"Ah? Oh…"
Daigo felt cheated. It was like a web novel that cuts off right at the climax.
Even someone as respectful as Daigo couldn't help feeling a bit exasperated.
Still, Hajime was his superior, and an order was an order.
Just then, the other members of the Victory Team arrived and also saw the giant statues.
Before they could admire the sight, a message from HQ came through, ordering immediate retreat.
The monsters Golza and Melba had crossed half the globe and were already closing in on the pyramid.
Everyone evacuated immediately.
Just as they boarded the Victory Swallow, the two monsters arrived at the base of the pyramid.
Golza launched a purple beam from the horn on its head.
Within moments, the pyramid was more than half destroyed.
The two stone giants hidden within it were revealed.
The Victory Swallow, carrying Shinjoh, Megumi, and Horii, took off and circled in the air, trying to distract the monsters.
Meanwhile, the Victory Swallow that was supposed to carry both Daigo and Hajime had only one occupant.
Hajime refused to board and chose to remain in the mountains.
"Chief…"
Daigo tried to persuade Hajime.
Staying in the forest with monsters approaching was far too dangerous. One misstep and he could be caught in the crossfire.
At least in the jet, he'd have a chance to escape.
"No need to persuade me. I have to stay. It's related to the giants' awakening."
Hajime silenced Daigo with one sentence.
He had no intention of flying in a jet piloted by Daigo.
After all, Daigo was known as the "Victory Swallow Killer."
In the original story, he crashed dozens of them.
If not for military funding covering all the losses, Daigo would be working off the damages for hundreds of years.
"…Fine."
Daigo gave up trying to convince him.
He took off alone, ascending high into the sky.
By then, Golza had completely demolished the pyramid.
With hatred burning in their eyes, the two monsters turned toward the stone statues, ready to destroy them completely.
Seeing this, Daigo's eyes widened in rage.
Just then, a private message came through Daigo's helmet comms.
"Daigo, no matter what it takes, don't let the monsters destroy the statues."
"Yes!"
Daigo answered loudly.
He immediately flew the jet toward the monsters, firing two laser blasts to draw their attention.
"Boom!"
Even though the monsters hadn't struck back yet, an explosion erupted from the jet's rear, and the system lit up with red warnings.
Just as Daigo was about to eject—
Hajime's voice came through again.
"The key to awakening the giants is this: Daigo, become light."
Daigo froze for a moment.
Then he felt a radiant warmth surrounding him, like he himself had become light.
The next second, a shining orb of light flew into the forehead of one of the giant stone statues.
A red Ultraman awakened!
Seeing this, the Victory Team members who had been worried about Daigo and Hajime couldn't help crying out in amazement.
Not far away, Hajime smiled in satisfaction.
"As expected, for Daigo to transform into an Ultraman, he has to offer up a Victory Swallow jet as a sacrifice first."
He said this jokingly while eyeing Daigo's transformed Ultraman.
"Hmm… not as cool as my Tiga."
Only Hajime would care about appearances at a time like this.
This jet "malfunction" had actually been caused by his magic.
He never intended for Daigo to risk his life. He made sure the monster's beam would miss.
Rather than leaving it to chance, it was safer to sabotage the jet himself.
Even if Daigo hadn't transformed, he could've safely ejected.
Fortunately, the plan worked. Daigo successfully became Ultraman.
And judging by the red color, he had awakened the Power Type—Daigo's favorite.
Thinking about how Daigo, who always favored the power-based form, had been using the magic-type Tiga for brute-force fights, Hajime figured maybe this new Ultraman suited him better.
After transforming, Daigo was stunned for a few seconds.
Unsurprisingly, to protect the other statue, he was quickly overwhelmed by the two monsters.
Now it was Hajime's turn to enter.
"Boom!"
Daigo's red Ultraman was hit by Golza's beam and appeared to be in pain.
"Damn it!"
He was no match for the two monsters and could only take the hits while protecting the statue behind him.
Even his chest timer started flashing red.
Just as Melba swooped from above and Golza began charging up another beam, aiming to finish off Daigo—
A blinding silver ray of light shot past Daigo like a bolt of lightning.
"Boom boom boom—!!"
Golza, once so menacing, had its chest pierced clean through by the silver beam.
It exploded violently into pieces.
Just like when Ultraman Agul first appeared and instantly defeated an enemy Gaia had struggled with, Hajime's entrance was perfectly timed and stylish.
In an instant, he annihilated Golza, whom Daigo couldn't even land a hit on.
"Ambushes really are the best."
Hajime couldn't help thinking.
One ultimate move, one less monster. Too easy.