Chapter 160: 156 Are You Human?

"Ultraman Gaiya!" Qi Ming shouted, raising his hand to strike the dial—but paused just before landing the blow.

That much force might trigger "Random Mode."

He couldn't fathom how the creator of the random button had thought this feature useful—it couldn't be "upward compatible."

For example: when you have three Star Gifts, the random target includes all B- and C-class Ultramen and monsters you can normally transform into.

But if you only have one Star Gift, even if you trigger Random Mode by slamming the dial, that single unit of energy can only summon a C-class form—never a B-class.

"Ultraman Gaiya." Qi Ming lightly tapped the surface, his body dissolving into a red light as he left Shuimui City, speeding toward Basera.

…………………………

"The vampire flower monster's true form has been hiding beneath this temple this whole time—right beside us!"

After Basera appeared, Yamaguchi and Nami Nishijo finally realized the gravity of the situation and desperately tried to retreat.

But it was too late.

Basera extended two hardened vines, wrapping them tightly, then released paralyzing electricity, locking them in place.

Just as Nami Nishijo and Yamaguchi were about to meet the same fate as the two police officers from last night, Qi Ming, transformed into Ultraman Gaiya, arrived on the battlefield and slashed the vines with a palm strike!

"It's Ultraman Gaiya—he's come to save us!" Nami Nishijo, with her exceptional physical conditioning, recovered quickly and tore free from the vines first.

Yamaguchi remained paralyzed; Nami Nishijo dragged him away as she ran.

"Ha!" After rescuing the two, Qi Ming unleashed a furious barrage of blows against Basera.

It was a very weak monster—completely overpowered by Ultraman Taro in the original series—and Qi Ming felt no pressure whatsoever.

"Go on, don't lose!" Six-year-old Kana had appeared on the other side of the temple, cheering for Basera.

"So you're one of the monster's accomplices," Qi Ming observed through Ultraman Gaiya's eyes.

But the sight stunned him.

"Though surrounded by resentment, her body is undeniably human—then who exactly is she?" Qi Ming was now uncertain.

Meanwhile, outside the abandoned factory in Shuimui City.

In black attire, Lu Mu strolled slowly into Dean's nest.

The massive Dean, surrounded by dozens of small Deans, spewed two thick blobs of viscous fluid; upon hitting the ground, each blob became a new small Dean.

Anyone else witnessing this would likely vomit their dinner—but Lu Mu watched with admiration.

"A one-on-one battle between Ultramen and monsters is far too dull."

"The world must see what happens when multiple monsters appear simultaneously across different regions—how will the Ultramen choose?"

"If he chooses one side, he must abandon the other."

"Those citizens clinging to unrealistic fantasies will soon awaken to the cruel truth—'Ultramen cannot protect everyone.'"

"Then they'll return to the embrace of fear."

With that, he pulled out his transformation device, the Dark Evolver, and fired a purple destructive beam at the giant Dean mother.

"Roar!" The Dean, violently stimulated, went berserk.

Its body swelled rapidly, bursting through the factory walls, claws and fangs flailing.

"Yes, come to me," Lu Mu leapt into the air, displaying superhuman physique and speed, luring the Dean toward Miko's Miyakawa Hospital.

The Dean took the bait, chasing Lu Mu while smashing everything in its path, turning passersby into puddles of sludge.

…………………………

"No—Miko and the others are just ahead on this road!" Lingzi and Lunwen, having just left Miyakawa Hospital, turned pale at the sight of the rampaging Dean.

"It's fine—Ultramen will appear at the critical moment; they're humanity's guardians!" Lunwen said nervously.

"That's just your wishful thinking," Xiang Xiang Tenggong appeared, face cold.

He glanced at the unstoppable Dean, then at the people it had turned into sludge:

"The purpose of Ultramen's birth is to protect this planet—they are not humanity's babysitters."

"This isn't necessarily bad. After all, everyone dies eventually—this is merely an early arrival."

Lingzi shouted back: "What kind of nonsense is that? You look young, but your mind is ancient!"

"Living isn't just about waiting to die—it's about savoring the happiness of being alive!"

"Struggling to survive, living for happiness—this is the meaning of human existence!"

Previously, Xiang Xiang Tenggong would have scoffed, uttering the line from the original series: "Only I can see the future."

But after multiple encounters with Qi Ming, his heart had begun to waver.

Meanwhile, at Miyakawa Hospital.

Fear gripped everyone as the Dean approached; screams filled the air.

Patients who could still move fled desperately; those who couldn't were either carried out by nurses and doctors, or left behind—unlucky.

Amid the chaos, crowding and trampling began—total disorder.

"What a beautiful sight," Lu Mu stood on the hospital rooftop, enraptured.

"Doctor, you're a good person, thank you," Miko whispered weakly as she was pushed along: "But don't bother with me—save yourself."

"Don't give up!" the doctor replied.

The corridor was packed with people; rational shouts of "Stay orderly, descend in line" were drowned out.

He carried a girl—he simply couldn't push through.

"Don't worry—Ultramen will appear!" the doctor said, bolstering his own and Miko's courage.

A nurse beside him said: "I just saw the news—half a minute ago, Ultraman Gaiya Ultraman was fighting a green monster in another city. He won't get here anytime soon."

The doctor: "Don't fear—there are many Ultramen on Earth: Diga, Ultraman Gaiya, Seven, and now even a violent new one named Gao Si—they've got plenty of manpower!"

…………………………

Meanwhile, outside the chaotic temple.

The Victory Team received word of the monster's appearance in Shuimui City immediately.

Yamaguchi: "Again? I'm used to it by now."

Kishida: "I remember Qi Ming is in Shuimui City—have him drive the Drumm vehicle there first to hold it off; we're on our way."

Nami Nishijo pulled out her PDI communicator: "Calling Qi Ming—head to the scene, restrain the monster's movements… hey, can you hear me!"

Of course, no reply.

Yamaguchi went frantic: "Why does this guy always vanish at the critical moment? I think he's deserting his post!"

A hundred meters away, Ultraman Gaiya, still pummeling Basera: "…"

(End of Chapter)