What does it mean that the group members have given me back the light?

From the very beginning until now, Yoshino's mother has always looked the same.

He clenched his fists involuntarily.

[Noah is still chasing me: The only thing we can be sure of now is that Yoshino Junpei was most likely coerced by something.]

Noah is still chasing me: I'll keep looking, but if he stops deliberately provoking me and continues to operate in places like the sewers, my chances are slim.

Noah is still chasing me: So...

[The strongest elbow striker: So?]

[Noah is still chasing me: Let's ask in the group chat and see if anyone has any good ideas.]

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Chapter Twenty-Five: Pre-War Preparations

Gu Nuo never believed that the power of light could solve all problems.

Ultraman is not omnipotent. Throughout the entire Ultraman series, the Ultra Brothers have always relied on the assistance of the Earth Defense Force. Even in Gu Nuo's own world, the Night Raid Team has provided crucial support to previous hosts on several occasions—leaving aside the humanoid high-ranking members of TLT.

And as it turned out, his advice was correct.

【…】

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Looking for someone? Hahaha, is it finally my turn to make my appearance?]

Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: My Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand.

[Want to drink Mei's ○ juice: Uh...it feels like several prefixes are missing.]

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Kiana! No need for further words!]

Gu Nuo and Itadori Yuuji exchanged a glance, and a hint of surprise flashed in the latter's eyes.

[The Ultimate Elbow Master: Really? Mr. Joseph? Can you really help us find Shunpyeong?]

Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Do you know its name?

[The strongest elbow striker: I know.]

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Do you have a picture of the opponent?]

[The strongest elbow striker: Yes, yes.]

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: That wouldn't really showcase my strength. Actually, even without any conditions, I could still help you find him, hahahahahahaha~~]

The ultimate elbow striker: ...

Noah is still chasing me: ...

[The first idol of the Reunion Movement: ...]

[I want to drink Mei's ○ juice: ……]

[Aspiring to become a champion of justice: ...]

[Old Eight's Big Appetite: Grandpa, even if your stunt double is rarely useful, isn't this a bit too much of a show-off?]

[Yearning to become a champion of justice: ...Never mind him for now, Itadori, has something happened in your world again? Why is Nono here too?]

[The Strongest Elbow Master: Hmm, something did happen.]

After Hisahito Itadori recounted the events of the past two days, the chat group fell silent for a moment before bursting into lively activity again.

[Old Eight's Big Stomach: Fake, fake Ultraman?]

[The first idol of the Reunion Movement: Is he delusional Seven? Why would such a monster appear in your world?]

[The strongest elbow master: ...It's my fault. If I hadn't given that disc to Shunpei, perhaps he wouldn't have been targeted...]

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Young man, let me tell you, it's not your problem to show kindness to a bullied child. The ones who should be condemned are always the villains who exploit the kindness of others.]

Joseph abandoned his playful tone and replied to Hisahito Itadori seriously.

As the oldest member of the chat group, he felt obligated and responsible to guide the enthusiasm of these children who were old enough to be his grandchildren.

[Want to drink Mei's ○ juice: Yeah, yeah, what I hate most is school bullying. Mei-senpai was often bullied when her family went bankrupt... I really don't understand what those bitches are thinking. Is bullying people so fun?]

Kiana typed angrily in the chat group, her fierce demeanor causing the girls in the surrounding girls' school who were still in class to tremble with fear, wondering who had offended this young lady again.

[Aspiring to be a champion of justice: The essence of bullying is the venting of power imbalances. When the weak are unable to resist, the perpetrators derive a twisted sense of satisfaction... This has nothing to do with pleasure, but rather with human nature, with the most despicable desire for domination at work.]

Kiritsugu Emiya silently took a drag of his cigarette. Compared to what he had seen and heard on the battlefield and among various magicians, the experiences of this boy named Junpei were nothing compared to what he had experienced.

[The strongest elbow striker: ...Hmm, I understand, thank you everyone.]

[The Ultimate Elbow Master: In short, could I please ask you for a favor, Mr. Joseph? Shunpei and I really need your power.]

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Of course. You and Nono wait a little while, I'll get ready and head over.]

Just as Hisahito Itadori was about to reply with "okay," another sound suddenly came from the chat group.

[System Announcement: Ding!]

[System Announcement: The salvation mission 'Destroy Taro' has been triggered]

[System Announcement: Task Difficulty - C]

[System Announcement: Mission Requirements - Eliminate the delusional Seven and the Super-grade cursed spirit behind him!]

[System Announcement: Task Notes—○○ These kids are actually quite good-looking, when are they going to die?]

[Old Eight's Big Appetite: Ah... it's a mission...]

[Want to Drink Mei's Juice: Yay! I was already thinking of going over to help anyway. This saves me the points for world teleportation. The strongest elbow striker, the strongest elbow striker, I'll go teach that mastermind a lesson for you. No objections, right?]

[The first idol of the Reunion Movement: I also want to participate in this mission, Itadori-kun, is that alright?]

[The strongest elbow striker: Huh? Of course, but could I really trouble you guys?]

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Yay! If everyone joins in, this will be the first time our Dimensional Chat Group has ever had a team fight.]

[Yearning to become a champion of justice: ...Although with Nono around, everything can be foolproof, but Hachi, you...]

[Old Eight's Big Stomach: Sigh, I know. Ordinary people without strength shouldn't risk cutting up poop, right? o(╥﹏╥)o]

Seeing Anja slumped listlessly on the table, Bana sighed helplessly as she fiddled with the blue and white instrument in her hand.

In the past two days, she has gradually figured out how to use the instrument in her hand and knows what this instrument called "fighting device" is used for.

But monsters aren't like Pokémon that's everywhere. Where are you supposed to catch starter monsters?

After frowning for a while, Bana saw that Anzu suddenly thought of something else.

Since it's a team-building activity, why not take this opportunity to confirm something?

She opened the chat group and selected Talulah, the person she was closest to in the group.

[Old Eight's Big Stomach: Sister Ta, Sister Ta, please, please, can you do me a favor?]

……

……

"It will be over soon."

Gu Nuo patted Itadori Yuuhito on the shoulder.

Everyone in the chat group was ready, meaning that as soon as Joseph's Hermit Purple arrived, they could launch a swift and fierce attack on... no, on the cursed spirit behind the creation of the delusional Seven.

Yuuji Itadori nodded: "Yeah, I don't know how many times I've said it, but thank you anyway, Nono."

He took a deep breath, his gaze more resolute than ever before, as if flames were burning in his eyes.

At that moment, countless images flashed through Yuujin Itadori's mind—the desperate eyes of the innocent people in the movie theater who had been transformed into monsters, the painfully distorted face of Junpei Yoshino when he was being controlled, and the only image that existed in his imagination: the cursed spirit that tarnished the name of Ultraman, with that hideous face bearing a mocking smile.

At this moment, old and new grudges intertwined into a burning determination. He not only wanted to personally rescue Shunping from this abyss, but also to seek justice for the victims.

“This time,” he muttered to himself, his voice filled with unwavering resolve, “I must settle this once and for all.”

Just then, Gu Nuo suddenly felt an unusual throbbing in his chest.

He looked down and saw that the Evolution Trustee in his arms was emitting a soft halo he had never seen before—not the slightly hurried light he usually saw when he spotted an enemy, but a blue light that flickered like breathing, warm and seemingly conveying some indescribable… message?

Gu Nuo was slightly taken aback. He looked at Hisaji Yuujin, who hadn't noticed the commotion, with some surprise.

This is?

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Chapter Twenty-Six: Fierce Attack

"Ah."

In the dimly lit basement, the man with stitches all over his face sneezed and rubbed his nose in surprise.

"Have a cold?"

The real person tilted his head and muttered to himself, then chuckled lightly, seemingly unconcerned.

"Um, why do you think you lost, Yoshino Junpei?"

The man crouched down and gently lifted the boy's downcast face with his fingertips.

Yoshino Junpei's pupils were unfocused, his face was covered in dirt and dried tear stains, and he did not respond to touch.

The damp air was thick with the smell of rust and putrid water, and water droplets dripped from rusty pipes, making a rhythmic sound as they fell into puddles.

His body was bound to the cold wall by an invisible force. His exposed skin was covered with purplish-blue bruises and fine cuts. The wounds were not deep, but they caused just the right amount of pain, like countless ants gnawing at his nerves. His wrists were chafed by the rough ropes, and the blood that seeped out had long since congealed into dark red scabs.

But physical torture is not the most terrible thing.

"The fear of pain, the fear of harm that may come at any time—that is the sweetest source of Shunping's 'negative energy'."

The real person squinted, a pleased smile curving his lips, as he spoke, his fingers casually tracing Yoshino Junpei's trembling skin.

Then it really extracted all the fragments of Yoshino Junpei's memories of experiencing school bullying—the feeling of the legs and tendrils struggling in his throat when he was forced to swallow a live cockroach, the burning smell of cigarette butts sizzling on his skin, the humiliation of being forced to lick the dirt from the soles of shoes while his head was stepped on… and rewoven them with the cruel imagination unique to cursed spirits.

Each torment was both familiar and strange, carrying the shadows of the past while adding new creative elements like a live-action game. Old wounds had not healed, and new fears seeped into his bones layer by layer, until Yoshino Junpei's nerves could no longer distinguish between reality and nightmares.

"As expected, it's only natural that he would lose when facing a real Ultraman."

The real person's fingers slid down Yoshino Junpei's cheek to his neck, feeling the pulsation of the delicate blood vessels under his skin.

"But Shunpei was also at fault, wasn't he? If you had been a little more desperate, a little more angry, perhaps the delusional Seven you summoned would have become even stronger?"

The human voice became unpleasant, like a child who had lost a game. It stood up and paced in the narrow space, its shoes splashing through the puddles.

"Hmm... what should I do... how can I make you even more desperate, Shunpei?"

It suddenly stopped, and a faint ray of light shone through the crack in the broken pipe, illuminating its pensive face.

"what!"

Suddenly, the real person excitedly slammed their fist into their palm and looked at Yoshino Junpei with a happy expression.

"I have an idea."

Yoshino Junpei's eyelashes trembled, but he didn't even have the strength to lift his eyes. His chapped lips opened silently, and he took a weak breath like a fish out of water.

A deeper despair? He had long since become numb to despair. His soul had been crushed into powder, and even pain had become distant background noise. He couldn't imagine what new tricks this monster could come up with—after all, the dirtiest humiliations, the most excruciating pain, and the most unbearable memories had been chewed over and over again countless times.

Seemingly oblivious to Yoshino Junpei's expression, Makoto excitedly brought his face, covered in stitches, closer.

"Hey, hey, if I were to take Shunping's..."

The words have not yet fallen.

A loud bang suddenly came from the sky, and a beam of light shone down from above, instantly piercing the gloom in the basement and enveloping the two people in a blinding halo.

The real man's smile froze on his face. When he met those eyes that emerged from the light—eyes as clear and pure as the bright moon, yet containing endless pressure—this cursed spirit who had manipulated humanity showed an expression of near panic for the first time.

……

……