The duel begins.
The gate slowly opened automatically, fully revealing the cityscape of the Forgotten World to everyone.
A vast, dark world, filled with piles of bones, seemed like a beast that devours all.
Ed and Amon stood not far behind Tenjo Hikari, and at this moment, they took the chance to get to know each other.
An adopted son of a wealthy conglomerate, a star in the professional arena—these two terms seemed to have no intersection, but Ed and Amon clearly understood that their ability to almost simultaneously reach the gate indicated that their "power" was likely without any disparity.
This piqued Ed's interest somewhat.
Before coming here, Saiou had told him that he would embark on a new phase of becoming stronger here. He was curious about what kind of situation would make him stronger—although he had some affection for Aiko, Ed was still a standard gentleman, and after a brief interaction with the two, he instantly suppressed the slight thoughts that arose in his heart.
What he was more curious about was how this duel would proceed.
The duel had begun, but for some reason, the huge Spirit did not act, instead continuing to scrutinize Tenjo Hikari.
And Tenjo Hikari, surprisingly, was also staring at the card in his hand with an unexpected expression.
The Spirit scrutinized Tenjo Hikari, slowly speaking: "It seems you are not angry or disgusted, only perplexed."
"I am just a bit surprised."
Surprised?
What's the situation?
Both duelists simultaneously looked at Tenjo Hikari.
"When you come to this world, when you sink into this abyss, as you move towards the gate of this Netherworld under darkness and pressure, the Monsters in your Deck are being slowly replaced—"
This kind of thing!?
The two hastily opened their Decks and discovered that their Monsters had indeed become Normal Monsters!
"How could this be!?" Ed exclaimed.
"I didn't even notice at all—" Amon also said in disbelief.
"Rest assured, your Monsters were not actually replaced; they were hidden by the Spirits here into backup cards."
The two immediately reached for the pouches at their waists, found their Monsters, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Though they came here searching for forgotten Spirits, there's no way they'd leave their cards behind. What kind of situation would that be?
"To prove yourself, to prove your determination, you must use your own actions to demonstrate it. If you can't do this, then I will bestow upon you the most painful curse—
During any duel, at crucial moments, you will never draw the card you most desire."
Wow...
Everyone looked at it, stunned.
Can it really do this?
Is this Spirit really that powerful?
"Can only these Monsters be used in the duel?" Aiko looked at Amon's Deck.
Using these weak Monsters Cards without any special abilities to fight?
She was somewhat worried.
"No—perhaps this is right," Amon looked at the Monsters in his hand, "If we want to rescue the Spirits and let their resentment and pain disappear, what should be done is to be in the same situation as them...I understand."
Amon pondered deeply.
"Oh, you wish to rescue the Spirits here, letting their pain and resentment disappear?" Hearing Amon's words, Ed couldn't help but be intrigued, "Interesting. If that can truly be done, it would indeed be an act of heroism."
Then he couldn't help but shake his head with a smile: "Although it seems like a serious test, in reality...for the boss, it should hardly have any effect, right?"
Hardly any effect?
The other two looked towards Tenjo Hikari.
Tenjo Hikari nodded: "Indeed, as long as Polymerization is here, whatever happens doesn't matter!"
"It seems the humans coming to this world this time all have some resolve, not just random riffraff." The enormous Spirit examined all the humans again, then slowly raised its right hand in praise.
"Well then, let's see if you have any real skills. My turn, Draw.
Normal Summon, myself—"
Summoning itself right off the bat!?
Everyone was shocked.
They were experienced, having adventured and dueled in many Dimensions; naturally, they knew that Spirits summoning themselves in a duel meant that it was the card they were most familiar with, and summoning themselves could boost their Dueling Power, enabling them to draw and use more powerful cards, thereby enhancing their dueling strength.
But summoning itself right away...
"Summoned in ATK Position, Dark Tribe - Lion Witch."
A cloaked, somewhat smaller Spirit leapt forward onto the field.
...
Who is it!?
Everyone exclaimed in their hearts simultaneously.
Even Tenjo Hikari was startled upon hearing.
What is it called!?
Lion Witch!?
God!?
Looking carefully, that cloaked Monster that uses Magic really is a cloaked lion?
It truly is Lion Witch!?
Can a God be forgotten too?
Then, he quickly refocused—no, this world is not his own, the "God" concept doesn't exist in this world.
Dark Tribe - Lion Witch, LV 4, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster-Type, ATK 1350.
"Only 1350 ATK?" Aiko furrowed her brow in confusion.
"Lion Witch...must be that, the LV 5 Spellcaster-Type Monster?" Ed's knowledge was rich enough; he instantly recognized the original form of this Monster.
"It's actually Lion Witch?" Amon was also surprised. A LV 5 Monster with only 1350 ATK, yet has evolved in this world?