Chapter 4: Mutual Pursuit
The silver giant plummeted from the sky.
Shunichi Maki wanted to keep fighting, but Next refused.
Boom—
A human-shaped crater was smashed into the ground, the surrounding buildings shook, and earth and stones flew everywhere!
Next was embedded in the ground, the energy timer on his chest flickered twice before going out, leaving a dull grayness.
The Primordial Bio-Beast flapped its wings, landing to stir up a violent storm.
Its massive foot suddenly lifted and stomped down hard on Next’s chest. “You obstacle! This is the price for opposing me!”
As it spoke, it ground its foot down even harder, and its tail lashed twice for good measure!
“Hahahaha—”
Seeing that Next was unresponsive, the Primordial Bio-Beast grew even more arrogant, laughing with the triumph of a petty villain.
And then, it made the mistake all villains in Ultraman do.
It didn’t finish the job.
Its appetite for destruction rising, convinced that Next was finished, it turned its gaze to the crowd.
“Tremble in terror! Despair!”
A hoarse, wild laugh rang out as energy gathered at its maw, and it unleashed a hyper fire blast at the surrounding buildings!
Boom! Boom!
Human skyscrapers crumbled like sand.
Explosions and fire raged everywhere, the ruins ablaze as far as the eye could see.
People screamed in terror as they fled for their lives. The Primordial Bio-Beast reveled in their despair.
It strode toward the fleeing masses, savoring humanity’s hopelessness.
In the distance.
Joe Zeph watched the scene unfold, eyes wide.
“What? Next lost to the Primordial Bio-Beast? How could I be having a dream like this?”
He blinked hard, unable to control himself, but the scene remained unchanged.
Damn! This isn’t a dream!
Just as dread washed over his face, he suddenly felt faint, and the world shifted before his eyes!
Joe Zeph’s consciousness entered a subspace, filled with streaming light.
Time moved differently here—an hour in this place was but a second in reality.
A bird-shaped Y-core of energy appeared, photon lines like meridians outlining the immense body of a giant.
“Young man, I need your help.”
Next looked down at Joe Zeph, stating his intent plainly.
As for why he didn’t reveal their connection—it wasn’t the right time. Besides, he didn’t know this child; claiming kin now would be too abrupt.
A moment’s confusion, and Joe Zeph understood what was happening.
Hearing Next’s words, he instantly understood the meaning.
So that’s it—he wants my body!
Perhaps during the earlier rescue, Next realized he wasn’t an ordinary person.
But he hadn’t expected such a windfall to fall from the sky.
The body of an Ultra delivered right to him—of course he wouldn’t refuse!
Next coveted Joe Zeph’s body, but Joe Zeph certainly longed for Next’s as well.
A meeting of mutual desire.
He looked up at Next, asking directly, “All right! What do I need to do to help you?”
Next nodded inwardly, gaining more approval for Joe Zeph.
Truly a kind heart.
But… why is there such a burning look in his eyes?
The situation was urgent; though Next found it odd, he didn’t dwell on it. Once he finished his instructions, the subspace vanished.
As Joe Zeph returned to reality, he felt his sleeve being tugged hard.
“Big brother!” The little girl in the red plaid dress called out, her face full of fear, “Let’s run!”
Her mother, equally terrified, clung to Joe Zeph’s arm, seeking some sense of safety.
All around, the crowd screamed and fled.
Joe Zeph patted the girl’s head, lifted her, and placed her in her mother’s arms. “You two run—I have something important to do.”
He looked toward the Primordial Bio-Beast, which was facing away, swinging its claws to demolish buildings and spark explosions.
Wherever it passed, skyscrapers collapsed, leaving a wasteland of burning ruin.
The woman, clutching her daughter, followed Joe Zeph’s gaze.
She guessed what he intended, and pleaded, “Don’t be reckless. That’s not a monster we can handle. Run!”
She tried to grab his arm to pull him along.
But she grasped only air.
Joe Zeph had already turned, his body beginning to radiate with light as he strode toward the Primordial Bio-Beast.
Perhaps he spoke to the woman, or perhaps to himself; his voice was steady and resolute.
“If you always hide from fear, the world will only grow smaller.”
He’d had reason to retreat before, but now the chance was here—there would be no running.
The little girl, perhaps guessing what was to come, shouted after him, “Big brother—what’s your name—”
The woman’s gaze clung to Joe Zeph’s back. Perhaps she’d never have the chance to thank him, but at least she wanted to know his name.
Without turning, Joe Zeph paused for a moment.
“Joe Zeph Joestar.”
As the words fell, the power of the Ripple exploded, and his figure vanished instantly.
“Jo… Jo…” the little girl murmured, unconsciously pronouncing it in Roman letters.
Watching him disappear, the woman realized at last that he might not be an ordinary man. Hugging her daughter tightly, she prayed for Joe Zeph in her heart.
Meanwhile—
The Primordial Bio-Beast rampaged unchecked, savoring the despair of humanity.
The defense forces were nowhere to be seen; not even a single jet fighter appeared.
Boom! Boom!
More skyscrapers toppled.
The flames from the explosions made the Primordial Bio-Beast seem a true demon from the depths of hell.
“Perish! Hahaha! Let all that belongs to humanity be destroyed!”
Just as it laughed in triumph, a stone suddenly struck its head.
“Huh?”
The stone fell to the ground and rolled away, the beast’s laughter cut short.
This was clearly a deliberate attack.
The stinging itch on its head made the Primordial Bio-Beast furious.
Who? Who dares defy me?
Its senses expanded instantly, searching the surroundings, determined to find the challenger.
But in the next moment, it turned in shock to look at Next’s motionless body: “What?!”
Upon Next’s chest stood Joe Zeph, his body blazing with light!
It was he who had thrown the stone.
Then, Joe Zeph instantly became a sphere of light, merging directly into Next’s Y-shaped energy core!
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
A heartbeat echoed, deep and powerful!
“Damn it!” Seeing this, the Primordial Bio-Beast immediately fired a hyper fire blast!
The blue energy shot forward, trailing flames, but just as it was about to strike Next, a dazzling light exploded forth!
The sudden surge of energy deflected the attack, and that intense radiance quickly coalesced into the towering form of the giant!
At this sight, the Primordial Bio-Beast’s pupils contracted; its whole body froze, heart skipping a beat.
Next: I was waiting for a worthy host. What were you waiting for?