Scene 4.

"Priorities".

[Dominos City, Japan. Saturday. 11/18/1990. Afternoon. Game Shop, RPG Hobby Trading Card's].

Honestly, I didn't like at all what I had done to the kid. It was cruel, no doubt, but I had more important things on my plate, priorities, like going back where I belonged, home, with my family, for example. This wasn't my world, or reality, or whatever it was, I didn't belong here, I wasn't here to socialize or make friends, it wasn't even my damn choice from the beginning, and definitely not intended to create any bond with the people in this place, doing so would only become an emotional obstacle over time, of that I was convinced. Even less with a kid, no matter how big the bias sounded.

I had already wasted too much time trying not to attract attention during the past week. I went to school, went to clubs, tried to keep up the facade of the boy who had previously owned this body as best as I could, and all for nothing, it was an absolute foolishness. I had understood it only three days ago and had seriously made me doubt my own intelligence.

Time was running out, now I had only about five weeks left until the beginning of the National Championship, I had barely learned the basics of Duel Monsters and still struggling to create a deck that was competitive enough to participate in that tournament. A tournament of which, thanks to all the saints, I already knew some issues, courtesy of my three roommates, Satake, Kotsuzuka, and Takaido, all ardent fans of the game.

Issues such as, for example: the first part of the championship would be held regionally, east and west, and one had to go to a venue located in each district to be able to participate, win, and then be able to advance to the next phase of the competition.

Yesterday afternoon I had approached the place in question with some questions and, as I had suspected from the beginning, the registration had been quite expensive for the cash I had on me at that time. I had to borrow money from one of the boys at the orphanage, Satake, later, to be able to have the exact amount ready for that registration. It was annoying, but I would do what I had to do to fulfill my goal, even begging was not exempt from it.

In the end, a man had to do what was right for his family and I definitely would not deviate from the norm, whether that was controversial or not.

My situation had proven more than enough that the world was not a fair place, that science was nonsense, and that no one, absolutely no one, had any control over their own actions.

"We are damn puppets of God. Anyway". I sighed, closing the catalog in my hands.

It was a catalog of all the cards that had been released to date. A number less than a thousand, worth mentioning. A catalog that bore the signature of a game expert who now worked for a company called: Industrial Illusions. The same company where the Duel Monsters had been introduced to the public and which constantly released new content about the game itself.

"Hm. Before making a hasty decision and spending all I have, it would be better if I learn more about the ins and outs of this game. I already know a bit, but I could still mess up by rushing. Hm, I need advice". I whispered to myself.

My eyes landed on one of the employees of the store.

I signaled to him, he saw me, and then walked up to me quickly.

"Uh, how can I assist you, student?". He asked.

Apparently, he was a carefree individual.

I smiled cordially in his direction and responded. "Do you have any manuals or something similar that could help me learn from scratch about Duel Monsters?".

The employee nodded towards me and then began to search through some shelves behind him.

"Oh, yes. I think I have what you're looking for". He commented before turning around and presenting me with a small illustrated booklet.

I raised my fists inwardly in victory. Now I had what I needed.

I took the book in question and then asked. "How much does it cost?".

The man shook his head and replied. "It's worth nothing these days, take it. Tell me, do you need anything else?".

In response to his question, I shook my head and the employee left, leaving me alone to explore the few pages of the manual titled: 'Introduction to Duel Monsters'.

"Uh? And now what?". I hesitated.

However, my concentration was interrupted by a noisy commotion on the other side of the store.

"Wow, lucky me! I got a Skull Knight!". Exclaimed an extremely excited boy.

Another boy approached him immediately afterward.

"Really?! That's a very rare card! Damn lucky!". He added equally euphoric.

A third boy joined them in the run.

"Hey, hey! In which pack did you get it, tell me?!". He asked insistently.

The lucky boy didn't hesitate to respond, still in full ecstasy. "It was in the Expansion Pack of Metal Predators! It was the last one! I can't believe it!".

The store employee who had attended to me earlier approached the group and exclaimed. "Congratulations, dear customer! The packs are like a lottery! In the end, you never know what you might get! Please continue shopping at our store in the future! Don't forget us!".

After his words, I had a small revelation. "A lottery. Yes, that could work. Hm, something tells me I should also remember this specific event. The last Metal Predator pack, Skull Knight, November 18 at 4:09 p.m., alright, excellent. I'll write it down later when I'm at the orphanage. Hm. I think I already have a notion of what I should invest my time in during this, let's call it, 'opportunity'".

The circumstances were gradually improving for me, and I could already see the path opening up before my eyes with this discovery. However, although such a perspective sounded extremely tempting and rational on the edges, part of me was in conflict. My heart.

"Is it really worth it?". I muttered to myself, my gaze lost in the happiness of that boy who had obtained a card, a mere piece of paper.

Even an hour later, when I finally left the store, I still had not found the answer to that question.

An invaluable memory, for a better second chance to advance in this devilish game?

The crossroads plagued my mind.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep much that night.

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To be continued...