The spatial vortex opened in a dimly lit underground vehicle tunnel. Yu Zhou leapt out lightly, landing on the cold concrete floor.
"Huh… where is this place?"
He glanced around. The faint yellow bulbs gave the tunnel a gloomy, almost eerie atmosphere. He couldn't immediately tell which world he had entered this time.
Just then, a sharp cry echoed from around the bend. Yu Zhou instantly stiffened, pulling out a weapon from his dimensional bracelet.
A hammer.
Yes—just a plain, heavy iron hammer.
It wasn't that he lacked imagination. Back in his own world, weapons were tightly regulated, so the most he could stash away were kitchen knives, cleavers, a butcher's blade, and yes, even a frying pan. Out of all of them, a hammer seemed the most… decent for the job.
Gripping it tightly, Yu Zhou crouched low, creeping forward like some wannabe detective. And because caution was free, he slipped a motorcycle helmet onto his head as well.
As he peered around the corner, he spotted a man in a light blue jacket collapsed on the ground, grimacing in pain. In front of him stood a black-robed figure, chanting in a cold, eerie voice—undeniably female.
Yu Zhou edged closer, careful not to draw attention, listening to their exchange.
"Humans are such pitiful creatures… so laughably foolish. Fragile… so fragile it's almost tragic! Hahaha!"
The black-robed woman's mocking laughter echoed in the tunnel.
Yu Zhou frowned. So, not human then. Great—first scene of the arc and it's already the villain's monologue.
The man on the floor struggled back to his feet, trying to resist. But with a flick of her hand, the robed woman sent him crashing down again with a crackling blast.
Yu Zhou's eyes widened as the man's face turned toward him.
"Daigo?!"
Despite the cuts and dirt on his face, Yu Zhou recognised him instantly. It was Daigo himself!
The woman advanced menacingly toward Daigo. Without hesitation, Yu Zhou pressed himself against the wall, sneaking up behind her. Daigo noticed the strange figure in a helmet, wielding a hammer and blinked in confusion.
Yu Zhou raised the hammer high and—
Bang!
With a solid swing, he smashed it against the woman's back, sending her tumbling several meters away.
"Daigo, you alright?" Yu Zhou rushed to help him up.
"I'm fine…" Daigo brushed the dust from his jacket, then looked Yu Zhou up and down suspiciously. "But you are…?"
Yu Zhou grinned, removing the helmet and revealing his face.
"It's me, Yu Zhou."
"Yu Zhou…?" Daigo repeated, completely blank. He racked his brain but had zero memory of this guy.
Yu Zhou froze. Oh, right. This Daigo isn't the one from the Ultra Eight Brothers world… this must be another timeline. The TV series version.
Before he could think further, the black-robed woman groaned and pulled herself upright.
"Hahaha… pathetic. You can strike me as much as you want. I'm already dead. Your attacks are useless!"
Yu Zhou's expression darkened. Lady, you really don't know who you're dealing with.
He rammed his helmet back on and charged like a human missile.
BAM!
The robed woman was blasted backwards again, crashing to the ground.
Yu Zhou casually adjusted the helmet and flashed Daigo a toothy grin. "See? Problem solved."
Daigo stared, utterly speechless. Who was this hammer-swinging, head-butting lunatic who popped out of nowhere?
But before he could say more, the woman's body shimmered, breaking apart into a dark, ethereal silhouette. Her voice echoed through the tunnel:
"Our great Kilielord God will descend soon! Even Ultramen will be annihilated before His might! Hahahaha!"
With that, the shadow vanished.
Yu Zhou narrowed his eyes. Kilielord… so this really is the Tiga TV timeline. Right at the arc where the cult tries to summon their so-called god.
That explained why this Daigo didn't recognise him. The Daigo he knew was from the Ultra Eight Brothers, while this one was firmly rooted in the TV continuity.
So in the Eight Brothers timeline, Daigo's awakened memories must've been the "original" TV events, not my meddling.
Mystery solved.
Yu Zhou turned back to Daigo, lips curling into a mischievous smile.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself. Yu Zhou, from Huaxia." He extended a hand politely.
Daigo hesitated but eventually shook it. "I'm Daigo, member of the GUTS team."
"Ah, yes. I've heard so much about you."
Daigo blinked. "Wait—you… you know me?"
Yu Zhou smirked. "Of course. Everyone knows the great Daigo, the man who becomes light to awaken the Giant."
Daigo froze. His eyes widened in shock. "What—?! How do you know that?!"
"Know? Please. Not just me. The entire country knows."
Daigo's heart pounded. Was his secret already blown? Was Yu Zhou another alien?
Yu Zhou chuckled, patting his shoulder. "Relax. I'm not your enemy. Your secret's safe with me."
Just then, headlights cut through the tunnel. A yellow vehicle screeched to a stop in front of them. Out stepped two familiar figures—Captain Megumi and Rena.
"Daigo! Are you alright?" Rena rushed forward in concern.
Yu Zhou glanced at Daigo and fought the urge to laugh. Ah… so this is the exact moment the TV drama plays out.