[Mr. Phoenix, LP 0]
...Lost.
Although at one point there was a glimmer of hope, the final outcome was as expected—a loss.
Mr. Phoenix chuckled bitterly and sighed.
The Duel King is indeed the Duel King, not just anyone can beat him so easily. Although the result seemed as predicted, there's still a bit of a regret from the loser's perspective.
And seeing their dad lose, wouldn't the son be disappointed and frustrated?
However, little Ed ran over to Youyu, eyes gleaming: "Wow! The Heroes just now were so cool! Can I take a look?"
Completely ignoring his flattened old man... Of course, he didn't seem upset at all.
His little head even keeps showing "Affection +1+1+1"...
"Of course you can."
"The Jagged Wildman... so strong!" Little Ed was full of admiration, "And Brother Youyu is also really strong, much better than Dad!"
Mr. Phoenix: "..."
Ahem, whatever, as long as the kid's happy.
After the card game, the three of them casually found an outdoor café to sit for a while, ate some sweets, drank some coffee, chatted a bit, and quickly became familiar with each other.
As they say, the strongest bonds between men are forged by sharing a battlefield or a classroom.
However, for Duelists, it's even simpler. Once you've played cards together, you're brothers from different mothers.
After a short chat, Mr. Phoenix bid farewell with his son.
He also revealed that his boss, Mr. Pegasus, has been scheduling these days, preparing to find some free time to specially meet with Youyu.
Among today's two Duel Kings, Muto Yugi has already crossed paths with Pegasus, and they are quite familiar with each other.
However, Youyu has yet to meet the Father of Duel Monsters, and according to Mr. Phoenix, President Pegasus seems quite looking forward to this meeting.
Before leaving, little Ed looked quite reluctant, being led away by his father, turning around every few steps as if it was incredibly difficult to part with an idol, on the verge of tears at any moment.
So Mr. Phoenix joked with his son: "If you want to stay by Brother Youyu's side so much, how about I give you to him? You can go home with Brother Youyu, and I'll go back myself. How about that?"
"Ah?"
Little Ed was a bit stunned.
This might be little Ed's biggest and toughest decision in his life so far (though his life hasn't been that long), really troubling the kid.
Little Ed looked confusedly at his dad, then at Brother Youyu, tangled for a long time, finally biting his lip as if making a very difficult decision.
After all, he is a man who will become a Hero in the future, and a Hero must be able to make tough choices.
Ed turned his head and gave his dad a strong hug.
Mr. Phoenix smiled warmly, patting his son's head: "This kid..."
Then, after the hug, little Ed turned and ran to Youyu's side: "Then I'll... I'll go with Brother Youyu..."
Youyu: "..."
Mr. Phoenix: "..."
Of course, Youyu couldn't just take someone else's kid and run away. Even if he wanted to groom him to be a tool, that would be too overbearing...
No one took little Ed's reaction seriously. After all, he's just a kid who doesn't know anything.
From the child's perspective, he probably just wants to be with his idol now, and when he's had enough, he can go back to his dad...
Before being taken away by his dad, little Ed earnestly shouted to Youyu: "Brother Youyu! I will use the Hero Deck that dad designed and definitely become as strong a Duelist as you!"
"Really? Then good luck." Youyu smiled gently, "I believe in Ed. You will definitely become a stronger Duelist than I am!"
Little Ed beamed, nodding vigorously: "Thank you, Brother Youyu!"
Mr. Phoenix also smiled and nodded to Youyu in thanks, then left with his son.
Youyu watched the father and son disappear into the distance with a smile on his face, but in his heart, he was actually thinking—
—Young man, being a Hero isn't as easy as you think!
A Hero is always lonely and without friends, and moreover...
...They often go hungry!
Saying this, Youyu couldn't help but recall when the Linked World updated to the most popular version of the Hero Deck in his previous life. A large group of players prepared boxes of cash and sharpened their knives to launch the game for the legendary "Elemental Hero Airman." It was said that some exaggerated fellows even sold their houses, only to still not touch a shadow of Airman...
At that time, the forums were filled with cries of despair, from top to bottom, saturated with the blood and tears of sinking players...
...Alongside the occasional remains left by those free-rolling seals who drew Airman with one ten-draw, attacked by countless players.
The most common phrase on the forums then was—
—I'm so hungry, if I'd known, I wouldn't have become a Hero...
...
After meeting with Mr. Ito Makoto, Youyu decided to drop by the Nightwalker World on his way back to the shop.
After winning the Duel City Championship, many in the association expressed their congratulations to him. President Tosawa Mukuro got excited and immediately issued a seven-digit check as a reward.
President Mukuro said that although the association's abilities are limited, the gesture must be in place, and this money Youyu must accept! (Of course, he wasn't refusing it anyway)
In the past few days, quite a few people have tried to establish connections with Youyu from the Inner World, all blocked by the association.
It's said that President Mukuro has been busy socializing for him these days, drinking one banquet after another, and no one knows how many big swords he's been to.
In any case, Administrator Matsunaga said that the president has lost a whole circle of weight, sporting dark circles all day, looking malnourished, but still tirelessly running around showing off, and at this rate, he might just drop dead...
After earning the title of Duel King, Youyu hadn't visited the headquarters once. He felt he should take some time to thank everyone at the association for their support and concern.
In the dim alley, in the dead-end hidden from the light, the same burly man who initially stopped Youyu was still guarding the entrance.
But this time, the burly man lit up upon seeing Youyu and quickly approached: "You... Captain! You're here?"
Youyu smiled: "Yeah, just passing by, thought I'd drop in today."
"Please, come in! You wouldn't know since you haven't been here these days, everyone's been talking about you!"
The guard said as he opened the rusty iron door used for disguise and led Youyu inside.
"You're here at just the right time; there's a lively event happening at the base that you're sure to be interested in."
"Oh? What event?" Youyu asked, "A Duel match?"
"No, it's... Oh, we're here; see for yourself."
Reaching the end of the stairway, the man pushed open the door, revealing...
...a group of red-faced muscle men, veins bulging, dancing and singing.
Youyu: "..."
The air was scorching and stuffy, feeling like a kind of hell. And what was unfolding before him was quite literally a bacchanal of madness...