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

"Team Member Horii, since the one who attacked you this time was Dark Mephisto, it means that the unknown force hidden behind it has already set its sights on you for some reason. For your safety, the work of returning to TPC headquarters will be put on hold for the time being. How about we go back to Night Raid Team headquarters to analyze the current situation?"

"This..."

Coming to his senses, Masami Horii pondered for a moment before uttering words that stunned everyone inside the fighter jet: "I think I should continue to return to TPC headquarters as originally planned."

"Horii, are you conscious?"

Vice-Captain Saijo Nagi frowned and said, "Although the dark giant we just saw has been defeated by Ultraman, there has been more than one such dark giant. We cannot be sure if there are other threats lurking in the shadows. If you insist on your original schedule, we cannot guarantee your safety."

“Vice Captain Saijo, I am fully aware of the situation, and this decision was made after careful consideration.”

Looking at the bewildered crowd, Horii Masami's small but shrewd eyes flashed with a glint of wisdom:

"Didn't you ever consider what caused the ambush by the Dark Giants on our journey of less than ten minutes after we set off?"

……

……

"Not only because of the presence of an inside man, but also because of the unknown hand, they're starting to get anxious, aren't they?" Megumi looked at the video call channel in front of her, her tone carrying a hint of speculation.

The "Unknown Hand" is the name given to the master behind the dark space that appeared after the third host appeared and repeatedly retrieved the alien beasts that had been defeated by the third host.

TPC headquarters and TLT have never been able to uncover the true identity of this unknown force. Their understanding of it is limited to the fact that it can control and fuse alien beasts, summon dark spaces, and lure humans into darkness, turning them into dark giants... This is all the limited information they have.

"Yes, I think that's very likely."

On the other side of the screen, Masami Horii nodded solemnly, his voice slightly distorted through the channel:

"Because my recent schedule includes a part that could thwart the Unknown Hand's conspiracy, and that part would be an absolutely unacceptable fatal blow to it, that's why it's in such a hurry to ambush me."

"...The unknown hand...an unacceptable fatal blow..."

Megumi frowned in thought, then her expression changed: "You mean... the Forgotten River System?"

Inside the jungle, in a secluded area deliberately isolated by the Night Raid Team, Horii Masami nodded with a somber expression.

This conclusion is not difficult to predict; in fact, it can be reached using the simplest process of elimination.

Even so, when Horii Masami first arrived at this conclusion, his initial reaction was that it was absurd.

Admittedly, Masami Horii does not believe that the River of Oblivion system is a reasonable existence, because he believes that humans always have the possibility of overcoming their fears on their own.

But... this doesn't mean he would doubt the original intention behind the establishment of the Wangchuan System. Before this, he had never thought that this powerful tool, which had undoubtedly made great contributions in the early days of TLT, might actually be a scheme set up by an unknown force from the very beginning!

To what extent has it infiltrated the organization? When exactly did its conspiracy against Earth begin?

"If your guess is true... then it's really, really terrible."

Megumi closed her eyes, rubbed her temples, and pondered for a moment.

Then, she paused, opened her eyes, and said, "Horii, you should go back to the TLT base first."

"Huh? But Captain..." Horii Masami hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly said.

"I will arrange for Daigo and Lina to temporarily put aside their other work and deliver the equipment for upgrading the Wangchuan system in the fastest and most discreet way. Only the most trusted personnel will receive it, including the time and the route."

Megumi looked at him seriously: "During this time, Horii, you must ensure your own safety. The key to upgrading the Forgotten River System and thwarting the conspiracy of the unknown hand lies with you, understand?"

Masami Horii took a deep breath: "...I understand."

What Horii Masami didn't notice was that in the jungle not far from him, a pair of eyes, already extremely gloomy, were quietly watching him.

Mitsuhiko Ishibori... or rather... Dark Zagi!

This dark giant, who has been lurking on Earth for many years waiting for the opportunity to be resurrected, is now desperately suppressing his rage.

That idiot... He couldn't even snipe an ordinary researcher, and I even gave him some of my limited resources...

Mitsuhiko Ishibori cursed inwardly. He never imagined that the situation would deviate from its course, step by step, to a point where he could no longer control it.

One reason is that the light did not fall into the hands of Saijo Nagi as he predicted;

And now, even the fear stored in the Wangchuan system, another material prepared for his resurrection, is about to be destroyed in the hands of this damned fat researcher.

...Should we kill him?

Mitsuhiko Ishibori watched Masami Horii's retreating figure, his expression shifting between light and dark. He noticed that the Night Raid's specially made pistol was now firmly on the trigger.

Using a gun? But the more likely outcome would be that the night raiding party in the jungle hears the commotion, his identity is exposed, and the possibility of his resurrection is reduced to almost nothing.

After being forcibly resurrected, he killed the original body and then disguised himself as Mitsuhiko Ishibori again.

That would be putting the cart before the horse. He has nothing now, and even if he is successfully resurrected, his power will not be able to return to its original peak. Not to mention Noah, even that damned fourth host, he may not be able to defeat him in a head-on confrontation.

So……

……snort.

Mitsuhiko Ishibori composed himself, and in the end, he put away his gun and left.

If you're afraid of something... just give up on it.

He concluded that, compared to Noah's light, this material was actually easier to collect.

TPC...

Mitsuhiko Ishibori silently repeated the name in his mind. Ever since that woman who called herself the captain of the GUTS team came to TLT, nothing good had ever happened.

But... it's not entirely nonexistent...

A sinister smile crept unconsciously from the corner of his mouth. There was a reason why he still retained this identity.

That is... as a replacement for Noah's Light...

Another ray of light.

-----------------

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Chapter Sixteen: Chat Group Lottery

[Ding—Group member is detected engaging in daily activities; group chat points are being calculated...]

[Abnormal daily activity detected... Recalculating...]

[Detection complete... The system is automatically evaluating...]

[Evaluation: "I am the darkness you cannot overcome!" — Pfft.]

Settlement Reward: 2000 points

Quite a lot.

Yawning, Gu Nuo got out of bed while looking at the notification that popped up in the chat group.

After defeating Dark Mephisto, he did not return to school. Instead, he took a leave of absence, went home, and fell asleep immediately. He only woke up slowly when the moon was hanging in the sky.

The clone technique, which was inspired by many Ultraman series and took a lot of time to develop, is very effective, but overall, it consumes too much energy.

Gu Nuo habitually opened the chat group and found that it was still incredibly lively during his absence.

【…】

Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Oh shit! What do you mean, "Congratulations on obtaining an inexhaustible roll of toilet paper"?!

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Damn this rate-up banner! Do you know how hard it was for me to find those evil Stand users, catch them, and then lock them up in jail?! Give me back my hard-earned chat group!!!]

[Want to drink Mei's juice: Just asking because I don't understand. I'm a newbie and just started playing. I got this character in a single pull. Is it any good?]

[Want to drink Mei's ○ juice: (Dragon Charm image).jpg]

[The first idol of the Reunion Movement: No, buddy?]

[Old Eight's Big Stomach: You're rubbing salt into the old man's wound again, Kiana is so mean.]

[The Strongest Elbow Master: Mr. Joseph clearly said when Nono and I first joined the group... it's best not to touch the lottery pool...]

[Aspiring to be a champion of justice: Sigh, an old gambler.]

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: ?! ...

[Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Old people drawing cards... can't be considered gambling... drawing cards... can it be considered gambling for old people?]

Then came a string of incomprehensible words, such as "This is all the hobbies people have when they get old," and "Are you going to take these points to your grave if you don't use them?" which made the group members burst into laughter, and the chat group was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

After peering at the screen for a while, Gu Nuo finally joined the conversation.

[Noah is still chasing me: What are people talking about?]

[Want to drink Mei's ○ juice: Oh, it's Nono.]

[Want to drink Mei's juice: Everyone's talking about the new items in the new limited-time gacha pool in the shop. They're items from an anime in Tiger World. The old man and the uncle who aspires to be a hero of justice said they seem pretty useful. Look, I just got another one.]

[Want to drink Mei's ○ juice: (Snake Charm).jpg]

[The first idol of the Reunion Movement: ?]

[Aspiring to become a champion of justice: ?]

Hermit Purple is the strongest Stand: Oh no… (weakly)

[The strongest elbow striker: No way, this luck is just too outrageous!]

Noah is still chasing me: Okay, I'll go check it out.

Gu Nuo opened the online store, and a dazzling array of products appeared before his eyes.

This wasn't the first time he'd opened the online store module; he'd checked it out shortly after joining the group.

At that time, there weren't any worthwhile items in the store that hadn't been refreshed yet. They were either of limited use or completely useless. In addition, given the advice Joseph had given him when he first joined the group, he hadn't even used the ten-pull coupon and one thousand points that he received when he first joined the group.

Just as Kiana said, Gu Nuo clicked on the interface of the shop that showed 'Limited-Time UP Pool'.

[Dimensional Limited Pool]

[You can spend points or lottery tickets to draw for current world-building skills, items, or abilities]

[Note: Items limited to the Dimensional Limited Pool are not available for direct purchase in the in-game store.]

[This week's UP pool's world setting - Jackie Chan Adventures]

A single draw costs 100 points, a ten-draw costs 1000 points (plus one bonus draw)

The guaranteed drop rate for the UP banner is 100. New UP banners will not carry over from the current banner.

[Detailed content provided by the uploader: One of the twelve talismans: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon (empty), Snake (empty), Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig]

The twelve zodiac animals?

Gu Nuo was stunned for a moment. He saw that the icons for each zodiac animal seemed to be clickable, so he chose one of them, the 'dog'.

[Dog Charm]

[Description: A loyal puppy can grant you an immortal body.]

Immortal?

Taking a deep breath, Gu Nuo exited the online store.

Noah is still chasing me: Isn't this a bit outrageous? These talismans...

[The Strongest Elbow Master: Haha, ridiculous, right? But in my world, that's really how it's portrayed in this anime.]

[The strongest elbow striker: The Rat Talisman can turn movement into stillness, the Ox Talisman enhances power, the Tiger Talisman balances yin and yang, and the Horse Talisman is said to cure all diseases, but it can also repair broken ships.]

[Aspiring to be a champion of justice: Nono, are you interested in these talismans?]

Noah is still chasing me: If the spell's effects are truly as described in its literal meaning, then yes.

Gu Nuo answered the question very frankly.

Being a fittest person has always been a high-risk profession.

In terms of combat frequency, his predecessor, the second-generation host Himeya Jun, once had an exaggerated number of times, three times a day and four times in 24 hours.

In terms of combat intensity, the previous third-generation host, Qian Shuling, also had an absurd record of fighting two giant alien beasts all night while his body was on the verge of its limit due to genetic defects, before facing the strongest alien beast, Yizumeru, head-on.

Gu Nuo himself, though not as exaggerated as the two seniors, still struggled for a day and a night with almost zero combat experience in his first battle... that is, when facing Yi Zu Mai Ru, who had already defeated Qian Shu Ling.

After barely managing to eliminate the enemy, he lay unconscious inside the Stone Wing for three whole days.

If the previous adopters had possessed extravagant items like talismans, Gu Nuo felt that this light might not have been passed down to him.