Chapter 1157: The Atmosphere Destroyer
The Momentum Express trembled, as if the world itself was shuddering.
Then Kira noticed the metal walls rippled like water, rusty cold wind rushing from the vents, and the ceiling lights went out one by one, their covers melting like wax and evaporating into blue motes in midair.
Metal traces on the floor rotated counterclockwise, reinforcing bars shrieking in the concrete. Even the clouds outside seemed frozen, as if the whole space was falling apart like a torn-up jigsaw.
Clark’s face was one of despair.
"No! Don’t!"
He seemed to realize something, screaming as he clawed at the air.
Visions flashed before his eyes—countless shadowss. He even saw himself, three minutes ago, at the control panel unlocking the code for Goodwin. That three-minutes-ago version began to dissolve from the feet up as if an invisible eraser had wiped it out.
Then it started happening to his current self.
As a timekeeper for the machine—even if only a grunt—Clark understood too well what was happening.
He was being erased!
Not killed, not executed—someone was manipulating history, erasing him from the stream of time!
"No...save me! Save me! Aaaahhh—!"
He vanished right before Kira’s eyes.
And then so did the entire building.
It happened in an instant. Everything—the time machine, control panels, walls, the entire structure—was erased from existence, leaving nothing but a void in front of Kira. Not even debris remained, as if the whole building and everyone in it had been atomized... no, possibly less than atomized.
Because the building was now erased from history itself—the Momentum Express never existed.
"As expected of Iliaster’s power. Unable to stop me, they just erased the whole base." Kira muttered.
Even though he had just been inside, he seemed unaffected by the timeline change.
Maybe because he didn’t belong to this time or this dimension to begin with, so he was immune to changes in this world’s history.
Or maybe, simply because he was now strong enough, or carried enough "transcendent" entities with him.
In the anime, history rewrites seemed powerful enough to erase anyone, but actually weren’t omnipotent.
Those with the Crimson Dragon’s protection, or those with the divine powers of Odin, Thor, and Loki among Team Ragnarok, weren’t affected by history changes.
In Yu-Gi-Oh, those with enough card power could ignore all conceptual or causality-based attacks—cards are the one true measure.
As the saying goes: All kings must resolve their blood debts with cards. The only way to defeat a true strongman is to duel—not with flashy tricks.
Just then, the sound of Duel Runners approached.
Kira turned. Yusei and Jack, whom he had parted from not long ago, rolled up on their Duel Runners to the edge of the huge pit.
"Goodwin?" Jack frowned.
Yusei got off and asked, "Wasn’t there a building here? Did you do this, Goodwin?"
Yusei was shocked. He’d never been here before, but he knew of the Momentum Express—yet now the gigantic building was gone, not even a trace left. How could he not be suspicious?
Kira looked at them, "Why are you here?"
"The dragon mark responded, guiding us in this direction," Yusei replied, touching his arm where his mark was.
"Was it because you were fighting here?"
When a Signer duels, the others’ marks light up—like a human radar.
Their marks brought them here, and seeing Goodwin, another confirmation that he’s a Signer.
But Kira knew it wasn’t because of him. The Crimson Dragon’s power directed them here as this was the center of the recent timeline alteration.
With Crimson Dragon’s protection, Yusei and Jack weren’t affected by the erased history, so they remembered there’d been a building here.
Kira shook his head: "No, it wasn’t me. But...it has to do with the enemies you’ll face next."
"Enemies?" Yusei frowned. "Aren’t our enemies the Dark Signers? Weren’t they defeated?"
Kira just smiled and didn’t explain further.
"If you want to know, just keep getting stronger, Yusei Fudo.
Only by becoming stronger can you reach that domain. Only then can you protect the bonds you cherish—and this world."
He didn’t linger, simply strolling away.
Jack snorted, "As enigmatic as always! Since he came to the city, Goodwin’s always like this—a walking riddle. Whether it’s Crimson Dragon, the Dark Signers, or any secrets, he always knows but never speaks plainly."
Yusei didn’t go after him, just muttered, "The Dark Signers aren’t the end... Does that mean we have new enemies?"
...
Kira returned to the Security HQ, finding Akiza already waiting.
Just as he entered his office, Akiza came over anxiously, clutching her arm, "The dragon mark just started burning—were you fighting?"
Kira raised an eyebrow.
I’m not even a Signer—why do you keep assuming it’s me every time your marks act up?
"No, it’s nothing." He tried to dismiss her, not wanting to explain, but Akiza pressed on.
She stepped up with determination. "I know—you know more than the rest of us. But that doesn’t mean you have to shoulder everything alone.
We’re all Signers. Why don’t you trust our strength a little more?"
Kira: "?"
All of you too? What does she mean?
He suddenly became curious what story Akiza had invented in her head. She was acting like they were all on the same side.
"It struck me as odd before—"
Akiza bit her lip, glanced aside, hesitated, then went on.
"You told everyone it was us who defeated the Dark Signers, that we’re heroes of the city. I thank you for it.
You probably can’t imagine how much it means to me—a person who’s only ever been feared or hated—to finally be recognized.
For that, I sincerely thank you."
She looked up seriously.
"But—you fought right beside us, didn’t you?
You also risked your life—that life-or-death duel with the Dark Signers. Why not let others know about your contributions?"
Kira paused before realizing what she meant.
It’s true. Earlier, he’d made it official—telling the city the Signers were the heroes, naming only the four who’d fought, not himself.
Why? He never thought it necessary.
Akiza, voice dimming: "I used to think the mark was just a curse, the source of all my pain. But now—I think maybe the dragon mark is a kind of hope. Maybe it’s power that can make others’ lives better. Thanks to it, I met the people I care about most.
And the one who helped me realize that was you, Goodwin."
"But that makes me feel even more that you’re the one not opening your heart to us, Goodwin. I can’t imagine your burdens, but I hope we can all become companions..."
"Wait," Kira made a "shh" gesture, ruthlessly cutting off her heartfelt words.
He glanced about, frowning, "There’s a rat in the building."
Akiza’s emotional arc whiplashed: "..."
PS: Akiza trying to copy Rem but this is yugioh. lol