Chapter 16: Counterattack

Chapter 16: The Counterattack

The Arbok was struck all over by the Electromagnetic Wave, its body numb and paralyzed, unable to move. Suddenly, a deep blue light burst into view. With an enchanting halo, the deep blue ring was hurled fiercely at the Arbok by Lu Yun.

"Awakening Power!"

A sharp, sizzling sound split the air. Like a hot knife slicing through butter, the elegant, noble blue ring struck the Arbok squarely on the head, instantly cleaving its fragile skull open. Wild dragon-type energy surged through the wound, ravaging the serpent's brain until it was nothing but a ruined mess.

With a heavy thud, the Arbok, which had been half-upright, collapsed limply to the ground. The thick stench of blood quickly filled the room.

Lu Yun panted slightly, a wave of relief washing over him.

Bang!

Min Wen, overwhelmed by shock, picked up the pen holder she had knocked over. Her gaze returned to the livestream.

For a split second after Lu Yun's counterattack, the barrage of comments in the stream came to a halt, as if everyone watching had been stunned into silence, forgetting to type. Then, like a tidal wave, the comments erupted once more.

"666666666"

"This Mareep is just too fierce!"

"What move was that? The damage is terrifying!"

"It actually got counter-killed? Unbelievable!"

"I just joined the stream—what happened?"

"Do it again, do it again!"

Min Wen stared at the harmless-looking Mareep on the screen, her own nerves slowly settling before suspicion began to grow in her heart.

How could a Mareep with such a dazzling performance have ended up in the Shadow Death Arena? Logically, the Battle Department should have conducted a thorough inspection before sending any Pokémon in.

Puzzled, Min Wen deftly opened the internal database she had spent the entire day organizing. After a careful search, she found the Mareep’s file.

ID: DH3926
Pokémon: Mareep
Moves: Tackle, Growl, Electromagnetic Wave, Awakening Power (Dragon)
[Locked] (Sent to Shadow Death Arena)

"Awakening Power of the Dragon type?" Min Wen recalled the deep blue ring she had just seen.

"Still working this late?"

A colleague passing by on their way out noticed her.

"Haha, just about done," Min Wen replied politely.

"Oh, I remember this Mareep. I was the one who logged its data," the colleague said.

Min Wen's eyes lit up, and she voiced her doubts.

"Oh, that? It's perfectly normal you don't know—you're still new. Admittedly, Pokémon with special moves like that are rare, but not unheard of here at headquarters. Besides, it's a Mareep—by nature timid and gentle, not a battle species. Why would the organization invest in raising a gifted Pokémon that can’t fight? Not likely. Don’t overthink it—get some rest."

With a cheerful stride, the colleague left.

Min Wen glanced at the Arbok on the stream, now missing half its head, and smirked.

"Timid and gentle? Can’t fight?"

Back in the Shadow Death Arena.

Lu Yun stared at the Arbok’s corpse for a while longer. He sent a few more Electromagnetic Waves at it, making sure it was truly dead before finally relaxing.

Taking advantage of the black-clad man’s absence, Lu Yun shifted his attention to the system icon in his vision.

Beep!

"Defeated Pokémon: Arbok"
"Experience +37"

Lu Yun’s stats had changed as well.

Species: Mareep
Level: 8 (6/100)
Moves: Tackle, Growl, Electromagnetic Wave, Awakening Power (Dragon), Thunder Shock
Evaluation: A fairly strong Mareep

"Oh? I leveled up and even learned a new move?"

One look at the new skill’s name, and Lu Yun knew it was an Electric-type attack. But this wasn’t the time for testing or practice, as the black-clad man had already returned to the arena.

The man shot the Arbok’s corpse an odd look, then withdrew Lu Yun back into the Pokéball and left.

……

Ten days later.

Within the Shadow Death Arena, two agile figures darted across the field. Floatzel nimbly dodged the incoming Electromagnetic Wave and eyed its opponent—a Mareep that looked entirely harmless.

Floatzel knew full well how much power was hidden within that seemingly weak and gentle form.

Another bright yellow electric wave shot towards it. Floatzel’s body began to shimmer with a dazzling white light.

"Quick Attack!"

Like a flash of lightning, Floatzel zigzagged in a Z-pattern, evading the Electromagnetic Wave and charging straight at Mareep.

At the same time, white light gathered at Mareep’s pointed horn.

"Tackle!"

Bang!

The violent collision left visible trails in the air. A bit weaker in strength, Mareep was knocked back a step. Floatzel’s eyes lit up, ready to seize the opening, but a sudden jolt of numbness coursed through its body.

A shower of static electricity, stored within Mareep’s fleece, surged from its horn into Floatzel. Sparks danced.

In that instant, Mareep regained its footing. Blinding yellow electricity started to gather in the orange crystal orb at the tip of its tail.

Floatzel shook off the paralysis, cupping its hands before its chest as white energy, like stardust, began to coalesce.

"Thunder Shock!"

"Swift!"

A torrent of electricity, wild and untamed as a beast, barreled toward Floatzel. At the same time, Floatzel unleashed a barrage of white, star-shaped energy that collided fiercely with the raging currents.

Evenly matched, the electric stream carried shattered star fragments down through the air—a shower of yellow-lit stars falling from above.

Floatzel panted heavily, white light gleaming from its body again. It believed its opponent must be just as drained.

"Quick Attack!"

With a sudden push, Floatzel prepared to accelerate—only to realize the air was now thick with drifting white fleece.

A gentle buzz: the soft, floating fluff landed on Floatzel, releasing tiny sparks with every touch. Individually weak, the currents built up, accumulating within Floatzel until its nimble body grew sluggish and stiff, frustration mounting.

A flash of yellow appeared—a fresh Electromagnetic Wave.

This time, Floatzel’s body could no longer muster high-speed evasions.

Direct hit!

The bright current danced across Floatzel’s body like fish in water. Overwhelmed by the tingling numbness radiating from every limb, despair flickered in Floatzel’s eyes.

A resonant hum filled the air.

The noble, elegant deep blue ring, shimmering with dreamlike halos, sliced through the arena.

A sharp, searing sound; hot blood erupted like a fountain, splattering across the stark black floor, painting a brutal tableau in crimson.

Floatzel slowly collapsed.

Lu Yun exhaled, the breath crackling faintly with electricity as he opened the system.