Domino City, somewhere unknown, in the basement.
A man dressed like a sack of potatoes in black clothing descended the dimly lit stairs. He wore a wide hood, his sturdy body tightly covered in black clothing, pulling the brim of his hat low as if he was afraid of being recognized, even though no one else was around.
He walked through the pitch-black darkness to the end of the stairs, where a locked iron door awaited.
The man fished out a key from his roomy clothing, looking around shiftily to make sure no one was following him before turning it in the lock.
After confirming the coast was clear, he opened the door with a creaky sound.
On the other side of the door, dim yellow light seeped out. Flickering candles automatically lit up in the braziers hanging from the walls on both sides, as if an invisible ghost resided in this closed space.
The man walked to the end of this secret chamber and cautiously knelt before a blank wall as if awaiting divine inspiration at an ancient altar.
A golden light appeared on his forehead beneath the hood, forming a golden eye.
The man revealed a terrified and awestruck expression, bowing his head in this empty room.
"Master Marik."
Marik Ishtar, the heir of the Gravekeeper Race and the leader of the Ghouls Group—though he himself was not present, his voice blasted directly into the man's mind through the power of the Millennium Rod.
"Even Quine has been defeated." Marik began, coldly, "Do you know what this means?"
"Y-yes, yes..." The man stammered, bowing his head, too scared to make a noise.
"So far, three Rare Card Hunters have been defeated by that brat from the Nightwalker World." Marik said coldly, "And each time, he takes away our card deck, as if deliberately provoking us!"
Yes, that's right, even the Vampire Queen's deck was taken by Youyu this time...
And this whole process was captured by the "photographer" in the front row.
The silly players were overjoyed watching this in the video...
"Surprised to see he can take their deck after winning?"
"I think I figured out the secret to why Youyu's store has so many cards..."
"Does this mean I can buy the Vampire Deck at the store next time?"
"I feel like this deck could work with a few adjustments in this environment. Waiting for a skilled player to build it."
Watching this, Youyu couldn't help but wonder if his actions were leading the silly players astray.
Imagining that every time after winning, the silly players would rush up to snatch the deck... It's kind of funny.
The man lay motionless on the floor, trembling like a sieve as Master Marik's anger rang in his ears, afraid to make a sound.
"This is completely different from what you promised earlier." Marik said coldly, "Domino City was supposed to be under your control. You were the nail we inserted here, you promised everything would be ready before the Duel City Tournament began.
But you failed, and you've disappointed me. So unless you can give me a good reason in two seconds, your mission is over here."
As he spoke, the golden eye on the man's forehead emitted divine radiance.
The man's pupils contracted, his terrified eyes filled with bloodshot lines. He began to breathe heavily, feeling almost suffocated, as if Death were gripping his throat...
"Wait... wait!" He shouted frantically, "I... I have a card to show you!"
"Oh?"
Marik paused the execution, interested to see what he would produce.
The Ghouls Hunter fumbled out a card with trembling hands from his robe.
It was a high-level Rare Card, rated as USR—"Red-Eyes Black Dragon."
Marik showed interest, "You managed to acquire the 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon'? I remember this card belonged to..."
"It was snatched from Muto Yugi's friend, Jonouchi Katsuya." The Rare Card Hunter found a glimmer of hope and quickly took credit.
"I see, so it seems you've done something worthwhile after all." Marik chuckled.
The golden eye on the man's forehead dimmed a bit.
"Well, then I'll spare you this time," Marik said, "But things can't continue like this, or we'll be at a disadvantage before the plan even officially launches.
I am dispatching more people to your area, and after things wrap up here, I will come to participate in the tournament myself."
"Huh?" The man was taken aback, "But if we send too many people, it'll trigger an all-out battle..."
"I don't care." Marik sneered, "The Ghouls exist precisely for this plan, to transcend our Gravekeeper Race's three-thousand-year-old grudge. Let's fight if we must, there's nothing to fear."
Pausing, he chuckled, "Besides, I've already planted undercover agents in Domino City. Unlike you useless lot, they are puppets I personally control, equipped with ultimate trump cards capable of annihilating any enemy instantly."
The man's eyelid twitched, "Could it be... a God?"
"That's right! The deity from the Netherworld, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon'!" Marik declared loudly.
The man cautiously reminded, "But if the puppet loses the duel, won't the Divine Card..."
If you lose the duel, won't it be like handing over your head on a silver platter?
That would be quite funny if it happened.
"Are you suggesting I will lose!?" Marik raised his voice.
"N-no, not at all."
"Hmph," Marik snorted heavily.
Marik considered himself their village's second-strongest Duelist, never losing to anyone but his sister!
Except for the fact that growing up within the Gravekeeper Race, he rarely dueled anyone aside from his sister...
Me, Marik, a head delivery service? Not happening!
The man realized he made a mistake and promptly flattered, "Master Marik, you are wise and unparalleled. With the Divine Card in your hand, surely there will be no match for you."
"Hmph."
Smart move, I'll let it slide this time.
"There's one more thing." Marik said coldly, "I instructed you to keep track of Kaiba Seto and my sister Ishizu's whereabouts, are you doing that?"
"I am." The man hastily replied.
"Good, continue keeping an eye on them," Marik instructed, "'Slifer the Sky Dragon' and 'The Winged Dragon of Ra,' these two Divine Cards are in my possession. Only 'Obelisk the Tormentor' was handed over by my sister to that Kaiba."
"Hmph! Although it's a small surprise, it's not a problem. With time, I will defeat Kaiba and retrieve the Tormentor, then even if my sister stands in the way, I will personally overcome her..."
The man instinctively questioned, "But I heard your win rate against Lady Ishizu isn't very high..."
Then he promptly realized it was inappropriate and fell silent.
The Ghouls leader, heir of the Gravekeeper Race, Master of "The Winged Dragon of Ra," Marik Ishtar, fell silent for a lengthy minute.
Afterward, he coldly said, "I've decided, I will proceed with your execution."
"Aaaah! I was wrong, please spare me, my lord!!!"