Arc 0: The Isekai Protagonist

Chapter 1: How it all began

"BOY! STOP RUNNING!"

"YOU THERE! SIT DOWN!"

"HAAA?"

These are the sound belonging to one grumpy adult. He, like many others, is a civil servant of society, specifically an elementary teacher. This man is currently telling his students to behave themselves. The children, like any normal child, were very hyperactive as they run, talk loudly, even lying down on the dirty wooden floor. As for the last part with "HAAA?", it was his method to scare the children to behave themselves. How does that work? Only the person who uses it knows.

DING DONG

The door bell rang and he answered via the intercom.

Currently, their tuition is over and now they wait for their parents to take them home. At the same time, this is usually the time when the children are at their rowdiest.

The man called for the child and starts escorting them out to meet their parents.

One by one, the children left. Little by little, the place gets quieter and quieter. There are two more children in the center along with three more teachers, one of which was the very same teacher who told them to behave themselves. The students waited for their parents' imminent arrival. Until, the door rang.

At the same time, his phone blared and like clockwork, it indicated that the second and last child's parent has also arrived. The man decided to kill two birds with one stone and brought them down to meet their parents. The first reached their parent however, the second child was a bit overexcited when they saw their parent at the opposite side of the road. Throwing caution to the wind, the child sprinted across.

In the child's excitement and lack of caution, they did not notice a vehicle speeding towards him. The teacher quickly noticed this and with haste, quickly push the child away from the speeding vehicle…

An altruistic act that happened to cause the child to suffer light wound rather than a critical one…

-POV

"…I guess that did happened…" I said, "I died huh…"

That was a succinct conclusion but still a lot to take in. I mean, I died. All because of a kid, tch. I knew kids are going to be the death me, but I did not really meant that in a literal way.

All I can do now is to sigh at the irrefutable truth and reality as I watched the scene played before me.

It does feel strange looking at my own body like I'm playing a third person game but nonetheless. I just watched everything. My body being dragged away from the scene in an ambulance. Being pronounced dead in front of everyone involved. Many shocked faces, with the exception of the kid. I supposed kids will be kids, barely know how to put on their pants and you expect them to be remorseful? Well, I doubt it, in fact I don't really blame the kid, rather all I can say is c'est la vie.

I watched my cremation and subsequent funeral. I watched as my parents, as devastated as any would, tidy my room. Speaking of, my room is that of a standard typical budget otaku. With posters of anime waifus hanging on walls, body pillows, figurines and even Knick knacks belonging to some anime. I guess my parents gets too sentimental considering I'm the only child in the family. They went through my things… and I mean all of it… even my secret stash of ahem… secrets.

I had a good laugh at their discovery.

A shame I cannot laugh with them anymore. Then comes something nostalgic… my collection of cards. The ones I spend nearly all my fortune in my younger years… ah good times.

Although, this begs the question. Is it possible to be isekaied? Normally, isekai anime would include means of being transported like being ran over by a truck (in my case, car), dying in some way or form, or just "pop" you are there.

Well, considering the fact that I am still here, I suppose reality is often disappointing…

WAS the thought I had about… I want to say hours ago? Then again, I am dead so time doesn't really matter much to me. In any case, you must be wondering why I say what I said. This is because right now, I am in some… character customization menu?

Think of it this way, imagine playing an MMORPG, a Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game, or just online game. So in any online game, you create an avatar of your in-game character to experience the world. Think of games like World of Wowcraft, Final Funtasy 14 or Fantasy Star Online. Something like that.

In all joking aside, there is this menu that suddenly popped up. I will skip the mundane details and lengthy introductions and sum up everything so far.

You are dead.

Reincarnate, another chance.

Create an avatar to restart.

Appearance cannot be changed unless visiting certain places (aka barber or salon)

Stats, perks and gifts may affect life choices and are unchangeable.

Insert your name:

Surname: Kyou

Given name: Yuuki

Now we shall go into the more important stuffs, namely which world will I reincarnate in? They offered many choices for a reincarnation, like ones as tempting as Konosuba, Interspecies Reviewer and the likes. However, as tempting as they sound, they involve some potential life-threatening adventures. I mean, I already died once and no way am I going through that, so I decided on a more kid friendly anime, one that isn't as life threatening, one that I have a lot of expertise in and lastly one that happens to have just as many waifus. The Yu-Gi-Oh animes.

There are a total of seven Yugioh generations. The way how I decide is through a process of elimination. Firstly, which one I am most familiar with, meaning knowing the plotline. In this case, Yu-gi-Oh! and Zexal and Sevens is out of the equation. Next, which kind of duel I am good in. Because each generation of Yu-Gi-Oh introduces a new summoning technique with GX popularizing fusion and Vrains introducing the restrictive Links. Since I am very proficient in Synchro and Xyz summoning, and with some reluctance, Link. Therefore, GX is out of the equation.

Thirdly, which world would I want to be in. This is the final deciding factor as it would determine how my "upbringing" will be. I guess it wouldn't be too hard to guess. 5D has a class issue of rich vs poor, Vrains has a virtual world and Arc-V has… no problem. Guess which one got crossed off.

Since I am left with two worlds to go to… I immediately picked Arc-V… simply because despite the fact that I can be an internet character, in Arc-V I can meet some of my favourite characters.

So it's Arc-V.

Next, I create my avatar, which is currently taking up the most time by far. If I am being reincarnated into a different world, I might as well look good. If this were your typical online character creation, I wouldn't be taking this all too seriously because then I would look like an impossibly beautiful woman with the skimpiest outfit you can imagine. Speaking of, did you know they include a Harpie Lady outfit here…

So I tinkered until I am satisfied with my looks. I went for a certain Saber from a rather popular mobile gacha game that features historical figures participating in a war. Of course, I like my meganes, which means glasses, so I added that. Voice setting, body build, once everything is checked out, I proceed.

Another menu popped up:

Insert your character's background

Sigh… This reminds me of the Sims where you pick the character's lifetime goal, traits and what not…

Another vital portion to my character because apparently this dictates how my character starts out. Fair enough. I spent more time here thinking of a good backstory and making sure that I left no gaps. Thus, when I was done, this is my character's backstory:

A mysterious duelist who came from an unknown dimension. (I need to preserve my identity after all). An entity that exists outside the laws of the world and is capable of feats that eclipse other extraordinary people. He came to the Standard Dimension in order to have a peaceful ordinary life.

Despite his superiority, he is quintessentially humble and approachable. He can be strict but caring. He can be evil but as a necessity. Most importantly, he only wanted to fit in and lived like any other.

Next, is this important point that will define my character:

He has a sick sense of poetry in which he loves poetic karmic justice. He despised people who pretend they are superior. He becomes extremely sadistic when dishing out his own form of justice in which he uses the bully's methods against themselves.

As to how he ties into Arc-V:

Today, he will enter a job interview with Leo Duel School (LDS) in order to live out his ordinary life and he will perform his duties diligently and passionately to the point he will become the best teacher in LDS.

I go through it twice, thrice even, maybe a couple more times in case of any errors. Until I am satisfied enough to continue my character creation.

Select your gifts (You are allowed 3)

Well that is quite generous because normally, we are allowed one or none whatsoever. I am not looking at a gift horse in the mouth. I interact with it and… is bombarded by a huge list of gifts…

…

Yes this is like the Sims…

More hours of reading later, I have decided on these three.

Firstly, we have Duel Terminal. This gift allows me to have access to three copies of every card that I have owned, touched, played… and seen. I've seen em all, so already I have access to everything… almost everything.

Secondly, I picked out Shadow Games. This is the gimmick of previous Yu-Gi-Oh titles predominantly in the original Yu-Gi-Oh anime and manga. Two players will contest with each other in a certain game and the loser is harshly punished. In this case, there is a flavor text that enables me to alter the abilities of Shadow Games. Of which I went with:

I can deploy Shadow Games without a Millennium Item.

I can change the Master Rule of the duel from Master Rule 1 to 5.

Following rule 2, I can only use Link Monsters when using Shadow Games, unless the Master Rules stated otherwise.

I am able to decide on the punishment of the loser.

The cards I drew will never brick. This can be done outside of Shadow Games.

I can decide what card(s) I will draw next. This can be done outside of Shadow Games.

I came here to play and have fun so screw it if I feel like I am cheating. Now, for my last gift… I have to go with Natural Charisma. This is like the Charisma stat in most table top role-playing game which it dictates the personality, leadership and likeability of the person. Only with this gift, it forces the people to have a good first impression of me along with making it easier to build rapport with others.

So, with all of this done, I submitted my creation and await further instructions. The… system seems to have lagged because for a time, I have been staring at the constructing world notification. Then, another interface popped up and it asked me this question:

Would you want to have a single relation route or a harem route?

Obviously… HAREM ROUTE. I mean, who wouldn't, especially when some of the heroines in Yu-Gi-Oh are just good looking. I picked that and… let me spare everyone the trouble and say that I declined the same gendered relationship option… along with the age difference route.

So with that locked in, a congratulatory message showed up and stated that I am now ready to be transferred. The last thing I need to do is to push the button. However, before I touch it, I turned around to look at my old world one last time. This can be the last time I see them, for all I know the moment I transfer I may forget them. I took in my friend's names, appearances and their personality. Then I gave my parents my farewell and my best wishes before pressing the button.

Yuuki's Point of View

"Ohayou gozaimasu! Ohayou Gozaimasu! OHAYO GOZAIMA-"

CLICK

I lazily reached for the alarm clock by my bedside. It features a brown scale with a blue tornado in one scale and a red flame in the other.

Immediately I got off bed and did my morning rituals. Brushing my teeth, I also took the time to examine myself. Short two-toned hair of navy in the middle and white on both sides. Square glasses pushed up against my green eyes. Rugged yet angular face. I need to comb my hair, which I did after cleaning myself. A combing session later, my hair went from messy to white winged sides and spiky navy crown.

Excellent.

Next, I have my breakfast which consist of a simple toast and coffee. You mustn't go to war on an empty stomach after all. Once that is done, I checked my clock on my Duel Disk that has a time function. It states here that it is 4.00 AM. This is the time when I usual have my daily jogs, so changing into my tracksuit I began my routine.

The morning air of Maiami City is always a delight to me. For one, I get to enjoy the city in its quietest. Then as I jog, the quiet is filled with more and more activities of its people. Shopkeepers waking up early to begin their businesses, a few fellow joggers joining me on my routine and soon enough, more early birds who had to start working early.

"Yuuki-san," my fellow jogger called me out, "I heard you are going to work in LDS today?"

"Not working, interview," I responded between breaths, "My interview starts at 10, so I have some time before that happens."

"LDS? You mean YOU are applying to teach in Leo Duel School?" he asked again.

"Well, they did recruit me. Took me a while to consider the offer. What? Is that a bad thing?" I answered with a question.

"No, not at all. In fact, you have all my support in this." He responded earnestly.

"Thanks. I heard you started a new school. You Show Duel School?" I changed the subject.

"Yeah, a shame you are going to LDS, but hey if you can't get a job in LDS, you want to work with me?" the man offered.

An open invitation huh? "Well, you will need to hope that I didn't get the job." I jab back casually.

This is the usual norm for me as we traded gossip back and forth while we jogged. I am quite popular within the neighborhood. We went on for a few more minutes before we came to a stop next to LDS. This is the usual spot where we would take a small break between our jogs. I bought some refreshments for my fellow joggers using the DP I have.

DP, also known as Duel Points is the currency used in this world. It doesn't matter if you live in America, Russia or Antarctic, you still use DP to buy things.

"Man, LDS sure looks bigger than usual," the jogger commented, "To think you will be working here."

He was right. LDS is the tallest building in Maiami City. It bears the shape of an hourglass. This building is owned by Leo Corporation, which also share the same building. According to the information shared in social media, the building is split into two portions. The first is the lower portion of the hourglass which functions as the building's school faculties. This place is accessible to everyone provided they have an invitation from one of the students or employees. The second portion is the upper part of the hourglass, which is strictly limited to specific personnel. In fact, it is so strict that not every personnel is allowed into it. On top of that, the building is also the most secure place in Maiami City as it is also a mega corporation that has international relationship, therefore having some foreign exchange students coming in.

"Never judge a book by its cover, so the saying goes. It might look big and grand on the outside, but who know what kind of people we will meet inside." I spoke with a bit of pessimism, "Besides, I have my reasons for working here."

The rest of the exercise was done in relative silence as we have nothing else of importance to talk about. Bidding farewell to my jogging partner, I head home to prepare for the most important part of my life yet.

Taking a shower and changing into my usual attire. I took out my black T and grey trousers. Then, I wore my black hiking boots that has been with me for years. Once that is done, I ensure that everything is checked. My application, my credentials, my duel disk and most importantly my deck. Once that is done, I check my time and it states that it is 7.54 AM. Excellent. I have plenty of time to prepare and practice for my job interview.

So now, here I am, 8.00 AM outside of the venue. I have plenty of time to prepare so, I use that time to rehearse. After all, first impressions are always the most important thing in knowing a person. However, before I had the chance to go through my scripts, I saw a child running across the street. Normally, this would not be a problem but in a distance, I saw a bike jetting across the same street the child is crossing.

This is bad. Very bad.

I threw my baggage and quickly lunged at the kid. Pulling him away seconds before an incident may happen.

It was then a strong sense of déjà vu hit me…

I… can't really describe this feeling. It is like all my strength had left me. Like I am floating away… Like I've died. I've… died?

"Mommy! MOMMY!"

I was jolt back to reality when the child I held onto struggled out of my arms and to his supposed mother. At first, I was met with some denouncing looks from the parent, which slowly changed to approval when her child told them what happened. She then came to thank me for saving her child and even wanted to give me a gift. To which I declined insistently. Regardless, I was given a small token of gratitude either ways and it would be rude if I kept rejecting the gift.

They bid their goodbyes and I am left to my person once more. While I recollect the things I cast aside, I also took some time to recall the so called déjà vu.

I have died once… living as… someone else. Hang on… I was…

…

I remember now. I died. In my previous life and now I am… Kyou Yuuki.

Silence… that is all I have right now. The only sound I could hear is the wind. I felt my eyes grew wet as I reminiscent the very few vague memories I could recall. Yes… I died. Now I am mourning for myself.

Covering my face into my hands, I started sobbing quietly as I recall every moment in my previous life. Starting from the happiest to the saddest, then the angriest to the most embarrassing moments, and finally the people I left. My parents and friends. I don't have much friends in my previous life and we were hardly in contact with each other. But my parents… I wonder what they are doing now, now that I have passed away.

Speaking of parents, apparently, I don't have any in this world come to think of it. It was almost as if I just popped out of existence one day, as per described in the background I created for me: An entity that exists outside the laws of the world. It would seems that the interface took this quite metaphorically instead of literal as when I created this background, I had the thought of me being like an outer god levels of unknown. The system interpreted this as "a man who appears out of nowhere from an unknown dimension". A huge downgrade, but I am honestly fine with it.

Hm…

Oh yes. Wiping my tears away as I thought of other things to distract myself, I try to access my gifts. To be fair, I have a lot of difficulties trying to find them. At first, I start off by saying, "Status" then "Properties" and "Reveal". I even shouted them all out in one quick breath. Don't worry, no one was around, I checked. To my dismay, I can't really check it like one would in an RPG game, get that crossed out of the list.

Then I checked my Duel Disk.

Now, one could start by checking the Duel Disk first, however in my defense, I used this thing in my entire life. So, I would know if I would receive any interesting or suspicious notifications. To this day, there were nothing suspicious as of yet… until now.

There were three things that were out of place.

One, I could see an app installed into my Duel Disk. The app was called "Duel Terminal" and I have a hunch as to what it does.

Next, I received a black app with an apostrophe mark on it, which indicates that there is something on it.

Lastly, I have a mail notification.

Needless to say, I start with my mail.

Welcome to your new life!

There are much to discover in this world and since you are now a permanent resident in this new world, we hope you can take your time to enjoy and experience what life has to offer you. Your gifts have been distributed to you and are automatically claimed.

We would also like to remind you that this is NOT a game but at the same time enjoy it to the fullest.

Note: This message will be deleted when closed.

I read the message again and decided to close it once I am sure of its contents. I supposed this is my life now, an isekai protagonist. This is exciting. Just like playing an open world game, but without limitations and more realism.

Next on the agenda is the Duel Terminal App that has the picture of a human silhouette. Opening it reveals a goldmine of data. Firstly, the application gave me the database of every card in existent. On top of that, not only does it provide me with the tips and combos to execute with each card, it even includes information of Link monsters, something that Arc-V era (which is this world) don't have access yet. Next, it also includes a map of the place. Sweet, now I can know the best spots of Maiami City. Lastly, this app also includes a tab called Relationship. Surprisingly, this is the only tab that is empty for the most part. I assume that this section will fill itself up eventually so that's something to look out for.

All in all, this application will be both my walkthrough and cheat sheet for this life. A good gift I will say.

Now the final app, the one in black and a small apostrophe mark. I tap onto it and is stopped by a notification that warns me about taking some time to setup.

I look at the current time and could see that it is 9.06 right now. Time sure fly by when you are absorbed in though. I barely realized how fast everything has gone. Guess having fun really do that to you.

In any case, keeping the time in mind, I begin my setup process.

The first screen tells me that I can create my deck with this app instead of creating a physical deck instead. Nice, this would make less clutter. Back in my old life, I have drawers full of cards from old to new. Then it displays a premade deck, which is frankly as generic as a starter deck that I always find in the games. Make no mistake, they are solid for beginners, but as you advance and grow with each victory and lost, you find that the deck you start off slowly loses its luster. Which makes you, a now seasoned player, wanting a deck you can call your own or one that you wish to try and understand so that you know its strengths and weaknesses.

Considering that I have been an avid fan for more than 10 years, I am very well aware of the game itself. Combined with my knowledge of other strategy and card game in general, suffice to say, I do have a strong start.

I proceed to scrap the starter deck I was given and since I have little to no time, I piece together a deck that is not only simple in execution but also strong in presence and power. Considering how familiar I am with the deck, it took no less than 2 minutes to complete this process.

The second pop-up appear and this one tells me to pick my D-Wheel. Now this reminds me, in Arc-V they did eventually travel to the Synchro Dimension, in which case, they use D-Wheel to duel. D-Wheels are machines which allows the rider and duelist to duel at high speeds. In simpler terms, card games on motorcycles.

The thought of having being able to ride a bike and doing speed duel is definitely exciting. What's more, unlike in 5Ds, Arc-V's version of Speed Duel has been modified so that we no longer have speed counter or speed spell to worry about.

This section may take up a lot of time as there is a full list of D-Wheel to choose from. Fortunately, this part is skippable for the time being so skip I did.

Third and finally, this has to do with my Shadow Games power. It lists off all the abilities I have stated in my character creation. Then comes the most important part of this screen: How do I want to activate it? In which case, it is as simple as a verbal command.

To be fair, I did some thinking for this part and decided that activating it by saying a certain phrase would not only be the most natural transition but also a cool one. I may be an adult but deep down, I still have my child fantasies. As for the trigger word, I can think of no other word. After all, when a certain teacher, who from the very beginning has been your guide throughout the story, who also sits on a wheelchair, starts standing up and drew his weapon, which is a scythe, becomes the "final boss", left such a strong impression on me; I just had to copy him.

And thus, my trigger word is none other than: "Tonight, Yuuki joins the hunt."

With that, most of the things I need to do is completed. That said, I look at the time again. 9.27. Almost time then.

I took that as my cue to enter the building in order to begin my job interview.