Chapter One: Transmigration

The sky was shrouded in black mist, despair saturating the land, and the endless Pacific Ocean stretched as far as the eye could see. Beneath a dazzling brilliance, the terrifying black fog that enveloped the entire sky gradually dissipated. The evil god Gatanozoa was reduced to dust between heaven and earth under the overwhelming power of the Radiant Tiga. Once more, the blue sky returned to humanity’s sight…

“How touching. It’s a pity the Spark Lens has turned to ashes; Daigu can never become Tiga again.” Yue Longze sat at his computer, savoring his coffee as he replayed his beloved childhood series, Ultraman Tiga, unable to suppress a sigh.

Though nearly twenty years old, Yue Longze was an unwavering Ultraman enthusiast. Above all, his favorite was the ever-popular Ultraman Tiga, a hero adored by children everywhere.

The protagonist, Daigu, not only possessed a handsome appearance, but the plot of Ultraman Tiga was, in Yue Longze’s opinion, truly exceptional. His room was plastered with Ultraman posters, his desk neatly lined with Ultraman figurines. Most extravagant of all, a massive model of Ultraman Tiga occupied one corner of his room.

Yue Longze set down his coffee, slouched into his chair, and absently picked up a figurine to toy with in his hand.

“If only I could become an Ultraman…” he sighed heavily.

His childhood dream, far from fading with age, had only grown stronger. In the eyes of most, such longing was the mark of immaturity, but Yue Longze’s passion for Ultraman remained undiminished. Even knowing it was impossible, he clung to a sliver of hope—dreams should be cherished, for who can say when they might come true?

Suddenly, the computer screen playing Ultraman Tiga flickered, a swirling vortex of darkness appearing out of nowhere, startling Yue Longze from his reverie.

“What’s happening? Am I about to transmigrate?” he exclaimed, eyes locked on the screen.

As a true twenty-first-century otaku, he had read countless transmigration novels. The scene unfolding before him matched those stories perfectly.

It must be said, Yue Longze’s nerves were certainly robust. Where a normal person would have fled in terror from such an uncanny sight, he, instead, thought only of transmigration.

As the vortex on the screen shrank, Yue Longze realized that if he hesitated, the opportunity might vanish. “No matter! If those novels are any indication, once I transmigrate, I’ll surely carve out a legendary life!”

With a determined clench of his fist, he thrust his hand into the shrinking vortex. A powerful force seized him, dragging him in.

…

Yue Longze opened his eyes slowly, only to be assailed by a wave of dizziness so intense he could not stand.

He found himself lying on the shore of a vast island. The sky was overcast and oppressive. Waves lapped at him, soaking his hair as the salty breeze brushed his face.

The combined touch of wind and water gradually cleared his head. Rising to his feet, he shook off the water from his hair and brushed the sand from his clothes.

“Damn, transmigrating is worse than motion sickness. At least I didn’t throw up! But…where am I?”

He looked around carefully. The shore was rocky, the sea surged, and he seemed to be on a massive island—a place that felt strangely familiar.

Yue Longze frowned, unable to recall exactly where he was. Yet, true to his easy-going nature, he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he decided to head inland. Soon, he found himself at the entrance of a vast cavern, curiosity propelling him inside.

The sensation of familiarity intensified. The air inside was heavy and oppressive, making his brow furrow even more deeply.

“I’ve come this far and still, it’s just ordinary rocks everywhere. Nothing strange or unusual. Where on earth is this place?” he mused, beginning to wonder if leaping into the unknown had been reckless. What if some terrifying creature appeared? He could easily lose his life.

As he ventured deeper, the oppressive atmosphere grew even heavier, putting him on high alert.

After a while, three enormous, grotesque stone statues appeared before him.

“No wonder I felt something familiar! This…this is R’lyeh Island from the world of Tiga!”

The three giant statues before him were none other than the evil Ultramen—Carmeara, Darramb, and Hudra—sealed thirty million years ago by Tiga.

Excitement and fear warred within Yue Longze. He was thrilled to have crossed into the Ultraman universe rather than some random fantasy world, yet terrified at the prospect of the three evil Ultramen suddenly reviving. As a mere human, he would stand no chance against them.

“Run! I must get out before they awaken!” The only thought in his mind was to escape. Having finally transmigrated, he had to use his knowledge of the plot to his advantage. Dying so soon would be far too pitiful. After all, life is precious—who would give it up willingly?

He sprinted madly across the rocky terrain, not stopping until he had run nearly a kilometer and reached the shore, gasping for breath as he gazed out at the surging sea, a wry smile on his lips.

But then, a troubling thought occurred to him: R’lyeh was surrounded by water. There was no way out.

“If only those three evil Ultramen don’t awaken…” He wore a mournful expression, praying with all his heart.

“R’lyeh only surfaced after Tiga defeated the evil god Gatanozoa. Does that mean this world is already at the final stage of the Tiga story…”

The salty wind cooled his thoughts, helping him analyze the situation. “Even if they don’t revive, there’s no fresh water or food here. I’ll die stranded on this island!”

He couldn’t help but feel cheated by this turn of events.

Suddenly, a beam of black light shot from Carmeara’s statue, crossing the distance and striking Yue Longze square in the chest.

He had seen the black light coming, but at such a distance, there was no way to dodge.

Mouth agape, he realized he felt nothing—no pain, no discomfort. Reaching to touch his chest, his expression grew strange, excitement swelling within him.

“This shape…this feeling…”

He pulled from the inside pocket of his shirt a strange, black, rod-like object—completely overcome with exhilaration.

The Black Spark Lens.

In the film “The Final Odyssey,” it was Carmeara who gave the powerless Daigu the Black Spark Lens, and now, inexplicably, it appeared in Yue Longze’s own hands.

“Can I become Ultraman Tiga?”

The black markings on the Spark Lens pulsed with an unnatural light. Yue Longze gripped it tightly, heart pounding, but his brow soon furrowed.

This was the Black Spark Lens. Even if he could transform, wouldn’t he risk being consumed by its dark power?

He hesitated.

He still believed he could transform. After all, the Black Spark Lens had appeared for a reason.

But what if, after transforming, he lost control—consumed by darkness, losing himself?

He didn’t want to destroy the world. He wanted to be a righteous Ultraman, standing against evil, protecting Earth.

“As long as there’s light in my heart, as long as I remain just, no darkness can corrupt me! How could a righteous man like me be overtaken by so-called darkness?”

With his right hand, he lifted the Black Spark Lens high.

“Tiga!”

A flash of black light, and a giant, clad in black, appeared within the giant cavern. Energy radiated from the chest armor, the timer’s blue glow illuminating the gloom.

“I… I really became Tiga!”

He looked down, marveling at the power of his new form.

After a moment’s pause, the dark Tiga soared out of R’lyeh.

High above the ocean, Yue Longze reveled in the joy of flight as Dark Tiga.

Back on R’lyeh, the three colossal statues had vanished from the cave.

“Carmeara, why did you give the Black Spark Lens to that boy?” asked a wiry man with a rooster-like crest.

“Hudra, you’re truly dense. Can’t you see the same genetic legacy in that boy as in us?” Darramb, the burly one, sneered.

“You mean… you want to use him to break our seal?” Hudra realized.

“Of course! It’s all that wretched Youlen’s fault, sealing us in this forsaken place!” Darramb growled.

“Enough. Quiet, both of you. Let’s see how long it takes for that boy to be consumed by darkness,” Carmeara said, arms folded.

In the eerie silence that followed, R’lyeh began to sink rapidly. Within moments, the entire island vanished from the surface of the Pacific without a trace.

Soaring above the sea, Yue Longze suddenly felt a surge of darkness emanating from his body.

“Ugh—ah!” he cried, clutching his head in agony as his body wavered beyond his control. A destructive urge welled up—to annihilate everything.

Yue Longze struggled, unwilling to yield. He refused to be overtaken by darkness, refused to be feared and hated.

But at this moment, his resistance seemed hopeless.