Morning light filtered gently through the windows.
Su Yi stretched lazily—
Letting out a satisfied sigh.
Beside the table—
Lulu puffed a small breath onto the goggles of his leather cap—
Then carefully polished them with her tiny paws.
…
After washing up—
Man and cat headed straight for the kitchen.
Since yesterday—
Su Yi had already gotten permission from Honey to use the kitchen and ingredients.
So today—
Breakfast duty—
Was his.
…
"Simple today."
"Just porridge and egg."
He stirred the pot slowly—
Waiting for the right moment—
Crack.
A herbivore egg dropped in.
Then—
Minced meat sprinkled across the surface.
Steam rose.
Warm.
Fragrant.
Soon—
A full pot of meat-and-egg porridge was ready.
…
"You're up early."
Honey walked in—
Carrying bread and a classic Western breakfast.
"You really don't have to do this every day."
…
Su Yi smiled—
Handing her a bowl.
"I'm staying here for free."
"So I should contribute."
"And I'm not a kid anymore."
…
He sat down—
Grabbed some bread—
And started eating.
"By the way—"
"I might come back late today."
"Or maybe not at all."
"But don't worry."
…
Within minutes—
Breakfast was gone.
Su Yi and Lulu dashed out—
Full of energy.
…
Honey watched them leave—
A helpless smile forming.
"…Sometimes he's mature."
"…Sometimes just a kid."
She paused—
Then sighed softly.
"…Just like someone else I know."
…
— Corviknight Station —
"Armor Station."
Riding atop Kulu-Ya-Ku—
Su Yi arrived at the southwest of the Fields of Honor—
At the Corviknight taxi station.
A place where travelers crossed the sea—
Riding flying taxis.
But—
It wasn't just a station.
It was a hub.
A market.
Items.
Poké Balls.
Ingredients.
Buyers.
Traders.
Everything gathered here.
…
Su Yi found a merchant—
And sold part of his loot:
Mushrooms.
Apricorns.
Shards.
Even—
A Leaf Stone.
…
Money—
Finally in hand.
…
"…And gone."
Gone in seconds.
Potions.
Revives.
Poké Balls.
All bought.
…
"…Might as well grab seasoning too."
More spending.
By the end—
He was nearly broke again.
…
"…Perfect."
Su Yi nodded—
Completely satisfied.
…
— Arrival —
CAW—!!
A sharp cry echoed through the air.
A Corviknight descended—
Carrying a carriage.
Someone had arrived.
…
"…This early?"
Su Yi glanced over.
A girl stepped out.
Light luggage.
Martial arts uniform.
Cold—
Focused gaze.
…
"…That's…"
Bea.
The Fighting-type Gym Leader of Galar.
…
"…Recognized me?"
Bea's gaze swept over him—
Unsurprised.
…
Su Yi understood instantly.
Training.
Of course.
In the games—
She often left alone—
Seeking harsh environments.
…
He didn't approach.
Because—
His path—
Was his own.
…
— Return to the New World —
After leaving the station—
Su Yi entered the forest—
Found a quiet spot—
And—
Returned.
…
WHOOSH—
The Ancient Forest reappeared.
But—
It felt different.
Cloudy skies.
Stronger wind.
Cooler air.
…
"…Weather's changing."
Su Yi muttered.
Releasing Lulu.
"I'm back, nya!"
…
A Poké Ball shook.
"…Larvesta?"
He released it.
"Ji-wu!"
Larvesta climbed straight onto his head—
Curious.
…
"You don't like staying in the ball either?"
"Ji!"
"Then hold tight."
…
— The Hunting Grounds —
Su Yi checked the map—
Moving toward a clearing.
They climbed a tree—
And looked down.
…
A complete ecosystem.
Herbivores grazing peacefully.
Above—
Vines stretched across the canopy—
Hanging with swollen, ripened nuts.
Some dropped—
POP!
Bursting open—
Revealing soft flesh—
Instantly devoured by herbivores below.
…
"If I remember right…"
"These are Pukei-Pukei's favorite."
"Let's wait."
…
He crouched.
Patient.
Silent.
…
The sky darkened further.
The wind picked up.
Temperature dropped.
…
"…Good thing I've got you."
Larvesta glowed softly—
Like a living heater.
"Ji~"
It chirped happily.
…
Then—
FLAP FLAP—
The wind shifted.
…
"…!"
"They're here."
…
A green wyvern descended.
Pukei-Pukei.
Its chameleon-like eyes scanned carefully.
Then—
Relaxed.
It hovered lightly—
Its long tongue snapping out—
Scooping up the bursting nuts—
Storing them in its swollen throat.
…
"…Now?"
"Or later?"
"Attack here…"
"Or track it back?"
Su Yi hesitated.
Because—
This place—
Wasn't safe.
…
— The Predator Appears —
CRUNCH… CRUNCH…
Heavy footsteps echoed.
"Waaao?!"
Pukei-Pukei froze.
…
From the forest—
A massive black-scaled brute burst out.
A predator.
A tyrant.
Anjanath.
…
It slammed into a herbivore—
CRACK—
Killing it instantly.
Then—
It looked up.
At Pukei-Pukei.
…
ROOOAR!!!
A warning.
A claim.
A challenge.
…
"…Again?"
Su Yi sighed.
"…Is it the same one?"
…
But it made sense.
This was its territory.
Its hunting ground.
…
Pukei-Pukei—
Already full—
Chose not to fight.
It flapped its wings—
Preparing to leave.
…
— The Ambush —
WHOOSH—
Suddenly—
From the opposite forest—
Spikes.
Multiple.
Fast.
Precise.
…
They pierced straight through—
Pukei-Pukei's wings.
…
SCREEEECH—!!
Its flight collapsed.
It fell.
Crashing violently to the ground.
…
Su Yi's eyes narrowed.
His back—
Burned with phantom pain.
…
"…That attack…"
"…No way."
…
Something worse—
Was here.