Chapter Six: I Am a Warrior

Big Seven remained silent for a moment, his face dark and sullen. What he had hoped for was that the warriors of the Seven clan would completely overwhelm these so-called New Universe Defense Force members, beating them so badly they couldn’t retaliate, leaving them questioning their very existence.

Yet, it seemed the Seven clan warriors were instead stunned by the formidable power their opponents displayed, failing to gain even the slightest advantage.

Glancing fiercely at Jiek’s arrogant face, Big Seven longed to stomp on him, avenging the day Jiek had stormed the Warriors’ Headquarters and wreaked havoc. He had initially hoped to redeem the situation today through the Seven clan warriors, but now it seemed he was being slapped in the face once again.

“Break off and return!” he ordered, sighing with little enthusiasm. He no longer wished to watch, preferring to call it quits rather than continue embarrassing himself here.

“Chief!” Seven 21 was still unwilling to concede. Hearing Big Seven’s words, he called out urgently, “We have not lost!”

“Yes! We haven’t lost yet!”

Soon, many warriors of the Seven clan spoke up, not just Seven 21. They were the elite fighters of the Seven clan, arguably the finest Ultramen in the Land of Light. Yet, despite their lofty status, they were now matched evenly by a group of Blue clan warriors they once scorned.

How could they accept this? They yearned for victory, desperate to prove themselves!

But Big Seven’s gaze lingered only briefly on Seven 21 before sweeping over all the Seven clan warriors present. Seeing their burning fighting spirit, he asked coldly, “You say you haven’t lost?”

“We haven’t lost yet! Chief, we request to continue the battle!” the Seven clan Ultramen shouted, hopeful.

Unexpectedly, Big Seven merely shook his head slightly, his finger tracing before the gathered Seven clan warriors as he chuckled softly.

“You’ve been fighting a bunch of Blue clan failures for so long and still haven’t taken them down—how is that not a loss?”

“Remember who you are. To battle them, a draw is a defeat. There’s nothing more to discuss.”

“Hey! Old man, who are you calling failures?” Jiek’s displeased gaze fixed on Big Seven, cracking his knuckles eagerly.

“Hmph!”

“Alright, I won’t pursue this,” Jiek shrugged before calling out, “Hand over those Kirks who fled just now, or don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

His cold eyes locked onto Big Seven’s face as he smiled, “You know my temper isn’t good. I might just decide to keep everyone in the Warriors’ Headquarters here. Better hand them over obediently before I get angry!”

Big Seven’s expression grew even darker, but under the roof, he had no choice but to bow his head. He had already understood Jiek’s madness and brutality, so he had no desire to experience it again.

He glanced briefly at his assistant in charge of communications. Though his face flushed with humiliation, he still asked, “Where are the Kirk star people? Hand them over.”

The assistant hesitated, “They have already fled from here.”

A brief silence followed, and Big Seven felt nothing but speechlessness—what kind of situation was this?

Jiek had long noticed the Kirks’ escape; his words were merely to mock Big Seven. Thus, he paid no real attention and instead addressed the New Universe Defense Force warriors, “Well done. Next time, completely knock down these arrogant brats.”

“Break off!”

Nearby, the New Universe Defense Force members flew toward the Battle Star, while Cupid glanced with interest at the disgruntled Seven 21. In a tone befitting a stronger warrior, he praised, “You’re actually much stronger than that Seven.”

“Hmph!” Seven 21 snorted arrogantly. He didn’t need Cupid to say it; he knew it himself.

“But if it came to a real fight, I’m confident I could kill you.”

“Hmph! You?” Seven 21 cast him a cold, disdainful look.

The Seven clan’s strength did not come merely from their armor but from the greater energy it granted them. Their light beam techniques far surpassed other Ultramen’s skills. With endless varieties of beam attacks combined with formidable close combat, the Seven clan truly represented the pinnacle of the Land of Light’s combat power.

“Well,” Cupid touched the corner of his mouth, wearing an expression that said, “I know you don’t like me, but what are you going to do about it?” He sized up Seven 21 and then asked thoughtfully, “When was your last battle?”

Seven 21 hesitated. It had been a very long time ago. The prolonged peace meant no chance to fight within the Warriors’ Headquarters, and Big Seven’s intentional or unintentional sidelining made it even harder for him to get combat opportunities.

Seeing Seven 21’s dejected expression, Cupid understood and took on a mentor’s tone, lecturing him.

“I’m not like you. Following Captain Jiek on cleansing missions, the New Universe Defense Force must always be battle-ready. Whenever we destroy an evil planet or eradicate a dark race, we are the first to charge in, executing reconnaissance tasks. We constantly walk the edge of life and death. My combat skills and abilities are far beyond yours.”

Feeling his own superiority from Seven 21’s downcast face, Cupid patted Seven 21’s shoulder with satisfaction.

“Work harder!”

Before Seven 21 could react, Cupid seized the chance and flew toward the Battle Star.

“Hmph! That Blue clan fellow actually dares—”

Seven 21 realized this guy was just showing off, as if a senior patting his shoulder to encourage him.

It was humiliating!

Yet, after a pause, he fell into thought.

Staying at the Warriors’ Headquarters with many clanmates was pleasant, of course. But the problem was, in this era of peace in the Land of Light, he had no opportunities to fight. His close combat and beam techniques were beginning to fade from memory.

But I am a warrior!

He prided himself on being a brilliant Ultraman comparable to Seven. Was he to remain in the Headquarters forever, letting time erode his warrior’s passion, his abilities?

“I want to fight on the front lines too.”

(To be continued.)