Run!
Keigo Masaki's mind flashed with a single thought.
Despite his muscular physique, he was no match for weapons. Even a simple kitchen knife could injure—or even kill—him. And now, having just stolen the Sparklence, he had no intention of taking risks.
"Tell me! Where's Daigo?" Yu Zhou pressed, brandishing the knife as he closed in.
"Until we meet again!" Masaki tossed his shirt toward Yu Zhou and bolted.
Yu Zhou sliced through the flying shirt with a swing of his knife, but by the time he registered Masaki's escape, the man had vanished into the distance.
"Damn… he's fast," Yu Zhou muttered, spitting toward Masaki's retreating path.
Thinking quickly, Yu Zhou deduced that Masaki's path pointed toward Daigo. That meant Daigo could be ahead.
He stored his helmet, hammer, and knife back into the Space Bracelet and ran forward.
The Space Bracelet had been returned to him after research by Kyumae, and Yu Zhou had restored all his personal items.
Soon, he arrived at the carousel in the amusement park, scanning the area—but saw no one.
"Daigo! Where are you?"
From a shadowed corner, Daigo weakly called out, hearing Yu Zhou's voice.
Maybe Yu Zhou can help me…
After all, Yu Zhou knew his identity, had always helped him, and possessed near-omniscient knowledge. Perhaps he could figure out who had stolen the Sparklence.
"Yu… Yu Zhou! I'm here!" Daigo whispered, his voice faint.
Yu Zhou followed the sound and found Daigo leaning against a wall, clutching his chest in pain.
"Daigo! Are you alright?" Yu Zhou rushed to his side, helping him up.
Seeing the blood at Daigo's mouth, Yu Zhou cursed Masaki under his breath, then took tissues from the Space Bracelet to clean him up.
He next pulled out a first-aid kit, tending to Daigo's injuries with medicine for bruises and strains.
Daigo grasped Yu Zhou's hand. "My Sparklence… a man took it."
Yu Zhou nodded. "I know."
"Do you know who could want the Sparklence? He said he's found the ancient ruins…" Daigo asked, recovering his composure.
"Keigo Masaki," Yu Zhou said. "Like you, he has the light gene."
"Keigo Masaki…" Daigo murmured, pondering the name.
"Do you know how to find him?" Daigo asked.
"I just encountered him. Unfortunately, he escaped," Yu Zhou replied. "But there's one person who can locate him."
"Who?" Daigo perked up.
"Kirino."
The next morning, Yu Zhou contacted Kirino, asking him to use his psychic abilities to locate Masaki.
After thinking over Yu Zhou's words the previous night, Kirino had arrived at a breakthrough and was eager to help.
Soon, he reported that Masaki was inside the Tsung Karaling Ruins, a network of underground tunnels connecting to Kumamoto City.
Neither Daigo nor Yu Zhou informed the Victory Team—they didn't ask for leave—leaving the team anxious.
"First Daigo disappears, now Yu Zhou… what's going on?" Shinjo fretted.
"Yu Zhou was with us last night searching for Daigo… maybe he found a clue?" Horii suggested.
"Could be," Munakata agreed.
"While flying through here, the Sparklence lit up. There's definitely something nearby," Daigo said, surveying a mountain bridge.
"This must be the ancient ruins Masaki found," Yu Zhou confirmed.
Following Kirino's guidance, they crossed streams, climbed hills, and navigated rugged terrain, finally arriving at a dilapidated temple.
"This should be it," Yu Zhou said.
Nearby, a stone lion marked the way. Through the grass, the statue appeared before them.
"Without the Sparklence, I'm just a normal person," Daigo sighed.
"Don't be so down," Yu Zhou said. "Think—why did the time capsule's Yuren tell you to become light to awaken the giant, not Masaki?"
Daigo pondered Yu Zhou's words.
"Because you, Daigo, not only have the light gene… you have something Masaki doesn't," Yu Zhou said.
"What?" Daigo asked.
"Kindness, and a heart that truly wishes to protect humanity," Yu Zhou explained.
Although Masaki had the light gene and had located a statue of a Light Giant, he had no device to transform into light. The Giant's body detected his malicious intent, rejecting him.
As they talked, a small dog ran toward them, nuzzling their feet.
"This dog…" Yu Zhou squatted to stroke its head.
"It's Geddy," Daigo said.
In the ruins, besides the Light Giant's statue, there was a statue of a monster—its companion from thirty million years ago, named Geddy. The dog before them was its incarnation.
It seems it senses our light.
After greeting them, the dog ran into the forest, glancing back as if beckoning.
"Follow it. This dog will lead us to Masaki," Yu Zhou said.
Daigo nodded, trailing behind Yu Zhou as they followed the dog.
They entered a cave. Yu Zhou turned on a high-powered flashlight from the Space Bracelet, guiding them through the dark tunnel.
The passage was long but straightforward, no forks to confuse them. They followed Geddy closely.
Eventually, they arrived at a dead end, and the dog vanished.