Chapter Eight: Revealing the Truth

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No one in the Victory Team was surprised that Xie Jing could transform into a giant. In fact, they were somewhat delighted—after all, he was one of their teammates, even if he had only joined a few days ago. But Da Gu, who had been their friend and companion for so long, could also become a giant? That was simply beyond belief.

“There’s nothing to it—it’s just what the plot needs,” Xie Jing quipped, lounging in a swivel chair in the Victory Team’s strategy room, dressed in the team’s uniform and munching on a banana. He teased the room’s tense atmosphere.

“Captain, just look at how lazy he acts!” Xincheng frowned, glancing at Captain Jujian.

She smiled helplessly. “There’s nothing we can do about him—his background is solid. Both his parents are members of the council. He’s probably just here to play around with the Victory Team.”

“To play around…” Xincheng’s mouth twitched.

“What about Da Gu?” he pressed.

Jujian sighed. “Once the medical staff has thoroughly examined Da Gu and finds nothing wrong, I believe he’ll be back soon.”

The fact that a human could become a giant was shocking enough to leave TPC utterly astounded. Xie Jing refused to be examined—no one could force him, so they simply tried to placate him. But Da Gu was different, being a proper member of the Victory Team, with or without background. Obeying orders was his duty, unless he wanted to quit. Still, the examination would reveal nothing. Da Gu would return to the Victory Team sooner or later, acting as a counterbalance to Xie Jing.

But Xie Jing didn’t care at all. He ate and drank as he pleased, and his once shiny scalp had sprouted hair anew. He was back to being that handsome, flamboyant young man.

One day, as Xie Jing strolled lazily into the strategy room, he found Da Gu had returned. Da Gu’s face was pale, drained of color—clearly, he’d been put through the wringer by some mad scientist.

Da Gu nodded at Xie Jing, who waved back, cradling his coffee and humming idly as he sat in his designated chair.

Such were the pains of being a human host for Ultraman. No wonder almost all Ultramen kept their identities secret.

...

Days slipped by. With the discovery of monsters, not a single person felt safe. Globally, TPC began to change.

First, they were finally allowed to use lethal weapons! Absurd, wasn’t it? A massive global organization unable to wield deadly arms. Hadn’t the Swallow aircraft previously only fired signal flares? At most, they startled innocent bystanders, but when facing monsters…

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Apart from fleeing, there was no alternative strategy.

Legalizing TPC’s weapons immediately became a priority. Swallow One and Two were soon modified, loaded with powerful laser weaponry, and other advanced arms were rapidly developed.

Additionally, as TPC’s main combat force, the Victory Team’s authority was elevated as well.

As a Victory Team member, Xie Jing watched his companions busy to the point of exhaustion. He felt no guilt. After all, in the original story, the Victory Team wasn’t always so busy—his own presence wouldn’t affect the plot’s progression. It was the noble detachment of a traveler between worlds.

He had more important things to attend to!

Within the vast TPC base, the white floors reflected the hurried shadows of staff. Xie Jing leaned against the railing, sipping milk tea.

Not far away, Akane Kamiji came running happily, carrying a huge bowl of popcorn and assorted snacks. As she neared Xie Jing, she stumbled, tipping forward.

A large hand appeared at her waist, the other catching the spilled popcorn and snacks. Xie Jing was suddenly beside her, seeing that all her bravado from their first meeting had melted away, leaving only a shy girl.

“You can’t even handle this? Next time, I’ll just buy it myself,” Xie Jing tapped her lightly on the head, took the popcorn, and Akane joyfully tugged at his sleeve as they headed toward the cinema.

With thousands living and working here, the TPC base naturally had facilities for leisure—a small cinema, restaurants, everything one could need.

Over these days, Akane had noticed that the familiar Yuta Fujii had changed. The quiet scholar, once absorbed in research, had suddenly grown bolder.

Previously, holding his hand would make his face flush instantly. Now, Yuta was the one reaching for her hand, sometimes even wrapping an arm around her waist in public, fingers gently moving—making her feel embarrassed.

Akane considered herself a traditional Japanese woman, dreaming from childhood of marrying Yuta Fujii. His knowledge had always inspired her; though he was a bit awkward before, his blushing face was adorable.

She liked the new Yuta as well, finding him more masculine and attractive.

“Hey, Yuta, look—that’s Da Gu from the Victory Team, right? I heard he can turn into a giant. Isn’t that amazing?” Akane pointed ahead, astonished. “Wait, he’s coming over…”

The news of Da Gu’s transformation had somehow leaked, while Xie Jing’s secret remained strictly hidden.

Da Gu walked straight to Xie Jing, ignoring Akane, and said, “Do you have a moment? I’d like to ask you something.”

Xie Jing took another sip of milk tea, smiling. “I thought you could hold it in longer.”

He handed his things to Akane, ignoring her pout, and the two walked to a nearby bench.

Once seated, Da Gu let out a deep breath and smiled wryly. “Only with you do I feel I can truly relax.”

Xie Jing glared, coughing. “Hey… don’t say that. Isn’t Team Member Lina always by your side these days?”

“It’s not the same,” Da Gu’s expression grew even more bitter. “Now, in this base, I don’t know how many people think I’m not even human. Even Lina… she suspects it…”

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“You’re overthinking,” Xie Jing leaned back, nonchalant. “In my dream, you and Lina end up married, with three kids.”

Da Gu’s gaze sharpened. He placed his hand on the table, leaning forward.

“Are you really a prophet? Can you see the future?”

“A prophet? No, I’m not.”

“Then how do you know what Yulian will say? How do you know what happens between Lina and me? You know everything, don’t you?!”

Xie Jing burst out laughing, took another sip of milk tea, and grinned. “I thought you’d figure it out by now. Seems you still don’t believe it.”

“Believe what?” Da Gu asked.

Xie Jing set his milk tea down and spoke each word with gravity.

“You, all of this—TPC, the Victory Team, Da Gu, the monsters, Ultraman—”

“It’s all a TV show called ‘Ultraman Tiga’!”

“No way…”

Da Gu sat in stunned silence, fear and astonishment mingling in his eyes.

Clearly, he couldn’t believe it, nor dared to consider Xie Jing’s words.

“You have your reasons not to believe, but in my dreams, I’ve watched the entire show!”

“You… watched it all?” Da Gu was dumbfounded, his handsome features showing a hint of ruggedness.

“Yes, all of it!”

Xie Jing leaned back in his chair, appearing calm.

But inside, he was ecstatic.

He’d said it! Hahaha! He’d finally said it!