"I don't know."
In response to Daigo's question, Yu Zhou could only shake his head.
This time, even he wasn't sure what kind of evil god had appeared—but he could make a few guesses.
Gatanothor's design, after all, came from the Cthulhu Mythos. Its prototype was said to be Cthulhu's firstborn—Gatanozoa.
If another evil god was awakening now, then it was likely also related to the Cthulhu Mythos. Perhaps…a relative of Gatanothor.
"Even Yu Zhou-kun doesn't know…" Daigo's face grew heavy. "That means this enemy really must be powerful."
The saying went: know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.
But now, they didn't even know who their opponent was. That fact alone made everyone uneasy.
"Still, judging from the black mist it released, it's definitely connected to Gatanothor." Yu Zhou exhaled slowly. "In any case—prepare for battle."
"…Understood."
Flying his fighter jet into the South Pacific, Asuka peered down from high above—only to see the ocean below swallowed by endless black.
"The whole South Pacific…already devoured by darkness?!"
His chest tightened. Even so, he circled the area for reconnaissance.
But the sea was nothing but fog. His instruments could not pierce the black haze, and the source of the darkness remained hidden.
With no results, Asuka turned his craft toward R'lyeh.
His senpai were all there. Better to regroup and plan together.
Yet, as he left, deep in the ocean trenches, a strange sound stirred within the abyss.
Half growl, half whisper—like some prehistoric beast moaning, or a demon murmuring.
With that sound, a golden chain of light snapped deep in the darkness, shattering into motes of fading starlight.
And at once, thicker, heavier black mist surged out of the abyss, spreading across the sea in all directions.
"Senpai! I'm here!"
Asuka rushed into the crystal palace clutching his Super GUTS helmet, his voice urgent.
"Asuka's here," Yu Zhou said. "Now everyone's gathered."
Privately, Yu Zhou wondered if he should call upon the Ultra Garrison from Nebula M78 for support.
But after a moment's thought, he dismissed the idea. They already had seven Giants of Light. Even the so-called "God of Kyrieloids" had been beaten bloody when surrounded by many.
One evil god shouldn't be a problem.
"Do we have a plan, senpai?!" Asuka asked, clearly tense. This was an extinction-level crisis—nothing to take lightly.
"Best to strike first. If we wait, we'll suffer for it." Yu Zhou made up his mind. "We'll scout ahead and see what this darkness really is."
"Then let's go, senpai!"
Asuka pulled out his Flash Sword, ready to transform, but Yu Zhou stopped him.
"What's wrong, senpai? Didn't you just say we were going to scout?"
Yu Zhou shook his head. "This will be for me, Hudra, and Darramb. You three burn through energy too quickly—save your strength."
"…Got it."
Daigo and Masaki both nodded as well, agreeing with his judgment.
Unlike Camearra, Hudra, and Darramb—the Ultra-Ancients whose stamina allowed for long battles—the modern Ultras' energy would drain fast.
As for Yu Zhou…no one truly understood why his reserves seemed so limitless.
He chose Hudra as his partner for reconnaissance, mainly because of Hudra's speed. If danger struck, escape would be easier.
Hudra accepted without objection. Together, they transformed into radiant spheres of light and shot out from the crystal palace.
The people of R'lyeh barely reacted anymore. They already knew mysterious beings resided in the palace, beings who fought in times of crisis.
Though uneasy at the spreading darkness, they were not afraid.
After all, ten years ago, the same terrible darkness had appeared—only to be defeated by an indestructible light.
"Earth really is never peaceful," Charija murmured from the shore, staring at the endless black ocean.
Beside him, two King Guesra roared hungrily in discontent.
"Patience. I'll take you both back to Ocean Planet soon, where you can feast properly." Charija comforted them.
But with the seas corrupted by darkness, he could not let them hunt here. Tonight, they would have to endure hunger.
High above, Yu Zhou and Hudra flew side by side, gazing down.
The sea around R'lyeh was already engulfed in shadow. Only the island itself remained protected, sealed under Camearra's barrier.
"This darkness…its energy is powerful," Hudra muttered.
As a former Dark Giant from thirty million years ago, he knew what he was sensing.
He had recognized the dark aura within Yu Zhou the moment they first met.
"Let's go lower," Yu Zhou said. "The source has to be under the sea."
He dove, Hudra close behind.
They chose a patch of sea not yet fully covered in fog and plunged in.
But below the surface, it was the same—endless black.
Even though they could see in the deep ocean, the fog blinded them completely.
Yu Zhou reached out and touched the dark mist. With a crackle, sparks flared.
Clearly, it could not be touched.
Hudra tried as well, with the same result—sparks bursting off his hand.
"This darkness…seems to reject us," Yu Zhou muttered, rubbing his chin.
If Hudra were still a Dark Giant, he might have been able to enter. But now, as a Giant of Light, even he was repelled.
"Wait here, Hudra."
Yu Zhou suddenly shot upward, breaking out of the water. Rising into the sky, he cancelled his transformation.
Then, letting his body fall in freefall, he drew a black crystal rod from his chest pocket—
And pressed the transformation button.