Chapter Four: The Warming of Affection

Since that night, Yue Longze had been living in Xiaoxiang’s home. The apartment was small, yet decorated in a cartoonish style, filled with a distinct, youthful charm.

Over the past two days, Yue Longze learned about Xiaoxiang’s situation. Her parents had both been killed by monsters, leaving her with a fortune substantial enough to ensure a comfortable life for the rest of her days. She no longer attended school; with her inheritance, she could live without worry.

After breakfast, sunlight streamed brightly through the window, lively and vibrant as if it possessed its own spirit, dancing across the room.

“Xiaoxiang! I’m heading out to look for work!”

Although Xiaoxiang no longer went to school, she constantly urged Yue Longze to find a job. A man, she insisted, ought to have his own career.

With those words, Yue Longze stepped out the door. In truth, this was for the best; if Da Gu’s efforts didn’t succeed and he couldn’t join the Victory Team, then securing a job himself would be prudent. And if Da Gu succeeded and he was accepted into GUTS—the Victory Team—he could always resign from his job.

However, as someone without any official identity, finding work in Japan was nearly impossible for Yue Longze. He’d spent all of yesterday searching in vain.

“Chances are today will be another fruitless effort,” he thought. Yet, faced with Xiaoxiang’s hopeful eyes, he couldn’t refuse and set out once more in search of work.

For Yue Longze, finding a job was simply a way to buy some insurance for himself. He was confident that, with his identity as the Black Giant, he would eventually be admitted to the Victory Team.

Tomorrow night was the time he’d agreed to meet Da Gu. The thought alone brought a ripple of excitement.

Time flowed like water. By noon, Yue Longze was still empty-handed. He bought a cup of milk tea at a café, taking large gulps and savoring its flavor.

Suddenly—bang!

From beneath the earth’s crust, a massive form burst forth! Its head bore two horns, and its white body was covered in spotted patterns like a Dalmatian.

It was Eleking.

Yue Longze calmly sipped his milk tea, watching the monster’s appearance from a distance.

“So this really is a chaotic world.”

Eleking belonged to the world of Ultraseven, yet here it was, appearing in the timeline of Tiga. Along with previous anomalies, it was clear that the story of this world had gone awry.

Eleking’s powerful tail swept through the surrounding buildings. In an instant, dirt and debris shot skyward, dust billowed, and fragments of buildings were flung in all directions, causing injuries as they crashed down.

“It’s a monster! Run!”

The crowd erupted in panic, fleeing in the opposite direction.

Eleking’s claws lashed out, easily demolishing towering skyscrapers as if they were nothing but bubbles.

“Damn it!”

Finishing the last sip of his milk tea, Yue Longze tossed aside the empty bottle, straw still attached, and dashed into the now deserted café.

Ensuring he was alone, he raised the Staff of Dark Radiance high. A flash of intense black light streaked through; Yue Longze transformed into Dark Tiga, appearing in the sky. With a flying kick, he struck Eleking, who was in the midst of destroying buildings, sending the monster sprawling.

“Raaaargh—”

Eleking rose, roaring in fury, and charged, its two horns leading the way, shaking the ground with each thunderous step.

Yue Longze, faced with Eleking’s ferocious assault, could have easily dodged with a leap, but instead chose to take the hit head-on. As expected, Eleking’s powerful horns sent him flying, a faint burst of sparks erupting from the black armor on his chest.

Yue Longze’s battle experience was still lacking.

On the horizon, two black dots rapidly approached—the Swallow Fighters One and Two!

“Prepare to support the giant,” ordered Xincheng as he piloted Fighter Two with practiced calm. He swooped past Eleking, firing green laser bursts to harass the monster, giving Yue Longze a moment to breathe.

“Da Gu, is this black giant the young man who wants to join the Victory Team?” asked Lina, who was co-piloting Fighter One with Da Gu. No one had expected that a giant could be a transformed human.

“If you can’t believe it now, you’ll know when you meet him in person!” Da Gu replied with delight. Thanks to his persistent persuasion and personal guarantee, the TPC higher-ups had agreed to let the young man who could transform into a giant join the Victory Team.

Under the blue sky, the two streamlined fighters circled and attacked Eleking.

Meanwhile, in battle, Yue Longze continued to hone his skills. His fighting ability was steadily improving, and the combat instincts of Dark Tiga were gradually awakening.

The timer on Yue Longze’s chest began to flash. No longer lingering, he gathered his finishing move against the now defenseless Eleking.

Dark Zeperion Beam!

Eleking exploded like a shattered watermelon, disintegrating into dust.

On the ground, the two imposing fighters landed in an open area.

“Long!”

Da Gu greeted Yue Longze warmly, waving him over. Seeing Da Gu’s excited expression, Yue Longze knew his matter was settled.

“My name is Yue Longze. It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” he said with a gentle smile, like a warm spring breeze, instantly endearing himself to everyone.

“Long! I have good news for you!” Da Gu, barely able to contain his excitement, was eager to share the approval for Yue Longze’s entry into the Victory Team.

“Let me guess—you’ve secured my spot on the team?”

A faint smile tugged at Yue Longze’s lips.

“Ha! You guessed it!” Da Gu clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re welcome to join us any time!”

He then lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear: “For now, only the Victory Team members and Director Zekai know about your identity.”

“I understand,” Yue Longze nodded.

After chatting with the team, everyone gradually opened up, accepting their unique new member.

“Um… Is it alright if I officially join tomorrow night?” Yue Longze asked tentatively.

“Is something the matter, Long?” Da Gu inquired. After all, the sooner Yue Longze joined, the sooner he could familiarize himself with the duties and receive his uniform and equipment.

“Well, I just have a personal matter to handle,” Yue Longze replied, though the truth was, he simply wanted to spend more time with Xiaoxiang.

“That’s fine, we’ll wait for you! Tomorrow night, at the agreed time and place—I’ll come pick you up!” Da Gu reassured him.

The Victory Team departed in their fighters, leaving Yue Longze alone.

It was already past one in the afternoon. Now that he was part of the Victory Team, Yue Longze had no intention of continuing his futile job search; without proper documentation, finding work was nearly impossible anyway.

Weary, Yue Longze returned to Xiaoxiang’s home. Unlocking the door, he found her sitting on the sofa, softly weeping.

“Long!” At the sound of the door, Xiaoxiang sprang up and threw herself into Yue Longze’s arms.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, a little awkward faced with her sudden embrace. After a long moment, he hesitantly placed his hands on her back, gently pulling her close.

“It’s all my fault, insisting you look for work. I thought… I thought you’d died!” Xiaoxiang’s nose was red from crying, her eyes brimming with tears.

Yue Longze’s heart warmed. She had seemed indifferent, but in truth, she cared deeply about his safety. There had been a monster attack where he’d been job-hunting, and when he didn’t return for lunch, she’d feared the worst.

Thinking this, Yue Longze hugged her even tighter.

“Long, let’s be together,” Xiaoxiang said at last, looking up and wrinkling her small nose.

“Aren’t we already together?” Yue Longze, dense as ever, hadn’t caught her meaning.

“Are you stupid?” Xiaoxiang pounded his chest, then nestled her head against him once more.

“Ah—yes, yes, let’s be together!” Realizing at last, Yue Longze felt a rush of excitement. Holding the delicate girl in his arms, a new clarity dawned in his heart.

It wasn’t just about protecting this beautiful Earth—it was about protecting the one in his embrace, safeguarding the love in people’s hearts.

That afternoon, Yue Longze stayed with Xiaoxiang, telling her about his joining the Victory Team. She was genuinely happy for him.

“But… will you still have time for me?” Her eyes grew misty with tears. Her parents had been killed by monsters, and now, just when she had someone to rely on, he was about to join the Victory Team—meaning he would have to leave her again.

“I will. I promise,” Yue Longze replied, equally reluctant, holding her close and gently stroking her hair.

The next evening arrived swiftly. With nothing much to pack, Yue Longze secured the Staff of Dark Radiance, exchanged one last, lingering embrace with Xiaoxiang, and finally departed, her sorrowful gaze following him as he left.