Somewhere unknown.
A towering hall, vast enough to accommodate thousands of soldiers. The high ceiling pierces the sky, with white light pouring in from all directions, generously bathing the entire hall in dazzling brilliance.
Men and women in white uniforms gather in the hall. They face a tall platform where a man in a long white coat stands. The man has delicate features, with a neatly trimmed mustache.
This is the headquarters of the Light Association.
In fact, the Light Association is a rather loosely managed organization, and members of different departments seldom gather together as there is no need to.
The majority of them serve only their respective departments and rarely meet each other. Yet, they all know who they serve, or perhaps even say that they have faith in.
Takuma Saiou, the founder of this association, is akin to a divine figure in their eyes. Everyone who joins the association firmly believes that Lord Saio represents the ultimate truth of the cosmos, convincing them that the fate of the world is distinctively right or wrong.
Joining the Light Association and following Saio is the most righteous destiny.
But now they have just received dreadful news.
Lord Saio has fallen.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
Someone angrily shouted.
"Lord Saio's destiny is absolute, his existence is the justice of the cosmos. I don't believe it, his destiny can't end, nor should it end now!"
"Agreed!"
"Nonsense, it must be a rumor spread by someone with ulterior motives!"
These words immediately drew a chorus of agreement. Many shouted that it must be a conspiracy, that Lord Saio couldn't be in trouble.
But then someone else spoke.
"But I heard it was the Duel King himself." said the person, "He set a trap at Duel Academy, and Lord Saio fell victim to a villain's scheme."
Someone immediately retorted: "Nonsense. I sent someone to investigate, Lord Saio is currently recuperating in the hospital. He's just slightly wounded."
The hall was filled with diverse opinions when suddenly a voice emerged from the direction of the door.
"Takuma Saiou will not return. What you see in the hospital is nothing but an empty shell without a soul."
The crowd was startled by this, all turning their heads. Someone with a hot temper shouted loudly.
"Who are you?"
"How dare you trespass the Hall of Light?"
"A bunch of nonsense!"
But upon seeing what the person looked like, everyone involuntarily fell silent.
The newcomer was a man in a white suit. Leaning on a black cane, he walked in at a leisurely pace. Despite his casual and slow movements, he exuded an indescribable confidence and authoritative aura.
As he approached, everyone he encountered felt an inexplicable urge to hold their tongue. By the time they regained their composure, their bodies, seemingly of their own accord, had already made way for him.
The crowd parted on both sides like the Red Sea before Moses, creating a path. The man in the white suit walked straight to the end of the hall, ascended the platform, and elegantly turned to face the crowd.
"Regrettably, the news is true," he slowly said. "Takuma Saiou indeed fell victim to the Duel King's conspiracy and has now perished. But you are right too.
Even if Saio has fallen, the fate of the cosmos does not end here."
His words carried an unparalleled persuasiveness. The hall fell into silence, no one dared to question, let alone oppose.
Everyone could feel it.
This person gave them the same feeling as the previous Lord Saio. That thing that made them shudder from the depths of their souls, compelling them to obey instinctively.
The white-clad man with the mustache cautiously asked, "So, might you be..."
"My name is Merlot. From today, I will take over the Light Association. I will lead you to continue completing what Takuma Saiou couldn't finish; the world's fate remains on its destined path.
And first, I have a task for you."
As he said this, he flicked his fingers, and something flew from his hand towards the man with the mustache beside him.
The man hurriedly caught it and took a look, only to find a silver badge with the letters "GX" engraved on it.
"What's this..."
"The GX tournament is at Duel Academy, registration closes today."
Merlot said calmly.
"I want all of you to participate."
...
...
At this moment, online.
"Link System match complete, both players are logging into the online arena..."
Appearing opposite Yugen, the person had a virtual ID that showed "Rank 121 in Professional League Season 2," likely referring to the actual professional figure.
For this person also appeared rather arrogant: "Hah, just right during this off-season, warming up online to maintain my state. Heard that the duelists in Link Arena are quite up to par... Well, though I don't expect to match professional standards, at least don't let me down too much."
"Oh, so it's a professional senior." Yugen immediately showed respect, "Then I must be careful."
"..."
Three minutes later.
"Activate Power Combination, fusing two 'Cyber Dragons' to Fusion Summon 'Double-Rider Bicycle Robot'!"
"The attack power of the Mechanical Race summoned by Power Combination doubles, bringing the Double-Rider Bicycle Robot's attack power to 3200."
"Then Speed Attack Magic 'Restriction Removal', further doubling the Mechanical Race monster's attack power, increasing the Double-Rider Bicycle Robot's attack power to 6400."
"Go, bicycle, direct attack!"
Thus, Rank 121 in the Professional League Season 2 roared off the stage, still howling something about "Cyber Dragons turning into bicycles" as the system transferred him away.
Another one went crazy.
Having completed his daily practice task, Yugen glanced at the battle record, currently maintaining a 64-win streak in the Link Arena—he's only played that many matches. His ID, spreading the joy of dueling, has gained some fame within the Link System, with forum posts warning about things like "Beware of 'Happy Game'" and "Link System's First Shadow."
However, he has grown accustomed to such evaluations by now, even viewing them as a recognition of his skills and a commendation of his strength.
Exiting the system and returning to the dorm, he heard a knock on the door.
As he opened it, a long-legged beauty with a lab coat entered directly.
Upon a closer look, it was Mina from Black Scorpion.
"Mina?"
Yugen asked curiously.
"Why aren't you at the infirmary during work hours, and what brings you here?"
"Of course, I have something to report to the boss."
Mina closed the door, lowering her voice mysteriously.
"Boss, have you heard of... the God of Death who kills in a single strike?"