Tenjo Hikari followed the Fluffal Bear to the Dimension Gate.
Though it's called a Dimension Gate, it's more like a barrier gate.
Logically, the Frightfur factory and the Frightfur Sanctuary should be connected, but there used to be someone guarding the Dimension Gate, so it was difficult for the spirits on the other side to come directly here.
However, if you traveled back from this side, there was no such issue.
Tenjo Hikari passed through the Dimension Gate and felt like he was moving through a layer of strange foam.
He wasn't worried about being deceived by the Fluffal Bear.
There was no need for that.
If it deceived him, he could just take down the Frightfurs and the Fusion Army all at once.
However, the main reason was that if Tierra was so keen to take action, there should be no problem.
If there was an issue with the toys handcrafted by Tierra, she wouldn't deserve to be a God.
After passing through the Dimension Gate, Tenjo Hikari noticed the world dimmed noticeably, and crackling sounds echoed around him. Looking towards the sound, he saw some soldiers in blue uniforms holding something like submachine guns, shooting around them.
Huge monsters made up of Fluffals were hit by gunfire, causing several holes to burst from their bodies and fluff to explode everywhere.
A gigantic wolf-shaped toy had scissors on its belly that rotated wildly, charging like a whirlwind towards a human.
The masked human showed no fear, and at the instant before the wolf toy's claw was about to strike, several worn-out Mechanical Hounds made of gears jumped up to block the attack.
The soldiers sneered and continued to shoot, forcing the Wolf Spirit to retreat.
"It's Brother Frightfur Wolf!" the Fluffal Bear called out softly.
"Little Bear, didn't I tell you to run away? Why did you come back!" a spirit fighting with the Fusion Army roared at the sight of the Fluffal Bear, not even understanding how it survived.
In the sky, war axes, scissors, sickles—countless sharp metal Archfiends flew by, led by a giant lion, attacking the other side again.
However, accompanied by a grunt, a blood moon suddenly rose in the already gray sky.
But—
In a single Spirit Dimension, how could there be a celestial change?
Thump—thump—
The sound of wings flapping echoed, as a dragon-shaped being with blood-red and black coloring stood in the sky, slowly flapping its wings.
On its chest, next to the silver-white armor, there was a strange red number, glowing faintly.
This Monster Dragon circled in the sky for a moment, and just as the lion was about to successfully attack, it swooped down, overturning the lion with a single wing thrust, sending the metal weapon Archfiends tumbling to the ground.
No.!?
Tenjo Hikari noticed this dragon.
Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon.
If he remembered correctly, it should be this monster.
"Surrender, Power Saw Lion!" a soldier with a medal sneered, wearing an expression of cold confidence. "You can't defeat me or the power of my No.!"
"We once cooperated well, didn't you agree to help us gain the trust of human children?"
"Damn humans, this isn't what we agreed upon at all!" Power Saw Lion roared furiously into the sky, disregarding its wounds, "We agreed to select the finest warriors to help us evolve—"
"Hehehe, isn't the result perfect? If not for us, you wouldn't have evolved into your new form after that war, right? You're only the highest-level Frightfur because of us!"
Apparently, the high-level Frightfurs knew more than the Bear suggested.
Just as they were about to continue arguing and fighting, suddenly, a bizarre tearing sound echoed throughout the world.
The sky, the earth, the buildings—countless threads surged from all directions.
Some threads grabbed spirits, others entwined humans. Whoever was ensnared at first struggled desperately. Meanwhile, the huge Monster Dragon became enveloped in blood, then flew into the distance.
Yet more and more Purple Puppet Strings, moving faster, chased it. Soon, countless strings surrounded it like waves, blocking its escape route entirely.
At that moment, a flash of bloodlight crossed its body, and then its silhouette vanished, returning to the card in the hand of the human who had shouted.
He calmed down, looked towards the gate, and finally realized the presence of an additional intruder.
"Who are you!?"
"What's going on."
Meanwhile, everyone but him was controlled by these Purple Puppet Strings, unable to move at all.
Scissor Wolf looked at the Fluffal Bear and couldn't help exclaiming: "Little Bear, what did you bring back!"
Only then did it finally realize.
"Who are you!" a soldier of the Fusion Army shouted at Tierra.
Tierra slowly spread her hands, floating in the air: "I am your [God]."
She completely disregarded the intentions of the Fusion Army and instead calmly addressed the spirits of the Frightfurs: "I am the God who can shelter you, guide your way forward, pioneer a new future, and create a new cycle of reincarnation."
She decided this on her own, unconcerned about the reactions of the native spirits or whether they accepted it.
"Tenjo Hikari..." On the other side, a person in charge finally spotted Tenjo Hikari.
He instinctively took a step back.
The sound of his shoes scraping against the ground was piercing in this eerie silence.
The Circular Saw Lion looked at him.
Could it be—
Does this unknown Spirit possess such intimidation?
It didn't care for face, directly kneeling before Tierra, and then felt the force hindering its movement suddenly dissipate. Overjoyed, it took the opportunity, speaking desperately, "Lord God, if it means protecting the last child of our clan, I would sacrifice my life without hesitation."
The leader of the soldiers in the blue uniform took a deep breath.
His name was Burns Jett.
Among the medals on him was the "Meritorious Service" medal, representing that he was one of the soldiers who invaded the X Dimension, dueled with X-Dimensional Duelists, and returned alive without succumbing to the battle. He was now a "Colonel", and one step away from becoming a General.
Not long ago, he received a mission from the Professor to re-establish contact with forces that had previously cooperated with the Fusion Army. On his way, he was even greeted with curiosity by that terrifying Yuri because he carried a No.
Yuri's curiosity was justified.
To accept the power of No. cards and not lose oneself is quite an exceptional talent. Even Yuri wanted to duel him.
But—
Despite his talent, when he saw Tenjo Hikari, he still instinctively felt fear.
This person was considered "infamous" within their Fusion Army. Yet, to this day, don't mention defeating Tenjo Hikari—all their attempts to attack the Cronos faction had ultimately ended in failure, paying with their blood.
Even with his outstanding record, he was somewhat afraid.
Of course—
If even he was this scared, what about the ordinary soldiers?
"Bang!"
A gunshot rang out.
Tenjo Hikari raised his hand, and a bullet was trapped by countless purple puppet strings in front of him, unable to get close. He grabbed it, and with a squeeze, shattered it to the ground.
Meanwhile, Tierra gently clasped their hands toward that soldier.
Bang—
Pop—
Splat...
A ball made of purple puppet strings began to contract crazily, as blood, flesh, bones, and fat slowly seeped out, merging into the earth. Then, like melting ice cream, they gradually transformed into light points that followed the puppet strings, merging into the wounded Spirits, healing some of their wounds completely in no time.
"Wow! Long live the Lord God!" Fluffal Bear, seeing this truly god-like action, excitedly began to cheer.
To use such power to heal without a duel—this is incredibly powerful.
Tierra also nodded gently in response.
Without speaking, posing as a master.
Whether it was being provoked by the sight of a comrade's brutal death or finally calmed down, Burns' voice sank as he spoke to Tenjo Hikari.
"Tenjo Hikari."
Tenjo Hikari looked back at him.
Burns jumped down from the platform. With the protection of No., and his high Spirit Adaptability, Tierra couldn't control him on a large scale, maybe could single-handedly, but that wouldn't suit Tierra's needs.
He slowly put away the cards on his Duel Disk, stored them in his Deck, and put the Vampiric Dragon into his Extra Deck, then slowly spoke, staring at Tenjo Hikari as if somewhat wistfully, "I expected to run into you someday, but I didn't think it would be while executing a mission. But, that's fine—it's time to overcome the nightmare of our Fusion Army and lead us to a higher future.
You, and everyone from the Cronos faction, will sooner or later be defeated by all of us.
And today, let me be the one to defeat you! Just as I've turned the tide before!
For true righteousness! I will defeat you here!"
"Overcome the nightmare? True righteousness? How laughable." Tenjo Hikari raised his left hand, and the Duel Disk opened automatically, "Clearly, you all are the nightmares that haunt all our students, teachers, and countless Spirits.
Just like this world!
Even now, you persist in causing trouble, here and there!
And bullying some newly born Spirit Race—is that what you call righteousness!?
I will wipe out every last one of you."
"Duel!"
The heavy smell of blood began to churn, a blood moon rose in the sky, and at the same time, countless puppet strings connected all the soldiers of the Fusion Army from afar.
No need to speak of terms or conditions.
They both understood well.
If you lose, you die!
Tenjo Hikari LP: 4000.
Burns LP: 4000.