In the underground chamber illuminated by a special glow, statues of a Giant of Light and a monster stood on either side.
Daigo stood below, looking up at Keigo Madoka on the pedestal, saying:
"It's not like that! I'm not anyone special... but I've always been doing what I can, together with all the people on this planet to protect it!"
"People?" Keigo Madoka sneered, "People worship Ultraman like a god. You should give up on such unrealistic ideas."
"Unrealistic ideas?!"
"Right, you rely entirely on the power of light. The mission of Ultraman is to forcibly guide the evolution of humanity!"
Honestly, Chen Yu had been waiting in the tunnel for quite a while.
But Keigo Madoka just kept blabbering on. In Chen Yu's view, he should have just transformed already, instead of wasting time with pointless talk.
After all, he'd still have to deal with him soon.
Nonetheless, Chen Yu was patient, waiting almost five minutes before the conversation inside finally got to the point.
"I will evolve beyond these petty humans! Ha ha ha ha!!"
"Ancient powers, turn me into light!!!"
"Stop!!!"
"The great light!!!!"
As Keigo Madoka's cries echoed, Chen Yu also got ready for battle.
It would be best to ambush right after Keigo Madoka transformed, ending the fight as quickly as possible.
However, ideals are beautiful, reality is harsh.
Just as Chen Yu was about to transform and make his move, he heard a puzzled voice from inside:
"What's going on? Is this stick malfunctioning?"
Chen Yu: "..."
You're showing me this after I was all set to go?
This scene wasn't even in the original plot!
Confused, Chen Yu immediately ran inside.
Then, he saw Daigo paralyzed on the ground, while Keigo Madoka was on the pedestal, blowing on the Light Stick and occasionally tapping it.
"Who are you?!"
Seeing another person running in, Keigo Madoka immediately became alert.
Daigo looked at Chen Yu, his eyes filled with hope.
Now that he was paralyzed, only Chen Yu could stop Keigo Madoka!
"Don't worry about who I am. Is your gadget broken?" Chen Yu pointed at the Genetic Light Converter on the pedestal, asking Keigo Madoka.
Keigo Madoka was momentarily baffled, then nodded, "That might be possible… No, who exactly are you!"
Saying so, Keigo Madoka placed the Light Stick back on the Genetic Light Converter, attempting again to transform himself into light.
Yet, amidst the crisscrossing electrical arcs, he failed once more.
"What exactly is the problem?!"
Frustrated, Keigo Madoka rushed to the Giant of Light statue, deciding to force the transformation if the Genetic Light Converter was unusable.
One hand on the statue and the other holding the Light Stick, he pressed the transformation button.
The Light Stick's wings spread out, releasing purple electrical arcs that enveloped Keigo Madoka's body.
Under the electric shock, the Light Stick fell to the ground.
His entire body turned into dark purple particles and entered the statue.
As Daigo watched in amazement, the giant gradually revived from its statue state.
Chen Yu watched this unfold, surprised that Keigo Madoka could use the Light Stick to turn his body into particles and enter the statue.
However, these weren't particles of light but seemed like a different kind of energy.
The resurrected Giant of Light didn't have its own name.
In the original story, there was only the name "Evil Tiga."
Of course, Chen Yu knew the statue was an Ultra Ancient Giant of Light, a warrior from the same era as Tiga who left his battling form on Earth.
Looking at the revived Evil Tiga, Chen Yu felt something was off.
Unlike the original storyline, where Evil Tiga resembled Tiga but with silver and black patterns, this version had yellowish eyes similar to Belial's, and all the silver parts had turned black.
The red chest plate had also turned silver.
"Is this guy powered up, or fully turned to the dark side?"
Amazed, Chen Yu quickly grabbed Daigo and ran towards the tunnel, carrying a yellow-haired dog in his arms.
Next, a dark energy ball shot by Evil Tiga exploded on the ground, creating a huge crater.
Chen Yu then remembered the instance description:
[Keigo Madoka has gained even more powerful dark powers and, in his loss of control, has begun attacking humanity!]
Even more powerful... dark power!
"So, this isn't just Evil Tiga anymore," Chen Yu frowned, "but Dark Evil Tiga!"
Though the name felt a bit redundant, Chen Yu thought it was the most fitting for the giant before him.
The main issue was... the instance was labeled as beginner level, yet here was a dark giant?
"Fortunately, the instance description didn't say Daigo couldn't transform, meaning he can still fight."
Chen Yu placed the still-paralyzed Daigo against the tunnel wall, saying, "Daigo, wait here. I'll go stop that guy."
"You?" Daigo urgently advised, "It's too dangerous! This should be left to me... no, to the Victory Team!"
"Don't worry." Chen Yu continued, "Remember to come and support me later. A dark giant isn't easy to deal with."
After speaking, Chen Yu took out the Light Stick from his chest.
Daigo was dumbfounded to see the Light Stick in Chen Yu's hands.
After a moment of shock, Daigo looked at the pedestal, where Keigo Madoka's Light Stick had fallen.
Clearly, that Light Stick belonged to him.
As the skylight above the chamber opened, sunlight streamed down from the sky.
Entering from the mountain tunnel, one could reach the underground chamber beneath the city.
And the opened skylight led directly into the city.
Dark Evil Tiga flew out, leaving the chamber.
Chen Yu, meanwhile, raised the Light Stick in his hand and transformed into the Giant of Light—Tiga, under Daigo's astonished gaze.
After transforming, Chen Yu didn't immediately pursue but handed Daigo's Light Stick back to him after breaking the electrical net.
"Hurry up, this guy's tough to deal with!"
Reminding Daigo once more, Chen Yu flew out.
Daigo stared at the Light Stick in his hands, feeling as if he was in a dream.