Chapter 6: What Have You Understood!

Golden streams of energy surged along Next’s arms, intertwining like a glowing net, crackling with electric arcs.

The Evolution Ray: Torrent—this was the most powerful beam Next could unleash in his current form, capable of disintegrating enemies at the molecular level. Yet even this was not enough to completely annihilate the Progenitor Aberration Beast. There was no better way now—unless Next could evolve into the Crimson Youth form of Nexus, but that was clearly impossible.

At this moment, after hearing what Qiao Zhe had said, the Progenitor Aberration Beast’s will to survive flared desperately. Begging for mercy was nothing new to it.

“Wait… wait… yame… I still… haven’t married Saro yet…”

Its voice whined and whimpered. The human it possessed had a fiancée, and the Progenitor Aberration Beast tried to elicit sympathy with this.

Struggling to its feet with all its remaining strength, it looked toward Next, as if wanting to plead further.

But by then, Qiao Zhe had already finished gathering energy.

Next’s arms suddenly spread wide to the upper right and lower left, then instantly crossed in a shining X!

A blue-white light, flowing like drifting sand, burst from the edge of his hands.

The beam struck the Progenitor Aberration Beast, forcing it to stagger back under the impact. The agony of its body being unraveled molecule by molecule made it howl uncontrollably.

“Aaargh!!!”

Qiao Zhe watched as the beast rose, as though resigned to a heroic end, and nodded gravely in understanding.

“You want to say her name is Saro Mizuhara, and she’s your fiancée, right?”

“I see. Alright, I understand.”

“You can leave your fiancée to me. I promise I’ll look after her. Rest in peace.”

With a resounding Ultra battle cry, Next amplified the power of the beam.

The Progenitor Aberration Beast’s body began to glow with translucent blue from the chest outward, rapidly dissolving.

What do you mean you understand! Damn you!

A stream of bitter curses burst out, and in the next instant, the Progenitor Aberration Beast’s entire form stiffened, disintegrating into countless tiny molecules, drifting away on the wind.

Next ceased the beam and stood tall amid the ruined city.

Chasing this peculiar enemy from the far reaches of space to Earth, he had finally dealt with it—at least for now. He could not afford to let it grow any stronger.

“Still cursing me, huh!” Qiao Zhe grumbled, displeased by the beast’s final words. But since even its ashes were scattered, he didn’t dwell on it.

His gaze lingered on the drifting molecules.

All future Aberration Beasts would be the result of this creature. He had done all he could; the Progenitor Aberration Beast evolved too quickly to be allowed to survive.

As for the scattered molecules, they could be left as a starter gift for future generations. After all, young people need their trials.

The only regret was that his panel hadn’t tallied any battle results. Perhaps the Progenitor Aberration Beast wasn’t considered a world boss in Nexus, or perhaps it hadn’t truly died.

In the shimmering subspace, Next communicated with Shunichi Maki. Their circumstances now resembled Ultraman and Shin Hayata in the original story.

When Maki collided with Next, he lost his life, but sharing a body with Next allowed him to live on. If Next left now, Maki would die on the spot.

But an Ultraman would never do such a thing.

So, after Maki confessed his only regret, Next chose to separate and gifted Maki his life. The cost was that Next became even weaker, falling into a deep sleep.

Now, with Qiao Zhe as the Compatible, things were different. At least Next wouldn’t have to wander the dreams of all humanity, waiting for a new Compatible to enter the ruins. This would greatly shorten the recovery time.

Next’s form shrank into a beam of light.

Qiao Zhe and Shunichi Maki appeared separately, descending gently to the ground.

When the light faded from their bodies, the red Y-shaped energy core flashed briefly on Qiao Zhe’s chest before sinking inside and falling dormant.

From now on, he was Next’s Compatible—no transformation device needed.

Beside him, Shunichi Maki looked utterly astonished, patting his chest and arms.

“I—I’m still alive?!”

He had thought that when Next left, his own life would end as well. He hadn’t expected nothing to happen.

Just then, the distant hum of engines came from the sky.

The Defense Force’s jets were finally arriving.

Qiao Zhe raised an eyebrow at the sight, guessing these were Maki’s comrades, coming to help. Not only that, but a woman in a black combat suit was approaching from afar—no doubt Saro Mizuhara herself.

Qiao Zhe had no desire to meet with the Defense Force right now.

He glanced at Maki, who was still staring skyward. Seizing the moment, Qiao Zhe activated the Ripple Dash.

Sparks of golden electricity flickered over his body, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished.

Open assaults can be dodged, but hidden threats are harder. In every Ultraman series, the Defense Force always managed to raise his blood pressure. Especially here, in the world of Nexus.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the Visitors had already arrived on Earth. The TLT organization and the future Night Raid team were probably already being formed.

With Next now dormant and unable to transform, it was best to keep a low profile.

As for looking after Saro Mizuhara, that could wait for another day.

Qiao Zhe left decisively, but Shunichi Maki was left completely bewildered, glancing around in confusion.

Where was he?

Where could such a big man vanish to?!

Shunichi Maki was deeply curious about Qiao Zhe. He had seen with his own eyes how the man transformed into light and entered the giant’s body.

When Qiao Zhe entered Next, Maki had gone from pilot to spectator, witnessing every change.

Saro Mizuhara arrived at Maki’s side, looking around but seeing no one else.

“Where did the glowing man go?”

She had closely observed the battlefield, watching as Qiao Zhe entered the giant’s body. She saw the whole process, but couldn’t tell who he was or what he looked like.

“Um… I don’t know,” Maki replied awkwardly.

It was a flimsy excuse, given that he had just been with Qiao Zhe.

Thinking quickly, he changed the subject to himself.

“The giant has left my body. My mission is complete.”

In truth, Maki suspected that Next might now reside within Qiao Zhe, but he kept that to himself. He was ready for retirement—all he wanted now was a warm home with his wife and child.

Saro Mizuhara eyed him up and down, thoughtful. “You need to come back with me for an examination.”