"There are only thirty-two leaders in the Dark Signer organization? Hmph, it seems they're not as terrifying as they claim to be."
"Hah! Laughable. Someone not even listed on the Duelist Ranking dares mock a duelist who made it onto the Golden List?"
...
From afar, You Feng gazed up at the sky, where golden letters shimmered, casting a glowing veil across the satellite skyline.
He spoke coolly: "So this is the best the Dark Signers have to offer?"
"This so-called leader isn't even on par with his younger brother."
"In this world shaped by Duel Monsters, only those with true strategy and presence rise. The Dark Signers' arrogance will crumble when they see their 'leader' ranked only thirty-second on the Gold List."
...
Northern Satellite Sector
Dark Signer Altar
Laughter had died out completely. Silence consumed the space.
"Hmph! Impossible!"
"The leader of the Dark Signers—me—ranked only thirty-second on the Duelist Gold List?!"
"This must be a mistake!"
Rudger Godwin's eyes darkened beneath his hood, his hands trembling as he tore the black robe away to reveal crimson marks spiraling across his skin—evidence of his pact with the Earthbound Immortals.
"Even without revealing my full deck, I should be far beyond this level...!"
"If even the leader is at thirty-two, what does that mean for the rest of us?"
Dimak, standing nearby, clenched his fists. Worry etched his face.
Is this really how far they'd fallen?
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Duel Academy Campus — Explosion of Cheers
All four regional branches now represented!
56. Duel Academy Celebrates as Sifang Representatives Dominate the Rankings! (5/5 — Vote now!)
KaibaCorp Headquarters
"Nani... Rudger Godwin only made it to thirty-two?"
Yego raised an eyebrow, clearly shaken. "This Golden List keeps rewriting our understanding of power."
"The feared Dark Signers, and their leader doesn't even crack the top thirty?"
He couldn't hide his disappointment. They'd expected something more... legendary.
Jack Atlas, arms crossed, stood silently.
"So… Jack isn't listed yet either?"
"Getting nervous?" Rex Godwin teased, suppressing his own surprise at his brother's ranking.
Jack's eyes narrowed.
"No… I'll definitely be on the list."
"But I'll admit—I'm no longer confident I'll rank near the top."
...
Team 5D's Hideout
"Yusei! Did you see? The Dark Signer leader—only thirty-second!"
"Think we'll even make the list?" Crow Hogan frowned, his D-Wheel humming under him.
"It's looking tougher than we thought..."
"Don't worry," Yusei Fudo replied with calm certainty. "We'll make it. We have to."
Yusei's name already stood proudly in second place on the Duelist Gold List. And he knew Crow's strength intimately—he wouldn't be far behind.
If Yusei could reach second, Crow surely had a place, too.
It had changed everything—the knowledge that he'd achieved second in all of Duel Monsters.
Yet… who was ranked first?
The reward had included a powerful Phantom Card—the kind of treasure that could alter destiny.
"You're really that confident?" Crow smirked, inspired.
"Heh… then we'll climb the list together!"
...
Domino City — KaibaCorp HQ
"Hmph. The so-called Dark Signers? Their leader is only thirty-second on the Gold List."
"There are stronger duelists in the satellite zone than I expected," Seto Kaiba muttered.
"Find out who they are. I want names."
Isano bowed. "Master Kaiba, many of these satellite duelists have no accessible background. Their identities remain... elusive."
Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "Then dig deeper."
He knew all too well—unknown duelists could mean unknown threats.
...
Duel Academy — Chancellor's Office
"Chancellor Sheppard, it seems the Shadow Duelist organization isn't as dangerous as rumored."
"Number 32. That's all?"
"Heh. If that's the peak of their power, it's laughable," Professor Chronos sneered.
"You say that now," Sheppard replied. "But thirty-second on the Duelist Gold List is no small feat."
"Tell me, Professor Chronos—what rank do you believe you'd earn?"
Chronos froze, finger tapping his temple nervously.
"Uhh… well, eh… that's not the point, is it?"
...
[Duel King Gold List Update]
Rank #31: Amengarham
Affiliation: Eastern Branch, Duel Academy
Deck Theme: Cloudian Monsters
Strength Metrics:
Suppression: 82
Resistance: 80
Luck: 60
Deck Synergy: 80
Defense: 80
Tactical Thinking: 80
Total Score: 462
Rewards: +5 Defense, +5 Luck, +5 Thinking
Bonus: Random draw of 10 Rare Cards!
"My god! Another Duel Academy student made the list!"
"That's all four branch representatives!"
"Seriously? The top student from each regional academy ranks higher than the Dark Signer leader?"
"Duel Academy's strength is undeniable!"
"Where do I enroll?!"
As word spread, forums, bulletin boards, and news networks buzzed with one name—Duel Academy.
The comparison was stark: Duel Academy's prodigies were overshadowing even seasoned underground duelists.
...
Duel Academy Courtyard
"The Sifang branches have all made the list."
"But is that really good news?"
You Feng listened to the cheers erupting from the student body.
But he alone stayed silent.
Because he knew.
If the branch campus duelists were appearing now—lower on the list—then the remaining slots, the top-tier duelists, were likely satellite veterans or others from more dangerous places.
Would Duel Academy's students still cheer when they saw who outranked them?
You Feng didn't think so.
He looked to the sky and whispered:
"I hope they can still smile when the truth hits."