Just as Yugen expected, Shirley and Goukou found their way to the Public Security Maintenance Bureau again early the next morning.
Last night's events were filled with oddities. On Yugen's side, he successfully communicated with ZONE using Shirley's card as a medium and gained considerable insights. However, from the perspective of the remaining few, the situation was quite bizarre.
To them, once the card was analyzed by the supercomputer, the dimension ruptured, space fragmented, and they experienced a dizzying whirlwind before losing consciousness. Upon waking, they found themselves tossed onto the lawn outside the building.
Naturally, they wanted to ask "Godwin" what had happened again.
Yugen, however, did not disclose the matter of ZONE to them just yet; the magnitude of information was too much for the average person to believe. He merely mentioned that like them, he was transported elsewhere but omitted the conversation with ZONE.
Shirley was somewhat disappointed. This expedition seemed to gain little, yet Yugen proved that the card she possessed, named "ZONE," contained extraordinary power, with inexplicable abilities like spatial rupture and instant teleportation.
This undoubtedly corroborated some of Yugen's previous claims, making Shirley take the concept of time travel more seriously.
Yugen promptly returned the "ZONE" card to Shirley.
The card was currently of no use, merely a key to starting the Time Machine. The effect section on the card was completely blank, belonging to an undeveloped, inactive state, unusable in a Duel.
Moreover, with him and Shirley forming an alliance, they were not adversaries, and Shirley was no evil-doer misusing Duels. The card was her father's only heirloom, and Yugen had no reason to keep it.
Otherwise, rumors might spread portraying him as someone obsessed with cards, tarnishing his reputation.
Shirley left, but the fighting spirit in her eyes was even fiercer than before.
If previously it was mere flames of revenge, now her eyes held a glimmer of hope. For she saw dawn, saw the future she desired, rather than purely seeking venting.
Henceforth, she would likely be more reckless in attempting to approach Taiyi.
After sending Shirley off, Yugen dismissed his subordinates, including Yego, who ran over specially for routine flattery.
He then, alone, entered the restricted area of the Public Security Maintenance Bureau, returning to the location of the supercomputer.
No one in the entire building knew that since yesterday, the space here had cracked. Although invisible to the naked eye, the spatial barriers had weakened, adding an invisible void fissure.
The shadow of the Chaos Warrior beside Yugen flickered, wielding a sword to slash through. The already existing transparent fissure promptly surfaced, opening an entrance just wide enough for passage.
Yugen stepped inside. After another burst of blinding light, he returned to the place from yesterday.
Overflowing with white light, an infinite space with no end visible from within the domain.
A semi-transparent shadow materialized, gradually solidifying into ZONE's gigantic Nautilus.
"Thanks for solving the problem with the clown yesterday."
Yugen clapped his hands and said.
"Now, let's discuss the details about making me the ultimate villain. Is there a script planned?
Will I transform into the ultimate Dark Marker, summoning the Ultimate God to open the gates of the Netherworld and destroy the world?"
"Sure."
ZONE replied casually.
"But before that, there's someone who wants to meet you."
Another ripple arose in the space, revealing a new figure.
A blue tight-fitting suit with iconic red goggles, Yugen immediately recognized who it was.
"Antinomy, is it?"
Antinomy was surprised: "You recognize me?"
ZONE pondered for two seconds: "In your dimension...could there be beings like us?"
ZONE, with his vast experience, quickly considered this possibility.
In the Multiverse, parallel worlds are infinite. Most are not unique in the Multiverse, and counterparts in Otherworlds are not unusual.
ZONE was sure Yugen had never met them, yet this person was unexpectedly familiar with their quartet, which could only be explained by having encountered other versions in another universe.
"Sort of, but I haven't seen, only heard of your stories." Yugen nodded, "Facing doomsday as the last humans, the species' only saviors, fighting for survival even at the cost of everything.
In my world, this tale is widespread, and countless people admire this spirit."
What he said wasn't untrue, though "my world" referred not to the GX dimension but rather the original real world before his journey.
In reality, the 5DS story was indeed widespread, and ZONE's quartet did indeed have numerous fans who admired and endorsed their actions.
"Savior...doesn't fit." ZONE sighed, "Merely those trying to compensate for their own failures."
Antinomy: "ZONE..."
But ZONE motioned for him to stop, calmly saying: "Since you know about us, things become simpler.
His name is Antinomy, and he is one of my companions...perhaps the strongest among us.
He is, as far as I know, the sole 'King' in the final human era before the apocalypse descended."
Yugen couldn't help but take a closer look at Antinomy.
He knew Antinomy's background. Antinomy was a fan of Yusei from the future world, earnestly following the path left by the legendary Duelist, Yusei Fudo.
Antinomy adhered to the same techniques as Yusei, mastering the Heart of Bright Mirror and Calm Water, and Top-Level Bright Mirror Calm Water Heart, progressing from Accelerated Synchro to Triangular Accelerated Synchro, with his demonstrated power ranking among the top tier in the entire 5DS series.
Furthermore, Yusei's mastery of Bright Mirror Calm Water, Accelerated Synchro, and even the concluding battle summon "Flowing Celestial Star Dragon" were all imparted by Antinomy's guidance. Many viewers also believed that Antinomy's ultimate duel with Yusei aimed solely to teach Yusei the realm of "Top-Level Bright Mirror Calm Water," possibly even pulling punches.
If it were a true fight to the death, Yusei might not have been Antinomy's match.
And now, Yugen captured another vital piece of information from ZONE's words.
ZONE mentioned Antinomy being the "King" of the last human era.
This indicated he achieved the level of a King. Although he did not earn the title of Duel King in his time, he was an entity with power at that level.
"Duel King of the Otherworld, duel with me!"
Antinomy challenged Yugen.
"Let me witness the might from another world!"