Chapter 14: The Leader of the Orion District
While waiting for his subordinates to gather, the Second Boss spoke with Yūga Hōzumi about their leader.
Their leader wasn't a local resident. Instead, the Second Boss found him three years ago after the war began. At that time, the Orion District was suffering repeated defeats under the fierce assault of the Obelisk Force.
But one day, the Second Boss discovered that the Obelisk Force, which had been relentlessly attacking every day, suddenly ceased their assault. Their camp was also eerily silent.
When the Second Boss sent someone to investigate, they witnessed a scene they would never forget.
The once bustling camp was now deathly silent. A youth, covered in wounds, lay on the ground, his life or death unknown. Around him, countless cards, transformed from Fusion Dimension soldiers, lay scattered.
The Resistance Army of the Orion District brought the youth back, but after examining his injuries, the Resistance Army's military doctor concluded that he was beyond saving.
After that day, the Obelisk Force's advance temporarily halted, and the Resistance Army of the Orion District gained a much-needed respite.
Not long after, the youth miraculously recovered, though a terrifying scar remained on the left side of his face. In the Orion District, where strength was respected, everyone unanimously decided to elect the youth as their leader.
However, the youth remained silent every day, only making a mask for himself to cover the scar on his face.
Soon after the youth recovered, the Obelisk Force returned. But this time, before the Resistance Army could organize their troops, they discovered their new Big Brother was gone.
However, early the next morning, the Resistance Army found the dying youth in the Obelisk Force's elite camp, while the opponent's entire 200-man army had been completely annihilated overnight.
The Resistance Army brought the youth back and carefully nursed him, while also struggling to resist the enraged reinforcements from the Fusion Dimension.
After the youth awoke, he left again. This time, the Second Boss was more cautious and led his troops to follow him.
This time, the Underground Duelists of the Orion District personally witnessed how the youth wreaked havoc within the Obelisk Force's main camp.
Even the Obelisk Elite, who normally posed a difficult challenge for everyone, couldn't last a single turn against the youth.
Duel, turn into a card, next. The youth repeated this mechanical task like an emotionless butcher. The Obelisk Elite, who usually strutted around, were like pigs and dogs in the youth's hands, their souls harvested by the evil dragon constantly by his side.
This time, with the Resistance Army's help, the youth didn't suffer severe injuries.
After this experience, the youth was revered as a god by the people of the Orion District. Although he had never issued a single order, every Underground Duelist there would respectfully call him Big Brother from the bottom of their hearts upon seeing him.
The Obelisk Force, having suffered repeated setbacks, finally temporarily gave up on the Orion District, this tough nut to crack.
But before the Resistance Army could celebrate, they discovered their Big Brother was gone.
The Resistance Army hurriedly searched everywhere, finally finding the dying youth in an Obelisk Force camp 30 kilometers away from the Orion District. And just like before, this camp too was utterly annihilated.
The youth's injuries this time were exceptionally severe. Even relying on what the military doctor called his superhuman physique, it still took him a full three months to recuperate and recover.
Just as the Resistance Army breathed a sigh of relief, the youth disappeared again...
And so, the youth left alone time and again, only to be carried back by the Resistance Army, covered in wounds, time and again.
Over the past three years, countless members of the Obelisk Force were turned into cards by the youth. The most recent time was half a year ago, when he single-handedly charged the Fusion Dimension's main base in Heartland City.
If not for the Resistance Army of the Orion District risking their lives and exerting their full strength to break through a small gap in the opponent's defense line, the youth would have died half a year ago.
And this time, after recuperating for a full half-year, he set off again last night.
"No wonder the Obelisk Force besieging us suddenly retreated half a year ago." After listening to the Second Boss's account, a part of his predecessor's memories surfaced in Yūga Hōzumi's mind, but he quickly had a startling realization.
Such a powerful person, why was there no mention of him at all in the original story? He couldn't have died this time, could he?!
Thinking this, Yūga Hōzumi quickly grabbed the Second Boss and said urgently, "Quick, take me out! My car is parked by the Boundary Marker; we can still make it if we chase after him now!"
"You have a car? That's great!" the Second Boss said delightedly. After arranging for Blondie to gather the troops and follow, the Second Boss pulled Yūga Hōzumi and sprinted towards the Boundary Marker.
Soon, Yūga Hōzumi and the Second Boss arrived at the Boundary Marker. Yūga Hōzumi, not very skilled at driving, tossed the keys to the Second Boss. Without another word, the Second Boss started the car and sped north towards the Fusion Dimension Command.
"By the way, your Big Brother is so strong, why does he always act alone? Wouldn't it go more smoothly with your assistance?" Yūga Hōzumi, bored on the way, couldn't help but ask.
"How would I know what Big Brother is thinking? But I guess... he's seeking death," the Second Boss said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Seeking death?" Yūga Hōzumi asked, puzzled.
"It's just a guess. In the eye he leaves exposed, I can't see a speck of light. And the feeling he gives me... how should I put it? It's as if he died long ago, like a dead man wandering the mortal realm," the Second Boss replied.
Four hours later, less than six kilometers from the Fusion Dimension Command, a figure appeared in Yūga Hōzumi and the Second Boss's line of sight. The Second Boss's eyes lit up, and he slammed on the accelerator, giving chase.
The sound of the car made the person turn his head sharply, activating his Duel Disk and taking a defensive stance.
"Big Brother!" the Second Boss rushed forward, grabbing the masked young man. "Listen to me, our troops are on their way. Let's wait for them to arrive so we can go together. Don't go risking it alone."
At this moment, Yūga Hōzumi finally got a clear look at the exposed half of the so-called Big Brother's face. The memories of this body's original owner made Yūga Hōzumi blurt out, "Yao? You're still alive? Why didn't you come find us?"
The young man before him was none other than Sugihara Yo, formerly the Chief of Diamond Academy, who had once been one of the Four Major Academies' Chiefs alongside Yūga Hōzumi, Kaito, and Yuto.
"Why would I come find you?" the young man slowly spoke, his hoarse voice like a demon's whisper.
"You two know each other?" the Second Boss asked, looking at Yūga Hōzumi in confusion.
"Of course. Your leader was once the Chief of Diamond Academy," Yūga Hōzumi said gravely.
"What?" The Second Boss froze upon hearing this. He truly hadn't expected the youth they had brought back all those years ago to have such a background.
"Chief?" Sugihara Yo gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Diamond Academy no longer exists, so how could there be a Chief?"
"Yao, listen to me. I'm truly sorry about what happened to Diamond Academy. At the time, our other three academies were all tied up and couldn't provide support in time. But now, the surviving forces of our three academies have fully assembled. Come back with me, and we can plan our next move. Everyone will help you avenge Diamond Academy," Yūga Hōzumi urged.
"Avenge? With just you? We couldn't do it even when the Four Major Academies were at their full strength. Do you think a bunch of remnant soldiers can do it now?" Sugihara Yo said coldly, looking at Yūga Hōzumi, who stood blocking his path. "Move aside. I just want to kill a few more Fusion Dogs before I go see Liang. That'll be enough."
"As your friend, I can't just stand by and watch you go to your death. Either you come back with me right now, or I'll beat you down and drag you back," Yūga Hōzumi said, word by word, as he activated his Duel Disk.
"It seems this war has changed everyone. Even you, who used to be so taciturn, can say such things to my face. In that case, let me see what gives you the confidence to say you can help me get my revenge," Sugihara Yo said, activating his Duel Disk as well.
"Duel!"
***
Long chapter. I pulled an all-nighter last night grinding the KC Cup, so today's update is late, my apologies.
Also, during this new book period, could I trouble everyone not to stockpile chapters?
When arranging recommendations, editors only look at active readership, not other data. I'm counting on you all.
(end of chapter)