After the Duel ended, the Worm tribe treated Hikaru and Tierra as honored guests, inviting them to the Worm encampment.
Though they looked like insects, one mustn't think Worms were ordinary bugs.
In truth, in the original DT storyline, the Worms were a highly advanced alien civilization that had invaded many planets, one of the great powers of the universe.
The DT planet itself was not some pure sword-and-sorcery fantasy world; it had skyscrapers, science, and all manner of mysterious things.
The Worms possessed the ability to alter their species and create new types of Worms to counter different enemies, evolving faster than the DT natives' own scientific research.
Now, even though the Worm Spirits hadn't fully inherited their race's abilities, just as Shaddolls retained some infectious powers, the Worms still possessed unique capabilities.
For example, they could mimic the architecture and technology of other tribes. The Worm tribe lived in modern skyscrapers, each Worm with its own work and tasks.
Once they learned Hikaru and Tierra weren't here to seize their last bit of territory with ill intent, and even wished to converse, these hard-luck Spirits of the DT Dimension shared everything they knew with Hikaru.
During this, Captain Crystal and Lulualso appeared to talk with the Worm King and ask about the current situation of the dimension.
In this way, Hikaru finally grasped the broader state of the DT Dimension.
It was, as he had imagined, complete chaos.
Every single faction that had ever appeared in the DT Dimension was now living in this Spirit World.
It was worth noting that this Spirit World was enormous. Beyond the planet itself, outer space was also part of it, and Spirits were said to live there, too.
In short, "alien Spirits," though they were also Spirits of the DT Spirit World.
In such a crowded world, their relationships hadn't entirely followed history but instead evolved into their present forms.
Because of their racial traits, the Worms had once inhabited all over the planet.
However, since they bordered so many others and lacked real advantages in power, they had gradually dwindled down to this final territory.
Because of this, however, their grasp of the DT Dimension's situation was far clearer than even that of Captain Crystal the Gem-Knight.
At present, the strongest and largest force, also the most indifferent to others, was the "Ice Barrier." This faction was said to almost never fight outsiders, keeping to themselves unless directly invaded.
Beyond that, each major faction had its own tricks, its own methods, and its own "peculiarities."
The Gem-Knight Order was one of the more famous forces, without much fixed territory, aiming to protect weaker life and roaming the dimension as famed champions.
"I heard about it, one of the Order's captains went missing. So that was you," someone remarked.
Captain Crystal rubbed the back of his head, speechless.
"Tell me, where is the Order stationed now? And how long would it take to get there from here?"
Captain Crystal had already resolved to follow Hikaru, to help more suffering Spirits. That said, if possible, he still wished to report back safely to the Order and return Luluthere.
"Sorry to disappoint, but your Order is on another continent. You don't have a ship, do you?"
'Another continent…'
Captain Crystal shook his head regretfully.
Reporting back wouldn't be a matter of just a day or two.
Anyhow, his master didn't have that kind of time.
Besides the famed Ice Barrier and Gem-Knight Order, there were forces like the "Fabled," who stirred up wars everywhere. And their earlier nervousness at Tierra was because in this world, the Steelswarm and the Shaddolls were two highly dangerous groups.
Contact with them could mean immediate infection or death, demanding special treatment, just like when Captain Crystal had been infected and the Gem-Knight Order had to isolate him in the Fractured Dimension to await a cure.
Had he not stumbled into another dimension by chance and been found by Leo Akaba, Hikaru would never have met him.
In essence, in this dimension, apart from the aloof Ice Barrier, the most dangerous groups to watch were the Fabled, the Steelswarm, and the Shaddolls. Each had its own style and tactics, and their high-level Spirit power and dueling ability placed them among the top tiers. Extremely dangerous.
Beyond that, the countless other factions all had their own grudges and friendships.
Even so, as long as you didn't meddle, they'd ignore you, just as the Worm King had urged Hikaru and Tierra to leave when they suddenly appeared.
In the DT Dimension, the most famous taboo was "don't gawk, don't meddle."
As long as you followed that, travelers of any race would usually be left alone.
"I've heard the Windwitches once had Spirits from other dimensions appear here, the Charmers, with all sorts of attributes: earth, water, fire, wind." The Worm King told Hikaru. "But that place is too far. I've never seen them myself."
Hikaru pictured it in his mind.
In any case, Hikaru and Tierra listened carefully to the Worm King's understanding of the world, preparing for what came next.
Hikaru's greatest goal was, of course, the Shaddolls. Tierra's as well.
Albeit from what they'd learned, unless the next teleportation was random again, they wouldn't encounter them soon.
Still, collecting Shaddolls through normal means was enough. Hikaru hadn't heard anything of the Machina in the Worm King's knowledge, so it wasn't urgent.
Therefore…
The closest place would be their next destination.
Besides the Shaddolls, the Ritual Beasts, Naturia, and Gem-Knights each had their own specialties, each a remarkable faction. Their Fusion Monsters were all distinguished.
The Gem-Knights couldn't be found quickly.
That said, the Worm King said the Ritual Beasts and Naturia had habitats all across the planet, with many strongholds, those were viable options.
Finally, after thoroughly learning all this, the Worm King even courteously gifted Hikaru a DT navigation device.
Said to be an adventurer's essential, it could help you skirt battlefields and flee quickly.
Hikaru felt genuine goodwill toward these unlucky but honest Spirits. After all, they hadn't done anything except take beatings every day.
He also exchanged some cards with the Worm King, since the Worm King did indeed hold "Worm Zero." Hikaru gave him spare cards, things like Overload Fusion, which might aid their Fusion tactics. While it didn't fix the Worms' fundamental weaknesses, it could still help them use their Fusion strategy better.
In return, Hikaru obtained three high-level Fusion Monsters and many Fusion Materials.
To be honest, even though Worm Zero lacked protection, it was hardly weak. With the right combo, like with Eternal Knight, it could unleash dramatic and stylish plays.
The real issue was, the Worms' low-level monsters were just too weak.
Hikaru carefully stored his gains, bid farewell to the Worm King, and teleported back to the Critical Nexus.
It had gone far better than expected. He had thought he'd land in a brawl with the Shaddolls.
Though the finals were still some time away, he wanted to arrive early if possible.
He had come lightly, but left laden with gains!
As Tierra followed Hikaru away, she cast one last wistful look around.
These mountains, these waters, this air, it was… nostalgic.
Their figures slowly faded from this dimension.
And at that very moment, the Worm King suddenly felt something strange. Glancing around, he sensed the wind stir violently; the clouds in the sky seemed to shift.
As though, after Hikaru and Tierra left, this very world itself, like a living heart…
Throbbed once.
...
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