Domino City, Dark Web underground market.
The Dark Web has branches in most cities around the world. They're supposed to be one of the top organizations in today's underworld, their influence spanning the globe, their power commanding the fear of dark duelists everywhere.
In many places, they are the rules. No one dares defy them; no one dares say a single no to their decisions. If any club is dissatisfied with their ruling, the Dark Web will make sure they understand the price of disobedience.
However, those rules don't work here.
As for why… members of the organization generally don't like to bring it up, and even less dare to mention that taboo name.
A young man in green walked down the dark staircase. After several turns, there was finally light at the end of the corridor.
Two black-suited security guards stood by the door. The youth flashed his Dark Web membership card. After confirming, the guards stepped respectfully aside and bowed.
The youth entered, crossed the trading floor, and sat in a waiting room. He had barely rested when a well-dressed middle-aged man pushed in and sat beside him.
"The legendary Weevil Underwood, a national champion."
The middle-aged man smiled and offered his hand.
"What wind brings such a legend here?"
Weevil didn't shake. He crossed his legs, gave a confident little snort, and nodded. "Looks like you're the manager here?"
The manager didn't mind. He signaled for the door to be closed and sat beside Weevil.
"Honestly, when I heard someone like Mr. Weevil had stepped into our darker world, I was surprised."
Weevil shrugged. "Power is everything. I realized that a long time ago."
"Hahaha, well said. In that case, you're a very important guest of the Dark Web," the manager smiled. "We can seek opportunities to cooperate in the future."
"Perhaps. But that's not why I'm here today."
Weevil sat up, his tone turning cold.
"Two days ago, my partner came to this city to retrieve… something very important. Now he's missing. I want to know where he went and what exactly happened."
"Your… partner?" the manager asked.
"Rex Raptor. You can't possibly not have heard of him," Weevil said.
"Oh, the legendary Mr. Raptor." The manager put on a respectful look, but then shook his head regretfully. "This matter has nothing to do with the Dark Web."
"I know. But the Dark Web branch in any city knows every ripple in its local underworld. I know—this is an unwritten rule."
Weevil straightened a little.
"You should know everything—including what happened to my partner, and where the thing he was chasing ended up.
Any intel can be bought, for the right price. That's the rule, isn't it?"
"Uh—"
The manager looked troubled and scratched his head, embarrassed.
"That is the rule in other places, yes, but here things are… a bit complicated."
Weevil frowned.
"You've got to be joking. So the rumors are true?" he said lowly. "You, the mighty Dark Web, are actually afraid of that guy? That upstart who only debuted recently—the one they call Revolver?"
The moment he said it, the manager's face changed. He even shot to his feet as if he couldn't control his body.
Weevil was startled by such an extreme reaction and instinctively drew back a little.
He was certain he had seen fear in the manager's eyes.
But the manager quickly adjusted, sat back down, and lowered his voice. "We generally don't say his name."
Weevil: "…"
When he first heard that the vast, unfathomable global organization known as the Dark Web was terrified of a fledgling group called the Knights of Hanoi, his instinct was to assume it was a rumor.
But now it seemed not only was it no rumor, the stories might even have been conservative…
So what kind of existence was this Revolver to make a Dark Web manager wilt just at the mention of his name?
"We don't casually pry into the affairs of Leader Revolver."
The manager poured tea slowly, speaking in a hush.
"If you or the forces you represent are going to have any conflict with Leader Revolver, the Dark Web knows nothing and won't get involved."
"Fine."
Weevil shook his head, didn't touch the tea, and stood up.
"I thought you were a big deal. Seems I overestimated you…"
"With respect, Mr. Weevil. You don't understand what you're up against," the manager said mildly.
"Your partner, Rex Raptor, is your warning.
Take my advice: whatever important thing you lost—if you lost it in this city, you'd better treat it as if it no longer exists."
"I'm not like that useless Rex."
Weevil said coldly, and walked to the door.
But just before leaving, he paused, then turned back to the manager.
"So, the Dark Web will remain absolutely neutral, right?"
"Of course," the manager nodded. "We know nothing and will absolutely not participate in any disputes that may follow."
"Great. Looks like I'll have to meet those Knights of Hanoi myself to get some answers."
He pushed the door open and left.
After Weevil was gone, the manager dropped his smile, got up, and returned to his office.
"Manager?" The secretary rose to meet him, reading the urgency in his face.
"Get me the Knights of Hanoi."
The manager's voice was cold.
"Tell them Weevil Underwood is coming for them."
…
"What? Weevil Underwood?"
When the Hanoi underlings relayed the message, Kira was on his way out of a final exam.
Of course, he didn't actually need to take the exam. He only went to benchmark his scores in certain subjects.
"Yes, from the Dark Web, Leader Revolver," the Hanoi liaison reported.
Kira pondered.
That really was a nostalgic name—he didn't expect to still hear about Weevil in the scene after all this time.
"Got it. But I'm a bit busy lately, not much time…"
He cocked his head, thinking.
"Alright, connect me to Lyman."
"Yes, sir."
He waited a moment. On the other end there was a burst of Nyaa~ing, and a noise like something getting knocked over.
Then Lyman's voice came on.
"Making a cat answer your calls is a bit much, isn't it, boss?" Lyman complained.
Kira chuckled. "Really? I was just about to assign you a mission."
Lyman: "Nyaa?"
"There's a troublemaker looking to cause trouble for us—probably searching for the nameless spirit I ran into last time. He might know something about that spirit.
Go take him down for me. Clean and quick. But capture him alive."
Silence on the line for a while.
Then Lyman sighed helplessly. "You do realize I'm a cat now, right?"
"I know you've got this," Kira laughed. "It's settled, then. I'm counting on you, professor. Don't let me down."
Lyman: "Nyaa~."