NOVPUB
Chapter 94 - 94 – The Sacrificial Ritual
Since he had already experienced this once before, Kira was better prepared this time. He bent his knees slightly and landed steadily.
A pungent stench assaulted his nose — the air was damp and moldy. The surrounding walls were worn and patchy from years of decay, with water stains spreading across the surface, forming abstract and eerie patterns.
Completely different from the lush forest environment of the last time he entered the Spirit World.
"Is this the Spirit World again?"
Kira looked around. As he turned his head, he saw the Silent Magician standing nearby with her staff, vigilantly watching over him.
After a moment's thought, he stepped forward and pinched her snow-white cheek.
Yup. Same familiar texture.
"So, it is the Spirit World again," he muttered.
Silent Magician: "???"
Why has my face become a test device!?
She pouted, then immediately turned into white light and vanished into the deck.
Even in the Spirit World, spirits could return to their cards. Here, they usually had physical forms by default. In the real world, materialization consumes extra energy.
So, Kira turned to BLS and asked, "Is this still the same Spirit World as before?"
BLS shook his head. "No. This is not a world I'm familiar with. But I can feel it — the same evil taint spreads through this dimension. It's another world corrupted by the power of the Evil God."
"Ori—Halc—hmm? The Orichalcos? It's here too?"
As expected, that sneaky serpent Orichalcos had a huge appetite. Not only was it eyeing the real world, but it also had its sights on numerous Spirit Worlds.
"But this dimension's barrier between it and your Duelist World has already weakened due to the Evil God's intrusion," BLS continued. "If necessary, I can tear through the barrier and return us to reality with my power at any time."
That was reassuring to Kira. Since escape was possible at any moment, there was nothing to worry about.
After all, the BLS was said to be capable of slicing through dimensions — definitely reliable. With BLS around, he didn't need to worry about getting lost in alternate dimensions anymore.
He thought back to how, in the later part of the anime, the final boss Yubel also had powerful spatial abilities. Even when only partially awakened (just one arm), she could drag the entire Duel Academy into another dimension. Hopefully, BLS's spatial powers will be able to counter that in the future.
"Should we leave now?" BLS asked.
"No rush," Kira said, standing up.
Since they were already here, might as well look around.
Also, based on the scene right before the transport, although Jaden's two AFK roommates were left behind, Jaden himself should've been transported too. Probably because he and Kira were the only two standing directly on the ritual pattern drawn on the floor — or maybe because they were both Duelists with Spirit energy.
Either way, best to look around and see if Jaden was nearby.
After taking only a few steps, Kira turned and nearly jumped in surprise.
He saw corpses.
Armored warrior corpses, with bloodstained swords discarded beside them. Skeletal mages in tattered robes, their staffs broken nearby.
A huge pile of corpses had been dumped here.
Then, from behind him, voices rang out—someone was shouting in his direction.
"Huh? A straggler!"
"A sacrificial offering!" someone else cried. "Stop right there!"
Two figures ran toward him. Kira squinted and saw they were walking skeletons clad in armor, wielding swords and shields, helmets atop their skulls.
The two skeleton soldiers slowed down as they neared him.
Because they noticed... this sacrifice didn't seem like he planned to run at all. 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
"Sacrificial offering. You mean me?" Kira asked.
"Of course. Who else?"
Kira considered. If Jaden's landing point wasn't far, he might have been nearby.
"Alright then. Lead the way. Where's the venue?" Kira said casually.
The skeletons looked at each other.
Whoa, this offering seemed... weirdly cooperative.
Well, that made their job easier. The two skeleton soldiers flanked him front and back as if to prevent him from escaping.
But soon they realized they were overthinking things. This offering wasn't trying to escape—in fact, he was a bit chatty.
"So, this ritual," Kira chatted like he was in a taxi, "Let me guess. It's a sacrifice to the great god Orichalcos?"
Both skeletons stiffened and turned to stare at him in shock.
"Wh-why are you saying that name?" one stammered. "How do you know the True God's sacred name?!"
Ah, just as he thought—minions of that damn sneaky snake.
The taller skeleton looked at his partner and whispered, "Big bro, do you think he's also a follower of the True God...?"
"Don't spout nonsense," the short one replied nervously. "Even if he knows the name, he shows none of the divine blessings."
The taller one nodded but still eyed Kira suspiciously.
"Tough job you've got," Kira continued casually. "This place looks pretty rundown. By the way, have you seen another human around here? Looks like me, red uniform, jellyfish hair, loudmouth?"
Skeletons: "..."
Unfortunately, the two blockheads didn't give up any useful info. After passing through several doors, they arrived at a huge, dark, and damp chamber — like the entrance to an underworld. Moss covered the walls, and a large circular altar stood in the center, covered in creepy ritual items.
Magic circles with glowing gems were etched into the floor around the altar, faint and cold. Giant pillars supported the ceiling, each carved with ancient runes.
Several skeleton soldiers were stationed throughout. Kira also noticed some prisoners, chained and looking miserable.
At the center of the altar stood a priest in gray-black robes. Under the hood was a gleaming skull. On its arm, a black mist coalesced into something resembling a duel disk.
Opposite him was a blonde warrior in armor, also wearing a duel disk. He was half-kneeling, clutching his chest, and coughing up blood.
"This ends now! The soul of a defeated warrior shall be offered as divine nourishment!" the priest bellowed.
"I attack directly with myself! 'King of the Skull Servants,' strike!"
A shadow split from the priest's body, forming a double. A tower of bones rose behind him, surging with undead magic that engulfed the warrior.
"Aaaugh!!"
The warrior screamed and collapsed. A green glow burst from the altar, and his soul was pulled from his body, spiraling into the air.
Only then did Kira recognize the priest— King of the Skull Servants.
The King of the Skull Servants was a Level 1 Zombie-type monster, part of the "Skull Servant" archetype.
Even sacrifices had to be made via duel. How perfectly Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Though, now that he thought about it, that seemed a bit risky. What if the priest lost and got sacrificed instead?
"Another soul offered to the True God," King of the Skull Servants proclaimed.
The Orichalcos seal glowed on his forehead, and green flames danced in his hollow eyes.
"Next!"
Another shackled warrior was dragged to the altar. Kira noted that every time a captive was brought up, their shackles were removed. Then a burst of golden light would form into a duel disk on their arm.
"Be grateful," King of the Skull Servants sneered. "The God only consumes the souls of those who fall in battle. So, you are granted a chance to fight for your life."
He raised his duel disk ominously.
"Of course, the outcome is already decided."
"Damn you!" the new warrior growled, activating his duel disk.
Kira watched one more duel and confirmed it — King of the Skull Servants was using a standard Skull Servant deck.
His opponents, though? Weak. Their decks had little power, no clear archetype, and certainly no Destiny Draw plot armor. They were probably average at best—worse than most Duel Academy students.
Against such opponents, King of the Skull Servants was practically guaranteed to win.
But after observing for a while, Kira also got a read on the priest's skill.
He might have a hint of Destiny power, but nothing particularly strong. And since Kira already knew what kind of deck he was using, winning shouldn't be hard.
Before long, the second opponent also fell. Their soul was absorbed into the glowing green vortex.
"Next!" King of the Skull Servants shouted again.
The two skeletons who escorted Kira turned to grab him—only to find the spot empty.
They blinked and looked up—only to see Kira had already climbed onto the altar by himself.
All the skeletons: "???"
Everyone stared at the two skeleton guards as if asking, "Where did you find such a proactive sacrifice?"
The taller skeleton's jaw dropped before he whispered, "He really must be a True God believer..."
Willing to sacrifice himself just to ensure the ritual succeeded. Such devotion put the skeleton's faith to shame. At that moment, Kira's silhouette looked heroic and noble in their eyes.
Even the King of the Skull Servants was momentarily stunned. It wasn't until Kira activated his duel disk and impatiently asked, "So... are you gonna duel or what? If not, I'm leaving."
King of the Skull Servants: "..."
