Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Zorua, The Overlord of Phantoms

"Bear with it—it'll hurt a little.""DEAF!""Gently, gently—it hurts! It hurts!"In the heart of Lostlorn Forest, Shu Wan carefully applied a Potion to Renjiro's wounded back. The battle they had endured had left their Pokémon battered, but Renjiro had taken the worst of it.Aside from the Pokémon, he was the most seriously injured."Okay, once we get back to Shuangyang City, we need to visit the hospital for a thorough check-up," Shu Wan said, capping the Potion bottle and putting it back in her backpack."No need. This stuff is effective," Renjiro replied with a small wave of his hand as he put his tattered clothes back on. "I'll be as good as new by tomorrow."After a previous experiment, Renjiro discovered that the Pokémon Potion worked remarkably well on humans too. The healing was rapid, almost magical. For injuries like his, one night was enough for recovery."No way! We're going to the hospital—no arguments!" Shu Wan stood up, hands planted firmly on her hips, pouting stubbornly."It's my fault you got hurt. If I were stronger, you wouldn't be in this state," she added, her voice softening as she looked down guiltily.Renjiro smiled gently and ruffled her hair. "What are you even saying? This isn't your fault. She came for me, remember? And besides, Pikachu helped out more than enough."He never blamed Shu Wan. For someone her age, her performance in that crisis had been admirable."I'll get stronger. I promise!" Shu Wan clenched her fists, determination flashing in her eyes. She would no longer hold anyone back.Suddenly, Renjiro's brows furrowed. "By the way, where's Houndour? Why hasn't he returned yet?"He turned to glance into the forest's shadowy depths. It had been quite a while—too long."I hope Stantler didn't get lost," Shu Wan guessed from the side."Could be." Renjiro nodded. "Let's go find them. They shouldn't be too far."He climbed onto Bangiras's back, and the massive Pokémon began making its way through the forest.The Stantler in Lostlorn Forest were notoriously hostile, not just to humans but also to any foreign Pokémon. It was very possible that Houndour had been attacked while navigating their territory.If it had been any other wild Pokémon, Renjiro wouldn't have cared much. But this Houndour was different. It was special—enhanced, in fact—and full of untapped potential.Just then, a loud barking echoed through the forest. "Woof! Woof!"Renjiro's eyes sharpened as he looked in the direction of the sound. Sure enough, it was Houndour. But something unexpected caught his eye—a small black wolf cub trotting alongside it."Zorua?" Renjiro's voice rose in surprise.He was certain that Zorua wasn't native to Lostlorn Forest. So how did one end up here?"Houndour, what happened?" Renjiro dismounted from Bangiras and knelt beside his loyal partner."Woof! Woof! Woof!" (Friend! Friend!) Houndour barked enthusiastically as it circled him.Renjiro listened carefully to its explanation.Apparently, while Houndour was scouting ahead, it had spotted what looked like Renjiro behind it. Ecstatic, it had run over—only for "Renjiro" to dissolve into laughter and transform into this little Zorua. The two had "played" for a while and eventually became friends.Renjiro chuckled. "As expected of Zorua, the master of illusions—even fooled Houndour."Zorua's transformation ability differed from most Pokémon. Not only could it take on another's form, but it could also mimic their abilities, sometimes even replicating the aura or powers of legendary Pokémon. However, it couldn't use the actual moves of the Pokémon it copied—just their appearance and general aura."Zoro, Zoro!"With a mischievous yip, Zorua suddenly transformed into Houndour and began sparring playfully. It wanted Renjiro to guess which one was real.But Renjiro smiled knowingly. With his Eye of Insight, illusions were meaningless.Pokémon Identified:Name: Zorua (Houndour Form)Level: 22Ability: Illusion – Transforms into another Pokémon and mimics its abilitiesTemporary Ability: Flash Fire – Absorbs Fire-type moves and strengthens Fire attacksGender: FemaleMoves: Scratch, Leer, Pursuit, Fake Tears, Fury Swipes, Feint Attack, Scary Face"You're Zorua. And that one's Houndour," Renjiro said confidently.Zorua froze, surprised that he had seen through it so easily. It figured it must have been too slow when swapping positions with Houndour.Not one to give up easily, Zorua tried again, this time faster."You're Zorua."Another swap."You're Zorua."Again and again, Zorua tried—over a dozen times—but each time Renjiro effortlessly pointed out the illusion."Are you convinced now?" he asked, a small smirk playing at his lips."Zoro... Zoro." (I give up.) Zorua nodded, lowering its head in defeat."This human... he really sees through me.""Now that you've admitted it, join me," Renjiro said, taking out a Poké Ball and gently tapping it to Zorua's forehead.He didn't know why Zorua was here in Lostlorn Forest. But now that fate had brought them together, there was no reason to part ways.With a flash of red light, Zorua entered the Poké Ball without resistance.Renjiro then turned to Houndour. "You too—come back."He returned Houndour to its Poké Ball and stood up, brushing off his clothes.---Back in Shuangyang City Hospital...Renjiro lay on a hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. After much persuasion—well, more like force—Shu Wan had dragged him to the hospital for a check-up, just as she had insisted earlier.With a sigh, he opened the system interface.Host: RenjiroAvailable Pokémon:Giovanni's Exclusive Beedrill (Lv. 29)Milotic (Lv. 26)Zubat (Lv. 15)Herogaru (Lv. 17)Nidoking (Lv. 54)Nidoqueen (Lv. 52)Charmeleon (Lv. 37)Honchkrow (Lv. 33)Zorua (Lv. 22)Special Abilities:Evergreen Power: Heals Pokémon, reads their inner thoughts, and helps them overcome racial limits.Eye of Insight: Reveals information about any target.Mega Evolution Spell: When used with the Black Magic Wand, enables extraordinary evolutions.Battle Value: 3815Current Missions:Train or Recruit Ten Junior Trainers (1/10)Reward: Summon a Team Rocket ExecutiveObtain Mew's GeneReward: Mewtwo Research DataDestroy the Qingyan Cult and Become the Largest Dark Organization in the Yanhuang Region (5% Progress)Reward: Varies by CompletionActive Subsystems:Combat Value LotteryCombat Value Mall"Huh... 5% completion," Renjiro murmured as he reviewed the mission to destroy the Qingyan Cult.Just then, the hospital room door creaked open."Tsk, tsk—what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?"A teasing voice echoed through the room.Renjiro turned his head, recognizing the voice instantly. Standing at the door, arms crossed and dressed in a sharp uniform, was Zhong Ling."You?" Renjiro blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"Zhong Ling stepped inside, rolling her eyes. "You really think I don't know the doctors here? They told me you were admitted—again. I had to come check if you were still breathing, villain."Despite her sarcastic words, Renjiro could sense the concern behind them."Well, sorry to disappoint you," he replied with a crooked grin. "You know me—I'll be up and about tomorrow.""You're a little monster," Zhong Ling muttered under her breath. "No one heals that fast."She walked over and gazed at the bandages wrapped tightly around his back."What happened? Who beat you up this badly?"Her tone grew serious. These weren't surface wounds—someone had meant to kill him."Qingyan Cult."Renjiro's voice was low, but resolute.Zhong Ling's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed.That was no minor street gang—they were dealing with something far more dangerous now.