Under Hiko's gaze, Gen, not knowing how this matter got exposed, explained somewhat guiltily:
"Um, actually, I just thought the scenery was quite nice, so I kept a copy for myself."
But Hiko wasn't about to let it go. She looked directly at Gen, her tone meaningful:
"Was it really just the scenery that was nice?"
Stared down by Hiko, Gen felt a bit lost and flustered, unsure whether to answer.
He was nervous and also very puzzled.
What's going on?
Why does it feel like Hiko knows something!
Damn it, which bastard has been following me!
Gen averted his eyes from Hiko's gaze. The issue of his identity was something he constantly worried about.
Could there really be a future between an Ultraman and a human?
Because of this uncertainty, even though Gen knew Hiko had feelings for him too, he never dared to respond or make a promise.
At that moment, Director Ōmura Tadashi spoke up, helping Gen out of his predicament: "Speaking of which, the gymnasium is quite short-handed lately."
"I think your friend here seems pretty good, Gen. Why don't you ask him if he wants to come work as a coach at the gym?"
"Good idea!" Seizing the chance to change the subject, Gen said quickly: "I'll tell Xia Yan-san when he wakes up."
However, while inwardly relieved, he also thought that since Xia Yan was also an Ultraman, the Captain would probably recruit him into MAC.
As the few of them conversed, Xia Yan, lying on the hospital bed, had his consciousness enter a dim, nebulous environment.
This drifting state lasted for an unknown period. The next moment, he felt himself inside a red, spherical ball of light!
Surrounding him were dark, ink-like red energies, and a figure approached faintly.
A silver body adorned with deep blue stripes, its face exuding overwhelming pressure at first glance.
"Ultraman, open your eyes."
A deep, authoritative voice sounded. The scene left Xia Yan momentarily stunned.
Too intense. I'm actually seeing Zoffy, and it's the Shin Ultraman version!
Just then, another voice came through.
But when Xia Yan tried to listen carefully, he could only hear indistinct, garbled noise.
The scene before his eyes also rapidly shifted.
Next, he found himself outside Earth. In space, a cross-shaped, colossal creature appeared.
Its black, mechanical body blocked the sun's light, its orange vertical pupil gazing down upon Earth.
"Zet—ton—"
Its mechanical limbs folded towards the center, ultimately forming a giant cannon aimed at Earth.
A terrifying orange energy sphere grew larger and larger, but a silver-red figure flashed past!
BOOM!
Xia Yan jolted awake, his body shooting up from the bed.
"Zoffy, you Barbar son of a—!!!"
Only when cursing out loud did he suddenly realize the surroundings were unfamiliar. His furious expression faltered in confusion.
When the smell of disinfectant reached his nose, he finally realized it had all been a dream.
"Scared me to death, thought I was done for."
It was just a dream, a false alarm. Letting out an involuntary sigh of relief, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
But to be honest, the Shin Ultraman version of Zoffy's presence was truly, exceptionally powerful.
And that Zetton spanning Earth's outer space was merely a bio-weapon Zoffy brought along casually.
He had watched Shin Ultraman. Just the fact that Zoffy could enter a black hole to pull Ribut out spoke volumes about his immense strength.
In comparison, "Captain Flaming Head" Zoffy from the main universe, you should just leave the group chat. The stars on your chest seem to have been for nothing.
A stinging sensation on the back of his hand drew his attention. Looking down, he saw he was still on an IV drip. Frowning slightly, he casually pulled out the needle.
He knew his own body condition perfectly well—no broken skin, no internal injuries.
No IV was necessary.
Assessing his current state, he seemed to have shed his previous sub-healthy condition. He felt full of energy.
Focusing his will, his smartphone materialized in his hand, though its appearance had dramatically changed.
The entire device now had a smooth, silver metallic finish. The rear camera was gone.
Where his thumb naturally rested on the edge was a transformation button, and the front camera had become a red indicator light. Overall, it somewhat resembled an alternative version of a Beta Capsule.
Though its appearance was odd, Xia Yan could still tell it was a transformation device.
Fortunately, the screen and other functions were all intact. The software could still be used to look up information.
Opening the data panel, his personal interface had changed.
[All-Ultraman Mastery Evolution Lv1]
[Identity: Human]
[Life Tier: E+]
[Composite Skills: None]
[Special Ability: Dimensional Travel Lv1 (Open a small black-hole portal only passable for consciousness, randomly entering other worlds. Consciousness can attach to and possess a human body.)]
[Materials: Human Hope Power ×1 (Use during transformation to raise life tier and amplify single energy output to the body's limit.)]
With the data panel fully activated, Xia Yan could clearly feel the power of light within his body.
Currently, his physique was half-human, half-Ultraman, allowing him to transform into his original form autonomously.
If he wanted to raise his life tier, he would need to use materials.
He had already jumped from E- to E+. The Hope Power was indeed good stuff.
The special patterns on his body during the previous transformation were likely altered due to the Hope Power.
It's just that obtaining it was somewhat difficult. It required a large number of humans experiencing intense emotions to gather the golden light specks from them.
From the two instances he obtained it earlier, he had instinctively consumed one portion during transformation.
Judging from the description, it seemed like a material for a "mage" type, maximizing the power of beam attacks.
Ultramen had limits to their beam attack power, determined by how much energy could be output in a single instance.
It was like the difference between a small hose and a fire hydrant.
When the single-instance energy output was large enough, even a small Cutting Ray could become an Ultra Guillotine!
But Xia Yan was somewhat troubled because he hadn't mastered a single beam skill yet.
Just as he was privately considering whether to seek guidance from Dan Moroboshi, the door clicked open.
Gen entered carrying a meal box. Seeing Xia Yan standing in the room, he was stunned for a moment before his expression quickly turned to delight. He asked with concern:
"You're finally awake! How do you feel? Any discomfort anywhere?"
Because Xia Yan hadn't woken up for so long, Gen, worried, had been keeping watch. He was just out earlier getting food.
Beaming with joy, he moved closer, his eyes wide like copper bells, scrutinizing Xia Yan intently.
The intense concern in his gaze seemed to want to inspect every inch.
The two stared at each other in silence. The atmosphere grew awkward.
After recognizing the person before him as Gen, Xia Yan felt uneasy under the stare. What kind of look is this?
"Sorry, this might hurt your feelings, but I don't like men."
With that, he took half a step back, putting some distance between them, his expression wary.
Gen's expression faltered. Realizing what was meant, he hurriedly explained, afraid of being misunderstood: "No, no! I like women too!"
"Oh? And this woman... would she be Yamaguchi Hiko?" Xia Yan looked at him with a teasing glint in his eye, continuing: "She seems quite fond of you too. When are you two planning to get married?"
Hearing this, Gen looked shocked. His secret laid bare, he grew nervous, his eyes darting around, afraid Hiko might suddenly appear.
Then, hearing Xia Yan's follow-up, his face flushed red. He stammered in defense: "I, Hiko and I, we actually... don't have that kind of relationship. Besides..."
"Is that so." Seeing Gen's flustered state, Xia Yan feigned a casual tone:
"Hiko is very beautiful. Since she has nothing to do with you, I might just go pursue her. Who knows, she might agree. When the first child is born, I'll have them call you godfather."
Gen: "?"
Gen's eyes widened instantly, his mind naturally conjuring images from those words.
His face visibly flushed with anger. He grabbed Xia Yan's collar with both hands: "Yamero! Hiko is mine! I absolutely won't allow such a thing!"
The utterly furious Gen yelled out. Only then did he notice Xia Yan watching him with an amused smile.
In Xia Yan's hand was a rectangular object, and his own words from just moments ago played back:
"Yamero! Hiko is mine! I absolutely won't allow such a thing!"
Gen: "..."
We're both Ultramen. Why are you such a dog!?