Chapter 332: Doubt, Confusion, Uncomprehension

'D. D!?'

In Lord Lord Zhai Wang's fortune-telling shop, Ai De stepped back in shock, his body slamming into the door behind him with a thud.

'Impossible... impossible, how could this be!?' Ai De couldn't believe it, eyes wide with fury; even as his back crashed against the door, he felt no pain, muttering frantically.

D. D, World Duel Champion, the 'Number One Professional Duelist' who had won consecutive World Duel Tournaments since Seto Kaiba left the professional dueling scene.

Beyond that, he held another identity most crucial to Ai De—he was Ai De's adoptive father!

Ai De became a professional duelist largely because, after losing his biological father, D. D—the father's close friend—appeared before him and made a promise: to duel him on the professional stage someday.

After his father died in an accident, D. D raised him from childhood; much of his current achievement stems from D. D's teachings!

Now—

Lord Lord Zhai Wang told him that his father's murderer, the one who killed his father and stole his father's 'Ultimate D' card, was his own beloved, revered adoptive father?

How could he possibly accept this??

'I'm sorry...' Lord Lord Zhai Wang sat on his chair, hands clasped atop the table, his face filled with guilt, a tear streaming down his right eye as he whispered, 'I've always feared you couldn't bear the truth... so I never told you.'

Ai De's heart was struck as if by lightning, freezing him in place.

He stared at Lord Lord Zhai Wang, lips parting.

He didn't know when Lord Lord Zhai Wang had learned the truth, or whether Lord Lord Zhai Wang was sincere—recently, Lord Lord Zhai Wang felt like a stranger.

But on the matter of 'father's murderer,' he could not remain calm.

'Damn it—aaaaah!' Ai De spun around, shoving open the door, 'I'll confront him myself!!'

As he turned, the invisible chains binding him grew visibly clearer—pitch-black fate coiled around this born hero, locking his life inseparably to destiny, death, and destruction.

'Hey, wait a minute, classmate!'

'Don't leave this station right now!'

'It's dangerous outside!!'

Soon after, Ai De broke through the guards, pressed a button on his body, activated the hidden flight wings beneath his clothes, and flew off toward the location he knew D. D to be.

Hearing the noise, Lord Lord Zhai Wang's right cheek wept even more bitterly.

The sun sank slowly; the curtains drew open automatically, casting his right cheek in shadow. The lights turned on, revealing his left cheek—a wild, grotesque grin brimming with excitement.

Leave this matter behind.

Tenjo Hikari had already rescued the occupants of a vehicle and was returning toward the Critical Point's initial station; Seto Corporation's rescue team had also begun their operation.

Near a certain mountain.

'The effect of Flashfire Winged Dragon deals damage to your opponent equal to the ATK of the monster it destroyed in battle!'

With a shout, Judai activated Flashfire Winged Dragon, unleashing flames that reduced a charging Demon Warrior to ash.

'You okay?' On the other side, two juniors were also helping Judai rescue classmates.

'What's going on? Why is this happening!?'

Several first-year students huddled together, trembling.

Not all students were inside the station or train—some, like Judai, loved wandering around aimlessly.

Of course, some of them were students confident in their own 'strength,' protected by Spirits and thus not immediately captured by Demons.

But—

There were also a few 'special' students.

Those with no sense of danger, no ambition to grow stronger or challenge duelists, treating this Otherworld like a tourist trip, just running around aimlessly.

Those with strength and luck were adventurers; those without were just asking to die.

The students Judai rescued this time were exactly that type.

'Big brother, a message from Tenjo Hikari.'

Marufuji Ryo opened his phone and showed it to Judai; Judai glanced at it, his expression turning grave.

'Spirit invasion and attacks?' Judai gritted his teeth, 'Why would they do this...'

After briefly scanning it, Judai realized these Spirits were likely the same group that attacked Motianlou—apparently the 'Dark World' monster Spirits.

'Infiltrating the Hero World, and now planning to invade other dimensions!?' His fist clenched tightly.

That must be Seto Kaiba!

As he thought this, a massive silver-white Demon, followed by a horde of smaller Demons, flew toward them. Judai immediately reopened his Duel Disk and stood before everyone: 'Ryo, Jianshan, protect them!'

'Big brother, you've already fought several battles—' Ryo worried.

He was the better choice!

'I'm fine!' Judai said, his face once again wearing that confident smile, 'Heroes never retreat!'

The Dark World Demons gathered.

Following their commander's plan, they were meant to first destroy human transportation systems, then individually target or loot humans to achieve their goal.

Now, the transportation destruction plan was only half-complete; next, the Demons would attack human strongholds, aiming to cripple the Dimensional System so they could trap humans within the Critical Point Dimension and attack at will.

But—

If they had a chance to attack isolated humans, they'd naturally prioritize them.

After all, a large human stronghold couldn't be easily overrun by just one or two high-ranking Demons; their numbers in this dimension were limited—they couldn't afford to waste them.

The Demons flew above Judai, then slowly landed. Several students screamed in terror; the lead Demon let out a cold 'Hmph,' clearly disdainful of these cowardly humans.

Then, the silver-white Demon's right hand clicked sharply as a gleaming blade extended.

The blade slowly reshaped in midair, finally forming a Duel Disk, locking eyes with Judai.

Judai crouched slightly, cautiously facing it.

Though Judai had already defeated several Dark World Demons, this one was clearly higher-ranked—he couldn't underestimate it.

Just as he prepared to duel, the silver-white Demon narrowed its eyes, studying Judai, seeming hesitant.

'Give me that!' it suddenly shouted to a subordinate.

The subordinate froze, confused; the Demon grabbed it, yanked a parchment from its chest, and scrutinized it closely.

After a moment, it suddenly widened its eyes.

'B... Your Majesty—'

As it muttered, a golden Demon flew in from afar, accompanied by a squad of Demons, and without warning, unleashed a golden lightning bolt toward them.

The phantom of Neo-Space Hero appeared on Judai's body, blocking the distant attack.

'Stop! What are you doing!' the silver-white Demon roared at the newcomer, 'He's—'

The distant Demon laughed loudly: 'Hah! By order of the Mad King, eliminate the old Demons!'

Hearing the voice, the silver-white Demon roared to the heavens: 'Where is your loyalty!!'

Clearly, it realized—the Mad King's faction of Dark World Demons had recognized it too!

Amid Judai's confusion, the Demon before him suddenly spread its wings, summoned its troops, and charged toward the other side.

'Big brother?' Jianshan asked, puzzled, 'Is this infighting?'

'No time to care! Jianshan, Ryo! Let's go!' Judai didn't hesitate, urgently urging the two to protect the students and flee immediately.

'Got it!' 'Alright!'

Ryo immediately pulled out a card, summoning a small car, loading the students aboard, and speeding away from this chaotic place.

(End of Chapter)