Volume One, Chapter 44: Eil, the Dark Foundation

“Is there truly no device capable of extracting the energy within?” Tregear pressed further.

“There is, but…” Garum answered truthfully, “the energy extracted can’t be used as any kind of power source. Moreover, it can’t be contained by the usual energy storage instruments—after a short while, it simply vanishes.”

“I see.” Tregear nodded slowly, gaining an entirely new understanding of the Plasma Soul.

But why was it only effective on monsters?

This question, Tregear decided, was worth investigating.

After all, scientific research was his greatest strength.

Without delay, Tregear collected the Plasma Soul from the ground into a pocket dimension, then tore open space itself and strode away.

Watching the rapidly healing rift in space, the eyes of the three present nearly bulged from their sockets.

To tear open space with one’s own power and achieve long-distance teleportation—this was a feat reserved for cosmic-level beings.

This Ultraman was actually a master of that caliber!

With a thud, the three collapsed onto the ground, cold sweat pouring from their brows.

Fortunately, they’d behaved themselves; otherwise, they’d have perished without ever understanding how it happened.

—

Land of Light.

Having seen off Zero, the Ultramen, drained of energy, had all gathered before the Plasma Spark Tower to recover.

Meanwhile, in the research institute’s laboratory, a strange tremor rippled through the air.

Tregear’s form shifted from ethereal to solid as he set foot on the floor.

With practiced ease, he proceeded forward, arriving at the deepest part of the laboratory.

Ahead stood a massive security door.

Behind it were sealed various artifacts that had existed since the very birth of the Land of Light.

Standing before the door, Tregear entered the code from memory.

To his surprise, the door actually opened!

“Chief Hikari really is careless,” Tregear clicked his tongue, smiling as he strolled inside.

To study the Plasma Soul, naturally, one needed a proper scientific environment.

Across the universe, what facility could be more advanced than the Land of Light?

Not to mention, he was intimately familiar with the equipment here.

Researching the Plasma Soul in this place was undoubtedly the optimal choice.

But it was, after all, the Land of Light; if he wished to conduct his research undisturbed, he would have to create some trouble for the Ultramen.

Only then could he secure enough time.

Stepping into the chamber, rows upon rows of glass containers appeared before Tregear’s eyes.

Each container sealed within a powerful artifact.

There was the Galaxy Spark, the Dark Spark, the Scepter of Verity, the Ultra Key, the Ultra Torch, and so on.

Tregear walked straight to the Dark Spark, an evil smile curling on his lips.

The Dark Spark, an artifact that had existed since the birth of the Land of Light, was said to imprison a dark demon god within.

In fact, this was his second time touching the Dark Spark.

Though the timing differed from his previous life, the outcome of his actions shouldn’t be much different.

As Tregear infused it with energy, the Dark Spark opened, revealing a ferocious face.

At the same time, a harsh and oppressive voice rang out:

“Dark Fusion—Dark Lugiel!”

In an instant, a wave of black mist surged through the chamber, rapidly spreading outward.

In the blink of an eye, the entire laboratory was enshrouded in darkness.

Beneath the Plasma Spark Tower, an Ultraman suddenly shouted, “Look over there!”

Father of Ultra and the others, who had been resting with eyes closed, all looked toward the disturbance.

A dense cloud of black mist billowed from the research institute, swiftly blanketing the entire sky.

“What is that!” Taro leapt to his feet.

The other Ultramen wore anxious, bewildered expressions.

“Do not panic.” Father of Ultra intoned gravely, “Zoffy, Seven, go and see what’s happening.”

“Yes, sir!”

Zoffy, Seven, Jack, the First, Taro, Ace, Taro, and Mebius all responded in unison and rushed toward the lab.

But as they soared into the sky, two bolts of red lightning suddenly shot from the black cloud, striking them down and hurling them back to the ground.

“I am the ruler of darkness—Dark Lugiel!”

A voice thundered from the black cloud, its oppressive force filling the world.

In the next moment, a dark silhouette emerged, illuminated by the flickering lightning.

Blood-red eyes and an enormous body stunned every Ultraman present.

“What… what is that thing!” Mother of Ultra’s voice trembled.

Father of Ultra’s complexion was equally grim.

For as long as anyone could remember, humanity had called them not only Ultramen but also “Giants of Light.”

Giants—they truly were.

But now, faced with this being before them, they felt as small as humans gazing up at giants.

A flash of lightning split the sky.

Within the black clouds, countless tiny dots suddenly swarmed forth.

“Monsters!” Father of Ultra’s expression tightened. “Prepare for battle!”

All the Ultramen assumed fighting stances, unleashing their beams in unison.

The monster army responded fiercely, each unleashing their own ultimate attacks.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Countless rays interwove in the air, erupting into a barrage of explosions.

Suddenly, a giant hand reached out from the black mist.

At once, all the Ultramen’s gazes were drawn, as if pulled by a mysterious force, to the object gripped in that hand.

“The Dark… Spark!” Hikari cried out in terror.

While the other Ultramen were still wondering what the Dark Spark could be, a beam of black light appeared in their vision.

Wherever the black light spread, whether monster or Ultraman, all were shrunk, transformed into figurines, and fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Taro’s pupils dilated nearly to bursting.

He could hardly believe he wasn’t dreaming.

To transform living beings into dolls—how could such a thing be possible!

As Taro stood stunned, the black light finally swept over him.

A wave of dread surged through his heart. He lifted his hand in dismay, feeling his energy rapidly drain away, and murmured with a bitter smile, “Am I going to become a puppet too…”

He would rather believe this was all a dream.

Because everything had happened so abruptly.

So suddenly that not a single one of them had time to react.

As his consciousness faded, Taro vaguely saw the Father and Mother of Ultra standing protectively before him.

“Father… Mother…”

He reached out, trying to touch them.

But it was too late.

He shrank into a figurine, spinning through the air as he fell.

And just before losing consciousness, he seemed, perhaps by illusion, to glimpse that face he could never forget.

“Tregear…”