Elemental Hero · Earth, break!
Earthman was shattered by the combined efforts of Justfire and Light Fang, and the darkness dwelling within erupted accordingly. The dark miasma spewed from the gaping hole in Earthman's back like gushing blood, gradually purging the ink-black darkness from his eyes before dissolving away, freeing him from bondage.
The body controlled by Tragoedia was blown away, rolling embarrassingly many times across the ground—the real owner of the body didn't have a clue what had happened, left dazed and badly bruised.
Dark miasma detached from that body, struggling and twisting like a stubborn stain desperately resisting underneath the divine power of a toilet cleaner, ever precarious to elimination.
The outcome of the Dark Duel was determined; Tragoedia lost. The fragment of power he left in that body was not strong enough, and soon, he would be eliminated under the rules of the game.
But before that, he still had a few minutes left.
"Duel King... you are indeed strong, I must admit I underestimated you."
Although these words were spoken, Tragoedia's voice sounded calm, with little of the frustration and exasperation that defeat should have brought.
Perhaps he wasn't as arrogant as he intentionally portrayed—maybe he had anticipated such an outcome, to some extent.
"Forget it." Tragoedia paused, "This time you were lucky, Duel King. Hmph, but thanks to this, I've already gauged your depth.
After all, you are just a Duelist of this capacity; don't expect to be as lucky when we meet again next time."
Youyu raised his eyebrows.
Yo, this shrimp has quite the audacity.
What are you thinking? Already think you've figured me out?
Your three-pronged approach is at best like a toothpick in a vat, you've stirred seclusion after all that effort.
"You might be basking in short-term victory now, but don't get too cocky, Duel King."
Tragoedia kept talking nonsense, like he was trying to spew as many harsh words as possible before his time ran out.
"What you've seen today is just the tip of my power, not even the skin. This current world is like a toy to me; not to mention the trash housed in your Divine Artifact, even if the Great Evil God Sock revived, I would not fear him..."
Youyu: "..."
Goodness, where did you get this courage? Clearly just a shrimp, yet so inflated?
Or is it because Sock is already gone, so you trample on his grave, curse his brainlessness, waltzing around with a dragon head as a performance art dunce, and he can't pop out of the coffin and teach you a lesson?
This is like the saying, when Lv Bu was alive, nobody could defeat him, when Lv Bu died, everyone dared to act as brave as him.
Since Sock is now gone, boasting doesn't incur tax. He talks big, but could you really pull Sock's corpse out for a duel?
... Oh, to say Sock isn't completely dead would be true too, since the evil thought in Youyu's Millennium Ring has some ties with Sock. Yet its current state is pitiful, bullying others perhaps, but facing Tragoedia is indeed insufficient.
For instance, upon hearing Tragoedia's brags, the evil spirit was furious. But gauged its strength, knowing it couldn't beat him, so merely kept shaking in Youyu's hand, as if implying Youyu to make a move against his arrogance.
Youyu was unbothered, only retorting: "I heard three thousand years ago the Great Evil God Sock defeated the Three Egyptian Gods, vanquished Exodia, finally sealed by the Pharaoh at the cost of his true name.
Since you claim to be so formidable, how are you sealed then?"
Tragoedia halted instantly, stiffening and silent.
Ah...
Clearly, Youyu's question struck a sore spot, triggering some unpleasant memories...
"Hmph." After a long hesitation, Tragoedia uneasily said, "Back then those wretched priests set treacherous traps that caught me off guard.
The so-called Guardian Priests are nothing but cunning rogues, had they dared confront me head-on..."
"Trap?" Youyu questioned, "That kind lowering the opponent's intellect forcibly, compelling them to hand over their own heart to be struck?"
"Exactly, despicable shameful bastards. Too bad those priests are gone or I'd..."
Tragoedia spoke before realizing and abruptly stopped, his pupils constricted in surprise at Youyu.
"How do you know!?"
Inside, he was utterly shocked.
Being sealed three thousand years ago was his darkest experience in life, to this day imbued with hatred and anger... Most importantly, it was humiliating!
For technically, he was likely the first and maybe unprecedented villain in the history of monster games to have been sealed by his own stupidity!
The ludicrous sealing process was akin to a maniac villain pulling out a poisoned dagger, sneering "This blade is soaked in potent toxin" and licking it, only to perish before any action...
Should such a story spread, how could Tragoedia dominate the world?
Henceforth flaunting muscles to boast forces, proclaiming "I am Tragoedia", others might laugh hysterically first, apologizing "perhaps I shouldn't laugh, but your tale is too comedic..."
While brains and intestines may look structurally alike, you shouldn't fill them with the same contents!
The brain is a fine tool, lacking as a villain isn't permissible!
Despite his anger, Tragoedia was more concerned —
— How does this Duel King know!?
That was three thousand years ago! Insiders should've long been buried, right?
And the Millennium Ring once again shook vigorously.
Understanding three thousand years ago with detail as if having witnessed the scene firsthand...
... Youyu, are you sure you're not truly made of light!
Proof of light embodiment +1.
"Who... are you really?" Even Tragoedia grew suspicious.
But his time had almost run out. The dark miasma weakened, and he started to fade, with his remaining power soon unable to keep his consciousness present.
Youyu didn't respond, only remarked: "You hired Titan to target Judai, for the 'Winged Kuriboh' right?"
Tragoedia: "!"
"Three thousand years ago, Winged Kuriboh took your heart, sealing it and your body separately." Youyu calmly stated, "Now unsealed, but you haven't found your heart, have you?"
Tragoedia grew more alarmed listening.
How does he know everything!?
The Millennium Ring shook even more intensely.
"Honestly, I don't care if you break the ultimate seal. You overestimate yourself." Youyu calmly said, "But Yuki Judai is my student. Should you eye him again— even let minions hover around him... You won't want to know the consequences."
Tragoedia's eyes widened — perhaps enraged. The shadow opened its mouth, seemingly wanting to say more, but couldn't voice it.
His time was up.