"What are you saying, Crow!" Shinji's face turned from a smile to one filled with rage upon hearing Crow's words, "We've struggled to gain this power to resist, how can we just give it up!"
Crow retorted directly, "Have you seen what those comrades who used this card have gone through!
Even though we've successfully taken the power from the police, the Duelist's life is also at risk.
Besides, even if we defeat the police, there's no need to treat them the way we do!
Even the police have never tormented the citizens like this!"
Crow's words held some credibility; as someone who's been in and out of jail multiple times, it was like a second home to him. He's been caught by the police numerous times and beaten, but the most they'd do was teach him a lesson, never beat him to death.
Of course, he wasn't making excuses for the Upper Area's lackeys, but he believed that what they were doing was way too extreme.
"Crow, everyone has been silent and in pain for too long. Since there's a chance to release their pain, why won't they let it go!" Shinji retorted immediately.
Previously, during one encounter, a police officer was defeated, and some citizens nearly kicked him to death, leading to a split between him and Crow.
"Ultimately, that card's power is too dangerous. You can't just distribute it to everyone, no matter what."
"I know, we all know, this power is abnormal, but we don't care! If we can't even ensure dignity and freedom, what's the point of life?"
Tierra started to yawn.
She wasn't interested in this human squabble, and Tenjo Hikari didn't mind either.
The truth, especially in life-and-death matters, isn't something one can conclude in one go. It requires step-by-step attempts to find the real answer.
Anyway, he was only here to seek some information related to the Earthbound Immortal; the rest didn't matter much.
In the midst of the argument, Shinji asked Crow what they could do without the card.
Crow answered immediately, "Trust Yusei! Yusei will definitely find the answer for us!"
"Yusei? Fudou Yusei?" Shinji scoffed, "He hasn't shown up since he defeated Jack, has he? Maybe he's become an Upper-class People lackey by now, aiming to be the new king."
"What did you say?!" Crow lunged forward and grabbed Shinji's collar, "Yusei would never be that kind of person! He will find the answer for all of us!"
"Then tell me, where is he!"
Crow's grip loosened a bit, and just then, someone raised a hand and said, "I saw Yusei rescue an Other Dimension Person on the road the other day! He's in the Lower City Area! Always been around us!"
Crow's eyes lit up with excitement, "Where did you see him! I need to find him!"
Shinji was taken aback.
He never expected that guy, who charged to the top-tier duel champion, would willingly come back down to the bottom.
"But—" he continued, "Why hasn't he joined us? Since he's around, why not figure something out together!"
"It must be because Yusei has more important things to do!" Crow responded decisively.
He then looked around at everyone present and said, "Everyone, this card is truly dangerous. Unless necessary, don't risk your lives! There must be a better way!"
"You're too naive, Crow!"
The argument went on for a while, and in the end, Shinji, left with no choice, shared the information about the Earthbound Geoglyph with those willing to join the resistance. Though most people came here wanting to fight the Upper-class People, with Crow's interruption, some decided not to take the card and left silently.
Still, half of the people agreed with Shinji, chose the card, and vowed to have a life-and-death showdown with the Upper-class People.
After the meeting, people gradually dispersed until only a few remained in the room.
"Crow—I've always considered you a friend, but if you're going to stop me, I won't hold back, even against you!" Finally, Shinji coldly said this and parted ways with Crow.
Crow remained silent for a long time.
Even though the complete separation from Shinji saddened him, it wasn't as painful as failing to stop those people from heading to their deaths.
Yes—heading to their deaths.
In his view, those who chose the "Earthbound Geoglyph" were doomed to this fate.
Because whether they beat the police or lost, in the end, their lives would be absorbed by that card.
Becoming the "ink" for the massive geoglyph surrounding the entire City, sacrificing their lives.
Maybe that card truly held the power to rebel, but that power wasn't free.
Not to mention defeating the Upper-class People, what would become of the world when that geoglyph is complete? Could the so-called lower-class people really be liberated then? Or would they become slaves to that geoglyph instead?
Those outcomes are unknown.
He couldn't agree with collaborating with such an uncertain power.
He thought for a moment.
Even if it meant being seen as an enemy, even being regarded as one by Shinji, he couldn't just ignore it.
He promptly patted his face, then stepped over the table and left the room, discreetly following Shinji.
He wanted to see where Shinji went, whom he met, and where the Earthbound Geoglyph came from.
As a well-known habitual criminal who often stole cards from the Upper Area to sell or give to kids, Crow was skilled at hiding, and even tailing Shinji, Shinji didn't notice him.
After following Shinji through many alleys, he suddenly noticed the paths around him becoming wider.
Isn't this the road leading to the Upper Area!?
He was shocked, but fortunately, Shinji wasn't colluding with any Upper-class People like he'd feared and instead found a secluded house nearby.
He sighed in relief, followed him inside, and heard a familiar voice.
"Hmph, didn't expect a tailing—oh, isn't it my good brother?"
The next moment, with a bang, a massive force knocked him flying.
Thinking he was about to hit the ground, he suddenly felt his body become weightless, only to find a cloaked figure had been following him.
He widened his eyes. Then he shook his head to clear it, stood up, and said to Tenjo Hikari, "Thanks."
"Crow!!" Shinji rushed out of the house, looked at Crow, and shouted angrily, "Why, why are you following me!!"
He yelled, releasing a bizarre storm. At the same time, a strange glow appeared on his left forearm, and an image of a pale blue long-horned Archfiend emerged on the back of his hand.
Goblin…
Tenjo Hikari frowned in confusion.
Why does Shinji have a Dark Sign?
As he thought this, a figure with gray-white hair, pitch-black eyes, red stripes on his right cheek, clad in a bizarre uniform of blue stripes and a black base, stepped out of the house.
"Yo, Crow."
"Kiryu!? Weren't you dead—"
Didn't expect to run into the alleged leader of the Earthbound Immortal Apostle right off the bat.
"Crow… ha, didn't expect such an emotional reunion so soon. I have a question for you, where's Yusei?" He suddenly looked sinister, but after a moment, calmed down, "Ah, I've heard, you don't know either... Hmph, thought there'd be some fun to satisfy me."
Just as he said that, he turned his attention to the "bystander" Tenjo Hikari, and then noticed the Dark Sign on his left hand.
"Oh—" he suddenly showed interest, "Didn't expect there's another bearer of 'The One' here."
The One…
The One?
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Tenjo Hikari's mind. The previous strange feeling suddenly connected, feeling like he grasped the true "core" of this dimension.