After walking for about twenty minutes, the bunker the demons mentioned finally appeared before them.
It was a structure on a barren wasteland, looking like it was made of obsidian and dark granite, with a surface covered in a perpetual shroud that even sunlight couldn't penetrate.
The heavy door thudded down with a rumble, raising a cloud of dust when it hit the ground. Entering the bunker, a chill assaulted them, and the air reeked of sulfur and rust.
The light was dim, and the narrow, dark corridors were lit only by torches hanging on the walls. The internal passageways were intricate, like a huge maze.
Dimly lit cells lined the corridors, each with a tightly shut iron door. From behind a few doors, imprisoned magical creatures cast dark glances, while the roars and howls of unknown beasts echoed from some cells.
When a certain jailer passed by one of the cells, a demon's claw reached out, waving at him.
The jailer paused: "What now?"
"Nothing."
The prisoner behind the door, seemingly a member of the demon race, grinned at the jailer.
"Just heard that there's a newcomer in the bunker today?"
"You sure get news fast."
The jailer leaned against the door and snorted.
"Yes, I heard the patrolling team was lucky, caught a lone guy, supposedly a traveler from outside."
"Ha, traveler."
The demon behind the door threw back his head and laughed.
"What an unlucky fellow. Since he's in the bunker, his journey likely ends here."
"Yeah. But that's not all you wanted to say, is it?" The jailer stood up, "I've got things to do, no time to chat with you. If I'm caught here idling by the supervisor..."
"Don't be in a rush."
The demon hurriedly stopped him, then grinned with a hint of malice.
"No other meaning. Just... you know, the old rules, just teaching the newcomer the rules here, so he learns to behave. It's for everyone's good, right?"
"I knew it."
The jailer laughed.
Then he flipped his palm, a flurry of particles gathered into his hand, forming the image of a green Magic Card. Invisible magic power was released from that card, and the prison door clicked open.
"The newcomer looks like a human, seems a bit weak." The jailer walked off, waving at him before leaving, "Don't overdo it, just leave him alive."
"No problem, I know my limits."
The demon chuckled, patting his chest with a claw, and said with a sinister smile.
"I'll take good care of him."
...
...
Yugen followed the group of demons to the underground, entering a spacious hall.
He immediately saw the huge arena at the center.
Tall dark pillars surrounded the arena, with weak flames flickering on top, resembling some kind of coliseum.
Just after entering, the escorting demons withdrew outside the door. One even gave him a malicious grin, then locked the door from the outside with a click.
Of course, breaking the door with force was just a matter of a Great Opening.
However, Yugen continued to observe the environment. He turned to look at the hall ahead, seeing another group of people slowly emerging from the shadows.
"Is this the newcomer?"
"Hah, he really looks like a weakling."
Yugen squinted, observing that most who came out were demon-like creatures. Some had dark red skin, horns protruding from their foreheads. Some were large and muscular, while others had grotesque faces, multiple eyes, or sharp claws.
The leader, particularly tall with four eyes, crossed his arms, his body covered with black scales.
Hmm, they were all elves he didn't recognize.
"Welcome to the bunker, the darkest place in your miserable life." The four-eyed leader sneered, "Every place has its rules, and I am the big boss here, the rules themselves. Understand?"
Yugen and the four-eye locked eyes for several seconds.
"You mean to say, you're the warden?"
"What? I'm not... I mean, there are internal rules inside the prison too." The four-eye boss frowned, displeased.
Immediately, one of the underlings shouted: "No interrupting when the boss is talking!"
"Are you looking for trouble?"
"Get him!"
One of the underlings looked for a signal from the boss. The four-eye boss, arms still crossed, nodded to indicate agreement. Thus, the underling eagerly moved forward.
"Come on, little brother."
The demon grinned, baring sharp fangs.
"Let me check if you're healthy..."
The other demons joined in, laughing rowdily.
Thud.
The demon suddenly flew backwards like a ragdoll, splatting against the wall dozens of meters away, stuck in a spread-eagle shape.
The demons' jeering stopped abruptly.
Huh?
The demons' smiles froze, looking at the demon stuck on the wall, then back at Yugen, who stood serene and seemingly untouched.
Their smiles gradually turned to fear.
Although they hadn't seen what had happened, they all felt it at that moment.
It was the power of an elf!
The four-eyed demon at the front quickly dropped his calm façade, waving his hand to signal his minions to step behind him. Of course, his signal wasn't needed; the minions were already scared, scrambling to shield their boss.
The four-eyed boss stepped forward, speaking in a deep voice, "Duelist?"
In that moment, Yugen had borrowed the power of the Silent Magician. Though it hadn't fully manifested, it had deployed a simple Magic Array defense, bouncing the attacking demon away.
The demons felt a tinge of magic power, but hadn't seen the full form of the elf protecting Yugen; they could only instinctively sense the strength beyond what they could provoke.
"Interesting." The leading demon squinted all four eyes, speaking in a low voice, "Being the fifth duelist imprisoned in this bunker.
Everyone here has the chance to carve out their territory and assert their voice through strength..."
He raised his left arm. The demon-like arm began to transform, sinewy tissues squirming, gradually extending outward until a card deck emerged, seemingly grown directly from his body.
"...through the way of a duelist."
The demon's lips curled into a sneer.
"So? Do you have the guts to try?"
Indeed, even in prison, it's those who can duel who have the say.
Yugen eyed the card deck emerging from the demon's body, smiling slightly.
Duelists from Otherworld are really passionate.
So first, let's start with the deck from this boss.
"Duel!"x2