Chapter Seven: Encirclement and Slaughter of the Monster

"System, inform me of your functions."

In the dimly lit dungeon, Tetsuya's expression remained calm as he communicated with the system. Ever since its awakening, he hadn't had an opportunity to engage further with it; only now did he finally have the chance to understand it.

"This system encompasses three main functions: storing light energy for the host's transformation; providing various Ultraman abilities for exchange; and enabling the host to traverse the timeline and spatial threads."

Tetsuya quietly closed his eyes, and his consciousness entered the silver space. There, nothing had changed, except above him, a red luminous figure—Nexust—hovered, its timer marked by a floating, prismatic crystal radiating intense light.

The brilliance from the prismatic crystal grew sharper and stronger. Tetsuya reached out to it once more, and a stream of information swiftly flooded his mind.

Ultraman Nexust

Faction: Light, Independent Ultraman

Origin: A superhero formed from one ten-millionth of Noah’s energy

Height: 10 meters (juvenile form) → 50 meters (adult form)

Weight: 5,000 tons (juvenile form) → 50,000 tons (adult form)

Human host: Tetsuya Nae

Flight speed: Mach 6 (inspired by pilot Tetsuya Nae's pursuit of speed)

Running speed: Mach 3

Jump height: 800 meters

Grip strength: 50,000 tons

Rank: C+ (juvenile form) → B (adult form) → A (life-overdrawn form)

Tetsuya studied the details and then began to browse the so-called skill shop. What he saw there truly astonished him: it contained countless Ultraman abilities, even some from the mysterious Four Ultras. Yet for Tetsuya now, he could do nothing but gaze longingly; these powers remained far out of reach.

"System, what must I do to exchange these abilities?"

The dazzling array of skills made his heart itch. He couldn't help but ask eagerly.

"The host can accumulate Light Points by absorbing light energy or defeating monsters, Dark Points by killing Ultraman or through destruction, and Spirit Points by receiving the light within human hearts. Each point type has different uses and influences on the host. Excess Light Points will endear the host to the Light faction, while too many Dark Points will have the opposite effect. Spirit Points will spread the host's reputation far and wide. Moreover, these three types of points also affect the host internally..."

Tetsuya pondered the system's explanation for half an hour before grasping its significance. Ostensibly, there were three point types, but in reality, there were four. Light and Dark Points opposed each other, powering light or dark abilities in exchange. Spirit Points came in two forms: those born of hope and those born of evil—only one could be chosen. Beyond reputation, Spirit Points allowed entry to higher realms and purchase of ultimate skills.

The sources of these points were simple. Light Points came from slaying monsters and also granted Spirit Points of hope, born from "saving." Dark Points came from killing Ultraman or wreaking havoc upon humanity, granting a touch of evil Spirit Points, born from "destruction."

Light and Dark Points, as well as hope and evil Spirit Points, mutually repelled each other. Hope Spirit Points could be exchanged for Light Points, evil Spirit Points for Dark Points, at a ratio of 1:100, underscoring the importance of the former.

Tetsuya glanced at his own total: 0:0:0:0.

After a pause, Tetsuya suddenly thought of a question. "If I exchange for skills using points, will they remain when I shift to another form of light?"

His purpose was clear—he needed to know if the skills and points were bound to the light or to himself. If he gained points as Nexust and exchanged a skill, would it remain when he transformed into another Ultraman?

The system responded with clarity: "Some will not!"

The explanation was that acquiring a skill was not merely a matter of exchange; one needed sufficient strength to wield it. Thus, exchanged skills could only be used when the Ultraman reached a certain level. If he acquired a Four Ultras skill, it was impossible to use it in a lower-ranked form. However, any skill he truly mastered could transcend these limits.

On the time-space page, only the Nexust world was illuminated; there was little else to explore.

As Tetsuya concentrated on the system's functions, the system’s voice returned:

"Receiving a stream of information. Shall I transmit it?"

Tetsuya instinctively confirmed, and a strange sensation followed—it was information from The One. He could almost sense with clarity that, outside the building where he was imprisoned, The One was prowling, considering how to break in.

Tetsuya’s eyes suddenly flashed blood-red. In that instant, he startled himself and retreated to the wall's edge.

"That creature... It's coming!"

A searing pain flared on his wrist; he looked, and saw a crimson, mysterious mark burned into his skin, only to vanish moments later.

Meanwhile, in the surveillance room, Sara Mizuhara, who had been watching the screen intently, spotted Tetsuya's transformation and declared, "No doubt about it—he sensed The One’s presence!"

A nearby soldier called out, "Sensors have detected it! The target is near Building A3!"

"The target is moving toward the bait!"

Sara Mizuhara looked up sharply, her eyes resolute, and addressed Captain Sengo: "I'm going!"

Captain Sengo’s eyes held a trace of worry. "Are you sure?"

Sara Mizuhara replied, "Our squad is equipped with weapons of extreme toxicity. This time, I’ll make sure he doesn’t escape!"

Soon after, a soldier in the surveillance room reported through his headset, "Target approaching the bait zone!"

The squad leader, hearing this, grew even more cautious and radioed his team: "Prepare to fire!"

The sound of machine guns being readied echoed. In the darkness, both high and low, dozens of elite soldiers waited on edge.

In the dungeon, Tetsuya rose to his feet, gazing toward a certain spot on the wall, a faint smile on his lips.

"The One, you’ve finally arrived!"

On the surface, a monstrous figure entered the warehouse under cover of night. It stood two or three meters tall, with a fearsome face, sharp beastly fangs, back bristling with spikes, a long tail trailing behind, and bulging muscles covering its body. It no longer resembled anything human, but truly a monster.

In the shadowed warehouse, it moved with caution, scanning its surroundings and confirming no significant movement before venturing toward the center. Its eyes likely couldn't see in such darkness—thus, it failed to notice the soldiers lying in wait.

Through night-vision binoculars, the captain watched the beast step by step into their trap.

Gradually, as the creature reached the dungeon entrance, the captain gave the order.

"Open fire!"

The gunshots erupted in unbroken succession, toxic bullets piercing the monster's body, blood and flesh splattering everywhere.

After a fierce barrage, the monster finally collapsed.

"Is it... over?"

The captain felt both anticipation and unease. He lowered his binoculars and ordered, "Lights on!"

Under the floodlights, the soldiers stared in shock at the fallen creature, unsettled. They had not been briefed on the specifics of this mission; none had imagined their target would be such a wholly inhuman beast.

"Kiwamu..."

Sara Mizuhara leaned forward, her gaze tinged with complexity as she looked at the monster lying on the ground, uncertain if it was dead or alive, her heart aching.

"For someone in this form, perhaps death is the best release."

She whispered silently, only to witness the monster slowly open its eyes, blue light shining from its human-like pupils.

"How... How can this be..."

Sara Mizuhara watched, incredulous, as the creature began to rise.

"It has reinforced its immunity to the toxin! Damn it! The One’s self-evolution is far faster than anticipated!"

"Roar!"

Wracked with pain, the monster bellowed in fury. Suddenly, its entire body radiated blinding blue light—like the command of a higher being over lesser creatures. As the blue light spread, countless lizards crawled from the corners, clinging to the monster's body, gradually merging into its tissue. Not only did they heal its wounds, they enabled it to evolve even further.

"Roar!"

The monster's height soared to ten meters, its skin turning brownish, its face more savage, vapor steaming from its mouth, the spikes on its back sharper than ever—now resembling a true prehistoric beast.

And thus, the curtain rose on a one-sided massacre.