sbdcsierra Chapter 106 Old Tang's Mysterious Gift
Chapter 106 Old Tang's Mysterious Gift
(Thanks to the great masters Bei Hanzong of Dongshe Plain and Xue Shaozhu who likes creeping stems for their certification. I hope that one day I can clear up all the extra chapters I owe...)
Jinghai City, the Tang family.
"Hululuuluulu..."
To someone who doesn't know, it sounds like a wild boar roaring...
For Lao Tang, who had just experienced another "online carnival," received a top 100 award for Light Chaser Animation, and provided off-site commentary throughout, there was only one thing he could do on such a cloudy day—catch up on sleep like a machine crashing.
His sleeping posture was just a bit too strange...
Closer to home.
In the week since the final episode of "Ultraman Tiga" aired, Lao Tang felt more tired than the donkeys in the production team.
As the universally recognized "number one fan of Ultraman Tiga" and the "propagator of light" personally certified by that "old thief" Gu Nan, Lao Tang's private messages and comment section have been bombarded to ruins these past few days.
Countless people who didn't understand the metaphor in the finale, cried their eyes out seeking comfort, or even wanted to send Gu Nan razor blades to ask for his address, all flocked to his account.
To appease these "heartbroken" fans, Lao Tang held three consecutive six-hour live streams, explaining the details of the last three episodes frame by frame several times, until his throat was almost hoarse.
[Remember the fastest online novel website: 202ᴋᴋs.ᴄᴏᴍ]
He finally managed to get through the heat a little, and as soon as he turned off his phone, his head hit the pillow.
In my dreams, it's all about Ultraman Tiga. I dream that I've turned into light and become Ultraman Tiga, beating up Gatanothor. Then, a sudden and inconsiderate phone call rang out like a death knell.
"Who is it...so early in the morning...what's all the noise about!"
Old Tang closed his eyes, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, and his hand groped haphazardly on the bedside table.
I reached for my phone and swiped it open.
Old Tang, still grumpy from being woken up, roared, "Who is it? Speak if you have something to say, otherwise leave the court!"
He thought to himself, "If it's not for the Earth exploding or Gu Nan announcing the filming of Ultraman Tiga Season 3, you'd better hang up right now!"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by the SF Express deliveryman's voice: "Uh... Mr. Tang, right? You have an express delivery package. The sender paid for VIP service, which requires you to sign for it in person. I've been knocking on your door for ages."
"express delivery?"
Old Tang struggled to open one eye, his mind a complete blank: "I didn't buy anything... I haven't taken on any promotions lately, it shouldn't be a sample!"
"Mr. Tang, the sender information shows that it is... Chasing Light Pictures."
The young man added a sentence.
Chasing light movies? ! !
These four words were like a shot of highly concentrated adrenaline, instantly injected into Lao Tang's veins.
"Holy crap?!"
Old Tang sprang out of bed with a jolt, his drowsiness and morning grumpiness instantly vanishing in the face of the prestigious "Chasing Light Pictures" brand.
Did that old scoundrel Gu send me something?
Could it be a bomb?
That can't be...
Although I teased him quite a bit during the live stream.
"Wait! I'm coming right now! Don't go anywhere!"
Old Tang hastily threw on a pair of shorts and rushed towards the gate.
……
In the living room, Old Tang looked at the square box on the coffee table, which was tightly wrapped in black shockproof film, and his expression became somewhat solemn.
The shipping label neatly lists the sender's address: Chasing Light Film Studio, Jinghai City.
"Hiss... This weight is quite heavy."
Old Tang weighed it in his hand; it was heavy, at least three or four pounds.
He went to the kitchen, got a pair of scissors, and carefully cut open the tape, moving gently as if afraid of damaging what was inside.
As the shock-absorbing membrane peels off layer by layer, a matte black, high-quality hard gift box is revealed.
On the front of the gift box, a line of large characters is embossed in gold foil—
Dedicated to those who have achieved greatness
Below the title is a striking glow stick logo composed of red, blue, and silver, along with a line of smaller text:
Ultraman Tiga: Finale Commemorative Edition - Official Setting Book and Bonus Novel (ID: NO.0001)
"Holy crap..."
When he saw the number "0001", Old Tang couldn't help but swear, and his hand even trembled.
Who is he?
He's Lao Tang, the sharp-tongued critic who's seen countless films and rants all over the internet!
What kind of big scene haven't I seen?
What limited edition merchandise haven't I bought?
But at this moment, looking at that "0001", Old Tang felt a surge of electricity rush from his tailbone to the top of his head, and his scalp tingled!
What does this mean?
This means that this is the first and only supreme honor in the entire universe, personally presented by Gu Nan!
"Hakigu...you bastard..."
Old Tang's eyes welled up, but his lips curled into a wild, uncontrollable smile. "You've got some conscience after all. All those free GGs I gave you this past year weren't for nothing!"
He took a deep breath to calm his excitement and slowly opened the magnetic lid of the gift box.
The first thing that catches the eye is a black and gold card.
Old Tang picked up the card, on which was Gu Nan's own handwriting, written in a vigorous and elegant style:
Old Tang:
Thank you for believing in the light from the very beginning. This gift is a small token of appreciation from Light Chaser Animation to the "Number One Successor of Light." Some things in the book are regrettable aspects that couldn't be shown in the TV series, and they represent only the tip of the iceberg of this worldview. We hope you enjoy it.
—Gu Nan
"Just the tip of the iceberg?"
Old Tang keenly caught those words, and his professional sensitivity made him realize instantly that the box probably contained more than just a few posters.
He put down the card and his gaze fell on the main body inside the box.
It was a thick, hardcover book of four or five hundred pages, with a leather cover that felt wonderful to the touch.
The cover art isn't a still from the Ultraman Tiga movie, but rather a never-before-seen hand-painted oil painting—
The background of the scene is a desolate and magnificent ancient ruin, with the shadows of three black giants shrouding the earth. At the foreground, a radiant figure slowly turns its head, its eyes filled with both divinity and a trace of compassion.
Old Tang swallowed hard and turned to the first page.
For the next three hours, Old Tang seemed to be petrified, sitting motionless on the sofa.
The sunlight outside the window shifted from midday to sunset, casting golden rays upon him, but he remained completely unaware.
He didn't even have time to drink a sip of water, completely immersed in the grand, mysterious, and even somewhat cruel world constructed by the pages of the book.
The book's detailed content and rigorous setting completely exceeded Lao Tang's cognitive boundaries.
If the 52-episode TV series "Ultraman Tiga" is a sumptuous feast, then this book lays bare the cooking techniques, ingredient sources, and even the chef's mental journey behind that feast for you.
And there's even more shocking news!
Old Tang turned the pages one by one...
"I see... I see!"
Old Tang slapped his thigh suddenly, the sound echoing jarringly in the empty living room: "I knew it! I knew Daigo joining the team wouldn't be that easy!"
He had just read the detailed files in the book about the selection of the GUTS members.
In the TV series, Daigo's joining the team was always vague. Only some flashbacks in the episode about the Southern Strait gave people a general idea, but Light Chaser Animation did not provide any specific explanation.
Surely it couldn't really be through back channels, could it?
However, in this official novel, Gu Nan filled in all the details: Daigo's background, his performance in the transportation department, and why Director Sawai chose him against all odds...
It turns out that this kid got in because of Sawai, he retaken the GUTS entry requirements and got a perfect score!
Goodness, this kid has it all – talent, hard work, and opportunity!
Every word made the somewhat simple-minded Da Gu on the screen more vivid and relatable.
"And Lina... Liu Lina?"
Old Tang stared wide-eyed as he read the description of Lina's background in the book.
So, Lina's background in this world actually involves such complicated family circumstances?
No wonder she reacted so strongly when facing that monster...
Old Tang became increasingly alarmed as he looked at it.
This book is not just a retelling of the plot; it's practically building a living parallel universe!
From detailed cross-sectional diagrams, engine parameters, and weapon mounting principles of each GUTS fighter jet, to the geographical environment analysis of the monsters' appearances, and even the political infighting within TPC, the Earth Peace Alliance...
That pervert Gu Nan actually set up all these things that didn't need to be shown in the show!
"Is this some kind of setting guide?"
Old Tang couldn't help but complain, "This workload is like an epic sci-fi masterpiece!"
From this perspective, excluding superhuman beings like Ultraman and monsters, this is actually a very rigorous science fiction story!
However, what truly sent chills down Old Tang's spine was the second half of the book.
That part was marked as—【Ancient Era: The Sealed Darkness】.
When Old Tang read about the truth from 30 million years ago and the description of "Dark Tiga," he was completely dumbfounded.
"Holy crap... Tiga was a Dark Giant before?!"
"This...this plot is way too explosive! If this were filmed, wouldn't it burn out the audience's CPUs?"
Old Tang's hands were trembling as he held the book.
He finally understood what Gu Nan meant by "the tip of the iceberg" in the card.
So, after watching "Ultraman Tiga" for half a year, all we've seen is the story after Tiga "abandons darkness and embraces light"?
Before he turned into light, he had such a magnificent past?
"That old scoundrel Gu, that old scoundrel Gu..."
Old Tang closed the book, let out a long sigh, and stared at the ceiling with a complicated expression. "You're fishing! You've cast a super-huge hook that's caught all of our souls!"
Although Gu Nan has stated publicly that there are no plans to film a sequel for the time being, the contents of this book are clearly a complete script outline!
"No, I can't be the only one who enjoys this."
Old Tang suddenly stood up, his previous fatigue vanished, replaced by an excitement of having mastered "core secrets".
Moreover, that old scoundrel Gu hadn't told me to keep this a secret.
I imagine Light Chaser Animation will be making an announcement soon!
I'm a test server player!
As the number one Ultraman Tiga fan on the entire internet, having obtained the official art book numbered 0001, it would be an absolute injustice if I didn't post a video to show off!
"Get to work, get to work!"
Old Tang rushed into the bathroom, splashed his face with cold water, and then skillfully grabbed hair wax, meticulously refining his messy, bird's nest-like hairstyle.
After putting on the custom-made T-shirt that read "Believe in the Light," Lao Tang strode into his live-streaming studio.
Skillfully, he turned on the fill light, adjusted the camera angle, and placed the black and gold gift box in the most conspicuous position on the table.
"Cough cough."
Old Tang cleared his throat, flashed that smug and triumphant smile at the camera, and pressed the record button.
"Hey everyone, it's your old friend, and the only officially certified 'Ambassador of Light' on the entire internet, Lao Tang!"
"I know many of you are still reeling from the finale, watching it two or three times, and crying your eyes out online for Daigo's last glance."
"but!"
Old Tang suddenly raised his voice and slammed his hand on the table.
"Today, Old Tang isn't going to talk about the plot or any sentimentality. Today, Old Tang is simply here to—show off!"
As he spoke, he held up the thick book "To Those Who Have Glorious Achievements" with both hands as if it were the Imperial Seal of the State, and slowly brought it closer to the camera.
"Did you see that clearly, brothers?"
"Look at the texture, look at the gold foil stamping, and look at the bottom right corner..."
Old Tang deliberately pointed his finger at "NO.0001".
"Number 0001! The very first one in the entire universe! Directed by Gu Nan himself—the official ultimate art book for Ultraman Tiga!"
"Even the employees in Gu Nan's studio got numbers starting from 0002! What does that mean? It means that in Director Gu's heart, I, Old Tang, am the number one contributor to Ultraman Tiga! Hahahaha!"
Old Tang's infectious laughter echoed in the recording studio.
This is only because it's a pre-recorded broadcast. If it were a live broadcast, the chat would be flooded with "???" and "I've never seen such a shameless person."
After showing off his number, Old Tang's smile faded, and his expression became mysterious.
"Of course, Old Tang isn't that kind of superficial person. The main point of this video isn't to make you drool... although that's one of the purposes, but the main point is..."
He opened the book, but he was cunning enough not to show the actual text to the camera; he only let the audience glimpse the dense layout and exquisite illustrations.
"Brothers, do you think you understand Ultraman Tiga? Do you think 52 episodes is all there is?"
"Wrong! Utterly wrong!"
"This book contains the true secrets about the Ultraman Tiga world hidden in the mind of that genius Gu Nan!"
"For example, how was Daigo chosen? How did the GUTS team develop their tech tree? And... the most exciting part..."
Old Tang lowered his voice and leaned forward, creating an atmosphere of telling a ghost story.
"Do you know what happened in the ancient times thirty million years ago? Do you know that before Tiga became the Giant of Light... he was actually a Dark Giant?"
At this point, Lao Tang deliberately paused, as if he could see the jaws of countless viewers in front of the screen dropping to the ground.
Old Tang slammed the book shut, a smug grin spreading across his face.
"Hehe, I'm not telling you."
"Unless... this video gets over 1 million likes and over 200,000 coins! I, Old Tang, will have to work overtime and make a super long, in-depth 'Exclusive Analysis of the Official Ultraman Tiga Novel' for you guys!"
"Remember, this is an exclusive online event! You won't see it anywhere else! If you want to hear the story, hand over your coins!"
……
Recording complete.
Old Tang watched the replay and was very satisfied with his smug expression.
The video editing is quick, since it doesn't need too many special effects. The main selling point of these unboxing videos is "authenticity" and "attracting envy".
Half an hour later, the video was uploaded to Bilibili.
The title is simple and direct: "[First Release on the Entire Internet] Gu Nan gave me the first official Tiga art book! It actually contains Tiga's dark history?!"
It was dinnertime, which is also the peak time for Bilibili's traffic.
With the added effect of the keywords "Tiga" and "Old Tang", the video's views skyrocketed as soon as it was released.
In just ten minutes, the number of comments had already exceeded one thousand.
【？？？？？】
[Holy crap! Number 0001? Old Tang, didn't you take a bullet for Gu Nan?]
[I'm so envious! This book looks so exquisite! Where can I buy it? Where's the link? Please post the link!]
[Although Old Tang is really annoying, I still want to ask... Tiga is a Dark Giant? What kind of international joke is this?]
[Ex-girlfriend? What the heck? Is Da Gu a womanizer?]
[I don't care about any dark history, I just want to know where to buy this book! I can't find it on the official Light Chaser Pictures store!]
[You old scoundrel Gu! You're biased! Why only give it to Old Tang! I want it too!]
[Don't even think about the earlier ones. Old Tang started hyping it up from the very first episode, and he single-handedly made Tiga a mainstream phenomenon. He deserves this treatment.]
[Waaaaah, even though jealousy has distorted me beyond recognition, I still retaliated with a triple punch! Hurry up, Tang! I want to hear the story from 30 million years ago!]
Is this the true value of official endorsement? Old Tang's performance here is truly impressive.
Looking at the constantly fluctuating numbers in the background and those sour comments, Lao Tang leaned back in his gaming chair and happily took a sip of his already flat soda.
"Cool!"
This feeling of having access to core information sources and being urged to update by millions of people is even more refreshing than drinking iced watermelon juice on a sweltering summer day.
However, after enjoying himself, Old Tang looked at the thick book on the table and his expression became serious again.
As a seasoned film critic, he sees further than the average viewer.
"If these settings are true... then Gu Nan's ambition is probably even greater than I imagined."
Old Tang muttered to himself, "This isn't just a tokusatsu drama, it's the 'New Ultra Universe' of Chinese tokusatsu."
Most directors, after making a hit film, will either rely on their past success or rush to make a sequel to cash in.
But Gu Nan is different.
With this incredibly detailed setting book, he tells everyone that the world of Ultraman Tiga is complete, logically consistent, and can withstand scrutiny.
This kind of rigorous attitude is the most terrifying thing.
"Looks like I won't be getting any rest for the next few days."
Old Tang gave a wry smile, but his eyes gleamed with excitement.
He picked up a pen, took out a brand new notebook, and began to take notes in the book.
"Now that we've got number 0001, we have to deliver a performance worthy of number 0001. This analysis video has to be absolutely phenomenal; we can't let that old scoundrel Gu down, and we can't let our 'Successors of Light' down either!"
Under the lamplight, Old Tang's shadow was stretched long as he hunched over his desk, writing furiously.
On the internet, because of this mysterious setting book, discussions about "Dark Tiga" and "30 million years ago" are spreading like wildfire across various forums.
The tokusatsu (special effects) community, which had been somewhat quiet due to the series' conclusion, is now buzzing with excitement once again!