Xia Yan, who had just splatted onto the floor again, lay there staring blankly at the ceiling, utterly defeated.
His face was a picture of existential crisis.
Why?
Where's the 'power of will' I was promised!?
Why is the gap between Ultraman and Ultraman just like the gap between humans and humans!
Damn it, why does this rule still hold true even after changing worlds?
After just a few practice runs, Gen could jump and spin in mid-air without any help.
But for him, Xia Yan, it had been over a dozen tries already!
The pain from various parts of his body made him clearly understand one must know one's limits.
It was just like math problems. Even if you angrily ate the formula, you still couldn't solve it.
Seeing Xia Yan lying motionless, Gen thought he might be hurt and hurried over to check.
Seeing him just lying there with eyes open, panting, Gen relaxed.
Although Xia Yan's face was covered in dust, the dejected expression was still visible.
Thinking about the situation, Gen tried to comfort him: "Um, Xia Yan-san, maybe we should try a few more times."
"Perhaps after more practice, you'll slowly get the hang of the Spinning Kick."
Gen himself wasn't very confident in these words. After all, Xia Yan seemed unable to learn it. He also couldn't understand why; the Spinning Kick was so simple.
But Gen was honest and憨厚, not one for sarcastic remarks. His face always showed genuine encouragement.
Hearing this, Xia Yan rolled his eyes. This is the third time you've said that. Do I look like I still believe it?
Thinking carefully, this guy Gen's talent in martial arts was downright monstrous.
Trying to compete with him in this area was like耍大刀 in front of Guan Gong.
So, with the idea of虚心求教, Xia Yan, still lying down, turned to look at Gen and asked:
"You must have figured out the trick, right? Tell me so I can参考一下."
"There isn't really a trick. You just do this first, then that, and you can master it." Gen scratched his head awkwardly.
Xia Yan immediately fell silent upon hearing this.
Listen to that! Just listen to what you're saying!
Dismissing his last shred of hope, Xia Yan suddenly sat up straight, staring intently at Gen.
Gen, the gap between people is like the universe at one's fingertips. In this brief moment, I've realized:
The more someone strives to improve, the more they fail under the light of genius. And if one wants to surpass and change all this...
As for me... I'll stop being 'human'!
Stared at so intensely, Gen felt a bit uncomfortable and asked in confusion: "What is it, Xia Yan-san?"
Without a word, Xia Yan just smiled. Raising his hand slightly, his transformation device appeared in his grasp.
Immediately, the earlier recording played back, loudly and clearly.
Gen's entire body stiffened.
The smile on Xia Yan's face now looked downright demonic. He chuckled and said: "I need your help now. You wouldn't want Hiko to know about this, would you?"
"..."
Gen took a deep breath. His fist involuntarily clenched.
He really wanted to punch that face right now, but he forced a strained smile: "What... what is it, Xia Yan-san? Tell me!"
Hearing this, Xia Yan didn't hold back. He immediately grabbed Gen's arm tightly, afraid he might run off later.
His expression was full of earnestness, while his other hand slapped his own chest firmly. His tone was郑重其事:
"Don't worry, I guarantee you, that recording will never get out."
Gen coughed twice, looking at Xia Yan with幽怨 eyes. You're slapping MY chest! I'm not reassured!
Just then, Xia Yan continued: "What's our relationship? We're brothers who fought side-by-side! I'll definitely keep this secret for you for life!"
"I thank you so much!" Gen's words were anything but sincere, his face looking constipated.
"Don't mention it!"
Saying this with an air of magnanimity, Xia Yan immediately activated his ability!
At this moment, Gen felt the recording absolutely must be deleted and was about to make that demand:
"Xia Yan-san, just delete the rec—Hiss!"
Before he could finish, Gen suddenly sucked in a sharp breath, his entire body trembling.
The light energy within him was rapidly draining out through his arm. Gen looked at Xia Yan in骇然.
He tried to break free but felt utterly weak and powerless. His mouth哆哆嗦嗦 as he shouted:
"You, you, you! L-let g-go!!"
Xia Yan turned a deaf ear to Gen's yells, just absorbing the light energy relentlessly.
Seeing the惊恐 look on Gen's face, and feeling a tiny twinge of愧疚, Xia Yan spoke in a温声宽慰 tone:
"The first time is always a bit nerve-wracking. Don't worry, it's my first time too. You'll get used to it after a few more times."
Hearing this, Gen's eyes widened. He wanted to curse but was trembling so much his mouth couldn't form coherent words.
Is that the problem here!? And you're already thinking about next time!?
It's gone! It's really almost all gone!
Feeling his body being rapidly drained, already becomingボロボロだ (broken down), Gen, seeing Xia Yan completely unmoved and still gripping his arm tightly, had no choice but to compromise.
Even with his mouth哆哆嗦嗦 non-stop, he still奋力 shouted:
"The rec-recording!! D-delete it!!!"
Gen's eyes were now wide as铜铃. There won't be a next time. Absolutely not!
However, Xia Yan cupped a hand to his ear, pretending to listen.
Putting on an expression of not having heard clearly, he leaned closer to Gen and大声 responded:
"What did you say?—'Keep the recording safe'?—We're brothers who fought side-by-side!—I'll definitely keep it safe for you! Don't worry!"
As for those shouts about deletion, Xia Yan indicated he had never heard them.
Xia Yan looked back at Gen with utmost诚恳, an expression of 'leave it to me' on his face.
A fly's meat is still meat. Besides, Gen's high-quality light energy could replenish itself after being absorbed.
This secret... as long as Gen hadn't mustered the决心 to clarify his relationship with Hiko, Xia Yan wasn't letting go.
Having finished absorbing the light energy and feeling the充实 power within him, Xia Yan finally released Gen.
In stark contrast to Gen's虚弱 and pale face, Xia Yan now looked radiant and energetic.
Feeling a bit不好意思, he spoke with a hint of愧疚:
"Ah, sorry, sorry! First time, no experience. I'll be more careful next time!"
Hearing this, Gen's eyes practically turned red with anger. Don't you dare think about a next time!
Unfortunately, while his body was no longer trembling, he was彻底ボロボロだ.
He wanted to kick Xia Yan right then, but his body was utterly空っぽ of energy.
He had no strength left. In fact, his head lolled back, and he started falling to the ground.
"Xia Yan, you damn..."
Before he could finish cursing, Gen, from sheer over-exertion, rolled his eyes and passed out on the spot.