Clang, clang.
As the Martial God's true form turned into a card, the axe in its hand fell to the ground, producing a crisp metallic clanging sound. Subsequently, the parchment it held also dropped to the floor.
"Lord Goldd!!!"
"Ahhhhh———"
The watching Spirits let out terrified screams. In just a "moment," their general, who had suppressed them with overwhelming power, was swiftly defeated. This left them with no courage to stay, and they hurriedly flew toward the still-dissipating Gates of Dark World, but before they could pass through, the Purple Puppet Strings wrapped around them like a net, leaving them outside the gate.
And in the instant before the Gates of Dark World were about to completely disappear, under the watchful eyes of Tenjo Hikari and Serena, a black steam-like aura suddenly rose from the "Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World" card on the ground. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into white light and shot into the gate, vanishing into this dimension as the gate closed.
"What was that?" Serena had somehow appeared beside Tenjo Hikari, pointing at the gate with curiosity as she asked.
Tenjo Hikari didn't explain to her, because, along with the light merging into the gate, the few cards that Martial God previously held began to show one figure after another amidst a transformation.
The Elemental Heroes, revived from the cards.
"Uh…"
"Where is this place?"
"Cough, cough, cough... Is there a Miss Blossom around… I need healing…"
"Where did the citizens go! Where are they!"
As soon as a large group of Elemental Heroes regained their senses, they began to clamor anxiously.
Compared to the clamor of the Martial God, these voices were not a problem for Tenjo Hikari.
"Everyone—" Amid their confusion and puzzlement, Mariner swung a chain to hook onto the roof, then retracted it to pull himself over, landing on the ground and hastily explaining what was happening around them to his companions.
This certainly saved Tenjo Hikari some effort.
While Mariner was expressing his gratitude to Tenjo Hikari, the latter walked over to where Martial God had been, picked up the Martial God's axe and swung it around a bit before handing it to the starry-eyed Manjome.
Who knows—
This thing might really be gold!
Then there was Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World's true form, a Fiend-Type monster with 2300 ATK and LV 5.
Although this card might be of no use in Tenjo Hikari's deck, he remembered that before his dimension travel, Dark World had transitioned from the "Dark World Uncharted Territory" hand-swapping strategy.
The current Dark World… is a Fusion Deck!
Dragon Overlord discards the hand, whatever that means, discard.
And beyond that, there was a portrait drawn on that important parchment.
"Hmm…"
Tenjo Hikari carefully examined the parchment, scrutinizing up and down, hesitating for quite a while, unable to identify what was drawn.
First of all, structurally speaking, it had a nose and eyes, so it's probably a human face. However, other than that, every stroke just gave Tenjo Hikari one impression: abstract.
The figure on the parchment didn't look human at all, more like a demon. Perhaps for the demons in Dark World, this was the orthodox style of painting.
Turn it into a sketch for me!
Who can recognize this!
Snap—
While pulling on the parchment, Tenjo Hikari suddenly felt something off about the texture. He continued pulling downwards and discovered something peculiar in the layers of the parchment.
He had the Alchemist Manjome beside him use the axe to cut it open gently and tried dumping it, resulting in a card falling out.
"Huh? There was a card inside?" Tierra asked in confusion, "Why didn't I sense it?"
She couldn't sense it!?
Tenjo Hikari picked up the card, looking down at it, as the curious Serena peered over. He immediately interrupted her action, indicating she shouldn't come any closer.
Wicked Rune - Anger!
The effect is that when this card is sent to the Graveyard, all cards with the same name in the Graveyard are removed from play.
At first glance, it seems completely pointless, but…
This isn't just any card; it's a Sacrifice for a "Ritual"!
It's a component of the sacrificial book "Wicked Rune" used to discover the Ultimate Fusion "Super Polymerization"!
In the original work, Manjome and the others were possessed by the Wicked Rune, having their malice toward Judai amplified to a crazy extent and ending up dying tragically while also driving Judai insane.
Now, when Tenjo Hikari looked at the parchment again, he could roughly tell what it was for.
These Dark World Spirits came to capture "sacrifices."
Moreover, it seems they're mass-producing the Wicked Rune.
So it's a "wide-ranging net" style search for sacrifices.
Tenjo Hikari frowned.
In the setting, Dark World is under The Supreme King's command, but it is also influenced by Yubel.
It seems that the time for being "targeted" isn't far off.
Yubel with the Wave of Light...
In the original work, until Yubel and Judai merged, and through the power of Darkness of the Universe thoroughly defeated the Wave of Light, it subtlely influenced every person with "evil thoughts," whether by amplifying greed or directly granting extraordinary power. The Wave of Light, like a source of all evil, spreads widely, just waiting for a capable person to destroy the world.
And its collaboration with Yubel is truly "icing on the cake."
After all, Yubel is top-tier in both dueling and physical prowess, in the original work it completely forced Judai into a corner, leaving him no choice but to use Super Polymerization and merge with it to resolve this major incident.
And this... evidently, is the enemy that Tenjo Hikari must face.
This isn't Tenjo Hikari interfering unnecessarily.
In reality, Tenjo Hikari in this world has always simply focused on doing his own things, even though he knows there are some evil figures, as long as they don't trouble Tenjo Hikari, he doesn't concern himself with them—like most background Spirits in the original work, or some foes who opposed Judai in the original work, many of whom Tenjo Hikari has never even met.
Not to mention, he's never seen Jinzo, Gravekeeper Race people, or anyone from those groups.
The duel between Judai and Ed, Fubuki, Mitsuzawa, Manjome, the choices they made, Tenjo Hikari could at most offer suggestions, but the ultimate decision depends on them.
Last year, during the Seven-Star Incident, he had already prepared that once President Kagemaru came out to challenge Judai, he would give Judai the Philosopher's Stone or even directly the Super Polymerization.
Because he clearly understands that Kagemaru isn't seeking the strongest Duelist, but the one with the strongest Spirit Power.
Although Kagemaru mysteriously passed away later, his idea hasn't changed.
Take care of his own affairs and, if necessary, lend a hand to friends because he isn't a babysitter, and they aren't babies. Everyone has their own ideas; otherwise, how could they become excellent Duelists?
What he wants to do in the Academy is to focus on opposing the Fusion Army!
But...
Yubel.
This is unavoidable.
This is a matter that must be faced because even if Tenjo Hikari isn't interested, and even believes that Judai of this world with more reliable companions and stronger dueling can defeat Yubel, he has to face Yubel.
Because—
Yubel will indiscriminately attack everyone around Judai!
Whether it's dueling or extraordinary power, it will use it!
Not to mention him, Judai's good buddy.
But to say he's drifting apart from Judai because of this is impossible.
He became friends with Judai not because Judai is the main character of the original work, but because after Judai invited him to team up for a duel, he became friends over time with this interesting and passionate person.
Most of his other friends are basically the same.
So there's no chance of drifting apart!
"Human Warriors!" Over there, the Elemental Hero warriors have already understood the situation, lined up, and solemnly saluted Tenjo Hikari, "Thank you for lending a hand!"
He packed up Wicked Rune - Anger, then quickly smiled and responded, "Everyone, no need for this. Helping out when encountering injustice is something any Duelist would do. No need to be so polite."
Serena nodded along.
"But, as the recipients of aid, we must express our gratitude—"
The leading Spirit is Elemental Hero Thunder Giant, the captain among the remaining Guardians in Skyscraper. After extending thanks, he asked if the two human warriors had any specific needs upon arriving in their world—
At last, they could proceed with the planned Dimension Travel.
"Yes, yes, you know Duel Academy, right?"
"Ah! I see, I understand, you are Judai's friends—"
Although he's only been here a few times, Judai seems quite renowned among the Hero Spirits.
"I understand... However, Skyscraper now..." Thunder Giant seemed a bit embarrassed.
Given Skyscraper's current state, finding a suitable opponent for the human novice warrior is a bit difficult...
"It's okay, it's okay! Any opponent will do!" Serena excitedly raised her hand, trying to catch the Heroes' attention.
She, too, was itching for action.
"I see, I understand." Thunder Giant nodded, "Then, let's fix things up and look for an opponent for this female warrior. In the meantime, please move to the Hero Union to rest a bit."
"Thank you for your hard work."