ALL NOVEL Chapter 75 – Wake-Up Call
AN: I'll go ahead and remind you and say it here because what you're about to read is extremely cringeworthy, and I am well aware myself that it is cringed, but I have no choice. It's already there, please bear with it, hahahahaha.
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"My power might be related to a dragon," Floyd confessed.
Hearing what Floyd said, Kanraku stopped to contemplate his words.
"You mean a new type?" Kanraku finally spoke.
"No, it's about your hypothesis with the serpent type; it might be related to a dragon," Floyd clarified.
Kanraku's eyes widened in thought.
"This is the reason I can talk to some beasts and not others; it's exclusively related to dragons," Floyd explained.
"Wait, Floyd-san, let me think for a moment," Kanraku said, raising his left hand while holding his head with his right, clearly distressed by this revelation.
"It's not that I don't believe you, but I'm skeptical about your claim," Kanraku said, glancing at his Pokémon, "I can't see any dragon-like characteristics in your beasts."
Kanraku observed each of Floyd's Pokémon: Fraxure, which resembled a reptilian creature; Horsea, a cute seahorse; Dratini, an adorable little snake-like creature; the five Goomys, which looked like slimes; Munchlax, a plump creature; and Growlithe, akin to a puppy.
Of all these Pokémon, only Fraxure seemed to fit Kanraku's perspective of a dragon, and even then, it's just barely.
Noticing Kanraku's scrutiny, Floyd's Pokémon glared back, as if to say, 'Are you underestimating us?'
Reflecting on Kanraku's words, Floyd examined his Pokémon and couldn't help but agree. If he hadn't known them from his past lives, he would share the same doubts. Noticing their reproachful stares at him, Floyd could sense their sentiment saying: 'Master, you too?'
Floyd blushed and ruffled his hair, "Perhaps it's because they haven't fully evolved. Let's see once they evolve, like your Blastoise."
"You might be onto something, anyway, I will consider what you said and study it. Nevertheless, Floyd-san, please refrain from revealing your power; it's risky," Kanraku cautioned.
"Don't worry, professor, I understand," Floyd reassured.
"We should leave; we've disturbed the beasts enough here," Kanraku said, adjusting his camera before heading to the base.
Floyd and his Pokémon trailed behind.
Upon their return, the atmosphere at the base remained tense. Some gave them, or rather, they're giving Kanraku a cold stare. However, their eyes widened when they spotted a new creature beside Floyd.
"Floyd, what is that?" Jonathan inquired, pointing at Fraxure.
"My beast, Axew, has evolved," Floyd responded plainly.
Everyone's gaze shifted to Floyd and Fraxure.
"He is now called Fraxure," Floyd added.
This wasn't their first time witnessing a Pokémon evolution, but it was the first time they saw one belonging to their comrade, excluding Kanraku.
Aware of Axew's prowess, they wondered about Fraxure's enhanced capabilities.
"I'm heading back to the Safe Zone of Kemonohaji forest," Floyd announced, packing his gear.
"What will you be doing there?" Kanraku inquired.
"It's not even three in the afternoon; I still have time. Given the new beasts there that you captured, I want to test my Pokémon's strength," Floyd explained. He finished packing and added, "I'll be on my way."
"Hold on, you know it's dangerous there," Jonathan intervened. The somber discovery of Ren Mingzhe's body weighed on their minds, causing many to question their choices. Yet here was Floyd, who seemed unaffected and still had the guts to train.
"Jonathan, I'm no weakling. My beasts and I even defeated that giant snake. I trust them. They will protect me; we'll be fine," Floyd assured, shrugging off Jonathan's concern and venturing back into the Kemonohaji forest with his Pokémon.
(AN: The Safe Zone is a part of the Kemonohaji forest, just a reminder.)
"I will go, Elekid, follow me," Kang Jihoon said as he followed Floyd.
Elekid nodded and followed behind.
"Oppa, where are you going?" Choi Yerin rushed to him, afraid of his intentions.
"Of course, to learn more from him. If I were as strong as him, I wouldn't be afraid to venture into this forest, and I wouldn't meet the same fate as Ren Mingzhe," Kang Jihoon stated.
It had been a week since the previous battle, and he learned a lot from Kanraku and Floyd, especially from Floyd. The beast system truly fascinated him. There were strategies applicable to beasts and still many mysterious and unknown things that piqued his curiosity.
Ren Mingzhe's death not only made him doubt his beasts but also served as a wake-up call for him to strengthen his Elekid, especially after seeing Floyd's Axew evolve.
He knew Axew's strength. His Elekid had never won against it. But now that it had evolved, how strong was it? He was eager to find out.
"What did you say?" Several Chinese individuals who overheard were angered by his words.
"No, everyone, I apologize. Excuse me, I don't have time to talk. I must go," Kang Jihoon said as he ran.
"Oppa, it's dangerous," Choi Yerin expressed her concern.
"Don't worry, the professor's beasts are there. I'll be fine. Come on, Elekid," he said, rushing directly into Kemonohaji.
"What worries me most are the professor's beasts..." Choi Yerin murmured.
Ever since Ren Mingzhe's death, people had lost trust in Kanraku.
Choi Yerin hesitated about following Jihoon. Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her, "Swablu."
She saw a distressed Bianca, following her Swablu towards the Safe Zone. Trailing behind Bianca were her other Pokémon.
Ivan quietly followed with his Spinarak, while Jonathan shouted, "Wait, don't leave me behind!" His Growlithe trailed behind him.
"I will go," Le Mai Linh said, clearly worried, and rushed in with her two beasts.
Kanraku observed them and then instructed his disciples, "Follow them. You must learn from Floyd."
"This…" Inoue and Aizawa hesitated.
"Then excuse me, Kyouju. I'll go," Yamada said with a bow before departing.
"Me too, Kyouju," Nakamura also bowed and then followed.
"Just be careful," Kanraku advised before turning to Suzuki, "You too."
"No, I'll stay here," Suzuki Akiko responded, then realized her nephew was missing, "Professor, where's Ryota-kun?"
"Ryota?" Kanraku scanned the area, spotting a young boy with a Caterpie on his head and a Squirtle by his side, running alongside Nakamura and Yamada.
"Professor, that child," Suzuki said, her voice filled with worry.
"Sigh, you two, follow them. Protect Ryouta," Kanraku instructed his remaining disciples with a sigh.
The two hesitated but eventually nodded and was astonishing was Hu Tianyi's decision. Earlier, he had been deeply affected by Ren Mingzhe's death, but now he looked to his Eevee and said, "Follow me." Kang Jihoon's words had influenced him: if he had strength like Floyd's, he could have taken down that snake and not fretted about his safety.
He overcame his prejudice and charged ahead.
This choice surprised the others, prompting Chen Yu and others to join.
This tragedy might have been their wake-up call.