Chapter 51: It Must Be an Illusion, Right?

Crack, crack.

The sound of the dark domain fracturing echoed.

The previously unchanging, twisted darkness suddenly gained a massive hole, revealing the normal night sky.

It was as if the [Wildland Stomper Beast]’s stomp had shattered even the dark domain.

No, it wasn’t “as if.”

The next moment, the dark domain began to collapse, inch by inch.

“Uwa!”

Seeing the domain above her head shatter and fall, Tivia instinctively hugged her head.

But then she realized that neither she, as a soul, nor the body controlled by Yide, were affected in any way.

Does this… mean they won?

Suddenly, a scream came from opposite her.

“Aaaahhhhhh!!”

Andral was sprawled on the ground, propping himself up, trying to lift his body.

But the darkness beneath him seemed to have turned into quicksand, rapidly swallowing his body.

Feeling himself constantly being pulled away from this world, Andral’s expression was terrified.

He began to flail his arms wildly, his fingers digging into the ground, leaving streaks of blood.

“No! My Lord God, spare me!”

“I will! I will bring you more offerings, I swear! Please don’t devour me! Aaaahhhhhh!”

“Wait!”

Tivia reached out to stop him.

But before she could even return to her own body, Andral was submerged by the darkness, over his head.

The next moment, the dark domain completely vanished, and everyone returned to the street.

Where Andral had sunk, there was now no sign of anything unusual, only a single card lying quietly, waiting to be picked up.

Seeing this scene, Tivia, even in her soul form, felt a chill down her spine.

If she had lost, would she have ended up like Andral?

No, it might have been even more tragic…

“Tivia!”

As the dark domain dissipated, Sonia rushed in immediately, embracing the red-haired girl tightly.

“Thank goodness, Tivia, it’s really great that you’re okay…”

Her eyes welled up with tears, all of them rubbing onto the red-haired girl.

She had been really scared when she saw the [Wildland Stomper Beast] being dispelled, afraid that she would lose two friends in the same duel.

Now, seeing her friend safe, her worry faded, leaving only joy, and her tears flowed like a bursting dam.

However, the more this happened, the more embarrassed Yide felt.

“Uh, don’t cry yet, Sonia, it’s still me.”

Sonia: (ﾟдﾟ)

She was hugging Mr. Yide?

Eh? Eh?

“Uh… I’ll switch Tivia back right away.”

Yide also felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so he immediately made his escape.

—Soul Return!

The red-haired girl opened her eyes again, hugged Sonia, and patted her head.

“Xiaoya, it’s me now.”

“Wuwuwu, Tivia, welcome back!”

Perhaps it was because both of them had experienced a duel that night.

Now, embracing each other, besides the joy of victory, they also felt a sense of reunion after a long separation.

The only downside was that Sonia had already finished crying.

They hugged for a moment, then separated, looking at the spot where Andral had stood.

Recalling Andral’s miserable state, Sonia’s joy suddenly diminished, and her expression became complicated.

Tivia felt the same way.

“Is that man in the black robe… really dead?”

Yide nodded, “The darkness just now consumed him. Barring any surprises, Andral no longer exists in this world.”

“That’s why the Duelists’ Association is so dedicated to combating dark duelists.”

The Duelists’ Association, such a transcendent organization, was indifferent to any conflicts among the powers on this continent, yet it held a hostile attitude specifically towards dark duelists. Of course, there was a reason for this.

“However, while the Duelists’ Association opposes dark dueling, if the attacked person wins, they won’t confiscate the card dropped by the dark duelist. This is also a form of compensation for the victim.”

“So, go pick up that card.”

“I understand.”

Tivia stepped forward, picked up the card lying on the ground, and turned it over.

[Life-Devouring Shadow]

“Hmm… it’s just average.”

Yide gave his assessment.

Although this card had a remarkable performance at the end, taking down the [Wildland Stomper Beast].

But that was an exceptional play.

The difficult part about this card is that the reduced values are not easy to control.

Black cards are good at self-harm; most cards only make you lose health, and only a few can make you gain health, so it’s not easy to find cards that synergize well with it.

Most importantly, this isn’t a green card that Tivia uses.

Even if Tivia could incorporate black cards into her deck like Gris, forming a black-green dual color deck, Yide wouldn’t recommend it.

“Aside from compatibility, every additional color you mix in increases the chance of a ‘bricked’ hand.”

“And in terms of this card’s strength alone, it’s not strong enough to warrant you playing a dual-color deck.”

At this point, Yide’s preference was quite clear.

But he still shook his head, “However, it’s up to you how you handle it. It’s already a tradable card anyway, even if you don’t use it, you can wait for a suitable opportunity to trade it.”

“Just take it for now.”

“Mmm.”

Tivia put away the card, then sighed, “It’s a shame, there was no chance to ask who the mastermind was.”

“Even though I won the dark duel, why do I feel like things have become even more complicated?”

From Andral’s statement at the time, it seemed she was targeted because of Sonia.

But who would go so far as to send a dark duelist to eliminate the two of them?

“There’s no need to rush that question,” Yide said calmly, “Without Andral, there’s still Gris El.”

Tivia couldn’t help but be startled, “He didn’t run away?”

“He won’t run.”

Yide smiled, “If he’s caught by your Silo family and honestly confesses everything, there’s a possibility of survival.”

“But if he runs, he might disappear on the way.”

Tivia felt a little happy, but then she remembered that he had laid hands on Sonia, and she still had to ensure his safety, which made her clench her teeth in anger: “He’s getting off easy.”

“No, I’m going home right now and have Dad catch that Gris and interrogate him thoroughly.”

“Let’s go, Sonia, come to my house tonight. It’s safer.”

The red-haired girl was about to move.

But suddenly, Sonia tugged at her clothes.

“Um, Tivia…”

Tivia lowered her head slightly, “What is it, Sonia?”

Sonia stared directly at the pendant hanging on her chest: “Um… Mr. Yide, can I have it back?”

“Oh, haha, sorry, I completely forgot.”

That’s right, Yide was summoned by Sonia, and this pendant also belongs to Sonia. Of course, she couldn’t keep wearing it forever, haha.

“Here you go, Sonia.”

Tivia took off the pendant and handed it over with a smile.

But just as Sonia took it, Tivia subconsciously hooked her finger, making the pendant linger in her hand for a moment longer.

It was as if she would lose something in her heart without this pendant.

What… was wrong with her?

Tivia quickly shook her head, not thinking about it further, and followed Sonia, leaving the street.

It must be her imagination.