After throwing out that warning, the short-haired young man turned and ran.
Behind him, the one-eyed mysterious Pokémon seemed to react a beat later before slowly floating after him once again.
"Run!"
As he passed Chen Mo, the young man looked back and couldn't help shouting again when he saw Chen Mo standing there as if frozen in place.
At that moment—
Pikachu, standing in front of Chen Mo, moved.
Golden and azure arcs of electricity burst from the pouches on its cheeks, intertwining into a dazzling torrent of dual-colored lightning.
In the blink of an eye, the bolt streaked through the air in a graceful arc before crashing down directly in front of the mysterious one-eyed Pokémon, carving a glowing line across the ground.
"Dusk..."
Feeling the warning contained within the attack, the mysterious Pokémon came to a halt.
Its single crimson eye slowly swept across Pikachu, Chen Mo, and Gengar before finally settling on Chen Mo.
It was obvious.
The Pokémon had realized that Pikachu's attack had been launched under Chen Mo's command.
"I'm sorry."
"We don't want to fight you."
Chen Mo looked calmly at the eerie Pokémon before pointing toward the young man behind him.
"Dusknoir."
"I have something important I need to discuss with this gentleman."
"Would you mind giving us the chance?"
"Me?"
The young man looked confused.
Then his expression suddenly filled with astonishment.
"So Dusknoir is this Pokémon's name?"
"You're amazing!"
"You recognized it with just one look!"
"You're almost as incredible as my big brother!"
"And this yellow mouse..."
"And this goofy purple fat guy..."
"They're your Pokémon too?"
Like an endlessly curious child, he rattled off question after question.
Chen Mo ignored him.
Pikachu tilted its head toward Chen Mo, looking puzzled.
As for Gengar...
The moment it heard itself described as a "goofy purple fat guy," its face immediately fell.
If it hadn't been busy carrying the livestream camera, it would already have rushed over for revenge.
Who's the goofy purple fat guy?!
Just then—
The silent Dusknoir responded.
Besides its signature crimson eye, Dusknoir's most recognizable feature was the angry-looking yellow face-like pattern decorating its black torso.
Now...
The large mouth in its abdomen opened once again.
An overwhelming suction force instantly whipped the surrounding air into a violent storm.
"Wait—"
Chen Mo remained standing where he was, barely affected except for his slightly tousled hair.
But the young man behind him wasn't so fortunate.
His body began sliding helplessly toward Dusknoir.
"W-Wait!"
"Dusknoir, was it?"
"I don't want to get eaten this soon!"
A scarlet tendril shot out from the gaping mouth in Dusknoir's abdomen like a chain, wrapping tightly around the young man's body.
In an instant—
His strength seemed to vanish completely.
His body went limp as he was rapidly dragged toward Dusknoir.
Within the raging wind, panic filled his face.
One hand desperately pulled at the crimson tendril around his neck.
The other instinctively reached toward Chen Mo.
"Impossible..."
"I haven't seen my big brother yet..."
"Help..."
"Please save me!!"
Just as despair overtook him...
A calm voice drifted through the breeze.
"Pikachu."
The next moment—
A small yellow figure leaped high into the air.
Its lightning bolt-shaped tail gleamed with a metallic sheen, shining brilliantly beneath the moonlight that had just broken through the clouds.
"Pika!"
Pikachu spun gracefully in midair.
Fully gathering its momentum, its Iron Tail came crashing down like a gleaming sword.
With one clean slash...
The scarlet tendril binding the young man was severed.
"Cough... cough..."
He collapsed onto the ground.
After rolling over weakly, he sprawled flat on his back in an undignified starfish pose.
Bathed in moonlight, relief was written all over his face.
"I..."
"I survived..."
Meanwhile...
Chen Mo looked toward Dusknoir, whose suction attack had been interrupted by Pikachu.
"It seems words alone won't convince you to stop."
"Hmm..."
"In that case..."
"Although it isn't really my usual style..."
"I really do have something important I need to ask this gentleman."
"So..."
"Dusknoir."
"Let's battle."
"If you win..."
"He's yours."
"If you lose..."
"He's mine."
"What do you think?"
Dusknoir answered without a word.
Its single crimson eye suddenly glowed blue.
Powerful Psychic energy erupted outward, instantly enveloping Pikachu.
"Dusk!"
As Dusknoir slammed one hand downward...
The tremendous force of Psychic bore down upon Pikachu.
Its legs bent.
Its body slowly sank toward the ground.
"This is bad!"
Seeing the scene, the young man's expression immediately tightened.
He had just turned to warn Chen Mo—
When Chen Mo spoke first.
"Psychic?"
"Looks like we've got quite a capable opponent."
"Pikachu."
"Looks like we'll have to get serious too."
"Pika pika!"
A smile gradually spread across Pikachu's face.
Golden and azure lightning intertwined around its cheeks.
"Go all out."
"Pikachu."
"Use Volt Tackle!"
The moment the command fell—
Violent torrents of electricity burst from Pikachu's cheeks like crashing waves.
Its entire body became engulfed in dazzling lightning as the electrical energy relentlessly pushed back against Dusknoir's psychic suppression.
"This..."
Supporting himself on one arm as he slowly sat up, the young man stared at Pikachu in disbelief.
"Dusk..."
Dusknoir's expression gradually became strained.
It continued trying to suppress Pikachu...
But the more electricity Pikachu released...
The more the battlefield became flooded with blinding light.
Pikachu...
Could no longer be stopped.
Snap!
Like a taut rope suddenly torn apart by brute force...
The blue glow vanished from Dusknoir's eye.
Its body trembled as its Psychic was forcibly broken.
"Pika pika pika pika pika—!"
There was no time to dodge.
Dusknoir could only watch helplessly as Pikachu, wrapped in twin-colored lightning like a descending god of thunder, charged straight toward it.
"Dusk..."
Dusknoir gave up resisting.
Watching the Pokémon surrender...
The young man suddenly couldn't bear to see what came next.
Just then—
Pikachu had already leaped into the air above Dusknoir.
The instant Dusknoir closed its eye against the blinding lightning—
Pikachu completely dispersed the electricity surrounding its body.
"Pika~"
With an adorable cry...
It gently patted the yellow antenna-like crest atop Dusknoir's head with one tiny paw.
Then...
Executing a graceful flip and spin that would have earned perfect scores from any gymnastics judge...
It landed elegantly back on the ground.
"...It stopped."
The young man stared blankly.
Immediately afterward—
Applause sounded behind him.
Smiling warmly, Chen Mo praised his partner.
"Well done, Pikachu."
"Pika pi!"
Turning around, Pikachu proudly raised one tiny paw toward Chen Mo.
I'm your best partner.
Of course I understood exactly what you wanted.
Just leave it to me!
"You..."
The young man looked from Pikachu to Chen Mo.
Only then did he realize...
Pikachu's restraint at the final moment had been entirely intentional.
"Looks like we won."
Chen Mo smiled at Dusknoir.
"According to our agreement..."
"This gentleman belongs to me for now."
"Dusk..."
Dusknoir looked at Chen Mo and Pikachu with a complicated gaze.
Then...
Without another sound...
It turned and slowly disappeared into the darkness.
Only after watching Dusknoir leave did Pikachu happily trot back toward Chen Mo.
"...Amazing."
The young man stared blankly at the little yellow mouse.
Chen Mo's commands.
Pikachu's flawless execution.
The understanding between Trainer and Pokémon...
Had reached an unbelievable level.
Even compared to—
...No.
At most...
It was on par with his big brother.
Could this...
Be what his big brother had once called a Trainer?
So...
Trainer and Pokémon partnerships already existed in this world?
"That's incredible!"
The young man excitedly called toward Pikachu.
"Your name's Pikachu, right?"
"Is that your species' name?"
"Or did your Trainer give it to you?"
As he spoke, he reached out toward Pikachu, who was about to pass in front of him.
"Gengar..."
Watching the scene unfold, Gengar couldn't help feeling a little sorry for him.
It knew Pikachu's personality very well.
Anyone foolish enough to touch Pikachu without permission...
Usually got rewarded with a nice Thunder Shock.
Still...
Although Gengar pitied him...
It had no intention of stopping him.
Who told you to call me a goofy purple fat guy?
Ghosts hold grudges.
Just as Gengar eagerly waited for the inevitable electrocution—
Something happened that nearly made its jaw fall off.
Pikachu...
Didn't dodge.
Didn't react.
Didn't even seem to notice the hand reaching toward it.
Still smiling cheerfully...
It simply walked straight through the young man's outstretched hand.
Then...
It passed directly through his entire body.
"..."
The excitement froze on the young man's face.
"So that's how it is..."
"I knew it..."
"If Pokémon are by his side..."
"Then he couldn't possibly be like me..."
He slowly lowered his hand.
Having passed through him, Pikachu suddenly twitched an ear.
It turned back with a puzzled expression.
At the same moment—
The livestream descended into complete chaos.
[What the hell is Gengar filming?! What is Pikachu looking at?! There's literally nothing there!]
[NOPE. My wardrobe just moved. I'm done watching.]
[A GHOST!! THERE'S REALLY A GHOST!! Teacher Mo's gone crazy too! He challenged Dusknoir by saying "If I win, he's mine. If you win, he's yours." Oh no... Has Teacher Mo been possessed?!]
[Stay calm, everyone! If you're scared, go grab some garlic from the kitchen before watching! Or hide under your blanket! Blankets have protective seals—ghosts can't get in!]
[I seriously don't get why everyone's freaking out. So what if it's a ghost? We've already seen Ghost-type Pokémon. Gengar's literally with us every day. What's there to be afraid of?]
[It's just... this stream feels REALLY creepy. Teacher Mo... I'm scared. Stop talking to empty air and explain what's happening!]
Across the country...
Viewers watched with fear, excitement, or curiosity.
Regardless of their reactions...
News that Teacher Mo's livestream had encountered a ghost spread rapidly across every major platform.
Meanwhile...
Back on the street...
Gengar looked utterly panicked.
One moment it tugged at Chen Mo's sleeve.
The next it pointed frantically toward the dejected young man sitting on the ground.
"Gengar! Gengar!"
It babbled nonstop.
Chen Mo sighed, exasperated.
"Alright, alright."
"It's just a ghost."
"Gengar."
"What kind of behavior is that?"
"You're a Ghost-type Pokémon."
"If we're being technical..."
"You're a ghost too."
"So what exactly are you scared of?"
"G... Gengar..."
Hearing that, Gengar froze.
...Right.
I'm a ghost.
Why am I scared of another ghost?!
Suddenly enlightened, all fear instantly vanished.
Its trademark mischievous grin returned.
It floated straight over beside the young man.
Like it had discovered some rare new species, Gengar stared at him intently while enthusiastically filming him from every angle—
Completely ignoring the countless viewers who were already curled into balls beneath their blankets.
"Pika pika?"
"Gengar! Gengar!"
While Pikachu and Gengar chatted...
Chen Mo slowly walked over to the young man.
Hearing footsteps, the young man finally looked up.
Watching Chen Mo approach, the gloom gradually faded from his expression.
Instead, curiosity appeared in his eyes.
"I don't know why you can see me..."
"But I have a question."
"Are you a Trainer?"
Chen Mo stopped about two meters away and nodded.
"If you mean a Pokémon Trainer..."
"Then yes."
"Very precise answer."
The young man smiled.
"But you're incredible."
"Your yellow mouse defeated that one-eyed monster that eats people so easily."
"The main reason is that Dusknoir never really intended to fight us."
"So Pikachu had a much easier time dealing with it."
Chen Mo answered calmly.
"I see..."
The young man slowly stood up.
Out of habit, he dusted off clothes that no longer gathered dust.
Then...
Out of habit...
He extended a hand toward Chen Mo.
At that moment...
Looking at Chen Mo's shadow beneath the moonlight...
He suddenly seemed to remember something.
He quietly lowered his hand again.
"My name is..."
"Qin Kaicheng."
"I'm already dead."
"And you?"
"Chen Mo."
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