The train successfully returned to the initial point of the GX Tournament, but Tenjo Hikari had no time or energy to think about other matters.
The most important thing right now was, of course, retrieving the "Number Card." Although Tenjo Hikari also bore the Tenjo name, he wasn't the "Numbers Hunter" from the neighboring dimension. He didn't have the means to take the Number Card directly—perhaps if he spent some time experimenting with alchemy, he might find a way, but clearly, he didn't have the time right now.
As a result, Tenjo Hikari had no choice but to let Tierra unleash her own power, forcibly extracting the assassin's soul from his body and, along with it, the Card.
Standing on the train, Tenjo Hikari tried to hold the card but immediately felt chaotic voices flooding his mind. With no other options, he shook his head and let Tierra keep the card.
It couldn't be helped.
Perhaps he could learn from Kamishiro Ryoga in the original "Yu-Gi-Oh! Z4" to forcibly control [No.], but there was no need for that.
After all, a reckless combination doesn't align with Polymerization at all. Putting it in the deck just to fuse "Elder Entity N'tss" seemed a bit unnecessary.
After dealing with the No. matter, other issues awaited.
Tenjo Hikari barely paused before dashing toward Kaiba Company's base after getting off the train.
He had to confirm the status of all the trains and the state of the entire Critical Point Dimension.
As expected, it was as Tenjo Hikari imagined.
The Dark World had decided to attack human trains, and it was certainly not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It involved a long period of preparation and lurking, launching attacks on all trains under a command.
Almost every train track in the entire Critical Point Dimension had been attacked.
However, to Tenjo Hikari's surprise, despite the wide range of attacks, nearly half of the trains could still operate normally.
Part of the reason was that students on the trains cooperated, using the power of Spirits to fight off the Dark World's demons and successfully fend off the attacks.
Another small part was due to the Fusion Army soldiers using kiting tactics to resist—they, too, would rather not be plundered.
These two instances were just a small portion.
The true majority, those who genuinely saved most of the students, was a unique force, one that Tenjo Hikari hadn't actively engaged with much before.
The Light Society!
It was as if they had foresight, knowing in advance about the Dark World's assault. They took proactive measures, sheltering the vast majority of the students.
"What about the students?!" Tenjo Hikari didn't care about the Light Society matters but instead hurriedly asked the Kaiba Company people, "What about those students on the blocked trains?!"
"Well—they're trapped on the trains, barely resisting the demons."
"Give me the map!" Tenjo Hikari didn't want to hear useless information and pointed at the Critical Point map on the screen as he asked.
Perhaps intimidated by Tenjo Hikari's assertive demeanor or possibly following a superior's orders, the staff quickly handed him a tablet, detailing the status of the trains.
"Car!"
Soon, a large bus, arranged by Kaiba Company, arrived at the base in front.
Kaiba Company may have anticipated Spirit attacks but didn't expect such a large-scale assault. As a result, the ordinary staff was somewhat confused for a short time. Fortunately, supplies were abundant; whatever Tenjo Hikari needed, they could provide.
As Tenjo Hikari waited for the items he needed, an announcement echoed through the base.
"Emergency notice, emergency notice—due to an attack by an unknown Spirit force, all duelists outside should return to the station and wait.
Emergency notice, emergency notice—"
"The GX Tournament is temporarily suspended. Students unable to leave the train are advised not to leave on their own; Kaiba Company will dispatch combat personnel for rescue.
Notice again, notice again, the GX Tournament is temporarily suspended..."
A gentle female voice echoed within the station and the trains. Listening to it, Tenjo Hikari nodded lightly.
Compared to the original scenario, their world had long been dealing with Spirits and Other Dimensions, even experiencing the Fusion Army's invasion of Heartland. As a result, preparations in all aspects were indeed in place.
"The train is ready, Tenjo-san. Do you need alternating drivers—"
"No driver is needed!" Tenjo Hikari said, not wasting words, running straight outside.
In response, a giant silver-gray Archfiend appeared in the sky, grabbing the bus with both hands. Tenjo Hikari opened the bus door and jumped in. The Archfiend flapped its wings, taking to the skies.
While many were still unclear about what was happening, and while many panicked, Tenjo Hikari had already flown out of the station with the bus. As they watched his departing silhouette, the students inside the station wore varied expressions.
Clearly, they knew why Tenjo Hikari was in such a hurry.
Because of this, as the rescued students on the trains discussed their experiences, Tenjo Hikari's name gradually spread within the station.
Some quick-thinking students realized what Tenjo Hikari intended to do and immediately used their phones, utilizing any means to contact friends, urging them to stay calm, assuring them that someone would come to rescue them.
Meanwhile, someone was watching Tenjo Hikari depart.
Inside the station, within a large white room, Saiou Takuma watched Tenjo Hikari's fading figure, his lips curling up slowly as he spoke, "Hmm... ha ha ha..."
Destiny—
It favored him even more than he imagined!
With the spread of the Wave of Light, this dimension would be engulfed in war, and the Wheel of Destiny would roll forward relentlessly.
The GX Tournament was temporarily suspended, but this was even better!
He looked down at the deck beside him.
The deck emitted an eerie black aura.
This attack had given him a tremendous opportunity, allowing his Light Society to "rescue" so many students.
These students, filled with "gratitude," would naturally be willing to listen to the voices of the Light Society. Therefore, following the voice of destiny became a natural course of action.
In this way, the "power" he needed would become even more abundant.
But...
It's still not enough.
To destroy all dimensions, merely having this power is still insufficient.
His smile slowly cooled down.
"Lord Saiou—Ed Phoenix is looking for you again!" a student from the White Society routinely asked Saiou.
Since arriving at the Critical Point, Saiou had not contacted Ed Phoenix, and Ed hadn't participated in duels during this time, completely uninterested in the GX Tournament.
It's not that Ed couldn't function without his good friend; rather, Ed had learned through certain channels that Saiou Takuma knew who murdered his father but had never told him!
The grudge over his father's death was what Ed truly cared about, much more than the dueling tournament. But his good friend, despite knowing, never told him and even deliberately distanced himself in recent times, refusing to meet him. How could he accept this!?
"Saiou!!! Saiou!! Tell me, who was it!!!" Even though demons surrounded the outside and a month had passed since the start of the GX Tournament, Ed Phoenix persisted unwaveringly, knocking on the door daily, wanting Saiou to come out and explain.
Saiou's once calm smile suddenly widened into a terrifying curve, and a second later, his eyes widened too, blazing with a crimson light.
Good!
It's here!
[The First Light of Destruction]!
"I'll send someone to chase him away," the reporting student routinely said.
"No—let him come."