Chapter Eight: The First Battle

Zheya heard the continuous gunfire from above and immediately understood that the elite soldiers had begun their engagement with TheOne, though the outcome was less than favorable. After the gunshots faded, a brief silence ensued, followed by an immense roar echoing through the air.

At that moment, as if responding to the tumult above, Zheya felt a surge of tremendous power threatening to burst forth from his chest.

"Detected the will of light, requesting fusion with host for battle. Do you consent?"

The system's voice sounded abruptly, surprising Zheya. Did the system possess the ability to resist the power of light? Could it be a force even superior to Ultraman, crafted by someone more powerful than Ultraman himself?

Yet now was not the time to ponder such questions. Without hesitation, Zheya agreed. Almost instantly, excruciating pain radiated from every pore of his body; a blue light emanated from within, spreading outward. As the radiance enveloped him, crimson patterns began to scatter across his body in rhythmic flows. Zheya felt a mighty will surge into his mind, endless energy coursing through his veins.

The dungeon was flooded with dazzling light, illuminating it as though it were broad daylight.

Meanwhile, in the warehouse above, Sara Mizuhara watched in horror as the soldier leading her to safety was struck down by the monster's massive tail, sending up a cloud of dust. Her entire body trembled uncontrollably, fear overwhelming her despite her resilience. The soldier’s blood splattered nearby, a chunk of his leg sent flying by the impact, while the rest of him was reduced to a mangled heap beneath the tail, red and white fluids seeping out.

"Roar!"

The monster turned its head, its ferocious gaze fixed on Sara Mizuhara. Its savage aura drove her to retreat, terror flooding her eyes.

Just then, a torrent of red light blasted through the dungeon’s iron door. Zheya, now covered in glowing crimson patterns, stepped out, one stride at a time.

As if ordained by fate, the monster turned as well, its hideous eyes locking with Zheya’s calm gaze.

"You are here after all..." A wave of sound—inaudible to humans—reached Zheya’s ears with startling clarity.

"You are the thorn in my side. Therefore, I must destroy you!"

Zheya revealed a cold smile, his eyes void of fear. His dark pupils gradually shifted to a deep crimson, and he declared with unwavering resolve,

"Let me show you what true evolution really is!"

The surging energy entered Zheya’s cells; his face, body, bones, and blood all transformed, suffused with the power of light that radiated from him in ever-expanding brilliance.

His vision rose steadily, and Zheya could acutely sense his transformation—this was Ultraman!

Amidst a sea of blue light, a giant of nearly ten meters in height slowly took form. His muscles were robust, his entire body clad in silver, though the silver lacked luster, appearing almost oxidized, dull from exposure to air. On his chest, a deep red, Y-shaped energy indicator shone distinctively. His angular face was as silver as his body, rendering him somewhat coarse, while pale yellow eyes flickered with lively brilliance.

Sara Mizuhara stared, stunned, at Zheya’s metamorphosis, her voice trembling, "So he can transform as well... Is this TheNext?"

Zheya felt as if he possessed limitless power, his cells brimming with the energy of light. To become Ultraman—he had awaited this day for so long.

"Detected insufficient light energy within host; maximum combat time is four minutes."

The system’s prompt snapped Zheya out of his intoxication with newfound strength. He turned his gaze to the monstrous adversary before him. It was as though destiny had pitted them against each other, and Zheya felt an instinctive aversion.

"Let me, Zheya—TheNext—show you my true might!"

TheNext faced the monster, striking a precise battle stance. The combat techniques, engraved in his mind since his first encounter with the diamond-shaped crystal in the silver space, now emerged instinctively.

Both sides built their momentum, neither making the first move. TheNext searched for the monster’s weaknesses.

"Roar!"

With a restless roar, the monster attacked first, lunging forward and swinging its forelimbs at TheNext.

TheNext advanced a few steps, arms outstretched to block the monster’s limbs. Yet, unlike the monster’s brute strength—and with Zheya wielding TheNext’s energy for the first time—he was quickly forced back.

"Ah!"

TheNext’s right foot dug a pit into the ground. Using it as an anchor, he halted his retreat and, harnessing this support, unleashed a burst of strength, pushing the monster back several steps.

But as TheNext’s power erupted, the monster simultaneously shifted backward. As TheNext leaned forward, the monster’s forelimb slammed hard into his chest.

Zheya felt a sudden pressure in his chest. TheNext did not fight merely by manifesting light; he used Zheya’s body as a vessel, allowing him to enter an advanced state akin to the inhabitants of the Land of Light. This light-induced evolution brought no adverse effects, but any damage suffered in battle was equally inflicted upon Zheya’s own body.

TheNext’s momentum was broken, and the monster, relentless, slammed him to the ground. Its forelimb, brimming with force, struck swiftly toward TheNext’s head.

With a thunderous crash, TheNext struggled to lift his head. The monster seized his shoulder and delivered a powerful kick to his chest.

TheNext lay on the ground, bracing himself with both arms and kicking fiercely at the monster, managing to drive it back several steps and regain a slight advantage.

"Brute force won’t work—TheOne’s strength far surpasses mine. Yet, confined by this small space, its massive body must hinder its movement. Perhaps I can exploit this."

Resolute, TheNext stood, facing the charging monster, then sidestepped nimbly, landing a hard right punch to the monster’s left leg.

"Roar!"

The monster howled in pain, and TheNext, now behind it, struck again, landing a heavy blow to its head, sending its body reeling.

Now that he had gained the upper hand, TheNext showed no mercy. Punches and kicks rained upon the monster’s body, and a final, forceful kick sent it sprawling to the side, collapsing much of the building. Sparks flew, bricks and debris tumbled down in a cascade.