Chapter 493

The situation was urgent; the Atlantis immediately launched, carrying the entire Victory Team and eight members of the Police Bureau.

“There’s likely a ‘turbulence’ over Dotori Island capable of disabling communication systems, so everyone carry extra signal flares for contact.”

“If you encounter a small monster like this, don’t be afraid—it’s called ‘Pigmon,’ a friendly monster.”

After speaking, Qi Ming sketched Pigmon’s approximate appearance on paper; everyone nodded after viewing it.

Soon, the Atlantis landed north of Dotori Island; the sky was thick with dark clouds, and a vortex-like wormhole was slowly forming.

“Nishijo, Kishida, you stay on the bridge. Once the Megg’s power system is fully charged, fire the Drac Cannon to destroy the wormhole.”

“Everyone else, come with me to the island.”

Moroboshi raised his hand and led the group ashore.

Dozens of people crowded the beach—they were tourists visiting Dotori Island’s resort area.

Half an hour ago, they saw the expanding wormhole in the sky and realized something was terribly wrong, but communication had been cut off, leaving them stranded; now, seeing the Atlantis, they felt like they’d found salvation.

“You’re from the Victory Team, right? Please help us.”

Qi Ming pressed his hand down: “This area will soon become a deadly meat grinder. Everyone, gather those around you, take your essential belongings, and head to the Atlantis for shelter.”

The resort manager and several staff members were among them; Moroboshi asked them if all the tourists were already on the beach.

Everyone must be evacuated—otherwise, when the fighting starts, the entire island might sink, leaving no one alive.

The manager looked uneasy: “No, there are still about forty more people, but they seem… strange.”

He said that two days ago, a thick fog suddenly emerged from the mysteriously dangerous southern forest.

Those who ventured out from the hotel area were engulfed by the mist and, one by one, lost their will—they abandoned their belongings, moved in perfect unison, stiff as puppets on strings, walking toward the depths of the dense woods.

According to records, forty-two people entered the fog and never returned.

Qi Ming: “‘The Fog Has Come’?”

Shintō Akane leaned close to Qi Ming and whispered: “Wasn’t the Magneria in this world already killed by you and Fujimiya Himeya in Chengyanzhen?”

“If we’re talking about a monster on this island that controls humans through mist, the vampire monster ‘Chimera’ is far more likely.”

The vampire monster ‘Chimera’—ruler of the Monster Island in the Ultraman Ace series.

In the original plot, it emitted hypnotic mist to control large numbers of humans, luring them to come to it, then used its long tongue to suck their blood.

Additionally, it possessed the ‘Monsterization Beam,’ capable of turning humans or animals into monsters, and could disrupt other monsters’ consciousness with its roars, thereby controlling them as subordinates.

This is a terrifying ‘mastermind’ boss monster—far stronger than the one in the Ultraman Ace finale that froze elephants and giraffes into ice, then got smashed by an iron ball.

Qi Ming: “So Dotori Island in this world isn’t just home to Red King and his three sandbag monsters—Chimera is here too… Won’t they fight each other?”

Chimera’s roar can only control weak, intelligent monsters capable of understanding commands, but Red King is neither weak nor intelligent—he won’t be controlled.

A vicious, indiscriminate killer that attacks anything it sees, it would likely charge straight at Chimera without hesitation.

Shintō Akane: “Who do you think will win between Red King and Chimera?”

Qi Ming thought for a moment: “If it’s the upgraded Red King from Ultraman Max, he’d probably win—Red King has never lost a wild monster battle.”

Shintō Akane was more intrigued by Chimera—after all, it possessed combat power surpassing normal Ultraman Ace and was intelligent; it might win through strategy.

Qi Ming: “That makes sense too… wait, weren’t we here to eliminate monsters and save people? Why are we suddenly betting on a monster fight?”

Meanwhile, to rescue the TPC reconnaissance team and the tourists who had entered the forest under Chimera’s control, Moroboshi decided to split into four search teams.

He and Hōgen formed one team; Gagura and Yamana another; Megumi and Karimira a third; Qi Ming and Shintō Akane the fourth.

Once any situation was detected, they were to fire signal flares to regroup.

Karimira was dissatisfied with this grouping—she believed she should be paired with Qi Ming, and Megumi also didn’t want to work with Karimira.

So the professional, Shintō Akane, stepped in to privately comfort both.

To Karimira, she said: “The situation is urgent—protect Megumi well and let Qi Ming recognize your strength and character.”

To Megumi, she said: “Karimira’s temper has improved a lot since spending time with Qi Ming—she’ll definitely be responsible.”

This convinced both reluctantly.

Watching Megumi and Karimira walk toward the southwest, Qi Ming asked: “Are they really going to be okay?”

Shintō Akane: “Don’t worry—for a harmonious, beautiful future, I’ve worked hard behind the scenes. You’ll understand my intentions later… Let’s go!”

Saying this, she pulled Qi Ming forward enthusiastically; Qi Ming cut a path ahead.

“Why don’t we just fly? The aerial view’s better,” Shintō Akane suggested, seeing how hard Qi Ming was working.

Qi Ming: “Fly?”

Feiyan-1 and Feiyan-2 weren’t repaired yet, and the Dyna Wings hadn’t been built—were there any flying vehicles available under these conditions?

“Don’t underestimate my psychic ability. Come on, hold onto me—I’ll carry you.” Shintō Akane’s hands formed a blue light sphere, lifting them off the ground: “If a flying monster attacks, you can transform immediately to protect me.”

Qi Ming was convinced by the last reason; he placed his hands on her shoulders: “I’m ready.”

Shintō Akane shouted with full energy: “Shintō Akane Flight, departing!”

The next instant, they shot upward, soaring over a hundred meters into the sky, the layered mountains below laid bare.

Qi Ming shouted: “Hey, next time use a flying device—like a magic broom or a flying sword. Preferably a one-time-use sword with handrails—so we don’t have to squeeze like this!”

“Whoosh!” The next moment, a roar split the air from afar.

Shintō Akane and Qi Ming turned their heads and saw a massive creature appear in their line of sight.

Its body was grayish, two sharp fangs hung from its mouth, and it flapped two wings as it chased after Qi Ming and Shintō Akane.

It was the winged monster ‘Chandra’ from Ultraman!

Indeed, flying made environmental reconnaissance easier—but also made you an easy target; they’d instantly become one.

Qi Ming immediately focused his mind: “You want to attack us? Then I’ll take you down first.”

Saying this, he reached to turn his dial to transform and counterattack.

But the next instant, a roar erupted from below Qi Ming and Shintō Akane.

Another flying monster appeared, diving straight toward Chandra.