Chapter Thirty-One: The Second Persona
Once again, he found himself within that vast space suffused with silvery radiance. Compared to before, there had been some changes; aside from Nexst, two statues now stood in one corner—one a giant, the other a likeness of Gaidi.
Tetsuya gazed silently at the newly appeared statues and asked, “Gaidi’s statue?”
“Gaidi has been recognized as a companion, so the system has gathered his light…” As it spoke, a yellow glow circled gently around Tetsuya. Though faint, it emanated a comforting warmth.
“When did you acquire this function?”
“After the system upgrade, the capacity to collect light was expanded.”
Tetsuya was dissatisfied with the explanation, questioning, “I never chose to upgrade…”
“The system’s upgrades are entirely automatic. The host has no right to choose.”
He fell silent for a moment, a smile flickering across his face before he finally said, “Thank you…”
“I may not be suited to be an Ultraman…” Tetsuya slumped his shoulders, somewhat dejected. “Both worlds I’ve experienced ended in death…”
“And…” He looked at his hands, his voice weighted with repression. “I killed someone… Did you know?”
“This power has made me lose myself… Aren’t Ultramen supposed to protect Earth? Yet I did such things…”
“The system does not judge the host’s actions, nor does it restrict any behavior within the worlds.”
“But… aren’t you afraid? Aren’t you afraid I’ll sink deeper and deeper, eventually destroying the world in my hands?” Tetsuya’s anger rose as he challenged the system, “Since that’s so, why did you choose me, let me experience so many worlds—what is it all for? Don’t you have a purpose or goal? What meaning does your existence have?”
“Existence is its own justification. As a system, my purpose is to help the host grow.”
“To help me? Even if I destroy this world, destroy all universes, you’ll never restrain me? Even if there’s some **** capable of binding my power, I destroy you, and you remain indifferent?” Tetsuya snarled.
“To create such a system must require a highly advanced civilization—one above even the Ultramen. System, who is behind you!?”
“Behind the system is…”
“You lie!” Tetsuya stared intently at the suspended crystal, his tone heavy. “Santa Claus gave you to me. Who is he? Is he the one maintaining your upgrades?”
He pressed further, “I’m just a user, aren’t I? As a system, you must have a maintainer behind you—tell me!”
He waited quietly for a long time; by then, Tetsuya no longer hoped for an answer. These questions were but an outpouring of a violent emotion within him, words to vent his turmoil, and he expected the system to ignore them as always. But this time, the system replied.
“The Fire Thief!”
“The Fire Thief? Who is that?”
“The host already knows too much. Now, summarizing your achievements in the ‘Ultraman Tiga’ world and automatically initiating a self-diagnosis.”
Soon, data appeared overhead, detailing:
Achievement 1: Defeated [Sili Zen B-]
Gained Light Spirit Points: 500
Gained Light Points: 50,000
Achievement 2: Defeated [Kirie Eloede C-]
Gained Light Spirit Points: 25
Gained Light Points: 25,000
Achievement 3: Destroyed [Kumamoto City]
Gained Darkness Points: 1,000
Gained Darkness Spirit Points: 10
Total:
Gained Light Spirit Points: 525
Gained Light Points: 75,000
Gained Darkness Points: 1,000
Gained Darkness Spirit Points: 10
Across two worlds:
Gained Light Spirit Points: 10,525
Gained Light Points: 975,000
Gained Darkness Points: 1,000
Gained Darkness Spirit Points: 10
“Therefore, the host’s point totals are: 10,525 : 1,075,000 : 1,000 : 10. Additionally, through a scan of the host’s status, it has been discovered that your consciousness contains the evil awareness of Masaki Keigo. Thus, your alignment is: 6:4, on the edge of darkness.”
Tetsuya asked, “Can this so-called awareness be removed?”
“No. When the system absorbed the host’s consciousness, the host’s awareness had already fused with the opponent’s evil awareness and cannot be separated. However, there remains a barrier, manifesting as persistent dark thoughts. For this condition, the only available method the system can offer is: split personality.”
Tetsuya frowned, his concern evident. “Will two personalities exist in one body? What consequences might that have?”
“If two personalities coexist in one body, the second personality will not influence the host’s consciousness, but the host must be careful not to let the second personality seize temporary control. In the next world, the host may choose to fight in the state of the second personality; when the host is killed, the second personality will dissipate along with it.”
“……” Tetsuya frowned, taking time to digest this troublesome suggestion, and finally asked in a small voice, “You mean I have to find a way to die in the next world…?”
“Please do not misinterpret the system’s intentions…”
“It sounds exactly like that to me…”
“By the way, after your upgrade, system, do you have any new functions?” Tetsuya finally gave up arguing, instead seeking something practical.
“This update has added new functions for the host: strengthening and abilities (enabling partial use of light abilities in human form); the capacity to recruit companions who fight alongside you; the option to split the host’s consciousness. These functions are available only through exchange for spirit points.”
Tetsuya pondered for a while, then made up his mind. “Split the second personality.”
The crystal suspended mid-air slowly descended, embedding itself in the center of Tetsuya’s mind. Immediately, a haze swept through his consciousness; he felt as if his body was being torn into two, a pain deep in his soul, something tugging and splitting his awareness. If consciousness could sweat, surely he would be drenched. Fortunately, the agony lasted but a moment. Then Tetsuya saw clearly, beside him a vague figure had taken shape—strikingly similar to himself, yet with a cold gaze that sent discomfort through him, its expression twisted, seemingly oppressed.
When the weakness passed, Tetsuya caught his breath and asked, “What is happening?”
“When the host is in a state of consciousness, the second personality will manifest before you, but since your awareness is within the system, the system will suppress all actions of the second personality to protect the primary personality.”
“How do you define me as the primary personality?”
“The system… distinguishes by the strength of personality!”
Tetsuya immediately felt deceived, angrily demanding, “So if the second personality surpasses me, I’ll be designated the second personality and suppressed by you?”
“…Yes.”
He took a deep breath to quell his anger. He had already seen how treacherous the system could be, yet still he’d leapt into this trap…
“How does the second personality strengthen itself?”
“Because the second personality is formed from the host’s own consciousness and Masaki Keigo’s evil awareness, it will strengthen itself through your negative emotions.”
Hearing this, Tetsuya’s expression was unsettled, but he could only endure, then said, “Strengthen myself…”
“The host has 525 remaining spirit points. Available enhancements are: Basic Allure, Basic Light Shock, Basic Light Barrier.”
“Damn it!!!”