The world isn't static.
While some people are busy dealing with internal problems, others naturally have their own affairs to tend to.
"Is there a healing-type Spirit? Someone's injured!"
"There are Archfiends, Archfiends!! Quick, hurry, someone defend!"
Amidst the flames and explosions, the not-so-sturdy walls formed cracks and finally collapsed.
"Neos!!" As the blast echoed, a crimson figure leaped from the crowd, and with a loud shout, a white Hero emerged from him, instantly repelling the attacking Archfiend, smashing it to pieces with a single punch.
Yuki Judai landed on the ground, looking quite exhausted, his clothes fluttering; gone was his previous nonchalant attitude, now exuding the aura of a sharp sword, full of vigor.
"Big brother, wasn't it agreed that I'd guard today!" As he landed, Shou, arriving swiftly from another direction, couldn't help but complain, "Big brother, you're pushing yourself too hard!"
"It's okay, Shou! They're just minor issues!" Judai gave a thumbs-up, pointing at himself as he spoke to Marufuji Shou, "Shou, go check on your companions first, that's more important!"
Shou hesitated for a moment.
Since they were running around aimlessly at the Critical Point, during the Dark World invasion, they were in very remote places, unable to receive Kaiba Company's immediate support.
After that, when those from Dark World discovered them, for some reason, abandoned the surrounding human outposts and focused on besieging them, putting them in a dire situation.
Judai was almost completely protecting the students every day, and although his stamina was astounding, continuing like this was unsustainable.
So, the day before yesterday, Shou and Kenzan held Judai back, refusing to let him act again, and finally persuaded him to take a break, establishing a "rotation."
However, today, a group of students from the Integration Department came to them seeking refuge.
Judai naturally couldn't let the students get hurt before his eyes, and immediately agreed, but due to the reasons between the Integration Department and ordinary students, tension brewed in the small campsite.
Judai hoped Shou could handle it, so he could guard the camp.
But Shou was truly worried about Judai's health.
"Kenzan-kun, you stay here and help big brother!" But upon hearing Judai, he had to admit that the camp's atmosphere was indeed terrible, and he couldn't ignore it.
He repeatedly urged Tyranno Kenzan, eventually walking back to the camp, heavy-hearted.
The so-called camp was actually an abandoned Spirit village, seemingly attacked by Dark World; Judai and the others built walls here, searched for missing students outside, brought them back, and tried to send them to the nearest outpost.
"Representative." Seeing Shou coming, a few members of the Integration Department quickly stood up.
"Everyone... are you alright..." Shou was originally filled with rage.
Because, after the Integration Department students came to the camp, they clashed with some students temporarily staying here, causing considerable distress.
He had already asked everyone to calmly await rescue.
He didn't want, at this point, to add more trouble for his big brother.
But when he saw these people, his anger was suppressed by worry, and all his words turned into a greeting.
"These are not important, Representative!"
"Yes, we're fine!"
Shou didn't listen to them, but looked at his friend, Dennis, thinking deeply with his arms crossed at a distance: "Dennis, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Representative." Dennis, hearing Shou's question, opened his eyes and couldn't help saying, "I'm just worried, it might be very bad."
"What's wrong?"
Dennis hesitated for a while, then voiced his concern.
Because Akaba Leo blitzed Heartland, causing students from the Northern Europe Branch Fusion Department and the Integration Department at the main campus to undergo strict scrutiny. Except for those "re-educated," most Integration Department students coming to this dimension were "cleared" students.
After all, regardless, they are ultimately students, not soldiers.
Originally, these Fusion Army students weren't popular in the Critical Point, but as long as they're separated from ordinary students, it's peaceful.
However, the Archfiends' attack from Dark World caused this situation to fracture.
Some Fusion Army students could protect other students, so at least it's safe, but not here.
In this remotest place, students under prolonged, high-intensity Archfiend attacks were mentally strained, leading to serious resistance, even insults and blame when they saw Integration Department members.
Some would say it's all the Integration Department's fault, blame Polymerization, it's karma, sorts of things.
Though Judai acted as a link, accommodating everyone together, this can't last long without inevitably causing conflicts.
In fact, something else might even erupt.
Back then, it could potentially hurt Shou and Judai.
"Representative, at least give me a unit... some transportation, let us leave." Dennis suggested a compromise.
"No, if you encounter danger halfway, what then?" Shou was very worried.
The only solution he could think of now was to keep both groups from crossing paths as much as possible.
As long as they didn't meet, everything could be managed.
Just thinking this, suddenly a classmate hurried in, looked around, found Shou, and said, "It's bad, Marufuji!"
"What's wrong?!" Marufuji Shou quickly responded.
"Psychius is missing!"
Psychius?
Seems to be a student from the Northern Europe Branch?
Shou quickly recalled the identity of this student.
"What happened?" His face turned very unpleasant.
"Psychius left a note about not being able to take it, and then couldn't be found! Must have left on his own!"
Marufuji Shou felt the world spinning, dizzy and disoriented.
Actually, at the beginning, because this outpost was so remote and faced numerous attacks, some students wanted to sneak away alone.
Or they didn't trust Judai and the others, maybe thought themselves adept and could go unprotected, or simply felt Dark World would only attack outposts.
In any case, there would always be those ignoring management and leaving outright.
After all, in their eyes, Marufuji Shou, the Integration Department representative, is evil, unreliable; Kenzan, a first-year newcomer, always stirring trouble, unreliable; Yuki Judai, a Fusion Department veteran, but too laid-back, always skipping class, unreliable.
This gave them a bizarre illusion — they can manage, they are safe.
Back then, when numbers were small, even if missing, the three of them acting separately could still find them.
But now, with so many people in the camp!
"What to do, Marufuji!" That student was so nervous, almost crying, "Quickly go find him secretly, I'll help keep it from Judai."
"I can't! Absolutely cannot! This can't be hidden from big brother." Shou reacted almost immediately.
At this moment, if this is hidden from big brother, without understanding the events, it could spiral out of control!
Marufuji Shou can't let that happen.
"Dennis, make sure everyone stays put, I'm going to find big brother!"
"Okay! If there's any request, don't hesitate! We are all your support!" Dennis said to Shou firmly.