A minute later, the vampire beauty really went "huff huff" and headed outside the building, running laps under the moonlight. Her sweat poured like rain, and her ample curves attracted a crowd of sand sculptures and macho men who gathered to watch...
President Tosawa Mukuro had a slightly strange expression: "Why did you make her do that?"
"No reason, just wanted to test if she's really as obedient as she claims," Youyu propped his chin up as he watched from the side, "Tsk tsk, it seems like she's not doing too bad."
President Mukuro somewhat wanted to ask in what way she was not doing bad… but after thinking about it, he held back from asking.
The Kusunoki Manager beside them sighed and shook his head.
Oh boy, she said she'd do anything, and you just had her run laps. As a fellow man, the Kusunoki Manager felt a deep sense of regret!
What a waste!
Youyu watched for a while: "Not bad physical fitness, is it because she's a vampire? How many laps has she done?"
"Twelve laps, I think," President Mukuro said.
"Oh, it's still early," Youyu nodded, "I've got something to take care of, so I'll head out first. Whether she finishes or not, let me know with a text, President."
If Quine is truly as obedient as she claims, she might be somewhat useful after all.
Youyu was already quietly plotting how to make use of this vampire...
After who knows how long, Quine finally finished fifty laps, utterly exhausted as she returned: "You... Youyu Sir, I did it... I did it...
...Where is he?"
"Oh, him," President Mukuro awkwardly scratched his head which looked like a boiled egg and chuckled dryly, "He left after you ran twelve laps, saying he had something to do."
Quine: "......."
...
Mr. Phoenix really wasn't wrong.
The next morning, Dream Card Shop had its usual long queue. Youyu was cutting green onions one by one as usual. Some green onions were overjoyed with excitement upon pulling a good card, while others lamented and threw a fit after losing all their possessions...
As Youyu was selling cards and cutting green onions, loud sounds of people and engines came from outside, and a powerful whirlwind blew away all the scattered gravel.
A helicopter with the Industrial Illusions Society logo landed steadily outside the shop.
The helicopter door opened, and two black-suited bodyguards jumped out first. They were followed by an American gentleman in a red suit, with silver-white long hair covering half his face.
Pegasus J. Crawford, the modern Father of Duel Monsters, and the Chairman of Industrial Illusions Society.
The whole room of sand sculpture players exploded: "Pegasus, it's Pegasus!"
"What's Pegasus doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious? He's definitely here for Youyu!"
"Is this the main storyline?"
...
Pegasus walked in the door and smiled as he spoke, "Youyu Boy~"
"Here it is, Uncle Pega's broken English!"
"Ah, that familiar feeling!"
If you had to pick a character from an anime with the most recognizable voice, President Kaiba might come second with his classic three-stage laughter, but the undisputed first would definitely be President Pegasus.
Because although this president is American, he speaks in a Japanese-style English... Even so, he insists on mixing this possibly broken English pronunciation with Japanese, along with his unique intonation, it's practically brain control...
"Youyu Boy~ I'm very pleased to meet You," Pegasus said with a smile, "If it's convenient, would you be willing to have a brief chat with Me?"
Ignoring Pegasus's incredibly awkward pronunciation, Youyu smiled, "Being personally invited by the Chairman of Industrial Illusions Society, it's naturally my honor."
Since he was going to talk with Uncle Pega, the business had to be paused.
Youyu shooed away all the players in the room, temporarily hung a "Closed" sign on the store door, closed the door, and prepared to have a heart-to-heart with Pegasus.
The two bodyguards Pegasus brought stood like door gods on either side outside, resembling the right and left protectors under the sect leader.
Outside, the crowd of players was extremely curious about what they were discussing inside, but unfortunately, they couldn't see or hear.
Someone suddenly said, "By the way, isn't Youyu from President Kaiba's side? I remember President is in a competitive relationship with Pegasus's group?"
"There should be both competition and cooperation..."
"You don't think Uncle Pega came here specifically to poach someone, do you?"
"Coming to the president's territory to steal people? Wow, that's exciting."
"Shouldn't someone hurry to inform President Haima…."
...
Unaware of what the sand sculpture players outside were discussing, the conversation inside began.
At this time, the old employee Store Manager Nodashi wasn't home, and inside there was only Chinai sitting behind the counter, quietly eavesdropping with her ears perked up.
"First of all, congratulations on winning the title of 'Duel King'," Pegasus began with pleasantries, "Being able to battle to a draw with Yugi Boy is quite an achievement. Having faced Yugi Boy, I know best that his strength is beyond ordinary people.
Being able to draw with him, the title of Duel King is well-deserved."
After a pause, he chuckled softly.
"I heard that You have already been in contact with my staff, so you might have an idea of what I'm about to say.
Yes, our Industrial Illusions Society is very interested in the 'Hero' card deck you're using. As the card deck of the Duel King, with the elements of righteous heroes, it's the best option to give children dreams and inject new blood into the Duel Monster Realm!
So, we are hoping to develop a series of card decks themed around 'Elemental Hero' soon."
"Oh?" Youyu asked, "Aren't you curious about where my card deck came from?"
"If You're willing to share, of course we'd like to know," Pegasus smiled, "But because I was the one who brought the Duel Monsters game back to modern times, I understand the vastness and mystery of the Duel Monster Realm even better.
Card design isn't my exclusive right; other capable people having their own unique cards is very normal. If You don't want others to know where the cards came from, we naturally won't ask more.
But since 'Hero' is Your deck, I think no one in this world would know its features better than You, Youyu Boy~
So, before officially starting, I'd like to extend an invitation on behalf of Industrial Illusions Society."
Youyu raised an eyebrow: "You want me to participate in the design of the Hero series?"
These are all trivial matters, Youyu was quite willing to do it. His only concern now was the rewards; as long as the payment was high enough, everything was negotiable...
And Uncle Pega, being the president of an international corporation, was indeed savvy; he immediately said, "Of course, since we're asking the Duel King like You to undertake this task, we've long prepared something for that."
After a brief pause, he changed his tone.
"I wonder if you've heard about that famous Hero-themed TV series? The story of a lone hero who dons a mask and fights an evil organization alone in unknown corners?"
Youyu was stunned for a moment.
This familiar feeling, could it be...
"Don't be fooled by my appearance; I've always been a loyal fan of that series," Uncle Pega chuckled, "Seeing your 'Hero' series card deck this time has also given me a similar inspiration.
So, I came up with an idea, a card deck design idea. Although I haven't designed a finished product yet, I have a prototype concept card here. Take a look if you're interested."
As he spoke, he pushed a card face down over to Youyu.
Youyu already had a hunch of what it might be.
He picked up the card and flipped it over.
Masked Hero Inferno, Level 4, Attack 1600, Defense 1000. (Manga card)