"The world doesn't stand still.
While some are busy handling internal problems, others naturally have matters of their own to deal with.
"Is there a healing Spirit around!? Someone's injured!"
"A demon, there's a demon!! Quick, someone defend us!"
Amid flames and explosions, a not-so-sturdy wall cracked and finally collapsed.
"Neos!!" As the explosion rang out, a crimson figure leapt from the crowd. With a loud shout, a white Hero emerged from him and instantly repelled the attacking demon, shattering it with a punch.
Jaden Yuki landed on the ground. He looked utterly exhausted, his clothes flapping in the wind. The usual carefree attitude was gone, he was like a sharpened blade, brimming with spirit.
"Bro! We agreed that I'd take watch today!" Right after he landed, Syrus rushed in from the other side, complaining, "You're pushing yourself way too hard!"
"It's fine, Syrus! No big deal!" Jaden gave a thumbs-up. "Syrus, go check on your teammates, that's more important!"
Syrus hesitated.
Ever since the Dark World invasion, Jaden and the others had been wandering across the Critical Nexus, far from KaibaCorp's immediate support.
When the Dark World forces discovered them, they seemingly gave up attacking other human outposts to focus entirely on them, making their situation dire.
Jaden had been giving his all every day to protect his classmates. Despite his impressive stamina, this couldn't go on forever.
Two days ago, Syrus and Hassleberry had pinned Jaden down and refused to let him fight anymore, finally convincing him to rest and setting up a rotation schedule.
However, today, a group of students from the Polymerization Club sought refuge with them.
Naturally, Jaden couldn't just let his classmates be harmed. He agreed promptly.
That said, due to tensions between the Fusion Club and Polymerization Club students, things at the camp were very strained.
Jaden wanted Syrus to help mediate while he watched over the camp.
Still, Syrus truly worried about Jaden's health.
"Hassleberry, then you stay and help Bro!" Syrus finally relented, admitting that the camp atmosphere was indeed bad and needed attention.
After giving countless reminders to Tyranno Hassleberry, Syrus walked back to the camp, his mind heavy with concern.
Calling it a "camp" was generous. It was an abandoned Spirit village, seemingly once attacked by the Dark World. Jaden and the others had patched the walls, rescued lost students, and tried to send them to the nearest outpost.
"Representative." A few Polymerization Club members stood up as Syrus approached.
"Everyone... you okay?" Syrus had been brimming with frustration.
After arriving, the Polymerization students had clashed with those already staying at the camp, making things extremely unpleasant.
He had told everyone to wait calmly for rescue.
He didn't want Jaden burdened with more trouble.
Yet, seeing their faces, his anger melted into concern. All the words he had prepared became a simple question.
"It doesn't matter, Representative!"
"Yeah, we're doing fine!"
Syrus didn't reply. He looked at the red-haired boy standing aside with arms folded in thought, his friend Dennis McField: "Dennis, are you all okay?"
"We're okay, Representative." Dennis opened his eyes and admitted, "I'm just worried. Things could get bad."
"What do you mean?"
Dennis hesitated before explaining.
Because Leo Akaba had attacked Shinson Academy, students from both the Fusion Club and Polymerization Club were subjected to strict scrutiny. Except for those re-educated, most Polymerization students who arrived in this dimension had passed inspection.
Still, they were students, not soldiers.
At first, even if Fusion Army students weren't welcomed, as long as they were separated from ordinary students, things remained peaceful.
Whereas the Dark World demons' attacks changed everything.
Some Fusion Army students had the power to protect others. That helped ease tensions. But not in places like this.
Here in the farthest reaches, prolonged and intense attacks left students on edge. Seeing Polymerization Club members triggered serious hostility, even verbal abuse and blame.
They said things like, "It's all your fault," or "This is karma for Fusion."
Even with Jaden as a bridge, cohabiting under these conditions would inevitably lead to conflict.
Possibly something even worse.
And if that happened, it could endanger Syrus and Jaden.
"Representative, let me take a squad... some transport... we should leave," Dennis suggested.
"No! What if something happens to you on the way?" Syrus was alarmed.
Right now, his only solution was to keep the two groups apart.
So long as they didn't interact, things could be managed.
Just as he thought this, a student burst in, looked around, and ran to Syrus. "Bad news, Truesdale!"
"What is it?!" Syrus quickly asked.
"Silius is missing!"
'Silius?'
'A student from North Academy?'
Syrus instantly recalled who that was.
"What happened?" His expression darkened.
"Silius left a note saying he couldn't take it anymore, now he's gone! He must've left alone!"
Syrus felt the world spinning.
Early on, because this outpost was remote and heavily attacked, some students had tried to sneak off alone.
Maybe they didn't trust Jaden's group. Maybe they thought they were strong enough. Maybe they simply believed the demons only attacked established outposts.
In any case, some refused to follow instructions and left.
After all, to them, Syrus, as the Polymerization Club rep, was untrustworthy. Hassleberry was a rowdy freshman. And Jaden, a Fusion Club elder, was known for being carefree and skipping class.
That gave them a dangerous delusion.
"If even they're fine, then I'll be okay."
Back then, there were few people. Even if someone disappeared, the trio could split up and search.
But now the camp was packed!
"What do we do, Truesdale?!" The student looked panicked, near tears. "Please, go find him! I'll cover for you and keep Jaden in the dark."
"No! Absolutely not! We can't keep this from Bro!" Syrus responded instantly.
At a time like this, if Jaden wasn't informed, the chaos could spiral out of control.
Syrus couldn't let that happen.
"Dennis, keep everyone here safe. I need to go tell Bro!"
"Got it! If you need anything, don't hold back! We've got your back!" Dennis saluted seriously.
...
We made it into the top 70 last week, so I released 5 bonus chapters. This week, let's aim for the top 50, and if we make it, I'll release 10 bonus chapters!
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