Ultraman: I am really just a human.

Chapter 210 Red Figure

"Is number 4 Shinji Kaminaga?"

Abandoned factory.

The passengers on the Dawn cruise ship welcomed a special guest.

Self-Defense Forces Third Lieutenant, Shiro Mizushiro.

"This is indeed very valuable intelligence. I will report your situation to my superiors." Facing the passengers of the Dawn with their various expressions, Shiro Mizuki smiled and swept his sharp gaze over them. "Our Self-Defense Forces are different from those guys. You are all rare talents to us, and we can cooperate with you."

"R-really?"

"In fact, we established a superpower development research institute half a year ago. Superpowered individuals are not an unacceptable existence for us, so you can rest assured."

Shiro Mizuki's gaze lingered briefly on the bespectacled woman who was avoiding his eyes, a flash of hatred crossing his gaze.

He could indeed accept the existence of these people, if his father hadn't been killed by the superpowered individuals...

"Please wait a moment!"

Kaoru Kino suddenly stepped out of the crowd.

"Mr. Kaminaga... what will happen to Number 4? I still don't believe Number 4 committed murder..."

"Of course, I don't believe it either," Shiro Mizuki said with his smile unchanged. "After all, Number 4 was once a hero who saved humanity."

But that was then.

Number 4 is no longer needed.

Moreover, according to records, No. 4 and the Grunt are essentially the same, and will eventually become biological weapons that only know how to fight.

"That's good." Kaoru Kino sighed softly, looking at the bespectacled woman who had her head down.

He had no intention of revealing the Dawn's existence; it should have been a secret among all the survivors. However, the woman with glasses couldn't resist making unauthorized contact with the outside world.

The other passengers were not of one mind either.

Whether or not they have gained power, they are essentially just a group of ordinary people.

Kaoru Kino clenched her fists and watched Shiro Mizushiro leave.

If he were to awaken his powers now, would the outcome be different?

"call!"

At the back of the crowd, Ryo Ashihara helped his feverish and panting father sit down, his expression shifting as he looked back at the passengers of the Dawn, who were dreaming about the future.

He got involved because of his father, and he also seemed to possess some kind of power.

But he is very different from these people.

His father had already told him the details of the Tianliang incident.

Number 4 saved everyone...

Do these people really think that revealing information about the 4th is a good thing?

"Buzz!"

Ryo Ashihara glanced at the bespectacled woman who kept her head down, and suddenly his body trembled, breaking out in a cold sweat.

I could vaguely see the bespectacled woman's eerie smile.

Does everyone who awakens superpowers experience this?

This place is no longer safe to stay in.

……

Metropolitan Police Department.

Sumiko Ozawa walked quickly down the corridor with a sullen face, then suddenly pushed open the conference room door.

"Chief Ozawa!" The department head in charge of the countermeasures team noticed the displeasure of the superintendent general beside him and, suppressing his anger, rebuked, "What do you mean by this?"

"What does the superior mean now?!" Sumiko Ozawa slammed her hand on the conference table without backing down. "Are you going to disband the G3 department?"

"Nobody said that..."

"Then why fire Shin'ei?!"

Sumiko Ozawa leans forward.

"Just because of some unfounded rumors? Let's not even talk about whether Kaminaga is number 4, and even if he is, so what?"

"Shinji Kaminaga has not been fired," the deputy superintendent waved to interrupt the minister who was about to get angry, and patiently explained, "It's just that this matter is indeed of great importance, and we need time to investigate. Until the specific results are in, Shinji Kaminaga is not suitable to continue serving as a uniform officer."

"Besides, didn't G3-X just suffer a defeat in its operation? Shinji Kaminaga also needs to rest..."

"The operation wasn't a failure, and besides, it wasn't Kaminari's fault!" Sumiko Ozawa looked directly at the department head and high-ranking officials of the Metropolitan Police Department. "Department head, do you really believe the spontaneous combustion incident is related to Number 4?"

"This is not just a rumor."

A section chief next to the main seat threw a paper report in front of Sumiko Ozawa.

"The figure of number 4 was photographed last night, near a crime scene."

Sumiko Ozawa's expression tightened slightly as she carefully examined the documents.

The first thing that catches the eye is a blurry surveillance photo, with a red figure number 4 flashing by at high speed, leaving a slight afterimage.

"What does that prove?"

"When the murder happened yesterday, Shinji Kaminaga seemed to have left the Metropolitan Police Department?"

"I'm just taking leave to go home and rest..."

"Who can prove it?"

The section chief glanced coldly at Sumiko Ozawa.

"In fact, Kaminari did not go back last night at all, and his whereabouts are still completely unknown."

Who are you?

"He was brought in from the National Police Agency as Section Chief Si Long to oversee the G3 department," the minister explained. "From now on, Section Chief Si will be responsible for researching the development of the G3 department."

"I'll be troubling you from now on, Miss Ozawa."

The section chief straightened his collar and sat back down. Although he didn't say anything more, his domineering gaze made Ozawa Sumiko feel uncomfortable.

Back at the countermeasures team, Hikawa Makoto, who had just finished training, immediately greeted them: "How did it go?"

"This is troublesome," Sumiko Ozawa sighed softly. "I don't know what the higher-ups are thinking. They suddenly sent an inspector. Is it because the G3-X failed to complete its mission?"

"After all, the officers didn't see the enemy this time, and the video footage was also very blurry."

Hikawa Makoto didn't know what to say.

Xia Chuan's suspension is an indirect beneficiary, but he is not ready yet.

Given his condition, he can only fight in G3 gear right now.

But even the G3-X were damaged like that, G3...

"What about Kaminari?" Sumiko Ozawa suddenly asked. "Is it possible to contact him?"

"They said there are still some things to take care of."

"That guy... doesn't he care at all?"

"Okay, that seems to be the case."

Hikawa Makoto looked helpless as he recalled Natsukawa's tone.

Sometimes it can be really discouraging.

What he couldn't do no matter how much he trained, Xia Chuan could do perfectly without doing anything, and he didn't even seem to care much about the G3-X itself.

Is this the secret to adapting to G3-X?

He can't learn it.

……

Shibuya.

The view of the plaza below from the top of the Xia Chuan high-rise building.

Kondo Isami has already met up with the other exploration team members and found Minami Kotaro, who is proudly recounting the truth of the dungeon he "dug up".

This place looks somewhat familiar.

It seems to be the ruins area of ​​the final battle in the previous instance.

Of the original exploration team, only Kotaro Minami remains this time.

Not all knights dare to enter dungeons consecutively.

Normally, level 4 knights are rarely in trouble, but since the dungeon appeared, more than three of them have fallen, including former captains Junichi Shimura and Daiichi Fujiwara.

For the knights of this world, the blow is more real and heavy than ever before.

Even a level 4 knight is so small and fragile.

"call!"

Minami Kotaro looked up sharply at the top of the tall building, but the spot where Natsukawa had been standing was now empty.

"Divine power?"

After looking at him with a puzzled expression for a while, Minami Kotaro listened attentively to Kondo Isami's explanation.

"I never expected this instance to be like this, but what about those unknown life forms?"

"It is said that two divine powers once fought in this world," Kondo Isami said seriously. "The source of Agito's power is the defeated god. I think the unknown life form is likely related to the other power."

"Another force?"

"right."

Kondo opened his mouth, but ultimately did not mention the source of the information.

Shinji Kaminari from another world is actually harder to explain if you just say it.

Furthermore, Kaminari also told him to keep it a secret, saying that he didn't want to attract the attention of the gods.

After all, they are natives of this world, so it's natural for them to be afraid.

"Based on my undercover investigation at the Metropolitan Police Department," Kondo Isami continued, "it seems the Self-Defense Forces are also involved behind this. Not only have they established a research institute for espers there, but they've also secretly relocated and reorganized the Opaz Research Institute there."

I heard that something related to ancient powers was also taken away, which may have opened Pandora's box.

"Alright," Minami Kotaro nodded thoughtfully, "In any case, the Self-Defense Forces need to conduct an investigation. Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Kondo."

"Of course."

Kondo Isami grinned.

That's it.

I was lucky this time with the dungeon; I finally felt like I was part of it.

If you manage to clear the level, you'll at least get a considerable amount of points, which will make you much better off whether you're exchanging resources with the alliance or replenishing your wallet.

Once we've accumulated enough resources, we might be able to see the scenery of a level 5 knight.

……

"Ugh—!"

As evening fell, the wailing of police sirens once again echoed through the streets.

Within a single day, several more incidents of spontaneous human combustion occurred, forcing Team G3 to hastily deploy after receiving orders.

After sending a text message to Natsukawa, Ozawa Sumiko took a deep breath and helped Hikawa Makoto put on the previous generation G3 armor.

Things went exceptionally badly that day.

Not only Natsukawa, but Kondo Isami also disappeared without a trace and could not be contacted. Although an intern operator was transferred over to help, she couldn't stand by and watch.

As her gaze swept over the female operator who was intentionally or unintentionally revealing her cleavage, Ozawa Sumiko suddenly found Kondo Isami much more pleasing to the eye.

"take it easy."

Sumiko Ozawa patted Makoto Hikawa, who had finished donning his armor.

"Kaminaga adapted very quickly during his first real battle, and you can do it too."

Hikawa Makoto's face, hidden behind the mask, was bitter: "I'll try my best."

"Are you sure it's okay?" Section Chief Si frowned and asked skeptically, "Sending someone with no combat experience into battle at such a crucial time..."

"People with practical experience have been suspended from their duties pending investigation."

Sumiko Ozawa gave the section chief a cold look.

"There's nothing we can do about it. Or would you like to come?"

The section chief's expression remained unchanged: "I should have recommended you before, the original trainee uniform officer, Shiro Mizushiro."

"That kind of guy has long since lost his right to wear that dress code."

Sumiko Ozawa continued to help Makoto Hikawa complete his preparations.

She already knew that Shiro Mizushiro was behind many of the tricks.

"I hope you won't regret this," the section chief smiled at the clumsy G3, "This time the enemy is very likely to be Number 4. Can you really complete the mission like this?"

"You don't need to worry about that."

Sumiko Ozawa frowned slightly.

She simply dislikes these annoying power struggles and backstabbing.

What's there to argue about?

Isn't it better to work together as a team?

"call!"

Past the section chief, Sumiko Ozawa's gaze fell once again on the report documents.

The figure in the surveillance photos does resemble Number 4, but it doesn't feel like Number 4. It looks more like an older enhanced armored warrior that was developed based on Number 4.

G1.

The first-generation armor, developed based on the abilities of Red No. 4, could absorb electricity to strengthen itself like No. 4, but it was abandoned because it placed too much burden on the wearer.

It should now be sealed and stored in the Metropolitan Police Department's vault.

"Target spotted!"

"Battle commences!"

The guards, accompanied by a series of alarms, broke away from the truck and then accelerated past it to pursue the red figure running in the darkness.

"Is it number 4?" Hikawa Makoto's fingers tightened.

"Permission to fire..."

"Report target location! On the side..."

"Danger!"

"Bang--!"

The red figure suddenly flashed and disappeared in the darkness. By the time Bingchuan Cheng reacted, a strong impact hit him, and his body was instantly detached from the motorcycle and crashed to the ground in excruciating pain.

"Ugh!"

"What happened?" Sumiko Ozawa asked in surprise.

Teleportation or...

"The battery cell was subjected to a powerful impact, reducing its output power by half!"

"This guy knows the G3 system's weaknesses!"

"Bang--!"

In the darkness, a car parked on the side of the road was lifted high and slammed down like a toy car. It seemed to have little weight, but when it hit the G3, it exploded into a shower of sparks.

G3, who had just stood up, rolled and fell to the ground again.

"Upper unit damaged! Right leg paralyzed!"

"glacier!"

"Operation terminated!"

Sumiko Ozawa gritted her teeth and stood up.

As expected, G3 was still too difficult.

"Glacier! Come back soon!"

"No... I can't move!"

After several impacts, G3 was kicked away like a doll, and even its chest armor was deformed.

Hikawa Makoto struggled backward, his right leg completely immobilized and his armor unable to open. He could only watch anxiously as the red figure approached.

The red figure illuminated by the lights looked very similar to the Omnipotent Kuuga, but upon closer inspection, there were significant differences.

The metal armor is clearly pieced together and assembled, and in a few places there are monstrous structures that resemble biological fusion.

It felt as if an unknown life form had been transformed into a knight.

"This is……"

"G1!"

Sumiko Ozawa stared wide-eyed and gasped softly.

"Wait... this thing is an unknown life form fused with G1!"

"snort."

The red figure seemed to hear the conversation, glanced at the truck bed, walked to G3, and raised its unarmored monster claws.

"glacier!"

"Bang--!"

The car that crashed behind them exploded with a loud bang, and in the firelight, an arm suddenly grabbed the monster's claws.

"What?"

"G3-X?!"

Sumiko Ozawa clearly saw the G3-X armor appear in the video and subconsciously looked at the calm-looking section chief.

"The G3-X is not fully fixed yet; using it without authorization..."

"Isn't this being used very well?"

The section chief walked up to the command panel with a smile.

"Too slow, Water City..."

"Bang!"

Xia Chuan shook off the red figure's claws, kicked it hard, and looked back at the command vehicle in the distance. Finally, his gaze stopped on the guards and trackers brought by Bingchuan Chengkai.

This locomotive serves as both a means of transportation and an arsenal for the G3 system, including several G3-X main weapons.

Unfortunately, it's not very effective against this Venerable One.

Although the appearance has changed drastically, it is still perceptible.

It's that jellyfish head that escaped before.

Possesses superpowers such as lightning strikes and teleportation.

"Clang!"

Xia Chuan took out the electromagnetic melee knife stored in the left wrist of the G3-X and braved the continuous lightning strikes to meet the red figure.

Let's just make do with this.

"No," the section chief said in a low voice, lunging at the screen, "You're not Shui Cheng!"

(End of this chapter)