"I didn't expect that the forty-ninth place in the fifty-fifth honor roll would only have a little over three hundred points."
"Doesn't that mean there are a lot of people who don't even have 300 points? Damn!"
"Thinking about it that way, it's terrifying!"
The surrounding duelists suddenly became depressed at the realization.
Only then did they notice how vast the gap was between them and the truly strong duelists — it wasn't even on the same level!
[Duel King Gold List — 48th in Overall Strength!]
[Asuka Tenjoin]
[Affiliation: Duel Academia, Obelisk Blue top student.]
[Representative Decks: Cyber Angel Dakini, Cyber Blader.]
[Yu-Gi-Oh! Comprehensive Strength Factors: Suppression Power 65, Anti-Interference 60, Luck 55, Deck Construction 65, Defense 50, Thinking 65.]
[Total Strength Score: 360]
[Rewards: Thinking +5, Ritual Spell Card [Machine Angel Ritual] unlocked!]
When this entry appeared, more people couldn't help but exclaim.
"Damn it! Southern Duel Academy again?"
"How are there so many strong duelists there?"
"Man, I can't help but want to transfer to Duel Academia now!"
---
4. The whole world watches the Duel King Gold List! (4/6! Ask for Flower Tickets!)
In the security zone, Rex Goodwin observed the golden sky and the constantly updating list.
He said slowly, "I must admit, Duel Academia's strength is beyond my expectations."
"This is already the second student to make the list, right?"
"Meanwhile, no one from our Satellite Area has appeared yet."
Yeager nodded thoughtfully. "True, but think about it from another angle."
"If none from our Satellite is on yet, doesn't that mean our duelists may appear higher up?"
"After all, the current top 50 all hover around a 300-strength score."
"I believe we Satellite duelists will far surpass these rankings."
"Let's just wait and see!"
Rex Goodwin didn't deny Yeager's words — he himself was fully confident in their hidden power.
---
Dark Signer Altar.
In the shadows of a ruined altar, a few figures in black cloaks muttered.
One of them looked at the golden cracks and scrolling names in the sky, and sneered, "The Duel King Gold List? Do you really think you can make it?"
"From the Satellite Area, no one's even shown up yet — pathetic!"
Another Dark Signer gave a grim laugh, "More than 300 total strength just to make the list? Heh, by that standard, I should easily rank too. Gahaha!"
---
Neo-Domino City – Research Facility.
In a highly futuristic control room, a half-mechanical being looked up at the golden light, frowning.
Staring at the Duel King Gold List, he spoke coldly, "Duel King Gold List?"
"In the end, it's meaningless."
"Once humanity is wiped out, this list will vanish too."
"Toshino City — no, this whole world — would be better off destroyed."
This man was none other than ZONE.
Another figure in a black cloak, blond hair gleaming faintly, approached. His voice was calm yet laced with arrogance: "This Gold List? Hmph. The top ten will belong to us soon enough."
"Are there really any duelists alive who can surpass us?"
This man was Paradox.
---
Duel Academia – Obelisk Blue Dormitory.
"As expected of Asuka-senpai!" Yuki Judai (Jaden Yuki) said excitedly.
"You're not even the one on the list. Why so excited?" Maeda Hayato sighed in exasperation.
"Haha! As long as someone from Duel Academia makes it, I'm thrilled! It proves our school's strength!" Judai said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Big bro, you'll definitely make the list too! You even defeated Professor Chronos de Medici during entrance exams!" Marufuji Sho (Syrus Truesdale) added with a grin.
"Haha, I sure hope so!" Judai laughed heartily.
---
Principal's Office.
"Mamma Mia! Another star student of ours! Asuka Tenjoin, naturally!" Chancellor Sheppard roared with laughter.
"Sure enough, Asuka-senpai is leagues ahead of me," Misawa Daichi (Bastion Misawa) said with an easy smile.
"No, I really didn't expect I would make it," Asuka admitted with a blush.
"Asuka! Congratulations!" Manjoume Jun (Chazz Princeton) said with an awkward blink — he seemed even happier than if he'd made the list himself.
Principal Samejima (Sheppard) nodded proudly: "Now, the other schools will have no choice but to recognize Duel Academia's strength!"
---
[Duel King Gold List — 47th in Overall Strength!]
[Weevil Underwood]
[Affiliation: Champion of Duelist Kingdom Tournament.]
[Representative Decks: Insect Queen, Great Moth.]
[Yu-Gi-Oh! Comprehensive Strength Factors: Suppression Power 72, Anti-Interference 53, Luck 61, Deck Construction 63, Defense 58, Thinking 64.]
[Total Strength Score: 371]
[Rewards: Insect-type Bond +8, Monster Card [Parasite Paracide] unlocked!]
This sudden update caused another uproar.
In his helicopter, Kaiba Seto stared coldly at the Duel King Gold List.
Without even shutting the door, he muttered, "Isono! Get me a complete profile on all duelists listed."
"A champion from Duelist Kingdom, huh?"
"I've never heard of this Weevil Underwood."
"But this Duel King Gold List revealed plenty of duelists worth crushing."
"Yes, President Kaiba!" Isono quickly pulled out his laptop to start gathering information.
"Big Brother! Duelist Kingdom's going to be crazy!" Mokuba Kaiba chirped.
"But be cautious — Pegasus J. Crawford is behind all this!"
"Hmph. If he wants to challenge me, let him try. Pegasus relied on his Toon World gimmicks and his Millennium Eye to cheat. But this time, dueling will be different."
Kaiba Seto's smirk was cold and full of contempt.
---
PS: New book launched! Hoping to get a wave of Flower Tickets! Your support for Yu-Gi-Oh fiction matters a lot — very few are writing in this field right now, and it's tough to keep going, so every bit of encouragement helps!
---
5. The Legendary Teacher Daitokuji Joins the List! Seven Stars Organization Revealed! (5/6! Ask for Flower Tickets!)
---
In the alleys of Domino City.
A short, green-suited figure with round glasses and a sly grin chuckled weirdly.
"Jiji! As the Duelist Kingdom Champion, it was child's play for me to get ranked!"
"Whether it's Duel City, or the dark times coming one year later, Weevil Underwood will be famous!"
The lenses of Weevil's glasses gleamed with ambition.
Not far away…
You Feng (OC/Protagonist) happened to spot Weevil, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
"So far, two DM duelists have made the list, two GX students too, but none from 5D's!"
"Satellite Area must be panicking right now."
"I wonder… will there be Duel Kingdom references next?"
"Maybe a Fortune Cup?"
"Or another inter-school championship?"
"The world's full of powerful duelists — it's exciting!"
---
Northern Satellite Area.
"None from Satellite... it's pathetic."
Jack Atlas revved his D-Wheel, helmet off, looking up grimly at the golden light.
"This world... is tougher than I thought."