"Wait," Jacob called out. The other four trainers, who had just been about to take off on their Flying-type Pokémon, suddenly froze. In the distance, a golden lightning bolt carved a 'Z' shape across the sky before shooting toward the clouds.
The brilliant electric glow cut through the darkness like a miniature sun, illuminating the pitch-black night with dazzling intensity.
"What is that?" The sudden spectacle caught everyone's attention, but the lightning moved too quickly. Its true form remained impossible to discern, and within moments, it vanished into the dark storm clouds above.
The thunderclouds absorbed the golden light, which then spread outward like a spiderweb. The electricity branched in all directions, painting the entire sky in brilliant gold.
Behind the lightning, a blood-red figure followed closely, soaring into the darkened sky.
A Salamence hovered in the air with a man standing on its back.
His disheveled golden hair hung down on both sides of his face. A golden Yamask covered his features, and his arms were crossed over his chest as he looked down at the survivors struggling in the ocean below. His posture resembled that of a god passing judgment.
"Andrew!" Priest-3's distinctive metallic voice rang out. His hoarse, low tone carried the steady presence of someone accustomed to authority.
Hearing this voice, the struggling survivors in the water looked up toward Priest-3 in the sky. However, as the golden light within the clouds grew increasingly intense, they had to shield their eyes from the blinding glare.
"I know you're down there in the water," Priest-3's voice echoed again, resonating like thunder across the ocean. "I don't have time to play hide-and-seek with you."
In his eyes, these survivors struggling in the sea were no different from insects. "Andrew, I'll give you ten seconds to think it over. Show yourself now, and things will go easier for everyone."
"If you don't, they'll all die because of you." Priest-3's words exploded like a thunderclap among the crowd, but he showed no trace of concern.
At his level of strength, only his own morality and emotional connections could restrain him. Laws and rules meant nothing—they had no power to hold him back.
Even if he killed every survivor in the water, who could stop him? Who would dare?
Society's rules and laws have always existed to control the weak. In the face of absolute power, those so-called rules and regulations become meaningless jokes.
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
The countdown continued without mercy, and the thunderclouds overhead grew brighter with each passing second.
No one doubted Priest-3's intentions. When the countdown reached zero, that lightning would strike without hesitation.
Jacob heard Priest-3's words and his gaze fell upon the dense crowd of survivors in the ocean. His brows furrowed deeply.
At least a thousand people were struggling in the water. If that lightning struck, half of them would die—maybe more.
As for Andrew, he remained hidden like a Squirtle retreating into its shell. He stayed motionless somewhere in the ocean, clearly determined not to reveal himself, even if it meant dragging all these survivors down with him.
A sudden chime echoed in Jacob's mind.
"Ding… Task triggered: Savior."
Savior: Save as many tourists as possible. Rewards will be based on the number of people saved. The more tourists rescued, the better the reward. Guaranteed reward: Upgrade Ditto Mask quality to Heavenly King-level.
Note: Leaving now will result in no rewards.
The unexpected task made Jacob's frown deepen. He had been hesitating about what to do, but now his decision crystallized.
He had to save them. There was no other choice.
"You all go ahead," Jacob said, turning to Raya beside him. "Don't worry about me."
"What are you planning?" Raya's voice turned cold, her tone serious. Being as perceptive as she was, she immediately understood his intentions. "Their lives aren't your responsibility. You don't need to risk yourself for them."
Raya spoke firmly. Her long experience in positions of authority had taught her to make calculated decisions. In her judgment, the lives of these thousand-plus survivors didn't outweigh Jacob's safety.
"I understand," Jacob acknowledged her concern with a nod. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. If things get dangerous, I'll leave immediately. Just go now—don't distract me."
"You..." Raya wanted to argue further, but Jacob had already commanded his Noivern and was flying toward the ocean.
"Trust me. Don't make me worry about you too."
The distance closed rapidly.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
The countdown ended. Priest-3's expression remained indifferent as he gazed down at the survivors in the ocean. "Since that's how it is, you'll all die with Andrew."
"Don't blame me. Blame Andrew, the coward who dragged you into this."
Golden electrical arcs flashed and crackled, like thunder dragons writhing through the dark clouds. Finally, several massive bolts of golden lightning descended from the sky, streaking toward the ocean surface.
But at that exact moment, a clear, melodious song rang out across the water. A huge azure figure emerged from beneath the waves, stirring up a massive surge. The creature used its enormous body to position itself between the lightning and the survivors.
"Max Guard!"
A colossal barrier expanded across the sky, forming an inverted bowl that covered the entire area. It enveloped all the survivors on the ocean surface, shielding them from the lightning assault.
Every bolt of lightning crashed against the Max Guard and dispersed harmlessly.
Only then did Jacob, standing on the back of his Gigantamax Lapras, get a clear look at the Pokémon releasing the lightning.
"Regieleki!"
The Electric-type Legendary Golem, Regieleki—also known as the fastest Pokémon in existence.
In competitive battles, Regieleki's base Speed stat reached an incredible 200 points.
That was a full twenty points higher than Deoxys in its Speed Forme, which ranked second.
It was forty points faster than Ninjask, which held third place.
The gap was enormous. As the fastest Pokémon among all known species, Regieleki's power was undeniable.
Its absolute priority in battle allowed it to overwhelm weaker opponents instantly. Against stronger foes, it could set up Light Screen and Reflect to support its team strategically.
If it encountered a truly dangerous opponent, it could even use Explosion as a last resort.
The tactically versatile Regieleki was just as formidable in reality as it was in competitive battles. Its extreme speed made it somewhat comparable to certain legendary speedsters—a living bolt of lightning with strategic intelligence.
That dazzling golden-yellow radiance made the comparison even more fitting.
While Jacob observed Regieleki, Priest-3 was frowning, his attention fixed on Jacob and the massive Gigantamax Lapras below him.
A Lapras? But this was unlike any Lapras he'd ever encountered.
Such an enormous size, with a shell resembling an entire cruise ship, and those bands of ice spiraling around its body—was this truly a Lapras?
Priest-3's gaze shifted to Jacob's face, but Jacob had already donned his Ditto Mask. On top of that, he wore another mask, completely concealing his features.
The double layer of protection ensured that no one could identify him.
"Is that really a Lapras?"
"Look at the size of it—it's massive, like an entire cruise ship!"
"Everyone, look! There's someone standing on that Lapras's back!"
The survivors floating in the water had believed their final moments had arrived. But what came before the lightning was something else entirely—a massive wave.
The Gigantamax Lapras emerging from the ocean created a surge that tossed them about violently in the water.
When they finally recovered and got their bearings, they realized the deadly lightning had been completely blocked by the enormous Lapras.
Looking up at the Gigantamax Lapras, which truly was as large as a cruise ship, an overwhelming sense of security filled everyone's hearts. For the first time since the disaster began, they felt safe.