A flash of light reveals a warrior in silver armor, shield in hand.
[Edea the Heavenly Squire]
LIGHT / Level 1 / Warrior
ATK: 800 / DEF: 1000
Professor Daitokuji gives a soft chuckle.
"The Monarch engine begins again…"
You Feng ignores him, continuing with sharp focus.
"[Edea]'s effect activates—when she's Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon 1 monster with 800 ATK and 1000 DEF from my Deck, other than another [Edea]."
"I choose [Eidos the Underworld Squire]!"
A second figure rises on the field, cloaked in black robes.
[Eidos the Underworld Squire]
DARK / Level 2 / Spellcaster
ATK: 800 / DEF: 1000
The field now holds both squires.
"[Eidos]'s effect activates!" You Feng shouts.
"This turn, I gain an additional Tribute Summon!"
"I now Tribute [Edea] and [Eidos]…"
Dark flames spiral around them, engulfing their forms as they rise toward the sky.
"With these two tributes—arise!"
"Descend upon the battlefield—Erebus the Underworld Monarch!"
A looming figure, clad in obsidian armor, materializes through the black haze.
[Erebus the Underworld Monarch]
DARK / Level 8 / Zombie
ATK: 2800 / DEF: 1000
A powerful shockwave bursts from Erebus as he lands.
Meanwhile…
---
Scene shift.
Yuki Judai, Asuka Tenjoin, and the others arrive just in time.
Their eyes widen at the sight of Manjoume collapsed and You Feng facing off against their former teacher.
"Eh?! Professor Daitokuji?!"
Sho Marufuji gasps.
"He's… one of the Seven Stars Assassins?"
Judai stares at his former teacher, now revealed as a dark duelist. His old admiration curdles into tension.
"So that's how it is," Judai murmurs. "The mask is off."
Daitokuji smirks, unfazed by the newcomers.
"Good. You're all here. Watch closely—this Shadow Game is just beginning."
"You're all nothing but pawns for your headmaster."
"And pawns must accept the fate of sacrifice."
His words sting. You Feng sighs.
"Why are lunatics like this everywhere?"
"A Shadow Game?" Asuka gasps.
"You Feng… he's really taking it on alone just to rescue Manjoume?"
"I didn't think he cared…" she mutters, touched.
Misawa Daichi's eyes light up.
"I used to think he was cold… but he's warm inside! Amazing!"
"..." You Feng glances at them.
The commentary was getting ridiculous.
"I don't care about all that," he mutters. "I'm here for the rewards."
He refocuses.
"This duel… will be worth watching," he declares.
Professor Daitokuji's smirk returns.
Let the shadows dance.