The moment "Goodwin" finished, the protagonists were all shocked.
Yusei could no longer hold back. "Goodwin! Why? Didn’t you gather us here? Didn’t you want us to defeat the Dark Signers? Weren’t you trying to protect this city and its innocent people?"
Akiza also cried out, "You helped me climb out of despair and join the Signers. Was that all a lie too?"
"Indeed," replied "Goodwin", unflinching. "Each of you had your own role to play. Now, you’ve finished your parts. Time to step off the stage."
He stood at the top of the altar, opening his duel disk.
"Although I don’t mind continuing to talk, every second wasted brings us closer to the Netherworld’s opening. The Master will descend at any moment.
Do you really want to keep wasting time with words?"
Kira thought his performance deserved an Oscar—truly professional.
Well, one reason not to make small talk is that the more you talk, the more likely you are to slip up. Better to cut to the chase and duel.
Yusei frowned, "So, if we beat you in a duel, we can stop the Door from opening? Is that it?"
Jack growled, "I’ve been wanting to test your limits, Goodwin. I will crush your ambition!"
Crow shouted, "So many kids in Satellite were hurt because of the wars with Earthbound Immortals—because of guys like you!
If you’re the mastermind behind all this, Goodwin, I will never forgive you!"
Kira chuckled, spreading his arms. "Fine. The three of you can come at me together."
"Nani?!"
All three were stunned.
Together? Even knowing Goodwin’s strength, taking on all three at once... How confident and arrogant could he be? How much did he look down on them?
Jack spat, "Are you looking down on us?"
"Exactly," Kira admitted straightforwardly.
"We’ll use tag-duel rules: each side takes turns with one round. You three share 12,000 LP, and I’ll also have 12,000 LP. Any objections?"
Though it was still a three-on-one, Kira had modified the rules from the show’s original. He wasn’t as comfortable with Riding Duels—one-on-one was casual enough, but a trio against him using unfamiliar rules would be too much, so he chose the classic standing duel.
Jack instantly activated his duel disk. "Fine! Since you’re asking for it, we’ll show you our power and utterly wipe you out!"
"Duel!" ×4
[Kira, LP: 12,000]
[Crow / Jack / Yusei, LP: 12,000]
Kira: "I’ll go first. Draw."
He drew his card and, without much thought, summoned a monster.
"I normal summon ’Chaos Core’!"
A small black demon appeared, its chest glowing with a pulsing core. Its vicious bone wings spread wide and crimson energy welled in a cloud.
[Chaos Core, ATK 0]
"Then I set a card facedown. End turn."
His opponents were perplexed.
Crow: "A monster with 0 attack?"
Jack: "Bastard, are you underestimating us?"

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