In the narrow alley, the buildings are interconnected. Invisible bacteria breed in the damp and dark corners.
Electronic screens and neon billboards line the street opposite, with pedestrians coming and going. Yet, no one notices this dim corner, even less so the secret entrance hidden within.
The underground has been developed into an expansive space. Someone unknown built a basement here, with walls adorned by flickering torches. In front of each torch's post stands a brawny man in black, using a hood to cover most of his face, their features carved like stone, exuding an aura of forbidding authority.
This place houses the remnants of the one-time dominant organization in the Inner World, the Ghouls... or at least one of them.
The Ghouls fragmented after their leader, Marik, turned over a new leaf and fled. Any remaining named and famed individuals in the organization came forth, each trying to establish himself as king, aiming to take the vacant throne.
This here is one of the stronger remnants among them.
The leader of this group is called Klamas, a Dark Duelist who uses a Machine Deck, barely qualifying as a high-ranking powerhouse within the Ghouls.
At the moment, a subordinate kneels below: "Sir, are we really going to develop here and use Domino as our base?"
Klamas coldly replies, "Why? Are you scared?"
"No... no, sir. It's just..." The subordinate hesitates, "Recently, there are two Duel Kings in Domino, one of them, Youyu, seems to be from the Inner World here.
Due to his influence, the forces in the Nightwalker World are continuously expanding, and that Kaiba Company isn't too friendly towards us either..."
"Precisely because of this, we need to choose to develop here even more," Klamas sneers, "Only the truly fearless and powerful have the right to lead the Ghouls. Let's show those who cower far away who the Ghouls really need as a leader now!"
Pausing for a moment, Klamas casually states, "Besides, the most dangerous place is the safest place. No one would ever think we'd develop right under their noses..."
The Ghoul subordinate's inner thought: Why do I feel like the last sentence is the key...
Klamas waves his hand, shouting loudly: "Nightwalker World? Duel King? Kaiba Seto? We fear none of them! No matter who comes, I, Klamas, will take them down head-on!"
The subordinate seizes the moment to flatter: "Boss, you're awesome!"
Klamas is very satisfied, calmly picking up his cup to sip the tea...
Just then, someone rushes in from outside: "S... sir! That Duel King Youyu has brought people from the Nightwalker World to the doorstep!"
Klamas spits tea onto the face of the kneeling subordinate below him.
It feels somewhat like a monster reacting to hearing Sun Wukong is at the door.
Klamas's expression changes several times, and finally, he huffs, standing up with authority.
"Alright!" he says, "Since they've come knocking, let me meet them personally!"
With that, he leads the Ghouls from the current base outside to the door.
Sure enough, Youyu is there with brawny men from the Nightwalker's side... along with a strange but weirder acting individual blocking the entrance. Both sides confront each other, eyes filled with hostility, as if one wrong word would ignite a fight.
Then all the Ghoul members quickly notice Quine, obediently following beside Youyu.
Those who recognize her among the Ghouls show drastic changes in their expressions, swearing sharply.
Damn! So it was you who led the enemies here!
The Ghoul men simultaneously start cursing as "fence-sitters" and "two-faced", yet they can do nothing more.
Next, all their eyes fall on Klamas, the leader they all chose.
It's alright, we still have Klamas on our side. As a duelist, his strength isn't bad at all, and even Lord Marik had quite an acknowledgment of him back then.
Look, they've merely just faced off on both sides, and Lord Klamas has already boldly stepped out.
That domineering air, that aura, clearly unmatched by the average person.
As long as Lord Klamas is here, even if the opponent is that Duel King...
"Thud."
Klamas promptly drops to his knees, so fast that there's almost an afterimage left in the air, incredibly astounding.
It makes one wonder how many private rehearsals it took for him to kneel this quickly and so perfectly, so practiced it makes one's heart ache.
"Respected Duel King... and all from the Nightwalker World!" Klamas speaks in a trembling voice, "I have deeply realized the errors of my ways, and have reflected thoroughly!
Joining the Ghouls is by far the biggest mistake I've committed, and I've repented profoundly for it! Therefore, I have gathered all the Ghoul remnants I could find, preparing to surrender to you at the right moment, leaving our disposal entirely to you!"
The subordinates exchange looks.
Ah this...
... Just shows the boss is indeed exceptional. Not only is his kneeling speed unmatched, but he even has the surrender lines prepared long ago!
Saying it's impromptu wouldn't be believable at all. Wouldn't be surprised if he had the script written eons ago, rehearing it before a mirror every morning and night.
Yet, although the subordinates are a bit slow to react, some are indeed rather clever.
Immediately someone follows suit, kneels behind the boss: "I-I... I have also reflected!"
With the first, comes the second one, and a group of Ghoul underlings quickly and successively kneel.
"Me too!"
"Please have mercy, please spare us!"
"...."
Why hesitate? Hurry and kneel!
A group of Ghouls kneels in unison, creating a rather grand scene.
Youyu is dumbfounded for a moment.
This development indeed was not what he expected. He initially thought, with so many burly men in the Ghouls, there'd at least have to be a couple of tough ones and would face off in a duel?
Didn't expect that among so many men, none dared to duel. Before he even opened his mouth, they surrendered at lightning speed.
Is it that if I surrender fast enough, the opponent can't beat me?
But surrendering directly is good too, saves quite a bit of trouble. Youyu, disinclined to go through procedures, gets straight to the point: "Alright. Then you must have quite a card inventory in your warehouse, right?"
Klamas immediately gets it.
Right! He'd heard before, this Duel King has peculiar interests, seemed to like collecting Card Decks and Duel Discs, didn't he?
Thus, he instantly seemed to see the dawn of survival.
"We do! Of course we do!" Klamas said, "We not only have cards, we also have plenty of Duel Discs!"
Stopping here, he suddenly remembers something, slapping his forehead.
"Right... right! We don't have many Rare Card inventories here, but Karlback has lots!" he promptly adds, "I know another base of Ghoul remnants, they have many cards and Duel Discs there! I can lead you!"
"Oh?" Youyu becomes interested, "Tell me more."