The train successfully returned to the GX Tournament's starting point, but Hikaru had no mind or time to dwell on anything else.
The most pressing matter, of course, was retrieving the "Number Card." Though Hikaru bore the Amaki surname, he wasn't a "Hunter" from the neighboring dimension, he lacked the method to simply claim a Number Card. Perhaps through alchemical experimentation, he could eventually discover such a method, although now wasn't the time.
Thus, Hikaru had no choice but to let Tierra release her power and forcibly extract the assassin's soul from his body, taking the card with it.
Standing atop the train, Hikaru tried to hold the card. Immediately, dissonant voices swirled in his mind. With a shake of his head, he handed it off to Tierra for safekeeping.
It couldn't be helped.
Maybe he could try controlling it like Ryoga Kamishiro did in Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, but there was no need. Crazy Box and Fusion were completely unrelated; there was no reason to include it in his Deck just to fuse into something like Elder Entity N'tss.
With that taken care of, more problems awaited.
Hikaru wasted no time. As soon as he disembarked, he sprinted toward KaibaCorp's base of operations.
He had to verify the status of all trains and assess the state of the entire Critical Nexus Dimension.
Just as he had imagined.
The Dark World's decision to attack human trains couldn't have been spontaneous. It had been long planned and coordinated. At a given signal, they launched simultaneous assaults on every train.
Almost every train route in the Critical Nexus Dimension had been attacked.
That said, to Hikaru's surprise, despite the widespread assault, nearly half the trains remained operational.
Some of that was thanks to students working together, using their Duel Spirits to fend off the Dark World fiends.
Another small portion was protected by Fusion Army soldiers employing their signature "canine patrol" tactics, after all, they didn't want their own routes ransacked either.
But the real savior, the group that rescued the vast majority of students, was a unique force Hikaru had seldom interacted with before:
The Society of Light.
It was as if they'd foreseen the assault, acting in advance to shield most of the students.
"What about the others!?" Hikaru ignored the matter of the Society of Light and stormed toward a KaibaCorp staffer. "The students on the blocked trains, what's their status!?"
"Uh… they're trapped onboard and barely fending off the demons."
"Give me a schematic!" Hikaru didn't want empty chatter. He pointed at the Critical Nexus map on the screen.
Whether it was because of his overwhelming presence or a direct order from above, a worker quickly handed him a tablet showing the state of each train.
"Bus!"
Soon, a large bus arrived at the station, arranged by KaibaCorp.
KaibaCorp might have anticipated Spirit attacks, but they hadn't expected anything on this scale. Their staff were at a temporary loss, but fortunately, supplies were ample. Whatever Hikaru needed, they could provide.
While Hikaru waited for the necessary equipment, the station's broadcast system came alive:
"Emergency announcement, emergency announcement, due to an attack by unknown Spirit forces, all Duelists outside are advised to return to the station and await further instructions.
Emergency announcement, emergency announcement."
"The GX Tournament is temporarily suspended. Students who are trapped aboard trains must remain where they are. KaibaCorp will dispatch rescue personnel.
"Repeat: The GX Tournament is temporarily suspended..."
A gentle female voice echoed throughout the station and trains. Hearing it, Hikaru nodded quietly.
Compared to the original series, this world had long been familiar with Spirits and parallel dimensions… not to mention the Fusion Army's invasion of Shinson. Preparations had been made.
"The vehicle is ready, Student Amaki. Do you need driver rotations?"
"No drivers needed!" Hikaru waved the question aside as he bolted outside.
In response, a massive silver-gray demon appeared in the sky, clutching the bus in both hands. Hikaru swung open the door and leapt in. The demon beat its wings and took flight.
While others were still processing what had happened, some in confusion, others in panic, Hikaru had already flown out of the station aboard the bus. Those watching were left in awe.
Evidently, they understood why Hikaru was in such a rush.
And so, as rescued students on other trains later recounted what had happened, Hikaru's name began to spread once more throughout the station.
Quick-thinking students, realizing Hikaru's intentions, immediately took to their phones, reaching out to friends with messages of reassurance: stay calm, don't panic, help is on the way.
And at that very moment, someone else was watching Hikaru fly off.
Inside the station, in a vast white chamber, Sartorius watched Hikaru's silhouette disappear into the distance. The corners of his lips curled upward.
"Heh heh heh heh… hahaha..."
Fate… was even more generous than he'd imagined!
With the surge of light's aura, this dimension would soon plunge into war. The wheel of destiny would turn ceaselessly.
The GX Tournament's suspension? Even better!
He looked down at his Deck.
It emanated an eerie black aura.
This attack had given him a tremendous opportunity, his Society of Light had "saved" countless students.
Grateful and relieved, these students would naturally be inclined to listen to the Society's teachings… and accepting the voice of Fate would follow.
Thus, the power he sought was steadily growing.
Still…
It wasn't enough.
To destroy all dimensions, this alone was insufficient.
His smile faded slowly.
"Lord Sartorius, Aster Phoenix has come to see you again!" A white-robed student reported routinely.
Since arriving at the Critical Nexus, Sartorius hadn't once contacted Aster. Meanwhile, Aster had abandoned all interest in the GX Tournament, refusing to duel at all.
Not because he'd lost his best friend and couldn't function, no, it was because Aster had learned, through certain channels, that Sartorius knew the identity of his father's killer.
However, he had never told him.
For Aster, vengeance outweighed any tournament. Yet Sartorius, who unquestionably knew the answer, had kept it from him, even going so far as to deliberately distance himself and refuse all contact. How could Aster accept that!?
"Sartorius!!! Sartorius!! Tell me, who is it!?" Even with demons prowling outside, even with a month having passed since the GX Tournament began, Aster Phoenix remained steadfast… knocking on that door daily, demanding answers.
Sartorius's previously composed smile suddenly widened into something grotesque. A moment later, his eyes opened wide, glowing with a crimson light.
Good!
It had come!
The "Original Light of Ruin"!
"I'll send someone to drive him off," the reporting student said as usual.
"No… let him come."
...
Bonus @200
I'll release 10 bonus chapters, if we can reach top 70 this week.