"Ahhhh—"
A gut-wrenching scream, as if ripped out from the very depths of the soul, brimming with unimaginable pain and despair. So sharp and trembling, if you only heard the sound, you'd think someone was having their flesh cut open inch by inch, or being burned alive, every single nerve howling in agony.
The entire audience was stunned into silence. Of course, that included the prison guards of this facility—normally, the chief warden was the main culprit for abusing power and tormenting inmates, but these goons hardly counted as innocent either.
Right now, seeing their boss in such a state, even the remaining guards felt a chill and dared not meet their superior's gaze.
This high-ranking officer, Goodwin, seemed in that moment like a white-haired devil—a very embodiment of all the prisoners they'd tortured in the past.
It wasn't just the guards. Even the inmates, who should have been gloating, felt a chill hearing these screams.
Another three thousand life points roasted off the other side—who could even come up with such a method? Can a normal person even think of something this vicious?
Yet for all that, many people felt a strange sense of gratitude towards this new officer, coupled with a natural fear.
It wasn't just the brutality—it was the effortless skill, the way he could burn through three thousand more points as if it were nothing. That, too, left them shocked.
The combination of Woodland Sprite and the Divine Sword - Phoenix Blade wasn't an infinite loop, but it certainly gave the same vibe. To an average duelist, this was a once-in-a-lifetime, flashy, ultimate move, possessing the pressure of a super finisher.
And the shock was deserved. Few knew that the "Divine Sword - Phoenix Blade," a limited-race Equip spell that only offered a measly 300 ATK boost, could still earn a spot on the Forbidden Card list reserved for those with special skills.
To beginners, this was baffling—how did this card even make the Forbidden List? But if any of them experienced the sort of roasting the warden just did, they'd immediately stop looking down on such a "big boss banlist card."
Anything that made the Forbidden list was never a pushover.
And now, the warden, having taken one round of this treatment, lay sprawled on the ground, trailing black smoke. Get close and you'd swear there was a burning flesh smell.
"It seems, this duel has only proved your lack of ability to run this place," Kira said coolly, retracting his Duel Disk as he gazed at the kneeling warden, Mr. Armstrong.
"In addition, every illegal act committed under your tenure will be thoroughly investigated. I personally look forward to the results."
Kira paused, his voice curling with a dangerous smile.
"Well, the specifics will depend on the investigation and evidence. But in the end, it's quite possible you'll be imprisoned in your own facility."
The half-dead Mr. Armstrong shuddered, fear etched across his face. "No, sir, you can't—I—if you put me in here, I won't survive a day…not even an hour!"
"Oh?"
Kira smiled.
"Then, do your best."
"No! Sir, please, don't—"
He tried to struggle, but he was already half-dead from the electrocution—how could he manage it? Kira waved his hand, and immediately a pair of security officers moved in, dragging the warden away.
Use your authority, or it'll expire unused. In this city, being in charge meant you could do whatever you liked.
The warden's screams faded away. Meanwhile, in the cell blocks beside the courtyard, the remaining inmates looked on with rising excitement. Some even looked...eager.
Like wild beasts scenting prey after starving for days.
Mr. Armstrong, that bastard...He's coming down here?
Heh—heeheehee—when the time comes, won't he just die of "happiness"?
Kira turned to face the inmates in the courtyard, his voice calm.
"As for everyone here, the Sectory Security will see to it that your imprisonment is reviewed. If anyone is found to have been wrongfully detained, you'll be released once it's confirmed."
The prisoners stirred, hope lighting many faces. When they looked at "Chief Goodwin," it was as if they were staring at a savior, a shining beacon amid their darkness.
Kira wasn't just making empty promises. He truly intended to send investigators to review these cases. But his energy was limited—he couldn't personally oversee every case or guarantee each wronged prisoner would be set free. That wasn't his main goal here, anyway. He had more important things to do.
Having finished his business, Kira turned to leave. Before exiting the courtyard, he waved at the line of guards, calling over the vice warden.
The vice scrambled up eagerly. "Is there anything else I can help you with, sir?"
"Nothing major," Kira replied, "but you have a prisoner here named Fudo Yusei. I'd like him to visit me in the warden's office alone."
The vice hurried off. "No problem! I'll fetch him personally—my pleasure!"
…
A few minutes later, Yusei was brought from his cell to the office, personally escorted by the vice warden. This was the best treatment he'd received since leaving the Satellite Zone. No one gave him dirty looks, or called him "Satellite trash." The vice and other guards were almost deferential as they brought him to the door.
The difference from a few days ago was so sharp, it made Yusei suspicious. He entered the office; behind the desk sat the handsome, silver-haired officer, with a chair already set out for him.
Just as Yusei entered, he heard the door close behind him. Still, he didn't sit. "Why does the chief of the Sectory Security want to see me?".
He was grateful for "Officer Goodwin" stepping in moments ago; he knew things could've gone totally out of control without him. But gratitude didn't mean he let down his guard—if anything, he wondered if this man had some deeper motive.
Kira got straight to the point. "Fudo Yusei. I know that before being locked up here, you dueled the King in the downtown arena."
Yusei didn't react. Nothing odd about that—the duel had made quite a stir, and Kira, as an officer, would surely know about it.
"I've also heard that the duel with the King caused the legendary spirit, Crimson Dragon, to appear in the city, right?"
Kira paused.
"You…are one of the legendary 'Signers'. Aren't you?"
…