Seeing Tenjo Hikari approaching, the two spirits cheered excitedly, then pulled Tenjo Hikari hurriedly towards another direction to escape.
As they ran further away, the insane spirits chasing them became fewer and fewer. By the time they reached a gigantic city gate, there were hardly any spirits left.
In front of the remaining spirits, a few spirits acting as guardians brandished weapons to drive them away. Then they swiftly shielded Tenjo Hikari and the other two spirits as they entered, quickly closing the gate.
"Huff—huff—"
Teo was panting heavily, exchanging a smile with A-dong, and they both laughed heartily.
"Who are you?"
Tenjo Hikari noticed that the gate guardians were Springans Pedor and Tri-Brigade Kerass.
"Quick, inform the commander," Teo exclaimed excitedly, "The human who appeared in our dimension before and then left has returned!"
Then, as if recalling something, Teo turned back to explain to Tenjo Hikari.
They were ordinary spirits steadfastly resisting the "insane spirits" nearby. Most of them weren't even card spirits, but compared to being in such a frenzied state, they believed in striving to become "warriors" as true warriors.
However, they had no resistance against the fighting power of the insane spirits, which far exceeded ordinary spirits and even high-level spirits, until...
Last time, Tenjo Hikari appeared in their dimension and even defeated the Despia performer, Quiriditis!
Teo narrated while leading Tenjo Hikari inside. Along the way, Tenjo Hikari saw many spirits that looked familiar.
Indeed, seeing the characters from the cards become real gave him a feeling of adventuring with Fallen of Albaz.
As for why the skies changed outside, Teo explained.
Their dimension mixed with multiple dimensions, existing simultaneously. This caused various scenes to appear at the same time and place, whether it was chaos, thunder, or divine light, all considered normal.
Tenjo Hikari waited outside the commander's hall for a moment and then entered.
Inside the hall were presences even more familiar to Tenjo Hikari.
For example, Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous, and the Divine Disciple of Dogmatika, and...
"Huh? Hikari?"
"Demon Eye?"
Tenjo Hikari was stunned for a moment.
The Demon Eye Swordsman!
The spirit that once had a brief encounter with Tenjo Hikari in the Mage Domain, with whom Tenjo Hikari later had a conversation!
Unexpectedly, they met again here.
But thinking about it—it actually seemed quite normal.
After all, Tenjo Hikari learned from it back then that it wanted to save its dimension but couldn't figure out how.
"Huff... Commander, you see, I wasn't wrong—" Demon Eye said to the spirit beside him, "Indeed, there's still a chance to save this dimension! Not only can a human come to our dimension, but it's the same Hikari I mentioned to you!"
A look of relief spread across her face, and she let out a deep sigh.
"You were right... Fleedliss..." said the Great Divinity Official of Dogmatika, nodding slowly at the center.
"But... can this human really bring us new hope?"
The Grand Priest crossed his hands, with dark blocks of energy floating above them, reflecting the beings of this dimension.
"Rather than saying this dimension is fraught with crises, I'd say it's already a giant bomb, ready to explode into chaos at any moment. Any ordinary spirit might suddenly mutate while walking down the street, forgetting their identity completely.
A spirit might be attracted by a pretty flower, reaching out to touch it, only to fuse with the flower and be unable to move, becoming a pure plant.
This dimension might even suddenly explode, leaving no survivors.
Indeed, external life forms exist, but... instead of lingering here desperately, I think it's better to evacuate this dimension."
Before he finished speaking, the expressions of the surrounding spirits, who were quite happy, gradually turned to regret, pity, and pain.
Because... what he said was true.
This world is now too dangerous.
"But... giving up our dimension means giving up our race, our future, our... everything!" Demon Eye argued, urging him, "Once we give up completely, everything in our dimension will slowly vanish over time. We will become lonely spirits, mere coffins of memory and history..."
Demon Eye took a deep breath and pointed at Tenjo Hikari, saying, "At the very least, you should believe that our dimension is not a solitary boat. Hope is not non-existent."
Regarding the future of these remaining spirits, Demon Eye and the Great Divinity Official had debated countless days and nights. As the dimension became more dangerous, they had to make a choice.
Just then, Demon Eye heard about the arrival of a human outside and successfully separated an insane spirit.
It was a new hope, a tiny star in the darkness!
"..."
The Great Divinity Official looked at Tenjo Hikari.
"But before that... Demon Eye, you haven't even asked whether this human is willing."
Demon Eye paused for a moment, then turned to face Tenjo Hikari with a knightly salute: "Apologies, Lord Hikari, for inducting you into my ranks without asking. Our dimensional crisis is truly imminent, leaving me unable to thoroughly consider. Sorry."
"It's fine, I also... support your viewpoint more," Tenjo Hikari said, pointing to Fallen of Albaz beside him, "My friend believes such chaotic fusion isn't true fusion, so he wants to resolve this dimension's disarray. As a Polymerization Duelist, I agree with his philosophy, so naturally... I support you more!"
"!!! An honor, thank you very much, Lord Fallen of Albaz, Lord Hikari!" Demon Eye bowed multiple times to Tenjo Hikari.
Tenjo Hikari waved his hands and promptly said it was unnecessary. Fallen of Albaz scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
The Great Divinity Official slowly opened his hands:
"If that's so. Then prove it—prove to me whether this sudden human arrival is the last glimmer after despair or the final straw that breaks our path forward."
The marks on his hands attracted light from all directions to the center. Among them, besides bright light, there was a mix of purple lightning pouring into his marks, and soon, the mark on his left hand turned into a Duel Disk, while the light on the mark in his right hand turned into Card Spirits, which he loaded into the Duel Disk.
"Human, standing before you is the most intelligent spirit currently remaining in this dimension! Do you dare accept my trial!?"
"Great Divinity Official, standing before you is a Duelist daring to transcend dimensions, seeking fusion in the most precarious dimension! Of course I accept!"
"Good—such a bold spirit!"
Tenjo Hikari flicked his left hand, and the Duel Disk automatically activated, shuffling rapidly.
"Duel!" x2.
Tenjo Hikari, LP: 4000.
Great Divinity Official of Dogmatika, LP: 4000.