"I can't believe it actually works like that!"
Riku was stunned. He might be Ultraman Geed, but in reality, he was still a total rookie—completely clueless about many things.
"Yeah." Yuzhou nodded. "Ultramen can use something called Union of Hearts to save people on the brink of death."
"So the Ultraman King used that same ability, but with the entire universe, to restore it after destruction?"
Laiha's heart was filled with awe. To merge with the universe itself—what unimaginable power that must be.
"Wait a second…" Yuzhou suddenly froze. A thought struck him. If he could transform into Tiga… could he also perform Union of Hearts with others?
But it wasn't quite the same. He wasn't Daigo, who controlled Tiga's body from outside. When he transformed, it was pure first-person immersion. Every blow, every wound, he felt directly. He hadn't tested this "Union" skill yet. Perhaps he should ask Zero about it later.
"Hey, look at this!"
Pega's sudden shout pulled everyone's attention toward the computer screen.
A video was playing—just 18 seconds long—capturing the exact moment when the boulders fell and the little boy's body emitted a glowing blue shield that shattered the rocks midair.
"Someone actually recorded that…" Riku muttered in disbelief.
"He has some kind of extraordinary power," Pega said after replaying the clip. "Just like how Arie had hers."
The group fell silent. They all knew now—Arie had carried the Little Star, which gave her abilities like breathing fire.
"So this boy has one too!" Riku exclaimed, staring at the screen.
"Yes, he definitely has a Little Star," Yuzhou confirmed. "But not everyone with powers necessarily does. Remember, plenty of aliens disguise themselves as humans on Earth. They have abilities too."
"I see…" Laiha nodded slowly. "Still, if this child really holds a Little Star, we must find him quickly. Otherwise, he'll be in danger."
"Agreed." Riku nodded, though Yuzhou inwardly sighed. In truth, there was no need for a search. The moment monsters appeared, they would inevitably target anyone carrying a Little Star. That's why he hadn't chased after the boy yesterday. There was no need.
That night.
Yuzhou sat in front of the TV after dinner, watching the evening news.
"This afternoon, media outlets received an anonymous tip about the giant warrior. The message claimed that he is not humanity's enemy, but rather someone who fights against fate itself."
Yuzhou rubbed his temples. "These TV stations really don't have standards, huh? Just air any random email they get?"
If some prankster sent in a fake claim about seeing a giant, would they still broadcast it on the news?
Just as he grumbled, an image of Ultraman Zero appeared on-screen.
"This warrior was witnessed during the Impact Crisis, alongside Belial."
Yuzhou blinked. So the people of this world did know about Ultramen. Then why had they called Geed simply a "giant" earlier instead of naming him?
"Ah… so there really is bias against Geed." With a sigh, Yuzhou shut off the TV and headed to bed. Life was better this way—eat, play, sleep, repeat. Let Geed handle the monster fighting. He preferred the salted-fish lifestyle.
The next day, the group finally located the mysterious boy near a riverbank, with the help of a reconnaissance drone.
What they saw left them speechless.
The boy chopped a massive rock clean in half with a karate-hand strike, then casually hefted another stone overhead, tossed it skyward, and puffed his chest out—
BAM!
He smashed it to pieces with his chest.
"…Is he seriously doing chest-shattering stunts?" Riku muttered, his expression twisted.
"We don't have time to wonder. Let's move!" Laiha urged.
"Honestly, do we really need to protect a kid who can do that?" Pega poked his head out of the ground, sounding dubious.
"…You have a point." Riku scratched his head awkwardly. "I can't even break a rock bare-handed like that."
Still, they rushed over.
"Finally found you, little brother!" Riku called cheerfully.
The boy startled at the sudden approach of strangers and bolted on instinct.
But Riku's eyes weren't on the boy himself—they were locked on the flashy Shining Man keychain dangling from the kid's backpack.
"You! Where did you get that keychain?!" Riku shouted, suddenly more excited than when facing a monster.
"…He really is just a kid at heart," Yuzhou sighed, shaking his head. Nineteen years old, and still geeking out like a grade-schooler.
Hearing the name "Shining Man," the boy hesitated, then lit up with joy. He stopped running and started chatting happily with Riku.
That was when the sky flashed purple.
BOOM!
DarkLops Zero emerged before them.
"Little brother! He's after you—run!" Riku shouted urgently.
"No!" the boy shot back, voice firm. "I'll use this power to protect everyone!"
Without hesitation, the boy charged straight toward the towering shadow, as if determined to face it head-on.
"Yuzhou, Laiha—protect him! Leave this one to me!" Riku yelled, pulling out his Ultra Capsules.
"Alright. Just don't overdo it." Yuzhou nodded, already sprinting after the boy with Laiha.
"Kids really are troublesome," Laiha muttered as he ran.
Riku didn't waste time. He activated his capsules—
"Ultraman!" A phantom of the First Ultra appeared.
"Belial!" Another phantom flared on the other side.
"Fusion Rise!"
The capsules merged in a burst of energy.
"GEED!"
Ultraman Geed stood tall in his Primitive Form, charging straight at DarkLops Zero.
Meanwhile, Yuzhou followed close behind the boy, mind already racing. Geed alone couldn't win this fight. They needed the boy to pray, to awaken the Little Star within him—and lend that power to Geed.
On the battlefield, Geed hurled himself at his enemy with reckless resolve.
WHAM! He slammed shoulder-first into DarkLops Zero's abdomen, only to bounce back like he'd hit a steel wall.
Clutching his chest, Geed gritted his teeth and attacked again—
CRACK! His fist connected with the monster's torso. The result was the same: no damage at all, while pain exploded through his own hand.
"Damn, it's like punching an iron mountain!" he groaned, shaking his throbbing fist.
Still, he refused to give up. With a roar, he leapt forward, swinging a powerful kick at his opponent.