Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh! novel Chapter 519

Chương 519: Chapter 519: Count Me In

After squeezing their way through the Supreme King's ranks, Kira and Jaden finally reached the innermost circle.

From afar, they could at last make out the figure encircled at the army's center.

In the middle of the town stood a man in a loose, robe-like garment that must have been scavenged from local natives. It had probably been white once but was now grimy and sand-stained, the fabric torn in many places. Yet on him it didn't look shabby at all—more like "battle-damaged limited skin"—and he exuded an intimidating presence.

He had blond hair and a straight, upright posture. Time had left its marks, so he didn't match Kira's memory exactly, but the temperament and features were enough to recognize him.

Jaden's eyes lit up. He couldn't help glancing at Kira. "Could that be—"

"Yeah," Kira said with a confirming smile. "That's him."

"The legendary duelist, Joey Wheeler."

No townsfolk remained in sight amid the sandy streets. The Supreme King's army had completely taken over the place.

The God of Gambling now stood atop a crumbling stone house in the center of the town, proudly facing the sea of Supreme King troops around him. A mass of dark spirits and soldiers had encircled the building like an iron barrel, yet no one dared to advance.

Only when three demons in black armor vaulted onto the roof opposite Joey and stared him down from a distance did anyone step forward. Judging by the look of them, they were the three commanders the skull-faced officer had mentioned earlier.

"Give it up," said one of them, a ram-headed demon. "As you can see, you are surrounded by the Supreme King's elite."

The second, a lopsided creature with only one bone wing, called out as well. "The Supreme King welcomes talent. Our army reveres strength.

You've shown first-rate dueling skills and proven your power. Surrender now, avoid pointless resistance, and your previous offenses can be overlooked. The Supreme King's army never stints on opportunities for the strong."

"Shut up!"

Joey cut him off rudely and swung his Duel Disk.

"The last ones said the same. If you want to fight, fight—enough foreplay!"

He paused, then flashed a sly grin.

"Oh? Or are you scared of the cards in my hand?"

The ram-headed demon snorted and glared.

Afraid of your cards?

What a joke. If not for your cozy relationship with Lady Luck and those damned dice…

They'd all heard the stories: two or three highly regarded, powerful generals had seemed to gain the upper hand against this man, only to be inexplicably wiped out by a single, game-swinging die roll.

That was what made him so eerie.

If the opponent simply possessed overwhelming power—crushing everything with sheer dueling might—that would be one thing. People would be cowed, concede his strength, and avoid challenging him lightly. No big problem.

The problem was, he didn't radiate a crushing presence like the Supreme King.

The three were taken aback.

The sacred ritual of dueling defaults to one-on-one—this is common law across the Twelve Dimensions. But if the opponent consents, two-on-one, three-on-one, even a whole army dogpile isn't impossible.

Still, even the strongest seldom ask for such a handicap. Facing three or more at once is usually suicide.

"Ha, looks like we won't get our turn," chuckled the skull who'd brought Kira and Jaden here. "But it's not a loss—seeing the three commanders act together is rare."

Jaden glanced at Kira. "He looks like he needs help."

His eager eyes might as well have said, Let me at 'em—I'm starving for a duel.

Kira smiled and nodded. "Go."

With permission granted, Jaden lit up and leapt forward.

They'd been exploring the Spirit Dimensions far longer than in the original anime and under far less pressure. Jaden had had ample time to learn how to wield the fully-embodied power of cards in this world, and he was now quite proficient.

Avian's silhouette flashed briefly, grabbed Jaden by the hand, and hoisted him into the air. With a beat of its wings, it carried him over the formation and onto the rooftop facing the demons.

Avian vanished. Jaden landed in a gust beside Joey, dusted his hands, and grinned.

"Three on one? That's not fair. Count me in."

Everyone: "?"